Allan Rosenfeld This Charlotte Symphony clarinetist will present a solo recital featuring the clarinet and bass clarinet. The concert will be held at the Recital Hall, Winthrop University. Wed., Jan. 22, 8 p.m. Free. 704-568-1095.

Antares Quartet Formed in 1996 in New Haven (CT), as the Elm City Ensemble, Antares draws on a vast and colorful repertoire for the piano-clarinet quartet formation, as well as various trio permutations. Their programs span the traditional eras of classical music from the early 18th through the 19th and 20th centuries. Sat., Feb. 1, 8 p.m. $20 general admission. Students through college age are admitted at no charge. Dana Auditorium, Queens University.

The Benedict College Gospel Choir This choir has performed with various world-renowned gospel artists and won the 2000-2001 Black Music Caucus' National College Gospel Choir Competition. Sat., Feb. 1, 7 p.m. Free. Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2135.

Charlotte Civic Orchestra Young artists concerto competition awards concert. Sun., Feb. 2, 3 p.m. Adults $8, seniors/students $6, families $17. Dana Auditorium, Queens University.

Charlotte Symphony Lollipops Fanfare for the Common Kid: A Copland Tribute to Heidi Joyce. Pre-concert festival at 10am. Sat., Jan. 25, 11 a.m. $8-$16. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Faculty Series: Phil Thompson Dr. Thompson is head of woodwind instruction in the Department of Music and is known throughout the Charlotte area as a solo performer. Held in the Frances May Barnes Recital Hall. Mon., Feb. 3, 8 p.m. Free. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2399.

First Tuesday Concerts Ensemble Vita Nola, playing period instruments, will perform at both the Noon Concert (12:10pm) and the AfterWork Concert (5:30pm). Free parking is available at the TransAmerica parking garage on West 7th St. Tue., Feb. 4. Free. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 115 W. 7th St. 704-332-7746.

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.

Jazzy January Free lunchtime jazz concerts featuring the Beth Chorneau Jazz Duo and Ziad from Mo' Money. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The concerts coincide with the Shops at Founders Hall sidewalk sale. Jan. 27-31, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St, Bank of America Corp Cntr.

Jennifer Holliday Holliday, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actress and singer, debuts with the Charlotte Symphony Pops. Jan. 24-25, 8 p.m. $15-$33. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

The Luther College Nordic Choir The choir will perform a varied program of both sacred and secular pieces. The concert will include works by Bach, Poulenc, Hovland, Gretchaninoff and Mendelssohn among others. Wed., Jan. 22, 7 p.m. $12. Myers Park Baptist Church. 704-334-7232.

Saint Louis Brass Quintet Featuring music from the works of today's composers to the Baroque. The performance will be held in the Hannah Covington McGee Theatre of the George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center. Tue., Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. $10. Wingate University. 704-233-8300.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Extreme Improv. Live improvised comedy created from your suggestions. Visit www.extremeimprov.com for more information. Call for reservations. Saturdays, 8 p.m. $5. 1958 E 7th St. 1-800-467-7681.

Dinkins Cafe, Winthrop U Jay Lamont. Lamont has appeared on BET's Comic View. Fri., Jan. 24. $3 students, $7 general admission. Rock Hill. 803-323-2108.

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. 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 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. Akintundae & Kid Dave Miller. Jan. 22-25. HBO's Ladies of the Night. Featuring Just June, Tanya Lee Davis & Julie Scoggins. Jan. 29-Feb. 1. 516 N. College St., Wed. & Thurs.- 8pm, Fri. & Sat.- 8pm, 10:15pm. Visit www.thecomedyzone.net. 704-348-4242.

Dance

Chants North Carolina Dance Theatre will conduct an educational performance of Alonzo King's Chants for area schools and homeschool students. Chants delves into African tradition using a cappella chants along with high energy, intense choreography. Fri., Jan. 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $7. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-379-1324.

Dance Break North Carolina Dance Theatre 2 (NCDT 2) will give free lunchtime performances in the Duke Power Theatre of Spirit Square. Dance Break gives viewers a chance to experience quality dance up close in a casual atmosphere and is a diversion to the usual lunch break. Box lunches from Something Classic will be available. Jan. 20-22, 12:15-1 p.m. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Winter Trilogy Chants delves into African tradition using a cappella chants along with high energy, intense choreography. The Rite of Spring is a work of intense passion, originally created in 1913 by Vaslav Nijinsky and Igor Stravinsky. For mature audiences only. They Shoot Horses, Don't They? tells the story of a dance marathon whose contestants depict the unrelenting personal desperation of the Great Depression. Presented by the North Carolina Dance Theatre. Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 8 p.m. $10-$55. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

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 Monica Simpson & Ricardo Gardner. Last Saturday of every month, 11 p.m. $7 cover. Free for Aquarians. 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

THE 24 HOUR THEATRE PROJECT Five playwrights write new 10-minute plays in 24 hours revolving around the same theme. Presented by Barebones Theatre Group. Jan. 25, 9pm. $10. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Arts in Education: The Golden Goose A performance full of audience participation and laughs for the entire family. Always a sell-out. Call to book your seats in advance. Fri., Jan. 24, 9-11 a.m. $3 per person. McCelvey Center, York, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 803-684-3948 ext. 21.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof The play begins as members of a family celebrate the patriarch's 65th birthday. Sins of the past and greedy hopes of the future surround the event. Written by Tennessee Williams. Jan. 23-25, 8 p.m.; Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 8 p.m.; Feb. 2, 2:30 p.m.; Feb. 6-8, 8 p.m.; Feb. 9, 2:30 p.m. $15-$20. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-376-3777.

Cyrano A three-person adaption of Edmond Rostand's enduring love story. The simplification of the story allows audiences to focus on the three main characters and the love triangle that has entangled them. Recommended for ages 10 & up. Jan. 24-25, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 26, 2 p.m.; Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 1, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $8-$10. Children's Theatre of Charlotte.

Jack and the Beanstalk and Other Favorite English Fairy Tales Magic beans, bags of gold, handfuls of straw and other strange and wonderful things are all part of English fairy tales. Directed by Rupert Barber. Held in the Black Box Theatre of the Cunningham Fine Arts Building. Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.; Jan. 26, 3 p.m. General admission $4, children $3. Davidson College, Davidson. 704-892-8528.

The Marriage of Figaro This popular opera by Mozart will be performed in English in a modified version that incorporates singing and narration. Sat., Jan. 25, 8 p.m. Free. Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2414.

Perfect Six Mark Eisman's new comedy compares the quest for perfect scores in the world of professional figure skating to the quest for perfect human relationships. All shows will be in Hodson Hall of the Cunningham Fine Arts Building. Feb. 5-8, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 9, 2 p.m. $4. Davidson College, Davidson. 704-892-8528.

Samuel Beckett In As Few Words As Possible The Farm Theatre presents these six short pieces by the father of the absurd, Samuel Beckett. The evening includes Act Without Words I and II, Quad, Come and Go, Catastrophe and Breath. All shows are at 8pm. Jan. 23-25; Jan. 30-Feb. 1. $12 regular admission, $5 students. $10 tickets are available with advance registration. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 611 W. 5th St. 704-334-1177.

Suburbia This contemporary play is about 3 characters in their early 20s who are faced with conflicts such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, suicide and dealing with success and failure. Appropriate for ages 18 and older. Performances held in the Johnson Studio Theatre. Feb. 5-8, 8 p.m. $3 w/ Winthrop ID, $7 general admission. Winthrop University, Rock Hill. 803-323-2287.

The Waiting Room A contemporary comedy set in a doctor's waiting room as three women from three different cultures and time periods become acquainted with each other and each other's health issues. Produced by The Actor's Theatre of Charlotte. Show dates and times: Jan. 29- Feb 16 with 7:30pm performances on Wed. & Thurs; 8pm performances on Fri. & Sat; and a matinee performance at 2pm on Feb. 16. $15-$20. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Theater: Ongoing

House of Yes Artistic director Glenn Griffin takes on this warped comedy about Jackie O impersonation, love and twisted family values. Jan. 22-25, 8 p.m. $12 students, $15 adults. Jan. 22 is Pay What You Can Night. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

Let Me Sing- A Musical Evolution Featuring more than 30 classic songs such as Alexander's Rag Time band, Looking for the Silver Lining and A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody. The show not only traces the history of the art form but also explores how it defined the American character and spirit. Jan. 22-23, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 24-25, 8 p.m.; Jan. 26, 2 p.m.; Jan. 29-30, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 8 p.m.; Feb. 2, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 5-6, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 7-8, 8 p.m.; Feb. 9, 2 p.m. $27.25-$31.25. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

Visual Arts: Openings

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Journey into Fiber Space by Fiber ART Options. The members of Fiber ART Options are Nancy Cook, Robin Hawkins, Peggy Luey, Elizabeth Miller, Teresa Pietras and Beth Stewart-Ozark. A reception will be held on Feb. 13 from 5:30-7pm. Feb. 3-28. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Charlotte Art League Radiovision 2003. A competition open to all artists within the listening area of WFAE. Art should be delivered to Charlotte Art League between 11am-3pm on Jan. 24 or 10am-2pm on Jan. 25. The reception and awards presentation will be Feb. 7. This exhibit will run Jan. 30- Feb. 16. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Davidson College Woman's Work: Reconsidering Women at Work and at Home. This exhibition of works by Terri Dowell-Dennis, Ursula C. McCarty and Elizabeth Brim examines the social conventions affecting the development and education of young women for future roles in the workplace and at home. On view in the William H. Van Every Gallery. Jan. 24-Feb. 28. Joe Fiore. Landscape paintings. On view in the Eward M. Smith Gallery. Jan. 24-Feb. 21. Davidson. 704-892-8528.

Galatique Maxx Morgan. This show will feature paintings from his Surreal Enchantment Series based on the illustrations from his first book. There will be a grand opening reception and book signing on Jan. 31 from 7-10pm. Continues through February. 26 North Main St., Belmont. 704-608-1868.

Gaston County Public Library Quilt Project. Handmade quilt by members of the Gaston County Extension and Community Organization. For information about their current and upcoming exhibits, please contact your local Gaston County Public Library location. Feb. 1-28. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.

Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College Africa Now. Curated by Dr. Alice Burmeister. Feb. 3-March 28. Rauch Science and Fine Arts Bldg., Dallas Campus, 201 Highway 321 South, Gastonia.

McColl Center for Visual Art Winter 2003 Artists. Exhibition of work by the Winter 2003 Artists-in-Residence and Affiliate Artists: Albert Casayne & Matilde Grau, Bailey Doogan, Joyce Hsu, Thomas Mezzanotte, Franco Mondini Ruiz, Cedric Smith and Kristin St. Martin. Open house public opening: Jan. 24 from 6-8pm. Jan. 24-March 22. $5 public, $3 students, free for McColl members. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Pope's Gallery Betty Mitchell. Realistic floral still lifes in oil [Myers Park]. February. Contemporary Art. By local, regional and national artists [Arboretum]. February. 8016-900 Providence Rd. and 1035 Providence Rd. 704-541-3199 or 704-342-1774.

Queens University Watkins Gallery Confluences & Influences. Six professional ceramists along with their former teacher, Rick Crown, will be exhibiting their works. A reception will be held Jan. 26 from 2-5pm. Jan. 26-Feb. 22. 1900 Selwyn Avenue. 704-337-2286.

Rowe Arts Galleries, UNCC 2003 Arts Alumni Invitational. Features dual exhibitions by graduates now working in the professional arts world. In the Main Gallery are visual arts alumni and in the Upstairs Gallery are theatre alumni. Artists include Thomas Heyer, Charlotte Foust, Virginia Jochems-Atkins and Beverly Smith. Jan. 25-Feb. 14. Rowe Arts Building.

UNC-Charlotte Artworks 945- Urban Community Art Show. Paintings and sculpture by homeless artists will be exhibited in the Cone Center Gallery. Featuring ceramic sculpture and paintings done on plywood by individuals who have sought assistance at Charlotte's Urban Ministry Center. Jan. 22-Feb. 22. 704-687-3315.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Opening Exhibitions. Featuring the work of internationally recognized artists, artists living and working in Rowan County and the region, gifted artists challenged by developmental disabilities and work representing each of the public high schools in Rowan County. The grand opening will be held on Jan. 25 from 1-4pm. Exhibits continue through March. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

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. 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. Continues through Jan. 31. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Art 1 Gallery Natural Roots. Photography exhibit by Eustace Conway of Deep Gap, NC held in conjunction with the 5th Annual Carolina Lens Art competition and exhibition by local and regional photographers. Continues through Feb. 21. 170 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 704-854-8800.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Illustrations by Doug Clarke. January, 2003. 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.

Center of the Earth Gallery Pleasure Places. Artists slated to participate are Jacob Cooley, Page Laughlin, Ruth Ava Lyons, Elena Madden, Joseph Oddo, Richard Siegel and Gail Wegodsky. These artists explore interior and exterior worlds with varied styles and approaches. Continues through Feb. 28. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Earth Works- The Four Seasons. A show featuring landscapes in a variety of media by Charlotte Art League members. Continues through Jan. 25. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Charlotte Public Library (Main Library) The Eye of the Beholder: Charlotte's Photographers and Their Work 1867-1917. There will be images and biographical information from many photographers of this period, providing a memorable glimpse at the technology of the period and how Charlotteans looked a century ago. Continues through May 17. 310 N. Tryon St.

Crazy Jane's Local Artists. Works by Ellyn Bernstein, Mike Watson and Rod Wriner. Pottery by Ann Hamilton. Mon.-Sat. 1817 Hawkins Street. 704-332-5454.

ElderArt Gallery Four Shadow Plus One. A sneak preview of four artists who have recently joined the gallery's roster: Leonel Matheu, Gina Gilmour, Karen Roberson Powell, Jill Jones and Tom Perkinson. Continues through Feb. 22. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Gallery W.D.O. Thomas Hoadley: Nerikomi Porcelain. The nerikomi technique involves stacking and slicing colored porcelain into slabs which Hoadley combines to create three-dimensional paintings in vessel form. The artist will be present at the reception: Jan. 31, 6-8pm. Continues through Feb. 28. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Gaston County Public Library Artworks by Lovick. Original two-dimensional artworks by Lovick Lewis. Continues through Jan. 31. Winter Baskets. Decorative winter baskets on loan from Kim Simmons. For information about other current or upcoming library exhibits, please contact your local Gaston County Public Library location, or call Program Coordinator Carol Reinhardt. Continues through Jan. 31. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Diane Bywaters: Land-Sea-Sky. All paintings are of the North Carolina landscape from the coastal marshes to the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Continues through March 1. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Photography by Elizabeth Matheson. Continues through Feb. 1. Robert Marsh. Print Show, curated by June Lambla. Marsh will share his works on paper, using vibrant oil pastels in energetic strokes. Continues through March 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 Ernesto Berra, Helen Shirk and Raul Diaz. Berra's collages often resemble abstract landscapes and include everyday objects such as wires, sticks and nails. Shirk's copper vessels reflect her interest in brilliantly colored and textured organic forms. Diaz's dream-like paintings create ethereal textured environments. Continues through Feb. 15. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery John Nickerson- New Works. A new shipment of glass with new designs. January, 2003. 318 E 9th. 704-373-1464.

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. Visit www.mdgallery. homestead.com for more information. Continues through Feb. 28. 10801 Johnston Rd., Suite 219. 704-333-6699.