For Fat Tuesday last week, I felt like being a fat ass… So, I went to Fat Boys in Mooresville and really put the fat in Fat Tuesday.

Some of my boys up at the lake told me about this buffet, with a bar… A Buffet-Bar?!?? Really? I thought that combination sounded more like drinking beer before liquor (never sicker) than going together like peas and carrots. Out of curiosity, and some slight disbelief, I requested they take me — and there is in fact a buffet inside a bar up in Mooresville. Dinner and drinks, anyone?

Remember the movie Coming to America… the Soul Glo? “Just let, your souuuuuuuuul glow baby, feeling oh so silky smooth” (sing it with me now). Well, at Fat Boys, I shit you not, I saw a Soul Glo mullet. I wish I could have taken a picture to show you, but that would’ve been rude…er than the fact I couldn’t stop staring at it. When the guy wearing it turned around and realized I was staring at him, I had to give him a flirtatious look just so he wouldn’t clue in to the fact I was in awe of awkwardness in regard to his tight-curled mullet that would’ve put old school Billy Ray Cyrus to shame.

In addition to food and beer, Twisters Shag Club gives shag lessons every Tuesday — that’s the dance, not in the Austin Powers sense of the word.

There were some families and a group of young men from the NASCAR Tech school in the dining area masticating on fried chicken and the vast buffet variety of fried foods. And there were a few people at the bar drinking some PBR. The bar has so much NASCAR memorabilia hanging from the wall it could help decorate the NASCAR Hall of Fame — it also has a Panthers statue like that in front of Bank of America stadium.

To be honest, the food alone made me want to surrender my night to going into a fatty food coma, I couldn’t imagine washing it down with beer — but that’s just me.

As I was dispensing swirl ice cream into my cake cone, one of my boys said to me, “You remind me of swirl ice cream — but you’re more minty than chocolate.”

First of all, it would be awesome if there was a Mint-Vanilla swirl in the soft serve ice cream machines, and secondly, oddly enough, I took being compared to swirl ice cream as a compliment. My whole life I’ve always been confused as to which box to check on government forms in regards to my ethnicity because the Caucasian box always had in parentheses “Non-Hispanic.” So, I just marked the Other box in fear of getting arrested or something. But now I am going to write in my own box: “swirl ice cream.” Because there’s nothing wrong with being flavorful.

Of course, there are plenty of other places to go in Mooresville. For example, Indigo Joe’s has more televisions than you can imagine, Vinnie’s Raw Bar can give you a nice water-side hangout and Lancaster’s BBQ — with a bus in the middle of the restaurant — might be viewed as the original Quaker Steak and Lube.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

It took me 45 minutes to go a mere few blocks from the gym to my house because of CIAA traffic. Hence the reason I jumped on the opportunity to attend the NFL Celebrity Bash at Extravaganza Depot. Celebs aside, I was excited about the fact I could divert the traffic headed into Uptown, park my car a few feet from the entrance, and mosey my ass right on into the party with no clusterfuck.

I was there at 10:30 p.m. and was informed I was early. But I made good use of the dance floor nonetheless. Extravaganza is an ideal location to throw a party between the ballroom-sized dance floor, 10 bartenders to every bar, easy access parking and a train car for a smoker’s lounge.

With no hassle or hustle, I just pulled up and parked at the official ESCU, NC A&T and NCCU Alumni Party hosted by Chris Hope of the Titans, Santana Moss of the Redskins, Vontae Leach of the Texans, Brandon Newton of the Raiders, William Hayes of the Titans, Giradie Mercer of the Eagles, Troy Pelshack of the Rams and Chris Harris of the Panthers… I feel like I just listed the roster at the Pro Bowl or something.

Meanwhile, Crown Royale took over Mez where everyone (and the party) was sexy hot and more people diverted traffic at Tyberpalooza.

Meanwhile, I noticed these lights coming from an unknown location from the window of my Uptown townhouse – I thought they were Batman lights or something…. But turns out there’s a new location behind Dixie’s Tavern: Venue 301. I’ll get back to you on that one, or 301.

This is why I love Charlotte…..we have Speed Street and CIAA – both are big massive parties in Uptown that might put Mardi Gras to shame, and both have the same level of traffic congestion.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

The festive CIAA fans have the party stamina of Michael Phelps (I mean in regards to swimming) because they party until 4 a.m. and then they get right up and do it again, with day parties starting before lunch. I mean, can we go all out like this for the ACC tournament?

For a lunch break of a bash there’s the Fish Fry at Tempo and Digital Divas at Blue….

I couldn’t believe how many people were at the bar at Blue at 2 p.m. on a rainy Friday afternoon. DJ Daddy D was playing some of my old school faves that I used to dance to in high school.

I think the bartenders went into the freezer in the back to get high or something, because we stood there at the basically unattended bar for a good 10 minutes to sample the “Digital Diva” specialty cocktail (Alize Rose & Ginger Ale). When the ‘tenders finally came back to the bar we had to repeat the elementary order four times to one bartender before he just handed it off to another. But the Digital Diva Alize was a tasty lick nonetheless.

Tonight, the Digital Divas are gonna do it again with the 4th annual “Stogies & Stilettos,” sponsored by Alize and NAMIC (National Association of Minorities in Communication). Music from DJ Stretch and complimentary cigars. It’s from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m at Zink.

Also, tonight is Anthony Hamilton’s Official Grammy Award & Album Release Party at Cans at 10 p.m.

And to coat your stomachs at the end of the night, there’s the Digital Divas Midnight Brunch from 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. at Kokomo’s Coffeehouse (on the corner of 4th&McDowell) – a perfect location for a spill out of the parties at Crown Plaza and the Blake Hotel. It’s a $20 breakfast buffet (with to-go boxes provided).

Tyber-Palooza is perhaps the only place to party not sanctioned for a CIAA related event — and outside the clusterfuck of Uptown. The festivities start at 7 p.m. Friday with Messin’ with Sasquatch followed by Bling Crosby and the Cornhole Tourney starts at 12 p.m. on Saturday. And don’t worry the entire parking lot will be covered with a huge heated tent.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

I pulled up to the Bojangles’ Coliseum for the T.I. and Young Jeezy concert as the symphony concert at the neighboring Ovens Auditorium was letting out. On the way in, we passed families in black-tie attire and a little child prodigy pianist in a bow tie… and we were going to see T.I.

There were cops everywhere surrounding the arena and auditorium… I bet they were there to make sure the crowd coming out of the symphony didn’t act up, right?

T.I. is on his farewell tour because he is going to Yale — I mean, jail… But if you think about it, jail is kinda like the Ivy league of street smarts, so T.I. is going to Yale in a sense, sorta.

T.I. had a DJ instead of a band; I thought I was at a heavy metal concert at one point. T.I.’s head banging would’ve put Axl Rose to shame.

He said he was in Charlotte a while back and, when he was, he got “locked up in Mecklenburg County.”

T.I. packed the BoRound, or Bojangles Coliseum rather… or maybe it looks like a giant chicken biscuit for some reason, with 4,000 people, and about 500 of them were on the stage. I’d say they were the hype men, but they just kinda stood there. I thought I might catch a contact high in the dome with the smoky air. Just to remind you, it is illegal to smoke marijuana in general… let alone in public.

My favorite spoken word lyric of the night: “You can hate, or you can be great. If you’re a hater you’ll always have something to do because I’m always going to be doing my thing.” Preach it Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.

I later chimed in to the hustling, bustling Uptown scene at Chima’s Brazilian Steakhouse for the World Tour Party Part 1 hosted by Consuella where DJ Jonnie Davis and DJ Daddy D bumped a nice orgy of Deep House, Soul, Hip Hop and R&B. And how Suite it was at The Sol Kitchen & Simmons Media Group’s Suite Dreams with DJ DR and DJ BroRabb on the wheels.

And CIAA Take 2 I got flier papered with the following…

• Roc-A-Fella’s Rock Da Rim ‘09 with Memphis Bleek and The Roc Boyz at Club Stir (3500 Independence Blvd.) Tonight at 10 p.m.

• A theater production: “Lord, why do I keep Choosing the Wrong Man, Part 2” (yes, I’m serious). Friday, March 20&Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. at Oven’s Auditorium.

• The Queen City’s own “Bettie Grind” presents his brand new single “Dammit I’m Fly”… “#1 single in the streets” apparently. Nice, uh, Louis Vuitton background on your flier there Bettie.

• And one of my favorite CIAA events – The CIAA Step Show with the proceeding party: the “Throwdown: Da Kaos Greek Step Show After party” hosted by Terrence J from BET’s 106&Park. Tonight at the convention center.

• And then there was the fashion flier for Thee’ Connections on Sunset Road … Clothing apparel and accessories for men and women (I got two of those on my Jeep).

I just wonder where Mr. CIAA is hanging out.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

CIAA technically stands for Center Intercollegiate Athletic Association, but it can also mean Charlotte Is having A lot of After Parties! And I do mean A LOT of parties…

This year’s multitude of CIAA parties popped off at Pop Life at Apostrophe Lounge … and The Bee Man Candles Co.

Apparently, in these hard economic times people aren’t buying enough candles to keep the Bee Man in the honey money, and so now Apostrophe Lounge has expanded (just for CIAA) … and just in time. Because even with Apostrophe doubled in size, there was a line out the door(s). It was like two totally detached lounges with two separate entrances, yet the same venue divided by a mere apostrophe… or wall rather (which, sadly, could not be knocked down).

And there’s a lot more going on there and all around town.

DJ Technics and Tony Outlaw were playing old and new school beats to a highly populated dance floor equipped with a soul train. It was a high class crowd with girls looking fly, lots of guys were wearing ties, and countless promoters pimping out their parties. I even had a guy stop me on my way to the bathroom and another get out of his car as I walked by. Not to mention my Jeep looked like a collage of party fliers by the end of the night. Said parties include…

• 1st Movement and 360 Media’s C.I. Chocolate Affair hosted by the “Sassy and Sexy” (as indicated in quotes on the flier) Vivica A. Fox and “The People’s Attorney” Warren Ballentine (whoever that is) with special performances by AVANT on Friday, Feb.27 at Club ALIVE in NoDa (9 p.m. – 4 a.m.)….4 a.m.?!?!

• Red Carpet Affairs presents The Uptown Matinee on Friday, Feb. 27, at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse (12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) with DJ Moecom, as well as the Red Carpet Cabaret at the Levine Museum of the New South with DJ Nabs of So So Def on Saturday, Feb. 28 (9 p.m. – 2 a.m.) hosted by video vixen Safaa Alhanash

• Young Royalty presents the Grand Finale at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse with DJ Bax on Saturday, Feb.28 with dinner starting at 10 p.m.

• Gentlemen Jack and Apostrophe Lounge present the Tournament Official Before&After Spot Day Party with DJ Complete on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 1 – 5 p.m.

• Dynasty5, Sol Kitchen & Firm Events present Anthony Hamilton’s Official Grammy Award & Album Release Party at Cans on Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m.

• Digital Divas presents “Panache” the 3rd Annual Farewell Jazz Brunch. Jazz trio. 10 a..m.-4 p.m. Utopia Restaurant, 10210 Berkeley Place Dr.

Apparently, Chima and Nikko are the hot spots this week — been hearing of so many parties there, and of course Charlotte’s cutie Consuella will be at Chima tonight for the World Tour party and then at Nikko on Friday, Feb. 27, for the World Tour Party Take 2 with DJ Seiko: “The Tokyo Drama Queen.” Tix available at www.rushmoredrive.com/nightlife

And I haven’t even started with the events at the Convention Center from the Stop Show to Apollo Night… and word on the street is P.Diddy, Puff Daddy, Diddy (whatever you want to call him) and Jay-Z are in town for the tournament (slash parties).

Stay tuned for more CIAA coverage!

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

When my friend told me she wanted to go to the Common Market for a girls night out I asked her if she was on crack.

“You’ve never been?” she asked.

“Yeah, in the afternoon to get lunch or stock up on my hippie snacks,” associating the Common Market with a cool convenience store-slash-deli… but as it turns out, it’s also a -slash bar — CM After Dark, if you will.

I walked into the Common Market at 10 p.m. on a weekend night to a DJ playing Boys II Men, a bartender serving wine, a cooler reading, “cold and cheap beer” and an entire cooler of Sparks (which excited me by the way).

Meanwhile, you can go and select your own beer out of the cooler from $2 Tecate to the rarest of imports, pay the cashier and sit down at the bar — Swig and drink it. It’s like the Willy Wonka Hop Factory — there’s even chocolate beer…

I wouldn’t be surprised if there were Oompa Loompas living behind the beer in the cooler keeping it stocked. And you can walk over the other cooler and get a latte for the morning.

The only thing they didn’t have is a beer I got to try while in Salt Lake City for Sundance… Polygamy Porter. Their motto is “Why have just one?”

When I say there were all kinds of people there, I mean people of all kinds. But that’s just the population of Plaza Midwood in general… As most P-M spots in the p.m., the Common Market has its regulars — and irregulars, such as my girls and I. Though a crowd, the Common Market wasn’t crowded this particular night, but I hear it gets that way on the weekends when bands come and occupy the little stage on the closed off patio.

And this past Saturday they had a presentation of the Vagina Monologues. Well, all our vaginas were singing on the vacant stage when DJ Tech Support put “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” on. We danced as though no one was watching — because we thought no one was as we had the patio to ourselves. We went all out and even utilized the shop vacuum on the stage as props for microphones and performed like we were Cyndi Lauper all jacked up on Mountain Dew. We then proceeded to turn the patio into Soul Train and broke out the old school dance moves — I think I even broke out the Carlton.

On the way out, the cashier shouted to us, “Bye dancing queens!”

We turned to her out of curiosity as to how she saw, or heard, about our makeshift karaoke concert. But before we could ask she just pointed to the monitor above the register pointing out on the patio. Busted… with embarrassment.

This Saturday, Feb. 28, The Lesser Pauls, Erika Blatnik and Flash of Alchemy will be on camera on the Common Market patio.

There’s also Common Market opening up in SouthEnd right across from Phat Burrito and there’s unsuspecting nightlife at the 24-hour Amelies French Bakery on 28th in NoDa…

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

I mean, God bless America, and God bless J.D. Lewis for coming to Charlotte, starting the Actor’s Lab and creating the play Amerwrecka that avowed what war is good for… absolutely nothing (cue the Edwin Starr song as used in the play).

The play begins with the historic killing of the four unarmed American students at Kent State University, shot by the National Guard at a peace rally on May 4, 1970. Thirty-five years later, they return to earth on a mission to peacefully shake up the current political climate in the states.

Speaking of war, remember “Operation Shock and Awe”? Well, this play shocks and awes. That, and makes you want to go start a revolution. Like my tickets to RENT indicated in big, bold letters: “ADULT LANGUAGE”… The sign on the door gave a disclaimer for ADULT CONTENT. And boy was there. I’m talking full frontal nudity.

I saw more nudity than in a strip club. And the actress, playing a stripper, proceeded to sit down Indian style on the front of the stage. But it was done artistically, as in not sexual and slutty. But if you are going with someone who may get offended by nudity — say, a close-minded person or a young adult — when you hear the song “Candy Shop,” cover their eyes.

The play featured such talent as Cher Ferreya from the television show Veronica Mars, Pam Galle, Kevin Patrick Murphy, and the ubber talented and equally attractive Kellin Watson (who will be performing at the Evening Muse on Feb. 25).

Aside from the play there was a show off stage… The art though out League. It has an elaborate collection of eclectic, abstract and just plain beautiful art both for purchasing and perusing. The Charlotte Art League is such a cultural commodity Historic SouthEnd now has a gallery crawl the first Friday of every month similar to those in NoDa and Plaza Midwood.

Following the play, I went to the reception at Mad Toy Box Films and made the mistake of eating the catered food… with remnants of shellfish in it. Everything’s a blur following the Epipen injection.

The remaining showtimes are as follows: Feb. 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 — all at 8 p.m.

You can purchase tickets here.

Peace… in the Middle East.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

T.I. says you can have whatever you like… well, how would you like two free tickets to go see T.I. and Young Jeezy when they come to Bojangles Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 26?

The first person to e-mail me at Brittney.cason@creativeloafing.com that tells me T.I’s real name wins them. And chances are if you don’t e-mail early on Wednesday afternoon, you won’t win… No need to flood my e-mail. :)

But for all your slow pokes, the concert isn’t sold out… and this is your last chance to see T.I. before he goes to Yale, I mean, jail. You can get tickets here.

In the meantime, “just live your life, ay ay ay ay ay ayyyyyyyyyy”

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

My friend, Vittoria, from Chicago was in town this past weekend, so I took her to Bartender’s Ball… and in describing it to her I said, “Remember the scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when they walk into the factory to a magical chocolate wonderland? Well, kinda like that, but with alcohol.”

Because a ticket to Bartender’s Ball is the golden ticket. Just about every bar in Charlotte sets up a bar booth in the Blake for a nightlife convention that is one massive adult prom where all the punch is spiked.

I ended up in a dinosaur costume — for some reason Loft 1523 had a dinosaur mascot. That is just one example of the shenanigans that goes down at Charlotte’s biggest party.

This year, the Ball of bars had an international theme…..

Brick and Barrel had an Egyptian theme where you could take a shot out of King Tut’s mouth.

Hooters had snow bunnies for the Arctic theme, Tavern on Park was Sweden, Tempo was Latin America PJ’s Coffee and Lounge was Morocco, and TILT was Africa with a booth that reminded me of a drunken Madagascar cartoon.

Howl at the Moon was Singapore and served the greatest thing since Sweet Tea Vodka… ZEN Green Tea Vodka. La Paz had a Hawaiian tropical theme while 1900 Mexican Grill got to be Mexico, and Connelly’s, Tyber Creek and the Attic recycled their ice bar and luge theme.

Meanwhile, Whisky River was the Old West, SUITE was Greece, Strike City was Cuba and Blackfinn was Vietnam — and their booths were all interlinked and adjacent kinda like in the EpiCentre.

Mez’s set up was more like a little V.I.P area… so I deemed that one Dubai and Dixie’s was Kazakhstan a la Borat.

Some of the judge’s favorites included On the Roxx with its Amersterdam Red Carpet district, Alley Cat with its Japanese theme and elaborate wardrobe and Blackfinn who took its Vietnam scene to another level by dressing as the characters of Tropic Thunder

And the reward for best bar of the ball goes to…
1st Place — Tie between BlackFinn and On The Roxx
2nd Place — Tie between Brick & Barrel and CANS
3rd Place — 1900 Mexican Grille

Another installment of Random Brittney Relevations…

I felt like such an asshole when I went to tip the guys at Brick and Barrel into a jar that read: “We’re half naked, please tip,” and realized that I hadn’t hit the ATM thus I had no cash and I clearly couldn’t charge a tip. So, I went on a mission to find an ATM because considering it’s Bartender’s Ball… the bartenders are the belles of the ball. Tip them, damn it.

And I went to Zada Janes for my “Morning After Meal” and heard in my peripheral audio the table of girls next to me talking about how they spent their Valentine’s Day at a lesbian pudding wrestling party. I might be the nightlife writer, but someone has to tell me where these kinda parties are in Charlotte!

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Valentine’s Day, other wise known as the “Hallmark and other fine retailers make a profit day,” is more of a holiday for the economy than anything else. For couples, it’s an excuse to go out to eat, exchange presents and have sex. But for single people, it’s the best night to go out — especially for guys looking to get laid. What?… I’m just being honest. It weeds out all those in a relationship so it’s a free-for-all — and a solid opportunity to meet other single people.

If you don’t want a prefix three course meal at an expensive steak house when you don’t even eat meat, well don’t worry because there is plenty to do otherwise.

I present to you the “Fuck Valentine’s Day” party menu…

Tonight at Snug Harbor is Shiprocked’s Fuck Romance, Let’s Dance. But for D-Day, er, I mean, V-Day…

* Shread your Ex at Buckhead

* Wave your freak flag at Purgatory XLII: St. Valentine’s Day Massacure where you will find erotic acts, interactive fetish play areas, and a human red carpet… literally a carpet of people, probably red because they’re bleeding from people digging their heels into them.

* Anti-Valentine’s Day Charity Bash at Cans.

* Luv Sux at Howl at the Moon with games including Nuts N’ Bolts and Buckets N’ Balls.
If you bring a mutilated picture of your ex you’ll receive discounted admission? What is up with all this mutilating and shredding of pictures? I found it just as effective to simply delete photos from Facebook and removing them from your desktop… But do what you gotta do.

* MingleBerry is having a Single’s Mingle: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Party For the Non Lover in You at The Ember Grille within the Westin.

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday it seems to be “Valentine’s Weekend” in the Charlotte nightlife scene… as if one night wasn’t enough. But it’s Friday the 13th… either something freaky is set to happen or people all over the country are just going to get their freak on.

Cason-Point: The Great American Makeout at the EpiCentre hosted by Justin Bobby from MTV’s “The Hills.”
Am I normal because I have no idea who that is? And by the EpiCentre they mean Blackfinn where they’re having a VIP dinner at 7 p.m. followed by frisky festivities at Whisky River including the record-setting smooch. Benefit the Children’s Heart Foundation by swapping spit with a stranger.

Also on Friday the 13th…

The Anti-Valentine’s Single Beer Pong Tournament at Alley Cat. No partner, no problem – there’s no teams for the Friday the 13th King of the Hill Tournament!

And if you are taking the bitter bus out this weekend, why not go to Angry Ale’s for their Anti-Valentine’s Day party?

And because laughing is so much more fun than going to the “Bitter Ball”… The Chuckleheads are having a fundraising party at Beef O’ Bradys in Fort Mill on Friday and Last Comic Standing’s Dale Jones is going to be at ALIVE on Saturday.

And for guys really needing to get laid, Girls Gone Wild is going to be at BAR Charlotte… of course.

And for another installment of Brittney’s Random Revelations…

Although the thought is sweet — I don’t fully understand the concept of giving cookies and chocolates via Facebook… is that like the diet form of giving sweets to sweeties. And why do guys think it’s a good idea to get grown women stuffed animals? What are we, 10? We decorate our bed with throw pillows… not teddy bears. I even covered this on ESPNU’s Campus Connection’s Valentine’s Day segment.
See…

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites