By Shawn Allison
What’s happening Queen City family? I’m back one mo’ gin’ with The Weekend Rundown and there’s quite a bit going on. Also, since this is the Memorial Day weekend, I’ve found a few cool and relaxing events for you to enjoy on Memorial Day Monday as well! So without further adieu, let’s hop right into the mix, shall we?
THURSDAY, May 26
Come out to The Mint Museum Uptown Branch as Charlotte American Marketing Association (CAMA) hosts a seminar entitled, “Market Charlotte 2016: Technology & Agile Marketing.” This seminar will focus on embracing the power of marketing and technology. However, for marketers, embracing technology is not just about adopting new tools and platforms–It also involves embracing changes in mindset and methodology. It’s about striving to work smarter and faster for better results. That’s where Agile Marketing comes in. Along with many other benefits, Agile allows more effective use of the abundance of data technology provides. But as you can already guess, implementing changes in mindset and methodology does not happen overnight. It’s an ongoing and constantly-evolving process. A great way to start is by becoming more educated on the principles of Agile. Tickets are sold here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/market-charlotte-2016-technology-and-agile-marketing-tickets-24740315951. The event begins at 6 p.m. The Mint Museum is located at 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
It’s that time of year again, Speed Street is back! With the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race on Sunday, this weekend-long event full of vendors, food, fellowship and live music captures the city’s attention with some high-octane fun! There will be live music from well-known artists performing all weekend and to kick off the celebration, head down to the Mello Yellow stage and witness greatness as one of Charlotte’s most diverse musical collectives, The Sol Fusion Band makes a rare public appearance to fill your soul with some great tunes! If you are unfamiliar with this band, they are 11 individual pieces of funk, soul and rhythm all fused into one brilliant group! Their performance begins at 7 p.m. The Mello Yellow stage will be located at 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Is there something wrong with your system? Do you feel off balance? Ready to start your weekend? If so, come out to Petra’s this evening for the “INTERVENTION: Fine Beats & Gallery Reception!” Art, music, loungin’, chillin’ and more! Join sound therapists DJ Tober, DJ Oliver and DJ Donald as they deliver choice Deep House, Downtempo, Electronic, Rare Grooves and Garage tunes that are expertly mixed. For your visual artistic treatment, Sarah Terry Argabrite and Nicholas Holman will present and demonstrate their works live. From knitted tapestries created from cables, neon yarn and recycled tech waste to quirky hand-drawn digitized characters living on color saturated posters—this is sure to be quite the spectacle! Admission is FREE to attend and the intervention begins at 8 p.m., sharp. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Slide over to UpStageNoDa this evening as one of Charlotte’s best cool down sessions, “Wine Up @ Upstage” returns to set the mood. Join host and local creative, Jaycee The Poet as he presents an open mic experience like no other. The featured acts for this week are Stefan Micko, Celeste Carmen, Affectual and DJ SPK who will be rocking tunes all night long. Admission is $10 and the doors open at 9 p.m. UpStage is located at 3306 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
FRIDAY, May 27
Start your day off at C3 Lab as they host a Friendship Picnic! Partnered with CLTure, this social gathering will be filled with all sorts of delicious and healthy treats to make your stomach and spirits smile! There will be a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, desserts and gluten-free options. You will be able purchase the delicious Friendship Market’s Grab-n-Go boxed lunches in the C3Lab Event Space and picnic with friends at the communal tables. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view local and regional art during lunch and speak with any artist members that have studios at C3 Lab. Sandwiches, wraps and salads are all $6.50, each. Soup and a half sandwich combo is $7.50. Sweets and desserts are $2, each. The picnic begins at 11:30 a.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Everyone shift your noses and stomachs into 5th gear and head down to either Plaza-Midwood or South End because it’s time once again for “Food Truck Friday.” Let your olfactory senses steer you to one or many of Charlotte’s colorful culinary chariots ready to fill you up with a delicious variety of eats! Admission is FREE. FTF will be behind Sycamore Brewing in South End (2161 Hawkins St.) and The Light Factory in Plaza-Midwood (1817 Central Ave.) Both locations begin at 5 p.m. #FoodTruckFriday #SupportFoodTrucks
This evening, get your body ready for a high energy dance workshop and dance after-party! Join new Charlotte resident and the outrageously beautiful Solange Ah as she proudly presents an Afro-Cuban/Afro-House Dance Workshop. This workshop will introduce some Orishasthat will be danced to its proper music (folkloric and popular) then implemented tastefully into Salsa. This is a great opportunity to learn some fun and simple choreography while burning tons of calories! The doors open at 6 p.m.Tickets can be purchased for the workshop at: http://solangedancecompany.ticketleap.com/. After the workshop, you are invited to stick around for the “Kizomba Charlotte May Dance Party” for a night of dancing to all flavors of Kizomba music–Kizomba, Ghetto Zouk, Tarraxinha, and much more! Admission to the party is $10 and there will be a complimentary Kizomba dance lesson. The party begins at 9 p.m. Both events will be held at Abundant Life Creative Expressions which is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Relax at The Third Place: Coffee. Community. Common Ground as they host the 7th installment of “The Sound: Christian Open Mic” this evening. Singers, MCs, instrumentalists, poets, comedians and artists come out to showcase your talents for a family-friendly audience! Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. The Third Place is located at 1609 E. 5th St. in Uptown.
Slide out to BluNotes this evening and get ready to get lifted with Charlotte jazz fusion legends, Airstream. As one of the leading live performers in the Queen City in the 80s and 90s, Airstream’ssense of style was punctuated by original compositions of guitarist Andre Ferreri, keyboardist Mark Stallings, Dave Vergato on bass and Terry Lindsay on the rhythm section. Get inspired by the straight-ahead and fusion grooves that awaits you at BluNotes on Jazz Friday!Two shows this evening: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Admission is $4 per show. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
If you remember Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal piece, “A Raisin In The Sun,” get ready to experience the “bookend sequel play” entitled “Clybourne Park!” This show focuses on the neighborhood that the Younger’s were to move into right before the final curtain falls. Just as its predecessor did, “Clybourne Park” expands upon that dialogue with smart, funny, heartbreaking, and sometimes provocative language that challenges the audience to dig deeper. It explores their impending arrival, as well as 50 years after they have settled into the community. This play contains strong language and mature content—not recommended for children under 13 without an accompanying adult. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.blumenthalarts.org/events-performances/coming-performances/detail/clybourne-park. There will be two shows: Friday, 5/27 and Saturday, 5/28. Both performances will begin at 8 p.m. and will be held at The Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. The address is 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Head over to Dupp & Swat this evening for a rather intimate, yet artistic experience. Join local creative, Dammit Wesley as he hosts another segment of, “Let’s Paint, Dammit!: The Urban Adult Coloring Class.” This is one of the most unique art sessions in the Queen City because you not only get to bring your own alcohol to enjoy, but you will also be privileged to recreate your own image of a live nude model in the studio! Admission is $25 per person and $40 per couple. This class is reserved for persons 21+ and will begin at 7:30 p.m., sharp. Dupp& Swat is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District. #duppandswat
Get ready to house things up at FireWater this evening as House Music legend, DJ Naeem Johnson takes you to another world with all sorts of House and Deep House grooves! Sharing the decks with him is New Jersey legend and Charlotte staple, DJ Jazzy Bee. The event begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 before 11 p.m. and $15 after 11 p.m. FireWater is located at 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. in the University Area. #HouseMusicLives
Join one of Charlotte’s baddest musicians, trombonist Buff Dillard and his signature “Bonejazz” style will be performing live and FREE at Blue Restaurant & Bar this Friday starting at 9 p.m. He’s truly a gift and if you’ve never heard him before, I strongly suggest that you tune your ears to his frequency and pay attention. Blue is located at 216 N. College St. in Uptown. #Bonejazz
Tonight, head out to Petra’s again and get ready to hit the floor for “Mirror Moves – 80s & 90s Alternative Dance Party!” Relive the great Synth Pop, EDM, Deep House, Downtempo, Italo, Funk, and Nu Wave tunes of yesteryear! Your sound engineers for the evening are DJ Cody Hare and DJ Jason Herring. Admission is FREE and the party begins at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Back at UpStage, join Touch One Productions as they present a more intimate edition of WineUp entitled, “Musically Inclined.” Join host Jaycee as he takes you on a journey of sound, art and mellowness with B. Jones and Sir Abstraxxx filling the atmostphere with their creative and lush wordplay. This is also an open mic event, so please be free to express yourself however you feel. Admission is $10. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 10 p.m. UpStage is located at 3306 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
SATURDAY, May 28
Head down to Sycamore Brewing this morning for a delectable delight as they host their “Sycamore Breakfast!” Join them and Gyro Twins Food Truck for some delicious breakfast, beermosas, mimosas and craft brews. Menu items include French toast, Good Ol’ Biscuits & Gravy, omelettes, fresh brewed coffee, hot tea and more! Admission is FREE to attend but prices of each meal will vary. Breakfast will begin being served at 9 a.m. Sycamore Brewing is located at 2161 Hawkins St. in Historic South End.
CIAA 2017 is approaching quickly and if you desire to have a vendor booth at the upcoming tournament, come out to the CMBCC Headquarters for another edition of Empowerment Saturdays this morning and learn about contracting opportunities with CIAA. Sherie Gordon, CIAA Sr. Associate Commissioner for Business and External Operations will share the process, requirements, deadlines and needs for vendor opportunities during the CIAA basketball tournaments and throughout the year.CMBCC Empowerment Saturdays are here to empower small business owners with the training, tools and resources you need to build your success story. CMBCC members are admitted for $10 and non-members are admitted for $15. Tickets and reservations can be acquired here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/cmbcc-empowerment-saturdays-0528-registration-24790296444. The seminar begins at 9:30 a.m., sharp and will be held at Packard Place, located at 222 S. Church St. in Uptown.
Start your morning off at The NoDa Eclectic Marketplace. This FREE eventhosts vendors of locally produced works of art, jewelry, body products, clothing, housewares, pet products and more! The marketplace is open at 10 a.m. and will be behind The Smelly Cat Coffeehouse &Roastery and NoDa Company Store. 514 E. 36th St. in the NoDa District.
Moxie Society is back once again with their much-raved about “I Love The 90s Brunch & Day Party.” Gather your friends, colleagues, older cousins and come on down to Sports One Bar & Lounge for some great fun! The brunch menu is really delicious and diverse and you cannot go wrong with a $5 mimosa, either. And what is a day party without music? Very bland. So to cater to your vibration-less earholes, DJ Hot Rod will be spinning the best of 90s Hip Hop and R&B. Admission is FREE but please be sure to reserve your table at: http://www.sportsone.com. The fun begins at 11 a.m. Sports One is located at 521 N. College St. in Uptown. #MoxieSociety#SportsOneCLT #SaturdayBrunch #TheArtOfTheDayParty
Join Moxie Society, Eddietainment and Blue Goose for our annual Memorial Day Weekend Party at Bubble. Take a load off and relax and let the sounds of DJ MC hit you and move your body to the best of today’s and yesteryear’s Hip Hop and R&B! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/memorial-dayparty-at-bubble-tickets-25270258022. The party begins at 4 p.m. Bubble is located at 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.
At BluNotes this evening, come gear your ears to the stage and get ready for another edition of BluNote’s Saturday Blues & Grooves. Your musical guest for the evening is the aptly titled, The We Kin. The appropriately-named group with talented vocals, guitars, keyboards and drums are so tightly woven, you know they have been a part of each others’ musical lives forever.Two shows this evening: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The admission is $4 per show. And while you’re enjoying the music, please be sure to enjoy some down-home cuisine from the kitchen along with great drink specials! BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
This “Caturday”, come hang out with the cool cats as The Guerilla Poets hosts, “ENCORE! Open Mic @ The Last Word.” Let your song, poetry or visual art fly out in this liberated no-judgement zone and meet some truly amazing individuals. Admission is FREE and the event begins at 7 p.m. The Last Word is located at 5744 N. Tryon St. #GuerillaPoets
Brothers & sisters, the time is now to start pooling our resources together and to start building for our future. You can learn the basic steps to building wealth this Saturday night as local grassroots activism collective, Soul of Cinema Movie Review hosts a screening and panel discussion of the documentary, “Black Friday.” In an effort to heighten the economic awareness and financial responsibility in the African-American community, this film presents solutions on how to better manage the $1.2 trillion dollars that leaves various African-American communities annually. In addition, the film champions financial literacy and the importance of leaving a financial and ethical legacy for the next generation.Following the screening there will be a panel discussion which will consist of “Black Friday” director Rich Mathis,New York Life financial advisor Centario Grier, Eddie Boger of Auto Negotiators USA, Dorothy Fuller of James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A. , and Larry Allen of Allen Investment Properties. Dinner will be provided by The Culinary Countess, Crispin Robinson for $10 per plate. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-friday-documentary-screening-tickets-25147330342#tickets. High school/college students are admitted for $5 and children ages 12 and under are admitted for free. Doors open and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m. The event will be held at Crossroads Charter High School which is located at 5500 N. Tryon St. #SOCMR #BlackFriday #BlackMoneyMatters
Rounding out your Saturday, head over to Petra’s for the 5th Anniversary of Su Casa! Known as, “Charlotte’s oasis for the culturally starved…”, this is the ultimate anti-mainstream get down! From Afrobeat, Latin, Caribbean, Soca, Reggae, Funk, Soul, Rare Grooves, B-Sides, House, Deep House, Downtempo, R&B and more, your body will thank you later for all the nonstop positive energy abroad! Your sound providers for the evening are longtime residents DJ Justice, DJ Steel Wheel w/ MC Loot-Tenant Trax and special guest turntablist, DJ Underdog will also rock the house this evening! Also, bring your face to live with color by face painting from the lovely Catherine Courtlandt and a live mural painting from Dammit Wesley. Admission is $10 all night long and the party begins at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. #SuCasa
SUNDAY, May 29
Start your Sunday Funday off on the right foot at Red Clay Ciderworks as they host a “Doughnut Pop Up” from Pepperbox Doughnuts! Fresh, multi-flavored doughnuts and pastries will be on sale as well as new beverages, Pure Intentions Coffee, CiderMosas and Cider Bellinis! Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome. The event begins at 12 noon. Red Clay Ciderworks is located at 245 Clanton Rd. in Historic South End.
Parents, bring the kids and their friends out to ImaginOn this afternoon as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library presents: “LEGO Challenges In the Block.” This interactive, self-directed and ongoing activity are invited to participate in a LEGO challenge and will be included in the LEGO Highlight Reel. Also, be sure to stick around for, “Paws To Read”. This event is to help children boost their reading and comprehension skills and confidence by reading a book aloud to a volunteer therapy dog. Both events are geared towards children aged 5-11 and they both begin at 1:30 p.m. ImaginOn is located at 300 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
Come out to Advent Coworking this evening for a special edition of Dammit Fannie entitled, “Samorial Day.” Join various abstract artists and connoisseurs as you will pay homage to the late, great Jean-Michel Basquiat. Admission is only $5 and to attend, you must RSVP here: http://thinkcolor.bigcartel.com/product/dammit-fannie-samorial-day. The event begins at 6 p.m. and Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
The weekend is nearing an end and the work week is nearing the beginning, head down to Revolution EGO this evening for “The Weekend Wind Down” yoga session. Your host and creative, Kelley Carboni-Woods will guide you through some simple yoga stretches and routines to help your mind, body and spirit become realigned in one of the most calming yoga methods possible. All yoga levels are welcome to participate. Please be sure to dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat. Admission is only $5. The session begins at 6:30 p.m. Revolution Ego is located at 312 N. Myers St. Suite #115 in Uptown.
Capping off your Sunday, put on your best all-white get ups and head over to Vibratons to get down for “Stacey Blackman’s All White Birthday Bash!” If you don’t know Stacey Blackman, he’s one of the hardest-working and most-requested DJs in the city who is sure to always turn a venue inside out with his skills! Joining him will be Charlotte’s own and 90’s Soul/R&B crooner, Horace Brown for a live performance! At the request of Mr. Blackman, no ball caps or sneakers are permitted. Jeans and Timberland-style boots are allowed. All white attire is desired, but not requested to enter. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/stacey-blackmans-all-white-birthday-bash-w-horace-brown-live-tickets-25659323728?aff=erellivmlt. For additional info and reservations, please call (704)-614-6214. The party begins promptly at 9 p.m. Vibrations is located at 5237 Albemarle Rd. located at the intersection of Albemarle Rd. & N. Sharon Amity Rd.
MONDAY, May 30
The Black Diamond Society (BDS) is a fairly new Charlotte collective and on this Memorial Day, they will host an “All-Black Concert Party.” There is an all-black requirement as they are attempting to bury the old and bringing life to a city that has the talent to be a major powerhouse in the music industry. Featuring performances from a number of the city’s youngest and brightest talents, this will be sure to give Charlotte new light to new sights and sounds. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bds-all-black-memorial-day-concert-party-tickets-25515763335. The party begins at 8 p.m. and will be held at Bakadi Lounge. The address is 4205 Monroe Rd.
If your grill was super on this Memorial Day, head on over to BluNotes and get ready to see, feel, taste, hear and smell the stank emerging from the stage because it’s time for the “Memorial Weekend Go-Go Invasion!” Straight from Chocolate City (Washington, D.C.) feel the grooves of authentic Go-Go from the Let It Flow Band. Joining them will be Uptown Swagga—Charlotte’s Premiere Go-Go Band, Chi Ali and the legendary DJ Polo of 102 Jamz. Table reservations and tickets can be purchased at http://www.cltgogo2016.eventbrite.com. The event begins at 8 p.m., sharp. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
The ultimate underground force known as Radio Rehab Carolinas returns with another nostalgic beacon for the people who are true music lovers. Everyone head over to Hattie’s Tap & Tavern for the all-new, “Motown on Mondays!” Every last Monday of the month you will get to take a step back in time, when the music was live, the brothers were clean and the sophisticated lady was the quintessential paramount of beauty. Join host and creative, Bluz, along with sound selectors, The Mighty DJ DR and DJ That Guy Smitty as they explore their vinyl libraries to bring you all things Motown and every derivative of it. The funk begins at 8 p.m., sharp and admission is FREE all night long! Hattie’s Tap & Tavern is located at 2918 The Plaza Rd. #MOMCLT
Everyone have a fantastic weekend and please remember those who fought and died while serving in the Armed Forces and our beloved Ancestors who built, fought, sacrificed and died while creating America. May they all Rest in Peace.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller