By: Shawn D. Allison, II
Greetings everyone! I hope you all have had a great week. There’s quite a bit of activity going on in the QC this weekend and I think you’ll enjoy what I have in store for you! If you want to follow my tracks, be sure to peep my “Hot List” just below. Good hunting!
· THURSDAY—Vibez Open Mic at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar
· FRIDAY-SATUDAY—Grand Opening of ROC’s Jazz Bar
· FRIDAY—Brush N’ Beats at Charlotte Art League
· FRIDAY—The Shana Blake Band at The Morehead Tavern
· SATURDAY—The Hidden Gems Tour
· SATURDAY—MARS’ Brunch Party at The Local
· SATURDAY—Satya Soul Yoga & Brunch at The Morehead Tavern
· SATURDAY—RomareFest at Romare Bearden Park
· SATURDAY—AfroPop Vol. 11 at The Morehead Tavern
· SUNDAY—Soul Sunday at Snug Harbor
· SUNDAY—OutenLove Events’ “Speed Dating & Wine Tasting” at Reign
· SUNDAY—Verbal Expressions’ Bowties & Beauties Anniversary Show
——-THURSDAY 5/18——-
Bring the entire family out to the old stomping grounds of Eastland Mall for a festival entitled, “Eastland: Something New Under the Sun.” Come enjoy an afternoon of food trucks, a pop-up vendor park, interactive murals, a cycle track and more! Also, the Queen City Quiz Show will be there to share challenging and entertaining trivial info about Charlotte’s past and present in order for us to work together to create a better, more unified QC! Admission is FREE to attend and the fun starts at 4 p.m. The address is 5249 Central Ave.
It’s time to be dashing and dapper this evening at The Gantt Center as it is time for Gantt After Dark: Spring Kolors! Presented by Charlotte Kappas, Posh Events and Herb & Felicia Gray, come enjoy an evening of Spring sophistication and flair with some art, delicious food and drinks, local vendors, lots of networking and live music from jazz band 5th & York and DJ Tramare. Also, join local creative and teacher Cathay Dawkins as he hosts a special “Paint N’ Sip” course! Dawkins will guide your hands to create your own masterpiece on canvas as you enjoy some select wines. The course is $20 for Gantt members and $25 for nonmembers. You can pay here: https://61686.
This evening, get in the groove at Sydney’s Martini & Wine Bar as Be Free Entertainment proudly presents Vibez Open Mic! Join host and vocal powerhouse, the beautiful Blanche J. in an evening full of vibrant musical expression and talents. Featured acts include Mercury Carter, Howl Seven and Dexter Brown. Admission is $10 all night long. The event begins at 8 p.m. Sydney’s is located at 401 N. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Set your weekend off at Studio Movie Grill and come out for the all-new #4LitThursdays! Wind down and then turn up with the best of today’s jams from DJ Jersey Boy Promo! There will be lots of drink specials, so come out, bring your friend and feel the energy! This event is hosted by CharLitt Agency, Fulltime Ent. and Gurutru Domain. Admission is FREE all night long and the dress code is “fly.” 10 p.m. 210 E. Trade St. in Uptown.
——-FRIDAY 5/19——-
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 “Gear Up.” 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.
Science on the Rocks is laugh-out-loud funny this month! Come out to the Discovery Place for an adults-only comedy night including an Open Mic Night from judges at The Comedy Zone, a performance from comedy hypnotist Gary Conrad, explore why flatulence is funny in the Fart Lab, test your improve skills with Charlotte Comedy Theater, keep a straight face in an NFL-style bad joke competition and more! Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased here: https://15106a.
Charlotte, we have a new jazz lounge! Everyone come celebrate the grand opening of the all-new ROC’s Jazz Bar! It’s about time we have a jazz lounge to call our own and now it’s here! Enjoy two days full of fellowship and performances from local and acclaimed jazz acts, 5th& York and The Harvey Cummings Project. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
The Charlotte Art League invites you to expand and express your minds on canvas this evening as they proudly present another dope edition of “Brush N’ Beats!” Tonight is totally organic–paint whatever comes to mind as you are exposed to a multitude of musical genres from around the world. Then you will watch as the creations evolve over the course of the evening, and you will share interpretations of other participant’s works as the event comes to a climax. Admission, paint and utensils are FREE, but canvases will available for a discounted price. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Charlotte Art League is located at 1517 Camden Rd. in Historic South End.
Spend an evening experiencing virtual reality at the Google Fiber Space with Daydream and Warner Brothers’ “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” Enjoy spellbinding treats while watching the adventure unfold onscreen. Come dressed in your best costume and a lucky few will go home with movie night prize packs. Activities will include a costume contest, interactive photo booth, Harry Potter trivia, building your own magic wand using fiber construction materials and more! Children under 13 are welcome but they must be supervised by an accompanying adult. Admission is FREE to attend and the fun starts at 7 p.m. Google Fiber Charlotte is located at 301 E. 7th St. in Uptown.
The slam season is over—no more judges, competitions, battle rounds, nothing! Come out to The McGlohon Theatre for the SlamCharlotte Yearly All Ages Slam! Whatever is on your mind or in your heart, feel free to speak it however you please. Ages 18+ are welcome to participate. Admission is $12. The slam starts at 8 p.m. The McGlohon Theatre is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown. #SlamCharlotte
Jazz N’ Soul Music invites you out to Ella’s Speakeasy at The Morehead Tavern to experience the sounds and energy of The Shana Blake Band! This blue-eyed ensemble is truly colorblind when it comes to playing great music! With a combination of Blues, Soul and Southern Rock rhythms patterned over Shana’s powerful vocals, you’ll be sure to enjoy this show! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
——-SATURDAY 5/20——-
Rise and shine and join The Males Place this morning as they invite you out for the African-American Hidden Gems Tour! How well do you know the city of Charlotte? Whether you are new to the QC or a Native Charlottean, The Males Place invite you to come out to discover some of the “Hidden Gems” within the confines of I-485. In honor of Queen Charlotte’s birthday on today (5/19), you will celebrate this interactive tour which has been custom designed with interactive interludes, vendors, raffles, photo opportunities with Queen Charlotte and the chance to meet new friends or meet up with old one’s while learning about the “Queen City!” Admission is $35 per person and you can pay here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Bring the family out to Symphony Park this morning for The Fresh Expo–A Healthy, Green, Eco & Sustainable Living Experience! Enjoy seminars, demos, a Green Kids Planet exhibition, healthy and delicious food, an electric bike expo, local musicians and a ton of vendors in this celebration of healthy living for the body and planet! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
This morning, stretch and release at The Morehead Tavern as Radio Rehab Carolinas and Yoga with Vivian proudly presents Satya Soul Yoga & Brunch. Join the lovely Vivian Selles as she guides you through 60 minutes of easy breathing, stretching and mind-centering techniques. The stick around for a delightful brunch prepared by the kitchen staff! Admission is $15 and can be paid here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
The good people of MARS invites you out to The Local for a special Brunch Party! Come hear all the kickball stories, laugh, play games, socialize, enjoy some delicious food and kick it on the dance floor as DJ Tramare rocks out some hot tunes! Menu will include breakfast tacos, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, $5 mimosas and more! Admission is FREE to attend and everyone is welcome! 12 noon. The Local is located at 105 E. 5th St. in Uptown. #MARS #Funletics
This afternoon, head down to The Knight Theater for a special performance from The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra as they present, “Pro-Am.” Following weeks of self-guided practice and a professional morning rehearsal with Music Director Christopher Warren-Green, you will join the full orchestra for a delightful public performance featuring works by Elgar, Brahms, Bizet, and Tchaikovsky. Support the bold community musicians who will perform with us for our inaugural Pro-Am experience! Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 2:30 p.m. The Knight Theater is located at 430 S. Tryon St. in Uptown. #CSOProAm
Slide up to the town of Cornelius this afternoon and bring the family out to the Old Town Cornelius Jazz Festival! This highly-anticipated event will feature the area’s most earthy, soulful and unpredictable improvisers on one stage! Throughout the festival grounds guests can enjoy a variety of cuisine from local food trucks, handmade crafts from local artisans, locally made beverages and an array of children’s activities. Acts include The Calvin Edwards Trio, Shades of Brown, Holly Hopkins Jazz, The Lovell Bradford Trio and the Pacific Coast Highway Jazz Band. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 3 p.m. The festival will be held at Smithville Park located at 19710 S. Ferry Street in Cornelius.
Prosocialites and Mo10 have teamed up to bring to you the return of #DayPMCharlotte! Kick back on this lively afternoon with an eclectic host of entertainment connoisseurs, ambitious professionals and brilliant creatives set in a welcoming ambience with groovy music. Sounds will be provided by Power 98’s DJ Buttafingaz and DJ Phat Boi. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
It’s that time of year again—RomareFest is back once again! Spend the late afternoon at Romare Bearden Park for some fun, food and live music! Your entertainment for the evening is The Peace and Love Band and the legendary jazz trio, Pieces of a Dream! Admission is FREE to attend and the entire family is welcome! Be sure to being lawn chairs and blankets. The event begins at 5 p.m. Romare Bearden Park is located at 300 S. Church St. in Uptown.
The Bantu Fete Team proudly presents the eleventh edition of“AfroPop Charlotte!” This monthly festive culture jam in the QC celebrates all things native with Afro-sensory dopeness through a hot soundtrack of Afrobeat, Soca, Reggae, Dancehall and more! Also, be sure to peep the fly fashions, engage in networking, high-energy dance, vendors, art and fellowship! All sounds will be spun by The Dynamic DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel. Tickets can be purchased here: http://clt-tix.afropopnation.
——-SUNDAY 5/21——-
Get your creative shop on this afternoon at Charlotte Art League and come out to the Starving Artist Market. Need some cool and crafty ideas for your home to blend in the Spring 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 more! Admission is FREE to enter and the market opens at 12 noon. Charlotte Art League is located at 1517 Camden Rd. in Historic South End.
Kings and queens, take a royal stride down to Independence Park this afternoon and come out for the Queen City Naturals in the Park! Bask in this glorious day to commemorate the allure that is uniquely you with a bevy of games, food, family activities, live music, local vendors, giveaways, fellowship and more! The event is hosted by The Alesia Thomas Foundation, Inc. Admission is FREE to attend and the event begins at 2 p.m. Independence Park is located at 300 Hawthorne Ln. in Uptown.
Do you need to ease and rejuvenate your soul from all as these dividing and trying times sit thick in the air? If so, come out to Snug Harbor this afternoon for their third Sunday jam session entitled, “Soul Sundays.” Enjoy a potluck dance party to celebrate all things soul-filled with edible refreshments and DJs Sir Chocolate Milk & Elon supply only the funkiest groove thangs to help your soul shine while that booty moves! Also, Diggers Delight will be on deck with a few crates of delicious vinyl for your ears’ pleasure! Donations will be taken at the door and please bring in a soul food dish to share with the community. The party starts at 2 p.m. Snug Harbor is located at 1228 Gordon St. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Join Proscialites for a fabulous evening of purposed sophistication and fun at The Peculiar Rabbit as they host “Breakfast for Dinner!” Come enjoy a delectable 5 course menu in order to raise funds for Prosocialites EMPOWERS—which helps bring awareness and education about financial literacy to the local school system. The menu will be filled with lots of delicious treats for you to choose from with live music in the background and a few cool swag bags that will be given away! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
The Bechtler Ensemble presents it’s fourth year with the Charlotte Composers Forum, consisting of composers from Queens University, Winthrop University, UNCC and Central Piedmont Community College. In celebration of the Bechtler’s latest exhibition, Celebrating Jean Tinguely and Santana, five composers have written original music to complement the piece. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here: https://30796a.
My single brothers and sisters, I’ve got something special for you this evening! Slide over to Reign and join the lovely Danielle Outen of OutenLove Events as she hosts “Speed Dating & Wine Tasting!” Mix and mingle with positive professionals as you both enjoy fresh wine from Direct Cellars Wine Gang, engage in 4-minute mini-dates, a social hour and more! Remember, this is a series of first dates, so please dress to impress! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
The creative spirits of Kelley Carboni-Woods and John W. Love, Jr.invites you out for another session of the Weekend Wind Down. These beloved instructors will lead you through an inspired gentle yoga practice and guided meditation with clear intention and fortified spirits in alignment with the new moon phase to create a positive mindset for the work week ahead. Also, if you have children that need to be supervised, the lovely Brandy the Nanny will be on hand to provide temporary parental duties for you. If you’re interested, please send her an email to: hello@brandythenanny.com. Admission is $10. The class begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Grier Heights Community Center. 3100 Leroy St.
Join Chosen the Poet this evening as she hosts a special evening of spoken word mixed with sophistication at Verbal Expressions’ Bowties & Beauties Anniversary Show! This is the one-year anniversary celebration so come dressed in your evening flyness as Chosen, an eclectic group of lyricists and headlining voice Moody Black fills the atmosphere with some riveting and rousing rhythmic rhetoric! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Craving some food for your soul? This evening, come out for the May edition of the Black Folks Dinner: The Cookout Edition! This monthly potluck dinner is a gathering by and for Black folks. It is a space for Blackness that spans nations, nationalities, mediums and mindsets, which also serves as a place for us to build community and to just be comfortable with ourselves. Feel free to bring any dish you please and the grill will be fired up! Admission is FREE to attend and it will begin at 7 p.m. Please email angelouhouse@gmail.com to get the address for the location.
Have a terrific weekend everyone! Peace.
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#WeekendWarrior
#TheBlackFerrisBueller
#CommunityFirst