Best Bets July 2008

Snap, Crackle, Pop

There is nothing more American on the Fourth of July than taking in a ball game, followed by some fireworks. This Independence Day, celebrate as the triple-A Charlotte Knights host the Durham Bulls in an International League South marquee matchup. Then stick around for a thirty-minute light show set to patriotic tunes.
July 4-5, Knights Stadium

Composing Hits

Whether you know him as the front man of the rock band Dire Straits or as the composer of soundtracks for the films The Princess Bride, Wag the Dog, and Last Exit to Brooklyn, most people are familiar with the works of Mark Knopfler whether they realize it or not. One of the best guitarists on the planet, he has shown up on albums of artists like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, and he recently recorded a duets record with Emmylou Harris. He's on tour in support of his fifth solo studio album, Kill to Get Crimson.
July 27, Ovens Auditorium

Casual Classical

Bring the family, some lawn chairs, and a picnic basket to downtown Davidson for Concerts on the Green. This month's concert features Mooresville's Lake Norman Orchestra. The sixty-member orchestra led by Dawn Linebarrier reprises its patriotic concert from earlier in the month, including crowd-pleasing selections from the films Gladiator, Disney's High School Musical, and Happy Feet.
July 13, Downtown Davidson

Mind Your B's

Summer days were made for beer and barbecue. Throw some bourbon into the mix and you've got Charlotte's Second Annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival. All day long, you can sample some of the nation's finest whiskeys and beers and taste the area's best 'cue, including tasty servings from Mac's Speed Shop and Matthew's Outlaw BBQ Shack. For a perfect July afternoon, cap the outing with live music.
July 12, Symphony Park, SouthPark Mall

En Vogue

Charlotte doesn't see much haute couture on a regular basis, but the Mint Museum of Art is making some notable pieces of the last fifty years available for display. Beginning this month, The Art of Affluence features custom-made, one-of-a-kind pieces from designers like Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, and Versace, to name a few. The exhibit runs through late 2009.

"There is a Gianni Versace couture outfit that was purchased in Elton John's 2006 sale to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation," Museum Director of Fine Arts Charles Mo says of the outfit, left. "It is quite a colorful outfit that only Elton John could get away with."
Opens July 5, Mint Museum of Art