By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

^[1]Dancing and … ping pong? That’s the theme of a unique fundraising event going on Saturday at W.A. Hough High School in Cornelius this weekend. Saturday night’s Ping Pong Ball combines a dance for teenagers (and teens at heart) with a ping-pong tournament to benefit Special Olympics Mecklenburg County. That’s not the only fundraiser going on in the area this weekend.

The Socialite Club of Mooresville will hold its inaugural Socialite Club Valentine Dance on Friday night at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mooresville, with proceeds going to the Mooresville-Lake Norman Christian Mission.

On Saturday morning, the Rotary Club of Lake Norman will hold its annual pancake breakfast and talent show at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cornelius, with proceeds going to Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ “Big Day at the Lake” and to Seed Programs International.

And on Sunday afternoon, the Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College will host the third-annual Buddy Benefit, with performances by some of the college’s best a cappella groups as a fundraiser for Angels in Need.

In other noteworthy events this weekend:

The town of Cornelius kicked off its Black History Month activities this week, with an exhibit of African-American art on display at the Cornelius Art Center on Monday-Saturday through the end of the month, and a children’s art workshop on Saturday mornings, also at the Cornelius Art Center.

The Davidson Farmer’s Market returns to downtown Davidson next door to Town Hall on Saturday morning, 9-noon, for the first of two planned markets during the month of February.

And there’s plenty of live music acts on display at area nightclubs — Davidson’s Summit Coffee and The Brickhouse, Pelican’s Patio in Cornelius and The Corkscrew in Huntersville.

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.

ONGOING EVENTS

Celebrate Black History Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St., Unit 1, Cornelius. A multimedia exhibit featuring works by local African-American artists, including Cornelius native James Donaldson, as part of the Cornelius PARC Department’s Black History Month celebration. Exhibit will run through Feb. 29.

THURSDAY, FEB. 9

Story Time at Main Street Books, 10 a.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St., Davidson. February Story Time with stories, songs and fun for kids ages 1-5. Held every second and fourth Thursday. Free. Information: Call 704-892-6841.

Nature program: Invasive Pythons, 7 p.m., Youth Services Room, Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. “Invasive Pythons” is the topic at the next free nature program sponsored by the Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists. Dr. Michael Dorcas of Davidson College will bring a live 14-foot python to illustrate his presentation which focuses on the professor’s studies of these non-native creatures which have invaded the wetlands of Florida. No reservations are required for this program, however seats are limited and participants are urged to arrive on time in order to participate. The door will be closed after the program starts to keep the reptile calm for viewing.

Theatre Lecture, 7 p.m., Sprinkle Room, Knobloch Campus Center, Davidson College. Talk by Harvard University professor of classics Richard Tarrant on “Permanence and Change in ‘Metamorphoses.” ^[2] The talk anticipates the Theatre Department’s late February production of the modern adaptation of the play “Metamorphoses” by American playwright Mary Zimmerman. There is no charge to attend the talk. Information: Call 704-894-2912 or email cavanhallgren@davidson.edu ^[3].

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

Live music at The Corkscrew, 8-11 p.m., The Corkscrew, 16916 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville. Live music: Wally & Dave. For more information visit thescrewcrew.com ^[4].

Live music at the Brickhouse, 8:30 p.m., Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St., Davidson. Live music with Phil and Mike. Info: 704-987-2022 or brickhousetavern.com ^[5].

FRIDAY, FEB. 10

Chemistry Lecture, 2:30 p.m., Room B25, Thurman Lecture Hall, Martin Chemistry Building, Davidson College.Talk by Anne Spuches, professor of chemistry at East Carolina University on “The Thermodynamics of Metal-ProteinInteractions: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Light refreshments will be served at 2 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Information: Call 704-894-2307 or email kafilar@davidson.edu ^[6].

Live music at Pelican’s Patio, 4-6:30 p.m., Pelican’s Patio, 19930 West Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Live music: Wally & Dave. For more information visit pelicanspatio.com ^[7].

Socialite Club Valentine Dance, 6-10 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 159 Gateway Boulevard, Mooresville. The Socialite Club of Mooresville will host a Valentine Dance as a fundraiser for the Mooresville-Lake Norman Christian Mission. Tickets are $35 per person. Reservations-tickets: Call 704-572-0162 or email socialiteclub@hotmail.com ^[8].

Live music at Summit Coffee, 5-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – 5-9 p.m., Freckled Dog Pub upstairs; 8-11 p.m., live music: Mike Strauss Trio. Free. Info: 704-895-9090.

Live music at the Brickhouse, 8:30 p.m., Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St., Davidson. Live music with Thirsty Horses. Info: 704-987-2022 or brickhousetavern.com ^[9].

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

North Meck Rotary Talent Show, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius. The Rotary Club of Lake Norman is holding its annual pancake breakfast and Lake Norman Talent Show. Proceeds from the two events go to Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ “Big Day at the Lake” and to Seed Programs International. Tickets are $10 per person. Interested performers can call 704-895-5612, or visit www.northmeckrotary.org ^[10].

Davidson Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m.-noon, downtown Davidson, next to Town Hall – Davidson Farmer’s Market winter tailgate market. Local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. Runs second and fourth Saturdays through March. Information: Visit www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org ^[11].DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be the media sponsor for Davidson Farmer’s Market.

Davidson Service Board orientation, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Community School of Davidson, 565 Griffith St., Davidson – Orientation Day for the Davidson Service Board, a newly organizing group to identify community issues and provide community service opportunities for youth. Open to local middle and high school students. See our story, “College students organize Davidson Service Board for youth” ^[12]

Davidson Day open house, 10 a.m. to noon, Davidson Day School, Jetton and Griffith streets, Davidson – Families with children of all grades welcome to this open house. Info: www.davidsonday.org ^[13].

Drop-In Art, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St., Unit 1, Cornelius. Parents can bring their children to work at various art stations throughout the studio. As part of Black History Month, several of the stations during the month of February will be centered around African-American arists. The fee is $6 for the first hour and $4 for a second child or additional hours.

Coming to God Through Stories, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 304 S. Main St., Davidson. Workshop by Dr. John G. Sullivan, a former Catholic priest and professor of philosophy at Elon, introducing short teaching stories from a variety of faith traditions. Dr. Sullivan is the author of three books, and continues to teach at the Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel, Md. The cost is $30 per person, and reservations must be made by Feb. 6. Information-reservations: Call 704-488-5825 or email astarette@davidsonumc.org ^[14].

Shred-it North Carolina, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mooresville ReStore, 121 Norman Station Boulevard, Mooresville. A Shred-it North Carolina event is a community shred event that offers individuals an easy opportunity to shred personal information at an easy convenient location. The Mooresville ReStore will have a shredding truck with customer service representative in the parking lot. Donations for shredding are welcome. Event is for individuals only (no businesses).

Fairy House Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Come spend an afternoon discovering the joy and magic of fairy houses! Storytelling, face painting, crafts, activities and food will be available. Prizes for best fairy or gnome house will be awarded. Learn how to build your own fairy house on one of our nature trails! Enchanting fun for all ages! No registration required. Information: Call 704-875-1391 or visit on the web. ^[15]

Guys Night at Wooden Stone Gallery, 4-6 p.m., Wooden Stone Gallery, 445 S. Main St., Davidson. A special pre-Valentine’s Day event for the guys to take care of their last-minute gift shopping. Wine will be served. Information: Email jinny@woodenstonegallery.com ^[16] or call 704-892-1449.

Hough High Ping Pong Ball, 7-11 p.m., Hough High School gymnasium, 12420 Bailey Road, Cornelius. The school’s inaugural Ping Pong Ball, a combination ping-pong tournament and dance, to raise funds for the Special Olympics Mecklenburg County. The event is open to high school students, parents, faculty and all Special Olympics N.C. athletes and their families. Admission to the dance is $5, and event T-shirts will be on sale for $12. Refreshments will also be available for purchase. For information about the ping-pong tournament, call 704-287-2750.

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

Live music at the Brickhouse, 8:30 p.m., Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St., Davidson. Live music with Little Johnny Trailer Trash. Info: 704-987-2022 or brickhousetavern.com ^[9].

SUNDAY, FEB. 12

Davidson UMC Mess Hall Breakfast, 7-8 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St., Davidson. Guest speaker is church member Bill Liebler, who just returned from two years in Singapore and China, and will talk about his experiences there. A $5 donation per person is suggested.

Theater auditions, 2 p.m., Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson. Auditions will be held for parts in the upcoming Davidson Community Players’ production of “Crazy For You,” which will run June 21-30. Auditions will also be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 13. All auditioners should prepare 16 bars of a song that shows off their vocal range. Audition pieces should be memorized. Please bring music in the proper key, an accompanist will be provided. A cappella singing is NOT recommended. A dance call will follow the vocal audition, please dress comfortably and be prepared to move. If you tap, please bring tap shoes. Auditioners should also bring a recent head shot if available, list of theatrical experience and list of conflicts for the late April-June time frame. Information: Visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[17].

A cappella Concert, 4-5 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. The third-annual Buddy Benefit will feature performances by some of Davidson College’s best a cappella groups as a fundraiser for Angels in Need, a Davidson-based charity that helps local children with special needs. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door.

FreeWord Slam Poets, 7 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson. Davidson College’s spoken-word poetry team will demonstrate its FreeWord Slam Poetry skills during a performance at St. Alban’s. Reception to follow. Upper School and older invited. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Information: Call 704-892-0173.

HAVE NEWS?

To have your event listed in our calendars, please send to listings@davidsonnews.net ^[18]. Our events calendars appear on both DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.