By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

Memorial Day celebrations are planned throughout the area on Monday. On Tuesday, the Davidson Planning Board meets to hear plan ideas for the Davidson East property, off NC 73. Wednesday, the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville is having its second annual golf tournament in Concord.  Warehouse Performing Arts Center starts its new play festival on Thursday with the presentation of “Grave Comedies,” seven short comedies set in a graveyard or funeral parlor. The Collier Lily Ride 4 Life and 24 Hour Loopy for a Cause events are this Saturday to raise money for their respective foundations and on Sunday there is a Concert on the Green featuring the Blue Chip Jazz Band.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “X-Men: First Class” opens, joining “The Hangover Part II,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Kung Fu Panda 2,” and “Bridesmaids.”

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By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

The weekend is shaping up nicely with events around the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas. With the big race at the speedway this weekend, Speed Street is Thursday through Saturday in uptown Charlotte. There’ll be food, live music and a chance to get an autograph from NASCAR drivers and teams. On Friday, former opera singer Pat Mose will lecture on “Magical Moments and Mishaps at Radio City Music Hall” at North Mecklenburg Senior Center. Cornelius hosts a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday, including a groundbreaking for a new Veterans Memorial. And Davidson’s Gethsemane Baptist Church plans a Saturday concert for Memorial Day.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “The Hangover Part II” and “Kung Fu Panda 2” open, joining “Thor,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and “Bridesmaids.” Read the full story

Jeff McGonnell

By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

Don’t be alarmed if you see Davidson resident Jeff McGonnell running nonstop circles around the Green on Friday and Saturday, June 4-5. He hasn’t lost his mind. He’ll be running for 24 hours to raise funds and awareness for the Batten Disease Support and Research Association.

The event, sponsored by the Town of Davidson and BirdNest Music, is called “24 hour Loopy for a Cause.”

McGonnell will be running a pre-determined loop on the Green, seven loops being equal to one mile. He hopes to run around 100 miles in the 24 hours. Read the full story

Lake Norman Big Band plays Monday at Amos' at the Lake.

By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

There’s a good choice of events to keep you entertained this week. The Lake Norman Big Band is playing at Amos’ at the Lake on Monday and Pat Godwin from the “Howard Stern Show” is visiting the Comedy Zone on Tuesday. Wednesday is National Senior Fitness Day at Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics and the documentary “Play Again,” which follows several children from their “high tech” world into nature for a week, will be playing at the Mt. Island Charter School, also on Wednesday. Green Drinks Lake Norman meets on Thursday with guest speakers from the Davidson Farmer’s Market. Cornelius is holding a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday and will feature a speaker, patriotic music and the groundbreaking of the Cornelius Veterans Monument.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “The Hangover Part II” and “Kung Fu Panda 2” open, joining “Thor,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and “Bridesmaids.” Read the full story

Davidson Express plays what could be a farewell concert Friday night at Summit Coffee in Davidson

By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

Our weekend in and around Davidson brings an Israeli-style celebration of the holiday of Lag b’Omer Thursday, a grand opening for the newly completed West Branch Greenway Saturday in the River Run neighborhood, and Strawberry Shortcake Day at Davidson Farmer’s Market. On Thursday and Friday, regional artists will show their work at the All Arts Market in NoDa. And Friday, you can catch an outdoor screening of “Megamind” in North Meck Park or attend the Lake Norman Hospice Regatta.

Friday night will be your last chance to hear the popular folk/bluegrass group Davidson Express, at least for a while, as group members head in different directions. They’ll be at Summit Coffee from 8-11 p.m.

On Saturday, The Palace Bazaar Saturday will have vendors will selling their goods and services. And World War II re-enactors will be at Latta Plantation in Huntersville. Michael Reno Harrell, an award winning songwriter and a veteran storyteller and entertainer from the Southern Appalachian Mountains, will be playing at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on Sunday.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Bridesmaids” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” opens, joining “Thor,” “Bridesmaids,” “Jane Eyre,” and “Water for Elephants.” The theater plans a special midnight opening Thursday for “Pirates of the Caribbean,” including half-price beer. Read the full story

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" opens with a midnight show Thursday at Our Town Cinemas.

By KARYN JESTER
DavidsonNews.net

The film “A Race to Nowhere,” about the high-pressure culture of schools, will be shown at Davidson College Presbyterian Church on Monday. On Tuesday, there’s a public hearing at Cornelius Town Hall about the planned diverging diamond interchange for the intersection of I-77 and Catawba Avenue. Tuesday is also the day of the Davidson Commissioner Chat, where residents are able to meet with commissioners in an informal setting to discuss town issues. On Thursday, the Lag B’Omer Festival, hosted by Beth Shalom of Lake Norman, takes place outside of the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. The Lake Norman Hospice Regatta is Friday to Sunday and a ceremony Saturday will formally open the West Branch Greenway. On Sunday, the Cornelius Concert Series at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church wraps up with an outdoor show by singer-songwriter Michael Reno Harrell.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Bridesmaids” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” opens, joining “Thor,” “Bridesmaids,” “Jane Eyre,” and “Water for Elephants.” The theater plans a special midnight opening Thursday for “Pirates of the Caribbean,” including half-price beer. Read the full story