Comedy

Charlotte Comedy Theater Live Improvised Comedy. Features Charlotte's top improv comedy ensembles in a high energy, interactive show (Rated R). www.charlottecomedy.com. Friday and Saturday, 9pm. $10. 1111 - D Hawthorne Ln. 866-467-7681.

The Comedy Zone

Upcoming Performances. Sept. 1-3: Pat Godwin Sept. 7-10: John Joseph; Sept. 14-17 Jason Stuart; Sept. 21-24 Hypnotist Ricky Kalmon; Sept. 29-30 Carlos Mencia. www.thecomedyzone.net.

Upcoming Performances. Oct. 6-9: Ralphie May; Oct. 12-13: Nyphotists The Kevin & John Show; Oct. 18-19: Scott Angrave; Oct. 20-22: Cledus T. Judd; Oct. 26-27: Tim Statum; Oct 28-29: The Rodney Carrington Show. www.thecomedyzone.net.

Upcoming Performances. Nov. 2-5: Lawrence Thomas; Nov. 10-12: Killer Beaz; Nov. 18-19: Jeff Dunham & Peanut; Nov. 26: "The Funniest Man in America" James Gregory; Nov. 30: Todd Yohn. www.thecomedyzone.net.

Upcoming Performances. Dec. 1-3: Todd Yohn. www.thecomedyzone.net. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Spirit Square The Second City Touring Company. Comedy performance with adult language and content. Fri., Sept. 16, 7 p.m. & 10 p.m. $15-$27.

Reduced Shakespeare Company/All the Great Books (Abridged). This three-man comedy troupe is known for its rapid fire comedy and improvisation depicting the Bard's works in 90 minutes or less. Oct. 21, 8 p.m.; Oct. 22, 8 p.m. $26-$32. 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.

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

Celebrate the Classics: Swan Lake to Sleeping Beauty Dance Theatre will perform the pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet in addition to George Balanchine's Serenade and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Danse Brillante . Sept. 22-24. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Fall Dance Concert An eclectic submersion into this intriguing art form, this concert showcases the beauty, grace and athleticism of dance. Nov. 16-20. $5-$12. UNC Charlotte's Anne R. Belk Theater, Robinson Hall. 704-687-2599.

Holiday 6/15 The Moving Poets six-pack of seasonal short works is zany fun, sans the calories of a fruitcake. Audiences receive a feast of experimental delights created by visual artists, photographers, dancers and actors. Intended for mature audiences. Dec. 7-11, 14-18, Wed.-Sat., 8pm; Sunday, 7pm. Dec. 7 is an open dress/preview. $17.50-$20. Tickets for the open dress are $15. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36 St. 704-527-6683.

Iago The Moving Poets present a stage reading of this sharp-witted comedy about a scandalous love triangle set against the backdrop of the glamorous world of post-WWII theater. For mature audiences. Sept. 15-17, 8pm. $10-$15. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36 St. 704-527-6683.

Innovative Works This best-selling series will welcome choreographers Mary Hudetz, Mark Godden, Uri Sands and Michael Vernon. In addition Dance Theater will also revive Salvatore Aiello's Satto. Nov. 9-12. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The Jungle Book Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre's presentation of work based on Rudyard Kipling classic. For grades 3-5. Fri., Oct. 14, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. $3. McCelvey Center, York, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. 803-684-3948 ext 21.

Kinetyx Dance Ensemble Dance workshops and performances for families with children. Sept. 11, 12-2 p.m.; Sept. 18, 12-2 p.m.; Sept. 25, 12-2 p.m. Free. Open Door Studios, 1221-B The Plaza. 704-338-1533.

Magic at the Philharmonic Lyn Dillies will choreograph her illustrious illusions in perfect timing to classical music. Also appearing will be the Eddie Mabry Dancers. Sat., Sept. 3. $19.50-$45. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

The Nutcracker A Charlotte holiday tradition. Salvatore Aiello's The Nutcracker will feature students from School of North Carolina Dance Theatre, local personalities and live music by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Dec. 9-11; Dec. 16-18. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Queen City Jazz Company Charlotte's dance company dedicated to the art of concert jazz dance will present its Fall Concert. Sat., Oct. 22, 8 p.m. $20. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Rennie Harris Puremovement Dance innovator Rennie Harris takes hip-hop to a whole new level. Nov. 18, 8 p.m.; Nov. 19, 8 p.m. $35-$40. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000.

Riverdance A thunderous celebration of joyful music, song and dance emerging from Ireland. Oct. 25-28, 8pm; Oct. 29, 2pm & 8pm; Oct. 30, 2pm & 7:30pm. $20-$65. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-372-1000.

Seven Deadly Sins A tale exploring rights, wrongs, the road to heaven and the path to hell performed by the Moving Poets. Intended for mature audiences. Oct. 26-30 & Nov. 2-6. Wed.-Sat., 8pm; Sunday, 7pm. Oct. 26 is an open dress/preview. $17.50-$22.50. Tickets for the open dress are $15. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36 St. 704-527-6683.

Museums

Charlotte Museum of History

Celtic Traditions Festival. Enjoy traditional Irish and Scottish dance, bagpipes, contemporary Celtic music and more. Young people will take part in Celtic craft-making, and local vendors will be on hand. Sat., Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Civil War Lantern Tour. Take a walk back in time and relive the Civil War, as you take an in-depth look into the conditions, hopes and fears that common foot soldiers lived with. Reservations required. Sat., Nov. 5, 6-10 p.m. $4-$8.

Hands-on-History: Harvest Fun. Celebrate the arrival of fall with an afternoon of harvest activities for the kids. Try homemade apple juice, create apple stamp art and learn about how a colonial family would prepare for the winter. Sat., Sept. 10, 2-4 p.m.

Haunted Homesite. Travel down candle-lit paths at the historic Homesite as you listen to storytellers, enter a costume contest or enjoy fall crafts and cookie decorating. Reservations requested. Sat., Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m. $6.

Kites to Kitty Hawk. A multi-media interactive exhibit. Aug. 16-Sept. 6.

A Portrait of Southern Writers Opening. This stunning photography exhibit features portraits of authors by internationally acclaimed Curt Richter. Reservations required. Sat., Oct. 22, 7-10 p.m.

Revelry and Revolution: An 18th Century Dinner Theatre Experience. Spend an evening as Charlottetown readies for the arrival of British troops. Enjoy a colonial-style meal, live music and colonial dancing. Reservations required. Sat., Sept. 24, 6-10 p.m. $35-$65, discount for museum members.

Whatzit?. This exhibit challenges the visitor to identify unique and unusual artifacts rarely on public display. Through Sept. 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774.

Charlotte Nature Museum

Amazing Insects. Come learn about these animals from a real entomologist and see how we benefit from their presence. Sat., Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Spooky Spiders. Prepare for Halloween by looking at some of the most creepy (or beautiful) spiders in the world. Hear a talk about spiders from a real arachnologist. Sat., Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Turkey Talk. Come see a live turkey and learn about the Eastern Wild Turkey and why Ben Franklin wanted it to be our national symbol. Sat., Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 1658 Sterling Rd., adjacent to Freedom Park. 704-372-6261.

DISCOVERY PLACE

Amazing Inventors Festival. A great opportunity for kids and families to participate in cool constructive activities and meet with experts who invent everyday. Sat., Oct. 29. Included in price of admission.

Deaf Awareness Day. A program devoted to students that are hearing impaired. Students grades pre-K through 8th. Wed., Sept. 21. Free with regular price of admission.

Flip It, Fold It, Figure It Out. Offers engaging activities with patterns, shoes and sizes that entice students to play with math. Oct. 1-Jan. 1. Free after museum admission.

IMAX Dome. Now showing Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag and Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, both ending Nov. 17th. www.discoveryplace.org. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Gaston County Museum of Art & History America in the Auto Age: Driving Toward Independence. An exhibit on the impact of automobiles. Aug. 16-Dec. 31. 131 W. Main St., Dallas. 704-852-6025.

Levine Museum of the New South

Cotton Fields to Sky Scrapers. Tue.-Sun. Mill Community Project Performance. Featuring Mill Village: A Piedmont Rhapsody, an original chamber work composed by David Crowe and performed by the Charlotte Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Sun., Oct. 9, 2 p.m.

Purses, Platforms and Power. Women changing Charlotte in the 70s. Through Jan. 16. 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. Aug. 16-Dec. 4.

The Land of Make-Believe. Original Children's Book Illustrations. Aug. 16-Feb. 26.

Latin American Festival. A day of activities, performances and authentic foods from Latin America. Sun., Oct. 2, 12-7 p.m.

Potters Market Invitational. North Carolina's top potters gather at the Mint for a first-ever invitational. Sat., Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $6.

Renaissance to Rococo. Masterpieces from the Collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Sept. 24-Jan. 15. $3-$6, Free for members and children five and under.

Senior Day Tour. The first Thursday of each month. Today, a tour of Ancient Egyptian Art for the Afterlife. Reservations required. Thu., Sept. 1, 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. 2730 Randolph Rd. 704-337-2000.

Mint Museum of Craft + Design

Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt and Wood. Oct. 8-Dec. 31. Point of View III: North Carolina Artists as Collectors. Aug. 16-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

In Sight: Young Artists Exploring People & Place. Sept. 10-Dec. 31.

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!. Aug. 16-Sept. 4.

Winter in the Piedmont. A seasonal display depicting a woodland habitat in winter. Nov. 19-Feb. 19. 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. 704-866-6900.