Tonya the Krampus Elf joins the NoDa Krampus Krawl

I've been to my share of bar crawls, and the NoDa Krampus Krawl is now definitely one of my faves. It was different than other crawls. The costumes were extremely creative. There wasn't a cover charge to participate. Getting sloppy drunk wasn't the crawlers' goal. Surprisingly, the crawlers ranged in age with many well over 40. The crawlers seemed to thoroughly enjoy dressing up and playfully terrorizing NoDa partiers throughout the night. Most people posed for pictures with the krampusen, but a drama queen at Jack Beagle's climbed the wall in sheer terror. The finale was a concert by St. Nick with his band the Broken Napoleons. They played Charlie Brown!!! I had no idea how to dress as a krampusen so I dressed as Tonya the Krampus Elf. Hopefully, this will return next year and I'll be ready with a better costume.




After the NoDa Krampus Krawl I headed over to the Gantt Center for the Gray Holiday party. Thank you for letting me crash this business event dressed as a Tonya the Krampus Elf! As I mentioned on Twitter, the party drew a who's who of black Charlotte from elected officials to entrepreneurs to business executives.

 


 I finished the night at Twirl To The World, a fundraiser benefiting Campus Pride and Smart Start.

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Try brunch at Lulu's and then family events

I loved the NoDa Krampus Krawl last night! I dressed as Tonya the Krampus Elf, but more on that later. For now, here a few things to do today.

Start with brunch at Lulu (1911 Central Avenue). The Plaza-Midwood fixture will close at the end of the year so there are only a few weekends left to enjoy the popular Saturday and Sunday brunch. Since Lulu's final night is New Year's Eve, the restaurant was short-staffed and some favorite items, such as the lamb hash, were no longer on the menu when I visited.


For The Family - Fall in love with comic books at the Charlotte Comicon Winter Show. Meet more than two dozen artists including Charlotte's John Hairston, Jr. There's even a costume contest. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Crown Plaza Executive Park Hotel, 5700 Westpark Dr. $5. Free with costume.

More Family Fun - Enjoy an afternoon of tea (complete with scones and other treats) and shopping at Southern Afternoon Tea and Holiday Cheer. 2 p.m. Duke Mansion, 400 Hermitage Rd. $35. $15 for kids.

Don't Forget

Camless Panthers - The Panthers take on Tampa Bay without star quarterback Cam Newton, who was injured in a car accident Tuesday. If you're not going to the game, watch it at Draught, 601 S. Cedar St. Take the light rail and walk from the Westin. Parking near Draught will be impossible.



60th Annual Singing Christmas Tree is comprised of performers, puppets and dancers. WFAE's Mike Collins will host this two-night show. Various times and days. There's also a Singing Christmas Tree For Kids. 3 p.m. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E Independence Blvd. $21-$35.
Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com