GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Greensboro Coliseum Complex, LeBauer Park and the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts are all capable of featuring world-class entertainment acts on any given weekend. It's not often, however, we see events in the city converge like what is scheduled for March 20-22, 2020.
The crown jewel of the weekend is the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The Greensboro Coliseum will host the first two rounds March 20th and 22nd. The tournament's return to Greensboro was announced in 2017.
At the time, Governor Roy Cooper remarked on the financial boost the tournament offers for cities hosting the tournament.
"NCAA tournament games have a positive impact on our state’s economy, putting more money in the pockets of every day working North Carolina men and women who help host the games," Cooper said.
If you're more into laughs, the North Carolina Comedy Festival is set for March 20th. More than 300 comedians are visiting "The Idiot Box Comedy Club" for a night of stand-up, sketch and improv comedy.
Fans who are visiting for the tournament from out of town will get a taste of Greensboro's live music scene March 21st. The NC Folk Festival purposefully timed its "Folk in the Park" event on the day between tournament games. Folk in the Park will feature free live music, as well as food, dancing and family activities at LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro. The event lasts from 11:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Greensboro Coliseum also will hosts live music on the 21st, with country music singer Cody Johnson visiting.
Additionally, the Steven Tanger Center reopens its multimillion-dollar theater renovation on March 20th. Singer Josh Groban will open as the first act in the new theater. On Sunday the 22nd, Jay Leno rolls into the Tanger Center at 7:00 p.m. as a part of his national comedy tour.
Those headlining events make up for a busy weekend in Greensboro, but there are even more events leading up to the weekend of the 20th:
March 1: Post Malone Concert
March 4-7: ACC Women's Basketball Tournament
March 13: KC and The Sunshine Band
March 10-14: ACC Men's Basketball Tournament