Recently, Staying Ahead, Carolina met at Frankie’s Italian Grille in Dilworth on East Morehead for a summer social and to experience the Best of Charlotte’s Arts and Entertainment.  What an experience! There were ten representatives from the arts and entertainment community participating. They brought wonderful displays and literature for guests. The mix and mingle was great too. Those represented were: The Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Shout of the Center City Partners, Charlotte Dance Festival, Concrete Generation (a local poetry group), NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, NC Dance Theater, The Light Factory, Sienna Visions Fine Art, The Double Door Inn (music establishment). Musicians Robert Beasley, jazz percussionist, of Silhouettte Voyeur performed as well as Duane Centola on the saxophone.  The event was sponsored by nationally acclaimed artist Alonzo Adams of Sienna Visions (www.AlonzoAdams.com) and photography studio Charlotte Snapshots (www.CharlotteSnapshots.com).

The theme for the day was Discover the Gems.  It was a befitting theme given the array of venues and events that many guests indicated they were unfamiliar until attending the Staying Ahead, Carolina event.  One guests indicated:

“I've been here for 6.5 years and have recently become committed to attending more events in the city so your social really helped to educate me on what I can get into...Thank you for bringing something different, exciting and culturally based to the Queen City!  Charlotte has a lot to offer and you showcase it well.”

Guests brought such positive energy and asked in-depth questions of our arts and entertainment organizers. Guests and members relocated to the Queen City from all over the country (California, Illinois, New York, Louisiana, Florida, etc) and discussed their experiences among each other and what brought them to Charlotte. All seemed eager to know what’s happening in the Queen City.   The event was enhanced by several performances too. A newcomer himself Robert Beasley, jazz percussionist, played an original selection from his repertoire.  Duane Centola engaged the audience with jazz tunes on his saxophone.  Then, Concrete Generation mesmerized guests with its poetry duet.  Some native Charlotteans attending were interested in learning how the city has evolved, and surprised that our city had a poetry group ranked regionally and on their way to nationals this year.  Those who have been here for a while often describe many venues and events in Charlotte as the best kept secret. I hope via this blog, other future events held, and more importantly, your involvement, the gems of this city are truly discovered and shared with family, friends, and neighbors all across town.

Let’s hear your feedback and experiences about Charlotte’s Arts & Entertainment. What is your favorite event or place to go?