By Shawn D. Allison, II
Family! I hope you are ready for another amazing weekend because once again there’s A LOT happening in the QC! BOOM CLT is back bringing the noise with all sorts of artistry and energy, family festivals, film screenings and more! But don’t wait for my intro to see what all is in store, check out what I have below and be sure to peep my “Hot List” to see what trouble I’ll be getting into this weekend!
- THURSDAY – After Work Music House Party at Crown Station
- THURSDAY–SUNDAY – 2019 Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend
- THURSDAY – Mosaic Live presents BARS & BEATS
- FRIDAY—SUNDAY – BOOM Charlotte Arts Festival
- FRIDAY – JazzArts Charlotte presents “The Jazz Room: Tribute to the Music of Cuba”
- FRIDAY — AFROPOP! × BOOM – The After Party
- SATURDAY – University East Little League Baseball Block Party
- SATURDAY – SocaFit/Socacise’s “Colors of Spring Workout Class”
- SATURDAY – 4th Annual International Sandwich Festival
- SATURDAY – Family First Workshops at The Gantt Center
- SATURDAY — Cocoa Leche Latin American Brunch
- SATURDAY — Liberty Is Not Free Social Justice Seminar
- SATURDAY – Freaquency360 presents Wild Flavor Vibes
- SATURDAY – Su Casa: The April Edition
- SUNDAY – Open Streets 704
- SUNDAY – Black Singles in CLT “Adult Game Night”
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, APRIL 25——-
Dance your way into the weekend and head down to Crown Station for the After Work Music House Party this evening! DJ’s Steve Howerton, Tony Essence and Mike Brown are stocked with sounds and ready to rock giving you the best of Classic and Soulful House, Deep House, Garage, Boogie, Latin House, Funk and much more! Admission is $5 per person. The jam will start at 5 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Oenophiles of all kinds – from casual sippers and samplers to serious connoisseurs and collectors – will have four days to celebrate the nectar of the gods at the 2019 Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend. Attendees will not just be imbibing the world’s finest wines, savoring the creations of the area’s top chefs, hobnobbing with renowned vintners and somms, adding to their wine knowledge, and bidding on fantastic one-of-a-kind items, they will also be helping area children. Proceeds for 2019 benefit five local children’s charities — Charlotte Concerts, Pat’s Place, Mitchell’s Fund, The Relatives, and The Council for Children’s Rights. For locations of participating establishments, menu options, chef features, ticket pricings and additional info, please visit: https://www.charlottewineandfood.org/.
Sit back and enjoy an artistic vibe as Mosaic Live invites you out to their Thursday evening coolout, 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.
JazzArts Charlotte invites you to step into the weekend on a rhythmic note as they proudly present a special Thursday edition of The Jazz Room as Chicago-based trumpeter Corey Wilkes re-imagines the music of jazz icon Miles Davis and his innovative groove and funk sounds from the 1970’s and beyond. Corey Wilkes is currently soothing souls at some of the most renowned clubs and festivals in the world, where he has shared the stage with numerous Jazz Masters, including Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove Argentina, Marcus Belgrave and more. His soulful, sophisticated #trumpet sound has received rave reviews on projects ranging from jazz to hip-hop. He serves as an Artist in Residence for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-at-the-stage-door-theater-premiere-thursdays. There will be two performances this evening at 6 and 8:15 p.m. at the Stage Door Theater. Located on the corner of E. 5th St. & N. College St. in Uptown.
Prepare your palates for an evening of culinary creativity at the 7th Street Public Market Vegan Dinner! Viva Raw, Assorted Table Wine Shoppe and Chef Julio of OMG Alchemy are thrilled to host another vegan multi-course dinner which will include four courses accompanied by three wine pours. The theme for tonight’s dinner is “neurogenesis” a.k.a. foods that augment cognitive function. Come out to enjoy good food, good drinks and good company! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-street-public-market-vegan-dinner-ft-omg-alchemy-tickets-59978720969. The event will begin at 6 p.m. 7th Street Public Market is located at 224 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
Gather your friends and enjoy some cinematic delight at the Becthler Museum of Modern Art this evening. For the April installment of the Modernism + Film Series, come and witness the great architechtural structuring of Bjarke Ingels in the documentary “Big Time.” Bjarke Ingels started out as a young man dreaming of creating cartoons. Now, he has been named “one of architecture’s biggest innovators” by The Wall Street Journal and one of The 100 Most Influential People on the planet by TIME Magazine. Big Time follows Bjarke during the course of 7 years (2009-2016), while he struggles to finish his biggest project so far. We are let into Bjarke’s creative processes as well as the endless compromises that his work entails, and we are on the side when his personal life starts putting pressure on him, too. Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=6fb2b24c-e883-47e6-8fd2-f3a4a58a4955. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The museum is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
——-FRIDAY, APRIL 26——-
There’s going to a rather loud noise coming from Plaza-Midwood this weekend—and for good reason! Everyone come out for the 4th Annual BOOM Charlotte Festival! This multisensory arts soiree and showcase will feature a wide range of contemporary talents, performances and positive energy! BOOM is a unique coalition of artists, volunteers, nonprofits, local businesses and neighborhood organizations to transform the way art is made and shared in the Queen City. For the FULL list of BOOM performers, performance times and venues, please visit: http://boomcharlotte.org. #BOOMCLT
This weekend, get an audible taste of some Latin flavor as JazzArts Charlotte proudly presents “The Jazz Room: Tribute to the Music of Cuba!” Led by local powerhouse Orquesta K’Che, the Jazz Room will be bursting with the electrifying sound of the clave and other traditional rhythms in this exciting tribute to the music of Cuba. The large ensemble will be re-imaging a medley of Latin jazz and afro-Cuban standards such as Dizzy Gillespie’s “Manteca”, the Buena Vista Social Club’s “Trova Santiaguera”, and Irakere’s “Calzada del Cerro”. It’s a Latin Jazz celebration that’s guaranteed to make you want to move. Your dancing shoes are welcome! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-at-the-stage-door-theater-17. There will be four performances this weekend: Friday, 4/26 at 6 and 8 p.m. and Saturday, 4/27 at 7 and 9:15 p.m. All shows will be held at the Stage Door Theater. Located at the corner of E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown.
Are you single and looking to make a solid connection? Join Jane Doe CLT as they invite you out to the Venus -vs- Mars Mix & Mingle this evening! Gather your friends and get ready for a night of quality conversations, games, prizes, cocktails and fly music from a guest DJ! Tonight’s topic covers “Red Flags” and you’ll get to engage with another individual or group about what you feel the biggest red flags are when it comes to dating and relationships. The event will be hosted by Myeisha Hamilton and Troy Spry. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jane-doe-presents-venus-vs-mars-4th-fridays-monthly-mix-mingle-tickets-60165887790. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. at Fox & Hound. 9325 Center Lake Dr. in the Northlake Area.
Liberate Your Palate CLT invites you to come and splash your way into the weekend as they host the Hands-On Cocktail Class this evening! Step into spring with the knowledge of how to make bright, fresh cocktails. Learn how to raid your garden for fruit, flowers and variety of fresh herbs to make bright, refreshing expert cocktails to set the season off. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.liberateyourpalate.com/passbook/springone. The class will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. 4412 Monroe Rd., Suite “D”.
Put your minds at ease and head down to Revive Church for The Sound Christian Open Mic Night! Tonight’s installment centers around a special #FlashbackFriday theme which’ll pay homage to contemporary Gospel classics of the 90s. 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.
Your grand finale for your Friday lineup can be described in just two words: AFRODOPENESS OVERLOAD! I need everyone to head down to Snug Harbor and get ready as the powers of BOOM and Wakanda collide to give you AFROPOP! × BOOM – The After Party! Get your cultural fix with the hottest mix in one of Plaza-Midwood’s favorite sticks featuring a soundtrack of Afrobeat, Soul, Soca, House, Deep House, Latin, Samba, Dancehall, Reggae, live African drumming and lots more! Your soundmasters for the evening are my brothers The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel bringing that authentic Motherland flavor! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4213331. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #AfroPopCLT #BOOMCLT
All my true school Hip Hop heads, make your way down to Stats Restaurant & Bar for Classic Hip-Hop Fridays! The stage is set and it’s time to come and bob your head as you feel the energy of legendary Hip Hop group Brand Nubian performing all their biggest hits! Charlotte’s own DJ CK will be providing additional grooves to dance to. Presented by Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment and Tom-Tom Productions. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/classic-hip-hop-friday-ft-brand-nubian-tickets-58945601882. The event will begin at 9 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
——-SATURDAY, APRIL 27——-
Saturday mornings are a great time to come to Atherton — and you should because it’s time for the South End Farmers & Artisans Market! There are lots of great farmers & artisans that bring in meats, produce, mushrooms, sauces, soaps, dog food, flowers, plants and so much more. Enjoy a cup of joe from Not Just Coffee, a cold beer or glass of wine form Vin Master Wine Shop, sip and shop from a variety of local artisans and farmers. Take a seat at any of the indoor or outdoor tables, relax and take in all the cool vibes and energy Atherton has to give. The marketplace opens at 9 a.m. 2104 South Blvd. in Historic South End.
Spring is full swing and it’s time to take the field with America’s favorite pastime at the University East Little League Baseball Block Party! It’s a whole grand slam of community and family-friendly fun with a wide variety of interactive, baseball-themed games and drills, face painting, funky music from DJ B-1, Mr. 3’s Crabpot Seafood fish fry fundraiser and much more! All ages are welcome and all participants will receive a T-shirt, wristband and bat/ball toy set to take home. FREE admission. 10 a.m. 9130 Newell Baptist Church Rd.
Local women’s cosmetic company Organik Beauty Supply LLC returns for the 2019 for it Girl Tribe Pop-Up Social this weekend! Ladies and gentlemen, come out and support over 60 local female-owned small businesses, do some networking, shop til’ you drop, fellowship and enjoy some great food and drinks! Tickets can be purchased online here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/girltribeco/232464/r/organikbeauty. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Charlotte Convention Center. 501 S. College St. in Uptown. #GirlTribePopUp
It’s time to “wuk up” those joints, bones and muscles as the ladies of SocaFit/Socacise invite you out to the Colors of Spring Workout Class! These vibrant and beautiful queens are ready to get your blood pumping with a hi-octane workout session set to the vivid rhythms of Soca music provided by The Dynamic DJ Kato. Carnival is in the atmosphere and these ladies want to share their Caribbean culture with you! Dress comfortably and drink lots of water. Tickets can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/socafit-live-colors-of-spring-edition-hosted-by-socafit-usa-featuring-the-dynamic-dj-kato-tickets-59782660547. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Oakdale Elementary School. 1825 Oakdale Rd. #SocaFit
Make some room in those stomachs and come out to the 4th Annual International Sandwich Festival! This festival celebrates the vibrant cultural diversity of east Charlotte, bringing international flavor and intergenerational activities to the front lawn of Aldersgate. Enjoy food from around the world and a rich blend of entertainment featured on UNC Charlotte’s Mobile Arts & Community Experience (MAX) stage. Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 11 a.m. Aldersgate is located at 3800 Shamrock Dr.
Ladies, join The Social Charlotte, Inc. at Loft & Cellar this afternoon for the Brunch, Business & Beats Social! Come and be empowered as your gather around some of Charlotte’s most beautiful and progressive women making their moves in the community and broader society. There will be meal and cocktail specials available and please be sure to engage in an abundance of networking. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spicelab-presents-brunch-business-beats-its-all-about-the-shift-tickets-57946990007. The event will begin at 11 a.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.
The Gantt Center is stocked and stacked with TWO dope events today! First up, bring the entire tribe down and get a taste of jazz at the Family First Workshop – The Standard Jazz Series! This interactive session creates an opportunity for fans and students alike to enjoy, learn and explore the building blocks and instruments used in jazz music. Master class instructor and saxophonist Harvey Cummings II will invite participants of all levels to engage with the band as they trace the story of Black America’s classical music – jazz – in a live performance workshop and discover everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-jazz with an Q&A session and interactive musical demonstrations. The afternoon will conclude with a teaching artist showcase of jazz music featuring phenomenal musicians for a unique blend of straight-ahead jazz and cool vibes. Get ready for an unforgettable, multi-sensory experience that unites contemporary elements with the rich history of jazz culture. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://give.ganttcenter.org/checkout/10204. This class will begin at 11 a.m.
Up next, grab your cameras and an open mind and come be part of the Photo Walk & Talk with Chris Charles. Shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Do these words sound like a foreign language? Photographer Chris Charles will help you gain insight on the parts of a camera in this crash-course introduction to technical terms and learn tips and techniques to make your pictures pop. This workshop is for digital and film cameras and will include a photo walk around uptown Charlotte. Please RSVP here: https://give.ganttcenter.org/checkout/10205. This journey will begin at 12 noon. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Put some Afro-Latin flavor in your Saturday and come out to Mangos Caribbean Bar & Grill for the Cocoa Leche Latin American Brunch! The Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles crew is ready to add some Latin spice to the menu and to the soundboards as The Dynamic DJ Kato and friends rock out with a special sonic blend of Afrobeats, Latin grooves, House, Hip Hop, Salsa, Reggae, Soul and much more! The kitchen staff has altered the menu and has included some tasty Latin American dishes and cocktails to have your palates dancing in rhythm. RSVPs can be made here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cocoa-leche-latin-american-brunch-april-edition-2019-tickets-59821782562. The party starts at 12 noon. Mangos is located at 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
This afternoon, Ms. LaReshia Poore invites you out to The Peace Pipe for Liberty Is Not Free Social Justice Seminar! Come and get engaged with the community and hear from wrongfully imprisoned turned-educational and literary advocate John Bunn. Hear his story of how he made it through 17 years of prison under false charges and how he’s working to change the world one page at a time through literacy, activism and advocacy. There will be vendors, music and much more to enjoy. The event will begin at 2 p.m. The Peace Pipe is located at 204 W. Woodlawn Dr., Suite “H”.
Freaquency360 is back for more multisensory excitement as they proudly present an all-new concept, “Wild Flavor Vibes” this afternoon! Join your host Jah Freedom as he guides you into the place where food and music interface with a special menu of sonic and edible treats! For your first serving, acclaimed culinary wizard and co-founder of Soul Food Sessions, Inc., Chef Michael Bowling will curate a live demo with some special and eclectic eats for you to sample. And for your main course, fill your ears with the goodness with rhymes and words of wisdom, wit and wine from Hip Hop legend Sadat X! My good brother DJ Wizdom will be handling the 1s and 2s giving you all sorts of musical delight. Admission is FREE to attend and will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. at Tip Top Daily Market. 2902 The Plaza Rd. #Freaquency360
Catch some more classic Hip Hop flavor at The Press Box as First 2 First Ent. invites you to get your party on at #ThatDJMadeMyDay feat. Mister Cee! The legend is here and DJ Mister Cee is ready to rock covering all the classics from 1980s WBLS all the way through today! Additional sounds will be provided by DJ B.U. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/that-dj-made-my-day-music-by-dj-mister-cee-tickets-59004353610. The party starts at 9 p.m. The Press Box is located at 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area.
This Saturday night, your friends, bodies, minds and souls to the dance floor at Petra’s for Su CASA: The April Edition! Get down on the good foot with resident turntablists DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel pacing the rhythms of the night with Afrobeat, House, Funk, Jazz, Downtempo, Brazilian Samba, Soul, Rare Grooves, Dancehall, Reggae and lots more! Admission is $10 all night long. The tables start turning at 10 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——–SUNDAY, APRIL 28——-
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. The roads will be cleared connecting the Plaza-Midwood, Belmont, Villa Heights and NoDa neighborhoods. Please dress comfortably, shop at small businesses, eat local and make new friends! The event will begin at 12 noon. For additional info, please visit: http://openstreets704.com
Come experience your Sunday brunch made fun and easy as local creative Dammit Wesley invites you out to Champagne & Chicken this afternoon! It’s the perfect balance of “bad & boujee” behavior with a delicious selection of eats from Chef Calvin Wright of Chef Life to Next Life, tasty sips from cocktail connoisseur Yashira aka “Super Yosh” and tunes provided by DJ Fannie Mae and Dammit Wesley. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/champagne-chicken-tickets-59957385153. The jump off is at 1 p.m. at BlkMrktCLT. 1824 Statesville Ave. inside Camp North End.
End your weekend on a fun note as Black Singles in CLT invite you to test your social and gaming skills in Adult Game Night! Gather all of your crew and get in the mix of nonstop fun with music, fellowship, interactive games, icebreakers, cocktails and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-singles-in-clt-game-night-tickets-59566873121. The fun starts at 6 p.m. at Advent Coworking. 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
COMING SOON…
5/3 — Urban Tymes Magazine’s 2019 UT Awards
5/4 — All White Party & Jazz Cruise on Lake Norman
5/4 – Off the Wall “Best of the 80’s V.17”
5/5 – Sweet Honey in the Rock 45th Anniversary Tour
5/9—5/18 – BNS Productions presents August Wilson’s Jitney
5/11 – Dapper Street Productions, Inc. presents Jazz On The Green
5/14 – Ignite Charlotte 9
Enjoy your weekend folks!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst