Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Jan. 17-23
Friday
See singer, songwriter and producer Citizen Cope at the Charlotte show of his winter solo acoustic tour. Cope, known for his collaborations with starts like Santana, Sheryl Crow and Eric Clapton, will be performing songs from his newest album, Heroin and Helicopters. 8 p.m. $40.50 in advance, $43.50 day of sale.
Editor’s note: This event has been canceled because of some good news: a large amount of donations means the ARCCG needs time to take stock of what they have received. Have a feel-good start to your weekend with Charlotte Crafts for Australia. Knit, crochet or sew items for the wildlife affected by the fires in Australia. Not feeling crafty? You can still stop by to donate materials and hang with the crafters. 5-9 p.m. 933 Louise Ave. Free admission.
Join Boy Scout Troup 355 for its Best in the Galaxy BBQ. The scouts and volunteers will be cooking up 7,000 pounds of pork shoulders, along with brunswick stew, three types of sauces and red slaw. Come listen to country music and meet your neighbors as you grab a plate. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 3200 Park Rd. Free admission.
Saturday
Celebrate Lima, Peru’s 485th birthday at the Peruvian Winter Peña Party. Festivities include a cocktail hour with a traditional albarrobina drink, a Mainera dancer accompanied by a Peruvian guitar player and a four course dinner with wine pairings. RSVP required. 6:30-9:30 p.m. 244 W. 10th St. $85.
Watch as the Charlotte Checkers take on the Toronto Marlies at Bojangles Coliseum. Pay $30 to get a ticket and a special edition t-shirt, and bring a board game to donate to Levine Health to get a ticket for a future game for free. 6 p.m. Tickets start at $18.50.
Discover local comedy talent at the monthly Queen City Comedy Spotlight. This month’s show will feature favorites such as Improv Charlotte, Mom’s Adhesive, Now are the Foxes and Charlotte Comedy Theater. This show will contain adult content. 8 p.m. 345 N. College St. $10.
Sunday
Spruce up your Instagram feed with stunning photos of the natural world with your iPhone. Botanical Macro Photography with your Smartphone. Take a quick class to learn the basics, then go on an adventure through the McMillan Greenhouse to use your new photography skills. Cost for the class includes a lens for your iPhone that you can take home after class. 1-3 p.m. 9090 Craver Rd. $25.
Enjoy a night of Italian cuisine and craft beer at the Pilot Brewing Noche Italiana Beer Dinner. This dinner features five courses of Italian specialities by Edwin’s Organix, each paired with a pour from Pilot Brewing. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1331 Central Ave. $38.
Monday
Celebrate MLK Day with an all-day family-friendly celebration at the Gantt Center. This special day will feature panel discussions on economic equity, art-making workshops, guided tours, film screenings and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 551 S. Tryon St. Free admission.
The Levine Museum will also have a special Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Come for activities such as drum and choir performances, story time, film screenings and arts and crafts for all-ages. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 200 E. 7th St. Free admission.
Tuesday
See the classic musical ”My Fair Lady” live at Ovens Auditorium. This play tells the tale of cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle, as linguistics professor Henry Higgins tries to make her into a “proper lady.” 8 p.m. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets start at $25.
Wednesday
Join the Charlotte Millennial Art Program for Manifestations of Hybridity with Saba Taj and Antoine Williams, an evening with two North Carolina-based artists whose work responds to human reactions to prominent political and social issues of our time. Refreshments provided by Wooden Robot and Roots Catering. 6-7:30 p.m. 1520 S. Tryon St. Free admission.
See the classic George Gershwin musical ”An American in Paris” on the big screen. This charming film is the winner of six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. 7 p.m. 9630 Monroe Rd. $11.26 for General admission, $8.58 for child and senior admission.
Thursday
Explore contemporary art at the opening reception of Black x White at the Anne Neilson Fine Art. Dress in your favorite black and white attire as you walk through a gallery of black and white painting, photography, porcelain and mixed media pieces. 6-8 p.m. 532 Gov. Morrison St. #110. Free admission.
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 5:45 AM.