The hot corner for celebrity sightings this week? Fifth and Church streets.

The streets themselves had a festive feel Thursday night. On College Street, a jazz saxophone player set up in front of BLT Steak while further down the block, crowds gathered on the corner and stairs to watch the big screens in front of CNN Grill.

Why go to all this trouble? Why spend money and time and wrestle with a city you don’t know just to attend a convention you don’t get to see?

This benefit gala for The Creative Coalition got a late start but wasn’t short on entertainment. The outdoor venue was looking pretty swank and those with VIP access were ushered into the gated interior of the courtyard. Whether the lofty, open-sided white tent was intentional or a precautionary measure against this week’s weather antics, it covered several bars and more than a dozen cushy sectionals.

Seven Olympic gold medalists were at Foundation For The Carolinas on Wednesday.

The Urban League of the Central Carolinas hosted this Occupy the Vote gathering practically right across the street from the convention center. Following Michelle Obama’s speech, the ambient red and blue lighting of the two-level venue felt particularly appropriate.

This invite-only concert featured a soggy red carpet following another late afternoon thunderstorm Monday. (And proved that you have to have infinite patience to be part of the paparazzi.) Around 8 p.m. DJs started with the usual dance anthems while guests enjoyed the open bars – and if you had a VIP pass for upstairs, hors d’oeuvres.

There were celebrities all over uptown on Monday. R&B singer John Legend at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Jeff “The Dude” Bridges at the Ritz-Carlton. “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier at the Westin.

Teenagers flew through the air at the Mint Museum Uptown, delegates got first tastes of boiled peanuts and moonshine, and two museums had a battle of the bands on South Tryon Street as Democratic National Convention delegates were welcomed to Charlotte on Sunday.

Word on the highly policed QC street right now: The Veep will throw down on Thursday with a BEP (Big Exclusive Party) at the HOF (NASCAR Hall of Fame). Do we know for sure? Heck, no.

A look inside the DNC delegate party at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte..

Singer Jacqueline Beaumont swings with another party-goer at the DNC delegate party.

Singer Jacqueline Beaumont sings at the Democratic delegate party.

As Clint Eastwood might say, here come the hot-doggers. Whereas Hollywood conservatives (save for Eastwood and Jon Voight) seemed to shy away from the spotlight during the Republican National Convention in Tampa last week, Hollywood liberals are lining up to get into Charlotte for next week’s Democratic National Convention. Some highlights:

There was a great dinner served in SouthEnd recently.