By: Shawn D. Allison, II
What’s the word everyone? Here we are with another eventful weekend full of goodies for everyone to indulge in! There’s all kinds of community festivals, riveting musical performances, fantastic films, back-to-school drives and a special celestial celebration in the midst! As always, I’ll be keeping busy this weekend, but if you want to track my trail, peep what I got lined up on my “Hot List” down yonder!
- THURSDAY – CineOdyssey Film Festival screening of “Gook” at Little Rock Cultural Center
- THURSDAY-SATURDAY – Three Bone Theatre presents “The Submission” at Duke Energy Theater
- FRIDAY-SATURDAY – Jazz Arts Initiative’s “Jazz Room” feat. Philip Whack playing John Coltrane at The Stage Door Theater
- FRIDAY – AfroPop Block Party at Camp North End
- FRIDAY – Premium Sounds One Year Birthday Bash at The Station
- FRIDAY – Jazz N’ Soul Music presents Jackie O & The Groove Masters Band
- SATURDAY – Early Boots Neighborhood Rally at West Charlotte High School
- SATURDAY – Respect Fest Block Party at Sports One Bar & Lounge
- SATURDAY – The 90s Party at Riverview Raw Bar & Chill
- SUNDAY – Soul Sunday at Snug Harbor
- SUNDAY – Jazz Under the Stars feat. Jeanette Harris at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
- MONDAY – RETI’s Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party & Fundraiser at Camp North End
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 8/17——-
It’s time to be dashing and dapper this evening at The Gantt Center as it is time for Gantt After Dark: Sounds of Summer! Bring your friends out and come enjoy an evening of Summer sophistication and flair with some art, delicious treats, local vendors, networking and live music from acclaimed jazz band 5th & York and some street grooves from DJ Shogun and DJ Ngenius rockin’ on the rooftop! Admission is FREE to attend and the party starts at 6 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Dapper Street Productions invites you out to the Bette Rae Thomas Rec Center for some “Color & Jazz!” Take a load off the stresses of life as you expand your minds with an array of coloring supplies to create your own special expression. While you hue-manize your creation, Letron Brantley & Co. will be there to set the mood with some live jazz for your listening pleasure. Admission is FREE. You are free to bring coloring supplies of your own and as many friends as you desire. There will be refreshments provided. The event begins at 6 p.m. 2921 Tuckaseegee Rd.
One of Hip Hop’s most outspoken MCs stops in the QC for an evening of community, music and conversation. Everyone head out to Club One for an evening with David Banner! Need some insight? He’s got it. Need an opinion? He’s got those too. Need some wisdom? He’ll give it to you. Experience #TheGodBox up close and personal with a pop-up shop full of merchandise and new music. Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 6 p.m. Club One is located at 950 NC Music Factory Blvd.
This evening, head over to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for another installment of the museum’s Modernism + Film Series. Tonight’s feature is the documentary “I.M. Pei: Building China Modern.” I.M. Pei has been called the most important living modern architect, defining the landscapes of some of the world’s greatest cities. A monumental figure in his field and a laureate of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, Pei is the senior statesman of modernism and last surviving link to such great early architects as Le Corbusier, Gropius, and Mies van der Rohe. Entering into the twilight of his career and well into his eighties when the project began, Pei returns to his ancestral home of Suzhou, China to work on his most personal project to date. Prior to the screening, opening remarks will be made by UNC Charlotte Associate Professor of Architecture, Peter Wong. Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=ac019b8d-1cb7-4250-a7b4-08f883a8b073. The event begins at 6 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
The CineOdyssey Film Festival invites everyone out to Little Rock Cultural Center this evening for a special screening of the award-winning film “Gook.” On the eve of the 1992 L.A. Riots, two Korean-American brothers befriend a streetwise 11 year old African-American girl, while forced to defend their struggling shoe store from the impending chaos. The films gives a nod and pays homage to Spike Lee’s classic film “Do The Right Thing”, both in execution and style, as it examines race relations in America, circa 1992. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gook-film-screening-tickets-36804840268. The film starts at 7:30 p.m. The Little Rock Cultural Center is located at 401 N. Myers St. in Uptown. #ColorYourVision
Three Bone Theatre presents the Charlotte premiere of “The Submission” by Jeff Talbott, a fiercely funny and intelligent new comic drama about the words we use to describe each other — and the things we’ll do to get what we want. The play centers around Danny who has written a complex new drama about an African-American family trying to get out of the projects, and it has just been selected for the nation’s preeminent theatre festival. The problem is that Danny, a young white playwright, submitted the work under a pen name in the hope of increasing its chances for production. So he hires Emilie, a black actress, to stand in for him as author. What starts as a terrible idea becomes more and more terrible as Danny drags Emilie, his boyfriend, and his best friend down a long and dirty path of truth, lies, revelation and betrayal. Come and find out what will happen in this epic ethnic discrepancy! There will be three performances of this show: Thursday (8/17), Friday (8/18) and Saturday (8/19) all starting at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-submission-by-jeff-talbott. All shows will be held at The Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
——-FRIDAY 8/18——-
Explore a carnival of curiosities at the Discovery Place with “Science on the Rocks: Carnival After Dark!” You and all your friends can step right up and explore the science of the unbelievable in the exhibition The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Discover daring feats and witness weird talents like sword swallowing with performers from Stray Cat Sideshow, try your hand at favorite carnival games and win prizes, sip on an adult cotton candy cocktail and lots more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://15106a.blackbaudhosting.com/15106a/page.aspx?pid=196&tab=2&txobjid=1368d282-bd16-400a-99ab-4d1387f91a1b. This event is for persons 21+ The fun starts at 5 p.m. Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown. #SOTR
Kick off your weekend at Coco and the Director as they host their open mic night, “Art in Motion.” Sip on $5 glasses of wine, $4 beers and other tasty treats in stock. There will be live performances of poetry and music while the guest visual artist creates a piece throughout the event. 7 p.m. Coco and the Director is located at 100 W. Trade St. in Uptown.
Bring the family out to Spirit Square this evening and enjoy the outdoor Summer series, “Sounds on the Square.” For your entertainment pleasure tonight, come experience Broadway on the Square featuring Gina Robinson and the Blumey Awards students. Admission is FREE to attend and the music starts at 7 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
The Jazz Arts Initiative returns for the month of August with another rousing installment of their critically-acclaimed Jazz Room performance series. For tonight’s treat, step back into Jazz’s golden era as renowned and soulful tenor saxophonist Phillip Whack pays homage to the late, great genius John Coltrane. It’s a show that you don’t want to miss and it’ll definitely feel like “a love supreme.” Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/jazz-room-the-stage-door-theater-11. There will be four performances this weekend: Friday (8/18) at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (8/19) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. All shows will be held at The Stage Door Theatre located at the intersection of E. 5th St. & N. College St. in Uptown. #JAI #TheJazzRoom
Summer 2017 is nearing an end and this Friday, come celebrate the last bit of it at the first annual AfroPop Block Party! Beat the August heat and come cool down with all the cool folks with some delicious food, a multitude of vendors, fellowshipping, dancing and much more! Your sound engineers for the evening are DJ Swan Mhz, Marcus Wade, DJ Steel Wheel and The Dynamic DJ Kato who will also serve as co-host along with Loot-Tenant Trax! Afrobeat, Soca, Dancehall, AfroHouse, Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Reggae and more will be featured, along with amazing African drums to enhance the soundtrack! Come out, grab a plate, grab a dance partner and get free! This event is presented by Africana Connections, DRC ApeParel and Nappy Luv. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-clt-the-block-party-camp-north-end-tickets-36649242872. The party starts at 6 p.m. at Camp North End. 1776 Statesville Ave. #WelcomeToTheTribe #AfricanaConnections
Everyone take it out to The Station this evening and get ready to jam at the Premium Sounds One Year Birthday Bash! Music, vendors, food, fellowship, fun and more music! Come and vibe with DJ Omelette Baum spinning on the turntables, jazz trio Ghost Trees setting the room ablaze with the Deep South free jazz. Grab some fly and fresh sounds from Premium Sounds along with Diggers Delight and fill your tummy with Top Rope Tacos. Admission is FREE to attend and the party starts at 8 p.m. The Station is located at 2131 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Dear Soul Music Co. is proud to present “Unplugged + Live” this evening at Eaglespeak Coffeehouse & Bar! Join host and acoustic guitarist, the lovely Arsena Schroeder as she brings forth some of the regions brightest talents to the stage—the eclectic rapper Modest Jon, the earthly vocalist Darian La Sparrow and blues rocker Fort Lewis. Admission is FREE, however a $10 donation is suggested. Doors open at 8 and the show will start at 8:30 p.m. Eaglespeak Coffeehouse & Bar is located at 3907 South Blvd.
Jazz N’ Soul is back to add some fun to your Friday with the lovely songstress Jackie O & The Groove Masters Band! Searing and soulful vocals backed by a magnificent rhythm machine, it’s sure to bring quite a delight to your Friday night! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jackie-o-and-the-groovemasters-band-friday-august-18th-tickets-36779640896. The show starts promptly at 9 p.m. at The Morehead Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
——-SATURDAY 8/19——-
This morning, all Charlotte mayoral candidates and Steele Creek area constituents are being invited to attend and discuss their platforms at a special Mayoral Candidates Forum. This is a great opportunity to find out the candidates’ positions on issues important to the Steele Creek area in a Q & A session. The event will be hosted by Mary Bonaparte, Precinct 147 Chairperson and The Reverend Dr. Monte Witherspoon-Brown. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will be held at Steele Creek A.M.E. Zion Church. 1500 Shopton Rd.
Moxie Society has teamed up with the How Can I Be Down Conference as they invite you out to Sports One Bar & Lounge to celebrate the two-year anniversary of their “I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party” with a special remix entitled, “Respect Fest Block Party!” It’s a day full of nonstop energy and live music from Hip Hop icons Big Daddy Kane, Greg Nice, Mr. Cheeks, DJ Clark Kent and DJ D-Nice! All-white attire is requested and the Saturday brunch/dinner menu will be in full effect. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.universe.com/events/the-hcibd-respect-fest-block-party-an-all-white-affair-tickets-KXHZLM. The party starts at 12 noon. Sports One is located at 521 N. College St. in Uptown. #MoxieSociety
All For Kidz and Char-Meck Parks & Rec have teamed up to present the 3rd Annual Back 2 School Bookbag Bonanza this afternoon! Parents, bring your kids and their friends out for an afternoon full of free giveaways, food, face painting, snow cones, games, music, a basketball clinic and lots more! Also, steer those bicycles over for a special bike workshop where you can get a bike lesson and learn about bike safety and maintenance. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 12 p.m. The address of the event is 943 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
Head over to the Plaza-Midwood Branch of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library for a special screening of their Race, Power & Democracy Film Series. Today’s feature is the acclaimed and award-winning Ava DuVernay documentary, “13th.” In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 2 p.m. The library is located at 1623 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
This afternoon, bring the entire family out to West Charlotte High School for the Early Boots Neighborhood Rally. It’s a day full of community empowerment with lots of food, fellowship, games, vendors and live tunes spun by DJ Mad Phlexx. Also, this will be a great opportunity to meet District 2 Candidate, Dr. Justin Harlow and several other Charlotte City Council candidates who are currently running for a local legislative seat. Admission is FREE to attend and the event starts at 3 p.m. West Charlotte High School is located at 2219 Senior Dr.
The Charlotte 48-Hour Film Project is an international platform which gives one of their local filmmakers a shot at Cannes Film Festival 2018. This event is the culmination of more than 500 local people working together to create a collection of more than 25 short films. These local artists come together to form teams which are assigned a genre, a character’s name, a prop and a line of dialogue. They then get 48 hours to create a seven-minute short film. Come and witness a collection of art which will define QC filmmaking. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charlotte-48-hour-film-project-general-screening-tickets-36876041232. The event begins at 4 p.m. and will be held in the Knight Gallery at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Take a musical journey back in time this Saturday night and cruise out to Riverview Raw Bar & Chill for The 90s Party! Bring your crew and rock your best 90s gear as my main man DJ BesKep rocks out with the best of 90s classic Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul and Reggae joints! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-90s-party-tickets-36169850998. The time machine takes off at 9 p.m. Riverview Raw Bar & Chill is located at 10012 Moores Chapel Loop Rd.
Awesom Entertainment invites you out to Club ONE for their White & Denim Affair/Leo Birthday Bash Celebration! However you want to dress down, enjoy a night on the town in this posh nightclub with your friends and a fly outfit on with the legendary DJ Kid Capri rockin’ out on the 1’s and 2’s. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kid-capri-at-club-one-tickets-36566430177. The party starts at 9 p.m. Club ONE is located at 950 NC Music Factory Blvd.
All you cool cats and fly girls, head over to New Era Music House for your Saturday funk session, the Blacklight(r) Soundclash Series! Join host Audio Dope they remix, revamp and reverb a mashup of two of the most prolific producers known in the Hip Hop world, Kanye West and J-Dilla. Four DJs will be set up in this epic groove party spinning all the bangers and B-Sides from these two icons. There will be vendors, live art, refreshments and lots of love in the building, so be sure to come and get some! The event starts at 10 p.m. Admission is FREE before 11 p.m. and $7 after. New Era Music House is located at 5814 Old Concord Rd.
——-SUNDAY 8/20——-
The Kick Back Series sponsored by Miller Lite. Music and fun at Morehead Tavern, 300 E. Morehead St. 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.Free with RSVP at thedoover.net/kickbackseries
Get your creative shop on this afternoon at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. and come out to the Starving Artist Market. Need some cool and crafty ideas for your home to blend in the Summer atmosphere? This is the place for you! Over 30 local artists and vendors that will be pulling out all the stops to give you a five-hour, one-stop shopping experience. Skip the lines and come view this very talented group of local artisans. There will be pet supplies, pottery, soaps, jewelry, paintings, prints, fiber arts, wood workings, gemstones, candles, glass art, crystals and more! Admission is FREE to enter and the market opens at 12 noon. Lenny Boy Brewing Co. is located at 3000 S. Tryon St.
Do you need to ease and rejuvenate your soul from all as these dividing and trying times sit thick in the air? If so, come out to Snug Harbor this afternoon for their third Sunday jam session entitled, “Soul Sundays.” Enjoy a potluck dance party to celebrate all things soul-filled with edible refreshments and DJs Sir Chocolate Milk & Elon supply only the funkiest groove thangs to help your soul shine while that booty moves! Diggers Delight and Premium Sounds will be on deck with a few crates of delicious vinyl for your ears’ pleasure! Also, LinSun Rising, founder of School of Jai, will be providing Jai Food–Summer Veggie & Fruit Rolls! Fresh herbs and veggies that are picked from the Jai Community Garden and the proceeds support School of Jai workshops and programming in the community. Admission to Soul Sunday is FREE and each plate is $5. The event begins at 2 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
This afternoon at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, come out for the Civics 101—A Roadmap to Voter Empowerment course. For today’s session, former Charlotte Mayor, the Honorable Harvey B. Gantt and N.C. General Assembly Rep., Chaz Beasley, Esq. will discuss “The Rise of Black Political & Economic Power.” The session will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is located at 3400 Beatties Ford Rd.
The Charlotte Repertory Dance Theatre invites you out to the Charlotte Ballet Center for UNITE International Dance Concert. This is a formal dance concert showcasing multiple countries and cultures featuring several dancers from around the Charlotte area. It’s guaranteed to be some afternoon fun for the entire family! Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased here: https://crdt.ticketleap.com/unite/dates/Aug-20-2017_at_0530PM. Doors open at 5:30 and the event begins at 6 p.m. The Charlotte Ballet Center is located at 701 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This evening, take a short drive to nearby Belmont, head over to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and get ready for Jazz Under the Stars! Bring your friends out for an evening of cool grooves featuring the scintillating saxtress of smooth jazz, Jeanette Harris. This lady understands that energetic and captivating performances matched with uplifting and inspiring vibrations in the music are the solid platinum recipe for success. Classically trained in both sax and piano, a graduate of Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music, and the saxophonist for the late, great Teena Marie’s final year of touring, Jeanette has weathered the fiercest challenges to bring the world her own brand of soulful healing vibes. This event is presented by The Jazz Diva herself, the beautiful Tammy Greene. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-under-the-stars-feat-saxophonist-jeanette-harris-tickets-36317773438. Doors open at 6 p.m. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located at 6500 South New Hope Rd. in Belmont.
——-MONDAY 8/21——-
Join Renewable Energy Transition Initiative (RETI) at Camp North End for the Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party & Fundraiser this afternoon! This will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since 1979. Charlotte is located near the path of totality and will see a 98% eclipse. RETI will be giving out free NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses to anyone who signs up for their newsletter and RETI staff will be answering questions and setting up eclipse-themed activities for everyone of all ages. The event begins at 12 noon. Camp North End is located at 1776 Statesville Ave.
Head on down to Petra’s this evening for Carolina Shout Out Night! Pianist and entertainer Ethan Uslan will be tickling the 88 ivory keys along to some old, humorous Ragtime-era silent films. Get ready to party like it’s 1899! Admission is $5. 8 p.m. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
COMING SOON…
8/26 – Su Casa: The August Edition
8/27 – Puerto Rican Festival 2017
9/2 – Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V. 12 + Slow Wine Edition
9/9 – Charlotte International Jerk Fest
9/9 – TeamBlkGrlFly presents “The Beauty Standard”
9/15 – AFROFUNK CLT 2017
9/23 – Mosaic at the Lake
10/7 – 6th Annual Literary Festival of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
10/13 – Breakin’ Convention CLT 2017
Have fun, get engaged, spread love and keep the peace this weekend!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst