Art show, shag dance lessons and more!

Please submit your event information online. Go to events.charlotteobserver.com and click on "add to our listings." E-mail photos to stories@newsoflakenorman.com. The print deadline is two weeks in advance of the event date.

Jan. 27

Small Works Collaborative Art Show:

Collaborative show of small original works by more than 50 artists. Varying subject matter and medium. 11 a.m. Jan. 27-29; noon Jan. 30-31. Free. Green Rice Gallery, 451 E. 36th St., Charlotte. 704-344-0300. www.green-rice.com.

Beginner to Intermediate Drawing Classes:

Learn to translate three-dimensional objects onto two-dimensional surfaces. Weekly two-hour sessions. To enroll, contact Holt McLean at art@holtmclean.com. 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through March 3. $150 per month. Green Rice Gallery, 451 E. 36th St., Charlotte. 704-344-0300. www.green-rice.com.

Jan. 28

Foster Parent Question-and-Answer Session:

Open house at Barium Springs Home for Children to help potential foster parents learn how they can help. No obligation or pressure. Drop in 6-8 p.m. Grace Covenant Church, 17301 Statesville Road, Cornelius. 704-872-4157. www.bariumsprings.org.

Arts & Science Council free grant information workshop:

Learn to develop high-quality, competitive grant applications for the Arts & Science Council's 2010-11 Cultural Project and Cultural Access Grants. Grant eligibility, guidelines, deadlines, request amounts, how to access and submit online applications. 6:30 p.m. Free. Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 704-335-3036. www.artsandscience.org.

Shag Dance Lessons:

Learn the shag, a slotted swing dance. Advance registration required. 7 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 28-March 4. $65. Davidson Parks and Recreation, 416 Armour St., Davidson. 704-892-3349. www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Jan. 29

Greater Charlotte Home & Landscape Show:

Home and garden seminars, trends in decorating, cooking demonstrations, art and gift gourmet center, pottery demonstrations; products and services including builders, contractors, materials, decks, pools, entertainment systems, landscape displays, more. 2-7 p.m. Jan. 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 31. Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 N.C. 49, Concord. $7 ages 17 and older; $5 ages 65 and older, free for ages 16 and younger. Free parking. www.ShowTechnology.com.

Vianello Trio:

Piano trio, Yoon-Sun Song, piano; Karen Geary, violin; Deborah Kauffman Mishoe, cello, to perform a program of favorites from the classical repertoire. 7:30 p.m. Lingle Chapel, Main Street, Davidson College campus. Free. 704-987-5000.

Reception to Meet Artist Gordon C. James:

Meet artist Gordon C. James at opening reception 7-9 p.m., Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St. Light refreshments provided. James' works on exhibition through Feb. 26. www.corneliuspr.org. 704-892-6031 ext. 160.

Jan. 30

Early Morning Owl Walk:

Catch sights and sounds of local owls. Join nature center staff in search of great horned, barred and screech owls. 5 p.m. $4. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 2000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391.

M.O.S.A.I.C.:

Program for elementary school students and their families centers on math, originality, science, achievement, imagination, creativity. Noon-3 p.m. Free. Chambers Building, Hance Auditorium, 220 D Road, Davidson. 704-894-2096.

Theater Play and Improvisation classes for kids:

Davidson Community Players' Connie Company to offer theater classes for elementary and home school students. Advance registration required. Kindergarten through second grade meet 10-11:15 a.m. Saturdays Jan. 30-May 22. Grades 3-5 meet 4:15-5:30 p.m. Mondays Feb. 1-May 17. $140. Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson. 704-892-3349. www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Jan. 31

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Public Blood Drive:

8 a.m. First Baptist Church West, 1801 Oaklawn Ave., Charlotte. 704-972-4700. www.cbcc.us.

Violin Studio Recital:

Davidson violin students to perform. 7:30 p.m. Free. 704-894-2848. Davidson College's Tyler-Tallman Hall, 102 N. Main St., Davidson. 704-894-2000. www.davidson.edu.

Get Ready for Groundhogs:

Prepare for Groundhog Day: Learn facts about groundhogs, whether they really can predict winter's end. 2 p.m. Free. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 2000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391.

Feb. 1

Theater classes for middle and high school students:

Students in grades 6-12 work on age-appropriate monologues and scenes. Script analysis, character development, acting skills. 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 1-May 17. Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson. 704-892-3349. www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Photography Basic-Intermediate:

Bring your digital camera. Learn camera operation, exposure control, lighting, composition, how to be creative with photography. 10 a.m. Mondays Feb.1-15 or March 15-29. $95. Davidson Parks and Recreation, 416 Armour St., Davidson. 704-892-3349. www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Strength and Strengthen:

Work with certified personal trainer to develop routine you can do at home. Small class with a lot of individual attention. Modifications given for all levels of fitness. 5:30 p.m. Mondays Feb. 1-22 or March 1-22. $30. Davidson Parks and Recreation, 416 Armour St., Davidson. 704-892-3349. www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Yoga Basics:

Learn gentle approach to yoga. 6 p.m. Mondays Feb. 1-March 15. $52 Huntersville residents; $62 for others. Lake Norman Charter Middle School, 12435 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville. 704-766-2220. www.huntersville.org.

Zumba:

Burn calories in Latin-dance-based fitness class. No previous dance experience necessary. Bring towel and water. 6:30 p.m. Mondays Feb. 1-23 or March 1-22. Advance registration required. $30. Davidson Parks and Recreation, 416 Armour St., Davidson. 704-892-3349. www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Feb. 2

Adult Garden Club:

Help site's naturalist make center's garden look beautiful. Activities may include watering, mulching, pruning, transplanting. Long pants and closed toe shoes recommended. 4:30 p.m. Free. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 2000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391.

Lake Norman Stand Up America:

7 p.m. Lowrance Room, Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Speaker: William "Doc" Gillenwater, candidate for 12th District, U.S. House of Representatives.

Body Sculpting for Women:

Work with certified personal trainer Sandra McQueen. Develop low-cost home routine that targets lower body and abs. 5:30-6:25 p.m. Tuesdays through Feb. 23. Davidson Parks and Recreation office, 416 Armour St., Davidson. $30. Advance registration required. www.ci.davidson.nc.us. 704-892-3349.

Preschool Activities:

Terrific Tuesdays with Tabitha Lindsay. Extended day of themed activities for ages 4-5. Snack and water provided. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Feb. 23. Davidson Parks and Recreation office, 416 Armour St., Davidson. $45. Advance registration required. www.ci.davidson.nc.us. 704-892-3349.

Feb. 5

First Fridays Senior Hiking Club:

Senior adults explore trails of Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own. Moderate terrain and distance, about 11/2 to 3 miles. 9 a.m. Feb. 5. Free. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 2000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391.

Juried Artwork Competition Sponsored by Green Rice Gallery:

Exhibition of works of N.C. and S.C. artists in various media. Artwork to be hung for exhibit and sale at Green Rice Gallery Feb. 5-28. 7 p.m. Green Rice Gallery, 451 E. 36th St., Charlotte. 704-344-0300. www.green-rice.com; www.northtosouthartshow.com.

Feb. 6

Pancake Breakfast and Lake Norman Talent Show:

Hosted by Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg County. Silent auction also. 8 a.m.-noon. Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius. $10. Proceeds to Rotary's local charities.

Scholastic Sailing Opportunities:

Information meeting on coed team sport 10-11 a.m., N.C. Community Sailing & Rowing Center, Blythe Landing Park, N.C. 73, Cornelius. For girls and boys 14 or older in 2010 and their parents. larryvitez@consolidatedadvisors.com; www.nccsailrow.org; 704-947-7245.

HAMMERS Souper Bowl VI:

Soup cook-off and competition for best soups in North Mecklenburg and South Iredell areas. Noon. Lilly Family Gallery, Davidson College, 320 N. Main St., Davidson. $10 for adults, $8 for students, $4 for children. For tickets call Davidson Housing Coalition, 704-892-4486. www.davidsonhousing.org.