Shaking that thang before sun down

Men and women grooved on the dance floor inside Liquid Lounge. Others stood alongside the bar talking. Across the street at the Gold Pepper Grill, about 25 people talked and cut up. Strangers became fast friends.

It was 4 p.m. on Friday, and while most Charlotteans were at work, CIAA fans were hanging out at the storied "day party."

These partiesoften start typically by noon and last a couple of hours. They're a warm up before the bigger gigs later in the evening. Some are free, others have open bars or free food.

The Q92 party at Liquid was more of a club gathering with people dancing to DJ Live. The crowd was a mix of young and old partiers, something you only see here at the Excelsior Club and Savoy. Derek Morris sat with Mike Gray and Joe Taylor. The men, who hail from Baltimore and Virginia, hadn't seen each other in years and finally connected at the club.

"It's all about a reunion," Morris said. "We're going to find each other."