CIAA weekend was embedded with sleepless nights and mimosa-filled day parties.
Charlotte, North Carolina has served as the focal point to champion exclusive soirees and nightlife merriment for two consecutive years – welcoming NBA All-Star Weekend last year and the 75th anniversary of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)Tournament this past weekend.
What better way to blend basketball and entertainment than with an elite variation of lionized appearances and memorable performances from a few renowned talents. The industry’s most esteemed bellwethers of influence when it comes to event coordinating and party planning ushered in a weekend riddled with momentous events that typify distinction and merit. Headliner Market Group, Ais York Promotions, Jacob York Presents and Lester Gray are not mere figureheads that warrant acclaim, they are paradigms of excellence that nurture collective engagement through event curation.
The festive debauchery initiated at QC Social Lounge on a Thursday evening that encompassed a special appearance by rap’s sultry wordsmith Rubi Rose. Widely-known for her leading single ‘Big Mouth‘, the emerging artist welcomed the essence of QC’s ambiance in a celebratory fashion, pouring out glasses of champagne amid a few candid demonstrations that showcased her entrancing nature and bubbly personality.
Friday (February 28, 2020) all roads led to Oak Room where hundreds flooded the standing-room only venue for a night suffused with hip-hop royalty, Fabolous & Young Jeezy. Unbeknownst to the many patrons in attendance, an impromptu appearance by Trouble, Big Fendi and Jadakiss provided a complementary sense of exhilaration as caterwauls of joy ran amok amongst all parties present. The air grew thick with nostalgia as the mentioned acts serenaded the crowd with some of their most notable ballads to date.
Saturday (February 29, 2020) started off back at QC Social Lounge for a Day Party unlike no other, featuring R&B’s coveted crooner Trey Songz and Charlotte Hornet’s own Terry Rozier. Fans gathered in large numbers for the opportunity to be up close and personal with Mr.’Panty Droppa’, who made a daring attempt to appease the crowds growing hunger for lyrical fulfillment with a full-fledged performance atop of the furniture in his VIP section.
As the evening approached, I found myself heading back over to Oak Room for a boss aesthetic, welcoming a Belaire-filled rendezvous featuring Rick Ross and Plies. Plies has been known for his staunch social media presence and risible antics lately, but he managed to transcend that same devotion for his fans in real time, being sure to maintain a similar vitality and level of attentiveness in person. Rick Ross made it very evident as to why he’s the biggest boss with performing his hit single ‘B.M.F‘ comfortably from his sectioned accommodation. Outside of the clear-cut gems detailed throughout the context of his catalog, Rozay’s demeanor was nothing short of infectious, virtually causing a bottle-war once his music began to pervade the airwaves.
Sunday (March 1, 2020) was somewhat bittersweet in knowing that this day marked the last CIAA in the Carolinas for quite some time. However, there was an equal sense of optimism in knowing the imminent future withheld a OVO brunch at Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo – one of the most prestige ambiances to overlook Charlotte’s flourishing landscape. Shortly after brunch tings and such, a cavorting-filled performance by New York’s Fivio Foreign ensued at QC Social Lounge where he performed his charting record ‘Big Drip‘.
This past weekend was nothing short of exciting and memorable in the sense of impact. I can’t think of another instance where black excellence has prevailed so loud and unapologetically.
Exciting to see what the remainder of this year entails for music and nightlife entertainment.
Photo Credit – Derrius Edwards
