Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 28, 2008 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Go shopping. It's Black Friday. If you're fortunate enough to be off from work, join the elbowing crowds, endure the parking headaches and start your Christmas shopping off right.

• The Derek Trucks Band at McGlohon Theatre

• The Virginia Reel at Snug Harbor

• All in the Timing at Pineville Dinner Theater (read the review here)

• Wine down from all the shopping at Total Wine and More with their Weekend Wine Flights