Weekday Planner: 17 things to do in Charlotte this week

MARDI GRAS (FAT TUESDAY)

Kings Cakes for Fat Tuesday

Various locations | All day | Prices vary | Details

Why you should partake: Several Charlotte bakeries are whipping up Kings Cakes just in time for Mardi Gras including Suarez Bakery, Earl’s Grocery, Sunflour Bakery, and Manolos.

Love is in the Air Flight Package at iFly Concord

7840 Lyles Ln NW | Now through Feb. 21 | $155.99 for two | Details

Why you should go: Fly like two lovebirds in iFly Concord’s wind tunnels. This package includes four total flights shared by two people.

Lovers Art Trail

Multiple locations | Ongoing | Free | Details

Why you should go: This love-inspired trail features ten artworks in South End, Third Ward, NoDa and Plaza-Midwood. At each stop, you’ll learn about the artist, mural, and a fun fact about love or Valentine’s Day.

Knowledge is Power: Black History Trivia Zoom

Online | 1-2 p.m. | Price | Details 

Why you should go: Test your knowledge about African American history in a fun trivia event hosted by Uptown CLT. Cool prizes will be awarded.

Virtual Cooking Classes with Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Online | Times vary | $15 per class | Details

Why you should partake: Add a little bit of spice to your next at-home dinner by following along with a recorded cooking class lead by Chef Alyssa. Purchase of a class includes the recipe, an info sheet, and access to the video of your choice.

Sweet Spot at Home

Online | Times vary | $30-$45 | Details

Why you should partake: Sweet Spot Studio is bringing the fun of baking right into your home. Now through the end of February, baking classes will be offered virtually with lessons including French macarons, cake donuts and DIY Twix & Kit Kat bars.

Skincare Basics with SkillPop

Online | 5:30- 7 p.m. | $20 | Details

Why you should go: After months of wearing masks, we all could give our skin a little extra attention. Learn the fundamentals of skincare from local dermatologist Lauren Wilson. Laura will lead a discussion focused on empowering you to design the best regimen for your skin. and answer your biggest skincare questions.

Black History Month with the Gantt Center: Open Air Conversation

Online with the Gantt Center | 7 p.m. | Free | Details

Why you should go: In today’s virtual Open Air conversation, curator for the Gantt Center, Dexter Wimberly speaks with Earlie Hudnall about their art inspirations, experience, and the artistic process.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru Experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway

5555 Concord Pkwy. S | Through Feb. 21 | $49 per vehicle | Details

Why you should go: Charlotte Motor Speedway’s zMAX Dragway is being transformed into an interactive drive-thru experience, featuring more than 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as a 50-foot-long Megalodon.

Run Club with Taproom Social

430 W 4th St. | 6:30-9 p.m. | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Go for a 3-mile run along the trail past the Panthers stadium, then reward yourself with a post-run beer and a grub from a featured food truck.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Inside Siloam School

Virtual | Feb. 18-28 | $25 | Details 

Why you should go: Go on a 360-degree tour of the historic Siloam School. You’ll learn about the history of the Mecklenburg County school and how it was part of a larger movement to provide quality education to African American children in the midst of segregation. A ticket includes a digital guidebook and access to a live-streamed kick-off event on Feb. 18 that includes Mayor Vi Lyles and several authors. All proceeds from ticket sales will support the Save Siloam School Project.

Family Movie Night at Protagonist Brewing South End

3123 N. Davidson St. Ste. 104 | 6-10 p.m. | $4 | Details

Why you should go: Enjoy a family-friendly movie night and $4 pizza slices at Protagonist South End.

Skyline Drive-In at Camp North End

400 Camp Road | 7-10 p.m. | $30 per car | Details

Why you should go: Head to Camp North End to catch a drive-in screening of Creed. While you’re there, grab food from one of Camp North End’s delicious food stalls.

Virtual Modernism + Film with the Bechtler Museum

Online | 7-9:30 p.m. | Free | Details

Why you should attend: Join the Bechtler Museum and UNC Charlotte for a viewing and discussion of the new documentary PUSH – a film that explores why people can’t afford to live in their own cities anymore.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

At-Home Harry Potter Science Kit

Online | 6 p.m. | $15 | Details

Why you should partake: If you believe you belong at Hogwarts, this online class is for you. This at-home Harry Potter science kit will allow you to along with witchcraft and wizardry professors from the Museum of York County as they explore different wand, alchemy, potions, and astronomy.

Watercolor House Portraits with SkillPop

Online | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | $30 | Details 

Why you should partake: Capture the essence of a home that’s special to you or someone you know using vivid watercolors. Watercolor artist Ali Loncar-Bridges will offer guided instruction as she demonstrates how to draw architectural features and add color and detail to her watercolor portraits.

I Heart Rail Trail Opening Day

South End | Feb. 19- Mar. 7 | Free |Details

Why you should go: “I Heart Rail Trail,” the popular lights installation, returns to South End starting today with six new displays from local artists. The interactive light installations run from February 19 to March 7 along South End’s Rail Trail from 1100 South plaza to Atherton Mill.

Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our newsletters’ Classifieds section. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email [email protected].