Get up and get out, coffee crawl, bike share and more

If you're trying to stay away from uptown there are a few live music options: BYOG & Atlas Road Crew  at the Visulite, TechNo You Didn't at Crown Station and Four Days Gone  and others at the Evening Muse.

This is my final day and night of partying CIAA style. See you in the streets. Let's get this party started...

Bike Share - Ride bikes, swap stories and taste some food with McColl Center Artist in Residence  Robert Karimi at Viva La Bicycle Parde + Progressive Food Party. Ends at 2 p.m. 7th St. Market, 224 E. 7th St. Free. Take the light rail if you aren't riding your bike. Parking is super expensive today.

Don't Forget

Caffeinated Culture – Experience the local coffee scene on The Charlotte Coffee Crawl - A Caffeinated Celebration of Coffee Culture, 9 a.m. Boquete Mountain Coffee, 2113 N Davidson St.

A Gentleman's Club - Fine clothes, booze and food at Elevate Lounge. Enjoy fine scotches, whiskey, bourbon, tequila and craft beers at Elevate Lounge. Featured retailers: Abbeydale, Re Salon And Medspa and Silverfly. Artwork by Kyle Mosher and food from At 7th Restaurant. $25. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Metrolina Auto Group, 7100 Statesville Road.

Escape The CIAA – Enjoy two nights full of Bands, DJ's, a flip cup tournament, cornhole tournament and more at TyberPalooza. There's a beer tasting on Saturday. It’s being billed as “THE BEST place to be CIAA weekend with the locals.” 7 p.m. Tyber Creek Pub, 1933 South Blvd.  Registration for tournaments.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Non-CIAA shows and parties tonight

I have to admit, it's pretty cool to be able to suggest other fun places to go if you don't want to hang out for the CIAA. Just think 10 years ago, where would you go? 

NoDa was still floundering and so was Plaza-Midwood. Ballantyne Village was kind of fun in a divorced, cougar kind-of-way. Coyote Joe's hadn't been swept up into the CIAA revelry back then. 

Now we have a slew of brew pubs ringing uptown, and our live music venues have always been solid. 

For my CIAA fans, I've updated my picks. There's an R&B concert at Amos' Southend tonight and a go-go party on Saturday. Both events are in Southend which means neither parking or traffic should be atrocious.

So everyone, let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Courtney Recommends - '90s rockers Helmet are known for hit album "Betty." Read why Courtney says you should see them tonight. 9 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $20. Parking available. 

 

Helen Writes - OMB is unveiling it's springish beer, Früh Bock, today. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery,  4150 Yancy Road.

Don't Forget

Escape The CIAA – Enjoy two nights full of Bands, DJ's, a flip cup tournament, cornhole tournament and more at TyberPalooza. There's a beer tasting on Saturday. It’s being billed as “THE BEST place to be CIAA weekend with the locals.” 7 p.m. Tyber Creek Pub, 1933 South Blvd.  Registration for tournaments.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Updated Events! CIAA Best Party Picks

The tournament is here!!! I'm excited that there will be parties, parties and more parties. And all of the CIAA e-blasts filling my inbox will end on Sunday!

I've compiled a list of parties I will attend, might attend or would like to attend.

If you're looking for comprehensive lists try Event Brite and Creative Loafing. Tourney Parties also features an extensive list, but sort by date since it's not chronological. Unfortunately, CLTParty is completely unorganized and not chronological.

Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Saturday

JUST ADDED Ooh, Suttle Thoughts better bring it. I love go-go and I remember when Chuck Brown played here the first year the CIAA moved to Charlotte. I know there will never be another Chuck, but I'm ready for some D.C. go-go.

Frankie Beverly And Maze: The official tournament 

finale party. Tickets.

Release!: I'm so hyped for this: a day party and a night party

featuring a total of more than a dozen DJs including 

members of Chicago's Chosen Few.

Final Funk Affair: Need something low key? Enjoy a tournament

 weekend concert experience. Tickets.

The Show: Yes, most of these acts are playing all over 

town at different parties, but not Whodini. Tickets.

La-di-da-di: This is one of the hypest 

day parties. Look at the line up.

 It's not to bee missed. Tickets.

                                      

Charlotte Takeover: This should be interesting. Now, that they're officially a couple, it'll be cool to see how Nicki Minaj and Meek Mills flow at a show. Tickets.

Empire: Grand opening of Empire nightclub in the Epicenter! Tickets.

50 Shades of Grey: This is a masquerade party

for the ladies only. Tickets.

LGBT Weekend Finale: This party is for 

ages 25 and up. Tickets.

Sunday

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

CIAA Commish Parties At the Legends Concert (Video)

I've covered the CIAA ever since it moved to Charlotte, and I don't ever recall seeing a commissioner have as much fun as CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams had at last night's Legends of Hip-Hop concert. Usually, the big dogs come onstage, thank fans for their support and bounce. Not McWilliams. After the obligatory thanks, she took a selfie from the stage, then chatted with Fantasia and then took selfies with fans. She was mad cool, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. It was a reminder of what CIAA is supposed to be about rather than the ratchedness some of the events have become (but that's a post for another day).

 

The Party's Started

I kicked off CIAA week on Tuesday at The Happiest Happy Hour Remixer at Suite. It's still early in the week, so the party was low-key and mostly locals such as Herb Gray and Ron Tate. The always supportive, and mayoral candidate, Jennifer Roberts was also out working the club. The party was a good way to ease into what is sure to be a crazy week.

Non-CIAA events this weekend

If partying with the masses isn't your style then stay away from uptown. There are a slew of parties this weekend. Click here for my best picks. If you're looking to escape the CIAA crowds, try these events.

Wednesday

Helping Children In Crisis - James Ford, the NC Teacher of the Year, will be the guest speaker at A Night for Children’s Rights. It’s the annual fundraiser for the Council for Children’s Rights. 6 p.m. McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 North College St.

Thursday 

Pick Your Favorite Enjoy some new bites at Little Spoon's test kitchen. They're trying out Pan-Asian small bites tonight. 5 p.m. Little Spoon, 2820 Selwyn Ave Suite 180.













Helen Says - Harvest Moon Grille is doing a beer and dinner pairing featuring some rather unique food items, such as popcorn balls. Get the full scoop. Harvest Moon Grille, 331 E. Main St. in Lincolnton.

Friday

Escape The CIAA – Enjoy two nights full of Bands, DJ's, a flip cup tournament, cornhole tournament and more at TyberPalooza. There's a beer tasting on Saturday. It’s being billed as “THE BEST place to be CIAA weekend with the locals.” 7 p.m. Tyber Creek Pub, 1933 South Blvd.  Registration for tournaments.

Saturday

Caffeinated Culture – Experience the local coffee scene on The Charlotte Coffee Crawl - A Caffeinated Celebration of Coffee Culture, 9 a.m. Boquete Mountain Coffee, 2113 N Davidson St.

A Gentleman's Club - Fine clothes, booze and food at Elevate Lounge. Enjoy fine scotches, whiskey, bourbon, tequila and craft beers at Elevate Lounge. Featured retailers: Abbeydale, Re Salon And Medspa and Silverfly. Artwork by Kyle Mosher and food from At 7th Restaurant. $25. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Metrolina Auto Group, 7100 Statesville Road.