Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends.
Weeklong
May 19-24
Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple
It’s your chance to see this award-winning “musical about love.” Tue.-Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets are still available, $35-$125. Belk Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. www.blumenthalcenter.org.
May 21-23
Food Lion Speed Street
This annual festival takes over the streets of Uptown for three days in celebration of race week. You’ll find plenty of food and drinks form vendors, NASCAR driver appearances (Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton, Richard Petty, and more), and several live musical performances headlined by Bell Biv Devoe, Rodney Atkins, Lifehouse, Gavin DeGraw, and Clint Black. Visit website for schedule. Free. Uptown, between Tryon and Brevard streets and Fourth and Eighth streets. www.600festival.com.
May 21-23
SpeedCentre
The EpiCentre is getting in on the action this year in celebration of this weekend’s NASCAR race. Although it is essentially copying off of Speed Street (live music and driver appearances, but they’re having Dale Earnhardt Jr.), you can enjoy this replica at the EpiCentre’s most popular nightspots: Suite, Whisky River, StrikeCity, BlackFinn, Pavilion, and Penthouse. Visit website for schedule. Free. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.speedcentrecharlotte.com.
Tuesday, May 19
Touch One Tuesdays (weekly event)
Come and enjoy open mic poetry and live music. Hosted by Filmore, with DJ Flemingo on the turntables. Presented by Touch One Productions. 9 p.m. $10 ($5 with college ID). Wine Up, 3306 N. Davidson St. www.wine-up.com.
Wednesday, May 20
Changing Times...Changing Minds
The topic of this month's community conversation and cocktail reception is "Providing and Paying for Infrastructure: The Impact of Growth on Communities." Local experts will discuss how to handle both existing demand and future growth. Panelists include Todd Mansfield, chairman and CEO of Crosland; Ned Curran, president and CEO of The Bissell Companies; and Danny Pleasant, director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation; moderated by Dr. Steven Ott, professor and director of the Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte. 6 p.m. Free. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh St. www.museumofthenewsouth.org.
Pop Life (weekly event)
It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs past midnight. Music this week by DJ DR. Presented by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.
Trivia Night
It’s the kickoff of trivia night at this south Charlotte restaurant and bar, hosted by Larken Egleston. Test your general knowledge and compete for prizes like buckets of beer and gift cards. Plus it’s Wednesday, which means half-price bottles of wine. 8-11 p.m. Free. The Tavern On Park, 1600 Woodlawn Rd. www.thetavernonpark.com.
Thursday, May 21
Cufflinks and Cocktails
Presented by Charlotte’s Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity alumni, this event is held at a different bar each month. Come mingle with a group of well-dressed professionals, from 20- to 40-somethings. Drink and appetizer specials will be served. 6-10 p.m. Free. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). www.cufflinksandcocktails.com.
Pre-Charlotte Fashion Week Industry Night
Come meet the new spokes models of Charlotte Fashion Week 2009, talk with show producers, designers, models, and photographers. All industry professionals welcome. Live music. 6 p.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.charlottencfashionweek.com.
Crips and Bloods: Made In America
See a screening of this provocative film about gang life, narrated by Forest Whitaker. Following the film will be a discussion about Charlotte’s increase in gang membership among young people and how you can get involved in our community gang prevention coalition, Gang of One. Presented by GenerationEngage. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Johnson C. Smith University, Biddle Hall, 100 Beatties Ford Rd. www.generationengage.org/state/chltt.
Friday, May 22
Barack and Curtis: Manhood, Power, and Respect
This short film examines the contrasting styles of manhood exhibited by President Barack Obama and rapper/entertainment mogul Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent. Two other short films will be shown, I Am Sean Bell and Reflections. Presented by Reel Soul Cinema. 7 p.m. $8. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. www.aacc-charlotte.org.
Summer Nights
Come dressed to impress at this party that’s sure to be live from the bar to the patio and look for many of Charlotte’s movers and shakers among the mostly 30-and-older crowd (25-and-up are welcomed). Music by DJ Daddy D. Presented by Digital Divas. 10 p.m. $10 in advance, more at the door. Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. www.digitaldivasevents.com.
Saturday, May 23
Coca-Cola 600
It’s NASCAR’s longest race of the season and one of the most exciting as many of the drivers compete in front of the home crowd. The 50th running of this race also provides plenty of pre-race entertainment as they pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces during Memorial Day weekend. 5:45 p.m. $10-$125. Lowe’s Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
Chateau Noir Presents Destination
This elegant affair will feature a five course wine dinner prepared by Chateau Noir's Executive Chef Jay, along with live jazz by 5th and York, a cigar lounge, and after-dinner entertainment consisting of music by DJ Peace Parker and poetry by Concrete Generation. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.: dinner service, 8-10:30 p.m.; after-dinner entertainment, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. $95 for singles, $165 for couples. The Orchard House, 5125 Hamby Branch Rd. Concord. www.orchardhousenc.com or www.noirlife.com.
Sunday, May 24
Pre-Memorial Day List Party
To show appreciation to its supporters, Six Figure Entertainment is letting members of its email list in free until 11:30. Music by DJ Flemingo. 9:30 p.m. Visit website to join the list. Loft 1523, 1523 Elizabeth Ave. www.sixfigureentertainment.com.
The McCafé Experience
McDonald’s brings Dwele to town as part of this national touring event. 10 p.m. $15 in advance. Cans Bar and Canteen, 500 W. Fifth St. www.365black.com/365black/mccafe.jsp or www.ez-tixx.com.
A Night in XS
The popular promoters of “premium professional nightlife” are throwing a party featuring bongo players and belly dancers in addition to your favorite hip-hop and R&B spun by DJs. Presented by Inner Circle Events. 10 p.m. $15 in advance, more at the door. Cosmo’s Café, 300 N. College St. www.innercircleevents.com.
Weeklong
May 19-24
Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple
It’s your chance to see this award-winning “musical about love.” Tue.-Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets are still available, $35-$125. Belk Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. www.blumenthalcenter.org.
May 21-23
Food Lion Speed Street
This annual festival takes over the streets of Uptown for three days in celebration of race week. You’ll find plenty of food and drinks form vendors, NASCAR driver appearances (Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton, Richard Petty, and more), and several live musical performances headlined by Bell Biv Devoe, Rodney Atkins, Lifehouse, Gavin DeGraw, and Clint Black. Visit website for schedule. Free. Uptown, between Tryon and Brevard streets and Fourth and Eighth streets. www.600festival.com.
May 21-23
SpeedCentre
The EpiCentre is getting in on the action this year in celebration of this weekend’s NASCAR race. Although it is essentially copying off of Speed Street (live music and driver appearances, but they’re having Dale Earnhardt Jr.), you can enjoy this replica at the EpiCentre’s most popular nightspots: Suite, Whisky River, StrikeCity, BlackFinn, Pavilion, and Penthouse. Visit website for schedule. Free. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.speedcentrecharlotte.com.
Tuesday, May 19
Touch One Tuesdays (weekly event)
Come and enjoy open mic poetry and live music. Hosted by Filmore, with DJ Flemingo on the turntables. Presented by Touch One Productions. 9 p.m. $10 ($5 with college ID). Wine Up, 3306 N. Davidson St. www.wine-up.com.
Wednesday, May 20
Changing Times...Changing Minds
The topic of this month's community conversation and cocktail reception is "Providing and Paying for Infrastructure: The Impact of Growth on Communities." Local experts will discuss how to handle both existing demand and future growth. Panelists include Todd Mansfield, chairman and CEO of Crosland; Ned Curran, president and CEO of The Bissell Companies; and Danny Pleasant, director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation; moderated by Dr. Steven Ott, professor and director of the Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte. 6 p.m. Free. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh St. www.museumofthenewsouth.org.
Pop Life (weekly event)
It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs past midnight. Music this week by DJ DR. Presented by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.
Trivia Night
It’s the kickoff of trivia night at this south Charlotte restaurant and bar, hosted by Larken Egleston. Test your general knowledge and compete for prizes like buckets of beer and gift cards. Plus it’s Wednesday, which means half-price bottles of wine. 8-11 p.m. Free. The Tavern On Park, 1600 Woodlawn Rd. www.thetavernonpark.com.
Thursday, May 21
Cufflinks and Cocktails
Presented by Charlotte’s Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity alumni, this event is held at a different bar each month. Come mingle with a group of well-dressed professionals, from 20- to 40-somethings. Drink and appetizer specials will be served. 6-10 p.m. Free. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). www.cufflinksandcocktails.com.
Pre-Charlotte Fashion Week Industry Night
Come meet the new spokes models of Charlotte Fashion Week 2009, talk with show producers, designers, models, and photographers. All industry professionals welcome. Live music. 6 p.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.charlottencfashionweek.com.
Crips and Bloods: Made In America
See a screening of this provocative film about gang life, narrated by Forest Whitaker. Following the film will be a discussion about Charlotte’s increase in gang membership among young people and how you can get involved in our community gang prevention coalition, Gang of One. Presented by GenerationEngage. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Johnson C. Smith University, Biddle Hall, 100 Beatties Ford Rd. www.generationengage.org/state/chltt.
Friday, May 22
Barack and Curtis: Manhood, Power, and Respect
This short film examines the contrasting styles of manhood exhibited by President Barack Obama and rapper/entertainment mogul Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent. Two other short films will be shown, I Am Sean Bell and Reflections. Presented by Reel Soul Cinema. 7 p.m. $8. Afro-American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. www.aacc-charlotte.org.
Summer Nights
Come dressed to impress at this party that’s sure to be live from the bar to the patio and look for many of Charlotte’s movers and shakers among the mostly 30-and-older crowd (25-and-up are welcomed). Music by DJ Daddy D. Presented by Digital Divas. 10 p.m. $10 in advance, more at the door. Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. www.digitaldivasevents.com.
Saturday, May 23
Coca-Cola 600
It’s NASCAR’s longest race of the season and one of the most exciting as many of the drivers compete in front of the home crowd. The 50th running of this race also provides plenty of pre-race entertainment as they pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces during Memorial Day weekend. 5:45 p.m. $10-$125. Lowe’s Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
Chateau Noir Presents Destination
This elegant affair will feature a five course wine dinner prepared by Chateau Noir's Executive Chef Jay, along with live jazz by 5th and York, a cigar lounge, and after-dinner entertainment consisting of music by DJ Peace Parker and poetry by Concrete Generation. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.: dinner service, 8-10:30 p.m.; after-dinner entertainment, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. $95 for singles, $165 for couples. The Orchard House, 5125 Hamby Branch Rd. Concord. www.orchardhousenc.com or www.noirlife.com.
Sunday, May 24
Pre-Memorial Day List Party
To show appreciation to its supporters, Six Figure Entertainment is letting members of its email list in free until 11:30. Music by DJ Flemingo. 9:30 p.m. Visit website to join the list. Loft 1523, 1523 Elizabeth Ave. www.sixfigureentertainment.com.
The McCafé Experience
McDonald’s brings Dwele to town as part of this national touring event. 10 p.m. $15 in advance. Cans Bar and Canteen, 500 W. Fifth St. www.365black.com/365black/mccafe.jsp or www.ez-tixx.com.
A Night in XS
The popular promoters of “premium professional nightlife” are throwing a party featuring bongo players and belly dancers in addition to your favorite hip-hop and R&B spun by DJs. Presented by Inner Circle Events. 10 p.m. $15 in advance, more at the door. Cosmo’s Café, 300 N. College St. www.innercircleevents.com.
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