The Rundown: Thursday, October 13 – Monday, October 17

By: Shawn D. Allison, II 

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

What’s the deal my Queen City family? The October air is clear, cool, crisp and full of life! There’s quite a bit of activity in the QC this weekend and you already know your man—The Black Ferris Bueller has got you locked with a stock full of events! If you want to know what I’ll be doing this weekend, check out my “Hot List” just below!

 

  • Thursday-Sunday—On Q’s “The Children of Children Keep Coming” at Arbor Glen
  • Friday—Igbo Conversation Hour at The International House
  • Saturday—The Big Heist at Heist Brewery
  • Saturday—LATIBAH Collard Green Museum’s “The Great Escape” at Mosaic Village
  • Sunday—HOLA! Festival Charlotte in Center City

 

——-THURSDAY 10/13——-

Start your weekend off at Metropolitan this evening and come out for the last Sunset at Metropolitan for 2016! For your entertainment this evening, get ready for one of Charlotte’s baddest ensembles, Sol Fusion! This 12-person concoction of groove, rhythm, funk and vocalism has a very distinct sound and vibe that’ll be sure to make you get up and dance! Admission is FREE to attend and the music starts at 5:30 p.m. The address is 1111 Metropolitan Ave. in Uptown.

Everyone gather at The Little Rock Cultural Development Center for a Community Town Hall Meeting with Mechanics & Farmers Bank. Come hear how M&F Bank already supports our community and how they continue to do so in the midst of the “Bank Black Movement.” This event is sponsored by the Ubuntu Community Project in conjunction with #BlackOwnedCLT. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Little Rock Cultural Development Center is located at 401 N. Myers St. in Uptown.

This evening, bring the family over to the West Boulevard Branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for a screening of the documentary, “Sonic Sea.” The oceans are not a silent world, but dynamic, living symphonies of sound. In water, sound travels five times faster, and many times farther than it does in air. This is why seismic airgun blasting in our ocean waters can have such a profoundly detrimental impact on marine species. The coalition known as Don’t Drill NC is working to petition the Obama Administration to ban seismic blasting off of the NC coast. Come learn what seismic airgun blasting is all about and how you can be a part of the movement. Admission is FREE to attend and the film begins at 6 p.m. The library is located at 2157 West Blvd. #ProtectOurCoast

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

On Q Productions rolls around one of its most acclaimed pieces, the adaption of Russell L. Goings’ “The Children of Children Keep Coming.” Allow yourselves, friends and family to experience this wondrous and colorful tapestry of prose, poetry, jazz, hymns and prayers. Performances will run all weekend at the following times: Thursday (10/13) at 7 p.m., Friday (10/14) at 7 p.m., Saturday (10/15) at 3 p.m. and Sunday (10/16) at 3 p.m. The admission for each performance is “Pay What You Can” (suggested donation is $5). All performances will be at Arbor Glen located at 1520 Clanton Rd.   #OnQ #SupportBlackTheatre

 

——-FRIDAY 10/14——-

It is time to jam this evening! Everyone come out to The Levine Museum of the New South for “A Night of NUEVOlution Redux!” Enjoy a plethora of fun and cultural activites, music and dancing at the museum in honor of the exhibit’s last days of residency. Tickets can be purchased here: https://38686.blackbaudhosting.com/38686/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=7b1a29ef-58cd-4b04-a337-c21432f7d495. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. The museum is located at 200 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Language is one of the most powerful elements of human existence and this Friday, you are invited to The International House for “Igbo Conversation Hour.” Igbo Conversation Hour is a cultural group that teaches and advocates for learning the rich Igbo Language in its spoken and written form. Come to learn the language spoken by 25 million people around the world. Admission is FREE. 7 p.m. The International House is located at 1817 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Join BreatheINK Youth Poetry Initiative at Spirit Square this evening as they host their Social Justice for Charlotte Youth Rally & Open Mic event. In response to the recent events in our city, the BreatheINK youth have decided that it is more important now than ever to take a stand. They are proud to present this event focused on amplifying the youth voice in Charlotte and showing how important these issues are to the leaders of tomorrow.  BreatheINK needs all Charlotte teens that care about police relations and educational inequality to come out and make your collective voices heard. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 7 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

The multitalented and multiethnic sounds of the orchestral sounds of Sphinx will be performing this evening at First Baptist Church West. The concert, titled “Latin Voyages: Viajes Latinos,” takes the listener on a journey – a quest from the tantalizing Argentine tango to the nocturnal imagery of Mexico, a grand tribute to the great Piazzolla, and a final invitation to a Catalan dance. Sphinx invites concert-goers to explore the great palette of the strings medium through the prism of celebrated composers of Latin heritage. Celebrate the intricate mosaic of sounds and colors that pay homage to their vastly diverse heritage through music! Admission is FREE and the concert begins at 7 p.m. First Baptist Church West is located at 1801 Oaklawn Ave.

Head down to The McColl Center for Art + Innovation for a very special presentation of the museum’s New Frequencies film series! For your viewing pleasure this evening, get ready for renowned filmmaker Lewis Klahr’s latest and acclaimed work, “Sixty Six.” Sixty Six is a milestone achievement, the culmination of Klahr’s work in animated collage filmmaking. Elliptical tales of sunshine noir and classic Greek mythology are inhabited by comic book superheroes and European pinups who wander through midcentury modernist architectural photographs–it’s a hypnotic dream of 1960s and 1970s pop. Tickets can be purchased here: https://53393.blackbaudhosting.com/53393/NEW-FREQUENCIES-at-McCOLL-CENTER-FILM–Lewis-Klahrs-Sixty-Six. The film begins at 8 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

The ever-popular Charlotte staple known as The Peace & Love Band will be bringing the funk to you this Friday at BluNotes! This ensemble of fine musicians will be serving up the grooves that will make you move! Be sure to inquire about the many meal and drink specials available. The show begins at 8 p.m. and the admission is $10 per person. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

Slide out to The Tavern as Jazz N’ Soul in conjunction with local jazz maestro and enthusiast, Mayhue Bostic as they proudly present, “SPECTRUM: Funky Jazz With a Shot of Soul!” Hear this all-new concoction of some of the city’s most talented musicians channel the legendary sounds of The Crusaders, Johnny Guitar Watson, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Ramsey Lewis and many more! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spectrum-october-edition-funky-jazz-with-a-shot-of-soul-tickets-28408464482. Show time is at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul

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 DJ Overcash and DJ Elevator Jay 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.

——-SATURDAY 10/15——-

This morning, First Ward Park will be turned into a Pumpkin Patch Party! This family event will have all the fall fun that you need! Come check out some local food trucks, balloon artists, griots, bubble artists and a strolling magician. There will also be a pumpkin carving contest with some very exciting prizes. Bring your family and friends and have a great time! Admission is FREE to attend and the fun starts at 11 a.m. First Ward Park is located at 301 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Also at First Ward Park this morning, come out for the Carolinas WordFest! The Charlotte Writers’ Club, along with nearly a dozen community partners, is planning Carolinas WordFest, a celebration of the power of words and the wealth of talented writers in North and South Carolina who employ them so effectively. Poets, lyricists, screenwriters, memoirists, playwrights, storytellers, novelists, orators and wordsmith admirers come and engage with fellow linguists in day full of workshops, performances and more fun! Admission is FREE and the event begins at 11 a.m. 301 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Head out to The Schiele Museum of Natural History for the Backwoods Crafts Fair! Discover an assortment of Colonial skills and crafts from tinware to textiles, carving to cookery, music and more! Meet the artists and craftsmen as they demonstrate their unique trades in this event guaranteed fun for the entire family! The event begins at 11 a.m. The museum is located at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia.

Get those legs stretched and those helmets strapped because it’s time for Biketoberfest 2016! This unique, family-friendly event shows hundreds of people how easy it is to get around South End and Center City Charlotte without driving. Bike, walk, or ride transit to sponsoring businesses while collecting stamps in your official Biketoberfest passport. Redeem your stamps for raffle tickets and a chance to win many valuable prizes. Also, be sure to stick around for an after party celebration with live music, food trucks, and more goodies! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/biketoberfest-2016-tickets-26700013459. The event begins at 12 noon and will start at Triple C Brewing Co. The address is 2900 Griffith St. in the Dilworth Neighborhood.

Greater Life Chiropractic gives back to the community this afternoon as they host their annual Family Fall Festival! Bring the whole tribe out and enjoy some food trucks, pumpkin painting, bounce housesm raffle prizes, local vendors, arts & crafts and the chance to meet a special guest NASCAR driver! Admission is FREE and the fun starts at 12 noon. Greater Life Chiropractic is located at 624 Tyvola Rd. Suite #100.

The good people of the LATIBAH Collard Green Museum proudly presents the opening of its exhibit, “The Great Escape!” Hear and see the secrets of the Underground Railroad as LATIBAH brings history and art to life! “The Great Escape” is LATIBAH’s signature exhibit comprised of 8 true-to-life murals depicting the most complex and intimate portrayal of the Underground Railroad. Learn, experience, and share in the African traditions by way of the talking drum via storytelling, dance, and art. Admission is FREE to attend and the festivities begins at 1 p.m. The exhibition will be held on the Mosaic Lawn located at 1635 W. Trade St. near the JCSU main campus.

Ladies, do you have some questions or concerns about your purpose or spiritual calling? Come out to Barnes & Noble at Carolina Place Mall for the premiere and signing of the new book, “Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry” written by Dr. Nicole Massie Martin of The Park Church. If you’re unfamiliar with this prolific and powerful woman of God, I’ll tell you that she’s ministered to me personally on a few occasions and never disappoints. There will also be a discussion of her book and an opportunity to fellowship with others. The event begins at 2 p.m. The address is 11055 Carolina Place Parkway in Pineville.

Get those taste buds ready because it’s time for the annual South End Wine Festival! Enjoy unlimited wine tastings from over 25 different vineyards, food trucks, live music and fellowship! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketalternative.com/event/south-end-wine-fest. The event begins at 2 p.m. and will be held at the corner of W. Carson Blvd. and S. Mint St. in Uptown.

BluNotes proudly presents its 3rd Saturday sizzler, “Grooves, Booze & Jazz!” this evening with none other than one of the baddest hornblowers in the QC—trombonist Buff Dillard! Come and get you a strong dose of his signature “Bonejazz” sound while you enjoy a delicious Southern-cooked meal and cocktails! There will be two shows this evening: 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Admission is $5 for both shows. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

Head to Heist Brewery and get an earful of fly sounds at “The Big Heist: The Ol’ Skool Retreat!” Your sound engineers DJ Chance and DJ Lunchbeats will be rockin’ all the best of Golden Era Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Funk, House and then some! Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 9 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

The Bantu Fete Team proudly presents the fourth edition of the wildly popular “AfroPop Charlotte.” This new monthly groove for the QC celebrates all things Black through Afrobeat, Soca, fashion, networking, high-energy dance vendors art and fellowship! All sounds will be spun by DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-vol-5-afrobeats-soca-fashion-vendors-live-art-tickets-27757222600. The event begins at 10 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #AfricanaConnections

Swing those hips down to Snug Harbor this evening and get ready for “Latin Night in Plaza-Midwood!” Enjoy an evening of Salsa, Cumbia, Bachata and various tropical rhythms as local band, UltimaNota fuses new with old sounds to create a fresh and organic Latin sound unlike anything in the Charlotte area! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or here: http://snugharbor.tunestub.com/event.cfm?id=246764&cart. The party starts at 10 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District. 

——-SUNDAY 10/16——-

The 5th annual HOLA! Charlotte Festival returns to Uptown for an afternoon full of fun! Everyone bring the family out and celebrate Latino heritage with live music, culture, arts & crafts, dance, children’s activities, fresh Latin cuisine and more! Admission is FREE to attend and the fun starts at 12 noon. The festival will be located on the corner of Trade & Tryon in Uptown.

Join Sickle Cell Partners of the Carolinas and Google Fiber to celebrate Sickle Cell Awareness. This family fun day is open to the community to learn more about Sickle Cell Disease, a hereditary illness. Bring your family, friends, and colleagues of all ages for an afternoon of fun at the all-new Google Fiber Space. Activities will include: Sickle Cell learning stations, community blood drive, face painting, balloon art, a photography booth and more! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP to: sicklecellpartners@gmail.com. The fun starts at 2 p.m. Google Fiber Space is located at 301 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

 To commemorate the opening of The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’ s newest exhibition, “Bechtler Collection: Relaunched and Rediscovered,” the Bechtler Ensemble kicks off their season with familiar compositions paired with new favorites. Cellist Tanja Bechtler and pianist Cynthia Lawing, will perform somebeautifully compositions Beau soir by Claude Debussy and Sergei Rachmaninov. Also, additional compositions include Folk Tale for cello and piano by Sir Arnold Bax and David Popper’s Fond Recollections and a lovely expressive duo by Robert Schumann titled, Drei Phantasiestücke (3 Fantasy Pieces). Tickets can be purchased here: http://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=8f4352da-bd0f-40a7-807d-61190d9d9827. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

——-MONDAY 10/17——-

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women- Queen City Metropolitan Chapter proudly presents a special screening of the documentary, “Black Economy: Past, Present, and the Future-A Search for Economic Equality in the Black Community.” Bring the family and friends out for this film screening and panel discussion afterwards. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-economy-past-present-and-future-tickets-28099276693. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. The address is 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

Please join the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership at Foundation for the Carolinas and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Force for an authentic discussion entitled, “Race & Economic Opportunity” featuring Dr. John A. Powell, Professor of Law, African-American Studies and Ethic Studies at UC Berkeley. Dr. Powell is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties and a wide range of issues including race, structural racism, ethnicity, housing, poverty, and democracy. This is a much needed discussion for everyone. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leading-on-opportunity-race-and-economic-opportunity-tickets-27584077719. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at First Presbyterian Church. 200 W. Trade St. in Uptown.

On Q Productions is setting the stage for their upcoming tenth season with an all-new performance series entitled, “Mo’ Betta.” This is a new school take on classic cabaret, Vaudeville, and variety shows popular in the 30’s and inspired by the Spike Lee original film of the same name is filled with an eclectic mix of poetry, dance, film, comedy and more! Admission is $10 and the show begins at 6 p.m. “Mo’ Betta” will be held at The Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #OnQ

“As long as we are not ourselves, we will try to be what other people are.” — Malidoma Patrice Somé

Everyone have a great weekend and learn to embrace each other! Peace.

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

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller