Arts Agenda 

Classical Music

American Chamber Players An innovative chamber music ensemble performing a varied repertoire ranging from familiar masterpieces to neglected gems to newly commissioned American works. Sept 8: Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson, at 8pm, info at 704-894-2135; Sept 9: George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center, Wingate University at 8pm, 704-233-8300. Call for details. Tickets are $15, and $10 for seniors at Davidson; $15 at Wingate.

Daniel Rodriguez Celebrate America's heritage of freedom with the Charlotte Philharmonic's patriotic selections and the passionate tenor of Daniel Rodriguez. Also featuring Eddie Mabry Dancers. Sat., Sept. 6, 8 p.m. Tickets $17.50-$35. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

The Luski Family Concert Series An entertaining evening of Broadway show music by Jewish composers, featuring Viva Klezmer & Aviva B. Ezring. Sun., Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road. 704-362-2796.

Opera Babes International babes Karen England and Rebecca Knight continue to top the classical charts with their powerful renditions of operatic classics. They join the Charlotte Philharmonic for an evening of glorious music. Charlotte Shout Kick-off Event. Fri., Sept. 5, 8 p.m. $25-$45. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

QuinTango This unique chamber ensemble is dedicated to the musical performance of tango. Inspired by the Argentine orquesta tipica, QuinTango brings its own interpretations to this evocative music. Thu., Sept. 4. $15. George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center, Wingate University. 704-233-8300.

Sir James Galway Galway, supreme interpreter of the classical repertoire for flute, possesses a sound and virtuosity that have made him one of the most sought-after artists. He is featured in Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 2, as well as Brahm's Third Symphony and Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis. Christof Perick conducting. September 12-13, 8pm. $20-$75. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Two-Piano Recital Cynthia Lawing and Gloria Cook in performance in the Tyler-Tallman Recital Hall. Thu., Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Free. Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2357.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Extreme Improv. Live improvised comedy created from your suggestions. Visit www.extremeimprov.com for more information. Call for reservations. Fridays: Long Form Fridays, scenes and monologues from a single audience suggestion, $5; Saturdays: improv comedy with audience suggestions, Rated R, $10. 8pm both nights. 1958 E 7th St. 1-866-467-7681.

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 Mark Klein. Appearing live. September 10-13, call for details. 516 N. College St., Visit www.thecomedyzone.net. 704-348-4242.

Dance

Dance Break North Carolina Dance Theatre 2 (NCDT 2) will give free lunchtime performances Sept. 9 & 10, from 12:15 : 1 pm, in the Duke Power Theatre of the Spirit Square Center for Arts Education, 345 North College St. A diversion to the usual lunch break. Boxed lunches from Something Classic will be available for purchase. 704-372-0101.

Summer Harvest Purple Sage is created to Douglas Lofstrom's The Survivor's Symphony. The work progresses through the stages of loss and culminates with a joyful acceptance. R Cycle, performed to a taped collage, is contemporary dance invoking the feelings of entrapment in modern society. Paper Toys completes the program. Sept. 6, 7 at 8pm, Sept. 8 at 2:30pm. All tickets are $12. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

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. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Omnimax. Now showing: Top Speed and Coral Reef Adventure. Call or visit website for times, www.discoveryplace.org.

301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Pen and Ink Politics: Thomas Nast's Reconstruction-era Cartoons and African American Equality. Continues through Sept. 29. A Portion of the People: 300 Years of Southern Jewish Life. An Exhibition that recognizes the distinctive heritage of Jewish culture in the South. Grand Opening Reception on Sat., Sept. 13 includes official proclamation by Mayor Pat McCrory declaring Sept. 14 "Carolina Jewish Heritage Day". Tickets are $40 for museum members and $50 for non-members. Exhibit runs Sep 14 through Nov 30. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art All Aglow. An exhibition featuring 300 years of candlesticks on display. Through February 15, 2004. 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. Julie Moos: Friends and Enemies. Features portraits of couples who are either best friends or worst enemies and places them against a non-descript background. Exhibit runs Sept. 5 through Dec. 7. Passing. Selected artists from the 2002 Juried exhibition Celebrating the Legacy of Romare Bearden are invited for in-depth presentation of their work. Through September 7. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design American Quilt Classics 1800 - 1980: The Charles and Fleur Bresler Collection. Features white work, indigo resist and block-printed chintz from the late 18th and early 19th centuries; applique, stenciled, mosaic template-pieced and album quilts from the mid-1800s; log cabin, crazy and charm quilts from the late 19th century and more. Through Jan 4, 2004. Currents In Craft. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. Sculptural Radiance: The Jewelry & Objects of Linda MacNeil. A fusion of glass and gold, featuring 25 works. Through November 23. 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. Curator's Corner: Climbing Your Family Tree. Learn how to trace your family history. Research Archivist Heather South will introduce the techniques and methods used in tracing ancestry, including the differencesbetween genealogy and family history. Sat., Sept. 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Program is Free after museum admission. Eye to Eye: Photography by Kim Wolhuter. Experience the up close and personal life of an African leopard in a photographic exhibit. Featuring National Geographic photographer Wolhuter's images of Tjololo, a 5-year old African leopard he observed and photographed for 19 months. Sept. 3-Dec. 14. Illustrator Vernon Grant: A Century of American Whimsy. Continues through Oct. 5, 2003. Piecing a Quilt of Life: World Connections. Features contemporary art quilts made by 23 women with stories to tell. Some of the displayed quilts are from as far as Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe, while others are from the U.S. www.yorkcounty.org. Exhibit runs Sept. 6 through Apr. 25. $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for students. 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., Sept. 11, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-0526.

Mert's Heart and Soul Uptown Saturday Nite. Featuring the area's 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. 704-593-0114.

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., Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd. 704-595-0526.

Theater: Openings

Always...Patsy Cline The play gives the audience a chance to see Patsy really "let her hair down." Sept. 12-13, 18-19, 25-27 at 8pm. Sept. 21, 28 at 2:30pm. $10. Hickory Community Theatre, 30 Third St. NW, Hickory. 828-327-3855.

The Commedia Cinderella A twist on the classic story - it's retold in the Italian Commedia tradition, where a troupe of traveling players reinvents the tale with plenty of slapstick, humor and fun. Performed by the Tarradiddle Players. Sept. 12-21. Center $12, side $10. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.

Evita Directed by Billy Ensley, choreographed by Linda Booth. The internationally acclaimed musical about the fabulous myth of Eva, wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron. Sept. 11-13, 18-21, 25-28. Thu-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2:30pm. Tickets $22 Fri and Sat evenings, $17 on Thu and Sun. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-376-3777.

Love Letters Written by A.R. Gurney. Sponsored by the New Stage Ensemble Theatre Company. The play is a theatre piece which, in the words of the author, "needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines, and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance." Sept. 5 and 6 at 7pm. Admission is free, with the suggested donation of $10. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2399.

Pump Boys and Dinettes Presented by Charlotte Repertory Theater. Directed by Michael Bush. 20th Anniversary production of grass-roots musical about life and love by the roadside. Preview September 6-9. Opening night Thursday, September 11. Runs Wednesday-Thursday 7:30pm, Friday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm. $24-$38. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

The Underpants Play by Steve Martin, presented by the BareBones Theatre Group. Opening Night Dinner followed by the show. Sept. 4-21. Show times are 8pm Thu-Sat, with a 3pm matinee on the final Sun of the run. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Theater: Ongoing

Drinking in America Eric Bogosian's unique view of sex, society and drinking in America. Directed by Serena Ruden. Presented by Innervoices Theatre Company. Call to make reservations. Sept. 3-6 at 8pm. Tickets are $15, Sept. 3 is 'pay what you can' night. Central Ave Playhouse, 1118 Clement Ave. 704-502-8423.

Visual Arts: Openings

Afro-American Cultural Center Bull Durham Festival: 10 year Retrospective. A photographic exhibit of NC's oldest running blues festival and also a group show, Blues In and Out: Introspective & Expressive, featuring the work of Haitian artist Essud Fungcap. Fri., Sept. 5, 6-9 p.m. Free. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Students Exhibit from all disciplines. The artists' reception from 5:30-7:30pm on Sept. 18 is free and open to the public. Sept. 5-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Center of the Earth Gallery Ocean. An exhibition of new paintings by Jacob Cooley. Openings: Sept. 5 and Sept. 19. Sept. 5 through Oct. 31. www.centeroftheearth.com. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Clay on Camden Linda Dalton. Featuring functional and decorative works in clay. Artist reception during Gallery Crawl Sept. 5 from 6-9pm. Exhibit runs Sept. 5 through Sept. 30. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

CPCC Art Gallery Jeff Pender. An exhibition of new ceramic works, entitled "Another World." Opening reception Sept. 12, 5-7:30pm. Runs Sept. 8 through Oct. 13. P.O. Box 35009. 704-330-2722.

ElderArt Gallery Leonel Matheu. Exhibit titled "Orientations," by Cuban-born Matheu, an internationally known artist whose symbolic work conveys clear anxiety. Artist reception Sept. 3 (6pm). Exhibit runs Sept. 3 through Sept. 30. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Arless Day - Defining Collage: Awareness, Beauty & Creativity. Arless Day builds the best of all possible worlds in his collage paintings. The emphasis of the exhibit is detailed interiors which are full of plants, books and paintings. Opening night reception on Sept. 5 from 6-8pm. Arless will be in attendance and give a short gallery talk around 7pm. Runs Sept. 5 through Nov. 1. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Mark Flowers, David Hooker. Mixed media narrative paintings and ceramic sculpture. Opening reception on Sept. 5, 6-8pm. www.hodgestaylor.com. Exhibit runs Sept. 5 through Nov. 1. Gallery hours Tue-Fri 11-6pm, Sat 11-3pm. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Stephen Glaesner. Glaesner's elegant, polished cone-shaped vessels are tangible proof of his lifelong interest in woodworking. Exhibit runs Sept. 6 through Oct. 18. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Mike Lavine. Through the transformation of sawdust Mike Lavine explores humanity's relationship with nature as this substance is elevated and re-invigorated as art. Wine reception Sept. 5, 6:30-9:30pm. Exhibit runs Sept. 5 through Sept. 30. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

McColl Center for Visual Art Film Installation. Great Balls of Fire by Leon Grodski. Film will be shown Sept. 11 continually from 8:45am - 6pm. No charge. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Pottery Central Raku Works. An exhibition of recent Raku works by resident artist Karen Linton. "Red Zinger" Raku describes the bright red color acheived in this series of pots. An open house will take place on Sat, Sept. 6 from 10-5. Works can also be viewed by appointment. 3534 Central Ave. 704-537-4477.

Sanctuary Art Studio & Galleries Destination To Be Determined Upon Arrival. A group show featuring paintings and mixed-media art by Raed Al Rawi, C. Frank Haas, Jerry Lee Kirk, Randy Crawford and others. Gallery 1. Hours are Tues-Sat, 12-5pm, except Gallery Crawls, 6-10pm. Sept. 5-Oct. 1. Painted Driftwood Creations. Rusk Masterton collects driftwood during his summer lake vacations and transforms them with paint into talismans and fantastical creations. Gallery 2. Exhibit runs Sept. 5 through Oct. 1. 3440 North Davidson St. 704-877-2692.

Shain Gallery Chas Fagan. A Yale grad, nationally known for his portrait work, landscapes and sculptures. Sept. 5: Opening wine and cheese reception (6-9pm); Exhibit runs Sept. 5-29. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Stonecrest Shopping Center R.A Red Corn and Gina Gray. These two Osage women are highly acclaimed for their Native American art styles. On exhibit at Sacred Ground. Sept. 5-6, 6-10 p.m. Pineville. 704-540-9180.

The Green Art on the Green. From 10am-3pm every Saturday morning during September, local artists will set up an art show. Bring a picnic and enjoy. Saturdays. Continues through Sept. 27. 400 South Tryon Street. 704-332-9583.

Urban Ministry Center Art Works 945. A collaborative art project involving Charlotte's Homeless and the greater community. Features a reception and silent auction of Outsider Art. Sept. 13, 5-8pm. 945 N. College St. 704-563-1697.

Wentworth Gallery Peter Max. "Colors of a Better World." Features over 100 pieces of art, including original paintings, drawings and limited-edition prints. Artist reception Sept. 4 and 5, 6-9pm. Sept. 4-5. South Park Mall, 4400 Sharon Rd. 704-365-2733.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

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.

Belk Visual Arts Center Douglas Houchens: The Primary Impulse. Features paintings and drawings by Davidson College Professor Emeritus Douglas Houchens, the college's first visual arts professor. Exhibit runs Aug. 28 through Oct. 8. Gallery hours are Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm and on weekends, noon-4pm. 704-894-2519.

Christa Faut Gallery 15" x 15" Anniversary Exhibition. 15 Gallery artists have created a special painting that is 15 inches by 15 inches to celebrate the start of 15 years in business. Runs Aug. 15 through Sept. 15. Gallery hours Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. 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 Ra'ed Al-Rawi. Exhibit Runs Aug. 11 - Sept. 13. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Das Maultier Art Gallery Store/Gallery. Art and design shop located in NODA with affordable art for novice to the serious collector. In the Colony. 3472 N. Davidson St. 704-333-0277.

The Gallery at Carillon Convergence. Presents the work of five women artists offering a wide variety of recent paintings and sculpture. Exhibit runs through September 29. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Green Rice Designs & Studio A working artist studio and gallery. Visit during business hours or gallery crawls. To display artwork in the gallery: $35/month (1-2 pieces - dependent on size). www.green-rice.com. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Raymond Chorneau. New Monoprints - seductive and allusive images with a highly sophisticated palette. Exhibit runs August through Nov. 1. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Lesbian & Gay Community Center Jason Basden. His sculptures are created from wood, bronze, clay and styrofoam. On exhibit through September 13. 1401 Central Ave. 704-333-0144.

The Light Factory Women in Photojournalism. Member's Portfolio - William Toland: From the series, Grampa. Exhibit runs Aug. 29 through Oct. 11. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

Merrill-Jennings Galleries Group Show. Features sixteen gallery artists, including Jarret Earnest, who just turned 16 himself. He is a sophomore at Lake Norman High School and the youngest artist ever featured at Merrill-Jennings Galleries. Runs now through September. Gallery hours Mon-Fri 10-5pm, Sat 10-3pm. 463 S. Main St., Davidson. 704-895-1213.

Pope's Gallery Reknown King Family Pottery Show. Features enclosed articles and photos of King Family. Gallery Hours: Mon-Sat, 10-5:30pm. Runs Sept. 2 through Sept. 30. 1035 Providence Rd. 704-342-1774.

Pottery Central Pottery Central Gallery. Functional, sculptural and decorative pottery by local potters. Friday & Saturday 10-5 or call for appointment. 3534 Central Ave. 704-537-4477.

Rauch Gallery, Gaston College Janice Muller. Exhibit of oil paintings. August 18 - September 26. 201 Highway 321 South, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Bldg., Dallas. 704-922-6245.

Redsky Gallery Elizabeth Estivalet, Sally Jacobs, Cal Breed and Caleb Siemon. Features transcendent evocations in oil of Provence, as well as glass works. Exhibit runs through September. www.redskygallery.com. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Rowe Arts Galleries, UNCC "FACLT-RT." The Bi-Annual Art faculty exhibition will include full-time and part-time faculty and new members to the department. At Rowe Arts Main Gallery, hours Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm. Reception Sep 12, 6-8pm. Sept. 2-26. "Paisano" Photographs by Anna Judy. An observation of a few of the many faces and activities that form the Mexican community across the US. Exhibit at the Cone Center Main Gallery. Aug. 27-Sept. 28. Rowe Arts Building. 704-687-2473.

Sanctuary Art Studio & Galleries Art in America. A group show celebrating American craftsmanship and creative ingenuity. Exhibit runs through September 3. 3440 North Davidson St. 704-877-2692.

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.

The Art Preserve Jan Kinslowe. Landscapes and atmospheric abstracts. Exhibit runs throughout September. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

Van Every Gallery, Davidson College Douglas Houchens: The Primary Impulse. Features paintings and drawings by Davidson College Professor Emeritus Douglas Houchens, the college's first visual arts professor. Special reception Oct. 4, 3-5pm in the Atruim of the Belk Visual Art Center. Exhibit runs Aug. 28 through Oct. 8. Gallery hours Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat and Sun noon-4pm. Philip Lopez. Site-specific installation of constructed, mixed-media works that build on geometric forms and patterns. Held in the Edward M. Smith Gallery. Philip Lopez will present a slide lecture in the Semans Lecture Hall in the Belk Visual Art Center on Aug 28 at 7pm. Aug. 28-Oct. 8. Davidson. 704-894-2519.

W.D.O. Karen Karnes. Widely regarded as the "grandmother of American ceramics." Opening reception Sept. 5, 6-8pm. Karen Karnes will speak at the Mint Museum of Craft&Design on Sept. 4 at 6:30pm. Reservations: 704-337-2098. Exhibit runs Sept. 2 through Oct. 11. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Richard Miller. Myths of Masculinity and Boys Toys, photographic quadtones. On exhibit in the Woodson and Osborne Galleries. Public reception Sept. 5, 6-8pm. www.waterworks.org. Runs Aug. 15 through Nov. 8. Pat Boyer. Primal Rhythm, works on paper. On exhibit in the Norvell Gallery. Public reception Sept. 5, 6-8pm. Runs Aug. 29 through Nov. 8. Gallery hours Tue-Sat, 10-5. Robert Toth. An Artist's Life, two- and three-dimensional works. On exhibit in the Stanback Gallery Hall and Young People's Gallery. Public reception Sept. 5, 6-8pm. Runs Aug. 22 through Nov. 1. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1895.