SNOW UPDATE: Many Saturday events have been called off because of the weather. For the latest info, see our “Cancellations” listing on DavidsonNews.net’s main page. CLICK HERE>

Davidson’s men’s basketball team takes on College of Charleston in the Blackout Belk event tonight. The event will raise money for Circle de Luz, a local educational charity for Latinas. The men are back at Belk Arena against Citadel Saturday, Jan. 30.

Meanwhile, there’s an art opening Friday night at Community Arts Project in Cornelius, featuring work by Gordon James. Details under Galleries below.

Also Saturday night, ragtime pianist Ethan Uslan will be at St. Alban’s Church to accompany the silent film “The General,” starring Buster Keaton.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Top of the Lake-Mooresville is hosting the area’s first Road Rally on Saturday, Jan. 30, starting at 2 p.m. Proceeds will help Rotary International eradicate polio and will benefit other local charities.

The week will conclude with a fund-raising and community service event that will raise money and provide a hands-on helping experience through the assembling of food packages for Haiti. The event will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31, at Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House on Concord Road, beginning at 1:15.

DavidsonNews.net’s calendars are updated continuously. Check back daily for additions and changes. Check back daily for updates, and come back Monday when our This Week calendar helps you plan your week.

WEEKEND OF JAN. 28-31
THURSDAY, JAN. 28, 7:30 a.m., MI-Connection Communications System board room, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville – Monthly board meeting for the local cable and network system, which is owned by the towns of Davidson and Mooresville. Agenda includes introduction of a new board member, financial update, and discussion and possible vote on a revised budget for this fiscal year. A closed session also is planned for an undislosed issue.

THURSDAY, JAN. 28, 10 a.m. to noon, McGuire Nuclear Station, EnergyExplorium, 13339 Hagers Ferry Road off N.C. 73, Huntersville – Duke Energy hosts a home-schoolers’ day for National Nuclear Science Week. Open to middle- and high-school students, it introduces the work of nuclear professionals, with hands-on activities including measuring the radioactivity of various sources and dressing up like a nuclear worker. Students will also test their wits in a challenging game of nuclear jeopardy. 704-875-5600.

THURSDAY, JAN. 28, 7 p.m., Belk Arena, Baker Sports Complex – Annual Blackout Belk fan night and fund-raiser. Fans will wear black T-shirts as they cheer Davidson College men’s vasketball vs. College of Charleston. The event will raise money for local nonprofit Circle de Luz. Details and ticket information on www.davidsonwildcats.com See also Michelle Miller Houck’s Jan. 19 preview, “Jan. 28 Blackout Belk game aids Circle de Luz.”

FRIDAY, JAN. 29, 8:30 a.m., CPCC-North Campus, 11930 Verhoeff Drive, Huntersville – Presentation of the panel’s final report. Open to the public. www.lakenormantrans.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 2 p.m., Mooresville, NC – The Rotary Club of Top of the Lake-Mooresville is hosting the area’s first Road Rally. The starting point is the parking lot of The Pit Indoor Kart Racing on Highway 150 in Mooresville. The goal of a Road Rally is to travel the correct route at the correct speeds, arrive at “checkpoints” precisely on time, and to solve as many clues as possible along the way. The proceeds from the Road Rally will help Rotary International eradicate polio and to benefit other local charities. To register or for more information visit: www.lknroadrally.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 7 pm., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – “The General,” the 1927 silent film classic, will be screened with a live ragtime piano soundtrack by pianist Ethan Uslan. General Admission: $15; Students & Seniors: $10; Children under 10: Free. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance by calling 704-941-0650. Box office hours: 9-4, Monday through Friday. More about Ethan Uslan on his website. See also our preview and brief interview with Mr. Uslan, “Silent film ‘The General’ with a ragtime soundtrack.”

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 7 p.m., Belk Arena, Baker Sports Complex – Davidson College Men’s Basketball hosts the Citadel. For details and ticket information, see www.davidsonwildcats.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., athletic field parking lot, located at Robert Walker Drive and Davidson-Concord Road – Davidson’s River Run community will be hosting a donation drive for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. River Run residents and people from surrounding communities are encouraged to clean out their closets and help fill up a Goodwill trailer. See www.goodwillsp.org for details.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 3-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Sandcrawler. Details: 704-895-9090.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 8 p.m., Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St. – Live music: TBA. Details: 704-987-2022.

SUNDAY, JAN. 31, 1:15 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House, Concord Road – A fund-raising and community service event that will raise money and provide a hands-on helping experience. Community volunteers will help to package emergency food for Haiti through Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh-based nonprofit group. That effort will be followed by a community worship service with a collection to help the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Read more in our Jan. 17 report, “Clergy eye short-term, long-term help for Haiti.”

SUNDAY, JAN. 31, 7:30, Davidson College Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center – The Music Department presents a Violin Studio Recital. Free and open to the public.

THEATER AND FILM

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY, JAN. 22-24 Barber Theatre, Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College. Davidson Community Players’ Connie Company children’s theater and the Davidson College Department of Theatre present “Annavel & the Funny Little Man,” A Rumpelstiltskin Tale. Shows Friday 4:30 and 7 pm; Saturday 10:30 am, 2:30 and 4:30 pm; Sunday 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 pm. All tickets $7. For reservations call: 704-892-7918.

SUNDAY, JAN. 24, 3-5 p.m., and MONDAY, JAN. 25, 5:30-7 p.m., Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Rd., Cornelius – Auditions for “The Reluctant Lovers,” a new romantic comedy by local writers Christian Hamilton and Rachel Jeffreys. Four men and two women of all ages are need. Auditions will consist of cold readings – roles require excellent diction and a light touch. Please bring headshot and resume if available. For directions, visit the website at www.warehousepac.com and click on the address or call 704-619-0429.

TUESDAY, JAN 26, 7 p.m., Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St. – Auditions for gospel singers for March production of the musical “Violet.” A gospel choir will enhance the group musical numbers in the show, which is set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. Info: 704-892-7953.

THURSDAY, FEB. 11, 7 p.m., Our Town Cinemas, Sadler Square, Griffith Street – Davidson Community Players holds a free screening of the movie “Boycott,” depicting events in the 1950s in Montgomery, Ala. that helped launch the civil rights movement. The screening comes in advance of the Players’  March production of “Violet.” Free.

FEBRUARY 17-20, 7:30 p.m., FEBRUARY 21, 2 p.m., Davidson College Barber Theatre of Cunningham Theatre Center – The Davidson College Theatre Department presents Nine Parts of Desire from February 17-21. Written by Heather Raffo and directed by Sharon Green, the play explores the struggles, passions, and triumphs of Iraqi women. Ticket prices are $8 for general admission; $5 for faculty, staff and seniors and $4 for students. For reservations and information call 704-894-2135 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, or purchase tickets online at www.davidson.edu/tickets.

MARCH 23-28, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – The Davidson College Theatre Department’s 2009-10 Mainstage Series concludes with “Leading Ladies,” by Ken Ludwig, directed by theater professor Mark Sutch. Performances March 24-25 at 7:30 p.m., March 26-27 at 8 p.m., and March 28 at 2 p.m. Admission $15, seniors $11, faculty/staff $9, students $6. Details: 704-894-2135 or www.davidson.edu/tickets

OUR TOWN CINEMAS, Sadler Square shopping center, off Griffith Street – Through Thu. Jan. 28 – Book of Eli (R) – Fri & Sat – 1:50, 4:30, 7:15, 9:55; Sun – Thurs – 1:50, 4:30, 7:15; The Tooth Fairy (PG) – Fri & Sat – 1:40 4:45 7:10 9:30pm; Sun – Thurs – 1:40 4:45 7:10; The Young Victoria (PG) – Fri & Sat – 1:30 4:00 7:30 9:45pm; Sun -Thurs – 1:30 4:00 7:30; Up in the Air (R) – Fri & Sat – 1:45 4:15 7:00 9:50pm; Sun – Thurs – 1:45 4:15 7:00. Jan. 29-Feb. 4 – Avatar (PG13 – Traditional format) – Fri & Sat – 12:35, 4:00, 7:20; Sun- Thurs – 12:35, 4:00, 7:20; Blind Side (PG13) – Fri & Sat – 1:00, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50; Sun – Thurs 1:00, 4:10, 7:00; The Young Victoria (PG) – Fri & Sat – 12:30, 5:10; Sun-Thurs – 12:30, 5:10; Up in the Air (R) – Fri & Sat – 2:45, 7:25, 9:55; Sun – Thurs – 2:45, 7:25; The Tooth Fairy (PG) – Fri & Sat – 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45; Sun – Thurs – 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30. Box office opens daily 1 p.m. Reservations: 704-237-3238.

GALLERIES & ART EVENTS

MONDAYS, 6-9 p.m., Creative Art Exchange, Cornelius – open figure drawing sessions, hosted by David Smith. $10 model fee. Contact davidbsmith@bellsouth.net to be added to the notification list.

"Bambini" by Magdalena Abakanowicz.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE BELK VISUAL ART CENTER, Main and Griffith streets – Jan. 15 to Feb. 26: sculpture by Magdalena Abakanowicz. Gallery talk and reception Thurs., Jan. 14, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours: Weekdays, 10 am – 5 pm, Sat./Sun., noon to 4 p.m. Direction sand details on the college website. See also our Jan. 17 video preview, “Sculpture by Magdalena Abakanowicz at Davidson.”

CORNELIUS ARTS CENTER/COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., behind the police station, Cornelius – Through Feb. 26: Works by Gordon C. James. Reception with the artist Friday, Jan. 29, 7-9 p.m. Presented by The Town of Cornelius Department of Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture (PARC) with The Community Arts Project. For information call: 704-896-8823 or visit www.corneliusartscenter.org. Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, contact the Cornelius Arts Center online at corneliusartscenter.org or Details: 704-896-8823.

LAKE NORMAN ART LEAGUE, gallery in South Main Square, 442 S. Main St. – Details: 704-620-4450 or www.lknart.org.

MERRILL-JENNINGS GALLERIES, 463 S. Main St. – Hours: Mon-Fri 10–5, Sat 10–3. For more information call 704-895-1213 and visit the website at www.merrilljennings.com

DAVIDSON TOWN HALL Atrium Gallery, 216 S. Main St. – Paintings by Jane Ellithorpe. Open weekdays during Town Hall hours, and other times during Town Hall events.

SUMMIT COFFEE, upstairs walls, 128 S. Main St. – Through Jan. 31: “Through the Lens,” photos and photo creations by Marisa Cohen. On view during Summit Coffee regular hours.

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY, 19818 North Cove Road, Jetton Village, Cornelius – Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Information: www.christafautgallery.com or 704-892-5312.

ARTWORKS ON MAIN, 165 N. Main St., Mooresville – Gallery hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Joyce Wynes will be showing her newest paintings through the end of January. Information: artworksonmain.com or 704-664-2414.

WOODEN STONE, 445 S. Main St. – Functional fine art and hand-made objects. Gallery hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m. 704-892-1449 . www.woodenstonegallery.com.

SANCTUARY GALLERY, 108 S. Main St. (next to Village Store) – Fine art and handmade crafts by local artists. Gallery hours: Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• MONDAY, FEB. 1, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board hosts a meeting to solicit input on issues related to off-leash dogs in town parks.The public is encouraged to attend to share their views. The focus will be on developing some public education, creating an interest group to develop off-leash facilities, and receiving input about concerns regarding the town ordinances and leash laws.
• MONDAY, FEB. 1,, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union 900 Room – Dr. Steven Koonin, Undersecretary for Science, US Department of Energy, will deliver the 2010 Smith Lecture and the third lecture in this year’s Bank of America Lecture Series. Co-sponsored by the Dean Rusk International Studies Program and the Public Lectures Committee, Dr. Koonin’s lecture is entitled, “Science, Politics and the Global Search for Alternative Energy.”
• TUESDAY, FEB. 2, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Cunningham Theatre Center lobby – Lebanese artist Helen Karam opens an exhibition of paintings entitled, “Loneliness in Red.” A reception featuring food from the region and music by Marwan al-Najjar will accompany Ms. Karam’s comments on her work. It’s the first in a series of events in anticipation of the college theater department’s Feb. 17-20 production of “Nine Parts of Desire,” an intimate portrait of the struggles, triumphs, and passions of a cross-section of Iraqi women. (See Theater listings)
• WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 6 p.m., Cornelius Public Library meeting room – Info meeting to discuss a summer student trip to Europe being planned by local teachers. Tour will include Berlin, Vienna and possible other cities, depending on the size of the tour. Leading and organizing the trip will be EF Tours, whose representatives will be at the info meeting. Contact Bill Myers (email wmyers1@att.net), orchestra/chorus teacher for Bailey Middle School, for more information.


Jennings Bryant

• WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 7 p.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Media lecture: “Why did I just watch that?” by Dr. Jennings Bryant, a Davidson graduate and associate dean for graduate studies, CIS Distinguished Research Professor, and Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting at the University of Alabama. Dr. Bryant combines research findings with psychology to talk about the appeal of various media types and possible rationales for “guilty pleasures” in entertainment media. Free.
• THURSDAY, FEB. 4, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union 900 Room – Dr. Lisa Pollard, Professor of History and Co-coordinator of Middle Eastern Studies at UNC-Wilmington will speak on “Middle Eastern Women Between Fantasy and Reality.” Free.
• SATURDAY, FEB. 6, 8 a.m. to noon, Bethel Presbyterian Church – North Mecklenburg Rotary Club is having annual pancake breakfast, with talent show. Proceeds will benefit charities in our community and abroad. The club is seeking people to join the talent show. If you’re interested, call 704-892-4098 by Jan. 25. www.northmeckrotary.org
• SATURDAY, FEB. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Davidson College Chambers Building, Lilly Family Gallery – Davidson Housing Coalition’s 6th annual Souper Bowl cook-off and fund-raiser. Also, silent auction. Tickets $10 Adults, $8 Students (12 and up), $5 Children. Prices increase at the door. For tickets, call 704-892-4486. davidsonhousing.org/
• MONDAY, FEB. 8, 10 p.m. – Deadline for parents to submit applications for enrolling in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools magnet programs for 2010-11. Applications accepted online. For more information, click here to get to the CMS Magnet Programs website.
• FRIDAY, FEB. 12, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Davidson College Lilly Family Gallery – Annual “Green Ball” sponsored by Davidson College Environmental Action Coalition, an evening of bluegrass and contra dancing to benefit Davidson Lands Conservancy. Lessons 7:30, dance 8-11. Tickets: $10 in advance at Davidson College Union or $12 at the door, children $5. More info: email Alicia Frank (alfrank@davidson.edu) or visit the college website.
• SUNDAY, FEB. 21, 6-9 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union and Chambers lawn – Davidson’s Asian Cultural Awareness Association sponsors the annual Lunar New Year celebration, marking the arrival of the Year of the Tiger. Food, music and dance performances, including a Lion Dance, will run until around 9 p.m., when the party will adjourn to Chambers lawn for the annual fireworks display.
• THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 8 p.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Annual Conarroe Lecture, by Margaret Atwood, the Booker Prize-winning author of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Blind Assassin.” The lecture will be free, but tickets will be required, available Feb. 4. Details on the Davidson College tickets page.
• TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010, Davidson College – Davidson Horticultural Symposium “Through the Seasons: A Southern Garden’s Journey.” With Allan Armitage, Pam Baggett, Robin Ripley, W. Gary Smith, William Welch. Details: www.davidsonsymposium.org.
• SATURDAY, APRIL 17, Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – Second annual Fire BBQ and 5K run. The 5 K will be held at Ada Jenkins first thing in the morning, followed by a BBQ sale, BBQ competition and food from area restaurants. More details as the date gets closer. www.adajenkins.org

GROUPS AND ONGOING EVENTS

JUST MOVED – A 13-week group for folks who are new to the area or who want to connect with others, began Sept. 10. New to the area? Not really new, but still feel new? Learn to laugh again. Meet some great new friends. Get acquainted with the Lake Norman area. Debbie Lovvorn and Janet Mowery will facilitate this 13-week group for women new to the area. The group will meet Thursdays from 10–11:45 a.m. in Room 216/218 of the Alexander Education Building of Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 South Main Street, Davidson. Register by calling the church office at 704-892-8277 .

ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP, began Sept. 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. The group will meet twice monthly to offer education, fellowship, support, and family fun for those considering, in the process of or at home with adopted children. Register and request child care by calling the church office, 704-892-8277 . Questions? Call Cheryl Mahony at 704-895-8043 .

MS SUPPORT GROUP – Meets third Friday of the month at 10 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, Room 218. It’s a casual round-table discussion for those facing life with MS.

50+ COFFEE CLUB, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Davidson Parks & Recreation office, 416 Armour St. – Join the 50-Plus Coffee Club, meeting every Wednesday. It’s a relaxing social environment where you can meet old and new friends. Coffee, games, newspapers and pastries provided. No registration required, just show up! Info: 704-892-3349 .

CHRONIC AND LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP, first and third Wednesdays each month, 7-8:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Individuals coping with an illness or who have family members coping with an illness welcome. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612 .

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregation Care House, 262 South St. – Facilitators Mark and Gayle Olenik provide resources to help you cope and work toward a new beginning. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Call the church office at 704-892-8277 to register and request child care.

NOW WHAT? GRIEF BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR, second Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Congregational Care House, 262 South St. – If you are coping with the loss of a loved one for one year or more, we welcome you to join. Janet McKee and Bryan Readling will facilitate. You do not need to be a member of the church to participate. Register by calling the church office at 704-892-8277 . Questions? Contact Karen Gray, Director of Congregational Care, at 704-947-0612 .

CALENDARS ON THE WEB

DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – http://http://www.davidsonumc.org/Calendar

DAVIDSON COLLEGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – http://www.dcpc.org/

DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY PTA calendar, http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/davidsonpta/calendar/

DAVIDSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH events – Events calendar on the library’s blog davidsonlibrary.wordpress.com/.

NORTH COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY events, Huntersville – Events calendar, www.plcmc.org

ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH online calendar – http://www.saintalbans-davidson.org/

ST. ALBAN’S SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD – http://www.stalbanssq.org/calendar.html

LAKE NORMAN SENIOR CALENDAR, at LKNSenior.com

YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTOR – online listing of alternative and holistic health information and events. http://www.yourcommunityconnector.com/

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT Send listings and press releases to us at editor@davidsonnews.net. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number, in case we have questions.&l
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“What a perfect day for doing something that’s fun, different and community-oriented at the same time,” rally co-organizer David Contorno said in a press release.

In a road rally, each team is given a set of route directions to follow, and the speeds at which they should travel the route, as well as a list of clues to solve along the way. Teams consist of one driver and at least one navigator. The route will follow rural and quieter back roads, according to organizers.

The goal of a road rally is to travel the correct route at the correct speeds, arrive at “checkpoints” precisely on time, and to solve as many clues as possible along the way. Scores depend on meeting correct times and answering clues correctly.

A road rally is not a race, and does not require you to drive in a reckless or illegal fashion. Arriving too early at a checkpoint hurts your score, as does arriving too late.

Proceeds from the Lake Norman-area rally will help Rotary International eradicate polio and also benefit other local charities.

The event is Saturday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m., beginning from the parking lot of The Pit Indoor Kart Racing, on Highway 150 in Mooresville. Entry fee is $40 per car. You may have as many participants in the car as you have seatbelts, so bring the whole family.

Each car must have a driver, a navigator and proof of insurance. Register online at www.lknroadrally.com.