Valentine’s Day is this weekend, so get ready for some romance. If you’re still looking for that perfect date night idea, you’ll find everything from concerts, dance performances, and wine tastings to an evening with highland cows in this edition of FanFare.
Tchaikovsky + Kahane
Kwamé Ryan leads the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th. The program begins with Argentum by 33-year-old British composer Dani Howard. Then, CSO Spotlight Artist Gabriel Kahane joins the Orchestra to perform his Pattern of the Rail: Six Orchestral Songs from Book of Travelers, inspired by his own train journey across the United States. And the evening concludes with Tchaikovsky’s dramatic and sweeping Symphony No. 5. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. February 13-14.
Jazz with John
Blumenthal Arts* presents the world-renowned John Pizzarelli Trio with four special Jazz Room Valentine’s Day Edition performances at the Stage Door Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, February 13th (6 p.m., 8:15 p.m.) and Saturday, February 14th (7 p.m., 9:15 p.m.). Led by virtuosic guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, the trio will perform timeless love songs and jazz classics, including selections from their Broadway- and Hollywood-inspired album, Pizzarelli’s Stage & Screen. February 13-14.
I Love Moo
Who says you have to spend Valentine’s Day with a person? The Whitewater Center (5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte) has been hosting a herd of highland cows this winter and you’re invited to visit them on February 13th and 14th. Moos & Brews (21+) from 5 to 8 p.m. includes a single drink ticket, bag of cow treats, and 15 minutes with the cows. The Cows & Kids Clinic (2/14 only) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. features highland cow-themed crafts and cookie decorating, an educational session, and some quality time with the cows. February 13-14.
Riverdance Returns
It has been 30 years since the Riverdance phenomenon swept the planet. Blumenthal Arts* is bringing Riverdance 30 – The New Generation to Ovens Auditorium (2700 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte), February 13th through 15th. This fusion of traditional Irish and international dance blends captivating choreography, Grammy Award-winning music, and state-of-the-art stage effects. February 13-15.
Wooing in Winston-Salem
How about a concert before dinner on Valentine’s Day? Michelle Merrill leads the Winston Salem Symphony* at Reynolds Auditorium (301 N. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem) on Saturday, February 14th at 5 p.m. “Be Mine: A Valentine’s Playlist” will feature music by Claude Debussy, Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, and more. February 14.
Hubba-Hubba in Hickory
The Western Piedmont Symphony* is setting the mood for romance with Love Music by Candlelight at Drendel Auditorium (243 3rd Avenue NE, Hickory) on Saturday, February 14th at 5:30 p.m. This intimate Valentine’s Day concert will feature light classical favorites, jazz standards, and love songs, including “My Funny Valentine,” “A Thousand Years,” and “Marry You” performed by the WPS Maestro’s Quartet. A special Valentine’s Duo Package is available with sparkling wine and premium seating. February 14.
Wine at the Gantt
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture* (551 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is hosting its second annual Art of Wine experience on Saturday, February 14th from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Led by connoisseurs Heide and Oscar Groomes, this exclusive wine tasting will showcase six wines from their personal collection. The evening begins with a tour of a featured exhibition in the museum, followed by a five-course dinner with wine pairings. 21+ only. February 14.
Vino in the Village
The Stowe Conservancy* (6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont) invites you to sip and stroll through nature this Valentine’s Day with Vino in the Village on Saturday, February 14th from 4 to 6 p.m. Perfect for couples or Galentine’s groups, this early-evening escape includes three tasting stations with a curated selection of wines and live music from JazzGroupProject as the sun sets over the botanical garden. You must be 21+ to register. February 14.
Most Romantic Restaurants
Every year, OpenTable looks at diner reviews and other metrics to identify the 100 most romantic restaurants in the United States. Four fine dining establishments in the Carolinas made the 2026 list. In North Carolina, the winners are Steak 48 in Charlotte’s Southpark neighborhood, Ryan’s Restaurant in Winston-Salem, and End Posts Restaurant at JOLO Winery & Vineyard in Pilot Mountain. South Carolina is represented by Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte Coastal Bistro in Hilton Head. Bon appetit!
Verona Quartet
The Davidson College* Concert Series opens its season with the Verona Quartet on Monday, February 16th at 7:30 p.m. in Tyler-Tallman Hall at the Sloan Music Center (323 Concord Road, Davidson) on campus. Based at Oberlin College in Ohio, the ensemble will be performing a program of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Domenico Scarlatti, Leoš Janáček, and Augusta Reed Thomas. February 16.
Lunar New Year in the QC
The Carolina Theater* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is celebrating Lunar New Year, Tuesday, February 17th at 8 p.m. with a powerful performance by the world-renowned Drum Tao. The group blends music played on traditional Japanese drums, flutes, and harps with modern energy and theatrical flair. February 17.
Fat Tuesday
Middle C Jazz (300 S. Brevard Street, Charlotte) welcomes the Soda City Brass Band to town for some Mardi Gras fun on Tuesday, February 17th at 7 p.m. The Columbia, South Carolina-based group performs traditional to contemporary New Orleans’ brass band music, including the best of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, and Youngblood Brass Band. February 17.
Black Violin
If you’ve never seen Black Violin in concert, get yourself a ticket. The duo of Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus are bringing their Full Circle Tour to Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, February 18th. My youngest son and I saw them a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the merging of classical music and hip-hop. On this tour, Black Violin is joined by Kevin Olusola from the renowned a cappella group Pentatonix. February 18.
Bernstein on Screen
WDAV’s Reel Music Film Series continues with a screening of Maestro at Independent Picture House (4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, February 18th at 7 p.m. The acclaimed 2023 biopic about Leonard Bernstein stars Bradley Cooper as the complex composer and conductor, with Carey Mulligan playing his wife, Felicia. The film is also worth seeing for the beautiful way in which it was shot in black-and-white. February 18.
Cyrano “Nose” Romance
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA)* is staging an updated spin onEdmond Rostand’s classic romance, Cyrano de Bergerac, at the Catawba Theater(1533 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem), February 19th through 28th. Described as “a bold, modern remix” this adaptation by Martin Crimp explores identity, authenticity, and the power of language. February 19-28.
Tuba Skinny on Tour
If you like traditional New Orleans jazz as much as I do, you probably already know about Tuba Skinny. The Big Easy-based band is equally at home with jug band music, spirituals, country blues, string band music, ragtime, and New Orleans R&B. They’re coming through North Carolina this month:
- Thursday, February 19: McCrary Theatre, Elon, NC
- Friday, February 20: Appalachian Theatre, Boone, NC
- Saturday, February 21: Tryon Fine Arts Center, Tryon, NC
- Friday, February 27: The Ramkat, Winston-Salem, NC
- Saturday, February 28: Crow and Quill, Asheville, NC
QuiltCon 2026
Quilters from around the globe are coming to North Carolina for the world’s largest modern quilting event. QuiltCon 2026 will be at the Raleigh Convention Center (500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh), February 19th through 22nd. The four-day event will feature competition quilts, community outreach quilts, special exhibits, lectures workshops, and curated vendor booths. February 19-22.
Remember, the WDAV Events Calendar will lead you to even more great things to see, do, and taste. And I’ll be back next Thursday with another edition of FanFare!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Winston-Salem Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Stowe Conservancy, Davidson College, Carolina Theatre, and UNCSA are WDAV underwriters.