CHARLOTTE ~ Tuck Fest, Dating Game, PetPalooza & More. 40+ Things to Do This Weekend – 4/19

Wishing there was a fast-forward button to the weekend? With over 40 Scoop-approved ways to spend your days off, we can’t blame you for thinking ahead. From galas to gardens, Here’s what to do this weekend in Charlotte:

ALL WEEKEND

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
April 17 – April 22 | Ovens Auditorium

Your crew will love tagging along as the cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you through the inspiring true story of Carole King’s rise to the top. Tickets begin at just $25.

Tuck Fest
U.S. National Whitewater Center

This popular multi-day festival that is expected to draw over 32,000 people includes outdoor trail running and biking competitions, demos and a jam-packed live music schedule.

Art In The Garden Tour
April 21 – 22 | Various garden locations

Tour six special gardens and enjoy the work of 12 plein air painters over two days. Admission includes entry to Sunday’s gala following the tour. Online tickets must be purchased before April 21. $15 for garden club and Mint Museum members, $25 general admission when purchased in advance.

StoneCrest Summer Concert Series
April 20 – 21 | StoneCrest at Piper Glen

StoneCrest’s summer concert series is back with two nights of music from Dukes & Smith.

Louisiana Spring Fest
April 21 – 22 | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

OMB’s eighth annual Spring Fest will feature authentic Louisiana fare from guest chef Brett Harris (crawdads fresh from the bayou, jambalaya, boiled shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob) and live Cajun , bluegrass and jazz music.

THURSDAY

Foxcroft Art Buzz
2533 Red Fox Trail | 5:30 p.m.

Foxcroft Art Buzz offers guests the chance to view original art in a stunning Foxcroft home, enjoy wine and light bites and enter into an art giveaway.

Film + Feast: Charlotte’s growing farm-to-table scene
Thursday, April 19 | Camp North End

Join Feast Food Tours & Culinary Events for a screening of a Chef’s Table episode and tastings from Freshlist chef partners and local samples from Old North Shrub, Trade and Lore CLT, Lenny Boy Brewing, Renfrow Farms and Wild Hope Farm. $40 ticket includes film screening as well as food and beverage samples.

International Champions Cup Fan Celebration
Romare Bearden Park | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Be among the first to find out the details for International Champions Cup match, coming to Charlotte on July 22. This fan celebration includes appearances by players, activities, giveaways and photo opps. Tickets for the July match go on sale on April 24.

Beer Tasting with Catawba Brewing
Little Big Burger CLT | 6 – 8 p.m.

Participate in a beer and burger tasting to help Little Big Burger choose which Catawba Brewing beer should be added to their local beer line-up.

Water For People Night at Hyde Brewing
Hyde Brewing | 6:30 p.m.

Grab a beer for a cause at Hyde Brewing/Suffolk Punch to kick off your weekend. $1 from every beer sold from 6:30 – 10 p.m. will be donated to Water For People.

FRIDAY

Icon: The 2018 Gala
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 7  – 11 p.m.

The Bechtler’s ninth annual fundraising gala is a tribute to the museum’s modern and contemporary artists, on view on the fourth floor during the event. Guests will experience a carefully crafted menu and bar, entertainment throughout the museum and a silent auction.

Wine class: Around the World with Rosé
Friday, April 20 | Corkbuzz Charlotte

Rose has seen a wild rise in popularity in recent years, but what makes it so special? How is it made, and where? Is all Rose sweet? What about sparkling rose? Get answers to these and many more questions in this wine class featuring all things rose. $65 per person.

Tapas & Cider
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

The Gourmand Chef and Red Clay Ciderworks team up to pair Southern flavors with local cider. Cider maker Jay Bradish and chef Heather DeNittis will walk you through four menu and cider pairings, which include assorted Southern hors d’oeuvres, buttermilk fried chicken, BBQ glazed pork belly and savory desserts. $40 per person.

Fowler Porch Party
Charlotte Rail Trail | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Celebrate the official opening of Fowler Porch along the Rail Trail. The celebration includes refreshments and live entertainment. Fowler Porch is located next to Bland Street Station.

Silent Disco – Rave The Roof
Rooftop 210 | 8 p.m.

Rock out to your own tunes at Rooftop210’s silent disco. Choose your own tunes and dance the night away. General admission is free, VIP includes a T-shirt, glow sticks and reserved headset until 9:30 p.m.

Science on the Rocks: Nerd Olympics
Discovery Place Science | 5 – 9 p.m.

Led your inner-nerd shine with hands-on science experiments, 3D-printed toys, brain games, trivia and more. Plus, come dressed to impress to win the Nerdy Costume Contest. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

Green Tie Gala: Triple Crown
Hilton Charlotte Center City | 7 – 11 p.m.

This year’s Green Tie Gala brings the charm of the Kentucky Derby to Uptown, with live entertainment, an auction, plated dinner and more.

SATURDAY

The Dating Game
Draught Charlotte | 9 p.m.

Single and ready to mingle? Grab your girlfriends for this fun re-creation of the popular 60’s game show where a bachelorette or bachelor questions three prospective matches hidden from view. Who will end up with whom? Free admission and drink specials all night.

Down Dog at Draught with NC Yoga Bar
Every Saturday | Draught Charlotte | 10 a.m.

Draught is teaming up with N.C. Yoga Bar for Down Dog at Draught every Saturday morning at 10am. Grab your friends & your yoga mat for yoga in Down Draught then enjoy a delicious mimosa after. Cost is $10 via N.C. Yoga Bar.

Taste of Ayrsley Festival
Saturday, April 21 | Piedmont Social House | 1 – 6 p.m.

Discover Steele Creek’s best in food and drink at the inaugural Taste of Ayrsley Festival. The day features samples from area restaurants, live music, a pop-up vendor market, kids activities and more.

HSC 2018 Pet Palooza Festival & Walk for the Animals
Independence Park | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This year’s Pet Palooza Festival kicks off with a 2K all for the Animals and continues with an adoption area, yoga, beer and food trucks, live music and vendors in Independence Park. View the full schedule of events.

Jamaican Me Hoppy Craft Beer Festival
419 East 7th Street | Noon – 6 p.m.

The Jamaican Me Hoppy Craft Beer Festival, presented by Charlotte Brewery Tours, will feature over 150 craft beer, wine, cider and spirit samples, non-stop live music, authentic Jamaican food trucks, a summer-style cocktail bar, vendors and more. Proceeds will benefit Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. General admission tickets begin at $40.

Charlotte Smoke Off BBQ Competition
The Unknown Brewing Company | 1 – 5 p.m.

25 teams will “smoke off” for the chance to win the title of best BBQ in the QC. Taste unlimited samples and vote for your favorite for just $10. The experience is complete with live music and craft beer. Proceeds benefit Purple Heart Homes.

Art of Tea
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. | The Ballantyne Hotel

Elevate your afternoon tea experience by watching local artist Leigh Williams from Awaken Gallery paint an original piece. Return on Saturday, April 25 to watch the artist finish her work. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 704.248.4100.

Taste of the Mint | Sketching Theater Costumes
The Mint Museum Uptown | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Tap into your creative and culinary sides as this edition of Taste of the Mint allows guests to tour the special exhibition William Ivey Long: Costume Designs 2007-2016 and partake in a sketching class. Small plates and wine tastings provided by Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth. $45 per person, 25% discount for members.

Noah Proudfoot and the Botanicals with Matone
The Music Yard | 6 – 11 p.m.

Concerts at The Music Yard are back with live music from Noah Proudfoot and The Botanicals with Matone, a pop-up art show and eats from Southbound’s Taco Stand. The event is free, however registration is required.

Bon Jovi – This House Is Not For Sale – Tour
Spectrum Center | 7:30 p.m.

Bon Jovi shares his classic hits with the Queen City as he performs at the Spectrum Center. Grab your tickets here.

Race4Rett 5K
6250 Blakeney Park Dr. | 8 a.m.

The first Race4Rett 5K challenges participants to a South Charlotte course, with an added challenge to complete the second mile in silence to better understand what it’s like to be non-verbal like the majority of kids with Rett Syndrome. Those who successfully complete the challenge will earn a special prize upon crossing the finish line. After the race, the party continues with the tunes of  DJ Jeremy.

Comedy for a Cause – Queen City Improv Room
Stage Door Theater | 8 p.m.

Improv Charlotte and Now Are The Foxes team up to put an end to human trafficking. Enjoy the best in improv comedy from Improv Room and Now Are the Foxes while supporting Charlotte-based Justice Ministries. Tickets begin at $10.

Blue Jean Bash
The Westin Charlotte | 6 – 10 p.m.

The third annual Blue Jean Bash invites guests to enjoy dinner, entertainment, a silent auction and more while supporting affordable housing in our community.

1st Year Anniversary Party
GoodRoad CiderWorks | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Help GoodRoad CiderWorks celebrate their first anniversary with special small batch cider and mead releases, food trucks and a DJ.

70s Night
Grape&Agave | 9:30 p.m.

Dress 70s and bring your boogie shoes out for a special night of un wine-ing at Grape&Agave.

Best Buddies Friendship Walk
Symphony Park | 9 a.m. – Noon

The Second Annual Best Buddies North Carolina Friendship Walk is a family-friendly celebration that’s open to everybody. The walk is free, with donations supporting the organizations 21 existing programs and future growth.

Earth Day Party & Sunshine Gose Release
Birdsong Brewing Co. | 1 – 6 p.m.

Raise a glass to Earth Day with Birdsong’s release of their Sunshine Lemon Gose, sustainable vendors on site and eco-friendly giveaways.

5K For JA: 401K Race for Financial Fitness
Camp North End | 8 a.m.

The Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas’ second annual 5K for JA: 401K Race for Financial Fitness supports the organization’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy, with an end result of empowering them to own their economic success. There’s also a Money on the MOve Mini-Mile for the kiddos.

SUNDAY

Brisket Boys
Sunday, April 22 | Draught Charlotte | 1 – 6 p.m.

Fill up for your Sunday Funday as the Brisket Boys serve up smoked BBQ and brisket plates at Draught with DJs Ahuf, Blkk Morris and Spinstyles. Enjoy $10 plates and PBR drink specials.

Legion Brewing Beer Dinner
Sunday, April 22 | Pure Pizza – Central Avenue | 5 – 7 p.m.

Pure Pizza and Legion Brewing team up for this four-course farm-to-table dinner and beer pairing. $40 includes four courses and four beers. Preview the menu and purchase tickets here.

In the Company of Trees- Garden Tour
April 22 | UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Environmental educator Carla Vitez leads a tour blending botany, history and the human connection through the campus’ Van Landingham Glen. Tour is April 22 at 2 p.m. Free admission, but registration is required. Email choove10@uncc.edu to reserve your spot.

Whales for Wishes 2018
Resident Culture Brewing Company | Noon – 4 p.m.

The Fourth Annual Whales for Wishes Bottle Share and Rare Beer Raffle will raise money to grant wishes of children in our community through Make-A-Wish® Central and Western NC. $20 includes access to the bottle share and five raffle tickets.

Class: Springtime in the Farmers Market
Savory Spice Shop | 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Join Chef Chris Young from Queen City Market as he tells participants about sourcing local, and demonstrates some dishes to try at home. $20 per person. Call 980.225.5419 to RSVP.

Adam Sandler
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre | 8 p.m.

Laugh it up as Adam Sandler takes the stage at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre. Grab your tickets here.

Reps and Rosé Yoga
Fidelli Kitchen | 1:30 p.m.

Wind down your weekend with a 50-minute yoga class and glass of wine at Fidelli Kitchen. $8 includes class and vino.