By Shawn Allison
There’s a lot to do in the Queen City this weekend. Get out, enjoy the beautiful weather and explore.
FRIDAY, March 18
Come out to Advent Coworking for the Best Minds CityJamCLT Conference. The goal of this conference is to creatively search for solutions for problems that are prevalent in the Charlotte area. Whether you’re a leader or a greenhorn—ALL input is necessary to help create a brighter future for our city. Come feed off the energy to become inspired and make a change. Registration and ticket purchases can be made at: http://bestmindscityjamclt.eventbrite.com. 5:30 p.m. 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood area.
The wild and crazy popular series, Science on The Rocks is back at Discovery Place . The theme is “The Final Frontier.” Take an alcohol-fueled ride into the far reaches of outer space and try astronaut ice cream, shoot off some compressed air rockets, work in a star lab of an inflatable planetarium and much more. And for your viewing pleasure, check out “Journey Into Space” in the IMAX 3D theatre. Admission is $8 for advance tickets and can be purchased at: http://www.discoveryplace.org/events/event/429/Science-on-the-Rocks-Final-Frontier. Tickets are $10 at the door and the IMAX screening is an additional $5. This event is for persons 21+ so have your I.D. ready. 5 p.m., 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #SOTR
The Jazz Arts Initiative has been on a crazy roll this year with its intimate jazz sessions known as “The Jazz Room.” Feast your ears as Ms. Vanessa Ferguson pays tribute in song and spirit to the late, great High Priestess of Soul…..Nina Simone. If you are unaware of Nina Simone (Shame on you….LOL) it’s quite alright, there is still time to learn about this one-of-a-kind being. She was bold, brilliant, beautiful and unapologetically black. Tickets are going fast for both shows (6 p.m. and 8:15p.m.) but you can purchase them at http://www.carolinatix.org The Jazz Room will be performed at The Stage Door Theatre located on the corner of E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #JAI #KeepJazzAlive
People get ready to experience some power! Gear your ears to the stage for the “Power of SHE Slam” featuring Chiara Richardson. Ms. Richardson is acclaimed and accomplished “artivist” with several works that inspire societal action and change. Slam competitors must be 21+ and tickets can be purchased for $12 at: http://www.carolinatix.org or at the door. The slam will take place at The McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square at 8 p.m., 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Are you ready for some mo’ Jazz N’ Soul? Come out to The Tavern tonight as The Shana Blake Band soothes you with her blue-eyed soulful vocals (THE GIRL IS BAD!!!) and a fire-hot instrumental section. Funk, Soul, R&B, The Blues, Reggae and some molasses-dripping Southern Rock. Tickets on sale at: http://www.jazznsoulshana.eventbrite.com Show starts at 9 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #JazzNSoul #SupportLocalMusicians
SATURDAY, March 18
Start your morning off in nature as TreeCharlotte hosts their Citywide Free Tree Store. Grab some of Mother Earth’s precious jewels of life and take them home to plant in your yard or in a community garden to continue the cycle of life in various ecosystems around Charlotte. This event is free, the only thing you need to bring is a valid e-mail address and proof of Charlotte residency. Register at: http://treescharlotte.org/event/end-of-season-city-wide-treestore/. 9 a.m., 701 Tuckaseegee Rd.
Stop by Dupp & Swat as SHEro, Inc. hosts their #HashtagLunchbag community giveaway. You’ll have an opportunity to give back to the less fortunate by providing prepared meals and feel the joy being lifted in your hearts. Everyone please come out and make a difference!!! 10 a.m. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa area. Hashtag: #duppandswat
Join the Moxie Society as they host another midday getdown of the “I Love The 90s Brunch & Day Party”! Bring your friends out and enjoy a delicious brunch with $5 mimosas and other drink specials and take a trip Black in time as DJ Shaun Nyce aka “The Blend King” rocks your favorite Hip Hop & R&B joints of yesteryear. Tickets at: http://sportsoneclt.com/. 11 a.m. 521 N. College St. in Uptown.
Ladies…..roll those onions down to Revolution EGO for another Onion Trunk Sale. Whitney Mero is back with a fresh stock of garments ready to rock so you can slay out in public. Also, she will be able to cut and layer your chosen garment (blouse, dresses, skirts, sweaters, etc.) to the size and style that you desire. Paper and plastic will be available for payment. Bring your girls out and get your onion layered!!! 3 p.m., 312 N. Myers St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #SupportBlackDesigners
Get ready for a musical experience of EPIC proportions…. Join local Soul/Funk/R&B/Blues band Sign Of The Times in their 16th Annual Black History Concert featuring special guests—2/3 of the legendary Soul group, The Impressions (Mr. Fred Cash & Mr. Sam Gooden). The concert will also feature an African marketplace and a 30-minute Master Class w/ the Impressions. And you best believe that the spirit of the late, great Curtis Mayfield will be in the house. Tickets: http://tix.cpcc.edu/events/who-are-you-featuring-the-impressions There will be two shows: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Pease Auditorium, CPCC Central Campus located at 1206 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.
Phase II Entertainment returns to stage with the much-anticipated “Brown Girl Confessions….The Secrets We Keep.” It is a multi-emotional spectacle of Black women’s confessions told through a series of stories that is sure to keep your attention and senses at bay. Come out and see a legion of professional actors poised to give a dynamic performance. Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phase-ii-entertainment-presents-brown-girl-confessionsthe-secrets-we-keep-tickets-20681678457?aff=ebrowse. Carole Hoefener Center, 610 E. 7th St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #SupportBlackTheatre
The Jazz Arts Initiative rounds out their weekend with another special Jazz Room tribute to a late jazz great. Join Mr. Mark Rapp as he channels the incomparable genius of Miles Davis. Two shows for the evening: 7pm and 9:15pm. Tickets: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/jazz-room-saturday-night-1. Both performances will be held at The Stage Door Theatre, E. 5th St. & N. College St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #JAI
Head out to The Press Box this evening as the Unstoppable Jeta Team and DRC ApeParel join forces to give a musical salute to Brooklyn’s Finest with “Sky’s The Limit—The 5th Annual Notorious B.I.G. Tribute Party.” Come and relive the classics of Biggie with features, remixes, unreleased joints, and just more of that good ol’ Golden Era of Hip Hop provided by Charlotte’s own DJ Justice. Break out your NY fitteds, Timbs, fresh gear and do it something real proper like as we honor one of the culture’s greatest figures. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skys-the-limit-the-5th-annual-notorious-big-tribute-tickets-22494758428. 10 p.m. and The Press Box, 9609 N. Tryon St. in University. Hashtag: #LongLiveBiggie #PeaceToTheJETATeam
SUNDAY, March 20
Enjoy your Sunday afternoon with an intriguing and intimate session of cinematic glory. Join Mr. Felix Curtis, head of Classic Black Cinema Series as he kicks off an all new series titled “Black Cinema Forward” which will give light to up-and-coming Black filmmakers. The series guest is the beautiful and talented, Nijla Mu’min. Ms. Mu’min will present 3 short films—“Deluge”, “Dream” and “Two Bodies” for the audience and will engage in a Q&A session following the screenings. The pre-film reception begins at 4 p.m. Refreshments, drinks, fellowship and live music provided by the lovely Sai The Violinist. Tickets are $20. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/classic-black-cinema-series-presents-an-afternoon-w-filmmaker-nijla-mumin-tickets-21564770810. 4 p.m., C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution St. in South End. Hashtag: #CBCS #BlackFilmsMatter
If you wanna relive a fun part of your childhood, come out to Park Road Park and join M.A.R.S. (Main Attraction Recreational Sports) for their Co-Ed Kickball Season Opener. Stretch those legs and loosen up those muscles and get ready for a fun-filled evening of hearty competition and fellowship. Visit http://www.playmarsports.com to register. 5 p.m., 6220 Park Rd. on the corner of Park Rd. & Tyvola/Fairview. Hashtag: #MARS #Funletics
Head out to BluNotes for their Latin Jazz & Salsa Sundays Edition with Proyecto Ramon as he plays and provides live Salsa, Cha-Cha & Latin Jazz for your listening pleasure. And stick around for some free salsa lessons provided by the Thaddeus & Sherri, founders of Soul of a Dancer Mambo Social. Admission for the music is $4. Menu and drink specials available. 6 p.m. BluNotes, 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University area.
The warmer season is among us and it’s time to shake away those cold blues. So head out to Haylo Healing Arts Lounge for the “Spring Equinox: Elemental Earth Party” Celebrate Haylo’s first anniversary “From the Ground Up” again as we honor the element of earth and our own human foundation, and as we are renewed as a collective whole for the Spring Equinox. Bring your inner artist. Admission is free. 6 p.m., 1111 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood area.
Everyone have a WONDERFUL & BLESSED weekend!!!!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller