Some of the musicians who will be playing at Barnstock 2013 gathered for a recent photo shoot. The festival returns this Friday and Saturday off Black Farms Road. That’s organizer Miles Brown at right. (David Boraks photo)

Five years ago, a group of young musicians got together to play some music on a farm outside of Huntersville. They called it Barnstock, invoking the legendary rock festival Woodstock, and made it a fund-raiser for the most local of causes: The volunteer Davidson Fire Department. This year, Barnstock is back – and bigger than ever.

The two-day festival begins with with a 21+ Bike Night on Friday, July 26, and continues Saturday, July 27, with an all-day, all-ages music festival at the barn, 15300 Black Farms Road, Huntersville. They’ll have music, a volleyball tournament and food trucks. Read the full story

Soprano Margaret Carpenter

L’Académie du Roi Soleil, an early music ensemble whose members are based on both sides of the Atlantic, will perform Tuesday, July 30, at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. The 7:30pm concert will feature ensemble co-founder and soprano Margaret Carpenter, who was recently hired as assistant music director at the church. Read the full story

The Improv Vikings offer a workshop Sat. at the Fox & Hound  (Allie Doten photo)

Numerous film and stage events are taking place across the Lake Norman region this weekend, beginning with Thursday night’s opening of the Davidson Community Players presentation of “Leading Ladies” at the Duke Family Performance Hall. The Rusty Knox Band plays a Davidson Concert on the Green Sunday. And the weekend’s film offerings include an outdoor “boat-in” screening of “Rise of the Guardians” on Lake Norman and Davidson Film Club’s “Gigante.” Read on for more highlights of this weekend’s calendar. Read the full story

Charlotte’s Arts & Science Council (ASC) has announced an initial round of $6.8 million in grants for projects and organizations around the region, including operating support for the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, the Community Arts Project in Cornelius, and Davidson Community Players. The ASC gave $5,000 each for a public art sculpture at Davidson’s Roosevelt Wilson Park, a new arts outreach program at Cornelius Arts Center, and for the annual Hello Huntersville festival.

Other grants went to the Cornelius Youth Orchestra, North Mecklenburg Community Chorus, Music at St. Alban’s in Davidson, downtown Davidson’s April is for Arts, Circle de Luz,  Davidson College and Lake Norman YMCA’s after school program. Read the full story

Davidson Community Players present “Leading Ladies” in the Duke Family Performance Hall beginning Thursday.

Click to visit our Events Calendar.

Get involved with your community this week by attending a local government meeting, visiting one of our public libraries, joining the Rotary Club, or participating in live music or trivia night with your neighbors. Monday, the Cornelius Planning Board will meet in the Cornelius Town Hall in Room 204 from 6pm-9pm. In downtown Davidson, Summit Coffee hosts their weekly Trivia Night starting at 7:30pm – come out and test your trivial knowledge. Read on for more events in the Lake Norman Region.

Read the full story

Rusty Knox

Our music calendar in the Lake Norman area is a busy one over the next week, with a local singer-songerwiter Rusty Knox playing Saturday night, July 13, at Summit Coffee in Davidson, and again with his Rusty Knox Band in a Davidson Concert on the Green next Sunday, July 21.  On Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Davidson hosts a guest appearance by Statesville native and singer Rockie Lynne, whose music honors American soldiers. Meanwhile, there’s bluegrass at Saturday morning’s Davidson Farmer’s Market, and Summit Coffee in Davidson has full weekend lineup. Wally and Dave play at Jeffrey’s in Mooresville Friday night and the Jeff Sipe Trio plays Carrburritos in Davidson Saturday. Read the full story