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"There's no question that the best time to plant the seed for coming back to see a show is when they're bouncing out of the theater having had a great experience," Gabbard explains. "Whether it's a bubbly show like Mamma Mia! or Quickspeare [at the new City Stage fringe theater festival], those kinds of experiences where people are having a good time here make them want more."

They'll get it. Capitol Steps, Second City's 45th Anniversary Tour, Rockapella, Vassar Clements, and Natalie MacMaster are among the notables who will keep the Spirit jumping at McGlohon Theatre. Def Poetry Jam revisits the Belk (November 29) after last year's triumph. Savion Glover, Garth Fagan Dance Company, Smoky Joe's Cafe, and Stomp will keep the Belk hopping between the big Broadway tours.

And Gabbard wants to bring more fringe theater to the Center City. He's working behind the scenes to make the Duke Power Theatre at Spirit Square affordable to little companies again.

"One of the hopes for City Stage was that it would get some people thinking about coming back to that space," Gabbard asserts. "We want to create an environment that it's just fun to be at, a place where you can visit with friends and visit with theatergoers that have like interests. We're trying to convey a message not just to the public but also to the theater community, that we want Spirit Square to be a vibrant space year-round."

We'll be roaming both the fringe and the Center City keeping you in-the-know about Charlotte's burgeoning performing arts scene. But to really play ball -- and catch the electricity while it's still hot -- you've got to drop your remote, your iPod, and even your Loaf.

Be there!