It’s almost the weekend, and for this one you’ll need to bring your appetite. From the grand opening of Chopt’s newest location to a fried chicken and champagne pairing dinner, here’s the very tasty edition of where to go and what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
DON’T FORGET!
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week
July 21-30 | Over 130 participating locations
This weekend is your last chance to break out of your go-to restaurant rut with dining experiences at Charlotte’s most sought after eateries. Special three-course menus at each of the over 130 participating locations are available to patrons for either $30 or $35. View participating restaurants and make your reservations here.
THURSDAY
Summer Vibes Fashion Show
4620 Piedmont Row Dr. | 6 p.m.
Celebrate the opening of Cachet Nail Boutique’s newest location with a fashion event highlighting the hottest trends of the summer. While browsing offerings from nearby boutiques, enjoy music and a full bar serving your favorite cocktails.
Opening: Free Salad with Donation in The Arboretum
8022 Providence Road | Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Get your healthy fix while giving back as Chopt opens in The Arboretum. On Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. receive a complimentary salad with any donation benefitting A Child’s Place.
Uptown Crawl
Uptown neighborhood | 6 p.m.
Discover the culture that thrives in Uptown with free admission to art galleries and museums, plus a free trolley service to get you to each stop. Read more in our article HERE.
Summer Concert Series: J’Michael Peeples
Comporium Amphitheater | 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy live music al fresco with tunes from J’Michael Peeples. $5 for non-members and free for members. Parking is $5 per car.
Beauty & Wellness Pop Up
Free People Atherton Mill | 5 p.m.
Shop the exclusive assortment of beauty essentials as Free People Beauty & Wellness hosts a pop-up at the Atherton location. Shoppers will receive a free gift with purchase.
InstabeerupCLT
Salud Beer Shop and Cerveceria | 6 p.m.
Wrap up the month with Charlotte’s casual networking event, #instabeerupclt. New friends, new beers, no awkward icebreaker games.
Wine and Chocolate Pairing
Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar | 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a guided wine and chocolate pairing featuring five Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar favorites and five delectable sweets from The Secret Chocolatier. $30 per person. Email kyle@seaboardbrewing.com or call 704.246.8323 to reserve your spot.
Summer Wine and Food Pairing
Vin Master Wine Shop | 7 p.m.
The flavors of summer team up at this four-course wine and food pairing featuring make-again recipes and your new favorite BBQ-friendly wines. The menu includes a watermelon salad, smoked spare ribs with sriracha BBQ glaze and banana pudding. $40 per person. Call 704.307.5565 to reserve your spot.
Josh Brown, One Man Art Show
Shain Gallery | 6 p.m.
Join Shain Gallery and artist Josh Brown for a reception, art show and a chance to win an original painting. The gallery will be receiving new works in anticipation of the show.
Mac McAnally
McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square | 7:30 p.m.
You’ve undoubtedly heard his music, now here’s your chance to see him live. Mac McAnally, a member of the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, takes the stage at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square this Thursday. Tickets are $22.50 each.
Fried Chicken & Champagne
Dogwood Southern Table and Bar | 6:30 p.m.
Chef Ryan is fixing a family-style feast centered around fried chicken and bubbly. $70 per person. Call 704.910.4919 to reserve your spot.
FRIDAY – SUNDAY
QC Summerfest 2017
Belk Theater | Varying performances times
Cool down from the summer heat with concerts from the biggest names in jazz and contemporary R&B, followed by after-parties in the lobby with live music. This year’s line-up includes Eric Roberson, Ken Ford, Althea Rene and more.
FRIDAY
Matthews Food Truck Fridays & Concert Series
120 S Trade St, Matthews | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
It’s time again for the Matthews Food Truck Fridays and Concert Series. Plan to dine out at one of the area’s best food trucks and enjoy live music from the Jay Mathey Band.
Live On The Green
First Ward Park | 7 p.m.
Start your weekend off right with food trucks, craft beer and live music from Love Canon and Underhill Rose. Free admission.
By The Boardwalk
The Unknown Brewing Company | 3 p.m.
Can’t make it to the beach this weekend? No problem. Unknown Brewing is bringing the best of the boardwalk to you with mini-golf, airbrush t-shirts, boardwalk food, live music and of course, craft beer. Top it off with a viewing of Jaws when the sun goes down.
Drunken Spelling Bee
Flight | 7 p.m.
Test your spelling skills while supporting Classroom Central with Flight’s monthly Drunken Spelling Bee. Enjoy drink specials and the opportunity to sip on a complimentary cocktail when you donate school supplies or cash. Sign up in advance by emailing stephanie@flightclt.com.
Roaring Riot Rye Pale Ale Release Party
NoDa Brewing Company | All day
Start the countdown to Panthers’ kickoff with a celebration of NoDa’s Roaring Riot release. This rye brew is perfect for the upcoming football season.
Sounds on the Square: The Vinyl Sirens & Persona Bell
Spirit Square | 7 p.m.
This weekly outdoor concert series returns with music from The Vinyl Sirens and Persona Bell. Concessions and beverages will be available for purchase.
Live Music On The Lawn
Piedmont Social House | 5 p.m.
Piedmont Social House hosts a weekly live music series featuring new local sounds each Friday. Grab a cold brew and challenge friends to a friendly game of corn hole on the lawn.
Shake.Stir.Sip.Socialize Cocktail Class: Tiki Masterclass 2
Hygge – Camp North End | 7:30 p.m.
Travel back to the heyday of Polynesian-inspired cocktails with a mixology masterclass led by Emily Elda and Bret Buckingham, lead bartender at Fahrenheit Charlotte. The class includes three full-size cocktails, individual bar stations and the recipes to recreate the libations at home. $65 per person.
SATURDAY
CycleSouth 60 Minute Cycle & Boot Camp Special Event
401 N Tryon Street | 10:30 a.m.
Get the best of both worlds with this calorie-torching cycle and boot camp hybrid class from CycleSouth. Start out with a 30-minute ride in the studio followed by a boot camp class in the courtyard led by personal trainer Maggie O’Neil. After working up a sweat, stick around for offerings from Green Brothers Juice. $15 per person.
Italy: North to South
Corkbuzz Restaurant – Charlotte | 1 p.m.
Embark on a tour of Italy’s most well-known wines, native grapes and wine-making techniques in this introductory class. Taste six wines from north to south and learn about the history and characteristics of each. $65 per person.
Grand Opening
District 8 Beer Company, Belmont | All day
Help welcome District 8 Beer Company to Belmont with a day of BBQ, live music, giveaways and more. The beer destination will feature nine craft beers on tap, over 90 cans and bottles and a wine selection.
2017 Homegrown Tomato Festival – Benefit for 100 Gardens
Midwood Country Club | 1 p.m.
Crazy for tomatoes? Head to the Homegrown Tomato Festival for tastings, tomato-themed cocktails, live music and the crowing of the region’s best tomato grower. Proceeds benefit 100 Gardens, a Charlotte-based non-profit that advances food and agriculture education in local schools.
Starving Artist Market
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 2 p.m.
Shop to your heart’s content as local artisans sell bath products, jewelry, candles, prints, pottery and more. Admission is free.
Sam Hunt 15 In A 30 Tour
PNC Music Pavilion | 7 p.m.
Sam Hunt headlines at the PNC Music Pavilion with guests Chris Janson and Maren Morris. Doors open at 6 p.m.
National Lasagna Day
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market | Begins at 8 a.m.
This is a holiday we can all get behind. Head out to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market where vendors will be celebrating National Lasagna Day with free recipes using market fresh ingredients.
Many Faces of Chocolate
The Secret Chocolatier – Providence | 6 p.m.
We all know it tastes good, but did you know chocolate could be an art form? To celebrate their sixth anniversary, The Secret Chocolatier is transforming their shop into an all-chocolate art gallery featuring 20 handmade sculptures on display through September. Saturday’s opening reception will include refreshments and demos.
100th Brew Celebration
Blue Blaze Brewing | All day
Celebrate Blue Blaze’s 100th brew of the year, a s’mores blonde ale, with live music, free s’mores bar and a BBQ food truck on-site.
Summer Jazz Series
Freedom Park | 6 p.m.
Freedom Park’s free summer series is back featuring artists Alicia Olatuja and Amos Hoffman. The evening features jazz music and food vendors.
SUNDAY
Texas Hold’em Tournament for Make-A-Wish
Maggiano’s Little Italy | 5 p.m.
Maggiano’s is hosting their annual Texas Hold’em Poker Tournamnet to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Prizes include a $2,000 gift certificate to Diamond’s Direct, an in-home Chef’s dinner, charlotte Checkers Package, restaurant gift certificates and more. Call 704.916.2300 to reserve your spot.
Picnic in the Park
Fourth Ward Park | 4 p.m.
Round out you weekend with a picnic and live music in Fourth Ward Park. This week, live music is provided by Jeff Brown.
