Pull Up To These Events In June

What’s the word Brothers and Sisters?  It’s your favorite “Friendly Neighborhood Dope Events Dealer,¨ The Black Ferris Bueller, back in action with The Block. I’m giving you the goodness of our culture for the month of June. The Block is hot and as summer is on the horizon, the community and culture is heating up with all sorts of enriching events.

Editor’s Note: For in-person events, please adhere to social distancing guidelines. That includes keeping 6-feet between each person, wearing a mask, and sanitizing and washing hands. If you are not feeling well or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.

Entire month of June

Get your appetites ready for a purpose, and come support the For The Culture Bake Sale. Spearheaded by the brilliant mind of Jenelle Kellam, the Charlotte-area bake sale will raise funds to support For the Culture Food Magazine, a publication centering and celebrating Black women in the food and beverage industry. Check the @fortheculturebakesale Instagram page to learn about participating bakers, and what they will offer throughout this important fundraiser.

Several Black food bloggers have come together for a campaign to bring more visibility to the city’s Black-owned restaurants. The Instagram tag #eatblkclt aims to gather at least 750 photos from people patronizing local food spots. The event is slated to run through the Juneteenth weekend.

Every Monday

Gear your ears to your nearest mobile device and plug in your auxiliary cord to some speakers for Rock Box- The Slow Wine Series.  Join my good brother Chief Rocka Aking Allah as he takes your soul on a journey through sound with the flyest R&B, Soul, Fusion Quiet Storm joints creating an enticing, mellow and enchanting soundtrack. From the lush orchestration of the 70s and drum machine fused ballads of the 80s, to the aphrodisiac mellow smoothness of the 90s and all sorts of scintillating sentiments in between. Tune in at 7pm on Facebook LIVE and get ready for an evening of love.

Every Tuesday

JazzArts Charlotte invites you to take a conversational journey into the world of jazz as they proudly present their online dialog series, Conversations With Curtis.  Hosted by noted jazz enthusiast and online radio personality Curtis Davenport, you´ll have an opportunity to delve into a colorful world of notable jazz standards, albums, and groundbreaking jazz artists. Be sure to RSVP here.

Put some health in your hearts, a smile on your face, and fresh food on your table at the Rosa Parks Farmers Market each Tuesday afternoon. Food brings health and health brings happiness to you, your family and community. Choose organic fruits and vegetables from local farmers, for a fraction of what you’d pay at a local grocery store. The market will open at 3pm, and will be held at 2020 Beatties Ford Rd.  

Every Wednesday

Get ready to work, move, groove, and get on the good foot at jam with The JAM: CLT. Join the beautiful, energetic and vibrant Alicia D. Williams as she guides you along a fun hip-hop dance class. Work up a sweat with some fun aerobic moves, set to uptempo and funky hip-hop tunes. Class starts at 6:30pm on THE JAM: CLT Facebook page.

Freaquency360 is back in action with a special online presentation of Ondas do Brasil. Join host and DJ, Jah Freedom as he curates a tropical soundscape spinning some eclectic Afro-Brazilian rhythms, African Funk, Afrobeat, Soul, Disco, Samba, Jazz and more. Come and experience Afro-Brazilian culture through a unique synergy of sound and soul, while taking a journey into unknown musical regions of the African Diaspora. The tunes start at 9:30 p.m. at  @Freaquency360 .

Take a journey into another universe as Soul Gastrolounge plans to ease your minds with a special guest, as they present That Guy Smitty LIVE.  Feel the rhythms of outerworldly underground joints in the realm of House, Deep House, Downtempo, Funk and more. The tables start turning at 7pm. 

Every Friday

After the online work week is done, gather your friends on Zoom. Join Bell Biv DeVoe andNew Edition official tour turntablist, DJ Shakim, as he presents a special set on Friday evenings entitled The Pot Liquor Series.  Whether in your business attire, in your car or coolin’ at the crib,  get down on the good foot and enjoy a vibrant mix. The jump off is at 8pm on Facebook LIVE.

Every Saturday

Experience some local grocery shopping in the confines of a clean and safe concrete jungle at the Uptown Farmers Market.  It is a day about giving thanks to those who provide food for everyone. Supporting local farmers helps the local economy, provides educational knowledge on where your food is coming from, and brings the tradition of our ancestors into the future. Support your local farmers today.  8am – 12pm.  Address: 300 S. Davidson St. in Uptown.  

Friday, June 12

Experience a virtual art showcase as Kemetic Science Institute presents another session of WOKE NIGHT OUT- Soulful Sounds. Hop online for a night of creative consciousness, filled with elevated conversations and music. There will be a live performance from vocalist Morgan Gayla.  Show starts at 7pm.  Tickets can be purchased here.

Explore your creative side as Klassy In Motion Event Management & Planning Services invites you to participate in a virtual sip & paint. Gather your friends, and join instructor Silas B on a trip down an avenue of colors, shapes, and designs. Don´t forget your wine to enhance your experience. Admission is $30 per person.  You can pay via CashApp: $Klassyinmotion or Zelle: klassyinmotion@gmail.com. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m.   Visit www.klassyinmotion.com for details.

Sunday, June 13

Catch some cinematic action as Mr. Felix Curtis, of Classic Black Cinema Series, presents a special group virtual viewing of Spike Lee´s ¨Miracle at St. Anna.”  Released in 2008, and set during World War II, members of the U.S. Army’s all-Black infantry division are stationed in the Tuscany region of Italy.  Four of the soldiers (Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller) become trapped behind enemy lines, and separated from the rest of their unit after one of them risks his life to save a young Italian boy.  The screening will begin at 2 p.m. You can register and view here:  www.classicblackcinemaseries.com.

Wednesday, June 17

Join Google NC Coach Latasha Byrd as she hosts an online workshop titled ‘Get Your Business Online & Public Relations Strategies For Small Businesses. This virtual event will be co-hosted by Brittney Bogues of Bogues Consulting Group. Time: 6- 7:30pm. You can register here.

Friday, June 19

Join The Gantt Center as they invite you to participate in the Family First: Juneteenth Celebration Art Lesson with Alicia McDaniel. The Gantt Center aims to find inspiration from Sonia Lynn Sadler’s Juneteenth at Oak Bluff.  With the guidance of educator and artist Alicia McDaniel, you will recreate a scene of a vibrant Juneteeth celebration with your own twist. This colorful, mixed media  piece will require the following items: white construction paper or drawing paper, a white crayon, a watercolor set, paintbrushes, cup of water, and glitter crayons or glitter glue.

If you don’t have all of the items, it’s okay. What you have at home will be more than enough to create a special work of art. All backgrounds, ages and experience levels are welcome.  Please use the Zoom webinar link and password below to participate in the workshop. You will be asked to volunteer to show your work at the end of the program.  https://ganttcenter.zoom.us/j/91911962051. Password: 28202.

Join the Blk Mrkt, Durag Fest, It Ends Now Charlotte, Heal Charlotte, Generation Genesis, and Junteenth Unity Fair for Freedom March- a peaceful protest. You are encouraged to wear your favorite durag and/or clothing that highlights Black American/ African heritage. The march will take place at First Ward Park (301 E. 7th St.) from 1pm- 3pm. Please RSVP to attend here.

June 19- 21

Bring your immediate tribe, extended family and friends to The House of Africa (1215 Thomas Ave.) for the 23rd Annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas 2019. Enjoy three days of live music, drum circles, dance performances, free health screenings, exotic cuisines, fashion shows, local vendors, arts & crafts, kids activities, gospel performances, lectures and more. Admission is FREE to attend and the festivities kick off at 12 noon. The festival will be held on Thomas St. and Commonwealth Ave. in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood.

Saturday, June 20

Power 104.4 invites you and your family to step out the house and come out to the Social Distance Juneteenth Block Party.  Play it safe in the community as you enjoy a variety of games, live entertainment, vendors, food, and fellowship as we celebrate this historic occasion.  Admission is FREE and will begin at 12 noon. Address: 2848 Queen City Drive.  

Want to slide outside of Charlotte for a minute? Bring the entire tribe out to Belmont for the 2020 Belmont Juneteenth Celebration. This cultural festival of arts & crafts, music, food and family is sure to bring joy to everyone who attends. Admission is FREE and the celebration kicks off at 2pm. Hosted by Elements of Empowerment, Inc. The festival will be held at Stowe Park. 24 S. Main St. in Historic Downtown Belmont.

Wednesday, June 24

NC Google Coach Latasha Byrd is back with another online workshop. This session is in conjunction with blogger Melissa Chanel, and is titled ‘Connect with Customers & Manage Your Business Remotely + Building a Digital Brand.’ Time: 7- 8:30pm. To attend event, register here.

Tuesday, June 31

Latasha Byrd hosts a third Google event that is being called ‘Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs: Idea Prototyping for Building an App.’ This interactive event will feature a fireside chat with technologist Khalia Braswell. Time: 7- 8:30pm. Register here to attend.