Arts Agenda 

Classical Music

Epiphany The adult choir of St. Paul's will join other area singers for the liturgy and anthems. Tue., Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 501 Pine St., Fort Mill. 803-547-5968.

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. 704-502-8423.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. Dec 26-27: David L & Marvin Lee. Also on New Years Eve: Brian Sheil, David L and Scott O. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Katchikally 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.

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. 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. 17-Jan. 29. Forgotten History of NC Streetcars. Ever wonder how Latta Park came to be located in Dilworth? Curious about those stone "gateway" structures on Queens Road? Trolley enthusiasts, Charlotte history buffs and others are invited to explore these questions and more. Sat., Dec. 27, 2 p.m. Free for members, general $6 adults, $5 seniors and $17 families. 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. 17-Jan. 4. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Spoken Word

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: Ongoing

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.

Visual Arts: Openings

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Frank Haas. An exhibit of paintings. Opening Reception: Jan. 9, 6-10pm. Jan. 5-Jan. 31. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Gallery L, Main Library Art on a String. An exhibit featuring 100 different kites : most created during the 1980's : from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, where kites flew as early as the seventh or eighth century. Through Feb. 1. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Redsky Gallery Lee Stewart / Gerin Choiniere. Photography. Also exhibiting: James Soder : Wood, Corine Guseman : Ceramics. Evening Reception January 23. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.