Charlotte SHOUT!, an annual celebration of food, culture and community, returns to uptown in early April.
by Sharon Smith | photos by Matt Chandler
Some of my favorite camera-roll snaps are from taking my daughter to Charlotte SHOUT! last year. We strolled Luminous Lane, where she met local artists and watched new murals unfold before her eyes. She loved striking a pose next to a crush of candy-colored flowers and bold designs.
Uptown felt … alive. Happy. Creative. SHOUT! has more than 200 attractions across 17 days designed to delight and enlighten us with art, music and ideas. From Levine Avenue of the Arts to First Ward Park, the installations stretch up and down Tryon Street. The E/Motion light-up seesaws are a perennial favorite.
Highlights include the Charlotte StrEATs food festival at Gateway Village on April 14. Expect food trucks, tastings, demos and a culinary market. The Carolina BBQ Festival comes to Victoria Yards April 4-5, with more than 15 pitmasters sharing their best recipes and rubs (tickets are $35-$125).
SHOUT! gives creatives from Charlotte and around the globe a platform to thrive. It gives the city a boost, too. Last year, more than 640,000 people experienced SHOUT!, drumming up an economic impact of $17.1 million, according to organizers.
My only regret? Not playing a round of Queen’s Greens Mini Golf last year. I’ll make good on a second chance this time. SP
Want to go? Charlotte SHOUT! takes place April 4-20. Most attractions are outside and free, with a few paid VIP and ticketed options.
