Arts Agenda 

Electronic Music Concert Students studying electronic music will present their original compositions in this concert. Wed., Dec. 8, 10 p.m. Free. Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2357.

Rockapella Comfort & Joy A blend of seasonal tunes as well as other favorites, without instruments. Dec. 15; Dec. 16, 8 p.m. $12.50-$25. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Comedy

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. Dec. 1-4: Phil Hogan and Marvin Lee. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Dilworth Neighborhood Grille The Pink Turtle Sketchprov Experience. Whose Line, Second City, and Sketchprov style improv comedy. Reservations suggested. www.pinkturtle.net. Saturdays, 8pm. Free. 911 E. Morehead St. 704-301-1564.

SK Netcafe Psychotic Pooch. Live sketch comedy, stand-up and improv. Sat., Dec. 11, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704-665-7706.

Dance

Holiday 6/15 Moving Poets 5th annual festival of innovative performing arts. www.movingpoets.org. Dec. 8-19, Wed.-Sat., 8pm, Sun. 7pm. $15-$20. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36 St. 704-527-6683.

Unwrapped Charlotte Dance Company and Millenium Dance Studio present a celebration of dance and music. Features a fasion showcase from designer Effay Nyrie. Sat., Dec. 11. $10-$15. E.E. Waddell High School. 704-551-5711.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History Carolinas Piobaireachd Society Concert. Third annual ancient and classical music of the Great Highland bagpipe. Sun., Dec. 12, 2-4 p.m. Celtic Traditions Festival. Enjoy traditional Irish and Scottish dance, bagpipes, contemporary Celtic music, craft making, and more. Local vendors will be on hand selling traditional jewelry, clothing, and food. Free with regular museum admission. Sat., Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Main Streets of Our State. A traveling photography exhibit. Dec. 1-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. Dec. 1-May 25. Solving the Rock House Mysteries. Interactive exhibit examines clues revealed by photographs, oral histories, and archaeological discoveries. Dec. 1-31. Stitched from the Soul. The Farmer-James collection of African American quilts. Dec. 1-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. Dec. 1-Jan. 10. IMAX Dome. Now showing Roar: Lions of the Kalahari and Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Living Traditions. Folk Arts of the American South. Dec. 1-Jan. 9. Rural Voices and Visions: Local Communities Speak Out About Their Landscapes. Dec. 1-April 20. We're Still Here: Native Americans in the Southeast. Dec. 1-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. Dec. 1-Jan. 9. North Carolina Pottery: A Restless Tradition. Dec. 1-Feb. 27. Porcelain American Style. July 31, 2004-June 14, 2005. Pottery American Style. Dec. 1-Feb. 20. VantagePoint III: Elizabeth Turk - The Collars. Dec. 1-31. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience. Dec. 1-Jan. 30. Speaking Volumes: Vessels from the Collections of Mint Museums. Dec. 1-April 17. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Tue.-Sun. Wine Classes. Topics: Blind Tasting and Analysis-Just for Fun, Comparison of Judges, Process of Elimination, Wine Strategies and Evaluation Sheets. Tue., Dec. 14, 6:30-8 p.m. $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. Dec. 1-May 15. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

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

Readings & Signings

Morrison Regional Library Judy Goldman. The Charlotte author will discuss her new novel Early Leaving and sign books. Thu., Dec. 9, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. 704-336-7823.

Newsstand International Judy Goldman. Author will sign her latest novel Early Leaving. Sat., Dec. 11, 12-2 p.m. 5622-128 E. Independence Blvd. 704-531-0199.

Spoken Word

Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mike. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Thu., Dec. 9, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.

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.

Wine Up The Love Experience. Spoken word, visual arts, comedy and more. Sun., Dec. 12, 7 p.m. $7. 3306 - C N. Davidson St. 704-372-2633.

Theater: Ongoing

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! Four actors portray over 60 characters in a musical about dating, mating, marriage and life. Presented by Charlotte Repertory Theatre, contains adult content. www.charlotterep.org. Dec.4-31, Wed.-Thurs., 7:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. $37.50. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

A Mad, Mad Madrigal! Performed by Arts Repertory Theatre, in rep with Actor's Theatre of Charlotte's Santaland Diaries. www.geocities.com/epic_arts_rep. Dec. 3-6, 10-13, 17-22, Fri/Sat at 9:30p.m.; Sun/Wed at 7:30p.m. $15. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Ntozake Shange's Choreopoem Ntozake Shange's choreopoem "for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf." Featuring Charlotte radio personality Cheryl Patterson, actress Jacqueline Kennedy and local talent. Dec. 9-12. $5-$10. Livingstone College. 704-216-6260.

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.

ArtHouse Seven Degrees: A Female Photographic Journey. An exhibition of works by seven photographers from the Winthrop Univ. Fine Arts Program. Dec. 1-Jan. 1. 3103 Cullman Ave. 704-577-4587.

Artists' Atelier Carolina Fine Art & Craft Exhibition and Sale. Through December. 1346 Hill Rd. 704-552-6200.

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

Big Toe Studio New Gallery. Metal Sculpture by Theron Michael Ross and Fused Glass jewelry by Janet Barnes. Through December. 3123 Cullman Ave. 704-578-8529.

Blue Pony Gallery & Press Kim Stimpson. An exhibition of recent works. Through December. 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 La Danse. A group exhibition. Dec. 3-31. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Christa Faut Gallery Jewelry Show. Also a group exhibition of paintings by Gallery artists. Dec. 1-30. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Clay on Camden Exhibition. Works in Clay by Linda Dalton and Illustrations by David Elliott. Through December. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

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

Cosmos Cafe Violeta Moreno. An exhibition of paintings. Through January. 300 N. College St., Suite 101. 704-372-3553.

CPCC Art Gallery Asbury, Kentucky. Works by Kevin Sparks. Dec. 1-17. Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6480.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Sharon Obee. An exhibition of works. Dec. 1-Jan. 31. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Dalton Gallery Works by Barbi Dalton and Megan Marshall. Dec. 1-27. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

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. Dec. 1-8.

ElderArt Gallery Ringling Comes to Town. Paintings by the school's faculty and students. Through December. Art for Collectors. Dec. 1-31. 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. Dec. 1-14. 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. Dec. 1-Jan. 2. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Gaston County Public Library Looking at Lincoln: Political Cartoons of the Civil War Era. A free-standing panel touring exhibition. Dec. 1-30. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.

Hart-Witzen Gallery Mud-Dust-Paint-Clay. Painting and ceramics by UNCC students. Dec. 3-Jan. 15. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.

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.

Icehouse Center Gallery, Davidson Art for the Holidays. Through December. 432 S. Main St. 704-892-7323.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Pablo Picasso. Lithographs, Etchings and Linocuts. Dec. 4-Jan. 22. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Marc Lambrechts. Working primarily with wood and plaster, Lambechts creates detailed geographies. Through Jan. 14. Maja Godlewska & John Nickerson. Dec. 3-Jan. 14. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

The Light Factory Searchings: The Secret Landscapes of Flowers. Exhibition of fashion photographer Barbara Bordnick's large chromogenic photographic prints. Dec. 1-9. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art Needle Art: A Postmodern Sewing Circle. Through Jan. 8. Current Affiliate Artist's Exhibition. Dec. 3-Jan. 8. 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. Dec. 1-17. 1923-A South Blvd. 704-333-3190.

Pope's Gallery Group Exhibit. An exhibition of pottery and B&W photographs. Dec. 1-31. 1035 Providence Rd. 704-342-1774.

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 Common Ground. An exhibition of works by Roger Dale Brown and Amy Dobbs. Through December. 601 Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Synergy Studios, Shelby Art to Go. Select, unique gifts for Christmas from an array of fine art and crafts representing work of various artists. Dec. 1-Jan. 7. 212-B W. Warren St. 704-487-0144.

W.D.O. The Language of Wood. Through Dec. 24. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Sculptural Basketry and Forest. Dec. 1-Jan. 22. Artists' Invitational Exhibition. Dec. 1-Jan. 8. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

Watkins Gallery, Queens Rick Crown Pottery Show. The show features functional ware and animal sculptures. Through Dec. 15. 1900 Selwyn Ave. 704-756-8416.

Winthrop University Galleries M.F.A Thesis Exhibition. Jennifer Gilomen and Kata Billups. Through Jan. 21. 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.