Charlotte, N.C. Home of the 2012 Democratic Convention.

Charlotte, N.C. is one of the fastest growing city in the USA.  In the late 80’s there were just four skyscrapers, today there are several.  Charlotte is the nation’s second largest banking town.  In reality, the old Charlotte was torn down to make way for the new Charlotte.  I never realized that when I was taking pictures of uptown Charlotte 20 to 30 years ago, that they would look so different from what this city looks like today.  I didn’t know that the photographs I took of the grand opening of what is now the B.O.A. building might be important.  Today the fountains in the Bank Plaza are turned off, but when the building was having its grand opening, there were dancers in the fountain, and other dancers in the streets.

Charlotte has a new and active culture center devoted to the arts located in the uptown area.  First is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art at 420 S. Tryon St., which has the Knight Theater connected to it.  On the same side of the street but in the next block is the new Mint Museum Uptown at 500 S. Tryon St., which will have its grand opening in Oct.  Across the street from the Mint Museum is the Harvey Gantt Center.  A few blocks away are other existing attractions.  The Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte at 650 E Stonewall St.  The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center with shows in Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and the Stage Door Theater at 130 N. Tryon St.

Buildings do not make a city, people do.  I try to make it uptown at least once a week, and I have learned how really friendly the vendors are.  There is Chili man who has a hot dog cart outside the B.O.A. Building on Tryon St.  Always a smile and a friendly banter going on with his customers.  There is the food vendor on the corner of Trade and Tryon who sells fresh made popcorn and soft drinks.  Then you would have to say something about the flower vendors who sell all along Tryon St.

Charlotte also holds street festivals.  There is Speed Street for NASCAR, Cue and Blue that holds B.B.Q. contest, and has vendors selling B.B.Q, along the street.  I have found that no matter what day of the week it is, you can go to the corner of Trade and Tryon and something will be going on.  From a Hindu wedding to street musicians playing on the sidewalks this is a very active city.  Charlotte’s future looks very bright.