15th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival
Thursday, Oct. 3 and Friday, Oct. 4
Multiple venues in Rock Hill and Fort Mill, South Carolina
Free – $10, get your tickets
A short drive south of the city takes you to the Arts Council of York County’s annual festival featuring several jazz bands, vocalists and other musicians.
ASC Culture Feast
Friday, Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m.
Uptown Charlotte on S. Tryon Street at Levine Center for the Arts
$50, get your tickets
It’s the fifth year for this popular event hosted by the Arts & Science Council. Enjoy a three-course meal outdoors in the heart of uptown Charlotte, while experiencing all the culture the city has to offer.
Erykah Badu with Goodie Mob
Friday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.
Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 East Independence Blvd.
Starting at $61, get your tickets
The award-winning soul singer comes to Charlotte to perform hits like “Love of my Life,” “Bag Lady” and “Tyrone.” Iconic Atlanta hip-hop group Goodie Mob joins Badu as special guests.
Breakaway Music Festival
Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5
AvidxChange Music Factory, 1000 N.C. Music Factory Blvd.
Starting at $55, get your tickets
The festival’s Friday acts include rappers Future and Lil Baby as headliners.
Charlotte Kids Fest
Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
UNC Charlotte, 9100 Robert D. Snyder Rd.
Free, more info
In its third year, Kids Fest offers fun and educational activities covering five zones: LEARN! DISCOVER! CREATE! PLAY! and GO! Kids can choose from entertainment like robotics, martial arts, dance, storybook readings, sports, and live cultural and musical performances.
Charlotte Contemporary Ensemble’s 40th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
West Charlotte High School, 2219 Senior Dr.
$20, get your tickets
Enjoy the ensemble as they take you on a musical journey in two acts — classical and spiritual favorites followed by selections from “The Color Purple: The Musical.”
An Evening with Najee and Alex Bugnon
Saturday, Oct. 5, 8 p.m.
Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.
$49.50 – $79.50, get your tickets
Sax legend Najee and pianist Alex Bugnon come together for a night of musical magic to benefit various breast cancer charities.
Off the Wall: A Tribe Called Quest/ Native Tongues Edition
Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 p.m.
Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.
$5 before 10 p.m./$10 after, more info
Old-school hip-hop gets the spotlight at the 7th annual event. Groove to music from legendary emcees the Jungle Brothers, ATCQ, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Chi Ali, Brand Nubian, The Beatnuts, Leaders of the New School and Black Sheep.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe “Thick As Thieves” Tour
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m.
Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St.
$27 – $37, get your tickets
Singer and saxophonist Karl Denson brings his jam band, Tiny Universe, to Charlotte as part of their fall tour. Denson, who just completed his third tour with The Rolling Stones, is also the founding member of the seminal funk band, The Greyboy Allstars.
Morehouse Glee Club with the Charlotte Symphony
Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.
$25 – $95, get your tickets
The talented singers of the Morehouse Glee Club team up with the Charlotte Symphony for a one-night performance benefiting Charlotte-area students attending Atlanta’s Morehouse College. The vocalists have previously performed at notable events including Super Bowl XXVIII, opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games, and regular appearances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Read more: Concert featuring Morehouse Glee Club and Charlotte Symphony will raise money for scholarships
Spectrum Presents: Shaggy
Thursday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.
The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St.
Free, register
Shaggy comes to Charlotte for a free concert with Canadian singer Alexander Stewart, who’s featured on the Grammy winner’s single, “You.”
D.L. Hughley
Thursday, Oct. 10 – Sunday, Oct. 13
The Comedy Zone, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., Ste. B3
$35 – $60, get your tickets
D.L. Hughley — actor, political commentator and, most notably, an Original King of Comedy — hits the comedy stage and nothing’s off limits.
BJ The Chicago Kid
Friday, Oct. 11, 8 p.m.
Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St.
$20 – $52, get your tickets
Motown Records artist BJ The Chicago Kid is joined on the ‘1123 Tour’ by Brooklyn’s Kamauu and the Bay Area’s Rayana Jay as opening act.
Hola Charlotte Festival
Saturday, Oct. 12, 12-7 p.m.
Uptown Charlotte on South Tryon St. from E. Stonewall St. to 4th St.
Free, more info
Celebrate Latin American culture in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month at Charlotte’s largest Hispanic Heritage celebration.
Charlotte’s Best Food Truck Competition
Saturday, Oct. 12, 3-10 p.m.
Renaissance Park, 1536 W. Tyvola Rd.
$1-$10, get your tickets
Bring your appetite to taste samples from a variety of Black-owned food trucks and choose your favorite burger, cultural dish, dessert and signature dish.
Night of Worship Concert featuring Karen Clark Sheard
Saturday, Oct. 12, 5 p.m.
Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, 700 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
$20-$30, get your tickets
Gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard joins Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church’s music and fine arts ministry for a night of worship and praise.
Harlem 100
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.
Starting at $24.50, get your tickets
Become a Qcity Press Club member to redeem an offer for BOGO tickets to “Harlem 100.”
Harlem musicians and dancers pay homage to the Harlem Renaissance, showcasing the sounds of musical acts like Billie Holiday and Fats Domino, and celebrating legendary venues like the Apollo Theater and the Cotton Club.
Uniquely Qualified Tour
Thursday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 19
Multiple venues
$25-$100, get your tickets
The movement is celebrating its one-year anniversary, starting with a VIP event to mix and mingle. The main event is a women’s-only conference featuring guest speakers and Q&A panels.
“View The Right Thing” Film Series
Saturday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Beatties Ford Rd., 2412 Beatties Ford Rd.
Free, register
The seven-part film and discussion series continues with Spike Lee’s “School Daze.”
An Evening with Incognito & Special Guest Maysa
Sunday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.
McGlohon Theater, 345 N. College St.
$59.50 – $74.50, get your tickets
British band Incognito and talented vocalist Maysa come together for a jazzy evening representing more than three decades of their music careers.
Charlotte Black Restaurant Week
Monday, Oct. 21 – Sunday, Oct. 27
Multiple venues
$10 – $20 restaurant prices, register
Support your favorite Black-owned restaurants and participate in events like Black Food Truck Friday, Crownin’ QC’s Best Black Chef, Alter-Vego Fest and more.
The Temptations & The Four Tops
Sunday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.
Starting at $25, get your tickets
Motown royalty, The Temptations and The Four Tops, share the stage to perform all of their classics.
“Angela Yee’s Lip Service” Live
Sunday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St.
Starting at $55, get your tickets
A live taping of the radio DJ’s popular podcast created for women to express themselves and to help men understand how women think. It’s not unusual for celebrity guests to join the conversation.
Keep up-to-date with things to do in the Queen City by visiting our events calendar.
Born and raised in the DMV, the Carolinas are now home for Ryan Fleming. Family, music and writing are his passions.
