Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 12, 2010 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Global Fever: Balkan Edition at Marigny

• Vikter Duplaix at Dharma Lounge

• Black & White Gala at The Mint Museum Uptown

• Incorruptible at Duke Energy Theatre

• Jill Dineen Band at The Evening Muse

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

Friday, Nov. 12

Dharma Lounge

House music heads, your chance to dance has come once again — courtesy of the Grammy-nominated, Cali-based singer/producer/DJ Vikter Duplaix. Missing this rare DJ set — dubbed Infusion and featuring the man himself spinning lush, soulful tracks, both old and new — would be, uh, stupid. Plus: Charlotte’s own turntable superstar That Guy Smitty is scheduled to open the show. Enough said.

• Dance North Carolina Dance Theatre’s annual Innovative Works performance gets environmentally-friendly this time around. As usual, it will feature a series of short ballets, but this year’s twist involves strictly green-inspired pieces. The show will feature a total of seven different works. more...

• Nightlife Ouzo Productions returns with a new edition to its nightlife series, Global Fever. This time around the party spotlights The Balkans (representing countries like Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece and more) at the freshly-opened club, Marigny. DJ Nicknakis and Kosta X will spin house and ethnic hits from around the world. more...

Saturday, Nov. 13

Extravaganza Depot

The fest — organized by the American Turkish Association of North Carolina at Charlotte — will celebrate the culture of Turkey with traditional folk and belly dancing, music, exhibits, a raffle and vendors, activities for children, cooking workshops and last, but not least, native cuisine. Kebabs ... check. Baklava ... check. And there’s more too. Arrive hungry in order to participate in pure culinary delight.

• Film The Winter Film Festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center will feature screenings of two action-packed films, including The Ski Channel’s The Story (which follows famous American skiers into the tops of Mount Everest and Alaska) and Matchstick Production’s, The Way I See It (which documents journeys made by award-winning skiers Bobby Brown and Sean Pettit). more...

• Festival Gay Bingo is one of the biggest events to take place each year, chockfull of outrageous costumes, song and dance numbers and, of course, Bingo, with proceeds benefiting RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network). The host Shelita Hamm and her backup ensemble The BVDs have rocked out for 10 years, but sadly, this year’s event will be the final one. Appropriately enough, the crazy folks behind Gay Bingo are going out with a bang. The theme is “A Glee-Ful Celebration,” and organizers are promising it to be one hell of a night. more...

Sunday, Nov. 14

Belk Theater

Someone had better call the soul patrol, because Belk Theater has been invaded. During Broadway’s Dreamgirls you’ll hear catchy, heart-felt tunes (like “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only” and “Listen”) in addition to drama (and lots of it!). The production tells the story of a 1960s all-girl group and their experiences with the ups and downs of show biz. Syesha Mercado — a finalist in season seven of American Idol — stars in the show.

• Festival In its 17th year, The Carolina Renaissance Festival — continuing today — is a medieval amusement park, featuring a variety of live performances, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, food and more. It’s also a great place to people watch. more...

• Dance Winthrop Dance Theatre shows off its skillful footwork during a concert featuring an array of innovative dances choreographed by faculty, guest artists and alumni. more...

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

Friday, Oct. 29

CPCC’s Halton Theater

If, like me, you’ve grown tired of hearing DJs spin the Notorious B.I.G.’s hip-hop hit “One More Chance,” you should check out the man who provided the musical foundation for the tune: El DeBarge. Over the years, rappers like Biggie have sampled El’s classic songs (music he created as a member of the group DeBarge); however, as he battled drug addiction, the legendary vocalist pretty much disappeared from the spotlight. But now, he’s back with a brand-new album (Second Chance), and a smooth new sound — which you can hear live when he makes a stop in Charlotte tonight to perform new, and vintage.

• Film It’s the most popular sport in the world, enjoyed in countries ranging from Spain to Kenya to Iran to (often hesitantly) the United States. And the beauty of soccer is that it can be played not only by World Cup superstars but by any kid with a ball. It’s this street-level version of the game that’s the focus of Pelada, a documentary helmed by Charlotte native and Duke University graduate Rebekah Fergusson. A self-financed production (donations are accepted on the movie’s website), Pelada has already played festivals and been covered by (among others) The New York Times and Sports Illustrated. Now the film, which premiered locally for a one-time showing this past summer at the Neighborhood Theatre, hits Charlotte for a full-week run at Crownpoint Stadium 12. more...

• Theater Hodges Taylor Gallery opens its space to Ugly Art: A Theatrical Installation tonight. The show – A Main Street Theatre Production directed by Jim Yost – is derived from five short plays written by Terry Roueche. It consists of a four-person cast – comprised of Sunny Boone, Elise DuQuette, Phil Robertson, Juan Carlos – who will perform a set of thought-provoking scenes (inspired by the posed question: "Do we find love, jealousy, beauty, passion or ugliness from the art in ourselves?") in front of a red canvas on display in the gallery. more...

Saturday, Oct. 30

NC Music Factory

Not counting Cake’s B-Sides and Rarities disc (released in 2007), the band has gone nearly six years (since 2004’s Pressure Chief) without releasing new material. Of course, we all remember much of the old, including the group’s biggest ’90s triumphs — “The Distance,” “Never There” and a cover of Perren and Fekaris’ “I Will Survive” from its sophomore album Fashion Nugget. Needless to say, Cake’s upcoming live performance at Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre during the NC Music Factory’s Music, Monsters and Mayhem Halloween celebration came as a surprise. It also got me digging to learn more about what the band has been up to. Turns out a new album, titled Showroom of Compassion - featuring the radio friendly single, "Sick of You" - is slated to be released in early 2011. The concert will also feature blast-from-the-past opening acts Gin Blossoms and Night Ranger, as well as a costume contest with $2,500 in cash prizes and admission into Butter, Black Bear Saloon, Halo, Wet Willies, The Fillmore and The Fright Factory (a multiple-room haunted house ).

• Special Event The annual GraveDiggers Ball returns to Dixie’s Tavern tonight. In addition to a costume contest with $1,500 in cash prizes, there will also be live performances by Ke$ha and Kevin Rudolf. more...

• Special event Celebrate Halloween in the arts district of NoDa today during its NoDaWeen. The festival will feature three main events, including a Freaky 5k Race, a Pimp My Pumpkin Auction and a screening of the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. more...

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

Friday, Oct. 22

Gil Gallery

Photographer Catalina Kulczar-Marin takes on the fight to legalize same-sex marriage with the exhibit Let Love Reign. The show – which celebrates its opening today – features black-and-white portraits snapped by her of several Charlotte same-sex couples, depicting the love they share – and helping to put a face on the contentious issue.

• Theater Life is full of twists and turns, but during Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s performances of Becky’s New Car – a comedy by Steven Dietz (also the author of Yankee Tavern) – you’ll witness a midlife crisis that spins out of control. When a longtime married woman and car dealership worker named Becky takes interest in an eccentric millionaire who is on a spree for new wheels, lines are crossed. Taking on a double life, Becky’s romance becomes too difficult to navigate, leaving her at a crossroads where she must determine her path of travel. I hope she’s buckled up, because it looks like this is going to be one bumpy ride. more...

• Music Celebrate the birthdays of Terrence and Phillip from the Charlotte quintet Junior Astronomers with a night full of music at Tremont Music Hall. Along with some regional music, the indie, emotion-driven rock of Junior Astronomers will be joined by the experimental style of Harvard. With Resister, Hammer No More the Fingers and Death On Two Wheels. more...

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

Friday, Oct. 15

Neighborhood Theatre

It’s time for the release party of Jeff Hahne’s Homebrew Vol. 4 CD. Hahne, Creative Loafing’s music editor, has handpicked 16 local bands for the disc — which you can grab for free at Neighborhood Theatre during the shindig. Bands like Bubonik Funk, Electric Coma, Mike Strauss Band, Matrimony (the pictured newlyweds, just back from the United Kingdom), Isaac Spiveys, Wiggle Wagons and Grown Up Avenger Stuff will also be performing. And that’s free too. Score!

• Theater Kahlil Ashanti returns to Charlotte for a third round of his one-man show, Basic Training. The show is based off of true experiences — his time in the army, serving as a member of the U.S. Air Force’s entertainment troupe Tops in Blue and his quest to find his biological father. Ashanti plays the parts of 23 very different characters, from a crazy foul-mouthed drill sergeant to a sweet abused mother. Show contains adult language and content. more...

• Nightlife Rockhouse Events presents its Friday Night Frights: The Bar Crawl tonight. $20 includes free cover to five bars, drink specials, VIP tickets to The Fright Factory at NC Music Factory and transportation to and from all stops on the crawl. more...

Saturday, Oct. 16

Dharma Lounge

It’s easy to feel like you’ve gone international at Ouzo Productions’ Global Fever parties — which bring together a diverse crowd and highlight various countries/cities from around the globe. Presenting its Istanbul edition at Dharma Lounge this Saturday, folks attending can expect a night of Turkish delight (and no, I don’t mean the sweet). Rather, DJs Kosta X and DIM will spin hits for the dance floor from around the world (including Greek, Russian, Arabic, Bosnian, Albanian, Persian, Indian, Brazilian and Spanish selections, in addition to those from the destination of the night: Turkey).

• Comedy Charlotte’s own improv troupe, The Chuckleheads, will celebrate its third b-day in the comedy biz tonight at Morehead Street Tavern. The show, titled “Happy Birthday To Us III Comedy Improv Variety Extravaganza,” will feature a double shot of performances with a pre-birthday show by the Junior Chuckleheads at 8 p.m., followed by a birthday show by the Senior Chuckleheads at 9 p.m. more...

• Art Charlotte Arts Catalyst hosts its Monsters: A Coloring Book Featuring People You Know at Pura Vida Worldly Art in Plaza Midwood tonight. Coloring books and drawings from more than 30 artists across the region will be on display and there will also be candy, a Halloween-themed bake sale, live music, spooky sounds from Tyler Baum and more. more...

Sunday, Oct. 17

The Evening Muse

In its fourth year, The 15 Short Film Festival returns to The Evening Muse. This fest — created by Charlotte natives Ryan Walker, Antonio Diaz and Keith Whatley — is, in my opinion, one of the best fests in the Q.C. Intriguing and award-winning shorts from acclaimed film festivals (like Tribeca, Sundance, Cannes, South By Southwest and Slam Dance) are shown for your viewing pleasure. Each must be 15 minutes or less in running time — which means that even if they show something you don’t like, it doesn’t feel like forever. Nineteen short films — carefully picked out of the more than 500 submissions — from 15 countries make up this year’s screening. Arrive early to snag a seat.

• Comedy During the Comedy Turns Right: Common Sense Comedy for Uncommon Times show at Booth Playhouse, you can get a double dose of laughs provided by comedians James Gregory and Mark Klein. more...

• Festival In its 17th year, The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, featuring a variety of live performances, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, food and more, all rolled into one, non-stop day long adventure. more...

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

Friday, Oct. 8

Knight Theater

Vampires are all the rage right now. Unfortunately, the quality of these blood-loving biters has strayed from ruthless fiend to sparkling sentimentalist (Thanks a lot, Twilight). North Carolina Dance Theatre has chosen to summon a classic in the vein with performances of Dracula. Mark Godden’s gothic ballet uses a mysterious blend of bats, transformations and seductive dance to suck you into an even higher immortal fever.

• Art Art meets literature during the Culture Initiative’s Troubled Life: A Commemoration of Edgar Allan Poe at Baku Art Gallery. For the exhibition, participating artists were assigned to create artwork for a specific story by Poe. “The Black Cat,” “The Pit and The Pendulum,” “The Raven,” and other gloomy tales are among the selections. more...

• Music Jon Lindsay is performing two nights at Petra's Piano Bar, but he's not doing it alone. The first night he'll bring along Justin Faircloth of The Houstons and Stephen Warwick; the next night, he's got Dylan Gilbert. Whether they're collaborating or doing their own thing, it doesn't matter – here's a chance to see some of Charlotte's best songwriters in a unique setting. more...

Saturday, Oct. 9

Duke Energy Theater

Let’s be blunt. Marijuana isn’t quite as dangerous as some extreme church folks made it out to be in the late 1930s film, Tell Your Children. The cautionary flick – in an effort to expose the “evils” of smoking – exaggerates the drug’s effects on users, who go horrifyingly insane after a puff. When rediscovered in the 1970s, potheads inhaled the humor of the flick and properly changed its name to Reefer Madness (later baked into musical and film versions that have remained an addicting cult classic hits). Be ready for a buzz when Queen City Theatre Company lights up Duke Energy Theatre with a performance of Reefer Madness: The Musical tonight.

• Festival Pizza-tossing is serious business. To avoid a disaster you need to possess culinary skills or else you might be scraping dough from the floor (and that would just be gross). Luckily, Siler Chapman, a world champion pizza acrobat, is making a special appearance to demonstrate his own tricks of the toss. You can see him during the annual Ciao, Italia! Festival – which celebrates all things Italian –at The Wachovia Atrium today. The fest will also feature cooking demonstrations, Italian language lessons, wine and cheese tastings, cultural displays and artifacts, vendors in the “Bottega,” a raffle, activities for children, and, last but not least, food. more...

• Special Event This fall, talk show viewers will have more than just Jay, Conan and Letterman to watch; visual artist Fahamu Pecou plans to get in on the act with The 15 Project. A live talk show hosted by Pecou, The 15 Project features him interviewing guests (local tastemakers, celebrities and more) and providing a stage for performances, among other cool stuff/activities. It’s sure to be a good event ... so get your ass off the couch and take in some of this real-life entertainment. more...

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

Friday, Oct. 1

McGlohon Theatre

Despite creating some of the industry’s most amazing music for years, Ledisi is one soul singer who continues to fly under the radar of mainstream music consumers. Why? Probably because the traditional vehicles for mainstream music — radio and music video outlets — suck balls. Which means the best way for you to experience some quality, non-auto-tuned tunes would be to check her out when she visits Charlotte tonight. Guitar-slinging soul vocalist Anthony David (another underrated cat) will also be in the house.

• Special Event After a whole lotta anticipation of the Mint Museum Uptown’s Grand Opening, I’m happy to say the time has come. This impressive building will open its doors to the public today for an all-nighter. Festivities include curator’s spotlights of inaugural exhibitions (including New Visions: Contemporary Masterworks from the Bank of America Collection and Contemporary British Studio Ceramics: The Grainer Collection), a Takeover Friday Dance Party, live jazz from the Ocie Davis Trio, Pecha Kucha and more. more...

• Special Event Art Beats + Lyrics — the annual celebration of hip-hop-flavored music, visual art and performing art — is returning to Charlotte today. If you've attended the event (which happens through a partnership with Gentlemen Jack) before, you'll know it's the ultimate place to feast your eyes on rap-culture-inspired paintings, photos and more on display — along with dance performances and live music. Missing it would be a dumb move. more...

Saturday, Oct. 2

Neighborhood Theatre

Is it just me or does something about a traveling hobo cabaret, known as The Yard Dogs Road Show, raise your interest, too? Maybe it has something to do with childhood memories of the circus or a love of the now defunct HBO show Carnivale? I’m not quite sure, but the show — featuring burlesque, sword-swallowing, rock ‘n roll and more — definitely puts an alternative spin on adult catered entertainment. The 13-member cast’s fantasy-like performances are described as “pure visual and sonic voodoo.” Maybe it’s just magic.

• Festival No need to worry about whether you favor white or red wine, because Great Grapes: Wine, Art & Food Festival has it all. At the fest more than 200 wines and 20 wineries will be on hand for your sipping pleasure. The events will also feature live music, arts and crafts and food. more...

• Art In its second year, Carolina’s Got Art! – a juried arts exhibition that features 136 works selected from 1,800 submissions – invades Atherton Mill. Also this year, folks can see most of the non-selected art in a digital display titled Through The Juror's Eyes. more...

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

Friday, Sept. 24

Locations vary

Some people might hear about Charlotte NC Fashion Week and think, “What a crock. There’s no fashion scene here.” But others, like the folks behind PLITZS Fashion Marketing who are producing this three-day event (which continues today), see the potential the Queen City has to offer. Unbeknownst to many people in our fair city, there are actually a number of talented, fashion-forward designers, boutiques and stylists here, and Charlotte NC Fashion Week promises to showcase their work. This year’s theme is “City Confidential: The Fashion Chronicles,” which will “highlight the city’s growth and budding fashion scene.”

• Theater In a perfect world relationships would be easy, but in reality they’re tough. Everything is exciting at first (and for the lucky ones, it stays that way), but as time goes by the not-so-impressive hidden attributes of most mates become unveiled and lead to disappointments. Central Piedmont Community College’s theater department had all this in mind, when they decided to stage performances of the comedic drama I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The show uses humor to take on (and pick fun at) the hardships most commonly seen in relationships. more...

• Festival In its 46th year, Festival in the Park — a free shindig with food, arts and crafts, live music and more — has a little bit of everything. With multiple stages showcasing local and regional performers, the annual event draws crowds to Freedom Park. Entertainment highlights at this year’s fest include performances by improv comedy troupe The Chuckleheads, Martha Connerton’s Kinetyx Dance Ensemble, Rince na h’Eireann School of Irish Dance, lots of music (Bill Hanna Quintet, The Queen’s Collective and Stephen Gordon, to name a few) and more. more...

Saturday, Sept. 25

UNC Charlotte

My top two suggestions for anyone going to UNC Charlotte’s annual International Festival: come hungry and bring cash. With around 50 nations represented and a plentiful mound of food, arts and crafts and cultural displays, this fest is tasty, fun and entertaining. Plus, you’ll be entertained by the “Parade of Nations” — featuring traditional attire from around the world — and live music and dancing throughout the day. No passport necessary.

• Comedy A comedy show planned around audience suggestions sounds like a lot of fun. After all, it’s a bit like a box of chocolates in that you never know what you’re gonna get — though, I suppose you do know whatever it is, it’ll most likely be flipped into something funny. At least, ’tis the case during Whose Live Anyway — which uses some of the games from the hit TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway and stars comedians Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Chip Esten and Jeff B. Davis — coming to Knight Theater tonight. The 90-minute show will feature improv comedy (and some songs), all made possible by a room of willing participants. more...

• Festival In the unfortunate case that you lack the funds to go to Germany for its sacred beertastic Octoberfest, you ought to be thankful for Charlotte Oktoberfest. The event features samples from more than 350 craft brewed beers, in addition to food (bratwurst, pretzels and more), live entertainment and games (table tennis, foosball, corn hole and more) in Creative Loafing’s own “Beerlympic Village.” Proceeds raised will go to The National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina and The Autism Society of North Carolina. more...

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

Friday, Sept. 17

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

The idea of heaven being a steambath isn’t that far fetched. Afterall, the atmosphere is supposed to give rise to a peaceful, relaxing experience. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre’s opening production of the season, Steambath is a comedy that takes you beyond cloudy images of the afterlife for a sweaty encounter — Did I forget to mention that God is a Puerto Rican towel boy?

• Special Event Art, music and wine go together well, which is why the EpiCentre came up with Sip & Stroll. The two-day event will feature a set up of booths by artists who are both displaying and selling their works, live jazz (from Uniq’blend and Fifth & York) and more than 20 representatives of wine vineyards that will be offering wine tastings. Just don’t sip so much that you can’t stroll. more...

• Art Bechtler Museum's new exhibition School of Paris: European Abstraction Post World War II takes its viewers on a journey, with more than 60 modern works (from the late 1940s through the early 1960s) by European artists. more...

Saturday, Sept. 18

Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre

Currently on their ‘Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys’ Tour, The Black Crowes make a stop in the Q.C. for a performance at Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre tonight. Having released Croweology — a double album with acoustic versions of their popular songs — the band is also working a stripped down segment into their live act. According to their latest press release, the group will perform two sets — an “Acoustic Hors d’oeuvres” set and an “Electric Reception with The Black Crowes” set — which, amounts to a whopping showcase of material.

• Nightlife Fall is coming soon, so Dharma Lounge is throwing a party dubbed, Our House: An End of Summer Soriee & BBQ. It’ll feature music by Tredamit, Nat Eichler, Rsenal, Jay Cooper and Arthur Bros, as well as barbecue and drink specials ($3 import beers). Free entry until 11 p.m. more...

• Nightlife Whether you went to see Lady Gaga or not, this concert after-party at The Forum sounds pretty poppin’. It offers a glamorous set of performances by Semi Precious Weapons and Lady Starlight, in addition to DJ Scott Weaver and appearances by Lilith DeVille, Bethanne Phetamine and go go dancers. more...

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

Friday, Sept. 3

Ciel Gallery

Mosaics have always thrilled me. The way in which tiny multi-colored objects like glass, porcelain and other materials come together to form unison and detail as art is fascinating. I could spend hours staring a mosaic down, taking in piece-by-piece of its content. Needless to say, I’m more than a little excited about Ciel Gallery’s exhibit Contemporary Mosaic Art. It features works of varying styles (from landscapes to portraits — and some funky ones like the pictured “Morning After,” by Gila Rayberg) by artists from across the U.S. and beyond. The first of two receptions — Sept. 3 and Oct. 1, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. — will go down tonight at the gallery.

• Festival The annual four-day festival known as Matthews Alive kicks off today. If you’re actually in town on Labor Day weekend and looking for something to do, this fest features 150 arts and crafts vendors, a quilt show, a parade, a 5k, food, music, games, rides, interactive activities for children and more. more...

• Special Event The All Arts Market invades Neighborhood Theatre for an extravaganza of affordable and original handmade art, including paintings, prints, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, knits and more. Stop in for some cool finds. more...

Saturday, Sept. 4

Knight Theater

Curry and Indian cuisine go hand in hand, but there’s a lot more to the culture than spicy-filled aromas. During the two-day indoor/outdoor Festival of India, folks can experience a taste of India (better than watching Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love) through the many food choices and be delightfully dazzled by the sights and sounds of traditional dances and music from the heart of that spirited faraway land. Arts and crafts, displays and visual arts exhibits, yoga demonstrations and more will offer an informative glimpse into the culture too.

• Festival With a band name like The Pimps of Joytime, you’ve got to be curious, right? I was, so I took a listen to the Brooklyn-based group. Their sounds are soulful, groovy and full of relaxing melodies that you might just wanna let loose and dance to. Hear them live when they stop into Charlotte to perform at Neighborhood Theatre tonight. more...

• Party The Global Fever party series pays tribute to Moscow tonight, with a blend of house music from the heart of Russia at Dharma Lounge. more...