Plus, work to transform Nations Ford.
 
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Sunrise 6:58 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.
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🚀 It’s out of this world

Construction underway on Blume Studios
An illustration of a building with a sign that reads "The Infinite."
Blume Studios’ first event will be The Infinite — an immersive journey inspired by NASA, using VR to take guests to the International Space Station. | Rendering via Blumenthal Arts
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 this month (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.

People looking around with virtual reality headsets on.

Space Explorers: THE INFINITE provides a virtual journey to the International Space Station.

|

Photos via Blumenthal Arts

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.

An illuminated Earth floating inside a Charlotte venue.

GAIA measures six meters in diameter and is a compilation of detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface.

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Photo via Blumenthal Arts

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.
Asked

When did GAIA first appear in Charlotte?
A. Charlotte SHOUT! 2023
B. 2023 Charlotte International Arts Festival
C. Charlotte SHOUT! 2021
D. This is the first time.
Blast off
 
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Thursday, Sept. 5
  • Volunteer Fair | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 3-5 p.m. | Billy Graham Library | Free | Learn how to give your time to the Library’s year-round programs.
  • 9/5 Movie Night! | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 3-6 p.m. | 9110 Kings Parade Blvd. | $12 | Savor free snacks while watching “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” (Don’t worry, we’re not saying it a third time).
  • SouthPark After 5 | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Symphony Park | Free | Grab a blanket and spend the evening outdoors being serenaded by a tribute band to Fleetwood Mac.
Friday, Sept. 6
  • Brain Health Workshop Information Session at The Ivey | Friday, Sept. 6 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | The Ivey | Free | Learn the steps needed to build brain-healthy routines in this information session.
  • Book Fair with Trope Bookshop | Friday, Sept. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Resident Culture - South End | Cost of purchase | A book fair for adults? Yes, please. Find your next favorite novel in this book fair featuring local vendors and authors.
  • Candlelight: 70s Disco Hits on Strings | Friday, Sept. 6 | 9-10:15 p.m. | Great Aunt Stella Center | $33+ | Boogie to the 70s classics played on strings + surrounded by candlelight.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Active

🏓 3 tips to prevent pickleball injury
CLT-Novant Health pickleball-9.3.24
While the easy-to-play sport is low-impact, pickleball can lead to overuse or accidental injuries in the shoulder, elbow, ankle, and lower back. | Photo provided by Novant Health
Too busy having fun to think about injuries?

Don’t let an unexpected injury keep you from continuing your pickleball craze. Here are three tips from Novant Health experts for pain-free playing:
  1. Start slow: Build strength by spacing out play at first (think: not every day).
  2. Wear the right gear: Good, supportive shoes are key.
  3. Warm up: Do a pre-game cardiovascular activity — plus elbow stretches + wrist and arm circles.
Still got injured? See how Novant Health orthopedic specialists can get you back in the game.
Get more pickleball tips
News Notes
Civic
  • Charlotte City Council approved a $91 million purchase for the new Red Line train, linking north Mecklenburg County to Uptown. Council also approved a one-cent sales tax increase to fund it. The North Carolina legislature must approve the proposal before it appears on the Nov. 2025 ballot. (WCNC)
Transit
  • Starting today, Marshall Drive and a portion of Old Dowd Road are closed. The permanent closure is due to construction on the North End Around Taxiway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. A new bridge connecting to Wilkinson Boulevard will be added.
Development
  • Speaking of the airport... Multifamily housing could be coming near CLT Airport. Minnesota-based Roers Cos. acquired 13.5 acres along West Boulevard for $4.25 million. Plans have not yet been released. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Community
  • There’s a new transportation option in NoDa. For $3 per person, Jump Transit offers rides through Optimist Park, Villa Heights, NoDa, and Howie Acres. QR codes are posted in the area for prospective riders. (WCNC)
Edu
  • A new student housing developing will open this fall for UNC Charlotte students. Junction 49 boasts one-, two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom options + nearly 12,400 sqft of amenity space. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Drink
  • South End’s Lost and Found will reopen as Must Be Nice. The cocktail bar announced its closure on July 22, with plans to revamp the space. An opening date is TBA.
Announced
  • Charlotte Museum of History will hold a grand opening of the historic kitchen at Charlotte’s oldest home, the 1774 Rock House. James Beard Award-winning author and culinary historian Michael Twitty will speak on cooking in the South. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.
Travel
  • Want an update on Concourse A? WCNC’s Jesse Pierre shared this tweet from CLT Airport, showing the expansion of the terminal + a Wright Brothers exhibit. The concourse opens to the public this month.
Olympics
  • Carson Clough won silver in the men’s individual PTS4 triathlon at the Paris Paralympics + Queens University swimmer Hannah Aspden will race in the 100m women’s freestyle today at 1:35 p.m. Follow the action from WCNC and watch Team USA on Peacock.
Sports
  • Before the Panthers season opener against New Orleans, FanDuel Sportsbook set their over/under win total at 5.5. Can they deliver? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Wellness
Finance
  • It’s almost fall — that chill you feel should be from the air, not your credit card bill. Experts recommend these four cards with 0% APR for up to 18 months (almost two years) on qualifying balance transfers.*
 
Cause

🌳 Improving community

Nonprofit aims to develop Nations Ford corridor
A group of people talking at a long table in a community space.
Transforming Nations Ford hosted a community input session to discuss a parcel of land to ideally be used for a park and community center. | Photo via Transforming Nations Ford
Transforming Nations Ford, a new Charlotte-area nonprofit, aims to increase environmental justice in the Nations Ford/Arrowood corridor — a south Charlotte neighborhood with a large minority population. This neighborhood is home to the 28273, 28277, 28217, and 28210 zip codes.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth in this area, just like most of Charlotte,” said Joi Mayo, Board Chair of Transforming Nations Ford.

Mayo, along with board members Lourdes Sanchez (with OurBridge for Kids), and Ricky Singh (an educator and activist), want to create a community where children can play and immigrant-owned businesses can thrive.

The work starts with creating a community center on a 15-acre parcel (owned by the city) at Ramblewood Park.

TNF will address City Council on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m., calling on them to consider selling the land to Mecklenburg County for $1. A petition is available for signatures + the organization is asking for donations to help make that space a reality.
Goals for the community center
The Buy
Bring on all the cozy fall vibes. Here are five seasonal must-haves that scream luxury (without the hefty price tag):

🍁 A pair of fleece-lined memory foam slippers for less than $25.
🍁 This textured, oversized pullover that’s perfect for layering.
🍁 An ultra soft blanket available in 35+ different colors and patterns.
🍁 These sleek, water resistant men’s joggers made for all things outdoors (or just lounging).
🍁 A portable mug warmer so you can enjoy your favorite cozy beverages all day long.
More worth The Buy
Answered

Yesterday, we asked “which college football team has had the most appearances in the Duke’s Mayo Classic?”
We are days away from the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Uptown and wanted to test your college football knowledge.

42% — North Carolina
33% — South Carolina
22% — Clemson
3% — App State

Correct answer: South Carolina has made the most appearances, playing in four games.
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado

Today’s edition by:
Maria
From the editor
Growing up near Kennedy Space Center, it was always a treat to learn about space exploration, watch shuttle launches, and imagine what the moon was like. I’m excited to visit Space Explores: THE INFINITE when it opens in Charlotte.
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