Carnival, condoms Poussey and Mardi Gras

The Mardi Gras parties continue tonight plus two huge fundraisers and a carnival party. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

For The Family  - Get that carnival experience in Charlotte at A Night In Rio! - 6th Annual Brazilian Carnival presented by Neighborhood Theatre, MaxxMusic & Latin American Coalition. Enjoy an acoustic bossa nova performance by Reinaldo Brahn, free Samba dance lessons and the Carnaval parade. Other performances by: Batuque de Terreiro; Movimentos de Samba, Brazilian Fusion, Capoeira Cordao de Ouro and headliner Dende! 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 East 36th St. $15, $20.

 

Swanky! - VanLandingham Estate, the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association invites you to the 2015 Winter Fling: Shuck and Awe Oyster Roast. Guests will enjoy dinner, live music by the Loose Lugnuts, door prizes and dancing. Beer by Birdsong Brewery. Wine and liquor drinks also available for purchase. There will also be an Arts and Services Auction Fundraiser for the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association at-large. Money raised from the auction is put to use for a variety of neighborhood initiatives. $30. 6 -11 p.m. VanLandignham Estate, 2010 The Plaza. 

Don't Forget

Designer Fundraiser - Condom Couture is a unique runway fashion show and an outrageously fabulous party. Seventeen local fashion designers use condoms to create to create fashionable, wearable art, promote safe sex, and benefit Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. 

WPEG’s No Limit Larry will host. Other celebrity performers will include Aerial CLT, DJ Vonfunkhauser, DJ Andy Kastanas, and live music from Charlotte’s own Miami Dice during the runway show. Celebrity bartender, Stefan Huebner of Heist Brewery, created a handcrafted Condom Couture signature cocktail. Local artist, Scott Weaver, will style the event while Sharon Dowell, Rowe Gallery Coordinator at UNC- Charlotte, curated the artists and designers. 8 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35 St. $35.  Surface parking lot on premises, but it fills up fast. #TJTurnup

Poussey’s Coming! – See Samara Wiley known as Poussey on “Orange Is the New Black” at HRC Gala 2015: Evolve. This is the 20th anniversary. HRC president Chad Griffin will speak. Singer Crystal “She’s homeless” Waters will perform. This is a black tie event. 5:45 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. $225. Paid parking at NASCAR Hall of Fame deck on Caldwell and street lots surrounding convention center.

Mardi Gras

Lupus Mardi Gras Gala - Great music, creole food, fortune telling and a Gala King & Queen Coronation are a few of the highlights from this Mardi Gras party. This is a fundraiser for the North Carolina Foundation of the Lupus Foundation. 7 p.m. Feb. 21, Centerstage NoDA, 2315 N. Davidson St. Free parking onsite. $150.

Teal Masquerade - Celebrate Mardi Gras and women who’ve survived gynecologic cancer at this casual event. Ticket includes drink special and a mask. 6 p.m. Feb. 21, Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 East Morehead St. $10. Free parking onsite.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com