Weekend brimming with music, thanks to Pride

Charlotte Pride is in full swing this weekend, which means a bevy of live music and entertainment acts downtown. R&B singer Mya, "The Real L Word's" resident rock band Hunter Valentine, and "The Voice" grad Judith Hill (pictured above) are among the weekend's headliners. 

Entertainment kicks off at noon Saturday. That's when Flourish: A Celebration of LGBT Arts and Culture at The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and Pride events on the Wells Fargo Stage at the PNC Bank Festival Zone begin. 

Flourish is a free event presented by the Queer Arts Consortium and billed as a festival within a festival. It features a mix of visual art, theater, film, and live music performances showcasing Charlotte artists like the Gay Men's Chorus, StillOut photography, the Charlotte Pride Band, Queen City Theater Company, the Gay Charlotte Film Festival, mixed LGBT vocal ensemble Once Voice Chorus, and dance and performance art group Triptych Collective.

Short performances and films are staggered throughout the day along with an ongoing photography display so visitors and concert goers can come and go. Flourish runs from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday following the parade. 

The schedule for artists can be found here. 

Saturday's entertainment on the nearby Wells Fargo Stage begins with Augusta, Georgia female quartet She-N-She, singer-songwriters Ashley Joe Farmer Band, Ryan Cassetta, and Josh Zuckerman, and pop punk act Eryn Woods (pictured above). Snug Harbor's Shiprocked! brings Snug Harbor's weekly dance party to the stage followed by stars of "RuPaul's Drag Race." DJ Ghost, Queen of Bounce Big Freedia, and Mya close out the show. 

Later the party moves to Phoenix where Joan Jett-inspired Canadian pop-rock band Hunter Valentine (below) - who open for Cyndi Lauper in November at Belk - plays the Charlotte Pride Woman's event at 11 p.m.

Sunday the fun continues with Atlanta singer-songwriter Dylan Michael kicking off post-parade performances. Actors Theater will perform songs from "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" followed by rock act Spiralfire. Stars from "RuPaul's Drag Race" and vocalist Hill close out the festival following awards presentations. 

The Bechtler and the Wells Fargo Stage are located on Tryon smack in the middle of the festival zone between Stonewall and Third Streets. For the full Pride schedule click here.