HEARTS Happenings
Nothing compares to immersing yourself in the past to see new perspectives.
Dancer at HEARTS Junion ‘23 event - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Our region boasts an incredibly diverse natural and cultural history. Some stories are known, some have been lost, and some are still being discovered. HEARTS Happenings are events that explore these stories via place-based experiences designed to foster a shared sense of place and community by exploring what is right beneath our feet. Juxtaposing local history and nature content with the best in homegrown music, dance, and visual arts, HEARTS Happenings are free and open to the public.
This year marks HEARTS' fourth year of programming and its’ first year in which HEARTS Happenings will be presented beyond the historic sites of historic Cedar Grove and the historic Hugh Torance House and Store, with exciting events also coming to Lincoln County and Iredell County this year! Our 2025 season shares connections to historical events as well as daily life in 18th-century Mecklenburg County, like the historic Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence document (locally known as the “Mec Dec”) dated May 20, 1775 through modern times while weaving history, nature, and the arts together into a vibrant tapestry of the regions’ historic identity.
‘Who’s Your Founding Father?’ author David Flemming reading at a ‘24 HEARTS event;The Mt. Zion AME Stroller Singers at a ‘23 HEARTS event - Photos courtesy of HEARTS.
Event guests during the maypole dance at HEARTS May Day ‘24 - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Upcoming HEARTS Events
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Guided Tours of the Historic Hugh Torance House & Store
Step back in time and experience life in the home of Hugh and Isabella Torance and their son, James Torrance's mercantile store. Our experienced docents guide visitors on a living history adventure as they tour the c.1779 homesite and visit the Torance Store.
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Ghost Tours at the Historic Hugh Torance House & Store
Do you think the oldest store in North Carolina is haunted? Join us for an authentic ghost hunt led by the experienced experts at the Charlotte Area Paranormal Society to scour this c.1779 homesite for existential activity using professional investigative tools and equipment.
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HEARTS An Evening of Art & Film
Join us July 19th, 7-9 PM at historic Cedar Grove for four films by local creators. Featuring the NC premier of “Echoes of the Forks of Cypress,” by Frederick Murphy, Julia Robinson Moore’s “Charlotte 7”, Will Smith's fashion film, “A Stitch In Time,” and the award-winning Elizabeth Bradford documentary, “Warp Weft Water Weeds.” Limited tickets available.
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HEARTS Sacred Grounds '25
August 16th, 2-4 PM at the historic Iredell Jail, we continue our exploration of historic churches and burial grounds in our region with Dr. Julia Moore. Live music by Sacred Steel artist Dashawn Hickman. Featuring visual arts by Tony Griffin and the poetry of William P. Baldwin from “Southern Prayers.” Ecology focus on historic burial ground plantings. This event is in partnership with the Iredell Arts Council.
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HEARTS Circle Members' Gala '25
September 27th, 6-9 PM, join us for our 4th annual HEARTS Circle Members' Gala at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville, NC, featuring live music by NC Hall of Fame 2025 inductee and local legend, David Childers, followed by an elegant farm-to-table dinner catered by the Carolina Farm Trust, our first-ever silent auction, and an exclusive opportunity to tour Cedar Grove.
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HEARTS Catawba Nation '25
October 18th 2-5 PM, join us for our annual HEARTS Catawba Nation event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music, live ancestral dance performances, and so much more!
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HEARTS Harvest '25
Nov 8th 2-5 PM, join us for our annual HEARTS Harvest event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville, NC featuring live music and dance performances, and so much more!
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HEARTS Winter Wisdom '25
December 6th 2-5 PM, join us for our annual HEARTS Winter Wisdom event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville, NC featuring live music and dance performances, and so much more!