Summer vacation is about a month away and schools are gearing up for end of year tests and activities.  We have a full plate of school happenings to report on, including a new interim principal for Davidson Elementary, the need for volunteer test proctors at several local schools, McKinney Academy‘s efforts to become a charter school,  literature contest winners at Davidson Day, band honorees at Bailey Middle, and Darfur fundraising at Davidson IB.

All that plus the chance to watch President Obama chatting with a Woodlawn student, and a full calendar of upcoming events, including this weekend’s performance of “Suessical” by Pine Lake Prep students. Read the full story

Happy laughter from children on the Old West Express brought fond memories of Town Days past.

May is off to a wonderful start.  Many enjoyed the sunny skies last weekend  for golf at Quail Hollow, soccer games all over North Mecklenburg and of course the start of baseball at McEver Field.  Now we head to Mother’s Day, commencement at Davidson College, Memorial Day weekend and summertime fun.

But today is Cinco de Mayo and time to celebrate today’s Latin holiday, the 5th of May.  Celebrations  of other events filled the calendar last week!  Around Davidson reflects today on the Connie Company’s production of “The House at Pooh Corner,” the annual Garden Party at The Pines and 35 years of Town Day in Davidson. Read the full story

2nd annual Habitat for Humanity Car Show is Saturday.

Our community calendar this week includes Thursday’s Don’t Drive Day – devoted to finding an alternative ways to work and promoting better air quality in the Charlotte region. A car-related event of another kind is scheduled Saturday, the 2nd annual Habitat for Humanity Car Show, a gathering of antique and sports cars at the Habitat ReStore in Cornelius. And The Carter Brothers are in Davidson for a Mother’s Day Concert on the Green on Sunday. “House at Pooh Corner” continues its run at Armour Street Theater, while Pine Lake Prep produces “Seussical the Musical” at Davidson’s Duke Family Performance Hall.

Davidson’s baseball team has a couple of home games this week, against Duke and Virginia Tech. And town government meetings this week include another series of Comprehensive Plan study group meetings. And the Parks & Rec Advisory Board meets Wednesday at 7 for a discussion of a new fee policy and the budget for capital improvements. Read our full calendar in The Guide>

Jay Butler (right), Davidson Community Players’ board chair and Set construction volunteer, presents retiring technical director Jim Nash with the “Big Dog Award.”

Davidson Community Players recently honored retiring technical director Jim Nash for seven years of service and leadership during a critical time in the company’s growth. Ryan Maloney has stepped in to replace Mr. Nash. Read more in our latest Theater Notes column, along with news about auditions next week at both the Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius and Davidson Community Players, and ticket sales for a children’s production of “House at Pooh Corner”. Get the full story in The Guide.

Two local drama productions, “Company” by Davidson College students and “How I learned to Drive” by the Davidson Community Players, end their runs this weekend, while the April is For Arts Festival will begin Saturday in a flurry of bench painting on the green. Sunday marks the start of Easter week, and will also be the day for the annual Eggstravaganza egg hunt at North Meck Park. All that plus music at St. Alban’s, a family day at the Y, the end to the Francophile film festival and more.

Read all about it in The Guide.

Freshman Ryan Chiles (center) plays the lead role of Bobby in Davidson College's production of "Company." (Bill Giduz photo)

Davidson College theater and music departments’ production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical “Company” is an enjoyable look into the life of consummate bachelor Robert as he navigates single life in New York City.

As a theater buff and alum of Davidson theater productions myself, I was a bit nervous when I sat down for the show Friday. Sondheim shows are notoriously difficult to pull off.  But halfway through the first song, I was put at ease. Read the full story

First-year student Ryan Chiles receives advice from all sides about his love life as Bobby, the lead in “Company.”

Costa, Culpepper and Lawing

On Friday night, Davidson College’s departments of theater and music open Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Company,” their first full-scale collaboration in 20 years. For local theater-goers, it’s a rare opportunity to see a fully-staged Broadway favorite with full orchestra in the Duke Family Performance Hall pit. DavidsonNews.net’s David Boraks spent a few minutes last weekend getting the back story from three people who helped make it happen: director and theater department chair Ann Marie Costa, conductor and music professor Bill Lawing, and musical director and artist associate in voice Jacquelyn Culpepper. Listen and get a preview of some of the music.

(Click the play button to start. Can’t see the button or hear the interview? CLICK HERE>)

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(MP3 format, 4 min. 59 sec.)
Background music by the “Company” cast.
Read on for more about “Company,” and how to get tickets. Read the full story