By Shawn D. Allison, II
Greetings Brothers and Sisters! I hope you all have had a wonderful week. But here we are, free at last – until Monday, at least. Hip Hop is in full effect in the QC this weekend so be sure to catch some fresh vibes from all the fly rhymesayers on the scene. But before I hit you with the dope mixes, check out all the other hotness brewing up in the QC this weekend on my Hot List!
- THURSDAY – Mosaic Live presents Bars & Beats
- FRIDAY – Black Food Truck Fridays “Summer Music Tour Series”
- FRIDAY — G-R-A-V-I-T-A-T-E at Salud Cerveceria
- FRIDAY – Radio Rehab Carolinas & We Are Stereotypez presents HELLA COLLAB at Crown Station
- SATURDAY – I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party
- SATURDAY – Bars, Bands & Brews Dumb Summer Jam
- SATURDAY – Freedom Jazz Series
- SATURDAY – Stay With Me feat. Goldie & Black Linen
- SATURDAY – Su Casa: The July Edition
- SUNDAY – 2019 Straight Ahead Jazz Series feat. Fred Wesley
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, JULY 25——-
Sit back and enjoy an artistic vibe for a special Thursday evening coolout, Mosaic Live presents Bars & Beats! Join your lovely host, writer and poet Tiffany Brown as she curates this wondrous showcase of open mic talents adding an element of eclectic ease for your senses this evening. Whether you’re a visual artist, poet, vocalist, instrumentalist, drummer or whatever creative art that is within your soul, come and showcase it to the world! Also, be sure to stick around for a touch of sonic assurance and soulful adjusting from Guardians of the Groove performing LIVE! Admission is FREE to attend. Open mic sign up and the event will begin at 6 p.m. at Toucan Louie’s. 2753 Rozzelle’s Ferry Rd.
Sir Abstraxxx is ready to start your weekend off right with a special installment of the increasingly popular Eclectic Soul Sessions! Tonight’s episode entitled “The Afro-Caribbean Edition” will feature a tropical vibe filled with exotic and lush lyricsm from the host, guest poets and whoever else feels inspired to add to this sultry tropical atmosphere. Eats will be provided by Chef Chianti and DJ Blanco will be spinning a sonic blend of Afrobeats, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, Hip Hop, R&B and much more! Admission is FREE. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at QC Social Lounge. 300 N. College St. in Uptown.
——FRIDAY, JULY 26——-
Calling all rising 9th to 12th grade students – the Urban Education Collaborative and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library invites you out you to the Bigger Than High School Forum this morning. This interactive on-campus experience which exposes and challenges students to think bigger and beyond high school in the pursuit of college and careers. There will be an admissions presentation, campus tour, a scholarship writing workshop, mentoring session and a student panel discussion. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: http://thecollaborative.uncc.edu. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at UNCC Main Campus. 9601 University City Blvd.
Bring your entire tribe down to The Gantt Center this afternoon for a very special creative arts workshop! Come and be part of the Fine Art Fridays Family-Friendly Workshops! Today’s session will feature a special Jazz Dance course. Come move and discover your hidden talents in this unique workshop as we explore Jazz moves and groves that will keep you and your family coming back for more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fine-art-fridays-jazz-dance-family-friendly-workshop-tickets-66516080387. The sessions will begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Put some funk in your Friday and head down to Cuzzo’s Cuisine as Black Business Owners of Charlotte kicks off Summer 2019 with the Summer Music Tour Black Food Truck Fridays! Get ready for some more community fun as you bring all your friends and family out for an evening of community while you dine from some of the city’s finest and most delicious Chocolate culinary chariots! Also, be sure to scoop up some cool fashions and trinkets from local vendors, enter in raffles to win cool prizes and get down on the good foot to the sounds of DJ Steel Wheel with a special mix of Hip Hop from all eras! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 5 p.m. Cuzzo’s Cuisine is located at 3418 Tuckaseegee Rd.
Join online and social media initiative and podcast The Convo L&E as they invite out you for The Conversation Game Night this evening! It’s a battle of wits and skills as you team up with your friends and figures from the group in this night of endless fun featuring dozens of games, eats, treats and cocktails! This event also serves as an opportunity to collect back to school supplies and donations for The CJB Reid Foundation’s 1st Annual Back To School Drive which will be given to students in need. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/game-night-back-to-school-drive-donations-tickets-65433235569. Everyone is encouraged to bring school supplies. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. at Wild Wing Café. 2132 Ayrsley Town Blvd.
If you want to chill in the midst of all the Friday thrills, head over to The Mint Museum for an evening gathering entitled “Artists Respond: Under Construction.” Fifteen artists are ready to put their minds and creativity to work as they respond to the current exhibition at the museum, “Under Construction.” This multisensory showcase will feature an explorative tour, an artist chat with some funked-out frequencies from Quentin Talley & The Soul Providers! Admission is $7.50 per person. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Mint Museum is located at 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Put your minds at ease and head down to Revive Church for The Sound Christian Open Mic: Homecoming Night! Tonight’s installment celebrates 4 years of 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 an all-new 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 in motion and join the lovely choreographer and dancer Ife Michelle as she hosts a special dance class entitled “The Nightcap!” Ladies, bring a towel, bring your friends and bring your heels out to this class designed to set the mood as you strut and slide with some sensual and scintillating dance techniques in heels. Admission is $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased through Cash App: $IfeMichelle. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Allure Dance Creations. 3000 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood 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, the beautiful Sweet Baby Kita and opening act T. Springs! 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-65421721129. 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.
The coolest crew known as Radio Rehab Carolinas is back one mo’ gin in conjunction with our family We Are Stereotypez presenting another episode of the city’s hottest Hip Hop jam & networking session, Sounds N’ Sixteens presents HELLA COLLAB! Step into the zone and gear your ears to the stage as a collective of the QC’s hottest up-and-coming producers, MCs, beatsmiths and musicians collaborate in an evening of pure, unfiltered Hip Hop energy! Tonight’s features include: Davy Brown, Ghost3eyes, Vinny Knuckles, Walt B3, Ced Wynz and Loot-Tenant Trax. Music will be provided by The Mighty DJ DR and will be hosted by Earl Grey and DJ SPK. Admission is $5 per person. The jump off is at 10 p.m. at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——-SATURDAY, JULY 27——-
Get ready for the grand return of Charlotte’s best brunch experience as Moxie Society welcomes you out for some new hotness at the I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party! Same festive Saturday flavor but now in a different neck of the Carolina woods – join one of the OC’s hottest entertainment firms as they fill your day with some of that cultural coolness with an revamped Southern-inspired brunch menu, mimosas, cocktail specials and fly 90s Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae tunes from the lovely DJ Micki Blendz! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-still-love-the-90s-grand-opening-brunch-tickets-65564117039. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Recess Charlotte. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood. #MoxieSociety #TheArtOfTheDayParty
Charlotte! It’s time to feel the rhythm this afternoon as Ife Michelle Dance, Inc. invites you to be part of the National Day of Dance! Start your Saturday off on an energetic note with a variety of styles guaranteed to get your body movin’ and groovin’ to some dope soundtracks! Sessions include a Deep Stretch & Conditioning class by Noelle Arje, Dance Fitness feat. Bodies By Black, Hip Hop-style dance class with Twin Nation, contemporary/modern dance with, a special Heels Dance session with Ife Michelle and a Majorette Dance with Coach Jytavia. There will also be a special after party for all with an open floor to showcase your skills. The 30-minute sessions are $5 each, 1-hour sessions are $10, 2 class combo for $7 and a 3 class combo for $5 each. Admission for the after party is $10 for general public and $5 for class attendees. Fees can be paid at the door or through Cash App: $IfeMichelle. The festivities will begin at 12 noon. 4116 N. Tryon St.
Prive’ Marketing Group and The Open Book Foundation invites you to step out in style this Saturday as they proudly present Colours: A Seers & Sundress Day Party! These two collectives have connected once again to raise the bar for Summer 2019 by creating an experience you just can’t miss. This relaxed, yet chic and colorful atmosphere along with friends, great music and weather, help make the QC even more beautiful. This event is benefitting TOFB’s continuous fight against illiteracy. Proceeds from this event will be donated to TOBF to fund their upcoming literacy programs for the 2019-2020 school year. Ladies, find the most vibrant sundress and pair of stilettos to wear. Gentlemen are asked to wear collared shirts however, seersucker suits/jackets, linen, bowties are requested, not required. Sounds will be provided by DJ Tramare and DJ Deron Juan. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/colours-annual-seersuckers-and-sundress-day-party-tickets-57988666663. The party starts at 3 p.m. at Ink & Ivy. 222 S. Church St. in Uptown.
This afternoon, Moxie Society invites you out for a special milestone at their 8th Anniversary Celebration Party! It’s time to toast as we honor this organization who has brought some of the most fun and sophisticated events to the QC with a day full of more nonstop fun, flavor, cocktails and an energetic mix of music from Charlotte’s own B-Man! This year come and party with a purpose as they will donate a portion of the event proceeds to The Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moxie-societys-8th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-64427574610. The party starts at 4 p.m. at Firehouse Bar & Lounge. 320 W. Carson St. in Uptown.
Hip Hop is alive and well in Charlotte and tonight, catch a trip and watch the mic get ripped at the Bars, Bands & Brews Dumb Summer Jam! Grab your crew, grab some brews as some of the city’s hottest cats drop lyrical clues on the stage with some riveting creative energy! Feel the funk from Phaze Gawd, A Man With Antlers, Nige Hood, VvG, Eli, Ghost3Eyes and much more! Sounds will be provided by DJ Hollywood. Admission is $5 and the dumbness starts at 5 p.m. at The Unknown Brewing Co. 1327 S. Mint St. near Uptown.
Grab your friends, grab your lawn chairs and grab a comfortable spot to sit because it’s time to enjoy the beauty of nature and the spirit of the Freedom Jazz Series! Back for Summer 2019, come and experience the vibrant smooth jazz sounds guaranteed to transcend your heart and soul with a rousing cultural warmth and peace. Today’s featured beacons of sound, love and light are nationally-known keyboardist and arranger Marcus Johnson and the triumphant trumpet of Willie Bradley. There will be local eats and fresh craft brews available to enhance your experience. Presented by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and hosted by the lovely Jazz Diva, Tammy Greene. FREE admission. 6 p.m. at Freedom Park. 1900 East Blvd. in the Dilworth Neighborhood.
This evening, one of the QC’s most creative MCs invites you to a special chill out at Dupp & Swat as the great Black Linen proudly presents “Stay With Me!” Come and lounge as lyrics and positive vibes fill the flow of pure Hip Hop energy as Goldie performs some of his newest material as well as some classics from his back catalog! Hosted by Black Linen. Admission is FREE to attend. The jump off is at 6:30 p.m. Dupp & Swat is located inside Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave.
P31 Productions invites you to the Little Rock Cultural Center as they proudly present their newest stage piece entitled, “Bad Manners At the Dinner Table.” Written by Renee Necole, it’s the story of Denise—a young woman who explains the ups and downs of life that landed her in the lowest place ever. Denise pleads with the audience to help her solve the age old tale of “who done it” as she quests to find the sin who waged her death. Meet her sins as they round table to discover who the culprit is. Listen to the pleas from Greed, Envy, Lust, Sloth, Wrath, Pride and Gluttony as they try to convince the audience that they are innocent. This is an interactive stage play that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and brings some of their very own truths to light when they find out what happens when you invite your sins to dinner. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Doors open at 6:30 and the show will begin promptly at 7 p.m. 401 N. Myers St. in Uptown.
They came through the door, they said it before, they’ll never let the mic magnetize them no more—because it’s bitin’ them and fightin’ them but invitin’ you out to The Fillmore to see Eric B. & Rakim performing LIVE! Everyone get your gear from Dapper Dan, fresh kicks from Foot Locker and a huge dookie gold rope chain and feel the energy from arguably Hip Hop’s most influential duo performing all their classics! Tickets can be purchased here: https://concerts1.livenation.com/event/0E005462C6BFE516. Doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 p.m. The Fillmore is located at 820 Hamilton St. in the NC Music Factory.
Fill your souls up with some funk from the speakers as DJ Unspok3n, Platinum Plus Ent. and Unfair Apparel invites you out to Plaza-Midwood Tattoo for House Party Pt. II! It’s time to hang lose as one of Charlotte’s hottest, up-and-coming DJs rocks the house with a special blend of classic Hip Hop, R&B, House, Reggae, Pop, Soul, Funk and much, much more! Also, be sure to grab some eats from the kitchen – the food is absolutely amazing! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dj-unspok3n-house-party-ii-tickets-64166451584. The get down starts at 10 p.m. 2825 Central Ave.
Classic Hip Hop flavor blast from the past into today as 5 Boroughs Ent. proudly presents Nostalgic 90’s: Hip Hop Edition feat. MC Serch! Get your gas face ready as the frontman of legendary Hip Hop group 3rd Bass, MC Serch rips and rocks the stage performing all of their hits, solo joints and much more! There will also be some more lyrical steeze in the place to be from local rhymesayers Shadow the MC, Keyza Soulsay and DJ A-Minor on the 1s and 2s! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/90shiphopmcsercheventbritecom-tickets-64872531488. The event starts at 9 p.m. at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
More classic Hip Hop is in the QC tonight as Stats Restaurant & Lounge proudly presents Charlotte Legendary Nights feat. Slick Rick The Ruler! Step out in style in one of the city’s finest lounges and bask in the glory of Hip Hop royalty as one of our culture’s greatest storytellers, Slick Rick, drops his classic from the speakers to your ears in a night of musical magic! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/slick-rick-legendary-nights-fri-july-26-stats-tickets-64646158400. There will be drink/meal specials running all night long. The jam starts at 9 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
Alright everyone. It’s time for one of Charlotte’s favorite underground culture jams—everyone head out to Petra’s for the July edition of Su Casa! Get down and on the good foot with residents DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel or an evening of nonstop dancing set to the tripped out rhythms of Afrobeat, Soca, Reggae, Funk, Dancehall, House and lots of other sonic goodness! Admission is $10 all night long. The event begins at 10 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——-SUNDAY, JULY 28——-
OutenLove Events and Black Singles in CLT invites you to come and remember when romance and music blended like your favorite cocktail at the Rhythm N’ Booze Brunch & Day Party this afternoon! Bring your friends out to enjoy some delectable delicacies, drink specials, live music from the lovely DJ Micki Blendz dropping all the hottest R&B jams and ballads from today and yesteryear. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhythm-n-booze-brunch-day-party-tickets-66226245483. The event will begin at 12 noon at Explict Bistro & Lounge. 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Put some soul in your Sunday and head over to CPCC Main Campus for the July installment of the 2019 Straight-Ahead Jazz Series! Hosted and played by A Sign of the Times, come celebrate jazz—the “gift” our culture gave to America. This event will include a free jazz workshop where they explain the basics of playing the ‘Blues and Rhythm’ changes and a special interactive performance featuring some notable straight-ahead jazz classics from jazz masters of yesteryear and a special performance from Funk legend Fred Wesley! Admission is $5 per person and tickets can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-straight-ahead-jazz-serie…. The event begins promptly at 3 p.m. inside Tate Hall, Halton Performing Arts Building at CPCC Main Campus. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.
End your weekend on a soulful note and join BRAVE Entertainment as they proudly present THE SESSION feat. Tweet this evening! This Sunday cool-down will bring the heat as the stage will be set on fire with opening acts and hometown heroes, DJ Fannie Mae, The Hamiltones, Cyanca and The XMEN! Then be sure to stick around as the gorgeous multi-award-winning Tweet gives a live performance! You don’t want to miss this! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-session-tickets-63392022245. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Heist Brewery. 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
COMING SOON…
8/1 – Dapper Street Productions presents Color of Jazz – The XMen play Robert Glasper
8/2 — Black Kaleidoscope: Artist Exhibit
8/2 — Jazz At The Hut – Featuring Nicci Canada
8/3 – Off The Wall – The Annual Michael Jackson Tribute
8/3 – Play MARSports presents TURF WARS
8/3 – Bree Stallings presents Yummy Lines: Getting Over The Fear of Drawing Workshop
8/4 — Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Brunch: Hello Summer, Vol. 3
8/5 – Revolt Comedy Show #10
8/7 – Kenya Templeton’s Birthday Concert
8/10 — Adrian Crutchfield’s Private Party
Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst