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Smokey Joe’s Cafe
I was invited by Grant Thornton to attend the VIP performance of Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Theatre Charlotte. It was an amusing show and a great opportunity to experience Theatre Charlotte for the first time.

Theatre Charlotte is Charlotte’s oldest arts organization. The amazing part about this theatre is that all performers volunteer their talents to entertain.

Smokey Joe’s Café, directed and choreographed by Ron Chisholm, is a musical featuring oldie goldies we all know and love like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock,” from songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

The script was comical, dramatic, and sexy all in one, making it truly a fun show to watch. Many times younger professionals are intimidated or simply uninterested in attending musicals or plays, but as my friend Ryan said that night, “You can experience theatre without the seriousness of theatre. You can always have a good time with who you are with.”

Theatre Charlotte has a great lineup of shows for the 2007-2008 season in celebration of its 80th Anniversary. You should definitely check out Oliver! in September and The Heidi Chronicles in November. Visit the website for show information and directions. www.TheatreCharlotte.org

Body Worlds
If you go to only one museum exhibit this year, you need to make it Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds. Body Worlds is an anatomical exhibition of real human bodies that is well-known around the world and excitingly, is coming to Charlotte June 13 – October 28.

The exhibition will feature more than 200 real human specimens, allowing visitors to learn about anatomy, physiology, and health.

It is destined to be an intriguing exhibit for all ages and will help Charlotte’s status in America’s art scene. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the nation are expected to attend. Since its launch, nearly 20 million people from around the globe have viewed the Body Worlds exhibit. Make sure you make it to Discovery Place to see it for yourself! Visit www.discoveryplace.org for info.

Other Art Events This Month:

VantagePoint VI
Tom Hunter:
Contemporary Narratives
Mint Museum of Art
Through July 8, 2007
www.mintmuseum.org

Lake Norman Postcards Exhibit
Presented by Lake Norman Art League
Cornelius Town Hall
June 3 – June 28, 2007
www.lknart.org

By: Laura Vossberg
laura@ElevateCharlotte.com

I recently went to the “Pews You Can Use” event at the NoDa First Friday Gallery Crawl. That night I came to appreciate the art and atmosphere in this funky section of town.

“Pews You Can Use” is a public art display benefiting the NoDa School of the Arts, which teaches youth acting, dance, music, and visual arts.

You have probably seen these decorated pews around Uptown and NoDa. Each of the 30 pews have been given their own titles and will be at the “Pews on Parade” auction on May 31 from 7-9pm at the Mint Museum on Randolph Road.

I also realized that evening how entertaining it can be just to be in the NoDa area. As we were sauntering down the sidewalks, I was amazed as to how different the atmosphere was compared to being Uptown on a Friday night. I loved it! Usually we find ourselves doing the same things each weekend and often don’t realize the “whole new world” we have in NoDa, just a short ride from Center City. It truly is a different culture. Each bar and restaurant has a style of its own which gives you the feeling of being inside art.

We ended our artsy night at the Evening Muse where we listen to a few local artists. If you ever spend a weekend night in NoDa, definitely stop by the Evening Muse. It was there that I took a second to look around and noticed paintings on the walls from local artists, a band entertaining on stage, and people simply enjoying the company of their friends.

The purpose of my column is to inform you of art in Charlotte and after spending an evening in NoDa, I learned that art doesn’t always have to be paintings or photographs on the walls. An easy change in routine can be all it takes to bring new variety and excitement to your predictable weekends. Enjoy what’s around you.

Other Art Events This Month

Historic Southend Gallery Crawl
First Friday of each month
6pm-8pm
www.historicsouthend.com

1st & 3rd Fridays Gallery Crawl
NoDa’s Unique Street Scene
6pm-9:30pm
www.NoDa.org

Beatles Tribute Night
SPIRIT SQUARE
Saturday, May 12th
7pm-11pm
Tickets – $12
www.blumenthalcenter.org

Evening Muse
Beatles After-party
Saturday, May 12th
11pm-?
FREE
www.eveningmuse.com

Pews on Parade Auction
Thursday, May 31st
Mint Museum on Randolph Rd.
7-9pm

By: Laura Vossberg

Where Art Thou? May 2007