While you still may need to do some back-to-school shopping, I won’t blame you if get distracted by the events on the calendar during the next week. This summer fun continues with Baroque concerts, a hit musical, interesting festivals, and more! You can get pencils and protractors later. (Do kids even use protractors anymore?)
Folk Art of Puerto Rico
One of my favorite places on the planet is the island of Puerto Rico. I love the scenery, the history, the people, the music, and the food. You can bet I’ll be taking in the new exhibit at the Mint Museum* Randolph (2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte). Art of Devotion: The Santos de Palo Tradition of Puerto Rico features 150 objects spanning 300 years that explore the folk-art tradition of hand-carved wooden santos, which are symbols of cultural pride and spiritual devotion. Through July 5, 2026.
Teen Superstars
Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the score, Tim Rice wrote the lyrics, and some talented kids are bringing it to the stage at the Cain Center for the Arts (21348 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius). Davidson Community Players present the 1971 musical Jesus Christ Superstar with an all-teen cast, August 7th through10th. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees start at 3 p.m. August 7-10.
Very Oldies but Goodies
Great news! The wonderful North Carolina Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players will be opening the 2025-2026 season of WDAV’s Small Batch Concert Series on Thursday, September 18th at Free Range Brewing in NoDa. Can’t wait until then? The NCBO also has performances this Friday, August 8th at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (1001 Queens Road, Charlotte), and Saturday, August 9th at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church (164 Fairview Road, Mooresville). The Magnificent Orchestral Music of the Baroque will feature works by Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Johann David Heinichen. Both concerts are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. August 8-9.
High Fiber
Need more fiber in your life? This has nothing to do with bran. The Southern Comforts Fiber Market returns to Oasis Shriners Auditorium (604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte) this Friday and Saturday. The annual event features more than twenty beginner and advanced fiber arts classes, a silent auction, a used equipment sale, and over thirty vendors. You’ll be able to shop for hand-dyed yarn, weaving looms, spinning wheels, wool for spinning, project bags, and more. Attendees also display their hand-knit and crocheted creations. August 8-9.
Brew and Choo
The North Carolina Transportation Museum (1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer) is hosting its 2025 Brew and Choo Summer Concert on Saturday, August 9th. Enjoy the classic rock sounds of Motel Soap and sample beers from New Sarum Brewery. Kid-friendly activities include lawn games, a magician, and inflatables. Food trucks will also be on site. And, of course, your ticket includes a train ride. August 9.
Big Pipes
The Charlotte Chapter of the American Guild of Organists’ 2025 Summer Recital Series presents Kathy Riebe and Kevin Haney at St. John’s Baptist Church (300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte) on Sunday, August 10th at 4 p.m. There’s no cost to attend the performance but a freewill offering will be accepted to help fund private organ lessons for students in grades 6-12. August 10.
In Winston-Salem, the Sounds of the Summer Pipe Organ Series concludes with an exploration of the renovated and revoiced Fisk Organ at University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ Crawford Hall, inside the Gray Building (1931 Kenan Drive, Winston-Salem) on Monday, August 11th. The program will be presented by Dr. Timothy Olsen and UNCSA students. Admission is free. August 11.
They’re on a Mission…
Hailed as one of the funniest musicals of all time, The Book of Mormon returns to Ovens Auditorium (2700 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte) for eight performances, including two matinees, August 12th through 17th. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the irreverent comedy about mismatched missionaries has played to packed houses in London, on Broadway, and across North America. It does contain some salty language, so you may not want to bring young kids. Tickets start at $28.90. Presented by Blumenthal Arts.* August 12-17.
Rural Road Trips
- Waldensian Festival: The 50th annual event celebrates the heroic Waldensian people who founded the town of Valdese, North Carolina in 1893. Live music, street dances, bocce tournament, food vendors, rides, and more. August 8-9.
- Tea with Seagrove Potters: Stroll through galleries, sip tasty teas, and savor scrumptious pastries at this 10th anniversary event along NC Pottery Highway 705 in Seagrove, North Carolina. August 9.
- Blue Ridge Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival: Two-day event featuring artists and artisans, food vendors, and traditional Southern Appalachian music at the historic, 149-year-old Shelton House in Waynesville, North Carolina. August 9-10.
I’ll be back with more of the best our region has to offer. You can also see what’s happening on the WDAV Events Calendar. Have a great week! *Disclosure: Mint Museum and Blumenthal Arts are WDAV underwriters.