Hey beautiful Queen City Brothers & Sisters! Get ready for a fun and colorful weekend because there is so much going on that it’ll make your head spin. As always, I’ve got another terrific line up for you and the entire family. Not only that, we are scheduled for some absolutely beautiful weather this weekend. So as James Brown & Bobby Byrd said some 45 years ago, “Everybody out there! Get on up, get into it, get involved!”
THURSDAY, April 14
This evening, The Levine Museum of the New South hosts another edition of its long-running “Taste of the New South” series. Come out for “Savor, Sabor!: A Latin Twist on Southern Culture & Cuisine.” In celebration the museum’s newest exhibit, ¡NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South, the fundraiser for tonight will feature cuisine from across Latin America re-envisioned with a Southern fusion. Many have raved about this fundraiser before as it includes, food, specialty drinks, engaging music and innovative entertainment. And most importantly, proceeds support our vision: to use history to build community. Tickets can be purchased at: https://38686.
One of Charlotte’s most versatile and soulful crooners, Eliah Soul, will be hitting the stage at Amos’Southend this Thursday along with a host of other great, local performers. If you have never experienced Eliah before, it’s like pouring a bottle of Hennessy on a microphone. His vocalism is so rich, distinguished and polished. Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.aftonshows.com/
The Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte is proud to present the feature, “Fly By Night.” In this darkly comic rock-fable, a melancholy sandwich maker’s humdrum life is intersected by two entrancing sisters. A sweeping ode to young love set against the backdrop of the northeast blackout of 1965, “Fly By Night” is a musical about making your way and discovering hope in a world beset by darkness. The production will be here for a series of performances starting tonight (4/12) running all the way to Saturday May, 7th. Tonight’sperformance is “Pay What You Can Night”—you can be admitted for free, but please feel free to give a tangible donation of love. For all other shows, tickets can be purchased at: https://52997.
Rounding out your Thursday evening, come out to Studio Movie Grill for “Spotlight Thursdays.” Join host JstJahSayWord and other talented spoken word artists, visual artists and musicians showcasing their broad talents for a classy and eclectic audience. Headlining tonight are JJ Dae, Kelvin Armstrong, Moody Black and the Say What Slam Team. And stick around as DJ Phassad spins nothing but the goodness on the turntables. Tickets are $10 at the door and the show begins at 9 p.m. Studio Movie Grill is located at 210 E. Trade St. at The Epicentre in Uptown.
FRIDAY, April 15
Everyone shift your noses and stomachs into 5th gear and head down to either Plaza-Midwood or South End because it’s time once again for “Food Truck Friday.” Let your olfactory senses steer you to one or many of Charlotte’s colorful culinary chariots ready to fill you up with a delicious variety of eats! Admission is FREE. FTF will be behind Sycamore Brewing in South End (2161 Hawkins St.) and The Light Factory in Plaza-Midwood (1817 Central Ave.) Both locations begin at 5 p.m. Hashtag: #FoodTruckFriday #SupportFoodTrucks
At The Discovery Place this evening, come out for another edition of the wildly popular “Science On The Rocks!” And this evening,et your nerd flag fly as we celebrate comics, robotics, virtual reality and more in “SOTR: Geek Out, Freak Out.” Engage with other adults as you explore a variety of experiments and exhibits throughout the museum while consuming some libations. For the uber geeks, freaks and nerds,be sure to wear your cape or Spandex superhero outfit! Prizes will be awarded for the best superhero costumes at the end of the night. Tickets can be purchased at: https://15106a.
If you like finding a spot in town and gazing at the nighttime skyline, there is an opportunity for you to paint your own skyscraper canopy masterpiece! Head over to Paint Craze this evening and join in the “Date Night Cityscape Painting Party.” Join instructor Leslie Shrum as she guides you and your group to create the Uptown Charlotte skyline or any city skyline of your choice. And while you paint, relax to some great music, enjoy delicious drinks and fellowship with other participants. Tickets can be purchased at: www.paintcraze.com. All art supplies will be provided in the admission fee. The party begins at 6 p.m. Paint Craze is located at 5028 South Blvd.
Everyone put on your pajamas, grab a big mixing bowl of cereal and plop down in front of the stage because the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte proudly presents “School House Rock Live!” Relive all of those fun, favorite tunes of yesteryear that made education fun! “Conjunction Junction”, “I’m Just A Bill”, “Three Is A Magic Number”, “Electricity, Electricity”, “Interplanet Janet”, “Lolly’s Adverbs”, “Zero, My Hero” and many more! The show will run from April 8 – April 24. And tonight’s opener begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here: ctcharlotte.org All performances will be held at ImaginOn located at 300 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
Tonight, in an unprecedented event, jazz and orchestra come together to make beautiful music. Join the Jazz Arts Initiative and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra as they proudly present, “The Jazz Room at The Symphony” celebrating jazz legends. Come and witness some of the QC’s most heralded jazz instrumentalists perform under the leadership of CSO conductor Norman Huynh. Before the concert begins,JAI will present a special pre-concert talk hosted by The Jazz Room’s head, Curtis Davenport. And stick around as the party continues with live jazz from the JAI’s All-Star Youth Jazz Ensemble and signature cocktails in the speakeasy lounge following the concert. Tickets can be purchased at: tix.carolinatix.org The pre-concert lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. and the main feature starts at 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at The Knight Theatre @ Levine Center for the Arts which is located at 430 S. Tryon St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #JAI
Tonight at BluNotes, witness musical greatness as vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Gabriel Bello sets the stage on fire tonight in BluNote’s “Straight-Ahead Jazz Fridays” edition. If you are unaware of Gabriel Bello, prepare your ears for a totally unique and authentic sound. And while you’re there, please grab some of the delicious food and drink specials available! There will be two shows tonight: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. There will be a $5 admission for both shows. If you wish to reserve a table, please call (704)-910-1996 or visit:http://www.blunotes.com/
All words come full circle tonight as SlamCharlotte hosts the 2016 Grand Slam Finals. This is the poetry show of the year for SlamCharlotte. The verdict is in. The top poets have been invited back to the finals stage to fight for a place on the team representing Charlotte and will compete in regional or national competition beginning in May. Tonight’s slam begins at 8 p.m. and will be held at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square. The address is 345 N. College St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #SlamCharlotte
The Rumbao Latin Dance Company hosts another fun and festive edition of “Mint to Move: Cultural Dance Night” at the Uptown branch of the Mint Museum this evening. No matter your level of rhythm, come make your mark on the floor as you move to steps ranging from Bachata, Salsa, Cha-Cha and other Latin-inspired dance moves. Or if you choose not to bust a move, then stick around and listen to somegreat Latin music! Tickets for museum members are $8.50 each. Non-members are $12 and both can be purchased at the door. So slip on your dancing shoes and head down to the Mint Museum at 8 p.m. The address is 500 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Jazz N’ Soul returns this Friday with a gumbo-soaked night of Blues. Headlining the main stage is Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen, coming straight out of New Orleans. During her performances, Mother Blues unfurls the tapestry of life experience to her audience with her soulful words, coloured with the ocean-deep compassion that is reminiscent of iconic Blueswomen like Etta James. Don’t miss this rare performance in Charlotte! Tickets can be purchased at the door or at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
If you’re in the mood for House music, come wind down at Soul Gastrolounge as DJ Gary Jackmaster Wallace spins the best of Deep House and Downtempo tunes. Relax or boogie as the pulsative grooves moves your body into the night, and be sure to grab a cool refreshment from the bar. Admission is FREE and the music starts thumping at 9 p.m. Soul Gastrolounge is located at 1500 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
SATURDAY, April 16
Pride Magazine is ready to help you gain knowledge on home ownership with their “Living With PRIDE Home Buying Seminar.” Real estate professionals and homebuyer education providers will be on hand to teach you about the home buying process from start to finish. There will also be a mortgage specialist who will guide you through the entire process and lunch will be provided as well. This is a FREE seminar and everyone is encouraged to come out. Register at: http://livingwithpride.
Attention all Crate Diggers, Vinyl Collectors and Music Enthusiasts….Today is National Record Store Day! And for those in the Charlotte area, head down to Lunchbox Records (825 Central Ave.), Repo Records (3325 Commonwealth Ave.), or Jampac Records (111 S. Main St. in Monroe, NC) and go unearth more great albums to add for your collection. 9 a.m. at all locations. Hashtag: #LongLiveVinyl #RSD2016
This morning, head out to the nearby town of Harrisburg for the 3rd annual Harrisburg ARTwalk. Bloomin’ in the ‘Burg! – it’s the 3rd year in the making of a great community event that displays artists from all over North Carolina & beyond! Handcrafted paintings, illustrations, glass, metal, wood, crafts and much much more! In addition to the festivities, a $1000 art scholarship will be presented to a student in the area that plans on furthering their education in the arts (music, drama, dance, visual). Admission is FREE and will begin at 10 a.m. The event will be held at 4100 Main St. in Harrisburg, NC.
Start your morning off at The NoDa Eclectic Marketplace! This FREE eventhosts vendors of locally produced works of art, jewelry, body products, clothing, housewares, pet products and more! The marketplace is open at 10 a.m. and will be behind The Smelly Cat Coffeehouse &Roastery and NoDa Company Store. 514 E. 36th St. in the NoDa District.
Make your way over to C3 Lab this morning for the “South End Spring Bazaar”! Celebrating small business and entrepreneurship in Charlotte, the South End Bazaar is a semi-annual event featuring local artisans with hand-crafted goods, local food trucks and music. Shop for that special graduation gift, Mother’s Day present, or special birthday present. This event is FREE and open to the public. DJ Ray Krol and CLTure will be providing the music for the event. All the fun starts at 11 a.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End. Hashtag: #CLTBazaar
At the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture this morning, bring the family out for a unique and invigorating workshop. Join dancer-choreographer Kyle Garrison and explore the high-energy fusion of jazz dance. Garrison’s choreography incorporates jazz techniques with elements of modern dance and Hip Hop. Because every jazz dancer interprets and executes moves and steps in their own way, you’ll discover your own personal jazz “style” and leave energized. The workshop is free with museum admission and if you plan on attending, please RSVP at: http://www.ganttcenter.org/
Local women’s empowerment t-shirt line, Pink Social, hosts it’s “Girl Tribe Pop-Up: Spring Break Edition” late this morning. Ladies and gentlemen, come out and support over 70 local female-owned small businesses, do some networking and fellowshipping and enjoy some great food and drinks! Tickets can be purchased online for $4 at: https://www.eventbrite.com or for $5 at the door. The event begins at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Sugar Creek Brewing Company which is located at 215 Southside Dr. Hashtag: #GirlTribePopUp
Moxie Society is back once again with their much-raved about “I Love The 90s Brunch & Day Party.” Gather your friends, colleagues, older cousins and come on down to Sports One Bar & Lounge for some great fun! The brunch menu is really delicious and diverse and you cannot go wrong with a $5 mimosa, either. And what is a day party without music? Very bland. So to cater to your vibration-less earholes, DJ Hot Rod will be spinning the best of 90s Hip Hop and R&B. Also, be sure to check out local artist Dammit Wesley painting a portrait of a 90s musical icon. Admission is FREE but please be sure to reserve your table at: http://www.sportsone.com. The fun begins at 11 a.m. Sports One is located at 521 N. College St. in Uptown. Hashtag: #MoxieSociety #SportsOneCLT #SaturdayBrunch #TheArtOfTheDayParty
For a totally off-the-radar art experience, come out to Char Basel CLT this afternoon for their launch party. Char Basel serves as a platform to bridge the conceptual creatives with the native community of Charlotte. The launch party is being held as a taste to the upcoming presentation this fall. Get your tickets here: http://www.surfacevs.com/
Uptown Swagga…”Charlotte’s Premiere Go-Go Band” gets busy this afternoon at BluNotes with their “Spring Day Go-Go Day Party.” Come out and get your blood flowing with high energy and authentic Go-Go music from one of the QC’s baddest live acts. And enjoy great drink and food specials with your crew. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased here: http://www.springdaygogo.
Label Fitness is back for the Spring! And it’s time to get your rear in gear with the “90 Minute Funky N’ Fresh Masterclass!” Join instructors Renee Grace Pickett and Guillermo Melendez as they host 90 minutes of sweat, dance and fun. Tickets are available for $20 at: http://www.labelfitness-funky-
Take a short drive down to Rock Hill this afternoon and bring the family out to the Healthy Kids Zone. Get everyone involved to enjoy sports, inflatable gyms, fun fitness dance routines, tricycle races and much more! SAFE KIDS of York County will be giving away a limited number of free custom-fit bike helmets to children 8 years old and younger along with teaching bicycle safety. Bring your own helmet to ride and bypass the SAFE KIDS line. Also, the first 500 children will receive Healthy Kids Goody Bags. Admission is FREE and the event begins at 3 p.m. The event will be held at Giordana Velodrome which is located at 1000 Riverwalk Pkwy. In Rock Hill, SC.
This evening, slide over to Advent Coworking for the Spring Arts Fete. This is a quaint and personable art social with local painters, illustrators, visual artists and a host of other great creatives. And there will be drinks and appetizers available. Admission is FREE and the splendor begins at 6 p.m. Bring a friend or a small group out and have a great time! Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. Hashtag: #AdventCoworking
Give your sweet tooth something to smile about this evening and head over to Mint Museum Randolph for “Sweet Escapes.” Over 500 pounds of chocolate and dessert items from Secret Chocolatier, Southern Cake Queen, Dessert Fetish and more. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, libations, live grooves from A Sign of the Times and a silent auction. But while you enjoy the “taste-tivities,” the main attraction of this event is to raise money to assist homeless and destitute families who struggle to afford housing and be financially empowered. Tickets can be purchased: http://e.gesture.com/events/
This evening, go beyond the traditional arts gala as the McColl Center proudly presents “STUDIO PARTY 16/Art Party + Contemporary Art Sale.” This is scheduled to be an extraordinary evening where every floor and artist studio comes alive with contemporary art, installations, pop-up performances, live music, complimentary cocktails and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. This year, the clash is between patterns and prints with art and artists. So go to your closets and break out your polka dots, pinstripes, houndstooth, argyle and more eclectic patterns to add flavor to the festivities! Tickets are sold at: http://mccollcenter.org/
Head out to BluNotes for their “Blues & Grooves Saturdays” live performance. And hitting the stage is Linda Straite–boasting one of the most sultry, down-home voices and she’ll be backed by Midnight Blue—a fluid yet tight band that loves to perform. Two shows this evening: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission is only $4 per show. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
At Pint Central, open your minds up to some more art at the Art Show & Market, this evening. Come and see a presented collection of community artists. The walls will be covered with brand new works for sale with 100% of the proceeds going to the artist. Art is going to be all around and the Move That Dough Baking Company will be out selling their delicious and awesome vegan desserts. Admission is FREE and the fun starts at 8 p.m. Pint Central is located at 1226 Central Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Head back out to Taste Café & Lounge for “PARA11EL: Mixtape Release & Art Gallery.” This is the premiere of Charlotte creative, C4Black’s first solo mixtape and original art collection. Come out and experience a truly gifted soul who uses the the Earth as his canvas. FREE admission, drink specials and lots of love in the building! The event begins at 8 p.m. Taste Café is located at 2415 W. Morehead St. on the outskirts of Uptown.
Tonight, allow your Saturday to get a little more soulful with the vintage and fresh sounds of Jarekus Singleton. Dubbed as a favorite for the future of The Blues, Singleton’s cutting edge sound—equally rooted in hip hop, rock and blues traditions, is all his own. He melds street vernacular, rock energy and R&B grooves with contemporary and traditional blues over strong and versatile vocals while hitting some untamed guitar licks. Tickets are sold for $12 at: http://ticketfly.com or at the door for $15. The doors open at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 10 p.m. and will be held at The Double Door Inn which is located at 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. in Uptown.
Rounding out your eventful and festive Saturday, come and chill out at Heist Brewery for “The Saturday Evening Heist.” Relax with some mellow and fresh sounds of Golden Era Hip Hop, Rare Grooves, Soul, The Funk, R&B and more provided by two of the JETA Team’s own, DJ Chance, and the beautiful, talented DJ Lunchbeats. This event is FREE—so come out and kick it with some cool, mature people, enjoy a refreshing drink. And what’s even better is that yours truly will be out there! The grooves start at 9 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. Suite #200 in the NoDa District. Hashtag: #JETATeam
SUNDAY, April 17
This afternoon, Ausar Auset Society at the Kamitic Life Center welcome organic farmer, Bernard Obie of Abanitu Organics from Roxboro, NC. Bernard Obie is a 5th generation farmer who is the founder and manager of Abanitu Organics, a whole-farm ecological sanctuary and classroom devoted to eco-education and growing organic foods. Farmer Obie will join Kamit for a discussion on food and will provide a live demonstration on Straw Bale Gardening: a practical and economical fashion of growing your own food. The workshop admission fees are: $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 10+. The workshop begins at 2 p.m. and will be held at Kamitic Life Center. The address is 2719 Tuckaseegee Rd. in West Charlotte.
This afternoon, come see some hardcore kickball action as M.A.R.S. (Main Attraction Recreational Sports) kicks off another round of games with Co-Ed Kickball! 6 teams will battle it out in 3 games who will try their hardest to kick, throw and pitch their way to glory. Come out and cheer yours truly and all the other players on this evening at 5 p.m. at Park Road Park. 6215 Park Rd. Hashtag: #MARS #Funletics
Head back out to Advent Coworking this evening as they collaborate with the eclectic and healthful eatery, Terra Flora Fine Plant Foods proudly presents, “A Winter’s Farewell Pop-Up Dining Experience.” Spring into the Equinox as Chef Cat whips up new, exciting and diverse foods designed to give you life. This is an evening of great food, networking and fellowship and community service. Get your tickets at: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk and try some delicious plant-based eats! The event begins at 7 p.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
This evening, have fun with your food as comedian, scientist, musician and culinary connoisseur Alton Brown stops in the Queen City during his “Eat Your Science Tour.” Brown has a knack for mixing together a perfect base of science, music and food into an evening of entertainment for the entire family! Fans can expect more comedy, talk show antics, multimedia presentations and more elements but he is also adding a slew of fresh ingredients with puppets, songs and the one element that every cook needs in their kitchen—fire! Tickets are on sale at: http://www.blumenthalarts.org or call the box office at (704)-372-1000. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The address is 130 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
I hope everyone has a great and fun weekend!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior
#TheBlackFerrisBueller