By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

The weekend in and around Davidson brings a long list of community events, from Friday night’s Davidson Gallery Crawl to the opening of the Davidson Farmer’s Market’s regular season debut Saturday morning, to the Lake Norman YMCA Family Fun Day Saturday. The “Miles for Marnie” duathlon, 5k and kids’ fun run is Saturday morning, and Davidson College’s baseball team hosts UNC Greensboro. Writer Bonita Jones Knott gives a spoken word performance at Warehouse Performing Arts Center. And “Stuart Little” continues this weekend at Armour Street Theater. Meanwhile, Saturday is also Reptile Day at Davidson College.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Soul Surfer” and “Hanna” open on Friday, joining “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Hop,” “Source Code,” and “Limitless.”

THURSDAY, APR. 7

Spanish for Kids, 11:15 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Children learn Spanish the fun way with puppets, music, and movement. No registration necessary; call 704-416-3800 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[1] for more information.

Spring Fling Car Auction, 4 p.m., Metrolina Expo Center, 7100 Statesville Rd., Charlotte – General admission is $10.00. Free admission with Speedway vendor pass or current AACA membership card. Car club members admitted free with current membership card. For details visit www.tommackclassics.com ^[2].

Davidson Student Presentations, 4:30 p.m., Carolina Inn, 215 N. Main St., Davidson – Presentations of academic theses by Davidson College students who have designed their own majors through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Neuroscience majors Kayla Swart, Erin Feeney, and Matt De Niear. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 704-894-2385 or visit www.davidson.edu ^[3].

Cornelius PARC Commission Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. – The Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Commision regular meeting. Open to the public. cornelius.org ^[4]

Gala of Honor, 6 p.m., Havana Banquet & Ballroom, 8325 Copely Dr., Cornelius – Black tie optional fundraising event for the Veterans Monument to be built adjacent to Town Hall. Festivities for the evening will include cocktails, dinner, dancing, silent auction and a short program featuring special guests John Washam, Specialist, 4th Class & Commander of The American Legion Post #86 as well as Allison White, E4 Senior Airman. Tickets are available at Cornelius Town Hall and online at www.cornelius.org ^[5]. Read more in our March 29 preview of the event ^[6].

^[7]Davidson Elementary ArtFest, 6-8:30 pm, Davidson Elementary School, 635 South St. – 6th Annual ArtFest, with student art and poetry on display in the hallways, and a musical performance. Free.

Meeting Gifted Students’ Needs, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Huntersville Elementary, 200 Gilead Rd., Huntersville – This course will cover some of the major social and emotional issues facing gifted students including but not limited to overachieving, perfectionism, underachieving, and asynchronous development. It will focus on how parents can help their students with these issues at home and in school. Visit www.cmsparentuniversity.org ^[8] for more information.

Davidson College Literary Reading, 7:30 p.m., Alvarez College Union, Davidson College – Susan Choi, lecturer in creative writing at Princeton University, will present the Vereen Bell Writing Awards. She will also read from her work and sign copies of her books. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 704-894-2254 or visit www.davidson.edu ^[3].

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Billy Jones & The Pocket. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, APR. 8

English Cafe, 10 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius – Learn about America’s history and culture while improving your English conversational skills. No registration necessary. Call 704-416-3800 or visit www.cmlibrary.org ^[1] for more information.

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 ^[1] for more information.

All about the Meck senior centers, 10:30-11:30 a.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 18731 West Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Trina Palmer, Executive Director, Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Centers, will discuss how the senior centers are funded and governed. Free and open to the community. Snacks and beverages provided. Call 704-892-4041 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 ^[1] for more information.

Spring Fling Car Auction, 4 p.m., Metrolina Expo Center, 7100 Statesville Rd., Charlotte – General admission is $10.00. Free admission with Speedway vendor pass or current AACA membership card. Car club members admitted free with current membership card. For details visit www.tommackclassics.com ^[2].

Gallery mixer & Ribbon Cutting, 4-6 p.m., sculpture garden, 148 Ervin Rd., Mooresville – A Chamber Mixer & Ribbon Cutting held in honor of the opening of the Andre Christine Gallery’s new show. Visit AndreChristineGallery.com ^[9] for more information.

Davidson Gallery Crawl, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., downtown Davidson – Galleries, businesses and Town Hall will host visiting artists, including some that will be featured at Art on the Green. The Crawl will go from the new businesses at Exit 30 to Main Street in Davidson. Read our Gallery Crawl preview ^[11] for more information.

 

Theater: Stuart Little, 7 p.m., Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Connie Company presents a stage adaptation of Stuart Little, the tale of a mouse adopted into a New York City family who embarks on a journey to find his friend. Ages 6+. Tickets are $7. Playing April 2-10. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[12] for more information.

Davidson Baseball, 7 p.m., Wilson Field, Davidson College, Davidson – Davidson College Baseball vs. UNC Greensboro.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Mike Strauss Trio. Info: 704-895-9090.

SATURDAY, APR. 9

Miles for Marnie, 6:30 a.m., Hough High School, 12420 Bailey Rd., Cornelius – A duathlon will begin with a 3 mile run, a 17 mile bike ride and end with a 3 mile run. Participants must be 16 years old by December 31, 2011 to compete in the duathlon. The duathlon will be timed. A 5K run and a Kids Fun Run are also available. The 5K run is open to all ages. The 5K will be timed. Visit www.marniejudefoundation.org ^[14] for more information.

WOW nature activity, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – The WOW booth at the Davidson Farmer’s Market will have sunflower seeds to plant: one to take home and one that will be given to the Davidson United Methodist Church Community Garden. The DUMC folks will be there with information about their garden and a sign-up sheet for volunteers.

Davidson Farmer’s 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 ^[15]. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

Spring Football Tailgate, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Faculty Dr., Davidson College – 2011 Davidson Gridiron Club’s tailgate with kickoff set at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children (3-12 yrs.). Call Kristen Foss at 704-894-2378 for more information.

Crossroads Cafe, 10 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – CPCC instructors assist speakers of any language who want to improve their English through self-paced instruction using materials checked out from the library. You may register at any class session. For more information, please call 704-330-4861.

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 ^[1] for more information.

Theater: Stuart Little, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m., Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Connie Company presents a stage adaptation of Stuart Little, the tale of a mouse adopted into a New York City family who embarks on a journey to find his friend. Ages 6+. Tickets are $7. Playing April 2-10. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[12] for more information.

Annual Reptile Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., courtyard between the Watson and Dana Science buildings, Davidson College – The Davidson College Herpetology Lab will be holding this Davidson College tradition where families can learn about reptiles and amphibians native to North Carolina. Visitors can interact with live animals, hear a venomous snake talk, and learn about conservation from numerous local organizations. Registration is not necessary.

YMCA Family Fun Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson St. – Families are encouraged to come and enjoy a day together through activities like archery, sports games, canoeing, etc. on the waterfront. Free. Snacks will be available. Call 704-716-4400 or email sabra.farquharson@ymcacharlotte.org ^[16] for more information.

Family Fun and Education Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Uptown Charlotte – The Arts and Science Council and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools’ Parent University will hold a day of fun and information for the whole family. Families can enjoy free or discounted access to museums and arts and cultural venues along uptown’s “cultural mile” (from Harvey B. Gantt Center to the McColl Center for Visual Art). There will also be workshops, student performances and information for parents. To register, visit the event website ^[17].

Meet the Authors, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., The Palace, 8325 Copley Dr., Cornelius – Visit Lake Norman’s first literary indoor street festival for an opportunity to meet your favorite authors, get signed copies of the latest books, and take home fresh new ideas for self-publishing. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for students 13-17 and free for children 12 & under. For more information, visit lakenormanmeetingsandevents.com ^[18].

Book Signing, 10:30 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St., Davidson – Leah Chester-Davis, founder of Extension’s Successful Gardener newsletter, will sign her new flower gardening book called “Successful Gardener Guide.” Call 704-892-6841 for more information.

Davidson Baseball, 2 p.m., Wilson Field, Davidson College, Davidson – Davidson College Baseball vs. UNC Greensboro.

Piano Concert, 2:30 p.m., Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College – A concert by piano students from the studios of Artist Associates Ruskin Cooper and Cynthia Lawing. Free and open to the public. For more information call 704-894-2848 or visit www.davidson.edu ^[3].

Spoken Word, 7 p.m., The Warehouse, 9216 Westmoreland Rd, Cornelius – Writer Bonita Jones Knott will perform “This is Not a One Night Stand: Journeying with a God who is not on the run.” Tickets are $18. Call 704-230-7598 to reserve seating and for group rates. For more information, call Bonita Knott at 704-230-7598.

Radicalization 101, 6-8 p.m., River’s Edge Church, 412 Armour St., Davidson – A one hour presentation by Hal Weatherman about national security and terrorism activities that will give you basic foundational knowledge about the recent rise in homegrown terrorism. Visit www.riversedgechurch.org ^[19] for more information.

Celtic music in Mooresville, 7:30 p.m., Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville – Mooresville Concerts presents Thistledown Tinkers, a Celtic music duo, as its final concert of the 2010-2011 season. $10 adults, $5 students, free under 10. Reception follows. Info: 704-662-3334, or on the Mooresville town website. ^[20]

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Matter of Fact. Info: 704-895-9090.

SUNDAY, APR. 10

Cats’ Carnival Fun Day, 1-3 p.m., Davidson College practice soccer field, Ridge Road, Davidson – The Student Athlete Advisory Council sponsors a fun day for kids with Davidson College Athletes. Bouncy houses, sport skills games, inflatable obstacle course, snow cones, face painting and more. The Student Athlete Advisory council will be donating gently used children’s books to various children’s charities in the area – child development centers, women and children shelters, children’s hospitals.

Theater: Stuart Little, 1 p.m. & 4 p.m., Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Connie Company presents a stage adaptation of Stuart Little, the tale of a mouse adopted into a New York City family who embarks on a journey to find his friend. Ages 6+. Tickets are $7. Playing April 2-10. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[12] for more information.

Davidson Baseball, 1 p.m., Wilson Field, Davidson College, Davidson – Davidson College Baseball vs. UNC Greensboro.

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