Happy Wednesday Smarties. For the last weekend in April, start your weekend with a carnival for the kiddo’s and then head over to the Greenway for the Kings Drive Art Walk. You can also enjoy one of the many theatre performances, or a Beach Festival in Matthews. Plenty of events, all you have to do is get out and enjoy!
The Children’s Circle Spring Carnival at Myers Park United Methodist Church
Myers Park United Methodist Church
April 28, 10:00am-2:00pm
The carnival will include games and rides appropriate for preschool age children, pony rides, music and a silent auction featuring weekend getaways, tickets to sporting events, a set of braces and a variety of other items for kids and parents. Admission is free, and tickets for games and rides will be available for sale at the entrance to the parking lot. Lunches from Chick-Fil-A will also be available to purchase. Tickets are 3 for $1.
The Queen City’s Mom Prom
Havana Social Club
April 27, 8:00pm
Mom Prom, a charity event benefitting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, is the ultimate ladies night out to celebrate women and moms in all stages of motherhood. It’s an opportunity to take a break from the everyday challenges of work, running a household and raising children to relive one of the most memorable nights of your life – PROM! Complete with formal, evening attire, sequins, satin and tiaras, Mom Prom will have everything you remember from prom, including dancing, decorations, Prom photos, food and drink, and even a Prom Queen. With an opportunity to spend time with your best girlfriends, dressed in your finest, dancing to your favorite music, what’s not to love? All proceeds from The Queen City’s Mom Prom will benefit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.
Busytown
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Imaginon
April 28-29, Sat., 11:00am; Sun., 2:00pm
Welcome to the bustling world of Busytown, which is always buzzing with activity. As Huckle Cat takes us on a tour of his neighborhood, we learn just how many people it takes to keep a city running smoothly. From farmers and grocers to doctors and nurses, from postmen and bankers to firemen and lumberjacks, everyone in the community works and plays together. This comical, colorful production brings Richard Scarry’s beloved characters, including Farmer Pig, Dr. Lion and Lowly Worm, to singing, dancing life on stage. Ages 3+.Cost is $18-$24.
Salt and Pepper
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn
April 28-29, Sat., 3:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
Salt’s family has a secret. His grandfather can’t read or write, and the Old Man’s shame and silence make life hard on the two grandsons he is raising on his own – so hard that Salt’s brother Andy leaves to join the Marine Corps. When Salt meets Pepper, the daughter of a migrant farmworker, her love of books sparks his own interest in the world of words. Together, Salt and Pepper discover a mysterious box of postcards that reveal the truth about his family’s past and leads them to a more hopeful future. A regional premiere, this thoughtful drama explores the burden of illiteracy, and the bonds of family and friendship. Ages 8+. Cost is $14-$18.
A Bear Called Paddington
The Armour Street Theatre, Davidson
April 28-29, Sat., 1:00pm, 4:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm 4:00pm
These heart-warming stories of the little bear found in Padding Station by the Brown family have long been favorites with children and families. A collection of these stories has been magically woven together in a production to delight the very young and the grown-ups who love them. Cost is $10.
Willy Wonka Junior
Matthews Community Center
April 27, 7:30pm
Matthews Playhouse Musical Theatre companies will perform Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. This stage adaptation of the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features the songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Our musical version is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth. Cost is $9 – $10.
Festival in the Park: Kings Drive Art Walk
Sugar Creek Greenway along Kings Drive
April 28-29, 11:00am-6:00pm.
The festival will again feature fine arts for sale in numerous mediums, including paint and drawing; sculpture; pottery; and metal, stone, wood and glass works, with one focus being local emerging artists. This year’s event will also include a JazzArts Music Stage at the Metropolitan with a wine and beer garden nearby, as well as performing magicians at the creekside amphitheatre. Admission to the festival will be free and open to the public. The JazzArts Music Stage performances will continue Saturday night from 8:00 to 9:30 PM after the Art Walk.
Park 10 Lanes Grand Re-Opening
Park 10 Lanes Bowling Alley
April 28, 2:00pm-2:00am
A new spin on an old favorite is striking Charlotte! Come join us for our Grand Bash Re-Opening! Moonshine Tasting, Local Craft Breweries, Cornhole Competitions. Music by The Bad Daddies, The Moonshine Racers, The Aqualads, DJ Smitty & DJ Wiz Kid. 10% of proceeds from 2-5 p.m. will be donated to Big Brother/Big Sister of Charlotte. There will be free bowling with no cover charge.
Beach Fest Matthews
Stumptown Park, Matthews
April 27-28, Fri., 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-10:00pm
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.
Make it Rain
Discovery Place
April 27, 2:00pm
Drop into the Explore More Collections lab to see the Museum’s collection of musical instruments from around the world and make a musical instrument to take home.
Astronomy Day
Discovery Place
April 28, 10:00am-6:00pm
Blast off with this special Museum-wide event that celebrates astronomy and all things intergalactic. Take a tour of the night sky in a digital planetarium, view the sun through a telescope lens, see authentic NASA artifacts and more.
Da de los Nios, Da de los Libros (Childrens Day, Book Day)
ImaginOn
April 28, 11:00am-2:00pm
Free activities promoting literature, culture and reading featuring author Alma Flor Ada, Clifford and Curious George and the Grey Seal Puppets.
Danstallations
Mint Museum of Art Uptown and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
April 28, 11:00am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-3:30pm
Featuring dance performances by Kinetic Works at the Mint Museum, a gallery scavenger hunt at both museums, and a participant discussion at the Bechtler. Art and dance lovers alike will enjoy this special event. Cost is $9, free for children 12 and under.
The Open Door Preschool Spring Festival
The Open Door Preschool
April 28, 9:00am-1:00pm
The morning will be filled with kids activities, crafts bazaar, music, kids theater, bubble man, face painting and a visit from the fire truck. The school is located at 234 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte at the Unitarian Universalist church.
Aquafina Pitch Hit & Run Competition
Winget School Recreation Site
April 28, 10:30am-12:30pm
Kids will perform different baseball skills in competition setting. Kids will perform different baseball skills in competition setting. Ages 5-12. Cost is free.