Arts Agenda 

Classical Music

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. 704-334-7232 ext. 29.

In the Beat of the Night N. Meck Community Chorus present their Spring Show. May 23-24 Hodson Hall, Davidson College. May 30-31 Mooresville Citizens Center. Shows are at 8pm. $10. 704-947-0438.

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. May 21, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church; May 22, at Duke Family Performance Hall; May 23, at Matthews United Methodist Church; May 24, First Baptist Church. All are at 8:00pm. $10. 704-972-2000.

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.

Central Ave Playhouse Psychotic Pooch. Live Sketch Comedy and improv. Material is NC-17, seating is limited. Call for reservations. Fri., Sat., 11 p.m. $10. 1118 Clement Ave. 704-502-8433.

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. 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

American Dance Art Two premieres by Artistic Director, Sabrina Sandvi Berry: Pas de Famille and In Limbo. Featuring the live music of Baleen. May 30-31, 8 p.m. $15. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Spring Repertory Performance By Student Ensemble of the NC Dance Theatre. Program includes Balanchine's 'Valse Fantaisie' among others. Thu., May 22, 8 p.m. $15 adults, $12 children 12 and under. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

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. Fourth Ward Twilight Tour. Discover Victorian gems in Charlotte's first official Historic District with historian Dr. Tom Hanchett. One Hour tour starts at museum. Reservations required. Fri., May 30, 5:30 p.m. $4 members $6 (non-members). 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. May 16-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. Guild of Charlotte Artists. Members will show slides of their work and talk about their techniques. Wed., May 28, 7 p.m. Free. 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. Continues through Aug. 3. Currents In Craft. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. Entry Level Wine Classes. The Science of wine making: overall process, style, grape varieties, aging. Tue., May 27, 6:30-8 p.m. $30. 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. Continues through June 1. Spring Garden & Tate Streets, Greensboro.

Spoken Word

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.

Theater: Openings

1776 Piedmont Players Theatre presents a musical with music & lyrics by Sherman Edwards. May 29,30,31, June 4,5,6,7 at 7:30pm. June 1 at 2:30pm. Wed $9 (everyone); Adults $14, Sr./students $12. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. 704-633-5471.

Buddha Ensemble Company of the Theater presents this play by Nikos Kazantzakis on the Black Box Stage. May 21-23, 7:30 p.m.; May 24-25, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $9. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.

Diamond Studs, the Life of Jesse James Book by Jim Wann, songs by Jim Wann and Bland Simpson. May 29-31, June 1, 5-7, 12-14, 18-20 nightly 8 pm. May 31, June 7 & 14 late shows at 11:30pm. Sunday matinees June 1, 8 & 15 at 3pm. $20. Honest Pat's Playhouse, 1410 10th St. 704-400-6400.

Disney's The Lion King From director and designer Julie Taymor. Score from Elton John and Time Rice. Limited number of tickets available only at box office! May 23- June 22: Tues.-Thurs. 8pm; Fri. 8:15pm; Sat. 2pm & 8:15pm; Sun. 2pm & 7:30pm. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch Actor's Theatre of Charlotte presents a rock musical written by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask. Wed & Thu at 7:30pm; Fri & Sat at 8pm; Sun, June 15 at 2pm. Tue, June 3 at 7:30 pm 'pay what you can night.' May 28-June 15. $15-20. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Putting It Together Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Presented by Northwest School of the Arts. May 23-24, 7:30 p.m. $15 Adults, $12 students. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Third Annual New 15-Minute Play Festival Featuring 6 plays: The Oven, Church of the Spilled Blood, Swimming in the Ocean, 18 Holes, The Gardener and The Kissing Play. May 22-24, 8 p.m. $10 at the door. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Theater: Ongoing

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

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 22-24, 8 p.m. Free. Reservations recommended. Central Avenue Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-451-4155.

Visual Arts: Openings

8th Street Warehouse Homeland Insecurity. Artists draw the first line of defense. Local artists in various mediums present a satiric look at the encroaching police state. May 31, 7 p.m.; June 1, 1 p.m. 305 E. 8th St. 704-258-7814.

ElderArt Gallery Leon A. Makielski, A Journey of Creativity. Exhibit will feature portraits and landscapes painted over a 50 year period by Makielski (1885-1974). May 31-July 25. Hours: Tues - Fri: 10 am - 6 pm. Saturdays: 10am - 2 pm. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Rising of the Eagle Native American Art Gallery. Chief Richard Eagle Thomas will be on premises dressed in full regalia and telling short stories. Hours Sat 10-6pm, Sun 12-6pm. 4742 East Hwy 27, Iron Station.

Stretch Gallery N Studios Plastic Response, Package STCH. An installation artwork by ceramic artist Fred Spaulding. Reception May 30 6-8:30pm. stretchgallery.com. 10726 Pineville Rd, Pineville. 704-552-5678.

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 20-30. 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. Continues through June 28. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

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. Continues through May 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 Asher Webb & Kara Dahlberg. B&W and color photography. Meet the Artist May 29, 2003 from 6-9pm. May 20-June 14. 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.

Galatique Alan Pries and Scott Van Hatten. Continues through May 31. 26 North Main St., Belmont. 704-608-1868.

Gaston County Public Library Introspection Mirrors. Original art mirrors created by Teresa Shirley & Donna Black. Continues through May 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. Continues through June 28. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College Lambeth W. Marshall. Ceramic. Continues through 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.

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.

The Light Factory Stillwater: William Wylie; Reflections: Donna Foster. Continues through 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. Continues through May 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.

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

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

Noel Gallery Mayday, Mayday: A Distress Call From Nature. Paintings by Tommie Robinson. Continues through June 28. Transamerica Square, 401 N. Tryon St. 704-343-0050.

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. Continues through May 30. 3440 North Davidson St. 704-877-2692.

Shain Fine Art Originals Josh Grant & Sharon Obee. Continues through May 30. 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. Continues through May 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.