The Rundown: Things to do Thursday, December 28 – Tuesday, January 2

By Shawn D. Allison, II 

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

Habari Gani Brothers and Sisters! Happy Kwanzaa to you all! Well, here we are—the last Rundown of 2017 and what a journey it has been! It’s been an honor and a privilege giving you all, the community, all the goods, deets and beats pulsating through these Queen City streets! I’ve got a lot to do this weekend to get my lax fixes of fun in for the history books, but if you want to know what the real moves to make, take a look at my Hot List just below, you dig?

 

  • THURSDAY — MONDAY – Kwanzaa Charlotte Kwanzaa Celebrations
  • THURSDAY – SUNDAY – Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Knight Theater
  • FRIDAY – Jazz N’ Soul Music Grand Celebration feat. Willie Walker & Conversation Piece at The Morehead Tavern
  • SATURDAY — “I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party” at Sports One Bar & Lounge
  • SATURDAY – The Inkblot Slam at The Fresh Shop
  • SATURDAY – LG Production’s “Pre-New Years Eve Jazz Night” feat. Paul Dozier at Loft & Cellar
  • SUNDAY — The 2018 New Years Eve Bash Old Skool Edition at Fever Nightclub
  • SUNDAY – Resolution 2K18 at Vapiano Charlotte
  • SUNDAY — Welcome 2018: A New Year’s Eve Experience at Fusion Lounge
  • MONDAY – New Years Day Slam at Petra’s
  • TUESDAY – B.Y.O.V. (Bring Your Own Vinyl) at Petra’s

 

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 28——-

On the third day of Kwanzaa, “Ujima”, the theme and principle for this day is “Collective Work & Responsibility”— “To build and maintain our community together and to make our Brother’s & Sister’s problems, our problems and to solve them together.” Kwanzaa Charlotte invites you out to Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church this evening for another glorious evening of knowledge and exploration of the subjected principle and celebration of our people. The African marketplace will open at 6 and the event will begin at 7 p.m. The church is located at 2301 Statesville Ave. in the Double Oaks Community.

Black Singles in CLT is ready to kick your weekend off this evening as they invite you out to Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar for fun that’s plenty at the “Luv N’ Henny After-Work Mixer!” Loosen those neckties, replace those pumps with flats and come relax in one of Uptown Charlotte’s most debonair establishments. Enjoy fine wines, a bevy of cocktail specials and the company of some the area’s coolest and progressive individuals! Hennessy drinks will be $7 all night long. The event begins at 6 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.   #BlackSinglesCLT

Still got a little bit of Christmas spirit in you? I’ve got just the thing for you! Everyone head out to the Knight Theater for a special remix of a Christmas staple–“The Hip-Hop Nutcracker!” The classic Tchaikovsky tale merged with some elements of hip hop culture takes stage with several dozen all-star dancers, DJ and violinist. Digital scenery transforms this timeless story of sugarplums into 1980s Brooklyn. The Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrates love, community and the magic of New Year’s Eve. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/hip-hop-nutcracker. There will be five shows this weekend and they’re listed on the listed link as well. Tonight’s show begins at 7 p.m. The Knight Theater is located at 430 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

 

 

 

——-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29——-

Kwanzaa Charlotte continues on with the fourth day of this holiday and tonight, the principle of “Ujamaa” will be honored. Translating to “Cooperative Economics”, we must strive to form our own economic independence with our community. Today’s guest hosts is Brother Wisdom Jzar and his family along with Mecklenburg County Parks & Rec. This event will feature a marketplace, lectures, performances and many other activities for the entire family. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Pruitt Rec Center. 440 Wesley Heights Way.

 

 

Black Singles in CLT has been making noise all year long but this evening, things are a little more harmoniously silent as they host the End of the Year Silent Disco! Get your groove with your choice of three stations—Top 40/Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae with some special wireless headphones. There will be $5 drink specials all night long. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/end-of-year-silent-disco-tickets-41131925697. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at FLO Bar & Lounge. 440 E. McCullough Dr. in the University Area.   #BlackSinglesCLT

 

 

2017 has been quite a huge success for the good people of Jazz N’ Soul Music and tonight, they want to cap off this amazing year with a Grand Celebration featuring Willie Walker & Conversation Piece! Come experience one of Charlotte’s finest instrumental collectives filled with rousing melodies and pulsating grooves then be sure to stick around and boogie with DJ Tut spinning the best of Classic Hip Hop, R&B, Soul and House jams! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-n-soul-music-year-end-celebration-featuring-willie-walker-conversation-piece-tickets-41526273201. The event will begin promptly at 9 p.m. at The Morehead Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.   #JazzNSoul

 

 

 

——-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30——-

Moxie Society’s 2017 has been quite phenomenal for the record books and this morning, come chill at Sports One Bar & Lounge for the “I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party!” Bring all your friends out for Charlotte’s best brunch experience one mo’ gin in 2017 as they double up on the visual and sonic creativity! First up, DJ C.K. will rock the house with his special blend of mixes as he is accompanied by the beautiful Tiffany Wilkins canvassing more energy in her captivating “Chocolate Art” series. Then, be sure to stick around as one of Charlotte’s baddest turntablists and purists, DJ Justice taking you on a ride into the far depths of music theory along with the lovely Ashley Raeneil sculpting something special for your senses. Admission is FREE, the food, drinks and $5 mimosas will be plentiful and it is definitely the place to be! 11 a.m. 521 N. College St. in Uptown.   #MoxieSociety

 

 

All my sports extremists, I’ve got something real special for you! Everyone come out to the Grand Opening Block Party of the all-new Oso Skate Park! Whether your shtick is skateboarding, in-line skating, biking BMX-style, gettin’ down on a scooter or however else, this is the event for you! There will also be an action sports and breakdancing demo, raffle prizes, food, fellowship and some funk provided by DJ’s Justin Aswell and That Guy Smitty! Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome. The event will begin at 12 noon. Oso Skate Park is located at 933 Louise Ave., Suite #109 in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 

 

Kwanzaa Charlotte and The Uhuru Sasa Restoration Academy will celebrate and discuss the fifth principle “Nia”, meaning “Purpose” this evening at Kamitic Life Center. Enjoy the traditional ceremony, followed by some lectures, visual arts performances, music and fellowship. The African Marketplace will begin at 6 and the celebration will be at 7 p.m. Bring the entire family and your friends out for this! Kamitic Life Center is located at 2719 Tuckaseegee Rd.

 

 

From the lyrics of Life Line Poetry comes an all-new spoken word experience this evening—head out to The Fresh Shop for “The Inkblot Slam!” This unique slam will highlight the continual usage of inkblots that poets witness and write what they see. Or, from an audience’s point of view, inkblots may be given to the audience to interpret and get an idea of how the poets feel about things subliminally or intentionally. It’s a multisensory exhibition that you must experience! There will be a $10 buy-in for all competitors with cash prizes given to poets who have placed. The event will be hosted by Breeze The Poet. 7 p.m. The Fresh Shop is located at 1720 Pegram St. in the NoDa District.

 

 

Join LG Productions this evening at Loft & Cellar as they close out the last Saturday of the year with Pre-New Years Eve Jazz Night! Enjoy this artsy atmosphere with great company, delicious food, tasty drinks and the riveting grooves of acclaimed contemporary jazz guitarist Paul Dozier! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pre-new-years-eve-jazz-night-tickets-41435648139. The event will begin at 9 p.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.

 

 

Get your laugh on this evening as the Queen City Omegas present another hilarious round of Comedy Night! Bring your friends out and get ready for some side-splitting humor from comedians Kenny Williams and T-Springs! Then, be sure to stick around as DJ 06 burns of 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: http://piphiomegas.org/events/comedy-gzam/. 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.

 

 

 

 

——-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31——-

From the young, vibrant mind of the lovely Hadiya Presswood comes the “Kuumba: Creativity” celebration! This sixth day of Kwanzaa will feature a traditional ceremony with local visual arts performers, speakers, a West African dance class, food, vendors, music and lots more! All ages are welcome. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kuumbacreativity-tickets-41287928305. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at KIPP Change Academy. 5431 Hickory Grove Rd.

 

 

Runningman Ent. Is ready to turn up the heat at Fever Nightclub as they are proud to present The 2018 New Years Eve Bash Old Skool Edition! Call up your crew and party it up New York-style in the QC with special performances from Hip Hop legends DJ Chuck Chillout and two of the most influential MCs to spit, the Smooth Operator, Big Daddy Kane and the Microphone Fiend himself, Rakim! Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-new-years-eve-bash-old-skool-edition-tickets-39913740071. Dress to impress. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Fever Nightclub is located at 8801 East W.T. Harris Blvd.

 

 

Join Floyd Hodge, Get Live, Ent., and A-Party Life & Friends at The Gantt Center for NYE 2018 Extravaganza Charlotte! Bring in 2018 with 3 floors full of nonstop fun with DJs Shaun Nyce aka “The Blend King”, Cuttz and Shogun spinning the best of Top 40, Classic Hip Hop, House, R&B and more! There will also be numerous perks including complimentary food and open bar packages, party favors and lots more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nye-2018-extravaganza-charlotte-nc-tickets-37708906354. Please dress to impress. The event will begin at 9 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

 

 

The good people of SociaLight and Platinum Plus Recording are proud to present to you Welcome 2018: A New Year’s Eve Experience! Ring in the new year with some hot tunes provided by DJ Unspok3n and a special guest lineup of national recording artists who have recorded at Platinum Plus Recording. The hosting venue, Fusion Lounge will provide drink specials, hookah, food and $50 Bel-Aire Champagne bottles. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/welcome-2018-a-new-years-eve-experience-tickets-40711089966 or call Raenae Thompson at (704)-953-7087 for further details. The event will begin at 9 p.m. Fusion Lounge is located at 6432 E. Independence Blvd.   #SociaLight

 

 

The creative forces of Moxie Society, Eddietainment and NxLevel Charlotte team up to bring you “Resolution 2K18!” Bring your crew down in your grown and mature attire and get down with some special guest audio pilots bringing you the best grooves from multiple eras! There will also be complimentary gourmet pizzas for VIP guests and a champagne toast for everyone at midnight. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/-resolution-2k18-new-years-eve-vapianos-uptown-sun-dec-31-1030p-tickets-31083279927. The event kicks off at 10 p.m. at Vapiano Charlotte. 201 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.   #MoxieSociety   #Eddietainment #NxLevelLifestyle

 

 

 

——-MONDAY, JANUARY 1——-

On this seventh and final day of Kwanzaa, the title of the day is “Imani” which translates to “Faith.” Join Kwanzaa Charlotte along with guest hosts, A Sign of the Times Band and Rev. Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman for a day of celebration, community, music, fellowship, worship, love and building. Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church. 6116 Monteith Dr.

 

 

It’s a new year, a new season and a new reason to give words some power. Join, local poet, cultural activist and educator Jah Smalls as he hosts the New Years Day Slam at Petra’s! Get your words in order and ready to rhyme it out in a few rounds to see who will make the slam team for the new season! All poets will compete for a grand cash prize at the end of the night—winner takes all. There will be three rounds of competition with eliminations in each round. The final four poets will advance to the last round and compete for the prize winnings. Admission is $5 for participants and spectators. Doors open at 7:30 , the slam drawing will be at 7:20 p.m. and the event will begin at 8 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #SayWord #RespectDaMic

 

 

Start 2018 on a funky foot and come out to Snug Harbor for the Knocturnal 1st of the Year Dance Cypher! B-Boys and B-Girls come get down on the dance floor and showcase your physics-defying freestyle dances for a hi-octane crowd. DJs Fleg and AlphaTrion are ready to rock the house as the dancers rock the floor and there will by cypher judges on hand. Photography and videography will be provided by Brian Twitty Photography so please be camera ready. Admission is $2 per person and please feel free to add more to the $200 cash pot prize. 9 p.m. 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 

 

——-TUESDAY, JANUARY 2——-

Black Singles in CLT is ready to kick 2018 off with a special edition of #ForTheCulture Trivia Night – everyone come and try your hand at a few rounds of Beyonce vs. Jay-Z Trivia! They are one of pop culture’s one of favorite couples, and it’s time to test your knowledge of how well you know these two icons. Also, be dance the night away with some hot tunes from DJ 06’ and enjoy a bevy of $2 beverage specials! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyonce-vs-jay-z-trivia-and-karaoke-tickets-41579914644. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Press Box Bar & Grill. 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area. #BlackSinglesCLT

 

 

Spin yourselves into 2018 with some stone cold grooves and one of my personal favorite events, B.Y.O.V. (Bring Your Own Vinyl)! Whether you have wax or not, bring your sounds, your friends and an open mind as you mellow out to a diverse selection of tunes ranging from well-known hits to avant-garde compositions. Also, my friends Diggers Delight will be in the building with lots of crates full of hot wax for purchase! Admission is FREE and your resident conductor is none other than DJ Justin Aswell. 8 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

 

 

 

COMING SOON…

1/5 – Mosaic Live First Friday

1/6 – “Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.13 + Slow Wine Edition V.4”

1/12 – 15th Annual Legacy of Black Women Film Showcase

1/13 – I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone

 

 

On behalf of the PRIDE Magazine staff, I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2018! May The Lord continue to bless you all with great riches, health and peace.  

 

 

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

 

#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst