Warehouse Performing Arts Center will present its 3rd Annual 10-Minute Comedy Playfest Jan. 23 to Feb. 9, featuring seven short plays on the theme “Eunice’s Beauty, Barber and Bait Shoppe,” all directed by Vito Abate.

The annual 10-Minute Comedy Playfest began two years ago with a call to North Carolina/South Carolina writers to submit themed comedies for competition—the winners would be produced in a fun-filled evening celebrating Carolina writers and comedy. Read the full story

Gethsemane Gospel Singers host their Gospel Explosion Sunday in Davidson.

This Weekend, Davidson College hosts numerous lectures and panels on ethics and history and celebrates the opening of “State of Emergency,” an exhibit at the Belk Visual Arts Center that includes works by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Bella Love presents LIVE at Oak Street Mill with numerous musicians and artisans on Saturday, and Davidson College celebrates the Lunar New Year with a festival and fireworks. Read on for more highlights and events from This Weekend’s calendar. Read the full story

At Our Town Cinemas. Click for details.

Just like that, Christmas is over and the final weekend of 2013 is here. It may be hard to believe but the year is practically in the rear view. With one more weekend entry to write for 2013, how do you want to spend it?

Are movies your thing? If so, I recommend “American Hustle” playing locally at Our Town Cinemas in Davidson. Showtimes are 1, 4:05 and 7:05pm. Not interested in seeing a buzzworthy, potential Oscar contending flick with an all-star cast ? No problem. Also playing are “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” and “Walking with Dinosaurs” (see showtimes at right or the theater website for details.) Besides, the theater, itself, is the main attraction with pub style seating and food and beverage service (including beer and wine.) A real treat for locals at 221 Griffith St., we’re fortunate to have this gem and it’s the perfect place to spend the last weekend of the year. Read the full story

The Davidson College Symphony and other ensembles will join community actors and dancers in the gala Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 3-4.

Click to buy tickets

Davidson College’s music department will collaborate with community dance and theater groups next week on a new event just before Christmas in Davidson: a two-day Davidson Holiday Gala Celebration. The performance brings together the Davidson College Symphony and jazz band, campus choral groups, the African Drumming Ensemble, and community performers for a fast-paced concert of holiday favorites and sing-alongs, with doses of humor and holiday spirit.

Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 3-4, at 7:30pm at Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College.

Listen to an audio preview below with organizers Chris Gilliam and Tara Villa Keith.

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From left Blake Steinberg, Clarise Ballesteros, Amos McCandless and Maggie Birgel play a game-show scene in “Reckless,” at Davidson College’s Barber Theatre through Sunday. (Bill Giduz/Davidson College)

Davidson College’s production of the dark comedy “Reckless” opens Wednesday night and continues through Sunday at the black-box Barber Theatre on campus. Meanwhile, The Chuckleheads improv comedy group are back at Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius Nov. 23, while Activate Community Through Theatre plans youth auditions Nov. 21 for “Act Now: Stop Bullying.” Also Connie Company youth theater continues its run of “Narnia” this weekend at Davidson Community Players’ Armour Street Theater in Davidson. Read the full story

Concerts, lectures, a Harry Potter-themed dinner at Vail Commons, and performances of the play “Reckless” are among the many public events this month at Davidson College. Robin Emmons, the founder of the farming and food nonprofit “Sow Much Good,” will give the annual Chidsey Leadership Lecture on Nov. 13. And United Nations development official Paul Ladd will give the annual Bank of America Lecture on Nov. 19. He’s the head of the United Nations Development Program’s Team for Post-2015 Development Policy. Here’s the schedule: Read the full story