The Run Down of Things to Do: Thursday, August 15 – Sunday, August 18

Shawn Allison shares all the places you'll wanna be in the Queen City.

By Shawn D. Allison, II

Greetings everyone! I hope everyone has been in great spirits this week as I have. Once again, there’s a lot of fun and colorful stuff to get into this weekend and if you read to see what all is in store, you’ll want to get out the house and get busy! As for me, I’ll be co-hosting the View The Right Thing Film & Discussion Series and I hope to see you all there! Whatever else you all decide to do this weekend, have fun and be sure to check out my “Hot List”!

 

  • THURSDAY–SATURDAY – JazzArts Charlotte The Jazz Room: Matt Lemmler Re-Imagines the Music of Stevie Wonder
  • FRIDAY — Black Food Truck Friday: “Summer Music Tour” Go-Go Edition
  • FRIDAY — Unplugged + Live: Shawntel Huntley & Michael Lowe
  • SATURDAY — I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party: 4th Anniversary Celebration
  • SATURDAY – View The Right Thing Film & Discussion Series
  • SATURDAY – Tip Top Ya Don’t Stop Fest 4-Year Anniversary
  • SATURDAY — Color of Summer Art Exhibition
  • SATURDAY – AfroPop CLT Vol. 34
  • SUNDAY – ORBIT Day Party feat. DJ Rich Medina
  • SUNDAY – Vegan Vibe Music 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 15——-

JazzArts Charlotte is ready to get your weekend in motion with a very special edition of The Jazz Room! Come one, come all and witness mastery as Matt Lemmler Re-Imagines the Music of Stevie Wonder! Coming from the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, acclaimed pianist, vocalist and composer Matt Lemmler is poised to give your senses a journey as he channels the genius of Stevie Wonder through jazz interpolations and arrangements. This rare installment will have six performances for three consecutive days: Thursday (8/15) and Friday (8/16) at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (8/17) at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.blumenthalarts.org. All shows will be held at the Stage Door Theater located at E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown.   #JazzArtsCLT

The Cynthia Graham Hurd Foundation invites you out to a necessary community conversation entitled, “Guns: A Public Health Crisis”, this evening. With Charlotte already surpassing the number of homicides in 2018, addressing gun violence as a public health crisis will take involvement from the entire community. Ms. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will discuss how she built a grassroots movement to take on the gun lobby. After her talk, there will be a panel discussion with Charlotte-Mecklenburg community members and elected officials. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-conversation-gun-violence-a-public-health-crisis-tickets-65182702217. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Biddle Memorial Hall at JCSU Main Campus. 100 Beatties Ford Rd.

Take a short ride down to Rock Hill and come out for the Easy Company Art Reception this evening! Join artist Lila Shull and gaze upon her skills in fine art printmaking and graphic design. Lila’s practice involves creating handmade paper with found sources, printing on fabrics that become soft sculptures and collaging disparate techniques and materials together. Her painting background has greatly influenced her printing process, and is reflected in the handling of the pigment and in the joy of color relationships within each piece. Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 7 p.m. at Gettys Art Center. 201 E. Main St., Suite #205 in Downtown Rock Hill.

B-Boys, B-Girls and all true Hip Hop heads come down to Crown Station for another episode of The Jump Off this evening! Gather your crew and comrades and get down on the good foot as DJ A-Huf rocks out on the 1s and 2s giving you the best of Classic Hip Hop, Soul, Breakbeats, Funk, House, R&B and much more! Admission is $5 and the joint starts at 10 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

 

 

——-FRIDAY, AUGUST 16——-

Creativity and exploration is in the “art-mosphere” this Friday at The Discovery Place as they proudly present Science on the Rocks: Art Deconstructed! Gather your friends and immerse yourselves in your favorite forms of expression through an intricate weaving of artistic elements. From music to dance and drawing to photography, move effortlessly between different mediums of art while enjoying specialty cocktails with your crew. Tickets can be purchased here: https://15106a.blackbaudhosting.com/15106a/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=1b87ef14-b89d-4a5c-803f-79124cc2bcd8&_ga=2.265242315.55604896.1565812858-2072392689.1565812858. This event is for persons 21+ with proper ID. The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. The Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.   #SOTR

Put some flavor in your Friday and head down to Recess CLT as Black Business Owners of Charlotte provides some more community fun with Black Food Truck Friday: “Summer Music Tour” Go-Go Edition! Gather 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 DJ Steel Wheel with a special mix of DC Go-Go, Funk, R&B and Soul tunes! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 5 p.m. Recess CLT is located at 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

The ladies at SocaFit USA are ready to add some fluorescent flavor to your Friday night with a very special Fete & Glow Dance Party! Get ready to “wuk up” your body as these ladies invite you to a totally funky workout session in the dark, with some fun and vibrant glow-in-the-dark accessories and all the Soca music you can handle! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4cada82ea4f49-socafit. The class will begin at 7:30 p.m. at SocaFit USA Dance Studio. 7200 Albemarle Rd., Suite “K”.

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: Shawntel Huntley & Michael Lowe! This riveting showcase highlights local singer-songwriters in an intimate, acoustic setting. The features for this episode are singer/songwriters Shawntel Huntley and Michael Lowe. Admission is $FREE.99. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Dupp & Swat. 1824 Statesville Ave. inside Camp North End.

All my Hip Hop heads, come on down to Stats Restaurant & Bar and step into a world of funk as Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment proudly presents KRS-ONE performing LIVE! The Blastmaster is still in full effect as he takes the stage giving you Hip Hop the way it’s supposed to be – true school! While Tha Teacha rocks the house, DJ Tab D’Bia$$i will blow the speakers with all the classic Hip Hop, R&B, Soul and Reggae jams of today and yesteryear! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/krs-one-live-stats-tickets-64815148855. The show starts at 9 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

All my House Music heads, get ready to free your mind, body and soul at House Music Charlotte Pride 2019 this evening! Get on the good foot and dance like no one is watching as DJs Keith Clubhead and Tony Essence gives you the very best of Classic and Soulful House, Deep House, Downtempo, R&B and much more! Admission is $5-10 per person. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Jewels Bar, Grille & Lounge. 4410 Beatties Ford Rd.

It’s Pride Weekend and tonight, feel the power of music with Boomchld, Celeste Moonchild, SeeBirdGo & DJ SPK performing LIVE! This concert features four of the city’s hottest talents ranging from lo-fi Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, R&B and much more! Step in the zone as Boomchld blasts you away with her pristine and innovative beat-making skills, hear some soul-stirring melodies from singer/songwriter Celeste Moonchild, experience some quality and creative Hip Hop flavor from SeeBirdGo and get down on the good foot with DJ SPK rockin’ the house with all sorts of fly grooves and frequencies! Admission is $5 for persons 21+ and $10 for persons 18-20. The joint starts at 10 p.m. at Snug Harbor. 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 

——-SATURDAY, AUGUST 17——-

Parents and kids, join The C.J.B. Foundation and The Convo L&E for the The Conversation Back To School Drive! Come on down and engage the community with a day full of nonstop educational networking and fun including FREE health & wellness info, a FREE bookbag with school supplies, food, community fellowship, basketball tournament, civil service professionals, field day activities and much, much more! Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 10 a.m. at 305 Sacco St. in Belmont. 

Moxie Society has got the goods in the neighborhood as they invite you, your mama and your cousin to their I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party: 4th Anniversary Celebration! Step out in your fly Summer threads and head on down to Recess CLT for an afternoon of nonstop fun, food and fellowship with some delectable delights from culinary maestro, Chef Kev. And manning the wheels of steel is one of Charlotte’s finest cultural dignitaries, Soul Brother DJ Justice giving your ears, mind, body and soul a serious dose of classic throwback joints! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: http://www.istilllovethe90s.com. The jump off is at 11 a.m. Recess CLT is located at 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

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! The kickoff is at 12 noon and will run all week long. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

This afternoon, The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is proud to present the “View The Right Thing” Film & Discussion Series! In honor of one of cinema’s greatest and boldest visionaries, Spike Lee, we will be taking a cinematic journey into his cinematic repertoire. Today’s screening will feature his Academy Award-nominated magnum opus, “Do The Right Thing” from 1989. There will be a post-film discussion where we highlight key thematic elements, the correlation to the Black experience in today’s society, cultural relevance and other concurrent fanfare. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 1 p.m. at the Hickory Grove Library Branch. 5935 Hickory Grove Rd.

The lovely ladies of Moazen Jewelry invite you out to their Color of Summer Art Exhibition this evening! In honor of our glorious melanin, this exhibition featuring beautiful and original art by artists Alicia McDaniel and Faith Rivers showcases a tapestry of watercolors that highlight the beauty of Black culture, spirituality and power. There will also be original works on canvas, fine art paper prints and gift items available for purchase and refreshments will be served. Tickets can be purchased here:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-exhibition-color-of-summer-honoring-people-of-the-sun-tickets-66233021751. The event will begin at 3 p.m. at ZEN. 604 W. Morehead St.

Calling all aspiring models — this afternoon, Golden Boy Entertainment invites you out to strut your stuff at the Model Up Fashion Show Movement Workshop! This workshop is geared towards helping mold up-and-coming models with distinctive and distinguished physical runway training that will help them further their careers. Noted and acclaimed models, The Green Twins will be on hand to lend their expertise and insight on the modeling world. There will also be vendors, live music and much more. Admission for models is FREE with RSVP and vendor fees are $25 which can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queen-city-model-search-popup-shop-tickets-61855241693. The event will begin at 4 p.m. at C.A.S.T. located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Everyone bring your comrades, co-workers and older cousins down to The Morehead Tavern for the Nurse Monthly Mingle Adult Game Night! Hosted by Timothy and Diamond Nurse, bring your skills to the floor and compete in a variety of games including Uno, Twister, Beer Pong, Taboo, Jenga, Corn Hole and of course—Spades! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-game-night-hot-summer-tickets-64175403359. The games begin at 8 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.

Charlotte, get ready for a night of classic Hip Hop energy as First 2 First Ent., LLC proudly presents “The Undisputed Voice of the Club” – Fatman Scoop performing LIVE! Come and experience one of Hip Hop’s most legendary hype men as he rocks the crowd with his vibrant and unforgettable voice! Whether you got a $10, $20, $50 or a $100 bill on you, it’s time to throw your hands up! DJ Saprano Fly will be spinning all the hits and classics of today and yesteryear and there will be drink specials running all night long. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fatman-scoop-undisputed-saturday-tickets-65587278315. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Press Box Bar & Grill. 9609 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

The spirit of The Motherland is back with some fresh flavor this Saturday night as The Bantu Fete Team proudly presents AfroPop Charlotte, Vol. 34: The Flag Party! Come and represent your ancestry and nationality on the dance floor as The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel give you the best of Afrobeats, Afro-House, Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, Afro-Trap, Latin Boogie, Hip Hop and much more! There will also be multiple vendors with a wide variety of garments, jewelry, accessories and lots of other fly products. Tickets can be purchased here: http://clt-tix.afropopnation.com. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

 

 

 

——–SUNDAY, AUGUST 18——-

Get a taste of culture this afternoon as The Human League Changemakers proudly presents the 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.

Feel the unparalleled energy of House music as FUNK SHUN and Raw Substance proudly present the ORBIT Day Party feat. DJ Rich Medina! It’s all things music and magic with unlimited cosmic energy from DJ’s Oba Shaanti, Steve Howerton, Charles Gatling, That Guy Smitty and the legendary Rich Medina will all give you a myriad of conscious-raising and mind-freeing mixes with Classic & Soulful House, Deep House, R&B, Electronica, Afro-House, Funk and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/orbit-day-party-with-legendary-rich-medina–tickets-68017884323. The party starts at 2 p.m. at Crown Station.

 

Look, I know it’s Sunday and you want to be lazy, right? How about you come out to Petra’s instead and experience Hazy Sunday! This afternoon cool down is a meeting for those who appreciate the finer things in music. Join sound selectors, my man DJ Ray Krol, Probably Will and Party Dad as they cultivate a carefully curated selection of vibes from jazzy instrumentals, Hip Hop, avant-garde frequencies, trippy Deep House music, and whatever else your purveyors of waves care to dig. Admission is FREE and the music starts at 3 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Queen City, it’s time to stand up, shout and show what we’re all about as UNNOC proudly presents the Charlotte Day Festival! It’s all things unity bringing multiple communities together in a day of nonstop fun, fellowship, school supply giveaways, youth performances and live music from local legends Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia and Sunshine Anderson! Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 3 p.m. at Freedom Park. 1900 East Blvd. in the Dilworth Neighborhood.

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: August Edition 2019! 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/a-southern-fried-kickback-day-party-august-edition-recess-tickets-67976747281. The party will begin at 4 p.m. at Recess CLT. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

This evening, head down to The Oasis Shriners House as BrightWorks Promotions proudly Love & Reggae with Beres Hammond! It’s a Sunday groove one of Reggae’s and Lovers Rock most legendary and longstanding artists guaranteed to take you to paradise with an aura full of love, light and peaceful vibes! And joining him will be the youthful sounds of Romain Virgo with The Unit Band! Tickets can be purchased here: https://unitec.ticketbud.com/love-reggae-charlotte-starring-beres-hammond-friends-. The show will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 604 Doug Mayes Pl.

 

COMING SOON…

8/21 – Freaquency360 presents ONDAS do Brasil

8/23 – Common – Let Love Tour feat. Maimouna Youssef aka Mumu Fresh

8/23 — Super Soul Cinema presents Super Soul Brother

8/23 – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents Hella Collab – August Edition

8/24 – Tip Top Family Cookout

8/24 – Jreamfest Community Youth Festival

8/24 – Back 2 School Block Party

8/24 – Su Casa: The August Edition

8/29 – Hot Gumbo feat. Jamison Bethea

8/30 – Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop

8/31 – Who You Be Mixer, Vol. 2

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

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 – Bueller’s Birthday Boogie: 34 1/3 Revolutions on Wax

 

Have a great weekend everyone! Peace.  

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets   #CommunityFirst