Events

The über-event convention has inspired a multitude of accompanying not-to-be-missed mini-events.

CAROLINAFEST 2012

The convention will be shortened from the normal four days to three in order to accommodate a community kick-off celebration on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3) along the Tryon Street corridor in Uptown. CarolinaFest is designed to celebrate the Carolinas, Virginia and the South by featuring live entertainment, activities and an array exhibitions that showcase them in their best light. (All activities tbd at time of print). www.carolinafest2012.com

PARADE

Up to six marches a day will leave every 40 minutes to, er, parade along the designated parade route for Uptown Sept. 4-6. Marches will begin at Pearle Street Park and proceed along Baxter, S McDowell, E Stonewall and S Caldwell streets before turning onto E Third St and ending at Marshall Park. The route was specifically chosen to flaunt views of official DNC-related sites like the Time Warner Cable Arena and Bank of America Stadium.

THE DAILY SHOW

Legendary satirist Jon Stewart and his "news team" will be in Charlotte to host The Daily Show (www.thedailyshow.com) throughout the entire week at ImaginOn (www.imaginon.org), a children's library and theater. Tickets were sold out within minutes of going up online.

ROCK THE RED

Sick of being a Republican while the city is flooded with Dems? Rock the Red 2012 Festival is calling all conservatives on Sept. 5 at Bojangles' Coliseum for a night of conservative speakers and country and rock music acts (yet unnamed). 
www.rockthered.com

MUSEUM MADNESS

Twelve sites will host parties on Sept. 2. Amongst them, the Mint Museum will showcase Madeleine Albright's jewelry and works by Thornton Dial. The Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture will host America I AM, which includes 200 artifacts illustrating African-Americans' role in the country's history and culture and includes items linked to Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.