Editor's Note: Be sure to check on these events before going given the developing nature of news about coronavirus.
Spring is in the air and there are lots of outdoor events this weekend to get everyone into the spirit of the season. There’s a Spring Fair, a Green River Revival and a community festival. Also on tap, there's some good live music performances and comedians on stage. Joining WFAE's "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn to talk about the events for this edition of Weekend in Entertainment is Katrina Lewis, managing editor for QCity Metro.
Gwendolyn Glenn: Hi Katrina.
Katrina Louis: Hi Gwen.
Glenn: Let’s start with a bit of comedy with comedian Martin Lawrence. He’s hosting the Lit AF Tour in the Queen City this weekend. Katrina, who's on the show?
Louis: Lawrence has been making audiences laugh for over 30 years. So he's returning to his standup roots with the Lit AF tour. He's joined by fellow comedians Bruce Bruce, DeRay Davis, Adele Givens and Benji Brown.
Glenn: What a lineup. When and where?
Louis: It's happening Saturday at the Spectrum Center. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Glenn: There’s also another comedian in town, Loni Love right? What can you tell us about her?
Louis: Loni Love, like Martin Lawrence, comes from that standup comedy tree. So most people nowadays probably know her as the daytime talk show host from The Real.
Glenn: And she's also a regular on Cafe Mocha, the nationally syndicated radio show, right?
Louis: Yeah. So look out for her there. But there's plenty of ways you probably know Loni Love.
Glenn: What time and where?
Louis: She'll be performing at the Comedy Zone on Friday and Saturday. So there are four opportunities to see her.
Glenn: Moving on to those spring activities I mentioned earlier. First up is the Charlotte Spring Fair. What are the highlights there?
Louis: Now that it feels like we're actually going to start getting some spring weather so you can expect all your family staples -- there's the roller coasters, the Ferris wheels. They'll have magic shows, a petting zoo, acrobats and all the fair food you can eat.
Glenn: And that's happening when and where?
Louis: It's called the Charlotte Fair, but technically it's held in Concord across from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. So it opens on Friday and runs through the 29th.
Glenn: Now on Saturday, there’s the Green River Revival at the Whitewater Center. Is there a connection to St. Paddy’s Day?
Louis: So for all of you looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, here's an option for you. This is an annual event held at the U.S. National Whitewater Center where the main attraction is the river is dyed a bright green and there are tons of things to do, everything from yoga to live music to a trail run. And the festival is free. But of course, you have to pay for parking and some of the activities there are some fees with it, too.
Glenn: And hopefully it'll be sunny to kind of just really make that green river light up.
Louis: Yes, I'm crossing my fingers.
Glenn: Now, tell me about the BOOM Echoes East community festival.
Louis: So before we get to the actual BOOM Festival next month, this is kind of a preview that's happening in Charlotte off of Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive. You can expect to see a diverse group of local artists. They'll have dance, poetry. They'll have live mural paintings, among other things. So that's happening on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.
Glenn: Sounds like a good, family-oriented event.
Louis: Yep. Should be plenty of things to do for the whole family.
Glenn: And another season that’s a family season as well, Katrina -- the wedding season is starting to kick in. This weekend the North Carolina Bridal and Evening Expo is coming up?
Louis: I have flashbacks of planning. So if you are a bride-to-be, here's a chance to see a variety of vendors under one roof. It's a two-day expo and it takes place Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 5 p.m. at the Park and Expo Conference Center.
Glenn: What kinds of things will they have? Fashion shows? Will people be able to actually buy a wedding dress if they see something they love?
Louis: Yes, they'll have tons of vendors. So like you said, they'll have attire. There are DJs, flowers -- you name it. Any part of your wedding experience, they'll have them there. Like I said, if you're someone who isn't excited about the hunt of things for your wedding, they'll have so many vendors under one roof that you can help plan. And they have a lot of giveaways, too, which is probably helpful.
Glenn: OK, that sounds like fun. And another fun event is for Star Wars fans. There's something special in town?
Louis: Yes, the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back concert at Belk Theater on Friday and Saturday. It is after the destruction of the Death Star. The Empire has regrouped, though. If you're fans of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, all those folks, this is for you. So you'll have the movie on the screen while the Charlotte Symphony plays in the background. If you haven't had one of those experiences with the Charlotte Symphony is actually pretty cool.
Glenn: And last but certainly not least, because I love his music, on Sunday fans can enjoy a conversation and concert with D.C. native Kenny Lattimore at the Enclave at Wedgewood. That's at 7:30 p.m. Thanks, Katrina, for being with us for this edition of Weekend In Entertainment.
