Biketoberfest, International festival and free tickets!

It's a beautiful day. Go outside and play. Multiple festivals and a bicycle scavenger hunt. See you in the streets.

Enter Now!!!

Ticket Giveaway! Sip + Play Charlotte is giving away VIP passes to the Gravediggers Ball. Enter here.

Music and Networking - BLOCtoberFest IX marries networking and music. Malone, The Deep Shallow and Pocketful of Strange will perform. More than 500 business professionals are expected to attend. Benefits The Lotta Foundation. 6 p.m., The Chop Shop 399 E. 35th St. $10, $15.

Retro Party - Go dressed as your favorite characters from “Back to the Future” at the 30th Anniversary of Back To The Future & Halloween Kickoff Party. Music by DJ Bob Lazar.  10 p.m., On the Roxx 19712 One Norman Blvd Cornelius. No Cover & Free Parking!!!  Details.


Fall Festival - Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation presents Fall Festival with a Cajun Flair featuring cajun music from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and kids activities from noon - 3 p.m. There will also be pumpkin carving and more. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church Street.

Celebrate Diversity - The 40th Anniversary of UNC Charlotte’s International Festival features games, demonstrations, music, dance and more on multiple stages. 10 a.m. UNC Charlotte, James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Details.

Tall Tales - The Charlotte Stortellers festival features local storytellers showcasing personal and entertaining stories on the theme of Lessons. 8:30 p.m. 7th Street Public Market.

Don't Miss
Family Fun - Bike, walk, and/or ride transit to a variety of destinations in Center City and South End while collecting stamps in at Sustain Charlotte’s Biketoberfest. The 7 p.m. afterparty at Triple C Brewing features live music, food trucks, and more. $15 and include a 2015 Biketoberfest t-shirt, entry to the after party at Triple C, a beer and more. 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Uptown Charlotte, South End, and Triple C. Bike, walk, or ride the light rail around town to sponsoring businesses while obtaining stamps in your official Biketoberfest Passport! Passport pick up at Sustain Charlotte office Thursday and Friday or Saturday at Triple C. Registration available on Saturday at 2 p.m. Details.
Note: Rain or shine! No refunds, but registration can be transferred to another participant.

Wine Event -  It's the Southend neighborhood wine festival at the Southend Wine Festival. Enjoy unlimited tastings from 20 different vineyards, live music and food trucks. Proceeds benefit Classroom Central. 1 - 6 p.m., 308 W. Carson Blvd.  $35. Details.

Fundraising Event II - The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Charlotte Chapter presents the 5th Annual Brewer's Ball a beer, wine and food tasting event to benefit cystic fibrosis research. More than 300 guests are expected. Enjoy handcrafted samplings from local microbrewers and restaurants. Guests also get to exploring the exhibits at Discovery Place. 7:30 p.m, 301 N Tryon St. $75 and include unlimited samplings. VIP tickets are $125 and include a one-hour early entry to the event with private tasting, and a pilsner glass for tastings. Details.

Cool Concept - The Neighborhood Living Room opened yesterday and continues through Sunday. Tonight’s events include a Dilworth Artisan Station Gallery Crawl and live music. The concept is to bring the family neighborhood outside so go chill, enjoy live entertainment, drink coffee or whatever (Rated G) that you would do in your living room at home. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. through Sunday. Dilworth Artisan Station, 118 East Kingston Ave. Details.

Erotic princesses, scandalous Rome and vintage bikes

The fun starts early today with a bike show at the Chop Shop and a beer festival uptown.  The fun continues tonight with two erotica events! Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Beer Festival - Enjoy more than 75 craft, import and specialty beers at the Charlotte 3rd Annual Charlotte Beer Festival. Live music from Early Ray Band! 2 p.m., EpiCentre, East Trade St. $30. #CLTBeerFestival

Cyclemania - This is one of the coolest motorcycle rallies with Mods and Rockers meeting up at the Charlotte Vintage Motorcycle Rally. Classic British, Euro and Japanese motorcycles, customized scooters and mopeds are invited for a day of music, bikes and fun. 1 p.m. Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. Full schedule.

Girls Wanna Have Fun - Local ladies tackle each other in the Blondes v. Brunettes football game to benefit the local Alzheimer’s chapter. 5 p.m. Revolution Park, 1225 Remount Road. $35 gets access to the game and the afterparty at Tyber Creek Pub,1933 South Blvd. Afterparty starts at 8 p.m. Details.

Toga Party - Actually, the Mystics Ball: There's No Place Like Rome isn’t your typical fraternity toga party. The Mystics explore erotic world of Ancient Rome. Party features living statues, a Roman bathhouse, the aerial artistry of Satarah, and more. Costumes are required. Wear your own or buy one at the door. 9 p.m. Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. $20 individuals, $35 couples.

Beauties Reimagined - If you believe in fairytales Once Upon A Pastie will blow your mind. The Big Mamma’s House Burlesque show features new performances and new fantasy characters. See Mary Poppins, Cruella De Vill, Ariel, Beauty and her Beast, Merida, Cinderella, Snow White and Minnie Mouse like you’ve never seen them before. Visulite Theater, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15, $18.

Don't Miss

Soul Music - Hear Charlotte’s own Stephanie Mills, Freddie Jackson, Evelyn Champagne King, El DeBarge and more at The Kinfolks 6th Annual Soulfood Festival. 4 p.m., Rte. 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord. $35.


Celebrate Homebrewing - Before there was a craft brew scene, Charlotte enjoyed a robust home-brew culture. The American Homebrewers Association Rally celebrates homebrewing and connects beer enthusiasts from all over North Carolina. Includes a VIP brewery tour, beer samples, gifts, prizes and more. Local homebrew clubs will there. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., NoDa Brewing Co, 2229 N Davidson St. RSVP here.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Two beer festivals, a drag queen race and parties

Today is going to be crazy! Get out early and enjoy a day on the lake, and then head to Southend for the craziest obstacle course race that you will ever see. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets...

Party In The Morning - When I think of partying in the morning, it's typically because I'm just getting home from the club. Wake 'N Shake challenges early risers to enjoy a morning rave featuring a DJ, dancing, yoga and breakfast. Cool concept. 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. $8 and up.

No Meat Zone! - Sample a variety of vegan foods at the 4th Annual Charlotte Vegfest presented by Eco-Licious and The Humane League. Explore the benefits of vegetarian living. It will feature local vegetarian restaurants and food trucks, local vendors, live music, speakers, nutritional experts, vegan cooking demonstrations, free prizes, gift bags and more. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. 1916 Commonwealth Ave. Free.

 

For the Family - This is a great way to spend the day at the lake with the kids. Watch the races and enjoy the ceremony at the 10th Annual Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival Race. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ramsey Creek Park. Parking at 8900 North Pointe Executive Park
Huntersville. Shuttles will take you to Ramsey Park. Free.

Stilettos And Wigs - This isn’t your typical obstacle course. Participants wear high heels and a wig to navigate games and obstacles at the Queen City Drag Race.  2 p.m. The Bar at 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave.

Wild Night - SPENT Entertainment proudly presents Dazed & Confused featuring two headliners, 13 DJs, go-go dancers and more. 10 p.m. The Chop Shop, 399 East 35th St. $15 and up.

Old School - Three DJs will spin ‘90s hip-hop, reggae, R&B and soul in the latest edition of Off The Wall. 10 p.m. Crown Station, 1425 Elizabeth Ave. Free before 11 p.m.

Don't Forget

Beer Festivals: Southend Hops Festival features craft beer, live music, food trucks and it’s dog-friendly. $35 and up. General admission tickets include unlimited beer tastings and a souvenir tasting cup. VIP tickets are $50 and include early entry into the festival, unlimited beer tastings, souvenir tasting cup, private VIP ares with Newk's Eatery appetizers, seating area and a VIP-only restroom. 2 p.m. Carson and Mint. Tickets.


  



Speedway All-American Craft Brewer’s Festival features the Beer Haven mobile festival, a self-pour beer sampling station billed as the world's largest mobile bar and brewery. The festival will feature 50 craft beers from Charlotte-regional craft breweries during both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star and Coca-Cola 600 race weekends. It will also include the Bucking Mule Brewery, a mobile brewery with a five-barrel brewing capacity and canning system mounted to a 53-foot-long tractor trailer. Participants can learn the brewing and canning process from brewmasters. Admission includes unlimited sampling. 1-4 p.m., Charlotte Motor Speedway. $39.
Take the Ragin’ Uptown Party Bus to the Speedway festival. $20. BYOB and small coolers are welcome for the ride. 11 a.m. Check-in at Tyber Creek Pub.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Ancho chile sea salt, blueberry pomegranate? Yummy Palmetto Paloma (Video)

Sipping is an important part of Sip + Play. In this episode of Sip, Stefan Huebner shows us how to make the Palmetto Paloma, the signature cocktail for Condom Couture. This is a fashion show benefiting Planned Parenthood on Saturday at the Chop Shop. More details in my Wednesday's Sip + Play.


 
Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Cultural Initiative: Batman, skateboards and ramen

Cheery women posed with mannequin parts on the small stage at the Chop Shop while Ryan Fenix Sumner snapped pictures. A half dozen people buried their heads in  bowls of ramen noodles. Scores of others milled about admiring art that ranged from a skateboard sculpture to framed paintings and photos. On the mainstage, Adrian Crutchfield, Tony Diaz, and others performed. In masking tape squares, random party-goers danced dramatically. Human mannequins posed on a platform. A handful of vendors hawked everything from coffee to handcrafted items. All of this occurred at the exact same time.

Saturday was my first time experiencing Cultural Initiative. At first it, felt overwhelming. So much happening simultaneously. Then I felt emancipated. I'm so accustomed to events being linear experiences. There's a set schedule. Typically all of my attention must be focused on the main performer on stage, then the next performer.

Cultural Initiative let the audience decide. It was a refreshing approach to entertainment. I caught a little bit of everything, talked with friends, made new acquaintances all at my own pace. Kudos to Joel Andrew Tracey and the rest of the Cultural Initiative collective for trusting that the audience could experience the evening on its own terms.

New plays, MLK Parade and Maseo of De La Soul

This three-day weekend is packed full of things to do for families and partiers. The fun begins tonight. I'm heading to Ice Martini Bar in Huntersville for a Charlotte Bournistas event. I'm also planning to swing by Community Pint Night in Davidson (info below). Here's a list to help you plan your weekend. More events to come later this week.

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

Tonight 

Beer For A Cause - The Summit Coffee house is hosting Community Pint Night to benefit WDAV. Twenty percent of proceeds from pints of beer and glasses of wine will be donated to Classical Public Radio. The beer selection will be inspired by Holst's symphony "The Planets." Festivities include commemorative Richard Wagner pint glasses, and a classical music trivia competition with prizes beginning at 7 p.m. Summit Coffee, 128 South Main Street, Davidson.

Thursday

First Look - Get an early look at four new plays at nuVoices3 Festival. Actor's Theatre of Charlotte will honor and encourage emerging playwrights of the American Theatre. Actor's Theatre of Charlotte, 650 East Stonewall Street.

Friday

Black Film Showcase - The Deltas of Charlotte Foundation presents 12th Annual Legacy Film Showcase: “Ruby and Pearls Collection.”  Terrance Bates of WCCB News Rising will host the event which features short films of local and national independent filmmakers. The evening begins with a reception and concludes with a Q&A. McGlohon Theater, Spirit Square, 345 North College St.

Night At The Museum - This is an adults-only event at the museum. Enjoy an indoor snowfall and Charlotte's only indoor snowball fight, a fire dance performance by Sataya, an Igloo Building Challenge and more at Science on the Rocks: Fire & Ice. 5 p.m. Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St.

Saturday

Celebrate The Dream - Head uptown for the MLK Holiday Parade. Starts at 9th and Tryon and ends at MLK Blvd. Parade features more than 80 local and regional organizations and 4,000 participants. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tryon Street between Ninth and MLK Blvd.


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.

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. 

Sunday

Ladies Night -  Charlotte and regional female choreographers unite to present Women’s Dance Showcase. 7:30 p.m. Neighborhood Theater, 511 E. 36th St. $10 and up.













Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Jet propulsion beer pong, moonshine and train rides for the kiddies

For the last two weeks, I've been excitedly telling my friends about the Moonshine Festival. I can't wait to see what the different distilleries have to offer, but now Discovery Place caught my eye. I get to wear a costume! Read why below.

Follow me live tonight when I start my evening at Discovery Place. I've already picked out my outfit.

Friday

Adult Fun At A Science Museum - Jet propulsion beer pong! I'm trying to imagine what this is going to be like. I hope I get to wear a jet propulsion pack while drinking a beer and playing beer pong. If not, I'll just enjoy craft brews, Steampunk performers, more science games and a bartending competition at Science on The Rocks: Gears & Beers.  Costumes are encouraged. 5 p.m. Discovery Place, 301 North Tryon St. $8-$10.

 According to Discovery Place, "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that combines art and fashion from the Victorian era, the American Wild West and a post-apocalyptic future. Corsets and bustles are popular for women. Men often wear top hats, vests and jackets. Pocket watches, gears and goggles are popular for everyone." 




For The Family - The weather outside is frightful. So, bundle up for Piedmont Town Center Tree Lighting Celebration. Train rides for children, hot chocolate and lots of family fun.  6 p.m. Piedmont Town Center.  More family holiday events on the Observer's mommy blog.

Red Light District - Don't let the name fool you. Sweet Spot isn't a dessert event. At least not that kind of dessert. The Sweet Spot Charlotte: Red Light Special  is a pop erotica show featuring burlesque and live body painting. 9 p.m. The Chop Shop NoDa, 399 E 35th St. $20.





....And don't forget


 Not Your Uncle's Moonshine - I've tried a few legal moonshines, and I haven't been impressed yet. Hopefully, that will change at the first Moonshine Festival. The event will feature samplings from several distilleries, including Broadslab, Piedmont and Sazerac. 6 p.m. Rooftop 210 Pavilion At EpiCentre.






Love Songs - R&B singer Kem brings his Promise To Love Tour to Ovens Auditorium. He performs songs off his newest album, "Promise To Love." 8 pm. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E Independence Blvd. $37.50 - $85.81.






Don't be shy: Tonya Jameson, sipandplayclt@gmail.com