The Rundown: Things To do October 4 – October 7

By Shawn D. Allison, II

 

Peace and blessings everyone! Here we are, another week in the bag and another weekend on our horizon. There’s lots of stuff to do in “The Rundown” and as always, I’m gonna deliver the goods Black Ferris Bueller-style! If you want to know where I’ll be hanging out this weekend, feel free to tag along via my “Hot List” which is just below.

 

  • THURSDAY— Bookbinding 101 Workshop at The McColl Center
  • THURSDAY – CLTMeckGov Meet & Eat
  • THURSDAY – Pangaea Thursdays at Mangos Caribbean Restaurant
  • FRIDAY – Time Camp 002 and Energy Hero Festival at Camp North End
  • FRIDAY – Black Food Truck Friday at The Nappy Chef
  • FRIDAY – Blow Your Head at Snug Harbor
  • SATURDAY – Community Unity at Oso Skate Park
  • SATURDAY – 7th Annual Literary Festival of Charlotte
  • SATURDAY – Cocoa Leche Latin American Brunch – Latin Heritage Month Kickoff
  • SATURDAY – The Art of Easing at Tip Top Daily Market
  • SATURDAY – 2nd Annual Charlotte UNITE Festival
  • SATURDAY – Off The Wall: ATCQ/Native Tongues Edition Vol. 6 feat The JETA Team
  • SUNDAY – Rum Punch Brunch at Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill
  • SUNDAY – Scrambled Eggs at Tip Top Daily Market

 

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, OCTOBER 4——-

Everyone head down to The McColl Center for Art + Innovation for a very special Bookbinding 101 Workshop this evening. Learn how to create your own zines, artists’ books, portfolios, and more in this book binding fundamentals workshop. Alumna artist April Marten teaches you the critical techniques and skills required to create your own pamphlet stitch book in class, and to use for future projects. Adults and teenagers are welcome. All materials are provided. Tickets can be purchased here: https://53393.blackbaudhosting.com/53393/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=a3b0b795-7a6e-4610-9128-7a0b3f847d79. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

 

The League of Women Voters Charlotte Mecklenburg, in coalition with other Charlotte nonprofit, nonpartisan women and allied organizations invites you to attend “A Candidates’ Forum: A Woman’s Perspective” this evening. This forum will provide an opportunity for US House of Representatives, Superior Court Judge, District Court Judges, and NC Court of Appeals candidates to share their views on the issues most pertinent to women. We believe that women’s issues are everyone’s issues and everyone’s issues are women’s issues. Participating organizations will provide questions from their perspective, so you can expect an evening of engagement, enlightenment and diversity. Admission is FREE and all are invited. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at First United Methodist Church. 501 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

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 Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Africana Connections wants to put some tribal flavor in your Thursday as they invite you out to Mangos Caribbean Restaurant for the colorful return of Pangaea Thursdays! Join my good friends The Dynamic DJ Kato and Steve Nizzo as they takes you on a whirlwind of sounds from across the African Diaspora with tunes ranging from Afrobeats, House, Reggae, Hip Hop, Dancehall and more! Admission is FREE before midnight but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pangaea-thursdays-charlottes-premier-international-social-mixer-vol1-tickets-50537091802. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Mangos is located at 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

The Butterfly Visions Project invites you out to Sports One Bar & Lounge for the Community Leaders Network Mixer this evening. Come one, come all to meet community leaders, advocates, business owners and professionals who believe in giving back to their community and support the mission to reduce violence in families, raise awareness about domestic violence and support victims on their journey to healing. This is a great opportunity to start Domestic Violence Awareness Month off with likeminded individuals who support their communities and want to be a part of positive change for all. Admission is FREE to attend and there will be drink/meal specials all night long. 7 p.m. 521 N. College St. in Uptown.

Bring your soulful selves down to Apostrophe Lounge this evening as Conscious Productions presents “Free Your Mind”—a new open mic experience! Enjoy a diverse stage full of spoken word, musicians, live art and tons of creativity in the building! Sounds will be spun by the lovely DJ Chocolate Rocket. Admission is FREE—but only if you bring a bag of hygiene products that will be distributed to the less fortunate. The event begins at 7 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

 

——FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5——-

This weekend, take a cosmic journey into the spaced-out art universe of Time Camp 002! Presented by Black Quantum Futurism + League of Creative Interventionists, this initiative will be a two-day program and interactive installation exploring time, alternative temporalities, time travel, and temporal shifts from various frameworks, disciplines, and cultural traditions. The program includes two days of workshops, presentations, film screenings, interactive installations and performances from local and national artists, scientists, social activists, filmmakers, writers, poets and more. This collaborative effort of BQF and League of Creative Interventionists is purposed to “dismantle the master clock” and spread the philosophy of Afrofuturistic traditions, literature and arts. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/time-camp-002-tickets-49721484298. The event will kick off tonight at 5 p.m. at the Goodyear Arts HQ at Camp North End. 1720 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 as they switch gears and head out to the East Side at The Nappy Chef 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. The Nappy Chef is located at 5933 Albemarle Rd.  #BBOC

Join the fine folks of Renewable Energy Transition Initiative (RETI) as they invite you out to Camp North End for the Energy Hero Festival! RETI is partnering with the weekly Friday Nights event at Camp North End, and in addition to the usual music and food trucks, RETI will bring awareness to Energy Efficiency and Conservation, through education, fun, and games. RETI strives to provide a fun way for the community to learn about how to save energy in their homes, through a family-friendly event, while bringing awareness to the importance of efficiency not just in our homes but in business and policy. Admission is FREE to attend and all ages are welcome. The event will begin at 5 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Ave.

The sounds of classic jazz fills the air this evening as The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art proudly presents the October installment of Jazz at the Bechtler! For tonight’s treat, in-house sound masters The Ziad Jazz Quartet have teamed up with acclaimed jazz guitarist Russell Malone for a night of nonstop musical magic! This four-time Grammy Award-nominated instrumentalist is described as being able to move from blues to gospel to pop to R&B and jazz without hesitation, a rare facility that has prompted some of the highest profile artists in the world to call upon him: Diana Krall, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Natalie Cole, David Sanborn and many more. Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=be4b0496-f1ab-4823-9d8a-5e3a9136cf56. There will be two performances this evening at 6 and 8:15 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

This evening, ring in the new month and become one with your inner self as the lovely Brandi Leigh hosts a special Guided Sound Meditation session. This is a 60-minute session promoting self-discovery and healing through guided imagery and the vibrational resonance of sound. Tonight, come bathe in the live musical vibrations of crystal singing bowls, vocal toning, drums, rattles, & other harmonic tools creating frequencies that promotes relaxation of the mind & body. Sound therapy is highly effective at providing relief for chronic pain, digestive issues, insomnia, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, heart’s disease, trauma, depression, anxiety and cancer treatment therapies. The benefits of this therapy can be received regardless of the recipients’ ability to hear sound. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.paypal.me/EquanimityWellnessUS. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Monroe Martial Arts Academy. 1821 Skyway Dr., Suite #105 in Monroe.

Jazz N’ Soul Music is back for another jam-packed Friday evening with local delight — everyone get ready to spend an affectionate evening with AFFECTUAL! As no stranger to any stage, this band of brothers really know how to wow a crowd with impeccable and interactive musicianship, you’ll want to get up and dance along! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-friday-featuring-affectual-a-night-of-sax-infused-hot-jazz-and-soul-tickets-50234643170. Show starts at 9 p.m. and will be held at Loft & Cellar. 304 W. 4th St. in Uptown.   #JazzNSoul

Get ready to cut loose this Friday as OutenLove Events, Mr. 305 Events and High Society CLT proudly present Karaoke Game Night this evening! It’s some new flavor with a funky twist as you try sing your sober or sloshed hearts out with karaoke songs, play a wide variety of games and party into the night with a special guest DJ rockin’ out all the dope tunes of today and yesteryear! Admission is FREE with RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/karaoke-game-night-tickets-48612779131. The event will begin at 9 p.m. at Recess CLT. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.   #OutenLoveEvents

For some different sonic flavor in the QC this weekend, come out to Snug Harbor for the October session of “Blow Your Head!” Join local musicians and cultural activists DJs Flock of Slagles and Jah Freedom spinning an entire vinyl set of Funk, Soul, Boogie, Garage, House and Rare Grooves for your listening pleasures! Also, be sure to be camera ready as renowned photographer Jonathan Cooper with be abroad snapping fun still shots throughout the night! Admission is FREE to attend and be ready to dance! The event starts at 10 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 District.   #BlowYourHead

The Sol Kitchen invites you out to ‘Stache House Bar & Lounge this evening for the October edition of #ThankGawdIts1stFriday! Relax with some Hip Hop and R&B tunes of today and yesteryear with DJ Ngenius on the wheels of steel. There will be drink specials all night long and the event jumps off at 10 p.m. ‘Stache House is located at 1520 South Blvd.   #TheSolKitchen

People, you feel that pumping music in the air? If so, follow the vibrations down to Sage Restaurant & Lounge and come experience Pulse Fridays: Reloaded, Vol. 2! Gather your friends and join The Dynamic DJ Kato who’ll be spinning classic heat, futuristic Soul and Bangers that’ll keep your heart thumping! There will be a special late night drink and meal menu to enhance your experience. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pulse-fridays-at-sage-restaurant-tickets-49612076055. The vibes start at 10 p.m. Sage is located at 505 E. 6th St. in Uptown.

 

 

  

——-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6——-

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.

This morning at The Gantt Center, bring the entire tribe out for a special Family First Workshop entitled “Archive Your Legacy.” In this day of age, we store our photos on several hard drives and various social media platforms with little or no regard of historical significance. This new series will introduce practical tips for preserving and caring for photographs and paper documents. Participants are invited to bring photo albums, printed photographs, letters and other memorabilia. Join noted cultural and historical archivist Mrs. Monika Rhue as she discusses the capturing of our history to be shared with future generations. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP and/or leave a donation here: https://www.giveffect.com/checkout/8038. The session will begin at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Put some Afro-Latin flavor in your Saturday and come out to Mangos Caribbean Bar & Grill for the Cocoa Leche Latin American Brunch – Latin Heritage Month Kickoff! The Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles crew wants to add some Latin spice to the menu and to the soundboards as The Dynamic DJ Kato and Tab The Million Dollar DJ D’Biassi rock out with a special sonic blend of Afrobeats, Latin grooves, House, Hip Hop, Salsa, Reggae, Soul and much more! The kitchen staff has altered the menu and has included some tasty Latin American dishes and cocktails to have your palates dancing in rhythm. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cocoa-leche-latin-american-brunch-latin-heritage-month-kickoff-tickets-50741652649. The party starts at 11 a.m. Mangos is located at 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Calling all families! Bring the entire tribe out to The Little Rock Cultural Center this afternoon for the 7th Annual Literary Festival of Charlotte. Enjoy a day of storytelling, rhythmic song, dance, drumming and enlightening author readings. The Charlotte Literary Festival is here to reignite the love of reading in our community, provide exposure to new literary voices, and promote a renaissance of engagement with the arts. The theme of this year’s festival is “Empowering Communities Through Art and Literature.” Featured guests include NC Poet Laureate Jacki Shelton Greene and Wally Amos of Famous Amos Cookies. Admission is FREE to attend and the event starts at 12 noon. The Little Rock Cultural Center is located at 401 N. Myers St. in Uptown.

Local nonprofit organization Queen City Unity returns for the 2nd Annual Charlotte UNITE Festival! This multicultural celebration is geared to unite people of all backgrounds in the QC area. Enjoy live music from local bands, spoken word artists, words of wisdom from community dignitaries, food trucks, vendors and much more! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-charlotte-unite-festival-tickets-46072900285. The event will begin at 12 noon at NoDa Brewing Co. 2921 N. Tryon St.

Back at The Gantt Center, come out for another special creative workshop entitled “Who Tells Your Story” this afternoon. Oral tradition has long been a key element of sharing family history in the African diaspora. This program provides tips and tools for uncovering and preserving your family stories. Attendees will learn best practices in research, oral storytelling and using art to preserve memories. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.giveffect.com/checkout/8297. The workshop will begin at 1 p.m. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

If you want to experience some coolness in this humidity, head over to Tip Top Daily Market and plug yourselves into The Art of Easing! Join my good brothers ½ of Diggers Delight, Cairo Black and DJ FoundACEtion as they purvey a bevy of funky frequencies ranging from Jazz to Neo-Soul, Classic Hip Hop, Rare Grooves and more surprises from their own personal vinyl collections! Admission is $FREE.99 and the tables start turning at 2 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Come and get lifted from some of Charlotte’s fastest growing sprouts at Bush Fest 2018! With belief in sticking together like a gathering of bushes, it created the hosts’, The Bushes’ foundation to move forward with their wishes. Not to be confused with the former Presidential dynasty but The Bushes would definitely like to be recognized in the same fashion in terms of presidential stature. The Bushes also represent growth, forgiveness, freedom, planting knowledge, practicing open mindedness and keeping away negativity. This evening, come and feel the creative energy of Seph Dot, SideNote, Blk Doggy, The Bleus, Nige Hood, Ahmir The King, Ebz and Autumn Rainwater as they perform a diverse array of their music for you to vibe to. There will also be vendors available with a variety of goods for purchase. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bush-fest-2018-tickets-48841124117. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The address of the festival is 600 E. Sugar Creek Rd.

Ladies, it’s time to strut your stuff in your glorious melanin as Little Brown Girl Publishing cordially invites you to Rock the Runway: Brown Girl Edition! Come and be part of this amazing night featuring local designers, models, makeup artists and live performers in a night of culturally-inspired fashion! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-the-runway-brown-girl-edition-tickets-47279994737. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at NoDa @ 28th Creative Arts Studios. 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

This Saturday night, step out in style and in hopes of a second chance of magic as OutenLove Events and Black Singles in CLT cordially invites you out to the Everything is Love Adult Prom! Whether you attended your high school prom or didn’t, come experience an enchanting night destined to create some everlasting memories that you’ll be able to replay in the yearbooks of your mind for many years to come! Gentlemen, get your best suits together, those facial afros tightened up and shoes polished. Ladies, step out fly from that salon chair and strut with elegance in those evening gowns that envelop your curves the right way. There will be lots of photo ops, a red carpet to enhance your presence, a lineup of special guest DJs, raffle prizes and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/everything-is-love-adult-prom-tickets-49597380099. The event will begin at 9 p.m. at Sage Restaurant & Lounge. 505 E. 6th St. in Uptown.

Brothers and sisters come rock your red, black and green, step on the scene and slide out to Petra’s as the mighty JETA Team proudly presents one of their most heralded events to date—“Off The Wall: ATCQ/Native Tongues Edition Vol. 6!” Join sound providers Chief Rocker DJ Aking Allah and Soul Brother DJ Justice as they make you bounce to the ounce giving you an authentic and organic taste of greatness as they pay tribute to the legendary Native Tongues Posse! Come relive the music from A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Brand Nubian, Black Sheep, J-Dilla, Leaders of the New School, The Beatnuts and Chi Ali with all the hits, remixes, B-sides, album cuts, samples and much more! Admission is $5 before 10 and $10 after. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.   #TheJETATeam #OffTheWall

Get in the groove and dance like no one is watching at Loft & Cellar and join The Hit Agency as they proudly present RELEASE! The Party! Get down and get busy with a hefty, pulsating portion of classic and soulful House music all night long! Your maestros for the night are Jackmaster Gary Wallace, The FREEZ Project and special guest DJ Stan Zeff of Tambor House in Atlanta who’ll set things off with a special dose of Afro House for your soul! Admission is $10 all night long and the event will begin at 10 p.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.

If you want some more House flavor this evening, gather your crew and head down to Crown Station as Unified Souls proudly presents the October session of STR8 HOUSE – The Libra Edition! Join the Unified Souls team — DJs Marcus Wade, Badala B and Tony Cutlass as they give your Saturday night a jolt of sonic juice with the best of House, Deep House, Downtempo, Soul cuts all night long! Also, come and celebrate the birthdays of Badala B and host, the ever-fine and fly Brooklyn Stace! $10 admission all night long. The jump off is at 10 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

 

 

 

——-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7——-

This afternoon, get a taste of island delight as The RedFish Experience invites you out to Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill for the Rum Punch Brunch! Bring your friends out to indulge and enjoy a variety of delicious Caribbean cuisines, vibe and sway to some classic Reggae and Dancehall riddims and fellowship! The event will begin at 12 noon. 1504 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 If you want to experience a different, melodic method of inner self-centeredness, join Brandi Leigh and Focused Alignment for the Sound Bath: Native American Flute & Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls session this afternoon. Come bathe in the angelic harmonies of Native American flutes, quartz crystal singing bowls, vocal toning, and other harmonic tools designed to guide you on a nurturing journey of self-discovery. Entering into meditative states of consciousness allows the body the opportunity to transcend the physical, mental, & emotional limitations. Come relax, gain insight, be inspired, release stress, quiet the mind, dissolve limiting beliefs, encourage positive change, open the heart, and with gratitude embrace the transformative power of vibration and sound. Admission is $25 per person. Please call (980)-237-4780 to reserve your spot and for additional info. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at Sanctuary Imports. 822 Lamar Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

If you got the itch to be creative this afternoon, make your way over to C3 Lab as acclaimed local artist CHD:WCK! presents an interactive art class entitled “CUTTING UP!” Being creative is about having a good time using what’s readily around you because all you need to bring is yourself. Today, CHD:WHK! Will teach you how to make a collage. Collage is a method of creating art by gluing a variety of materials (often papers, cloth, and wood) in different forms and shapes to create a new composition. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chdwck-presents-cutting-up-october-2018-tickets-50754441902. Snacks will be provided and please bring a friend. The class will begin at 1 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.

If you love music like I love music, spin yourselves over to Tip Top Daily Market for another rotation of Scrambled Eggs! Whether you’re fiending for some Funk, Jazz, Soul or some totally outer-worldly sonic frequencies, local cultural enthusiasts, activists and DJs Flock of Slagles and Luke Stemmerman are ready to rock the spot with some dynamite dopeness! Also, be sure to check out the crates from Premium Sound and Diggers Delight and grab a bite to eat with some fresh-grilled food for your enjoyment. Admission is FREE to attend and the event starts at 2 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Everyone have a great weekend! One love 

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

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets   #CommunityFirst