Waffle eating contest, bar crawl and more

Don't let rain stop you. There's family fun, waffle eating contests, and a bar crawl calling your name. Answer the call. See you in the streets....

Art Stroll - Head over to the Metropolitan area for the Kings Drive Art Walk this weekend. Peruse works of clay, glass, wood and more by regional artists. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Details.

Happy Birthday - Help Fud at Salud celebrate its first birthday at the Fud at Salud Anniversary Party. There will be a waffle-eating contest, special beers and more. 6 p.m. Fud at Salud, 3306 N. Davidson St. Details.

Family Fun - Come out to Hippie Fest featuring hundreds of North Carolina vendors, artists, food trucks and groovy vibes! Fun for the whole family. 11 a.m., Eastland Mall, 5471 Central Ave.

Don't Forget

Tequila & Beer - Time to enjoy great drink specials at Cincofest X Bar Crawl, featuring 7 uptown bars. 4:15 p.m. Checkin at Flight Beer and Music Hall, 300 N. College Street. (Formerly Cosmos). Crawl schedule.

Get Dressed Up! - Hey big spender, breakout your ball gowns and tux for the 3rd Annual Spring Fundraising Gala: Coveted Couture. It’s a celebration of fashion and the Mint’s big fundraiser. 6:30 p.m. Mint Museum, Tent on the Lawn at Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Tickets.

Oysters & Rock - iHeart Radio is bringing its party to Charlotte with the Oyster Roast/ Yacht Rock Revue concert. Oysters provided by Hickory Tavern. 5 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade St. $17.40 and up. Tickets.

Taste So Good - Head uptown early today for the  Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend Grand Tasting Tent featuring wineries, local craft breweries, chefs and demonstrations. 2 p.m. today and Saturday, Romare Bearden Park, 300 S Church St. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Latino party, oyster roast, open streets

I'm really excited about Sunday's Open Streets 704 event, but before we get to that hit the streets this weekend for an oyster roast, bar crawl and more. See you in the streets...

Today

Play Time! - Bring it on for some friendly corn hole, life size Jenga, ladder toss and more bar games at the weekly Rooftop Games. 5 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E Trade St. Details.

Thursday


Get Educated - The YWCA of Charlotte is hosting a forum on voting rights and voter engagement Community Forum. YWCA CEO Kirsten Sikkelee will moderate a A panel discussion and community forum to explore the impact of the new voter ID law and reasons for low turnout among millennials. #WTFWeVote is the community partner. Complimentary dinner from Jason's Deli will be served. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at YWCA Central Carolinas, 3420 Park Road. Register.

Let’s Dance - Celebrate the legacy of the Dance Theatre of Harlem at Catch the Dance: An Inspired Movement. Legendary dance pioneers Joan Myers Brown, Founder and Artistic Director of Philadanco! Philadelphia Dance Company and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts; April Berry, Founder of Arts 'n Community, former Director of Education & Outreach at Charlotte Ballet and BalletMet Columbus, and former lead dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; and Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson former soloist with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will lead this discussion about the black dance experience. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St. $10. Register





Friday

Art Event - 2015 Light Factory winner Michael Joseph will present his street portraiture project, Lost and Found, which examines a youth subculture of transients who abandon home to travel the country hitchhiking and freight train hopping.  6:30 p.m. The Light Factory 1817 Central Ave. Details.


Let’s Dance II - The second part of The New Latino Sound - Part 2 features a concert with Orquesta Mayor, Patabamba, Jahlistic, and Reinaldo Brahn.  6:30 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St. Tickets.

Saturday

Tequila & Beer - Time to enjoy great drink specials at Cincofest X Bar Crawl, featuring 7 uptown bars. 4:15 p.m. Checkin at Flight Beer and Music Hall, 300 N. College Street. (Formerly Cosmos). Crawl schedule.

Get Dressed Up! - Hey big spender, breakout your ball gowns and tux for the 3rd Annual Spring Fundraising Gala: Coveted Couture. It’s a celebration of fashion and the Mint’s big fundraiser. 6:30 p.m. Mint Museum, Tent on the Lawn at Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Tickets.

Oysters & Rock - iHeart Radio is bringing its party to Charlotte with the Oyster Roast/ Yacht Rock Revue concert. Oysters provided by Hickory Tavern. 5 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade St. $17.40 and up. Tickets.

Sunday
No Cars! - Leave the cars at home for Open Streets 704. It’s a full day of activities from Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth to 36th Street in NoDa. It winds through Villa Heights, Optimist Park, Belmont and First Ward. Bring your bikes or get one from B-Cycle. There are four zones for organized activities: Arts and crafts in NoDa, a Family zone and green zone in Belmont and Optimist Park and a Wellness zone in First Ward. Food trucks will be near the center of the route, with easy access to Cordelia Park and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Noon - 4 p.m.

FYI:  BIKE! Charlotte starts today and features more than two weeks of bike-related events and promotions to encourage more bicycling in Charlotte.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Abari opens, Crown Station Closes and Puerto Rican drumming

The weather is beautiful and day events are popping off now throughout the city for the family. Tonight, put the kids to bed and hit the streets adult-style. See you in the streets...

Day Fun

Gametime - The wait is over. Abari Game Bar opened its doors at 11 a.m. for an all-day grand opening. Along with video games such as  Ms. Pac Man, Dig Dug, and Donkey Kong there will also be plenty of food. Joe's Dough's special pop-up will serve game-themed doughnuts. Hart's Soda Shop will be selling hand-crafted soda creations, What The Fries CLT food truck, drink specials and featured cocktails. Elon Shomaker will be spinning. Kids welcome until 5 p.m. Abari Game Bar, 1721 N Davidson St.

Outdoor Market - The Noda Eclectic Market returns with locally produced works of art, jewelry, body products, clothing, housewares, pet products and more!. Until 3 p.m. 36th Street behind Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery and NoDa Company Store. Details.  

Hard to Say Goodbye - After of week events, Crown Station host The Final Farewell. It’s a full day of music, food and fun. Music by Nat Black, Melodious Funk, Chad McNeely, Sean McClellan, JLazy, Josh Novicki, Ian Sooklal, Phat Rabbit, KT Caustic, Funktavius, Briddy and Justin Combs. Free food and no cover. 12 p.m. Crown Station, 1425 Elizabeth Ave.

Drum Circle - Bring the family out to Bombazo. Yapre presents its first Bombazo which is when drummers and dancers gather and sing traditional Puerto Rican songs and dance Bomba together. Drummers are welcome to bring their instruments, and other instruments are welcome. 3 p.m. Freedom Park. Details.



Live Painting - Artist Nikko is hosting a live painting event in which he paints to the music of Oscar Huerta and Tony Arreaza. 4 p.m., Orr and Orr Art Studio and Gallery, 110 #1B Matthews Station St Matthews. $10. Details.

Night Parties
Easter Crawl - Forget boiled eggs. Celebrate Easter at the Bunny Hop Bar Crawl. Ticket includes event t-shirt, koozie, no cover access to all participating venues (Blackfinn, Bubble, Suite, Whisky River, Rooftop 210, Howl at the Moon and Tin Roof) at the EpiCentre, special drink prices and prizes. 6 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E Trade St. Details.

Free your soul - The monthly soulful party Su CASA — The March Edition returns with DJ Justice and DJ Steel Wheel. Tribute to Phife Dawg! 10 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. Details.

Latin Night - Dance all night to reggaeton, Latin and international grooves at the White Party. 10 p.m. Oak Room, 200 E Bland St. Details.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Bar crawls, beer run and artists showcase

When I was a kid, our Easter egg hunts were limited to my family’s home. These days, kids have a plethora of choices. Although, the hunt, more like a sprint and grab. Bring your kids out for the annual egg scramble at events throughout the city this weekend.

Also, thrill seekers can get their adrenaline fix at Carowinds which opens Saturday.

Wednesday
Support Local - At least six local artists will be featured at the CLT Local Artists Showcase. Featured artists: Railz The Principle, Da Real Immortal, Messenger Down, Brown Eyes Music,The Stress Exchange and LeAnna Eden & The Garden Of. 7:30 p.m., The Evening Muse, 3227 N Davidson St. Details.
   

Eating Good - Enjoy a multi-course meal and wine pairing at the Celebrity Chef Tour. Featured chefs hail from Davidson, West Virginia Charlotte and Waxhaw. 6:30 p.m., Bonterra Dining & Wine Room, 1829 Cleveland Ave. Tickets are $150 all inclusive (includes wine pairings & gratuity). Details.

Thursday
Easter Spirit - Get in the Easter groove at the Pre-Easter Go-Go featuring Uptown Swagga. 8 p.m. Blu Note, 3425 David Cox Road. Details.

Networking Remix - Enjoy cocktails, conversation, dinner and networking at Just One. Organizers are billing it as a new way to network. Live music by One Paper Crane. Cocktails by Top Organic Spirits and complimentary appetizers. 6 p.m. Passion8, 1523 Elizabeth Ave.

Friday
Bone, Bone, Bone - Hip-hop fans will remember the harmonies and rhymes of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Tonight’s it’s just Bizzy Bone. 9 p.m., Suite, 210 E Trade St.

Happy Anniversary - Celebrate the 7 Year Anniversary Party & Alt Release at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. 6 p.m. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road.

Mad Monster Party - Meet the stars of Frozen, Deadpool, Star Wars Trilogy and others at the Mad Monster Party. The horror-pop convention is a family friendly event and a chance to dress up like zombies and scary creatures. Multiple days. Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, 555 S McDowell St. Schedule.

Free Your Spirit - Drum like nobody’s watching at the Drum Circle and Paint Party. Unleash your creative spirit with painting, drumming and fellowship. Admission includes unlimited paint, canvas, easel, brushes and percussive instruments.  7 p.m., Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Rd. $15 in advance, $20 door. Tickets.

Saturday
Easter Crawl - Forget boiled eggs. Celebrate Easter at the Bunny Hop Bar Crawl. Ticket includes event t-shirt, koozie, no cover access to all participating venues (Blackfinn, Bubble, Suite, Whisky River, Rooftop 210, Howl at the Moon and Tin Roof) at the EpiCentre, special drink prices and prizes. 6 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E Trade St.

Free your soul - The monthly soulful party Su CASA — The March Edition returns. 10 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.

Beer Run - Enhance your weekend run by joining the Triple C's Know Your Craft 5k. Benefits Project 2 Heal. After-party features live music and beer. 9 a.m., Triple C Brewing Company,  2900 Griffith St.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Preview: Food Truck Fridays & An Oyster Roast

Whew! Last weekend was crazy, but the fun doesn't stop. We're barreling head-first in St. Patrick's Day Weekend next week! Before things get to crazy with pinching and kissing and imbibing, let's start this weekend of partying.

Thursday
Walk The Walk - Want to learn more about Sustain Charlotte’s transportation campaign? The organization will highlight innovation throughout the country and potentially in Charlotte. 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.  Sugar Creek Brewing Company, 215 Southside Dr. Get on the wait list.

Friday
Gay, Black & The Church - A new BET.com documentary “Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay In the Church" explores homophobia in the black church. This is a touchy subject that often rocks the core of the Black community. I'm moderating the post-screening panel discussion. 6 p.m. New Science Building, Johnson C. Smith University, 100 Beatties Ford Rd. See the panelists.

Amazing Dance - A Butoh style performance isn’t a typical modern dance. It kind of reminds me of real slo-mo pop-lockin' to a didgeridoo instead of hip-hop beats. Judge for yourself at New Frequencies at McColl Center presents Du Yufang. Plus don’t want to miss Charlotte-based ensemble Triptych Collective opening each evening with a new dance performance. 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. McColl Center, 721 N. Tryon St. $10, $12. Tickets.




Food Truck Fridays Are Back!


Friday Night Festival replaced Food Truck Friday in Southend. It’s a collaboration between The Unknown Brewing Company, Craft Tasting Room and Growler Shop along with The Gold District and Historic South End. There will be  multiple food trucks and pop ups and live music. Participants can buy beer from nearby Southend Breweries. Judging how lines typically are, I suggest splitting up and sending one friend to stand in line to get beer and the other two get food. But that's just how I roll. 5 p.m. Unknown Brewing Co. - Parking Lot, 1327 S Mint St.

Matthews Food Truck Fridays features Acoustic South Duo on stage and Sugar. Handmade Gourmet Donuts will also be there along with 10 food trucks. #MatthewsFoodTruckFridays

Saturday
Oyster Roast - This is going to be soo good! Plaza-Midwood’s Annual Shuck & Awe Oyster Roast is an all-you-can eat roast featuring oysters, shrimp and chicken, side dishes and vegetarian options. Catch On is providing the oysters, Birdsong and Legion breweries are pouring the brews. There will also be wine and cocktails. There will be live music from the Shana Blake Band and a DJ.  6 p.m. – 11 p.m. (dinner from 7pm to 9pm), The Historic VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza. $35 for dinner, dancing, raffle tickets for great door prizes and access to the silent auction. Cash bar. Order tickets.

Bar Crawl -  The 3rd Annual Craft Cocktail will feature speciality drinks from Rooftop 210, Blackfinn, Vida, Strike City, Bubble, Suite, Whisky River,Tinroof, Howl at the Moon and Mortimors. Crawlers will receive a commemorative t-shirt, cup, two free drink tickets, great cocktail special prices, no line and no cover. 8 p.m., 210 EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. $15-$50. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Southend restaurant opens, Banana Bar Crawl and Guys & Dolls

It's the weekend! The excitement has been building for the new Korean restaurant in Southend, but there's a lot more fun happening today. See you in the streets...

Korean BBQ - A new concept of Asian fusion dining is coming to Southend with Seoul Food Meat Co. The menu, designed by Charlottean Tim Chun, features traditional BBQ including beef and pork ribs, chicken, and pulled pork, but then it gets funky. There’s crispy miso pork belly, salted salmon and crispy wings, which is fried in rice bran oil. 4:30 p.m. Seoul Food Meat Co, 1400 S Church St.

Live Jazz - This is a special Saturday night edition of the Jazz Room. It’s Dawn Anthony sings Ella Fitzgerald. 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Corner of 5th and College.

Corrected: A Different Bar Crawl
The Banana Bar Crawl returns for its fourth year. The crawl takes partiers dressed as bananas to Whisky River, Blackfinn, Suite, BAR Charlotte, Fitzgerald’s, Prohibition, Whisky River, SIP and Bubble. Registration is from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the event. Details.

Don't Forget
LGBT Black Tie - The 21st Annual HRC Gala is the annual black-tie fundraiser for the LGBT community. 5:45p.m., Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St. $250. Tickets. Start the day early at the HRC Fun Run & Breakfast. 9 a.m., Just Fresh, 1231 East Blvd. The After-party: HRC Equality Lounge - Gala After-Party 10 p.m., The Westin Charlotte, 601 S College St.

Young Professionals Black Tie - The Guys & Dolls fundraiser for young professionals celebrates its 16th year. The gala features a live auction featuring “Guys” and “Dolls.” Packages include trips, shopping and more. 6:30 PM, Hilton Charlotte Center City, 222 E 3rd St. Tickets.

Children’s Play
Experience the wonder of The Wizard of Oz with your family in this immersive experience in Journey to Oz. Children from the audience are picked to help tell the story. Audience members will join the cast on stage as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, the Cowardly Lion and others to help complete the story. Tickets.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Holigay parties, an erotica party and more naughtiness

British Christmas at Jackalope Jack's

If this happened last night, I can't wait to see what happens tonight. The streets are calling! Don't forget today's Holiday Pop-up shops. Then party tonight! See you in the streets...


Family Holiday Fun - Bring the kids to the EpiCentre for Breakfast with Santa. Admission gets you a brunch entree and a digital photo with Santa. 8 - 11 a.m. Black Finn, The EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St.  $15 for adults, $10 kids.

For The Outdoorsy Types - You’ve heard of Santa Bar Crawls well this is a healthy and fun way to celebrate the holiday at The Santa 5k Trail Run. This 5k offers a brisk trot through the USNWC trail system. Prizes will be given to the best Santa Claus look-a-like. Don’t miss the hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, beer from NoDa Brewing Company, raffle prizes and awards.
12 p.m. U.S. National Whitewater Rafting Center,  5000 Whitewater Center Parkway. $27-$35. Details.

Holigay Party I - This hilarious take on the 12 days of Christmas will give the holiday new meaning. See Kassandra Hylton, Justin Crego (Bethanne Phetamine), Nina Fierra, Marcella Grrleen Redd (Markus Fletcher), Jinx Matthews, Cierra Desiree Nichole-Land, Carmen Banks (Arron McGill), Teri Lovo, Tommy Feldman, Amber Rochelle and a Special Guest Surprise at the 12 Queens of Christmas. Buff Faye and Patti O'Furniture's hosts this drag show. 10 p.m. Bar 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave.

Holigay Party II - The 7th Annual Twirl To the World Holiday Party & Fundraiser benefits Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Mecklenburg County and Healthy Families Mecklenburg (Smart Start). Guest DJ Ben Baker (NYC). 10 p.m. NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St. $10 and a new, unwrapped toy or $20. Details. 

 

Naughty Christmas - This wonderland is for adults only at Purgatory 67: Wicked Wonderland, the last one of the year. There will be a Krampus and sensual thrills. Music by: Purgatory resident DJ Triskyl and Atlanta’s DJ Codec. Performances by: Impulse Exotic Fashions, DJINN The Nitechylde, Art of Life, Wolfing with Hades’ Ladies and Marilyn Chen of Liquid Sky. There’s also an expanded vendor area and a dungeon area (Including demos). 8 p.m. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S Tryon St. $12, $15. Here's what to expect.

Holiday Party Tradition - Come out for holiday fun at the Gray Holiday Party. Hosts: Congresswoman Alma Adams Commissioner Trevol Fuller, Anthony Perez and Bradford Picot. 8 p.m. Harvey Gantt Center, 551 South Tryon St. $60. Admission gets you appetizers and a specialty drink. Details.

Bar Crawl - More than 1,700 bar crawlers participated in last year’s crawl so don’t miss this The 16th Annual Santa's Uptown Bar Crawl’s "It Doesn't Matter If You Are Naughty Or Nice.”  3 p.m. - 2 a.m. BAR Charlotte, 300 North College St. $15, $25

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com