By Shawn D. Allison, II
It’s that time again for the Rundown. There’s all sorts of goodies happening in our town for every age group and if you want to come and kick it with me or need a good recommendation of stuff to do, check out my hot spot list below!
- Brush N’ Beats at Charlotte Art League—Friday 8/19
- Gantt After Dark at The Gantt Center—Thursday 8/18
- The Jazz Room at The Stage Door Theater—Friday 8/19
- The Big Heist at Heist Brewery—Saturday 8/20
- Soul Clap at Neighborhood Café—Sunday 8/21
- Motown on Mondays—Monday 8/22
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
Join The Urban League of Central Carolinas along with Hip Hop Caucus-Charlotte as they host, “Respect My Vote!: Charlotte Town Hall & Voter Registration.” Moderated by R&B singer Sunshine Anderson and Dr. Patrick Graham, this informal discussion will talk about voting rights for the formerly incarcerated, voter ID updates and participation in a candid discussion about the importance of local and state judicial candidates in the upcoming 2016 general and Presidential elections. Special featured guests include County Commissioner Ella Scarborough and Madeline McClenney of the Exodus Foundation. T FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/respect-my-vote-charlotte-townhall-and-voter-registration-tickets-27011646562. The event will be held at The Urban League of Central Carolinas at 6:30 p.m. The address is 740 W. 5th St. in Uptown. #RespectMyVote #ElectoralRevolution
Join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce (CMBCC) at Imani’s Fusion Cafe as they host their monthly professional networking event, “CMBCC Business Connect After Hours.” Come early, bring a friend and plenty of business cards. Please be sure to register here: http://20160818.eventbrite.com. The event begins at 6 p.m. Imani’s Fusion Cafe is located at 3535 Randolph Rd.
Join Charlotte Arts Chat at C3 Lab this evening as they host the social conversation, “Cultivating vs. Gatekeeping in the Arts.” This gathering is for people who value the arts and want to engage in meaningful dialogue about arts and culture in Charlotte. FREE and the event starts at 6 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End. #ArtChatCLT
Come out to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art this evening for another installment of their Modernism + Film Series. Tonight’s feature is the documentary, “Kochuu.” This film is based on Modern Japanese architecture, the influence of Japanese traditions, and the impact the combination of the two had on the Nordic building traditions. Tickets can be purchased here: http://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=e4e7ed6f-5e2e-493f-9847-af9c330d3a88. The screening begins at 6 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Begin your weekend at The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture with another slammin’ and soulful edition of “Gantt After Dark!” Mellow out with a mature and sophisticated crowd, with local vendors and enjoy the smooth sounds from local band, 5th & York. Admission is FREE for the event, but if you choose to participate in the “Paint N’ Sip” session, the fee is $20 for Gantt members and $25 for non-members. The event starts at 6 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Back again at Kanvas Gallery and Lounge, join DJ Tober and DJ Sincier for the second volume of “The Summer Chill-Out Series!” From Thursday to Saturday, these two gentlemen will soothe you with some classic House, Downtempo, Indie, Electronic, Acid Jazz and more! Admission is FREE and the music starts spinning at 9 p.m. on each day. Kanvas is located at 525 E. 6th St. in Uptown.
FRIDAY, August 19
Gather your friends and come out to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for another fun edition of “Bechtler By Night!” Hailed as a leisure haven for art enthusiasts in the Charlotte region, this event for this evening will be themed as “Bechtler Game Night.” Add some fun competition with activities ranging from a scavenger hunt, Bingo, trivia and more. Hors d’oeuvres and margarita cocktails will be available. FREE. The games begin at 5 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
The Guerilla Poets bring some tropical flavor to Mean Mug Coffee Company this evening as they host their Tahiti All Day Luau Party! Come out and enjoy some live music, fire dancers, visual artists, open mic performances, games, prizes, delicious food and of course—some of that Limbo dancing! The admission is FREE but donations are always accepted and they will be given to the Time Out Youth Center. The party starts at 5 p.m. Mean Mug Coffee Company is located at 1024 S. Fulton St in Salisbury. #GuerillaPoets
Be free and vivid at Charlotte Art League this evening for a flavorful art session entitled, “Brush N’ Beats!” Brushes and paint will be provided free of charge. Canvases in various sizes can be purchased on location; if you bring your own, you are encouraged to consider a small donation toward the Art League. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Charlotte Art League is located at 1517 Camden Rd. in Historic South End.
The Jazz Arts Initiative is back for another critically-acclaimed edition of “The Jazz Room” this evening. For your listening pleasure, gear your ears to the stage as renowned hornblower Jon Thornton pays audible homage to the legendary Chet Baker. Two shows: 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Tickets: www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/the-jazz-room-the-stage-door-theater-32. The Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Located on the corner of E. 5th St. and N. College St. in Uptown. #JAI
Have some fun at Advent Coworking this evening and come out for Trivia Night! Engage with others over libations, groovy music and of course, random trivia! Admission is FREE to attend and you are welcome to bring your own adult beverages. The games begin at 7 p.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Get ready to set the dance floor on fire and set your spirits free because the one and only DJ Naeem Johnson is returning to the QC to House your body into the next galaxy! Hosted by the SoulJunkies (DJ Jazzy Bee, DJ Cee Low), things are sure to get all kinds of funky this evening! Admission is FREE before 10 p.m., but only if you text “SOULJUNKIES” to #31996. The party starts at 9 p.m. and will be held at FireWater Restaurant & Bar. The address is 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd. in the University Area.
Back once again to soothe your soul on a Friday evening, the good people of Jazz N’ Soul music proudly presents Willie Walker & Conversation Piece. They are one of my favorite live acts in this city and while and after they perform, they will definitely leave you with something to talk about! Tickets can be purchased here: jazznsoulconversation.eventbrite.com Showtime is at 9 p.m. and will be held at The Tavern. The address is 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
Let loose at Petra’s this evening and take a musical journey into yesteryear with “Mirror Moves: The Free Alternative Dance Party!” DJ’s Cody Hare and Jason Herring will be dropping the best of 80s & 90s Pop, New Wave, Techno, House, Synth Pop, EDM and more! Admission is FREE to attend. The party starts at 9 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Things get real African this Friday night at Apostrophe Lounge! Everyone come out for “Afro Pop! Charlotte Vol.3–Soca, Fashion & Networking!” Join Team Bantu Fete as they celebrate all things African from music, fashion and energy! All sounds will be provided by the Dynamic DJ Kato. Vendors will be in the joint so please support your entrepreneurial Brothers & Sisters. Also, there will be a special live drumming performance from Cheick Csoko from the Soko Drum Circle Meeting Group. Doors open at 10 p.m. Everyone is FREE before 11; Admission is $10 after 11 p.m. and $5 for those with daishikis/ankaras. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon in Uptown.
SATURDAY, August 20
Rise and shine and head down to the Mosaic Village for “Savory Saturdays!” Enjoy mimosas, Bloody Marys, pastries, fresh brewed coffee, French toast, burritos and more! Participating stores will be NeighborHood Café, The Coffee Priest, Lola’s and Café Ganache. This event will be hosted by 5 Points Community Collaborative. The Mosaic Village is located at 1635 W. Trade St. on the outskirts of Uptown.
Come out to Advent Coworking for an informative seminar “Taking Control of Your Credit.” Hosted by Belinda B. Bennett, this session will steer you in the right direction. Whether your credit score is 800, 720, 650 or less, this class is for you! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taking-control-of-your-credit-tickets-26901848152. This class begins at 9:30 a.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Calling all builders, tinkerers, and techies! Come out to The Schiele Museum of Natural History this morning for the Mini-Maker Fest! Discover the Maker Movement and watch 3D printers in action, design squishy and paper circuits, build a fort with giant blocks and more! These activities have been proven to increase a child’s creativity as well as curiousity—come and let their minds roam free! Admission is FREE and the exploring starts at 10 a.m. The Schiele Museum is located at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia.
Keep the fun going every Saturday for the rest of the Summer by celebrating the world’s bestselling puzzle toy with “Solve It Saturdays” at Discovery Place! Featuring Rubik’s Cube-inspired activities and fun for the whole family, you will get to experiment with brainteasers, puzzles, friendly cubing competitions, extreme cubing demonstrations and more. Admission is FREE and the event begins at 10 a.m. Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Celebrate the One Year Anniversary of the LEGO Store at SouthPark. Join in a special LEGO event with hundreds of other LEGO fans. Show off your building skills and build your own creation to be displayed in the LEGO Art Gallery. Then, join in an exclusive Mini Model Building event and build a LEGO birthday cake and take it home for FREE! Mini Model Build open to children ages 6-14 years old–quantities are limited. The event begins at 11 a.m. SouthPark Mall is located at 4400 Sharon Rd.
If you like art the way I do, head down once again to Advent Coworking for the “Queen City Urban Art Showcase!” The spectrum of radiance is filled with work from some of Crown Town’s brightest and upcoming talents and they want you to experience their work. Admission is FREE to attend. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Are you fully engaged in your career or are you a part of the majority who would leave your job if you knew a clear path? Join author Melissa J. Nixon as she presents her newest work, “The Courageous Life.” This book provides the steps you need to catapult you from sitting on the sidelines of your dreams to living them with a sense of urgency and purpose. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-courageous-life-book-launch-party-book-signing-tickets-26890335718?aff=es2. The event starts at 2 p.m. and will be held at Aloft Ballantyne. The address is 13139 Ballantyne Corporate Pl. in the Ballantyne Area.
If you want to add some West Indian flavor in your Saturday afternoon, head over to Rolling Hills Park for The Carolina Caribbean Fest 2016! Enjoy great food, fellowship, and Reggae music from Destra, Tony Matterhorn and more! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carolina-caribbean-summerferst-tickets-26614033290. The event begins at 3 p.m. Rolling Hills Park is located at 4343 Rolling Hill Dr. near the intersection of N. Tryon St. and W. Sugar Creek Rd.
Local avant-garde and organic music group Blu House and Friends will be giving a live performance at Repo Records. Blu House is an eclectic group of individuals out of Charlotte endeavoring to express themselves musically the best way they know how. Also performing will be The Monty Mak Band and LeAnna Eden & The Garden of. The performances begins at 4:30 p.m. Repo Records is located at 3325 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
One of Charlotte’s busiest and baddest hornblowers, Buff Dillard has two performances at BluNotes for the inauguration of their newest series, “Grooves, Booze & Jazz!” If you’ve never heard Buff blow before, you need to do your ears a favor and go listen! The first show begins at 7 p.m., the second begins at 10 p.m. Also, please inquire about dinner and drink specials—they are really delicious! BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area. #BoneJazz
Is poetry and Hip-Hop one in the same? Have emcees forgotten their roots? Is poetry a lost art to today’s musicians? Internationally recognized spoken word artist and author Green Sheba hosts the fierce battle of lucid and liquid lyricism in “Poetry vs. Hip-Hop: Choose A Side.” If you think you have what it takes to compete in the warring of wordplay, this is the competition for you! For all contestant entries, ticket purchases and additional information, please visit: http://www.poetryvshiphop.com/event-calender/charlotte. The event will be held at UpStage NoDa at 9 p.m. UpStage is located at 3306 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
If you’re in the mood for some underground hip hop flavor, bury your ears at The Rabbit Hole this evening and get ready for Gift of Gab featuring Rapper Shane and DJ STRTR! If you’re unfamiliar with Gift of Gab, he’s an extremely profound wordsmith who is ½ of the duo Blackalicious and is also a member of Quannum Projects, a Bay Area hip hop crew and record label. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gift-of-gab-of-blackalicous-w-rapper-shane-dj-strtr-the-rabbit-hole-tickets-27058364296. The doors open at 9 p.m. The Rabbit Hole is located at 1801 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Things get real funkdafied at Heist Brewery this evening as DJ Chance & the beautiful DJ Lunchbeats presents “The Big Heist: The Ol’ Skool Retreat!” Relive the classics and a diverse array of tunes from these two wicked turntablists and their fellow spinners, DJ FoundACEtion and DJ BesKep. Admission is FREE and the getting’ down starts at 9 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
All roads lead to The White House this evening as Awesom & So Street E.N.T. hosts another fly edition of their I Love NY Series with “The Face Off: NYC vs DMV!” Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-official-iny-anniversarybirthday-edition-kid-capri-vs-dj-kool-tickets-26124230276?aff=efbevent. The party starts at 9 p.m. The White House is located at 4809 Wilkinson Blvd.
SUNDAY, August 21
This Sunday afternoon, put some creativity and poise in your mind and head down to C3 Lab where the beautiful creative and activist Bree Stallings hosts her “Brush Calligraphy Workshop.” Learn how to paint watercolor floral designs with a number of brush techniques and learn how to design your own distinctive font. Also, bring in one of your favorite inspirational quotes to create from calligraphy and take it home in a framed holder. There will be some wine and refreshments available to help you loosen up while you paint. Tickets can be purchased here: www.c3-lab.com The class begins at 6 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Bring the entire family down to The Levine Museum of the New South this afternoon for “Conexiones: Exchanges Across Cultures With Art.” This fiesta will feature local creatives in a mural-cultivating workshop that celebrates the images and spirit of the museum’s current incumbent exhibit, NUEVOlution. Admission is FREE to attend, but please be sure to RSVP here: https://38686.blackbaudhosting.com/38686/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=a3bd5eec-4dfb-44ec-8f80-bb3706dbcd8e. The fun starts at 2:30 p.m. The museum is located at 200 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
Join Davita Galloway of Dupp & Swat as she hosts “Pamper Me Pink!” Enjoy massages, manicures and chef-prepared goodies! This event will be held at a private location but please RSVP and purchase your tickets here: http://www.sincerelyswat.com/tickets/rsvp-for-girl-gang-the-pamper-me-pink-edition. The event will begin at 3 p.m. If you have any questions, please call (980)-224-2128.
Everyone roll bounce out to Kate’s Skating Rink this evening for the “80s Back to School Skate Party!” Hosted by No Limit Larry of Power98, this family-friendly event will be filled with fun, free giveaways, dance performances, a special guest DJ and of course—skating! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80s-back-to-school-skate-party-tickets-25662590499?discount=DRC. The heels start criss-crossing at 5 p.m. Kate’s is located at 14500 Independence Blvd. in Indian Trail.
Abari Game Bar is set to have their own Olympic-fashioned gaming event entitled, “Abarilympics.” Form your best team of three gamers and play in a number of games like Doubles Pinball, NBA Jam, Quick & Crash Skeet Shooting, Tag Team Marvel vs. Capcom and more! There will be prizes given to winners. If you choose to participate, please register here: https://goo.gl/forms/EeWLXLw9sPTEU4np1. The games commence at 6 p.m. Abari Game Bar is located at 1721 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Put your soul at ease this evening at NeighborHood Café as The JETA Team hosts another chill session of “Soul Clap: The Sunday Cool-Out.” Sit back and relax as DJ Aking Allah and DJ Justice provide some of the best of Soul, R&B, Funk, Rare Grooves, Fusion, Jazz, Downtempo, House and more! Admission is FREE to attend and the tables start turning at 7 p.m. The NeighborHood Café is located at 1625 W. Trade St. on the outskirts of Uptown near the JCSU main campus. #JETATeam
Open and relax your mind as some of the most gifted lyricists give your nerves some thought-provoking pleasure at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse with, “Verbal Expressions.” Join host Chosen the Poet as she shares original works of her fierce spoken word repertoire. Musical selections will be provided by the Funk Connections band. Tickets can be purchased here: eventbrite.com/o/verbal-expressions-10673720668. The show starts at 7 p.m. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse is located at 139 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Calling all artists! Put your skills to the test at Wet Willie’s this evening at the Centerstage Charlotte Art Battle! Artists will be given a theme and allotted 2 hours to create an image related to that theme. Judges will select one winner for a grand cash prize based off of creativity, theme accuracy, originality and time efficiency. Guests can enjoy the live art and other live performances as well as networking and vending tables. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/centerstage-charlotte-art-battle-tickets-26992838306?aff=es2. The competition starts at 7 p.m. Wet Willie’s is located at 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. on the outskirts of Uptown.
Pint Central is geared to take back to college this evening for another rousing and relaxing installment of “Movies On the Patio.” Put on your togas, get your brews ready because it’s time for the comedy classic, “Animal House!” Enjoy free popcorn, food and drink specials as you relive this classic film. The film starts at 9 p.m. Pint Central is located at 1226 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
MONDAY, August 22
Every 4th Monday at Hattie’s Tap & Tavern join the good people of Radio Rehab Carolinas as they host “Motown on Mondays #MOMCLT.” Take a nostalgic journey Black in time when music was music, love was love and when Black was proud. Two of the QC’s most legendary turntablists, DJ That Guy Smitty and The Mighty DJ DR will be piloting the time machine starting at 8 p.m. Admission is FREE! Hattie’s Tap & Tavern is located at 2918 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #RadioRehab
“If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good.” -Dr. Seuss
Everyone have a fun, safe and love-filled weekend! Peace.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller