The Weekender: August 7 – 9

Fan Fest Party at Unknown Brewing: Help kick off the Panthers’ season with live music, a food truck and beer at Unknown Brewing Co (3 blocks from the Stadium on Mint). Pizza from True Crafted Pizza’s Big Red Truck and live music from Pluto for Planet! Friday, 8/7; 4-10pm.

What’s better than BEER, PIZZA + PANTHERS?! … NOTHING!! Come hang with us before Fan Fest for insanely good @truecraftedpizza and bomb delish beer!

A photo posted by Unknown Brewing Tap Room (@unknowntaproom) on

Experience

River Slam at the US National Whitewater Center: This weekend is the Whitewater Center’s inaugural River Slam Festival. The weekend kicks off Friday night with the Jon Stickley Trio and JJ Grey & Mofro. Saturday, the music continues along with trail running, paddle boarding, cornhole and more. Friday through Sunday – full schedule here. Free open seating on the lawn; Terrace access for $45 on Friday and $65 on Saturday (includes meals). 

Better Than Tax Free Weekend: Save an additional 15% at Charlotte Premium Outlets and Concord Mills this weekend during NC’s back-to-school tax free weekend. Friday, 8/7 – Sunday, 8/9.

Panthers Fan Fest: Get ready for football seasons at Panthers Fan Fest. Event features performances by the TopCats, Sir Purr, PurrCussion and Black & Blue Crew followed by team practice. The evening will conclude with a firework and laser show at 9:30pm. Friday, 8/7; stadium opens at 6:30 pm. Free. 

I literally can’t wait! Yearly tradition @haleyewing16 #BOAstadium #FanFest #DieHard

A photo posted by Caleb Ewing (@acepanthers_1cam) on

Party for a Purpose at D9 Brewing Company: Head to D9 for live music, cornhole tournament, food trucks, vendors, silent auction, live paintings and craft beer to raise money for MPS. Saturday, 8/8; 2-8pm. 

Circle K Back-to-School Monster Truck Bash: Take the entire family to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Dirt Track for this Monster Truck event. Free pre-race activities include meeting drivers, taking your photo next to the 5-ton trucks and more. Saturday, 8/8; 6pm. Tickets.

Arts

Book of Liz: The widely talked about comedy, Book of Liz, opens tonight (Thursday) and runs through August 22nd. $22 – tickets.

Protect Art Exhibition at Sycamore Brewing: The Surfrider Foundation of Charlotte presents Protect, a pop up art exhibition this weekend. Artwork will showcase nature and landscape of North Carolina. Thursday through Sunday. 

Joedance Film Festival: This two-night film festival features short and feature-length films by filmmakers that reside in, are originally from or are connected to Charlotte. The event raises money for rare pediatric cancer research at Levine Children’s Hospital. Friday, 8/7 and Saturday, 8/8. Admission begins at 8pm, films begin at 9pm. $25 – tickets are currently sold out.

First Friday Gallery Crawl in South End: Explore South End’s galleries on this self-guided tour. This Friday, check out the opening of the Entwined exhibit at Ciel Gallery (6-9pm). Friday, 8/7.

Country Music at PNC Pavilion: Kick up for feet or break out your dancing boots for the Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt concert at PNC. Friday, 8/7; 7pm. Tickets.

Movies Under the Stars at SouthPark’s Symphony Park: This Friday, SouthPark Mall kicks off their Movies Under the Stars nights, which will continue every Friday evening in August. This Friday’s feature film is Big Hero 6 will be shown on a 30-foot outdoor screen. Friday, 8/7; activities and music begin at 7pm, movie at dusk. Free.

8th Annual Punk Rock Picnic at Tremont Music Hall: This concert features 12 bands on 2 stages, free hot dogs and is open to all ages Saturday, 8/8; 3pm. $8 – tickets.

Open Studio Saturday at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation: This is the final Open Studio Saturday for the McColl Center’s Summer Affiliate Artists Charles Williams, Caroline Rust, Erik Waterkotte, Endia Beal, Matt Horick, and Taproot. Saturday, 8/8/; noon-4pm. Free.

Fitness

NC Music Factory 5K Rock ‘N Run/Walk: This event promotes a positive social and economic impact for the North End corridor. Following the run, enjoy live music, visit the Health & Wellness Pavilion or get a free massage. Saturday, 8/8; 8am. $30 – registration.

Sports

Baseball: Charlotte Knights vs Rochester Red Wings. Friday, 8/7 at 7:05pm; Saturday, 8/8 at 7:05pm; Sunday, 8/9 at 5:05pm. Tickets.