Arts Agenda 

Charlotte Symphony Season Debut Music Director Christof Perick and musicians of the Charlotte Symphony take center stage on opening night in the Belk Theater. California composer Donald Crockett will unveil Blue Earth, commissioned by the Charlotte Symphony. Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; Sept. 28, 8 p.m. $12-60. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Chestnut Brass Presented by Friends of Music. Sat., Oct. 5, 8:15 p.m. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-337-2213.

Emanuel Ax Gala The Charlotte Symphony presents Grammy-winning artist, Emanuel Ax. The evening features Beethoven's Pastorale Symphony and Emperor Concerto. Sat., Oct. 5, 8 p.m. $40-75. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Emile Pandolfi Pandolfi is a classically trained pianist who has been performing professionally for more than 25 years. This performance is the first of five performances in the CSDA Performing Arts Series. Thu., Oct. 3, 8 p.m. $15, $40 for season tickets. Clover School District Auditorium, 1625 Highway 55 East, Clover. 803-222-8018.

First Tuesday Concert Series These free chamber music concerts are presented in a sanctuary setting on the first Tuesday of each month from September through May. Upcoming: String Quartet, Opus 59, #1 Rasumovsky by Ludwig van Beethoven. Tue., Oct. 1, 12:10 p.m. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 115 W. 7th St. 704-335-0009.

North Carolina Symphony The Symphony will perform in the Hannah Covington McGee Theatre of the George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center. For tickets, call the Wingate University Box Office between 1-4pm, Monday through Friday. Tue., Oct. 8, 8 p.m. $20. Wingate University. 704-233-8300.

Recital Kathleen Colwell-not much work soprano, Audrey McConnell- organ, piano, and harpsichord, Todd Hoffman- trumpet. Music of Scarlatti, J.S. Bach, Chopin, and R. Schumann. Sun., Oct. 6, 4 p.m. Admission is free. St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 3200 Park Rd. 704-393-8299.

Violinist, Janice Martin Martin has won several major violin competitions, including the 2001 Lena Na International Competition. Part of the Davidson College Concert Series. Thu., Sept. 26, 8 p.m. $10 students and senior citizens, $15 general public, or $40 for the four-event series. Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2135.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Extreme Improv. Completely improvised comedy shows based on your suggestions. Similar to "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" See our website at www.extremeimprov.com for details/reservations. Saturdays, 7 p.m. 1958 E 7th St. 1-866-467-7681.

*The Perch Theatre Perch Comedy. Cheerfully offending Charlotte since 1994. Showtimes are 9pm, 11pm, on Friday and Saturday nights, and an additional show on Saturdays at 1am. The 9pm show is non-smoking. The Talking Baby Talk Show will return from vacation on Oct. 3 with a new format. Performances are rated R for verbal content. www.theperch.com. Fri., Sat. $10/$8 for students with I.D. 1500 B. Central Ave. 704-372-7724.

Psychotic Pooch Live Sketch Comedy and Improv. Comedy rated NC-17 for situations and content. Large group rates available. Call for reservations, directions or more info. DJ after-party every Saturday. Fri., Sat., 11 p.m. 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

The Comedy Zone Mike Veneman with Mo Lexander and D. Cameron. Sept. 25-26. College Night and "SIN" (Service Industry Workers) Night. Get free admission for the 8pm show and with your Comedy Zone ticket, get in free to Have a Nice Day Cafe. Wednesdays. Celebrity Performance- Tommy Chong. Tommy Chong, star of That 70's Show and of Cheech and Chong fame, is coming to the Comedy Zone with opening act Shelby Chong. Sept. 27; Sept. 28. $20 per ticket. 516 N. College St., Wed. & Thurs.- 8pm, Fri. & Sat.- 8pm, 10:15pm. 704-348-4242.

Dance

Ballet Hispanico These 12 dancers add a little funk to classical ballet with the hip swivels and head pops of Latin dance. Belk Theater. Purchase tickets by phone or online at www.blumenthalcenter.org. Sun., Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. $15-$40. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Hansel and Gretel The Charlotte Youth Ballet presents this classic fairytale at the Matthews Community Center Theater. Call the Charlotte Youth Ballet for tickets. Sept. 26 & 27 are seniors/school performances and Sept. 28 is for the general public. Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.; Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.; Sept. 28, 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. $12 adults, $6 children. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews. 704-366-5133.

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.

Club Myxx Organik Funk. Hip-Hop, Spoken Word open mic. Sundays, 9 p.m. $5. 3110 S. Tryon St. 704-623-0058.