The #C5Checklist: 5 things you must do Sept. 19-23

(1) Get musical.

If you’re not pounding on the keys of one of the six pianos that are part of #PianoParkingCLT, you can catch other musical acts this week. Symphony on Tap is taking place Thursday at the Belk Theater and gives you a free, hour-long sample of the Charlotte Symphony’s 85th season. There are also plenty of concerts to pick from at venues like the Spectrum Center, The Underground, The Fillmore and Ovens Auditorium.

(2) Track down something sweet — and local.

Whisk + Wood stocks places around town like Not Just Coffee at Atherton Mill with goods like Cookie Butter Banana Bread and Lemon Ginger Scones. Suarez Bakery has the cupcake scene covered with options like Red Velvet and Vanilla Fudge. And tins of locally made Iva Jean’s Fudge can be tracked down at places like NoDa’s Farmers Market, 7th Street Market one Sunday a month, Provision Local Market in Waxhaw and Paper Skyscraper.

(3) Do something fall-ish in honor of the first day of fall.

Fall begins Thursday, Sept. 22, FYI. Go buy a pumpkin at Publix or Harris Teeter or Whole Foods. Better yet — Scarowinds awaits.

(4) Chow down on BBQ.

‘Tis the Southern way, no? Sauceman’s features Lexington-style BBQ slow-smoked over local hickory and oak. Mac’s Speed Shop got fifth place in the 2015 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest’s whole hog category. And City Barbeque just opened in Ballantyne and carries five homemade sauces to choose from, like Swine Wine, if that’s your thing.

If you’re a vegetarian like me, ask your server about Southern sides — the mac ‘n cheese and creamed corn at Mac’s are cooked vegetarian-style, for starters.

(5) Explore one place you’ve never ventured to.

Like City Lights Rooftop Bar uptown (I still haven’t been here, but Corey has), or a winery just beyond the city border like Treehouse Vineyards, or Four Mile Creek Greenway in south Charlotte with wide open spaces and plenty of fresh air to go around.

Let the week begin.

Photos: Iva Jean’s Fudge, Michael Solender, Katie Toussaint

This story was originally published September 18, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "The #C5Checklist: 5 things you must do Sept. 19-23."