Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | March 17-23

Friday, March 17

Check out the kickoff of Black Food Truck Fridays. There will be a wide selection of cuisines from seafood to soul food and more. Plus, local vendors will be selling jewelry, clothing and other products. 4-9 p.m. 1600 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28216. http://bit.ly/3LgJQAH

Check out CharlotteFive’s full list of St. Patrick’s Day events. Or sign up for the St. Paddy’s Bar Hop and celebrate at more than 25 spots in South End, NoDa and Plaza Midwood with exclusive drink specials, giveaways and more. Neighborhood-specific admission passes start at $10, and an all-access pass starts at $20. Multiple locations. http://bit.ly/3ZMC8T4

If bar crawls aren’t your thing, you can check out the Four Leaf Festival. There will be live music, performers, vendors, DJs, games, face painting, green beer and more. Purchase general admission for $10. 5 p.m. Music Yard at SouthBound, 2433 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. http://bit.ly/3ZMC8T4

Enjoy Star Wars on stage with Return of the Jedi in concert. Experience The Empire and the Rebel Alliance and prepare for a final confrontation in a special live performance by the Charlotte Symphony at Belk Theater. March 17-18. Tickets start at $33. 7:30 p.m. 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202. http://bit.ly/3mRbWby

Saturday, March 18

Start your weekend off volunteering. The Friends of Crowders Mountain, Inc. is looking for extra hands to help with trailwork and or litter pickup. Tools, snacks and water will be provided. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. www.friendsofcrowders.com.

Head over to the 17th Annual Baxter Village Spring Festival & St. Patrick’s Parade in Fort Mill. There will be dozens of groups marching in the parade and over 125 exhibitors, artisans, food and drinks, live entertainment, music, games, contests, prizes and more. Free. 2-6 p.m. Parade starts at 5 p.m. 857 Promenade Walk, Fort Mill, SC 29708. http://bit.ly/3ZMC8T4

Shop small and support local businesses at The 36th Street Market at The Chamber in NoDA. The free monthly event will have several local vendors, live music, craft beer, food trucks and more. 2-6 p.m. 416 E. 36th St., #100, Charlotte, NC 28205. http://bit.ly/3TeSYrC

The Charlotte Museum of History is hosting a screening for a new, award-winning documentary, Chinese in the Segregated South: Blurring the Color Line. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the Black and Asian experiences in Charlotte and how they intersect. Free. 6-8 p.m. 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215. http://bit.ly/3mHoXEl

Head out to the grand opening event for the new Cuban restaurant in Belmont. At My Cuban Corner, which will be open for dining in and takeout during breakfast and lunch hours, you can get traditional Latin flavors like croquetas, Cuban sandwiches and more. 12-4 p.m. 417 Catawba St., Belmont, NC, 28012. https://www.instagram.com/mycubancorner/

Former American Idol star Ruben Studdard will be performing at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center. The Grammy-nominated singer will perform a special concert called “Ruben Sings Luther.” The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $55 and are available at ourtownstage.com. 160 S. Magnolia St., Mooresville, NC 28115.

Ride the wave that keeps bringing the biggest names in Latin music to the Spectrum Center stage — this time, it’s Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican-born Rauw Alejandro and his 2023 “Saturno World Tour,” which features the Reggaeton superstar as the headliner and special guest Jabbawockeez as the opening act. 8 p.m. 333 E. Trade St. Tickets start at $75. bit.ly/3Jrv73r

Sunday, March 19

DUPP&SWAT and Blumenthal Performing Arts will be hosting an all-day event celebrating local black artists, musicians and fashion designers. At FRESH2DEATH: Urban Outsiders, there will be live entertainment, workshops and pop-up shops. Tickets are on sale online for $15, with tickets at the door for $25. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. https://www.duppandswat.com/fresh2death-urban-outsiders

Wrap up your weekend with the last few events of a new culinary experience series in Charlotte. Local chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs, bakers and more have come together for Savor Charlotte, a selection of hands-on classes, demonstrations, exclusive menus, special offers and experiences available from March 8-22. Prices, times and dates vary, depending on experiences. savorcharlotte.com.

Brides-to-be, listen up: The The Best of Charlotte Bridal Show is back. The big event held at Camp North End will feature dozens of Charlotte’s best event and wedding vendors, interactive experiences, drinks and more. Charlotte Bride Guide is giving away a free wedding at the event. General admission tickets are $10. VIP tickets are $50. 12-4 p.m. 300 Camp Road Charlotte, NC 28206. bit.ly/bestbride23

Mix things up with Il Divo — one of the world’s most popular and peculiar mash-ups of opera and pop music — as it returns to Belk Theater with a tour that marks its first since the death of Carlos Marin. One of four original members of the going-on-20-years-old group, the Spanish baritone died of Covid in December 2021. 7 p.m. 130 N. Tryon St. Tickets start at $29.50. bit.ly/3liaSwQ

Monday, March 20

Enjoy the first day of spring and enjoy dinner outside at one of the best waterfront restaurants in Charlotte. There are several spots around the Queen City serving up seafood, steak and other delicious foods to enjoy by the water. Multiple locations. bit.ly/3gtHSzk

Tuesday, March 21

Spice up your dinner plans with Little Mama’s “I’ll Love You Amaro” tasting dinner. Enjoy a three-course dinner prepared by chef Tommy Vance, plus Amaro-forward cocktail pairings. Tickets are $90-95 per person. 6-8 p.m. 4521 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211. bit.ly/409kMQ6

Attend the Kings & Queens, a new series of dinners celebrating the culinary community. The multi-course meals will feature optional wine or spirits pairings, and will be limited to 40 guests. The first event kicks off at Leah & Louise with chef Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance, chef Jamie Barnes of What The Fries and chef Greg Collier. 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $175 per person and available online at leahandlouise.com or OpenTable. 301 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206. bit.ly/3ZIL3F2

Sharpen your chef skills at a sushi workshop at King Canary Brewing. You’ll learn the basics, from preparation, how to make the rice, and the fundamentals of making a roll. Workshop tickets, which include a drink, are $59.99. 6:30 p.m. 562 Williamson Road, Mooresville, NC 28117. bit.ly/40aD0Rx

Wednesday, March 22

Go on a hunt for the new Bojangles’ hard sweet tea. The new drink collab hit store shelves last week. It’s not available at Bojangles restaurants, but you can pick it up at select retailers in the Carolinas, including Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Lowes, Circle K, QT, Sheetz, Spinx, Walmart and Ingles. Multiple locations. Prices may vary. bit.ly/3likOqb

Thursday, March 23

Celebrate Women’s History Month with a night of networking and fashion at SouthPark Mall. The event, Celebrating Women in the Queen City, will also have a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs, advocates and professionals, along with a runway show. Tickets are free and can be reserved online. 5-7:30 p.m. 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211. http://bit.ly/3JDSojN

Mark your calendar

A new Marvel universe exhibit is coming to Charlotte this spring. “Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes,” featuring more than 300 Marvel artifacts, will be open Discovery Place Science from May 14-Sept. 4. The exhibit showcases Marvel’s history and its influence on visual culture, and how Marvel influenced and drew inspiration from pop culture. Tickets go on sale March 23. Prices are $43 for adults ages 18 to 59, $38 for children 2 to 17 and $40 for seniors 60 and older. Tickets cost $1 more on Saturdays and Sundays; children younger than 2 get in free. 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202. bit.ly/3JCosn9

Circle K Speed Street is back this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy three days of music, entertainment and racing at The Charlotte Motor Speedway. Grammy-nominated country music artist Jake Owen will be headlining the big weekend. Plus there will be a 10-acre fan zone with NASCAR driver appearances, interactive games and displays, food trucks and more. May 26-28. You can buy tickets online or call 800-455-FANS (3267). bit.ly/3lil7RR

Théoden Janes contributed to this article.