Lake Norman Big Band plays a Davidson Concert on the Green Sunday.

The first weekend in June brings the stunning realization that we are nearing the halfway mark of the year. Before you panic and start thinking about Back to School, Labor Day, and, dare I say it, the Holidays – which, let’s face it, will be here before we know it –  take a moment to relax, soak up the sun, and listen to the sounds of summer.

We are fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of outdoor activities. One of my favorites, besides boating and spending time on the water, is live music. And, I especially like it when it’s free. That’s just what this weekend offers. Free live music every single night for the whole family. Read the full story

Local musician Rusty Knox posed with actor and musician Nick Jonas at Friday night’s wrap party for “Careful What You Wish For.” (Thanks to Rusty Knox for the photo, used by permission.)

Filming of the Hollywood flick “Careful What You Wish For,” starring Nick Jonas, Isabel Lucas, Paul Sorvino and Dermot Mulroney and directed by Elizabeth Allen, has wrapped up in the Lake Norman area.  The cast and crew and we don’t know who else celebrated with a party Friday night at Jetton Village in Cornelius. Gary Knox of Cornelius had a big hand behind the scenes helping the production while it was here. And the music at the wrap party was local: Gary’s cousin Rusty Knox of Davidson and his band. Jonas even sat in with Rusty on few tunes! Read the full story

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Peter Rowan is among the headliners at the NC Brewers & Music Festival at Rural Hill.

This weekend the Lake Norman area  is taking advantage of the spring weather by hosting numerous festivals, including several events featuring local food and beverages, and numerous sporting events. Friday afternoon marks the beginning of the two-day Jiggy with the Piggy Barbecue Challenge in Kannapolis, and local high school sports teams have playoffs. Saturday morning kicks off with the Jetton Park Traithlon and the Run Wild 5K & Fun Run. The Davidson Farmer’s Market returns on Saturday, hosting its annual Strawberry Shortcake Fundraiser and the Eden Street Market, featuring fresh seafood and crafts, will have its grand opening.

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Town Day 2012 scenes. Click to see more.

Davidson Town Day is back for another year, running Saturday, May 4,  from 10am to 7pm, on the Village Green downtown. The day includes an early morning 5K race, a day of fun, food trucks, games and music, and wraps up in the evening with a Concert on the Green – one of two this weekend in Davidson. Read the full story

Bud Albrecht and Don Edwards of Added Touch.

The jazz duo Added Touch  makes its debut at the Flatiron Kitchen and Tap Room on May 1 and 8, 7:30-9:30pm. The duo consists of trumpeter Don Edwards and keyboard player and vocalist Bud Albrecht.

Edwards is a Cincinnati Conservatory Trained trumpeter who has been performing and recording with big bands and smaller jazz groups since the 1950s. He’s the leader of the Charlotte-based Southern Fried Jazz Band.  Albrecht has been working steadily at the Cajun Queen in Charlotte on Thursdays and Saturdays for several years.

The duo’s two May dates could be the first of a series. Come check them out. And here’s an MP3 preview of the pair. Click play to start, or click here.

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Local youth with Activate Community Through Theatre perform “Peter Pan and Wendy” at Woodlawn School the next two weekends.

This weekend offers a variety of choices for live music, from California’s Spanky Pismo at Birdsnest to live jazz at Carrburritos to Courting Elizabeth at the Wine Cellar. Kids’ play “Peter Pan and Wendy” is on stage at Woodlawn School, while the Bark in the Park dog fest is Saturday at Rural Hill. Thursday night, staff from JV Washam and Davidson elementary schools square off in their annual charity basketball game. And Davidson’s women’s lacrosse team hosts the Big South conference lacrosse championship Friday through Sunday. There are also public meetings, poetry readings, and road races. Read on for the details.

Our Town Cinemas has “The Croods,” “42,” “Scary Movie 5,″ “Emperor,” “Oblivion,” “The Big Wedding,” and “Pain and Gain.” See the showtimes at right on this page. Read the full story