Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Jan. 8, 2015 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

• Open Studio at Preston Drum at C3 Lab












• My Life as a Dog exhibit at Ciel Gallery

• John Nemeth at Double Door Inn

•  Jazz at the Bechtler - Post Holiday Blues: Many Shades of Blue at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

• Monster Jam at Time Warner Cable Arena