Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

Friday, Feb. 27

Music: CIAA events are booming about the Q.C., and if it’s music you want, look no further. Charlotte-born soul vocalist Anthony Hamilton will have his “Official Grammy Award & Album Release Party,” at Cans Bar and Canteen.

Special Event: In honor of CIAA, Hillshire Farms presents a day party that the whole family can attend. Enjoy music from a live DJ, games, giveaways and food at Sadie's Soulful Southern Experience.

Theater: Matthews Playhouse of Performing Arts’ newest production tells the classic tale of Pinocchio, a wooden puppet with a knack for telling lies. See it all go down with no strings attached at Matthews Community Center.

Saturday, Feb. 28

Film: Kicking off on Feb. 28 is the 5th Annual Charlotte Jewish Film Festival, which features week-long screenings of a variety of Jewish films from around the world. This includes the film Strangers, (with sort of a Romeo and Juliet storyline), a film based on the forbidden love shared between an Israeli man and a Palestinian woman. Check it out at Ballantyne Village Theatre.

Comedy: Go see actor, comedian Robin Williams when he visits Charlotte during his "Weapons of Self-Destruction" Comedy Tour, which will stop in at Ovens Auditorium.

Music: Get funky at the Neighborhood Theatre with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic.

Sunday, March 1

Music: Solo artist Ben Folds will grace the stage of Ovens Auditorium to play an array of his musical gems, including those from his most recent album Way To Normal. Miniature Tigers opens.

Special Event: As CIAA winds down, Digital Divas will present “Panache,” its 3rd Annual Farewell Jazz Brunch that will go down at Utopia Restaurant.

Food: Chow down on flavorful sushi or a variety of donburi, tempura, hibachi, and teriyaki Japanese entrees at Mai Japanese Restaurant.