Blumenthal Performing Arts, the organization responsible for bringing Broadway productions to Charlotte all year long, is bringing Charlotte it's inaugural International Arts Festival.
The Charlotte International Arts Festival is an annual celebration of imaginative visual and performing arts from the most creative international and local minds. Fun for everyone, from families to individuals, play, and welcome curiosity, as we begin to see our city through new eyes. With over 200 attractions, many for free, this festival has something for everyone.
Expect performances, art installations, film screenings, tours and more.
Most attractions will be in Uptown or Ballantyne’s Backyard.
A variety of food trucks will be in attendance throughout the festival.
The Charlotte International Arts Festival spans from Center City to South Charlotte and features spectacular live performances, immersive art installations, conversations with thought leaders, and an abundance of inspired creations.
All the descriptions are provided by Blumenthal Performing Arts.
Reclamation by Jason Hackenworth September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Knight Theater Lobby Free
Mentalgassi September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Knight Theater Free The trio of German artists, known under the name Mentalgassi, create large-scale photographs which they tape on outdoor objects. Since they banded together in 2006, Mentalgassi’s artwork has been seen in many cities around the world, including in London, Berlin, Brazil, and Finland. By combining photography, sculpture, image manipulation, and street art, they transform ordinary objects into artworks that make passersby smile. Their work communicates with the environment. Like a site-specific installation, it perfectly balances with the location creating what the artists’ have named “urban entertainment.” Over the years, Mentalgassi have worked on numerous projects, the most famous being the Metalheads and Public Intimacy.
The People’s History of Charlotte September to October 2nd, 2022 Location TBA Free A short film to be displayed on the facade of a historic building, scored by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Tree of Life September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Location TBA Free Constructed primarily out of reused, clear plastic bottles, this massive tree boasts a complex root system through which you can physically walk. During the day, it appears opaque. However, at night multi-colored illumination highlights the connections of the different branches, like a circulatory system. As you take notice that this remarkable tree is made out of what is in your own trash can, the title, “Tree of Life,” becomes ironic as there is nothing living about this tree. There is no way that anyone can manufacture a living, breathing tree. The wonder will slowly become somber as you realize these hundreds of upcycled plastic bottles are only a fraction of what Charlotteans use each year.
Subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap! Get updates on the latest posts and more from Charlotte on the Cheap straight to your inbox. SUBSCRIBE I consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.
QC Crown Towers September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard Free Five towers form the five points of Charlotte’s ubiquitous crown logo. Each tower is a representation of the ingenuity and ideals of the artist – Jason Payne, Bunny Gregory, and other local artists. The people of the city are the ones that bring it to life with their energy; each tower is illuminated from within to illustrate that the crown shines forth from all involved in the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan area.
Meta September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Location to be announced Free Meta is defined as referring to itself. TuxedoKat welcomes you to find yourself in the many colors made from glass that was destined for the landfill. The upcycled glass with its mesmerizing twinkling light begs to be touched and seen. While doing so, TuxedoKat puts forth the questions: How can we manifest new purposes to what fate has already decided? How can we be rainbows creating rainbows? Think about this and her hashtag #ExploreYourCrazy as you find your most expressive self.
Brooklyn: The Collective Memory September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Brooklyn Collective, 229 S Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC Free The Collective Memory project commemorates and celebrates Charlotte’s once vibrant Black Wall Street community known as Brooklyn — upholding the legacies of those who came before us one brick at a time. The interactive experience invites people to learn the history of the once flourishing Brooklyn neighborhood through life-size portraits, archival books, and documented videos of former residents sharing their stories. Shedding light on urban renewal and the displacement of minority communities as a by-product, this immersive experience gives visitors an understanding of how we navigate the effects of moving people in and out of spaces as infrastructures grow. Collaborator: Sam Hoggs.
Mazing Shadows September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC Free Mazing Shadows asks you to take an adventure with friends and family through a labyrinth constructed out of shadows. Try your best to navigate the many twists and turns and along the way enjoy a dazzling display of shadow-based art forming a beautiful world anyone can get lost in wandering and wonder.
H2O September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Location to be announced Free Just as water is life, without water, this art project does not exist. H20 is an interactive mural that requires visitors to splash it with water to reveal hidden imagery and messages. The message of H20, “Without water… this does not exist,” contains a double meaning. First, the plants and animals depicted in the mural were chosen because they depend on water to survive. Second, the imagery of the mural is hidden by a hydrochromic surface and can only be seen through the application of water. As you play and discover the art, consider water’s impact, and be kind.
Little Red Bridge Art Space for Kids September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC Free Cross the little red bridge for hands-on art creating, music making, and body moving fun! The littlest festival visitors (ages 2-7) can wander freely between interactive story time, a colorful open art table, a silly dance party, or calming sensory play as they are invited to touch, make, scoop, splash, dance, listen, draw, watch and wiggle.
Grid September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC Free Grid is a movement and music collaboration between Charlotte-rooted artists Baran Dance and Sweat Transfer. Unset to a dynamic, electronic score, this structured improvisation explores themes of chance, coincidence, and collective pattern making. Each weekly performance will offer a unique composition created in real time, reflecting the ephemerality of collaborative and collisional experiences.
Queen Charlotte’s Secret Garden September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC Free Did you know Queen Charlotte was an amateur botanist? Imagine what her garden may have looked like and who she may have allowed to visit. Come and take a peek at this playful fantasy, with its enchanting scenery and colorful, light-filled surprises at night.
Color Play September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 (check back soon for exact dates and times) Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC Cost: Check back soon Come get immersed in the spirit of creativity, as a visual artist directs a dancer to use her body as her paint brush. Every turn of the body, footstep, and hip sway drives the development of the colorful and dynamic 16′ x 12′ performance painting. Through key phrases and creative triggers, a unique visual story unfolds connecting the painter, the dancer, and the audience. The artist also paints with large format tools: a mop, squeegee, broom, and even a leaf blower. Experience the painting’s creation live and from multiple points – from the painter’s perspective, bird’s eye view, and stage view – and you might be lucky enough to direct the dancer, too!
Heart and Sole CLT September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Brooklyn Collective, 229 S Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC Free Experience Charlotte’s most memorable and notable places through the contribution of the community in a most unconventional fashion…through the Air Jordan 1 High OG. Heart and Sole CLT preserves the city’s soul and history and combines it with the present by using the iconic shoe of one of Charlotte’s most famous residents, Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player and owner of the Charlotte Hornets, as the canvas.
100 Tiny Things September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Tryon Street, between Belk and Knight Free Connecting the constellation of the Charlotte International Arts Festival, 100 Tiny Things is one part surprise, one part scavenger hunt for everyone walking through uptown between the Blumenthal’s two largest theaters: the Belk and the Knight. If they are making their way to the festival, or even if they’re commuting to work, 100 Tiny Things are playful, curious and delightfully disruptive installations that are a joy to stumble upon, and encourage the public to explore the larger footprint of CIAF, as well as begin to see their city in through new eyes.
Bloom! Nature-themed acrobatic sway pole artists September 16th to 18th September 22nd to 25th September 29th to October 2nd Follow above link for the exact times Location to be announced Bloom! is a colorful and spirited aerial spectacle performed atop SWAY’s bespoke 15-foot sway poles. Inspired by the beautiful flowers of the Smoky Mountains, Bloom! features the aerial antics of three, highly skilled and equally colorful performers. Drawing parallels with the world of humans, Bloom! explores themes of individuality, diversity, transformation, and community. 20 minutes in length and accompanied by Ania Reynold’s original soundtrack, Bloom! celebrates the natural world of the ephemeral.
Birdmen — Larger than life bird puppets September 16th to 18th September 22nd to 25th 6:45 p.m. Location to be announced Huge illuminated animals rove the streets. These flying animals are operated by mysterious men. We, humans, are unnoticed by these creatures. Are they living in another dimension and what is their reason to invade our streets?
Photo by Alan Parkinson
Architects of Air Luminarium September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC $5 Since 1992 more than 3 million visitors in over 40 countries across 5 continents have been welcomed into Architects of Air’s monumental luminaria, immersed in radiant colour that comes simply from daylight shining through the luminarium’s fabric. The luminaria designed by company founder Alan Parkinson are inspired by natural forms, geometric solids, Islamic and Gothic architecture. Each new creation is a maze of winding paths and inspiring domes where the visitors may lose themselves in sensory bliss.
Moradavaga — Kraken September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Location to be announced Free Taking inspiration from the 2017 Taipei Public Arts Festival theme, “Story of a River”, Moradavaga devised an interactive acoustic installation with a strong visual impact that could resonate with the aquatic memories of the old course of the Keelung River in a playful and imaginative way. “Kraki” is based on the descriptions found since the late 13th Century about legendary sea creatures named “kraken” that probably inspired Herman Melville and Jules Verne on some of their most notable writings, like Moby Dick and 20.000 Leagues Under the Sea. In this sense, it is a kind of an ancestor, the great- great-grandfather, of “Vernie”, the giant squid previously created by Moradavaga on the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago. Like its great-great-granddaughter, “Kraki” came from the depths of the ocean, up the imaginary river course, to serve as a lively communicative tool for passersby of all ages at the Meilun Park in the city of Taipei, Taiwan.
Wishes and Whispers September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Levine Avenue, 100 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC Free Play the puzzle, win the experience! Wishes and Whispers is the thread woven throughout the festival, connecting visitors to the art and cityscape surrounding them. Sprinkled throughout the celebration, 8 installations provide an interactive path from one experience to the next. There are 4 interactive Whispers with trigger points to foster wonder and discovery. Find the triggers, illuminate the Whispers, and discover hidden Wishes in nooks and tucked away places. Contributors: Angela Clousher & Kristen Gurri.
Levine Avenue Artist Stage: Live Outdoor Music Hall
September 16th to October 2nd, 2022
Schedule subject to change; Follow above link for the current music schedule
Levine Avenue, 100 N Tryon Street, Charlotte
Free
Friday, September 16th, 11:30 a.m.: Shelly Ruffin
Monday, September 19th, 11:30 a.m.: The Marcei Portillo Band
Tuesday, September 20th, 11:30 a.m.: Reggie Graves — Jazz Theory
Tuesday, September 20th, 5:30 p.m.: Voices of Blumeys
Tuesday, September 20th, 7 p.m.: Acoustic Autumn
Tuesday, September 20th, 8:30 p.m.: Best of Open Mic
Wednesday, September 21st, 11:30 a.m.: Chelsea Locklear
Wednesday, September 21st, 7 p.m.: Barefoot Movement
Thursday, September 22nd, 11:30 a.m.: South shore Syndicate
Friday, September 23rd, 11:30 a.m.: Shemaine and Crimson Soul
Sunday, September 25th, 4:30 p.m.: Solomon Fox
Sunday, September 25th, 6 p.m.: Tim Scott and Friends
Sunday, September 25th, 7:30 p.m.: Zoocru
Monday, September 26th, 11:30 a.m.: Groove Masters
Tuesday, September 27th, 11:30 a.m.: Matt Kelly
Wednesday, September 28th, 11:30 a.m.: The Bryan Anderson Project
Wednesday, September 28th, 5:30 p.m.: The Ladysticks Show
Wednesday, September 28th, 7 p.m.: Hamiltunes
Thursday, September 29th, 11:30 a.m.: Arsena
Friday, September 30th, 11:30 a.m.: Soelle
Saturday, October 1st, 4:30 p.m.: Al Strong
Saturday, October 1st, 6 p.m.: Stephen Gordon Quartet
Saturday, October 1st, 7:30 p.m.: NiiTo Band
Saturday, October 1st, 9 p.m.: Cosmic Collective
Sunday, October 2nd, 6 p.m.: Vadim Kolpakov
The Man by Paperer Studio
Man by Amanda Parer September 16th to October 2nd, 2022 Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC Free Auguste Rodin’s Thinker, made in 1880 is famous for celebrating man for his/her perfect physicality and is often used as an image to represent man’s pursuit of intellectual thought and philosophy. Man is a contemporized version, in this giant seated figure we can see the results of our self-indulgence and self-importance. Man holds his head in search of answers, in search perhaps of what went wrong?
Wanted September 16th to 25th, 2022 Follow above link for exact times of the performances Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC Free A 2d cartoon with 3d heroes. The videography, inspired by comics and videogames of the 80s, portrays different landscapes and scenarios with which the characters interact. The two artists are tossed around between spy-story scenes and acrobatic combats. From Pac Man labyrinths and Super Mario settings to a risky ‘Mission Impossible’ … you’ll be be watching with bated breath! With the police running after them, the two heroes go on an adventurous trip balanced between real world and fantasy.
Waterbombs September 29th to October 2nd, 2022 1:30 p.m. each day Location to be announced Direct from New York City, dramatic opera music scores this hysterical battle filled with 100 flying water balloons and ridiculous comedy. With no words, Seth and Christina create a laughter-filled zone of wet fun, encouraging two audience members to be mighty gladiators. See why Waterbombs has thrilled crowds in over 25 countries.
Blue Lapis Light — Urban Aerial Performers September 30th to October 2nd, 2022 September 30th: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. October 1st: 9 to 9:30 p.m. October 2nd: 7:30 to 8 p.m. Government Center, 600 E 4th Street, Charlotte, NC Free Sally Jacques brings 30 years of site-specific performance experience to her role as Artistic Director of Blue Lapis Light. Blue Lapis Light’s company dancers have extensive dance training in all forms of dance, which they incorporate into working on structures with an assortment of technical apparatuses. They are highly skilled in both aerial and ballet techniques and perform with graceful athleticism, while suspended at great heights. BLL works with the same core rigging, lighting, sound, video, and costume designers for all of its productions. Their technical skill in their individual fields, as well as their experience in site-specific work, brings BLL’s vision to life.
Comments