Prince tribute party tonight, festivals and more today

I was all excited about the Charlotte Jazz Festival late night jam and "Schoolhouse Rocks Live!" Adult Night, but now Su Casa's Prince tribute party is a priority. So many events to choose from. Wherever you go, be sure to party like it's 1999! See you in the streets... 

Purple Tears - Bring your grief, your joy and you soul to Su CASA: The April Edition! It’s a tribute to Prince and also features film, live art, face painting and more. Celebrate Prince’s life and music the way he would’ve wanted - party like it’s 1999! 10 p.m.  Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave
Details.

Countdown Party - It’s hard to believe, but AIDSWalk is only two weeks away. Nathan Smith is one of eight hosts for tonight’s party featuring music by DJ Rob Reeves.  Cathode drag headliners Angela Lopez, Bella Jade and Felicia Monet will volunteer for photo ops with the AIDSWALK Jeep. Cathode will donate 50% of door cover and eventbrite sales of VIP lounge to AIDSWALK! Freebies and more. 10 p.m., Cathode Azure Club, 1820 South Blvd, Ste 106. Details.

Pop Up Market - Local vendors Weird Empire, the Daily Press CLT and the Gateau Baking Company are participating in the Cherry Pie - Pop-Up Market. Enjoy an art show, coffee, pastry, and more. Unitl 6 p.m., Union Shop Studio, 5019 Wilkinson Blvd. Details.



Jazz Lovers - This is your weekend with dozens of live jazz events throughout the week ranging from lunch to late night jam sessions. Highlights include tonight’s Charlotte Jazz Festival First Night featuring Sammy Miller and the Congregation with special guest Wynton Marsalis, Friday’s Jazz in the Key of Life featuring Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Orchestra on Friday and a Creole Jazz Brunch on Saturday. Events range from free to ticketed. Various venues uptown. Schedule.

Outdoor Festival - St. Paul and the Broken Bones headline the kickoff concert for TuckFest. It's a weekend of competitions and live music at the 5 p.m. U.S. National Whitewater Rafting Center,  5000 Whitewater Center Parkway.

Film Festival - The 2016 GayCharlotte Film Festival features full-length drama and comedies, documentaries and short films. Various times throughout the weekend. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd, 501 Queens Rd.

‘90s R&B - Need to hear some R&B to set off a romantic night? Don’t miss Jagged Edge.  Hits include “Promise,” “Gotta Be” and “Where the Party At?” They performed to a small, but enthusiastic crowd CIAA weekend, but it was a good show. Food will also be available. 10 p.m. The White House, 4808 Wilkinson Blvd. Details.




Jimmy Buffett Party Bus Events
 Rockhouse

Schedule:
1:00-2:00pm - Check-In (Tyber Creek Pub)
2:00 - Bus Departs for PNC Music Pavilion
7:00 - Concert Starts
*** Bus will depart 30 min. after the show

Elevate

Schedule:
2:00 pm - Meet at Hot Taco, 200 East Bland Street
5:30 pm - Bus leaves for the concert
$20 and fees. Tickets.


I’m Just A Bill - My brother and I always started Saturday mornings with cartoons and “School House Rocks!” I can’t wait, wait, wait for tonight’s "Schoolhouse Rocks Live!" Adult Night No kids allowed for this show. We adults get to join the mosh pit and rock to this childhood favorite. Pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m. with food, beer and wine from Mac’s Speedshop. 7:30 p.m., Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 300 E. 7th Street. $12 and up.

BBQ Competition - The 3rd annual Smoke Off BBQ Competition features 20 amateur teams making yummy food. Teams cook all day. $10 gets you unlimited samples till 5 p.m., which is when the voting begins. There’s also beer and live music. Benefits Purple Heart Homes. 1 p.m., The Unknown Brewing Company, 1327 S Mint St. Details.

Finale Sunday! Two festivals end today

Today is wrap up day. All of the events below are ending today except Sensoria. See you in the streets!


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. Today's events start at 2 p.m. at the Boom intersection stage.

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. Details.

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

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

7 + 1 Great Events In April

Update: There was a collective outcry that I neglected to include the Charlotte Wine & Food event in my highlight. My bad!  

Charlotte Wine & Food Grand Tasting Events
April 27 - April 30, Romare Bearden Park and various restaurants
Southeast’s largest wine and food events

Here are the other events I'm looking forward to this month and you might want to put them on your calendar too.

NC Craft Beer Month 

Various Breweries Throughout the Month

Highlights include: Bayne Brewing's 2nd Annual Craft Beer Olympics, Aviator Brewing Company's Tap Takeover at Carolina Beer Temple, and Lousiana Spring Fest at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery.

Sensoria

April 8-16,  Various CPCC campus.

This celebration of arts includes film festivals, theatrical performances, opera, lectures, art shows, and more.

Boom

April 8-10

Various locations in Plaza-Midwood

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

Studio 16 Party

April 16, McColl Center

Every floor and art studio features contemporary art, installations pop up performances, music and dancing. Benefits Artists-in-Residence and McColl Center.

The Waterfront Jazz Festival at Queens Landing

April 8-10, Queens Landing, Mooresville

Multi-day jazz festival featuring Spryo Grya featuring a dozen artist including Spyro Gyra, Eric Darius, Peter White, Richard Elliot and others. 

Taste of the Nation 

 April 18, The Fillmore Charlotte

Select chefs and Charlotte restaurants cook up their best dishes to raise money to feed hungry children healthy meals.

Charlotte Jazz Festival

April 22-23, Various locations Levine Center For the Arts

The main event is the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under the leadership of musical director Wynton Marsalis. Other activities include a creole brunch, happy hour jazz and more.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Car show, live jazz and a flash mob

So many different things to do today. Get out early and shop, dance or do both. Then head out for a car show and live jazz. Great day to get out and about. See you in the streets. 

Vintage Shopping - More than 80 local vintage and artisans will show their goods at VTG CLT for the fourth annual Summer Market, The Warehouse, 2205 N Tryon St.
Beer from by Sycamore Brewing, coffee from The Daily Press CLT and food from Juan Taco Truck, Bleu Barn Bistro and King of Pops. Admission is FREE from 11am-6pm! Pay $5 and get a head start at 10 a.m. Details.

Book Sale - Have you been eyeing an artsy coffee shop book at the Mint Museum’s gift shop. Now is the time to pick it up at the Mint Museum Library Book Sale. Plus it’s also Make Me An Offer day. Great buys from 1-5 p.m. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd. Details.

Dance! Dance! Dance! - Celebrate National Dance Day. Nigel Lythgoe of “So You Think You Can Dance” created the event to promote health and self-esteem through dance. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center hosts a party at Wells Fargo Plaza, 301 South Tryon St. Details.

Plaza-Midwood celebrates National Dance Day with a flash mob performance at Thomas Avenue and Central Avenue. Then festivities continue at Pizza Peel, The Workman’s Friend and Peculiar Rabbit. Details.

International Soccer - Charlotte continues to build its reputation as a city that supports soccer. Today, Paris Saint-Germain FC v. Chelsea FC in the International Champions Cup at Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St. Hang out uptown for the tailgating and then watch the game at Draught.

Don't Forget

Car/Bike Show & Concert - Rapper Lil’ Boosie headlines the King of the Streets Concert & Car/Bike Show. Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Road. Details.

Viewing Party - Watch the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and support NC athletes: Cheer on the participating athletes Charlotte’s Katie Degnan, Lexington’s Allison Douglas, Concord’s Starr Kluttz and Greensboro’s Randy Rogers. Kickstand Bar and Grill, 1101 Central Ave. 8 p.m. and opening ceremony starts at 9 p.m. 



Jazz Festival - This is a multi-day jazz festival in various venues at the QC SummerFest uptown. Performances by saxophonist Najee, pianist Keiko Matsui, guitarist Chris Standing and others. Guitarist Nick Colionne will host. Venues include McGlohon Theater and Belk Theater. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Road Trip: Neon Weekend, Spoleto, Jazz in Hilton Head

I love Charlotte, but I also love a good Road Trip. The Carolinas offers a great mix from a free expression festival to a high culture festival to a street party and jazz. Throw a dart at a map and go!


Friday

Neon Weekend - Looking for something totally different? Try the Seventh Neon Music Festival! It’s a free expression of art and music. 2 p.m. Friday to Noon Sunday, Forest City. $80 and up.

In the Round: An Interactive Beer Dinner with Buxton Hall Barbecue - Diners will see 5 stations, each serving a dish by Elliott Moss and Buxton Hall Barbecue and a beer pairing from Burial Beer Co. Two stations will be meat, two will be sides/vegetarian dishes and one will be a dessert. 4 p.m. Burial Beer Co., 40 Collier Ave, Asheville. Each pairing is $12.


Spoleto Festival USA - Week two of the 17 day festival includes Trisha Brown Dance Company, Dianne Reeves, and others. Don’t miss Larry Toppman’s review of the Bank of America Chamber Music Series, which runs through June 7. See the Spoleto schedule.




Saturday

Chuck Loeb's Hilton Head Jazz Festival Launch Weekend - The Jazz Diva is launching the Chuck Loeb Hilton Head Jazz Festival next year with a show this weekend in Hilton Head. Today's event is Dinner and Concert by the Sea on the deck of Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa tonight. The concert features Chuck and friends including Alex Bugnon and Paul Taylor!- Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, One Hotel Cir, Hilton Head Island, SC

Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Festival - Dancers, musicians, painters, authors, pottery makers, craft makers, poets, clowns, jugglers artists and more bring art and culture to downtown Knnapolis. This is a family friendly street festival. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., West Avenue, Downtown Kannapolis Inc. Free. Details.






Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com