By Shawn D. Allison, II
Greetings family! School is out and I know that you as parents are probably exhausted from this school year. But have no fear – I, The Black Ferris Bueller have found a few cool and relaxing digs for you to indulge in this weekend! So celebrate another year of your child’s successes and celebrate new life and good times as you head into the Summer! If you really want to know where the true dopeness lies this weekend, check out my “Hot List”, you dig?
- THURSDAY—SUNDAY – Brand New Sherriff Productions’ Annual Cheesesteak Fundraiser
- THURSDAY – Dapper Street Productions presents “The Color of Jazz: El Shafer plays Miles Davis”
- FRIDAY – Art After Dark at The Gantt Center
- FRIDAY – AfroPop Charlotte: The Block Party at Camp North End, Vol. 3
- FRIDAY — PURPLE NOTE 4: Celebrating The Life Of Prince Through Jazz
- FRIDAY — A King & A Prince w/ Mad Skillz at Crown Station
- FRIDAY — Blow Your Head w/ Chief Rocka Aking + up/dn Ensemble at Snug Harbor
- SATURDAY — School’s Out Teen Bash #NoCap Party at McCrorey Family YMCA
- SATURDAY – Summer Dreams Day Party at QC Social Lounge
- SATURDAY — HousingFest – A Concert to End Homelessness
- SATURDAY – Repainted Tomorrow at Tip Top Daily Market
- SATURDAY – RECESS MUSIC FESTIVAL at Oso Skate Park
- SUNDAY — Jerk Chicken N Waffles Brunch — Hello Summer 2019
- SUNDAY – Classic Black Cinema Series screening of “No Way Out” at The Gantt Center
- SUNDAY – Mature Singles Mixer
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, JUNE 6——-
Get your appetites ready for a weekend of purposeful good eatin’ as Rory D. Sheriff of Brand New Sheriff Productions invites you to “par-taste” in his Annual Cheesesteak Fundraiser! Join Rory as he transforms into his alter ego “Chef Homeboy” serving up his hometown’s delightful delicacy – the coveted Philly Cheesesteak! The goal of this fundraiser is to make 500 sandwiches to support Brand New Sheriff Productions so they can keep the narrative of our community in rotation. Each beef or chicken sandwich is $12 with options of mayonnaise, ketchup, onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers and marinara sauce. Be sure to e-mail your orders and pickup/delivery options to: BrandNewSheriff@gmail.com.
Slide into the weekend on a mellow vibe and grab your friends and glide down to Loft & Cellar for Midweek Mimosas this evening! Come relax and enjoy a variety of meal and cocktail specials including $5 Mimosas and Bellinis along with $7 slushies. And for your audible grooves, Dammit Wesley transforms his painter canvas into a set of turntables giving your ears some smoothed out Ambient, Deep House, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop and R&B tunes to enjoy. FREE admission. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.
Dapper Street Productions returns for the month of June with another installment of its heralded Color Of Jazz Series. For tonight’s episode, feel the energy of one of Charlotte’s most prolific and creative hormblowers, the trumpet man El Shafer paying homage to the late, great Miles Davis. You may know Miles, but if you don’t know El, you’re in for a very special treat! His innate ability to transform basic notes and scales into a colorful spectrum of avant-garde sound and melody will definitely keep your ears yearning for more. Admission is FREE to attend and all ages are welcome. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Mallard Creek Rec Center. 2530 Johnston Oheler Rd. in the University Area.
Everyone head down to The McColl Center for Art + Innovation for their 2019 Summer Open House Reception this evening! Expect art everywhere as you meet the new artists-in-residence: Chris Clamp, Troy Dugas, Carmen Neely, Lauren Rosenthal McManus, s/n (featuring Jennida Chase and Hassan Pitts) and Gregory Thielker – get an inside look at their work, process for creativity and other cool elements about their being. There will also be the feature of a new interactive art exhibition entitled, “New Works / Alumni Three” and accompanying ambient grooves provided by DJ Bo White on the 1s and 2s. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://53393.blackbaudhosting.com/53393/Open-House-06Jun2019. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Get your laugh on at Stats Restaurant & Bar and come out for the February 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, funnyman TK Kirkland! Also, be sure to stick around and boogie as Tab the Million Dollar DJ rocks the speakers with some of today’s and yesteryear’s hits! Tickets can be purchased here: https://yspros.com/product-category/tickets/?fbclid=IwAR0OK0g8pP-GOM4niULZGMno6RyxueFTBHSacjwN-aBcL3lB_Ohys2XdZR0. Doors open at 7 and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
The hilarious local theatre troupe Charlotte Squawks is back for 2019 with their latest project, Charlotte Squawks 15: Quackceañera! Who is Charlotte Squawks you ask? Simply put, it’s the satire of Saturday Night Live mixed with Broadway, welded with the socioeconomic climate of the Queen City. The creative duo of Mike Collins and Brian Kahn collaborates with the area’s most talented performers to parody current events, pop culture, sports, life and politics on a local and national medium. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.carolinatix.org/…/charlotte-squawks-15-quackcea…. There will be three performances this weekend: Thursday (5/30) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (5/31) at 8 p.m. and Saturday (6/1) at 8 p.m. All performances will be held at The Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The address is 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
——FRIDAY, JUNE 7——-
Celebrate Black Music Month at The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture as they extend a super funky invitation to you for Art After Dark! Get in the mix with all sorts of creative networking, art showcases, guided tours, fun workshops, live music and much more! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-after-dark-june-7-2019-tic…. The jump off is at 6 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Summer 2019 is almost here and this Friday, come bring in the heat at AfroPop! Charlotte: The Block Party at Camp North End, Vol. 3! Beat the August heat and come cool down with all the cool folks with some delicious food, a multitude of vendors, fellowshipping, dancing and much more! Your sound engineers for the evening are Raw Substance’s DJ Charles Gatling, DJ Steel Wheel and The Dynamic DJ Kato! Afrobeats, Soca, Dancehall, AfroHouse, Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Reggae, Hip Hop, R&B and more will be featured, along with amazing African drums to enhance the soundtrack! Come out, grab a plate, grab a dance partner and get free! This event is presented by Africana Connections, DRC ApeParel and Nappy Luv. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-the-block-pa…. The party starts at 6 p.m. at Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave.
Tonight, follow the purple brick road over to NoDa and stop at The Neighborhood Theater and get ready as The Sol Kitchen and TiMar Entertainment proudly presents PURPLE NOTE 4: Celebrating The Life Of Prince Through Jazz! Drift into the world of one His Royal Badness on his bornday with a rousing selection of purple-infused improvisational jazz grooves from The XMEN featuring more royal melodies from NPG hornblowers Lynn Grissett, Joey Mayfield and hometown hero Adrian Crutchfield along with special guests Johnny Fung, Law Jones, Mercury Carter and the super soulful sounds of the one & only Shelby J.! Also, be sure to stick around as one of Charlotte’s FINEST — DJ That Guy Smitty rocks out with a fly selection of #EarholeGoodness featuring Prince’s hits, B-sides, rarities, bootlegs, remixes and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1842041. Doors open at 7:30 and the jammin’ starts at 8:30 p.m. The Neighborhood Theatre is located at 511 E. 36th St. in the NoDa District.
Mr. 305 Entertainment is ready to liven up your Friday night by going back in time at the 80s vs. 90s – First Friday Edition! It’s the battle of the decades when our music was everything and DJ Tramare aka “Hot Rod” is ready to rock on the wheels of steel giving your ears the biggest hits of yesteryear’s Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Soul, Funk and much more! This jam will be hosted by Sube, The Superman Lovah. 80s and 90s attire is encouraged. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80s-vs-90s-party-1st-friday-edition-tickets-62031780726. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Stats Restaurant & Bar. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
If you want to experience some different sonic flavor this Friday night, come out to Snug Harbor for Blow Your Head w/ Chief Rocka Aking + up/dn Ensemble! My good brothers of Blow Your Head, Flock of Slagles, Jah Freedom and special guest Chief Rocka Aking Allah will be spinning an entire vinyl set of Funk, Soul, Boogie, Garage, House and Rare Grooves for your listening pleasures! Also, get ready to have your ears rocked by the sounds of up/dn – using audio / visual tools of organics and synthesis, this creative collective defies categorization and blurs the lines of genre construct conjuring a stirring a roux of inflection and sonic textures in an effort create a visceral experience for the beholder. Admission is FREE to attend and be ready to dance! The event starts at 10 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
And for your final jam for this funked-out Friday, head on down to Crown Station for the ULTIMATE musical royalty mashup — A King & A Prince w/ Mad Skillz! Whether you’re a gravity-defying moonwalker or a paragon of purple prominence, get down on the dance floor as Mad Skillz blends and mixes TONS of hits, remixes, B-sides, albums cuts, rarities and much more from two of our biggest cultural icons, Michael Jackson & Prince! Admission is $10 all night long. Presented by: The Sol Kitchen, Radio Rehab Carolinas and Jasiatic of Su Casa. 10 p.m. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——-SATURDAY, JUNE 8——-
Young ladies, add some sunlight in your life at the Brunch & Tech presented by Sol Nation this morning! Moms, aunties, cousins and grannies grab your favorite girl and step into the world of coding! This event is geared to build sisterhood, break bread, talk tech and even participate in a few coding activities! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sol-nation-brunch-tech-tickets…. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Hygge Coworking at Camp North End. 330 Camp Rd. #SolNation
The A.L. Harper Foundation, Inc. invites you out to Blue Cross NC Charlotte Center for the Attending an HBCU Lunch & Learn Seminar this morning. Come learn more about the history & significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, application choices based on career interests, and the financial aid process. This workshop is open to those interested in attending HBCUs, their parents/guardians, and high school counselors. It will be presented by Adrian Lanett Harper – Founder & CEO of The A.L. Harper Foundation and DeMarius Sullivan – Board Chair. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/attending-an-hbcu-lunch-learn-registration-60502625983. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. 5349 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.
SociaLight, Inc. along with Cheese & Broccoli Ent. is ready to set your Summer off right with the School’s Out Teen Bash #NoCap Party! Come get your party on with all the coolest kids in the QC as Charlotte’s hottest and premier teen turntablist DJ Ninja Kydd spins all of your favorite jams of today and yesteryear! There will be special prizes for best boy and girl dancer, pizza slices for purchase and other tasty refreshments to enjoy! Tickets must be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/schools-out-teen-bash-nocap-tickets-58820919955. The fun starts at 1 p.m. at McCrorey Family YMCA. 3801 Beatties Ford Rd.
Moxie Society is back for some daytime flavor as they proudly present the Summer Dreams Day Party! Relax in the comforts in one of Uptown’s hottest spots as Power 98’s very own Mr. Incognito spins an incredible blend of hits, classic and lots more surprises! There will also be a complimentary Hennessy tasting available. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-dreams-day-party-qc-social-tickets-61827287080. The jump off is at 3 p.m. at QC Social Lounge. 300 N. College St. in Uptown. #MoxieSociety
Smooth jazz and smooth wines combine flavors at a special Bonejazz Concert at Seven Jars Distillery this afternoon! Enjoy some deluxe hand-crafted spirits from this hidden Charlotte gem as you become intoxicated from the smooth melodies local music dignitaries, trombonist Buff Dillard and sax man Derwin Friday laying down the groove with a bevy of classic Jazz, R&B and Soul tunes. Tickets can be purchased here: https://api.time.ly/events/30147963/checkout. The event will begin at 3 p.m. Seven Jars Distillery is located at 6148 Brookshire Blvd.
Music is the motion to move and this afternoon, it will serve its purpose for upward mobility at the 2019 HousingFest – A Concert to End Homelessness! Come out to enjoy a night of live music and artwork as R&B vocalist Robyn Springer’s soulful voice will fills the Charlotte Art League as you visit artists’ studios and see some of the latest artwork coming from Urban Ministry Center’s ArtWorks 945 program. Tip Top Daily Market will generously be providing beer available for purchase, with proceeds supporting affordable housing and local art and they will also be collecting cleaning supplies individuals who are living in housing with no income. Admission is $10 per person. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Charlotte Art League is located at 4100 Raleigh St.
Join my friends Diggers Delight and the Vacation Pay crew as the proudly present the June installment of Repainted Tomorrow this evening! This half beat show/half live painting hybrid showcase will feature the sonic stylings of local MC JaH-Monte Ọgbọn along with Trillwave, Saint James and Wu Salim. Additional sonic frequencies will be provided by resident musicians Axnt, FllS and Simon SMTHNG. Hosted by Peculiar Hippie. Admission is FREE but donations will be accepted. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Tip Top Daily Market. 2921 The Plaza Rd.
School may be out and it time to play, but come and be free in the realm of youthful creative energy at the RECESS MUSIC FESTIVAL! Fresh off the textbooks, come and take a look at the QC’s hottest collective of MCs — PWRTRP performing live! Filled with a colorful cornucopia of clever rhymes, fresh beats and energetic personas, you’ll be sure to reminisce on your rhyming days of yesteryear in high school. Hitting the stage tonight will be the PWRTRP Crew: Xailin, PURE’, NoNchalant, Buddafly Naps, Legacy and a special collaborative performance from Josh Krider! Admission is $ 5 per person — either cash at the door or CashApp: $PWRTRPCLT. Also, PWRTRP’s newly-released EP will be on sale (digital download or CD) for $5. The jump off is at 8pm at Oso Skate Park. 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
At Soul Gastrolounge this evening, get ready for all things purple once again as DJ’s Ray Anderson and Andy Kastanas proudly presents “Purple Music VIII!” Get on the dance floor and celebrate the life, love and legacy of Prince as they spin all of The Purple One’s hottest hits, remixes, B-sides, album cuts and more rare gems from the vault! Admission is FREE to attend and the grooves start at 9 p.m. Soul Gastrolounge is located at 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
All my true House heads, it’s time to get down and jack your body at the Unified Souls First Anniversary Party! It’s been a year since DJ’s Badala B and Tony Cutlass set out to shake the city and now along with special guest, DJ Mark Francis, they’re sure to blow the roof off the joint with an incredible mind, soul and body-liberating mix of House, Deep House, Soul, R&B, Funk, Downtempo and much more! As always, this jam is hosted by none other than my girl Brooklyn Stace! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/house-music-unified-souls-str8house-1st-anniversary-party-tickets-62031492865. The part starts at 10 p.m. at Crown Station. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
——-SUNDAY, JUNE 9——-
Charlotte’s fastest growing brunch experience is back for some solstice action as The Culture Cooperative proudly presents Jerk Chicken N Waffles Brunch — Hello Summer 2019! Join The Dynamic DJ Kato & friends for an afternoon of nonstop Afro-Caribbean flavor featuring the vibrant sounds of Soca, Reggae, House, Soul, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, R&B and much more! The kitchen also be fired up with all sorts of delicious meal & drink specials. Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jerk-chicken-n-waffles-brunch-hello-summer-2019-tickets-62759251611. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Mango’s Caribbean Restaurant. 3112 N. Davidson St.
It’s time to get in rhythm this afternoon as Cooking With Joya and Vego proudly presents Afro-Beats + Eats! Bring your family and friends to enjoy the afternoon with singing, delicious African cuisine, drumming and dancing from dance group ONFYAH! Admission is FREE and open to the public and the food will be for purchase. The event will begin at 12 noon at KIPP Charlotte. 931 Wilann Dr.
This afternoon, join Mr. Felix Curtis at The Gantt Center as he hosts the June installment of the Classic Black Cinema Series! The 1950 classic “No Way Out”, features a black doctor (Sidney Poitier) is assigned to treat two white racist suspects who are brothers, and when one dies, it causes tension that could start a race riot. Admittance to the screening is FREE with museum admission. The event will begin at 2 p.m., sharp. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
OutenLove Events and Black Singles in CLT invites you to explore new and more ripened opportunities as they host the Mature Singles Mixer! If you’re 35 and up and looking for a new spark of magic in your life, bring yourselves down to Stats Restaurant & Bar and enjoy a relaxing ambience of delicious food, mature conversation and music among some of the city’s most sophisticated souls! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mature-singles-mixer-patio-edition-tickets-62386398397. The event will begin at 4 p.m. Stats is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
Need some more House music in your life? Don’t worry, I got you! Bring all your friends and fellow House heads down to Crown Station for the Second Sunday Jam! Join DJs Tony Essence, Mike Brown and Raw Substance’s Steve Howerton as they power the place with a vibrant mix of House grooves ranging from Classic, Soulful, Afro-Latino, Deep and much more! Admission is FREE, but donations will also be accepted. 5 p.m. 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
COMING SOON…
6/13—6/16 – 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration of the Carolinas
6/14 – Dating While Christian: A Man’s Perspective For Women
6/15 — Freaquency360 Live : DJ Kato x Gene Brown
6/15 – Freedom Jazz Series
6/15 – Queen City Jazz Fest
6/15 – The Pangea Cool-Out: June Edition
6/22 — Charlotte Caribbean Children Carnival
6/22 — Gospel Meets Jazz: It’s All About Her
6/22 – Su Casa: Summer Solstice Edition
6/23 – An Evening with Gregory Porter
6/27 — Mosaic Live presents Bars & Beats
6/27 — Swag N Turf-Coed Kickball
6/27 — Just Community: A Decolonizing Wealth Conversation
6/29 – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents “Justice 4 All”
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst