The Rundown: Things to do, Thursday, August 30 – Monday, September 3

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

By Shawn D. Allison, II

Hey everyone! It’s Labor Day weekend and the QC is booming with lots of exciting things! There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy and like you, I hope to sink my teeth into some delicious BBQ on Monday! However, before the holiday, get a load of all the hottest things to do on my special “Hot List” just below.

 

  • THURSDAY – SATURDAY – Brand New Sheriff Productions’ presents “Eclipsed”
  • THURSDAY – Elevated Thursdays at Loft & Cellar
  • FRIDAY – Black Food Truck Friday at Firehouse Bar & Lounge
  • FRIDAY – Labor Day Weekend Kickoff at Stats Restaurant & Bar
  • SATURDAY – Black Singles in CLT presents The Family Reunion Day Party at Firehouse Bar & Lounge
  • SATURDAY – Bearden Birthday Bash at Romare Bearden Park
  • SATURDAY – The JETA Team presents “Off The Wall: Best of the 80s Vol. 15” at Petra’s
  • SUNDAY – Natural Hair Fest
  • SUNDAY – Jerk Chicken & Waffles Brunch/Southern Fried Kickback – Labor Day Sunday
  • SUNDAY — Charlotte Labor Day Weekend Go-Go Invasion 2018
  • MONDAY – Jazz Under the Stars feat. Althea Rene at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

 

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 30——-

America’s favorite pastime gears up for a few innings of high-tech fun as Tech Talent South – Charlotte invites you BB&T Stadium for Tech Me Out to the Ballgame! The tech industry invades the diamond for a night of fun as the Charlotte Knights take on the Durham Bulls. While the action on the field is in play, you’ll be in the Party Zone with a room full of fellow techies indulging in networking and enjoying a feast of epic proportions! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tech-me-out-to-the-ballgame-charlotte-knights-tickets-47555905995. The gates open at 6 and the game starts promptly at 7:05 p.m. BB&T Ballpark is located at 324 S. Mint St. in Uptown.

Charlotte City Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield invites you out to Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church for the Police Relationships in Neighborhoods of Color Community Forum this evening. This forum will discuss and focus on how CMPD can and should improve their involvement in communities of color. Admission is FREE and all are encouraged to attend. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The church is located at 700 W. Sugar Creek Rd. 

One of Charlotte’s hardest working theatre companies is back for a Summertime smash at Spirit Square – get ready as Brand New Sheriff Productions presents Eclipsed! Written by star of Black Panther and Walking Dead Danai Gurira, “Eclipsed” takes place in 2003 and tells the story of five Liberian women and their tale of survival near the end of the Second Liberian Civil War. It became the first play with an all-black and female creative cast and team to premiere on Broadway. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/eclipsed. There will be four performances this weekend: Thursday (8/30) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (8/31) at 8 p.m. and Saturday (9/1) at 2 and 8 p.m. All shows will be held at the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

This weekend, stand tall in your seat and feel the power of Pride Rock for the grand return of the Tony Award-winning Broadway spectacle, Disney’s “The Lion King!” The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before in this all-new cornucopia of awe-inspiring visual artistry, with unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling in one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Performance schedule and tickets can be found here: 1 https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/the-lion-king-1.  Tonight’s show will begin at 7:30 p.m. All shows will be held at the Belk Theater. 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Moxie Society and CSquared Events is ready to set your weekend off on the cool tip as they proudly present Elevated Thursdays! Take a load off and get lifted with a bevy of cocktail specials, delicious meals, community and conversation while DJ Tramare aka Hot Rod sets the mood with a fly mix of sounds from all eras! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevated-thursdays-ft-dj-tramare-tickets-49134916859. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Loft & Cellar. 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.   #MoxieSociety #CSquaredEvents 

——-FRIDAY, AUGUST 31——-

It’s time to feel alive this weekend at Matthews Alive! Bring the entire family and your friends out for a whole weekend filled with vendors, rides, food trucks, live entertainment, arts & crafts, fellowship and much more! All festivities begin at 6 p.m. and will continue through Monday, September 3. Matthews Alive will be held at Stumptown Park. 200 S. Trade St. in Historic Downtown Matthews.

Get ready for some more community fun as Black Business Owners of Charlotte (BBOC) invites you out to another installment 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. at Firehouse Bar & Lounge. 320 W. Carson Blvd. in Uptown.   #BBOC

Get your laugh on this evening as the Queen City Omegas present another raucous round of Comedy Night! Bring your friends out to get ready for some side-splitting humor from headlining funnyman, the hilarious Tony Woods and the ultra-fine and funny Coco Fresh! Then, be sure to stick around as DJ 06 burns up the speakers with a hot mix of Hip Hop and R&B tunes. The host for the evening is Brother Tito. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queen-city-omegas-comedy-night-tickets-46535895115. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. The Omegas of Charlotte Fraternity House is located at 3301 Statesville Ave.

Start your three-weekend off with your friends as one of Charlotte’s most talented crews catches wreck on the decks for the Labor Day Weekend Kickoff! Join DJ Chance and Concrete Kash of Reminisce Sounds spins an energetic blend of Hip Hop, Soul, House, Reggae, R&B, Funk and lots more tunes across the landscape! Also, DJ Chance will be celebrating his birthday so it’ll be sure to be extra live for sure! FREE admission. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Stats Restaurant & Bar. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

 

——-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1——-

Saturday mornings are a great time to come to Atherton — and you should because it’s time for the South End Farmers & Artisans Market! There are lots of great farmers & artisans that bring in meats, produce, mushrooms, sauces, soaps, dog food, flowers, plants and so much more. Enjoy a cup of joe from Not Just Coffee, a cold beer or glass of wine form Vin Master Wine Shop, sip and shop from a variety of local artisans and farmers. Take a seat at any of the indoor or outdoor tables, relax and take in all the cool vibes and energy Atherton has to give. The marketplace opens at 9 a.m. 2104 South Blvd. in Historic South End.

One of Charlotte’s fastest-growing social firms is back for the month of September with the spirit of love and unity in mind and this afternoon, Black Singles in CLT invites you to come and experience some colorful energy at The Family Reunion Day Party! Gather your crew, comrades and older cousins and come mingle with some of the coolest Chocolate cats in one of the hottest events of the Summer! There will be plenty of cocktail special available and a special concoction of sonic grooves provided by DJ Johnny Kaydee! Admission is FREE before 5 p.m. but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/casa-blanca-all-white-day-party-tickets-48164235525. All-white attire is not mandatory for entry, it is preferred. The jump off is at 4 p.m. at Firehouse Bar & Lounge. 320 W. Carson Blvd. in Uptown.   #BlackSinglesCLT

Everyone get your taste buds ready to explore some Lowcountry delight this evening as Kardea’s Kuisine proudly presents The New Gullah Supper Club Charlotte! Acclaimed kitchen maestro Chef Kardea Brown aims to unite people from different walks of life with one common interest, to enjoy good food with great people. Chef Kardea will prepare her spin on Gullah inspired Southern dishes with a contemporary twist. The menu will consist of a welcoming smorgasbord, small plate, salad, main entrée, and dessert. All food items are fresh, seasonal, and local; therefore the menu is subject to change based on availability. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-new-gullah-supper-club-charlotte-tickets-35991089317?aff=efbevent. The time and location of the event will be delivered via e-mail upon ticket purchase.

Everyone come out to Romare Bearden Park for the annual Bearden Birthday Bash! Enjoy local creatives, vendors, fellowship, demonstrations and more! There will be live music from sax man Shableek Henderson and violinist Ken Ford. Also, to keep your stomach satisfied, there will be a few of your favorite food trucks stationed at the park. The fun starts at 6 p.m. Romare Bearden Park is located at 300 S. Church St. in Uptown.

This evening, get ready for a evening of nonstop flavor as one of Charlotte’s hardest-working promotion firms Eddietainment sizzles up the scene with another installment of Signature Saturdays! In this special Labor Day Edition get down, come and strut your stuff on the dance floor as my brothers DJ Chance and DJ Shaun Nyce aka “The Blend King” rock out with a fly mix of Classic and modern-era Hip Hop, House, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, Go-Go and much more! Admission is FREE with RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/signature-saturdays-at-sage-dj-shaun-nyce-dj-b-man-tickets-48802657061. The jump off is at 9 p.m. at the all-new Sage Restaurant & Lounge. 505 E. 6th St. in Uptown.

The mighty JETA Team is ready to take you back in time at Petra’s with another funky and retro round o’ sound with “Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.15!” Join master soundcrafters DJ Aking Allah and DJ Justice as they take you on a ride with all the fly jams between 1980 through 1989! From Public Enemy to Billy Joel, Run-DMC to Whitney Houston, Prince, The Jacksons, Eric B. & Rakim, Duran Duran, S.O.S. Band, Beastie Boys, Kraftwerk and much, much, more flyness — trust me, you don’t want to miss this! 9 p.m. Admission is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.   #TheJETATeam

It’s time to stand tall for your nation and live it up in Blacknificence at the Labor Day Afro-Caribbean Flag Party! Whether you’re from Jamaica, Haiti, Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo or any other beautiful Black nation on this Earth, come and rep your tribe, your nation and yourselves! DJ’s Quee, Squidly and On Track HD will be rockin’ the house with a colorful blend of Afrobeats, Reggae, Calypso, Soca, Afro-House, Dancehall and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/labor-day-flag-party-tickets-48790017255. The jump off is at 9:30 p.m. at Bakadi Lounge. 4205 Monroe Rd.

If you want some more House flavor this evening, gather your crew and head down to Crown Station as Unified Souls proudly presents the September session of STR8 HOUSE – The Virgo 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! Your host for the evening is my girl, 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, SEPTEMBER 2——-

Brothers and sisters, be proud and stand tall with your radiant crowns of glory at the Charlotte Natural Hair Fest! Presented by the Mark David Carter Immerse Experience, The Natural Hair Fest is designed to promote a way of life that nurtures natural hair growth and teaches proper regimens for the care and maintenance of healthy, natural hair. They are equally concerned about beginning the process of healing and taking preventative measures to offset hair loss and disorders of the scalp that plague our communities in epidemic proportion. In this festival, come out for a day full of hair workshops, product demonstrations, a fashion and hair show, live entertainment, vendors, music and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/naturalhairfest/186170#. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Double Tree Hilton Charlotte Airport. 2600 Yorkmont Rd.

 The Culture Cooperative is ready to add a double dose of flavor in your holiday weekend as they invite you out to the Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Sunday Brunch and the Southern Fried Kickback: Labor Day Sunday! Enjoy this tropical spin on your Sunday brunch as sound crafters The Dynamic DJ Kato, DJ Heff and DJ Steel Wheel blend a sonic cocktail of Afrobeats, Hip Hop, House, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall and much more! There will be a special Caribbean-inspired brunch menu, a dinner menu with delicious deals mimosas, other drink specials and lots of other goodies! Please be sure to RSVP here for both events: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jerk-chicken-n-waffles-sunday-brunch-labor-day-edition-2018-tickets-49322329415. The brunch will begin at 11 a.m. at Mango’s Caribbean Restaurant. 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District. The Southern Fried Kickback: Labor Day Edition will begin at 6 p.m. at The Peculiar Rabbit. 1212 Pecan Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Moxie Society invites you out to Firehouse Bar & Lounge to celebrate this festive weekend with, “Sippin On Sundays – Labor Day Weekend Edition!” Relax in this snazzy Uptown QC venue with delicious food, drink specials, hookah, music from DJs Weatherman and Louie Vee. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sippin-on-sundays-labor-day-edition-tickets-36831250261. The event begins at 3 p.m. Firehouse Bar & Lounge is located at 320 W. Carson St. in Uptown.

Get your Go-Go groove on at Stats Restaurant & Bar this evening and get ready for the Charlotte Labor Day Weekend Go-Go Invasion 2018! Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment is poised to once again to bring the funk with Charlotte’s premiere Go-Go band, Uptown Swagga along with some authentic D.C. flavor with Team Familiar feat. D. Floyd! Then be sure to stick around as DJ Johnny Kaydee rocks out some hot tunes to add more excitement to your night! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charlotte-go-go-takeover-2018labor-day-weekend-finale-tickets-48389264593. Doors open at 8 p.m. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

——-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3——-

Enjoy an evening of relaxing grooves and romantic moods as the lovely Jazz Diva, Ms. Tammy Greene of Jazz Around Town invites you out to Jazz Under The Stars! Gather your friends and significant other out at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and enjoy a delightful picnic under the orchestration of the soulful and beautiful flautist Althea Rene! This Motown beauty honed her skills early on and over time has become a surefire master of her craft. Drawing inspiration from Yusef Lateef, Ian Anderson and many others, Althea has developed her own distinctive style in the world of smooth jazz. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-under-the-stars-daniel-stowe-botanical-garden-tickets-39601965545. Small picnic snacks, chairs and blankets are admissible. Outside alcohol, large coolers, tents or umbrellas are allowed. In case of inclement weather, the show will be moved indoors. The gate opens at 6 p.m. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located at 6500 South New Hope Rd. in Belmont. #JazzAroundTown

 

 

Need some cool tunes in your life? Head out to Crown Station for Jazz Mondays this evening! Relax and unwind as two of Charlotte’s finest—funky drummer Ocie Davis, Jr. and Troy Conn on the GOODtar play some live instrumental goodness to put your souls at ease. Then, be sure to stick around for Rob & Eric’s UNCC Jazz Jam coming up immediately after. The band strikes at 8:30 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

 

 

 

COMING SOON…

9/8 – Savor 7th

9/13 – Thirsty Thursday Brewery Tour

9/14 – 9/15 – 3rd Annual Soul Junction Music Festival

9/15 — EmpowHERment Teen Summit: #creatingHERstory

 

 

Have a great weekend Brothers & Sisters! Peace.

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets   #CommunityFirst

 

 

 

Braek Haven Listening Party

Labor Day Weekend Kickoff w/ DJ Chance & Concrete Kash