At age 88, Charles Stern is anything but retired. The former radio personality, actor, sculptor, retailer and literary agent is busy writing his second novel and his fourth play, and he just celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary.

"My wife says, 'You never sleep. You're always doing something,'" says the Chapel Hill resident. "I have a very fertile mind."

Stern is aware that not every senior citizen has such a full life. He hopes to change that.

Next week, Stern will launch Readers Theatre at Lunch, a new series of midweek readings geared toward the area's elderly population. Co-produced by Odyssey Stage and ArtsCenter in Carrboro, the performances at ArtsCenter will feature script-in-hand performances preceded by social gatherings for patrons who bring their own lunches. After each show, people may stay and discuss the short plays.

Stern's goal: to stimulate people's imaginations (there are no sets or costumes); help them make new friends; and refrain from denting fixed budgets ($5 admission).

More than a dozen people showed up for auditions, including newbies and experienced actors, Stern says. Readers Theatre has cast three plays so far. Stern hopes to pay his actors a stipend, and to find roles for everyone.

John Paul Middlesworth directed the first play, "Gifts from the Heart," which will run for two weeks. If the series goes well, ArtsCenter may add Thursdays to the Tuesday-Wednesday schedule.

"This is my legacy to this community," says Stern. "I've always left something behind, every place I've lived. And I recognize that there are an awful lot of lonely people in this area."

Shows are at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, through Sept. 17. Pre-show lunch is at 11:30 a.m. For information, call 929-2787 or go to www.artscenterlive.org.

Laugh for a cause

Also in Carrboro, DSI Comedy Theater will turn laughs to cash next week, with its Y Laugh! fundraiser for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA's scholarship fund.

The event will run Sept. 11 through Sept. 14. Among the guest performers will be Carrboro mayor Mark Chilton (during the Sept. 12 "Mister Diplomat" performance, an improv based on a true story) and swimmer Crystal Fox, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist and now a contestant on television's "Survivor" ("Mister Diplomat," Sept. 13). The festival features a late-night improv jam, ComedySportz 4 Kidz and a comedy duo competition.

Admission is $12 a night for multiple shows, or $5 after 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Call 338-8150 or go to www.dsicomedytheater.com for a schedule.

Dance studio celebrates

Ninth Street Dance celebrates its 15th anniversary this weekend with a performance and two days of mini-workshops.

You can sample a gamut of styles in 45-minute classes Saturday and Sunday, from tap to hip-hop, ballroom, breakdancing, Afro-fusion, belly dance and hula -- almost all for beginners. Admission is $5 per class.

And tonight at 8 p.m., the studio's instructors and Footnotes Tap Ensemble will perform a free show at the Durham Arts Council's PSI Theater. Call 286-6011 or go to www.ninthstreetdance.com for more information.

Belly dancing in the park

If you already have belly dance fever, head to Cary's Bond Park Community Center Sept. 12 for one in a new monthly series of belly dance and drum jams.

Organizers encourage experienced dancers and newbies alike to dance in a non-structured and supportive environment: You can dress up in silk, coin belts and veils or don your warmups. Drummers and improv dancers of other styles are also welcome.

Dancing runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, and families are encouraged to attend together.

For information about this and other interesting movement offerings (including sacred play and mom and baby belly dance), call 357-6712 or go to www.mysticsforpeace.com.

Triad Stage expands

Greensboro's Triad Stage is hoping to upstage its drama this season with a new event series.

Entertainment UpStage, in the downtown theater's intimate UpStage Cabaret, kicks off this weekend with a concert Friday at 8:30 p.m. by The Family Eversole and two screenings Sunday of "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson" at 3 and 7 p.m. Check out the rest of the schedule at www.triadstage.org or by calling (336) 272-0160.

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