Punxsutawney Phil said we’d have six more weeks of winter. That was almost three weeks ago, so we’re about halfway to spring. When it comes to the weather, you need to be an optimist, regardless of what some rodent in Pennsylvania says. Another thing we can feel positively about is the variety of entertainment options over the next week. Let’s dig into to this edition of FanFare!
Swan Lake
Blumenthal Arts* is presenting Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet Swan Lake, performed by the International Ballet Stars, at Knight Theater (550 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) for one night only on Friday, February 20th at 7 p.m. This production features dancers from 15 countries performing with all-new, hand-painted sets and over 200 custom-designed scenery elements. February 20.
Mozart 360
Following the successful introduction of Beethoven 360 in 2025, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* is bringing the concept back with Mozart 360 at Booth Playhouse (130 N Tryon Street, Charlotte), Friday, February 20th (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, February 21st (2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.). Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, soprano Melinda Whittington, and the CSO will be surrounded by the audience for these “in-the-round” performances of some of Mozart’s greatest works, including the Symphony No. 41, Don Giovanni, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and more. February 20-21.
Winter Works
Charlotte Ballet* is presenting Winter Works: Boundless, February 20th through March 21st at the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance (701 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte). The program features the immersive Kamuyot by Ohad Naharin, and the world premiere of On Three by North Carolina-based choreographer Nicole Vaughan-Diaz. During intermission, you can enjoy live music, a curated photography exhibition by Quinn Wharton, and bar service. February 20-March 21.
Ailey on Tour
Appalachian Arts* continues its season of eclectic offerings with Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts (733 Rivers Street, Boone) on Friday, February 20th at 7:30 p.m. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company of early-career dance talent brings the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers to stages across America, while also fostering community outreach and educational opportunities. The program includes Alvin Ailey’s 1960 masterpiece, Revelations. February 20.
Seuss on Stage
Little Theater of Gastonia (238 S. Clay Street, Gastonia) is bringing the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss to the stage with Seussical the Musical, February 20th through March 1st. The show draws from several Seuss stories, including Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg. February 20-March 1.
Pure Voices
The world-renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir is coming to the Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) for one night only, Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. The ensemble has enchanted audiences for centuries and continues to appeal to audiences of all ages with a diverse array of vocal music. February 21.
Got Rhythm?
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra is putting on an evening of percussion-forward works at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (300 N. Elm Street, Greensboro) on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. Led by Principal Guest Conductor Chelsea Tipton, the GSO and featured percussionists Wylie Sykes, John Beck, and Eric Willie will perform Quinn Mason’s Toast of the Town, Claude Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Russell Peck’s The Glory and the Grandeur, and Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7. February 21.
Saturday Night Sax
The Davidson College* Jazz Ensemble presents one of New York’s premiere tenor saxophonists, John Ellis, at the Duke Family Performance Hall in the Knoblauch Campus Center (207 Faculty Drive, Davidson), Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. With more than 150 album credits as a sideman, Ellis has released 15 albums of his own, including three with his New Orleans-centered band Double-Wide. February 21.
More Snow?
The Quebec City-based troupe Cirque FLIP Fabrique are bringing a Blizzard to High Point Theatre (220 E. Commerce Avenue, High Point) on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. Blizzard tells a whimsical story of friends on a journey through a wintery world with high-energy acrobatics, juggling, visual poetry, original music, and a set that transforms the stage into a snowstorm. February 21.
Don’t Miss the Moos
This weekend is your last chance to see the highland cows at the Whitewater Center (5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte) before they head back to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Cows & Kids Clinic on Saturday, February 21st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. features highland cow-themed crafts and cookie decorating, an educational session, and 15 minutes with the cows. Coffee & Cows on Sunday, February 22nd from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. includes a specialty coffee or cocoa, house-baked pastry, bag of cow treats, and snack time with cows. February 21-22.
Celtic Guitar
The 2025-2026 Music at St. Alban’s* (301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson) season continues Sunday, February 22nd at 3 p.m. with North America’s leading Celtic acoustic guitar duo, Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock. These award-winning musicians soulfully navigate both sides of the Atlantic with the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, and Appalachia. Their concert will be preceded by members of the North Carolina Youth Orchestra’s Charlotte Brass Quintet performing at 2:20 p.m. February 22.
Winter Legends
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra is embracing the spirit of this season with Winter Legends at Community Church at Lake Wylie (104 Hamilton’s Ferry Road, Lake Wylie, SC) on Sunday February 22nd at 3 p.m. The concert will beloved works by Robert Schumann, Hector Berlioz, Antonin Dvorak, John Williams, and more. February 22.
Night of the Living Composers
Providence Chamber Music Series presents Music of Living Composers in the sanctuary of Providence United Methodist Church (2810 Providence Road, Charlotte) on Sunday, February 22nd at 6:30 p.m. The featured composers are Reed Hanna (Greenville, SC), Ronald Keith Parks (Winthrop University), and Bob Mintzer (jazz saxophonist, big band leader, and 2025 Grammy Award winner for best arrangement). All concerts in the series are free. February 22.
Lunch-n-Learn
Steve Sando, author of the best-selling cookbook, The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, is coming to Davidson College* for a “lunch-n-learn” event on Tuesday, February 24th in the Vail Commons Pope Room (Baker Drive, Davidson). As founder of the specialty food company, Rancho Gordo, Sando has a passion for indigenous, heirloom, and heritage beans, as well as grains and spices. Lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sando will speak from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., and a book signing will follow his presentation. February 24.
Musical Imagination
Matthews Concert Band presents The Land of Make-Believe at Matthews Community Center (100 E. McDowell Street, Matthews) on Tuesday, February 24th at 7:30 p.m. The free performance will include imaginative works by Ennio Morricone, Marvin Hamlisch, John Williams, music from Disney, and much more. Donations are gratefully accepted. February 24.
CSO & Suds
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s* On Tap Seriesmakes two stops this month: NoDa Brewing Company (150 W 32nd Street, Charlotte) on Tuesday, February 24th, and The Barrel Room at Triple C (2832 Griffith Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, February 25th. A quartet of CSO percussionists will take center stage with a musician-curated program featuring pieces by J.S. Bach and Debussy. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. February 24-25.
More Sights & Bites
- CLTure Day + Night Market New Moon Festival: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with international food trucks and vendors, local makers and artisans, live performances, hands-on arts and crafts, plus interactive games and activities for all ages at Blume Studios Stage 1. February 21.
- 16th Annual Yadkin Winter Reds: This multi-weekend winter tradition is an opportunity to visit various Yadkin County wineries and sample their wines paired with delicious small bites. February 21-22; February 28-March 1.
- Hilton Head Island Seafood Fest: Eight-day event showcasing celebrity chefs, local seafood, and live music and various sites. February 23-March 1.
Still looking for the perfect weekend plan? Check our WDAV Events Calendar for even more great things to see, do, and taste. See you next Thursday for more FanFare!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Ballet, Appalachian Arts, Carolina Theatre, Davidson College, and Music at St. Alban’s are WDAV underwriters.