Popular art and performance festival returns to Charlotte after two-year COVID hiatus

UPDATE: This year’s festival will be held at Camp North End instead of Plaza Midwood.

The annual artist-led showcase BOOM Charlotte festival will return this year after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fifth annual art and performance event will be held April 22-23 in Plaza Midwood, festival organizers announced Friday.

BOOM Charlotte features art displays and film, plus performances including dance, music and comedy. It creates spaces where “edgy, provocative, and downright weird art can be put on display just a few steps away from family-friendly art offerings,” festival organizers said on their Facebook page.

It’s the latest festival to return to the city during the pandemic, including Charlotte SHOUT! and Charlotte’s Festival In the Park, both held in September. For two years, BOOM has held a mix of online and limited-capacity shows.

What’s coming to BOOM Charlotte festival this year?

New this year, BOOM has created categories for submitted works:

▪ BOOM Fringe, experimental original art performed in intimate settings.

▪ BOOM Intersection, an outdoor showcase art performed on a central space that is free for all ages.

▪ BOOM Street, various types of art experiences with no stage or a gallery that allows people to wander into mini outdoor art experiences.

The deadline to apply is midnight on Feb. 4. Decisions for Fringe will be announced Feb. 28, and Intersection and Street on March 15.

In addition to artists, BOOM also needs volunteers for roles including set-up and breakdown, box office sales and brand ambassadors from April 22-25. A volunteer form is available on the festival website.

This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 12:37 PM.