Classical Music

Davidson College Symphony Orchestra Performance featuring works by Haydn, Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky. Tue., April 20, 8 p.m. Free. Duke Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2357.

Harmonies of Earth and Heaven A mirror on the past with medieval and renaissance music, presented by Carolina Pro Musica. Fri., April 16, 8 p.m. Free. Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-334-3468.

The Juilliard String Quartet Among its many accomplishments, the Juilliard String Quartet serves as Quartet-in-Residence for the Library of Congress. Sat., April 17, 7:30 p.m. $25. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-337-2213.

La bohème Opera Carolina's presentation of Puccini's most popular opera of love, truth and fate. www.operacarolina.org. Apr. 15, 7:30pm; Apr. 16-17, 8pm; Apr. 18, 2pm. $10-$79. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Mozart Chamber Music Concert The Charlotte Symphony's Community Connections program presents Mozart's Clarinet Quintet for clarinet and string quartet, K. 581. Unitarian Universalist Church, 234 N. Sharon Amity Rd. Wed., April 21, 7:30 p.m. Free. 704-366-8623.

The Singing Hoosiers A performance by the Grammy-nominated group from Indiana University. Thu., April 15, 8 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-334-3468.

Comedy

Bayou Kitchen Comedy. Extreme Improv: Fridays 8pm - Chicago Style long form improv "The Gallery"; Saturdays 8pm - "Who's Line Is it?" style improv; Psychotic Pooch at 10pm. Fridays and Saturdays. www.extremeimprov.comwww.psychoticpooch.com. $10. 1958 E 7th St. 866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. Apr. 14-17: Allyn Ball, Dan Johnson & Scott Ogeycheck; Apr. 17: The Perch sketch comedy (midnight); Apr. 18: Mathis Madness with Allyn Ball; Apr. 21-24: Marc Ryan, DC Malone & Mary Asher. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Katchikally NickLewis Comedy Corner. Best of Urban Comedians from HBO, BET Comicview. Fri & Sat 10pm. 204 W. Woodlawn Road Suite A. 704-567-2634.

Ovations Comedy Variety Show. "The Waki Tiki show" featuring the Kahuna's of Comedy. In the Luau Lounge. Fri & Sat, 10pm. 3014 East Independence Blvd. 704-602-2595.

The Perch Theatre New Location. Sketch comedy club/theater. www.theperch.com. 830 Lamar Ave. 704-372-7724.

Visulite Theatre The Perch & Talking baby. Live Sketch Comedy. Thu., April 15, 10 p.m. 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704-372-7724.

Dance

Davidson College Dance Ensemble Program features works by 20 choreographers and more than 100 dancers. April 16; April 17, 8 p.m. Duke Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. 704-894-2135.

NCDT Exposed North Carolina Dance Theatre 2 dancers present an opportunity to witness the behind-the-scene reality of dancers' lives, discipline and athleticism. Apr. 20-23, 11am-5pm. Wachovia Atrium. 704-372-00101 ext 107.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History The Faces of Our State. Through June 2004. Powerful Persuaders: World War II Posters. Guns, tanks, and bombs may have been the chief weapons of World War II, but there were other forms of warfare. Propaganda posters waged an ongoing campaign for the hearts and minds of the American people. Through Sept. 1. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Continues through Sept. 30, 2004. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Machine Shop. Get a lift from the pulley, spin wheels, gears and learn about inclined planes and more. Daily. Mix & Max: Omnimax after hours. The program is aimed at anyone looking for something different. Live music, Omnimax films, food and cash bar. Third Friday of every month. $10 members $12 (non-members). Omnimax. Now showing: Ocean Oasis, NASCAR: The IMAX Experience, T. rex: Back to the Cretaceous, and Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance. Call or visit website for times, www.discoveryplace.org. A T. Rex Named Sue. A fully articulated cast of a T. Rex fossil now on display. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Courage: The Carolina Story That Changed America. The 1954 decision, Brown v. Board of Education (the Supreme Court declared racially segregated public schools unconstitutional), initiated massive change in race relations across the country. Through Aug. 15. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art 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. Margaret Bourke-White. The photography of design, 1927-1936. April 8-May 2. Through the Eye of the Camera. 19th and 20th century photography. April 8-May 2. VantagePoint II. Julie Heffernan: Interior Transformations, featuring large scale paintings. April 8-Sept. 5. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft & Design The Art of Gold. Exhibit presents 80 contemporary gold objects. Apr. 3-Aug. 8. The Artful Teapot: 20th Century Expressions from the Kamm Collection. An exhibit examining the chameleon-like form of the teapot and how it has become an inventive vehicle for artistic expression in the 20th century. Through May 30. 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 Piecing a Quilt of Life: World Connections. Features contemporary art quilts made by 23 women with stories to tell. Through Apr. 25. Vernon Grant. An exhibit of Grant's work, Storybook Village. Through Oct. 31. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum Nicholas Sparks & Micah Sparks. Discussion and signing of Three Weeks with My Brother. Fri., April 16, 6 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9365.

Barnes & Noble, Huntersville Sheri Lynch. Charlotte radio personality and author will read and sign Hello, My Name is Mommy. Sun., April 18, 3 p.m. Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Rd., Huntersville. 704-895-8863.

Beatties Ford Road Library Charles Rivers. Author of How to Become Your Spouse's Best Friend will discuss and sign book. Wed., April 21, 7 p.m. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. 704-432-6706.

Borders, Morrocroft Michael Hetzer. Author will discuss and sign No More Handprints . Sat., April 17, 12:30 p.m. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-6261.

Newsstand International Virginia Farmer. Golden Heart winner will sign her new book, Blast From the Past. Sat., April 17, 1-3 p.m. 5622-128 E. Independence Blvd. 704-531-0199.

Spoken Word

Davidson College Charles Wright. Pulitzer-prize winning poet presents and evening of literature. Smith 900 Room of Alvarez College Union. Thu., April 15, 7:30 p.m. 704-894-2140.

Southend Performing Arts Center BareBones Poetry Project. SPAC will feature regional authors reading selections of their poetry, short stories and performance poetry. Third Tuesday of every month, 8 p.m. 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Tonic The Soul Movement. An underground nite for Spoken Word/Poetry, Soul Classics, Neo-Soul, Deep/Soulful House, Urban Grooves & Underground Hip-Hop. www.thesoulmovement.com. Sundays. $5 before 9:30pm. 1427 E. 4th St. 704-580-7187.

Theater: Openings

Alice Neel A new play about an uncompromising artist, written by Ann Marie Oliva. Apr. 15, 7:30pm, Apr. 16-17, 23-24, 8pm; Apr. 25, 2:30pm. $10-$12. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. 704-376-3777.

Barefoot in the Park Charlotte Repertory Theatre presents Neil Simon' romantic farce. Apr. 17, 8pm; Apr. 18, 2pm; Apr. 20-22, 7:30pm; Apr. 23-24, 8pm; Apr. 25, 2pm; Apr. 28-29, 7:30pm; Apr. 30, 8pm; May 1, 8pm; May 2, 8pm. $24.50-$37.50. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

CEO/DOA Mystery Dinner Theater featuring comedy, murder and mayhem. Thu & Fri, 7pm; Sat, 6:30pm & 7:30pm. $25-$35. Ovations, 3014 East Independence Blvd. 704-602-2595.

Julius Caesar William Shakespeare's examination of a society in crisis, as Rome struggles to come to terms with a republic slowly but surely turning into a dictatorship, presented by The Abbey Players & Belmont Community Theatre. Apr. 15-17, 22-24, 8pm. $10. Haid Theatre, Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-825-6787.

Laughing Wild Christopher Durang's funny yet provocative play. Apr. 14-May 1, Wed.-Sat., 8pm; Apr. 25, 3pm. $15, Wed. "Pay What You Can". Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-502-8423.

The Member of the Wedding Winner of the 1950 Critics Award for Best Play. Written by Carson McCuller. April 16, 17, 23, 24: 8pm; April 25: 2:30pm. $12. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

The Play About the Baby The play follows a young couple, madly in love with each other, who have a child - the perfect family - that is, until an older couple steal the baby. Presented by BareBones Theatre Group, recommended for mature audiences. Apr. 15-17, 22-24, 29-30, May 1 at 8pm; Apr. 25 at 3pm. $12-$15. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.

Spring One-Act Play Festival An evening of short one-act plays directed by theater majors. www.winthrop.edu/arts. April 16, 5 p.m.; April 17, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. $5-10. Johnson Theatre, Winthrop.

Student Production Series The theater dept. presents one-act plays created by students in advanced directing class. Black Box Theatre, Cunningham Bldg. April 15; April 16, 7:30 p.m. $3. Davidson College. 704-894-2361.

Sweet Land of Liberty A reading of dark comedy set in a future fascist-evangelical-patriotic-repressive society. Presented by Theatre for Change. Wed., April 14, 7 p.m. Free. The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-277-7098.

Theater: Ongoing

Pass the Peas The Afro-American Children's Theatre (AACT) celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education in a premiere production, written and directed by Dawn Womack. Apr. 16, 7:30pm; Apr. 17, 3pm & 7pm; Apr. 18, 3pm. $10 17 & under, $12 adults. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

Visual Arts: Openings

Foust Studio Recent. New contemporary artwork by Charlotte Foust and Raed Al Rawi. Opening Reception: Apr. 16, 6-8pm. April 16-May 28. 5200 Park Rd., Suite 115. 704-525-7989.

Hart-Witzen Gallery Dismissing Difference. Apr. 16 (6pm-mid): Featuring works of Charlotte's homeless citizens created at the Urban Ministry Center's Art Works 945 programincluding poetry, drama, song & dance. Apr. 17 (8pm-2am): The Surrealist soiree, an interactive Multi Media Performing Arts Event. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.

JS Pottery Group Exhibition. Featuring painters, jewelers and clay artists. Opening Reception: Apr. 18, 1-5pm. Through May. 27 South Main Street, Belmont. 704-829-0360.

The Light Factory 2004 Art Auction Preview. The exhibit features over 60 pieces of work donated by photographers and artists from around the country. Auction on May 1. Through May 1. Spirit Square, Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

McColl Center for Visual Art NC Arts Council Fellowship Recipients. An exhibit of contemporary art by NC Artists. Opening Reception: Apr. 16, 6-8pm. Through June 5. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

NoDa Artist Network Essence of Women Without Homes. With resident artists. Fri., April 16, 6-10 p.m. 2424 N. Davidson St. 704-358-4210.

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Afro-American Cultural Center The Pride Collection. An exhibit of extensive collection of art of the late Dr. Harold S. Pride, Sr. Through June. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Cassie Martucci. An exhibit titled Meditations in painting. Meet Artist: Apr. 21, 5:30-7pm. Apr. 5-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Art Preserve Group Exhibit. Currently showing contemporary abstact paintings by Jan Kinslowe, photography by Kelly Culpepper. Through April. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.

Article Gallery Piecing a Quilt of Life. Art Quilts by local artist Dottie Moore. Through Apr. 17. 2041 South Blvd. 704-376-5881.

Bank of America Gallery Objects of Contemplation. An exhibition of selected still life worksfrom the permanent collection of the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Through July 5. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.

Bank of America Plaza Surface Matters. Artists from the Southeast explore surface and materials challenging the viewer to look deeper and stretch their awareness, using newspaper, steel, concrete, monofilament, fiber, acrylics and oil. Curated by Joie Lassiter Gallery. Also at First Citizens, 128 S. Tryon. Through Nov 15. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

Blue Pony Gallery & Press Stretch. A collaboration of art and poetry. Through April. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.

Breathe Art Space Sinuosities. New paintings on canvas and paper by Monica L. Hancock. www.breathe-artspace.com. Through May 7. 228 Caldwell Lane, Suite B, Davidson. 704-896-1799.

Center of the Earth Gallery Duy Huynh. An solo exhibition of murals. Through April 24. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Spring Juried Show. Apr. 2-30. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Christa Faut Gallery Mike Miga. Short Order Cook, solo exhibition of encaustic paintings. Opening Reception: Apr. 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Apr. 7-May 10. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.

Clay on Camden Robert Hasselle / Tom Speck. An exhibit of ceramics and sculpture. Through May. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.

Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Theron Michael Ross / Michael Weeks. Sculpture by Ross and images of blues and jazz by Weeks. Meet Weeks: Apr. 17, 6-9pm. Through May. 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 Woman, Water, Rome, Italy. A new series of paintings by internationally recognized artist, Carole Robb. Through April. Richard Conn. An exhibit entitled Landscape, Nightscape. Apr. 2-30. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

The Evening Muse Inner Visions. A retrospective of original fine art works by Charlotte artist Jessica Deltac. Through April. 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737.

The Gallery at Carillon Fiber Images. This exhibition of contemporary fiber will feature 11 wall works by 8 artists. Through Apr. 16. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Eric Aho. A solo exhibit entitled Recent Paintings. Through May 1. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

Hodges Taylor Gallery 2 exhibitions. Jayne Johnson: New Paintings, is a body of work that demonstrates the use of oil paint. Extravagant Imagination: Teapots features artists who highlight the teapot, both as a functional object and as a sculptural form. Through May 1. Charles McMurray. A print series, titled The Shadow Series. Apr. 2-29. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.

Jerald Melberg Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition. Inauguration of new gallery. Apr. 3-May 15. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

Joie Lassiter Gallery Jimmy O'Neal. Works from the Rose Art Museum 'Painting4', an exhibit by Asheville artist. Apr. 2-June 3. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.

Main Library Theater Posters of James McMullan. An exhibit of work by a graphic artist, whose clients include Lincoln Center Theater, NYC. Through May. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-6217.

Noel Gallery Fernando Porras. An exhibit of art entitled A Fish Story. Through May 29. Transamerica Square, 401 N. Tryon St. 704-343-0050.

Pottery Central Pottery Central Gallery. Functional, sculptural and decorative pottery by local potters. Friday & Saturday 10-5 or call for appointment. 3534 Central Ave. 704-537-4477.

Redsky Gallery Original works. Paper and canvas, sculpture, ceramic, glass, studio furniture, art-to-wear, jewelry, and more. Over 260 regional and national artists represented. Through April. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

Talley's Cafe Verde Ageless Beauty. An Exhibit by local artist Laura Norris. Through April. 1408 E. Blvd. 704-334-9200.

Van Every Gallery, Davidson College Ray Kleinlein. An exhibition of new paintings. Through Apr. 16. Davidson. 704-894-2519.

W.D.O. Minimalism in Ceramics. A group exhibition in cooperation with Garth Clark Gallery, New York. Through Apr. 24. Hearst Plaza Suite No. 1, 214 North Tryon St. 704-333-9123.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Bridgwood, Crum, Oliveira. Exhibits featuring ceramic sculptures and paintings. Through April 17. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.

Winthrop University Galleries Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. Artistic talent of undergrad students from all disciplines. April 12-June 25. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.