Halloween is still over a week away, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until Oct. 31 to have some Halloween-related fun. Don your best costume and head to South End for some family fun during Fall Fest or enjoy some adult-only entertainment with Discovery Place’s Fright Night themed Science on the Rocks event.
Looking for something to do tonight? Spend time exploring the Gantt Center’s amazing exhibition, “Quilts and Social Fabric: Heritage & Improvisation” as 5th & York provide the soundtrack for the evening during Gantt After Dark.
Here’s a look at what else is happening around the Queen City this weekend:
ART + CULTURE
Bechtler By Night
Friday, 5 p.m. @ Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Gather friends and view the extensive Bechtler collection under the cover of the night sky as the museum, in partnership with Bank of America, presents “Bechtler by Night.” All four gallery floors are open to the public, free of charge, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Details)
Science on the Rocks
Friday, 5 p.m. @ Discovery Place Science
Play like a kid and party like an adult at this monthly mixer, held the third Friday of the month at Discovery Place Science. This month’s theme is Fright at the Museum, an unforgettable adults-only night of monstrous mayhem. (Details)
The Jazz Room: Ashlin Parker plays Kenny Dorham
Friday + Saturday @ The Stage Door Theater
Charlotte’s Jazz Arts Initiative kicks off Season 8 of its highly acclaimed monthly series – The Jazz Room @ The Stage Door Theater with Grammy award-winning jazz trumpeter and Charlotte native Ashlin Parker playing the music of jazz legend Kenny Dorham. (Details)
AFROPOP! Up-Shop: Vendors, Fashion, Music & Art
Saturday, 1 p.m. @ BluNotes of Charlotte
Team Bantu is introducing a new pop-up shop concept: AFROPOP! Up-Shop! It’s a bazaar featuring retailers from all over the region vending clothing, accessories, and personal care products from various African-Ancestral cultures. (Details)
COMMUNITY CALENDAR + FAMILY FUN
Cultural Connections: Exploring Dia de Muertos Preview
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. @ Levine Museum of the New South
Looking to have some Halloween fun with the family? You’re invited to join museum staff and community members to sample making some of the arts and crafts of Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead. (Details)
Black Neighborhoods Then & Now – Explore History at The Duke Mansion
Sunday, 3 p.m. @ Duke Mansion
Mary Newsom of UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute will moderate a conversation on the rich history and uncertain future of African-American neighborhoods in Charlotte. She will be joined by Mattie Marshall of Washington Heights, filmmaker Kathryn Frye of Second Ward National Alumni Association, and John Howard of Charlotte’s Historic Districts Commission. Exhibit panels on the Biddleville and Brooklyn neighborhoods will be on display courtesy of Charlotte Museum of History. (Details)
FOOD + DRINK
Oktoberfest
Friday, 5 p.m. @ Healthy Home Market (Plaza)
Healthy Home Market in Plaza Midwood is celebrating Oktoberfest with $5 meal specials, live music and beer vendors. (Details)
Fall Fest
Saturday, 12 p.m. @ Studio Cellar
This family-friendly event includes pumpkin painting, face painting, seasonal beer and wine, kids crafts and more. Kiss 95.1 FM will be on the scene with interactive games and giveaways. Costumes encouraged. (Details)
Oktoberfest Beer Tasting
Saturday, 2 p.m. @ Wine Vault
Sample over 100 different domestic and imported beers as the Wine Vault continues celebrating its 30th anniversary. This event will feature a live performance by Rich Challan and catering from Boardwalk Billy’s. (Details)
Dilworth South End Chili Cook-Off
Sunday, 11 a.m. @ Atherton Mills
Back for its seventh year, this event will feature pumpkin painting for the kids by Wine & Design, a cornhole tournament, local bands, a huge raffle, a bake sale to benefit MS, celebrity judges, Sir Purr, Chubby Checker, big fire trucks and lots and lots of chili. (Details)
PROFESSIONAL + NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Empowerment Saturday: Secrets to Getting & Staying Organized
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. @ Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce
Ever spent your day (or even your week) cranking through tasks, only to find you didn’t get the most critical things done? If yes, consider attending Secrets to Getting & Staying Organized. Filled with solid tips, real-life examples and practical advice, this Empowerment Saturday workshop is for busy business leaders and professionals who want to enhance your the way you think, work and take action. (Details)
All Up In Your Business: A Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs
Saturday, 1 p.m. @ Advent Coworking
Designed to help budding entrepreneurs ready to start their businesses, this event is a series of short presentations from industry leaders on a variety of topics including social media, web hosting, marketing, taxes, mission statements and more. (Details)
