Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | August 23 - August 29

Friday

Check out the final installment of WFAE Amplifier’s free lunch concerts at Spirit Square. Local country singer-songwriter Kelsey Ryan will serenade concert-goers with authentic and emotive stories through her songs. noon-1 p.m. 345 N. Tryon St. Free.

Kick off your weekend at the OktoBEERfest at Catawba Brewing. Taste the newly released Festbier, an authentic German-style lager brewed according to modern Bavarian standards and enjoy German-inspired food from the Strudelteig Food Truck and donuts from Lil O’s Donuts. The fest will also feature live music from VonHunter and an option to purchase a take-home mini stein filled with Festbier for $10. 5-11pm. 933 Louise Ave., Suite 105. Free. 

Catch one of the final performances of the Broadway musical The Band’s Visit. This play was the winner of 10 Tony awards, including Best Musical, and shows a human side of the Middle East conflict through the story of an Egyptian Police Band that mistakenly arrives in a small Israeli town. Blumenthal Performing Arts, 430 S. Tryon St. Tickets start at $35.

Saturday

Learn to set up a perfect tailgate at Midwood Smokehouse BBQ 201 class.  Pit master Matthew Barry will teach you how to smoke wings properly and plan a perfect tailgate barbeque while you taste a selection of Midwood Smokehouse BBQ confections.  11- 12:30 p.m. 540 Brandywine Road, #C. $25. 

Listen to a night of free live music at Legion Jam Fest. Abbey Elmore Band and Swim in the Wild will provide tunes as you sip on a Pineapple Juicy Jay and wander through stalls from local vendors.  The event is dog and family friendly. 5-11 p.m. 1906 Commonwealth Ave. Free. 

Sunday

Play cornhole for a cause at the Unknown Brewing Cornhole Tournament, benefiting the Charlotte SPCA. Teams of two will play can play in this single-elimination tournament for a chance to win cornhole boards and an Unknown gift card. noon- 3 p.m. 1327 S. Mint St. $30.  

Catch the last day of the Southern Women’s Show. Wander through over 400 vendors related to southern fashion, health, food and fun. Catch live entertainment on the main stage,s including fashion shows, cooking demos, musical performances and more. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. 501 S. College St. $12.

Discover your inner mixologist in a cocktail class with award-winning mixologist Amanda Britton. Learn to make three different cocktails and munch on snacks by Bardo’s chef, Mike Noll. 12-2 p.m. 1508 S. Mint St. $110 per person. 

Close out your weekend at the Beck and Cage the Elephant concert at the PNC Music Pavillion. The concert will also feature performances from indie favorites Spoon and Sunflower Bean. 6 p.m. 707 Pavilion Blvd. Tickets start at $29.50. 

Monday

Savor a four course meal at the Meet the Chef event at Reid’s SouthPark.  New executive chef Ryan Allen will guide you through each course, each inspired by a milestone in his life or culinary career, and mingle with guests throughout the dinner.  6:30-8:30 p.m. 4331 Barclay Drive. $50-70. 

Bring your pup along to a Charlotte Knight’s baseball game at Bark in the Ballpark. Watch as the Knights take on the Durham Bulls and enjoy $1 hotdogs as you make new animal friends. 7:04 p.m. 324 S. Mint St. Tickets start at $9.

Tuesday

Unwind with some laughs at the opening night of Dixie’s Tupperware Party.  Expect hilarious stories, audience participation, free giveaways and more surprises at this parody of a Southern Tupperware party. 7:30 p.m. Blumenthal Performing Arts, 130 N. Tryon St. Tickets start at $24.50. 

Treat yourself to a gourmet beer dinner. Bardo Chef Mike Noll is collaborating with Jason and Dairelyn Glunt of Salud to create a five-course dinner, each with a unique beer pairing. Seatings are at 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. 1508 S.Mint St. $95 per person.  

Wednesday 

Give your tastebuds a world tour at the Cheese & Wine Tasting Class at Seventh Street Public Market. Josh of the Assorted Table and Rachel from Orrman’s Cheese Shop will guide you through globally inspired wine and cheese pairings.  6-7:30 p.m. 224 E. 7th St. $25. 

Thursday

Discover your next favorite musical artists at Unplugged & Live: Cornelius Edition at Brick Row in Old Town Cornelius.  Enjoy an intimate listening room concert experience showcasing emerging musical talent from around the Charlotte area. 7 p.m. 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. Free.

This story was originally published August 21, 2019 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | August 23 - August 29."