Remember when we all thought COVID shutdowns were going to last, like, two weeks? As of this month, it’s been two years, and we can hardly remember what it was like to attend a live event without fear that someone in the crowd might be a Typhoid Mary. But, with about 70% of adult North Carolinians fully vaccinated, live events are sneaking back. Finally, for the first time since March 2020, the calendar contains a full roster of live events in Charlotte—at least as of press time in mid-January. The continuing COVID threat means these events are subject to change or cancellation.
VISUAL ART
The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” (top)
AvidXchange Music Factory (through April 10)
Banksy is coming to Charlotte … well, sort of. Part of the allure of the famous and elusive British street artist is that his works appear—then sometimes disappear—out of the blue. Curated by Guillermo S. Quintana, The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” is touring the world with 150 Banksy artworks—some original; many replicated—including murals, sculptures, prints, photos, and digital installations. For each city the exhibition visits, Quintana enlists local artists to recreate some of Banksy’s works—by stenciling or painting murals—specifically for that stop of the tour. The goal is to make the replicas look as much as possible like Banksy’s originals, down to the drips of paint. Tickets from $27.20. artofbanksy.com
Pathways to Contemplation by Larry Horowitz at Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art (through March 12)
Annemarie Schwarzenbach: Departure Without Destination at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (April 2-June 19)
J. Louis: Solo Show at Shain Gallery (May 20-June 2)
Craft in the Laboratory: The Science of Making Things at Mint Museum Uptown (ongoing)
THEATRE
Detroit ’67
May 26-June 5
Central Piedmont Community College’s New Theater
Tickets start at $14.; theatrecharlotte.org
Theatre Charlotte debuts its rendition of playwright Dominique Morisseau’s 2013 play. Directed by local actor Ron McClelland, the play tells the story of two Black siblings who run a private juke joint in their basement to make ends meet. They’re already at odds about the future of their business, but when one sibling brings home a mysterious white woman during the Detroit race riots, their relationship erupts.
“With the Black Lives Matter movement and things that we experienced locally after George Floyd’s death, this show highlights a moment in time very much like what we are still experiencing today,” says Chris Timmons, Theatre Charlotte’s acting executive director. “It’s one of the things we talked about when we were selecting the show—it provides an opportunity for conversation.”
→ Morisseau was the No. 5 most-produced playwright of the 2019-2020 theatre season, according to American Theatre magazine.
→ Timmons predicts that about 150 hours of rehearsal (not including tech week) will go into the production.
→ Goin’ Down to Motown: While the show is not a musical, Timmons says, music plays a pivotal role in Detroit ’67. While most scripts specify which songs to play when, Detroit ’67 makes only a few mandatory and allows producers to mix up the rest—as long as they’re Motown.
Other Theatrical Shows This Spring:
The Gift
March 12
Booth Playhouse
Jesus Christ Superstar
March 22-27
Belk Theater
Pretty Woman: The Musical
April 12-17
Belk Theater
Courtesy Joan Marcus
Hamilton
April 26-May 15
Belk Theater
Fiddler on the Roof
May 31-June 5
Belk Theater
MUSIC
Charlotte’s Spring Mixtape
The current most-played songs on Spotify, from 20 musicians and bands coming to Charlotte this spring:
1. Kat Von D, “Exorcism” (March 5, The Underground)
2. Celtic Woman, “You Raise Me Up” (March 10, Ovens Auditorium)
3. Patti LaBelle, “On My Own” (March 13, Belk Theater)
4. Tyler, The Creator, “See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis)” (March 16, Bojangles Coliseum)
5. Chelsea Cutler, “you were good to me” (March 17, The Fillmore)
6. Slash, “Sweet Child O’ Mine (acoustic)” (March 21, The Fillmore)
7. Bad Bunny, “Yonaguni” (March 26, Spectrum Center)
8. KALEO, “Way Down We Go” (April 2, The Fillmore)
9. John Mayer, “New Light” (April 11, Spectrum Center)
10. Johnnyswim, “Touching Heaven” (April 12, The Fillmore)
11. Saba, “Photosynthesis” (April 21, The Underground)
Courtesy, Elektra Music Group/Jimmy Fontaine
12. The Band CAMINO, “See Through” (April 21, The Fillmore)
13. Journey, “Don’t Stop Believin’” (April 28, Spectrum Center)
14. Jimmy Buffett, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (April 30, PNC Music Pavilion)
15. Kenny Chesney, “American Kids” (April 30, Bank of America Stadium)
16. AJR, “Weak” (May 8, PNC Music Pavilion)
17. Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind” (May 12, PNC Music Pavilion)
18. Leon Bridges, “River” (May 16, Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre)
19. J Balvin, “La Canción” (May 18, Spectrum Center)
20. Foo Fighters, “Everlong” (May 24, PNC Music Pavilion)
Class It Up at the Orchestra
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert
March 18-19
Belk Theater
The Force is strong with this one: Watch the movie on the big screen while Charlotte Symphony performs John Williams’ score, live.
On Tap @ NoDa Brewing Co.
March 22, April 19, and May 10
NoDa Brewing Co.
Beer and chill with the Charlotte Symphony at NoDa Brewing for classical and contemporary tunes in a laid-back, intimate environment.
Beethoven Meets ’90s Vibe
April 1
Knight Theater
Charlotte Symphony and Atlanta’s Orchestra Noir, led by conductor Jason Ikeem Rodgers, play ’90s R&B and hip-hop from artists like TLC, Usher, Biggie Smalls, Ginuwine, and more.
Broadway’s Longest: Phantom, Chicago, Cats, & More
May 13-14
Knight Theater
Musical lovers rejoice: The Charlotte Symphony is playing songs from Broadway’s most enduring musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Chicago, Cats, The Lion King, Wicked, and more.
FESTIVALS
Digital Gardens Music & Arts Celebration
April 22-23
Digital Gardens, 4100 Raleigh St.
Digital Gardens Music & Arts Celebration is back for the third time for a two-day celebration of electronic dance and bass music. Get hyped for acts like CloZee, TroyBoi, 12th Planet, Ekali, and Froggy P on the main and silent disco stages, then check out the live mural artists and vendors. Tickets from $100. digitalgardensnc.com
North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival
May 7-8
Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville
The two-day North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival is all about the little guy. For more than a decade, it’s been celebrating independent microbrewers and musicians. Brewers will dole out samples of their brews while acts like Steep Canyon Rangers, Hayes Carll, and Acoustic Syndicate take the stage. Festivalgoers are also known to camp overnight on-site—probably wise given that it’s a festival dedicated to alcohol consumption. Tickets start at $8. ncbrewsmusic.com
Surrounded by the Sound Music & Arts Festival
May 14
Pinhouse, 2306 Central Ave.
Surrounded by the Sound is a one-day reggae and rock music festival in Plaza Midwood. The Destinators, Sons of Paradise, and Sun-Dried Vibes will rock the main stage, with Bubba Love and The Dubber taking the side stage. When the music dies down outside, head into Pinhouse for an official afterparty. The fest also promises food, drink, duckpin bowling, disc golf, and art and craft vendors. Tickets from $25. @sbtsmusicfest on Instagram
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
May 21
Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 North Community House Road
This 15th-annual, one-day festival is dedicated to three substances that keep Southern blood flowin’: beer, bourbon, and barbecue. Try more than 60 beers and 40 bourbons, and chow down on more smoked meats than you can tally. Attendees are promised a day of “beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbecue eatin’.” What more could anyone want? Tickets from $27. charlotte.beerandbourbon.com