CIAA 2011 Events and Parties Fri March 4

Your guide to the hottest parties and events at the 2011 CIAA Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina

Friday, March 4

The annual CIAA Tournament is taking place in Charlotte for the sixth consecutive year, from February 28 to March 5. Even though there will be six days of college basketball going on at Time Warner Cable Arena, it’s all of the surrounding events and parties that create the most excitement and draw tens of thousands of visitors. Below is a list of those events for Friday, March 4. Please use the website listed for each event to verify information.

This list will be updated each week with more events through March 1.
Click here to see the rest of the week’s events.
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*Editor’s Pick
#Official CIAA Tournament Event (put on by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)

#CIAA Toyota Fan Experience/Yolanda Adams Morning Show
The syndicated radio host and singer gets the day started early, broadcasting live from Charlotte (6-10 a.m.). The afternoon resumes with a full schedule of events for fans, including car displays, video game and interactive zones, cooking exhibitions, and performances by national recording artists (5-10 p.m.). Free. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. ciaatournament.org.

Pro-Cheerleader Day Party
If you’ve always admired cheerleaders dancing on the court and field, check them out at a nightclub. Several current and former professional cheerleaders (including Bobcats and Panthers) are hosting this party. Noon-6 p.m. $20 in advance; $30 at the door. The Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. procheerparty.com.

#Women’s CIAA Tournament Semifinals
Remaining women’s teams advance. 1 and 3 p.m. Visit website for ticket info. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. ciaatournament.org.

#Men’s CIAA Tournament Semifinals
Remaining men’s teams advance. 7 and 9 p.m. Visit website for ticket info. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. ciaatournament.org.

#CIAA Step Show Throwdown
See Greek step teams from colleges from around the Southeast compete, as well as a step-off between area high schools. Hosted by No Limit Larry of Power 98 FM. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m. $30. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. ciaatournament.org.

The Premiere @ The Ballroom
This party is taking over the 25,000-square-foot ballroom at one of uptown’s trendiest hotels. And they’re doing it Friday (The Premiere) and Saturday night (The Encore). Music by the renowned DJ Kool (Friday) and DJ Bro Rabb (Saturday). Presented by The A List. 9 p.m. See website for price info. The Westin, 601 S. College St. alistnextevent.com.

#Sister 2 Sister Presents The Show
The popular women’s magazine throws this party with hip-hop icons Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, and DJ Kid Capri. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $35. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. ciaatournament.org.

*Class Innovation Artistry & Ambience
Enjoy three floors of partying, including a rooftop terrace. Music by the renowned DJ B-Lord in addition to live band Innertwyned. Presented by Heights Entertainment. 9 p.m. $25 and up. VIP available. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St.
heightsent.com.

*The Ultimate Tournament Block Party
Basketball fans go racing at this party at the NASCAR Hall. Enjoy two spacious venues, three DJs (DJ Alizay, DJ Heartbreak, and DJ Frosty), and the sights of motorsports memorabilia. VIP packages available. Presented by Six Figure Entertainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. See website for price info. NASCAR Hall of Fame and Buffalo Wild Wings, 400 E. Martin Luther King Blvd. sixfigureentertainment.com.

2011 Day Party with Bad Boy Ent. DJ SNS
Treat yourself to great hip-hop music with sounds by New York’s DJ SNS and the DMV’s DJ Biggs. Presented by Eddleton Events and J&J Entertainment Group. 1 p.m. $10 in advance. The Breakfast Club, 225 N. Caldwell St., ciaadaypartythebreakfastclub.eventbrite.com.

The Naked Sushi Day Party
Come out and enjoy complimentary sushi while mingling and listening to good music. Presented by the Ladies of Fishscale Entertainment. 2-7 p.m. Ladies $5 before 3 p.m. Prevue Lounge, 2909 N. Davidson St., brandychenell@yahoo.com.

The CIROC Boys Celebrity Takeover
It’s the first-ever CIROC Boys party in North Carolina, hosted by BET’s Big Tigger and Bad Boy Entertainment’s DJ SNS. Presented by Sherod McCormick, LV Productions, I.Simmons, and str8swagg.com. 9 p.m. $25 in advance. Whiskey River, inside the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., cirocboyz.eventbrite.com.

The HBCU Reunion
Music by Power 98’s Mr. Incognito. Presented by Tony Wallace, PDE, VEP, and Williams Evans. 9 p.m. Ladies free before 11 p.m. Cost from $15 (general admission) to $150 (VIP). On The Roxx, 1520 South Blvd., ciaaontheroxx.com.

The CI-VIP Affair
Hosted by Tia Simone, Envy Magazine Models, and Pure Venom Seduction, along with a surprise celebrity DJ. Dress code is sexy, upscale, and chic. Presented by Team Charlotte, B. Gray, and PrimeTime Ent. 9:30 p.m. Cost varies. Grand Central, 1000 Central Ave., civipaffair.eventbrite.com.

The Red Carpet Extravaganza
Have your picture taken on the red carpet, then come inside and party like a rock star. Ages twenty-five and up. Presented by Team Nice Productions and JLW Entertainment Group. 10 p.m. $30 in advance. Luna Lounge, 521 N. College St., ez-tixx.com.

Frenzy II
In a repeat feat from last year, this is night one of MAZ Entertainment’s takeover of one of Charlotte’s largest venues, connected to the city’s tallest building, aka Bank of America Corporate Center. Dance on marble floors as you gaze at the city’s skyline through a three-story glass ceiling. Plus, the escalators will lead you to the large VIP section located on level two. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Visit website for price info. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St., mazentertainment.net.

Extravaganza 2K11–Déjà Vu
Meet and greet with celebrity guests during this red carpet day party. Free hors d’oeuvres and free parking. Ages twenty-five and up preferred. Presented by Bridgeline Production. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $15 and up; first fifty ladies admitted free with flier (see website). Extravaganza Depot, 1610 N. Tryon St. bridgelineproduction.com.

*4Play Friday–The Sexiest Day Party Ever
This popular, annual day party returns. Featuring an open buffet, live performance by D.C. go-go band Let It Flow, along with music by Biz Markie and DJ Bro-Rabb. Presented by Bestfriendz, KB from WSSU, and Dynasty 5. Noon. $10 and up; ladies free before 1 p.m. Whisky River, inside the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. thebestdamndaypartyperiod.com.

The Ivy Affair 2011
Join the pretty ladies of AKA for this party. Music by DJ Tut. Presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Lambda Omega. 9 p.m. $30 general admission; $50 VIP. Extravaganza Depot, 1610 N. Tryon St. alphalambdaomega.org.

It’s Our Time–Home Court Advantage–JCSU Edition
Party at one of Charlotte’s newest nightclubs. Music by Jay-Z’s official DJ, Young Guru. Presented by YTILT and the Johnson C. Smith University Young Alumni. 9 p.m. $25 and up. RE:PUBLIC (formerly Alley Cat), 314 N. College St. ytilt.com.

*Friday Night Live–Battle of the Sexes
Enjoy two levels of party with two celebrity DJs. Featuring DJ Diamond Kutz of BET’s The Deal, who is also Nicki Minaj’s tour DJ, along with DJ Shogun of the Core DJs. Last year’s event was a sellout. Presented by Eddietainment. 10 p.m. $20 and up. BlackFinn American Saloon, inside the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. eddietainment.com.

A Swingin’ and Groovin’ Affair
The Charlotte grad chapters of Swing Phi Swing and Groove Phi Groove, nonprofit organizations that make a positive difference through community service and academic excellence, present this event. 10 p.m. Free admission. Kickstand Burgers-N-Bar, 1101 Central Ave. swingphiswing.org.

Charlotte Black Film Festival (March 3-5)
The CBFF will host three full days of festivities, films, and fun. It’s composed of film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and the Vision Awards, which celebrate the work of African American filmmakers. See website for schedule and costs. Halton Theater, Central Piedmont Community College, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. charlotteblackfilmfestival.com.

First-Class Day Party
Party with folks from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) at this new nightclub. Music by DJ Lonnie B. of Richmond’s Power 92 and Heavy Hitters DJ crew. Presented by A.C.T. Productions, PMG, and ForWard Vision Group. Noon-6 p.m. $15 and up. VIP tables are available. Jet Lounge, 1202 Charlottetowne Ave. forwardvisiongroup.com.

The Day Party Headquarters–Part 1
It’s Day One of one of the biggest day parties year after year. Party on three levels, with six DJs, forty flat-screen TVs, ten pool tables, and six bars. Presented by Talk of the Town, LK and R&R Productions. Noon-8 p.m. $15 and up. Fox and Hound, 330 N. Tryon St. tottciparties2011.eventbrite.com.

KLEIO: Now and Forever
It’s described as beautiful, refined, and sexy. Music by DJ Lonnie B. of Richmond’s Power 92 and Heavy Hitters DJ crew. Presented by A.C.T. Productions, PMG, and ForWard Vision Group. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. $20 in advance. VIP tables are available. Enso Asian Bistro, inside the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. forwardvisiongroup.com.

Late-Night After-Party Part 5
Keep the party going by coming here after you leave the club. Party starts at 2 a.m. and goes to the wee morning. And they’ll repeat it the following night. Plus, an all-you-can-eat breakfast will be served: salmon cakes, grits, French toast, chicken and waffles, and more. $10 in advance. Allure Lounge, 1508 S. Mint St. ez-tixx.com.

Celebrity Party with Dawn of Dirty Money
She’s Diddy’s sidekick, who went from Danity Kane to Dirty Money. And now you can party with Dawn as she performs live. Hosted by Obie the Promoter, with music by DJ Self from NYC’s Power 105. Presented by Sherod McCormick, LV Productions, and Frank Ratchford. 9 p.m. $20 in advance. Pavilion at the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. ez-tixx.com.

Celebrity 1st Fridays with Drake
The Young Money rap star hosts this party. Expect a large crowd and other celebrities in attendance. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. $40 in advance. Club 935, 935 S. Summit Ave. club935.com.

*Anthony Hamilton and Friends
Grammy-winning R&B singer and Charlotte native Anthony Hamilton headlines this night of music with guests Sunshine Anderson (fellow Charlotte native), Jason Jetplane, and 9th Wonder. 9 p.m. $50 and up, plus ticket fees. The Fillmore Charlotte, at N.C. Music Factory, 1000 Seaboard St. livenation.com.

Play It Forward: Party with the Rams Host Tom Joyner
Revisit the days of platforms, crushed velvet, and black lights and party with the WSSU Rams as they jam to music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Hosted by radio mogul Tom Joyner. Proceeds to benefit the Winston-Salem State University general scholarship fund. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $30 and up. Charlotte City Center Marriott, 100 W. Trade St. wssu.edu/tickets.

*4th Annual The Reunion
This annual, mature event features live jazz and dinner from 7-10 p.m. Then party with a DJ from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Thirty years old and older preferred. $15 and up. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). digitaldivasevents.com.

For the Love of Ray J
This singer and reality TV star is known for partying hard. Presented by VH1 and The Collective. Open casting call at 11 p.m. Midnight concert by Ray J.10 p.m. $30 and up. Butter NC, 950 Seaboard St. clubtix.com.

Visit www.charlottemagazine.com/ciaa for our comprehensive coverage of the events and parties surrounding the 2011 CIAA Tournament.