Arts Agenda 

Arts at the Abbey A concert by Carolina Pro Musica. Tue., April 8, 8 p.m. Free. Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-334-3468.

Chatham Baroque Music from Baroque Spain and Latin America. Tue., April 8, 7:30 p.m. $15. George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center, Wingate University. 704-233-8300.

Ensemble Series: Chamber Singers & Jazz Voices Two vocal ensembles present a concert of contrasting styles of vocal music. Tue., April 15, 8 p.m. Free. Barnes Recital Hall, Winthrop U, Rock Hill. 803-323-2108.

French Organ Music The program consists of organ solo compositions by Cesar Franck, Marcel Dupre, Jehan Alain & Jean Langlais. Sun., April 6, 3 p.m. Free. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 501 Pine St., Fort Mill. 803-547-5968.

Israel in Egypt The North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, NCSA Cantata Singers and the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale present George Frideric Handel's oratorio. Sat., April 12, 7:30 p.m. $10 adults, $5 students and seniors. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 336-721-1945.

Jazz & Classical Essentials Sunday Brunch Borders will be playing jazz and classical music from their essential catalogs. Coffee and pastry provided. Sundays, 1-3 p.m. Free. Borders, Morrocroft, 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-6261.

Mostly Mozart & Neighborhood Concerts Presented by the Charlotte Symphony. Featuring brass music of the Renaissance and chamber orchestra works of the Baroque era. Wed., April 2, 7:30 p.m. $10. University Park Baptist Church, 6029 Beatties Ford Road. 704-972-2000.

Mostly Mozart & Neighborhood Concerts Presented by the Charlotte Symphony. Featuring brass music of the Renaissance and chamber orchestra works of the Baroque era. Thu., April 3, 7:30 p.m. $10. Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-972-2000.

Mozart Piano Concerto The Charlotte Symphony Classics concert features pianist Stewart Goodyear and the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte. April 11-12, 8 p.m. $12-$60. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland Presented by Carolinas Concert Association. Featuring pianist John O'Conor. Tue., April 8, 8 p.m. $25-$65. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Providence Recital Series Schubert's Quintet in C Major and music for oboe and organ featuring Hollis Ulaky and Len Langrick. Sun., April 13, 7 p.m. Free. Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd. 704-366-7442.

Spring Choral Concert Presented by the Queens University of Charlotte Chamber Singers at Belk Chapel. Wed., April 9, 8 p.m. Free. Queens University, 1900 Selwyn Ave. 704-337-2213.

The Winthrop Symphonic Band Held in Byrnes Auditorium. Wed., April 9, 8 p.m. Free. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2399.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Extreme Improv. Live improvised comedy created from your suggestions. Visit www.extremeimprov.com for more information. Call for reservations. Saturdays, 8 p.m. $5. 1958 E 7th St. 1-800-467-7681.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Bill Cosby. This legendary comedian will put on two performances in the Belk Theater held in conjunction with the United Negro College Fund Gala. Fri., April 4, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Limited number of tickets may be available on day-of-show: $25-$45. 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

The Comedy Zone 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. Bobcat Goldthwait. April 4-5. $18.50. 516 N. College St., Wed. & Thurs.- 8pm, Fri. & Sat.- 8pm, 10:15pm. Visit www.thecomedyzone.net. 704-348-4242.

The Perch Theatre Perch Comedy. Cheerfully offending Charlotte since 1994. Showtimes are 9pm, 11pm, & 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. The 9pm show is non-smoking. The Talking Baby Talk Show is every Thursday at 9:30pm. Performances are rated R for verbal content. www.theperch.com. Fri., Sat. $10/$9 with students/military I.D. 1500 B. Central Ave. 704-372-7724.

Dance

Innovative Works Featuring new works by North Carolina Dance Theatre artists and nationally acclaimed choreographers. Performed in Booth Playhouse. April 3, 7:30 p.m.; April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 10, 7:30 p.m.; April 11-12, 8 p.m. $17-$26. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Spring Dance Central presents their semester concert. April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 2:30 p.m. $12. Pease Auditorium, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

Spring Dance Concert: Momentum A mix of choreography created by UNCC dance and theatre faculty. Held in Rowe Theatre. April 2-5, 8 p.m. $5 students; $6 faculty; $10 general public. UNC-Charlotte. 704-687-2599.

Under Egyptian Skies 2: An Evening of Middle Eastern Dance Featuring local and regional performers. Sat., April 5, 8 p.m. Adults, $15; children 12 & under, $5. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. 704-752-8323.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite & American Freedom Bell Expressions from the Palette. The Guild of Charlotte Artists Spring Show. April 6-June 8. Highways & Byways of Our State. Continues through June. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Continues through Sept. 30, 2004. Regular Museum admission. 3500 Shamrock Dr., Between Eastway and Sharon Amity. 704-568-1774.

Gaston County Museum of Art & History Carolinas Textile Exhibit- The Ties That Bind. Tue.-Sun. 131 W. Main St., Dallas. 704-852-6025.

Hickory Museum of Art Norman Rockwell. Lithographs from the Powers Collection. Continues through May 25. 243 3rd Ave. NE, Hickory. 828-327-8576.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. * New South, Old South, Somewhere in Between. Continues through Aug. 7. Pen and Ink Politics: Thomas Nast's Reconstruction-era Cartoons and African American Equality. Continues through Sept. 29. Row Upon Row: Sea Grass Baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Continues through Apr. 20. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Burlon Craig and His Legacy. Continues through Oct. 19. Distant Vistas: Images of Europe from the Mint Museum of Art Collection. Continues through June 1. Edward Hopper: The Paris Years. Continues through June 1. A Salute to Fashion Legend Bill Blass. Continues through April 13. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design Coming of Age. Tue.-Sun. Continues through April 6. Currents In Craft. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. Point of View: Public and Private Collecting Part II. Continues through July 27. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.

Museum of York County All About Cats. Continues through Sept. 14, 2003. Illustrator Vernon Grant: A Century of American Whimsy. Continues through Oct. 5, 2003. Student Art Competition 2003. Continues through Apr. 20. Virtue Leads and Grace Reveals: Embroideries and Education in Antebellum South Carolina. Continues through July 20. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

North Carolina Museum of History Flashback to the 60s. Continues through Sept. 28, 2003. 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-715-0200.

Weatherspoon Art Museum Georgia O'Keeffe from Southern Collections. Continues through Apr. 27. Seeing & Believing: The Art of Nancy Burson. Continues through May 4. Spring Garden & Tate Streets, Greensboro.

Spoken Word

Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mic w/ Jonathan Rice. Thu., April 10, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-548-1133.

Mert's Heart and Soul Uptown Saturday Nite. Musical performances, spoken word artists, poets and an open mic contest. Every second and last Saturday of the month at 11pm. $7 cover. 214 N. College St. 704-623-0058.

Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church Creative Currents Coffeehouse. A celebration of original art, music and poetry. Sat., April 5, 7-10:30 p.m. Free, but donations welcome. 9704 Mallard Creek Rd. 704-510-0008.

Southend Performing Arts Center BareBones Poetry Project. SPAC will feature regional authors reading selections of their poetry, short stories and performance poetry. Third Tuesday of every month, 8 p.m. 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Swing 1000 Rhythm Theory Tuesdays. Enjoy open mic poetry, music, and dancing. Doors open at 6pm. Poetry begins at 7:30pm. Tuesdays. Free before 7:15pm. 1000 Central Ave. 704-334-4443.

Tea Rex Teahouse Poetry Open Mic w/ Jonathan Rice. Fri., April 4, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Theater: Openings

9 x 9 @ 9 Highlighting works of local playwrights, directors and actors with nine plays, each nine minutes long, beginning at 9pm. April 11-12. $9. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-376-3777.

African Tales of Earth & Sky A collection of fables from West Africa. April 4, 7:30 p.m.; April 5, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.; April 6, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.; April 11, 7:30 p.m.; April 12, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.; April 13, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. $8-$10. Children's Theatre of Charlotte.

Bow the Knee A musical concert and dramatic presentation of the life and times of Jesus and his disciples. April 12, 7 p.m.; April 13, 10 a.m. Pineville Church of the Nazarene, 8614 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-542-3618.

Bus Stop A comedy by William Inge. Presented by Clover Community Theatre. April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 3 p.m.; April 11-12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 3 p.m. Adults, $7; students (through 12th grade) & seniors, $5. Griggs Road Elementary School, Clover, 100 Griggs Rd., Clover. 803-831-1048.

Cirque- Dream It Live An international ensemble of 18 artists exhibit performances of endurance and flexibility. Belk Theater. Sun., April 13, 7:30 p.m. $15-$45. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

The Comedy of Errors A slapstick comedy by William Shakespeare. Presented outdoors under a canopy in the Rowe courtyard. April 16-18, 6 p.m.; April 19, 4 p.m.; April 23-26, 6 p.m.; April 27, 4 p.m. $5 students, $6 faculty, $10 general admission. UNC-Charlotte. 704-687-2599.

An Evening with Christine Lavin Performing in the Hannah Covington McGee Theatre of the George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center. Dinner will begin at 6pm w/ the performance following at 7:30pm. Fri., April 4. Dinner and performance, $35; performance only, $15. Wingate University. 704-233-8300.

I Hate Hamlet A comedy presented by the Mooresville Community Theatre. April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 10-12, 8 p.m. $5. Mooresville Citizens Center, Lake Norman. 704-662-1025.

Little Women directed by Eleanor Wixson, $12 adult $10 student and senior. April 6, 2:30 p.m.; April 10-12, 8:15 p.m. Little Theatre of Gastonia, 238 S. Clay St., P.O. Box 302, Gastonia. 704-865-0160.

Lord of Light NarroWay's production of the Easter story. April 10-12, 8:30 p.m.; April 17-19, 8:30 p.m. $6 advance, $8 day of show, $3 children. King's Arena, Fort Mill, 2175 Gethsemane Ct., Fort Mill. 803-802-2300.

Never the Sinner A contemporary drama based on the events of the Leopold & Loeb murder trial. Apr. 16 is Pay-What-You-Can Night. April 10-12, 8 p.m.; April 16-19, 8 p.m. $12 students, $15 adults. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

Othello The Actor's Gym Theater Company presents this Shakespearean tragedy. April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 7:30 p.m.; April 10, 7:30 p.m.; April 11-12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 7:30 p.m.; April 17, 7:30 p.m.; April 18-19, 8 p.m. $10-$12. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-376-7418.

The Power of His Love Production of the events of the last week of Jesus' life. April 11-12, 7 p.m. Free. Crossroads United Methodist Church, 220 George W. Liles Parkway, Concord. 704-795-0423.

Speed The Plow David Mamet's tale of greed, seduction and betrayal amongst friends. Presented by Inner Voices Theatre Company. April 3-6, 8 p.m.; April 9-12, 8 p.m. $15. Central Avenue Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-502-8423.

Spring Student Production Series A series of one-acts chosen and directed by the students in the Advanced Directing class. Performed in the Black Box Theatre. April 9-10, 7:30 p.m.; April 16-17, 7:30 p.m. $3. Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2135.

Tartuffe A French comedy by Moliere. Held in Johnson Theatre. April 9-12, 8 p.m.; April 13, 2 p.m. $3 w/ Winthrop ID, $7 general admission. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2399.

Without Borders A story of love, loss, unity and hope. Presented by the Moving Poets Theatre of Dance. April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 7 p.m. $8.50-$25. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-527-6683.

Theater: Ongoing

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer The classic tale by Mark Twain. April 3-4, 7:30 p.m.; April 5, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.; April 6, 2 p.m. $6-$9. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews. 704-554-6862.

Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage A farce that mixes hilarity with horror as a modern day monster faces off against the Cowboy Code of the Wild West. Directed by Dennis Delamar. April 2-3, 7:30 p.m.; April 4-5, 8 p.m.; April 6, 2 p.m. $15-$20. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Seussical the Musical Starring Cathy Rigby as The Cat in the Hat. Explore the world of Dr. Seuss as you have never seen it before. April 1-3, 8 p.m.; April 4, 8:15 p.m.; April 5, 2 p.m. & 8:15 p.m.; April 6, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $20-$58. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-372-3600.

Spinning into Butter Presented by Piedmont Players Theatre and Salisbury Orthopaedic Associates, PA. April 2-5, 7:30 p.m. $15 adults; $12 seniors/students; and on Wednesdays admission is $9 for everyone. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. 704-633-5471.

Visual Arts: Openings

Art 1 Gallery A John Biggers Tribute. Featuring David Wilson. April 10-May 23. 170 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 704-854-8800.

Beatties Ford Road Library Images of the Past: Rural Roots of Nellie Ashford. April 7-May 31. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. 704-432-6706.

Charlotte Art League Still Life. Works of various media created by Charlotte Art League members. Artists' reception: April 4, 6-9pm during the First Friday Gallery Crawl. April 2-19. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Christa Faut Gallery Connections. Oil paintings by North Carolina artist Maggie Stewart. Opening reception: Apr. 4, 6-8pm. April 2-30. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Duy Huynh. Paintings. April 14-May 14. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Dalton Gallery Studio Artists Exhibition. Opening reception: April 4, 6-8pm. Continues through April 20. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

ElderArt Gallery Marlies Kaufmann Williams. Paintings by one of the gallery's newest artists. April 4-18. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Galatique Classical Realist James Daniel III. Prints, still lifes & portraits. Opening reception: Apr. 5, 6-10pm. April 5-26. 26 North Main St., Belmont. 704-608-1868.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Byron Baldwin. Photography. A reception will be held on April 4 from 6-8pm. April 4-May 31. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Brian Rutenberg & Milton Bloch. April 5-May 10. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery The Gardener's Diary Annexed. Joan Bankemper. In this one woman show, she steps out of the garden into a conservatory showing vases, ferns and pedestal. Opening reception: April 4, 6:30-8pm. April 4-25. 318 E 9th. 704-373-1464.

Shain Fine Art Originals Josh Grant. Artist from New Zealand. Meet the artist at the opening reception on April 4, 6-9pm. April 4-30. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Winthrop University Galleries 15th Annual Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. Rutledge Gallery. April 10-June 30. Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Exhibition grounds. Sun., April 13, 1-7 p.m. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery The Travelogue Series. Photographs from Greece and Israel by David Neff. An artist reception will be held on April 16, 5:30-7pm. April 1-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Center of the Earth Gallery March/April Exhibition. New paintings by Elizabeth Marin and new wall-mounted sculpture by J. Paul Sires. Continues through April 30. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Public Library (Main Library) The Eye of the Beholder: Charlotte's Photographers and Their Work 1867-1917. Continues through May 17. Franklin Avenue House Series. Architectural photos from Carl Bergman. On display through May 4. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

City Hall Rotunda Gallery Works by Bobbie Ruth Reeves. April 1-30. 155 Johnston St., Rock Hill. 803-329-7000.

Crazy Jane's Local Artists. Works by Ellyn Bernstein, Mike Watson and Rod Wriner. Pottery by Ann Hamilton. Mon.-Sat. 1817 Hawkins Street. 704-332-5454.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Robert Langford & Theron Michael Ross. Paintings by Langford and sculpture by Ross. Continues through Apr. 12. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Davidson College Excerpts. Photo paper-based works of Marco Breuer. Exhibited in the William H. Van Every Gallery of the Kat and Tom Belk Visual Arts Center. Continues through Apr. 16. Davidson. 704-892-8528.

ElderArt Gallery The Art of Food. Fifteen artists present their interpretation of food as art. Continues through Apr. 12. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

The Evening Muse Aaron Tucker. Paintings. Continues through mid-May. 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Christopher Terry: Remembered Interiors. Continues through April 26. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Tom Stanley and Thomas Sayre. Continues through Apr. 26. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

The Light Factory 21st Annual Benefit Art Auction Preview. Local, regional and nationally recognized artists donate artwork to support The Light Factory's exhibitions and educational programs. Continues through Apr. 17. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McGregor Downs Gallery Various Artists. Featuring works by Elaine Rockey and Guillaume Azoulay. Continues through April 30. Leslie von Pongracz. Continues through Apr. 30. 10801 Johnston Rd., Suite 219. 704-333-6699.

Microcosm Gallery Myths & Mortals. Exhibition of paintings by Justin Rivenbark. Continues through May 8. 300 N. College St. #101. 704-641-4256.

Myersart Gallery Fire Dinnerware Sets. Featuring works by Amy Hunt, Kim Frazier, Kim Chapman, Sandra Delonis, Linda Dalton and John and Jan Myers. Hosting "The Wedding Party" on Apr. 4 to introduce the show. April. 1510 Camden Road. 704-790-2529.

Noel Gallery Arthur Gonzalez 1983-2003: Twenty Years Twenty Questions. Continues through Apr. 29. Transamerica Square, 401 N. Tryon St. 704-343-0050.

Pope's Gallery Louise Pinto. Still lifes and landscapes in oil [Myers Park]. April 1-30. Margaret Aycock. Turn-of-the-century images in oil [Arboretum]. April 1-30. 8016-900 Providence Rd. and 1035 Providence Rd. 704-541-3199 or 704-342-1774.

Stewart's Village Gallery American Crafts. Featuring pottery by Bill Stewart, Sylvia Coppola, Lambeth Marshall & Bill Campbell. Daily. 116 McDonald St., Waxhaw. 704-843-5638.

W.D.O. The Nature of Things/ Things of Nature. Featuring works in various media by Fong Choo, Ed Bing Lee, Valerie Mitchell, Jim Sams, Ken Sedberry, Ron Slagle and Jacques Vesery. A reception will be held April 4, 6-8pm. April 1-26. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.