The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (tel. 704/972-2003; www.charlottesymphony.org) season runs from September to May; check local newspapers or call for performance dates. Opera Carolina (tel. 704/332-7177; www.operacarolina.org) presents performances from October to April. Classic plays are often performed by Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. (tel. 704/376-3777; www.theatrecharlotte.org), usually Thursday to Sunday. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. (tel. 704/372-1000; www.blumenthalcenter.org), is the newest facility to join the performance venues; it features three theaters for productions ranging from rock concerts to intimate stage events.
If you're in town and want to catch a live professional football game, a limited number of single-game tickets are available. For tickets to see the Carolina Panthers (www.panthers.com), visit the Bank of America Stadium Ticket Office at 800 S. Mint St., southeast side of the stadium Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm (tel. 704/358-7800); or order through Ticketmaster (tel. 704/522-6500; www.ticketmaster.com). The city also has a pro basketball team, the Charlotte Bobcats (tel. 704/262-2287; www.nba.com/bobcats). The majority holder is Robert Johnson, the Black Entertainment Channel (BET) multimillionaire and the first prominent African-American owner in U.S. sports. The Bobcats' new $265-million uptown arena opened in 2005.
