Arts Agenda 

Broadway Bon Voyage Presented by Carolina Voices. Featuring the Mainstage Choir, jazz ensemble IMPROMPTU!, the Eddy Mabry Dancers and a live orchestra. May 9-10, 8 p.m.; May 10-11, 3 p.m. $20-$25. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Celebrate Life The Youth Choir of Myers Park Baptist Church presents a fully staged and choreographed musical. Sun., May 11, 11 a.m. Free. 704-372-5150 ext. 29.

Charlotte Youth Chamber Strings The premiere concert will include works by Shostakovich, Saint-Saens, Mozart, and a local composer. Fri., May 9, 8pm. St. Martins Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St. Free. 704-820-0445.

Concert on the Green Series The Gaston Symphonic Orchestra. Sun., May 18, 6-8 p.m. Davidson Town Green. 704-892-4440.

Ein Deutsches Requiem Chancel Choir and members of Charlotte Symphony present this classic piece of work from Johannes Brahms. Myers Park Baptist Church. Sun., May 18, 5 p.m. Free. 704-334-7232 ext. 29.

Everybody's Welcome A multi-media presentation by the Children's Choir of Myers Park Baptist Church celebrating its 60th anniversary. Wed., May 21, 6:45 p.m. Myers Park Baptist Church. 704-334-7232 ext. 29.

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.

Providence Recital Series Final concert of the season features music by Joseph Kuffner, Jean-Michel Damase & Samuel Barber. Sun., May 11, 7 p.m. Free. Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd. 704-333-9536.

Push Pastor Osco E. Gardin, Jr. & The Elizabeth Fellowship Choir. Sat., May 10, 7 p.m. $20. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

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.

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. Mike Mesmer "Eyes". May 7-10. 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.

Southend Performing Arts Center Late Night Improv. Co-produced by Extreme Improv and Bare Bones Theater. Featuring the Desperate for Attention Players. Saturdays, 11 p.m. $5 at the door. 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Dance

Cinderella Presented by the North Carolina Dance Theatre. Also featuring Dwight Rhoden's Verge. Performed in Belk Theater. May 8, 7:30 p.m.; May 9-10, 8 p.m.; May 10-11, 2 p.m. $10-$55. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite & American Freedom Bell Expressions from the Palette. The Guild of Charlotte Artists Spring Show. Continues through 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.

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. The People of Highway 601: Life in the Slow Lane. Opening reception: May 2, 5-8pm. May 2-June 12. 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. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design Constructing Elozua: A Retrospective. Ceramics, photography, 3-D computer-generated artwork & sculpture. May 10-Aug. 3. 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. 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 MFA 2003: The Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. May 4-June 1. Spring Garden & Tate Streets, Greensboro.

Spoken Word

AFRO AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER The Word. An event featuring storytellers, poets, emcees and vocalists. May 10, 7pm. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Jackson's Java Jonathan Rice. Poetry open mic. Thu., May 8, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.

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.

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.

Talley's Cafe Verde Peace Night at Talley's. Open mic for musicians, artists, poets and storytellers. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. Donations welcome. 1408 E. Blvd. 704-953-1326.

Wine Basket Word of Mouth Performers. New performance poetry group. Beer & wine available; snacks provided. Fri., May 9, 8 p.m. Free. 830 Lamar Ave. 704-875-6112.

Theater: Openings

Hansel & Gretel and A Little Princess Presented by The Community School of Theatre. Directed by Adyana de la Torre. May 10, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.; May 11, 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. $7 students; $10 adults. Mooresville Citizens Center, Lake Norman. 980-721-4824.

Harry the Dirty Dog Presented by the Tarradiddle Players. May 10, 3 p.m.; May 17, 3 p.m. $8-$10. Children's Theatre of Charlotte.

Orpheus and Eurydice Presented by the CPCC Opera Theatre. May 16-17, 8 p.m.; May 18, 2:30 p.m. $12. Pease Auditorium, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

Stop Kiss A contemporary stunner about love, self-realization and the results of one first kiss. Guest director, Joanna Gerdy. May 8-10, 8 p.m.; May 14-17, 8 p.m.; May 22-24, 8 p.m. $12 students; $15 adults. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

Streetcar Named Desire A Theatre West production. This play may not be suitable for children under 12. May 8-9, 6:30 p.m. $3 at the door. West Mecklenburg High School, 7400 Tuckaseegee Rd. 704-394-9582.

Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends A Victory Pictures/CAST production. The director and cast are all ordained ministers and are offering to perform weddings after the show. May 8-10, 8 p.m.; May 14-17, 8 p.m.; May 22-24, 8 p.m. Free. Reservations recommended. Central Avenue Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-451-4155.

Theater: Ongoing

Don't Dress For Dinner A farce by Marc Camoletti. May 1-18. All Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm. All Sunday matinee shows at 3pm. $15 adults, $12 students. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

The Foreigner by Larry Shue, $12 adult $8 children under 12. May 8-10, 8 p.m. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.

Man of La Mancha A musical based on Cevantes' Don Quixote. May 1-3, 8-11 & 15-18. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2:30pm. $15-$20. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-376-3777.

Visual Arts: Openings

Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College Lambeth W. Marshall. Ceramic. May 7-June 20. Rauch Science and Fine Arts Bldg., Dallas Campus, 201 Highway 321 South, Gastonia.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Robert Motherwell. Works on Paper. May 17-July 12. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

Oasis Shriners Temple Annual Spring Pottery Sale. More than 40 artists will present their work. Sponsored by the Carolina Claymatters Pottery Guild. Sat., May 10. 604 Doug Mayes Blvd. 704-563-7766.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Afro-American Cultural Center Bridging Cultures: From Africa to Latin America. Annual Juried Exhibition. Over 30 original pieces of work from 14 local, regional and national artists. Continues through June 29. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

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

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery My First Set of Wheels. Featuring illustrations by Wil Bosbyshell, Joan Faison, Roger Hicks, Alease McClenningham, Mike Watson & Pam Winegard. Reception: May 21, 5:30-7pm. May 5-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Bank of America Gallery Art of the Southwest & Native American Cultures. Continues through June 21. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.

Bank of America Plaza Maker versus Material. A two-location exhibit. Also on display at the First Citizens Building, 128 S. Tryon St. Continues through Nov. 21. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

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

Center of the Earth Gallery Roberto Azank. An exhibition of new paintings. May 2-June 28. 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. 310 N. Tryon St.

Charlotte Art League Spring Into Art. Juried competition. Continues through May 31. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Christa Faut Gallery Locust Grove. By John Borden Evans. Solo exhibition of paintings. Opening reception: May 9, 6:30-8:30pm. May 1-31. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

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 Duy Huynh. Paintings. Through May 17. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

ElderArt Gallery Jon Nelson. South Carolina low country landscapes. Continues through May 23. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

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

Galatique Alan Pries, Scott Van Hatten & Brian Skyes. Skyes' works will be shown only through May 16. May 3-31. 26 North Main St., Belmont. 704-608-1868.

Gaston County Public Library Introspection Mirrors. Original art mirrors created by Teresa Shirley & Donna Black. May 1-31. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.

Hidell Brooks Gallery David Kroll: Recent Paintings. Continues through June 7. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Byron Baldwin. New images from Cuba. Continues through May 30. Kevin Kennedy & Robert Stuart. May 2-June 28. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Brian Rutenberg & Milton Bloch. Continues through 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. Continues through the end of May. 318 E 9th. 704-373-1464.

Lesbian & Gay Community Center Eldred Hudson. Mixed media works. Continues through May 10. 1401 Central Ave. 704-333-0144.

The Light Factory Stillwater: William Wylie; Reflections: Donna Foster. May 2-June 14. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art tikkun olam. Sculptures by Roy Strassberg from his Holocaust Bone Series. Continues through May 24. Free to members; $5 non-members. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

McGregor Downs Galleries Boris Tomic. Charlotte sculptor, artist and designer. May 2-31. 10801 Johnston Rd., Suite 219. 704-333-6699.

Merrill-Jennings Galleries The Nature Show: Flora, Feathers & Fur. Works by Jayne Braxton, Charles Jay, Paula Wright, Katherine J. Nelson, Jodi John, Amy Queen, Dan Mitra & Jay Gould. Continues through May 31. 463 S. Main St., Davidson. 704-895-1213.

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

Myersart Gallery John and Jan Myers. Works in clay. May 1-31. 1510 Camden Road. 704-790-2529.

NBC-6 Stefan Duncan. Impressionistic paintings. Continues through May 31. Billy Graham Pkwy.

Pope's Gallery Hale Trotter. Plein-air works of restful places. Continues through May 31. 1035 Providence Rd. 704-342-1774.

Sanctuary Art Studio & Galleries Chaos Troubadour. Featuring paintings and photography by local and national artists. May 2-June 30. 3440 North Davidson St. 704-877-2692.

Shain Fine Art Originals Josh Grant & Sharon Obee. Continues through May. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

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. Peter Petrochko, Alex Bernstein & Greg Fidler. WDO's first major glass show in its Hearst Plaza location. May 2-31. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Winthrop University Galleries 15th Annual Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. Rutledge Gallery. Continues through June 30. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.