Cathy Rigby, who last wowed Charlotte with her role in the revival of Peter Pan, returns in her current musical tour, Seussical The Musical. It's the witty world of Dr. Seuss brought to life with songs as some of your favorite characters try to bring harmony back to their world. Shows are at Ovens Auditorium through Sunday. Showtimes are Tuesday-Thursday, 8pm; Friday and Saturday at 8:15pm; and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $20-$58. Call 704-372-1000. (Wicker)
The Actor's Theatre's Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage continues at Spirit Square. This crazy tale of Big 8 and her passion for young injured rodeo wannabes contains adult language and content and is recommended for mature audiences. The show runs through Sunday. Tickets range from $15-$20. For more information and a complete schedule of shows, call 704-372-1000 or visit online at www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. (McKinney)
APRIL 3 . THURSDAY
The Food Lion AutoFair will be held today through Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, featuring all manner of custom cars, special exhibits, and more. As part of the event, a 10th Anniversary SVT Cobra -- a special edition of the most powerful production Mustang ever made -- will be shown, as well as the world's longest street-legal limousine, a 65-foot, $1.8 million dollar, 10-wheeled, 33-seat monster replete with plasma TVs and, strangely enough, a smoke machine (what, no massage table?). AutoFair hours are 8am-6pm Thursday through Saturday, and 8am-4pm on Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult (hopefully someone they know). For more information, call 704-455-3205. (Davis)
In a return to the gritty beginnings of stock car racing, the Eckerd 100 roars into the Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway for events Thursday through Saturday. Today, spectators can see practice runs after the gates open at 6pm. Tomorrow, gates open at 4pm for time trials and qualifying races. The big races will be on Saturday and some of the top dirt-track competitors are expected. Gates open at 4pm and opening ceremonies are at 7pm. The first feature Eckerd 100 is at 9:20pm followed by the second feature at 10:15pm. Tickets for Thursday are $5; tickets for Friday are $12 and tickets for Saturday are $18. Call 1-800-455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. (Wicker)
David Mamet, the author of Glengarry Glen Ross, Oleanna and American Buffalo, has a genius' knack for creating stories filled with greed, betrayal and deceit while lacing them with dry, hard-edged comedy. Mamet's Speed The Plow is no exception, with its look at the world of Hollywood execs in which artistic integrity goes up against the desire to clinch a deal with the industry's biggest star. This production is from Inner Voices Theatre Company, today through April 6, and then April 9-12, at 8pm each evening at Central Avenue Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. Tickets are $15. Call 704-502-8423. (Grooms)
APRIL 4 . FRIDAY
Wacked-out Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, he of the high-pitched voice and dancing beady eyes (as well as that movie smash, Shakes the Clown), will appear at the Comedy Zone tonight and tomorrow at 8 and 10:15pm. Tickets are $18.50, available by calling 704-348-4242. (Davis)
The Moving Poets Theatre of Dance and the Echo Foundation are presenting Without Borders today, tomorrow and Sunday at Dana Auditorium at Queens University. Without Borders is a dance and theater drama about two couples -- one rich, one poor -- and their fates intertwined with the AIDS epidemic in Africa. The choreography and music for the drama were inspired by South African tribal dances and western pop culture. Performances are at 8pm today and tomorrow and at 7pm on Sunday. Advance tickets for today and tomorrow are $17.50 and $22.50; at the door, $20 and $25. Advance tickets for Sunday are $14.50 and $17.50. Call 704-527-6683 or go to www.movingpoets.com. (Wicker)
The Actor's Gym is doing some of the most interesting theater in town these days. Now, they're presenting one of the highlights of Shakespeare's career, Othello, featuring John Price in the title role. It starts tonight at 7:30pm at the SouthEnd Performing Arts Center. Othello will run through April 19 -- Thursdays and Sundays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are $12, $10 for students. Call 704-376-7418 for information or reservations. (Grooms)
Hey, hey, hey! Comic legend Bill Cosby will appear tonight in Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in conjunction with the United Negro College Fund Gala with performances at 7pm and 9:30pm. The gala includes dinner at 7pm followed by the 9:30pm performance. Tickets for the gala cost $150 and may be purchased by calling 704-377-8625. A limited number of non-Gala tickets may be available for purchase at the PAC box office today with prices ranging from $25-$45. Call 704-372-1000 for further information. (Herman)
APRIL 9 . WEDNESDAY
The eighth annual Taste of the Nation, which CL food critic Tricia Childress lists among the top food events in the city, will take place today in Wachovia Atrium. The event, a fundraising project of Share Our Strength, raises funds for organizations fighting hunger and poverty in the Charlotte area. Over 30 area restaurants, food suppliers and wineries are supplying the food and drink and there will be auctions and other entertainment as well. The participating restaurants will vie for several awards including Best Hot Dish and Best Table Display. Tickets are $50 general admission for the 7:30pm event or $75 which includes a 6:30pm preview. Call 704-376-1785 for info or tickets. (Wicker)
