Culture

On the Scene

A look at Lake Norman’s impressive arts and culture offerings

BY RENEE ROBERSON

DAVIDSON COMMUNITY PLAYERS PRODUCED THE POPULAR HIT MUSICAL “MAMMA MIA” IN 2019.

While the COVID-19 pandemic affected so many of the area cultural organizations, the good news is that things are looking up for the remainder of this year—and there are a lot of exciting things in the works for the area arts scene.

The Cain Center for the Arts is in the process of a fundraising compaign to secure the remaining funds to bring a vibrant arts mecca to life. As of August 2020, $15 million has been pledged towards the $25 million needed to make the center a reality. The center had its official groundbreaking this past May and will be the Lake Norman area’s only public arts and community center, and plans to offer flexible performance, education, gallery and community spaces.

Old Town Cornelius is also home to the monthly 2nd Friday Street Festival Series, which feature live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and other family-friendly entertainment. If you’re a theatre buff, you’re in luck, as any production by Davidson Community Players is sure to satisfy. The company offers shows throughout the year, as it has a permanent home at the cozy Armour Street Theatre in Davidson and each summer, residents can enjoy performances in the larger Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College.

Davidson College also produces top-notch theatrical productions throughout the year. In addition, the college offers the C. Shaw and Nancy K. Smith Artist Series, which brings in performances by visiting musicians, choral groups, dance troupes and theatrical companies.

The Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius is another theatre venue in the Lake Norman area. Offering cutting-edge productions and concerts in addition to writing workshops and special events, this is the place for culture vultures in a black box setting.

Music at Davidson College includes the Davidson College Concert Series along with performances by The Davidson College Concert Choir, The Davidson College Chorale, The Davidson College Jazz Ensemble and The Davidson College Symphony Orchestra.

For more than 12 seasons Music at St. Albans has brought worldrenowned musicians to the Lake Norman area performing in musical genres such as Celtic, classical and gospel. Birkdale Village in Huntersville also offers a summer concert series on the weekends.

During the warmer months, pack a picnic basket and head out to the Village Green (corner of Main Street and Concord Road) in Davidson for Concerts on the Green. From big band to beach music and yacht rock, this series appeals to all ages.

Art crawls throughout Cornelius and Davidson throughout the year offer extra fun. The Van Every/Smith Galleries and Katherine and Tom Belk Visual Arts Center at Davidson College also offer changing exhibitions, artist receptions and talks throughout the year.

However you wish to express your creativity or enjoy the creativity of others, you can bet there’s an outlet for you in the Lake Norman area.

The Scoop

Cain Center for the Arts

www.cainarts.org

Davidson Concerts on the Green

www.concertsonthegreen.com

Davidson College

www.davidson.edu

Davidson Community Players

www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

Music at St. Albans

www.musicatstalbansdavidson.org

The Warehouse Performing Arts Center

www.warehousepac.com