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

Friday, Nov. 20

UniverSoul Circus
Freedom Shopping Mart Center
Sick of the standard “Ringling Bros. and yadda yadda” circuses? Then head over to Freedom Shopping Mart Center for UniverSoul Circus, which features an international and multicultural brand of entertainment. This includes West African contortionists of Twisted Soul, Chinese Foot Jugglers, and a whole lot more.

• Music Tonight, – during NoDa’s Gallery Crawl – Neighborhood Theatre and The Rat’s Nest have partnered up to present a free music night, dubbed “Rat’s Nest Harvest Hoedown.” Bill Noonan & the Barbed Wires, Brandon Kirkley, The Loose Lugnuts, and The Pistoleros will perform. more…

• Festival The Beaujolais Wine Tasting Festival at Levine Museum of the New South offers a diverse taste of wines (including the 2009 Beaujolais nouveau) from France’s wine-producing region, Beaujolais, for sampling. more…

Saturday, Nov. 21

Yankee Tavern
Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte
Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s latest production, Yankee Tavern, is a teasing mystery that will have your pulse racing – and that’s without alcohol in your system. The play centers around a series of events that unravel, and ultimately suggest conspiracy theories to key events in American history.

• Food Plant-eaters will leave with their bellies full at Zizi’s Vegetarian (Vegan) to Go. The menu is full of a wide range of tasty choices for both vegetarians and vegans. more…

• Comedy Charlotte sketch comedy troupe Robot Johnson will deliver a crazy-funny performance tonight at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre. more…

Sunday, Nov. 22

Matt and Ted Lee
Park Road Books
Matt and Ted Lee will visit Park Road Books today to sign and discuss their new cookbook titled, The Lee Bros. Simple, Fresh, Southern: Knockout Dishes with Down-Home Flavor.

• Music Known for his powerful vocal chords and as the front man of The Who, Roger Daltrey will visit Charlotte for a rock hard performance at The Fillmore during his current solo tour. more…

• Music Tonight, Carolina Reggae Vibes and Reggae Central present the One Love Reggae Festival at Amos’ Southend. You can expect to hear reggae sounds from Capleton, Cocoa Tea, Jah Thunda, and Prophecy Band. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Nov. 13

Game Theory
Dialect Gallery
Local artist Antoine Williams’ new solo exhibition, Game Theory opens tonight at Dialect Gallery. Paintings in the exhibition explore ideas related to different perspectives of life and the perusal of happiness and freedom.

• Special Event Tease the hair (the bigger, the better) and break out your 80’s vintage gear for a special 80’s themed-party at Town Tavern tonight. more…

• Art Tonight is First Look Friday at Mint Museum of Art. What does that mean? An art preview celebrating the opening of the exhibition, Lois Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color. The evening event will also feature a lecture on the artist and music performances by students from Queens University of Charlotte and Johnson C. Smith University. more…

Saturday, Nov. 14

South Pacific
Belk Theater
It’s getting hot and relationships are blossoming in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s award-winning musical South Pacific. See if love will prevail during performances at Belk Theater.

• Dance Tonight is your last chance to check out NC Dance Theatre’s Innovative Works – which includes Mark Diamond’s “There Again, Not Slowly,” and Dwight Rhoden’s “Moody Booty Blues,” and Uri Sand’s “Tearing for a Cure,” and two new pieces choreographed by Mark Diamond and Sasha Janes – at Booth Playhouse. more…

• Comedy Laughter will be supreme when stand-up comedians Tommy Blaze and Jeremy Pierce hit the stage of Alive tonight. more…

Sunday, Nov. 15

Birth
Queens University
Karen Brody’s production Birth tells true stories of pregnant women in America today. It’s also for a good cause, as it raises funds for Carolina Community Maternity Center.

• Festival The Puerto Rican Festival celebrates all things Puerto Rican. This includes music, spoken word, dance, arts and crafts, and authentic foods. more…

• Music Russian rockers Mumiy Troll have crossed the sea and will bring its alternative-pop rock sounds into Alley Cat tonight. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Nov. 6

Paranormal Investigators Convention
Ramada Airport South
Things will get spooky during the Paranormal Investigators Convention, a three-day event which stops in Charlotte Nov. 6-8, and features a variety of seminars and workshops on paranormal activity and ghost-hunting led by experts in the field. This includes celebrities like Steve Gonsalves, Dave Tango, and Tiffany Johnson of Ghosthunters, and more.

• Art Drop by Lark & Key Gallery tonight – during NoDa’s Gallery Crawl – for the opening reception of Revisit: A Group Exhibition. It features works by Duy Huynh, Charlotte Foust, Angie Renfro, Flora Bowley, Jen Swearington, Linda Plaisted and Sofia Barao. more…

• Music Charlotte music act, Eyes of the Elders, will celebrate the release of its new CD with a party tonight at Snug Harbor. Get out and support local music! more…

Saturday, Nov. 7

Emergence
Twenty-Two
Head to Plaza-Midwood tonight for the opening of a new art gallery called Twenty-Two. Its first exhibition is titled Emergence. It features funky abstract creations by artists Mike Watson and Nick Bloomberg.

• Festival Don’t get the wrong idea. Though there is a “Viking Village” at the 6th Annual ScanFest of the Carolinas, it’s not filled with ruthless brutes. Check out cultural displays on Scandinavian countries (that’s Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland), dance performances, authentic cuisine, arts and crafts and more during this fest. more…

• Special Event The Pig Pickin’ Oyster Roast at Common House will feature more than just barbeque, including live music, a cornhole tournament, and beer. more…

Sunday, Nov. 8

Runway for the Ballet
Booth Playhouse
Runway for the Ballet is a little like Project Runway meets So You Think You Can Dance, and it’s for a good cause. This fashion and dance affair benefits North Carolina Dance Theatre and will exclusively feature fashions from a variety of boutiques on the runway. NC Dance Theatre’s Innovative Works, will also be showcased.

• Theater Matthews Playhouse of Performing Arts presents performances of E. B. White’s classic tale, – about a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte – Charlotte’s Web. more…

• Benefit It’s good to laugh, and even better to be doing some good in the process. Charlotte improv group, The Chuckleheads will perform this special show at Sandtrap Bar & Billiards to raise funds Victoria Martinsen, a 6-year-old child with cancer. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Oct. 30

Dr. Cornel West
Knight Theater
Dr. Cornel West is one heavy thinker, who ponders big issues, usually related to race, democracy, and human rights. Don’t miss him when he addresses the “State of the Union” at Knight Theater.

• Comedy Mitosis, a two-man improv team, presents a special show titled Halloween Eveill at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre tonight. With Crackers and Snackmeat. more…

• Special Event Tonight the Visulite Theatre becomes home of the 2009 Glitterati Masquerade Ball: The Devil’s Last Waltz. Break out your craziest outfit or costume and join DJ Wiiz Kid, George Brazil, The J Studio Dancers, Angela Lopez, Roxy C. Moorecox and more for a night of festive dancing, mingling, and drinking. more…

Saturday, Oct. 31

CarnEvil 2009
Amos’ Southend
CarnEvil 2009 will feature live performances by Lilith Deville and Beth Ann Phetamine, as well as La Petite Mort Burlesque Troupe and music from a variety of DJs. There will also be a “Zombie Fashion Show,” fire performances and more.

• Special Event For a good fright on Halloween, The Haunted Mill comes alive with a staff of scary-looking folks on hand to disturb you and send you home screaming. For the less adventurous, there’s also a game room and mini-golf. more…

• Special Event Danse Macabre at Dammit Janet, – presented by Single Cell Productions – will offer live music from Angels On Acid, S.O.U.L and Grevious, as well as a surplus of DJs (DJ Karma, DJ Torchure and DJ Spider, among others). Also, you can expect drink specials, giveaways and lots of fetish performances. more…

Sunday, Nov. 1

Dia de los Muertos
Levine Museum of the New South
Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, will be celebrated at Levine Museum of the New South today. Those attending can enjoy authentic food and a variety of entertainment, including dancing, art/altar displays, crafts – like decorating a sugar skull with colorful icing and sequins – and more.

• Music Eric Benet may be better known as the ex-husband of actress Halle Berry, but he can also play music. You can expect him to crank out a series of melodic soul tunes when he performs at Ovens Auditorium tonight. more…

• Theater Theatre Charlotte’s latest production The Woman in Black was adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s book. It’s a haunting tale about a ghost that no one wants to encounter, as those who see it die shortly afterwards. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Oct. 23

Basic Training
Stage Door Theater
Kahlil Ashanti’s one-man act, Basic Training, continues this weekend at Stage Door Theater. The show is based off of true events from Ashanti’s life, including his army experiences and his own personal journey into finding himself and his biological father. Ashanti uses quick wit and pure talent, as he portrays 23 different characters — and I mean characters.

• Music Songstress and guitarist Erin McCarley has increasingly gained in popularity with her latest CD titled, Love, Save the Empty. You can see her perform live at Tremont Music Hall tonight. more…

• Theater Carolina Actors Studio Theatre’s newest production, with a super-long title, Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade, is a play-within-a-play that revolves around some theatrical-performing-lunatics in a mental asylum. Here’s to hoping that as they perform a play about the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, no one gets stabbed – that is, since Marat met his death oh so sharply with a knife. more…

Saturday, Oct. 24

The Chuckleheads
Actor’s Theatre
Charlotte improv troupe, The Chuckleheads will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a special show titled “2nd Anniversary Birthday Comedy Improv Variety Extravaganza” at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte tonight. The event will feature lots of improv, in forms that include singing, dancing, and heavy-duty audience participation.

• Festival Barktoberfest, an annual festival for dogs, gives pet owners the chance to get their four-legged friend out and about for something other than just a walk. The festival includes a variety of contests for dogs. In addition, pet goodies will be up for grabs, a silent auction will be held, and food and beverages will be available. The event is for a good cause too — it raises money for the American Cancer Society and Carolina Veterinary Specialists. more…

• Festival Stop by Pura Vida Worldly Art today to celebrate Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). The event will feature a special Day of the Dead art exhibit. Also, those attending can participate in a sugar-skull decorating contest. more…

Sunday, Oct. 25

The 2nd Annual Charlotte Fine Art Show
The Park
Folks looking for a variety of original art need look no further than The 2nd Annual Charlotte Fine Art Show. The two-day show at The Park, continues on Sunday (it kicks off on Sat. Oct. 24). It features juried artists from around the world selling art of all kinds of mediums, including things like paintings, sculptures, photography and other items made from glass, wood, fiber, clay and lots more.

• Music Just because Bryan Adams has musically stripped down to bare bones for his solo-acoustic show at McGlohon Theatre, doesn’t mean it won’t rock. Using his powerful vocal chords to cut through hits like, “Summer of ‘69″, and “Open Road,” “Cuts Like A Knife”, among others, he can still wake up the neighbors. more…

• Theater Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is touching on a serious issue in its upcoming performances of New Kid. The play tackles the hardships of moving to a new school and getting teased by peers. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Oct. 16

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Theatre Charlotte
Dress-up and sing-along during a special film screening of the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Theatre Charlotte. Audience participation kits will be provided.

• Comedy It’s good to laugh and you’re sure to do so while in the presence of stand-up comedians DS and Eric Counts, who perform at Alive tonight. more…

• Food Turkish delights like chicken, döner, and beef kebabs are plentiful on the menu of Metropolitan Café & Catering. Try the stuffed grape leaves too. more…

Saturday, Oct. 17

Kathy Griffin
Ovens Auditorium
Whether she is mocking celebrities – and she does a damned good job – or doing pure stand-up comedy, actress/comedian Kathy Griffin is bound to get some heated reactions in addition to laughs. Check her out at Ovens Auditorium tonight.

• Music Soul songstress N’dambi hits Charlotte tonight for an intimate performance at Utopia SoundStage. Don’t miss it. This lady can sing, and she’s got one cool Afro, too. more…

• Festival In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Second Annual Breastival will be held at Snug Harbor. Scheduled to perform are groups like The Lesser Pauls, Black Lashes, Erika Blatnik and lots more. more…

Sunday, Oct. 8

Metallica
Time Warner Cable Arena
Metallica is set to perform at Time Warner Cable Arena tonight. That said, you can expect a night of metal mayhem. Opening act is Lamb of God.

• Festival 15 Short Film Festival at The Evening Muse is a little like a box of chocolates, in that you never know what you’re gonna get. Nineteen short films, — lasting 15 minutes — submitted by filmmakers from 15 different countries, will be screened during the fest at The Evening Muse. more…

• Theater Don’t miss Queen City Theatre Company’s final performance of Sordid Lives, a black comedy about white trash, at Duke Energy Theatre. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Oct. 9

Dimeji Onafuwa: The Significant Line
RedSky Gallery
Stop in RedSky Gallery today, from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., for the opening reception of its new exhibition, Dimeji Onafuwa: The Significant Line.

• Theater The audience is “the class” and “Sister” does some serious teaching in humorous performances of Late Nite Catechism at Booth Playhouse. more…

• Special Event Author Rob Bell will discuss his latest book, Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering tonight at Ovens Auditorium. more…

Saturday, Oct. 10

Steve Martin
Knight Theater
It’s hard to get past the funny Steve Martin we all know from movies and comedy acts. And yet, we have no choice, as he really has transitioned to banjo pickin’. He will perform with The Steep Canyon Rangers and special guest Dave Barry tonight at Blumenthal Performing Arts’ newest venue, Knight Theater.

• Festival Have you ever wanted to learn how to make mozzarella? Or, watch international pizza toss champions display their talents? You can do all that and more at Ciao, Italia! Festival. Don’t forget to chow down on pasta and Italian ice too. more…

• Theater Davidson Community Players’ explores love – the joy and the heartache – in its latest production, Almost, Maine. more…

Sunday, Oct. 11

Carolina Renaissance Festival
Huntersville
Carolina Renaissance Festival continues this weekend. At the fest, you can take a step back into medieval times and enjoy a variety of arts and crafts, and live entertainment, including a jousting tournament.

• Special Event One word: Zombies. At the Charlotte Zombie Walk at Phil’s Tavern folks can dress in their zombie best for a prowl through the streets of the Q.C. Money will also be raised for Halloween costumes for disabled children, in addition to a blood drive, and a canned food drive. more…

• Festival It’s fiesta time, when the 19th Annual Festival Latinoamericano invades Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. The event honors Central and South American cultures with a hoard of authentic food, arts and crafts, dancing, and music. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Oct. 2

A Chorus Line
Belk Theater
Fast moving footwork and stellar stories define the dancers in A Chorus Line. But, the dancing business is no game. Out of 17 dancers, auditioning for a show, only eight will be chosen. Don’t miss this touching performance at Belk Theater.

• Art Doma Gallery’s newest exhibition, Bodies: Steel and Skin will celebrate its revealing opening with a reception tonight, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. more…

• Festival Create a splash during the 4th Annual Whitewater Festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. At the festival, which starts today and continues on Sat., Oct.3, folks can enjoy live music and canoe/kayak action. more…

Saturday, Oct. 3

Great Grapes Wine, Art & Food Festival
Symphony Park
Pack up the picnic blankets and lawn chairs and head out for a day of relaxation and wine during Great Grapes Wine, Art & Food Festival at Symphony Park. Don’t drink? The festival also offers entertainment, food, wine and food seminars, and more than 50 exhibits too.
• Theater Queen City Theatre Company’s latest production, Sordid Lives, – showing at Duke Energy Theatre – is a black comedy about white trash. That said, you can expect lots of drama. more…

• Music Canadian-based indie rock act Islands drifts into Amos’ Southend with an assortment of new tunes from its latest album Vapours. Happy Mondays and Psychedelic Furs also perform. more…

Sunday, Oct. 4

Fort Mill BBQ
737 Stockbridge Dr., Fort Mill
Find comfort in food (barbeque, wings, mac and cheese, banana pudding and more) at Fort Mill BBQ Company: Catered Southern Cuisine.

• Special Event Don’t be a drag … just because it’s Sunday doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Tonight at Petra’s Piano Bar a special show, titled “A Night Of Celebrity Illusion” will feature drag queens impersonating stars like Reba, Cher, Boy George and more. more…

• Music Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic unite for a long night of rockin’ at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Plan to be sleepy on Monday morning. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Sept. 25

Charlotte Pop Fest
Queens University’s Dana Auditorium
Charlotte Pop Fest continues tonight with acts like The Spongetones, Jill Sobule, gogoPilot, Transmission Fields and more at Queens University’s Dana Auditorium.

• Art Tonight is the reception for the Decade exhibition at McColl Center for Visual Arts. more…

• Film The Charlotte Film Festival continues this weekend with more flicks that will have your eyes glued to the big screen. more…

Saturday, Sept. 26

Funk You! 70s Theme Party
Visulite Theatre
Nasty Promotions’ latest shindig, righteously dubbed the “Funk You! 70s Theme Party,” is set to bring its own flashback of the disco era into Visulite Theatre tonight. And to add to the groovy times, the event will feature DJs spinning ’70s favorites, as well as live music from Iron Cordoba, dancing from The Bad Mamma Jamma dancers, a costume contest and more.

• Benefit Help “Save The Hooters!” at The Tavern on Park tonight. The fundraiser aims to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and will feature a raffle and live music from the blues-rock act Roadside Attraction. more…

• Festival It’s time for UNC-Charlotte’s annual International Festival, and you know what that means: an explosion of cultural goodness. The free (yes!) fest is known for its displays of a number of countries, as well as arts and crafts, dancing, music performances, and lots of authentic food. more…

Sunday, Sept. 27

Festival in the Park
Freedom Park
Don’t miss Festival in the Park at Freedom Park. The event offers plenty to keep you occupied, including entertainment, from music to comedy performances, family-friendly activities, and vendors with arts, crafts, and other merchandise for sale.

• Theater Man of La Mancha, a play-within-a-play, is based on Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote,” and tells the story of a dying old man whose dreams take over his mind. Check out performances at CPCC’s Halton Theater. more…

• Music The Philadelphia-based jam band Disco Biscuits will fill The Fillmore with its trippy electronic beats tonight. more…

Bookmark It

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

Friday, Sept. 18

The Southern Women’s Show
The Park
The Southern Women’s Show at The Park provides all your shopping, fashion and cooking needs, in addition to countless tips on living right and dressing well, and freebies. In addition, a variety of celebrities will make appearances during the event (Kate Gosselin visited on Thursday!).

• Dance North Carolina Dance Theatre presents Ballet, Ballroom & Bluegrass tonight at Belk Theater. In addition to all the foot action, a live bluegrass band will also be performing. more…

• Theater Tonight, Machine Theatre presents a showing of act one of it’s latest play-in-progress, titled ThomThom(if that bird won’t sing) at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre. Post show talkbacks, which give folks in the crowd a chance to voice their own opinions about the show, will follow the performance. more…

Saturday, Sept. 19

Sunset Jazz Festival
Symphony Park
This year’s annual Sunset Jazz Festival at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall will feature jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows as headliner. In addition, the festival lineup also includes performances by Matt Marshak, Bryan Anderson, 5th and York, Innertwyned, Uniqueblend and the Queen’s Collective.

• Art Two new exhibitions, titled Romare Bearden: The Mystical Caribbean and Susanna Coffey: Plantings and Cuttings open today at Jerald Melberg Gallery. more…

• Theater Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s latest production of Big Boys is a comedy by Rich Orloff that follows a character named Norm’s ruthless quest to move up the corporate ladder. more…

Sunday, Sept. 20

Passage to India
9510 University City Blvd.
If you’re looking for savory Indian cuisine, Passage to India: The Great Indian Cuisine has it all. For starters, try the large and flavorful vegetable samosas.

• Music The electronic industrial act Slick Idiot – comprised of two very important German industrial music pioneers: En Esch and Gunter Schulz, both former members of KMFDM – will perform at Charlotte’s Underground tonight. more…

• Special Event Today is Hispanic Heritage Day at US National Whitewater Center. Join the fiesta with food, entertainment and activities that celebrate Hispanic culture. more…

Bookmark It