herald - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

28 SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 THE HERALDTHEHERALD’SFREETIMEA GUIDE TOENTERTAINMENTAND LEISUREDiverse festivals highlight next two weekendsWith two of the area’s largest festivalstaking place during the next two weeks, allthe art, culture, music and family fun — notto mention elephant ears, gyros, crab cakes,cotton candy and chicken-teriyaki-on-a-stick— anyone could ever want is close at hand.First up is Festival in the Park — aCharlotte tradition since 1964 in FreedomPark near uptown — running now throughSunday, Sept. 21. Then, one week later, isthe fast-growing “Denver Days.”The four-day Festival in the Park draws150 artists and craftsmen from aroundthe country as well as music and acts fromdozens of entertainers on multiple stages.New this year, a teen talent show with preselectedparticipants in which kids and teensshowcase music, dance, juggling, comedy,martial arts and other talents in a “fun andnon-competitive” forum.“For years the Festival has offered spaceto local students so they can display theirvisual art talents, so it is only a natural for usto provide this venue to showcase their otherartistic abilities,” says David Dalton, festivalboard chairman.The festival’s Artists Walk groups fine artistsand crafters who work in clay, ceramics,drawing, graphics, leather, glass, jewelry, metaland wood, including Max Howard Sculptureof Huntersville and Jim Miles Woodworks ofCornelius.The Lake Walk is a separate grouping ofartists around Freedom Park’s lake, an areathat transforms into a twinkling village at duskas the lake reflects lights strung from exhibitor’stents. Kids’ activities include hands-onart, Carolina Clowns, pony rides, face painting,moon walk, fire truck slide, climbingrocks, train, merry-go-round and Gus the Bus(a “talking” school bus).Entertainment includes musical group TheSpongetones; Americamanta (“of America”)a group from Otavalo-Ecuador; Little LotusTroupe (traditional and contemporary Chinesedance and performing arts); Latin music byPeralta; Doug Burns and the From The TopBig Band — a swing band that plays theclassics of Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, DukeEllington and more.No pets, alcoholic beverages, skating,skateboarding, scooters or bicycles allowed.Last year, an estimated 100,000 attended.To get to Freedom Park, take I-77 south toI-277 East (John Belk Freeway) to the SouthBoulevard exit, turn left onto East Boulevard,and turn right on Cumberland Avenue orcontinue to front entrance of Freedom Park.Parking is limited around the park, but isavailable Thursday and Friday after 5 p.m.,and all day Saturday and Sunday at HolyTrinity Catholic Middle School (Park Road andPrinceton Avenue) and Myers Park TraditionalSchool (Radcliffe Avenue near Queens Road)at a cost of $5 per car to benefit the respectiveschools. Free shuttle to the festival isprovided.Additional parking is available Friday after 5p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday at theCarolinas Medical Center parking deck and lotCOURTESY FESTIVALINTHEPARK.COMThe Festival in the Park celebrates its 44th anniversary this year.(South Kings Drive at East Boulevard) at $5per car to benefit Levine Children’s Hospital.On-street parking on Queens Road betweenRadcliffe and Princeton avenues. Festivalhours are Thursday, 6-10 p.m.; Friday, noon-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; andSunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free.For more information, visit www.festivalinthepark.org.Denver Days, set for Sept. 24-27, is heldoff Highway 16 and Triangle Circle in LincolnCounty. It’s now in its sixth year of promotingcivic pride and raising funds for recreationaland community resources.The festival kicks off Wednesday, Sept.24, with a gospel concert and fish fry from 6to 9 p.m. and continues through Saturday,Sept. 27 from 5 to 11 p.m. daily. Parkingis $5 per vehicle Wednesday and Thursday,$10 per vehicle Friday & Saturday. There areno additional admission fees.Denver Days features carnival midwaySee Free Time/page 29Let our caring andcompassionate staff takecare of your entirefamily’s dental needs.Treating Adultsand Children•Financing OptionsAvailableTate C. Langdon D.D.S. PACOSMETIC• Veneers • Tooth Colored Fillings• Dentures and Partials • Tooth Whitening• Root Canal • Implants • Digital X-Rays• TV’s in Every Exam Room• Intraoral Video • Crown & BridgeAND FAMILY DENTISTRY10210 Hickorywood Hill AveSuite 100Located in Rosedale CommonsOff Exit 23Huntersville, NC 28078704-875-0123TATELANGDONDDS.COM