By CLTure
May 10, 2026
Monday, May 11
The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session at Petra’s (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $9.98
Elmiene at The Fillmore (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $76 plus
British-Sudanese R&B and soul singer-songwriter Elmiene performs in Charlotte at The Fillmore Charlotte following the release of his new album, sounds for someone. The fast-rising singer from Oxford, England — best known for tracks like “Someday,” “Mad At Fire,” and “Crystal Tears” — often draws comparisons to artists such as Frank Ocean and Sampha. Named an artist to watch by outlets including BBC Music, NME, and Complex, he has also performed at festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and All Points East.
Tuesday, May 12
Cristina Vane with opener Andrew Scotchie at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $23.59
Clara La San at The Underground (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $120 plus
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field (6:35 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
Following a road trip in which they split a six-game series against the defending Triple-A champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Charlotte Knights return home this week for a six-game set against the Norfolk Tides at Truist Field. The homestand features a packed promotional schedule, beginning Tuesday with a live art performance from College Cuber, followed by Wednesday’s Bark in the Ballpark night. Thursday includes a Cal Ripken bobblehead giveaway and Thirsty Thursday specials as the Knights wear their Charlotte O’s jerseys, while Friday’s Pink Knights night will feature a baseball giveaway, charity jersey auction benefiting Project Pink, and postgame fireworks. Saturday’s Armed Forces Day celebration includes pregame catch on the field and a performance by the 208th Army Band, before the series wraps up Sunday with Princess Day and postgame base running for all fans.
Bella White with opener Erin Rae at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $27.50 plus
Setting with opener Curiosidades de Bombrile at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $14.00
Wednesday, May 13
Kid Cudi, Big Boi, A-Trak, and Chip Tha Ripper at Truliant Amphitheatre (6:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $35 plus
Kid Cudi brings his Rebel Ragers Tour to Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, marking his first Charlotte performance since 2016 after canceling a planned North Carolina stop in 2024 due to a foot injury suffered at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The influential rapper, singer, and actor — best known for hits like “Day ‘n’ Nite” and “Pursuit of Happiness” — is touring behind his latest album, Free, and new EP, Have U Bn 2 Heaven @ Nite?. Joining him in Charlotte are Big Boi of Outkast fame, acclaimed DJ and producer A-Trak, and Cleveland rapper Chip Tha Ripper, who replaced M.I.A. on the tour.
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field (6:35 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
Frequency Flow: A Creative Reset at The Gantt (6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $10.73
Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC at Bank of America Stadium (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $32.40 plus
Charlotte FC returns to The Fortress for a pivotal two-game homestand on short rest as the club looks to halt a five-match winless run across all competitions. The Crown host New York City FC on Wednesday before welcoming Toronto FC on Saturday, with both matches carrying significant Eastern Conference implications as Charlotte sits eighth in the standings. The team enters the week coming off a mixed stretch of results, including a U.S. Open Cup exit to Atlanta United FC and back-to-back league defeats in which defensive lapses proved costly. However, Charlotte showed resilience in a 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati, rallying from a two-goal deficit with quick second-half strikes from Idan Toklomati and Pep Biel. That comeback, paired with a much-improved defensive effort after halftime, offers a potential blueprint moving forward. Midweek, Charlotte faces an NYCFC side coming off a dominant 3-0 win highlighted by a hat trick from Hannes Wolf, while Saturday’s matchup against Toronto presents a different opportunity, as the Canadian club arrives winless in its last six MLS matches. This homestand represents a crucial chance to reset momentum before the World Cup break, with the potential to significantly shift the standings if the Crown can secure maximum points at home.
Akaash Singh at The Comedy Zone (May 13-14)
Tickets: $36.35 plus
Thornhill with openers 156/Silence, Fox Lake, and Vianova at The Underground (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $90 plus
Slam Charlotte at the Bechtler (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art will host a free drop-in ekphrastic poetry workshop in partnership with Slam Charlotte and Bluz, where visual art inspires the written word. Centered around the exhibit David McGee: The Griot and the Nightingale, the session will feature live spoken word performances from Sade Sade, Frank Expression, and Devin Nelson, with attendees invited to draw inspiration directly from the exhibition throughout the evening. The program will also include gallery-based writing prompts, along with dedicated time to write, reflect, and share work in an open, supportive setting.
Patois Counselors, Signals, ETC., Insight, Mozart’s Bird, and Catiline at The Milestone (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $12.35
Bop Theory Jazz Jam Presented by Blackhawk Quintet at Eighty Eights (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $10.00
Killer Queen: A Tribute To Queen at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $47.70 plus
Jordyn Zaino, Pressure Pointe, and Crow With No Mouth at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $12.00
Thursday, May 14
Strength in the City Festival at Bank of America Stadium (5:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Art in Bloom at TAOH Outdoor Gallery (5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
TAOH Outdoor Gallery will host Art in Bloom, a free community event presented by Charlotte Family Housing celebrating the strength of single mothers and women across Charlotte through art and storytelling. The evening will feature hands-on activities including a community mural guided by Sydney and Treazy of the Piece for Peace Movement, as well as a “Make & Take” flower bouquet station where guests create arrangements for mothers in CFH shelters and for themselves or women in their lives. Attendees can also contribute to a “Mighty Women” public art installation by bringing photos of inspiring women, while the program culminates in storytelling and an original spoken-word performance by local artist Hannah Hasan highlighting the resilience of mothers in the program.
Charlotte Gem Awards at Charlotte Museum of History (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $150
Florencia & the Feeling at Whitewater Center (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free (parking: $13)
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field (7:04 p.m.)
Tickets: $23 plus
The Charlotte Knights will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Charlotte O’s on Thursday with a limited-edition Cal Ripken Jr. bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,500 fans through the gates. The night honors Ripken’s time with the O’s during the 1979-80 seasons, when he helped lead the club to a Southern League championship in 1980 while playing every game and posting 25 home runs, 78 RBIs, and a .276 average. Fans attending will also enjoy Thirsty Thursday specials, pregame entertainment from Randy Franklin and the Sardines, and ballpark favorites like Bases Loaded Donuts and CLT Funnel Cake Fries, while the Knights take the field in throwback Charlotte O’s jerseys in a nod to the franchise’s roots at Jim Crockett Memorial Park before the rebrand to the Knights in 1988.
Emil Wakim at The Comedy Club at Duckworth’s (May 14-15)
Tickets: $29.16 plus
Kandi Burruss at The Fillmore (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $84 plus
Godsmack, Stone Temple Pilots, and Dorothy at Truliant Amphitheater (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $35 plus
Freddie McClendon with opener Kevin Daniels at Amos’ Southend (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $21.79 plus
Sean Diaz with opener Khallori at Petra’s (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $13.42
Mo Betta Thursdays at Great Wagon Road Distilling Company (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $15.00
Mo’ Betta Thursdays, the weekly jazz series curated by Braxton Bateman at Great Wagon Road Distilling Company, showcases some of Charlotte’s top musicians, the series blends jazz, R&B, soul, and hip-hop through dynamic live improvisation and boundary-pushing performances, creating a memorable musical experience each week.
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Friday, May 15
Ms. Mada at The Music Yard (6:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $15.46
Toadies, Local H, and Vandoliers at The Underground (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $46.60 plus
Science on the Rocks at Discovery Place Science (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $24.94 plus
Science on the Rocks is a 21-and-up event series at Discovery Place Science that lets you experience the museum like never before — after hours, without the kids, and with a cocktail in hand. Explore interactive exhibits, meet live animals, catch a science show, and get hands-on in the labs. Dance the night away or unwind in the seven-story IMAX Dome Theatre with a documentary or planetarium show. With upgraded experiences and a vibrant, social atmosphere, Science on the Rocks is where Charlotte nightlife meets the wonder of science.
Looking for something different and fun to do with the squad? ‘Science on the Rocks’ back Friday night at Discovery Place! 🔬🍸 https://t.co/KuJJ4XPPTd pic.twitter.com/p2LCRxqJIG
— CLTure® ( culture ) (@CLTure) July 17, 2019
Haricharan at Blackbox Theater (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $36.22 plus
Titanic: The Exhibition at The Park Expo (May 15 – July 5)
Tickets: $23 plus
Donnell Rawlings at The Comedy Zone (May 15-16)
Tickets: $36.35 plus
Comedian Donnell Rawlings returns to Charlotte this week for two nights at The Comedy Zone. Best known for his breakout role as “Ashy Larry” on Chappelle’s Show, Rawlings has built a wide-ranging career as a comedian, actor, and podcaster, with credits spanning The Wire, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, and BMF. A former U.S. Air Force member who first gained national attention through sketch comedy, he has released multiple stand-up specials and hosted The Donnell Rawlings Show podcast, which has drawn millions of views across platforms. He released his latest Netflix comedy special, Donnell Rawlings: A New Day, in 2024.
The Wilson Springs Hotel at Whitewater Center (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free (parking: $13)
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field (7:04 p.m.)
Tickets: $23 plus
Fried Chicken Art Party at Crown Station (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
The Charlotte art show Fried Chicken Art Party, which originally launched in 2016, returns for the first time since 2019, blending street art, skateboarding, photography, music, fashion, and food. The event will feature DJs That Guy Smitty and Justin Aswell, alongside collaborations with 5301clt, Black Sheep Skate Shop, and Never Too Precious, plus vintage offerings from Jamos Vintage. Attendees can also expect fried chicken and samples from Loyal Lemonades, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Kilborne DIY Skatepark.
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Andrew Marlin and Josh Oliver at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $37.75
Psychology of Serial Killers at Carolina Theatre (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $46.85 plus
The Psychology of Serial Killers offers a gripping live true crime presentation led by renowned clinical psychologist and criminal expert Dr. Rachel Toles. The event delves into the minds of some of the world’s most infamous serial killers, exploring how seemingly ordinary individuals can become mass murderers and how many lived undetected for years within their communities. Through case studies and expert analysis, Dr. Toles examines unsettling questions around motive, pattern, and psychology, including why serial killers often go unnoticed, why public fascination persists, and broader societal trends tied to these crimes. Due to its intense subject matter, viewer discretion is advised.
Ole 60 with openers The Bends and Rob Langdon at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $120 plus
Dr. Bacon and Hustle Souls at Visulite Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $15 plus
Charlotte Symphony: Copland and Kahane at Knight Theater (May 15-16)
Tickets: $40.39 plus
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra closes its season at the Knight Theater with Copland and Kahane, a program centered on reflections of home, place, and belonging. Conducted by Kwamé Ryan and featuring mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran alongside Gabriel Kahane, Holland Andrews, Holcombe Waller, and a community chorus, the concert blends orchestral and vocal works. The program includes Jennifer Higdon’s Skyline from City Scape, Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring, and Kahane’s Emergency Shelter Intake Form, an oratorio-style work exploring homelessness through multiple perspectives and performed in collaboration with voices directly affected by housing insecurity.
Drayton Farley and Jimmy Teardrop at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $27.50 plus
Sean O’Hara, Wilde Green, and Time Parade at Petra’s (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $13.42
Earth Tongue, Pink Fuzz, and Seismic Sutra at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $15.00
Earth Tongue, Pink Fuzz, and Seismic Sutra play Snug Harbor on Friday night, spanning fuzz-heavy psych rock, garage grit, and experimental soundscapes. Earth Tongue, the New Zealand duo, delivers raw, distortion-driven garage rock with psychedelic metal undertones, built on stripped-down instrumentation and high-energy, DIY-influenced live intensity. Pink Fuzz brings a looser, garage-leaning sound rooted in fuzzed-out guitars, punchy rhythms, and classic-meets-modern psych rock sensibilities that prioritize groove and raw performance. Rounding out the bill, Seismic Sutra leans into more experimental territory, blending psychedelic textures, atmospheric layering, and trance-like compositions.
Saturday, May 16
Midwood Maynia at Midwood Park (10:15 a.m.)
Tickets: Free
Cheerwine Festival in Downtown Salisbury (10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Charlotte Asian & Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival at Ramsey Creek Park (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
The 2026 Charlotte Asian & Dragon Boat Festival takes place Saturday at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman, offering a full day of cultural celebration, dragon boat racing, and community festivities. The family-friendly event, held during AAPI Month, brings together Asian and non-Asian communities across the Carolinas to celebrate heritage through food, music, performances, and hands-on cultural experiences. The day features high-energy dragon boat races rooted in a 2,300-year-old Chinese tradition, along with a Parade of Nations, cultural showcases, live performances, martial arts demonstrations, and interactive activities such as calligraphy, henna, yoga, and children’s crafts. Guests can also enjoy Asian cuisine, boba tea, local vendors, and wellness booths, with free shuttle parking provided at 8900 Northpointe Executive Park in Huntersville.
Japan Fest at Urban District Market (12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Hotdog-apalooza! at Lenny Boy Brewing (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $47.75
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Sporting Jax at American Legion Memorial Stadium (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $25 plus
Carolina Ascent FC close out their regular season home schedule on Saturday night riding a five-match winning streak and a 10-game unbeaten run following a dominant 3-0 victory over Fort Lauderdale United. Sitting in third place and already playoff-bound, the Ascent face their toughest test yet in a marquee matchup against league-leading Sporting JAX. The night will feature a full matchday atmosphere at the stadium, including the Base Camp Bash tailgate at the CPCC Quad, a pre-match concert from Ellie Morgan performing Taylor Swift hits, a mystery T-shirt giveaway at halftime, a special guest halftime performance, and post-match fireworks. With momentum peaking at the right time, Carolina looks to measure itself against the league’s top side while sending fans into the postseason on a high note.
Gothic Punk Night Market at NoDa Brewing Co. (6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Emo Night at The Music Yard (6:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $15.46
The Sounds of D’Angelo at Carolina Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $64.10 plus
Harvey Cummings II and Sol Kitchen present Smooth: The Sounds of D’Angelo, a one-night-only orchestral tribute honoring the life and musical legacy of D’Angelo. The performance reimagines a curated selection of his most iconic work with orchestral depth, rhythm, and soul, reflecting the revolutionary neo-soul sound that defined his career.
Dark Star Orchestra at TD Amp Ballantyne (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $53 plus
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field (7:04 p.m.)
Tickets: $23 plus
Dave Matthews Band at Truliant Amphitheater (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $69 plus
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Dave Matthews Band return to Charlotte’s Truliant Amphitheater on Saturday. With a catalog that includes multiple No. 1 albums, Grammy-winning hits like “So Much to Say,” and fan favorites such as “Crash into Me” and “Ants Marching,” the band remains one of the most successful touring acts in modern rock.
David Nail at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $37.75
Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC at Bank of America Stadium (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $36.15
Beach Vacation, Mint Field, and Redwood Sleeper at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $19.00
Beach Vacation, Mint Field, and Redwood Sleeper play Snug Harbor on Saturday night, bringing a wide-ranging lineup of indie, shoegaze, and alternative sounds. Formed in 2012 by Tabor Rupp and Justyn Newman after a high school talent show, Beach Vacation first gained international attention as teenagers with an EP released in the U.K., Japan, and the U.S., and has continued to evolve with projects like Coping Habits — mixed and mastered by Boy Pablo collaborator Erik Thormshein and featuring Cathedral Bells on the single “Blurred Out.” Mint Field, the Tijuana-based duo, brings a shoegaze and dream pop sound built on reverb-drenched guitars and atmospheric textures, while Charlotte’s Redwood Sleeper rounds out the night.
Thurston Howell Band at Amos’ Southend (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $24.35 plus
1900RUGRAT at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $35.80 plus
Borgeous at Trio Charlotte (9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $21.09 plus
Eyes of the Elders at The Evening Muse (10:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $20.38
Sunday, May 17
Camden Commons in South End (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
Festa Italiana Charlotte at Gateway Village Promenade (1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $45 plus
The 21st anniversary of Festa Italiana Charlotte returns Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Gateway Village Promenade in Uptown, bringing an all-inclusive celebration of Italian culture, cuisine, and community. The festival features a grand tasting experience with more than 25 culinary partners serving Italian and Italian-American dishes alongside endless wine and specialty beverage pours, plus live performances, chef demonstrations, an art gallery, an Italian luxury sports car exhibit, and a bustling Italian Village Market. Guests are encouraged to dress in spring cocktail attire as they sample food from vendors such as Mama Ricotta’s, Indaco, Banfi Wines, and King of Fire, while enjoying a lively mix of tastemakers, artists, and entertainers throughout the afternoon.
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field (1:05 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 plus
DJ Aktive presents Protect ya Neck CLT with DJ Skillz at Crown Station (4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $19.14
John Legend at Ovens Auditorium (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $95.45 plus
John Legend brings his 2026 An Evening of Songs & Stories Tour to Ovens Auditorium this weekend, offering an intimate night of live performance and storytelling drawn from across his two-decade career. The 13-time Grammy Award winner will perform stripped-down versions of signature hits including “All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” and “Tonight,” along with fan favorites spanning his extensive catalog. Known for weaving personal reflections and behind-the-scenes stories into his shows, Legend highlights both the emotional depth and enduring appeal of one of modern R&B and pop’s most acclaimed artists.
Shwayze & Surfer Girl at The Music Yard (5:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $27.62
The Blumey Awards at Belk Theater (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Sold Out
Domani at The Underground (8:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $60 plus
Rapper Domani Harris, the son of rapper T.I., performs at The Underground this week in support of two projects released this year: Hot Seat in March and Forever Lasting Tape in February. Best known for his track “Henny & Crystals,” he has also collaborated with Seddy Hendrinx and DC Young Fly on the popular track “Forever Lasting,” as well as with Key Glock, D Smoke, Jacquees, K Camp, Trinidad James, and Bas.
Sam on Someday at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $11.55
Braxton Bateman at Eighty Eights (7:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $10.00
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