Arts Agenda 

Celebrate America! Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's traditional, patriotic concert. Symphony Park. www.charlottesymphony.org. Sat., July 2, 7 p.m. Free. SouthPark Shopping Center, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-972-2000.

Comedy

Charlotte Comedy Theater Live Improvised Comedy. Interactive, improvisational comedy similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway. Rated R. www.charlottecomedy.com. Fri & Sat, 8 & 10pm. $10. 1111 - D Hawthorne Ln. 866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. June 29-July 2: Craig Shoemaker; July 6-9: Allyn Ball & Naughty. 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. Fri. & Sat., 8:30pm. $5. 911 E. Morehead St. 704-301-1564.

The Perch Live Sketch Comedy. Rated "R" for verbal content. At CCT, 1111 Hawthorne Ln. # D. www.theperch.com. Thursdays, 9 & 10:30pm. 704-566-0053.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History Homesite Alive: Handweaving. Take a tour of the oldest house in Charlotte and learn about the ancient skill of weaving. Visitors will be able to "throw a shot" on the loom and help make a piece of fabric. Wed., July 6, 1-4 p.m. Regular Museum admission. Kites to Kitty Hawk. A multi-media interactive exhibit. June 23-Sept. 6. Vecinos/Neighbors. A bilingual photographic exhibition. Through Aug. Whatzit?. This exhibit challenges the visitor to identify unique and unusual artifacts rarely on public display. Through Sept. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Grossology. Exhibit exploring good, bad and ugly about how the body works. Through July. IMAX Dome. Now showing Roar: Lions of the Kalahari, Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure, Forces of Nature and Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cajun House Party. Learn about this fascinating culture in the New South and enjoy a Cajun food buffet, dance lessons, stories and music provided by the Miller Band and the Carolina Gator Gumbo Band. Fri., July 8, 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Creighton Michael: Patterns of Perception. June 23-July 3. Museum Docent. Experience art and become a docent who leads tours and helps visitors understand art works. No art experience is needed. Enthusiastic people who value art and communicate well in groups are invited to apply. sperry@mintmuseum.org. Retrospective of Prints by Chuck Close. June 23-Aug. 7. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft + Design Murano: Glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection. June 23-Dec. 31. Point of View III: North Carolina Artists as Collectors. June 23-Oct. 9. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Tue.-Sun. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.

Museum of York County Eewww, Yuck!. Understanding Nature's Most Unhuggable Creatures. Through Summer 2005. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia Rainforest Alive!. June 23-Sept. 4. 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum George Ellison and K. Randell Jones. Discussion and signing of Mountain Passages by George Ellison and Scoundrels, Rogues, and Heroes of the Old North State edited by Randell Jones. Sat., July 9, 2-4 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9481.

Gaston County Public Library Mark Helprin. Award-winning writer, Mark Helprin will read from and discuss his new novel, Freddy and Fredericka. Sun., July 10, 4 p.m. Free. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2164.

Joseph-Beth Booksellers Lisa Scottoline. Author will sign her new novel Devil's Corner. Wed., June 29, 7 p.m. Mary Alice Monroe. Mary Alice Monroe will discuss and sign her new novel, Sweetgrass. Tue., July 12, 7 p.m. 4345 Barclay Downs Dr. 704-602-9820.

Spoken Word

Tea Rex Teahouse Poetry Open Mike. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Fri., July 1, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Theater: Openings

Caught in the Net Bigamy and the internet provide laughs aplenty in Ray Cooney's sequel to the hilarious Run for Your Wife. July 6-9, 13-16, 8pm; July 12, 7pm; July 10, 2:30pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

I Loathe A Parade About Town Tours' ComeSolveIt-Charlotte Players present a murder mystery dinner theater. Sun., July 10, 6 p.m. $50, includes dinner, non-alcoholic beverage and the show. Palomino Restaurant, 525 N. Tryon St. 704-650-2799.

The METHod to my MADness This one man show is performed cabaret style through music and a narrative. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. July 7-16, Thurs-Sat, 9pm. $20. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers A toe tapping, knee slapping good time that will please the young and old alike. June 22-23, 24-25, 29-30, July 1-2, 8pm; June 28, 7pm; June 26, 2:30pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

The Story of Hansel & Gretel A musical presented by CPCC Summer Theatre. www.cpcc.edu/summer_theatre. July 5-9, 11-16 at 10am. $5. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

Talley's Folly A lyrical play written by Lanford Wilson. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org. C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Knobloch Campus Center. July 7-9, 8pm; July 10, 2pm. $13-$15. Davidson College. 704-892-7953.

Theater: Ongoing

Beauty and the Beast Disney musical presented by Charlotte Summer Theatre. www.charlottesummertheater.com. June 17-July 7. $16-$25. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-342-5885.

Hairspray This Tony award-winning play is piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and music. June 28-July 10, Tues-Thu 8pm; Fri 8:15pm; Sat 2pm & 8:15pm; Sun 2pm & 7:30pm. $25-$80. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Orphans The drama follows the plight of two brothers orphaned at an early age. www.nccast.com. June 15-July 3, Thu-Sat at 8pm; Sun at 2:30pm. $12-$15. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Visual Arts: Openings

Artist and Craftsman Supply Gallery Crawl Art Night. Fri., July 1, 6 p.m. 1429 Elizabeth Ave. 704-358-0012.

B. Brown Gallery, Matthews Group Exhibition. Grand opening of new gallery. Fri., July 1, 4:30 p.m. 131-C Matthews Station St. 704-321-0999.

Center of the Earth Gallery Colors of Summer. A group exhibition. Opening Reception: July 1, 6-9pm. July 1-Aug. 20. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Driven to Abstraction. An exhibit of works by Holly Consol. In the Consol Design Studio. Through July. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Dalton Gallery Murry Handler. An exhibit of new works. Reception: July 14, 5:30-7:30pm. July 4-August 14. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

Gallery 620 Baghdad Reunion. Photography by an American-Iraqi during reunion with family after 24 years. Opening Reception: July 1, 6-10pm. Through July. 620 W. Morehead St. 704-618-9966.

Huntersville Town Hall Photo Exhibit. An exhibit marking the 40th anniversary of the Davidson Community Players. July 5-30. 101 Huntersville-Concord Rd. 704-892-7953.

Modern Eye Gallery An Abstract View. A group exhibition. Opening Reception: July 1, 6-9pm. July 1-31. 1923-A South Blvd. 704-333-3190.

Pura Vida Gallery Art & Culture. Featuring live performances and art fromlocal and international artists. 2nd Friday, 7-10pm. 1521 Central Ave. 704-335-8587.

Redsky Gallery 2nd Anniversary Celebration. Sale and live auction. Fri., July 8, 6-8 p.m. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Skillbeck Gallery Trio: Various Artists Showcase. Opening Reception: July 1, 5-8pm. July 1-27. 248 S. Sharon Amity Rd., Cotswold Village Shops, Courtyard. 704-366-8613.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Actor's Theatre Connatser, Cook, DiNello & Starr. A group exhibition. Through Sept. 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Bank of America Gallery Decades 1940-1990. Art from the Bank of America Collection. June 23-July 9. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.

Bank of America Plaza Within Our Walls. A group exhibition of contemporary artwork. June 23-Nov. 1. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

Center for the Arts, Rock Hill Photography Competition Exhibition. Lewandowski Classroom Gallery and Perimeter Gallery. June 23-July 20. 121 E. Main St.

Clay on Camden Group exhibit. Modified mono prints by Peter Baglia and metal sculpture by Theron Ross. Through June. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

Cosmos Cafe Contrary Views. A solo exhibit by Charlotte artist Mike Watson. Through July. 300 N. College St., Suite 101. 704-372-3553.

ElderArt Gallery Form and Substance. Exhibit of works by Karen Roberson Powell & Leandro Manzo. June 23-July 16. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Farvan International Gallery Cindy Austin. An exhibit of oil paintings. Through June. 119 E. 7th St. 704-375-1424.

Green Rice Designs & Studio Rik Catlow. An exhibit of Pop Art Works. June 23-30. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hayes George Gallery Poetry & Art. A group exhibition. June 23-July 8. 225 East Worthington Ave. # 100. 704-332-3278.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Richard Fennell, Mary Engel. An exhibit of new paintings and recent works. June 23-July 1. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Raul Diaz: New Paintings and Sculpture. Ernesto Berra: New Works on Paper. June 23-July 23. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Eric Anderson. A solo exhibition of works. Through June. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

The Light Factory Family Matters. Images by Deborah Willis and Hank Willis Thomas. In the Knight Gallery. June 23-30. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art Thresholds: Expressions of Art and Spiritual Life. Through August 13. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Modern Eye Gallery Two Women: Two Visions. An Exhibit of East meets West. Through June. 1923-A South Blvd. 704-333-3190.

Pottery Central Pottery Central Gallery. Functional, sculptural and decorative pottery by local potters. Through July. 3534 Central Ave. 704-537-4477.

Redsky Gallery Jylian Gustlin. An exhibit of large scale paintings. June 23-30. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Shain Gallery Annual Small Paintings / Beginning Collectors Show. Through July. 601 Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Three exhibitions. June 23-Aug. 27. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.