Party Over Here

Magazine Staff

Two full-time staffs in Charlotte, totaling more than 200 people, have been planning, organizing, and fundraising over the past year to make the Democratic National Convention possible. Yet with all of the official proceedings on deck, it’s still largely a weeklong party. More than 1,000 events are expected to take place that week, the majority of them thrown by non-DNC officials. Here are some public events you should check out, along with a few enviable (and potentially crash-worthy) invitation-only affairs. Visit www.charlottemagazine.com/dnc for more DNC week events. —J. H.

Crash Course

Wanna crash a DNC party? Here are a few tips:

• Become a last-minute intern for someone on the event staff, such as a photographer or caterer. So what if you’re forty-plus years old—you wanna meet Ben Affleck and Sarah Jessica Parker, right?
• You know that nonprofit organization you’ve supported? Chances are they have tickets to some events. Time to call in favors.
• Volunteer to work at least nine hours over three shifts for the Obama campaign. You’ll be rewarded with a ticket to the President’s acceptance speech.
• Remember all those empty VIP seats at the London Olympics? It’s common for corporations and sponsors to not use all the tickets they’ve been allotted. Ask around your office and tell your friends to do the same.
• Just show up and act like you belong. You might be surprised at how often this works.

 

• Saturday, September 1 •

Media Welcome Event
The Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee will welcome thousands of journalists to the city by throwing them a party at all fourteen venues at this entertainment complex. Event will feature Southern cuisine and open bars, as well as entertainment by DJs and national recording artists. 6-10 p.m. Credentialed media only. NC Music Factory, (1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.)

Experience SC Festival
The Palmetto State introduces itself to DNC visitors with this inaugural festival, featuring live entertainment and regional cuisine. The Carolina Green Market Place will sell local produce and handmade crafts, and the Literary Corner will showcase South Carolina authors. 4-9:30 p.m. Free. 116 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC, onlyinoldtown.com.

• Sunday, September 2 •

Charlotte714
More than forty Charlotte-area churches and faith-based organizations come together for this day of prayer, worship, and unity before the start of the Democratic National Convention. Musical guests include John Waller and Big Daddy Weave. Gates open 2 p.m.; event begins 3 p.m. Free; tickets required. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd., charlotte714.com.

Delegate Welcome Events
The Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee will introduce as many as 6,000 delegates to the Queen City by hosting them at parties taking place simultaneously at twelve venues around the city. 5-8 p.m. DNC delegates only.

Unity Through Community: LGBT Welcome Event
The Charlotte LGBT community parties with LGBT and straight allied guests at this catered cocktail party. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets start at $25. North Carolina Dance Theatre, 701 N. Tryon St., unitycharlotte2012.com.

• Monday, September 3 •

CarolinaFest 2012
Celebrate Labor Day with a parade, live music, kids activities, food, local vendors, and more. Several nearby museums will offer free or discounted admission. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Uptown, Tryon Street from Stonewall to Trade streets, carolinafest2012.com.

StartUp RockOn’s Music Extravaganza
A group of tech companies hosts events all week, and will kick off the celebrations with a party featuring hip-hop band The Roots, Allen Stone, and others. This private event is invitation-only. 8 p.m. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St., startuprockon.com.

• Tuesday, September 4 •

Politics and Pints
The Washington Post organized this event, focused on political, news, and pop culture trivia. Chris Cillizza, managing editor of digital politics coverage for The Post, will serve as quizmaster. 6 p.m. Free. Rí Rá Irish Pub, 208 N. Tryon St. washingtonpost.com.

Arts Jam @ DNC
Americans for the Arts Action Fund partners with The Recording Academy, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Music Merchants to celebrate the arts and arts education with an intimate concert performance featuring national recording artists and benefiting nonprofit organization Americans for the Arts. Limited tickets are available. VIP cocktail hour begins at 9 p.m., concert begins at 11 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St., artsactionfund.org/artsjamdnc.

• Wednesday, September 5 •

The NewDeal Toast to the Future Reception
Co-chaired by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and U.S. Senator Mark Begich, The NewDeal is a national network of rising state and local elected leaders who are pro-growth progressives, including Mayor Anthony Foxx. Invitation-only. 3:30-5 p.m. Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St., newdealleaders.org.

Got Your 6 Benefit Concert
Chart-topping rapper Flo Rida entertains guests at this concert benefitting Got Your 6, a nonpartisan, entertainment industry-led organization devoted to helping military veterans. Invitation-only. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St., gotyour6.org.

• Thursday, September 6 •

The President’s Nomination Acceptance
More than 74,000 people will fill the stadium and tens of millions more in television audiences around the world will watch as Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama speak live from Charlotte and officially accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for 2012. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St., demconvention.com.

 

Categories: News & Features, News Features Archive > DNC, The Buzz

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