Friday, July 11

FILM

Almost like being there

Explore the buried secrets of ancient Greece in a new IMAX film, “Greece: Secrets of the Past,” at Charlotte’s Discovery Place. The film opens today in the Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theatre, 301 N. Tryon St. It uses the science of modern archeology to decipher the past and probes some of the greatest lingering mysteries of the civilization, such as what made the Greek empire flourish, what life was like during the golden age of ancient Greece and why the civilization suddenly fell. Tickets are $8 adults, ages 14 to 59; $7 for youth, ages 2 to 13 and seniors, age 60 and older; and free for children younger than 2. Group and member discounts are available. For tickets and show times, visit wwwdiscoveryplace.org or call (800) 935-0553.

THEATER

It’s a special story

Laugh and cry with America’s greatest generation and remember the days of World War II in NarroWay Production’s dinner theater presentation of “Not Just Another Love Story.” Set in the days of World War II, this fun-filled patriot performance is both nostalgic and inspirational. From an exciting collection of ‘40s favorites to a stirring patriotic medley, the play captures the spirit of America’s finest generation. Show times are 7:30 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. July 18. A meal is served 45 minutes before the show. For show with meal, tickets are $29.95 adults; $28.95 seniors; $14.95 youth ages 13 to 18; $9.95 for youth. Tickets are available for show only. For tickets, call (704) 831-8893 or (866) 800-4839. NarroWay is at 3346 U.S. 21, Fort Mill.

C’mon, you wanna be happy

Explore a positive take on life in “Pollyanna,” a youth production presented by the Fort Mill Community Playhouse. Pollyanna, a young orphan, goes to live with her wealthy but harsh and stern Aunt Polly in Vermont. Pollyanna uses her “Gladness Game,” taught to her by her father, to transform the dispirited New England town into a pleasant place to live. The show has a cast of more than 20 youth and is directed by Susan Windham Capotosto of Fort Mill. Show times are 7:30 tonight and Saturday night and 3 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 615 Banks St., Fort Mill. Tickets are $9 adults and $6 seniors and students. Advance tickets are available online at www.fortmillplayhouse.org or may be purchased with check or cash at Crossings, 102 Academy St., Fort Mill. For details, visit the website or call 548-8102.

Saturday, July 12

EVENT

Revoltionary War comes to life

Relive the Battle of Huck’s Defeat at Historic Brattonsville this weekend. This Revolutionary War reenactment brings to life three significant battles of the war in the Carolina backcountry. Visitors can see how soldiers and civilians of the Carolina Piedmont survived. Activities include music, firearms demonstrations, talks by noted experts and examples of camp life. Youth can explore the children’s encampment area and play with historic toys and games, participate in military drills and take part in a Revolutionary War camp. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the restored plantation, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells. Cost is $10 adults; $8 seniors; $5 youth ages 4 to 17; and free for children 3 and younger. CHM members will receive a $2 discount. For details, call 684-2327 or visit www.chmuseums.org.

Sunday, July 13

DESTINATION

Let’s all go to the zoo, visit the lions

A new litter of lion cubs is on display at Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo in the Bird Conservation Center. The cubs — three female and one male — were born June 7. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $9.75 adults; $7.25 children ages 3 to 12; and free for children younger than 3. For details, visit www.riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717.

MUSIC

If you’re in the area ...

A concert on the Green featuring the Lake Norman Orchestra will be presented Sunday night in the Village Green in downtown Davidson, N.C. Show time is 6 p.m. Admission is free. Bring a picnic and a blanket. A prize will be awarded for the most elegant picnic.

Monday, July 14

MUSIC

So many bands

See more than 50 bands at the Vans Warped Tour. Show time is 11 a.m. Monday at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte. General admission is $23.50 at ticketmaster.com. The bands include Mayday Parade, Pierce the Veil, Norma Jean, The Academy Is, The Higher, Gym Class Heroes, From First to Last, A Day to Remember, We the Kings and more. For show details, www.warpedtour.com.

Tuesday, July 15

MOVIE

Take to the kids to ‘Ice Age:Meltdown’

Are the kids bored and restless? Take them out to a free movie at the Ayrsley Kid Show in Charlotte. Show time is 10 a.m. Tuesday and July 17 at Ayrsley, 9110 Kings Parade Blvd. This week’s movie is “Ice Age: The Meltdown.” Each week through Aug. 7 features a different movie. For details, call (704) 643-4148.

Wednesday, July 16

THEATER

Puppets at library

That Puppet Guy, Lee Bryan, promises hilarious fun in an original puppet show that blends two classic children’s stories. Admission is free. Show times are 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. Wednesday at the York County Library in Rock Hill; 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Clover Public Library; 2:30 and 4 p.m. Thursday at the York Public Library; and 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Lake Wylie Public Library. For details, visit www.yclibrary.org.

EVENT

Tiver is truly ‘A River’

Best-selling author Mary Alice Monroe discusses and signs her latest book, “Time is a River” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Joseph Beth Booksellers at Charlotte’s South Park Mall. In Monroe’s latest book, Mia Landon travels to a mountain sanctuary near Asheville, N.C., while she begins her recovery from breast cancer. There she discovers the long-lost journal of a well-known fly-fisherwoman from the 1920s, an account which draws her back into the world around her. For details, call (704) 602-9800.

Thursday, July 17

MUSIC

Doobie, doobie, do

Former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald comes to the Greensboro Coliseum complex in Greensboro, N.C., at 8 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $39.50 to $59.50 at www.ticketmaster.com.

FILM

One of the master’s best

Spend an evening with Hitchcock. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to the free outdoor movie screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Thirt-Nine Steps” at the Transamerican Plaza Courtyard, 421 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. It’s Hitchcock’s popular British picture of a Canadian visitor in Scotland, who goes on the run to break a spy ring when he stands accused of the murder of a woman stabbed to death in his flat. Food and beverages will be sold.

Friday, July 18

THEATER

Ah, yes, the Bard

Catch a double shot of Shakespeare! “The Shakespeare Project” and “The Fifteen Minute Hamlet” are being presented by The Young Yorkville Players. Show times are 8 p.m. July 18, 19, 25 and 26 and at 3 p.m. July 20 and 27. In “The Shakespeare Project,” adapted by James Zager, the most famous scenes and monologues are taken from a selection of Shakespearean works and presented in a contemporary style with new interpretations. In “Fifteen Minute Hamlet,” Tom Stoppard’s version takes the most famous and best-loved lines from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and condenses them into a hilarious 15-minute version. Tickets are $8 adults and $5 children and may be purchased at the door. For details, call (866) 334-0064 or 980-7412 or visit www.yorkvilleplayers.com.

MUSIC

Brad Paisley’s in Charlotte

Brad Paisley, the 2008 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist, performs at 7:30 p.m. July 18 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte. Tickets are $25 to $54.25 at www.ticketmaster.com.

FILMS

It’s here

The highly anticipated “Batman:The Dark Knight”opens at 12:01 a.m. July 18. Do you have your ticket?

Saturday, July 19

MUSIC

Hum along to Bryan Adams

Canadian rocker Bryan Adams and legendary rock band Foreigner arrive in Charlotte July 19. Show time is 7:30 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Tickets are $10 to $60 at www.ticketmaster.com.

THEATER

And we’re off to Sherwood Forest

Robin leads his band of Merry Men and Winsome Women through rollicking adventures in Sherwood Forest in “Robin Hood” at the Summer Stage Fest at Charlotte’s Providence Day School. In a land where the rich get richer and the poor are starving, Prince John wants to cut down Sherwood Forest to put up an arms manufactory, a slaughterhouse and a tennis court for the well-to-do. This hilarious epic unites elements of wild farce and ancient mythologies with an environmentalist assault on the arrogance of wealth and power in the face of poverty and hunger. Show time is at 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 19 at the school, 5800 Sardis Road, Charlotte. Tickets are $6 and available at the door, online at www.carolinatix.org or by calling (704) 372-1000. For show details, call (704) 364-0081.

Sunday, July 20

MUSIC

Rush up to Verizon

Canadian band Rush rocks Charlotte tonight. Show time is 7:30 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Tickets are $20 at www.ticketmaster.com.

THEATER

CCPC’s ‘Crazy’ for comedy

Dare to dream. “Crazy For You” is a high-energy comedy and Tony Award- winning musical that tells the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. Despite serious efforts by his mother and soon to be ex-fiance, Bobby achieves his dream. The show will be presented by Central Piedmont Community College at 2:30 p.m. July 20 at the Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte. Tickets are $17 to $21, available by calling (704) 330-6534. For details, call (704) 330-6840.