Charlotte Comedy Theater Extreme Improv Comedy. Featuring high energy, fully improvised, audience interactive antics of Extreme Improv!. www.extremeimprov.com. Jan. 7 - CCT introduces their all female, long form comedy ensemble, Helen Baak. 8pm, $10 admission. Fri. and Sat., 8pm & 10pm. 1111 - D Hawthorne Ln. 866-467-7681.
The Comedy Zone New Year's Eve. Scotty K, Keith Alberstadt with MC Scott Oseychek. Fri., Dec. 31. $40/couple (8pm); $80/couple (10:15pm). 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille The Pink Turtle Sketchprov Experience. Whose Line, Second City, and Sketchprov style improv comedy. Reservations suggested. www.pinkturtle.net. Saturdays 8pm. $5. 911 E. Morehead St. 704-301-1564.
SK Netcafe Stand-up comedy. Featuring acts and open mic. Wed., Jan. 5, 9:30 p.m. 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704-334-1523.
Museums
Charlotte Museum of History Main Streets of Our State. A traveling photography exhibit. Dec. 29-Jan. 2. Our Changing Landscape: Early Views of People and Place in the Carolina Piedmont. An exhibition that illustrates and interprets the changes in the Carolina Piedmont landscape. Dec. 29-May 25. Solving the Rock House Mysteries. Interactive exhibit examines clues revealed by photographs, oral histories, and archaeological discoveries. Dec. 29-31. Stitched from the Soul. The Farmer-James collection of African American quilts. Dec. 29-March 25. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.
Discovery Place Communication Exhibit. Follow electronic messages around the world, see your voice, and get a glimpse at the next generation of the information age. Dec. 29-Jan. 10. IMAX Dome. Now showing Roar: Lions of the Kalahari and Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.
Levine Museum of the New South Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Gallery Blast!. Featuring guided tours of the centerpeice exhibit Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers. Meet a fiber artist in the exhibit and enjoy hands-on textile demonstrations throughout the day, along with other related craft activities, Southern history, and the opportunity to sample Southern foods. Wed., Dec. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Living Traditions. Folk Arts of the American South. Dec. 29-Jan. 9. Rural Voices and Visions: Local Communities Speak Out About Their Landscapes. Dec. 29-April 20. We're Still Here: Native Americans in the Southeast. Dec. 29-Jan. 9. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.
Mint Museum of Art Andrew Wyeth: The Helga Pictures. An opportunity to see the work of America's foremost realist artist. Dec. 29-Jan. 9. North Carolina Pottery: A Restless Tradition. Dec. 29-Feb. 27. Porcelain American Style. July 31, 2004-June 14, 2005. Pottery American Style. Dec. 29-Feb. 20. VantagePoint III: Elizabeth Turk - The Collars. Dec. 29-31. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.
Mint Museum of Craft & Design The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience. Dec. 29-Jan. 30. Speaking Volumes: Vessels from the Collections of Mint Museums. Dec. 29-April 17. Tradition & Change: 19th and 20th Century Craft At The Mint. Tue.-Sun. 220 N. Tryon St. 704-337-2009.
Museum of York County Eewww, Yuck!. Understanding Nature's Most Unhuggable Creatures. Through Summer 2005. Our Changing Landscapes: Early views of people and places in Carolina Piedmont. Dec. 29-May 15. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.
Schiele Museum, Gastonia Elephant Safari. A guided tour of elephants as part of exhibit. Sat and Sun, through Jan. 23. 1500 East Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.
Readings & Signings
Barnes & Noble, Arboretum Pat Battagli, aka Dr. Fun. Author will discuss and sign his books. Tue., Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9365.
Theater: Openings
An Evening of Musical Theatre Theatre Matthews presents songs from The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Grease, Annie, Guys and Dolls, Big River and others. Fri., Dec. 31, 6 p.m. & 9 p.m. $20. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews. 704-846-8343.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! Four actors portray over 60 characters in a musical about dating, mating, marriage and life. Presented by Charlotte Repertory Theatre, contains adult content. www.charlotterep.org. Dec.4-31, Wed.-Thurs., 7:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. $37.50. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.
New Years Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theater and Silent Auction Say "Bon Voyage" to 2004, and cruise into 2005 with an evening of dining, dancing, and murder. Presented by Old Courthouse Theatre. Fri., Dec. 31, 8 p.m. $65. Lowes Motor Speedway's Speedway Club. 704-788-2405.
Wounded Warrior Dinner Theater featuring story of the Jobe family. www.narroway.net. Fri., Dec. 31, 7 p.m. The Studio at Regent Park, Fort Mill. 803-802-2300.
Visual Arts: Openings
Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Jason Smith. A student exhibition of NASCAR photos. Artist Reception: Jan. 19, 5-7:30pm. Jan. 3-Feb. 25. Charlotte-Mecklenburg High School Teachers. A combination of mixed media, 2- and 3-dimensional work from various instructors within the public school system. Through December. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.
Art Preserve New paintings by Jan Kinslowe. Through Dec. 24. 3200 A North Davidson. 704-358-8882.
ArtHouse Seven Degrees: A Female Photographic Journey. An exhibition of works by seven photographers from the Winthrop Univ. Fine Arts Program. Dec. 29-Jan. 1. 3103 Cullman Ave. 704-577-4587.
Artists' Atelier Carolina Fine Art & Craft Exhibition and Sale. Through December. 1346 Hill Rd. 704-552-6200.
Bank of America Gallery Photography of the 1940s and 1950s. The Bank of America Collection includes the work of photographers whose diverse images reflect the many vibrant and inventive directions of the 40s and 50s. Gallery is open weekdays from 9am-5pm and Saturdays from 10am-5pm. Runs through the end of February 2005. Free. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.
Big Toe Studio New Gallery. Metal Sculpture by Theron Michael Ross and Fused Glass jewelry by Janet Barnes. Through December. 3123 Cullman Ave. 704-578-8529.
Blue Pony Gallery & Press Kim Stimpson. An exhibition of recent works. Through December. 3202A N. Davidson St. 704-334-9390.
Charlotte Art League La Danse. A group exhibition. Dec. 29-31. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.
Christa Faut Gallery Jewelry Show. Also a group exhibition of paintings by Gallery artists. Dec. 29-30. 19818 N. Cove Rd., Cornelius. 704-892-5312.
Clay on Camden Exhibition. Works in Clay by Linda Dalton and Illustrations by David Elliott. Through December. 1510 Camden Rd. 704-790-2326.
Cosmos Cafe Violeta Moreno. An exhibition of paintings. Through January. 300 N. College St., Suite 101. 704-372-3553.
Cuvee Wine & Art Gallery Sharon Obee. An exhibition of works. Dec. 29-Jan. 31. 710 West Trade St. 704-332-5548.
ElderArt Gallery Ringling Comes to Town. Paintings by the school's faculty and students. Through December. Art for Collectors. Dec. 29-31. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.
Gallery 620 Nicolai Froehlich. An exhibition of recent landscape photography. Through Jan. 5. 620 W. Morehead St. 704-618-9966.
The Gallery at Carillon Tanja Softic. Exhibition titled On the Nature of Things. Through Jan. 21. 227 W. Trade St. 704-334-8840.
Gallery L, Main Library Unchained Memories: Readings from Slave Narratives. Multi-media including photos, reproductions of rare books, prints, and interactive presentations. Dec. 29-Jan. 2. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.
Gaston County Public Library Frederick Douglass From Slavery to Freedom: The Journey to New York City. Touring exhibit. Jan. 3-31. Looking at Lincoln: Political Cartoons of the Civil War Era. A free-standing panel touring exhibition. Dec. 29-30. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2167.
Hart-Witzen Gallery Mud-Dust-Paint-Clay. Painting and ceramics by UNCC students. Dec. 29-Jan. 15. 136 E. 36 St. 704-334-1177.
Icehouse Center Gallery, Davidson Art for the Holidays. Through December. 432 S. Main St. 704-892-7323.
Jerald Melberg Gallery Pablo Picasso. Lithographs, Etchings and Linocuts. Dec. 29-Jan. 22. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.
Joie Lassiter Gallery Marc Lambrechts. Working primarily with wood and plaster, Lambechts creates detailed geographies. Through Jan. 14. Maja Godlewska & John Nickerson. Dec. 29-Jan. 14. 525 North Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-373-1464.
The Light Factory Mark Maio: Against the Grain--An American Story. Dec. 29-Jan. 29. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.
McColl Center for Visual Art Needle Art: A Postmodern Sewing Circle. Through Jan. 8. Current Affiliate Artist's Exhibition. Dec. 29-Jan. 8. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.
Pope's Gallery Group Exhibit. An exhibition of pottery and B&W photographs. Dec. 29-31. 1035 Providence Rd. 704-342-1774.
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.
Shain Gallery Common Ground. An exhibition of works by Roger Dale Brown and Amy Dobbs. Through December. 601 Providence Rd 704-334-7744.
Storrs Architecture Building, UNCC Art of the Eye II. The exhibit contains 42 works of art in a variety of mediums. Jan. 2-16. 704-771-6772.
Synergy Studios, Shelby Art to Go. Select, unique gifts for Christmas from an array of fine art and crafts representing work of various artists. Dec. 29-Jan. 7. 212-B W. Warren St. 704-487-0144.
The Artists Gallery Group Exhibition. International artists Damian Huntley and Luis Llarina, also local artists. Dec. 29-Jan. 16. 7824-C Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-541-6944.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center Sculptural Basketry and Forest. Dec. 29-Jan. 22. Artists' Invitational Exhibition. Dec. 29-Jan. 8. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.
Winthrop University Galleries M.F.A Thesis Exhibition. Jennifer Gilomen and Kata Billups. Through Jan. 21. Mike Lavine. Precious 017 is a series of temporary, indoor installations built with millions of small, tropical hardwood shavings. Through Jan. 21. 107 McLaurin, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493.
