Arts Agenda 

Angela Dimitriou From the forefront of Greek popular music, Dimitriou will perform with her 15 piece orchestra. Sun., April 7, 8 p.m. $60 in advance, $65 at the door. Palomino Club, 9607 Albemarle Rd. 704-904-7846 or 704-904-9094.

Impromptu! Takes It to the Limit...One more time! a tribute of rock hits from the 60's and 70's. The music you grew up with in a fully-staged tribute to classic rock. April 6, 8 p.m.; April 7, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. $14 in advance, $16 at the door. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-374-1564.

Kathy Mattea w/The Charlotte Symphony Grammy Award-winning Kathy Mattea will perform with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Guest Conductor Albert-George Schram will feature some of her hit country singles as well as ballads from her folk and bluegrass roots. April 12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 8 p.m. $15-$55. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

The Lower Silesia Folk Song & Dance Group from Wroclaw, Poland. The show is lively and varied with exquisite costumes some dating back as far as 100 years. Sat., April 6, 8:15 p.m. $20. Queens College, 1900 Selwyn Ave. 704-337-2213.

Magic Circle Mime Company w/The Charlotte Symphony David Tang and the CSO along with the Magic Circle Mime Company educate the audience about the art of listening through humor and music in a Charlotte Symphony Lollipops concert designed for children ages 4-9, their parents and grandparents. Tue., April 16, 10 a.m. $6-$16. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Orchestra Lumiere a professional chamber ensemble based in Davidson, NC. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. Sun., April 7, 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church - Statesville, Statesville. 704-894-2356.

Providence United Methodist Church Recital Series Musicians from the Charlotte Symphony perform Olivier Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, written during his incarceration in a Nazi prison camp in 1941. Sun., April 14, 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd. 704-366-7442.

Robert Blocker concert pianist and dean of the Yale University School of Music will perform in Rowe Recital Hall. Sun., April 7, 3 p.m. $10 for the general public. UNC-Charlotte. 704-687-3315.

Comedy

Comedy Zone Scott Angrave and Brad Carver. England's funniest export invades the Charlotte Zone. His easy charm and dry British wit are a Charlotte favorite. Co-headlining is Brad Carver, energized Southern comedy at its best. April 3; April 4; April 5; April 6. Call for prices. Billy D. Washington. One of the hottest acts around Billy is a veteran of the road, TV and movies. USA Today calls him a standout performer in the world of comedy. His credits include HBO, NBC Friday Night Videos, VH-1 and a host of others. Catch one of tomorrows stars today. April 10; April 11; April 12; April 13. Tommy Davidson. Movie star, comedian and Pizza Hut spokesman. April 12, 8 p.m. & 10:15 p.m.; April 13, 7 p.m.,9 p.m. & 11 p.m. Friday shows $20, Saturday shows $22.50. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

The Perch Theatre Perch Comedy. Cheerfully offending Charlotte since 1994. Located at 1500 Central Ave., 2nd floor. Showtimes are 9pm and 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. There is also a late show on Saturdays at 1am. Performances are rated R for verbal content. www.theperch.com. Fri., Sat. $10/$8 for students with I.D. Extreme Improv. Completely improvised shows every Saturday at 7pm. Similar to "Who's Line Is It Anyway?". Call 866-Improv1 or see website at www.extremeimprov.com. Improv classes ongoing. Saturdays, 7 p.m. $8. 1500 B. Central Ave.

Dance

* Innovative Works The next wave of contemporary dance, in two parts. Each program showcases the works of five choreographers and offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience a broad range of dance styles and contemporary choreography in one evening. Program A: Two For One, Jardi Tancat, Threshold, Clowns and Others. Program B: World Premiere, Two For One, Kamtarie, Elvis Has Left The Building, Company B. April 3, 6:30 p.m.; April 4, 8 p.m.; April 5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 8 p.m.; April 10, 6:30 p.m.; April 11, 8 p.m.; April 12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 8 p.m. $18-$25. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Spartacus performed by the Grigorovich Ballet Company. Tue., April 9, 8 p.m. $25-$75. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-527-6680.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite & American Freedom Bell Community of Faiths: The Spiritual and Religious Heritage of the Carolinas Piedmont. exhibit explores the impact of religion, faith-based institutions, and spiritual traditions on the region from early Native American villages to the present; includes gallery depicting the life, career and worldwide influence of Charlotte native son, Billy Graham. Tue.-Sun. Raising The Roof: Barns of Our State. A photographic collaboration between the museum and Our State: North Carolina Magazine exploring a vanishing icon of the rural and agricultural South - the old wooden barn. Tue.-Sun. 3500 Shamrock Dr., Between Eastway and Sharon Amity. 704-568-1774.

* Levine Museum of the New South Carolina Victorian - Rediscovering the New South's First Architecture. Celebrating the richness of this era which extended from the exterior to the interior, Carolina Victorian treats visitors to photographs of NC Victorian Landmarks, furnished Victorian rooms, scenes of Charlotte from 1905 versus today, and a dollhouse that replicates the tiniest details of a Victorian home. Mon.-Sun. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

* Mint Museum of Art Art Glass: The Collection of Marjorie and Robert McDorman. Brilliant and elegant examples of art glass from the guilded age. Ranges from small vases and plates to much larger urns and lamps. Included are works from all of the major glassmakers of the period: Galle, Daum, Loetz, Tiffany, Carder, Steuben, Durand and Quezal among others. Mon.-Sun. Continues through June 16. The Gilded Age: Treasures from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. An insightful look, through 60 art masterpieces, into the era in which America assumed a leading role on the world stage. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 21. Pierre Joseph Redoute: A Man Passionate About Flowers. a presentation of 24 nineteenth century botanical hand-colored engravings from Redoute's most renowned works, Les Lilacees and Les Roses, from public and private collections. Mon.-Sun. Continues through July 28. Pierre-Joseph Redoute: A Man Passionate About Flowers. in honor of botanist Andre Michaux. Mon.-Sun. Continues through July 14. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.

Spoken Word

23 Studio/Pat's Tavern Open Mic Spoken Word Poetry Night. a chance for all local poets, drummers and entertainers to come showcase their talent. After each poetry session you can stay and listen to DJ Live and an up and coming musical act to follow. There will also be local incense, oil, art and jewelry vendors at the event. Thursdays. $5 before 10:30pm, $10 thereafter. 3209 N. Davidson St. 704-370-6107.

Crystal on the Plaza Reggae Club Wisdom Wednesdays. at Crystal on the Plaza Reggae Club, 3018 The Plaza Rd. Open Mic, Spoken Word, Poetry and other conscious thoughts and expressions. Word, Sound & Power...Roots, Culture & Knowledge. Hosted by Aquiyla and Nina, MC by Filmore, Musical Innervissions by DJ DR and DJ Justice. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. 3018 The Plaza. 704-376-3799.

The Hungry Duck City Lit. Featuring 6 of Charlottes most prized poets, each unique and powerful. Two open mic sessions, before and after featured poets. Featuring: Filmore Johnson of Rhythm Theory, Kristen Foster, Andell McCoy, Exodus, Brian LeBrasseur, and Michelle Parks. More information? www.citylit.net. Sat., April 6, 7-10 p.m. $2 at the door. 607 W. 5th St., next door to Hart Witzen Gallery.

Theater: Openings

9 x 9 @ 9 The popular series returns. The spring presentation contains adult content and is not appropriate for children. Featured playwrights are Laura Pfizenmayer, Skip Morgan, Sam Post, Ann Marie Oliva, Michael Davidson, Douglas Andre Welton, Terri Collin, Terry Roueche, and Alexander Speer. April 12, 9 p.m.; April 13, 9 p.m. $9. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-334-9128.

The Barber of Seville presented by Opera Carolina. April 4, 8 p.m.; April 6, 8 p.m.; April 7, 2 p.m. $12-$50. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Clue: The Musical based on the popular Parker Brothers board game, this rousing, fun filled musical brings the world's best-known mystery suspects to life on the stage and invites the audience to play along while solving the mystery. April 12, 7:30 p.m.; April 13, 7:30 p.m.; April 19, 7:30 p.m.; April 20, 7:30 p.m. $10. Wingate University. 704-289-7000.

Faith County Play. April 12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 8 p.m.; April 18, 8 p.m.; April 19, 8 p.m.; April 20, 8 p.m. $5. Mooresville Community Theatre, 215 North Main St., Mooresville. 704-662-1025.

Fiddler on the Roof the world's most beloved musical is back on tour with a celebrated new production starring Theodore Bikel as the quintessential Tevye, the humble milkman who struggles to preserve his family traditions in the face of a changing world. April 9, 8 p.m.; April 10, 8 p.m.; April 11, 8 p.m.; April 12, 8:15 p.m.; April 13, 2 p.m. & 8:15 p.m.; April 14, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $20-$58. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-522-6500.

Let Your Children Tell the story of the Holocaust told in the words of five young people who experienced it. Wed., April 10. Free and open to the public. Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road. 704-944-6764.

Miss Firecracker Contest by Beth Henley. April 4, 8 p.m.; April 5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 8 p.m.; April 11, 8 p.m.; April 12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 8 p.m. $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

Steel Magnolias a great southern comedy. April 4, 7:30 p.m.; April 5, 7:30 p.m.; April 6, 7:30 p.m.; April 7, 2:30 p.m.; April 10, 7:30 p.m.; April 11, 7:30 p.m.; April 12, 7:30 p.m.; April 13, 7:30 p.m. $9 on Wednesday, otherwise $14 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. 704-633-5471.

Threepenny Opera one of Bertolt Brecht's best loved and most performed plays. April 10, 8 p.m.; April 11, 8 p.m.; April 12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 8 p.m.; April 14, 2 p.m.; April 17, 8 p.m.; April 18, 8 p.m.; April 19, 8 p.m.; April 20, 8 p.m. $10 general public. UNC-Charlotte. 704-687-2599.

Vo-Du Macbeth A reading of a new choreo-drama based on the WPA Federal Theater's production of Vou-Dou Macbeth, a landmark work which was directed by Orson Welles and premiered in Harlem, NY in 1936. The work transports Shakespeare's classic tragedy from the pastoral Scottish Highlands to the teeming Congo Square of post-Civil War New Orleans. April 11, 7:30 p.m.; April 12, 7:30 p.m.; April 13, 7:30 p.m. $3. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565 ext. 33.Theater: Ongoing* Book of Days The Actor's Theatre of Charlotte presents Lanford Wilson's award winning play. March 27, 7:30 p.m.; March 28, 7:30 p.m.; March 29, 8 p.m.; March 30, 8 p.m.; April 2, 7:30 p.m.; April 3, 7:30 p.m.; April 4, 7:30 p.m.; April 5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 8 p.m.; April 10, 7:30 p.m.; April 11, 7:30 p.m.; April 12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 8 p.m.; April 14, 2 p.m. $14-$18, opening night tickets are $9, April 2 is pay what you can night. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

* Quidam Directed by Franco Dragone, Quidam transforms an anonymous world into a place of hope and connection. Run of Engagement continues with the following showtimes: Monday-dark Tuesday/Wednesday-8pm Thursday/Friday-5pm and 9pm Saturday-4pm and 8pm Sunday-1pm and 5pm. $45-$65 for adults, $31.50-$45.50 for children, $40.50-$58.50 for students (13-17 years of age) and seniors (65+ years of age). Lowes Motor Speedway. 1-800-678-5440.

* Terra Nova a historical account of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's race to the South Pole and his ultimate death. Wonderfully lyrical piece by Ted Tally based on Scott's actual journals found with his body which recounts a tale of courage and individual sacrifice. March 28, 8 p.m.; March 29, 8 p.m.; March 30, 8 p.m.; April 4, 8 p.m.; April 5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 8 p.m.; April 7, 2:30 p.m. $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews. 704-455-8542.

Visual Arts: OpeningsArt Institute of Charlotte Gallery Student Projects. Featuring student work from all four programs - Interior Design, Fashion Marketing, Graphic Design and Multimedia & Web Design. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through April 27. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Charlotte Mariott City Center Jerry Garcia/A Visual Journey. Artistic styles include realism, surrealism, neo-impressionism, geometric abstraction, as well as a strong penchant for cartooon-like takeoffs on such disparate subjects as dragons, vampires, politicians, and himself. April 6, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; April 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 100 W. Trade St. 704-333-9000.

Hart-Witzen Gallery Issue. an exhibition by 6 emerging artists featuring installation art, sculpture, photograpy, painting and silversmith. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 20. 611 W. 5th St. 704-334-1177.

Shain Fine Art Originals Geoffrey Johnson. Atlanta based artist. Mon.-Sun. Continues through May 11. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

The Queen's Gallery and Art Center Novelty Open House. Featuring works by: Penny Adkins, Warren Burgess, Robert Crum, James Daniel, Marilyn Dix, Drew Gatlin, Cindy Glenn, Meredith Green, Charles Kapsner, Vicky Kaseorg, Danny Malboeuf, Cathy Melesh, Julia Ralston, Mark Spangenberg, Fred Sprock, and Terry Thirion. Wed., April 3, 5-8 p.m. 1212 The Plaza. 704-372-2993.

Wrightnow Gallery Decade. Charlotte's Eclipse Art Group bids farewell to Wrightnow Gallery with a 2-month exhibit of art by the founding members. Wrightnow will close for good in June. Mon.-Sun. Continues through May 31. 3205 N. Davidson St. 704-554-8093.

Visual Arts: OngoingAfro-American Cultural Center High Cotton/Twenty Third Psalms Exhibit. Artists' Schroeder Cherry and Alec Simpson use a variety of technizues to explore the inner self in this exhibition. "High Cotton" is the metaphor used to describe the elements and experiences African-Americans had to endure to succeed in life. "Twenty-Third Psalms" is a reflection of the Lord's Prayer used to express African-American creativity and spiritual growth. Tue.-Sun. Continues through May 5. Leather as Art Exhibit. Artists, Terrance Hill and Marvin Sin mastered this unique technique of pulling and stretching leather to create powerful images that are not only pleasing to the eye, but also sensitive to the touch. Tue.-Sun. Continues through May 5. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Blue Pony Gallery & Press Horizons. recent paintings by Jan Kinslowe. Large abstract paintings that are distillations of landscape-based settings resulting in images that are atmospheric and ephemeral. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 27. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.

Center of the Earth Gallery The New Realism: 4th Annual Realism Invitational. will feature works by Robert Azank, Anthony Schepis, Joseph Hronek, Carol Lee Thompson, Rebecca Fagg, and Katherine Grossfeld. Mon.-Fri. Continues through April 27. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Collage. members will display one to three of their collages in any medium. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 30. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Christa Faut Gallery Clay - Ancient Inspirations. solo exhibition of recent clay sculpted vessels by Clara Couch. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 9. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

CPCC Art Gallery Lines and Shadows. Poetry by Rebecca Schenck and Photography by Gordon Schenck. Mon.-Fri. Continues through April 5. P.O. Box 35009. 704-330-6480.

Elder Art Gallery Men On Art. will feature the work of four accomplished Southeastern artists. Carl Blair, Jim Creal, Paul Ladnier, and Wayne Trapp will provide new work to demonstrate diverse artistic styles. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 3. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Gallery L

Portraits from the Golden Age of Jazz: Photographs by William P. Gottlieb. Exhibit features over 70 images of jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. These pictures have been featured on album covers, CD covers, postage stamps and in television documentaries and major motion pictures. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 21. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Green Door Gallery Group Show. featuring the original watercolors, drawings, prints, pastels and mixed media by Ken Hillberry. Paintings by Jennie Martin Tomlin, Marcel Bourbonniere, Hadassa Falson, Pottery by Kirk Argo, Norma Velazques-Frink, Carol Weston, Sculpture by Chase Winfield, Jeff Tudor, Fiber design by Peggy Luey, Functional Wood Design by Michael Brown and Stained Glass design by Kym Cress. Mon.-Sat. 221 West A St., Cannon Village, Kannapolis. 704-932-0099.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Modernist Mind & Mystical Spirit. works on paper by Oscar Bluemner. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 20. A Certain Slant of Light. new oil paintings and watercolors by Thomas McNickle. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 20. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

McColl Center for Visual Art's Spirit Square Gallery What's New. Works by two curators and 25 selected artists. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 15. 345 N. College St. 704-332-5535.

Microcosm Gallery Group Exhibition. of painters inculding John Haskins, Marilynn Fairchild, Scott Avett, Daniel Sztyber, Nina Verbuk and Alexander Sudakov. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 1. 300 N. College St. #101. 704-618-6568.

Pope's Gallery Dorothy Shoemaker. featuring picturesque landscapes in oil. Also exhibiting many original works by other local and regional artists. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 30. Beth Goldston. featuring pastels depicting landscapes of Eastern North Carolina. Also exhibiting other original works of art by local and regional artists. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 30. 8016-900 Providence Rd. and 1035 Providence Rd. 704-541-3199 or 704-342-1774.

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art Nikki Blair: After The Instrument. From the complexities of the bio-tech industry to cosmetic surgery and prosthetics, according to the artists, we as a society have engaged in analyzing and re-structuring our bodies to the extent that scientific innovation will allow. Blair's work follows this banal practice to its extreme end and suggests the bizarre consequences of a world where our bodies are fragmented and possibly no longer able to be reassembled. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 13. Picture Show. the works of James Casebere - a three part exhibition based on the relationship of photography and cinematography. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 14. Photo + Video + Drawing = William Wegman. Features close to thirty years of Wegman's work in other media such as video, drawing, and altering his own and found photographs and postcards. In conjunction with the exhibit SECCA will present a selection of Wegman's videos including the U.S. premiere of his two most resent works, Reels 8 & 9. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 12. 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904.

Van Every Gallery at Davidson College Multimedia Project On Display. from Genecorp, leading the industry in developing genetically improved species of fish and other aquatic animals, even humans. The public presentation will feature detailed schematics of current Genecorp projects as well as a full-scale diorama of the Pack-Hunting Catfish. Viewers will also be able to observe the Aqua Sapien, Genecorp's experimental solution to the current problem of over population and human destruction of our fragile terrestrial ecosystems. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 21. Davidson. 704-894-2519.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Cultures Revealed: Appliques from Around the World. Exhibition featuring traditional 20th century fiber handcraft from cultures throughout the world. Mon.-Sun. Continues through April 7. Salisbury. 704-636-1882. *