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Harry, Ron and Hermione are back on the big screen this weekend in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I" (Warner Bros. photo)

Looks like a beautiful fall weekend ahead, indoors and out. There’s plenty to see and do, from the debut of the new Harry Potter movie at midnight Thursday at Our Town Cinemas to Davidson College’s theatrical production “Galileo” to a fund-raising Turkey Trot 5K Saturday on the Village Green. There’s music nightly at Summit Coffee, beginning with a songwriter showcase Thursday night. And a cappellafans won’t want to miss Saturday night’s concert at the college, which will raise funds for programs serving children with special needs. On Sunday, the annual Community Thanksgiving Service will honor town officials and promote interfaith understanding. And Davidson Historical Society screens the local documentary “Our Vanishing Americana.”

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also at right on this page, see our movie showtimes listings for Our Town Cinemas. The Harry Potter midnight shows tonight are sold out. Advance tickets are on sale for the rest of the weekend. Act fast! Details at OurTownCinemas.com ^[2].

THURSDAY, NOV. 18

MI-Connection board meeting, 7:30 a.m., MI-Connection headquarters, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville – MI-Connection Communications System board of directors meeting. Agenda expected to include FY 2010 audit report.

Story time, 10 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – November story time at Main Street Books. Children ages 1-5 welcome for stories and fun. Free.

Chidsey Leadership Lecture: Bill Ferguson, 7 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union, 900 Room – 2010 Chidsey Leadership Lecture by Bill Ferguson, Davidson class of 2005, “Were You Phenomenal Today? Demonstrating Excellence in Leadership and Service.” ^[3] Ferguson is a teacher and recent electee to the Maryland state Senate. Free.

Theater: “Galileo”, 7:30 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theater Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater department presents Galileo, Bertolt Brecht’s masterpiece, as part of the Second Stage Series. This show runs from Wednesday, Nov. 17, to Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., also, Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. More info on the college website. ^[4]

Davidson College Symphony, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson College Symphony Concerto Competition Winners Concert. ^[5] Free.

Hannah Miller

Summit Coffee Songwriters Showcase, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Summit Songwriters Showcase, with Hannah Miller from Columbia, S.C., Rusty Knox of Davidson and host Rob McHale. Info: 704-895-9090. See more in our “Summit this week” preview ^[6].

FRIDAY, NOV. 19

Solar Energy and Business seminar, 9-10:30 a.m., Business Center @ South Main Square, 442 S. Main St., Davidson – The Business Center @ South Main Square and the local “green” business incubator Project for Innovation, Energy & Sustainability (PiES) will host a free seminar by Robert Haupt, of Southern Energy Management, on “Solar Energy and Building ROI – Making Solar Affordable for Commercial Applications.” For further information, or to register, call 704-896-0094 , or visit www.pies-northcarolina.org. ^[7]

Davidson Presbyterian Church BBQ, 10 a.m. until ? – Davidson Presbyterian Church, 116 Depot St., Davidson – Annual barbecue sale and fund-raiser. Also Saturday, 9-3. Five or more orders will be delivered. For orders or info, call 704-892-4313.

Chamber commissioner appreciation lunch, 11:45 a.m., NorthStone Country Club, Huntersville – Lake Norman Chamber annual Commissioner Appreciation Lunch, honoring public officials from area towns who were chosen by chamber members for being the most pro-business. Open to the public. Ticket info: 704-892-1922. For more on this year’s recipients and the event, see our 11/9/10 BizNotes. ^[8]

Theater: “Once on This Island”, 7 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players’ first-ever youth musical, “Once on This Island Jr.,” described as the Caribbean adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, with a cast featuring high school performers from the region. Shows Nov. 13-14 at 1 and 4 pm, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., Nov. 20 4 p.m., Nov. 21 1 and 4 p.m. To reserve tickets call 704-892-7953 or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[9]. All tickets are $9. The show is recommended for ages 6 and above.

Davidson women’s basketball, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena – Davidson women’s basketball vs. William & Mary.

Theater: “Galileo”, 7:30 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theater Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater department presents Galileo, Bertolt Brecht’s masterpiece, as part of the Second Stage Series. This show runs from Wednesday, Nov. 17, to Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., also, Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. More info on the college website. ^[10]

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Billy Jones and The Pocket. Info: 704-895-9090. See more in our “Summit this week” preview ^[6].

SATURDAY, NOV. 20

Davidson Farmer’s Market off-season tailgate market, 9 a.m. to noon, off Main Street next to Town Hall – Davidson Farmers Market, with local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. This week: Music by Billy Jones. Also, World of Wonder spider activities and field trip, departing at 10:30. Open every Saturday. For more information: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org ^[11]. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

Davidson Presbyterian Church BBQ, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Davidson Presbyterian Church, 116 Depot St., Davidson – Annual barbecue sale and fund-raiser. Also Friday, 10 a.m. until ?. Five or more orders will be delivered. For orders or info, call 704-892-4313.

Davidson Turkey Trot 5K run/walk, 10 a.m., Davidson Village Green – Davidson Turkey Trot 5k run/walk, to benefit the Free Clinic of Our Towns, at Ada Jenkins Center. ^[12] Organized by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Davidson College. Registration $15 in advance, $20 the day of the event. All registrants receive a T-shirt. Register at Active.com ^[13] or email davidsonturkeytrot@gmail.com ^[14]

Carolina Renaissance Fest, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., east of Davidson, off Highway 73 on Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85), Huntersville – 17th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace runs Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., through Nov. 21, rain or shine. The 22-acre village features artists, craftspeople, musicians, performance troupes and food vendors, as well as kids’ games and rides. Advance tickets available $18 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5-12; kids under 5 free. Also at the gate for $1 more. Print your own tickets online at RenFestInfo.com. Free parking. Information online at RenFestInfo.com, or by calling 704-896-5544, or toll-free 877-896-5544.

DCPC Congregation Meeting, after 11 a.m. worship, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Main Street and Concord Road – Davidson College Presbyterian Church congregation meeting to elect members to the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, hear about plans for expanding the staff to include two new associate pastors. www.dcpc.org ^[15]

Theater: “Once on This Island”, 4 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players’ first-ever youth musical, “Once on This Island Jr.,” described as the Caribbean adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, with a cast featuring high school performers from the region. Shows Nov. 13-14 at 1 and 4 pm, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., Nov. 20 4 p.m., Nov. 21 1 and 4 p.m. To reserve tickets call 704-892-7953 or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[9]. All tickets are $9. The show is recommended for ages 6 and above.

Buddy Benefit a cappella concert, 5 p.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson’s Buddy System student organization presents a concert with the a cappella groups The Generals, The Delilahs, and Androgyny. The Buddy System works with children with special needs, and the concert also will include speakers and videos on the issues facing special-needs kids. Tickets free, but donations accepted. Proceeds will go to Angels In Need, a local non-profit dedicated to helping families of children with special needs. The money will help send local children with special needs to camps and therapeutic programs. To reserve free tickets, email Billy Powers at bipowers@davidson.edu ^[16]

Theater: “Galileo”, 7:30 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theater Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater department presents Galileo, Bertolt Brecht’s masterpiece, as part of the Second Stage Series. This show runs from Wednesday, Nov. 17, to Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., also, Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. More info on the college website. ^[10]

Live jazz at Summit, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Dennis Currier Jazz Trio. Info: 704-895-9090. See more in our “Summit this week” preview ^[6].

SUNDAY, NOV. 21

Carolina Renaissance Fest, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., east of Davidson, off Highway 73 on Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85), Huntersville – 17th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace runs Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., through Nov. 21, rain or shine. The 22-acre village features artists, craftspeople, musicians, performance troupes and food vendors, as well as kids’ games and rides. Advance tickets available $18 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5-12; kids under 5 free. Also at the gate for $1 more. Print your own tickets online at RenFestInfo.com. Free parking. Information online at RenFestInfo.com, or by calling 704-896-5544, or toll-free 877-896-5544.

Theater: “Once on This Island”, 1 and 4 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players’ first-ever youth musical, “Once on This Island Jr.,” described as the Caribbean adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, with a cast featuring high school performers from the region. Shows Nov. 13-14 at 1 and 4 pm, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., Nov. 20 4 p.m., Nov. 21 1 and 4 p.m. To reserve tickets call 704-892-7953 or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[9]. All tickets are $9. The show is recommended for ages 6 and above.

Theater: “Galileo”, 2 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theater Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College theater department presents Galileo, Bertolt Brecht’s masterpiece, as part of the Second Stage Series. This show runs from Wednesday, Nov. 17, to Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., also, Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. More info on the college website. ^[10]

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Sarah Sullivan

Flute recital: Sarah Sullivan, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson – Sarah Sullivan, a North Mecklenburg High School student, will have her senior flute recital with works including J.S. Bach’s “Sonata in E Major,” Mercadante’s “Concerto in E Minor,” Jolivet’s “Chant de Linos,” and Mozart’s “Concerto No. 2 in D Major.” She will be accompanied on piano by Emily Jarrell Urbanek. Free.

Screening: “Our Vanishing Americana”, 4 p.m., Davidson IB School auditorium, South Street – Davidson Historical Society presents a screening of “Our Vanishing Americana,” a locally-produced film about the state’s old hardware stores, groceries, gas stations and other disappearing places. Appearances by producer Mike Lassiter and director/writer Scott Galloway. See our Nov. 8 news item for details. ^[18]

Piano Studio Recital, 4 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – The college Music Department presents a Piano Studio Recital ^[19] featuring the students of Artist Associates Ruskin Cooper and Cynthia Lawing. Free.

Community Thanksgiving Service & Public Servant Recognition, 5 p.m., Gethsemane Baptist Church, 565 Jetton St. – Third Annual Davidson community inter-faith Thanksgiving Service. Rev. Ernest Jeffries, pastor of Gethsemane Baptist, will be preaching. Various musical groups and choirs from area community will provide music. The service also honors our public officials. Come join your neighbors in this interfaith service of thanksgiving.

COMING MONDAY, NOV. 21

Davidson College Concert Choir, 7:30 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College Concert Choir and the Pro Arte Orchestra present Handel’s Messiah. The concert features Jacquelyn Culpepper, soprano, Diane Thornton, contralto, and Dan Boye, baritone. General admission is $15; Faculty/Staff/Seniors $10; Students and youth 18 and under $5.