“We represent the broad range of the arts, all types of artists in one space — everything from architecture to aerial dance to hip hop to chalk art.” – BOOM Charlotte Founder and Executive Director, Manoj Kesavan

On Friday, April 22 at Camp North End, the BOOM Fringe festival returns after a two-year hiatus brought on by COVID-19.

That’s not to say the folks at Que-OS, the local nonprofit that produces BOOM, have been idle. 

Among other things, they have executed neighborhood arts events, helped create a comic book 

about experiences during the pandemic and produced ACT NOW, a series of online events featuring videos of artists producing new works addressing their feelings and experiences in the wake of the murder of Brionna Taylor, George Floyd and others, in 2020 and 2021. The event was co-produced by Charlotte Is Creative, BLKMRKTCLT and The Roll-Up.

But, now, it’s time to BOOM again in person. 

BRINGING BACK THE BOOM

Manoj Kesavan – CREDIT: Jeff Cravota

Over the course of two days — Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 — the BOOM Charlotte team will produce over 60 events. These activities feature a cultivated collection of artistic disciplines and local creatives in a small, concentrated area inside Camp North End. Organizers say that BOOM Fringe 2022 offers a wider array of artistic expression than in previous years. And, the majority of participating creatives have not taken part in BOOM before. 

“We’re excited to present Charlotte with our diversity of creative talent and to connect the newer audiences with underground creatives they may not know,” says Kesavan, BOOM co-founder and executive director of QUE-OS.

“The convergence of diverse art forms will be more palpable this year.”

EXPLORING BOOM

Click for a larger map.

Many events at BOOM Fringe are free, but others are ticketed. Festival-goers can choose to pay $10 for an individual show or buy a weekend pass for $50.

To help attendees experience multiple artists in one sitting, the BOOM team established three smaller showcases within the event:

• The MOVE Showcase and the SPEAK Showcase are ticketed Fringe experiences 
• The New Voices Showcase uplifts immigrants and refugees and is free to attend

Moving from Plaza Midwood to Camp North End has allowed BOOM to explore new ways to engage attendees. 

The festival will be centered on the Boileryard. Ticketed events will take place at Dupp & Swatt, MacFly Fresh, mign design, BLKMRKTCLT and the Camp North End Event Space. On Saturday, free programming is available in the Boileryard. Click here for a festival map. 

NEW LOCATION. SAME SPIRIT.

While BOOM Fringe will introduce new ideas and creatives this year, Kesavan assured those who have attended before, that the festival’s DNA hasn’t altered

“Our spirit is the same,” he said. “A coming together of a diverse range of talent, focused on the art that’s not in the mainstream in Charlotte. BOOM is an opportunity to discover the hidden talent and diversity of this region.”

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