Food Truck Friday and a little live music tonight from the Jon Linker Band. As a way to encourage folks to either bike or take the Light Rail to Food Truck Friday….if you arrive via Light Rail or Bike we’ll have a special South End giveaway under the branded South End tent. Just show Andrew your Light Rail Pass (dated for Friday) and/or your bike and we’ll give you either a South End Pint Glass Koozie, Bottle Opener or Tasting Glass.

Also, the seating that is provided gets occupied very quickly so please feel free to bring a blanket or bag chairs. No outside beer or wine but you can purchase from Common Market or Phat Burrito, bring unopened to the lot and consume on the lot with your food.

See you Friday!

One year ago we hosted our first South End Community Day, a Saturday morning dedicated to landscaping and art projects to spruce up the neighborhood. In partnership with the Charlotte Community ToolBank and the South End Neighborhood Association (SENA), we have planted several new flower beds and spruced up an old dumpster over the last 2 community days and this Saturday we’ll be focusing on a public art project along Camden Rd.

We’ll begin the day at 7:30am (I know that is early on a Saturday for many of you) but we’ll meet at Common Market and provide breakfast and coffee to you for FREE! We’ll share all the work projects, break into teams and head out. We hope to be wrapped up by lunch time and we’ll be providing lunch to everyone from Phat Burrito.

If you’d like to volunteer, please email me, Ted Boyd, at tboyd@charlottecentercity.org. RSVP is not required but appreciated!

Landscape Projects: Planting flowers in a beds along Camden.

Public Art Project: The South End Neighborhood Association partnered with Ciel Gallery and Mosaic Studio on the public art project which will be zip-tie art along the light posts on Camden between S Tryon and Park Ave. Below are a couple examples from other cities. The additional cool factor in this project is that after about 3 months, we’ll remove the zip-ties and a local South End company, Fabrix, will take the zip-ties to recycle and repurpose!

We are in the middle of Bike Charlotte and one of the many events happening during this time is the Big Bingo Bike Ride. South End has been supporter of this event as it has taken shape over the years and something for the whole family. Grab your bike and come join us at Icehouse at the Atherton Mill. For more details check out Bike Charlotte and CABA.

(this photo was taken from the CABA website. Check out more of their great photos here.)

Also, one of the great features of South End is the Light Rail and Trail running through the neighborhood. If you have the opportunity to use one of the park and ride stations further south and use the Bland Station for Food Truck Friday or the East/West Station for Movie Night. South End is very walkable once you get here. If you are able to walk or bike, that is great too!! We have 2 Bike Share Stations at both of these Light Rail Stations mentioned above so feel free to put them to use!

See you Friday!

Funds to Farms

Sunday, May 12, 2013 6:30-8:30pm

Triple C Brewery

$20 Per Person

http://www.fundstofarms.com

Join us Sunday, May 12^th for an evening filled with Triple C brews and a community dinner prepared by Roots.Good.Food. While you eat, Charlotte-area beginning farmers and food entrepreneurs will present their individual projects that need micro funding with the hope of securing your vote. Be part of our ever-expanding Charlotte food culture.

Everyone wins!

A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to benefit all of the Funds to Farm presenters. Join us for the first in what will surely be a series of great events connecting you in a tasty way to the people who feed us. 

To register for the dinner please visit here.

The South End Neighborhood Association is bringing back the popular Outdoor Movie Night that they started last summer. The plan for now is to have 3 Outdoor Movies that would be on the 2nd Friday of May, June and July. We are changing up the location this year and will be hosting under the trees at Atherton Mill (corner of Tremont and South Blvd). The grassy area will be reserved for those bringing blankets and we’ll have seating in the parking lot for those bringing bag chairs.

The movie will start at dark, which will be around 8:30 but don’t hold us to that. Atherton Mill has lots of great restaurants so feel free to stop by Icehouse, Zucca Pizza, Big Ben, Luna’s Living Kitchen or across the street at Pike’s, Sullivan’s, Luciano’s or Tyber Creek for a bite to eat before the movie or get it to go and have a picnic under the trees before the movie starts. We’ll have a few sweet treats for folks to purchase as well as popcorn, along with some outdoor tailgating games.

Atherton Mill is a 3 minute walk from the East/West Light Rail Station and if you are able to take the light rail, this is highly encouraged as well as walking or biking. If you are coming via car, there is parking in Atherton Mill and would ask that you park on the far side, between By Design and Icehouse.

Atherton Farmers Market

South End Super Flea – Saturday, May 4th
After a year hiatus, the South End Super Flea is returning this Saturday to the corner of Camden Rd and Park Ave. Markets play great roles in cities for animating space and creating interesting places for folks to hang out and interact and the Super Flea is a place you’ll want to check out on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. Details are on their Facebook page.

South End Neighborhood Association Movie Nights
The South End Neighborhood Association is bringing back the popular Outdoor Movie Nights like they did last year. There will be 3 movie nights, all on the 2nd Friday of May, June and July. This year we will host them at Atherton Mill in the grassy area where we set up the South End Holiday Tree. Details! 

Big Bingo Bike Ride – Saturday, May 11
The Big Bingo Bike Ride is part of a whole series of bike related events happening as part of Cycle Charlotte. This event is designed for the non spandex biking crowd so if you have a cruiser then this ride is for you. You can find all the details here.

South End Community Day – Saturday, May 18
South End Community Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 18th starting with breakfast at 7:30am at Common Market. This year we will spruce up and mulch the beds we’ve recently installed and will also be working on a public art project along Camden Rd. If you’d like to volunteer please click here for more details. 

Healthy Home Market Annual Customer Appreciation Day, Saturday May 18th

Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, June 1
Save the Date for our Annual Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast at the Atherton Market. It’s a great morning for the whole family to come out and eat pancakes for a great cause. We’ll send more details soon but here some pictures from last year.

You can access more content and stories on the South End Website and Blog. If you have a story to share or an upcoming event please let me know by sending an email to tboyd@charlottecentercity.org.

Overview

Charlotte Magazine recently named the South End Gallery Crawl as the “Best Artsy Place to Take a Date” and the May Gallery Crawl will be unlike any we have ever hosted! Whether you are a local resident or in town for the Wells Fargo Championship, this Friday will be a tremendous celebration of not only the Charlotte art community but North and South Carolina artists as well. The Elder Gallery will be hosting their opening reception and announcing the winners in the $15,000 prized Carolina’s Got Art! exhibition. The Dilworth Artisan Station, home to over 25 artist and designer studios is hosting one of their 2 Annual Open Houses. Three levels of studios to wander and explore and you will not want to miss out. Special artist previews will be happening at Band & Olufsen as well as Vin Master. All of our wonderful galleries will be open with special exhibitions and the popular foodie event, Food Truck Friday, will be in the heart of it all! Specifics for each gallery can be found below but here are a few things to help you enjoy your First Friday Gallery Crawl Experience.

1. Parking – On popular nights with Gallery Crawl and Food Truck Friday, parking can fill up quickly so it is highly recommended that if you can take the light rail that you please do! Both the Tyvola and Scaleybark Light Rail Stations have huge parking lots and if you ride the light rail to the Bland Station you will be in the heart of all the activity. Once you are in South End, you can walk to just about everything so you won’t need your car. If you are driving, there is adequate on-street parking and several surface lots in and around the Camden Rd, Summit and South Blvd area.

2. Navigating the Crawl – We are NOT going to offer a Free Walking Tour this month but if you are looking for directions or details just look for the black and white branded South End Tent. It will be set up at the Food Truck Friday Lot at Camden Rd and Park Ave and we’ll be happy to give you directions to galleries and events. No reservations necessary for the Gallery Crawl so you can go at your own pace and explore as much or as little as you like.

3. Art is For Sale – Gallery Crawl is great for South End on a variety of levels. We introduce more folks to both the neighborhood and to local and regional art but more importantly we help support small businesses owners. Come have a great time but know that the wonderful art you are enjoying is also for sale .

4. Make a Night of It – Finally, there is so much in South End that you can make a whole night of Gallery Crawl. We have a variety of great restaurants with many of them located along South Blvd. Stop in for dinner or drinks before you start your Gallery Crawl. In addition to the Galleries there are great retail shops along the way and many stay open later on Gallery Crawl night. Finally, after you have enjoyed the galleries, feel free to grab a cocktail or catch some live music. South End has a lot to offer so hope you’ll take advantage!

May First Friday Gallery Crawl Details

Elder Gallery - Carolina’s Got Art! was founded to support Carolina artists and our mission remains unchanged.  We offer artists an opportunity to grow their brand and sell their work, and this drives us from year to year.  Beginning in 2009, we had such great submissions that we expanded the juried show to include a second show, called the Salon show, which in 2013, we expanded across two months due to the quality of the work submitted.

Carolina’s Got Art! Juried Show

The juried show that will be held in Elder Gallery.  Lance Esplund, art critic at Bloomberg, will serve as juror and be on hand throughout the opening night.  Awards will be presented during the opening night.  An additional exhibition will be available, “Through The Juror’s Eyes”, a theater setting to showcase any entry submitted (artist permission given), providing guests a raw view of the submissions and an opportunity to purchase any work.  Interested artists and patrons may participate in a Juror’s Discussion regarding the selection process, an annual component of our shows.

Dates: May 3-June 1Grand Opening: May 3 (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Juror’s Discussion: May 4 (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique

presents
WIT & WHIMSY
April 5th – May 25th

Featuring Works By Vicki Sawyer and Paula Smith

Gallery Crawl / Opening reception – Friday, April 5 from 6-9pm*pictured above: detail of Wooly Manor, 12″x36″, by Vicki Sawyer

Lark and Key Gallery – for more details about the show, please visit their Facebook Page.

Coffey & Thompson Fine Art Gallery & Framing 109 W Morehead St

Charlotte Art League  ”What on Earth?” exhibit this Friday, May 3rd from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Art League Gallery (1517 Camden Road).

Think art that is ecologically green, including use of recycled goods and earth-friendly products–as well as compositions related to the environment. Make a statement or transform trash into treasure; just show us your love for mother earth.

For more details please visit, Charlotte Art League.

Charlotte Artery

Ciel Gallery and Mosaic Studio

Join us on Friday, May 3rd from 6:00pm – 8:30pm @ the Vin Master Wine Shop for an evening of art, wine, food, & fun!

All proceeds will benefit Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control, Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love, and Road to Home Canine Refuge

Each year, due to pet overpopulation, approximately 10,000 animals are euthanized in Mecklenburg County, 250,000 in North Carolina, and 3-4 million animals nationwide. Road To Home Canine Refuge is dedicated to partnering with other animal welfare organizations to aid in bringing awareness to the plight of homeless dogs with positive community education.

Guests at the event will enjoy complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet sweets, and more than twenty pieces of unique artwork to be showcased and sold at silent auction. The art will be available for purchase during the South End Gallery Crawl and throughout the month of May.

We invite you to join us in supporting animal rescue efforts by attending UNDERDOGS: The Journey Home, and look forward to your participation for this worthy and urgent cause.

To purchase tickets click here.

Bang & Olufsen

Bang & Olufsen will be having a gallery unveiling this Friday from 6:00PM to 8:30-PM. It is a first time showing of local artist Maria Elena Ferran. The event is entitled “The Whole Shebang”. It is co-sponsored by Bang & Olufsen South End and will feature paintings, photographs as well as videography from her. The event is open to the public on Friday night and we will be providing some light refreshments and appetizers for the evening. We will have the paintings and pictures on display to the general public till August for those who can not attend the event.

http://events.charlotteobserver.com/charlotte_nc/events/show/313364303-the-whole-shebang-recent-paintings-photographs-and-works-on-paper-by-maria-elena-ferran

http://clclt.com/charlotte/the-whole-shebang/Event?oid=3040759

Modern Fabrics

Climb’s Roast coffee will serve freshly roasted coffee at the Modern Fabrics space Friday night. Sackcloth & Ashes bags will show off their prototypes of the newest bags made with reclaimed coffee bean bags and Modern Fabrics interiors.  Modern Fabrics is partnering together on the bags that Sackcloth + Ashes is starting to put into production, we are very excited about the collaboration! SouthEnd brought us together and we are excited to show of the partnership results.

Climb’s Roast http://www.climbsroast.org/HOME.html

Sackcloth and Ashes  http://www.sackclothashes.com/

*the image above and content below reposted from Plan Charlotte.

Celebrate Jane Jacobs with 2 Neighborhood Walks – by Mary Newsom

If you know who Jane Jacobs was and understand the role her work has played in revolutionizing thinking about cities and planning since the 1960s, you’ll understand why her birthday is a time to encourage city-dwellers to get to know their own places a little better.

For example, she wrote that new ideas must use old buildings. She didn’t mean historic landmarks or preciously rehabbed old buildings. She meant old, cheap space. “Chain stores, chain restaurants and banks go into new construction,” she wrote, in The Death and Life of Great American Cities. “But neighborhood bars, foreign restaurants and pawn shops go into older buildings.”

Which brings us to Charlotte. On Saturday, May 4, PlanCharlotte.org is sponsoring twoJane Jacobs Walks – part of a global movement to get people out walking a city neighborhood and noticing what it offers, the way urbanist writer and activist Jacobs would have encouraged.

New for this year: We’re sponsoring two walks, in two different parts of the city. The walks are part of a movement around the globe to celebrate on the weekend of Jacobs’ birth.

1. Like last year’s Jane Jacobs Walk (read about it here, and here), one will be a munching tour of East Charlotte, led by historian Tom Hanchett of Levine Museum of the New South.

2. The new, additional Jane Jacobs Walk will focus on South End – its history, redevelopment and urban design successes and challenges. That one will be led by UNC Charlotte Professor David Walters who directs the university’s Master’s in Urban Design program.

Details on Walk No. 1: Saturday May 4, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Hanchett, on his “Munching Tour,” will encourage participants to look at the immigrant-run restaurants and stores in East Charlotte as embodying some of the elemental principles of Jane Jacobs’ writing about cities – how they absorb newcomers and allow for entrepreneurial businesses, even if the setting is not necessarily affluent or glossy.

We’ll sample foods at several restaurants as we walk.

RSVP: Email mnewsom@uncc.edu. The maximum number of participants for Hanchett’s walk is 18. Bring cash for purchasing food samples, and wear comfortable shoes. We’ll let you know beforehand where the exact gathering spot will be. (See update below.)

Update, April 24: This walk is now full, although we are taking names for a waiting list. We will meet in front to O’Reilly Auto Parts, 3121 N. Sharon Amity (Just off Albemarle Road).  Please park in the middle of the lot, leaving the spaces next to the store for their customers.

Details on Walk No. 2: Saturday May 4, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

On the South End tour, Walters will discuss Jane Jacobs’ principles for lively city neighborhoods, and point to ways South End exemplifies them in some cases and lacks them in other cases.

We’ll look at developments along and near the Lynx Blue Line. The walk will begin at Atherton Market beside the Lynx tracks and end at a neighborhood pub, Big Ben, atAtherton Mill next to Atherton Market, 2104 South Blvd.

RSVP: Email mnewsom@uncc.edu. There is no maximum number of participants but please register so we’ll have an idea of how many people to expect.  Wear comfortable shoes.