Dirty Blonde, Claudia Shear's five-time Tony-nominated comedy based on the life of Mae West, continues today through Sunday at the Belk Theatre of the Performing Arts Center. The show will be presented at 8pm today and tomorrow and 8:15pm Friday and Saturday, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm and an additional 7:30pm show Sunday night. Tickets are $18-$44 and can be purchased by calling 704-522-6500.
On The Verge, a satirical comedy about three intrepid female explorers, will be presented by UNC-Charlotte's Department of Theatre and Dance today through Saturday at 8pm in the University's Rowe Studio Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for the general public. For more information, call 704-687-2262.
THURSDAY 21
UNC-Charlotte's Department of Music will present a special jazz concert dedicated to the memory of Charlotte musician and composer Loonis McGlohon tonight at 8pm in the University's Rowe Recital Hall. The concert, which is hosted by WNSC personality Barbara Nail and features the UNC-Charlotte Jazz Ensembles, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 704-687-4469.
The 16th Annual New Play Festival presented by Charlotte Repertory Theatre comes to Booth Playhouse in the Performing Arts Center starting this evening. Actors give staged readings, with scripts in hand, of new plays, and post-performance talk-back sessions give the audience, playwrights, actors and directors a chance to further shape the works. This is one of the city's most engaging and creative artistic events of the year. It's recommended for mature audiences. Plays will run as follows: tonight, The Dangerous Place by Michael McKeever at 6pm, and Lucky Stars by Laddy Sartin at 9pm. Tomorrow Signs and Wonders by Joan Vail Thorne at 6pm, and Make My Day by George Scurlock at 9pm. Saturday, all four plays will be presented: The Dangerous Place at 11am, Lucky Stars at 2pm, Signs and Wonders at 5pm and Make My Day at 8pm. Single tickets cost $8.50 each, and a New Play Festival Pass, which includes all four plays, costs $30. For more information, call 704-372-1000 or visit online at www.charlotterep.org.
The Moving Poets, in collaboration with The Echo Foundation, present a premiere performance of The Echo, a challenging and original work inspired by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka's poetry. The show will run at Spirit Square for one night only. The performance will start at 8pm. Tickets range from $15-$30. For more information, call 704-372-1000 or visit online at www.movingpoets.com.
Stephen King's Misery continues at the Off-Tryon Theatre tonight and runs through Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are selling fast. For more information, call 704-375-2826.
FRIDAY 22
The Charlotte Hornets take on Coach Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal (if his toe's healed), onetime Hornet Kobe Bryant (for about 15 minutes), and the rest of the world champion Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 7:30pm. Tickets are $9-$39, available by calling 800-4NBA-TIX.
Steel Magnolias, the sassy Southern comedy/drama continues at CPCC tonight and tomorrow at 8pm. The performance is being held in the Pease Auditorium on the campus of CPCC. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 704-330-6534.
The Royal Shakespeare Company -- yes the Royal Shakespeare Company -- will be at Davidson College to present The Merchant of Venice starting tonight. Performances are scheduled for 7:30pm the evenings of February 22-24, 26-28 and March 1. Matinee shows will be offered at 2pm on February 23-24 and March 2. Tickets are $60. For more information, call 704-894-2135.
North Carolina Dance Theatre, in conjunction with Matthews Parks and Recreation Department, will perform a Repertory Program at the Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St. tonight at 8pm, and tomorrow at 2pm and 8pm. The performance will feature works by acclaimed choreographers Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Nacho Duato, George Balanchine and Paul Taylor. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors. For more information, call 704-321-7275.
SATURDAY 23
Neil Diamond, the subject of our cover story this week, and the penner of such songs as "I'm a Believer," "You Got To Me," "Sweet Caroline," "Love On The Rocks," and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," brings his traveling salvation show to the Charlotte Coliseum at 8pm. At press time, some $67.50 tickets still remained. Call 704-522-6500 for details.
The Charlotte Men's Basketball Team takes on the Tulane Green Wave at 2pm today at Halton Arena. Call 704-687-4949 for ticket prices and information.
The Southern Spring Show begins today at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart, featuring all manner of gardens, features, exhibits, speakers, and vendors, as well as an "ugly yard contest," wherein folks bring a picture of their yard to win a $5,000 makeover. Show also features its own bookshop. Al and Patty Wheeler of Skyland Books in Blowing Rock, NC, Will host an impressive list of North Carolina artists. Upcoming: Robert Morgan author of This Rock and Gap Creek will be in attendance on Monday February 25 of the show from 2-4pm. Show hours are Saturdays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 9pm, and Sundays and Mondays from 10am to 6pm. Admission is $9 at the door, $8 after 5pm weekdays, $7.50 in advance, and children 12 and under free. For more information, call 704-376-6594.
The Charlotte International Wine Festival, a presentation by selected restaurants at Phillips Place and Specialty Shoppes on the Park, takes place from 4pm until 8pm today. Tickets are available at the Dean & Deluca Wine Room and other participating restaurants. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For additional information, call 704-277-0744.
SUNDAY 24
The Providence United Methodist Church Recital Series continues tonight at 7pm at the church. Performance will include Three Pieces by Walter Piston, Habanera by Paquito D'Rivera, Three Klezmer Trios arranged by Michael Curtis, and Trio in F Minor, OP 65 for Violin, Cello and Piano by Antonin Dvorak. The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, call 704-366-7442.
The UNC-Charlotte Symphonic Band and Brass Quintet I will perform today at 3pm in Spirit Square's McGlohon Theatre. The program will include music ranging from the classical repertoire to newly published works for band. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 704-687-2899.
Hospice at Charlotte presents its 2nd Annual Soup on Sunday benefit from 12-3pm at the Citizens Center on the Central Piedmont Community College Central Campus. This event features: soup samples from an array of the region's finest restaurants, one-of-a-kind soup bowls handmade by Charlotte potters, and food demonstrations. Admission includes soup sampling, homemade breads, desserts and beverages. Admission is $15, and a Soup Lover's Special admission at $25 includes a handmade soup bowl. Tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information, call 704-335-4324.
MONDAY 25
The Haffner Wind Quintet of London will perform at Wingate University's George A Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center tonight at 7:30pm. Tickets for the performance are $15. For more information, call 704-233-8300.
The Charlotte Hornets hit the court against MVP candidate Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7pm. Tickets are $9-$39, available by calling 800-4NBA-TIX.
Straight, No Chaser, a critically acclaimed (and deservedly so) Clint Eastwood documentary about jazz pianist/composer Theolonious Monk, will be shown as part of the Jazz on Film series at the Public Library's Francis Auditorium. Showtimes begin at 7pm. For more information, call 704-432-0337.
WEDNESDAY 27
The Charlotte Hornets take on the surprising New Jersey Nets, led by all-star point guard Jason Kidd, tonight at 7pm. Tickets are $9-$39, available by calling 800-4NBA-TIX.
The Charlotte Gay and Lesbian Film Series continues with two films, The Iron Ladies and Punks, tonight at Carolina Pavilion 22 beginning at 7pm. For more information, visit www.outcharlotte.org. *