By Shawn D. Allison, II
We did it everyone! We made it to 2018! I hope your first few days have been awesome but now it’s time to get the first “Rundown” of the year on and poppin’ and do I have some goodies in store for you! Despite this cold weather in our midst, I’ve found a few things to keep the heat rising with vigor and fun. I’ll be hosting Mosaic Live First Friday at Mama’s Caribbean Grill on Friday so please stop on through and show some love! As for the rest of the weekend, be sure to check out the “Hot List” to see what’s really ablaze out here!
- THURSDAY – MARS Winter 2018 Co-Ed Exhibition Dodgeball at Charlotte Athletic Club
- THURSDAY – Free Train With Tam at Carole A. Hoefener Center
- FRIDAY – Mosaic Live First Fridays at Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill
- FRIDAY – Jazz N’ Soul Music presents Jemini June & The Galaxy at The Morehead Tavern
- FRIDAY – Blow Your Head at Salud Cerveceria
- SATURDAY – “The Press – Vision Board Luncheon” at Body of Christ Assembly – Charlotte
- SATURDAY – Family First Workshop Series at The Gantt Center
- SATURDAY – The JETA Team presents “Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.13 + Slow Wine Edition” at Petra’s
- SUNDAY – Documentary screening of “Sustainable” at Levine Jewish Community Center
- SUNDAY – Moxie Society presents “Sippin’ On Sundays – The January Edition” at Firehouse Bar & Lounge
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, DECEMBER 21——-
Do you desire to get in shape but need a boost of encouragement while doing so? Join my friend Tamara Jackson of Coach Tam Fitness at The Carole A. Hoefener Center this evening for the first installment of her Free Train With Tam Workout session of 2018! It is time you declare war on fat, life on medication, low energy, and long workout routines and live in the victory lane! Her sessions are short and sweet, energretic, inspiring and proven successful. Need a quick motivational boost for your health? This is the class for you! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-workout-with-coach-tam-fi… Class begins at 6:30 p.m. 615 E. 6th St. in Uptown. #265Point
MARS, LLC is back in full effect for 2018 and this time they invite you out to Charlotte Athletic Club for Winter 2018 Co-Ed Exhibition Dodgeball! Relive your days on the wooden domain back in grade school and try to pummel your opponents with regulation-sized dodgeballs—without injuring anyone of course. It’s a lot of fun, healthy competition and trust me—you will be laughing once you get hit with a ball. The exhibition match for tonight is FREE but if you want to register and play for the season, please be sure to register here: http://www.playmarsports.com. Dress comfortably and wear gym shoes. The games begin at 7 p.m. Charlotte Athletic Club is located at 101 S. Tryon St., Suite #200 in Uptown. #MARS #Funletics
This evening, join Musa Moon, LLC for a special Introduction to Essential Oils session. During this time together you will learn what essential oils are, how they work, what they are most useful for and the three best ways to use them. You will be sure to leave feeling empowered and educated on how to incorporate these oils into your everyday routine. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-essentail-oils-tickets-41568110337. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Musa Moon is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22——-
The holiday season is over and it’s back to the mundane misery known as the blues. However, The Ziad Jazz Quartet invites you out to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art this evening for Jazz At the Bechtler with a special performance entitled, “Post Holiday Blues!” Come out and hear a modern-twist interpolation of song selections including Charles Mingus’ “Noddin Ya Head Blues”, John Coltrane’s “Equinox”, Joe Henderson’s “Isotope” and more. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.bechtler.org/Learn/Events/details/jazz-at-the-bechtler-post-holiday-blues. There will be two shows: 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This evening, join C3 Lab and CLTextile to celebrate the diversity of fiber and textile creatives living in the QC as they present a brand new visual exhibition entitled, “TEXTURES!” The newly formed group, CLTextile, are educators and makers, traditional and experimental, established and novice, new to Charlotte and long-time residents whose common thread is an unraveling passion for art. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 7 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Come and enjoy a special performance at Arlington Baptist Church as the African Children’s Choir performs live for the community! Come and feel your heart become entrenched with captivation from these beautiful and multitalented youth performing some African songs and dances. This concert will also feature classic children’s melodies, traditional Black spirituals and a number of Gospel sentiments. Admission is FREE to attend but donations will be collected to ensure further support of the choir’s developmental initiatives rooted in education, care, relief and social programs. The event will begin at 7 p.m. The church is located at 9801 Arlington Church Rd. in Mint Hill.
All my fellow Hip Hop heads, I’ve got something cool for you on this Friday evening! Head out to Pangaea Tapas Bar and get ready to mellow out down memory lane as my good friend DJ Chance hosts and plays “The Classics!” Get your fix as Chance brings the hottest mix of Golden Era Hip Hop, Soul, R&B and more classic gems of yesteryear. Also, be sure to inquire the staff about meal and drink specials. Admission is FREE and the event kicks off at 9 p.m. Pangaea Tapas Bar is located at 13016 Eastfield Rd., Suite “B-100” in Huntersville.
Local grassroots initiative collective Mosaic Live returns for 2018 as they present First Fridays at Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill! This evening, bring the entire family out to engage and interact with your fellow constituents as you network, fellowship, eat and shop from local vendors, scope some art, boogie to some music and more! Your host for the evening will be quite the delight—yours truly, The Black Ferris Bueller! Admission is FREE before 10 p.m. Mama’s Caribbean Grill is located at 1504 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
The brothers of Jazz N’ Soul Music invites you to start your weekend off with a serious big bang in music theory as they proudly present Jemini June & The Galaxy! If you have never this fiercely talented queen, you are definitely in for a special treat! Jemini is definitely no amateur and she captivates you with every note she belts and every rhyme she spits, everything else becomes irrelevant once you experience her flyness! Then, be sure to stick around as DJ 300 rocks out with a dope selection of hits and oldies! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-n-soul-music-first-friday-featuring-jemini-june-and-the-galaxy-tickets-41505875190. The show starts at 9 p.m. at The Morehead Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
Some new sonic flavor is in the QC–tonight, come out to Salud Cerveceria for the January session of “Blow Your Head!” Join local musicians and cultural activists DJs Flock of Slagles and Jah Freedom spinning an entire vinyl set of Funk, Soul, Boogie, Garage, House and Rare Grooves for your listening pleasures! Also, be sure to be camera ready as renowned photographer Jonathan Cooper with be abroad snapping fun still shots throughout the night! Admission is FREE to attend and be ready to dance! The event starts at 10 p.m. Salud Cerveceria is located at 3306 N. Davidson St., Suite “C” in the NoDa District.
The Sol Kitchen invites you out to ‘Stache House Bar & Lounge this evening for the January edition of #ThankGawdIts1stFriday! Relax with some Hip Hop and R&B tunes of today and yesteryear with DJ C.K. on the wheels of steel. There will be drink specials all night long and the event jumps off at 10 p.m. Admission is FREE. ‘Stache House is located at 1520 South Blvd. #TheSolKitchen
——-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23——-
Everyone rise, shine and join Co-Learning for Action Project (CLAP) at Behailu Academy as they host a special Story Circle for Women of Color this morning. This story circle will focus on and honor the unique knowledge that women of color possess as they can offer to the various communities of Charlotte. CLAP is a popular education and cultural organizing project dedicated to providing activities and space for ordinary Charlotte residents to engage with one another, critically reflect on the issues facing their communities, and take action together for social change. They are also based on a participatory model of learning that starts with personal experience and builds shared knowledge through group activities and dialogue. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-story-circle-for-women-of-color-tickets-40964873038. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. Behailu Academy is located at 451 E. 36th St. in the NoDa District.
Come one, come all down to the Hickory Grove Library Branch this afternoon for “Explore With the Bechtler: Community, Identity and History Art-Making Workshops!” This interactive and collaborative workshop is open to people of all ages, instructed by a professional artist who will draw focuses on community, identity and history. Once the project is completed there will be a celebration welcoming all community members to engage each other along with their presented artwork. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. The library is located at 5935 Hickory Grove Rd.
It’s time for another fun afternoon at The Gantt Center as they host the January Family First Workshop Series! For today’s adventure, author Derrick Barnes and illustrator Gordon C. James will read their new award-winning book, “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” and will engage in a series of interactive portrait painting and writing workshops for high schoolers and elementary students. Please be sure to RSVP here: http://www.ganttcenter.org/calendar/family-first-january-2018/. The workshops will begin at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Hey kids, wake your parents up and bring them out to the West Boulevard Library Branch for FREE! Art & Music Workshops! Hosted and curated by The Guerilla Poets, the goal for these workshops is to empower the community through the skills they will learn and to enrich the community in culture and togetherness building stronger neighborhoods and more successful individuals. Today, your youth will get to participate in a fun Guitar/Melodies & Songwriting workshop and an ART: Figure Drawing segment. Admission is FREE and these workshops are for youth ages 10+. The first workshop begins at 11 a.m. with the second beginning at 12:30 p.m. The West Boulevard Library Branch is located at 2157 West Blvd. #GuerillaPoets
Are you anticipating and expecting better, new and different in 2018? Do you have some things that you wanted to do, but didn’t do in 2017? Have you started and never finished. If your answer is ‘yes’ to any or all of these questions, join host Carmalita Longino-Sims invites you out to out to “The Press — Vision Board Luncheon!” This Christ-centered gathering will feature four lovely professionals to help guide, instruct, educate and support you. Featuring best-selling author, speaker and life coach Lisa Santiago-McNeill, real estate agent Nykole Wyatt, nutrition and dietary coach Teresa Jones and home ownership educator Jameela Ewell. Admission is $20 per person and the tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-press-vision-board-luncheon-tickets-41416421632. The event will begin at 12 noon at Body of Christ Assembly – Charlotte. 718 Montana Dr.
Join founder, owner and creative Jermaine Nakia Lee as he invites you to celebrate NoDa@28th Creative Arts Studios One-Year Anniversary! Enjoy a day full of tasty treats including a complimentary catered lunch, live entertainment from songstress Thia Reynolds and crooner Brandon Stevens, West African drumming, DJ Spinn on the 1s and 2s, prize giveaways and much more! Admission is FREE and open to the public. The party starts at 1 p.m. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
This afternoon, The Deltas of Charlotte invite you out for the #WeGotFilms Student Stories Film Showcase! This is a great opportunity to view short films which are conceived, written, produced and directed by local college students. Each attendee will have the opportunity to engage in brief film discussions, enjoy refreshments and help The Deltas decide the student winner who’ll be announced at the upcoming 15th Annual Legacy of Black Women Film Showcase on Friday, January 12. The films are catered to high school and college students (rated PG-13) with mature content covering topics of race and gender identity. Admission is FREE but donations are always accepted. The showcase will begin at 3 p.m. at The Delta Center. 5408 Beatties Ford Rd.
Ladies, it’s time to shake things up and get on down with the funk because the Bootiful Fitness Tour is coming to town! Curated and choreographed by certified trainers, you will exhibit and learn different workouts and dance moves to give yourselves that “bootiful” body you’ve always dreamed of! Start your 2018 off the right way in healthy rhythm! Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bootiful-fitness-tour-tickets-41698604649. The class will begin at 6 p.m. at MoveStudio Charlotte. 1111 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Also at MoveStudio Charlotte, join YourSocialAnimal Co. as they host their second Caribbean Dance Mix class this evening! Filled with a mixture of fitness, hi-energy music and dance, the Caribbean Dance Mix was designed to help women feel confident and strong. This is not your typical dance class; think of it as a girls night out with a purpose–fun, sexy, challenging with powerful dance/fitness techniques that will bring your confidence to a level you thought you couldn’t reach. Also, they’ve even added a splash of wine to stir things up! Having fun is their top priority! Please be sure to dress comfortably in dance/fitness attire. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caribbean-dance-mix-charlotte-tickets-41001125470. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. 1111 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
It’s time to celebrate 2018 in true House fashion so everyone head down to The Morehead Tavern for the January installment of RELEASE! Classic & Soulful House Party! The Deep House Providers (DJ’s Marcus Wade, Gary “Jackmaster” Wallace, Tony Cutlass, Badala B) are ready to rock your body and send your soul into a frenzy as they give you nothing but that deep, soulful, raw, hard-hitting House music all night long! Admission is $10 all night long and the party starts at 9 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
It may be 2018, but the mighty JETA Team is ready to take you back in time at Petra’s with another funky and retro round o’ sound with “Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.13 + Slow Wine Edition!” Join DJ Aking Allah and DJ Justice as they take you on a ride with all the fly jams between 1980 through 1989! From Public Enemy to Billy Joel, Run-DMC to Whitney Houston, Prince, The Jacksons, Eric B. & Rakim, Duran Duran, S.O.S. Band, Beastie Boys, Kraftwerk and much, much, more flyness! Then, be sure to stick around as the music slows down as your two sound craftsmen provide a delightful arsenal of slow jams for you and your partner to groove to. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! 9 p.m. Admission is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #TheJETATeam
——-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24——-
This morning, bring the family over to the Levine Jewish Community Center for a special screening of the documentary, “Sustainable.” This cinematic eye-opener is a vital investigation of the economic and environmental instability of America¹s food system, from the agricultural issues we face (soil loss, water depletion, climate change, pesticide use) to the community of leaders who are determined to fix it. ”Sustainable” is a film about the land, the people who work it and what must be done to sustain it for future generations. Tickets for JCC members is $5 and $8 for nonmembers. The event will begin at 10 a.m. 5007 Providence Rd.
Calling all hairstylists—head over to Hunny Bun Virgin Hair and get ready for a special workshop entitled, “Braided to Perfection: Braiding for Extension Installations” this afternoon. You and several others will learn the basics to braiding the hair down prior to installing extensions. Participants will understand the different braiding and sewing styles based on the final look and learn how to safely secure the hair without damaging the scalp. This two-hour workshop will feature a live demonstration while listening and participating in an open discussion on techniques and industry tips. For attending this workshop, this will also include a special one-day-only 20% discount for all bundles and combos for participants. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/braided-to-perfection-braiding-for-extension-installations-tickets-40949647498. The event will begin at 2 p.m. Hunny Bun Virgin Hair is located at 3720 N. Tryon St.
The lovely Summer Lucille of Material Girl Life Productions is hosting a Plus-Size Model Call for her specialized Juicy Body Goddess garment line. Please visit this link for all model requirements of today’s audition process: https://juicybodygoddess.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fmodelcall. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will be held at Material Girl Hair. 5015 N. Tryon St., Suite #114. #MGLife
Do you need a fresh method to release life’s problems and get yourself realigned? Join Ms. Eternity Philops at Queen City Yoga Studio as she hosts “Sacred Soul Yoga: Beginner Basics.” This particular flow explores common Yoga poses one step at a time. These casual and shame-free classes focus on executing proper and safe physical alignment, finding the best position for your unique body, and answering your questions about Yoga. Students will also be introduced to foundational Yoga philosophies and breathing exercises. The ultimate goal of these sessions is to help students build their confidence in creating their own personal Yoga practice. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sacred-soul-yoga-beginner-basics-registration-40109053258. The class will begin at 3 p.m. Queen City Yoga Studio is located at 8514 McAlpine Park Dr., Suite #125.
Moxie Society invites you out to Firehouse Bar & Lounge to cap off your weekend with, Sippin On Sundays – the January Edition! Relax in this snazzy Uptown QC venue with delicious food, drink specials, hookah and music from DJ Louie Vee giving the hottest R&B and Hip Hop joints of today and yesteryear! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sippin-on-sundays-january-edition-tickets-41422664304. The event begins at 4 p.m. Firehouse Bar & Lounge is located at 320 W. Carson St. in Uptown. #MoxieSociety
COMING SOON…
1/13 – 1/15 – MLK Day Celebration Weekend
1/14 – Classic Black Cinema Series presents “Losing Ground”
1/20 – Black Girls Gather: Charlotte
1/26 – 2018 PRIDE Awards & 25th Anniversary Celebration
1/27 – The Sound – Christian Open Mic Returns….
2/3 – Gantt Center Community Exhibition Opening
2/3 – 2018 Queen City Black Business Expo
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst