Consider heading to the multi-day Juneteenth Celebration in Plaza Midwood. | Photo via Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
Juneteenth is coming up on Thursday, June 19, and the Queen City is hosting various events to engage the community and commemorate the legacy of emancipation.
Friday, June 13
28th Annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas | Friday, June 13-Sunday, June 15 | Various times | 1214 Thomas Ave. | This 28th annual event is the largest + oldest in the Carolinas, featuring drum circles, live music, and entertainment + culminates in a weekend parade and festival. Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration | 6-9 p.m. | Crossing Paths Park, Indian Trail, SC | Enjoy spoken word, an education panel discussion, art, dance, and music.
Saturday, June 14
Fourth Annual Queen City Juneteenth Celebration | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History | Honor Black history and resilience at the site of the former Alexander Plantation, which has transformed into a dedicated space for education.
Belmont Juneteenth Celebration | 2-9:30 p.m. | Stowe Park | Carl Ratliff & Common Ground will join the day’s celebrations with jazz music + arts + crafts, music, food, and more.
St. Stephen Treasure Sale | Friday, June 13-Saturday, June 14 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | St. Stephen United Methodist Church | Cost of purchase | Support local charities during one of Charlotte’s biggest thrift and rummage sales.
Steakhouse Classics | 6 p.m. | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | $95 | Create the perfect seared steak and sides during this hands-on course.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Roadshow | 7 p.m. | Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinic | Free | Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the symphony’s free outdoor concert.
Saturday, June 14
Garden Photography Walk | 8-10 a.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont | $15+ | Learn new photography skills while surrounded by nature.
NoDa hood market | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub | Cost of purchase | Visit the pub for coffee or cocktails while shopping from local vendors.
Dayshift | 4 p.m. | BlackBox Theatre | $22 | Dance to the best songs from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s in this unique day-party that gets you home at a decent hour.
Summer Concert Series at Rea Farms | 7-10 p.m. | Rea Farms | Free | Order dinner from neighboring restaurants before enjoying live music outdoors.
Sunday, June 15
Meal with Strangers: Sunday Brunch Series | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Location is TBA | $7+ | Meet new people and enjoy great food at a restaurant that will be determined after registration.
Charlotte Independence vs. Greenville Triumph SC | 7 p.m. | American Legion Memorial Stadium | $13+ | Cheer on Charlotte’s professional club soccer team as they look to send Greenville back home with a loss — sorry, GVLtoday.
Monday, June 16
Wine & Cheese Pairing | 6-7 p.m. | Frenchy’s Sip and Shop | $39 | Few tickets remain for this pairing featuring French and Italian wines.
Talk about options. | Photos provided by Napa Restaurant Group
If you’re craving California sunshine, sorry — we can’t help. But if wine country cuisine is what you’re after, this restaurant has three neighborhood spots to satisfy your appetite:
Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, a short rib sandwich, or gluten-free options, these convenient locations make planning your next date night or girls’ brunch a breeze.
Bossy Beulah’s Chicken Shack closed its South End location after two years in business. The popular chicken spot outgrew its space on Griffith Street and plans to relocate to Park Road Shopping Center and open by early August. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Opening
Henrietta’s, a new stand-alone concept from the co-founders of Rally, will open in LoSo this summer. Chef Andres Kaifer of Mariana’s Tapas will curate the menu, featuring crispy gnocchi, roasted carrots, and fresh pastas. An opening date is TBA.
Closing
Bakersfield is permanently closing its doors in Dilworth tonight. The Mexican-influenced restaurant has not stated a reason for the closure. It’s been serving tacos, tequila, and whiskey on East Boulevard since 2014. (WSOC)
Try This
Learn to make cocktails with Bob Peters. One of Charlotte’s top mixologists is hosting monthly classes on the second Saturday of every month at The Goodyear House. The classes are free, but tend to fill up fast.
Ranked
We’ll cheers to that. Esquire recognized Lorem Ipsum as one of the best bars in America. Located in Hotel Refuge, Esquire recognized the listening bar as a love letter to Black culture, music, and storytelling through cocktails. (Esquire)
Biz
Bojangles is exploring a $1.5 billion sale — more than three times what it sold for in a 2019 buyout. The Charlotte-based chain could also decide not to sell. (WCNC)
Transit
Golf carts could soon be coming to Tega Cay’s streets at night. A city ordinance is nearing approval, with a second reading set for Monday, June 16. The move comes as SC state leaders passed a law requiring seat belts for passengers under 12 on public roads. (WCNC)
Legacy
David Murdock, the businessman who helped rebuild Kannapolis after the collapse of Pillowtex, has died. Murdock was an advocate for health and innovation. He was 102. (The Charlotte Observer)
Arts
CIAF, or the Charlotte International Arts Festival, is returning this September. Art lovers will find 200+ global arts events across the city. The “festival of festivals” kicks of Sept. 1 with many of the events being free + ticketed performances starting at $5. (WCNC)
Sports
Carolina’s Adam Thielen has declared “no more same old Panthers” during day one of minicamp. Go beyond the practice field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
300+. That’s how many small businesses, manufacturers, and local companies have posted jobs on the CLTtoday Job Board. Try it for yourself. Post unlimited job listings for free + get connected with top local talent.
Try This
Escape the city and make your way to Jackson County, NC, for fresh air, mountain views, and scenic trails. While you’re there, catch Groovin’ on The Green — a free summer concert series kicking off Friday, June 20. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a road trip.*
Featured Home
These stylish, move-in ready 2BR townhomes at Sycamore Trail are priced from the mid-$300s and located just minutes from Uptown. Bonus: Buy within the next 30 days and score a free washer, dryer, and fridge (valued at up to $3K). Call 980-240-1062 to schedule a showing.*
Health
Is your active lifestyle, demanding job, or condition causing you chronic pain? Nápreva is a proprietary formula that offers relief without the harmful side effects. Try it risk-free.*
Category
Culture
📚 New page turners
Trope Bookstore’s shelves are always stocked with the latest romance releases. | Photo via Trope Bookshop
Summer is here, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools are sending their students off with summer reading assignments — but we’re not letting adults off the hook.
Here’s your official summer reading list, courtesy of local bookstores. Don’t worry, they’re just suggestions, and you won’t be quizzed.
📚 Recommendations by Trope Bookshop
“Shield of Sparrows” by Deveny Perry
If you’re a fan of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, you’ll love this story. Follow this romantasy where enemies become lovers in a cursed realm.
📚 Recommendations by Main Street Books
“Park Avenue” by Renee Ahdieh
The Charlotte author’s adult debut novel tells the story of a corporate attorney taking on a crisis with her firm’s biggest client. Think: “Crazy Rich Asians” meets “Succession.”
📚 Recommendations by Park Road Books
“Road To Tender Hearts” by Annie Hartnett
Reviewed as a warm-hearted and darkly comedic novel, follow the life of a million-dollar lottery winner on a mission to reunite with his high school crush.
🌸 Instantly update outfits for dinners out with friends when you add this flower purse for under $30.
🐚 Beach nights can’t handle this shell beaded bag with handstitched natural shell sequins.
💎 Choose your favorite color of Anthropologie’s Fiona beaded bag and watch the compliments flood in.
🥝 Madewell’s best-selling handwoven mini tote comes in bright summer colors like kiwi, apricot, and festival red.
👀 If you’re searching for something simple instead, this crochet tote bag is under $30 and will look adorable for walks, beach days, or running errands.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Don’t forget, The Charlotte Checkers are playing Games 1 and 2 of the Calder Cup Finals starting tonight + Sunday at Bojangles Coliseum. I’ll be at the game Sunday, celebrating Father’s Day with my father-in-law! If you can’t go to the games, consider tuning in a different way.
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