A taste of FreeMore (think neighborhood food)

The first “Taste of FreeMore” - which FreeMoreWest Partners (a nonprofit promoting Charlotte's west side) hopes to make an annual event - will be Oct. 6, benefiting itself and Classroom Central. Area restaurants Savor Cafe, Pinky's Westside Grill, The Burger Company, Open Kitchen, Dairy Queen and Picante will bring food, selling for $1-$5, and Four Friends and Birdsong breweries will sell beer. The event - 4-8 p.m. in The Burger Company's parking lot at Morehead Street and Freedom Drive - will include live music from The Blue Dogs, a large art tent with area artists painting and showcasing work, and face-painting and balloon animals for kids. Folks attending are also encouraged to bring pencils to donate to Classroom Central, or clothes and computer supplies to go to Goodwill. Admission is free; purchases are cash only.

“We wanted to create a signature event that brought people from all over the city to see how great FreeMoreWest is,” Chris Wannamaker, chairman of FreeMoreWest Partners, said in a press release. Info: www.freemorewest.com.