What’s new on the FanFare menu? We have a Broadway musical, a bit of opera, three days of chamber music, and a dragon boat festival all coming up this week. Let’s dig in!
Peter Pan for Preschoolers
The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte) presents Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventure, August 20th through 30th. This immersive, sensory-led experience brings audiences into the enchanting world of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and Captain Hook like never before. The 45-minute one-act performances are limited to 30 guests per show and are designed for preschoolers on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities. August 20-30.
Feed Me, Seymour!
Blumenthal Arts* is bringing the not-so-scary Little Shop of Horrors, to Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), August 21st through August 23rd. Set to a 1960s-inspired rock & roll, doo-wop, and Motown soundtrack, the beloved Broadway musical tells the story of hapless florist Seymour Krelborn, who pines for his co-worker, Audrey, while having to contend with the bloodthirsty and carnivorous plant, Audrey II. August 21-23.
Question of Sovereignty
Three Bone Theatre is staging Mary Katherine Nagle’s Sovereignty at the Arts Factory (1545 W. Trade Street, Charlotte), August 21st through September 6th. Set in present-day Oklahoma, the play follows a young Cherokee lawyer and her colleague as they defend the inherent jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation in the U.S. Supreme Court when a non-Indian defendant challenges the Nation’s authority to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence. That storyline is juxtaposed with scenes from 1835, when the Cherokee Nation was still 800 miles to the east in the southern Appalachians, including North Carolina. August 21-September 6.
Fiddlin’ Around
Brevard Music Center* presents Fiddle Forward with acclaimed fiddler/violinist Casey Driessen at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium (349 Andante Lane, Brevard) on Saturday, August 22nd at 7:30 p.m. Driessen will be joined by members of BMC’s faculty in an eclectic showcase of bluegrass, jazz, folk, and global influences. August 22.
Huzzah!
The Daniel Stowe Conservancy (6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont) is celebrating the first anniversary of its Prairie Castle Playground with a weekend of medieval merriment during Castle Faire, August 22nd and 23rd. Your family is invited to come dressed in your Renaissance festival finest and enjoy activities including the Sequin Dragon Egg Workshop, Fairy House Crafting, and Stained-Glass Painting Workshop. Gravity Check Juggling will be performing, and you’ll find plenty to eat at ye olde food trucks. Garden admission or membership required to attend and workshops have additional fees. August 22-23.
Opera 101
Piedmont Opera* invites opera lovers and the opera curious to an afternoon of musical exploration with Opera LITE at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center (226 E. Main Street, Yadkinville) on Sunday, August 23rd at 3 p.m. It’s a chance to meet and hear classically trained opera performers in a casual setting and learn more about the art form. August 23.
Josh Groban & CSO
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* will accompany multi-platinum selling recording artist and actor Josh Groban at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, August 26th at 8 p.m. The concert entitled Stage, Screen, and Symphony will celebrate the some of the iconic music of Broadway and Hollywood with Groban’s inimitable voice and the power of the CSO. August 26.
Historic Lancaster Music Festival
Chamber Music for All will be headlining the Historic Lancaster Music Festival at the Lancaster Cultural Arts Center (307 W. Gay Street, Lancaster, SC), August 27th through 30th. The ensemble is led by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Calin Lupanu and violinist Monica Boboc. They’ll be joined by several other musicians and guest artists for the following performances:
Thursday, August 27th at 6:30 p.m.
- Musicians: Calin Lupanu (violin), Monica Boboc (violin), Phillip Bush (piano), and special guest artist Bjorn Ranheim (cello, St. Louis Symphony).
- Program: Bruch – Piano Trio, Op. 5 in C Minor; Tchaikovsky – Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50.
Saturday, August 29th at 6:30 p.m.
- Musicians: Calin Lupanu (violin), Monica Boboc (violin), Wenlong Huang (viola), Marlene Ballena (cello), and special guest artist Ethan Uslan (piano).
- Program: Montgomery – Strum; Turina – La Oracion del Torero for String Quartet; Piazzolla – Tango Ballet for String Quartet; solo jazz piano selections.
Sunday, August 30th at 3 p.m.
- Musicians: Calin Lupanu (violin), Monica Boboc (violin), Hanna Zhdan (violin), David Horak (violin), Wenlong Huang (viola), Marcus Pyle (viola), David Olson (cello), Nico Mazziotto (cello).
- Program: Shostakovich – Two Pieces for String Octet, Op. 11; Enescu – Octet, Op. 7
Weekend Wanderings
- Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival: Enjoy dragon boat races, food trucks, vendors, and fun family activities at the Rowan Shrine Club on High Rock Lake near Salisbury. August 22.
- York Summerfest: Live music, food trucks, arts and craft vendors, kids zone, and a car show in downtown York, SC. August 22.
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Book Sale: The Sugar Creek Library (4045 N. Tryon Street, Suite A, Charlotte) is hosting a back-to-school sale. August 22.
- Austrian Wine Dinner: Newman’s Restaurant at The Orchard Inn in Saluda hosts a sumptuous five-course meal paired with some of the wonderful wines of Austria. August 27-28.
Remember, you can also see what else is happening on the WDAV Events Calendar. Enjoy your week!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Blumenthal Arts, Brevard Music Center, Piedmont Opera, and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra are WDAV underwriters.