One more day until the Super Bowl! Mardi Gras party tonight

I'm heading out to the sold-out Queen City's Brewer's Festival, shortly, but I wanted to get you ready for your last night of partying before the Super Bowl. I'll be updating my Big Game party list with a couple of more spots tomorrow morning. See you in the streets!

Don't Miss
Wine Festival - If you love the vino then you’ll love this festival. Sample more than 100 wines at Winey Grapes. Admission gets you a commemorative glass. There will be live music, art and jewelry. Ends at 5 p.m., Slate Billiards, 200 E Bland St.

Love Your Kicks! - There are plenty of shopping events, but Shoe Freak is for you guessed it. Ends at 5 p.m., Dupp & Swat Studio/Showroom, 2424 N. Davidson, Ste 112B. Admission is Complimentary with advance RSVP or $1 at the door. Details.

More Beads! - More beads and hurricanes at the Charlotte Mardi Gras Parade of Beads Celebration. The entire EpiCentre is transformed into the New Orleans French Quarter with decorations, creole food and more. There will be zydeco favorites, and of course the NOLA clap and the New Orleans Bounce. There will be street performers, local team mascots, cheerleaders and bands. "Sugar" Handmade Gourmet Donut Food Truck will sell beignets and King Cake adding the real taste of New Orleans. There will be Multiple Hurricane bars. 7 p.m. parade kicks off. Marching bands will lead the “Krewes” ranging from social groups, charities, organizations, and others. It’s great family fun. Details.



Jazz Legend - Jazz fans don’t want to miss this rare performance. An Evening With Stanley Clarke features the Grammy-award winning bassist. Al Strong will open. 8 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.

Erotic princesses, scandalous Rome and vintage bikes

The fun starts early today with a bike show at the Chop Shop and a beer festival uptown.  The fun continues tonight with two erotica events! Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Beer Festival - Enjoy more than 75 craft, import and specialty beers at the Charlotte 3rd Annual Charlotte Beer Festival. Live music from Early Ray Band! 2 p.m., EpiCentre, East Trade St. $30. #CLTBeerFestival

Cyclemania - This is one of the coolest motorcycle rallies with Mods and Rockers meeting up at the Charlotte Vintage Motorcycle Rally. Classic British, Euro and Japanese motorcycles, customized scooters and mopeds are invited for a day of music, bikes and fun. 1 p.m. Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. Full schedule.

Girls Wanna Have Fun - Local ladies tackle each other in the Blondes v. Brunettes football game to benefit the local Alzheimer’s chapter. 5 p.m. Revolution Park, 1225 Remount Road. $35 gets access to the game and the afterparty at Tyber Creek Pub,1933 South Blvd. Afterparty starts at 8 p.m. Details.

Toga Party - Actually, the Mystics Ball: There's No Place Like Rome isn’t your typical fraternity toga party. The Mystics explore erotic world of Ancient Rome. Party features living statues, a Roman bathhouse, the aerial artistry of Satarah, and more. Costumes are required. Wear your own or buy one at the door. 9 p.m. Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. $20 individuals, $35 couples.

Beauties Reimagined - If you believe in fairytales Once Upon A Pastie will blow your mind. The Big Mamma’s House Burlesque show features new performances and new fantasy characters. See Mary Poppins, Cruella De Vill, Ariel, Beauty and her Beast, Merida, Cinderella, Snow White and Minnie Mouse like you’ve never seen them before. Visulite Theater, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15, $18.

Don't Miss

Soul Music - Hear Charlotte’s own Stephanie Mills, Freddie Jackson, Evelyn Champagne King, El DeBarge and more at The Kinfolks 6th Annual Soulfood Festival. 4 p.m., Rte. 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord. $35.


Celebrate Homebrewing - Before there was a craft brew scene, Charlotte enjoyed a robust home-brew culture. The American Homebrewers Association Rally celebrates homebrewing and connects beer enthusiasts from all over North Carolina. Includes a VIP brewery tour, beer samples, gifts, prizes and more. Local homebrew clubs will there. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., NoDa Brewing Co, 2229 N Davidson St. RSVP here.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Cinco de Mayo Parties Start Today

I know it's May 2, but a handful of Charlotte bars are getting started a few days before the Tuesday celebration.


Pig Pickin' Cinco Party
This is a southern Cinco de Mayo party featuring a whole roasted pig, homemade spicy slaw, smoked corn on the cob, RuRu's rice and beans and of course drink specials. These drink specials include BYO mimosa and bleeder bars. Live music all day. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. RuRu's, 715 Providence Road. $35.

Join Elevate Lifestyle, KISS 95.1 & WFNZ at Bakersfield for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Features Modelo beer, El Jimador tequila specials, face painting by The Get Dead Crew. Live music from Wiggle Wagon at 7 p.m. DJ A-Minor starts at 10 p.m., games throughout the day including a Single Mingle and a piñata. Bakersfield, 1901 East Boulevard.

Bring your pooch to the Fourth Annual Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Races. Meet in the EpiCentre’s Courtyard. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Charlotte. Race begins at 6 p.m. at Vida Cantina, The EpiCentre, 210 E Trade St. Deets.

Burger Divas Do Cinco de Mayo
Choose between two Mexican-inspired, chef-created burgers, the Burger Señorita which includes an Angus beef patty glazed w/ chipotle honey, topped with fresh avocado, grilled pineapple pico de gallo and cilantro lime crème, on a grilled soft roll. The Burger Señor Angus beef burger topped with habanero jack cheese, smoked bacon, mole aioli, fajita peppers and onion, on a grilled soft roll. Burgers include side and brews. These burgers are not on the menu. Music by DJ Khriz. 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., VBGB Beer Garden in the NC Music Factory, 920 Hamilton St. Tickets are $17 and includes a burger, beer and side. Deets.

Cincofest IX
Head out for Rockhouse's Cinco de Mayo bar crawl with stop at the EpiCentre, Prohibition, Tilt and the Roxbury. $8 and up. 3:15 p.m. Rooftop 210 check-in.


Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com