Don’t let the threat of summer thunderstorms keep you from enjoying the best this weekend has to offer. Grab an umbrella and take note of what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
I Dream
May 18- 20, 24-25 | 430 S Tryon St.
This modern rhythm and blues opera recounts the final 36 hours of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through classical, jazz, contemporary and Broadway styles. Tickets begin at $20.
23rd Annual St. Philip Neri Italian Festival
May 17 – 19 | Saint Philip Neri Church, Fort Mill
Enjoy homemade Italian fare, live entertainment, artist booths, children’s activities, an Italian Idol contest, live auctions and more at the 23rd annual Italian festival May 17-19.
Brian Rutenberg: Thunderhead Opening Weekend
May 18 – 19 | Jerald Melberg Gallery
Jerald Melberg Gallery welcomes Thunderhead, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Brian Rutenberg. The opening reception is from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, followed by an artist lecture Saturday at 11 a.m.
THURSDAY
Bold Rock Hard Cider Dinner
WP Kitchen + Bar  | 7 – 9 p.m.
Chef Stephen Schmitt will wow guests with a four-course menu paired with cocktails featuring Bold Rock Hard Ciders. Preview the menu:
- 1st Course: Smoked Sunburst Farms Trout with apple, horseradish meringue, brioche, radish
- 2nd Course: Shaved Harmony Ridge Farms Beets with buttermilk blue cheese, grilled radicchio, toasted hazelnuts, cider vinaigrette
- 3rd Course: Heritage Farms Pork Skirt Steak with sunflower risotto, crispy sunchokes, ramp salsa verde
- 4th Course: Foie Gras Tart with pistachio, rhubarb, apple
$45 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Reserve your seat by calling 704.295.0101.
Shades of Chardonnay
Corkbuzz Charlotte | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Discover all of the forms Chardonnay can take – buttery, clean, sparkling and more – in this class with the professionals at Corkbuzz. $65 per person.
Modernism + Film: Raw Beauty
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 6 – 9 p.m.
Discover the stories of “Art Brut” artists with a screening of Raw Beauty. A reception with a cash-only bar and light bites begins at 6 p.m., followed by the film screening at 7 p.m. $10 for the public, $8 for museum members, $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 704.353.9200.
May MEGA Wine Tasting
Vin Master Wine Shop | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Raise a glass at Vin Master Wine Shop’s monthly mega tasting featuring up to 20 wines. $15 at the door.
FRIDAY
Bechtler By Night: Celestial
Friday, May 18 | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 5 – 9 p.m
Celestial, this month’s Bechtler by Night, offers you and your girlfriends the chance to explore what lies  in the galaxies beyond through free exhibit admission, hands-on activities, gallery games, the Blue Lagoon featured cocktail and more. Free admission.
Hampton Water Wine Co. Tasting
Reid’s Fine Foods (both locations) | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Both Reid’s locations will offer guests the chance to try Hampton Water Wine Co.’s rosé, a collaboration between Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse and Gérard Bertrand.
Southern Soul Food & Cider
Friday, May 18 |Â Red Clay Ciderworks
The Gourmand Chef and Red Clay Ciderworks team up for a five-course pairing of your favorite Southern foods and ciders. Preview the menu here. $40 per person.
Science on the Rocks: Don’t Try This at Home
Discovery Place Science | 5 – 9 p.m.
Fear and fun meet in a night at the museum featuring adrenaline-raising experiments. Test pop rocks, touch a jellyfish, get electrified by Tesla coils and more. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
SATURDAY
50 Shades of RoséÂ
Saturday, May 19 | Draught Charlotte | 4 – 7 p.m.
Can’t get enough rosé? Head to Draught’s mega rosé tasting to sample nine different wines – plus the new Three Olives Rosé and Angry Orchard Rosé. While you sip, enjoy small bites crafted by Chef Donnie. $20 per person.
FLY2Y2
2907 Providence Road | 2:45 p.m.
Kick off your strongest summer yet with a three-part fitness event. Start with a METHOD 30 class at Flywheel led by Shane Lucas, run up the street to Y2 yoga for a 30-minute restorative flow and end with an afterparty on the Y2 patio with complimentary Lenny Boy Brewing pints, local giveaways and more. $40 per person. Sign up online or at either studio.
Sweet Escapes
Saturday, May 19 |Â Mint Museum Randolph
The Piedmont Culinary Guild and Community Link host a sweet evening including over 500 pounds of chocolate, beverages, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction. $100 per guest.
Down Dog @ DraughtÂ
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.
Studio Party
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 6 p.m.
Don’t miss this one-night only event that allows guests to mingle at a cocktail hour, enjoy a sit-down dinner with one of the studio’s artists and a contemporary art sale and live auction, plus an after party with drinks, dessert and dancing.
Royal Wedding Festivities at The Ballantyne
Saturday, May 19 | The Ballantyne Hotel
Via Facebook
Because we’re sure our invitation got lost in the mail, The Ballantyne offers two ways to celebrate the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in style. Enjoy brunch at Gallery Restaurant featuring a menu inspired by the couples’ favorite fare on Saturday, May 19. 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Follow brunch with afternoon tea, served from 1 – 4 p.m. In addition to classic teas offered in England’s tea houses and traditional sandwiches, scores and sweets, indulge in savories including the Markle quiche and smoked salmon. $45 per adult. Call 704.248.4100 to reserve.
The Super Run 5k
Saturday, May 19 |Â McAlpine Creek Greenway Park | 8 a.m.
It’s easier than you think to be a superhero. Lace up for Charlotte’s Super Run, a superhero-themed 5K benefitting local nonprofit organizations. All participants receive their own hero cape and finisher’s medal.
Great Strides Charlotte 2018
BB&T Ballpark | 9 a.m.
Lace up for Great Strides, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. The 5K route wraps around the ballpark in Uptown. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds to support the foundation.
Crown Town Throwdown
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Brush off your cornhole skills for this year’s Crown Town Throwdown. Register your two-person team to compete for prizes, enjoy live music, lunch, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit INREACH and their programs to help individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other disabilities secure and maintain gainful employment.
Greystar South End Hops Festival
308 W Carson Blvd. | 2 – 6 p.m.
The 5th Annual Greystar Apartments South End Hops Festival features over 70 craft brews, 16 wines, six ciders, cooking demos  and two music stages featuring the River Ratz & U-Phonik. General admission and VIP ticket options available.
Jamz4Joedance
The Suffolk Punch | 2 – 8 p.m.
Guys With Ties is partnering with Joedance charity for a day of live music from three bands, two food trucks and a DJ. Attendees will enjoy free admission, a silent auction and more.
10th Annual Charlotte Cuban Festival
A Piece of Havana | 3 – 10 p.m.
Charlotte’s 10th Annual Cuban Festival features authentic fare, family activities, multiple live performances and more.
6th Annual Charlotte Beer Festival
Rooftop 210 | 3 – 7 p.m.
Sip your go-to or discover a new favorite at the 6th Annual Charlotte Beer Festival, which will feature multiple craft, import and specialty brews. Expect table pong and cornhole, live music and a take-home glass. $15+.
Montford Park Block Party
1515 Mockingbird Ln. | 4 – 9 p.m.
This free neighborhood event boasts live music from Dialed In, Pluto for Planet and Grievous Angels Band, local beers and ciders, food by neighborhood businesses, games, family activities and more.
Romare Fest
Romare Bearden Park | 6 – 9 p.m.
Jump-start your summer with a Saturday evening of family entertainment full of food, fun and live music. This year’s Romare Fest features Next Level Band Of Charlotte (6-7 PM) and Marion Meadows (7:30 – 9 PM).
ArtPop- Pop Up Party
Evoke | 6 – 9 p.m.
Shop local works, meet the artists and enjoy live music, drinks and free hors d’oeuvres at this unique art shopping experience that only happens four times per year. Featured artists: Holly Spruck, Bree Stallings, Arthur C. Rogers, Eva Crawford Art and Christina Cobb.
7th Street Public Market Vegan Tasting ft. Nourish
7th Street Public Market | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a vegan four-course menu from Nourish paired with wine from Assorted Table Wine Shoppe in an intimate setting, limited to only 40 guests. $50 per person.
SUNDAY
GET BAKED Dessert Market
Sunday, May 20 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 1 – 5 p.m.
Grab your girlfriends for the ultimate sugar rush. Taste and savor desserts from over 15 local bakeries and food trucks, plus enjoy beer and kombucha from Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Bluzy Brunch at Coaltrane’s Char Grill
Coaltrane’s Char Grill | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Get your Sunday groove on at Coaltrane’s Bluzy Sunday Brunch featuring Caleb Davis. Drink specials include $5 bloody mary’s, $3 beer specials and $3 mimosas.
Mec Dec Day at OMB
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Join OMB in celebrating Captain James Jack on Mec Dec Day by sipping a bottle of their Captain Jack brew (wrapped in special edition labels), visit with colonial re-enacters, enjoy a colonial beer dinner, ride bikes to historic markers around town and more. A portion of proceeds benefits the USO of North Carolina.
Reps and Rosé Yoga
Fidelli Kitchen | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Round out your Sunday with Reps and Rosé, a 50-minute barre class followed by a well-deserved glass of wine. $8.
QCMakers Market
Legion Brewing | 3 – 7 p.m.
Support local artists and makers at the next Queen City Markers Market. Featured markers include Lather Labs, Rainey Days Desserts, Willow and Ruth, Maggie Loves Spike and The Concord Exchange.
Wine and Whiskey Tasting
The Broken Spoke | 3 – 5 p.m.
Believe it or not, they’re better together. Enjoy four samples of Impero Wine, each paired with small bites, and a sample of GWR Rúa American Single Malt Whiskey with Rúa chocolates. $25 per person.
