FanFare: Spring Takes Center Stage
March 19, 2026
After the most severe winter we’ve seen in years, spring finally arrives on Friday, March 20th. And with the warmer weather, budding trees, and aggressive pollen, we’re also getting a nice selection of concerts and theater productions across the Piedmont.
Encanto with the CSO
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* is bringing Disney’s Academy Award®-winning animated film, Encanto, to the big screen at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 21st at 3 p.m. Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees will lead the CSO as they perform the score along with the movie. Just remember…we don’t talk about Bruno. March 20-21.
Wonderous Women
The David Gordon-led Stateline Community Orchestra is celebrating Women’s History Month with performances at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church (8601 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte) on Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m., and at Pineville United Methodist Church (110 Polk Street, Pineville) on Sunday, March 22nd at 3 p.m. The program will include Franz Danzi’s Fantasia for Clarinet and Orchestra, featuring Principal Clarinetist Heather Gering, and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture. The concert is free with donations gratefully accepted. March 20 & 22.
Parents Gone Wild
Theatre Charlotte* (501 Queens Road, Charlotte) presents Yasmina Reza’s (Art) Tony Award-winning play God of Carnage, March 20th through April 5th. Described as a comedy of manners without the manners, the hilarious but somewhat dark work examines what happens when two sets of parents try to resolve a hitting incident between their kids. However, it’s the so-called adults in the room who need the parental guidance. Speaking of which, the play contains some strong language. March 20-April 5.
Percy Jackson Sings
Little Theater of Gastonia (238 S. Clay Street, Gastonia) is bringing The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical to the stage, March 20th through 22nd. Based on the fantasy novels by Rick Riordan, this “Theater for Young Audiences Edition” production is rated PG. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday performance is at 3 p.m. March 20-22.
Star-Spangled Symphony
If you haven’t heard, America turns 250 this year! The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra is celebrating with Stars and Stripes Forever at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (300 N. Elm Street, Greensboro) on Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 p.m. The GSO will be joined by the North Carolina Brass Band and GSO Gospel Choir for an all-American night with rousing marches by John Philip Sousa, the big band sound of Glenn Miller, and more. March 21.
The Final Frontier
The Lake Norman Orchestra is putting on a cosmic concert at SouthPark Church (3151 Apex Dr, Suite 100, Charlotte) on Saturday, March 21st at 7 p.m. The program will feature music about outer space, including “Mars” and “Jupiter” from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, The Empire Strikes Back Medley, Star Trek Through the Years, as well as themes from ET the Extra-Terrestrial, Starman, and 2001: A Space Odyssey (Also Sprach Zarathustra). Pianist Jon Stafford will also join the LKNO for a performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. March 21.
Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Cain Center for the Arts* (21348 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius) welcomes folk-rock legend Roger McGuinn for an evening of songs and stories on Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 p.m. Even before founding The Byrds with David Crosby and Gene Clark in 1964, McGuinn was entrenched in rock & roll history as a guitarist with the Limeliters, Chad Mitchell Trio, and Bobby Darin. March 21.
Acting Up
Little Theatre of Winston-Salem (4015 Brownsboro Road, Winston-Salem) is offering introductory theater classes for kids in kindergarten through 4th grade, every Saturday, March 21st through May 9th. Acting Up will help young performers build core skills through engaging, age-appropriate instruction. The program culminates in a showcase that celebrates the kids’ development as emerging performers. Classes run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 21-May 9.
Heartland + Heinrich
Music at St. Alban’s* (301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson) presents an afternoon of chamber music with Heartland Baroque on Sunday, March 22nd at 3 p.m. The period instrument ensemble, along with internationally renowned countertenor Charles Humphries, will honor the extraordinary career of influential 17th century German composer Heinrich Schütz, and the music will be interspersed with readings of letters and writings from his time. The concert will be preceded by a young artists’ performance at 2:20 p.m. featuring piano students of Kazuko Adachi. March 22.
Guitar Guru
Blumenthal Arts* presents jazz guitar virtuoso Pat Metheny at Knight Theater (550 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Tuesday, March 24th at 7:30 p.m. Over the course of his 50-plus-year career, Metheny has been an innovator on stage and in the studio. His singular playing style and use of technology has helped to define modern jazz. March 24.
Heaven & Hell
Davidson College School of Music* presents a free concert featuring two 20th century classics at the Sloan Music Center’s Tyler-Tallman Recital Hall (323 Concord Road, Davidson) on Thursday, March 26th at 7:30 p.m. Guest pianist Mari Kawamura joins Davidson College’s William Fried for performances of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and Olivier Messiaen’s Visions de l’amen. March 26.
Quick Notes
- Charleston Bluegrass Festival: Two days of live bluegrass music, premeium camping options, local food and craft vendors, and outdoor activities at The Woodlands Nature Reserve in Charleston, SC. March 20-21.
- ArtPop Community Art Market: Connect with local artists and shop original artworks at Le Méridien Charlotte. March 21.
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Children’s Book Sale: Find bargains on pre-read books for babies, kids, and young adults from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ImaginOn (300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte). March 21.
- Uptown Wine Down: A curated day of shopping and wine sampling in Uptown Lexington, NC. March 21.
- Charlotte Center for the Arts Youth Arts Festival: Free, family-friendly festival with live performances by young artists, hands-on creative activities, gallery exhibitions and more at Stumptown Park in downtown Matthews. March 22.
- Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival: Seven days of tastings, dinners, wine judging, wine auctions, lectures, and culinary competitions on Hilton Head Island, SC. March 22-28.
- Zipline & Dine: Spend an hour traversing the tree canopy before tucking in for a three-course dinner at the Whitewater Center’s River’s Edge restaurant. March 25.
Don’t forget to visit the WDAV Events Calendar often for even more things to see, do, and taste. Have a great week!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Charlotte, Cain Center for the Arts, Music at St. Alban’s, Blumenthal Arts, and Davidson College are WDAV underwriters.
