An eventful year

Even if the TV writers strike goes on (and on), 2008 is destined to be a banner year. Globally, the Beijing Olympics take place in August. Locally that same month, the Nasher Museum of Art mounts a monumental show, "El Greco to Velazquez: Art During the Reign of Philip III." And in November, the Durham Performing Arts Center adds a major venue to the Triangle scene. Need more proof? Just look at what's coming in the first six months alone:

January

12 There's a new Effie White in town, and her name's Quiana Parler. Fresh from touring with Clay Aiken, Parler stars in N.C. Theatre's "Dreamgirls." Through Jan. 20. 834-4000, www.ticketmaster.com.

13 Be still, our hearts. "Masterpiece Theatre" (now branching out into "Classic," "Mystery" and "Contemporary" versions) begins its season with "The Complete Jane Austen." Ten glorious weeks include new productions of "Northanger Abbey," "Sense and Sensibility," "Emma" and "Miss Austen Regrets," plus a rebroadcast of 1995's "Pride and Prejudice," with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, daughter of Rosemary Harris and Winston-Salem writer John Ehle.

15 Writers -- who needs 'em? "American Idol" gives the masses a reason to tune in to network TV.

17 "That's amore!" Opera Company of North Carolina concluded after a record 4,000 people attended last season's performances of Puccini's "La Bohème." Now comes another Italian course: Donizetti's tragic "Lucia di Lammermoor," with bel canto's characteristic soaring vocal style. Through Jan. 20. 834-4000, www.ticketmaster.com.

18 For years people said Clay Aiken belongs on Broadway, and now he arrives. The Raleigh singer joins the cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" as Sir Robin.

19 Hoops power? We'll see. Soul power? No doubt Duke has it, a six-week "Soul Power" series that kicks off with the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio and continues with Mavis Staples, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Maceo Parker Band, the Booker T. Jones Band, King Solomon Burke, the Don Byron Band, King Britt's Sylk130 Collective, DJ Spooky and the Don Byron Band. It ends right before March Madness. 660-3356, www.dukeperformances.org.

20 Two words to send you running out of earshot -- or running to the RBC Center: Barry Manilow. 834-4000, www.ticketmaster.com.

26 PlayMakers Repertory Company underscores its middle name with alternating performances of a pair of recent Pulitzer Prize-winning dramas: John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt: A Parable" (2005) and Suzan-Lori Parks' "Topdog/Underdog" (2002). Both are provocative works making their regional premieres. Through March 2. 962-7529, www.playmakersrep.org.

29 Still need "High School Musical" souvenirs after December's ice show? Pack a credit card for the stage musical tour at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. Through Feb. 3. 834-4000, www.ticketmaster.com.

31 The Duke Alumni Association celebrates Reynolds Price's 50th anniversary at the university with Toni Morrison, Josephine Humphreys, Richard Ford and Charlie Rose involved in honoring this distinguished Eudora Welty protégé. And actress Annabeth Gish will be featured in a staged reading of Price's play "Private Contentment." 684-5114, www.dukealumni.com.

Burning Coal Theatre Company starts the year from its new performance space in Raleigh's old Murphey School auditorium. First up: "Inherit the Wind." 834-4001, www.burningcoal.org.

February

1 Among the firsts in the late Gordon Parks' career: First African-American photographer in the Farm Security Administration, first African-American to work for Life magazine, first African-American to helm a major studio feature film ("The Learning Tree"). The N.C. Central University Art Museum will zoom in on his photography career with "Gordon Park: Crossroads," a 45-piece retrospective that runs through March 29. 530-6211, web.nccu.edu/artmuseum.