^[1]By KARYN JESTER
Davidsonnews.net

Monday is full of Martin Luther King Jr. events, including a series of events at Davidson College. There are lectures, a walk around the campus and a gospel music concert. Continuing the MLK celebration, there’s a Community Convocation Tuesday night with poet Nikki Giovanni. Tuesday also brings the rescheduled Organ at Davidson concert featuring Thomas Warburton. A Davidson Music Department Faculty Recital is scheduled Wednesday, and the baroque Ensemble Vermillian has a recital on Saturday. The children’s production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” runs Friday through Sunday and the Ada Jenkins ICE Gala is on Saturday to raise money for the Ada Jenkins Center.

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 where “The Green Hornet,” “Black Swan,” “Little Fockers,” “True Grit” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” are playing.

MONDAY, JAN. 17

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Government offices, banks, libraries and ABC stores closed. CMS schools open. CATS running on a Sat. schedule.

Davidson College Walk for Change, 9:30 a.m., Davidson College Campus – A 1.5-mile walk around campus, ending on the front steps of the Chambers Building with the reading of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

Poetic Reflections of Social Justice, 11:30 a.m-12:45 p.m., Alvarez College Union, Davidson College Campus – Davidson student members of the Free Word Spoken Word Club share the historic voices of social justice through poetic expression. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

Film: Race to Nowhere, 1 and 7 p.m., Community School of Davidson, 565 Griffith St – The documentary, “Race to Nowhere,” will be shown at 1 and 7 p.m. It explores the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that is creating unprepared and uninspired students. There will be a discussion led by a panel of experts directly following the film. Tickets are free, but a suggested donation of $10 per person is welcome. To reserve a seat, email debbierichardson@roadrunner.com ^[3]

Women of Color & Visions for a Just Future, 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m., Alvarez College Union Room 302, Davidson College Campus – Part of the MLK Seminar Series at Davidson College. Presenter LaKisha Michelle Simmons, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of History, will look back at the anthology of the black feminist movement “The Black Woman” to consider what the text can teach us about envisioning a racially just future. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

The King Legacy & Environmental (In)Justice, 1:30-2:45 p.m., Alvarez College Union Room 313, Davidson College Campus – Part of the MLK Seminar Series at Davidson College. Presenters Matt Samson and Annie Ingram will examine Dr. King’s language on social justice and community and its relationship to environmental and sustainability movements today. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

Isn’t Stepping for Everybody?, 3 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Alvarez College Union, Davidson College Campus – Part of the MLK Seminar Series at Davidson College. Presenter Dr. Damion Waymer, visiting professor, Communications Department, explores racial divisions as a communicative barrier to building community. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

Lessons with a Leader, 3 p.m.-4:15 p.m., Alvarez College Union Room 313, Davidson College Campus – Part of the MLK Seminar Series at Davidson College. Presenter Julia Jones, Director of the Chidsey Center for Leadership Development, will use the words of Dr. King as a starting point to focus on leadership. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

MLK Gospel Extravaganza, 7 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College Campus – A live gospel concert including music by the Davidson College Gospel Choir, K.J. Sciven of Fayetteville, Shameka Dwight of Columbia, S.C., The New Glory Bounds Singers of Milwaukee, Wisc. and Ronica & The Mighty Blazing Stars of Mooresville. Visit www.davidson.edu for more information.

TUESDAY, JAN. 18

YMCA Open House, The Lake Norman, Lowe’s, University and Lincoln County YMCA branches will be open to the community all day Tuesday. Staff will be on hand to play games with members and visitors, talk about how the Y functions within the community, give facility tours and lots more! Visit www.ymcacharlotte.org ^[4] for individual branch directions and hours. See our news item, “YMCA plans Tues. celebration, offers 2 weeks free.” ^[5]

MLK Community Convocation, 11 a.m-noon, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College Campus – World-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni is the keynote speaker. Visit www.davidson.edu ^[2] for more information.

Library Task Force, 3:00-6:30 p.m., Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd, Charlotte – Rescheduled Jan. 12 meeting. This will be a discussion of potential recommendations for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s sustainability in the short and long term. For more information about the Task Force, visit charmeck.org ^[6].

Paws to Read, 4 p.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Read to a certified therapy dog. For elementary and preschool ages. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[7] for more information.

Cornelius Board of Commissioners, 5 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall Room 204, 21410 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – The Jan. 17 regular meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 18 to observe the Martin Luther King holiday.

Parenting with Love and Leadership, 6:30 p.m., McKinney Academy, 412 Armour St. – The McKinney Academy Wellness Committee is happy to host John Rosemond for a wellness parent learning session. For more information visit the McKinney Academy website at www.mckinneyacademy.com ^[8].

Property Tax Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave – Mecklenburg County Commissioner Karen Bentley hosts a public meeting about the upcoming county property tax revaluation ^[9]. Speakers include Garrett Alexander, Mecklenburg County Tax Assessor. There will be an opportunity for questions. Open to the public.

Organ at Davidson Concert, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church sanctuary, Concord Road and North Main Street – Thomas Warburton, emeritus music professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, plays from Hindemith, Mendelssohn, Messiaen, Schumann and Sowerby in tribute to Robert Noehren (1910-2002), Davidson College professor and organist at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. A reception follows. Free with donations toward future programs encouraged. Info: www.dcpc.org ^[10]

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19

Spanish for Kids, 11:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Preschoolers learn Spanish the fun way with puppets, music, and movement. No registration necessary; call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[7] for more information.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library trustees meeting, noon to 1:10 p.m., followed by press briefing, 1:20 p.m., Main Library, 310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte – Regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting, including an update on plans for cutting the 2011-12 budget. More info on the library website: http://www.plcmc.org/about_us/trusteesMeetings.asp ^[11] Download the full agenda (PDF), CLICK HERE> ^[12]

Middle School IB open house, 1 p.m. – Davidson IB Middle School, 251 South St. – Tours of the International Baccalaureate middle school program (grades 6-8) for prospective students and parents. Program will be located at Alexander Middle School in Huntersville for 2011-12. Applications for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools magnet-school lottery will be accepted Jan. 7-Feb. 7. Info on the magnet lottery at cms.k12.nc.us ^[13].

Davidson Women’s Basketball, 7 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena, 200 Baker Dr. – Davidson women’s basketball vs. Appalachian State. Details on www.davidsonwildcats.com ^[14].

Town officials meet Mecklenburg legislative delegation, 7 p.m., Peninsula Club, 19101 Peninsula Club Dr., Cornelius – The governing Boards of the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Matthews and the Charlotte City Council will have a joint dinner with the Mecklenburg Legislative Delegation to discuss legislative priorities and other town needs and business.

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

THURSDAY, JAN. 20

Davidson Planning Board mini-retreat, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 216 S. Main St. – Davidson Planning Board mini-retreat. Includes reviews of the board and planning staff activities, draft policies and procedures, past planning, coming development projects, town staff reorganization, goals. Details on the town website. ^[16]

Seminar Series at The Palace, 7 p.m., The Palace, 8325 Copely Dr., Cornelius – The 2011 Seminar Series at The Palace starts with a presentation by Rob Cannon of Academy Leadership. He will discuss corporate leadership and management strategies and hand out copies of his book. Admission is $5. To reserve a seat, contact Maura Reddinton at 704-892-7636 or maura@platinum-realty.com ^[17]. For more events at The Palace, visit www.lakenormanmeetingsandevents.com ^[18].

Lecture: Making of Modern Motherhood, 7 p.m., Davidson College Chambers Hall, Hance Auditorium – Dean Rusk International Studies Program, the Public Lectures Committee, Vann Center for Ethics, and the Departments of Sociology, Anthropology and Theatre present Dr. Andrea O’Reilly, Associate Professor in the School of Women’s Studies at York University, lecturing on “The Making of Modern Motherhood: Ideologies and Practices of the ‘Good’ Mother’ from the 1800s to the Present.” Free. [The lecture is part of a series of activities surrounding the Theatre Department’s spring show, “Kokoro.” The play, which explores a range of issues related to immigration, motherhood, and the Asian-American experience, opens Feb. 16.]

Clarinet recital, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Sloan Music Center, Tyler-Tallman Hall – Wendy Harrison, a clarinetist and band/orchestra director at Davidson IB Middle School, will present a recital of works including Debussy’s “Premier Rhapsody,” J.S. Bach’s “Chromatic Fantasia,” “Bartok Dances” by Edward Yadzinski and Malcolm Arnold’s Divertimento for Flute, Oboe and Clarinet. Pianist Cynthia Lawing will accompany on piano. Free.

Live Music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Summit Songwriters Series featuring Paul Finnican, a Long Island, N.Y., native, guitarist and owner of the Silvia Theatre in York, S.C., a local songwriters’ oasis; Marie Reed of Mooresville, Charlotte Music Awards Folk Artist of the Year 2010; and host Rob McHale. Info: 704-895-9090

FRIDAY, JAN. 21

Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – A 30 minute storytime for preschoolers that includes books, flannelboard stories and musical activities. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[20] for more information.

Toddler Storytime, 11 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – A storytime for children 12 – 35 months that consists of books, flannelboard stories and musical activities. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[20] for more information.

Musical Interludes at Davidson College, 12:30 p.m., Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College – The Music Department presents Musical Interludes, featuring members of the Davidson community. Flutist Sarah Sullivan, age 17, will perform a work by Mozart. Pianist Clara Gerdes, age 14, will play the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, (first movement). Both will be accompanied by pianist Cynthia Lawing of Davidson College. Free and open to the public. www.davidson.edu ^[2]

Theater: The Emperor’s New Clothes, 4:30 & 7 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College – The winter children’s production is The Emperor’s New Clothes. It is presented by the Davidson College theater department in collaboration with the Davidson Community Players and The Connie Company. The show runs from January 21-23. All tickets are $7. Order tickets by calling 704-892-7953 or online at www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[21]. See our latest Theater Notes column for more information, “On stage: ‘Emperor’s New Clothes,’ ‘Frozen'” ^[22]

Live music at Summit Coffee 9 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Asheville songwriter Kellin Watson. Tickets are $10 and on sale now. Stop by Summit Coffee to pick up your tickets. Last 5 shows at Summit have sold out, so stop by soon. Info: 704-895-9090. More about Kellin Watson, www.kellinwatson.com ^[23].

SATURDAY, JAN. 22

Davidson Farmers Market Tailgate Market, 9 a.m. to noon, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – Local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. 2nd & 4th Saturdays. For more information: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org ^[24]. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

World of Wonder nature activity, 10-11 a.m., Davidson College – Members of the Davidson College Herpetology Lab will give a brief introduction to the world of herpetology. Parents and children can learn about reptiles and amphibians and meet some species that are native to North Carolina. Registration required. For more information, visit the Davidson Lands Conservancy website, davidsonlands.org ^[25].

Homeowner Information Session, 10 a.m., Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, 20310 N. Main St., Cornelius – Individuals and families in need of decent, affordable housing are invited to learn how to qualify for a Habitat for Humanity New Home. Attendees must have lived and/or worked in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius or Huntersville for at least one year. Contact Support Coordinator Miranda Morris at 704-896-8957 ext. 107 or miranda@ourtownshabitat.org ^[26] for more information.

Paws to Read, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Read to a certified therapy dog. For elementary and preschool ages. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[20] for more information.

Theater: The Emperor’s New Clothes, 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College – The winter children’s production is The Emperor’s New Clothes. It is presented by the Davidson College theater department in collaboration with the Davidson Community Players and The Connie Company. The show runs from January 21-23. All tickets are $7. Order tickets by calling 704-892-7953 or online at www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[21].

Ada Jenkins ICE Gala, 6:30 p.m., Michael Waltrip Racing, 20310 Chartwell Center Drive, Cornelius – Fifth Annual ICE Gala fund-raiser to benefit Ada Jenkins Center, the regional community services center on Davidson’s West Side. $150 per person, open bar. Info: www.adajenkins.org/ice ^[27] or contact Natisha Rivera‐Patrick: natisha.rivera@adajenkins.org ^[28] or 704‐896‐0471, ext. 100, or Lynelle Crowell at crowell246@aol.com ^[29], or 704-895‐1963.

Ensemble Vermillian, 7:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – The ensemble will perform baroque chamber music by Bach, Buxtehude, Biber and Bertali. Performers include Frances Blaker and David Wilson from San Francisco, Barbara Blaker Krumdieck of Davidson and Henry Lebedinsky from New York. A donation of $15 per person is suggested. Call 704-560-0101 for more information.

Live music at Summit Coffee 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Dennis Currier Jazz Trio. Info: 704-895-9090.

SUNDAY, JAN. 23

Gospel of Mark Study, 9:45 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church room 118, Main Street and Concord Road – A study and discussion of the Gospel of Mark, led by Dr. Robert J. Manning, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Humanities at Davidson College. Info: www.dcpc.org ^[30]

Poetic Images of Faith, 9:45 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House, Main Street and Concord Road – Led by Dr. Karl Plank, Professor of Religion at Davidson College. This is a study of selected poems of Rowan Williams, Thomas Merton, Fred Chappell, and Mary Oliver. It focuses on poetry’s power to express and shape religious conviction. Info: www.dcpc.org ^[30]

A Visit from Bobby Richardson, 11 a.m., Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius – Former NY Yankees player and University of South Carolina Coach Bobby Richardson will be guest speaker at Mt. Zion UMC’s worship service. Visit www.mtzionumc.net ^[31] for more information.

Anti-Bullying Concert, 1 p.m., St. Albans’ Church, 301 Caldwell Ln. – The Foundation for Respect Ability hosts a special event for families, educators and students grade 2 to teens that will provide insight, ideas and resources designed to stand against bullying. Featuring a musical performance by Sid Krupkin. Free. For more information or to register, call 704-438-9798 or email xbullying@gmail.com ^[32].

Theater: The Emperor’s New Clothes, 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m., Barber Theater, Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College – The winter children’s production is The Emperor’s New Clothes. It is presented by the Davidson College theater department in collaboration with the Davidson Community Players and The Connie Company. The show runs from January 21-23. All tickets are $7. Order tickets by calling 704-892-7953 or online at www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[21].

Auditions: Ragtime, 5 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players will hold open auditions for the play Ragtime. Auditions for children ages 8-13 at 5 p.m., actors ages 15 and above at 6 p.m. Roles available for actors/singers/dancers of a wide variety of ages, ethnicities, and types including African American males and females ages 16+. The play will run June 16-June 25. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

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