The Cheerwine Festival has been an annual party in downtown Salisbury since 2017. | Photo via Studio 35 Photography
We heard a rumor that there’s nothing to do in Charlotte. We’re here to prove that wrong.
There are plenty of local music, food, and arts performances to go around all over the city. Start planning for these festivals now, and you just might be able to make them all.
All about the eats
Cheerwine Festival | May 17 | Downtown Salisbury | Celebrate this Southern favorite with samples, live music, and themed foods.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival | May 17 | Ballantyne’s Backyard | Sip beer and bourbon + savor barbecue from several pitmasters.
Armenian Food Festival | May 30-June 1 | St. Serkis Armenian Apostolic Church | Savor three days of delicious Armenian pastries, kabobs, and family-friendly entertainment.
The Annual Italian Festival at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church has been welcoming guests and parishioners for 27 years.
Photo provided by St. Philip Neri Catholic Church
Music festivals
High Country Jazz Festival | June 12-15 | Appalachian Theatre, Boone | The festival features nationally known artists, and serves as a fundraiser for local arts and education programs.
Arts + poetry
Juneteenth Art Fest | June 19 | The Shoppes at University Place | Support local artists, musicians, and vendors at this event honoring Juneteenth.
Art & Anxiety Mapping Workshop with Shane Manier | 6-7:15 p.m. | Charlotte Art League | Free | The poetry coach and visual artist will guide you through artistic exercises to help manage stress and anxiety.
Memphis May Fire | 7 p.m. | The Underground | $59 | Feel “Alive in the Lights” during this rocking live concert.
Thursday, May 15
ArtBreak: Vice and Virtue | 12-12:30 p.m. | The Mint Museum Uptown | Free | Take a guided tour through the museum’s extensive collection.
Teddy Swims | 8 p.m. | Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre | $91+ | “Lose Control” as the singer returns to headline his show in the Queen City.
Friday, May 16
Pick Your Own Strawberries | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Patterson Farm, Mount Ulla | $1+ | Spend time outdoors picking sweet strawberries.
Time Laps 24-Hour Relay Race | Friday, May 16-Saturday, May 17 | 3:30-7 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center | $150 | Lace up those shoes to compete in a 24-hour trail running relay race.
Mac’s 20th Anniversary Party | 5-11 p.m. | All locations | Cost of purchase | Celebrate 20 years of barbecue with live music, birthday cake, and mouthwatering food.
“Freaky Friday” | 7-10 p.m. | Rea Farms | Free | Bring a lawn chair + grab food from nearby restaurants to watch the hilarious film outdoors.
Gravity Sourdough Pizza Co. will reopen at Camp North End starting tomorrow, May 15, at 11 a.m. The pizza spot will serve a limited menu, serving six different pizzas, fries, cheesy bread, and possibly dessert. The restaurant closed after the oven was damaged during an inspection.
Coming Soon
Award-winning acai and smoothie bowl brand South Block will open its first NC stores in Ballantyne and Plaza Midwood. The shop serves made-to-order smoothies, acai bowls, toasts, and cold-pressed juices. The stores will open this fall. An exact date is TBA.
Announced
Sake Express is returning to Belmont starting June 1. The Japanese eatery will operate from the former Estia’s Kouzina location on Main Street until a permanent restaurant is found. You’ll remember the restaurant closed its location on Park Street in January.
Closing
It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. Adrenaline+, a cycling studio in Uptown, is closing at the end of the month. To go out with a bang, the studio is reducing class prices through Saturday, May 31.
Concert
The PGA HOPE Championship TEE-OFF Concert kicks off at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall this Friday, May 16 during the PGA Championship. Tickets are available with proceeds benefiting PGA Hope and The Carmel Employee Assistance Fund.
Legacy
Irving Bienstock, a Holocaust survivor, WWII veteran, and respected figure in Charlotte’s Jewish community, has died. Bienstock regularly spoke to students about the Holocaust, taking part in the Levine Jewish Community Center’s Butterfly Project. He was 98. (WBTV)
Charlottean
Harrisburg native Bryson Battle continues to impress the judges on “The Voice.” Battle sang “Without You” by Harry Nilsson in the semifinals round of the competition and received a standing ovation. Check to see if he advanced to the finals. (WCNC)
Sports
Hornets fans aren’t thrilled with getting the No. 4 draft, meaning Cooper Flagg is likely off the table. So, what are the early names to watch? Go beyond the draft party for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
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Category
Nonprofit
🐾 Raising helpers
Service dogs can offer physical and emotional support and companionship for many years. | Photo via Project 2 Heal
366. That’s how many puppies Project 2 Heal has donated to service dog training organizations across the country. The Charlotte-based nonprofit breeds and raises Labrador Retrievers with the hope of increasing service dog availability for veterans and people living with special needs or disabilities.
“What makes Project 2 Heal so special is the ripple effect of its impact,” Marci Turso, Project 2 Heal’s Director of Operations, told CLTtoday. “Whether someone connects with our love for dogs, our mission to serve veterans, our advocacy for children with special needs or disability, or our support for adults striving to regain their independence, there’s something meaningful for everyone to believe in.”
Celebrating success
The organization is celebrating all those who’ve volunteered or helped with the pups by hosting Pints 4 Pups at Resident Culture Brewing in South End, this Friday, May 16.
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Charlotte is like a bagel — diverse and anything you want it to be. That’s what 53% of voters said when comparing the Queen City to an everything bagel. We like your style. Another 26% said plain for its versatility, and 22% said poppyseed and cinnamon raisin — sweet, comforting, and full of character.
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