Axios Charlotte

May 01, 2026
π€© Happy May and TGIF! It's McKenzie.
βοΈ Weather: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 71 and a low of 51.
π Happy birthday to our Axios Charlotte members Raymond Edwards, Tammy Golder, Heyward Bouknight and Jena Gallagher!
This newsletter is 847 words, a 3-minute read
1 big thing: πͺ The Club is getting hotter
The Club, a popular South End fitness hub, plans to open a second studio nearby focused on heated workouts.
Why it matters: Demand for its classes continues to outpace capacity, co-owner Nicole Paradis tells Axios.
Context: The Club opened in winter 2025 on South Graham Street, bringing cycling, mat classes and co-working under one roof.
- It'll keep its two-story home base while adding a second location on South Boulevard in Lower South End devoted to its most in-demand classes.
Zoom in: The Club's signature PULSE class, a 45-minute heated, beat-based sculpt, regularly fills a waitlist equal to a second class at peak times, says Paradis.
- So, she and co-owner Meg Mars decided to make their second studio fully devoted to heated workouts.
What to expect: The Club LoSo will be a one-room studio offering only heated mat classes, including PULSE, a new hot cardio sculpt class called SWEAT and a heated stretch class.
- The new spot, at 4203 South Blvd, will also have a co-working space, where members and guests can drop in, grab coffee, work and take a class.
What's next: The studio is targeting a late-summer or early-fall opening.
New events to check out
π See what's going on around the city.
- CSO Roadshow at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center May 7: Join for music, community, and fun for the whole family in the Enderly Park neighborhood! Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
- One Thousand Pieces at Knight Theater May 7-10: Inspired by Marc Chagall's America Windows and set to the music of Philip Glass, Alejandro Cerrudo's One Thousand Pieces is a stunning contemporary dance experience.
- Matthews Summerfest at Stumptown Park, downtown Matthews May 8-9: The family-friendly intro to summer. The main stage hosts beach music, pop, rock, 90s, 2000s, Motown, country, & more. Street food vendors, Small Shops, commercial vendors, a carnival, midway and more
- Mother's Day Weekend: 2-Night Regenerative Farm Stay at Juneberry Ridge May 8-10: Spend Mother's Day weekend on a 750-acre regenerative farm. A two-night all-inclusive stay with hands-on experiences, seasonal meals, and time to slow down together in nature.
- Copain Brasserie Happy Hour at Copain Brasserie Now-Jun 23: An elevated yet approachable happy hour with $2 oysters, MonβFri 3β5 PM. Featuring top NC oysters, including High Tiders, known for balanced salinity and a buttery, mineral finish.
Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.
Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.
2. πͺ§ Day of protests
People across North Carolina are preparing their picket signs this morning for protests that may disrupt others' daily routines.
- The North Carolina Association of Educators' "Kids Over Corporations March" is drawing thousands of teachers to downtown Raleigh to demand that the General Assembly strengthen public education funding. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools made today a teacher workday due to high staff absences.
- Today is also International Workers' Day. Part of Central Avenue, between Kilborne Drive and Sharon Amity Road, will be closed to car traffic 5-8pm for a "May Day March," supporting immigrant worker rights.
3. πΆ Concert news and other speed reads
π€ Olivia Rodrigo will perform at Spectrum Center Oct. 7-8. (Olivia Rodrigo)
π₯ Local nonprofit Feeding Charlotte is looking for volunteers to help pack 5,000 meals for families in need on May 8. (Feeding Charlotte)
πΊ Humane Society of Charlotte's annual Rescue Brew fundraiser is back. You can nominate a cat and/or dog to be on a limited-release NoDa Brewing beer can through June 15. (Rescue Brew)
π Queens University of Charlotte head men's basketball coach Grant Leonard has signed a contract extension through the 2030-31 season, per a release. The Royals made their first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance earlier this year.
ποΈ Camp North End will host a Sunday market on the first Sunday of every month. It will run from June through October from 11am-4pm. (Instagram)
βοΈ The House Ethics Committee has begun investigating Rep. Chuck Edwards over unspecified allegations against the North Carolina Republican. (Axios)
π₯§ Thoughtful Baking Co. will open at 4418 Monroe Road in Oakhurst on May 8. (Instagram)
4. π Hot homes for sale
This week's hot homes range from starter options to this Revolution Park listing, which has its own backyard sports court.
2629 Phillips Ave. β $975,000
Zoom in: 4 beds, 3.5 baths and 2,914 square feet.
- Other notable features include a walk-in pantry, wet bar, fireplace, soaking tub, patio and fenced yard.
5. πΆ The biggest concerts of the month
Live music fans, here's a list of the 10 best concerts coming to Charlotte in May.
May 2: October London & Lalah Hathaway at Ovens Auditorium
May 3: The Kid LAROI at The Fillmore
May 7: Riley Green at Truliant Amphitheater
May 13: Kid Cudi at Truliant Amphitheater
May 16: Dave Matthews Band at Truliant Amphitheater
May 17: John Legend at Ovens Auditorium
May 18: Sting at Truliant Amphitheater
May 20: Pitbull with Lil Jon at Truliant Amphitheater
May 23: Willie Nelson & Family at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
May 30: The Queens: Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills at Spectrum Center
6. ποΈ It's time to get booked and busy
May is when the city turns into full-on "get outside and do everything" mode.
Here are 6 can't-miss events to put on your calendar.
ποΈ May 2: Front Porch CLT's May market at FreeMoreWest (Thrift Road). | 11am-4pm | Details
π¨ May 2β3: Kings Drive Art Walk on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. | 11am-6pm Friday; 11am-5pm | Details
β³ May 6β10: Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club. | Times vary | Details
π©° May 7-10: Charlotte Ballet's "One Thousand Pieces" at Knight Theater. | Times vary | Details
π May 24: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. | 6pm | Details
β½οΈ May 31: USMNT World Cup sendoff match at Bank of America Stadium. | Time | Details
ππ»ββοΈ For my heated workout crowd, are we all just accepting constant hair-washing, or is there a secret I need to know about?
πΊ Ashley cannot believe the ending of "Imperfect Women."
π Alex is ready for the Hurricanes-Flyers showdown to start.
βΉοΈββοΈ Alexis is picturing herself dunking on friends with a backyard court, but at 5'1", she'll keep dreaming.
π€© Laura, who edited this newsletter, is happy to see progress at Lake Lure.
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