Get your dancing shoes on tonight and head to the Neighborhood Theatre for a show with the Taj Mahal Trio. Taj can really stir things up with his old time country blues and his eclectic, wide-ranging choice of tunes. He's a seasoned performer with plenty of loyal followers but recent appearances with the Dave Matthews Band and previous stints on the H.O.R.D.E. festival a few years back have turned on a new generation of fans as well -- in other words, it'll more than likely be a sell-out. Showtime is 8pm and tickets cost $35. For more info, call the theatre at 704-358-9298 or visit neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Farris)
Calling teeny-boppers everywhere! Footloose has arrived at CPCC's Pease Auditorium, with pop pap and jitterbugging to burn. Ostensibly set in Bomont, we might as well be in a 1950's Dullsville as the traumatized town minister outlaws rock & roll. Along comes Ren (Buddy Hammonds) and wows the minister's darling daughter (Kendra Goehring) with his free spirits and gyrating booty. But if the 1984 movie glorified young Kevin Bacon's rawboned Ren, the 1998 musical elevated the anguished Rev. Moore, so brace yourself for the splendor of CP Summer Theatre mainstay Stephen Ware as the fearsome patriarch. Ends July 26. Call 704-330-6534. (Tannenbaum)
July 17
THURSDAY
The Real to Reel Film and Video Festival will be held today through Saturday at the Joy Robinson Center, 202 South Railroad Avenue, in Kings Mountain. Over two dozen films covering a wide range of styles and topics will be presented at 7pm nightly, with a Saturday matinee at 1pm. While several pictures are regionally produced (one from Asheville, three from the NC School of the Arts), there are also movies from LA, New York, Quebec, Australia, England and the Czech Republic. Admission is $5 per session or $10 for a festival pass; 12 and under are admitted free (although be warned that some titles carry R ratings). For more information, call 704-484-2787 or visit www.realtoreelfest.com. (Brunson)
July 19
SATURDAY
The quirky multi-instrumentalist David Lindley performs tonight at the Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa. Lindley is probably best known for the time he spent playing alongside Jackson Browne. But his demented sense of humor along with his musical wizardry makes for an unforgettable performance. For his current tour, master percussionist Wally Ingram joins Lindley. Kaki King opens the show. The music starts at 8pm and tickets cost $17.50. Call the theatre at 704-358-9298 for more details. (Farris)
July 20
SUNDAY
Inserted during the run of PlayWorks' production of Open Season at McGlohon Theatre, please find PW's SummerStage New Play Festival at nearby Duke Power Theatre in Spirit Square. Staged readings begin with Charlotte fave Judy Simpson Cook's new play, identity and content unknown at press time. We do know that the previous comedy Cook cooked up last summer for Steve Umberger's new company premiered up in Flat Rock last month. Three other plays will get staged readings on July 21, 27, and 28, with numerous MIA's from Charlotte Rep's 2002-03 season participating. Readings begin at 8pm. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
The Charlotte Sting return from the road to host the Cleveland Rockers tonight at 6pm. The Charlotte Sting and Charlotte Bobcats will hold a special pre-game basketball clinic beginning at 3pm. The clinic costs $15 and includes a ticket to the game, a T-shirt and dinner after the clinic. Game tickets range from $8-$53 and can be purchased by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX. For more information on the clinic, call 704-424-4823. (Herman)