Charlotte Comedy Theater Live Improvised Comedy. Interactive, improvisational comedy similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway. Rated R. www.charlottecomedy.com. July 15-16: Comedy Battle. The 1st two teams will perform July 15, 10pm and 2nd two on July 16, 8pm. Championship July 16, 10pm. $10. 1111 - D Hawthorne Ln. 866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone Upcoming Performances:. July 6-9: Allyn Ball & Naughty; July 13-14: Keith Alberstaadt. www.thecomedyzone.net. 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. Fri. & Sat., 8:30pm. $5. 911 E. Morehead St. 704-301-1564.

The Perch Live Sketch Comedy. Rated "R" for verbal content. At CCT, 1111 Hawthorne Ln. # D. www.theperch.com. Thursdays, 9 & 10:30pm. 704-566-0053.Museums

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History Hands-on History: Cooling Colonial Desserts. Bring children to help create their own Colonial summer treat! Sat., July 16, 2-4 p.m. Regular Museum admission. Homesite Alive: Handweaving. Take a tour of the oldest house in Charlotte and learn about the ancient skill of weaving. Visitors will be able to "throw a shot" on the loom and help make a piece of fabric. Wed., July 6, 1-4 p.m. Regular Museum admission. Kites to Kitty Hawk. A multi-media interactive exhibit. June 28-Sept. 6. Nii Tettey Tetteh and the Kusun Ensemble. Although rooted in traditional African music, the group has developed a new brand of music, "Nokoko," and has performed for audiences around the world. July 16, 2005. 6:30 and 8:30pm. $10 for members; $15 for non-members. Vecinos/Neighbors. A bilingual photographic exhibition. Through Aug. Whatzit?. This exhibit challenges the visitor to identify unique and unusual artifacts rarely on public display. Through Sept. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Discovery Place Grossology. Exhibit exploring good, bad and ugly about how the body works. Through July. IMAX Dome. Now showing Roar: Lions of the Kalahari, Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure, Forces of Nature and Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Levine Museum of the New South Cajun House Party. Learn about this fascinating culture in the New South and enjoy a Cajun food buffet, dance lessons, stories and music provided by the Miller Band and the Carolina Gator Gumbo Band. Fri., July 8, 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15. Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.

Mint Museum of Art Ancient Egyptial Art for the Afterlife. Local collector offers a glimpse of ancient Egypt. July 15-Dec. 4. Museum Docent. Experience art and become a docent who leads tours and helps visitors understand art works. No art experience is needed. Enthusiastic people who value art and communicate well in groups are invited to apply. sperry@mintmuseum.org. Retrospective of Prints by Chuck Close. June 28-Aug. 7. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft + Design Murano: Glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection. June 28-Dec. 31. Point of View III: North Carolina Artists as Collectors. June 28-Oct. 9. 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. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.

Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia Rainforest Alive!. June 28-Sept. 4. 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.Readings & Signings

Readings & Signings

Barnes & Noble, Arboretum George Ellison and K. Randell Jones. Discussion and signing of Mountain Passages by George Ellison and Scoundrels, Rogues, and Heroes of the Old North State edited by Randell Jones. Sat., July 9, 2-4 p.m. 3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 704-341-9481.

Beatties Ford Road Library Altonya Washington. Author will read excerpts from her latest novel, Love Scheme, followed by a book signing and reception. Tue., July 12, 7 p.m. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. 704-432-6706.

Borders, Stonecrest Mary Alice Monroe. Author will read and sign her new novel, Sweetgrass. Mon., July 11, 7:30 p.m. 7836 Rea Rd. 704-752-3782.

Gaston County Public Library Mark Helprin. Award-winning writer Mark Helprin will read from and discuss his new novel, Freddy and Fredericka. Sun., July 10, 4 p.m. Free. 1555 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 704-868-2164.

Joseph-Beth Booksellers Mary Alice Monroe. Author will discuss and sign her new novel, Sweetgrass. Tue., July 12, 7 p.m. Kathy Reichs. Bestselling author Kathy Reichs will sign Cross Bones. Tue., July 19, 7 p.m. 4345 Barclay Downs Dr. 704-602-9820.Spoken Word

Spoken Word

Jackson's Java Poetry Open Mike. Hosted by Jonathan Rice. Thu., July 14, 8 p.m. 8544 University City Blvd. 704-595-9526.

Union County Public Library, Monroe TheSpokenWord!. Gives voice to local poets by providing a safe, welcoming environment in which to share their work. X-rated or obscene poetry will not be tolerated. Original work or favorites are welcome. Mon., July 11, 6:30 p.m. 316 East Windsor St. 704-283-8184.

Wine Up Soultry Tuesday's. Open-mic style poetry reading with R&B/Soul and Jazz playing in between and after the poetry set. Tuesdays, 9pm. $5. 3306 - C N. Davidson St. 980-721-5715.Theater: Openings

Theater: Openings

Caught in the Net Bigamy and the internet provide laughs aplenty in Ray Cooney's sequel to the hilarious Run for Your Wife. July 6-9, 13-16, 8pm; July 12, 7pm; July 10, 2:30pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.

I Loathe A Parade About Town Tours' ComeSolveIt-Charlotte Players present a murder mystery dinner theater. Sun., July 10, 6 p.m. $50, includes dinner, non-alcoholic beverage and the show. Palomino Restaurant, 525 N. Tryon St. 704-650-2799.

Laughing Wild Biting humor intersects with touching views on the realities of lonely people struggling to find themselves, and even love in a fast-paced, brutal world. July 14-24. $19.99. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The METHod to my MADness This one man show is performed cabaret style through music and a narrative. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. July 7-16, Thurs-Sat, 9pm. $20. Actor's Theatre, 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Talley's Folly A lyrical play written by Lanford Wilson. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org. C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Knobloch Campus Center. July 7-9, 8pm; July 10, 2pm. $13-$15. Davidson College. 704-892-7953.Theater: Ongoing

Theater: Ongoing

Beauty and the Beast Disney musical presented by Charlotte Summer Theatre. www.charlottesummertheater.com. June 17-July 7. $16-$25. Dana Auditorium, Queens University. 704-342-5885.

Hairspray This Tony award-winning play is piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and music. June 28-July 10, Tues-Thu 8pm; Fri 8:15pm; Sat 2pm & 8:15pm; Sun 2pm & 7:30pm. $25-$80. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The Story of Hansel & Gretel A musical presented by CPCC Summer Theatre. www.cpcc.edu/summer_theatre. July 5-9, 11-16 at 10am. $5. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.Visual Arts: Openings

Visual Arts: Openings

Gallery L, Main Library In Hopes of Freedom. An exhibit of works showcasing black Americans' role in Revolutionary War history. Artist Reception: July 17, 3-4:30pm. July 10-Aug. 28. 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-2020.

Hayes George Gallery Looking Eastward. An exhibit of landscape paintings by Bruce Park. July 15-Aug. 12. Vignettes. Group Still Life exhibition by gallery artists. July 15-Aug. 12. 225 East Worthington Ave. # 100. 704-332-3278.

Hidell Brooks Gallery Introductions 2. A group exhibition. Opening Reception: July 8, 6-8pm. July 8-Aug. 27. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.

The Light Factory John Scarlata. "Forms From The Earth" exhibition. Middleton McMillan Gallery. July 8-Aug. 4. The Members' Show. Opening Reception: July 8, 6-9pm. July 8-Aug. 4. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.

Pura Vida Gallery Art & Culture. Featuring live performances and art fromlocal and international artists. 2nd Friday, 7-10pm. 1521 Central Ave. 704-335-8587.

Redsky Gallery 2nd Anniversary Celebration. Sale and live auction. Fri., July 8, 6-8 p.m. 4705 Savings Pl., Suite 108. 704-552-5200.

The Arts Palette, Tryon Firemarks. A group exhibition. July 9-Aug. 10. 50 Melrose Ave. 864-457-5408.Visual Arts: Ongoing

Visual Arts: Ongoing

Actor's Theatre Connatser, Cook, DiNello & Starr. A group exhibition. Through Sept. 650 E. Stonewall Street. 704-342-2251.

Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery Boundless Art. An inspirational mixed-media exhibit showcasing art of individuals with developmental disabilities. Artists' Reception & Fund Raising event: July 23: 6-9pm. July 1-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.

Bank of America Gallery Decades 1940-1990. Art from the Bank of America Collection. June 28-July 9. Hearst Tower, 114 N. Tryon St. 704-386-7324.

Bank of America Plaza Within Our Walls. A group exhibition of contemporary artwork. June 28-Nov. 1. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.

Center for the Arts, Rock Hill Photography Competition Exhibition. Lewandowski Classroom Gallery and Perimeter Gallery. June 28-July 20. 121 E. Main St.

Center of the Earth Gallery Colors of Summer. A group exhibition. July 1-Aug. 20. 3204 N Davidson St. 704-375-5756.

Charlotte Art League Driven to Abstraction. An exhibit of works by Holly Consol. In the Consol Design Studio. Through July. 1517 Camden Rd. 704-376-2787.

Cosmos Cafe Contrary Views. A solo exhibit by Charlotte artist Mike Watson. Through July. 300 N. College St., Suite 101. 704-372-3553.

Dalton Gallery Murry Handler. An exhibit of recent works. Artist Reception: July 14. July 4-Aug. 15. Center for the Arts, 121 East Main St., Rock Hill. 803-328-2787.

ElderArt Gallery Form and Substance. Exhibit of works by Karen Roberson Powell & Leandro Manzo. June 28-July 16. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.

Gallery 620 Baghdad Reunion. Photography by an American-Iraqi during reunion with family after 24 years. Through July. 620 W. Morehead St. 704-618-9966.

Green Rice Designs & Studio Local and Regional Artist Fine Art, Crafts and Furniture. Through July. 451 East 36th St. 704-344-0300.

Hayes George Gallery Poetry & Art. A group exhibition. June 28-July 8. 225 East Worthington Ave. # 100. 704-332-3278.

Huntersville Town Hall Photo Exhibit. An exhibit marking the 40th anniversary of the Davidson Community Players. July 5-30. 101 Huntersville-Concord Rd. 704-892-7953.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Raul Diaz: New Paintings and Sculpture. Ernesto Berra: New Works on Paper. June 28-July 23. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.

McColl Center for Visual Art Thresholds: Expressions of Art and Spiritual Life. Through August 13. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535.

Modern Eye Gallery An Abstract View. A group exhibition. July 1-31. 1923-A South Blvd. 704-333-3190.

Pottery Central Pottery Central Gallery. Functional, sculptural and decorative pottery by local potters. Through July. 3534 Central Ave. 704-537-4477.

Shain Gallery Annual Small Paintings / Beginning Collectors Show. Through July. 601 Providence Rd. 704-334-7744.

Skillbeck Gallery Trio: Various Artists Showcase. July 1-27. 248 S. Sharon Amity Rd., Cotswold Village Shops, Courtyard. 704-366-8613.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center Three exhibitions. June 28-Aug. 27. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.