The Sklar Brothers, food truck lineups, live jazz and spoken word tonight

It's Friday! Get out for night of live jazz, good food and spoken word. See you in the streets!

 Food Truck Friday 

Matthews Food Truck Fridays

Friday Night Festival

A Bao Time, Maki Taco, Gyro Twins Truck, Bebo's Mac Shack, Hart's Soda Shop, All-Star Cafe, & Joe's Doughs!

Food Truck Fridays

Light Factory, Plaza Midwood

Other Events Tonight

Celebrity Comedians - Comedians and identical twins Jason and Randy Sklar, known as The Sklar Brothers, debut in Charlotte this weekend. They mix pop culture, sports and comedy. They are regulars on my fave “@Midnight,” and have also appeared on “Conan, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Entourage, Comedy Bang! Bang!,” “Grey's Anatomy” and more.  Various times tonight and Saturday.  The Comedy Zone, Suite B3, 900 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd. Tickets.
 

Cool Combo - The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and The Jazz Room for The Jazz Room at the Symphony. The performance celebrates American jazz legends. They will perform Anthiel’s “A Jazz Symphony,” Gerswhin’s “Walking the Dog,” Schuller’s “Concertino for Jazz Quartet” and Ellington’s “Harlem.” Afterparty featuring live jazz from the Jazz Arts Initiative's All-Star Youth Jazz Ensemble and signature cocktails in the speakeasy lounge following the concert. The Jazz Arts Initiative presents a special pre-concert talk hosted by The Jazz Room's Curtis Davenport beginning on stage at 6:30 pm. Show: 7:30 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St. Tickets.
 

Adult Science - The monthly party Science on the Rocks returns with Geek Out, Freak Out. This month features comics, robotics, virtual reality and more. Capes and Spandex supersets are encouraged. There will be a prize for best superhero costume at the end of the night. 5 p.m. Discovery Place, 301 N Tryon St. $20.

Spoken Word - This a themed spoken-word event with performances focused on the state of the climate including crime, schools, music, domestic violence and climate change. G.O.O.D. Music’s Malik Yusef will host along with Mark Prophet. Charlotte’s J.C., Mason Parker and live bands Quent Young & The Free Will Project and Dee Dray will perform. There will also be live painting. 7 p.m. One-Five-O Studio Gallery, 4825 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 150. $20 and up. Details.

 Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Plaza-Midwood low country boil, pre-Halloween parties and Bachtoberfest

It's time for a weekly weekend preview. Johnson C. Smith University and UNC Charlotte celebrate homecoming this weekend. Look for my homecoming party list on Thursday. Here's a peek at a few non-homecoming events this week.

Tonight
Beerhopping Up North - The Cornelius Drafthouse and Bottle Shop is bringing some local and regional breweries together for Free Fall into the Cornelius Drafthouse.  Meet brewery reps and sample some of their beer! Benford Brewing Co. (Lancaster, SC), Ass Clown Brewing Company (Cornelius) and D9 Brewing Company (Cornelius) will be there. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cornelius Drafthouse, 19818-c North Cove Rd Cornelius.

Thursday
Food and Art - Experience pairings of small plates and beverages from Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth, and Mimosa Grill at Taste of the Mint: Project Ten Ten Ten. The menus are customized. Participants will also enjoy a guided tour of Project Ten Ten Ten.  Tasters will view and learn about the NEW sculptural installation Thicket, by world renowned artist Tom Joyce. 4 p.m.




Friday
Costume Party - The 7th Annual Nightmare on Morehead features costume contests and music by DJ Spooky. 8 p.m. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 East Morehead St. $5, $10.

OktoberFest Symphony Style - The Charlotte Symphony presents KnightSounds Bachtoberfest III: Bach & Beer for symphony novices each Friday night. This month’s Oktoberfest theme features beer tastings, a roaming accordionists, and a live “oompa” band in the lobby after the show. The symphony will perform works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his son, W. F. Bach, plus Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, and selections from Brahms and Wagner. Local breweries, including NoDa Brewing Company and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, will provide beer samplings, and the FestzeltMusik Oktoberfest Band will keep the party going after the concert.
7:30 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St. $29 includes a drink voucher. Drinks are permitted in the theater! Oops. It really is this Friday!  Details.

Bachtoberfest preview with Young Affiliates of the Mint and CSO Pulse. 6:30 p.m. Conversations begin at 7:00 p.m. and last about 25 minutes. Concertgoers are invited to drop in anytime during the conversation featuring the Charlotte Symphony presents the "Musically Speaking Chat," informative and engaging pre-concert conversations.

Saturday
The Halloween Party - Flo Rida headlines this year’s Grave Diggers Ball. It's a screamfest with the largest costume contest, DJs and live music performances. 6 p.m. Grave Diggers Parking Lot, 500 North College St.

Art & Fitness - This is an odd pairing, but I’m all about fitness. The Gantt center is hosting its Inaugural Art of Living Fit + Well celebration. It’s a full day featuring healthy eating cooking demonstrations, interactive dance classes, fitness and wellness expert advice, Zumba, yoga and more. There will also be guest appearances. Register and learn more. 10 a.m - 3 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St. Details.

Costume Cruise - Pre-Halloween festivities continue with the Inaugural Costume Cruise. Ticket includes party bus to and from Lake Norman with drinks, drink specials on the 90’ two-story Ragin’ Uptown Party Yacht. There will be DJ, costume contest, and free cover afterward at Prohibition. 6:45-7:45 - Check-In at Prohibition, 200 N Tryon St. Details.

Farmer’s Market On Fleek - The #SustainableSaturday - Local Produce & Artist Market is more than farmer's market. It will feature produce from Windcrest Farms, Bush-n-Vine & more. Not Just Coffee will be crafting pour over & espressos. Joe's Doughnuts is on site making your favorites! 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Barn @ Pure Pizza , 1911 Central Ave.

Seafood Boil - Catch On Seafood and Pizza Peel are teaming up for another   Lowcountry Boil and Oyster Roast. Enjoy fresh South Carolina Shrimp and all the usual fixings in a Low Country Boil. There will be oysters, beer and more. There will be live music and art. 3 p.m. Pure Pizza, corner of Thomas Ave and Central Ave. $30. Details.

Sunday

Farm Family Fun - Yes, there is a such thing. This is a Panthers’ themed event on to celebrate the Panthers’ Sunday night game. There will be football drills and prizes. Green Go Taco (locally-sourced food truck) will be on site and refreshments will be sold in the barn.  4 p.m. 8 p.m. Wise Acres Farm, 4701 Hartis Road, Indian Trail

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Fourth of July Starts Now!! Today's Events

You're off today. I'm off today. Let's party!

Celebrate America - This is the final show in the Summer Pops series. Bring the family to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops: Celebrate America. Prelude by Chuck Johnson and the Charlyhorse Band. You’ll hear your favorite patriotic songs: "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America," and more. Don’t forget to stay for the fireworks finale. 7 p.m., Symphony Park at SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Rd.  Tickets.

Two-day Festival - Spend two days celebrating the fourth at the Fifth Annual 4th of July Celebration. Starts today at 3:30 p.m. at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Festivities include live music, bar games and fireworks. US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. Details.







Pop Life Independence Edition - POP LIFE presents Kitchenpendence Day with DJ SELF. Pop Life brings back it's July 4th Edition with Power 105, Ciroc Boy & The Prince of New York, DJ SELF. Opening will be "The Blend King" DJ Shaun Nyce. 10 p.m., Suite, 210 E. Trade St. Details.

Don't Forget

Red, White and Burlesque - Don't miss the Patriot Acts Burlesque show presented by Big Mammas House of Burlesque. Performances by Ophelia Pop Tart, Veronica Broadchest, kand more. 10 p.m. UpStage, 3306-C N Davidson St. $15

Hot DJ - Enjoy the hottest grooves by NYC's Hot97's  DJ Magic Studio Movie Grill, 210 East Trade St.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Fresh beats and more fire tonight!

Black Violin was great last night. I went to the concert thinking I would hear a funky take on classical music, but I got much more. This duo is re-imagining hip-hop. They gave us a glimpse of what hip-hop could be. Here's a snippet from last night, but I'll write a full piece later. 



Let's talk about tonight. But before we get into tonight's event, I have a tip that will save your relationship. Make your Valentine's Day plans now. Helen Schwab's got you restaurant plans. Now, let's get this party started. See in you the streets...

Crazy Fun - I must have a thing for fire because once again I'm looking forward to an event involving fire. Fire dancers, live drummers, live art, live body painting and more at the Mad Hatters Ball 2. More than a dozen artists, two MCs, vendors and dancers. #TJTurnup. 9 p.m. Petra’s Piano Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $10.

Symphony Pub Style - Young Affiliates of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presents January Rush Hour Recital - Brass! See Charlotte Symphony Orchestra musicians Tom Burge (trombone), Andrew Fierova (French horn), and John Parker (trumpet) perform brass at Big Ben’s British Restaurant and Pub, 2000 South Blvd. #150. 

Courtney Recommends - The Ship2Ship Tour brings Destructo, DJ Motez, Australian DJ Anna Lunoe and London’s T. Williams to town. 10 p.m. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., Free, $15, $50 VIP. Read more.  

DON'T FORGET

Doo-wop - See original performers: The Vogues featuring Bill Burkette, Jimmy Clanton, The Marcels, Barbara Harris, original lead singer of The Toys, Blue Suede Orchestra in The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show. 8 p.m., Knight Theater, Levine Center For The Arts, 430 South Tryon Street. $40-$60. Parking tip: $5 rate available at Levine Center for the Arts Parking Garage, 550 S. Tryon St. with an entrance on W. Stonewall St. Pay as you enter the garage.