The Rundown of Things to Do: Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, May 5

By Shawn D. Allison, II 

Shawn Allison shares all the places you’ll wanna be in the Queen City.

What’s up everyone? The week is complete and now it’s time to make a few weekend rounds with “The Rundown!” There’s TONS to get into this weekend and with Cinco De Mayo in the lineup, things are sure to turn into a fiesta! I’ve got quite a bit of things lined up on my agenda and if you desire to tag along with me, check out what I got lined up on my “Hot List!”

 

  • THURSDAY–SATURDAY – The Charlotte Jazz Festival 2019
  • THURSDAY—SUNDAY – Charlotte SHOUT 2019
  • FRIDAY – Black Food Truck Friday at West Charlotte High School
  • FRIDAY – 2019 UT Awards
  • FRIDAY – Blow Your Head: May Edition at Snug Harbor
  • SATURDAY – Moving Spirits African Diaspora Dance Workshop at The Gantt Center
  • SATURDAY – Ethiopian Cultural Festival at The International House
  • SATURDAY – USB Roulette at Tip Top Daily Market
  • SATURDAY – Pick A Hood, Help ‘Em Read Good Community Gathering
  • SATURDAY – HOUSE MUSIC 2019 Spring Euphoria Charlotte
  • SATURDAY – Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V. 17 at Petra’s
  • SUNDAY – Sippin’ On Sundays – Cinco De Mayo Edition
  • SUNDAY – Sweet Honey in the Rock 45th Anniversary Tour

 

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, MAY 2——-

It’s time to stand up and shout with the all-new Charlotte SHOUT ready to rock the Queen City this week! Come and experience a myriad of multisensory art and music showcases, live/pop-up performances, functions, FUNKtions and much more! For the FULL list of events, figures, venues and times, please visit: http://www.charlotteshout.com

Gather your friends and get ready for the The Charlotte Jazz Festival 2019! Come experience a FULL WEEK of nonstop jazz performances featuring a blend of local and globally-renowned jazz instrumentalists, ensembles, bands, vocalists and more! Performance schedules, event info, artist bios, ticket purchases can be found here: https://www.blumenthalarts.org/

For some more jazz flavor, join Dapper Street Productions, Inc. as they proudly present Color of Jazz – Mia Thompson Sings Lizz Wright! Hailing from Winston-Salem, Mia Thompson’s voice captivates with a soothing richness layered with dexterity and artful love. Today, she’ll be performing classic covers from the mighty Lizz Wright as well as some improvised surprises from other vocal jazz standards. FREE admission. 6 p.m. at Mallard Creek Rec Center.

This evening, The Carolina Farm Trust cordially invites you to the 2nd Annual Night at the Museum Social. The purpose of this event is to benefit the development of The Urban Farm at Aldersgate — a nonprofit collaborative and urban farm initiative to address food insecurity in east Charlotte and beyond and establish the Urban Farm Network. Tonight, you will experience seven delectable and eclectic dishes from seven of the area finest culinary maestros, fresh brews from Resident Culture Brewing Co., creative cocktails from a mixologist, an assortment of wines from a local vineyard and live music from Darby Wilcox & the Peep Show. Tickets can be purchased here: https://tickets.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=efc53ca56049b374b01771ca43ffa41a&vqitq=63279baf-2795-4d4f-bf58-bc2ddafeae05&vqitp=b9093749-9b90-4c3b-a996-639e2a9ebac5&vqitts=1556818936&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=318808f6c505732f529b16e3987862e5. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at The Levine Museum of the New South. 200 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Thursdays are for relaxing, entertainment, food, drinks and time well spent with your friends and tonight, slide down to Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar for the That’s My Jam Open Mic session! Join host El Lambert Events as they set the mood for you and your crew of professionals as you enjoy some local talents extend their skills of vocals and instrumentals in R&B, Soul, Jazz and spoken word. Admission is FREE all night long and there will be plenty of drink and meal specials available. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

——FRIDAY, MAY 3——-

Everyone shift your noses and stomachs into 5th gear and head down to Sycamore Brewing because it’s time once again for Food Truck Friday – Cinco De Mayo Edition! Let your olfactory senses steer you to one or many of Charlotte’s colorful culinary automobiles with each having a special Mexican-inspired menu to add more flavor and fun to this fiesta! Admission is FREE. The fellowshipping and feasting begins at 5 p.m. Sycamore Brewing is located at 2161 Hawkins St. in Historic South End.

Get ready for some more community fun as Black Business Owners of Charlotte (BBOC) and American Cancer Society invites you out to another installment of Black Food Truck Friday! Bring all your friends and family out for an evening of fun as you dine from some of the city’s finest and most delicious Chocolate culinary chariots, scoop up some cool fashions and trinkets from local vendors, have chances to win cool prizes and get down on the good foot to the sounds of DJ Steel Wheel! Also, you’ll get to be abreast of awareness relating to the alarming disparities being seen by African-Americans in relation to cancer diagnosis and morbidity. Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 6 p.m. at West Charlotte High School. 2219 Senior Dr.

The time has come to honor greatness in the Queen City and tonight come one, come all out to the 2019 UT Awards! Presented by Urban Tymes Magazine, this sophisticated soiree centers around highlighting and honoring figures in the city who have made their creative mark through passion, persistence and positive production in various fields of cultural progression. There will be live performances from Diktator, Nitara ” Songstress” Reaves, Jme Brown and DJ Ninja Kydd! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2019-ut-awards-tickets-606…. Dress to impress and be encouraged to network with one another. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Freedom Lounge. 3148 Freedom Dr.

Jazz N’ Soul Music invites you out for a soulful evening at Loft & Cellar as they proudly present Soul Sessions featuring Gena Chambers! Come and feel relaxing and invigorating tunes put your ears at ease on this Friday night. Ms. Chambers’ voice is both soothing and powerful as she is able to intertwine in a variety of styles and deliver a phenomenal performance every time she sets foot on stage! Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gena-chambers-a-night-of-jazz-soul-and-song-fri-may-3rd-7p-and-930p-the-loft-and-cellar-tickets-59420461199. There will be two performances at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.

It’s a NYC affair at STATS Restaurant & Bar this Friday night and you need to gather your crew, colleagues, co-workers and cousins and come come out for Charlotte First Fridays feat Mr. Cheeks Live! Queens, NYC touches down in the Queen City as legendary MC Mr. Cheeks of The Lost Boyz rocks the stage performing all of the classic hits from the group and solo projects! Then, be sure to get your boogie on with sounds powered by DJ Freedom aka Mr. Energy and my brother DJ Chance rockin’ nothing but the hotness on the 1s & 2s! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/str8classics-clt-first-fridays…. The party starts at 9 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

If you want to experience some different sonic flavor this Friday night, come out to Snug Harbor for Blow Your Head – The May Edition! My good brothers of Blow Your Head, Flock of Slagles and Jah Freedom will be spinning an entire vinyl set of Funk, Soul, Boogie, Garage, House and Rare Grooves for your listening pleasures! Admission is FREE to attend and be ready to dance! The event starts at 10 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

The Sol Kitchen is back to provide some electric relaxation this evening at ‘Stache House with the May installment of #ThankGawdits1stFriday! Sound provider and Charlotte staple DJ Ngenius will spin the best of today’s and yesterday’s Hip Hop and R&B grooves. Admission is FREE. 10 p.m. ‘Stache House is located at 1520 South Blvd. in Historic South End. #TheSolKitchen

  

——-SATURDAY, MAY 4——-

Come celebrate National Agriculture Week at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market this morning! Vendors and farmers alike will be showcasing how agriculture plays an important role in our everyday lives presenting a variety of meats, dairy, honey, plants, cut flowers, beeswax and soy candles, wooded products, goats milk soap and much more. Admission is FREE and the marketplace opens at 8 a.m. 1801 Yorkmont Rd.

It’s time to lose yourselves in the beauty of nature at the HOUSE MUSIC 2019 Spring Euphoria Charlotte! Bring your family, friends, whistles and tambourines out for a day full of hard-hittin’ House, Deep House, R&B, Downtempo, Soul and Funk tunes piloted by a slew of renowned DJs and MORE surpsrises! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/housemusic-2019-spring-euphori…. This event is presented by The Charlotte HOUSE Movement. Coolers, chairs, tents and food is permissible to bring with you. The event starts at 11 a.m. at Hornets Nest Park. 6301 Beatties Ford Rd.

This morning at The Gantt Center, bring the entire family down for the Moving Spirits African Diaspora Dance Workshop! African Diaspora dances explore movements inspired by the Yoruba, Angola, Nago and Akan people of West Africa. These cultures represent a wide range of descendants of Africa that were brought to the Americas as enslaved people. Through the education of African diaspora forms in movement, these workshops curated by choreographer Tamara Williams of Moving Spirits, Inc. will expose participants to African derived dance forms from the United States, Cuba, and Brazil that are foundational to the history and development of American cultures. Tickets can be purchased here: https://give.ganttcenter.org/checkout/10528. The event will begin at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Bring the entire tribe down to the International House and come out for Charlotte’s first-ever Ethopian Cultural Festival! Experience the beauty, richness, cuisine, customs, culture, music and food of one of the Earth’s oldest civilizations on the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia. Tickets can be purchased here: https://tesfaethiopia.ecwid.com/2019-CLT-Ethiopian-Culture-Festival-p134006553. All ages are welcome. The event will begin at 12 noon. The International House is located at 1817 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Also at The Gantt Center this afternoon, gather some voyeuristic photographic knowledge at the Smartphone Storytellers: Intro to Photography for Smartphones Workshop. Let’s talk about Smartphoneography (smart phone photography)! Learn how to take professional-level photos with the tap of a smartphone in this introductory photography course led by artist Chris Charles. Gain insight on the basic principles of photography and a crash-course introduction to lighting, composition and editing images. It is recommended that you bring your own equipment and make sure your phones are fully charged. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://give.ganttcenter.org/checkout/10494. The event will begin at 12 noon. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Ladies, Ensoul Media Network invites you out to be inspired and empowered at the I AM Worthy: Self Love Workshop this afternoon. Release your doubts and reclaim your worth in this afternoon dedicated to releasing insecurities. Host Ohavia Phillips will guide you into this afternoon of rediscovery and you’ll be able to gain some creative wisdom from activist and Dupp & Swat co-owner Davita Galloway. There will also be a journal session sponsored by Charlotte socialite, Vivian Page, and therapist Stephanie Davis based out of Houston, Texas. Facilitators will work with you through discussion topics to help you improve areas of your life and a brunch will be provided by Rabbit Food CLT. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-am-worthy-self-love-workshop-tickets-55000178013. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at Londa’s Events & Catering. 1520 West Blvd.

This afternoon, experience love and community in one of Charlotte’s most vibrant neighborhoods at NoDa Day in May! This street festival promotes local artists in the QC and more specifically in NoDa. There will be over 40 artist and vendors to shop from, food trucks to satisfy your stomachs and tunes from local DJs to keep you dancing the day away! A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Crisis Assistance Ministries and they will also be on hand taking donations of clothing and gently used articles. Admission is FREE and the entire family is welcome! The fun starts at 1 p.m. and will the epicenter of the festival will be N. McDowell St. and E. 35th St. in the NoDa District.

This afternoon, join Bisi Learning Village and give back at the “Pick A Hood, Help ‘Em Read Good” Community Gathering. As part of the Village Literacy Initiative, this program is geared towards getting young Black children involved in literacy with fun, enriching and empowering methods. All are welcome to participate. Books can be donated as well. For more info, please call Bisi at (704)-303-0942 or send an e-mail to: bisilearningvillage@gmail.com. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the intersection of E. 28th & Pine St. in the Dillehay Courts Neighborhood.

This afternoon, head over to Tip Top Daily Market and join my homie Sweetestcape for another edition of the increasingly popular USB Roulette! This interactive and organic showcase will feature four of the QC’s hottest sound selectors — Alan Ospina, Probably Will, DJ You and host Sweetestcape as they journey into the unknown regions of each other’s USB hard drive and construct their very own set from random music downloads and files. Each DJ will rotate until all have played. Select > Insert > Groove > Repeat. Come witness this awesome experience all for the low price of $FREE.99! The jump off is at 2pm. 2909 The Plaza.

Get a taste of South Florida at Stats Restaurant & Bar and come out for the 15th Annual Miami Nights All-White Affair! Mr. 305 Entertainment is ready to give you a taste of his hometown in an all-out, all-white party featuring DJ Shaun Nyce aka The Blend King on the wheels of steel! Gather your girls and guys in your best all-white outfit and com party it up with a festive mix of music, cocktails, dancing and food specials! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/miamis-15th-annual-birthday-celebration-all-white-affair-tickets-59149260029. The party starts at 9 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

The House don’t stop this evening because it’s time for an extra jolt of sonic juice at the Release Classic and Soulful After-Party feat. Barbara Tucker w/ DJ Q! Get down on the good foot with Jackmaster Gary Wallace, DJ Tony Smith, DJ Corey Hanks giving you ALL that funky classic and soulful House music flavor and a SPECIAL live performance from the Queen of House, Barbara Tucker and DJ Q! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-queen-of-house-barbara-tuc…. The party starts at 10 p.m. at NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studios. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

It’s 2019, but this Saturday night, The JETA Team invites you to go back in time in a special retro round o’ sound with one of their most anticipated jam sessions — Off the Wall “Best of the 80’s V.17”! Join three of Charlotte’s finest on the wheels of steel Chief Rocka Aking Allah, Soul Brother DJ Justice and the lovely lady with the ill techniques on the Technics 1200, DJ DK as they give your earholes memories of the greatest tunes of our generation in the culture-defining decade, the 1980s! — From Billy Joel to Public Enemy, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, The Jacksons, Tears For Fears, 52nd Street, Kashif, Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, NWA, Stetsasonic, MC Lyte, Lionel Richie, Stephanie Mills, David Bowie, Mantronix, Prince, Sade and MUCH more! Admission is $5 before 10 p.m. and $10 after. The jump off is at 9 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

——-SUNDAY, MAY 5——-

Slide out to Cuzzo’s Cuisine 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 $16 per carryout order and $21 per dine-in reservation. The buffet will run from 12 noon – 5 p.m. 3418 Tuckaseegee Rd.

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 and friends 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.

Moxie Society invites you out to Firehouse Bar & Lounge on this cool Sunday afternoon as they host, “Sippin’ On Sundays – Cinco De Mayo Edition!” Relax in this fly Uptown QC venue with delicious food, drink specials, hookah, fresh-rolled stogies, music from DJ Tramare and celebrate the festive atmosphere in the city! Admission is FREE but if you’re interested in VIP seating, please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sippin-on-sundays-cinco-de-mayo-edition-feat-dj-tramare-tickets-60291519558. The event begins at 4 p.m. Firehouse Bar & Lounge is located at 320 W. Carson St. in Uptown.

Ladies, bring a towel, bring your friends and bring your heels out to the Heel Couture Dance Class this evening! Get in your sexy stance and learn some sensual and scintillating dance techniques from Rhythmic Groovement’s dance instructor Devante Terrell. These moves are featured in the dance videos by Aliya Janell, Yanis Marshall and other notable dancers and choreographers that can be purposeful for yourself or that special someone! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heel-couture-class-by-rhythmatic-groovement-tickets-61012762816. This event is presented by Lioness Business Group Productions. The class will begin at 7 p.m. at 514 E. 15th St. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

This evening, come to Spirit Square and experience a rich taste of cultural sweetness in song at the Sweet Honey in the Rock 45th Anniversary Tour! Sweet Honey in the Rock remains among the most vibrant, versatile and ever-relevant musical collectives in music today; both as a performance ensemble and as an ambassadorial African American organization founded on the triumvirate missions of empowerment, education and entertainment. Sweet Honey tn the Rock presents a powerful and unique concert experience that fuses the elastic 360 degree possibilities of the human voice with a theatrical flair that keeps avid audiences returning for more year after year. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/sweet-honey-in-the-rock-1. The show will begin promptly at 7 p.m. at the McGlohon Theater. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

 

COMING SOON…

5/9—5/18 – Brand New Sheriff Productions presents August Wilson’s “Jitney”

5/11 – Dapper Street Productions presents Jazz On the Green

5/12 – Classic Black Cinema Series presents “The Decks Ran Red”

5/14 – IgniteCHARLOTTE 9

5/18 — African Diaspora International Festival

5/18 — Charlotte X Kumasi: Art and Culture Festival

5/18 – Brut Beat Live Album Recording

5/18 – Radio Rehab Carolinas & The Sol Kitchen presents Tall Black Guy w/ DJ Preach Jacobs

5/18 – Charlotte Artsy Folk presents The Hampton University Art Tour

5/23 – Mosaic Live presents “Bars & Beats”

5/24 — This Is Art | This Is Public Health

5/27 – 3rd Annual Jazz Under the Stars

5/31 — LET LOVE: A Conversation with Common & Bishop Claude Alexander

6/2 – Reggae On the Lake

6/7 — AfroPop! Charlotte: The Block Party, Vol. 3

6/7 — PURPLE NOTE 4: Celebrating The Life Of Prince Through Jazz

6/7 – The Sol Kitcken presents “A King & A Prince w/ Mad Skillz”

6/8 — Attending An HBCU: Lunch & Learn

 

 

Everyone enjoy your weekend! Peace.

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets   #CommunityFirst