Happenings: Calendar of events
September 2, 2024
Here’s our calendar of things to do in Charlotte. Our SouthPark neighborhood guide covers where to eat and shop. Our guides to summer concert series and big concerts have more ideas on how to have fun around the Queen City. Check out our fall arts preview for more ways to stay entertained.
EVENTS + ACTIVITIES
Charlotte International Arts Festival
Sept. 13-29
Where Charlotte meets the world, and the world meets Charlotte. This family-friendly festival takes place from uptown to Ballantyne, with immersive installations and performances by local and global artists. Some favorites are returning (Birdmen, Lotty by Moradavaga) with many new featured events. Most attractions are free; some are ticketed. charlotteartsfest.com
Carolinas Home Cooking with Michael Twitty
Sept. 14
The newly renovated kitchen house at Charlotte’s oldest home, the 1774 Rock House, reopens to the public with a full day of activities. The Charlotte Museum of History welcomes James Beard Award-winning author and culinary historian Michael Twitty, alongside chefs from Johnson & Wales University, and Bobbee O’s Barbeque to help celebrate this day of learning, cooking — with food samples. Free, but donations are encouraged. charlottemuseum.org
Flow Fest at Whitewater Center
Sept. 14
This annual festival centers around yoga and wellness. Expect more than 40 yoga practices, workshops, local vendors and live music. The first class starts at 7:30 a.m., and the last class starts at 8:15 p.m. Free registration online. flowfest.whitewater.org
Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam
Sept. 14 | 2-10:30 p.m.
With all-day live music and appearances by Panthers legends, the second annual Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam will get you pumped for some football. Headliners include Moon Taxi and The Nude Party. Play games in the Football Fun Zone, nosh on food from local food trucks, and sip exclusive beers at NoDa Brewing Co. Tickets start at $39. kickoffjam.com
ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show
Sept. 14 | 6-9 p.m.
This night of jaw-dropping fashion turns ArtPop’s retired billboards into wearable vinyl creations. Proceeds further the nonprofit’s mission of supporting local art and artists. Fashion-show tickets are $150; VIP tickets are $200 and include a private reception from 5-6 p.m., a meet-and-greet with designer Daniel Gonzalez and premier seating. Sullenberger Aviation Museum, 4108 Minuteman Way. artpopstreetgallery.com
Festival in the Park
Sept. 20-22
The 60th annual festival returns to Freedom Park with an art walk, performances, food vendors and more. Learn more about the festival here. Free to attend. festivalinthepark.com
Festival of India
Sept. 14-15
This annual celebration of Indian culture and heritage showcases food, dance, music and art. (To learn more about this year’s festival, turn to page 112.) charlotteartsfest.com
Potters Market at The Mint
Sept. 20-21
This annual market features works by more than 50 North Carolina potters on the grounds of Mint Museum Randolph. From functional vessels to decorative pieces, the works reflect a variety of styles and techniques. While pottery is the main attraction, there will also be live bluegrass music, pottery demonstrations, raffles, food for purchase, a beer garden and the Mint’s galleries to enjoy. General admission is $20; tickets to the Friday night preview party are $200 and include dinner, drinks, music and early access to purchase works. 2730 Randolph Rd. pottersmarketatthemint.com
Latin American Festival
Sept. 21 | noon-9 p.m.
Now in its 34th year, this event celebrates the food, culture, dance and music of 21 countries at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Dominican merengue musician Eddy Herrera is the special guest. 11611 N. Community House Rd. Admission is free, but guests must register online. latinamericancoalition.org
Charlotte Film Festival
Sept. 24-29
The entries are in, now it’s time to watch. The Charlotte Film Festival celebrates established and emerging indie filmmakers locally and from around the globe. Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St., charlottefilmfestival.org/2024
Mad About Modern Home Tour
Sept. 28 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tour four south Charlotte homes as part of this annual event presented by the Charlotte Museum of History. Tickets are $38; VIP tickets are $150 and include a kickoff celebration at Petit Philippe wine bar Friday night and a guided tour via shuttle bus. charlottemuseum.org
Farm to Fork: In the Garden
Sept. 29 l 4 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are $125; guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets. There will be a designated kids play zone, and little ones can also enjoy DSBG’s Lost Hollow children’s garden. Children 6 and under are free; 6-12 are $50. 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont. Click here to learn more; to purchase tickets, visit piedmontculinaryguild.com
ONGOING EVENTS
SouthPark After 5
Sept. 5-Oct. 10, Thursdays
The evening concert series returns this fall with a new lineup of musical acts and food trucks at Symphony Park. The free concerts are family- and dog-friendly. On Sept. 19, enjoy a performance by the Birdmen as part of CIA. southparkclt.org
Party in the Park
Dates vary I 1-5 p.m.
The party returns to the lawn at Mint Museum Randolph one Sunday a month through fall. Enjoy free museum admission, food trucks and live music on the terrace. There’s also a cash bar. Dates are as follows: Sept. 29, Oct. 20. mintmuseum.org
Fridays at Camp North End
through November
Take in the sunset or relax with friends as you explore Camp North End’s food and music scene. Listen to a DJ pumping tunes at Ford Green or bands jamming out in the Boileryard while you stroll, eat and shop across all three districts. Fridays, 5 – 10 p.m. (music is 6 – 9 p.m.). camp.nc/friday-night-music
Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End
Thursday evenings through October
The free movie series continues into the fall. Bring a lawn chair and grab some food and drink from CNE vendors while you watch favorite movies like Mean Girls, Slumdog Millionaire and Twilight. camp.nc/movies
Wednesday Night Live
Wednesdays from 5-9 p.m.
The Mint Museum, The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and the Knight Theater are partnering in this weekly event series featuring free admission and live entertainment. Visit mintmuseum.org for the programming schedule and updates.
First Friday South End Gallery Crawl
Galleries and shops offer extended hours, special receptions, live painting and music along the Rail Trail on the first Friday of each month. southendclt.org
Carolina Fine Art Sip & Shop
The Cotswold Village gallery hosts a sip & shop every first Friday of the month in partnership with Butler’s Pantry. carolinafineart.com
Whitewater Center River Jam
Sit back and relax with live music from funk to bluegrass every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through September. Leashed dogs are allowed; no outside food or drink. Admission is free but parking is $12. whitewater.org/things-to-do
MUSEUMS + GALLERIES
Becoming the Sea
through Jan. 20, 2025
This exhibit highlights 12 artists who participated in the Black Rock Senegal artist residency founded in Dakar in 2019. Curator Dexter Wimberly will be in attendance to reflect on the works and featured artists during the opening celebration on Aug. 9. A free community day takes places Aug. 10. ganttcenter.org
Whitfield Lovell: Passages
through Sept. 22
This exhibition has two immersive installations and 30 additional works. Lovell is renowned for his masterful conté crayon portraits and multisensory installations that focus on African American history, identity and America’s collective heritage. Mint Museum Uptown, mintmuseum.org
Charlotte: Moving Forward, Looking Back
Now open
This wide-ranging exhibition at Levine Museum of the New South highlights key industries, struggles for equality, the impact of immigration and Charlotte’s identity as part of the New South. Admission is free. 401 S. Tryon St., museumofthenewsouth.org
Objects of Affection: Jewelry by Robert Ebendorf from the Porter Price Collection
through Feb. 16
More than 180 works in this exhibition at Mint Museum Randolph highlight the studio jewelry, metalwork and collages of Robert
Ebendorf. The artist, who taught in the metal design program at East Carolina University for nearly 20 years, is known for using found pieces of sea glass, plastic, paper and indus trial objects in his works. mintmuseum.org
A New Moon Rises
This permanent exhibition reveals the grandeur and wonder of our closest celestial neighbor through stunning, large-scale photographs captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) between 2009 and 2015. Entrance is included with Discovery Place Science general admission, 301 N. Tryon St. discoveryplace.org
Don’t forget to check out our SouthPark neighborhood guide and summer concert series.
Featured image of ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show, courtesy ArtPop Street Gallery
— compiled by SouthPark magazine staff
