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

Friday, Sept. 30
A Night of Indie Music and Comedy
The Mill
Mixing comedy and music in one show is a nice combination. Not only do you get to laugh, but you also get to relax the muscles in your face, as is the case during A Night of Indie Music and Comedy at The Mill. This Friday, folks can get their comedy fix from DeVan Penegar and Michael Robinette. Music by Alexa Woodward and Ukrainian-born/Brooklyn-based Alina Simone (pictured) will follow. Simone, known for her more melancholy folk-esque sounds, went more rampant with rock on her recent disc Make Your Own Danger. The songstress — whose fam emigrated to the U.S. after the KBG blacklisted her father — had last released 2008’s Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware, a tribute of Siberian punk-folk singer Yanka Dyagileva covers sung entirely in Russian. Simone also just put out her debut memoir, titled You Must Go and Win. Seems she most certainly has a way with words.

• Music Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, the new Nashville explosion is palpable in pop music, but don't let this band get lost in the shuffle as just another act trying to get over on where they're from instead of what they play. The band managed to tour constantly since forming in 2006 and sell tens of thousands of albums without a label or a booking agent. The same indie spirit that drives their music, which doesn't easily fit into a box, also strives to tap into the humanity in us all. Performing tonight at The Evening Muse. More...

• Film Make the tread over to Gem Theatre in Kannapolis today for the Modern Film Festival. This year's fest will screen 12 indie movies (some of which were filmed right here in the Carolinas). Live music, belly dancing, a zombie walk and gala are also in the mix. More...

Saturday, Oct. 1
Alta~Cation's Echo Fashion Show and Art Gala
Grand Central
As if we didn’t get enough fashion flaunting last week (during not one, but two fashion extravaganzas here in the Q.C.), now comes Alta~Cation’s Echo Fashion Show and Art Gala at Grand Central. Models divulge designer (Alta~Cation and Gone Ape) garb — see a sample of Alta~Cation apparel, pictured — as well as jewelry (by Dawn Stevens and Jackie Ramer). But this isn’t just an apparel-absorbed affair. Musicians (Electric Coma, Victoria Sage Ethridge and Deadstar Blues) and visual artists (Ashley Pierson-Ibarra, Carlleena Person and Kat Murphy) are slated to participate as well. Cash bar available for the merry swigging of bevs. And best of all, the whole thing is free — though, donations (moola and/or art supplies) will be accepted and given to Charlotte Urban Ministries Artreach 945. Don’t be a freeloader.

• Benefit What started out as a way to play music and make money for a good cause continues for the band, properly named, Charity Case. Fronted by Ace - also, known as that DJ dude from the radio - the group rocks out for Blocktoberfest to raise funds for Ace & TJ's Grin Kids and Shelter Health Services. Opening acts include The Local Traumatic, Colby Sherwood Bell and Phase 2. More...

• Special Event Uncorking wine can be tedious if you haven't a corkscrew and/or don't have a clue about the tricks and technique of such a task. During Great Grapes: Wine, Art & Food Festival you need not worry, as sipping is top priority. More than 20 wineries will be pouring some of their best wines for you to indulge. There will also be wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, games, live entertainment and more. More...

Sunday, Oct. 2
Ira Glass
Belk Theater
Ira Glass is a legend in the world of public radio. Creator and longtime host of This American Life, his emphasis on narrative storytelling and an entourage of imaginative and smart storytellers has led to millions of listeners and numerous awards and spin-offs (Emmy Awards, a two-season show on Showtime, CD compilations, DVDs and so much more — there’s even a movie, starring Paul Rudd, in the making). But Glass, with all the spiraling mainstream madness, would be nothing without his brashy band of nerdy followers. His current Radio Stories and Other Stories Tour — stopping by Charlotte tonight — is going from city to city giving them the chance to get an up close and personal encounter with the chatterbox.

• Comedy Charlotte Comedy Theater’s new Rated R show at The Comedy Zone is full of competitive short form improv. Charlotte's top improvisers aim for laughter as they compete for audience affection. More...

• Theater It’s your last chance to check out performances of The Civil War at Central Piedmont Community College’s Halton Theater. It’s a quixotical example of what can be accomplished with ludicrously little manpower, props, or narrative. More...