See & Do 

The Charlotte Sting, featuring CL's choice as the city's best pro athlete, super-guard Dawn Staley, host the Washington Mystics who feature their own superstar, Chamique Holdsclaw, at Charlotte Coliseum tonight at 7pm. The Sting turns up the heat next Wednesday as they take on the Indiana Fever at 8pm. Single game tickets range from $8-$53. To order tickets, call 1-877-WNBA-TIX. (Herman)

The concept is irresistible. Up in NoDa, the rapscallions at Off-Tryon Theatre are premiering Songs We Never Sing, letting guys loose on Broadway songs strictly identified with women. Look out for totally new interpretations of "Suddenly, Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors, "Memory" from Cats, "Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret, and all-time testosterone favorite "Dreamgirls." And we do mean look out. Don't expect shy wallflowers if you venture into the studio theater at 3143 Cullman Avenue. Through August 23 at 8pm. Call 704-375-2826. (Tannenbaum)

Back from his recent triumph at the Humana Festival in Louisville, Robert Lee Simmons stars in the Victory Pictures production of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Joining him in the darkness of an Argentinian prison cell is Joe Copley as Molina, the fantasy-weaving window dresser. Simmons is none other than Valentin, a revolutionary who scorns his cellmate's fantasies and sexuality. But as Molina's fantasies continue spinning and new surprises keep unraveling, we find that the macho Valentin has unexpected depths. Through August 23 at Central Avenue Playhouse, 1118 Clement Avenue, in Plaza Midwood. Call 704-455-8542. (Tannenbaum)

August 15 - Friday
One of the most heartening national cultural trends of late has been the resurgence of interest in chamber music. In Charlotte, the St. Peter's series performs to overflow crowds, and beginning today the annual Brightstar Music Festival will bring some topnotch performers to Spirit Square for two weekends of heaven. Today and tomorrow, and next Friday and Saturday, Brightstar will feature great talents like the Johannes String Quartet and familiar Spoleto Festival favorites Chee-Yun on violin and Andres Diaz on cello. See Perry Tannenbaum's preview in this issue's arts section. For more immediate information, call 704-442-8259, or go to brightstarfestival.org. (Grooms)

August 16 - Saturday
The Hostess Twinkies Back-To-School Monster Truck Bash begins today at 7:30pm at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway (one may get into a 5pm "pit party" with a proof of purchase from a Hostess Twinkies Multi-Pack). What better way to kick off the school year than by taking the kiddies to a monster truck spectacular? Right. There is no better way. Adult tickets are $18, with children 12 and under in for $8. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS. (Davis)

August 17 - Sunday
OK, so things may have gotten a little hot over at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center when Chicago came to town, but Belk Theater has never seen the likes of George Clinton & the Parliament/Funkadelic. That's right, Clinton and the P-Funk are in town tonight and they're liable to tear the roof off the sucker if you know what we mean. "Flashlight," "One Nation Under a Groove" and "Atomic Dawg" are just a few of the funkified hits that Clinton has been known for over the years and now he's got a solo record, The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership, to tour in support of. The mothership is scheduled to land (or take off rather) at 8pm and tickets cost $39.50 and $49.50. Call the theater box office at 704-372-1000 for more details. (Farris)

August 18 - Monday
Georges DuBoeuf, the "King of Beaujolais," will host the -- hmm, what shall we name the event? -- Duboeuf Wine Dinner tonight at 7pm at Bistro 100. The restaurant's new chef, Mickael Blais, has prepared a menu to complement five selected Georges Duboeuf wines. For $65 per person, wine lovers and gourmands alike can enjoy a five-course meal and meet the man who changed the face of Beaujolais. Bistro 100 is located at 100 N. Tryon St. in uptown Charlotte. Call 704-344-0515 for reservations. (Herman)

August 19 - Tuesday
The hills come alive one mo' time as the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music rolls into Belk Theater and brings us the adorable Von Trapp Family through Sunday. For once, you don't want to wait until the next revival comes along. This one features Marla Schaffel as the mildly irrepressible Maria and Burke Moses as the dashing, saturnine Captain. Up north, Schaffel is best remembered for her Tony-nominated performance in the title role of the Jane Eyre musical. Here in Charlotte earlier this year, Schaffel was showcased in Charlotte Rep's Let Me Sing. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)

August 20 - Wednesday
The Philly trio, G. Love & Special Sauce are bringing their laid-back funky blues to the Visulite Theatre tonight. The group, who's still probably best known for their self-titled debut released back in "94, has been to town a few times -- CityFest Live, the amphitheater and Grady Cole Center come to mind -- but the confines and intimacy of the Visulite should provide G. and cohorts Jimi Jazz and Houseman, their best setting yet for a Queen City appearance. As for the music? It's hard to peg. Love loves blues music and even sports the Dylan harmonica set-up, but he's also down with reggae, folk and rap. Whatever you decide to call it, it's good stuff and the show is one not to miss. Doors open at 8pm and the music starts around 9pm. Tickets cost $24 for members and $26 for guests. For more info, call the Visulite, located at 1615 Elizabeth Ave., at 704-358-9200. (Farris)