By: Shawn D. Allison, II
Greeting Family! I hope everyone has had a great weekend honoring a true King, but let’s not forget to keep pushing to achieve the dream. Once again, yours truly has scraped and scoured the streets of our great city with a loaded list of goodness for your soul, and I think you’ll dig what I have in store! If you want to follow the path of trouble I’m getting into this weekend, be sure to peep my “Hot List” below!
- WEDNESDAY—“2017 Diggin’ History Through Music & Dance” at the Little Rock Cultural Center
- WEDNESDAY—“OrganiQ Wednesdays” & “Sounds & Sixteens” at The Morehead Tavern
- WEDNESDAY—“Boys to Baghdad” at Spirit Square
- WEDNESDAY—“Anthology: Words. Beats. Sounds.” at Kanvas Gallery & Lounge
- THURSDAY—“Color & Jazz” at The Betty Rae Thomas Rec Center
- THURSDAY—“Gantt After Dark” at The Harvey B. Gantt Center
- FRIDAY—“Let’s Talk About Love” at TCB 54 Hundred Bar & Grill
- FRIDAY—“Hip Hop & Hookah” at Apostrophe Lounge
- SATURDAY—“Paint & Sip: Art From the Heart” at The Last Word
- SATURDAY—“The Big Heist: The Ol’ Skool Retreat” at Heist Brewery
——-WEDNESDAY 1/18——-
If you love some of that true straight-ahead jazz standard sound, head over to The Tavern this evening for the all-new, “OrganiQ Wednesdays!” Relax your minds in the middle of the week as the melodic sounds of Vince Robinson and Clarence Palmer & Friends sets the mood for you! Also, prepare your palates as PRIDE Magazine’s very own Editor In Chief, the lovely Lashawnda Becoats transforms into your Celebrity Virgin Bartender this evening! Come on down and cheer her on as she pops her cherry behind the bar—it’s a Black Her-story moment you don’t want to miss! The fun starts at 7 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #RunTowardYourLife
Adulting can be stressful and if you need a small break head down to Coco and the Director this evening for another edition of “Wine N’ Color Wednesday!” Fellowship outside the lines, color your picture inside the lines and just have some doggone fun! Select wines will be $5 and pastries will be half off. Event begins at 5 p.m. Coco and the Director is located at 100 W. Trade St. in Uptown.
Join BluNotes and Awesom & E.O.C. So Street Ent. this evening as they present the all new midweek jam session, “Mingle, Martinis & Margarita Wednesday!” This after-work unwind will be hosted by “The Queen City Son” Ray Styles and “The Heavy Hitter”, DJ K Nyce spinning the true school flavors of 80’s and 90’s grooves. Enjoy $5 martinis, Jack & Coke, along with other delicious drink specials! Admission is FREE to attend and the event starts at 5 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the University Area.
Join Prosocialites this evening at Coaltrane’s Char Grill as they host the first 2017 edition of “Woman Crush Wednesdays!” Once a month, Prosocialites honors a woman who is not only a mover and shaker in the QC, but one who has a heart for community service. Tonight’s honoree is Jamie Miller. Admission is FREE and please bring plenty of business cards! The event begins at 6 p.m. Coaltrane’s Char Grill is located at 210 E. Trade St. at The Epicentre in Uptown. #Prosocialites
Join local grassroots initiative Educate to Engage this evening at The Third Place: Coffee, Community & Common Ground this evening for a discussion of the newly-released book “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander. For tonight’s session, you will discuss Chapters 2 and 3. 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
Charlotte’s own A Sign of the Times Band invites you out to the Little Rock Cultural Center this evening for the beginning of a series of special performances entitled, “2017 Diggin’ History Through Music & Dance.” This magnificent multi-rhythm composition of musicians explores the contributions and struggles of Africans and African Americans, as presented through spoken word, music and dance. Admission is FREE to attend and the entire family is welcome. Performance begins at 7 p.m. The Little Rock Cultural Center is located at 401 N. McDowell St. in Uptown.
Wreck Da’ Mic Wednesdays is one of Charlotte’s newest comedy showcases filled with brilliant and hilarious comedic and poetic talents who will be sure to leave you in stitches! Hosted by the beautifully funny comedienne Nicci Hoo, come and take a ride of laughter and ease the holiday tensions. Admission is FREE before 9 p.m. and $5 after 9 p.m. Also, be sure to check out the drink & food specials in the joint! The event takes place at 7 p.m. and will be held at The NeighborHood Café. 1635 W. Trade St. on the outskirts of Uptown and near the JCSU main campus.
Get ready to move, groove and sweat this evening at NoDa@28th Creative Arts Studios as the lovely Solange Ah hosts an Afrobeat & AfroHouse Dance Class! This dynamic and high energy class will feature fun moves from Kuduro, Azonto to Coupé décalé and more! All dance levels are welcome to join. Admission is $12 and can be paid at the door. Class begins at 7 p.m. The studio is located at 2424 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
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-1. All performances will be held at the Duke Energy Theatre. 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
Want to dance some holiday calories off? Get your buns workin’ with instructor and creative Dina Badawy as she curates a beginner Hip Hop Dance class this evening! Learn the basics of rhythm set to fly street beats make some sweat beads roll! Admission is $10 each and you can purchase your tickets here: http://www.movewithdina.com/. The class begins at 8 p.m. Move Studio is located at 1111 Hawthorne Ln. in Suite #101 in the Plaza-Midwood District.
Slide over to Kanvas Gallery & Lounge this evening where my man DJ FoundACEtion proudly presents, “The Anthology: Words. Beats. Sound.” In addition to the fine turntablism, enjoy diverse and brilliant artistry from local creatives, and be sure to grab some delicious cocktails and eats. The event starts at 9 p.m. Admission is FREE. Kanvas Gallery & Lounge is located at 525 E. 6th St., Suite #117 in Uptown.
For all my true Hip Hop heads, slide down to The Tavern as Radio Rehab Carolinas proudly presents, “Sounds & Sixteens!” This creativity and networking cypher for MCs, beatsmiths, and musicians who got the funk is full of great energy, Hosted by the great Bluz, Loot-Tenant Trax and my man The Mighty DJ DR on the wheels of steel. Admission is $FREE.99 and the get down starts at 10 p.m. The Morehead Tavern is located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #RadioRehabCarolinas
——-THURSDAY 1/19——-
Winthrop University welcomes award-winning author Babette Wainwright to its campus for a discussion this morning. Ms. Wainwright will be discussing her body of work, which includes a permanent collection piece at Winthrop entitled, “Low Tides.” One of her main focuses in her life and art is the empowerment of impoverished Haitian women. Admission is FREE and open to the public. The event begins at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Rutledge Building at Winthrop University. 701 Oakland Ave. in Rock Hill.
Hey all you worn out adults! Dapper Street Productions invites you out to the Betty Rae Thomas Rec Center this evening for “Color & Jazz!” Treat your ears to some classic jazz from pianist Philip Howe, vocalist Jay Smith and adult coloring from beutiful creative instructor Kenya Templeton. Admission is FREE to attend and light refreshments will be served. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The rec center is located at 2921 Tuckaseegee Rd.
The Queen City Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women invites you out to The Wadsworth Estate for a community dialogue series entitled, “Black Economics: A Search for Economic Empowerment.” For this segment of the series, the theme of the evening is “Epic Interviews: Stand Up, Stand Out & Get Paid.” This series, included with trusted and tenured professionals is designed to empower you to take your interviewing skills to the next level so you can not only land a job you love, but raise your income level in the process. Admission is FREE to attend but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/epic-interviews-stand-up-stand-out-and-get-paid-tickets-30826496882. The session begins at 6 p.m. The Wadsworth Estate is located at 400 S. Summit Ave.
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art kicks off their Film + Modernism series this year with a special screening of the documentary “The Silence of Mark Rothko.” Influenced by mythology and philosophy, the film Silence of Mark Rothko explores Mark Rothko’s mission to create environments and provoke emotions through the juxtaposition of his paintings. Tickets can be purchased here: https://30796a.blackbaudhosting.com/30796a/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=aa0a3817-61d6-4794-9818-c6b0adf9433c. The screening will begin at 6 p.m. The Bechtler is located at 420 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
Set your 2017 off with style and sophistication this evening as The Gantt Center proudly brings you their acclaimed monthly after-work culture jam, “Gantt After Dark!” Mellow out with a mature and sophisticated crowd as tonight’s theme will focus on THE ARTIST. Bring your crew and colleagues and come indulge in artist talks, live music, food, painting, drawing, and short films. Admission to Gantt After Dark is free, but if you choose to participate in any of the mini art workshops, please register and pay here: http://www.ganttcenter.org/calendar/gantt-after-dark-0119/. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The Gantt Center is located at 551 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
This evening, join the League of Intelligence continue their “Regaining Our Power: An African History Course.” This multi-week 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! There will be food and retail vendors at each session. Tonight’s session is at 7:30 p.m. All classes will be held at Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion. 1901 Rozzelle’s Ferry Rd.
——-FRIDAY 1/20——-
All of you cuisine connoisseurs, dining dons and divas get ready to fulfill your appetites because it’s time for the Queen’s Feast Charlotte Restaurant Week! Come diversify your palates with a choice of over 130 participating restaurants in the Charlotte metro area. No tickets are required, however reservations are recommended. The full list of participating restaurants and additional info is found here: http://www.charlotterestaurantweek.com/.
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 “Bring In the New Year.” 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.
Got a lot on your mind? Do you need a mature and understanding platform to vent your frustrations with life, relationships and the like? Head out to TCB 54 Hundred Bar & Grill and join fellow PRIDE Magazine contributor, author and my homie Eddie D. Love as he hosts “Let’s Talk About Love.” This fun and interactive relationship-centered social will be filled with nuggets highlighting sophisticated courting, self-love and healthy relationships. Admission is FREE before 9 p.m. and there are food and drink specials available. The event begins at 6 p.m. TCB 54 Hundred Bar & Grill is located at 5400 Nevin Rd.
The Jazz Arts Initiative (JAI) bursts into 2017 with a fresh lineup of performances for their acclaimed monthly showcase, “The Jazz Room.” This weekend, gear your ears to the stage as world-renowned jazz flautist Kent Jordan pays a special tribute to the great Hubert Laws with an accompaniment of stringed instruments. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/jazz-room-the-stage-door-theater-5. There will be four performances: Friday (1/20) at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and Saturday (1/21) at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. All shows will be held at The Stage Door Theater located on the corner of E. 5th & N. College St. in Uptown. #JAI
BluNotes invites you out to experience its new Friday smash hit, “The Friday Release…” 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! Showtime is at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake Area.
This evening at Petra’s take a comedic journey back in time as several local creatives present to you “The Roast of the 90s!” Featuring a cast of local actors portraying significant figures from the decade which housed the Clinton Scandal, elevated Hip Hop and brought pure unadulterated debauchery to daytime talk shows! You don’t want to miss this—it’s going to be all that and a bag of chips! Admission is $10 and the roasting will begin at 8 p.m. Petra’s is located at 1919 Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood District.
SlamCharlotte and Blumenthal Performing Arts presents, the 1st Month of the Year Slam featuring El’Ja. El’Ja Bowns is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, motivational speaker, nerd, and hero of justice. This slam is open to people of all ages but poets who wish to participate must be 21 and up. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. The slam starts at 8 p.m. and will be held at The McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square. 345 N. College St. in Uptown. #SlamCharlotte
The good people of Jazz N’ Soul Music are back with their First Friday Edition and tonight’s guest is no stranger to the Queen City—The Calvin Edwards Trio as they provide “A Night of Smokin’ Blues & Soul Jazz.” Smooth covers and original tunes with feel-good vibe! Tickets are on sale for $9 at the door or at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-calvin-edwards-trio-a-night-of-smokin-blues-and-soul-jazz-tickets-30913985563. Performance starts at 9pm and it’ll be held at The Morehead Tavern located at 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #JazzNSoul
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 R&B of the 90’s and early 2000’s! If you’re looking to be around some relaxed music heads 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-the-rb-show-tickets-31028196170. The event begins at 10 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
——-SATURDAY 1/21——-
Hey Boy Scouts, I’ve got something cool lined up for you this morning! Grab your parents and have them bring you down to Charlotte Community ToolBank for the Pinewood Derby Build Day! Volunteers will help you and your Scout design, cut, sand, modify and paint his car into a super speeder. Every Scout must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or Scout Leader. If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Krueger at maureen.krueger@toolbank.org or call (704)-469-5800. Admission is $5 for tool access and an additional $4 for a car kit. The building begins at 9 a.m. Charlotte Community ToolBank is located at 2513 S. Tryon St. in Historic South End.
This evening, bring the family out to New Wave of Joy Baptist Church for an evening of celebration, inspiration and education with the introduction of “Who Am I?” Who Am I? is a nonprofit organization that serves as an outlet to encourage young women and men, ages 12 – 25, in the Charlotte area to open up and express what they experienced in their lives. This organization helps them to express themselves through various forms of art. The event is FREE and open to the public and will begin at 5 p.m. New Wave of Joy is located at 4739 E. WT Harris Blvd.
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.
Everyone get your best gear together and head down to Industry Coworking this evening for the Queen City Urban Fashion Showcase! Presented by Create Amazing, LLC, this showcase will feature the creations of designers and clothiers in the Charlotte area. There will be jewelry/accessory vendors, food for purchase from Triple C Restaurant, a prize for the best outfit and more! Admission is FREE to attend. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Industry Coworking is located at 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Lift Off Music Group, Phazer Gang and The Unknown Brewing Co. are proud to present to you “Bars, Bands & Brews” this evening. Come and down a couple of cold rounds and check out fly sounds from a diverse lineup of upcoming Hip Hop acts and rock bands in the QC! Acts include Blu House, Railz the Principle, Matrix P, Th3 Higher and Black Linen aka 7th Soana. Admission is $5 and the show starts at 7 p.m. The Unknown Brewing Co. is located at 1327 S. Mint St. near Uptown.
Everyone come down to Apostrophe Lounge this evening for a very special treat! Join R&B songstress Aquala Chantal as she presents, “Sneak Peek: A Night of Music, Film & Comedy.” Your hilarious host Nuff Ced is sure to break the ice with his wild brand of spoken word humor as he introduces up and coming talents, Vegas McClain, Prince Adams and Chris Clay. Admission is FREE but please be sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sneak-peek-tickets-30591583249. The event begins at 7 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge is located at 1440 S. Tryon St. in Uptown.
You want more soul? I got you some! This evening at BluNotes, come and get a full body experience at the all-new “Rare Soul Series!” Headlining tonight is the gorgeous and talented Gena Chambers! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Show time is at 8 p.m. BluNotes is located at 3425 David Cox Rd. in the Northlake 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.
The Bantu Fete Team proudly presents the eighth 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 DJ Kato and DJ Steel Wheel. Tickets can be purchased here: http://clt-tix.afropopnation.com. The celebration starts at 10 p.m. at The Tavern. 300 E. Morehead St. in Uptown. #AfricanaConnections
——-SUNDAY 1/22——-
The ladies of 2TEAM are back in full effect for 2017 and this evening, they invite all creative writers and poets out to their, Writing Workshop & Session. This gathering is open to writers of poetry or other avenues of creative writing looking to create in a new space. The structure will be open discussion, prompts and critiques from those in attendance. Please bring a poem/work you will like to discuss, an open mind and your creative energy. Admission is FREE to attend but $5 donations will be accepted as well. Space will be limited for this workshop. Please call or text Leandrea Hill at (845)-549-6144. The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at 1801 N. Tryon St. #2TEAM
——-MONDAY 1/23——-
The Young Affiliates of the Mint invite you to join them as they perform on one of Charlotte’s greatest hidden gems in the city, the Find Your Muse Open Mic Night at The Evening Muse. This event has showcased all varieties of art and when you bring it all together, you get an eclectic mix of performances from a community sharing their story and their craft in a very powerful way. Admission is only $3 and the stage is open for all people. The event begins at 6 p.m. The Evening Muse is located at 3227 N. Davidson St. in the NoDa District.
Get ready for raised vibrations at Spirit Square this evening from Tajmah Allison as she hosts “Reggae Yoga Flow!” This is a vinyasa style yoga class; which means asanas (poses) are synced to the breath creating a dance-like flow. The flowing asanas sequence is meant to build heat, strength, flexibility and the class ends with a calming meditation. All yoga levels are welcome and please bring your mat. Admission is $5 and can be purchased here: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=729967&sessionChecked=true. The class starts at 8 p.m. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. in Uptown.
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” -President Barack Obama
Keep the peace, keep striving for greatness and keep spreading the love!
Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Listen. Give.
#TheBlackFerrisBueller #WeekendWarrior