CAST’s production of Elemeno Pea is a great example of the arts scene in Charlotte!
One of the things I love about Charlotte is the way we have a lot of big town opportunities while still having a bit of a small town feel. One of the areas this is most apparent to me is the Charlotte arts scene.
Thanks to Blumenthal Performing Arts, we get the touring companies of some great Broadway shows. Not only that, but they bring some fantastic musical acts! (Can I say Arturo Sandoval, Michael McDonald, Cyndi Lauper, Jim Brickman and The Irish Tenors, just to name a few?)
If you’re looking for something a little more local? Community theatres abound! We have CAST (Carolina Actors Studio Theatre) in NoDa, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte on Stonewall, Theatre Charlotte on Queens Road and Queen City Theatre Company that puts on shows at Spirit Square. We even have Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, serving children 3 to 18 in our area!
Dance enthusiasts can rejoice as the North Carolina Dance Theatre finds its home in Charlotte as well. The 2013-2014 season features classics like Carmen, The Nutcracker and Cinderella, as well as the Innovative Works series, which challenges dancers and audiences with new choreography of diverse styles.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Charlotte Symphony here as well. In addition to traditional symphonic presentations, this season they also have theme shows such as a symphonic tribute to Paul McCartney and Broadway Rocks, as well as concerts with the Indigo Girls and Debby Boone!
Last, but certainly not least, Charlotte’s art scene is full of amazing museums! Discovery Place is great for kids of all ages. The Mint Museum boasts two campuses – one uptown and one on Randolph Road. The Carolinas Aviation Museum, located adjacent to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, is home to Flight 1549, the “Miracle on the Hudson”, as well as numerous other exhibitions. The Charlotte Museum of History on Shamrock Drive takes you back to where independence began. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art located in uptown features works by the most important and influential artists of the mid 20th century. Also uptown, on 7th Street, is the Levine Museum of the New South, offering a permanent exhibit on the growth of Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont called “From Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers.” You’ll find the history of stock car racing at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
This list just scrapes the surface of all Charlotte’s arts scene has to offer. I invite you to get out there and explore…and let me know what gems you find!
Image: Shannon J Hager of XMLPhoto.com (from “Elemeno Pea” at CAST)
