Democratic National Convention on the Cheap
If you’re coming to Charlotte for the DNC, make the best use of your downtime, before, during and after the convention. Here’s a quick-start guide to convention week recreation and entertainment, with a focus on free and cheap activities, both for adults and families. This guide is an evolving document and will be updated as more events are publicized, so keep checking back. Follow each link for details.
Friday, August 31st
Matthews Alive: A four day Labor Day Festival in Matthews, which borders Charlotte on the east. This festival features live music, carnival rides and kids’ entertainment.
Movies in Harrisburg Park: Harrisburg is right next to Charlotte. Just drive up University City Boulevard (Hwy 49.) Bring the kids to see Kung Fu Panda 2 outside in the park. The movie starts when it gets dark.
Birkdale Village Mingling on the Green: Birkdale Village is a mixed use community in Huntersville, right up I-77. Performing in a free concert is Soundbarrier.
Summer concert series at Blakeney: Performing at this free concert series is Tony Barnes.
Summer concert series at Stonecrest: Kimberly Carper Trio perform.
Buggy Black-Light: A naturalist will help participants identify insects at night time with the help of a black light. At Reedy Creek Nature Center.
Saturday, September 1st
Labor Day Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center: Enjoy live music from three bands starting at 4pm, followed by a fireworks display over the whitewater river when it gets dark.
Matthews Alive: A four day Labor Day Festival in Matthews, which borders Charlotte on the east. This festival features live music, carnival rides and kids’ entertainment.
Birkdale Village Mingling on the Green: Birkdale Village is a mixed use community in Huntersville, right up I-77. Performing in a free concert is John T. Woodall Band.
Summer concert series at Blakeney: Performing at this free concert series is Tony Barnes.
Summer concert series at Stonecrest: Kimberly Carper Trio perform.
Experience SC Festival: Just down the road in Rock Hill, SC, enjoy an evening of live music and entertainment, food and literature celebrating the state of South Carolina.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Sunday, September 2nd
Matthews Alive: A four day Labor Day Festival in Matthews, which borders Charlotte on the east. This festival features live music, carnival rides and kids’ entertainment.
Birkdale Village Mingling on the Green: Birkdale Village is a mixed use community in Huntersville, right up I-77. Performing in a free concert is The Invaders.
Minor League Baseball: Charlotte Knights vs. Durham ($8-$14.) Following the game there will be a fireworks display. The Charlotte Knights play in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Concerts on the Green in Davidson: Sunday Union Band, a variety band, performs on the green in Davidson. Bring a picnic and blankets.
Quasimodo Project: Free arts & entertainment at Snug Harbor tonight, brought to you by a grass roots collective of Charlotte creatives.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Monday, September 3rd
CarolinaFest 2012: Labor Day Parade and festival in Uptown Charlotte. Uptown museums will be free or discounted.
Matthews Alive: A four day Labor Day Festival in Matthews, which borders Charlotte on the east. This festival features live music, carnival rides and kids’ entertainment.
Birkdale Village Mingling on the Green: Birkdale Village is a mixed use community in Huntersville, right up I-77. Performing in a free concert is Gruve Therapy.
Yard Art Day: Artists around the Queen City are joining together in a grass roots arts initiative by putting a work of art in their front yards for one day. Get to know the city and all the different neighborhoods by visiting the yard art.
Quasimodo Project: Free arts & entertainment at Snug Harbor tonight, brought to you by a grass roots collective of Charlotte creatives.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Tuesday, September 4th
Beer Ed: Growler’s Pourhouse, a craft beer pub, and home of Charlotte Observer Tournament of Food’s best sandwich in 2012, offers Beer Ed at 7pm. Free tastings are included.
Historical program on Revolutionary War hero: Dramatic interpretation of Peter Francisco, who, at 6’6″ was called the Hercules of the Revolution” or the “Giant Virginian” by Francisco’s sixth generation descendant, Travis Bowman. Free.
Quasimodo Project: Free arts & entertainment at 7th Street Public Market this afternoon, brought to you by a grass roots collective of Charlotte creatives.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Wednesday, September 5th
Mix at Six: Ballantyne Village’s free concert series kicks off September 5th with Leslie & Friends and the Mike Stratford Band.
Quasimodo Project: Free arts & entertainment at 7th Street Public Market this afternoon, brought to you by a grass roots collective of Charlotte creatives.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Thursday, September 6th
Whitewater River Jam: U.S. National Whitewater Center hosts a free concert series on Thursday evenings through September 20th. The band performing on September 6th is Moonshine Racers. They’re described as playing “jammy bluegrass.” Parking is $5 per car, and the activities like rafting, zip lines and climbing do have fees.
Quasimodo Project: Free arts & entertainment at 7th Street Public Market this afternoon, brought to you by a grass roots collective of Charlotte creatives.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Friday, September 7th
Wild Target: This film is part of Modern Film Fest and is being screened, for free, at Davis Theatre in Concord. It’s described as “A drama about a hitman whose attempt to retire may be thwarted by a beautiful thief. Features Emily Blount, Bill Nighy and Rupert Grint.” Before the film, stroll the streets of downtown Concord for the Concord Art Walk.
Summer concert series at Blakeney: Performing at this free concert series is Jes Seda.
Summer concert series at Stonecrest: Brubakers perform.
Broken Napoleons, described as a rock/indie/jam band, play at Revolution Pizza in a free show. During free gallery crawl in NoDa neighborhood.
Photography exhibit opening: Pura Vida Worldly Art hosts the opening reception for Dialect’s Discipline: an exhibit celebrating Charlotte artists. It’s described as a “photographic series capturing the spirit and discipline of local artists to black and white film.” This takes place during NoDa’s gallery crawl.
Free Capitol Hill Seasoning at Savory Spice South End
Saturday, September 8th
Tosco Music Party ($15): A Charlotte tradition, these musical variety shows feature an incredible range of musical acts, each performing just one or two songs. Whether you prefer rock, bluegrass, blues, or jazz, you’ll probably discover some new favorite musicians. The shows always sell out, so don’t delay purchasing your ticket.
Summer concert series at Blakeney: Performing at this free concert series is Jes Seda.
Summer concert series at Stonecrest: Brubakers perform.
Woofstock: This festival at Amos’ Southend features music, a silent auction for dog-related objects, adoptable dogs, and plenty of activities for the dogs and people who attend. $5 gets you admission and your first drink.
2012 Coca-Cola Sunset Jazz Festival: This free festival, held in Symphony Park in Southpark, offers a diverse lineup of jazz artists.
Nature workshop: Learn to make a bird feeder out of recycled materials at this free workshop at Reedy Creek Nature Center.
Open mic at Mugs Coffee: The theme of the open mic is democracy.
Sunday, September 9th
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
Leave a Reply