Arts Agenda 

Classical Music

Instruments of Praise A spring choral concert presented by Nova Voce, an all female ensemble. Sat., May 8, 8 p.m. $8-12. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 115 W. 7th St. 704-577-6273.

The Piedmont Choral Society The 50-member volunteer choir will perform sections of Handel's Messiah, accompanied by orchestra and professional soloists. Saint James Lutheran Church, 104 Union Street S, Concord. Fri., May 7, 7 p.m. Free. 704-786-1063.

The Queen Charlotte Chorus An evening of toe-tapping music and dance in the barbershop style will be presented by the Queen Charlotte Chorus of Sweet Adelines International at their annual show. Sat., May 8, 7 p.m. $8-$15. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-556-0690.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Comedy. Extreme Improv: Fridays 8pm - Chicago Style long form improv "The Gallery"; Saturdays 8pm - "Who's Line Is it?" style improv; Psychotic Pooch at 10pm. Fridays and Saturdays. www.extremeimprov.comwww.psychoticpooch.com. $10. 1958 E 7th St. 866-467-7681.

CJ's, Adams Mark Blue Light. Talent show with stand-up, musicians and more. Thursdays, 8pm. 555 S. McDowell St. 704-506-3156.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. May 5-8: Frank Caliendo with Spanky Brown. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Neighborhood Theatre The Perch. Sketch comedy theater. Fri., May 7, 9 p.m. $10. 511 E. 36th St. 704-372-7724.

Ovations Comedy Variety Show. "The Waki Tiki show" featuring the Kahuna's of Comedy. In the Luau Lounge. Fri & Sat, 10pm. 3014 East Independence Blvd. 704-602-2595.

The Perch Theatre New Location. Sketch comedy club/theater. www.theperch.com. 1111-P Hawthorne Ln. 704-372-7724.

Dance

Peter Pan North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT) will present Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's new full-length ballet. May 6, 7:30pm; May 7, 8pm; May 8, 2pm & 8pm; May 9, 2pm. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History The Faces of Our State. Through June. Powerful Persuaders: World War II Posters. An exhibit of propaganda posters. Through Sept. 1. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Through Sept. 30. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Omnimax. Now showing: Ocean Oasis, NASCAR: The IMAX Experience, T. rex: Back to the Cretaceous, and Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance. Call or visit website for times. A T. Rex Named Sue. A fully articulated cast of a T. Rex fossil now on display. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Courage: The Carolina Story That Changed America. Brown vs. Board of Education exhibit. Through Aug. 15. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Fashions of the Crinoline Era: 1840-1865. Through May 2004. Maya and Aztec Music. Musician and scholar John Burkhalter will present a slide lecture and performance on authentic ancient instruments. Thu., May 6, 6:30 p.m. Free. VantagePoint II. Julie Heffernan: Interior Transformations, featuring large scale paintings. April 29-Sept. 5. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design The Art of Gold. Exhibit presents 80 contemporary gold objects. Apr. 3-Aug. 8. The Artful Teapot: 20th Century Expressions from the Kamm Collection. Through May 30. 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 Vernon Grant. An exhibit of Grant's work, Storybook Village. Through Oct. 31. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum John Feinstein. Meet the author of Caddy For Life and other books. Wed., May 5, 5-7 p.m. Sheri Lynch. Author will read and sign Hello, My Name is Mommy. Fri., May 7, 7 p.m. Ann B. Ross. Author will read and sign Miss Julia Meets Her Match. Sat., May 8, 2-3 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9365.

Spoken Word

Mama's Caribbean Grill Uptown Saturday Nite. Featuring singers, rappers, and poets. Sign up for the Open Mic Showcase. Details: www.freewebs.com/motifentertainment. Every second and last Saturday of the month at 10pm-until. $7 cover. 1504 Central Ave. 704-375-8414.

Tea Rex Teahouse Poetry Open Mic. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Fri., May 7, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd. 704-595-9526.

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

Theater: Openings

Broadway nights Broadway lights A musical revue of classic Broadway shows. May 8, 8 p.m.; May 9, 3 p.m. $10-$12. Northside Community Theatre, 6621 Beatties Ford Rd . 704-968-6950.

The Egg & I This family comedy is written for all ages and shares a family's struggles as they strive to live a simpler life down on the farm. May 6-8 & May 13-15, 8pm; May 9, 2:30pm. $8-$12. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.