Kevin Roberge (left), Jill Bloede and Matt Merrell star in "Noises Off" opening Thursday. (Lisa Brueggemann photo)

Two mid-summer theatrical productions open in the area this week – Davidson Community Players’ “Noises Off” and Warehouse Performing Arts Center’s “Fast Trip to Omaha.” Meanwhile, Davidson’s public library branch on the Village Green has a variety of events, from kids’ story time to a Tuesday “Lunch and a Movie” presentation of “A Shark’s Tale.” And Saturday night, there’s a Jazz in the Park concert at Bailey Road Park in Cornelius.

Details about those and other events this week are below, or in our clickable day-by-day calendar at right.

THEATER OPENINGS THIS WEEK

Theater: Noises Off, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College campus – The Davidson Community Players will perform the comedy ‘Noises Off’ beginning on Thursday, July 22. The performance includes mature themes and is recommended for ages 14 and up. Performances will be Thursdays to Saturdays, July 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 at 8 pm, and Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, Aug 1, at 2 pm. Tickets are $14-$22 and may be purchased online at www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org, by phone at 704-892-7953, or in person at the Davidson Community Players box office, at 107 N. Main St., Davidson.

Theater: Fast Trip to Omaha, Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Rd., Cornelius – The Warehouse Performing Arts center presents Fast Trip to Omaha, a comedy about a dysfunctional family, set against the backdrop of the summer of 1969. Performances on Thursday through Saturdays, July 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31 at 8 pm, and matinees Sundays July 25 and Aug. 1 at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students, seniors, and groups. Purchase tickets today by emailing tickets@warehousepac.com or calling Marla Brown at (704)-619-0429.

Renaissance Festival Auditions, Sat. July 24 and Wed., July 28 – The Carolina Renaissance Festival will be holding open auditions on July 24th (9 a.m.-noon, Spirit Square Arts Center, 345 North College St., Charlotte) and July 28th (6:30 to 9:00pm) for street characters, musicians, dancers and variety acts. Adult female actors are needed for the role of Mother Goose, as well as adult male actors for the roles of Town Crier and Royal Guard. Professional and amateur opportunities are available. Prepared material is not required. Head shot and resume appreciated but not required. Anyone under the age of 12 must participate with a parent. Contact 704-896-5555 or email Vreanie@royalfaires.com to schedule an audition appointment. More information about the festival can be found at www.RenFestInfo.com.

More about these and other upcoming shows in our July 8 Theater Notes column, CLICK HERE>

MONDAY, JULY 19

Lake Norman Chamber Book Club, 5:30-7 p.m., Wine Cellar, 19712 One Norman Boulevard, Suite 110, Cornelius – First meeting of a new Lake Norman Chamber monthly book club. The group will discuss books related to sales, marketing, advertising and leadership. The first three book selections will be chosen at this meeting. 704-895-3292

TUESDAY, JULY 20

Main St. Readers book discussion, 7 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Main Street Readers will discuss “People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks. Free and open to the public.

Cornelius Youth Orchestra open house, 6:30-8 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 W. Catawba Ave. – Cornelius Youth Orchestra holds an open house about its fall programs for youth musicians ages 1-12. Reservations are requested; please contact Nanette Haraden 704-576-7270. See our July 12 news item.

Paws to Read children’s program, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library branch, on the Village Green – Come read to a certified therapy dog! Dudley and Sadie love children and love to be read to. Audience: Elementary (5-11), Pre-school (3-5). Details on the library website.

Lunch and a movie, noon, Davidson public library branch, on the Village Green – Bring your lunch and watch “A Shark’s Tale.” Audience: Children and caregivers. Detailson the library website.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Open Mic Night. Info: 704-895-9090.

Design Review Board, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Design Review Board monthly meeting. Agenda includes vote on design of 3 duplexes at Davidson Bay, on Armour Street, for affordable rental housing. Also, review of Davidson Friends Site Plan at 625 South St., and project updates on Community School of Davidson high school, Armour Street, and Rusher Market gas station/convenience store, Griffith Street. Agenda on the town website.

Movie: “North by Northwest,” 6:30 p.m., Burke Room, Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St. – The Special Collections section of Mooresville Public Library is showing some of Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous suspense films during a summer series, “Hitchcock with the Candlestick in the Library.” Tonight’s film is “North by Northwest.” Free. 704-664-2927

THURSDAY, JULY 22

MI-Connection board of directors, 7:30 a.m., MI-Connection headquarters board room, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville – MI-Connection Communications System Board of Directors meeting. Agenda is expected to include preliminary year-end financial report for 2009-10.

Main St. Books Story Time, 10 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Story Time children ages 1-5, with stories, songs and fun. Second and fourth Thursdays. Free. Info: 704-892-6841.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Billy Jones & The Pocket. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, JULY 23

Turtle Talk children’s book program, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library branch, on the Village Green – A book and a craft program. Turtle stories and a turtle scratch craft. Audience: Elementary (5-11). Info onthe library website

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Asheville singer-songwriter Kellin Watson with Michael Bellar and the As-Is Ensemble. Info: 704-895-9090. See event details on Kellin Watson’s MySpace page. 704-895-9090

SATURDAY, JULY 24

Davidson Farmer’s Market – Salsa Showdown, 8 a.m. to noon, off Main Street next to Town Hall – Weekly Davidson Farmers Market, with local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. This week’s feature: 2010 Salsa Showdown, to determine the best salsa in Davidson. Details in our news item. Open every Saturday. For more information: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

Jazz in the Park, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Bailey Road Park,11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius – The Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture (PARC) Department will host a jazz concert featuring Bam-Jazz!. Food vendors and kids activities will be available. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and fireworks will follow the performance. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the park and at Bailey Middle School. For more information, contact PARC at 704-892-6031 ext. 160, or visit their website at www.corneliuspr.org.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Rick Spreitzer Band. Info: 704-895-9090.

Photo exhibit opening, 6-9 p.m., Lake Norman Art League Gallery, 442 S. Main St. – Opening reception and awards ceremony for the Lake Norman Art League’s 2010 photography exhibit. Awards presented artists whose pieces were selected by juror Dennis Kiel, of The Light Factory. Exhibit on display through Sept. 10. Open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. More about the exhibit on www.LKNart.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 25

Performance of “Fast Trip to Omaha,” at Warehouse PAC (See theater listings above)

COMING NEXT WEEK

Theater: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville – Masterworks School of the Arts presents the student production “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Performances Friday, July 30, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 31, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10/adult, $7/children, on sale now. Discounts available if purchased at either of the school’s two locations in Davidson and Mooresville. Prices higher at the door. For more information, visit www.masterworkschoolofthearts.com