Start your weekend Thursday by cooling off for a good cause. Ben & Jerry’s and the  Red Cross  are teaming up with WBTV for their “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” blood drive. Donate blood and you’ll get free ice cream plus a coupon for a free pint. Listen to the sounds of the band Heartbeat and Rare Form on Friday night, as Mooresville hosts an open-air rock show at John Franklin Moore Park. There’s more live music Friday night (and Saturday night): Visit Campania or Summit Coffee or Galway Hooker Pub for live shows. Start early Saturday morning with the Lake Norman Excursion bike ride and running races. A  5K run starts at 7 a.m., followed at  8 a.m. with 40-, 60- and 100-mile rides around the Lake Norman area. Or tour the grounds at the Latta Plantation site during Saturday’s Living History event. If you miss Thursday’s blood drive, other drives are Sunday — at The Bridge Church of the Nazarene in Mooresville and Regal Theaters Birkdale 16. Live music continues Saturday night when Jewish Council of Lake Norman presents singer-songwriter Batsheva in concert at St. Alban’s in Davidson. And on Sunday night, The Backbeat Beatles tribute band plays a Davidson Concert on the Green.

“The Amazing Spider Man” has joined “Magic Mike” and “Brave” this week at Our Town Cinemas in Davidson. Movie showtimes are on this page at the right.

THURSDAY, JULY 12

Blood drive at Ben & Jerry’s , 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, 202 S. Main St., Davidson (and other locations) – Ben & Jerry’s / WBTV / Red Cross Give a Pint, Get a Pint blood drive. All presenting donors get free ice cream, a Red Cross T-shirt and a coupon for a free pint. Also, a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. Also at Ben & Jerry’s Gastonia and Providence locations, Red Cross Charlotte and Huntersville Blood Donation Centers, Bank of America Founders Hall and Hilton University Place. Schedule an appointment: 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Word basics , 2 p.m. North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville. – Learn to create, edit and save a document in Microsoft Word 07. Designed for adults with some computer experience but little or no previous word processing experience. Call 704-416-6000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org.

Toddler storytime , 11 a.m. Cornelius Public Library, 21105 Catawba Ave. Toddler Storytime (19-35 months): 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. Registration is required. For more information, call 704-416-3800 or go to the library web page.

Cornelius PARC Commission Meeting , 5:30-7 p.m. Room 217, Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Meeting of the Cornelius PARC Commission. For more information, visit the town website.

Behavioral health hospital meeting , 6:30-8pm, Davidson United Methodist Church chapel, 304 S. Main St., Davidson (park in main church lot, 233 S. Main St.) – Community meeting on Carolinas HealthCare System’s proposed $36 million Behavioral Health Hospital off NC 73. Carolinas HealthCare System staff will present plans and respond to questions. Other presentations expected from the town of Davidson; Due Process Davidson, a group of citizens opposed to the hospital; and from mental health advocates. (Read more, July 9, 2012, “Community meeting Thurs. on mental health hospital plan.”

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music with Velcrows Free. Information: 704-895-9090 or visit www.summitcoffee.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 13

“From Page to Screen” film showing , 2 p.m. Cornelius Branch Library 21105 Catawba Ave, Cornelius. – Showing of the movie “Tangled” (PG) inspired by the folktale of Rapunzel. Call 704-416-3800 or visit www.cmlibrary.org.

“Live in the 115″ summer concert , 5-9:30 p.m. John Franklin Moore Park, Main Street and Center Ave., Mooresville – “Live in the 115,” a series of free open-air rock shows at the corner of Main and Center. Featured bands today: Heartbeat (5-7) and Rare Form (7:30-9:30). Info: www.downtownmooresville.com. CANCELED This concert has been canceled because of the rain

Mooresville Artist Guild, 6-8 p.m., Mooresville Artist Guild, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville – Reception for 2012 Photography Exhibit. Info: magart.org

Live music at Campania , 6:30-9 p.m., Campania Cafe, 416 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music on the front porch (weather permitting) every Friday. This week: Scotti Benge. Info: 704-987-5111 or www.campaniacafe.com

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music with Mike Strauss Trio Free. Information: 704-895-9090 or visit www.summitcoffee.com.

Live music at Galway Hooker Pub, 10 p.m., Galway Hooker Pub, 17044 Kenton Drive, Cornelius – Live music with Below the Belt. 704-895-1782. GalwayHookerPub.com

SATURDAY, JULY 14

Lake Norman Excursion bike ride, 7 a.m., Lowe’s Corp. headquarters, 1000 Lowe’s Blvd., Mooresville – Lake Norman Excursion bike rides and running races. Schedule: 7am, 5K run; 8am, 40-, 60- and 100-mile rides around the Lake Norman area; 9am – family fun ride. The event organized by Cool Breeze Cyclery, Trek and Lowe’s is a benefit for American Red Cross. Info and registration: www.lakenormanexcursion.com

Davidson Farmer’s Market , 8 a.m.-12 p.m., downtown Davidson, off Main Street next to Town Hall – The weekly Davidson Farmer’s Market. Local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. This weekend’s fun includes a watermelon seed-spitting contest, with prizes. Runs every Saturday through November. Information: Visit www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net are pleased to be media partners of the Davidson Farmer’s Market.

Boater safety class, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Street, Cornelius – Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron presents a safe boating course, required for boat operators in NC under age 26. Includes info on state laws, water safety, radio operation, navigation, and emergencies. Registration $40 for first family member, $20 for additional. Register online http://www.usps.org/lakenorman/registration_abc_fillin.htm

Living History Saturday , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville – Living History Saturday. Tour the circa 1800 Latta home, grounds, outbuildings, and animal pens, and see backcountry life skills demonstrations. lattaplantation.org.

Nano Science Saturday , 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Discovery Place Inc., 301 North Tryon St., Charlotte. – Demonstration of nanoscale science and engineering with UNC Charlotte’s Dr. Thomas Schmedake and his team of students. Visitors can ask questions about nanoscale technology and learn about its application in STEM research. Free. Call 704-372-6261, ext. 300, or visit www.discoveryplace.org.

Graphic novels your kids will love , 11 a.m. Davidson Branch Library 119 S. Main St., Davidson. – This program is for parents and teachers who have kids in grades PreK-8 and who want to learn more about graphic novels: what are they, what titles are available for kids, how can parents select titles their kids will love. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org.

Shark dissection , 11 a.m. Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. – Observe a shark dissection led by a Discovery Place educator. Call 704-372-6261, ext. 300, or visit www.discoveryplace.org.

Soldering workshop , Noon – 4 p.m. Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. – Utilize a circuit kit to construct creations of fused metal, guided by skilled soldering instructors. $3 fee. Call 704-372-6261, ext. 300, or visit www.discoveryplace.org.

“Lit Lite” book club , 2 p.m. North County Regional Library 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville – New book club to read and discuss literary books under 300 pages. This meets second Sat. of every month. First selection Walker Percy’s “The Moviegoer.” Call 704-416-6000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org.

Adoption fundraiser , 2-5 p.m. Eez Fusion on the Patio in Birkdale Village – Silent auction of items donated by local businesses to raise money for a family’s adoption of an Ethiopian boy. Items include NASCAR tickets and autographed items, designer jewelry, spa packages, photography packages, gift baskets and gift cards. Contact Robyn Oakley at 704-224-6178 or robyn@bellagracefloral.com.

Batsheva in concert , 7 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane (off Concord Road), Davidson – Jewish Council of Lake Norman presents singer-songwriter Batsheva in concert. She sings in Ladino, Yiddish, Hebrew and English and her concerts are described as a cross between Theodore Bikel and Tom Lehrer, with a feminine twist. Free and open to the public. Info: www.jclkn.org.

Kannapolis Summer Concert Series , 7 p.m., Village Park, 700 West C St., Kannapolis – Kannapolis Summer Concert Series with Band of Oz. Free. Info: www.cityofkannapolis.com

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music with TBA Free. Information: 704-895-9090 or visit www.summitcoffee.com. (Rusty Knox’s appearance has been canceled.)

Live music at Galway Hooker Pub, 10 p.m., Galway Hooker Pub, 17044 Kenton Drive, Cornelius – Live music with Amy Ehrlich. 704-895-1782. GalwayHookerPub.com

SUNDAY, JULY 15

Blood drive , 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Bridge Church of the Nazarene, 2940 Charlotte Highway, Mooresville. – Blood drive by Community Blood Center. Minimum weight requirement for blood donors is 120 pounds. More public drives can be found by logging on to the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Web site at www.cbcc.us.

Dash4Cache , 1 p.m. (check in 11:30-12:45), Jetton Park, off Jetton Road, Cornelius – Join the Dash4Cache, a fundraiser for Lake Norman YMCA and Ada Jenkins Center. This is a fun competition by car or bicycle or on foot that tests your smartphone skills. Using a special ap, you have to explore the area and find caches and checkpoints. Participate in teams of 2-4, ages 10+. Info: http://www.dash4cache.org

Blood drive at Birkdale , 2-6 p.m. Regal Theaters Birkdale 16, 16950 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville. – Blood drive by Community Blood Center. Minimum weight requirement for blood donors is 120 pounds. More public drives can be found by logging on to the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Web site at www.cbcc.us.

Concert on the Green , 6-8 p.m., Davidson Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson – Concert on the Green with The Backbeat Beatles tribute. Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic. Free. ConcertsontheGreen.com

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