More Craft Week Events, MMA Fights and more freakiness

Craft Beer Week continues and Easter events are kicking off too. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...


Tonight

Happy Hour - Hang out with Charlotte’s young black professionals and listen to the grooves of the The Mighty DJ DR at Charlotte’s Favorite Happy Hour. 5:30 p.m. Bubble Charlotte, Epicenter, 210 East Trade St. Free. Paid parking onsite and limited street parking.







Beer Beatdown - 15 NC breweries participate in the Annual Rumble In The Alley, part of Charlotte Craft Beer Week. The first hour is blind taste-testing and voting and then good ol’ enjoyment of libations. 6 p.m. The Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Avenue. $25. Free street parking.

Celebrate Black Women  - Raheem DeVaughn is showing his love for black women with his new project “Queen.” His Queens For A Day event earlier this month supported battered black women. He joins songstresses Ledisi and Leela James. 8 p.m., Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard. $48.41. Standing room only. Parking onsite.





Thursday

Freaks and Beer - Enjoy rare brews from NoDa Brewing, Terrapin Brewing, Hi-Wire Brewing and others breweries at Freakfest, another Charlotte Craft Beer Week event. Rare beers paired with  entertainment by Purgatory. You know there’ll be fire! 6:30 p.m., The Common Market Southend, 1515 South Tryon St. Limited surface lot parking and street parking.


Monthly Zaniness - The freakiness continues at Shiprocked Presents: Lipgloss. It’s all about the burn, spandex, and headbands and shake weights. BethAnn Phetamine and guests Oliver Clothessoff and Miley Virus tear up the Snug Harbor stage with a campy physical fitness-themed drag revue. Spandex-clad Go Go dancers; it doesn't get any crazier. 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. Free. Street parking available.

Friday

For The Kids - Four CMS middle school will compete in a head-to-head kids cooking competition the Inaugural STEM to Fork Culinary Competition. 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 7th Street Public Market, 224 East 7th St.

For Real Beatdown - Somebody’s going to tapout at Fight Lab MMA /Fight Lab 45. South Carolina Stingrays’  Nate Kiser makes his MMA debut  6 p.m., Grady Cole Center, 310 North Kings Dr.  $35 and up.

Jazz and Film - This editioin of New Frequencies: Inspired Lunacy features short films by Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin. Maddie is known for reimagining the silent film era. 8 p.m. - 10 p.m., McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 721 N Tryon St.









For The Kids - Play hoops and raise awareness about teen violence at The 5th Annual Midnight Madness Basketball Tournament for teens and young adults. It’s for ages (13-22) 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson St. $5 and registration is onsite.

Saturday

For The Kids II - Bring the kids out to see the Easter Bunny and enjoy balloon artist and face painting at Easter Hoppenings. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Phillips Place in Southpark. Free.

Celebrate Leaders - Celebrate community leaders at the Whitney M. Young Gala. It’s a celebration of philanthropic, diversity and inclusion. Festivities  begin at 6 p.m. with registration and hor d'oeuvres. Formal program and dinner begins at 6:45 p.m. After the program, the evening there will be dancing and dessert. Omni Hotel Charlotte, 132 E. Trade St. Paid parking available. Ticket info.



Sunday

Jazzy Sunday - Enjoy music by jazz/soul singer and keyboardist Frank McComb.  5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar, 401 N. Tryon St. Parking validated for Trans America Parking Deck.