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The Comedy Zone July. 9-10: Brian Regan; 15-17 & 22-24: James Gregory; 30-31: Gary Valentine. 516 N. College St. 704-348-4242.

Culture Camp Children 6 & up will participate in various arts and crafts projects and interactive performing arts activities. First Saturday of every month. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. 704-374-1565.

Domino's Pizza Grassroots Nationals This event presents short-track racers from across the country, including mini stocks, IMCA modifieds, a demolition derby, and a fireworks display. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. Thu., July 1, 7:30 p.m. $5-15. Lowe's Motor Speedway. 800-455-3267.

Firecracker 5K Race and 1K Fun Run 1st annual race sponsored by Sharksbite Road Runners. Proceeds benefit Waymer Center Community Park. www.sharksbite.com. Sat., July 3, 8 a.m. $5-$20.

Freedom Fest at The Rock Featuring music, dragsters, funny cars, fireworks and more. www.rockinghamdragway.com. Rockingham Dragway. Sat., July 3, 5 p.m.-12 a.m. $4-$8. 910-997-3111 ext. 13.

Hardee's Summer Shootout Legends Cars, Dandolero and Thunder Roadster racing, school bus races, spectator races, fireworks, Lug Nut the World's Fastest Mascot, and games for children. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Continues through Aug. 17. $3-5. Lowe's Motor Speedway. 1-800-455-3267.

Lake Norman Raft-Up An attempt to break world record and benefit Lake Norman Marine Commission. www.lakenormanraftup.com. Sat., July 31, 12-4 p.m.

Lush Boat Party Tonic's lake-faring dance party features DJs Bill Patrick and Dennis Rodgers of the Philly/NYC-based 112 Crew. Lake Norman. www.spinfoil.com. Sat., July 10. 704-347-2582.

Charlotte Antiques & Fine Collectibles Show Dealers offer antiques, home furnishings, fine art, decorative garden accessories, vintage collectibles and more. metrolinaantiqueshow.com. First weekend every month. $5-12. Metrolina Expo & Fairgrounds, 7100 Statesville Rd. 704-596-4643.

Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Contest Weekly competition culminating in finals on Aug. 6. www.that80sclub.com. July 9-August 6, Fridays. Breakfast Club, 225 N. Caldwell St. 704-374-1982.

Mix & Max: Omnimax after hours The program is aimed at anyone looking for something different. Live music, Omnimax films, food and cash bar. Third Friday of every month. $10 members $12 (non-members). Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.

Matthews Summer Entertainment Movies and live music every Saturday night in June and July. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. www.matthewsnc.com. Free. 704-321-7275.

Nickelodeon Celebration Parade Featuring over 70 performers, the parade will be presented once daily. June 12-July 11. Regular park admission. Paramount's Carowinds. 704-588-2606.

NightBEAT Drum Corps International competitions. http://crowntickets.carolinacrown.org. Tue., July 27, 7:30 p.m. Memorial Stadium. 888-547-6478.

Urban Nights A fashion show and after party. Sat., July 31, 8 p.m. $10. Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36 St. 704-491-0176

Music

AMOS' SOUTHEND 1423 S. Tryon St. 704-377-6874 July 10 The Breakfast Club. July 17 Appetite for Destruction: a tribute to Guns N Roses. July 31 Firehouse.

DOUBLE DOOR INN 218 E. Independence Blvd. 704-376-1446. July 16 Animal Aid Concert w/ Starclimber, Laura Blackley Band, Full Grown, Robin Rogers & Phil Harmonic. July 30 Little Charlie and The Nightcats

DOWNTOWN ALIVE, GASTONIA Main Ave., at Marietta. 704-865-5044. July 8 Liquid Pleasure. July 22 The Fantastic Shakers.

THE EVENING MUSE 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737. July 2 Greg Klyma. July 3 David Olney. July 9 Abe Reid & The Spikedrivers w/Lizza Connor; Jennifer Daniels CD Release. July 16 David LaMotte. July 18 The Dempseys. July 20 Dave Isaacs. July 24 Free Planet Radio CD Release feat. Chris Rosser. July 31 Kevin Montgomery CD Release.

IRISH CUE 19501 Hwy 73, Cornelius 704-892-6904 July 2 Part Time Blues Band. July 3 Exit 55. July 9 Peralta. July 10 People. July 16 Basikly. July 17 Etheric. July 23 Unsheltered. July 24 Impulse Ride. July 31 Shadow Flag.

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE 511 E. 36th St. 704-358-9298. July 20 Mum w/ Snowblow.

Paramount's Carowinds 704-588-2600 July 8-10 Sonfest. July 27 311 w/The Roots. July 31 Hoskins Family w/ Aaron Wilburn, Karen Peck & New River, New Spear Revival & more.

RODI 245 W. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC, 704-864-7634. July 1 Kevin Danzig. July 2 Malcolm Holcombe. July 3 Robin Rogers Band. July 8 Lizza Connor. July 9 Gigi Dover. July 10 Willy Evans. July 15 Don De Leaumont. July 16 Martha's Trouble. July 17 Chris Cook. July 23 Rene Russell. July 24 David Childers. July 30 Darlene Cain. July 31 Planet Riders.

Smilefest A slew of bands, camping, vendors and summer fun. www.smilefest.com. Union Grove, NC. July 22-25. $85-$100.

Sonfest A 3-day festival featuring Christian music. Performers include Audio Adrenaline, Third Day, Newsboys, Jars of Clay and more. www.carowinds.com. July 8-10. Paramount's Carowinds Paladium. 704-588-2600.

SUMMER POPS Performances at SouthPark. www.charlottesymphony.org. Sat., July 3, 8:15 p.m. Free. 704-972-2000.