Plus, a new restaurant chain arrives.
 
08.02.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE
6AM City In-house

Today’s Weather

96º | 20% chance of precipitation |
Sunrise 6:33 a.m. | Sunset 8:24 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

🎬 Lights, camera, action

Lights, camera, action: movies and shows filmed around Charlotte
The cast of The Hunger Games waves to the crowd at Comic Con.
The blockbuster film “The Hunger Games” was filmed nearly entirely in North Carolina around the Charlotte area. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
The Queen City is no stranger to the magic of Hollywood. From Charlotte Motor Speedway’s track to the forests of the Piedmont, the Charlotte area has served as the backdrop for an impressive resume of popular and acclaimed films — some of these movies may be on your watch list right now.

Get the popcorn. We’re diving into the movies filmed in your backyard.

The Hunger Games (2012)
Plot: A teenage girl takes her sister’s place in a televised competition where children fight to the death.
Filming locations: Shelby and Charlotte — including the Knight Theater Charlotte Convention Center

Shallow Hal (2001)
Plot: A shallow man falls in love with a woman’s inner beauty.
Filming locations: Concord and Charlotte — including Freedom Park

A movie marquee shines outside a movie theater at night.

Jessica Chastain won the Oscar for “Best Actress” for her role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.”

|

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
Plot: A biopic on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.
Filming locations: Charlotte, Concord, and Lake Norman

The Patriot (2000)
Plot: A father joins the Colonial militia during the American Revolution to defend his family.
Filming locations: Chester, Historic Brattonsville in McConnells, Rock Hill, and York, SC

A crowd gathers at a NASCAR race track

The racing film “Days of Thunder” brought film stars including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Robert Duvall to Charlotte.

|

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Days of Thunder (1990)
Plot: A young stock car driver gets his chance to compete at the top level.
Filming locations: Lake Norman and Charlotte Motor Speedway

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Plot: NASCAR sensation Ricky Bobby fights to remain racing’s top star.
Filming locations: Charlotte and Concord — including Charlotte Motor Speedway
More movie magic
 
Events
Friday, Aug. 2
  • Brothers Brandon & Vince Stevens | Friday, Aug. 2 | Times vary | Middle C Jazz Club, 300 S. Brevard St., Charlotte | $30-$40 | Be serenaded by the melodies of renowned musicians Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.
  • Cirque du Soleil CORTEO | Friday, Aug. 2 | 7 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte | $50-$150 | Prepare to be dazzled at this immersive production of acrobatic artistry.
  • Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides | Friday, Aug. 2 | 7:04 p.m. | Truist Field, 345 S. Mint St., Charlotte | $22+ | Head to the ballpark for a game + fireworks.
Saturday, Aug. 3
  • Hummingbird Photography | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont | $65-$78 | Learn the art of photographing hummingbirds in flight.
  • Tonic, Sugar Ray, & Better Than Ezra | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 6 p.m. | Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte | $25-$120 | Rock to the songs in your head “Every Morning” during the theme park’s Summer Music Fest.
  • Pasta Making at Pilot Brewing | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 7-9 p.m. | Pilot Brewing, 1331 Central Ave., Ste. 104, Charlotte | $55 | Perfect the craft of pasta in this hands-on class taught by a professional chef.
Sunday, Aug. 4
  • Front Porch Sundays | Sunday, Aug. 4 | 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | 2104 South Blvd., Charlotte | Free | Browse 100+ local businesses in an open air market.
  • Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Clean Up | Sunday, Aug. 4 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Pilot Brewing, 1331 Central Ave., Ste. 104, Charlotte | Free | Spend the morning keeping Plaza Midwood beautiful + free coffee.
  • Cage The Elephant & Bakar | Sunday, Aug. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $28+ | “Come a Little Closer” to see the rock band perform live in Charlotte.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Pets

Give your dog a new lease on lunch
A doodle pup waits for his Nom Nom dog food to be poured into his bowl.
Nom Nom’s meals are pre-portioned for your dog’s unique caloric needs, so there’s no guessing, no scooping. | Photo by Nom Nom
Dog parents know that a stimulating day begins and ends with enriching meals.

That’s why Nom Nom’s enticing variety of vet-developed recipes burst with the nutrients dogs need and the tastes and textures they crave. Imagine — beef that looks like beef and carrots that look like carrots. No high-temperature vats, artificial flavors, or impossible-to-pronounce preservatives.

That’s because Nom Nom is made with love (aww), not meat meal (eek).
Get 50% off your first box
News Notes
Weather
  • Dangerous heat is forecasted this afternoon. The peak index today could surge to 108 degrees. There is also the risk for potential rain and thunderstorms this evening. (WCNC)
Community
  • Rock Hill residents voiced concerns regarding Charlotte Water’s plan to take more water from the Catawba River. Charlotte Water is asking the state’s permission to pull up to an additional 30 million gallons a day to account for growth. (WCNC)
Real Estate
  • Florida-based Ram Realty Advisors acquired a portion of The Quarter South End for $18.6 million. The company aims to transform the location at 2218 and 2320 Toomey Ave. for new apartments, retail, and restaurant space. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Announced
  • Fast-casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen will open its first North Carolina location in Charlotte. It will open in Sept. at One Independence Center (101 N. Tryon St.) in Uptown. An exact date is TBA.
Eat
  • Connecticut-based Wayback Burgers is coming to Prescott Village in Waxhaw. The fast-food chain offers build-your-own burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes. It’s expected to open in 2025. An exact date remains TBA. (The Charlotte Observer)
Open
  • Mood House Massage + Sauna is now open in Oakhurst at 4008 Monroe Rd. Guests will enjoy eight cabana-inspired massage suites and three infrared saunas. This is the massage studio’s second location.
Number
  • 10,000. That’s nearly the number of birds the Carolina Raptor Center has rehabilitated back into the wild. The Center will release bird No. 10,000 on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. at UNC Charlotte’s Hauser Alumni Pavilion.
Sports
  • The Queen City will host four Atlantic Coast Conference tournaments during the 2024-2025 athletic season. The events will include the ACC Football Championship Game, Men’s Basketball + Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse. (WBTV)
Olympics
  • Team USA is back in the pool with Men’s Synchronized 3m Springboard final + Track & Field begins with the 10,000m final. You can follow along with Team USA via WCNC’s ongoing Olympics coverage. (WCNC)
Listen
  • The Hornets signed former Los Angeles Clippers forward Moussa Diabate but waive forward Leaky Black. Go beyond the court for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Family
    • Looking for a fun-filled summer activity? Catch a Charlotte Knights game and enjoy dazzling fireworks, tasty bites, live music, and giveaways. Bonus: You can also bring your furry friends to Bark in the Ballpark, meet former MLB players, and enjoy special themed nights. Snag tix.*
     
    Outdoors

    🏃 Take your marks

    Upcoming races and running groups to join in Charlotte
    A group of runners with a person pointing to an Around the Crown 10k banner in Uptown Charlotte.
    The Around the Crown 10K draws thousands of runners to Uptown Charlotte every September. | Photo by Samuel Martin via Around the Crown 10K
    Track & Field events for 2024 Paris Olympics are set to begin. Interested in getting into running? Good news is you don’t have to do it alone.

    Cruising through South End, you’ll catch a cluster of runners jogging by. The Queen City holds a strong running culture, bringing people together who enjoy staying active and building community any day of the week.

    We’re only scratching the surface. We’ve put together a quick list of weekly running events across the city. So lace up your shoes and ready, set, go:

    Monday
    Tuesday
    Editor’s note: Ready for some photo finishes? Viewers can follow Track & Field at Paris 2024 via WCNC’s ongoing Olympics coverage.
    Plan your week with a run
    The Buy

    The Buy 8.02.24 (Affiliate)
    An all natural deodorant for sensitive skin. Enjoy the warm aromas of cotton and lily to help you smell fresh with 72-hour odor protection.
    More worth The Buy
    Answered

    On Thursday, we asked “How many Olympic medals does the US have for golf?”
    Golf green with yellow flag in foreground. The green is bordered by trees and golf carts are driving on either side.

    Get out and enjoy the view.

    |

    Photo by City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks via @ws_recreationparks

    Before Team USA takes the greens in Paris for the Olympics, we looked up local spots where you can perfect your golf swing.

    It turns out the United States currently has 13 Olympic medals for golf.

    16% of voters got a hole-in-one.
    6AM City In-house
     
    The Wrap
     
    CLT_Jack VanderToll

    Today’s edition by:
    Jack

    From the editor

    City Editors Jack and Maria smile for a photo on the football field.

    City Editor Maria and I had a blast yesterday at Fan Fest for the Carolina Panthers at Clemson University.

    It’s basically a team scrimmage, but we got to see quarterback Bryce Young in action. Young showed promise ahead of the upcoming NFL season.

    And who doesn’t love a fireworks show to wrap the night?
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Advertise with us to stand out.     ›
    Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More     ›
     
     
    Feedback on Today's Newsletter

    Did you like today’s newsletter?

    😍 Loved it 🙂 Solid effort 😞 Changes needed
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY