The Rundown: Things to do Thursday, November 9 – Thursday, November 18

By Shawn D. Allison, II

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

Greetings in the name of democracy ya’ll! Election 2016 is over and we can finally breathe, relax, chill out and get back to normalcy. If you want to de-stress from all of the political hoopla that has been shoved down our throats and earholes for so long, just peep what I got in store for you this weekend! Also, if you want to track my footsteps, just check out my “Hot List” below.

 

  • Thursday—Educate to Engage discussion of “The New Jim Crow” at The Third Place
  • Friday—Carolina Caribbean & African Association’s “Game Nite”
  • Saturday—The Comedy Get-Down After Party with Cedric The Entertainer at BluNotes
  • Sunday—Diggers’ Delight Pop-Up Record Swap at Tip Top Daily Market
  • Sunday—Classic Black Cinema Series screening of “Black Brigade” at The Gantt Center
  • Monday—Savion Glover’s “STePz” at The Knight Theater
  • Tuesday—B.Y.O.V. (Bring Your Own Vinyl) at Petra’s

 

——-THURSDAY 11/10——-

The curvaceous chocolate wonder known as Elle VJ (LaVonndra Johnson) invites you out to The Limited at South Park Mall this evening for the launch of her all-new Queen City Magazine! Ladies, throw on some fly threads and come meet, greet and mingle with other local women, fashionistas and dashing divas this evening! There will be free giveaways and more! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queen-city-magazine-launch-celebration-tickets-28667989729. The event begins at 6 p.m. South Park Mall is located at 4400 Sharon Rd. in the South Park Area.     #ElleVJ   #TheOnlyWayToDressIsUp

Local technology activists Digi-Bridge invite you out to Earl’s Grocery this evening as they host #TBT 2.0: Connect to Disconnect. This event is geared towards raising awareness and funds for the lack of technology access for an estimated 70,000 of Charlotte’s schoolchildren. Come enjoy beverages and light bites from the 1980’s – the era that brought the Internet to life. Also as a catch, you’ll be able to once again experience some good ol’ fashioned conversation and networking by tendering your phones and other mobile devices at the door—but you will get them back when you leave! Tickets can be purchased here: https://digi-bridge.ticketleap.com/tbt-connect-to-disconnect-2/dates/Nov-10-2016_at_0600PM. The event begins at 6 p.m. Earl’s Grocery is located at 1609 Elizabeth Ave. in Uptown.

Join local grassroots initiative Educate to Engage this evening at The Third Place: Coffee, Community & Common Ground this evening for a discussion of the newly-released book “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander. For tonight’s session, you will discuss Chapter 1 – “The Rebirth of Caste” and begin the dialogue from chattel slavery to Jim Crow. Admission is FREE to attend and the discussion begins at 6 p.m. The Third Place is located at 1609 E. 5th St. in Uptown.     #NoMoreBystanding

This evening, come out to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for another installment of the museum’s “Modernism + Film” series. For tonight’s feature presentation, come and view the documentary “Away From All Suns” by Isa Willinger. This film examines the ruins of 1920s constructivist architecture in Moscow, Russia. Managing a cast of three unconnected characters, each of whom occupy a revolutionary residence, the film focuses on gender, social upheavals and human rights. Willinger’s goal is to attract what is left of the buildings’ revolutionary past. Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=39b139e1-be5a-4b48-b2b3-47b5ae67dbdf. The screening begins at 6 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

It’s time once again to bridge the gap at Hygge Coworking this evening with another installment of the #WeLoveCLT Speaker Series! For tonights discussion, come out and meet the lovely Melody Gross speaking on giving a voice to the unheard and Chandler Wrenn who will give his opinion on what it means to be a Charlottean. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: http://weloveclt.com/rsvp/. The discussion begins at 6 p.m. Hygge Coworking is located at 2128 Remount Rd.

For some true adult fun, head over to Petra’s this evening for “Potions & Pixels: Video Games, Board Games and Community.” There will be a wide variety of multiplayer games from all eras and for all skill levels. From Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros., Love Letter, Click Clack Lumberjack and more! Admission is FREE! Bring as many friends as you desire and have a good time! The games begin at 7 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.   #PotionsAndPixels

This evening, get ready for a picturesque showcase unlike any other! Join one of Charlotte’s baddest and most creative cameramen, Brian Twitty at Heist Brewery this evening as he hosts his Photography Exhibit! Let me tell you, Brian has shot me on a few occasions and the magic he adds to that camera is totally out of this world! Come see through a different lens of art and cool out to some music from DJ Justin Aswell. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 8 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

 

——-FRIDAY 11/11——-


Everyone head out to Revolution EGO this evening and get ready for the “Pardon My FRO: Art Show & Trunk Sale!” Join the stunning Dana Bly aka Pardon My FRO as she exhibits her natural hair-inspired artwork along with some of her products and merchandise. The event begins at 7 p.m. Revolution EGO is located at 312 N. Myers St. in Uptown.

Join the Carolina Caribbean & African Association (CCAA) at Three Spirits Brewery this evening for another round of their famed, “Game Nite!” Test your skills among others as you go head to head in Jenga, Spades, Dominos, Scrabble and more! Also, the CCAA will be accepting food donations to help To Serve With Love Ministries, Inc. to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Please bring non-perishable food items. Admission is FREE to attend and the games begin at 7 p.m. Three Spirit Brewery is located at 5046 Old Pineville Rd.

Brothers and sisters get ready for the “Charlotte Music Fest!” Relive some classic R&B grooves as Avant, K-Ci & JoJo, Keith Sweat and Mint Condition all take the stage this evening at Bojangles Coliseum! You know the hits, now come see them perform live! Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Keith-Sweat-tickets/artist/736235?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Bojangles Coliseum is located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

Head out to Spirit Square this evening and get ready for an evening of words in rhythm—it’s time once again for the BreatheINK Youth Poetry Slam! These young lyricists are ready to express their minds spit hot fire in the first slam competition of the new school year. If your youth desires to compete, the registration open at 7 p.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 to the slam and it begins at 8 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.   #BreatheINK

All my music heads come out to The NeighborHood Café this evening for “Kareo-Funk: A Tribe Called Quest Album Release Party.” Celebrate the release of one of Hip Hop’s most lauded and praised acts as they release their final recorded album. The event will be hosted by Earl Grey and will be joined in performance with the lovely Olivia Chisholm and the ever-funky Blu House Band! Admission is FREE to attend and the event starts at 8 p.m. The NeighborHood Café is located at 1635 W. Trade St. near the JCSU Main Campus.

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 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! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spectrum-november-edition-funky-jazz-with-a-shot-of-soul-tickets-29037929228. Show time is at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.    #JazzNSoul

 

——-SATURDAY 11/12——-

Calling all young archaeologists, paleontologists and Indiana Jones wannabes! Head down to The Discovery Place to celebrate National Fossil Day and dig up specimens from the Museum’s own extensive fossil collection. Uncover the secrets behind preserved remains of animals, plants, and other organisms from the past. Learn about living fossils, meet members of the NC Fossil Club, excavate your own fossil and make one to take home. The event is FREE with museum admission and it begins at 9 a.m. The Discovery Place is located at 301 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Head out to Spring Hill Suites this morning for the Charlotte Music Collectors Show! If you love collecting rare/vintage vinyl LPs, 45’s, compact discs and music DVDs, this is the joint for you! Admission is $2 and the diggin’ starts at 10 a.m. Spring Hill Suites is located at 12325 Johnston Rd. in the Ballantyne Area.

Parents, bring the kids out for the Charlotte Kids Expo at the Carole A. Hoefener Center this morning! This expo highlights local businesses and resources focusing on safety, health & wellness, special needs, education, child care, and other important family-related topics. Also, have some fun with bounce houses, face painting, balloon art, character meet & greets, stage shows, glitter tattoos, and more! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charlotte-kids-expo-tickets-27046955171. The event will begin at 11 a.m. The Carole A. Hoefener Center is located at 610 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Families, come and get those muscles working at the grand opening of Kinetic Heights this morning! Climb up cargo nets, jump from platforms and test your skills in the newest and coolest place in Charlotte! They’ll also have a live DJ, food trucks, kids activities, and prizes and giveaways. The event begins at 11 a.m. Kinetic Heights is located at 5664 International Drive, Unit “A”.

Parents and kids—get your musical appetites ready and head down to The Knight Theater this morning as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presents “Green Eggs & Ham!” This fully staged orchestral adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s beloved children’s classic is a feast for the ears and fun for the entire family! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/charlotte-symphony-green-eggs-and-ham. The event begins at 11 a.m. The Knight Theater is located at 430 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Allow your pens and pencils to travel to the far reaches of your imagination at The McColl Center this afternoon at the “Comics Drawing & Story Workshop! Join Intergalactic Soul creators and incumbent McColl affiliate artists Marcus Kiser and Jason Woodberry as they guide and show you how to create a comic book character and make an artistic sequential story during this one-of-a-kind drawing workshop. Make plans now to begin your adventure! Tickets for this session can be purchased here: https://53393.blackbaudhosting.com/53393/McCollResponse-Comics-Workshop-with-Jason-Woodberry-and-Marcus-Kiser. The class begins at 1 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Gather at the The Mint Museum Randolph Branch this morning for two events! First up, come out for Bilingual Stories & Music! Do you like to play? This is your chance to play fun traditional children games and hear stories from Latin America, in Spanish and English, with the amazing storytellers and performers from Criss Cross Mangosauce. Admission is $5 and play time starts at 11 a.m.

Then, be sure to stick around for the Saturday Family Workshop! For today’s session, you’ll have fun creating Autumn tree collages. The workshop begins with a mini-tour in the European Painting gallery to talk about landscapes, and experiment with leaves, rubber stamps and more to draw and paint a lovely autumn collage. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.mintmuseum.org/happenings/1154/saturday-family-workshops-2/.   The workshop begins at 1 p.m. The Mint Museum is located at 2730 Randolph Rd. near the Cotswold Area.

Get ready to chill out, eat good and laugh some more at BluNotes as Awesom & E.O.C. Street Ent. hosts the Comedy Get-Down After Party with Cedric The Entertainer! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awesom-eoc-official-comedy-show-after-party-wcedric-the-entertainment-tickets-28717266116. The event begins at 8 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

 

——-SUNDAY 11/13——-

Join fellow PRIDE contributor Eddie D. Love this morning as he hosts the Art Career Development Symposium. Created by The Psi Rho Alpha Visual and Performing Arts National Honor Society, this symposium this event is also designed to provide a platform for encouragement, recognition, networking, mentorship, character and leadership in the visual and performing arts. Speakers include Eric B. Ndelo, John Hairston, Jr., Kayla Nikole Perry and more. This event is free to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/psi-rho-alpha-art-career-development-symposium-tickets-27664292644?aff=es2. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will be held at Charlotte Ballet. 701 N. Tryon St. in Uptown. 

Want to get your after-church groove on? Join the beautiful Ms. Gellie Moore at 7th District as she hosts “Sophisticated Sundays: Bubbles & Brunch” for the Wingate University Homecoming Finale! Gather your friends and come enjoy some very delicious food, rock out with the fly sounds of DJ Hot Rod on the 1s & 2s and a create-your-own mimosa bar for $20 ! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sophisticated-sundays-bubbles-brunch-tickets-28851203727?aff=es2. The event begins at 11 a.m. 7th District is located at 321 N. Caldwell St. in Uptown.

The QC Family Tree youth invite you out to The Third Place: Coffee, Community & Common Ground this afternoon for their Handmade Holiday Market. Gifts, art, food, coffee and fellowship–what could be better? Come out and support local artists, especially QC Family Tree youth who have been working diligently to make beautiful pottery for your home. Admission is FREE to attend and the market opens up at 12:30 p.m. The Third Place is located at 1609 E. 5th St. in Uptown.

Attention all Crate Diggers, Vinyl Enthusiasts and Music Lovers… Spin yourselves over to the Tip Top Daily Market for the Diggers Delight Pop-Up Record Swap” this afternoon. Bring a stack or some crates of timeless music as you fellowship with other collectors and scour through a healthy selection of Jazz, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, R&B and Rock LPs for trade or purchase! Admission is FREE. The fun begins at 2 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Join Mr. Felix Curtis this afternoon at The Harvey B. Gantt Center for another historically fun screening of Classic Black Cinema Series. Today’s feature is the 1969 classic, “Black Brigade” starring Moses Gunn, Richard Pryor, Glynn Turman, Robert Hooks and Billy Dee Williams. A white officer is put in charge of an all-Black squadron of troops during World War II who at first handle menial and derogatory tasks but then become heroes after achieving a specific goal. The film screening is FREE with museum admission and it begins at 2 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Open and relax your mind as some of the most gifted lyricists give your nerves some thought-provoking pleasures at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar 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 NC’s own Dalian Cooper aka D-Vision to soothe your soul with his brand of wordplay. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/verbal-expressions-10673720668. The show starts at 7 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

——-MONDAY 11/14——-

The rapid rhythmed-footed wonder known as Savion Glover tap dances his way into Charlotte this evening in his acclaimed production entitled, “STePz!” Glover and his ensemble of dancers (TLHS) take tap dance to new heights and levels while fusing traditional music selections of the past with his self-proclaimed tap style and energy of the future. This production exposes Mr. Glover’s capability of all complexities of jazz phrasing, both bass line and melody, the wild improvisations, structures and deconstruction, from departure to return. Savion Glover’s “STePz” will once again display the infinite versatility and virtuoso of Glover’s genius as a tap master. It’s definitely a show that you don’t want to miss out on! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/savion-glovers-stepz. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Knight Theater. 430 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Get ready for raised vibrations at Spirit Square this evening from Tajmah Allison as she hosts “Reggae Yoga Flow!” This is a vinyasa style yoga class; which means asanas (poses) are synced to the breath creating a dance-like flow. The flowing asanas sequence is meant to build heat, strength, flexibility and the class ends with a calming meditation. All yoga levels are welcome and please bring your mat. Admission is $5 and can be purchased here: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=729967&sessionChecked=true. The class starts at 8 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

Rounding out your magnificient Monday, head out to Petra’s Bar for the “Second Sunday Jazz Workshop & Improv.” Join host, instrumentalist and local jazz enthusiast, John Shaughnessy as he conducts a live jazz session in front of an intimate audience. All are welcome to join in! Whether you are a flautist, guitarist, funky drummer, vocalist, horn-blower, percussionist or ivory tickler, this is the workshop for you! FREE admission. The jam session begins at 8 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

——-TUESDAY 11/15——-

Lift your mind, body and spirit at the 3rd Annual Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference going on at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel from 11/15 – 11/18. This conference is for pastors and persons who are responsible for the Health & Wellness Ministries at various churches dedicated to highlighting aspects of health education, promotion and compassion within the congregation and community. Please visit: http://healthychurches2020conference.org/ for further info.

The Charlotte Teachers Institute and the Levine Museum of the New South collaborate this evening to present a talk with Dr. Shep McKinley entitled, “The Rise of the New South.” Dr. McKinley is an accomplished author and senior lecturer at UNC Charlotte, on how Reconstruction shaped the New South. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://38686.blackbaudhosting.com/38686/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=94d4a1be-734d-495c-a282-e747eef16c1c. The discussion begins at 5:30 p.m. The museum is located at 200 E. 7th St. in Uptown.

Play your favorite video games for a cause this evening with Code for Charlotte at Abari Game Bar and come out for the Game Night Fundraiser! Code for Charlotte is a local nonprofit working to bridge the gap between residents and local governments. They believe that government and community resources should be open, accessible and friendly to all residence. They also utilize technology, education and advocacy to further this movement and increase civic engagement in Charlotte. Admission is $5 and the event begins at 7 p.m. Abari Game Bar is located at 1721 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Join CharlotteONE at BB&T Ballpark this evening as they host a discussion entitled, “CLTtalks: An Evening of Conversation on Homelessness.” This event is to designed to bring community leaders and fellow Charlottteans together to talk about how we can advance good in our city, and give attendees tangible volunteer opportunities with partnering non-profit organizations. This event is FREE and open to the public and it begins at 7 p.m. BB&T Ballpark is located at 324 S. Mint St. in Uptown.

This evening, Charlotte Country Day School proudly presents speaker, humanitarian and author, Kevin Powell for a special presentation about the intersection of education, social justice, and leadership in a lecture called “Stop Waiting for Superman: The Leadership Is Us.” Kevin Powell is the author of “The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood.” This discussion is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.charlottecountryday.org/page.cfm?p=1046.   The lecture begins at 7 p.m. Charlotte Country Day School is located at 1440 Carmel Rd.

At Petra’s tonight, two events for your creative pleasures! First up, join Crowned Sparrow, Co. this evening as they host another fun edition of Crafty Hour! Get your gardening on and join other cool people as you will create some chic terrariums filled with succulents! Choose your own variety colors as you paint geometric wood pots that will be filled with different colored rocks and plants. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.crownedsparrowco.com/events/2016/11/15/crafty-hour-petras.

Next, for all you vinyl enthusiasts, music lovers, collectors and cool people, join DJ Justin Aswell as he hosts another fly session of “B.Y.O.V. (Bring Your Own Vinyl)!” Whether you got wax or not, come out and hear a diverse array of tunes, grooves, jams and more! Also, Digger’s Delight will be in the joint with a few crates of albums for purchase. Admission is FREE. Both events start at 8 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

COMING SOON…

  • Friday 11/18—“Science On the Rocks: Ultimate Warrior” at Discovery Place
  • Friday 11/18—Jazz Arts Initiative presents “The Jazz Room” with David Finucane
  • Sunday 11/20—Charlotte Art League Pop-Up Market
  • Monday 11/26—Black Lives Matter Charlotte Chapter “13th” Documentary Screening
  • Saturday 12/3—CLT’s MACdown: Mac n’ Cheese Competition

 

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”   -President Barack Obama

 

Everyone please keep the peace and keep your joy thriving this weekend! Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give. #WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller