By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

^[1]This weekend in and around Davidson brings a 1-year anniversary celebration at Discovery Place Kids’ in Huntersville, the opening of “Romeo and Juliet” at Davidson College, and a “Think Pink” fund-raising dog show in Davidson.

On Friday night, Discovery Place Kids holds its inaugural Can Can’s Masquerade Ball fundraiser, and Discovery Place Kids will have special activities for kids and their parents on Saturday and Sunday.

On Thursday, the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will hold its sixth-annual Public Safety Officers Luncheon, which honors officers from the Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Davidson College police departments, members from North Meck Rescue, area fire departments and Crime Stoppers.

The Davidson Community Players will wrap up its run of the play “Love Letters” this weekend, with performances Friday through Sunday at the Armour Street Theatre, while the Davidson College Theatre Department opens its run of “Romeo and Juliet” with shows on Friday through Sunday at the Duke Family Performance Hall.

Got a few dog lovers in the family? Check out the third-annual Think Pink Dog Show Saturday afternoon at the Davidson Village Green. The event, organized by middle school students Ally Miller and Christianna Brueggemann, benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

And let’s not forget several ongoing events — the Haunting Hayride at the Latta Equestrian Center in Huntersville on Friday and Saturday night, the Amazing Maize Maze continues its run at the Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville on Friday through Sunday, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival is open Saturday and Sunday at the festival grounds off N.C. 73.

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.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.

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"Cloud Dome" by David Boraks is among the artworks on display at Davidson Town Hall this month.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

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"The History of Cornelius: The Conard Collection" is on display at Cornelius Arts Center.

The History of Cornelius Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 17-Nov. 12, Cornelius Arts Center, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Unit 1, Cornelius. The Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission and Cornelius Parks and Recreation Department present “The History of Cornelius: The Conard Collection” from Oct. 17-Nov. 12. An opening reception is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 20. View photos from the collection of local resident Jack Conard, whose personal interest in the history of Cornelius has led to the single-largest accumulation of photographs known to exist of the town. Information: Visit www.cornelius.org ^[4].

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

The Haunting Hayride, 7 p.m.-midnight, Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 27-29, Latta Equestrian Center at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6201 Sample Road, Huntersville. Park Avenue Properties and the Latta Equestrian Center present The Haunting Hayride, a Halloween-themed ride through the Equestrian Center’s wooded trails. A kid-friendly area is also on-site and includes a straw maze, pony rides, cow train and bonfire marshmallow roasting. Proceeds from the event benefit Kids Rein, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes the use of the horse for individuals with physical, emotional and learning disabilities. The hayride will run Friday and Saturday nights in October (except for Halloween week, when it will run Thursday-Saturday). Tickets: $10 adaults, $8 children age 12-under for the hayride; $3 for the straw maze and pony rides, $2 for cow train rides and $1 for marshmallow roasting in kid-friendly activities. For more information, visit www.HauntedTrailLKN.com ^[5].

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Amazing Maize Maze, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Rural Hill farm, Neck Road, Huntersville – The Amazing Maize Maze is an outdoor challenge in a 7-acre cornfield. Find your way out by following clues and assembling pieces of a map puzzle. Open Fridays to Sundays through Nov. 13. Friday night flashlight mazes Sept. 30 to Nov. 4 (till 8:30 p.m.). Food and drink available. $10 for ages 13 and up, $7 for kids 5-12. Info: www.ruralhill.net ^[6].

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Carolina Renaissance Festival, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Carolina Renaissance Festival grounds, on Poplar Tent Road just south of N.C. 73 – 18th Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival, with food; crafts; music, juggling and other circus entertainments; jousting demonstrations; fun rides and games of skill. Continues Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 20. Info: RenFestInfo.com ^[7], 704-896-5544, toll free 877-896-5544.

THURSDAY, OCT. 20

Dine Out for Books! All day Oct. 20, Zink American Kitchen, the Village at Southpark, 4310 Sharon Road, Charlotte. The Southpark-area restaurant will donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library system for books and materials. Special menu items and drinks will be available throughout the day, and evening diners (between 5:30-10 p.m.) can reserve a patio table for $25 to enjoy live music. Reservations can be made by calling 704-909-5500 or visiting www.harpersgroup.com ^[8].

Public Safety Officers Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 20, Havana Banquet and Ballroom, Kenton Place, Cornelius. The sixth-annual salute to North Mecklenburg public safety officers is being hosted by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. Officers from the Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Davidson College police departments, as well as members from North Meck Rescue, area fire departments and Crime Stoppers will be honored. Dr. Lili Johnson, associate dean of the CPCC’s Merancas Campus, will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $16 for Chamber members and $18 for non-members, and are available by calling 704-892-1922.

Mecklenburg County Library Board of Trustees, 12 p.m. Oct. 20, Main Library, third level, Dickson Board Room, 310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Monthly meeting of the Mecklenburg County Library Board of Trustees.

Lake Norman Chamber Business After Hours, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 20, Country Suites Lake Norman, 16617 Statesville Road, Huntersville. Monthly after-hours gathering for members of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. Information: Call 704-895-1922.

Wellness Lecture Series, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, McKinney Academy, 412 Armour St., Davidson. Come join us for an informative night as we conduct another “Ask the Expert” session at McKinney Academy. Three panel experts – a pediatrician, an optometrist and an educator will contribute their knowledge as it relates to reading and learning success. Audience members will learn about topics that affect= children’s concentration and learning such as nutrition, vision, vitamin deficiency, sleep disorders, allergies and ADHD. Parents will also take away reading tools and tips from an educator’s perspective and how to let go of control by embracing student choice, failure, and encouraging a “do it better than you have to attitude.” Open question and answer session will follow expert discussions. Admission is free and open to the public. Information: Visit the academy’s website at www.mckinneyacademy.com ^[9] or call 704-895-9664.

Davidson College Faculty Recital, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. Pianist Cynthia Lawing performing a program of works by Armenian composers. Admission is free.

Summit Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m. Oct. 20, Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson. Performances by Rob McHale, Paul Finnican, Magdalena Daley and host Mike Alicke. Information: Call 704-895-9090.

Leaders of Lake Norman, 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 20, The Peninsula Club, 19101 Peninsula Club Dr., Cornelius. The sixth-annual event of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and the area March of Dimes will honor Randy Marion, owner of Randy Marion Auto Group. Tickets: $100 individual, $1,000 for 10-person table. Reservations can be made online at www.marchofdimes.com ^[10], by calling 828-464-8905 or by email at ktocci@marchofdimes.com ^[11].

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

Can Can’s Masquerade Ball, 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 21, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. Halloween fundraiser for Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, with activities for parents and children. Masks and costumes are welcome, but not required. Tickets are $50 for adults and children age 14-over, and $25 for children 13-under, and can be purchased online at www.discoveryplacekids.org ^[12], by calling 704-348-1994 or by email at allisonb@discoveryplace.org ^[13].

Hough High football vs. Lake Norman, 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Hough High School stadium, Cornelius. The Huskies host Lake Norman.

Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, 2 p.m. Oct. 23, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by the Davidson College Theatre Department as part of its Mainstage Series. Individual and season tickets available online at www.davidson.edu ^[14] or by phone at 704-894-2135.

Love Letters, 8 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum. A character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers. Runs Oct. 6-23. Tickets $20. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[15].

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

Discovery Place Kids Anniversary, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 22 and 12-5 p.m. Oct. 23, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. A weekend of activities for families and children have been planned to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Discovery Place Kids’ facility in Huntersville. From face painting and bubble blowing in the Learning Garden to birthday-themed activities throughout the museum and visits with mascot Can Can, this special First Birthday Weekend will feature pint-sized play and family fun. Tickets are $8 p er person, with children under age 1 and DPK members admitted free. Information: Call 704-372-6261 or email info@discoveryplacekids.org ^[16].

Healthy Living and Wellness Fair, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 22, Davidson Town Hall, Main Street, downtown Davidson. The fair will feature a variety of informational booths on health-related programs, services, and providers located in the area. Educational sessions and activities will also be held every 30 minutes. Details: 704-892-3349 Ext. 279.

Bicycle Safety Fair, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 22, Davidson United Methodist Church parking lot, 233 S. Main St., Davidson. The Davidson Police Department will host a bicycle safety program for children during the town’s Healthy Living and Wellness Fair.

Cornelius History Walk, 10 a.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – The Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission offers a guided walking tour, “South of Catawba.” The tour covers about 1 1/4 miles and lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Details on CorneliusNews.net, http://corneliusnews.net/blog/2011/10/17/take-a-walk-through-cornelius-history-sat/ ^[17]

Think Pink Dog Show, 1:45-4 p.m., Davidson Village Green, Concord Road and North Main Street, Davidson – third-annual Think Pink Dog Show, organized by local middle school students Ally Miller, Christianna Brueggemann and friends. Benefits Susan G. Komen Foundation. Enter your pets: $10 donation for first dog entered, $5 for siblings. Sponsor tents also open including PetCo, Red Mango, Carolina Springs Auto Spa and Impeccable Paws. Mutt Strutt Parade at 2:15 pm, judging for Best Trick, Best Costume, owner lookalike, and Best of Show. See “Think Pink Dog Show scheduled for this Saturday” ^[18] on our Pets & Animals page.

Love Letters, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum. A character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers. Runs Oct. 6-23. Tickets $20. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[15]

Sip and Shop Wine Tasting, 4-6 p.m. Oct. 22, Wooden Stone Gallery, 445 S. Main St., Suite 200, Davidson. Stop by and taste delicious wines and enjoy refreshments while you browse over 5,000 items from over 600 artists! We will provide appetizers such as local pepper jellies and a complimentary wine glass. Tickets are $8 per person, and can be purchased online at www.woodenstoneconsulting.com ^[19].

LKN Wildlife Festival, 5 p.m. Oct. 22, North Harbor Club, 100 N. Harbor Place, Davidson. The Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists will celebrate its Wild Over LKN Community Habitat Project during the festival. A representative from the National Wildlife Federation will present an award to LNWC officials to honor all that participated in the project. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes a gourmet dinner, wildlife program, music, dancing and an auction. Dinner items will be presented from multiple serving stations. A cash bar will also be available, and a shuttle board will also transport attendees who anchor their boats in the harbor for the event. Reservations are limited, and must be paid in advance. They can be made online at www.lakenormanwildlife.org ^[20], or by mailing a check to the LNWC at P.O. Box 4296, Mooresville, N.C. 28117. For more information, visit www.lakenormanwildlife.org ^[20], email info@lakenormanwildlife.org ^[21], or call 704-309-0762.

Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, 2 p.m. Oct. 23, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by the Davidson College Theatre Department as part of its Mainstage Series. Individual and season tickets available online at www.davidson.edu ^[14] or by phone at 704-894-2135.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

Discovery Place Kids Anniversary, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 22 and 12-5 p.m. Oct. 23, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. A weekend of activities for families and children have been planned to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Discovery Place Kids’ facility in Huntersville. From face painting and bubble blowing in the Learning Garden to birthday-themed activities throughout the museum and visits with mascot Can Can, this special First Birthday Weekend will feature pint-sized play and family fun. Tickets are $8 p er person, with children under age 1 and DPK members admitted free. Information: Call 704-372-6261 or email info@discoveryplacekids.org ^[16].

Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, 2 p.m. Oct. 23, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by the Davidson College Theatre Department as part of its Mainstage Series. Individual and season tickets available online at www.davidson.edu ^[14] or by phone at 704-894-2135.

Love Letters, 2 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum. A character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers. Runs Oct. 6-23. Tickets $20. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[15].

Classical Indian Voice, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam. Tickets are $25 for the general public, admission is free for Davidson College students and Classical Music Association of Charlotte members. Information and tickets: www.davidson.edu ^[22]

Davidson mayoral election forum, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union – Candidate forum, featuring the two candidates for mayor of Davidson: incumbent John Woods and challenger Vince Winegardner. Sponsored by the Philosophy, Economics and Political Science departments as well as the Student Government Association. Free. See our Election 2011 page, “College forum pits Mayor Woods vs. challenger Winegardner.” ^[23]

Cornelius Concert Series, 7 p.m. Oct. 23, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius. Performances by Mt. Zion UMC’s The Men of Zion, The Disciples of Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church of Charlotte and newly-formed quartet Heaven’s Reign. All three groups will be conducted by Tom Schmutzler, CSCPC’s associate music director, accompanied by Sheila Fetner, director of music at CSCPC; Dr. Marcy Mittelstadt, director of music ministries at CSCPC; and by Woody Washam, lead accompanist at Mt. Zion UMC. Admission is free, but offerings will be accepted. Information: Visit www.mtzionumc.net ^[24].

HAVE NEWS?

To have your event listed in our calendars, please send to listings@davidsonnews.net ^[25]. Our events calendars appear on both DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.