By Shawn D. Allison, II
Hey everyone! It’s Labor Day weekend and the QC is booming with lots of exciting things! There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy and like you, I hope to sink my teeth into some delicious BBQ on Monday! However, before the holiday, get a load of all the hottest things to do on my special “Hot List” just below.
- THURSDAY – Bea Quiet & Dance Party at Mosaic Village
- THURSDAY-SATURDAY – Brand New Sheriff’s adaptation of August Wilson’s “Jitney” at Duke Energy Theater
- FRIDAY – Jazz at the Bechtler presents “Great Jazz Bassists” at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
- FRIDAY – Scenes of a Black Woman screening/discussion of “Sister Act 2” at the Char-Meck Main Library
- FRIDAY — Portraits of Uganda – Timeless Tapestry at C3 Lab
- FRIDAY – United In Jazz Concert Series at First United Presbyterian Church
- SATURDAY – Family First Workshop at The Gantt Center
- SATURDAY – Bearden Birthday Bash at Romare Bearden Park
- SATURDAY — Labor Day Weekend Old School Concert & Day Party at The Morehead Tavern
- SATURDAY – East Side Block Music Festival at Albemarle Road Rec Center
- SATURDAY – RELEASE! Classic & Soulful House Party 3rd Anniversary at The Morehead Tavern
- SATURDAY – Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.12 + Slow Wine Edition at Petra’s
- SUNDAY – Book signing/reading with author Christina Benton at Park Road Books
- SUNDAY — Labor Day Hip Hop Cookout at 360 Lounge
- SUNDAY — Sippin On Sundays – Labor Day Weekend Edition at Firehouse Bar & Lounge
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 8/31——-
This evening, join local entrepreneurial and initiative Connect Up at Advent Coworking for Connectworking: Networking For People Going Places. Whether you’re a small business owner, startup entrepreneur, a gonnabe entrepreneur, or entrepreneurial minded, this is where you need to be! Connectworking is like an entrepreneur meet-up, mashed up with group coaching, with a healthy helping of motivation. In tonight’s workshop, you’ll learn how entrepreneurship means breaking through, tackling obstacles/problems/roadblocks in brainstorming groups, share ideas/inspiration with other achievement-driven people, make connections and enjoy craft brews from Catawba Brewing Co. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connectworking-networking-for-people-going-places-tickets-37016712985. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Advent Coworking is located at 933 Louise Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Herb and Felicia Gray are back to end the month strong at ROC’s Jazz Bar as they proudly present another round of Charlotte’s Favorite Happy Hour! Loosen up those ties, unbutton those cuffs, let your hair down and get out of those pumps. This FREE event will feature some live music, lots of networking and a bevy of delicious adult beverage specials! As always, you’re encouraged to bring a friend or two. The party starts at 6 p.m. ROC’s Jazz Bar is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Bring out your inner farmer at Seeds on 36th: Urban Farm Store and join The Patio Farmer for a special Open House Workshop! This informational open house about The Patio Farmer’s consultation, installation and maintenance services for those interested in growing food in small spaces. Invite your friends and enjoy one of these last summer nights by learning about your new favorite hobby – patio farming! Sign-ups will be available for FREE fall patio farming consultations. The event begins at 7 p.m. Seeds on 36th is located at 200 E. 36th St. in the NoDa District.
One of America’s most outrageous, legendary, dapper and “co-or-dinated” comedians stops in the Queen City for three nights full of nonstop laughter! Everyone fix your bowties, iron those trousers, press those polka dot shirts and get ready for John Witherspoon performing live! This funnyman has given us some of the most memorable performances on television and in film and here’s your chance to see him live, raw and uncut! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.cltcomedyzone.com/buy-tickets/?Page=https://public.ticketbiscuit.com/ComedyZoneCharlotte/Events/292974. Performance times will be listed on the link as well. All performances will be held at The Comedy Zone. 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.
The esteemed Rory D. Sherriff of Brand New Sherriff Productions is proud to bring you one of theatre’s most acclaimed pieces—get ready for the adaptation of August Wilson’s “Jitney!” It’s the story of a gang of Black taxi cab drivers in 1970s Pittsburgh who jumble through the jungle of society battling institutional racism, gentrification, forgiveness and definitive manhood. Filled with rousing and emotional performances from some multitalented actors, it’s a story that you do not want to miss! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/jitney-1. This play will run through September 9. There are four performances this weekend: Thursday (8/31) at 7:30 p.m., Friday (9/1) at 8 p.m. and Saturday (9/2) at 2:30 and 8 p.m. All shows will be held at The Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
It’s the clash of the eras at Apostrophe Lounge this evening—get ready as Eight Sideways presents “The Hybrid DJ Experience!” Are you down with old school or new school? Come battle it out on the dance floor with two special guest DJs in a clash of the eras creating an unforgettable experience! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hybrid-dj-experience-tickets-36884538648. The party starts at 8 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Start your Labor Day weekend off in silence—well, kind of. Head down to the Mosaic Village and get ready for the first-ever Bea Quiet & Dance Party! Hosted by the lovely Brandi “Bea” Williams and Historic West End Partners, come get your musical mix in as 92.7 The Block’s DJ TO, Old School 105.3’s DJ Stacey Blackman and Crooklyn Clan artist DJ Soden fixes your earholes with a hot mix through some special-channeled headphones! Search your station with a variety of Hip Hop, R&B, EDM/House mixes and get down on the good foot like no one is watching! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bea-quiet-and-dance-a-silent-party-experience-tickets-37377399809. The fun starts at 8 p.m. The Mosaic Village is located at 1601 W. Trade St. near JCSU.
——-FRIDAY 9/1——-
Feast Food Tours & Culinary Events aim to give your stomach some smiles this Friday night as they host the “Soul of the South Uptown Food Tour!” On this walking food tour, you’ll sample and sip your way through some of Uptown Charlotte’s best representations of the region and hear chefs and restaurant owners explain the influence of Southern heritage on their cuisine and menus. Many of their recipes are Southern family traditions, others are inspired by fresh local produce, and some are a modern twist on traditional dishes. Your group will get a taste of local craft beers and stroll along city streets to explore examples of Charlotte’s historical past. Tickets can be purchased here: https://feastfoodtours.com/walking-food-tours/soulofthesouth-uptown/. The event begins at 4 p.m. and the meeting place will be revealed upon ticket purchase.
Everyone is invited down to First United Presbyterian Church as they present another season of their soul-stirring United In Jazz Concert Series. Enjoy a delicious dinner, good fellowship, and live jazz from the electrifying jazz band, The Harvey Cummings Project! Admission is $20 for the concert and dinner or just $10 for the concert. The event begins at 5 p.m. First United Presbyterian Church is located at 406 N. College St. in Uptown.
It’s time to feel alive this weekend at Matthews Alive! Bring the entire family and your friends out for a whole weekend filled with vendors, rides, food trucks, live entertainment, arts & crafts, fellowship and much more! All festivities begin at 6 p.m. and will continue through Monday, September 4. Matthews Alive will be held at Stumptown Park. 200 S. Trade St. in Historic Downtown Matthews.
For some more jazz flavor, come out to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for another edition of Jazz at the Bechtler concert series. For tonight’s showcase, The Ziad Jazz Quartet pays homage to the rhythm of the deep-toned foundation, the bass, with “Great Jazz Bassists.” Though often overlooked, the bass line in jazz is one of the most important components of a smooth and engaging sound. Occupying a place between rhythm and melody, bass is the glue that makes the band stick together. Some of the most iconic names in jazz bass history will be honored at the show such as Ron Carter, Paul Chambers and many more! Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=84387bfe-334e-4fb3-9c49-41f162035548. There will be two performances this evening: 6 and 8:15 p.m. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Need a breather from the weekend and a recharge for the upcoming week? Head over to Grier Heights Community Improvement Center for the Weekend Wind Down. Join your lovely host and instructor Jasmine Hines as she guides you along a series of breathing and stretching exercises to release negativity and to reaffirm spiritual tools for those who are on a path of peace, justice, love and joy. Be sure to dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat. Admission is $5. The session begins at 6:30 p.m. The address is 3100 Leroy St. in the Grier Heights Community.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library invites you to the Main Branch this evening for a special screening of their Scenes of a Black Woman film series. For tonight’s feature, come and view the 1993 comedy classic “Sister Act 2” starring Whoopi Goldberg, Lauryn Hill and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Scenes of a Black Woman is a series of films about Black women, created by Black filmmakers and a celebration of Black cinema. There will be a short discussion of themes and aesthetics after the film. Admission is FREE to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the film will start at 6 p.m. The screening will take place at the Main Library Branch. 310 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
At C3 Lab this evening, come and get immersed in some art with “Portraits of Uganda – Timeless Tapestry.” Portraits of Uganda is an educational exhibit of photographs, mixed media encaustics, documentary video, and Ugandan artifacts. This 50-piece exhibit includes photographs from Carrie Wagner’s book, Village Wisdom, and newly created encaustic photographs that represent 25 years of involvement with communities in Western Uganda. The purposes of the exhibit are to connect individuals and organizations for shared learning about the richness of culture, the challenges of poverty, share stories from the heart about cross-cultural friendship, poverty alleviation, and social justice, inspire global engagement and service learning. Admission is FREE to attend and the event will begin at 7 p.m. C3 Lab is located at 2525 Distribution St. in Historic South End.
Jazz N’ Soul Music is back for the month of September and they’re ready to start off with a bang with “A Night of Silky Soul” from Joseph Priester & Co.! Come enjoy some soulful vocals, riveting rhythms and a lot more infectious musical energy! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joseph-priester-and-company-a-night-of-silky-soul-tickets-37230045067. The show starts promptly at 9 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
The Sol Kitchen is back to provide some electric relaxation this evening at ‘Stache House with another installment of “#Thankgawdits1stfriday!” Sound provider and Charlotte staple DJ Ngenius will spin the best of today’s and yesterday’s Hip Hop and R&B grooves. Admission is FREE. 10 p.m. ‘Stache House is located at 1520 South Blvd. in Historic South End. #TheSolKitchen
——-SATURDAY 9/2——-
The Gantt Center is celebrating Romare Bearden’s birthday with a special Family First Workshop this morning! Gather up all your loved ones and come out for the Art-Making Workshop: Celebrating Bearden Through Collage. Designed for enthusiasts of all ages and levels, local mixed-media artist Monique Luck will guide workshop participants as they create an original work of art. Collage is a technique using an assemblage of diverse materials and media which can include newspaper, magazines, fabric, paint, photographs and other found materials in different forms and shapes to create a finished composition. The museum will provide the supplies. You provide your imagination. Be sure to RSVP here: https://61686.blackbaudhosting.com/61686/September-Family-First?_ga=2.96364824.524487521.1503614262-108668166.1503614262. The workshop starts promptly at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Bring the entire tribe out to Charlotte’s lower East Side as Dapper Street Productions presents the inaugural East Side Block Music Festival! This is a community celebration which will feature local talents, food trucks, merchandise vendors, a health fair, a kids’ zone, exhibitors much more! Your musical enertainment for the afternoon will be BreakOnEm’ Davis, Malakia Janelle, David Russell & The Port City Blues, and headlining act, The Queen’s Guard feat. Blanche J.! Admission is FREE to attend. The festival starts at 12 noon and will be held at Albemarle Road Rec Center. 5027 Idlewild Road North.
Everyone come out to Romare Bearden Park for the annual Bearden Birthday Bash! Enjoy local creatives, vendors, fellowship, demonstrations and more! There will be live music from sax man Euge Groove, guitarist Terence Young and more fine acts. Also, to keep your stomach satisfied, there will be a few of your favorite food trucks stationed at the park. The fun starts at 12 noon. Romare Bearden Park is located at 300 S. Church St. in Uptown.
Join the Jazz N’ Soul Music family at The Morehead Tavern for the Labor Day Weekend Old School Concert & Day Party! This month they will celebrate our HBCU and Greek heritage. Experience a vibrant afternoon with a taste of what the upcoming HBCU Homecoming celebrations will be like with hosts Chirl Girl, DJ Stacey Blackman and a special performance from one of Charlotte’s baddest bands, Willie Walker & Conversation Piece! All HBCU Alumni and Greeks are welcome and will receive a special gift and school supplies for local students will also be collected. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/labor-day-weekend-concert-day-party-hbcu-greek-edition-tickets-36989374214. Doors open at 2 and the party starts at 3 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
She’s been fighting for the rights of many for many years and has recently become a stellar political pop culture icon and everyone’s favorite “Auntie.” This evening, The Black Political Caucus cordially invites you to the 2017 BPC Banquet featuring Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The theme, “Reclaiming My Time”, will highlight the journey of the BPC in its mission to promote and enhance the power and welfare of the Black community through advocacy and education and being a consistent voice in matters of education, economics, cultural, social, civic welfare, and political activity within Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Join electoral and community members for an evening of empowerment! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-bpc-charlotte-banquet-tickets-36748439572. The event will begin promptly at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Charlotte LeMeridien Complex. 555 S. McDowell St. in Uptown.
It’s time to celebrate a milestone in the QC! Everyone head down to The Morehead Tavern for the 3rd Anniversary of RELEASE! Classic & Soulful House Party! The Deep House Providers (DJ’s Marcus Wade, Gary “Jackmaster” Wallace, Tony Cutlass, Badala B) are ready to rock your body and send your soul into a frenzy as they give you nothing but that deep, soulful, raw, hard-hitting House music all night long! Admission is $5 all night long and the party starts at 9 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
The mighty JETA Team is ready to take you back in time at Petra’s with another funky and retro round o’ sound with “Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.12 + Slow Wine Edition!” Join DJ Aking Allah and DJ Justice as they take you on a ride with all the fly jams between 1980 through 1989! From Public Enemy to Billy Joel, Run-DMC to Whitney Houston, Prince, The Jacksons, Eric B. & Rakim, Duran Duran, S.O.S. Band, Beastie Boys, Kraftwerk and much, much, more flyness! Then, be sure to stick around as the music slows down as your two sound craftsmen provide a delightful arsenal of slow jams for you and your partner to groove to. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! 9 p.m. Admission is $5 before 11 p.m. and $10 after. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District. #TheJETATeam
——-SUNDAY 9/3——-
Get your creative shop on this afternoon at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. and come out to the Starving Artist Market. Need some cool and crafty ideas for your home to blend in the Summer atmosphere? This is the place for you! Over 30 local artists and vendors that will be pulling out all the stops to give you a five-hour, one-stop shopping experience. Skip the lines and come view this very talented group of local artisans. There will be pet supplies, pottery, soaps, jewelry, paintings, prints, fiber arts, wood workings, gemstones, candles, glass art, crystals and lots more! Admission is FREE to enter and the market opens at 12 noon. Lenny Boy Brewing Co. is located at 3000 S. Tryon St.
While everyone is out dancing, here’s something that will get your brain in gear! This afternoon, come over to Park Road Books and take an in-depth journey into the extraordinary mind of Christina Benton! The captivating and charismatic Christina Benton is a forensic anthropologist turned contemporary crime thriller writer. Prior to a career telling stories she crafted her tales at the head of classrooms as a college professor at both Winthrop University and the University of North Carolina Charlotte. In her debut novel “No Remaining Evidence”, she successfully merges her skills as a forensic professional with her talents as a writer to bring a fast paced, action-packed thriller that is sure to have you turning pages. There will be plenty of her books for sale, so please bring a friend or two! The event will begin at 2 p.m. Park Road Books is located at 4139 Park Rd. in the South Park Area.
If you want some Hip Hop Flavor this afternoon, head out to 360 Lounge for the Labor Day Hip Hop Cookout! It’s going down—four DJs, an entire afternoon of street beats and hot food fresh out the kitchen! Come and relax as your sound pilots, DJs FoundACEtion, Chance, L.O. and the beautiful DK rock out with some Golden Era Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, R&B, House and more! Bring your friends, bring your appetite, bring some positive vibes and enjoy yourselves! Admission is FREE to attend and the party starts at 3 p.m. 360 Lounge is located at 3060 Smith Corners Blvd. in the Northlake Area.
Moxie Society invites you out to Firehouse Bar & Lounge to celebrate this festive weekend with, “Sippin On Sundays – Labor Day Weekend Edition!” Relax in this snazzy Uptown QC venue with delicious food, drink specials, hookah, music from DJs Weatherman and Louie Vee. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sippin-on-sundays-labor-day-edition-tickets-36831250261. The event begins at 3 p.m. Firehouse Bar & Lounge is located at 320 W. Carson St. in Uptown.
Spend your afternoon with one of Charlotte’s most brilliant and versatile soundscapes, The Harvey Cummings Project as they host “Chicken Day Vibes: The Takeover!” You’ve heard the music, you know the energy and now it’s time to celebrate some local cultural success as Harvey Cummings celebrates the released of his much-anticipated EP release, “Chicken Day!” This live jam session will feature lots of great music from the band and some riveting performances from fellow local creative Elevator Jay, Nige Hood, Chantaul and many more. Vendors will also be present to enhance your afternoon experience. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicken-day-vibes-rooftop-takeover-tickets-37384744778. The event begins at 4 p.m. and will be held at Rooftop 210 at The Epicentre. 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.
Get your Go-Go groove on at The Morehead Tavern this evening and get ready for the Charlotte Labor Day Weekend Go-Go Invasion 2017! Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment is poised to once again to bring the funk with Charlotte’s premiere Go-Go band, Uptown Swagga along with some authentic D.C. flavor with Black Passion Go-Go Band! Then be sure to stick around as DJ’s Shaun Nyce aka “The Blend King” and DJ Elevate rock out some hot tunes inside and on the patio! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charlotte-go-go-invasion-labor-day-weekend-edition-2017-tickets-36283085686. Doors open at 8 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.
——-MONDAY 9/4——-
Brothers and sisters prepare your minds and head over to Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church this evening for the second installment of the Regaining Our Power African History Course. This weekly mini-course is geared to help educate Black people about our powerful past which provides: knowledge of self, African cultural development and reconnection, economic wisdom, strategy and tactics for liberation, self-sufficiency in today’s climate, regaining power to self-determine, restoring our confidence and ambition and much more! The class is presented by the League of Intelligence and will begin at 7 p.m. Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church is located at 700 W. Sugar Creek Rd. in the Hidden Valley Neighborhood.
——-TUESDAY 9/5——-
All you vinyl enthusiasts, music lovers, collectors and cool people, join DJ Ray as he hosts another fly session of “B.Y.O.V. (Bring Your Own Vinyl)!” Whether you have wax or not, come out and hear a diverse array of tunes, grooves, jams and more! Also, be sure to visit Digger’s Delight who will be in the joint with a few crates of albums for purchase. Admission is FREE and the tables start turning at 8 p.m. at Petra’s. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
COMING SOON…
9/8 – Purple Dreams
9/9 – TeamBlkGrlFly presents “The Beauty Standard”
9/9 – Love Desserts NoDa Dessert Crawl
9/15 – AFROFUNK CLT 2017
9/15 – DJ Prince Paul w/ Dirty Art Club
9/15-9/16 – Soul Junction
9/23 – Carolina Curly Men’s Lounge
10/6-10/7 – Art Of Cool Festival Charlotte
10/13 – Breakin’ Convention CLT 2017
Everyone have a great Labor Day and let’s all continue to work hard and build each other up! Peace.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior #TheBlackFerrisBueller #CommunityFirst