The Ultimate Events and Parties Guide to AKA Boule 2014 in Charlotte (July 12-18)
10,000 ladies from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are descending on the Queen City for their conference, and party promoters are rolling out the welcome mat
The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are hosting their international conference, which takes place every two years, the 66th Boule, July 12-18 in Charlotte. And several party promoters, event planners, and nightclub and bar managers want to make sure the ladies of pink and green have no shortage of socializing opportunities. It’s sort of like a mini-CIAA Week.
I’ve compiled a special list of more than 30 social events and parties that are scheduled to take place in anticipation of the AKA conference over the next week, with the bulk of them occurring this weekend and including several day parties on Saturday and Sunday.
For Dusk Till Dawn’s regular list of events (July 10-13), click here.
Photo credit: Jon Strayhorn/Media Arts Collective
Most of the AKA-themed events are taking place at venues in Uptown.
Friday, July 11
Sip & Socialize: AKA Boule Kickoff
Drink specials, music, and socializing. Presented by Astro Entertainment. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Kanvas, 525 E. 6th St., sipandsocial.eventbrite.com.
#LiveFridays: AKA Boule Edition
Music by the Uptown Swagga go-go band and Old School 105.3 FM’s DJ Stacey Blackman. Presented by Charlotte Nightlife Entertainment. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $10 in advance; tables available. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., livefridays-aka-gogo.eventbrite.com.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Opening set by DJ DR, followed by the world-famous DJ Jazzy Jeff along with MC Skillz. Presented by The Sol Kitchen, Roundtable Entertainment, and Dynasty 5. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $15 in advance. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., jazzyjeffincharlotte.eventbrite.com.
The Alliance: A Black Greek Celebration
Expect to see alumni from several black sororities and fraternities. Music by DJ Skillz. Presented by The A List, LK Productions, R&R Productions, and Talk of the Town. 10 p.m. General admission, $15 in advance; tables and booths available. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 206 N. College St., alliancecelebration.eventbrite.com.
Welcome to the QC Featuring DJ Biz Markie
The legendary Biz Markie headlines, along with music by DJ 06. Hosted by Fly Ty of V 101.9 FM. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. AKA Sorority members free before 11 p.m.; general admission $10 and up. Privilege, 223 S. Brevard St., privilegecharlotte.com.
Saturday, July 12
Day Parties
Boule Weekend Daytime Kickoff Party
Music by DJ Skillz. Presented by Blue Goose and The A List. 1-7 p.m. Free before 3 p.m. with RSVP; $10 in advance; table reservations available. Bubble, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., pinkandgreen.eventbrite.com.
Alpha to Omega Day Party
Presented by Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi. 2-8 p.m. General admission, $15 in advance; VIP tables available. Cosmos Cafe, 300 N. College St., queencityalphaomega.eventbrite.com.
The Best D@mn Day Party Period: Summer Edition
Music by Miami’s DJ Stevie J and Ciroc Boyz’ DJ SNS. Presented by Bestfriendz, Lou LV, One Goal, and Pinkies Up. 2 p.m. $10 in advance; VIP tables available. Whisky River, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., bestdayparty.eventbrite.com.
Dayhem: Pink and Green Edition
Music by DJ B-Lord. Presented by The Sol Kitchen, Roundtable Entertainment, and Dynasty 5. 2-7 p.m. $10 and up in advance; VIP tables available. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., dayhempinkandgreen.eventbrite.com.
SkeeRoo Rendezvous Day Party
Belaire Rose and Grey Goose drink specials, hookah by Hookah Life Charlotte, hosted by The QCQT and Pretty in Pink, and music by DJ Trellz. Presented by Prive Marketing Group. 3-9 p.m. Free admission before 4 p.m. with RSVP; $10 in advance. Tanner's Bistro & Lounge, 505 E. Sixth St., skeeroorendezvous.eventbrite.com.
Crème De La Crème: Boule Weekend 2014
Rooftop day party, with music by DJ Paradime. Presented by A.C.T. Productions, Roundtable, and MAZ Entertainment. 4-8 p.m. $10 and up in advance. Phoenix, 300 N College St., boule2014.eventbrite.com.
Night Parties
The Royal Welcome
Music by DJ 06 and a live band. Presented by the Beta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 8:06 p.m.-2 a.m. $40 and up. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St., theroyalwelcome.eventbrite.com.
Champagne Life: #SkeeWeeWeekend
Music by DJ Paradime. Presented by Eddietainment and NXL21Charlotte. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $15 and up in advance; VIP tables available. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., champagnelife2014.eventbrite.com.
Exquisite: The P & G Affair
Presented by Pristine Group and Se7en Productions. 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. $10 and up in advance; VIP tables available. Vanity Charlotte, 500 W. Fifth St., pandg-affair2014.eventbrite.com.
Pinnacle: All Greek Welcome Reception
Specialty drinks, appetizers, and dessert menus featured. Music by DJ CK. Presented by Dre Brown, Mike Simmons, and James Rickmond. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10 in advance; table reservations available. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 206 N. College St., pinnaclejuly12.eventbrite.com.
Premiere: Boule Weekend Kickoff
Featuring DJ Quicksilva in the main room, DJ Shaun Nyce in Doma lounge, and DJ Ngenius on the rooftop patio. Presented by The Sol Kitchen, Dynasty 5, and Roundtable. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10 in advance. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., premiere.eventbee.com.
Sunday, July 13
Day Parties
It’s Just Brunch: The Boule Edition
Order brunch from an a la carte menu, and enjoy live music by Rodney Shelton and Robyn Springer. Presented by Digital Divas. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 222 S. Tryon St., digitaldivasevents.com.
The 20 Pearls Brunch and Day Party
Brunch buffet 12-3 p.m., followed by the day party. Music by DJ DR and DJ HotRod. Presented by The Sol Kitchen, Dynasty 5, and Roundtable. Noon-7 p.m. $20; table reservations available. Bubble, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., 20pearlsbrunchanddayparty.eventbrite.com.
Sunday Funday: Pink & Green Edition
Bar and brunch menus available, a DJ, and hookah on the patio. Presented by Eat Work Play 704 and LGburna. Noon-6 p.m. Free admission with RSVP. Celebs Restaurant and Lounge, 445 W. Trade St., eventbrite.com/e/sunday-funday-pink-green-edition-tickets-12164842371.
#BeautifulPPLQC
Charlotte’s premiere brunch series is going out with a bang, all in the name of the AKAs, featuring music, libations, and eclectic southern cuisine by Food By Francois. 1-4 p.m. $15, pay at the door. Dupp & Swat, 2424 N. Davidson St., suite 112B, duppandswat.com.
That’s My DJ Featuring Kid Capri
Hip hop legend DJ Kid Capri headlines, following an opening set by Baltimore’s DJ Shaun Nyce. Complimentary brunch and mimosas during the first hour. Presented by Bestfriendz, Lou LV, One Goal, and Pinkies Up. 1-7 p.m. $10 in advance; VIP tables available. Whisky River, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., mydj.eventbrite.com.
Pinky Promise
Hosted by Miss Mykie and The Pretty Girls of Charlotte. 2-8 p.m. General admission, $10; VIP, $20. Caviar Nightlife, 300 E. Stonewall St., eventbrite.com/e/aka-day-party-hosted-by-miss-mykie-tickets-12216575105.
Mona Lisa Sunday Day Party
Socialize, mingle, and party hard with a mature and elite crowd of area professionals. Presented by Eddietainment, NXL21 Charlotte, and The A List. Music by Ciroc Boyz’ DJ Skillz. 2-7 p.m. Free admission before 4 p.m. with RSVP; $10 in advance. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., monalisa2014.eventbrite.com.
Moxie SunDays: The Summer Social
This monthly party series returns, featuring music by DJ CK and DJ 360. Presented by Moxie Society and an AKA Charlotte host committee. 4-9 p.m. Free admission with RSVP; table reservations available. Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar, 401 N. Tryon St., moxiesummersocial.eventbrite.com.
Night Parties
Perfection: Boule Weekend 2014
Music by DJ Skillz. Presented by A.C.T Productions, Eddietainment, and Dynasty 5. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission before 10 p.m. with RSVP; general admission, $10. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., perfection2014.eventbrite.com.
The Pink House Party 2014
This AKA-themed party was held at the 2008 Boule in D.C., 2010 in St. Louis, and 2012 in San Francisco, and now it’s Charlotte’s turn. Presented by Diva Enterprises. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $22 in advance; more at the door. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., thepinkhouseparty.com.
Label On Sunday: Charlotte Boule Weekend
This weekly Sunday night hip hop party pays tribute to the AKAs. Music by DJ Ngenius. Presented by The Sol Kitchen and Friends. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Ladies and Greeks (wearing paraphernalia) free before 11 p.m. Label, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., facebook.com/thesolkitchenevents.
Monday, July 14
AKAdemic
Music by DJ Ngenius. Presented by MAZ Entertainment and Eddietainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission before 11 p.m. with RSVP; general admission, $10. Suite, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., akademic.eventbrite.com.
Tuesday, July 15
Simply Pink: A Networking Event
Dress to impress. Music by DJ Skillz. Presented by The Sol Kitchen and The Grays. 6 p.m. Free admission until 9 p.m. with RSVP. Bubble, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., simplypinknetworkingevent.eventbrite.com.
Wednesday, July 16
Midweek Happy Hour Flow
Show up looking fabulous, and enjoy drink and bar menu specials. Presented by Digital Divas and Talk of the Town. 5:30-10 p.m. Free admission, RSVP requested. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 222 S. Tryon St., akamidweekhappyhourflow.eventbrite.com.
Pop Life
Charlotte’s long-running, weekly hip hop party series recently moved to a new venue. Music by DJ Flash in the main room, and DJ CK on the rooftop patio. Presented by The Sol Kitchen. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission. Phoenix, 300 N. College St., thesolkitchen.com.
Night Cap
Close out your hump day in style. Music by DJ Skillz. Presented by Eddietainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission until 11 p.m. with RSVP; general admission, $15. Bubble, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., nightcap2014.eventbrite.com.
Thursday, July 17
The AKA Takeover
Come out after work and stay late, along with the Alive After Five scene. Music by DJ Hukher. Presented by Digital Divas and Eddietainment. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Free admission until 9 p.m. with RSVP; general admission, $15. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., theakatakeover.eventbrite.com.
Cufflinks & Cocktails
The Charlotte Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity presents this after-work social each month at a different hotspot. This edition welcomes the AKAs. 6-10 p.m. Free admission. Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar, 401 N. Tryon St., cufflinksandcocktails.com.
Pink and Green Boule
Music by DJ Boogie. Presented by ICandy Enterprises, Pangaea United, Boys To Men Foundation, and Yes of Charlotte. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $15 and up in advance. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., eventbrite.com/e/pink-and-green-boule-tickets-11905667171.
Boule 2014: Grand Finale Affair
There’ll be food and drink specials, and music by NYC’s DJ SNS and Charlotte’s DJ DR. Plus, get your bowl on. Presented by E.O.C. Entertainment, So Street, and Tonya Stockton. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Discounted admission for all AKAs. StrikeCity, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., strikecitycharlotte.com.
Friday, July 18
All-White Day Party
Take a half-day from work and hit up this day party, in your white party attire. Presented by ICandy Enterprises, Pangaea United, Boys To Men Foundation, and Yes of Charlotte. 1-6 p.m. $15 and up in advance. Celebs Restaurant & Lounge, 445 W. Trade St., eventbrite.com/e/all-white-day-party-tickets-11905773489.
Pearlfection
AKAs from many chapters from around the Mid-Atlantic are expected to attend. Music by Power 98 FM’s DJ LP, and 103 Jamz’ Dominique Da Diva. 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Free admission before midnight with RSVP; VIP ticket, $15; VIP tables also available. Studio Movie Grill, at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St., pearlfection.eventbrite.com.
Verify dates, times, prices, and other info at the web addresses listed for each event.
