CIAA Week 2014 Events: Monday, Feb. 24 to Wednesday, Feb. 26
Compiled by Jarvis Holliday, @HollidayInk.
The annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament is taking place in Charlotte for the ninth consecutive year, with events scheduled from Monday, February 24 to Sunday, March 2. The tournament includes five days of men’s and women’s college basketball games at Time Warner Cable Arena, and surrounding events and parties create additional excitement and draw tens of thousands of visitors to the city.
The CIAA men’s and women’s tournament games begin Tuesday, February 25 at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Photo credit: Jon Strayhorn/Media Arts Collective
Below is a list of events scheduled for Monday, February 24 through Wednesday, February 26.
Please use the website listed for each event to verify information. Advance tickets can be purchased through many of the websites as well.
*Denotes an official CIAA Tournament event
This list will be updated weekly with additional events, so check back soon.
UPDATED: 2-26-14
Monday, February 24
*CIAA Tournament Men’s and Women’s Tip-Off Awards Luncheon
This event will honor the achievements of the CIAA’s storied basketball programs. Noon. Charlotte Convention Center, Ballrooms A and B, 501 S. College St., theciaa.com.
Beatties Ford Road Cigar Bar and Party (through March 2)
Drop in for a relaxing party atmosphere, with cigars and food. Brought to you by Potentate, LLC. Noon-midnight. $10. Party Smoke Out, 1017 Beatties Ford Rd.
Celebrity Jump-Off Featuring Big Mike of Day 26
Several of the Charlotte area’s best hip hop and R&B talent will perform, capped off by a live performance by Big Mike of Day 26. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $20 in advance; VIP tables available. The Saloon at NC Music Factory, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., eventbrite.com/e/celebrity-jump-off-featuring-big-mike-of-day-26-tickets-10714105177.
Tuesday, February 25
*CIAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments Begin
Teams from the 12 CIAA schools try to advance to Saturday’s championship game. Women’s games: 10 a.m., 12:20, 2:40, and 5 p.m. Men’s games: 7:20 and 9:40 p.m. All-session passes, $60-$530. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St., theciaa.com.
Tournament Week Networking and Membership Mixer
Guests will enjoy networking, light hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Presented by the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity In Communications (NAMIC) Carolinas Chapter and the Black Business Employee Network (BBEN) of Time Warner Cable. 5:30-8 p.m. Free admission; RSVP requested. Tanner’s Bistro & Lounge, 505 E. 6th St., eventbrite.com/e/namic-carolinas-bben-presenttournament-week-networkingmembership-mixer-tickets-9357928817.
The Happiest Hours: After-Work Tournament Mixer
Mix and mingle after work, enjoying neo-soul and hip-hop classics early in the evening by Mike Kitchen. Then later in the night, the energy will be turned up with music DJ Shogun. Brought to you by FAZE Inc., The Sol Kitchen, Eddietainment, and The Grays. 6 p.m.-midnight. Free admission before 9 p.m.; VIP tables available. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., froma2zentertainment.com.
Tournament Week Media Mixer
Mix and mingle with local and visiting journalists and media professionals at this networking event. Presented by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists. Proceeds will benefit CAABJ’s college scholarship. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free for CAABJ members; $5 for nonmembers. WXYZ Bar at Aloft Charlotte Uptown Hotel, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., caabj.org.
Wednesday, February 26
*CIAA Men’s and Women’s Tournament Games
Basketball action continues. Women’s games: 10 a.m., 12:20, 2:40, and 5 p.m. Men’s games: 7:20 and 9:40 p.m. All-session passes, $60-$530. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St., theciaa.com.
Pop Life Presents Kitchapalooza 3: Tournament Edition 2014
It’s a huge party, spread across three venues and featuring six DJs: Skillz, Shaun Nyce, Hot Rod, Ngenius, CK, and 360. Hosted by Power 98 FM’s No Limit Larry. Brought to you by The Sol Kitchen. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free Admission; for VIP tables, tami@republicofcharlotte.com. District 300—Cosmos Café, Phoenix, and Re:Public, 300 N. College St., thesolkitchen.com.
Working Women Wednesday: Flawless Edition
You work hard, so play hard. Enjoy specialty drinks and music by DJ Terror Jones. Brought to you by Go N Get It Entertainment. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $15 in advance; VIP booths available. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., gng10x10.eventbrite.com.
Soulstage Reunion
Enjoy live music by Innertwyned, along with other soulful singers during this open mic night. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $10 in advance. Vanity Nightclub and Restaurant, 500 W. 5th St., vanitycharlotte.com.
Frolic: The Social Climb
It’s a “boss lady collaboration” between Talk of the Town, Digital Divas, and The Jazz Diva, and they invite you to come out and enjoy live jazz and R&B from The Shades of Brown Trio, along with DJ Flemingo. 6-11 p.m. $15 in advance. Sip, 200 N. Tryon St., talkofthetownent.com.
The Warm Up
Get loose with the Sigmas of Charlotte at this after-work event, hosted by the Power In One models. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free admission. Vanity Nightclub, 500 W. 5th St., sigmasofcharlotte.org.
QC Red Carpet Wednesday Extravaganza
This South Beach-style venue will provide the backdrop for partiers 30 and older, dancing to music from DJ ’06 and Mell Starr. Complimentary moscato wine served the first hour. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $20 in advance; VIP admission, $40; VIP tables available. Cathode Azure, 1820 South Blvd., redcarpet30plusevent.eventbrite.com.
Tip-Off Bowling Party
WPEG Power 98 FM and WBAV 101.9 FM present this special mid-week day party. Noon-5 p.m. StrikeCity, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., strikecitycharlotte.com/special-event/?event_id=10261.
