The summer fun continues this week with plenty of ways to explore, whether you plan to venture out or stay in. From new openings to virtual film festivals, here’s what to do and where to go this weekend:
VENTURING OUT
Visit SkyBar by David Burke on opening weekend
New York award-winning chef and restaurateur David Burke will open SkyBar by David Burke in the former City Lights Rooftop location on August 7. The new rooftop spot will feature the chef’s take on modern American cuisine, including signature dishes like maple pepper bacon clothesline, emotional lobster dumplings and crabcake rafts, served alongside craft cocktails. Later this summer, David Burke will open RedSalt at Le Méridien, featuring cuts of steak prepared using chef Burke’s patented Himalayan sea salt dry-aging technique.
Eat well and do good at Tacos 4 Life Arboretum
Arkansas-based Tacos 4 Life will open its second North Carolina location in the Arboretum on August 10. For every taco, salad, quesadilla, rice bowl, or nachos that are sold at the fast-casual restaurant, 24 cents is donated to Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), Tacos 4 Life’s nonprofit partner. They’ll aim to raise nearly 1,000 meals per day for starving children.
Famous Toastery Denver – GRAND Opening
August 10 | 7260 Hwy. 73 Suite 116, Denver
Be there bright and early for the grand opening of Famous Toastery in Denver. The first 100 guests will get a free Famous Toastery t-shirt.
Want More Restaurant News? Read our August scoopEATS here.
NoDa Streetwalkers Tour
Explore the historic mills, murals and architecture found in the NoDa Arts District with this audio walking tour. The 1-mile route starts by the Blind Pig.
CMS Drive-In Movie Night: Grease
August 5 | 7 pm
The whole family can enjoy a classic drive-in experience with a twist as the Charlotte Motor Speedway screens the 1978 classic Grease. Gates open at 5 pm, movie starts at 7 pm. Coolers welcome. $30 general admission.
Music at the Met
August 6 | Metropolitan | 6 pm
This season’s Music at the Met continues with live music from Spencer Rush. Free parking. Don’t forget to social distance and bring your own blankets and lawn chairs.
Music on the Lawn
August 6 | Anne Springs Close Greenway | 6:30 pm
Head to the Anne Springs Close Greenway to enjoy live music each Thursday from August 6 – October 22. The Gateway Canteen will be open for full dining and bar service. Free to members and $6 for non-members. Parking is $5 per car.
Music Yard Summer Drive-in Series
August 6 and 8 | The Music Yard
Head to The Music Yard on August 6 for a drive-in screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and return on August 8 for live music. SouthBound’s Taco Stand will be open and takeout from Mac’s Speed Shop is also welcome in the yard.
CupLux Anniversary Drive-Thru
August 8 | 7:30 am – 3 pm | 3115 Freedom Drive
Join CupLux as they celebrate their third anniversary with a special drive-thru event. They’ll offer $3 Slushees, $2 Cold Brew, and $1 Tea Sodas ALL day. Visit early for a chance to score a free CupLux-branded mask, a drink card for a free beverage on us your next visit to CupLux, a sticker, or a surprise item on your way through.
Oakhurst Mess Market
August 8 | 9:30 am | 4431 Monroe Rd.
Shop and discover flowers, kombucha, per supply, produce and more from local vendors at this neighborhood market. Masks required.
Sidewalk Shakespeare
August 8 | 12 pm | Old Town Rock Hill
Head to Rock Hill’s Amélie’s French Bakery & Café to see a short Shakespearean scene play out live on the downtown sidewalk. After the scene is over, step inside to receive a free brownie with purchase.
Drive-In Movie in Old Town Cornelius
August 8 | 8:15 pm | Lake Norman YMCA
Don’t miss a screening of the classic musical Grease at Lake Norman YMCA. Bring your own chair or picnic blanket. Popcorn, candy and concessions will be available. Pre-registration required.
Plant Pop-Up
August 8 | 12-4 pm
Charlotte Art League is partnering with rootedclt for a Plant Pop-Up where you can select your plant and a pot for it to thrive in before decorating the pot yourself. Proceeds help fund CALs healing art programs for Veterans. Masks are required.
Fall Gardening Basics
August 10 | Renfrow Farms, Matthews | 6:30 pm
Get ready for fall with a gardening basics class at Renfrow Farms led by instructors David and Pressly. You’ll learn about soil health, the right seeds, bulbs and plants for fall, tips and tricks and more. $30 per person.
STAYING IN
Perspectives: Black Theatre in America
August 5 | 7 pm
Tune in for Theatre Charlotte’s first installment of Perspectives: Black Theatre in America. The four-part series is curated and hosted by Corey Mitchell and will feature theatre artists from around the country sharing their stories and experiences. The first episode will be a conversation with 4-time Grammy nominee and Tony Award winner Melba Moore (singer, actress) from shows that include the original cast of Hair, Timbuktu! (with Eartha Kitt), and Purlie.
Joedance Film Festival
August 6-8
This year, the Joedance Film Festival is going virtual. See the 24 selected films, from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, and support the festival’s mission to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s.
Wine Essentials
August 6 | 7 pm
Wine doesn’t have to be intimidating! Discover must-know basics, from how it’s made, where it comes from, popular styles and the best wines to bring to a party or buy for the boss. $20.
Feeding A Region Premiere & Panel Discussion
August 6 | 6 pm
See the premiere of Carolina Farm Trusts’s new short film, Feeding a Region, then enjoy a panel discussion featuring five local food systems leaders focused on how we can work collectively to achieve food justice.
Virtual Happy Hour: Spritzers with Brittany Clark
August 10 | 6-7 pm
Join Unpretentious Palate and Dot Dot Dot’s Brittany Clark for a virtual lesson in spritzers. Clark will share three spritzer variations you can whip up while beating the August heat at home, with a shopping list providing ahead of the event. Live and pre-recorded session available.
Keeping Your Student Athlete Safe & Strong “Inside the Training Room” Live with OC Sports Medicine Doctors
Monday, August 10 | 6 pm
OC YouTube
 Sports injuries happen, but knowing how and when to treat them keeps your student-athletes safe, strong, and ready to play all season long. Tune in on Monday, August 10 – 6:00 PM. on YouTube @orthocarolina to go “Inside the Training Room” with Dr. Dana Piasecki, Physician Assistant, Margaret Lynch, and Physical Therapist, Chris Gabriel as they discuss ACL tears and meniscus injuries, injury prevention, evaluation, and treatments. |
PLAN AHEAD
Chinese Lantern Festival
October 15 – January 3 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Get your tickets now as The Chinese Lantern Festival returns to DSBG, bringing hundreds of lanterns constructed by masters of the craft in Zigong, where the festival originated. Online advanced admission starts at $23.95.
