By: Shawn D. Allison, II
What’s happenin’ good people? I know each and every one of you are full as a tick from all of that good eating. However, I encourage you to not fall victim to the comforts of comfort food—there’s a lot to do this weekend. Yours truly is in Chicago this weekend, but if you want my opinion of the go-to shindigs, just peep my “Hot List” below!
- Thursday—“DOPE: A Dirty South Tribute” at The Press Box
- Friday—Jazz and a Movie screening of “Loving” at Regal Cinemas Manor Twin
- Friday—Jazz N’ Soul Music presents Suga Monkey at The Tavern
- Friday—“#BlackFriday: Recycling Our Black Dollars” at The Little Rock Cultural Center
- Saturday—The Guerilla Poets’ “International & Interracial Potluck” Open Mic at The Last Word
- Saturday—Su Casa: The November Edition at Petra’s
- Sunday—Hot Stuff Holiday Pop-Up Market at Petra’s
- Monday—Documentary Screening and Discussion of “13th” at Queens University
——-THURSDAY 11/24——-
You’re done eating, you’re full and yet, you’re still so full of energy? Need a release? Head over to The Press Box for the “Stanksgiving” edition of “DOPE: A Dirty South Tribute!” Get down with the best of Southern fried Hip Hop provided by The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Fannie Mae rockin’ the 1’s & 2’s all night! Also, be sure to scoop some fly threads from DRC ApeParel. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dope-stanksgiving-a-southern-hip-hop-tribute-tickets-29263885068. The get down starts at 10 p.m. The Press Box is located at 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area.
——-FRIDAY 11/25——-
Looking to shop on the busiest shopping day of the year? Bring the family over to Harambee Gardens for the “Black on Black Friday Holiday Expo!” Support the community with local vendors stocked with amazing gifts, hearty and delicious food, live music, a new library, a Black History tunnel, creative performances and more! This event is presented by the QCYEE (Queen City Youth Entrepreneur Expo). Admission is FREE to attend and it opens at 10 a.m. Harambee Gardens is located at 1801 N. Tryon St.
Want to find out how to direct your dollars to your community during the holiday season and beyond? Join the Charlotte Area LOC (Local Organizing Committee) at the Little Rock Cultural Center as they host “#BlackFriday: Recycling Our Black Dollars” this evening. Acclaimed author Jay Jay Wilson will be on hand to discuss the history of Black Wall Street and also to discuss steps in order to recreate the once lucrative livelihood. Vendors will be on site and a dinner will be provided as well. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-friday-redirecting-our-black-dollars-tickets-29280761546. The event begins at 5 p.m. The Little Rock Cultural Center is located at 401 N. Myers St. in Uptown.
Take a load off after some hectic holiday shopping and join the beautiful Jazz Diva, Ms. Tammy Greene as she hosts Jazz and a Movie this evening! You’ll have a chance to view the brand new film “Loving” based upon the story of an interracial couple whose marriage went to The U.S. Supreme Court in the crux of Jim Crow-era America. Before the screening, enjoy some smooth jazz from saxophonist Derwin Friday and trio. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2665499. Food will also be provided. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at Regal Cinemas Manor Twin. 609 Providence Rd. near Uptown.
Put some color in holiday weekend at The Industry at The Music Factory as Queen City Urban Arts Showcase hosts “Paint & Play—The Black Friday Edition!” See live painters, spoken word, eat delicious food, grab some giveaways, and get busy with some line dancing! This mature event has a grown and sexy dress code. For the food menu, there will be BBQ jerk chicken or pineapple chicken, coconut rice, fried plantains and more all provided by Step N’ Style Catering. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-play-black-friday-edition-tickets-29355736799. The event will begin at 7 p.m. The Industry is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Get your groove on at BluNotes this evening with “Go-Go 4th Fridays!” Move your body to the rhythms of the all-female go-go band, Alter Egos, experience the powerful vocals of Tanya Diaz and dance into the night with the beautiful DJ Cherokee. Admission is $10 and the party starts at 7 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
You’ve had a house full of food all this week and if you’re looking to go a house full of positive energy, I’ve got just the thing for you! Slide over to FireWater as The SoulJunkies and Ruff House proudly presents the “Black Friday House Music Jam!” Lose those calories as DJ Jazzy Bee and Power 98’s DJ Tab D’Biassi spin the best of House, Downtempo, Hip Hop and R&B all night long. The party starts at 9 p.m. FireWater is located at 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. in the University Area. #SoulJunkies
If you want some of that Black Friday funk, go down to The Tavern as the good people of Jazz N’ Soul Music proudly present the “funkalicious” rock and soul sounds of Suga Monkey! Part of Ella’s SpeakEasy, get ready for a night of colorful and soulful grooves with special guests, the ever-fine GiGi Mack on vocals, Will Lee on saxophone, Ron B. Smoov on guitar with the Suga Monkey band laying down the funky foundation in the background. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suga-monkey-funkalicious-rock-and-soul-tickets-29600399592. The show starts at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
Let loose at Petra’s this evening and take a musical journey into yesteryear with “Mirror Moves: The Free Alternative Dance Party!” DJ’s Cody Hare and Jason Herring will be dropping the best of 80s & 90s Pop, New Wave, Techno, House, Synth Pop, EDM and more! Admission is FREE to attend. The party starts at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Want more House? I got you! Head over to Soul Gastrolounge as DJ Jason Brooks will rock a night full of nothing but the best of Classic, Soulful and Deep House grooves for your feet, body and spirit to enjoy! Admission is FREE and the tables turn starting at 10 p.m. Soul Gastrolounge is located at 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
It’s time to get down with Nizzo Entertainment at Apostrophe Lounge this evening as they want you to get on the dance floor and #GiveThanks! Take a load off as Steve Nizzo and DJ Badala B spins the best of Hip Hop, House, Afrobeat, Reggae, R&B and more! The event begins at 10 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
——-SATURDAY 11/26——-
Join the beautiful and multitalented chocolate goddess Lady V Poetry at Vida Vida this afternoon as she hosts “Art Fusion: Paint Competition & Spoken Word.” Come see live painters compete to have their artwork displayed on wall space at the restaurant while spoken word lyricists fills your earholes with some original and organic poetry for your entertainment. Admission is FREE to attend and thee will be meal and drink specials available. The event begins at 4 p.m. Vida Vida is located at 210 E. Trade St. at The Epicentre in Uptown.
Join the Guerilla Poets at The Last Word for a special edition of creative art entitled “Encore!: International & Interracial Potluck Open Mic.” Song, poetry and art collide with indigenous feasts in this celebration of cultural love this evening. Everyone is encouraged to bring a special dish from their ancestry, cultural background or family tradition to share. Also, there will be drawing and painting available if you choose to express yourselves on a canvas. Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 5 p.m. The Last Word is located at 5744 N. Tryon St. #GuerillaPoets
Get your Saturday night grown n’ sexy on at The Tavern because it’s time to groove with The Martini Swing! Fashion, music and fun collide this evening as one of the most mature sounding acts takes the stage filling your evening with a sensual melody of grooves for you to enjoy. I’ve seen them before and let me tell you that you will not be disappointed—they are all that and then some! By request, the dress code is absolutely no athletic wear at all. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-martini-swing-at-the-tavern-charlotte-nc-tickets-28823137781. Show time is at 8 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #TheMartiniSwing
Awesom & E.O.C. So Street Ent. Is back once again with another night of slammin’ music! Join them at BluNotes as they host The Blackout Affair featuring R&B crooner RL of the trio Next performing live! From the hits “Wifey” and “Too Close”, come get your groove on with one of R&B’s most unsung contemporary talents. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awesom-eoc-blackout-edition-wrl-and-hosted-by-fly-ty-tickets-28005109035. The event begins at 9 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
If you want some true island flavor this weekend, shoot over to the NC Seafood Tavern & Bar for Reggae Meets Soca: Wuk Up In De Party! Get your whine on as DJ White Lyon, G-Sounds and special guest DJ Turboforce rocks your body into the night! Admission is $10 and there will be dinner & drink specials available. The event starts at 10 p.m. NC Seafood Tavern & Bar is located at 8225 University City Blvd. in the University Area.
It’s that time of the month again—it’s time to get down on the good foot at Petra’s with the November edition of Su Casa! You know the vibes and flavor—Afrobeat, Soca, Reggae, Soul, Funk, Rare Grooves, R&B, Dancehall all night long! DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel with Loot-Tenant Trax will be your sound providers, get your face painted by the beautiful Catherine Courtlandt and cop some fly jewelry from local vendors. Admission is $10 and the party starts at 10 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——-SUNDAY 11/27——-
For some Sunday shopping, come out to Petra’s for the Hot Stuff Holiday Pop-Up Market! Bring the family out to shop local from creative vendors including Simply Handmade Soap, Fantastic Face Factory, Robot Muse, Crowned Sparrow Co., Bajari, The Gateau Baking Company, Diggers Delight and more! There will be hot and fresh food available for purchase. The market opens at 12:30 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Calling all aspiring young movers and shakers—come out to Red Robin at Northlake as the lovely Geornee hosts a Goal Digger Meet-Up. Geornee is a blogger, fashion expert and business owner who is poised to network with millennials that have a brand or business and is interested in expanding their base to become a success and to help others become a success. This meet up is for anyone serious wanting to be successful in life and be leaders. Admission is FREE and the session begins at 8 p.m. Red Robin is located at 8425 Northlake Commons Blvd. at Northlake Mall.
——-MONDAY 11/28——-
Join the Charlotte Chapter of Black Lives Matter, QC Family Tree and Educate 2 Engage as they host a screening of the acclaimed documentary “13th” from filmmaker Ava Duvernay. The screening coincides Educate 2 Engage’s Six Week book discussion on the book, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age of Colorblindness”, By Michelle Alexander. There will be a panel and community discussion following the film. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-lives-matter-charlotte-tickets-29252699612. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Ketner Auditorium on the Queen’s College main campus. 1900 Selwyn Ave.
COMING SOON…
Friday, 12/2—Jazz at the Bechtler, “Jingle Bell Jazz”
Thursday, 12/8—“Cuisine With a Conscience 2016”
Friday, 12/9—On Q Productions’ “A Soulful Noel”
Sunday, 12/11—Classic Black Cinema Series screening of “A Lesson Before Dying”
“’Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” -Alice Walker
Everyone have a joyous holiday and always remember to thank your neighbor for love unseen. God Bless You!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
, Black Lives Matter Charlotte 13th Screening