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Gordon C. James. A reception Friday closes his exhibit at Cornelius Arts Center .

^[2]A lecture by author Margaret Atwood Thursday, a FeBREWary beer tasting at Summit Coffee Friday, and an audition workshop for actors on Saturday are highlights of this weekend’s community calendar in and around Davidson. Also ahead: baseball and lacrosse at the college, a “Storyville” children’s theater performance Saturday morning at the library and a mountain bike volunteer day Sunday at Fisher Farm Park.

More highlights below, and check out our community calendar at right for a full day-by-day list.

A long-anticipated lecture at Davidson College Thursday features Margaret Atwood, the Booker Prize-winning author of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Blind Assassin” and this year’s Annual Conarroe Lecturer. It begins at 8 p.m at Duke Family Performance Hall of the Alvarez Student Union. The event is sold out, but there will be a simulcast of the lecture in the union 900 Room. No ticket is required for the simulcast.

If you’re around Friday afternoon 4-6, stop by Summit Coffee for a Davidson Tweet-up (a meet-up organized over the Twitter social networking service). @DavNews will be there along with a few other folks. Join us!

The Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St., behind Cornelius police station, holds a closing reception for an exhibition of paintings by artist Gordon C. James on Friday, Feb. 26. The reception runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Mr. James’ paintings are on display this month in the center gallery. Read more about the exhibit in our Art News column.

Our Town Cinemas adds one new film to the lineup beginning Friday: “A Single Man.” It replaces “Wolfman,” which closes out its run Thursday night. “A Single Man” stars Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. It’s about an English professor who after the sudden death of his partner tries to go about his typical day in Los Angeles.

Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., will host its 3rd annual FeBREWary Beer Tasting on Friday night, 8 – 10 p.m. The tasting will feature a wide variety of styles from N.C. breweries including: Wedge Brewing Co., Foothills Brewing Co., Greenman, French Broad Brewing Co., Duck Rabbit, Big Boss, and Pisgah Brewing Co. Summit manager Brett Hecker literally traversed much of the state tracking down these fine brews in his beat-up 1985 Toyota van. Brett will be on hand to share his beer expertise as well as some stories from the road. Tickets are $15 at the shop. Participants get eight 3-ounce samples. The evening also features music from local favorites Billy Jones and The Pocket.

Davidson Community Players will host an audition workshop for actors (ages 14 and up) from 11:30 am – 2 pm on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Armour Street Theatre. This free workshop, supported by an N.C. Arts Council grant, will feature local talents from the upcoming production of Violet, including local actor/director Dennis Delamar, musical director John Smith, director Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, and choreographer Felicia Davis.

Also this week:

• At Summit Coffee, besides Friday’s FeBREWary beer tasting, the schedule includes: Thursday, 8-11, Rusty Knox Band; and Saturday, 8-11, Rick Spreitzer Trio.
• Believe it or not, baseball season is here. Davidson College’s men’s baseball team plays four games this weekend, at home on Wilson Field: Mt. St. Mary’s Friday at 6, Presbyterian Saturday at 3:30, Mt. St. Mary’s again Sunday at 1 and Presbyterian again Sunday at 4. Details on the college website. ^[3]
• On Saturday morning at 11, The School of Theatre Training’s Junior Performance Co. presents a children’s theater performance of “Storyville” at Davidson public library branch, on the Village Green. 704-416-4000
• Davidson women’s lacrosse plays Navy Saturday at 1 p.m. at Richardson Stadium. Details on the college Website. ^[4]
• Also Saturday and Sunday, Fort Dobbs Historic Site in Statesville marks the 250th anniversary of the 1760 attack by Cherokee warriors on Fort Dobbs during the French and Indian War.
• Saturday night at 5, Davidson College Presbyterian Church continues its weekly series of Alternative Lenten worship services. This week’s theme for the informal service is “Shelter.” With readings from Psalms, Luke, and Paul, we’ll consider what God wants and how we can be a part of providing shelter for others, thus making God’s vision come to reality. Featuring music by DCPC’s group “Sunday Union” and participation by DCPC Pastor Lib McGregor Simmons and DCPC kids.
• Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., local mountain bikers will be volunteering at Fisher Farm Park, off Shearer Road, to help with Phase III trail work at the park. Details and RSVP on the group’s Facebook page. ^[5]

See a full schedule of events on the day-by-day calendar on the right side of The Guide.

Have items to share? Send them to editor@davidsonnews.net. ^[6]