Grave Diggers Ball winners and going doggie style tonight

I was so excited about Catch On's Low Country Boil today, that I made one Tonya style earlier this week. But today is the real thing! After you finish stuffing your faces there get ready for the biggest costume party of the Halloween season.

But first! Congrats to our Grave Diggers Ball Ticket winners. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. Don't forget to tag #sipandplayclt from the party tonight!

VIP Winners: Jerry Fehlman and Lindsay Ellis
 General Admission: James Seller, Kimberly Cole of Chattanooga, Natividad Lewis, Darrell Mullins, Lisa Walker, Gracie Ponjuan, John English, Katherine Richard, Marie Bannister and Shederick Mathew.  

Our next giveaway is tickets to the Moonshine Festival on Nov. 20.

A Worthy Cause -  The Queen City Gala benefits charities for our most vulnerable citizens. Come out for an  elegant evening, featuring music by U-Phonik, an open bar with a signature drink, heavy d’oeuvres, a wine pull and a silent auction. This evening benefits the Men's Shelter of Charlotte, Lydia's Legacy & Samaritan's Feet. 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., LaCa Projects Art Gallery, 1429 Bryant St. $65 single, $125 per couple. Details.

Doggie Style - Bring the pooch out for a party just for them. Barktoberfest 2015 features a 1-mile Dogwalk, followed by a fall festival. Doggie treats and ice cream will be provided for each dog at Canine Cafe. Don’t mess the doggie Howl-o-ween Costume Contest and more. Proceeds benefit Murray's Fund and Paws 4 People. The ticket price is for adults. No charge for dogs or children.  10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Triple C Brewing Company, 2900 Griffith St. $20. Details.

Felabration - It’s time for Su Casa: We Love Fela 2015!, the annual tribute to the life and music of Fela Kuti. Resident DJ Justice Sun Tzulu, and Steel Wheel, live Afrobeat sounds by Kenya Templeton. face painting by Catherine Courtlandt, and live painting by Dammit Wesley. There will also be vendors, film, photography and more. 10 p.m. Petra’s,  1919 Commonwealth Avenue $5 and up.

Regional Art Extravaganza - Nearly 100 regional artists will exhibit works in the FREE for ALL in a massive collection. Art will be everywhere. 7 p.m. - 11 p.m., Hart-Witzen Gallery, 136 E 36th St.

Don't Forget
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.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Gladys Knight, Hispanic festival and last chance for tix

The fun starts now. Hola Charlotte is underway and Gladys Knight is tonight! Let's go.

Last Chance!!!

Ticket Giveaway! Sip + Play Charlotte is giving away VIP passes to the Gravediggers Ball. Enter here.

South Carolina State Fair
Gladys Knight headlines the South Carolina State Fair on Sunday! More acts are performing throughout the week, but I only care about Gladys Knight! Fair ends Oct. 25. $20. Details.



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.






R&B Groove - Soulster Eric Roberson brings his R&B back to town. He’s here almost as much as Doug E. Fresh. 6 p.m. Amos' Southend, 1423 South Tryon St. $29.

Monday
My music swami said I can’t miss the Hiatus Kaiyote show on Monday. The Australian jazz/soul fusion band brings its sound to Visulite Theater. Visulite Theater, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $22.50. Details.

 
Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Biketoberfest, International festival and free tickets!

It's a beautiful day. Go outside and play. Multiple festivals and a bicycle scavenger hunt. See you in the streets.

Enter Now!!!

Ticket Giveaway! Sip + Play Charlotte is giving away VIP passes to the Gravediggers Ball. Enter here.

Music and Networking - BLOCtoberFest IX marries networking and music. Malone, The Deep Shallow and Pocketful of Strange will perform. More than 500 business professionals are expected to attend. Benefits The Lotta Foundation. 6 p.m., The Chop Shop 399 E. 35th St. $10, $15.

Retro Party - Go dressed as your favorite characters from “Back to the Future” at the 30th Anniversary of Back To The Future & Halloween Kickoff Party. Music by DJ Bob Lazar.  10 p.m., On the Roxx 19712 One Norman Blvd Cornelius. No Cover & Free Parking!!!  Details.


Fall Festival - Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation presents Fall Festival with a Cajun Flair featuring cajun music from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and kids activities from noon - 3 p.m. There will also be pumpkin carving and more. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church Street.

Celebrate Diversity - The 40th Anniversary of UNC Charlotte’s International Festival features games, demonstrations, music, dance and more on multiple stages. 10 a.m. UNC Charlotte, James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Details.

Tall Tales - The Charlotte Stortellers festival features local storytellers showcasing personal and entertaining stories on the theme of Lessons. 8:30 p.m. 7th Street Public Market.

Don't Miss
Family Fun - Bike, walk, and/or ride transit to a variety of destinations in Center City and South End while collecting stamps in at Sustain Charlotte’s Biketoberfest. The 7 p.m. afterparty at Triple C Brewing features live music, food trucks, and more. $15 and include a 2015 Biketoberfest t-shirt, entry to the after party at Triple C, a beer and more. 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Uptown Charlotte, South End, and Triple C. Bike, walk, or ride the light rail around town to sponsoring businesses while obtaining stamps in your official Biketoberfest Passport! Passport pick up at Sustain Charlotte office Thursday and Friday or Saturday at Triple C. Registration available on Saturday at 2 p.m. Details.
Note: Rain or shine! No refunds, but registration can be transferred to another participant.

Wine Event -  It's the Southend neighborhood wine festival at the Southend Wine Festival. Enjoy unlimited tastings from 20 different vineyards, live music and food trucks. Proceeds benefit Classroom Central. 1 - 6 p.m., 308 W. Carson Blvd.  $35. Details.

Fundraising Event II - The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Charlotte Chapter presents the 5th Annual Brewer's Ball a beer, wine and food tasting event to benefit cystic fibrosis research. More than 300 guests are expected. Enjoy handcrafted samplings from local microbrewers and restaurants. Guests also get to exploring the exhibits at Discovery Place. 7:30 p.m, 301 N Tryon St. $75 and include unlimited samplings. VIP tickets are $125 and include a one-hour early entry to the event with private tasting, and a pilsner glass for tastings. Details.

Cool Concept - The Neighborhood Living Room opened yesterday and continues through Sunday. Tonight’s events include a Dilworth Artisan Station Gallery Crawl and live music. The concept is to bring the family neighborhood outside so go chill, enjoy live entertainment, drink coffee or whatever (Rated G) that you would do in your living room at home. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. through Sunday. Dilworth Artisan Station, 118 East Kingston Ave. Details.

Free Grave Diggers Ball tickets, Biketoberfest and Pecha Kucha

Finally! A beautiful weekend is on tap and I can't wait. It's going to be a great  weekend to get outside and play. don't miss Biketoberfest and the other outdoor events.

Ticket Giveaway! Sip + Play Charlotte is giving away VIP passes to the Gravediggers Ball. Enter here.

Tonight

Share Your Talent - Locals share their creativity at the favorite Pecha Kucha. The presentations are limited to 20 images, 20 seconds per image, for a total of six minutes 40 seconds. Tonight’s presentation is an open call which means no themes or restrictions. All topics, ideas and media are welcome. 7:30 p.m. The Chop Shop Noda, 399 E. 35th St. Details.

Fundraiser Event - The Breast Cancer Cure Party includes appetizers, wine and beer. Live music by Carey Sims. 6 p.m. Napa on Provience, 110 Perrin Place. $20

Thursday
Monthly Happy Hour -  The Black Professional Group of Bank of America and the NFL Players Association-Charlotte Chapter teamed up with Herb Gray for the Herb Gray Happy Hour. A portion of the food and beverage sales will benefit Elon Homes and Schools for Children. 5 p.m., Charlotte City Club, 121 W. Trade St. 31st Floor  Corner of Trade and Tryon across from the Marriott. Free.

Art Discussion - Listen and participate in a discussion about the evolving practice of contemporary craft in our region and the role that makers and supporters play in advancing the art form. Join craft advocate and collector Lorne Lassiter, curator Mark Leach, McColl Center Artist-in-Residence Mei-ling Hom, and gallerist/art consultant Noel as they discuss the past, present, and emerging trends in craft at McCOLL + RESPONSE | Discussion: Understanding Process + Practice in Contemporary Craft. 6-8 p.m. McColl Center, 721 N Tryon St. Details.

Friday

Got Game? - Show your bar game skills at the featuring flip cup, cornhole, beer pong, mini basketball and a mystery event for qualifying teams!  10 per team of two. Includes one drink. Team check-in is 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Games begin at 8 p.m. Prohibition, 200 N Tryon St.

Favorite Hip-Hop Event - Art, Beats and Lyrics returns in its 11th year. This year will feature visual pieces by Dubelyoo, Carla Aaron Lopez, Miya Bailey and Matthew Curran, among many others. The event will also include appearances from hip-hop duo, 8Ball & MJG. 7 p.m. The Filmore, 820 Hamilton St. Ste. B2. Details.

OktoberFest Symphony Style - The Charlotte Symphony presents KnightSounds 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!

Saturday
Family Fun - Bike, walk, and/or ride transit to a variety of destinations in Center City and South End while collecting stamps in at Sustain Charlotte’s Biketoberfest. The 7 p.m. afterparty at Triple C Brewing features live music, food trucks, and more. $15 and include a 2015 Biketoberfest t-shirt, entry to the after party at Triple C, a beer and more. 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Uptown Charlotte, South End, and Triple C. Bike, walk, or ride the light rail around town to sponsoring businesses while obtaining stamps in your official Biketoberfest Passport! Passport pick up at Sustain Charlotte office Thursday and Friday or Saturday at Triple C. Registration available on Saturday at 2 p.m. Details.
Note: Rain or shine! No refunds, but registration can be transferred to another participant.

Wine Event -  It's the Southend neighborhood wine festival at the Southend Wine Festival. Enjoy unlimited tastings from 20 different vineyards, live music and food trucks. Proceeds benefit Classroom Central. 1 - 6 p.m., 308 W. Carson Blvd.  $35. Details.

Fundraising Event II - The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Charlotte Chapter presents the 5th Annual Brewer's Ball a beer, wine and food tasting event to benefit cystic fibrosis research. More than 300 guests are expected. Enjoy handcrafted samplings from local microbrewers and restaurants. Guests also get to exploring the exhibits at Discovery Place. 7:30 p.m, 301 N Tryon St. $75 and include unlimited samplings. VIP tickets are $125 and include a one-hour early entry to the event with private tasting, and a pilsner glass for tastings. Details.

Sunday
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.





Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com