June 2009 Best Bets

Beatles Tribute

June 5-6, McGlohon Theatre

(Photo credit: the library of congress)

Night of Notes

The Charlotte Children's Choir has launched the first session of Neighborhood Choirs, an after-school program introducing children to the vocal arts. To help raise money and support, the choir is hosting an evening with live music and a silent auction. See page 35 for details. June 5, Mint Museum of Art

Nikki Giovanni

With fifteen published works of poetry, eleven children's books, several co-authored works, and miscellaneous essays and recordings, GRAMMY-nominated Nikki Giovanni is one of the great literary voices in the African American community. See her read from her newest children's book, Hip Hop Speaks to Children, for the Change Is Coming to Charlotte Series, benefitting the Charlotte Literary Festival. See page 38 for details. June 25, McGlohon Theatre

Taste of Charlotte

This festival, sponsored by Food Lion, offers one location, three days, and six city blocks' worth of food and drinks from some of Charlotte's best restaurants. To participate, just buy a cup of coins either on the Web site or with cash at the festival ($20 for fifteen) and then use them at the various booths. There will be new attractions every day, as well as live music. See page 39 for details. June 5-7, Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte

Keith Urban and Sugarland

Even if you don't like country, you're probably familiar with some of this Australian hunk's chart-topping hits. Urban's guitar skills have helped him cross genres and work with some of music's biggest stars, including John Mayer, B. B. King, and Justin Timberlake. On the Escape Together Tour, he partners with Sugarland, an energetic country duo with a similar talent for crossing the charts. See page 36 for details. June 18, Time Warner Cable Arena

The Fray/Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory

When you're opening a new music venue, you'd better start strong. The appropriately named Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory has done just that, booking the Fray for its blowout grand opening on June 13. Owned by Live Nation, which also runs the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, the Uptown Amphitheatre can hold 5,000 people in its outdoor setting and features an elevated lawn and conventional concert seating. See page 36 for details. June 13, Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory

Beatles Tribute Night

You can't buy love, but $15 will buy a ticket to a night of Beatlemania in the Queen City. Twenty-five groups, professional and amateur, will take a crack at some of the most beloved songs by the Lads from Liverpool. See page 35 for details. June 5-6, McGlohon Theatre

Heroes Convention

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a gathering of like-minded people, with more than a few dressed like Superman? Why, yes it is. Sponsored by Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, the comic superstore on Seventh Street, this convention brings together comic book and graphic novel fans of every age and type. New issues, back issues, manga, collectibles: HeroesCon has it all. See page 39 for details. June 19-21, Charlotte Convention Center

on the radar: other events you should have on your calendar

6/5 Brad Paisley at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre  
6/10-7/5 Phantom of the Opera at Belk Theater  
6/11 TV on the Radio at Amos' Southend  
6/15 WWE Presents Monday Night Raw at Time Warner Cable Arena