The weekly Snug Harbor party Shiprocked brings Harajuku — a mesh of Japanese street fashion — to the streets of Plaza Midwood, and it's a party you won't want to miss.
On Thursday, June 2, Shiprocked celebrates its four-year anniversary, Harajuku style. In addition to the usual shenanigans of burlesque, drag and live music, there will be a special performance by Elektrik Dance Crew, contests, giveaways and multi-colored, sparkly cupcakes. And all attendees are encouraged to dress up in their very best, colorful Harajuku wear.
For costume ideas, Shiprocked king Scott Weaver suggests any thrift stores, Hong Kong Vintage and Boris and Natasha. "Also, any beauty supply store for crazy hair accessories, colorful nail polish and for big avant garde eyelashes, Sephora. People can just Google the look and find tons of examples." he says.
For the past four years, Weaver, Beth AnnPhetamine, Lillith Deville and the rest of the gang have rocked a party that you'd have to attend to really believe. It's always a great way to kick off the weekend. And as they commemorate this occasion, Weaver says "the entertainment and decor are going to be awesome."
The event is free, but in conjunction with their celebration of Japanese fashion, they will be taking donations for Japan tsunami relief.
For more costume ideas, check out this video.
Dearest reader,
Welcome back to the real world. Now that the long holiday weekend is over, it's time to put your big girl and big boy shoes back on and conquer your Tuesday workday.
What's that? You're not ready to give up the partying fun? Yeah. Me neither.
Luckily for us, Whisky River hosts "Pretty Wild Tuesdays" on Tuesday, and tonight they're bringing Noah from VH1's Saddle Ranch to the party.
What is Saddle Ranch? Well ... hold on, let me do some research. I've never heard of the show either.
[Hitting up Google ...]
Ah. Here we go. From the website:
Every year, thousands of young people come to Hollywood to chase their dreams and while they're waiting to be discovered they've got to pay the bills. If they're dynamic, outrageous, and lucky, they work at the hottest place on the famous Sunset Strip -- Saddle Ranch Chop House. "Saddle Ranch" takes us on a sexy, rock 'n roll mechanical bull ride into the lives, loves, and "fake it 'til you make it" dreams of the guys and girls who work at this iconic restaurant - from the hosts at the bottom of the totem pole, to the beautiful bartenders and wait staff, to the demanding managers who watch their every serve and pour.
So, dearest reader, to extend your partying weekend one more night, check out Whisky River tonight. I'm sure it's going to be a good time.
Side note on a P.S.- Ladies, you may not want to wear flip-flops to the club either. Here's evidence why: http://twitpic.com/53igbt
Every year I look forward to one particular weekend to kick off my summer ... thank goodness that time is here.
This weekend, thousands of fans will come to experience one of the best festivals here in the Queen City, and that is the Food Lion Speed Street.
Speed Street might be the perfect set-up. Each day, you can expect non-stop entertainment on two stages for free. Walking around the streets of Charlotte couldn't be more fun while looking at tons of interactive displays you might not see anywhere else, including getting your picture taken with the show cars of NASCAR and Q&A sessions with the racers.
I always thought I was one of the biggest concert lovers, but this year's nightly concerts are sure to bring in the crazies. Tonight, Pat Green will take the stage — and I can already hear the screaming fans. Friday night will be a tough choice. On one stage Everclear will be performing, but if you're a little more country then head over to the Coca-Cola stage to see Josh Turner. And on Saturday night, Clay Walker has a performance to round up the weekend concerts.
Each step you take you will find a different vendor getting you to try their products. Oh, and the best part? You can walk around with a nice cold beer in your hand. One of the festival's sponsors is Miller Lite so there will be plenty of beer stands at every turn.
A little bit of everything is offered at Speed Street. The carefree environment is full of fun people cutting loose and having a great time. The non-stop party is all day and night starting at 12 p.m. continuing until 11 p.m.
For more information, visit www.600festival.com.
If Speed Street and NASCAR-related parties aren't your thing — and you just want to party straight-up Memorial Day style — here's a list of events you might want to check out this weekend.
Saturday Events
Red@28th: Memorial Day Party
Kick back, relax and listen to live music at a lounge where there are not only half off alcohol specials, but hookah deals for this day only.
Saturday, May 28
6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
2424 N. Davidson St.
Halo: Game of Thrones
If you're ready to dance all night long in a fun, care-free environment, this part one of The Sol Kitchen's Memorial weekend extravaganza is the party you have been looking for.
Saturday, May 28
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
820 Hamilton St.
Sunday Events:
Phoenix: Party 2 Redemption
After the Halo event with The Sol Kitchen, continue your weekend at this ultimate Miami style dance club with a sophisticated look and even more fun.
Sunday, May 29
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
300 N. College St
Kennedy's, Jackalope Jack's, The Philosopher's Stone: 7th Street Block Party
There's nothing like a block party to commemorate Memorial Day, and with live music at each location, an ice sculpture contest and drink specials, you'll definitely want to join the neighbors of Elizabeth.
Sunday, May 29
1 p.m.
366 N. Caswell St.; 1936 E. 7th St.; 1958 E. 7th St.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 26, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Barkini Finals at Bar Charlotte
• Simplified performs at Metlive-Music on the Greenway
• Cameo Thursdays at Phoenix
• Keepin' it classy w/ Dick Tracey feat blngxbdgt at Crown Station Pub & Coffee House
• Rooftop- Rubberband, Courtyard- U-Neek Flavur at Alive After 5
All too often, wine gets overlooked as a choice beverage when indulging in some nighttime fun. While the cranberry vodkas, jager bombs and Long Island Iced Teas are always stellar options when out and about in search of some intoxicated fun, a glass of wine doesn't necessarily have to be reserved for a romantic, refined dinner for two.
In fact, last night, a friend and I had a glass (or actually, four) at Dolce Vita in NoDa, and by the end of the night, we were just as silly as we would have been had we been taking shots next door at Sin City. (What? I'm a light-weight. Don't laugh!) Side note: Tonight is half-priced wine night at Dolce.
Anyway, my point is, don't think you have to go to the hard stuff when you're out enjoying a night on the town. A few glasses of white will do just the trick — and it's a whole lot smoother.
Perhaps in an effort to remind folks that wine is divine (and just as intoxicating), MyUptownFun.com and Silver Fox Limos has taken to hosting wine crawls. In fact, their next one, going down tomorrow night, is sold out.
But that doesn't mean you can't join them the next go-round. Mark it down on your calendar: June 30. And you can e-mail jonathan@myuptownfun.com for more details.
The Deal: Last night, May 24, it was time for the catalysts of the nightlife industry to get some well-deserved recognition — or at least have a little fun. And as they often do over there, Whisky River answered by housing F’Ncrazynight.com’s 2nd annual Bartender Competition.
The Good: “Biggest F’N Bartender Competition,” translation: six to eight guys awkwardly hidden behind a mini bar mixing pretty pink cocktails. But what girl doesn’t love watching the cute bartender mix her a cocktail furnished with some delicious fruit? The only thing this inventive contest needed was a little background music, and it was delivered to the tune of Rick Astley’s “Together Forever.” That’s right; while the judges deliberated the winner of this bartending contest, Astley’s smooth-talking, pretty face was plastered on every TV in the place. In fact, it was that very combination of silky tone and those suave dance moves that had my friends and I entranced to the point we couldn’t tell you which bartender took home the title of the Best Bartender in Charlotte.
The Bad: Leave it to Whisky River to make you feel as if you just stepped into the club scene of a Real World episode. At the end of this bartending competition, the strobe light made an appearance alongside a fog machine creating the illusion we were actually in the Astley music video. When the smoke cleared, a new scene presented itself; one with 18-year-olds … as far as the eye could see. One minute you were standing in the crowd watching grown men dip their straws in fruity cocktails, and the next you were on the dance floor getting grinded on by the high school football captain and his band of brothers. It was only when the kid to my left, donning black X’s, posed “Who is this joker?” in regard to Astley himself, that I questioned the rest of the evening. So what if the song is as old as me? It’s a classic.
The Verdict: Holding a bartending competition is a brilliant idea, Whisky River. Only for the 3rd annual go-round … maybe re-consider your decision to throw it on College Night.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 25, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Ladies Man event at Suite (the guy with the largest entourage of girls wins $250)
• Pre-Hangover party at Fox and Hound Ballantyne
• Pop Life V "The Memorial Edition" w/ DJ Technics & Shaun Nyce at RE:Public
• Latin Fever at Kazba
• Pure Wednesdays at Halo
I have mad respect for people who work in the nightlife industry — I've been known to sling a drink here and there myself. So any opportunity to shine some light on the folks who make our club nights what they are gets two thumbs up from me.
Tonight, FNCrazyNight.com is hosting a Biggest F'N Bartender competition at Whisky River.
Bartenders: $300 cash prize and a BIG F'n Trophy
Competing in:
1. Speed
2. Best Drink
3. Flare
4. Most Accurate Drink
Barback: $200 cash prize
Competing in:
1. Speed
2. Carrying Cases
3. Ice/ Beer stocking
Head out and support the folks who support you in your drinking habit.
Thursday, May 19
• End of Semester Draft Party at Tilt on Trade
• Latin Night at San Antonio's
• SHIPROCKED! presents: Cherry Von Bomb's "Divine" Birthday Party! at Snug Harbor
• Cameo Thursdays at Phoenix
Mobile
