Style Under the Stars Fashion Show, Glow Parties, Bar Crawls, Patio Events, and More April 3-6

Is it me, or does it seem as if these months are rolling by like weeks? It’s April already! Well, be sure to make time for your social life. 

 

 

Alive After Five Season Kickoff

Charlotte’s largest weekly, after-work party and live entertainment series kicks off this evening, taking place each Thursday, and running through summer. Live music by Groovetown on the rooftop stage and The Hot Gates on the commons stage. And when Alive After Five ends for the night, your wristband will get you into after-parties at surrounding venues. 5 p.m. Free admission; free parking in the EpiCentre parking deck April 3 event only. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., epicentrenc.com, aliveafterfives.com.

 

Culture C Social Mixer

This mixer kicks off the two-day Culture C Conference—featuring thought leaders in creative arts, social innovation, and entrepreneurship—and offers an evening of live music by Schafewood Band, wine, a keynote speaker, and a networking hour with cigars from Outland Cigars. Presented by AmericaXL, an online social and culture marketplace that helps artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs amplify their personal brand. 6-10 p.m. Free admission with registration. Packard Place, 222 S Church St., culturec.eventbrite.com.

 

Blondes vs. Brunettes Draft Party

Come find out who’ll be drafted in the Third Annual Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football game in an effort to tackle Alzheimer’s. There’ll be appetizers and music, and the players and coaches for the teams will be announced. 7 p.m. Free admission; donations accepted. The Tavern, 300 E. Morehead St., taverncharlotte.com, Blondes vs. Brunettes Facebook. 

 

Pin Up Poker

Experience the 1950s Hollywood era, and try your hand in rounds of poker for the chance to win gifts. Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Fireball Whiskey will be offering drink specials, and vendors such as Pure Romance, Perfectly Posh, and Jamberry will be on site. Proceeds will benefit Carolina Breast Friends. 7-10 p.m. $15. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., pinuppoker.eventbrite.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.

 

 

New Orleans Crawfish Boil (weekly event)

This springtime food-and-beer-inspired event takes place each Friday through May 30. Enjoy a New Orleans vibe on the patio, featuring all-you-care-to-eat Louisiana crawfish served fresh out of the pot with corn, mushrooms, and andouille sausage. Abita beer is available on draft for $5, and Budweiser and Bud Lite bottles are $4. 4:30-7 p.m. $15. E2 Emeril’s Eatery, 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts, e2emerils.com.

 

Batters Up Bar Crawl

Baseball season is here, so why not go bar hopping along Montford Drive? Participating bars: Libretto’s, Brazwell’s, Angry Ale’s, Southside, and Ten Park Lanes. And RockHouse events will be raffling off prizes including tickets to the Charlotte Knights home opening weekend. 7:30 p.m. $5 in advance. Check-in at Libretto’s, 1600 E. Woodlawn Rd., rockhouse.ticketssoeasy.com.

 

Style Under the Stars

This should be one of the hippest fashion shows of the season, produced by Charlotte fashion guru Effie Loukas. Participating boutiques include Lotus, Fab'rik, KK Bloom, The Cheeky Bean, Doll, Vestique, Blank Canvas, Sloan Boutique, and more. Hosted by Allison Latos from WSOC- TV. Proceeds will benefit the Jamie Kimble Foundation of Courage. 8 p.m. General admission, $10 in advance; VIP, $40. Rooftop 210, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., rt210fashion.eventbrite.com. 

 

Charlotte Gets F*cking Weird

The GFW indoor festival experience returns to where it all began, and you can expect a night filled with intense visuals on two stages, confetti, dancers, glow sticks, cryo cannons, crowd giveaways, and more. Performances and DJ sets by Justin Aswell, Kyle Biddy & Boy Beats World, Nick Spain & Jason Wiggz, DRx Wade, Moodswing, Jaythebiggest, Popraffy, and Thrillian & Killtrak. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $15 in advance; $20 day of. The Chop Shop NoDa, 399 E. 35th St., chopshopnoda.com, charlottegfw.eventbrite.com.

 

Spring Fling

Enjoy the patio at this Uptown bar, while sipping on drink specials such as $3 beers, $4 shots, and $4 cocktails. Raffles will be held for women and men spring fashion items. 9 p.m. Free admission. SIP, 200 N. Tryon St., sipcharlotte.com.

 

Barstool Blackout Tour

Traveling from city to city, this party is “an orgy of sound and lights for all your senses,” featuring black lights, lasers, fog, strobes, foam, and thumping music. 10 p.m. $27. The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., blackout.barstoolsports.com.

 

First Fridays Charlotte

This long-running, monthly party series recently found a new home. Brought to you by Troy Veale, D. Autry, Orlando Farrar, James Rickmond, Floyd Hodge, and Jennifer Leigh. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission before 11 p.m. with RSVP; general admission, $10 in advance; VIP tables available. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., eventbrite.com/e/first-fridays-charlotte-tickets-11074473047.

 

 

Cars and Coffee Charlotte 

Car lovers from around the area gather each month for some shop talk and to check out each other’s rides. 7:30-11 a.m. Free admission. Mattie’s Diner (parking lot behind it), at NC Music Factory, 915 Hamilton St., carsandcoffeecharlotte.com.

 

Uptown Charlotte’s Second Annual Zombie Bar Crawl

You might as well prepare for the zombie apocalypse that’s coming one day. Come dressed in zombie threads and makeup, or get there early and have professional makeup artists give you the look. Bars on the crawl are Roxbury, Fitzgerald’s, Prohibition, Whisky River, Suite, and Tilt On Trade. Presented by Lazyday. $10-$20. Registration/check-in is 6-8 p.m. at Roxbury Nightclub, 116 W. 5th St.; event goes until 2 a.m., lazyday.com.

 

Saturday Night at Southside (weekly event)

Partiers who want to avoid the Uptown scene often come here to get their dance on. Featuring music by DJ Wylie and great craft cocktails. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Southside, 1600 Montford Dr., facebook.com/southsideclt.

 

DMV Takeover

DJ Quicksilva, of the Ciroc Boyz, will man the turntables at this multi-level nightclub. 10 p.m. Free admission. Vanity Charlotte, 500 W. 5th St., vanitycharlotte.com.

 

Oak Room Saturdays (weekly event)

Often reaching capacity on Saturday nights, this South End nightclub draws partiers from around the city. Music by DJs Edward Shouse and Knight Tym. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission; for VIP tables, viptables@oakroomclt.com. Oak Room, 200 E. Bland St., oakroomclt.com.

 

 

Beer Me Brewfest

Sample beers from 20 local and regional brewers while supporting a great cause: Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte. The afternoon will also include live music, games, and food. 12:30-5:30 p.m. $25 in advance. All American Pub, 200 E. Bland St., allamericanpubclt.com, beermebrewfest.com.

 

Label On Sunday: Annual DJ Skillz Birthday Bash

This weekly party turns it up a notch, as this edition celebrates the birthday of popular Charlotte-based deejay, DJ Skillz. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission; VIP tables available, shawn@labelcharlotte.com. Label. 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., labelcharlotte.com, thesolkitchen.com.

 

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