Agenda Weekender: 27 cool things to do in Charlotte this week, including the Queen City Cannabis Cup
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
51. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Food & Drink
Family Fun Friday: Valentine’s Day Party! at Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios Lake Norman: Get in the Valentine’s spirit with the whole fam. You’ll make heart-shaped pizzas, festive trifles, and Love Bug Punch. 6-8 p.m. $50 for 1 adult + 1 child, $20 for each additional participant. Details.
Galentines Day cooking classes at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen: Celebrate your best gals with a GNO. Caramelized squash salad with toasted pumpkin seeds, and parmesan crisps; roasted salmon with beets, arugula, and orange-fennel butte; and Chocolate Pots de Crème with almond biscotti are on the menu. 6:30-9 p.m. $70. Details.
Arts & Entertainment
Andrea Bocelli at Spectrum Center: Who doesn’t love Andrea Bocelli? Take anyone in your family to see the Italian Opera star live. 8 p.m. $82.50-$362.50. Details.
ASC’s Connect with Culture Days at 1520 S. Tryon St.: Enjoy a festive multicultural food experience, open bar, and live performances from Nicci Canada and Nouveau Sud and an interactive art experience from local artist Jonathan Grauel. 7:30 p.m. $25. Details.
Experience
Whitewater Center Ice Skating at U.S. National Whitewater Center: This new ice skating rink includes 17,000 square feet of ice on the Upper Pond of the whitewater river, and it has three areas (free skate, winter sports, and a 600-foot ice trail). The skating area also has a skate-up bar where you can buy craft beer, hot chocolate, and coffee. While you’re there, check out the half-mile walking trail of lights. $20 for single activity pass. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Details.
Light Trail at USNWC: This isn’t your average holiday light show. Artist Meredith Connelly created tons of immersive light installations inspired by nature that line the half-mile walking path. 6-10 p.m. Free, $6 for parking. Details.
Sports
Charlotte Checkers vs. Hartford at Bojangles’ Coliseum: The Checkers take on the Hartford Wolfpack twice this weekend, so be sure to watch them dominate. 7 p.m. $18-$42. Details.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
51. Mostly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Food & Drink
Goin’ Donuts! Chocolate Donut Stout Can Release Party! at Sycamore: Expect new beer, Suarez doughnuts, and Beach Shack coffee. Noon to 11 p.m. Free. Details.
6 Year Anniversary and $5 Pizza Buffet at The Pizza Peel Plaza Midwood: You may want to put your Thanksgiving pants back on, because $5 grants you access to all-you-can-eat cheese and pepperoni pizza. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $5. Details.
4th Annual Bless Back Worldwide Chili Cook-off at Lenny Boy Brewing: Test unlimited chili, cast your vote for categories like “Best Overall”, “Tongue Burner” and “Most Creative” (or enter if you think your recipe has what it takes). Also expect live music, raffles, and family-friendly activities. Noon to 4 p.m. $12. Details.
Experience
Queen City Cannabis Cup at Norfolk Hall: Start the day with VIP Wake & Bake Brunch with Chef Chris Coleman of the Goodyear House. The check out local cannabis hemp growers, and participate in a joint-rolling competition and hand trimming class. All day. $20 GA, $75 VIP with brunch. Details.
Coliseum V Grand Opening Event at 2801 E. Independence Blvd.: Expect 50 percent off beer and wine (wall taps) and 30 percent off activities like axe throwing, archery tag, VR, and laser tag, and a DJ, food trucks, and prizes. Your $1 ticket includes an annual membership. 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. $1 entry. Details.
Antarctic Dinosaurs at Discovery Place Science: This exhibit is centered around four new species of dinosaurs found in Antartica within the last 30 years. Take a virtual ride in a replica LC-130 (ski plane), see artifacts from the expedition, hunt for fossils, and more. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $3-$26. Details.
Whitewater Center Ice Skating at U.S. National Whitewater Center: This new ice skating rink includes 17,000 square feet of ice on the Upper Pond of the whitewater river, and it has three areas (free skate, winter sports, and a 600-foot ice trail). The skating area also has a skate-up bar where you can buy craft beer, hot chocolate, and coffee. While you’re there, check out the half-mile walking trail of lights. $20 for single activity pass. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Details.
Light Trail at USNWC: This isn’t your average holiday light show. Artist Meredith Connelly created tons of immersive light installations inspired by nature that line the half-mile walking path. 6-10 p.m. Free, $6 for parking. Details.
Charlotte Mini-Con 2020 at The Westin Charlotte 601 S. College St.: Calling all comic nerds (in a nice way). This event features vintage comic dealers and some comic creators. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 adults, free for ages 18 and under. Details.
Learn Things
Art & Science of Love Couples Workshop at Hilton Garden Inn SouthPark: At the workshop, you’ll learn how to: foster respect, affection, and closeness; build and share a deeper connection with each other; keep conflict discussions calm, break through, and resolve conflict gridlock; and strengthen and maintain the gains in your relationship. (Military discount available.) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $750. Details.
Carowinds Job Fair at 14523 Carowinds Blvd.: The park is looking to fill 4,000 positions, including admissions, aquatics, food and beverage, security, merchandise, games, park services, and ride operations departments. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Details.
Fitness
OH Well: February NC Yoga Bar Pop-Up at Optimist Hall: Let the stress of the week go, and start your weekend with a little self-care in form of a free yoga class and snacks from Village Juice Co Charlotte. 9 a.m. Free, RSVP. Details.
Cupid’s Undie Run at Whisky River – 210 E. Trade Street A-208: The annual brief fun run raises money for neurofibromatosis (a genetic disorder) research. Run in your undies, or a festive costume, and be prepared to party. Noon to 4 p.m. $35. Details.
Sports
Charlotte Checkers vs. Hartford at Bojangles’ Coliseum: The Checkers take on the Hartford Wolfpack twice this weekend, so be sure to watch them dominate. 6 p.m. $18-$42. Details.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks at Spectrum Center: Cheer on the Hornets as they take on the Dallas Mavericks. 7 p.m. $18-$379+. Details.
Shopping
Valentine’s Day NoDaHood Market at Divine Barrel Brewing and Free Will Craft + Vine: The market, formerly held once a month, is now hosting one big event each quarter. Expect 40-plus vendors split between both taprooms, a food truck, games, a DJ, and drinks. Noon to 5 p.m. Free. Details.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
57. Mostly sunny. 10% chance of rain.
Food & Drink
A Decade of Dressler’s at 100 Metropolitan Ave, # 125: Expect food from Dressler’s, Dogwood: A Southern Table, Fin & Fino, and The Porter’s House, plus a champagne toast, live music, and an evening of celebrating. There will also be beer, wine, cocktails from each of the Rare Roots bartenders, and raffle prizes benefitting Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. 4-7 p.m. $35. Details.
Experience
Antarctic Dinosaurs at Discovery Place Science: This exhibit is centered around four new species of dinosaurs found in Antartica within the last 30 years. Take a virtual ride in a replica LC-130 (ski plane), see artifacts from the expedition, hunt for fossils, and more. Noon to 5 p.m. $3-$26. Details.
Whitewater Center Ice Skating at U.S. National Whitewater Center: This new ice skating rink includes 17,000 square feet of ice on the Upper Pond of the whitewater river, and it has three areas (free skate, winter sports, and a 600-foot ice trail). The skating area also has a skate-up bar where you can buy craft beer, hot chocolate, and coffee. While you’re there, check out the half-mile walking trail of lights. $20 for single activity pass. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Details.
Light Trail at USNWC: This isn’t your average holiday light show. Artist Meredith Connelly created tons of immersive light installations inspired by nature that line the half-mile walking path. 6-10 p.m. Free, $6 for parking. Details.
ON THE AGENDA
Designer Charity Showhouse Sip and See. Get a sneak peek of the Interior Design Society of Charlotte’s Charity Designer Showhouses! The three $1.6+M homes designed by 45 area interior designers open to the public on March 14, 2020, but the Sip and See event gives insider access beforehand. February 12.
Post-game skate with the Charlotte Checkers. The Checkers are taking on the Springfield Thunderbirds, and for $32-$33 you can skate with the team after the game (price includes skate rental if needed). February 16.
2020 CIAA Tournament. Twenty-two men’s and women’s games will be going on over the course of the weekend. Snag tickets while you can for the tournament’s last year in Charlotte. February 27-29.
See all the upcoming events here.