CIAA Week Parties: Top 10 Percent (My Picks)
I’m almost certain by now you know that the CIAA Tournament has arrived in Charlotte for the seventh consecutive year. The basketball games kicked off yesterday at Time Warner Cable Arena. And I’m sure you know by now that CIAA Week brings a ton of parties and celebrities. The list I’ve compiled for CharlotteMagazine.com’s annual guide literally features about 160 parties and events taking place this week. You can find that list—and everything else you need to know—at www.charlottemagazine.com/ciaa.
I was contemplating whether or not I would put together a “picks list” to help people narrow down their choices. And over the last few days, I’ve had so many people ask me what parties I recommend. So I figured, give the people what they’re asking for, which is what I try to do each week here on Dusk Till Dawn.
Here are my picks. I combed through the events list and pulled out about 15 parties and events, so, in essence, you can consider this the top ten percent. But again, these are solely my suggestions—I encourage you to peruse the full list for yourself. For each event below, I added a brief note to explain why it might appeal to you.
Wednesday, February 29
If you’re looking for a mature, professional crowd, ranging from executives to socialites.
Vybe & View: Who’s Who Networking Social
After great support with this event last year, they’re doing it again, this time at one of Charlotte’s newest and chicest venues. Enjoy special cocktails, wine, appetizers, and dinner packages, along with a mix of R&B music by the DJ. Presented by Talk of the Town, National Black MBA Association Charlotte Chapter, and Mayor Pro Tem Patrick D. Cannon. Proceeds will benefit NBMBAA Charlotte Chapter's Scholarship Fund. 7-11 p.m. RSVP required; minimum $15 donation requested. Osso Restaurant and Lounge, at NC Music Factory, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., talkofthetownent.com.
You can put an end to Hump Day by partying hard with 1,000-plus people on a Wednesday night.
Pop Life: The Tournament Edition 2012
It’s the most popular weekly Wednesday night event in Charlotte, and for tournament week it’s expanding across two nightclubs. Enjoy music from six DJs: DJ Quicksilva, DJ DR, DJ Skillz, DJ Complete, DJ Shaun Nyce, DJ CK. Presented by SolKitchen. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free; for VIP tables, tami@republicofcharlotte.com. Re:Public and Phoenix, District 300, 314 N. College St., thesolkitchen.com.
Thursday, March 1
If you want to mix and mingle with a professional crowd, while supporting a great cause.
Start Something Big Networking Reception
Celebrate by giving back to the community at this networking event with proceeds benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte. Enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and door prizes. Presented by Parties With a Cause. 6-10 p.m. $10 minimum donation requested. Aquavina Wine Room and Lounge, 435 S. Tryon St., startsomethingbig.eventbrite.com.
The reason there’s a “7” is because the AKAs have put on this event each year the tournament has been in Charlotte, which means they have a strong following.
Pink Groove 7
The pink-and-green ladies know how to throw a party, as is evident with this event each year. Music by DJ Tab D’Bia$$i. Presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Rho Psi Omega Chapter, and a portion of the proceeds benefits their scholarship fund. 9 p.m. $35 in advance. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., rhopsiomega.org/pinkgroove7.
If you’re not interested in the party scene, then take in a show, you know, get some culture.
Miles & Coltrane: Blue (February 29-March 3)
On Q Productions continues Season 3: The Sound of Music with its Off-Broadway show, Miles & Coltrane: Blue, by Concrete Generation. This work, featuring award-winning poets, musicians, dancers, and actors, tells the story of two of the most influential and controversial figures in jazz history: Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m. $22. Duke Energy Theater, 345 N. College St., carolinatix.org.
Friday, March 2
Day Parties
These promoters have the day party game figured out—there’s plenty of room and it fills up.
The Day Party Headquarters
It’s one of the largest day parties each year, with partying on three levels, six DJs, 40 TVs, 10 pool tables, and multiple bars. Presented by Talk of the Town, LK, and R&R Productions. 12-8 p.m. $20 and up. Fox and Hound, 330 N. Tryon St., talkofthetownent.com.
A lot of foot traffic will flow through the EpiCentre and much of it will stop here.
JetSet III:The Day Party
It’s billed as the only theater day party during tournament week. Food menu will be available. Music by DJ DR and DJ Skillz. Presented by SolKitchen and The A List. 12-6 p.m. $20 in advance; for VIP tables, erink@mezcharlotte.com. Mez, inside EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., thesolkitchen.com.
Night Parties
Escape the hectic crowds and big ticket prices, and lounge with a 30-and-older crowd.
Sophisticated Speakeasy
This lounge series features two days of parties and social events. Enjoy and elegant atmosphere, live music, wine tasting, dessert tasting, DJ, and more. Sophisticated partiers ages 30 and older are invited. Presented by Invitation Only. Day party, 2-6 p.m.; night party, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $15-$35. Aquavina Wine Room and Lounge, 435 S. Tryon St., sophisticated-speakeasy.eventbrite.com.
Party hard, big-city style with these nightlife kingpins.
2nd Annual Ciroc Boyz EpiCentre Takeover
Party at two venues. Hosted by Fabolous and Big Tigger. Featuring music by DJ SNS, DJ Quicksilva, and DJ Self. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $40 and up in advance; VIP tables available. Whisky River and Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., ez-tixx.com.
It’s like butter baby, and these promoters attract the attractive people.
Ambition In Full Focus Hosted by Wale
After the Maybach Music Group rapper performs in concert at The Fillmore, he’ll come next door to this posh nightclub to host this party. He’s also scheduled to perform “Lotus Flower Bomb” at midnight. Presented by Inner Circle Nation 2.0. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $35 and up in advance; VIP tables available. Butter NC, at NC Music Factory, 950 NC Music Factory Blvd., werunqc.com.
Saturday, March 3
Day Parties
If you don’t get here early, you’ll see the line down College Street.
Uptown Saturday
You can party here all day. Day party, 1-7 p.m., with music by DJ Polo, and a lunch menu will be available. Dinner party, 7-10 p.m., with music by a live R&B and jazz band, and a dinner menu will be available. $15 and up, general admission; VIP tables available. Presented by Digital Divas. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 206 N. College St., digitaldivasevents.com.
With two DJs who know how to rock a party, getting the crowd ready for one of the original showstoppers.
Warm It Up Kane
The legendary Big Daddy Kane will rock the rooftop at this day party. Music by two top DJs: Monster DJ Shogun and DJ Frosty, and hosted by Geta. Presented by Eddietainment. 12-6 p.m. $10 and up; VIP tables available. Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., eddietainment.eventbrite.com.
Night Parties
This is an official CIAA event, which means it’s been promoted through large channels.
Sister 2 Sister Presents Queen City Celebration Finale
It’s sure to be a live party, hosted by Charlottean and platinum-selling singer Anthony Hamilton. While the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff mans the turntables. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $60 and up; VIP tables available. Urban Garden, at 1 Bank of America Center, 150 N. College St., ciaatournament.org.
Ray J is becoming a young partying legend in his own right, and this is one of the few parties in center city that’s going late.
VH1/Money Team Explosion
Hosted by Ray J and Draya Michelle, along with Charlotte’s Jada Marie. This will also be the grand opening of Club Nikko across from the restaurant. Two parties and two DJs—DJ 360 and DJ Shogun—for one price. Presented by Taylor Massey, 1on1 Management, and Urban Affinity Media. 9:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m. $35 and up; VIP tables available. Club Nikko and Nikko Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, 1300 South Blvd., vh1ciaa.com.
It’s big names and big parties all under one roof, if you want to see a crowd that’s wall to wall.
Star Power Saturday
It’s three parties inside three ballrooms with multiple celebrities, all for one admission. Hosted by Fantasia, R. Kelly, and Jermaine Dupri, with music by Doug E. Fresh and DJ Kool, and a live performance by Big Tony. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $40-$90 in advance. The Blake Hotel, 555 S. McDowell St., ez-tixx.com.
Verify dates, times, prices, and other info at the web addresses listed for each event.
Follow Charlotte magazine contributing writer and blogger Jarvis Holliday on Twitter @HollidayInk.
