The Rundown: Things to do Thursday, June 1 – Sunday, June 4

By Shawn D. Allison, II 

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

Greetings family! June is in full effect, the weather’s getting warmer and there’s lots to do out here! From empowerment seminars, “roaring” stage plays, jazz tributes, stomach fillers and dope digs, you will not be bored with what I have stocked for you this week! If you want to track my trail of troublemaking this weekend, check out my “Hot List” just below!

 

  • THURSDAY-SUNDAY—Rory D. Sheriff’s “Be A Lion” at Duke Energy Theatre
  • THURSDAY–#BlkTechClt at Camp North End
  • FRIDAY—Mosaic First Live Fridays at Mosaic Village
  • FRIDAY—Jazz at the Bechtler tribute to John Coltrane
  • FRIDAY—SPECTRUM! at The Morehead Tavern
  • SATURDAY–#LongLiveArts FREE Community Festival
  • SATURDAY—RELEASE! Classic & Soulful House Party at The Morehead Tavern
  • SATURDAY—“Off The Wall – The Dope Experience” at Petra’s
  • SATURDAY—Blacklight(r) Soundclash Series at New Era Music House
  • SUNDAY—Moxie Society’s “Sunday Sippin Pt. II” at Firehouse Bar & Lounge

 

——-THURSDAY 6/1——-

Dapper Street Productions invites you out to the Albemarle Road Rec Center this evening to experience “Summer & Soul Jazz – The Color of Jazz Music Series!” Enjoy a delightful evening full of relaxing and regal music featuring the beautiful Nicci Canada proving some of her trademarked jazz vocal stylings paying tribute to jazz greats of yesteryear. Admission is FREE to attend and all ages are welcome. The event begins at 6 p.m. 5027 Idlewild Rd. N

Calling all Chocolate Techies out there! The Plug is back for the month of June for #BlkTechClt–Charlotte’s only interactive tech experience dedicated to the advancement of diverse founders and technologists. So for all of you developers, software engineers, startup founders, tech employees, gamers, business professionals, marketing and communications consultants, graphic designers, web designers, incubator program managers, coworking space owners and tech enthusiasts, this is the joint for you!  There will be refreshments, live music, giveaways, tech swag bags and more! Also, be sure to stick around and hear from former Carolina Panthers legend Muhsin Muhammad as he speaks about his post-NFL career in the tech industry. Admission is $20 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blktechclt-june-event-tickets-32819985460. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Camp North End. 1776 Statesville Ave.

Come take another magical journey into Oz as the great Rory D. Sheriff presents his acclaimed stage production, “Be A Lion!” Now that Dorothy has returned back home and that The Wiz has been revealed, who will step up and take the responsibility of ruling Oz? This production is filled with all of your favorite and beloved characters with over a dozen new and original songs, dance numbers and more fun that the entire family will enjoy! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/be-a-lion-2. There will be four performances this weekend: Thursday (6/1) 7:30 p.m., Friday (6/2) 7:30 and Saturday (6/3) at 2 and 7:30 p.m. All shows will be held at the Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown. #BeALion

The hilarious local theatre troupe Charlotte Squawks is back with thirteenth installment, their latest project, “Charlotte, We Have A Problem.” Who is Charlotte Squawks you ask? Simply put, it’s the satire of Saturday Night Live mixed with Broadway, welded with the socioeconomic climate of the Queen City. The creative duo of Mike Collins and Brian Kahn collaborates with the area’s most talented performers to parody current events, pop culture, sports, life, politics on a local and national medium. Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/charlotte-squawks-13-charlotte-we-have-a-problem. Come out and see who all will get ‘squawked’! There will be three performances this weekend: Thursday (6/1) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (6/2) and Saturday (6/3) both starting at 8 p.m. All performances will be held at The Booth Playhouse at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The address is 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

——-FRIDAY 6/2——-

Treat your family to an all-new community experience on Charlotte’s Historic West End Corridor for “Mosaic Live First Fridays!” Come and engage and interact with your fellow constituents as you network, fellowship, shop and eat from local vendors, scope some fresh art, boogie to some live music and more! Admission is FREE to attend and the fun starts at 5 p.m. The event will be held at Mosaic Village 1601 W. Trade St. near JCSU.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library invites you to the Main Branch this evening for a special screening of their Scenes of a Black Woman film series. For tonight’s feature, come and view the 2011 drama, “Pariah.” Scenes of a Black Woman is a series of films about Black women, created by Black filmmakers and a celebration of Black cinema! There will be a short discussion of themes and aesthetics after the film. Admission is FREE to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the film will start at 6 p.m. The screening will take place at the Main Library Branch. 310 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

June’s edition of Jazz at the Bechtler performance pays tribute to one of the biggest and most recognizable names in all of jazz: John Coltrane. The Ziad Jazz Quartet will focus particularly on Coltrane’s 1965 releases for Impulse! Records, Crescent and A Love Supreme. These two albums, recorded just two years before Coltrane’s passing, are regarded as some of his best work, while A Love Supreme is also seen as one of the greatest albums of all time, jazz or otherwise. Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=4fbadcb9-b623-424b-b600-d517218d5a3c. There will be two shows this evening: 6 and 8:15 p.m. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Get ready for an evening of laughter at The Park Expo & Conference Center with Rickey Smiley & Friends performing live! This funnyman has been splitting sides for several years and he not only disappoints but he always keeps his craft innovative and organic! He may be doing big things on the radio, but this is a great chance to see him where he first got started—the stage. Don’t miss this show! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.livenation.com/events/670132-jun-2-2017-rickey-smiley. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8 p.m. The Park Expo & Conference Center is located at 800 Briar Creek Rd.

Bring the family out to Fidelli Kitchen this evening for some “Paint & Play” action! This festive fusion of the arts is filled with spoken word, live painters, music, great Italian food, free massages and more! The event will be hosted by 103.3fm and Coco Lenell. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-play-southend-tickets-34852280108. 7 p.m. Fidelli Kitchen is located at 1616 Camden Rd., Suite #100 in Historic South End.

Bring the family out to Spirit Square this evening and enjoy the new Spring and Summer series, “Sounds on the Square.” For your entertainment pleasure tonight, come feel the vibrant street energy of ‘Hip Hop on the Square’ with featured acts, local and acclaimed rapper Jason Jet, Morgan Gayla of Hip Hop Orchestrated and more! These Admission is FREE to attend and the music starts at 7 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

Swing those hips down to The Mint Museum for a special Spring edition of “Mint to Move Cultural Dance Night!” Enjoy Afro-Cuban and Latin-American dance rhythms with a DJ and live musicians to celebrate ethnic and gender diversity, dance, visual and performing art. Admission is $8.50 for Mint members and $12 for non-members. The music starts at 8 p.m. The Mint Museum is located at 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Charlotte, get ready for the return of one the area’s baddest instrumental soundscapes, SPECTRUM! Jazz N’ Soul Music is proud to bring back this multitalented collective of musicians, created and conducted by Mr. Mayhue Bostic on guitar is sure to keep your senses heighted with a dazzling array of Funk, Soul, Jazz and R&B grooves for you to enjoy! Don’t miss this show! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-return-of-spectrum-funky-jazz-with-a-twist-of-soul-tickets-34779495407. Showtime is at 9 p.m. at The Morehead Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.   #JazzNSoul

The Sol Kitchen invites you out to ‘Stache House Bar & Lounge this evening for the June edition of #ThankGawdIts1stFriday! Relax with some Hip Hop and R&B tunes of today and yesteryear with DJ Ngenius on the wheels of steel. There will be drink specials all night long and the event jumps off at 10 p.m. ‘Stache House is located at 1520 South Blvd.

——-SATURDAY 6/3——-

Rise, shine and head down to Packard Place this morning for the Dominate Your Niche…NOW! Empowerment Seminar. Presented by The Empowement Center, come absorb expert advice from noteworthy and experienced community professionals Brian K. McNeill, Lisa Santiago McNeill, Jackie Posada Hess and Jarrisha Fibonacci who want to help your business or nonprofit succeed. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dominate-your-nichenow-tickets-34769258789. The event begins at 9 p.m. and will be held at HQ Charlotte at Packard Place. 222 S. Church St. in Uptown.

 Get ready for raised vibrations at NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studio this morning from Tajmah Allison as she hosts “Reggae Yoga.” You will be guided through mindful breathing, a gentle yoga flow and uplifting meditation set to a smooth Reggae Soundtrack that will leave you feeling energized and renewed in mind, body and spirit. All yoga levels are welcome and please bring your mat. Admission is $10 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reggae-yoga-tickets-35008149317. The session begins at 10 a.m. NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studio is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Kids, something cool for you this weekend! Drag your parents and your friends down to the Charlotte Convention Center for the 2017 Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience! Get ready for all sorts of hands-on, interactive attractions and activities engineered to inspire, educate, and entertain. Attractions include: The Glow Zone, Brick Fest Derby, Inspiration Stations, Video Game Arena, Mini Golf and lots more! It’s something for everyone to enjoy! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brick-fest-live-lego-fan-experience-charlotte-nc-tickets-31103483356. The event begins at 11 a.m. The Charlotte Convention Center is located at 501 S. College St. in Uptown.

Everyone head on to Uptown Charlotte for the second annual #LongLiveArts FREE Community Festival! Enjoy a day full of printing workshops, paint displays and competitions, jazz vocal and instrumental performances, drum circles, salsa dancing, art tours, interactive storytelling, puppetry, food trucks and lots more! All events will be held at various institutions associated with The Levine Center for the Arts (The Gantt Center, Bechtler Museum, Knight Theater, Mint Museum). The fun and festivities begin at 11 a.m. For a full schedule of the events, please visit this link: http://levinecenterarts.org/event/longliveart-free-community-festival/.

Get down and get busy with Moxie Society late this morning at Sports One as they host another fly edition of “I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party!” Enjoy a delicious Southern-style brunch with all sorts of drink specials including $5 mimosas. Your groove master for this event is none other than Charlotte’s own, DJ Stacey Black rockin’ nothing but the hotness of the 90s and artist Kim Daise expressing her soul on the canvas! Admission is FREE to attend. The party starts at 11 a.m. Sports One is located at 521 N. College St. in Uptown.   #MoxieSociety

Gather your friends, your lawn chairs and your appetites and come out for the Kinfolks’ 8th Annual Soul Food Festival! Enjoy an afternoon full of food, fun and funk from Cameo, The SOS Band, Ready For the World, Ruff Endz, Vivian Green, Noel Gourdin and The 69 Boyz! The show will be hosted by legendary TV and radio personality Donnie Simpson. Tickets can be purchased here: https://tix.extremetix.com/webtix/3055/event/70670. Gates open at 2 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m.   The festival will be held at Route 29 Pavilion. 5650 Sandusky Blvd. in Concord.

Join the lovely poet known as Luvleeh Poetiklocks this afternoon as she brings forth her newest creation, her art series “Juicy Collection” and penned “pornetry” pieces “Beautiful After Dark.” This joint exhibition will feature readings as well as live canvas creation. Come with your senses, significant other and your friends to experience this liquid, lascivious time of exploration through art. Admission is FREE to attend and there will be books and art on sale for purchase. The event begins at 4 p.m. Please be sure to send a text to (845)-549-6144 for directions and entry. 1801 N. Tryon St., Suite #118.

Join local organization Young, Black & Parenting for the start of their all-new Summer Mixer series. This gathering is designed to provide parents with a positive space to talk about all things parenting. These mixers serve as a great space to bring your wallet photos and all your “I can’t believe my child did” stories to share with local Charlotte parents while networking over food and drinks. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/young-black-and-parenting-mixer-tickets-34019612577. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at FireWater Restaurant & Lounge. 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. in the University Area.

It’s the battle of the decades tonight at The Fillmore as Hip Hop legend The Diabolical Biz Markie presents “80s vs. 90s!” Come travel on this musical journey through the two most definitive and seminal decades of sound as Biz rocks all the hits, the forgotten joints and a few surprises in between! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.livenation.com/events/649958-jun-3-2017-biz-markie-80s-vs-90s. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. The Fillmore is located at 820 Hamilton St. in the NC Music Factory.

Get ready to House it up at The Morehead Tavern this Saturday night with another high-octane edition of RELEASE! Classic & Soulful House Party! The Deep House ProvidersDJ Marcus, Gary “Jackmaster” Wallace, DJ Tony Cutlass and DJ Badala B are revved up and ready to jolt and jack your body they best way they know how—nonstop House music all night long! For a special treat this evening, The Chosen Few DJs very own, the legendary DJ Alan King will be in the joint to give your body an extra boost of euphoria! Don’t miss this! Tickets can be purchased here: The party starts at 9 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.

 The JETA Team is ready to rock for the month of June as they proudly present, “Off The Wall – The Dope Experience!” Soul brothers and sound providers DJ Justice and DJ Aking Allah are ready to give you the dopeness in the flavors of Golden Era Hip Hop, R&B, House, Reggae, Rare Joints, 80s Grooves, Pop, Rock and more musical flyness! Admission is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.   #TheJETATeam

If you’re feenin’ for a different flavor in the the QC this Saturday night, head down to Apostrophe Lounge for another throwback jam session of “I Love the 90s!” Get down with DJ Freedom aka “Mr. Energy” and DJ Chance as they bang out all the hits from Hip Hop, Reggae, House, R&B, Go-Go and more! Doors open at 10 p.m. Admission is FREE until midnight. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Everyone head out to New Era Music House for your Saturday night fix as Peculiar Hippie and Audio Dope proudly present the Blacklight(r) Soundclash Series! This montly event is dedicated to the idea of pushing the envelope visually and musically within the Hip Hop/Electronic scene in Charlotte and beyond. For tonight’s theme two of Virginia Beach’s finest—Timbaland and Pharrell go head to head in a battle of Southern sonic dominance! Sounds will will be provided by Ahuf, Swan Megz and Na$a. Admission is FREE before 11 p.m. and will be $7 after. 21+ admitted only. 10 p.m. 5814 Old Concord Rd.

 

——-SUNDAY 6/4——-

Slide out to the all-new ROC’s Jazz Bar for their Sunday Brunch! Cool out after morning service with a menu of delicious, Southern-inspired eats, delectable live jazz treats and a collection of cocktails to add comfort as you cool out in your seat! The event will be hosted by Old School 105.3’s very own, the lovely Ms. Olympia D.! Admission is FREE and the event begins at 12 noon. ROC’s Jazz Bar is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. 

Moxie Society invites you out to Firehouse Bar & Lounge as they resurrect one of their previous get-downs with an updated twist, “Sippin’ On Sundays Pt. II!” Relax in this new Uptown QC venue with delicious food, drink specials, hookah, music from DJ Louie Vee and fresh-rolled stogies from Tailored Smoke. Admission is FREE but if you’re interested in VIP seating, please register and pay here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sippin-on-sundays-ii-feat-dj-loui-vee-tickets-34470157168. The event begins at 3 p.m. Firehouse Bar & Lounge is located at 320 W. Carson St. in Uptown.

This Sunday gets real soulful at Riverview Raw Bar & Chill as VKC Productions and Tailored Work Productions hosts their 1st Sundays Live Series! Come cool out with hometown hero and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rudy Currence performing with the VKC Band! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rudy-currence-1st-sundays-live-series-tickets-34399951180 or will be $25 at the door. The event begins at 3 p.m. Riverview Raw Bar & Chill is located at 10012 Moores Chapel Loop

Everyone spread love to each other and keep it flowing. Be a positive change in society. God Bless You.

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst