By Shawn D. Allison, II
Salutations everyone! It’s time to let your hair down and relax because it’s time for another episode of “The Rundown!” This weekend is looking rather bright, but the skies above us are telling a different story. While the threat of Hurricane Michael is in our midst, some events have cancelled, but there is still a lot of dopeness still scheduled to operate this weekend! If you want to check out what I got lined up for my special sequence of mischief, peep my “Hot List” below!
- THURSDAY – Potions & Pixels: The Halloween Edition at Petra’s
- THURSDAY – WFAEats – Food Tasting Event
- THURSDAY – Yo’ Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band & The Queen’s Guard at The Visulite Theater
- FRIDAY – Black Food Truck Friday at Recess CLT
- FRIDAY – Issa Vibe Adventures presents KOI at Juice Box
- FRIDAY – Player Made at Snug Harbor
- FRIDAY – Menastree – A Fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Soul at Loft & Cellar
- SATURDAY – Taste of the World International Food Festival
- SATURDAY – Charlotte VegFest 2018
- SATURDAY – Spectrum Community Impact Day
- SATURDAY – Repainted Tomorrow at Tip Top Daily Market
- SATURDAY — AfroPop CLT Vol. 25 – Goodbye Summer Edition
- SUNDAY – Jerk Chicken & Waffles Sunday Brunch at Mangos Caribbean Restaurant
- SUNDAY – Classic Black Cinema Series’ screening of “Dark Manhattan” at The Gantt Center
- SUNDAY – Black Business Owners of Charlotte hosts The Reveal Party at Factory Café LIVE
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 11——-
This evening, join the Charlotte Dept. of Transportation for the return of CLTMeckGov Meet & Eat series! Come take advantage of the opportunity to learn about and share your views on city and county services with city and county leaders over a nice meal. By attending, you will be able to vote on department priorities, which will influence FY2019 budget process. All city departments will be attendance, as well as, county departments not limited to but including Public Health, Park & Rec, Sheriff, Social Services and Tax Assessor. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-eat-cltmeckgov-tickets-48079911309. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Sugaw Creek Rec Center. 943 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
Dapper Street Productions is set to give you a royal sound treatment this evening as they humbly welcome you to experience Piano Jazz: A Tribute to Billie Holiday! Tonight, the alluring Nicci Canada guides you on a versatile journey channeling her brilliant versatility and skill to connect with the audience beyond the words and notes on the page. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at The Sugar Creek Library. 4045 N Tryon St.
Catch some more culinary action this evening as local talk radio station WFAE hosts WFAEats – Food Tasting Event. Celebrate the culinary arts with WFAE listeners and staff as Charlotte area restaurateurs, brewers, vintners, caterers and food purveyors will serve samples of their best dish. Guests will vote for their favorite samples in a variety of categories. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wfaeats-a-food-tasting-event-tickets-49944179385. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte Museum of History. 3500 Shamrock Rd.
Things get a little spooky at Petra’s this evening as they host Potions & Pixels – The Halloween Edition! Bring your friends out for an evening full of spooked-out multiplayer board and video games from all eras, a costume contest, tons of prizes and lots more! Admission is $5 per person and the fun starts at 7 p.m. 21+ are only admitted and costumes are encouraged. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Charlotte, get ready to experience a whole ‘lotta funk this evening and prepare yourselves for the audibly eccentric sounds of Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band and The Queen’s Guard performing live! YMBFBB is one of the O.G. NC funk collectives with a sound that is a vibrant mix of high energy, deep funk and a little classic soul thrown in for good measure. The Queen’s Guard, a local arrangement of classically-trained and tenured musicians are a continuous “wow” factor setting the stage on fire wherever they perform and is spearheaded by the sweet, dynamic vocal stylings of the ever-fine Blanche J.! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.visulite.com/showDetails.cfm?showID=2881. Doors open at 7 and the show will begin at 8 p.m. at The Visulite Theater. 1615 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.
——-FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12——-
Get a relaxing start to your weekend and bring your friends out Friday Nights at Camp North End! Chill out by the fire pit, play some games, grab some grub from some food trucks and meet someone new as my good brother DJ That Guy Smitty provides some soulful Downtempo, House, Funk and R&B #EarholeGoodness! Admission is “positive vibes.” The kickoff is 5 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.
Black Business Owners of Charlotte (BBOC) has been on a serious roll with recycling our coins back into our community and tonight, get your stomachs revved up at Recess CLT for another round of Black Food Truck Friday! Bring all your friends and family out for an evening of fun as you 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 DJ Steel Wheel! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 6 p.m. Recess CLT is located at 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood. #BBOC
Everyone come and taste the essence of life as Issa Vibe Adventures invites you out to Juice Box for KOI this evening! Food and art intersect at this NoDa nest egg with an evening full of juiced-up fun! While you sip on a fresh-made, healthful smoothie, eat tasty treats and play some games, give your brain some food as you enjoy the sounds of Black Linen, Ali Steele and Lily Talent. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Juice Box is located at 3100 N. Davidson St., Suite #101 in the NoDa District.
Slide down to Secret Society Cigar Lounge and join Canvas Dolls as they host “Stroke & Smoke” this evening! It’s the end of the week so you and your crew come on down to enjoy the company of other fly individuals in the QC, toss back some libations, fresh-rolled stogies and food specials from the kitchen staff. For your entertainment, my man DJ FoundACEtion will be on hand rockin’ out with the hottest R&B grooves of today and yesteryear. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stroke-and-smoke-tickets-50294553363. The event will begin at 8 p.m. Secret Society Cigar Lounge is located at 2415 W. Morehead St. near Uptown.
There’s a strong yet sweet musical aura wafting around Uptown tonight and if you want to feel a strong dose of sonic dope, gather your friends, gear your ears to the stage and come experience Menastree – A Fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Soul! Presented by Jazz N’ Soul Music, get your Friday night filled with grooves and energy unlike any other as the institution of sound known as Menastree is poised to present a kaleidoscope of vibrant and colorful frequencies rich in flavor and originality! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/menastree-a-fusion-of-jazz-hip-hop-and-soul-live-at-the-loft-and-cellar-tickets-50836417092. The show will begin promptly at 9 p.m. at Loft & Cellar. 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.
Everyone hop in your Chevy, Cadillac or Pontiac and head down to Snug Harbor for the October Southern-fried edition of PLAYER MADE! This is the jam session that celebrates Southern Hip Hop from all eras ranging from The Geto Boys, The Hot Boys, UGK, Nappy Roots, Little Brother, DJ Screw, T.I., The Dungeon Family and a lot more! Your host is local MC and birthday boy Elevator Jay along with Jaboi B Rab and A-Huf. Admission is FREE for everyone 21+ and $5 for persons 18-20. Doors open at 9 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
——-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13——-
Young ladies, gather your school-aged homegirls and come out to Butler High School for the EmpowHERment Teen Summit: #creatingHERstory 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 we believe this will strengthen our collective voice and network as leaders. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empowherment-teen-summit-creatingherstory-tickets-45700793303. The event will begin at 9 a.m. Butler High School is located at 1810 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd. in Matthews.
Hey kids, I’ve got something special for you this morning! Gather your friends and parents and head down to C3 Lab for the iMakeCLT Charlotte Community Make Day! This family-friendly event that provides a pop-up space for neighbors from all over Charlotte to connect, learn and create meaningful projects. Attendees of all ages can interact with artists and makers to take part in activities like a community art-making project, hand sign painting, urban hydroponics, drone technology, 3D printing, graffiti chalk art, Legos, printmaking, robotics, building birdhouses & firetrucks, STEM education, giant chess, full-size derby cars and more! Whether you’re a builder, explorer, artist or maker, you’re invited to participate in this event. You just have to share your love of making with the Charlotte community through hands-on learning or a simple project for everyone. Best thing about it, admission is FREE! There will also be food and drinks provided. The fun starts at 10 a.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Everyone rise, shine and skate your way over to Oso Skate Park for Community Unity this morning! Oso has teamed up with Issa Vibe Adventures to make sandwiches for our homeless neighbors every second Saturday of each month. As a perk for volunteering, you get a free pass to the skate park which can be redeemed whenever you desire. The sandwich making starts at 10 a.m. Oso Skate Park is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Take a short ride out to nearby Monroe and come experience the Taste of the World International Food Festival! Everyone prepare your palates for a delectable afternoon of unforgettable multicultural cuisines from a variety of food trucks and food vendors! Also, there will be lots of live entertainment, giveaways and much more! Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 11 a.m. The address of the event is 1600 Skyway Dr. in Monroe.
Join Moving Spirits, Inc. at the Tuckaseegee Recreation Center as they host African Diaspora Roots of Dance & Music Workshops this morning. Your instructor Tamara is a dance teacher, choreographer, performer and scholar who will lead four intensive workshops in traditional movements of the African diaspora. She will teach dances that were brought to the Americas by enslaved people of West and Central Africa. Participants will learn Rumba and Palo from Cuba, movements inspired by the Orixas of Brazil, Samba Raiz, Samba Afro, Samba Reggae, African American Ring Shout and will also have an opportunity to learn traditional rhythms and songs from the regions as well. Admission is FREE to attend and open to the public. The session will begin at 11 a.m. 4820 Tuckaseegee Rd.
Moxie Society is ready to start your Saturday off the fun way with the I Still Love The 90’s Brunch & Day Party! Come and kick it with your crew as my guys DJ Loui Vee and The Blend King – DJ Shaun Nyce spin an incredible arsenal of classic 90s Hip Hop, House, R&B, Soul, Reggae and Go-Go joints! The kitchen is ready to rock with a delicious Southern brunch menu and the bar is fully stocked with all sorts of drink specials, including $5 mimosas. Get there early and get ready for Charlotte’s best brunch experience! The party starts at 11 a.m. at Sports One Bar & Lounge. 521 N. College St. in Uptown. #MoxieSociety
Want some insight on a healthy eating lifestyle? Come out to The Park Expo & Conference Center for Charlotte VegFest 2018! This celebration of healthy, sustainable and compassionate eating and explores the endless benefits of vegetarian living. This event will feature a variety of vegan foods, local vegan restaurants, food trucks, local vendors, speakers, nutritional experts, vegan cooking demonstrations, free prizes, gift bags and more! Admission is FREE to attend and will begin at 11 a.m. The Park Expo & Conference Center is located at 800 Briar Creek Rd.
This morning, bring the family over to the Movement School for the Spectrum Community Impact Day. Spectrum is committed to improving communities and impacting lives where our customers and employees live and work. Come celebrate in Charlotte with a nonprofit resource fair, Spectrum recruiters, music, performances, food trucks, games, giveaways, Safe & Healthy Home Kits and more. Confirmed participants for this year include Charlotte Hornets legend Dell Curry, Chef G. Garvin, Hugo the Hornet, Nickelodeon, Coca-Cola, players from Carolina Energy, Old School 105.3FM and many more. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 11 a.m. The Movement School is located at 2701 Freedom Dr.
Gather your friends, grab a hot cup of joe at the all-new Comic Girl Coffee and come out to the CGC Marketplace this afternoon! Comic Girl Coffee is gearing up for its first ever marketplace featuring only Black and Brown vendors with tons of trinkets, gadgets, garments, eats, treats, body products, jewelry, accessories and much more! The marketplace will open at 12 noon. Comic Girl Coffee is located at 1224 Commercial Ave.
Southeast Crab Feast and Three Spirits Brewery have teamed up once again to bring you the AYCE Crabs & Beef Fest this afternoon! Bring the entire clan out for a day of fresh fish, French fries, blue crabs, corn on the cob, fresh brews and fellowship! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crabs-beer-special-event-tickets-49271055052. The festivities begin at 12 noon. Three Spirits Brewery is located at 5406 Old Pineville Rd.
Slide out to Camp North End this evening and relax under the evening sky for “Traveling Blue: Live Music from Latin America to New Orleans.” This outdoor concert series is the first of five programs included in the series “Traveling Blue.” Tonight, enjoy the sounds of Latin American folk music to Mississippi blues and traditional Jazz as featured vocalists Tenya Colemon and Ana Lucia Divins will share separately and together the songs that stir their souls. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 5 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.
The International House invites you to Le Méridien Charlotte for the South Africa – Land of Beauty and Splendour Gala! Enjoy an evening of South African-inspired cuisine, dancing, entertainment and auctions. This gala is their signature event and a Charlotte tradition. It is an elegant and much anticipated evening that raises funds for the unique programs and services we offer to Charlotte’s immigrant and international community. Tickets can be purchased here: https://ihclt.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/InternationalHouse30thAnnualBenefitGala/IndividualReservations/tabid/988454/Default.aspx. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Le Méridien Charlotte is located at 555 S. McDowell St. in Uptown.
Join my friends Diggers Delight and the Vacation Pay Crew as the proudly present the October installment of “Repainted Tomorrow” this evening! This half beat show/half live painting hybrid showcase will feature the sonic stylings of Deku and Black Box Theory along with the visual vibrations of Gritty Gaudy Gal. Additional sonic frequencies will be provided by resident musicians Axnt, FLLS and Simon SMTHNG. Admission is FREE but donations will be accepted. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Tip Top Daily Market. 2921 The Plaza Rd.
Need something fun for your Saturday? How about me and you, yo’ mama and your cousin too hop in the Cadillac on vogues, slam the doors and head down to The Fillmore for Grits & Biscuits! Enjoy a night of Southern-fried, trunk-rattling, booty shaking Hip Hop classics from all eras! Tickets can be purchased here: https://concerts1.livenation.com/event/2D005535C8D06BAD. Showtime is at 9 p.m. The Fillmore is located at 820 Hamilton St. in the NC Music Factory. #GritsAndBiscuits
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 Crown Station for AfroPop CLT Vol. 25 – Goodbye Summer Edition! Even though the weather from last month wiped out a lot of fun for that day, it’s time to properly end the Summer 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-vol25-afrobeats-soca-fashion-vendors-tickets-49678449580. The party starts at 10 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14——-
The energy from AfroPop still carries on into today as The Culture Cooperative invites you out for the October session of the Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Sunday Brunch! Enjoy this tropical spin on your Sunday brunch as sound crafters The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Heff blend a sonic cocktail of Afrobeats, Hip Hop, House, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall and much more! There will be a special Caribbean-inspired brunch menu, mimosas and other drink specials and lots of other goodies! Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jerk-chicken-n-waffles-sunday-brunch-oct-14-18-tickets-51182947574. The event will begin at 11 a.m. at Mango’s Caribbean Restaurant. 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Get those legs stretched and those helmets strapped because it’s time for Biketoberfest 2018! This unique, family-friendly event shows hundreds of people how easy it is to get around South End and Center City Charlotte without driving. Bike, walk, or ride transit to sponsoring businesses while collecting stamps in your official Biketoberfest passport. Redeem your stamps for raffle tickets and a chance to win many valuable prizes. Also, be sure to stick around for an after party celebration with live music, food trucks, and more goodies! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-biketoberfest-presented-by-the-charlotte-knights-tickets-48597814371. The event begins at 12 noon and will start at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. 3000 S. Tryon St.
Join the Arts and Letters Committee of the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the 2nd Annual Celebration of the Arts Jazz Brunch — “All That Jazz” this afternoon. Enjoy the company of some progressive individuals while indulging in a delicious Southern-style brunch buffet as you melt like butter over hot biscuits to the scintillating melodies of acclaimed jazz saxophonist Dante Lewis. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-celebration-of-the-arts-jazz-brunch-all-that-jazz-tickets-47492440167. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the Ballantyne Resort Hotel. 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.
The Charlotte Black Film Festival invites you out for an afternoon of cinematic fellowship as they proudly present “Sunday Shorts – Film, Food & Conversation.” Today, you’ll get to view five short films from budding Black filmmakers and after each film you will get to discuss the content and the viewpoint of the filmmaker. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is FREE to attend, but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-shorts-5-short-films-food-film-conversation-tickets-50960267532. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Beatties Ford Regional Library. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd.
This afternoon, treat yourselves to some vintage cinematic delight as Mr. Felix Curtis of Classic Black Cinema Series proudly presents a special screening of Dark Manhattan. Dark Manhattan (1937) was Hollywood’s first “all-Black” gangster movie and the first film aimed at Black audiences that featured a modern story, setting and costumes. The movie inspired a whole new cycle of films that offered black audiences an alternative to standard Hollywood fare. Directed by pioneering filmmaker Oscar Michaeux, “Dark Manhattan” is the story of a low-level gangster determines to let nothing stand in the way of his gaining control of the numbers rackets in Harlem. Admission to the film is FREE with a museum admission of $9 per person. Refreshments will be provided. The screening will begin promptly at 2 p.m. at The Gantt Center. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown. #CBCS
Come hear a joyful noise made unto the Lord at the 2018 Voices of Eden Homecoming Reunion Concert this afternoon! Join UNC Charlotte’s Voices of Eden Gospel Choir as they bring back over 100 alumni, along with current members, for a massive collaborative concert as part of the 2018 UNC Charlotte homecoming weekend. This is also a celebration of the choir’s 14th year of bringing love, light, inspiration and gospel to the UNCC community and beyond. Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome. The event will begin at 3 p.m. at McKnight Hall in the Cone Center at UNCC Main Campus. 9201 University City Blvd.
Before Charlotte Black Restaurant Week officially kicks off, Black Business Owners of Charlotte invites you out to Factory Café LIVE for a very special Reveal Party! Tonight, you’ll get to see which restaurants will be participating in this historic week, meet all the members of BBOC, network and enjoy some complimentary samples from participating restaurants. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 5 p.m. Factory Café LIVE is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. #BBOC
——-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15——-
Brothers and sisters, get ready to fill your stomachs with some soul because it’s time for Charlotte Black Restaurant Week 2018! Gather all of your friends and family and dine at several Black-owned restaurants in the Charlotte area! Discounts will be between 25-50% off at all participating restaurants. Let’s unite and show these wonderful Black-owned establishments that we appreciate their service! Charlotte Black Restaurant Week will run from Monday, October 15 to Sunday, October 21. #CLTBLACKRestaurantWeek
Everyone please be safe out in this weather and have fun! God Bless!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst