Happy New Year! Even though the holiday season is winding down, I’ve always thought of the first week of January as an exciting time, too. We have a whole year of fresh opportunities before us, starting with the events on this week’s edition of FanFare!
Musical Tributes
There are some fun tribute acts coming to town this week. If you’re a fan of pop and rock from the 1970s and ‘80s, check out these shows:
- Middle C Jazz (300 S. Brevard Street, Charlotte) welcomes Landslide – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac for two shows on Friday, January 2nd at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Cocktails and small plates are served 45 minutes prior to each show. January 2.
- Blumenthal Arts* presents The New York Bee Gees Tribute Show with special guest Crystal Stark: Donna Summer Tribute at Knight Theater (550 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, January 2nd at 8 p.m. January 2.
- When one Piano Man isn’t enough, there’s the Yellow Brick Joel Tribute Concert at Knight Theater (550 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, January 3rd at 8 p.m. It’ll be a night of musical memories with Bill Connors, a.k.a. the “American Elton John,” and David Clark channeling Billy Joel. January 3.
SIX in ‘26
If you missed the hit musical SIX in Charlotte two months ago, you’re in luck. The six wives of King Henry VIII return from the afterlife to share their songs and stories in SIX: Teen Edition at the Stage Door Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), January 8th through 10th. You’ll see “her-story” presented in the form of a singing competition/pop concert as the wives tell of their suffering and reclaim their identities. January 8-10.
Art at the Mint
Both locations of the Mint Museum of Art* have ongoing exhibits of work by artists with connections to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The Mint Museum Uptown (500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is featuring Maja Godlewska: The Fluid Landscapes, a collection of abstract paintings. Godlewska is a professor of art and art history at UNCC. Through March 1.
The Mint Museum Randolph (2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte) is displaying the fiber work of UNCC graduate Katrina Sanchez. Interventions: Weaving Joy, Woven Resistance offers colorful, vibrant glimpses into the artist’s Panamanian heritage. Through October 18.
Skating Into the New Year
Don’t let the winter weather keep you indoors. Camp North End (300 Camp Road, Charlotte) is still Camp North Pole with its own festive outdoor ice rink for one more weekend. You can enjoy a day of skating, sipping, and shopping, plus seasonal treats, drinks, and holiday vibes all around. Through January 4.
There’s also open-air ice skating and a rotation of food trucks at the Founders Holiday Ice Rink across from Fountain Park in downtown Rock Hill, SC. Through January 19.
The Whitewater Center (5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte) offers outdoor ice skating where the rafting and kayaking happen during the warmer months. Winter at Whitewater also features an illuminated winter trail and a herd of highland cows. Through February 16.
I’ll be back next week with another edition of FanFare. Remember to keep an eye on our WDAV Events Calendar for even more new things to see and do in 2026!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Blumenthal Arts and Mint Museum of Art are WDAV underwriters.