By Shawn D. Allison, II
Love is still in the air family! The spirit of Valentine’s Day is still in the atmosphere and there’s lots of ways to show your love this weekend with all sorts of goodies that’ll bring lots of warm joy to your hearts! Also, yours truly is the host of The Blackest Weekend Ever Black Panther Premiere and there’s tons of events in store that we’ve got for you! If you want to follow the path of my heartbeat this weekend, just check out my “Hot List” below!
- FRIDAY – SUNDAY – The Blackest Weekend Ever Black Panther Premiere
- FRIDAY – SATURDAY – Jazz Arts Intiative presents “The Jazz Room” Derek Douget plays Wayne Shorter
- FRIDAY – SATURDAY – “And In This Corner…Cassius Clay!” at ImaginOn
- FRIDAY – SATURDAY – Couples Only Massage Workshop at Massage Life Studios
- FRIDAY – Jazz N’ Soul Music presents SoundBridge at The Morehead Tavern
- SATURDAY – Heart of a Worshipper Dance Conference
- SATURDAY – Family First Workshop Series — “You Can Fly: Literary + Spoken Word Workshop!” at The Gantt Center
- SATURDAY – Off The Wall: For The People Edition at Crown Station Coffeehouse & Pub
- SATURDAY — AfroPop CLT Vol. 19: The Black Panther Party at The Morehead Tavern
- SATURDAY – The Meet Market: A Single’s Party at Press Box Bar & Grill
- SUNDAY — Art From the Heart Post-Valentines Paintopia at The Last Word
If you would like your event to be listed in “The Rundown” please send a detailed e-mail to me at: sdallison85@yahoo.com
——-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16——-
Jazz Arts Initiative is back for the month of February and in this edition of their acclaimed series, “The Jazz Room”, come experience saxophonist Derek Douget paying tribute to the legendary Wayne Shorter! Derek Douget, a New Orleans native and a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist has gained the reputation as one of the top tenor players in New Orleans for more than 20 years. In addition to his work with the Ellis Marsalis Quartet and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Douget leads his own ensembles and directs the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s free education program. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-at-the-stage-door-theater-3. There will be four performances this weekend: Friday (2/16) at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (2/17) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. All shows will be held at The Stage Door Theater. Located on the corner of E. 5th St & N. College St. in Uptown. #JAI
Everyone gather ‘round the campfire because it’s time for another Black History Fridays at the Main Library! Bring all of your friends and family out as the staff proudly welcomes you to the Poetry Jam! There will a special group of poetic features speaking on topics ranging from anti-bullying, Black Women empowerment, Black excellence and more! You will also have a chance to participate in activities to create your own poems! There will be refreshments available and all ages are welcome. Admission is FREE. 6 p.m. at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Main Library Branch. 310 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Ladies, I’ve got something special for you on this Friday night! Join my dear and beautiful friend and community activist Myra Foster of BlkOwnedCLT as she hosts “Women, Wine & Wealth” this evening. Bring all your friends and come out to build solid relationships with other women as you all discuss wealth building principles, investment opportunities, legacy building and all things pertaining to finances. Admission is $10 per person and there will be wine and refreshments served. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-wine-wealth-tickets-42778780484. The event will be held at Black Diamond Firearms & Training Facility starting at 7 p.m. 311 W. 24th St. in the NoDa District. #BlkOwnedCLT
Calling all couples—do you need a relaxing option to get away from all the hustle and bustle of Valentine’s Day? Join the beautiful and radiant Tracey Grey of Massage Life Studios as she hosts a special Couples Only Sensual Massage Workshop! Tracey will guide you on how to enhance your massaging skills on your significant other in a quaint and intimate setting. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Please dress comfortably and be sure to bring a yoga mat. There will be two workshop sessions this weekend: Friday (2/16) 6:30 p.m. and Saturday (2/17) at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: https://squareup.com/store/massagelifestudios. Massage Life Studios is located at 3623 Latrobe Dr., Suite #110-J.
The Children’s Theater of Charlotte invites you out for a very special stage performance from Idris Goodwin entitled “And In This Corner: Cassius Clay” this weekend. At the sound of the bell, young Cassius Clay Jr. takes his first step into the ring and starts becoming the man the world will one day know as Muhammad Ali. This vibrant historical drama takes the audience through the iconic boxer’s early life in Jim Crow-era Louisville, Kentucky. And in This Corner: Cassius Clay goes an extra, exhilarating round by exploring how remarkable communities inspire people to greatness. There will be two final performances this weekend: Saturday (2/17) at 3 p.m. and Sunday (2/18) at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ctcharlotte.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=shows-and-in-this-corner-cassius-clay&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=. All performances will be held at the McColl Family Theater inside the museum. 300 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
The wait is FINALLY over Brothers and Sisters! This weekend take a mystical journey into the land of Wakanda for The Blackest Weekend Ever! Join my friends of The We Stay Lit Delegation and yours truly, The Black Ferris Bueller as we host a weekend chock-full of multisensory and unapologetic Afro-dopeness featuring a special screening of the much-anticipated “Black Panther!” For ticket purchases, additional/coordinating event information, designated eateries, parties/after-parties, please visit this link: https://www.theofficialblackestweekendever.com. DO NOT MISS THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT!
LG Productions wants to sizzle your Saturday evening as they present Friday Night Jazz! Come out for some great food, drinks and live music from acclaimed smooth jazz guitarist Paul Dozier! It’s an intimate and fun setting that you, your significant other and your friends with heartily enjoy! Admission is $10 and can be purchased at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin promptly at 8 p.m. The event will be held at East African Restaurant & Lounge. 3200 Monroe Rd. #LGProductions
Take a load off and relax on this Friday night at Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill for “Open Mic Night!” Join your beautiful hosts Tiffany Brown–the Writer and Odessa the Ghanaian American Doll as they take you on a trip to paradise with their blessed talents, leaving the floor for your freedom of expression. Whether you have a song, story, poem, testimony, dance number or whatever is on your heart, the floor is yours! Also, while you enjoy the free flowing art, be sure to grab a hot and delicious meal from the kitchen! 8:30 p.m. 1504 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Cap your Friday off by heading over to The Morehead Tavern as the good people of Jazz N’ Soul Music proudly welcomes back SoundBridge! If you do not know what SoundBridge is, it is a bridging of the grooves of Neo-Soul, Funk and Jazz creating a totally organic and creative fusion. Join the mystical Antonio Bernard and his band accompanied by a special guest vocalist as they re-create some of the greatest contemporary and quiet storm tunes of the past few decades. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soundbridge-bridging-soul-jazz-and-funk-ellas-speakeasy-tickets-42776154630. The show begins at 9 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
——-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17——-
Calling all young scholars, the good folks over at Digi-Bridge invite you out to Hygge Coworking – West for their #STEAMSaturdays workshop! In this series of workshops, your youth will learn exciting ways to apply STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) to their educational and social futures! Today’s session will focus on “Emphasis on Building” – scholars will use LEGO WeDo motors and hubs to design a programmable robot. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here: http://digi-bridge.org/events/hygge-2018-winter-steamsaturdays/. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. Hygge Coworking – West is located at 2128 Remount Rd.
This weekend, use your entire body to praise His great and merciful name as Dancers For Christ Charlotte Dance Ministry hosts the “The Heart of a Worshipper Dance Conference!” If you want to learn how to praise The Most High in colorful rhythm, this is the workshop for you! Under the guidance of the beautiful Fanesha Hawkins and Kimberly McDuffie, you will experience prophetic dance, warfare dance, pageantry, praise fitness and much more to equip you and your ministry for Kingdom building through the arts. Also, there will be a concert open to the community later in the evening—don’t miss this spiritual spectacle! Ticket purchases and additional info can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-heart-of-a-worshiper-dance-conference-tickets-37565302832. The workshop will take place at 10:30 a.m. and the concert will start at 7 p.m. All activities will be held at Shalom Hall at Myers Park Baptist Church. 1900 Queens Rd.
It’s a family affair at The Gantt Center and you’re invited to experience this installment of the Family First Workshop Series entitled, “You Can Fly: Literary + Spoken Word Workshop!” Today, bring the entire tribe out and meet author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Jeffery Boston Weatherford, the mother and son duo who created the award-winning children’s book “You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airmen.” Carole and Jeffery will also share poems and spoken word relevant to the Black Lives Matter movement. This month’s program includes two exciting segments for children of all ages — a literary reading + illustrator talk as well as a hip hop/spoken word poetry workshop! The workshop is FREE with museum admission but please be sure to RSVP here: https://61686.blackbaudhosting.com/61686/Family-First-You-Can-Fly?_ga=2.254832205.434890617.1518720790-317945050.1518720790. The session will begin at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Start your Saturday off with some throwback flavor at the “I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party!” Moxie Society invites you out to enjoy an afternoon of fine Southern cuisine, top shelf drink specials, fellowship and music! Step Black into time with DJ Shaun Nyce aka “The Blend King” rockin’ out the best of 90’s Hip Hop and R&B cuts and take a gander at the special guest artist/painter creating some of their wondrous art in front of your eyes. Admission is FREE to attend. Event begins at 11 a.m. and will be held at Sports One Bar & Lounge. 521 N. College St. in Uptown. #MoxieSociety
Young princesses, there’s a very special treat for you this afternoon! Tell all your friends and your parents and have them bring you out to nearby Monroe for the grand opening of SpaDiva Kids’ Spa! Moms and Dads come and show your little diamonds some royal love in this new facility with cupcakes, bubbles, discount spa services, music, dancing, games, photos, giveaways and a special pink ribbon cutting ceremony! Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cupcakes-bubbles-spa-diva-kids-spa-monroe-grand-opening-tickets-42498325636. The event will begin at 1 p.m. SpaDiva Kids Spa is located at 1514 Concord Ave. in Monroe.
Join Queen City Events this Saturday afternoon as they present a special commemoration of this historical month, with the 2018 Queen City Black Cultural Explosion! Bring the entire tribe out to the Carole A. Hoefener Center for an afternoon of networking, community building and retail featuring over 50 local, Black-owned vendors. There will also be food, free giveaways and lots more fun surprises in store! There will also be live dance numbers from jump rope team Jumping Dreams, Kizomba Alegria Dance Company, The Step District, MufukaWorks and more! Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 1 p.m. The Carole A. Hoefener Center is located at 615 E. 6th St. in Uptown.
Join the lovely ladies of We Chic’d It as they host Chic & Sip — Black Panther Movie Paint Night! Gather your crew and come dressed up in your favorite cosplay/movie-inspired threads and then join lots of other cool people as you all will paint your favorite Black Panther characters or custom artwork. Movie snacks will be available and the event is BYOB. Tickets can be purchased here: https://wechicdit.weebly.com/classparty-portal.html. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the event location will be provided upon ticket purchase.
The JETA Team has been causing much damage around the QC for a few years now and tonight, they invite you back to where it all started at Crown Station Coffeehouse & Pub as they proudly present “Off The Wall: For The People Edition!” Join sound engineers DJ Aking Allah and JETA Team affiliate, the beautiful DJ D.K. for an evening of nonstop, feel-good Golden Era Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Pop, Rock and lots of other musical flyness! Also, my friends good friends at Fork & Boot Food Truck will be stationed outside to satisfy your stomach’s needs! Admission to the essence is $FREE.99 and the tables start turning at 9 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District. #TheJETATeam #OffTheWall
Charlotte, bring your fellow tribesfolk out to The Morehead Tavern for the grand finale of The Blackest Weekend Ever as Africana Connections, Nappy Luv and DRC ApeParel proudly present AfroPop CLT Vol. 19: The Black Panther Party! You’ve experienced the blockbuster film with us this weekend, now come and feel the spirit of Wakanda with The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel as they bust the speakers with the hottest of Afrobeat, Afrohouse, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, Hip Hop and much more! Also, be sure to cop some cool threads, jewelry, accessories and art from a multitude of vendors and scoop up some extra special dance lessons provided by Kizomba Charlotte. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-vol19-the-black-panther-party-tickets-42729765880. The party starts at 9 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #AfroPop #WelcomeToTheTribe
OutenLove Events and Black Singles in CLT wants to add some spice to your Saturday night as they proudly present “The Meet Market: A Singles Party!” Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but the mingling spirit is still in the atmostphere! Bring yourselves, your own flyness and your friends out for an evening of nonstop fun! Over 400 people have attended each of these events in the past and this Saturday is guaranteed to be a surefire hit! DJ Ace of 92.7 The Block will rock out sounds for the brothers and DJ Fannie Mae will be delivering all the goods for the sisters. Please dress to impress. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-meet-market-a-singles-party-tickets-42624346568. The event will begin at 10 p.m. at Press Box Bar & Grill. 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area. #OutenLoveEvents #BlackSinglesCLT
——-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19——-
Ladies, I’ve got something special for you today! Gather your girls and head over to Black Diamond Firearms & Training Facility for the Ladies Only Concealed Carry Class! You will learn the basics of firearms including storage, shooting, reloading, ammunition, handling and maintenance. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.bdfirearms.com/web/calendar/ladies-only-conceal-carry-class/. The class will begin at 9 a.m. Black Diamond is located at 311 W. 24th St. in the NoDa District.
Parents, bring your youth and their creativity out to The Last Word this afternoon for a fun painting session entitled, “Art From the Heart Post-Valentines Paintopia.” After all the wine has been consumed and rose petals picked away, it’s time for the children to come out and play! Noted artist and my friend Christopher Clarke will provide his instruction and passion for providing your youth with a creative and educational outlet. Each child gets their own canvas to paint and keep, an easel, and a huge selection of materials that are sure to excite! Also, parents, you can participate too! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.paypal.me/artfromtheheart. The class begins at 1:30 p.m. The Last Word is located at 5744 N. Tryon St.
Join local grassroots initiative Building Africa’s Future for a special screening and discussion of “Black Panther” this afternoon! Experience the fire from Wakanda as T’Challa and his tribe battles the forces of evil and then get engaged with hosts Nkiru Obi and Azubuike Nwadei as they conduct a post-screening discussion of the film’s aesthetics and how it relates to our culture. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.cinemark.com/Tickets/?TheaterId=1143&ShowtimeId=38751&CinemarkMovieId=69722&Showtime=2018-02-18T15%3A50%3A00. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Cinemark Movie Bistro Charlotte. 9630 Monroe Rd.
COMING SOON…
2/24 – Su Casa: The February Edition
2/24 – The Ideal Cocktail Party
2/25 – The Sun Dipped In Black
2/26 – 3/3 – 2018 CIAA Tournament
2/27 — CI Tournament Networking Mixer
3/2 – Black Food Truck Friday
3/3 – Carolina Curly Expo Tournament Edition
3/3 – Off The Wall: Memory Lane Edition
3/9 – “The Livest One” 7th Annual Notorious B.I.G. & Bad Boy Tribute
3/10 – Rhythmic Soul Dance Company presents “Broadway: The Remix”
“The task is to transform society; only the people can do that – not heroes, not celebrities, not stars.” -Huey P. Newton
Have a great weekend everyone! One Love…
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst