Lake Norman Kiwanis Club will host a reception and information session in Davidson Thursday, April 26, to introduce and raise money for a new after-school enrichment program called MusicalMinds that is coming to Blythe Elementary School in Huntersville next fall.

The “fun, film and fellowship” event will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Our Town Cinemas, 227 Griffith St., Davidson. Read the full story

A group of area residents who landed roles as extras in “The Hunger Games” movie helped open the film Friday night at Our Town Cinemas in Davidson. See photos and read more in The GUIDE»

It’s here!  Tonight at midnight, three sold out screens at Our Town Cinemas will show the most anticipated movie of recent memory, “The Hunger Games.”  Based on the first book in a trilogy by author Suzanne Collins, the movie is receiving positive reviews from early screenings by film critics.  The book is promoted as a young adult novel but it seems that just as many adults are enjoying this fictional work set in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem.  First published in 2008 the novel has been translated into 26 languages and rights of productions have been sold in 38 countries.  Every news program this week seems to feature one of the stars.

Film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth may be household words throughout the U.S. but not to worry, we have our own film stars right here in Davidson.  Well, OK, they were only extras but we consider them stars – and they will be at Our Town Cinemas tomorrow evening from 6-7 p.m. signing autographs.  Davidson talent in The Hunger Games included Beth and Audrey Gibbs, Emma Landau, Rachel Figard, Beach Galloway, Luke Williams and Isabella Taylor.

Around Davidson caught up with Beth and Audrey Gibbs, Beach Galloway and Luke Williams earlier this week and have news today of their experience in the filming of this blockbuster movie as well as other tidbits you need to know about The Hunger Games. Read the full story

The students are here!  Davidson College is swarming with 490 freshmen and their parents.  Many are already acquainted through Facebook, making orientation easier.  Once the car is unpacked and the mini-fridge stocked, parents will give a parting hug, shed a tear (perhaps) and drive home without their sons and daughters.  For those bright young students of the Class of 2015, we say WELCOME!

Around Davidson has news of John and Missy Kuykendall’s summer trip, a report on ReadDavidson 2011 and wedding congratulations to the Elliotts.  There is also a Noteworthy Note from Jody Seymour. Read the full story

Harry Potter fans posed at Our Town Cinemas before the midnight screening Thursday. (Our Town Cinemas photo)

Harry Potter fans came out in record numbers at movie theaters across the country late Thursday night, including the Our Town Cinemas in Davidson, Birkdale Cinemas in Huntersville, Concord Mills and other area theaters. They were there for a midnight premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” the final movie in the eight-film saga.

Curtis Fainn, managing partner at Our Town Cinemas, said officials at Warner Bros. Studios told him Friday morning that the midnight shows nationwide grossed as much as $44.5 million, more than most movies make during their entire runs. The movie broke previous midnight record of $30 million, set by “Twilight Eclipse,” the movie theater said in a press release Friday. Read the full story

Public officials, investors, managers and other local business people cut a ribbon to celebrate the 1st anniversary of Our Town Cinemas on Dec. 1. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

A year ago Our Town Cinemas opened in Davidson, hoping to lure movie-goers to a venue unlike the area’s big megaplexes. As the theater celebrated its birthday last week, its chief said he’s pleased that his vision for a family-friendly environment has come to life.

Also this week, a preview of the Town of Davidson’s program Thursday, Dec. 9, featuring a visit by the director of the N.C. Main Street Program who will talk about how to improve and promote the town’s shopping district.
Read the full story

Davidson has many cultural gems for a town its size, from theater and film to art and music. Some offerings even rival what’s available in major cities, and that would have to include Music @ St. Alban’s, an annual festival of music that ranges from classical to Celtic to choral. This year’s series begins Sunday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m. with a program called “BachFest V: Bach to the Future.” Read our season preview and find out how to get a discount on tickets in The Guide, CLICK HERE>

Also in The Guide today:

Our Davidson Weekend Calendar, with information on the many events in and around Davidson this weekend, including a Friday concert on the Green, a Hough High home football game and two literary events tonight.

A preview and interview with the filmmaker of “The Trial,” a locally produced film that premieres this weekend at Our Town Cinemas.

Our Literary Calendar, with listings of upcoming lectures, reading and writers’ gatherings.

In The Guide, CLICK HERE>

Okay, we all hear enough about Save the Planet, but do we ever get off the couch and do something?  Today a group from the community travels to Charlotte to visit the county’s recycling center and learn more about what can be recycled and reused from our weekly waste.  That’s a good start but let’s change directions for a moment and think about a different kind of waste:  water.  How many of us let the faucet run while we brush our teeth or rinse a plate.  How about those 20 minute showers?  We expect clean water 24/7 from our taps. But statistics tell us that of the six billion people on earth, 1.1 billion do not have access to safe, clean drinking water.

Today Around Davidson focuses on former Davidsonian Gill Holland Jr. noting his “Green” work in Louisville, Ky., and his film about water, as well as current Davidsonians Hayden Boyd and Ben Wyatt working with a simple shallow well program to bring clean drinking water to villages in sub-Saharan Africa.

There are also a few Noteworthy Notes about upcoming events in our town and a chance meeting of two young people in Raleigh with Davidson connections. Read the full story