By Shawn D. Allison, II
What’s good everyone! I hope you all have had a fantastic week. The weekend is here but Mother Nature decided to give us the cold shoulder and cool things down. Whatever the weather, I’ve found all sorts of goodies to get into this weekend. But if you want to catch the heat, peep what I got on my “Hot List” this weekend!
- THURSDAY – The Males Place 2018 Ghana Trip Fundraiser Social at Three Spirits Brewery
- THURSDAY – Global Thursdays at Vault
- FRIDAY – Soul Food Sessions’ “Holiday Funk Fest” at Project 658
- FRIDAY – Jazz N’ Soul Music presents “The Gentlemen of Jazz Tour” at The Morehead Tavern
- FRIDAY – “Christmas After Midnight” featuring Fantasia at Ovens Auditorium
- SATURDAY – Oyster Roast & Seafood Bash at Three Spirits Brewery
- SATURDAY — The Incredible Joy Bell’s Alphabet Book Release Party at The Last Word
- SATURDAY – The Philly Feast at Doghouse Bar & Grill
- SATURDAY — Elle Johnson Co. Launch Celebration & Holiday Pop-Up at Advent Coworking
- SATURDAY – No Grease Barbershop presents “The Art of Hair” at The Morehead Tavern
- SUNDAY – Classic Black Cinema Series screening of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” at The Gantt Center
- SUNDAY – Diggers Delight Pop-Up Record Swap at Tip Top Daily Market
- SUNDAY – Community Jazz Series Concert at Belmont-Abbey College
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 7——-
Join locally-owned businesses (including full-time market vendors) at the 7th Street Public Market for the 2017 Holiday Sip & Shop this afternoon! Come scope through dozens of local vendors hosting a wide variety of goods, eats, treats and all sorts of nifty stocking stuffers for your home, friends and family! There will be free sparkling wine for the first 100 guests and live music provided by Taylor Winchester. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. The 7th Street Public Market is located at 224 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
The Urban League of Central Carolinas invites you out to Project 658 for their 2017 Annual Urban League Meeting this evening! This event showcases the Urban League of Central Carolinas’ commitment to its mission through acknowledging supporters, volunteers and corporate sponsors who have contributed to the year’s success. Stakeholders and donors in the Urban League Movement experience firsthand the impact their support makes through personal testimonies of people whose lives are forever changed by their personal and financial investment in the Urban League’s program. The evening’s agenda culminates with a “State of the Urban League” address that highlights the year’s challenges, successes and future innovations. Admission is FREE to attend. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Project 658 is located at 3646 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
The mighty men and youth of The Males Place invites you out to Three Spirits Brewery to raise funds as for their upcoming Journey to Ghana 2018 trip! Bring your friends out to relax, politic, take a sip and send our youth on a trip! If you’re unable to physically make it to the event, please leave a donation at this link: https://www.themalesplace.org. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Three Spirit Brewery is located at 5046 Old Pineville Rd. #TheMalesPlace
Charlotte, get ready for one of the CRAZIEST comics coming to our city at The Comedy Zone for four days of nonstop nonsense and hilarity—the one and only, the African King of Comedy, Mr. Michael Blackson! You know his sense of humor, you know his punchlines, you know his accent—come out for a strong dose of side-splitting laughter and put some joy in your holiday season! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.cltcomedyzone.com/buy-tickets/?Page=https://public.ticketbiscuit.com/ComedyZoneCharlotte/Events/310138. Tonight’s show will begin at 7 p.m. All remaining shows and times will be listed on the link. The Comedy Zone is located at 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Get your laugh on at The Morehead Tavern and come out for another edition of “Laff It Up Thursdays!” For tonight’s show, join host and legendary funnyman Tone-X setting the stage up for the takeover by his headlining comedic comrade Mr. Rodney Perry! Also, be sure to stick around and boogie as Tab the Million Dolla DJ rocks the speakers with some of today’s and yesteryear’s hits! Tickets can be purchased here: https://moreheadtavern.primetix.com/Tickets/?perfid=1020. Doors open at 7 and the show will begin at 8 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
Africana Connections wants to put some tribal flavor in your Thursday as they invite you out to Vault for another colorful session of “Global Thursdays!” Join my good friend The Dynamic DJ Kato as he takes you on a whirlwind of sounds from across the African Diaspora with tunes ranging from Afrobeat, House, Reggae, Hip Hop, Soul, R&B, Dancehall, Indie and more! Admission is FREE before midnight but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/global-thursdays-at-vault-charlotte-in-epicentre-tickets-39236077163. The event will begin at 10 p.m. Vault is located at 210 E. Trade St. at The Epicentre in Uptown.
——-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8——-
The cool folks at Create Amazing, LLC are back in action this weekend at Apostrophe Lounge as they invite you out for the Queen City Urban Art Showcase – Paint & Play December Edition! This festive fusion of the arts will host activities such as spoken word, live painters, line dancing, music, free massages, free cupcakes and lots of laughter from local comedians! Videographers, photographers, bloggers, a live masseuse and models will round out the unique environment. The event will be hosted by comedienne and Power 104.4 radio personality Coco Lenell. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-play-season-finale-tickets-40548869761. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Kick off the holiday season with a dynamic performance from the Northwest School of the Arts advanced-level dancers for their annual Winter Dance Concert! This is the first dance production in the brand new state-of-the-art auditorium at Northwest School of the Arts and the students have been practicing long and hard to present this wonderful spectacle to the community! This event will be held tonight (12/8) and Saturday (12/9) with both shows starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nwsa-winter-dance-concert-tickets-40772930934. Northwest School of the Arts is located at 1415 Beatties Ford Rd.
The clever culinary creatives of Soul Food Sessions invite you out Project 658 for their Holiday Funk Fest this evening! You, your friends and several other dope individuals will get to experience an eclectic holiday feast from an all-Black kitchen and bar staff. Also, the smooth melodies of Groove 8 will be dropping some funky holiday tunes in your earholes all night long. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.soulfoodsessionsclt.com. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Project 658 is located at 3646 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Unity of Charlotte and The Spiritual Light Center of Charlotte invite you out for a special screening of the film “Rooted In Peace” this evening. “Rooted in Peace” challenges viewers to examine their values as Americans and human beings. Today we are at war within ourselves, with our environment, and with the world. Director and award-winning filmmaker Greg Reitman invites viewers on a film journey to take notice of the world we live in, proactively seek ways to find peace. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooted-in-peace-screening-tickets-39734344494. Doors open at 7 p.m. and will be held at Unity of Charlotte. 401 E. Arrowood Rd.
The brothers of Jazz N’ Soul Music invite you out to The Morehead Tavern this evening for a very special treat—The Gentlemen of Jazz Tour! Featuring Philadelphia’s David P. Stevens (Mr. Guitar) and the multi-talented Columbia, SC-based saxophonist Dante Lewis, get ready for an evening of instrumental excellence from these two fine-tuned dynamos! Get your tickets because you do not want to miss this! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gentlemen-of-jazz-tour-guitarist-david-p-stevens-saxophonist-dante-lewis-tickets-39172105823. There will be two shows this evening: 7 and 10 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St.
The sultry and soulful siren Fantasia wants to make spirits brighter at Ovens Auditorium in her holiday showcase, “Christmas After Midnight!” Come and spend the evening with Fantasia and special guest vocalist and actress Demetria McKinney as they soothe your souls with a medley of your favorite holiday songs. Tickets start at $59.50 and can be purchased here: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/fantasia-christmas-after-midnight-charlotte-north-carolina-12-08-2017/event/0E005349A7D97DFE. The event will begin at 8 p.m. Ovens Auditorium is located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd.
The Sol Kitchen wants to add some holiday joy to your Friday night as they proudly present The 8th Annual Holiday Gathering at Suite! Gather all of your friends and come party with the people as DJ Shaun Nyce aka “The Blend King” and DJ Schemes rock out with the best of Hip Hop, House, Soul, R&B and lots more! Also, please be sure to bring nonperishable food items, clothes and toys for our less fortunate neighbors. Doors open at 9:30 and admission is FREE before 11 p.m. Suite is located at 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.
——-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9——-
Hey Boy Scouts, I’ve got something cool lined up for you this morning! Grab your parents and have them bring you down to Charlotte Community ToolBank for the Pinewood Derby Build Day! Volunteers will help you and your Scout design, cut, sand, modify and paint his car into a super speeder. Every Scout must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or Scout Leader. If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Krueger at maureen.krueger@toolbank.org or call (704)-469-5800. Admission is $5 for tool access and an additional $4 for a car kit. The building begins at 9 a.m. Charlotte Community ToolBank is located at 2513 S. Tryon St. in Historic South End.
Talented Girls in Action cordially invites you to their first-ever Holiday Brunch Benefit this morning! Guest will enjoy an intimate indoor gathering at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Main Library Branch. This brunch will include a casual meet and greet with TGIA participants and board members. In addition, guests will be invited to take part in games and learn different ways TGIA is making a difference in the Charlotte community. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tgia-holiday-brunch-benefit-tickets-39735757721. The event will begin at 10 a.m. The Main Library is located at 310 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Youth and adults, bring all your friends and family out to Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church for the ACTSO Workshop this morning! ACTSO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technical & Science Olympic) invites the community out to this fun-filled workshop where they will discuss making your personal goals and dreams a reality. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 10 a.m. 401 N. McDowell St. in Uptown.
Have you been craving some fresh seafood and beer? If so, Three Spirits Brewery invites you out to their Oyster Roast & Seafood Bash this afternoon! Co-hosted with SouthEast Crab Feast, this event will feature ocean fresh NC coast oysters, Alaskan Snow Crab Legs, shrimp, blue crabs, gumbo, Fish & Chips and fresh-brewed Three Spirits Brewery beer, wine and/or cider. Admission is $5 per person and can tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oyster-roast-seafood-bash-three-spirits-brewery-tickets-39709812117. Prices of each meal will vary. The event will begin at 12 noon. Three Spirits Brewery is located at 5046 Old Pineville Rd.
From the brilliant mind of the beautiful Carlisha Jordan comes a celebration of her newest work of art–The Incredible Joy Bell’s Alphabet Book Release Party! Come out for an afternoon of literature and community and explore the mischievous world of the Joy Bell and all of her adventures! This book will make an awesome stocking stuffer for your little ones and their friends—be sure to grab a copy! There will be refreshments and arts & crafts for the little ones. Also, the first person to purchase a book will receive a special gift basket filled with all sorts of cool treats! The event will begin at 12 noon at The Last Word. 5744 N. Tryon St.
This afternoon at the Hickory Grove Library Branch, one of Charlotte’s baddest ensembles, A Sign of he Times Band will perform music from the African Diaspora, including Latin, Jazz, classic Rhythm & Blues and Funk! Their repertoire swings and transports listeners to the days of Dizzy, Bird, Miles and Sassy as well as Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, the Stylistics, Etta James and James Brown. Each musical story is told with authenticity and reverence to the great ones that came before us. Bring the entire family out to experience this musical delight! Admission is FREE. To RSVP call Hickory Grove Library at (704)-416-4400. The performance will begin promptly at 2 p.m. 5935 Hickory Grove Rd.
Charlotte, come get a taste of the City of Brotherly Love at Doghouse Bar & Grill as they host “The Philly Feast” this afternoon! Boasting to have the best Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches in the QC, your taste buds will be in a frenzy as they serve up hearty samples of their five most popular Philly sandwiches—Regular or Jerk Chicken, Regular Steak, Steak & Beef Sausage or the Salmon & Shrimp sandwich! Mayonnaise, cheese and onions will be on each sample, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase as well and there will be some cool giveaways during the event. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-philly-feast-tickets-40115249792. The feast will begin at 2 p.m. Doghouse Bar & Grill is located at 7200 Albemarle Rd.
Elle VJ has been on a serious roll for 2017 and tonight, come be part of her newest venture as she presents the Elle Johnson Co. Launch Celebration & Holiday Pop-Up! Spend your evening with some stylish individuals as you witness the grand opening of Elle’s brand of botanical-based skin care line and some holiday shopping featuring a host of local vendors and merchants. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elle-johnson-co-launch-celebration-holiday-pop-up-tickets-39621899167. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Advent Coworking. 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #ElleVJ
Listen, you know you’ve seen and heard some crazy stuff while you’re at church—and it’s perfectly normal to laugh! Well this evening, get ready for some more Gospel-themed guffaws as All Nations Charlotte is proud to present the “Church Folks Need To Laugh Too Comedy Show!” Bring all your tithes and offerings in the form of laughter to the storehouse and get ready to get your sides split with Nuff Ced, Big Wen, Small Fire and Tim Shropshire who will serve as host for the evening! Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/church-folks-need-to-laugh-too-tickets-38902430216. Doors open at 7 p.m. All Nations Charlotte is located at 201 Grandin Rd. in the Seversville Community.
The creative crowns at No Grease Barbershop invite you out to The Morehead Tavern for a festive fair of fanciful follicles entitled, “The Art of Hair!” Experience an evening of artful expression through spoken word, exotic hairstyles, live music from The Tre’ King Band and lots more! The esteemed Johnson Brothers and Tre’jae will serve as your hosts for the evening. Admission is FREE to enter and enjoy. The event will begin at 8 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
Spend your Saturday evening with some sophisticated and dapper brothers and sisters at The Gantt Center as The Grays and V-101.9 host The Grays Holiday Party! This stylist soiree will serve as a fundraiser benefitting programs for The Gantt Center. Your ticket for this festive evening includes delectable sweets and savory treats, a specialty drink, live music, lots of dancing to the sounds of the in-house DJ and more throughout this evening. Tickets are $60 each and can be purchased here: https://get.crowntickets.com/ordertickets.asp?p=881&backurl=default.asp. The dress code is mature. The event will begin at 8 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Get ready to bust a move at Press Box Bar & Grill this Saturday as Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment presents “Swagga Saturdays!” Come feel the flavor with Charlotte’s premiere Go-Go band, Uptown Swagga and more great tunes provided by Doo Tek 9 Movements. Admission is $10 before 11 p.m. and the party starts at 9 p.m. Press Box is located at 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area.
This evening, join the gorgeous Dani Outen of OutenLove Events and Charlotte In Crowd as they host another fly edition of “The Mixer!” This social platform has emerged into one of the largest and most successful young professional networking groups in Charlotte! Be sure to knock out some networking, meet some fly individuals and then show your stuff on the dance floor as The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Heff rocks out with some Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae classics! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-featured-mixer-december-edition-2017-tickets-40891203691. The fun starts at 10 p.m. at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar. 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
——-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10——-
Spend your Sunday in one of Charlotte’s most beloved neighborhoods and bring the entire family out to Midwood Market as they host the Return of Holiday Central! A portion of Commonwealth Ave. will be blocked off so you and your family can pop into your favorite Plaza-Midwood businesses to grab a bite to eat, break with a beverage and shop local with over 50 vendors and artisans! The event will be capped off with a very special Christmas tree lighting at Pizza Peel! Admission is FREE to attend and will begin at 1 p.m. Midwood Market is located at 2008 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
This afternoon, join Mr. Felix Curtis for the final installment of Classic Black Cinema Series for 2017! For today’s feature, come and view one of literature’s most beloved works adapted for the screen, Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Starring Halle Berry and Michael Ealy, this story chronicles free-spirited Janie Crawford’s search for happiness as it leads her through several different marriages, challenging the morals of her small town. The film screening is FREE with museum admission. The screening will begin promptly at 2 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown. #CBCS
If you love music like I love music, spin yourselves over to Tip Top Daily Market for another rotation of the Diggers Delight Pop-Up Record Swap! Whether you’re fiending for some Funk, Jazz, Soul or some totally outer-worldly sonic frequencies, local cultural enthusiasts and activists Flock & UNTAMD are ready to rock the spot and deal out some dynamite dopeness! Also, be sure to check out the crates from Premium Sound with more musical madness for your minds and grab a bite to eat from a fresh batch of Pepperbox Doughnuts. 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. #DiggersDelight
This afternoon, take a short drive down to Belmont and come out for the Community Jazz Series Concert! Elements of Empowerment, Inc. and Belmont-Abbey College have collaborated to bring you this festive soundscape full of music and fellowship. For your featured act, come and hear the soulful sounds of A Sign of the Times Band. Elements of Empowerment’s mission is to foster cultural awareness, acceptance, and preservation by educating, enriching, and empowering communities through artistic cultural programs, presentations and events. Each show will feature two 45-minute sets, with a brief intermission, followed by a reception. Admission is $10. Donations and ticket purchases can be made here: https://www.givelify.com/givenow/1.0/MjMwMzc=/selection. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and will be held at Haid Theater at Belmont-Abbey College. 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd.
The Charlotte HOUSE Movement is ready to give you some hi-energy flavor on this Sunday afternoon as they invite you out to Heist Brewery for Euphoria Sundays Holiday Red & White House Party! Feel the spirit in your red and white threads as DJs Tony Essence, Johnnie Davis and special guest, House Therapy’s very own DJ Tony Gray proceeds to pump the atmosphere will all of your favorite House, Deep House, Soul, Funk and Boogie classic jams! Grab your friends, grab some food and drinks, grab a spot on the dance floor and get ready to lose yourselves! Admission is FREE to attend, however a $5 donation will go towards helping out our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Please make donations here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-charlotte-house-movement-euphoria-sundays-tickets-38027271593. The party starts at 4 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
NC Dance District invites you to feel the rhythm at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square as they proudly present their 5th Annual Project: Full Out! Come get an eyeful of Charlotte’s hottest dance showcase which also serves to raise scholarship funds for local aspiring dancers. Filled with Hip Hop-inspired energy, music, dance and live performances, it’ll be sure to cause you to get up and dance in the aisles! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/charlottes-5th-annual-project-full-out. Doors open at 6:30 and the show will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
COMING SOON…
12/16 – Black Entrepreneurship Day Charlotte
12/16 – Book Release Party for “Infatuation Pt.2 – Dareen’s Revenge”
12/16 — AfroPop! Charlotte Vol.17: Holiday Edition
12/17 — “My Favorite Things” Christmas Special w/John Dillard & Friends
12/17 — The Christmas Christian Queens of Comedy
12/23 – The BLACK Christmas Party
12/31 – Resolution 2K18
1/6 — Off the Wall “Best of the 80s V.13 + Slow Wine Edition”
1/15 – Food Lion presents 2018 MLK Day Celebration
Everyone be sure to bundle up and bundle up each other with love this weekend! Peace.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst