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What to see and do during Charlotte SHOUT! music and arts festival

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte SHOUT! is set to bring 17 days of music, art, food and other festivities to the Queen City from March 31 – April 16.

The multiweek event, designed to showcase Charlotte’s creative community, will feature more than 200 installations, performances, events, and activations.

Most of the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public without tickets.

We’ve highlighted a few events to check out below. Click here to see the full schedule.

New this year:

Pianodrome

When: March 31 - April 16

Where: Grace A.M.E. Zion Church at 219 South Brevard Street

Check out this performance space made entirely from upcycled pianos. There will be daily lunchtime concerts from local performers.

POP!

When: March 31 - April 16

Where: Levine Avenue of the Arts at 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts

This interactive art installation features five mysterious monoliths that each contain a special creature waiting to be freed so it can put on a show.

Affinity

When: March 31 - April 16

Where: NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza at 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

This immersive interactive light and sound installation is inspired by the human brain. It features 62 different color combinations and 112 points of interaction. When people touch the light globe the color changes. The more people that interact the further their light travels throughout the sculpture.

Roaming Gnomes

When: March 31 - April 16

Where: 12 locations in Uptown

Find the 12 larger-than-life gnomes hidden around Uptown. Each gnome has its own personality and theme.

Returning this year:

Impulse

When: March 31 - April 16

Where: Levine Avenue of the Arts at 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts

The giant illuminated seesaws that glow and make sounds are returning to Uptown.

More events:

Charlotte Ideas Festival

When: March 30 - April 4

Where: Various locations, some events require tickets.

This event will feature speakers and discussion panels with leading thinkers and innovators.

Jazz Fest

When: March 31 - April 2

Where: Ally Main Stage at The Plaza at 329 S. Tryon Street

Kick off the start of SHOUT! on March 31 with a night of contemporary jazz featuring Charlotte’s own Adrian Crutchfield and Grace Kelly. Performances from other Charlotte artists will continue from April 1-2.

Charlotte StrEATs Festival

When: April 15-16

Where: Gateway Village at 800 W. Trade Street

Tickets are required for Saturday’s Tasting Tour which will feature restaurants representing iconic Charlotte neighborhoods.

Sunday’s festival is free and will feature cooking demonstrations, food trucks, live music, art, and the StrEATs Neighborhood Cook-off.

Fire Fest

When: April 16

Where: Victoria Yards at 209 E. 7th Street

This youth-led event will celebrate Black culture, art, fashion, food, and music.

(VIDEO: Uptown road closures during Charlotte SHOUT!)