By Shawn Allison
Yo, what’s happenin’ my Queen City Brothers & Sisters? Summer
is finally here! Here’s your list Weekend Rundown full of fun, fantastic and funky activities to kick off your Solstice season in style!
Thursday Highlights
• “Intro to 3D Print & Design” at 1 p.m.
• “Science After-Hours” at 7 p.m.
• “Potions & Pixels: Video Games, Board Games and Community!” at 7 p.m.
• “12 Angry Hens.” at 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, June 23
Parents, bring the kids out to Discovery Place this afternoon for some interactive and enriching fun as they participate in the National Week of Making! Today’s unit is entitled, “Intro to 3D Print & Design.” Learn how a 3D printer works, try some programming, see 3D printers in action and discover why this ground-breaking technology could have a daily impact in our future. Admission is FREE. The session begins at 1 p.m. Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This evening, take a short drive out to Gastonia and head over to The Schiele Museum of Natural History for a calming and fun shindig entitled, “Science After-Hours.” Bring your friends and colleagues out to test your mind with trivia, enjoy refreshments, fresh craft brews, hear interesting speakers, and experience a show in the all-new Science Theatre! Admission is $5 for museum members and $7 for non-members. The event begins at 7 p.m. The Schiele Museum is located at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia.
For some true adult fun, head over to Petra’s this evening for “Potions & Pixels: Video Games, Board Games and Community!” There will be a wide variety of multiplayer games from all eras and for all skill levels. From Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros., Love Letter, Click Clack Lumberjack and more! Admission is FREE! Bring as many friends as you desire and have a good time! The games begin at 7 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #PotionsAndPixels
The hilarious local theatre troupe Charlotte Squawks is getting rave reviews of their latest project, “12 Angry Hens.” 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.carolinatix.org/events/detail/charlotte-squawks-12. Tonight’s show begins at 7:30 and it will run all the way to Sunday, June 26. Come out and see who all will get ‘squawked’! 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, June 24
Hey young people! Come out to ImaginOn for an afternoon full of fun activities! First up, for the children ages 5-11, get ready for “Story Explorers: Maker School Summer S.T.E.A.M.!” You will get to explore books and stories in creative ways through interactive activities including math, science, games, and more! Design, build and experiment! Challenge yourself this summer with a variety of creative stations that inspire your inner maker. This session begins at 1:30 p.m.
Next up for the teenagers, you think you know about hip hop? Then come out for the “Hip Hop Forum.” You and many other of your peers will get a chance to voice your opinion about what’s hot in hip hop today including what artist(s) are “it” and why. Please, bring your friends out; the more voices, the better! The forum begins at 2 p.m. Both events are FREE to attend. ImaginOn is located at 300 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
Head over to The Park Church as their local Junior Girl Scout troop 875 hosts, the “Read On! Adventures In Reading Summer Literacy Read-A-Thon.” After much research and discovery, studies show that many children in the community do not read on their respective grade level. In fact, almost 60% of third graders in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are not reading at their proper grade level. Research also says that over the summer, some students lose two to three months of reading skills that they learned the year before. This Read-A-Thon is a FREE event with fun and exciting activities for Pre-K through 6th grade. The goal of this event is to keep kids reading over the summer. Troop 875 wants to help improve childhood literacy in the community and are also sponsoring a book drive. Books collected will be donated to organizations in the community that serve children who may not have books at home. These dedicated young ladies will also volunteer with these organizations over the summer. The event begins at 6 p.m. The Park Church is located at 6029 Beatties Ford Rd.
This evening, bring the entire tribe out to local ministry, Without Walls Church as they will host their “Free Family Game Night.” There will be face painting and movies for the kids, fresh-popped popcorn maker , cotton candy and more! For the competitive entertainment, there will be various board games, Charades, and many other family friendly games. There will also be a cookout on the patio. This is will be a joyous and fun night to come out and hang out, and have some fun! Vendors please email withoutwallsnc@gmail.com for vendor information. As noted earlier, this event is FREE to attend. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. Without Walls Church is located at 125 W. Tremont Ave. in Historic South End.
Start your first weekend of Summer at Treehouse Vineyards this evening and get your brains geared for “June Treehouse Trivia!” Bring your friends, colleagues and older cousins out and prepare to laugh, think and drink! Teams will consist of 2-8 players. Best team names and bonus prizes will be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes! Also to satisfy your belly’s needs, BRIXX Food Truck will be serving up some good ol’ food truck dishes for you to enjoy. Admission is FREE to attend. The gates open at 7 p.m. and the game begins at 7:30 p.m. Treehouse Vineyards is located at 301 Bay St. in nearby Monroe.
This evening, head over to Hilton Charlotte University Place for a rather unique film experience! Join multi-award winning Jade Bryant as she presents her acclaimed project, “The Shattered Mind” for a special viewing. “The Shattered Mind” is a film that explores a Black and deaf family’s journey through life while their daughter Zhane Rain struggles to overcome adversity stemming from traumatic childhood circumstances and hearing loss. Admission is $12 per person and can be purchased here: http://jadefilm.com/NCticketing.html. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the screening begins at 7 p.m. Hilton Charlotte University Place is located at 8629 J.M. Keynes Dr. in the University Area. #BlackCinemaMatters
Let loose at Petra’s this evening and take a musical journey into yesteryear with “Mirror Moves: The Free Alternative Dance Party!” DJ’s Cody Hare and Jason Herring will be dropping the best of 80s & 90s Pop, New Wave, Techno, House, Synth Pop, EDM and more! Admission is FREE to attend. The party starts at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
We remember those who have passed and went home to glory in all sorts of creative ways. This Friday night, take a short drive to Kings Mountain and help celebrate the life and legacy of local community patriot William Blackman Kendrick. Tunes will be spun all night by DJ Tony Cutlass and DJ BesKep. Admission is $10. The event begins at 9 p.m. and will be held at Kings Mountain American Legion. The address is 613 E. Gold St. in Kings Mountain.
Cap your Friday off by heading over to The Tavern this evening as the good people of Jazz N’ Soul Music proudly welcomes back SoundBridge! If you do not know what SoundBridge is, it is a bridging of the grooves of Neo-Soul, Funk and Jazz creating a totally organic and creative fusion. Join the mystical Antonio Bernard and his band accompanied with the soulful vocals of Kyran McShaw as they re-create some of the greatest contemporary and quiet storm tunes of the past few decades. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soundbridge-bridging-classic-and-neo-soul-with-jazz-and-funk-tickets-26067147540. The show begins at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
Get ready to get your body jacked this Friday night at Soul Gastrolounge as DJ Gary ‘Jackmaster’ Wallace proudly presents the June edition of “House Beatz & Eatz!” Enjoy fine, eclectic cuisine as the best of Classic, Soulful and Deep House tunes groove your body into the night. Admission is FREE and the funk begins at 9 p.m. Soul Gastrolounge is located at 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #HouseMusicLives
SATURDAY, June 25
This morning, come and fill your bellies with healthy goodness, shop local and make a difference in your community as local organic farm, Sow Much Good brings forth their Sunset Road Neighborhood Farmstand. Healthy eating is a necessity in today’s time and Sow Much Good is committed to promoting great health as well as great community service. Sow Much Good will have an assortment of various organic fruits and vegetables grown in the Charlotte area available for purchase this and every Saturday. The market opens at 8 a.m. Sow Much Good is located at 3400 Sunset Rd. #SowMuchGood
Parents, take your children and their friends out to Gastonia this morning and head out to The Schiele Museum of Natural History for a technological throw-down like no other! Get ready to experience, “Clash of the Bots!” See robots play hockey and clash with one another in battles of finesse and brute strength. Also, there will be plenty of other robotic hands on activities and crafts for your enjoyment and imagination. This event is $3 in addition to museum admission. The event begins at 10 a.m. The Schiele Museum is located at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia.
Brothers and sisters, get down and get fly this afternoon at the all-new Club One as the sophisticated ladies of the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. presents the “Denim & White Day Affair!” Come dressed in your denim and white apparel to mix, mingle and enjoy some delicious libations! Your hosts for this event are the brothers of the Pi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the fly sounds will be provided by DJ Hot Rod. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/denim-white-day-affair-tickets-25876074034?aff=ebrowse. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit local scholarship funds. The event begins at 2 p.m. Club One is located at 950 NC Music Factory Blvd. which is on the outskirts of Uptown.
It’s the time of year again! Head over to Freedom Park as The Jazz Diva, Key Signature Entertainment and Mecklenburg Park and Recreation proudly presents, “Freedom Summer Series!” Enjoy live, smooth jazz on this beautiful evening with the entire family! Hitting the stage are local acts, The Groove Masters Band, 5th & York and saxophonist Dante Lewis. For your headlining entertainment, there will be nationally acclaimed artists, Matt Marshak, The Urban Jazz Coalition and Chris Standring. Admission is FREE to attend. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets. There will be food and drink available for purchase. The event begins at 6 p.m. Freedom Park is located at 1900 East Blvd. in the Dilworth Neighborhood.
Come enhance your vision at The Light Factory this evening for an enlightening and entertaining conversation with current exhibiting artist Sam Wang regarding his photographic process. Sam will share insight and will be answering questions regarding his work in the current exhibition, Total Immersion. Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. The Light Factory is located at 1817 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Head over to Haylo Healing Arts Lounge for the second annual Summer Solstice Elemental Art Party! The theme of the evening is “For the Fire Within,” and all artists are invited to create fire. Also, performers of pyro artistry, you are also invited to come show the audience how it’s done! Experience this annual communal gathering to stoke the fires of life and burn away what no longer serves. DJ Skinner and DJ Kaizen on deck spinning some mood music and downtempo grooves. Also, there will be a specialty beer and cocktail bar pop-up! This event is FREE so come out and feel the unlimited creativity and spirit within and expand it to others! The event begins at 7 p.m. Haylo Healing Arts Lounge is located at 1111 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
This Saturday at BluNotes, that sultry and sexy GiGi Mack will be vocally caressing the stage for a special editon of “Blues & Grooves!” If you’ve never heard Ms. Mack sing before, you are missing out on a timeless and energetic performance packed with lots of soul that’ll soothe your ears like a significant other whispering into them. There will be two shows this evening: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Admission is $4 for each show. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
This evening, slide out to 360 Lounge and get ready as Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment presents “Saturday Night Soul” featuring national recording artist, Lawd Dweez. Admission is $10. Hosted by the “King of Uptown Swagga” and DJ I.Q. Doors open at 8 p.m. 360 Lounge is located at 7030 Smith Corners Blvd. in the Northlake Area.
This evening, head out to Zoe’s Coffee House in Gastonia for a live an intimate concert featuring three of Charlotte’s brightest and upcoming artists: Arsena Shroeder, Jason Jet and Dexter Jordan. Each of them brings a new breath of fresh air to music and will totally help you relax while enjoying their extraordinary energy. Admission is only $5. The show begins at 9 p.m. Zoe’s Coffee House is located at 170 S. South St., Suite #103-B in Gastonia.
Swing those hips over to Dupp & Swat this evening for the fun and energetic “Kiz-Salsa Dance Night!” Come experience this vibrant fusion of Kizomba music from West Africa (Angola/Cape Verde), Salsa from Latin America, Semba music from Brazil and Zouk music of the French-Caribbean peoples of Guadeloupe. Before the party gets started, there will be a quick 15-minute lesson on dance basics, body movements, rhythms and a dance with a partner. This course is for all dance levels and types. Come try something new and exciting! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kiz-salsa-dance-night-tickets-25960640976. The event begins at 9:30 p.m. Dupp & Swat is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
If you’re looking for the ultimate non-commercial culture jam, head on down to Petra’s for “Su Casa: The June Edition!” Filled with an abundance of positive energy, love, radiance, peace, art and nonstop dancing your soul is sure to break a sweat! Music by DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel featuring MC Loot-Tenant Trax. Admission is $10 and the party starts at 10 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
SUNDAY, June 26
Bring the tribe down to the Mint Museum because it’s time for “Sunday Funday!” You and the little ones will be able to explore the art and craft of shoemaking, design your own cool kicks at the shoe design lab, learn how to sketch shoes, and make a ‘sole’ impression on the public! Also, while you’re at the Mint, please feel free to wander around all the galleries and take advantage of the ‘Let’s Move!” yoga sessions. Admission is FREE for children and Mint museum members and it is $6 for non-members. The fun starts at 1 p.m. The Mint Museum is located at 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This afternoon, treat yourselves and engage in necessary, thought-provoking dialogue as The Single, Saved & Serious (SSS) Movement presents, “Sex, Status & Success from a Godly Perspective.” This second installment of this conversation series will present a returning all-male panel discussing the topics at hand from a Christian-based point of view. This discussion will be hosted by the lovely Jennifer Cook and SSS creator Brandon Chuck Brown. Admission is $5. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-status-and-success-from-a-godly-perspective-part-ii-tickets-26004728844 or at the door. The event begins at 1 p.m. 360 Lounge, 7030 Smith Corners Blvd. in the Northlake Area.
People, come on out to C3 Lab and flex your artistic muscles as the lovely artist and activist Bree Stallings hosts a fun and interesting class entitled, “Expressive Figure Drawing: Learning Anatomy In Motion.” Learn anatomy and work on loosening your lines in this easy and fun one-day workshop. This course is perfect for the action drawer, comic artist, aspiring animator, or those looking to freshen up their anatomy and movement knowledge. Includes large newsprint paper, charcoal, pencils and permanent ink. Please bring: a sketchbook for notes, any additional thicker paper you might want to use. Admission is $35 and can be paid here: http://www.c3-lab.com/classes-workshops/expressivedrawing. This session is only reserved for people ages 18+ and it begins at 1 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Ladies, come out to Advent Coworking this afternoon for an intimate and interactive workshop designed to not only help you get in better touch with your feminine health, but to uplift your spirit and power as bearers of humanity. Join Kelley Carboni-Woods and Nicole Brantley as they host, “Wellness From Within: A Wom(b)man’s Retreat.” This workshop will include an informative talk by Nicole on feminine health, fresh healthy snacks for you to enjoy, including Happy Apple Juicery’s organic cold-pressed juice, and a gentle yoga session led by Kelley. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wellness-from-within-a-wombmens-retreat-tickets-25612691249. The session begins at 2 p.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Head over to Symphony Park this evening for another theatrically musical edition of “Summer Pops!” The theme for the evening is “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!” and The Charlotte Symphony will take you to destinations both near and far with selections ranging from Grieg’s “Norwegian Dance” and Mussorgsky’s “Great Gate of Kiev” to “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.” There will be a prelude performed by Province of Thieves. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/charlotte-symphony-summer-pops-2016. The gates open at 5 p.m.. Prelude begins at 7 p.m. and the Symphony concert begins at 8:15 p.m. Symphony Park is located at 4400 Sharon Rd. in the South Park Area.
Have a terrific weekend everyone! God Bless!,Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give. #WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller