Bachata & Salsa Festival, Bar Games, Networking Events, Dance Parties, and More July 25-28

The next few days are scheduled to be quite eventful in Charlotte. In addition to concert tour stops on back-to-back nights by some of the biggest stars in music (Keith Urban on Thursday, Lil Wayne Friday, Beyoncé Saturday), there are plenty of parties and social events on deck around the city. Get in where you fit in!

 

Whether you’re skilled or a novice, you’ll experience bachata and salsa dance and music workshops, performances, parties (including mixers and pool parties), and more over multiple days. Leading instructors, dancers, and DJs are on the itinerary. Advance ticket prices range from evening passes starting at $25 to a three-day full pass for $130. The Blake Hotel, 555 S. McDowell St., blakehotelnc.com, charlottebachata.com.

 

 

Restaurant Grand Opening and Cancer Benefit

This pizza restaurant opened in the spring, but now is as good a time as any to hold a "grand" event. The owners are dedicating this evening to Shelby Purvis, a 16 year-old girl diagnosed with cancer. Proceeds will go toward her fight against leukemia. Your ticket includes all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta. And the mayors of Indian Trail and Monroe will go head to head in a pizza-making contest. 4-8 p.m. $10 at the door. Bisonte Pizza Co., 1381 Chestnut Ln., Matthews, bisontepizzaco.com, facebook.com/bisontepizzaco (h/t WSOC-TV).

 

Alive After Five (weekly event)

Thursday's AA5 is a celebration of the 1980s, featuring an 80s costume contest, with the winner receiving a three-day/two-night vacation package to Myrtle Beach. Music by popular 80s-music band The Breakfast Club on the rooftop stage. 5 p.m. Free; VIP tickets available. Wristbands from Alive After Five get you free entry into official after-parties at Whisky River, BlackFinn, Suite, Vida, StrikeCity, and Bubble. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., aliveafterfives.com/the-epicentre.

 

South End Garden Party

Each month, Historic South End presents social events for business owners, residents, and most anyone interested in joining them at various locations throughout the neighborhood. Friendship Trays is the host this month, with the Community Culinary School of Charlotte serving as the caterer—both are nonprofit organizations. There’ll be complimentary food and live music. 6-8 p.m. Free; RSVP: eventbrite.com/event/7565730303. Friendship Trays Demo Garden, 2401 Distribution St., historicsouthend.com.

 

Beer Pong Tournament (new weekly event)

A weekly beer pong tournament kicks off this Thursday, hosted by Bar Athletes. Enjoy drink specials and compete for prizes. 9 p.m. Free. Wild Wing Cafe, 2132 Ayrsley Town Blvd., wildwingcafe.com, barathletes.com.

 

 

Food Truck Rally 

Some of the Charlotte area’s top food trucks will be selling food, along with craft beer from Highland Brewing and wine from Shelton Vineyards. There’ll also be live music by the Moonshine Racers, a kids play zone, and more. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, ruralhill.net.

 

Bow Ties & Pearls: Social Networking Event

It’s a fashionable evening by the guys at No Grease!, featuring artwork by Marvin Espy, cigars by Cigar Central, and complimentary food and drinks. 6-9 p.m. Free. No Grease! Exclusive, at Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St., nogrease.com/bowtiespearls.html.

 

The Details: Happy Hour and Dinner Party

This monthly event moves to a new venue, but still promises a “chic, upscale, fun, and mature” social atmosphere. Mix and mingle while enjoying live music and food and drink specials. 6 p.m.-until. Free; RSVP: thedetailsevent.com/rsvp. The Ritz-Carlton, 201 E. Trade St., ritzcarlton.com/charlotte, thedetailsevent.com. 

 

Tacori: Unlock Your Passion—Fundraiser

Windsor Jewelers and jewelry maker Tacori present a fundraising evening at one of the city’s hottest new venues. Proceeds will benefit All We Want Is Love, a nonprofit organization that fights human trafficking. Your donation includes a complimentary glass of champagne, wine, or beer. Tacori's handcrafted signature fashion jewelry collection will be on display. 7-11 p.m. $10 donation requested. Bubble Charlotte, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., bubblecharlotte.com, windsor-jewelers.com.  

 

Rockin Taco Birthday Bash

This Montford Drive hotspot is celebrating turning one-year old. The party will feature drink specials, live music by Finnegan Bell (9 p.m.), slight-of-hand illusionist Hannibal, birthday cake, beer tastings, local vendors, a cornhole tournament, and gift card giveaway. 7 p.m.-midnight. Free. Maverick Rock Taco, 1513 Montford Dr., xeniahospitality.com/maverick, facebook.com/maverickrocktaco.

 

 

National Dance Day

Created in 2010 by Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of So You Think You Can Dance, this nationwide initiative and annual event promotes health and self-esteem through the art form of dance. Charlotte organizations are among the hundreds of groups around the country participating in this celebration. Come out and learn new moves. 1-4 p.m. Free. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St., blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/national-dance-day.

 

What the Truck: Big Hair, Music, and Food Truck Festival 

This festival will feature a concert with Slippery When Wet: A Bon Jovi Tribute and Hair Nation: The Ultimate Hair Metal Band (performing inside on the main stage). There will also be several food trucks on site, including Wingzaa, Homegrown Crepe, King of Pops, Root Down, The Plated Palette, Gourmet Goombahs, and Turkey And… Presented by 102.9 The Lake. 6-11 p.m. Free tickets available at eventbrite.com/event/7258693949. Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St., amossouthend.com, 1029thelake.com. 

 

Second Annual Beer Olympics

Grab your team of six and compete in beer pong, flip cup, quarters, and a variety of other bar games. $500 in prize money will be given away. Drink specials include $2.50 beers and $5 premium vodka drinks. 7-11 p.m. Free. Prohibition, 200 N. Tryon St., prohibitionclt.com. 

 

Charlotte Gets F@#king Weird 4

This electronic concert party series returns to its original home. Artists scheduled to perform include: Kyle Biddy, Boy Beats World, SAVAGEZ, Drummer Vs. Emulator, Sakatos, Two Face, Bossman, Emonei, DJ Cake, and Kid Caribe. Presented by Kidnice Entertainment. 9 p.m. $15 in advance; $20 day of. The Chop Shop NoDa, 399 E. 35th St., chopshopnoda.com, gfweird.eventbrite.com.

 

Signature Saturdays

Mix and mingle at this posh venue, while you’re treated to live jazz by 5th and York, followed by music by DJ Flemingo. Drink specials include $6 martinis, $3 bottled beers, and $99 Moët bottles; and order from the pizza and pasta bar. Presented by Eddietainment. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free until midnight; cover charge after. Vapiano, 201 S. Tryon St., vapiano-charlotte.com, eddietainment.com.

 

Su Casa: That’s My DJ!

The July installment of this monthly party is all about the DJ, featuring seven turntablists, playing everything from soul, Afrobeat, and funk to house and Latin music. DJs: Justice Asaru-Re Uzn, Frase Phase, Johnnie Davis, Outlaw aka Anthony Norman, Alvin Shavers, Jay Cooper, and Brian K Springs. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10. Dharma Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., dharmacharlotte.com, sucasacharlotte.wordpress.com. 

 

 

Showcase Sundays: Fitness Edition

The fourth edition of this monthly networking event will feature local fitness professionals, including personal trainers, massage therapists, body wrap specialists, and nutritionists. Light refreshments will be served and free prizes will be given away. Hosted by Ryan Jor El and music by DJ Special K. Presented by Glam23 Public Relations & Events. 7-10 p.m. $5. Volume Lounge, 1801 Commonwealth Ave., facebook.com/volumelounge, glam23.com.

 

Sunday Night Wrap Up (weekly event)

Party to music by DJ T-Nice and take the edge off with the “World’s Greatest Daiquiris.” 9 p.m.-midnight. Free. Wet Willie's, 900 NC Music Factory, Blvd., wetwillies.com/locations/charlotte.html.

 

Verify dates, times, prices, and other info at the web addresses listed for each event.