Whether your ideal weekend plans include catching the action on the court at a CIAA tournament game, shopping a local makers market or taking in the lively sounds of jazz, we’ve got just the thing. Read on for scoop-worthy events to fill your weekend:
ALL WEEKEND
2020 CIAA Basketball Tournament
Feb. 25-29 | Various locations
The 75th CIAA tournament returns to Charlotte this weekend for the last time before moving to Baltimore next year. See athletes from 12 HBCUs compete for titles and participate in multiple events, including Thursday’s Career Fair, Friday’s Hall of Fame Breakfast and Greek Stepshow, plus the free and family-friendly Fan Fest happening Friday and Saturday.
Performances at Middle C Jazz
Middle C Jazz has no shortage of ways to enjoy live music. This weekend’s performances include:
- Thursday: Saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield with special appearances and Persona Bell , “I’m Your Baby Tonight” with the Big Truss Band
- Friday: Gino Rosaria
- Saturday: Warren Sax Experience featuring Ashanti Munir
Southern Spring Home & Garden Show
Feb. 28 – March 1 | The Park Expo and Conference Center
Whether you have a project in mind or are just looking for some real-life inspiration, you’ll find what you need for your spring home makeover at The Southern Spring Home + Garden Show featuring more than 350 booths and feature displays. $10 online, $12 at the door.
Tyberpalooza 2020
Feb. 28-29 | Tyber Creek Pub
Tyber Creek’s annual two-day music festival include live music during the day, DJs and bands at night and competitive games all weekend long. $10 weekend pass.
THURSDAY
DoNUTS About Wine – Wine Tasting & Pairing
Legion Brewing SouthPark | 7 pm
Explore Legion’s extensive wine list with pairings with sweet treats from Pepperbox Doughnuts. $10.
Big Fat Tour of Sake
Assorted Table Wine Shoppe | 6-8 pm
Head to 7th Street Public Market for this tasting of 5 styles of sake paired with sushi, popcorn and cheese. $35 per person.
HBCU + Friends Neo Soul Café
Mint Museum Uptown | 2-5 pm
Enjoy networking, socializing and art-venturing in a neo-soul café setting complete with spoken word, music, art projects, gallery walks, performances and more. Suggested minimum donation of $15.
February Beer Dinner
The Suffolk Punch | 6:30 pm
Executive Chef Eric Litaker and Head Brewer Scott Christoffel team up to offer a five-course menu with beers paired with each. $65.
Scouts & Stouts
The Loyalist Market | 6:30 – 8 pm
Taste five Imperial Stouts with five Scout Cookies and five cheeses. $45 per person. Call 704.814.9866 to reserve your spot.
eeZ Fusion and Sushi turns 15
eeZ Fusion and Sushi, Huntersville | All day
Help this popular Huntersville spot celebrate 15 years in business. They’ll be offering 15% off their special anniversary menu and giveaways all day.
FRIDAY
Greek Step Show
Charlotte Convention Center | Doors open at 6 pm
See teams from competing schools battle it out at the CIAA Stepshow Throwdown. Show starts at 7:30 pm. $20 – $30.
Black Food Truck Friday
3148 Freedom Drive | 4-10 pm
Explore the flavors of black-owned food trucks at this special edition of Black Food Truck Fridays. There will also be local products for sale and basketball-inspired games and activities for the whole family.
SATURDAY
Hoppin’ 2 Year Anniversary Party
1402 Winnifred Street | All day
Help Hoppin’ celebrate two years in business with a special collaboration beer, a DJ, a photo booth, beer and wine specials, giveaways and more. Free admission.
Art With Heart 2020
Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art | 7-10 p.m.
Head to Art with Heart to do good for Safe Alliance, which provides hope and healing to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. The live and silent art auction has raised more than $1.9 million for the organization since its inception.
Uncorked: Charlotte Wine Festival
Discovery Place Science | 7-11 pm
The inaugural Uncorked: Charlotte Wine Festival features more than 100 different wines and champagnes from across the globe, gourmet food vendors, a custom photo booth, interactive exhibits and more. $60+ with VIP admission available at $90.
Too Blessed to be Stressed Release
Multiple participating breweries | All day starting at 12 pm
In celebration of the life of Scott Brooks, NoDa and Plaza neighborhood breweries will introduce a collaboration brew called “Too Blessed to be Stressed,” a well-known Brooks’ saying. The German Helles Lager will be available the following participating breweries, with all proceeds donated to Habitat for Humanity in honor of Scott Brooks.
- NoDa Brewing Company
- Protagonist
- Birdsong Brewing Co.
- Free Range Brewing
- Heist Brewery
- Salud Cerveceria
- Resident Culture Brewing Company
- Pilot Brewing
- Divine Barrel Brewing
- The Chamber by Wooden Robot
LEAP DAY Party
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | All day
Celebrate the once in every four years occasion with $4 Beers, Sours, and Kombucha, plus new releases and $4 specialty food items.
Media Girls On Tour
The Posh Lofts | 1 – 4:30 pm
The Media Girls on Tour interactive panel and networking series offers guests the chance to meet with the biggest names in media and communications, enjoy cocktails and catering, plus indulge in mini-makeovers and massages.
Dancing with the Stars: Live! – 2020 Tour
TheBOplex | 8 pm
See your favorite dancers from the hit show live as this all-new production makes a stop in Charlotte. Tickets start at $59.
African American Heritage Festival
Charlotte Museum of History | 11 am – 5 pm
Celebrate more than 250 years of Charlotte’s vibrant African American history and culture through understanding the African roots of Southern foods, a tour of the 1774 Alexander homesite through the eyes one of the enslaved people who lived and worked on the property, African and African American music and more.
Leap Year Makers Market
Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company | 1-6 pm
Spend your Leap Day shopping the first indoor market of the year with 20 local artists and vendors.
Sprite Official CIAA Saturday Day Party
Rooftop 210 | 1-7 pm
This day-long party hosted by KODiNE of 102 Jamz features Performances by Fabolous and music by DJ Lonnie B & DJ Six30.
1st Annual Leap Year Chili Cook OFF supporting JDRF
Armored Cow Brewing Co. | 1-4 pm
Who has the best recipe? Participate as a chili contestant or taste-tester, or partake in a number of charity raffles. $30 to participate as Chili Contestant, $10 Taste Testers/Judge and $5 for a 4oz Bowl. Portion of the proceeds will be supporting the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Leap Day Celebration
Carolina Beer Temple Charlotte | All day
Carolina Beer Temple will celebrate the extra day with beer specials, a food truck and music.
THE LAST CRAWL: The Official Tournament Weekend Bar Crawl
North Carolina Music Factory | 1-8 pm
Grab your ticket to explore four unique venues, each offering its own genre of music from old school R&B, 90s vs 2000s and international. Each location will also have food and drink specials.
ONE TICKET GRANTS ACCESS TO ALL 4 VENUES!!!
SUNDAY
The Art of Reading Tour: The Warmth of Other Suns
Mint Museum Uptown | 2-3:30 pm
Participate in a discussion of Isabel Wilkerson’s 2011 book, The Warmth of Other Suns, followed by a docent-led tour of selected works that enhance the work. Free for Mint members.
