Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Big parties in '07

Another year is gone and the city's party scene is chugging along. Last year, didn't give us many new clubs. In fact, we seemed to lose more spots than we gained. Here are some of the big parties and shows in '07.

*Rapper Baby Boy, who sings "The Way I Live," performs at NV Lounge on January 13. Show co-sponsored by 96.1, The Beat.
*Gnarls Barkley and Red Hot Chili Peppers per
form at Bobcats Arena on Jan. 23.
*Reggae greats Beres Hammond and Marcia Griffiths perform at the Neighborhood Theatre on Feb. 2.
*The Bartenders Ball goes home. The popular boozefest, sponsored by Elevate Magazine and Entertainment and RockHouse Events, returns to the Adam's Mark, now the Blake Hotel. Feb. 18.
*12th Annual HRC Carolinas Gala
at the Charlotte Convention Center on Feb. 24.
*The CIAA tournament brings Boyz II Men, parties and more parties to Charlotte, Feb. 26 - March 3 at the Bobcats Arena. (CIAA party promoters, please e-mail me your events as a Word document.)
*9th Annual ACC Tournament Party, sponsored by Charlotte Sports Connection and Elevate, will be at theDilworth Neighborhood Grille on March 16.
*Mardi Gras party Buckhead Saloon sponsored by Elevate. March 17.
*Rich & Bennett’s 7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. Ten bars uptown on March 17.
*DJ/producer John Digweed performs at the Forum on March 29.
Charlotte's 12th Annual Taste of the Nation will be on April 18 at Wachovia Atrium.
*MerleFest turns 25 this year. April 26-29 at Wilkes Community College in Wilksboro.
*Socialympics III, sponsored by Lazyday.com, on July 14. Midtown Sundries Lake Norman.
*Charlotte Outdoor Adventure Festival sponsored by Elevate, at Latta Park on May 12.
*Charlotte Shout will be September 7 - 30. Blues, Brews and BBQ is September 21 - 22 (and they promise more barbecue for you to buy and eat). Culinary Arts Experience is Sept. 28-29.
*Charlotte Oktoberfest 2007 is Sept. 29 and will likely be at Memorial Stadium. I hope they have more food venues this time.
*Rich & Bennett’s 7th Annual Halloween Pub Crawl
Ten bars in uptown on October 27.
*The Santa Bar Crawl will be Dec. 1 in uptown, sponsored by Elevate and Lazyday.com.
*Rich & Bennett’s New Years Bash 2008 at Hawthorne's on December 31.

Do you have a major party this year? If so post it below.

"24" is back!

I can't wait. The new season of "24" arrives Jan. 14 for a two-night premiere. I'm doing my list of the top 10 things I've learned from watching "24."

Any suggestions? Post your reply below. Also, I'm looking for my "24" partner Conrad. If you're out there drop me an e-mail.