Does this list look overwhelming? Check out our easy Tournament Week Flow Chart to help you choose the right event.
Check out our massive list of parties happening in Charlotte for the annual CIAA basketball tournament. This list will be continually updated, so keep checking back for more events. (Want to be listed? Please email aovercash@clclt.com.)
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Breakfast Conversations with CIAA Presented by Heirs of Legends Media. Hosted by Ms. Antriece. Featuring a breakfast and talk with CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. For more information, click here. $45-$90. Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Extravaganza Events, 1610 North Tryon St.
Tournament Week Media Mixer at Aloft Presented by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists. For more information visit www.caabj.org. Free for CAABJ members; $5 for nonmembers. Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aloft Uptown, 210 E. Trade St.
The Happiest Hours Remixer at Suite Presented by Dre Brown, Edward Towne, Mike Kitchen and Herb & Felicia Gray. Featuring DJ Shogun and drink specials. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com, keyword “remixer.” $10. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Suite, 210 E. Trade St.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Allure Happy Hour at Bubble Presented by Eddietainment and Cufflinks & Cocktails. Featuring DJ DR, light food and an outdoor patio. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com, keyword “allure.” $10. Feb. 25, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Bubble, 210 E. Trade St.
Frolic at Sports One Presented by Talk of the Town, Digital Divas and Mingleberry.com. Featuring DJ Flemingo. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com, keyword “10 years.” $10. Feb. 25, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sports One, 521 N. College St.
Grown Folks Welcome Party at Vibrations Featuring Leroy Waters and DJ Short Dawg. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com. Free admission with RSVP. Feb. 25, 9 p.m. Vibrations, 5237 Albemarle Road.
Hookah and Heels at Vault Presented by FLJ, So Fresh and One Take. Featuring No Limit Larry and DJ Mydnite. More info here. Feb. 25, 10 p.m. Vault, 210 E. Trade St.
Kitchapalooza at Label Presented by The Sol Kitchen. Featuring DJ Skillz and MC Skillz. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com. Free with RSVP. Feb. 25, 9 p.m. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Suited and Booted at Osso Hosted by The 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte. Featuring a live painting demonstration by Jimi Thompson and DJ Shogun. For more information visit www.wellsuitedwednesdays.com. Feb. 25, 6 p.m. Osso, 1000 N.C. Music Factory Blvd.
Thursday, Feb. 26
NON-PARTY
CIAA Teen Summit Teens hear from college students who share real life college experiences, visit various vendors from career counselors to college recruiters who can help them navigate next steps after high school. For more information visit www.theciaa.com. Feb. 26, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St.
CIAA Career Expo The CIAA Career Expo is designed to provide employers, recruitment officers and graduate school recruiter representatives with the opportunity to meet graduation candidates, recent graduates and current students. For more information visit www.theciaa.com. Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St.
DAY
Network to Success at Chop Shop A networking event to bring all kinds of businesses and owners from all over the U.S. together. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com, keyword “network to success.” $30. Feb. 26, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St.
Tip Off Spectacular Day Party at Suite Presented by Power 98. Hosted by Mr. Incognito and QCB. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com, keyword “WPEG.” $5. Feb. 26, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Suite, 210 E. Trade St.
Tom Joyner Day Party Featuring Tom Joyner, nationally syndicated radio show host. Presented by Old School 105.3 FM, The Sol Kitchen, and Dynasty 5. Feb. 26, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bubble, 210 E. Trade St. www.theoldschool1053dayparty.eventbrite.com.
NIGHT
Blue Light Basement Party at Mortimer's Presented by Brothers4Life. Featuring DJ Heavy. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com. $15. Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Mortimer’s, 210 E. Trade St.
Charlotte Jumpoff at Vapiano Presented by Eddietainment, J&J Entertainment, Eddleton Events, and Pearl Vision Group. Featuring DJs Biggs and Lonnie B. Happy hour specials from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com, keyword “eddietainment.” Feb. 26, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Vapiano, 201 S. Tryon St.
Chubb Rock Tip Off Party at Vibrations Hosted by Rae Styles. Featuring live performance by Chubb Rock and DJ Stacey Blackman. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com. $25. Feb.2 6, 8 p.m. Vibrations, 5237 Albemarle Road.
CIAA Fan Fest Features prize and ticket giveaways, celebrity appearances, car displays, video games and interactive zones, cooking exhibitions, and hip-hop and R&B performances by popular artists. For more information visit www.theciaa.com. Feb. 26, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St.
CIAA Legends of Hip Hop Concert Featuring Doug E Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, Chubb Rock and MC Lyte. Contact 704-399-6000 for more information or visit www.theciaa.com. Feb. 26, 8 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St.
Legends of Hip Hop After-Party Tickets to the party are sold separately from the concert. Feb. 26, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Charlotte Convention Center, Crown Ballroom, 501 S. College St. www.theciaa.com/bballtournament.
Last year, during CIAA basketball tournament weekend, I went to Cameo to see my favorite rapper in the entire world, Lil’ Wayne. I was tempted to run toward the stage and run my fingers through his dreads, but after considering I may come face to face with a bodyguard or two, I settled for just watching him throw thousands of dollars in the air. Not that it wouldn’t have been worth it. Ah, so close, yet so far away.
It was that memorable experience that prompted me to chat with Sport E. Odie, one of Charlotte’s renowned promoters of urban nightlife over drinks and laughs. Sport’s latest major venue in the Q.C. is “the world famous” Cameo, located off Scott Futrell Drive.
When I told Sport I wanted to talk about CIAA 2015, he responded in his usual fashion: with a story. He shared the details of how, in his efforts to secure long-standing hip-hop mogul Diddy (or whatever name he’s going by these days) to come to Charlotte, he found himself carrying $125,000 cash in a bag while walking the streets of New York City.
Yes. $125,000 is what Diddy’s people charged for the rapper/entrepreneur to come hang out at Cameo for one night during tournament week. Do you have $125,000 just laying around? Yeah, me neither.
But it’s definitely happening. Last week, Diddy posted the event flier on Instagram: “CHARLOTTE NC I’m taking over your city CIAA weekend with my sister @lilkimthequeenbee and @kennyburns FRIDAY Feb 27 @ THE WORLD FAMOUS CAMEO...We goin from 9pm to 5 IN THE MORNING! In the words of @sporteodie #itsmoovietime.”
Yes, Cameo stays open until 5 a.m.
I love to celebrate holidays, so in anticipation of Valentine’s Day 2015, I bought some striped heart socks and Hello Kitty Valentine’s Day cards with suckers to give my co-workers. My mom supplied me with some chocolate and a teddy bear. The only thing that was missing? A Valentine.
Predicting a weekend spent alone, I began to look for activities to do. Fifty Shades of Grey, based on that top-selling erotic romance novel by E.L. James, was coming out. I put that on my calendar for Valentine’s Day, but then what to do Friday?
The answer turned out to be in NoDa, at Chop Shop: The Sweet Spot: Valentine’s Edition. The Sweet Spot is a traveling show described as “a high energy, heart-pounding, fist pumping, laugh-out-loud pop erotica event.” I thought, “What better pre-game to one of the most anticipated erotic movies of the year!” Bonus: I found Groupon and Living Social deals for half the price.
At 10 p.m. on Saturday, I found myself still in loungewear. An old high school classmate of mine was in town, and we’d spent the day watching basketball, getting tattoos in NoDa and eating everything in sight. After a nap that lasted at least two hours on the couch, the last thing on my mind was leaving the house. But on the last night with one of my best friends, I knew staying in wasn’t an option.
After throwing together a relatively cute outfit, we had a beer and decided to go on an adventure to a new spot. We grabbed a Lyft and made our way to Myers Park. Tucked underneath Jason’s Deli on Woodlawn after crossing over Park Road is an island getaway, a bar unlike any other in the Queen City. Open for little over a month, the Tiki Hideaway is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Mobile
