The Rundown Thursday, December 15 – Monday, December 19

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

By: Shawn D. Allison, II 

Peace and love family! The weather is getting cooler and the holidays are drawing nearer, but that doesn’t mean you have to remain in the comforts of your home to have fun! No! There’s plenty to do in our city and of course you all know I got the deets of all the beats happenin’ on the QC streets! Now if you really want to know what the specialties are for this weekend, peep my “Hot List” just below.

  • THURSDAY—“Paint & Sip: Art From the Heart” at The Last Word
  • FRIDAY—Stage adaption of “The Gift” at Reconciling the World Ministries
  • FRIDAY—“Holiday Time Family Game Night” at Dave & Busters
  • FRIDAY—“Spoken Word Paint & Play” at Industry Coworking
  • SATURDAY—Ujamaa Marketplace at Harambee Gardens
  • SATURDAY—“A Celebration of Jesus Christmas Musical” at Word of Truth Ministries
  • SUNDAY—“Verbal Expressions” at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar
  • MONDAY—“Mo’ Betta” at The Tavern

——-THURSDAY 12/15——-

This evening, join The Charlotte Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. as they host the holiday editon of “Cufflinks & Cocktails!” Fellas throw on that after-work suit and ladies get those cute evening dresses together with some cute heels—this is a night of elegant social exchange, food, fellowship, music and of course…cocktails! Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Club One. 950 NC Music Factory Blvd.

Goodyear Arts is proud to present its End of Year Arts Residency Showcase this evening! Please come celebrate the Artists-in-Residence for the months of November and December–Dylan Gilbert, Grace Elizabeth Stott, Cat Babbie and Andrea Vail with new work that includes sculpture, ceramics, installation, tapestry, prints, mixed media, interactive sound installation, and a preview of a musical. There will be food and beverages available. Admission is FREE to attend. The showcase starts at 6 p.m. Goodyear Arts is located at 516 N. College St. in Uptown.

Join local grassroots initiative Educate to Engage this evening at The Third Place: Coffee, Community & Common Ground this evening for a discussion entitled, “Engage Action.” For tonight’s session, you will discuss the four practices of transformative movements and four roles in movement building. 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

 

 

Slide out to The Last Word and throw some express the colors in your soul at “Paint & Sip: Art From the Heart” this evening. Gather your friends and come out to unleash your inner artist with some after-work relaxation and creativity. Painter Christopher Clarke will be on hand to guide your hands through a sequence of color, pattern, stroke and technique to help you create your very own take home masterpiece. Admission is $20 and can be purchased here: https://www.paypal.me/artfromtheheart. All materials will be provided. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. The Last Word is located at 5744 N. Tryon St.

Join Hip Hop Caucus—Charlotte this evening at Taste Café & Lounge as they proudly present, “A 704 Christmas.” Spend a musical evening with Charlotte natives, rapper 704 and Grammy Award-winning soul brother Anthony Hamilton for a benefit party to raise funds to purchase gifts for students at Walter G. Byers Elementary and Bruns Academy. All proceeds will be used to purchase items for the children’s wish list. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-704-christmas-benefit-party-tickets-30056264095. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Taste Café & Lounge is located at 2415 W. Morehead St. on the outskirts of Uptown.

——-FRIDAY 12/16——-

The Single Saved and Serious Movement (SSS) is pleased to invite you out for an evening of fun at their “Holiday Time Family Game Night!” Come out and test your skills against others in a “friendly” game of bowling! There will be lots of food and fellowship , so be sure to bring your friends out for a joyous occasion! Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-time-family-game-night-tickets-30066506731. All the fun starts at 7 p.m. and will be held at Dave & Busters in Concord. 8361 Concord Mills Blvd.   #SSSMovement

Gather your friends and come out to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for another fun edition of “Bechtler By Night!” Hailed as a leisure haven for art enthusiasts in the Charlotte region, this event for this evening will be themed as “Paint N’ Sip.” Hors d’oeuvres and margarita cocktails will be available. Admission is FREE and it begins at 5 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Join Tamu Curtis of Liberate Your Palate CLT as she hosts “#ShakeStirSipSocialize: Holiday Cocktail Class” at Level Co-working this evening! Come out for a truly unique cocktail class as Cocktail Crafter Extraordinaire, Emily Bowditch, will school and show you how to master essential cocktail making techniques. There will be intimate professional instruction, take-home recipes and syrups, food samples, free cocktails, fellowship and more! Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.liberateyourpalate.com/passbook/holidaycocktailclass. The session will begin at 7 p.m. Level Co-Working is located at 227 W. 4th St. in Uptown.   #LiberateYourPalateCLT

Everyone get dressed and dapper this evening and join the Charlotte Chapter of the National Black MBA Association for their 2016 Holiday Party! Enjoy an evening at The Dunhill Hotel filled with networking, delicious treats, cocktails, and hot grooves spun by the one and only DJ 06! Tickets can be purchased here: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07edf0oow91ec5150c&oseq=&c=&ch=. The dress code for this event is semi-cocktail—classy and sophisticated (no jeans or athletic wear). The event begins at 7 p.m. 237 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

Put some color in your and flavor in your Friday at Industry Coworking and come out for “The Spoken Word Paint & Play!” Art and cuisine collide in this cool-down with some prolific from the lovely Lady V Poetry with a delicious and hearty menu from Jus’Taste Personal Chef & Catering. There will also be free giveaways and live music from a special guest DJ. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-play-tickets-29725845805. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Industry Coworking is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. 

From the brilliant and beautiful mind of Vickie L. Evans comes the all-new Christmas musical, “The Gift.” It’s the story of a clergyman’s cry for help, his church’s avoidance and help from a meek and lowly source. Some gifts come in unexpected packages—make sure you grab your seat to find out what it is! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gift-the-christmas-musical-tickets-29109964688. There will be two performances: Friday (12/16) at 8 p.m. and Saturday (12/17) at 7:30 p.m. Bother performances will be held at Reconciling the World Ministries. 7801 Plott Rd.

Jazz N’ Soul continues to get your in the holiday mood and this Friday, head out to The Tavern for another edition of Ella’s Speakeasy as The Sean Mason Trio presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas!” Enjoy classic tunes from this beloved tale with everyone’s favorite gang! Joining this trio of young instrumenalists is the lovely Ahree Onoh on vocals. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sean-mason-trio-a-charlie-brown-christmas-and-cool-jazz-favorites-tickets-29732632103. Children 12 and under are admitted FREE. Showtime is at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.   #JazzNSoul

Are you feeling fly in your threads and want to peep how others are rockin’ the cold weather clothes? Head down to Studio 1212 and get ready to experience the “For the Culture Fashion Show!” This Hip Hop Culture-inspired fashion show will be filled with models sporting some of the newest winter street trends backed by a booming Hip Hop soundtrack. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/for-the-culture-fashion-show-tickets-29782911490?aff=es2. The event will begin at 9 p.m. Studio 1212 is located at 1212 E. 10th St. on the outskirts of Uptown.

Join The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel at Apostrophe Lounge this evening for the third edition of “Hip-Hop & Hookah!” Bring your crew and rock out to an evening of flyness as the two turntablists pay a special tribute to Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh and 9th Wonder—better known as Little Brother. If you’re looking to be around the real hip hop true schoolers in Charlotte, this is the joint for you! Admission is $5 and can be purchased at the door or here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hip-hop-hookah-little-brother-tribute-tickets-29861846587. The event begins at 10 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

——-SATURDAY 12/17——-

Parents! Bring the kids out to the McCrorey Family YMCA this morning as Pride Entrepreneur Education Program (PEEP) proudly presents, “A Soulful Christmas!” Enjoy arts and crafts activities, holiday refreshments from Southern Cake Queen, vending from Zuri Creative Services and Simply Unique Designs and take a picture with Soulful Santa! Admission is FREE to attend and the festivities begin at 10 a.m. The McCrorey Family YMCA is located at 3801 Beatties Ford Rd.

Brothers and sisters, rise up and head down to The Gantt Center this morning for a family-fun session entitled, “Art-Making Workshop: Celebrating Kwanzaa at Home.” Hosted by Kwanzaa Charlotte, this interactive cultural art session will show you the basics of the Kwanzaa holiday—including its history, elements and other practical ways we can apply them to our families, communities, nation and world. You will also participate in a Kwanzaa craft-making workshop! Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: http://www.ganttcenter.org/calendar/art-making-workshop-celebrating-kwanzaa-at-home/. The workshop will begin at 11 a.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.

The Charlotte Area LOC along with Harambee Gardens and #BlackOwnedCLT invites you and your tribe to come out to Ujamaa Marketplace 2016. “Ujamaa” is Swahili for cooperative economics. As we learn to shift our mindset to spending within our own community we will begin to immediately see the benefits and the unity that that will bring to us. There will be food, musical entertainment, workshops, vendors, and job recruiters on site. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 10 a.m. Harambee Gardens is located at 1801 N. Tryon St.

Everyone head out to Gastonia and get ready for the Gospel/holiday stage play, “A Celebration of Jesus Christmas Musical!” Presented by JMP Productions and Word of Truth Ministries, this tapestry of talent features classic and original holiday songs along with comedic skits, praise dance routines and more fun for the entire family! Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.triunemanagementandbooking.com/. There will be two shows: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Performances will be held at Word of Truth Ministries located at 1205 S. Marietta St. in Gastonia.

Get those ugly sweaters out and get ready to rock n’ roll because it’s time for the “Ugly Sweater FUNK SHUN!” Enjoy an evening with tons of other cool peeps in their hideous holiday daps under a funky soundscape featuring Blu House, Earl Grey and Feels. Also, be sure to grab some delicious food, fresh cookies and some “holidaze punch” to lift your spirits. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ugly-sweater-funkshun-1-year-jubilee-tickets-29194395222?aff=efbeventtix. The get down starts at 8 p.m. and will be held at PRIVY. Located at the corner of Trade & Tryon in Uptown.

BluNotes proudly presents its 3rd Saturday sizzler, “Grooves, Booze & Jazz!” this evening with none other than one of the baddest hornblowers in the QC—trombonist Buff Dillard! Come and get you a strong dose of his signature “Bonejazz” sound while you enjoy a delicious Southern-cooked meal and cocktails! There will be two shows this evening: 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Admission is $10 for both shows. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel are back to fill your holiday with Afro-flavored joy, soul and love! Head down to The Tavern for “AfroPop Vol. 7: Soca, Fashion & Vendors!” If you desire to dance away some of that holiday stress and gather some last minute stocking stuffers, this is the jam session for you! Also, Kizomba Charlotte is back with a free Kizomba dance lesson before the main party starts. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropop-charlotte-vol-7-afrobeats-soca-fashion-vendors-live-art-tickets-29830091607. Doors open and the dance class begins at 9 p.m. The Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.   #AfricanaConnections #BantuFete #NappyLuv

The legendary DJ SNS invites you out to BluNotes this evening for his “Celebrity Birthday Takeover!” Before the man of the hour gets busy on the turntables, get ready for a live performance from the World’s Greatest Entertainer—Doug E. Fresh and a very special opening from a guest performer! Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dj-sns-celebrity-birthday-takeover-hosted-by-doug-e-fresh-tickets-29444217447. Doors open at 9 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.

It’s time once again for “The Big Heist: The Ol’ Skool Retreat” at Heist Brewery this evening! Come chill and nod your head as DJ Chance and the beautiful DJ Lunchbeats fills the speakers with the best of Hip Hop, R&B Neo-Soul and more delicious musical ingredients! Admission is FREE to attend and the music starts at 9 p.m. Heist Brewery is located at 2909 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.

——-SUNDAY 12/18——-

For some evening grooves, head down to The Taven for another soulful edition of “Jazzy Sundays!” Rated the number one source for live music on Sundays, this showcase blends musical flavors ranging from R&B, to Gospel, Jazz, Blues and The Funk! The raucous rhythm section known as The Tempo All-Starz with the beautiful Gena Chambers set things off right as they welcome featured guest, Sol Fusion lead vocalist, T.K. Hash who will provide some hearty tunes for your audible pleasure! Also, be sure to stick around as DJ 06 rocks out on the 1’s and 2’s. Event will be hosted by Chirl Girl. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazzy-sundays-featuring-tk-hash-with-the-tempo-allstarz-tickets-30142486990. The event will begin at 7 p.m. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.

The mysteriously beautiful Chosen the Poet is back to raise the heat and raise the hairs all over your skin with another sultry evening edition of “Verbal Expressions!” The theme of the evening is “41 Chosen Poems”—performed by a number of selected poets and lyricists. Bring your friends out to hear and experience what lies between the stanzas of creativity and imagination. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/verbal-expressions-tickets-29466936400. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar. 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.

——-MONDAY 12/19——-

On Q Productions wowed you with “A Soulful Noel” and now it’s time for some Monday holiday-tinged funk with “Mo’ Betta”! Join host Quentin Talley and On Q musical director Tim Scott, Jr. for an evening full of great music, spoken word, film, comedy, dance and more visual art! Your featured act for the evening is none other than the talented Adrian Crutchfield! Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/mo-betta-1. Showtime is at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at The Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown.   #OnQ

 

COMING SOON…

  • Monday, 12/26—Jazz & Movie premiere of “Fences”
  • Saturday, 12/31—“Su Casa: The NYE Jam”
  • Saturday, 1/7—“Off The Wall: Best of the 80s V.10”
  • Friday, 1/13—“14th Annual Legacy of Black Women Film Showcase”

 

 

“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver and gold.”   -Bob Marley

 

Everyone have a fantastic weekend and always be sure to show your neighbor lots of love! Peace.

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

#WeekendWarrior   #TheBlackFerrisBueller