CHARLOTTE, N.C. --The Charlotte Art League is hosting weekly, drive-in performances to support local artists amid pandemic. 

On Sunday, poets, singers and musicians from North Carolina and nearby states performed to an audience who remained in their cars. Members of the audience honked to let performers know they enjoyed the Drive-in Poetic Edition.

Charlotte Art League Executive Director Jim Dukes says the event aims to help artists, to facilitate communication, and to bring people from different races together.

“It’s getting our word out but mostly it’s helping our artists be active, but secondly and most importantly is helping community,” Dukes said. “Let’s share and let’s learn from each other and let’s listen to each other. That is the real key to what this is about.”

Poet, Creative Writing Coach and Host Jah Smalls who helped organize the event says the opportunities to do live performances at other locations have been limited.

“To be able to be at a place has been such an amazing gift. It has been the best thing for us as artists because we have the freedom that we love to do,” Smalls said.

Jamal Washington, who is known as Bugsy Calhoun, and Karen Joyner are poets in Columbia, South Carolina. They traveled to Charlotte to participate in this open mic opportunity.

“At the beginning of the year, I did at least five events. Then once the pandemic hit, everything stopped. We had to quarantined at first, Now they have started opening slower and slower,” Washington said.

Joyner whose artist name is Wintah Storm says it was worth the trip.

“Being around that atmosphere is always great. It helps you to push your pen to be able to express yourself. This pandemic has been hard to sit home and not be able to express yourself,” Joyner said.

Jim Love and his wife, Lori Aldridge-Love, enjoyed watching the performances from their car.

“I’m just kind of blown away by what we heard,” Jim said.

They experienced a range of emotions throughout the show.

“Everything from anger to joy, to love, to pain and heartbreak and despair. Through their words you share that bond with them,” Jim said.

Admission fees are $5 per person or $10 per car. The proceeds go toward the artists who perform regularly at this event and help organize it, such as Smalls. Smalls is grateful for the support and for the creative outlet.

"It helps me with my mental health check ins and to be able to perform and release some of those tensions that I have with my PTSD that I’m challenged with. It helps get some of those things out,” Smalls said.

The Drive-in Poetic Edition is on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees can listen to the performances through speakers or the radio. 

For more information, check out the group's Facebook page.