One of the highlights of winter in the QC is this weekend’s Connect with Culture Days on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26.
Sponsored by the ASC, Connect with Culture Days give Charlotteans FREE access to arts, science, history experiences across Charlotte-Mecklenburg. In this their fifth year, Connect with Culture is giving everyone more days of experiences and opportunities to engage with the cultural community in fun and creative ways.
Skip straight to the events by neighborhood here.
This isn’t just free entry in to one or two spots, we’re talking free admission into nearly 80 experiences with area venues, events, activities and more. For adults and for kids and for families, all over our area north, south, east and west. Dance workshops, tassel-making, ukulele playing, friendship blanket making, petting zoos and so much more.
While you can link thru here to find out specifics by neighborhood, here are some of our favorites already on our calendars:
Plaza Midwood’s Experience: Coding on Canvas with Discovery Place AND Ukulele Sip & Strum with Arts+ at Resident Culture Brewing
Friday, 1/25 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Two options, hard to pick which sounds more fun. At the Coding on Canvas activity station led by Discovery Place, participants will use robots to paint pictures that they will take home.
And over at the Sip & Strum led by Arts+, you’ll find a fun ukulele bash. Sip & Strum begins with a brief intro session, then participants will rock out on their ukes – jam-session style — for the rest of the evening. Kids are welcome and No Experience Needed.
Uptown Free Admission to Museums plus things like:
- Self-Guided Experiences inspired by Judy Moody & Stink – The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Ballantyne’s MORRISON YMCA is a hub for so many fun, entertaining and educational activities on Sat 1/26:
- Wheel Throwing Demo & Hand Clay building 1-3 pm
- Story Time with a Ballerina Presented by Charlotte Ballet 2-3 pm
- Performance and Learn Dance Steps with India Association of Charlotte 4-4:45 pm
Steele Creek multi-cultural treats such as:
- Indian classical & folk dances + other international dance styles such as Bomba, Russian folk, and Georgian soldier dances 1/26 2-3 pm
Mint Hill’s Lebanon Road Elementary School with lots of kids fun:
- Musical Petting Zoo Presented by Charlotte Symphony 1/26 10 am to 1 pm
- Let Me Entertain You Broadway Tunes Presented by Students & Theatre Charlotte 1/26 12 – 1 pm
- Performances by Charlotte Arirang Korean Drummers and International Capoeira School
Some picks from Lake Norman’s events & activities:
- Dance a Story “Peter Pan” Presented by Charlotte Ballet at Cornelius Town Hall Saturday, 1/26 10-11 am
- Free Admission to The Jungle Book Presented by Davidson Community Players Armour Street Theater Davidson 1/26 1pm REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Free Admission to Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville 1/26 10 – 2 pm
Arrive early for ALL events and activities, as space may be limited and ASC cannot guarantee seating.
Some experiences require registration, check individual listings at the link.
“Everyone deserves to experience arts and culture regardless of where they live or what they can afford,” said ASC President Robert Bush. “Connect with Culture Days brings a sampling of our vibrant cultural community beyond Charlotte’s Center City and directly into neighborhoods.”
ASC’s Connect with Culture Days is sponsored by Culture Blocks, Duke Energy, Novant Health, University City Partners and Atrium Health.
About Connect with Culture Days
The first Connect with Culture Day took place Jan. 10, 2015. The second Connect with Culture Day took place Sept. 19, 2015, as part of ASC’s Cultural Free For All, a three-day cultural event that included Charlotte Symphony’s first Symphony on Tap performance and ASC’s first Culture Feast. Last year’s Connect with Culture Days, on Jan. 26-27, 2018, saw more than 11,000 people participate.
About ASC
ASC is the chief advocate, resource hub and steward for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s cultural community. Its core functions include advocacy, cultural education programs, cultural planning, fundraising, grant making, public art and workshops and trainings for the cultural community. ASC works to ensure Culture For All by combining resources from local and state government with those of the private sector to maximize community impact throughout the cultural sector.
ASC’s mission is to ensure access to an excellent, relevant, and sustainable cultural community for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. Stay up to date on ASC news and happenings at ArtsAndScience.org and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
