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

Democratic Party leader Howard Dean and Sen. Richard Burr will be in Davidson Thursday to campaign for presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain respectively. Meanwhile, the community calendar this week includes a reading by author Dorothy Allison, a lecture by a Mayan land rights activist, and Yom Kippur services at two local Jewish congregations. And don’t forget Saturday’s fund-raiser at Beaver Dam for A Giving Spirit Foundation, which will support muscular dystrophy and ALS research and help expand awareness and help families with mothers facing health adversities.

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 5 p.m., update: Organizers of the Howard Dean appearance say he has been forced to cancel his visit.

Beyond Davidson: The Carolina Renaissance Festival is for a 15th year 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.

WEEK OF OCT. 6-12

MONDAY, OCT. 6, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – Reading by Dorothy Allison, author of the best-seller Bastard Out of Carolina and other novels. A native of Greenville, S.C., she has won numerous writing awards. Details on the college website. Free.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8, town streets – International Walk to School Day. Both Davidson Elementary and Davidson IB Middle Schools are planning to participate.

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.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8 through THURSDAY, OCT. 9, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Beth Shalom of Lake Norman Yom Kippur services. Details on the Congregation website, www.bslkn.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8 through THURSDAY, OCT. 9, Fair View United Methodist Church, Mount Mourne – Lake Norman Jewish Congregation Yom Kippur services. More information at www.lakenormanjc.org.

THURSDAY, OCT. 9, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Davidson College Union Amphitheatre, outside Alvarez College Union (Chambers Hall Lilly Family Gallery in case of rain.) – Gov. Howard Dean speaks at 2 p.m. on behalf of Barack Obama, in a talk sponsored by College Democrats. U.S. Sen. Richard Burr speaks at 3:30 on behalf of John McCain, sponsored by Young Republicans. Details on the college website. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 5 p.m., update: Organizers of the Howard Dean appearance say he has been forced to cancel his visit.

FRIDAY, OCT. 10, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Davidson men’s soccer vs. Furman.

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. 11, 3-7 p.m., Beaver Dam (off Davidson-Concord Road) – Autumn Family Fest to help raise money and expand awareness of mothers facing health adversities. Cost is $150 and includes dinner catered by Market on Main in Hickory, games, adult and children’s raffles, and a Billy Jonas concert. Proceeds will benefit A Giving Spirit Foundation, as well as MDA and ALS research efforts. More information available by emailing laurasleague@gmail.comThe event is organized by friends of Davidson resident Laura Woodall, who was diagnosed in 2006 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

ONGOING EVENTS

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.

THROUGH NOV. 16 – Carolina Renaissance Festival is back for a 15th year at its home off N.C. 73 and Poplar Tent Road in Huntersville. They have games, rides, music, food, and 10 stages of entertainment. Open 10:30 to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. Information at RenFestInfo.com, or call 704-896-5544.

FILM AND THEATER

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, Armour Street Theater, Armour and Watson streets – Davidson Community Players production of “Working,” a musical based on the book by Studs Terkel. Nov. 6-8 & 12-16, 8 p.m.; Nov. 9, 15, 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

Mayan children in Belize, 1965, by Grant Jones.

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. Oct. 17 to Dec. 10: “Beloved Daughters: Photographs by Fazal Sheikh. Related events: Artist lecture Wednesday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m., Davidson College Union 900 Room; opening reception Thursday, Oct. 16, 7-9 p.m., at the gallery. 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. 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!

• TUESDAY, OCT. 14, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Town Board monthly meeting. Agenda on the town website.
  

  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.
• SATURDAY, OCT. 18, 8:30 a.m., Bailey Road Park, Cornelius – Fund-raising walk organized by friends and family of Carolyn and William Cook. Mr. Cook is one of two remaining dairy farmers in Mecklenburg County and is undergoing treatment for lymphoma. His wife is a school teacher and they are raising two sons with cerebral palsy. Recommended donation: $20 for adults, $10 for those under 18. All proceeds will go toward the Cooks’ expenses. Sponsorships available. For more information, contact Amy Morand at 704-892-5577, Jon Guttman at 704-892-8413, or Carole Eury 704-892-0642.
• 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.