Jazz & Classical Essentials Sunday Brunch Borders will be playing jazz and classical music from their essential catalogs. Coffee and pastry provided. Sundays, 1-3 p.m. Free. Borders, 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-6261.

Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra Leonard and his animatronic ensemble entertain families with their 45-minute program of traditional and original holiday songs. Daily performances: Mon.-Fri. at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 5pm, 6pm & 7pm. Sat. & Sun. at the top of every hour from 8am-11pm. Times are subject to change. Continues through Dec. 31. Free. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St, Bank of America Corp Cntr. 704-632-4791.

Messiah Celebrate the season with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte. Wed., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. $20. First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Comedy

The Perch Theatre Perch Comedy. Cheerfully offending Charlotte since 1994. Showtimes are 9pm, 11pm, & 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. The 9pm show is non-smoking. Show #275: Dec. 6-14. Audience Favorites Part 2: Dec. 20- Jan. 4. The Talking Baby Talk Show is every Thursday at 9:30pm. Performances are rated R for verbal content. www.theperch.com. Fri., Sat. $10/$9 with students/military I.D. 1500 B. Central Ave. 704-372-7724.

The Comedy Zone Hypnotist, Mike Harvey. Dec. 18-21. College Night and "SIN" (Service Industry Workers) Night. Get free admission for the 8pm show and with your Comedy Zone ticket, get in free to Have a Nice Day Cafe. Wednesdays. Benny Baker & John Marks. Dec. 26-28. Allyn Ball & Al Ernst. Dec. 31-Jan. 4. 516 N. College St., Wed. & Thurs.- 8pm, Fri. & Sat.- 8pm, 10:15pm. 704-348-4242.

Dance

The Nutcracker North Carolina Dance Theatre will present Salvatore Aiello's The Nutcracker this holiday season. The Charlotte Symphony will accompany the production. Presented in the Belk Theater. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m. $17-55. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite & American Freedom Bell Highways & Byways of Our State. A photographic road trip of eclectic NC sites and scenes, all viewed from the state's Highways and Byways, using archival images from Our State: North Carolina magazine. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Jan. 12. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Multimedia exhibit in the Millennium Gallery tells the personal stories of war as shared through the written and recorded war-time correspondence of soldiers from the region. A Charlotte Shout event. Continues through Sept. 30, 2003. Regular Museum admission. 3500 Shamrock Dr., Between Eastway and Sharon Amity. 704-568-1774.

Gaston County Museum of Art & History Carolinas Textile Exhibit- The Ties That Bind. Interactive displays, engaging scale models, authentic artifacts and photos detail how the textile industry transformed the economy, technology and communities of the new south. Tue.-Sun. 131 W. Main St., Dallas. 704-852-6025.

Levine Museum of the New South Americanos: Latino Life in the United States. An exhibition presenting an intimate portrait of the Latino community through the work of 30 prize-winning photographers. The museum will also feature oral histories and artifacts from the Charlotte-area Latino community. Continues through Jan. 20. The New South's Love Affair with the Car. The exhibit explores four aspects of the South's relationship with the car. Vintage local photos, racing history, and more. Tue.-Sun. Continues through Dec. 31. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Celebrating the Legacy of Romare Bearden. A juried exhibition co-sponsored with McColl Center for Visual Art. North and South Carolina artists' works were selected by David C. Driskell and reflect the inspiration of Romare Bearden. The exhibition is in two parts: one half at the Mint Museum of Art and one half at Spirit Square. Continues through Feb. 23, 2003. Colonial Williamsburg Collection. Since the 1930's Colonial Williamsburg has amassed the nation's largest collection of Southern furniture. Fifty-two examples of the cabinetmaker's trade illustrate the cultural diversity of the early South. Continues through Jan. 26. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design Coming of Age. Traces the evolution of the museum's collection (1937 to the present), illustrating the work of some of the 20th and 21st century's craftspeople and designers. Tue.-Sun. Continues through April 6. Currents In Craft. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. Point of View: Public and Private Collecting Part I. Point of View demonstrates how materials, techniques and themes guide collectors on their quest to shape meaningful collections. Continues through Feb. 23. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.

Museum of York County All About Cats. This exhibit features many of the world's cats including the well-known lion, tiger, jaguar, panther, and leopard, as well as the lesser known species. Continues through Sept. 14, 2003. An Historical Look at Visual Communication: Illustrators of the 20th Century. Visitors can view over 50 works from past and current members of the Society of Illustrators. Continues through Jan. 3. Gatherin' Together: Scotch-Irish Lifeways in the Carolina Piedmont. Explore the origins of customs, traditions and lifeways of the Scotch-Irish through their language, music, folklore, religion, politics, industry, and decorative arts. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Feb. 2. Illustrator Vernon Grant: A Century of American Whimsy. This exhibit examines Grant's career that spanned seven decades. He produced gnomes, caricatures and nursery rhyme renderings, while his advertising icons sold a multitude of products. Continues through Oct. 5, 2003. The Nick of Time: New Classics from Old. This exhibit will present a new Christmas line produced by Department 56 and the original Vernon Grant illustrations from which it was based. Continues through Jan. 5. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

North Carolina Museum of History Flashback to the 60s. A collection of memorablila that significantly defines a period of profound social and cultural change in America. Continues through Sept. 28, 2003. 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-715-0200.

Spoken Word

Club Myxx Organik Funk. Hip-Hop, Spoken Word open mic. Featured artists and the hip-hop/neo-soul sounds of DJ Fuzz. Sundays, 9 p.m. $3 members, $5 non-members. 3110 S. Tryon St. 704-623-0058.

Mert's Heart and Soul Uptown Saturday Nite. Musical performances, spoken word artists, poets and an open mic contest. Performances by Julle (hip-hop diva), Maze Forever (poet), Kelvin Pizarro (R&B) and Lisarene (spoken word). Last Saturday of every month, 11 p.m. $7 cover. Free for Sagitarius. 214 N. College St. 704-623-0058.

Swing 1000 Rhythm Theory Tuesdays. Enjoy open mic poetry, music, and dancing. Doors open at 6pm. Poetry begins at 7:30pm. Tuesdays. Free before 7:15pm. 1000 Central Ave. 704-334-4443.

Theater: Openings

Amahl & the Night Visitors Opera Carolina invites audiences to experience a true holiday miracle as Amahl, a crippled boy, gives a gift far more valuable than all the king's gold, frankincense and myrrh. The performance will be held in the McGlohon Theatre. Call for tickets or purchase them online at www.operacarolina.org. Dec. 20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. $15 adults, $9 youth ages 6-16. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Annie Jr. The story of Annie takes place during Christmas in 1933. Produced last July, Annie Jr. sold out for its 4 performances and will be brought back for 3 holiday performances. Dec. 20-21, 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m. $8 adults, $7 senior citizens 55 & over, $5 youth 18 & under. Rock Hill Community Theatre, 236 West Main St., Rock Hill. 803-324-2578.

Black Nativity The Afro-American Children's Theatre's annual holiday musical written by Langston Hughes. It's the story of the birth of Jesus Christ as told through the eyes of a Harlem Renaissance poet. Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 1 p.m.,4 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. $10 youth (17 and under), $12 adults. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Theater: Ongoing

Shakespeare's R & J Chickspeare, Charlotte's all female Shakespeare company, announces its fall production adapted by Joe Calarco. Dec. 18 is pay-what-you-can-night. Dec. 18-21, 8 p.m. $12 adults, $10 students/seniors. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-344-4546.

'Tis the Season Compiled by the Tarradiddle Players. A collection of wintry and holiday tales from around the world. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. $10 center, $8 side. Children's Theatre of Charlotte.

A Tuna Christmas Come spend Christmas in Tuna, Texas, with all its eccentric citizens. Directed by Terry Loughlin. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 20, 8 p.m.; Dec. 21, 8 p.m. $26-$35. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Visual Arts: Openings

Afro-American Cultural Center Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Exhibit. The exhibit features the winners of Charlotte-Mecklenburg School's Dr. ML King Art and Essay Contest. The works commemorate the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jan. 1-31. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

McGregor Downs Gallery Various Artists. Featuring watercolor works by Elaine Rockey. Also featuring etchings and serigraphs by Guillaume Azoulay. Previously unseen in any local gallery are artifacts recovered from the Spanish Galleon Concepcion, sunk in 1641. Continues through Jan. 31. 10801 Johnston Rd., Suite 219. 704-333-6699.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Afro-American Cultural Center From Rags to Rap. This multimedia exhibit will attempt to address cultural nuances in the early 20th century when ragtime was a strong musical influence. This exhibit will trace the music's evolution to the components of hip-hop culture through an art form known as grafitti. Continues through March 2. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Art 1 Gallery Shaping Space: Perspectives in Culture. Featuring Chad Nichols and David Pollard. Continues through Dec. 31. Holiday Gallery. A 3-week celebration of small arts and crafts for sale by regional artists that are made available at Art 1 Gallery. Special prices and original gift ideas, artworks and greeting cards will be made available. Continues through Dec. 28. 170 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 704-854-8800.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Student Show- Recent Projects. Showcasing recent projects by Art Institute of Charlotte students. Continues through Dec. 31. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Beatties Ford Road Library Modern Art by Danny Williams. Williams creates sculptured art pieces using paper, wire, metal and cloth. A native Charlottean, his works have been exhibited locally for several years. Continues through Jan. 31. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. 704-432-6706.

Blue Pony Gallery & Press Art for the Holidays. Gift-sized works of art by gallery artists. Original work by Francisco Gonzales, Jan Kinslowe, Margret Kuehni, Linda Lacroix, Terri Lynch, Rusk Masterton, Bruce Shores & Kim Stimpson. NoDa Gallery crawl Dec. 20, 6-9pm. Continues through Dec. 31. Tues.-Sat., 11am-5pm. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Nutcracker Art Exhibit. Each K-5 school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System was invited to participate in the exhibit, asking students to illustrate their favorite Nutcracker scene. All entries will be displayed in the lobby of Belk Theater during the performances of The Nutcracker. Continues through Dec. 22. 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Center of the Earth Gallery Maggie Taylor: Looking Back. Taylor creates symbolic images using photography as well as computer generated imagery, often appropriating Victorian photographs. Continues through Dec. 28. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Small Works. Featuring art no larger than 11x17 inches, created by numerous Charlotte Art League members. Dec. 12-28. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Charlotte Public Library Celebrating 75 years of Theatre Charlotte. The exhibit features programs, cast photos and other memorabilia from three-quarters of a century of theatrical productions. Carolina Room, third floor. Continues through Jan. 5. Block Party: Original Art from "What Do Animals Do On The Weekend?". An exhibit of original artwork from NFP's first children's book by writer and illustrator, Lauren Faulkenberry. Carnegie Gallery, third floor. Continues through Jan. 5. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Christa Faut Gallery Illumination- The Brilliance of Artistic Fine Jewelry. Precious Metals to wear by national metalsmiths, Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm. Also on exhibition: paintings, drawings, lithographs, clay sculptures and glass by Gallery artists. Fri., Sat. Continues through Dec. 31. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Elder Art Gallery The Artful Door. Showcasing paintings, sculptures and mixed media work by approximately 15 American artists. The exhibit will represent the artists' interpretations of the holiday "Artful Door." All work available for immediate purchase. Continues through Dec. 31. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Foust Studio Small Works Show. Artwork by Foust, LaCroix, Strouth, Lowery, and Boyd pottery. Fri., Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Continues through Jan. 1. 5200 Park Rd., Suite 115. 704-525-7989.

Gallery L Apron Strings: Ties to the Past. Featuring 100 vintage and contemporary examples, this exhibit reviews the apron's role as an emotionally charged vehicle for expression with a rich and varied craft history that is still viable today. Dec. 15-Jan. 19. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Gallery W.D.O. December. Featuring John Goodheart's recent ceramics, Joel Urruty's wood sculpture and Object of Desire: Toys for the Adult Collector. Continues through Jan. 18. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Gaston County Public Library 3-D Garbage Art. Original three-dimensional artworks created by area students from recyclable and discarded materials. Sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, under the direction of Carol Maxwell. Call for more information about other current or upcoming library exhibits. Continues through Dec. 31. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Tom Berg New Paintings. The gallery is pleased to announce their first solo exhibition for Tom Berg. Running currently with this exhibition will be a group show featuring new works by 11 gallery artists including Eric Aho, Arless Day, David Kroll and Phillip Geiger. Continues through Dec. 21. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Raymond Chorneau and Tony Griffin. Two painters from North Carolina who enjoy the tactile sense of oil paint on the canvas, though the imagery of each artist stems from opposing points of view. Continues through Dec. 28. Photography by Elizabeth Matheson. Continues through Feb. 1. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College Paul Martyka & Reed Elliott. Acrylic paintings and drawings. Continues through Jan. 24. Rauch Science and Fine Arts Bldg., Dallas Campus, 201 Highway 321 South, Gastonia. 704-922-6215.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Wolf Kahn at Seventy-Five. In honor of the artist's 75th birthday, the gallery will feature a solo exhibition of both oil and pastel paintings by Wolf Kahn. Continues through Jan. 4. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Shaun Cassidy- Immersed. Continues through Dec. 31. 318 E 9th. 704-373-1464.

JS Pottery Open House. Raku available. Continues through Dec. 24. 27 South Main Street, Belmont. 704-829-0360.

The Light Factory Byron Baldwin: The First Thirty Years, Simmons Jones: The New York Years. Continues through Jan. 18. 809 W. Hill St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art Release. An exhibition of work by Shaun Cassidy, McColl Center for Visual Art Affiliate Artist. Continues through Jan. 11. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Microcosm Gallery Group Exhibition. European and American artists. On view artworks by Agnes Manganelli, Dariusz Orszulik, Irina Ilyina, John Haskins, Kulka, Daniel Sztyber and Stephen Thompson. Continues through January, 2003. 300 N. College St. #101. 704-641-4256.

Myersart Gallery Works by Local Artists. Featuring functional and decorative works in clay by more than 35 local artists. Throughout December- Celebrating Nature, works in clay by Alex and Mary Miller and Karen Kammer. Extended holiday hours: Mon.-Wed. from 11am-7pm, Thurs.-Fri. from 11am-9pm, Sat. from 9am-5pm and Sun. from 1-5pm. Daily. 1510 Camden Road. 704-790-2529.

Noel Gallery Cedric Smith "Once Upon a Time". Smith celebrates color and the proportion of scale that children often use in emphasizing subjects. Continues through Dec. 29. Transamerica Square, 401 N. Tryon St. 704-343-0050.

Pope's Gallery Various Artists. The Arboretum and Myers Park locations will be exhibiting an assorted selection of original art works by Pope's family of artists. Continues through Dec. 31. 8016-900 Providence Rd. and 1035 Providence Rd. 704-541-3199 or 704-342-1774.

RASi Gallery Bernadette Kalinowski. A contemporary combination of surrealism and impressionism. The paintings are done in acrylics, ink and watercolor. The sculpture is done in polymer clay, plastics and stone. Continues through Dec. 31. 1989 Gold Hill Rd., Fort Mill. 803-547-0957.

Rock Hill Arts Council Rock Hill A to Z. The range of topics is broad- from Anderson Motor Company to Zip Code. This exhibit presents themes in Rock Hill history to illustrate all 26 letters of the alphabet. Continues through Dec. 31. 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

Rock Hill City Hall Seven Ways to Light: A Journey to Commonality. A collection of 7 artists' individual approaches to photography as a creative medium. Continues through Dec. 31. 155 Johnston St., Rock Hill. 803-328-1694.

S. Lampke Fine Art and Design Collection of Works featuring oils and pastels. Also showing oil floorcloths, painted "Cottage" furniture, and a collection of hand-knotted Persian Carpets. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 1517 Camden Road, Studio #5. 704-362-1033.

Shain Fine Art Originals Playing With The Mystery. Paintings by Amy Dobbs and David Ballew. Continues through Jan. 31. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art Yoko Ono: En Trance. Yoko Ono will present the large, room-like minimalist sculpture En Trance in SECCA's Potter Gallery. En Trance is an interactive work that allows the audience to investigate its numerous openings. Continues through Jan. 12. 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904.

Spirit Square falleg malverk. An exhibition of paintings by Peggy Rivers, McColl Center for Visual Art Affiliate Artist. Mon.-Sun. Continues through Jan. 5. 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Winthrop University Galleries Art and Design Faculty Exhibition Three. This year's exhibition includes the works of Jim Connell, the team of Mark Guilbeau and Rian Kerrane, David Stokes and Jerry Walden. Located in the Rutledge and Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick Galleries of the historic Rutledge Building. Continues through Jan. 26. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.