The Rundown Special Edition: Things to Do Tournament Wednesday, February 22 – Monday, February 27

By: Shawn D. Allison, II 

The wait is over Brothers and Sisters—CIAA 2017 is here! There’s all sorts of hotness to get into this weekend, but for this particular special edition, I wanted to keep it in the community. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and I know you will not be disappointed with what your eyes are about to read. If you want to know the most reasonably priced events happening this weekend, please peep my “Hot List” just down yonder:

• WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY—Trade Street Eats – Lunch Food Truck Event at Mosaic Village
• WEDNESDAY—Welcome to Charlotte Happy Hour at BluNotes
• WEDNESDAY—DJ That Guy Smitty at Soul Gastrolounge
• THURSDAY—Sound Blanket Music Club at Petra’s
• THURSDAY—“Grown Folks Thursdays – The CIAA Grown & Sexy Jazz Night” at East African Restaurant
• THURSDAY—“Afro + Latin Evening Social” at Oneaka Dance Company
• THURSDAY—“Pangaea Thursday Night Scene – The Adult Lounge” at Coaltrane’s Bar & Grill
• FRIDAY—“Christian Lounge Experience Tourney Editon” at Doghouse Bar & Grill
• FRIDAY—“The Hillman Day Party” at Enso Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar
• FRIDAY—“I Still Love The Classics Midday Mingle” at Sports One Bar & Lounge
• FRIDAY—“Black on Broadway: Grand Nights for Singing” at Theatre Charlotte
• FRIDAY—“The Uptown Getdown” at The Morehead Tavern
• SATURDAY—FUNK SHUN Art & Music Festival at Hatties Tap & Tavern
• SATURDAY—Su Casa – The Carnival Edition at Petra’s
• SATURDAY—“Saturday Nite Live – Tournament Edition” at The Morehead Tavern
• SATURDAY—“Cosmopolitan Night Tournament Weekend Grand Finale” at Kanvas Gallery & Lounge
• SUNDAY– Post-Tournament Gospel Brunch at Imani’s Fusion Café
• SUNDAY—Erotic Poetry Slam at Apostrophe Lounge
• MONDAY—Journey Through the African Diaspora Dinner Social at Passion8
• MONDAY—“Session: A Listening Party” at Petra’s

 

——-WEDNESDAY 2/22——-

The Historic West End Initiative aims to make your gut feel good this week as they proudly present to you Trade Street Eats – Lunch Food Truck Event! Come on down to the Mosaic Village and support one or many of Charlotte’s culinary chariots armed with a variety of flavors your taste buds will be sure to enjoy! The food trucks will operate from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. from today (2/22) through Friday (2/24). Come and support your community! The address of the lot is 1600 W. Trade St. near JCSU.

For some midweek House flavor, come free yourselves at FireWater Charlotte and get ready as The SoulJunkies proudly present to you “Jersey Deep!” Come and feel some of that hard hitting soulful House from three of the Garden State’s finest—DJ Jazzy Bee, DJ Beloved and DJ Naeem Johnson. Also, stick around for a few rotations from Chicago legend Gary “Jackmaster” Wallace. Admission is $20 before 8 p.m. The party starts at 4 p.m. FireWater is located at 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. in the University Area.

Herb and Felicia Gray invite you out to BluNotes this Wednesday evening for Charlotte’s favorite Happy Hour! This special, “Welcome to Charlotte” edition is filled with all kinds of great food, fellowship, drink specials and fly sounds provided by Charlotte’s own DJ 06! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herb-felicia-gray-host-charlottes-favorite-happy-hour-tournament-style-tickets-31791357807. The party starts at 6 p.m.   BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.

Join The 100 Black Men of Charlotte, DJ Mr. Murdock and Artist Tariq Mix at Sports One Bar & Lounge as they proudly present to you “Well Suited Wednesdays: Tournament Edition.” This suave soiree combines style, sophistication, networking and philanthropy all for the cause of bettering local entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. Business casual attire is admitted only. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Sports One is located at 521 N. College St. in Uptown. 

Charlotte’s own A Sign of the Times Band invites you out to the Little Rock Cultural Center this evening for the beginning of a series of special performances entitled, “2017 Diggin’ History Through Music & Dance.” This magnificent multi-rhythm composition of musicians explores the contributions and struggles of Africans and African Americans, as presented through spoken word, music and dance. Admission is FREE to attend and the entire family is welcome. Performance begins at 7 p.m. The Little Rock Cultural Center is located at 401 N. McDowell St. in Uptown.

Listen, all my entrepreneurial friends. Do you need a boost? Some motivation, perhaps? I got something for you—this evening, come out to Advent Coworking for the aptly-titled, “F*** Up Night!” For tonight’s session, come hear some wisdom from Jeff Wise of the Whitewater Center, Wendy Hickey of ArtPop and David Jessup of Digi-Bridge. You’ll get to hear their stories of how they struggled, the lessons they learned along the way and find out how they are crushing the pavement beneath them today. There will be free craft brews provided and a vegan selection from Terra Flora Fine Plant Foods. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: http://adventcoworking.com/events/. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Get your groove and grub on at The Nile this evening and get ready for the 12^th Annual Old School Party! The ultimate party experience filled with lots of fun, funk and food will be stocked with a full soul food buffet featuring all of your favorite and classic eats. DJ’s Short Dog and Blac Jac will be providing all of the grooves for you all night long. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/12-annual-ci-old-school-party-tickets-31679640658. The event will begin at 8 p.m. The Nile is located at 5741 N. Graham St. in the Derita Community.

Charlotte, native, staple, legend and all-around good brother DJ That Guy Smitty invites you out to Soul Gastrolounge this evening to just enjoy some good ol’ fashioned House, Alternative and Downtempo grooves and to give you his trademark #EarholeGoodness! Admission is FREE to attend the the tables start turning at 9 p.m. Soul Gastrolounge is located at 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. 

——-THURSDAY 2/23——-

You want House Music? You got House Music! Prince Alexander Promotions and The Hit Agency are proud to present to you “Give Me That House… – The 2017 Tournament House Music Extravaganza!” From Deep House, Old School Chi-Town flavor, Hip House, Progressive and more, this joint is guaranteed to send your body into a frenzy! Come and get down with DJs Gary “Jackmaster” Wallace, Jazzy Bee, Dale Wallace, Tony Smith and the beautiful Lady Let! The jams start pumping at 12 noon and will be held at the Dreams Tent located at the corner of E. 8^th St. & N. Caldwell St. in Uptown.

BMW of North America would like to cordially invite you to an unforgettable experience hosted by the Peter Thomas Entertainment Group, Uptown Magazine, and Herb & Felicia Gray. This unforgettable evening, held at the sophisticated Club ONE in Charlotte, will include music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a distinctive group of VIP attendees. You will also have a chance to get up close and personal with our innovative 2017 vehicle lineup. This event is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://bmwevents.com/register.php?event_id=2694. The event will begin at 4 p.m. Club One is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.

Everyone come and get all 360 degrees of your being filled with art at the February Uptown Crawl! All of Uptown Charlotte’s art treasures will be open for the general public this evening and you’ll get an opportunity to scour and scope art at The Gantt Center, Mint Museum Uptown, New Gallery of Modern Art, Sozo Gallery, The McColl, UNCC Center City, Goodyear Arts and The Levine Museum of the New South. You’ll be able to begin the tour at any of the featured institutions, then travel freely between the stops by foot, trolley, or bike. Each stop on the tour will feature a special look at the art held within. Admission is FREE! All venues and museums are in the Uptown area and will begin at 6 p.m.

This evening head out to Petra’s for the Sound Blanket Music Club–a community of individuals who love music (that means you) who align upon establishments to take over their tunage systems with the sounds you provide. Bring out your vinyl and nerd out among friends and make new friends. My good friends Diggers Delight will be on hand with a few crates of wax for you to choose from—trust me, they have a great selection! Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Brothers and sisters, if you yearn for a different vibe for this evening come out to Oneaka Dance Company for the THUR! Had enough of Hip Hop? This is the spot for you! Come out, relax and dance to some Kizomba, Zouk, Bachata, Salsa and Afro House rhythms. There will be a 15-minute dance lesson to learn some of the dances mentioned previously. Bring your friends and experience something new and different! Admission is $5. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oneaka Dance Company is located at 4450 The Plaza Rd., Suite A.

This evening, join the League of Intelligence continue their “Regaining Our Power: An African History Course.” This multi-week course is geared to help educate Black people about our powerful past which provides: knowledge of self, African cultural development and reconnection, economic wisdom, strategy and tactics for liberation, self-sufficiency in today’s climate, regaining power to self-determine, restoring our confidence and ambition and much more! There will be food and retail vendors at each session. Tonight’s session is at 7:30 p.m. All classes will be held at Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion. 1901 Rozzelle’s Ferry Rd.

The good people of Awesom & E.O.C. So Street Ent. kick off their tournament weekend at BluNotes with their “Back to the 90s Pajama Jam Party!” Throw on that sophisticated nightwear and come get down with the legendary Kool DJ Red Alert and Charlotte’s own DJ Justice rockin’ out the flyness on the 1’s and 2’s. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-to-the-90s-pajama-party-w-the-legendary-dj-red-alert-performing-live-tickets-31790012784. Doors open at 8 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.

For some more, true Hip Hop flavor, join Awesome & E.O.C. So Street Ent. this evening at Amos’ Southend for another installment of their wildly popular “The Official I Love NY Series!” For tonight’s show, come feel the funk with MCs—Method Man, Redman and Keith Murray! You know their joints and style, now come see them live on stage before this legendary Charlotte staple closes their doors forever. Don’t miss this show! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1412067?_ga=1.46907875.550157245.1487604572. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Amos’ Southend is located at 1423 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Mr. Lonnie Gregory of LG Productions invites you out to Terhas East African Restaurant & Bar this evening to experience Grown Folks Thursdays – The CIAA Grown & Sexy Jazz Night. Come and relax in an elegant and laid back atmosphere with delicious dishes, great drink specials, a special guest DJ and a performance from jazz guitarist Paul Dozier. Admission is $10 before 9 p.m. and $20 after 9 p.m. The event will begin at 7 p.m. The venue is located at 3200 Monroe Rd.

Come experience a different sound as Africana Connections and OutenLove Events proudly presents to you Pangaea Thursday Night Scene – The Adult Lounge! Come rock out with The Dynamic DJ Kato as he spins the best of Reggae, Afrobeat and House in the heart of the city! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pangaea-thursday-night-scene-2-the-adult-lounge-coaltranes-in-epicentre-tickets-32018074924. The event starts at 9 p.m. and will be held at Coaltrane’s Char Grill. 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.   

——-FRIDAY 2/24——-

The good people of the Single Saved and Serious Movement (SSS) are back once again as they host the “Christian Lounge Experience Tourney Edition!” Come out and mingle with likeminded individuals in an afternoon full of fun, food and funky tunes for you to fellowship to! Enjoy some comedy from funnyman and radio personality Marcus D. Wiley and spinning will be special guest Grandmaster D from Whodini, Charlotte’s own DJ E-Class rockin’ out inspirational and gospel hits and a few performances from Christian Hip Hop artists. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christian-lounge-experience-tournament-edition-tickets-31455806163. The event begins at 1 p.m. and will be held at Doghouse Bar & Grill. 7200 Albemarle Rd.   #SSS

Everyone, get ready to experience something fresh, new and original this tournament week! Gather your friends and come on down to the first-ever International Fete Tent Day Party! Feel some authentic music flavor from DJ Kato, DJ Badala B and DJ Rock Cee spinning nothing but hot international and domestic stylings for you! Also, there will be a bevy of top shop drinks, cocktail specials and delicious meal deals available to satisfy your appetite! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-fete-tent-day-party-tickets-32133523233. The party starts at 1 p.m. The address of the tent will be 417 E. 7^th St. across from Spectrum Center in Uptown.

The all-new Queen City Collective invites you out to Kanvas Gallery & Lounge this afternoon for the Brims & Rims Day Party hosted by QC crooner Anthony Hamilton! Come and enjoy craft cocktails, a cigar lounge and see the luxury cars that will be onsite. There will also be a special performance from Anthony’s backing soundscape, The Hamiltones—you don’t want to miss these brothers! Tickets can be purchased here: https://squareup.com/store/alan-douglas-events/item/brims-rims. The event will begin at 1 p.m. Kanvas Gallery & Lounge is located at 525 E. 6^th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.

Relive your days back in college on “The Yard” with Prive’ Marketing Group as they present to you “The Hillman Day Party!” This premiere celebratory entertainment concept aims to captures the feeling from some of your best days in life spent on HBCU campuses featuring heavy bass Hip Hop and R&B classics, network connections, beautiful people and a few celebrity sightings all in a feel good high energy upbeat environment! There will be light hors d’oeuvres, an open cigar lounge space and a VIP loft. For VIP tables, please call: (317)-910-4537. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hillman-day-party-at-enso-ciaa-2017-tickets-30193247817. The party starts at 1 p.m. and will be held at Enso Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar. 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.

Moxie Society and The mighty JETA Team have cliqued up to bring you “I Still Love The Classics Midday Mingle!” If you want an escape from all the mainstream tunes, this is the perfect jam session for you! Get down on the good foot with DJ Justice and DJ Aking Allah as they bang out the best of the 80s and 90s Hip Hop, Soul, R&B, Pop and Rock flavors! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-still-love-the-classics-a-mid-day-mingle-tickets-32217971821. The party starts at 4 p.m. and will be held at the tent next to Sports One Bar & Lounge. 521 N. College St. in Uptown.

Charlotte, get ready to experience one of our own, live and in living color this Friday night at The Neighborhood Theatre! Please join MaxxMusic as they proudly present the one and only, Adrian Crutchfield with The Queen’s Guard feat. Blanche J.! Adrian known to many was Prince’s soulful saxophone man, but he’s been able to cultivate and harvest his own soul with a dazzling array of rousing harmonies. Hear some throwback classics and current playlists as he performs tunes from his upcoming studio LP entitled, “LEAP.” The Queen’s Guard feat. Blanche J. gives you The Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz backed by some strong and sultry vocals from a beautiful and vocally bold goddess of the stage. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.neighborhoodtheatre.com/event/1427287-adrian-crutchfield-princes-charlotte/. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. The Neighborhood Theatre is located at 511 E. 36^th St. in the NoDa District.

Everyone get up and get busy and come on down to The Morehead Tavern for the Uptown Getdown! Join the good people of Jazz N’ Soul in this special Tournament Edition shindig as they present a huge crowd favorite—The Gi Spot feat. GiGi Mack! Whether you’re from Charlotte or visiting, you’ll get an earful of colorful and soulful rhythms from this dynamic and Detroit-bred diva! It’s a show that’ll help you escape from the madness of the tournament and it’s a show that you don’t want to miss! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-uptown-getdown-featuring-the-gispot-with-gigi-mack-jazznsoul-music-tourney-edition-2017-tickets-31401283083. Showtime is at 9 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul

The resurgence of real Hip Hop is all over tournament week at BluNotes and this evening, get ready for “Straight Outta BluNotes” featuring Hip Hop icons Rakim and Brand Nubian rockin’ the stage live for you! Be ready to dance, reminisce, eat, drink, and hangout with two of Hip Hop’s pioneers! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.blunotes.com/livemusicevents/2017/2/24/straight-outta-blunotes-real-hip-hop-returns-w-the-legendary-rakim-brand-nubian-performing-live. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show will start at 9 p.m. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.

For all of you classic Black theatre enthusiasts, I’ve got something special just for you! Head out to Theatre Charlotte for “Black on Broadway: Grand Nights for Singing.” Come and celebrate the rich heritage of Broadway show tunes, from the 1920s through today that featured African American performers. The special performance will include songs selected from such Broadway productions as “Showboat”, “Porgy and Bess”, “Shuffle Along”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “Sister Act”, “Aida”, “Purlie” and “The Tap Dance Kid.” Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling (704)-376-3777. Additional tickets will be sold at the door. Seating is limited. The show will begin at 8 p.m. Theatre Charlotte is located at 501 Queens Rd. in the Myers Park Neighborhood.

The Queen City Collective invites you back out to Kanvas Gallery & Lounge to smooth out your Friday night with Bowties & Cigars! Your soulful host, Anthony Hamilton is to give you an evening of pleasure with special guest Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Bryan-Michael Cox spinning the tunes! Tickets can be purchased here: https://squareup.com/store/alan-douglas-events/item/bow-ties-cigars. The event will begin at 9 p.m.   525 E. 6^th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.

——-SATURDAY 2/25——-

The League of Intelligence invites you to their workshop “Getting Bank Ready” this morning. As part of their Financial Empowerment Series they will discuss how banks are required to provide the community they serve with business loans provided the person or group is “bank ready”. Find out how to be bank ready and more at our financial empowerment series! The Series is comprised of 4 workshops covering the key components to being bank ready and increasing financial intellect. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/financial-empowerment-series-part-4-tickets-32231183337. The session will take place at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church starting at 10 a.m. 1901 Rozzelles Ferry Rd.

Moxie Society invites you out to Sports One Bar & Lounge for their 3^rd Annual Yard Day Party! Come and relax with your friends as DJ Biggs, DJ Phife and DJ Tayrok all give you their own distinctive flavors of spin featuring the best of Hip Hop and R&B! There will be lots of drink specials as well as delicious meal deals inside. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-yard-day-party-sports-one-atls-dj-tayrok-dallas-dj-phife-dcs-dj-biggs-tickets-31259928287. The party starts at 12 noon. Sports One is located at 521 N. College St. in Uptown.   #MoxieSociety

Get your Saturday started at BluNotes and come out for the DMV-Charlotte Welcome Day Party! Get your groove on with the sounds of DC’s own Squad Suttle Go-Go Band and Charlotte’s premiere Go-Go band, Uptown Swagga! This show was much raved about last year and it’s sure to bring the same elevated energy again in 2017! Don’t miss this joint! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-go-go-2017-the-dmv-charlotte-welcome-party-tickets-30991013957. The party starts at 1 p.m. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.

Enjoy a fine afternoon at Kanvas Gallery & Lounge as The Pristine Group presents to you Daynite Lights Tournament Weekend! Join host Kissa and my friend, DJ FoundACEtion as they give you an afternoon full of food, fellowship and fly musical flavors! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/daynite-lights-tournament-weekend-tickets-31993083173. The fun starts at 1 p.m. 525 E. 6^th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.

The alternative experience collective known as FUNK SHUN invites you out to Hattie’s Tap & Tavern for a different kind of tournament experience. The anti-mainstream Art & Music Festival is poised to bring you a multisensory arsenal of local avant-garde talents, visuals, sounds and grooves. Some of the acts for this day of fun will include local MCs—Mason Parker, Black Linen aka 7^th Soana and Fastlane James. Enjoy an eclectic set of outer-worldly House/Deep House flavors from DJs SPK, Maf Maddix and Jahsonic. Also, be in the place with headling act, electro-soul rockers Redline Graffiti ready to take your ears and your minds away to paradise! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/funkshundifferent-ciaa-art-vibes-culture-tickets-30565679771. The showcase starts at 3 p.m. Hattie’s Tap & Tavern is located at 2918 The Plaza Rd.   #FUNKSHUN

Parents, your youth can have a chance to have some creative fun during this weekend! Bring them out to The Last Word this afternoon for a fun painting session entitled, “Art From the Heart: Paintopia.” Artist Christopher Clarke will provide his instruction and passion for providing your youth with a creative and educational outlet. Each child gets their own canvas to paint and keep, an easel, and a huge selection of materials that are sure to excite! Also, parents, you can participate too! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.paypal.me/artfromtheheart. The class begins at 3 p.m. The Last Word is located at 5744 N. Tryon St.

Join the Guerilla Poets at The Last Word for a special edition of creative art entitled “Encore!: International & Interracial Potluck Open Mic.” Song, poetry and art collide with indigenous feasts in this celebration of cultural love this evening. Everyone is encouraged to bring a special dish from their ancestry, cultural background or family tradition to share. Also, there will be drawing and painting available if you choose to express yourselves on a canvas. Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 7 p.m. The Last Word is located at 5744 N. Tryon St.   #GuerillaPoets

Travel the funky space ways at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation with their annual Studio Party! This annual party and contemporary art sale is a stellar opportunity to dance, mingle, and boost or launch your art collection while supporting McColl Center’s artist residency program and exhibitions. For your nighttime grooves, get down with the sounds of DJ That Guy Smitty as he takes you to another galaxy! There will be some complimentary cocktails, delicious delicacies and some special late-night treats. Proceeds from this cosmic party directly benefit McColl Center’s artists-in-residence. Tickets can be purchased here: https://53393.blackbaudhosting.com/53393/Studio-Party-17. The party starts at 7 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.   #EarholeGoodness

Want to House it up on this Saturday? Head over to East African Cuisine for the “Classic House Party!” Come and get busy with five turntablists—DJs Police, Cee Low, Paul Croom, Johnny Darling and Deacon as they give you nothing but House—all night long! Admission is $10 until 11 p.m. The party starts at 8 p.m. East African Cuisine is located at 3200 Monroe Rd.

Tonight at American Legion, all of you cool and sophisticated folks ages three decades and up come out to the “Grown & Sexy Party HBCU Takeover!” This party is truly unlike any other because the Regime Squad DJs—a team of 11 turntablists, will be rockin’ out all sort of tunes for you to enjoy and guaranteed to keep your feet moving all night long! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.deejaycentipede.com/dates. The party starts at 8 p.m. American Legion is located at 5651 Brookshire Blvd.

Jazz N’ Soul and Radio Rehab Carolinas combine forces this evening at The Morehead Tavern as they present “Saturday Nite Live – Tournament Edition!” Join host JC the Poet and come experience the uptempo jazz grooves of Willie Walker & Conversation Piece and then getting busy special guest DJ Active! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-nite-live-tourney-edition-live-jazz-soul-and-a-party-tickets-31499295240. The event will begin at 9 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.

Entertainment Creative Concepts invites you out to Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar this evening as they present to you world-renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips in a special and intimate concert, The Mike Phillips Sax Experience! You know his feel, you know his flavor, you know his flow—don’t miss this living legend in this live show! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mike-phillips-sax-experience-tickets-31566277586. Showtime is at 9 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Awesom & E.O.C. So Street Ent. have been putting in serious work all around town all week long and for their grand finale, head out to BluNotes for another special installment of their much raved about Official I Love NY Series with a performance from Hip Hop collective Def Squad! It’s the most “beautifullest” thing in the world when you relax your minds and let your conscience be free as you get down with EPMD and Keith Murray! Opening and fill-in grooves will be provided by Mr. Energy aka DJ Freedom. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-official-i-love-ny-series-wepmd-and-keith-murray-the-golden-era-saturday-finaile-tickets-31111237549. Doors open at 9 p.m. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.

Moxie Society is back to end your Saturday with a bang as they host the sequel to their day party—everyone get ready for “The Yard After-Dark!” For your sound lineup, come and experience the sounds of Izzy the DJ, DJ Paradime and the beautiful DJ Dirty Di! There will be free hookah all night long. Admission is FREE before 10 p.m. but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-yard-after-dark-sports-one-tent-free-hookah-all-night-izzy-the-dj-nc-dj-paradime-vas-dj-dirty-di-tickets-31653243704.   Party starts at 9 p.m. 521 N. College St. in Uptown.   #MoxieSociety

The Pristine Group rolls the fun over to the dark side at Kanvas Gallery & Lounge this evening as they present to you the Cosmopolitan Night Tournament Weekend Grand Finale! You’ve been running around all day and you’re tired. This is the perfect chill-out session for you. Relax with a nice cocktail and your friends as DJ FoundACEtion and the lovely DJ Lunchbeats soothes you with some smooth Neo-Soul, Deep House, Hip Hop and R&B grooves. Also, there will be an early morning brunch available from 2-4 a.m. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cosmopolitan-night-tournament-weekend-grand-finale-tickets-32086205705. The groove begins at 9 p.m. 525 E. 6^th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.

Come and feel the passion of jazz as The Buff Dillard Music Group performs live at Blue Restaurant & Bar this Saturday night! Enjoy a delicious meal and fine wines as this magnificent maestro plays some sweet harmonies for you to relax with! Admission is FREE to attend and the music starts at 9 p.m. Blue Restaurant & Bar is located at 206 N. College St. in Uptown.   #Bonejazz

If you want to beat the CIAA crowd and step into another world full of color, vigor and radiance, head over to Petra’s for “Su Casa – The Carnival Edition!” Get down on the good foot with resident turntablists DJ Justice, DJ Steel Wheel & Loot-Tenant Trax and special guest DJ Jahsonic of Okay Africa and Main Ingredient! Also, enjoy live canvassing from Dammit Wesley, face canvassing by Catherine Courtlandt and vending from “The Beauty Influencer”, Joy Randall. Admission is $10 before 11 p.m. and $15 after 11 p.m. The party starts at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

——-SUNDAY 2/26——-

The spirit of CIAA 2017 has been powerful all week long and this afternoon, come and end your eventful week with The Holy Spirit at the Post-Tournament Gospel Brunch! Enjoy a fine cuisine at Imani’s Fusion Café as The Single Saved & Serious Movement along with radio personality Fly Ty and Jacinda Jacobs of Stolen Lunches Ministries hosts a day of uplifting fellowship, featuring upbeat tunes from DJ 300 and a special praise dance performance from Dancers for Christ! Admission is FREE to attend and the brunch will begin at 10 a.m. Imani’s Fusion Café is located at 3535 Randolph Rd. near Uptown.

Feel the groove this afternoon at eXtravaganza as Star 23 Enterprise presents The Classic House Music Day Party! Let your body flow and get loose and as you dance to the best of Classic, Soulful and Deep House jams provided by DJ Marcus and DJ E.B.O.N.Y. (The Easy Brother of New York). Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-tournament-weekend-day-parties-tickets-29346656640. The party starts at 1 p.m. eXtravaganza is located at 1610 N. Tryon St., just outside of Uptown.

This Sunday, come close out your tournament weekend at Kanvas Gallery & Lounge as The Queen City Collective presents the Chicken and Waffles Gospel Brunch, hosted by Anthony Hamilton and Casey J. Enjoy tapas-styled chicken and waffles cooked fresh to order, with performances by a special surprise guest. This is also an open mic event, so come enjoy great food, some of Charlotte’s best vocalist and if you think you got the skills, show em’ what you got! Tickets can be purchased here: https://squareup.com/store/alan-douglas-events/item/chicken-waffles-gospel-brunch. The brunch begins at 2:30 p.m. 525 E. 6^th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.

Get ready for a steamy, sensual and sexual evening of erotic verbiage as Grannae’s Boyz presents the “Erotic Poetry Slam!” Come and experience this tantalizing tryst of titillating wordplay from a host of verbally endowed lyricists as they compete for a cash prize. This night of naughty and sometimes nice wordplay is only for adults 21 and up. If you choose to participate, the fee is $10. Admission for the audience is $5 before 9 p.m. and $10 after. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Apostrophe Lounge. 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.   #SayWord

——-MONDAY 2/27——-

Soul Food Sessions CLT invites you out to Passion8 as they host their second Jouney Through the African Diaspora dinner social. Bring your friends and a big appetite as a host of Black chefs and mixologists bring forth an eight-course meal featuring a variety of tasty foods from across the African Diaspora landscape. Tickets can be purchased here: https://at-dawn-dinner.ticketleap.com/soul-food-sessions-2/. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Passion8 is located at 1523 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.

It’s time to gear your ears out to the stage at Petra’s once again as LeAnna Eden & The Garden Of proudly presents another installment of “Session: A Listening Party!” For tonight’s listening pleasures, come and hear the melodies of rhythm and blues ivory tickler Monty Mak, the soulful jazz vocal stylings of Morgan Gayla and Kaylan Bailey with a special surprise for you! Admission is $5 and the event begins at 7 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

COMING SOON…

March 3-5 – Stage production of “A Walk in My Shoes”

March 4 – Healthy Living Expo

March 16 – CLT Sound Music Showcase

March 18 – Global Peace International Festival

March 19 – Listen to Your Body Natural Health and Wellness Conversation

I hope everyone has a fun and fantastic tournament weekend! Please make an effort to support your community as much as possible—eat local, shop small, attend a basketball game or two and put a smile on a stranger’s face! Also, I’ll be working at the Novant Health booth at The Convention Center all this week—feel free to come over and show me some love! Peace!

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

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #CommunityFirst