By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

Rough Draft plays a Concert on the Green Sunday.

While Independence Day isn’t until Monday, there are plenty of events this weekend to help you celebrate. Starting Saturday there is a July 4 festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center with live music and fireworks each night, ending Monday. Sunday, Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville hosts a celebration with live music, games, vendors and fireworks. Also Sunday, there’s a small Independence Day parade in Davidson, followed by a Concert on the Green featuring Rough Draft. Other events this weekend include an all day library celebration at the Davidson public library on Friday to celebrate its survival for another fiscal year. And on Saturday, there’s the Soul Food Festival at Rural Hill that will feature old school R&B and great soul food. Meanwhile, CorneliusNews.net is the lead sponsor for the Town of Cornelius holiday celebration Monday.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Larry Crowne” opens on Friday, joining “Cars 2,” “Green Lantern,” “Super 8,” “Transformers,” and “Bridesmaids.”

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Bilingual Storytime: Spanish, 11:15 a.m., Cornelius public library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Children will learn the basics of the Spanish language through songs, stories and hands-on activities. Special emphasis is placed on language development and repetition. Info: 704-416-3800.

Pawbrokers Jewelry Party, 5-8 p.m., Pawbroker’s Party at Amber Garchar’s Home, 7798 Harbor Ln. Denver. Clean out your jewelry boxes of the jewelry you no longer wear & bring it with you the night of the party – if you don’t have any to donate please come anyway. Enjoy some shopping, hors d’ouvres, great company, wine and our signature drink, The Pawtini. 100% of the money will be donated – 80% to Humane Society of Lincoln County and 20% to Lucky Cat (feral cat program). Cash or checks only. For more info call Roxanne Blake 704-998-8372 or visit www.pawbrokers.org

Alive After Five, 5-10 p.m., the Pavilion at Epicentre, 210 East Trade St., Charlotte – Live music by Zoso (Led Zeppelin tribute band). Details: www.aliveafterfives.com.

Green Drinks Lake Norman, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Campania Cafe, 416 S. Main St., Davidson – This month’s speaker is UNC Charlotte graduate student Terence Goveas, winner of 5 Ventures Student Competition. He will speak about his 5 Ventures experience, his innovation and competing in the region’s energy economy. For more information, call 704-896-0094 or visit www.pies-northcarolina.org.

Historic Preservation Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Ave., Cornelius – The Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission’s regular June meeting.

Patio Palooza, 5:30 p.m., Hickory Tavern, 9526 Birkdale Crossing Dr., Huntersville – Live acoustic music on the patio and in the beer garden. Info: 704-897-8490.

Lake Norman Rotary Club, 6 p.m., Northstone Country Club, 15801 Northstone Dr., Huntersville – Annual rotary banquet, where Karla Combs will be inducted as the new rotary club president and David Marsh will be the keynote speaker. Marsh is the current swimming coach for the U.S. National Team. Tickets are $20 for rotary members and $25 for non-members and can be purchased at the Lake Norman Rotary website.

Palace Bingo Night, 7-10 p.m., The Palace, 8325 Copley Dr., Cornelius – Bingo Night at the Palace. For information, email events@lakenormanmeetingsandevents.com or call 704-892-7636.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music with Rusty Knox Band. 704-895-9090

FRIDAY, JULY 1

Library Celebration, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Celebrate the fact that the Davidson library will remain open for another year with muffins in the morning and cookies in the afternoon for patrons.

Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Preschoolers engage with books and activities that encourage language and pre-reading skills. Hear stories, sing songs, and develop the skills needed to become a successful reader. Info: 704-416-4000.

Toddler Storytime, 11 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Toddlers build language skills, participate in music and movement activities, and discover the fun of books. Explore letters, sounds, and new words through stories and activities. Info: 704-416-4000.

Lunch & a Movie, noon, Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson – Bring your lunch and watch the movie “Gnomeo and Juliet.” We provide the popcorn. Info: 704-416-4000.

Party on the Porch, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Campania Cafe, 416 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music: Scotti Benge. Info: 704-987-5111.

Live music at Amos’ at the Lake, 7:30 & 10:30 p.m., 19501 West Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Live music: Shableek (saxophonist accompanied by full band). Two shows. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the first show and 10 p.m. for the second show. Info: 704-895-6875.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music – (TBA). 704-895-9090

SATURDAY, JULY 2

4th of July Festival, 4 p.m., U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte – Live music: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Riley Etheridge, Jr., and Do It To Julia. Fireworks at nightfall. Free and open to the public. Details: www.usnwc.org.

Soul Food Festival, 7 p.m., Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville – A day of old school R&B and the best soul food Charlotte has to offer. General admission is $22, Preferred Viewing is $32, and VIP is $57. Details: www.ilovesoulfood.com.  Read more: June 27, 2011, “Festival brings soul food and music to Rural Hill Sat.”

Theater: Putnam County Spelling Bee, 8 p.m., Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Rd., Cornelius – The Edge Theatre Co. of Rock Hill presents, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” $20 adults, $15 students and children. Info: warehousepac.com or 704-619-0429.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music (TBA). 704-895-9090

SUNDAY, JULY 3

Theater: Putnam County Spelling Bee, 2 p.m., Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Rd., Cornelius – The Edge Theatre Co. of Rock Hill presents, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” $20 adults, $15 students and children. Info: warehousepac.com or 704-619-0429.

July 3rd Summer Celebration, 4-10 p.m., Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe Knox Avenue, Mooresville – Celebration for kids and families featuring music, live performances, food and business vendors, inflatables and kids’ games. The event will conclude with a fireworks show. Free and open to the public. Visit www.ymcacharlotte.org for details.

4th of July Festival, 4 p.m., U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte – Live music: Langhorne Slim, Overmountain Men, and Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Fireworks at nightfall. Free and open to the public. Details: www.usnwc.org.

Parade & Concert on the Green, 5:30 p.m., Davidson IB Middle School, South Street – The town of Davidson hosts an Independence Day celebration, including a small-town parade from the IB School to the Village Green and a Concert on the Green with Rough Draft. See http://davidsonnews.net/2011/06/29/join-a-small-town-parade-on-july-3-in-davidson/

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

RockBus Concert: Zac Brown Band, Check-In at Prohibition 3pm-4pm. Bus departs at 4pm. Transportation to and from Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, a few cold ones on the way to Verizon, and drink specials at starting bar before and after the show. Cost is $20 for RockBus only or $50 for RockBus and concert ticket. The concert starts at 7pm and the bus will be departing again 30 minutes after the show.

Scene from "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," to be screened as part of the Cornelius July 4 celebration at Town Hall Monday.

MONDAY, JULY 4 

Holiday – Closings include government offices, post offices, banks, and businesses. Charlotte Area Transit system buses and light rail operate on a Sunday schedule. No express buses. Trash pickups on a normal schedule this week.

American bald eagle release, 10:30 a.m., Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, end of Sample Road, Huntersville – Carolina Raptor Center officials invite the public to join in the release of an American Bald Eagle that was rehabilitated in the Raptor Center hospital. Bring a picnic lunch. Release at 11 a.m. Program back at Raptor Center at 1 p.m. Details in our July 1, 2011, news item.

Whitewater center festival, 4 p.m., U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte – Live music: Anders Osborne, The New Familiars, and Sol Driven Train. Fireworks at nightfall. Free and open to the public. Details: www.usnwc.org.

Cornelius 4th of July Celebration, 6:30 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall lawn, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – An Independence Day celebration, presented by CorneliusNews.net, featuring the music of Acoustic Solutions, children’s activities and food from Bruster’s Ice Cream. A screening of The “Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader” will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m. For more information, call 704-892-6031 ext. 160 or visit www.corneliuspr.org. More information in our June 28 preview.

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