Weekend Preview: Latino party, oyster roast, open streets

I'm really excited about Sunday's Open Streets 704 event, but before we get to that hit the streets this weekend for an oyster roast, bar crawl and more. See you in the streets...

Today

Play Time! - Bring it on for some friendly corn hole, life size Jenga, ladder toss and more bar games at the weekly Rooftop Games. 5 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E Trade St. Details.

Thursday


Get Educated - The YWCA of Charlotte is hosting a forum on voting rights and voter engagement Community Forum. YWCA CEO Kirsten Sikkelee will moderate a A panel discussion and community forum to explore the impact of the new voter ID law and reasons for low turnout among millennials. #WTFWeVote is the community partner. Complimentary dinner from Jason's Deli will be served. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at YWCA Central Carolinas, 3420 Park Road. Register.

Let’s Dance - Celebrate the legacy of the Dance Theatre of Harlem at Catch the Dance: An Inspired Movement. Legendary dance pioneers Joan Myers Brown, Founder and Artistic Director of Philadanco! Philadelphia Dance Company and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts; April Berry, Founder of Arts 'n Community, former Director of Education & Outreach at Charlotte Ballet and BalletMet Columbus, and former lead dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; and Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson former soloist with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will lead this discussion about the black dance experience. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St. $10. Register





Friday

Art Event - 2015 Light Factory winner Michael Joseph will present his street portraiture project, Lost and Found, which examines a youth subculture of transients who abandon home to travel the country hitchhiking and freight train hopping.  6:30 p.m. The Light Factory 1817 Central Ave. Details.


Let’s Dance II - The second part of The New Latino Sound - Part 2 features a concert with Orquesta Mayor, Patabamba, Jahlistic, and Reinaldo Brahn.  6:30 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St. Tickets.

Saturday

Tequila & Beer - Time to enjoy great drink specials at Cincofest X Bar Crawl, featuring 7 uptown bars. 4:15 p.m. Checkin at Flight Beer and Music Hall, 300 N. College Street. (Formerly Cosmos). Crawl schedule.

Get Dressed Up! - Hey big spender, breakout your ball gowns and tux for the 3rd Annual Spring Fundraising Gala: Coveted Couture. It’s a celebration of fashion and the Mint’s big fundraiser. 6:30 p.m. Mint Museum, Tent on the Lawn at Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Tickets.

Oysters & Rock - iHeart Radio is bringing its party to Charlotte with the Oyster Roast/ Yacht Rock Revue concert. Oysters provided by Hickory Tavern. 5 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade St. $17.40 and up. Tickets.

Sunday
No Cars! - Leave the cars at home for Open Streets 704. It’s a full day of activities from Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth to 36th Street in NoDa. It winds through Villa Heights, Optimist Park, Belmont and First Ward. Bring your bikes or get one from B-Cycle. There are four zones for organized activities: Arts and crafts in NoDa, a Family zone and green zone in Belmont and Optimist Park and a Wellness zone in First Ward. Food trucks will be near the center of the route, with easy access to Cordelia Park and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Noon - 4 p.m.

FYI:  BIKE! Charlotte starts today and features more than two weeks of bike-related events and promotions to encourage more bicycling in Charlotte.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com