A reception at Davidson College Wednesday night will mark the opening of several new exhibits and celebrate publication of this new book titled "Davidson Collects," essays by 100 Davidson students about works from the college's art collection.

By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson College will hold a series of lectures and other events at Alvarez Student Union on Monday as part of the college’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. And there’s plenty more going on in the area this week, as well – from organ music to an art exhibit opening to the start of the three-weekend VisitLakeNorman.org Soccer Series.

On Tuesday night, a performance by organist Susan Bates kicks off the second half of Davidson College Presbyterian Church’s Organ at Davidson series, with a reception to follow. Wednesday night, Davidson College’s Van Every/Smith Galleries will host an exhibit of recent gifts and acquisitions, a selection of works by artist Sean Scully and the launch of “Davidson Collects: 100 Writers Respond to Art,” a book that includes essays by 100 college students on works in the school’s permanent art collection. Read the full story

Davidson College invites the public to a variety of events on campus in December and January, including artists’ talks, concerts, and this weekend’s Alternative Gifts Fair and Christmas Vespers events. Author Thomas Mallon, who is this year’s McGee Visiting Professor of Writing, gives a lecture in January, while Davidson Community Players teams with the college theater department in late January on a production of “Sleeping Beauty.” Read the full story

Rock band Plain White T's play at Duke Family Performance Hall Friday.

The Grammy-nominated rock band Plain White T’s bring their Wonders of the Younger tour to Duke Family Performance Hall Friday, headlining a busy schedule of public events at Davidson College in November. The calendar also includes dance with Ballet Hispanico, a visit by Celtic fiddler Jamie Laval, an exhibit opening for art professor Hagit Barkai, as well as other lectures, concerts and theatrical performances. Here’s a list:

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Tony Abbott

By BILL GIDUZ

Tony Abbott’s new book of poems, “If Words Could Save Us,” continues a prolific outpouring of lyric verse from this retired Davidson College English professor. But the volume is also a first for Abbott.  “It’s the only book of poems I’ve written where every poem is part of the story of the book,” he said.

As for a story, Prof. Abbott has chosen a big one. “It tells life’s story,” he said. “Not my life story. The universal life story.” Read the full story

A.R. Gurney'sDavidson Community Players' production of "Love Letters" continues this weekend, with Cat Rutledge and Mike Collins (both seated) in the lead roles.

By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization will hold its first major fundraising event of the new school year on Friday – the annual Family Bingo Night – with bingo, prizes and pizza. On Sunday afternoon, Davidson author Tony Abbott reads from his new book of poetry “If Words Could Save Us” at Davidson College.  And Davidson Community Players’ production of “Love Letters” continues with four shows this weekend. Read the full story

By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

It’s a week for cerebral and community-oriented pursuits in Davidson and the surrounding area, with lectures, discussions, concerts, fundraisers and the annual cleanup of Lake Norman and its shoreline.

The Davidson College Symphony Orchestra will hold the first “course” in its “Musical Meal” series of performances on Tuesday night at the Duke Family Performance Hall, while the famed Second City comedy troupe will perform at the Duke Family Performance Hall on Friday night.

The Davidson Farmer’s Market will open Saturday morning, with farmers and producers offering a variety of locally-grown and raised fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meats, flowers, herbs, plants and more. Read the full story