From left Alan Rigby, Megan Pratt and Tom James star in Davidson College’s production of “The Pride” opening next week at Cunningham Theatre Center.

Davidson Community Players Connie Co. youth theater will present “Into the Woods Jr.,” a youth version of Stephen Sondheim’s fairy-tale themed musical, beginning this weekend at the Armour Street Theatre in Davidson. Meanwhile, Davidson College’s theater department is in rehearsals for “The Pride,” a drama about the gay experience in two eras, running Nov. 14-18. Also this weekend, an improv comedy battle Saturday night between The Chuckleheads of Charlotte and Check! from Marvin Ridge High School. Read the full story

Dozens of yoga fans will be on the Davidson Village Green Saturday afternoon for a Yoga on the Green festival that includes live music. Our Towns Habitat for Humanity hosts a Fall Festival Saturday morning at its Cornelius ReStore. Saturday night brings the Rotary Club’s annual Wine Spectacular fundraiser for area nonprofits. Meanwhile, the Davidson Community Players’ production of “Baby” continues its run on stage at Armour Street Theater. And two big fall events continue this weekend: the Amazing Maize Maze at Rural Hill and the Carolina Renaissance Festival off Poplar Tent Road. Details about these and other events below.

Our Town Cinemas in Davidson adds a couple of new flicks to its lineup this weekend, “Argo” and “Paranormal Activity.” They join showing “Hotel Transylvania,” “Looper,” and “Taken 2,” on the schedule. Thursday is the last day for “Trouble with the Curve.” See showtimes at the right. Read the full story

The cast of “Baby” includes, from left, Emily Hunter, KC Roberge, and Christy Hinkleman. (Bill Giduz photo)

By CONNIE FISHER

In the world of theater, the theme of a musical often is fantasy. Davidson Community Players’ current musical production “Baby,” while entertaining, actually deals with reality. The story revolves around three distinct sexual relationships revealing the strength of their emotions and love toward one another. The language in “Baby” is realistic, mature and at times very funny. Read the full story

The Carolina Renaissance Fest is back this weekend. Readers sent their favorite photos from past festivals. Clockwise, from upper left: Singing women (Jamie Smith photo); Ava enjoying treats at the Mayor’s Tea, 2009 festival (Joe Szakaly photo); Fallen festival-goer 2011 (© 2011 Kevin Childress Photography). Thanks!

“Baby” opens this weekend and runs through Oct. 21 at Armour Street Theater. Click for tickets.

Our calendar this weekend is a busy mix of events, from the literary and theatrical to outdoor festivals and dog shows to Davidson College homecoming. The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens the gates at the festival grounds off Poplar Tent Road while the Amazing Maize Maze continues its run at Rural Hill in Huntersville. ReadDavidson hosts a discussion Thursday of this year’s townwide read, “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett. There’s a wiener dog race in Mooresville and The All American Dog Show in Cornelius, both on Saturday. Final performances of “The Smell of the Kill” are offered at Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius, and “Baby: The Musical” debuts at Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theater.

Davidson College Homecoming takes place on Friday and Saturday with a football game, lectures and other activities. And Davidson Lands Conservancy hosts a stargazing party Friday at Fisher Farm. The Aloha Cup paddleboard races this weekend benefit Our Towns Habitat for Humanity.  Davidson Farmer’s Market returns Saturday in downtown Davidson, this week followed by a dedication ceremony for the new market-themed mural on the side of Summit Coffee. Read the full story

Melissa Ohlman-Roberge

Big change in the Lake Norman theater world this week: Melissa Ohlman-Roberge is stepping down as the artistic director at Davidson Community Players. The company named Marla Brown as interim artistic director. Ms. Brown runs Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius, where the next offering will be Michele Lowe’s black-hearted comedy “Smell of the Kill” Sept. 20-Oct. 6. Also below, a note about auditions Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 16-17, for Davidson Community Players’ holiday production “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of ‘A Christmas Carol.'” Read the full story

Davidson Parks & Rec and Armin’s Catering are taking reservations for a mystery dinner theater production called “Death Ahoy” Sept. 14 at Historic Beaver Dam in Davidson. We have notes about two auditions in the next week or so: Davidson College’s theater department is seeking boys between ages 10 and 15 for a role in Ivan Turgenev’s “A Month in the Country.” And Davidson Community Players will hold auditions for its fall production “Baby, the Musical” and holiday show, “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of ‘A Christmas Carol.'” Details below. Read the full story