FanFare: Concerts, Cocktails & Crafts

June 11, 2026

Phil Vavra Powered By Bragg Financial

There’s so much explore in the new edition of FanFare. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has three performances this weekend, the Piedmont Shakespeare Company kicks off its 2026 summer season, the Queen City has a new cocktail bar, and there are several arts & crafts sales to check out. Don’t forget your wallet!

CSO on the Go!

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* has a fun-filled weekend of outdoor performances. It starts with their annual free concert at Stumptown Park (120 S. Trade Street, Matthews) on Friday, June 12^th. A prelude performance begins at 7 p.m. and the Symphony goes on at 8:30 p.m. Then, the CSO Roadshow makes a stop at the Simmons YMCA (6824 Democracy Drive, Charlotte) for another free concert on Saturday, June 13^th at 6 p.m. And the Summer Pops series continues with the Best of Broadway, featuring vocalist Susie Pepper, at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall (4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte) on Sunday, June 14^th. The prelude performance by jazz singer Dawn Anthony begins at 7 p.m. and the CSO will take the stage at 8:15 p.m. June 12-14.

Sassy Southern Seniors

The Green Room Community Theatre (10 S. Main Avenue, Newton) is presenting the uproarious Four Old Broads, June 12^th through 21^st. Set at “Magnolia Place Assisted Living,” this laugh-out-loud comedy follows a group of spirited retirees who can’t help but investigate some suspicious goings-on in their retirement home. Rated PG-13 for mature themes, language, and suggestive humor. June 12-21.

Pickleball for Good

Pickleballplayers of all skill levels are invited to compete in Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region’s 2026 Pickleball Tournament at the Belmont CityRec Center (1315 E. Catawba Street, Belmont) on Saturday, June 13^th starting at 8 a.m. You’ll be serving in more ways than one by helping local families find a pathway to affordable homeownership across Gaston, Iredell, and Mecklenburg counties. June 13.

More Courts in the QC

Speaking of pickleball, Charlotte has a new place to play. Peak Time Pickleball (1515 S. Clarkson Street, Charlotte) is now open in the Wilmore neighborhood. The 78,000-square-foot multi-story club offers 19 indoor courts; leagues, lessons and clinics; a gym with fitness classes, saunas, locker rooms, and showers; a pro shop, and a lounge serving beverages. Outdoor courts are coming this summer, followed by a bar, golf simulators, and even co-working spaces. Pickleball and PowerPoint!

Hogwarts in the Triad

The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra is bringing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (300 N. Elm Street, Greensboro) on Saturday, June 13^th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 14^th at 3 p.m. The GSO will perform Nicholas Hooper’s score live as the 2007 fantasy plays on the big screen. June 13-14.

Much Ado About Shakespeare

It’s time to pick your date and make your reservation for Piedmont Shakespeare Company’s 2026 summer touring production of Much Ado About Nothing, June 13^th through 27^th.As always, the performances are free. They even offer childcare at select performances (with advance reservation) and an ASL-interpreted performance in Greensboro. Without further ado, here’s the schedule:

Winston-Salem: Hanes Auditorium, Elberson Fine Arts Center, Salem Academy & College (430 Leaders Avenue)

• Saturday, June 13^th at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14^th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

High Point, NC: High Point Theatre (220 E. Commerce Avenue)

• Wednesday, June 17^th at 7 p.m.

Walnut Cove, NC: South Stokes High School (1100 S. Stokes High Drive)

• Thursday, June 18^th at 7 p.m.

Burlington, NC: Cummings High School (2200 N. Mebane Street)

• Saturday, June 20^th at 7 p.m. (Childcare available with reservation)
• Sunday, June 21^st at 2 p.m.

Greensboro, NC: Van Dyke Performance Space, Greensboro Cultural Center (200 N. Davie Street)

• Wednesday, June 24^th at 7 p.m. (ASL-interpreted performance)
• Thursday, June 25^th at 7 p.m. (Childcare available with reservation)
• Friday, June 26^th at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27^th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Red, White & Blue

The Stateline Community Orchestra, led by Dr. David Gordon, will be performing a free concert of patriotic orchestral favorites at Charlotte Catholic High School Fine Arts Center (7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte) on Sunday, June 14^th (Flag Day!) at 3 p.m. America 250: A Musical Celebration will include such showstoppers as “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Chicago,” “America the Beautiful,” and others. Suggested donations of $10 will be gratefully accepted. June 14.

The Real Church Pipes of Winston-Salem

The Piedmont NC Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites you to enjoy Sounds of the Summer, a five-part exploration of some of Winston-Salem’s magnificent pipe organs. The first one, Downtown Classic, will feature the Susan Orgain, Tate Addis, and Robert Poovey performing a wide-ranging repertoire on the mid-century Schlicker Organ at First Presbyterian Church (300 N. Cherry Street, Winston-Salem) on Monday, June 15^th at 7 p.m. Admission is free. June 15.

Mint-y Fresh

The Steinway Residency Series continues with Steinway Carolinas* at the Mint Museum Uptown* (500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, June 17^th at 6 p.m. with a piano performance by Hwa-Jin Kim, PhD, founder and artistic director of Sonare Music Academy and Sonare Club of Atlanta. The series features free concerts by accomplished pianists from our region on the third Wednesday of the month. While you’re there, you can also check out the amazing Caravaggio exhibition. June 17.

Toddler Tunes

Something fun for the little ones is coming to town! Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got the Moves will be at Ovens Auditorium (2700 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte) on Wednesday, June 17^th at 6 p.m. This all-new show features Elmo and his pals performing favorite songs such as “Sunny Days,” “Letter of the Day,” and more. June 17.

21^st Century Cabaret

Moving Poets present Flophaus Cabaret at the McColl Center (721 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), June 17^th through 20^th. Inspired by The Threepenny Opera and German cabaret scene of the 1920s and ‘30s, this multi-media event will feature elements of theater, dance, jazz, and opera performed by over 35 national, regional, and Charlotte-based actors, dancers, musicians, and singers. June 17-20.

Don’t cry for me, Argentina!

Davidson Community Players* are staging a production of the iconic musical, Evita, at the Duke Family Performance Hall (2017 Faculty Drive, Davidson), June 17th through 28^th. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical about Argentinian political icon Eva Peron was the first British show to win the Tony Award for Best Musical (1979). June 17-28.

Karen Slack’s African Queens

Piedmont Opera concludes its season with African Queens, a free community concert at First Baptist on Fifth (501 W. 5^th Street, Winston-Salem) on Thursday, June 18^th at 7:30 p.m. Curated and performed by Grammy Award-winning soprano Karen Slack, this production celebrates the history and legacy of seven extraordinary African queens whose stories remain underrepresented in Western cultural narratives. The program combines new works by several composers including Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, and Carlos Simon, along with traditional repertoire, spoken word, and visual art. Pre-show tickets are available for $25. Free community tickets are available now (suggested ticket price $22). June 18.

Piedmont Pops

The Piedmont Wind Symphony will be performing at the Coal Pit at Incendiary Brewing (486 N. Patterson Avenue #105, Winston-Salem) on Thursday, June 18^th at 7:30 p.m. Artistic Director Mark A. Norman will lead the free concert with a mix of movie scores, Broadway showstoppers, and rousing patriotic selections. June 18.

New Watering Hole

Charlotte’s Optimist Hall (1115 N. Brevard Street, Charlotte) has a new hot spot called Pollyanna. The stylish bar took over the space vacated by Billy Sunday and it specializes in classic cocktails such as the Martini, Negroni, and Old Fashioned. You’ll also find new concoctions, including “The Dillyanna,” made with gin, dry vermouth, and house-made pickle brine; and the zesty “Meet Me in the Garden,” made with Cachaça, white rum, lemon, red bell pepper, and hellfire bitters. Now open.

Arts & Crafts Happenings

• South End Summer Artisan Festival: Handmade crafts, fashion, art, home décor, specialty goods, and delicious food options in Charlotte’s Romare Bearden Park in the heart of Charlotte. June 12-14.
  
  
• Vintage Market Days of Charlotte’s American Dreams: Interior designers, decorators, and over 65 dealers with unique vintage & antique goods, handmade treasurers, clothing, jewelry, live plants, and more at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord. June 12-14.
  
  
• Art in the Park: Monthly event with 70 juried artists selling paintings, pottery, textiles, jewelry, furniture, functional art, and more in downtown Blowing Rock. June 13.
  
  
• Starworks Annual Craft Invitational: Curated exhibition-style sale featuring talented artists working in ceramic, glass, wood, metal, and fiber in Star, NC. June 13.
  
  
• Front Street Arts & Crafts Festival: Celebration of mountain art and culture with more than 40 artisans, shops, galleries, and food in downtown Dillsboro, NC. June 13.

We’re always adding new stuff to the WDAV Events Calendar, too, so be sure to check it often. Thanks for reading!

FanFare is made possible in part by:

*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Steinway Carolinas, Mint Museum, and Davidson Community Players are WDAV underwriters.