Keep your eyes peeled for clues once stepping into The Temple of Light. | Photo by CLTtoday
Ever wanted to escape a mummy’s tomb or board a Viking ship? This is your chance.
Travel through time and realms when The Keepers of Balance — an escape room-style experience — debuts in Charlotte soon, near where West Woodlawn Road meets Billy Graham Parkway.
It’s not your typical escape room. Instead of locks and keys, teams will perform physical and mental challenges to solve mysteries and dodge perils through various realms. The clock will be ticking.
City Editor Jack, here. City Editor Maria and I embarked on “The Quest for the Temple of Light” mission and we had a blast. If you love “Indiana Jones” or “The Goonies,” this will be up your alley.
We had a great time chatting with The Keepers of Balance staff. (From left:) A.J., Ryan, and Josh.
Photo by CLTtoday
This experience is three years in the making, creating many of the props, rooms, and displays by hand, with the help of Disney Imagineers.
Prices starting at $50 per person, depending on group size, ranging from two to six people.
Les Misérables | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theater | $46+ | “At the End of the Day,” you’ll be swept away by one of the most popular musicals of all time.
NC Education Lottery 200 | 8:30 p.m. | Charlotte Motor Speedway | $0+ | Kick off Memorial Day weekend with 200 miles of wheel-to-wheel adrenaline + the ARCA Menards Series’ General Tire 150.
MeckDec 250 Tours | 12-3 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History | $10 | Take a guided tour of the 1774 Rock House while learning stories of Mecklenburg County’s Revolutionary past.
Charlotte Water Lantern Festival | 6 p.m. | Symphony Park | $30 | Experience SouthPark unlike ever before under a warm glow of thousands of lanterns lit in unison.
Sunday, May 25
Camden Commons | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Camden Road, South End | Free | Shop and mingle in this outdoor block party packed with vendors, snacks, and live entertainment.
SHUCKED Cookout | 4 p.m. | Blume Studios | Free, but RSVP | Bring friends and family for food and interactive games for a fun and free afternoon.
Coca-Cola 600 | 6 p.m. | Charlotte Motor Speedway | $95+ | All roads lead to NASCAR’s toughest test of man and machine.
Catch this summer exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art
Presented by Columbia Museum of Art
Visitors learn about Sam Gilliam’s “Cape III” during last year’s Juneteenth tour. | Photo by Victor Johnson / The Columbia Museum of Art
Have you heard of Sam Gilliam? He started as a painter, developing a unique style that celebrated lines and texture, finding his way to printmaking, where he continued to innovate.
In 1972, he became the first Black artist to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale, and his work is represented at the MoMA in New York City, the Phillips Collection in D.C., and many others — including the Columbia Museum of Art.
This summer, you can see three dozen of Gilliam’s most iconic prints right here in the Carolinas. And don’t forget, the CMA is offering free admission all summer long for SC residents.
Pro tip: Make sure to check out the museum’s companion show, “Let’s Have a Talk: Black Artists from the CMA Collection.”
The Ames Street Marketplace is now open in downtown Matthews. Guests can grab drinks from Carolina Beer Temple’s 26 rotating taps + play board games in a relaxed, brewery-style atmosphere. (CLTGuide)
Eat
Connecticut-based burger chain Wayback Burgers recently debuted its second Charlotte-area location — this time in Prescott Village in Waxhaw. The eatery promises made-to-order burgers, hand-dipped milkshakes, cheesesteaks, and crispy chicken tenders. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Development
Take a look at the upcoming Westrow Forge Village. This resident community center and farm store, located in the impending River District, plans to bring gardens, lush greenspace, and an outdoor play area for kids. Construction is slated to begin later this year.
Concert
Attention, California Girls. The Beach Boys are taking the stage at The Amp Ballantyne for their “Sounds of Summer” tour on Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m. And for all you “Full House” fans... get ready for special guest John Stamos. Tickets are now available.
Transit
Phase one completion of the Bryant Farms Road Extension project is scheduled to be unveiled on Wednesday, June 11 at 10 a.m. This 0.4-mile extension connects Elm Lane to Rea Road, offering drivers an east-west alternative to the heavily traveled Ardrey Kell Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway. (WCNC)
Feel Good
Sammy’s Pub in downtown Belmont paid tribute to the late “Cheers” actor, George Wendt, who died this week at the age of 76. Known as “Belmont’s Cheers,” Sammy’s saved a seat at its bar with a sign with “reserved for Norm” taped on the back of a stool, honoring Wendt’s character from the popular ‘80s sitcom. (Queen City News)
Sports
The Charlotte Checkers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after a 3-0 sweep against two-time defending champion Hershey for the Atlantic Division. Tickets for the upcoming championship series will be released soon.
Listen
Can the Carolina Panthers latest signings reshape their upcoming season? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Fact or Fiction
Huntington Bank’s new branch in the SouthPark area marks the institution’s first branch in the neighborhood. See the answer — and explore how they can help make a difference with your own finances.*
Shop
Summer is almost here — and Hoka shoes deliver all-day comfort and support for any activity. Brad’s Deals has rounded up the best summer Hoka discounts from top retailers.*
Category
Outdoors
🦅 Soaring high
It’s most common to see bald eagles near lakes and rivers while they’re hunting for fish. | Photo by CLTtoday
Here’s a possible feather in your cap: You could spot one of the most majestic birds on your morning walk.
Not only are bald eagles native to the Charlotte region, but there are signs America’s symbol is flourishing in midst of the ever-growing Queen City.
“While not yet a common sight in our area, reports are on the rise,” Charlotte-based naturalist Taylor Piephoff told CLTtoday.
Where to spot an eagle?
Breeding pairs can be found in the Piper Glen area of South Charlotte, plus around Cowan’s Ford Dam in nearby Lincoln County.
Active nests have also been reported at Coddle Creek Reservoir in Cabarrus County, Rankin Lake Park in Gaston County, and Weddington in Union County.
Keep your eyes peeled. You’ll most likely see the birds catching fish for dinner around Lake Norman or the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
“Sightings occur in all parts of the county, even Uptown,” said Piephoff.
A great deal from Amazon’s Memorial Day sale. Note: Prices subject to change.
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Hello, bird enthusiasts. I once spotted a bald eagle while running on The Little Sugar Creek Greenway about a mile south of Archdale Drive. The eagle perched itself on a rock over the water for a few moments before taking flight. That sighting led me to learn more about how common these birds are in the Queen City.
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