The Rundown of Things to Do: December 19- December 23

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

By Shawn D. Allison, II

 

Seasons’ Greetings Brothers and Sisters! I hope everyone is doing well and full of joy as I am. While there’s not a whole lot going on this weekend but I was able to scrape up a few goodies for everyone to enjoy. Now if you really want to know where Santa Claus and The Black Ferris Bueller will be hanging out this weekend, be sure to check out my “Hot List” below!

  • THURSDAY – Sunset on Gorilla Hill Grand Opening at Camp North End
  • THURSDAY – Dear Soul Music Co. presents Unplugged + Live: Huntersville – Emaejai, Von Hunter & The Polk Duo
  • FRIDAY — Fine Art Friday: Textiles for Homeschoolers, Seniors and Families at The Gantt Center
  • FRIDAY – Culture Fridays at Noda @ 28th Creative Arts Studios
  • FRIDAY—SATURDAY – OnQ Productions’ “Soulful Noel”
  • SATURDAY – The Males Place Annual Collard Greens Fundraiser Sale
  • SATURDAY — View The Right Thing Film + Discussion Series screening of “Boyz N’ The Hood”
  • SATURDAY – Freaquency360 LIVE feat. Erick Lottary & Kil Ripkin at Tip Top Daily Market
  • SATURDAY – The Battle of the Arts at Oso Skate Park
  • SATURDAY – AfroPop CLT Vol. 38 at Crown Station
  • SATURDAY — Oh! Snap 90s & 2000s Party at Snug Harbor
  • SUNDAY – Soul Food Sessions presents Soul Sistas 2 at 7th Street Public Market
  • SUNDAY – Jazz N’ Soul Music presents The Sean Mason Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas

 

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, DECEMBER 19——–

Charlotte creatives, there’s a new space in the city for you to work as MacFly Fresh Printing Co. and DRC ApeParel invites you out to the grand opening of Sunset On Gorilla Hill! Between where you work and where you lay your head, MacFly Fresh and DRC ApeParel offers a brand new, expansive haven on Gorilla Hill to vibe, connect and create with our troop of printers, designers, digital media producers and creative collaborators. There will be tasty eats and libations available along with a live broadcast from Catch A Vibe Podcast. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 5 p.m. 301 Camp Rd. at Camp North End.

Posh Events invites you to come party with a purpose as they host the 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Toy Drive! Spread some holiday cheer and love to the community as you gather with some of the QC’s finest socialites and celebrate this festive season. The Mashout King DJ Skillz will be rockin’ the spot with his trademark flavor giving you the hottest joints of today and yesteryear! Also, the host asks that each attendee bring a toy donation to help support the Charlotte Women’s & Family Shelter for the holiday season. There will also be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar available. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ugly-sweater-toy-drive-tickets-80490369863. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at The Gantt Center. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

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, its one class you shouldn’t skip! Admission is FREE and open to the public. All sessions will be held at JCSU beginning at 7 p.m. 100 Beatties Ford Rd.

Want to experience some local music? Dear Soul Music Company, LLC has set the scene and invites you out to Unplugged + Live: Huntersville – Emaejai, Von Hunter & The Polk Duo! Take a short ride up just north of the QC and gear your ears to the stage as you feel the sonic energy of singer/songwriters Emaejai, Von Hunter and The Polk Duo! Hosted by the lovely Chelsea Locklear. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/huntersville-unplugged-and-live-concert-series-songwriters-in-the-round-tickets-75941989535. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. at the Hunterville Arts & Culture Center. 109 South Old Statesville Rd. #DearSoulMusicCo

——–FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20——–

Explore your artsy side this afternoon at The Gantt Center and come out for a special workshop entitled Fine Art Friday: Textiles for Homeschoolers, Seniors and Families! For the holiday season, teaching artist Dulce Tavares will show you how to make pliable bracelets with vibrant African print fabric. You will also get to design a gift box as a beautiful package for their newly created bracelets. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fine-art-friday-textiles-for-homeschoolers-seniors-and-families-tickets-84785923981. The event will begin at 2 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Release the negative energy in your life at C3 Lab as they invite you out to a special session entitled Spiraling Inward: A Winter Solstice Celebration. This ceremony of the arrival celebration of the winter solstice will feature a 75-minute accessible yoga flow and sound bath with Grace & Zen Within. Enter into the depths, to discover the light, illuminated on the darkest of nights. Boldly, feel your feet upon the ground and dare to lose yourself between the sound. Harvest the fruits of night, and release your woes. But be encouraged to lean in and trust the light which still flows. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.zenwithinacademy.com/shop/spiraling-inward-a-winter-solstice-celebration. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.

This evening, join 7th Phaze for an evening of community, creativity and lifestyle as they proudly present Culture Fridays! Come and experience a variety of creative expressions in the areas of art, music, poetry, literature, fashion, dance and many other outlets! Also, you’ll get to enjoy delicious eats, raffle prizes, gift bag giveaways and fellowship. Admission is FREE but you are asked to bring a canned food item that will be collected and given to needy elders in the area. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studios. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

One of Charlotte’s best known chocolate-covered culture collectives, OnQ Productions is back one mo’ gin’ with their acclaimed seasonal jam this weekend, “A Soulful Noel!” Join host and performer Mr. Quentin Talley along with drummer/musical director Tim Scott, Jr. as they take you on an energetic sleigh ride with several of your favorite Christmas melodies performed by an all-Black cast! The singing will leave you speechless, the music will leave you begging for more and you’ll be up dancing during a lot of the show so be sure to ask Santa to bring you some pain meds if you get sore, you dig? Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/a-soulful-noel-3. There will be three performances this weekend: Friday (12/20) at 8 p.m. and Saturday (12/21) at 2 and 8 p.m. All shows will be held at The McGlohon Theater in Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.   #YouAreNowOnQ

 

——–SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21——–

Everyone wake up and do yourselves a “flavor” and join mighty men and youth of The Males Place as they host their Annual Collard Greens Fundraiser Sale! Collard greens are a historic staple crop of the holiday season and today, these Brothers will be out selling bundles of organically-harvested and grown collard greens at $5 each to benefit their thriving organization. To place your orders, please scroll to the bottom of the website for fundraiser order information: https://www.themalesplace.org/. Donations can also be given on the website as well. For additional information, please contact Baba Reggie Singleton at (704)-713-3824 or email: Reggie.Singleton@malesplace.org. The pick-up will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West End Fresh Seafood Market. 2206 Beatties Ford Rd.   #TheMalesPlace

Get ready for another episode of Charlotte’s best brunch experience as Moxie Society welcomes you out to the I Still Love The 90’s Brunch Feat. DJ Tramare! Join one of the QC’s hottest entertainment firms as they fill your day with some of that cultural coolness with a revamped Southern-inspired brunch menu, mimosas, cocktail specials and dope 90s Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae tunes from my good brother, DJ Tramare aka Hot Rod! Admission is FREE. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Recess Charlotte. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood. #MoxieSociety #TheArtOfTheDayParty

People, it’s December and this Saturday catch some more cinematic action as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts the fifth installment of the View The Right Thing Film + Discussion Series! For today’s episode, take your senses on a conscious journey from Brooklyn to the Left Coast as we view the late, great John Singleton’s classic and riveting 1991 sentiment, “Boyz N’ The Hood”. This film is rated “R” and there will be a post-film discussion after the viewing. FREE admission. 1 p.m. at the Beatties Ford Regional Library. 2412 Beatties Ford Rd.

Slide out to Tip Top Daily Market for the December installment of the not-your-average networking jam session entitled, Freaquency360 Live!  Today’s focus will feature some Hip Hop flavor from local emcees Erick Lottary and Kil Ripkin. Come get engaged with stories of their careers, creativity, the purpose and the ever-changing scope of Hip Hop Culture. There will be a special guest DJ 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.

Calling all my true culture heads – come on down to Oso Skate Park as The Underground proudly presents The Battle of the Arts! Experience this battle of creativity as some of Charlotte’s hottest Hip Hop/R&B/Soul artists take the stage and battle it out through melody, rhyme, punchline all from the top of their minds! Artists include: Ricky Rogers, Kayla Pinson, Mystique, Ali Steele, Vonte, Zo the Scholar, M.a.c.K.i.l.l.a and more! Hosted by ReeCee Raps with sounds by DJ Hollywood Jay and DJ SPK. Admission is $10 per person. The battle begins at 6 p.m. Oso Skate Park is located at

The Sol Kitcken keeps things rolling along the culture trail as they proudly present Eric Roberson’s Music Fan First 10th Anniversary Tour. Grab your crew and spend an evening with one of this generation’s most distinguished voices, two-time Grammy-nominated Eric Roberson! See this impresario of soul weave in and out of melodies with his velvet voice and harmonize some classics from his extensive catalog of music. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7061318/eric-roberson-music-fanfirst-10-year-anniversary-tour-charlotte-amossouthend. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. at Amos Southend. 1423 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Christmas Day is almost here and this evening, Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment wants to liven things up as they invite you out to Swagga Saturdays—Holiday Edition! Get down on the good foot with Charlotte’s premiere Go-Go band, Uptown Swagga giving you the goods with some authentic D.C. flavor performing holiday classics, Soul, R&B and Funk staples for you and your crew! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/swagga-saturdayholiday-edition-tickets-85977213159. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Explict Bistro & Lounge. 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.

It may be cold outside but the fire is still burning as The Bantu Fete Team invite you out to Crown Station for AfroPop CLT Vol. 38! Bring your friends and live it up Mama Africa style with two of the QC’s hardest working sonic 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-vol38-afrobeats-soca-live-drums-more-tickets-84735729849. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

This Saturday night, take a blast into the past at Snug Harbor and get ready to experience the flyness of Oh! Snap 90s & 2000s Party! Relive the underground sound of the 90s and the 2000s with all sorts of colorful sonic concoctions provided by two fly girls giving the wheels of steel a whirl, DJ SPK and DJ Sativaslcts with some extra funked-out electronica madness from soul band 2 Slices! Admission is $5 per person. The jump off is at 10 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 

——–SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22——–

Enjoy some seasonal eats and treats as Chef Joya invites you out for a special Holiday Dinner Buffet this evening! It’s all good food, good people and good times as you indulge in a delectable 100% vegan and plant-based buffet menu inspired by classic holiday recipes. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chef-joyas-holiday-dinner-buffet-tickets-82259074105. The location of the event will be revealed upon ticket purchase.

The Queen City’s coolest culinary crew Soul Food Sessions is switching gears up this holiday season with a second special installment of their critically-acclaimed “The Table Is Set” series entitled Soul Sisters! Bring your crew, colleagues, co-workers and older cousins out for a nourishing experience featuring a delectable feast specifically designated and designed by a beautiful all-Black women chef collective! This dinner is in celebration and honor of the hippest trip in America, Soul Train! Each chef and mixologist will create a dish and drink modeled after a Soul Sista from each decade ranging from the 60s to the 2000s. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soul-food-sessions-presents-soul-sistas-2-tickets-83542888027. The event will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. at the 7th Street Public Market. 224 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Jazz N’ Soul Music continues to get you in the holiday mood and this Friday, head out to Middle C Jazz Club for one of their most popular showcases, The Sean Mason Trio presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas!” Enjoy classic tunes from this beloved tale with everyone’s favorite gang! Joining this trio of young instrumentalists is the lovely Tyra Scott on vocals. Tickets can be purchased here: http: http://www.middlecjazz.com. Showtimes are at 6 and 8:15 p.m. 300 S. Brevard St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoulMusic #MiddleCJazz

COMING SOON…

12/26 — Kil Ripkin X Jah Freedom : Premedicated- The Listening

12/26—1/1 – Kwanzaa Charlotte Citywide Celebration

12/27 – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents Hella Collab

12/28 – Su Casa: The December Edition

12/28 – Jazz N’ Soul Music presents “Soulflo Celebración”

12/28 – Ballet International Africans’ Annual Dundunba/ Kwanzaa Celebration

12/29 – Scarface w/ Full Band LIVE

12/31 – Hindsight 2020 New Years Eve Party

12/31 – Prive Marketing Group presents Confetti Reign 2020 NYE

12/31 – RELEASE! New Years Eve Celebration

12/31 — Royal Excellence: A Salute to Our Culture

1/4 — #BlackOwnedCLT Cash Mob Saturday

1/4 – Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V. 19

1/11 – 2020 HBCU College Fair

1/18 – Media Maven Connect

 

Everyone have a great and fun-filled weekend!

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets   #CommunityFirst