Saturday’s a busy day in and around Davidson, amid a weekend that includes music, meetings, theater, and events downtown. Guitarist/songwriter Rusty Knox plays tonight (Thursday) to lead off a weekend of local favorites at Summit Coffee. Hope the weather’s nice so we can enjoy the back porch! Friday morning, there’s a merchants’ meeting at the library. And Friday afternoon it’s a Party on the Porch at Campania Cafe.

On Saturday, Davidson Farmers’ Market returns next to Town Hall. John Marshall Custom Homes offers a tour of a certified “green home.” Local cable company MI-Connection hosts a Community Celebration on the Village Green, with info about new products.

On Sunday, Davidson United Methodist Church offers an afternoon concert of “Love and Folk Songs.” In Mooresville, a children’s theater production of “Once Upon a Mattress” continues all weekend. And in Cornelius, the Griggs Bluegrass Family plays at Cornelius Presbyterian Church. Details on those and other events below.

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

WEEKEND OF AUG. 6-9

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THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music on the back porch stage: Rusty Knox and Friends.

FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 9 a.m., Davidson Public Library community room, on the Village Green – Downtown Davidson merchants’ meeting. Agenda includes a report from the town staff, subcommittee meetings.

FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 6:30 p.m., Campania Cafe, South Main Square, 416 S. Main St. – Weekly Party on the Porch with guitarist Scotti Benge.

FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music on the back porch stage: Mike Strauss Trio.

SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 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. Msuic this week by Billy Jones. Guest chef Michael Henshaw cooks with Big Oak Farm beef. Locavore Norma Stewart also there. More about this week’s schedule: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cornelius Presbyterian Church, 21209 Catawba Ave., at Church Street, Cornelius – Bluegrass Concert Saturday, with the Griggs Bluegrass Family. Free admission. For info, call 704-892-5577. For more information, see our July 30 post, “Saturday bluegrass concerts feature local musicians.”

SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 233 Catawba Ave. – John Marshall Custom Homes offers an open house of a home being constructed under the LEED for Homes program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. See LEED features that are being incorporated into the home and learn more about how to add green features to an existing home. Details: www.johnmarshallcustomhomes.com.

SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Davidson Town Green – MI-Connection Community Celebration. Family fun activities, live music, giveaways and a chance to test drive cable products. For more information, see our July 30 post, “MI-Connection to host community event.”

SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music on the back porch stage: Billy Jones.

SUNDAY, AUG. 9, 4 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church chapel, South Main St. – A concert of “Love Songs & Folk Songs” with the Chancel Choir and other specialty groups. Donations accepted for the church’s music academy for children in the Lake Norman area without access to music instruction. Child care available. Details: 704-892-8277.

THEATER AND FILM

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FRIDAY, AUG. 7 8 p.m., SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 8 p.m., and SUNDAY, AUG. 9, 2:30 p.m. Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 N. Main Street, Mooresville – Mooresville Children’s Theatre presents “Once Upon a Mattress,” a musical version of “The Princess and the Pea.” Tickets $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under. 704-662-1025.

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.

SUMMIT COFFEE, 128 S. Main St. – “COLORCOrroDED,” an exhibit of new paintings by Ana Kozhevnikova. Upstairs at Summit, open during coffee shop hours.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE VISUAL ARTS CENTER, Smith Gallery, Davidson College, Main and Griffith streets – through Aug. 7, summer exhibition: “The Davidson College Permanent Art Collection: Recent Gifts and Acquisitions.” Hours: Weekdays, 11-4. Details on the college website.

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., behind the police station, Cornelius – Through Aug. 28: Children’s Arts Project and Creative Art Exchange summer exhibit “Kids Create,” with work by participants in summer camps. 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. 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 – Aug. 11 to Sept. 29, an exhibit of gallery artists to celebrate the gallery’s 20th year. Reception Saturday Aug. 22, 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.

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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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>

MONDAY, AUG. 10, 8 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s parking lot, 202 S. Main St. – Teen Wii and Rock Band on the Wall night. Lake Norman Teen Council and Ben & Jerry’s present an evening of outdoor gaming on the wall. Games include Rock Band and Wii sports. Two stations with 4 players per game. Free.

MONDAY-TUESDAY, AUG. 10-11, 5:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. each evening, Davidson College Prebyterian Church – Series on Faith and the Environment. This DCPC summer series for adults and youth will look at “just and sustainable living.” Evenings will begin with a catered supper. Fees are $20 per adult. Childcare is available, and family costs are capped at $75. See www.dcpc.org for more information. Register by Aug. 6.

TUESDAY, AUG. 11, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Davidson Town Board monthly meeting. Agenda includes public hearings on an updated and reformatted version of the Planning Ordinance, on a proposed annexation of two parcels on Shearer Street, off North Main Street, and on proposed financing of up to $314,000 to buy land on Beaty Street.  Agenda on the town website.

TUESDAYS, AUG. 11, 18 and 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – Unitarian Fellowship of Lake Norman and Lake Progressive Christians continue their weekly study and discussion series focusing on the ideas of Bishop John Shelby Spong. Free. Complimentary refreshments at 6:15. The Spong Series includes a unique two-part format that allows participants to engage in personal discussions in the Tuesday night class and engage in the study and email interaction at: lakeprogressivechristians @yahoo.com.

THURSDAY, AUG. 13 – Family orientation session at Davidson Day School.

FRIDAY, AUG. 14, 1:30-3 p.m., The Pines at Davidson, 400 Avinger Lane – Alzheimer’s Association and The Pines at Davidson present a free program on “When Realities Collide: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia” with Teresa Hoover of the Alzheimer’s Association. Please RSVP by Aug. 12 to 704-532-7390 or teresahoover@alz.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cornelius Presbyterian Church, 21209 Catawba Ave., at Church Street, Cornelius – Bluegrass Concert Saturday, with Rusty Knox, Davidson-based singer-guitarist. Free admission. Artist Ron Weidele will be displaying his work, and other craft items and jewelry also will be for sale. For info, call 704-892-5577.

SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 1-3 p.m., Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road – Davidson College Meet the Wildcats Fan Day kickoff for fall sports. Meet Davidson coaches and athletes in football, men and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball. Includes prize drawings, a Kids Zone with inflatables and other attractions, and a dunk tank with football coach Tripp Merritt and campus police chief Fountain Walker. Free.

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.” This concert will include information tables by local nonprofit organizations United Family Services, Ada Jenkins Center and Davidson Housing Coalition. www.downtowndavidson.org DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a co-sponsor of this concert.

SUNDAY, AUG. 16 –  Children’s Community School will hold an open house for parents from 2-3:3o for Middle Schoolers, and from 3:30 – 5 for elementary school age students.

MONDAY, AUG. 17 – 3rd Annual Viking Orientation for rising freshmen at North Mecklenburg High. Students with last names A-L should attend in the morning, 8-11:30 a.m., while names M-Z should attend the afternoon session, noon – 3:30 p.m. Students will receive fall schedules, receive a tour of the campus and more. Parents can attend the “Loosening the Leash” session at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 18, dusk, Ben & Jerry’s, 202 S. Main St. – Free outdoor movie on the wall, “The Bee Movie.” Come at 7:30 for trivia and games. Movie begins at dusk. Bring a lawn chair and canned food donation for Loaves & Fishes food pantry. Info: 704-892-0604.

TUESDAY, AUG. 18 – Back to School night for  McKinney Academy. Parents and incoming students can visit classrooms from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19 – Bailey Middle School will hold an open house for 6th graders from 3-4:30, followed by an open house for 7th and 8th graders from 5-6:30. Students will be able to meet and greet teachers and get schedules.

THURSDAY, AUG. 20 –Davidson IB Middle will hold an open house from 5-6:40 p.m. for 6th graders, and from 7-7:45 p.m. for 7th and 8th graders. North Mecklenburg High will hold an open house for rising freshmen and new students from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 5:30 p.m., Mooresville Town Hall, 413 N. Main St., Mooresville – Free outdoor concert with the award-winning beach music band Tsunami Wave Riders. Details: www.ci.mooresville.nc.us.

FRIDAY, AUG. 21, 8:30 p.m., Mooresville Town Hall, 413 N. Main St., Mooresville – Free Movies on Main series continues with “The Wizard of Oz.” Bring a chair or a blanket. For more information, call 704-662-3334.

SATURDAY, AUG. 22 , 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cornelius Presbyterian Church, 21209 Catawba Ave., at Church Street, Cornelius – Bluegrass Concert Saturday, with Davidson Express, the Davidson-based bluegrass and folk band. Free admission. The Church Art Group will be displaying their work. Artist Ron Weidele will be displaying his work, and other craft items and jewelry also will be for sale. For info, call 704-892-5577

SUNDAY, AUG. 23 – Davidson Elementary School will hold its annual Back-to-School picnic from 4-6 p.m. on the eco-trail entrance behind the school building.

MONDAY, AUG. 24 – Davidson Elementary School will hold an open house from 4 – 6 p.m.   Pine Lake Prep will hold an orientation session for ninth graders

SATURDAY, AUG. 29 , 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cornelius Presbyterian Church, 21209 Catawba Ave., at Church Street, Cornelius – Bluegrass Concert Saturday, with Dixie Pharaohs. Free admission. For info, call 704-892-5577.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Village Green – 2009 Hurricane Hugo Juggling Festival presents a public juggling session, hosted by Lake Norman Jugglers. Details: Bill Giduz, 704-892-1296 or giduz@bellsouth.net.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 7 p.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Family Vaudeville Extravaganza, a family-friendly evening of juggling and new vaudeville entertainment, hosted by The Great Fettucini (a.k.a. Steve Langley). Those scheduled to appear include juggler Tommy Curtin, comedy magician Presto, comedy mentalist Jon Stetson and New Vaudeville entertainer Todd Charles. Part of the 2009 Hurricane Hugo Juggling Festival. Details: Bill Giduz, 704-892-1296 or giduz@bellsouth.net.

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

MONDAY, SEPT. 14, 11 a.m., Birkdale Golf Club, Huntersville – Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg 20th anniversary charity golf tournament. All proceeds go toward Rotary projects, including Cornelius Elementary summer enrichment program, soccer programs, Circle de Luz, North Meck/South Iredell Transportation, Latina Literacy Program, Lake Norman YMCA Triathlon, Blythe Elementary, The Bin, Flight of Honor, world wide polio eradication, and the North Meck Christmas Project. Entry deadline Aug. 31. Details and registration, www.northmeckrotary.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Davidson Village Green. First “Davidson Green Day” festival sponsored by Davidson Lands Conservancy. The all-day event features exhibitors and information on how to save money and natural resources, and help the environment. Includes live music and opportunities to volunteer for local projects. The event follows the annual Run for Green half-marathon, 5K and 10K running races. Details: www.davidsonlands.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.