Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
Friday, Sept. 2
Paul Robeson
Duke Energy Theatre
Actor, musician, athlete, scholar, lawyer and political/civil rights activist Paul Robeson made one heck of an impact on civil rights for African-Americans. He circled the globe, speaking out to expose the injustices of the world. When he finally returned to the U.S., his critics silenced him by calling him a Communist, blacklisting him and confiscating his passport. On Q Productions honors his legacy with its latest stage production — at Duke Energy Theatre through Sept. 10 — simply titled after the man himself, Paul Robeson.
• Arts With the 100th anniversary of Romare Bearden’s birth (Sept. 2, 1911) in Mecklenburg County approaching, many galleries around town are featuring some or many of his works. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture falls into the latter category with its Romare Bearden Centennial Celebration. It showcases not one, but three exhibits dedicated to the artist, most famous for oils and collage. More...
• Dance Music is crucial to ballets, sometimes making or breaking them. Central Piedmont Community College’s Dance Theatre must know this, which is why it’s chosen to fine tune its production, titled Love’s Labor. Four dances, including “Les Sylphides” with choreography by Mikhail Fokin and music by Frédéric Chopin, “The Giver of Masks” with choreography by Katharyn Horne and music by Bill Hanna Jazz Quintet and two shorter solos from Clay Daniel’s “Suite Waits,” accompanied by the sounds of Tom Waits, will make up the romance-themed program. More...
Saturday, Sept. 3
Festival Of India
Knight Theater
Curry and other spices will fill the air in Uptown Charlotte as the Festival of India returns. The two-day event celebrates Indian culture with special informative displays, food, yoga demonstrations, dance, music, costumes, vendors and more. For performances inside Knight Theater arrive early, as seats usually fill up quick.
• Film Charlotte Film Society’s Saturday Night Cine Club addresses the dangers of religious fundamentalists and terrorism tonight during its screening of Hadewijch. The plot of the 2009 French film directed by Bruno Dumont revolves around a devout Christian girl who is kicked out of a monastery because of her dangerous extremities in the name of faith. Soon after her departure, she meets a radical Muslim and falls into his plot to attack a Paris metro station. The film picked up the International Film Critics award at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. More...
• Music Almost Kings, Atlanta’s hip-hop and rock crew channels Rage Against the Machine and Linkin Park to be sure, but with a more self-promoting bravado then politically charged lyricism. The bopping rhythm section pounds right along with the rappin’ frontman while the chainsaw guitar props up the rockers. Bruising tracks like “Legend” ought to keep the crowd bouncing. With Broken at Birth and Another Lost Year at Amos’ Southend. More...
Sunday, Sept. 4
B-Boy Jam
Breakfast Club
The Labor Day Weekend B-Boy Jam comes with the reassurance of a day to recoup — that is, if the company you work for is nice enough to let you have Monday off. The annual (in its eighth year) shindig offers breakdancers a chance to show off their skills and earn big prizes through two competitions: Breakdance Battle Crew vs Crew (3 on 3) with $500 up for grabs and Poppin Battle (Singles) with a $150 prize. Local SlamCharlotte Slam Master MC Bluz hosts with music provided by DJ Soden, DJ A-Minor and DJ SK. And for those who are more thirsty and less dance-oriented, drink specials ($2 PBR and $5 Red Bull and Vodka) may have you busting a move to the bar.
• Food The menu at Chickadee Café may be dominated by two dozen or so named sandwiches, but this kitchen also sports a full grill. Thus, burgers and fried items are also edible options. More...
• Special Event Today during the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Labor Day Celebration folks can enjoy free music (Steep Canyon Rangers, Town Mountain, Donna Hughes) and fireworks. More...