By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

While Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind what season it is — is it winter or spring? — the coming weekend has plenty of opportunities to get into the holiday spirit. On ^[2]Friday, Community School of Davidson hosts a “Gifts for the Greater Good” fair. On Sunday, teens at Davidson College Presbyterian Church re-enact the story of Christ’s birth at the annual White Gift Christmas Pageant. That’s followed by a soup and sandwich supper. Meanwhile, the 80-member Charlotte Children’s Choir will perform a concert of holiday carols Sunday afternoon in the Music at St. Alban’s series. In other holiday events, Davidson Day School’s early childhood, kindergarten and first-grade classes will showcase the holiday traditions from around the world during the school’s second-annual Season of Light on Saturday morning; the Cornelius Town Hall will hold a holiday program for special-needs people and their families on Saturday afternoon. And Santa Claus will make a breakfast appearance at Davidson’s Lake Norman Cottage on Sunday.

Davidson Community Players has five performances of its holiday show “Retrieving the Lamb” (with a live lamb for petting after the show) this weekend, while Piedmont Dance Theatre and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra will perform The Nutcracker on Friday and Saturday at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center. In Mooresville, the ages 6-10 students of the Masterworks School of the Arts will perform Honk Junior on Friday and Saturday at the Charles Mack Citizen Center.

And if you just happen to be driving through or near Davidson after sundown Saturday, the town’s 11th-annual Noel for Neighbors luminaria displays will be lit up in various Davidson neighborhoods, with proceeds going for the Davidson Housing Coalition.

These events — and more below — are in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas, which celebrates its second birthday with a special showing of “Miracle on 34th Street” on Thursday.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

Local Art for Christmas, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Exhibition of works by area artists Sandie Bell, Kathie Kemp, Lori Neill and Mary Luke and photographers Rachel Goldstein and David Boraks. Works will be on display through Dec. 31.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Retrieving the Lamb, 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson. Performances of the Davidson Community Players’ holiday show “Retrieving the Lamb” (with a live lamb for petting after the show). The play continues with additional performances through Dec. 18. Tickets and info: www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org” ^[5].

Teaching Talents exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cornelius Arts Center, ^[6] behind the police station in the Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. Cornelius PARC Department and The Community Arts Project host a display and holiday sale of multimedia works from the center’s instructors, on display through Jan. 13. Information: Call 704-896-8823.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Honk Junior, 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Performances by the Masterworks School of the Arts’ younger students.

Charlotte Fine Arts Show, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. Charlotte. Come check out high quality, original and hand made art by top notch local Carolina artists. Live art demonstrations. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets: www.hotworks.org ^[7].

Lady Series Exhibit, 6-8 p.m. Friday and 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Cafe Elie, 20700 N. Main St., Suite 110, Cornelius. Exhibit of works by artist Laura Ficarra. Information: Call 704-896-9766.

The Nutcracker, 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, Kannapolis Performing Arts Center. Performance of Tchaikovsky’s full-length ballet by the Piedmont Dance Theatre and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: $20-25 for adults, $10-12 for children under age 18. Information: Visit www.piedmontdancetheatre.com ^[8] or call 704-932-8888.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

Mecklenburg County Board of Equalization and Review, 9 a.m., Meeting Room, Suite 302, third floor, Walton Plaza Building, 700 E. Stonewall St., Charlotte.

NMSC Christmas Social, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 16601 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. The North Meck Senior Center’s annual Christmas Social will feature a performance by students from the Chesterbrook Academy, followed by cookies and cocoa. The event is free, but please pre-register. Information-registration: Call 704-875-1270.

Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission, 5:15 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Final meeting of 2011 for the town of Cornelius’ Historic Preservation Commission. The meeting is open to the public.

Our Towns Cinemas Birthday, 5:30 p.m., Our Town Cinemas, Sadler Square, off Griffith Street, Davidson. “It’s a Miracle …” second birthday party and fundraiser with Lake Norman Chamber. The moviehouse will have cake and refreshments followed by a special screening of the Christmas classic “Miracle on 34th Street” at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit Ada Jenkins Center. Seating limited: RSVP to jblack@ourtowncinemas.com.

CMS Superintendent Search Public Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., North Mecklenburg High School, 11201 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. One of six public meetings scheduled this week as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools begins the second phase of its search for a new superintendent. Information: Visit www.nextsuperintendent.com ^[10].

23rd-Annual Second String Santa, 7-11 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 Seaboard St., Charlotte. Come out and enjoy a local charity holiday party benefiting the Salvation Army. Tickets $40 or $20 with the donation of an unwrapped toy. Wine, beer and light appetizers included with admission. VIP tickets $100 (limited availability) and include food and cocktails. For more information call 704-688-0631.

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

Cocoa with Santa, 9-11 a.m., Cornelius Arts Center, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius –
Drop in with your preschool-aged child (4 and under) for a visit with Santa and a cup of hot cocoa. Children can participate in holiday-themed activities and spend time with Santa in a fun and relaxing environment. Photo opportunities are available at this free event.

The Hunger Games, 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Community School of Davidson, middle school gymnasium, 565 Griffith St., Davidson. Performance by CSD’s middle school dance elective students based on the book “The Hunger Games.” Information: Call 704-896-6262.

Gifts for the Greater Good, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Community School of Davidson, 404 Armour St., Davidson. CSD’s high school students will host the Gifts for the Greater Good fair, where donations will be accepted for 18 local organizations. All proceeds from the fair will go to the organizations. Information: Call 704-897-8061.

Harold Dale, Country Fried Preacher, 10:30-11:30 a.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 16601 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. The monthly guest speaker at the North Meck Senior Center will talk on “Laughing Our Way Through Our Mature Years.” The event is free, but please pre-register. Information-registration: Call 704-875-1270.

Falling Down Man Auction, 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson. An auction of artist Charlie Spear’s work “Falling Down Man” hosted by Davidson College philosophy professor Paul Studtmann to benefit the Urban Ministry Center’s ArtWorks945 program. Live music, beer and wine and works of homeless artists affiliated with ArtWorks945 will also be on display. Admission is free. Live music by Mike Strauss Trio. Info: Call Summit at 704-895-9090. See also our Dec. 6 news article, “Auction tests a theory: Can damage boost art’s value?” ^[11]  For info about Artworks 945, call 704-926-0618 or email artworks945@urbanministrycenter.org ^[12].

Live Music at the Brickhouse, 8:30 p.m., Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St., Davidson. Live music with Captain Lou. Info: 704-987-2022 or brickhousetavern.com ^[13].

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

Ryan Newman Fishing Tournament, 7:30 a.m., Blythe Landing Park, 15901 NC 73, Huntersville – The 6th annual Ryan Newman Charity Fishing Tournament. The event raises money for the Ryan Newman Foundation, which supports with spay/neuter programs for pets, conservation and college scholarships for students interested in auto racing careers. Check in Thursday 4-9 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, Concord Mills. Dinner and auction Friday. Read more in our preview article here ^[14].

Dixieland Silver & Golden Fanciers cat show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 US Highway 49 North, Concord – Dixieland Silver and Golden Fanciers cat show. Tickets are $6 adults, $4 children under 12 and senior citizens, or $20 for the whole family. Info in our preview article on PETS & ANIMALS. ^[15]

Season of Light, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Davidson Day School, 750 Jetton St., Davidson. The school’s second-annual Season of Light holiday event features the sights, sounds and tastes of winter holiday celebrations around the globe. Students from the school’s Early Childhood, kindergarten and first-grade classrooms will showcase celebrations from locations such as China, France, Germany, Hawaii, India, Israel, Mexico and Sweden. Represented holidays include Chinese New Year, Chanukah, Christmas, Diwali, Santa Lucia Day, St. Nicholas Day and Three Kings Day. Children who attend will be given a “passport” to be stamped as they “travel” to each country or location. At each stop, children can make crafts, eat food and learn about a winter holiday. The event is free and open to the public. Information: Call 704-237-5259.

Special Needs Holiday Program, 1-3 p.m., Community Room, Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Open to special-needs individuals of all ages and their families. Crafts, games, light snacks and more will be available, as well as a visit from Santa. Tickets are $10 per family for Cornelius and Huntersville residents, and $15 for non-residents. Register online at www.corneliuspr.org by Dec. 6. Information: Call 704-892-6031 ext. 162 or email troeder@cornelius.org ^[16].

Santa Bar Crawl, 3-4:30 p.m. (registration) at Fox & Hound Uptown, 330 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Tickets $12 in advance, $20 day of. Visit 12 bars in your holiday attire. Proceeds to benefit Second Harvest Food Banks of Metrolina. Click here for tickets: www.santabarcrawl.com ^[17].

Christmas Concert, 6:30 p.m., Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius. The North Mecklenburg Community Chorus will present its annual Christmas concert, with an additional performance by the Huntersville Brass. Admission is free, but offerings will be accepted. Information: Visit www.mtzionumc.net ^[18] or call 704-892-8566.

Jim Quick and The Coastline Band, 7 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte. Benefit performance by Jim Quick and The Coastline Band, with leadoff performance by Broken Napoleons. Proceeds benefit the Greater Charlotte Chapter of Autism Speaks. There will also be a silent auction and food options catered by Spice South Indian Cuisine. Guest host is former Carolina Panthers player Brentson Buckner. Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show. Tickets can be purchased online at www.neighborhoodtheatre.com ^[19].

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson. Live music: Davidson Local. Info: 704-895-9090.

Live Music at the Brickhouse, 8:30 p.m., Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St., Davidson. Live music with Spin. Info: 704-987-2022 or brickhousetavern.com ^[13].

Noel for Neighbors luminaria displays, after dark, various Davidson neighborhoods. The 11th-annual Noel for Neighbors fundraiser brings thousands of luminaria to town streets and sidewalks. The event raises money for Davidson Housing Coalition. Read more in our Nov. 25 news report. ^[21]

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

Dixieland Silver & Golden Fanciers cat show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 US Highway 49 North, Concord – Dixieland Silver and Golden Fanciers cat show. Tickets are $6 adults, $4 children under 12 and senior citizens, or $20 for the whole family. Info in our preview article on PETS & ANIMALS. ^[15]

Breakfast with Santa, 9:30 a.m., Lake Norman Cottage, 200-A North Harbor Place, Davidson. Skip the long lines at the mall. Breakfast includes a picture with Santa, a sleigh ride on the water, breakfast and arts & crafts. $20/child, $25/adult (includes a Mimosa). Call for details, 704-237-3629.

DCPC special Sunday morning classes, 9:45 a.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, corner of Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson. The DCPC Covenant class will have a special Christmas series, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” led by Doug Ottati, the Craig Family Distinguished Professor of Religion and Ethics at Davidson College. On Dec. 18 the Faith and Families class will learn about Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany hymns. All other Sunday Christian education classes will meet as well on these dates. Information: Call 704-892-5641.

Holiday fashion party/open house, 1-4 p.m., Classic Bride and Formals, 20910 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – “Mix and mingle” holiday fashion party, with vendors showing fashions, cosmetics, cakes, accessories. Refreshments and chair massages. 704-896-3655.

Music at St. Albans, 3 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson. Performance by the Charlotte Children’s Choir as part of the church’s 2011-2012 Music at St. Alban’s series. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, children under age 12 free. Information: Visit www.musicatstalbans.net ^[22] or call 704-941-0650.

White Gift Christmas Pageant, 5 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church, corner of Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson. Each year, the traditional White Gift Christmas Pageant at DCPC brings the story of Christ’s birth to life. High school students will trade in their t-shirts for velvet robes, their iPods for shepherds’ crooks, and their backpacks for angel wings. The children’s choirs lift their voices in carols, and even the congregation becomes part of the Christmas story. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Loaves & Fishes food pantry at Ada Jenkins. Following the service, the public is invited to the Congregation House for a soup and sandwich supper. Please bring a monetary donation for the cost of supper. Information: Call 704-892-5641.

HAVE NEWS?

To have your event listed in our calendars, please send to listings@davidsonnews.net ^[23]. Our events calendars appear on both DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

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