It's time for another preview of the Weekend In Entertainment. Festivals, food and plenty of fun to look forward to on this Father's Day weekend in Charlotte. Joining All Things Considered host Mark Rumsey to talk about it is QCity Metro Managing Editor Katrina Louis.
Mark Rumsey: Welcome back Katrina.
Katrina Louis: Thanks for having me again Mark.
Rumsey: Well the first festival on the agenda is actually kicking off today. The Juneteenth festival of the Carolinas runs through Sunday at the House of Africa in Plaza Midwood. Katrina give us a quick history lesson or reminder on Juneteenth?
Louis: So Juneteenth is one of the oldest known celebrations honoring the end of slavery - the June 19, 1865, announcement. So ever since then, there's been celebrations to kind of commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
Rumsey: And how will this be commemorated in Charlotte this weekend?
Louis: So in Charlotte you have the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas kicking off today. And that's entering its 22nd year. So it got started in 1997, by a local entrepreneur who recognized that Charlotte didn't have a celebration for Juneteenth. So they're taking over Plaza Midwood, Thomas and Commonwealth avenues. There will be vendors, performances and just a lot of culture.
Rumsey: Okay good deal. Well on Saturday there's a newer event in town. The Durag Festival, and that's going to be at Camp North End. I kind of have an idea about what it’s about, but tell us more.
Louis: So the Durag Festival is kind of an intersection of art, fashion, music and food. They've described it as kind of an alternative Juneteenth festival, but like you said it takes over Camp North End. They're taking the accessory of the durag and just kind of celebrating. They had over 1,200 people show up last year. So this is the second year that it's returning and that'll be 4 p.m. until about 10 p.m. and again that's local music, food, just a good time. People will come out in elaborate interpretations of the durag, but it should be a good event.
Rumsey: Durags optional or mandatory?
Louis: They are not mandatory. I did see some folks who went sans durag, but you know when it's the name of the event, you should try your best.
Rumsey: Wrapping up the weekend of festivals. We've got one called The Queen's City Father’s Day Festival, which also sounds quite self-explanatory. What about that one, Katrina?
Louis: So we are celebrating dads this weekend. That'll be at the The Carole Hoefener Center uptown, and that's a good family event. It's taking place Saturday, so if you do want to dedicate your day to dad on Sunday, this would be a good kind of pre-event. It's a free event, but they are taking donations that benefit the Men's Shelter of Charlotte. So they’ll have bounce houses, foods... It's just something good to do for the family to celebrate dad.
Rumsey: And what's the timeframe for that event at The Carole Hoefener Center?
Louis: So that event is taking place Saturday 1 to 5 p.m.
Rumsey: Excellent. And also for Father's Day on Sunday, there's a Father's Day tailgate brunch. That'll be at Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts. Anything different about this particular brunch?
Louis: So this one is actually taking place on Father's Day, and this will be at the Heist Brewery's new location near Camp North End. And so they're going to have barbecue there while supplies last. They made a note of it. But this is a good opportunity if you want to come out and have brunch in the morning.
Rumesy: And the timeframe for that Father's Day brunch?
Louis: It'll be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the brunch kicks off at 11:00 a.m.
Rumsey: Well Father's Day weekend, plus a lot more on the calendar for this weekend. Katrina Louis, managing editor of QCity Metro. Thank you.
Louis: Thank you.
