Happy Wednesday Smarties. Now that Christmas is over, it is time to gear up for the New Year. It is a great weekend to catch up with everything new at Discovery Place and spend some time reacquainting yourself with Uptown during the First Night festivities. There are many family events during the day. You can see some Mummies, ice skate, hang out at the NASCAR Hall, view art at the Bechtler and the Mint and hear some live music. Now that is a diverse line-up. Get out, enjoy and Happy New Year!
Mummies of the World
Discovery Place
Ongoing
Mummies of the World, the largest exhibition of mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, presents a never-before-seen collection of naturally and intentionally preserved mummies. This compelling collection, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies and important artifacts from Asia, Oceania, South America, Europe, as well as ancient Egypt, dating as far back as 6,500 years.
WBT Holiday on Ice
Corner of MLK Boulevard and Brevard on The NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza
December 27-Jan. 1, 10:00am-10:00pm, Jan. 1, 10:00am-7:00pm
WBT Holiday on Ice is back for the 2011 holiday season! As you feel the air get colder, you will feel the chill in the air from the ice rink….in a NEW LOCATION, now located at the corner of MLK Blvd and Brevard on The NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. And we are more than 30% larger. That means more skating room for you to cut up the ice! Heck yeah! Holiday on Ice will continue it’s tradition bringing Charlotte the coolest surface in the city, an outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of Uptown. It’s a holiday tradition for us to continue with you, your friends, and family. And we hope to see you there! Cost is $9; skate rental $3.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
December 29-30, Thurs., 11:00am, 1:00pm; Fri., 11:00am, 1:00pm
All the other toys in the nursery snub the Velveteen Rabbit for being boring, old-fashioned and stuffed with sawdust. But when the Boy discovers the little rabbit under his tree on Christmas morning, they become instant friends. As their friendship grows, the Velveteen Rabbit learns what it means to be truly loved – and the smiles and tears that come from being “real”. Adapted from the classic book by Margery Williams, this poignant story has charmed generations of families and continues to be loved by audiences today. Cost is $14-$18.
First Night Charlotte – New Year’s Celebration
Uptown Charlotte
December 31
First Night returns to ring in 2012 with a family-friendly cultural celebration taking place at NASCAR Hall of Fame, Outdoor terrace at Charlotte Convention Center, Bechtler Museum, Mint Museum, The Green, and the main stage located at Levine Avenue of the Arts! Artists, Dancers, Comedians, Musicians and Magicians will take to the streets and venues for you to enjoy! First Night Kids kicks off First Night and runs from 12-5pm with a kids countdown at the main stage from 4-5pm. First Night picks back up at 8pm for evening activities at The Green until 11pm and a fantastic midnight finale show from 10pm-12:30am on the main stage featuring headline band The Atlanta Party Band and Hoop Dancer Spiral! First Night is alcohol-free but attendees are encouraged to enjoy the local dining before the Queen Charlotte crown is raised to ring in 2012!
John Tosco’s 2nd Annual New Year’s Eve Variety Show
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
December 31 8:00pm-10:00pm
Host John Tosco (founder of Tosco Music Party) returns to the McGlohon Theater with another family-friendly variety show in the spirit of The Ed Sullivan Show. Scheduled to run from 8 pm to 10 pm, this New Year’s Eve celebration will be filled with comedy, dance, music and much more! All tickets are just $20.11, so don’t miss out on this new tradition!
Opening Night Matthews
Matthews Community Center
December 31, 7:00pm, 9:00pm
Matthews Playhouse New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery for the Family – The Annual Porcelain Bowl Awards is the setting as the soap opera divas and gents from ‘As The World Burns’, ‘Mental Hospital’ and ‘The Dumb and The Restless’ gather for a night of glamour. Drama and laughter fill the show until one of the actors is murdered. Who would do such a dastardly deed? Work along with the detective as he looks for clues to solve this hilarious whodunit. Cost is $10.
