Food and drink

Food Truck Friday opens the season at Sycamore Brewing: They are scaling back the original plans but will still have four trucks onsite. Friday, 3/11

Craft Freedom Launch Party at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: Craft Freedom is an initiative trying to change the NC law that restricts breweries from distributing their own beer after they’ve reached a certain threshold. OMB, NoDa and other local breweries will be pouring during the event to show their support for Craft Freedom. Friday, 3/11 at 6 p.m.

South End Craft Crawl: Special tappings each hour at 12 different breweries and beer shops throughout the day beginning at noon. Two trollies will be running to help you get around. Free – register here. Saturday, 3/12

Breakfast in Heaven release at Lenny Boy Brewing: Try this organic breakfast stout or the “What-a-Pear” Kombucha, which will be returning to their tap room. Live music for Natty Boh Duo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 3/12

Earl’s Grocery Mixology Lab with Bob Peters: Learn about Muddy River Rum from the owners/operators then Bob will teach some simple ways to make cocktails with their different rums. Starts at 2:30 p.m. but get there early to get a seat. Saturday, 3/12 

Experience

In the NIC of Time at The Fillmore: Fundraiser benefitting the NICN at Levine Children’s Hospital and Charlotte Fetal Care Center. Tickets. Friday, 3/11

Swing Dance Party at Free Range Brewing: Get a quick lesson from Gotta Swing Charlotte at 7 p.m. and then dance the night away. Enjoy a soda or float from Hart’s Soda Shop. $5 at the door. Friday, 3/11

Children’s Backyard Gardening Workshop at Wing Haven Gardens: Learn how to build your own garden beds, prepare soil and what to plant at 10 a.m. Chopt will be onsite providing demonstrations and samples. Register in advance – $10 for members and $12 for non members. Saturday, 3/12

Learn to ride a bike at the outdoor track at Marion Diehl Recreation Center: Free lessons will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No advanced registration necessary. Trips for Kids Charlotte will have extra bikes there for those who do not own one. Saturday, 3/12

Intro to 3D Printing at Discovery Place: Learn about how a 3D printer works, see one in action and try some programming for yourself from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 3/12

Green River Revival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center: Live music starts at noon, the river turns green at 1 p.m. and a cornhole tournament starts at 2 p.m. Spend the afternoon outside. Saturday, 3/12

Rich & Bennett’s 16th Annual St. Patricks Day Pub Crawl in Uptown: The world’s largest pub crawl. Ticket options here. Saturday, 3/12

Shamrock Stroll on Montford: If you don’t want to battle the crowds at the uptown bar crawl, head over the Montford starting at 2:30 p.m. Participating bars include Angry Ale’s, Southside, Brazwells, Roasting Co and Maverick Rock Taco. $10 in advance or $15 at the door gets you drink specials and giveaways throughout the night. Saturday, 3/12

The Fundamentals of Hip Hop workshop at Spirit Square: This free workshop takes place from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 3/12

St. Patrick’s Day party at Treehouse Vineyards: Live music, food and Treehouse wine from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $10 Irish dinner will benefit Carolina Big Hearts and Big Barks Rescue. $5 in advance or $8 at the door (call to order 704-283-4208). Saturday, 3/12

St. Jude Evening of Hope in the Urban Garden Uptown: Fundraiser will feature celebrity chefs, music, live and silent auction and a speaker from St. Jude beginning at 7 p.m. $250 for individuals and $400 for couples – tickets. Saturday, 3/12

The Arts

Psychedelic Paint Party at the Charlotte Art League: Live music, oil painting and drinks from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free admission, paint, easels and brushes – just pay for your drinks and canvas. Friday, 3/11

Little Mermaid presented by The Charlotte Ballet opens. Performances run until March 20. Tickets. Friday, 3/11

Coffee and Conversation with artist Robert Kushner at Jerald Melberg Gallery: Kushner’s work can be found at the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art and others. Meet Kushner and enjoy a cup of coffee from 11 a.m. to noon. Saturday, 3/12

Open Studio Saturday at the McColl Center from noon to 4 p.m. Free – registration recommended. Saturday, 3/12

HeARTbeat presented by Playing for Others: Event honors 12 local nonprofits through music, dance, slam poetry and visual arts. Performance starts at 7 p.m. $20 for adults and $10 for under 18 – tickets. Saturday, 3/12

Charlotte Symphony Pops presents Boyz II Men at Belk Theater at 8 p.m. $50+ tickets. Saturday, 3/12

Sunday Fun Day at the Mint Museum Uptown: Family-friendly art projects, gallery visits, artist demos and yoga from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. $8 for adults and free for children. Sunday, 3/13

Fitness

Color Me Green 5K Color Run: Untimed trail race at the U.S. National Whitewater Center beginning at 10 a.m. Wear white – awards will be given to the cleanest and greenest. Register. Saturday, 3/12

Wellness Seminar with Liz Hilliard: The owner and creator of Hilliard Studio Method will share her tips on how to rev up your metabolism in this hour long session beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sign up here. Saturday, 3/12

Sports

Basketball: The Hornets host Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. on Friday (tickets) and the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. on Saturday (tickets).

Hockey: The Checkers host the Rockford Icehogs on Saturday at 7 p.m. (tickets) and Sunday at 1 p.m. (tickets). Stick around after the Sunday game for “Salute to Heroes” charity hockey game. The Police/Sheriff team will take on the Fire/Medic team.

Cover image via Facebook