Happenings: Calendar of events
April 28, 2023
Here’s our calendar of events and art exhibits around Charlotte. Browse our guides to summer concert series and big shows for more ideas. Our SouthPark neighborhood guide covers where to eat and shop.
EVENTS + ACTIVITIES

Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes at Discovery Place Science
Opens May 14
This exhibition traces the stories of iconic characters such as Captain America, Spider-Man and Black Panther and features more than 300 Marvel artifacts, including costumes, props and original artwork. It’s the show’s only stop in the Southeast. Adult tickets are $44; children 2-18 are $39. discoveryplace.org
The Wizard of Oz at Booth Playhouse
May 26-27
This year-end showcase presented by faculty and students at Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center is inspired by the classic tale. Tickets are $17-25. cltcirquedancecenter.org
Annie: The Musical
May 30-June 4
Little Orphan Annie reminds us that the sun will come out in this beloved musical with a new production at Belk Theatre. blumenthalarts.org
Eat Black Charlotte Food & Culture Festival
June 2-10
This weeklong celebration of Black-owned restaurants culminates in a food-truck rally on Saturday, June 10 from 2-7 p.m. at Victoria Yards in uptown. More info at eatblkclt.com
Juneberry Jams at Juneberry Ridge
June 10, 24, July 8
This summer series returns for a third season. Each evening kicks off with a fireside chat followed by performances by two bands, from bluegrass to country to a Fleetwood Mac tribute. Juneberry Ridge is about an hour north of Charlotte. Adult single-day tickets are $25. juneberry.com
Charlotte Squawks 18: Barely Legal
June 7-30
The annual comedy show poking fun at all things Charlotte returns to Booth Playhouse. Tickets start at $24.50. blumenthal.org

SouthPark Pro-Am
June 10 | 3-9 p.m.
A round-robin style competition featuring a championship round with local tennis pros, along with prizes, giveaways and a player reception. Top wheelchair tennis players will also compete. A portion of the proceeds benefits Wheel Serve NC, a nonprofit that supports recreational and competitive wheelchair tennis. Sign up to play.
Spring Artisan Market at Anne Springs Close Greenway
June 10 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Shop from dozens of regional vendors, with food and beverages for sale from the Gateway Canteen. Greenway admission is $6 for adults and $4 for ages 5-12. Members and children 4 and under are free. ascgreenway.org
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
June 15-18
Speakers, performers, a youth culture camp and a drum circle highlight this year’s celebration in historic Plaza Midwood. juneteenthofthecarolinas.com
Father’s Day 5K
June 18
This run is designed to celebrate all dads, dads-to-be and father figures, but it’s open to the whole family. Near Pike’s Nursery in Ballantyne. Registration price varies based on sign-up date. runsignup.com
ONGOING EVENTS

North Corner Haven
Community events at North Corner Haven
June 8, 15, and 22
The peaceful 600-acre venue in Lancaster, S.C., hosts three summer community experiences in June. northcornerhaven.com
- Slow Flow Yoga & Sound Bath, June 8 | 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
- Follow the vibrations of crystal singing bowls, frame drums and the didgeridoo as you move through a series of poses. The session concludes with a picnic lunch. Open to all levels. Tickets are $75.
- Foraged Art Workshop, June 15 | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Explore the hardwood forest on this 3-hour guided experience led by Proper Flower. Learn to identify and collect forest finds, then create a unique piece of art to take home. A picnic lunch and art supplies are provided. Tickets are $165.
- In the Farm Kitchen – Sous Vide and Seared, June 22 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Learn how to cook pasture-raised chicken using the sous vide technique, along with fresh seasonal vegetables and Carolina Gold rice, in this hand-on class with Chef Joy Turner. Tickets are $150 and include lunch with dessert.
SouthPark After Five
Thursdays through June 1 | 5 – 9 p.m.
Charlotte’s new happy hour and free concert series takes place every Thursday through June 1 at Symphony Park. Bring a blanket or chairs and enjoy live music, food trucks and beverages, and hands-on art experiences. Family- and dog-friendly. Zac Brown tribute band 20 Ride kicks off the series. southparkafter5.com
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
Party in the Park
The party returns for the last Sunday of the month starting in March at Mint Museum Randolph. All ages can enjoy an afternoon with live music, food trucks, a cash bar, plus complimentary museum admission and shopping at The Mint Museum Store. mintmuseum.org
MUSEUMS + GALLERIES
Far From Home at Jerald Melberg Gallery
April 29-June 3
This solo exhibition features works by Charlotte artist Christopher Clamp. An opening reception takes place on April 28 from 6-8 p.m. Clamp will also be in the gallery for Coffee & Conversation at 11 a.m. April 29. 625 S. Sharon Amity Rd., jeraldmelberg.com

Ways of Working at Jerald Melberg Gallery
through June 3
A solo exhibition of works by Romare Bearden highlighting many of the artist’s most frequently used mediums. Though best known for his collages, Bearden also created screenprints, etchings, monotypes and more. jeraldmelberg.com
Fashion Reimagined: Themes & Variations 1760 – Now at Mint Museum Uptown
Through July 2
Encompassing a wide range of men’s and women’s fashions from 1760 to 2022, this exhibition will be divided into three thematic sections: minimalism, pattern and decoration, and the body reimagined. mintmuseum.org
Trifecta at Elder Gallery
through July 22
This group exhibition features works by Martha Armstrong, Carla Aaron-Lopez, James Erickson, Caroline Rust and others. The show, curated by Aaron-Lopez, Davita Galloway and Ohavia Phillips, examines what it means to be a woman, individually and collectively. Also on view: Fragmented, a solo exhibition of Holocaust-informed sculptures by ceramicist Roy Strassberg. eldergalleryclt.com
The Next 100 Years III at The Brooklyn Collective
through July 31
This group exhibition is described as a “fine art vision board” and features works by two dozen African American artists, offering predictive ideas about the next century. brooklyncollectiveclt.org
Seeing Stars: Works from the Fischer/Shull Collection of Contemporary Art
Through Sept. 24
This exhibition curated by Dexter Wimberly features paintings, sculptures, photography and mixed-media works by 22 contemporary visual artists at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture. ganttcenter.org
— compiled by SouthPark magazine staff