French First Thursday in Matthews: entertainment, games, restaurant deals

The first Thursday of the month, visit Historic Downtown Matthews for First Thursday Matthews Crawl, a fun, themed event that starts at 5 p.m. Local restaurants will participate with special menus an deals. There will be free entertainment and activities outside.

On April 6th, 2017, experience French First Thursday. Businesses will have French-themed food, drink, and entertainment. Here’s what’s going on.

• Sante: Special price on French-themed menu with French wine featured
• Temple MoJo Growler Shop and Taproom: Enjoy a saison, French-style beer, while playing Petanque, a traditional French yard game outside. It will be Open Mic Night, so polish off your singing skills and take the microphone at this cozy spot.
• Seaboard Taproom and Winebar: French wines and a French cider will be featured.
• Kristophers: French dip platter and French martini will be featured
• Jekyll and Hyde Taphouse and Grill: Their own special French martini and live music on the patio.
• Moe’s BBQ: French Monaco drink will be featured. There will be a photo display of Sainte Maxime, France outdoors next to their patio
• Black Chicken Wine Cellar: French wine tasting. Learn about French wines and taste 4 wines of French origin. Tasting is a drop-in style from 5-7PM. Tasting fee is $10 or FREE with a bottle purchase from the tasting.
• Carolina Beer Temple: Featured beer will be Sugar Creek Brewing Company’s Biere de Garde.
• Royal Café and Creperie: ‘Crepes Amor’ special – 2 crepes for $10, a traditional ham and cheese crepe and a dessert crepe of Nutella with powdered sugar
• Beantown Tavern: 1/2 priced bottles of wine
• Nails 3: 15% off gift certificates for a FRENCH manicure if purchased on April 6, French First Thursday.
• Dancers from Planet Ballroom will be dancing along N. Trade and Matthews Station streets.
• Matthews Library Display 5:30-7:30: A selection of French books and videos will be available to check out. They will also have laptops available to demonstrate their free language learning software.
• Kids tent 5:30-7:30: French crafts, books, and display of Sainte Maxime/Matthews pen pal letters.
  Local students will be singing French songs at 6:15.
• Look for Matthews Mayor Jim Tayloe wearing a French beret. Take a “selfie with the mayor.” Post it to First Thursday Matthews Crawl’s Facebook page for a chance to win a gift certificate from Seaboard Taproom and Wine Bar.

There is always FREE parking along Trade Street and Matthews Station St. as well as in a large parking lot between the railroad tracks and Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar on Trade St. Festivities begin at 5:00 pm.