Breakin' show, live jazz, Honey Bee fashion and more

Get out tonight for lots of live jazz, breakin', a fashion show and more. Don't miss my review of Arsenio Hall's show last night at the Comedy Zone. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets.

Jazz Show - The 7th season of JAI Presents JAZZ ROOM Saturday Night: Eileina Dennis sings Sarah Vaughan. 7 p.m.  Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Corner of 5th and College Streets. Tickets. $15.

Breaking Show & Discussion - Breakin' Convention's Jonzi D week-long choreographic residency ends with a a public showing and discussion today in Open Art Surgery Charlotte. Jonzi hosts this informal discussion in which audience members can question and critique the new work.  8 p.m. Booth Playhouse, 130 N Tryon St. Details.

Don't Miss

Really Sweet - The Charlotte HoneyBees strut their stuff in the Annual Swimsuit Fashion Show. They will be showcasing spring swimwear fashion. 9 p.m., Rooftop 210, 210 East Trade St.

Gone To The Dogs - Help the Humane Society and get some exercise for you and your furry friend at Pet Palooza Festival and Walk for the Animals. It’s 2K fundraising dog walk and includes a full day of family-oriented,  dog-friendly festivities.  Hosted by WBTV News Anchor Kristen Miranda and WBTV Meteorologist Lyndsay Tapases. The annual event draws over 4,000 people and their dogs each year. More than 100 vendors and sponsors offer pet-related products and services. After the walk and then stay to shop and enjoy live music, pet agility demonstrations, food trucks, dog contests, a beer garden and more. Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane.

Sip Fit - Display your physical prowess in the Spartan Sprint Race. The sprint is 3-5 miles with 20-23 obstacles. Registration starts at $109. Kids Race, starting at $28. Porter Farms,  4455 Mt Pleasant Rd S, Concord. Today and Sunday. Details.

Speakeasy Party - The Live Exchange Party Band headlines The 3rd Annual Green Tie Gala: Speakeasy! The party raises money for UNC Charlotte student scholarships. Come party in your best 1920s garb and enjoy ‘20s themed food. Tickets. 7:30 p.m.,  

Omni Charlotte Hotel, 132 E Trade St.

Food Festival - After a day of riding roller coasters fill your bellies at the Taste of the Carolinas at Carowinds. Performances include Carolina artists including the Jeff Luckadoo Band, Tony Barnes and Back Porch Orchestra. The festival features celebrity chefs, culinary events, beer and wine pairings, music performances and more- all at the place where the Carolinas come together during Taste of the Carolinas! For complete details and to buy tickets.  Saturdays and Sundays April 9 through May 1. 

Arts & Literature Festival - The CPCC Sensoria festival features film festivals, theatrical performances, opera, lectures, art shows, and more. Tonight -  April 16,  Various CPCC campus.

Performing Arts Festival - Three days of arts and performances in venues throughout Plaza-Midwood. Activities range from yoga to meditation to dance to spoken word at Boom. Launch party tonight, April 7, Pecha Kucha, Petra’s. 

Jazz Festival - Enjoy a multi-day jazz festival featuring Spryo Grya featuring a dozen artist including Spyro Gyra, Eric Darius, Peter White, Richard Elliot and others at The Waterfront Jazz Festival at Queens Landing. April 8-10, Queens Landing, Mooresville.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Recap: Top videos and photos of 2015

It's time to take a look back at the parties and events that shaped 2015 as I get ready for another year of of fun and frivolity in Charlotte. 




Top 5 Sip + Play Videos of 2015: 


Go-go is alive and well in Charlotte. This CIAA video was the top video of 2015.



The grand opening of the Workman's Friend was one of the most anticipated events
in Plaza-Midwood last year. Designer Corrina Devin takes us inside the design 
concept for the pub.


The international breakdancers were good, but the kids were soooo cute at Breakin' 
Convention.




Dell Curry made a surprise visit to a dance party in North Charlotte. 



Hundreds of Sip and Players wanted to learn how to properly taste whiskey. This video 
was hugely popular.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Baby breakdancers steal the show at Knight Theater (Video)

Silly me. I really thought the Breakin' Convention at Knight Theater would draw people my age. We grew up in the heyday of hip-hop when break dancing was routine at any dance party, when Michael Jackson's extra-ordinary moonwalk was routine on the dance floor. I even remember when the community rec center at the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, MD offered break dancing lessons. Oh yeah, I signed up. To say I was excited about the Breakin' Convention here is an understatement. I was ecstatic, but I was even more excited to see the new generation of young break dancers who are carrying on the tradition. Here's a nod to the Baby Breakers.

 

Erykah Badu, Breakin' Convention ends today and Latin American Festival

Noooo! The rain is back. Grab your rain gear because there are some festivals that you don't want to miss. The Breakin' Convention ends today so be sure to head Uptown for the festivities. See you in the street. Let's get this party started.


Family Fun - The Latin American Festival celebrates 25 years. The festival features vendors selling handmade crafts, Latino visual artists, traditional dance performances and musical acts. Headliners include: Mexican ska band Panteon Rococo, legendary salsero Ismael Miranda, and multi-Grammy award winning Colombian rock group Aterciopelados returns. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd. 1 day pass $10, 2 day pass $15, Children 10 & under are free. Details.



Hip-hop Festival - It’s titled Funkfest, but with Erykah Badu, Jodeci, Mint Condition and more performing, this music festival is more R&B than funk. No matter what they call it, the festival will be fun. 2 p.m. Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Rd. Details.

Fall Beer Festival - Beer, vendors, food and beer at Petra’s FallFest Tap Room Grand Opening. Live Music From: Ric Evans, David Z Cox, Nicholas Holman and more. Music inside and outside. 5 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $5. Details.

Don't Forget

Break Dancing - The Breakin’ Convention is in an international festival of hip-hp dance theatre Friday and Saturday. Don’t miss the Street Jam, a free family festival at Spirit Square from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The Obey Your Verse Stage returns at 5 p.m. Saturday. Details.

 


Medieval Fun! - The Carolina Renaissance Festival returns for weeks of jousting, belly dancing and more. The festival features more than 500 costumed characters, 12 stages of music, comedy and circus entertainment, and more. There are more than 100 vendors in the Village Artisan Marketplace. Various times and dates until Nov. 22.


 

Family Fun -  Bring your family and create art at Family Art Making Day. Participants will work with McColl Artists-in Residence – Juan Fuentes, Mary Matthews, Mei-ling Hom, Ivan Toth Depeña, and Stephen L. Hayes Jr. – in their studios. Plus, help paint a mural on the front lawn with Artists-in-Residence Mobile Mural Lab. Free. 12 p.m. McColl Center, 2730 Randolph Rd.

Weekend Preview: Outdoor fun at Breakin' Convention, CiderFest and RenFest

The rain is finally over. It's time to go outside and enjoy the fall weather with outdoor events for the Breakin' Convention, CiderFest and the Renaissance Festival. See you in the streets....

Wednesday
Beats And Words - Local poets and musicians take center stage in this Spanish language event. An Evening of Poetry and Music is a biannual event. 7 p.m. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd. Free. Details.

Thursday
Industry Night - Performances by Dexter Jordan, Yung and Anutha at Carolinas Artist Connection. 8 p.m. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 South Tryon St.

Friday
Break Dancing - The Breakin’ Convention is in an international festival of hip-hp dance theatre Friday and Saturday. Don’t miss the Street Jam, a free family festival at Spirit Square from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The Obey Your Verse Stage returns at 5 p.m. Saturday. Details.



Cider Festival - This isn’t your grandma’s apple cider. The 2nd Annual Charlotte Cider Festival features the good stuff - hard ciders. Along with sampling hard cider cocktails, participants will also learn how to make cider drinks. 6 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 East Trade St. $15. Tickets.

 


Night At The Museum - Spend the evening at the Mint. Start with Festive Nights on Broadway featuring professional ballroom and amateur dancers. 6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. $11. Then stay for Mint to Move Cultural Dance Event featuring Afro-Cuban and Latin-American dance music. Live musicians and a spoken-word artist will also perform. Dance Lessons by Rumbao Latin Dance Company. Guests can salsa, bachata, merengue, cha cha, and step to other dance forms relative to various global communities as well as enjoy visual art by local artists. 8 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St.



Jazz Concert - The New Frequencies jazz series returns with a performance by Erb/Baker/Rosaly Trio. 8 p.m. McColl Center, 721 N Tryon St.

Preview Night - See a preview screening of Steve Crump’s documentary "I'm Walkin' For My Freedom: The Selma March And Voting Rights." It honors the 50th anniversary of the Martin Luther King’s historic march on Selma. 6 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 South Tryon St. $10 for non-members, free for Gantt Center members.

Saturday

Medieval Fun! - The Carolina Renaissance Festival returns for weeks of jousting, belly dancing and more. The festival features more than 500 costumed characters, 12 stages of music, comedy and circus entertainment, and more. There are more than 100 vendors in the Village Artisan Marketplace. Various times and dates until Nov. 22.


Family Fun -  Bring your family and create art at Family Art Making Day. Participants will work with McColl Artists-in Residence – Juan Fuentes, Mary Matthews, Mei-ling Hom, Ivan Toth Depeña, and Stephen L. Hayes Jr. – in their studios. Plus, help paint a mural on the front lawn with Artists-in-Residence Mobile Mural Lab. Free. 12 p.m. McColl Center, 2730 Randolph Rd.

Sunday

OktoberFest - Bar games just got a touch of fall with a Stein holding contest to go with the usual bar games at OktoberFest. Beers include Spaten, Spaten Octoberfest and Fraiziskaner. 1 p.m. Rusty Rudder, 20210 Henderson Rd #101, Cornelius.

Celebrity Appearance - Super Fresh Sundays will be hosted by rapper Yo Gotti. Music by Ciroc Boy DJ SNS and DJ Ngenius and co-hosted by Mugsy and Neezy. 10 p.m. The All New White House Club (formerly Tempo), 4809 Wilkinson Blvd. Details.




Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Rewind: Graffiti artists tagged Knight Theater! (Photos)

Local graffiti artists tagged columns in the lobby of Knight Theater as part of the Breakin' Convention event this weekend. The Breakin’ Convention is in an international festival of hip-hp dance theatre Friday and Saturday. Don’t miss the Street Jam, a free family festival at Spirit Square from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The Obey Your Verse Stage returns at 5 p.m. Saturday.