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It's time to enjoy this spring weather with some outdoor events from festivals to yoga in the park.

🧐 Get intrigued by a thought-provoking conversation on the psychology of serial killers at the Carolina Theatre. | $46+ | 7:30pm | Details

🧑‍🍳 Check out a culinary competition inspired by "Next Level Chef" where you'll sample dishes and crown the winning local chef team at The Forum at Hope Haven. | $95 | 7–9pm | Details

🍦 Order the "Otter This World" ice cream flavor at Seemingly Overzealous as proceeds benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. | Free | 1pm | Details

🖼️ View "Caravaggio | Revolution," a new exhibit at Mint Museum Uptown. | $0–$25 | Runs through October | Details

🍿 Watch "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" at Triple C Brewing Company. | Free | 6pm | Details

🧠 Test your knowledge of Drake's music with trivia at Suffolk Punch for a chance to win a prize. | Free | 7–9pm | Details

🎶 Vibe to Ole 60 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. | Prices vary | 7:30pm | Details

🇯🇵 Pull up to Manga Mart with other anime fans for streetwear, vintage manga, collectibles and more at Urban District Market to kick off their Japan Fest. | Free | 5–9pm | Details

🧘 Unwind with a yoga flow at Romare Bearden Park in Uptown. | Free | 6–7pm | Details

🎧 Party through the weekend with DJ sets at three local spots. | Prices vary | Runs through Sunday | Details

 🎶 Vibe to Drake's new album in a listening party at Blinders Sports Lounge over cocktails, prizes and more. | $33.99+ | 9pm–2am | Details

🎶 Listen to a musical tribute to D'Angelo from a live orchestra at the Carolina Theatre. | $64+ | 8pm | Details

🧹 Volunteer to clean up the South End Rail Trail starting at the New Bern light rail station, enjoy a post-cleaning celebration drink from HopFly Brewing Co. and enter a raffle for a chance to win items from local businesses. | Free | 10am | Details

🐶 Grab a beer at Vaulted Oak Brewing and meet some adoptable dogs and cats. | Free | 3–7pm | Details

😂 Laugh the night away at Charlotte Comedy Theater and stick around for more shows. | $15 | 8pm | Details

🥞 Enjoy a '90s-themed brunch at Dilworth Tasting Room Plaza Midwood. | Free | 12pm | Details

🍷 Make plans with friends to enjoy a sauvignon blanc tasting at Dilworth Tasting Room. | $30 | 1pm | Details

🌷 Explore the secret gardens of Fourth Ward with complimentary food, wine and cocktail tastings along the way. | $42 | Runs through Sunday | Details

⚽️ Cheer on Carolina Ascent in their regular-season finale at American Legion Memorial Stadium. | Prices vary | 7pm | Details

🏟️ Cheer on Charlotte FC as they take on Toronto FC at Bank of America Stadium. | $30+ | 7:30pm | Details

🎤 Vibe to Dave Matthews Band at Truliant Amphitheater. | $69+ | 7:30pm | Details

🎊 Enjoy a pre-summer celebration with ice cream, a DJ, a photo booth and more at Morelia Gourmet Paletas. | Free | 1–7pm | Details

🪩 Dance the day away to hip-hop and R&B at the Nothing But Anthems day party at Platform Sports Bar.  | $17+ | 4–10pm | Details

🇮🇹 Attend Festa Italiana: The Italian Food & Wine Festival in Uptown with food and drink vendors, performances, demonstrations, a car exhibit, market, art show and more. Proceeds support the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Nevins Inc. | Free for ages 12 and under. Adults $45+ | 1–6pm | Details

🛍️ Stroll and shop the last Camden Commons outdoor market in South End for local vendors, games and more. | Free | 10am–5pm | Details

📚 Pull up a chair and a book to join That's Novel Books' Silent Book Club brunch at Camp North End and spark conversations with other bookworms.  | Free | 9:30–11am | Details

🎤 Hear John Legend live in concert at Ovens Auditorium. | $97+ | 8pm | Details

🍷 Enjoy a wine and cocktail tasting paired with light bites at Lorem Ipsum. | $28+ | 5–9pm | Details

🌳 Set up your own picnic and hang out with friends at Freedom Park with a DJ spinning soulful tunes. | Free | 3–7pm | Details

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? Submit your event.

Weekender: 29 things to do in Charlotte May 15–17

Events this weekend include Camden Commons' outdoor market, an Italian food and wine festival and more.

Camden Commons. Busy city street festival with many people walking among white tents, bubbles floating in the air, brick buildings, and green trees in the background.

Camden Commons returns to South End this Sunday for the last time this season. Photo: Courtesy of Charlotte City Partners

It&#x27;s time to enjoy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/09/spring-guide-charlotte-fun-things-to-do-2024" data-vars-content-id="0fcd8960-b2e4-4302-80a6-e896eb01fff5" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 29 things to do in Charlotte May 15–17" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/09/spring-guide-charlotte-fun-things-to-do-2024" target="_self">this</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/09/spring-guide-charlotte-fun-things-to-do-2024" data-vars-content-id="0fcd8960-b2e4-4302-80a6-e896eb01fff5" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 29 things to do in Charlotte May 15–17" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/09/spring-guide-charlotte-fun-things-to-do-2024" target="_self">spring</a> weather with some outdoor events from festivals to yoga in the park.

Things to Do

This week's hot homes are all about standout gathering spaces, from a Sheffield Park home with a backyard pool to an Oakhurst property with a marble-heavy kitchen built for hosting.

Why we love it: The roomy layout could be ideal for anyone whose top home checklist item is having plenty of space to spread out.

Realtor: Lisa Archer and Michaela Long • Keller Williams Ballantyne Area

Specs: 4 beds, 2.5 baths and 1,929 square feet

Notable features: open layout, spacious rooms, two-car garage and fenced yard. 

Why we love it: The green kitchen cabinets and playful wallpaper give this renovated brick cottage plenty of charming personality.

Realtor: Zoraida Payne • Zoraida Delgado Payne Real Estate LLC

Specs: 3 beds, 1 bath and 1,076 square feet

Notable features: hardwood floors, fireplace, green kitchen cabinets, colorful wallpaper, updated kitchen, patio and fenced yard.

Bright living room with white walls, a tan leather sofa with colorful cushions, a glass coffee table on a brown cowhide rug, a large window with green curtains, and a gallery wall of framed photos.

Bright kitchen with pale green cabinets, white subway-tile backsplash, stainless steel range hood and stove. White countertops, a microwave, and a large window with floral curtains; light wood floor.

View down a hallway showing two bedrooms through doorways; a central wall is covered in bright floral wallpaper. Left room: green walls, white bedding. Right room: pink walls, floral quilt.

Bright pink bedroom with white curtains, a light upholstered bed in front of two windows with shutters, floral quilt, zebra pillow, wall art, and a sunburst gold ceiling light.

Why we love it: The moody black brick exterior stands out while the bright modern interior keeps it from feeling too serious.

Realtor: Toni Granados • United Real Estate-Queen City

Specs: 3 beds, 2.5 baths and 1,643 square feet

Notable features: open layout, hardwood flooring, fireplace, modern kitchen, quartz countertops and fenced yard.

Single-story dark brick house with a front porch supported by light wood columns, a stone chimney on the left, triangular glass gable, black-framed windows, and a well-kept lawn with trees in the background.

Bright open living and dining area with white walls, light hardwood floors, and recessed lights. A green accent wall with geometric panels behind a wooden dining table and beige chairs.

Why we love it: With the pool, deck and oversized yard, this one feels like it was created for outdoor gatherings with friends and family.

Realtor: Joshua Waugh • EXP Realty LLC Mooresville

Specs: 3 beds, 2 baths and 1,716 square feet

Notable features: open layout, new appliances, fireplace, walk-in closet, pool, deck and spacious yard.

Why we love it: It's hard to pick between the marble-heavy kitchen and the backyard pool setup, but either way this house is made for hosting.

Realtor: Nick Hill • Howard Hanna Allen Tate Southpark

Specs: 4 beds, 3 baths and 2,669 square feet

Notable features: wrap-around porch, hardwood floors, open layout, marble countertops, L-shaped island, walk-in closet, freestanding tub, large deck, pool, electric car charging port and fence.

Bright open kitchen with white cabinets and marble countertops, a large island, and stainless steel fridge and range. Dining area with wicker chairs by large windows overlooking greenery.

A two-story white house with a wraparound porch sits among dense green trees. A rectangular in-ground pool with blue water sits on a concrete deck in the backyard, fenced off by a wooden fence.

Michaela Long • Keller Williams Ballantyne Area

Zoraida Payne • Zoraida Delgado Payne Real Estate LLC

Toni Granados • United Real Estate-Queen City

Joshua Waugh • EXP Realty LLC Mooresville

Nick Hill • Howard Hanna Allen Tate Southpark

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale ranging from $399K to $1.2M

New listings with standout gathering spaces, from a Sheffield Park home with a backyard pool to an Oakhurst property featuring a marble-heavy kitchen built for hosting.

White two-story home with black-framed windows, front porch, and gray roof, amid lush green trees. Gravel driveway to a wooden gate; a small white outbuilding and shrubs in front.

This Oakhurst home is listed for $1.2 million. Photo: Courtesy of Nick Hill 

This week&#x27;s hot homes are all about standout gathering spaces, from a Sheffield Park home with a backyard pool to an Oakhurst property with a marble-heavy kitchen built for hosting.

Real Estate

Quarters and Ax and the Hatchetmen are among the headliners expected to perform at the Carolina Bloom Music Festival.

Catch up quick: The new rock, indie and alternative music festival in the Iron District just announced its artist lineup for Aug. 22-23.

Driving the news: Quarters (Quarters of Change) and Illiterate Light will headline Saturday night. Ax and the Hatchetmen and Foxtide will headline Sunday night.

Local bands like Oceanic, Weekend Friend, Deaf Andrews, Camisole, Sophia, Te'Jani, Owen & The Smokes and Bedroom Division will also perform.

What to expect: Artists will perform on an outdoor stage at Blume Studios (904 Post St.).

There will also be an indoor DJ stage, food trucks and a list of local vendors.

What's next: Early bird tickets go on sale at 8am Tuesday. Prices are expected to start at $55 per day.

Go deeper: Carolina Bloom Music Festival brings indie rock lineup to Charlotte

Carolina Bloom Music Festival brings indie rock lineup to Charlotte

Charlotte's Carolina Bloom Music Festival announces artist lineup

The new outdoor festival will feature Quarters (Quarters of Change), Illiterate Light, Ax and the Hatchetmen, Foxtide and more Aug. 22-23 in the Iron District.

Outdoor band on stage; frontman with white guitar and patterned shirt, brown hair, singing into mic. Purple/orange lights, large backdrop text; bassist on right, drummer behind.

Ax and the Hatchetmen will headline on day two of Carolina Bloom Festival. Photo: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic

Quarters and Ax and the Hatchetmen are among the headliners expected to perform at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Carolina Bloom Music Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/28/carolina-bloom-charlotte-lineup-indie-rock-alternative-august-iron-district" data-vars-content-id="752355ba-7cea-42c6-af16-a5b7d0e02708" data-vars-headline="Charlotte&#x27;s Carolina Bloom Music Festival announces artist lineup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/28/carolina-bloom-charlotte-lineup-indie-rock-alternative-august-iron-district" target="_self">Carolina Bloom Music Festival</a>.Catch up quick: The new rock, indie and alternative music festival in the Iron District just announced its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artist lineup " data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYNEzMNDuq_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" data-vars-content-id="752355ba-7cea-42c6-af16-a5b7d0e02708" data-vars-headline="Charlotte&#x27;s Carolina Bloom Music Festival announces artist lineup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYNEzMNDuq_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank">artist lineup </a>for Aug. 22-23.

Music

Italo, a new Italian restaurant, will open in Uptown on Tuesday, May 19.

Why it matters: The restaurant, the latest from Aria Tuscan Grill owners Pierre Bader and Briana Cohen, occupies the former space of Cicchetti, which closed earlier this month.

Context: Italo will be a pasta house and wine bar inspired by the feeling of Sunday dinner at grandma's table.

Dig in: Italo's menu, led by executive chef Alex Piatt and chef de cuisine Kelsey Norgaard — both Johnson & Wales graduates — features handmade pastas and Italian staples served as either individual plates or family-style portions. 

Expect shareable starters like focaccia, a list of fresh pastas made daily using Molino Pasini flour imported from Lombardy, and desserts. 

Drinks include about nine classic cocktails and an Italian-focused wine list of 30–40 bottles.

We attended a media preview to sample dishes from their dinner menu.

Scallop crudo ($20) for starters. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

italo uptown charlotte Foreground shows a plated pasta dish with stuffed shells over red tomato sauce, topped with microgreens and a lemon wedge. Blurry restaurant bar and diners fill the background.

Conchiglioni ($30) is a lamb Bolognese stuffed shell, whipped sheep's milk ricotta, red sauce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, radish and fresh herb salad. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Lumache ($35) braised wagyu short rib ragu, red wine, sweet onions, tomato, ricotta salata. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

italo uptown charlotte. Close-up of a plated dish with grilled meat topped with microgreens and a lemon wedge, on a white plate; a blurred restaurant bar and warm circular bokeh lights in the background.

Marsala ($28) is a Bell & Evans chicken breast with porcini rub and wild mushrooms. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Stop by: Find Italo at 100 N. Tryon St., on the corner of Trade and College streets. It'll be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday 5–10pm and closed Sunday and Monday.

italo uptown charlotte. Modern restaurant interior with white marble tables, red upholstery, and glassware. Large circular pendant lights, exposed ceiling beams, patterned tile floor, and wine shelves by tall windows.

Hungry for more restaurant openings? Check out our 18 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte.

18 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte

New Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta opens in Uptown in May

Italo, run by the team behind Aria, will open in the former Cicchetti space.

Italo's ambience is inspired by the feeling of Sunday dinner at Grandma's table. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Italo, a new Italian restaurant, will open in Uptown on Tuesday, May 19.Why it matters: The restaurant, the latest from Aria Tuscan Grill owners Pierre Bader and Briana Cohen, occupies the former space of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cicchetti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2019/03/04/cicchetti-italian-restaurant-and-bar-in-uptown-charlotte-159549" data-vars-content-id="7a0ec402-b8ab-40f8-bd63-93d45879c855" data-vars-headline="New Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta opens in Uptown in May" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2019/03/04/cicchetti-italian-restaurant-and-bar-in-uptown-charlotte-159549" target="_self">Cicchetti</a>, which closed earlier this month.

Food and Drink

Heist Brewery in NoDa will reopen soon, bringing back plenty of fan favorites — including brunch.

Why it matters: The brewery's original North Davidson Street location has been closed for nearly two years after a kitchen fire forced major repairs and renovations.

What they're saying: "It's been a marathon, and we are eager, to say the least, to get these doors back open," Heist Founder Kurt Hogan told Axios during a walkthrough of the renovated space. 

Zoom in: A grease fire in the kitchen in July 2024 shut down the main brewery. The adjoining Canteen space, which was less affected by the smoke, reopened about a month later and has been used for private events, run club, trivia nights and catering while repairs continued.

Heist Brewery. Industrial cafe with brick walls, tall windows, and a dark ceiling. Copper brewing kettles line the right, string lights, posters, and TVs. Wooden tables fill the space; a food platter sits in front.

Heist removed the operational brew house from the NoDa location and moved brewing to Barrel Arts, but kept the physical brew house in the room as a decorative nod to their roots. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The vibe: The space has been reworked quite a bit since the closure. The brew house was removed from the NoDa location — brewing now happens at the Barrel Arts location — opening up room for about 40 additional seats and a much larger U-shaped bar.

They also brought back a side patio that had previously been taken over by brewing equipment and refreshed the mezzanine into a more lounge-like, bar-service space designed for people to mingle rather than sit at traditional tables.

"I hope people recognize that what this originally started as just got better in each department — food, beer, cocktails — and that the space feels like the same Heist, but about 15 years later," Hogan said.

Heist Brewery NoDa. Industrial cafe interior with exposed silver ducts, hanging bulbs, and wood-paneled walls. Tables and brown chairs fill the floor; a mezzanine with stools overlooks the space, pastries on a table.

About twice as many seats fit around the new bar compared to the old one. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Dig in: The renovation also included a redesigned, full-service kitchen built to better handle regular service, private events and catering. Original chef Kalil McClary and new chef Andy Caswell updated the menu to feature some of the same pub-style dishes with a twist that Heist has long been known for, plus a few new additions.

Returning favorites include chicken and waffle tacos, the Diablo burger, beer cheese and whole wings. New additions include wood-fired oysters, a Reuben sandwich, fish tacos and a new cocktail menu.

Their popular all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet is also making a comeback. Hogan said the brunch used to serve 450–500 people on Sundays, and with the expanded space, he thinks it'll be better than ever.

What's next: The team hopes to reopen the Heist NoDa location as soon as this week, pending final inspections. Follow their Instagram for an announcement on the opening date.

Take a look at the dishes on the new menu:

This  shareable cast iron feta dip ($12) comes with spiced pistachios and blistered tomatoes. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

heist brewery. Table displays a spread: skillet of glazed ribs with lemon, board of fries, two burgers on black plates, a pasta dish, soft tacos, and a skillet dessert with vanilla ice cream and berry sauce.

Left to right: Whole wings ($16) and panko breaded cod fish tacos ($13). Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

heist brewery. Close-up of a glossy bun burger with a wooden skewer through the top, stacked with a tomato-onion-herb filling on a black plate; blurred plates and tables in the background.

Diablo burger ($16) has jalapeno bacon, pimento cheese, pico de gallo, fried jalapeno and chipotle aioli.  

heist brewery. Black plate with sliced grilled steak topped by green herb sauce and fries, sprinkled with parmesan. Blurred background shows a wooden board with stacked pita sandwiches and a napkin with cutlery.

Steak frites ($16) is a 6 oz flank steak with parmesan truffle fries and a house Chimichurri. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

heist brewery. Cast-iron skillet cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and red berry sauce; blurred background shows a burger with fries and wraps on a wooden table.

Cast iron double chocolate chip cookie ($8) comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and strawberry sauce. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Industrial-style restaurant interior with warm hanging bulbs, metal railings and a staircase in back. Foreground shows burgers, tacos and assorted appetizers on wooden boards.

Everything we tried from Heist's new menu. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

NoDa's Heist Brewery to reopen this spring

The North Davidson Street brewery returns after a lengthy closure with expanded seating, longtime menu favorites and brunch.

heist brewery. Industrial-style cafe interior with a high ceiling, exposed pipes and ducts, string lights, and numerous wooden tables with black metal chairs; TVs and framed posters along the walls.

Heist Brewery in NoDa. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Heist Brewery in NoDa will reopen soon, bringing back plenty of fan favorites — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brunch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/04/14/brunch-charlotte-nc-132274" data-vars-content-id="9d845dc5-4c54-4df5-81de-279e8acfcb12" data-vars-headline="NoDa&#x27;s Heist Brewery to reopen this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/04/14/brunch-charlotte-nc-132274" target="_self">brunch</a>. Why it matters: The brewery&#x27;s original North Davidson Street location has been closed for nearly two years after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kitchen fire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/07/17/fire-at-a-brewery-and-other-speed-reads" data-vars-content-id="9d845dc5-4c54-4df5-81de-279e8acfcb12" data-vars-headline="NoDa&#x27;s Heist Brewery to reopen this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/07/17/fire-at-a-brewery-and-other-speed-reads" target="_self">kitchen fire</a> forced major repairs and renovations.

Alexis Clinton

Featured stories

NoDa's Heist Brewery to reopen this spring

New Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta opens in Uptown in May

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale ranging from $399K to $1.2M

Weekender: 29 things to do in Charlotte May 15–17

Charlotte's Carolina Bloom Music Festival announces artist lineup