Weekend Preview: Two music festival and two funkified parties

Two music festival and a couple of arts events are only a peek at what's to come this weekend. Lace up your shoes and get ready to partttaayy! See you in the streets. Let's get this party started.

Tonight
Celebrate Hispanic Art - The Con A de Arte celebration returns with featured speaker Mexican-American Photographer and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist José Galvez. 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Mint Museum Uptown, 2730 Randolph Rd. Details.

Change The World - Come out to #GovJamCLT mixer to learn more about innovative solutions for the city. It’s an informal mixer sponsored by Knight Foundation, Google and the David Hoffman Group. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Earl's Grocery, 1609 Elizabeth Ave. Read about it in Charlotte Five.

Thursday
Make A Child Smile - The 5th Annual An Evening of Believing Prom gives children with life-alternating illness one night to enjoy the prom some may never have and others missed. It’s fantastic event hosted by the Sandbox. Come out to The 5th Annual An Evening of Believing Prom Kick-Off party to learn more about the organization and the prom. Enjoy food, a silent auction, and entertainment, and meet the 2015 Youth Mentor class and interact with families the organizations serves. 6-9 p.m., Johnson Mansion, 1800 Queens Road West. $25.

Art & Wine - No, this isn’t one of those sip and paint shindigs. The Wine Club at McColl Center is a wine tasting that pairs current Affiliate Artists Taproot Ensemble with a special selection of wines. 6-7:30 p.m. McColl Center, 721 N Tryon ST.  $10, $15.

Friday
Have A Funky Gay Time - The Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund hosts Funky Good Time. The group combines its love of fashion and fun at this event. Wear festive attire. (I’m rocking my team USA gear to support the USA women’s soccer team in the World Cup). 8 - 10 p.m., Mint Museum Uptown.

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 8 p.m. (tonight), 4:30 p.m. (Saturday), 4 p.m. (Sunday) | Show at 8:45 p.m.(tonight), 5 p.m. (Saturday), 4:30 p.m. (Sunday). $10 per day / $15 for a 2 day pass! See the lineup.

May The Force…. - Okay not yet. But I am so ready for the new “Star Wars” movie. This last edition of New Frequencies highlights the short films of “Star Wars” special effects consultant Pat O’Neill. 8 - 9:30 p.m., McColl Center. $5.



Saturday

New Music Festival - The Charlotte New Music Festival showcases 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.

Sunday
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.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com