It’s never too early to start planning ahead for the weekend – especially with this round-up of events to look forward to. From art openings to menu tastings, here’s what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Orchid Sale
Through February 14 | UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens’ annual Orchid Sale offers live orchids ranging from $10-25. All proceeds support the operation of the Gardens and Greenhouse.
Scheherazade
February 8 – 9 | Belk Theater
The classic tales of 1001 Arabian Nights come to life in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Strauss’ tone poem Don Juan. Tickets start at $19.
Charlotte Ballet’s Innovative Works
January 25 – February 16 | The Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance
In this creative collaboration between choreographers and Charlotte-area Shakespeare experts, the works of William Shakespeare come to life through in Charlotte Ballet’s Innovative Works. Tickets include a dessert reception with the dancers and artistic staff following the show. $25 – $80 tickets.
THURSDAY
William McLure Solo Exhibition
February 7 | Anne Neilson Fine Art | 6 – 8 p.m.
Experience William McLure’s most recent collection of mixed media paintings at an opening reception celebrating the artist’s solo exhibition, on display through March 7.
An Evening with Tommy Tomlinson
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center | 7 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation and WFAE will celebrate the release of Tommy Tomlinson’s memoir “The Elephant in the Room: One Fat Man’s Quest to Get Smaller in a Growing America” with a discussion with the author and books for sale from Park Road Books. Free admission with RSVP.
2019 Winter Wonder Truffle Tasting
Potts Chocolate | 7 p.m.
Join Potts Chocolate for a tasting of new recipes, hot chocolate, a preview of their Valentine’s Day lineup and live music by Tom Billotto.
FRIDAY
Cheese & Cider Pairing
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7 p.m.
Red Clay Ciderworks and Orrman’s Cheese Shop will join forces for a pairing of four different cheese and cider pairings. $19 per person.
Scene@Levine: Prohibition Ball
Levine Museum of the New South | 7 – 10 p.m.
Toast to the 85th anniversary of the repeal of the prohibition law as The Levine Museum turns into a speakeasy complete with drinks, jazz, blackjack, roulette and poker in addition to the museum’s exhibits. transforms into a speakeasy with time period drinks, jazz music, and light refreshments. $10 general admission.
SATURDAY
Celebration of Food & Wine
February 9 | Upstream Seafood | 6:30 p.m.
Upstream and European Cellars team up for this six-course chef and winemakers collaboration featuring Hamptons Restaurant’s Chef Raffael Dall’Erta, Upstream’s Chef Sam Diminich and Eric Solomon from European Cellars. The evening starts with bubbles and canapés, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. View the full menu here and call 704.556.7730 to reserve your seat. $85 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Mint Museum Auxiliary: Winter Party
The Palmer Building | 8 p.m.
Take a mid-winter vacation in your Havana hip attire to this Cuban-themed cocktail party complete with food, dancing, live music and more. $125 per person.
On the Menu Experience at Reid’s Myers Park
February 9 | Reid’s Fine Foods Myers Park | 12 – 2 p.m.
Reid’s first “On the Menu” experience includes olive oil tastings, a cooking demonstration and wine sipping. Tickets are $35 per person and can be reserved by calling 704.377.1312.
Valentine’s Gift Pop Up Market
February 9 | Ballantyne Village | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Whether you’re shopping for your special someone, a galentine or looking for a little something for yourself, don’t miss Ballantyne Village’s pop-up gift market on February 9. Shop local jewelry and gift vendors, enjoy special discounts from participating boutiques and grab a swag bag while supplies last.
Sweetheart TreeStore
Charlotte Museum of History | 9 – 11 a.m.
The first citywide tree store of 2019 is all about flowering trees – from dogwoods to cherries to magnolias and more. Each Charlotte household is eligible for up to two free trees, and while you’re waiting in line for yours you can learn about how early Charlotteans used native trees and the kinds that grew 250 years ago from the Charlotte Museum of History.
Hearts for Hope
8.2.0 Pizzeria & Bar | 6:30 p.m.
This evening of charity benefiting Families Forward Charlotte includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, a silent auction, live entertainment and more. Cocktail attire.
JLC’s 2nd Annual Warming Kids’ Heart donation drive
Brewers at 4001 Yancey | 12 – 4 p.m.
The Junior League of Charlotte’s second annual Warming Kids’ Hearts donation drive benefiting The Center for Community Transitions. They’ll be collecting donations of new children’s winter accessories including coats, scarves, socks, hats, blankets and small stuffed animals.
Frigid: Trail Race and Plunge
U.S. National Whitewater Center | 9 a.m.
Brave the colder temperature as part of the Frigid Trail Race and Plunge, a 5k or 10k trail run with a mid-winter leap into the chilly waters of the Catawba River.
Valentine’s Day Make & Take
Fashion & Compassion | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Meet Fashion & Compassion’s local artisans and design your very own bracelet in this special make-and-take event, which also includes refreshments. $25.
7th Street Public Market Wellness Fair + Vegan Drinks
7th Street Public Market | 4 – 9 p.m.
7th Street Public Market’s inaugural wellness fair will highlight the healthy food options its vendors have to offer, plus local vendors offering yoga, skincare, massages and more. The event also includes the monthly meeting of Charlotte Vegan Drinks, which includes a plant-based meal and wine from Assorted Table Wine Shoppe.
Choc Covered Pretzel Stout Release and Valentine’s Day Market
The Barrel Room at Triple C | 12 – 10 p.m.
In addition to trying the newly released Bourbon Barrel Aged Chocolate Covered Pretzel Stout (and its three variants), shop goods from local vendors, enjoy food from the New Wrap Order food truck and jam out to live music by Pluto for Planet.
2nd Annual Onesie Bar Crawl
Slate Charlotte | 2 – 10 p.m.
We are back again for biggest and best Onesie Bar Crawl. Join hundreds of crawlers dressed up in their best Onsies, PJ’s, Sweatpants, or Snuggie on 2/9. South End bars. $20+.
Tickets Include:
•Onesie Bar Crawl T-Shirt. (At after party. Will you make it?)
•Onesie Crawl Koozie & More Giveaways at reg.
•Crawl wristband only entry to several bars on the crawl.
•Discounted Drink specials during the crawl.
•DJ’s at multiple locations.
•Professional photographer on site.
•Hundreds of crawlers in their best onesies.
•The only crawl to start with one registration party & end with one epic onesie after party.
2019 Winter Beer Fest
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew | 1 – 4 p.m.
via Facebook
Lucky Dog’s third annual winter beer fest will include three hours of unlimited beer samples from more than ten breweries. $20 per person.
3rd Annual Bless Back Chili Cookoff
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 1 – 4 p.m.
Competitors will cook-off for the chance to win “best-of” in categories like best overall, tongue burner, most creative and vegetarian. More of a taste-taster? Enjoy unlimited chili samples between for only $10. All proceeds go to support Bless Back Worldwide’s sustainable initiatives in healthcare, business and education.
SUNDAY
Taste of the Mint | African-Print Fashion Now!
Mint Museum Randolph | 1:30 p.m.
Art, food, and wine meet in this afternoon of small plate tastings, wine pairings and a guided tour of the exhibition African-Print Fashion Now! A Story of Taste, Globalization, & Style. $45 per person.
UNC Clef Hangers Charlotte Concert
Knight Theater | 8 p.m.
via Facebook
See the UNC Clef Hangers perform their annual Charlotte Concert that will include covers of today’s top hits and classics like Jame Taylor’s “Carolina in my Mind”. $15 general admission.
