By Shawn D. Allison, II
What’s the word family? Summer 2019 has come to a close and it has been a memorable one for sure. But before we embrace the new season with new vibrations, let’s close out the Solstice with a bang featuring a super dope lineup of all sorts of goodies to indulge in! I’m co-hosting the View The Right Thing Film Series on Saturday so please come check us out and below is my special “Hot List” containing all my planned moves for this weekend!
- THURSDAY—SATURDAY – BNS Productions presents Boys To Baghdad
- THURSDAY— Ubuntu Power of Unity Community Building Course
- FRIDAY – A Sign of the Times presents Groove Series at QC Social Lounge
- FRIDAY – 90’s Vibes: The Best of Hip Hop & R&B Featuring Orchestra Noir
- FRIDAY—SATURDAY – JazzArts Charlotte’s The Jazz Room presents Trumpet Summit
- FRIDAY – Talia Stewart, Jason Jet & Simon SMTHNG LIVE at Crown Station
- SATURDAY – 3rd Annual Grier Town Community Bash
- SATURDAY — View the Right Thing Film & Discussion Series: Get On The Bus
- SATURDAY – A Vibe Called Fresh 2019 at Camp North End
- SATURDAY – Freaquency360 Live : Josh Henderson X Gary Wallace at Tip Top Daily Market
- SATURDAY — AfroPop CLT Vol. 35 – Goodbye Summer Edition
- SUNDAY – Black Food Truck Sunday Summer Music Tour: Jazz Edition
- SUNDAY – THE SESSION feat. Tweet w/ Samoht and Karen Poole at Heist Brewery
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, SEPTEMBER 19——–
Everyone head out to The Gantt Center for a social soiree full of flyness, elegance and culture—Gantt After Dark: Fall Kolors Edition! Join hosts, The Charlotte Kappa Alumni, Posh Events and The Grays and this evening of fellowship, vendors, art and all sorts of goodness! Music will be provided DJ 06’ and DJ Skillz—The Mashout King as they set the speakers on fire with some Hip Hop, House, Soul, R&B and much more! Admission to Gantt After Dark is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-kolors-tickets-69036388697. The event begins at 6 p.m. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Ladies, get ready to roll up those sleeves, tuck those napkins in your shirt and bring your business cards down to Women In Power, Inc.’s Seafood Boil & Networking Social! Enjoy some delectable fresh catches from the Eastern coastline while engaging with other progressive women and making valuable connections. Admission is $5 per person and for $50 you can have the floor for 15 minutes to talk about your business in front of everyone. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seafood-boil-and-networking-tickets-68860456479. The feast will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Yummy Crab Seafood. 516 Tyvola Rd.
Learning is a gift which should be applied for the betterment of humanity and for every Thursday of the next few months, the League of Intelligence along with A Sign of the Times and Kemetic Science Institute invite you and your minds to the Ubuntu Power of Unity Community Building Course. In these sessions, come and delve into the concepts and principles of our culture and unlock the power that unites. Modeled after the Kwanzaa principle, “Kujichagulia”, this course is designed to build determination individually and collectively and to utilize our power to accomplish our goals. Filled with history lessons, team building exercises and much more, it’s one class you shouldn’t skip! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubuntu-power-of-unity-a-community-building-course-tickets-70816392737. All sessions will be held at JCSU beginning at 7 p.m. 100 Beatties Ford Rd.
The brilliant Rory D. Sheriff of Band New Sheriff Productions returns to Spirit Square once again to present is acclaimed stage play, “Boys to Baghdad!” It’s a story intertwining Sheriff’s creativity, personal life experiences and militarized dramatic circumstances that highlight a battalion of soldiers who eventually become a band of brothers. The men encounter a series of obstacles and conflict and learn to set aside differences to fight for the common good. Performance dates and times and ticket purchases can be found here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/boys-to-baghdad-3. All performances will be held at the Duke Energy Theatre. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
——–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20——–
It’s time for the 55th annual Festival In the Park! This beautiful Lake Walk art festival features the work of talented local artisans and craftsmen featuring their jewelry, paintings, woodwork, pottery, glasswork, and lots more! There will also be local musicians, activities for kids and food vendors. Come experience Charlotte’s favorite and longest standing festival! Admission is FREE and the festival will run from today at 4 p.m. through Sunday (9/22) at Freedom Park. 1900 E. Blvd. in the Dilworth Neighborhood.
Hey kids! Come explore your creative side this afternoon at The Gantt Center as they proudly present Fine Art Fridays: Collage 101 for Children! In September, we’re celebrating Charlotte-born artist Romare Bearden’s birthday with a collage-making workshop. Collage is a technique using an assemblage of diverse materials and media which can include newspaper, magazines, fabric, paint, photographs and other found materials in different forms and shapes to create a finished composition. Designed for enthusiasts of all ages and levels, local mixed-media artist Shane Manier will guide workshop participants as they create an original work of art. The museum will provide the supplies. You provide your imagination. Please be sure to RSVP for both sessions here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fine-art-fridays-collage-101-tickets-70956662287 — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fine-art-fridays-collage-101-tickets-70955540933. Each session will begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Prepare yourself for a night of fierce challenges to test what you can endure as Discovery Place Science proudly presents Science on the Rocks: Survival Skills. Face everything from the mundane to the monstrous with the unexpectedness of adulthood to the harshness of the great outdoors. Tackle the night with your friends as you practice your knot tying skills, make a stress ball for your desk at work, eat an edible insect and more — you never know when these skills might come in handy. Tickets can be purchased here: https://15106a.blackbaudhosting.com/15106a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=caf6cd50-222b-49d6-aad2-180fee466985&property=property&_ga=2.36426272.1453028900.1568820153-3087440.1568820153. This event is for persons 21+ with proper I.D. The event will begin at 5 p.m. The Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This evening, music bridges the generational gap at as A Sign Of The Times proudly presents Groove Series! Come and enjoy an enigmatic night of music and fellowship as one of Charlotte’s most talented instrumental ensembles lays out some classic flavor with a bevy of timeless R&B and Soul with a special James Brown tribute. Then for the new school crowd, get up and get down with the energetic sounds of DJ Fannie Mae spinning out the best of current frequencies with her specialized mixing skills! It’s an “age-old” party jam that you don’t want to miss! Please be sure to RSVP here: https://grooveseries.splashthat.com/?fbclid=IwAR3npcNFSwXTv1tGgecar5q6TCKYHc9heuGNEG2FCxfjPFGIe_2k_JqJZG8. There will be drink and meal specials available all night. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at QC Social Lounge. 300 N. College St. in Uptown.
Brass goes boom all over the room this weekend at The Stage Door Theater. Join JazzArts Charlotte as they bring forth to you, a return of a special edition of their monthly performance series The Jazz Room presents “Trumpet Summit!” Come and hear the sounds and styles of some of the area’s most prolific professional musicians band together to create a magnificent spectacle of sound to recreate the music of trumpet masters like Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Hargrove. There will be four shows: Friday (9/20) at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (2/21) 7 and 9:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-special-edition. The Stage Door Theater is located at the corner of E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown.
The stunning and multi-talented Arsena Schroeder of Dear Soul Music Company, LLC invites you to cast your cares away and experience a collection of eclectic entertainment as she hosts Unplugged + Live: Kenya Templeton & Paulina Simone. This riveting showcase highlights local singer-songwriters in an intimate, acoustic setting. Kenya sings from a depth that many cannot reach, yet harmonizes with an effortless steeze and draws you in commanding the full attention of all your senses. Paulina delivers a warm heartfelt vocal over atmospheric guitar and piano production and delves into a myriad of styles ranging from R&B to experimental flavor. Admission is FREE. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Dupp & Swat. 1824 Statesville Ave. inside Camp North End.
Looking for some trouble this Friday night? Head over to Tip Top Daily Market for the first-ever Tip Top Travesty! Laugh those workday woes away in this special comedy open mic and try to win over the crowd with your own creative humor. DJ Ray will be spinning some gems on the 1s and 2s. FREE admission. 8 p.m. 2902 The Plaza in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Experience some Black classical flavor this evening as The Sol Kitchen and Jazz Around Town proudly presents “90’s Vibes: The Best of Hip Hop & R&B Featuring Orchestra Noir!” As seen in Vogue Magazine, BET, Oprah’s OWN Network as well as with 2 Chainz, Marsha Ambrosius, Cardi B, and many more! The renowned all African-American Orchestra, Orchestra Noir stops in the QC for a special one-night-only show! Prepare yourselves to go Black into time as this talented tribe takes you on a nostalgic journey performing the hottest R&B and Hip Hop classics with lush orchestration! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/90s-vibe-the-best-of-hip-hop-rnb-featuring-orchestra-noir. The show starts promptly at 8 p.m. at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Get in the mix with some tropical vibes as Island Buzz CLT proudly presents Ladies Night: Caribbean Edition! Come and indulge in some Friday night fun with a variety of games, eats, drinks, vendors and a vibrant soundtrack of Reggae, Soca and Afro-Caribbean tunes provided by On Track HD! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-night-caribbean-style-tickets-71834293305. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Mooney’s Lounge. 2525 N. Graham St.
Catch some dope local grooves this evening at Crown Station and come experience the sonic stylings of Talia Stewart, Jason Jet & Simon SMTHNG performing LIVE! Talia is a singer-songwriter from California whose vocals bring a distinctive jazz style to her pop sound. As an avid reader and writer, composing her own short stories and poems for years until she combined her love of literature and music and began songwriting. Blessed with a brilliant tenor voice, astounding production prowess and gripping lyricism, Jason Jet has an almost trancelike effect on anyone who listens. Simon SMTHNG has a penchant for creativity and it is showcased with colorful musicianship in methods that allow him to draw instrumentals out of thin air in a myriad of styles from lo-fi Hip Hop to Trap, R&B and much more. Tickets are $7 per person. Doors open at 9 and the show starts at 9:30 p.m. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——–SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21——–
Young ladies, gather your school-aged homegirls and come out to Butler High School for the 2019 EmpowHERment Teen Summit this morning! Girls in grades 6-12 will be connected with, and inspired by dynamic women leaders in our community. Girls will participate in panel discussions, team building activities and career exploration. They will also have afternoon breakout sessions on civic engagement, philanthropy, personal branding and social media. EmpowHERment, Inc. aims to connect girls and women from a diversity of cultural, racial and socio-economic backgrounds in our city, as this believe this will strengthen our collective voice and network as leaders. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empowherment-2019-teen-summit-tickets-62058453505. The event will begin at 9 a.m. Butler High School is located at 1810 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd. in Matthews.
Get ready for another episode of Charlotte’s best brunch experience as Moxie Society welcomes you out to 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 Tramare aka Hot Rod! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-still-love-the-90s-brunch-feat-dj-tramare-tickets-68302315063. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Recess Charlotte. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood. #MoxieSociety #TheArtOfTheDayParty
Ladies, gather your girls and come enjoy a day of filling your cup, self-reflection, inner work and healing as Coco Yoni Lounge proudly presents the In & Out Goddess Restore Workshop. This workshop is all about self-love, self-care and self-worth. You’ll explore thought patterns that have kept you stagnant and stuck, practical ways to change the narrative in your life including tapping into the core of your soul to reveal what hasn’t been working, what has and how you can design a life that you love. Activities included will be a V-steam session, vision boards, brunch, meditation, swag bags and much more. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-out-goddess-restore-workshop-tickets-70372559219. The event will begin at 11 a.m. CoCo Yoni Lounge is located at 3448 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
The Single Saved and Serious Movement is back in action with Project 70Forward and ready to end the Summer with a bang as they host the 3rd Annual Grier Town Community Bash! Bring the entire tribe out for a day of nonstop inspirational fun including live entertainment, kids’ activities, food, music, local vendors and much more. Also, there will be giveaways of fresh and nonperishable foods provided by Loaves & Fishes, hygiene products, prescription drug assistance, peer support as well as other local resources. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 12 noon at the Grier Heights Community Center. 3100 Leroy St.
This Saturday, we continue our cinematic cultural conversation as the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library proudly presents our September installment in the with View the Right Thing Film & Discussion Series: Get On The Bus! Set in 1995, but released in 1996, this Spike Lee joint centers around a group of Black men from various walks of life as they embark on a coast-to-coast journey upon a chartered bus from South Central, L.A. to Washington, DC to attend the historic Million Man March. This ride along film features a multitude of viewpoints, vantage points and perspectives of Black men and women as they ultimately seek to find a purpose for themselves, individually and as a collective psyche. There will be a post-film discussion following the film which will focus of film aesthetics, themes, actual accounts from the March and thoughts about the future. Admission is FREE to attend and it is open to the public. The screening will begin promptly at 1 p.m. at the Beatties Ford Library Branch. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd.
Back for another year of Black-on-Black fun, bring the entire family out to Camp North End for a second helping of A Vibe Called Fresh 2019! It’s all things unified with an afternoon of nonstop fellowship, music, dance, fashion, food and culture! You’ll get to witness a live fashion show, a culture dance mashup, a variety of vendors with some dope services, threads and trinkets, fly sounds from DJ Buttafingaz and much more! Admission is FREE. The jump off is at 2 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.
Slide out to Tip Top Daily Market for the September installment of the not-your-average networking jam session entitled, Freaquency360 Live! This gathering of creatives will feature some dope music of course, but at the core its main focus is to create a platform for artists and art enthusiasts to meet, greet and collectively share positive vibrations. Today’s focus will feature graphic artist, animator and creative philanthropist Josh Henderson. Also, learn what House is all about from Chicago staple and House Music legend “Jackmaster” Gary Wallace. The lovely DJ Sativa Slcts will be providing the grooves for this session. Hosted by Jah Freedom. Admission is FREE. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd.
Ladies, do you need some time away from the tribe in the midst of motherly duties? If you answered yes, join new social initiative Mingling Mommy for their first outing, the aptly-titled, Dinner In Peace. This group is designed for mothers who not only desire a night away but want to maintain a healthy social life. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dinner-in-peace-tickets-71013083043. This RSVP does not include dinner costs. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar. 325 Arlington Ave. near Uptown.
OutenLove Events and Nurse Monthly Mingle are ready to paint the town chocolate this evening as they proudly present Art Is Life: The Rooftop Gala! Experience this interface as the worlds of Wakanda fuse with the flavor of Trap music in this night of a celebration of African-inspired art and culture. There will be live entertainment, an art auction, a guest DJ, hors d’oeuvres, giveaways, prizes and much more. Proceeds from this event will go towards charity, 501c3, A.Bevy – a Carolina based art and education organization that produces creative programs, events, media, & opportunities that improve self-awareness through introspection. A Bevy’s educational experiences and scholarships improve factors known to help students through high school, college & life. Dress code is African-inspired fashion. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-is-life-rooftop-gala-tickets-65050478733. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at The Gantt Center. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
First 2 First Ent. Is back to rock the spot this weekend with TRU Saturday! Gather your crew and come get down with the flyness as 2 Chainz official sound provider DJ E. Sudd spins the hottest blend of Top 40, Classic Hip Hop, R&B, Pop and much more! Tek 9 Movements will provide the opening set. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tru-saturday-tickets-72230915613. The jam starts at 9 p.m. at Press Box Bar & Grill. 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area.
Summer is coming to a close and what a season it has been! To put a final cap on it, the fine folks of The Bantu Fete Team invite you out to Snug Harbor for AfroPop CLT Vol. 35 – Goodbye Summer Edition! Round out the solstice in style with two of the QC’s hardest working sound maestros, The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel for an unforgettable night of Afrobeats, Afro-House, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, Latin flavors, Hip Hop, R&B, some live African drumming thrown in the mix and much, much more! Also, be sure to support the various vendors supplying lots of garments, jewelry, accessories, homemade skin and hair products and more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-vol35-goodbye-summer-2019-tickets-71918824139. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——–SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22——–
This afternoon, bring the family out to Holy Covenant UCC for a special and necessary community conversation entitled, “Let’s Talk About Race!” With the theme, “Impacts of Race and Poverty in Charlotte”, this is an exploration of pressing challenges that occur at the intersection of these two elements. Stemmed from the tragic forecasr and searing indictment against our city, “those born poor in Charlotte are likely to die poor”, a group of esteemed panelists will discuss ways that we can change this devastating narrative and make Charlotte work for all citizens. Panelists include Leading On Opportunity Director, Don Thomas, Creed-NC Dir. of Operations, Janeen Bryant and community activist Kass Ottley. Dr. Rodney Sadler will moderate this discussion. Admission is FREE and open to the public. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. 3501 W.T. Harris Blvd.
The Culture Cooperative is ready to add a dose of Southern flavor in your weekend as they invite you out to A Southern Fried Kickback Day Party: September Edition ’19! Enjoy this funky blend on your Sunday as The Dynamic DJ Kato spins a sonic cocktail of classic Southern Hip Hop and R&B mixed with Afro-Fusion frequencies and much more! There will also be drink and “Southern Fried” food specials running all day. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-fried-kickback-day-party-september-edition-recess-tickets-72507165885. The party will begin at 4 p.m. at Recess CLT. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.
Get ready for some more community fun as Black Business Owners of Charlotte (BBOC) invites you out to special installment of Black Food Truck Sunday Summer Music Tour: Jazz Edition! Bring all your crew, comrades, co-workers, colleagues and cousins of all ages and dine from some of the city’s finest and most delicious Chocolate culinary chariots, scoop up some cool fashions and trinkets from local vendors, have chances to win cool prizes and get down on the good foot to the sounds of a guest live jazz band! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 4 p.m. at Recess Charlotte. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.
Make a joyful noise this afternoon and head down to St. Paul Baptist Church for a special Come As You Are (CAYA) Gospel Concert! Get ready to feel the rhythm of the Good News as rising Gospel stars Todd Galberth, Mitchell Johnson & Rehoboth, Fellowship Chorale, Voices of Eden and Vision of Prayze take the stage with all sorts of inspirational melodies and musical magic! Hosted by Praise 100.9’s Melanie Pratt. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 5 p.m. 1401 Allen St. in the Belmont Neighborhood.
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 acts, singer/songwriters Samoht and Karen Poole! 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-70844988267. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Heist Brewery. 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
COMING SOON…
9/25 – Advent Coworking present F*ck Up Night
9/25 — Short Films and Sketch Film Festival
9/26 — 4th Annual Black Mental Health Symposium
9/26 – Thirsty: A Celebration of House & Dance Music
9/27 – STEM Fall Expo
9/27 – Back To Work Business Fair
9/27 – G-R-A-V-I-T-A-T-E
9/28 – The SpottieOttieDopalicious Dinner
9/28 – Flava of the Month: September Edition
9/28 — African Voyage: All Children Saturdays
9/28 – Nigerian Independence Day Celebration
9/28 – Su Casa: The September Edition
9/29 – ORBIT Day Party
9/29 – CLTure Asian Street Food Fair
10/1 — #TeamBlkGrlFlyWeek
10/2 – Songbird: A Musical Showcase
10/5 — An Evening with Najee & Alex Bugnon
10/5 – Off The Wall: ATCQ/Native Tongues Tribute V.7
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
May God continually bless all of you!
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst