3D Cbe Cjwrtatte 4Po*t Thursday, March 2, 2006 HAPPENINGS . • Inaugural Authentic March Gras celebra tion, Wadsworth House, 400 N. Summit Ave., 8 p.m. Zydeco, R&B music and saxophonist Bert Pigott will perform. « “Quest for Equality: African American Pioneers in the Sport of Basketball,”6 p.m., Afro-American Cultural Center. Charlotte Bob cats center Sean May and Bobcats Assistant Gen eral Manger Karl Hicks will discuss basketball’s impact in the African American community and the NB^ commitment to youth. ■!.^Book signing by romance novelist Ve, 12 p.m.. Dynasty Books at Eastland Mall. ElclecFest, RealEyes Bookstore, 3306 N. Davidson St Flea mall and festival includes kids comer with moon bounce, face painting and games as well as Celtic bands, art and food. Host ed by Brien Blakely of WCCB-TY Free. • • • • Asmira Wx)dward-Pa^e and Yusimi Cruz in concert, 8 p.m. at Ovens Auditorium. Selections include Bruch’s \^olin Concerto No. 1, Bolero by Ravel and Malaguena by Lecuona, Brazil and a medley from “Evita.” For ticket information, call (704) 543-6551 or log on to www.charlottephilhar- monic.org. Friends of the Library at Queens Uni- 13 versity of Charlotte will host its annual book and author event at 6 p.m., Burwell Hail. Book and author event/dinner at Young Dining Room, Morrison Hall at 7 p.m. On March 14, a reception will be held at TVexler Center at 11:30 a.m. and author event/luncheon at 12 p.m., Young Dining Room.Emerging authors will be featured, includ ing Dean King, Tbmmy Hays and Geraldine Brooks. Tickets are $35 per person with meal included. Reservations must be made by March 10. For information, call (704)337-2437. 1 ^“Sex & the Second City,” Booth Play house through March 19. Tickets are $30-$35 and on sale at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center box office hy calling (704) 372-1000 or online at www.blumenthalcenter.oig^. 2 V Spring Literary Festival, Central Pied mont Community College. The two-day festival, “Weaving Words from Stru^le," includes read ings, performances and discussions with writers and publishing professionals. Keynoters include James McBride, Jimmy Santiago Baca and Richard Louv as well as folk artists Sparl^ and Rhonda Rucker. Free. For information and sched ules, log on to www.cpcc.edu/literary. • ••• - Soweto Gospel Choir, 8 p.m., Belk Theater. C^oir delivers a non-stop pageant of inspirational music and traditional dancing backed by a live band. Tickets are $22-$32 and on sale at the Per forming Arts Center box office by calling (704) 372-l()()0 or online at www.blumenthalcenter.org. ^ Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Nationals, 1 p.m., CJharlotte Bobcats Arena. Barnstorming basketball team celebrates its 8()th anniversaiy A 30-minute meet-and-greet session will be held at the end of the game. Tickets start at $12 and available at the arena bc« office or online at chariottebobcatsarena.com. 2^ Lippazaner Stallions. Charlotte Bobcats Arena, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. New music, choreogra phy and routines are incorporated in the 36th edi tion of the show with emphasis on the breed’s his- toiy. 'Hckets are $27.50, $22.50 and $19.50 and available by calling (800; 495-2295 or the arena box office. Robert Preston phuti^raphy exhibi tion, Red Galleiy at Phillips Place, 6 p.m. Photc^raphs will be on sale to benefit National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For information, call (800) 477-2955. MARCHING ON PHOTOCURTB WISON Johnson C. Smith University’s marching barxi helped lead the cheers for the CIAA basketball tournament at a Monday pep rally at Founders Hall. HISTORY S NO MYSTERY Bradley Middle School won the Black History Bowl last week at Freedom Park. HELLO, BOYS & GIRLS SunCom Wireless donated $12,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte as part of the SunCom Cares program. The donation will be used for Operation Connect, a computer education program in Boys & Girls Clubs in Charlotte public housing. The program will allow more than 550 kids daily access to computer technology and the internet THRILL OF VICTORY PHOTOCURTIS WILSON Butler High School’s girls’ basketball team celebrate their Southwestern 4A championship last week after defeating South Mecklenburg High. THEY VE GOT GAME \ Nordstrom SoufhPark boutique at Hilton Charlotte Center City, March 1-2. Boutique moves uptown for the CIAA basketball tourna ment with day-to-evening wear from’big.name designers. Open March 1 at 7 p.m.; 9 p.m. on March 2. For information, call Ha'de E. Robin son at (704) 442-6000, extension 6092. • ••• Poet Maya Angelou and Alltel are sponaoring the Words of Wisdom Scholarship prc^am, which asks studeatB at historically black col leges; “What words of wisdom will you pass on to those who come after you." Scholaraliips will be awarded to 10 grand prize wumers attend ing HBCinJs, including $4,000 in tuition and a trip to Little Rock, Ark., to meet Angelou. For details, 1^ on to www.alltel.cbm/wordsofwis- ‘•Qofifor participating Alltel eterree. Entries must be'postmarked by March 3. • • • • CIAA fashion show featiuing Ebony Fashion Fair Models, March 4, 11 a.m.. Charlotte Con vention Center, 601 S. Coll^ St Tickets $46. For information, call 704) 378-1046 or log on to www.ciaatouniamentorg and click on fash ion show icon. • • • • Mecklenburg Park and Recreation is offering rides for folks who can no longer use Revolu^ tion^ Pool. The parks department will provide free rides from Southview Recreation Center. 720 Vilma St; Amay James Recreation Center, 2426 Lester St and Arbor Glen Outreach Cen ter, 1520 Clanton Road. Tb be eligible, children or adults must sign up in advance at any of tlie recreation centers and schedule the ride three days in advance by calling (704) 353-1250 • ••• MOCA imrty to support veterans March 11,7 p.m. at VFW Poet 9488, 2831 The Plaza.-Tick- ete are $12 in advance, $16 at the door. Spon sored liy Militaiy Order of the Cootie Auxiliary. Lockwcxxl neighborhood meeting March 13 at 7 p.m., Sugar'Creek Service Center, 4046 N. TVyon St Guest speaker will be Dawn M. Hill, Lead Hazard Reduction Pre^ram, Neigh borhood Development Dept. For information, call Jacques D. Kibler III at (704) 376-4993. • ••• Charlotte Club of the National Associa tion of Negro Business and Phbfessional Women’s C’lubs will host the 48th aimual Southeast District Conference March 16-19 at the Omni Charlotte hotel, 132 TVade St. Approximately 200 members from the south eastern U.S. will attend on March 17 at 7 p.m,. • a free vocal arts competition for emerging artists highlighting classical singers will be open .to the public. For information, call Sarah Stevenson at(704)392-9503, • • • • Registration for Urban I>eague Stepping Up program classes start Feb, 26 and. March 11 at 9:30 a.m., at 740 W. Fifth St Classes for non-native English speakers to improve skills and performance in the workplace. Classes include team-buiMing skills,’ decision-making and problem solving, ^ust be 23-45 years of age and have a minimum of one year in the U.S. workplace, For information, call Astrid CMinoe at (704) 461-3978. • ••• Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxil iary will sponsor National . Young American Creative Patriotic'Art Scholarships for stu dents in grades 9-12. First place pays $10,000 in scholarships. Deadline is March 29. For information, call Betty Morris at (704) 636- 3668. “Oh Freedom Over Me,” through May 28, Levine Museum of the New South. Photogra pher Matt Herron’s recording of the civil rights movement through the Southern Documen tary Project • ••« “From Apartheid to Democracy,” through May 16, Levine Mu^um of the New South. Exhibit illustrates transformation of South Africa 1^ telling the story of the first 10 years of democracy. Concerts, art exhibits and community-oriented events can be submitted to The Oiarlotte Post PD. Box 30144 Charhtte, NC 28230. You can fax (704) 342-2160, log on at wwwjhecharlot- tepost/'om or e-mail editorial(» iheduirlot- tepostrom. MAKING HER MOVE PHOTOCURTIS WLSON East Mecklenburg High School senior Dane Sparrow and head boys' basketball coach Jason Grube were all smiles after the Eagles won the Southwestern 4A championship last week. East advanced to the N.C. 4AT'egionals this week. PHOTO/WADE NASH Madelyn MattuccI moves a chess piece at the State Scholastic Chess Championships al the Charlotte Convention Center. More than 600 students from kindergarten to high school participated in six sections.