After being cooped up all last weekend, we bet you’re itching to make plans that get you out and about. From cocktail classes to fundraisers, use our day-by-day round-up to know what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Grand Re-Opening Celebration of Mint Museum Uptown
September 20 – 22 | Mint Museum Uptown
Help welcome back The Mint Museum Uptown after a summer of improvements with a three-day grand re-opening. Enjoy the opening party for MAINFRAME, a new juried art show presented by the Young Affiliates, on Thursday, followed by performances of “Perspective”, a vertical aerial dance along the museum’s facade on Friday and Saturday. Other events include new works on view, live music, shop discounts and more. Free admission.
Vintage Market Days of Charlotte
September 21 – 23 |Â The Park Expo & Conference Center
Shop this upscale vintage-inspired market all weekend long to find original art, jewelry, clothing, antiques, outdoor furnishings and more. Tickets ($10 Friday, $5 Saturday and Sunday) are available at the gate.
Festival In The Park 2018
September 21 – 23 | Freedom Park
The 54th annual Festival in the Park offers something for everyone. Art lovers can shop and view work from over 200 artisans, kids will love the festival rides, music fans can hang by the band shell to enjoy live performances and foodies can taste offerings from multiple vendors.
Dilworth Home Tour 2018
September 21 – September 22 | Dilworth Neighborhood
Tour seven picture-perfect homes and gardens in Dilworth, the city’s first streetcar suburb. Whether you bike (free rides provided by Charlotte b-cycle), drive or walk, this self-guided tour is sure to be a hit. $25 per person. Proceeds benefit New Dilworth Elementary.
Mecktoberfest
September 21 – 23 |Â The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Officially welcome beer season at Mecktoberfest, OMB’s annual weekend celebration. Hear Bavarian music from the Holzhackern German Band, Little German Band and Sauerkraut Band, enjoy traditional German fare and plenty of OMB beer, including the rich and malty Mecktoberfest Märzen Lager.
National Fine Art Tour
September 21 – 23 |Â Charlotte Marriott SouthPark
The National Fine Art Tour stops in Charlotte for a weekend-long art show with curated tours on Saturday and Sunday. Start with an opening reception with featured artist Leroy Campbell on Friday evening, then return for a tour of the full shoe fetauring works from Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Richard Mayhew, Kevin A. Williams, Woodrow Nash, James Denmark, Twin, Charles Bibbs and Leroy Campbell. $10-25.
SEED20 Now Accepting Applications
The annual SEED20 program created by Social Venture Partners invites individuals, non-profits and start-ups to share ideas that will solve our biggest social challenges. Applications for the two-month program that includes coaching, mentoring and practice sharing your mission are open through October 31. At the conclusion of the program participants compete to win cash awards by making three-minute pitches to a panel of judges and a community audience. Past prize winner include Profound Gentleman, ChemoCars, Transcend Charlotte and Digi-Bridge. Apply now.
THURSDAY
Beer & Bites Fundraiser
Village Tavern Charlotte | 5:30 – 8 p.m.
The third annual Beer & Bites event invites guests to enjoy two beers and all-you-can-eat appetizers in support of AAIDA’s mission to educate patients and care providers and advocate for those living with immune disorders. $25 per person, $45 per couple.
September MEGA Wine Tasting
Vin Master Wine Shop | 6:30 p.m.
September’s mega wine tasting is your chance to try up to 20 wines for just $15. Pay on arrival.
Sunset at Metropolitan featuring Sol Fusion
METROPOLITAN | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sunset at the Metropolitan is back with live music this week from Sol Fusion. Get ready to enjoy a sunset, free parking and food and drink specials from Metropolitan restaurants.
Open House at McColl Center
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 6 – 9 p.m.
Meet the McColl Center’s new artists-in-residence Juan Dolhare, Alice Gosti, Liz Miller, Tom Stanley and Antoine Williams, plus get a first look at their fall exhibition, New Works / Alumni One. Guests will enjoy free admission, live music and wine and beer for sale.
Movies on the Deck: Black Panther
400 South Tryon | 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this free showing of Marvel’s Black Panther, with live music and vendors kicking off the fun. Paid parking available in the 400 S. Tryon deck. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket, plus any outside food or drinks (no glass allowed).
FRIDAY
Opera at the Market
7th Street Public Market | 6 – 8 p.m.
Great food, fashion and opera meet at the market this Friday. See pop-up performances from Opera Carolina, grab food and drink specials from the Assorted Table Wine Shoppe and Zia Pia Italian Kitchen, and see a New York Fashion Week designed Opera Recycles gown in person.
End of Summer Luau
The Imperial | 7 p.m.
Summer’s not over quite yet! Join The Imperial to send off summer in style with a festive luau featuring a Hawaiian buffet, island beats from DJ ZIO, tropical drinks and more. Don’t forget your hula skirts and Hawaiian shirts to win $150 for the title of “best dressed”. VIPs must RSVP.
In Tandem Opening Reception
Anne Neilson Fine Art | 6 – 8 p.m.
In Tandem, a new exhibition featuring Ellen Levine Dodd and Joyce Howell, highlight the two artists’ unique styles in energetic and vibrant abstract paintings. Celebrate the opening with a reception on September 21, and view the exhibition through October 19.
Sabor Latino 2018
Mint Museum Randolph | 6 – 8 p.m.
The Latin American Women’s Association hosts Savor Latino, a celebration of the history and flavors of Latin American cuisine, during Hispanic Heritage Month. Taste delicacies crafted by Chef Julian Grajales and hear about the traditions of Latin American cooking. $45 per person.
Charlotte Symphony Gala Opening Night: Joshua Bell Plays Brahms
Belk Theater | 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the opening of the Charlotte Symphony’s 2018-2019 season, where violinist Joshua Bell will play Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Tickets start at $49.
Catherine Erb Solo Show
Shain Gallery | 6 – 8 p.m.
Shain Gallery will celebrate the solo show of Catherine Erb’s work on Friday with an opening reception.
Caribbean Flavors Mixology Class with Muddy River Distillery
Hygge Coworking | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
It’s not too late to take a summer trip down to the Caribbean. Learn to make Cuban mojitos, a Jamaican rum punch and Piña coladas from the professionals at Liberate Your Palate and Muddy River Distillery. $65 per person.
Fermented + Fully Caffeinated Pairing Dinner
Thirsty Nomad Brewing | 6:30 p.m.
Thirsty Nomad Brewing is teaming up with Mello Coffee Roasters, Red Clay Ciderworks and Doc Porter’s for a unique tasting dinner. Try a Belgian style stout and cider made with roasted coffee beans aged in bourbon, plus signature dishes served up by Michael Beers, Chef and Owner of New Hamshire’s Tavern. $40 per person, includes dinner, coffee beans to take home, one can of beer and one bottle of cider.
Science on the Rocks: I Heart Science
Discovery Place Science | 5 – 9 p.m.
Discover all that Discovery Place has to offer with a Vaportini cocktail in hand at this adults-only night at the museum. Step into a crime scene in the Science behind CSI, learn about flavor tripping, take your chances in gas balloon roulette and more. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Laugh at Lenny Boy
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 8 – 10 p.m.
For one night only, the brewhouse at Lenny Boy turns into a comedy club. See some of the state’s best comedians, including Sam Mazany, Jesse Jones, MiMi Benfield and host Zach Boylston, plus enjoy beer and food from The Hunter’s Wife food truck. $10 per person.
Quintessa Wine Dinner
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse | 7 – 9 p.m.
The Quintessa Wine Dinner will walk guests through a five-course menu crafted by Executive Chef Wayne Mason and a special selection of Agustin Huneeus Vintners wines. Preview the menu here.
SATURDAY
Pumpkin Fest 2018
Sycamore Brewing | Noon – 10 p.m.
Kick off pumpkin beer season with a day of seasonal brews (including Sycamore’s Gourd Have Mercy), live music on two stages, multiple food tricks and more.
Flavors of Summer: Pepper Fest
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | All day
With pepper-infused beers, chili lime kombucha and spiced-up food offerings, Lenny Boy’s third Flavors of Summer party certainly will bring the heat. Plus, enjoy live music by Jon Linker and even put your taste buds to the test in a Spicy Death Nuts Challenge.
Flow Fest
U.S. National Whitewater Center | All day
Relax and unwind with a full day of trail racing, yoga, and wine and kombucha tastings at the USNWC. Start by completing the Wild Vine Trail Race, then find your flow in a yoga practice or meditation workshop. Round out the day by tasting over 20 wines in a sampling beginning at 3 p.m. See all activities here.
Sabrage and Champagne
Vin Master Wine Shop | 3 – 5 p.m.
Finally, your celebration will get the ceremonial champagne opening it deserves. Learn about the art and history of sabrage, a technique for opening a bottle with a saber, plus learn how to do it yourself. A $20 ticket includes instruction, a bottle of sparkling wine to enjoy, as well as cheese and charcuterie. Email vinmasterclt@gmail.com or call 704.307.5565 to reserve your spot.
Field Day on the Lawn
Piedmont Social House | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This isn’t the same field day you remember from elementary school. Teams of two (or three) will compete for free in games like a huge tricycle race, mega darts, memory madness, cornhole and more for $50-100 Piedmont Social House gift cards.
Charlotte Be The Match Walk+Run 2018
University Research Park | 7:30 a.m.
Lace up to support the fight against blood cancers on a 5K, 1K or Tot Trot route. Be The Match helps add more potential marrow donors to the registry, help patients with transplant costs and fund life-saving transplant research.
Charlotte Irish Fest
Tyber Creek Pub | 1 – 11 p.m.
Enjoy Irish dancing lessons, live music, whiskey tastings, activities for kids and more at Charlotte’s Irish Fest. $10 per person, kids 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the effort to build an American-Irish Cultural Center for the Charlotte community.
Rocktoberfest
The Fillmore Charlotte | 6:30 p.m.
The 13th Annual Rocktoberfest (formerly known as Rockin’ for a Cure) features performances by Bad Romeo, Dan Hood and Roy Daye Jr., plus a live auction. $50 general admission.
Beers for Beagles Charlotte
NoDa Company Store | 2 – 6 p.m.
This Saturday, NoDa Company Store will donate $1 from each pint sold to Triangle Beagle Rescue of North Carolina. Sip on their famous sangria (nicknamed “Beagle Juice” for the day), visit vendors, bid on auction items and enjoy food from The Dumpling Lady food truck.
The 8th Annual Stiletto Sprint for Levine Cancer Institute
Symphony Park | 8 a.m.
How fast can you go in heels? Both men and women will sprint to the finish line in at least 2.5″ heels to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and support the Carolinas Ovarian Cancer Fund at Levine Cancer Institute in the 8th annual Stiletto Sprint.
OktoBEERfest
Catawba Brewing Company | 2 – 8 p.m.
Raise your glass with Catawba as they serve special small batch German-style brews. In addition to tasting an Oktoberfest beer flight, guests will also enjoy games and food specials plus music by the East Side Growlers.
SUNDAY
Farm to Fork Picnic – In the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | 4 – 7 p.m.
Piedmont Culinary Guild and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems team up for a chef and farmer pairing featuring multiple food artisans, plus local brewers, distillers and wineries. Stroll through the gardens while tasting samples, jam along to live music and learn from experts speaking on food-related topics. $75 per person.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre | 7 p.m.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, plus opening act American Aquarium, will take the stage at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatere. Purchase your tickets online here.
