Weekend Preview: The Oktoberfest, Hola and Style Night Out

The rain was great last weekend, but after a week straight, we could use a break. Luckily, there's plenty of indoor fun to be had. If you're brave enough to endure the unpredictable rain there are a couple of festivals worth checking out. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...
Wednesday
Fabu Deejays - See Fabulous, DJ Dummy and DJ Mustard at this latest installment of the Coors Light Soundtrack Finale. Free. Must RSVP.

 Zora Neale Hurston Play - The latest On Q production is Spunk. The production company takes on “Sweat, In Harlem Slang” and “The Gilded Six Bits” by Zora Neale Hurston. Adaptation by George C. Wolfe. Music by Chic Street Man. Directed by Jermaine Nakia Lee. Tonight through Oct. 10. Duke Energy, 345 N College St. $28. Tickets.

He’s Not A Terrorist - Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani jokes about airport security, and a variety of Middle Eastern stereotypes in his stand up. 8 p.m. The Comedy Zone, Suite B3, 900 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd. Tickets.

Thursday
Fashion Night - Nearly two dozen boutiques will participate in Style Night Out, which benefits Carolina Breast Friends. It’s an Effie Loukas production so you know it’ll be hot. Featured boutiques include KK Bloom Boutique, SILVERFLY, Our Place Boutique, Ladies of Lineage, Vestique Charlotte, The Cheeky Bean, Taylor Richards & Conger, Sweet Repeats Upscale Consignment Boutique, Scout & Molly's of Charlotte, The Pink Hanger, Chezelle Boutique, Petal Boutique, Monkee's of Lake Norman (Davidson) , CLTCH , LOTUS, Luis Machcao, Blank Canvas, Mila Amor, South End Chic, Pixton Bridal, Revolution. 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. CenterStage@NODA, 2315 N. Davidson St. Parking is available on site at the event. Dress: Cocktail Attire. Details.

Breast Cancer Fundraiser - Pink Pint Night kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness month. Features live music, food trucks, and a special pink brew. 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.  NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St. Free.

Friday
Best Of - Creative Loafing hosts their annual Best of Charlotte party to honor winners. Live music by Ancient Cities and Mayhue Bostic Group. Friday, Oct. 2 at the Harvey Gantt Center! Tickets include admission, drinks from Tito's Vodka, Red Oak Brewing and Barefoot Wines, catering by La Tea Da's. Cocktail attire is encouraged. 6-10 p.m. Harvey Gantt Center, 551 S Tryon St. $20. Details.

Saturday

Gospel Event - Join Tasha Cobbs, William Murphy & Kevin LeVar live performance in the One Place Live Tour. Cobbs is a three-time Stellar and Dove awards winner. She’s also a Grammy winner. 7 p.m.,  Victory Christian Center, 7228 Kings Ridge Drive. $20 and up. Tickets.

Rescheduled! Hispanic Festival - The Fourth Annual Hola Charlotte Hispanic Heritage Festival features Latin festivals, live performances, Latin American cultural village, Latin cuisine and  kids activities. 12 p.m. Hola Charlotte, Tryon St. Between Trade and 7th St. Details. This has now been rescheduled for Oct 18.




Original Beer Festival - In the summer months, there’s seems to be a beer festival every weekend, but Charlotte OktoberFest was one of the first. The 17th Annual Charlotte Oktoberfest features more than 95 craft breweries and cideries. 2 p.m. NC Music Factory, 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd. $45. Details.

Sunday
Hair Expo - Learn about natural hair care at the Charlotte Natural Hair Care & Health Expo Transformation tour. It’s a hair show featuring poetry performers, poets and more. 12 p.m. Wadsworth House Estates, 400 Summit Ave. $10.

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Empire's Becky G!, Nuevolution free today and free tickets!

Community Celebration - Friday’s preview party was great. Now the entire community is invited to the official public debut of ¡NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South. Enjoy the exhibit, music, dance, theater performances, arts, family activities and food. The exhibit is a bilingual, interactive exhibit that explores the ways Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos. 12 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Free Details.

Don't Forget

Hot Reggaeton - Reggaeton isn’t as big as it used to be to mainstream fans, but that hasn’t stopped J Balvin’s success. This should be a high-energy dance party with J Balvin featuring Becky G, of "Empire" fame. Becky G appears as a guest on the hit show. She blends pop, Latin and rap. The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.

Family Fun - One of the most popular annual family events Festival In the Park returns with more than 1,000 performers scheduled on five performance stages and more than 180 arts and crafts exhibits. Various times this weekend. Details.

My Favorite Beer - Fall means Octoberfest beer and I’m so excited! Mecktoberfest celebrates German-style food, culture, and beer. There will be a special Mecktoberfest food menu.

OMB’s seasonal Mecktoberfest brew is a classic Märzen amber lager. The beer is just one part of it. The festival is good family fun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday - Sunday, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. Details.

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Two fall beer events, arts showcase and soggy fun

The rain has definitely put a damper on today's outdoor events, but we need it badly. So, celebrate this hopefully drought ending rain with some indoor fun. The party starts now. See you in the streets.

Correction: Bob James is tonight!

Raise A Glass - Challenge your friends in the First Annual Stein Hoisting Event sponsored by Sam Adam. Whoever holds their stein the longest will go on to compete at regionals, with the chance of competing in the finals on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The grand prize is a trip to Oktoberfest in Germany! 1 p.m. The Brass Tap, 1440 South Tryon St.

Afro Soul Groove - The monthly edition of Su CASA returns with resident Justice Sun Tzulu, DJ SunCee 95 of Afro+Freequency, spinning Afro/Deep/South African House. DJSteelWheel on the patio spinning Caribbean and African tunes. Live performance by Quentin Talley & The Soul Providers. 10 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $5, $10.

Art Showcase - The third Skyline Artists Showcase features paintings by Kelly Keith, a performance by the dance troupe Triptych Collective and live music Ghost Tree Big Band. The Skyline Artists Showcase transforms the Goodyear building, the future home of Tryon Place, into a pop up art space. Co-presented by The Wall Poems of Charlotte and Amy Herman and the blessings of Charlotte Center City Partners. Former Goodyear, 100 E Stonewall St.

Don't Forget
Family Fun - One of the most popular annual family events Festival In the Park returns with more than 1,000 performers scheduled on five performance stages and more than 180 arts and crafts exhibits. Various times this weekend. Details.

My Favorite Beer - Fall means Octoberfest beer and I’m so excited! Mecktoberfest celebrates German-style food, culture, and beer. There will be a special Mecktoberfest food menu.
OMB’s seasonal Mecktoberfest brew is a classic Märzen amber lager. The beer is just one part of it. The festival is good family fun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday - Sunday, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. Details.

Black-Tie Gospel - The Praise Café TV Show/Charlotte Entertainment Network present the Gospel Image Awards 2015 to celebrate spiritual excellence through Christian Ministry. It’s a black tie event. 6 p.m. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. $30. Details.

Great Jazz - The Jazz Diva presents An Evening With the Bob James Quartet. Opening Performance by Guitarists Paul Brown and Marc Antoine. 8 p.m., Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, $45 - $70. Details.



All About Fashion - Majr presents Fashion Presentation featuring cocktails and apps. 8 p.m. Dupp & Swat, 2424 N Davidson St.


Beer & Run - Drink a beer every quarter mile, run/walk/skip/dance your way to the finish line, then celebrate at the after party. So, it’s four beers and in one mile at the National Beer Mile. 11 a.m. NC Music Factory, 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Boulevard. Details.

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Festival in the Park, ¡NUEVOlution!, Bob James tonight

Hopefully, mother nature will give us a little break in the rain to enjoy Festival in the Park on opening day. If not, I've got a few other events also worth checking out. Let's get this party started! See you in the streets... 


Dancetronica - Get ready for an incredible night of music and fun at the Beats Antique Creature Carnival. The band fuses live electronica and experimental world music fusion to create a fun interactive show. Lyrics Born will open. 9 p.m., The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. $25.
 

  Dream Come True - An Evening of Believing Prom benefits children fighting life-altering illnesses. This event gives them the prom some may never have. Red Carpet starts 6 p.m. There’s a Remembrance Ceremony and Balloon Release at 10 p.m., NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. MLK Blvd.

Grand Opening Party - Celebrate the grand opening of ¡NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South, a bilingual, interactive exhibit that explores the ways Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos. Tonight features live music and DJs. 6 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Details.

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Don't Miss
My Favorite Beer - Fall means Octoberfest beer and I’m so excited! Mecktoberfest celebrates German-style food, culture, and beer. There will be a special Mecktoberfest food menu.
OMB’s seasonal Mecktoberfest brew is a classic Märzen amber lager. The beer is just one part of it. The festival is good family fun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday - Sunday, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. Details.

Great Jazz - The Jazz Diva presents An Evening With the Bob James Quartet. Opening Performance by Guitarists Paul Brown and Marc Antoine. 8 p.m., Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, $45 - $70. Details.


Family Fun - One of the most popular annual family events Festival In the Park returns with more than 1,000 performers scheduled on five performance stages and more than 180 arts and crafts exhibits. Various times this weekend. Details.



Wine Dinner - Winery owner and Charlotte native, Hank McCrorie, will be the speaker at the Evoke and Burly Wine event featuring a five-course meal. McCrorie will provide an overview of the wine pairings with each course. 7 p.m., Evoke, 555 S. McDowell St.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Step up your cocktail game and make a julep-tini (Video)

Photo Courtesy of Crown Royal

As we say goodbye to summer and September, I'm celebrating National Bourbon Month with Passion8's Julep-Tini.

This is made with Crown Royal, which technically isn't bourbon. So I'm dubbing September, National Brown Liquor Month.

Boom! Enjoy....




Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Festival In the Park, Beer Mile, Mecktoberfest, Free Tickets!

Goodbye summer, hello MecktoberFest! The leaves are changing, summer is over and the fall season of partying is about to begin. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Wednesday
Watch Party - Hip-hop fans rejoice, tonight is the season two premiere Empire and the start of Empire Wednesdays. It’s a viewing party followed by an after party.  7 p.m.  Vibrations Club, 5237 Albemarle Rd. Free.

Thursday
For Smart People - What do you get when a political satirist and a legendary investigative journalist come together? A lecture you don’t want to miss. The Chancellor's Speaker Series presents "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The White House" with Carl Bernstein and P.J. O'Rourke. 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., UNCC, Cone University Center McKnight Hall. Free, but reservations are required. speakerseries@uncc.edu. Details.



Pre-show Party - I love a good concert, but I love a good pre-concert party even more. Enjoy the RockBus Concert Series before the Luke Bryan show at PNC Music Pavilion. 5 p.m. Check-in at Prohibition, 200 N. Tryon St. Details.

Charity Event - Enjoy live music, wine and cheese tasting at the 4th annual Samaritan House Charity event. 6 p.m., Blue Restaurant & Bar, 206 N College St., Corner of 5th & College St. $30.

Goodbye Summer - SHIPROCKED! closes out Summer with the annual Luau-themed [arty. It’s become a tradition. There will be hula go-go dancers,tropical burlesque and drag performances by Bethann Phetamine, Shirley Sweet and Bella Jade, and everyone gets "leied!" Everyone is encouraged to wear a Hawaiian themed outfit. 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.
Details.

Friday
Family Fun - One of the most popular annual family events Festival In the Park returns with more than 1,000 performers scheduled on five performance stages and more than 180 arts and crafts exhibits. Various times this weekend. Details.


Wine Dinner - Winery owner and Charlotte native, Hank McCrorie, will be the speaker at the Evoke and Burly Wine event featuring a five-course meal. McCrorie will provide an overview of the wine pairings with each course. 7 p.m., Evoke, 555 S. McDowell St.

Great Jazz - The Jazz Diva presents An Evening With the Bob James Quartet. Opening Performance by Guitarists Paul Brown and Marc Antoine. 8 p.m., Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, $45 - $70. Details.

My Favorite Beer - Fall means Octoberfest beer and I’m so excited! Mecktoberfest celebrates German-style food, culture, and beer. There will be a special Mecktoberfest food menu.
OMB’s seasonal Mecktoberfest brew is a classic Märzen amber lager. The beer is just one part of it. The festival is good family fun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday - Sunday, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. Details.

Saturday
Black-Tie Gospel - The Praise Café TV Show/Charlotte Entertainment Network present the Gospel Image Awards 2015 to celebrate spiritual excellence through Christian Ministry. It’s a black tie event. 6 p.m. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. $30. Details.

All About Fashion - Majr presents Fashion Presentation featuring cocktails and apps. 8 p.m. Dupp & Swat, 2424 N Davidson St.


Beer & Run - Drink a beer every quarter mile, run/walk/skip/dance your way to the finish line, then celebrate at the after party. So, it’s four beers and in one mile at the National Beer Mile. 11 a.m. NC Music Factory, 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Boulevard. Details.





Sunday

Hot Reggaeton - Reggaeton isn’t as big as it used to be to mainstream fans, but that hasn’t stopped J Balvin’s success. This should be a high-energy dance party with J Balvin featuring Becky G. The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.



Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Ribs and beer at Southern Sauce festival (Photos)

The Southern Sauce festival uptown on Mint Street Saturday was a pork lover's paradise. Add a couple of pints of beer and life was gravy yesterday hanging out uptown. The free festival which spilled into Romare Beardon Park and featured live music. Next door BB&T Ballpark hosted a beer festival.

Drag pizza, St. Patrick's Day pre-party and Jack the Ripper!

Paint the town Carolina Blue and black today as the Panthers take on the Texans. After the game, enjoy everything from gospel to drag to a St. Patrick's Day pre-party. Yes, it's that kinda Sunday! Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Get Your Shamrocks - The Halfway To St. Patrick's Day celebration features Irish dancers and music. New York Irish rock band McClean Avenue band will perform. $4 Guiness and  Tullamore Dew all day. 3 p.m. The Workman's Friend, 1531 Central Avenue.

Drag Pizza - Yep! Enjoy free pizza and drag performances by Angela Lopez,
Satine Allure, Tatianaat and other at Sunday Funday. 4 p.m. Cathode Azure Club, 1820 South Blvd Suite 106.

Don't Miss
Interactive Play - This sounds crazy fun too! Citizens of the Universe: A Disturbance in Whitechapel presents Jack the Ripper. Audience members join the search for Jack the Ripper on the streets of NoDa in a tour-style drama. 7:30 p.m. In NoDa. Tickets.

Gospel Music Festival - Gospel favorites Vashawn Mitchell, Charles Jenkins and Ruth La’Ontra headline the Queen City Gospel Fest. Bring the family out for this free Christian family event. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Marshall Park, 800 E. Third St. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Uptown fun: beer festival or free museum stuff

The fun has already begun with the ASC Connect Cultural Day, but it continues uptown, in NoDa and parties tonight. See you in the streets. Let's get this party started!


Fight Breast Cancer - Join the Carolina Breast Friends at the 6th annual Pink Boots Ball to benefit the Pink House. Music by Soul Psychedelique Orchestra. Details.
7 p.m., Caramel Country Country Club, 4735 Carmel Road. Details.

Family Fun - From free admission to museums to events throughout the city, ASC Connect With Cultural Day is great family fun. See the full schedule.

Don't Forget
For the Family - The multi-platinum band Gin Blossoms will headline the two-day Southern Sauce Beer, a BBQ and bands two-day festival in Uptown Charlotte. The festival celebrates Southern BBQ, craft beer and live music.


The Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship portion of the festival will be held at Romare Bearden Park, 300 South Church St. Free. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Features BBQ vendors, a “Pig Pit” dining area and blues bands performing on the Charlotte Blues Society stage. More information is available at www.southernsauceclt.com.

The Charlotte Beerfest portion will be held inside BB&T Ballpark on Saturday, September 20. VIP admission begins at 4 p.m. and general admission begins at 5 p.m. Features 10  breweries. Live music includes Simplified and the Gin Blossoms.

Bike Scavenger Hunt After Party - This sounds real fun. Birdsong Brewing Co., Heist Brewery, and Four Dogs Pet Supplies present the Char-Heel Classic, a bicycle scavenger hunt. It’s a fundraiser for REACT Thyroid Foundation, a charity dedicated to raising funds to find the cure for thyroid cancer. $80 registration fee for team of four to bike around Charlotte collecting points by photographing stuff from a list of activities. 9 a.m. Registration, Birdsong Brewing, 1016 N Davidson St. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Scavenger Hunt, 2 - 5 p.m. After-Party with music, food trucks, the event slideshow, and a silent auction. Registration details.

Janet Jackson, a pep rally and uptown festivals tonight

Janet Ms. Jackson If You're Nasty is tonight! Getting my hair done, nails done everything did! If you're not heading to the concert, there is a street party uptown and several events at the EpiCentre.

Street Festival - Head uptown for a cultural street party. Enjoy dinner and dancing on South Tryon at Cultural Feast. St. 6:30 p.m. S. Tryon between MLK Blvd and Levine Avenue of the Arts.

New Exhibits Opening - 2015 McColl Center Alumna Artist-in-Residence Anne Lemanski’s Simulacra installation explores the relationship to the natural world. The exhibit  Sightlines, Incidents and Echoes also opens. 6 p.m., McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 721 North Tryon St.

Classy Men - Charlotte Kappas welcome Kappas from Georgia, North and South Carolina and West Virgina for the 2015 Kappa Regional Leadership Conference. The local Kappas are hosting the Classic Man: Sights, Sounds & Sips. 10 p.m., Vapiano in Uptown Charlotte, 201 S. Tryon St.

It’s Back! - The Silent Disco returns with DJ Frenzy, Boy Beatrs World and Kyle Biddy. The music is only heard through headphones. 8 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade  St. Free.

Don't Forget 
Panther Pep Rally - The EpiCentre is getting you ready for the Carolina Panthers first home game with the Bud Light Pep Rally and Bar Crawl. Appearances by the PurrCussion Band, Sir Purr & Top Cat Cheerleaders. Ticket gets you a Panthers’ T-shirt and free entry to the more than one dozen participating bars. 7 p.m. Registration at Rooftop 210. $5.

For the Family - The multi-platinum band Gin Blossoms will headline the two-day Southern Sauce Beer, a BBQ and bands two-day festival in Uptown Charlotte. The festival celebrates Southern BBQ, craft beer and live music. The Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship portion of the festival will be held at Romare Bearden Park, 300 South Church St. Free. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Features BBQ vendors, a “Pig Pit” dining area and blues bands performing on the Charlotte Blues Society stage. More information is available at www.southernsauceclt.com. The Charlotte Beerfest portion will be held inside BB&T Ballpark on Saturday, September 20. VIP admission begins at 4 p.m. and general admission begins at 5 p.m. Features 10 breweries. Live music includes Simplified and the Gin Blossoms.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Lisa Fischer was amazing at McGlohon (Photos)

Ever since I saw the movie "20 Feet From Stardom," I knew I wanted to see singer Lisa Fischer live. I wasn't disappointed last night at McGlohon Theater. Fischer is a former backup singer to Luther Vandross,  Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass, and Roberta Flack. She's toured most recently and consistently with the Rolling Stones. She enjoyed brief solo success in the early '90s when she won a Grammy for her single "How Can I Ease The Pain."

Despite her solo success, Fischer enjoyed the roll of backup singer more. Occasionally, she tours intimate venues and her show was a treat. At McGlohon, she exuded love for being on stage, her band and her dedicated audience.


Her show was amazing. At most shows, the band is just the band. They're providing the instrumentals, but last night Fischer's band was an integral part of the show. They shined as much as she did. During her extended and re-working versions of "Gimme Shelter," which she sings on tour with the Rolling Stones, and "Addicted To Love," Fischer often stepped away from the microphone. She gave the spotlight to the instrumentation, dancing and playing air guitar while her band members shined. Even the lighting in McGlohon, highlighted them on those moments.

One of the most amazing elements of her show was the way she used two microphones. She used them like instruments. During one song she would sing in the handheld, but then switch to the standing mike, making her voice sound as far away or as intimate as she liked. Her vocalizations reminded me of Rachelle Farrell. Her love of performing poured over the audience, and they gave it right back to her. From my friend Will who gave her flowers and ended up dancing with her onstage to the countless standing ovations she received after songs. Her performance of "How Can I Ease The Pain" even moved her to tears. It was one of those shows that if you attended, you'll never forget.

Weekend Preview: Panthers pep rally, beer and BBQ festival and Cornel West

Get some rest now because this is going to be a busy weekend. And, Sip + Play Charlotte is giving away free tickets to Friday's pep rally and bar crawl at the EpiCentre. Click here to win!

Wednesday

Symphony Launch - The Charlotte Symphony launches the it’s new season with Symphony on Tap tonight, a debut season preview party. Begins at 5:30 p.m. outside Belk Theater along Tryon Street with a brass ensemble performance of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. The hour-long preview concert inside Belk Theater will begin at 6 p.m. and selections will include the Allegro con brio from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Hoe-down from Rodeo by Copland, a selection from Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet, a James Bond medley, and more. 5:30 p.m. Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St. Free.

Thursday
Latin Grooves - The Mint Museum’s Latin Music Concert Series features different Latin music from classic music to Latin jazz performed by local musicians. This is the first of four concerts. 6:30 p.m., Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St. $15 Mint Members; $20 Non-Members



Chief Activist -  His lectures are legendary, his words are big and his fro is even bigger. The larger than life academic, activist and intellectual Cornel West headlines the 3rd Annual Gantt Symposium. 7 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 South Tryon St.

Friday

Panther Pep Rally - The EpiCentre is getting you ready for the Carolina Panthers first home game with the Bud Light Pep Rally and Bar Crawl. Appearances by the PurrCussion Band, Sir Purr & Top Cat Cheerleaders. Ticket gets you a Panthers’ T-shirt and free entry to the more than one dozen participating bars. 7 p.m. Registration at Rooftop 210. $5. CLICK HERE TO WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE BAR CRAWL

For the Family - The multi-platinum band Gin Blossoms will headline the two-day Southern Sauce Beer, a BBQ and bands two-day festival in Uptown Charlotte. The festival celebrates Southern BBQ, craft beer and live music.


The Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship portion of the festival will be held at Romare Bearden Park, 300 South Church St. Free. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Features BBQ vendors, a “Pig Pit” dining area and blues bands performing on the Charlotte Blues Society stage. More information is available at www.southernsauceclt.com.

The Charlotte Beerfest portion will be held inside BB&T Ballpark on Saturday, September 20. VIP admission begins at 4 p.m. and general admission begins at 5 p.m. Features 10  breweries. Live music includes Simplified and the Gin Blossoms.


Saturday
Bike Scavenger Hunt - This sounds real fun. Birdsong Brewing Co., Heist Brewery, and Four Dogs Pet Supplies present the Char-Heel Classic, a bicycle scavenger hunt. It’s a fundraiser for REACT Thyroid Foundation, a charity dedicated to raising funds to find the cure for thyroid cancer. $80 registration fee for team of four to bike around Charlotte collecting points by photographing stuff from a list of activities. 9 a.m. Registration, Birdsong Brewing, 1016 N Davidson St. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Scavenger Hunt, 2 - 5 p.m. After-Party with music, food trucks, the event slideshow, and a silent auction. Registration details.

Sunday
Interactive Play - This sounds crazy fun too! Citizens of the Universe: A Disturbance in Whitechapel presents Jack the Ripper. Audience members join the search for Jack the Ripper on the streets of NoDa in a tour-style drama. 7:30 p.m. In NoDa. Tickets.

Gospel Music Festival - Gospel favorites Vashawn Mitchell, Charles Jenkins and Ruth La’Ontra headline the Queen City Gospel Fest. Bring the family out for this free Christian family event. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Marshall Park, 800 E. Third St. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Sip & Stroll Highlights Local Artists (Photos)

From Star Wars paintings that glowed in the night to beer that seemed to pour itself, the EpiCentre's Sip & Stroll showcased a variety of mixed media artwork. It was a two-day event on the Rooftop 210.