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.

First Tuesday Concerts Gabriel Faure; Quartet No. 1, in C Minor for violin, viola, cello, and piano. Presented by Chamber Music at St. Peter's. St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Tue., Jan. 6, 12-2 p.m. 704-335-0009.

Magic at the Philharmonic Classical selections from Holst, Mussorgsky and John Barry, along with world class illusionist Lyn Dillies. Sat., Jan. 3, 8 p.m. $17.50-$35. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Mostly Mozart Alan Yamamoto, the Charlotte Symphony's new Resident Conductor will lead his first series of Charlotte Symphony concerts as the Symphony presents Mostly Mozart concerts. Performances: Jan. 7 at First Baptist Church, 301 South Davidson St; Jan. 8 at Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College; Jan. 9 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 India Hook, Rock Hill, SC; Jan. 10 at University City United Methodist Church, 6100 West Sugar Creek Rd. All are at 8pm. www.charlottesymphony.org. $15 adults, $5 students/children. 704-972-2000.

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.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History The Faces of Our State. Through June 2004. A Scots-Irish Twelfth Night Celebration. Celebrate a tradition of old just the way the Alexander Family may have. Frolic with costumed docents and interpreters, tour the 1774 Hezekiah Alexander House, participate with colonial dancers at the Twelfth Night Ball, and learn about the traditions of this historic celebration. Space is limited. Reservations: 704-568-1774. $6.00 per person. Free parking. Sat., Jan. 3, 6-9 p.m. $6. 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. 23-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. Portraits of Black Women: Love & War. Looking for actors and models between the ages of 18 and 65. Children between the ages of 5 and 12. Actors: African American, African, Latino, Caucasian, Middle Eastern. Models: All races, All Looks. Sat., Jan. 3, 2-4:30 p.m. 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. 23-Jan. 4. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum Elaine Orr. Author will discuss and sign Gods of Noonday. Tue., Jan. 6, 7 p.m. 704-341-9365.

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: Openings

Bat Boy: The Musical Off-Broadway cult hit presented by Actor's Theater of Charlotte. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. Jan. 14-Feb. 8: Wed. & Thu. at 7:30pm, Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, Sun., Feb. 8 at 2:30pm. Jan. 20 at 7:30pm is "Pay What You Can Night." Jan. 14 followed by a free wine/cheese reception. $17-$22. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Exit the Body A mystery/farce presented by The Young Yorkville Players. www.yorkvilleplayers.com. Jan. 2-4, & 9-10 at 8pm; Sunday matinees at 3pm. $10. McCelvey Center, York, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 803-628-5025.

Lonely Planet A story of a mild-mannered map store owner confronted with his own mortality. A hysterical and heartbreaking exploration of the power of friendship. www.barebones.org. Jan. 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 at 8 pm. Matinee: Jan. 25 at 3 pm.Pay what you can: Jan. 12 at 8 pm. $15 adults, $12 students/seniors. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Oliver! Charles Dickens' greatest characters--Oliver Twist, Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sikes and the artful Dodger--spring to life in Lionel Bart's OLIVER!. Performances: Jan. 13-15 at 8pm; Jan. 16: at 8:15pm; Jan. 17 at 2pm & 8:15pm; Jan. 18 at 2pm & 7:30pm. $23 to $61. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-379-1380.

Visual Arts: Openings

Chudy K. Gallery New Gallery. Displays of original art work as well as free art classes, framing, social events each week showcasing artists. New Year's Eve Party December 31, 9pm. 2530-2532 The Plaza. 704-358-8870.

Clay on Camden Don Cheek. Debut works in clay. Artist Reception: Jan. 9, 6-9pm. Through January. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

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.

Fine Frame, Salisbury New Work. New paintings by Phyllis Steimel, Robert Toth, and Marina Konovalova-Bare. Also introducing New England artist Paul Noble James. Through January. 105 S. Main St. 704-647-0340.

Hart-Witzen Gallery Resolutions. Visual & performing art. Jan. 2; Jan. 3; Jan. 16, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Assemblages. Introducing 10 new collage artists including Andrew Young, Gary Nisbet, Suzi Cozzens, Peter Thiebeault, Gail Raab, Lynn Whipple, Kenna Moser, Patrick Atkinson, Katherine Ace and Suzanne Ulrich. Exhibit runs Jan. 9 through Feb. 28. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Edward Rice, Matt Overend. Recent monotypes and New Paintings from South Carolina artists. Opening Reception: Jan. 9, 6-8pm. Exhibit runs through Feb. 28. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Wolf Kahn. An exhibition of both paintings and pastels inspired by the artist's sojourns across America. The exhibition will include works from such diverse locations as Hawaii, Michigan and North Carolina. January 10 - February 14, 2004. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

The Light Factory Images & Impact Show. The project is a celebration of the many individuals who make a collective difference in Charlotte. Opening Reception: Jan. 9, 6-9pm. Exhibit runs through January. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

Redsky Gallery Lee Stewart / Gerin Choiniere. Photography. Also exhibiting: James Soder : Wood, Corine Guseman : Ceramics. Evening Reception January 23. Exhibit runs through Jan. 31. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

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.

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.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Filiz Emma Soyak. An exhibit of paintings. Through Jan. 3. 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.

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

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.

The Gallery at Carillon Katie Walker: Wall Tales. An exhibition by South Carolina painter. Dec. 23-Jan. 16. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

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.

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. 23-Jan. 31. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

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. 23-Jan. 31. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.