Students at Davidson College will present "Alice" this week. (David Boraks photo)

Also ahead: auditions for ‘Violet’

The Davidson College Theatre Department will produce what it is calling “a bold dramatic adaptation” of the literary classic “Alice in Wonderland” next Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 15. Senior theatre major Samantha Karlin directs the production of this beloved tale with a script created by the Manhattan Theatre Project under the direction of André Gregory.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. from Nov. 11 to 14 in the Barber
Theatre of Cunningham Theatre Center, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 15. Read the full story

A group of Lake Norman-area artists invites art lovers to see the work of 15 artists in a five-studio open house this weekend. There’s a big collegiate bass fishing tournament – the FLW Northern Regionals – on Lake Norman this weekend, with weigh-ins on the Davidson Village Green. And Davidson College’s men’s basketball team plays an exhibition against Lenoir Rhyne. Meanwhile, don’t miss the return of the smartest dogs around, at the 15th annual Sheep Dog Trials at Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville this weekend. Read the full story

Also this week: college presents ‘Pirates of Penzance’

Louise Robertson

Theater-goers have a pair of options in and around Davidson this weekend: The Gilbert & Sullivan operetta “Pirates of Penzance” runs for two shows at Davidson College Friday and Saturday. And Davidson resident Louise Robertson directs a production of Marsha Norman’s “‘night Mother” at Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius. Also below, an audition call for Davidson Community Players’ production of “Violet.” And looking ahead to the holidays, Davidson Community Players actors are in rehearsals for a December production of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a funny and touching play based on the Frank Capra movie. Read the full story

Shaping up to be a great fall weekend in and around our town. Many events are timed to coincide with Family Weekend at Davidson College, including music, sports and the opening of a production of Moliere’s “Tartuffe.” Local merchants will stage a Saturday Sidewalk Sale all over town. Summit Coffee hosts Octoberfest Saturday complete with pumpkin carving, beer tasting and live music.

Meanwhile, Thursday night brings a pair of civic events: a DavidsonReads program on “Everything You Wanted to Know about Blacks & Jews” at Town Hall and an election forum with town and school board candidates at St. Alban’s Church, co-sponsored by DavidsonNews.net. For family friendly Halloween events, check out the Boo Bash at Bailey Middle School and the Zombie Party at the library. Read the full story

Christian Love (left) and Heather Love in "Almost, Maine." (Cindy Rice photo)

By MEG KIMMEL

“Almost, Maine,” the latest offering from Davidson Community Players, begins quietly, with two young lovers confronting an abstract conceit that suggests the complexity of being truly close to someone you love. This sweet, slightly puzzling scene is a tip-off to what’s ahead: a series of interactions involving couples wrestling with the confusion, surprise, sadness, and delight that can come with romantic love. Read the full story

Our community calendar this weekend includes dueling Thursday night events – a  school and town board election forum, an Irish poet, and an art opening -  as well as helpings of music and sports. Davidson College’s football team is away (at Dayton) this weekend, but its nationally ranked soccer team takes on Furman at home on Saturday night. And the women’s team has home games Friday and Sunday. “Almost, Maine” continues at Davidson Community Players. And get ready for hoop: Don’t miss Friday’s “Night With Cats”  kickoff for the Davidson College basketball season, complete with dancing, scrimmages, contests and giveaways. Read the full story