It’s nearly Spring, and the social butterflies are about to be out in full force. From a Hawaii Five-O themed luau to chocolate and sushi making classes, we’ve got you covered with our round-up of what to do this weekend in Charlotte.
Thursday, March 2
Craft Beer Dinner at Corkbuzz
Corkbuzz Charlotte
7 p.m.
It’s not just about wine at Corkbuzz. Craft beer takes center stage as the resident beer-somm guides you through a fun pairing of seven beers and a four-course menu. $126 per person. Reserve your spot here.
All-In to Fight Cancer Texas Hold’em Fundraiser
The Fillmore Charlotte
6:30 p.m.
Get your game face on for this Thursday’s All-In to Fight Cancer Texas Hold’em fundraiser. Test your luck and skill while JJ’s Red Hots joins the party by providing dinner. Proceeds benefit Go Jen Go, Isabella Santos Foundation, Novant Health Patient Navigator Program and 24 Hours of Booty. Get your tickets here.
Sushi Making Class
The Carolina Fish & Food Market
7 p.m.
Rock and roll your sushi-making skills for your next date night after a class at Carolina Fish Market. Chef Hitomi gives hands-on instruction in this two-hour class, plus it’s BYOB. You’ll receive instruction, a take-home kit and of course, your own sushi creations. $25 per person, RSVP here.
Charlotte Vegfest Jr.
Goodyear Arts
7 p.m.
In anticipation of Vegfest (Sr!) coming this April, the folks behind the vegan movement in Charlotte are hosting a night of food, art, prizes and music. At Goodyear Arts, veg out at the city’s only fully vegan food court, imbibe at the donation-based bar and learn more about our area’s local animal rescues and non-profits.
Friday, March 3
Mint Eight-O Aloha Party
Mint Museum Uptown
8 p.m.
To celebrate their 80th Anniversary of the Mint Museum, the Mint Museum Auxiliary is throwing an Eight-O Aloha party with a Hawaii Five-O theme, 70s and 80s music by The Bad Daddies, Hawaiian-stye eats and a specialty cocktail called the Kanawalu. Proceeds benefit the MMA mission to support the museum. Get your tickets here.
To channel your luau style, check out our best ideas for what to wear from Monkee’s of Charlotte.
HeARTbeat – Honoring Non-Profits through the Arts
McGlohon Theater
8 p.m.
Join Playing for Others in celebrating the work of twelve amazing non-profits fostering real change in our local neighborhoods. At HeARTbeat, the work of these organizations comes to life through original pieces of music, dance and art created by talented teens. Before the show, head to Brixx Uptown to have $3 of every 10-inch pizza purchased donated to Playing for Others.
4th Annual Charlotte Craft Cocktail Crawl
Rooftop 210
7 p.m.
Kiss your boring go-to drink order goodbye. After the craft cocktail crawl around the Epicentre, you’re sure to have a new favorite. Sip your way through bars including Rooftop 210, Blackfinn, Mortimors and more as bartenders present their favorite specialty cocktails.
Shake.Stir.Sip.Socialize: Back to Basics Cocktail Class
Hygge Co-Working
7 p.m.
Don’t let that bar cart gather dust! You’ll look like a pro in no time after a crash course in cocktail mixology. Learn about the must-know gadgets, muddling and shaking techniques, and even how to make your own sour mix with instructions from bar consultant Emily Elda. $65 per person.
Soul of the South Uptown Food Tour
Uptown Charlotte
4 p.m.
Wander through the kitchens of Charlotte’s most celebrated chefs on this 3-hour, behind-the-scenes walking culinary tour. You’ll sip and sample your way through Uptown’s best restaurants and iconic dishes with the help of a knowledgable guide. $55 per person. Reserve your spot here before they sell out.
Southern Spring Home & Garden Show
Through Sunday, March 5
The Park Expo and Conference Center
Daydreaming about welcoming a new season with fresh ideas for your home? Put the Pinterest down and see your vision come to life at the 57th Annual Spring Home & Garden Show. The Park & Expo Center overflows with the latest in home decor and improvement ideas, wine and culinary trends, gardening and a shoppable marketplace. The year’s theme, carried throughout the show gardens, is “America the Beautiful”. Get your tickets here.
Saturday, March 4
Krispy Kreme Race – Run 4 Reading
Rock Hill, SC
8 p.m.
Calling all you runners with a sweet tooth! It’s all about balance as participants make their way along a four-mile route, ending at downtown’s Rock Hill Fountain Park. There, they’ll be challenged to down a dozen donuts as fast as their stomach can handle before racing back to the finish line. Want to forgo the sugar high? Run in the Casual 4 Mile Run or join the Book Relay, where participants take turns each running a mile with a children’s book in hand. Proceeds benefit he Early Learning Partnership of York County, a nonprofit organization established to develop and promote programs that support school readiness of children ages five and under in York County, South Carolina. Register here.
Pat’s Place Rhythym and Brews
The Peninsula Club
7:30 p.m.
Make plans to join 250+ of Pat’s Place’s closest friends and supporters for a night of fun on Lake Norman. With live music, delicious food, local craft brews and a silent and live auction, it’s shaping up to be a great night for a great cause. All proceeds support the programs and services Pat’s Place offers to children and families affected by abuse in Mecklenburg County free of charge. Get tickets here.
BB&T Corporate Cup
Childress Klein YMCA
Half marathon: 7:40 p.m.
5K: 8:15 a.m.
Lace up for the YMCA’s largest road race. The routes, taken by over 3,700 runners and walkers last year, winds through Uptown’s city streets and ends with a post-race party featuring music, food and vendors. Half marathon and 5K routes available. Register here.
Caribbean Flavors Cooking Class
Blue Restaurant & Bar
11 a.m.
You don’t need your passport to taste the flavors of the Caribbean. In fact, after this class led by Blue’s Chef Gene Briggs, you won’t even have to leave your house. Learn how to bring the unique tastes of the islands to your own kitchen with four courses of cooking demonstrations, each paired with wine. $44.95 per person.
PMNA Winter Fling
Legion Brewing
6 p.m.
Plaza Midwood friends and neighbors will gather at Legion Brewing for the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association’s Winter Fling. In addition to an old-fashioned pig picking’, New Local and Mike Kelleher will take the stage and a silent auction will benefit the PMNA.
Mardi Gras Bar Crawl
Epicentre
Registration begins at 6 p.m.
Did work damper your Mardi Gras spirit this week? Not to worry, the folks at Bar Crawl Nation are celebrating this Saturday with a multi-venue bash around the Epicentre. Admission includes free cover and drink specials at ten participating bars, a souvenir mug and of course, beads galore. Make it to every bar to get your very own Mardi Gras T-shirt. Purchase tickets here.
Three Spirits Brewery March Crafts & Drafts
Three Spirits Brewery
4 p.m.
The creative minds at Purple Girl Designs, LLC lead this fun evening featuring local artisans, fashion trucks, live music and foodie vendors. Grab a brew and support local small businesses.
Hands-on Chocolate Tempering Class
The Secret Chocolatier, Providence location
2 p.m.
Want to elevate your chocolate palate beyond those leftover Valentine’s Day hearts? Learn all about the art of chocolate tempering in this two-hour class led by the pros at The Secret Chocolatier. You’ll dip fruits, fill molds, make bon bon shells and temper chocolate by hand, giving you tons of new tricks to show off at home. $60 per person.
Bar Wars: Star Wars Themed Bar Crawl
Lucky’s Bar and Arcade
5 p.m.
Whether you’ll channel the original or newest adaptations, Bar Wars offers the chance to break out your best themed costumes and support a great cause. Admission includes five themed drinks (Shotbacca, anyone?), prizes, free entry and contests. The first first fifty people to sign up get an LED light saber.$20 per person, proceeds benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Sunday, March 5
Musical Performance of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
McKnight Hall- UNCC Campus
4:30 p.m.
Watch the stars on stage and on the red carpet at Playing for Others’ presentation of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. But this isn’t any regular show. Over the course of the year, the organization’s “Buddy Program” supported relationships between teenagers and children with disabilities through group events, “friend dates” and other activities. The highlight is this Sunday’s performance, where the children get glitzed up, arrive in limos and walk the red carpet with their buddies before enjoying a special performance of that year’s musical. This year’s event is open to the public, pay what you can at the door.
Plan ahead
March Money Madness
Thursday, March 9
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille
Get in on the action at March Money Madness, presented by The Junior League of Charlotte. Excitement runs high each year as the games play, attendees enjoy appetizers, raffle prize winners are announced and the silent auction heats up. Past prizes include a Bond Street Wines tasting party, tickets to the Wells Fargo Championship, a class package from Hilliard Studio Method and more. Proceeds benefits The Junior League of Charlotte. Purchase here.
