Nothing to do in Charlotte? Think again!

By Charity Frederick

“There’s nothing to do in this city!”

That’s all I hear from my friends who live in the university area. And until recently, I must admit that I agreed with them. I went to school at UNC-Charlotte, and my knowledge of the Charlotte scene only included two areas, The Shoppes at University Place (where Boardwalk Billy’s and the Wine Vault are) and 7th and College streets Uptown.

When I started interning for this paper, I discovered that Charlotte’s nightlife extended far beyond bars and nightclubs and Center City. I found galleries, small theaters and a city alive with cultural brilliance. With a little effort, one can find endless things to do in this urban oasis for little or no money.

My weekly journey started at the Joie Lassiter Gallery with their latest exhibit: In Good Company, with works by Willie Little, Radcliffe Bailey and Etiye Dimma Poulsen. As you walk into the unassuming space, you’re blasted right away with the crisp white walls adorned with the artists’ work. As you tour the space of sculpture and paintings, a story unfolds; you might not be able to guess it at first, but as you look and think, you see it. The story of division, and of the struggle of African-Americans, becomes more and more clear. By the time you have toured the entire gallery, you feel your mind has been awakened.

My journey continued to the Neighborhood Theatre to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday in true Rasta style. The mix of people was amazing: artists, old, young and preppy jamming out to Wayne Wonder and South Carolina band Reggae Infinity. The calypso-laced melodies were intoxicating as I fell adrift into a sea of reggae and allowed my mind to be taken to a place of one love. I have never been a big reggae fan, but my mind was changed by the end of the night.

To finish out the week, I found myself at Amos’ on Saturday night for the fetish party known as Purgatory. Pushing my boundaries and expanding my mind was the mantra of the night as I watched Charlotteans arrive in all their leather and lace finery. The acts on stage were sensual, and the adult product vendors sent me into a fit of giggles at the dildos, potions and whips being offered. At the end of the night, I figured out why Creative Loafing’s critics voted it the best place to people-watch in the city!

“There’s nothing to do in this city” should never be a complaint. There’s plenty to do in this city — all you have to do is look.

This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2008.