Looking for things to do in Charlotte this week? Find out in Charlotte Art Weekly 61

Learn about puppetry and improv theatre this week, or visit local war sites with Charlotte Liberty Walk. Experience the Puerto Rican Festival or catch Lori Mckenna’s music tour.

The week, Charlotte city is going to be abuzz with creativity and culture. The week kicks off with an art exhibition that explores how religion and sacred motifs have been explored in work by secular artists. There’s also a performance workshop on puppetry and improv theatre, and a conversation with artist Jen Edwards in which she will talk about her inspirations.

The Puerto Rican festival is also on the calendar for this week and so is the Charlotte Liberty Walk, which will take you to over 15 war sites. Charlotteans can also tap their toes along to the music of Natalie Prass and Sam Evian, or head over to Lori Mckenna’s tour.

Film-lovers, meanwhile, can watch a screening of Raisin in the Sun(1961), a film about an African American family’s struggles, starring Sidney Poitier. Or have your kids experience an interactive arts and science programme at the exclusive Culture Block Tour.

American film and stage actress Barbara Loden, who has also sometimes served as a filmmaker and off-Broadway theatre director, is the inspiration for our 61st Charlotte Art Weekly. Loden, who was born and raised in NC, began her career in New York City as a commercial model and chorus-line dancer. The actress has worked in over 11 films and given 14 stage performances. She received a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production After the Fall and received recognition for directing the feature film Wanda, for which she was awarded an International Critics Award at Venice Film Festival.

Wrestling the Angel

This exhibition explores how religious and sacred motifs appear in different types of secular artworks by various avant-garde artists of America.

August 10 to October 28

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art at Levine Center for the Arts

With tickets ($8)

Callaloo Kids Puppeteers + Performance

Explore the art of puppetry and improv theatre with Marjuan Canady and Nabeeh Bilal in this performance workshop and evening of book readings.

August 11

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture at Levine Center for the Arts

With tickets ($3-$5)

Puerto Rican Festival 2018

Experience the largest Puerto Rican festival of the Southeast through indigenous food, souvenirs and games.

August 11

Symphony Park at South Park Mall

With tickets ($5)

Natalie Prass with Sam Evian

American singer and songwriter Natalie Prass is here to perform alongside musical artist Sam Evian.

August 11

Visulite Theatre

With tickets ($14-$18)

The Classic Black Cinema Series – A Raisin In The Sun

Watch a special screening the 1961 film A Raisin in the Sun, starring Sidney Poitier, which tells the story of freedom through the eyes of a family that overcomes financial struggles together.

August 12

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture at Levine Center for the Arts

With tickets (Admission ticket)

Beatties Ford Library Culture Blocks Tour

Discovery Place and Brighter Days Arts Education bring firsthand experience into learning through their interactive arts and science programme.

August 13

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Beatties Ford Road Branch

Open for all

Charlotte Liberty Walk

Take this interactive walking tour to Charlotte’s Revolutionary War sites in 15 Uptown.

August 16

Uptown Charlotte

Open for all

Lori Mckenna’s ‘the Way Back Home’ Tour

Prolific and popular singer Lori McKenna is ready to perfom in her Way Back Home Tour

August 16

Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

With tickets ($25)

Jen Edwards in Conversation with Stacy Lynn Waddell

Artist Stacy Lynn Waddell will be in conversation with curator Jen Edwards.

August 23

New Gallery of Modern Art

Open for all

It’s set to be an inspiring week in Charlotte NC, between 10th to 16th August. Be sure not to miss out on these creative happenings!

Illustration: Nilesh Ramani