American Guild of Organists Recitals sponsored by Guild. July 27: Mark Swicegood, First Baptist Church, 301 S. Davidson St.; August 3: Patrick Pope, Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. All at 8pm. Free. 704-333-9071.

Heritage Singers The Heritage Singers of Yorkshire, England, formed in 1984 with a mission to restore and maintain the Anglican Choral Tradition by providing sung services to parishes without choirs and as a stand-in for cathedral choirs on holiday. Mon., July 28, 7:30 p.m. Free. Third Presbyterian Church, 4019 Central Ave. 704-537-5313.

Jonathan Richard Cring & Janet Clazzy Scott Author and composer Cring and Symphony conductor Scott present an evening of music and monologue. Cring will read from his new book Jesonian and Scott will perform pop-classical tunes on the oboe, piano and more. A cookout will precede the event. Fri., July 25, 7:30 p.m. Free-will offering. 704-523-7981.

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. 1-866-467-7681.

Central Ave Playhouse Psychotic Pooch. Live Sketch Comedy and improv. Material is NC-17, seating is limited. Call for reservations. Fri., Sat., 11 p.m. $10. 1118 Clement Ave. 704-502-8423.

The Comedy Zone James Gregory. Appearing live - July 25-26. Showtimes: Wed. & Thurs. 8:00pm, Fri. & Sat. 8:00pm & 10:15pm.Sunday: 9:00pm. 516 N. College St., Visit www.thecomedyzone.net. 704-348-4242.

The Perch Theatre Smokin' Bear Tour Featuring Talking Baby. Presented by The Perch at various venues while a new location is scouted. Shows are rated 'R' for verbal content. July 26: Neighborhood Theatre, 9pm; Aug 2: Comedy Zone, 11pm. Call for reservations. $12. 704-372-7724.

Dance

Get Kinetic! Watch open rehearsals of works in progress for Kinetic Works SummerDance concerts. Call for details and reservations. July 19, 26 and August 2, 12:30-2pm. Studio C, 2nd floor. $5. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-338-1533.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite The Faces of Our State. Photographic exhibit showcasing 70 years of North Carolina people as seen in Our State: North Carolina magazine. Through June 2004. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Continues through Sept. 30, 2004. Regular Museum admission. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Gaston County Museum of Art & History Carolinas Textile Exhibit- The Ties That Bind. Tue.-Sun. 131 W. Main St., Dallas. 704-852-6025.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. New South, Old South, Somewhere in Between. Continues through Aug. 7. Pen and Ink Politics: Thomas Nast's Reconstruction-era Cartoons and African American Equality. Continues through Sept. 29. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art All Aglow. An exhibition featuring 300 years of candlesticks on display. Through February 15, 2004. Burlon Craig and His Legacy. Continues through Oct. 19. Fashions of the Crinoline Era: 1840-1865. Eight mid 19th century crinoline fashions, featuring wide hoop skirts, from the museum's costume collection are currently on display. Through May 2004. Lauren & Friends. Tue., July 29. Passing. Selected artists from the 2002 Juried exhibition Celebrating the Legacy of Romare Bearden are invited for in-depth presentation of their work. Through September 7. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000 or 704-333-MINT.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design Constructing Elozua: A Retrospective. Ceramics, photography, 3-D computer-generated artwork & sculpture. Continues through Aug. 3. Currents In Craft. Ongoing exhibit. Tue.-Sun. Point of View: Public and Private Collecting Part II. Continues through July 27. 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. Continues through Sept. 14, 2003. Illustrator Vernon Grant: A Century of American Whimsy. Continues through Oct. 5, 2003. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

North Carolina Museum of History Flashback to the 60s. Continues through Sept. 28, 2003. 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-715-0200.

Spoken Word

Mert's Heart and Soul Uptown Saturday Nite. Featuring the area's most talented singers, rappers, and poets. Sign up for the Open Mic Showcase. Details: www.motifentertainment.com. Every second and last Saturday of the month at 10pm-until. $7 cover. 214 N. College St. 704-593-0114.

Tea Rex Teahouse Jonathan Rice. Poetry open mic night. Fri., Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. 2102 South Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Wine Basket Poetry Night. Featured reader will be selected from those signed up for Open Mike and will get extended reading time, door proceeds and an honorarium from Main Street Rag. The venue features wine for those of legal age and language is not restricted. For further details call or visit www.mainstreetrag.com. Fri., July 25, 8 p.m. 830 Lamar Ave. 704-573-2516.

Theater: Openings

Brighton Beach Memoirs Neil Simon play directed by John Hartness and presented by Davidson Community Players. For Mature audiences. Hodson Hall of the Cunningham Fine Arts Center. July 31-August 2 & August 7-9. All performances at 8 pm. $15 general admission, $13 for students and seniors. Davidson College. 704-892-7953.

Description Beggared or The Allegory of Whiteness The Farm's first musical, intended for older audiences. July 31-August 16, Thursday-Saturday, all shows 8pm. $12 adults, $10 advance sales, $5 students. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.

Hay Fever Presented by Piedmont Players. July 31-August 9. Wednesday-Saturday 7:30pm. Sunday 2:30. Tickets range from $9-$12. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. 704-633-5471.

Jungle Book Presented by Creative Kids. Call for reservations. July 25 at 7:30pm; July 26 at 2pm & 7:30pm. $6. Providence Day School. 704-364-0081.

The Little Prince Presented by Greenville, SC-based Mythmakers Theatre Co. July 24-26, Thursday & Friday 8pm, Saturday 1pm, 3pm, 8pm. $15 adults, $12 students/seniors and children. Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 1017 E. Morehead St. 704-376-5745.

Prelude to a Kiss A comedy by George Lucas. Details at www.offtryon.net. July 24-Aug 2 at 8pm. July 30 - pay what you can night. $15 adults, $12 seniors/students. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.

Theater: Ongoing

The Connie Company Monkeys Around The Connie Company, Davidson Community Players' theatre for children will bring monkey stories to life on three consecutive nights in three North Meck towns. The production is geared towards kindergarten to fifth graders and their families. July 25: Cornelius Town Hall; July 26: Huntersville Arts & Cultural Center; July 27: Davidson Town Hall, 7pm each night. $2 for children, $3 for adults. Cornelius Town Hall. 704-892-7953.

Footloose Based on the popular film and presented by CPCC Summer Theatre. July 23-26 at 8pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

Godspell A musical version of the Gospel according to Matthew, with score by Stephen Schwartz. July 23-26 at 8pm. Further details on www.matthewsplayhouse.com. $12 & $15. Theatre Matthews, 100 McDowell St, Matthews. 704-846-8343.

Open Season New comedy by Florida playwright Michael McKeever presented by SummerStage. Runs July 9-27. Wednesday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm. Tickets range from $20-$28. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Parade Day A new play by Terry Roueche. Presented by BareBones Theatre Group. July 10-27. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm. Sunday July 27, 3pm. $15 adults, $12 students/seniors. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Visual Arts: Openings

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Impact. Illustrations by students in the Graphic Design program. Artist reception is on August 14, 5:30-7pm. Exhibit runs August 4-29. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

ElderArt Gallery A Celebration of Life. A one-man show featuring Tom Perkinson. Aug 1 - 30. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Summer Group Invitational. Exhibition Just Desserts featuring Beverly Shipko. July 26-September 6, 2003. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-3000.

McColl Center for Visual Art Summer Affiliates Artists Exhibition. Six area artists join current affiliates through August 15. Artist Forum: July 16, 7pm. Closing House: August 15, 6-8pm. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

W.D.O. Objects & Ideas. The works of Shook Kelley. Through August 29. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Wil Bosbyshell. An exhibition of egg still life series. The paintings portray eggs in dramatic light with bold colors and deep-cast shadows. Artist reception is on Wed, July 23, 5:30-7pm. Exhibit runs through July. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Bank of America Plaza Maker versus Material. A two-location exhibit. Also on display at the First Citizens Building, 128 S. Tryon St. Continues through Nov. 21. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

Center of the Earth Gallery New Faces Invitational. A group exhibition featuring newcomers. Through August 2. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Christa Faut Gallery Summer Show. Group exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints by gallery artists. Through August 11. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Clay on Camden Fireworks: Contemporary works in Raku. Works by some of the region's potters. Through July. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

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.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Bob Rankin. A show of his original works in acrylics, oils, and mixed media. Meet the artist: July 24, 6-9pm. Exhibit runs July 14 - August 9. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.

Das Maultier Art Gallery Store/Gallery. Art and design shop located in NODA with affordable art for novice to the serious collector. In the Colony. 3472 N. Davidson St. 704-333-0277.

ElderArt Gallery Leon A. Makielski, A Journey of Creativity. Exhibit will feature portraits and landscapes painted over a 50 year period by Makielski (1885-1974). Through July 25. Hours: Tues - Fri: 10 am - 6 pm. Saturdays: 10am - 2 pm. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

The Gallery at Carillon Convergence. Presents the work of five women artists offering a wide variety of recent paintings and sculpture. Exhibit runs through September 29. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Green Rice Designs & Studio New Gallery now open. A working artist studio and gallery. Visit during business hours or gallery crawls. www.green-rice.com. 510 E. 35th St. 704-344-0300.

Hidell Brooks Gallery 5th Year Anniversary Group Exhibition. All gallery artists have specifically created new works to commemorate fifth year in the arts. Exhibit runs through August 30. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery Summer Invitational Exhibition. Four regional artists. Exhibition runs July 8 through August 29. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Shaun Cassidy. New paintings and drawings by former McColl resident. July through August. 318 E 9th. 704-373-1464.

The Light Factory Members 2003 Show. The show will exhibit members' works in a wide variety of styles and media in images that have never been seen at the Factory. Exhibit on through August 9. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McGregor Downs Galleries Boris Tomic. Exhibit of Tomic's work including oil, watercolor, mixed media and sculpture. His local credits include Ballantyne Gates. Other local artists works exhibited include Elaine Rockey, Justin Rivenbank and Han Cashion. Through August 31. 10801 Johnston Rd., Suite 219. 704-333-6699.

Rauch Gallery, Gaston College Anne Cowie. Featuring a mixed media exhibit of sculpture, ceramics and paintings. Through August 15. 201 Highway 321 South, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Bldg., Dallas. 704-922-6245.

Redsky Gallery Gallery Opening. A combination of fine arts and crafts gallery and working pottery studio. Opening exhibit will feature six artists. www.redskygallery.com. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Sanctuary Art Studio & Galleries Art in America. A group show celebrating American craftsmanship and creative ingenuity. Exhibit runs through September 3. 3440 North Davidson St. 704-877-2692.

Shain Gallery New Gallery artists. New paintings by regional artists. www.shaingallery.com. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Stewart's Village Gallery American Crafts. Featuring pottery by Bill Stewart, Sylvia Coppola, Lambeth Marshall & Bill Campbell. Daily. 116 McDonald St., Waxhaw. 704-843-5638.

The Art Preserve Jan Kinslowe. Exhibit of paintings. Framing Design Studio and Gallery. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

W.D.O. Bridging Fine and Decorative Arts. During the summer, the gallery will feature works by artists who have shown major works during the Winter/Spring season as well as previews of the upcoming Autumn/Winter season. Through August. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Lynn Baney, Todd Stone, Sharon Wolpoff. Baney (ABSTRABET), Wolpoff (Summer Light), Stone (Pools and Reflections). Through August 23. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.