Review: Orgone brings the funk to NoDa (Video)

I can’t decide which drew my attention more Tuesday night at the Orgone show, the wild-haired guitarist or the tight horn section. The Los Angeles based eight-piece band put on a fun show last night the Neighborhood Theatre. Lead vocalist Adryon de Leon kept the party going with her enthusiastic dancing and magnetic personality. She sounded good, but the real star was the rhythm section. The combination of brass and drums set a funky tone all night long. The crowd was a mix of young and old, but I was dissappointed so few Black people turned out for the show. Orgone is definitely worth seeing next time the band performs here, and be sure to bring your dancing shoes. 

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Charlotte disappoints, but the Suffers don't (Video)

The Suffers put on an energetic, soulful show on Sunday. Unfortunately, less than 50 people actually saw the Houston-based band's show at the Neighborhood Theatre. Too bad. I'm pretty sure the next time the band performs here - if they return after such a dismal turnout - the tickets won't be dirt cheap and the room won't be empty. See what you missed, and why The Suffers recently performed on the "David Letterman Show."



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K. Michelle, international dance party, celebrate all things Wu

The weekend starts now! Don't miss this weekend's holiday parties. See you in the streets...

Tonight

Tropical Island In NoDa - Put away your ugly holiday sweater and grab your Hawaiian shirt for A Taste of Haiti. This is the first event that raises money for charitable work in Haiti. Tickets includes a signature drink, a signature hookah and Haitian food. Bring a toy or a cash donation and receive a free raffle ticket to participate in our grand prize giveaway. 7 p.m., Red @ 28th in University, 9539 Pinnacle Dr. Ste. 203.

Friday

International Party - Enjoy partying with people from more than 100 nationalities including Russian, Greek and Baltic communities at Global Fever. DJ Europrogressive & DJ Dim will create a European experience in nightlife; spinning Euro House, Russian, Ukrainian, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Greek, Albanian, and much more! 10 p.m. The Vault, 210 E. Trade St. The EpiCentre. Parking available. $10. 

Saturday

Music Benefit - Queen City Showcase benefits MusicCares, which provides a wide range of resources for people in the music community. Performers include Mark Lassiter, Forgive Me Not, the Feral and others. 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $10. Paid parking onsite and street parking. Bring cash for parking.

Enter The Wu - Enjoy all things Wu at the Off the Wall Wu Tang Forever Edition. You'll hear  Wu Tang Clan albums, solo member albums, collaobs, Clan affiliates and more! Grooves by DJ Justice & Aking. They'll also be spinning classic Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, rare grooves, reggae and Pop. 10 p.m. Crown Station Coffee House & Pub, 1425 Elizabeth Ave.

Sunday

Who Let The Dawgs Out? - Georgia Bulldogs fans help set a tailgate record at Draught for the Georgia Bulldogs Tailgate. Noon. Draught, 601 Cedar St.

After The Game, It's The AfterParty - Wear your Panther gear and head over to Label. DJ Cuttz and DJ LP spinning the hottest tunes for the Panthers v. Brown AfterParty. 10 p.m. Label, NC Music Factory, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.











Stringer Bell Broke Her Heart! - "Love And Hip-Hop's" K. Michelle is getting mad press after opening up about her relationship with heartthrob Idris Elba. Apparently, their eight-month relationship inspired her new album "Anybody Wanna Buy A Heart?" Sounds like it didn't end well. 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre,  511 E. 36th St. $50 and up.





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Fun for the family, from music to a Latin celebration

Quick note, in Wednesday's Sip + Play, I mentioned that Lumiere was launching a Sunday brunch today, but they're not. Don't fret, I do have a food event for you today and more things to do. See you in the streets...


Beer Bake-Off - 10 brew-chefs have been invited to bake their best munchies using Terrapin Beer Co.'s Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout. Proceeds from the Wake-n-Bake Off will go to Changed Choices, a nonprofit organization that works with women who are incarcerated or transitioning home from prison. Noon - 4 p.m. $25. Salud Beer Shop, 3306 N. Davidson St. TJ's #turnup


Music Students Shine - They've worked hard all year now see students from the Ballantyne School of Music show their stuff at the Winter Jam 2014. 4 - 7:30 p.m. Amos' Southend, 1423 South Tryon St. $10.










Last Call - Holiday Homes Tour is a self-guided walking tour of Fourth Ward homes decorated for the holidays.  Complimentary horse and carriage rides throughout the neighborhood, wine, food and beer samplings and holiday surprises at the 7th Street Public Market.  Various times this weekend. 

Latin Christmas -  I missed this celebration for my holiday roundup, but here it is now. Parranda Navideña an authentic, Latin American Christmas celebration. Enjoy an evening of live music, dance and Venezuelan Christmas foods. 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $25 and up. TJ's #turnup








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Big day today: Queen City Brewers Festival tickets onsale, Art Social and family fun

The holiday season started with hip-thrusting-rolling-on-a-river fun last night. The 2nd Chance Santa started a little slow, but it built steam quickly last night. Look for my full review from that later. Until then, here's a list of things to do today. And don't forget the Queen City Brewers Festival tickets went onsale this morning. The event is Jan. 31 at Bojangles. 

Get out early - Rockin' Kids First presents Southern Experience Band, Sacramento, The Roadshow Band, Faith and Scars, Grey Revell's Roman Candles, A Course of Action, Halden Vang, Grown Up Avenger Stuff, The Joe Davis band, and Kelen Heller. 3:30 p.m., Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $10 ($5 discount w/ unwrapped toy).

Family fun - The ACC Football Championship is tonight so there's lots of free fun. Enjoy free concerts, autograph sessions and watch ACC mascots square off during the ACC  Football Championship Fan Fest. Noon - 7 p.m., adjacent to Bank of America Stadium along Mint, Graham and Stonewall streets. Florida State vs. Georgia Tech starts at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets.

Party With Local Grassroots Artists - Cultural Initiative: An Art Social Fresh showcases 25 local and regional grassroots artists.  Their works will be on display and for sale, but this is more than an art show. The music will be ridiculous featuring: Miami Dice and Elonzo, and Charlotte's Justin Aswell along with vocals by Charleston's Jordan Igoe. 8:30 p.m. Neighborhood Theater. Limited free street parking. Bring cash for parking. Tonya's Pick

Variety Show - Amusements; A Night of Music, Magic and Laughs features local comedians, musicians and yes magicians. Many are regulars at the Evening Muse. 10 p.m. Evening Muse, 3227 North Davidson St. Read the full lineup. Limited free street parking. Bring cash for parking.

6th Annual Red Pump/Red Tie Affair - This is the signature event for the Red Pump Project which highlights HIV and AIDS impact on women and girls. The event will feature a fashion show, a silent auction and local boutiques. R.A.I.N. President and CEO Rev. Debbie Warren is this year's honoree.  7 - 10 p.m.,  Hart Witzen Gallery, 136 E 36th St. Tickets: $40. Driving Alert: Access via South Tryon Street instead of North Davidson Street because of road construction.

Jingle Bell Bash - This party benefits Safe Alliance, formerly known as United Family Services, which helps women impacted by domestic violence. Enjoy live entertainment by U-neek Flav'ur. Ticket gets you apps and libations. There's also a silent auction. 7:30 – 11 p.m., The Atrium Uptown, 301 S Tryon St. $75.

Using the 3 sip rule at a sold out Sourfest

Take three sips. The first one shocks your mouth, the second one gets your mouth used to the beer and the third is how the beer should taste. At Sourfest Release the Funk 2: Electric Funkaloo, I sipped and I sipped and I sipped. Turns out, I'm not a sour beer person, but I met some great people and ran into old friends yesterday. I'd go back just for that. Out of my several sips, I liked Natty Greene's Brett Lime Shandy the best. It took more than three sips to get used to it. 

The sold out two-year-old beer festival drew nearly 350 people to the Neighborhood Theatre on Saturday. It included sour beers from more than two dozen breweries. Asheville's Wicked Weed was by far the most poplar brewery. It consistently had a line. Their Divergence Sour Porter seemed to be the unofficial favorite.