Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Nov. 23-29
Friday
▪ Black Friday may mean waking before the sun to wait in long lines for big sales, but for music fans and record collectors it’s become a second albeit smaller version of April’s Record Store Day with exclusive limited vinyl releases that are only available at independent stores (some may be released to other retailers at a later date). This year’s Black Friday Record Store Day features around 150 releases including titles by Dave Matthews, Weezer, Phish, Insane Clown Posse, U2, Outkast, Bob Marley, John Coltrane and Chris Cornell. In Charlotte, Repo and Lunchbox Records are participating, but there are around 20 independent stores within a two-hour radius. Check with your local store to see what they’ll stock.
▪ Charlotte Symphony Pops kicks off the holiday season with the ultimate kids Christmas fantasy/every parent’s nightmare, “Home Alone.” It’s a night of family-friendly fun, although your kids’ laughter may threaten to drown John Williams’ live score as McCauley Culkin’s Kevin faces off with Harry and Marv for the first time. $19-$132, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Saturday
▪ St. Nick arrives at Stowe Dairy Christmas Tree Farm in Gastonia to visit with children atop his old chair from the Gaston Mall. If you grew up in Gaston County and still have a photo taken with Santa in the chair, bring a copy to add to the farm’s memory tree. While there, you can choose a Christmas tree, either a pre-cut Fraser Fir or chop your own Leyland Fir, Red Cedar, or Carolina Sapphire. The farm also sells wreaths, garland and other holiday décor as well as gifts and food from the Christmas Shop and Snack Shack. Hayrides, children’s activities like ornament making and marshmallow roasting, and other farm adventures await. Bring your own camera as there is no professional photographer on site. Santa’s there from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open Fridays and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 12 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
▪ SouthEnd takes Small Business Saturday a step further with three pop-up markets featuring local and regional vendors in addition to the area’s resident shops. WCCB’s Wilson’s Dudeapalooza returns to C3Lab with an assortment of vintage, handmade, and found goods fit for the men in your life. Food trucks and Triple C Brewing will be on-site. Two more pop-up areas with food, live music, and shopping are on Lincoln Street between Church and Mint Streets and on Camden Road, where vendors will set up booths along the street. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday
▪ December quickly approaches and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas isn’t far behind. Led by Grammy winning composer Chip Davis, who began steering the ship over 30 years ago, the multimedia show features a number of classic Christmas songs to set that yuletide spirit alight. $25-$114.50, 7 p.m., Belk Theater.
Tuesday
▪ She may have the same last name as her famous aunts and uncles, but Chaunte` Wayans’ autobiographical comedy relies more on her unique experiences as a bystander to fame that was just one branch over on the family tree. She’s also a recovering addict and an out lesbian with her own personal and funny, yet topical stories to share. $20, 7 p.m. Comedy Zone.
▪ Few things in modern day pop culture are as universally recognizable as J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, which makes it ripe for parody. Olivier award winning actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner do just that in their successful send-up Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Potter Experience, A Parody by Dan and Jeff. All aboard. Next stop Hogwarts, where the pair crams seven books, a fire-breathing dragon, and a Quidditch match into 70 Monty-Python-like minutes of Hufflepuffery and Slytherining. $25-$69.50/$84.50 VIP, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2, 5, and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday. McGlohon Theater.
Wednesday
▪ Uptown gets its own pop-up shop when Poptopia Holidays opens its makeshift retail store inside Sonia & Isaac Luski Gallery at the Foundation for the Carolinas for four days. The 16 vendors, including Queen City Grounds, Johnny Fly Co., CLT Find, 704 Shop, Potts Chocolate, and Wildly Urban, cover an array of gifts from men and women’s fashion, Charlotte-centric gifts, accessories, jewelry, and artisanal sweets. Free. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
▪ Polarizing Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier (“Melancholia,” “Dancer in the Dark”) enlists `80s heartthrob Matt Dillon as a serial killer on a twelve year murder spree in “The House That Jack Built.” With Uma Thurman, Riley Keough, and veteran Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, “Jack” promises to be Dillon’s edgiest, most exciting role in years. Charlotte Film Society presents the uncut director’s version. $10 for society members, $12 for non-members. 7:30 p.m. Ayrsley Grand Cinema.
▪ From “Ellen” to “Old School” actor Jeremy Piven has made audiences laugh, but none more than as “Entourage’s” Ari Gold. While many comedians shift from standup to films and TV, Piven’s taken the opposite route, finding standup through guest performances at his celebrity friends’ charity events. Fans of his films and TV shows can see a different side of his work as he takes the standup stage. $35/$60 meet and greet, 7:30 p.m. Comedy Zone.