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Ganttfest!
- Cost:
- Free for members and veterans and their families; $5 non-members
-
About This Program
The Gantt’s signature festival, GanttFest is a full day celebration of art and culture of the Diaspora. Designed as an intergenerational program for all Charlotteans, GanttFest is a fun and festive way to highlight the Gantt Center’s mission, and support local and national artists of African descent. This year we are celebrating our 40th Anniversary. Come join us for a time of family and Fun at GanttFest!
GanttFest! Event Schedule
All Day Events
All day Food Truck Rodeo
Location: Lot
Featuring the following trucks: Belly Backers, Unique Endeavors, The Chrome Toaster, Southern Cake Queen and Goldfingers
Hands on Workshops for Kids
Location: Lot
Create your own Adinkra cloth or ornamental jewelry in our all-day workshop led by Dulce Tavares!
Morrison Healthcare’s Mindful Choices® Wellness Table
Location: Main Lobby
The Morrison Healthcare Wellness team will be on-hand to give away recipes and healthy snacks as part of its comprehensive Mindful Choices® wellness and sustainability platform. The team also will be conducting free body fat testing to help you begin your wellness journey!
Get to know the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library!
Location: 3rd Floor
Visit with our amazing community partner for hands-on activities for kids, story time, and info about the library.Scheduled Events
10:00 am Performance: Story Squad
Location: Lot Main Stage
Join this ensemble of professional storytellers, actors, musicians and singers who utilize children’s literature, songs, Harlem Renaissance era poetry, street rhymes and funky rhythms to educate, entertain and inspire families.
West Blvd. Branch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Location: Mezzanine
Meet representatives from the West Blvd. branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and learn about the library’s offerings, and get information/instructions/demos of e-books and e-audiobooks!10:30 am Workshop: Caricatures with Lena J "The Art Diva"
Location: Classroom
Kids and adults are invited to learn the basics of caricature and comic character drawing.
Story Time: West Blvd. Branch Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Location: Mezzanine
Join us for some of our favorite books, activities, stories and songs that encourage language and pre-reading skills. Enjoy an engaging literacy activity and decorate a keepsake bookmark to take home.11:00 am Curator's Tour: 40 and Counting exhibition
Location: Front Desk
Join Guest Curator Kim Curry-Evans for a special curator's tour of the 40th and Counting exhibition. This is a great opportunity to get the inside perspective on this amazing exhibition that spans 40 years of our history!
Spaces are limited – please pick up a ticket in advance for the tour at the front desk in the Gantt lobby.
With These Handz DJ Showcase
Location: Lot11:30 am Film Screening: Akeelah and the Bee
Location: Performance Suite
A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee. Check out this family-friendly film that inspires us all to do great things!
Face Painting with Catherine Courtland-McElvane
Location: Lot
Be transformed by artist Catherine Courtland-McElvane and her creative face painting. There is a small fee for this activity.12:00 noon Performance: Funk Rush
Location: Lot Main Stage
Funk Rush is a funk-based jazz quartet with members spanning from millennials to baby boomers. Music lovers of all ages are invited to experience their mix of instrumental originals and covers that seamlessly blend funk, jazz, Latin and rock styles.12:30 pm Experience: Get Your Caricature Done by Lena J "The Art Diva"
Location: Lot
Meet artist Lena J and have a complimentary caricature made on the spot. Opportunity runs until 2:30pm.1:00 pm With These Handz DJ Showcase
Location: Lot
Tour: Current Exhibitions
Location: Front Desk
Explore our current exhibitions with Assistant Registrar, Caroline Manning on this hour-long tour.
Spaces are limited – please pick up a ticket in advance for the tour at the front desk in the Gantt lobby.
Cooking Demonstration
Location: 4th Floor – meet at the Front Desk to access 4th floor
Chef Neff, who leads the Morrison Healthcare Culinary team as Vice President of Corporate Culinary Service, will demonstrate new healthy twists on some classic Southern dishes that will have you coming back for more. Join him, and two sous chefs from Big Brothers Big Sisters, and learn healthy cooking techniques and creative ways to add flavor and nutritional value to time honored favorites.
Spaces are limited. Please pick up a wristband at the front desk in advance to participate.2:00 pm Performance: Mother Blues
Location: Lot Main Stage
If you love the music of Etta James, Koko Taylor, Denise La Salle, and Aretha Franklin, you MUST make your way to the main stage for Mother Blues! Singing since the age of 3, this blues songstress will share her love of music, and the blues with Charlotte!2:30 pm Painting Demonstration by Gordon James
Location: Classroom
Meet painter and portrait artist Gordon James and see his process as he works from a live model.3:00 pm With These Handz DJ Showcase
Location: Lot
Tour: Current Exhibitions
Location: Front Desk
Explore our current exhibitions with Assistant Registrar, Caroline Manning on this hour-long tour.
Spaces are limited – please pick up a ticket in advance for the tour at the front desk in the Gantt lobby.3:30 pm Film Screening: Claudine
Location: Performance Suite
In this classic, Claudine tries to provide for her six children in Harlem while on welfare. She has a romance with Roop, a cheerful garbage man she meets while working on the side as a maid.4:00 pm Performance: A Sign of the Times
Location: Lot Main Stage
Join us as we close the evening with a bang! Directed by composer/arranger, Tyrone Jefferson, the A Sign of the Times Band is a major component of Charlotte’s African American arts community. Performing musical genres from jazz to funk, they raise the level of appreciation and public / private support of music and performing arts through educational workshops, programs and live performancesDrinks provided by
Your support helps the Gantt present exceptional exhibitions, leading scholars and engaging programs that celebrate the African-American story.