An Insider Sneak Peek at SHOUT!

With less than a week to go to Charlotte SHOUT!, we sat down with Robert Krumbine, the creative leader behind the 17-day arts festival, to get the inside scoop on what’s new, what you can’t miss and why this year’s celebration might just be the most inspiring one yet.

What inspired this year’s SHOUT! festival?

“This year, I was really inspired by the vibrant cultural tapestry of our city and the resilience of our community. Charlotte’s creativity keeps me going—the incredible talent we have right here is unmatched. 

I wanted to make sure we wove together themes of unity, innovation, and the celebration of local artistry. SHOUT! is about highlighting the diverse voices and stories that make Charlotte unique. That’s more important now than ever.”

What’s new for 2025?

“We’ve got several new surprises, but I’m especially excited about the SHOUT! Lounge. Artist, Matt Alvis, has transformed the former BB&T Bank Branch at 200 South College into a vibrant hub of creative energy. Inside, you’ll find:

• Fashion Film Screenings, like A Stitch in Time, exploring where fashion and film intersect
• The Classic ArtCade by POTIONS & PIXELS, blending interactive art and retro gaming
• Pop-Up Shops featuring local makers like Laura Steffy’s Painted Rose Designs
• And more on the way!”

Learn more about the SHOUT! Lounge from its manager, Matt Alvis, who we interviewed on WBTV’s QC Life last week. WATCH IT HERE.

What are some “can’t miss” SHOUT! events and locations? 

While he says he’s proud of everything coming with SHOUT!. Krumbine highlighted a few he hopes everyone will experience. All of the events below will be available throughout SHOUT!:

• The Interactive Art Installations are always a favorite—this year, I’m especially excited about Queen’s Greens, a nine-hole mini golf course [located right along Levine Ave of the Arts] designed by local artists with a conservation theme. It’s playful and powerful.
• The live music lineup—local and national acts lighting up Victoria Yards.
• And a powerful collaboration with EdgeFest: It’s a dynamic mashup of spray paint, live art installations, and interactive exhibits, all blending seamlessly with SHOUT!.

Krumbine added — The Street Art Showdown at Victoria Yards “is going to be a spectacle.”

Why is SHOUT! vital to the Queen City?

SHOUT! is essential because it brings people together. It fosters community, celebrates creativity, and transforms Uptown into a living, breathing work of art. It energizes our city—not just culturally, but economically—by driving engagement and creating space for connection.