The Rundown of Things to Do: Thursday, August 29 – Monday, September 2

By Shawn D. Allison, II

Hey everyone! It’s Labor Day weekend and the QC is booming with lots of exciting things! There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy and like you, I hope to sink my teeth into some delicious BBQ on Monday! I will be one of the featured guests at Frequency360 LIVE on Saturday so come down and learn about the inner workings of me! In the meantime and in between time, get a load of all the hottest things to do on my special “Hot List” just below!

THURSDAY—SATURDAY – Three Bone Theatre presents Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline”
THURSDAY— Hot Gumbo featuring Jamison Bethea at Dupp & Swat
FRIDAY – Dear Soul Music Co. presents Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop at Camp North End
FRIDAY – G-R-A-V-I-T-A-T-E at Salud Cerveceria
FRIDAY — Jeans & Throwback Jersey Party
SATURDAY – Moxie Society presents I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party feat. DJ Loui Vee
SATURDAY – Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Brunch: Labor Day WKND Edition 2019
SATURDAY – Freaquency360 LIVE: Bunny Gregory x The Black Ferris Bueller
SATURDAY – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents JUSTICE 4 ALL
SUNDAY – Vegan Vibe Music Series
SUNDAY – BlackSummer19 Teach-In Social

If you would like your event to be listed in “The Rundown” please send a detailed e-mail to me at: sdallison85@yahoo.com

——-THURSDAY, AUGUST 29——-

This evening, join political management firm People’s Voice as they host an Affordable Housing Panel Discussion. Charlotte is in the midst of a housing crisis and there needs to be direction on how and where to provide options and solutions for the QC’s most vulnerable residents. Tonight, join Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Charlotte City Councilman Dr. Justin Harlow, Charlotte Housing Authority CEO Fulton Meachem, Robert Dawkins of Action NC and Laurel Street Residential CEO Dionne Nelson as they delve into and dissect this matter. This discussion will be moderated by WBTV’s Dedrick Russell. FREE admission. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Reeder Memorial Baptist Church. 3725 Beatties Ford Rd.

J Macks is back in action to kick off your weekend and tonight come experience some sonic smoothness at Hot Gumbo featuring Jamison Bethea! This special musical showcase highlights some hidden talents in the QC. Tonight’s entertainment comes in the form of singer, songwriter and guitarist Jamison Bethea! With a bluesy feel, this Soul Brother draws you in with a totally down-home vibe, rich vocals and guitar riffs that play second to none. If you’ve never heard him before, come and gear your ears to the stage and experience some new flavor! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hot-gumbo-featuring-jamison-bethea-tickets-67062903951. The show will begin at 7 p.m. at Dupp & Swat. 1824 Statesville Ave. inside Camp North End.

If you’re in the travelling mood, head up I-77 North and come out for Unplugged Live: Cornelius Edition! Dear Soul Music Co., LLC is expanding its reach to many and tonight, join your lovely host Arsena Schroeder for an evening of tunes, grooves and positive energy from featured artists, Ke’Andra and Sheria Rashawn. These two gorgeous soulful sirens have been on the scene for a minute and tonight, they invite you to come and experience their musical talents in this intimate setting, guaranteed to leave your spirit with a smile. Admission is FREE to attend but to RSVP, please call (704)-879-3530 or fill out an online form at: https://www.artsandscience.org/programs/for-community/culture-blocks/asc-culture-blocks-upcoming-events/north-county-block/. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Bella Love Inc. 19725 Oak St., #9 in Cornelius.

Three Bone Theatre is back with some more riveting stage magic as they proudly present the production of Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline.” Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities they’ll never have. When a controversial incident at his upstate private school threatens to get him expelled, Nya must confront his rage and her own choices as a parent. But will she be able to reach him before a world beyond her control pulls him away? With profound compassion and lyricism, Pipeline brings an urgent conversation about race, education and family powerfully to the fore. In her newest work, Morisseau pens a deeply moving story of a mother’s fight to give her son a future — without turning her back on the community that made him who he is. Featuring an all-star cast of Charlotte’s most talented thespians and directed by Sidney Horton. There will be three final performances this weekend: Thursday (8/29), Friday (8/30) and Saturday (8/31) at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/pipeline. All performances will be held at the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

B-Boys, B-Girls and all true Hip Hop heads come down to Crown Station for another episode of The Jump Off this evening! Gather your crew and comrades and get down on the good foot as DJ A-Huf rocks out on the 1s and 2s giving you the best of Classic Hip Hop, Soul, Breakbeats, Funk, House, R&B and much more! Admission is FREE and the joint starts at 10 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

——-FRIDAY, AUGUST 30——-

It’s time to feel alive this weekend at Matthews Alive 2019! Bring the entire family and your friends out for a whole weekend filled with vendors, rides, food trucks, live entertainment, arts & crafts, fellowship and much more! All festivities begin at 6 p.m. and will continue through Monday, September 2. Matthews Alive will be held at Stumptown Park. 200 S. Trade St. in Historic Downtown Matthews.

Are you a local vocalist or arranger striving to put more passion in your pen? If so, Dear Soul Music Company, LLC invites you out to Camp North End for the Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop this evening. This 4-week program is an interactive and collaborative platform for aspiring singer/songwriters to enhance their skills in structuring, musical literacy and more. Today’s lesson is entitled, “Co-Writing Break Out Sessions.” All classes will be taught by singer, instrumentalist and Dear Soul Music Co. founder Arsena Schroeder, Curt Keyz and 1 Way North. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/using-your-unique-songwriting-workshops-tickets-64375190929. The session will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Hygge Coworking at Camp North End. 330 Camp Rd.

Put your minds at ease and head down to Revive Church for The Sound Christian Open Mic! Celebrate the spreading the Good News and good vibes through the arts. Calling all singers, MCs, instrumentalists, poets, comedians and artists of various avenues come out to showcase your talents for a family-friendly audience honoring The Most High! Admission is $5 per person. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Revive Church is located at 6621 Beatties Ford Rd.

The powers of Raw Substance and Funk-Shun have combined to take you on a spaced-out voyage into the vastness of the galaxy with another episode of their eclectic jam session entitled, G-R-A-V-I-T-A-T-E! Join sound pilots and frequency selectors Steve Howerton, Charles Gatling, Shaanti and guest percussionists Claudio Rafael and Davey Blackburn as they blow you into orbit with an eclectic mix of Soulful House, Deep House, Afro-House, Downtempo and much more funky stuff! Admission is FREE and the vibes start flowing at 8 p.m. at Salud Cerveceria. 3306 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Get your laugh on this evening as the Queen City Omegas present another hilarious round of Comedy Night! Bring your friends out and get ready for some side-splitting humor from headliner, Larry Lancaster and Ray Money, Jr. Then, be sure to stick around as DJ 06 burns up the speakers with a hot mix of Hip Hop and R&B tunes. The host for the evening is Brother Tito. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queen-city-omegas-comedy-night-tickets-67791954561. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. The Omegas of Charlotte Fraternity House is located at 3301 Statesville Ave.

5 Boroughs Ent. Is back for some Friday night delight presenting the Jeans & Throwback Jersey Party! Everyone come rock your wardrobe from the early 2000s and get in the mix as internet sensation DJ Cleve rocks the house with a super blend of Hip Hop, R&B and Top 40 from all eras. Plus, get ready for a special live performance from Grammy Award-winning MC, Mr. Cheeks rockin’ all his biggest hits! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dj-cleve-mr-cheeks-jeans-throwback-jersey-party-tickets-66827062543. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Vibrations Night Club. 5237 Albemarle Rd.

Start your three-weekend off with your friends as The Sol Kitchen and UNC Black Alumni Charlotte for the Labor Day Weekend Kickoff! Join DJ Shaun Nyce aka The Blend King as he spins an energetic blend of Hip Hop, Soul, House, Reggae, R&B, Funk and lots more tunes across the landscape! There will be drink specials running all night long. FREE admission. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Suite. 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.

——-SATURDAY, AUGUST 31——-

Hey kids, school may be back in session, but the fun doesn’t stop! Gather your friends, parents and head down to The Discovery Place for an afternoon of damage-causing fun at Demolition Day! What goes up must come down! Take part in activities such as Catapult Destruction, Build It Blocks Knockdown, Dynamite and Explosives and a Wrecking Ball Demolition with a bowling ball pendulum. Activities are FREE with museum admission. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://science.discoveryplace.org/explore/events/demolition-day. The destruction starts at 10 a.m. The Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

This sunny Saturday continues to get more sophisticated as Moxie Society invites you to the I Still Love the 90s Brunch Party – Labor Day Weekend Edition! Enjoy a delightful day in a debonair atmosphere with your friends, delicious cocktails, tasty Southern-inspired brunch eats and funky treats from DJ Loui Vee spinning the hottest of classic Hip Hop, R&B, Top 40, Pop and much more! Admission is FREE to attend. The event jumps off at 11 a.m. at Recess CLT. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

Charlotte’s fastest growing cultural experience is back for some solstice action for your three-day weekend as The Culture Cooperative proudly presents Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Brunch: Labor Day WKND Edition 2019! Join The Dynamic DJ Kato and friends for an afternoon of nonstop Afro-Caribbean flavor featuring the vibrant sounds of Soca, Reggae, House, Soul, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, R&B and much more! The kitchen will also be fired up with all sorts of delicious meal & drink specials. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jerk-chicken-n-waffles-brunch-labor-day-weekend-2019-tickets-68259370615. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Mango’s Caribbean Restaurant. 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Bring the entire family out to Business 911 Small Business Center for the Write Now Youth Publishing Community Cookout this afternoon! Enjoy some fun with family and friends while raising funds for children to write and publish their own books. Activities include a Spades tournament, Uno, double-dutch jump rope, face painting, bounce houses, local vendors, raffles, live music and much more! Write Now Publishing is a 501c3 Organization. All books published are written by children ages 6 to 18 years old. Admission is FREE to attend. If you desire to sponsor a youth, please fill out necessary info through this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/write-now-youth-publishing-community-cookout-tickets-66070437457. The event will begin at 1 p.m. 3557 N. Sharon Amity Dr., Suite #101.

This afternoon, Freaquency360 is back in full effect with another round of specialized fireside chats presenting Freaquency360 LIVE : Aunt Bunny x Shawn Allison! Come one, come all as host and curator Jah Freedom sets the scene with a special creative arts chat with two of Charlotte’s brightest and most active dignitaries – Michelle “Bunny” Gregory and yours truly, The Black Ferris Bueller! Hear our creative stories, some crazy stories, our work ethic, passion, purpose and the importance of community. Music will be provided by FLLS. Admission is FREE, however donations can be given here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-freaquency-360-live-aunt-bunny-x-shawn-allison-tickets-70183581983. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Tip Top Daily Market. 2902 The Plaza.

Ladies, head over to Dupp & Swat this afternoon for a special and intimate community conversational piece entitled, “Sistas, How Ya’ll Feel?” Join your host Tiernay Griffin-Purdie and come experience healing, support, honesty, connection and community with women who love, understand and look like you. SHYF is an interactive platform of safe, authentic conversations about our experiences as Black women. Each conversation’s intent is to tackle issues that we face on your journey in our daily lives and community as well as learn best practices for awareness, coping and living at our highest potential! At SHYF, no topic goes uncovered. In addition to event admission, you’ll be granted access to our Meditation Lounge and a specially curated “Self-Care Blessing Box” to take home. Also, there will be wine available to enhance your experience. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.workwithtierany.com/get-s-done-productivity-power-pack/sistas-how-yall-feel. The event will begin at 4 p.m. Dupp & Swat is located at 1824 Statesville Ave. inside Camp North End.

Mr. 305 Entertainment and OutenLove Events have teamed up once again to add some tropical flavor for your afternoon, presenting the Soca & Soul Day Party! Gather your crew and enjoy the sounds of vibrant Afro-Caribbean grooves, soulful R&B, Hip Hop and other dope tracks from my man DJ Heff! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soca-soul-day-party-tickets-70848609097. The event will begin at 4 p.m. at Firehouse Bar & Lounge. 320 W. Carson Blvd. in Uptown.

This Saturday night, step into a visual world at VisArt Video and come experience Mister B’s Private Screenings 4000! Patterned as a LIVE Mystery Science Theater 3000 show, this eclectic and creative showcase will feature four of Charlotte’s hottest stand-up comedians roasting an insanely ridiculous secret movie from the comfort of their front row seats LIVE! And for added enjoyment, they’ll all have microphones but they won’t all be yelling as loud and long as possible until they go hoarse. The fire spitting funny people for this event are: Carlos Valencia, Blayr Nias, Brian Briscoe and your host, Matt Barrentine! Admission is $10 per person. The event will begin at 8 p.m. VisArt Video is located at 3104 Eastway Dr.

For your Summertime steeze, gather your crew, comrades and cousins and get ready to turn up the heat with a special night of music that’ll give you the need to dance for joy and have a ball inside another special episode of JUSTICE 4 ALL! Join your hosts, the coolest crew Radio Rehab Carolinas as we get down with the flyness in this night of exotic, enriching and mind-freeing musicality and dance guaranteed to take you away from the contemporary and into the world of extraordinary rhythm, culture and unity. And for your journey through sound, come and get down with QC’s best kept secret Soul Brother DJ Justice as he delivers the messages of the messengers in the form of Soul, House, Deep House, The Funk, Boogie, R&B, Rare Grooves, Garage, B-Sides, Album Cuts, Remixes and much more that’ll be sure to take you away! Admission is FREE before 11 p.m. with RSVP at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/justice-4-all-tickets-69944041511. The get down starts at 10pm at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St.

——-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1——-

Slide out to Cuzzo’s Cuisine Food Truck mothership brick & mortar location for the Soul Food Sunday Buffet! Whether you’re leaving church or just out enjoying this gorgeous Charlotte weather, put your stomach in the mix as Chef Andarrio Johnson and crew creates a delicious fix of your favorite soul food menu items — Cajun fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni & cheese, greens beans, rice pilaf, fish, green beans, World Famous Lobster Mac & Cheese and lots more! Admission is $15 per person and the buffet will run from 12 noon – 5 p.m. 3418 Tuckaseegee Rd.

Get a taste of culture this afternoon as The Human League Changemakers proudly presents the final installment of the Vegan Vibe Music Series! This Summer cool down is designed to put your mind at ease and a smile in your stomach with a variety of live R&B performances from Tamara and Jason Jet, flavorful vegan dishes and much more! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 12 noon at Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts. 1030 Woodward Ave.

Look, I know it’s Sunday and you want to be lazy, right? How about you come out to Petra’s instead and experience Hazy Sunday! This afternoon cool down is a meeting for those who appreciate the finer things in music. Join sound selectors, my man DJ Ray Krol, Probably Will and Party Dad as they cultivate a carefully curated selection of vibes from jazzy instrumentals, Hip Hop, avant-garde frequencies, trippy Deep House music, and whatever else your purveyors of waves care to dig. Admission is FREE and the music starts at 3 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Attention all youth, parents, teachers, community leaders, elected officials and advocates, join Youth Empowered Solutions (YES) as they invite you out to its BlackSummer19 Teach-In Social! Climate change affects everyone, particularly people of color. Come out for an afternoon of fun interactive presentations, community conversations, connections to local leaders and action! This special teach-in aims to highlight work to inform our community about climate justice and the impact climate change is having on North Carolina, with a focus on communities of color. The planet is continuing to grow warmer as big companies continue to pollute without any repercussions. So come out and get informed about the people directly impacted and involved! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MSUqicSTy-Ph2zqHFg5AmP0_IO9ZBpwbV4r49GDjnHg/viewform?edit_requested=true&fbclid=IwAR0l84PrjH4bxZe1nBSBQrMmUR6qxIJt8Lnbvs-91EBFoCQ6KjaCAWqkWZU. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at 1332 Maryland Ave. in the Myers Park Neighborhood.

Some new sounds are in town and this evening, cap off your weekend at the CHÓCALA Debut Album Release Party at Neighborhood Theatre! CHÓCALA is the sonic amalgamation of Latin rhythms, rock, and jazz with a touch of tropical psychedelia, resulting in an experimental, yet approachable, sound with an infectious groove. While layering spacey, ethereal tones on her synthesizers, Liza Ortiz sings about the complexities of the spectrums of mental health and the importance of radical self-acceptance and compassion as each group member provides some invigorating musical energy guaranteed to leave you in awe. Performing alongside them will be the BoomChld/MoonChild Experience and DJ Shaanti. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1882060?utm_medium=ampOfficialEvent&utm_source=fbTfly. The show starts at 9 p.m. The Neighborhood Theatre is located at 511 E. 36th St. in the NoDa District.

——-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2——-

Get your laugh on at Heist Brewery this evening and come out for the September session of the Revolt Comedy Show! Sit back, relax and get ready to laugh away those Monday blues with a hilarious blend of raw and clever comedic performers hosted by The Revolt Duo — Brian O’Neil and Alex Spears! Music will be provided by Black Light the DJ. Admission is $3 and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

COMING SOON…

9/3 – Grannae’s Boyz presents Poetry on the Patio: Erotic Edition

9/4—9/7 – The Legacy Theatre Production Company presents “Forever 4 What”

9/5 — The Artist’s Way Charlotte Cohort – Fall 2019

9/5 – House Work #018 feat. That Guy Smitty, DJ A-Minor, VonFunkHauser & DJ Domii

9/6 – Reggae vs. Hip Hop – 1^st Fridays Edition

9/6 – Blow Your Head – September Edition

9/7 – WorldLit Street Food Festival

9/7 – Off The Wall: Best of the 80s, Vol. 18

9/8 – Classic Black Cinema Series presents “Cotton Comes to Harlem”

9/8 – Bueller’s Birthday Boogie – 34 1/3 RPM on Wax

9/12—9/21 – BNS Productions’ “Boys To Baghdad”

9/13 – Charlotte DOES Jamiroquai

9/14 – RELEASE! Classic & Soulful House 5^th Year Anniversary Party

9/14 – The LoveAnyway Show: Charlotte

9/18 – The Midnight Hour: Ali Shaheed Muhammad + Adrian Younge

9/19 — Ubuntu – Power of Unity – A Community Building Course

9/20 — 90’s Vibes: The Best of Hip Hop and R&B Featuring Orchestra Noir

9/21 – Art Is Life Rooftop Gala

9/21 – EmpoweHERment, Inc. Annual Teen Summit

9/25 — Short Films and Sketch Film Festival

9/26 — 4^th Annual Black Mental Health Symposium

“Human knowledge consists not only of libraries of parchment and ink – it is also comprised of the volumes of knowledge that are written on the human heart, chiselled on the human soul, and engraved on the human psyche.” ― Michael Jackson

Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.

#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst

By: Shawn D. Allison, II

THURSDAY—SATURDAY – Three Bone Theatre presents Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline”
THURSDAY— Hot Gumbo featuring Jamison Bethea at Dupp & Swat
FRIDAY – Dear Soul Music Co. presents Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop at Camp North End
FRIDAY – G-R-A-V-I-T-A-T-E at Salud Cerveceria
FRIDAY — Jeans & Throwback Jersey Party
SATURDAY – Moxie Society presents I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party feat. DJ Loui Vee
SATURDAY – Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Brunch: Labor Day WKND Edition 2019
SATURDAY – Freaquency360 LIVE: Bunny Gregory x The Black Ferris Bueller
SATURDAY – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents JUSTICE 4 ALL
SUNDAY – Vegan Vibe Music Series
SUNDAY – BlackSummer19 Teach-In Social