By Shawn D. Allison, II
My people, greetings to each and every one of you! We have a three-day weekend on our hands with lots of stuff to get into! So while you find time to indulge in barbecues make sure you find time indulge in all
of these goodies I have listed for you this weekend. As for yours truly, The Black Ferris Bueller, I will be hot on the QC streets this weekend and if you want to know what’s really movin’ and shakin’, peep my Hot List just down yonder!
- THURSDAY – Mosaic Live presents Bars & Beats
- THURSDAY – JazzArts Charlotte presents JazzArts All-Stars: Blues, Bebop & Beyond
- FRIDAY—SUNDAY – Culture Quest CLT
- FRIDAY — This Is Art | This Is Public Health Showcase at Camp North End
- FRIDAY—SATURDAY — JazzArts Charlotte presents The Jazz Room: Sean Mason Trio Plays Ahmad Jamal
- FRIDAY – Radio Rehab Carolinas and We Are Stereotypez presents HELLA COLLAB at Crown Station
- SATURDAY – Sol Nation Brunch & Tech Social
- SATURDAY — ArtPop – Pop Up Gallery Show at Evoke
- SATURDAY – Su Casa: The 8 Year Anniversary Edition at Petra’s
- SUNDAY – Scrambled Eggs Jazz Brunch at Tip Top Daily Market
- SUNDAY — NC Soul-Full Vegan Fest at Heist Brewery
- SUNDAY – A Sign of the Times presents “2019 Straight-Ahead Jazz Series”
- SUNDAY – Soulful Sundays House Music Party at Club One
- MONDAY – 3rd Annual Jazz Under the Stars feat. Terence Young
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, MAY 23——-
The City of Charlotte along with Sustain Charlotte invite you to the Building Equitable Cities Seminar this evening. The studies and rankings make it clear — we all need to work together to build an equitable Charlotte. But how? Come and get engaged in this crucial, action-oriented conversation with Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio and former HUD Secretary under Pres. Bill Clinton. Cisneros offers practical people-based and place-based strategies for driving equitable growth in cities, with a healthy dose of inspiration and vision. Cisneros is also the author of “Building Equitable Cities: Driving Economic Mobility and Regional Growth.” Admission is FREE to attend and light appetizers will be provided. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-equitable-cities-with-henry-cisneros-tickets-60575214096. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Project 658. 3646 Central Ave.
Slide into the weekend on a mellow vibe and grab your friends and glide down to Loft & Cellar for Midweek Mimosas this evening! Come relax and enjoy a variety of meal and cocktail specials including $5 Mimosas and Bellinis along with $7 slushies. And for your audible grooves, Dammit Wesley transforms his painter canvas into a set of turntables giving your ears some smoothed out Ambient, Deep House, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop and R&B tunes to enjoy. FREE admission. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.
Sit back and enjoy an artistic vibe for a special Thursday evening coolout, Mosaic Live presents 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.
Dapper Street Productions invites you to start your weekend on an infatuated artistic vibe as they proudly present Piano Jazz – The Intimate Series this evening. Take a load off and come experience the passion of the Dapper Street Jazz Band with a special round of rhythm and moods as pianist Sean Higgins pays homage to Herbie Hancock. Admission is FREE to attend and there will be light refreshments available. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Sugar Creek Library Branch. 4045 N. Tryon St.
All my fellow film enthusiasts, bring your cinematic comrades down to Camp North End for the 2019 48 HFP Cannes Critique! Join the discussion as artists and filmmakers gather to analyze and discuss The 48 Hour Film Project as a platform to grow visibility for Charlotte as a cultural center among the world’s largest film festivals. Each year more than 130 cities around the world compete in The 48 Hour Film Project-each city sends their best film. The top 12 films go on to screen at Festival de Cannes and a chance to win $5,000 and a distribution deal. Tonight, you and other filmgoers will get to watch the entire 2019 Cannes collection and then communally discuss elements of each film and why it was chosen among the best films. FREE admission. 6:30 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.
JazzArts Charlotte invites you to start your weekend off with some vibrant and youthful musical energy as they invite you to The Jazz Room presents the JazzArts All-Stars: Blues, Bebop & Beyond! The young ambassadors of jazz will perform a special evening of music for one night only. Possessing a musical maturity rarely heard from high school musicians, the All-Stars will feature renditions from some of your favorite jazz icons, such as Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter and John Coltrane, including the All-Stars’ original compositions from their 2019 repertoire. Come out and support the future of jazz and the JazzArts Academy scholarships program. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/jazzarts-all-star-youth-ensemble-showcase. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at The Stage Door Theater. Located on the corner of E. 5th St. & N. College St. in Uptown.
Join Porsha the Poet as she hosts Lyrical Healing Open Mic Poetry this evening! Do you have a talent? Showcase it. Do you have friends? Bring them. Do you have positive energy? Share it and spread love among all as you experience the artistic vibrancy of some of the QC’s brightest creative vocal and verbalizing beacons of light. Admission is FREE to attend and there will be cocktail specials all night long. The show will start promptly at 8 p.m. at Negril Social Restaurant & Lounge. 3428 N. Tryon St.
——FRIDAY, MAY 24——-
This weekend, Black Business Owners of Charlotte invites you, your friends and your palates on a culinary expedition entitled Culture Quest CLT (Taste to Discover)! For the month of May, come and celebrate the food, music and fashion of Latino culture with a dope mix of cuisines, dance and music styles and many other traditions. Visit http://www.bboclt.com for more details.
Put some creative flavor in your Friday night and head down to Camp North End for the This Is Art | This Is Public Health Showcase! In a collaborative conjunction with Meck Co. Public Health, noted artist, educator and activist Bree Stallings leads the youth in creatively responding to prompts to produce artwork central to the public health themes of the conversations. Real Talk |Real Action conversations are explicitly designed to inform youth about crucial public health issues affecting them and their communities. After the dialogue has been initiated, a special art exhibition from Bree’s work will be showcased reflecting the youth narratives of what ignited and inspired them from Real Talk |Real Action conversations. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-is-art-this-is-public-health-free-event-tickets-60770279542. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.
JazzArts Charlotte is back to add some more classic juice to your weekend jig presenting The Jazz Room: Sean Mason Trio Plays Ahmad Jamal! Charlotte native and elevating instrumentalist Sean Mason and his crew return to the Stage Door Theater spotlight to pay some musical homage to one of jazz’s most enigmatic ivory ticklers, Ahmad Jamal. Jamal’s work was a sonic intellection fusing the realms of space and time through his creativity which eventually put jazz in a new spotlight. Tickets to this magic show can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-at-the-stage-door-theater-18. There will be four performances this weekend: Friday (5/24) at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (5/25) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. All shows will be held at the Stage Door Theater located at E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown.
Are you a local creative and desire to enhance your brand for more a more lucrative appeal? If so, Dear Soul Music Co. invites you out to Camp North End for the Using Your Unique: Artist Branding Workshop this evening. This 4-week program for emerging creatives looking to market and present their creative works. In this series, participants learn healthy marketing and branding skills to aid them in their efforts through a course-end photo shoot, and social media & graphic design tips. Today’s lesson is entitled, “Components of Your Promotional Package.” All classes will be taught by singer, instrumentalist and Dear Soul Music Co. founder Arsena Schroeder. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/using-your-unique-artist-branding-workshop-tickets-58400884618. The session will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Hygge Coworking at Camp North End. 330 Camp Rd.
The Sol Kitchen is ready to turn up this Friday night as they invite you out to Suite for Memorial WKD Friday! Celebrate this three-day weekend with all your friends with cocktail specials and some fly music from none other than my homeboy DJ Skillz! Admission is FREE before 11 p.m. and the jump off is at 9:30 p.m. Suite is located at 210 E. Trade St. at The Epicentre in Uptown. #TheSolKitchen
The coolest crew known as Radio Rehab Carolinas is back one mo’ gin in conjunction with our family We Are Stereotypez presenting another episode of the city’s hottest Hip Hop jam & networking session, Sounds N’ Sixteens presents HELLA COLLAB! Step into the zone and gear your ears to the stage as a collective of the QC’s hottest up-and-coming producers, MCs, beatsmiths and musicians collaborate in an evening of pure, unfiltered Hip Hop energy! Talents include: GnG, LS, C-Loud, Drew Prince, Royal City Life, Trizzy Tracks and Will Wundah. Music will be provided by The Mighty DJ DR and will be hosted by Bluz, Earl Grey and Loot-Tenant Trax. Admission is $5 per person. The jump off is at 10 p.m. at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——-SATURDAY, MAY 25——-
Young ladies, add some sunlight in your life as Sol Nation, Inc. invites you out for their Sol Nation Brunch & Tech Social this morning! Moms, aunties, cousins and grannies grab your favorite girl and step into the world of coding! This event is geared to build sisterhood, break bread, talk tech and even participate in a few coding activities! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sol-nation-brunch-tech-tickets-61570447867. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Hygge Coworking at Camp North End. 330 Camp Rd. #SolNation
Get in rhythm at The Gantt Center this morning and come out for the Moving Spirits Workshop – Movements of the Orixá (Brazil) dance class! For today’s episode, join host, dancer, choreographer, and founder of Moving Spirits, Inc., Tamara Williams 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. These African diaspora forms are a study of the connections between the rhythms and the traditional movement, archetype and story, and spirituality interpreted as an art form. Tickets can be purchased here: https://give.ganttcenter.org/checkout/10531. The class will begin at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This morning, BlkTechCLT invites you to be a part of their newest avenue, BlkTechCLT Collection! In conjunction with Char-Meck Library, this business resource book collection will host books on business, innovation and Black entrepreneurship. Today’s activities include story time for children ages 3+, an introduction to BlkTechCLT membership, signing up for STEM activities and much more. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blktechclt-collection-sugar-creek-library-launch-celebration-tickets-61965822443. The event will begin at 11 a.m. at the Sugar Creek Library Branch. 4045 N. Tryon St.
Ladies, gather your girls and head down to BlkMrktCLT for the #CareFreeBlackGirl CookOut this afternoon! Come get engaged in this interactive festival which promotes, women empowerment, entrepreneurship and the arts. There will be female DJs rockin’ the spot along with vendors, performers, a glam bar, food, games and all sorts of positive Black Girl Magic in the place! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carefreeblackgirl-cookout-charlotte-tickets-60714283055. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. BlkMrktCLT is located inside Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave.
Mr. 305 Entertainment and OutenLove Events have teamed up to bring you the biggest daytime bash this Saturday – The Summer Jam Day Party: Memorial Weekend Edition! Relax with your crew and play it cool as DJ Glory of 92.7 The Block spins an incredible and energetic arsenal of Top 40, Hip Hop, R&B and much more! There will be plenty of food and cocktail specials available. Tickets purchases and RSVPs can be made here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-jam-day-party-memorial-day-weekend-2019-tickets-61982633726. The event will begin at 4 p.m. at Firehouse Bar & Lounge. 320 W. Carson Blvd. in Uptown.
Enjoy an evening of visual vogue at Evoke and come out to the ArtPop – Pop Up Gallery Show! Come and celebrate the “les beaux-arts” of Charlotte at this quarterly gallery showcase, browse local pieces and meet the creatives while enjoying a wide selection of delicious free hors d’oeuvres, wines, craft beers and cocktails! The artists featured for the evening are Cass Bradley, Hamilton Ward, Irisol Gonzalez, Marvin Espy and Margaret Fleeman. The event is FREE to attend and will begin at 6 p.m. Evoke is located at 555 S. McDowell St. in Uptown.
It’s goin’ down at Press Box Bar & Grill this Saturday night as First 2 First Ent. Invites you for some starry-eyed supernova fun at Sirius Saturday! Come and pack the dance floor as the famed DJ Love Dinero rocks the house with a special blend of Hip Hop, Top 40, R&B, Reggae and much more! Also, Tek 9 Movements will be in the house adding some additional flavor to the mix! There will be cocktail and kitchen specials running all night long. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sirius-saturday-tickets-62198803295. The party starts at 9 p.m. The Press Box is located at 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area.
Step into a world of Afrofuturistic flavor and get down the good foot at the QC’s longest-running oasis for the culturally starved — Su Casa: The 8 Year Anniversary Edition! Join your lovely host Jasiatic Anderson and resident sound selectors Soul Brother DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel for an evening headed deep into the cultural abyss of Afrobeat, Soul, House, Brazilian Rhythms, Samba, Calypso, Reggae, Dancehall, The Funk, Downtempo, Soca, Gqom, Rare Grooves and much more! Also, one of the QC’s hottest sound machines — Quentin Talley & The Soul Providers will be channeling the great and wonderful Stevie Wonder with a LIVE medley of his biggest hits! Admission is $10 and the jump off is at 10 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——-SUNDAY, MAY 26——-
Catch some cultural scrumptiousness at Tip Top Daily Market and come relax at the the Scrambled Eggs Jazz Brunch this morning! Chill, mellow & cool out as DJs Luke Stemmerman, Flock of Slagles and friends sets the mood with a selection of Ambient, Avant-Garde, Fusion, Soul and Jazz tunes from their own personal vinyl collections. Also, be sure to grab a fresh brew and delicious eats from Killer B’s Food Truck who’ll have a special Sunday brunch menu for today! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 11 a.m. 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Take a two-wheeled stroll through history this afternoon with the Queen City EZ Riders Slow Biking Gang as they invite you to be part of their Coffee & Vegan Food Group Ride! Join host and avid Black cycling enthusiast Kenya Templeton as she guides you along a mellow-paced ride throughout Belmont, NoDa & Villa Heights and giving some historical facts about Charlotte and these neighborhoods in particular. Also, you’ll get some digest some goodness at Queen’s Coffee Bar and at the North Carolina SoulFull Vegan Festival! Admission is FREE to attend. You will meet at Queen’s Coffee Bar and roll out by 12 noon. 1720 Pegram St. in the Belmont Neighborhood.
Get a taste of clean and soulful cuisine as Veltree – The Vegan Experience invites you out to the inaugural NC Soul-Full Vegan Fest! Enjoy this afternoon dedicated to health, longevity and the fullness of life with a variety of delicious vegan dishes and treats, vendors with lots of quality products and services, games and a live performance from Ayanna Gregory! This event will be hosted by Bro. Morathi Howie. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nc-soul-full-vegan-fest-tickets-55432567301. The event will begin at 12 noon at Heist Brewery. 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
OutenLove Events invites you to come and remember when romance and music blended like your favorite cocktail at the Rhythm N’ Booze Brunch & Day Party this afternoon! Bring your friends out to enjoy some delectable delicacies, drink specials, live music from El Lambert & A Few Dope People and a special guest DJ dropping all the hottest R&B jams and ballads from today and yesteryear. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhythm-n-booze-brunch-day-party-tickets-62067241791. The event will begin at 12 noon at Explict Bistro & Lounge. 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Catch some more tropical flavor today as my brother Tyrone Redfish Davis of The RedFish Xperience invites you to the Rum Punch Brunch! Enjoy an afternoon full of fellowship, positive energy, dope Reggae and Dancehall tunes and delicious food with your family and friends! The get down starts at 2pm at Mama’s Caribbean Bar and Grill. 1504 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Put some soul in your Sunday and head over to CPCC Main Campus for the May installment of the 2019 Straight-Ahead Jazz Series! Hosted and played by A Sign of the Times, come celebrate jazz—the “gift” our culture gave to America. This event will include a free jazz workshop where they explain the basics of playing the ‘Blues and Rhythm’ changes and a special interactive performance featuring some notable straight-ahead jazz classics from jazz masters of yesteryear! Admission is $5 per person and tickets can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-straight-ahead-jazz-series-april-thru-oct-by-a-sign-of-the-times-tickets-60557805025. The event begins promptly at 3 p.m. inside Tate Hall, Halton Performing Arts Building at CPCC Main Campus. 1206 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.
What’s a weekend without House music? It’ll be pretty boring if you don’t drag your friends, feet, mind, body and soul down to Club One for the all-new Soulful Sundays House Music Party! Join the RELEASE! maestro Jackmaster Gary Wallace and DJ Sir Charles Dixon as they give you a serious jolt of classic and soulful House, Deep House, Funk, Downtempo, Soul, R&B and Rare Grooves for you to boogie to! Admission is $10 per person. The party starts at 7 p.m. Club One is located at 950 NC Music Factory Blvd.
5 Boroughs Ent. invites you to end your weekend with a serious bang with the 30 Years of Hip Hop Sunset Party! Come and relive the magic and magnificence of our culture as we honor one of our greatest statesmen, LL Cool J, with a dope mix of his hits from Def Jam to now including all sorts of classic Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Reggae and much more! Your grooves will be handled, mixed, mastered and provided by supersonic sound man DJ Chance and Chief Rocka Aking Allah. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/30-yrs-of-hip-hop-llcool-j-story-tickets-61004259382. The jump off is at 6 p.m. at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——-MONDAY, MAY 27——-
This evening, take a short drive to nearby Belmont, head over to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and get ready for the 3rd Annual Jazz Under the Stars! Bring your friends out for an evening of cool grooves featuring the string-plucking smoothness of guitarist Terence Young! This virtuoso has been on many stages showcasing his impeccable musicianship and tonight, come experience Terence and his band performing your favorite contemporary R&B and Soul classics with a touch of smooth jazz flavor. This event is presented by The Jazz Diva herself, the beautiful Tammy Greene. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-jazz-under-the-stars-daniel-stowe-botanical-garden-tickets-60038130665. Doors open at 6 p.m. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located at 6500 South New Hope Rd. in Belmont.
Start your week off on the good foot and head down to Tip Top Daily Market for the all-new Motown Mondays! Take a step Black in time, when the music was live, the Brothers were clean and the sophisticated Sister was the quintessential paramount of beauty. There will be rotating DJs throughout each installment giving your ears the best of classic Soul and R&B tunes! Admission is FREE. 8 p.m. 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Shoot over to Snug Harbor for everyone’s favorite alternative/underground Hip Hop jam session, Knocturnal! B-boys and B-girls come out for an evening of positive energy and classic Hip Hop culture featuring Justin Aswell Blackwood, DJ Ray and all of their dope friends. Admission is FREE. The get down starts at 10 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
COMING SOON…
5/31 — LET LOVE: A Conversation with Common & Bishop Claude Alexander
5/31 – BlaQue Folx Chill: Connection & Conversation for the Black Queer Community
6/1 – Off The Wall – “Hotter Than June” Edition
6/2 – 3rd Annual We’ve Got The Jazz Fest
6/3 – Revolt Comedy Show #08
6/7 — AfroPop! Charlotte: The Block Party, Vol. 3
6/7 – Gantt After Dark
6/7 — PURPLE NOTE 4: Celebrating The Life Of Prince Through Jazz
6/7 – The Sol Kitcken presents “A King & A Prince w/ Mad Skillz”
6/7 – Blow Your Head: June Edition
6/8 – SociaLight, Inc. presents the “School’s Out Teen Bash”
6/8 — Attending An HBCU: Lunch & Learn
6/8 – New Era Music Fest
6/9 – Classic Black Cinema Series presents “No Way Out”
6/13—6/16 – 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration of the Carolinas
6/14 – Dating While Christian: A Man’s Perspective For Women
6/15 – Freedom Jazz Series
6/15 – Queen City Jazz Fest
6/22 — Charlotte Caribbean Children Carnival
6/23 – An Evening with Gregory Porter
May we humbly honor the brave servicemen and women who unselfishly served in our nation’s military and may we forever remember our Ancestors who fought, served and died for our prosperity.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst