This weekend will be 2009 Family Weekend at Davidson College and a busy weekend in downtown Davidson. The college will have Friday night concerts, a variety of sporting matches including a Saturday football game vs. Drake, a public basketball scrimmage, and the opening of the play “Tartuffe.” Davidson Farmers’ Market runs Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. And merchants and restaurants all around town will open their doors for a Sidewalk Sale with specials and discounts.

Off campus, don’t forget live music Friday and Saturday at Summit Coffee and Brickhouse Tavern, and also Friday at Campania restaurant. Details below and in our This Week Calendar.

See the Family Weekend 2009 page on Davidson.edu ^[1]

Zack Byrd (left), Ian Bond and Maret Seitz star in Davidson College theater department's "Tartuffe." (Bill Giduz photo)

FRIDAY, OCT. 23 to SUNDAY, OCT. 25 and OCT. 30-31, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – The Davidson College Theatre Department’s 2009-10 Mainstage Series begins with “Tartuffe” by Moliere, translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by theater professor Ann Marie Costa. Performances Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31 at 8 p.m., Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. (Recommended for ages 13 and up.) Admission $15, seniors $11, faculty/staff $9, students $6. Details: 704-894-2135 or www.davidson.edu/tickets ^[2]

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena – Davidson volleyball vs. Western Carolina University. Free admission. Silent auction to support breast cancer research.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Davidson College – Family Weekend Concerts, 7 p.m. Davidson College Chorale and the Davidson College Symphony perform at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. 10 p.m., the Jazz Ensemble will perform vintage standards and new tunes in Alvarez College Union 900 Room. Both performances free. For information call 704-894-2848.

Davidson Farmers Market, downtown next to Town Hall Saturday. (David Boraks photo)

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 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. More about this week’s schedule: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. ^[3] DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, noon to 11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Annual Summit Octoberfest. Seasonal beers on sale all day, with a portion of proceeds to benefit Davidson/Cornelius Day Care. Also, from 3-5 p.m., Summit will have a pumpkin carving party. Pumpkins will be available in exchange for a charitable donation. Finally, the party will culminate with a Beer Tasting from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 and on sale now. The tasting will feature eight 3-ounce samples of seasonal brews from the world’s finest craft breweries. The evening event will be hosted by local brewers Dave Beam and Brett Hecker. There will be live music throughout the day, concluding with Rick Spreitzer Trio from 8-11. Info: 704-895-9090

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 and SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Homewood Suites, Griffith Street at I-77 Exit 30 – Davidson residents Nancy and Russ Gavitt, owners of Natural Images Photography, will introduce their new line of Fine Art Photographic Prints of Davidson and Lake Norman. In addition they will be introducing their line of environmentally green photo frames made of fully recycled lumber and offered in various decorative finishes to complement country home decor.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, all day, downtown, South Main Arts District, and Exit 30 areas – Davidson merchants and restaurants sponsor a townwide “Sidewalk Sale.” Merchants will be offering discounts on selected items and restaurants will feature special dining options. More info: www.ci.davidson.nc.us ^[4].

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 11:30 a.m., Davidson College Belk Arena – The Davidson men’s basketball team will hold an intrasquad scrimmage. It’s open to the public, and admission is free. The Red team will take on the Black team in a refereed scrimmage.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, noon, Davidson College Belk Turf Field – Davidson field hockey vs. Appalachian State. Details: www.davidsonwildcats.com ^[5]

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 1 p.m., Davidson College Richardson Stadium – Davidson College football vs. Drake University. Details on www.DavidsonWildcats.com ^[6].

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Soccer Stadium – Davidson vs. Wofford soccer.

THROUGH NOV. 1 – THE AMAZING MAIZE MAZE, Rural Hill Farm, Neck Road, Huntersville – You and your group or family can find your way through this challenging cornfield maze, and learn about local history. Sponsored by Rural Hill and the Catawba Valley Scottish Society. Open Thursdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last ticket at 5). Flashlight Mazes: Sept. 18, Oct. 9, 23 & 30, tickets on sale 6:30 to 8 p.m. Enter the flashlight maze from 7 pm – 8 pm. Bring your own flashlight. Admission: $10 for adults 13-plus, $7 youth 5-12, 4 and under free. Details: www.ruralhill.net ^[7] Watch our 4-minute audio slideshow interview with Ed McLean of Rural Hill ^[8] previewing the event.

THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 22, 10 to 5:30 p.m., Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville – 16th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival, a 22-acre festival of food, fun and entertainment. With a cast of more than 500 costumed characters, games, jousting, shops, crafts and performances on 10 stages. Details: RenFestInfo.com ^[9].