Bluz & Some Scene Clues

Bluz
and Some Scene Clues

In the ‘90’s, I entered the spoken word circuit and immediately found Boris “Bluz” Rogers to be a prominent figure in that scene. I went on to become a DJ and kinda chilled on poetry, but Bluz kept on keepin’ on. With decades of experience and multiple accolades, the man shows no sign of slowing. Former Slam Master, Grammy-nominated Bluz is a big fish in a little pond, but he’s here to stay. I hope. After winning three Emmy Awards and countless championships, his main thing is to champion others in the scene. He shares events all over town (monthly) even if he isn’t the host or emcee for the night.

Charlotte is the Blackest city in North Carolina (look it up) and if you’re having a hard time finding events that reflect the Queen’s events, you can always follow Pride Magazine or QC Metro. They are both Black owned publications with a wealth of activities they highlight. Of course you should check out happenings at the Gantt, but they’re not the only game in town. If you want to find the heartbeat of town, you need to follow the pulse. That is Bluz for me. I consider him the Godfather of Black Charlotte. He is humble and that moniker is goofy, so I don’t know that he would agree. But, for our purposes, he has a lot of “cousins” and “siblings” around town that he would probably tell you to follow. I’ll introduce you to a few of those “aunties” and “uncs”.

From working at a record store in the ‘90’s, a time where radio and club DJs actually had to purchase the record to play the music on the air or at a party, I met a lot of folks involved in making Charlotte a fun entertainment mecca. Stacey Blackman and Mike Kitchen of Sol Kitchen are two of those folks. They are still very much still “at it”, so keep your eyes peeled for them. DR and Smitty are still a big part of the scene and I like Chief Rocka Aking (who throws parties like Off the Wall and Rock Box) and DJ Justice. I call Justice “Encyclopedia Black” (another upapproved, goofy moniker) because reading his posts on social media makes me feel like I’m getting (free) lessons from a professor. Follow him. Cairo Black and Markeith are a team of uncs that throw parties like the Art of Easing. Keep up with them, too. And if you’re into buying vinyl, attend any event that includes the music dealer Gene Brown. He is known for providing samples to the stars (Little Brother, Kanye, etc.) and selling records to regular enthusiasts.

Some other promotional companies to keep an ear out for are Beat Freaq, Su Casa, and Radio Rehab. If you personally know of others, please support them. Following Shawn Allison (DJ Donny Blackaway), better known as the Black Ferris Bueller, though, will be the best move to make to keep up with cool things going on in Charlotte, America. He posts events that you might not otherwise find. Daily.

Charlotte has a great scene. You just have to look around a little bit. We are home to amazing artists Bunny Gregory, William Wacllace, Deener Davis, John Hairston, Jr., and Marcus Kiser. Look out for their stuff all over town. And we have a slew of Black owned businesses that deserve your attention; Mama Bessie’s, Reggae Lounge, House of Africa, Musa Moon, Reggae Central, Archive, No Grease, Mama’s Caribbean, and Dupp & Swat are just a few. The Galloways, from Dupp & Swat, have dope events all of the time. And the Colliers, of Leah & Louise and Uptown Yolk, are culinary giants we are lucky to have here. They serve the best food and throw the best dinners. And if you want to keep up with community news and politics, give Braxton Winston and Tonya Jameson a follow.

All in all, there are so many things and people to keep up with in the Black community and it bears repeating how important it is that you follow the Black Ferris Bueller. We at www.MyCityMagazine.net CANNOT keep up with everything. Shawn can. But here’s a short list of events you can catch in the months of September and October. You can check our event listing for more and follow the leaders mentioned above. Get out there and support the Black community. It’s ok to see the big shows in the large venues, but don’t overlook the smaller venues, promoters, and artists. They’re our pride and joy.

• 2^nd Sundays @ the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture: www.ClassicBlackCinemaSeries.com
• Last Sundays of the month @ Archive: 12-4pm the Art of Easing w. DJs Foundation & Cairo Black
• Tuesdays @ Soul Gastrolounge: DJ Shanti
• Tues., Sept. 1^st @ Truliant Amphitheater: Kehlani, Durand Bernarr, Isaia Huron, thearti$t, Waseel
• Wednesdays @ VINYL: 8pm-1am Wednesdays on Wax w. DJ That Guy Smitty w. residents & guests (see: Oct. 7^th Chief Rocka Aking)
• Wed., Sept. 2^nd @ the Mint Museum (uptown): 6-10pm Su Casa Presents: Phonte (of Little Brother & Foreign Exchange) w. DJs Bloc & Steel Wheel
• Fri., Sept. 4^th @ Petra’s: Twinflame Presents: “Soulstice” w. DJs Maal & She’s A+
• Fri., Sept. 4^th @ the Comedy Zone: Bill Bellamy
• Sat., Sept. 5^th @ First Ward Park: 10am Charlotte Soul Fest w. food, music, wellness, art, marketplace & more
• Fri., Sept. 11^th @ Stylus Soundlounge: DJ Cairo Black
• Sun., Sept. 13th @ Crown Station: 4-9pm Aktive Presents: Grand Puba w. DJ Justice & more
• Fri., Sept. 18^th @ Truliant Amphitheater: Wu-Tang Clan
• Sept. 18^th & 19^th @ Carolina Theatre: Sainted Trap Choir Presents: “A Night full of Wonder” (the music of Stevie Wonder)
• Sun., Sept. 13th @ Crown Station: 4-9pm Aktive Presents: Protect Ya Neck feat. Grand Puba w. DJ Justice & more
• Sat., Sept. 19^th @ Ovens Auditorium: DL Hughley, Don Lemon
• Sun., Sept. 20^th @ Truiliant Amphitheater: Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue
• Thurs., Sept. 27^th @ Middle C Jazz Club: Chela signs Chaka
• Thurs., Oct. 8^th @ Ovens Auditorium: Martin Lawrence
• Sun., Oct. 11^th @ Ovens Auditorium: Marvin – the Marvin Gaye Musical
• Oct. 16^th & 17^th @ Knight Theater: www.CharlotteSymphony.org Presents: the Music of Tina Turner
• Tues., Oct. 28^th @ Middle C Jazz Club: Tim Scott does John Coltrane’s a Love Supreme
• Fri., Oct. 30^th @ Sophie’s: Upscale Halloween Party w. DJ Stacey Blackman (costumes mandatory) w. Olympia D.
• Sat., Oct. 31^st @ the Visulite Theatre: Let Love Rule (a Lenny Kravitz tribute)