Charlotte's cultural offerings for Democratic delegates: 'It's grim'

A snapshot of different pictures emerging about Charlotte as host of the Democratic National Convention.

From the hometown paper: "In a Charlotte Chamber video filmed in 2011 after the city snagged the Democratic National Convention, executive director Bob Morgan asked developer Johnny Harris: “What can Charlotte do next?” Harris replied without hesitation: “Go get the Olympics and bring it to Charlotte.” 

Don’t laugh. ...“It’s almost like the little city that could,” said UNC Charlotte historian David Goldfield. “The one word that this city doesn’t know is: ‘No.’ ”

The outsider perspective, courtesty of Reuters: "Democratic insiders see less enthusiasm on the part of the party faithful (for this year's convention). Fewer politicians will be making the trip to a second-tier host city with few cultural attractions. And some worry that the parties that swirl around the convention will be less lavish than in years past.

...And many were already less than enthusiastic about spending a week in Charlotte, which is known more for its banks than its cultural amenities. "It's grim," said Heather Podesta, a Democratic lobbyist who scouted 30 of the city's restaurants earlier this year. "Going to the NASCAR Hall of Fame isn't reason enough to be in Charlotte."