JULY3 WEDNESDAY
The WNBA Charlotte Sting are back in action against the Portland Fire at 7pm tonight at the Charlotte Coliseum. Tickets are $8-50, available by calling 877-WNBA-TIX.
If you’re aching to start celebrating Independence Day early, the First Charter Celebrate America is your event. The celebration will take place at UNC-Charlotte on the playing fields adjacent to the Irwin Belk Track and Field Center. After a concert of patriotic songs by the Charlotte Symphony, fireworks will begin around 9:30pm. You can bring food, drinks and lawn chairs or blankets to picnic on the grass before the concert. Or you can buy food and beverages there. Pets and sparklers (and, we assume, sparkly pets) are not permitted. For more information, call 704-687-3383 or visit online at www.uncc.edu/july3.
If you’d rather rock, check out the Uncle Sam Jam, to begin at 5pm today in the Dixie’s Tavern parking lot (gates open at 3pm). Featured acts are bad girl Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, knockout artist LL Cool J, Abandoned Pools and Course of Nature. The show is for those 18 and older, and tickets are $18 in advance. See our story on LL Cool J in this issue. For more information, call 374-1700. For tickets, call 704-522-6500.
Always. . .Patsy Cline continues at Theatre Charlotte tonight, and will run through July 28. Showtimes are Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets are $22 for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday shows and $25 for Friday and Saturday shows. For more information, call 704-334-9128 or visit online at www.alwayspatsycline.net.
JULY 4THURSDAY
Today is Independence Day, though most people refer to it as “The Fourth of July.” Which, of course, it is. However, it’s also a day to reflect on just how damn good we have it here in America, even despite some of our flaws. Yessiree: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now pass me a beer.
The Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops series continues this evening with Symphonic Stars & Stripes, a collection of patriotic tunes, all your heart-stirring and saber-rattling favorites. Tonight’s performance will be at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, and will include a fireworks display. All shows begin at 8:15pm. For more information, call 704-972-2000 or visit online at www.charlottesymphony.org.
A slew of folks will have fireworks tonight, which is curious, as they’re illegal in North Carolina — but only for individual citizens. First of all, WBT’s Skyshow 2002 takes place today from 2pm until midnight. In addition to fireworks at 9:45pm, the celebration includes a festival on Tryon from 3rd to 6th Streets, offering a “Kids Fun Zone,” street performers, food and beverage vendors, and music by the likes of KC & The Sunshine Band, the Chairmen of the Board, and Cherry Bomb. For more information, call 704-374-3500. You can also check out fireworks displays on South Street in Davidson (704-892-7591), at Gastonia’s Downtown Alive (704-865-5044), Paramount’s Carowinds (704-588-2600, 803-548-5300 or 800-888-4386) and Lake Wylie’s Buster Boyd Bridge (803-831-2827). Then again, you might catch your neighbor shooting off some bottle rockets or even those cool mortar-type fireworks, or the Saturn Missile Batteries — have you tried those, they’re great. We get “em at the House of Fireworks in Fort Mill. But, oh yeah, they’re illegal here so you should shoot them off while you’re still in SC. And watch your fingers. Those things can tear one clean off.
The Charlotte Knights take on the Durham Bulls today and tomorrow at 7:15pm at Knights Castle. And by God, guess what? They’re gonna have fireworks! Tickets are $6-9, available by calling 704-36-HOMER.
The Penguin Drive-in presents a daylong Declaration of Independence party today, featuring Dave Rhames and the Westchesters, Memphis Quick 50, Phil Lee, Les Dirt Clods, The Goldenrods and Lou Ford. For more information, call (704) 375-6959.
Puckett’s Farm Equipment on W. Sugar Creek Road presents their own daylong Music Festival and BBQ today beginning at noon. Featured are Angie White, Acme Anvil Company, Rude Mechanicals, Green Light, Bellyfull and more. Cover cost is $5. For more information, call 704-596-9901.
Last but not least, Fat City Deli presents the Hard Times Family Picnic today, featuring food and drink and live music from Babyshaker, Snagglepuss, Baleen, The Avett Brothers, My So-Called Band, Black Lagoon and many others. For more information, call 704-343-0240.
JULY5FRIDAYWachovia’s Off The Wall Movie Fest continues this evening at 6:30pm with The Patriot, Mel Gibson’s Braveheart-esque interpretation of America’s revolution. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 704-332-2227.
CPCC’s Summer Theatre will present the comedy Deja vu tonight through July 13 in Pease Auditorium. Performances will be tonight, tomorrow and July 10-13 at 8pm; July 7 at 2:30pm; and July 9 at 7pm. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 704-330-6534.
It has arrived. The Perch celebrates their eight year anniversary with Show 265: The Eighth Year Celebration Why The Heck Aren’t We Famous Yet Show starting tonight and running tomorrow and July 12-13 at The Perch Theatre. Showtimes are 9pm, 11pm, and 1am on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10, $8 for students with I.D. For more information, call 704-372-7724.
CPCC Summer Theatre’s production of Annie Jr. continues tonight in Pease Auditorium. The show, a 60-minute version of the Broadway musical, will run through July 13 at 10am. Tickets are $5. For more information, call 704-330-6534.
JULY6SATURDAY
Pre-teen rap sensation Lil’ Romeo, the son of hip-hop mogul and one-time Hornet wannabee Master P, plays Paramount’s Carowinds Paladium Amphitheatre beginning at 7pm today. Tickets are $19.99 and up, which includes park admission. For more information, call 704-522-6500 or 1-800-888-4FUN.
The WNBA Charlotte Sting take on the Cleveland Rockers at 6pm tonight at the Charlotte Coliseum. Tickets are $8-50, available by calling 877-WNBA-TIX.
JULY8MONDAY
Since 1975 the Public Library of Mecklenburg County has offered a summer film festival. This year, partly in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, but mostly because they’re funny, the festival will feature the best of British comedy. Tonight’s film is Kind Hearts and Coronets, featuring Sir Alec Guinness playing eight separate roles. All films will be shown on Monday nights in the Francis Auditorium at 7pm. Admission is free. For more information, call 704-336-6217.
Monday Night Movies at Spirit Square starts up at 6:30pm. Tonight’s movie is Moulin Rouge, the hyperactive movie whose nauseating “theme song” featuring Christina Aguilera seemed to outglitz the movie itself. Tickets are $5 and are on sale for cash only at the door. Dollar popcorn, soda, and candy is also available. For more information, call 704-379-1380.
Movie Mondays, Davidson Library’s Children’s Film Series continues today at 10am with a presentation of Noisy Nora and Corduroy. The movies are free and open to the public. For more information, call
704-892-8557.
JULY9TUESDAY
The Broadway smash hit musical Disney’s Beauty and the Beast makes a return appearance at the Performing Arts Center starting tonight. The show will run July 9-14 with shows Tuesday-Thursday at 8pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:15pm, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2pm, and Sunday evenings at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $25-$63. For more information, call 704-372-1000.
The WNBA Charlotte Sting take on the Miami Sol at 7pm tonight at the Charlotte Coliseum. Tickets are $8-50, available by calling 877-WNBA-TIX.
The Lowe’s Motor Speedway Summer Shootout Series continues today at 7:30pm. Featured are Legends cars, Thunder Roadster and Bandolero racing, and a NASCAR Celebrity Grudge Match. Tonight’s action also features Mascot Madness, featuring mascots from area sports teams (albeit without Hugo the Hornet). Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. For more information, call 1-800-455-FANS.
Jazzy Ladies 2002, with the theme of “Tying the Knot,” starts tonight on the Mint Museum lawn, with Daryle Ryce, Charlotte’s “Queen of Jazz” at 7:15pm, followed by Meet The Parents at 9pm. Admission for Jazzy Ladies is $7. The Jazzy Ladies tradition of prizes for the most creative picnics will of course continue. For more information, call 704-337-2000.
JULY10WEDNESDAY
The Jeep World Outside Tour hits Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre today, featuring Sheryl Crow, Silvercrush, Train, O.A.R. and Ziggy Marley. In addition to the above artists, many exhibits and hands-on activities featuring “outside sports” will be available to show-goers, including cycling advice, rock climbing, mountain bike trails, and more. Tickets are $22.50, $35, and $45, available by calling 704-522-6500.
The next installation from The Farm Theatre, The Collected Shorts of Anton Chekov will be presented at the Off Tryon Theatre Company tonight through July 13 and July 17-21. Performances will be at 8pm, except for the July 21 show which will be at 3pm. Tickets are $10. Make your reservations at info@thefarmtheatre.com.
Author Josephine Humphreys will appear at Barnes and Noble Arboretum tonight at 7:30pm. She will discuss and sign copies of her book Nowhere Else on Earth. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 704-341-9481.
This article appears in Jul 3-9, 2002.
