More arts summer events 

MAY

OCEAN Continues through Dec. 31. This exhibition allows for guests to play, learn and experience the seashore without leaving the Piedmont. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900. www.schielemuseum.org.

THE FAMILY JEWELS: SMALL PAINTINGS FOR HARD TIMES Continues through June 30. Solo exhibition of oil paintings on panel and acrylic paintings on canvas by Herb Jackson. Christa Faut Gallery, 19818 North Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312. www.christafautgallery.com.

THE COLOR PURPLE May 20-May 21, 7:30 p.m.; May 22, 8 p.m.; May 23, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; May 24, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. A musical based on the novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a woman named Celie and her struggles through racism, sexism and separation from her loved ones. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

THE TRIAL May 22-24. Joseph K wakes up one morning to find that he is under arrest. But he doesn't know why or what he did. By Franz Kafka. Performed by the CTC Ensemble Company. Adapted for the stage by Steven Berkoff. Directed by Mark Sutton. Recommended for ages 13 and up. ImaginOn's Wachovia Playhouse, 300 East 7th St. 704-973-2828. www.ctcharlotte.org.

BOB TROTMAN: BUSINESS AS USUAL May 23-Nov. 14. In this exhibition Trotman examines everyday life and the workplace through figurative sculptures. Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

LAKE NORMAN COMEDY ZONE May 26: Comedienne Julie Scoggins. $10. 7 p.m. Lake Norman Comedy Zone at Galway Hooker Pub, 17044 Kenton Dr. 704-895-1782. www.galwayhookerpub.com.

METAMORPHOSES May 28-30, 8 p.m.; May 31, 2:30 p.m.; June 4-6, 8 p.m.; June 7, 2:30 p.m.; June 11-13, 8 p.m.; June 14, 2:30 p.m.; June 18-20, 8 p.m.; June 21, 2:30 p.m.; June 25-27, 8 p.m. Take a dip in Carolina Actors Studio Theatre's wet rendition of Mary Zimmerman's Blockbuster show about science and myth, as well as what we might know in the future. CAST renovated the theater and a pool for the production. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre, 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542. www.nccast.com.

DAY OF ABSENCE May 28-30, 8 p.m.; May 31, 3 p.m. On Q Productions presents this production of Day of Absence, written in 1965 by Douglas T. Ward. This satirical play explores racial issues in the South during a segregated era. $12-$15. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 North Myers St. 704-374-1565. www.aacc-charlotte.org.

COLLABORATIVE ARTS' FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. Twelfth Night. Free. May 28-June 14. The Green in Uptown, 435 S. Tryon St. For more information, call 704-625-1288. www.collaborativeartstheatre.com.

JUNE

LAKE NORMAN COMEDY ZONE June 2: Comedian Tony Tone. $10. 7 p.m.; June 9: Comedian Shaun Jones. $20. Lake Norman Comedy Zone at Galway Hooker Pub, 17044 Kenton Dr. 704-895-1782. www.galwayhookerpub.com.

FLORA, FAUNA AND FORM June 3-28: New works by Alena Hennessy with featured potter Julie Wiggins Opening reception: June 5, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Lark & Key Gallery, 453 E. 36th St., Ste. B. 704-379-1826. www.larkandkey.com.

NC DANCE THEATRE SCHOOL OF DANCE ANNUAL BENEFIT PEFORMANCE June 4, 7:30 p.m. Presenting works choreographed by legendary choreographer George Balanchine and a new work by resident NCDT choreographer Mark Diamond, among others. $15-$50. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL June 5-6, 8 p.m.; June 10-11, 7:30 p.m.; June 12-13, 8 p.m.; June 14, 2:30 p.m.; June 17-18, 7:30 p.m.; June 19-20, 8 p.m.; June 21, 2:30 p.m.; June 24-25, 7:30 p.m.; June 26-27, 8 p.m. Sam Raimi's cult classic 1980s films are to die for due to the ultimate combination of gore and humor. Bill Ensley directs this musical, which features lyrics by George Reinblatt and music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt. $15-$29. Actor's Theatre of Charlotte, 650 E. Stonewall St. 704-342-2251. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org.

LERNER AND LOWE'S CAMELOT June 5-13. The love story of Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot captured the heart of a generation. See the magic reborn on the Halton stage. Central Piedmont Community College's Halton Theater. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

NC DANCE THEATRE SCHOOL OF DANCE SPRING STUDENT PERFORMANCES June 6, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. An evening of dance featuring students from the NC Dance Theatre School of Dance performing in varied repertoire from the classical ballet, modern and jazz genres. $15-$25. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

REALISM FOUND June 6-30. Katherine Blackwell, Cher Cosper, David Thayer French, Joshua Gage, Paul Keysar, Andrew Leventis, Osiris Rain, and P.S. Thibodeaux will display their work. This exhibit features these Charlotte artists as they find new meaning in an old tradition. The Queen's Gallery, 1212 The Plaza. 704-372-2993.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA June 10-July 5. Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is directed by Harold Prince and follows the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young masked composer shamed by his physical appearance. Adapted from Gaston Leroux's classic novel. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

CINDERELLA June 12, 7:30 p.m.; June 13, 2 p.m.; June 14, 2 p.m.; June 19, 7:30 p.m.; June 20, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; June 26, 7:30 p.m.; June 27, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; June 28, 2 p.m. Theatre Matthews presents performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical retelling of the classic fairy tale. Directed by Jamey Varnadore, music director Lynn Mitchell and choreographer Lisa Blanton. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St., Matthews. 704-846-8343. www.matthewsplayhouse.com.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD June 12-14. The Charlotte Chorale is rolling out the red carpet and presenting a highly charged dinner and musical program featuring classics from the silver screen. Pineville Dinner Theater, 10403-J Park Rd., Pineville. 704-544-0607. www.pinevilledinnertheater.com.

LECTURE, BOB TROTMAN ON BOB TROTMAN June 14, 3 p.m. Free with museum admission. Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

MAMA KNOWS BEST June 14, 6 p.m. A family spiritual/comedy oriented play that expresses the true substance of how a mother and father are the foundation of family structure. CPCC's Pease Auditorium. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

COMEDIAN JAMES GREGORY June 17, 7:30 p.m. McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

MINT MUSEUM OF CRAFT + DESIGN June 18: Third Thursdays: Live Jazz. Free. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; June 19: Taste of Art Friday with Leon Nichols. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

SONDHEIM'S COMPANY June 19-27. Company features a brilliant energetic score containing many of Sondheim's best-known songs. Central Piedmont Community College's Halton Theater. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

JULY

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY July 1-11. Based on the Gene Wilder film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory takes the whole family on an adventure to find the next owner of Willy Wonka's mysterious Chocolate Factory. Central Piedmont Community College's Halton Theater. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

TRUE LINEAGE July 1-26. Fine Art Quilts by Jen Swearington with featured potter Jennifer Mecca Lark and Key Gallery, 453-B E. 36th St. 704-379-1826.

THE RAINMAKER July 2-11. See the sparks fly as the ever practical Lizzie and the dreamer conman Starbuck clash. Central Piedmont Community College's Halton Theater. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

SHIPWRECK! PIRATES AND TREASURE July 4-Jan. 31, 2010. This exhibit takes guests on a journey beneath the sea to uncover the mysteries of some of the world's most-famous shipwrecks. Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261. www.discoveryplace.org.

GROUP EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS BY GALLERY ARTISTS July 7-Aug. 3. Christa Faut Gallery, 19818 North Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312. www.christafautgallery.com.

THE LIGHT FACTORY SECOND JURIED ANNUALE July 11-Sept. 6. Showcasing a variety of artists' works from across the country. The Light Factory's Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755. www.lightfactory.org.

THE LIGHT FACTORY'S 37TH ANNUAL MEMBERS' SHOW July 11-Sept. 13. Featuring works of all mediums by members of The Light Factory. The Light Factory's Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755. www.lightfactory.org.

MEL BROOKS' THE PRODUCERS July 17-25. At the core of the funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends. 8 p.m. Central Piedmont Community College's Halton Theater. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

PASSIONATE JOURNEY: THE GRICE COLLECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN ART July 18-Oct. 17. Exhibition features contemporary Native American pottery, modern Maya weavings and Mexican performance masks. Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK July 23-25, 8 p.m.; July 30-31, 8 p.m.; Aug. 1, 8 p.m. Aug. 2, 2 p.m. When a newly wedded lawyer moves into an apartment with too many quirks, he becomes bothered. He refuses to join his wife on a barefoot walk through the snow one night, and afterwards all hell breaks loose as he gets kicked out of the home and then returns, not for reconciliation, but to kick his wife out of the house, since he pays the bills. Presented by Davidson Community Players. $20-$22. Davidson College's Duke Family Performance Hall, 207 Faculty Dr., Davidson. 704-372-1000.

MINT MUSEUM OF CRAFT + DESIGN July 24: First Look Friday: American Quilt Classics. $10 for non-members. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. July 25: American Quilt Classics, 1800-1980: The Bresler Collection. Featuring a diverse collection of quilt designs that illuminate pattern and process. Through Feb. 6, 2010. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

MAMMIA MIA July 28-30, 7:30 p.m.; July 31, 8 p.m.; Aug. 1, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Aug. 2, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This hit musical is about a mother who is forced to confront her past as her daughter – who is getting married – invites three men, each of whom were her mother's past lover and could be her father, to visit the island for the wedding. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

AUGUST

20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Aug. 4-31. Exhibition of special paintings, glass and sculptures by gallery artists. Christa Faut Gallery, 19818 North Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312. www.christafautgallery.com.

COLLABORATIVE ARTS' FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. Julius Caesar. Aug. 5-6, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 7-8, 8 p.m.; Aug. 9, 3 p.m.; Aug. 12-13, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 14-15, 8 p.m. Free. McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. 704-625-1288. www.collaborativeartstheatre.com.

ALTER BOYZ Aug. 6-26 Queen City Theatre Company will stage performances of the off-Broadway hit musical Alter Boyz. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St. www.queencitytheatre.com.

THE COLOR PURPLE Aug. 25-30. A musical based on the novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a woman named Celie and her struggle in life through racism, sexism and separation from her loved ones. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

MINT MUSEUM OF ART Aug. 25: Lecture on The Grice Collection of Native American Art. Free. 7 p.m. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.