Three beer events, a bazaar and live jazz

Whew! Where did the time go. Several events are already underway and there's even more tonight. Get and enjoy the beautiful day. See you in the streets!


Oysters & Beer - My favorite things are being consumed at the inaugural Sycamore Oyster & Beer Festival. There will also be snow crab, shrimp, wine and cider. Live music by Late Nite Special. Fresh Seafood provided by South East Crab Feast. Tickets available at the Door. Ticket gets you entry and a free beer. Until 8 p.m. Plates are $8-$12.

Happy Birthday! - Congratulations to Sugar Creek Brewing on their One Year Anniversary. Today’s party includes Sugar Fish Hot Air Balloon Photo Booth, live music until 3 p.m. live artists and food from the Plated Palatte food truck. The party doesn’t end until 10 p.m. Sugar Creek Brewing, 215 Southside Dr.

Artisan Market - Shop goods from local vendors while you enjoy craft beer from Birdsong and live music by Sinners & Saints and Bless These Sounds Under the City at the Southend Bazaar. Until 8 p.m. C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution St.
 

 

Don't Forget
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. Until 4 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, 511 E 36th St. Beer list. Parking.

Pride parade and festival, BBQ at Birdsong

Today is the final day of Pride week. The parade starts in an hour. There's also a food event at Birdsong. Get out and have fun.


Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade
Don’t miss the festival highlight with all of the usual fun of a gay pride parade, floats, marchers and more. Parade starts at 1 p.m. from 9th and N. Tryon St.

Charlotte Pride Festival
This is what we’ve all been waiting for! National, regional and local entertainers, musicians and bands, and more than 150 vendors, including art exhibitors, area non-profits, political candidates, retailers, food stands and more. Tryon and Stonewall.

Que & Brew - Slow Food Charlotte and Birdsong Brewery partner to present Brew & Chew BBQ to benefit 10,000 Gardens in Africa. The food features local pork from A Way of Life Farm and local vegetables. 3 - 7 p.m., Birdsong Brewery, 1016 North Davidson St. $20. Details.

Arts Festival - Comet Grill isn't the type of place that I would usually go to for an arts festival, but today they are hosting Comet Sunshine Festival. The event features 25 artists ranging from painters to jewelers, a dunk tank, aerialists and more. Ends at 6 p.m. Comet Grill, 2224 Park Road. 

Bounce Baby - The Bounce Queen Big Freedia brings her style of bounce rap to Charlotte for Pride weekend. 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 East 36th St. $20.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

It's Friddayyy! Floetry, party bus and block party

It's Friday, and Floetry is here. The weekend starts now! Live music, local artists showcase and more. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Party Bus - Planning to go to the Dave Matthews Band show tonight at PNC Music Pavilion. Don’t drink and drive, roll with the Dave Matthews Band Pre & Post Party/Party sponsored by Elevate Lifestyle. Fee includes pre/post parties with beer specials, transportation to and from PNC Music Pavilion and  beer on the bus on the way to the concert. Doesn’t include concert ticket.

4 p.m., Slate Billiards patio,200 East Bland St. (Parking is the lot off of Tryon St to the right of Amos Southend.)Bus leaves at 5:30 p.m. $20.

Don't Forget

Artist Showcase - See local spoken word, musicians and visual artists at the Funk Balia Artist Showcase. 8 p.m. Dupp & Swat, 2424 North Davidson Street #112B.



Block Party - The folks at Unknown Brewing Company are hosting the South End Neighborhood Block Party to thank their Southend neighbors. Live music from Heroes At Last, food from ROOTS food truck, games and arcade play all night long. 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. The Unknown Brewing Co., 1327 S Mint St.

They're Back! - The British duo Floetry is back together and R&B fans are so excited. The Floetry: The Reunion Tour is finally coming to Charlotte. Read Courtney Devores take on tonight's show in Soundbites. 8 p.m., Knight Theater 430 S. Tryon St. Tickets.




Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Raleigh Isn't That Boring

My buddy Mark Washburn made Raleigh folks real rowdy last month with his Observer column Boredom Takes Flight In Raleigh. People were so angry, I even received an email about his piece. The email prompted me to spend a little time hanging out in Raleigh. (Okay, it doesn't take much to get me to hang out somewhere, heck anywhere. I love a good party.)

I visit Raleigh at least once a month to teach motorcycle class, but I typically chill at the Aviator in Fuquay-Varina. This weekend, I was determined to head downtown. It just so happened that Saturday was the World Beer Festival Raleigh. Perfect timing. I love a good beer festival. I've been to several  in Charlotte. My high school friends used to visit from Maryland to attend Charlotte OktoberFest with me.

Raleigh's festival was one of the largest beer festivals that I've attended in recent memory. Held in Moore Square park, it featured more than 100 breweries and vendors. Like most festivals these days, there were two tasting sessions. I did the evening session. The lines at the two entrance gates stretched for nearly a block at opening time. (Tip: Wait an hour after opening time. There will still be plenty of beer and no lines.)




I liked the festival. Moore square was spacious, and lush. It was a great setting for the festival. Most beer festivals that I've attended are held in parking lots or big meeting spaces. There is rarely anywhere comfortable to sit and chill.

World Beer Festival was extremely organized. There was plenty of water and portajohns. I loved the sitting area near the food trucks. It was a covered tent and had chairs and tables. The festival had a Belgium beer garden, my favorite area. There was also a North Carolina brewery beer zone. Cornelius' D9 and Charlotte's Unknown represented for us. Montford Misfits, a Charlotte-based graphic design company targeting the craft industry, was also there.

I was also pleased with a few of the vendors. The Kentucky Bourbon and Pink Vanilla cupcake from Durham's Smallcakes A Cupcakery were delicious. I can't wait for my dogs to try their all natural treats from Whisker Biscuits.

I realize one beer festival does not mean the city isn't boring, but after seeing how Raleigh does their beer festival, I'm anxious to spend more time playing there. I still need to try Poole's Diner. The party continues...

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Irish Pub Coming to Plaza-Midwood

Plaza-Midwood is getting an Irish Pub and I can't wait. Not only are we getting an Irish Pub, but we're getting one by the the trio who basically has Fifth Street on lockdown. Tommy Timmins, Kevin Devin and Maynard Goble all or individually have their hands in Connolly's, Dandelion Market and Prohibition on Fifth Street, and Tyber Creek Pub on South Boulevard.

Their latest venture is The Workman's Friend on Central home. It's slated to open in late April in the former home of No Grease Barbershop and the adjacent salon. The Workman's Friend gets its name from the Flann O'Brien's poem "The Workman's Friend."

According to Wikipedia, the poem references that a pint of "plain," another word for porter, is your only man. Timmons said the building will feature a mural on the side of the building facing Zada Jane's with a quote from the poem. The pub will be one of the most authentic pubs in the trio's portfolio, Timmins said.

The Workman's Friend will offer a modern twist on Irish food and 18 taps ranging from local brews to traditional domestics. The pub will also have a patio in back. Timmons said they decided to move to Plaza-Midwood, Devin's 'hood, after finding success in the uptown area.

"Its kind of our next step in our evolution," Timmins said. "We’re neighborhood bar guys. It’s the perfect spot for us branch out."

The Workman's Friend will be the newest offering in Plaza-Midwood, which is also getting a Pure Pizza in Lulu's old spot at 1911 Central Avenue. Legion Brewing is slated to open in the old Brodt Music Company at 1906 Commonwealth Ave.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Mardi Gras, Bartender's Ball and Valentine's Day collide

Mardi Gras parties, Valentine's Day and President's Day all on the same weekend. It's crazy. There is so much to do this weekend. Before you jump into this weekend's events, below is a recap from last weekend's sold out Lake Norman Brew Ha Ha tour. The next Brew Ha Ha tours are:  Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 and March 7.

Wednesday

PopUp Uptown - One of the biggest complaints about uptown is the lack of shopping. Retailers are coming together for Shop Uptown: A Pop Up Shopping Event. The three-day pop-up shopping event featuring jewelry, chocolate, gift baskets and more. Shops include: The Mint Museum, Stella & Dot, ABBEYDALE, Potts Chocolate and Mallory's Candles. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., today - Friday, lobby of 101 Independence Center, Trade and Tryon.

Professional Soccer - Support Charlotte's professional soccer team, Charlotte Independence, at Charlotte Logo Reveal party. 6 p.m. Rooftop 210.

Thursday

St. Patrick’s Day - Well, not yet, but get ready at Rich & Bennett’s 15th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl pre-pay event. Get your tickets early. This is one of the biggest bar crawls. 6 - 8 p.m. Belfast Mill Irish Pub, 144 Brevard Court

Poetry Slam - Celebrate youth poetry and Black History Month the final regular slam  of the season at breatheINK February Youth Poetry Slam and Haiku Slam. Yep, you read it right. A haiku slam! Don’t miss it. 8 p.m. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St.

Friday 

Mardi Gras Events Tonight

Happy Anniversary - It's a party for Prohibition's 4YR Anniversary. 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. Prohibition Bar, 200 North Tryon St.

Tasty Drinks - After you finish celebrating Mardi Gras at the EpiCentre's giant party, sample five different martinis at Martini Mayhem. 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Bubble, EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. $30. Paid onsite parking along with nearby parking decks and surface lots.

Saturday

Jazz Saxophonist - Have a romantic evening with jazz saxophonist Kim Waters. 8 p.m. Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave. $39.50, $44.50

R.A.I.N. Fundraiser - Enjoy bands and a DJ at the 23rd Annual Johnson Valentine's Bash. This is an annual benefit for the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network.  9:30 p.m. Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.

Undie Fundaiser - Cupid's Undie Run is a 1 mile-ish run in your underwear. This fundraiser has raised more than $2.8 million nationally for the The Children’s Tumor Foundation. You must register in advance for entry.



                         

Sunday

Drink up - You'll need plenty of water if you plan to survive the 14th Annual Bartender's Ball. The event features more than 25 bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in addition to performers, entertainment, top shelf liquor, beer and food. 7 p.m. - Midnight, Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Rd. $60 and up. Free transportation uptown will be provided.

Holla': sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Comedy with ranch dressing?

Oh man, I was so excited about the Farm Hands event that I read about in Kathleen Purvis' I'll Bite. It's a food and beer fundraiser for regional farmers to fund their projects tonight at Triple C Brewery. Alas, it seems to be sold out and the website crashed while I was working on my post. However, there are still plenty of things to do today. Don't forget the Hornets play the Pacers tonight. See you in the streets...

Black Cinema Series - "Sanders of the River" was Paul Robeson's first film in Britain, where he spent 12 years headline British films. 2 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St. $9 for non-members.

Comedy Show - Hear three ladies of comedy at the "I'm So Excited" Comedy Tour. It features Lauren Bencaz, Lisa Berry and Laura Sanders. Apparently, ranch dressing is part of their schtick. Find out for yourself. 10 p.m. Upstage, 3306-C N. Davidson St.



















Don't Forget
Candid Discussion - The Levine Museum of the New South continues to explore the intersection of race and culture at Freedom Forum: Unfinished Business. Panelists will discuss the challenges post- Brown v. Board of Education. Panelists will include historians, educators and advocates. 2:30 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St.



Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

First Night gets a new name and location

The holiday parties are winding to an end (no more ugly sweater parties!) which means it's time to get ready for New Year's Eve celebrations. First Night is now CLT New Year's Eve and it will be held on MLK at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Starts at 7 p.m. and concludes with the annual raising of the crown and pyrotechnics. There will be food trucks, ice skating at WBT's Holiday On Ice, WBT personalities, carriage rides, face painting and more. More details.

If you're looking for holiday performances, such as this weekend's "Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical" and "A Soulful Noel" please read Lawrence Toppman's comprehensive list. Family holiday events on the Observer's mommy blog.

Please note, I'm compiling my New Year's Eve party list. If you have a NYE party send me details: sipandplayclt@gmail.com.

Now, let's jump into these holiday parties...

Today

Hops and Shops 2 is a chance to shop with beer, always a good thing. The Boulevard at South End, Small Keys, Jewels by Julia, Pink Social, Bearded Buddha and Beau Outfitters on East Blvd will be participating. Papi Queso food truck will be onsite for your grub needs. 5-8 p.m.,  Triple C Brewing Co., 2900 Griffith. The brewery will unveil a batch of 3C Imperial IPA with honey.

Just added Get sweaty at the NoDa Brewery Ugly Sweater Run. Come early and buy a beer ticket. They are expecting a big crowd. Tickets will not be available after the run. Each ticket will cost $4 and worth a 12 oz pour of either CAVU, Jam Session or Ramble on Red. There will be prizes and more. 6 p.m. NoDa Brewing Company, 2229 North Davidson St. Food truck: Papa Librettos Street Pizza. #TJturnup

Thursday

Just added Join the original Cufflinks and Cocktails Jingle Mingle holiday party. 6 p.m.  The Ritz-Carlton (lobby/lounge), 201 East Trade Street. Paid parking available.

Friday

 Updated XOXO presents A VERY TAMPONE CHRISTMAS with your favorite swinging socialites throwing a Christmas Party! Games, songs and the Mystery of Christmas will be yours to enjoy this event. It features a rotating roster of special musical guests and gourmet treats at each performance. 8 p.m. Dec. 19-21. The Frock Shop, 901 Central Ave. $25,18+, Limited Seating. Reservations Required: xoxoperformance@gmail.com Bring a white elephant gift to exchange with someone. #TJTurnup

Just added Get spooked at the Ghosts of Christmas Tour of the 4th Ward. Dress warmly for a candlelit cemetery tour of the 4th Ward hosted by Good Eats and Meets and the Get Dead Crew. 7 p.m. RiRa, 208 N. Tryon St. $15/$25. 

Saturday

Just added A Few Good Men host the 6th Annual Christmas Jumpoff party. Enjoy drink specials and food until 1:30 a.m. Music by the Mighty DJ D.R. 9 p.m. Fountain Blue Lounge, 7200 Albermarle Road (East Albermarle Shopping Center near Albermarle and Laywers roads)

















Just added Break out your ugliest sweater and you could win $100 gift card at Nan and Byron's Ugly Holiday Sweater Party. Enjoy beer and vodka specials and a late night menu. Music by DJ Bwillackers. 10 p.m. Nan and Byron's, 1714 South Blvd. Parking onsite.

Got a holiday party? sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Holiday parties, German parties, bar crawls and more tonight

Whoa! Holiday parties, a fetish party, a German party all in one fun-filled night. Did I mention concerts too. It's going to be a long night. See you in the streets...

It's back! - Helen Schwab reports The Weihnachtsmarkt, the winter marketplace held in OMB Biergarten, returns today after bad weather last weekend.   2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road.










Do You Wanna Build A Snowman? - Purgatory 61: Frozen Winter Fetish brings the latest edition of Charlotte's longest running erotica party. The latest Single Cell Productions Purgatory features DJ Triskyl and Shrapnel; live performance art by: JesAbella Marie, Miss Mena, Fever Dream Entertainment, and Marilyn Chen and the Purgatory Fetish Artists: Djinn the NytChylde, Sarah Birdsong, The Vivica Hallow, Lillith Filth, Danny Phoenix and Shepherd Shivalia. 8 p.m. Amos' Southend, 1423 South Tryon St. $40.

Fa La La Labulous Night!  - Local gay advocates and allies host the Twirl To the World Holiday Party benefiting Campus Pride and SmartStart. 9 p.m. The Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $10 with unwrapped tour.

Don't forget

Wake Up!!! - Get out early with the two-day CLT Coffee Crawl presented by Good Eats and Meets and local coffee roasters. Saturday and Sunday. Each stop will offer coffee samples, demonstrations and tours throughout both days. $10. 9 - 5 p.m. each day. Starts at Boquette Coffee Mountain Roasters, 2113 N. Davidson St. Details.

Soul Music - She's back. Goapele is like the Doug E. Fresh of soul music. She visits Charlotte often, and gives a good show. The Sol Kitchen presents A Night Of Soul with Goapele. Russell Taylor will open. 8 p.m., The Chop Shop NoDa, 399 E. 35th St. $25 and up.






David Benoit's Charlie Brown Christmas brings the spirit of the holidays to Charlotte. The show is the final in the Carolina Jazz Concert Series, which is an honor Benoit held in 2011. 8 p.m. Halton Theater, Central Piedmont Community College. $45 and up.





The Grays' Holiday Party is one of the biggest holiday parties for Charlotte's black bourgeoises. What started as an intimate party in the Grays' homes moved successfully to the Gantt Center and added WBAV 101.9 as the sponsor. 8 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 South Tryon St. $50 includes apps and specialty cocktails. Limited street parking typically on Tryon street. Paid parking available at the Duke Energy Center (Stonewall between Church and Tryon) and The Green (Tryon and Levine Avenue of the Arts). TJ's #turntup

NoDa Krampus Krawl takes St. Nick & his Krampus into the streets of NoDA with stops at Heist, the Johnston YMCA, Jack Beagles (f/ Krampus Rampus), and storytelling at Pura Vida Wordly Art. Don't miss face-painting at Growler's Pourhouse and art displays at Baku Art Gallery. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Heist. Full schedule here. I know what, I'm wearing for my fledgling Krampus outfit. TJ's #turntup

15th Annual Santa Bar Crawl means a whole bunch of bad Santas will take over uptown for this yearly tradition. This crawl winds along Fifth Street and the EpiCentre. Get the full schedule here. Starts at 2 p.m. Please line up a designated driver or a safe ride home.








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. Details about both shows. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E Independence Blvd. $21-$35.

Black Dress Black Tie is a Toys for Tots toy drive party. 9 p.m. Camden Grandview, 309 E. Morehead St. $10 and up w/ toy. 

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com