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

Friday, June 18

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo

Duke Energy Theatre

I personally freak out whenever I see a bug, but a film screening of Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo may be able to sway my opinion — well, maybe a little. Presented by The Light Factory at Duke Energy Theatre, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo explores the mystery of the development of Japan's love affair with bugs. Using insects, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners' perspectives on nature, beauty, life and even the seemingly boring realities of day-to-day routines.

• Special Event Whoever said crafts were for kids obviously hasn’t heard of Crown Town Handmade — a local arts initiative offering monthly “Make-Out Sessions” where artists lead participants of all ages in crafting works of art. Today, Crown Town Handmade hosts a Craft Party and everyone’s invited. The party is set to feature a handmade raffle, a crafty supply swap, a make-your-own miniature terrarium demonstration and cupcakes and punch at Midwood Park. But that’s not all. At Century Vintage’s The Playhaus, there will be a happy hour craft circle and a screening of the documentary Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft & Design. more...

• Music Tonight’s CrownTown Showdown at Neighborhood Theatre will feature performances by Campbell, Elonzo, Eyes of the Elders, Matrimony, Stephen Warwick & The Secondhand Stories, Sunshone Still & Uncle Mountain. Oh, and it’s free too. more...

Saturday, June 19

Red Bull Manny Mania

Held in front of Black Sheep Skate Shop

For skateboarders who know how to do a little more than kick and push, check out the Red Bull Manny Mania competition during the South End Soul festival (which takes place in the Southend neighborhood June 18-19). Skaters must maneuver a "manual," a skateboard trick in which they ride a board on only two of its four wheels, in addition to other tricks to show judges they've got skills.

• Film The Main Library's series, The Bad and the Beautiful: 8 films by Vincente Minnelli, presents a screening of An American In Paris today at ImaginOn’s Wachovia Theatre. This musical is fashioned around a rapturous George Gershwin score. more...

• Festival Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas continues today at Independence Park. The celebration features many forms of entertainment, including music, drama, dancing, storytelling, drum circles, workshops and more. more...

Sunday, June 20

Into The Woods

CPCC’s Halton Theater

Central Piedmont Community College’s Summer Theatre is sprinkling star dust on past time fairy tales in its production of Into The Woods. The musical, written by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, uses characters from classic stories — “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Baker’s Wife,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella,” among others — by Brothers Grimm to create a brand-new enchanting tale that starts with the familiar “Once upon a time...”

• Music It’s pretty sweet that Charlotte Symphony does the good deed of giving folks a high-quality series of summer concerts for free. Having already staged several performances in Charlotte and the surrounding area this summer, the orchestra presents a special performance dedicated to dads on Father’s Day. Titled Supermen! A Concert for Father’s Day and conducted by the charismatic Albert-George Schram, this concert (combined with a picnic) is a picture perfect family outing. more...

• Theater Today is the final performance of Collaborative Arts’ Comedy of Errors. The farce comedy revolves around two sets of identical twins — separated at birth — who remarkably end up in the same city (Ephesus) years later. The twins’ mistaken identities lead to a series of chaotic (and very humorous) events around town. more...

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

Friday, June 11

Ice Fishing On Europa

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

CAST has ventured into the depths of outer space. It’s latest production, Ice Fishing On Europa tells the far out story of Jupiter and its inhabitants, the Europans. This special CAST project was born and bred by a collaboration of playwrights, directors, designers, actors and other theatrically minded folk. Final performances are this weekend, so don’t miss out.

• Food The celebration is all in the name of food during Taste of Charlotte. Folks line the streets of Uptown to fill their bellies with pure culinary delight. This annual event features food from a jumble of Charlotte restaurants (including Amelie’s French Bakery, Brazas Brazilian Grill, Caribbean Hut, Chen’s Bistro, Mert’s Heart & Soul, Namaste Indian Restaurant and a load of others), in addition to live entertainment and other activities. Come hungry. more...

• Nightlife Paschal Promotions and On The Roxx present “Party Like a RoxxStar” tonight. If you’re up for some quality partying, this is the place to be. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and champagne provided. more...

Saturday, June 12

Decadence Project

Amos’ Southend

Single Cell Productions has filled Charlotte with a zesty zap of fetish events over the years. Kicking Purgatory (its best known event) to the curb and starting fresh, it returns with its baby, Decadence Project. The show’s theme is “Communion of the Flesh.” Skin will be exposed, alcohol available and kink in high volume at this ultimate fetish event.

• Music French alt-rock sensation Phoenix soars into Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre for a performance tonight. The Grammy award-winning group has more serious touring in its future, so see them while you can here in the Q.C. or else you may end up having to travel. more...

• Sports River City Rollergirls roll into Grady Cole Center to take on Charlotte Roller Girls this evening. Let’s hope they come prepared for what will ultimately be a hard-fought battle. more...

Sunday, June 13

Bright Road

Harvey B. Gantt Center

If you’re looking for a great (and cheap) way to spend a Sunday afternoon, here’s an idea: The Classic International Black Cinema Series. The series, curated by local film expert Felix Curtis, was designed to shine a spotlight on forgotten, but outstanding, African-American films. This month’s screening focuses on legendary actress Dorothy Dandridge and her role (along with famed actor/singer Harry Belafonte) in the acclaimed drama Bright Road. And, uh, it’s free.

• Comedy Actor and comedian Tommy Davidson — an original star of the show In Living Color — has played a long list of laughable characters (some of which you may remember and some of which may be long forgotten). Currently on tour for stand-up comedy, he’ll drop by Booth Playhouse for a performance tonight. Davidson’s impersonations of celebrities are what he’s most famous for, so he’ll most likely take on some humorous new identities during the set.

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• Special Event In my opinion, the next best thing to seeing The 64th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in person is watching it broadcast on the big screen. During the 6th Annual Tony Awards Party at N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s McGlohon Theatre, folks can watch the prestigious award show in a grander setting than most living rooms provide. There will also be complimentary refreshments, a cash bar and trivia contests and games with prizes. You may just leave with an award yourself. more...

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

Friday, May 21

Wicked

Ovens Auditorium

Is the Wicked Witch of the West a good witch or bad witch? You can decide for yourself when Wicked, a Grammy and three time Tony Award-winning Broadway production has a broom stop in the Q.C. The musical takes the story of The Wizard of Oz to another level, with a sweep through the past — years before Dorothy of Kansas' arrival in Munchkinland — and a closer look into the lives of the Wicked Witch of the West and her sister, Glinda the Good Witch.

• Film Short films by emerging filmmakers and students will debut for your viewing pleasure during The Light Factory’s Filmmakers Showcase at Duke Energy Theatre tonight. more...

• Festival At the 6th Annual Mint Hill Highland Games at Mint Hill Park, folks can enjoy the gems of Scottish culture, which includes a gathering of Scottish clans, the parade of tartans, animals like border collies, shetland sheepdogs, falcons and goshawks, vendors, music, dancing, Scottish foods (let’s just hope haggis isn’t on the menu) and other activities. more...

Saturday, May 22

Charlotte FemmeFest

NoDa

The third annual Charlotte FemmeFest held in NoDa is a celebration of music, art and culture by female artists. This year’s fest will include a number of performers, including Jill Andrews, Amelia's Mechanics, Emily Lynch, Jill Dineen Band, The Alpha Theory, Natalie Royal, The Near Misses and a lot more.

• Special Event It always frightens me a little when I hear an air quality alert in the Q.C. It’s startling to think that being outdoors on heated days could have harming effects on one’s health. But alas, living in the age of pollutants puts us all at risk. The 5K Run For Clean Air is a cross-country run at the scenic McAlpine Creek Park aimed at raising awareness about Charlotte’s poor air quality. more...

• Benefit Single ladies alert! You can a bid on a date with an eligible bachelor, during The Deltas of Charlotte’s 6th Annual Bachelor Auction, Crimson Dreams: The Total Package. Other items will also be available during the auction. Proceeds raise funds to continue community-based programming. more...

Sunday, May 23

Bill Maher

Knight Theater

Politics is one of those touchy subjects that people in mixed company should avoid talking about. I guess Bill Maher never got that memo though, since the host of HBO's Real Talk With Bill Maher is known for his political wit and humor and unleashes it unyieldingly. In addition to his political talk show, Maher has also published four bestsellers and continues the stand-up comedy career he started back in 1979. He'll be in town Sunday night to share some political insight -- Don't you love his "New Rules"? -- guaranteed to make you bust a gut. Adult language is involved, so conservatives be warned.

• Sports It’s time for more roller derby, as Charlotte Roller Girls All-Stars take on the Richland County Regulators at Grady Cole Center this evening. more...

• Food Supporters of New York style pizza will find comfort in Libretto's Pizzeria. It offers a lengthy list of Italian items, including 17 specialty pizzas and a selection of 23 toppings. more...

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

Friday, May 14

In/Significant Others

Regal Park Terrace

Local filmmaker John Schwert's sophomore film In/Significant Others, has already been causing waves since it premiered on the film-festival circuit last September. Already racking up a handful of awards, In/Significant Others is now set to enjoy a theatrical run here in the Queen City. Schwert has crafted a thematically ambitious drama in which various characters — including a troubled Iraq war veteran, an ill-tempered comedian, his struggling brother, and a duplicitous documentarian — find their lives overlapping while police investigate a local murder that ties them all together.

• Special Event No need to worry about being too old for a scavenger hunt, because at the 4th Annual Know NoDa? Scavenger Hunt ages 21 and up are invited to participate in a smarts showdown of NoDa knowledge. Teams of two will explore NoDa and surrounding neighborhoods, taking digital photos at spots where a list of clues (if you can solve 'em) lead. Big prizes are in store. Let the games begin. more...

• Arts The 2nd Annual Southern Holiday — a 10-day event, which kicks off today— is an indie arts extravaganza offering up a mix of participants (Culture Initiative, Point 8 Forum, Charlotte Arts Catalyst, The Light Factory, McColl Center for Visual Art, Dugg Dugg, Pura Vida and many others), who have organized a series of activities to keep your week(end) interesting. more...

Saturday, May 15

Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival

Ramsey Creek Park

Paddling and drumming are as intense as the fire from a dragon’s mouth during the Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival, taking place annually on Lake Norman at Ramsey Creek Park. The fest, happening this year on May 15, features an ancient Chinese tradition of canoe-like crafts that hold up to 24 paddlers that race across the water. But, for those of you less interested in water sports, the fest also offers Asian cultural displays, music and dance performances, arts and crafts, a Miss Asian Festival Pageant, food and more.

• Sports Some serious ass-kicking is coming to Charlotte ... that is, when the event known as Rock & Rumble blasts into town. The jaw-breaking fun pops off in The Fillmore (over at the N.C. Music Factory) and promises to showcase a number of bouts and a variety of pugilistic performances -- from professional boxing to MMA (you know, mixed martial arts). On top of all that, there will be DJs, aerial artists, dancers and more. more...

• Special Event Tonight, Neighborhood Theatre gets freaky during the Extraordinary & The Something Side Show, a carnival-themed arts and music mix presented by Culture Initiative. The schedule for the event is lengthy with plans for exhibits and installations by a number of arts groups, onsite painting sessions, and – probably the strangest of them all – a freak show of deformed animals. more...

Sunday, May 16

Rob Schneider

Lake Norman Comedy Zone

It's not surprising that actor, writer, director and comedian Rob Schneider, typically acquainted with his zany starring roles in films like Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, The Animal and The Hot Chick, among others, started out doing stand-up. But what is surprising is that he never got the chance to headline his own comedy tour, as he was snatched up by Saturday Night Live -- where he worked as a writer and cast member -- just at the brink of stardom. Schneider's own headlining stand-up tour stops into Lake Norman Comedy Zone tonight. With comedian Jeff Richards.

• Festival Stroll the 6th Annual Carolina Folk Art Festival -- continuing at Birkdale Village in Huntersville today -- for a mix of handmade arts and crafts. Locally crafted pottery, paintings, birdhouses, gourds, jewelry and more are just some of the many items being displayed and sold at the fest. This is a place to find neato gifts for the picky people you know or ... for yourself. more...

• Theater Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte speeds through a racing loop of theatrics with its latest production of Heaven On Wheels. The musical – co-produced with Once Upon a Blue Ridge Production - is about the history of stock car racing. more...

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

Friday, May 7

Fridays at the Factory

N.C. Music Factory

Put a tropical spin on the start of your weekend at Fridays at the Factory at the N.C. Music Factory. Relax amidst a flourish of trees, listen to the sounds of live bands and music by DJ Vikas, enjoy sushi provided by Nikko, a True Religion Fashion Show presented by Butter and more. Proceeds benefit Project Go Global Relief.

• Art Most of us can't help but rejoice that winter is finally over and we're starting to feel warm springtime heat. Nonetheless, we all know that soon the "It's too hot!" complaints will come and we'll miss the chills of winter. Keeping all this indecision on the brain, Green Rice Gallery's latest exhibition of paintings of North Carolina in all four seasons, seems fitting. The exhibition - which opens this evening with a reception - is appropriately titled Changing of the Seasons and features new works created by artist Holt McLean. more...

• Comedy Charlotte comedy troupe Sharazad Improv performs at Wine-Up tonight. The show features made up on the spot material inspired by audience suggestions. more...

Saturday, May 8

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Symphony Park

Those of you with a love for beer, bourbon and barbecue need look no further. In its 4th year, the annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns to Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall with a surplus of all the above. Folks attending have the chance to sample 60 beers and 40 bourbons, as well as an abundance of barbecue. In addition, the fest features an assortment of entertainment, including seminars, corn hole, contests, live music and more.

• Food Enjoy the flavor of the islands in a festive atmosphere at Cuban Pete's Café. more...

• Festival Today at University Research Park is the Green Goats and Gardens Festival, which features activities for children, live music, food, goats and a variety of vendors and exhibitors representing "green" community and business services. more...

Sunday, May 9

Girls Only: The Secret Comedy Of Women

Stage Door Theater

Girls night out, anyone? Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Girls Only: The Secret Comedy Of Women is taking what we all know as a night of female-oriented fun to a whole ’nother level. The cast, comprised of two middle-aged women use sketch comedy, improv, audience participation, songs and videos, for a comedy spread that will likely have men squirming and women in tears. According to the show’s description, it includes feminine subject matter ranging from breast-feeding and menstrual cycles to menopause and maxi pads. Ladies, grab a gal pal, and men ... you’ve been warned.

• Film This Sunday, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture will host a film screening of the 1957 film Island in the Sun. The film -- which stars James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Joan Collins, Michael Rennie, Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge, among others -- is set on an island and explores the waters of relationships between black, white and mixed races. more...

• Special Event It’s Mother's Day and if you’ve got a mom nearby (or you are a mom) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has special plans in store. Picnic and give the gardens a leisurely stroll, while celebrating family ties. The first 500 moms will receive a free potted plant and moms can also enjoy complementary mini-massages, beauty consultations and more. more...

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

Friday, April 30

Mysticism, Apparitions, Dreams..MAD?

DOMA Gallery

DOMA Gallery's latest exhibition, Mysticism, Apparitions, Dreams..MAD? – which, opens tonight – is traveling deep into the hidden realm of the psyche. Featuring photography by Andrea Brown, Igor Malijevsky and Raymond Grubb, this exhibition of photos is sharp and sleek with multiple viewing possibilities.

• Music The Charlotte Symphony soars during its Belk Theater performance tonight. The show, Charlotte Symphony Pops: Cirque De La Symphonie, will feature the symphony orchestra - playing classical masterpieces of contemporary music - and acrobats performing a set of skilled moves. more...

• Special Event Starting today and continuing through the weekend, the Official Twilight Convention makes a stop in the Q.C. Die-hard fans of the saga – whether their for Team Edward or Jacob – unite for panels, themed parties, autographs and photo opportunities with select stars from the film, live music performances and more. more...

Saturday, May 1

Welcome To The Monkey House

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre goes bananas for its latest theatrical adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's satirical classic, Welcome To The Monkey House. The book –published in 1968 – features drastic and intertwining short stories about human nature and society. You can expect CAST's stage to become a zoo of exciting extremes during this performance.

• Festival Midwood Maynia continues today with its community gathering of neighborhood home and garden tours, live music – provided by a stream of local bands, including Chris Holder, Greg Lilley and Company, Loose Lug Nuts, Broken Napoleons and Truckstop Preachers – and more.

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• Sports Prepare for wheel spinning roller derby action, as the Q.C.’s Charlotte Roller Girls All-Stars take on the Baltimore-based Charm City Roller Girls Night Terrors this evening at Grady Cole Center. more...

Sunday, May 2

Cavalia

Uptown Charlotte

Held in "The White Big Top" tent (next to Bank of America Stadium), the enchanting show Cavalia captures the relationship between horse and man, while featuring acrobats, aerialists, dancers and actors, musicians and, of course, bountiful breeds of horses.

• Food The Blue Taj offers a whimsical dining atmosphere and features a menu with a finely honed roundup of Asian-inspired dishes. The food is well prepared and innovatively pleasing. more...

• Festival Head to McAlpine Creek Park for a Cinco de Mayo celebration, featuring music, traditional foods, folkloric dances, a Latino marketplace, exhibitors, interactive games and more. more...

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

Friday, April 23

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend

Locations vary

Interested in eating, drinking and being merry? Well, you definitely want to check out Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend. This year’s celebration, co-titled “Vintage 2010,” boasts a lineup of more than 50 vitners, winemakers, brewmasters and spirits at events all around town.

• Spoken Word Expand your cultural diversity tonight as the International House presents its International Poetry Night. The spoken word event - hosted by Jonathan K. Rice, editor of Iodine Poetry Journal - will feature Chinese, Iranian, Nigerian, Polish, Spanish performers, among others. In addition, an open mic will follow. more...

• Art The Light Factory Paparazzi kicks off its City Block Project at EpiCentre tonight. The project, open to photography and film enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, lasts for 24-hours with photographs being shot for later submissions to The Light Factory for possible inclusion in a future gallery exhibition. more...

Saturday, April 24

King Britt

Dharma Lounge

Just when you're ready to give up on Charlotte and call it a lame town full of douchey guys and gals, something cool pops up. Tonight's "cool" something is DJ/producer/artist King Britt, who's sliding into the Q.C. to host a release performance for his newest (and final "conventional") dance CD, The Intricate Beauty, at Dharma Lounge. James Fedele opens.

• Dance You don’t have to be familiar with bharatha natyam, kuchipudi and kathak (or know how to pronounce them) in order to find joy in the upcoming performance of Dances of India at Central Piedmont Community College’s Halton Theater today. But what you should know is that those particular names represent very old — some near 2,000-years-old — traditional dance forms from that faraway land. At the show, you’ll see those dances, as well as other folk dances from India, performed onstage by more than 40 dancers to live music. more...

• Festival The ol’ saying “Every dog has its day,” comes into play during Bark In The Park, a festival dedicated to man’s best friend. At the event canines participate in contests in a number of categories. In addition, there will be a “Pooch Parade” with adoptable dogs, entertainment provided by Atlanta Dog Sports, exhibits, dog products, prizes and more. more...

Sunday, April 25

Bill Cosby

Belk Theater

Best known for his many endeavors as actor and producer in an assortment of TV shows and films, musician, author, activist and, last but not least, comedian, Bill Cosby is a legendary jack of all trades - and he's in Charlotte tonight to perform two shows at Belk Theater! Laughter is a must during Cosby's stand-up gigs, in which he's known for giving the lowdown on parenting and his own experiences as a father.

• Film Prepare for an action-packed thriller as NODA Film Festival, The Light Factory and God City present a film screening of The Battle of Algiers at Neighborhood Theatre today. The 1966 film — directed by Gillo Pontecorvo — is based on the Algerian War against French colonial rule in North Africa. But what’s more interesting is how the past-time flick relates to modern day. Before the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, the film was screened at the Pentagon, as it highlights the powers of insurgencies, uprisings and nation building in a realistic manner. more...

• Food Breakfast isn't mediocre at Terrace Café. Family recipes are used to produce seasonal jams and Southern-style biscuits. $15 buys two grilled three-ounce Montana Ranch steak medallions with shredded potatoes and eggs. more...

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

Friday, April 16

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Neighborhood Theatre

The Durham-based string trio - comprised of Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson - known as Carolina Chocolate Drops released its major-label (Nonesuch Records) debut, titled Genuine Negro Jig, in February 2010. Following the disc, the group climbed the charts for its bluegrass excellence and has been touring consistently since - they'll visit Charlotte to perform at Neighborhood Theatre tonight. Using instruments like the banjo, fiddle and percussion, those attending the show can expect to be treated to home-grown favorites from the band, including "Cornbread & Butterbeans."

• Special Event Though black bears seem less aggressive than other bears, most of us would rather see them in the zoo than happen to stumble upon them in nature. And some of us would rather not encounter one at all. But rest assured, there are no real bears at the new Black Bear Saloon in the North Carolina Music Factory — just a theme of decorations honoring the creatures. Today the saloon will celebrate its grand opening with live music by The Swingin’ Richards and DJ Kommotion, as well as food and drink specials. more...

• Art Fast food gets the royal treatment in McColl Center for Visual Arts’ Fried, a solo exhibition by Franco Mondini-Ruiz, which opens tonight with a reception. Though it may make folks hungry, the majority of food comprised in the exhibit is artificial — and besides, there’s no touching. In the exhibition, Mondini-Ruiz uses food to represent community, nourishment and pleasure. Through a mix of media, from paintings to installations, his displays leave viewers in question of their own cultures. Elegant porcelain objects are placed with the greasy-looking foods we hate to love, in order for a tasty concoction of thoughts to abound. more...

Saturday, April 17

Charlotte Arts Catalyst

Reel Works Studios

Seekers of original art look no further, as the Charlotte Arts Catalyst is set to hold a silent auction, dubbed First Days. The event will feature more than 40 artists — including works by Anne-Blythe Moore, Ben Gelnett, Jessica Sea and Steve Chellis — which amounts to a lot of diversity. In addition, live jazz will be performed by Brent Bagwell, Michael Houseman and Troy Conn and experimental films by Ross Wilbanks will be screened. Money raised from the auction will go to help Charlotte Arts Catalyst establish its own center dedicated to creative arts and music.

• Special Event Want to learn how to put some bump in your grind? Well, it’s a must during Big Mammas School of Burlesque, the first introductory burlesque class taught by Charlotte’s own, Big Mamma D. The class teaches the history of burlesque in America and a whole lot more. No dancing experience or dance skills required. more...

• Festival Plan on going green during Charlotte Clean and Green at Central Piedmont Community College today. The event will include more than 30 exhibitors and vendors, green seminars, local organic food and music organized by John Tosco. In addition, it gives folks the opportunity to learn how helping to save natural resources can save money, create economic opportunity and provide for healthier living. more...

Sunday, April 18

End Days

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte

A rip roaring rapture is swiftly approaching Actor's Theatre of Charlotte, and you'd better bet Deborah Zoe Laufer's play End Days has a lot to do with it. Under direction from Chip Decker, this twisted drama zooms in on one very (very, very, very!) warped family, a predicted apocalypse and Stephen Hawking.

• Food Wild East Pan-Asian Bistro has a wide-ranging menu of tasty Thai, Japanese, Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines. Prices are good too. more...

• Benefit Watching rubber ducks being dropped into the waterway at the U.S. National Whitewater Center might not sound like your idea of quality entertainment. Add in the chance to win prizes (including a $5,000 cash grand prize) and most of us will be ready to participate (and maybe even quack!). At the 6th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race, folks can adopt rubber duckies for $5 each to be thrown in the water for a race that supports the KinderMourn mission. more...

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

Friday, April 9

Bruce Bruce

Knight Theater

Comedian Bruce Bruce, host for two seasons of BET’s Comic View will swing through Charlotte for a stand-up performance at Knight Theater tonight.

• Art Meet the artist during an opening reception for the new Spirits and Spaces: The Prints of Michael B. Platt exhibition at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture this evening. more...

• Special Event A special treat for car enthusiasts, The Spring Food Lion AutoFair continues today at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event offers views of more than 50 car club displays and lots of vendors selling car parts and other memorabilia. more...

Saturday, April 10

High Anxiety

Wachovia Playhouse

The conclusion of the Main Library’s Late Hitchcock, Fake Hitchcock series will take place at ImaginOn’s Wachovia Playhouse. The film, starring Mel Brooks and Madeline Kahn is noted for its strong influences drawn from Hitchcock films, including Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo.

• Benefit Fiestas are in order as The Carolinas Latin Dance Company hosts its annual Dancing Through Latin America event. The festivity offers a cultural experience with beautiful costumes and Latin dances and music, representing 16 different countries. more...

• Festival The Middle East Council of the Carolinas will present its annual Middle East Festival at Queens University today. The fest showcases the many diverse cultures of the Middle East with arts and crafts, music, dance and food. more...

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

Friday, April 2

Flights of Fancy

Ciel Gallery

Tonight during Southend's gallery crawl, Ciel Gallery will have an opening reception for its newest exhibition, titled Flights of Fancy. Featured in the show are mixed media mosaics, textile art and photography by 28 artists from the U.S., Australia, Monaco, Ireland and Canada.

• Food Tropical Bakery & Café is primarily a bakery with tasty treats that include bread, cakes, juices, snacks and Brazilian soft drinks. Stop in and try the coxinhas. more...

• Comedy Sharazad Improv performs its totally non-scripted, created on the spot comedy show at Wine Up tonight. more...

Saturday, April 3

Jersey Boys

Belk Theater

Belk Theater welcomes Jersey Boys - the Tony Award-winning musical about the popular 1960s band, The Four Seasons (Think: "Big Girls Don't Cry") - with a wop-boppin' performance tonight. This production tells the story of how the band members -Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi - rose from a working-class lifestyle to peg a successful spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and pop music history.

• Benefit In its fourth year, the annual Dogswalk Against Cancer lets you walk for a good cause. Hosted by The American Cancer Society, the non-competitive walk raises awareness and funds for the fight against cancer in both humans and animals. more...

• Sports You can expect action, as Ring Of Honor presents its show, The Big Bang – featuring aspects of the Japanese, Mexican and mixed-martial arts schools with full ring combat - at Grady Cole Center tonight. more..

Sunday, April 4

The Mojo & The Sayso

Duke Energy Theatre

On Q Productions’ The Mojo & The Sayso is dedicated in part to Clifford Glover, a 10-year-old boy who was shot and killed by New York City Police. In the play, a family loses their child in the same way and must learn to cope with the terrible crime.

• Music NYC's Outernational brings its defiant brand of rock, laced with bits of ska and punk to The Milestone tonight. With Soft Opening and For Disaster. more...

• Comedy It’s Funny First Sunday at House of Jazz and stand-up comedy is in full swing with performances by Nick Lewis and headlining comedian Shuckey Duckey. more...