Bzzz. Bzzz. Hear that? While Spring is known to bring the bee and wasp populations out of the shadows (to the delight of, let's see, no one), there's a different kind of buzz hanging in the air now.

To break it down, the Beelievers are clamoring for Charlotteans to come together and support changing the name of the Charlotte Bobcats back to the Charlotte Hornets. The Swarm Time Warner event takes place this Friday, March 30. The idea is that while the Bobcats play the Denver Nuggets, an entire block of the audience will be decked out in teal and purple, the Hornet's signature colors.

If you want to show your support, buy your tickets and try to get seated in section 223. Participants can keep the party spirit going after the game, with the bar crawl starting at Fitzgerald's and hitting Prohibition, Tilt and Whiskey River. No cover charge for Beelievers.

Negative nancys, stay your pantsies home - if you're one of those perma-bored creatures constantly complaining about the Q.C.'s art and music scene, then tonight's Artists Mingle 2.0 is probably not your cup of tea. If, on the other hand, you count curiosity and community support on your roster of admirable qualities, this event is right up your alley.

Starting at 8 p.m., the N.C. Music Factory will transform into a networking mecca for local artists of all stripes: photographers, videographers, clothing designers, bands/performers, visual artists - you name it, they'll be there. Artists can look forward to connecting with each other and to being noticed by talent scouts, promoters and booking managers.

If, like me, your artistic talents range from limited to nonexistent, you can still feed on a festive atmosphere sparkling with local talent-musical performances, dancers, live art, and a silent auction. Feed your body with $3 craft beers and burgers selling at half-off.

Actually, I'll take back my earlier statement-negative nancys would enjoy themselves here, too.

While the weekly Wednesday night party Pop Life, brought to you by The Sol Kitchen, has had a number of homes - from Prevue in NoDa to its current venue RE:Public in Uptown - the party has maintained its hotness factor and continued to garner support from the masses.

So much so that on March 28, the shindig celebrates its six-year anniversary.

You have to hand it to the promoters: How many weekly parties do you know have stayed around for six years? And 99 percent of the time, it's free admission, too? Madness. They must be doing something right.

Don't know what you're doing for St. Patrick's Day yet? Check out our big ol' list of St. Patrick's Day events happening around the Q.C. Best of boozing!

• St. Patrick's Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green/St. Patrick’s Day Festival. The Q.C.'s annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and its accompanying Charlotte Goes Green/St. Patrick’s Day Festival does it big enough that folks with or without a trace of Irish blood in their system come out to celebrate. The parade offers finely adorned floats, marching bands and other special guests in green. Stick around after the parade for the festival, featuring traditional Irish dancing and music. This year, the Hickory-based Belfast Boys are scheduled to perform two shows. Comprised of native Irish lads Alyn Mearns and Adrian Rice, The Belfast Boys recently released their debut album Songs For Crying Out Loud. On the disc they’ve included a gripping and sometimes downright chilling collection of traditional folk numbers from the heart of Ireland. Free admission. 11 a.m. Parade starts at Tryon Street and 9th Street. It marchs south on Tryon Street to 3rd Street. The festival is held at S. Tryon Street, from 3rd Street to 1st Street. For more information, visit www.charlottestpatsday.com.

• Green Water Revival at the U.S. Nation Whitewater Center. Don't panic over the U.S. National Whitewater Center's green river. It hasn't been flooded with toxic chemicals, just a little dye that went a long way in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. During the Green River Revival, there will also be a PowerBall race and live music by Larry Keel and Natural Bridge and Chatham County Line. Free admission ($5 for parking). March 17, 1 p.m. U. S. National Whitewater Center. 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway. 704-391-3900. www.usnwc.org.

• Rich & Bennet’s 12th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. Includes access to more than 20 different bars Uptown. $20 advance tickets. March 17, 12 p.m. Check-in at Dixie’s Tavern, 301 E. 7th St. www.rockhouseevents.com.

• St. Paddy's Day Bash at Howl at the Moon. First drink is $1. Other drink specials include $3 Bud Light "green" aluminum cans, two-for-one car bombs, and $12 Lucky Bones. March 17, 5 p.m. Howl at the Moon, 210 E. Trade St. 704-936-4695. www.howlatthemoon.com.

• Shamrocks & Shenanigans at Whisky River. St. Patrick’s day party. March 17, 12 p.m. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade Street. www.thewhiskyriver.com/charlotte.

• 4th Annual Green Party at Pavilion at EpiCentre. Featuring music from DJ Row$hay and drink specials ($3 “green” Bud Light aluminum bottles). March 17, 5 p.m. Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.pavilionatepicentre.com.

• Mez & Kazba’s All Green Party. Featuring music from DJ Leony and DJ Frenzy. March 17. Mez & Kazba, 210 E. Trade St. For more information, visit www.mezcharlotte.com or www.kazbacharlotte.com.

• 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill. Featuring drink specials that include $3 beers, $4 Irish whiskey and $5 car bombs. Meet and greet with John Boy and Billy, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. March 17, 10 a.m. Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill, 366 N. Caswell Road. 704-375-0218. www.kennedyscharlotte.com.

• Unity by Re:Public: St. Patrick’s Day Edition. Featuring music from DJ Complete & DJ DR. Lassies are $5; lads are $10. March 17, 9 p.m. Re:Public, 314 N. College St.

• St. Patrick’s Day at Hartigan’s Irish Pub. Festivities include green beer, car bombs and Guinness, as well as Irish food, beer pong and corn hole. Live music performance by cover band One Night Stand from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and a live DJ from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $7 before 11 p.m., $18 after 11 p.m. March 17, 12 p.m.- 2 a.m. Hartigan’s Irish Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. 704-347-1841. www.hartigans.com.

• St. Patrick’s Day at RíRá. Drink specials include $2 Miller Lite and Bud Light bottles, $2 PBR's, $3 pints of Heineken and $5 jagerbombs. Broadcast of the Ireland vs. England rugby game at 12 p.m. Live music from Crashbox at 10 p.m. March 17, 7 a.m. RíRá Charlotte, 208 N. Tryon St. 704-333-5554. www.rira.com.

• St. Patrick’s Day at Sir Edmond Halley’s Restaurant & Freehouse. St. Patrick’s Day menu includes bangers & mash, Irish potato cakes, corned beef sandwiches, Irish Guinness stew, shepherd’s pie, and Guinness chocolate pudding. March 17. Sir Edmond Halley’s Restaurant & Freehouse, 4151 Park Road. 704-525-7775. www.siredspub.com.

• St. Patrick's Day at Fitzgerald's Irish Pub. Featuring drink specials and Irish grub. Doors open at 9 a.m. 704-900-8088. www.fitzgeraldscharlotte.com.

• St.Patrick's Day at Connolly's. Featuring drink specials and entertainment in a dark gloomy Irish atmosphere and outdoor tent. 115 E. 5th St. 704-358-9070. www.connollysirishpub.com.

• St. Patrick's Day Festivities at P.J. O'Reilly's. Featuring traditional Irish dancers at 11 a.m., a bagpiper at 12 p.m., live music from Wicked Power at 1 p.m., live music from Natty Boh at 4 p.m., and live music from Irish act Lissakeole at 8 p.m. Outdoor bar and shot girls all night. P.J. O'Reilly's, 16640 Hawfield Way Drive, Suite 103. 704-341-2247. www.pjoreillys.com.

• St. Patty’s Day Party at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Featuring live music from Leisure McCorkle and Shorty from 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. $3 pints and traditional Irish food will also be available. Free admission. March 17, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 215 Southside Drive. 704-525-5644. www.oldemeckbrew.com.

There is no doubt that North Carolina, and Charlotte specifically, has been stepping up their game in the craft beer world. New local breweries, such as Four Friends, Ass Clown, NoDa, OMB and more continue to open their doors in the 704 as beer snobs rejoice and unite. But what if you’re not willing to stick to just one brewery’s creations?

Three words: World of Beer.

World of Beer, a new South End bar located in The Circle, is a foreign concept to Charlotte: a bar serving only beer. No food and no liquor.

But they won’t sell just any beer; WOB will sell awesome beer. In fact, their selection will consist of 60 craft beers on draft and an astonishing (wait for it…) 560 bottled and can beers! Here’s the best part: Not one of those beers will be a Bud, Miller or Coors brand. Conversely, the bar will carry at least 10 Charlotte beers on tap at all times. This huge selection of hoppy deliciousness may sound overwhelming for those of you who aren’t brew connoisseurs, but fret not, as the staff at WOB is exceptionally educated in brew knowledge. The bartenders at World of Beer are schooled in an extensive two-week Beer School where they taste (sounds like my kind of job) and learn everything about the craft beer that they offer. You shan’t need a beer menu at this place, although there is one, because their “staff is the menu.”

With the beginning of March, we can now start digging out our spring gear for warmer weather. More importantly, it's time to start our search for the best nightspot in which basketball fans (and others) will call their second home this month: the sports bar. There’s a new place in Uptown Charlotte to watch the madness that ensues in March, and it’s not your typical Queen City speakeasy.

Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub is smack dab in the center of it all at 5th and College streets and within a full-court throw of the Time Warner Cable Arena. Yes, it is in the Wake Forest building, where Buckhead Saloon used to reside, but Fitzgerald’s looks and feels nothing like the former crazy, country bar. No joke, this place smells like my new car.

Tuesday, Feb. 28
Miles & Coltrane: Blue(.). On Q Productions' CIAA Tournament edition. The play - featuring poets, musicians, dancers and actors - is based on the lives of musicians Miles Davis and John Coltrane and their influence on blues and jazz music. $22. Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalarts.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 29
Mode Noir CIAA Fashion Week. Showcasing local boutiques, emerging designers, and national designers. Spotlights on African-American designers. Presented by Elle VJ Boutique. Raises funds for Presbyterian Hospital Blume Center. $30 and up. Feb., 29, 7 p.m. Held at 1800 Brewton Drive. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.modenoir.net.

Bronco Owned Business (B.O.B.) Mixer at Hilton Executive Park. Sponsored by FSU Division of Institutional Advancement & National Alumni Association. Free to the public. February 29, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Hilton Executive Park, 5624 Westpark Drive. For more information or to RSVP, call Sabrina Richardson at 704-287-9791 or e-mail srichardson104@gmail.com.

Pop Life: Tournament Edition 2012 aka Kitchapalooza at Phoenix/RE:Public. Music by DJ Quicksilva, DJ Complete, DJ DR, DJ Shaun Nyce, DJ Skillz, and DJ CK. 25 and up preferred. Free admission. February 29, 9 p.m. Phoenix & Re:Public, Corner of 6th & College Street. For tables, call Tami at 980-322-9859.

Vybe & View: Who's Who Networking Social Launch at Osso Restaurant. With Talk of the Town, The National Black MBA Association Charlotte Chapter, and Mayor Pro Tem Patrick D. Cannon. Advanced RSVP required. Feb. 29, $15 donation or more. Osso Restaurant, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. For more information, visit http://cievents2012.eventbrite.com.

Thursday, March 1

DAY PARTIES
Doug E. Fresh at 5th Element. With Fly Ty. $10 and up. March 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 5th Element, 500 W. 5th St. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.5thelementnc.com/#!ciaa.

Old School/New School Party at Tempo. Presented by Tempo. Hosted by the Tanglewood Crew. $20. March 1, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Tempo, 4809 Wilkinson Boulevard. For more information, visit www.tempocharlotte.com. To purchase tickets, visit www.crowntickets.com.

The First Day Party of Tournament Weekend at Privilege. Presented by Privilege DayClub & NightClub. Hosted by Grammy Award winner Anthony Hamilton and celebrity friends. Featuring Power 98’s Yasmin Young and DC’s DJ Flexx. March 1, 2 p.m. Privilege, 223 S. Brevard St. To purchase tickets, visit www.ez-tixx.com. For parties larger than 4 or for special VIP request call 704-890-7436 or visit www.privilegecharlotte.com.

NIGHT PARTIES
A Night Full of Laughter Afterparty at The Extravaganza. Hosted by Jonathan Martin with music by Biz Markie. Mr Joe “Cheezy” Clair headlines. $35 and up. March 1, 8 p.m. The Extravaganza, 1610 N. Tryon St. To purchase tickets, visit http://ciaakeepemlaughing.eventbrite.com/

After Hour Party at Tropix Bar. CIAA party hosted by former NFL player Jocelyn Borgella. Features music by DJ Mark One, DJ Big Will, April Rayne, Ro Jackson, Joe Higg and Day Tymz. Serving fish & grits, chicken wings and more. For more information, visit 704-649-5742. $15 and up. March 1, 9 p.m. Tropix Bar and Lounge, 4701 N. Tryon St..

Black Carpet Tip-Off Affair at Founders Hall. Presented by We Run Charlotte. Hosted by Doug E. Fresh and Dinah Sade with music by DJ Skillz and Marty Geez. $25 and up. March 1, 9 p.m. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St. For more information, visit www.weruncharlotte.com.

CIAA Weekend 757 & 704 Takeova Bus. Buses will run daily in hourly increments to Uptown. $100 and up. March 1-March 4. For more information, contact Micah Walls at 757-737-2460, Edward Walls at 757-737-0875, or Eugene Jones at 757-828-9046.

Gucci Mane Live at Cameo. Presented by Sport E. Odie, Russell Payton, A List, and The Dinero Group. Hosted by World Star Hip Hop. 21 and up. $20 and up. March 1, 8 p.m. Cameo Night Club at Daisy Dooks. 3049 Scott Futrell Drive. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.ez-tixx.com/Static/info_cameo_worldstar_event.html.

Hangover Party at FitzGerald's Irish Pub. Music by DJ Quicksilva and DJ Biggs. 21 and up. $20 and up. March 1, 9 p.m. FitzGerald’s Irish Pub, 201 E. 5th St. To purchase tickets, visit http://thecharlottehangoverciaa.eventbrite.com/.

Heaven at Blue Restaurant. Presented by Talk of the Town. Music by DJ 06 and Black Alley. $25 and up. March 1, 8 p.m. Blue Restaurant, 5th & College Street. To purchase tickets, visit http://cievents2012.eventbrite.com/.

Mode Noir CIAA Fashion Week. Showcasing local boutiques, emerging designers, and national designers. Spotlights on African-American designers. Raises funds for Presbyterian Hospital Blume Center. $30 and up. March 1, 7 p.m. Held at 1800 Brewton Drive. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.modenoir.net.

Warm-Up Social at Strike City. Presented by Inner Circle Events. With DJ Cobb. 21+ crowd. $10 and up. March 1, 9 p.m. The EpiCentre at Strike City, 210 E. Trade Street. For more info, call
704-858-3804. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.clubtix.com/the-tournament-warm-up-at-strike-city-tickets-98972

Suite Dreams IV at Suite. Presented by The Sol Kitchen. Music by DJ Quicksilva (DC/MD) & DJ Brorabb (RDU). Advance tickets are $20. 10 p.m. Suite, 210 E. Trade St. For more information, visit www.thesolkitchen.com/ciaa_events.html.

"It was for charity," will be my hangover excuse after attending Charlotte’s Great Night Out on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 9 p.m. until midnight at the EpiCentre.

For $10, you can have access to 10 different parties on the same night. The event will benefit the Hospitality House of Charlotte, the National MS Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Heart Association, Dog Days of Charlotte, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Levine Children’s Hospital, Urban Ministries, Dale Jr. Foundation, and Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Charlotte residents can purchase wristbands in the EpiCentre on Feb. 23, with $1 from each sale going to the charities. Wristbands grant access to BlackFinn, Enso, Howl at the Moon, Mez/Kazba, Mortimers, StrikeCity, SUITE, Vida, Whisky River, and Wild Wing Café.

Don't miss your chance to give back and drink up. It has all the makings to be a, well, I have to do it, great night.

Is the only salsa you're familiar with the kind you use tortilla chips to scrape the bottoms of jars for? Or can you sway and shimmy with the best of them? As someone who both loves old-school salsa but would rather be forced to watch El Cantante until her eyes start bleeding than to actually bust a salsa move in public, I sympathize with folks at all points of the spectrum. Whether you're looking to perfect your pasos or you're just looking for a popping party, the Fourth Annual Charlotte Salsa Invitational is the place to be.

A Friday night "slumber" party (if it's anything like the slumber parties of my childhood, not much sleeping will be done) kicks off two days and nights of workshops and professional performances. The Saturday night main party offers a showcase, a dance party AND a surprise.

The events are designed to make everyone feel more than eager to put on their dancing shoes. More details on the weekend's festivities are available here.

Feb. 3-5. Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum Centre Dr.

"Elephants and acrobats, lions snakes monkey." Here's where you can find the righteous and the funky.

OK, the OMC reference might be a stretch in describing the Bizarre Bazaar & Variety Show, but only because an assortment of zoo animals might be the only thing Saturday night's shindig won't be offering.

Will there be burlesque? Check. Belly dancing? Check. Aerial silks, live music and a fashion show? Triple check. Not to mention side show acts and an eclectic arts market.

Proceeds benefit Burners Without Borders and Pisco Sin Fronteras, two organizations partnering to develop a nutrition assessment project at a school in Peru. Any remaining funding with go to the Cal Key Wilson Memorial Scholarship at the AOMA School of Integrated Medicine in Austin, Texas.

Musically inclined attendees are encouraged to bring their acoustic instruments for the open jam session.

Make moves and start grooves for $15 at the door. Come in full costume and receive a $5 discount.

Saturday, Feb 4. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Studio1212. 1212 E. 10th Street.