January is great time to dust off your holiday haze and try something new! Whether you’ve never ridden the light rail or you’ve hopped on a hundred times, there’s also something fun and different waiting for you at one of the 26 stops. Remember that as a student, your 49er ID Card serves as your pass to ride the light rail for free. So, grab your card, a light jacket and enjoy some free and cheap activities along the light rail during this unseasonably warm January weekend.
FREE!
Friday
Looking to infuse your weekend with a little bit of arts and culture? Look no further than the Opening Reception of Resident Residency: Tarmac at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation. This new exhibit features 5 artists in residence who are using art to build power in their communities to resist and reimagine their collective identity. This free event starts at 6 p.m. on Friday.
- Get off at the 9th Street Station and then walk up 9th Street and take a right on N. Church St. for a total of a .4 mile walk.
Saturday
Charlotte’s newest live music venue, The Studio, is slated to open this weekend and they’re throwing a Grand Opening Party to celebrate. This free event kicks off at 12 p.m. Saturday and features live music, a corn hole tournament, raffle prizes, giveaways, old school Sega Genesis video games and a photo booth. Be sure to register in advance here.
- Hop off at New Bern Station and then walk .8 miles towards Uptown. The Studio is located right next to Mac’s Speed Shop.
Sunday
Want to clear your mind of clutter as you embark on this new semester? Join Free People at Atherton Mill for a free meditation and journaling event this Sunday at 11 a.m. Afterwards, you can explore all of the new shops that have recently opened in Atherton Mill including Sephora, Madewell, Lululemon, Uniquities and West Elm along with some existing favorites like Anthropologie, Warby Parker and Savory Spice Shop.
- Grab your mat and a journal, then ride the light rail down to the East/West Station. After you get off, you’ll walk .2 miles down the Rail Trail away from Uptown.
CHEAP!
Friday
Get your fill of monster truck madness at the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at Spectrum Center. Tickets start at $20. Learn more here.
- Take light rail to the CTC/Arena stop.
Sunday
Need some fun ways to crush some of those new year’s resolution fitness goals? Drop into one of the Yoga, Mimosas and Chill events at Harvey B Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. This one-hour yoga class happens every Sunday at 12p.m. and costs $10. You can even stick around afterwards for a museum tour.
- Disembark at Stonewall Station and walk .2 miles up Stonewall.
Photo credits: mcCollcenter.org and monsterjam.com