Two great DJs and a music festival starts tonight

The food coma has worn off, and it's back to work for some people. Whether you spent the day shopping or taking REI's advice and exploring nature, you deserve a play tonight. Don't forget the Hornets play the LeBron James and the Cavaliers tonight! After the game, see you in the streets!


Tonight
Music Festival - See 20 bands and support local vendors at Hippie Fest: An Experimentation In Rock Music.  The two-day event features local indie, experimental, folk, garage and punk rock. Bands include Wormholes, Cuzco, Middleasia. $10, $15. 6 p.m. tonight and 5 pm. Saturday. 5028 South Boulevard - Charlotte, NC (tan building next to Pep Boys) Details.

Guest DJ - The DJ formerly known as Mick Boogie who know is only uses one name - Mick. He's an international DJ who's played for everyone from FLOTUS to Diddy. Opening set by DJ 360. 10 p.m., Suite 210, EpiCentre, East Trade St. Tickets.




Chicago House - If you like soulful Chicago style house then you won’t want to miss international DJ and producer Julius Mad Thinker. He headlines tonight’s edition of Bassment. 10 p.m. Label Ivory lounge, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.Suite B6 $5, $10. Details.



Latin Dancing - Burn off the sweet potato pie and corn pudding at Noche de Sabor! Thanksgiving Edition! Special workshop by Steven Messina at 9 p.m. $10 for the workshop, $10 for the social. Infinity Ballroom Charlotte, 4038 Old Pineville Road.  Details.

November Madness - Rapper Future is know for his big collaboration “What A Time To Be Alive” with Drake earlier this year. He’s also know for his hits “March Madness,” “F—— Up Some Commas” and “Trap Ni—.” 8 p.m. Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $40 and up. Details.

         

80s Dance Party - Take it back in the day at Geektopia IV: Retrorama Totally Tubular 80s Party featuring music by The Graveyard Boulevard. This is dubbed Charlotte's original geeky, nerdy theme party. Appearances by The South Carolina Ghostbusters fan group, The Ecto-1 movie car, The "Back to the Future" Delorean time machine and the KITT car from "Knight Rider.”       

 Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Film festival, paint event and cool hip-hop show

This weekend is what I call the calm after the storm. After all of the Halloween partying, this is the weekend to slow down and chill at a few low key events. See you in the streets.

Wednesday

Canvas & Beats - You’ve seen all of the different painting events. Paint Craze blends live art and music. Each week the paint-your-own-party features a different live band. 7 p.m. - 10  p.m. Dirty Hippie, 5028 South Boulevard in the tan building next to Pep Boys. $10 cover includes canvas and paint.

Jazzy Happy Hour - Trombonist Buff Dillard headlines the weekly after-work mixer. 7 p.m. 10 p.m., Sydney’s Martini Bar, 401 N. Tryon St. Free.

Thursday
Independent Play - An unexpected pregnancy ends a fighter pilot’s flying career, but piloting drones provides new opportunities and pitfalls in Grounded, a one-woman play. Tonight through Saturday, and Nov. 12-14. 7:30 p.m., Studio 1212, 1212 E. 10th St. $20. Tickets.

Dinner With The Ghost And The Devil

Friday
Buy Art - The Light Factory hosts its auction this month, but you can get a sneak peek at the Auction Preview Party. Light hors d’oeuvres and a casual discussion about featured auction artwork. 6:30 p.m., The Light Factory, 1817 Central Ave.

Film Festival - The 100 Words Film Festival expands to an entire weekend of film premieres, parties, and a panel discussion. The festival features 35 films from award-winning professionals and student filmmakers will make their world premieres. $10 per show, $24 for all three events.  Screenings are Nov. 6 and 7 at 8:00 p.m. at the McGlohon Theater, 345 N College St.  After-parties immediately following at the 7th Street Market (tonight) and Rooftop 210 (Saturday).  Details.




Alt Hip-Hop - Fresh off their fifth studio album, The Foreign Exhchange: Phonte + Nicolay continue to challenge hip-hop and R&B with their blend of electronica, jazz and hip-hop. 8 p.m. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $25. www.amossouthend.com




Saturday
Fashion Show Benefit - Fashion Street is an outdoor fashion show features 22 local models, seven boutiques and celebrity models. Guest are encouraged to bring canned good to benefit the Harvest Center. The event is free. Boutique owner LeMond Hart is hosting this event. 6 p.m. at East 15th Street between Caldwell Street and Davidson Street.

Hit The Streets - Sustain Charlotte is promoting healthy lifestyle with the Walk Your Neighborhood kick off event in Plaza-Midwood. Participants are encouraged to walk from their residence to the Pizza Peel on Central Avenue. There will be a table for residents to check-in, log their miles, and receive a wristband, which qualifies for discounts at area restaurants and shops. 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., The Pizza Peel & Tap Room, 1600 Central Ave. Details. #WalkCLT

Music Festival - The North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue and Birdsong Brewing Co. are teaming up for music festival. Bands: Tina Crapsi, Dane Page and Jennifer Millis. Admission gets you a pint glass, beer, flight of beers, Koozie an more. 5 p.m. Birdsong Brewing, 1016 N. Davidson St. $25. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Weekend Rewind: Graffiti artists tagged Knight Theater! (Photos)

Local graffiti artists tagged columns in the lobby of Knight Theater as part of the Breakin' Convention event this weekend. The Breakin’ Convention is in an international festival of hip-hp dance theatre Friday and Saturday. Don’t miss the Street Jam, a free family festival at Spirit Square from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The Obey Your Verse Stage returns at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Last chance: Greek and Indian festivals end today

Grab the kids. Today is family day with festivals and family events uptown.  My hip-hop fans can head over to NoDa this evening. See you in the streets! Let's get this party started.

Detroit Rappers - Detroit’s Slum Village were an underground sensation in the ‘90s, and featured producer J Dilla. They’ve worked with Bilal, John Legend, Kanye West and others. The current group features original member T3 and producer Young RJ. 8 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St.
$15.




 
Don't Forget

Cultural Festival - Enjoy cultural presentations, food and dance at the 21st Festival of India. 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. today and Sunday, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 

 
Gyros and Baklava - Don’t bother eating. Bring cash and appetite to the Yiasou Greek Festival. Starts 3 p.m. today. Ends Sunday. Holy Trinity Cathedral, 600 East Boulevard. Check website for festival times, dates and performance schedule. $3.


Family Day - This Land Is Our Land is the theme of this month’s family day at the Mint. Enjoy family-friendly art projects, gallery visits, artist demos, and Let’s Move! yoga sessions once a month. View America the Beautiful: Works on Paper. Hands on projects include: sketch and paint an abstract autumn picture, craft a paper animal, construct a bird feeder, learn about raptors, and meet Zlaty, a golden eagle, with the Carolina Raptor Center !  1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. Free for kids. $6 for adults.

Holla Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

What is aresol art? Straight Outta New York!!!!

This weekend was made for hip-hop heads - graffiti art show, spoken word and a world famous DJ! See you in the streets. Let's get this party started....

Graffiti By Another Name - Celebrate local art, music and food, at Outside Voices - An Aerosol Art Show. The event will benefits: - The Behailu Academy, Friendship Trays and ToolBank of Charlotte. Local graffiti artists will be creating a mural at C3Lab that celebrates Historic South End and the Charlotte community. Other local artists will be featured in the Gallery Space. Features music, food and beer. 6 p.m. C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution St. Free. Details.

Poetry Slam - Here professional slam poets at the August Poetry Slam featuring Raleigh-based Dasan Ahan. He is a public speaker, organizer, workshop facilitator, poet, spoken word performer, songwriter, writer and more. 8 p.m. Booth Playhouse, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N Tryon St. $12. Details.




Old School Hip-Hop - If “Straight Outta Compton” has you yearning to hear old school hip-hop, then check out the I Love NY Party with DJ Red Alert. New York hip-hop was more fun than West Coast rap, so this is just the kind of party music you need to start your weekend. 9 p.m., Vibrations Club, 5237 Albemarle Road. $20. Details.

NoDa Dance Party - NoDa isn’t known for its dance clubs, but every third Friday the DanceBox Sessions: DJ Series at The Evening Muse presents classic and top 40 dance music. Avoid the uptown crowd and groove in the more laid back NoDa neighborhood. 10 p.m. Evening Music, 3227 N Davidson St $5.

Booze Cruise - Rock House takes the fun to Lake Norman for the Rockin' The Lake Booze Cruise. Drink specials, DJ and fun. $35. 6:45 p.m. Prohibition (Checkin), 200 N. Tryon St. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Vietnamese New Year's, Wale and Bartender's Ball

Get up and out early today for a chance to experience Vietnamese culture, and then rest up for a full night. The Bartender's Ball is one of the wildest events. Monday is a holiday for most people so you know what that means. See you in the streets…

Family Fun - Bring the entire family out to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. Tet Festival 2015 features  Vietnamese cuisine and cultural performances, such as the Lion Dance. Head out to celebrate the Year of the Goat. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Grady Cole Center, 310 N Kings Dr. $3. Parking onsite. 

About Something - Hip-hop star Wale brings his witty lyrics and unmistakable flow to Charlotte. His new is "The Album About Nothing." I had to share this list of his top 25 songs. 8 p.m. Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory. $33.58.

Don't Forget

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 St.

Earl's Grocery brings some funk to Elizabeth and today's haps

Earl's Grocery has discovered a little secret. Older adults and young adults can mix in the same spot if the vibe is right. Last night, the vibe was right. DJ That Guy Smitty spun a funky playlist of old school R&B, funk and soul. Here's the key - the music was loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to overpower the conversations. Clusters of people huddled at tables munching on cheese trays, sandwiches and other goodies. The pop-up crew Haunt mixed up a variety of drinks from Old Fashions to Hot Toddies. 

The fun starts early today. I'm headed to the Queen City's Brewer's Festival this afternoon. It's pretty much sold out, but there are some other things to do jumping off now and tonight.  See you in the streets.

For The Family - Stoke your kid's imagination, or indulge yourself at Charlotte Minicon. At least a dozen creators and a variety of vendors will be on hand for Charlotte's longest-running comic convention. Ends at 5 p.m., Grady Cole Center, 310 N. Kings Dr. Parking onsite.

Hear Brazilian, Afrobeat, Latin, South African houseand more at Su Casa, It’s a night for samba, salsa, and whatever else they cook up. DJs Su CASA resident Justice Asaru-Re Uzn + Jay Cooper (aka DJ Vonfunkhauser) and DJ Steel Wheel! 10 p.m. Petra’s Piano and Cabaret Bar. $5 before 11 p.m., $10 after.

Courtney Recommends - It’s never too early to get in the spirit of Mardis Gras. Join Carolina Gator Gumbo and Zydeco Ya Ya. More details on Courtney’s Soundbites. 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $8. Bring cash for parking. Limited street parking available. This is an all ages show.




DON'T FORGET

Hip-hop Heads - Don't miss Shawty Lo: The Official Mixtape Release Party. Chest-thumping bass and the typical hip-hop bravado are hallmarks of Shawty Lo's songs.  If you are looking to wyle-out like they do in the hip-hop videos this is the party for you. 10 p.m. Republic, 314 N. College St. Free b4 11:30 with RSVP. $20 after.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Black Violin stretches and strengthens hip-hop (Video)

I underestimated the power of the Black Violin performance at Spirit Square's McGlohon Theater. Wil Baptiste and Kevin "Kev Marcus" Sylvester reminded the capacity crowd that true hip-hop is creative, genre-bending and most of all - fresh. In a time of samples and sing-along hooks, Black Violin, much like the Roots, brought live instruments and artistry to a genre is so commercialized and formulaic, that it I'm pretty sure I could create a hit.

Black Violin didn't just play classical versions of hip-hop songs, like many smooth jazz artists often do. The duo incorporated hip-hop accoutrements, such as a DJ scratching and rapping, to original compositions. Marcus often played his violin like a guitar and rapped. Baptiste played the keyboard and sang.

They encouraged the audience to take pictures and shoot video. Throughout the show they repeated their social media handles as well as hashtags. The two were smart and engaging.

"Some of you thought you were coming to a violin concert," Marcus said. "This is a party."

See for yourself.

Half-naked sexy men and hip-hop's finest tonight

Discovery Place's Fire and Ice did not disappoint last night. Beer and fire - what more do you need? Watch the video. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the hearty crowd at Food Truck Friday. The bonfire made it even better. I'm officially addicted to The Tin Kitchen food truck. I finished the evening at Epic Chophouse for restaurant week. Read my take on FB. Enough about last night. Here's what's poppin' tonight. See you in the streets...


For The Ladies - Big pecs, hard biceps and firm bodies await the ladies tonight at The Chippendales: Get Lucky 2015 Tour. 9 p.m. Fillmore, $30 and up. TJ's Turnup!

Breducation - Lenny Boy Brewing's Cabrew Common release party features homebrew samplings and Elma C. Lomax Farm Incubator Farm Awareness. 1- 5 p.m. Lenny Boy, 2224 Hawkins St.  

For The Family - The venerable Tosco Music Party celebrates 25 years of showcasing local artists for a night of fun. More than a dozen artists will perform tonight. 7:30 p.m. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $17 and up. Parking tip: $5. Pay as you enter at the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus Garage.

Don't Forget

Get Fit - Fitness competitions, showcases, motivational speakers and vendors showcase healthy lifestyle opportunities at the Greater Charlotte Health & Fitness Expo. 10 - 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Park Expo & Conference Center, 2500 E. Independence Blvd. TJ's Turnup!

 

Classic Hip-Hop - Enjoy classic hip-hop when Pop Life & Su Casa collaborate to present The Classics featuring Maseo of De La Soul. 10 p.m. The Chop Shop Noda, 399 East 35th St. $15 and up.  TJ's Turnup!

Holla': sipandplayclt@gmail.com