Attendees will enjoy the museum’s exhibitions, programs and new digital experiences firsthand during this unique, interactive fundraiser

CHARLOTTE, NC — Levine Museum of the New South is shaking things up for its largest fundraiser of the year, CataLysT, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 18 at The Revelry North End, 701 Keswick Ave.

Formerly known as Taste of the New South, which started in 1997, CataLysT will be a non-traditional event featuring a cocktail reception with food stations and an open beer and wine bar. 

Guests will be treated to a strolling dinner while they explore the numerous pop-up experiences such as “Grier Heights: Community Is Family,” “50 Places in Charlotte,” NC History Case Studies, and the “Our New South” podcast.

The keynote speaker will be Jorge Zamanillo, founding director behind the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, which Congress established in December 2020 to illuminate the invaluable contributions of Latinos to the United States. 

He will focus on how museums like the Levine Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino are bringing diverse communities together, elevating the voices of all people living in America, and demonstrating that diversity is our strength, our future, and our most precious resource.

“CataLysT allows us to gather friends and donors of the museum to not only raise funds for the museum and our future, but to share all of the exciting programs and education opportunities the museum has to offer,” says Richard Cooper, Levine Museum President & CEO.

Attendees can look forward to: 

  • Music from the Carolina Social Music Club, which presents music in the jazz tradition aimed at creating justice and goodness in the world.
  • Grier Heights storytellers onsite to engage with those interacting with the exhibition, and headphones to listen to new recorded oral histories.
  • Exploring “50 Places” through iPads provided onsite, and the chance to test their knowledge of Charlotte’s history.
  • Listening to “Our New South” podcast sound bites through headphones, and the chance to meet co-host Dr. Robert Greene II, who will be the emcee for the evening.

“Guests will be able to enjoy a more intimate engagement with our offerings, staff, and museum supporters,” says Cooper. “They’ll be able to engage with staff in a behind-the-scenes manner – asking questions about our projects while interacting with them.”Guests will be asked to make a gift to Levine Museum of the New South, with a suggested minimum donation of $150. For more information, visit museumofthenewsouth.org.