The unofficial start of summer is upon us! Between the cookouts and pool parties, there’s a lot of other engaging stuff to see and do this Memorial Day weekend. Of course, Memorial Day is about much more than auto racing and mattress sales. It’s a time to pause, remember, and reflect on the lives lost by those who served our nation in uniform.

Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto

Every year, the city of Charleston, South Carolina bursts at the seams with arts offerings during the Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto. Artists from all over the world go there to perform and present their music, theater, dance, visual arts, and literature. The musical performances alone include opera, chamber, orchestral, jazz, choral, folk, blues, organ, and an entire schedule of early music. Someday, when I retire, I want to rent a place in Charleston for the full two weeks to take it all in. May 23-June 8.

Something’s Squirrelly in Brevard

If you’ve ever been to the charming Western North Carolina town of Brevard, you probably noticed the squirrel imagery everywhere. It’s sort of their thing. The annual White Squirrel Weekend kicks it up a notch with three days of live music, local beer and food, and an assortment of crafts and other treasures for sale. There will even be a public reading of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on Saturday. Acorns not included. May 23-25.

Memorial Day Weekend at the Whitewater Center

As long as the weather is on our side, there’s no better place to welcome the unofficial start of summer than outdoors. The Whitewater Center (5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte) is hosting a weekend filled with events and activities. It starts Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with 3-, 5-, and 8-mile races through the Whitewater Center’s trail system. Then enjoy yoga and pass activities throughout the day before the River Jam concert at 7:00 p.m. The fun continues Sunday with more activities, including SUP Yoga on the Catawba River, and live music from Jovin Webb (7:00 p.m.) and Harper O’Neil (8:30 p.m.). May 24-25.

Roll the Bones

Any budding paleontologists out there? Get yourself to Eastern North Carolina because the Aurora Fossil Museum (400 Main Street, Aurora) is hosting the North Carolina Fossil Festival this weekend. It’ll be two days packed with fascinating displays, fossil and mineral vendors, STEAM activities, tons of fun in the Kid Zone, and even a chance to a little digging of your own. May 24-25.

A Shucking Good Time

If you like musical comedy and corn, Blumenthal Arts* has the perfect Broadway show for you! The winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2023, Shucked, is coming to Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) for eight performances. It’s the story of an unlikely hero, a lovable con man, and an “a-maize-ing” battle for the heart and soil of Cob County. The pun-filled show has been delighting audiences with its catchy score and, yes, corny jokes since its 2022 premiere in Salt Lake City. May 27-June 1.

55 Years of Innovative Dance

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture presents PHILADANCO! at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte). Founded as the Philadelphia Dance Company during the height of the Civil Rights movement, PHILADANCO! embodies innovation, creativity, and the preservation of African American traditions in dance. Accompanied by a score that ranges from Afro-house to classical to R&B, the company’s superbly skilled dancers having been captivating audiences around the world. May 28.

Beer to the Rescue

For the fifth year, NoDa Brewing is whipping up their limited edition Rescue Brew to help save pets’ lives and get them placed in loving homes. On top of that, your dog or cat could be featured on this year’s cans. You simply need to submit a photo of your fur baby and get votes, with the proceeds benefitting the Humane Society of Charlotte. The dog and cat with the most votes will be crowned Top Dog and Queen City Kitty. Their photos will be transformed into custom portraits for the Rescue Brew cans. The top six dogs and top six cats will be featured in the 2026 Rescue Brew Calendar. The deadline to submit your pet’s photo is June 23. Voting ends June 30.

More Festivals!

• Sustain: Woodfire Conference: International conference and exhibition of wood-fired ceramics at Starworks in Star, North Carolina. May 22-25.
• Gallabrae, Greenville Scottish Games: Heavy athletics, highland dancing, bagpipes, border collie trials, car show, and the Great Scot Parade at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. May 23-25.
• Original Gullah Festival: Three days of Gullah culture and history, including tours, food, entertainment, vendors, and workshops in Beaufort, South Carolina. May 23-25.

Check in again next week for more sounds, sights, and bites across the Carolinas. And more fun and engaging activities are pop up on our redesigned WDAV Events Calendar every day.

*Disclosure: Blumenthal Arts is a WDAV underwriter.