Hold onto your hats, or they just might get juggled. This weekend features Davidson College’s Family Vaudeville Extravaganza, a delightful annual event of comedy, magic and eye-popping feats of balance and dexterity. With the students back on campus, there’s plenty more to do this weekend, including an art show reception, a musical performance by the U.S. Army Chorus and the debut of men’s soccer. Plus, kids may enjoy two outdoor summer “Moovies” at Ben & Jerry’s.

Weekend of Aug. 28-31

Ben & Jerry’s will host two free outdoor summer “Moovies” this weekend, featuring “Finding Nemo” Thursday and “Monsters, Inc.” on Friday. Shows begin at dusk, with projection from the scoop shop parking lot to the wall of Summit Coffee. Audience members are asked to bring a canned food item for donation to the Loaves & Fishes pantry. Ben & Jerry’s is located at 202 South Main Street.

Davidson College will host a reception for artists Thursday, 7-9 p.m., to mark the opening of the annual exhibit of work by members of the art department faculty. The exhibit will run through October 8 and be housed in the Van Every/Smith Galleries of the Davidson College Visual Art Center. Thursday’s reception will feature a gallery talk by Lydia Musco, visiting associate professor of art, starting at 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Chorus presents a free concert Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. This is one of only two North Carolina stops the chorus is making this summer. The chorus was established in 1956 as the vocal counterpart of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”

The annual Family Vaudeville Extravaganza will take the stage at the college’s Duke Family Performance Hall for two weekend shows – Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. The hilarious and popular event will be emceed by The Great Fettucini (Steve Langley of Huntersville) and including juggler Michael Karras, Japanese diabolo master Tempei, comedy magician Chris Hannibal and silent comic “Mr. Robb” Zeiser. Saturday night’s show is part of the 19th annual Hurricane Hugo Juggling Festival on the Village Green that morning from 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets to the Family Vaudeville Extravaganza are $5, available online anytime at www.davidson.edu/tickets or beginning Aug. 21 by phone at 704-894-2135.

The new Davidson Farmers Market will continue Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon, offering shoppers fresh local produce and meats, baked items, flowers and more. Musical entertainment will feature the Lake Norman Jam, which is open to all comers. Bring your instruments and pick up a song sheet.

Live music this weekend at Summit Coffee will feature Philip Hamrick of Miles Apart playing Saturday, 8-11 p.m. Bands play on the back patio, or upstairs if its raining. There are no scheduled concerts Thursday or Friday because of the outdoor movie screenings by Ben & Jerry’s mentioned above.

Wildcats sports this weekend will see the season-opener for the men’s soccer team Friday, starting at 7:15 p.m. at Alumni Stadium. Davidson will take on rival UNC-Charlotte and host four teams in the 2008 Davidson Adidas Classic. Sunday, the Cats will face off against Marshall at 1 p.m. The Wildcats are led by senior co-captain Cameron Griffin, who will anchor the defense, and sophomore midfielder Alex Caskey, the top returning scorer from last season.

Meanwhile, on Sunday at 4 p.m., the Davidson College Swing & Salsa club will hold an informational meeting about lessons for the year. They are opening up the beginner and advanced classes to the community, with 12 classes being offered for a total of $15 for the semester. The meetings will be at 4 p.m. on Sundays in Chambers Hall Lilly Gallery.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• MONDAY, SEPT. 1 – Labor Day. Most public offices and banks closed. CATS buses operate on a Sunday schedule, with no express service.
• TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 5 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Town Board special closed session meeting to complete its annual evaluation of Town Manager Leamon Brice. The board has held closed sessions with Mr. Brice at previous regularly scheduled meetings as part of this routine process.
• WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3, 7 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, Mooresville – Public meeting to seek citizen input on a proposed interlocal agreement with Davidson and Mooresville that would govern development and boating on Lake Davidson. Background: Aug. 4, 2008, “Meeting Tues. to look at Lake Davidson’s future.”
• SEPT. 3-4 or OCT. 8-9, 7-9 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, Room 210 – Men in Balance presents a Couples Communication class,w ith practice conversations using real issues, facilitated by Emmie Alexander Hancock and Jerry Hancock of Alexander Hancock Associates. Limited to 10 couples per session. Details: http://meninbalance.org/
• THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 7 p.m., So Alive Art Gallery, 108 S. Main St. – Charlotte Writers Club monthly meeting, with guest author David Fleming. Mr. Fleming is a senior writer for ESPN, The Magazine and columnist for ESPN.com. Details: www.charlottewritersclub.org
• FRIDAY and SATURDAY, Sept. 5-6, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 300 Caldwell Lane – Monthly services for Beth Shalom of Lake Norman. Friday, 6:15 p.m., Shabbat services and dinner; Saturday, 9 a.m., Shabbat services followed by joint lunch and family education with congregations of both Beth Shalom and St. Alban’s. RSVP by Sept. 3 to rsvp@bslkn.org. Details: www.bslkn.org. Also, newcomer social to meet members and Rabbi Jeremy Gerber, Saturday 7:30 p.m. RSVP to Dick Zimmerman, membership@bslkn.org
• SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 10 a.m., Fair View United Methodist Church, N.C. 115 across from Mount Mourne Elementary School, Mooresville – Lake Norman Jewish Congregation holds its first Junior Congregation Youth Shabbat, with Rabbi Michael Shields and Institute for Southern Jewish Life fellow Rachel Jarman leading the service. www.lakenormanjc.org
• SUNDAY, SEPT 7, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Concert on the Green, with the hometown bluegrass band Davidson Express. Free. Bring a picnic – they’ll give an award for “most colorful.” Details:www.downtowndavidson.org.
• TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 West Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte – Charlotte Area Transit System public meeting on the North Line (Purple Line) Commuter Rail project. CATS invites people to hear the latest project information and share comments and questions. Questions: 704-336-RIDE (7433).
• THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 6:30-8 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Charlotte Area Transit System public meeting on the North Line (Purple Line) Commuter Rail project. CATS invites people to hear the latest project information and share comments and questions. Questions: 704-336-RIDE (7433).
• FRIDAY, SEPT. 12, 9 a.m., Birkdale Golf Club, Huntersville -2008 Lake Norman Kiwanis Club Charity Golf Tournament, to benefit local children and families in need. Registration begins at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9. Prizes awarded, including hole-in-one awards. Details: Robin Noud, 704-860-6688. Register online: www.golfdigestplanner.com/6722-KiwanisGolf2008/
• FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 5-8 p.m., Beaver Dam historic park, 19600 Davidson-Concord Road – 10th Annual BBQ, Blanket and Bluegrass festival, sponsored by Davidson Parks & Recreation. Live music with Kent Dowell & Friends bring lawn games or play in one of the inflatables. BBQ prices range from $4-$8 while supplies last. For more information, please call Davidson Parks and Recreation at 704-892-3349.
• SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Davidson Village Green – Lake Norman Baby Fair, hosted by La Leche League of Lake Norman. With speakers on childbirth, breastfeeding, aromatherapy, money management for families, and family nutrition. Info available about fitness and childbirth classes, prenatal and postpartum counseling, custom photography, birth announcements, baby gear, and more. Also, La Leche League Leaders will be available to answer questions and offer information about breastfeeding. Free. Information: llloflakenorman.wordpress.com.
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, noon to 4 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, Church Street, Charlotte – Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists sponsor “Your Voice. Your Vote,” a forum and information session on the 2008 election. Speakers include Davidson’s Lenny McAllister, who has been writing and talking about what it means to be a “hip-hop Republican,” as well as Charlotte Observer columnist Tonya Jameson as well as candidates for state and local offices. Voters will be able to ask questions, get voters’ guides, and register to vote. The event also includes a discussion “The Changing Face of Politics,” looking at the relationship between the media and the public. Free. Details: www.caabj.com
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 4 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. – “Gospels and Spirituals” concert with performances by the Adult and Youth Music Ministries of the church. Followed by an ice cream social in the Fellowship Hall. Donations accepted, with proceeds benefiting a new “Music Academy” outreach program for children in the Lake Norman area. More information is available by calling Kevin Turner, director of music and worship, 704-892-8277, ext. 281, or by email at kturner@davidsonumc.org.
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Davidson College Symphony and Jazz Band play the season’s finale Concert on the Green. Free. Bring a picnic: they’ll have a contest for “most collegiate.” Details: www.downtowndavidson.org
• TUESDAY, SEPT. 23, 7 p.m., St. Alban’s Church, 300 Caldwell Lane – St. Alban’s Square Neighborhood Association annual membership meeting. Open to neighborhood residents, to elect Council of Stewards and ratify 2008-2009 budget.
• THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 7:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – St. Albans Neighborhood Discussion Group hosts a forum for at-large candidates for Mecklenburg County Commission. With introductory statements by each candidate, followed by a Q&A.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT
Send listings and press releases to us at editor@davidsonnews.net. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number, in case we have questions.