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Mary Kathryn Withers of Davidson has a role in Opera Carolina's "HMS Pinafore."

By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

^[2]The Rotary Club of Lake Norman is sponsoring a wine cruise on Thursday night aboard the Yachta Yachta Yachta. Rural Hill plantation in Huntersville is busy this weekend, with “Trifecta: Battle of the Bands” Friday, where three bands from area public schools will compete, and the NC. Brewers and Music Festival on Saturday. The Davidson Farmer’s Market is back Saturday morning, and Mooresville hosts the annual Race City Festival. Davidson College’s class of 2011 graduates Sunday – on the front campus if the weather is nice. And downtown Davidson hosts another Concert on the Green Sunday evening, with free beach music from Band of Oz.

In Charlotte, Opera Carolina presents the Gilbert & Sullivan classic “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The cast includes Davidson resident Mary Kathryn Withers, in the role of Hebe. See Brenda Barger’s May 5 “Around Davidson” ^[3]column for more about Ms. Withers.

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 “Bridesmaids” and “Jane Eyre” opens, joining “Thor,” “Fast Five,” “Win Win,” and “Water for Elephants.”

THURSDAY, MAY 12

Daughters of the American Revolution, 11:30 a.m., Acropolis Restaurant, 20659 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – The regular monthly meeting of the Alexandriana Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The program will be held by members of the Chapter as they tell a brief history of their Revolutionary War Ancestry. For information, call 704-875-6396 or 704-651-0410.

Spring Wine Cruise, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Peninsula Yacht Club, 18501 Harbor Light Blvd., Cornelius – Presented by the Rotary Club of Lake Norman, the cruise will take place on board the Yachta Yachta Yachta and should launch at 6 p.m, setting sail from the Peninsula Yacht Club. There will be wine, light hors d’oeuvres and a chance to buy raffle tickets. $35 for an individual ticket, $60 couples ticket, $120 four pack. Buy tickets at www.lakenormanrotary.org ^[4].

Intimidators vs. Lexington, 7:05 p.m., Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, Kannapolis – Kannapolis Intimidators ^[5] vs. Lexington Legends minor league baseball game.

Island Wildlife program, 7 p.m., Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St, Mooresville – Duke Energy scientist Gene Vaughn will discuss Lake Norman islands and the wildlife that inhabits them at the free monthly nature program held by Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists. For more information, visit www.lakenormanwildlife.org ^[6].

H.M.S. Pinafore, 7:30 p.m., Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte – Opera Carolina presents this Gilbert & Sullivan classic, which takes place on Her Majesty’s Ship Pinafore. The captain’s daughter, Josephine, is in love with a common sailor, but her father has a more sophisticated suitor in mind. Also plays May 14 at 8 p.m. and May 15 at 2 p.m. Buy tickets by calling 704-372-1000 or visiting www.carolinatix.org ^[7]. More info on OperaCarolina.org ^[8].

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, MAY 13

Focus Friday at the Chamber, 8-9:30 a.m., Courtyard by Marriott, 16700 Northcross Dr., Huntersville – Lake Norman Chamber examines the collection and distribution of accommodation and prepared meals taxes and how those dollars are authorized to be spent. Features guests Mike Crum, the Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and Vinay Patel, Senior Vice President of Operations and Sales for SREE Hotels. Free. More information at www.lakenormanchamber.org ^[9].

PowerLuncheon with the Chamber, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Havana Banquet & Ballroom, 8325 Copley Dr., Cornelius – Mecklenburg County, Cooperstown Dreams Park and Visit Lake Norman will discuss “Creating Charlotte as the Sports Capital of the South,” focusing on the plans to build the largest youth baseball facility in Mooresville. Admission is $20 for non members and $16 for members. Reservations are required. To make reservations and get more info, go to www.lakenormanchamber.org ^[9].

Trifecta: Battle of the Bands, 5 p.m., Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville – Six bands comprised of students from Hopewell, Hough and North Mecklenburg high schools will compete in the first ever Battle of the Bands. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to vote for their favorite bands with dollars. For more information, contact Huntersville mayor Jill Swain at jswainsworld@gmail.com ^[10] or 704-609-6803.

Live Music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Mike Strauss Trio. Info: 704-895-9090.

Davidson College Jazz Ensemble, 9 p.m., Mariam Cannon Hayes Ampitheatre, Alvarez College Union, Davidson College, Davidson – The Music Department presents the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble’s annual Senior Soiree. Call Daphne Fruchtman at 704-894-2848 for more information.

SATURDAY, MAY 14

Pet Palooza, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte – Participate in the dog walk or the Kennelly 5k run or just enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and a vendor fair. Details at www.humanesocietyofcharlotte.org ^[11].

Blue Oval Classic Car Show, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mooresville Ford, 151 East Plaza Dr., Mooresville – Over 200 Fords are expected to be on display for this event along with food vendors, a DJ, raffles and prizes. All proceeds from the show will benefit Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center, a local charity which provides support and services for child victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending family. For more information, call Chris at 704-796-7380 or visit www.foacarolinas.com ^[12].

Davidson Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m. to noon, downtown Davidson next to Town Hall – Local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items every Saturday through November. For more information: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org ^[13]. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

WOW nature activity, 8:30-10 a.m., Fisher Farm Park, 21215 Shearers Rd. Davidson – Rob Van Epps, birder since the age of 8, will lead the event to see migratory birds. All ages welcome. Register through WOW at dlc.wow@gmail.com ^[14].

Hershey Track & Field Games, 9 a.m., Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Rd., Cornelius – Children ages 9-14 are invited to participate in track & field competitions. Events include 100-meter dash, long jump, softball throw and more. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., bring birth certificate. Visit www.cornelius.org ^[15] for more information.

Race City Festival, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., along Main & Broad Streets, Mooresville – Presented by Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, this free, family friendly event will include live entertainment, 160+ vendor booths, food, arts & crafts, antiques, and business and racing displays. For more information, call 704-664-3898 or visit www.mooresvillenc.org ^[16].

McKinney Academy Spring Fling, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Green, Concord Rd. & Main St., Davidson – McKinney Academy will host the 2nd Annual Spring Fling. The event will have a variety of games and fun activities for all ages. A raffle with lots of wonderful items will be held at 1:30 p.m. Details at mckinneyacademy.com ^[17].

NC Brewers and Music Festival, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville – This 10-hour day of fun is complete with music ranging from local bluegrass to national acts. Plus, all the hand crafted ales and lagers one can savor! Advance tickets are $45 per person and “Under 21″ or Designated Driver tickets are $30 per person. On May 4 prices increase to the “at the gate rate” of $60 and $40. More information available at www.NCBrewsMusic.com ^[18].

May Bash at Thirsty Beaver, 5 p.m. to midnight, Thirsty Beaver Saloon, 1225 Central Ave. Charlotte – No cover, live music, great food. Come support Kickin’ For Kids and pediatric cancer research. For more info visit kickingforkids.com ^[19]

Finale, 6-8 p.m., McConnell Green, N. Kimberly Rd & N. Downing St., Davidson – A festival for fourth and fifth graders. There will be carnival games, live music, pizza, ice cream, and fun. Admission is $2 per person, and game tickets will be eight for $1 or 2 for 50 cents. All proceeds from the event will go to the Ada Jenkins Center.

Davidson College Chorale, 7:15 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Concord Rd. and Main St., Davidson – The Music Department presents the Davidson College Chorale’s Farewell to Seniors Concert. Free and open to the public. Contact Daphne Fruchtman at 704-894-2848 for more information.

Live music at Pelican’s Patio, 7:30pm, Pelican’s Patio, 19930 W. Catawba Ave. Cornelius 28031. Live music: Wally & Dave. Info: 704-896-7456.

Live Music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Skelton Kednig. Info: 704-895-9090.

H.M.S. Pinafore, 8 p.m., Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte – Opera Carolina performs this Gilbert & Sullivan classic, which takes place on Her Majesty’s Ship Pinafore. The captain’s daughter, Josephine, is in love with a common sailor, but her father has a more sophisticated suitor in mind. Also plays May 12 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 at 2 p.m. Buy tickets by calling 704-372-1000 or visiting www.carolinatix.org ^[7]. More info on OperaCarolina.org ^[8].

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Davidson College Commencement, 10 a.m., Davidson College front campus, Davidson – Davidson College’s Commencement Weekend comes to a close with the Commencement ceremony. Rain plan: John M. Belk Arena. Visit Davidson College’s website ^[20] to see the full Commencement Weekend schedule.

H.M.S. Pinafore, 2 p.m., Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte – Opera Carolina presents this Gilbert & Sullivan classic, which takes place on Her Majesty’s Ship Pinafore. The captain’s daughter, Josephine, is in love with a common sailor, but her father has a more sophisticated suitor in mind. Also plays May 12 at 7:30 p.m. and May 14 at 8 p.m. Buy tickets by calling 704-372-1000 or visiting www.carolinatix.org ^[21]. More info on OperaCarolina.org ^[8].

DCPC Common Grounds, 5 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Main St. & Concord Rd., Davidson – Come and hear three of DCPC’s young adults share their experiences of a year of service to their world. Speakers are: Madeline Burgess who spent a year in Northern Ireland through the Young Adult Volunteers of the PCUSA in peacemaking, Rachel Steber is spending a year in El Paso, TX through Border Servant Corps working in an immigration law office, and Allison Wehrung is spending a year in Nashville, TN through Young Adult Volunteers in the PCUSA in campus ministry. Dinner will be served. Reserve your spot by going to www.dcpc.org ^[22].

Concert on the Green, 6-8 p.m., Davidson Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road in front of Davidson library – Featuring music by Band of Oz (beach) Free. Details and season schedule: April 26, 2011, “College ensembles open Concerts on the Green Sun.” ^[23]

HAVE NEWS?

Send calendar and events listings to listings@davidsonnews.net ^[24]. Send items at least 10 days before the event. Listings appear on this page on both CorneliusNews.net and DavidsonNews.net.