Weekend Preview: Tree lightings, bar crawls and SourFest

It's the weekend before Thanksgiving. Time to get ready for family, friends and fun. 

Thursday
Getting Hot In Here - Gantt After Dark presents Latin Night with music by A Sign of the Times and their salsa dancers. They’ll be giving lessons. There will also be an Artisan Marketplace. ($25, $20) $10 for non-members, free for members. There will also be a Paint & Sip party. 6 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 S Tryon St.
Parking: Park in the Duke Energy garage (550 S. Tryon Street /enter on Stonewall Street) or The Green (435 S. Tryon Street) to receive your special rate of $5.00.

Worthy Cause - Enjoy apps and drink specials at Friendsgiving to benefit Safe Alliance Victim Center. 6 p.m. Passion, 1523 Elizabeth Ave.

Friday

Love This - It's not a bar crawl, but it kind of is. Visit bars along Fifth Street for drink specials, apps and fun at Fridays on 5th. 8 p.m. Fitzgerald's, 201 E. Fifth St.

Last Weekend! - The Carolina Renaissance Festival ends its run of jousting, belly dancing and more. The festival features more than 500 costumed characters, 12 stages of music, comedy and circus entertainment, and more. There are more than 100 vendors in the Village Artisan Marketplace. 16445 Poplar Tent Rd Huntersville. Tickets.



Get Your Shine On! - Last year's  inaugural Moonshine Festival was a blast. Who knew Moonshine could be so tasty? I’m ready for round two tonight. This isn't your father's moonshine. 7 p.m. -11 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 East Trade St. Tickets.

Adult Nerd Fun - Science on the Rocks returns with ‘Back to the Future’ presented by Discovery Place and Google Fiber. Attractions include Food Pills and Flying Cars, a show about the realities of futuristic ideas and technology. Back to the Future costume contest at 8:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for best decade costumes and best film character look-a-like
5 – 9 p.m., Discovery Place, 301 N Tryon St.


Jewelry Sale & Party - The McColl Center for Art + Innovation hosts a Open House + Jewelry Jubilee, formerly Palate to Palette, sponsored by Bank of America and Red Ventures. The event features regional jewelry artist market and the celebration of an exhibition opening. Music by Miami Dice, artist-inspired bites by Xenia Hospitality and a cash bar.
Featured jewelry artists include Kate Allen, Eliana Arenas, Claudia Griffin, Anne Fiala, Chelsea Arthur, Tara Locklear, Tabitha Ott, Katie Poterala, Laura Wood, Anna Johnson, and more. 6 p.m. McColl Center, 721 N. Tryon St.

Saturday
Family Fun - Historic South End will kick off the holiday season with the Historic South End Holiday Tree Lighting featuring holiday performances, winter treats and an appearance by Santa Claus. Dessert by Cloud 9 Confections, Dunx Coffee, hot chocolate and cider, and music. The tree lighting 6 p.m.. Expect a few surprises and free holiday goodies on hand. 5:30-7:00 p.m., Atherton Mill, 2140 South Blvd. Details.


Jazz Greats - This is a perfect date night. See smooth jazz guitarist Norman Brown and saxophonist Gerald Albright. Trish Andrews opens. 8 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $45 - $75. Tickets.

Beer Festival - If you’ve ever wanted to try sour beer or if you love sour beer then you already know that 3rd Annual Sour Fest Release the Funk 3: Funkonia is a can’t miss beer event. It features breweries spanning from throughout the world. 12 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, 511 E 36th St. Beer list. Parking.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com