Avante Vocal Jazz appears in concert Saturday night at Davidson United Methodist Church. Details below.

From books to theater to music to the Amazing Maize Maze, it’s another busy weekend in the Lake Norman area. Summit Coffee’s Songwriter’s Showcase is Thursday, featuring Nashville folk artist Hannah Miller, Paul Finnican, and host Rob McHale with special guest Shantell Ogden of Nashville. Davidson College’s Musical Interludes start up again on Friday at 12:30 p.m. with cellist Tanja Bechtler and pianist Cynthia Lawing. ReadDavidson kicks off its 2012 festivities with a virtual chat with author Ann Patchett. The 48th anniversary Festival in the Park is Friday through Sunday in Charlotte, with food, live music, artists’ booths and kids’ activities. Cornelius Presbyterian Church’s Bluegrass and BBQ music fest continues Saturday morning with Rusty Knox and Michael Reno Harrell.  Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius opens a production of the “black-hearted” comedy “Smell of the Kill” Thursday through Sunday and the Davidson Farmer’s Market is on Saturday morning. And Saturday afternoon, it’s the Lake Norman Beer Festival at Kenton Place. Read the full story

Want to see this season’s lineup of Davidson College music and shows free? Duke Family Performance Hall is looking for ushers for events at the theater, in the Alvarez College Union on the Davidson campus. Read the full story

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

Be there: This Friday at 10:25 a.m., Davidson College College invites the entire campus community to gather at the flagpole next to Chambers Hall for a flash mob photo op. Organized by the College Relations office, the photo will be posted for national College Colors Day. College senior writer John Syme and his dog Dodger are promoting it at http://daybook.davidson.edu/

Paul Studtmann’s “Nail Art”

Summit Coffee has teamed with Davidson College professor Paul Studtmann for an art installation entitled “Nail Art.” They’ host an the opening of this gallery with an event Friday, Aug. 24, from 6-8pm at Summit. Also below, news about an art opening next week for Davidson College’s annual faculty exhibition, and other art news. Read the full story

College students begin returning to campus this weekend, starting with the nearly 500-strong freshman Class of 2016, so activities are picking up around the area. Off campus, the weekend brings the Davidson Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, and nightly music at Summit Coffee on Main Street Davidson. That includes an art opening Friday night, followed by music with Justin Fedor and HL Ruth IV (of the New Familiars). Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture hosts an outdoor screening of “Soul Surfer” Saturday at Town Hall. The Lake Norman YMCA Triathlon is Saturday morning in Cornelius and Davidson, and Hough High School’s soccer team hosts a three-game invitational Saturday in a fundraiser for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

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