MLB coming to CLT ... for one day

From a Charlotte Knights press release that just popped into our inbox:

For the first time in nine years, the Charlotte Knights will play host to a Major League Baseball exhibition game next spring. The Knights will play against their parent club, the Chicago White Sox, on April 1, 2010 at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill at 7 p.m.

“This is a great way to kick off the 2010 baseball season hosting the White Sox,” said Knights Vice-President/General Manager Dan Rajkowski. “Knights fans will be excited to see Chicago’s players and will enjoy seeing some former Knights players back here as well.”

“Every spring, we say it takes more than 25 players to win a championship,” said Ken Williams, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. “Each year, players from the Knights come to Chicago to play important roles in helping us win games. We are looking forward to returning to Charlotte to play this exhibition game in front of the city’s great fans. Players you see on both teams at this game will be difference makers in the Major Leagues in 2010. For us, this is one of our first steps in a season we believe will end with a postseason appearance for the White Sox next October.”

“This is just another great example of how Don Beaver and the entire Knights organization give back to their fans and to the Region as a whole,” said Jeff Beaver executive director of the Charlotte Sports Commission. “The tradition of bringing first-class events to our community continues with this game, providing everyone an opportunity to see the Knights and their parent club prepare for the opening of their seasons. It is also another example of our good fortune to have Triple-A baseball!”

The Knights and White Sox faced off in an exhibition in 1999 at Knights Stadium. The last MLB exhibition was held on March 31, 2001 and featured the White Sox playing host to Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals). The game was held in front of 12,020 fans.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on December 1. Ticket prices will range from $7 – 19. The Knights are offering a special ticket package for the exhibition game and Knights opening day game. Fans can purchase a field box seat for the White Sox exhibition and opening day for $29 or $23 for a lower level reserve seat.

The Knights 2010 home opener is April 15 at 7:15 p.m. vs. the Gwinnett Braves.

The Charlotte Knights are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. For ticket or event information, please contact the Knights front office at (704) 357-8071 or (803) 548-8050 or visit our website at www.charlotteknights.com for more information.

Opera Carolina to stage 'Porgy & Bess'

From an Opera Carolina press release that just popped into our inbox:

Opera Carolina, the leading professional opera company in the region, will bring George Gershwin's blockbuster American opera, Porgy & Bess, to Charlotte for four performances on May 14-16, 2010. The performances are part of the 75th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the 1935 premiere of Porgy & Bess. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public Tuesday, November 2, at 10:00 am.

Prices for single tickets start at $16.00 and may be purchased online at www.operacarolina.org or by calling the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center at 704-372-1000.

Widely recognized as the greatest American Opera, Porgy & Bess, by George and Ira Gerswhin, returns to Charlotte after a sell-out performance five years ago. Set in Catfish Row, a Charleston Ghetto, Porgy & Bess is a passionate tale of life during the 1920s. It's a timeless love story between Porgy, a cripple, and Bess, a good but haunted woman. The star-crossed couple finds happiness that ultimately turns to tragedy as Bess is led astray by ghosts from her past - the drug-dealing Sportin' Life and her abusive boyfriend, Crown.

"This is a riveting and timeless story told through a jazz and blues-influenced score," said General Director James Meena. "The drama is captivating and the show-stopping music has entertained audiences for decades. We're fortunate to be able to share this special 75th Anniversary performance with the Charlotte region."

The opera features some of George Gerswhin's best known tunes, including "Summertime," "Ain't Necessarily So," "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin," and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now."

Bon Jovi is Charlotte-bound in 2010

From a Time Warner Cable Arena press release that just popped into our inbox:

With New Jersey’s New Meadowlands Stadium as their backdrop, GRAMMY Award-winning hometown heroes Bon Jovi performed at a concert and media event today that announced “The Circle World Tour.” The band is preparing to spend nearly two years spanning the globe, including a stop at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 22.

On sale date for Time Warner Cable Arena show will be released in the upcoming weeks. Fans should continue to log on to www.timewarnercablearena.com for the most up to date concert and ticket on-sale information.

The band’s Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres performed an exclusive set for a select group of 5,000 lucky contest winners, fan club members, and on-site construction workers currently at work building the New Meadowlands Stadium. Bon Jovi was also joined by New York Jets Chairman & CEO Woody Johnson, New York Giants President & CEO, John Mara, as well as President & CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Company, Mark Lamping. New York’s powerhouse radio station WPLJ DJ, Race Taylor, served as emcee. Live footage of the event is available at www.BonJovi.com. An embeddable player is available at http://www.iclips.net/widgets/jbj/jbj_embed.html.

Beginning with the band’s North American tour launch on February 19th, 2010 in Seattle, WA, Bon Jovi will spend much of the next two years on the road, performing 135 shows in 30 countries. Following in the footsteps of their hugely successful “Lost Highway Tour, Bon Jovi will draw fans around the world into The Circle, with a residency at London’s O2 Arena in June 2010 before returning to America in the fall for an additional nationwide leg, and further dates well into 2011.

"It is often said that the third time is a charm, and in the case of the Bon Jovi/AEG Live relationship, this axiom certainly holds,” said Randy Phillips, President and CEO of AEG Live. “AEG Live has been honored to serve as the band's worldwide tour promoters, from the 2005 'Have A Nice Day' tour to the highest grossing tour of 2008, 'Lost Highway,' to the upcoming 'The Circle World Tour' in 2010. Bon Jovi is one of the most prolific and exciting live rock bands in the world."

Having sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans, Bon Jovi is at their best when they’re on the move, and that is truer now than ever before. The November 10th, 2009 release of Bon Jovi’s new album, The Circle, and the band’s subsequent world tour, provides a powerful reassertion of Bon Jovi’s commitment to the hard-hitting rock & roll that has been the band’s indelible signature since it began more than 26 years ago.

Kravitz cancels Charlotte concert

From a Live Nation press release that just popped into our inbox:

Lenny Kravitz has regretfully announced that he must cancel his upcoming concert at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC due to a scheduling conflict resulting from a vocal injury the artist suffered while performing in New York City last week. The October 27th concert will not be rescheduled during the singer’s current US tour.

Said Lenny Kravitz "I'm very sorry and disappointed to not be able to pay my fans in North Carolina a visit. I was looking forward to returning to Charlotte and perform for everyone there. I look forward to coming back when I head back out on the road in the US next year.”

Refunds will be issued to fans at point of purchase starting Thursday October 22. Tickets purchased online or by phone will be refunded automatically.

Kravitz’s US tour dates are taking place to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his debut release Let Love Rule. The tour will culminate in a headlining performance at the Voodoo Experience Festival in New Orleans, LA on November 1st.

Children's Theatre adds more 'Beauty'

From a Children's Theatre of Charlotte press release that just popped into our inbox:

Due to enthusiastic demand, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is delighted to announce added performances to the run of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”. Children’s Theatre’s original staging of this classic story brings the beloved characters and songs of Disney’s hit movie to life.

In 1991, “Beauty and the Beast” became the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Prompted by the film’s success, Disney developed a stage version with an eye toward Broadway. The resulting show was nominated for 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has thrilled audiences around the world.

While true to the spirit of the movie and show, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” features all-new costume and scenic designs, conceived specifically for this production. “It was very important to us to bring our own perspectives and thoughts about ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to bear on the design process,” says Artistic Director Alan Poindexter, who directs the production. “We want to honor the magic of this beautiful story with a production that creates new magic for our audience.”

Tickets are available for the following performance times and dates:

Sunday, October 18 6:00 pm (ADDED PERFORMANCE)
Thursday, October 22 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 24 11:00 am (ADDED PERFORMANCE)
Sunday, October 25 6:00 pm (ADDED PERFORMANCE)

All other performances have been sold out.

Performances will be held in the McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, 300 East 7th Street. Front Orchestra tickets are $24.00; General Admission tickets are $18.00. For tickets to the productions, call the Children’s Theatre Box Office at 704-973-2828 (10 am-5 pm, Mon.-Fri.) or visit our website: www.ctcharlotte.org. For ages 5+/Grades K+.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, with an Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc. and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

Springsteen to play 'Born to Run' here

From a Time Warner Cable Arena/AEG Live press release that just popped into our inbox:

Bruce Springsteen & The Legendary E Street Band has just announced that they will perform the “Born to Run” album in its entirety when they play Time Warner Cable Arena on Tuesday, November 3. In addition, hit songs from other albums will be played throughout the show. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.

Tickets for the show at Time Warner Cable Arena are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com, the Time Warner Cable Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone by calling 800-745-3000.

RenFest celebrates its 16th anniversary

From a Royal Faires press release that just popped into our inbox:

To celebrate its 16th anniversary as the Carolinas’ biggest kingdom of outdoor entertainment, the Carolina Renaissance Festival has planned two months of non-stop entertainment, feasting and games, Saturdays & Sundays, October 10th through November 22nd .

At the Carolina Renaissance Festival, the entire 22-acre kingdom forms the set for comic adventures, in which you can be both audience and part of the fun. With a cast of over 500 costumed characters, the festival is like a Monty Python movie come to life.

Festival fans can leave their cares behind and enjoy the pleasures of a simpler time in a storybook town where you can choose from continuous music, dance and comedy shows, shop for wonderful arts and crafts; plus games, rides and a feast of exotic food and drink.

You can throw tomatoes at the insulting fools locked in the stocks at Vegetable Justice. Cheer for your favorite mounted knights (or pirate) at three jousting tournaments each day. Or test your skill at games like the Dragon Climbing Tower, the Archery Range and the Maze.

In the festival’s vast 16th century European village, an expected 160,000 revelers will find shows on 10 stages of continuous entertainment, including fan favorites back for the anniversary celebration:

The sharp wit of the Ded Bob Show.
The Juggling and Comedy antics of London Broil.
All three Tortuga Twins.
Zilch the Torysteller.
The dangerous balancing theatrics of Dextre Tripp.
The dashing swordsman Don Juan and his zany servant Miguel.
Birds of Prey demonstrations of majesty in flight.
Cast in Bronze, America’s Rare Traveling Carillon - Weighing over 13 tons, this unique musical instrument features 48 bronze bells.
And hundreds of minstrels, dancers, jugglers and jesters.

New entertainment this year includes:

Barely Balanced! Acrobatics & Comedy! - Enjoy this trio as they display high energy, dangerous acts of balancing antics accompanied by slapstick comedy.

Ye Olde Public Punishment! - Crooks and criminals beware! Thy fate be sealed whenst the Ye Olde Nottingham Players unleash an interactive public punishment spectacle like no other! Locks, stocks, songs, comedy, and humiliation unfold as you join in on the fun!

Families will enjoy the King, Queen, and there Court (where kids can be knighted by royalty), Mother and Father Goose and their costumed flock, rides on the people-powered Da Vinci’s Flying Machine, Christopher Columbus’ Voyage to the New World, the Slider Joust, and the Piccolo Pony (a rocking horse bigger than an elephant).

The food is as spectacular as the entertainment. Festival kitchens cook up an endless feast of bread bowl stews, steak-on-a-stake, gourmet sausages, and the festival’s famous giant roasted turkey legs.

For dessert, try the fresh crepes, the cakes and cookies from the Monks Bakery, candy delights from the Chocolate Shoppe, and a favorite of all renaissance wanderers: a bag of cinnamon-roasted almonds.

Festival pubs offer soft drinks, beer, wine, champagne, ale, and Medieval Margaritas.

You can also book the Village Haven for group parties and wedding ceremonies.

When the Carolina Renaissance Festival was introduced to the Charlotte area in 1994, the shows took place on three stages amid six acres of village attractions. Now 16 years later, the event has grown to become one of the largest renaissance festivals in the country.
The Village of Fairhaven is now spread over 22 acres with its 10 stages of non-stop entertainment, a tournament arena for jousting, an open-air market with 100 artisan shops, kitchens and pubs, games of skill and the people-powered rides.

Have more fun than you thought possible in a single day at the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
For visitor convenience, the Festival has embraced modern times. In addition to purchasing advanced discount tickets at Harris Teeter stores region-wide, Festival goers can now print their own tickets in advance online at RenFestInfo.com.
The 16th anniversary Carolina Renaissance Festival will be held weekends, Saturdays and Sundays from October 10th through November 22nd. For more event information, call, toll free; 877-896-5544, or on the web at RenFestInfo.com.



WHEN YOU GO:

What: The 16th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival.

Where: North of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville. The Festival is located on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85).

When: Seven consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from October 10th through November 22nd. The Festival runs from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM, rain or shine.

Advance Discount Tickets: $18 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5-12; print your own discount tickets on-line at RenFestInfo.com or available at Harris Teeter Stores region wide. Children under 5 are always free. Tickets purchased at the gate are $1 more. Senior discount tickets (60 and over) are $17 at the gate. Parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter.

Event Sponsors: The Carolina Renaissance Festival is presented by Harris Teeter, Carolina Blonde, Pepsi, and the Charlotte Observer.

Additional sponsors include Jacob’s Creek, Diamond Springs, Miller, Guinness, Carolina Medical Center NorthEast, DoubleTree Hotel, Sunbelt Rentals, Valpak, Party City, Jersey Mike’s, Dunkin Donuts, Chick-Fil-A, AAA of the Carolinas, SmartBox USA, My School Rock’s Magazine, Parent Teacher Magazine, The Mommies Network, Charlotte Tech Support, and Autobell Carwash.

Information: On line at RenFestInfo.com, or call (704) 896-5544, toll free (877) 896-5544.

Disney train tour rolls into N.C.

From a press release that just popped into our inbox:

CHRISTMAS ROLLS INTO NORTH CAROLINA EARLY THANKS TO THE MAGIC OF DISNEY
Disney offers a sneak peek into a classics’ past, present and future for TWO DAYS ONLY!

WHO/WHAT:
Jump aboard “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” Train Tour and experience a magical world of holiday cheer as Christmas arrives two months early at NC Transportation Museum for a special two day only viewing. Guests will feel like they’re in a winter wonderland complete with snow, carolers & Christmas decorations and will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the reimagining of the classic Charles Dickens’ tale. In addition, guests will be able to morph themselves into one of the characters as seen in the movie and have the opportunity to see a sneak peek of actual footage in a state-of-the-art two story, inflatable 3D theater.

*This event is free and open to the public.

WHERE:
NC Transportation Museum
411 S. Salisbury Ave. – Spencer, NC

WHEN:
Friday, October 9, 2009
9AM: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Mayor of Spencer Jody Everhart
9AM–7PM: Open to the Public

Saturday, October 10, 2009
9AM–7PM: Open to the Public

ABOUT THE TOUR:
Sponsored by HP and driven by Amtrak, the Train Tour will travel more than 16,000 miles and pass through 36 states. Visitors can also check out the cutting-edge technology behind the film, as well as artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum and interactive games. The whole experience is free. A list of cities can be found at www.christmascaroltraintour.com.


ABOUT THE MOVIE:
“Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event. The film stars Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge.

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theaters on November 6.