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An August 2008 trip to Charlotte by vampirefan

The monsters came to Charlotte! Photo - Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte, North Carolina

Quote: If you live near Charlotte, then you don't have to travel far to take in some great shows. These are a few of my favorites I have seen over the past few months.

25 Photos

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Attraction | "Naughty Puppets…..Avenue Q. "

Quote:

Last year when an acquaintance offered me her ticket to see Avenue Q at half price, I though at half price I couldn’t pass it up. But to be quite honest I wasn’t so sure how I would like the show. I mean I like Muppets, but I like mine on the cute and innocent side. Like Elmo or Kermit the frog. These are naughty puppets. A few months later I was watching one of my favorite TV shows Ace of Cakes and Duff and crew were making a cake for the touring cast party. I thought maybe this might, possibly, be cute. Still though…. naughty puppets. Then I saw the documentary Show Business…The Road to Broadway . This documentary focuses on 4 new shows in 2003. It highl...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 3, 2008

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N Tryon
Charlotte
704-372-1000

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Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Attraction | "Something Wicked came to Charlotte…Finally! "

Quote:

I had been wanting to see Wicked since it first came to Broadway. I happened to be in NY during the first few weeks it was open which would have included the original cast. And that opening cast included Kristen Chenoweth (Glinda), Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Joel Grey (the Wizard). My husband didn’t want to go until we got to town and then there were no tickets to be had. So every year since then when I do my survey for the performing arts center on what I want to see. My 3 choices? Wicked, Wicked, and Wicked. So FINALLY in April my wish came true! Now when you watch the annual airing of the classic movie The Wizard of Oz staring Judy Garland have you ever wondered what h...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 3, 2008

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N Tryon
Charlotte
704-372-1000

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Spirit Square

Attraction | "Seeing the original Elphaba…Idina Menzel. "

Quote:

Any Broadway fan worth his or her weight in Playbills knows who Idina Menzel is. She has had quite a successful Broadway career first originating the role of Maureen Johnson in Rent and later the role of Elphaba in Wicked. So the minute I found out she was in Charlotte I had to go see her. Idina was performing at Spirit Square to support her new album I Stand . While Idina has been working for years as a singer, it was the first time she was able to write and perform her own music. She worked with producer Glen Ballard who has also worked with artists such as Celine Dion, Annie Lennox, and Alanis Morrisette. She was a former rock singer who has returned to her roots with lots...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 3, 2008

Spirit Square
345 N College St.
Charlotte 28202
704-372-1000

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Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Attraction | "Seeing an Original..Jesus Christ Superstar"

Quote:

Jesus Christ Superstar was one of the first of what would be a long list of successful Broadway shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Webber would go on to produce such mega hits as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Evita, CATS, and the Phantom of the Opera . All of which I have seen many, many times over. Come to think of it, I have spent enough on Mr. Webber that I think I am entitled to have my name on wing in his house. Or at least my own named room! The title of the show should give you a hint as to what the show is about. It is of course about the life of Jesus Christ and in particular his last days, his death and consequently his resurrection, and his relationship...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 3, 2008

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N Tryon
Charlotte
704-372-1000

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Verizon Wireless Ampitheater

Attraction | "Mellowing out with James Taylor"

Quote:

Now in my 40's my musical tastes have come full circle. I listed to James growing up and here I am still listing to him. Though quite honestly I have never stopped listening to him. So when he pulled into Charlotte this summer, I couldn’t wait to go.

James and his band of legends were in town at the Verizion Wireless Amphitheatre under the Carolina stars for a great night of music and sing alongs. James sang a collection of his own songs as well as others. He covered everybody from the Dixie Chicks, the Temptations, Junior Walker, to a version of Hound Dog the way Big Mama Thornton performed it, not Elvis.
During the first set he performed such covers as Why Baby Why, Wichita Lineman and even Oh What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma . The he performed his classics such as Mexico, You’ve Got a Friend, and Country Road . After intermission James and his band delighted fans with such songs as Sweet Baby James, Shower the People, and Steamroller Blues. Of course this being NC, he couldn’t go without singing Carolina on My Mind . Thankfully he started out the encore with it and had the audience singing right along. Right after that I left to make the long treck back to my car.

For more than 40 years has been proving his fans with sweet sounds. He has sold over 40 million records. He has 40 gold and platinum albums and 5 Grammy awards. Billboard Magazine awarded him their Century Award in 1998. He is in both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences MUSICARES Person of the Year.

While James is often labeled as folk music or rock music, his fans seem to seem to come from all walks of life. The one thing they have in common is everyone is at the show to enjoy themselves. There are no fighting, drunks, or other misbehaving idiots. Just a bunch of talent-loving fans. James fans also run the gamut in age ranges. I saw several young children there with their parents who sang along with Jaime’s songs just like mom and dad.

James and his band of legends performed for somewhere around 2 hours. All these many years later and James’s voice is still as smooth as always. The show was terrific and thankfully no one was opening for them. Now when you go to see James Taylor, don’t expect a lavish stage show and backup dancers. It’s just James, his guitar, that wonderful voice, and his equally talented band. And that is just the way fans like it. Or at least at this show. Fans sang along with James and shouted and cheered, but no one out of control. During their 20 minute break James comes out and signed autographs for fans. Unfortunately for me the only bad thing about this concert was that there had been a water line break earlier and bathrooms were limited to about half a dozen porta-a-poties and I spend most of the intermission in the bathroom line and missing a change to shake hands with one of my favorite singers.

Despite the lack of bathrooms the night couldn’t have been more perfect. I was watching one of my favorite singers performing under this balmy Carolina night, singing to my favorite songs, and just having a terrific night out. If your looking for a great night out then makes sure that if James is in town, you go see him.

For more information go to www.jamestaylor.com.

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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 3, 2008

Verizon Wireless Ampitheater
707 Pavilion Boulevard
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
(704) 549-5555

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Ok I Have Tickets...Where Do I Go? Pt 1

Story/Tip

Beautiful Spirit Square Photo - Charlotte, North Carolina

Quote:

Ok now you have tickets for the big show, but now where do I have to be at? Now you may wonder why wouldn’t you know where to go. But it isn’t as easy at that. Especially when it comes to the performing arts center. So to help you with the confusion here is a guide to the venues. The performing arts This is where most of the confusion comes in. I know more than one person who has arrived at 7:55 for an 8:00 Broadway show only to discover the show was at Ovens Auditorium which is about 20 minutes away. The reason is most of the shows are held at Blumenthal so most people assume they all are. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center In November 1992, af...Read More

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Ok..I Have Tickets...Where Do I Go? Pt. 2

Story/Tip

Irish fare Photo - Charlotte, North Carolina

Quote:

Concert venues While there isn’t a lot of confusion when it comes to concert venues, I have know a couple of people in the summer months to show up at Verizon wireless thinking since it was warm the show would be outside only to find they should be 20 minutes away at the Bobcats arena. I have also an alternative name listed in parentheses as that is what it may be known to other people since these places often change names. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Blockbuster Pavilion ) From about March until around October, concert fans can enjoy the sounds of their favorite performers under the Carolina skies at Verizon Wireless and some still know it as it...Read More

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About the Writer

vampirefan
Mount Pleasant, North Carolina

"I live in Charlotte NC with my amazing boyfriend Nick and our furry children. I am passionate about..."
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