* Messiah The Charlotte Symphony and Oratorio Singers of Charlotte celebrate the holiday season by performing the most popular sacred work of all time: Handel's "Messiah". Located at First United Methodist Church, 500 N. Tryon St. Wed., Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. $18, can order online at call 704-972-2000, log onto http://www.charlottesymphony.org or buy at the door. Charlotte Symphony, 201 S. College St. 704-972-2000.
ComedyPsychotic Pooch Psychotic Pooch. at 3143 Cullman Ave. Live sketch comedy and improv. Comedy rated NC-17 for situations and content. E-mail at psychoticpooch@yahoo.com. Fri., Sat., 11 p.m. Continues through Jan. 8. $8, additional $3 for after-party. 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.
The Perch Sketch Comedy Theater Extreme Improv. The Desperate for Attention Players will be performing Chicago stylel long form shows. Down and dirty, stage clawing, improvised comedy available no where else in this area. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Continues through Jan. 8. $8. 1500 Central Ave. 704-372-7724.
Dance
* The Nutcracker the tradition returns, as NC Dance Theatre presents Salvatore Aiello's beautiful holiday classic. Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 16, 2 p.m.; Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 23, 2 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$50. 704-372-1000 or 704-522-6500.
Museums
* Levine Museum of the New South Catawba Pottery, Legacy of Survival: Seven Master Potters. get an intimate look at the pottery of the Catawba Indians. Approximately 30 pieces of pottery will be displayed along with text and photos that explain the history and role of pottery in the Catawba culture. Crossroads Quilters: Stitching the Community Together. Exhibition includes 15 traditional quilts, photographs, teacher guides, gallery guides and a "discovery panel". Light Days, Dark Nights: The Carolina Photographs of Doris Ullman. the exhibit will feature the portraiture of this acclaimed photographer who traveled throughout North and South Carolina from 1929-1933 shooting images of Americans in the rural South, whom she felt define the essence of the American people. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.
* Mint Museum of Art Artists' Forum:" What's Happening In Charlotte?". Area artists will discuss their work as well as current issues and activities in their artistic fields. Talks will be followed by an informal reception and a chance to meet the artists. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. The Sport of Life and Death: The Mesoamerican Ballgame. a collection of masterworks highlighting some of the greatest triumphs and tragedies in early Mesoamerican history. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.
Theater: Openings
Hansel & Gretel an enchanting holiday program including the much-loved, time-honored gingerbread cottage, the wicked witch, and an incredible score by Engelbert Humperdink. This is Opera Carolina's first holiday show. It will be performed entirely in English with piano accompaniment and a special appearance by St. Peter's Episcopal Children's Chorus. Dec. 20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 11 a.m. $14. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree Warm your soul with the perfect family outing the weekend before Christmas. This musical adaptation of the Gloria Houston book will be presented by CPCC's Opera Theatre in the Pease Auditorium. Gloria Houston herself will narrate and sign copies of her book following the show. Dec. 22, 3 p.m.; Dec. 23, 3 p.m. $10 for individuals, $30 for families of four or more. CPCC, P.O. Box 35009. 704-330-6436.
Theater: Ongoing
* The Littlest Angel a classic holiday story of the spirit of giving. Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, 11 a.m.,1 p.m. & 3 p.m.; Dec. 16, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.; Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. $9 for center seats, $6 for side seats. Children's Theatre of Charlotte.Visual ArtsApplewood Gallery Selected Works by Regional Artists - at the Applewood Gallery. Featured artists: Mary Kelly (pastel works), Sheridan Strickland (pottery), and Cama Tadlock (acrylic & mixed media works). 3920 Park Rd. 704-525-6162.
Art Gallery Unlimited These Mountains and Valleys. an exhibition of watercolors by Dariusz Orszulik of Poland. Exhibition of Contemporary Paintings. works of Piotr Lucjan of Poland. 507 E 36th Str. 704-347-0067;618-6568.
Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Exhibit of Art Institute of Charlotte Instructor's Work. will feature works by Thomas Bontempo, Diane Bounds, Wil Bosbyshell, M.J. Cunningham, Quentin Currie, Joan Faison, Pierre Fraser, Roger Hicks, Jennifer Moore, Mike Watson, Julia Winfield. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.
* Blue Pony Gallery & Press Art for the Holidays. gift sized works of art by gallery artists. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.
Center of the Earth Gallery Robert Gardner: A premier exhibition of new work in glass and steel. Exhibit will highlight a combination of freestanding sculpture and wall relief constructions. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.
* Charlotte Art League Small Works Show. Small, gift sized art for the holiday season by members of the Charlotte Art League. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.
* Christa Faut Gallery Unfolding. an exhibition of sculpted jewelry in gold and steel by Lori Warren. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.
Elder Art Gallery Exhibit of Works by Multiple Artists. Works by the following artists will be featured: Douglas Atwill, Carl Blair, Robert Chance, Claire Miller Hopkins, Thomas Kerrigan, Darell Koons, Paul Ladnier, Jon Nelson, Sara Dame Setzer, Amy Gouldstein Rice, and Kathering Webb. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.
* The Gallery at Carillon Conveyance. a sculpture exhibition by Kevin S. Kennedy. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.
* Gallery L Wrapped in Living Tradition. Charlotte Quilters Guild exhibit at Main Library. Works showcase a wide range of design techniques and embody themes that range from nostalgia to regional pride and nature. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.
Gallery W.D.O. Objects of Desire. Works in clay, glass, wood, fibers and jewelry by selected gallery artists. 2000 S. Blvd. 704-333-9123.
Green Door Gallery Exhibition of Works. featuring the original works of Ken Hillberry in watercolor, acrylics, monotypes, and mixed media. Other local, regional, and global artisan are regularly featured in the gallery; including paintings, prints, sculpture, pottery, fiber, glass design, functional wood design, and photography. 221 W. A St., Kannapolis. 704-932-0099.
Hidell Brooks Gallery New Paintings. the first solo exhibition for artist Eric Aho. Recent paintings are abstracted and simplified representations of winter skies, field edges and buildings reveling in the uncertainty of natural forces and teetering between night and day, warm and cold, and intimacy and distance. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.
Historic Rosedale Plantation American Heritage, From Slavery to the Panama Canal. an exhibit of commemorative ceramic wares dating from the 18th and 19th century. Fascinating mementos to celebrate memorable occasions, outstanding buildings or engineering feats, or notable Americans. $4 for adults, $3 for students and seniors. 3427 N. Tryon St. 704-335-0325.
Hodges Taylor Gallery Two Solo Exhibitions. featuring works by plein air painter Frank Hobbs and still life artist Jayne Johnson. Nanyori Series. a show of solo photography works by Susan Page. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.
Jerald Melberg Gallery New Oil Paintings. by Donna Phipps Stout. A collection of lush, romantic still lifes. Recent Drawings. a collection of highly textured realistic images by Richard Mayberry. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.
Joie Lassiter Gallery Reality in Question. Featuring artists Bruno Civitico, Dennis Drummond, Linda Fantuzzo, and Donna Moylan. Show features a realistic interpretation of life through style and color. 318 E 9th. 704-373-1464.
* The Light Factory Hymnal of Dreams. photographs by Elijah Gowin. Also featured, gold work by Stephen Petegorsky. 809 W. Hill St. 704-333-9755.
Microcosm Gallery Exhibition of Ukranian Paintings. featuring works of 20th century painters including Sergey Lunyov, Georgy Chernyavsky, and Victor Kuznetsov. 300 N. College St. #101.
* Mint Museum of Craft & Design Myth, Object and the Animal. the glass works of William Morris. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.
Museum of York County Southern Visions. works of the winners of the 12th biennial Southern Visions Photography Competition on exhibit. Re-Cover, Re-imagine, Re-adapt. Hand-made, creative, colorful and clever works of art and whimsy. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, CHC members and children under 5 free. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.
NC Museum of Art Indivisible: Stories of American Community. a free exhibiton offering a collective vision of local life and community action in America through the experience of 12 diverse regions and their citizens. 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-839-6262.
Noel Gallery Stills. a collection of works by "motion picture film photographers" Gordon Parks, Adger Cowans and Bob Green. Transamerica Square 401 N. Tryon St.
Pentes Artworks Gallery Winterworks. exhibit will showcase metal sculpture by local artist Rex Eagle, introduce Southern artist Delores Hibbard, and highlight Laurie Metzger, and Michael Morgan Gibbons in addition to several other artists representing a wide variety of media. Figurative Surrealism Show. a collection of ceramic sculptures whimsically combining the female form with nature. 1346 Hill Rd. 704-556-9897.
The Pomegranate Gallery Art Heals: Memories from Baghdad. featuring works by Raed Al-Rawi. 908 E. 35th St.
Queens College Art Gallery Rick Crown Pottery Show. Pottery by Rick Crown. free and open to public. 1900 Selwyn Avenue. 704-337-2286.
Simhon-Schell Gallery Exhibition of Miscellaneous Works. Rotating exhibit of 19th and 20th century paintings, prints ans sculpture; Furniture and decorations of the Arts and Crafts period; Tribal rugs and textiles, etc. 360 N. Caswell Rd. 704-377-2520.
Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art Half Past Autumn: The Art of Gordon Parks. brings together for the first time Gordon Parks' works as a filmmaker, novelist, poet and musician. 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904.
Tryon Center for Visual Art Crafting Identity. presents 9 artists in an exhibition about contemporary art, cultural identity, and the meaning of craft. 345 N. College St. 704-332-5535.
UNCC Domestic Abstractions. Solo ceramic exhibition by Virginia Scotchie. Will be on display Nov 10 through Dec. 15 in the Cone Center Gallery.
Winthrop University Galleries Art and Design Faculty Exhibition Two. Presents the work of 4 Winthrop Art and Design Faculty artists -- Shaun Cassidy, David Freeman, Janice Mueller and Alfred Ward. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.
