The 2nd Friday Street Festival is back and ready to light up the streets of Old Town! This monthly showcase features the area’s most exceptional talent in one action-packed community festival including live music, local craft beer & wine, food trucks, local artists & craftsmen, art demonstrations, kids activities and much more!

You saw the movie with Jack Black right?! Well, see the real thing with REAL KIDS performing all your favorite hits! The School of Rock Show Team performs music from Motown all the way up to today’s Mega Hits! This family-friendly event is enjoyed by everyone. Be prepared to dance the night away and enjoy an evening of music under the stars.

 Yoga by NC Yoga Bar,  enjoy 25% off your drinks (beer-mosa/Mimosa anyone?) 5 Food Trucks serving up a delicious assortment of brunch goodness! Live music from 10 am. Coffee & Teas by Urbean

Join Blue Restaurant and Bar in Uptown Charlotte for A Night in Florence, Italy. Experience the Italian cuisine with a four-course meal at $49 (wine pairing available for $20). Make a reservation by calling 704-927-2583

The Charlotte Symphony is joined by musicians of the Jazz Arts Initiative to bring you a night of standards. Hear all the favorites including In the Mood, Stardust, Moonlight Serenade, Chatanooga Choo Choo, Sing, Sing, Sing, plus some interludes featuring selections for Jazz combo.

 Treehouse Vineyards will host a “kickoff party” to help The Sandbox as it prepares for its annual “An Evening of Believing” Prom. The Prom is a special event held each fall for kids and teens in the area facing cancer or another life-altering illness. Guests at the Vineyard can enjoy wine tastings and tours (for a small fee), shop with vendors showcasing art, jewelry, clothing and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to support The Sandbox.

The Taste of Charlotte is a FREE event. Purchase festival coins for restaurant samples, beverages, and kids activities. The festival features over 100 samples from area restaurants along with live music and entertainment, interactive children’s activities, cooking demos, street performers, unique shopping and large variety of local, regional and national partners interacting with festival-goers, providing information, coupons and free stuff!

June all about our favorite Hero’s. This week THE COTTON ROOM is pulling down the big screen to watch ‘Deadpool’. As always, they’ll have $3 Domestics, $5 Tito’s and Deep Eddy’s Vodka, along with $5 Crown Royals. Their month-long drink special is $9 Reyka Mules, which is the perfect drink for any hero!

There are certain holidays that bring about particular emotions. Valentine’s Day is for love and romance. Easter, Halloween, and Christmas all offer memories and traditions. Thanksgiving and New Years are times to think about blessings and opportunities to come. But there are holidays that are set aside to consider just “HOW WE GOT HERE” as a country, and remember the incredible sacrifices that have been made so that we may live in a free America. Memorial Day Weekend is a few days, every year, that we can anticipate cookouts, an extended weekend, time with family and friends, and celebrating all things USA! It’s a different feeling than July 4th, when we celebrate our nation’s independence. It’s taking time away from our burgers, hotdogs, and potato salad to realize that, without the efforts and devotion, from our service men and women, that we wouldn’t have the wonderful freedoms that we cherish. This week’s edition of “Things To Do This Weekend” shines the spotlight on friendship, culture, health and activity, fun, and fanfare. There are so many enjoyable events, that will attract all walks of life across the Charlotte Metro area, and it only involves taking the initiative to try something new! Revel in your extra time off on Monday. Make some special memories with family and friends. Consume just as many (or few) calories as you can at your bbq. But be sure to pause, and be thankful, for the unbelievable amount of commitment and sacrifice that it took for us to enjoy our holiday.

We know it’s hot. We know that the Summer months and summer heat waves are coming quickly. We know that we’ll have to put on extra sunscreen the next 3+ months and water our grass a little extra. It certainly comes with the territory of living in Southern North Carolina. There can always be a sense of ‘getting through’ any season, but it’s truly WHAT you do in that season that makes all the difference and this week’s, “Things To Do This Weekend” provide all kinds of fun and eventful opportunities to get out and make some early summer memories. From family events, special galas, and charity efforts, you can certainly find your place to be INSIDE. If you prefer to be on the move and perspire a little this weekend, there are some wonderful outside happenings that offer competition, challenge, and success at the end of the day. In the Carolinas we are so fortunate to experience such amazing culture when it comes to food, art, the wide variety of people, love, and FUN. Go splash in a wave pool or dress up your furry friend for a formal gathering. Whether in mid-day or evening, the next couple of days have a lot to offer in the way of staying LITERALLY cool, and certainly SOCIALLY! For the Queen City and beyond, LIVE IT UP!

Time. For certain, it’s fleeting. Every present (and passing) day is an opportunity to celebrate that very moment that you have. It doesn’t always require balloons, flowers, cards and noisemakers. You don’t necessarily have to present special gifts, and throw parties every day, in order to show your appreciation for life and the special times. It’s an intentional effort to be thankful for family, for friends, for favorable circumstances that offer enjoyable and productive activities. This week’s edition of “Things To Do This Weekend” is all about recognizing special people and special occasions.

A lot of Mothers will be celebrated this weekend. A lot of young (and young at heart) students will graduate this weekend (and in weekends to come). These are yearly happenings, that are here, and then past, so it’s important to recognize their achievements. Mom’s have survived the toddler, school age, teenage and young adult years. They’ve proven time and time again that they have super powers in the areas of: PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING, NURTURING, CARING, FEEDING, FIXING, & most importantly LOVING! What’s your plan to show Mom just how important she is in your life? If your mother is no longer with us, it’s a great time to remember how cherished she was, and how you wouldn’t be the person you are today without her influene and guidance. Graduates, you’ve made it! You’ve also survived endless (it seemed) hours of preparing, studying, and writing. You’ve passed countless number of tests, you’ve successfully completed rounds and acquired skills to boost you onto the next season of your life. It’s now time to use your gifts and abilities to take on the world and make it a better place. Both Moms and Graduates have accomplished so much, and this weekend will be a perfect time to take part in all that the Queen City has to offer. Relax, be entertained, be energized, or learn something new. Try some new food, take in the community atmosphere, or simply make a difference in someone (or some animal’s) life. The Mother’s Day and Graduation Day weekend is wide open for celebration and enjoyment.