See the Signs of the Times. (That’s right, actual signs.)
Betty Thomas Shares Literal Signs of the TimesBeing contained isn’t good for creatives. They have to get out, see the world and share their interpretation of what they see. In times like these, which are — with no hyperbole — historic, this creative impulse helps all of us process the gravity of all that is going on around us. It also creates a record for the future of how people felt, what they said and some idea of what life under stay-at-home restrictions and the COVID-19 outbreak was like. That’s why we’ve started the “Visions of the Not Normal” photo series with Charlotte Ledger — to see the city’s neighborhoods through the lenses of Queen City photographers. Explore the first two installments from Heather Liebler and Will Jenkins. In response to this series, Charlottean Betty Thomas reached out to The Biscuit. For the last several weeks, as she walked her neighborhood, Betty shot photos that portray the signs of the times … actual signs that have been put up in response to the outbreak. Use the button below to view her photos. Thank you for allowing us to share your perspective with our readers, Betty. If you are using your creativity to process your experience through video, visual art, photography, poetry, spoken word, performance or more, please share it with us. All good things, Tim Miner, Matt Olin & Porter Metzler (Social Media Scoundrel)
Charlotte Is Creative 
CREATIVE CHALLENGE! Get Creative. Get Paid.
Wait, oh yes, wait a minute Mr. Postman… we want to say thank you.Our lives might’ve come to a standstill, but postal workers and delivery drivers have gotten even busier, bringing us essentials from the outside world. We appreciate their hard work and we need your help to say thank you. For this week’s QC Creative challenge, we want you to create a sketch of a graphic thanking the delivery men and women who are putting their health at risk every day to ensure we still get our mail, packages, and food deliveries. If we like your sketch, we’ll commission you to complete the graphic and give you a $50 honorarium. Entries must be received by 11pm this Sunday, May 10. For more guidelines and information about how to submit your idea, click here.
Broadway Stages Are Quiet.
But, Broadway Actress, Abby Corrigan, Isn’t.Charlotte actress, Abby Corrigan, has already had an enviable career, with roles in stage productions, television shows and feature films – including the lead in the acclaimed national touring production of “Fun Home” and as a performer in NBC’s live broadcast of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Abby grew up in Charlotte’s creative community, attending Northwest School of the Arts and taking classes at the Children’s Theater of Charlotte. Today, she undertakes a 5-minute “Biscuit Blitz” with The Biscuit’s co-publisher, Matt Olin.
Pokeymon Stop the Kidnabing FiefYeah, you read that headline right … and it’s awesome. To help keep up Charlotte’s spirits during the COVID-19 and prepare for annual Charlotte SHOUT! events this fall, we’ve asked Queen City creatives to team up for SHOUTing Matches — short, shareable creative mash-ups. To kick us off, we have “Pokemon Stop the Kadnabing Fief,” a short film between Krystal Baller of Lady Rockstars and her daughter. If you’re having a bad day, this six-minute film will make you smile. Watch the short film here. SHOUTing Matches are managed by Charlotte Is Creative in partnership with Charlotte Center City Partners and Charlotte SHOUT!
Heard the one where creatives from AAF, AIGA, CIC, CM/CLT, SMCLT and AMA walk into a ZOOM event?
The local creative groups in the headline above have never had a joint gathering in real life. But, COVID-time has created a craving for meeting new colleagues, so now … they are. Alphabet Cocktails (you gotta’ bring your own cocktail, BTW) is a social event that’s 20% business and 80% getting to know new creatives. After short introductions from each organizing group and a give-away game, social time will begin. Participants will be dividing into breakout rooms to meet, talk, and swap stay-at-home stories. This event is free on Thursday, May 7 at 5:30pm. Reserve your place here.
CLT After Dark Mixes it Up Again
May 7 at 10pmSpeaking of cocktails … and Thursday night … Last week, Charlotte Center City Partners launched CLT After Dark, an interactive virtual variety hosted by local musician Noel Friedline. The show will broadcast Thursday nights at 10pm and is available online the next day. Episodes of CLT After Dark will feature cooking segments from notable Charlotteans — last week, Luke Keuchly demonstrated the proper way to make popcorn — as well as music, comedy, videos sourced from local residents and an instructional video from a local mixologist if you want to tune in with a nightcap. Matt Olin and Tim Miner were a part of the fun with a segment of The Biscuit News Crumbs.
It’s Giving Tuesday … All We Want is a HUG.
COVID-19 has sucker-punched us all in the gut and so many of our non-profits have been hit incredibly hard. While the annual #GivingTuesdayCLT events are set in December, the need experienced by nonprofits across the city, region and the world is great. To help stem the tide and drive funding for nonprofits fighting COVID-19 on two fronts (supporting those who rely on them and supporting their own employees) #GivingTuesdayNow is today, May 5, 2020. This is a global day of unity to give back to those organizations and communities hit the hardest. Please take a moment today to see what you can do to help out your favorite charities. SHARE Charlotte has a list of participating local nonprofits here. Over the past three years, we’ve granted more than 150 HUGs ( Helpful Unfettered Gifts) to help creative individuals and projects remove one obstacle to progress or just get started. In the wake of COVID-19, HUG disbursements have been changed to $100 to spread what we have to as many people as necessary. Every penny of what you can contribute to fund a $100 HUG today will go directly to a creative to help them move forward. In April, we gave HUGs to 14 projects … and we’re awarding more this week. Please consider donating a HUG today or apply at www.HUGGrant.com
When Superheroes Take Off Their Masks …If you didn’t think medical professionals and the staffs that make their work possible were heroes before, we’re willing to bet you do now. OrthoCarolina supports nonprofits, events, small businesses, sports teams and more the region, often from behind the scenes, with needed funds and marketing. They created the video above to support internal morale in the face of COVID-19, but, we are excited to share it here so you can catch a glimpse of the people who care for their patient’s health and the quality of life here in Charlotte, as well as Rock Hill, Belmont, Winston-Salem and more. OrthoCarolina is a partner of Charlotte Is Creative and The Biscuit.
Yesterday was May the 4th — a joyful celebration of all things Star Wars because … you know … “May the Fourth be with you.” We spent the day celebrating the Jedi and our favorite galactic heroes on the light side of the force. But, now it’s time we come to the dark side because it’s the “Revenge of the 5th!” Sith Lords rejoice, your day has come! What day dedicated to the Sith’s nefarious deeds would be complete without mentioning the time Darth Vader froze our beloved Han Solo in carbonite and shipped him off to… Charlotte? You can find this frostbitten Han Solo hanging out in the lobby of Seventh Sin Tattoo Company in Plaza Midwood. Being frozen in carbonite might not be permanent, but Seventh Sin’s inkwork definitely is. Head over to their Instagram page to check out their incredible ink creations. This is a two-fer! Outside of the tattoo parlor, you’ll find an epic mural of Marvel’s Thanos painted by the team at Southern Tiger Collective and a golden skull mural painted by JEKS as a part of Talking Walls 2018. This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina. Directions: 927 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204 Explore other “Where Are We in CLT?” destinations here.
Don’t go around hungry. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you … and full of satisfying Southern sassiness. Click here to dig in, y’all.
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