The Rundown: Things to do Thursday, June 8 – Monday, June 12

By Shawn D. Allison, II 

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

Hey everyone! I hope you all have had a fantastic week! School is finally out and there’s a lot of fun stuff to get into this weekend. From festivals, tributes, art classes and more, you certainly will not be bored! I have a pretty busy schedule too and if you want to track my trail, check out my “Hot List” just below!

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 – Jazzy Thursdays at Kanvas Gallery
  • THURSDAY-FRIDAY – Rory D. Sheriff’s “Be A Lion” at Duke Energy Theater
  • FRIDAY-SUNDAY – Taste of Charlotte Festival 2017
  • FRIDAY — Behailu Academy End of Year Showcase at C3 Lab
  • FRIDAY – PLAYER MADE at Snug Harbor
  • FRIDAY – The SoulJunkies’ “Baby Powder” at Mooney’s Lounge
  • SATURDAY — Play 4 A Cause – Food, Fun & Family at Eastway Park
  • SATURDAY – Art From the Heart Singles Paint Night at The Peace Pipe
  • SATURDAY – Purple Music VI at Soul Gastrolounge
  • SATURDAY – AfroPop One Year Anniversary Celebration at The Morehead Tavern
  • SUNDAY – Classic Black Cinema Series screening of “Siren of the Tropics” @The Gantt Center
  • SUNDAY – Diggers Delight Pop-Up Record Swap at Tip Top Daily Market
  • SUNDAY – 2017 MARS Spring Co-Ed Kickball Playoffs & Championship Tournament
  • MONDAY – SayWord Open Mic at Petra’s

 

——-THURSDAY 6/8——-

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 only $5. 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

Start your weekend off with some color and flair at Kanvas Gallery and get ready for the all-new Jazzy Thursdays! Loosen up that business attire and come enjoy some delicious drinks, fly artwork and some great jazz tunes from the lovely vocalist Ashanti Munir! Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 7 p.m. Kanvas Gallery is located at 525 E. 6th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.

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. The final two shows are tonight (6/8) and Friday (6/9) and will both start promptly at 7:30 p.m. The remaining performances 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 (6/8) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (6/9) and Saturday (6/10) 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 6/9——-

Get your appetites and taste buds ready this weekend because it’s time for Taste of Charlotte Festival 2017! Enjoy a weekend of food, music and fun in the heart of Uptown Charlotte taking over 6 blocks of Tryon Street! The Taste of Charlotte is the area’s largest outdoor family festival with features that include entertainment for all ages, children’s activities, live chef demonstrations, a local vendor marketplace and a special outdoor wine cellar. Admission to the festival is FREE but be sure to purchase festival tokens at booths scattered throughout the festival. The festival kicks off Friday (6/9) at 11 a.m.

This evening Behailu Academy proudly presents their End of Year Showcase! Head out to C3 Lab and enjoy some performances from the Behailu Academy Band, Acting Class, Improv Team, Spoken Word Group and Hip Hop Dancers. Exhibitions will be up on the wall that celebrates the work of the visual arts students of Block-printing, Photography and Design, Kinetic Art, Comic Book Drawing, Community Murals in partnership with the Mecklenburg County Health Department and Painting classes. There will be refreshments served. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the showcase starts at 6 p.m. Admission is FREE and everyone is invited. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.

Join the Guerilla Poets as they host their new monthly event “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

The Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invite you out to their 75th Anniversary “Party With A Purpose” this evening. Spend and evening mixing and mingling with these distinguished and dazzling divas as they raise funds for the Dr. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey Endowment at Johnson C. Smith University. Live entertainment will be provided by saxophonist Shableek Henderson with some follow-up tunes from DJ 06. There will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres available. By request, the attire for the evening is “cocktail/business casual.” Ticket purchases and donations can be made here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-incorporated-charlotte-alumnae-chapter-75th-anniversary-gala-tickets-32415710262. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at The Gantt Center. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Need a downtempo groove for your Friday evening? Head over to Twenty-Two Art Lounge as Dance In the Park CLT proudly presents “Sessions @ Twenty-Two!” Relax in a calm and eclectic atmostphere with some cool House, Deep House and Soul grooves provided by DJ Melodious Funk and DJ Johnnie Davis. Admission is FREE all night and there will be plenty of drink specials. 9 p.m. 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Jazz N’ Soul is back once again with another soul-stirring show at The Morehead Tavern! For tonight’s listening pleasure, come experience the moods, vibes, and graceful sounds of the soulful and sexy Ashanti Munir performing live! This vivavious vixen has vocals that are like fine wine being poured down your ear canal leaving you with a sense of euphoria. Please do not miss this performance! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/songstress-lady-munir-a-fresh-blast-of-soul-tickets-35027701799. Showtime is at 9 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. 

Calling all playas, ballers, shot callers and the like! Hop in your ‘Lacs, Bourbons, Duece and a 1/4s, Caprice Classics and head down to Snug Harbor for “PLAYER MADE!” Join DJs Overcash and Elevator Jay along with Jaboi B Rab and A-Huf as they take you on a funky ride through all eras of Southern Hip Hop. From OutKast, Goodie Mob, UGK, Master P, Nappy Roots, Little Brother, 8Ball & MJG, Trick Daddy, 2 Live Crew, Three 6 Mafia and more! The doors open at 9 p.m. and the funk starts at 10 p.m. Admission is FREE for people 21+ and $5 for people 18+. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

All my House heads, come out to Mooney’s Lounge this evening as The SoulJunkies’ presents “Baby Powder!” It’s Friday and it’s time to let loose with DJ Jazzy Bee, DJ Cee Low, DJ Police and special guest, DJ Punch giving you an extra boost of energy on the dance floor! Admission is $___ and the party starts at 9 p.m. Mooney’s Lounge is located at 2525 N. Graham St.   #SoulJunkies

 

——-SATURDAY 6/10——-

Rise and shine and head down to the Mosaic Village for “Savory Saturdays!” Enjoy a morning full of delicious eats, community greets and artistic treats from the Latibah Collard Green Museum. Participating mobile eateries will be The Coffee Priest, The Breakfast Food Truck and Two Chicks and a Truck. This event will be hosted by Historic West End Initiative. The event will begin at 8 a.m. The Mosaic Village is located at 1635 W. Trade St. on the outskirts of Uptown.   #HistoricWestEnd   #WestSideBestSide

Join The Konnected Foundation, Inc. crew at Eastway Park this morning as they host their “Play 4 A Cause – Food, Fun & Family” event. Think you got skills on the field? Come lace up those cleats for a few rounds of kickball with local teams competing for fun and bragging rights. In addition to all the action on the field there will be a ton of other activities including chess, checkers, face painting, potato sack racing, connect four, corn hole, jump rope, hopscotch and more. If you are interested in playing, please be sure to register here: http://thekonnectedfoundationinc.com/2017/05/18/play-4a-cause-june-10th/. The fun starts at 11 a.m. Eastway Park is located at 423 Eastway Dr.

Do you have dreadlocks, want to learn how to maintain them, or thinking about growing some? This is the class for you. Join Prosocialites at Tisun Beauty Supply as they host “Love Your Locs” this afternoon. Award Winning loctitian Shanae Levine walks you through a live tutorial on how to maintain your locks. Filled with lots of networking, goodies, gift cards and more, you’ll be sure to feel confident as you continue on your loc journey! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-your-locs-tickets-34806808100. The event begins at 2 p.m. Tisun Beauty Supply is located at 9011 S. Tryon St.   #Prosocialites

Get your groove on at The Gantt Center this afternoon and come out for the May edition of “Moving Spirits: Intensive Dance Workshop.” Led by Gantt Center teaching artist and Assistant Professor of Dance at UNC Charlotte, Tamara Williams, she will demonstrate the importance of empowerment of the female form, explorations of spirituality, and ritual practices as they relate to movement of the body. Today’s workshop focus centers around movements of the Orixá. Movements of the Orixás explores dances from the northeastern regions of Brazil. The dances found in this region are inspired by the Yoruba, Angola, Nago and Akan people of West Africa. Traditional dances including those that symbolize elements of nature. The class is $5 for general admission and FREE for Gantt Center members. 2 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

It’s National Iced Tea Day and this afternoon, head out to Hattie’s Tap & Tavern and get down at the “L.I.T. (Liquor Iced Tea) Day Party!” Come party with cold glasses of one of your favorite beverages and experience the sounds of Earl Grey, Indigo Flow, LATINFUTURE, Strawberry Highway and Sky High! There will also be some delicious cookies available for consumption provided as fuel for your nonstop dancing. Don’t miss this! Admission is $5 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-iced-tea-day-lit-a-day-party-w-favelas-quisol-tickets-35087945991 or at the door. The party starts at 3 p.m. Hattie’s Tap & Tavern is located at 2918 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Calling all singles! Join my friend and artist Christopher Clarke as he hosts “Art From the Heart Singles Paint Night!” Ladies and gentlemen come and enjoy an evening of art, laughter, fellowship, fine wine, hookah and music! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.paypal.me/artfromtheheart. The event begins at 4 p.m. and will be held at The Peace Pipe. 204 W. Woodlawn St. #ArtFromTheHeart

At Soul Gastrolounge this evening, get ready for all things purple once again. DJ’s Ray Anderson and Andy Kastanas host “Purple Music VI.” Get on the dance floor and celebrate the life, love and legacy of Prince. Admission is FREE to attend and the grooves start at 9 p.m. Soul Gastrolounge is located at 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Tonight, feel the exuberant colors and flavors of true Afrosensory dopeness at The Morehead Tavern and come out for the one-year celebration of AfroPop! It’s been an entire year since this culture jam kicked off and The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel invite you out to experience a bevy of sonic boom with Afrobeat, House, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, Latin Grooves, live African drumming and more! Also, be sure to get there early for a special Kizomba dance lesson and hop around to some of the local vendors with a wide assortment of fly art, threads, jewelry and more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-one-year-anniversary-tickets-34897027950. This event is brought to you by The Bantu Fete Team. 9 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.

——-SUNDAY 6/11——-

This morning at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, come out for the Civics 101—A Roadmap to Voter Empowerment course. For today’s session, join host and teacher Mr. Sherman Parker as he reads from Slavery—From the Shores of Africa to Captivity, 1619. This lesson will also include Slave narratives. There will be two classes: 11:45 a.m. in room #359 and 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Center. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is located at 3400 Beatties Ford Rd.

Attention all Crate Diggers, Vinyl Enthusiasts and Music Lovers… Spin yourselves over to the Tip Top Daily Market for the Diggers Delight Pop-Up Record Swap this afternoon! Sift and scour through a healthy selection of Jazz, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, R&B and Rock LPs for trade or purchase! Admission is FREE. The fun begins at 2 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Join Mr. Felix Curtis at The Gantt Center this afternoon for another Sunday editon of Classic Black Cinema Series. Today’s screening is the 1927 film, “Siren of the Tropics” starring late, great and incomparable Josephine Baker. Admission is FREE with museum membership and $9 for nonmembers to attend. The film will start at 2 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown. #CBCS

The time has come—the climax of the season is here and it’s time to crown a champion. Join MARS as they host the 2017 Spring Co-Ed Kickball Playoffs & Championship! 14 teams have ran, kicked, fielded, fought through injuries and rainchecks all season long and now all the action comes full circle in this battle for the trophy and bragging rights. Come watch us play and cheer us on as we see who’ll walk away the champions. There will be food and refreshments provided by husband and wife culinary team KayCee’s Catering and Kisha’s Cakes. The action starts at 2 p.m. at the Morrison Family YMCA. 9405 Bryant Farms Rd. in Ballantyne.   #MARS #Funletics

The collective forces of TJ Swann and Nekie B. invite you out to TCB 5400 Bar & Grill for the Sundress & Linden Day Party! For this special occasion, they honor all the local hairstylists and barbers who don’t get to attend any weekend day parties and they will help provide a fun and appreciate atmostphere for them to enjoy. There will be live music from a guest DJ and lots of food & drink specials. Ladies are admitted FREE before 5 p.m. The event begins at 3 p.m. TCB 5400 Bar & Grill is located at 5400 Nevin Rd. in the Derita Community.

Need some cool down flavor for your Sunday? Head over to FireWater Bar & Lounge as Good Vibes Promotions and Bella & Ivey proudly presents “Legendary Sundays #TheWeekendFinale Day Party!” End the weekend the right way as DJ FoundACEtion and DJ Kash break out the best of Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul and Reggae cuts for your listening pleasures. Also, be sure to grab some great drink specials on deck! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/legendary-sundays-theweekendfinale-daypartykickback-tickets-35195454552. The jam starts at 4 p.m. FireWater is located at 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. in the University Area.

The battle of words and regions collide this evening at the “704 vs. 336 Poetry Slam!” Who will take the crown—Queen City CLTive or W.O.R.D. from Winston-Salem? Join host Rome D’Carlo in this lyrical bout full of wit, knowledge and endless creativity in the first-ever area code poetry battle in Charlotte! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/704-vs-336-poetry-slam-tickets-34752484617. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at The Peace Pipe. 204 W. Woodlawn Rd., Suite “H”.

Craving some food for your soul? This evening, slide over to The Third Place for the June edition of the Black Folks Dinner! This monthly potluck dinner is a gathering by and for Black folks. It is a space for Blackness that spans nations, nationalities, mediums and mindsets, which also serves as a place for us to build community and to just be comfortable with ourselves. Feel free to bring any dish you please. Admission is FREE to attend and it will begin at 7 p.m. The Third Place is located at 1609 E. 5th St. in Uptown.

Gather your family and head over to Symphony Park for the return of “Summer Pops!” The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra joins forces with some musicians of Jazz Arts Initiative to bring you some live jazz in the park! Enjoy a night of jazz standards and all the favorites including “In the Mood”, “Stardust”, “Moonlight Serenade” plus more classic tunes including some interludes featuring selections for jazz combinations. Tickets can be purchased here: https://secure.charlottesymphony.org/summerpops2017-st/. The event begins at 7 p.m. Symphony Park is located at 4400 Sharon Rd. in the South Park Area.

 

——-MONDAY 6/12——-

Fresh from the Southern Fried Poetry Slam, join host Jst Jah of Grannae’s Boyz and the Respect Da’ Mic Slam Team as he hosts another round of SayWord Open Mic at Petra’s! Got something in your heart or on your mind? Feel free to express yourselves however you please on stage in front of an attentive and supportive audience. Admission is $5. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend everyone! Be someone’s encouragement, joy and peace.

 

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

#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst