Warm weather is back and that means Charlotte’s event scene is in full swing! Get out there and enjoy it with our day-by-day guide to this weekend in the Queen City:
ALL WEEKEND
Spring Plant Sale
April 4 – 6 | Wing Haven Nursery
Wing Haven’s biannual sale is the perfect opportunity to shop their wide selection of plants, trees and shrubs with help from expert garden volunteers. View the full plant list here. All proceeds benefit Wing Haven gardens, programs and educational outreach. After a member’s only day on April 3, the sale will be open to the public April 4-6.
Spring Sale & Open House
April 5 – 6 | Clayworks
For one weekend, Clayworks’ Studio will transform into a gallery to showcase original handmade sculpture and functional pottery by faculty and studio artists. In addition to viewing the pieces, attendees can tour the facility and meet the artists.
Star Wars: A New Hope
April 5 – 6 | Belk Theater
via Facebook
Luke Skywalker’s adventurous journey comes to life as the Charlotte Symphony performs John Williams’ Oscar-winning score live to the complete film. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Meet, Sip, and Chat with Hank McCrorie of Burly Wines
Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark | 5:30 p.m.
Sip on tastings of Burly Wines selections, meet Hank McCrorie of Burly Wines and enjoy paired cheeses at Reid’s Wine Room in SouthPark. $10 per person.
WeWork 128 S. Tryon Launch Party
128 South Tryon Street | 6 p.m.
Join WeWork as they celebrate the opening of their second Charlotte building at 128 S. Tryon St. The evening includes drinks, bites and music from local vendors.
O-Ku’s Sakura Celebration
O-Ku Charlotte | 5 – 11 p.m.
O-Ku Charlotte’s Sakura Celebration offers guests a special treat from chef Michael and team. Past features include a 10-pound Scottish Salmon nigiri and sushi cakes. Make your reservation here.
Nebel’s Alley Night Market Kick-off
101 W Worthington Ave. | 5:30 – 9 p.m.
The only night market in Charlotte returns to the alleys of The Design Center for a new season with local vendors, live jazz, caricatures, local business offerings and more.
Tapas & Beer Dinner with Kid Cashew
Pilot Brewing | 6 – 8 p.m.
Pilot Brewing’s first Tapas & Beer Dinner pairs five courses from Kid Cashew with six beers from Pilot Brewing and sweet treats by Potts Chocolates. The evening is hosted by Certified Cicerone® Rachael Hudson, alongside Kid Cashew’s Executive Chef Cody Stewart. $35 per person.
Opening Knight
BB&T Ballpark | 6 p.m.
via Facebook
Be there as the Charlotte Knights take on the Durham Bulls at the start of their sixth season at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown. It’s also Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark, meaning $1 small sodas, $3 domestic drafts and $5 craft drafts.
Alive After Five Kickoff with The Breakfast Club
113 E 7th Street | 5 p.m.
Alive After Five will kick off their popular concert series at their new location at the corner of Tryon and 7th Streets. The Breakfast Club will take the stage and attendees can enjoy $4 beer and wine.
FRIDAY
April First Friday Gallery Crawl
Historic South End | 5:30 p.m.
Discover South End’s thriving arts scene at the neighborhood’s monthly’s gallery crawl, where galleries and studios stay open late to welcome guests with lively receptions and chances to mingle with artists. View this month’s participating galleries here.
20 Years Gala
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 7 p.m.
Help the McColl Center celebrate this special milestone with an evening of live performances, a silent auction, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, small plates, and desserts at uniquely-themed stations throughout the venue. All proceeds support the McColl Center’s mission to of building a community where contemporary artists and an engaged public enhance their creative capacity through relevant, diverse, and accessible experiences.
Saison de Beauté
Sozo Gallery | 6 – 8 p.m.
Head to Sozo Galleryor the opening reception of “Saison de Beauté” (Season of Beauty), featuring artists including Julian Cardinal, Dennis Gerwin, Inslee Fariss and Bre Crowell. The collection will be available for viewing through April 25.
Grand Re-opening
Simpson’s Produce | 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Get ready for fresh spring produce! Simpson’s will re-open for the season this Friday at 6 a.m.
Hands-On Cocktail Class: Mastering Clear Spirit Cocktails
Liberate Your Palate | 6:30 p.m.
via Facebook
Learn the ins and outs of creating classic cocktails with clear spirits, including vodka and gin. $70 per person.
FreeMoreWest’s 7th Annual 5K on the Greenway
Rhino Market & Deli | 6 p.m.
FreeMoreWest’s Annual 5K on the Greenway is the perfect option for night-owl runners. Start with a pre-race stretch with Taylor Burton from Functional Fit, then enjoy a 5K route around the neighborhood and a post-race party complete with live music.
SATURDAY
Pinot Noir Workshop: From West to East and From North to South
Reid’s Fine Foods Myers Park | 12 – 2 p.m.
Matt LeBlanc, National Accounts for Foley Family Wines and special guest Matt Bindel, New Zealand Wine Ambassador for Foley Family Wines, will lead this Pinot Noir workshop and tasting of six wines and cheeses. $40 per person. Call the wine department at 704.377.7686 to reserve your spot.
Live On The Big Green Egg with Chef Tom Marlow
Mimosa Grill | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mimosa Grill is firing up the Big Green Egg just in time for spring weather at their April Cooking Class. Enjoy a fun-filled cooking class complete with a four-course tasting menu and wine pairings from Orsini Wines. View the full menu here. $55 per person.
Core Strength for Life
720 Gov Morrison Blvd. | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Before you hit the trails, the tennis court or the yoga mat, learn how to increase core strength, maximize training efforts and stay injury free with Dr. Laura Wattersonearn of Charlotte Sports Performance and Rehab.
AspieCon Kicks Off Autism Awareness Month in CLT
Queens Sports Complex | 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
AspieCon kicks off Autism Awareness month in April with a full day of activities including superhero meet-n-greets, cosplay, music, resource exhibits, informative panels with local ASD experts, food trucks, a cool down tent for those who need a break from the action and more.
Beer Me BrewFest 2019
SouthEnd Station | 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
You just may find a new favorite brew at the sixth annual BeerMe BrewFest, which will feature samples from local and regional breweries and cideries, live music, local vendors, games, activities and more. Plus, attendees can vote for the best beer or cider of the festival. $30+.
6th Annual Know Your Craft 5K
Triple C Brewing Company | 11 a.m – 2 p.m.
Lace up for a 5K around South End followed by an after party featuring Triple C Brewing Company beer. Beers are only $5 during the race and all proceeds benefit the Urban Ministry Center. Can’t make the race? Buy a t-shirt and support the cause by registering online for the “Sleep In” category.
7th Annual Charlotte African-American Festival
Spirit Square | 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The seventh annual Charlotte African American Festival will celebrate the rich heritage and accomplishments of African Americans with exhibits, musical performances, performances and more in Uptown’s Spirit Square. Free admission.
Spring Fling
Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
via Facebook
Head to the new Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts for their Spring Fling, a day featuring local vendors and artisans, musicians, games, special beer releases and more.
7th Year Shakedown
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 1 p.m. – 12 a.m.
via Facebook
Lenny Boy will celebrate its seven-year anniversary with a full day of live music, new beer and kombucha releases and The Hunter’s Wife and Wild Dog Hot Dogs food trucks.
Pilot Brewing Chili Cook Off
Pilot Brewing | 2 – 5 p.m.
Pilot Brewing’s first chili cook off challenges seven teams to create the best recipe using the brewery’s beer. Taste for yourself and cast a vote. $10 ticket includes chili tasting and one beer. Half of all proceeds will benefit the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
SUNDAY
Art of Reading Public Tour: Pride and Prejudice
Mint Museum Randolph | 2 p.m.
Discuss the classic Jane Austen tale, then take a docent-led tour of the Portals to the Past: British Ceramics exhibition that features selected works of art that help bring to life the historic events, cultural influences, and lifestyles represented in the work. Free for Mint members or with admission.
Last Look: Michael Sherrill Retrospective
Mint Museum Uptown | 1 – 5 p.m.
Don’t miss your last chance to see the Michael Sherrill Retrospective exhibition before it goes on a national tour. The last day to view will be April 7. General museum admission applies.
Third Annual Roast and Toast
NoDa Brewing Company | 1 – 5 p.m.
NoDa’s Roast and Toast returns to the tap room with oysters from Sea Level NC. Attendees can also enjoy live music by Putney’s End, a free brewery tour at 3 p.m. and more tasty eats from the TIN Kitchen food truck. A tray of one dozen oysters will be $10, or you can opt for chowder for $8. A portion of proceeds will benefit HRC Charlotte.
April Front Porch Sundays Kickoff Market
Sycamore Brewing | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Front Porch Sundays will kick off its fifth season with more than 65 local vendors, food trucks, beer, music, workout classes and more. This season, they’ll be in Sycamore’s parking lot.
Spring Fest
Town Brewing Company | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Welcome spring with a full day of events at Town Brewing. Shop the Makers Market vendors, dig in at the neighborhood cookout, take a brewery tour, enjoy live music and more.
Yoga for a Cause
Camp North End | 1:30 p.m.
Stretch for a cause at this one-hour yoga class supporting LLS Cancer Research. The $20 class also includes a post-class drink and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a yoga gift basket.
Sensoria Food & Wine
Central Piedmont Community College | 12 – 4 p.m.
Piedmont Culinary Guild and Central Piedmont Community College’s Sensoria Arts and Literature Festival team up for this food and wine pairing featuring 15 local chefs and 12 North Carolina Wineries. The day also includes optional breakout sessions. Proceeds will provide culinary scholarships to the next generation of chefs and food artisans.
