1. Art and Diseño

SEVEN NIGHTS OF
MUSIC IN CHARLOTTE
January 2015
FAMILY FUN INDOORS
THIS WINTER
NASCAR IS KING
IN THE QUEEN CITY
Gina Sheridan
VP, Marketing & Communications
Mike Riviello
Director of Marketing
Laura White
Director of Communications
Mitchell Phillips
Graphic Designer/Photographer
Daniel Sutton
Graphic Designer/Photographer
Kristen Moore
Communications Manager
10
Lauren Litaker
Communications Specialist
The Evening Muse
Photo by Ashleigh White
Lisa Enders
Digital Marketing Manager
Allison Soderberg
Venue Marketing Manager
Justin Martin
Tourism & Convention
Marketing Manager
Mariel Littrell
Marketing Services Coodinator
SEVEN NIGHTS OF
MUSIC IN CHARLOTTE
FAMILY FUN INDOORS
THIS WINTER
NASCAR IS KING
IN THE QUEEN CITY
featured this month
6 Best Bets
January events in Charlotte you don’t want to miss
10 Seven Nights of
Music in Charlotte
Charlotte’s thriving music scene is begging to be discovered
Explore what’s new in the
Queen City this year
20 Winter Warm-Up
Discover plenty of ways to bring
the family fun indoors this winter
24 Be a Museum Maven
Learn how to be a culture connoisseur in the Queen City
26 NASCAR is King in
16 15 New Ways to Experience the Queen City
Six fun facts about NASCAR
Charlotte in 2015
and Charlotte
stay connected
facebook.com/fan.charlottesgotalot
twitter.com/charlottgotalot
instagram.com/charlottesgotalot
January 2015
On the Cover • Eight Sushi Asian Kitchen
serves up fresh sushi in an elegant atmosphere
Photo by Lift-Off Photography, LLC
youtube.com/charlottesgotalot
pinterest.com/charlottgotalot
Charlotte happenings is a monthly publication of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
reprinted without permission. CRVA has made every effort to maintain accuracy of information presented, but assumes no responsibility for errors,
changes or omissions.
charlottesgotalot.com
3
social
ROUNDUP
take
FIVE
Friday, Jan. 16 – Sunday, Jan. 25
Restaurants throughout the
Charlotte region
charlotterestaurantweek.com
Dine like royalty during this 10-day
eating extravaganza showcasing
the best of Charlotte's ever-evolving
restaurant scene all the way from Fort
Mill to Lake Norman with a variety of
$30 three-course meals.
Photo by The Bridal Showcase NC
@ patrickjrasmussen
Photo courtesy of Nan & Byron's
QUEEN’S FEAST:
CHARLOTTE
RESTAURANT WEEK
WINTER JAM
Sunday, Jan. 18
Time Warner Cable Arena
800.745.3000
timewarnercablearena.com
THE BRIDAL SHOWCASE
share your
Charlotte photos
using #MyCharlotte
on social media
Engaged? Head to the largest bridal
event in the Carolinas to see over
150 of the area’s premier wedding
professionals all in one place. Register
online to be eligible for giveaways,
prizes and more!
Christian music's largest annual
tour will inspire thousands with
performances by top Christian artists
Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Francesca
Battistelli, Building 429 and more.
Photo by James West
@ jessarandi
@missjessieinthebk
@martina_clt
Sunday, Jan. 11
Charlotte Convention Center
704.339.6000
thebridalshowcasenc.com
2015 CITY OF CHARLOTTE
MLK HOLIDAY PARADE
Saturday, Jan. 17
Along Tryon Street
mlk.charlottevibe.com
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in this
Uptown parade alongside local community leaders, marching
bands, community and civic organizations, and more.
@mari_dith
NASCAR FAN
APPRECIATION
DAY
@ffemtandy
Saturday, Jan. 31
NASCAR Hall of Fame
704.654.4400
nascarhall.com
@ryanbrooksofficial
@hinessightblog
@bryanandjenn
Fans are invited to kick
off the 2015 NASCAR
season by experiencing
the history and heritage of
the sport while interacting
with drivers, inductees and
special guests at this free
event.
charlottesgotalot.com
5
best
BETS
FAMILY FRIENDLY
FUN FOR FOODIES
ARTS & CULTURE
For more ways to explore Charlotte,
visit charlottesgotalot.com
SCRAMBLED EGGS SUPER!
MONSTER JAM
Saturday, Jan. 3
Discovery Place
704.372.6261
discoveryplace.org
Friday, Jan. 9 – Saturday, Jan. 10
Time Warner Cable Arena
800.745.3000
timewarnercablearena.com
COOKING CLASS: WINE 101
FOOD TOUR: LOCAL
FLAVORS OF NODA
COOKING CLASS:
PALEO COOKING
COOKING CLASS:
SUPER BOWL SPREAD
Saturday, Jan. 10
980.258.9992
feastfoodtours.com
Additional date: Jan. 24
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Chef Alyssa's Kitchen at Atherton Market
704.817.7568
chefalyssaskitchen.com
Thursday, Jan. 29
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen at Atherton Market
704.817.7568
chefalyssaskitchen.com
CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY:
DON QUIXOTE
OPERA CAROLINA: TURANDOT
THE ILLUSIONISTS:
WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE
Saturday, Jan. 10
Mimosa Grill
704.556.7730
harpersgroup.com
NEWSIES
Tuesday, Jan. 6 – Sunday, Jan. 11
Belk Theater
704.372.1000
blumenthalarts.org
NIGHTLIFE & CONCERTS
RODNEY CARRINGTON
Thursday, Jan. 15
Ovens Auditorium
800.745.3000
ovensauditorium.com
6
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Friday, Jan. 16 – Saturday, Jan. 17
Belk Theater
704.372.1000
blumenthalarts.org
SCIENCE ON THE ROCKS:
FIRE & ICE
Friday, Jan. 16
Discovery Place
704.372.6261
discoveryplace.org
SUNDAY FUNDAY: ALL
ABOUT THE BLUES
Sunday, Jan. 11
Mint Museum Uptown
704.337.2000
mintmuseuem.org
Saturday, Jan. 24 – Sunday, Feb. 1
Belk Theater
704.372.1000
blumenthalarts.org
LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE
Friday, Jan. 23 – Sunday, Feb. 15
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
704.973.2828
ctcharlotte.org
RINGLING BROTHERS AND
BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS
Wednesday, Jan. 28 – Sunday, Feb. 1
Time Warner Cable Arena
800.745.3000
timewarnercablearena.com
QUEEN CITY BREWERS FESTIVAL
Saturday, Jan. 31
Bojangles’ Coliseum
800.745.3000
qcbrewfest.com
INNOVATIVE WORKS
Tuesday, Jan. 27 – Sunday, Feb. 1
Knight Theater
704.372.1000
blumenthalarts.org
Friday, Jan. 30 – Saturday, Feb. 21
Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre
Bonnefoux Center for Dance
704.372.1000
charlotteballet.org
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
THOMAS RHETT
AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW
Sunday, Jan. 18
The Fillmore Charlotte
800.745.3000
fillmorecharlottenc.com
Saturday, Jan. 24
Coyote Joe’s
704.399.4946
coyote-joes.com
Thursday, Jan. 29
Ovens Auditorium
800.745.3000
ovensauditorium.com
charlottesgotalot.com
7
charlotte
SPORTS
sunday
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
1
friday
2
Hornets vs. Cleveland
Cavaliers
7 p.m.
4
5
6
Checkers vs. Texas Stars
3 p.m.
11
7
13
14
Hornets vs. San Antonio
Spurs
7 p.m.
19
20
Hornets vs. Minnesota
Timberwolves
2 p.m.
25
3
Checkers vs. Texas Stars
7 p.m.
8
9
10
15
16
17
Hornets vs. New Orleans
Pelicans
7 p.m.
12
18
saturday
26
21
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Hornets vs. Miami Heat
7 p.m.
27
28
Checkers vs. Toronto
Marlies
7 p.m.
22
Checkers vs. Oklahoma
City Barons
7 p.m.
29
Checkers vs. Toronto
Marlies
7 p.m.
23
Checkers vs. Oklahoma
City Barons
7 p.m.
30
Hornets vs. Indiana
Pacers
7 p.m.
24
Saturday, Jan. 24
Hornets vs. New York
Knicks
7 p.m.
31
NASCAR Fan
Appreciation Day
8 a.m.
2015 NASCAR Hall
of Fame Induction
Ceremony
8 p.m.
Charlotte Checkers
Time Warner Cable Arena
704.342.4423
gocheckers.com
8
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Charlotte Hornets
Time Warner Cable Arena
704.467.6387
hornets.com
NASCAR Hall of Fame
704.654.4400
nascarhall.com
HITE
BY ASHLEIGH W
thriving music
vilion, Charlotte’s
Pa
ic
us
M
C
PN
d
y a laida an
you’re sure to enjo
,
Warner Cable Aren
go
e
u
m
yo
Ti
e
re
lik
he
w
es
r
nu
at ve
the city. No matte
ts grace the stage
ic venues across
us
m
e
ing music scene.
at
While big-name ac
tim
in
at
scovered
ing Charlotte’s rock
di
er
be
ov
to
sc
g
di
in
le
hi
gg
w
be
scene is
d great drinks
good company an
back atmosphere,
2
Night 2: Smokey Joe’s Cafe
This rustic-feeling beach bar just off Independence Boulevard on Seventh Street is surprisingly large inside. The inside is filled with TVs, pool tables,
foosball and darts, while the outside offers a fire pit and ping pong. The house band Smokin’ J’s plays on Tuesdays, which is also open mic night. Other
musical acts are featured throughout the week, usually offering live music three to five nights a week. This laid-back venue that’s frequented often by
locals is definitely worth visiting if you’re seeking a low-key evening with live music. smokeyjoescharlotte.com
Night 3:
Comet Grill
10
1
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Photo by Ashleigh White
Night 1: The Evening Muse
Big sound fills a small space
at this intimate venue in the
heart of NoDa. The club reaches
capacity at 120 standing guests
(or 80 seated), offering no bad
views of the stage. Generally,
there’s music at least three
nights a week, with basically
every genre of music being
offered from local up-andcoming artists. Mondays are
reserved for open mic night,
allowing locals to shine with
two-song sets each. Supporting
all things local, The Evening
Muse offers many local craft
beers at the bar and turns
into a coffee shop called The
Daily Press during the day.
eveningmuse.com
3
This tiny dive bar off
Park Road provides
close seating to live
music, a large bar
and a second story
with standing room.
The Comet Grill has
a campfire feeling
with the proximity to
the band and other
guests. If you’re
looking for a cheap
but fun date night
with live music, the
Comet Grill has no
cover and offers a
variety of burgers
and sandwiches
from the kitchen.
cometgrillcharlotte.com
Photo by Ashleigh White
Night 4: Visulite Theatre
Visulite is one of the coolest venues
in Charlotte that has a huge stage
front and center, with a pit in front
for dancing and raised seating
to make guests eye-level with
the band. The lighting certainly
enhances the experience and the
sound can’t be beat. Larger acts
as well as up-and-coming artists
can be seen and heard at Visulite,
which is located in a former art
house movie theater. The location
is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat
on Elizabeth Avenue before going to
a show. visulite.com
4
Neighborhood Theatre located in NoDa was recently
remodeled and offers balcony seating, VIP seating and
plenty of standing room for up to 956 people. This historic
theatre started as a community movie house that was
open from 1945 to the mid-1970s. It reopened as a
performance venue in 1997 that now hosts old favorites
to up-and-coming artists. neighborhoodtheatre.com
6
Night 6: Puckett’s Farm Equipment
If you’re looking for a country vibe, like NASCAR and don’t mind rebel
flags, Puckett’s is your place. Live music can be heard three nights a
week and cold beer flows from three separate bars. The former farm
equipment store turned bar is located in the Derita neighborhood and
attracts individuals of all ages, especially those who are looking to
avoid more crowded places. puckettsfarm.com
Photo by Ashleigh White
5
Night 7: Snug Harbor
Night 5: The Double Door Inn
This historic bar just off Charlottetowne Avenue in Elizabeth offers music almost every night of the week. The Double Door Inn has been around
since 1973 and caters to all music lovers by offering a variety of genres but specializing in blues and jazz. The inside is surprisingly spacious, with
pool tables and arcade games in the back and seats, a bar and room for dancing in front of the stage. Eric Clapton even made a guest appearance
at the venue in the 1980s, when he joined in on a performance with The Legendary Blues Band. doubledoorinn.com
12
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Other
Must-See
Venues
7
Located in one of Charlotte’s most eclectic neighborhoods, Snug
Harbor sits just off Pecan Avenue in Plaza Midwood. Live music is
offered every night of the week in this pirate’s paradise, including
karaoke with Bone Snugs N’ Harmony on Sunday evenings. A stage
sits diagonally from the bar with plenty of room for dancing in front.
This spot seems to attract a crowd of folks who are all familiar with
one another and like low-key evenings. snugrock.com
Coyote Joe’s is a long-time favorite country bar in
Charlotte. This enormous venue has brought in bands
such as The Band Perry, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels.
If you’re looking to dance and love country music, you’ll
want to take a trip to Coyote Joe’s. coyote-joes.com
The Chop Shop NoDa is a live music venue that lives
in an old textile plant building and has two event rooms.
There’s also an outdoor patio that is perfect for hot
summer nights in Charlotte. The Chop Shop is standing
room only except for some small tables around the bar,
but there’s plenty of room for dancing. chopshopnoda.com
Howl at the Moon sits in one of Charlotte’s most popular
night spots: the EpiCentre. This dueling piano bar is a
favorite for bachelorette and birthday parties alike but is
also great for a low-key night out with friends for a few
drinks. howlatthemoon.com/charlotte
The Fillmore at the NC Music Factory has quickly
become one of the best spots to see a live concert in
Charlotte. Housed in a historic textile mill with décor
similar to the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, this
intimate venue features red oak hardwood floors, red
painted interior and chic chandeliers throughout with
tiered floors that allow for great views from any location.
Stop by VBGB Beer Hall & Garden or one of the many
other bars and restaurants surrounding the venue before
or after the show. fillmorecharlottenc.org
To learn about more live music in your
neighborhood, visit charlottesgotalot.com
charlottesgotalot.com
13
throughtheLENS
Three Wells Fargo
Photo by Luba Katarkova
DINE
1. Treehouse Whiskey & Fork
Treehouse Whiskey & Fork takes their
namesake seriously; a sprawling tree
in the middle of the space creates
an eccentric, whimsical atmosphere
that transports diners back to their
treehouse-living childhood. The
South Park restaurant serves up new
American cuisine with creative twists
on classic dishes and an emphasis
on barbecue (Treehouse smokes all of
their meat in-house). Wash down your
pulled pork with a cold beer (there
are 30 on tap), whiskey (they have
28 choices) or one of Treehouse’s
signature cocktails. If you’re not in a
‘cue mood, pop into Treehouse on a
Monday and indulge in the all-youcan-eat crab legs special.
3. Yama Izakaya
Authentic Japanese cuisine has
arrived in Plaza Midwood. Squeezed
between Bistro La Bon and Healthy
Home Market in what’s becoming
a really happening strip mall, Yama
Izakaya serves up Japanese small
plates for sharing. Izakayas are
Japanese taverns – casual and friendly
pubs where people drink sake and
beer after work and munch on small
bites. Similar to Spanish tapas, the
food comes out of the kitchen as it’s
ready and is shared by everyone at the
table. Yama Izakaya’s menu features a
variety of classics including edamame,
yakitori and ramen.
4. Passion8
Passion8 owners Luca and Jessica
Annunziata are passionate about food.
Passion8 opened in October 2006 in
a small yellow house in Fort Mill and
now has a new home on Elizabeth
Photo by Jeff Ahmadi
2. Tacos and Sushi at
NC Music Factory
The NC Music Factory is a onestop shop when it comes to food
and entertainment. Whether you’re
looking for a meal before you catch
a show at The Fillmore or a fun night
of dinner and drinks, there are two
new spots that are sure to suit your
mood. Creative décor inspired by
Day of the Dead, hotrods, rockabilly
and tattoo artistry along with flavorful
food fusing Tex-Mex and Gulf Shore
cuisine makes Texicali Taco & Tequila
a fun, casual place to grab a margarita
and tacos. Newly opened Eight Sushi
Asian Kitchen serves up fresh sushi in
an elegant atmosphere. The restaurant
embraces the industrial elements of its
space but adds a modern sleekness
with murals and graffiti-style street art.
NEW WAYS TO EXPERIENCE CHARLOTTE IN 2015
Charlotte isn’t the sleepy southern town it was once known as. It’s now a bustling, vibrant city full of
fun places for visitors and locals to dine, drink and discover, and it keeps growing and evolving each
year. In 2015, Charlotte has become home to new restaurants, bars, breweries, sports teams and
even roller coasters. We’ve highlighted 15 new ways for you to experience Charlotte in 2015.
Texicali Taco & Tequila
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
5. RockSalt
Fourth generation oyster farmer
Travis Croxton is bringing a quality
raw bar with a focus on high-quality
ingredients to Charlotte. His seafood
eatery, RockSalt, is set to debut in
Charlotte’s restaurant scene this
spring (construction on the space
started in November 2014 behind the
Park Road Shopping Center). The
former dry cleaning space will be
transformed into a restaurant serving
plenty of seafood in a small space
and expansive patio overlooking the
Little Sugar Creek Greenway. The
restaurant’s goal is to support local
North Carolina products and farmers
in addition to a bounty of seafood
from the Carolinas and Virginia.
DRINK
By Chrissie Nelson
16
Avenue in Charlotte. The new space
boasts three dining areas including a
10-seat chef’s table (with a view of all
the action), a mezzanine for private
events and a bar area plus a much
larger kitchen (Chef Luca went from
working with eight burners to 24 in
the new space). The new Passion8
exudes sophistication. The feel of the
restaurant is upscale meets rustic
meets romantic. The Annuziata’s are
staying true to the love and passion
from which Passion8 was founded;
they are devoted to using high-quality,
seasonal ingredients from local
farmers and producers. Passion8’s
menu will change every few weeks
depending on what is in season and
what’s available.
6. Craft Tasting Room and Growler
Dan Davis is serving up a few of his
favorite things – craft beer, cheese
and meat – in his newly opened Craft
Tasting Room and Growler in South
End. Dan wants to create a sense
of community at Craft Growler Shop
by putting artisan producers and
farmers all under one roof. Of Craft
Growler Shop’s 36 taps, half are
dedicated to local breweries and the
other half are dedicated to regional
brews and special edition beers.
Beer lovers can try beer by the pint
charlottesgotalot.com
17
Photo courtesy of Craft Taproom and Growler
Craft Tasting Room and Growler
or by the flight (a sampler of four to
five small pours) and then Craft can
fill up a 32- or 64-ounce growler to
bring home. Craft also has a small
menu of simple bar food and specialty
grocery items including a selection of
artisan cheeses, charcuterie boards,
piadanas, flatbread pizzas and salads.
7. Sycamore Brewing
Charlotte natives Justin and Sarah
Brigham are bringing tasty craft beer
to Charlotte using fresh ingredients
and an all-natural brewing process at
their new brewery, Sycamore Brewing.
Sycamore Brewing opened with five
beers on tap. The brewery plans to
gradually increase the amount of
brews and styles, introducing small
batches and even wines on tap. An
old auto garage was renovated and
refurbished with a lot of work and
family love to house the brewery
(Justin’s dad built the picnic tables in
the taproom and Justin’s grandfather
cast the bricks behind the taps).
Sarah’s vision for the taproom was
for it to be warm and welcoming,
making Sycamore your home away
from home.
18
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Racing Insiders Tour
8. Tank’s Tap
Tank’s Tap in the 7th Street Public
Market showcases the flavors of the
growing North Carolina craft beer
community with a focus on local
Charlotte breweries. The bar features
12 beers on tap and 48 different
varieties in bottles. Guests can sip on
a pint at the bar or enjoy their beer
while perusing other vendors and
merchants at the Market. Tank’s Tap
also offers a growler fill station so
guests can enjoy a cold one in Market
or can take their favorite beer home.
9. Red Clay Ciderworks
A seed that was planted in 1995 is
coming to fruition in 2015 with the
opening of Charlotte’s first cidery,
Red Clay Ciderworks. The cidery got
its start in Jay and Deanna Bradish’s
garage and will be moving to a space
in South End in spring of 2015. Red
Clay will specialize in small batches of
hard ciders made from locally sourced
North Carolina apples. There will be
five core cider lines with its flagship
brand named Queen City Common.
Joining Queen City Common will be
Hoppin’ Good Thyme (a dry-hopped
cider infused with thyme), Boot
Leggin’ Bourbon Barrel, Blackberry
Bramble (a fusion of Queen City
Common and house made blackberry
wine) and South End Sweet.
10. Sugar Creek Brewing Company
Sugar Creek Brewing Company is
committed to bringing high quality
Belgian-inspired beer to Charlotte in a
style and commitment representative
of Belgian Trappist Monks. Occupying
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s
old space on Southside Drive, Sugar
Creek Brewing produces quality
brews using top-shelf ingredients,
secret spices and award-winning malt
varieties. Sip on a pint or sample a
flight in their taproom and munch on
something from their kitchen, featuring
popular Belgian street fare like doner
kabobs and fries.
DISCOVER
11. Racing Insiders Tour
Did you know that Charlotte is home
to more than 90 percent of NASCAR
teams? The Racing Insiders Tour is
the perfect way for NASCAR fans
or newcomers to get up close and
personal with Charlotte’s motorsports
community. The all-access, in-depth
tour starts at the NASCAR Hall of
Fame, where participants learn about
the beginnings of the sport and the
evolution of NASCAR and ends with a
visit to various race shops and other
attractions in the Charlotte area. The
Racing Insiders tour costs $90 for
adults and $80 for children.
12. Charlotte Independence
The Charlotte Independence,
whose name refers to the May
1775 Mecklenburg Declaration of
Independence, will give Queen City
soccer fans a new team to cheer for in
2015. The team comes at a time when
soccer interest in Charlotte is steadily
growing, and the Independence will
be active with fans and the Charlotte
community to create a pro soccer
culture (the team already encouraged
fan participation through a “choose
the logo” campaign on their website,
where fans could vote for their favorite
logo option). Charlotte Independence
will hit the field in the spring with game
tickets ranging from $10 to $70.
13. 3H Market at Ballantyne Village
Ballantyne Village’s new 3H Market
features everything homegrown,
homemade and handmade. Twice a
week on Tuesdays and Saturdays,
you’ll find local food, produce and
products (everything from candles
to stone jewelry to handmade soaps
to chocolates). Vendors’ selections
change each week, so check their
website for vendor updates, featured
vendors and special hours.
14. Charlotte Premium Outlets
Charlotteans and visitors are still
buzzing about the opening of the
Charlotte Premium Outlets – an
upscale outlet center eight miles
southwest of Uptown at I-485 and
Steele Creek Road. The goal of
Charlotte Premium Outlets was
to expand retailer options locally,
targeting customers who seek brand
names, values and discounts. With
100 retailers including a mix of stores
with apparel, footwear, fashion
accessories, leather goods, home
furnishings and specialty brands,
there’s something for everyone at
Charlotte Premium Outlets.
15. Lost Hollow at Daniel Stowe
Botanical Garden
A magical world has been unlocked
and there’s a host of adventures
waiting for the young and the young at
heart in Lost Hollow at Daniel Stowe
Botanical Garden. Guests can explore
Lost Hollow’s three acres, which
include meandering paths leading
to Sunken Pond, The Aviary (which
once housed birds in Daniel Stowe’s
own garden), Moon Keep (complete
with flying buttresses and moat) and
Fireplace Cave. A visit to this magical
place is included in the Garden
admission price.
charlottesgotalot.com
19
Aquarium
tte SEALIFE
cord-Charlo
rtesy of Con
Photo cou
Sky Zone Charlotte
orts
Great
Wolf
Res
y of
e
zone Charlott
rtesy of Sky
Photo cou
Indoor Family Fun for Cold
Winter Days in Charlotte
Come one come all to this timehonored tradition that’s been inspiring
wonder for over 100 years. The
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Circus will be wowing crowds in the
Queen City from Jan. 28 through
Feb. 1 at Time Warner Cable Arena.
What’s been called “The Greatest
Show on Earth” will feature every type
of circus performance from clowns
and gymnasts to unbelievable acts
and gravity-defying trapezists. This
year’s show called “LEGENDS!” is
unimaginable family fun for children of
all ages.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Take the whole family to witness the
excitement of the performing arts, and
then inspire them to participate in it
themselves at the Children’s Theatre
of Charlotte. Now in its 67th season,
the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has
become one of the top performance
and educational organizations for
youth in the country. This winter,
families can enjoy performances of
“Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse” from Jan.
23 through Feb. 15, “Mike Mulligan
and His Steam Shovel” from Jan.
24 through Feb. 8, and “Jackie &
Me” from Feb. 27 through March 15.
Get the kids involved in one of their
creative drama classes (for ages 2
20
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
e, Inc.
overy Plac
up to fifth grade) or workshops (for
grades two through 12) to see why
the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
has been nationally recognized for its
programs.
can touch starfish
and crabs in the Touchpool
Experience, witness sea life in action
at feed shows and put your knowledge
to the test on an interactive quiz trail.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Discovery Place
Live life in the fast lane at the NASCAR
Hall of Fame. Located in the heart of
Uptown, this 150,000-square-foot
attraction honors the history and
heritage of the sport. Drive your way
through high-tech interactive exhibits
like the realistic racing simulators and
pit crew challenge, more than 1,000
unique artifacts including dozens of
authentic stock cars, and the stateof-the-art High Octane Theater. Don’t
forget to grab something to remember
your trip from the NASCAR Hall of
Fame Gear Shop on the way out!
Watch as science comes to life at
Discovery Place, where exhibits,
experiments and the largest IMAX
screen in the Carolinas amaze,
educate and entertain. Kids of all ages
(including adults) will enjoy exploring
their imaginations in exhibits like
“Project Build,” where you can create
your own pyramids and skyscrapers,
and “World Alive,” a hands-on look
into our planet’s ecosystems and
the creatures who live in them. Don’t
miss the 44-foot T. rex skeleton in the
special “Dinosaurs in Motion” exhibit
open through Jan. 16.
Hands-On Learning
Charlotte-Concord
SEA LIFE Aquarium
Get up close and personal with more
than 5,000 sea creatures at SEA LIFE
Aquarium in Concord Mills mall. The
10,000-square-foot attraction brings
you face-to-face with sharks, jellyfish,
octopus, seahorses, starfish and
more and teaches visitors about what
we can all do to protect our oceans.
Everything at SEA LIFE Aquarium is
interactive: you are surrounded with
180 degrees of sea creatures while
walking through the ocean tunnel, you
Get ready for a getaway adventure
right in your backyard with Great
Wolf Lodge. Bring the whole family
for a weekend away and enjoy their
massive indoor water park (it’s
over 80,000 square feet and the
temperature is always at 84 degrees)
Photo cou
Pho
Ringling Bros. and Barnum
& Bailey Circus
Great Wolf Lodge
rtesy of Disc
T
y of
to co
urtes
The weather outside may be frightful, but there
are plenty of delightful ways to bring the family fun
indoors in Charlotte this winter. From family-friendly
performances to activities for the kids to work off the
post-holiday sugar rush, here are a few ideas to keep
the whole family entertained and active this winter.
e
f Fam
all o
AR H
ASC
he N
By Allison Troyano
Be Entertained
The traditional gym may have some
new competition. As the selfproclaimed inventors of “fun fitness,”
the world’s first indoor trampoline park
is redefining the way your family can
stay active throughout the cold winter
months. Bounce, jump and fly on
trampolines as far as the eye can see!
Sky Zone has something for everyone
including an open jump, a foam pit, a
SkySlam court, ultimate dodgeball and
upcoming skyrobics classes for the
parents.
Ph o
to co
urtes
Winter
Warm-Up
Get Moving
Discovery Place Kids
For the younger kids, plan a visit to
Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville.
Here, children can explore and learn
through child-centric activities like
creating their own artistic masterpieces
and learning about communities
through an interactive farm and a visit
to the town market, the doctor’s office
and the café. The experience is all built
around the “I can” theme, teaching
children through role playing, creating,
moving and experimenting that they
can achieve anything.
filled with slides for thrill seekers
and plenty of fun for the little ones
too. But the fun doesn’t stop at the
waterpark. There are live-action
MagiQuest®, Compass Quest™ and
ShadowQuest™ adventure games,
restaurants, shopping and daily family
activities that make a stay at Great
Wolf Lodge a true escape. After an
action-packed weekend, both adults
and kids can relax at either
the Elements Spa Salon or
Scooops Kid Spa.
Monkey Joe’s
If your kids always seem to be
“bouncing off the walls,” then Monkey
Joe’s is the place for them! Kids will
love their wall-to-wall inflatable play
center, perfect for get-togethers,
parties or just a day away from the
cold winter weather. Children 12 years
and younger can enjoy slides, jumps
and obstacle courses, and there’s
even a designated area for toddlers.
Visit their locations in the University
area, Pineville and Matthews.
Sports Connection
If you have an active family with no
intention of slowing down this winter,
you need a place that has something
for everyone. Where else can you
find indoor sports, laser tag, a ropes
course, bowling and rock climbing all
in one place? And with three locations
in Charlotte, Sports Connection is the
perfect cure-all for the winter blues.
Teens will love the bumper cars,
arcade games and rock climbing while
the younger ones enjoy mini-bowling
and jump-n-play. In addition to being
the destination for family fun, Sports
Connection is also a great place to
bring everyone together for parties
and gatherings.
For more ideas for family fun in Charlotte, visit charlottesgotalot.com
!
le
b
a
l
Tic
k
eTs
no
vai
a
w
neighborhood
FOCUS
Kannapolis
Located along the I-85 corridor
north of Charlotte, the quaint and
innovative city of Kannapolis is
home to the North Carolina Research
Campus, a life sciences center
that houses research facilities for
eight universities as well as major
corporations like General Mills and
Dole Foods. Kannapolis is also
the hometown of NASCAR legend
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and the only
motorsports heritage trail in the
nation – The Dale TrailTM.
Stewart-Haas Racing
North Carolina Research Campus
WHERE TO EAT
Restaurant Forty Six is named for the number of
chromosomes in the human genome, continuing
the science theme in the area. Lettuce Eat Cafe,
run by the UNC Nutrition Research Institute at
the Research Campus, offers a great selection of
healthy options. For some down-home cooking,
try Townhouse II, but come prepared – they
accept cash only. BREW features great culinary
concoctions with even better beer (24 or more on
tap and dozens of bottled options in their retail
store). Speakeasy Smokehouse & Taproom also
features a variety of craft beer and American
cuisine with an old Hollywood-style theme. One
of the signature menu items is the “Bugsy Seigel,”
a classic Rueben on a pretzel roll. For southern
barbecue, burgers and sweets, head to Varsity
Bar-B-Q & Ice Cream. Sweet Pickle Bakery &
Delicatessen is also a great spot for dessert, but
be sure to try their deli breakfasts and lunches too.
The Dale Trail
WHERE TO PLAY
Kannapolis’ rich history in music and motorsports
offers plenty of ways to play. The Curb Museum for
Music and Motorsports combines the two with an
array of music and racing memorabilia. The North
Carolina Music Hall of Fame honors legendary
performers from the state like James Taylor, Earl
Scruggs, John Coltrane and more. The annual
induction ceremony is held at the historic Gem
Theatre, one of the oldest single-screen movie
theatres in continuous operation today, showing
first-run movies with concessions at yesterday’s
prices. For the sports lovers, head to a Kannapolis
Intimidators (named for Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s
nickname) baseball game during the spring and
summer months. And don’t miss Stewart-Haas
Racing, the headquarters of the title-winning
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team fielding Tony
Stewart, Danica Patrick, Kevin Harvick and Kurt
Busch. Other activities are held year-round in
Village Park and Veterans Park, bringing thousands
of people to downtown Kannapolis for concerts,
movies and special events such as the Jiggy with
the Piggy BBQ Competition each May.
WHERE TO SHOP
In downtown Kannapolis, explore Carolina
Interiors and Village Furniture for your interior
decorating needs. Carolina Interiors helps
with kitchen and bath design, space planning,
accessories and more with hundreds of pieces
at discount prices. Rug & Home also carries a
variety of options for home design. With more
than 50,000 rugs in stock and a full home
furnishing department, explore the store for
ideas to help make your house a home. For
the ladies with sophisticated style, check out
Virginia’s Dress Shop in downtown. Open
since 1942, Virginia’s offers traditional and
contemporary fine women’s clothing as well as
handbags, accessories and jewelry. To shop
for the whole family, head to Lee’s Clothing
Warehouse and Neta’s Childrens Shop.
WHERE TO STAY
Just off Exit 60 on I-85, Holiday Inn Express &
Suites Concord/Kannapolis is a great option
for accommodations in close proximity to the
Research Campus and other attractions in the
area. The hotel features a breakfast buffet, an
indoor pool, and a Tuesday and Wednesday
evening reception with drinks and appetizers.
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kannapolis/
Concord provides free continental breakfast and
free in-room Internet access, while Comfort Inn
& Suites Kannapolis-Concord offers special rates
for special events. Affordable Corporate Suites
Kannapolis and Home-Towne Suites are ideal
for those looking for an extended-stay option.
Gem Theatre
22
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Learn more about neighborhoods
and towns around Charlotte at
charlottesgotalot.com/neighborhoods
Bottom right photo courtesy of the City of Kannapolis, All other photos
courtesy of the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau www.visitcabarrus.com
Holiday Inn Express
Kannapolis Intimidators
charlottesgotalot.com
23
Photo by Gary O'Brien
FEATURED EXHIBITS
CONNECTING THE WORLD:
THE PANAMA CANAL AT 100
Open through Feb. 1
Mint Museum Uptown
704.337.2000
mintmuseum.org
The centennial of the opening of the
canal makes it the perfect time to
take a look at the historic works of
art that captured this momentous
event. The exhibit features the notable
Bucyrus 50-B steam shovel used to
widen the canal as well as works by
contemporary artist Mel Chin.
BRITISH INVASION
Open through Feb. 18
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
704.353.9200
bechtler.org
A representation of British art found
in the Bechtler collection from the
1950s through the 1970s, this exhibit
is comprised of 56 print, drawing,
sculpture and painting works by artists
such as Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson
and Bridget Riley.
HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTS + CULTURE
BE A MUSEUM MAVEN
LEARN HOW TO BE A CULTURE CONNOISSEUR IN THE QUEEN CITY
Charlotte is a city brimming with arts and culture at every corner and the Levine Center for the Arts serves as Charlotte’s
key cultural destination. As one of the country’s largest and most impactful philanthropic organizations, the Levine Center
for the Arts is comprised of the Mint Museum Uptown, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture and the Knight Theater.
Representing one of the largest
collections in the Southeast, the Mint
Museum Uptown offers its visitors
inspiring and transformative experiences
through art and design from around the
world through innovative collections,
cutting-edge exhibitions and riveting
educational programs. You’ll find
contemporary, American, and craft and
design collections in this five-story,
145,000-square-foot facility. The Mint
Museum Uptown is the second location
of the museum with the first being the
Mint Museum Randolph, which served
as the original location of the first U.S.
Mint. Admission tickets provide access
to both locations. Both locations also
offer free admission on Wednesday
evenings from 5-9 p.m.
mintmuseum.org
24
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
BECHTLER MUSEUM OF
MODERN ART
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
houses works by artists including
Picasso, Calder and Warhol in an
intimate museum designed by
renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta.
The terra-cotta-tiled museum features
works in all mediums along with books,
photographs and letters accumulated
over 70 years and previously held as
a private collection of the Bechtler
family of Zurich, Switzerland. As a
36,500-square-foot building, this
cosmopolitan museum is the only
one in the southeast dedicated to
the exhibition of mid-20th century
European modern art. Its plaza is also
home to the beloved Firebird sculpture
created by French-American artist Niki
de Saint Phalle. bechtler.org
HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER FOR
AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTS +
CULTURE
Named for prominent architect and
Charlotte’s first African-American
mayor, Harvey Gantt, this museum’s
design is as fascinating as its exhibits
and permanent collections. Works by
well-known North Carolina artists like
John Biggers and Romare Bearden
celebrate African-American art and
expressive culture while also serving
as a community hub for music,
dance, visual art and more. This
iconic museum is also Charlotte’s
skinniest building at only 45 feet wide.
ganttcenter.org
BECHTLER MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Photo courtesy of the Mint Museum
MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN
40 AND COUNTING: CELEBRATING
FORTY YEARS AT THE GANTT
CENTER THROUGH ART, CULTURE
AND COMMUNITY
Open through Jan. 19
Harvey B. Gantt Center for
African-American Arts + Culture
704.547.3700
ganttcenter.org
This exhibit shines a light on the
organization’s 40-year journey
with works shown previously in 16
very different exhibitions, including
paintings, works on paper, sculpture,
African art, textiles, photography and
public art.
LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
MUSEUM ACCESS TICKET
MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN
Explore all three museums over two days
with one admission ticket for only $20
(a $9 savings). carolinatix.org/lcatickets
charlottesgotalot.com
25
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images
NASCAR
IS KING
IN THE
QUEEN
CITY:
SIX FUN FACTS
ABOUT
NASCAR AND
CHARLOTTE
26
1. The NASCAR Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony is held in
Charlotte every January.
2. You never know what celebrities
you will see in Charlotte during
Induction Ceremony week.
3. 16-time most popular driver Bill
Elliott will be inducted into the
NASCAR Hall of Fame this year.
4. The first African-American driver
will be inducted into the NASCAR
Hall of Fame this year.
The sixth annual induction ceremony
will be held in the Crown Ballroom
connected to the NASCAR Hall of
Fame and the Charlotte Convention
Center on Friday, Jan. 30. The
ceremony will be broadcast live on
NBC Sports and Sirius XM Radio.
Many people don’t realize that the
ticketed event is open to the public.
General seating tickets to this
legendary event start at just $45.
Drivers, celebrities and legends of
the sport flock to Charlotte during
the week of induction activities.
Last year, country music stars Blake
Shelton and Miranda Lambert were
in attendance. Blake Shelton even
introduced and awarded 2014
inductee Dale Jarrett with his Hall of
Fame ring.
Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,
Georgia, and father of the 2014
NASCAR Nationwide Series
champion Chase Elliott will be
inducted into the NASCAR Hall of
Fame this year. Did you know that
the Dawsonville Pool Hall used to set
off a siren every time Bill Elliott won
a race? It’s been years since it was
set off, but when Chase won his first
NASCAR Nationwide race in Texas in
April and when it was announced that
Bill was a 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame
inductee last May, the siren was set
off again.
Wendell Scott, the first AfricanAmerican to win a premier series race
in NASCAR, will be inducted into the
NASCAR Hall of Fame this year. The
Danville, Virginia, native was honored
this past October with a tribute car
driven by David Ragan and a tribute
truck driven by Darrell “Bubba”
Wallace Jr. in Martinsville Speedway
(Scott’s home track). Ragan finished
in the top 10 and Bubba won the race
in the powder blue tribute vehicle with
“Mechanic: Me!” painted on the side
to commemorate that Scott was both
the driver and the mechanic.
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
5. You can shop at the same store
that creates the legendary blue
blazers for the NASCAR Hall of
Fame inductees.
The custom blue blazers that each
NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee is
presented with at a special jacket
presentation before the Induction
Ceremony is created by locally owned
and operated Taylor Richards &
Conger in partnership with NASCAR
and Oxxford Clothes. Although you
won’t have access to the exclusive
color and fabric used for the
blazers, you can still shop for shoes,
sportswear, furnishings and madeto-measure clothing at this awardwinning men’s boutique located in
Phillips Place in South Park.
6. Admission is free to the NASCAR
Hall of Fame on NASCAR Fan
Appreciation Day.
On Saturday, Jan. 31, fans are invited
to kick off the 2015 NASCAR season
at NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day at
the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Admission
is free and guests will have the
opportunity to interact with drivers at
Q&A and autograph sessions while
exploring the interactive entertainment
attraction. The road to the first race of
the season in Daytona starts here!
NASCAR’s roots run deep in
Charlotte, and there’s no better
time to start exploring. Learn more
about NASCAR in Charlotte at
charlottesgotalot.com/racing
charlottesgotalot.com
27
IN LIFE THERE ARE
LEGENDARY
MOMENTS
,
THAT YOU DON T WANT TO MISS
THIS IS ONE OF
THOSE MOMENTS
January 30, 2015 • Charlotte, North Carolina
Tickets at nascarhall.com or by calling 1.888.902.6463
parting
SHOT
“Quiet Charlotte Skyline”
Photo by Brian Osborne
30
Charlotte happenings / January 2015
Charlotte’s got a lot
for a romantic weekend.
charlottesgotalot.com • 800.231.4636