I'm sure you've heard by now that Oktoberfest tickets are sold out. Sad face for you slackers.

But the next best thing is happening this weekend at VBGB (not VGBG, as I often accidentally say, even sober). Craftoberfest brings together four local brewing companies — 4 Friends, NoDa, Birdsong and Heist — to celebrate Oktoberfest and sample some good craft beers. The price of $45 gets you some specially made local brews, the traditional bevs, a cheese and pretzel buffet and the enjoyment of live music from Big Face Polka Band. And prizes. We can't forget the promise of prizes that's listed on the flyer.

• Maybe it won't be like Oktoberfest exactly, but good beer is good beer no matter where you're at.

Craftoberfest takes place in three sessions: Sept. 21, 7 p.m.-11 p.m., Sept. 22, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., 7 p.m.-11 p.m. VGVB is located at the NC Music Factory.

This past weekend marked another year of the Taste of Charlotte Festival. I can imagine few things better than more than three city blocks lined with food. It's a slightly classier, more literal version of the Hunger Games, Charlotte style. Notice I said "slightly."

I am ashamed to admit this was my first time attending this event. My fellow city dwellers have been on to something for the past 13 years, as they push, shove, and, oh yes, eat their way down this Yellow Brick Road of cuisine and free samples. It's baffling why anyone with my stomach capacity and appreciation for hunger-induced violence would let something like this slip by, so I made up for lost time. [Insert hashtag #fatgirlproblems here.]

NoDa may be the city's designated arts district, but revelers of a late-night variety know it better as Charlotte's arguably most bar hop-able neighborhood. The area's bevy of bars and the craft breweries that have made it their home make it an idyllic scene for the alcoholically inclined (no judgement, for I live among you.)

This Saturday's shindig seems specially designed for bar crawlers with a brew-head bent. The NoDa craft beer bar crawl will feature specialty beers from NoDa and Birdsong Brewing Companies as well as live music, cornhole and food trucks on site. Specials will be available on all North Carolina craft beers, with Birdsong pouring their Dixie Porter and NoDa Brewing offering up their Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Porter.

The tentative schedule looks like this:

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: NoDa Brewing Company
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Birdsong Brewing Company

9:00 PM leave for Salud Beer Shop

9:30 - 10:30: Salud Beer Shop
10:30 - 11:30: Revolution Pizza & Ale House
11:30 - 12:30: Growlers Pourhouse
12:30 - 1:30: Jack Beagles

Go on and imbibe. The occasion calls for it.

Gluttony in the name of charity is gluttonous no more, right?

• Eat me. It's for CHARITY!

Participating in Whiskey Warehouse's Mac 'n' Cheese Eating Contest may present a slight risk to your cardiovascular health, but it does serve to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. If you've ever felt compelled to stuff yourself silly with this rich side dish, now's the time to do it, guilt-free. Plus, the winner gets two tickets to September's Brewer's Ball.

TONIGHT! Monday, May 21. 7 p.m. https://whiskeywarehouse.ticketssoeasy.com/index.cfm. Whiskey Warehouse, 1221 The Plaza. 21+.

If there's one thing we can all agree upon in Charlotte, it's good beer and BBQ. But our bourbon drinkers should get some love, too. Tonight, they, at Queen City Q , they can. Bust out the wet-naps and come with an appetite - this event is setting out to ensure sauce stains and satisfied stomachs. And maybe even a few alcohol-induced hiccups.

Starting at 5 p.m., the restaurant will feature BBQ plate specials, along with craft beer and bourbon flights to wash it all down. Play a few rounds of cornhole while you sip your brews, or enjoy the live music as you chow down. Either way's a tasty way to spend a Hump Day afternoon.

On Thursday, May 15, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., the Levine Museum of the New South will host a lecture about the eating local movement in the Charlotte area.

• Local foods are the bread and butter at Harvest Moon Grille

The event will be hosted by Dr. Tom Hanchett and will feature Cassie Parsons of Grateful Growers Farm of Lincolnton and Harvest Moon Grill of Charlotte, as well as Kristin Davis of Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension. Speakers Parsons and Davis will both discuss how local eating and farming has affected the region while participants enjoy wine and a Southern buffet dinner from Mert's Heart & Soul.

Cassie Parsons, who wears many hats as a business owner, farmer and chef, will specifically speak about the history of the locavore movement and the economic potential created by this movement. She believes that the Charlotte region has a unique opportunity due to our close proximity to farmland and, thus, quality local products created by these farms. Parsons will also address how Charlotte is the perfect place to bridge the gap between farms and the culinary arts, championing the collaboration between farmers and chefs and its potential for limitless positive effect on the local economy.

• Chef Cassie Parsons wears many hats as a business owner, farmer, and chef

Parsons also will provide details of how Charlotte residents can participate in the local foods movement. Her joint business venture of both farm and restaurant has a 1.4 million dollar economic impact on the local area and she stands by the fact that every dollar spent on local foods has a multiplying effect on the local economy. Her ultimate goal at this lecture is to illustrate an opportunity to create a win by connecting farmers, the community, and the chefs.

This event is free for Museum members, $10 for non-members and includes program, wine and buffet. The lecture and dinner is presented by Marsh Properties, sponsored by Mert's Heart and Soul, The Charlotte Observer and WFAE 90.7.

Reservations required. RSVP by calling 704-333-1887 ext. 501 or rsvp@museumofthenewsouth.org.

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." -Michael Pollen

They say you are what you eat. Few can claim total ignorance to the importance of eating fresh, unprocessed foods, but the task of finding prepared food that's delicious without being dependent on animal products can leave many would-be vegheads beefin' pretty hard. Saturday's VegFest should take care of all that.

Sponsored by Eco-Licious and Charlotte Veggie Business Union, Charlotte's first VegFest gives fest-goers a chance to enjoy food provided by several local veggie restaurants, check out lots of local vendors, jam out to local musicians and participate in several other family-friendly activities. There's even a vegan dessert competition, and you can be one of the judges. Dessert that's good for you? Sign me up.

The event's proceeds will go to the North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue.

May 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1916 Commonwealth Ave.

On May 5, hundreds of Jane Jacobs Walks happened all over the world, including one here in Charlotte. These walks are held to celebrate the life and work of Jane Jacobs. Here in the Queen City, a group of people, myself included, set out to learn more about the diversity, the culture, and the food of a very small area on Central Avenue - via a munching tour.

• Kelly Davis
• Dr. Tom Hanchett challenges the group to take in their surroundings

Jane Jacobs Walks attempt to engage communities in a reflective sidewalk ballet - one that encourages learning and reflection, not merely participation.

• Kelly Davis
• A waitress serves salad spring roles at Ben Thanh

• Kelly Davis
• Shrimp spring roll at Ben Thanh

The tour began at Ben Thanh, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. Here, walk participants greeted one another and enjoyed salad spring rolls stuffed with either shrimp or tofu. Before beginning, tour leader Dr. Tom Hanchett of the Levine Musuem of the New South and Mary Newsom, associate director of the tour sponsor PlanCharlotte, introduced participants to the work of Jane Jacobs. Neighborhood residents and participants of the walk also provided some insight about the local culture and population.