A Mayan woman blesses a sacred pole with incense, 1965. From an exhibit of photos by retired Davidson professor Grant Jones, opening Wednesday.

The Jewish High Holidays begin today with Rosh Hashanah, and two local congregations are holding services in and around Davidson. Our calendar this week also includes a performance by a Malian kora ensemble, home games for the Davidson men’s and women’s soccer teams, and a lecture about native American history as part of the DavidsonReads series. On Wednesday, the college’s Dean Rusk International Studies program will open an exhibit of photographs by retired professor Grant Jones, which were taken in a Belize Mayan village in both 1965 and a return visit in February 2008. And on Sunday, Ensemble Vermillian plays a concert at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Beyond Davidson: The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens for its 15th year Saturday and Sunday at its 22-acre home just east of Davidson, off Poplar Tent Road. The Amazing Maize Maze (a cornfield maze) continues at Rural Hill Farm, Thursday through Sunday. And Davidson professor Jeanne Neumann gives the last in a series of three Pompeii lectures in Charlotte, on Wednesday.

WEEK OF SEPT. 29-OCT. 5

MONDAY, SEPT. 29, 2-6:30 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s, 202 S. Main St. – Give a pint, get a pint blood drive. Details: 704-892-0604.

MONDAY, SEPT. 29, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Planning Board monthly meeting. Agenda includes informational presentation on the Davidson IB Middle School/recreation center project, discussion of the board’s role and time line for developing a town-wide comprehensive plan, and proposed amendments to the development review process. Full agenda on the town website.

MONDAY, SEPT. 29 through WEDNESDAY, OCT 1, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Beth Shalom of Lake Norman high holidays services. Details on the Congregation website, www.bslkn.org.

MONDAY, SEPT. 29 through WEDNESDAY, OCT 1, Fair View United Methodist Church, Mount Mourne – Lake Norman Jewish Congregation high holidays services. More information at www.lakenormanjc.org.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 5:30 p.m., Campania Cafe, South Main Square – Downtown Davidson Inc. annual meeting. Members will discuss the 2007-08 fiscal year and plans for the coming year and electing new board members. Open to the public.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union 900 Room – Special performance by kora player Mamadou Diabate and his ensemble, from Mali. His music traces its roots back 7 centuries to the time of Sujata Keita, he conqueror of the Malian empire. Free. Details on the college website.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 6:30 p.m., Myers Park Baptist Church, 1931 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte – Davidson Professor and Classics Dept. Chair Jeanne Neumann lectures on “Home & Garden in Pompeii” as part of the Discovery Place/Davidson College Pompeii Lectures. Details: Free. 704-334-7232, ext. 56.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Men’s soccer vs. UNC Greensboro. Details on the college website.

Mayan children in Belize, 1965, by Grant Jones.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 7 p.m., Davidson College Duke Residence Hall, lobby – The Dean Rusk International Studies Program holds an opening for “Living Maya History in Southern Belize: Photos from San Antonio Village, 1965 and 2008,” an exhibit of photographs by Grant Jones, professor emeritus of anthropology at Davidson College. These photos, most of which were taken in 1965, provide a glimpse into Mayan family and religious life. Free. (See also “Mark Your Calendar” below for a related event: a lecture Wednesday, Oct. 8, on Mayan land rights by Cristina Coc, executive director of the Julian Cho Society in Belize.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, noon to 8 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, McKay Youth House, South Main Street – The Great Pumpkin Patch for Missions is back, selling pumpkins to raise money for church missions. Continues through Oct. 31, Sundays to Fridays, noon to 8 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers needed to man the patch. Call 704-987-9949.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 9:30 a.m., Childrens Community School, 565 Griffith St. – Open house for parents of prospective students. For reservations or information, 704-896-6262 or e-mail info@ccsch.org.

Cernyak-Spatz

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall (NOTE CHANGED LOCATION) – Holocaust survivor Susan Cernyak-Spatz lectures on “Surviving Auschwitz: Protective Custody Prisoner 34042.” The title is based on the number tatooed on Ms. Cernyak-Spatz’s skin during her imprisonment.  Free. For more information, call the Davidson College History Department at 704-894-2839.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 8 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union, 900 Room – 2008 Chidsey Lecture, by Davidson parent and trustee Carlos Alvarez, who is president and CEO of the Gambrinus Co. Free.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music TBA.

"One Foot in Eden," by Ron Rash (Click to buy from Amazon.com)

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 7 p.m., Davidson Public Library, on the Village Green – Carol Higham, adjunct professor of history at Davidson College, speaks on native American history as part of the Davidson Reads series. Free. Details in our August Davidson Reads preview, “Ready, set, read: Events surround ‘One Foot in Eden.'”

THURSDAYS THROUGH SUNDAYS, THROUGH NOV. 2, Rural Hill Center of Scottish Heritage, Huntersville – 7th Annual Amazing Maize Maze features flashlight mazes, group fun and a chance to get lost in a huge field of corn. The maze is open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 5-17. For directions and more, see the maze website.

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Davidson women’s soccer vs. Samford.

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music TBA.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 8 a.m. to noon, beside Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Weekly Davidson Farmers Market, with fresh local produce and meats, baked items, flowers and other goods. For a listing of this week’s farmers and vendors: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. Market continues Saturdays through October.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music TBA. www.summitcoffee.com

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, and SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., N.C. 73 and Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville – 15th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival begins. It’s a festival of 500 performers, food, music, fun rides, crafts, games and even jousting. Read more in our Sept. 22 preview.

Violinist David Wilson, at St . Alban's Oct. 5

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Classical music concert with Ensemble Vermillian, featuring Frances Blaker, recorders; David Wilson, baroque violin; Barbara Blaker Krumdieck, baroque cello; Henry Lebedinsky, harpsichord. They’ll play “Jewels from the Royal Crown: Music of Fire and Ice from 17th Century London.” Suggested donation: $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Under 10 free. Details: 704-941-0650.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 4-6 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. – Social Justice Ministry Team of the church hosts a forum “Our Criminal Justice System: Is it Broken? What Is Our Responsibility?” Panelists: Mecklenburg Sheriff Chipp Bailey, social worker Laverne Fesperman, assistant district attorney Bruce Lillie, Davidson College Police Chief Fountain Walker. Free. Reception to follow. Details: 704-892-4753.

FILM AND THEATER

From "Darius Goes West," a film to be screened Monday, Oct. 6, at the college.

MONDAY, OCT. 6, 7-9 p.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Screening of “Darius Goes West” and a discussion with the cast and crew of this award-winning documentary, about Darius Weems, a man who lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Along with a group of friends from Davidson College and beyond, he journeyed cross country in an RV to raise awareness about children living with the disease. Free. Proceeds from DVD sales benefit Charley’s Fund for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research. More about the film, www.dariusgoeswest.com.

OCT. 22-26, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson College production of “Communicating Doors” by Alan Ayckbourn, a hilarious, door-slamming comedy about family ties, marriages, and time travel. Directed by Steve Umberger, former artistic director of the Charlotte Repertory Theatre. Oct. 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 24-25, 8:15 p.m.; Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Details on the college theater department website.

NOV. 6-16, location to be announced, Davidson – Davidson Community Players production of “Working,” a musical based on the book by Studs Terkel. Nov. 6-8 & 13-15, 8 p.m.; Nov. 9 & 16, 2 p.m. More information: www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

GALLERY OPENINGS & ART EVENTS

LAKE NORMAN ART LEAGUE – Monday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m., monthly meeting, with guest speaker Jamie Frankl, at Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. Also, Fall 2008 Exhibit underway at Lake Norman Art League Gallery, South Main Square office building, 442 South Main St., next to Masterworks. With submissions by league members and other area artists. Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Details: www.LKNart.org

DAVIDSON COLLEGE DEAN RUSK INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM – Through Oct. 10, “Living Maya History in Southern Belize: Photos from San Antonio Village, 1965 and 2008,” an exhibit of photographs by Grant Jones, professor emeritus of anthropology at Davidson College. These photos, most of which were taken in 1965, provide a glimpse into Mayan family and religious life. Opening reception Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7-9 p.m. Free.

GREAT FRAME UP SHOP, Birkdale Village, Huntersville – Through Oct. 12, Art Spectacular Show & Auction preview exhibition, featuring 20 works by area artists, chosen by juror Tom Stanley, gallery director at Winthrop University. Organized by Lake Norman-Huntersville Rotary Club and Lake Norman Art League. Free. The auction will be Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Rotary Club’s Wine Spectacular, with proceeds benefiting Hope House and Lake Norman Free Clinic. For more information, contact Arvind Patil, Art Show Chairperson, at 704-562-5327 or aspatil@bellsouth.net.

"Our Morning Walk," part of an exhibit of mobile phone camera photographs at Cornelius Arts Center.

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius, in the Oak Street Mill behind the police station – Through Nov. 1: “David Boraks: Photographs,” an exhibit of new work by Davidson photographer (and DavidsonNews.net editor) David Boraks, including a series of photos shot with a mobile phone camera. More about the artist, www.davidboraks.com. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays by appointment. Information: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org.

Works by Davidson College visiting artist Lydia Musco are on display at Davidson College Visual Art Center this month.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VAN EVERY/SMITH GALLERIES, Davidson College Visual Art Center, Main and Griffith streets – Through Oct. 8: Faculty Exhibition, with new sculptures by Cort Savage, new paintings by Herb Jackson, and a special site-specific installation by Ryan O’Malley. New Visiting Associate Professor of Art Lydia Musco will present an installation of large-scale concrete works that are inspired by modern and ancient architectural construction practices. Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Weekends: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERY, 463 S. Main St. – Through Oct. 17: Group show of paintings by Charlotte Faust, Kenneth Nelson, Susan Jennings, Loren DiBenedetto, Tyler Strouth, and Ray Byram. Oct. 18 to Nov. 29: “Dogz n’ and Catz” show, dog and cat art by leading artists, to benefit Lake Norman Animal Rescue. Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 704-895-1213 or on the gallery’s new website, www.merrilljennings.com.

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – Oct. 1 to Nov. 11: “A Self That Touches All Edges,” new work by Ulysses Jackson. Opening reception Saturday, Oct. 4, 4-6 p.m. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Information: www.christafautgallery.com or 704-892-5312.

WOODEN STONE, 445 S. Main St. – Featured in October: Leaf Leather. Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 1-6 p.m. 704-892-1449. www.woodenstonegallery.com.

MOORESVILLE ARTIST GUILD, Depot Gallery, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville – Sept. 1-30, work by artists Edna Barker, Pat McGuire, Ginny Boyd. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10-4, Sunday 1-4. Details: www.mooresvilleartistguild.com/

SO ALIVE GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. – Through Oct. 31: “Jo Rissanen: Great and Small,” an exhibit of mixed media works depicting animals in God’s kingdom. Hours: Wednesdays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details: 704-892-0044.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union 900 Room – Lecture on “Mayan Land Rights” by Cristina Coc, executive director of the Julian Cho Society, a non-governmental organization in Belize. She will talk about traditional Mayan communities past and present and the history of the land rights movement. Sponsored by Dean Rusk International Studies Program. See also the exhibit of Grant Jones photographs from Belize under Galleries above. Free.


Dr. Keith Devlin, the "math guy"

• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 7:30 p.m., 900 room of the Davidson College student union – Dr. Keith Devlin, better known as “The Math Guy” on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition. will be giving the annual Bernard Society Lecture for the Davidson College Math Department.
• SATURDAY, OCT. 18, 9 a.m. to noon, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, 171 Fairview Road, off I-77 Exit 33, Mooresville – Stork’s Landing Maternity Center and Child Birth Education Center at the medical center present their annual Baby Fair, “Falling for Babies.” Free. Info: 704-660-4374. www.lnrmc.com.
• OCT. 24-26, Fisher Farm Park, off Shearers Road – National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest, a three day, family oriented festival with short track, time trials and kids races as well as the season’s final USA Cycling National Ultra Endurance race. Proceeds benefit Davidson Parks & Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund. Featuring national champion and two-time Olympian David “Tinker” Juarez, and co-sponsored by Cowbell Challenge Inc. Details: www.nationalmtboktoberfest.org
• FRIDAY, OCT. 24, 7 p.m., Davidson Public Library, on the Village Green – Ron Rash, author of “One Foot in Eden,” will speak as part of the Davidson Reads series. Rash’s “Eden” is the featured book in this fall’s community reading program. Details in our August Davidson Reads preview, “Ready, set, read: Events surround ‘One Foot in Eden.'”
• SATURDAY, OCT. 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Author Ron Rash signs copies of his “One Foot in Eden” as part of the Davidson Reads series. Free.
• FRIDAY, NOV. 7, 10 a.m., Davidson Public Library, on the Village Green – Lecture by naturopathic doctor Amy Naylor, as part of Davidson Reads.
• SUNDAY, NOV. 16, 4-5 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Davidson Historical Society presentation about the history of Lake Norman, in the final event of the 2008 Davidson Reads series. Free.

CALENDARS ON THE WEB

TOWN OF DAVIDSON – Listings of public meetings, citizens committee meetings and other town events are available on the town website, http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us/

DAVIDSON COLLEGE – For an up-to-date listing of events on the college campus, visit the college calendar page.

DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – http://davidsonumc.changemywebsite.com/calendar.asp

DAVIDSON COLLEGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Calendar of events. http://www.dcpc.org/article83232.htm

DAVIDSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH – Events calendar on Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library’s PLCMC.org website.

ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH online calendar – http://www.saintalbans-davidson.org/

ST. ALBAN’S SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD – http://www.stalbanssq.org/calendar.html

LAKE NORMAN SENIOR CALENDAR, at LKNSenior.com

MUSIC AT ST. ALBAN’S, 2008-9 concert season.

YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTOR – online listing of alternative and holistic health information and events. http://www.yourcommunityconnector.com/

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.