More Arts Picks 

MAY

PURLIE Ongoing-June 1: Musical that tells the story of preacher Purlie Victorious Johnson who returns to the South to trick a local plantation owner into giving him the land he needs to build his church. Playhouse on the Square, 51 South Cooper, Memphis, Tenn. 901-726-4656. www.playhouseonthesquare.org.

My Family our Stories May 1-July 6: Work by ESL students on display. This show features the work of 75 Mecklenburg county teenagers who have just immigrated to the United States. Middleton McMillan Gallery, Light Factory, Spirit Square, Suite 211, 345 North College St. 704-333-9755. www.lightfactory.org.

Recent Work oil paintings by Ray Kleinlein May 1-Jun 9th: Christa Faut Gallery, 19818 North Cove Rd., #3 Jetton Village, Cornelius. 704-892-5312. www.christafautgallery.com.

Romeo and Juliet May 15-17: North Carolina Dance Theatre teams with Shakespeare to bring the classic story of star-crossed lovers to life. $27-$69. 7:30 p.m. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.ncdance.org.

Angels In Our Midst May 16: This charity Art Show will benefit Urban Ministry and features original oil paintings by Ann Neilson. Sophia's Gallery 1528 East Blvd., 704-332-3443.

Pink at the Plaza – Art & Craft Show May 17: Join us for this fun-filled day of outdoor crafts and arts to benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Providence and S. Sharon Amity Rd., Plaza Shopping Center, 2921 Providence Road. www.pinkattheplaza.com.

Carolina Folk Art Festival May 17-18: Many folk artists from all over the South will gather to display and sell their work. Free. 10 a.m. Birkdale Village, 8712 Lindholm, Huntersville. 704-895-8744. www.birkdalevillage.net.

The Little Mermaid May 17-18: Dive into the underwater world as Mark Diamond's ballet chronicles a young mermaid through her adventures of discovering a new world. This program is a part of the Matinee Magic Series. $27-$69. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.ncdance.org.

Create Carolina May 19-June 7: A Southern Fried Arts and Film Festival. This three-week experience is open to anyone that has graduated high school. Take part in a course that will develop skills in playwriting, acting and film. Winthrop University, 115 Johnson Hall, Rock Hill, S.C. 803-323-2287. www.createcarolina.com.

North Carolina Dance Theatre Repertory Ensemble May 23: Come see the next generation of professional dancers perform. Patricia McBride, associate artistic director of N.C. Dance Theatre, is restaging George Balanchine's Stars & Stripes, 1st Regiment and Valse Fantaisie. $5-$15. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon Street. 704-372-1000. www.ncdance.org.

Twelve Angry Men May 27-June 1: Twelve jurors from twelve walks of life and only two ways to rule: guilty or not guilty. Starring Richard Thomas and directed by Scott Ellis. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Summer Artists-in-Residence May 27-Aug. 25: The McColl Center for Visual Arts will host several internationally known artists throughout the summer months: Claudia Borgna, Bill Gaskins and Hongsock Lee. McColl Center for Visual Art, 721 North Tryon St. 704-332-5535. www.mccollcenter.org.

Paul Cuadros May 31: Investigative journalist Paul Cuadros will be signing his new book A Home on the Field. 10 a.m. Union County Public Library.

Open Studio Saturday May 31: Mingle and mix with artists as they leave their doors open while they work. 11 a.m.-4p.m. McColl Center for Visual Art, 721 North Tryon St. 704 332-5535. www.mccollcenter.org.

Spoleto Festival May 23-June 8: This classic Southern arts festival was created in 1977, and this year is better than ever. With internationally acclaimed ballet companies, world premiere operas, and 140 performances, this festival is not to be missed. Visit one of America's most delightful cities, Charleston, S.C. and catch a show during this 17-day festival. For more information visit www.spoletousa.org.

JUNE

EXCAVATING EGYPT: GREAT DISCOVERIES FROM THE PETRIE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Now-June 8: This major exhibition offers a fascinating view of ancient objects and artwork from the earliest periods of Egyptian history to the late Roman period. It will feature more than 200 of Petrie's most significant finds. The Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, S.C. 803-799-2810. www.columbiamuseum.org.

Mint Museum of Art Vantage Point VII – Jiha Moon: Turbulent Utopia, through July 6. The Brilliant Period of American Cut Glass, through Aug. 17. Scene in America: A Contemporary Look at the Black Male Image, through Nov. 2. Quiet Spirit, Skillful Hand: The Graphic Work of Clare Leighton, through Sept. 14. Coming Home: Selections from the Schoen Collection through Sept. 14. 2730 Randolph Road. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

Abstractions June 1: Stephen Kasun Painting exhibit. Chasen Galleries, 2850 Selwyn Ave. 704-376-0066. www.chasengalleries.com

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR June 3-4: The masterpiece by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber that changed the world of musical theater in 1971. $20-$59. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Cats June 20-22: The award-winning musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats and other poems by T.S. Eliot. Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main St., Memphis, Tenn. 901-525-3000. www.orpheum-memphis.com.