By CLTure
June 2, 2025
Your weekly guide to the best music, sports, food, arts, and cultural events happening in and around Charlotte.
Tuesday, June 3
Charlotte Checkers vs. Laval Rocket (Eastern Conference Finals Game 4)
Tickets: $32.58 plus
The Charlotte Checkers will look to complete the series sweep against the Laval Rocket and advance to their first Calder Cup Finals since 2019. The Checkers are red-hot, having won their last eight playoff games and outscored the Rocket 15-4 in the first three games of the series. Left wing John Leonard is currently on a four-game goal streak — the longest in franchise postseason history — and his seven-game point streak ties a Checkers record. If they advance to the Calder Cup Finals, they’ll face either the Abbotsford Canucks or the Texas Stars.
Charlotte Knights vs. Leehigh Valley IronPigs at Truist Field (6:35 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and John Cafferty at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $30 plus
Tasting Dinner with El Veneno at Monarch Market (6:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $103.83 plus
El Veneno presents a special Al Fresco Tasting Dinner at Monarch Market on the Lanai Terrace Bar. Guests will enjoy welcome champagne and a curated multi-course menu featuring dishes like tuna tostada with chipotle and sashimi, a fish chorizo molote, and fried buñuelo with strawberry and piloncillo.
Suroor, Shawn Garlic, ASHLEY!, and YRDSLE at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $10 plus
High Performance Expo at Charlotte Convention Center (June 3-5)
Tickets: Free (with registration)
Wednesday, June 4
Jon G’s BBQ Pop-Up at Town Brewing Company (2:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free Admission
Jon G’s Texas-inspired BBQ will be at Town Brewing Company, serving up the goods starting at 5:00 p.m. The taproom opens early at 2:00 p.m. with live music by Brooke McBride from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Their exclusive Carolina Gold Lager, brewed in collaboration with Jon G’s, will also be available.
Eem Triplin with opener DC the Don at The Underground (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $31.50 plus
Melodramatic with Haha Laughing at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $10 plus
Oh! You Pretty Things, Leisure Hour, Fifth Floor, Cinema Stare, and Between Two Trees at The Milestone (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $12 plus
Charlotte Knights vs. Leehigh Valley IronPigs at Truist Field (6:35 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
The Charlotte Knights will take on the first-place Lehigh Valley IronPigs in a six-game series at Truist Field this week. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and are also part of the International League’s East Division. Wednesday is Bark in the Ballpark, Thursday will feature $2 hot dogs, $4 domestic beers, and $6 craft drafts, and Friday night is Scooby-Doo Night, featuring fireworks postgame.
Thursday, June 5
Anees with opener Joseph Solomon at The Underground (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $48 plus
The Disco Biscuits at Neighborhood Theatre
Tickets: $52.75 plus
Run The Jewels at The Amp Ballantyne (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $50 plus
Run the Jewels will return to Charlotte this week for the first time since 2017. The duo consisting of Atlanta rapper Killer Mike, known for his Grammy-winning album Michael, and Brooklyn producer/rapper El-P, founder of the influential Definitive Jux label, have released four albums as a duo, including their latest RTJ4 in 2020. They’ll also be opening in for Wu-Tang Clan in Raleigh on Friday night in Raleigh at Lenovo Center.
Michael Martin Murphey at Carolina Theatre (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $40 plus
Charlotte Knights vs. Leehigh Valley IronPigs at Truist Field (6:05 p.m.)
Tickets: $23 plus
Yesterday’s Clothes and Willingdon at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $17 plus
Asheville indie alternative rockers Yesterday’s Clothes headline The Evening Muse alongside Charlotte’s own Willingdon, who released their latest single, “Vicious,” in December. Yesterday’s Clothes — formed by Hampton Schlock (vocals, guitar), Connor Burchett (guitar), Jackson Chisholm (bass), and Jack Ritchie (drums) — released their most recent tracks “Mind at Ease” and “Years Are Short,” in 2024.
Maya De Vitry at Whitewater Center (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free (Parking: $12)
Godfrey at The Comedy Zone (June 5-7)
Tickets: $30.76 plus
Charlotte Squawks: 20th Censure-y Squawks at Booth Playhouse (June 5-28)
Tickets: $39 plus
A Saturday Night Live-meets-Broadway event, Charlotte Squawks is the Southeast’s longest-running annual original musical comedy. For 20 years, Charlotte Squawks has lampooned the Queen City with sharp satire, clever jokes, and hilarious parodies of popular songs. Co-created by WFAE’s Mike Collins and attorney Brian Kahn, this beloved musical comedy revue skewers everything from Charlotte’s politics and pop culture to sports and local absurdities. The 2025 edition, “20th Censure-y Squawks,” runs June 5-28 at the Booth Playhouse.
Process Sleep, Hands of Valencia, Laurence Hope, DOSHINTHEGIANT, and SUNSHOWER at The Milestone (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $10 plus
Friday, June 6
Taste of Charlotte Festival in Uptown (June 6-8)
Tickets: Free (must purchase tokens)
Taste of Charlotte returns to Uptown this weekend for a three-day food festival featuring samples from dozens of Charlotte-area restaurants. The event will also include live music, kid-friendly attractions, and vendor booths.
Savannah Bananas at Bank of America Stadium (June 6-7)
Tickets: Sold Out (Gametime)
Eric Roberson at Knight Theater (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $51.94 plus
Charlotte Knights vs. Leehigh Valley IronPigs at Truist Field (6:05 p.m.)
Tickets: $23 plus
Charlotte Symphony: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert at Belk Theater (June 6-7)
Tickets:
Return to Hogwarts for a spellbinding evening with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert. Watch the beloved 2002 fantasy film in high-definition while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. Directed by Chris Columbus and based on the 1998 novel by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second installment in the Harry Potter film series.
Six Foot Blonde, Monsoon, and The Coyotes at Snug Harbor (9:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $12 plus
Keller Williams at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $36.94 plus
Turnstile Listening Party at Hardy Boys Records (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Baltimore melodic punk band Turnstile will be hosting listening parties at record stores nationwide, including Charlotte’s Hardy Boys Records, in anticipation of their fourth studio album, NEVER ENOUGH, set to be released on June 6 through Roadrunner Records. Recorded between Los Angeles and their homes in Baltimore and produced by frontman Brendan Yates, the album follows their critically acclaimed Glow On from 2022. NEVER ENOUGH will be accompanied by a film premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival and hitting select theaters on June 5.
Shelby Means Trio and Joel Timmons Psychedelic Surf Country at Midwood Guitar Studio (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $30 plus
Dispatch with opener John Butler at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre (6:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $30 plus
Snorkeler and Kelsey Blackstone at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $17 plus
Greer with opener Chinese American Beat at Visulite Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $25 plus
Southern California alternative rock band Greer will play the Visulite Theatre this week following the release of Big Smile, their long-awaited debut album on Epitaph Records. Best known for their songs “Bittersweet” and “Songs for Me,” the band’s four members — drummer Lucas Ovalle, guitarist and lead singer Josiah, guitarist Corbin Jacques, and bassist Seth Thomson — went their separate ways before reuniting in 2023 to record the album. They’ll be joined by bilingual (English/Chinese) Seattle-based mando-pop/rock duo Chinese American Bear, composed of Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten.
Le Youth with openers Pico and Fior at The Music Yard (6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Tickets: $27.62
Saturday, June 7
Fo Daniels, Gooseberry, and Ali Forrest at Snug Harbor (10:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $14 plus
Family First: Blissed Out Art at Harvey B. Gantt Center (12:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free (with registration)
Barenaked Ladies with openers Guster and Fastball at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $30 plus
Best known for their late ’90s hits like “One Week,” “If I Had $1000000,” “Pinch Me,” and the Big Bang Theory theme, Barenaked Ladies will bring their Last Summer on Earth 2025 tour to Charlotte this week, with support from Fastball and Guster. The beloved Canadian rock band — formed in 1988 and popular for their quirky lyrics, catchy melodies, and humorous live shows — has sold over 15 million albums and earned a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018. Both Guster and Fastball are coming off the release of new albums in 2024.
Mountain Grass Unit with opener Stoneface Mountain at Visulite Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
Bedroom Division and briZB at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $20.38 plus
The Beach Boys with special guest John Stamos at The Amp Ballantyne (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $49 plus
Surf-rock legends The Beach Boys bring their timeless harmonies to The Amp Ballantyne this week, with special guest John Stamos joining them on stage. Led by founding member Mike Love and longtime bandmate Bruce Johnston, they’ll perform hits like “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “California Girls,” and “Surfin’ USA,” alongside Full House actor John Stamos, who often takes turns on drums or guitar.
Tiny City (Album Release) with Creatures Of The Sun and Saint Logic (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $9.98
Sunday, June 8
Fist of Fury at Carolina Theatre (2:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $16 plus
The Carolina Theatre will screen Fist of Fury this week — the last film shown before the venue closed its doors in 1975. Kicking off the Lost Years Summer Blockbuster Series, the 1972 martial arts classic stars Bruce Lee in one of his most iconic roles. With themes of resistance and national pride, Fist of Fury helped catapult Lee to global fame. Made on a $100,000 budget, it went on to earn an estimated $100 million worldwide (over $800 million today), becoming Hong Kong’s highest-grossing film at the time.
The 4411 with opener Juniper at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
Charlotte Vintage Market at Optimist Hall (11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Krush Groove at Independent Picture House (June 7-11)
Tickets: $9.25 plus
This summer, the Independent Picture House honors the 40th anniversary of 1985’s most iconic films with a special screening of Krush Groove — a trailblazing musical comedy-drama inspired by the early days of Def Jam Recordings. Directed by Michael Schultz and marking Blair Underwood’s film debut, the movie captures the vibrant energy of early hip-hop, featuring unforgettable cameos from real-life music legends including Run-DMC, The Fat Boys, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Rick Rubin, Kurtis Blow, and more. When Run-DMC scores a hit record but needs funds to press more copies, Russell (Blair Underwood) borrows money from a street hustler — leading to unexpected consequences he soon regrets.
LoSo Artisan Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Ft. Lauderdale United FC (USL Super League Semifinal) at American Legion Memorial Stadium (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $16 plus
Carolina Ascent will host the first USL Super League Semifinal match against Fort Lauderdale United FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Sunday. As the top seed, Carolina will face the fourth-seeded Fort Lauderdale club in what promises to be a thrilling showdown for a spot in the league’s inaugural championship final. The Ascent split the season series against Fort Lauderdale, but dominated with a 5-2 win in April. Carolina finished the regular season atop the standings with a 13-6-9 record, led by head coach Philip Poole and standout players such as leading scorer Mia Corbin, playmaker Jill Aguilera, and defenders Sydney Studer and Taylor Porter. Meagan McClelland was also awarded the USL Super League Golden Glove, given to the league’s top goalkeeper.
American Aquarium with opener Justin Wells at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $30.74 plus
Returning to Charlotte in support of their new album The Fear of Standing Still, Raleigh-based American Aquarium continues to push the boundaries of country-rock. Frontman BJ Barham leads the charge with nearly two decades of emotionally resonant songwriting that blends raw vulnerability with gritty, anthemic energy. Produced by Shooter Jennings and mixed by Grammy-winner Trina Shoemaker, the band’s latest release dives headfirst into themes of personal growth, Southern identity, and generational trauma. They’ll be joined by Kentucky country singer-songwriter and musician Justin Wells as an opening act.
Summer Pops at Symphony Park (8:15 p.m.)
Tickets: $18.50 plus
Kerwin Claiborne at The Comedy Zone (6:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $36 plus
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