Arts Agenda 

Florence Jowers Recital sponsored by American Guild of Organists. Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Rd. Sun., July 20, 7:30 p.m. Free. 704-333-9071.

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.

Timothy Smith Recital presented by American Guild of Organists. First United Baptist Church, 200 W. Gay St, Lancaster, SC. Sun., July 13, 7:30 p.m. Free. 704-333-9071.

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. 704-502-8423.

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., Visit www.thecomedyzone.net. 704-348-4242.

Cricket Arena Party Gras Comedy Fest. The comedy show features Arnez J, Earthquake, Broman and Chris Thomas. Sat., July 12, 8 p.m. $33.50/$23.50 (in advance) $35.50/$25.50 (day of). 2700 E Independence Blvd. 704-372-3600.

The Perch Theatre Smokin' Bear Tour Featuring Talking Baby. Presented by The Perch at various venues while a new location is scouted. Shows are rated 'R' for verbal content. July 10 & 17: The Steeple Lounge, 9:30pm; July 26: Neighborhood Theater, 9pm. Call for reservations. $12. 704-372-7724.

Dance

Get Kinetic! Watch open rehearsals of works in progress for Kinetic Works SummerDance concerts. Call for details and reservations. July 19, 26 and August 2, 12:30-2pm. Studio C, 2nd floor. $5. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-338-1533.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite The Faces of Our State. Photographic exhibit showcasing 70 years of North Carolina people as seen in Our State: North Carolina magazine. Through June 2004. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Continues through Sept. 30, 2004. Regular Museum admission. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 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. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Burlon Craig and His Legacy. Continues through Oct. 19. Fashions of the Crinoline Era: 1840-1865. Eight mid 19th century crinoline fashions, featuring wide hoop skirts, from the museum's costume collection are currently on display. Through May 2004. Passing. Selected artists from the 2002 Juried exhibition Celebrating the Legacy of Romare Bearden are invited for in-depth presentation of their work. An Artists Gallery Walk-through will be held on Sun. July 13, 3pm. Artists featured in Passing will lead a walk-through and discussion of the work on display. The program is free after museum admission. Through September 7. 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. 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.

Spoken Word

Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mic. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Thu., July 10, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Mert's Heart and Soul Uptown Saturday Nite. Featuring the areas most talented singers, rappers, and poets. Sign up for the Open Mic Showcase. Details: www.motifentertainment.com. Every second and last Saturday of the month at 10pm-until. $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.

Tea Rex Teahouse Poetry Open Mic. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Fri., July 11, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Theater: Openings

Footloose Based on popular film. Presented by CPCC Summer Theatre. July 16-19 at 8pm; July 20 at 2:30pm; July 22 at 7pm; July 23-26 at 8pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.