This weekend, turn your to-do’s into want-to’s with this jam-packed itinerary of events. Your guide of what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
THURSDAY
Art in Mind
Mint Museum Randolph | 6 p.m.
The Inaugural Art in Mind event will feature an art exhibition and sale, music, appetizers and a cash bar. Proceed benefit Mental Health America of Central Carolinas. Admission is free with donations encouraged.
Zac Brown Band
PNC Music Pavilion | 8 p.m.
Jam out to your Zac Brown favorites as they take the stage with special guest Darrell Scott.
FRIDAY
4th Annual Charlotte Cider Festival
Rooftop 210 | 6 p.m.
Fall isn’t just for beer-drinkers! Sip your way through cider samples and learn about cider mixology under the Uptown lights at the 4th Annual Cider Fest. Tickets start at $15 each, with a VIP option available.
Meet the Vintner: Giampaolo Venica
Assorted Table Wine Shoppe @ 7th Street Public Market | 6 p.m.
Meet winemaker Giampaolo Venica – 4th generation winemaker of the acclaimed Italian Venica & Venica winery – as you taste six wines and nibble on small plates. $40/person. Call (704) 277-3234 to reserve your spot.
October Gallery Crawl
South End Neighborhood | 5 p.m.
With art at nine South End galleries and art destinations and live music along the way, this is month’s crawl is one you won’t want to miss. In between galleries, you’ll find guitarist Larkin Dodgen at the Trolley Powerhouse, saxophone player Harvey Cummings at the Kingston Plaza, a caricature artist doing free drawings and a selection of food from Cheesecake Carrousel. See what each gallery has planned.
Rodrigo Guitar Concerto
Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts | Oct. 6-7
Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo seamlessly blends classical guitar with orchestra in Concierto de Aranjuez to evoke beautiful images of nature. Guest conductor Marcelo Lehninger follows with female composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s Three Latin American Dances. Both evening’s shows are at 7:30 p.m.
Jazz at the Bechtler: Kind of Blue
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 6 p.m.
The Ziad Jazz Quartet will bring Miles Davis’ monumental “Kind of Blue” album to life at this edition of Jazz at the Bechtler. Concerts are performed at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $14 for the public and just $8 for museum members. Buy tickets online or call 704.353.9200.
5th Annual Breast Cancer Cure Benefit Event
Napa on Providence | 6 p.m.
Napa on Providence will host their 5th Annual Breast Cancer Cure Benefit Event. Support the cause with live music, food and drinks. Kurt Coleman, the Panthers Safety, will be a special guest at the event. Please Call to purchase tickets: 704-900-8535.
SATURDAY
Fall Finale
U.S. National Whitewater Center |Â October 6-7
Welcome a new season with the USNWC’s Fall Finale. The weekend-long festival features a cider sampling, a build-your-own boat competition, an obstacle adventure race, yoga and live music performances.
Moe’s Original Bar B Que’s Backyard BBQ & Brew Battle
Moe’s Original BBQ | October 6-7
Submit your own brew or ‘que masterpiece or be the judge at Moe’s Backyard BBQ and Brew Battle. Kick it off with a chicken win competition and stout and porter sampling on Friday, followed by the BBQ competition on Saturday.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Charlotte
Marshall Park | 7:30 a.m.
Lace up for the Susan G. Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure. The 5K walk/run, which winds through Uptown Charlotte, raises money and awareness for breast cancer and finding a cure. In addition to the 5K route, there will also be a 1-mile fun run and 50-yeard dash. Afterwards, wander though the sponsor expo area and kids FunZone.
Ran Blake & Claire Ritter in Concert
Dana Auditorium, E.H. Little Fine Arts Center, Queens University of Charlotte
Modern Jazz master Ran Blake and Queens Music alumna Claire Ritter perform a two-piano concert of original composition. The evening features original works inspired by women in art, as well as jazz pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams, with whom Ritter studied at Duke University. This performance is supported by a grant from the Arts & Science Council and also commemorates the 50th anniversary celebration of the North Carolina Arts Council.
Waverly Grand Opening
Waverly Charlotte | 11am-2pm and 6pm-9pm
Welcome Waverly to South Charlotte at their official grand opening celebration. Expect family-friendly activities, crafts, music, sports mascots and more from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Then, come back for live music in the terrace from Infinity Show Band. The grand opening event benefits The Isabella Santos Foundation.
Hola Charlotte Festival 2017
N.Tryon & E.Trade | Noon – 7 p.m.
Norsan Media’s 6th Annual Hola Charlotte Hispanic Heritage Festival is the largest Hispanic Heritage event in the Carolinas highlighting the diversity and richness of Latin culture. The free and family-friendly event features food, music, dance and art from Latin culture.
Pizza Fur a Paws
Inizio Pizza Napoletana | Noon – 2 p.m.
Inizio Pizza Napoletana is hosting its inaugural ‘Pizza Fur a Paws’ charity event, where Inizio will donate $5 from every pizza sold that day to Greater Charlotte SPCA. In addition to accepting donations throughout the day, Inizio will welcome pets (outside only) from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. for a special afternoon of fun for two and four-legged family members. Think a doggie Halloween contest, adoptable pups, training demonstrations, face painting for the kids, pet photography and more.
Fry Me a River: Sea Level Fish Fry
NoDa Brewing Company | Noon – 4 p.m.
Sea Level NC will be serving up delicious, freshly fried, baskets of tilapia and side items for $13 at NoDa. Plus, Your Moms Donuts will be onsite. While you’re chowing down, enjoy live music from Amigo and shopping with local vendors. Proceeds benefit 100 Gardens and The Bulb.
Cold Ales & Happy Tails
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Charlotte | 4:30 p.m.
Come hang out with HAR volunteers at Lucky Dog Bark and Brew, Charlotte’s very own indoor/outdoor dog park bar! 10% of drink sales from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. benefit the pups of Hope Animal Rescue.
Hattie’s Turns 3
Hattie’s Tap & Tavern | 8 p.m.
Celebrate hattie’s third birthday with live music from Party Battleship & Carpool Party, food by Amelia’s Tiny Kitchen and a special toast.
Charlotte Monarch Festival
First Ward Park | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Embrace the outdoors with a celebration of the beautiful monarch butterfly. The whole family will love the free activities, from parades to demonstrations, garden tours, crafts and even taking a photo with Ranger Rick.
SUNDAY
October Finders Keepers Market
NoDa Brewing Company |Â 1 p.m.
Shop a SPOOKtacular range of vendors carrying a variety of handmade home goods and artisanal creations. From haberdashery to jewelry, graphic prints to succulents, clothing for men, women, and children alike; there’s something for every member of your family – including the furry four-legged ones. Grab a GORDgeous on tap and shop ’til you drop.
Lights! Camera! Fashion!
Belk SouthPark | 6 p.m.
The 7th Annual Lights! Camera! Fashion! event includes a live fashion show, delectable bites, giveaways and the once-in-a-lifetime experience to have the entire department store to themselves, complete with enjoy exclusive store discounts. Proceeds benefit the Junior League’s impact on our local community.
Michelle’s Mighty Mission: All-You-Can Eat BBQ & Bottomless Beer
Sugar Creek Brewing | 3 p.m.
Sugar Creek Brewing Company hosts Michelle’s Mighty Mission, an all-you-can-eat BBQ community dinner with bottomless beer. Come hungry, thirsty, and ready to support a good cause!
This event raises awareness and funds for Michelle Pratt (sister of Sugar Creek Brewing co-founder Joe Vogelbacher, who is in her sixth year of battle against cholangiocarcinoma) and the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
$50 per person, $80 per couple.
Mark your calendars!
Tour of France Wine Class
October 11 | Corkbuzz Charlotte | 6:30 p.m.
France is arguably one of the most important wine producing countries in the world. Â Learn about the major wine regions of France, explore important grapes and taste a curated selection of wines with the help of Corkbuzz’s experts. $65 per guest.
Diamonds Direct & Scoop Charlotte Engagement PartyÂ
October 13 | Diamonds Direct
Whether you’re scoping out the right ring, looking for bands or shopping for your bridal jewelry, don’t miss this kick-off to Diamond’s Direct TACORI showcase. Browse endless designs usually not available in Charlotte, meet with local bridal vendors, enjoy wine and catering by 5Church, and cross your fingers to win one of many giveaway prizes. RSVP: jessieg@diamondsdirect.com.
