Independent Picture House’s expanded theater will offer film screenings + poetry, theater, improv/comedy, and live music. | Rendering via Independent Picture House
In the eloquent words of Nicole Kidman, “we come to this place for magic.”
That “place for magic” is the movie theater, and Charlotte’s only independent cinema has debuted something even more magical than a blockbuster or Academy Awards contender. The Independent Picture House (IPH) opened a 145-seat auditorium, providing an amphitheater-style experience.
“The mission was to engage the community and arthouse cinema which Charlotte’s never had,” said Brad Ritter, executive director of IPH.
The new theater is part of a $795,000 expansion project and IPH is accepting public donations to cover the remaining $75,000.
"[Independent Picture House] supports filmmakers that come to showcase their work and connect with new audience members,” said Claire M. Lechtenberg, Director of Development and Marketing for IPH. “It’s very much serving as a cultural hub for this neighborhood but the greater Charlotte area as a whole.”
Pickleball Open Play | 12-2:30 p.m. | Recreation Center - Providence Baptist Church | $3 | Gather your friends and sharpen your dink game.
Sycamore Run Club | 6:30-8 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing | Cost of purchase | Beat the chilly temperatures with a long run through South End.
Holidays at the Garden | 5-10 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | $24+ | Immerse yourself in dazzling lights, sparkling fountains, and holiday decor in the Garden.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Gracious Hands Charity Gala | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Foundation For the Carolinas | $75+ | Join an evening of fundraising benefiting women and children struggling with homelessness in Charlotte.
Holiday Night Market Sip & Shop | 5:30-8 p.m. | Protagonist Beer - LoSo | $5 | Support women-owned businesses while sipping drinks and finishing your holiday shopping.
Cody Fry Christmas: A Holiday Pops Special | 7:30 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | $28+ | The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter joins the Charlotte Symphony for an evening of festive holiday music.
Kacey Musgraves: Deeper Well World Tour | 7:30 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $60+ | Brace for a “Merry Go ‘Round of an evening seeing the country singer perform.
Friday, Dec. 6
Dino Nights & Holiday Lights | 5-10 p.m. | Schiele Museum of Natural History | $8 | Imagine Christmas at Jurassic Park with your favorite dinos decked out for the holidays.
Charlotte Invitational | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $50+ | Get served a brand new pro-tennis exhibition featuring top international players, including Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz.
Atrium Health recently announced that some online patient information may have been leaked with third-party vendors between January 2015 and July 2019. Atrium has apologized for any inconvenience and has set up a toll-free call center that can be reached at 866-676-6532.
Biz
Duke Energy Progress started rate cuts for NC customers as part of an annual adjustment for fuel cost, including Charlotte-area customers. Starting Jan. 1, the monthly bill of an average customer will decrease by 3.6%, or $5.17. (WCNC)
Weather
After 1,037 days, the Queen City woke up to a dusting of snow Tuesday morning for the first time since January 2022. Check out CLTtoday waking up to the snow. (WCNC)
History
The City of Charlotte celebrated its 256th birthday yesterday. The Queen City officially became a city on Dec. 3, 1768. Bonus: Learn why Charlotte was named after a queen.
Concert
Kendrick Lamar and SZA are bringing their “Grand National Tour” to Charlotte. The music duo will take the stage at Bank of America Stadium Saturday, May 3. Ticket presales begin today at 10 a.m. The concert will follow Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance.
Active
Ready to run? Registration is now open for the Charlotte New Year’s Day 5K at UNC Charlotte. Registration is $45 through race day. Following the race, runners can enjoy a block party packed with food and live entertainment.
Community
Charlotte-based breakfast spot Famous Toastery is teaming up with Feeding the Carolinas through the month of December. Guests can donate $1, $3, or $5 at checkout to help provide food for families in the Carolinas struggling with food insecurity.
Listen
Catawba County’s Christina Eagle was eliminated in the semifinal round of NBC’s “The Voice.” Eagle performed Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” Eagle was part of Team Snoop Dogg. (WCNC)
Sports
Is Bryce Young playing his way into the starting quarterback job in 2025? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
As we age, prioritizing heart health becomes more important than ever. Learn why focusing on your cardiovascular well-being can lead to a longer, healthier life and discover tips for maintaining a strong heart at any age.*
Wellness
Discover the secret to hearing every detail with the Horizon IX by hear.com. These discreet, rechargeable hearing aids deliver sound so clear and natural, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. With phone connectivity, award-winning service, and flexible payment options, join the 425,000+ customers who love them.*
Shop
They say, “The most memorable gifts are experiences.” Well, a custom-made spa day at Woodhouse is quite the unforgettable experience. Give the gift that’s a guaranteed hit with a spa gift card (and take advantage of their fab holiday promos.)*
Travel
Planning to take your RV on the open road in 2025? Buy coverage online in minutes with Roamly, rated five stars by thousands of RV owners.*
Tech
Want to turn four-hour tasks into 15-minute wins? Download your free ChatGPT mastery guide for 100 battle-tested prompts you can copy/paste ASAP — no coding required. Plus, the guide explores how to use AI ethically at work.*
Category
History
📍 Put Charlotte on the map
What places in Charlotte deserve to be remembered? | Map via Proxi
You’ve submitted your favorites, now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for the CLTtoday historical marker contest. Check out the nominations below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
The building, now a restaurant and tavern, is historically known as “The Berryhill Store.” It opened in 1897 and lasted for decades, serving as a store and deli in Charlotte’s 4th Ward neighborhood, before being converted to a restaurant in 1983.
This 100-year old textile manufacturing site nestled in South End initially produced parachute canopies during World War II. The building now serves as a working studio for local creatives.
It doesn’t stop there — we got more submissions than these. Just check out our map of unofficial historical locations — both locally and across the nation.
Voting closes Wednesday, Dec. 11 — so be sure to vote for the historical location you’d love to see recognized for its significance.
Need stocking stuffers for everyone on your list? We’ve got you covered.
🎁 For the skincare aficionado: Laneige’s No. 1 bestselling lip mask in the candy cane flavor.
🎁 For those who eat, sleep, and breath organization: A mini label maker with creative functions and templates.
🎁 For the jewelry-obsessed: A stackable 18K gold plated necklace that you can customize with their initial.
🎁 For those who love to hit the trails: A classic knit beanie to keep their noggin warm while hiking.
🎁 For someone who’s always on the go: A magnetic portable charger that can charge up to four devices at once.
Keep a close eye on our Instagram for my trip to The Independent Picture House. A huge thank you to the team for giving me a tour of their new auditorium. I’m already planning my next movie date.
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How do you prefer to give back?
On Giving Tuesday, we asked readers how they most enjoy paying it forward. The majority of voters (40%) said they prefer volunteering, 31% choose to give monetary donations, and 27% prefer to donate clothes and other items.
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