Derby Day Parties, Cinco de Mayo Weekend Celebrations, Mayweather vs. Maidana Fight Parties, and More May 1-4

Several annual events and celebrations are falling on the same weekend, making this a guaranteed fun-filled next few days.

 

 

Alive After Five (weekly event)

The city’s largest weekly, after-work party is in full swing. Live performances this evening by We Got The Beat on the rooftop stage and Who Rescued Who on the commons stage. And when AA5 ends, your wristband gets you into after-parties at surrounding venues. 5 p.m. Free admission. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., aliveafterfives.com/the-epicentre.

 

Yoga + Wine Tasting

It’s an evening of relaxation, with yoga led by Carrie Williams (bring your own mat), followed by a wine tasting led by Laura Lee Rosenfeld, and appetizers from Fran’s Filling Station. 6:30 p.m. $30; reservations required, 704-502-6388. Vin Master Wine Shop, 2000 South Blvd., thevinmaster.com, facebook.com/YogaCarrieWilliams.

 

Ladies Night Out

Enjoy complimentary massages and makeup, prize giveaways, tips from a wellness coach, drink and appetizer specials, and vendors will be selling items such as jewelry and other fashion accessories. 6:30-9 p.m. Free admission. Ice Martini Bar, 9525 Birkdale Crossing Dr., Huntersville, icemartini.com.

 

Flight Club

Treat your palate to this paring of Herradura tequila flight with dessert: agave nectar flan with a rhubarb and Strawberry Compote. 7-9 p.m. $15. Crave Dessert Bar, 500 W. 5th St., cravedessertbar.com. 

 

Bill Hanna’s Vintage Dance Band

It’s the first Thursday of the month, which means it’s time to go dancing. The 20-piece orchestra will be accompanied by vocalist Renee Ebalaroza, as they play ballroom classics encouraging you to dance the swing, shag, fox trot, cha cha, waltz, samba, salsa, and more. Complimentary dance lessons begin at 7 p.m., and so does food service—light dining menu and full bar. Band plays 8-11 p.m. $10 (cash only for cover). Grand Central, 1000 Central Ave., grandcentralevents.com.

 

 

Concerts in the Round (weekly event)

You can expect a particularly large turnout this Friday, as many patrons will make their way here from the Wells Fargo Championship. There’ll be live music by Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters, and you can enjoy food and drinks from the surrounding restaurants and bars. 7-11 p.m. Free admission. Piedmont Town Center, 4725 Piedmont Row Dr., piedmonttowncenter.com, aliveafterfives.com/piedmont-town-center.

 

Su Casa’s Three-Year Anniversary Party

This monthly party celebrates three years of bringing eclectic music and culture to the city, and the organizers will also bid farewell to Dharma Lounge, which closes later this month. Music by U.K.-born producer/DJ Daz-I-Kue, L.A.’s DJ Rareform, and Su Casa resident DJ Justice. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10. Dharma Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., dharmacharlotte.com, sucasacharlotte.wordpress.com.

 

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico Live

Dance the night away to a live performance by the band considered to be the most popular salsa group in the world. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $35; VIP admission, $60. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com, grancombocharlotte.eventbrite.com. 

 

Este Viernes Cinco de Mayo

Uptown’s only Latin nightclub keeps the party going with great drink specials—$1 Coronas, $3 Hornitos shots, and $5 Hornitos margaritas—and music from DJs Chaka, Cali, Jochi. 10 p.m. Admission cost varies; ladies admitted free before 11 p.m. Latorre’s, 116 W. 5th St., latorrescharlotte.com, facebook.com/latorresdisco.

 

 

24th Annual Derby Days

The Young Affiliates of the Mint present one of their signature annual events, known for attracting well-dressed men and women (seersucker suits, sundresses, and hats) to watch the Kentucky Derby on a large screen on the lawn. The afternoon will also feature live music, complimentary food and drinks, a silent auction, and cash raffle. After-party will follow at The Peculiar Rabbit. 3-7 p.m. $40 for members; $55 for nonmembers. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd., youngaffiliates.org.

 

Second Annual Cinco de Mayo Weekend (Saturday-Monday)

An eventful three days are planned here. Saturday will feature a beer pong tournament, taco-eating contest, Mexican costume contest, a DJ, and live music from Finnegan Bell. On Sunday, there’ll be a cornhole tournament with a chance to win two flatscreen TVs, a five-pound burrito-eating contest, and live music from Wicked Powers. And on Monday, there’ll be plenty of food and drink specials, plus a mariachi band during dinner. 3 p.m.-until. Free admission. Maverick Rock Taco, 1513 Montford Dr., xeniahospitality.com/maverick. 

 

Second Annual Foxy Derby

Come fashionably dressed in your spring, derby-inspired attire, and enjoy a late-afternoon/evening of live music by Hunters Travesty, heavy hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, a photo booth and more.  Proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. 4-9 p.m. Tickets available at the door. Leroy Fox, 705 S. Sharon Amity Rd., leroyfox.com, facebook.com/kitchen.cocktails.

 

Third Annual Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Races

The party gets started at Vida, and the Chihuahua races will take place in the EpiCentre courtyard. There’ll be drink specials all day. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Charlotte. 4 p.m. Free admission. Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., charlotte.vidacantina.com.

 

Blondes vs. Brunettes Game Day

It’s time for the highly anticipated, annual matchup between the blondes and brunettes on the football field, raising money to tackle Alzheimer’s. Come out and support these pretty (tough) ladies. Your wristband from the game also gets you access to the after-party at Tyber Creek (1933 South Blvd.). Game, 6-8 p.m. $35 donation requested. Revolution Park, 1225 Remount Rd., bvbcharlotte.org.

 

Dancing for Hope

Watch how the professional dancers get down, and then join in the fun yourself. The night will also include great food, music, a silent auction, and more. Proceeds benefit Hope Haven, an agency that provides recovery, life skills, and housing for chemically dependent adults and families leading to independence. 7:30-11 p.m. $75. Infinity Ballroom, 4038 Old Pineville Rd., hopehaveninc.org.

 

Charlotte Corporate Fight Night

Local business professionals and executives are stepping in the ring for this “white-collar” boxing event, and the winners get the prize for their selected charities. The bars will be open, music will play, and the Charlotte Checkmates will serve as the ring card girls. 7-11:30 p.m. General admission, $25. VIP admission, $50; VIP tables also available. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com, charlottefights.com.

 

Cinco de Mayo and Patio Opening Party

This Uptown nightclub has a beautiful patio and tiki bar that’s now opening for the season. Guests will enjoy drink specials, giveaways such as beads, T-shirts, and party favors, and DJs. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission cost varies. Roxbury Nightclub, 116 W. 5th St., facebook.com/Roxburync.

 

 

@ Kennedy’s

6 p.m. Free admission. Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill, 366 North Caswell Rd., kennedyscharlotte.com.

 

@ Hooters

Receive a $10 off coupon with paid cover charge. 9 p.m. $10. Hooters – Uptown Charlotte, 123 W. Trade St., facebook.com/hootersuptowncharlotte.

 

@ Vanity

10 p.m. Free admission before 11 p.m. with RSVP; $10 and up after. Vanity Charlotte, 500 W. 5th St., vanitycharlotte.com, vanityfightnight.eventbrite.com.

 

@ Tanner’s

9 p.m. Free admission before 10 p.m.; $15 after. Tanner’s Bistro & Lounge, 505 E. 6th St., tannersbistro.com.

 

@ Regal Stonecrest

Moment: Mayweather vs Maidana (fight shown live on movie screen). 9 p.m. $25. Regal Stonecrest at Piper Glen, 7824 Rea Rd., regmovies.com.

 

 

Cinco de Mayo Brunch

DJ Rowshay will spin, while guests enjoy food and drink specials. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Vida Vida, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., thevidavida.com.

 

Cuatro de Mayo

Come in for great drink specials and live music: Pluto for Planet (3 p.m.), Jon Tinker Band (5:30 p.m.), and DJ Method closes it out. 3 p.m.-midnight. Free admission. Tin Roof, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., tinroofbars.com/Home/Charlotte.

 

Showcase Sundays: Customs Edition

Glam23 PR & Events returns with this monthly showcase, inviting you out to mix and mingle, and check out some of Charlotte’s top custom artists, designers, and stylists. There’ll be raffle drawings for prizes, light refreshments, drink specials, and music by DJ Raquest. Hosted by Sidney King. 6-9 p.m. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., epicentrenc.com/venues/studio-movie-grill, facebook.com/Glam23PR.

 

Sunday Fundae (new weekly event)

Service industry night is being revamped, with popular Charlotte DJ duo Wiggz N Wonz (go on at 10 p.m.), and different guest bartenders every week. Drink specials include $3 U-Call-Its and $5 Vodka Red Bull Slushies. There will also be games such as beer pong, cornhole, and flip cup. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Prohibition, 200 N. Tryon St., prohibitionclt.com.

 

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