Tired of the family or just tired of being nice? Head out for an evening of revelry.
Family Break - Take a break from the fam and head out for a night of dancing at Pop Life: Christmas Night Edition AKA “Merry Kitchmas 3.” Music by DJ Loui Vee. 10 p.m. Bubble Charlotte, 210 East Trade St. Free till 11 p.m. then $10 and up. Details.
Happy Holidays - Old school
fans will enjoy a night out at the World’s Largest X-Mas Party. Live
broadcast hosted by Artie the One Woman and DJ Roladexx and a chance to
win great prizes, such as a 50-inch flat screen TV, a Visa gift card, a
Michael Kors Handbag and more. 9 p.m. Club Vibrations, 5237 Albemarle Rd.
Last Chance - For real, for real! Get it in. Retire the threads at the Ugly Sweater Bash. Ugliest sweater could win a price. 7 p.m., Howl At The Moon, 210 E Trade St. Details.
Offbeat Holiday - With potluck food, satellite spinning the music and drink specials at the bar Petra’s Xmas
will be a fun, casual way to wind down. Five local performers will take
the stage to perform everything from dream pop to ballads. 8 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.
The Memorial Day weekend fun is underway. Speed Street continues today with the Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, and music by "The Voice" winner Craig Wayne Boyd and Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx. Want to get out of Charlotte, but not travel too far? Head to Cornelius or Mint Hill for some fun. See you in the streets. Let's get this party started....
Caribbean Grooves - Head over to Plaza-Midwood to hear Justice Sun Tzulu and Brian Jopedo Sambula spinning at Su Casa Presents: Afro-Caribbean Bashment.
10 p.m., Petra's Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $5 before 11 p.m.
Summer Kick Off - Join Kiss 95.1, Ragin' Uptown and Luxury Yacht Charters in LKN's largest floating party, Kiss Anchor Island. Every Saturday until Labor Day. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mojo's Bar and Grill, 19901 Holiday Lane, Cornelius. $20.
Three-Day Party - The Snug 600 is an alternative to Speed Street. Head to Plaza-Midwood for less traffic and cool crowds to enjoy indie bands Jesse Clasen (formerly of HRVRD), Spirit System, the Nude Party, and 1970s Film Stockon the second night of Snug 600. The celebration ends on Sunday. 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5.
Family Fun - The city of Mint Hill celebrates it’s beginnings during Mint Hill Madness. The three-day festival features music, food, rides, games and fireworks. 4 p.m. Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park, 8850 Fairview Road, Mint Hill. Free.
Speedway All-American Craft Brewer’s Festival features the Beer Haven mobile festival, a self-pour beer sampling station billed as the world's largest mobile bar and brewery. The festival will feature 50 craft beers from Charlotte-regional craft breweries during both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star and Coca-Cola 600 race weekends. It will also include the Bucking Mule Brewery, a mobile brewery with a five-barrel brewing capacity and canning system mounted to a 53-foot-long tractor trailer. Participants can learn the brewing and canning process from brewmasters. Admission includes unlimited sampling. 1-4 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway. $39.
I love the CIAA. I really do. I love what the CIAA represents not the ratchedness that surrounds some of the parties and people during tournament week. Yes, traffic is a mess. Yes, too many of the people who come here that week act completely ignorant. And two people were shot. But for everyone of them there's a Mr. CIAA, the older Fayetteville alum I met at the barbershop and so many others.
The over-the-top people combined with the frustration over the charging practices at the Ritz, higher than usual event pricing parking at a variety of clubs has many of my local friends complaining about the event. It's funny really, when the tournament came here, many of my peers weren't sure it would be successful. Now, it seems it's too successful. Not to me. I make the CIAA the experience that I want, and this year was no different.
I started partying Tuesday and didn't finish until Sunday morning. And I did it my way, no stress, no mess. I spent finale Saturday at Icehouse watching the D.C. go-go band Suttle Thoughts at a day party. I ended my night at Release! House party at Petra's. How did you enjoy the week?
The Spent and Happening Madhatters Ball at Petra's Piano Bar was incredible. I loved the music - a mashup of EDM, hip-hop and rock - and I loved the crowd. Yes, it was a wee bit ravey and most of the crowd was barely legal, but boy do they know how to party. Most of the club was bumper-to-bumper people jumping, dancing, singing and twirling anything neon.
Black Violin was great last night. I went to the concert thinking I would hear a funky take on classical music, but I got much more. This duo is re-imagining hip-hop. They gave us a glimpse of what hip-hop could be. Here's a snippet from last night, but I'll write a full piece later. Let's talk about tonight. But before we get into tonight's event, I have a tip that will save your relationship. Make your Valentine's Day plans now. Helen Schwab's got you restaurant plans. Now, let's get this party started. See in you the streets...
Crazy Fun - I must have a thing for fire because once again I'm looking forward to an event involving fire. Fire dancers, live drummers, live art, live body painting and more at the Mad Hatters Ball 2. More than a dozen artists, two MCs, vendors and dancers. #TJTurnup. 9 p.m. Petra’s Piano Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $10.
Symphony Pub Style - Young Affiliates of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presents January Rush Hour Recital - Brass! See Charlotte Symphony Orchestra musicians Tom Burge (trombone), Andrew Fierova (French horn), and John Parker (trumpet) perform brass at Big Ben’s British Restaurant and Pub, 2000 South Blvd. #150.
Courtney Recommends - The Ship2Ship Tour brings Destructo, DJ Motez, Australian DJ Anna Lunoe and London’s T. Williams to town. 10 p.m. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., Free, $15, $50 VIP. Read more.
DON'T FORGET
Doo-wop - See original performers: The Vogues featuring Bill Burkette, Jimmy Clanton, The Marcels, Barbara Harris, original lead singer of The Toys, Blue Suede Orchestra in The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show. 8 p.m., Knight Theater, Levine Center For The Arts, 430 South Tryon Street. $40-$60. Parking tip: $5 rate available at Levine Center for the Arts Parking Garage, 550 S. Tryon St. with an entrance on W. Stonewall St. Pay as you enter the garage.
Readers often ask me where to go to hear live jazz. On Saturday, the spot was Strike City in the EpiCentre. Trombonist Buff Dillard set the mood for an evening of bowling and jazz at Jazz Alley presented by Carolina Jazz Friends. The vibe was laid back in the private room. A few groups of four bowled while pockets of men shot pool. Others sat by the bar listening to Dillard and the band.
After leaving Strike City, I tried to check out the new reggae lounge at Vanity, but they were camera shy. It was too early to end my evening, so I headed over to Petra's Piano Bar & Cabaret for Release! Classic & Soulful House. The party didn't disappoint.
Today is the calm after the storm. It's time to reset and prep for New Year's Eve. On nights like this, I head to my favorite chill spots such as Soul Gastrolounge which boasts a new Winter Cocktail List. I'm also digging the bourbon selection at The Improper Pig's bar, which recently opened in Cotswold. The bar is tiny, but the bourbon selection is great. My friends would also say that I'm becoming obsessed with the city's ever-growing local brewery scene.
Now let's get this party started. See you in the streets....
College Hoops - Watch the Kentucky v. Louisville rivalry with diehard Wildcats fans. This is usually a fun party with a DJ and rabid fans. 2 p.m. Sip Charlotte, 200 N. Tryon St. Ste. 100
Celebrate Kwanzaa - Enjoy African music, storytelling and learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa at the Nubian Rootz Cultural Center'sKwanzaa Celebration & African Marketplace. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road.
The B-Sides - Enjoy hip-hop, soul, rare grooves and other classics spun by DJ 2Tone and DJ Justice along with art by Dammit Wesley at Su Casa: Rarities and B-Sides. 9 p.m., Petra's Piano Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $5.
Happy Birthday Herb!- Celebrate with Charlotte's favorite couple Herb and Felicia Gray for Herb Gray's Birthday Celebration. 9 p.m., Sports One, 521 N. College St.
Don't Forget:
Ashy Larry Is Back -You've seen Donnell Rawlings as Ashy Larry on the "Chappelle Show." $17. Various show times starting at 8 p.m. The Comedy Zone, 900 NC Music Factory. Warning: This is adult comedy!
Let's get this party started. Tonight, the parties and events range from a girls night out to something for couples to several holiday parties. For more holiday events read my holiday party post. If you're looking for holiday theatrical performances, please read Lawrence Toppman's comprehensive list. Family holiday events are on the Observer's mommy blog. See you in the streets.... It’s Ladies Night - Bring your girls for Prohibition’s Ladies Night. Drink specials, free admission and a $200 Polished Nail Bar gift card giveaway. 9 - 11 p.m., Prohibition, 200 North Tryon St.
Date Night - The Link’s Ramona Holloway hostsHoliday On Ice Ultimate Date Night.Admission includes skate rental for two, hot chocolate, a rose, s'mores package for the fire pit, a keepsake photo, carriage ride, and a gift bag. Live music from The Holiday Singers. 8-11 p.m. Admission for two is $50. NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Don't forget:
Breakout The Bellbottoms - Enjoy Release! 70’s Disco Party by the crew who brought us the fabulous Release! Classic House Party at Petra's Piano Bar last month. This time, they're dressing up in their best Afro, bellbottoms and platform shoes and grooving to the the best of classic, soulful house and disco! 7 p.m. Petra's Piano Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.
Collure - Network.Taste.Listen Ugly Sweater Editionis the holiday version of DJ DR's monthly networking event. Free admission, but bring canned goods to donate. 7 p.m. The Vinmaster, 2000 South Blvd., Ste. 610 (behind Luna's). Free parking.
A Holiday Evening of Blues and Soulfeatures bluesy singer Mel Waiters and soul singer Shirley Murdock ringing in the holidays. 7 p.m. Charlotte Scottish Rite Temple, 4740 Randolph Road. Tickets $35 and up.
Good Eats and Meets: Good Eats Good Cheer-Good Cause Enjoy delicious apps and drink specials at this holiday party. 9 p.m. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, 139 S. Tryon St., 139 S. Tryon St. $20 and a donate a toy valued at $20 or more.
I'm back!!! In 2005, I launched the Paid To Party column for the Observer. Now I'm back with a fresh look at Charlotte's entertainment offerings. For the next few months, I'll be testing a new feature, primarily aimed at weekend events and other ways to entertain yourself, your family, your visitors.
Sip + Play is your guide to fun things to do in Charlotte from Food Truck Fridays to bar crawls to events you've never experienced. I still love a party, so there also will be plenty of that.
Sip + Play will take you all over Charlotte and beyond with live event coverage on the weekends and recommendations of where to go and what to do. I'm looking forward to sharing my adventures with you. #cltevents
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