National DJ Dummy was supposed to be the headline act on Friday at Coors Light Soundtrack reFresh event at Red @28th. Dummy did his thing, but the star of the night was Hornets' Dell Curry - Steph's dad.
It almost seemed like Daddy Curry won the NBA championship. Everybody was sweating him. The Currys held court near the back of the bar and patiently posed for pictures with everyone, including DJ Dummy (pictured above). When the Currys weren't posing for pictures they were partying to Dummy's mix of soul, R&B and hip-hop.
Today is a day of goodbyes for two completely different slices of Charlotte culture. Pick one or both and have fun. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...
Farewell Show - One of Charlotte's most eclectic artist Andy Fenstermaker (aka the Doorbum) is taking his unusual act elsewhere. Fernstermaker was artist-in-residence at Snug Harbor made guerrilla public performance art around the city. Read Courtney's full post on Fernstermaker in this week's edition of Soundbites. Friends Hectagons, Bo White, Robert Childers, and Nerve Endings will also perform. 9 p.m., Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. $5-$7
Andy by Sarah
Dear Charlotte, North Carolina. I love you very much. You have nurtured me and been so supportive and fundamental to my...
Posted by Andy the Doorbum on Thursday, May 28, 2015
Last Sunday - The Charlotte Symphony’s annual outdoor Summer Pops Series will have it's final Sunday show. 5 p.m. Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. $12. Next show is July 3 tickets are $16;
I'm still recuperating from last night's victory celebration so I won't be starting my Saturday with my usual rowdiness, but you can. Let's get this party started! See you in the streets... Yeaaahhh! - Lil' Jon has hit after party anthem hit. This is one set you don't want to miss. He's doing, but you know it'll still be crazy. Get ready to back, back, back it up! 9 p.m. Label, 900 NC Music Factory. $30 and up.
Happy Birthday - Su Casa celebrates four years at tonight’s monthly offering. Resident DJ Justice, DJ Steel Wheel and special guest DJ Daz-I-Kue (from the U.K.'s Bugz in the Attic crew). Live performance by Quentin Talley and The Soul Providers, film, live art, face painting and more. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $10.
No Sweat - The 2nd Annual Charlotte Hounds #ZeroK benefits the Isabella Santos Foundation. The 0.0K race will start (and end) at 5:30pm, and will be led by Blue the Plott Hound and Woody & Wilcox from 106.5 The END. Participants will "recover" watching major league lacrosse Hounds vs Outlaws). $30 and up, 3 p.m. in the lot at the corner of 7th & Kings, American Legion Memorial Stadium, North Kings Dr.
Don't Miss Beer Festival - Not just any craft brews at this festival. The North Carolina Brewers Celebration highlights state breweries specialty beer bars, hop and grain farmers and more. 12 - 5 p.m. BB&T Ballpark, 324 S Mint St. Tickets.
Not The World Cup - The Connolley Cup celebrates gaelic football. 10 teams representing the southeast for men’s and women’s gaelic football will participate. The women’s team is current the national champion. 10 a.m. Rugby Athletic Center, 3722 S. Tryon St.
Music Festival - The CLTure Music Festival focuses on regional bands and artists on three stages. More than a dozen bands, vendors and about a half dozen food vendors. The Chop Shop, 399 East 35th St, $20 all-day pass.
For The Family - Celebrate Black Music Month with A Journey Through Jazz! It’s a live, interactive performance featuring local jazz musicians, video presentations and you! Saxophonist and music educator Harvey Cummings will lead a five-piece band playing contemporary R&B and hip-hop beats. Volunteers will free-style and write a blues riff for the band to play. After the interactive performance, audience members can play with the instruments. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Gantt Center.
At first I was lamenting not being in a big city like New York to celebrate the SCOTUS decision, but after hugs with so many familiar faces, I realized that I was right where I was supposed to be tonight. Tom Hanchett dapped me up (Dapped, not hugged!). Kirsten Sikkelee told me to stop stressing about my sunblock issues, and I made some new friends. It was an amazing to share the night with my Charlotte family.
I'm getting it all in tonight! I'm putting on my activist hat for two events this evening and then I'll be in party mode cheering on Team USA v. China.
Fight The Power - The SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage doesn’t mean the end. Join Equality NC and HRC North Carolina at their #DecisionDay Hub in Charlotte, to get engaged with the important work of learning and sharing the High Court's marriage ruling and impact, and what's next on our state's Equality agenda. Complimentary pizzas and a cash bar. The Pizza Peel Plaza Midwood, 1600 Central Ave.
Be A Diva - If you love Gay Bingo, here’s your chance to get involved at the Bingo Verifying Divas Recruitment Party. Gay BINGO return in November and they need help. Meet hostess Barbara Burning Bush and the Executive Board of Gay BINGO. 8 p.m. - 11 p.m., Snug Harbor in Plaza Midwood, 1228 Gordon St.
Don't Miss Cultural Imperialism - Wanna talk about race? Start here. Educator and artist de'Angelo Dia will explore sports, cultural imperialism, and Mike Tyson's response to the British empire. Dia uses photography, poetry, and performance art for the dialogue. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture, 551 S. Tryon Street This talk coincides with the exhibit Venturing Out of The Darkness, which ends Saturday. $2 Donation. RSVP Encouraged.
This Bar Crawl Is Bull - Rockhouse events the first Running of the Bulls Bar Crawl in Uptown Charlotte. It honors the running of the in Spain There won’t be any bulls here, but you can still run. $5 in advance and includes cover into all bars, drink specials, and bull horns/bandanas to the first 200 ticket purchasers. 7 p.m. Tilt (Check-in), 127 W. Trade St.
I can't decide if I want to run with the bulls in Spain. It seems like scary (really scary fun), but Charlotte's bull run bar crawl might be the safest version. It'll be fun, and so will be the music and beer festivals this weekend. See you in the streets. Let's get this party started.
Wednesday Urban Networking - This edition of The Agenda will recognizeJanine Davis, the Youth Educational Societyand Angel Robinson. Music by DJ Stacey Blackman, 6 p.m. Bubble, 210 E. Trade St. Free.
Sounds Crazy - I can’t exactly figure out Wednesday Humps Reunion. It’s described as a pajama party with dark grungy electronic DJs, comedians, and Improv. They had me at pajama party. 8 p.m. The Chop Shop, 399 East 35th St. Free. Full lineup.
Thursday Old School Rap - Rap. That's what we used to call it. If you think you love hip-hop then you have to be in the house for Grandmaster Flash's Furious 5 Mele Mel & Scorpio. 9 p.m. Studio Movie Grill, 210 E. Trade St. Tickets.
Crazy DJ Skills - I used to see DJ Dummy back when he was with Common. Now he’s J Cole's Tour DJ. DJ Dummy headlines the Coors Light kickoff of their Coors Light Soundtrack reFRESH program. Free with RSVP: clsoundtrackrefresh.guestcode.com.
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Friday Cultural Imperialism - Wanna talk about race? Start here. Educator and artist de'Angelo Dia will explore sports, cultural imperialism, and Mike Tyson's response to the British empire. Dia uses photography, poetry, and performance art for the dialogue. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture, 551 S. Tryon Street This talk coincides with the exhibit Venturing Out of The Darkness, which ends Saturday. $2 Donation. RSVP Encouraged.
This Bar Crawl Is Bull - Rockhouse events the first Running of the Bulls Bar Crawl in Uptown Charlotte. It honors the running of the in Spain There won’t be any bulls here, but you can still run. $5 in advance and includes cover into all bars, drink specials, and bull horns/bandanas to the first 200 ticket purchasers. 7 p.m. Tilt (Check-in), 127 W. Trade St.
Saturday Beer Festival - Not just any craft brews at this festival. The North Carolina Brewers Celebration highlights state breweries specialty beer bars, hop and grain farmers and more. 12 - 5 p.m. BB&T Ballpark, 324 S Mint St. Tickets.
Not The World Cup - The Connolley Cup celebrates gaelic football. 10 teams representing the southeast for men’s and women’s gaelic football will participate. The women’s team is current the national champion. 10 a.m. Rugby Athletic Center, 3722 S. Tryon St.
Music Festival - The CLTure Music Festival focuses on regional bands and artists on three stages. More than a dozen bands, vendors and about a half dozen food vendors. The Chop Shop, 399 East 35th St, $20 all-day pass.
For The Family - Celebrate Black Music Month with A Journey Through Jazz! It’s a live, interactive performance featuring local jazz musicians, video presentations and you! Saxophonist and music educator Harvey Cummings will lead a five-piece band playing contemporary R&B and hip-hop beats. Volunteers will free-style and write a blues riff for the band to play. After the interactive performance, audience members can play with the instruments. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Gantt Center.
Last Sunday - The Charlotte Symphony’s annual outdoor Summer Pops Series will have it's final Sunday show. 5 p.m. Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. $12. Next show is July 3 tickets are $16;
The Workman's Friend opened this week in Plaza-Midwood. It's the newest spot from what I affectionally call the Irish crew - Tommy Timmons, Kevin Devin and Maynard Goble - owners of Connolley's, Prohibition and Dandelion Market.
The Workman's Friend is more than typical Irish pub with corned beef and cabbage. Sherpard's Pie is on the menu, but so is lamb, salmon and a dish called "Not Your Mama's" Pork & Beans. The cocktail features craft cocktails such as the signature The Workman's Friend. I wanted to try the Pickle-Back Shot. It's a shot of Jameson's with a sidecar of pickle brine. Unfortunately, they'd sold out of the pickle brine by the time I arrived on Friday night. It's housemade and used to the pickled okra.
I cooled off on Saturday at Margarita Wars at the Rooftop 210's at the EpiCentre.
I didn't know what to expect at Hollywood Squares: The Speakeasy Edition. I barely remember the old game show. It all came back quickly on Friday at the One Voice Chorus' fifth annual edition of this popular performance. It was a game show with serious questions, hilarious and showtunes. 8 p.m., Charlotte Ballet, 701 N Tryon St. $20. Final Performance.
By Popular Demand - Brunch at Earl’s Grocery. 10:30 - 3:30 p.m., Earl’s, 1609 Elizabeth Ave.
Hope You’re Hungry - Enjoy bottomless mimosas, all you can eat brunch buffet, omelet station, waffle station, sweet treats and cocktails. Live DJ, free pool & ping pong and patio lounge. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Slate Billiards at Oak Room, 200 E. Bland St.
Cultural Convo - The Levine Museum of the New South is launching Conexiones: Exchanges Across Cultures. Today’s event is an immersive exploration of Latino culture using food, music, dance and art. 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Levine Museum, 200 E. Seventh Street
More Black Culture - The 18th Annual Junteenth Festival of the Carolinas features live music, a parade, drum circle, food and more. It’s four days of events. Free. Independence Park. Last day.
Grab a bottle of water and head out early today. The fun starts at noon with events at the NC Music Factory and the EpiCentre. Tequila Throwdown - Charlotte bartenders compete to create the best margarita in the city during Margarita Wars. There’s VIP access as well. 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Rooftop 210 EpiCentre, 210 East Trade St. $30.
Throwback Games - Coed teams compete against each other in old school fashion games such as Dizzy Bat, Team Obstacle Course, Football Toss Challenge, Flip Cup, Water Balloon Toss, Survivor Volleyball and Belly Bumpers. 12 p.m. VBGB Beer Hall and Garden, 920 Hamilton St.
Don't Forget
Family Fun - Bring the family, blankets and coolers out to Jazz In The Park. Tonight’s show features keyboardist Greg Karukas and Flutist Kim Scott. 6 p.m. Freedom Park, 1900 East Blvd.
Jazz Under The Stars - Will Downing, Brian Culbertson, and Mike Phillips with Karen Briggs headline the Queen City Jazz Festival. 7 p.m. Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $55 and up.
Frat Party - This isn’t your average frat party. The men are dapper and the women will be gorgeous at the Omegas’ Sundresses & Seersuckers party. Live music. 6 p.m Deerpond Plantation, 8033 Hood Road.
More Black Culture - The 18th Annual Junteenth Festival of the Carolinas features live music, a parade, drum circle, food and more. It’s four days of events. Free. Independence Park.
Lots to do tonight! More gay games, shopping and dancing to Latin rhythms. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...
Fun and Games - One Voice Chorus (the Gay, Lesbian and Gay-Affirmative Chorus of Charlotte) performs "Hollywood Squares: The Speakeasy Edition.” 8 p.m., Charlotte Ballet, 701 N Tryon St. $20.
Sip & Shop - Boutiques and local restaurants highlight an evening of shopping and eating the Phillips Place Showcase. Benefits Carolina Breast Friends. 6 p.m.- 9:15 p.m. Register: Modern Salon & Spa | Phillips Place with food samplings provided by The Palm Charlotte. 20.
Family Fun - Bring the kids out and meet some of the most famous people in the comic book industry at HeroesCon. Ends Sunday, Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. Various prices and times.
Don't miss: They’ve Got Next - Elevate Magazine presents its 30 Under 30: Future Leaders Of Charlotte. Meet the 30 millennials whom Elevate has chosen to be the future leaders of Charlotte. Stay for the after- party featuring music by DJ Enferno. 7 p.m. Suite, 210 East Trade St.
Afro-Cuban Beats - Mint To Move returns with Afro-Cuban and Latin-American dance rhythms. Tonight’s dance party celebrates Dominican Republic & Independence of Argentina, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela. Featuring DJ Pepito and Rumbao Latin Dance Company. Dance lessons with Rumbao at 8:45 p.m. Live Music: Jerry Giraud, Angel Delgado, and Brandon Nater. Also with performances and local visual artists. $7 and up 1 off individual admission before 9 p.m.
Rock It: Get your groove on at Discovery Place Museum’s Science on the Rocks: World Tour. The monthly event showcases the museum’s new exhibition Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World. Visitors will explore a gallery of rare and iconic instruments such as the Rock Ock, the world’s only playable 8-neck guitar, a PRS Dragon guitar inlaid with 238 pieces of gold and precious gem guitars that date as far back as 1806. Charlotte’s own MIAMI DICE performs. Guitars are cool, but the VIP Dressing Room features pre-show rider requests of megastars like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Van Halen, Kanye West and Prince. Don’t miss the Celebrity Look-A-like Contest and Air Guitar Smackdown. The Rock and Roll specialty cocktail is rum, spiced rum, pineapple juice, mint and lime. $8 and $10. Full schedule.
My weekend started with the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund's Funky Good Time at the Mint Museum. After a cocktail reception, partiers danced the night away to their favorite grooves on the middle levels of the Mint. On Saturday, the party continued in NoDa at the NoDa Music Festival. The event featured a collection of bands from the region and elsewhere playing originals and cover tunes. I caught the festival on a Saturday night, which drew a relatively light but fun crowd.
The recycling beer event at Sugar Creek Brewing Company is definitely my favorite concept for an event this week. But there's more. Let's get this party started. See in you in the streets...
Tonight Beer For A Blender - Gotta love this concept. Donate household utensils, electronics and other stuff and get a free beer at Recycling Metal to Recycle Lives. $15 admission includes an entree, two sides, and a beer. Enjoy $4 beer specials, a silent auction and raffles. Proceeds benefit Queen City Metal Recycling Salvage which supports mental health and fights homelessness. 5 p.m. Sugar Creek Brewing Company, 215 Southside Drive.
Thursday Black Music Month - Celebrate Black Music Month at Gantt After Dark On the Rooftop, Under the Stars. Entertainment by The Harvey Cummings Band featuring Touch One Productions. Enjoy spoken-word, DJ SPK's and visual artists Monique Luck and Monroe Tarver. Light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. 6 - 10 p.m. Harvey B. Gantt Center at Levine Center for the Arts, 551 South Tryon St. $10 for non-members, free for members.
More Black Culture - The 18th Annual Junteenth Festival of the Carolinas features live music, a parade, drum circle, food and more. It’s four days of events. Free. Independence Park.
Head Outside - Looking to enjoy this hotastic weather? The Battle Royale Sup Sprint Series is a beginner friendly paddling race on the lower ponds. Afterwards live music during the River Jam concert series. 5:30 p.m. U.S. National Whitewater Center,5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.
Friday They’ve Got Next - Elevate Magazine presents its 30 Under 30: Future Leaders Of Charlotte. Meet the 30 millennials whom Elevate has chosen to be the future leaders of Charlotte. Stay for the after- party featuring music by DJ Enferno. 7 p.m. Suite, 210 East Trade St.
Afro-Cuban Beats - Mint To Move returns with Afro-Cuban and Latin-American dance rhythms. Tonight’s dance party celebrates Dominican Republic & Independence of Argentina, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela. Featuring DJ Pepito and Rumbao Latin Dance Company. Dance lessons with Rumbao at 8:45 p.m. Live Music: Jerry Giraud, Angel Delgado, and Brandon Nater. Also with performances and local visual artists. $7 and up 1 off individual admission before 9 p.m.
Rock It: Get your groove on at Discovery Place Museum’s Science on the Rocks: World Tour. The monthly event showcases the museum’s new exhibition Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World. Visitors will explore a gallery of rare and iconic instruments such as the Rock Ock, the world’s only playable 8-neck guitar, a PRS Dragon guitar inlaid with 238 pieces of gold and precious gem guitars that date as far back as 1806. Charlotte’s own MIAMI DICE performs. Guitars are cool, but the VIP Dressing Room features pre-show rider requests of megastars like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Van Halen, Kanye West and Prince. Don’t miss the Celebrity Look-A-like Contest and Air Guitar Smackdown. The Rock and Roll specialty cocktail is rum, spiced rum, pineapple juice, mint and lime. $8 and $10. Full schedule.
Saturday
Family Fun - Bring the family, blankets and coolers out to Jazz In The Park. Tonight’s show features keyboardist Greg Karukas and Flutist Kim Scott. 6 p.m. Freedom Park, 1900 East Blvd.
Jazz Under The Stars - Will Downing, Brian Culbertson, and Mike Phillips with Karen Briggs headline the Queen City Jazz Festival. 7 p.m. Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $55 and up.
Frat Party - This isn’t your average frat party. The men are dapper and the women will be gorgeous at the Omegas’ Sundresses & Seersuckers party. Live music. 6 p.m Deerpond Plantation, 8033 Hood Road.
The Mint Museum will be bustling today with activities for families and the closing of Halston & Warhol: Silver & Suede. Don't forget the NoDa music festival ends today.
For The Family - Bring the kids for free and enjoy a day of activities at Sunday Fun Day Summer Kick-Off. Get creative with your kid and build family-friend art projects, stroll the galleries and enjoy artists demos. 1- 4 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 South Tryon St.
Last Chance - Halston & Warhol: Silver & Suede closes today. Don’t miss a chance to see this exhibition which unites the work designer Roy Halston and artist Andy Warhol. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown. Details.
Photo by T. Ortega Gaines
Don't Miss Can I Get A? - Soul Clap! This
gathering of for lovers of classic Soul, R&B, smooth grooves,
boogie, disco, rockers and pop has a new location. It’s moving to theThe
NeighborHood Cafe' (the spot owned by No Grease Barbershop’ Johnson
Brothers in Mosiac Village). Along with good music there will be apps,
hookah and drinks. 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., NeighborHood Cafe’, 1635 W Trade St
Suite 1F.
Music Festival - Head to NoDa for the NoDa Summer Music Festival showcasing local and regional bands and artists. Starts today. Along with music there will be food from restaurants featuring cajun cooking, southwest food and pizza. Chop Shop, 399 E. 5th St. Doors at 4 p.m. (Sunday) | Show at 4:30 p.m. (Sunday). $10 per day. See today's lineup.
It's another one of those Saturdays that pay to get out early. Whether you want to run or crawl, there's an event for you. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...
Crawl This Way - The Light Rail Crawl 5
starts in south Charlotte and makes it way uptown stopping at some of
my favorite watering holes along the way. Event presented by The Green
Roots. 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. Itinerary.
Beer/Food Rally - Check out the Berwick Manor House (north of the city center) at the Berewick Craft Beer Festival & Food Truck Rally. Complimentary beer samples from four breweries and food can be purchased from six food trucks ranging from pizza to tacos. Free, but donations will benefit Sustain Charlotte. Music by the Breakfast Club. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Berewick Manor House, 6625 Berewick Commons Pkwy.
Shop NoDa - NoDa Eclectic Marketplace returns with vintage items, locally-produced art, jewelry, body products, clothing, housewares and more.! 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. behind Smelly Cat Coffeehouse, 514 East 36th St.
Don't Forget
New Music Festival - The Charlotte New Music Festivalshowcases new contemporary classical music. The series ends June 27. Tonight’s kickoff concert features the Laptop Orchestra with performances by composers participating and teaching at the workshop. Snug Harbor 6 p.m. $15.
Beer And Running - Get fit or get out people! (In my Shawn T voice). The 4th Annual Brew Stash Bash features live music, craft beers and a 6K run. 11:30 a.m. US National Whitewater Rafting Center. Various prices depending on how much you drink.
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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