Five Days of South End Soul

Festival season has begun in Charlotte, and up next is one of my favorites. The South End Soul festival takes place this Tuesday, April 26 through Saturday, April 30, celebrating art, design, and innovation, and bringing together Charlotte's creative community. As South End has grown with residents and businesses--boutiques, art galleries and studios, restaurants, bars, etc.--so has this annual festival. This year it features more than 50 events over five days, including cooking demos, live music, design competitions, gallery crawls, lectures and how-to sessions, indoor and outdoor markets, wine and beer tastings, a fashion show, and more.

Here's a rundown of some of the festival's highlights. Visit the Find Your Center website for a full list of events, and also stay up to date on Facebook and Twitter.

Tuesday, April 26

Charlotte Seminar Series: Louis Foreman
The founder and CEO of Enventys and Everyday Edisons will talk about turning your creative spark into a business.11:30 a.m. $25 in advance or $30 at the door; includes lunch. Byron's South End.

Wednesday, April 27

Charlotte Social Media Breakfast
If social media is your communications tool of choice or if you want to learn more from some of Charlotte’s tweeting veterans, this is a great networking event for you. 7:30 a.m. $20; includes breakfast. Byron's South End.

Thursday, April 28

Pecha Kucha Night Charlotte, Volume 8
Pecha Kucha was created in Tokyo in 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. Over the last two and a half years, it's become a regular event in Charlotte. Doors open 7 p.m.; event starts 7:30 p.m. $5; cash bar. Amos' Southend. www.point8.org/pechakucha.

Friday, April 29

Design Your Life Festival (Friday and Saturday)
Learn how to design, remodel, and create a showplace in your own home. Visit the NARI Remodeling Show at Atherton Mill, as well as other studios and firms around The Design Center. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

South End Gallery Crawl
Visit more than a dozen art galleries. 6-9 p.m.


Saturday, April 30

Atherton Mill & Market
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Atherton Mill.

South End Super Flea
Urban Flea Market (parking lot across from Phat Burrito).

Sexy Power Party
Common Market celebrates the two-year anniversary of its South End location with a night of fire twirling, drag fashion, go-go dancers, and sexy music. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Common Market South End.

Slow Food Charlotte Wine & Dine with Tony Coturri
Tony Coturri returns to Charlotte for a grand celebration of food, wine, music, and fun at the Atherton Market. All proceeds will go to Slow Food Charlotte's Farmers Fund, committed to bringing farmer-driven continuing education to the sustainable farming community. 6 p.m. $50; tickets must be purchased in advance.

Fashion Soul
This night of style includes a fashion show with featured designers Luis Machicao and Escape Salon, Cigi Guzman and Planet 21 Salon, and Joey Hewell and J. Studio Salon. Featured boutiques include The Frock Shop, Theory Salon, Niche Market, and Cirrus Salon. Pre-party with DJ Joel Khouri begins 8:30 p.m.; fashion show at 10 p.m. Dharma Lounge.