CIAA Party Guide 2018 

It's that time of year again: three days of parties, shows, takeovers — whatever you want to call them, just make sure you call out of work.

Thursday, March 1

Morehead Tavern Kick-off Party: Hosted by the women of Zeta Phi Beta, Morehead Tavern is serving lunch and drink specials with live performances by Jemini June and the Galaxy. DJ 300 has the "funky tourney party beat." $10-15, 1-6 p.m. Moreheard Tavern, 300 East Morehead St. tinyurl.com/MoreheadKickoff

Tip Off Thursday: Whisky River claims to host the "original" tip off party with music by DJ Skillz, DJ Pnut and DJ Suga Shae. Ladies free before 11 p.m. with RSVP. $15 and up, 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St. tinyurl.com/TipOffThursday

Tournament $1 Tip Off: Save that money for the rest of the weekend. This party costs one single. $1-10, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Buffalo Wild Wings, 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd. tinyurl.com/DollarTipOff

DJ Kool's Grown Folks Tip Off Party: This one's for the crowd that was jamming to "Let Me Clear my Throat" when it first came out. $10-350, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Club Vibrations, 5237 Albemarle Rd. tinyurl.com/yc5e8jm7

Friday, March 2

TOP of the TOP Rooftop Day Party: There's no better place to be during CIAA weekend than at the top of the Epicentre, bringing in the biggest weekend-long party of the year with DJ Flash and 1,300 strangers. Noon-8 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E Trade St. www.culture19.com

Doug E. Fresh & DJ Kool Day Party: If you're deciding between this and another party, you probably already lost your ticket. This annual event - previously hosted at Vanity - has sold out nine years in a row. $40 and up, Noon-7 p.m. Empire, 210 E Trade St. tinyurl.com/DougEandKool

Day2PM: Since her debut on Love and Hip Hop, Ju Ju has become a dedicated businesswoman and author. But she still has time to party with Trans Lit Promotions and Charlotte radio station Power 98. $25 and up, Noon-7 p.m. Kandy Bar, 210 East Trade St. tinyurl.com/yb2ayfoo

Hallpass: Tell your boss you're going to need a "hall pass" because this party starts during office hours. $10 and up, 1-6 p.m. SIP, 200 North Tryon St. tinyurl.com/HallpassParty

Gucci Mane and Lil Wayne Takeover: It's not all lollipops and ice cream cones. Two of the most successful and influential rappers in the dirty south take over the Oak Room. $50 and up, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oak Room, 200 East Bland St. tinyurl.com/GucciandWayne

• Gucci Mane. (Photo by Jason Persse)

Rich Homie Quan: Influenced by dirty south rap, Rich Homie Quan has made a name for himself in recent years with tracks like "Flex," "Walk Thru" and "Type of Way." Don't miss his CIAA performance. $25-500, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Kouture lounge, 3148 Freedom Dr. tinyurl.com/y7yxanzs

Juvenile 400 Degreez Tournament Party: It was 1999 when Juvenile once told us all to "back that azz up." Will we listen again 19 years later? Damn right we will, that song never ages. $25 and up, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Empire, 210 East Trade St. tinyurl.com/Juvenile400Degreez

Parties @ The Ritz Carlton: The Ritz keeps it classy all weekend with grand ballrooms parties and hors d'œuvres served butler style. $20 and up, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. The Ritz-Carlton, 201 E Trade St. tinyurl.com/PartiesAtRitz

Love and Hip Hop Invades Charlotte: Love & Hip Hop Charlotte has a nice ring to it. Maybe one day the franchise will recognize the potential of the QC, but this will do for now. $25 and up, 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Wild Wings Cafe Epicenter, 210 E. Trade St. tinyurl.com/LoveandHipHopCLT

Friday Night with TANK: With so many celebrities filling the Epicentre this weekend, it will be hard to choose where to party, but R&B fans head to Howl at the Moon to meet Tank. $25 and up, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Howl At the Moon, 210 East Trade St. tinyurl.com/FridayWithTank

Doug E. Fresh Kickoff Party: Spend your Friday night with the human beatbox at an Irish pub. $20-40, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fitzgerald's, 201 East 5th St. tinyurl.com/y8kdbkrk

Lil Boosie, 21 Savage and NBA Youngboy: Cameo's takeover features the up-and-coming NBA Youngboy, the OG Lil Boosie and the established 21 Savage. Three great performers for the price of one. $60-150, 9:30 p.m. Cameo, 3049 Scott Futrell Dr. tinyurl.com/y8gfrxvm

Cardi B Takeover: What a year for Cardi B. She conquered the female hip-hop artist's challenge of the decade: grind so hard they stop comparing you to Nicki. I advise fans see her now because next time she's in the QC, it's not going to be at a small venue. $85 – $7,256.60, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. World Nightclub, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. tinyurl.com/ybwdwctm

• Cardi B.

Saturday, March 3

Chris E. and The Breakfast Club 5th Annual Day/Night Party: Last year, Cardi B, 50 Cent and Wale were in the building. Record breaking attendances caused Empire to extend their hours this year to all day long. If you ever wanted to meet a celebrity, now's your chance. $40 and up, Noon-2 a.m. Empire, 210 East Trade St. tinyurl.com/ChrisEandtheBreakfastClub

32nd Annual Original Hopewell Group Day Party with Chubb Rock: Don't pull out those cowboy boots quite yet; this is not your typical rodeo. Coyote Joe's steps out of their Nashville comfort zone and welcomes New York City rapper Chubb Rock to the stage. $35 and up, Noon-6 p.m. Coyote Joes, 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. tinyurl.com/ChubbRockCoyoteJoes

Dayscape: Hosted by Kings Entertainment, this day party promises sexy young professionals, great music and premium cocktails. $10 and up, Noon-6 p.m. SIP, 200 North Tryon St. tinyurl.com/DayscapeParty

Kings and Queens Day Party: Some people reach an age where they think they can no longer go out. You can feel bad for them while you're at the main event for everyone over 30. $15 and up, 1-6 p.m. Extravaganza Depot, 1610 N. Tryon St. tinyurl.com/KingsandQueensDayParty

Kid Capri Master Mix Day Party: This legendary DJ worked with the greats: Big L, Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Foxy Brown and most recently, Kendrick Lamar. $40-1,350, 1-7 p.m. World NightClub. 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. tinyurl.com/KidCapriMasterMix

Go-Go Invasion: Feel like you've stepped off the Washington Metro with performances by Be'La Donna and Uptown Swagga Band. $20 and up, 1-7 p.m. Stats Restaurant and Bar, 3425 David Cox Rd. tinyurl.com/GoGoInvasion

The Official CIAA Party: Over 40 celebrities in a 40,000-square-foot ballroom with general admission tickets starting at $40. Only thing missing now is a 40-ouncer. $40 and up. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. tinyurl.com/OfficialCIAAConvention

The Grown and Sexy Party B.Y.O.B Edition: No line, HBCU alumni 30 and up, and BYOB - meaning no overpriced drinks. It's a win, win, win. Plus, a live comedy performance by Cool TLC and 12 DJs. $20 and up, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Paw Creek American Legion, 5651 Brookshire Blvd. tinyurl.com/ycos643a

click to enlarge

• Ludcaris. (Photo by Eva Rinaldi)

Tournament Takeover: Move, bitch, get to the EpiCentre to see Ludacris headline at Whisky River. $25 and up. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St. tinyurl.com/LudacrisWhisky

Rick Ross Takeover: Following Lil Wayne and Gucci on Friday, founder of "M-m-m-maybach music" Rick Ross takes over the Oak Room. $40-11, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oak Room, 200 East Bland St. tinyurl.com/RickRossTakeover

The Main Event: With names as big as Lil Wayne and Fabolous on the bill, this really is the main event. $62-102, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. World Nightclub, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. tinyurl.com/yaboqya5

X3 Xtravaganza: Your go-to radio trio for entertainment and information (enter-forming, as they call it) 3 Live Morning Crew hosts this event. $27.22 and up, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Kandy Bar, 210 East Trade St. tinyurl.com/X3Xtravaganza

Step Show After Party with Derez Johnson and DC Fly: Ballin' on a budget? Get to White House Night Club within the first hour and entry is free. $0-20, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. White House Night Club, 4809 Wilkinson Blvd. tinyurl.com/StepShowAfterParty