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 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.
SK Netcafe Stand-Up Wednesday. Stand-up comedy featuring acts and open mic. Wed., July 20, 10 p.m. 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704-334-1523.
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.Dance
Feel the Pulse ... Catch the Action! Martha Connerton and Kinetic Works invites the public to watch rehearsals of works in progress for SummerDance 2005. July 16, 12:30-2 p.m.; July 23, 12:30-2 p.m. $5 donation suggested. Open Door Studios, 1221-B The Plaza. 704-338-1533.
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. Kid's Fun Night at the Museum. Spend the evening exploring the Museum after hours with a pizza party, scavenger hunt with prizes, hands-on activities and more! All ages. Reservations required. Tue., July 26, 5-7 p.m. $5 per person. Kites to Kitty Hawk. A multi-media interactive exhibit. July 7-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. Summer Heritage Craft Series: Beginning Basketweaving. This session will introduce basket-weaving skills that will culminate in your very own basket to take home with you. All supplies and lunch provided. Reservations required. Sat., July 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $25 for Museum Members; $35 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 Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887.
Mint Museum of Art Ancient Egyptian Art for the Afterlife. Local collector offers a glimpse of ancient Egypt. July 15-Dec. 4. Retrospective of Prints by Chuck Close. July 7-Aug. 7. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.
Mint Museum of Craft + Design Murano: Glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection. July 7-Dec. 31. Point of View III: North Carolina Artists as Collectors. July 7-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. Liberty or Death. An exhibit of rebels and loyalists in the Southern Piedmont. Through May 7, 2006. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill. 803-329-2121.
Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia Rainforest Alive!. July 7-Sept. 4. 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.
Readings & Signings
Joseph-Beth Booksellers Kathy Reichs. Bestselling author Kathy Reichs will sign Cross Bones. Tue., July 19, 7 p.m. 4345 Barclay Downs Dr. 704-602-9820.
Park Road Books Jude Theriot. Author will sign Cajun Low-Carb and will present a cooking demo. Wed., July 20, 7 p.m. Park Road Shopping Center, 4139 Park Rd. 704-525-9239.
The Bookmark Barbara Busey. Join Barbara Busey as she reads and signs her book Stand Out When You Stand Up. Fri., July 15, 12-1:30 p.m. Free. 100 N. Tryon St., Suite 265. 704-377-2565.
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.
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
Cats CPCC Summer Theatre presents the local premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats. July 20-23, 27-30 at 8pm; July 26 at 7pm; July 24 at 2:30pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.
King Lear The Old Courthouse Youth Theatre will present the Shakespeare classic. In the Fallout Shelter Theatre. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org. July 13-16 at 8pm; July 17 at 2:30pm. $10. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.
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 14-16, 8pm; July 21-23, 8pm; July 17 & 24, 2pm. $19.99. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.
Theater: Ongoing
Caught in the Net Bigamy and the internet provide laughs aplenty in Ray Cooney's sequel to the hilarious Run for Your Wife. July 13-16, 8pm. $16. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.
Menopause the Musical A hilarious celebration of women & the change. www.capritheatre.com. Tues-Thurs 7:30pm; Friday-Sat. 8pm; Sat, 4pm; Sun, 2pm. $39.50. Capri Theatre, 3500 E. Independence Blvd. 704-563-3332.
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.
Off-Tryon Theatre Company The Off-Tryon Theatre Company presents two wildly differing takes on Shakespeare with Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead and The Hamletmachine. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead will perform July 14,16, 20, 22, 23, 28 and 30 at 8pm. The Hamletmachine will perform July 13,15,16, 21, 23, 27 and 29 at 8pm. July 16 & 23 at 3pm. July 13, 20 and 27 are Pay What You Can Nights. $12-$15. Southend Performing Arts Center, 201 Rampart St. 704-332-5300.
The Story of Hansel & Gretel A musical presented by CPCC Summer Theatre. www.cpcc.edu/summer_theatre. July 13-16 at 10am. $5. Pease Auditorium, CPCC, 1200 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534.
Visual Arts: Openings
ElderArt Gallery Michael Strang. An exhibition of European watercolors. Opening Reception: July 15, 12-6pm. Through July 30. 1427 S. Blvd. 704-370-6337.
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.
Perris Boutique Amy Steinberg. An exibit of original artwork. Opening Reception: July 13, 6-8pm. Through Sept. 30. 8038 Providence Rd., Suite 200. 704-542-3850.
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 7-30. 2110 Water Ridge Parkway. 704-357-8020.
Bank of America Plaza Within Our Walls. A group exhibition of contemporary artwork. July 7-Nov. 1. 101 South Tryon Street. 704-373-1464.
Center for the Arts, Rock Hill Photography Competition Exhibition. Lewandowski Classroom Gallery and Perimeter Gallery. July 7-20. 121 E. Main St.
Center of the Earth Gallery Colors of Summer. A group exhibition. July 7-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, 6pm. July 7-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. July 7-16. 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.
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.
Green Rice Designs & Studio Local and Regional Artist Fine Art, Crafts and Furniture. Through July. 451 East 36th St. 704-344-0300.
Hidell Brooks Gallery Introductions 2. A group exhibition. July 8-Aug. 27. 1910 S. Blvd. Suite 130. 704-334-7302.
Hodges Taylor Gallery John Skau: Sculptural Basketry. Through August 30. 401 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3799.
Huntersville Town Hall Photo Exhibit. An exhibit marking the 40th anniversary of the Davidson Community Players. July 7-30. 101 Huntersville-Concord Rd. 704-892-7953.
Jerald Melberg Gallery Raul Diaz: New Paintings and Sculpture. Ernesto Berra: New Works on Paper. July 7-23. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd. 704-365-3000.
The Light Factory John Scarlata. "Forms From The Earth" exhibition. Middleton McMillan Gallery. July 8-Aug. 4. The Members' Show. July 8-Aug. 4. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755.
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 7-31. 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 7-27. 248 S. Sharon Amity Rd., Cotswold Village Shops, Courtyard. 704-366-8613.
The Arts Palette, Tryon Firemarks. A group exhibition. July 9-Aug. 10. 50 Melrose Ave. 864-457-5408.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center Three exhibitions. July 7-Aug. 27. 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.