Things to do

Uptown Charlotte: Movies, cheap parking, street food — all outside during COVID-19.

The revamping of Charlotte Joy Rides was just the beginning.

Soon, you’ll be able to experience uptown Charlotte like never before — all thanks to initiatives from Charlotte Center City Partners. Imagine a weekend where you can park in the city for just $1, catch a show or a movie on the street and enjoy outdoor dining.

“The center city is really the heart, the pump that feeds all of us,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said at a press conference. “We are cautiously beginning to turn a corner.”

“We are inviting everyone to show up for uptown,” said Michael J. Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners.

Haven’t been to uptown in a while? Show up for...

Entertainment. Pop-up markets. Reduced parking.

From 5-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday beginning Oct. 9, the city will close select streets to allow for special programming. This weekend, there will be on-street entertainment, public open-air shopping and StreetEats added to the lineup of events in the city.

Robert Krumbine, chief creative officer for Charlotte Center City Partners, hinted at outdoor fitness activities in the parks, as well.

“We’re working to provide safe outdoor activities,” Krumbine said.

The city of Charlotte designated $400,000 in federal CARES Act funding to StreetEats, which includes buying or renting tables and chairs, creating road barriers signage and promotions.
The city of Charlotte designated $400,000 in federal CARES Act funding to StreetEats, which includes buying or renting tables and chairs, creating road barriers signage and promotions. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

The city of Charlotte, working with neighborhood organizations, launched the StreetEats program on Thomas Avenue, filling parking spaces along both sides of the road with tables for more outdoor dining. The city designated $400,000 of federal CARES Act funding to StreetEats, which includes buying or renting tables and chairs, creating road barriers signage and promotions. This will allow for outdoor dining at The Asbury and 204 North, as well as food trucks throughout the weekend. You’ll be able to enjoy outdoor eats under string lights before exploring more of the city.

From 5-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday beginning Oct. 9, the city will close select streets to allow for special programming.

With this addition, the program will extend to uptown, closing Tryon Street between Fifth and Sixth streets from 5 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Sunday beginning Oct. 9.

City officials, Charlotte Center City Partners are working together to boost business uptown at shops and restaurants with cheap parking and outdoor activities.
City officials, Charlotte Center City Partners are working together to boost business uptown at shops and restaurants with cheap parking and outdoor activities. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

From Oct. 16-18, look for street eats, performances and entertainment. In addition to outdoor dining at 204 North, Sea Level, The Asbury and SIP, you can also grab a bite at food trucks, such as Desi Kati Cart and Antojitos la Poblana, throughout the weekend. The block will have picnic tables and special lighting for an inviting experience.

Look for street performances throughout the weekend (7-10 p.m. on Oct. 16, 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 15, 1-4 p.m. on Oct 18), as well as a movie night featuring Back to the Future 3 at Victoria Yards at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. There will also be a Revive the Vibe musical performance from noon to 10 p.m. on Oct. 15 to fundraise in collaboration with Blumenthal Performing Arts.

From Oct. 23-25, look for street eats, performances and entertainment. In addition to outdoor dining at 204 North, Sea Level, The Asbury and SIP, you can also grab a bite at food trucks, such as Desi Kati Cart, Jive Turkey, Rollicious Ribs, Leann’s Deli, Cousins Maine Lobster and Goldfingers, throughout the weekend. The block will have picnic tables and special lighting for an inviting experience.

Look for street performances throughout the weekend (7-10 p.m. on Oct. 23, 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m. on Oct 25), as well as a movie night featuring The Princess Bride at Victoria Yards at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. There will also be an Uptown Sweat fitness event all day Oct. 24, where Charlotte fitness instructors will lead outdoor classes with a live DJ. Registration is required.

City officials, Charlotte Center City Partners are working together to boost business uptown at shops and restaurants with cheap parking and outdoor activities.
City officials, Charlotte Center City Partners are working together to boost business uptown at shops and restaurants with cheap parking and outdoor activities. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

From Oct. 30-Nov. 1, expect Halloween-themed entertainment. On Oct. 30, catch the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Victoria Yards, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with live music, food trucks and Resident Culture Brewing. The movie begins at 8 p.m., and advance registration is required.

On Halloween, catch live music, food trucks and cold brews from Resident Culture Brewing from noon-5 p.m. at Victoria Yards. This event is 21 and up. For family fun, head to the 7th Street Public Market from 1-4 p.m. for caricature artists, photo opportunities and trick-or-treating from market vendors. There will also be a two-hour open mic poetry event hosted by local poet Jah Smalls from 2-4 p.m. on Oct. 31.

From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. all Halloween weekend, check out the exhibition on the BLM Pedestrian Plaza, where you can view and learn more about the collection of plywood murals, created by more than 20 artists.

On Nov. 6, head to Victoria Yards for “Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw” at 8 p.m. There will be live music, brews and food trucks beginning at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Can’t make Friday’s movie night? There will be more Resident Culture craft beer and live music at Victoria Yards on Nov. 7.

Nov. 6 will also see Night Out at the Museum at the Mint Museum Uptown from 6-9 p.m. There will be art, live music from Pre Vox Trio and a cash bar. Reserve your timed ticket in advance.

On Nov. 7, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture will present Family First: Envision Your Dreams Collage Workshop from noon-1 p.m. During this free event, participants will source images from magazines to illustrate personal goals they wish to turn into action.

Throughout the weekend at Camp North End, Blumenthal Performing Arts will present We Are Hip Hop: The Reveal. Enjoy alfresco dining options, performances, art installations, DJ battles and a mural reveal beginning at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6 and 2 p.m. Nov. 7. On Nov. 8, you can also attend the virtual We Are Hip Hop: After Church Party live from the McGlohon Theater at 4 p.m. A limited number of free in-person tickets are available. Register here.

From Nov. 13-15, catch an outdoor movie, stock up on veggies at the farmers market and enjoy live music at Victoria Yards.

On Nov. 13, head to Night Out at the Museum from 6 to 9 at the Mint Museum to enjoy art and live music from Pre Vox Trio, or catch “Hook” during a free movie night at Victoria Yards. The event begins at 6:30 with live music and food trucks, and the movie will start at 8. Seating is socially distanced and masks are required. Register here. Then on Nov. 14, head back to Victoria Yards from noon to 5 p.m. for live music, food trucks and brews from Resident Culture. There will also be Street Eats throughout the city.

Stock up on your Thanksgiving shopping list at the 7th Street Public Market. You can preorder your turkey and pies via Freshlist to pick up on Nov. 24. Head there Nov. 14 to enjoy the pop-up Sidewalk Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Nov. 20, you can spread holiday cheer by “singing loud for all to hear,” during an outdoor screening of “Elf” at Victoria Yards. Live music and food trucks begin at 6:30 p.m. and the movie airs at 8 p.m. Register here. Then, continue the fun at Victoria Yards on Nov. 21 with more food trucks and Resident Culture brews from noon-5 p.m.

From now until Nov. 21, you can catch the Middle C Jazz Club Anniversary Celebration of Stevie Wonder, presented by Noel Freidline and featuring Maria Howell, Adam McKnight, Juan Rollan, Zach Page and Justin Varnes.

Crazy about true crime? From Nov. 20-Dec. 13, get ready for an immersive true crime experience via Art Heist. Groups of 35 will walk a route outdoors, meeting up with actors from Blumenthal Performing Arts along the way to receive clues. It’s up to you to “solve” the art theft.

From Nov. 27-29, head Uptown for Street Eats from 204 North, SIP and The Asbury. There will be picnic tables, special lighting and food trucks throughout the weekend.

On Nov. 28, the Uptown Farmers Market (300 S. Davidson) will showcase live music by Anna Kimm from 10 a.m. to noon. The market will be socially distanced and open from 8 a.m. to noon. There’s free parking on site or one block from the transit center.

For more local fare, check out the 7th Street Public Market Sidewalk Market from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each Saturday. There will also be live music from noon-4 p.m. on Nov. 28 and from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Nov. 29. While you’re there, check out two new concepts: Good Earth Essentials and Momo Station.

From now until January 2021, head to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture for Inter|Sectionality: Diaspora Art from the Creole City. This collaboration provides a lens through which communities and leaders can understand diversities and possibilities.

‘[Uptown] is a neighborhood just like any other neighborhood in Charlotte’

Paul Manley with Sea Level NC on Fifth Street said he will be creating a to-go menu to accommodate the al fresco concept. The restaurant also will expand its current hours with lunch those days and open on Sundays for to-go only. Manley plans to add a staffed kiosk in front of the restaurant for easy access to order.

Staff at Sea Level NC restaurant in uptown Charlotte prepare to opening up for the evening on Friday, July 24, 2020. Restaurants uptown are struggling with no events, office foot traffic, and new COVID restrictions on their business.
Staff at Sea Level NC restaurant in uptown Charlotte prepare to opening up for the evening on Friday, July 24, 2020. Restaurants uptown are struggling with no events, office foot traffic, and new COVID restrictions on their business. David T. Foster III dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com

“[Uptown] is a neighborhood just like any other neighborhood in Charlotte,” Manley said. “But businesses there have been struggling during the pandemic without theater and sports events, and workers working remotely. There’s a real sense of urgency about getting activity uptown,” Manley said.

Charlotte Center City Partners plans to set up outdoor dining, as well, which will fall under the Victoria Yards umbrella. You can also browse its list of uptown restaurants with open-air patios.

You can also expect outdoor movie nights, art installations and pop-up retail events in uptown’s future. This will include special markets and interactive decor throughout the holiday season.

Live music will be playing uptown over the weekend, and other outdoor entertainment options will be provided.
Live music will be playing uptown over the weekend, and other outdoor entertainment options will be provided. David T. Foster III dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com

New parking initiatives will also help Charlotteans and visitors see the city without the burden of parking prices. In partnership with Cousins Properties, Bank of America and Truist, three uptown parking decks will have free and $1 parking on weekends in selected spaces, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. The Fifth Third Center ($1), Seventh Street Station (free) and Truist ($1) parking decks will offer parking from 5-11 p.m. Friday, 9-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday to support the activation between 5th and 6th Streets. Payment will be due at exit.

See it in action

On Oct. 3, 7th Street Public Market will host a Sidewalk Market, with pop-up vendors along the Rail Trail side of the market.
On Oct. 3, 7th Street Public Market will host a Sidewalk Market, with pop-up vendors along the Rail Trail side of the market. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

While you’re uptown, you can experience the local art and culture through museums and street art. Start by visiting the Black Lives Matter mural on the 200 block of South Tryon Street, an initiative led by Brand the Moth and BLKMRKTCLT in partnership with Charlotte Is Creative and the City of Charlotte.

You’ll also be able to enjoy a pop-up 7th Street Public Market Sidewalk Market on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., weather permitting.

From 5 p.m. Oct. 2 through Sunday at 9 p.m. Oct. 4, North Tryon Street between 5th and 6th streets will be closed for Uptown Street Eats. While you’re there, visit the 200 block of South Tryon to see the Black Lives Matter mural. That block of uptown is also closed to vehicular traffic.
From 5 p.m. Oct. 2 through Sunday at 9 p.m. Oct. 4, North Tryon Street between 5th and 6th streets will be closed for Uptown Street Eats. While you’re there, visit the 200 block of South Tryon to see the Black Lives Matter mural. That block of uptown is also closed to vehicular traffic. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

In addition to street food, art and pop-up markets, explore the latest museum happenings. Jazz pianist, composer and arranger Martin Bejerano will join the Ziad Jazz Quartet in October for Virtual Jazz at the Bechtler. If you have a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card, you can enjoy one free general admission ticket to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture the first full weekend of each month. There are also new exhibits at both the Mint Museum and the Levine Museum of the New South.

A Bank of America or Merill Lynch card will get you a free ticket into the Gantt Center.
A Bank of America or Merill Lynch card will get you a free ticket into the Gantt Center. Courtesy of Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture CharlotteFive file photo

To stay up to date on the latest uptown happenings, visit the new website, where you’ll find things to do, weekend events and stories rooted in discovery.

Danielle Chemtob contributed to this article. Editor’s note: The date has been changed to begin Oct. 9 weekend. The story has been updated.

This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 2:36 PM.

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Jessica Swannie
The Charlotte Observer
Jessica is a writer fueled by coffee, cookies and long walks in the Magic Kingdom. She’s often found exploring the culinary scene (mostly pasta) and traveling. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @jessicaswannie.
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