Arts Agenda 

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Extreme Improv. Chicago style long form show Friday nights at 8pm ($5) and joined by Psychotic Pooch for twisted comedy at 10pm ($10). www.extremeimprov.com. Saturday nights short form show with audience suggestions, 8pm ($10). 1958 E 7th St. 1-866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone Peter Hefty. Ventriloquist with guests Paul Hooper and D. Cameron. www.thecomedyzone.net. Dec. 17-20. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Katchikally The Nick Lewis Comedy Corner. With Marvin Dixon. Dec. 19-20, two Shows nightly, 8 & 10pm. $10. Nick Lewis Comedy Corner. With Just June. Dec. 26-27, two shows nightly, 8 & 10pm. $10. 204 W.Woodlawn Road Suite A. 704-676-9279.

Neighborhood Theatre The Perch. Sketch comedy - rated R for verbal content. www.theperch.com. Sat., Dec. 20, 9 p.m. $12. 511 E. 36th St. 704-372-7724.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History The Faces of Our State. Through June 2004. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Continues through Sept. 30, 2004. Where Eagles Soar. This collaborative exhibit with the Carolina Raptor Center compares and contrasts eagles in their natural habitats with their symbolic and historical importance. Exhibit runs through Apr. 4. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Machine Shop. Get a lift from the pulley, spin wheels, gears and learn about inclined planes and more. www.discoveryplace.org. Mix & Max: Omnimax after hours. The program is aimed at anyone looking for something different on Friday night. Live music, Omnimax films, food and cash bar. Third Friday of every month. $10 members $12 (non-members). Omnimax. Now showing: Space Station, Top Speed, and Journey Into Amazing Caves. Call or visit website for times, www.discoveryplace.org. Speed. Exhibit and experience delivering a high-speed plunge into the world of high-performance, limit-stretching and barrier-smashing motion. Through Feb. 2004. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Focus on Justice: Carolina Photographers and the Carolina Piedmont. Exhibit featuring photographs documenting the regional Civil Rights movement as seen through the eyes of Carolina photographers. Dec. 11-Jan. 29. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art All Aglow. Through February 15, 2004. The Art of Romare Bearden. The museum will put on display its 19 remaining works by Charlotte native. Through Jan. 4. 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. Raphael to Monet. Features 58 masterpieces from one of the nation's most celebrated collections of European art from the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Exhibit runs through Jan. 11. Windows into Heaven. "Windows into Heaven: Russian Icons" from the Robicsek Collection of Religious Art, presents a group of sixty-five 18th and 19th century Russian icons. Dec. 20 - Feb. 15, 2004. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design American Quilt Classics 1800 - 1980: The Charles and Fleur Bresler Collection. Through Jan. 4, 2004. Spectrum: The Sculpture of Jon Kuhn. Works in blown glass. Through Mar. 21, 2004. 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 Piecing a Quilt of Life: World Connections. Features contemporary art quilts made by 23 women with stories to tell. Exhibit runs through Apr. 25, 2004. Vernon Grant Santas. Showcase of witty and colorful holiday imagery. Dec. 11-Jan. 4. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Readings & Signings

Borders, Morrocroft Bobby Allison & Tim Packman. Authors will discuss and sign new book. Sat., Dec. 20, 1 p.m. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-6261.

Spoken Word

Afro-American Cultural Center Queen City Soul Slam. Monthly Slam where poets compete to be Charlotte's first Slam Team. Winners will compete at the National Poetry Slam. Wed., Dec. 17, 8 p.m. $5 poets, $3 general public. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Mert's Heart and Soul Uptown Saturday Nite. Featuring 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. 704-342-4222.

Tonic The Soul Movement. An underground nite for Spoken Word/Poetry, Soul Classics, Neo-Soul, Deep/Soulful House, Urban Grooves & Underground Hip-Hop. thesoulmovement@mindspring.com. Sundays. $5 before 9:30pm. 1427 E. 4th St. 704-580-7187.

Theater: Openings

Actors Scene Unseen A series of live Internet broadcast plays featuring area playwrights, actors and directors. www.actorssceneunseen.com. Every other Friday, 8:30 p.m. Johnston Room, Hilton, 222 East Third St.

Theater: Ongoing

The Littlest Angel The Littlest Angel has just arrived in Heaven and simply cannot adjust to all the new rules. Fortunately, the Understanding Angel arranges to bring him his most prized possession from Earth: a wooden box filled with childhood treasures. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Dec. 19, 7:30pm; Dec. 20 at 11am, 1pm & 3pm; Dec. 21 at 2, 4, & 7:30pm. Center $12, Side $10. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.