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.

A Mad, Mad Madrigal! A celebration for the whole family with a new, interactive musical that's two parts Renaissance Festival, one part Madrigal, 63/100 parts Monty Python and all completely insane. Presented by Epic Arts Repertory Theatre. Dec. 4:20, at 8pm;. $15. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-347-5760.

Visual Arts: Openings

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Portfolio Review Fall 2003. Portfolios will be displayed from the following majors: graphic design, fashion marketing, interior/residential design and multimedia. Thu., Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Farvan International Gallery Russian Handcrafts. Each year for the holiday season, Farvan brings handpainted crafts from Russia to help support an orphanage in St. Petersburg, Russia, plus other hand crafted items.Also on exhibit works by Raul Montero, Rasa Maria Costa Delgado, Chase Winfield, and Mike Ryon. Through December. 119 E. 7th St. 704-375-1424.

Hart-Witzen Gallery Open call for Artists. Accepting all mediums to be exhibited Jan 2 & 3. Dec. 17 - Dec. 20 noon - 4 pmFri. Dec. 19 7pm - 9pm. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.

Redsky Gallery Sam Taylor, Beth Williams, Pat Scull. Features woodfired pottery, jewelry, and colorful ceramic pieces. Exhibit runs Dec. 19 through Jan. 20. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

SK Netcafe Derek S. Crockett. Display of artwork. Through December. 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704-334-1523.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Family Holiday Fun-draiser. Call for information. Thu., Dec. 18. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Violeta Moreno. A multidisciplinary display by figurativeartist. Dec. 5- Dec. 31. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Art Preserve Jan Kinslowe and Linda Vista. Excavations, new installation by Jan Kinslowe and presenting sculptural artwork by Linda Vista. Also Eric Olsen and Jon Swab. Exhibit runs through Dec. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

Breathe Art Space Collective Memory. New Paintings by Charlotte Foustabstracts, collage and figurative works. Exhibit runs through December 31. 228 Caldwell Lane, Suite B, Davidson. 704-896-1799.

Center of the Earth Gallery Robert Levin. North Carolina glassblower. Dec. 11-27. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Christa Faut Gallery Precious Metals 2003. Jewelry show of precious metals by nationally known metalsmiths. Runs through Dec. 31. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

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.

ElderArt Gallery Brothers Together. Patrick and Sean Glover present two diverse views of the world. Exhibit runs Dec. 12 through Jan. 10. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

The Gallery at Carillon Katie Walker: Wall Tales. An exhibition by South Carolina painter. Dec. 11-Jan. 16. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Green Rice Designs & Studio Nancy Prator. FDNY Fire Houses on exhibit. Local artist showing at the gallery: David Ritland, Jessie Lynn Courson and Tate Harmer. www.green-rice.com. Dec. 11-Jan. 31. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Philip Geiger. Phil continues to merge landscapes, still lifes, interiors and figurative into his light filled paintings. Exhibit runs through December 23. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Frank Hobbs, Judy Jones. Plein aire oil paintings and non-objective paintings. Exhibit runs through Jan. 3. Phillip Garrett. The show, titled An Itinerant's Botany, is composed of botanical images gleaned from the artist's meanderings in nature, from northern California to Edisto Island and home. Dec. 11-Jan. 31. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Charles Basham, Dale Chihuly. Features charged landscapes as well as organic-looking glass works. Exhibit runs through Dec. 27. Group Exhibition Featuring Gallery Artists. www.jeraldmelberg.com. Exhibit runs through Jan. 3. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Holiday Group Show. Works by four gallery artists:John Nickerson, Linda Fantuzzo, Peggy Rivers and Maja Godlewska. Through January 2004. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

The Light Factory Jill Enfield. Exhibition: The Transformed Image. Through Jan. 24. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

Merrill-Jennings Galleries Holiday Art Show. The works of fifteen artists featuring paintings, sculpture, and crafts. Through December. 463 S. Main St., Davidson. 704-895-1213.

NoDa Artist Network Local & African artists. Introducing four new local artists and featuring African artists Theodore Assola and Diebi Tera. West African drum classes Wed. evenings. Exhibit space available. 2424 N. Davidson St. 704-358-4210.

Perimeter Gallery, Rock Hill Scars of Utopia. A photographic exhibition from six Winthrop students. Rock Hill Center for the Arts. Through January 1. 803-329-8803.

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.

Redsky Gallery Holiday Ornaments. One of a kind holiday ornaments by Ann Young, Brook Patterson, Craig & Amy Zweifel, Cal Breed, Mark Goulick and Matt Eschuke. Paintings by Susanne Merchant and photographs by Gerin Choiniere. Exhibit runs through Dec. 24. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Sanctuary Art Studio & Galleries The Winter Show. A group show by gallery regulars featuring art at special prices for holiday gift buying. Gallery 1. Exhibit runs through Dec. 31. The Caffeine Fiend & Other Paintings by Tony Java. Whimsical, colorful and comical paintings by one of NoDa's favorite artist. Gallery 2. Exhibit runs through Dec. 31. 3440 North Davidson St. 704-877-2692.

Shain Gallery Marilyn Simandle. California artist Marilyn Simandle produces Contemporary California Impressionism. Show runs through Jan. 31. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

That's a Lotta Deli & Cafe Grand Opening Celebration. Featuring paintings by Kathleen Burke. Exhibit runs through January 25. 2041 South Blvd. 704-334-3401.

Thomas Thoune Gallery Rebecca Jones, Tom Thoune. Encaustic & oil paintings by Jones and Italy Scrapbook by Thoune. By appointment. Through December 19. 228 East Blvd. 704-334-9087.

W.D.O. Contemporary Danish Glass. Featuring five artists. Exhibit runs through Jan. 31, 2004. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Sigrid Burton. Features Allusive Form, paintings and The Turbulent Gesture, paintings. Exhibit runs through Feb. 2004. Joseph Haroutunian. Exhibit of paintings, The Turbulent Gesture. Exhibit runs through Feb. 7, 2004. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

Winthrop University Galleries Art & Design Faculty Exhibition Four. In the Rutlege and Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick galleries. Exhibit runs through Jan. 24. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.