Food festivals, beer festivals and live jazz

Wow! What a weekend. This is just a smattering of the events going down over the next few days. It's crazy. National Beer Day and 420 all happening in the same week. First, I must pause for the cause. Congratulations to Tom Sasser of the Harper Group who was honored as the Humanitarian of the Year at the national No Kid Hungry Summit for his 20 years of leadership with Taste of the Nation. A well-deserved honor. Now let's get this party started! See you in the streets.

Tonight

End Child Hunger - Taste of the Nation celebrates its 20th anniversary. Samplings from the area’s top chefs, restaurants & culinary schools. Enjoy fine wines, beers, premium spirits, including Mixologist Bar. Silent and live auction. All proceeds benefit Share Our Strength and local charities. Deets. $85 7 p.m. general admission, $120 6 p.m. VIP admission. Two Wells Fargo Center Atrium, 301 South Tryon St.

Thursday

Tribute Concert - Jazz fans pay tribute to keyboardist Joe Sample, who died last year. Sample was a multi-Grammy winner and member of the Crusaders. Alex Bugnon headlines the Joe Sample Tribute Concert. Sample’s son Nick (bass) and original Crusader Wilton Felder (saxophone) will also perform in this special tribute show. It’s part of the CPCC Sensoria Arts Festival. 8 p.m.,  Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Avenue. $50 and up.

Global Bites - Celebrate Charlotte's cultural diversity at the Levine Museum’s annual fundraiser, Taste of the New South: Global Dish. This year's theme will take guests around the world with cuisine, decor, entertainment and more. 6 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, East 7th Street. $100. Limited street parking and paid parking available.

Caribbean In Concord - The Cabarrus Arts Council’s Art On Tap, young adult group, is hosting a Caribbean themed party featuring reggae rock trio Sun-Dried Vibes. 7:30 p.m., Davis Theatre, 65 Union St. S, Concord, in the Cabarrus County Historic Courthouse. $15.

Friday

UNCC Benefit - Enjoy an elegant evening entertainment, food and fun along with street performers and the Leslie and Friends variety band at the Green Tie Gala Masquerade. 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Byron's South End, 101 W Worthington Avenue #110.  $50.

Throwback Jazz - See the Calvin Edward Trio perform at Jazz at Packard Place. It’s billed as a throwback to the jazz era nightclub experience. Two shows: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. $12 and up. 

Boxfight - Curious about crossfit? Watch to boxes (gyms) battle it out when top athletes from Crossfit Staxx takes on Crossfit Kaiju in a battle of the WODS. Adult beverages will be for sale. 7 p.m. Crossfire Staxx, 3722 South Tryon St. Free.

Celebrate Outdoors - Tuck Fest is a three-day festival outdoor festival featuring competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music. The festival features a variety of outdoor sport competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, slacklining and adventure racing. Starts today and end Sunday. U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC)

Saturday

Brew Beatdown - The annual Battle of the Brews puts Charlotte's local breweries against each other. Each of the 10 breweries will bring three kegs. There will be eight food truck and live music from 5 on Sundays. 3.m.m - 6 p.m. Southend’s Food Truck lot, 100 W. Park Ave. $40

420 Fest - Tyber Creek is hosting a 420fest on Saturday April 18th. Start with a FREE Fun Run/Walk at 11 a.m. There’s a Kan Jam Tourney at 2 p.m. and live music all night. Tyber Creek,1933 South Boulevard. Free entry. 

For The Family - Curious about how to live a healthy lifestyle? Start with the Healthy Home Market Fair. There will be practitioners from the Community Wellness Center, food vendors, vitamin educators and more. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m Plaza Midwood, 1330 Central Ave. Free.

1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Art Gala - Studio Party 15: Upcycled Gala, presented by Bank of America, is the McColl Center for Art + Innovation annual celebration and contemporary art sale, with complimentary cocktails, gourmet tapas, and an Art Showcase featuring exceptional works for sale from current Artists-in-Residence and Alumni curated exclusively by Renee McColl and Brad Thomas. 7 p.m. McCoy Center,721 N Tryon St. $150. 

Sunday

Help Girl Rockers - Join family, friends and supporters of girl musicians at Cover Me: A Girls Rock Charlotte Friendraiser. Learn what the organization is all about, and hear some cool bands. 2 p.m. Hattie’s Tap and Tavern, 2918 The Plaza. $5.

Beer Festival - Celebrate National Beer Day a day early with samples from local and regional breweries. Organizers have even added ciders this year. Live music, cornhole and other  games, enjoy grub from food trucks and more! 1:30 p.m. All American Pub Parking Lot, 200 E Bland St. $30 an up. 

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com