Weekend Preview: Naughty By Nature and KRS-One are coming

The snow is gone and the Panthers don't play this weekend so that means it's time to hit the streets. Don't forget Queens Feast Charlotte restaurant week ends this weekend. All kinds of art-music fusions happening, great hip-hop and more. Go outside and play! See you in the streets.

Thursday
New On Q Play - The soulful theater company brings "The Children of Children Keep Coming" to the stage. It’s based on Russell L. Going’s “GrioSong.” It’s about two slaves running to catch the Freedom Train through fields. In the play the meet imaginary characters such as Frederic Douglass, Billie Holiday and others. Various times tonight through Feb. 6. Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. $28. Tickets.

Down With OPP? - Yeah, you know me! Naughty By Nature brings its 25th Anniversary Tour to the N.C. Music Factory. The ’90s hip-hop group will perform it’s hits such as “O.P.P.” Also expect to hear from the trio’s new EP. The group is also creating a documentary chronicling the group’s career. 7 p.m. Fillmore Charlotte, 820 Hamilton St. $20 and up.


Friday
Pop Art Ending - The popular pop-art series at the old Goodyear building at Stonewall and South Tryon is ending. Goodbye to Goodyear is the final showcase and party to celebrate the art created, installed, shown, and performed at the space. This event is open to the public. 6 p.m. Former Goodyear building at Stonewall and South Tryon.

Art & Classical Music - The McColl Center for Art + Innovation and the Charlotte Symphony have come together to create ¡Sinfonica!, a new KnightSounds event. Music Director Christopher Warren-Green will lead the orchestra in a celebration of Latin American and Spanish composers, featuring the works of Moncayo, Ginastera, DeFalla, and others. McColl Center Artist-In-Residence Ivan Toth Depeña will create an on-stage responsive, interactive light installation inspired by the music and Warren-Green’s real-time movements. The fun will continue in the lobby following the concert with authentic tapas from Machu Picchu, as well as displays of Latin American Contemporary Art (LaCa) Projects artist Leandro Manzo’s “Tango” Series. 12 and 7:30 p.m. at Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts,  430 S Tryon St. $12 and up.

Saturday
Get Fit! - Try fitness trends such as bootcamps, Zumba, yoga and more at the 4th Annual Greater Charlotte Health & Fitness Expo. There will be guest fitness experts and celebrities. Come dressed to sweat in the cardio dance zone, Burn Boot Camp Fitness and other interactive demos. 9 p.m. The Park Expo & Conference Center, 2500 E Independence Blvd. $5 ticket, $7 parking.

Skateboards For A Cause - The coolest skateboards featuring original pieces of art will auctioned at SHRED for Gabe and Luke Skatedeck Artshow and Auction. It’s a day of skateboarding, art, food and beer and fun. There will be a DJ, live music and live art auctioned in real time by local legend John Burgin. Art signed by Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly. All proceeds go to help families with special needs kids. 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. The Unknown Brewery from 1-7 p.m., 1327 S Mint St. Live auction at 4 p.m. Free. Details.

Rap’s Conscience - KRS-One was one of the first MCs to use rap to educate and raise listeners’ consciousness about social issues with hits such as “Sound Of Da Police.” He coined the phrase “edutainment.” He was known as The Blastmaster and The Teacha. KRS is an acronym for Knowledge Reigning Supreme. 8 p.m. The White House, 4809 Wilkinson Blvd. $27.37 and up.



Sunday
The Next Episode - In the next installment of “Order/Fire,” Charlotte’s culinary video, Charlotte Chef Blake Hartwick of Bonterra talks about where he had one of the best meals that he’s ever had. 12:30 p.m. Free Range Brewing, 2320 N Davidson St. Viewing party details.





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Last minute local gift ideas for the partiers on your list

You’ve waited until the last minute, and now Christmas Eve is here. This gift guide will satisfy the Sip + Play aficionado on your Christmas lists. Best of all, you can buy most of these gifts online!

For the Vodka Lover, $10
Charlotte’s first distillery opened in November. Doc Porter is a Charlotte-owned family business promising grain to glass vodka. Treat your vodka lover to a tour of the new distillery in Southend. Wait, there’s more! There’s a GroupOn for a limited time! Read more about Doc Porter's on Charlotte Five.

For the Music Lover, $49 and up
Rachelle Ferrell hasn’t performed in Charlotte in at least a decade so jazz fans are super-excited about her May show. Treat your music fan to tickets to see this incredible vocalist on May 13 at Knight Theater.

 

For the BBQ Lover, $35
The Improper Pig is hosting the Improper Pairing dinner in January. The dinner features cocktails by Muddy River Distillery and beer by Bird Song Brewing. It’s four drinks and four courses. $35

For the Beer Lover, $45
Charlotte has a plethora of beer festivals each year, but only the Queen City Brewers Festival specializes in Charlotte area breweries. There are some great beers and even better pairings of beers with donuts. The festival also features live music. Next year’s will be held at the Fillmore.






Traveler's Companion
Flasks are like socks. You can never have too many. The portable shot glass key chain makes using a flask even easier. Stop by Cltch boutique on Central Avenue for their selections of flasks and portable shot glasses. Flask ($29), Shot glass ($18)

For the Bourbon Lover, $45
I love Bulleit Bourbon, especially the Bulleit Rye. This year, treat your bourbon lover to a bottle of Bulleit 10 year. Here's a recipe to go with that new bottle.

Bulleit Hot Toddy
1.25 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
1 tsp. Fine Grain Sugar
2 Small Cloves
1.5 oz. Boiling Water
Glass: Coffee Mug. Add Bulleit Bourbon, fine grain sugar, and cloves in a mug. Add boiling water. Stir.

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"I will cut you!" Bon Qui Qui's sold out show

I will be the first to admit that I am not a Bon Qui Qui fan. I've only seen a few clips of the rude Burger King worker popularized on MadTV and YouTube. Naturally, I had no interest in seeing Bon Qi Qi's live Charlotte performance at McGlohon Theater on Tuesday.




Sip and Play occasional contributor Gray Baby, however, was all about going to the show. Her description of the performance surprised me. The audience was predominately made up of white women, which I didn't expect. Plus, the show really had a theme of women's empowerment. I totatlly didn't expect that. I might go see her next time she comes to Charlotte. Maybe.

Anyway, here's Gray Baby's review of Bon Qui Qui:

Comedian/Actress Anjelah Johnson came to the Knight Theater on Tuesday for a sold out performance of her "Bon Qui Qui Tour." Johnson who was an actress on the popular television show, MADtv gave the audience of mostly women, a mix of comedy, music and hilarity.

Bon Qui Qui is well-known for her Vietnamese nail technician skit and rude fast food worker. Johnson isn’t known for holding back on making fun of cultural differences. 

The 2-1/2 hour show, which included a live band, began with Johnson performing standup. During her set, the peitite actress shared her funny experiences on the challenges of marriage to the inappropriate ways men from different races try to pick up women. 

Surprisingly, one of the best parts of her routine was her message to women on following their dreams. Johnson shared her struggle and how through perseverance she was able to live her dreams and achieve success. She also encouraged women to love and accept themselves for who they are.

The second half of the performance showcased her husband's band, Group 1 Crew for a hyped mix of original songs and cover tunes. The group reminded me of The Black Eye Peas. Johnson's husband Manwell Reyes, who sang lead, gave lots of shout-outs and love to his wife and her accomplishments. He shared that initially, he was afraid to go on their tour journey, but he was happy they were having this experience. I could tell from his words that this tour was a family effort built of love. 

For the last half of the show, Bon Qui Qui performed eight songs from her Warner Brother released CD, "Gold Plated Dreams." Audiences members danced to songs such as “Sacurrity,”  “I Will Cut You” and “Oh No He Didn’t.”

Bon Qui Qui  – wearing tight white pants, long finger nails, and wig - gave the screaming audience a full concert experience. She sounded better at times than some of the mainstream singers topping the charts. Bon Qui Qui paid homage to Charlotte by rocking a Charlotte baseball cap during one of her routines while her dances wore Charlotte Hornets jackets.

Overall, the show was a well-planned, energetic mix of Johnson the comedian and Bon Qui Qui the outlandish rapper. The evening felt like a labor of love sprinkled with fun over-the-top clichés and positive messages. 


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