Drinks, poetry and salsa tonight

The weekend is starting slowly, but you can have some family fun at the Monster Jam at Time Warner Cable Arena.  It's a good time to try your usual neighborhood spots or regular events such as Jazz at the Bechtler featuring Ziad.

Poetry Slam - Support our young people at the BreatheInk Youth Poetry Slam. Knight Gallery At Spirit Square, 345 N College St.

Dancing Shoes - Have you been taking salsa lessons? Sharpen your skills at the 8th Annual Charlotte Salsa Invitational sponsored by the RW Latin Dance Company. The event
features a bootcamp, exhibitions and more during the three-day event. 7 p.m. Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel, 3315 Scott Futrell Drive

Friday
Winter Cocktails - Sample drinks crafted to fit the final arrival of winter at The Winter Cocktail Spectacular. Guests will sample five hand-crafted cocktails. 8:30 p.m. Bubble Charlotte, 210 E. Trade St.

Founder’s Day Party - Help the brothers of Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity celebrate it’s 105-year anniversary at the It's Black & It's Tight: Founders' Day Celebration. Music by the Blend King DJ Shaun Nyce. 10 p.m.,  Oak Room, 200 E Bland St. Details.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Craft cocktails and tattoos, two of my faves today

Pick your poison this weekend: a needle or a shot? Well technically, I guess it won't be shots since they are craft cocktails, but there could be craft shots. Ooh that would be fun. It'll be fun regardless. BTW: did you see Tom Sorenson's piece on tonight's Roy Jones Jr. fight? Details on the fight below.

 Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Tatted Up - Get tatted and see cool tats at the Inkfest Live, a tattoo expo. Tattoo artists from throughout the world will be tattooing on site. There will be graffitti demonstrations, body piercing, a burlesque show, live music and more. Today through Sunday, Cabarrus Arena, 4551 Old Airport Road. $20/$30.

Craft Crawl - The EpiCentre will host the second Craft Cocktail Crawl. Attendees will sample creative libations from Blackfinn Ameripub - Charlotte, Vida Cantina - Charlotte,StrikeCity, Bubble Charlotte, Suite, Whisky River CLT, Rooftop 210. Attendees will also receive a commemorative T-Shirt, a cup, two drink tickets, special drink prices, no line, no cover at all participating bars. $15.

CLTFun.com and Good Eats & Meets have partnered up to bring the next Progressive Dinner Crawl Series in teh Metropolitan. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal and Grey Goose martini and cocktail specials at each participating restaurant. $35 per person.

Don't ForgetLive Salsa Band - The salsa band Grupo Niche brings its Latin flavor to the N. C. Music Factory. Grupo Niche, 7 p.m., Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard.

Boxing Event - Fight fans are hotly anticipating the Pacquiao v. Mayweather fight in Las Vegas in May, but until then get your fight fix here. See world champion boxer Roy Jones Jr. v. Willie Williams of Baltimore. 7 p.m., Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 North Carolina 49. $50 and up.

European jazz, American boxing and Charlotte graffiti

This weekend's events sound fantastic. There is such a wide variety of things to do from jazz to a blind (literally) food experience to a graffiti art show. Can't wait. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets.

Wednesday

European Jazz - Der Wawawa is considered one of Europe’s hottest jazz groups. New Frequencies: An Evening of Jazz with Der Wawawa featuring special guest, the Charlotte-based Ghost Trees showcases the saxophone trio performing at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation as part of its 2015 U.S. tour. 8 p.m. McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 721 N Tryon St. $10. #TJTurnup

Taste Test - This is a real blind taste. The menu is secret until the end of the meal. Guests are blind folded during the meal.  Good Eats & Meets Is Super presents Dining in the Dark-A Journey of Taste, Sound and Touch…A True Feast for the Senses-Asian Style. The event raises awareness of the challenges faced by the visually-impaired.  7 p.m., Eight Sushi, 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard. $60 per person, $110 per couple excluding fees.

Thursday

Graffiti Is Art - This invitational exhibition features graffiti by local artist. CLT ART BOMB! : An Invitational Charlotte Street Art Exhibition features works by: Arko, Dr.Caligari, FrogBoy, Miss Lotus, Obsoe, Owl, Pepper Fox, Rebus, Smokey Contraband, Skot Marsi, Snub and others using spray paint, markers, wheat paste, vinyl stickers and other materials.  5:30 p.m. Gallery talk begins at 6 p.m. Queens University, 1900 Selwyn Ave.

Friday

Live Salsa Band - The salsa band Grupo Niche brings its Latin flavor to the N. C. Music Factory. Grupo Niche, 7 p.m., Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard.

Boxing Event - Fight fans are hotly anticipating the Pacquiao v. Mayweather fight in Las Vegas in May, but until then get your fight fix here. See world champion boxer Roy Jones Jr. v. Willie Williams of Baltimore. 7 p.m., Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 North Carolina 49. $50 and up.

Saturday

Look Ma No Pants -  Charlotte's 3rd Annual No Pants Ride takes place in Southend. Participants will gather at the Scaleybark Light Rail Station at 3 p.m. to ride the light rail sans pants. Warm Charlotte will accept your pants or other clothing items in any sizes at the event. Participants will ride to the Bland Street Station and walk to The Unknown Brewing Company, 1327 South Mint St. for the pantsless after party.  Unknown Brewing will elect a King and Queen of Pantslessness so get creative with your boxers and briefs. There will be heat lamps, food, and giveaways. Be sure to purchase a light rail ticket to participate.





Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com