Charlotte SHOUT! is Back
Are you ready for an unforgettable multiweek festival that celebrates creativity, innovation, diversity, and resilience? Charlotte SHOUT!, presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America and produced by Charlotte Center City Partners, is returning to Uptown Charlotte from March 31 to April 16, 2023.
With over 200 installations, performances, events, and activations, Charlotte SHOUT! has something for everyone. Whether you're interested in interactive art, live music, or thought-provoking discussions, you'll find it at this festival.
Events and installations are scheduled daily from 11 am-11 pm; most are free. Follow this guide to plan your adventure and make the most out of this year’s festival.
Start at the SHOUT! Lounge
Once you arrive in Uptown, make your way to the SHOUT! Lounge and ArtPop Gallery at 327 S. Tryon St. This is festival HQ—a one-stop-shop for information, portable map, brochure, directions, and a little creative inspiration. Meet artists working in live studio space, grab a SHOUT! t-shirt from MacFly Fresh, and get recommendations on where to eat, drink, and hang.
Catch a Concert
About 120 local musicians and bands are participating in this year’s festival, and the music runs across genres. There’s indie, rock, Americana, funk, hip hop, jazz, Latin, soul…well, you get the idea. If you like music, there’s a show for you. Much of the live music, which is made possible by Ally, takes place at two big stages: Victoria Yards (209 E. 7th St.) and Ally Main Stage at the Plaza (329 South Tryon St).
Pro Tip: Take in the performances at Victoria Yards while enjoying food from local vendors and admiring the 10+ murals on repurposed shipping containers.
Take a Lunch Break
If you’re working Uptown, SHOUT! is the perfect way to break up your workday. Pick up lunch from an Uptown restaurant or Tryon Street Food Truck and stroll down to Café 400 (400 S. Tryon St.), at the corner of South Tryon Street and MLK Boulevard, for live music and a sweet treat on the outdoor patio.
Be Inspired
The Charlotte Festival of Ideas is an annual event that's part of the Charlotte SHOUT! festival. Curated by The Charlotte Center for the Humanities and Civic Imagination, this festival brings together renowned thinkers and innovators to explore the most important topics of our times. From the hard and necessary work of citizenship to finding joy in our lives, to the role of artificial intelligence in society, the Charlotte Festival of Ideas offers an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions and learn from some of the brightest minds in the world. Whether you're interested in politics, social justice, technology, or culture, this festival has something for everyone.
Immerse Yourself in Art
This year's festival features an incredible array of art installations that are sure to capture your imagination. One of the standout features is the Roaming Gnomes, which are spread all over Uptown, each with its own personality and theme.
Other highlights include "Affinity," an immersive light and sound adventure inspired by the human brain, with 62 different color combinations and 112 points of interaction, and "Impulse," an internationally renowned, interactive public art display of giant, illuminated seesaws.
There are also fifteen !cons, each designed by a local artist, which punctuates the entire footprint of Charlotte SHOUT!, helping visitors find their way around the festival.
These installations were brought to life by talented artists, including Liz Miller, Reuben Bloom, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Dan Borelli, Thang Dao, Amanda Moody, Beth Yarnelle Edwards, and many others.
And if you want to be inspired by the art in a different way, register for yoga classes on The Green, and take in the sights of SHOUT! while enjoying your daily practice.
Explore with the Family
SHOUT! is a great way for families to get out, try something new, and explore their city. The installations and activities along South Tryon Street are especially family-friendly.
Other exciting art installations include "POP!," an interactive art installation featuring five enigmatic monoliths, each with a special creature waiting to be freed, and Pianodrome, America's first performance space made entirely from upcycled pianos. This dynamic, in-the-round intimate venue will be housed inside the historic Grace on Brevard venue and will come alive with dozens of performances by local artists.
Go on a Culinary Adventure
SHOUT! wouldn’t be complete without plenty of food and drinks, made possible by Compass Group. Make plans to attend the Charlotte StrEATs festival, April 15-16 at Gateway Village. The event includes tastings by some of the city’s best chefs, cocktail samples, live music, and more.
Have Fun!
The best part about Charlotte SHOUT! is that everyone is invited. Bring your friends and family to explore all that Uptown has to offer, meet your neighbors from across Charlotte, and have a blast. Need help finding your way around the festival? Just look for the Center City Ambassadors. They’re wearing bright orange and can’t wait to help you make the most of Charlotte SHOUT!
Make sure to follow @cltshout and @uptown.clt on Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening—at the festival and beyond. We’ll see you at SHOUT!