'Apassionata' horse show postpones dates

APASSIONATA, a live entertainment show featuring more than 40 horses, is moving its four performance dates at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte from May 4-6 to Dec. 7-9.

According to a press release, "the U.S. tour premiere, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky April 27-29 has had such overwhelming advance sales that the producers extended the run into May and rescheduled its Charlotte performances."

Patrons holding tickets for May 4-6 in Charlotte will be able to use the same tickets for the corresponding performance day and time in December. Refunds or exchanges can be obtained at the point of purchase. For more information, contact 704-335-3100.

The family-friendly live show -- with original music scored specifically to work with the horses -- features dressage and stunt riding performed by different breeds, from Bretons to Friesians.

Visit www.apassionata.com for a trailer and full tour schedule.

One Direction is actually NOT sold out. Yet.

Tickets for One Direction's June 27 Charlotte concert sold out within minutes, but the band has announced that there will be a second opportunity for fans to purchase tickets.

Additional seats for the Time Warner Cable Arena show will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at www.LiveNation.com. Tickets will also be available at the arena box office, Ticketmaster, select Wal-mart stores or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

Score passes to 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits'

The Charlotte Observer is giving away 160 “Admit One” passes to a special advance screening Saturday of the new 3D animated film “The Pirates! Band of Misfits,” featuring the voices of Hugh Grant, Jeremy Piven and Salma Hayek.

The adventure-comedy takes viewers on a quest with our pirate heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London as they battle for the coveted Pirate of the Year Award.

The special advance screening will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, with the location of the theater to be revealed when you pick up your passes. “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” will be released in Charlotte on Friday, April 27.

How to get your free pass: Come to the security console in the main lobby of the Charlotte Observer building, 600 S. Tryon St., between noon and 1 p.m. FRIDAY, April 20. You may take a maximum of four “Admit One” passes, while supplies last.

The film is rated PG. On the morning of the screening, it is recommended to arrive early since seating is not guaranteed and on a first-come, first-served basis.

For details on the movie, visit www.thepirates-movie.com.

Brooklyn Decker featured in May GQ

Model and actress Brooklyn Decker of Matthews is featured in GQ’s new May issue, on newsstands next Tuesday.

In case there was any question, the steamy photos in GQ’s May issue leave no doubt why Brooklyn Decker is the object of many men’s fantasies. But the stunning supermodel and star of the upcoming blockbuster "Battleship" isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself, too, admitting to GQ that she finds herself to be a lot like Kristen Wiig’s character in "Bridesmaids" and that Gisele Bündchen sits atop her list of five biggest crushes – a list that also includes Dave Matthews.

Some highlights from the article, titled "Brooklyn's Finest":

On relating to Kristen Wiig’s Bridesmaids character: "I feel like her character is my inner soul. The ways she acts are my inner thoughts, but I just can't express them because they're too nerdy. So if he [Andy Roddick] was calling her crazy, I guess that makes me slightly crazy."

On her Gisele Bündchen bias: "I have a top-five list, and Gisele is my number one. So she can do no wrong in my eyes. ...everyone has a top-five list of their biggest crushes, you know? Usually, it's guys on my list, but Gisele is just so perfect in every way."

On Dave Matthews’s place on her top-five list: “Yeah, I know. I know. I know! I know, I know. My husband is really gonna make fun of me for this."

'Idol' contestants to sing at Bobcats game

Three singers who got air time on "American Idol" -- including Charlotte Bobcats dancer Brittany Kerr -- will perform at Time Warner Cable Arena during halftime of Wednesday night's game between Charlotte and Chicago.

Kerr will be joined by David Leathers Jr. and Ariel Sprague. Leathers nearly made it to the semifinals after the judges announced plans to add a 13th male semifinalist, but was beaten out in a sudden-death-style competition with two other contestants.

The trio is also scheduled to appear on WCNC's "Charlotte Today" show at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

TV shows to hold casting call in Concord

The company that managed extras casting for "The Hunger Games" is handling an open call for background actors for two pay-cable television series on Sunday: Showtime's "Homeland," which is gearing up for its second season, and a new Cinemax original series titled "Banshee."

"Homeland," starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, won the 2011 Golden Globe Award for best TV drama; "Banshee" is being executive-produced by Alan Ball, creator of HBO's "Six Feet Under" and "True Blood."

Auditions will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Carolina Mall, 1480 Concord Parkway North, in Concord. "All ages and types" are needed, although specifically the Tona B. Dahlquist Casting Company will be looking for "military types, government and political types, as well as those that could portray skin heads and those that could portray Amish (men with beards willing to let us adjust)." People of Middle Eastern, Indian, Persian, Chinese, Japanese, and Hispanic ethnicity are especially needed.

Applicants must bring a current snapshot, which will be collected and will not be returned.

Meanwhile, in Raleigh, an open casting call is being held Saturday for anyone hoping to work as an extra on the third "Iron Man" film, starring Robert Downey Jr...

Alive After Five returns to uptown April 5

Warm weather is back, and with it comes a Charlotte tradition: Alive After Five, which will be celebrating its 11th Anniversary this year.

Sponsored by AT&T, the Thursday after-work party takes place at 5 p.m. at Wells Fargo Plaza, 301 S. Tryon St. The 2012 season kicks off with a performance by Charlotte party band Hot Sauce.

Wells Fargo Plaza will host Alive After Five each Thursday during April. Beginning May 3, the event shifts to the Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., where it will continue every Thursday through Sept. 13.

The Pavilion has purchased two huge tents to keep guests sheltered from the elements during summer showers, and when it rains, Alive After Five will pour with drink specials including $3 Bud Light drafts.

Want to rappel down an uptown skyscraper?

There are two types of people in the world: Those whose eyes widen with excitement at the prospect of rappelling hundreds of feet down the side of a 51-story building … and those whose eyes widen with terror.

Which side are you on?

Well, if you're up for a little adventure -- OK, a big one -- on Saturday, Oct. 13, Special Olympics North Carolina is offering thrill-seekers an opportunity to rappel 35 stories down The VUE Charlotte, an uptown skyscraper that houses luxury condominium residences.

It's an experience that will take about 15 minutes. The price tag? $1,000. Sounds like a lot, and it is. But while you'll have to drop down the building by yourself, you won't have to come up with the money on your own if you don't want to. And better yet, all the dough goes to a good cause. Participants are asked to create an online fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/sonc; then family and friends can support you in helping to raise the minimum required donation of $1,000. The money ultimately will go to support the 38,000 Special Olympics athletes in North Carolina.

Assuming they don't chicken out, rapellers will start their descent from the 43rd floor of The VUE, at 404 W. Fifth St., and drop until they land on the eighth floor. Participants will wear a full-body industrial harness and use an industrial descender to go down; they can go as slowly as they like (or can go fast -- up to a point). No experience is necessary.

More information on this year's event as well as pictures from last year can be found at www.overtheedgenc.com.

The minimum age requirement for the Charlotte event is 14, and anyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by a legal guardian. To rappel, you must weigh between 110 and 300 pounds.

If you have additional questions, you can contact Susan Doggett at 704-358-1935, Ext. 4, at sdoggett@sonc.net.

Discovery Place extends 'Mummies' hours

"Mummies of the World," the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, is in its final weeks at Discovery Place.

To accommodate crowds and provide visitors and residents of Charlotte a final chance to see the exhibit before it continues its national tour, the science museum is extending hours for "Mummies" (which closes on April 8, Easter Sunday).

Beginning Saturday, March 31, Discovery Place hours will be:

• Saturday, March 31: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
• Sunday, April 1, 2012: Noon to 7 p.m.;
• Monday, April 2 through Wednesday, April 4: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
• Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
• Saturday, April 7: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
• Sunday, April 8 (Easter Sunday): 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Last admission to Mummies of the World is one hour before the Museum closes. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Tickets: 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org. Details: www.mummiesoftheworld.com.

Symphony announces 2012-13 Pops season

The Charlotte Symphony announced today the 2012-2013 Pops season, which will include homages to swinging rhythms, the progression of American rock ‘n roll and iconic Hollywood film music.

The lineup is:

THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL

Friday September 14 & Saturday September 15, 2012, 8:00 pm, Belk Theater

Michael Cavanaugh, vocals and piano

AMERICA

Friday October 26 & Saturday October 27, 2012, 8:00 pm, Belk Theater

Albert-George Schram, conducting

TRIBUTE TO BENNY GOODMAN, featuring Dave Bennett

Friday November 9 & Saturday November 10, 2012, 8:00 pm, Knight Theater

Albert-George Schram, conducting

MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

Friday November 30, 8:00 pm, Saturday December 1, 2:30 & 8:00 pm, & Sunday December 2, 2:30 pm, Belk Theater

Albert-George Schram, conducting

WINTER DANCE PARTY

Tribute to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper

Friday January 11 & Saturday January 12, 2013, 8:00 pm, Knight Theater

THE WIZARD OF OZ WITH ORCHESTRA

Saturday February 2, 2013, 2:30 & 8:00 pm, Belk Theater

Albert-George Schram, conducting

TIEMPO LIBRE

Friday February 22 & Saturday February 23, Belk Theater

Jacomo Rafael Bairos, conducting

NATALIE MERCHANT

Saturday March 23, 2013, 8:00 pm, Belk Theater

SYMPHONIC CINEMA

Friday May 3 & Saturday May 4, 2013, 8:00 pm, Knight Theater

Christopher Warren-Green, conducting

For the first time ever, all concerts will take place in uptown Charlotte at the Belk and Knight theaters. Subscriptions to any six concerts start at just $139 and are available by calling the Charlotte Symphony Ticket Office at(704) 972-2000, or at www.charlottesymphony.org.

See 'Bachelorette' a couple months early

Emily Maynard and the cast and crew of ABC's "The Bachelorette" will be filming at the N.C. Music Factory on Friday, according to a source at the uptown venue.

Maynard and her date reportedly will have dinner at the new Osso Restaurant & Lounge, following a 9 p.m. red-carpet arrival. After dinner (at approximately 10:30 p.m.), the couple will watch a concert by country-music band Gloriana on the Music Factory's outdoor stage, the source says.

The concert and the opportunity to catch wind of the show's taping is free and open to the public, although space will of course be limited.

Meanwhile, ABC on Monday announced the official premiere date for eighth edition of "The Bachelorette": Monday, May 14. The star, Maynard, is a 26-year-old single mom who lives in Charlotte; she was engaged to NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick, who died in a plane crash in 2004.

Maynard won "The Bachelor" last year and became engaged to Brad Womack, but they broke off their relationship in June. She was named the new "Bachelorette" in January.

The show will film here in Charlotte -- where Maynard is raising her 6-year-old daughter Ricki, 6 -- as well as in other locations.

Score passes to '21 Jump Street'!

The Charlotte Observer is giving away 200 “Admit One” passes to a special advance screening next Thursday of the new film “21 Jump Street,” starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

In the action-comedy, Hill and Tatum play new cops who are recruited into the secret “Jump Street” unit, and use their youthful appearances to go undercover in a local high school.

The special advance screening will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15, with the location of the theater to be revealed when you pick up your passes. “21 Jump Street” will be released in Charlotte on Friday, March 16.

How to get your free pass: Come to the security console in the main lobby of the Charlotte Observer building, 600 S. Tryon St., between noon and 1 p.m. FRIDAY, March 9. You may take a maximum of two “Admit One” passes, while supplies last.

The film is rated R. No one under 17 will be admitted without a parent or legal guardian.

On the night of the screening, it is recommended to arrive early since seating is not guaranteed and on a first-come, first-served basis.

For details on the movie, visit www.21jumpstreet-movie.com.

'Bachelorette' finds a home in Charlotte

According to Zillow Blog, ABC reality show "The Bachelorette" will be filming its forthcoming season in a six-bedroom, 8.5-bath European-style mansion in Charlotte. (Photo above courtesy of Zillow.com.)

Why are cast and crew coming here instead of staying in Agoura, Calif., where the show's premiere has always been set? Because Charlotte is the hometown of new Bachelorette Emily Maynard, who has a 6-year-old daughter and didn't want to uproot both of their lives for the filming.

The house features 12,000 square feet of living space, an outdoor kitchen and pool, and a ballroom perfect for the show's famous rose ceremonies. According to Zillow, the new home has been on the market since 2008 and is currently listed at $3.9 million. ABC has not confirmed that the house is being used for the show, Zillow reports, but the listing agent said one of his brokerage's properties was being used to film an ABC show.

See more photos here.

European horse show coming to Charlotte

Just got this press release. Looks interesting -- more than a bit reminiscent of "Cavalia," which had a run of shows here in spring 2010...

APASSIONATA, Europe’s most successful live entertainment show, featuring more than 40 horses, is coming to Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte for four performances Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 24, at the Bojangles Coliseum box office, at all Ticketmaster locations or call 704.335.3100 for more details.

Now in its ninth year in Europe, APASSIONATA has played to an audience of more than five million people in over 15 countries and now comes to North America with a new show, titled “The Beginning.” This theatrical sensation, with original music scored specifically to work with the horses, enchants families and horse lovers alike with the finest equestrianship, including magnificent dressage and exhilarating stunt riding. The natural elegance, nobility, speed and agility of these animals is captivating. Different breeds – from Bretons to Friesians – have been brought together from Europe and North America to create this evocative yet thrilling event.

Starting in 2003, APASSIONATA became an immediate sensation. In 2010, it won the prestigious PRG Live Entertainment’s “Best Show” award, among the highest honors in live entertainment on the European continent. The show’s success in Europe has been so remarkable and consistent that its producer-creator Peter Massine and his American producing partner Tanya Grubich, were motivated to bring the experience and excitement ofAPASSIONATA “The Beginning” to North America, which boasts the largest equine interest in the world.

Massine said “As APASSIONATA has grown to performing for over 545,000 people during its annual 30-city tours of the capitals of Europe, we were eager to introduce the show to the United States and Canada. Our main aim is to provide entertainment for the whole family. Whether you are young or old, everyone enjoys the two hours they spend with our horses.”

Massine and Grubich brought together an award winning, critically acclaimed, Broadway creative team led by director Scott Faris to bring all the elements together for the North American production. Faris has staged a dozen productions of the Broadway musical “Chicago,” “Bette Midler – The Showgirl Must Go On” at Caesar’s Palace and “Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular” which played a record-breaking forty month North American arena tour. He was a veteran of the “Siegfried and Roy” team at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

When Massine originally created APASSIONATA, he sought out legendary horsemen and women of Europe, many of whom had spent their lives working with these animals or have continued the lineage of families that have worked with horses for generations, crossing many breeds of horses, and the wide range of how horse and man interact with each other. The emotional partnership displayed on stage between these horses and their equipes is a large part of the success of APASSIONATA.

Internationally acclaimed teams of equestrians joining APASSIONATA “The Beginning” include Sylvie Willms of the renowned Willms Family, who has devoted itself to the training and art of riding of thoroughbred horses for more than 300 years in both Belgium and France. Sylvie has been with APASSIONATA since 2003 and wows audiences with her superb freestyle Liberty Dressage and Friesian Quadrille.

Also coming to North America is team Valença, trained by Luis Valença. The reputation of this legendary grand master of the Portuguese School of the Art of Riding precedes him worldwide. Valença and his daughters have devoted their lives entirely to the training of Lusitanos and their horses have mastered to perfection various riding styles including Iberian Quadrille and Garrocha, which will be reflected in their riders’ brilliant skills.

One of France’s most talented equestrians, Laurent Jahan, will bring both his impressive exhibition of donkey comedy and his Pony Fantastique with the massive Breton, a stunning breed of draft horse. Jahan patiently spent more than three years training his donkeys, who have become fan favorites in APASSIONATA.

After five million tickets, fifteen countries and nearly a decade of anticipation, North American audiences will finally get to see the breathtaking display of the beauty and the bond between horse and rider that can only be found in APASSIONATA.

Please visit www.apassionata.com for the video and full tour schedule

Lady Antebellum bringing Own the Night 2012 World Tour to Charlotte

Multi-Platinum group Lady Antebellum announced today that their OWN THE NIGHT 2012 WORLD TOUR will roll into Charlotte at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 9.

The tour, sponsored by GAC, will feature Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square.

Fans can purchase tickets at LiveNation.com, the Hardee’s Thickburger Box Offices at each venue, Ticketmaster or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 beginning Friday, February 17 at 10 am.

"We can't wait for our first big headlining tour in arenas," said Hillary Scott. "We hope to create a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience and make some really special memories with our fans."

Madonna sets date with Charlotte

On the heels of her buzzed-about halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl, Madonna has announced a 2012 world tour that begins May 29 in Israel, lands in the U.S. on Aug. 28 (in Philadelphia), and -- wait for it -- comes to Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena on Nov. 15.

Tickets for the Charlotte concert go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, March 5, at livenation.com, the arena box office, Ticketmaster, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

In addition to her halftime concert, last week also saw the release of Madonna’s new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin," from her new album "MDNA," which is scheduled to be released on March 26. U.S. residents ordering tickets online to a U.S. performance will receive their choice of a digital or physical copy of "MDNA" with every ticket purchased.

For complete tour and ticket information, visit: www.livenation.com or www.madonna.com.

Will winter keep biting? Ask Queen

Will she or won't she?

Or, to be more specific: Will the Charlotte Nature Museum's resident groundhog, Queen Charlotte, see her shadow this afternoon, or won't she? According to folklore, if she does, it means we're in for six more weeks of winter; if she doesn't, winter will end soon. (Although, quite frankly, has it really started yet??)

"Charlotte's only live groundhog shadow check" is set for 3 to 5 p.m. today at the museum, 1658 Sterling Road (adjacent to Freedom Park in the Myers Park/Dilworth area).

Queen Charlotte will be on hand to meet and greet visitors before checking for her shadow at precisely 4:30 p.m. She will be attended by her “court” – other animals that share traits or shelter with the groundhog – including the striped skunk [Mephitis mephitis], opossum [Didelphis virginiana] and Southern flying squirrel [Glaucomys volans]

Admission: $6 for ages 2 and older (kids younger than 2 and members are free).

NASCAR Hall of Fame offering 'local rate'

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is introducing a special Local Rate throughout the months of February and March.

Guests with a valid N.C. or S.C. photo ID can receive the special price -- $15.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and $9.95 for children -- when purchasing at the NASCAR Hall of Fame box office during regular operating hours.

“We are offering this limited-time promotion to allow Carolinians an opportunity to get to know us better and experience all we have to offer,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, in a statement.

The Local Rate admission is offered from Feb. 1-March 31 and provides full access to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at www.NASCARHall.com. The venue is open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Animal walk delayed; train stuck, circus says

UPDATE: The Ringling Bros. animal walk will occur this morning at 7 a.m.

The Grand Animal Walk of The Greatest Show On Earth is scheduled for 7 a.m. today. This event heralds the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's new "Fully Charged" show, offering nine performances at Time Warner Cable Arena between Wednesday and Sunday.

The show comes to town in a 53-car-long steel coach and the animals will be unloaded from the train at 7 a.m. at West Third and Graham streets and make their way onto West Third Street. They will take a left onto South Poplar Street and right onto Trade Street. They will continue on Trade Street straight past Time Warner Cable Arena, and then left onto North Caldwell Street. They will make a final left into the back loading dock of the arena. (All times and travel routes are subject to change.)

Tickets for the circus are on sale now through timewarnercablearena.com, ticketmaster.com, the box office at Time Warner Cable Arena, all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Wal-Mart stores, or via charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

For more information on The Greatest Show on Earth visit www.Ringling.com.

Performance schedule:
Wednesday: 7 p.m.
Thursday: 7 p.m.
Friday: 10:30 a.m., 7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m., 3 p.m.

Sitcom star tops 'Most Desirable Women' list

AskMen's 11th annual “Top 99 Most Desirable Women” list was revealed today, and "Modern Family's" Sofia Vergara was on top of it.

“I am so honored to be AskMen's most desired woman this year," Vergara said in a statement. "A big thank you to all the men who desire me.”

Television actresses dominated the list, with 22 TV stars claiming spots. Last year's No. 1 vote went to "Gossip Girl's" Blake Lively, who held strong at No. 32 in 2012. Other TV stars include: Kim Kardashian ("Keeping Up with the Kardashians"; "Kourtney and Kim Take New York"); Zooey Deschanel ("New Girl"); Lea Michele and Dianna Agron ("Glee"); Nicole Scherzinger ("The X Factor"); Jennifer Lopez ("American Idol") and Kat Dennings ("2 Broke Girls").

This year's list also highlights a new generation of leading women, such as superstar vocalist Adele, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and George Clooney's girlfriend, Stacy Keibler. Also among the 39 newcomers on this year's list is Pippa Middleton, who just made the cut at No. 98. (AskMen readers much preferred her sister, Kate, who ranked No. 11.)

The “Top 99 Most Desirable Women” of 2012 also features women with an edge, voting a few notable stars that are known for their unconventional beauty, including newcomer Rooney Mara (No. 3) -- who transformed her look to become "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" -- and music icons Nicki Minaj (No. 5), Katy Perry (No. 16) and Lady Gaga (No. 18).

Also notable: 49-year-old Demi Moore (No. 80) made the list.

According to a press release, more than 1 million votes were cast internationally. To see the full list, visit www.askmen.com.

Cinemax TV series set to shoot in Charlotte

More lights, more cameras, and more action are headed to Charlotte.

According to multiple online reports, Alan Ball -- creator of HBO's "True Blood" -- is getting another series, this time Cinemax. HBO's sister network has given a 10-episode order to "Banshee," an action drama executive-produced by Ball.

The series is said to center around an ex-convict and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pa., where he continues his criminal activities even as he's being hunted by the shadowy gangsters he had betrayed years earlier.

Both MovieWeb.com and Deadline Hollywood reported that "Banshee" will start shooting this spring on location in and around Charlotte, with an expected 2013 premiere date.

The news comes on the heels of two other major film and TV projects that were shot in the area. The Showtime original series "Homeland" was shot here last here, and the Emmy Award-nominated first season aired from October through December. And, more notably, "The Hunger Games" was filmed in and around Charlotte in 2011; the movie -- based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling young-adult novel -- is expected to be the first big blockbuster of the spring when it is released on March 23.

'America's Got Talent' holding Charlotte auditions

"America's Got Talent" is holding open calls for its upcoming seventh season, and one of the stops is Charlotte on Feb. 3-4.

Singers, dancers, comedic performers and variety acts of all ages will have a chance to strut and perform in front of the show's producers, who will determine which acts will have a chance to appear on the show. Auditions will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St., from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 3 and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 4.

Producers have already been to Austin, New York, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Anaheim, and Tampa; Charlotte and San Francsico are the last two cities they will visit. The winner of "America's Got Talent" will receive a $1 million prize, and a show as the headliner on the Las Vegas Strip.

The talent search is open to any act of any age. You can now pre-register for your audition date, download the paperwork you will need, and read our FAQ to answer all of your questions and give you some valuable advice.

"America's Got Talent" is hosted by Nick Cannon and presided over by celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandell and -- this year -- new judge Howard Stern.

NASCAR fans can meet, greet Hall of Famers

Ever met a NASCAR Hall of Famer? Your chance is coming ... next weekend.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees will meet with small groups before guided tours of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 21, as part of NASCAR Acceleration Weekend -- which kicks off the night before with the official induction ceremony for the Class of 2012.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone to speak directly with the legends of our sport," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "They can talk about the moonshine days with Junior Johnson, ask Bobby Allison about the famous 1979 Daytona 500, debate the 1989 Winston finish with Darrell Waltrip, discover why the name Gentleman Ned is so applicable, ask Bud Moore about D-Day, or experience that famous Richard Petty smile in person."

Each group will be limited to the first 30 people in line at the Main Stage in the Exhibit Hall at the Charlotte Convention Center. Entry is free with a NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR Preview 2012 ticket. After a brief on-stage interview, the inductee will guide the group on a walk through the Convention Center to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Once the meet-and-greet concludes, the group will be given a guided tour of the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The meet-and-greet and tour schedule -- subject to change -- is:

• 10 a.m. Junior Johnson, Class of 2010
• 11 a.m. Ned Jarrett, Class of 2011
• Noon Richard Petty, Class of 2010
• 1 p.m. Tours will not be given at 1 p.m. due to a DuPont news conference with Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty. Guests are invited to watch the news conference live in the Great Hall inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
• 2 p.m. Bud Moore, Class of 2011
• 3 p.m. Bobby Allison, Class of 2011
• 4 p.m. Darrell Waltrip, Class of 2012

NASCAR Acceleration Weekend is highlighted by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2012 inductees -- Richie Evans, Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough -- on Friday, Jan. 20. On Saturday, Jan. 21, NASCAR Preview 2012 will offer "a festival-like experience for fans that features driver autograph and question-and-answer sessions, show car appearances, simulators, games and more." The weekend activities will conclude with the unveiling of the Class of 2012 Inductee Tribute exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Combo tickets for NASCAR Hall of Fame and NASCAR Preview 2012 start at $20. NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tickets start at $40 and include Hall admission. For more information or to purchase tickets: www.nascaracceleration2012.com or 1-800-745-3000.

Chili Peppers postpone Charlotte show

Red Hot Chili Peppers this morning announced that they must postpone the start of their upcoming U.S. tour, which effectively will push back the date of its Charlotte concert (originally scheduled for Jan. 25).

Lead singer Anthony Kiedis has reportedly suffered "multiple foot injuries," and "recently underwent surgery to remove a crushed sesamoid bone and correct a detached flexor tendon in his foot and is expected to make a full recovery," according to the band's press release.

The Charlotte show at Time Warner Cable Arena is now scheduled for April 6. New dates for other affected Carolinas dates are as follows: RBC Center in Raleigh, April 4; Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., April 7; Greensboro Coliseum, April 9.

Billboard.com reported today that Kiedis was spotted with a cast on his right foot at a Los Angeles Lakers game on Jan. 8. The cause of his injury isn't entirely clear.

Tickets to the postponed dates will be honored at the rescheduled dates. Tickets for the Charlotte concert are on sale now through timewarnercablearena.com, ticketmaster.com, the arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling 800-745-3000.

The band is touring in support of the current Grammy-nominated album "I'm With You." For updated tour information, visit www.redhotchilipeppers.com.

'Dancing' star to teach classes in Charlotte

World champion dancer and "Dancing With the Stars" celebrity Louis Van Amstel will be at Charlotte's Queen City Ballroom Tuesday and Wednesday to debut “LaBlast,” a partner-free dance fitness program combining elements from several different dance forms.

In a press release, Queen City Ballroom Latin dance specialist Felipe Gonzalez calls LaBlast “a mix of all the things dancers love. Cha Cha, Salsa, Lindy and more. It’s all about music and movement, with great rhythm.” The press release says that in Europe, Van Amstel has 45 certified instructors teaching “LaBlast” classes in several languages.

Van Amstel will be working in Queen City Ballroom (3920 Sharon Road in the Morrison Shopping Center in Southpark) for two days, teaching a Latin-style group class on Tuesday and his “LaBlast” method at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Private instruction with the three-time world champion is available for dancers who seek "more intense training."

Details: 704-541-5440 or click here. For more on Van Amstel and LaBlast, click here.

Van Halen plans return to Charlotte

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Van Halen -- one of the most popular rock bands of all time -- are launching another tour, one that will eventually find its way to Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25.

The tour will begin on Feb. 18, coinciding with the Feb. 7 release of the group's new album, "A Different Kind of Truth." Van Halen is once again fronted by David Lee Roth, and based on what's in the press release, it seems unlikely that the set list will include anything from the Sammy Hagar era.

Roth also sang lead during the band's last visit to Charlotte, on Sept. 27, 2007. That show sold out in a matter of minutes, and pop and reggae-tinged R&B singer Kymani Marley was the opening act. For this tour, Kool & The Gang has been enlisted to kick things off -- although only for "select" tour dates, so it's unclear whether we'll see them here in Charlotte.

The on-sale date for tickets has not yet been announced. Van Halen's only other planned stop in the Carolinas is at the Greensboro Coliseum on April 21.