This Week in the Arts

Closing this week

"ANNOYANCE": LateNight @ the Footlight has opened its fourth season with the gleefully rude comedy "Annoyance" by Sam Bobrick that follows Ethan Steckler, a very annoying man who goes to see two therapists with the hope of becoming less annoying. In his pursuit of mental stability, however, he drives them both to maddening heights. The run concludes with performances at 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at the Footlight Players, 20 Queen St. Tickets are $10 on Thursday and $15 on Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets, call the Footlight Players Box Office at 722-4487 or go online to www.etix.com.

"MEMORY OF WATER": The College of Charleston theater department winds up its production of "The Memory of Water" by Shelagh Stephenson at 3 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the Emmett Robinson Theatre, 54 St. Philip St. The dark comedy proves that death can reveal the absurdity of life. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for C of C students, faculty, staff and seniors. Purchase by calling 953-5604.

MOJA: The city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs wraps up the 2009 MOJA Arts Festival today with the finale 4-9:30 p.m. at Hampton Park. Entertainment includes Itisso Jazz Band, Orquesta Mayor and Tropical Steel Vibes. Free. Visit www.mojafestival.com.

Opening this week

"BLITHE SPIRIT ": Charleston Stage presents Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and Oct. 15-17 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18. Charles is celebrating his second marriage when the ghost of his first wife shows up to join in the celebration. When his old wife and new wife cross paths at a seance, spirits and tempers fly. Sottile Theatre, 66 George St. $30 adults, $28 seniors and $15 students. (A limited number of $15 adult and senior tickets are available, but they can be purchased only in person or by phone at 577-7183.) www.charlestonstage.com.

Ongoing theater

"UP": Pure Theatre presents the regional premiere of Bridget Carpenter's "Up," a quirky, bittersweet tale about escaping the boundaries of the everyday and how we dream ourselves into a future. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, as well as Oct. 14-17 and 21-24, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Circular Congregational Church's Lance Hall, 150 Meeting St. Tickets are $20 on Wednesdays, $25 Thursdays and Sunday, and $30 Fridays and Saturdays. Purchase tickets at www.puretheatre.org or by calling 723-4444.

Theatre 99: The Have Nots! and Theatre 99 have three shows planned this week. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, it is Laugh for a Lincoln featuring Neckprov, an evening for rednecks and those who are curious about them. Tickets are $5. Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m., it's "Brilliant Traces" by Cindy Lou Johnson, a play about a man who lies sleeping in his remote cabin in Alaska and is awakened by an unexpected visitor, a distraught young woman who has fled from Arizona to escape her impending marriage. Tickets are $10. 280 Meeting St. 853-6687, e-mail thehavenots2000@aol.com or visit www.thehavenots.com.

Music

MONDAY NIGHT CONCERT : The College of Charleston's Monday Night Concert Series will feature the Faculty Jazz Ensemble at 8 p.m. Monday in the Recital Hall of the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. Admission is $10 at the door and free for College of Charleston students with valid ID.

ST. LUKE'S SERIES : The College of Charleston presents the St. Luke's Recital Series features organist Mary-Julia Royall and friends at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's Chapel, the Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley Avenue at Bee Street. Free. 792-6775, e-mail mccauleyn@cofc.edu or visit www.cofc.edu/sota.

BACKSTAGE PASS : The Charleston Symphony Orchestra's Backstage Pass series opens its season with a concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. Among the works to be conducted by David Stahl is "Three Latin Rivers" by Charleston composer Edward Hart. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Gaillard Auditorium and Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.charlestonsymphony.com.

Dance

"DECADENT DIVAS ": Charleston Ballet Theatre opens its season with a tribute to some of the greatest female vocalists, including Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Barbra Streisand. Choreography by Jill Eathorne Bahr. Performances will be held in the CBT's black box theater, 477 King St. at 3 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $30 and $32 and can be purchased at www.etix.com.