Weekend Forecast

Friday: 85. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Saturday: 85. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Sunday: 87. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.

Friday, September 16

Food and Drink

Pints & Paws Social with White Street Brewing at Plantation Park at Ballantyne: Come with or without a 4 legged friend to enjoy some craft beer and pizza with Pet Wants: The Urban Feed Store, The Waggle Company, KeenDog and RescuedMe. 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Details.

National Guacamole Day at Vida Cantina: $1 from every small or large guacamole sold that day will be donated to the American Cancer Society and then matched by Vida. 11-11 p.m. Free. Details.

Cheese and Cider Pairing at Red Clay Ciderworks: RCC and Orrman’s Cheese Shop are joining forces to bring another night of cheese and cider pairings. 7-9 p.m. $18. Details.

Girls on the Run of Charlotte 20th Birthday Celebration at Joe’s Doughs and King of Pops: Both have created an Official Girls on the Run Birthday treat; a percentage of sales will benefit the Charlotte Council. Details.

Experience

The Twists & Turns That Lead to Delight with Faye Fulton at The Secret Chocolatier: Attendees will be entertained with stories by a professional storyteller while indulging in specialty dessert creations. 7-8 p.m. $17.50. Details.

Socks Suds & Service at Triple C Brewing Company: Beer, live music and free prizes while donating a pair of socks to a neighbor in need. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Details.

Charlotte Adult Game Night at The Tavern – Charlotte: Hang in the lounge area with games like Taboo, Uno, Spades, Musical Chairs, Karaoke, Jenga and Twister. 7-12 a.m. Free, must RSVP. Details.

Swing Dance Series at Free Range Brewing: Dance and learn with Gottaswing Charlotte; food from The Masa Casa available. 7-11 p.m. $5. Details.

Louisiana Flood Victims Pet Supply Drive & Live Music at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Charlotte: They will be donating 10% of bar sales then driving supplies down to the local Louisiana shelters on Monday. 5-10 p.m. Free. Details.

Heart, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Cheap Trick at PNC Music Pavilion: 6:30 p.m. $15-$500. Details.

44th Annual Dilworth Home Tour in Dilworth: The non-profit Dilworth Community Association stages Charlotte’s oldest home tour with proceeds benefiting DCA efforts. Fri: 6-9 p.m. & Sat: 10-5 p.m. $25-$30. Details.

Soul Junction: Historic West End Music Festival at Liston Hall Lawn at Johnson C Smith University: Festival goers will enjoy live music, great food and craft brews. Fri: 3-10 p.m. & Sat: 11-10 p.m. Free but register ticket. Details.

National Welcoming Week in Charlotte: Expect more than 10 events throughout the Queen City for Charlotte’s Welcoming Week. Details.

Learn Things

Mom Matters: Balancing Work, Family, Life at Hilton Charlotte Center City: Enjoy lunch, speakers, door prizes, goodie bags and more. 11:30-1:30 p.m. $20. Details.

Art

A sneak peek at the Mint’s 80th Anniversary Season at Mint Museum Randolf: Join the Friends of the Mint for a conversation with Jon Stuhlman, Senior Curator at the Mint to get a special preview of upcoming exhibitions. 10:30 a.m. Free. Details.

Bechtler By Night: Painting with Bob Ross at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: Expect gallery games and scavenger hunts, Bechtler BINGO, light bites from the Modern Café, and the featured cocktail, Happy Little Trees. 5-9 p.m. Free, presented by Bank of America. Details.

Sports

PBR: Built Ford Tough Series at Time Warner Cable Arena: Charlotte Professional Bull Riders Invitational presented by Cooper Tires. 8 p.m. $55-$115. Details.

NHRA Carolina Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway: The NHRA’s best drivers compete in the first race of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Series Countdown to the Championship. 8 a.m.-12 a.m. $27-$64/day. Details.

Saturday, September 17

Food and Drink

Cocktails & Canines Yappy Hour at WP Kitchen + Bar: Enjoy drink specials as well as complimentary appetizers for you with homemade treats for your pooch. 2-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Lowcountry on the Green 2016 at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: Featuring delicious southern-style fare including seafood and other lowcountry cuisine, local craft brews, live bluegrass music, and a silent auction. 7-10 p.m. $100. Details.

Black and Blue Bar Crawl at Fitzgerald’s Charlotte: Each participating bar will be giving away a set of tickets to the Panthers vs. 49ers game on Sunday during their specific time slot. 2-12 a.m. $10-$20. Details.

Sycamore Brunch at Sycamore Brewing: Bubble and Squeak, NY Bodega Breakfast Sandwich, Greek Meets West Omelette, Traditional Cypriot Breakfast, Scones and Clotted Cream and Iced Coffee and Tea. 9-12 p.m. Free. Details.

Brunch and Bash at Pint Central: Expect a new brunch menu being served only between these times. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Details.

Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day at The Broken Spoke: Enjoy traditional Irish dancing performances, live music, and specials on food, Guinness and signature cocktails. 1-12 a.m. Free. Details.

3rd Annual Southeast Asian Street Food Festival at Midwood International & CLTTRL: Featuring food from different Southeast Asian countries and tribes, a silent auction, a raffle, youth performances, and a Pho-Eating contest. 12-6 p.m. Free. Details.

3rd Annual Premature Oktoberfest at Rooftop 210: Featuring live music, food, open bar and raffles. 7-11 p.m. $75. Details.

No Kid Hungry Dinner at Mimosa Grill: A multi-course dinner featuring an all female chef line-up to end childhood hunger now; expect a reception, dinner and live-auction. 6-9 p.m. $175. Details.

Experience

Pitchin’ for Wishes Cornhole Tournament at Freedom Park: Join the Roby Family of Companies and Harris Teeter to benefit Make-A-Wish® Central & Western North Carolina. 10-4 p.m. $60. Details.

DogFest Walk ‘n Roll Charlotte at Blakeney Shopping Center: Celebrate the community of people and dogs that make it possible for Canine Companions to help transform the lives of people with disabilities. 10-2 p.m. Free. Details.

CRC Backyard Movie Night at Charlotte Running Club: Pack up a picnic dinner or some of your favorite munchies and join for an evening of running-themed movies under the stars. 6-11 p.m. Free. Details.

Girl Tribe Pop Up – Fall 2016 Pop Up Shop at Sugar Creek Brewing: One day shopping event featuring 50+ local women-owned businesses and a photobooth and lounge by Komen Charlotte; VIP hour from 11-12 p.m. with exclusive vendor discounts. 11-5 p.m. Free-$5. Details.

La Celebración del Espiritu at LaCa Projects: Celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, a community mural, face painting, authentic Latin American food vendors, studio artist and gallery tours. 11:30-3 p.m. Free. Details.

13th Annual Catawba RiverFest at Friends of Lake James State Park: Help to celebrate, learn about, and show your appreciation for the Catawba River; expect food, music, crafts, educational exhibits, canoe, kayak, and paddle board demos. 11-4 p.m. Free. Details.

The 22nd Festival of India at Belk Theater: Showcasing the diversity of Indian dance, food, art, music and Bollywood entertainment; expect yoga demos, henna tattoos, and dance performance in the street to live music. Sat & Sun: 12-6 p.m. $6-$7. Details.

Learn Things

Queen City Entrepreneur Expo at Advent Coworking: The expo will offer podcasting classes (learn equipment, recording, editing, distribution), business workshops and business exhibitions. 1-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Art

The First Annual Bungalow Social at Tabor: SOCO Gallery, a contemporary art space and bookshop, and Tabor present the inaugural Bungalow Social. Expect designer appearances, a lecture by Art Advisor Maria Brito, special performances, coffee, craft beer and BBQ. 10-6 p.m. Free. Details.

Chickspeare: Shakespeare in the PARK(ing) Lot at NoDa Brewing Company-North End: The Chicks present ‘Comedy of Errors’, one of the Bard’s most farcical comedies; bring your lawn chairs. Sat & Sun: 2 p.m. Free. Details.

Kids

Backcountry Days & Ice Cream Social 2016 at Charlotte Museum of History: Families can enjoy an old-fashioned summer afternoon of storytelling, open jam sessions, singing and ice cream. 1-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Mud Run 2016 at USNWC: There is no fee for spectators and there will be fun activities for young children. 9-12 p.m. $35-$45. Details.

Theatre in the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: Children’s Theatre Resident Touring Company will provide a live performance of Commedia Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs geared towards children ages 4-11. 11-3 p.m. Free. Details.

Fitness

3rd Annual South End Shuffle 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run around the Rail Trail: There will be an after-party at Wooden Robot with live music and complimentary beverages. 5 p.m. $25-$35. Details.

Hit The Brixx 10K / 5K Run-Walk at Brixx Pizza – Uptown Charlotte: Benefitting Kids Path, the pediatric program of Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region; finishers of the race will enjoy Brixx pizza and beer at the finish line. 7:45 a.m. $5-$35. Details.

Core Revolution’s 1st Birthday Bash at Core Revolution: Celebrate one year with food, friends, fitness and free classes all morning. 8-12 p.m. Free. Details.

West End Spin at Seversville Park: The route will be 5 miles and include tours of the campus of JCSU, Frazier Park, Wesley Heights greenway and end at Seversville Park. 9-12 p.m. Free. Details.

Peak-to-Peak Crowders Climb at Crowders Mountain State Park: A one-of-a-kind 11-mile hiking challenge. 8 a.m. $25-$45. Details.

Sports

Soccer at Ramblewood Soccer Complex: Charlotte Independence vs. Rochester Rhinos. 7 p.m. $5-$30. Details.

Charlotte Roller Derby Double Header at Grady Cole Center: Tailgating starts at 3:30 p.m.; food/ beverages provided and fans can BYOB (no glass allowed). 5-9 p.m. $12-$16. Details.

B.T.E.P & Novant present the Uptown 3on3 Celebrity Tournament at Mint St. & Johnson C Smith University: Winners from Saturday’s games will compete for the Championship, and the last team standing will play against celebrities and professional athletes. Sat: 10-8 p.m. & Sun: 6-9 p.m. $10-$25. Details.

Sunday, September 18

Experience

Cars and Cappuccinos at Caribou Coffee (7804 Fairview Rd.): An opportunity for owners and admirers of European sports cars to bring out their cars and meet up with other enthusiasts. 9-11 a.m. Free. Details.

Portraits In The Park at Independence Park: Get some pictures taken by a local professional photographer. 10-5 p.m. $20. Details.

Sports

First regular season Panthers home game at Bank of America Stadium: Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers. 1 p.m. $50-$310. Details.

Rocktoberfest at Charlotte Curling Association: Ticket includes two hours of instruction and curling, followed by free German-themed snacks and drinks for purchase at their full bar. 2-4 p.m. $36.05. Details.

Wish you had known about some of these events before now? Plan ahead for next weekend here.