Arts Agenda 

Carolina Pro Musica Arts at the Abbey presents resident early music ensemble Carolina Pro Musica in Spanish Splendor: Music from 18th century Europe and South America. www.belmontabbeycollege.edu. Mon., April 11, 8 p.m. Free. Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-461-6813.

Charlotte Symphony A performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 and Brahms' A German Requiem. www.charlottesymphony.org. April 8, 8 p.m.; April 9, 8 p.m. $14-$68. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

The Magic of Music Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras present the annual youth festival concert. The concert will feature the Symphony Guild of Charlotte 2005 Young Artists Competition Grand Prize Winners. Wed., April 13, 7:30 p.m. $5-$8. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Providence Chamber Music Series Musicians from the Charlotte Symphony present a concert featuring "The Piano," a Brahms Sonata and Dvorak's "Dumky" Trio. Sun., April 10, 7 p.m. Free. Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd. 704-333-9536.

Robin Huw Bowen Master of the Welsh Triple Harp will perform a solo concert of Welsh and other Celtic music. Wed., April 13, 8 p.m. $8. St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Davidson, 301 Caldwell Ln. 704-996-7724.

Spanish Splendor Carolina Pro Musica performs music of the Iberian Peninsula, Peru and Argentina. www.carolinapromusica.org. Sat., April 16, 8:15 p.m. $7.50-$15. St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St. 704-334-3468.

The Tuscan Sun Festival Presented by Carolinas Concert Association and featuring author Frances Mayes, The New European Strings Chamber Orchestra, and cellist Nina Kotova. Mon., April 11, 8 p.m. $20-$60. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Comedy

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center David Sedaris. The writer and NPR personality will present an evening of engaging recollections and readings. Sun., April 10, 7 p.m. 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. Apr. 7-10: Frank Caliendo. 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. Sat., 8:30pm. $5. 911 E. Morehead St. 704-301-1564.

SK Netcafe Stand-Up. "Comedy for Cans." Bring canned goods to feed the hungry. Wed., April 6, 10 p.m. 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704-334-1523.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History Black Banjo Then & Now Gathering. A benefit concert featuring The Ebony Hillbillies, Cheikh Hamala Diabate, Tony Thomas, and Sule Greg Wilson. Presented by Charlotte Folk Society. Wed., April 6, 7:30 p.m. $10. 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. March 31-May 25. Rites of Spring. Celebrate the arrival spring with Colonial dance,crafts, and an opportunity to join in springtime chores on the farm. Also activities include natural dying, basket weaving, candle dipping and more. Sat., April 9, 1-4 p.m. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place If These Walls Could Talk. The exhibit investigates the science and history of the structures that human create. March 31-May 31. IMAX Dome. Now showing Roar: Lions of the Kalahari, Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure and Forces of Nature. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Rural Voices and Visions: Local Communities Speak Out About Their Landscapes. March 31-April 20. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Creighton Michael: Patterns of Perception. March 31-July 3. Porcelain American Style. July 31, 2004-June 14, 2005. Retrospective of Prints by Chuck Close. April 14-Aug. 7. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design Murano Family Day. Come be Italian for a day at That's Amore! Family Day. View the MURANO: Glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection exhibition and participate in the many planned activities. Sun., April 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free-$10. Murano: Glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection. April 2-Dec. 31. Speaking Volumes: Vessels from the Collections of Mint Museums. March 31-April 17. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Tue.-Sun. Wine Classes. Decoding the Wine Label. Apr. 12, 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. March 31-May 15. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum Susan Wittig Albert. Author of the China Bayles Mysteries will be in the store to discuss and sign her latest work, Dead Man's Bones. Sun., April 10, 2 p.m. Nicholas Sparks. One of America's favorite chronicler of love stories will be signing his latest novel True Believer. Thu., April 14, 7 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9481.

Beatties Ford Road Library Tanure Ojaide. Award-winning author will read excerpts from his first novel, Sovereign Body, followed by a book signing and reception. Tue., April 12, 7 a.m. Free. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. 704-432-6706.

North County Regional Library The Secrets of War. Join Asheville-based writer Terry Garren for a discussion of his novel The Secrets of War, based on the Civil War experiences of his great-grandparents. Mon., April 11, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. 704-895-0318.

Spoken Word

Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mic. Featuring local poets and the event is hosted by Jonathan Rice. Thu., April 14, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Wine Up Touch One Thursdays. Poetry and live music. Thurs, 9:30pm. $5-$10. 3306 - C N. Davidson St. 704-372-2633.

Theater: Openings

I'm Not Rappaport Production of Tony Award winning comedy. www.nccast.com. Apr. 13-16, 21-23, 28-30, 8pm; Apr. 14, 24 & May 1, 2:30pm. $12-$15. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Community Playhouse of Lancaster County will perform. Apr. 8-9, 14-15 & 16, 8pm. $7-$11. Stevens Auditorium, Lancaster, 476 Hubbard Dr. 803-289-8092.

Miss Nelson Is Missing! A presentation of the award-winning musical. April 8-23. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-333-8983.

On the Record A Disney musical featuring 64 beloved songs from films. Apr. 12-14, 8pm; Apr. 15, 8:15pm; Apr. 16, 2pm & 8:15pm; Apr. 17, 2pm & 7:30pm. $23-$61. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-522-6500.

Peter Pan The classic story presented by the Piedmont Players. www.piedmontplayers.com. April 14-16, 20-23, 7:30pm; April 16,17, 23, 2:30pm. $9-$15. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. 704-633-5471.

Tick,Tick...Boom! Actor's Theatre of Charlotte present a musical from the creator of Rent. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. Apr. 6-23, Wed-Thu, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm; Apr. 17, 2:30pm. $17-$22, Apr. 12 is "Pay What You Can Night." Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Theater: Ongoing

The House of Yes A play presented by the theatre department. Contains adult content and language. BlackBox Theatre of Cunningham Fine Arts Building. Apr. 1-5, 7:30pm. $4. Davidson College. 704-894-2340.

Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In Yorkville Players production based on the popular late 1960s TV program. www.yorkvilleplayers.com. Apr. 8-9 at 8pm; Apr. 10 at 3pm. $8. McCelvey Center, York, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 803-628-7505.

Visual Arts: Openings

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Carter Seibels. Charleston glass artist and jewelry designer will display Divali Glass Jewelry. Artist Reception: Apr. 14, 5:30-7pm. April 8-May 31. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Dalton Gallery Sybil Mitchell & Suzann Marchin. An exhibition of recent works. Reception: Apr. 7, 5:30-7:30pm. Through May 16. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

Queen's Gallery & Art Center Verge. A group exhibition. Opening: Apr. 8, 6-9pm. Through April. 1212 The Plaza. 704-372-2993.

Rutledge Gallery, Winthrop Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. 17th annual exhibit. Preview and Awards Reception: Apr. 8, 6:30-8pm. April 11-June 24. 1898 Alumni Dr. 803-323-2493.

Winthrop University Galleries Kaminer Haislip. MFA Thesis exhibition. Opening Reception: Apr. 8, 6:30-8pm. Patrick Gallery. April 11-May 9. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Actor's Theatre Kevin Starr. An exhibit of paintings. April 1-23. 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Bank of America Gallery Decades 1940-1990. Art from the Bank of America Collection. April 1-July 9. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.

Bank of America Plaza Within Our Walls. A group exhibition of contemporary artwork. March 31-Nov. 1. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

Center of the Earth Gallery Duy Huynh. An exhibit of new paintings. March 31-April 24. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Christa Faut Gallery Scott Duce. A solo exhibition of paintings and drawings. March 31-April 18. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Amy Steinberg. An exhibit of paintings. April 5-May 28. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Davidson College Break Thy Leg. A multi-media exhibition of art and design from the Royal Shakespeare Company. March 31-April 15. 704-894-2344.

ElderArt Gallery Introductions. An exhibit of four painters. Through April. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Gallery 620 Middle East Meets Middle America. Montages by Charleston artist Aaron Knight. Through April. 620 W. Morehead St. 704-618-9966.

The Gallery at Carillon Janos Eneydi. Exhibition: Made in America. Through June 11. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Gallery L, Main Library Jack Weil's World. Tour the globe through the lens of a camera and photographs of nature, landscapes and human interest - all taken by Charlotteans. March 31-April 17. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Gaston County Public Library Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation. A national touring exhibition. Through Apr. 15. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.

Green Rice Designs & Studio Fig. An exhibit of works by Michele Norris and Michelle Sutton. Through Apr. 23. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hart-Witzen Gallery Excavations: Explorations. A group exhibition of emerging artists. Through April. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.

Hayes George Gallery Land and Light. A group landscape exhibition by gallery artists. March 31-April 9. 225 East Worthington Ave. # 100. 704-332-3278.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Christopher Terry. Artifacts & Interiors, a solo exhibition. Through April. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Wayne McDowell. Exhibition: A Fixed Gaze. Through April. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Daniel Douke. An exhibit of Rose Paintings. March 31-April 16. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery From the South and Beyond. Contemporary Masters Print & Work on Paper Show. March 31-April 30. Shaun Cassidy. An exhibit titled "Wall Reliefs". Through April. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

The Light Factory Phil Moody. Exhibit: Textile Towns. April 1-May 12. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art Puppets, Ghosts and Zombies: The Sculpture of Pat Keck. One-person exhibition. March 31-June 11. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Modern Eye Gallery Non-Objective Energies. An exploration of abstract painting styles featuring multiple artists. March 31-April 30. 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.

Redsky Gallery It's an Animals Life. A group exhibit of glass and wire. Opening Reception: Apr. 15, 6:30-8:30 pm. April 1-30. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.