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Today is Black Friday, and we know where most of you are. But, at some point during the season, you’ve got to get out of the congested malls and department stores, to really enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Kicking off tonight at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens is Holiday Lights at the Garden. At the event you can get back to nature while being surrounded by holiday displays with more than 600,000 lights and decorative scenery. Carriage rides, holiday carols, garden-scale trains, baked treats, hot cocoa, and more is also in the mix. Oh, and make sure you’re being nice, as Santa Claus will be roaming through the garden too. Continues through Dec. 31. Hours for Holiday Lights at the Garden: Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. Events on each night vary, visit Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Website for a downloadable calendar. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located at 6500 South New Hope Rd. in Belmont. For more information, call 704-825-4490.

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The Charlotte Bobcats haven’t been off to a great start this season. Actually, they’ve lost more games than they’ve won — but, they have won some and that counts for something, right? There’s always hope they can win again and we’ll hope that’s the case when the league’s reigning MVP, LeBron James, and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers come to the Q.C. to take on The Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena tonight. Be ready to watch this game intensely, and all while the food in your bellies from Turkey Day is still digesting. – Marian Drayton

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Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 27, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Metric with Band of Skulls at Neighborhood Theatre

• Comedian Jon Reep at McGlohon Theatre

• In The Blood at Duke Energy Theatre

• Holiday Lights at The Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

• The Von Ehrics at Milestone

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In its 62nd year, The Carolina’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – which, goes down today at 10 a.m. – has become a tradition for many folks in Charlotte and the surrounding area. With finely decorated floats and a variety of participants and marching bands in line to strut through the streets of Uptown Charlotte, it’s something to experience. It’s kinda like the Charlotte version of New York’s Macy’s Day Parade. Since The Carolina’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s earlier, morning start – which replaced its longtime afternoon festivity hours last year -  it’s not like you can use being full from gorging on Thanksgiving food as an excuse to not attend. Chill out at the parade (And I do mean chill. It’s getting cold, so dress warm people!), which might even kick you into some holiday cheer (or fear). And, like it or not, Santa Claus will be there to remind you that Christmas is just around the corner. 10 a.m. Parade begins at Tryon Street at 9th Street, turns left onto 3rd Street and ends at 3rd Street and Davidson Street.

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This weekend (Nov. 27 & 28) Charlotte Symphony will present a special Pops concert, titled Simply Sinatra at Belk Theater. The show, conducted by Victor Vanacore, will feature Steve Lippia performing hits by Frank Sinatra. Tickets are $25-$67. Shows start at 8 p.m. For more information, click here.

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Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, Nov. 27

Jon Reep
McGlohon Theatre
Thanksgiving may have been yesterday, but comedian Jon Reep is still stuffed. Filled with humor, this winner of NBC’s Last Standing Comic can dish out a hearty helping of hilarious, faster than you can say leftovers. For two nights (Nov. 27 & 28), Reep will perform at McGlohon Theatre.

• Exhibit Discovery Place’s newest interactive exhibit, Cool Stuff allows for visitors to explore and test the laws of physics, chemistry and engineering. If you thought Bill Nye The Science Guy was the answer to your science problems, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. more…

• Theater On Q Productions’ latest play In The Blood, explores racial, gender, and social injustices through a homeless mother with street smarts. Performances kick off tonight at Duke Energy Theatre. more…

Saturday, Nov. 28

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Time Warner Cable Arena
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is known for putting a rock-hearted spin on Christmas-themed songs. It will bring its very extravagant show – which features everything from lights being synced to the music, pyrotechnics, and lots of other special surprises (I’m not telling) – to Time Warner Cable Arena tonight.
• Literature Local author Tamar Myers – who was born and raised in the Belgian Congo – will sign and discuss her newest book, The Witch Doctor’s Wife at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. more…

• Music Dress in you undead best for a zombie theme party at Tremont Music Hall tonight. A zombie costume contest and beauty pageant will go down and music will be provided by Angles on Acid, Graveyard Boulevard, Swarm Theory, DJ Sin, and DJ Price. more…

Sunday, Nov. 29

The Pretty Things Peepshow
Milestone
The Pretty Things Peep Show features vintage-style burlesque dancers, as well as popular SuicideGirls Bettina May and go-go Amy. The jaw-dropping excitement abounds with Miss Heather Holliday, who will fire-eat, sword-swallow, and more.

• Food The menu at One-U: Japanese Kitchen & Sushi Bar offers dozens of choices, from traditional Japanese to other Asian-styled foods. Try the crisp tempura. more…

• Music Tonight Mayday Parade brings its pop-punk harmonies to the stage of Tremont Music Hall. With There for Tomorrow, the Dangerous Summer and Vega Under Fire. more…

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Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 25, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Revisit: A Group Exhibition at Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique

• Crowntown Showdown at The Evening Muse

• Catawba Indian Cultural Series at Reedy Creek Nature Center

• Annual Turkey of the Year Glass Night at Flying Saucer

• Yankee Tavern at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte

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Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 24, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Red Hot Turkey Bash at Wachovia Atrium

• Comedian James Sibley at Lake Norman Comedy Zone in Galway Hooker

• Little Dragon at Milestone

• Hawthorne Heights at Tremont Music Hall

• Game Theory exhibition at Dialect Gallery

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Artist Mike Watson has lived in Charlotte for nine years after moving down South from Philadelphia. His colorful, abstract paintings are currently featured in the Emergence exhibition at the freshly opened Twenty-Two Gallery. Watson spoke to Creative Loafing about his art.

The exhibit continues through Nov. 29. For more details, call 704-342-0122.

Mike Watson's "In The Field 1"

Creative Loafing: What inspired the series of “In the Field” paintings? Why are the bodies cropped?
Mike Watson: There’s like three different ones. What inspired it was this idea of incorporating a figure into a landscape, but giving you enough information to kind of try to figure out what it is, as a viewer, in terms of what is going on and not showing the head basically – because that’s what’s cropped. By not showing that, I’m not giving all the answers, so you can’t tell the emotions or thought process by looking at this person and you can’t see if they are young or old or anything. It’s mainly because I want the viewer to kind of fill in the story in their mind when they are looking at it. (more…)

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It’s hard to shop for picky people during the holidays, but knowing where to go makes it easier. The All Arts Market, an indoor marketplace at Neighborhood Theatre on Dec. 2, 3, 16 and 17, should make buying gifts a bit more manageable. Featuring all hand-made goods and arts and crafts, including jewelry, photography, clothing, paintings, bags, and more, there’s something for everyone here. Free; $10-$30 sign-up for artists to participate for two nights. Dec. 2 & 3, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 16 & 17, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre is located at 511 E. 36th St. For more information, call 704-358-9298 or click here.

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