Music off the Rails
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time
- Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 6pm - 9pm
Location
Charlotte Urban Design Center
Details
Join for an evening of live music in the UDC outdoor plaza and a gallery showcasing the finished 2025 Placemaking Grant projects!
Music Off the Rails! featuring Carolina Vibe Merchants
Join for an evening of live music at the Charlotte Urban Design Center on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. Our third “Music Off the Rails!” event will feature Charlotte's own Carolina Vibe Merchants as the headlining act—bringing their energetic blend of classic and southern rock favorites, guaranteed to get the crowd singing and moving.
Kicking off the evening is local singer‑songwriter Annie Haden, a seasoned vocalist and guitarist known for her soulful takes on classic covers and her genre‑spanning originals. Arrive early to enjoy her set and hear her two newest singles live.
Hosted outdoors in our plaza near the Bland Street light rail station, this event is presented in collaboration with Charlotte Center City Partners’ South End CLT. Stop by to meet Urban Design Center staff, explore placemaking projects across the city, and connect with neighbors. Light refreshments will be available as we celebrate Charlotte’s creative talent and vibrant community spirit right in the heart of South End.
Placemaking Showcase: Celebrating 2025 Grant Projects
Join us to celebrate the achievements of the 2025 Placemaking Grant projects. We will feature a curated gallery showcasing these winning initiatives. These projects, funded by a combined total of $230,000, have positively impacted over a dozen communities across Charlotte, enhancing safety, beauty, nature, and recreational opportunities.
The Placemaking Grant program, led by the City of Charlotte's Urban Design Center (UDC), began in 2018. It funds small, community-led projects that transform underutilized spaces in Charlotte. These projects range from murals to parks, creating and enhancing community vibrancy, safety, and identity. Examples include activating leftover spaces, improving streetscapes, art and beautification efforts, and creating community gathering spots. The improvements directly benefit the communities they serve.