Charlotte Folk Society’s monthly jam takes place on Friday, at 7:30PM at the Great Aunt Stella Center. This free event features bluegrass musicians Mike Compton and Joe Newberry.

Also on Friday, you have the chance to try something totally new in Charlotte – and to pay just what you can. Story Slam! hosts dramatic readings from new play scripts, along with poetry and music. On Friday at 7PM, the play “Absence” will be read. Normally it costs $10 in advance and $14 at the door, but on Friday admission is “pay what you can.” It takes place at 1401 Central Avenue.

There are two cultural festivals in Charlotte this weekend that are not free, but very cheap. On Saturday at the Wachovia Atrium, enjoy Ciao, Italia, for $3 (kids under 12 are free), and on Sunday the Latin American Festival will be at Symphony Park. It costs $5 for adults, $3 for kids 8-12, and free for kids under 8.