Pearl Jam, still going strong almost 15 years in the semi-limelight, play the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre tonight, along with opening act Sleater-Kinney. Come see what some say is the best band in America (Sleater-Kinney)! Come see Eddie Vedder fight the war from the stage! Come see hit after hit (after hit!). Tickets are $38 for a lawn ticket and $42 otherwise. For more information, call 704-522-6500. (Davis)
Performances of John Logan's Never the Sinner continue at Off-Tryon Theatre Company Cullman Avenue in NoDa. Never the Sinner is the story of a "crime of the century" that occurred in Chicago in 1924. Performances take place tonight through Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $15 -- except tonight which is "pay what you can" night. Call 704-375-2826 or email offtryon@yahoo.com. (Wicker)
Playwright David Mamet's Speed The Plow is a 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. Performances are scheduled today through Saturday at 8pm each evening at Central Avenue Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. Tickets are $15. Call 704-502-8423. (Grooms)
APRIL17 THURSDAY
The Charlotte Knights are back in action at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill. They start a four-day home stand against the Indianapolis Indians tonight. Games are at 7:30pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday with a Sunday afternoon game at 2:15pm. Plus there'll be fireworks after the game on Saturday. Tickets are $6-9. Call 704-36-HOMER or go to www.charlotteknights.com. (Wicker)
Enigmatic critical favorite Chris Whitley, who first came to prominence with his Daniel Lanois-assisted debut Living With The Law, plays the Visulite Theatre tonight at 9pm. Whitley's supporting his excellent new record, Hotel Vast Horizon, which may rank among the best records of the year. Appearing with Whitley is Johnny Society, which may be the best pop band you've never heard, and Rich Price. Tickets are $10 -- for more information, call 704-358-9200. (Davis)
APRIL19 SATURDAY
Easter weekend is upon us and the same question is on everyone's mind: What would Jesus do? We happen to know that he would attend the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont. From 1-3pm, DSBG will have continuous egg hunts, an Easter parade and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself or herself. Or itself. Whatever. Admission costs $10 per child and $8 for adults. Call 704-825-4490 for more information. If Jesus had a dog, he wouldn't want to miss the Spring Fling & Easter Biscuit Hunt from 11am-4pm at Barbara's Canine Catering in Pineville. Doggie activities include paw paintings and pictures with the apparently overworked Easter Bunny. Project HALO will be there with pets available for adoption. All proceeds go to Project HALO. Call 704-588-3647 for details. (Herman)
Longtime Charlotte-area rockers ANTiSEEN, considered by many worldwide to be the world's premier trash-punk band, will play their 20th Anniversary Show tonight at Tremont Music Hall. The show will feature members from various incarnations of the long-running act, as well as the usual array of folding tables, flaming washboards, thumbtacks, blood, and broken beer bottles. See Fred Mills' story in this issue. At press time, ticket price was unavailable. For more information, call 704-343-9494 or log on to www.etix.com. (Davis)
APRIL21 MONDAY
Charlotte Rep's revamped New Play Festival, now called In-The-Works, starts today with a reading of Calvary by James McLure at the Museum of the New South at 6pm. Also part of the festival will be Absence by Wendy Hammond, The Succulent Walk by John Love, Will's Women by Amanda McBroom and Joel Silberman, All of the People, All the Time by Patrick Cook and Bonnie and Clyde by Michael Aman, Oscar E. Moore and Dana P. Rowe. Staged readings will be held at various times and venues through May 1. It's free. For more info or for a complete schedule, go to www.charlotterep.org. (Wicker)
APRIL22 TUESDAY
What can you say about Cher? Well for one thing her plastic surgeon is obviously a lot better than Michael Jackson's. As a singer, she's got a strong voice -- it sounded pretty great next to Sonny's warble -- and on the whole, more depth than Celine's. I've always admired the risks she's taken in her acting roles (Silkwood and Moonstruck). Word is this "farewell" tour stopping tonight at the Charlotte Coliseum is pretty much a Vegas spectacle but hey, it'll give you a chance to break out the glam and enjoy. Tommy Drake opens the 7:30pm show. Tickets are $49.50 and $69.50. Call Ticketmaster, 704-522-6500. (Wicker)
