The Rundown: Things to Do Thursday, September 12 – Sunday, September 15

 

By Shawn D. Allison, II

Greetings everyone! I want to thank you all for showing me an abundance of love on my birthday last week, it really made my heart smile. But here we are with new moves to make and new experiences to enjoy with a weekend chock full of QC dopeness! I’ll still be celebrating for the rest of the month, but if you want to keep up with me and my mischief, check out my Hot List just below!

 

  • THURSDAY—SUNDAY – BNS Productions presents Boys To Baghdad
  • THURSDAY— McColl Center Open House
  • FRIDAY — Black Food Truck Fridays Summer Music Tour – DC Go-Go Edition
  • FRIDAY – Bertro presents “Unapologetic: The Interactive Fine Art Showcase”
  • FRIDAY – Carla Aaron-Lopez presents “I Been Born Again” at BlkMrktCLT
  • FRIDAY – The Art of Easing at Tip Top Daily Market
  • FRIDAY — Young Bull, Moontalkr and Cyanca LIVE at The Evening Muse
  • SATURDAY – Grand Bahama Island Dorian Relief Social
  • SATURDAY — BridgingCLT Summer Social
  • SATURDAY – Repainted Tomorrow at Tip Top Daily Market
  • SATURDAY – Sae Productions presents Seafood Bash & Game Night
  • SATURDAY — Best of Both Worlds: R&B Meets Hip Hop at Stats Restaurant & Lounge
  • SUNDAY – Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Sunday Brunch: Goodbye Summer 2019
  • SUNDAY – Breeze The Poet presents The LoveAnyway Tour

 

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, SEPTEMBER 12——–

Celebrate the start of a new artist residency season at McColl Center Open House this evening! Scope out the scene with your friends and family and get to know the new artists-in-residence: Anna Garner, Jason H. Green, Lacey McKinney, Pablo Rasgado, Sherrill Roland and Brittney Leeanne Williams. Sonic frequencies will be provided by Chief Rocka Aking Allah. FREE admission. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The McColl Center is located at 721 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

The brilliant Rory D. Sheriff returns to Spirit Square once again to present is acclaimed stage play, “Boys to Baghdad!” It’s a story intertwining Sheriff’s creativity, personal life experiences and militarized dramatic circumstances that highlight a battalion of soldiers who eventually become a band of brothers. The men encounter a series of obstacles and conflict and learn to set aside differences to fight for the common good. Performance dates and times and ticket purchases can be found here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/boys-to-baghdad-3. All performances will be held at the Duke Energy Theatre. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.

Sir Abstraxxx is ready to start your weekend off right with a special installment of the increasingly popular Eclectic Soul Sessions! Tonight’s episode entitled “The Rihanna x Drake Edition” will focus on the artistry of pop superstars Rihanna and Drake with open mic performances based upon song titles from their respective catalogs. Eats will be provided by Chef Edwin Organix and DJ Blanco will be spinning a sonic blend of their hits, album cuts, remixes and much more! Admission is FREE. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at QC Social Lounge. 300 N. College St. in Uptown.

 

——–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13——–

Put some funk in your Friday and head down to Recess Charlotte as Black Business Owners of Charlotte brings the heat with Black Food Truck Fridays Summer Music Tour – DC Go-Go Edition! Get ready for some more community fun as you bring all your friends and family out for an evening of community while you dine from some of the city’s finest and most delicious Chocolate culinary chariots! Also, be sure to scoop up some cool fashions and trinkets from local vendors, enter in raffles to win cool prizes and get down on the good foot to the sounds of DJ Steel Wheel giving you a taste of DC with all sorts of funky Go-Go music! Admission is FREE and the event will begin at 5 p.m. Recess Charlotte is located at 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood.

Are you a local vocalist or arranger striving to put more passion in your pen? If so, Dear Soul Music Company, LLC. invites you out to Camp North End for the Using Your Unique: Songwriting Workshop this evening. This 4-week program is an interactive and collaborative platform for aspiring singer/songwriters to enhance their skills in structuring, musical literacy and more. Today’s showcase will be a special Course Presentation Day! Come and see what others have been working on as well as show everyone your creativity. All classes will be taught by singer, instrumentalist and Dear Soul Music Co. founder Arsena Schroeder, Curt Keyz and 1 Way North. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/using-your-unique-songwriting-workshops-tickets-64375190929. The session will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Hygge Coworking at Camp North End. 330 Camp Rd.

Catch an eyeful of color and creativity this evening as local artist Bertro proudly presents “Unapologetic: the Interactive Fine Art Showcase.” In this exhibition, you will have the opportunity to experience and engage fine art like never before. This series will explore Bertro’s unapologetic nature as he express his truths through art no holds barred. There will be over 20 new pieces being revealed to the public for the first time. Each painting will be available for purchase at the event as well as Digital Prints and other merchandise. There will also be refreshments, wine, raffle prizes and music to enhance this experience.  Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bertro-presents-unapologetic-the-interactive-art-show-tickets-67788568433. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Charlotte Art League. 4100 Raleigh St.

Emerging from the shadows and back onto the scene, it’s the long-awaited return of local artist Carla Aaron-Lopez with her all-new showcase, “I Been Born Again!” Carla’s art is centered around total eccentricity with themes of freedom, Blackness, wisdom and understanding, but this new chapter in her life is sure to highlight a creative metamorphosis into more constructive avenues of expression. She’s as colorful as her art, but takes her craft very seriously. Not following any contemporary art themes, she instead stands firm on her own two, determined to have you experience what she feels. FREE admission. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at BlkMrktCLT. 1824 Statesville Ave., inside Camp North End.

If you want to experience some extra coolness on this funky Friday night, head over to Tip Top Daily Market and plug yourselves into The Art of Easing! Join my good brothers ½ of Diggers Delight, Cairo Black and DJ Foundacetion as they purvey a bevy of funky frequencies ranging from Jazz to Neo-Soul, Classic Hip Hop, Rare Grooves and more surprises from their own personal vinyl collections! And while the tables are turning, give your stomach a good churning from some delicious eats from Killer B’s food truck on site serving up and selling the goodness! Admission is $FREE.99 and the tables start turning at 8 p.m. Tip Top Daily Market is located at 2902 The Plaza Rd. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Everyone hop in your Chevy, Cadillac or Pontiac and head down to Snug Harbor for the September Southern-fried edition of PLAYER MADE! This is the jam session 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 and a special performance from GI Zoe! 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.

This evening, gear your ears to the stage and experience some different flavor in the QC as Young Bull, Moontalkr and Cyanca perform LIVE at The Evening Muse! Hailing from Bull City, Young Bull is an eclectic Electro-Funk/R&B trio with heavy Neo-Soul influences. Their unique sound parallels with the vibrancy of 90s underground grooves but with the dopeness of the new millennium. Moontalkr is an amalgamation of styles and influences that break genre barriers and deliver soul stirring music for the people that want to move and feel. One of the hottest up-and-coming talents in the QC, Cyanca has created a special niche in music colorfully blending Hip Hop and R&B with ease with a trademarked style that’s all her own. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1879120. Doors open at 10 and the show starts at 10:30 p.m. at The Evening Muse. 3227 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

It’s time to dance this Friday night so everyone head over to Bakadi Lounge for the Peace One Love Unity Dance Party! Bring your friends and good vibes out and dance to some colorful tunes in the key of Afrobeats, Soca, Reggae, Afro-House, Afro-Trap and many more tropical flavors provided by DJ Quee and DJ Squiddly! Admission is $10 before midnight and $20 after. The party starts at 10 p.m. Bakadi Lounge is located at 4205 Monroe Rd.

  

——–SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14——–

As our hearts and minds are with our Brothers and Sisters in the Bahamas struggling to survive and rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, this afternoon, join the ladies of Socafitusa/Socacise for a special Grand Bahama Island Dorian Relief Social! Dance with a purpose and extend the love in your hearts with tangible necessities that will be donated directly to Bahamian residents. Please be sure to bring: Medical supplies, clothing, toiletries, water, baby items (diapers, wipes, clothes, formula, etc.) Admission is $10 per person. Please be sure to call Elvado at (919)-345-3636 for additional info. The jam starts at 11 a.m. at SocaFit USA Studio. 7200 Albemarle Rd.

Ladies, step into the new season in style at the Besida African Print Pop-Up Shop & Fashion Show! Gather your girls and come out for a day of shopping froma wide range of stylish, African-inspired apparel, including maxi skirts, dresses, trousers, blouses, headwraps and plenty more all made in Nigeria. Owner and Creative Director of Besida, Sophia O. will be available for styling tips and questions. There will be two fashion shows, a special headwrapping tutorial session and garments in sizes ranging from X-small to 3XL. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/besida-african-print-pop-up-shop-and-fashion-show-charlotte-tickets-66640610861. The event will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday (9/14) and Sunday (9/15) at Dupp & Swat. 1824 Statesville Ave. inside Camp North End.

Get ready for the grand return of Charlotte’s best brunch experience as Moxie Society welcomes you out for some new hotness at the I Still Love the 90s Brunch & Day Party! Same festive Saturday flavor but now in a different neck of the Carolina woods – join one of the OC’s hottest entertainment firms as they fill your day with some of that cultural coolness with an revamped Southern-inspired brunch menu, mimosas, cocktail specials and fly 90s Hip Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae tunes from my good brother, B-Man! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-still-love-the-90s-brunch-featb-man-tickets-71429101365. The jump off is at 11 a.m. at Recess Charlotte. 832 Seigle Ave. in the Belmont Neighborhood. #MoxieSociety #TheArtOfTheDayParty

Come walk the red carpet and join the youth of PowerUp USA as they invite you to the 3rd Annual Digital Movie Making Premiere! Students from West Charlotte, Concord and East Charlotte have been hard at work and today they want to showcase their creativity in this celebration of art, music and digital media. PowerUP USA is the leader in providing art, media, science and technology education to in and out of school youth and low-income adults. Tickets for adults are $15 and for kids 12 and under, tickets are $7. For ticket purchases, please visit: http://powerup-usa.org/events-2 or call (704)-777-5898. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and will be held at Studio Movie Grill. 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.

Come out for some family fun this afternoon as ourBRIDGE Kids, Inc. invites you out to the BridgingCLT Summer Social! This annual event celebrates East Charlotte’s diversity in order to create a more welcoming Charlotte for everyone! Activities include a petting zoo, bouncy houses, arts & crafts, games, cultural performances, food, face painting, Henna tattoos and much more! Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 4 p.m. ourBRIDGE Kids is located at 3925 Willard Farrow Dr. in the Plaza-Midwood District.

Need some House in your life? Gather your friends, whistles and tambourines and head on down to Crown Station for the RELEASE! Classic & Soulful 5th Anniversary Party! Experience 360 degrees of hard-hitting, soul-snatching House, Deep House, Funk, Soul and Downtempo grooves from RELEASE!’s own birthday honoree “Jackmaster” Gary Wallace, Mi Casa Es Su Casa and Chosen Few DJs very own DJ Wayne Williams! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/release-5th-year-anniversary-party-gary-wallace-b-day-bash-tickets-69880415203. The jump off is at 6 p.m. Crown Station is located at 3629 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Enjoy an evening of cuisine and fun as Sae Productions invites you out to a Seafood Bash & Game Night! Bring your friends for some chilled thrills and spills with a variety of games, networking and a special all-you-can-eat seafood platter prepared by the beautiful Mrs. Sharelle Curinton of Tasty Plates Catering! Admission is $40 per person. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at 1001 E. W.T. Harris Blvd.

Join my friends Diggers Delight and the Vacation Pay crew as the proudly present the September installment of Repainted Tomorrow this evening! This half beat show/half live painting hybrid showcase will feature the sonic stylings of local talents Tin Foil Hat, Brassious Monk and EEZY Sounds along with visual vibrations provided by Mauveoshun. 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.

Powered By GME is ready to rock your Saturday something proper like as they invite you out to 2nd Saturdays Hip-Hop vs R&B vs Go-Go Edition! Come and enjoy a dope arsenal of tunes as three of music’s most innovative genres get mashed up in a menagerie of unforgettable mixes and rhythms provided by two of NC’s finest – DJ Polo and DJ Eazy Ice! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-saturday-hip-hop-vs-rb-vs-go-go-edition-tickets-71455751075. The joint starts at 9 p.m. at Press Box Bar & Grill. 9609 N. Tryon St. in the University Area.

Hip Hop still don’t stop this evening as Dope Duffle Apparel proudly presents “Best of Both Worlds: R&B Meets Hip Hop!” Call up your crew and catch some cultural flyness with RBRM/New Edition/Bell Biv Devoe’s official tour DJ, Superfriends’ own DJ Shakim giving you the hottest R&B flavors of all eras! Then get ready for some serious head bobbin’ as Redman and Method Man’s official tour sound selector DJ Dice gives you a few slices of classic Hip Hop! Opening set from one of Charlotte’s best kept secrets, Soul Brother DJ Justice. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-best-of-both-worlds-rnb-meets-hip-hop-wrbrm-official-dj-shakim-and-redman-and-method-man-tickets-68579608455. The jump off is at 9 p.m. at Stats Restaurant & Lounge. 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

This Saturday night, get up and jam and lose yourself in a world of music at the Sol Afri International Dance Party! Join one of the QC’s hottest and most in-demand turntablists, DJ Steel Wheel for an evening of unparalleled tropical essence set to the soundtrack of Dancehall, Afrobeats, House, Reggae, Hip Hop and much more! The party starts at 10 p.m. at Apostrophe Lounge. 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

 

——–SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15——–

The energy from AfroPop still carries on into today as The Culture Cooperative invites you out for the September edition of the Jerk Chicken N’ Waffles Sunday Brunch: Goodbye Summer 2019! Enjoy this tropical spin on your Sunday brunch as sound crafters The Dynamic DJ Kato and friends blend a sonic cocktail of Afrobeats, Hip Hop, House, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall and much more! There will be a special Caribbean-inspired brunch menu, mimosas and other drink specials and lots of other goodies! Please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jerk-chicken-n-waffles-brunch-goodbye-summer-2019-tickets-71962552933. The event will begin at 11 a.m. at Mango’s Caribbean Restaurant. 3112 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

Charlotte, get ready for an entire afternoon of fun and bring the family out to Open Streets 704! This day of car(e)-free streets aims to build a better, healthier, connected community by encouraging Charlotte and Mecklenburg area residents to walk, bicycle, and experience the city together in a way that’s just not possible in a car. The roads will be cleared connecting the Dilworth, South End, Wilmore, Uptown, Wesley Heights and Seversville neighborhoods. Please dress comfortably, shop at small businesses, eat local and make new friends! The event will begin at 12 noon. For additional info, please visit: http://openstreets704.com

This evening, fill your hearts with joy and wonder at the The LoveAnyway Tour! “LoveAnyway” is a spoken word, one-man show about a black man and his relationship(s) with love. Wanting it, having it, losing it, chasing it, realizing he never had it in the first place, figuring out how to actually obtain it. The will to love and the demons that possess it. Naming those demons and dealing with the traumas that make it hard for us to love/be love. Taking it all, the hurt pain, broken, beautiful and awesome, and learning how to Love Anyway! Join host and feature Breeze The Poet on this journey into the heart filled with a rousing rhythmic relay of emotional palpitations. Admission is $20 per person and $25 per couple. The event will begin at 7 p.m. 240 Sylvania Ave.

 

COMING SOON…

9/18 – The Midnight Hour: Ali Shaheed Muhammad + Adrian Younge

9/19 — Ubuntu – Power of Unity – A Community Building Course

9/20 — 90’s Vibes: The Best of Hip Hop and R&B Featuring Orchestra Noir

9/21 – Art Is Life Rooftop Gala

9/21 – EmpoweHERment, Inc. Annual Teen Summit

9/21 – View The Right Thing Film & Discussion Series – “Get On The Bus”

9/25 — Short Films and Sketch Film Festival

9/26 — 4th Annual Black Mental Health Symposium

 

 

Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.

 

Everyone have a great weekend and I hope to see you all out and about!  

 

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller   #EarsToDaSkreets #CommunityFirst