Beaujolais Festival, Moonshine Festival and 5th Street Crawl

It's Friday!!!! Let me start with a congratulations to the 2nd Annual Moonshine Festival ticket winners: Patricia Carter, Brianna Meurer, Billy Banks, Scooter Abrams, April Himel, Roberta Robbins and Tytus Terrell.

Now, let's start tonight's parties!

Wine Festival - The 22 Annual Beaujolais festival returns to Charlotte to celebrate the first grape harvest season. Along with tasting six different wines there will be jazz, a men’s choir, a silent auction and a raffle. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Queens Universit, Burwell Hall, 1900 Selwyn Ave. $30, $45. Details.

Walk In Their Shoes - Using poetry and visual art, the OBRA Collective explores what it means to be an immigrant in Charlotte. OBRA (Observe, Bridge, Respond Art) Collective is a group of Latino, immigrant, and ally artists. Their examines the immigrant experience in North Carolina and celebrates Latino culture. Featuring live music by local South American quartet Patabamba. 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Union Shop Studio, 5019 Wilkinson Blvd. Free.

Paint Party - Brush N Beats brings hip-hop flavor to the sip and paint theme with live music by Ron Mull. Enjoy open painting, wine and good peeps. Bring a canned good to be donated to the local food bank. 7 p.m. Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Road.

Don't Forget

Love This - It's not a bar crawl, but it kind of is. Visit bars along Fifth Street for drink specials, apps and fun at Fridays on 5th. 8 p.m. Fitzgerald's, 201 E. Fifth St.

Last Weekend! - The Carolina Renaissance Festival ends its run of jousting, belly dancing and more. The festival features more than 500 costumed characters, 12 stages of music, comedy and circus entertainment, and more. There are more than 100 vendors in the Village Artisan Marketplace. 16445 Poplar Tent Rd Huntersville. Tickets.



Get Your Shine On! - Last year's  inaugural Moonshine Festival was a blast. Who knew Moonshine could be so tasty? I’m ready for round two tonight. This isn't your father's moonshine. 7 p.m. -11 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 East Trade St. Tickets.

Adult Nerd Fun - Science on the Rocks returns with ‘Back to the Future’ presented by Discovery Place and Google Fiber. Attractions include Food Pills and Flying Cars, a show about the realities of futuristic ideas and technology. Back to the Future costume contest at 8:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for best decade costumes and best film character look-a-like
5 – 9 p.m., Discovery Place, 301 N Tryon St.


Jewelry Sale & Party - The McColl Center for Art + Innovation hosts a Open House + Jewelry Jubilee, formerly Palate to Palette, sponsored by Bank of America and Red Ventures. The event features regional jewelry artist market and the celebration of an exhibition opening. Music by Miami Dice, artist-inspired bites by Xenia Hospitality and a cash bar.
Featured jewelry artists include Kate Allen, Eliana Arenas, Claudia Griffin, Anne Fiala, Chelsea Arthur, Tara Locklear, Tabitha Ott, Katie Poterala, Laura Wood, Anna Johnson, and more. 6 p.m. McColl Center, 721 N. Tryon St.

Holla:sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Tree lightings, bar crawls and SourFest

It's the weekend before Thanksgiving. Time to get ready for family, friends and fun. 

Thursday
Getting Hot In Here - Gantt After Dark presents Latin Night with music by A Sign of the Times and their salsa dancers. They’ll be giving lessons. There will also be an Artisan Marketplace. ($25, $20) $10 for non-members, free for members. There will also be a Paint & Sip party. 6 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 S Tryon St.
Parking: Park in the Duke Energy garage (550 S. Tryon Street /enter on Stonewall Street) or The Green (435 S. Tryon Street) to receive your special rate of $5.00.

Worthy Cause - Enjoy apps and drink specials at Friendsgiving to benefit Safe Alliance Victim Center. 6 p.m. Passion, 1523 Elizabeth Ave.

Friday

Love This - It's not a bar crawl, but it kind of is. Visit bars along Fifth Street for drink specials, apps and fun at Fridays on 5th. 8 p.m. Fitzgerald's, 201 E. Fifth St.

Last Weekend! - The Carolina Renaissance Festival ends its run of jousting, belly dancing and more. The festival features more than 500 costumed characters, 12 stages of music, comedy and circus entertainment, and more. There are more than 100 vendors in the Village Artisan Marketplace. 16445 Poplar Tent Rd Huntersville. Tickets.



Get Your Shine On! - Last year's  inaugural Moonshine Festival was a blast. Who knew Moonshine could be so tasty? I’m ready for round two tonight. This isn't your father's moonshine. 7 p.m. -11 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 East Trade St. Tickets.

Adult Nerd Fun - Science on the Rocks returns with ‘Back to the Future’ presented by Discovery Place and Google Fiber. Attractions include Food Pills and Flying Cars, a show about the realities of futuristic ideas and technology. Back to the Future costume contest at 8:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for best decade costumes and best film character look-a-like
5 – 9 p.m., Discovery Place, 301 N Tryon St.


Jewelry Sale & Party - The McColl Center for Art + Innovation hosts a Open House + Jewelry Jubilee, formerly Palate to Palette, sponsored by Bank of America and Red Ventures. The event features regional jewelry artist market and the celebration of an exhibition opening. Music by Miami Dice, artist-inspired bites by Xenia Hospitality and a cash bar.
Featured jewelry artists include Kate Allen, Eliana Arenas, Claudia Griffin, Anne Fiala, Chelsea Arthur, Tara Locklear, Tabitha Ott, Katie Poterala, Laura Wood, Anna Johnson, and more. 6 p.m. McColl Center, 721 N. Tryon St.

Saturday
Family Fun - Historic South End will kick off the holiday season with the Historic South End Holiday Tree Lighting featuring holiday performances, winter treats and an appearance by Santa Claus. Dessert by Cloud 9 Confections, Dunx Coffee, hot chocolate and cider, and music. The tree lighting 6 p.m.. Expect a few surprises and free holiday goodies on hand. 5:30-7:00 p.m., Atherton Mill, 2140 South Blvd. Details.


Jazz Greats - This is a perfect date night. See smooth jazz guitarist Norman Brown and saxophonist Gerald Albright. Trish Andrews opens. 8 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $45 - $75. Tickets.

Beer Festival - If you’ve ever wanted to try sour beer or if you love sour beer then you already know that 3rd Annual Sour Fest Release the Funk 3: Funkonia is a can’t miss beer event. It features breweries spanning from throughout the world. 12 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, 511 E 36th St. Beer list. Parking.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Moonshine Festival tickets, black tie galas and Winthrop Homecoming

It's Friidddayyyy! The fun starts now. Two galas tonight, some great R&B and free tickets.

Sip and Play Charlotte is giving away tickets to the Moonshine Festival at the EpiCentre on Nov. 20. Click here to enter.

Black Tie Gala - The 21 Dreams Under the Stars Gala supports the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. Ticket price includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, 2 drink tickets, music, silent auction, and more.  6 p.m., Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S Tryon St. 

Night Run - Grab a flashlight and hit the trail at a new Whitewater Race Series event, A Shot in the Dark Night Race. After dark, participants run a 5k or 10k through the USNWC’s trail system along the Catawba River. Afterward enjoy s’mores, hot chocolate, and beer next to the bonfire.

Winthrop Homecoming Parties Tonight:

Don't Miss

Guys & Dolls Fundraiser

Black Tie Gala - The Young Affiliates of the Mint’s annual black-tie gala celebrates La Belle Epoque. Titled Moulin Mint, the annual fundraiser highlights the late 19th century, the golden age of Parisian art and culture. 8 p.m. to midnight Uptown, Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St.
Proceeds from the event help offset the cost of providing tours of The Mint Museum to Charlotte-Mecklenburg students. $100 member, $120 non-member. Tickets.

R&B Songstress - Grammy nominated singer Chante Moore brings her ‘90s to hits to town when she performs live. Kyle Jason and the Martini Swing will also perform. She’s known for her hit “Love’s Taken Over,” "It's Alright," "This Time" and "Chante's Got a Man.”  8 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 North Tryon St.  Details.



Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Gay Bingo, R&B shows and Moonshine Festival ticket giveaway

It's a gorgeous Veteran's Day and the best way to get ahead start on weekend fun. Here's a small preview of a full weekend of events.

But First!

Sip and Play Charlotte is giving away tickets to the Moonshine Festival at the EpiCentre on Nov. 20. Click here to enter.

Wednesday
Celebrate Veterans’ Day - Grab a beer at the Veterans Day Craft Session at Uptown Mellow Mushroom. Enjoy free appetizers, music and beer from Veteran Owned Railhouse Brewery. Railhouse Brewery was founded by Brian Evitts of the  Navy, and Mike Ratkowski of the Army. Also, $1 for each beer sold during the event will go directly to Team Red, White and Blue. Details.

Fashion Talk - Couture collector Sandy Schreier's collection highlights 20th century couture and Hollywood costumes in existence. Schreier will share stories about the personalities behind her collection at Couture Collector Talk. 6 p.m. talk followed by a champagne reception. $25, $30. Tickets.

Friday

Guys & Dolls Fundraiser

Black Tie Gala - The Young Affiliates of the Mint’s annual black-tie gala celebrates La Belle Epoque. Titled Moulin Mint, the annual fundraiser highlights the late 19th century, the golden age of Parisian art and culture. 8 p.m. to midnight Uptown, Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St.
Proceeds from the event help offset the cost of providing tours of The Mint Museum to Charlotte-Mecklenburg students. $100 member, $120 non-member. Tickets.

R&B Songstress - Grammy nominated singer Chante Moore brings her ‘90s to hits to town when she performs live. Kyle Jason and the Martini Swing will also perform. She’s known for her hit “Love’s Taken Over,” "It's Alright," "This Time" and "Chante's Got a Man.”  8 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 North Tryon St.  Details.




Saturday
Art Auction - Join us for fun, food & drinks, and the opportunity to take home a photograph by artists at The Light Factory 2015 Auction. This year’s auction includes work by Elizabeth Matheson, John Rosenthal, Bryce Lankard, and many other wonderful photographers. This is an event that you don’t want to miss! Silent auction begins at 6:30 pm and the live auction begins at 8:00 pm. $40, $50. Details.

Gay Bingo Is Back - R.A.I.N.’s most popular fundraiser gay bingo returns with How to Get Away With Bingo. It’s a fun night of costumes, song, dance, fabulous prizes and wacky bingo. 6:30 p.m. Grady Cole Center, 310 N Kings Dr. Afterparty at The Bar at 316. Details.

Beer Festival - Local breweries come together for the Strange Brew Festival. Enjoy live music, food and samples from Sycamore Brewing, Wooden Robot, D9 Brewing, Red Clay Cider, Fullsteam Brewery, Mystery Brewing and many more. 6:30-10 p.m. Unknown Brewing, 1327 S. Mint St. $20 ($25 at the door if they don’t sell out online).

R&B Pop Princess - Grammy winning singer Mya enjoyed success in the early ‘00s and was on the pop collar “Lady Marmalade.” She’s also done some acting. She’s back with “Love Elevation Suite,” an independent release. 10 p.m. White House, 4809 Wilkinson Blvd.  Details.




Sunday

Winter Market - Get a start on holiday shopping by purchasing hand-crafted local goods at the Vintage Charlotte 4th Annual Winter Market. The Daily Press CLT will provide coffee, Yelp Charlotte is supplying shopping bags for the first 500 customers, King of Pops Charlotte, Juan Taco Truck and Roots Farm Food will also be there. 11 a.m. The Fillmore, 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd.

Hip-hop Gospel Star - Inspiration singer Kirk Franklin is back with a new album, “Losing My Religion.” He’ll be giving a special performance and signing copies of his CD. 4 p.m. FYE Concord Mills, 8481 Concord Mills Blvd.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com