Percussionist Adam Snow appears with the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble in a free concert Friday.

Our week begins with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Most government offices, banks and schools are closed, but there’s a day of programs at Davidson College. Town Boards in Davidson and Cornelius both meet Tuesday night, and the citizens’ group Widen I-77 also meets Tuesday. There’s lots of live music this week, beginning Wednesday with a special show Wednesday at The Birdsnest in downtown Davidson, featuring ukelele player and singer Heather Mae, singer-songwriter Bethel Steele and cellist-vocalist Sarah Clanton Schaffer. Davidson College Jazz Ensemble gives a free concert Friday with percussionist Adam Snow. And Davidson College and Davidson Community Players Connie Co. present the kids’ show “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Read on for the details.

On the big screen, Our Town Cinemas has “Gangster Squad,” “Les Miserables,” “This is 40″ and “Zero Dark Thirty.” Opening Friday, it’s “Lincoln,” and “Silver Linings Playbook.” See showtimes at right on this page.

MONDAY, JAN. 21

Martin Luther King holiday – Here’s a list of closings

• Federal, Mecklenburg County and town offices closed.
• Post offices and banks closed.
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools administrative offices and schools closed.
• Cornelius Arts Center closed.
• Davidson College hosts a series of King Day events (see separate item).
• Charlotte Area Transit System buses and Lynx Blue Line light rail operate on a Saturday schedule. I-77 express buses do not operate. See the CATS Riders Alert for the holiday.
• Davidson trash pickups will operate on a normal schedule this week, and it will be a recycling week. (See the holiday schedule and other info on the town website.)
• Cornelius trash pickups on a normal schedule. See the 2013 holiday schedule.

Martin Luther King Day at Davidson, All day, Davidson College Alvarez College Union – Davidson College invites the public to a series of events to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, with activities for children, performances and talks and seminars focused on social justice. Free. For further information, call 704-894-2225. Here’s a more detailed list:

• King Day for Kids, 9 a.m. to 11:30 in the Brown Atrium – King Day for Kids features activities that promote literacy, social justice, and community involvement for children from kindergarten through sixth grade. Participants will engage with Davidson College students in small group readings, storytelling, and arts and crafts. At the end of the session, the childrenwill receive literacy-based goody bags. Please register by January 14 via e-mail to assherrill@davidson.edu or by calling 704-894-2423.

Bob Zellner

• Keynote Presentation by Bob Zellner, 11 a.m. in the Smith 900 Room – Longtime civil rights proponent Bob Zellner will speak about his experiences in a lecture titled after his 2008 memoir, The Wrong Side of Murder Creek: A White Southerner in the Freedom Movement. Zellner got involved in the civil rights movement following his graduation from Huntingdon College in Alabama in 1961, and was the first white southerner to serve as field secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. His activities eventually led him to be arrested 18 times in seven states on charges such as “criminal anarchy” and “inciting the black population to acts of war and violence against the white population.” He and his spouse, Dottie, organized an anti-racism project for workers in the deep south called Grass Roots Organizing Work, and organized workers in the pulpwood industry. He made documentary and feature films, and toured college campuses talking about the civil rights movement. He wrote a Ph.D. dissertation at Tulane University on the southern civil rights movement, taught at several places and was involved in management of the NAACP. In 2005, Zellner was a featured Civil Rights luminary in the award-winning documentary Come Walk in My Shoes, and he published his own memoir in 2008.
• Fireside Chat with Bob Zellner, 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Sprinkle Room – As a follow-up to his lecture, Zellner will field questions concerning his experiences as a Civil Rights activist.
• “The One Who Builds,” 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Smith 900 Room – 2006 Davidson graduate Peter Carolla presents his documentary film, “The One Who Builds.” Filmed in Greensboro, whose population of 300,000 includes 8,000 refugees, the film focuses on a former Sudanese refugee named Omer. Omer earned his American citizenship and is now ‘paying it forward’ as the founder and director of a refugee resettlement organization. His work with refugees reflects the ideals of Martin Luther King’s “beloved community.”
• “Poetic Reflections of Social Justice,” 3 to 4:45 p.m. in the Smith 900 Room – The college’s “Free Word” spoken word club will bring to life the historic voices of social justice through poetic expression.
• “Young Immigrants in Action: Immigrant and African American Youth Join Forces on Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” 3 to 4:45 p.m. in the Sprinkle Room – Laura Cahue of the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center will discuss the contributions of young people across South Carolina toward a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Young immigrants are working with African American college students at Benedict College to become leaders for social change and a future of living together rather than apart. Their efforts on the protection of the human rights of all people draws substantially from the legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and farmworker activist Cesar Chavez.

TUESDAY, JAN. 22

Dine out for DES, 4:30pm to close, Prosciutto’s Pizzeria, 20920 Torrence Chapel Road, Cornelius – Dine out for Davidson Elementary School PTO. The restaurant will donate a portion of the day’s sales (dine in, take out or delivery) to the PTO. Mention “Dine Out for DES.” 704-439-4444.

Davidson Town Board 6pm, Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson – Davidson Town Board monthly work session. Agenda to be posted on the town website.

Cornelius Town Board, 7pm, Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Cornelius Town Board meeting. The agenda includes a vote on a rezoning to allow the Bank of the Ozarks to build a branch on West Catawba Ave., discussion of HOT lanes, a long-debated street light policy, an Exit 28 Small Area Plan and other issues. Agenda on the town website. See our Friday Town Board preview

Widen I-77 meeting, 7:30pm, Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Widen I-77, a citizens group formed to opposed toll lanes in I-77 north of Charlotte, holds a work session. The group wants elected leaders to appoint a task force to explore alternative funding for I-77 that will use general purpose lanes, instead of toll lanes. They also want the state DOT to postpone awarding contracts for the planned HOT lanes project.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23

Cornelius Commissioner Chat, 9:30-10:45am, Acropolis Café & Grille, 20659 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Cornelius Town Commissioner John Bradford will hold his monthly Cornelius Commissioner Coffee Chat. (Changed from Monday because of the Martin Luther King holiday observance.) Cornelius Public Works Supervisor Ricky Overcash will be this month’s special guest, to discuss his role and the various items being handled by the Public Works department such as sidewalks, paving, etc. Meeting details and cancellation notices are posted on Commissioner Bradford’s Facebook and Twitter account at @JohnRayBradford.

Live music at The Birdsnest, 9pm, The Birdsnest, 102 N. Main St., above the Needlecraft Center, Davidson – Live music with Heather Mae (ukelele and vocals), Bethel Steele (singer-songwriter from Boston), and Sarah Clanton Schaffer (pop-funk cello and vocals from Greenville, S.C.). Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 704-990-6378 or davidsonncmusic@hotmail.com

THURSDAY, JAN. 24

Lake Norman Chamber Awards Gala, 6:30pm, Havana Banquet & Ball Room, 8325 Copley Drive, Kenton Place, Cornelius – Lake Norman Chamber Annual Awards Gala, celebrating the chamber’s 25th anniversary. Cost per person is $65 and you can RSVP to Jack Stevens at 704-892-1922. Info: LakeNormanChamber.org

Wine tasting and music, 7-9pm, The Wine Cellar, 19712 One Norman Boulevard, off West Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Wine tasting with live music. http://winecellarlkn.com/

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11pm, Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music: Billy Jones solo. Free. Info: 704-895-9090 or visit www.summitcoffee.com

Davidson men at Western Carolina, 7pm, Cullowhee, NC – Davidson men’s basketball at Western Carolina. Info: DavidsonWildcats.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 25

Focus Friday: Health Care, 8:30-10am, Lake Norman Chamber, 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Lake Norman Chamber monthly Focus Friday issues session, on health care costs and payroll taxes under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. With Kenny Colbert, president, and Cathy Graham, director of benefit services, at the Employers Association. Free, open to Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce members. Other interested businesses and individuals may contact the Chamber at 704-892-1922 to RSVP. Focus Friday is sponsored by DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

Children’s Theater: Jack & The Beanstalk, 4:30 and 7:30pm, Barber Theatre at Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College – Davidson Community Players’ the Connie Company and the Davidson College theater department present the children’s adventure story “Jack and the Beanstalk,” as retold by Rupert Barber Jr. Directed by Brianna Smith. Approximately 1 hour, recommended for children 4+, good as a first live theater experience. Shows Jan. 25, 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm, Jan. 26, 10:30 am, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm, Jan. 27, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm. Tickets: $7, available by calling 704-892-7953 or visiting www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org

Davidson Jazz Ensemble with Adam Snow, 7:30pm, Davidson College Sloan Music Center Tyler-Tallman Hall – The Davidson College Jazz Ensemble collaborates with special guest artist Adam Snow in a program of jazz standards and jazz improvisation. Snow teaches private percussion and the college’s West African Drumming class, and also teaches at Winthrop Univ. Free. Davidson.edu

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11pm, Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music: Justin Castellano. Free. Info: 704-895-9090 or visit www.summitcoffee.com

Live music at Galway Hooker, 10pm, Galway Hooker Pub, 17044 Kenton Drive, Cornelius – Live music with Tim White. Info: GalwayHookerPub.com

Live music at Rusty Rudder, 10:30pm, The Rusty Rudder, 20210 Henderson Road, Conrnelius – Live music with PUSHH. Info on Facebook

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

Gen. Davidson gravesite wreath laying and Battle of Cowan’s Ford anniversary, 10am, Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 10500 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville – Mecklenburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution hosts a ceremony on the 232nd Anniversary of the Battle of Cowan’s Ford and wreath-laying at the gravesite of Gen. William Lee Davidson, who died in the battle. Begins at 9:15am with coffee and biscuits. Church ceremony begins begins at 10am. Download a flier on the SAR website (PDF) www.mecklenburgsar.org

Science Day at Discovery Place, 10am-6pm, Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte – Siemens Science Day at Discovery Place. Siemens engineers and members of the non-destructive testing department will facilitate hands-on demonstrations of magnetism, infrared light and ultrasound. Free with admission. Call 704-372-6261 x300 or visit discoveryplace.org.

Kids’ Theater: “Jack and the Beanstalk,” 10:30am, 2:30 and 4:30 pm, Barber Theatre at Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College – Davidson Community Players’ the Connie Company and the Davidson College theater department present the children’s adventure story “Jack and the Beanstalk,” as retold by Rupert Barber Jr. Directed by Brianna Smith. Approximately 1 hour, recommended for children 4+, good as a first live theater experience. Shows Jan. 25, 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm, Jan. 26, 10:30 am, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm, Jan. 27, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm. Tickets: $7, available by calling 704-892-7953 or visiting www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org

Davidson men at Appalachian, 2pm, Boone, NC – Davidson men’s basketball at Appalachian State. Info: DavidsonWildcats.com

Davidson women vs. Elon, 2pm, Davidson College Belk Arena – Davidson women’s basketball hosts Elon. Info: DavidsonWildcats.com

Davidson Film Club: ‘A Screaming Man’, 7pm, Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Film Club screens its first film of the 2013 season, “A Screaming Man” (Africa/France, 2010, 88 min.), in French and Arabic with English subtitles. It’s a political drama about a man named Adam, a 60-something former swimming champion, who is a pool attendant at a hotel in Chad and finds himself caught up in war. For more about membership in the film club and film screenings, visit www.davidsonfilmclub.org. See also our Jan. 15, 2013, article about the club.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11pm, Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson – Live music: Rick Spreitzer Band. Free. Info: 704-895-9090 or visit www.summitcoffee.com

Live music at Galway Hooker, 10pm, Galway Hooker Pub, 17044 Kenton Drive, Cornelius – Live music with Tim White. Info: GalwayHookerPub.com

Live music at Rusty Rudder, 10:30pm, The Rusty Rudder, 20210 Henderson Road, Conrnelius – Live music with Blue Monday. Info on Facebook

SUNDAY, JAN. 27

2013 Travel Show, 11am-4pm, Charlotte Convention Center, 2nd floor, Charlotte – 2013 Travel Show, hosted by Mann Travels. With representatives from more than 30 travel companies including cruise lines, tour companies and tourism boards. Free. Info: www.manntravels.com/show

Reception for Sgt. Scott Misenheimer, 2-5pm, Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St., Davidson – Citizens are invited to celebrate Sgt. Scott Misenheimer’s retirement. He walked his last patrol on Dec. 31, and was honored by the mayor and commissioners on Jan. 8. See Around Davidson, Jan. 1, 2013, “A word (or 2) about Scott Misenheimer on his retirement.”

Children’s Theater: “Jack and the Beanstalk”, 2:30 and 4:30 pm, Barber Theatre at Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College – Davidson Community Players’ the Connie Company and the Davidson College theater department present the children’s adventure story “Jack and the Beanstalk,” as retold by Rupert Barber Jr. Directed by Brianna Smith. Approximately 1 hour, recommended for children 4+, good as a first live theater experience. Shows Jan. 25, 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm, Jan. 26, 10:30 am, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm, Jan. 27, 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm. Tickets: $7, available by calling 704-892-7953 or visiting www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org

Gethsemane Gospel Explosion, 3pm, Gethsemane Baptist Church of Lake Norman, 565 Jetton St., Davidson – The Gethsemane Gospel Singers will host their annual Gospel Explosion. Free and open to the public. Come and enjoy an evening of the very best in Gospel music. More information: www.gbclakenorman.org or contact the church office at 704-892-1635.

HAVE LISTINGS?

Send calendar listings to editor@davidsonnews.net. Listings appear in our day-by-day calendar at right and in our Monday This Week and Thursday Weekend Calendar columns on DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.