Bowling 4 Booty, Silent Disco, Xmas in July, Socialympics, Don Tiki Grand Opening, and More – July 10-13

Photo credit: facebook.com/lazydayclt
Socialympics, now in its tenth year, takes place Saturday at The Sandbox at VBGB Beer Hall and Garden.
Summer is in full swing, and as you come on or off staycation, peruse this list of social events and parties to keep yourself entertained.
 
P.S. Click here for the list of more than 30 events surrounding Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Boule (July 12-18).
 

Thursday, July 10

 
Bowling 4 Booty
Come out for an evening of bowling, food, drinks, and fun, with proceeds benefiting Levine Cancer Institute’s fundraising efforts for 24 Hours of Booty. Ticket includes complimentary bowling and shoe rental, barbecue dinner, and drink specials. 5:30-9 p.m. $20 in advance, $22 at door. Ten Park Lanes, 1700 Montford Dr., rollten.com, bowling4booty2014.eventbrite.com.
 
Charlotte Green Drinks
It’s a monthly gathering for the eco-conscious and eco-curious to network, enjoy drinks, and discuss ways to improve the environment. This evening’s guest speaker is Ernie McLaney from CROWN (Charlotte, Reconnecting Ourselves With Nature), a chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free admission. Heist Brewery, 2909 N. Davidson St., heistbrewery.com, greendrinksclt.com.
 
Thursday Night Flights 
This installment of the weekly series, which runs through August 21, welcomes guests to the raptor trail for live music by Rusty Knox, a complimentary World Cup-themed beer tasting, and Philly’s Italian Ice Mobile Eatery will be on site. 6-8 p.m. Adults, $10; kids admitted free. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Rd., Huntersville, carolinaraptorcenter.org.
 

Friday, July 11

 
Live Music on the Patio (Friday and Saturday)
Enjoy live music and drink specials at this Uptown barbecue spot. Friday features the Winchester-Brooks Duo, and on Saturday Jen and Tonic will play. 6-9 p.m. Free admission. Queen City Q, 225 E. Sixth St., queencityq.com.
 
Start Something Summer Series: Xmas in July
This summer social kicks off, taking you to a different EpiCentre hotspot each month (next two events: August 15 at Vida Vida; September 12 at Bubble), to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte. Mix and mingle over $3 drink specials and music. 6-9 p.m. $5 donation requested. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., suitecharlotte.com, bbbsgcxmasinjuly2014.eventbrite.com.
 
Silent Disco
DJs Boss Austin, Kyle Biddy, and Boy Beats World will battle it out at this event, where the music is played in wireless headphones worn by each partier, rather than traditional club speakers. 8 p.m. Free admission. Rooftop 210, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., rooftop210.com.

[photo credit: facebook.com/rooftop210]

 
Morgan Page
Renowned EDM DJ from Los Angeles, Morgan Page, rocks the party, with local support by Rob Reeves. Presented by Disco Donnie and Sugar Society. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $20. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com.
 
Ultra Rave in the Paint II
Hundreds of partiers came out to the first installment of this event in April, and you can expect to get soaked in neon paint again (it’s washable). There will be music by DJs Cali, Danny B, Krom, and Tookie, along with dancers Lady Bunny and Playhau5. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10 in advance. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., phoenixcharlotte.com, raveinthepaint2.eventbrite.com.
 
The Game
West Coast rapper The Game will be in the house this Friday night, with music by DJ Chuck T. and DJ Champ. Hosted by Alexis Greene and Domonique Brooks. 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. $20 and up in advance; for VIP tables, rsvp@caviarnightlife.com. Caviar Nightlife, caviarnightlife.com, eventbrite.com/e/the-game-jaceon-taylor-caviar-nightlife-tickets-11962577391.
 

Saturday, July 12

 
10th Annual Firefighters’ Pancake Breakfast
Charlotte firefighters will cook pancakes for this great cause, with proceeds benefiting the N.C. Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Adults, $5 suggested donation; kids, $3. 7th Street Public Market, 224 E. Seventh St., 7thstreetpublicmarket.com.
 
Fourth Annual Charlotte Pride Splash Day
This annual event offers members of the LGBTQ and allied community the chance to come together for a day of fun, outdoor activities, food, drinks, and fellowship. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Visit event link for special group rate. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., usnwc.org, takeoverfriday.squarespace.com/events/2014/7/12/4th-annual-charlotte-pride-splash-day.
 
Socialympics X
One of Charlotte’s longest-running summer events is marking its tenth year, and co-ed teams are getting together to compete in a variety of games throughout the day. DJ Jazzy Jimmy will play party music during the six events that will test participants’ athletic, social, and mental abilities, all in the name of being crowned The Ultimate Socialympians. Presented by RockHouse Events and Lazyday. Registration begins at 11 a.m. $450 per team (8 to 10 people), advance purchase recommended. 1 p.m. Free admission for spectators. The Sandbox at VBGB Beer Hall and Garden, 920 Hamilton St., vbgbuptown.com, lazyday.com
 
Color Festival
The world’s largest color festival comes to Charlotte, offering an afternoon of vibrant color (washable paint), live music, cuisine, yoga, and dance. Live music by Kirtiniyas, Blue Spirit Wheel, Atma, AZitiZ, and Dub Kirtan All Stars. Noon-5 p.m. $20. The Oaks Events, 628 Hwy. 24/27 W., Midland, colorfestival.com/charlotte.
 
Bastille Day Celebration
Technically, this French national day is July 14, but you can get in on the fun a couple of days early at this Lake Norman wine bar. There’ll be live music and great specials on French wines. 7 p.m.-midnight. Free admission. The Wine Cellar, 19712 One Norman Blvd., Cornelius, winecellarlkn.com.
 
RSVP Saturdays (weekly event)
Come ready to mingle with a mostly 30-and-older crowd, over cocktails, appetizers, and a DJ will play hits from the 1970s through today. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. City Tavern – SouthPark, 4331 Barclay Downs Dr., city-tavern.com, socialflockers.com.

[photo credit: facebook.com/socialflockersfun]

 
Signature Saturdays
Taking place the second and last Saturday of every month, this edition features live jazz by Shableek, followed by music from DJ DR. Drink specials include $3 bottled beers and $6 martinis, and the food menu is available until midnight. Presented by Eddietainment. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission before midnight; for VIP tables, eddiet456@gmail.com. Vapiano, 201 S. Tryon St., facebook.com/vapianoclt, eddietainment.com.
 
Don Tiki Grand Opening
The third and final portion of the recently opened Automatic Slims is now complete, Don Tiki, a Hawaiian-themed outdoor surf bar and patio. The Legacy Committee will host this grand opening event, with Brothers Creed performing live, and music from DJ Red. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Automatic Slims, at NC Music Factory, 820 Hamilton St., autoslims.com, facebook.com/events/678066745594535.
 
Star-Spangled Burlesque
This speakeasy bar and hookah lounge hosts a special red, white, and blue-themed, 1920s-style burlesque show. There’ll be two sets throughout the night. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $5 in advance; $10 at the door. Barreled at the Lift, 1600 E. Woodlawn Rd., barreledcharlotte.com, eventbrite.com/e/star-spangled-burlesque-tickets-12119426531.
 

Sunday, July 13

 
Let’s Talk Brunch and Networking Series
Guests will enjoy a catered brunch with mimosas, raffles, giveaways, and speed networking. There will also be a panel discussion on the “Pursuit of Happiness,” the importance of finding your passion and purpose, developing healthy relationships, stress management, and handling work/life balance. Presented by Empress Nic and the Let’s Talk Women’s Network. 1-4 p.m. General admission, $35. Vivace, 1100 Metropolitan Ave., vivacecharlotte.com, letstalkbrunchhappyness.eventbrite.com.
 
Crowd Surfer Sundays (weekly event)
This eclectic event series began a few weeks ago, and draws folks to Plaza Midwood for an afternoon of live bands, DJs, art, food trucks, and more. There’s also a flea market set up on the patio and sidewalk. 2-6 p.m. Free admission. Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., snugrock.com.
 
World Cup Finals
The month-long World Cup comes to an end. It’s been a heck of a ride! Be sure to consult Dusk Till Dawn’s original list of Charlotte bars showing the matches. 3 p.m. 
 
Verify dates, times, prices, and other info at the web addresses listed for each event.
 
Be sure to bookmark www.charlottemagazine.com/Blogs/Dusk-Till-Dawn to stay plugged into Charlotte’s nightlife and social scene. Click here to sign up to receive the weekly Dusk Till Dawn e-newsletter. Follow me on Twitter @HollidayInk; email me at jarvish@grownpeopletalking.com.
 
Categories: Dusk Till Dawn