This content was created in partnership with Lineberger Orthodontics – Smile on, CLT.

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There’s no denying it – things are looking up.

Sure, we still have a ways to go and a few hurdles to jump over, but Charlotte has overcome a lot and the city is coming back to life.

We teamed up with Lineberger Orthodontics (literally the smile pros) to look back at the last few months and remember all the things that made us smile along the way.

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(1) Live music is back

After a rough year for the city’s music scene it feels like we’ve made it through. Soon, the beloved Neighborhood Theatre will host its first in-person concert in over a year.

• In May, the theatre’s marquee event changed from “F U COVID 19,” to “WE ARE BACK.”

The U.S. National Whitewater Center also announced the return of River Jam, their outdoor live music series.

Go deeper: Live music: 30+ concerts in May

(2) Vaccines for all

Anyone that wants a vaccine in North Carolina can now get one (for free!).  Appointments are easy to come by, and many places allow for walk-ins, too. The more people that get vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to “normal.”

Local healthcare providers even teamed up with breweries to incentivize people to get the vaccine with free beers.

Go deeper: Vaccine guide: How to get your shot in Charlotte, including walk-in locations

(3) Some old favorites are back

Batchhouse owner Chris Rojas-Agurcia announced that she had secured a new location for the beloved bakery in the Station West Development in west Charlotte. The bakery has been closed since a freak flooding incident in November.

• The exact address is 901 Berryhill Road and they’re aiming for a late summer opening.

La Belle Helene was another favorite that closed down during the pandemic. It recently reopened with new (but familiar) owners – the team behind 5Church.

• They refreshed the interior and menu, but it still has plenty of French character.

Go deeper: 24 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in 2021.

(4) The weather ☀️

One of the great things about living in the south is that we get to enjoy warm weather well before our northern counterparts. A little extra sunshine goes a long way.

• Enjoy the weather by exploring the great outdoors or drinking on a patio or rooftop (we won’t judge either way).

(5) Fans returned to the stadiums

Hornets fans returned to the Spectrum Center on March 13 to catch a win against the Toronto Raptors. And before that, the team hosted 500 Novant Healthcare workers to thank them for their service.

And after months of curveballs (bet that pun made you smile), the Knights welcomed fans back to Truist Field.

The Wells Fargo Championship even made a comeback to Quail Hollow Club after being canceled last year.

(6) Charlotte’s in the spotlight

Charlotte’s film industry is picking up and you may see a celeb or two around town.

• “The Evolution of Nate Gibson,” a coming of age story about a teenager who’s disabled after an accident, filmed at the Giant Penny Grocery on The Plaza.
• “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” an adaptation of the popular Judy Blume novel, is also in production in Charlotte.
• “Delilah,” an OWN drama based in Charlotte, wrapped up filming earlier this year.

Go deeper: Yes, another new movie is filming in Charlotte.

(7) The two-year-old Charlotte influencer

Charlotte’s littlest (and cutest) influencer, @camifrobabe, has 2.5 million TikTok followers, multiple viral videos, and has already gotten national media attention. If there’s anyone that could put a smile on your face, it’s her.

(8) Pandemic pets

One upside of being stuck at home? The Humane Society of Charlotte has seen a big increase in adoptions and CMPD Animal Care and Control achieved the elusive no-kill status thanks to an increase in adoptions there, too.

Go deeper: Meet Charlotte’s pandemic pets.

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Ready to show off your best smile? Hit up the pros at Lineberger Orthodontics. They offer free Smile Consults.

Smile on, CLT.

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This content was created in partnership with Lineberger Orthodontics.