Happy Wednesday Smarties. Beat the heat by enjoying evening concerts, a cool cave exhibit or a favorite play. For those up for a little adventure, how about a day trip to Tweetsie. See Dora, Diego and let your children experience a North Carolina family favorite. Grab the fam, get out and enjoy!
Blakeney Summer Concert Series
The Village Green, Ardrey Kell and Rea Roads
June 24-25, 7:00pm
Grab your family and friends and join us for a summer night of great entertainment. Enjoy the sounds of Jazz, Acoustic, Blues and R&B every Friday and Saturday night from 7pm–10pm! Cost is free.
Nature at Night Hayride
McDowell Nature Center
June 24, 8:15pm-9:45pm
Bring your family and experience McDowell Nature Preserve at night. Weather permitting we will venture into our Prairie in search of coyote, bobcat, deer, and owls while taking in the sights and sounds of the night. Limited seating available, pre-register (17 spots) or come to the Family Campfire early to take advantage of first-come first-serve seating (min. 10 spots), contact McDowell Nature Center at 704-588-5224 for more information.
Caves Exhibit
Schiele Museum
Ongoing thru December, Mon.-Sat., 9:00am-5:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm-5:00pm
Deep – Dark – Fun! Can you believe it? Hidden in darkness and inhabited by creatures seldom seen, cave systems are a unique and threatened underground wilderness. The mysteries provided by caves have long attracted human visitors – from the first Prehistoric peoples using caves for shelter to modern day spelunkers seeking a subterranean thrill. Spectacular minerals that form in no other environment await those adventurous enough to travel underground. Shy and unique creatures inhabit the darkness, often alongside the fossil traces of extinct beasts from the Ice Age that prowled the same corridors thousands of years before. Experience the breath-taking beauty of subterranean environments, complete with live animals, beautiful minerals, fantastic formations, and running water within dark passages that twist and turn. Free to Museum Members & Free with General Admission.
Dora the Explore and Go, Diego, Go!
Tweetsie Railroad
June 24-26
You can meet, greet and pose for pictures with Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego from 10:00am-5:00pm throughout the weekend. Cost is $22-$34; free ages 2 and under.
The Sound of Music
Matthews Community Center
June 24-25, Fri., 8:00pm; Sat., Noon
The final collaboration of Rodgers & Hammerstein has become the world’s most beloved musical. When a postulant nun proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. Cost is $10-$17.
101 Dalmations
Matthews Community Center
June 25, 2:00pm, 4:00pm
Fashion designer Anita and computer-game writer Roger meet, fall in love and marry along with their Dalmatians Perdita and Pongo. But the proud dogs’ puppies are kidnapped by Anita’s boss Cruella De Vil, who is stealing young Dalmatians to make the coat she has set her heart on. Enlisting the help of the British animal kingdom, Pongo and Perdita set out to find and rescue all ninety-nine pups from their fearsome captors, Jasper and Horace. Cost is $6. Theatre-goers are invited to bring pet food for our ‘Puppy Love’ basket. All food collected will be donated to The Union County Animal Shelter and the ASPCA.
The Commedia Princess and the Pea
ImaginOn
June 25-26, 11:00am, 1:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
How can you tell if someone is really, truly a princess? In this funny, fast-paced show, the Tarradiddle Players put a slapstick spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale. The lonely Prince wants to find someone to marry, but potential princesses must first get past his mother the Queen and her long list of tests. Will any of them be royal enough to turn a cartwheel, sing “Happy Birthday” while hopping up and down on one leg, and feel a teeny, tiny pea under a big stack of mattresses? Cost is $14-$18.
Gold Panning Day
Historic Latta Plantation
June 25, 10:00am-4:00pm
Learn about Charlotte’s rich gold mining history and pan for gold at the miner’s cabin! Enjoy live guitar music on the cabin porch and play old-fashioned games. Free with regular site admission.
80s Night in the Park
Bailey Road Park
June 25, 7:00pm
Join us for a flashback evening of your favorite 80’s songs to sing along to. Break out your jellie shoes, leg warmers and parachute pants! You can leave your boom box at home because we’ve got live music from 80’z Enuff!All ages. Cost is free.
Matthews Summer Concert and Movie Series
Stumptown Park
June 25, 7:00pm
All concerts begin at 7 PM. Pre-Movie activities begin at 7 PM, movies begin approximately 8:30 PM or dusk. Vendors will be on site selling dinner food, treats and drinks.No pets. This weeks’s band is Livehouse, top 40 variety.
Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops Concert
Symphony Park, SouthPark Mall
June 26, Prelude at 7:00pm; Orchestra at 8:15pm
Grab the family and head to SouthPark for the Charlotte Pops. Cost is $10, free ages 18 and under.
