It’s the Perfect Time to Connect With, Nurture and Celebrate CLT Creativity
We are Creative ConnectorsPeople often ask, “What does Charlotte Is Creative do?” It’s easy to get lost in the answer. It’s easy for us to talk about our promotional efforts — like The Biscuit — or the funding and training we provide through HUG micro-grants and our Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative or the gatherings we host like CreativeMornings/Charlotte or the advocacy work we do or the project management we do for organizations and companies that put creatives to work. Before long, we can see the asker’s head spinning. And, ours are, too. Let’s simplify. We are creative connectors. We use our resources, our social capital and knowledge to connect creatives to information, resources, funding, job opportunities and each other. We connect businesses and nonprofits to creatives who can help them approach their work in new ways, whether it’s exciting their employees with internal programs or their customers and the general public with externally focused creative projects. The ultimate goal? We want to help establish a culture in Charlotte where creatives feel connected, where creativity is nurtured and where collaboration is celebrated. We want to be matchmakers and connect creatives and businesses to each other. And, we’re thankful for so many amazing organizations and individuals who trust us and want to partner with us to do the work. Collaboration is key.
Connection is vital.
There’s so much to celebrate.
And, miles to go before we sleep. All good things, Tim Miner and Matt Olin Interested in working with us? Let us know what you’re thinking here. 
WAITRESS Serves a Delicious Pie Charlotte Helped BakeThe Broadway Smash Returns to Charlotte for a Five-Week Engagement “I first heard Sara Bareilles in a concert at Booth Playhouse shortly after producer Barry Weissler told me he was going to give her a shot at writing the score for Waitress. I knew the team Barry was assembling would create something wonderful.” – Tom Gabbard, Blumenthal Performing Arts CEO
When the hit Broadway musical Waitress returns to the Queen City for a rare five-week run at Booth Playhouse (April 19-May 22), it’ll be a homecoming of sorts. Tickets are on sale now. Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly and featuring music and lyrics by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, Waitress debuted on Broadway in 2016. Success quickly followed. Waitress recouped its initial investment in less than 10 months. It was nominated for four Tony awards and it has become one of the longest-running shows in modern Broadway – more than 1,500 performances in The Brooks Atkinson Theatre. It’s become a beloved musical. But, before all of that, Waitress needed champions. Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Performing Arts, was among them. Learn more about how Charlotte played a role in the recipe for Waitress’ success … and that of many other Broadway productions, including several headed to Charlotte this year. 
This story was sponsored by Blumenthal Performing Arts. A portion of funds generated through it will fuel the HUG Micro-Grant Program. [PHOTO ABOVE: Melody A. Betts, Christine Dwyer and Ephie Aardema in the National Tour of “Waitress” – PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel Lippitt] 
Establishing Habits: Short Term Savings“$500 – Due upon receipt.” For some in Charlotte, this is just another bill to pay. Just another day. For others, these four words can be catastrophic. Are you ready if one of these emergencies finds its way into your life? Creating and maintaining an effective short-term savings strategy tuned to your particular savings personality is an important personal finance lesson a person can achieve at any time, regardless of age or income. Good money habits take effort and time to form, but the rewards literally pay for themselves. Click the button below for strategies from Common Wealth Charlotte and Catherine Etemad of HomeTrust Bank to cut down on your impulse buys and save for what you really want.
CREATIVE RESOURCE: PROSPERA
“Charlotte has one of the strongest entrepreneurial ecosystems in the state. From organizations like Prospera offering culturally sensitive programs for Hispanic entrepreneurs to specialized micro-loan programs such as the Carolina Small Business Development Fund and Thread Capital.” – Jose Alvarez, Prospera
Prospera is a multi-state organization offering business consulting, in-language business training and access to capital for Hispanic entrepreneurs. That includes Hispanic creatives. The Charlotte office is led by Jose Alvarez. With his team, Alvarez helps Hispanic entrepreneurs find themselves in this community and integrate successfully through in-language and in-culture support. Most importantly, Prospera leads clients to resources and walks them through the process of securing funding (micro-loans, traditional bank loans and SBA loans). They also help clients identify support for their creative projects or small business ideas. That includes strategic business planning and guidance on tactics needed to penetrate the market and measure impact. Those are critical services in a market like Charlotte. Alvarez says many Hispanic residents, creatives and newcomers here need assistance seeing themselves as entrepreneurs. They need active guides through what can be a complicated system. Read more about how Prospera can help you or a creative entrepreneur you know. [PHOTO ABOVE: Jose Alvarez] 
Whaaaaaat?!? How is it the final week of Charlotte SHOUT! Already? If you’ve been waiting to head uptown to SHOUT! for yourself – or you know people who have been dragging their feet – this weekend is their last chance to enjoy the live music, taste amazing food and take selfies with the incredible public art. Below are four that intrigue us. Here’s a full schedule of events. And, if parking and transportation concerns have been holding you back, this page will help. PRO-TIP: Take the light rail between the events on South Tryon and Victoria Yards on 7th Street or take the Gold Line from the Square down to Gateway Village. [PHOTO ABOVE: Credit Charlotte StrEATs] ONE: Charlotte StrEATs Festival
April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.
April 16 from noon to 6 p.m.
Gateway Village
FREE admission; tickets are required for Saturday’s tasting event Celebrate Charlotte’s food scene at the StrEATs Festival. While both days are family friendly, Friday night has a stronger family focus with cooking demonstrations from local culinary students, food trucks, vendors and special activities for kids. MORE HERE. Saturday offers even more tasty treats. We’re especially excited about a live cooking demonstration and Q&A from Food Network’s Chef Amanda Frietag and a ticketed tasting event offering samples from restaurants and food trucks and an all-inclusive bar featuring specialty cocktail tastings. The tasting starts at 11 a.m. for VIP ticket-holders and noon for other ticket holders. TICKETS HERE. You can enjoy a special three-course, $40 Dine SHOUT! menu at a collection of Charlotte restaurants tonight through Sunday. MORE HERE. TWO: On the Corner Of
April 15 at 5 p.m.
Victoria Yards
FREE admission Last year, Charlotte artist Ricky Singh and others collaborated with an ensemble of musicians from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to create a unique event blending live painting of street art with classical music. Tonight, they’re going to do it all again at Victoria Yards, blending in contemporary music and the work of Charlotte creatives including Makayla Binter, Matthew Clayburn, DeNeer Davis and Singh with the photography of Alvin Jacobs, Jr. , DJ Pauly Guwop and CSO musicians. MORE HERE. THREE: The Corner Presents: Women in Hip Hop
April 15 starting at 7 p.m.
Victoria Yards
FREE admission Directly after “On the Corner Of,” SHOUT! is jumping into a celebration of the women and talent driving Hip Hop and R&B in the Queen City. Peculiar Hippie will host the evening, featuring live performances from Chocolate Kendy, Celeste Moonchild and Cyanca. The night’s presenters, The Corner, are opening a pop-up shop with local art, clothing, books and Hip Hop nostalgia. And don’t miss the all-ages painting contest. MORE HERE. FOUR: Fire Fest
April 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Victoria Yards
FREE admission Organized by Inspire the Fire, FIRE Fest is a youth-led celebration of black culture, art, fashion, food and music. The event offers a wide array of experiences from hip hop dance sessions, singing sessions, fashion show, marching band performance and more. FIRE Fest wants guests to leave feeling connected to youth, the families around them and ready to build the Charlotte community. MORE HERE. This news item was sponsored by Charlotte SHOUT!
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