Charlotte, NC

North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1992, the architecturally refined center has three performance spaces: 2,100-seat Belk Theater; 434-seat Booth Playhouse, and 150-seat Studio Theater; with that range of venue options, the center presents major touring Broadway productions, a home for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Opera Carolina, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Carolina Voices, the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, Moving Poets Theater of Dance and the Carolinas Concert Association

BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-6p

ADDRESS: 130 North Tryon Street  MAP

PARKING: available in Center City Charlotte

PHONE: 704-372-1000

WEBSITE: http://www.performingartsctr.org

Spirit Square Center for Arts and Education
DESCRIPTION: Opened 1976, Spirit Square is a community center focusing on arts education; its venue is the 720-seat McGlohon Theatre, which was originally First Baptist Church sanctuary; the theatre has been carefully restored to enhance its architectural details; Spirit Square’s second theatre is the black-box style Duke Power Theatre which seats 180, is home to the Actor’s Theatre; the theatre is named in honor of jazz pianist Loonis McGlohon of Charlotte; in 1997, Spirit Square was absorbed by North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-6p at 130 North Tryon Street

ADDRESS: 345 North College Street  MAP

PARKING: lots nearby

PHONE: 704-372-1000

WEBSITE: http://www.performingartsctr.org

NASCAR Hall of Fame
DESCRIPTION: Opening May 2010, the 150,000-square-foot venue is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the heritage of NASCAR; includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, Sports Avenue retail outlet and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio; attached to the expanded Charlotte Convention Center; the everage stay is 4 hours

ADMISSION: Adults $20, Military and Seniors $20, Kids $13

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-7p, Sun Noon-6p

ADDRESS: MLK at South Caldwell Blvd  MAP

PARKING: parking garge on premises

PHONE: 704-654-4400

WEBSITE: http://www.nascarhall.com

Queen's Cup Steeplechase Races
DESCRIPTION: Live thoroughbred horse racing, tailgate parties

DAYS & HOURS: gates open 10a-7p

ADDRESS: 815 Wood Ridge Center Drive  MAP

PHONE: 704-423-3400

PARKING: on premises

WEBSITE: http://www.queenscup.com

Ovens Auditorium
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1955 and recently renovated with 2,460 seats, the Ovens has hosted more than 7,000 events, from Billy Graham Crusade to Bruce Springsteen to Ne-Yo; it has also hosted Broadway shows, symphony concerts, opera, dance recitals and national speakers

ADDRESS: 2700 East Independence Boulevard  MAP

PHONE: 704-372-3600

PARKING: on premises for a fee during events

WEBSITE: http://www.ovensauditorium.com

Bojangles Coliseum
DESCRIPTION: Also opened in 1955, this historic venue hosts concerts, family shows, world-class figure skating, rodeo and bull riding competitions, and more; Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan have performed here
closed in 1988, after extensive refurbishing it reopened in 1993 as an 11,000-seat venue
ADDRESS: 2700 East Independence Boulevard  MAP
PHONE: 704-372-3600

PARKING: on premises for a fee during events

WEBSITE: http://www.bojanglescoliseum.com

South
Concord, NC

Lowes Motor Speedway
DESCRIPTION: Though NASCAR has a long history of great race car drivers with very few people of color such as Wendell Scott and Charlie Scott, things are changing; today you can find Bill Lester, sponsored by Toyota, competing at this dream 1.5-mile oval speedway; this venue annually presents two of the nation's largest car shows and swap meets; opened in 1960, the facility has been upgraded many times and seating capacity is now a staggering 167,000; on NASCAR race days, area hotels are completely booked

ADDRESS: 5555 Concord Parkway  MAP

PARKING: on premises for a fee during events

PHONE: 800-455-FANS

WEBSITE: http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
DESCRIPTION: 19,000-seat venue with good acoustics for the largest Classical, Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, and R&B concerts in the region; a fine place to take in a show when the weather is nice

ADDRESS: 707 Pavilion Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on premises for a fee during events

PHONE: 704-549-5555

WEBSITE: Link