Blumenthal Arts

 “I truly believe that everyone is a creative. Everyone's an artist. Everyone's a writer. Everyone has ideas and thoughts to express and so we want to encourage everyone to submit.” In today’s blog, we shine the spotlight on our next installation of artist Luke Jerram’s “Of Earth and Sky” - a public art project that features snippets of original poetry composed by local writers that will be on display this fall during the Charlotte International Arts Festival, a Blumenthal Arts Original! Read on for more about the history of this unique project, more on this year’s theme of “Space,” tips for writers and details on our FINAL (and FREE) poetry workshop coming up on Wednesday, July 24th at 6:30pm at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, led by Jordan Bailey and Youth Poet Laureate Vanessa Hunter featuring musical vibes from DJ Mina Marie! Deadline for poetry submissions is August 1st! For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gtP7TQEb

We’re filled with 1.21 gigawatts of gratitude for the #BTTFtour cast members who visited young time travelers at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital today! ⚡️😊⚡️😊 Burke Swanson (George McFly), Tade Biesinger (ensemble), Zoe Reed (ensemble), Alyssa Carol (ensemble) and Emily Applebaum (swing) were the latest stars to visit Seacrest Studios where they met and took questions from patients and played a fun Back to the Future themed game! The experience was also broadcast to every room in the hospital for all patients to enjoy! They also got to hang out with beloved Facility Dog Sprout! THANK YOU for having us Seacrest Studios! We’re already planning our next visit back!

The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), a Blumenthal Arts original, is an annual celebration that uniquely brings together Charlotte's local and international communities with global artists in a cultural celebration over 17 days. CIAF is becoming a major regional arts festival, attracting visitors from throughout the southeast and beyond because of its unique character to seamlessly blend local artists and the local international community with celebrated international artists from around the world. Sponsorships support the significant hiring of local artists, performance groups and international organizations, and allow most events to be free and outdoors throughout Uptown Charlotte and in Ballantyne. Sponsors receive robust promotion and visibility leading up to, and throughout the festival, as well as unique benefits and access for staff, clients and special guests. Want to be part of the excitement this fall, returning to Uptown and Ballantyne’s Backyard September 13th – 29th? Learn more about sponsorship opportunities by visiting https://lnkd.in/g_Pd5zD2 or connect with Development@BlumenthalArts.org.

Last night, we welcomed members of the press alongside our trustees, committee and Producer Circle members to our 2024 Chairman's Celebration and Media Party for Back to the Future! Hosted by Blumenthal Chairman, John Giannuzzi (retired, Senior Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP), guests entered the Booth Playhouse lobby set in the 1950's and were transported to the future to 1985 once inside the theater. A 1980's inspired dinner provided by the talented team at Best Impressions Caterers was enjoyed by all before attendees moved down to Belk Theater for an incredible performance. This special evening recognized and acknowledged the amazing partnerships and community support that make Blumenthal's mission and programming possible!

THANK YOU to our good friends at Aria for hosting the cast, crew and special guests for our Back to the Future Broadway cast party last night! It was 1.21 gigawatts (that’s a lotta watts) of fun! Conveniently located right next to Belk Theater, be sure to check out their $5 bar bites or delicious dinner menu before your next show!

“Go for two tickets and take a friend who doesn’t attend the theater. Use the money you’re saving and quite possibly expose them to some life-changing art!” In today’s blog, we’re shining the spotlight on Blumenthal Arts’ (relatively 😉) new Digital Lottery! Read on for why it’s a great option for Broadway lovers on a budget (since launching in February we’ve sold 2,400+ lottery tickets), how our award-winning Ticketing Team made this incredible program possible and MORE! Check it out and make sure you’re signed up for email alerts on our next lottery offerings! Deadline to enter the Digital Lottery for our second week of Back to the Future performances is THIS WEDNESDAY (7/10)!

“We always look to choose shows that no matter what, we can stand by and be proud of.” Check out this FANTASTIC interview with Charlotte native and Blumey Awards alum Thomas Laub, Founder and Executive Producer of the Tony-Award winning production company Runyonland Productions, led alongside Alyah Chanelle Scott! Thomas and Alyah (Broadway's youngest lead producers) talk about how their company has been able to recoup its investments on seven of the shows it’s produced in an industry where it’s notoriously difficult for investors to even break even, proving there’s success in making Broadway more accessible and inclusive, what Tony wins for Runyonland-produced shows mean for the company’s future and MORE! BRAVO, Thomas and Alyah! The future of Broadway and BEYOND is bright!

THANK YOU to our partners at 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails for hosting our meet-and-greet last weekend with Blumey Awards Alum and Charlotte Latin School graduate Arella Flur who shared about her journey from winning Best Actress at the 2019 Blumey Awards to becoming the Assistant Company Manager for the 25th Anniversary North American Tour of MAMMA MIA! Arella shared her wisdom and experiences with current and recently graduated Blumey Awards students, encouraging those who are just beginning their own journeys to “be entrepreneurial,” “develop your own brand,” and “always focus on relationship building” as keys to success. The students were able to enjoy the completely sold-out, final performance of Mamma Mia here in Charlotte after a delicious meal and inspiring conversation. Your support makes opportunities like this and so much more possible for our local students. Support more high impact arts education programs today! Visit: https://lnkd.in/gkDKkw8m Miss our blog about Arella? Click here to read all about what Arella is up to these days on tour! Visit: https://lnkd.in/gFNFJJKA

Follow our summer marketing intern Autumn on a “day in the life” look at what it’s like being a Blumenthal Arts intern! We are currently taking internship applications for the upcoming fall semester (August - December)! This is a fully paid opportunity for college and graduate students and recent college grads to work alongside, learn from and network with our top-notch staff in various departments. Deadline to apply is July 6th. For more details and access to the application packet, visit: https://lnkd.in/gGqTjdCM

Calling all immigrant artists! We are thrilled to share we are accepting the submissions for the next installment of The Journey – An Art Exhibition and Competition by International House as part of the 3rd Annual Charlotte International Arts Festival, a Blumenthal Arts Original, returning September 13th – 29th! This project focuses on the use of visual arts to illustrate the harrowing, complicated, and hope-filled journeys our immigrant and refugee neighbors take to come to the United States. International House invites immigrant artists to submit proposals for artwork that reflects their personal journey to the United States, offering the community a chance to view, experience, and empathize with their stories. In September, selected artists will be featured in a gallery event and exhibit, where attendees can view the artwork, vote for their favorite artist, engage in discussions and possibly purchase available work. Submissions for The Journey are open now through August 1st. For more information and to submit your proposal, visit: https://lnkd.in/gUXnfihH