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 – Black Food Truck Thursday
- THURSDAY – SATURDAY – Brand New Sheriff Productions presents “Purlie Victorious”
- THURSDAY — Purple Note 3: Celebrating the Life of Prince Through Jazz
- FRIDAY – AfroPop – The Block Party, Vol. 2 at Camp North End
- FRIDAY – Ready, Set, Vinyl! At Tip Top Daily Market
- FRIDAY – “Reminisce” at Loft & Cellar
- SATURDAY – Blow Your Head presents “Parade” at Salud Cerveceria
- SATURDAY – OutenLove Events presents “The Meet Market: A Singles Party”
- SUNDAY – Classic Black Cinema Series screening of “Black Girl” at The Gantt Center
- SUNDAY – Euphoria Summer Soul Session at Camp North End
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 7——-
Come explore to new creativity at The McColl Center for Art + Innovation as they proudly present a special Open House this evening! The start of an artist residency season at McColl Center is always a time for celebration. Open House is your opportunity to meet our new artists-in-residence in their studios and get a first look at our summer exhibition, “The Open Orchard.” Artists-In-Residence include Eliana Arenas, Julio Gonzalez, Monique Luck, April Marten, Sam Van Aken, Antoine Williams, and Stephanie J. Woods. Admission is FREE to attend. 6 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Fill your stomachs with all sorts of soulful goodness as Black Business Owners of Charlotte and Black Enterprise proudly presents Black Food Truck Thursday! Get your friends and appetites ready for an evening full of food, fun and fellowship with over a dozen of your favorite Black-owned culinary chariots, vendors and more in this festive community celebration! Sounds will be provided by 92.7 The Block’s very own DJ SPK on the 1s and 2s! Also, there will be a special presentation from Black Enterprise founder Mr. Earl G. Graves, BBOC CEO Mr. Cathay Dawkins, Charlotte City Councilman Mr. James Mitchell and more. This is also a great opportunity to network with various business owners in the Charlotte area. Admission is FREE but donations will be accepted. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. St. and S. Brevard St.
Brand New Sheriff Productions is back this Spring as they proudly present the late Ossie Davis’ classic piece “Purlie Victorious.” Purlie is set in an era when Jim Crow laws still were in effect in the American South. Its focus is on the dynamic, traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson, who returns to his small Georgia town hoping to save Big Bethel, the community’s church, and emancipate the cotton pickers who work on oppressive Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee’s plantation. With the assistance of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, Purlie hopes to pry loose from Cotchipee an inheritance due his long-lost cousin and use the money to achieve his goals. Also playing a part in Purlie’s plans is Cotchipee’s son Charlie, who ultimately proves to be far more fair-minded than his Simon Legree-like father and who saves the church from destruction with an act of defiance that has dire consequences for the tyrannical Cap’n. The play is directed by Dr. Corlis Hayes. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/purlie-victorious. There will be five performances this weekend: Thursday (6/7) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (6/8) at 8 p.m. and Saturday (6/9) 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
The hilarious local theatre troupe Charlotte Squawks is back for 2018 with their latest project, “O Fourteena!” 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: http://www.blumenthalarts.org. There will be three performances this weekend: Thursday (6/7) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (6/8) and Saturday (6/9) at 8 p.m. All performances will be held at The Booth Playhouse at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The address is 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Tonight, follow the purple brick road over to NoDa and stop at The Evening Muse and get ready as The Sol Kitchen proudly presents Purple Note 3: 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 Harvey Cummings Project and be sure to stick around as sound maestro DJ That Guy Smitty rocks out with a fly selection of Prince’s hits, B-sides, rarities, bootlegs, remixes and much more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1678886?utm_medium=ampOfficialEvent&utm_source=fbTfly. Doors open at 7:30 and the jammin’ starts at 8:30 p.m. The Evening Muse is located at 3227 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District. #TheSolKitchen
Cast your cares away in silence and dance it out at the Hookahs & Headphones Silent Dance Party this evening! The good people of Quiet Party, LLC are back with another go ‘round of endless music coming straight to your earholes – literally! Grab your friends, grab a pair of specially-channeled headphones and select 1 of 3 channels – Hip Hop, House, R&B/Reggae and dance the night away! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quiet-party-blue-olive-lounge-tickets-46437705427. The jump off is at 9 p.m. at Blue Olive Lounge. 14021 Conlan Cir. located in Ballantyne.
—–FRIDAY, JUNE 8——-
In Summer 2017, Charlotte experience an event of epic proportions that broke all sorts of new ground. And now that Summer is within reach for 2018, it’s time to get a second and stronger dose of AfroPop — The Block Party, Vol.2! Grown folks end your work week and youth end your school year with a bang with a vast kaleidoscope of Africanized flavor with an eclectic cornucopia of food, music, live drumming, vendors, dancing, cocktails and fellowship! Join your acoustic pilots DJs That Guy Smitty, Steel Wheel and The Dynamic DJ Kato as they take you on a musical whirlwind to the far reaches of the Motherland, the Caribbean and every Black inhabitancy on the planet! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-the-block-party-camp-north-end-vol-2-tickets-45970629390. If you purchase your ticket online, you’ll have an opportunity to acquire some special perks for the event. Also, there will be FREE dancing lessons from Kizomba Charlotte, Socafit/Socacise USA and Trap Out the Werk Out. This event is sponsored by Camp North End, DRC ApeParel and Africana Connections. The party starts at 6 p.m. at Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave. #WelcomeToTheTribe
Coming off the tire marks of Black Bike Week 2018, the Charlotte Black Film Festival in conjunction with ASC Cultural Blocks presents an outdoor film screening under the stars with the documentary “Black Beach/White Beach.” In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, two national motorcycle festivals are held over the weeks around the Memorial Day holiday. One festival is primarily white, the other is predominantly black. While bikers of both colors enjoy both festivals, the city, community, and state have a vastly different way of looking at these two festivals, creating a divide among the participants, business owners, and residents. Against the backdrop of the historical relevance of the area’s segregated past, this documentary explores opposing viewpoints on segregation and integration, mutual love of motorcycle culture, and racial tensions that reach a boiling point every spring in this southern beach mecca. You’ll also have a chance to meet the filmmakers and hear from local bikers. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-beachwhite-beach-film-screening-bikers-panel-food-fun-tickets-46223682278. The event will begin promptly at 7 p.m. 1601 W. Trade St.
Head down to the Mint Museum Uptown branch this evening for a multi-sensory art showcase entitled, Con A de Arte 2018! Con A de Arte (“A” Is For Art) is an annual event that seeks to showcase the work of local artists from the Latin American community in the Charlotte area through presentations modeled after the TED Conferences which include visual art presentations, and performances by musicians, dancers, poets, and actors. Admission is FREE to attend however if you want to attend the Mint to Move Cultural Dance Night which immediately follows the showcase, tickets are $12 per person. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The Mint Museum is located at 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Diggers Delight invites you to experience some smoothed out soul on the wax tip this evening as they proudly present “Ready, Set , Vinyl!” Enjoy a calm Friday evening with your crew as my good brother and one of Charlotte’s most talented maestros, DJ FoundACEtion rocks out a very special set of Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, R&B, House, Downtempo and more on an all-vinyl set! Then be sure to stick around for a very special album release from local artist Drew Prince! Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Tip Top Daily Market. 2902 The Plaza Rd. #DiggersDelight
My good friends of the Single, Saved & Serious Movement invite you out to the Grier Heights Community Center as they host their first SSS Talk – Roundtable Discussion & Potluck for the month of June! SSS switches gears and topics this evening as they discuss “Dating & Incarceration.” Do you have a criminal background? Or have you tried to date someone with a criminal background? How do you tell or ask those difficult questions? How does your faith play a part in this kind of selection? How do you deal with the past? These and other questions will be covered with a Biblical view. The goal is helping singles navigate a harsh world with these conversations. Open and honest, but always backed by God’s Word, these talks cover issues in today’s dating scene, so that the single woman or man of God is fully equipped to walk in confidence, faith and love. Admission is FREE and there will be plates of food for sale. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Grier Heights Community Center is located at 3100 Leroy St. #SSSMoves
Everyone hop in your Chevy, Cadillac or Pontiac and pull up at Snug Harbor for the ultimate underground jam, the PLAYER MADE 3 Year Anniversary Party! For three years, one of Charlotte’s most crunk underground digs has been bangin’ out Southern Hip Hop funk with all sorts of flavor that celebrates Southern Hip Hop from all eras ranging from The Geto Boys, The Hot Boys, UGK, Nappy Roots, Little Brother, DJ Screw, T.I., The Dungeon Family and a lot more! Your host is local MC Elevator Jay along with Jaboi B-Rab and A-Huf. Admission is FREE for everyone 21+ and $5 for persons 18-20. Doors open at 9 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
OutenLove Events is out to prove to you that it’s never too late for love as they invite you to Secret Society Cigar Bar for the Mature Singles Mixer! Whether you are ten years shy of AARP benefits or you’re already received them, it’s never too late to live life out on a limb! For all my mature folks, here’s a chance to step out and meet someone new, make new connections all in the name of fun! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mature-singles-mixer-tickets-46258173442. The event will begin at 8 p.m. 2415 W. Morehead St. near Uptown.
It’s time to cool out and relax on the Friday night tip as Loft & Cellar invites you out to “Reminisce” this evening! School is out and while the kids are out celebrating, join your expert sonic mixologists DJ FoundACEtion, DJ Chance and Concrete Kash as they provide a special blend of mellow frequencies guaranteed to relax you! There will be lots of meal and drink specials available to enhance your experience. FREE admission. 9 p.m. Loft & Cellar is located at 305 W. 4th St. in Uptown.
For some late night fun, gather your fellow chaps, strap on your proton packs and get ready for Adult Night: Late Night Laser Tag! It’s no holds barred as those red lasers project across the yard—join host Anchor’D Events for some out-of-this-world excitement as you compete in a few rounds of laser tag! There will also be lots of food, fun and other games to enjoy! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/late-night-laser-tag-friday-june-tickets-46173591455. The fun starts at 11 p.m. at Laser Quest. 10403 Park Rd.
——-SATURDAY, JUNE 9——-
Celebrate the gift of life and giving as The Patricia Jordan Foundation cordially invites you out to the Love, Hope, and Healing Brunch this afternoon. The Patricia Jordan Foundation was created to provide emotional and financial support to children who have lost a loved one. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-patricia-jordan-foundation-love-hope-and-healing-brunch-tickets-45192306405. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Patricia Jordan Foundation. The event will begin at 12 noon at BlkTechCLT HQ at Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave.
It’s time to unwind, turn loose and step out in style as Blow Your Head returns this Friday with a special session entitled, “Parade!” Come and celebrate His Purple Majesty as sound selectors DJs Flock of Slagles and Jah Freedom pay homage to the late Prince with a dazzling array of his hits, remixes, B-Sides, bootlegs, unreleased cuts, collaborations and much more! Admission is FREE and the get down starts at 8 p.m. at Salud Cerveceria. 3306 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
At Soul Gastrolounge this evening, get ready for all things purple once again. DJ’s Ray Anderson and Andy Kastanas proudly presents “Purple Music VII!” Get on the dance floor and celebrate the life, love and legacy of Prince! 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.
OutenLove Events and Black Singles in CLT wants to add some spice to your Saturday night as they proudly present “The Meet Market: A Singles Party!” Summer is right around the corner and while your Winter blues may have carried into Spring, it’s time to get your hearts in full swing and bring some warmth into your hearts just like the weather! Bring yourselves, your own flyness and your friends out for an evening of nonstop fun! Over 400 people have attended each of these events in the past and this Saturday is guaranteed to be a surefire hit! There will be two special guest DJs who will be delivering all the goods for your mingling pleasures this evening. Please dress to impress. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-meet-market-a-singles-party-tickets-46585010019. The event will begin at 9 p.m. at Press Box Bar & Grill. 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area. #OutenLoveEvents #BlackSinglesCLT
——-SUNDAY, JUNE 10——-
This afternoon, get your film fix in with Mr. Felix Curtis of Classic Black Cinema Series as he hosts a special screening of “Black Girl” at The Gantt Center! (1966) A Senegalese woman is eager to find a better life abroad. She takes a job as a governess for a French family, but finds her duties reduced to those of a maid after the family moves from Dakar to the south of France. In her new country, the woman is constantly made aware of her race and mistreated by her employers. Her hope for better times turns to disillusionment and she falls into isolation and despair, even considering suicide as the only way out. Tickets are $9 for nonmembers and FREE for Gantt Center members. The film will begin promptly at 2 p.m. and refreshments will be provided. 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Come have some fun in the sun at Camp North End and get ready for the Euphoria Summer Soul Session this afternoon! Join sound selectors DJ Keith Stephens, DJ Johnnie Davis and others for some soulful and tribal House, R&B, Remixes, B-Sides and much more! There will be food and vendors on site. The event is FREE to attend and will begin at 4 p.m. Camp North End is located at 1824 Statesville Rd.
COMING SOON…
6/14 – 6/17 – 2018 Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
6/16 – 2018 MARS Kickball Classic
6/19—6/21 – OnQ Productions presents “God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons In Verse”
6/19 – African Cultural Festival
6/23 – 5th Annual Carolina Veterans Appreciation Expo
6/29 – Radio Rehab Carolinas presents “OutKast on a Quest CLT”
Enjoy your weekend Brothers and Sisters! One Love.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst