Weekend Preview: Carnival, Valentine's fun and an undie run

It's going to be cold outside, but there are some hot parties that you don't want to miss.
See you in the streets.
Tonight
A New Brand - Enemy of Fashion’s Mike Watson has teamed up with the Cultural Initiative Team to to create Heartful Apparel Brand. 6:30 p.m., Tuft, 1222 Central Ave.

Start A Movement - Former mayor Harvey Gantt, Cops & Barbers founder Shaun Corbett and others will take part in the Movement Makers. It’s a conversation about social change and the making of a Movement.  Levine historian Brenda Tindal will moderate. 6 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E 7th St. Free. Details. Complimentary parking after 5 p.m. in 7th St. Station parking deck. Bring parking ticket inside Museum to be validated.

Burlesque & Valentine’s Edition - Shiprocked and Stiletto Presents: Annual Anti-Valentine's Party! Burlesque and Sideshow Revue. It’s rock and roll, dance music, shimmying and teasing. Featuring: Damn Right Dixie, Saturos, Salvador Dolly and the Shiprocked Go-Go Hotties. 10 p.m. Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. Details.

Friday
Carnival! - The Latin American Coalition’s Brazilian Carnaval's A Night In Rio is one of it’s most popular events. Experience dancing, live music, authentic food, a parade and more. 7 p.m, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St. $15. Details.

Pop Up Market - Shop local for Valentine’s gifts at the 7th Street Public Market   Valentine's Sip & Shop Pop Up Market. There will be fashion trucks set up in the parking lot across the street and more shops inside. 8 p.m., 7th St. Market, 224 E 7th St.

Saturday
Fun Run - The Cupid's Undie Run Charlotte is a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day watching hundreds of barely clothed people run in the frigid weather. Yes, it’s cold outside. It benefits the Children's Tumor Foundation. 12 – 4 p.m., Suite at EpiCentre, 210 E Trade St. Details.




Sunday

A Funny Romeo and Juliet - The ladies of Chickspeare will perform "A Quickie with Romeo and Juliet.” 7:30 p.m. tonight and Noon Saturday, NoDa Brewing Company, 
2229 North Davidson St. $15.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Nuevolution Opens With A Grand Party (Video)

Typically, museum grand opening exhibits aren't worth remembering. The art work is cool, but the evening is typically forgettable. The Nuevolution exhibit grand opening at the Levine Museum of the New South was from forgettable. It was a night of dancing, laughter and hugs.

Empire's Becky G!, Nuevolution free today and free tickets!

Community Celebration - Friday’s preview party was great. Now the entire community is invited to the official public debut of ¡NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South. Enjoy the exhibit, music, dance, theater performances, arts, family activities and food. The exhibit is a bilingual, interactive exhibit that explores the ways Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos. 12 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Free Details.

Don't Forget

Hot Reggaeton - Reggaeton isn’t as big as it used to be to mainstream fans, but that hasn’t stopped J Balvin’s success. This should be a high-energy dance party with J Balvin featuring Becky G, of "Empire" fame. Becky G appears as a guest on the hit show. She blends pop, Latin and rap. The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.

Family Fun - One of the most popular annual family events Festival In the Park returns with more than 1,000 performers scheduled on five performance stages and more than 180 arts and crafts exhibits. Various times this weekend. Details.

My Favorite Beer - Fall means Octoberfest beer and I’m so excited! Mecktoberfest celebrates German-style food, culture, and beer. There will be a special Mecktoberfest food menu.

OMB’s seasonal Mecktoberfest brew is a classic Märzen amber lager. The beer is just one part of it. The festival is good family fun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday - Sunday, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. Details.

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Festival in the Park, ¡NUEVOlution!, Bob James tonight

Hopefully, mother nature will give us a little break in the rain to enjoy Festival in the Park on opening day. If not, I've got a few other events also worth checking out. Let's get this party started! See you in the streets... 


Dancetronica - Get ready for an incredible night of music and fun at the Beats Antique Creature Carnival. The band fuses live electronica and experimental world music fusion to create a fun interactive show. Lyrics Born will open. 9 p.m., The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. $25.
 

  Dream Come True - An Evening of Believing Prom benefits children fighting life-altering illnesses. This event gives them the prom some may never have. Red Carpet starts 6 p.m. There’s a Remembrance Ceremony and Balloon Release at 10 p.m., NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. MLK Blvd.

Grand Opening Party - Celebrate the grand opening of ¡NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South, a bilingual, interactive exhibit that explores the ways Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos. Tonight features live music and DJs. 6 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Details.

Ticket Giveaway!!!

Sip + Play CLT is giving away more tickets! Craft ciders are the newest evolution in Charlotte's growing brewing industry. Don't miss a chance to win free tickets to CiderFest at the EpiCentre on Oct. 9. Enter here.

Don't Miss
My Favorite Beer - Fall means Octoberfest beer and I’m so excited! Mecktoberfest celebrates German-style food, culture, and beer. There will be a special Mecktoberfest food menu.
OMB’s seasonal Mecktoberfest brew is a classic Märzen amber lager. The beer is just one part of it. The festival is good family fun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday - Sunday, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. Details.

Great Jazz - The Jazz Diva presents An Evening With the Bob James Quartet. Opening Performance by Guitarists Paul Brown and Marc Antoine. 8 p.m., Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, $45 - $70. Details.


Family Fun - One of the most popular annual family events Festival In the Park returns with more than 1,000 performers scheduled on five performance stages and more than 180 arts and crafts exhibits. Various times this weekend. Details.



Wine Dinner - Winery owner and Charlotte native, Hank McCrorie, will be the speaker at the Evoke and Burly Wine event featuring a five-course meal. McCrorie will provide an overview of the wine pairings with each course. 7 p.m., Evoke, 555 S. McDowell St.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Two museums offer family fun today

It's Sunday and a day for the family. Here are a couple of family events.

Music & Dance - Explore Latin culture through music and dance with tango and samba. The event also kicks off NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South exhibit. 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Free. 

Don't Miss
For The Family - The Mint Museum celebrates its newest exhibit America The Beautiful with this edition of Sunday Funday. Enjoy family-friendly art projects, gallery visits, artist demos, and Let's Move! yoga sessions once a month. America the Beautiful: Works on Paper from the Mint Museum features drawings and prints by talented American artists spanning 150 years of American history. Today is Special Exhibition Discount Day!  Additional fees for the special exhibitions are waived today. 1-4 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 South Tryon St. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Earl's Grocery is open for brunch!

I didn't know what to expect at Hollywood Squares: The Speakeasy Edition. I barely remember the old game show. It all came back quickly on Friday at the One Voice Chorus' fifth annual edition of this popular performance. It was a game show with serious questions, hilarious and showtunes. 8 p.m., Charlotte Ballet, 701 N Tryon St. $20. Final Performance.

By Popular Demand - Brunch at Earl’s Grocery. 10:30 - 3:30 p.m., Earl’s, 1609 Elizabeth Ave.

Hope You’re Hungry - Enjoy bottomless mimosas, all you can eat brunch buffet, omelet station, waffle station, sweet treats and cocktails. Live DJ, free pool & ping pong and patio lounge. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Slate Billiards at Oak Room, 200 E. Bland St.

Cultural Convo - The Levine Museum of the New South is launching Conexiones: Exchanges Across Cultures. Today’s event is an immersive exploration of Latino culture using food, music, dance and art. 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Levine Museum, 200 E. Seventh Street

More Black Culture - The 18th Annual Junteenth Festival of the Carolinas features live music, a parade, drum circle, food and more. It’s four days of events. Free. Independence Park. Last day.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Pool party, an Italian festival and baseball today

Get cultured, get educated and get your eat on at today's events. Let's get this party started. See you in the street...

Black History - Take in a little history at the Negro League Tribute Day at the Charlotte Knights game. There will be a Negro League display and former players Eddie "G.G." Burton of Charlotte, Luther "Luke" Atkinson, James "B.D." Bland, Bill Cathcart, and Carl "Satch" Forney will sign autographs.  The Knights take on Syracuse Chiefs. 1 p.m., BB&T Stadium, 324 S. Mint St.


Don't Forget

Post Racial? - Not! Destination Freedom: Civil Rights Then and Now Community Day features films, performances, activities, exhibits and more. Along with learning about the Civil Rights Movement in Charlotte, participants will also explore today’s activism. This is the last two weeks of the two-year series. 12 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 East 7th St. Free.

Pool Party! - Break out the  bikinis and trunks at Splash Charlotte. Music spun by "The Mash Out King" DJ Skillz. #SplashCLT. 4 p.m. Fairfield Inn & Suites 201 S McDowell St. Uptown CLT Poolside. $10 and up.



















Italian Festival - Two chefs will be flown in from Lake Como, Italy, and demonstrating the primo and secondo dishes of the day at Festa Italiana. More than 10 regional chefs of Italian cuisine will serve Italian appetizers. Enjoy the Festa’s three-foot seafood and vegetables risottos. 1 p.m. Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue. $25, $75.







Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

'Daily Show' comedian, pool party and two beer festivals

My weekend started last night at the Visulite Theatre with Austin-based soul band Mingo Fishtrap. It continues tonight at the Comedy Zone. Yep, it's that kind of party week. So let's go!

Tonight

Smart Comedy - Comedian Wyatt Cenac is best known for his work on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” as a correspondent and writer. Cenac spent three seasons writing on “King of the Hill” and he has a host of film credits. Cenac can next be seen in David Cross' film "HITS, "which premiered at Sundance earlier this year. 8 p.m. the Comedy Zone, $20.

Party With A Purpose - The afterwork networking party The Agenda will honor the Chris Canty Foundation, Nikita Sanders & The Urban League of Central Carolinas Young Professionals at tonight’s event. 6 p.m. Bubble, 210 E. Trade St. Free and appetizers will be served.


















Thursday 

Gaelic Fun - Enjoy horse racing, drink specials and more at Night At the Races. It’s a fundraiser for the Charlotte Gaelic Athletic Association. The men’s and ladies’ teams travel to Chicago on Labor Day Weekend looking to defend their title. 7 - 9 p.m. Prohibition, $10.









Friday

Science on the Rocks - Discovery Place returns with more nerd fun. This month’s edition of Science on the Rocks: The Birds and The Bees examines pollination (Can I say that in a blog?) and propagation. The fun includes: a seahorse mating ritual game involving an egg toss. There’s a dissection demonstration of a fetal pig and rat (6p, 7p and 8p). Don’t miss a chance to try the Drunk Googles before you drink too much! 5 p.m. Discovery Place, 301 North Tryon St. $8 and up.

Previous Science On the Rocks events: 




Pop up Dinner - Dinner Lab Charlotte-Pop Up Dinner with chefs Jon Heilman and Noam Bilitzer. Menu includes green chili snapper, grilled octopus, pork shoulder, fennel gazpacho and a goat’s milk Panna Cotta. The location is a secret. Email support@dinnerlab.com to see if there are any tickets available.







Saturday 
Beer Festivals: Southend Hops Festival features craft beer, live music, food trucks and it’s dog-friendly. $35 and up. General admission tickets include unlimited beer tastings and a souvenir tasting cup. VIP tickets are $50 and include early entry into the festival, unlimited beer tastings, souvenir tasting cup, private VIP ares with Newk's Eatery appetizers, seating area and a VIP-only restroom. 2 p.m. Carson and Mint. Tickets.


 



Speedway All-American Craft Brewer’s Festival features the Beer Haven mobile festival, a self-pour beer sampling station billed as the world's largest mobile bar and brewery. The festival will feature 50 craft beers from Charlotte-regional craft breweries during both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star and Coca-Cola 600 race weekends. It will also include the Bucking Mule Brewery, a mobile brewery with a five-barrel brewing capacity and canning system mounted to a 53-foot-long tractor trailer. Participants can learn the brewing and canning process from brewmasters. Admission includes unlimited sampling. 1-4 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway. $39.
Take the Ragin’ Uptown Party Bus to the Speedway festival. $20. BYOB and small coolers are welcome for the ride. 11 a.m. Check-in at Tyber Creek Pub.


Sunday

Post Racial? - Not! Destination Freedom: Civil Rights Then and Now Community Day features films, performances, activities, exhibits and more. Along with learning about the Civil Rights Movement in Charlotte, participants will also explore today’s activism. This is the last two weeks of the two-year series. 12 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 East 7th St. Free.

Pool Party! - Break out the  bikinis and trunks at Splash Charlotte. Music spun by "The Mash Out King" DJ Skillz. #SplashCLT. 4 p.m. Fairfield Inn & Suites 201 S McDowell St. Uptown CLT Poolside. $10 and up.

















Italian Festival - Two chefs will be flown in from Lake Como, Italy, and demonstrating the primo and secondo dishes of the day at Festa Italiana. More than 10 regional chefs of Italian cuisine will serve Italian appetizers. Enjoy the Festa’s three-foot seafood and vegetables risottos. 1 p.m. Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue. $25, $75.






Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

R Kelly & Big Al Jefferson's Birthday

Tough loss for the Panthers last night. The best way to get over that hurting feeling is to get out and about.

Quick reminder. Don't let this week slip away without making your reservation for Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week starts Friday. Don't wait to make a reservation at the fancy restaurant that you've been dying to try. More than 100 restaurants, three courses for $30. Ends Jan. 25.

For the Family - Sunday Funday All About the Blues includes family yoga, family-friendly art projects such as the Colossal Collage, a listen and learn at the Jazz Arts Initiative’s Blues Jam Session and more artsy family fun. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St.

Happy Birthday - R. Kelly hosts Big Al Jefferson Birthday Celebration. Don’t miss special guest MC Big Tigger. 10 p.m. Label,  900 NC Music Factory Blvd. $15 and up.














Jazz and Soul - See Sai the Violinist and Johnal perform at Soulful Sundays. Comedian Brisco will perform and Bluz is the host. Hookahs will also be available. Live music starts at 8 p.m. DJ Strategy begins at 10 p.m. Red On 28th, 2424 N. Davidson St. Ste. 112A Parking onsite.









Don't Forget - Daytime Activities

Black Cinema Classic - See Dorothy Dandridge in "The Decks Ran Red." This was re-released for the first time in 40 years in 2013. Watch this thriller on the high seas. 2 p.m. Harvey B.Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.











Film Screening - "I Learn America" documents five immigrant teenagers at New York City’s International High at Lafayette. 2:30 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 300 N. College St.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Wine and dance, Queen City Music Awards and more this week

I planned to be in recuperation mode this week in preparation for the upcoming MLK three-day weekend. However, I couldn't resist tipping out last night to Growler's Pourhouse for Beer Education night. It was crazy packed thanks to Urban Adventurers and Good Eats & Meets meetup groups. Look for the video from that later this week. In the meantime, here's a little preview of things to do this weekend. See you in the streets....

Thursday

Sigmas Happy Hour - Join the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity for the Founder's Day pre-celebration at Thursdays Shenanigans. Enjoy drink specials. 6 p.m. Kanvas, 525 East 6th Street #117. Free. Limited street parking. Bring cash for nearby surface paid parking.

Friday

Wine & Dance - Enjoy a wine tasting and a professional dance concert at the annual Wine and Dance presented by Charlotte Choreographers. Featuring: Audrey Baran, Juliana Tilbury Carson, Sarah Emery, Eric Mullis, Amy Tynan of Aerial CLT, Camerin Watson, and Arlynn Zachary. 8 p.m.  Friday and Saturday. $20 and up. The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. Parking onsite.

Classic Soul - Nod your head to classic soul, jazz, funk and R&B spun by DJ DR at Collure: Network, Taste, Listen 2015 Kick Off at Vinmaster Shop, 2000 S. BLVD Ste. 610. Free entry and free parking onsite.

Saturday

Local Music Awards - Celebrate local Charlotte musicians at the 8th Annual Queen City Awards. Fly Ty will host the event, which recognizes country, hip-hop, rock and other musical talent. Don't miss your chance to walk the red carpet. 7 p.m. Halton Theater, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. $20 and up.









LGBTQ Discussion - Josh Burford and Malu Fairley, in partnership with the Charlotte Business Guild, host LGBTQ Perspectives. It's a final community forum discussing LGBTQ issues and perspectives. Free and open to the public. 1-3 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 300 N. College St.

Gift Exchange - Exchange your unwanted Christmas gifts for something you may want, need or simply like better at the Third Annual Flip Gift Party presented by Honey Bee Gifts. Gifts must be registered by 11:30 a.m. to participate in the exchange. You'll can also shop the pop ups. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Hydrate Medical, 228 East Blvd. Ste. 200. Free. $10 VIP.

Sunday

Film Screening - "I Learn America" documents five immigrant teenagers at New York City’s International High at Lafayette. 2:30 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 300 N. College St.

Black Cinema Classic - See Dorothy Dandridge in "The Decks Ran Red." This was re-released for the first time in 40 years in 2013. Watch this thriller on the high seas. 2 p.m. Harvey B.Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.












Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com