BBQ & Blues -- and burgers

A reminder: The ninth annual BBQ & Blues event runs 5-11 Friday night and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday at the N.C. Music Factory (935 N. Graham St.), with assorted foods and beer, live blues, pig races and barbecue competition (but no, you don't wander around sampling; the barbecuers are vying for prize money). More info: www.charlottebbqandblues.com.

Wendy's "Hot 'N Juicy Tour" stops at the festival Friday to hand out 2,000 free cheeseburgers with a Frosty 5-11 p.m. (And founder Dave Thomas's daughter, Wendy, is scheduled to be on hand 5-6:15).