Events for the Week: August 16-22

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.

Tuesday, August 18

Tone-X and Friends (weekly event)
Come laugh at the jokes and skits by Power 98’s Tone-X, Chris “Funnyman” Robinson, and other comedians. Music by DJ Stacey Blackman. 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Skandalos, 5317 E. Independence Blvd. www.myspace.com/tonexandfriends.

Wednesday, August 19

Pop Life (weekly event)
It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs late. Varying types of people pop in and out throughout the night so you never know who you’ll run into. Music by top DJs. Presented by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

Thursday, August 20

Jarvis Holliday’s Birthday
This “National Holliday” should be celebrated by all. Shout-out to my twin brother and all my fellow Leos! If you see me out, buy me a drink! www.grownpeopletalking.com.

Alive After Five at EpiCentre (weekly event)
This week’s featured bands are Peace And Love performing on the rooftop stage, and The Kays playing on the courtyard stage. There will be plenty of drink tents scattered throughout. Wristbands also get you into Blackfinn, Whisky River, Suite, and StrikeCity. 5-9:30 p.m. Free. The EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.aliveafterfiveatepicentre.com.

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. Live music by Bayou Butch Lucas. Drink and appetizer specials will be served (Long Island Iced Tea, margaritas, and Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka for $5; half-price appetizers). 6-10 p.m. Free. Villa Antonio Ristorante, 4707 South Blvd. www.cufflinksandcocktails.com.

Annual Back to School Unwind Happy Hour
Mix and mingle with a professional crowd, and bring school supplies to be donated to area schools. Presented by Pinkies Up Productions. 6-10 p.m. Free. Bentley’s RSVP, 305 W. Fourth St. www.pinkiesupproductions.com.

Community Cinema Screening: Chicago 10
When anti-Vietnam War protestors clashed with the police during the Democratic National Convention in 1968, the resulting Chicago Conspiracy Trial was a media circus that pitted courtroom authorities against movement leaders. Blending original animation and rare archival footage, Chicago 10 tells the story of 10 young Americans who dared to take a stand. Presented by GenerationEngage. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. PLCMC Main Library, Francis Auditorium, 310 N. Tryon St. www.generationengage.org/state/chltt.

Friday, August 21

Friday Afterwork Rendezvous (weekly event)
End your workweek on a high note at this networking party, held at a different venue each week. Enjoy drink and food specials while listening to live jazz and music from a DJ. Presented by Talk of the Town. 6-11 p.m. Free. House of Jazz, 8630 University Executive Park Dr. www.thehouseofjazz.net.

The Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
They're one of the biggest groups in music today--and they're brothers (with family ties to Charlotte). Opening acts include Jordin Sparks, Honor Society, and Wonder Girls. 7 p.m. $29-$89. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. www.timewarnercablearena.com.

Drinks @ Kiss
This monthly “all night happy hour” attracts great crowds to one of the city’s trendiest lounges. Featuring complimentary Nuvo drinks for the first 50 people and several other drinks specials. DJ HeartBreak will be playing the best in R&B, hip-hop, and reggae. 10 p.m. Free before 11 p.m. with RSVP. $10 and up after. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.mingleberry.com/drinks.

Saturday, August 22

4th Annual Battle Slam Jam
Witness the baddest and best urban artists, athletes, and professional performers from North Carolina and beyond. Battle Slam Jam is an all-inclusive community festival featuring multiple skateboard contests, DJs, live bands, a B-boy contest, graffiti writing, breakdancing, urban freestyle soccer, a Comic Book Corridor, and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free for the general public; $10 registration fee for competitors. Grayson Skate Park, 750 Beal St. www.battleslamjam2009.com.

PlayDate Charlotte
Bring out the kid in you. Charlotte has joined the network of more than 30 cities that offer this alternative to typical partying and nightclubbing. Enjoy music and drinks while playing card games, checkers, dominoes, Connect Four, Twister, Monopoly, old-school video games, and more. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. (8 p.m. for advance ticket holders) $10. Tyvola Marriott, 5700 Westpark Dr. www.playdatecharlotte.com.

Marquee Saturdays (weekly event)
It’s Charlotte’s newest and hottest Saturday night party at this newly revamped nightclub. Enjoy the large dance floor, plentiful seating, and large outdoor patio at this upscale party. This week features a tribute to Michael Jackson (10:30 p.m. performance by J. Lucas from L.A.). Music by DJ Complete and DJ R Wonz. Presented by Sleeping Giant Productions. 9 p.m. Cost varies. Halo, inside the N.C. Music Factory, 820 Hamilton St. www.haloclt.com.

Annual Cream and Butter Affair
Building off the success of last year, this party will likely attract hundreds of attractive, well-dressed 20-somethings (and early 30s) once again. Presented by Six Figure Entertainment. 9 p.m. $20 and up ($10 advance tickets have sold out). VIP is available. University Hilton Hotel, 6289 J.M. Keynes Dr. www.sixfigureentertainment.com.

Champagne Wishes
You never really want to miss an opportunity to party at the Sunset Club. Come dressed to impress. Presented by Clique Productions. 10 p.m. $10 and up; ladies free before 11 p.m. Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. www.cliqueproductions.com or www.sunsetclubcharlotte.com.