From tonight’s opening of Davidson Community Players’ “West Side Story” to a pair of weekend fund-raisers to the Cowbell Challenge mountain bike festival at Fisher Farm Park, it’s shaping up to be an action-packed weekend in and around Davidson.

Amity & Bailey’s South Main Square block party Friday at 5 p.m. will support United Family Services and provide food and fun for the family. On Saturday, Ada Jenkins Center on Gamble Street hosts its “Fire” fund-raiser, with a morning 5k road race and all-day music and food. The event also includes local jugglers’ performing for World Juggling Day.

Also Saturday and Sunday, the Cowbell Challenge mountain bike competition returns to Fisher Farm Park, off Shearer Road.

The regional mountain biking event includes a Saturday morning marathon that will take riders through town streets. (Traffic may be blocked along the route.) It’s part of USA Cycling’s 2009 National Ultra Endurance Calendar, and is expected to attract top national riders.

NOTE: Traffic on some town streets maybe disrupted Saturday morning for a marathon ride that’s part of the mountain bike fest. See the traffic alert and a map in our Police Blotter.

Just a reminder: We update this calendar continuously as we receive new listings. And check back Monday, when we publish our This Week calendar.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 18-22

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18 – Charlotte Area Transit joins the 4th annual Dump the Pump day, encouraging people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and improve our quality of life. Sponsored by American Public Transportation Association. Details on ridetransit.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 7-8:30 p.m., North County Regional Library, Huntersville – New Frontiers Book Club, for lovers of science fiction, fantasy, and graphic novels. This month: “Atomic Robo” by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener. The brainchild of Nikola Tesla, Atomic Robo is America’s first robotic citizen and the leader of the Action Scientists, a group of heroes with no fear and degrees in death-ray mechanics. Details: 704-416-6000, option 4.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Eric Scott Guthrie.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, to SUNDAY, JUNE 21, Barnes & Noble, Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville – Demonstrations by Creative Art Exchange artists, and bookfair fund-raiser. Fri., 4-7, Sat, 10-5, Sun. 1-5. Pick up a voucher and a portion of the sale will go to Creative Art Exchange.  Or use voucher number 47605. For details, call 704-892-7323 or visit www.creativeartexchange.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 5 p.m., Amity & Bailey Trading Co., South Main Square, South Main Street – Summer Block Party and benefit for United Family Services counseling at Ada Jenkins Center. With live music, food and drink, entertainment for kids and teens, and a prize drawing. With wines by the glass, skateboarding exhibitions, and pony rides. Admission is free, but tickets will be sold for various activities. Details in our June 5 preview. Info: 704-896-9690.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – “Fire,” a 10th anniversary celebration for Ada Jenkins Center, with a 5k road race and a barbecue and grilling cook-off. 5K run entry fee is $25 per runner. Pork barbecue available 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at $10 per plate. Live music with Rusty Knox and Friends (Mike Orlando, Brad Reddick and Dwight Burks), Billy Jones and The Pocket, and others. Sample tasty treats from the kitchens of local restaurants, and look for a variety of activities for children. Also, jugglers performing for World Juggling Day (see next item). For additional information or to register for the 5K run or purchase tickets online, please visit www.adajenkins.org, or call 704-896-0471. (See also DavidsonNews.net’s June 2 preview for more information.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 10 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church chapel, 304 S. Main St. – Davidson AGLOW invites you to hear Delores Hendley speak on “Oh, Deborahs, ARISE!”  Deborah was a prophetess in Israel (Judges 5).  Ms. Hendley has been ministering with Women’s Aglow for 18+ years, and has taught the Word of God for 45 years. Coffee and fellowship starts at 9:30. Details: Carol at 704-892-8235.  For information about AGLOW, visit www.aglow.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – World Juggling Day will bring local jugglers together during Ada Jenkins Center’s “Fire” fund-raiser (see above) to show off their skills and provide juggling lessons for those interested. Equipment provided. More about World Juggling Day online. Bill Giduz also has info about Lake Norman Jugglers and juggling, 704-892-1296, or giduz@bellsouth.net.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, and SUNDAY, JUNE 21, Fisher Farm Park, off Shearer Road, Davidson – 8th Annual Cowbell Challenge, a weekend of mountain bike racing. 50-plus-mile marathon race Saturday, cross-country on Sunday. With cash prizes, boxed lunches available, Proceeds benefit the Town of Davidson. Details: http://www.cowbellchallenge.org/

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 8 a.m. to noon, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – Davidson Farmers Market, with local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. Music this week is Lake Norman Jam. Produce Lady Brenda Sutton is this week’s guest chef. And One Neighborhood will be selling fair trade African baskets as this week’s community partner. More about this week’s schedule: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: “Carolina Songwriter Sessions: An Evening of Original Song,” with Mike Davis, Rob McHale, Mike Nolan, Leroy Lewis.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Open gardens at the homes of Davidson’s Methodist pastors. Tour gardens created by Betsy and Jody Seymour, 421 Pine Road, and by Julija and Jeff Hassell at Woodland Street and Lorimer Road. More in Brenda Barger’s Thursday “Around Davidson” column.

THEATER AND FILM

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THROUGH SATURDAY, JUNE 20, Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Road, Cornelius – Warehouse Productions presents “An Empty Plate in the Grand Cafe du Boeuf,” by Michael Hollinger. Directed by Jim Esposito. Set in Paris in 1961, it’s about a wealth American expatriate who owns the Grand Cafe. It’s a dark comedy that features the joys of cooking, sex, bullfighting and works of Ernest Hemingway. Featuring actors Lou Dalessandro, Cat Rutledge, Matt Merrell, Rachel Jeffreys, Christian Love and Joseph Peterson. Performances at 7:30 p.m. (doors and bar open 6:45) Fridays and Saturdays June 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. $15. Details: www.warehousepac.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, THROUGH JUNE 27, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson Community Players presents “West Side Story,” conceived by Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein, directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. Performances June 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 8 p.m., and June 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets $22 adults, $20 students and seniors, except June 21 $20 seniors and adults, $15 children 15 and under. Reservations: 704-892-7918, or www.carolinatix.org See our most recent “Theater Notes” for more about the show. (NOTE: Opening night Thursday is sold out, but tickets remain for other performances.)

JULY 23-AUG. 2, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – “Barefoot in the Park,” directed by Alan Poindexter. Show times TBA. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

OCT. 8-25, Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. – “Almost Maine,” directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

GALLERIES & ART EVENTS

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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.

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., behind the police station, Cornelius – Children’s Arts Project and Creative Art Exchange, through July 10: “Interwoven,” an exhibit of woven and mixed-media art by Bev Nagy and Karla Chambers. Gallery open Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a,.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 704-892-7323 or www.creativeartexchange.org

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERIES, 463 S. Main St. – “The Summer Show,” featuring new works by gallery artists. June through August the gallery will offer rotating original art by all the gallery regulars, with major exhibits by impressionist Dee Beard Dean, expressionist Charlotte Foust, landscapes by Susan Jennings and Ray Byram, folk art by Addie James, whimsical collages by Betsey Hampton, and more. Hours: Mon-Fri 10–5, Sat 10–3. For more information call 704-895-1213 and visit the website at www.merrilljennings.com

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – Through June 30: “The Family Jewels: Small Paintings for Hard Times,” new paintings by Herb Jackson. 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.

SO ALIVE! GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. (next to Village Store) – “This is Africa,” an exhibit of photos by Doug Vinez. Also, new work from Larry Dukes, Jenny Kiker, Ryan Blythe, Jason Hendrickson, Michael Joe Moore, and Nora Bouknight. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11-5; Saturday, 10-2; Sunday, 12-2; and by appointment. Info: mary@soalive.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

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MONDAY, JUNE 22, noon, Davidson public library branch, Main Street and Concord Road – Free Monday movie, “Kung Fu Panda.” Details on the library website.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Open mic night.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 6:30-9 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, 202 S. Main St. – Rock Band Wednesday. Up to four can play the popular video game free, trying their hands at performing on computer “instruments.” Details: 704-892-0604.

Library summer Davidson public library branch, on the Village Green, has a variety of programs in the works this summer. Check out as the list is updated on the library’s blog, CLICK HERE>

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library branch, Main Street and Concord Road – Free “Book & a Craft” program, today “Down Under Walkabout.” Details on the library website.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Sandcrawler.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Adam Whiting.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 6 p.m., Bailey Road Park, off N.C. 115, Cornelius – “Symphony and Fireworks.” Bring your picnic basket and spread out for an evening with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Gates open at 6 with pre-concert activities and concessions. A prelude performance by Michael Thomas will start the evening, followed by the symphony at 8:15. Fireworks will follow the concert. Details: www.corneliuspr.org/

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Rick Spreitzer.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 6-8 p.m., Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road – Concerts on the Green series goes to the beach, with Band of Oz, an eight-member band that has been around since 1977. They were inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Picnic contest theme: Beach Blanket Bingo. Full Concerts on the Green 2009 schedule, CLICK HERE>

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 , 6:30-9 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, 202 S. Main St. – Rock Band Wednesday. Up to four can play the popular video game free, trying their hands at performing on computer “instruments.” Details: 704-892-0604.

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 5-10 p.m., Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe Knox Ave., Mooresville – Lowe’s YMCA hosts its annual July 3 Summer Celebration for families and children. Games, inflatables, rock climbing, jousting arena, face painting, balloon artist, and music by Lake Norman Orchestra. The night concludes with a fireworks display. Free shuttle bus from Peninsula Baptist Church, 687 Brawley School Road. Proceeds support the Y’s Community Outreach Campaign. www.ymcacharlotte.org

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 4:30 to 8 p.m., Village Green – Davidson Fourth of July celebration, with a parade of bicycles, strollers, and pets and an evening of music and games. Music by Rough Draft. $5 admission for children’s activities. (Note: This year’s Davidson July 4 celebration will not include fireworks.)

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 7 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Main Street Readers book discussion, on “Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished War,” by Tony Horwitz. Free. Info: 704-892-6841.

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2-6 p.m., Habitat for Humanity ReStore parking lot, 20414 N. Main St., Cornelius – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity is hosts its 2nd Annual Habitat for Humanity Car Show (rescheduled from a rain-out in May). Entries include sports cars, muscle cars, vintage cars, replicas, hot rods and show cars. They’ll have food, prizes, a DJ and dancing. Spectators will help judging, and prizes will be for best in show and best in class. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity’s 4th Youth United Habitat home. Admission free. Car Show entry fees are $20 for early registration and $25 for day of event registration. Raffle tickets $5. To register your vehicle, contact Sarah Heithoff at Our Towns Habitat for Humanity at 704-896-9657 ext. 1120 or seithoff@ourtownshabitat.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 28, dusk, Ben & Jerry’s, 202 S. Main St. – Free outdoor movie on the wall, “Mall Cop.” Come early for trivia and games. Movie begins at dusk.

SUNDAY, AUG. 16, 6-8 p.m., Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road – Downtown Davidson Inc. presents another Concert on the Green, with the Stardusters big band. Picnic contest theme: “Elegant & Classy.” www.downtowndavidson.org DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a co-sponsor of this concert.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 13, noon to 4 p.m., Ramsey Creek Park, Cornelius – Jewish Council of Lake Norman presents the first Shalom Lake Norman festival, with klezmer music, soloists, an Israeli dance group, children’s crafts and rides, ethnic food. Organizers hope it will become an annual celebration.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 13, 6-8 p.m., Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road – Downtown Davidson Inc. presents a Concert on the Green, with Tropic Culture. Picnic contest theme: Most Colorful … Taste the Rainbow. www.downtowndavidson.org

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27, 6-8 p.m., Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road – Downtown Davidson Inc. presents a Concert on the Green, with local singer songwriter Rusty Knox. Picnic contest theme: Most Unique … stand up and stand out. www.downtowndavidson.org

SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church parking lot, 233 S. Main St. – 2009 5th annual Ride for Hope & Housing, a benefit for Davidson Housing Coalition. Sign up for 25k, 50k and 100k routes in Davidson and surrounding counties. Also, 5K family fun ride through Davidson neighborhoods. Registration and more information, CLICK HERE>

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

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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://http://www.davidsonumc.org/Calendar

DAVIDSON COLLEGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – http://www.dcpc.org/

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

DAVIDSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH events – Events calendar on the library’s blog davidsonlibrary.wordpress.com/.

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

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.