It’s the first weekend of the shortest month of the year. Make it count by filling it up with must-do events. To help, our guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte.
And ICYMI, scroll down to Sunday for our list of Super Bowl happenings around the QC.
ALL WEEKEND
An American in Paris
Feb. 2 and 3 | Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center | 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy George Gershwin’s An American in Paris on the Belk Theater stage. The performance is presented alongside Copland’s Old American Songs and Mark O’Connor’s “Americana Symphony.” Don’t miss the pre-concert talkat 6:30 p.m.
Charlotte Ballet’s Innovative Works
January 26 – February 17 | Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance
Plan to attend the opening weekend of Charlotte Ballet’s Innovative Works, one of the company’s most popular performances. Tickets include a dessert reception with artistic staff and dancers after the show.
THURSDAY
Three Course Burly Wine Dinner
Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark | 6:30 p.m.
Reserve your seat in the Wine Room now for this private three-course wine tasting featuring Burly Wine. Menu highlights include lobster and asparagus risotto and filet from the butcher shop, each paired with a Burly wine selection. Call to reserve your spot: 704.377.7686. $75 per person.
LYP Cocktail Class – Tequila Masterclass and Bar Takeover
Nest restaurant and lounge | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Snack on light bites as instructor Sean Dean walks you through how to make cocktails from Mezcal and Tequila. Stick around for a LYP Pop-Up Bar Takeover with a signature cocktail menu focused on the mixology of Mexico. $70 per person.
Brewology Lab
Dilworth Coffee Uptown FTC | 4 p.m.
Brady Butler, a Dilworth Coffee representative, will lead this hands-on workshop that explores the essentials of brewing through tasting and experimenting. All skill levels are welcome.
Celebrating the New Bulldog Dilworth
Bulldog Beer and Wine Dilworth | 8 p.m.
Celebrate Bulldog’s menu expansion (now serving spirits!) with a launch party featuring live music from Rode Fiske from 9 – 10:30 p.m.
Super Bowl Trivia
NoDa Brewing Company | 6 p.m.
Kick off the biggest weekend in football with trivia that tests your Super Bowl knowledge. Grab a brew and dinner from TIN Kitchen between rounds.
FRIDAY
Jazz at the Bechtler: Jazz for Lovers
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 6 p.m.
Tell your S.O. it’s time for date night as the Ziad Jazz Quartet and guest vocalist Toni Tupponce bring jazzy love songs to Jazz at the Bechtler. Two concerts will be performed: 6 and 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $14 for the public, $8 for museum members. Purchase online, by calling 704.353.9200 or at the Museum admission desk.
Last Hurrah! Opening Reception
Ciel Gallery | 6 p.m.
Don’t miss the Last Hurrah at Ciel Gallery before they close the doors of their South End location on February 28. Stop by during the monthly neighborhood crawl to enjoy favorite works, light bites and live music.
SATURDAY
2018 Mint Oyster Roast
Mint Museum Randolph | 3:30-6:30 p.m.
The 4th Annual Mint Oyster Roast features all-you-can-eat oysters and low country boil, flag football, open beer and wine and s’mores. $45 for Mint members, $50 for non-members. Day of tickets are $60 each.
Queen City Brewers Festival
The Fillmore | 1-4 p.m. – 6-9 p.m.
Raise your glass to the seventh annual Queen City Brewers Festival with the help of 36 featured breweries and two tasting sessions. Proceeds benefit ACEing Autism. $45 per person. Get your tickets here.
Puppy Bowl at Waverly
Waverly Charlotte | 1-3 p.m.
Waverly and PetPeople will host a Super Bowl-themed adoption event featuring pups in need of their forever homes, football fun and tunes.
The Oyster Roast
Sugar Creek Brewing | 4-8 p.m.
Now in its fifth year, this year’s oyster roast supports Carolina Family Connections, CART 19 Study at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Enjoy all you can shuck oysters, beer, live music, chili and hot dogs. $130 per person.
Wine Tasting and Paté Demo
Vin Master Wine Shop | 4-6 p.m.
Take a quick trip to France for an educational tasting of four wines, appetizers and a step-by-step paté demonstration from Chef John Schaal. $25 per person. Email vinmasterclt@gmail.com or call 704.307.5565 to reserve your spot.
Starving Artist Market
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 2 p.m.
The first market of 2018 will be filled with vendors offering jewelry, candles, prints, paintings, baked goods and more.
Q & Brew Day: Caribbean Jerk Pulled Pork Edition
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | Noon – 9 p.m.
This month, Q & Brew will make you feel like you’re on a tropical getaway with Caribbean jerk pulled pork from The Hunter’s Wife and a new coconut kiwi kombucha. Stick around for the Starving Artist Market and live music from Justin Morehead from 3-6 p.m.
So you think you know Opera?
Advent Coworking | 7-9 p.m.
Whether you’re a newcomer or Opera aficionado, you won’t want to miss your chance to mingle with the cast of Opera Carolina’s Rigoletto (opens Feb. 11) as they share behind the scenes stories and answer audience questions.
Winey Grapes
Slate Charlotte | 2-5 p.m.
Beat the winter weather with Charlotte’s indoor wine festival featuring over 100 wines. While you sip, shop local art and jewelry. General admission tickets are $40 through Feb 2, and $45 day of event.
Artist Talk: An Intimate Discussion led by Angie Chandler
Sozo Gallery | 10:30 p.m.
Angie Chandler of the McColl Center leads this discussion and artist talk with Aaron Hequembourg. Admission is free, and drinks and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP to gallery@sozogallery.net.
Warming Kids’ Hearts – A Donation Drive at GoodRoad Ciderworks
GoodRoad CiderWorks | Noon – 4 p.m.
The Junior League of Charlotte and GoodRoad CiderWorks are teaming up for the Warming Kids’ Hearts donation drive. Bring new winter accessories like socks, gloves, hats and blankets to benefit the children and families of the Center for Community Transitions.
SUNDAY
Looking for spots to watch the big game? We’ve got you covered (plus, the outfits to match!).
2nd Annual Puppy Bowl
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Charlotte | 1-4 p.m.
Lucky Dog’s annual Puppy Bowl is back with adoptable pups from Pits and Giggles Rescue, a puppy costume contest, a photo booth, raffles and drink specials.
The Big Game Run presented by Sportport
Bank of America Stadium | 9 a.m.
Before enjoying all the snacks that come with watching the big game, clock a cool four miles in The Big Game Run. Support your team as down markers replace mile markers, course officials dress as referees and you cross the finish line into the end zone. There’s also a 100-yard dash for kids and a tailgate party after the race with food trucks, beer and live music.
Release of “Why So Cereal”
Legion Brewing | All day
Everyone’s favorite breakfast cereal is getting it’s beer relative, thanks to Legion Brewing in collaboration with CharlotteFive and Queen City Brewers Festival. Enjoy the new Cinnamon Toast Crunch Blonde Ale with special brunch items, including a Belgian waffle coated in a Cinnamon Toast batter with maple syrup, fresh whipped cream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch pieces, served with bacon.
Oyster Roast SuperBowl Pregame
Wooden Robot Brewery | Noon – 4 p.m.
Wooden Robot is opening early at 10 a.m. to celebrate the big game with 20% off all crowler fills. At noon, shucking begins thanks to Oysters Carolina, and Wooden Robot will release a specialty brew, Oyster Gose. $9 for a half dozen and $18 for a dozen oysters while supplies last. Kre8 Twisted Eats will also have a limited menu available.
