Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, March 26

Lisa Lampanelli

Ovens Auditorium

No one is out of the line of fire when it comes to Lisa Lampanelli's insults. She's fair, spitting clever observations at everyone no matter what color you are, and especially zooming in for a closer look at her own relationship preferences for black men. Often referred to as "Comedy's Lovable Queen of Mean," Lampanelli could pass on the vilest apple that ever fell from the tree without even consulting with Snow White's evil stepmother. Laughter is poison at her shows. Expect to fall under her spell at Ovens Auditorium tonight.

• Dance Charlotte Youth Ballet’s take on Alice in Wonderland puts a spin on the classic tale with fancy footwork at CPCC’s Halton Theater. more...

• Art Local artist Antoine Williams is known for creating some pretty cool, funky art. That in mind, the opening reception for his new exhibit at Pfeiffer University should be on your radar of things to see. more...

Saturday, March 27

Leading Ladies

Davidson College

Desperate situations sometimes call for desperate measures and 'tis the case in Ken Ludwig's comedic play Leading Ladies, which twists through the stage of Davidson College's Duke Performance Hall this evening. In the play, all is well for two actors traveling across the U.S. to perform hits by William Shakespeare; that is, until they hit a major bump in the road and their moola runs dry. Putting all morals aside, they resort to posing as a wealthy woman's long-lost nephews in the hopes of collecting a hefty inheritance. But, as we all know, nothing is that easy. The conniving fellows' acting skills must be taken to new levels when they discover they'll actually need to do gender bending to pose as the woman's long-lost nieces instead.

• Comedy Charlotte sketch comedy troupe, Robot Johnson returns to Carolina Actors Studio Theatre tonight with its “good humor by bad people” brand of comedy. more...

• Art Love is in the air at Evergreen Studio & Gallery’s current exhibition, titled How We Met. The exhibition features a collection of photographs celebrating the joys of love and companionship. more...

Sunday, March 28

Parsons Dance

Knight Theater

Fans of modern dance get giddy, as contemporary dance company Parsons Dance performs at Knight Theater. Founded by choreographer David Parsons, the group is comprised of 10 full-time dancers and a repertory of more than 70 works. But here's the cool part: 20 of the works are original scores, specifically created by famed composers and musicians, like Dave Matthews, Michael Gordon and Milton Nascimento. In that case, you can prepare to be flabbergasted by both the dancers' talented moves and the sounds backing them.

• Food At Spice 9 Indian Cuisine spicy curry dishes, like the mirchi (chile) ka salan, are a strong suit. Order a glass of water to have nearby. more...

• Music The Sky Drops will play at Snug Harbor tonight. Though the group is only comprised of two members, the sounds they make are deep in psychedelic indie grooves. With Hair Supply. more...

Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, March 19

Antichrist

Duke Energy Theatre

Chaos is to be expected in Lars von Trier's Antichrist. Having debuted at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, the flick was quickly regarded for its sexual violence. Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe play a couple who retreats to a cabin in the woods after the death of their infant child - who, by the way, fell from a two-story building while the couple was having sex ... Yikes! But, rather than gaining renewal from their grief through nature, things end up going from bad to worse.

• Art Julia’s Coffee will have an artists reception for its March exhibit, titled Artists of The Artisan Galleries & Learning Studio tonight. The exhibit includes art by local artists Tina Steele Penn, John Eft, Jay Flynn, Scott Partridge, Alice Mayer and Sandy Siepert. It also raises funds for the Critical Home Repair Initiative. more...

• Music Pop singer/songwriter Ben Folds will rock it piano-style during his perform at The Fillmore tonight. With Zach Williams. more...

Saturday, March 20

3rd Annual Sirens and Shields

The Pavilion at EpiCentre

It's time to do your part during the 3rd Annual Sirens and Shields, an auction where firefighters, police, and other first responders come together for your bidding pleasure. At the event hors d'oeuvres will be served and an array of items will be up for grabs. But, best of all, you get your chance to be a hero, as proceeds raised from the event go to the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross and local police (CMPD) and firefighters (CFD).

• Theater Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is typically associated with one thing ... children. But that’s not the case tonight when the theater company hosts its special 21-and-up Treasure Island Pirate Party. Dress in your pirate best and enjoy appetizers, drinks and giveaways during the reception. To follow is a performance of Ken Ludwig’s play Treasure Island, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. And, you don’t have to worry about any noisy little kids ruining it for you. Don’t forget your IDs! more...

• Food At Cyros Sushi and Sake specialty rolls pack heat, like the Hamachi Jalapeno roll and the Fiery Tuna roll. Sauces are prime ingredients of most of Cyros signature rolls. But, the non-adventurous need not worry, as they have traditional items on the menu too. more...

Sunday, March 21

A Streetcar Named Desire

Theatre Charlotte

Cruel intentions are crucial in Tennessee Williams' beloved work, A Streetcar Named Desire. Grappling the drama is Theatre Charlotte, which is sweeping its stage with the story of a delicate Southern sweetheart, Blanche Dubois (played by Paula Baldwin), who has her chances at happiness destroyed by her evil brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski (played by JR Aducci).

• Sports Spring Slalom Races continue today at the US National Whitewater Center. The fastest boat down the course with the least penalties in each class wins. more...

• Music Mixing upbeat rock with electronic undertones, the band Hockey is set to deliver an intense live performance at Snug Harbor tonight. With The Postelles. more...

Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, March 12

Sinbad

Belk Theater

Ranked by Comedy Central as one of the top 100 stand-up comedians of all time and better known for his goofy roles in TV and film, Sinbad will perform at Belk Theater tonight.

• Music Indie singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco’s has a lengthy album history, which has provided her with a rabid fan base devoted to her independent, eclectic sounds. She’ll play at Neighborhood Theatre tonight. Erin McKeown opens. more...

• Theater Menopause is a time both women and men alike fear, so it should come as no surprise that a comedic drama called Menopause The Musical has been written in devotion to the transition of mood swings and no more periods. In the musical a group of women, all struggling with symptoms of "the change" - from hot flashes to hot tempers - meet at a department store lingerie sale. The show consists of humorous parodies of classic tunes from the '60s, '70s and '80s, twisted to reflect the effects of menopause. more...

Saturday, March 13

St. Patrick's Day

Uptown

The 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival is huge. The parade features greenly decorated floats, dance troupes, bands, clowns and more, while the Charlotte Goes Green Festival consists of Irish music from a number of music acts (Grandfather Mountain Pipe Band, Federal Clan Kings, Jimmy Brown & The Balladeers), as well as Irish dancers (Rince Na’ Eireann Dance School, Walsh-Kelley School of Irish Dance), vendors, food and beverages, and other activities. It’s a fun way to spend the day.

• Party Rich & Bennett’s St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl was featured on the Travel Channel’s Extreme Wild Parties and stops into seven bars within a seven hour time period. Folks attending get a T-shirt and koozie, free admission to all bars and the chance to win giveaways. We can’t forget to mention the drink specials, including $3 Bud Light aluminums, $4 vodka drinks and $5 Pub Crawl Shots. more...

• Party Known for doin’ it big with themed parties around town, Nasty Promotions presents its ”The Curse of the Brawling Irish” St. Patrick’s Party ... in a full-sized boxing ring at Ultimate Gym. Iron Cordoba will be performing its own Irish tunes, twisted parodies and rock spankin’ takes on covers, in addition to music by Snowfight and DJ Mick’s Masta. Add to that a cash bar, live fights and demos by fighters and instructors, and more, and you’ve got an original, fun, freaky shindig. The event also raises money for the N.C. Firefighters Burned Children’s Fund, so it’s for a good cause, too. more...

Sunday, March 14

Jasiatic’s Who Shot Ya? Art exhibit

Crave

Jasiatic - the local photographer who maintains CL's portrait blog, Who Shot Ya? - is mounting her own art exhibit tonight at Crave. The exhibit showcases her best snapshots of Charlotte's funkiest denizens. Also, for a small fee, Jasiatic will be snapping portraits of people on the spot.

• Film The 6th Annual Charlotte Jewish Film Festival winds down today with a closing night double feature screening of Noodle and Spielzeugland (Toyland) at Ballantyne Village Theatre. more...

• Theater Davidson Community Players takes a trip back in time to 1964 and the early days of the civil rights movement with its latest production, Violet. The play revolves around a scarred girl named Violet who leaves North Carolina to go to Oklahoma in hopes of meeting a famed TV evangelist. Along the way, she crosses paths with a young African-American soldier and encounters the ultimate learning experience. more...

Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, March 5

Evie's Waltz

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre's latest production is aimed toward facing horrific tragedies, like the shootings at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech. Evie's Waltz, a play by Carter W. Lewis, follows a teen's own shooting rampage at a family barbecue. Those in the audience are thrown in the middle of it all, as shots are fired during the theatrical chaos.

• Film Theatre Charlotte becomes a Transylvannian freak show during its Musical Movie Series film screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Folks attending are encouraged to dress up as their favorite crazy characters from the cult classic, as there will be a costume contest. Also, Theatre Charlotte will be providing audience participation kits for the flick. more...

• Art Stop into Green Rice Gallery tonight, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., for the opening reception of its new exhibition, Ellipsis and Parenthesis. more...

Saturday, March 6

Charlotte Roller Girls

Grady Cole Center

Roller derby. Not much really needs to be said about the indie sport, guaranteeing action-packed excitement, as wheels whip round the rink and aggression breaks out in full swing. This Saturday, the Q.C.'s own Charlotte Roller Girls will have their first home bout of the season against the Raleigh-based Carolina Bootleggers at Grady Cole Center. Come out and support.

• Food The menu is lengthy and food portions are huge and tasty at The Loco Lime: Mexican Inspired Grill, which offers a flavorful mix of Tex Mex and Cal Mex, American hybridizations of Mexican dishes. more...

• Film The 6th Annual Charlotte Jewish Film Festival continues with a showing of Noodle. This film tells the story of a flight attendant whose routine is turned upside down when she finds an abandoned Chinese boy. more...

Sunday, March 7

Cinderella

Knight Theater

The shoe fits, as North Carolina Dance Theatre steps up for a full-length production of Cinderella in its new kingdom of Knight Theater. The stage transforms to a fairytale land, as the classic tale of a girl who goes from being a mistreated servant to a beautiful princess is presented in ballet form. Choreographed by NCDT'S Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, the production features more than 60 dancers ... and, of course, a happy ending.

• Benefit The 11th Annual Oscar Night America Benefit is set to go down tonight at Mez. The event features live HD feed from Hollywood, food and cocktails, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit United Family Services. more...

• Music Indie songstress Scout Niblett visits the Q.C. for a perform at Snug Harbor tonight. Opening act acts include, With Temperance League (formerly Bruce Hazel and Some Volunteers) and Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. more...

Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, Feb. 26

Miles & Coltrane: Blue(.)

Duke Energy Theatre

You can expect to hear intimate stories and all that jazz, as special performances of On Q Productions' and Concrete Generation's Miles & Coltrane: Blue(.) kick off tonight. The play tells the story of popular jazz musicians Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

• Art Two new exhibitions, Harold Shapinsky and The Charles White Sketchbook, open tonight with a reception, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at Jerald Melberg Gallery. Both artists, whose art has been featured in renowned galleries around the world, use different forms of illustration. Shapinsky’s works consist of colorful abstract paintings, while White’s works are drawings and paintings that capture figures and aspects of African-American culture. more...

• Party Head to Prevue today for The Naked CIAA Sushi Day Party. Naked. Sushi. Nuff said, right? more...

Saturday, Feb. 27

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

Neighborhood Theatre

The legendary funk master George Clinton and his partners in crime, Parliament Funkadelic will bring a full night of soulful, funky, hip-hoppin' vibes to the stage of Neighborhood Theatre tonight. Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band opens.

• Comedy Known for its “good humor by bad people,” the local sketch comedy troupe, Robot Johnson returns for a late night performance at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre.

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• Party The partying for CIAA continues tonight with a huge performance by the one and only, P. Diddy going down at Ramada Hotel Woodlawn. more...

Sunday, Feb. 28

Steve Hofstetter

Tremont Music Hall

Comedian Steve Hofstetter’s funny takes on topics like politics and religion have earned him appearances on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, E! True Hollywood Story, and upcoming episodes of Comics Unleashed and Comedy All-Stars. Currently on a stand-up comedy tour in support of his 2009 release, Steve Hofstetter's Day Off, he'll stop in the Q.C. for a performance at Tremont Music Hall tonight.

• Party As CIAA winds down and the weekend comes to a close, visit Tempo for Jazzy Sundays Farewell Party, hosted by V101.9's Chirl Girl. more...

• Benefit As Haiti relief continues, so do the benefit concerts. Tonight at McGlohon Theatre the In the Key of Love: A Youth Benefit Concert for Haiti event will feature performances by local student groups. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit Haiti earthquake victims and aid organizations. more...

Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, Feb. 19

Uncertainty

Duke Energy Theatre

Give into suspense by checking out The Light Factory's screening at Duke Energy Theatre of Uncertainty, a film featured in the acclaimed 2008 Toronto Film Festival and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (of 500 Days Of Summer) and Lynn Collins (of Wolverine). In the film, the two act as a young couple torn over how they should spend the 4th of July. But, here's the twist: Viewers get to see how each alternative unfolds, and in one scenario an action-packed string of events unravel, leading to a chase by mobsters.

• Theater After staging performances of Trainspotting and Fight Club in 2009, Citizens of the Universe is shuttling farther into the dangers of space with its 2010 premiere of Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs at Studio 1212 Theatre in Plaza Midwood. The cult classic follows seven newly acquainted thugs, all who team up for a jewel heist, which goes horribly wrong and makes them question just who tipped off the police. You'd think criminals would know better than to trust each other. more...

• Theater Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts kicks off 2010 with performances of C.S. Lewis’ fantasy loaded, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette. more...

Saturday, Feb. 20

The Snuggie Ball for Dining With Friends

The Forum

No need to worry about renting a tux or shopping for a gown to attend this ball; just bring your blanket with sleeves. The Snuggie Ball for Dining With Friends event - benefiting the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network - will feature a charity Snuggie fashion show (pets with Snuggies are welcomed to enter), food courtesy of Cosmos Café, '80s music spun by DJ Andy Kastanas and a special Snuggie drag performance from BethAnn Phetamine.

• Music Tonight’s going to be a good night at Time Warner Cable Arena, as Black Eyed Peas roll in to perform catchy pop songs and radio favorites like, "Let's Get it Started" and "I Gotta Feeling." more...

• Art Charlotte Artery’s latest exhibition of new works will be unveiled at Hair Klaudt Salon Studio tonight during its opening reception, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. more...

Sunday, Feb. 21

Black Pearl Sings!

Actor's Theatre of Charlotte

Actor's Theatre of Charlotte's latest production of playwright Frank Higgins' Black Pearl Sings! dives deep into soulful waters. Alberta "Pearl" Johnson (played by Terry Henry-Norman) is a black woman with soulful vocal chords who is serving time at a Texas prison. Discovered by Susannah (Stephanie DiPaolo), a white worker for the Library of Congress on the search for old folk songs - both for historical purposes and her claim to treasure - Pearl possesses a number of musical gems rooted in her ancestors' African heritage. With the possibility of being released from her jailhouse keeping, Pearl struggles with whether to unveil the well-preserved songs for her ticket to freedom.

• Dance Tonight at Ovens Auditorium folks can enjoy fancy footwork from performers across the ocean, as Tchaikovsky Theater of Russia presents a ballet performance of the classic fairytale, Sleeping Beauty. more...

• Film Still Bill, an intimate documentary film about soul musician Bill Withers will be screened at The Evening Muse tonight. Withers is known for hits like, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” more...