Charlotte has hosted several friendly matches between European soccer clubs over the last decade. This week, two of Europe’s best clubs, Real Madrid and Chelsea FC, took to the pitch. It was a chance for fans to see their teams play up close.

This summer, a group of girls has cycled around Charlotte, navigating bike lanes, greenways, and even the light rail to enjoy the city’s natural and cultural offerings. They’re part of Charlotte Bike Camp’s Melanin in Motion program, a cycling community for young people of color.

One of the owls under the Carolina Raptor Center's care lost its family when their tree in Matthews was cut down. It was a chattering, nervous wreck when WFAE's Nick de la Canal visited the center in April. Nick went back in June to witness the owl's release back into the wild.

A group of mostly older Charlotteans are finding a new rhythm — one powered by African drums and other percussion instruments. The seniors are gearing up for two performances, one on Saturday as part of the Juneteenth Festival and another later this month in the city’s Corridors of Opportunity.

Many of the rotating musicians at Cajun Queen in the historic Elizabeth neighborhood have played there since the restaurant opened in 1985. Most are in their late 70s, but they have no problem mesmerizing diners with classic jazz tunes seven nights a week.

Myers Park High senior Ella Typrin struggled with depression and anxiety during the pandemic. Her dogs helped her get through it. Now they do pet therapy with her at school, a children's hospital and the airport.

There’s a pulse thumping in Charlotte, it’s anywhere from 100 to 180 beats per minute, and it’s flourishing on dancefloors around the city. It’s Charlotte’s EDM scene, which is growing — and growing more diverse — than ever before.

It's prom season — and not just for high schoolers. Older adults with mental and physical health challenges in Gaston County are celebrating prom this year, too.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools celebrated 18 finalists for teacher and assistant of the year at this week's Gem Awards.

A new mural in northeast Charlotte is part of a project to preserve the experiences of minority groups during the COVID-19 pandemic — the hard, the joyful and what they appreciate more now.