The 2007 sculpture "Olympic (Figures with Open Arms)," by Magdalena Abakanowicz is at Davidson College galleries. (Richard Gray Gallery.)

Our weekend calendar in and around Davidson offers a wide variety of choices. A reception tonight opens a new exhibit of sculpture by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz at Davidson College’s Visual Arts Center. Also, Denzel Washington’s new film “Book of Eli” opens Friday at Our Town Cinema’s. It’s described as “a post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.”

On Thursday night, Lake Norman Transportation Commission, which includes public officials from Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville, holds its monthly meeting at Davidson Town Hall. Also, keep an eye out for fund-raisers and aid drives around town to help earthquake victims in Haiti. (See our coverage under the “Haiti” tag.) Read the full story

Take your pick of stage shows in and around Davidson the next couple of weeks. Davidson Community Players are re-staging their fall production of “Almost, Maine” at Charlotte’s Spirit Square, with final performances this weekend. Meanwhile, Bailey Middle School seventh and eight graders will perform the hit musical “Grease” on Friday and Saturday, and tickets are a bargain-priced $2. And coming up next week, Davidson College theater department and Davidson Community Players’ Connie Co. children’s theater produce “Annavel & the Funny Little Man: A Rumpelstiltskin Tale” on the college campus.

Also, have any leftover lumber around for a set project? Read the full story

It’s a busy week ahead in and around Davidson with public meetings, theater, an art exhibit opening and school open houses. Davidson College’s women’s basketball team looks to keep its winning streak alive tonight against Chattanooga at Belk Arena. The Town Board meets Tuesday night, then spends Wednesday to Friday at a 3-day retreat in Charlotte. Also Tuesday night, philanthropist Doris Buffett (sister of investor Warren Buffett) lectures at Davidson College.

On Thursday night, Lake Norman Transportation Commission, which includes public officials from Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville, holds its monthly meeting at Davidson Town Hall. And if you missed it last fall, Davidson Community Players are re-staging their production of “Almost, Maine” at Spirit Square in Charlotte Thursday to Sunday. And Davidson Historical Society presents a program Sunday afternoon on African American church history. Read the full story

Director James Kennedy talks to Charlie Brown (played by Jura Davis) in Davidson Community Players' "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." (Ginny Darcey photo)

Davidson Historical Society is selling another Davidson-themed Christmas ornament this year to raise money for society programs. Also, Davidson Community Players is producing three performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on Saturday at Armour Street Theatre to raise money for Davidson-Cornelius Day Care. And a “Toilet-Trees” drive is underway to collect household and personal items for families served by Ada Jenkins Center.

Read on for details about those and other fund-raisers. Read the full story

The Beggar Boys with former Davidson musician Kate Minogue play a pair of area concerts this weekend – Saturday in Mooresville and Sunday afternoon in the Music at St. Alban’s series. Lake Norman Jewish Congregation hosts a community Hanukkah celebration Friday evening at Charles Mack Citizens Center in Mooresville, while Beth Shalom of Lake Norman has its celebration Sunday at noon, at Mooresville Town Square.

On stage: Woodlawn School’s Red Barn Players perform “The Curious Savage” (see Theater below). Davidson Community Players present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Saturday in a fund-raiser for Davidson-Cornelius Day Care. And “It’s a Wonderful Life” continues its run at Armour Street Theatre, though you may have trouble finding a ticket.

DavidsonNews.net’s calendars are updated continuously. Check back daily for additions and changes. On Monday, come back and plan your week with our This Week calendar. Read the full story

The Bailey family in the final scene of Davidson Community Players' production of "It's a Wonderful Life." See a gallery of photos by Bill Giduz below.

By MEG KIMMEL

For lovers of the holiday season, an annual viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is as central to celebrating the season as mistletoe and eggnog. Frank Capra’s 1946 film has become a seasonal media touchstone, like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “The Nutcracker” or one of many of versions of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Playwright James W. Rodgers adapted the screenplay of “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the stage, and director Anne Lambert has lovingly brought Read the full story