Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: April 30-May 2

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Happy Wednesday Smarties. Welcome to the first weekend of May. Activity abounds in the Queen City and surrounding areas. The biggest event going on is the Quail Hollow Championship. This really is a fun thing to take the kids to and an even better event to attend without the kiddos. Tons of socializing, people watching and golfers in super fun pants! Festivals, plays, and charity fundraising events round out the weekend – Get out and enjoy.

BeachFest Matthews
Stumptown Park, Matthews
April 30 – May 1, Fri., 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-10:00pm
Come and put your toes in the sand…. Live Beach Music, Shagging, Sand Volleyball, Boardwalk-style Food Vendors, Full-sized Carnival Rides, Hands-on Crafts & Activities for Kids, Interactive Sponsor Exhibits, and much more! Cost is free.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival
Walter Y. Elisha Park, Fort Mill, SC
April 30-May 2
Join us on Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st for the first annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill, SC. The event will feature live entertainment at the Strawberry Jam, arts and crafts, food, kids rides, and fun for the entire family. And don’t miss our spectacular fireworks display on Friday night! Contestants can also participate in our strawberry recipe contest, as well as pie and ice cream eating contests. Visit website for a complete schedule of events. Cost is Free.

Goodnight Moon
ImaginOn, McCall Family Theatre
May 1-2, Sat., 11:00am, 2:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
We believe Margaret Wise Brown herself would applaud this whimsical and wise adaptation of her family bedtime classic “Goodnight Moon.” While she penned a gentle lullaby that has lulled countless children safely into dreamland, the stage version takes us into the imagination of the child who quite simply is not interested in falling asleep! Imbued with theatre magic, the Great Green Room comes to life before our eyes. The kittens, the mittens … the red balloon and the cow jumping over the moon … the bowl full of mush and the old lady whispering “Hush” are all there … tucked in with a few surprises. Although the book was written for the preschool set, ages 3 to 103 will be moonstruck by this joyous, gently mystical bedtime treat. Cost is $18-$24. For ages 3 and older.

Les Miserables-School Edition
Matthews Playhouse
April 30-May 2, Fri., 7:30pm, Sat./Sun., 2:00pm
Victor Hugo’s epic story, Les Miserables, recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th century France. Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean is released from his 19-year term and not only becomes an honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father – violating his parole in the process. The relentless Inspector Javert, who makes a decent life for Valjean impossible, consequently pursues him. Only years later, after Valjean proves his mettle during a bloody student uprising and saves the life of a young man hopelessly in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed. Cost is $9-$10.

Behind the Scenes Tour
Carolina Raptor Center
May 1-2, 2:00pm
Tour our Jim Arthur Raptor Rehabilitation Facility, normally closed to the public, and get an insider’s look at what happens behind the scenes. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet the birds on our education trail. $5.00 extra fee.

Town Day Celebration
Davidson Village Green, corner of Main Street and Concord Road
May 1, 10:00am-3:00pm
The Town of Davidson will again host the annual spring Town Day festival on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m., with merriment filling the Town Green and Main Street with carnival games, food, arts and entertainment for the whole family. A variety of professional and local talent will be appearing throughout the day on the main stage located at the Davidson Public Library. Local vendors will offer a variety of food and a wide range of items for sale. Cost is free.

Family and Commuter Bike Demo
Latta Park – Dilworth
May 1, 10:00am-3:00pm
BikeSource and SouthPark Cycles are teaming up to bring an assortment of family and commuter style bikes to the 36th Annual Dilworth Criterium. The bikes will be available for FREE demo rides from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to test ride a bicycle perfect for your needs.

My Favorite Things Bicycle Tour of Charlotte
128 E. Park Ave., Charlotte NC Tours
May 1, 10:00am-12:00pm
The history of Charlotte is fascinating and can be appreciated through history, architecture and food. Tour Charlotte’s streetcar suburbs and sample food from some of our favorite places. Space is limited. Please call and make your reservation today. Cost is $15 Adults, $5 Children 12 & under (Add $15 for a bike rental). Contact www.charlottenctours.com or 704-962-4548 for more info.

Carolina Art Soirée
Morrison, 721 Governor Morrison St.
April 29, 5:30pm-9:00pm
Please make plans to join us on April 29, 2010 for “Carolina Art Soirée”, an art show feauring nineteen local and regional artists to benefit The GBS/CIDP Foundation International. The reception will include live music from musician Grey Brewster and vocalist Christine Navarro, and food and drink from Earthfare and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Participating artists include Wendy Bilas, Dianne Britton, Stuart Coleman Budd, Curt Butler, Shalimar Crosby, Christina Dowdy, Jenny Fuller, Lita Gatlin, Grace Howell, Esther Melton, Anne Neilson, Windy O’Connor, Laurie Richardson, Dillard Richardson, Kelley Sanford, Caroline Simas, Libby Smart, and Susan Trotter. The art show will also feature the work of homeless artists from Urban Ministry Center’s ArtWorks 945 program.

4th Annual GDP/CIDP 5K and Miracle Mile
Morrison
May 1, 8:00am-5k run, 8:05am-5k walk, 8:30am-Miracle Mile, 26.2 yard Kids Dash
This race benefits the GBS/CIDP Foundation International. GBS, Guillain-Barré (Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome, also called acute inflamma tory demyelinating polyneuropathy and Landry’s ascending paralysis, is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves those outside the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by the rapid onset of weakness and, often, paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles and face. GBS is the most common cause of rapidly acquired paralysis in the United States today, affecting one to two people in every 100,000. Although most people recover and return to a normal lifestyle, the length of the illness is unpredictable and often months of hospital care are required, many endure a slow recovery and some remain wheelchair-bound indefinitely. CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing weakness of the legs and, to a lesser extent, the arms. It is caused by damage to the covering of the nerves, called myelin.

Small Hands Big Art and Criss Cross Mangosauce
Small Hands Big Art
May 1, 1:30pm-5:00pm
Open House in celebration of Día de los Niños (Day of the Children.) Featuring original and interactive children’s musical performances and storytelling from the local bi-cultural artists Criss Cross Mangosauce, arts and crafts, and Latin-inspired culinary tastes from Switchin’ Kitchens.

Belk Charity Sale Event
Area Belk stores
May 1, 6:00am-10:00am
The Charity Sale Event is a private 4 hour sale dedicated to supporting local non-profit organizations. Purchase a $5 ticket that will give you entrance to the event. The ticket gives you $5 off your first purchase! Storewide reductions of 20%-70% off, including special savings on rarely-discounted brands. 100 gift cards will be given away with values from $5-$1000 at each location and 1 winner from each location will receive a $1000 gift card.

Mayfair: A Celebration of Arts and Crafts
Shoppes at University Place
May 1-2, Sat.,10:00am-8:00pm; Sun., 11:00am-5:00pm
We believe that art is an essential part of any thriving community. We believe that arts lift the spirit and raise the collective consciousness of the citizens of University City. We collaborate with artists and artistic organizations in an effort to facilitate mutual support, recognition, and the exchanging of ideas. We work to encourage a thriving community of artists and appreciation of art within University City. This year’s event will be held again at the boardwalk and lakeside at the Shoppes at University Place, JM Keynes Drive in Charlotte. This is a family-friendly event showcasing the arts/crafts of more than 50 artists. Includes a Kids’ Fun Zone with face painting, sand art and much more.

Charlotte Run For Peace at Home
May 1, 8:00pm
McAlpine Creek Park
Annual event helps raise money and awareness for United Family Services, battered women’s shelter. All proceeds benefit the local nonprofit. There will be a men’s and women’s 5-k run/walk, a children’s fun run/walk, children’s activities and awards.

Classi-kool Music Series
May 2, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Classi-Kool Music Series is free and open to the public. Prior to the music performance a puppet show will open the event, Each Sunday a different style of music will be played. The puppets will give a brief history of the music and have interaction with the audience.

All About Baby event
May 2, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Belly Elan
Join us for an afternoon of fun, food, freebies and plenty of information about prenatal, postnatal and baby needs. Vendors from the Charlotte area will be on hand to discuss everything from maternity needs to cloth diapers to post-partum care for you and baby. The first 50 moms-to-be to register for the event will receive a Mommy Bag full of samples, coupons and gifts from participating vendors.