Here are a gaggle of summer events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area June 18-June 24 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

ARTS

The Phantom of the Opera June 18, 7:30 p.m.; June 19, 8 p.m.; June 20, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; June 21, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; June 23-25, 7:30 p.m.; June 26, 8 p.m.; June 27, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; June 28, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; June 30, 7:30. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is directed by Harold Prince and follows the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young masked composer shamed by his physical appearance. Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s classic novel. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Evil Dead: The Musical June 18, 7:30 p.m.; June 19-20, 8 p.m.; June 21, 2:30 p.m.; June 24-25, 7:30 p.m.; June 26-27, 8 p.m. Sam Raimi’s Cult Classic 1980’s films are to die for due to the ultimate combination of gore and humor. Bill Ensley directs this musical, which features lyrics by George Reinblatt and music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt. $15-$29. Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, 650 E. Stonewall St. 704-342-2251. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org.

Mint Museum of Craft + Design June 18: Third Thursdays: Live Jazz. Free. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; June 19: Taste of Art Friday with Leon Nichols. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 220 North Tryon St. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

Company June 19-27. Company features a brilliant energetic score containing many of Sondheim’s best-known songs. Central Piedmont Community College’s Halton Theater. 704-330-6534.

FILM

Summer Movies at Mountain Island June 18: Madagascar. All ages are welcome for movie screening and popcorn. 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. www.plcmc.lib.nc.us.

2009 Cornelius Outdoor Cinema Series Weather permitting, all movies will begin at dusk (8:30pm). Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. June 20: Roscoe Jenkins at Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry St., Cornelius. For more information, call 704-765-1450 or visit www.corneliuspr.org/2006outdoorcinemaseries.html.

The Light Factory June 18: Idiots and Angels. $5-$7. 7 p.m. The Light Factory’s Knight Gallery, 345 N. College St. 704-333-9755. www.lightfactory.com.

MUSIC

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre June 20: Bad Company with The Doobie Brothers. 707 Pavilion Blvd. 704-549-5555. www.livenation.com.

Time Warner Cable Arena June 18: Keith Urban with Sugarland. 333 E. Trade St., Charlotte. 704-688-9000. www.timewarnercablearena.com.

Amos’ Southend June 18: Taking Back Sunday with Anberlin and Envy on the Coast. 1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-377-6874. www.amossouthend.com.

Tremont Music Hall June 19: The Lights, Fluorescent, Hammer No More The Fingers, Lucid Colony and Controlled Storms; June 20: 3rd Annual Charlotte Metal Fest, featuring Black Ritual, A Road Eternal, Skinkage and more; June 21: Abigail Williams, Abysmal Dawn, Success Will Write, Apocolypse Across, The Sky. 400 W. Tremont Ave. 704-343-9494. www.tremontmusichall.com.

Alive After Five June 18: Girlz Girlz Girlz; June 25: Vertigo. Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., Ste 230-B. www.aliveafterfiveatepicentre.com.

Charlotte Chapter American Guild Of Organists Summer Recital Series June 21 Leon Couch at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead St. www.charlotteago.org.

Cornelius Concert Series June 21: Mt. Zion Hand Bells & Friends. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius. 704-892-8566. www.mtzionumc.net.

Visulite Theatre June 18: The Radiators; June 19: The Design; June 20: Nasty Productions’ “White Trash No. 5” theme party, featuring Iron Cordoba. 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704-358-9200. www.visulite.com.

Summer Concert Series in Kannapolis June 20: Right Turn Clyde. Village Park, located along A and C streets and North Loop Road in Kannapolis. 704-920-4343. www.cityofkannapolis.com.

Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops 2009 June 19: Charlotte Symphony at Duke Power Energy Explorium, 13339 Hagers Ferry Rd., Huntersville. June 21: Dance Night at Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd; www.charlottesymphony.org.

Subaru River Jam Enjoy live music on Thursday nights at the US National Whitewater Center. June 18: Truckstop Preachers; June 25: Orange Crush. Free. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. 704-391-3900. www.usnwc.org.

The Fillmore Charlotte June 19: Corey Smith. 820 Hamilton St. 704-549-5555. www.livenation.com/venue/charlotte-fillmore-tickets.

The Uptown Amphitheatre June 13: The Fray with Jack’s Mannequin and Richard Swift. 820 Hamilton St. 704-549-5555. www.livenation.com/venue/music-factory-amphitheatre-tickets.

Double Door Inn June 1: Service Industry Night, featuring The Monday Night All-Stars; June 3: Habitual Ritual Comedy and music show, featuring Big Organ Trio; June 4: Bill Hanna Jazz Jam; June 5: Tab Benoit; June 6: Tom Principato; June 7: Blue Sunday with The Ned Lucas Band; June 8: Service Industry Night, featuring The Monday Night All-Stars; June 10: Cas Haley and Woodbelly; June 11: Ryan Montbleau Band with Mac & Juice; June 12: Free Music Night with Holy Ghost Tent Revival and The Money Notes and Emily Moore; June 13: Chris Duarte Group; June 15: Service Industry Night, featuring The Monday Night All-Stars; June 16: Stay with Teamwork; June 17: Jeff Bujak; June 18: The Stereofidelics with Jimmy Brown and Dylan; June 19: Purple School Bus; June 20: Contagious Blues Band; June 22: Service Industry Night, featuring The Monday Night All-Stars; June 25: Bill Hanna Jazz Jam; June 26: Tinsley Ellis; June 27: Jamie McLean Band with Crowfield; June 29: Service Industry Night, featuring The Monday Night All-Stars; June 30: Ben Prestage. 218 East Independence Blvd. 704- 376-1446. www.doubledoorinn.com.

Snug Harbor June 19: The Empties, The Catch Fire; June 20: Baby Shaker, Richard Bacchus and The Luckies Girls, The Dielectrics; June 21: Zombie Bazooka Patrol, The Wiggle Wagons, The K-Macks; June 24: Bellafea, Ume, The Dead RecordS. 1228 Gordon St. 704-333-9799. www.sungrock.com.

The Milestone June 18: The Not Likelys, Cutthroat Shamrock; June 19: Superdrag; June 20: The Sammies, Wheels on Fire, The Spalding Grays; June 21: Trevor Exter, Ben Henry. 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. www.themilestoneclub.com.

MORE FUN

LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY SUMMER SHOOTOUT SERIES June 9-August 11: The 16th annual Summer Shootout Series each Tuesday night includes Legends Car, Bandolero and Thunder Car racing as well as special attractions like school bus race nights and a huge Fireworks Extravaganza Night! $7. 7:30 p.m. Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Concord, NC. 704-455-3200. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL OF THE CAROLINAS June 18-21: Celebration of the cultural heritage of slaves through food, arts, and music to bring together Africans, African-Americans and non-Africans. Free. Times vary. Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane. 704-376-6160. www.juneteenthofthecarolinas.com.

HEROES CONVENTION June 19-21: A comic book lover’s dream. Meet some of your favorite authors: Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Nick Cardy, George Perez, and many more. For more info call Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find at 704-375-7462. $15-$30. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. 704-339-6000. www.heroesonline.com.

KIDS TRIATHALON June 20: Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics invites children ages 2-14, including physically challenged to compete in our swim/bike/run triathalon. 6 pm. Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, 11725 Verhoff Drive, Huntersville. 704-666-2222. www.HFFA.com.

CLASSIC CARS TOUR THE GARDEN June 20: The Broad River European Motor Club will have their classic European cars on display. $10. 1-5 p.m. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC. 704-829-1252. www.DSBG.com.

INDOOR FOOTBALL June 20: Carolina Speed vs. Fayetteville Guard. $15. 7 p.m. Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-786-0280. www.carolinaspeed.com.

DUB SHOW TOUR CUSTOM AUTO SHOW & CONCERT June 20: See lowriders, custom bikes, a $2 million car and more. Artist has yet to be announced for the concert. $20. 4-9 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. 704-339-6000. www.dubshowtour.com.

CHANNEL 9’S SUMMER FOOD DRIVE June 24: Stop by the Channel 9’s studios to drop off donations. Need canned fruits and veggies, soups, tuna, cereal, peanut butter, pasta, and beef stew. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. WSOC-TV, 1901 N. Tryon St. 704-338-9999. www.wsoctv.com.

GARDEN NIGHTS June 18: Visit Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden every Thursday evening for this year’s Garden Nights program, which sports the theme “Tropical Oasis.” Stroll the garden and enjoy guided garden walks, live entertainment, food with a tropical flair, beer and wine. $5-$10. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 6500 South New Hope Rd. 704-825-4490. www.dsbg.org.