Weekend Arts Events (April 8-10)
FRIDAY
THE JAZZ ROOM
To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, check out these back-to-back shows. The first is trumpeter/singer Leon Brown doing Louis Armstrong. For the Saturday set, Eileina Dennis emulates “Divine” Sarah Vaughan.
SENSORIA FESTIVAL
Readings from acclaimed authors, talks from nationally recognized artists, and performances from Central Piedmont Community College's own theatre program are just a few of things to see at the annual Sensoria Festival. The fest aims to give students a special experience in several disciplines, but the public is also invited along for each of the events.
BOOM
This arts festival takes over Plaza Midwood this weekend. For the whole story on venues, performers, pricing, and the thinking behind the festival, head here.
JERALD MELBERG GALLERY
For more than 30 years, the Jerald Melberg Gallery has represented the art buyers' market in Charlotte. The gallery currently occupies a spot in a Cotswold plaza, packing the space during opening weekends for exhibitions. See works by contemporary painter Robert Kushner (through April 23), known for his engrossing depictions of flowers and his involvement in the pattern and decoration movement.
SATURDAY
STOMP
Stomp broke through with a 1997 program produced by HBO. Since then, they've only found newer and crazier ways to create visceral percussion experiences for audiences. You won't look at trash cans the same way again.
BE A LION
This show takes off where The Wiz left off. What happens when Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz leave? From the title, you can guess which character becomes the focus of the story.
OLD 97S
This Dallas alt-country group emerged as a leader in the genre 20 years ago. Whiskeytown and Uncle Tupelo may now be names of the past, but Old 97s rocks on.
LEVINE MUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH
History is complex, and there are countless perspectives on the South's most significant events. The Levine not only puts those events in context, but it offers multimedia exhibits, forums, and artistic expressions that are tethered to our past. We Are the Music Makers (through April 24), which includes photography and tales of Southern musicians, is the product of the museum's partnership with the Music Maker Relief Foundation. ¡NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South (through Oct. 30) examines the rise of Latino populations in Charlotte and other Southern cities, and how the Hispanic population will help shape the future of the South.
SUNDAY
PAGLIACCI WITH ALEKO
One is the U.S. professional premiere of a Rachmanioff work. The other is Pagliacci, a piece already regarded as a classic. Any fan of the form has a reason to check out this Opera Carolina production.
NASCAR HALL OF FAME
Owned by the City of Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has 40,000 square feet of exhibition space to give visitors a peek into racing history. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Team Penske (through June 30) explores the team's life in NASCAR and other racing disciplines.
