Agenda Weekender: 55 things to do including Cinco de Mayo at Hot Taco, Derby Days and Open Streets 704

Weekend Forecast

Friday: 63. Mostly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Saturday: 68. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Sunday: 68. Sunny. 10% chance of rain.

Friday, May 5

Food & Drink

2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Party at Hot Taco: The party will go throughout South End Station with an extension to the light rail, featuring outside bars and food stations. Free. Details.

Cinco de Mayo at Mortimer’s Café and Pub: Live music, specials on tequila, margaritas and Corona, party favors and a limbo contest. 11 a.m. Free. Details.

Tres Dias of Cinco De Mayo at The Peculiar Rabbit: Expect live music, taco food trucks, satellite margarita bars and drink specials, bar games, ping pong and a cornhole tournament. Fri-Sun: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. $10 (includes Dos Cervas, a t-shirt and a raffle ticket). Details.

Cinco de Mayo Party at Vida Cantina: Expect live music, Corona keepsakes, food and drink specials. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Free. Details.

Cinco de Mayo: FINN Fiesta in the Village at Blackfinn Ameripub – Ballantyne: Expect live music, margarita tasting, Chihuahua races and a taco eating contest. 4-11 p.m. $10. Details.

Cinco De Mayo Food Truck Friday at Sycamore Brewing: Expect Mexico-themed food truck dishes, lager with limes, margarita prosecco pops and margarita beer pops. 5-11 p.m. Free. Details.

Food Truck Friday Dilworth at Corner of Scott Ave & East Blvd: Join for the neighborhood’s first food truck Friday. 6-10 p.m. Free. Details.

Cinco de May at Howl at the Moon: Expect live music, giveaways and drink specials. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Free until 9 p.m. Details. 

Chic Cinco De Mayo at City Lights Rooftop: Expect Mexican cocktails, food, music, and dancing curated for the social young professional; cocktail attire. 6-9 p.m. $20-$50. Details.

Cinco de Mayo Paella Beer Dinner at Legion Brewing: Your ticket includes appetizers, dinner and dessert, paired with a pint of Juan Direction (a margarita-inspired gose) and Legion’s Award Winning Vienna Lager, Dos Amigos. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $35. Details.

12th Anniversary & Cinco De Mayo Bash at Mac’s Speed Shop: Expect $3 beeritos, $3 Dos Amigos, $5 margaritas and live music. 7-10 p.m. Free. Details.

Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl at EpiCentre: Your ticket includes a T-shirt (while supplies last), drink and beer specials and free entry. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $17+. Details.

Experience

Beach Week at TABOR and Capitol: Parking lot parties, designer panels, trunk shows and tons of free food; see website for the full lineup. Fri-Sat. Details.

Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion at Rock City Campground at Charlotte Motor Speedway: The Mid-Atlantic’s biggest rock festival, featuring three days of today’s best rock and legendary classic artists. Fri-Sun. $150. Details.

Midwood Maynia and Home Tour in Plaza Midwood: Celebrate spring with music, food, beer, a parade and a tour of some of Midwood’s homes; see website for full schedule. Fri-Sat. $20-$25. Details.

Art & Entertainment

Gallery Crawl throughout South End: Many of the galleries will stay open late to host lively receptions for new exhibits with music, food and drink, and an opportunity to meet the artists. 5-9 p.m. Free. Details.

Authentic Gypsy Jazz at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: The Ziad Jazz Quartet takes on a new look as they pay tribute to the music of legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. 6-10 p.m. $14. Details.

Sounds on the Square ft. Girls Rock Charlotte at Spirit Square: An outdoor performance with local musicians; don’t forget a lawn chair. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Details.

Art Showcase at C3 Lab: This spring showcase features public health informed and inspired artwork created by local youth. 7-10 p.m. Free. Details.

The Big Sing! presented by Carolina Voices at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square: A variety of choral music at its best with a live band, dancers and the Carolina Voices. Fri-Sat: 7:30 p.m. $15-$25. Details.

Fitness

Time Laps 24 Hour Relay Race at USNWC: A lap-based relay race challenging teams to earn as many points as possible within a 24-hour time period. Fri-Sat. $100. Details.

Sports

Baseball at BB&T Ballpark: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves 7:05 p.m. $8+. Details.

Saturday, May 6

Food & Drink

Crawfish Boil in the Beer Garden at Sycamore Brewing: Get 3 lbs of crawfish boil for $20, brews and live music starting at 2 p.m. 12-7 p.m. Details.

The #KingDayParty – Cinco De Mayo Weekend at Vault Charlotte: A blend of young professionals, music and cocktails. 4-8:30 p.m. $15+. Details.

Charlotte Food Fight at Stumptown Park: Expect 20+ food trucks, live music and D9 Brewing; you’ll be able to vote for your favorite truck after you sample their dishes. 3-8 p.m. Free. Details.

Experience

Kentucky Derby Watch Party at Gallery Bar in The Ballantyne: Enjoy $8 Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps while watching the Kentucky Derby live. Details.

Grand Opening at Palmer St.: Check out the new 21+ game bar in South End’s Gold District; expect 31 classic games, a food window and a bar with 20 beers on tap. Free. Details.

2017 Charlotte Pet Expo at The Park Expo and Conference Center: Visit with local groomers, sample treats, and try on the latest in pet fashions. Sat-Sun. Free. Details.

World War II Reenactment at Historic Latta Plantation: This annual battle reenactment showcases the lives of both Allied and Axis troops during WWII, both at home and abroad. Sat-Sun. $9. Details.

Free Comic Book Day at Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find: Meet comic artists and get free comics throughout the day. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Kings Drive Art Walk at Little Sugar Creek Greenway: Expect arts, crafts, music and family entertainment. Sat: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Crown Town Throw Down Cornhole Tournament at OMB: Join Charlotte’s largest cornhole tournament, with craft beer, live music, and a raffle and silent auction; each player gets 2 beer tickets, lunch, an event t-shirt and three guaranteed games. 12-4 p.m. $80/team. Details.

NoDa Day in May throughout NoDa: A street festival with 40+ artist and vendors; expect food trucks and DJ’s, too. 1-7 p.m. Free. Details.

Who’s The Dog Daddy DNA Pawty at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew: Expect games where you can pick the right DNA test of dogs and lots of prizes. 2-6 p.m. Details.

27th Annual Derby Days hosted by the Young Affiliates of the Mint at Mint Museum Randolph: Celebrate “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports” with live music, lawn games, free beer and wine, 4 signature cocktails, and a large screen viewing of the Kentucky Derby. 3-7 p.m. $55. Details.

Prom at Goodyear Arts: Tickets will go to upfitting their new donated location into studio and gallery space; expect throwback jams, drinks and small bites. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $50-$1000. Details.

Art & Entertainment

Pixar in Concert at Belk Theater: Video montages will capture the most memorable moments from all 14 Pixar films and sync seamlessly with the symphony’s live musical soundtrack. 2:30 & 8 p.m. $13+. Details.

Fashion Roots at C3 Lab: Korto Momolu, celebrity fashion designer from Project Runway, will be showcasing her pieces. 4-10 p.m. $40+. Details.

Queen City Improv Room: Female All Stars at Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: 8-10 p.m. $10. Details.

Fitness

Healthy UCity Race Series – University City Duathlon at University Research Park: A multi sport event that will take you through the roads and greenways of University City’s research park. 8 a.m. $5-$60. Details.

AIDS Walk at Gateway Village Atrium: The largest HIV awareness and fundraising event in the Carolinas. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Details.

Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Symphony Park: The number one walk in the country raising awareness and funds to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 10 a.m. Free. Details.

Yoga on the VINE at Ink N Ivy: Admission includes class and one drink ticket for a mimosa. 10-11 a.m. $5. Details.

Harper’s Creek Day Hike at Carolina Adventure Guides: Bring your swimsuit for river swimming and expect to see three waterfalls. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Details.

Captain Jacks Historical Bike Ride at OMB: Participate in a historic bike ride to various historical locations relevant to Captain Jack. 2-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Sports

Baseball at BB&T Ballpark: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves 7:05 p.m. $8+. Details.

Sunday, May 7

Experience

Front Porch Sunday at Sycamore Brewing: A day of music, beer, yoga, shopping and dog adoptions. 12-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Open Streets 704 throughout Charlotte: This will shut down streets throughout Charlotte so they can be filled with recreation, health, entertainment and environmental activities; expect free bicycle cab rides and bike rentals. 1-5 p.m. Free. Details.

Order/fire S2E8 ft. Chef Jamie Lynch at Free Range Brewing: Hear from Charlotte’s very own Jamie Lynch of 5 Church. 1-6 p.m. Free. Details.

Learn Things

Abstract Watercolor Workshop at Blue Blaze Brewing: They’ll provide watercolor paints, heavy weight watercolor papers, traditional brushes, waterbrushes, inks and texture tools. 3-4:30 p.m. $30. Details.

Art & Entertainment

The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace at Myers Park United Methodist Church: A musical offering for peace based on the Catholic mass and text from other historical and religious sources. 7 p.m. Free. Details.

Sports

Baseball at BB&T Ballpark: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves 2:05 p.m. $8+. Details.

Watch Party – Charlotte Hounds at Denver Outlaws at Legion Brewing: 5-7:15 p.m. Free. Details. 

We’re excited for…

North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival in Rural Hill: This beer and music festival will feature local breweries from throughout NC; expect live music, food trucks, and the option to camp out for the entire weekend. $16-$76. May 12-13.

Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival at Symphony Park: Your admission gets you a glass for all-you-care-to-taste samples of beer and bourbon and some of the best BBQ vendors will be on-site. 2-6 p.m. $39+. May 13.

South End Hops Festival at 308 W. Carson Boulevard: Get ready for four hours of unlimited craft beer tastings from 41 breweries paired with live music, five food trucks, a central beer garden, and cooking demos with local beer. 2 p.m. $10 (DD), $35+ to drink. May 13.

See all the upcoming events here.