Arts Agenda 

Anthony Dean Griffey Griffey, a tenor, will perform a set of songs written by Andre Previn. Fri., Nov. 19, 8:15 p.m. Free. George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center, Wingate University. 704-233-8312.

Charlotte Symphony Neighborhood Concerts These intimate and informal concerts encompass four centuries of works for chamber orchestra. Nov. 18: Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College; Nov. 19: University City United Methodist Church, 3835 West W.T. Harris Blvd.; Nov. 20: First Baptist Church, Downtown. www.charlottesymphony.org. $5-$15. 704-972-2000.

Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Fall concert with Junior Youth Orchestra. www.charlottesymphony.org. Wed., Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. $4-$6. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-972-2000.

East Carolina University Chamber Singers "Music of our Time," an a cappella performance of sacred and secular works. Fri., Nov. 19, 8 p.m. Free. Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Rd.

From Sondheim to Bernstein: A Broadway Review Concert presented by the voice students of Jacquelyn Culpepper. Nov. 19-20, 8 p.m. Free. Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2414.

Linda S. Sickles Recital Mrs. Sickles will present works by Beach, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Ysaye, Corigilano, and Massenet. Sun., Nov. 21, 3 p.m. Free. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fort Mill, 501 Pine St. 803-547-5968.

Random Acts of Song A concert of choral music dedicated to Thanksgiving and charity. www.carolinavoices.org. Sun., Nov. 21, 5 p.m. $10-$12. St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd. 704-374-1564.

St. Lawrence String Quartet A concert series performance from the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Tyler-Tallman Hall. Wed., Nov. 17, 8 p.m. $10-$15. Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2135.

Winthrop Chorale/Chamber Singers Also performing, Winthrop Jazz Voices. McBryde Hall. Mon., Nov. 22, 8 p.m. Free. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2255.

Winthrop Flute Choir Directed by Jill O'Neil. Sun., Nov. 21, 4 p.m. Free. Frances May Barnes Recital Hall, Winthrop University. 803-323-2255.

Winthrop Symphonic Band Also performing, Winthrop/Olde English Wind Ensemble. Brynes Auditorium. Fri., Nov. 19, 8 p.m. Free. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2255.

Comedy

Charlotte Comedy Theater Extreme Improv. A high energy, audience interactive show similar to "Who's Line Is It Anyway?" Shows rated R. www.extremeimprov.com. Fri, 10pm; Sat, 8pm (non-smoking) & 10pm. $10. 1111 - D Hawthorne Ln. 866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. Nov. 17-20: Hypnotist Ricky Kalmon (R-Rated show); Nov. 24-25: Paul Hooper and Keith Alberstadt. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Ovens Auditorium All Stars of BET Comedy. Starring Rickey Smiley/Bruce Bruce. Fri., Nov. 19, 8 p.m. $34.50-$42.50. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-372-3600.

The Pink Turtle Sketchprov Experience Comedy. Whose Line, Second City, and Sketchprovstyle improv comedy. Reservations suggested.www.pinkturtle.net. Thu., Wine Up, 3306-C N. Davidson; Fri., Tyber Creek Pub, 1933 S. Blvd,; Sat., Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 E. Morehead St.; All at 8pm. Free. 704-301-1564.

Dance

Project Hometown Moving Poets presents an original dance-theatre and multi-media "hip-opera" performance. Nov. 18-20. $15-$25. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36 St. 704-527-6683.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History Main Streets of Our State. A traveling photography exhibit. Nov. 10-Jan. 2. Our Changing Landscape: Early Views of People and Place in the Carolina Piedmont. An exhibition that illustrates and interprets the changes in the Carolina Piedmont landscape. Nov. 10-May 25. Solving the Rock House Mysteries. Interactive exhibit examines clues revealed by photographs, oral histories, and archaeological discoveries. Opening, Nov. 20, 2-4pm. Nov. 20-Dec. 31. Stitched from the Soul. The Farmer-James collection of African American quilts. Nov. 10-March 25. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Communication Exhibit. Follow electronic messages around the world, see your voice, and get a glimpse at the next generation of the information age. Nov. 10-Jan. 10. Omnimax. Omnimax is closed for renovations through mid-November. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. John T. Edge. Food for Thought: Fried Chickendinner and lecture with author. Thu., Nov. 18, 6 p.m. $20-$25. Living Traditions. Folk Arts of the American South. Nov. 10-Jan. 9. Rural Voices and Visions. A regional conversation about the sense of place, importance, and challenges of rural land. Sun., Nov. 21, 3 p.m. We're Still Here: Native Americans in the Southeast. Nov. 10-Jan. 9. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Andrew Wyeth: The Helga Pictures. An opportunity to see the work of America's foremost realist artist. Nov. 10-Jan. 9. Guild of Charlotte Artists. Guest Tommie Robinson will present on "Painting Egg Tempera in Watercolor." Wed., Nov. 17, 7 p.m. Free. North Carolina Pottery: A Restless Tradition. Nov. 10-Feb. 27. Porcelain American Style. July 31, 2004-June 14, 2005. Pottery American Style. Nov. 10-Feb. 20. VantagePoint III: Elizabeth Turk - The Collars. Nov. 10-Dec. 31. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience. Nov. 10-Jan. 30. Speaking Volumes: Vessels from the Collections of Mint Museums. Nov. 10-April 17. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Tue.-Sun. Wine Classes. Topics: Champagne Styles and Tastes, Appellations, Sekt, Cava, Methode Champenoise, Geography & Climates, Food Pairings. Nov. 16, 6:30-8pm. $30. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.

Museum of York County Eewww, Yuck!. Understanding Nature's Most Unhuggable Creatures. Through Summer 2005. Our Changing Landscapes: Early views of people and places in Carolina Piedmont. Nov. 10-May 15. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Schiele Museum, Gastonia 1500 East Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum James Patterson. Author will appear for a demo, discussion and signing of London Bridges. Thu., Nov. 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9365.

Gaston County Public Library Portisville. Author appearance featuring Novello Festival Press award-winning writer Steve Cushman. Following presentation, copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing. Tue., Nov. 23, 7 p.m. Free. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2164.

Park Road Books Marshall Chapman. Author will sign Goodbye, Little Rock and Roller. Thu., Nov. 18, 7 p.m. Brewster Milton Robertson. Author will sign A Posturing of Fools. Fri., Nov. 19, 7 p.m. Carol Goodwin. Author will sign What's the Hurry Furry?. Sat., Nov. 20, 11 a.m. Trig Negreto. Author will sign The Scribe. Sat., Nov. 20, 2 p.m. Chipp Bailey. Author will sign Execute the Office. Sun., Nov. 21, 1 p.m. Libby Miller. Author will sign Bill Miller: Do You Know Me? A Daughter Remembers. Mon., Nov. 22, 7 p.m. Janice Moore. Author will sign Sex Education. Tue., Nov. 23, 7 p.m. Park Road Shopping Center, 4139 Park Rd. 704-525-9239.

Spoken Word

Queens University Main Street Rag Poets' Night. Featured Reader: Irene Blair Honeycutt. Open mike follows. www.MainStreetRag.com. Sat., Nov. 20, 7 p.m. 1900 Selwyn Ave. 704-573-2516.

Theater: Openings

Bride of 24 Hour Theatre Project Five playwrights are given a theme on Friday night, from which they must write a ten minute play to be staged, rehearsed and performed the next night. Sat., Nov. 20, 8 p.m. $5-$12. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

A Mid Summer Night's Dream A presentation of Shakespeare's classic. Nov. 18-20, 7pm; Nov. 21, 3pm. $6. Providence High School, 1800 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Matthews. 704-846-8412.

Pastiche: An Original Work A transPerformance created by an ensemble of actors, musicians, dancers, and visual artists. Hodson Hall of Cunningham Fine Arts Building. Nov. 17-20, 7:30pm; Nov. 21, 2pm. $4-$6. Davidson College. 704-894-2340.

Working A musical presented by Northwest School of the Arts featuring music by Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor, and Mary Rodgers. Nov. 19; Nov. 20, 7 p.m.; Nov. 21, 2:30 p.m. $7. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 980-343-5500.

Theater: Ongoing

Bright Ideas Macbeth meets McParenting in this satirical farce that shows how far parents will go to get their child in the most prestigious preschool. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. Nov. 3-20, Wed-Thu, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm. $17-$22. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Godspell Performances of Stephen Schwartz' rock musical. Nov. 18-20, 8pm. $10. Haid Theatre, Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-825-6787.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The musical, starring Jon Secada, chronicles the story of Joseph's rise to power. Nov. 16-21, Tues-Thurs, 8pm; Fri-Sat, 8:15pm; Sat, Sun Matinee, 2:00pm; Sun, 7:30pm. $23-$64. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Visual Arts: Openings

Dalton Gallery Works by Barbi Dalton and Megan Marshall. Reception: Dec. 2, 5:30-7:30pm. Nov. 23-Dec. 27. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Marc Lambrechts. Working primarily with wood and plaster, Lambechts creates detailed geographies. Reception: Nov. 19, 6-9pm. Nov. 19-Jan. 14. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

McColl Center for Visual Art Needle Art: A Postmodern Sewing Circle. Opening Reception: Nov. 19, 6-8pm. Through Jan. 8. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Sculptural Basketry and Forest. Opening Reception: Nov. 19, 6-8pm. Nov. 19-Jan. 22. Artists' Invitational Exhibition. Reception: Nov. 19, 6-8pm. Nov. 19-Jan. 8. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Charlotte-Mecklenburg High School Teachers. A combination of mixed media, 2- and 3-dimensional work from various instructors within the public school system. Through December. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Art Preserve New paintings by Jan Kinslowe. Through Dec. 24. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

Belk Visual Arts Center, Davidson College Faculty Art Exhibition. Through Dec. 8. 704-894-2519.

Blue Pony Gallery & Press Mary Lou Sussman. An exhibition of landscape-inspired monotypes. Through Nov. 27. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.

Breathe Art Space Portraits: A Comparative Look. A group exhibition. Through Dec. 24. 228 Caldwell Lane, Suite B, Davidson. 704-896-1799.

Center of the Earth Gallery Paintings by Roberto Azank and Glass Sculptures by Wes Hunting. Through Dec. 24. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Fall into Art. A group exhibition. Through Nov. 27. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Christa Faut Gallery Jewelry Show. Also a group exhibition of paintings by Gallery artists. Nov. 16-Dec. 30. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Clay on Camden Clay Works by Andy Smith. And photography by Daniel Coston. Through November. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

Cone Center, UNCC Marek Ranis: The Corridor. Through Dec. 10. 704-687-3315.

CPCC Art Gallery Asbury, Kentucky. Works by Kevin Sparks. Nov. 10-Dec. 17. Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6480.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Natalie Bork. Through Nov. 27. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Davidson College Faculty Exhibition. New paintings and sculptures from art faculty members Herb Jackson, Russ Warren, Cort Savage and visiting member McArthur Freeman. Van Every/Smith Galleries. Nov. 15-Dec. 8.

ElderArt Gallery Ringling Comes to Town. Paintings by the school's faculty and students. Through December. Art for Collectors. Nov. 10-Dec. 31. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Fu's Custom Tattoos The Greatest Sketch Show On Earth. A collection of sketches by over 80 tattoo artists from across. Nov. 14-Dec. 14. 901-D N. Tryon St. 704-376-4556.

Gallery 620 Nicolai Froehlich. An exhibition of recent landscape photography. Through Jan. 5. 620 W. Morehead St. 704-618-9966.

The Gallery at Carillon Tanja Softic. Exhibition titled On the Nature of Things. Through Jan. 21. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Gallery L, Main Library Unchained Memories: Readings from Slave Narratives. Multi-media including photos, reproductions of rare books, prints, and interactive presentations. Nov. 10-Jan. 2. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Green Rice Designs & Studio Joshua 2. An exhibition of new paintings by conceptual expressionist. Through November. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Still Lifes & Street Scenes. Group exhibition of gallery artists. Nov. 5- Dec. 23, 2004. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Maud Gatewood. A mini-perspective of artist. Through November. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Icehouse Center Gallery, Davidson Designer Jewelry. A group exhibition. Opening Reception: Nov. 12, 6-9pm. Through November. Art for the Holidays. Through December. 432 S. Main St. 704-892-7323.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Andrew Wyeth: America's Painter. An exhibit of watercolors. Nov. 10-27. Brian Rutenberg. New paintings of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Nov. 10-27. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

The Light Factory Searchings: The Secret Landscapes of Flowers. Exhibition of fashion photographer Barbara Bordnick's large chromogenic photographic prints. Nov. 10-Dec. 9. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art Fall 2004 Artists-in-Residence. Through Nov. 22. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Modern Eye Gallery Abstraction Today. Grand opening exhibit featuring the diversity of abstraction in painting, printmaking, and photography. Nov. 10-Dec. 17. 1923-A South Blvd. 704-333-3190.

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.

Rowe Arts Galleries, UNCC Joan Tweedy: Ceramics. Through Dec. 10. Rowe Arts Building, 9201 University Blvd.

Shain Gallery Natural Response. Works of William Jameson. Nov. 5-30. 601 Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Synergy Studios, Shelby Inner Space. New work by the five Synergy artists who interpret the concept of inner space in their various media. Nov. 10-18. 212-B W. Warren St. 704-487-0144.

W.D.O. The Language of Wood. Nov. 16-Dec. 31. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Winthrop University Galleries M.F.A Thesis Exhibition. Jennifer Gilomen and Kata Billups. Nov. 8-Jan. 21, Slide Lecture, Nov.18, 8pm. Mike Lavine. Precious 017 is a series of temporary, indoor installations built with millions of small, tropical hardwood shavings. Through Jan. 21. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.