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Sharpen your dance skills, boost stage presence, and build confidence in this one-day Musical Theatre Dance Workshop, part of our NEW Matthews Playhouse Studio Series! Students will practice audition skills, master choreography, and receive direct instruction from a cast member of the national touring company of "Hamilton", learning choreography from the show and engaging in a Q&A session for valuable career insights.


Date: January 20, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Ages: 8-12 & 13-17
Cost: $325

Perfect for those prepping for auditions, enhancing performance skills, or simply embracing the joy of musical theater, this workshop offers three curated classes covering dance audition prep, characterization, technique, and expression.
By the end of the day, students will have mastered a complete musical theater routine, gained practical audition tips, and experienced the thrill of a full day immersed in dance.
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Learn more and register: https://www.matthewsplayhouse.com/mph-studio-series-workshops-for-youth

Space is limited with 15 students max per age group!

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Department of Art & Art History, the Projective Eye Gallery presents Generations, an exhibition of exemplary work by departmental alumni and legacy faculty.

In 1964, the acclaimed North Carolina painter Maud Gatewood was hired by Bonnie Cone to begin arts programming at the new Charlotte College campus. The following year, Charlotte College was added to the UNC System and became UNC Charlotte. Over the next decade, Gatewood developed courses and hired colleagues, spearheaded the design of an arts building and its facilities, and sustained dialogue with institutions such as the Mint Museum and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Both the department and the university have grown dramatically in the intervening years, as more than 3,000 alumni have graduated from the visionary program Gatewood founded.

Highlighting the program’s decades of accomplishments, Generations features work by Eric Anderson, Susan Brenner, Edwina Bringle, Keith Bryant, Sara Catapano, Ann Carter, Jen Clay, Lili Corbus, Alexandra Giannell, John Hairston, Adé Hogue, Heather Hoover, Eldred Hudson, Susan Jedzrejewski, Jason Losko, Nadia Meadows, Carmen Neely, Martha Strawn, and Winston Tite.

This exhibition will be on few December 4, 2024- February 7, 2025, and the reception will take place February 6, 2025 6:00-8:00pm.

Mecklenburg County seeks individuals and families to provide short—and long-term foster care for children and teens needing a home. But we know they need more than just a home. They also need safety, hope, peace, healing, and love. Training sessions are held every 10 weeks. Visit MeckNC.gov/KIDS or call 704-336-KIDS (5437) to register or get more info.

The African Children’s Choir is celebrating its 40th anniversary during their U.S. Tour, marking four decades of transforming lives through the power of music, education and hope. As they embark on this milestone celebration, the Choir will continue to captivate audiences with their heartwarming performances of popular children’s tunes, traditional spiritual songs and vibrant African cultural pieces.

Our next Indie on Wheels screening will mark the return of some of our audience’s favorite shorts from the 2024 Charlotte Film Festival! This free screening includes:

- Aliza Nisenbaum: Painting from Life, directed by Ian Forster
Culminating with the opening of Nisenbaum’s Queens Museum exhibition Queens, Lindo y Querido, this film follows the development of Nisenbaum’s observational portraiture and highlights the power of a social engaged art practice to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
Patsy, directed by John Valley
- PATSY is about an Asian American woman in her 30s going through a divorce triggered by a traumatic miscarriage trying to find love again, and learning how to say “no.”
- I Am Not Your Black Girl, directed by Ricki Nelson and Jacqueline Mangurm, is a poignant visual embodiment of a poem by the same name, reclaiming the identity of one Black woman against societal impositions.
- Unwavering, directed by Alexandra Hsu
Carolyn Kim joins a college student movement for Ethic Studies in 1968. Inspired by real events.


Tigger warning: the content programmed for this screening contains depictions of and themes based on miscarriages.

Grow your knowledge and realize your garden dreams with presentations from two acclaimed landscape designers, along with a 'lunch and learn' with a local organic farm and greenhouse.

Light the World Giving Machines are a convenient and fun way to help those in need this Christmas season. Instead of traditional vending machines that sell candy and soda, Giving Machines allow people to purchase an item for someone else--across town or around the world. After the payment process is completed, a card representing the item drops into an enclosed display bin. 100% of your donations are given to the charity of your choosing. This year's featured charities include FeedNC, Latin American Coalition, The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte, CARE and Medicine For All People (MAP) International.

Make sure to check out the event calendar for something fun each day! dropbox.com/scl/fi/mb8ky…

For more information, head to the new 2024 GivingMachine.org page launching 11/13.

Join us for #GivingTuesdayCLT at Optimist Hall on December 3 from 10am to 1pm as we celebrate Charlotte's contribution to this global day of giving!

This year marks the 11th anniversary of SHARE Charlotte's #GivingTuesdayCLT, which has inspired over $46 million in support for local nonprofits over the past decade.

Generosity comes in many forms—whether through donations, time, resources, or lending a helping hand. Each of us has the power to make a real impact, and together, we can unleash that generosity to create lasting change.

On Tuesday, December 3, join us and Unleash Your Generosity to support the nonprofits that work tirelessly to make Charlotte a better place every day.

“Step aboard The Midnight Train: A Tribute to Gladys Knight, a captivating show by Lauren Jade that takes audiences on a soulful journey of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Inspired by Lauren’s experiences as a cruise ship singer, this intimate performance shares her powerful story through timeless classics and heartfelt narratives. Join us for an evening of unforgettable music and storytelling, celebrating resilience and the strength to keep moving forward.”

💻 Join Apparo for our September webinar, Strengthening Nonprofit Financial Process by Bridging the Digital Skills Gap! Apparo's webinars are free, but require registration. Webinars will be recorded and shared for later viewing to those who registered.

Here are the details:

⭐Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 12:00-1:00 PM
This session will explore practical strategies for closing the digital skills gap within your organization, empowering your team to manage finances more efficiently and accurately. Learn how upgrading your team's digital literacy can improve processes such as budgeting, Accounts Payable (AP), and reporting, leading to better financial decision-making, fewer errors, and more time to focus on mission-driven work. Discover tools and training approaches that can help your nonprofit streamline financial operations and strengthen overall organizational capacity.

Who Should Attend: Individuals who manage, volunteer on boards, or provide financial services for nonprofit organizations are encouraged to attend.

This webinar is sponsored by AvidXchange. Presented by Rhonda Greene, APSC, and Traci Capraro, AvidXchange

Register today!

Join Windsor Kittens for our biggest night of the year! Our Holiday Pawty is sure to delight with delicious food and local beverages, purrfect auction prizes, and a lively dance floor! In addition to having a pawesome time, you’ll be directly supporting our year-round TNR & Adoption programming in Charlotte.

Windsor Kittens is a foster-based rescue dedicated to reducing the number of community cats in and around the Greater Charlotte, N.C. region by providing cats with essential care to live happier, healthier lives through Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) and Adoption programs.

Join us for Scrooge! The Musical on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. for a special "Pay What You Can" performance benefiting Common Heart, a local non-profit dedicated to eradicating food insecurity and breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

This festive evening offers an opportunity for all to experience the magic of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, brought to life with vibrant music, beautiful period costumes, and inspiring choreography. Perfect for families and friends, this holiday tradition celebrates compassion, community, and the joy of giving.

*No advanced ticket sales - patrons may donate at the door (cash or card)
*General admission seating, first come first seated
*Suggested minimum donation $10
*Net proceeds benefit our non-profit partner for the show

Tivity Health, along with SilverSneakers, is hosting the 2024 Medal Dash, a virtual walk/run event called “Forever Fit,” this fall.

WHAT: Medal Dash™, Tivity Health and their SilverSneakers® brand will be hosting the 2024 Medal Dash™, a new virtual walk/run event, launching this Fall, specifically designed for the older adult community and their friends and families.
This event marks a significant milestone for Medal Dash™ as it expands its reach to a new audience segment. Traditionally focused on general fitness enthusiasts, Medal Dash™ will leverage the trusted SilverSneakers® brand to engage older adults and their families in a fun and supportive virtual fitness event.
The event will be called “Forever Fit®.” Participants can choose to walk or run any distance or participate in any way they are able to. They are encouraged to participate with friends and family showing that fitness can be fun and social. Those who register will receive a commemorative shirt and medal.
WHY: This virtual event offers an excellent opportunity for older adults to engage in a fun, supportive, and health-focused activity at their own pace. We are excited about the positive impact this event will have on the senior community.
WHO: The event will be open to all seniors along with their friends and family
WHEN: October 1 - November 31, 2024
WHERE: Participants can sign up or learn more on the Medal Dash website.

Join iamlamarmusic for an immersive, one-of-a-kind performance as he debuts MOONSEEKER, an R&B EP inspired by the mysteries of the cosmos. This performance blends soulful melodies and atmospheric soundscapes with captivating ballet choreography, creating a journey through space and self-discovery that's both auditory and visually stunning.

As the first part of a unique trilogy, MOONSEEKER incorporates cosmic lighting, ethereal beats, and ballet to transport audiences into a dreamlike world. With each movement and note, the dancers bring the music's themes of exploration and introspection to life, making this event perfect for fans of independent music and performance art. Step into the world of MOONSEEKER and be ready to get lost in the stars!

Get ready to spill the Royal Tea! Join us for a brunch fit for royalty, featuring our reigning drag court Ms. Charlotte Pride Erica Chanel, Mr. Charlotte Pride Dallas Cole Coutour, and Mx. Charlotte Pride Rebecca Starrdust bringing you charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and a whole lot of talent. Seating and the complimentary brunch buffet open at 11am, and the show starts at noon. Enjoy delicious bites, sip on signature cocktails, and bask in a show-stopping drag brunch experience! It’s going to be a royally good time—don’t miss out!

Charlotte Pride’s drag brunches are the ultimate celebration of camp, talent, and entertainment, bringing together fabulous performers for a one-of-a-kind experience. Hosted throughout the year, each brunch showcases our reigning drag court and special guest performers in a lively and unforgettable show. Enjoy delicious brunch fare, sip on crafted cocktails, and revel in an atmosphere filled with laughter, charisma, and over-the-top performances. Our drag brunches promise a royally good time that will keep you coming back for more!

Join us at our next Community Impact Film Series event focused on homelessness on November 9. This FREE event begins at 11 am on Saturday, November 9 and will include:

Film Screenings & Panel Discussion (screening begins at 12pm)
ROOTED FOR THE FUTURE (8 min.)
CALL ME BY MY NAME (58 minutes)
Panel Speakers will include:
Steve Umberger, director, “Call Me By My Name”
Benjamine Reid, director, “Rooted for the Future”
Trish Hobson, Executive Director, The Relatives
A representative from Mecklenburg County Community Support Services/Housing Innovation & Stabilization Services
Bracelet Making Workshop with Amy Anderson of AnderBerry Bracelets
Volunteer Opportunities: sandwich making with Roof Above for program participants
Art Gallery: showcasing the work of Amber Graves
Resource Fair with organizations such as:
The Relatives
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care
United Way of Greater Charlotte
Roof Above
Habitat For Humanity of the Charlotte Region
Project Outpour
Salvation Army
Pivot Point Transitional Housing
And others!
This event will also have a call for donations to The Relatives. Donated items needed include:

New Socks and Underwear (all sizes for children and adults)
Laundry Detergent (pods)
Full Size Bottles of Body Wash
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Towels and Washcloths

"Wickedly entertaining…a sparkling ensemble comedy as tautly woven as one of the intricate hairdos in Jaja’s Harlem salon.” - Washington Post

Jaja's African Hair Braiding
written by Jocelyn Bioh
directed by Donna Bradby

NOMINEE- 2024 Tony Award for Best Play
NOMINEE- 2024 Drama League Outstanding Production of a Play
NOMINEE- 2024 Outer Critics Circle Outstanding New Play
New York Times Critics’ Pick
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding in Harlem is a salon full of funny, whip-smart, talented women ready to make you look and feel “nice nice.” On this particularly muggy summer day, Jaja’s rule-following daughter Marie is running the shop while her mother prepares for her courthouse, green card wedding—to a man no one seems to particularly like. Just like her mother, DREAMer Marie is trying to secure her future; high school graduation is around the corner and all she wants to do is go to college. While Marie deals with the customers' and stylists' laugh-out-loud drama, news pierces the hearts of the women of the salon, galvanizing their connections and strengthening the community they have longed to make in the United States.

Jaja's African Hair Braiding contains some adult language and content. Recommended for ages 14+.

November 8 - 24, 2024
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m.
Runtime: 95 minutes no intermission

All performances at The Arts Factory, 1545 W Trade Street

This holiday season, Matthews Playhouse invites families and friends to come together and experience a heartwarming tale filled with uplifting musical numbers, beautiful period costumes, and show-stopping choreography. With a blend of fresh new faces and exciting twists, including new special effects and music, this year’s production promises a joyous and high-energy holiday experience.

Set in 19th-century London, "Scrooge! The Musical" brings the classic holiday tale to life with Leslie Bricusse’s award-winning score. Geof Knight stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley (Jeff Powell), and the three spirits of Christmas (played by Sarah Baumgardner, Tristan Nogueira, and Davis Hickson). Through their visions, Scrooge sees the hardships faced by his clerk Bob Cratchit (Jared Shank), Mrs. Cratchit (Lauren Wilson), and their frail son Tiny Tim (alternated by Tobey Fincher and Charlotte Thomson). Inspired, Scrooge finds redemption, embracing the joy and spirit of Christmas.

Let the magic of "Scrooge! The Musical" bring you and your loved ones closer during this festive time of year.

Dates: December 13-22, 2024
Location: Fullwood Theatre (Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts), 100 McDowell St, Matthews, NC
Tickets: Available at matthewsplayhouse.com

A Director’s Fresh Perspective
Making his directorial debut, Johnny Hohenstein is eager to bring a fresh perspective to this year’s production. “Although we’re telling a well-known story, we hope to create a high-energy and fun environment for cast, crew, and audiences alike,” says Hohenstein. “Expect some surprises this year that will keep this beloved tradition fresh and alive!”

A Bittersweet Farewell
Local radio personality and actor Geof Knight will reprise his role as Ebenezer Scrooge for the third and final time. Knight, a beloved figure in the Charlotte theatre community, has announced his retirement from the stage after this production. “I am very honored to be spending a third year as part of this holiday tradition,” Knight says. “This will be my last year, and more than likely, my last time on stage in Charlotte. I look forward to another journey to 1843 London with both new friends and old.”

Special Performances and Community Impact
In addition to the eight regular performances, Scrooge! The Musical will feature a "Pay What You Can" performance on Thursday, December 19th, at 7:30 pm, benefiting Common Heart, a local non-profit dedicated to eradicating food insecurity and eliminating generational poverty in the community.

Introducing Kids Night Out - A New Way to Experience Live Theatre
For children who may not yet appreciate live theatre, Matthews Playhouse is excited to announce its newest program, Kids Night Out—a fun-filled evening for children in grades 1-5, offered during the Friday and Saturday evening performances of Scrooge! The Musical. While parents enjoy a night out, kids will have a blast with themed activities, games, dinner, and a cozy PJ party from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Join us for a night of celebration and philanthropy.

The York County Pearls of Promise Foundation presents, The Ivy League Gala. This exclusive event is happening Saturday, December 7 at Hilton Charlotte Uptown.

Tickets are available at ivyleaguegala.eventbrite.com

Visit the Gantt for an evening of poetry and reflection as Glenis Redmond (Greenville, SC Poet Laureate) and de'Angelo Dia (2024 Black Carolina Artist-in-Residence) explore the deeply personal journeys of healing, resilience, and connection. Through poetic dialogue, the artists weave narratives that illuminate the enduring bond between the natural world and practices of self-care, radical tenderness, and reconciliation to the self.

You are invited to rediscover the wonders of the world, the stories that connect us, and the lessons they offer. Through their words, you'll be encouraged to embrace healing, reflection, and the beauty of our shared human experience.

The evening will conclude with a Q&A session, allowing for a deeper conversation about the role of poetry in navigating life’s challenges and finding strength in vulnerability.