By: Shawn D. Allison, II
Yo, what’s good everyone? There’s a ton of stuff in the QC this weekend and like you, I’m just itching to get out here and make the most fun of it all! Lots of festivals to choose from, events that are sure to lift your spirits and all the music in the world to give your soul a boost of happiness! Check out my “Hot List” just below!
- THURSDAY – Documentary screening of “There’s No Place Like Home” at Spirit Square
- THURSDAY – Le Boogie Nights at Snug Harbor
- FRIDAY–SUNDAY – Breakin’ Convention CLT 2017
- FRIDAY-SATURDAY – Jazz Arts Intiative presents “The Jazz Room: Trick or Treat – Songs of the Fall” at The Stage Door Theater
- FRIDAY – NC Black Repertozry Company’s production of “The Legend of Buster Neal” at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
- FRIDAY – The FNK (Friday Night Kickback) with Harvey Cummings & Friends at Camp North End
- SATURDAY – UNC Charlotte International Festival 2017
- SATURDAY – 4th Annual Southeast Asian Street Food Festival at The International House
- SATURDAY – Charlotte UNITE Festival at NoDa Brewing Co.
- SATURDAY – International Edition of Signature Saturdays at Vapiano
- SUNDAY – Open Streets 704
- SUNDAY – Soul Sunday at Snug Harbor
- SUNDAY – Crowing of QC’s Best Black Chef at The Gantt Center
- MONDAY – Charlotte Black Restaurant Week
- MONDAY – Sphere Art History Series lecture “Hip Hop: The Last Total Art Movement” at Snug Harbor
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, OCTOBER 12——-
The Queen City Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women invites you out to Spirit Square for a special screening and discussion of the documentary, “There’s No Place Like Home.” This film centers around the quest to find affordable housing for low-income and impoverished inner-city residents. After the documentary, a panel discussion with esteemed and knowledgeable social dignitaries will ensue. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/theres-no-place-like-home-tickets-38497583308. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at The Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Herb and Felicia Gray present another round of “Charlotte’s Favorite Happy Hour!” Come out to ROC’s Jazz Bar and enjoy some delicious food, tasty cocktails, live jazz and the ultimate networking experience. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 6 p.m. ROC’s Jazz Bar is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Do you desire to get in shape but need a boost of encouragement while doing so? Join my friend Tamara Jackson aka Coach Tam at The Carole A. Hoefener Center this evening for the second installment of her Free Train With Tam Workout session! 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-train-with-tam-workout-thurs-1012-645-pm-tickets-38475559434. Class begins at 6:30 p.m. 615 E. 6th St. in Uptown. #265Point
Things get a little spooky at Petra’s this evening as they host the Halloween edition of Potions & Pixels! Bring your friends out for an evening full of multiplayer board and video games from all eras, a costume contest, tons of prizes and lots more! Admission is $5 per person and the fun starts at 7 p.m. 21+ are only admitted and costumes are encouraged. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Set your weekend off with a bang and join Le Bang for “Le Boogie Nights!” Get down wit’ yo’ bad selves as DJs Solid Gold Elon and Longchild venture into the depths of Disco, Soul, Funk and R&B grooves for your pleasure! Also, be sure to cop some wax from Diggers Delight who has a wide variety of sounds in stock ready for you to take home and spin! Admission is FREE to attend and the party starts at 10 p.m. at Snug Harbor. 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13——-
All my B-Boys and B-Girls get ready to jam because it’s time for Breakin’ Convention CLT 2017! This renowned international festival centered around Hip Hop dance is back for another weekend of fun for the entire family. Breakin’ Convention CLT also takes you inside Hip Hop Culture with FREE preshows and intermission interactive activities and entertainment including some of Charlotte’s own dynamic DJs and dancers performing on outdoor stages, a graffiti tagging wall, MC cyphers and much more! All additional info and ticket purchases can be found here: http://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/breakin-convention-2.
You’ve heard the music, you know the energy and now it’s time to celebrate some local cultural success at The FNK! as Harvey Cummings celebrates the released of his much-anticipated EP release, “Chicken Day!” The FNK (Friday Night Kickback) is a quarterly kickback featuring experienced bands who can play a variety of music spanning multiple genres and eras. Bring all your friends, have your dancing feet and cameras ready for an unforgettable session this evening! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fnk-feat-harvey-cummings-ii-tickets-37356051957. The party starts at 5 p.m. at Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave.
The Jazz Arts Initiative kicks off their tenth season at The Stage Door Theater with a special weekend of performances entitled, “The Jazz Room: Trick Or Treat – Songs of the Fall!” This fun show will feature many of our most popular artists as they swing into the season with your favorite delightful frightful jazz standards including the “Great Pumpkin Waltz”, “Autumn in New York”, and “St. James Infirmary.” This Halloween-themed fall evening will help you and your friends catch the spirit of swing. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-at-the-stage-door-theater. There will be four performances this weekend: Friday (10/13) at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (10/14) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. The Stage Door Theater is located at the corner of E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown. #JAI
Join the Guerilla Poets as they host “Vibrations” at Charlotte Art League this evening. This creative and interactive cool down is geared as a way to bridge the gap between at-risk youth while also securing them a future. There will also be an open mic segment as well. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Charlotte Art League is located at 1517 Camden Rd. in Historic South End. #GuerillaPoets
Charlotte Symphony joins forces with Cirque de la Symphonie to bring you this delightful treat for the eyes and ears entitled “Cirque Goes to the Cinema!” Experience the wonder and awe of cirque — aerial flyers, acrobats, and contortionists — set to the scores of film classics like Star Wars, Titanic, Rocky, and more! Don’t miss this performance that’s sure to amaze! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/charlotte-symphony-pops-cirque-goes-to-the-cinema. There will be two performances this weekend: tonight and tomorrow night (Saturday, 10/14). Both shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. Both performances will be held at The Belk Theater. 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Petra’s gets a dose of new flavor this evening as they proudly host the second installment of an all-new interactive eclectic series, “Antidote – Jazz & Poetry.” Created by local jazz trio Ghost Trees and Amy Bagwell, this evening features alternating sets of jazz and poetry, real and live from the heart. Along with Ghost Trees, the featured acts for the evening are: poets Kate Claesson and Morri Creech, saxophonist Kent O’Doherty and the energy of jazz band Cortex. Admission is $8 per person. Doors open at 8 and the art flows at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
The Gantt Center is proud to present the North Carolina Black Repertory Company’s production of “The Legend of Buster Neal.” A fearless civil rights activist reappears 60 years after his supposed death to face his greatest challenge: his great-great grandson. The Legend of Buster Neal tells the story of four generations of African American men and the challenges each faced. A powerful drama examining legacy, friendship, and fatherhood, the play questions the true definition of manhood. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-legend-of-buster-neal. The play will run tonight and tomorrow night (Saturday, 10/14). Both shows will begin at 8 p.m. This event takes place at Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (in Founders Hall). 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Slide down to 7th District and get ready for Lavish Uptown Fridays – Premier Friday Ladies Night! It’s the end of the week so you and your crew come on down to enjoy the company of other fly individuals in the QC, toss back some libations and grab a hearty plate of food from the kitchen staff. For your entertainment, DJ FoundACEtion and DJ Kash will be on hand rockin’ out with the hottest sounds of today and yesteryear. Admission is FREE to attend. To make a reservation, please contact 704-934-1204. The event will begin at 8 p.m. 7th District is located at 321 N. Caldwell St. in Uptown.
Social Music Showcase invites you out to Dupp & Swat this evening as they host a special Artist Showcase! Music collective group merging a wide spectrum of musical genres in order to help revive the awareness of live music! No matter the genre or style, all artists from all backgrounds will have the opportunity show case their talent. SMS’s goal is to assist artist in maximum growth in their craft while having the ability to perform in full form among other artist. There will be a $500 cash prize given to the best act based upon the crowd’s response. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-music-presents-artist-showcase-tickets-38486170171. 9 p.m. Dupp & Swat is located at 2521 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
This evening at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar, come and get an earful of musical delight with The Lovell Bradford Trio and songstress extraordinaire Gena Chambers performs live! This three-man jazz group is filled with versatility ranging from the classic sound to contemporary jazz and not messing up a note in between. 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. There will be a surprise DJ after the band is finished. Admission is FREE and there will be plenty of drink specials available. The event starts at 9 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
For some more great music in the QC, head down to Ella’s Speakeasy at The Morehead Tavern and prepare yourselves for an evening with The Tre King Band! Spearheaded by the beautiful and multitalented Tre’jae, you’re in for a special treat as she rocks your soul with timeless and energetic vocals that will not only leave you speechless but begging for more! The band is as sharp as a crease with a rhythmic institution giving them a sonic aura of true professionalism. Tickets can be purchased here: https://tempocharlotte.primetix.com/Tickets/?perfid=1015&isSearchAgain=True. Showtime is at 9 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
——-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14——-
The 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte and the Brotherhood Ministry of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church present the 2017 Men’s Health Symposium. Brothers come out and take control of your health with a day full of a medical panel discussion, nutritional counseling, fitness coaches and other resources. Also, there will be free health screenings for kidneys, prostate gland, diabetes, blood pressure, glaucoma and more. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 8 a.m. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is located at 3400 Beatties Ford Rd.
SHAE Movement African Arts is ready to get your body movin’ and groovin’ this morning as they proudly present the West African Drum & Dance Celebration! Everyone wake up, loosen those joints and get ready for a whole day of nonstop rhythmic fun! There will be drumming and dancing classes for the majority of the day. Then, be sure to stick around for a deep stretch and cool down session. All ages and dance levels are welcome. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shae-movement-african-arts-west-african-drum-dance-celebration-tickets-37213685134. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will be held at NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studio. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Bring the entire family out to UNCC Main Campus for the UNC Charlotte International Festival 2017! This festival is a celebration of people, places and culture vibrantly displayed through exhibition booths staffed by UNC Charlotte international students and members of Charlotte’s international community. Art, crafts, costumes, food, music, dance, and games combine to create the experience of traveling the globe in one day. Admission is FREE to attend and all ages are welcome. The festival will begin at 10 a.m. in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. UNCC Main Campus is located at 9201 University City Blvd.
Attention—there is a new Black owned restaurant opening in the QC! Everyone head out for the grand opening of Charlotte’s newest eatery Stats Restaurant & Bar! Executive Chef J.R. Robinson has cooked up a delightful decorum of Southern-inspired brunch delicacies for you to enjoy. There will be live jazz from Harvey Cummings & Friends and be sure to stick around as DJ Stylz rocks out some fly beats on the 1s and 2s. Please be sure to reserve your seats/table here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stats-restaurant-bar-grand-opening-brunch-tickets-38630801768. The jump off is at 10 a.m. Stats Restaurant & Bar is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.
Everyone, you are all invited to gather at The International House this afternoon for the 4th Annual Southeast Asian Street Food Festival! Games, contests, traditional performances, auctions, fellowship and of course—food! All benefits of this festival will benefit the SEAC Youth Program servicing immigrants and refugees in Charlotte. Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome. The fun starts at 11 a.m. The International House is located at 1817 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Ladies, the courageous and curvaceous queens of 4Thirty-Two invite you out to a special 90s Dance Class this morning! Get ready to sweat it out and feel the groove to all of your favorite 90s hits! Be sure to dress comfortably in your 90s gear or your desired workout gear and prepare to have lots of fun in this judgement-free zone. Admission is $5 and all dance levels are welcome. The class will begin at 11 a.m. at NoDa@28th Creative Arts Studios. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District. #4ThirtyTwo
The 7th Street Public Market invites everyone to come out for their annual Harvest Fest this morning! Get your Fall fashion in step as you shop from a variety of fashion trucks, grab lunch and scoop up some cool household trinkets from inside the building and relax outside as live music will be played on the patio. Admission is FREE to attend and the fun starts at 11 a.m. 7th Street Public Market is located at 224 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
Brothers and sisters, come out to Symphony Park this afternoon to mingle with thousands of culture and music lovers at one of Charlotte’s largest cultural events, the Latin American Festival! There will be an incredible lineup of musical artists and dance performances, a diverse selection of Latin American food, handmade crafts, visual artists, and an interactive street festival environment with activities for the whole family. Admission is $10 for adults and FREE for children. The festivities commence at 12 noon. Symphony Park is located at 4400 Sharon Rd. in the South Park Area.
Join Mr. Steven Lamar this afternoon at Fuzion Force Entertainment Academy as he hosts Jam4Leukemia Charity Dance Event! Steven has battled leukemia through much of his life and this FREE dance party will be aimed to aid blood cancer research. Get those limbs loose and get ready for some energertic Hip Hop choreography and Zumba workshops with a host of special guest instructors! All dance/skill levels are welcome. Bring towels, water, workout attire and don’t forget to rock your orange! Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jam4leukemia-charity-dance-event-zumbahip-hop-workshop-tickets-37829981493. The event will begin at 12 noon. Fuzion Force Entertainment Academy is located at 6233 Old Sugar Creek Road.
Local nonprofit organization, Queen City Unity, NoDa Brewing Company and SociaLight, Inc. have joined forces for to create the Charlotte UNITE Festival! This multicultural celebration is geared to unite people of all backgrounds in the QC area. Enjoy live music from local bands, spoken word artists, words of wisdom from community dignitaries, food and much more! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charlotte-unite-festival-tickets-37350800249/. The event will begin at 12 noon at NoDa Brewing Co. 2921 N. Tryon St. #SociaLight
Levelhead invites you out to Centerstage @ NODA this afternoon for The D.A.E. Party! This amazing Diabetes Awareness Empowerment (D.A.E.) event is geared towards fighting this condition that has plagued our community for generations. With the help of Mannkind Corporation and you, everyone is going to educate our community, empower the people who live with this condition and make sure everyone is aware of all the preventative measures to lower your chances of developing the condition. There will be live art, music and some special words of wisdom from record executive Damon Dash. : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dae-party-diabetes-awareness-empowerment-tickets-37343026999Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here. The event will begin at 2 p.m. Centerstage is located at 2315 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
This evening, join Hope Haven, Inc. at The Gantt Center as they host their annual fundraising event, “Dancing For Hope Gala.” This event will support the recovery and restoration of single adults and families by providing rehabilitative services/programs to break the cycle of homelessness and chemical addiction leading to productive and independent living. This evening will be filled with excitement, which will feature delicious food prepared by their very own Taste of Hope Catering team, live music, a silent auction and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.hopehaveninc.org/events/dancing-for-hope-2017/. The event will begin at 8 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This evening, slide back down to Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar and get ready for the super soulful sounds of Jemini June & The Galaxy! Jemini can do it all—R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz and has some very impressive Hip Hop bars too! This beautiful wonder woman will take your soul on a ride into the far reaches of the unknown universe and will leave you wanting more and more! Admission is FREE and there will be a special guest DJ performing after the live music. 9 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Put some African spice in your Italian entrée this Saturday night and head down to Vapiano for the International Edition of Signature Saturdays! Eddietainment and Africana Connections have joined forces to bring you a tropical twist as The Dynamic DJ Kato spins a delightful and energetic arsenal of Hip Hop, Afrobeat, House, Soul, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and more! Also, get your picture game on with a fun Selfie Photo Booth provided by The Selfie Spot. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the organization 4Congo. For birthdays or group celebrations contact eddietvip@gmail.com to reserve. Admission is FREE before midnight. The party starts at 9 p.m. Vapiano is located at 201 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
——-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15——-
Breakin’ Convention CLT 2017 wants to close this festive weekend out with a bang as they invite you out to Spirit Square for a very special Street Jam! It’s all things Hip Hop Culture with lots of activities for the entire tribe including interactive games, live painting with Bree Stallings and Patrick Hairston, a DJ workshop from the With These Hands DJ Academy, graffiti tagging with DeNeer, a workout station from the mighty Brothers of W.A.R. 4 Health, a fashion show, live performances from Jason Jet and Morgan Gayla, breakdancing and beatboxing workshops, food trucks and lots more! Best thing of all, this event is FREE for all ages and open to the public! The fun starts at 11 a.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Charlotte, get ready for an entire afternoon of fun and bring the family out to Open Streets 704! This day of car(e)-free streets aims to build a better, healthier, connected community by encouraging Charlotte and Mecklenburg area residents to walk, bicycle, and experience the city together in a way that’s just not possible in a car. Starting at 1 p.m., the roads will be cleared connecting the Madison Park, Selwyn Park, Montford Park, Freedom Park, Myers Park, Ashbrook, LoSo, and Colonial Village neighborhoods. Please dress comfortably, shop at small businesses, eat local and make new friends!
Charlotte has got a brand new food truck on the streets everyone! Come celebrate the grand opening of the all-new Casa at Abari Game Bar this afternoon! With a fresh and tasty Puerto Rican cuisine, your taste buds will be in pure heaven after you devour one or many of these delicious dishes. Also, while you eat, design your game controllers (hands) with some intricate designs from Henna Charlotte, shop for your favorite childhood games with Save Point Video Games, boogie to some dope sounds from DJ Collectr and of course, be sure to step inside and beat your friends in a variety of throwback pixelated classics. Admission is FREE to attend. The fun starts at 1 p.m. Abari Game Bar is located at 1721 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Do you need to ease and rejuvenate your soul from all as these dividing and trying times sit thick in the air? If so, come out to Snug Harbor this afternoon for their third Sunday jam session entitled “Soul Sunday!” Enjoy a potluck dance party to celebrate all things soul-filled with edible refreshments and DJs Sir Chocolate Milk & Elon supply only the funkiest groove thangs to help your soul shine while that booty moves! Diggers Delight and Premium Sounds will be on deck with a few crates of delicious vinyl for your ears’ pleasure! FREE admission and the event begins at 2 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Get your appetites ready and head down to The Gantt Center and kickoff Charlotte’s Black Restaurant Week at the Crowning of the QC’s Best Black Chef! Gather all your friends and enjoy this afternoon of networking, live music, art, local vendors, cocktails and sample some cuisines from several Chocolate culinary creators in Charlotte. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 4 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Elements of Empowerment, Inc. invites you out to Belmont Abbey College for a special Appreciation Event & Music Series Preview this afternoon. Be among the first to experience the forthcoming Community Music Series with a special live jazz performance, fellowship, coffee and a dessert reception. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP at: ElementsOfEmpowerment@gmail.com. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and will be held at the Haid Theater at Belmont Abbey College. 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd. in nearby Belmont.
——-MONDAY, OCTOBER 16——-
Brothers and sisters, get ready to fill your stomachs with some soul because it’s time for Charlotte Black Restaurant Week! Gather all of your friends and family and dine at several Black-owned restaurants in the Charlotte area. Restaurants include 7th District, Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill, Soul Central, Sweet Thing Bakery, Queen Sheba Restaurant, Floyd’s Soul Food, The Morehead Tavern and many more! Discounts will be between 25-50% off at all participating restaurants. Let’s unite and show these wonderful Black-owned establishments that we appreciate their service! Charlotte Black Restaurant Week will run from Monday, October 16 to Sunday, October 22. #CLTBLACKRestaurantWeek
This evening at Snug Harbor, get some more street flavor in your system and come out as Sphere Art History Series proudly presents “Hip Hop!” The Sphere Series is a 360-degree initiative offering perspectives on how the arts spark dialogue and promote social change. From the Sphere Series Panel to the Art History Series, these programs offer direct access to both national and international leaders in the arts. Their conversations, workshops and panel discussions will focus on the value of cultural exchange, curating, collecting and engaging with artists. For October, this series begins with “Hip Hop: The Last Total Art Movement” with an interactive lecture from Mike Wirth and Kia O. Moore. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
COMING SOON…
10/21 – Off The Wall: ATCQ/Native Tongues Posse Tribute Vol. 5
10/21 – “I SLAY” Autumn Fashion Show
10/21 – Fall Onion Trunk Show
10/21 – AfroPop Charlotte – Vol. 16: Viva Boogaloo
10/28 – 2017 Queen City Arts & Crafts Expo
10/28 – Su Casa: We Love FELA!
10/29 – Nights Like This Adult Masquerade Prom
11/3 – Blow Your Head (DJs Flock of Slagles & Jah Freedom)
11/4 – 2017 Queen City Business Expo
Enjoy yourselves. Enjoy each other. Enjoy life. Peace.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst