Mark your calendars. Starting Saturday, Sept. 20, you can visit the International Space Station. It’s all part of Blume Studios, a creative hub and event space in the former Charlotte Pipe and Foundry‘s cast iron factory, now known as the Iron District.
Construction on the new hub is underway. Events begin in September (as part of the Charlotte International Arts Festival) and will be split in two stages.
City Editor Maria, here. Be on the lookout for a full guide on CIAF coming soon.
Stage 1
Stage 1 consists of a 32,000-sqft warehouse that will host art installations, interactive exhibits, a bar, and a market featuring merchandise created by local artists.
The first event? Space Explorers: THE INFINITE. Guests will be transported to the International Space Station using immersive virtual reality headsets. This exhibition runs Sept. 20-Nov. 10. Tickets are on sale now.
Pro tip: Get tickets fast — opening weekend is sold out.
“We are over the moon to announce the future of Blumenthal Arts programming,” Blumenthal Arts president and CEO Tom Gabbard told WCNC.
Charlotte is no stranger to immersive art. In 2021, Blumenthal Arts brought Immersive Van Gogh, which sold 300,000+ tickets during its run at Camp North End.
“We’ve traveled the world to prepare for this moment and usher Charlotte into the future of experiential art,” Gabbard said.
Stage 2
Stage 2, once a training center for Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, boasts 12,000+ sqft. Starting Sept. 20, get a ticket to Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience — a three-course meal + non-stop laughter served as a tribute to the BBC series Fawlty Towers. Tickets start at $89.
Free public art displays will also be displayed, including GAIA, the iconic floating globe (pictured above), and other interactive attractions.
