Recognized as one of 10 national finalists for Americans for the Arts’ Robert E. Gard Award 2018
Culture Blocks connects communities with responsive arts, science, and history experiences close to where residents live. The program engages with creative individuals and organizations with a primary mission of arts, science, and/or history to present programs in specific geographic areas. Culture Blocks, funded by Mecklenburg County, supports cultural experiences that are planned with resident involvement and/or take place at libraries, recreation centers, parks, and relevant community spaces.
Upcoming GATHERINGS & MEALS
Join friends, family and neighbors to enjoy a free meal, arts and culture performances and experiences, and a conversation about the arts, science and history opportunities you want in your neighborhood. Browse the list of upcoming gatherings here!
Upcoming Programs
All the events, classes, and workshops listed below are FREE thanks to the generous financial support of Mecklenburg County
Presented by Clayworks
When: Various dates through January
Where: Various locations, including David B. Waymer Rec Center, Northern Regional Rec Center, Mallard Creek Rec Center, and Pineville Library
Clayworks will lead participants in a hands on clay workshop. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. Projects will be taken to Clayworks to be fired and glazed before being returned for pickup. Please allow 3 weeks for this process.
Presented by B Music Youth
When: Tuesdays (5:30pm & 6:30pm) from January 16 through June 29
Where: Northern Regional Rec Center (18121 Old Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031)
This program serves youth ages 5 to 18 and provides them with the FUNdamentals of music education and mentorship through free weekly group piano classes.
Presented by Movement Migration
When: Tuesdays and Fridays from January 16 through June 25
Where: David B. Waymer Recreation Center (14008 Holbrooks Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078)
This series of dance and movement practices is accompanied by a live musician every* Tuesday and Friday from 9-10 AM from January 16th to June 28th. *No class on Friday, March 31st.
Professional dancers, educators, and teaching artists will teach different movement practices: modern dance, ballet, yoga, and somatic (an approach that focuses on mind-body awareness) practices to participants.
Presented by Order My Steps
When: Tuesdays (10am) from January 16 – June 11
Where: David B. Waymer Recreation Center (14008 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, NC 28078)
Dance Without Limits is a senior dance class designed for all mobility levels. Improve your strength, flexibility, and coordination while exploring new genres of movement. Our goal is to promote health and wellness, community, and creativity through the art of dance. No matter where you are on your movement journey there is a place for you.
Presented by Order My Steps
When: Wednesdays (10:30am) from January 17 – June 12
Where: Southview Recreation Center (1720 Vilma St, Charlotte, NC 28208)
Dance Without Limits is a senior dance class designed for all mobility levels. Improve your strength, flexibility, and coordination while exploring new genres of movement. Our goal is to promote health and wellness, community, and creativity through the art of dance. No matter where you are on your movement journey there is a place for you.
Presented by B Music Youth
When: Thursdays (5:30pm & 6:30pm) from January 18 through June 29
Where: Eastway Regional Rec Center (3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte, NC 28213)
This program serves youth ages 5 to 18 and provides them with the FUNdamentals of music education and mentorship through free weekly group piano classes.
Presented by Dear Soul Music Co
When: January 19 (6pm) and April 26 (6pm)
Where: David B. Waymer Recreation Center (14008 Holbrooks Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078)
Dear Soul Music Co Presents the EXPLORE: Community Concert Series (formerly known as the Unplugged+Live Concert Series)! This touring concert series features live performances featuring local and touring talent and music artist community meet & greets in a listening-room environment.
Presented by Order My Steps
When: Fridays (10am) from January 19 – June 14
Where: Crews Recreation Center (1201 Crews Road, Matthews, NC 28105)
Dance Without Limits is a senior dance class designed for all mobility levels. Improve your strength, flexibility, and coordination while exploring new genres of movement. Our goal is to promote health and wellness, community, and creativity through the art of dance. No matter where you are on your movement journey there is a place for you.
Presented by Order My Steps
When: Fridays (12pm) from January 19 – June 14
Where: Northern Regional Recreation Center (18121 Old Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031)
Dance Without Limits is a senior dance class designed for all mobility levels. Improve your strength, flexibility, and coordination while exploring new genres of movement. Our goal is to promote health and wellness, community, and creativity through the art of dance. No matter where you are on your movement journey there is a place for you.
Presented by Dear Soul Music Co
When: January 23 through February 13
Where: Virtual
This is a 4-week experience is for artists at all levels via ZOOM.
In this series, participants learn healthy marketing and branding skills to aid them in identifying their unique positioning as creatives within the marketplace. Instruction is led by Charlotte-based singer-songwriter, recording artist, and owner of Dear Soul Music Co., ARSENA.
Presented by Charlotte Poet Laureate
When: Saturday, January 27 (1pm)
Where: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – University City Branch (301 East W.T. Harris Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28262)
Join Piedmont Poet Laureate, Dasan Ahanu, for a dynamic poetry workshop followed by Office Hours with the Charlotte Poet Laureate, Jay Ward.
Christopher Massenburg, better known as Dasan Ahanu, is a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, educator, songwriter, and emcee, and loyal Hip Hop head born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theatre, a Durham based theatre company that creates and produces original poetry and spoken word based productions. As an active participant in poetry slam, Dasan has competed regionally and nationally as a founding member and coach of Durham, NC’s own Bull City Slam Team. Dasan is the 2023 Piedmont Poet Laureate.
Presented by Charlotte Poet Laureate
When: Saturday, January 27 (6pm)
Where: beSocial (located within Social Status) (1519 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205)
Writin’ Dirty: the brash rebellion of Southern poetics
At the 1995 Source Awards, André 3000 proclaimed, “The South got something to say.” To understand the depth of that profound truth, you must spend some time with the brilliance brewed below the Mason-Dixon line. Join Dasan Ahanu as he explores the South’s deep and enduring poetics. A rich and distinctive tapestry of oration and storytelling, there is something special bout how the pen moves to craft poetry round here. Let’s dig into what makes what comes out of the Dirty South so compelling and dynamic.
Presented by Guerilla Poets
When: January 27 through June 22
Where: Southview Rec Center and Goodyear Arts
Join Guerilla Poets for free amazing art, poetry and music workshops.
Every 1st Saturday of the month at Southview Rec Center (1720 Vilma St, Charlotte, NC 28208) from 11:30am – 12:30pm.
Every 4th Saturday of the month at Goodyear Arts (301 Camp Rd #200, Charlotte, NC 28206) from 11:30am – 12:30pm.
All ages welcome, and supplies will be provided.
Presented by Dear Soul Music Co
When: February 15 through March 7
Where: Huntersville Parks & Rec – Dellwood Community Center (508 Dellwood Drive Huntersville, NC 28078)
In this 4-week course, adults are invited to explore and deepen their guitar playing in a group environment with lead instruction by Charlotte-based session musician & recording artist, Brosnan Granger.
For participants that do not own a guitar, 10 guitars are available on reserve at no cost to ensure accessibility. This course provides foundational lessons & exercises while playing in a friendly group setting.