Classical Music

American Chamber Players An innovative chamber music ensemble performing a varied repertoire ranging from familiar masterpieces to neglected gems to newly commissioned American works. Sept 8: Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson, at 8pm, info at 704-894-2135; Sept 9: George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center, Wingate University at 8pm, 704-233-8300. Call for details. Tickets are $15, and $10 for seniors at Davidson; $15 at Wingate.

Daniel Rodriguez Celebrate America's heritage of freedom with the Charlotte Philharmonic's patriotic selections and the passionate tenor of Daniel Rodriguez. Also featuring Eddie Mabry Dancers. Sat., Sept. 6, 8 p.m. Tickets $17.50-$35. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-348-5800.

The Luski Family Concert Series An entertaining evening of Broadway show music by Jewish composers, featuring Viva Klezmer & Aviva B. Ezring. Sun., Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road. 704-362-2796.

Opera Babes International babes Karen England and Rebecca Knight continue to top the classical charts with their powerful renditions of operatic classics. They join the Charlotte Philharmonic for an evening of glorious music. Charlotte Shout Kick-off Event. Fri., Sept. 5, 8 p.m. $25-$45. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

QuinTango This unique chamber ensemble is dedicated to the musical performance of tango. Inspired by the Argentine orquesta tipica, QuinTango brings its own interpretations to this evocative music. Thu., Sept. 4. $15. George A. Batte Jr. Fine Arts Center, Wingate University. 704-233-8300.

Sir James Galway Galway, supreme interpreter of the classical repertoire for flute, possesses a sound and virtuosity that have made him one of the most sought-after artists. He is featured in Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 2, as well as Brahm's Third Symphony and Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis. Christof Perick conducting. September 12-13, 8pm. $20-$75. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000.

Two-Piano Recital Cynthia Lawing and Gloria Cook in performance in the Tyler-Tallman Recital Hall. Thu., Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Free. Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2357.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Extreme Improv. Live improvised comedy created from your suggestions. Visit www.extremeimprov.com for more information. Call for reservations. Fridays: Long Form Fridays, scenes and monologues from a single audience suggestion, $5; Saturdays: improv comedy with audience suggestions, Rated R, $10. 8pm both nights. 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 Mark Klein. Appearing live. September 10-13, call for details. 516 N. College St., Visit www.thecomedyzone.net. 704-348-4242.

Dance

Dance Break North Carolina Dance Theatre 2 (NCDT 2) will give free lunchtime performances Sept. 9 & 10, from 12:15 : 1 pm, in the Duke Power Theatre of the Spirit Square Center for Arts Education, 345 North College St. A diversion to the usual lunch break. Boxed lunches from Something Classic will be available for purchase. 704-372-0101.

Summer Harvest Purple Sage is created to Douglas Lofstrom's The Survivor's Symphony. The work progresses through the stages of loss and culminates with a joyful acceptance. R Cycle, performed to a taped collage, is contemporary dance invoking the feelings of entrapment in modern society. Paper Toys completes the program. Sept. 6, 7 at 8pm, Sept. 8 at 2:30pm. All tickets are $12. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

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. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Omnimax. Now showing: Top Speed and Coral Reef Adventure. Call or visit website for times, www.discoveryplace.org.

301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Pen and Ink Politics: Thomas Nast's Reconstruction-era Cartoons and African American Equality. Continues through Sept. 29. A Portion of the People: 300 Years of Southern Jewish Life. An Exhibition that recognizes the distinctive heritage of Jewish culture in the South. Grand Opening Reception on Sat., Sept. 13 includes official proclamation by Mayor Pat McCrory declaring Sept. 14 "Carolina Jewish Heritage Day". Tickets are $40 for museum members and $50 for non-members. Exhibit runs Sep 14 through Nov 30. 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. Julie Moos: Friends and Enemies. Features portraits of couples who are either best friends or worst enemies and places them against a non-descript background. Exhibit runs Sept. 5 through Dec. 7. 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.