It’s the first official weekend of summer, and the perfect excuse to break out of your routine and try something new. From nights out at the museum to a mega wine tasting, start planning with our day-by-day guide to this weekend’s events:
ALL WEEKEND
Charlotte Squawks 15: Quackceañera
Through June 23 | Booth Playhouse
Charlotte Squawks is celebrating 15 years with a show that’s part Saturday Night Live, part Broadway and all Queen City. Get ready to laugh at loud with jokes covering pop culture, sports, politics and more. Tickets start at $24.50.
THURSDAY
The Bechtler Modernism + Film: Art House
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 6 p.m.
Start the weekend early with a screening of the film Art House, in which photographer Don Freeman explores the homes of notable American artists. Includes a reception with a cash-only bar and complimentary light bites. $10 for the public, $8 for museum members and $5 for students.
VIP Opening of Never Abandon Imagination: Fantastical Art of Tony Diterlizzi & Celebration of Members
Mint Museum Randolph | 6 – 9 p.m.
See nearly 100 original works by the illustrator behind bestselling children’s fantasy works including The Spiderwick Chronicles, Dungeons and Dragons, and Magic: The Gathering. Public opening is on June 22 and includes an artist talk and book signing.
June MEGA Wine Tasting
Vin Master Wine Shop | 6:30 p.m.
Kick off the weekend early with a public tasting of up to 20 wines from all over the world for just $15.
Stimulus: Creation in Threads
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
via Facebook
In partnership with Sozo Gallery and New Gallery of Modern Art, the McColl Center will host Stimulus: Creation in Threads, a curated conversation with artists working in textiles. Participants include McColl Center alumna artist Beverly Y. Smith, mixed-media artist Kenny Nguye, conceptual artist Stephen Wilson and curator Marisa J Pascucci.
Summer Wine Walk Series
Blakeney Shopping Centers | 5 – 8 p.m.
A new addition to Blakeney’s Summer Concert Series, the first Summer Wine Walk invites attendees to sip, shop and stroll through select Blakeney retailers while sampling wine and enjoying exclusive sales and promotions. A $25 donation supports Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.
Exploring Wines of Portugal
Corkbuzz Restaurant | 6:30 p.m.
Explore Portugal’s indigenous grapes through a tasting of six wines, plus learn about Portuguese wine-making traditions and production process. $55 per person.
HousingFest 2019: Mandolin Orange
Knight Theater | 7 p.m.
Mandolin Orange will headline HousingFest, an evening supporting housing for people experiencing chronically homelessness. Tickets start at $35.
Beer and Pastry Tasting
Bold Missy Brewery | 7 – 9 p.m.
Bold Missy Brewery and Barista Craft team up for this collaborative beer and pastry tasting featuring four Bold Missy craft beers and four beer-infused pastries. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Duckhorn Vineyards Wine Dinner
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Charlotte SouthPark | 6:30 p.m.
This five-course TasteMaker Wine Dinner features chef-crafted dishes and wine pairings from Duckhorn Vineyards. View the full menu here. $115 per guest, plus tax and gratuity.
Dilworth Laughs – Third Thursdays
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille | 7 p.m.
This comedy night hosted by Crystalle Ramey also features comedians JD Etheridge, Tom Peters and this month’s headliner, Hilliary Begley. $10 tickets online, $15 at the door.
FRIDAY
Bechtler by Night
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 5 – 9 p.m.
At this month’s Bechtler by Night, you can view special exhibits, enjoy live entertainment and even create your own masterpiece with the help of a professional artist. Don’t miss the specialty drink of the night, the Cuba Libre.
Battle Walls with Southern Tiger Collective
Mint Museum Randolph | 2 – 7 p.m.
Street artists from Southern Tiger Collective will compete to move forward in a five-week mural slam competition on the lawn of the Mint Museum. Battle Walls will coincide with the opening of The Mint Museum’s newest exhibition: Never Abandon Imagination: The Fantastical Art of Tony DiTerlizzi. Museum Admission will be free all day.
Rooftop & Rosé
Imperial | 7 – 9 p.m.
Sip rosé selections from around the world at this all-you-can-sample tasting that also includes live music and raffle prizes. $20 per person.
Science on the Rocks: Summer of ’69
Discovery Place Science | 5 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate the first official day of summer with an adults-only night at the museum including a retro costume contest, DIY friendship bracelets and more. $12 general admission.
Friday Night Flight: Orrman’s Cheese & Live Music
Pilot Brewing | 6 – 8 p.m.
Don’t miss the next beer flight and cheese pairing at Pilot Brewing featuring Orrman’s Cheese Shop. The night also includes live music. $12 for three beer and cheese pairings.
Sounds on the Square featuring Tony Lucca
Spirit Square | 7 – 9 p.m.
Uptown’s Sounds on the Square series continues as The Voice alum Tony Lucca takes the stage. All Sounds on the Square events are free, with concessions available for purchase.
Open Demo
Hot Glass Alley | 6 – 9 p.m.
See the Hot Glass Alley artists in action at this free demo that’s open to the public.
Summer Wine Tasting
Carolina Beer Temple Charlotte | 5 – 11:30 p.m.
Sip on a flight of five easy-drinking, bright-flavored and refreshing summertime. You may just find a new favorite!
SATURDAY
Cooking Class at Aix en Provence
Aix en Provence | 11 a.m.
The next Aix en Provence cooking class will follow a “Farmer’s Market” theme, where Chef Nicholas will instruct on the following dishes: (1) Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (2) Chicken Milanese with Market Greens, Lemon Vinaigrette, and Pecorino Romano. (3) Strawberry Shortcake with Chantilly Cream. Guests will also enjoy these dishes in a three-course lunch with wine pairings. $50 per person plus tax and gratuity. Call 704.332.1886 to reserve your spot.
Metropolitan Take Over Popup Market
METROPOLITAN | 1 – 6 p.m.
Shop more than 90 local artists and small businesses as The Starving Artist Market pops up at the Metropolitan. Work up an appetite? No problem, Street Gourmet food truck will be on site.
Y2K Splash Party
Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood | 3 – 7 p.m.
Legion Brewing’s Friends of Summer Event Series kicks off with a Y2K Splash Party complete with 90s and 2000s tunes and wet ‘n wild splash activities. They’ll also have pints of their limited release Grapefruit Juicy Jay and sparkle pops made from King of Pops Raspberry Lime popsicles and the brewery’s Carolina Sparkle Party beer. Free and family-friendly, including the pups!
Wine Dinner Pairing at the Omni Charlotte Hotel’s Trade Restaurant
Omni Charlotte Hotel | 6:30 p.m.
Jenny Ayers, a Certified Specialist of Wine for the E&J Gallo Winery will join forces with Trade Restaurant’s Executive Chef Matt Cooper for this four-course dinner and wine pairings. $89 per person.
Boozy Desserts
Catawba Brewing Company – Charlotte | 7 – 10 p.m.
via Facebook
It’s a dessert market with a twist. Enjoy boozy dessert offerings from local bakeries and dessert shops like cupcakes, cookies, bars and more. Free admission, $10 VIP tickets include a special treat and discounts from every dessert vendor.
Live Music – The Mo Money Band
Waverly Charlotte | 7 – 10 p.m.
The Mo Money Band will take the stage at Waverly’s first Saturday night concert in The Terrace.
National Pollinator Week at the Market
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
In celebration of National Pollinator Week, vendors will teach guests all about the importance of pollinators to the produce offered at the market.
Rob Lowe: Stories I Only Tell My Friends
Belk Theater | 7 p.m.
Rob Lowe gives candid insight into his career, fatherhood, marriage and more during the Charlotte stop on this national tour. Tickets start at $25.
H.E.R. Art Showcase
C3 Lab | 6 – 10 p.m.
This art show and silent art auction will highlight six female artists and feature music by Justin the Beloved and DJ Fannie Mae. Attendees can also enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
Margarita Wars
Rooftop 210 | 2 – 6 p.m.
Charlotte’s bartenders will battle it out to discover who can concoct the best margarita in the city, and you get to be the judge. General admission ($20) includes eight tickets for margarita samplings.
SUNDAY
June Cocktail Class
Bardo Restaurant | 12 – 2 p.m.
Award-winning mixologist Amanda Britton will guide class participants through the process of building three unique cocktails, and there will also be exclusive small plates by Chef Mike Noll for snacking. $110 per person.
Class: Summer in the Mediterranean
Savory Spice Shop South End | 5:30 p.m.
Chef Sarah Filbey will use the shop’s Mediterranean spices in a demo that highlights flavorful ways to eat healthy this summer. $15 per person. Call 980.225.5419 for tickets.
Best of Broadway
Symphony Park | 8:15 p.m.
Buy tickets now to hear the Charlotte Symphony play the best of Broadway’s show tunes, including selections from Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Wicked and more.
Songs of America: Tim McGraw and Jon Meacham
Belk Theater | 7:30 p.m.
Pulitzer Prize winning author Jon Meacham and Grammy award-winning Tim McGraw share the stage as they discuss their new book, Songs of America. Tickets start at $45.
Italian Tapas Dinner
4001 Yancey Rd. | 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a five course pop-up dinner bursting with Italian flavors. $45 per person.
NoDa Brewing Company Blood Drive
NoDa Brewing Company | 12 – 5 p.m.
Did you know a single donation can save up to three lives? Give blood at NoDa Brewing Company and receive a pint voucher, t-shirt and giveaway. Donors that schedule appointments in advance will be entered to win raffle prizes.
