Arts Agenda 

Classical Music

Charlotte Flute Choir A program of light classical music for the unusual medium of flute choir. Sharon United Methodist Church, 4411 Sharon Rd. Sun., May 16, 7 p.m. Free. 704-552-7128.

Charlotte Symphony New World Symphony with Catherine Rückwardt, conducting, and Terrence Wilson, piano. May 14; May 15, 8 p.m. $14-$64. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Providence Chamber Music Series The Providence United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will perform Johannes Brahms' A German Requiem. At the church (Providence Rd & Sharon Amity). Sun., May 16, 7 p.m. Free. 704-333-9536.

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 19-22: Mike Mesemer with Scott Oseycheck. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Ovations Comedy Variety Show. "The Waki Tiki show" featuring the Kahunas 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.

Visulite Theatre The Perch Presents. Sketch comedy theater. www.theperch.com. May 13; May 27, 9 p.m. $10. 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704-358-9200.

Dance

The Pearl Fishers CPCC Opera Theatre's production of Bizet's opera. The production also features Classical Indian Dance. May 14-15, 8pm; May 16, 2:30pm. $12. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

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 Community Day. Celebrate courage in the community as youth share perspectives and performances on race, education, history, and Brown's legacy. Sun., May 16, 1-4 p.m. $5-$6, members and kids under 6 free. 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. Here's Lookin' At You Kid. Prosperity America Incorporated (PAI), an organization helping at-risk youth throughcommunity-based programming, will host its kickoff event. Proceeds benefit PAI. Wed., May 19, 7 p.m. VantagePoint II. Julie Heffernan: Interior Transformations, featuring large scale paintings. May 5-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. Wine Classes. Featuring Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz- A comparison, triangular tasting, geography and more. www.carolinawineclub.com. Tue., May 18, 6:15-8 p.m. $30. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.

Museum of York County The Last "Hu-Roar". During this program, children, ages 5 and older with an accompanying adult, will learn about lions, lynxes, cheetahs, jaguars and more from the All About Cats exhibition. Sat., May 15, 10 a.m. 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 Michael J. Durant. Author will discuss and sign In the Company of Heroes: A True Story. Thu., May 13, 7 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9365.

Barnes & Noble, Huntersville Meet the Authors. An evening with several local authors. Fri., May 14, 7 p.m. Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Rd., Huntersville. 704-895-8863.

Spoken Word

Afro-American Cultural Center Harambee Tuesday. Spoken word poetry and creative expression gathering. First and third Tues., 7-9pm. Free. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mic. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Thu., May 13, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Southend Performing Arts Center BareBones Poetry Project. SPAC will feature regional authors reading selections of their poetry, short stories and performance poetry. Third Tuesday of every month, 8 p.m. 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

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

American POP! Carolina Voices' MainStage Choir will celebrate American popular songs of the 20th Century. May 14-15, 8pm; May 15-16, 3pm. $20-$25. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The Elephant Man Children's Theatre's Ensemble Company, made up of local high school actors, will present the play based on the life of John Merrick. May 12-13, 7:30pm; May 14, 9pm; May 15-16, 7:30pm. $9. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.

Lullaby of Broadway A high-energy concert of the Best of Broadway featuring a top notch Broadway cast. May 17-30, 8pm; Sat-Sun, 2pm matinees also. $35-$39. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Theatre for Change A reading of Misha Shulman's The Fist. Wed., May 12, 7 p.m. Free. The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737.

White Man Dancing A Romantic comedy triangle about one actor, one writer, and one wife. www.nccast.com. May 13-May 29, Wed - Sat, 8pm. $12-$15. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Theater: Ongoing

CEO/DOA Mystery Dinner Theater featuring comedy, murder and mayhem. Thu & Fri, 7pm; Sat, 6:30pm & 7:30pm. $35. Ovations, 3014 East Independence Blvd. 704-602-2595.

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 13-15, 8pm. $8-$12. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.

Faith County II Mooresville Community Theatre present the comedy in the Joe V. Knox Auditorium. May 7-8, 13-15, 8pm. $5. Mooresville Citizens Center, 215 N. Main St. 704-662-1025.

Omega A science-fiction adventure comedy by Tony Wright. It is the future and the male race has been destroyed by a deadly virus. Performed by an all-female cast. Fri., Sat., 8 p.m. Continues through Aug. 28. $10. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Rumors This fast-paced Neil Simon comedy will be presented by Theatre Charlotte. May 13-16, 20-23, Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm. $17-$22. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-376-3777.

Why We Have a Body Delve into the female psyche, presenting the struggle and search of four women in a kaleidoscopic form, shifting space and time. A co-production of Chickspeare & BareBones Theatre Group. www.barebones.org. May 13-15, 20-22 at 8pm, May 23 at 3pm. $12-$15. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Wonder of the World Life changes in one minute for Cass when she discovers something shocking in her husband's sweater drawer. Recommended for mature audiences. Apr. 28-May 23; Wed & Thur at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm; May 23 at 2:30pm. $17-$22. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Visual Arts: Openings

Breathe Art Space East Wind. An exhibit of paintings, embossings, woodcuts and calligraphy by Mona Wu. Opening Reception: May 14, 6-9pm. May 14-July 3. 228 Caldwell Lane, Suite B, Davidson. 704-896-1799.

Redsky Gallery Experiencing the Wonder in the Common. A group exhibit. Opening Reception: May 14, 6:00-8:30pm. May 14-June 30. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

The Clay Cafe, Rock Hill Earth and Oil. Featuring wheel-thrown functional pottery and traditional oil medium paintings. May 14; May 15, 7-10 p.m.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Afro-American Cultural Center The Pride Collection. An exhibit of extensive collection of art of the late Dr. Harold S. Pride, Sr. Through June. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Abstract Vision. An exhibit by Diane Foust. Opening Reception: May 20, 5:30-7pm. May 5-June 30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Art Preserve Herb Jackson. A showing of Jackson's small oil paintings on panel, in conjunction with Christa Faut Gallery. Through Jun. 5. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

Article Gallery New Works. Local artists Adrienne Dellinger, Jennifer Mecca, and Sandy Singletary. Through May 23. 2041 South Blvd. 704-376-5881.

Bank of America Gallery Objects of Contemplation. An exhibition of selected still life worksfrom the permanent collection of the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Through July 5. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.

Bank of America Plaza Surface Matters. Artists from the Southeast explore surface and materials challenging the viewer to look deeper and stretch their awareness, using newspaper, steel, concrete, monofilament, fiber, acrylics and oil. Curated by Joie Lassiter Gallery. Also at First Citizens, 128 S. Tryon. Through Nov 15. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

Blue Pony Gallery & Press Fragments. A selection of new monotypes and multi-media work by Margret Kuehni. May 7-June 19. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.

Center of the Earth Gallery Louis St. Lewis. NC native St. Lewis is known for colorful bold pop art collages on glass. May 5-June 19. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Clay on Camden Robert Hasselle / Tom Speck. An exhibit of ceramics and sculpture. Through May. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

Cosmos Cafe Dual Hemispheres. Paintings and assemblages by JeffMangum. May 6-31. 300 N. College St., Suite 101. 704-372-3553.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Theron Michael Ross / Michael Weeks. Sculpture by Ross and images of blues and jazz by Weeks. Through May. 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 The Russians Are Coming. An exhibit of select group of Russian paintings by twenty artists who were from Charlotte's Sister City, Voronezh, Russia. May 5-June 30. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

The Evening Muse Violeta Moreno. An exhibition of recent paintings. May 7-July 1. 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737.

Foust Studio Recent. New contemporary artwork by Charlotte Foust and Raed Al Rawi. Through May 28. 5200 Park Rd., Suite 115. 704-525-7989.

The Gallery at Carillon Landscapes. An exhibition of paintings, large-scale drawings and wall mounted sculptures by Shaun Cassidy. Through July 16. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Green Rice Designs & Studio Echoes. An exploration into the concept of echoes as it relates to the artwork. Through June 10. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Tony Hernandez. A solo exhibition titled Reflection in King's Blue. May 7-June 12. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery The Figure: Inside Out, A Psychological Survey of the Human Form. Also on exhibit: Bob Trotman: Recent Sculpture. Both explore the human figure with various media. May 7-June 27. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition. Inauguration of new gallery. Through May 15. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Jimmy O'Neal. Primacy of Movement: Works from the Rose Museum "Painting 4" exhibition. May 7-June 11. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

JS Pottery Group Exhibition. Featuring painters, jewelers and clay artists. Through May. 27 South Main Street, Belmont. 704-829-0360.

Main Library Theater Posters of James McMullan. An exhibit of work by a graphic artist, whose clients include Lincoln Center Theater, NYC. Through May. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-6217.

McColl Center for Visual Art NC Arts Council Fellowship Recipients. An exhibit of contemporary art by NC Artists. Through June 5. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Merrill-Jennings Galleries Loren DiBenedetto. One-woman show featuring still-life paintings. Through May. 463 S. Main St., Davidson. 704-895-1213.

Noel Gallery Fernando Porras. An exhibit of art entitled A Fish Story. Through May 29. Transamerica Square, 401 N. Tryon St. 704-343-0050.

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.

Shain Gallery Vacation Vistas. A new collection of European landscapes and village scenes by Henry Barnes. Also on exhibit new works by five artists. Through May. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Therapy Marketplace & Cafe Pura Vida Gallery. Collection including Dali, LeKinff, Warhol, Besner, and Chemiakin. Through May. 401 N. Tryon Street, Ste 102. 704-333-1353.

W.D.O. Mitomemoria. Cristina Cordova's clay sculptures. Through June 5. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Collective Expressions. Multimedia exhibition featuring Guilford College Art Faculty. Through June 19. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

Winthrop University Galleries Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. Artistic talent of undergrad students from all disciplines. May 5-June 25. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.