Food Network stars Guy Fieri and Curtis Aikens both are bringing their separate cooking acts to Charlotte over the next few weekends.

Aikens, a regular on both the Food Network and on "Good Morning America" and author of "Curtis Cooks With Heart and Soul" will have have tips on budget cooking, healthy meals and easy entertaining. He'll have a two-hour cooking demonstration starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at IKEA. The demonstration will be free as part of a touring "Food University."

Guy Fieri has become the face of food network, hosting shows like "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and "Guy's Big Bite." He has a book, "Guy Fieri Food" and currently hosts the NBC show "Minute to Win It." Fieri's show will be May 18 at Ovens Auditorium and will be a "big food party" and have "music, humor, culinary tips and in there somewhere, cooking" according to the spiky-haired host. Tickets will start at $40.

A local institution, the Charlotte Symphony's summer concert series is a favorite of many Charlotteans. This summer though, how much people really value them will be tested, as the orchestra will begin charging an admission fee for concerts for the first time since 1983.

Primarily due to financial shortfalls, symphony officials have set in place a $10 ticket price starting on the first concert, June 12. Kids 18 and under will be free.

Since the concerts are outdoors, weather could be an issue. Should weather cancel a concert before, or less than halfway through, concert goers will receive a voucher good for one adult ticket for any upcoming performance. If a concert goes more than halfway, there will be no refunds.

Orchestras around the nation are facing similar issues, and many have also begun charging admission fees (or always have).

If you've always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby but can't make it Churchill Downs, you've got the next best thing in Charlotte this weekend. Ladies, break out your sundresses and your hats and gentlemen, your sport coats and ties because the the Queen's Cup Steeplechase is Saturday, April 30, at Brooklandwood Racecourse. If you're not familiar with steeplechase, it's like traditional flat horse racing, but with the jumping elements of cross country added in. The horses are usually a little more mature and experienced, as pure, raw speed isn't enough to compete here.

Always held the last Saturday in April, this event is an annual rite of passage that truly signifies the start of spring for many Charlotteans. There will be at least five races on the day, and plenty of tailgating opportunities beforehand. The Carolina Raptor Center will be on hand, showcasing some of their birds of prey.

This is a family event, and dress is officially casual, but many people do take the opportunity to show up dressed nicely. Jeans are a rarity here, and due to the terrain, heels aren't recommended for women. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, visit the Queen's Cup official site.

It took the Guiness company making up an entirely new category, but Charlotte has claimed its place in the iconic book. According to a release on its website, a  new world record was set last Saturday, April 24, at Carowinds as over 300 people dipped and dyed eggs in an event at the theme park as part of the annual Easter EGGstravaganza.

Guinness had strict guidelines in place before the event. A minimum of 250 people had to participate, and each was required to have one hard boiled egg and their own individual cup of dye (enough to completely cover the egg). Video of the event is now being sent to Guinness for verification and final approval, but officials on hand said they expected no problems.