By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

The Cockman Family plays Saturday night in the Mooresville concert series.

I don’t know about you, but the forecast of spring-like weather has me looking forward to the weekend. Temperatures pushing 70 will add a twist to Saturday’s Rocky River Road Club Polar Bear 100k and 50k bike rides, which depart from Ingersoll Rand in Davidson. At Friday happy hour, Summit Coffee’s upstairs Freckled Dog Pub marks its first anniversary. Or will the crowd choose the patio? On Saturday, Too Wet to Plow plays old time string band music at Summit, while Clark’s Creeke acoustic duo is at The Wine Cellar in Cornelius. On stage, Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius has a cool theatrical event: a three-night production of a live radio-play of the detective classic “The Maltese Falcon.” I got a preview Wednesday and can’t wait to see it. the Read on for the details.

And don’t forget the movies: Our Town Cinemas has “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Jack Reacher,” “This is 40″ and “Les Miserables” this week, with openings Friday for “Gangster Squad” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” See showtimes at right on this page. Read the full story

A live “radio” production of “The Maltese Falcon” runs this weekend only at Warehouse PAC.

An Organ at Davidson concert with local organist Jane Cain, wine tastings and live music, and a program on beekeeping are among the events on our schedule this week. Coming up this weekend, a three-night production of a live radio play version of the classic film “The Maltese Falcon,” at Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius, and the Rocky River Road Club’s annual Polar Bear 100k and 50k bike rides, starting from Ingersoll Rand in Davidson. Read on for the details.

And don’t forget the movies: Our Town Cinemas has “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Jack Reacher,” “This is 40″ and “Les Miserables” this week, with openings Friday for “Gangster Squad” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” See showtimes at right on this page. Read the full story

“Good Evening from Beyond the Fringe” is at Warehouse PAC in Cornelius.

By CONNIE FISHER
DavidsonNews.net

The British have come to the Lake Norman region, not to conquer this time, but to share some fun. The wacky and farcical wit for which our ancestors across the pond are so well known is on view on two local stages. Davidson Community Players is producing the comedy “Farndale Avenue—A Christmas Carol” at the Armour Street Theatre in Davidson, while The Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius has Dudley Moore and Peter Cook’s witty “Good Evening from Beyond the Fringe.” Read the full story

Dancers in Community School of Davidson’s production of “Catching Fire” rehearse for Saturday’s performances. See below for details of “The Hunger Games” themed production.

Must be nearing the holidays! Our weekend calendar has a seasonal feel, with holiday-themed concerts and theater. Historic Latta Plantation offers its annual candle-light tours of the decorated plantation house in Huntersville. And there are two alternative gift fairs in Davidson, offering ways to help local and international nonprofits and honor those on your gift list. But that’s not all: We’ve also got wine tastings, restaurant ribbon cuttings, a “Hunger Games” inspired dance performance from Community School of Davidson, and the opening of “The Hobbit” at Our Town Cinemas in Davidson.

“The Hobbit” opens at Our Town Cinemas and other theaters. Click for info.

Our Town Cinemas has a premiere of “The Hobbit” at midnight Thursday (12am Friday). Also there: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Playing for Keeps,” “Skyfall,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Killing Them Softly,” and “Rise of the Guardians.” Check the showtimes at right on this page. Read the full story

NC Baroque Orchestra plays Sunday in the Music at St. Alban’s Series

Holiday plays, live music, cocoa with Santa in Cornelius and a display of luminaria in Davidson neighborhoods are on the schedule in the area this weekend. Concerts include a free performance by the Davidson College Jazz Combo and Saxophone Quartet, on Thursday, and Sunday’s appearance by the N.C. Baroque Orchestra in the Music at St. Alban’s series. Sunday also brings Davidson College’s annual Christmas Vespers as well as the Jewish Council of Lake Norman’s Community Hanukkah Celebration in Mooresville. Meanwhile, NASCAR driver Ryan Newman hosts a charity fishing tournament on Lake Norman Saturday, with a related dinner Friday night. Read on for the details.

Our Town Cinemas in Davidson will have “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Playing for Keeps,” along with “Skyfall,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Killing Them Softly,” “Flight” and “Rise of the Guardians.” And fans can get ready for upcoming release of “The Hobbit” with a “Lord of the Rings” marathon on Saturday. Check the showtimes at right on this page. Read the full story

Holiday theatrical productions and downtown festivals in Davidson, Cornelius, Mooresville and Kannapolis are on the schedule this weekend, along with plenty of live music and other entertainment. The 25th Christmas in Davidson is expected to bring as many as 30,000 people to town Thursday to Saturday nights, for carriage rides, a visit from Santa, and visiting with neighbors along Main Street. Friday night also brings holiday festival in downtown Mooresville. The North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade marches from Davidson to Cornelius on Saturday. Bella Love presents another ‘Tawba Walk gallery crawl on Sunday afternoon in downtown Cornelius. The Lake Norman Yacht Club hosts its Christmas Flotilla and Parade on Saturday, and it’s time for A Kannapolis Christmas in downtown Kannapolis.

On stage, Davidson Community Players host their holiday production of “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of ‘A Christmas Carol’.” And Activate Community Through Theatre presents “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” at Woodlawn School Saturday.

Our Town Cinemas in Davidson has “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2″ as well as “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Skyfall,” and “Rise of the Guardians.” And looking ahead: They’ll have a “Lord of the Rings” marathon on Dec. 8. Check the showtimes at right on this page. Read the full story