Venture out of your comfort zone with a few new events to fill your (possibly three-day) weekend. Here are 25+ ways to enjoy your weekend in Charlotte:
WEEKEND
John Williams Unlimited
January 12-13 | Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
From E.T. to Jurassic Park, your favorite film scores have one thing in common. Enjoy the music of John Williams led by conductor Christopher James Lees. Tickets begin at $56.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Celebration
January 13-15 | Various locations
The Southeast’s largest celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. features free, family-friendly events that celebrate inclusiveness. Opportunities to get involved include a call to service and the 32nd Annual MLK Holiday Parade. View full schedule here.
THURSDAY
Nothing Fake About It
Levine Museum of the New South | 7-8:30 p.m.
What does journalism mean in the era of “fake news?” Explore the new media landscape and the role of responsible reporting through a panel of local journalists, moderated by Ann Caulkins, Publisher of The Charlotte Observer. $10 per person.
Honey Pie Double IPA Release
Birdsong Brewing Co. | 3-10 p.m.
Experience for yourself the beer that’s been called “heaven in a glass” at Honey Pie Double IPA’s release. Cans and draft will go on sale at 3 p.m.
Abari Movie Night: Men in Black and Mars Attacks
Abari Game Bar | 7:30-11 p.m.
Enjoy a double feature showing of Men in Black and Mars Attacks, alien-themed games on free play and complimentary pizza.
New Year, New Throwdown
Not Just Coffee – Atherton Mills | 7-10 p.m.
Do you have what it takes to serve up a piece of latte art? Find out as Not just Coffee hosts their first latte art throwdown of 2018. More interested in spectating? Come to watch and sip instead, plus enjoy 10% off cans of beer and bottles of wine at Vin Master. $5 to compete, $5 suggested donation from competitors and attendees to Time Out Youth Center.
70s Trivia Night
NoDa Brewing Company | 6-8:30 p.m.
Gather your smartest friends for a night of throwback trivia, 70s style. Do your best to answer pop culture, movie and music questions, grab dinner from the TIN Kitchen food truck and cheers to the decade with NoDa beer.
FRIDAY
Whiskey’s 8 Year Anniversary Party
Whiskey Warehouse | 8 p.m.
Whiskey Warehouse will celebrate their eight year anniversary with live music and drink specials all night long.
Cheese & Cider Pairing
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7 p.m.
Kick off the weekend with four unique pairings led by Cider maker Jay Bradish and cheese expert Rachel Klebaur. $19.75 per person.
Adult Game Night
StrikeCity | 8-11 p.m.
Game night doesn’t have to mean staying in. Head to StrikeCity for board games, bowling, giveaways and more. Register online to skip the cover charge.
Emily Ley Simplified Life Book Signing
Swoozie’s Charlotte | 6 p.m.
Did you vow to get organized in 2018? Set yourself up for success with Emily Ley’s strategies laid out in “A Simplified Life”. Grab a signed copy and meet Emily Ley at Swoozie’s.
SATURDAY
2018 Bulldog Beauty Pageant
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Charlotte | 4-8 p.m.
The Annual Bulldog Pageant will crown coveted titles like “best butt wiggle”, “best smile” and “Mr. and Mrs. congeniality”, and support the Bullies 2 The Rescue non-profit. Free to watch, $20 donation to enter the contest. 21+.
The Whole Enchilada
U.S. National Whitewater Center | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Think you can take on every last mile of the USNWC’s biking trails? Here’s your chance to tackle the whole enchilada on mountain bike. This race series event allows participants to cover the entire trail system (30-35 miles) , or the half enchilada (15-20 miles). $35-$40 in advance, $40-$45 day of race.
Liberate Your Palate Cocktail Class: Brunch
Nest Restaurant and Lounge | 12-2 p.m.
Book your spot now for the first ever brunch cocktail class, where you’ll whip up a scratch made Bloody Mary, two additional cocktails and learn about liquor infusions and house-pickled garnishes. Brunch bites provided by Chef Jamarr of Nest Restaurant. $65 per person.
The Perfect ‘Pair’
Corkscrew on 5th | 9 p.m.
Plan your date night around finding the perfect pair at Corkscrew on 5th. Choose from three food and wine combination, plus enjoy live music from One Paper Crane. Options:
- Saturday Night Starter- choice of 2 glasses of wine and 1 menu item ($20)
- Saturday Night Dinner- choice of 1 bottle of wine & 2 menu items ($40)
- Saturday Night Dessert- choice of 2 glasses of wine & 4 chocolate truffles ($15)
SUNDAY
Plaza Midwood Scavenger Hunt
Plaza Midwood Neighborhood | 1-5 p.m.
Grab your team of two or four to find clues throughout the neighborhood. In addition to tracking down clues, you’ll also find drink specials at each bar. The first team to the finish line with the highest amount of points wins! 100% of proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Property/packet pick-up starts at 1 p.m. at Pint Central. $60 per person.
Urban Gourmet Farm Dinner
Heirloom | 5-9 p.m.
The Third Annual Urban Gourmet Farm Dinner features a menu crafted by Chef Clark Barlowe and optional drink pairings from mixologist Dexter Dunan. $65 for dinner, $95 for dinner with pairings. Benefits Urban Gourmet Farms, a mushroom farm out of Charlotte, NC.
The Classic Black Cinema Series: Losing Ground
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 2-5 p.m.
The Classic Black Cinema Series presents Losing Ground, a feature-length film directed by Kathleen Collins. It’s only the second feature-length film directed by an African-American woman. Free for members, regular museum admission applies for non-members.
MONDAY
MLK Day Celebration
Monday, January 15 | Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy, the holiday falls on his birthday this year, with panel discussions, art-making workshops, guided tours, film screenings and more. The museum will open early at 9 a.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Celebration
Monday, January 15 | Levine Museum of the New South | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The celebration at The Levine Museum of the New South features performances by he McCrorey YMCA Senior African Drummers, Davidic Praise Dancers, “Family Connections with Angie Cee,” children’s story time, arts and crafts and more. Admission is free all day.
