Weekend Ahead: July 9-12

EAT
Charlotte Restaurant Week starts tomorrow. In my humble opinion, the concept behind Restaurant Week in any city is brilliant. Basically, it is an excuse to go try some of the city’s most fabulous food, pay less than usual ($30 for 3 courses), and, best of all, eat a heck of a lot. So, make your reservations now because these places fill up fast. Go to charlotterestaurantweek.com to find participating restaurants.

PAY TRIBUTE
Tonight, when the usual crowds flock to EpiCentre for Alive After 5, there will be plenty of Bud Light toasts to the late King of Pop. “Who’s Bad,” a Michael Jackson tribute band will be playing on the rooftop of the uptown complex. So, don your coolest clothes (it’s July and humid, you’re on concrete in the middle of uptown, there are crowds of people: it’s going to be ridiculously hot) and start preparing your toasts now. Check out AA5 for details.

BUY
This Saturday Front Door Fabrics is having a sidewalk sale featuring custom made pillows, furniture, handbags, jewelry, and more. The best thing about this sale? The event benefits the family of former CMPD officer who was injured in the line of duty, Kayvan Hazrati. For directions and information, go to Front Door Fabrics.

LISTEN
Country music’s bad boys, Toby Keith and Trace Adkins, are coming to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Sunday for their America’s Toughest Tour. It has always seemed to me that if you’re going to go to a country music concert, you should be doing it outside, in the south, in the summer. So this seems just about perfect. Go to livenation.com for information.

SIP
All month long Gallery Restaurant at Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge is hosting various wine tastings. This Saturday’s tasting is wines that pair well with BBQ. This means you’ll be eating BBQ themed appetizers, drinking fine wine, and only paying $15 per person. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening. The tastings start at 6 p.m. Call 704.248.4100 for reservations.