Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | April 15-21
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
Celebrate the Queen City’s food scene at the first Charlotte StrEATS festival on Friday and Saturday. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, vendors, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more. Free. Uptown Charlotte. https://bit.ly/3iaeXyb
Catch a Charlotte Knights baseball game as they play the Memphis Redbirds on the 7th annual Negro Leagues Night on Jackie Robinson Day. The team will welcome former Negro League players and a traveling Negro Leagues Museum, and the first 5,000 fans will get a Charlotte Knights magnet schedule. 7:04 p.m. Tickets are $12+. 324 S Mint St. https://bit.ly/378ngbD
Saturday
Play a morning round of putt putt golf for $3, then explore the rest of Charlotte SHOUT! before it closes Sunday. You can paint sneakers with Frankie Zombie at the Gantt Center for $10 from noon-2, then hear Food Network’s Amanda Freitag, taking the stage at 2 p.m. Saturday as part of Charlotte StrEATS, followed by a question-and-answer session. The festival within a festival is free, but a ticketed tasting that highlights the city’s cuisine by neighborhood is $85. Uptown Charlotte. https://bit.ly/3ulQhJD
Shop the VGTCLT spring market at the historic Ford Building at Camp North End, featuring more than 80 local and regional vendors. You’ll find vintage, antique and handmade goods, plus artisanal food and drink. Admission is $2 at the door, but if you want to shop first thing in the morning, there is an early bird admission of $7 that gets you in at 10 a.m., an hour before the doors open at 11 a.m. to the general public. 300 Camp Road. http://vintage-charlotte.com/
Swap plants and hunt for Easter eggs at the Twigs & Figs Spring Fling. There will be games for all ages, plus DIY crafts, and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. 3-7 p.m. 15205 John J Delaney Drive, Suite B. https://bit.ly/3LXKZdl
Sunday
Sip tea with the Easter Bunny at The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte. 1-4 p.m. Reservations required. Price is $55 for adults or $70 including a glass of sparkling wine, and $29 for children under 12, plus tax and gratuity. 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. https://bit.ly/3uXBbcG
Monday
Stop in for a meal at Gus’ Sir Beef, which has been feeding Charlotteans in its Oakhurst restaurant since 1969. Customer favorites at the Charlotte’s Classic Eats restaurant include the best-selling beef tips, fried squash and collard greens. Prices vary. 4101 Monroe Road. https://bit.ly/3rbCB25
Tuesday
Join in on the Hope Floats Duck Race Kick-Off Event at Legion Brewing SouthPark, which supports KinderMourn’s annual Hope Floats Duck Race May 15 at the Whitewater Center. $1 from select beer purchases will be donated to KinderMourn, and race ducks will be ready for adoption. Guests can also enter to win a swag-packed prize. 5-7 p.m. Free. 5610 Carnegie Blvd. https://www.duckrace.com/charlotte
Try Bird Pizzeria, which serves East Coast-style pies that customers have been raving about in Optimist Park. You can order ahead online or at its walk-up window, and look for new veggie-heavy menu items. Prices vary. 510 E. 15th St. https://bit.ly/379yvAy
Wednesday
Hear stories from Ladies Who Rock: Art History Edition performers during Wednesday Night Live at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Speakers including Joni Deutsch, Tiffany Bryant Jackson, Jenny Kabool and Kitty Janvrin will tell the stories of writers, poets, tv actresses, dancers, painters and museum curators. Free. 7 p.m. 420 S Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3NTR3FE
Concoct your own wine slushie while you make a flower arrangement at The Flower Bar. There are menus on hand from nearby restaurants that deliver, so you can nosh while you relax with friends and get creative. Prices vary. 1988 Cherry Road, Rock Hill. https://bit.ly/3KF0XJr
Thursday
Experience Theresa Caputo LIVE!, featuring “Long Island Medium” star Theresa Caputo from TLC. During the show, Caputo will explain her gift and deliver healing messages to audience members. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $44.75. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 East Independence Blvd. https://bit.ly/3M1umgS
Honor Earth Day at Alchemy with “A Shroom Soirée,” a limited-seating four-course dinner with wine pairings that makes mushrooms the star of the show. The event is part of the plant-based restaurant’s Love Your Mother Event Series.” $80 per person; tickets must be purchased in advance. Multiple seating times. 2517 Distribution St.. https://bit.ly/3vevzL9
Mark your calendar
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