Weekend Preview: A weird Christmas party, another ugly sweater party and dancehall fun

There's no way around it. This is the weekend to chill with the family, but if you must go out here are some things to do. See in you in the street...

Last Chance - For real, for real! Get it in. Retire the threads at the Ugly Sweater Bash. Ugliest sweater could win a price. 7 p.m., Howl At The Moon, 210 E Trade St. Details.

Offbeat Holiday - With potluck food, satellite spinning the music and drink specials at the bar Petra’s Xmas will be a fun, casual way to wind down. Five local performers will take the stage to perform everything from dream pop to ballads. 8 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.

Saturday
Dancehall Groove - Su Casa is known for its Afro-beat and hip-hop, but this the monthly party Su CASA — The Dancehall tackles a different genre. DJ Justice Sun Tzulul, DJ Maf Maddix, and DJ Brian Jopedo Sambula spinning rock-reggae, Afrobeat, dub, Afrohouse + more. Live painting by Dammit Wesley, film, photography and mother. 11 p.m. and up. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $5 and up.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Not So Acoustic Christmas, ugly sweater parties, and sexy Santas

This is it! Last weekend before Christmas. Get your last minute shopping done. Wear your ugly sweater! Donate a new toy! Give a canned good! See you in the streets...

Wednesday
Rock Holiday Party - I’ve been listening to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, but I may need to take a break for Awolnation’s “Sail.” The band headlines 106.5 The End's Not So Acoustic Christmas featuring Awolnation. Metric and Grizfolk will also perform. 8 p.m. The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory. Tickets.





Ugly Sweater Party - Don’t put your ugly sweater away yet. There’s Posh Mixer: Ugly Sweater Edition. Prize given for the best holiday ugly sweater. Cash donations requested for the charity Mom4Moms and featuring HotRodtheDJ. Sip Charlotte, 200 N. Tryon. Details.

Thursday
Crafty Party - Make personalized jar-lid wreaths at Girl’s Night Out - Pinterest Party. Crafters will use mason jar lids, fabric, paper, photos and all sorts of other nik-naks to make wreaths. Hosted By Vikki O'Keefe and Vinny Trierweiler. They will provide all the supplies and assistance needed. Bring your favorite photos to add a personal touch. 6 p.m. Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Road. $30. Details.

Friday
Paint and Play - Brush N Beats brings hip-hop flavor to the sip and paint theme with live music by Ron Mull. Enjoy open painting, wine and good peeps. Bring a canned good to be donated to the local food bank. 7 p.m. Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Road. Free. Includes paint & brushes. Canvases will be provided at discount rates courtesy of Carolina Canvas Company.

Cultural Dance Party - This special edition of Mint To Move Cultural Dance Night. Music: DJ Pepito (Jorge Moran), Angel Delgado, Jerry Giraud, and Brandon Nater. Featuring: ArtSi members; Lena Hopkins-Jackson, caricature artist, Rodrigo and Wendy (tango). Dance Lessons by  Rumbao Latin Dance Company at 8:45 p.m. 7 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. $7-$11. Cash Bar and Complimentary Light Snacks.

Toy Drive - Join the Sigmas, Youth Educational Society and Queen City SGRho at the The Holiday Gathering. Bring a toy, clothing or non-perishable food to donate. Music by DJ Cali and DJ Skillz. 10 p.m. Oak Room. 200 East Bland St. Music by DJ Cali & DJ Skillz. Brought to you by: Sol Kitchen, Ultra Entertainment, Round Table Ent., Blue Goose & Status Inc.

Saturday


Sexy Santa - In keeping with the naughty spirit, the 5th Annual Sexy Santa party celebrates all things naughty. Wear your sexiest, funniest, goofiest Christmas-themed costume. Ice Martini Bar, 9525 Birkdale Crossing Drive #102, Huntersville

Christmas Comedy - The Evening Muse and Matt Barrentine feature local, regional and even national comedy talent for the Stand Up, Get Down Comedy Show Holiday Special. 10:30 p.m., The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $8 - $10. Details.

Sunday
Punk Holiday Party - This party sounds real loud and real fun. Hail Santa features red cups and Krampus. Appearances by Toke and Green Fiend and DJ J. Overcash. Music: Death Metal, Punk, Hard Core, XXXMas Trap, Carole No Cover. 8 p.m., Snug Harbor, 288 Gordon St.

Happy Birthday - The city’s venerable blue club celebrates more than 40 years of bringing live blues to Charlotte with the Federal Bureau Of Rock & Roll at the Double Door Inn’s 42nd Anniversary. 7 pm., The Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetowne Avenue $10. Details.

Holla: Sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Holiday parties and ACC Championship weekend!

Time to break-out the ugly sweaters, unwrapped new toys and get this holiday party season started. Plus ACC Football Championship weekend kicks off tonight. See you in the streets!

Post-Crawl Party - If you’re hanging out in Southend for the art crawl tonight, don’t mis the Southend Holiday Party featuring a tacky sweater contest and shopping. Charlotte Improv will do a holiday themed-live improv with audience interaction. Bring an unwrapped new toy for donation. 9:30 p.m., Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Road. Free. Details.

Holiday Tradition - The 8th Annual Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour is a Charlotte holiday tradition featuring eight private homes, decorated for the holidays. There’s also a free horse & carriage rides, seasonal entertainment, and food, beer & wine tastings from: The Asbury, The Wooden Vine, Muddy River Distillery, The Poplar Street Café & Wine Bar, Mert’s Heart & Soul, Rock Bottom Brewery, Red Clay Ciderworks, Potts Chocolate, Assorted Table Wine Shoppe, Allen Tate Realtors and 7th Street Public Market. This is a great way to walk the city and soak in Uptown’s Fourth Ward. I attended a few years ago, and had a great time. Each home features a volunteer who shares information about the home’s history and decor. $25. Various Times Tonight - Sunday. 4th ward. Tickets.




Jazzy Holiday - Enjoy jazzy renditions of seasonal classics at Jingle Bell Jazz featuring Ziad Jazz Quartet. They will perform “Winter Wonderland,” “Deck the Halls” (arranged by Herbie Hancock and Chick Correa), “Sleigh Ride,” the John Coltrane version of Greensleeves and more. The Jazz at the Bechtler's holiday show often sell out. 6 and 8:15 p.m., Bechtler Museum, 420 South Tryon Street. Details.

Don't Forget
Holiday Fun -2nd Chance Santa is one of the biggest holiday parties. It's a black-tie optional event features Hot Sauce Band, light appetizers & finger foods from eight Local Charlotte restaurants. There will be beer and wine. 7:30 p.m. Rooftop 210, Epicentre,210 E Trade St. $40, $60
Details.

Winter Market - Another chance to by gifts and baked good from 30 local vendors at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's 6th Annual Weihnachtsmarkt. This is the opening weekend of the German-inspired Christmas Market. Winter seasonal beers include Dunkel, Bauern Bock, and Yule Bock and OMB’s homemade Glühwein: a spiced red wine served hot.
Weihnachtsmarkt is every Friday and Saturday through the Dec. 18-19. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. Saturdays.  Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road.

Gay Chorus - One Voice Chorus’ annual holiday concert theme is Madonna/Madonna. It highlights both Mary, at the center of the nativity, and Madonna, pop icon! 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte, 234 North Sharon Amity Road. $18.65 and up. Tickets.

ACC Championship Fun - Prep for the ACC Championship game with the ACC Bar Crawl. $20 gets you an ACC Bar Crawl T-Shirt, event koozie, drink specials, and free entry to all participating bars! A portion of the proceeds goes to each alumni group. 7 p.m. Tilt, (check-in), 127 W. Trade St.
ACC Fan Central at the EpiCentre on Trade Street features a pep rally, the mascots, team pep bands and more.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

First Night gets a new name and location

The holiday parties are winding to an end (no more ugly sweater parties!) which means it's time to get ready for New Year's Eve celebrations. First Night is now CLT New Year's Eve and it will be held on MLK at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Starts at 7 p.m. and concludes with the annual raising of the crown and pyrotechnics. There will be food trucks, ice skating at WBT's Holiday On Ice, WBT personalities, carriage rides, face painting and more. More details.

If you're looking for holiday performances, such as this weekend's "Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical" and "A Soulful Noel" please read Lawrence Toppman's comprehensive list. Family holiday events on the Observer's mommy blog.

Please note, I'm compiling my New Year's Eve party list. If you have a NYE party send me details: sipandplayclt@gmail.com.

Now, let's jump into these holiday parties...

Today

Hops and Shops 2 is a chance to shop with beer, always a good thing. The Boulevard at South End, Small Keys, Jewels by Julia, Pink Social, Bearded Buddha and Beau Outfitters on East Blvd will be participating. Papi Queso food truck will be onsite for your grub needs. 5-8 p.m.,  Triple C Brewing Co., 2900 Griffith. The brewery will unveil a batch of 3C Imperial IPA with honey.

Just added Get sweaty at the NoDa Brewery Ugly Sweater Run. Come early and buy a beer ticket. They are expecting a big crowd. Tickets will not be available after the run. Each ticket will cost $4 and worth a 12 oz pour of either CAVU, Jam Session or Ramble on Red. There will be prizes and more. 6 p.m. NoDa Brewing Company, 2229 North Davidson St. Food truck: Papa Librettos Street Pizza. #TJturnup

Thursday

Just added Join the original Cufflinks and Cocktails Jingle Mingle holiday party. 6 p.m.  The Ritz-Carlton (lobby/lounge), 201 East Trade Street. Paid parking available.

Friday

 Updated XOXO presents A VERY TAMPONE CHRISTMAS with your favorite swinging socialites throwing a Christmas Party! Games, songs and the Mystery of Christmas will be yours to enjoy this event. It features a rotating roster of special musical guests and gourmet treats at each performance. 8 p.m. Dec. 19-21. The Frock Shop, 901 Central Ave. $25,18+, Limited Seating. Reservations Required: xoxoperformance@gmail.com Bring a white elephant gift to exchange with someone. #TJTurnup

Just added Get spooked at the Ghosts of Christmas Tour of the 4th Ward. Dress warmly for a candlelit cemetery tour of the 4th Ward hosted by Good Eats and Meets and the Get Dead Crew. 7 p.m. RiRa, 208 N. Tryon St. $15/$25. 

Saturday

Just added A Few Good Men host the 6th Annual Christmas Jumpoff party. Enjoy drink specials and food until 1:30 a.m. Music by the Mighty DJ D.R. 9 p.m. Fountain Blue Lounge, 7200 Albermarle Road (East Albermarle Shopping Center near Albermarle and Laywers roads)

















Just added Break out your ugliest sweater and you could win $100 gift card at Nan and Byron's Ugly Holiday Sweater Party. Enjoy beer and vodka specials and a late night menu. Music by DJ Bwillackers. 10 p.m. Nan and Byron's, 1714 South Blvd. Parking onsite.

Got a holiday party? sipandplayclt@gmail.com