The CLog
Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
Friday, June 18
Duke Energy Theatre
I personally freak out whenever I see a bug, but a film screening of Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo may be able to sway my opinion — well, maybe a little. Presented by The Light Factory at Duke Energy Theatre, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo explores the mystery of the development of Japan's love affair with bugs. Using insects, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners' perspectives on nature, beauty, life and even the seemingly boring realities of day-to-day routines.
• Special Event Whoever said crafts were for kids obviously hasn’t heard of Crown Town Handmade — a local arts initiative offering monthly “Make-Out Sessions” where artists lead participants of all ages in crafting works of art. Today, Crown Town Handmade hosts a Craft Party and everyone’s invited. The party is set to feature a handmade raffle, a crafty supply swap, a make-your-own miniature terrarium demonstration and cupcakes and punch at Midwood Park. But that’s not all. At Century Vintage’s The Playhaus, there will be a happy hour craft circle and a screening of the documentary Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft & Design. more...
• Music Tonight’s CrownTown Showdown at Neighborhood Theatre will feature performances by Campbell, Elonzo, Eyes of the Elders, Matrimony, Stephen Warwick & The Secondhand Stories, Sunshone Still & Uncle Mountain. Oh, and it’s free too. more...
Saturday, June 19
Held in front of Black Sheep Skate Shop
For skateboarders who know how to do a little more than kick and push, check out the Red Bull Manny Mania competition during the South End Soul festival (which takes place in the Southend neighborhood June 18-19). Skaters must maneuver a "manual," a skateboard trick in which they ride a board on only two of its four wheels, in addition to other tricks to show judges they've got skills.
• Film The Main Library's series, The Bad and the Beautiful: 8 films by Vincente Minnelli, presents a screening of An American In Paris today at ImaginOn’s Wachovia Theatre. This musical is fashioned around a rapturous George Gershwin score. more...
• Festival Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas continues today at Independence Park. The celebration features many forms of entertainment, including music, drama, dancing, storytelling, drum circles, workshops and more. more...
Sunday, June 20
CPCC’s Halton Theater
Central Piedmont Community College’s Summer Theatre is sprinkling star dust on past time fairy tales in its production of Into The Woods. The musical, written by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, uses characters from classic stories — “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Baker’s Wife,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella,” among others — by Brothers Grimm to create a brand-new enchanting tale that starts with the familiar “Once upon a time...”
• Music It’s pretty sweet that Charlotte Symphony does the good deed of giving folks a high-quality series of summer concerts for free. Having already staged several performances in Charlotte and the surrounding area this summer, the orchestra presents a special performance dedicated to dads on Father’s Day. Titled Supermen! A Concert for Father’s Day and conducted by the charismatic Albert-George Schram, this concert (combined with a picnic) is a picture perfect family outing. more...
• Theater Today is the final performance of Collaborative Arts’ Comedy of Errors. The farce comedy revolves around two sets of identical twins — separated at birth — who remarkably end up in the same city (Ephesus) years later. The twins’ mistaken identities lead to a series of chaotic (and very humorous) events around town. more...
