The Rundown: Things to do: Thursday, August 22 – Sunday, August 25

By Shawn D. Allison, II

What’s the word family? Summer is winding down and school is right around the corner. But before we send our youth back to the classroom, come and get engaged with all sorts of family fun this weekend! There’s lots of giveaways for supplies, haircuts and even some stuff for grownups in store! If you want to know where I’ll be, peek at my “Hot List” and walk through that door!

 

  • THURSDAY—SATURDAY – Three Bone Theatre presents Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline”
  • THURSDAY—SUNDAY — Tip Top Ya Don’t Stop Fest 4-Year Anniversary
  • THURSDAY – WFAE’s Public Radio Nerd Quiz Night at Divine Barrel Brewing
  • FRIDAY – Cooking With Joya and Ve-Go Food Truck presents East Mets West Family Affair at Pilot Brewing Co.
  • FRIDAY – Dear Soul Music Co. presents Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop at Camp North End
  • FRIDAY – The Sol Kitchen presents Common: The Let Love Tour w/ MuMu Fresh
  • SATURDAY – My Darling Doula presents Queen’s Milk: Celebrating Black Breastfeeders in the Queen City
  • SATURDAY – Moxie Society presents I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party feat. DJ Foundacetion
  • SATURDAY – For The Love Community Festival at Venue 1801
  • SATURDAY — Flava of the Month at Tip Top Daily Market
  • SATURDAY — JREAMFEST COMMUNITY YOUTH FESTIVAL
  • SATURDAY — The Best of Charlotte 48 Hour Film Project at The Booth Playhouse
  • SATURDAY – Su Casa: The August Edition at Petra’s
  • SUNDAY – Vegan Vibe Music Series
  • SUNDAY – A Sign of the Times presents 2019 Straight-Ahead Jazz Series

 

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, AUGUST 22——-

One of my favorite hangouts is celebrating it’s birthday and this weekend, I need everyone to head down to Tip Top Daily Market for the Tip Top Ya Don’t Stop Fest 4-Year Anniversary! Come and kick off this momentous occasion with a week full of fun, interactive and family friendly events filled with music, brews, food, contests, performances and much more! Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Dapper Street Productions, Inc. returns for the month of August with another installment of its heralded performance series Color of Jazz – The XMEN Play Robert Glasper. For tonight’s episode, feel the energy of one of Charlotte’s most prolific and creative ensembles, The XMEN as they channel the musical mystique of Grammy Award-winning composer, arranger and pianist Robert Glasper. With a style that’s totally spellbinding, The XMEN will be sure to bring light to the darkness of your minds with a colorful array of arrangements from Glasper’s catalog with some improvisational surprises. Admission is FREE to attend and all ages are welcome. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Tyvola Senior Center. 2225 Tyvola Rd.

Enjoy some family fun at the Back to School Pizza Party this evening! Bring the entire tribe out for an evening of fellowship, fun, school supply giveaways and FREE pizza! Supplies and pizza are first come first serve. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at 3100 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

This evening, join the lovely Sis. Jeanne Muhammad of Freedom To Live as she proudly presents a presentation of “Window To My Soul: How To Let Go Of Yesterday”. How do you recover when you feel crushed by life? When your heart aches with every beat? Whether you saw it coming or didn’t, the feeling is the same: You’re devastated. You gasp at your vulnerability and wonder, “Why did this happen?” Life dishes up so many hardships and while we may share similar experiences, every hurt is personal. In this intimate dialogue, Sis. Muhammad will share some insight on opening up and how expanding to certain entities will be an eventual benefit to many. Tickets can be purchased here:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/window-to-my-soul-how-to-let-go-of-yesterday-tickets-65207565584. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Advent Coworking. 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Calling all fellow nerds—head out to Divine Barrel Brewery as WFAE is proud to host Public Radio Nerd Quiz Night! For this edition of the quiz, guests will be tested on their knowledge of four themes: current events, public radio/WFAE trivia and in honor of the hosts, all things “Divine”. During the event, Divine Barrel will have an array of their award-winning beers for sale, including the Marshall Berry Brew, named in honor of WFAE Morning Edition co-host Marshall Terry. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-radio-nerd-quiz-night-marshall-berry-edition-tickets-65968905773. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Divine Barrel Brewing is located at 3701 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

All my underground music heads and musician, gather your crew, your collective creative minds and head down to invited to Social Status for a special Rhythm & Beats Workshop this evening! This creative workshop for music producers and beat makers will highlight working through the fundamentals of production across a landscape of musical genres. Local DJ/producer Simon SMTHG will facilitate this intimate session and there will be live beat sets featured after the workshop. Please be sure to bring your laptops, MPCs, SPs, xylophones and an open mind. FREE admission. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Social Status is located at 1519 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Three Bone Theatre is back with some more riveting stage magic as they proudly present the production of Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline.” Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities they’ll never have. When a controversial incident at his upstate private school threatens to get him expelled, Nya must confront his rage and her own choices as a parent. But will she be able to reach him before a world beyond her control pulls him away? With profound compassion and lyricism, Pipeline brings an urgent conversation about race, education and family powerfully to the fore. In her newest work, Morisseau pens a deeply moving story of a mother’s fight to give her son a future — without turning her back on the community that made him who he is. Featuring an all-star cast of Charlotte’s most talented thespians and directed by Sidney Horton. There will be three performances this weekend: Thursday (8/22), Friday (8/23) and Saturday (8/24) at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/pipeline. All performances will be held at the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

 

——-FRIDAY, AUGUST 23——-

Black Business Owners of Charlotte invites you out to Recess Charlotte for Black Food Truck Fridays: Summer Music Tour – Jazz Edition! Get ready for some more community fun as you bring all your friends and family out for an evening of community while you dine from some of the city’s finest and most delicious Chocolate culinary chariots! Also, be sure to scoop up some cool fashions and trinkets from local vendors, enter in raffles to win cool prizes and get down on the good foot to the sounds of a special guest live band playing some soothing and riveting jazz numbers! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 5 p.m. Recess Charlotte is located at 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

Charlotte, get a ready for a exploration of the palates at the East Mets West Family Affair! In this showcase of culinary culture, Chef Akil from Ve-Go Food Truck and Chef Joya of Cooking With Joya invite you to experience this plant-based family affair as these two Milwaukee natives spread love and seasoning over some delectable and eclectic Eastern-inspired and Midwest-inspired dishes. To place orders, please send them to: http://ve-gofoodtruck.com and http://www.cookingwithjoya.com. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Pilot Brewing Co. 1331 Central Ave., Suite #104 in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Get down with some Friday night family fun as Potions & Pixels: Video Games, Board Games and Community sets up shop at Camp North End! Test your skills on all of your favorite retro, modern and indie video and board games! Admission is FREE and feel free to bring as many friends as you desire! The games begin at 5 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.

Join Discovery Place Science and the UNC Charlotte School of Architecture in a special forum about social mobility entitled “Cities of Tomorrow” this evening. Charlotte is growing, the skyline changing and our uptown is being re-imagined. Charlotte is not alone, cities across the world are increasing in density with ambitions of becoming socially, economically and environmentally more sustainable. Emily G. Makas, Ph.D., interim Director of the School of Architecture, will moderate a lively discussion between current and former Charlotteans who are changing the urban landscape both locally as well as across the globe. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://15106a.blackbaudhosting.com/15106a/Cities-of-Tomorrow?_ga=2.45662113.423254729.1566407441-878443087.1566407441. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Get ready to laugh yourselves silly this evening and come out for Love & Laugh Hour! The Love Hour is a live discussion on love, relationships, and happiness. Based on the podcast “The Love Hour” Kevin & Melissa Fredericks will spend an hour and half talking about Love in a new fresh way as only they can. Couples young and old, married or seriously dating can stand to learn a lot from this seminar. The game has changed and social media, DMs, and the internet have shifted the playing field. Kevin and Melissa are going to help you navigate the ups and downs of your relationship in a unique and fresh way. After the knowledge is dropped, it’s time to lose your sides as comedic comrades Tony Baker and Tahir Moor give you a strong and serious dosage of clean comedy! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-and-laugh-hour-charlotte-tickets-53201796004. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at The Praising Place Church of God. 5268 N. Sharon Amity Rd.

This evening, come learn how to re-center your inner selves and join Brandi Leigh of Focused Alignment as she invites you out to Energetic Hygiene 101! In this workshop you will enjoy the power of sound vibrations as it cleanses our energetic bodies to create a clear container of empowerment and seeks to deepen our energetic awareness in an interactive Q & A session. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.sanctuaryimportsclt.com/events/energetic-hygiene-101. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Sanctuary Imports. 822 Lamar Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Are you a local vocalist or arranger striving to put more passion in your pen? If so, Dear Soul Music Company, LLC invites you out to Camp North End for the Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop this evening. This 4-week program is an interactive and collaborative platform for aspiring singer/songwriters to enhance their skills in structuring, musical literacy and more. Today’s lesson is entitled, “Intro To Songwriting.” All classes will be taught by singer, instrumentalist and Dear Soul Music Co. founder Arsena Schroeder, Curt Keyz and 1 Way North. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/using-your-unique-songwriting-workshops-tickets-64375190929. The session will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Hygge Coworking at Camp North End. 330 Camp Rd.

In this day of ever-changing identities, it’s important that we find common ground within ourselves but we are open to acceptance of others as well. For this Friday night, join Soul Liberation Holistic Wellness for a special cool-down mixer entitled BlaQue Folx Chill: Game Night Edition! This event is designed to be a safe space for Black LGBTQ “folx” to connect in conversation and community. It serves as an opportunity to break away from the upright world and bask in their Black queerness in a chill atmosphere of soft illumination, soothing aromatics and lo-fi Hip Hop. Bring you’re a-game and test your skills among others in Spades, Uno, Black Card Revoked and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blaque-folx-chill-a-social-safer-space-for-the-black-queer-community-registration-64453105975. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Soul Liberation Holistic Wellness is located at 4822 Albemarle Rd.

The Sol Kitchen is ready to lay down some more Friday night flavor as they proudly present Common: The Let Love Tour w/ MuMu Fresh! One of Hip Hop’s most accomplished and polished MCs, the Chi-Town rhymesayer Common is back with new knowledge for the soul as he performs some joints from his latest body of work, “Let Love.” Joining him will be the ever-fly and ever-fine Maimouna Youssef aka Mumu Fresh! If you’re unaware of either of these creative talents, they are embodiment of Black artistry which aims to exalt the humanity within. In other words, do not miss this show! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/common-let-love-tour. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Belk Theater. 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Get in the groove with some international flavor at Stats Restaurant & Bar and come out to the Charlotte International Summer Jam, Pt. 2 this evening! Gather your friends and come enjoy a night of nonstop dancing, food and fellowship as The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Christuf give you the best of R&B, Hip Hop, Soca, Reggae and House! There will be meal and drink specials running all night long. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-summer-jam-pt-2-tickets-65748089305. The party starts at 9 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

Some new sounds are abound in Crown Town and tonight, head down to New Era Music House for a special FIRST LISTEN: Listening Party feat. Verbal Van Gogh! One of Charlotte’s hottest MCs, VvG is back with some new hotness from his new album “Calm B4 The $torm” before it releases worldwide, Friday 8/30. This is also a great networking opportunity as there will be plenty of tastemakers in the building as well as publications and other media personnel. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/calm-b4-the-torm-listening-party-w-vvg-tickets-68524236837. The event will begin at 9 p.m. New Era Music House is located at 2848 Queen City Dr., Suite “J”.

If you’re in the traveling mood, shoot down I-77 to Columbia and head over to the Nickelodeon Theater as Super Soul Sinema presents Super Soul Brother! When a duo of criminals pay an evil doctor to create a serum that gives people superhuman strength, they fool a naive wino named Steve (“Wildman” Steve Gallon) into getting an injection to help them pull off a jewel heist. When Steve discovers that the serum kills whoever takes it, he hides the stolen jewels and begins a frantic quest to create an antidote with the thieving masterminds in hot pursuit! This film is part low-rent comedy/crime caper, part sci-fi weirdness and all Miami-shot regional filmmaking insanity. Super Soul Sinema is a love letter to a forgotten realm of black film, Blaxploitation. Hosted by Preach Jacobs, who will talk about the significance of the film, followed by DJ sets alongside DJ Saxana, will give you a dose of soul, funk, and everything that provided backdrops for these classic films. Tickets can be purchased here: https://36372.blackbaudhosting.com/36372/page.aspx?pid=196&tab=2&txobjid=f06d8a73-344e-4cac-a819-d8e53b3b62a9. The event will begin at 9 p.m. Nickelodeon Theater is located at 1607 Main St. in Downtown Columbia.

 

 

 

——-SATURDAY, AUGUST 24——-

CALLING ALL ASPIRING & ESTABLISHED ENTREPRENEURS – If you’re interested in starting your own business or you currently own a business and you need resources and information to grow and move your venture forward, join like-minded individuals for networking, information sharing and innovative ideas at the Queen City Entrepreneurs’ Conference. Hear from women entrepreneurs and experts during informative workshops, presentations and panel discussions. You’ll also have a chance to visit with vendors that provide goods and services to business owners. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queen-city-entrepreneurs-conference-qcec-tickets-65811825943. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. 3400 Beatties Ford Rd.

 

 

Ladies, join the beautiful My Darling Doula this morning at NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studio for “Queen’s Milk: Celebrating Black Breastfeeders in the Queen City.” Whether you’re a seasoned mother, expectant mother or a community mother, come and get engaged with other women to discuss various topics around breastfeeding. Learn about nutritional value for your child and your own health, cultural/economic benefits and lots more! There will be local lactation experts, peer counselors, breastfeeding advocacy supporters and some special insight from guest advocates and more. Admission is FREE and there will be light refreshments, nursing bra giveaways, resources and lots of other goodies. Presented by My Darling Doula. If you’re interested in sponsoring, donating or volunteering, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/1Rd8Z3sryxErXqyM6. The event will begin promptly at 10 a.m. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.   

Get ready for another episode of Charlotte’s best brunch experience as Moxie Society welcomes you out to the the I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party! Same festive Saturday flavor but now in a different neck of the Carolina woods – join one of the OC’s hottest entertainment firms as they fill your day with some of that cultural coolness with an revamped Southern-inspired brunch menu, mimosas, cocktail specials and fly 90s Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae tunes from my good brother, DJ Foundacetion! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-still-love-the-90s-brunch-party-feat-dj-foundacetion-tickets-69225969739. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Recess Charlotte. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood. #MoxieSociety #TheArtOfTheDayParty

Kids, gather your friend and parents and head down to The Discovery Place for the Rise of the TMNT Sewer Studio Tour! Nickelodeon is giving kids and families the ultimate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle experience with this summer’s ‘Sewer Studio Tour.’ This interactive event will allow kids to create their own dynamic stop-motion videos with “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” action figures. The best videos will have the opportunity to be featured on Nickelodeon platforms! FREE admission. The event will begin at 11 a.m. The Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Ladies, assemble your crew and strut your stuff down to the Ace Kouture Pop Up Tour this weekend! Come shop for some beautiful African-inspired items hand made in The Motherland. There will be amazing and original African print designs ranging from tops, blouses, dresses, jumpsuits, blazers, jackets to infinity dresses, rompers, wrap dresses, accessories, hair bonnets and much more from the latest designer collections. You will also get to try the outfits on and will get styling tips from on-site designers and stylists. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ace-kouture-pop-up-tour-charlotte-nc-tickets-63317133250. The event will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday (8/24) and at 12 noon on Sunday (8/25). The event will be held at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel Charlotte. 895 W. Trade St. in Uptown.

Hope For All Charlotte is ready to start the school year off on a fresh note as they host the Official Back 2 School Block Party! This jamboree is designed to assist underprivileged students to be equipped with necessary school essentials needed to excel inside and outside the classroom. There will be backpacks filled with supplies along with refreshments, music, games, haircuts for boys, manicures for girls and much more! Admission is FREE but donations can be made here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-2-school-block-party-tickets-67039614291. The party starts at 1 p.m. at 1451 Briar Creek Rd.

Be love, feel love, give love as Sae Productions invites you out to the For The Love Community Social this afternoon! Come and celebrate the diligence of the community and shop from local merchants and vendors along with enjoying some refreshments, music and unity! FREE admission. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at Venue 1801. 1701 W. Trade St. near JCSU Main Campus.

This afternoon, bring the family out to Route 29 Pavilion for Puerto Rican Festival of the Carolinas 2019! Hosted by the Puerto Rican Cultural Society of Charlotte, everyone is invited to come and fellowship with some beautiful and jubilant Boricuas and partake in some Latino dancing, enjoy authentic Puerto Rican cuisines, games, live music from guest artists and much, much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.tickeri.com/events/5cae6c766609b30004deefc7/e-a-puerto-rican-festival-of-the-carolinas-tm-featuring-el-gran-combo–la-sonora-ponce-a-and-many-more-. The festival begins at 12 noon. Route 29 Pavilion is located at 5650 Sandusky Blvd. in Concord.

Ladies, gather your girlfriends and head over to Queen Park Social for Queenchella 2019! Explore a variety of music, street tacos, drink specials, sisterhood while making a day full of memories! Admission is FREE to attend, but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queenchella-tickets-66599419657. The event will begin at 12 noon. Queen Park Social is located at 4125 Yancey Rd.

Queen City Events invites you out for some family fun at the 2019 Queen City Summer Festival! Explore some of what Charlotte has to offer with over 50 vendors featuring a variety of products, brands, giveaways and more. There will be food, a bounce house, kids’ activities, face painting, laser tag, coupons, discounts, entertainment, games and more! RSVPs and tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-queen-city-summer-festival-tickets-60288027112. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the Carole A. Hoefener Center. 615 E. 6th St. in Uptown.

It’s Summertime and it’s time for the return of one of the QC’s biggest “feastivals” – everyone head out to Park Road Park for the Southeast Crab Feast! Bring the entire clan out for a day of Lowcountry fresh fish, French fries, fresh brews, wine, music and fellowship! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southeast-crab-feast-charlotte-nc-tickets-58689037491. The event will begin at 1 p.m. 6220 Park Rd.

The McColl Center for Art + Innovation, in collaboration with the Mint Museum invites you to be part of their Creating Poetry Workshop this afternoon! These two centers of creativity have joined to host an open space on selected Saturday afternoons for community authors, poets, and storytellers to gather for fellowship and to develop new and in-progress works. The space is open to anyone who reads, writes, and/or speaks in English and/or Spanish. Participants will read and talk about their works, hear new ideas from fellow writers, and, hopefully, find inspiration. Our intent is that this process will spark opportunities to perform and share your creations during upcoming events at McColl Center. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://53393.blackbaudhosting.com/53393/page.aspx?pid=196&tab=2&txobjid=dbbae2fe-6a33-416c-afe6-6126d43b89f7. The session will begin at 2 p.m. at The McColl Center. 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Music takes center stage at Tip Top Daily Market this afternoon as social media music group Flava Shop invites you out to their first interactive meet-up session, Flava of the Month! Come enjoy fat beats, tasty eats, fly treats and cool peeps from guest selectors Ray Anderson, Cairo Black and the lovely Angela Renee giving your ears a variety of soulful sounds ranging from Golden Era Hip Hop, Soul, The Funk, Classic Rock, Nu Wave, R&B, Reggae, House and much more! There will also be a wine tasting and cookout in full effect so be sure to rock out on rations as you rock to the music! FREE admission. 2 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

School’s back in session and this afternoon, everyone head on down to Cuzzo’s Cuisine as they along with Culinary Connections hosts the Back 2 School Block Party! Come out for an afternoon of FREE food, FREE school supplies giveaways, music from a guest DJ, kids’ activities, bounce house and much more! And did I mention that admission is FREE? School supplies will last until they have run out. The party is at 3 p.m. 3418 Tuckaseegee Rd.

This Saturday, get ready to fulfill your dreams with grassroots youth empowerment initiative Jream365 and local hit makers Platinum Plus Recording as they proudly present the first-ever JREAMFEST COMMUNITY YOUTH FESTIVAL! Grab your tribe and slide on down to Grier Town for an afternoon full of fun and fellowship with all sorts of carnival games, giveaways, delicious eats, tasty treats and LIVE performances from Queen Savage, Christiana Washington, De’Semaj and Wrestler Movie Myk! This is a great opportunity to take advantage of youth activities before the 2019-2020 school year and a change to make some solid networking connections in the city! Admission is $FREE.99 and the jump off is at 3 p.m. at the Grier Heights Community Center. 3100 Leroy St.

CMS students, families and teachers, come celebrate one last hurrah of the Summer at the Plaza-Midwood Back to School Party! One of Charlotte’s most beloved neighborhoods invites you to come out for a vibrant day full of vendors, food, games, live dance performances, skin care and massage therapy stations and much more! All collected school supply donations will be generously given to CMS Title 1 students/schools. Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 4 p.m. at Pure Pizza. 1911 Central Ave.

The Guerilla Poets bring some tropical flavor to Charlotte Art League this evening as they host their Tahiti All Day Luau Party! Come out and enjoy some live music, fire dancers, visual artists, open mic performances, games, prizes, delicious food and of course—some of that Limbo dancing! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tahiti-all-day-luau-party-tickets-65322919611. The party starts at 6 p.m. Charlotte Art League is located at 4100 Raleigh St. #GuerillaPoets

Grab your friends, grab your lawn chairs and grab a comfortable spot to sit because it’s time to enjoy the beauty of nature and the spirit of the Freedom Jazz Series! For this final jam session for Summer 2019, come and experience the vibrant smooth jazz sounds guaranteed to transcend your heart and soul with a rousing cultural warmth and peace. Today’s featured beacons of sound, love and light are nationally-known bassist and singer Michael Manson and the triumphant vibrations of Charlotte’s own sound machine, Jazz Revolution! There will be local eats and fresh craft brews available to enhance your experience. Presented by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and hosted by the lovely Jazz Diva, Tammy Greene. FREE admission. 6 p.m. at Freedom Park. 1900 East Blvd. in the Dilworth Neighborhood.

This evening, catch some cinematic magic at a special presentation of The Best of Charlotte 48 Hour Film Project! This event is the culmination of more than 500 local people working together to create a collection of more than 15 short films. These local artists come together to form teams which are assigned a genre, a character’s name, a prop and a line of dialogue. They then get 48 hour to create a seven minute short film. This event will screen only the best of the 2019 collection. If you are looking to learn what Charlotte is made of creatively then this is the event for you. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/best-of-the-charlotte-48-hour-film-project. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Step into a world of Afrofuturistic funk this Saturday night and come out for one of Charlotte’s favorite underground culture jams—Su Casa: The August Edition! Get down and on the good foot with residents DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel or an evening of nonstop dancing set to the tripped out rhythms of Afrobeat, Soca, Reggae, Funk, Dancehall, House and lots of other sonic goodness! Admission is $10 all night long. The event begins at 10 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

——-SUNDAY, AUGUST 25——-

Slide out to Cuzzo’s Cuisine Food Truck mothership brick & mortar location for the Soul Food Sunday Buffet! Whether you’re leaving church or just out enjoying this gorgeous Charlotte weather, put your stomach in the mix as Chef Andarrio Johnson and crew creates a delicious fix of your favorite soul food menu items — Cajun fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni & cheese, greens beans, rice pilaf, fish, green beans, World Famous Lobster Mac & Cheese and lots more! Admission is $15 per person and the buffet will run from 12 noon – 5 p.m. 3418 Tuckaseegee Rd.

Get a taste of culture this afternoon as The Human League Changemakers proudly presents another installment of the Vegan Vibe Music Series! This Summer cool down is designed to put your mind at ease and a smile in your stomach with a variety of live performances, flavorful vegan dishes and much more! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 12 noon at Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts. 1030 Woodward Ave.

Put some soul in your Sunday and head over to CPCC Main Campus for the August 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 open jam performance. 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.

End your weekend on a soulful note and join BRAVE Entertainment as they proudly present THE SESSION feat. Tweet this evening! This Sunday cool-down will bring the heat as the stage will be set on fire with opening act, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Myke Grizzly! Then be sure to stick around as the gorgeous multi-award-winning Tweet gives a live soul-stirring performance! You don’t want to miss this! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-session-tickets-68263974385. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Heist Brewery. 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

 

COMING SOON…

8/29 — Hot Gumbo featuring Jamison Bethea

8/30 — Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop, Pt. 2

8/31 – Freaquency360 LIVE

8/31 – Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Brunch: Labor Day Weekend 2019

8/31 – Who You Be Mixer, Pt. 2

8/31 – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents JUSTICE 4 ALL

9/1 — Write Now Youth Publishing Community Cookout

9/1 — The Art of Afrobeats Charlotte, Vol.2: Labor Day Weekend 2019

9/2 — Revolt Comedy Show #11

9/3 – Grannae’s Boyz presents Poetry on the Patio: Erotic Edition

9/4—9/7 – The Legacy Theatre Production Company presents “Forever 4 What”

9/5 — The Artist’s Way Charlotte Cohort – Fall 2019

9/5 – House Work #018 feat. That Guy Smitty, DJ A-Minor, VonFunkHauser & DJ Domii

9/6 – Reggae vs. Hip Hop – 1st Fridays Edition

9/7 – WorldLit Street Food Festival

9/7 – Off The Wall: Best of the 80s, Vol. 18

9/8 – Classic Black Cinema Series presents “Cotton Comes to Harlem”

9/8 – Bueller’s Birthday Boogie – 34 1/3 RPM on Wax

9/12—9/21 – BNS Productions’ “Boys To Baghdad”

9/13 – Charlotte DOES Jamiroquai

9/21 – Art Is Life Rooftop Gala

9/21 – EmpoweHERment, Inc. Annual Teen Summit

 

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” –Harriet Tubman

 

I wish all CMS students and teachers a prosperous new school year and a happy weekend to all!

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets   #CommunityFirst