Our network

Arts & Culture

4-year-old's painting sells for $25,000

4-year-old's painting sells for $25,000

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is screening a documentary about child prodigy Marla Olmstead this week.

My Kid Could Paint That is a story about a 4-year-old whose artwork has been compared to Pollock and Kandinsky.

Olmstead has already sold more than $300,000 worth of paintings and was featured in The New York Times, National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corporation. Her paintings typically sell for around $25,000.

Bechtler president and CEO John Boyer is set to lead a discussion following the film.

Museum-goers can catch the screening at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, located at 420 South Tryon Street in Charlotte, Monday May 13, at 6 p.m.

Admission is free for members, and $9 for non-members. A cash bar is available.

For more information on the screening, call 704-353-9200.

Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra: Spring Concert

Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra: Spring Concert

The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra is presenting its Annual Spring Concert this week.

Under direction of conductor Ernest Pereira, the Orchestra is set to perform pieces by Sibelius, Massanet, Turina, and De Falla.

Solo pianist and winner of the Charlotte Symphony Guild's regionally prestigious Young Artists Competition (junior division) Kiffen Loomis is performing Allegro Affettuoso from Schumann's Concerto for Piano, Op. 54.

Loomis (14) is from Asheville, North Carolina and has studied piano with Suzan Fehr since the age of five.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: American Music Masters & Pioneers

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: American Music Masters & Pioneers

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is performing a concert highlighting American works this week.

American Music Masters and Pioneers features American works from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Gershwin's American in Paris, John Adams' Short Ride in a Fast Machine and Copland's El Salon Mexico.

Audience members can also enjoy a selection featuring the orchestra's timpanist Leonardo Soto.

Concert-goers can catch the performance at the Knight Theater, located at 430 South Tryon Street in Charlotte, Friday April 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $39 and open to the public. Click here for tickets.

For more information on the concert, call 704-972-2000.

Live jazz series opens with Chad Lawson

Live jazz series opens with Chad Lawson

Charlotte's Jazz Arts Initiative is kicking off a live jazz series this week.

The Jazz Room features some of Charlotte's most gifted musicians, recreating the music of jazz masters like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and Billie Holiday.

For the series opener, jazz pianist Chad Lawson plays the music of Bill Evans.

Winner of 2 Album of the Year awards for his solo piano recordings, Lawson has been featured on Bob Edwards Weekend Edition and has toured with Julio Iglesias.

Attendees can enjoy a casual and intimate setting with tables and a full bar, reminiscent of the classic jazz rooms of yesteryear.

Music lovers can catch the performance at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Stage Door Theater, located at 130 North Tryon Street in Charlotte, Tuesday April 16, at 6 p.m.

Admission is $10.

Blumenthal Performing Arts has record-breaking season

Blumenthal Performing Arts has record-breaking season

Charlotte theater and music fans have flocked to Broadway shows and concerts in record numbers this year as a rebounding economy and strong lineup of shows have fueled a string of record-breaking, sold-out performances at Blumenthal Performing Arts theaters.

“It’s been a landmark year,” said Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard.

"Wicked" cast holds cabaret fundraiser

"Wicked" cast holds cabaret fundraiser

The North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and Members of the National Touring Company of Wicked are holding a fundraiser this week.

Wicked After Dark is an opportunity for the cast to step out of their roles in the musical and kick up their heels performing some of their favorite non-Ozian material in an intimate venue.

Those in attendance can enjoy a post-show reception with the cast and a chance to bid on live and silent auctions featuring opportunities to join the company backstage at Ovens Auditorium.

Auction items include:

Watching the "Greening of Elphaba", a backstage tour, and two house seats for a performance of Wicked between March 29 and 31

A ride in Glinda's bubble (the same bubble that Kristin Chenowith flew into the 2004 Tony Awards), a backstage tour, and two house seats for a performance of Wicked between March 29 and 31

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend Adds New Event for April 20th Kickoff

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend Adds New Event for April 20th Kickoff

Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend’s one-day Kickoff event on Saturday, April 20, has expanded with the addition of a new event. 

A Champagne Tasting featuring one of the world’s greatest champagnes, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, will start the day on Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. at Bonterra Dining & Wine Room, located at 1829 Cleveland Avenue in Charlotte. The tasting will include Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Vintage 2002, Cuvee Rose Brut, Grand Siecle Multi-Vintage and other rare vintages.

Wine expert Camille Cox will host this limited-seating Champagne Tasting. Tickets for the Champagne Tasting are $75 and are available on a first-come first served basis for purchase at www.charlottewineandfood.org