Axios Weekday Planner: 22 fun things to do in Charlotte this week
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van gogh exhibit
MONDAY, JUNE 14
Open Swim at The Quarry at Carrigan Farms
1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy. | Now through Labor Day | $25 | Details
Why you should go: Soak in the summer sun and go for a dip in the natural spring quarry at Carrigan Farms. Swimmers must pass a swim test to enter the water without a life jacket. Open swim runs now through Labor Day.
TUESDAY, JUNE 15
11th Annual Charlotte Black Film Festival
Online | June 15-25, various times | $19-$49 | Details
Why you should go: The Charlotte Black Film Festival is one of the largest gatherings of multi-cultural content producers and creatives in the Southeast. This 11-day virtual festival will allow attendees to connect with filmmakers and creatives of color and experience premiere film, fashion and music.
Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen Pacific Northwest Wine Dinner
Where | 6pm | $120 per guest, call to make a reservation (704-366-8688) | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy a five-course regional dinner featuring elk, wild salmon and grilled oysters expertly paired with wines from Oregon and Washington.
Sweet Spot x Catawba Brewing Co: Buttercream Piping
933 Louise Ave. Ste. #105 | 6:30pm, ages 21+ | $65 | Details
Why you should go: It’s Charlotte, of course, brewery and bakery can exist in the same sentence. In this class you’ll be using beer from Catawba Brewing to incorporate into your cake and frosting. No prior baking experience is required, you’ll pick up the basics in class. Ticket includes one beer, a reusable board and a limited edition Sweet Spot Summer Break pint glass.
Open Air: Artist Conversation With Jamel Shabazz
Online | 7-8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Join the Gantt Center for a conversation with master street life photographer, Jamel Shabazz. As a born and bred Brooklynite, Shabazz captured the emerging hip-hop culture and in this event, he will share his passion and perspective on building community through photography.
Knights vs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
324 South Mint St. | 7:04pm | $11-$57 | Details
Why you should go: The Knights are back at home this week and will take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in a six-day match-up. On Wednesday, pre-game festivities include Bark in the Ballpark.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16
North End Farmers Market
1701 North Graham St. | Wednesdays, 4-8pm | Prices vary by vendor | Details
Why you should go: Support local farmers, ranchers and food artisans at the North End Farmers Market. This season’s market has a lineup of 26 vendors (16 anchor vendors and 10 rotating) that sell everything from eggs and produce to CBD products and candles.
Backyard Gardening Basics with SkillPop
Online | 7-8:30pm | $20 | Details
Why you should go: Gardener, Erin Hostetler will help you turn your backyard into a food-growing paradise. No gardening experience required – just bring your preferred method of note-taking.
THURSDAY, JUNE 17
Immersive Van Gogh Opening Day
Ford Building at Camp North End | June 17-September 12, Times vary | $40+ for adults, $25+ for children age 6-16 | Details
Why you should go: The blockbuster exhibit seen by millions across the globe is finally here in Charlotte. Lose yourself in 500,000 cubic feet of monumental projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s famous works like Sunflowers and The Starry Night. Presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts and Lighthouse Immersive, visitors can experience Van Gogh’s art in a completely new and unforgettable way.
[Related story: Immersive Van Gogh art show arrives in Charlotte this June]
The Charlotte Fair at Charlotte Motor Speedway
6558 Bruton Smith Blvd. | Thu, Jun 17-27, 4-10pm | Prices vary | Details
Why you should go: Funnel cake, fun rides and a petting zoo — you’ll find it all and more at the 12th Charlotte Fair.
Art Break at The Mint Museum
Online | Noon to 12:30pm | Free, registration required | Details
Why you should go: Join professional museum educators and experts from the Mint Museum, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture for a deep dive into one work of art or artist from each respective Museum.
Blumenthal Performing Arts 1st Annual Juneteenth Jam
Victoria Yards & The Square at Spirit Square | June 18th-19th, 4:30pm & 7:30pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Juneteenth Jam is a two-day, artist-filled celebration highlighting the history, joy and significance of Juneteenth through interactive dance sessions, art installations and live music.
Music at the Met
1111 Metropolitan Ave. | 6-9 pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Bring a blanket or a chair out to the patio by the greenway at the Metropolitan to enjoy live music from a new artist every week. Performing this Thursday is Dan Hood.
Thursdays Live in MoRA
6697 Monroe Rd. (@ the Embrace sculpture) | Third Thursdays, 6-8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: This monthly concert series will feature a line-up of to-be-announced music groups. Kicking off the series is the brass quintet from the Charlotte Symphony. Food and drink will be available for purchase from Edge City Brewery, Hawthorne’s Pizza, Wingstop and several other vendors.
River Jam at the Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. | 6:30pm | Free, $6 parking | Details
Why you should go: It wouldn’t be summer in Charlotte without River Jam. Bring your family or a group of friends out for live music performed by an array of artists across multiple genres. Taking the stage this Thursday is Joslyn and The Sweet Compression followed by Unspoken Tradition on Friday and Virginia Ground on Saturday.
Cocktails & Canvases at Protagonist South End
227 Southside Drive, Unit A | 7-9pm | $40 | Details
Why you should go: Join SouthEnd ARTS for a fun paint and sip. All supplies will be provided.
Comedy Show at Billy Sunday
1115 North Brevard St. | 7-9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Who doesn’t love a good belly laugh? Make your way to Billy Sunday for a comedy show featuring stand-up comedian Shaine Lane.
Virtual Modernism & Film: SuperDesign
Online | 7pm | Free, registration required | Details
Why you should go: Join the Bechtler Museum virtually for a screening of SuperDesign, a film about the Italian Radical Movement in architecture & design in the 1960s and ’70s.
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
1215 Thomas Ave. (House of Africa) | June 17-20 | Free, donations appreciated | Details
Why you should go: Now in its 24th year, the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas celebrates the end of slavery by bringing the community together to reflect and remember the historical event. Festivities will include a youth day camp, a drum circle and performers from around the globe.
Related story: The unapologetically Black Durag Festival is back, with or without funding
Maddy O’Neal w/ Phyphr @ The Music Yard
2433 South Blvd. | 6-11pm | $15+ | Details
Why you should go: Electronic artist Maddy O’Neal is taking the Music Yard stage alongside electro-soul artist Phyphr. O’Neal has performed at Electric Forest, Camp Bisco, Summer Camp, Summer Meltdown and Red Rocks among many other venues.
Live Under The Oaks
8712 Lindholm Drive. Ste. 207 | 6-8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Welcome the weekend with live musical performances in the Grove at Birkdale Village. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, drinks can be purchased from Red Rocks Cafe’s onsite bar.
Diva Royale Drag Queen Show
3217 North Davidson St. | 7pm | $20 | Details
Why you should go: The divas have arrived! Get up close to some of your favorite “celebrities” like Madonna, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Liza Minnelli, Adele, Nicki Minaj, Whitney Houston, Sia, Britney Spears, Beyonce and many other celebrity impersonators.
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 weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email [email protected].