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INSIDE ▼ Suddenly jobless, chef starts sushi place PAGE 1B Friday, April 4, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 13
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SouthPark After 5 returns to Symphony Park this spring CHARLOTTE – SouthPark After 5 will bring live music, interactive art, food trucks and craft drinks to the SouthPark neighborhood six times this spring beginning April 17. The series is presented by SouthPark Community Partners and produced by Southern Entertainment. “We are so excited to kick off the third year of SouthPark After 5 – especially as we welcome the PGA Championship to Charlotte this spring,” said Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners. “Hosting memorable experiences that deepen community ties is central to SouthPark’s neighborhood identity.” The series has attracted more than 50,000 attendees since it began in 2023. This year’s series runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, from April 17 to May 22, at
Symphony Park at the corner of Barclay Downs Drive and Carnegie Boulevard, next to SouthPark Mall. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit and picnic on the lawn to listen to the free concerts. In addition to a rotating food truck lineup, visitors are welcome to bring in food from SouthPark’s restaurants. Outside beverages and coolers are not permitted in the park. The event will host a wide variety of bands, including rock, country, soul and tribute bands. The weekly entertainment lineup will include: • April 17 – Southside Station will perform a blend of rock and country. Face Art & More will provide free face painting. SouthPark After 5 has attracted more than 50,000 attendees since it began in 2023. Story continues, see SOUTHPARK page 3A
Photo courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
Charlotte SHOUT! features 17 days of the arts, ideas
Senate confirms Bishop for role in Trump administration By Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) – Dan Bishop, former congressman from North Carolina and state senator before that, was confirmed 53-45 on March 26 by the U.S. Senate as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Charlotte SHOUT! will bring dozens of art installations and activities to Uptown Charlotte. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners
CHARLOTTE – Uptown Charlotte will come alive with art, music, food and ideas as Charlotte SHOUT! returns April 4 to 20.
Produced by Charlotte Center City Partners and presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America, Charlotte SHOUT! is an annual celebration of the city’s art and culture. Charlotte SHOUT! is a sensory feast for all ages, with more than 200 events and attractions taking place over 17 days in Uptown. “Charlotte SHOUT! continues to elevate the vibrancy of Uptown, drawing hundreds
of thousands of visitors and creating unforgettable moments,” said Robert Krumbine, festival producer and chief creative officer at Charlotte Center City Partners. “This festival is a celebration of Charlotte’s creative spirit and its ability to bring people together through art, music, food and ideas. We can’t wait to see how this year’s lineup inspires and engages our community.” The 2024 festival saw record engagement, with over 642,000 attendees and a $17.1 million direct spend economic impact for Uptown businesses. Artists, musicians and local entre-
preneurs all benefited, with $650,000 paid to local creatives and 28 food trucks serving festival goers. In addition, 1,200 students participated in educational and artistic activities. On the web: charlotteshout.com New attractions for 2025 include:
• CanStruction – A live competition at Bank of America's Founders Hall where engineering and design industry groups create stunning CanArt sculptures using full cans of food, later Story continues, see SHOUT! page 3A
Providence High School to leave theater fans ‘All Shook Up’ CHARLOTTE – The Providence High School cast, crew and orchestra have worked tirelessly to bring a 20th anniversary performance of “All Shook Up” to life for the community.
This 20th anniversary presentation will be one to remember as it transports audiences to a lively, Elvis Presley-inspired world. "We are so excited to bring ‘All Shook Up’ to life on our stage for its 20th anniversary," said Jacki Altmeyer, theater department director.
“This musical is a beloved favorite that blends humor, heart and rock ‘n’ roll in a way that resonates with audiences of all ages. We are proud to celebrate its legacy with our talented students and hope that both new and returning theatergoers enjoy this special production." Students will honor the legacy of the original production while adding their own personal touch to the vocal performances and choreography. The story follows Natalie, a young mechan-
ic in the 1950s, who dreams of romance and adventure. When a mysterious, guitar-playing drifter named Chad arrives in town, he shakes up the sleepy little town, turning lives upside down with a mix of comedy, love and rock & roll. The production launched March 28 and will continue at 7 p.m. April 4 and April 5 as well as 3 p.m. April 6 at the Providence High School auditorium, 1800 Pineville-Matthews Road. Get tickets at bit.ly/PHSAllShookUp.
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Every Republican voted for him; 44 Democrats and one independent did not; and a Democrat and an independent each did not vote. “Dan will implement my cost-cutting and deregulatory agenda across all agencies and root out the weaponized deep state,” President Donald Trump said in a December statement making the nomination. According to the White House website, the Office of Management and Budget has five functions across executive departments and agencies. These include but are not limited to oversight of agency performance; clearance of presidential executive orders; and development and execution of budgets. “Congratulations to Dan Bishop, my friend, House colleague, and proud North Carolinian, on becoming the deputy director for budget at OMB,” Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., wrote on social media. “I cannot think of a better person for the job.” Bishop’s confirmation hearing was Feb. 25 before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs led by Chairman Dr. Rand Paul, R-Ky., with Budd introducing him. He was poised when questioned by Democrats, and well-received by Republicans on the panel. “Our government has been self-absorbed, inefficient, unaccountable and maladministered,” Bishop said during his confirmation hearing, referring to the national debt of $36 trillion. “The good news is that we can fix all of those things, and if confirmed, I will be laser-focused on doing so, along with Director Russ Vought and the superb public servants at OMB.” Bishop won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a 2019 election do-over, was reelected in 2020 and 2022, and this past November lost to Democrat Jeff Jackson in the quest to be attorney general in North Carolina. The difference was just 159,549 votes of more than 5.5 million cast, with Bishop winning 76 of 100 counties and Jackson holding an upper hand in urban areas. Not voting March 26 were Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.