Actual Proof plays Friday at Summit Coffee.

Charlotte Writers Club North hosts poet Larry Sorkin and Charlotte Symphony cellist Tanya Bechtler at its meeting Thursday. And the Francophone Film Festival continues at Davidson College. Meanwhile, also this week in and around Davidson: Parenting expert John Rosemond speaks tonight at Davidson IB Middle School in a program sponsored by the Church of the Good Shepherd. Children’s Arts Project and the Creative Art Exchange hold their “Taste for Art” fund-raiser Tuesday. At the weekend, the Music at St. Alban’s series continues, there’s a regional egg hunt in Huntersville, and Benches on the Green will feature bench-painting projects, music and juggling on the Village Green..

In sports, Davidson men’s and women’s tennis teams play at home Wednesday against Elon and UNC Greensboro, respectively, while the baseball team is on the road for games against North Carolina and Samford. And the Davidson women’s soccer team hosts UNC Greensboro on Sunday.

MARCH 30-22

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 7 p.m., Davidson IB Middle School, South Street – Parenting expert John Rosemond speaks on “Parenting a Strong-Willed Child.” Sponsored by Church of the Good Shepherd. $10 for individuals, $15 for couples, with all proceeds benefitting the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson. Tickets and info: www.tcotgs.org/rosemond.

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – Davidson College Flute Choir plays works by Bozza, Kocher, Seitz and Debussy among others. Free.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fresh Market, Fresh Market Shopping Center, off I-77 Exit 28 – Third annual “A Taste of Art,” wine, hors d’oeuvres, and art auction, to benefit Creative Art Exchange and Children’s Arts Project. Tickets $25. Tickets available at Fresh Market or Cornelius Arts Center, in the Oak Street Mill, behind the police station, Cornelius. www.creativeartexchange.org. (UPDATE: This fund-raiser is sold out and there will be no tickets available at the door/David)

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 4 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union 900 Room – “Environmental Justice: The Origins of African American Environmentalism,” a lecture by Dr. Mart Stewart, professor of history at Western Washington University and the Thomson Distinguished Visting Professor of Environmental Studies at Davidson for Fall ’09. Free.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 3 p.m., Davidson College Covington Tennis Courts – Davidson College men’s tennis vs. Elon and women’s tennis vs. UNC Greensboro.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 6 p.m., Chapel Hill – Davidson baseball vs. North Carolina.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 7:30 p.m., Davidson public library community room, on the Village Green – UU Lake Norman, a Unitarian Universalist group in formation, will host a discussion of Buddhism at its next meeting. Read more in our March 28 note.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 7 p.m., So Alive Gallery, 108 S. Main Street – Charlotte Writers Club North hosts poet Larry Sorkin and Charlotte Symphony cellist Tanya Bechtler for an evening of words and music in celebration of National Poetry Month. More information at www.charlottewritersclub.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 3 p.m., Davidson College Covington Tennis Courts – Davidson women’s tennis vs. Charlotte.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 7 p.m., Birmingham, Ala. – Davidson College baseball vs. Samford

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: jazz/fusion with Actual Proof, Eric Mullis on vibraphone, Phillip W. Berkley on bass, drummer Scott Brower, and Clint Presley on guitar.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 10 a.m., Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road – April Is for Arts festival begins with “Benches on the Green,” with teams from local businesses transforming unfinished benches into masterpieces with their favorite designs. The free event includes juggling, music with The Generals, Davidson College’s male a capella group. The completed benches will be placed throughout Davidson as a visual reminder that April is for Arts. More in our preview,

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lake Norman Family YMCA, Cornelius – YMCA Spring Soccer Trophy and Family Fun Day, with the final games of the season, trophy presentations, sand volleyball, canoeing, archery, arts & crafts, games, food, inflatable moon bounce and more. Also, info about summer camps. Contact Matthew McAulay at 704-716-4442 or matthew.mcaulay@ymcacharlotte.org for more info.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Davidson College – Engage for Change Engage for Change at Davidson College will host “Greenstock,” a day of service and advocacy around the theme of environmental justice. The morning will begin with several group service projects from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by environmentally-focused music, vendors, activities and a clothing swap from noon until 4 p.m. The market and afternoon events are open to the public. Details available on the college website.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2 p.m., Birmingham, Ala. – Davidson College baseball vs. Samford.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Davidson women’s soccer vs. UNC Greensboro.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2 p.m., Birmingham, Ala. – Davidson College baseball vs. Samford.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2-4 p.m., North Mecklenburg Park, – Annual Eggstravaganza egg hunt. Join Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville Recreation Departments at their annual Eggstravaganza. Bring your own basket and have fun searching for eggs, getting your face painted, visiting with Peter Cottontail and enjoying family entertainment. Details on the Cornelius Parks & Rec website, www.corneliuspr.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s series presents VOX & Friends. Vox is a professional vocal group from Charlotte, led by David Tang. Tickets required. Details on the Music at St. Alban’s website.

THEATER AND FILM

THROUGH APRIL 5, Davidson College – Francophone Film Festival brings contemporary French language films to Davidson this week. Free admission, open to the public. For a schedule and more information, see the Davidson College website.

THROUGH APRIL 2, Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players present “How I Learned to Drive,” by Paula Vogel. Performances: March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, April 2-3 at 8 p.m., March 22 & 29 at 2 p.m. A funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. Includes mature themes. Tickets: Adults $17; Students and Seniors (65 & above) $15. Reservations: 704-892-7918.

THROUGH APRIL 4, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson’s departments of music and theater present “Company,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth. Directed by Davidson theater professor Ann Marie Costa. This Tony Award-winning Broadway show follows a committed bachelor named Robert, his married friends and his girlfriends. On the night of his 35th birthday he faces a dilemma: Hold onto himself, or lose himself in a long-term relationship. Show times are 8 p.m. on March 27-28, 2 p.m. on March 29, 7:30 p.m. on April 2, and 8 p.m. on April 3-4. Tickets $15 general admission, $11 seniors, faculty/staff $9, students $6. Details on the college website. See Emmaline Harvey’s review on DavidsonNews.net.

MAY 15-16, Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St, Mooresville – Masterworks School of the Arts presents “Alice in Wonderland.” Shows May 15 – 9am, 11:30am, 7pm; May 16 – 2 pm, 5pm, 7:30pm. Tickets: $8 for morning shows; $9/child, $12/adult for evening shows. Contact: 704-663-5942 or 704-987-5000. www.masterworkschoolofthearts.com Tickets available March 23.

MAY 29-30, Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St, Mooresville – Masterworks School of the Arts presents “The Wizard of Oz.” Shows are May 29 – 8:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 7:30 p.m.; May 30 – noon, 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Cost: $8 for morning shows; $12/child, $15/adult for evening shows. Tickets on sale March 23.Contact: 704-663-5942 or 704-987-5000. www.masterworkschoolofthearts.com

GALLERIES & ART EVENTS

MONDAYS, 6-9 p.m., Creative Art Exchange, Cornelius – open figure drawing sessions, hosted by David Smith. $10 model fee. Contact davidbsmith@bellsouth.net to be added to the notification list.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, Depot Fine Arts Center, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville – Mooresville Artist Guild’s 2009 Spring Paint Out Competition. (Rain Date Sunday April 5, 2009.) 8-10 a.m., Morning check-in; 3:30-5:30 p.m., art intake; 4-6 pm, Artists Dinner; 6 p.m. awards. Paint all day at the locations of your choice,
share your experiences with your fellow artists during the Artists’ Dinner,and win an award for your efforts! Open to all ages, skill levels and mediums. $15 per Artist to enter. www.magart.org

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 7-9 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – Lake Norman Art League Dinner/Social/Critique. If you can, please bring a dish to share, and all members can bring one work. Please RSVP to keysar@lknart.org with what you can bring.For details visit www.lknart.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – Acrylic painting workshop and demonstration, with a representative of Chroma demonstrating the company’s Atelier Interactive Professional Artists’ Acrylics. Free for Lake Norman Art League members, $5 for non-members. RSVP required to Pidge Osborn at pidge@bellsouth.net.

LAKE NORMAN ART LEAGUE GALLERY, at South Main Square Executive Offices, 442 S. Main St. – April 1 to May 1, “Spring 2009 Exhibit.” Opening reception Friday, April 17, 6-9 p.m. during April Is for Arts Gallery Crawl. Gallery hours: Weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For details visit www.lknart.org.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VAN EVERY/SMITH GALLERIES, Davidson College Visual Art Center, 102 N. Main St. at Griffith Street – March 13-April 15: “Chris Johanson: Continuality,” featuring a new site-specific installation by the San Francisco street and underground artist. Gallery hours: weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends, noon to 4 p.m.

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERIES, 463 S. Main St. – Through March 31: original watercolors by Davidson artist Virginia Quillen. These paintings were used to illustrate the unique book/DVD combo, Lake Reflections, depicting familiar scenes of Lake Norman. In addition, works of art in all media and price ranges will be offered by many familiar gallery artists including Addie James, Loren DiBenedetto, Susan Jennings, Betsey Hampton, and many others. Coming in April: Gala Gallery Group Show, for April is for Arts Month. The eclectic mix of paintings and sculpture will include new works by Loren DiBenedetto, Virginia Quillen, Susan Jennings, Jodi John, Charles Jay, Ray Byram, Michael Parkes, and many others. Gallery crawl April 17, open until 9:30 p.m. For more information call 704-895-1213 and visit the website at www.merrilljennings.com

"Red Airplane," a monoprint by Felicia van Bork, on display at Creative Art Exchange beginning March 16.

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – Through March 17, “Dreams and Abstractions,” paintings by Joana Wardell. March 17-April 28, “In Between Moods,” new paintings by Caroline Rust. Reception with the artist Saturday, March 21, 4-6 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 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. – Functional fine art and hand-made objects. Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays/Mondays. 704-892-1449. www.woodenstonegallery.com.

CREATIVE ART EXCHANGE/CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, 19725 Oak St., in the Oak Street Mill behind the police station, Cornelius – March 16 to May 2, solo exhibition featuring paintings by Davidson artist Felicia van Bork. Info: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org. More about the artist on her website, www.feliciavanbork.com/

SO ALIVE! GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. (next to Village Store) – Spring show featuring works by 22 gallery artists. The show includes oil, acrylics, mixed-media, pencil, watercolor, photography, stained glass, handmade jewelry, cards. Wine and cheese reception Saturday, March 28, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11-5; Saturday, 10-2; Sunday, 12-2; and by appointment. Info: mary@soalive.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, ;4-7 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall – public meeting to present plans for widening of I-77 and other public transportation improvements associated with the proposed Augustalee mixed-use development at I-77 and Westmoreland Road in Cornelius. Developer Cornelius Bromont has promised the improvements as part of the project, and they are under consideration for inclusion on the priority list of the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO). www.augustalee.com
• WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 7 p.m., Davidson College Chambers Hall Room 1027 – A talk by Army 1st Lt. Kevin Bell, 2005 Davidson graduate, talking about his experience in Afghanistan. Free.
• SATURDAY, APRIL 11, Bradford Store, 15915 Davidson-Concord Road, Huntersville, annual Easter Egg Hunt and petting zoo.
• TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Monthly town board meeting. Agenda on the town website.
• THURSDAY, APRIL 16,7 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – “Neighborhood Design and Housing,” a community forum as part of the town’s Comprehensive Planning process. Speakers: Commissioner Margo Williams and local builders and architects. Moderator: former town Commissioner Bruce McMillen. Speakers will discuss Davidson’s planning ordinance and design process, and outline innovative neighborhood design and housing options. Free. For more information call 704 892-7592. (See also our Feb. 19 series preview, “Town lecture series to focus on economy, sustainability.”)
• SATURDAY, APRIL 18 and SUNDAY, APRIL 19 – Yom Hashoah and Interfaith Passover Seder weekend with Beth Shalom of Lake Norman. Saturday, April 18, 8:30 p.m., Yom Hashoah/Holocaust Remembrance Day, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane. Listen to an original musical composition by Henry Lebedinsky, musical director of St. Alban’s, while viewing art painted by his grandfather, a holocaust liberator. Hear a holocaust survivor and professor reflect on the atrocities of the holocaust as well as current human rights violations. Also, candle-lighting ceremony. Sponsored by Beth Shalom of Lake Norman and St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Adults & children of all ages and faiths invited. Free (donations appreciated). Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m., Interfaith Passover Seder, Congregation House – Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Davidson. Sponsored by Beth Shalom of Lake Norman, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and Davidson College Presbyterian Church. Adults & children of all ages and faiths invited. Free (donations appreciated). Details: 704-896-6556. Or RSVP Beth Shalom’s website, www.BSLKN.org.
• SATURDAY, APRIL 18, noon – 4:30 p.m. – Lake Norman Parade of Barns, a new event offering tours and demonstrations at local equestrian facilities. Tickets are $10 for adults, free for 12 and under. Event ends with a reception at Hinds’ Feet Farm, and a chance to mingle with therapy horses.
• TUESDAY, APRIL 21,7 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – “What Does Sustainable Look Like?” a community forum as part of the town’s Comprehensive Planning process. Speakers: TBA. Moderators: Commissioner Laurie Venzon and former Commissioner David Martin. This forum will focus on ways to balance a sustainable ecosystem with economic goals, recreational needs, and infrastructure expansion. Free. For more information call 704 892-7592. (See also our Feb. 19 series preview, “Town lecture series to focus on economy, sustainability.”)
• SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Richard Barry Park, Huntersville – North Mecklenburg Soccer Club 2009 Club Day, including a Youth Health and Wellness Festival, Huntersville Police Department child ID service, fire truck, dunking booths, moon bounce, face painting, food and more. www.northmecksoccer.org.
• SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Radiant Life Fellowship, 412 Armour St. – “G-Live,” an event for K – 5th graders. Parents may join children at 3 p.m. for some fun. Theme is “Wild and Crazy” stories in the Bible. Registration $20 before April 10 and $25 after April 10 until the event. Fee covers T-shirt, lunch, snack, and activities. www.radiantlifefellowship.org
• SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 11 a.m., Davidson post office plaza – Dedication of the town’s first public artwork, “Bouquet for Davidson,” a 15-foot metal sculpture to be installed in mid-April by artist Andy Dunnill. More about the work and the artist, as well as past coverage of the town’s development of a public art program, at davidsonnews.net/category/public-art/
• SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 7:30 p.m., Raceworld USA, 20310 Chartwell Center Drive, off I-77 Exit 28, Cornelius – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity invites the Lake Norman community to celebrate is selection as “Affiliate of the Year” by Habitat for Humanity International at a “Racin’ Rockin’ ‘n Roofin’” event with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and music and dancing with the Center City Groove band. Free, donations welcome. Reservations required by March 31. For reservations or information, contact Donna Nestor at donna@ourtownshabitat.org or 704-896-8957, ext. 1122.

Wild Food class Davidson Outdoors presents Wild Food Classes with traditional arts and wild food specialist Mark Warren April 18 and 19 at Davidson College. The class will explore basic botanical background, foraging technique, and local available wild food. You’ll also spend part of the afternoon exploring the Davidson Campus for possible edible plants. The class is offered from 9 am to 3 pm on either Saturday, April 18, or Sunday, April 19. (Same class both days.) Signups are in the Davidson Outdoors office, in the basement of Alvarez College Union. Price: $15 for faculty/staff/students. Please email Katie Epstein kaepstein@davidson.edu with questions.

• MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1 p.m., River Run Country Club – Davidson Lions Club and other area Lions club host the annual Russell B. Knox Memorial Golf Tournament, with proceeds benefiting the club’s programs and services. Details: Ed Roberts, 704-892-0276.
• SATURDAY, MAY 16,, 3-6 p.m., Woodlawn School, Presbyterian Road off N.C. 115 – The Helping Paws Dog Show will raise funds for area shelters Project Halo and Lake Norman Animal Rescue while offering the public an opportunity to adopt dogs from Project Halo, a no-kill shelter. For registration information or to become a sponsor, go to www.helpingpawsdogshow.org or email info@helpingpawsdogshow.org. Details in our March 31 news item.
• SATURDAY, MAY 16, 6 p.m., Beaver Dam Park, Davidson-Concord Road – Slow Food Carolina Piedmont Region hosts a USA Ark of Taste feast, featuring 10 renowned North Carolina chefs and a local chocolatier preparing a 10-course meal featuring regional foods from local farms and producers. A limited number of tickets are available, $100 per person, which includes meal, wine and music. Proceeds benefit Slow Food Carolina Piedmont Region convivia, the Davidson Farmer’s Market and the Lincoln County Farmer’s Market at Denver.

ONGOING EVENTS

50+ COFFEE CLUB, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Parks & Recreation office, 416 Armour St. – Join the 50-Plus Coffee Club, meeting every Wednesday. It’s a relaxing social environment where you can meet old and new friends. Coffee, games, newspapers and pastries provided. No registration required, just show up! Info: 704-892-3349.

CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP, first and third Wednesdays each month, 7-8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Individuals coping with an illness or who have family members coping with an illness welcome. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Facilitators Mark and Gayle Olenik provide resources to help you cope and work toward a new beginning. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care.

NOW WHAT? GRIEF BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR, second Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregational Care House, 262 South St. – If you are coping with the loss of a loved one for one year or more, we welcome you to join. Janet McKee and Bryan Readling will facilitate. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Register by calling the church office at 704-892-8277. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612.

DAVIDSON DASH SHUTTLE BUS – Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Town of Davidson has begun service on a weekly shuttle bus called Davidson Dash. The bus will visit downtown, South Main Street, Sadler Square and the Harris Teeter shopping center near Exit 30. Cost: $1 per roundtrip. To reserve a space, call the recreation department before noon on the Friday before, 704-892-3349 or sign up on the recreation department website, d-recs.org. More information in our Jan. 8 news report, Town plans a weekly shuttle bus for seniors.

CALENDARS ON THE WEB

DAVIDSONNEWS.NET SCHOOL CALENDAR – Laurie Dennis’s most recent listing of school events, see our “schools” category. CLICK HERE>

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 ELEMENTARY PTA calendar, http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/davidsonpta/calendar/

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

NORTH COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY events, Huntersville – Events calendar, www.plcmc.org

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.