The Grammy-nominated trio The Hamiltones are in town tonight at the QC Social Lounge. There is also a comedy festival, a big NASCAR race and other fun activities to attend. Joining "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn for this edition of Weekend In Entertainment to talk about those events is Katrina Louis, managing editor of QCity Metro.
Gwendolyn Glenn: Hi Katrina.
Katrina Louis: Hi Gwen.
Glenn: Well, let's start with the Hamiltones. They are not only well known but they have a local presence. Tell us more.
Louis: The Hamiltones started as background singers for Grammy Award-winning soul singer Anthony Hamilton who lives in Charlotte. They got popular when their soulful renditions began to go viral on the internet. They have well over 50 million online views and they have their own singles. People can expect a very intimate performance like an unplugged performance but that doesn't mean low energy, I see them every time they perform in Charlotte and it’s always a good show.
Glenn: Showtime and tickets?
Louis: The show is tonight at 8 p.m. at QC Social Lounge in uptown. Tickets are selling fast. They start at $10 up to $150 for VIP.
Glenn: I'm sure that's going to be a great show. So let's move on to the Comedy Festival on tap this weekend. Comedian Jon Reep is another local on stage this weekend. He's part of the Queen City Comedy Festival that started last Sunday the 22nd and runs through this Sunday right?
Louis: Yes. So the Queen City Comedy Experience is in its third year of bringing national headliners together with top local and regional comedians for some of the best comedy shows. There's something for everyone, stand-up to comedy skits, podcasts, and improv.
Glenn: Tell us a bit more about Hickory native Jon Reep?
Louis: He's built a following through his comedy specials and as the winner of NBC’s fifth season of Last Comic Standing. You can currently see him on Netflix’s Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo. Jon’s hour standup special "Jon Reep: Metro Jethro" and his half-hour standup special both aired on Comedy Central.
Glenn: How much are tickets and will all of the shows be at the McGlohon Theater?
Louis: So tickets start at $35. You can get them on BlumenthalArts.org where you can check out the other acts as well but they'll be at different venues.
Glenn: Now there is also the Charlotte Film Festival this weekend. If you want to binge out with the big screen.
Louis: Yes, the Charlotte Film Festivalstarted in 2006 as a weekend festival for established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their works to industry peers and lovers of independent film. The festival has grown to include state of the art venues attracting filmmakers from around the world. So throughout the week over 100 movies will be screened with lots of independent films to choose from.
Glenn: And what kind of films are being showcased?
Louis: There's something for everybody. There are shorts with screen times of about 10 to 15 minutes up to full-length films and then there's drama, comedy. It runs the gamut.
Glenn: Where will it be held and how much will it cost?
Louis: So the festival will be held at Ayrsley Grand Cinemas in southwest Charlotte. General admission is $12 per film and they also have different packages if you have several films you'd like to see.
Glenn: Great. And on Saturday there is the ArtPop Pop Up gallery show. Fill us in on that.
Louis: ArtPop hosts this pop-up gallery show four times a year. Guests can browse local pieces for sale and meet the artists. There'll be a wide selection of hors d'oeuvres from Evoke restaurant and live music. It's happening on Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Le Meridian Hotel in uptown.
Glenn: And finally, it's time to get those engines started. On Sunday the Bank of America Roval 400 race will be held right?
Louis: Yes, this race is part of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race that's held annually at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. And this is like the playoffs for NASCAR. Before the race on Sunday platinum-selling country artist Chris Lane will perform at 12:30 p.m. on the speedway’s front stretch. Mario Andretti, a motorsports legend will serve as the honorary pace car driver for the Bank of America Roval 400 so throughout the weekend there'll be tons of other events to attend like the Bojangles qualifying race on Friday, NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive for the Cure 250 on Saturday tons of concerts, fan zones for kids and the whole family. And you don't need to be into race cars, I went last year and I enjoyed it so there really is something for everybody.
Glenn: I'm sure it will be an exciting weekend for NASCAR fans. Thanks, Katrina for filling us in.
Louis: Thanks, Gwen.
Glenn: That's Katrina Louis, managing editor of QCity Metro.
