Axios Charlotte
May 02, 2026
🤩 Well, hello, Saturday! It's Alexis, here to show you what's cooking around town.
🌧️ Today's weather: Rain showers, with a high of 59 and a low of 43.
🎂 Happy birthday to our members Will Redd, Scott Lurie, Vivian Munson, Jim LeClair, Chuck Clifton, Courtney Fain, and Cheryl Preyer!
Situational awareness: The Front Porch CLT market is cancelled today due to weather, organizers confirmed on Instagram.
This newsletter has 573 words, a 2-minute read.
1 big thing: 🍽️ New restaurants opening soon
We're keeping track of the most anticipated restaurants to open this year. Here's what is expected to open this month:
- Sabores de Oaxaca is the latest restaurant from the family behind Tacos El Nevado.
- Olivelli Deli is a walk-up deli window in NoDa.
- Brunches is a popular Wilmington area brunch spot expanding to Oakhurst.
- Market on Morehead is a spacious restaurant overlooking South End's Rail Trail.
- Packard Tavern is a contemporary American restaurant opening in Uptown.
- Zamindar's is a new Indian restaurant opening in South End.
2. ☀️ Here comes the BOOM
BOOM Charlotte returns this weekend to the Boardwalk at University City.
What to expect: The popular festival is in its ninth year and will include more than 100 performances through Sunday, May 3. There will be dance, music, theater, poetry, visual art, comedy, film and vendors.
- There will be a mix of ticketed indoor events and free, family-friendly outdoor performances. Free events will take place at BOOM Intersection.
- Local artisans and food trucks will be set up at BOOM Market.
If you go: Tickets for individual shows are $15. There's an all-access weekend pass for $100.
- Today's hours are noon until 10pm and tomorrow's are noon until 6pm.
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3. 🏺A creative break between weekend festivities
The Little Studio, a locally owned pottery studio on the Plaza, is hosting a free open house and pottery sale today.
What to expect: Handmade ceramics for sale from local artists, instructors and students, plus live demos showing wheel throwing and hand-building, owner James Carlevatti tells Axios.
- Raku firings, a high-heat process where 1,800-degree pottery is pulled from the kiln and transformed by fire and smoke into one-of-a-kind pieces.
- Live music from Cosmic Collective, plus a food truck and coffee cart on site.
Context: The studio offers hands-on classes for all skill levels, from single sessions to eight-week courses.
Stop by: The open house runs noon-8pm at 3432A The Plaza.
4. 🐎 Tune into the Kentucky Derby
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is today, and plenty of spots around town are hosting celebrations.
🗓️ Here are a few events to check out:
- Celebrate Mint Museum Randolph's 35th annual Derby Days event for live music, games, contests, trivia and more.
- Put your best hat and bowtie on to sip mint juleps at Búho Bar in Uptown.
- Dress to impress at Rally in LoSo for a chance to win a gift card to Henrietta's.
- Attend Dunbar Social's Kentucky Derby watch party with light bites.
- Join Dram & Draught's celebration with a horse raffle plus a themed menu with proceeds going towards Pretty In Pink Foundation.
💃 I loved all the creative outfits from yesterday's Met Gala-inspired event at the Mint Museum.
🌿 McKenzie will be making mezcal mint juleps this weekend in honor of Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby.
📚 Ashley is currently reading "The Star of Camp Greene" by Charlotte author Joy Callaway and loves the nod to Lakewood Park.
🎶 Alex is going to miss Bodega Nights at Rhino Market.
😋 Laura, who edited this newsletter, can't wait for Sabores de Oaxaca to open.
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