Video Vixens Invade Charlotte

Since Club 935 opened a month ago it has lived up to its motto that it is the club "Where the stars party," bringing in actors, musicians, models, and professional athletes to host parties each week. And this weekend, they're offering a double dose of video vixenity (I think I made up that word).

Angel Lola Luv hosts a party at Club 935 on Friday and Melyssa Ford hosts a party there Saturday. You can find details of both in this week's Events for the Week. There's a lot of great events going on in Charlotte this week, but if only every weekend could be like this. Man Law. Playoffs...what playoffs?

Battle of the bods!

Angel Lola Luv

Melyssa Ford

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Events for the Week: January 5-11

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. If I learn of more events, I’ll update this post throughout the week.

Tuesday, January 6

A Peace of Jazz (weekly event)
Radio personality Jaye Delai and his wife Monica present this weekly jazz series at one of Charlotte’s swankest lounges. 7 p.m. $10. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.jayeandmonica.com.

Wednesday, January 7

Pop Life (weekly event)
It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but ends late. Music by select DJs. Presented by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. (South End). www.apostrophelounge.com.

Thursday, January 8

Kickin' It On the Northside
Enjoy an after-work networking event in north Charlotte. Featuring drink and appetizer specials and live music by Rhythmology. Presented by Digital Divas. 5-10 p.m. Free. Utopia Restaurant and Lounge, 10210 Berkeley Place Dr. www.digitaldivasevents.com.

Cufflinks and Cocktails / Kappa Weekend 2009
Presented by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Charlotte Alumni Chapter, Cufflinks and Cocktails is held at a different bar each month. And this month’s event kicks off Kappa Weekend 2009, the fraternity’s national founder’s day celebration (visit website for Friday and Saturday’s events). Come mingle with a group of well-dressed professionals, from 20- to 40-somethings. Drink specials and free appetizers will be served. Free. 6 p.m. Blue Restaurant & Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). www.kappaweekend.com.

Indulge Thursdays
Enjoy a relaxed evening with music and food and drink specials at Charlotte’s newest coffeehouse—it transforms into a trendy late-night lounge. Music by DJ Rsenal. Presented by JSW Media Group. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. PJ’s Coffeehouse and Lounge, 210 E. Trade St., (first floor of the EpiCentre). www.jswmediagroup.com.

Touch One Thursdays (weekly event)
Come and enjoy a live band and spoken word by Charlotte’s slam poets. An after-party follows. Presented by Touch One Productions. 9 p.m. $10. Wine Up, 3306 N. Davidson St. www.wine-up.com.

Friday, January 9

Friday Afterwork Rendezvous (weekly event)
End your workweek on a high note at this networking event, held at a different venue each week. Enjoy live music and drink and appetizer specials. Presented by Talk of the Town. To learn this week’s location, text “rendezvous” to 38714. 6-10 p.m. Free.

Legacy of Black Women Film Showcase
Enjoy award-winning short films by African-American female filmmakers at this sixth annual event. Presented by the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Reception 6:30 p.m., films begin 7:30 p.m. $20. McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 North College St. www.deltasofcharlotte.org.

Angel Lola Luv’s Welcome to Charlotte Party
The model and video vixen hosts this party. Music by Power 98’s Mr. Incognito. 10 p.m. Cost varies; members free until midnight. Visit website for membership. Club 935, 935 S. Summit Ave. www.club935.com.

Saturday, January 10

Platinum Saturday’s with Melyssa Ford
For the second night in a row, a top model and video vixen hosts a party at this club. This will also be a Carolina Panthers playoff viewing party with more than 20 TVs to watch the game. 7 p.m. Cost varies; everyone free until 10 p.m. Club 935, 935 S. Summit Ave. www.club935.com.

Sunday, January 11

TNA Wrestling Live
You’ve seen these wrestlers battle it out on Spike TV, now see them in person. 7:30 p.m. $20-$150. Bojangles’ Coliseum (formerly Cricket Arena), 2700 E. Independence Blvd. www.cricketarenacharlotte.com.

Wu Tang Clan
The only thing that surpasses the excitement of this live show is the anticipation over which of the eight members will actually show up. 8 p.m. $40-$45. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. www.amossouthend.com.

Ssshh: Sensual Seduction Sundays at Happy Hour (weekly event)
Enjoy an infusion of open-mic poetry and jazz over candlelight. Hosted by poet Bluz. After-party and dancing follows. Presented by Pink Diamond. 9 p.m. $10. Happy Hour Bar and Lounge, 3603 S. Tryon St. www.pinkdiamondpromo.com.

Sunday Seductive (weekly event)
It's a party strictly for the 30-and-older crowd. Hosted by Q92.7's Stacey Blackman. 9 p.m. Free. The Cafe Room, 1250 S. Lucky Penny Dr. www.carolina30.com.

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Hakeem Nicks Is Making A Mistake

University of North Carolina star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks announced today that he'll forgo his senior season to enter this year's NFL Draft. Some analysts predict that he'll be drafted in the second round, which is pretty good for the receiver position. But I see some eerie similarities to another receiver who left college early, which leads me to believe that Nicks is making a mistake.

Could Nicks meet the same fate as Carolina Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett? Like Nicks plans to, Jarrett left college after his junior season (at the University of Southern California). Like Nicks, Jarrett holds several of his college's receiving records (if I held records as a junior, I would be motivated to stay my senior year to put those records further out of reach). Like Nicks is projected, Jarrett was drafted in the second round. And I hope this is where the similarities end.

Jarrett has struggled greatly during his first two seasons in the NFL. His rookie year he only played in seven games, with 6 receptions for 73 yards. He didn't dress in several games as he struggled to adjust to the plays and receiving routes of the faster-paced professional game. This season was only slightly better: nine games (started one), 10 receptions, 119 yards. No disrespect, but Steve Smith gets that in a single game. I have to believe if Jarrett had stayed his final year in college, he could've improved his game. Instead, he struggled his rookie year in the pros, which has to have had a lingering psychological effect on him.

Nicks, I wish you luck. Though, I wish you'd stay. I'm not a Tar Heels fan, but I think you would be doing yourself and your team plenty of good by staying for your senior season.

I met Nicks in 2005 when he was a senior at Independence High School. I was writing a magazine feature on the Patriots' remarkable nation-leading win streak (it was 80-something straight wins at the time; the streak ended two years later at 109 games and seven state championships). While Independence has dominated Charlotte--and the state--high school football this decade, and has sent dozens of players to college teams (like quarterback Chris Leak who started for three and a half years at Florida and won the national championship in 2007), Nicks has the chance to become the most successful Independence alum in the NFL. His former high school teammate, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, is also likely to be drafted this year. Massaquoi just completed his senior season at Georgia and it should be noted that he nearly doubled his receiving stats from the year before.

And lastly, I think this is what sealed the deal for Nicks. He enjoyed playing on the big stage. When North Carolina played West Virginia last month in the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America Stadium, Nicks had eight catches for a school bowl-record 217 yards and three touchdowns, including this unbelievable catch (see video below). And I know what a lot of local fans are going to start saying, that the Panthers should draft Nicks.

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T-Wayne at TWC Arena

Here's a lil' footage of Lil Wayne and T-Pain from Friday's I Am Music Tour concert at Time Warner Cable Arena.

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The Year-End List You Don't Want to Make

There are several good end-of-the-year wrap-up lists out there. And here's one that is particularly great. Sure, I'm bias because I wrote it, but I think you'll find it amusing. Each year in its January issue, Charlotte magazine presents the Cracked Crowns, an honor that no one actually wants because it means that you did something stupid or embarrassing if you made the list. "From black eyes to DUIs, from pranks to skanks," click here for the 2008 Cracked Crowns.

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