Recent News

American Press Institute says journalists and artists in Charlotte have teamed up to tell COVID-19 stories as graphic novels. Here’s an excerpt:

The Charlotte Journalism Collaborative and BOOM Charlotte, an arts festival, have teamed up to produce a graphic novel about the effects of the coronavirus in the North Carolina city.

The novel, called “The Pandem!c: Stories of COVID-19,” will be divided into eight chapters, and will tell the stories of people in the region who have been affected by the pandemic.

NC Local News Workshop Newsletter says BOOM and Charlotte Journalism Collaborative have launched a new graphic novel. Here’s an excerpt:

The Charlotte Journalism Collaborative and BOOM Charlotte have launched THE PANDEMIC, a graphic novel of stories about COVID-19’s impact on people in the Charlotte area. Eight artists and eight reporters are working on it, said Chris Rudisill, the CJC director.

The first episode, with artwork by Marcus Kiser, is based on (and linked to) a video story by Stephanie Bunao and John D. Simmons for The Charlotte Observer about the first month of the pandemic in North Carolina.

Three Things to Be Excited About Here’s an excerpt:

There is a lot going on right now in the Queen City when it comes to art, music and overall just flat out creativity. That’s where we call up our friends from Charlotte is Creative. Tim Miner shared three things to be excited about and introduced us to a special guest, Kia O.

1. Windows of Hope: Lowe’s, South End and ArtPop! want to turn 13 windows into an outside art gallery. .
2. Tosco Music Party: John Tosco is having an online event Saturday night featuring incredible talent and raising money for the COVID-19 Music Relief fund created by Fair Play Music Equity Initiative and Music Everywhere.
3. A Call To Create: Charlotte is Creative has partnered with BOOM, BLKMRKTCLT and The Roll Up to invite artists to submit ideas to present at an online event on July 11.

BOOM Festival Pivots to Become Virtual Forum for Community Voices. Here’s an excerpt:

In mid-March, when it became apparent that the COVID-19 crisis was on a collision course with BOOM, Manoj Kesavan temporarily pulled the plug on Charlotte’s biggest, best and riskiest arts festival. But you can’t defuse an arts explosion for long. BOOM had built a reputation for flexibility, says Kesavan, the founder and executive director of the three-day grassroots avant-garde arts festival that takes place each year in Plaza Midwood.

“Unlike [other] organizations that are set in what they do, we are able to adapt quickly,” Kesavan asserts.

Celebrating Charlotte Arts…virtually Here’s an excerpt:

Today, I should be in Charlotte enjoying the 5th annual BOOM festival, an artist-led presentation of contemporary visual and performing arts, which is supported by Knight Foundation. The 2020 festival was originally scheduled for this weekend, April 17 – 19 and like many events across the country, it’s been postponed until further notice as a result of COVID-19. So, instead of celebrating Charlotte’s arts scene in Plaza Midwood, I’m at home, which I expect is where you are, too.

Being home won’t stop us from celebrating, because now, more than ever, our artists and our communities need to be recognized, celebrated and supported.

Winners of Knight Foundation’s inaugural initiative to show their works at BOOM Festival in spring 2020. Here’s an excerpt:

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation today announced the winners of its inaugural Celebrate Charlotte Arts initiative, which supports projects by and for residents of Charlotte that showcase artistic excellence and capture the spirit of the city. The twelve winning arts projects will receive a share of $200,000 to bring their ideas to life.

“The essence of Charlotte was reflected in the caliber and creativity of applications for this new initiative,” said Priya Sircar, Knight Foundation director for arts. “It’s undeniable that Charlotte is full or artists and arts organizations creating and presenting high-quality work. Our hope is to help highlight these twelve projects and bring the diversity, talent and potential of Charlotte’s arts scene to new heights.”

The Charlotte Post says actors are needed to fall into ‘TRAPT’ cast. Here’s an excerpt:

You could take the stage at BOOM Festival.

Charlotte playwright Stacey Rose began her Boom Festival Artist Residency last month. Her residency, which is a first of its kind for the festival, culminates in a work-in-progress presentation of “TRAPT” during Boom, which runs April 17-19. Auditions will be held at Open Door Studios-Studio C (1342 Central Ave) by appointment from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The audition call reads: “BOOM Fest is seeking Black American performers ages 18-early 30s, actors with a background in Hip-Hop and/or Poetry performance preferred.”

The Queen City News says BOOM Charlotte is the Best Arts Festival. Here’s an excerpt:

BOOM, Plaza Midwood’s annual three-day festival of avant-garde and grassroots performances returned in April with its eclectic mix of dance, music and theater. The festival’s fourth year featured over 120 performances at indoor venues including Petra’s, Snug Harbor, Open Door Studios, Rabbit Hole and Coaltrane’s, and on a free outdoor stage dubbed “The Intersection.”

From its inception BOOM has been the realization of a dream to bring a first class fringe festival to Charlotte, festival founder Manoj Kesavan told Queen City Nerve. But in 2019 BOOM exploded past that goal to become Charlotte’s largest, wildest and most diverse arts festival.

The Charlotte Post says the annual BOOM festival is a community gathering of diverse artistry and performance. Here’s an excerpt:

With the addition of new venues, more shows and a larger lineup of artists, the annual springtime fringe festival returns to Plaza Midwood April 26-28. It kicks off with a free preview party at 7:30 p.m. on April 25 at NoDa Brewing Co., which will include pop-up performances. An opening night afterparty will take place at Snug Harbor…

The Biscuit says Charlotte is literally bursting with creativity. Here’s an excerpt:

Charlotte is literally bursting with creativity, and this past weekend the BOOM Charlotte Festival put that all on display. With over 100 events and activities over three days, BOOM took over Plaza-Midwood and gave Queen City creatives exciting opportunities to meet each other, work together and share their passions…