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Theater goers will soon have an immersive experience catching a show inside the newly-restored Carolina Theatre. | Photo by Tommy McCart Photography, LLC
We get it. In an age of streaming services, convincing us to leave home for entertainment can require serious effort. But picture this: It’s unlikely your living room ever hosted a young Elvis Presley or 400,000 people from far and wide to see the 1965 release of “The Sound of Music.” But there’s a place in Charlotte that did.
The Carolina Theatre is nearly ready to welcome back guests starting this March when Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Grammy award-winning soprano Renée Fleming take the stage for one of the theater’s first performances in nearly 50 years in the spring gala titled “A Homecoming,” happening Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance start at $83 + gala tickets start at $750.
We guarantee there won’t be a bad seat in the house.
Photo by Tommy McCart Photography, LLC
The theater’s $90 million renovation began in 2018 and, as CLTtoday exclusively learned, restoring a theater house that opened in March 1927 and sat dormant since 1978 is no small task.
“Everything from the paintings on the wall to the carpeting on the floor was specifically chosen for its historical ties,” said Jared Misner with Carolina Theatre. “We want audiences to feel like they’re right back in the Carolina Theatre they remember while acknowledging the upgrades necessary for a cutting-edge theater of the 21st century.
Kelsea Ballerini | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $66+ | It’s going to be a rockin’ time in Uptown, so we had to get this mention in one more time to see the country music sensation live.
Friday, Feb. 21
Face to Face 2025 Gala | 6-10 p.m. | The Revelry - Camp North End | $250 | Play a vital role in this fundraiser supporting children living with cleft lip, palate, and craniofacial conditions.
Charlotte Symphony: Havana Nights | 7:30 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | $10 | Feel the island heat in this sultry musical performance featuring the Afro-Cuban rhythms of the Mambo Kings.
Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam: A Tribute to Earl Scruggs| 7:30 p.m. |Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts & Civic Engagement | $29+ | Get ready for a toe-tapping night of bluegrass honoring the musician who pioneered the three-finger banjo-picking style.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Charlotte Home + Remodeling Show | Saturday, Feb. 22-Sunday, Feb. 23 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | The Park Expo and Conference Center | $9+ | Join TV personality Tamara Day and fellow interior experts to learn how to craft an even-more beautiful home.
Dancing with the Stars: Live! | 3 p.m. + 8 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $59+ | Your favorite professional dancers from the hit television show take the stage in this sexy, dazzling show.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears | 4 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $25+ | Root for the Checkers as they skate to defeat the Hershey Bears... no matter how adorable their team name sounds.
Try not to dink at this news. Tipsy Pickle debuts at Camp North End on Saturday, Feb. 22. The 35,000-sqft entertainment complex will house several indoor pickleball courts and golf simulators + food and cocktails.
Announced
Get those coupons ready. Publix is opening a new location in south Charlotte. The 55,477-sqft grocery store at 11525 Carmel Commons Blvd. will open at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 12. The store plans to hire around 150 full- and part-time employees. (The Charlotte Observer)
Community
Huntersville residents are expected to voice opinions regarding the Birkdale Village Expansion Project at the upcoming Huntersville Town Commission meeting. Public opinion has been mixed regarding plans to bring a hotel, office space, retail, apartments, and a parking deck to the shopping mall. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. (WSOC)
Development
The Coves at Lake Wylie is in the final phase of development. The upcoming waterfront community along Lake Wylie will feature nearly 500 homes across a 162-acre site off Bankhead and Landover roads being priced between $400,000 to $700,000. The Coves is slated to open in early summer 2026. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Eat
The food truck lineup has been announced for this year’s Charlotte StrEATs Festival. Come hungry and visit 22 Street Kitchen Food Truck, Boujee Soul Food, and CFT Bistro among otherson Sunday, April 13 at Gateway Village.
Try This
Meet Tyler and Nate. These childhood friends recently opened Mamma Ramona’s Pizzeria in January in the Mill One community in downtown Mooresville. The pair met in elementary school and wanted to provide “something that was part of the community.” Popular menu items include Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza and The Works. (The Charlotte Observer)
Watch
Need a moment of calm? Enjoy a moment of peace watching this video of yesterday’s tranquil snowfall in north Charlotte captured by CLTtoday Editor Maria.
Travel
Speaking of snow... winter weather forced hundreds of flights to be delayed or canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Passengers are asked to monitor their flight status as conditions improve and give ample time to arrive at the airport today. (WCNC)
Real Estate
A Charlotte estate along Eastover Road recently sold for $10.2 million. Built in 2004, the 0.84-acre property boasts five bedrooms, five full and three half bathrooms, swimming pool, and a guest house. The property had last sold for $1.4 million in 2002. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Sports
Can the Panthers revamp their defense in just one offseason? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Coming Soon
Did this catch your eye? That’s because locals (like you) are excited about new happenings in the city. Spread the word about your business, services, big news, or event coming soon to Charlotte.
Finance
2025 is your year to put a dent in your credit card debt. Check out these top balance transfer cards offering 0% APR on transfers into 2026. (That’s nearly two years of no interest, plus some sweet rewards.) Learn more + apply.*
Plan Ahead
Owe more than $10,000 in debt? You’re not alone — personal debt is on the rise. Freedom Debt Relief could help by offering a personalized debt settlement plan and negotiating with creditors to reduce your amount owed (with one low monthly payment + no upfront fees). Get started.*
Category
Ranked
🌟 CLT’s best of the best
USAToday nominated Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte for “Best Minor League Ballpark.” | Photo by CLTtoday
Charlotteans have the chance to give the city some major bragging rights.
Voting is underway for USA Today’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards and the Queen City scored multiple nominations, highlighting its sports and brewery culture.
Voting ends Monday, Feb. 24 at 12 p.m. for the nominees listed above.
Bonus: Truist Field was nominated for Best Minor League Ballpark — voting ends Monday, March 17 at 12 p.m. + Carolina Renaissance Festival was nominated for Best Renaissance Fair and voting ends on Monday, March 10 at 12 p.m.
We love bragging about our city. If you have friends visiting Charlotte, let us know the first place you recommend they check out.
As for our nominees, we’ll be sure to share the results when they’re announced.
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I managed to photograph several species of songbirds outside my window during yesterday’s snowfall. I’m still amazed how many opportunities we’ve had to see snow in Charlotte this winter after going several years without seeing a flake. I’m still looking forward to warmer weather, though — 28 days until spring!
