ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries C&RL News ■ March 2003 / 179 ACRL NATIONAL CONFERENCE Charlotte nights What to do at the end of the conference day by Barbara Tierney T raveling to Charlotte, North Carolina, for ACRL’s 11th National Conference, April 10- 13, 2003? Here’s your chance to sample a heaping helping of the Queen City’s legendary southern hospitality. Charlotte has tons of intriguing diversions to keep you entertained at the end of the con­ ference day when you want to unwind from overload learning and networking. Before you set off on your own southern escapades, be sure to include the following spe­ cial ACRL-sponsored evening events on your end-of-the-day agenda! • (F R E E ) A ll-C o n feren ce R e ce p tio n , Saturday, April 12th, Public Library o f Char­ lotte and Mecklenburg County, Main Branch, 8 -1 0 p.m. (310 North Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte, 704-336-2725, http://www.plcmc. lib.nc.us). Jo in colleagues for sinful desserts and live music (bluegrass, Cajun, and Celtic). Enjoy be­ hind-the-scenes tours of this headline-captur ing library, and don’t miss its Virtual Village computer center. • (FR E E) Levine Museum o f th e New South, Saturday, April 12th, 8-10 p.m. (200 East 7th Street, Uptown Charlotte, 704-333-1887, http:/w ww.museumofthenewsouth.org). Enjoy a private after-hours open-house for ACRL National Conference participants by strolling a half-block down the street from the Public Library to the brand new Levine Mu­ seum of the New South. Use your conference badge for complimentary admittance. This gem o f a social history museum uses living history displays, oral history, and videos to tell the story of Charlotte’s economic trans­ formation from post-Civil War small farm re­ gion to 1920s textile factory center to second largest U.S. banking center. Thought-provoking interactive displays in­ clude: “We Shall O vercom e” (an interpreta­ tion o f the segregated South, featuring lunch counter sit-in and school busing displays); “Re­ making the Countryside” (a recreated cotton farm); “Bringing the Mills to the Cotton” (a recreated textile mill home and oral history); “N ew sreel T h e a te r” (P resid en t Franklin Roosevelt’s “Green Pastures” speech in Char­ lotte); and “Banking Boomtown” (an interpre­ tation o f the rise o f Charlotte as a financial center). • D inn er W ith Colleagues, Friday, April 11th, 6:30 p.m. Ask at the Charlotte Convention Center reg­ istration desk for hosted “Friday Night Din­ ners with Colleagues” sign-ups or simply make your own memorable dining plans using the following restaurant suggestions. U ptow n d in in g h e a d lin e rs Recommended Uptown dining headliners include: About the author Barbara Tierney is associate professor a t the J. M urrey A tkin s Library, University o f North Carolina a t Charlotte, e-mail: bgtierne @email.uncc.edu http://www.plcmc 180 / C&RL News ■ M arch 2003 B istro 1 0 0 (100 N. Tryon in Founder’s Hall, 704-344-0515), one o f the city’s premier din­ ing establishm ents featuring w ood-roasted preparations o f chicken, beef, and seafood, along with gourmet appetizers; the P alom ino (525 N. Tryon, 70 4 -3 7 3 -9 4 9 9 ), a romantic European bistro with fountain-side dining that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine; M im osa G rill (in the First Union Plaza Atrium, 327 S. Tryon Street, 704-343-0700), a chic destina­ tion with both indoor and plaza dining, featur­ ing mouth-watering nouveau southern cuisine; L aV ecch ia’s S eafo o d G rille (225 E. Sixth Street, 704-370-6776). B ijo u x (201 N. Tryon, 7 0 4 -3 7 7 -0 9 0 0 ) is an e x c e lle n t c h o ice for F ren ch cu isin e; S on om a (129 W. Trade Street, 704-377-1333), a sophisticated café that boasts an excellent wine list; M orton ’s o f C hicago (227 W. Trade Street, 704-333-2602), a renow ned chain o f steakhouses; C a rp e D iem (401 E. Trade Street, 704-377-7976) is located inside a reno­ vated historic florist’s shop. The lounge area is known as “The Living Room” and has a curved bar with exposed brick and oak floors, a local favorite with outstanding vegetarian options; C apital Grille (201 N. Tryon, 704-348-1400) is a truly elegant dining spot that features aged Charlotte on the Web To learn more about Charlotte, visit: http://www.charlottecentercity.org http://www.visitcharlotte.org http://www.charlotte.com http://www.nitelifeanddining.com http://www.charlottemusicscene.com steaks, seafood, masterpiece desserts, and an award-winning wine list; C osm os Café (300 N. College St., 704-372-3553) delivers some o f the best tapas, sushi, and martinis in an artsy setting; M ert’s H eart an d Soul (214 N. College St., 704-342-4222) offers very good soul food at great downtown prices. Choices include meatloaf, salmon patties, fried chicken, red beans and rice with turkey sausage, lots of vegetable and side dish choices, and homemade desserts. C h a rlo tte d in in g d e lig h t s b e y o n d U p to w n S o u th e rn C o m fo rts (1511 East Blvd., 704- 331-9222) offers fine southern recipes via so­ phisticated culinary techniques in the heart of the trendy Dilworth neighborhood ; C aju n Q u een (1 8 0 0 E. 7th St. in C harlotte’s Eliza­ beth neighborhood, 704-377-9017) has spe­ cialized in the best o f New Orleans style cui­ sine in the Queen City since 1985. This Char­ lotte landmark offers nightly jazz and creative specialties featuring blackened fish, crawfish, and shrimp entrees. “NoDa Art D istrict” eateries (C harlotte’s North Davidson St. area) include: F a t C ity (3 1 2 7 N. D avidson St., 704 -3 4 3 -0 2 4 0 ), one o f Charlotte’s original live music spots, fea­ tures alternative rock, blues, reggae, and jazz, with open jam sessions on Sundays. This is an excellent place for eclectic dining (inside or out) accompanied by a variety of musical styles and a rtis ts ; B o u d r e a u x ’s L o u i s i a n a K itc h e n (501 E. 36th St. at N. Davidson St., 704-331-9898) features Bayou specialties such as gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys. Laughs, drinks, gam es, and conversation T he C om edy Z one (516 N. College St., in Up­ town, 704-348-4242, http://thecomedyzone.net) is Charlotte’s number one venue for laughs featur­ ing national and regional com edians. Show times vary, so be sure to call for information and reservations; T h e P e r c h (1500 Central Ave., Charlotte’s Midtown-Plaza Neighbor­ hood, 704-372-7724, http://www.theperch. com ) features live sketch comedy 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1 a.m. on Sundays; J i l l i a n ’s (2 0 0 E. B lan d St. in Charlotte’s South End, 704-376-4386) is a great spot to play billiards and catch sporting events on the multiple big-screen TV’s in the Sports http://www.charlottecentercity.org http://www.visitcharlotte.org http://www.charlotte.com http://www.nitelifeanddining.com http://www.charlottemusicscene.com http://thecomedyzone.net http://www.theperch C&RL News ■ March 2003 / 181 Video Café. Check out the virtual reality games in the 7,000 square foot “Amazing Games Room”; Ri Ra (208 N. Tryon Street, 7 0 4 - 3 3 3 - 5 5 5 4 , http://www.rira.com) is a traditional Irish pub in the heart o f Uptown. Experience authentic Irish food, live music, and great Guinness. Dance to th e music! The Big Chill (911 E. Morehead St. in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood, 704-347-4447) boasts the largest dance floor in Charlotte and is a great place to dance the night away with rhythm and blues; Latorre’s (118 W. 5th St. in Uptown, 704-377- 4448) is famous for its salsa danc­ ing, nuevo Latin cuisine, South American wines, and tropical martinis. It is Charlotte’s premier Latin American restaurant and dance club, offering free dance les­ sons Friday and Saturday nights. Mythos (300 N. College at 6th St. in Uptown, 704-375-8765, http://www.mythosclub.com) is an award-winning progressive dance club featuring excellent lo­ cal, regional, and international DJs, and boasting the largest dance floor in Charlotte. S w in g 1 0 0 0 (1000 Central Ave. in the Elizabeth neighborhood, 704-334-4443) fea­ tures great cuisine and entertainment that cap­ ture the spirit o f the 30s, 40s and 50s. Enjoy dining and dancing in an atmosphere similar to the Rainbow Room and Cotton Club in New York City; Tim e Lounge (514 N. College St. in Uptown, 704-373-2515), one of Charlotte’s premier nightclubs, is an excellent place to meet Transportation information • Charlotte Transit System: http://www. charmeck.org/Departments/cats/ • Charlotte City Bus: (704) 336-3366 • Taxis and limos: Executive Car Service (704) 525-2191 Charlotte Flyer Cab (704) 370-6050 friends in the late evening. Its outdoor patio has one o f the best views o f the Charlotte skyline. This ultra-stylish dance club has a high- energy nightlife atmosphere in the heart of the North End District. It’s a great place to find young professionals and trendy cocktails. (Spe­ cialty drinks include the Time Warp, Times Up, and Times Square) Evening cultural events and entertainm ent T h e N e ig h b o rh o o d T h e a te r (511 E. 36th St., North Davidson Art District, 704-358- 9298‚ http://www. neighborhoodtheare. com) offers exciting regional and folk music con­ certs at economical prices. North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (130 N. Tryon St., Uptown, 704- 372-1000, http://www.performingartsctr.org) of­ fers a wide range of musical and dramatic per­ formances. D iscovery Place (301 North Tryon Street, Uptown) includes an Omnimax Theater with Friday and Saturday night showings. Call 704- 372-6261 for show times. Navigating Charlotte Uptown Charlotte is a visitor-friendly, com­ pact locale that is easy and safe to explore on foot. Charlotte’s free C e n te r C ity C ircu it Shuttle provides 43 stops on a round-town- loop, with pick up at each stop every seven to eight minutes. For a more nostalgic mode of travel, expe­ rience the historic C h a rlo tte T ro lley for a 15-minute ride to South End Charlotte where you’ll find a wealth of antique stores, trendy restaurants, and the Trolley Museum. Time fo r m ore activitie s? Check the O ctober 2002 C&RL N ew s article “Charlotte on a shoestring” to browse daytime attractions in the Queen City such as the Up­ town Walking Art Tour and the Uptown Walk­ ing Historical Tour. Brow se the November 2002 C&RL N ew s article “Charlotte revs up” for a rundown on ACRL-sponsored daytime tours, such as the L ow e’s M otor Speedw ay to u r (Thursday, April 10, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.); the B iltm o re E s­ tate to u r (Wednesday, April 9, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.); and the C harlotte City and academ ic lib ra ry to u r (Thursday, April 10, 10 a.m .-3 p.m.). ■ http://www.rira.com http://www.mythosclub.com http://www http://www http://www.performingartsctr.org