Friday, April 18

Film

Opening this weekend: Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 88 Minutes, Flawless, The Counterfeiters and The Forbidden Kingdom. Visit your favorite theater and be one of the first in Charlotte to catch these flicks. Local theaters. Find more in Film.

Music

Keith Urban: He’s expecting his first child with his wife, but probably won’t be happy if you call him, “Mr. Nicole Kidman.” The Aussie country singer has won two Grammys and has established a solid fanbase in America with plenty of hits under his belt. He released a Greatest Hits disc late last year. Catch him and Carrie Underwood tonight. Time Warner Cable Arena. www.timewarnercablearena.com. Find more in Music.

Arts

Loch Norman Monster: “They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!” Play William Wallace for a day (or at least try to sneak a peek underneath those Scottish kilts) at the Loch Norman Highland Games. The Loch Norman Highland Games celebrate the heritage and culture of the Scottish immigrants in Mecklenburg County and the Carolinas. It is one of the largest weekend events in the Lake Norman area attracting some 10-15,000 visitors and participants each year. So grab your bagpipe and come enjoy the musical entertainment, food, festivities and athletic competitions. Some of the traditional games and events include: Battle axe competition, Highlands climbing wall, Highland wrestling long bow archery competition, heavy stone lift and carry competition and a single malt whiskey seminar. Rural Hill Centre of Scottish Heritage. www.ruralhillfarm.org. Find more in Arts.

Food

Cosmos Café: A popular spot, great for a late-night meal, before or after your night of club hopping. With a comfortably hip ambience, and a surprising variety of cuisine styles from Malaysian to Middle Eastern, including sushi, tapas and pizza. Clever cuisine in a busy location, with damn good drinks to boot. 300 N. Tryon St. www.cosmoscafe.com. Find more in Food.

Saturday, April 19

Film

Dino-mite!: If the extent of your knowledge on dinosaurs is limited to re-runs of Jurassic Park on TBS, this may be the event for you. A little education never hurt, right? Dinosaurs Alive! is a global adventure of science and discovery – featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous. Yeah, we’re not sure what that means either. Jeff Goldblum and Steven Spielberg failed us, but the American Museum of Natural History paleontologists won’t. Watch as they explore some of the greatest sites in history. Newly discovered creatures are brought to life with CGI, large as they can be on the IMAX screen. Discovery Place. www.discoveryplace.org. Find more in Film.

Music

Sugar Glyder CD Release: This Charlotte pop quartet’s work ethic and musical camaraderie has only gotten better over the last couple of years. Sugar Glyder’s progressive and moody pop-rock is filled with melodicism but is always bubbling with a subtle intensity underneath. They will release the recording We Cracked the Sky tonight. Also on the bill this evening: Vertigo, Brandon Kirkley and the Firecrackers. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. Find more in Music.

Arts

Black is Beautiful: Be the first to catch The Mint Museum’s upcoming exhibition, Scene in America: A look at the Black Male Image. This exhibit explores the depiction of African-American men through work by artists of various nationalities, races, genders and sexual preferences. Expect to see pieces for this presentation drawn from The Mint’s permanent collection along with loans from artists in Charlotte and the surrounding area. The Mint Museum of Art. www.themintmuseums.org. Find more in Arts.

Food

Sticky Fingers Ribhouse: Known for the best authentic Memphis-style ribs and barbecue in the area. Create your own combo of the hickory-smoked ribs, wings and barbecue pork paired with any of the five signature Sticky Fingers sauces and seasonings. 12410 Johnston Road. 704-926-3441. Find more in Food.

Sunday, April 20

Film

It’s not easy being green: The Light Factory teams with the Sundance Channel to present a screening of The Greening of Southie, a documentary about Boston’s first green residential building. The film follows each step in the development and construction of the condominium that was created with the specific goal of landing a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. After the airing of the film (at which director Ian Cheney will be present), Wendy Fishman, The Light Factory’s Director of Film/Video, will host “Modeling Green Building In Charlotte,” a panel discussion with local green builders and advocates. Free (donations accepted at door); reservations recommended. 6:30 p.m. Wachovia Playhouse, ImaginOn. 704-333-9755. www.lightfactory.org. Find more in Film.

Music

Utah Green: Pura Vida hosts an afternoon concert perfect for your Sunday. What could be better than a caf̩ latte, free music, and an afternoon off from work? Of the entertainment, Kevin Calabro of HYENA Records says, "Utah Green sings like some kind of torn and frayed mountain angel born of a long forgotten backwoods American town. Her music is quixotic, but purely genuine, and simultaneously modern and ancient. If you listen closely, it resonates and makes the outside world go quiet for a moment." Show up early to have your coffee ready. From 2 p.m. Р3:30 p.m. Pura Vida. www.puravidaart.com. Find more in Music.

Arts

Mean green Queen: Let’s keep the Queen clean. Learn what you can do to contribute to making Charlotte a greener city at the first Charlotte Clean and Green Festival. The U.S. Green Building Council Charlotte Region Chapter is holding workshops for local builders and the Education Festival will include Going Green classes and more than 30 exhibitors demonstrating energy-saving products. This free event also offers food made by CPCC’s Culinary Club. CPCC, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-2722. www.charlottecleanandgreen.com. Find more in Arts.

Food

Kabob House Persian Cuisine: An array of Persian delights: Tender chicken kabobs, polo and khoresht dishes, all reasonably priced. Building is not much to look at from the outside, but the interior is warm and welcoming. 6432 E. Independence Blvd. 704-531-2500. Find more in Food.