Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | April 8-14
Editor’s note: CharlotteFive has limited coverage of in-person, indoor events to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. Masks are required at many Charlotte venues for indoor spaces or close settings.
Friday
See Lady Patriot, which tells the story of Civil War heroine Mary Bowser, a Black woman who participated in a pro-Union underground espionage ring. The play written and directed by Ted Lange combines comedy and drama as it peels away stereotypes prevalent in the South during the war. Performances take place April 8 and April 9 at 6 p.m., and April 10 at 2 p.m. $14.26. Starlight on 22nd, 422 E. 22nd St. https://bit.ly/36EQLSr
Enjoy some of the first strawberries of the season at Hall Family Farm. Reservations are not required, but picking will be spotty at first, so check hours before you go. Strawberries are $2.89 per pound if you pick them, and pre-picked berries are $3.39 per pound with a fee of 60 cents per box if you don’t bring your own. 445 West Rebound Road, Lancaster, SC. https://hallfamilyfarm.com
Saturday
Experience highland dancing, bagpipe bands, re-enactments, whiskey tastings, axe throwing, kids activities and more at the Loch Norman Highland Games. You can even camp there, if you choose. Tickets start at $8 for kids (5-12) and $15 for adults. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. https://bit.ly/36DssUL
Watch as some of Charlotte’s best street dancers audition for a chance to compete in Atlanta in the Red Bull Dance Your Style national finals, hosted by Ohavia Phillips with DJ MickiBlendz. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the competition runs from 2-4:30 p.m. Free. The Music Yard at SouthBound, 2433 South Blvd. https://win.gs/3uFY3NH
Hear saxophonist Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr., and his quintet performing at JazzArts Charlotte’s monthly series The Jazz Room at Stage Door Theater. They’ll play New Orleans grooves and his original creation, “Nouveau Swing,” a blend of jazz with R&B, hip-hop, rock and soul. Shows are at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. April 8, and at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on April 9. $25 in advance, or $32 at the door. 155 N College St. https://bit.ly/3K96SWT
Reset with Counterculture Club’s seasonal, weekly outdoor yoga sessions on Sundays at Camp North End. The events are free for members of Counterculture Club, which is an alcohol-free community that offers opportunities for meeting like-minded individuals and having fun. The price is $10 in advance via Eventbrite, or $15 at the door. 10-11 a.m. 1824 Statesville Ave. https://bit.ly/3NKdHjH
Monday
Get out of your comfort zone with a standup comedy class as Charlotte Comedy Theater’s six-week course on Monday nights from 6:30-9 p.m. starts. $200. Full vaccination required. VAPA Center, 700 N Tryon St. https://bit.ly/37k4o9f
Tuesday
Finalize your Passover or Easter meal plans. Passover meals are available from Kosher Charlotte. Easter reservations may be difficult to find, but they’re out there. You could also order takeout from Link & Pin, along with cookies or pie from Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop or quiche, breads and cakes from Copain. https://bit.ly/3uXBbcG
Wednesday
Have dinner at Golden Owl Tavern in University City, where new executive chef Andres Prussing has been working to revamp the menu to incorporate locally grown produce with the global flavors of his Chilean childhood. 9041 Robert D. Snyder Road. https://bit.ly/3JgGZmB
Thursday
Explore the Queen Charlotte Fair, a family-owned and operated annual event offering carnival rides, foods and shows for kids of all ages. It kicks off today and lasts through April 24. $12 for adults, $7 for kids (6-12), free for kids 5 and under. Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd., Concord. https://bit.ly/36DssUL
Mark your calendar
Celebrate the Queen City’s food scene at the first Charlotte StrEATS festival April 15-16. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, vendors, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more. The festival is free, but a ticketed tasting April 16 that highlights the city’s cuisine by neighborhood is $85. 900 W Trade St. https://bit.ly/3iaeXyb
PAWty for a PAWpose at Lucky Dog Bark and Brew in Steele Creek on April 23 while you shop, listen to music and eat barbecue from the Smoking Rail food truck to benefit the Greater Charlotte SPCA. Early arrivals will get a doggie bag including treats for you and your pets. (But bring your furry friends along only if they are fixed, friendly and up to date on vaccinations.) Ages 21+ only. 1-5 p.m. Free with RSVP only. 13835 S Lakes Dr. https://bit.ly/3DEnZNz
Grab your tickets for Charlotte Wine + Food Week on April 26-May 1, held at various venues in and around Charlotte. The festival kicks off with vintner dinners, followed by a Grand Tasting on Friday evening featuring 100+ wines, tastings from Charlotte-area restaurants and live music. Ticket prices and locations vary by event. https://bit.ly/3InpEbm
Stroll through The SOUL Expo. The inaugural event April 30 will bring together members of Charlotte’s wellness community to share tools and offer goods for sale. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 or at the door for $45. Central Piedmont Community College’s Harris Conference Center, 3216 CPCC Harris Campus Drive. https://bit.ly/3JNmu29
Attend the third annual Crave Charlotte Food and Wine Festival on May 3-8, showcasing the work of the city’s chefs, mixologists and winemakers. There’s a new feature this year — a Grand Culinary Celebration at Romare Bearden Park on May 7. Ticket prices and locations vary by event. https://www.craveclt.org/
Map out your selections for Untappd. The June 18 festival features unlimited beer samples from more than 300 choices provided by 100 of the social networking platform’s highest rated breweries — including some of your local favorites. Live music and souvenir cups are included. Session one VIP entry starts at 11 a.m., with doors open for general admission at noon and closing at 3:30 p.m. Session two VIP entry starts at 5:30 p.m., with general admission starting at 6:30 p.m., and wrapping up for the night at 10 p.m. General admission is $60, while VIP entry is $150. American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218-1238 Armory Drive. https://bit.ly/354E16K
