DJ Whole Wheat, Bryan Proffitt, lectures Tuesday during Davidson College’s morning Common Hour. Details below.

The series begins Tuesday, Sept. 18, with DJ Whole Wheat, from Durham

Growing up in Connecticut and New York, Shanté Paradigm Smalls took lessons in classical singing. But her heart tugged her toward a different beat. She followed her passion through twists and turns until she settled firmly into the emerging music and culture of hip hop. She formed a hip hop performing group, published two albums and toured for several years. She also produced a large hip hop festival in New York City for four years. Read the full story

Public and political meetings, a pair of fund-raising running races and a Concert on the Green in Davidson with Sunday Union are on tap in the area this week. Green Drinks Lake Norman, a monthly networking gathering for those with an interest in sustainability, returns from its summer break on Thursday with a talk by Ingersoll Rand’s sustainability chief. Davidson College President Carol Quillen gives the first Epes Distinguished Humanities Lecture on “The Uses of the Past and the Humanist Tradition,” on Thursday. And Hough High football hosts Providence in an unusual Thursday night game.

Summit Coffee hosts its Tacky 10K and 1 mile fun run on Friday night, followed by an outdoor festival with beer and live music. And on Saturday, Davidson basketball alum Andrew Lovedale returns to host his Andrew Lovedale 5K on the college campus, raising money for his A2S Foundation, helping people in his native Nigeria. Read the full story

Pianist Jon Nakamatsu performs at Davidson College Sept. 8.

The North Mecklenburg Community Chorus will host an open house Monday to meet singers and learn more about their programs. Meanwhile, fans of organ can join a “moveable feast” Sept. 14 in Davidson that includes a three-course dinner and short recitals at three Davidson churches. And the Concert Series at Davidson College opens up its season Sept. 8 with a performance by Van Cliburn-award winning pianist Jon Nakamatsu. Read the full story

Davidson band “Sunday Union” plays Wednesday at Flatiron Kitchen in Davidson. From left, Elizabeth Mills, Stephanie Rollans, Brad Reddick, Dave Malushizky and Monica Galloway (Gennine Davis photo)

Back to school activities and high school and college sports join outdoor concerts, meetings and other events in the area this week. Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture hosts two outdoor movies in its cinema series – “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” Wednesday at Kenton Place and “Soul Surfer” Saturday at Town Hall. Davidson-based Sunday Union has a gig Wednesday night at Flatiron Kitchen, while Summit Coffee has a full lineup of local music, including Justin Fedor and HL Ruth IV (of the New Familiars) on Friday and Davidson Local Saturday.

Meanwhile, Our Town Cinemas in Davidson has gone digital in the projection booth. The theater made the switch this month to prepare for Hollywood’s ending of 35mm reels. On the schedule this week: “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” joins “The Bourne Legacy,” “The Campaign,” and “Hope Springs” on the schedule. See the movie showtimes at right. Read the full story

The Rusty Knox Band will play a concert on the Green this Sunday in Davidson. The band includes, from left, Greg Miller, Dwight Burks and Rusty Knox. (DavidsonNews.net file photo)

Davidson’s own Rusty Knox Band is featured in the next Concert on the Green this Sunday, Aug. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Davidson Village Green.

Rusty Knox grew up around music in Davidson with a grandmother who played church organ for over 50 years, and a large extended family that gathered around the piano on Sunday afternoons. Read the full story

Chris Lane and his band play Country Night in the Park at Bailey Road Park Saturday

It’s summer’s swan song and while some of us squeeze in a last beach trip before fall rushes in, there’s plenty of activity here in the Lake Norman area. Outdoor concerts are on tap Saturday night in Cornelius, where the Chris Lane Band plays Country Night in the Park, and on Sunday, where the hometown Rusty Knox Band plays a Concert on the Green. Public meetings this week include the Lake Norman Marine Commission and Davidson Town Board and Design Review Board. The N.C. Baroque Orchestra plays a cool summer concert Friday night in Davidson, while Pawbrokers hosts a fundraising party Thursday in Mooresville. Summit Coffee in Davidson has live music all weekend, including Thursday’s Summit Songwriters Showcase. Details about those and other events below, or our day-by-day calendar at right.

At Our Town Cinemas in Davidson, “The Bourne Legacy,” “The Campaign,” “Hope Springs,” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” are on the schedule. See the movie showtimes at right. Read the full story