Comedy
Bayou Kitchen Comedy. Extreme Improv performs every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, featuring audience interactive comedy; Psychotic Pooch performs bizarre sketch comedy at 10pm (704-502-8423). www.extremeimprov.com www.psychoticpooch.com. $10. 1958 E 7th St. 866-467-7681.
The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances. Aug. 13-14: Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham & Peanut; Aug. 18-21: Joe Morrison & Roger Keiss. www.comedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.
Tyber Creek Pub The Pink Turtle Sketchprov Experience. Reservations suggested. www.pinkturtle.net. Fridays, 8pm. $5. 1933 S. Blvd. 704-301-1564.
Museums
Charlotte Museum of History Main Streets of Our State. A traveling photography exhibit. Aug. 5-Jan. 2. Powerful Persuaders: World War II Posters. An exhibit of propaganda posters. Through Sept. 1. Soldier's Stories: War in the First Person. Through Sept. 30. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.
Discovery Place 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. 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. Brown vs. Board of Education exhibit. Through Aug. 15. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.
Mint Museum of Art Archaeological Institue of America. The Central Carolinas Chapter will offer a Behind the Scenes Tour. For everyone interested in archaeology, history, preservation and the Mint Museum. Thu., Aug. 12, 7 p.m. Docent Volunteers. Become a docent who leads tours and helps visitors understand art works. No art experience is needed. Porcelain American Style. July 31, 2004-June 14, 2005. Revelation: A Fresh Look at Contemporary Collections. Aug. 5-Sept. 19. VantagePoint II. Julie Heffernan: Interior Transformations, featuring large scale paintings. Aug. 5-Sept. 5. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.
Mint Museum of Craft & Design First in Families 2nd Annual Boundless Art Exhibit & Reception. An art exhibit of artists with developmental disablilites and their friends recognizing the unique gifts and talents of all people. Sat., Aug. 21, 6-9 p.m. A donation of $20 per person and $35 a couple is requested. The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience. Aug. 5-Jan. 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 Eewww, YUCK! Understanding Nature's Most Unhuggable Creatures. Through mid August. Rock Hill From A to Z. Aug. 5-15. Vernon Grant. An exhibit of Grant's work, Storybook Village. Through Oct. 31. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.
Schiele Museum, Gastonia 1500 East Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.
Readings & Signings
Barnes & Noble, Arboretum Dorothea Benton Frank. Author will sign and discuss Shem Creek. Fri., Aug. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9365.
Borders, Morrocroft Dina Sieroslawski. Author will discuss and sign Stop This Hurricane in My Brain, a book about survival for people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Sat., Aug. 14, 11 a.m. Trip Park. Meet illustrator of Trout, Trout, Trout!. Sun., Aug. 15, 3 p.m. 3900 Colony Rd. 704-365-6261.
Borders, Stonecrest Dina Sieroslawski. Author will discuss and sign Stop This Hurricane in My Brain, a book about survival for people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Sat., Aug. 14, 3 p.m. 7836 Rea Rd. 704-752-3782.
Hickory Grove Library Linda Nielsen. Wake Forest University psychology professor and author will read from Embracing Your Father: How to Build the Relationship You Always Wanted with Your Dad. Thu., Aug. 12, 7 p.m. 7209 East W.T. Harris Blvd.
Historic Latta Plantation Tony Zeiss and Kathy Herran. Local authors will discuss and sign copies of their popular histories of Charlotte natives and others during the Civil War. Sat., Aug. 14, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville. 704-875-2312.
Homesley, Goodman & Wingo, Mooresville Steven Sherrill. Author will discuss and sign Visits from the Drowned Girl. David Childers will perform. Thu., Aug. 12, 7 p.m. 330 South Main St. 704-664-2162.
Main Library Mark Washburn and Gerry Broome. Authors will discuss With Today's Soldiers - a photo-journal. Tue., Aug. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-6217.
Park Road Books Dorothea Benton Frank. Author will read and sign Shem Creek. Wed., Aug. 25, 1 p.m. Park Road Shopping Center, 4139 Park Rd. 704-525-9239.
Sugar Creek Library Cynthia Boyd. Author of In the Process will talk about her collection of poems and her journey through life. Sat., Aug. 14, 2 p.m. 4045 N. Tryon Street. 704-336-2469.
University City Regional Library Mindy Friddle. Author of The Garden Angel, will read and discuss her book. Wed., Aug. 11, 7 p.m. 704-595-9589.
West Boulevard Branch Library Peter Reinhart. Author will discuss and sign American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza. Wed., Aug. 18, 6 p.m. 2157 West Blvd. 704-336-6802.
Spoken Word
Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mic. Jonathan Rice will host. Thu., Aug. 12, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.
Mama's Caribbean Grill Uptown Saturday Nite. Featuring singers, rappers, and poets. Sign up for the Open Mic Showcase. Details: www.freewebs.com/motifentertainment. Every second and last Saturday of the month at 10pm-until. $7 cover. 1504 Central Ave. 704-375-8414.
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
Camelot The majesty of the Knights of the Round Table returns to life as Robert Goulet ascends the throne as King Arthur. Aug. 17-19, 8pm; Aug 20, 8:15pm; Aug. 21, 2pm & 8:15pm; Aug. 22, 2pm & 7:30pm. $22-$64. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.
Down Home Play Festival Production of six ten-minute plays from the 2004 Playwrights Competition. Gettys Building. Aug. 20-21, 6 p.m. $25-$45. Rock Hill Arts Council, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.
Enemy of the People Theatre for Change project will readArthur Miller's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Enemy of the People. Wed., Aug. 11, 7 p.m. Free. The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737.
Kathy and Mo Show Directed by Ashley Kerns, featuring Jenn Quigley and Amanda Liles. Aug. 19-21 & 25-28, 8pm. $12-$15, Pay What You Can NightAugust 25. Off-Tryon Theatre, 3143 Cullman Ave. 704-375-2826.
The Last Five Years This musical from Tony-award winning composer Jason Brown chronicles a new couple's romance. Aug. 18-22, Wed.- Sat. 8 p.m., Sun., 2:30 p.m. $15. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.
Two Thieves & a Savior A story of how two thieves' search for riches lead them to follow the One who speaks of hidden treasures. www.narroway.net. Aug. 13, 8 p.m.; Aug. 14, 8 p.m. $13-15. King's Arena, Fort Mill, 2175 Gethsemane Ct., Fort Mill. 803-802-2300.
Theater: Ongoing
Bel Canto An audience interactive murder mystery. www.rhcommunitytheatre.org. August 9 & 16, 7pm. $30. Station Bar & Grille, Rock Hill, 122 S. Oakland Ave. 803-324-2578.
The Deliverer Narroway Productions presents the story of Barabbas, the man set free when Christ was cricified. www.narroway.net. Aug. 6-7, 20-21, 8pm. $5-$15. King's Arena, Fort Mill, 2175 Gethsemane Ct., Fort Mill.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch This rock musical is the story of Hedwig Schmidt who sees a sex change operation and subsequent marriage to an American GI as his escape from East Germany. Presented by The Actor's Theatre of Charlotte. Recommended for mature audiences. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. August 5-21, 8pm, with 11pm shows each Friday & Saturday. $23. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.
Omega A comedy set in the future where male race has been destroyed by a deadly virus. Performed by an all-female cast. Aug. 6-Aug 28, Fri & Sat, 8pm. $10. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.
Visual Arts: Openings
Dig Dug's Pop Art Emporium Original art and Reproductions. Opening Reception: Aug. 13, 7-11pm. Also new and used music, antique furniture. 917 Pecan Ave. 704-358-4880.
Icehouse Center Gallery, Davidson Icehouse Center Instructors. A group exhibition of ceramics, wood, painting, drawing, baskets and more. Opening Reception: Aug. 13, 6-9pm. Through Sept. 432 S. Main St. 704-892-7323.
McColl Center for Visual Art Closing House Summer Exhibition. Digital photography, fiber work, paintings, prints and more. Fri., Aug. 20, 6-8 p.m. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.
Visual Arts: Ongoing
Afro-American Cultural Center Juried Artists. Exhibit features local, state and national artists. Through August. 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.
Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Alex Radin. An exhibit of illustrations. Opening Reception: Aug. 26: 5:30-7pm. Aug. 5-Sept. 30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.
Art Preserve The Animal Farm. An exhibit of animal related paintings and 3-D objects, featuring Charlotte artist Mark Durham. A portion of proceeds benefit N. Meck. Animal Rescue. Through August. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.
ArtHouse Center for Creative Expression. A collection of studios and galleries featuring fine art, b&w photography, textile art, sculpture, heritage art, and music. Also sound recording studio. 3103 Cullman Ave. 704-577-4587.
Bank of America Gallery Decades. Art from the Collection of Bank of America 1940-1990. Through October. 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.
Breathe Art Space Rituals. A group exhibition of North Carolina artists. Through Aug. 20. 228 Caldwell Lane, Suite B, Davidson. 704-896-1799.
Center of the Earth Gallery Scott Upton. An exhibit of mixed media paintings. Through August 20. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.
Christa Faut Gallery Memories of Kitty. A memorial show for clay artist Clara (Kitty) Couch. Opening Reception: August 20, 6-8pm. Aug. 6-Sept. 1. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.
Clay on Camden Lasting Impressions. An exhibit of functional works in clay by Celena H. Christos. Through August. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.
CPCC Art Gallery Jeremy Russell. A mixed genre show based on current events and cultural observations. Aug. 5-20. Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6480.
Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Cher Glisson Cosper. Meet Artist: Sept. 17, 6-9pm. Through Oct. 2. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.
Dalton Gallery Ray Moose. A series of sculptures inspired byNative American forms and culture. Aug. 5-23. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.
ElderArt Gallery Philip Mullen. A solo exhibition of oil paintings. Also a group exhibit of paintings and sculpture by gallery artists. Through August. New Artists Exhibition. Works included are abstract, impressionistic and mixed media. Aug. 5-31. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.
The Gallery at Carillon Paris/Charlotte. A photographic exploration of the visual, tactile and pedestrian qualities of two cities. Through Oct. 16. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.
Gallery L, Main Library Lunch Box Memories. A rare collection of 75 metal lunch boxes. Aug. 8-Sept. 26. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.
Hart-Witzen Gallery The Human Form: figurative visual arts exhibition. Fri., Aug. 20, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.
Hidell Brooks Gallery Diane Bywaters. A solo exhibition of North Carolina landscapes. Through Sept. 4. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.
Jerald Melberg Gallery Brian Russell & Ramon Urban. Exhibits New Sculpture & New Constructions. Through Sept. 4. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.
Joie Lassiter Gallery John Nickerson. Hotter than July II: Unusual blown and cut glass forms. Aug. 5-31. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.
JS Pottery Art For Animals. A Benefit for the animal league of gaston county. Through August. 27 South Main Street, Belmont. 704-829-0360.
Lesbian & Gay Community Center Wendy Blue. An exhibition featuring the work of printmaker. Through August. 1401 Central Ave. 704-333-0144.
The Light Factory Kindertransport. An exhibition of photographs documenting the effort that saved 10,000 children from the Nazis. Through Aug. 18. Member's Annual Exhibition. Jul. 30-Sep. 4. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.
McColl Center for Visual Art Summer Affiliates Artists Exhibition. Through Aug. 21. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.
Microcosm Gallery Rod Wimer. Exhibit Just Looking, new Mixed Media Paintings featuring Abstracts, Figures and Landscapes. Through August. 300 N. College St. #101. 704-372-3553.
Paramount's Carowinds Madame Tussauds New York: Tribute to the Heroes of 9/11. A lifelike wax figure of the famous photo of firefighters lifting a flag on the rubble of WTC. Through August 22. 704-588-2606.
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 Gallery Artists. Gallery celebrates its first anniversary with an exhibition featuring the work of three of its artists. Aug. 5-28. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.
Shain Gallery Charlotte on Canvas. Through Aug. 601-B Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.
Synergy Studios, Shelby All That's Glass. An exhibit featuring ten regionalglass artists. Aug. 5-Sept. 3. 212B W. Warren St.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center Bert Hawley & Karen Parker. Exhibit of paintings. Aug. 5-21. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.