By Shawn Allison
Greetings my Brothers & Sisters! I hope that you all have had a progressive and positive week so far. Here’s your chance to kick back, relax and enjoy the city with a couple of cool Monday activities to indulge in too!
THURSDAY, July 7
Kick off your Thursday evening in an island-themed cool down known as “Red, Red Wine.” Join S. Kehinde& DJ Corporate at Vin Master Wine Lounge. Bring your friends out, enjoy great drink specials and let the sounds of Caribbean, Reggae, African, Soca and Lover’s Rock tunes soothe you. Admission is FREE. 6 p.m. Vin Master Wine Lounge is located at 2000 South Blvd. in Historic South End.
Got a lot on your mind? Do you need a mature and understanding platform to vent your frustrations with life, relationships and the like? I’ve got just the thing for you! Join Christian Life Coach, Tina L. Jones and fellow Pride Magazine Online Contributor, and Certified Professional Life Coach Eddie D. Love as they host “Therapy Thursdays @ Bar Louie.” Admission is FREE to attend, but please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/therapy-thursdays-at-bar-louie-tickets-26206411081. 7 p.m. Bar Louie is located at 8760 J.M. Keynes Dr. in the University Area.
One of literature’s most beloved tales will take place on stage with an entirely new and fresh adaptation! Click your heels three times and bring your family down to the Belk Theater @ Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for a run of special performances of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz!” This show will continue from today, Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10. Ticket purchases can be made here: http://www.blumenthalarts.org Tonight’s show begins at 7:30 with the doors opening at 7 p.m. The Belk Theater is located at 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Enjoy a fine evening outdoors in the setting Summer sun and bring your friends and colleagues out for “Cocktails & Gardens at The Duke Mansion.” Take a load off at one of the city’s most pristine and prestigious plots of land and take in the sights of beautiful botanical arrangements, architecture and more! Admission to this evening is FREE and it begins at 5 p.m. The Duke Mansion is located at 400 Hermitage Rd. in the Cherry Neighborhood.
FRIDAY, July 8
At ImaginOn late this morning, parents pleas bring the children out for the new and fun workshop entitled, “Rookie Science: Amazing Colors.” Your youth will discover the world of science thought books, hands-on educational activites and experiments! There will be demonstrations that will display many unique and colorful experiements that are as dazzling to the eye as they are easy to do at home. Admission is FREE and the workshop begins at 11 a.m. ImaginOn is located at 300 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
This evening, take s short drive to the nearby town of Cornelius and head over to the Oak Street Mill as they host their “Second Friday Street Festival.” This monthly Street Festival will feature many of the area’s most talented and innovative artists and craftsmen while showcasing a fabulous lineup of entertainment including local bands, performance groups, live art demonstrations and much more! Local businesses will be offering special sales and incentives to event guests, who can also enjoy a variety of food & drinks from local breweries and food trucks. There will be live performances from local bands The Hawthornes and Toxic Spouse, a live painting from Shane Manier and food trucks Tiger Yakitori and Food Freaks of NC to satisfy your stomach’s desires. Admission to the event is FREE and it begins at 6 p.m. Oak Street Mill is located at 19725 Oak St. in Cornelius, 28031.
Put on your fresh pair of Pumas or Adidas classics and breakdance your way down to Spirit Square for Free Movie Night! Tonight’s feature is the 1984 cult and hip hop culture classic, “Beat Street.” If you love hip hop culture and want to introduce your children to it, I highly suggest this film for you! Also, there will be a Lip Sync Battle hosted by the With These Handz DJ Academy. If you choose to participate in the battle, please sign up here: http://www.withthesehandz.com/#!lipsync-competition-registration/cacs. Bring your friends, family and lawn chairs! The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
If you are in the mood for some true jazz musicianship, head out to Blu Notes for another fresh evening of “Straight-Ahead Jazz Fridays.” Tonight’s guest is the multi-talented Dwayne Jordan Group. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing them on several occasions and every single time I am just totally amazed by this group’s brilliant and vivid energy! There will be two shows this evening, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Admission is $4 per show. Blu Notes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
This evening, get ready to have your senses wowed and stupefied as homegrown magician Hayden Childress presents his illusory show, “Haydini: Rare Magic Well Done.” Haydini is a 22 year old entertainer who specializes in the art of magic and sleight of hand, mentalism, theater, and comedy. He has won multiple awards from reputable magic organizations nationwide such as the Society of American Magicians, and has been gaining popularity for his original and offbeat-style magic show. There will be two performances: Friday, 7/8 and Saturday, 7/9, both starting at 8 p.m., sharp. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/haydini. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. Both performances will be held at The Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Slide out to The Tavern as Jazz N’ Soul in conjunction with local jazz maestro and enthusiast, Mayhue Bostic as they proudly present, “SPECTRUM: Funky Jazz With a Shot of Pop & Soul!” Hear this all-new concoction of some of the city’s most talented musicians channel the legendary sounds of The Crusaders, Johnny Guitar Watson, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Ramsey Lewis and many more! If you have never heard these brothers jam before, you are truly missing out! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spectrum-july-2016-funky-jazz-with-a-shot-of-pop-and-soul-tickets-26317251608. The show begins promptly at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
For five funky, fly and fresh years, the good people of The JETA Team have been making serious nostalgic noise around the Queen City providing arguably the best flavors of music known to mankind. This evening, bring your entire posse out and celebrate as they host “Off The Wall – Fab 5 Year Anniversary!” Join four of the city’s most heralded turntablists: DJ Aking Allah, DJ Justice, The Mighty DJ DR and the lovely DJ Lunchbeats as they take you on a soundscape with the best of Golden Era Hip Hop, The Funk, Soul, R&B, Reggae, House, Pop, Rare Grooves and more! Dress code is fresh. Admission is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. Starts at 9 p.m. and will be held at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #TheJETATeam
SATURDAY, July 9
If you want to learn how to create some delicious Summertime beverages for you and your company, head over to Earl’s Grocery this afternoon as premiere Charlotte bartender Bob Peters hosts “Mixology With Brothers Vigalys Spirits.” Indulge in the flavors of Summer of Locals and Durham-based, Brothers Vigalys Spirits as Mr. Peters will create tasty cocktails with honey-based spirits. Admission is FREE to attend. The workshop begins at 2:30 p.m., but please get there early because spots will fill up quickly. Earl’s Grocery is located at 1609 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.
This afternoon, get fresh and fly and head down to ‘Stache House Bar & Lounge as host Terry Berry of TerryBerry Events presents “The Summer Time Fine Day Party!” Put on your summer colors and fabrics and get ready to storm the dance floor as DJ Ngenius rocks the 1’s and 2’s. Ladies are FREE. Begins 4 p.m. ‘Stache House is located at 1520 South Blvd., Suite #120 in Historic South End.
Early this evening, head down to Romare Bearden Park for another fun and relaxing edition of “Bearden Music Series.” The guest for this event is the Durham-based Mint Julep Jazz Band. They are a rather unique ensemble with a rousing, but relaxing vibe and you will be sure to enjoy them. So please bring out your friends, family, some blankets and lawn chairs and relax with the coolness this evening. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 6 p.m. Romare Bearden Park is located at 300 S. Church St. in Uptown.
This evening, come out to Studio 1212 and experience a whirlwind spectacle of color, energy and creative vigor at the UrbanZueVisual Jungle! Urbanzue is the largest underground art movement in the Queen City and this art gallery is a poised to be a showcase unlike any other. This art showcase will feature over a dozen of upcoming visual artists, musicians, photographers, dancers, body painters and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urbanzue-art-gallery-visual-jungle-tickets-25794907262. The event begins at 6 p.m. Studio 1212 is located at 1212 E.10th St. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #UrbanZue
Things are looking a little ‘hue-rific’ at The White House this evening. With that being said, you are invited to “Second Saturdays All White Glow Party!” Get your groove on the dance floor as DJ Madd Flexx rocks the good tunes all night long and come a socialize with all of the co-ed Glow Body Painted models! Tickets can be purchased at: http://ssallwhiteglowparty.eventbrite.com. The party begins at 10 p.m. The White House is located at 4809 Wilkinson Blvd.
SUNDAY, July 10
This afternoon, head out to C3 Lab and join host and acclaimed creative, the lovely and multitalented Bree Stallings as she hosts an art class entitled “Collaged Portraiture Workshop.” Come and explore texture, print, pattern, shape and light in this workshop where you will experiment with collage as a basis for painted portraits.Working in acrylic colors with glue, tape, magazine clippings, recyclables, jewelry, found objects, anything you can think of. Bring a photo portrait to be used for reference (only one person in the photo, up close and personal with abundant color), any collage materials you wish to incorporate, and a larger canvas. The admission for the class is $55 and can be purchased here: http://www.c3-lab.com/classes-workshops/collaged-po. The class begins at 1 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Back spinning again this afternoon, come out to the Tip Top Daily Market for another musical explorative edition of “Digger’s Delight Pop-Up Record Swap!” Music lovers, vinyl enthusiasts and collectors come out and dig in the crates for some unheard albums ranging from Soul, Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, Rock, Jazz and much more! You can bring some of your own collection in to swap or make a purchase for some. Also, Pepperbox Doughnuts will be on hand with some fresh, delicious pastries for your delight! The digging begins at 2 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District
Stretch those arms, legs, minds and wallets and channel yourselves down to Dupp& Swat this afternoon for “GIVE – Charity Yoga Fundraiser.” Join local ‘help-preneur’ and founder of CrossRoads, Jania Massey in her journey of raising $20,000 for her creation designed to aid in the revitalization of the Grier Heights Community. Also, there will be a yoga session conducted by local hairstylist, instructor and creative, Kelley Carboni-Woods. The event begins at 2 p.m. Dupp& Swat is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
This afternoon, get your blood flowing at The Harvey B. Gantt Center of African-American Arts + Culture and join local actress, choreographer, vocalist and creative, Soumayah as she hosts an Afro-Fusion Dance class! Afro-Fusion is described as a high-energy dance designed to awaken your nerves and have you feel a rhythm unlike any other. This class is FREE with museum admission, but you must RSVP here: http://www.gantcenter.org/calendar/afro-fusion-dance-0710/. The class begins at 3 p.m., sharp. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
So you’ve decided to branch out on your own but don’t really know how to utilize the tools and skills to build? Look no further. This evening, come out to Studio PYNK Suites and join hosts, iDeal Management and Lust Lane Styles as they host an informative workshop entitled, “Maximize Your Brand.” Admission is $10 and can be paid at the door. 6 p.m. Studio PYNK Suites is located at 9640 S. Tryon St. in the Steele Creek Area.
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 and local creative, Chosen the Poet as she intertwines your mind with a host of original works of her fierce spoken word repertoire. Also, for the featured act, please welcome Richmond, VA and King of the South Poetry Champion, Breeze ILifeThis. If you want to know why he was crowned champion, come out and hear for yourself. Advance tickets can be purchased here for $10: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/verbal-expressions-10673720668, or for $15 at the door. The event begins at 7 p.m. Chima is located at 139 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
MONDAY, July 11
Parents, if you’re looking for a unique summer camp to place the young crumb snatchers in this summer, head down to Paint Craze as enroll them in the “Whimsical Works Paint Craze Kids Camp!” Your child(ren) will have a chance to unleash their creativity at the camp and they will explore hands-on activities that will inspire imagination, curiosity and individuality. Everyday they will be able to embark on a unique creative experience, learn new skiils and create original projects. This camp is recommended for children ages 8-12. Also, please provide each child with a non-perishable snack for each day. Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.paintcraze/events/view/july-1115-whimsical-works-practice-kids-camp-115. The camp will be instructed by resident creative Leslie Shrum. The camp will be held at Paint Craze Park Road Charlotte which is located at 4950 Park Rd. in the South Park Area.
Join local spoken word and community activism duo, Grannae’s Boyz as they host a writing workshop and open mic at 360 Lounge this evening. These workshops will cover various aspects and avenues of creative writing which includes songwriting workshops. Admission is only $5 to attend. The workshop begins at 7 p.m. 360 Lounge is located at 7030 Smith Corners Blvd. in the Northlake Area. #SayWord
Let us remember and honor those who have perished due to senseless violence and remember to keep their names and families lifted in prayer. Also, as always, pleas spread some love to a stranger this weekend! Peace…
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior
#TheBlackFerrisBueller