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From our friends at WCNC

 
🏗️ Progress makes perfect
Rendering shows people crossing a busy street toward a windowed, brightly lit glass building.
A rendering of the new Belk Place shows an-all glass exterior and hotel shaping the future of the new Carolina Theatre. | Rendering via Foundation For The Carolinas
The theater that once hosted Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, and “The Sound of Music” will soon open as a civic hub in Uptown.

The Carolina Theatre has hosted live shows and feature films since opening in March 1927. The theater closed in 1978 and sat dormant at 220 N. Tryon St. until restoration began in 2018.

The Foundation For The Carolinas will bring the $90 million project back to life. Completion is scheduled for November 2024 with an expected opening date of 2025.

“We’re excited to finally share this amazing restoration and historic gem with donors and the community,” said Timothy Hager, Vice President of Communications for the Foundation For The Carolinas.

A rendering shows people gathered inside an open room with high ceilings in front of the Carolina Theatre sign.

When completed, Carolina Theatre will be a hub for civic events and modern performing arts center.

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Rendering via Foundation For The Carolinas

Renovations
The space will feature murals paying homage to the 1927 theater. Guests will see the original facade restored, along with decorative plaster and moldings.

The theater will have 950 seats + love seats, lounge seats or banquettes, and box seats.

Programming is expected to include speakers, community engagement events, town hall meetings, and more. Details remain TBD.

A five-star hotel will be built above the theater lobby. The hotel will occupy 23 floors of the 28-story building, boasting 244 rooms with views of Uptown.

A black and white photo of a marching band and parade outside the Carolina Theatre from 1938.

The Carolina Theatre was the only movie house in the Carolinas for many years.

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Photo via Foundation For The Carolinas

Opening night
The Carolina Theatre opened March 7, 1924, playing the silent film comedy “A Kiss in a Taxi.” The theater was decorated with intricate murals, balconies, and wrought-iron chandeliers.
 
Asked
 
How many weeks did “The Sound of Music” play at Carolina Theatre?
A. 84 weeks
B. 79 weeks
C. 63 weeks
D. 75 weeks
 
HomeTrust Bank
 
Events
 
Monday, May 20
  • YVY: Power Yoga with Domonique | Monday, May 20 | 7-8 a.m. | You Vs Yourself, 1701 N. Graham St., Charlotte | $10 | Combine yoga with higher-intensity exercise in this heart-pumping workout.
  • Ambassadors Meeting | Monday, May 20 | 4-5 p.m. | Lake Norman Chamber — Randy Marion Conference Room, 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Ste. 200, Cornelius | Free | Join the chamber to promote area events + provide ideas to the longstanding organization.
  • USO Pickleball Date Night| Monday, May 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Rally, 101 Southside Dr., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | The USO is serving up fun for military, spouses, and their guests.
Tuesday, May 21
Wednesday, May 22
  • 37th Annual YMCA Community Prayer Breakfast | Wednesday, May 22 | 6:30-8:30 a.m. | The Revelry North End, 701 Keswick Ave., Ste. 110, Charlotte | Savor a continental breakfast + share a morning of prayer for the city with neighbors and friends.
  • Intro to TouchDesigner: Systems of the Future | Wednesday, May 22 | 1-4 p.m. | Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | $10 | Artist Alexander Newman Hall leads a hands-on interactive art workshop.
  • Paddle to Table | Wednesday, May 22 | 6-9 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $75 | Enjoy a flatwater paddle followed by a chef-curated dinner outdoors.
  • An Evening with Dacher Keltner | Wednesday, May 22 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Sandra Levine Theatre at Queens University of Charlotte, 2319 Wellesley Ave., Charlotte | Free | Dr. Keltner discusses how to explore awe and wonder to create a meaningful life.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • Will Mecklenburg County approve the 2025 budget proposal? It includes a likely tax increase for business and homeowners. A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center’s meeting chamber. (WCNC)
State
  • Wait times for licenses have doubled for North Carolina drivers. The NCDMV faces a backlog due to a private vendor issue. Drivers are waiting 6-7 weeks for a hard copy. The NCDMV is switching vendors in June. (WCNC)
Number
  • $27 million. That’s how much money the Wells Fargo Championship likely pulled in during the tournament at Quail Hollow Club, breaking the revenue record of $24.1 million set in 2023. Rory McIlroy won for the fourth time. (WSOC)
Plan Ahead
  • Reservations are open for the newest restaurant at Queen City Quarter. Kitchen + Kocktails features southern favorites like fried chicken, lobster mac and cheese, and crab cakes. It opens Saturday, June 1.
Ranked
  • Midwood Smokehouse landed on Yelp’s list of the “Top 100 Barbecue Spots 2024.” The location at 1401 Central Ave. placed at No. 32 — ranking highest among the local spots recognized. (WSOC)
Drink
  • Birdsong Brewing is contributing a share of the proceeds from its sour ale “Pink Robots” to the Wade Family Fund. The fund honors Dan Wade — the late co-founder of Charlotte’s Wooden Robot Brewery.
Try This
  • Dive in. The Quarry is open at Carrigan Farms for the summer. Pricing varies by date but starts at $25 per person. The spring-fed quarry is open daily.
Sports
  • The final phase of the offseason starts today for the Panthers and all eyes are on Dave Canales and Bryce Young. Stay up-to-date with the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
     
     
    On This Day
     
    📜 “Hear ye, hear ye”
    A bronze statue showing a man in colonial garb atop a horse.
    A well-known statue outside of Uptown depicts Capt. James Jack carrying the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence to Philadelphia. | Photo via WCNC
    Is Charlotte considered the birthplace of America? Technically, it could be.

    May 20, 2024 marks the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.

    The Mecklenburg Historical Association says elected representatives met in Charlotte to discuss the tightening of Great Britain’s grip on the colonies. A rider interrupted discussions with reports from the battles of Lexington and Concord. Residents decided enough was enough and declared themselves free of the Crown.

    The document contained five resolutions, outlining the Crown had “trampled” on the rights and liberties of American patriots. The document was read from the courthouse steps at 12 p.m. on May 20, 1775 before later becoming known as The Mecklenburg Declaration.

    To celebrate, visit The Square at Trade and Tryon today at 12 p.m. A re-enactor dressed in colonial garb will read the Declaration of Independence as debates and cannon fire ring in the heart of Uptown.
     
    Answered
     
    Last week, we asked “What’s your favorite part of the Cheerwine Festival?”
    It’s no surprise there was a tie in the results regarding the annual event‘s attractions:

    40% — Food trucks + drinks
    40% — Local art vendors + merchandise
    20% — Live music performances

    It makes us proud to know how supportive the community is.
     
    6AM City In-house
     
    The Wrap
     
    Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado Today’s edition by:
    Maria
    From the editor
    Over the weekend, I competed in a big axe throwing marathon. Any recommendations on alleviating sore muscles? I’d love some tips.

    A person getting ready to throw a felling axe at a wooden target at an axe throwing business.
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