R – How to show a simple list of events in a content query webpart in SharePoint 2007

I believe you need to create a Site Column instead of a custom column within the list. You would then need to add that site column to your list. Here's how:

1. Select Site Actions->Site Settings.
2. In the Galleries column, select "Site Columns"
3. Click "Create"
4. Enter in the relevant information.
5. In your list, goto Settings -> List Settings.
6. Select "Add from existing site columns"
7. Add your column to the list.
8. In your list, add data to the column as needed.
9. Back on the page showing your CQWP, modify the shared part.
10. Select Presentation. Under Group items by, select your site column.

SharePoint recurring events are tricky. This post is the single best resource for understanding the mess of recurring events

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I don't think you're going to be able to do this in a CEWP but you can get the recurrences using something like

    SPList list = oSPWeb.GetList(listGuid);
    SPQuery query = new SPQuery();
    query.ExpandRecurrence = true;
    query.CalendarDate = new DateTime(2010, 6, 17);

    query.Query = "<Where><DateRangesOverlap><FieldRef Name=\"EventDate\" /><FieldRef Name=\"EndDate\" /><FieldRef Name=\"RecurrenceID\" /><Value Type=\"DateTime\"><Week /></Value></DateRangesOverlap></Where>";
    SPListItemCollection listItems = list.GetItems(query);
    foreach (SPListItem items in listItems)
    {
        // items["EventDate"].ToString()
    }

Then you will get recurring and non-recurring events that occur this week.

But beware that this is designed to be used by the calendar view so if you do, for example,

query.CalendarDate = new DateTime(2010, 6, 17);
query.Query = "<Where><DateRangesOverlap><FieldRef Name=\"EventDate\" /><FieldRef Name=\"EndDate\" /><FieldRef Name=\"RecurrenceID\" /><Value Type=\"DateTime\"><Month /></Value></DateRangesOverlap></Where>";

(Notice the Month setting) then you will get all events that should appear on this months calendar view - that is 31st May 2010 to 4th July 2010.