A local filmmaker, a horticulturist, a world traveler and a Davidson political scientist talking about health care reform will be on the agenda at Davidson Senior Scholars programs coming January through April. Senior Scholars meetings are monthly, offering talks by local experts on a variety of topics. All meetings are at the Davidson Parks & Recreation offices, 416 Armour St. Continue Reading

North Mecklenburg Woman’s Club gave an $8,000 check to Ada Jenkins Center director Georgia Krueger, left. With her are the club’s vice president for fundraising Kathleen McMahan and president Lisa Vandals, and Janice Hinton of Ada Jenkins Center.

A variety of fundraising events are on tap this weekend and next Davidson and Cornelius, including a Parent’s Night Out and Missions Mall at Davidson United Methodist Church, a Davidson Local concert at Summit Coffee in Davidson Saturday to benefit Davidson Housing Coalition, and a Serenity House Night next week at Tender’s in Cornelius. Meanwhile, North Mecklenburg Woman’s Club raised $8,000 for Ada Jenkins Center at its annual Red, White and Green auction Dec. 3. Continue Reading

“The Hobbit” opens at Our Town Cinemas and other theaters. Click for info.

It’s been a long while since I saw a midnight movie – when was the last one, anyway. But Peter Jackson’s version of “The Hobbit” was a big lure. I’m a fan of his “Lord of the Rings” series and decided I just had to join the throng of mostly college students for Thursday night’s premiere at Our Town Cinemas. At least for me, “The Hobbit” was worth the late night. (We exited the theater at 2:55am!).

To be sure, the film gets off to a slow start, as Bilbo, Gandalf and their fellow adventurers head out of the Shire and toward Lonely Mountain, which they hope to reclaim from Smaug the Dragon. Mr. Jackson clearly is taking pains to translate author J.R.R. Tolkien’s deep detail for the big screen. Continue Reading

“Good Evening from Beyond the Fringe” is at Warehouse PAC in Cornelius.

By CONNIE FISHER
DavidsonNews.net

The British have come to the Lake Norman region, not to conquer this time, but to share some fun. The wacky and farcical wit for which our ancestors across the pond are so well known is on view on two local stages. Davidson Community Players is producing the comedy “Farndale Avenue—A Christmas Carol” at the Armour Street Theatre in Davidson, while The Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius has Dudley Moore and Peter Cook’s witty “Good Evening from Beyond the Fringe.” Continue Reading

Dancers in Community School of Davidson’s production of “Catching Fire” rehearse for Saturday’s performances. See below for details of “The Hunger Games” themed production.

Must be nearing the holidays! Our weekend calendar has a seasonal feel, with holiday-themed concerts and theater. Historic Latta Plantation offers its annual candle-light tours of the decorated plantation house in Huntersville. And there are two alternative gift fairs in Davidson, offering ways to help local and international nonprofits and honor those on your gift list. But that’s not all: We’ve also got wine tastings, restaurant ribbon cuttings, a “Hunger Games” inspired dance performance from Community School of Davidson, and the opening of “The Hobbit” at Our Town Cinemas in Davidson.

“The Hobbit” opens at Our Town Cinemas and other theaters. Click for info.

Our Town Cinemas has a premiere of “The Hobbit” at midnight Thursday (12am Friday). Also there: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Playing for Keeps,” “Skyfall,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Killing Them Softly,” and “Rise of the Guardians.” Check the showtimes at right on this page. Continue Reading

North Mecklenburg Community Chorus.

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy, but for some, especially those facing financial hardships, this time can be stressful. With this in mind, and the threat of the fiscal cliff looming large in everyone’s not-so-distant future, I’d thought it would be nice to focus on some fun, cheerful, free ways to get into the holiday spirit. The North Mecklenburg Community Chorus, one  of my favorite organizations, does an excellent job of infecting the spirit with gladness and filling the ears with joyful noise. Their series of free “Season of Joy” concerts wraps up with dates Saturday and Monday. Continue Reading