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

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.

Craft Beer Week starts and Shiprocked gets funky

St. Patrick's Day gave us a fun kick-off to the party week, and the party continues. Craft Beer Week starts and there's so many other things to do this weekend. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets.


Tonight

Latin Fire - Ultra Entertainment y Concierto Latinos presents hit artist Fuego aka The Fireboy. 10 p.m. Suite, 210 E Trade St. $15 and up.




Weekly Gathering - NoDa Food. Art. Music. Rally features local food trucks, bands, vendors and artists. Food trucks: Taco Green-Go, Maryland Crab, Yummi Banh Mi, Plated Pallate, Roaming Fork, Two Chix and a Truck, K.O. Food Truck, All Star Café and Sweet Cakes Bakery. The rally is dog friendly and will feature a weekly dog costume competition and photo booth. There will be a weekly art competition. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Parking lot and patio area of The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. in Charlotte.


Funk ’n’ Soul - Enjoy R&B, soul, funk and disco from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s at Shiprocked. 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. Street and lot parking available.





Friday

Beer Week - Charlotte Craft Beer Week starts tonight. There's an Allagash Brewery Special Keg Tapping at Mac's Speedhop Southend, 2511 South Blvd, at 6 p.m. Then enjoy stoner rock music paired with Stone Brewery beer at The Cork and Cask, 9624 Bailey Rd Suite F, at 7 p.m. The finale event is All Ale the Queen on March 28 at Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St.

Auto-tone Jazz - Enjoy the free flowing jazz tunes paired with auto-tone at An Evening with The Robert Glasper Trio. Reggie Sullivan opens. 8 p.m. McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 North College St.

Tournament Bites - BLT Steak will offer five $5 game-day bar bites including steak sliders with aged cheddar and caramelized onion jam, miniature crab cakes with meyer lemon aioli, a kobe hot dog with Japanese mustard on a poppy seed bun, sweet potato fries with rosemary and blue cheese, and fried stuffed jalapenos with cream cheese stuffing. The deal starts today and ends Sunday and is available during tournament play.












Saturday

Family Fun - The Rosedale Oyster Roast returns for a day of family fun. The oysters are roasted outside. There will be beer for the adults and activities for kids.  2- 5p.m., Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 North Tryon St.  Find tickets or call 704-735-0325. $5.

Celebrate African-American Culture - 3rd Annual Charlotte African American Festival celebrates black heritage and culture. Includes musical acts ranging from gospel to hip-hop. There will also be art, literature and educational exhibits. Can’t forget the food, drummers and dancers to round out a full day of fun. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Grady Cole Center, 310 N. Kings St.

Sunday

Film Festival - The Banff Mountain Film Festival visits 400 communities and 40 countries throughout the world. The tour features a collection of action, environmental, and adventure films from the festival. 7 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 130 N. Tryon St. $12. Parking onsite, street parking and paid parking lots available.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com