Charlotte, Travel

Whitewater Center Thursday Night Riverjam

Upon moving to Charlotte six years ago, we quickly learned that Thursday nights were for live outdoor music.  Back then, it was Alive After Five at Wachovia Plaza where a mesh of young bankers would gather on hot summer nights; men still dressed in their blue button downs and women in their almost workplace inappropriate black skirts each with ice cold domestics in hand to a background of live cover music.  For all intents and purposes, it was a meat market for the young and single.  We were the former and not the latter but still tagged along with our single friends because, what the hell, it was Thursday.  Fast forward six years – Wachovia Plaza is now called Wells Fargo Plaza and there’s live music at almost every outdoor entertainment venue in Charlotte on Thursday nights.

Whitewater Riverjam Concert Series Stage

Whitewater Riverjam Concert Series Stage

It first started with what was and is the corruption of the Epicenter.  As if the facility didn’t have a bad enough name with the scandals associated with its construction (for more info on the always ethical Ghazi Co read here, here, and here), they had to pillage what was a good thing with Alive After Five by scheduling a competing free event literally five blocks away.  Sure, Charlotte is young and fun, but is there room for two identical free events Uptown on the same night?  Hardly.  As you can tell, I was pissed.  I felt that the Epicenter was further robbing Uptown Charlotte of its flavor for corporate, big box greed.  Part of me still feels this way, but another part of me sees that the dual venues created something better for Charlotte.  There are now multiple options throughout town for live music on a Thursday night, from The Met to the Whitewater Center to the Epicenter (Alive After Five moved to the Epicenter with only a few shows at Wells Fargo Plaza).  I’m sure there are more but these are the ones that I have been to.

US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC – Yes, the Olympic Team Trains Here.

This past Thursday we checked out the Whitewater Riverjam at the US National Whitewater Center.  I can’t say enough about how freakin’ cool it is to have this facility located in our hometown, and I won’t for now other than a little tease – whitewater, zip lining, mountain biking, paddle boarding, hiking, etc.  There’s so much to explore in just one place.  It’s also a perfect venue for outdoor music.  The stage was set to a backdrop of the whitewater course.  If you arrive early enough, you can even catch kayaks and rafts still on the water.  We setup blankets for the six in our group and had plenty of room around us.  The facility is huge so you never feel overcrowded.  And it’s dog friendly!  We brought Vito, and our friends brought their Westie pup Lucy.  Come hungry and thirsty as there are plenty of concessions available.  While I didn’t sample the food, the choices ranged from the typical burgers and hotdogs through to upscale dining at the restaurant.  I can speak to the beer though.  There were enough choices from local to national craft brews to delight any beer nerd (New Belgium, Olde Mecklenburg, NoDa).

Whitewater Riverjam with Friends (and dogs)

Whitewater Riverjam with Friends (and dogs)

US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

In Ideal Night for being Outside!

The Masonboro Boyswere playing, and while our friends thought the music was a bit too country, I dug it.  Of course, I’m a country fan.  Their music reminded me a little of the Zak Brown Band but was unique enough that I don’t want to call them a copy.  It also fit the unique outdoor setting with the woods and water surrounding the stage.

More of the US National Whitewater Center Facility

More of the US National Whitewater Center Facility

If you haven’t been to the Whitewater Riverjam, you have until October 13 to check it out.  Or, if the laid back environment and more roots sounding music isn’t your choice, check out one of the other Thursday night venues in town.  Whether you’re looking for cover bands, rock-and-roll, jazz, Motown, country, or bluegrass, you can find it somewhere on a Thursday night in Charlotte.  Or maybe it’s not the music but the audience that interests you, you can find that too from the lets-play-hide-the-salami crowd of Alive After Five to the predatory cougars (complete with copies of Fifty Shades of Gray tucked under their arms) of The Met to the laidback feel of the Riverjam.  As for me?  Well, you will find me at the Riverjam.

Vito Posing for Glamour Shots at Riverjam

Vito Posing for Glamour Shots at Riverjam