Sip and Stroll, Live Out Loud, Singles Party, Brewer’s Ball, and More this Saturday
If you haven’t noticed, September is an event-filled month in Charlotte, particularly heavy on the festivals. And when there’s an element of nightlife, it’s prime for Dusk Till Dawn. Below, I’ve compiled a list of events taking place this Saturday, September 17. As usual, I’ve narrowed it down to my top choices, and that still gives you more than a handful of options, whether you prefer wine or beer, rock or hip-hop.
Second Annual Sip & Stroll
This two-day event begins Friday evening with a VIP kickoff reception. It’s a family-friendly art, wine, and music festival featuring artwork and demonstrations by local and national artists, wine from more than twenty wineries, and live music throughout all three levels of EpiCentre. Music includes the smooth jazz sounds of 5th & York (Friday, 7-10 p.m.), Buff Dillard & Uniq Blend (Saturday, 2-4 p.m.), and the Temple All-Stars (Saturday, 5-7 p.m.). Complimentary souvenir wine glasses will be given, and areas will be reserved for kids to enjoy face painting, performance actors, and other activities. Friday, 7-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m. $20 for a one-day ticket or $30 for a two-day weekend pass. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. sipandstrollcharlotte.com, epicentrenc.com.
Carolina Wing Festival
The National Buffalo Wing Festival makes its first-ever stop outside of Buffalo, New York. This all-day event features chicken wing-eating contests, bobbing for wings in vats of bleu cheese, a kid zone, and live music by Scott Smith, Casey Clark, Dan Plowden Band, and Coconut Groove Band. Plus, nearly twenty of the area’s top chicken wing eateries will compete for best wings, and the overall winner earns a free trip to Buffalo to represent the Carolinas at the 2012 National Buffalo Wing Festival. Proceeds will benefit The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge. Noon-10 p.m. General admission is $10; current active-duty military and college students receive free admission with proper identification; children ages eight and younger are also admitted free. Metrolina Tradeshow Expo, 7100 Statesville Rd., carolinawingfestival.com, metrolinatradeshowexpo.com.
Live Out Loud! A Benefit Concert
It’s a fun event, supporting two great charities. There will be bands playing on two stages—one inside and one outside—all day. The headliner is Charlotte’s rising-star band Paper Tongues, and there will be more than a dozen other acts, including Campbell the Band, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Sequoyah Prep School, The Hot Gates, Pradigy GT, and more. A majority of the proceeds from this event will go to The Free Store and Samaritan's Feet. 2-11 p.m. $20. NC Music Factory, 814 Hamilton St., lolcharlotte.com, ncmusicfactory.com.
Island Party for Singles
The Bachelorette Club, a group for single women and men in Charlotte, is closing out the summer with an island-themed party. Mix and mingle while enjoying complimentary food and activities, and basking in the glow from Lake Wylie. 3 p.m.-midnight. $10 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Copperhead Island, 15200 Soldier Rd., thebacheloretteclub.com.
Brewer’s Ball
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Charlotte Chapter presents this beer and food tasting fundraising event that’s sure to please the palates of craft beer enthusiasts and charitable individuals alike. Guests will enjoy the opportunity to sample a variety of handcrafted ales and lagers from top local breweries along with cuisine from several Charlotte-area restaurants. The evening will also feature live entertainment and a silent auction. 6:30 p.m. $75 in advance (online ticket sales have ended but you can purchase until 5 p.m. Friday by calling 704-321-7852); $90 at the door. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 215 Southside Dr. charlotte.cff.org/brewersball, oldemeckbrew.com.
Rock The Bells After-party
After you take in the incredible Rock The Bells concert (Raekwon, Ghostface, Mobb Deep) at The Fillmore Charlotte, you might want to make your way to the after-party with hip-hop legend, Wu-Tang compatriot Raekwon. Other artists from the show have been invited to appear at the party as well. Hosted by Power 98’s No Limit Larry with music by Mr. Incognito. 9 p.m. $10 with concert ticket stub; $15 without; ladies free before 11 p.m. VIP tables available. Lux, 200 E. Bland St. luxcharlotte.com.
Be sure to bookmark www.charlottemagazine.com/Blogs/Dusk-Till-Dawn to stay plugged into Charlotte nightlife.
