Ideas for Creating Culture, Temporary and Permanent, in Charlotte

[KJHburg]

the  Immersive Van Gogh exhibit was really neat. It is like art coming to life.  Now through September or maybe later at Camp North End old Ford and missile plant.  They said they are mostly sold out through September.  Had to stand at first then benches and chairs were available.   It is not air conditioned in there but they are pumping cool air into the building dress as if you are going to summer outside event in Charlotte.    Lots of people there around 1 pm today I was surprised at that.  

 

[videtur quam contuor]

I was there from 1-2 pm today also! The still photos are nothing compared to the truly immersive experience with 6 meter high screens, high definition projections, excellent music that gives an impressionist mood. The columns in the space have been surrounded with high mirrors so the view is unbroken with the mirror reflection plus matching projections on the factory wood block floor. We sat through it twice @35 minutes per cycle. I took a bag chair for these old bones but there was a simple bench available and a few metal chairs for those who need them and are lucky to capture them as we did. Bought some Van Gogh socks. Exit through the gift shop.  A sense of the experience is that with a full room of 250 people, during the few quiet moments in the show it was silent. Rapt attention. Perhaps a high price but it is a one time experience and it is HERE.

[videtur quam contuor]

This video gives just a sense of the experience but it is much more.

[KJHburg]

1 hour ago, tarhoosier said:

I was there from 1-2 pm today also! The still photos are nothing compared to the truly immersive experience with 6 meter high screens, high definition projections, excellent music that gives an impressionist mood. The columns in the space have been surrounded with high mirrors so the view is unbroken with the mirror reflection plus matching projections on the factory wood block floor. We sat through it twice @35 minutes per cycle. I took a bag chair for these old bones but there was a simple bench available and a few metal chairs for those who need them and are lucky to capture them as we did. Bought some Van Gogh socks. Exit through the gift shop.  A sense of the experience is that with a full room of 250 people, during the few quiet moments in the show it was silent. Rapt attention. Perhaps a high price but it is a one time experience and it is HERE.

I say someone in a bag chair nearby but it was so dark I did not see  you.  As I thought I have plenty of those chairs I should have brought one LOL. 

[videtur quam contuor]

In case the quicktime is not accessible

[j-man]

I really think in general it’s time for this city to actually gain more major attractions. The population is exploding and it seems like not much has changed in the last decade for entertainment. Sure there are more retail/restaurant options but that’s about it. Like even hearing people who visit Charlotte be called tourists even sounds weird. Like what are they touring? Apartments? I mean come on some new museums/theme parks need to be in the works. I’m still in favor of a center city aquarium, or a zoo even though we’re in close proximity to others. Just my thoughts because so many people who live in Charlotte have to leave this large city to go to either other major cities or smaller ones to actually have something to do other than the same ole same ole things around town. I mean how many times can one go to the Billy Graham Library or NASCAR HOF. 

Edited June 24, 2021 by j-man

[videtur quam contuor]

once

[elrodvt]

0 times has worked for me. 

Edited June 24, 2021 by elrodvt

[sclark]

1 hour ago, j-man said:

I really think in general it’s time for this city to actually gain more major attractions. The population is exploding and it seems like not much has changed in the last decade for entertainment. Sure there are more retail/restaurant options but that’s about it. Like even hearing people who visit Charlotte be called tourists even sounds weird. Like what are they touring? Apartments? I mean come on some new museums/theme parks need to be in the works. I’m still in favor of a center city aquarium, or a zoo even though we’re in close proximity to others. Just my thoughts because so many people who live in Charlotte have to leave this large city to go to either other major cities or smaller ones to actually have something to do other than the same ole same ole things around town. I mean how many times can one go to the Billy Graham Library or NASCAR HOF. 

I think Carowinds, White Water Center and Discovery Place will be strong attractions, especially after Discovery Place is rebuilt/improved. 

[videtur quam contuor]

My wife and her older brother were both involved in NASCAR in the early Richard Petty era. She worked for Holman and Moody* and he was a pit crew member for a driver from Raleigh of little consequence at this remove in time. I went with them for a NASCAR HOF visit and it was certainly fun to see them see the things they recall and the memories on display. Happy times remembered. I recommend someone with little to no interest in NASCAR find someone who has history or interest st and it will make for a better experience.

2 hours ago, elrodvt said:

0 times has worked for me. 

* Holman and Moody exists and is in Arrowood and working with racing and classic cars and other auto related pursuits. I visited there with the two of them. There is a gift and souvenir counter as well. Still in the family.(as of three years ago)

[KJHburg]

Obviously special events drive most of the individual tourists but there are attractions in Charlotte.    Carowinds is HUGE draw.   I have 2 friends college age coming up from Charleston next month to go there.  They love the shopping of the area too which is an attraction in itself.   Plus one night they are staying at the Great Wolf Lodge I guess that is just another motel for most of you. I know of an UPer from Nashville whose entire family rented a house for a reunion at Lake Norman and will be again next year.  Big city shopping and dining makes Charlotte a great weekend trip.  Couple of museums,  historic sites like Reed Gold Mine,  the Speedway, big city shopping and dining. .  Usually people who live in a city are the worst people to ask why anyone would come here for they never will admit or go to anything tourist.   The Whitewater center is a huge draw.  

I know people who live in Charleston and Wilmington who rarely go to the beach.  Why would anyone want to go to the beach?  LOL.   Pick up a travel guide for Charlotte uptown or at the airport and see how this city markets itselfs to tourist.  

Oh yeah a friend in Atlanta brought his buddies to lowly Charlotte just to tour our breweries.    That all being said business travellers are the backbone then meetings and conventions but then individual tourists.  People in Nashville can't believe people come to Nashville just to go the Broadway strip of bars.  But they do.  

This Van Gogh immersion experience is drawing in tourists.  Closest locations to Charlotte would be Nashville or Orlando or Dallas or NYC.   Notice I did NOT mention Atlanta.

Immersive Van Gogh

A local person who may or may not like Charlotte to begin with will wonder why anyone would come here.  But they do.  This summer think outside your box and visit a new park or attraction and see for yourself.  

This has been brought to you by KJ and Charlotte's Got a Lot (even if you might not take advantage of it)  I swear sometimes I feel I am one of the few people on this site who loves Charlotte.  But yet you choose to live here LOL! 

Explore CLT & Live Like a Local | Charlotte's got a lot (charlottesgotalot.com)

[videtur quam contuor]

Realized that Holmon and Moody may be unfamiliar to many on this forum. They were the Ford factory campaigning team in NASCAR for years. Ford subsidized their efforts and it kept Ford from being involved in "racing" which might seem "dangerous". It was a time when people spoke in "bunny ears" to protect "reputations" and "lawsuits". They were the top racing program in several categories. Something like Hendrick or Gibbs today but with Formula 1, Daytona 24 and many other series. Their headquarters was just west of the airport of that time.

Read here:

http://www.holmanmoody.com/.    Go to Our Story down the main page. H&M and Competition Proven, their slogan put Charlotte on the map for racing and auto technology for sure.

[videtur quam contuor]

From a Sports Illustrated cover story about Holmon and Moody in 1969:

https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/07/14/wizards-of-the-wild-wheels

John Holmon was the "clean hands" part of the operation, schmoozing with Ford executives, contracts, signing drivers, sponsors, etc. Ralph Moody was the "greasy hands" partner who ran the shop, recruited mechanics, built engines, aerodynamicist and so on. Holmon was maybe the first to fly to races in his private plane taking special guests, supporters, advertisers. Common now, ever so much less so then. Drivers and crew went by land as the races were more centralized than now. If one wonders how Charlotte became home to the many race teams look to H&M to see why.

[CarolinaDaydreamin]

On 6/24/2021 at 3:48 PM, KJHburg said:

This Van Gogh immersion experience is drawing in tourists.  Closest locations to Charlotte would be Nashville or Orlando or Dallas or NYC.   Notice I did NOT mention Atlanta.

Immersive Van Gogh

 

It is in Atlanta as well.

https://vangoghexpo.com/atlanta/

[SouthEndCLT811]

Interesting list of US locations so far for The Art of Banksy exhibit.  Only listed Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami.  This one will be in the $20-30 range and the location is TBD

https://www.theartofbanksy.com/

[QCxpat]

The giant bunnies are back, catty-cornered from First Ward Park - "Intrude" by Australian artist Amanda Parer, Sept. 26 - Oct. 12.

"Intrude" is free to visit, and it's open from 10 a.m. to midnight through Oct. 12.

Link:  https://www.wfae.org/arts-culture/2021-10-01/giant-bunnies-are-back-in-charlotte-prompting-selfies-and-even-a-wedding

Edited October 6, 2021 by QCxpat

[theanonymousk]

i’m sure similar things have been suggested…

but what about a designated tunnel for allowed graffiti & street art? maybe something like the leake street tunnel in london. i image it’d be a cool spot to go to in noda or south end or even uptown (though i’m not sure what potential locations would be)

[DMann]

or the Gum Wall in Seattle!

[CLT2014]

14 hours ago, theanonymousk said:

i’m sure similar things have been suggested…

but what about a designated tunnel for allowed graffiti & street art? maybe something like the leake street tunnel in london. i image it’d be a cool spot to go to in noda or south end or even uptown (though i’m not sure what potential locations would be)

Sad reality:
In London a graffiti tunnel is a cool and creative place to express yourself.

In America and Charlotte, a graffiti tunnel is where people are murdered.

Edited October 12, 2021 by CLT2014

[QCxpat]

Talking Walls / Mural Festival of Charlotte 10/18-24/2021

Artist - Abel Jackson, "Hear, Imagine, Be" mural, 36th Street & Davidson

Link:  https://talkingwallscharlotte.com/

https://www.artpopstreetgallery.com/mural

Edited October 25, 2021 by QCxpat

[KJHburg]

Had to go way back to find this thread.  No culture in Charlotte?  I say no.  Just attended a backyard performance of the Opera Carolina in someone's backyard in the NoDa area.  There were about 65 people there.   It was great!   Bringing the arts to the backyards great work by Opera Carolina and the host.  The emcee of the event even explained why Opera sometimes is mis understood and how it is really lots of love stories mainly sung in Italian but also in English too. 

[CLT Development]

16 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Had to go way back to find this thread.  No culture in Charlotte?  I say no.  Just attended a backyard performance of the Opera Carolina in someone's backyard in the NoDa area.  There were about 65 people there.   It was great!   Bringing the arts to the backyards great work by Opera Carolina and the host.  The emcee of the event even explained why Opera sometimes is mis understood and how it is really lots of love stories mainly sung in Italian but also in English too. 

KJ, it was great having you and all the people over! 

[turbocraig]

Was that at your house??  Thanks for the invite.

Or maybe you were performing…

 

Edited May 15, 2022 by turbocraig

[CLT Development]

10 minutes ago, turbocraig said:

Was that at your house??  Thanks for the invite.

Or maybe you were performing…

 

I'm going to try to hold yearly! There were 4 UPers there. Next year I'll try to get more UPers, just had to see how many folks I could fit comfortably.

[NcSc74]

I know some of you don't like nascar but I just saw a commercial about the nascar all star race to be held in Texas.  I thought the all star race was part of the coca cola weekend in Charlotte.  It may be a little niche but Nascar is Charlotte culture.  NC frustrates me.  Embrace what you have; make ityour own.  Nashville leaned in to country music; some folks look down on it.  But they are laughing all the way to the bank.  Can someone explain it to me.  Last thing; why does Oklahoma City have a gasoline alley "district" and Charlotte doesn't.  Frustrating.....