Christmas in Davidson is the headline act in a weekend full of winter treats in and around town. The downtown festival runs Thursday through Saturday nights from 6-9. Davidson’s women’s basketball team is home Saturday against Radford. The Lake Norman YMCA hosts its annual breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, while Davidson College hosts a residency by jazz pianist Harry Pickens, concluding with a free Saturday night concert. Saturday also brings the North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade. On Sunday, Armin’s Catering hosts an open house at historic Beaver Dam, off Davidson-Concord Road, while Davidson College’s annual Christmas Vespers Concert is Sunday night.
These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also at right on this page, see our movie listings for Our Town Cinemas, where “Harry Potter” and “Love and Other Drugs” are joined this week by “Waiting for Superman” and “Tangled.”
CHRISTMAS STORY
This week also brings the opening of “A Christmas Story,” a stage adaptation of the popular holiday movie, at Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theater.
DEC. 2-19, Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Shows Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 15-17 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., Dec. 5, 11-12 and 19 at 2 p.m. $15 for Seniors & Students and $18 for Adults. Recommended for ages 8 and up. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org or call 704-892-7953.
THURSDAY, DEC. 2
Christmas in Davidson 2010, 6-9 p.m., Main Street and South Main Street in downtown Davidson – Annual Christmas in Davidson celebration with food, local artists and vendors under the big tent on the Green, performance on the public library steps, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa (at the library), and entertainment and specials at local shops. Continues Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4. Details on the town website. (See photo coverage of last year’s event, Dec. 4, 2009, “Photos of the Day: Christmas in Davidson”)
RELATED LINK: Where to park at Christmas in Davidson.
Davidson United Methodist dinner, 5-7 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. – Christmas in Davidson dinner to support a summer 2011 Senior High School Mission Trip to Costa Rica. Sit down or take out a box dinner of a Chic-Fil-A Sandwich or 6 nuggets, chips or choice of fruit, homemade desert item and beverage choice. Dinners $6 each, payable by cash or check at the door. You may pre-order your meal at www.dumyouth.com or through the Davidson UMC church office: 704-892-8277. Pre-orders appreciated – a limited number of walk-up dinners available on Dec. 2.
Main Street Books, 6-8:30 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Young-adult author Garret Freymann-Weyr of Davidson will be signing copies of her books and meeting readers during the first night of Christmas in Davidson. She is the author of “Stay With Me”; “My Heartbeat,” which was named a Printz Honor Book in 2003, “When I Was Older,” “The Kings Are Already Here,” “Pretty Girls,” and most recently out in paperback, “After the Moment.” Free.
Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: 8-9 p.m., Stephanie, Elizabeth & David; 9-11, Billy Jones & The Pocket. Info: 704-895-9090.
FRIDAY, DEC. 3
Christmas in Davidson 2010, 6-9 p.m., Main Street and South Main Street in downtown Davidson – Annual Christmas in Davidson celebration with food, local artists and vendors under the big tent on the Green, performance on the public library steps, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa (at the library), and entertainment and specials at local shops. Continues Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4. Details on the town website. (See photo coverage of last year’s event, Dec. 4, 2009, “Photos of the Day: Christmas in Davidson”)
Main Street Books, 6-8:30 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Curious George visits the local book shop during Christmas in Davidson. Kids may have their pictures made with the storybook monkey. Also, a visit from Carol Wayne Dorsett, author of the children’s book “Travel With Me from A to Z.” Free.
Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Davidson Express. Info: 704-895-9090.
SATURDAY, DEC. 4
Men of the Church Yard Sale, 7-11 a.m., Cornelius Presbyterian Church front lawn, 21209 Catawba Ave. (Catawba and Church streets) – Cornelius Presbyterian Church Men of the Church Yard Sale. Proceeds support the church’s outreach missions. In case of rain, sale moves to the hut behind the church. 704-892-5577. www.corneliuspcusa.org.
YMCA Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-11 a.m., Lake Norman YMCA Gymnasium, 21300 Davidson St., Cornelius – Annual Lake Norman YMCA Breakfast with Santa event. Includes entertainment, arts & crafts, games, a magic show, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fellowship and friends. Cost: $15 per family for members, $20 per family for “program” members. Register at the branch or by calling 704-716-4400. Deadline Dec. 3. Details online at the Lake Norman YMCA website.
World of Wonder nature activity 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Farmer’s Market, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – WOW booth at the Davidson Farmer’s Market: pine cone decoration activity. Make an ornament out of pine cones and other items from nature. For more information or to register, visit the DLC website, davidsonlands.org.
Visit by Jazz pianist Harry Pickens, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – Jazz pianist and 1981 Davidson grad Harry Pickens will visit campus for a day of events. At 11 a.m., he’ll lead a master class and conversation titled “From Stage Fright to Standing Ovation.” At 2 p.m., he and the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble will have an open rehearsal. At 4 p.m. he will lead another master class and conversation titled “Power Practice: How to Get the Most Out of Every Minute of Your Practice Time.” That’s followed by a 7:30 concert (see related item.) All events free. Info: call the music department 704-894-2848. Details: in our preview article.
North Meck Christmas Parade, 1 p.m., Davidson and Cornelius – 28th annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade, with marching bands, antique cars, dance groups, local businesses, public officials and more. Route starts in downtown Davidson and heads south to downtown Cornelius.
Davidson women vs. Radford, 4 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena – Davidson women’s basketball vs. Radford. (Game time changed from 7)
Christmas in Davidson 2010, 6-9 p.m., Main Street and South Main Street in downtown Davidson – Annual Christmas in Davidson celebration with food, local artists and vendors under the big tent on the Green, performance on the public library steps, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa (at the library), and entertainment and specials at local shops. Continues Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4. Details on the town website. (See photo coverage of last year’s event, Dec. 4, 2009, “Photos of the Day: Christmas in Davidson”)
Main Street Books, 6-8:30 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Christmas in Davidson author visits: Rosie Molinary of Davidson, author of “Beautiful You,” and photographer Martha Strawn, creator of the photo book “Religion.” Free.
Jazz Pianist Harry Pickens and the Davidson Jazz Ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – Jazz pianist and 1981 Davidson grad Harry Pickens plays a concert with the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble. Free. Info: call the music department 704-894-2848. Details: in our preview article.
Red & Black Ball, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Davidson College Chambers Building, Lilly Family Gallery – Annual community “Red and Black Ball,” to raise funds and awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention. Proceeds benefit the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) and the Mwandi Christian Mission Hospital. Tickets $20 college faculty/staff, $25 community members. Add $5 at the door. Includes live band, dancing, drinks, desserts, raffle and silent auction. To order tickets, contact Nitya Rao (nirao@davidson.edu). Read more about the ball in our Nov. 29 news item, “Annual Red & Black Ball Sat. benefits AIDS charities.”
Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Rusty Knox Band. Info: 704-895-9090.
SUNDAY, DEC. 5
Inclusion Community Advent study, 9 a.m., Our Town Cinemas, Sadler Square, Griffith Street – Inclusion Community hosts the first of three Sunday meetings looking at the meaning behind the nativity story. Followed at 10:30 a.m. by regular Sunday gathering. Continues Dec. 12 and 19.
Historic Beaver Dam open house, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Beaver Dam house and park, 19600 Davidson-Concord Road, Davidson – Christmas at Beaver Dam open house, with tours, vendors and refreshments by Armin’s Catering, which manages and books events at the site. www.arminscatering.com
Christmas tour of homes, 3-7 p.m., Northview Harbour subdivision, Sherrills Ford – Lake Norman Garden Club presents a “Christmas Tour of Homes.” The four homes include an eclectic cottage, a traditional home, a Tuscan home, and a cabin. Tickets $25 in advance. Proceeds pay for a landscape plan for the new Sherrills Ford Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley. Ticket info: JoAnn Deal at joanndeal@yahoo.com or 828-478-9177 .
Christmas Vespers Service, 6:45 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Main Street and Concord Road – Annual Christmas Vespers Service presented by Davidson College music department. Prelude music begins at 6:45 p.m. and the service at 7:30 p.m. Musical pieces performed by the Davidson College Chorale, Brass Ensemble, and String Ensemble. Free.
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