Charlotte Ballet's new season begins in October. We talk with artistic director Alejandro Cerrudo about what you'll see - from a world premiere by a South African choreographer to "The Nutcracker" to Cerrudo's own full length ballet, "One Thousand Pieces" in May.

Piedmont Opera has a new interim artistic director, Joseph Mechavich, who has put together a varied and innovative ‘25/’26 season. It includes everything from an unusual, immersive production of Pagliacci to a concert by Grammy-award winning soprano Karen Slack. We talk with Mechavich about the season and the importance of opera and the arts to our communities. Rachel Stewart and Phil Vavra also preview the seasons of other opera companies in the region.

Three Bone Theatre’s mission is unique among Charlotte’s theater companies. They focus on contemporary works centered around diversity and social justice that can be a catalyst for change in the community. Three Bone’s current production is “Electricidad,” a retelling of the ancient Greek tragedy, “Elektra,” in a modern-day Chicano setting. We talk to “Electricidad’s” director, Glynnis O’Donoghue, and Three Bone leaders Robin Tynes-Miller and Tiffany Bryant-Jackson.

Learn more about Three Bone Theater’s “Electricidad”

In 2025, Charlotte Pride celebrates 25 years of LGBTQ arts and culture with the annual Charlotte Pride Festival in its new location at First Ward Park. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we hear from the Managing Director of Charlotte Pride, Meredith Thompson, about what we can expect during the 2025 festival and parade.

Learn more about the Charlotte Pride Parade

Henry David Thoreau’s Walden was written in 1854 but has lessons for life in the 21st century. In her new book Finding Your Walden, Charlotte author Jen McGivney explores how the ideas in Walden can help people navigate modern life—from career crossroads to everyday overwhelm—with more clarity and intention.

Since 1937, visitors to North Carolina’s Outer Banks have been enhancing their beach vacations by taking in a performance of The Lost Colony at the Waterside Theater in Manteo. We talk to Chuck Still, the Executive Director of the Roanoke Island Historical Association, about the beloved play, how the production has evolved through the years, and the mystery that remains unsolved. You’ll also hear about other North Carolina outdoor dramas from across the state.

Charlotte Strings Collective was formed five years ago, in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests, to promote the music of Black composers. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with three members of the group about its origins and its role in the Charlotte region.

Charlotte will become the home to the first ever International Choral Composers Institute, a 5-day immersive program dedicated to nurturing and teaching choral composers and lyricists of all levels. It’s the brainchild of award-winning composer Sherry Blevins. Through the Institute, she hopes to provide an opportunity for composers in our area and beyond to hone their skills and network. You can hear more about her vision for the event and get details about the free concert showcasing participants’ works at CPCC.

Charlotte is home to a growing community of music creators of all types. It’s a collaborative community where musicians work across genres, as evidenced by WDAV’s own NoteWorthy and Small Batch concerts. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with Charlotte Hip Hop artist YUNG Citizen who has worked with many local musicians including Charlotte Strings Collective. He shares his perspective on the Charlotte scene, pursuing a music career in the Queen City, and his work as a mental health advocate.

Did you know the city of Charlotte has its own Poet Laureate? If not, that might be because there has only been one so far. His name is Junious “Jay” Ward, and you’ll get to know him on this episode of the Piedmont Arts podcast. Jay talks about his journey with poetry, what it means to be Charlotte’s first Poet Laureate, and you’ll get to hear some of his work.