Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Feb. 17-23

Friday, Feb. 17

See the Impractical Jokers leap off of your television set and onto the stage at Spectrum Center, where Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray and Sal Vulcano will try to replicate the hilariousness and outrageousness of truTV’s hit series for a live audience. If you didn’t know, the series — which featured Bret Michaels in its Season 10 premiere earlier this month and brought Post Malone in on the fun for Thursday’s episode — trades on the three guys daring each other to do ridiculous stuff ... and then doing it. 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. 333 E. Trade St. bit.ly/3SbuIWR

Try out the new dinner offerings at El Toro Bruto. Full service has recently begun at the restaurant tucked inside Resident Culture South End, with entrees including Shawty en su Jugo (short ribs), Char-grilled ribeye and Gallina al pastor. Open until 10 p.m., and reservations are recommended. 332 W. Bland St., Suite C. bit.ly/3If5ofb

Saturday, Feb. 18

Find out whether Adam Sandler saved the best show of his winter tour for last when he brings his bold blend of stand-up comedy and music to Spectrum Center. It’s been almost five years since he did his thing at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater, during a performance that was mined for content used in Sandler’s 2018 Netflix special “100% Fresh.” The venue is much bigger this time. Will the laughs be? 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35. 333 E. Trade St. bit.ly/3RT77tL

Honor the memory of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man killed while running in Georgia, during a Together We Stand partner event. NoDa Brewing, Divine Barrel Brewing, Omega Sports Park Road and Fleet Feet Charlotte will partner with Together We Stand NC to host Maud 2.23: Stand Up to Racism and Hate and Courageous Conversations from Feb. 18-25. The week will begin with a 12 p.m., 2.23-mile run beginning and ending at NoDa Brewing, followed by a Courageous Conversations session at 1 p.m. Registration is $29. 2921 N. Tryon St. See the CharlotteFive coverage of local Maud 2.23 runs for even more events. bit.ly/3Xsj76w

Sunday, Feb. 19

Treat yourself on with Galentine’s Day brunch at Billy Sunday. The menu from AVA Pizzeria includes waffles; smoked salmon bagel with onion, cream cheese, dill, capers; Potayto/potahto/tomayto/tomahto, a seared gnocchi with tomato fonduta and cherry tomatoes; and Greek yogurt parfait. Price will vary, as items are a la carte, but it’s $5 to get in — and a mimosa is included with your ticket. 11 a.m-2 p.m. 1115 N. Brevard St., Unit 1. bit.ly/3RJ9hw2

Monday, Feb. 20

Start off your work week remotely by grabbing a space at Overflow. The new self-pour establishment offers create-your-own coffee service and space to sit with your laptop during the day or chat with a friend — and you can bring in your lunch, too. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 137 Mecklynn Road, Mooresville. bit.ly/3x8TvRu

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Help World Central Kitchen feed people all over the world on National Pancake Day by eating Cinnamon Toast Pancakes or Caramel Frappe Pancakes at Snooze. The event continues through Feb. 22, and all sales from those flavors up to $35,000 will benefit the nonprofit organization that offers fresh meals to people in crisis. $9.95-$11.25. 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 2041 South Blvd.; 1331 Central Ave., Suite 100; 4425 Sharon Road. bit.ly/3HRFw7L

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Ghostface Brewing, which recently moved to a new spot next to its Beer Lab. Now you can open a tab at one building and float to the other — and the kitchen serves both spots, too. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Ghostface Brewing’s Social District, 215 S. Broad St., Mooresville. bit.ly/3jLQQdn

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Network at the Lake Norman IT Professionals‘ BizDev & Brews monthly social event. You won’t find name tags or sales pitches, but you can get a barbecue dinner while you’re at Mac’s Speed Shop meeting new connections and talking shop. Free registration. 4:30-6:30 p.m. 19601 Liverpool Pkwy., Cornelius. bit.ly/3XjfDDp

Thursday, Feb. 23

Stay up late at Snug Harbor, where Something Fun presents Thelma & The Sleaze. This multi-act lineup includes with Bangzz, Stryx aerialists, Killjoy and DJ Fat Keith Richards. 10 p.m. 21+ only. Tickets are $12. 1228 Gordon St. bit.ly/3YDCTNA

Mark your calendar

Enjoy the sounds of Carolina Pro Musica’s all-Italian music program, featuring important early 18th-century composers. The Feb. 24 concert will include works by little-known composers like Dario Castello and Domenico Sarri, as well as Corelli, Marcello, Veracini and Bononcini. Tickets are $16 or $8 for students and seniors, are available online or at the door. 7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1001 Queens Road. www.carolinapromusica.org

Order your tickets to see Mina Starsiak Hawk of HGTV’s “Good Bones” on Feb. 25 at the Charlotte Home + Remodeling Show, which returns to The Park Expo and Conference Center from Feb. 24-26. Show hours will be from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. -5 p.m. on Sunday. Adult. tickets are $12 at the door and $10 online; children 12 and under are free. All seniors (60+) will receive free admission on Friday, Feb. 24; and Sunday, Feb. 26 is free for all active and retired military, fire, police and EMT personnel with valid ID. On-site parking is $10; cash and credit card will be accepted. 2500 E. Independence Blvd. bit.ly/3Bvvx5B

Engage in Black History Month at the Charlotte Museum of History on Feb. 25 for the 6th annual African American Heritage Festival. The event will feature performances, interactive arts and history experiences, an HBCU college fair and a keynote by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 3500 Shamrock Drive. http://charlottemuseum.org/aahf23

Plan ahead and get tickets for the upcoming Rich & Bennett St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl on March 11. Check-in from noon-3 p.m. The cost starts at $20 at prepay events or $25 online — including a custom green t-shirt — and the event goes on rain or shine. RichAndBennett.com.

Buy tickets for the R.O.A.R. female leadership symposium. The day-long event Friday, March 31 at the Statesville Country Club features dynamic female leaders that will encourage women to Resound, Outshine, Actualize and Revolutionize their lives, featuring guest speaker Jane Jenkins Herlong. Tickets are $85 per person for chamber members and $110 for non-chamber members. 116 N. Center St., Statesville. bit.ly/3gnfhMJ

Drool in anticipation of the Carolina BBQ Festival, returning to Camp North End for a second year. Tickets are on sale now for the May 7 event that benefits nonprofits that feed the hungry. General admission is $75, which includes tastings and merch. The $150 VIP admission upgrades you to include a hat and sticker, early admission, three drinks plus a water bottle, oysters on the half shell and designated VIP seating and bathrooms. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 300 Camp Road. bit.ly/3HOtX0X

Celebrate Cheerwine at the 2023 Cheerwine Festival in Salisbury on May 20. Groove out to local and national bands while you enjoy Cheerwine-inspired food and drinks, then browse arts and crafts vendors and kids’ activities. Free. Noon-10 p.m. Downtown Salisbury. bit.ly/3wbqRyR

Theoden Janes contributed to this article.

Heidi Finley

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription