A gift from Irma on a vibrant weekend

An early-morning text Saturday led to a reunion with some friends from California. They were stranded at Charlotte Douglas International Airport en route to Jamaica for vacation. Hurricane Irma spared the island a direct hit, but lightning had knocked out the airport control tower.

They grabbed a hotel, and we had wide-ranging conversation over an early dinner at Cantina 1511 and topped that off with sweets at Amelie’s. It was an unexpected treat to see them and to meet their friends.

Later, I joined some other friends talking late into the evening on their porch in Dilworth near the Yiasou Greek Festival.

This weekend, Charlotte’s got a lot, as they say. But the Southern Ideal Home Show, the Potter’s Market Invitational, the Mad About Modern home tour of midcentury modern homes will all have to wait until next year.

I spent the day with interesting people, and topped it off with tarts and loukoumades dripping in honey. That’s about as good as it gets.

Unless there’s fried chicken and trombones.

Tuesday some friends and I will dive into some Southern cooking before GospelSHOUT at the United House of Prayer for All People on Beatties Ford Road. I’ve been meaning to go back after an exhilarating experience years ago, as I wrote for Charlotte magazine. I’m looking forward to the praise bands at this event, hosted by community historian Tom Hanchett at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 12. The cafeteria doors open at 6 p.m.

What will you explore in our vibrant city?