Arts Agenda 

Matthew Noonan A program tracing the history of organ music from 16th century Amsterdam to present-day Charlotte, presented by The Charlotte chapter of the American Guild of Organists. First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Trade St. Sun., Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. 704-332-5123.

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 ($5) and Saturdays ($10). www.extremeimprov.com www.psychoticpooch.com. 1958 E 7th St. 866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances. July 30-31: Gary Valentine & Mark Evans, 8pm & 10:15pm. August 4-7: Russ Nagel, Tim Rowlands & Clint. www.comedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Tyber Creek Pub The Pink Turtle Sketchprov Experience. Reservations suggested. www.pinkturtle.net. Fridays, 8pm. $5. 1933 S. Blvd. 704-301-1564.

Dance

Kinetic Works SummerDance 2004 Concert performances by Kinetic Works Dance Company, featuring a company of six professional dancers and three pre-professional student dancers. www. mckineticworks.org. Aug. 5; Aug. 6; Aug. 7, 8 p.m. $15-$18. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. 704-338-1533.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History Main Streets of Our State. A traveling photography exhibit. July 22-Jan. 2. 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. 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 Porcelain American Style. July 31, 2004-June 14, 2005. Revelation: A Fresh Look at Contemporary Collections. July 22-Sept. 19. VantagePoint II. Julie Heffernan: Interior Transformations, featuring large scale paintings. July 22-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 Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience. July 22-Jan. 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 Eewww, YUCK! Understanding Nature's Most Unhuggable Creatures. Through mid August. Rock Hill From A to Z. July 22-Aug. 15. Summer Movies for Children. Awesome Animals. July 20-21: 101 Dalmatians. Tues. & Wed. at 11am & 2pm. Vernon Grant. An exhibit of Grant's work, Storybook Village. Through Oct. 31. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Schiele Museum, Gastonia Heavens Above: Photographs of the Universe from the Hubble Space Telescope. Through Aug. 1. 1500 East Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.

Readings & Signings

Main Library Cathy Pickens. Author will discuss the novel Southern Fried. Sat., July 31, 1 p.m. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-6217.

Park Road Books Joan Medlicott. Author will read and sign At Home in Covington. Wed., Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Dawn O'Brien. Author will discuss and sign North Carolina's Historic Restaurants and Their Recipes. Thu., Aug. 5, 7 p.m. Park Road Shopping Center, 4139 Park Rd. 704-525-9239.

Spoken Word

The Evening Muse Turner South. Talking about My South. Tue., Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m. 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737.

Queens University Poets' Night. This is an Open Mike event--no featured reader. Hosted by Main Street Rag. Sat., July 31, 7 p.m. 1900 Selwyn Ave. 704-573-2516.

Tea Rex Teahouse Poetry Open Mic. M. Scott Douglass will guest host. Fri., Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd.

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

Arsenic and Old Lace Joseph Kesselring's classic comedy presented by Piedmont Players Theatre. July 29-31 & August 4-7, 7:30pm; August 1, 2:30pm. $9-$15. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. 704-633-5471.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch Set just weeks before the fall of the Berlin wall, this rock musical is the story of Hedwig Schmidt who sees a sex change operation and subsequent marriage to an American GI as his escape from East Germany. Presented by The Actor's Theatre of Charlotte. Recommended for mature audiences. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. August 5-21, 8pm, with 11pm shows each Friday & Saturday. $23. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

The Mousetrap A presentation of the Agatha Christie classic. Hodson Hall in the Cunningham Fine Arts Building. July 29-31 & August 5-7, 8pm; July 29 & August 5 are dinner theatre, $37/person. $13-$15. Davidson College. 704-894-2340.

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. Aug. 6-Aug 28, Fri & Sat, 8pm. $10. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Playing with Fire An allegorical comic fable of politics, greed, love and getting what youask for. Jul 29-31 & Aug 4-7, 8pm. $12-$15, Pay What You Can Night Aug. 5. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

Quickspeare A medley of scene vignettes from the Bard's favorite plays presented by Chickspeare. Jul. 29-31, 8pm; Aug. 1, 2pm. $19.99. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Theater: Ongoing

Bel Canto An audience interactive murder mystery. www.rhcommunitytheatre.org. August 2, 9, 16 at 7pm. $30. Station Bar & Grille, Rock Hill, 122 S. Oakland Ave. 803-324-2578.

Cinderella Summer musical production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. July 22-August 8, Thu-Sat (8pm), Sun (2:30pm). $10-$15. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.

Mamma Mia! The story-telling magic of ABBA's songs propels this tale of love, laughter and friendship. Jul. 27-29, 8pm; Jul. 30, 8:15pm; Jul. 31, 2pm & 8:15pm; Aug. 1, 2pm & 7:30pm. $22-$67. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

MISSION: Possible! A hilarious story with favorite spies of the screen, presented by The Young Yorkville Players. www.yorkvilleplayers.com. July 30-31, 8pm; August 1, 3pm. $5. McCelvey Center, York, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 803-628-5025.

West Side Story A landmark Broadway musical, presented by Central Piedmont Summer Theatre. July 28-31, Wed-Sat (8pm), Sun (2:30pm). $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

Visual Arts: Openings

Breathe Art Space Rituals. A group exhibition of North Carolina artists. Through Aug. 20. 228 Caldwell Lane, Suite B, Davidson. 704-896-1799.

Christa Faut Gallery Memories of Kitty. A memorial show for clay artist Clara (Kitty) Couch. Opening Reception: August 20, 6-8pm. Aug. 6-Sept. 1. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

The Gallery at Carillon Paris/Charlotte. A photographic exploration of the visual, tactile and pedestrian qualities of two cities. Through Oct. 16. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Gallery L, Main Library Lunch Box Memories. A rare collection of 75 metal lunch boxes. Aug. 8-Sept. 26. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Hart-Witzen Gallery The Human Form: figurative visual arts exhibition. Aug. 6; Aug. 20, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Diane Bywaters. A solo exhibition of North Carolina landscapes. Opening Reception: July 30, 6-8pm. Through Sept. 4. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

The Light Factory Member's Annual Exhibition. Opening Reception: July 30, 6-9pm. Jul. 30-Sep. 4. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

Redsky Gallery Gallery Artists. Gallery celebrates its first anniversary with an exhibition featuring the work of three of its artists. July 30-Aug. 28. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Shain Gallery Charlotte On Canvas. Images of Charlotte through the eyes of gallery artists. Opening Reception: August 6, 6-9pm. Through August. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Afro-American Cultural Center Juried Artists. Exhibit features local, state and national artists. Through August. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Group Exhibit. Life drawings by second-quarter students. July 22-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Art Preserve The Animal Farm. A group exhibit featuring animal related paintings and 3-D objects. A portion of proceeds benefit N. Meck. Animal Rescue. July-August. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

ArtHouse Center for Creative Expression. A collection of studios and galleries featuring fine art, b&w photography, textile art, sculpture, heritage art, and music. Also sound recording studio. 3103 Cullman Ave. 704-577-4587.

Bank of America Gallery Decades. Art from the Collection of Bank of America 1940-1990. July 22-Oct. 30. 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.

Center of the Earth Gallery Scott Upton. An exhibit of mixed media paintings. July 22-Aug. 20. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

City Hall Rotunda Gallery, Rock Hill Anne L. Rhodes. An exhibit of paintings. Through July. 803-328-2787.

Clay on Camden Shelly Johnston. Through July. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

CPCC Art Gallery Jeremy Russell. A mixed genre show based on current events and cultural observations. July 22-Aug. 20. Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6480.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Sky Hixson. Through July. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Dalton Gallery Ray Moose. A series of sculptures inspired byNative American forms and culture. July 22-Aug. 23. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

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.

Depot Visual Arts Center, Mooresville John Brady. An exhibit of paintings. Through July. 103 W. Center Ave. 704-663-6661.

ElderArt Gallery Up and Coming. A group exhibit featuring five artists. July 23-Aug. 30. Philip Mullen. A solo exhibition of oil paintings. Also a group exhibit of paintings and sculpture by gallery artists. Through August. New Artists Exhibition. Works included are abstract, impressionistic and mixed media. July 22-Aug. 31. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Gallery L, Main Library Dali. The Halsman photographs. July 22-Aug. 1. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Icehouse Center Gallery, Davidson Work From The Wood Studio. A look at woodturning and wood working. July 22-Aug. 10. 432 S. Main St. 704-892-7323.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Brian Russell & Ramon Urban. Exhibits New Sculpture & New Constructions. Through Sept. 4. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery John Nickerson. Hotter than July II: Unusual blown and cut glass forms. July 22-Aug. 31. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

Lesbian & Gay Community Center Wendy Blue. An exhibition featuring the work of printmaker. Through August. 1401 Central Ave. 704-333-0144.

The Light Factory Kindertransport. An exhibition of photographs documenting the effort that saved 10,000 children from the Nazis. Through Aug. 18. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art Summer Affiliates Artists Exhibition. Through Aug. 21. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Microcosm Gallery Rod Wimer. Exhibit Just Looking, new Mixed Media Paintings featuring Abstracts, Figures and Landscapes. Through August. 300 N. College St. #101. 704-372-3553.

Paramount's Carowinds Madame Tussauds New York: Tribute to the Heroes of 9/11. A lifelike wax figure of the famous photo of firefighters lifting a flag on the rubble of WTC. Through August 22. 704-588-2606.

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.

Queen's Beans Coffee Shop Daniel Coston. An exhibit of Johnny Cash photos. In the Left Wall Gallery. Through July. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

Stretch Gallery N Studios Henryk Fantazos. Against Modern Art An exhibit of new and retrospective works. Through July 30. 10726 Pineville Rd, Pineville. 704-552-5678.

Synergy Studios, Shelby All That's Glass. An exhibit featuring ten regionalglass artists. July 22-Sept. 3. 212B W. Warren St.

The Artists Gallery Nature. Featuring the watercolors, acrylic paintings and underwater and wildlife photography. Through July. 7824-C Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-541-6944.

W.D.O. Summer Exhibition. A group exhibit of crafts. Through July. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Bert Hawley & Karen Parker. Exhibit of paintings. July 22-Aug. 21. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.