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You don’t have to RSVP to the Democratic Party in order to get out to party this week. In fact, you can avoid the crowds, traffic and Secret Service-level security altogether merely by venturing out of the I-277 loop.
What’s there to do outside uptown, you ask? Plenty.
Thursday
If you aren’t heading to the big acceptance speech – and because the venue now holds 50,000 fewer people, you probably aren’t – check out the DNC Wrap Up Party at Tyber Creek Pub (1933 South Blvd.). You can politic over cornhole, Ping Pong, and bocce ball on the newly remodeled patio. Plus live music by the Shana Blake Band. www.tybercreek.com.
Friday
Meanwhile Montford Drive has several bars, as well as restaurants and a bowling alley with a bar in it. Ballantyne, Dilworth, Lake Norman and South Park all have their own boroughs of nightlife where you can escape.
As well as SouthEnd, which is having its art gallery crawl Friday.
The starting line is SouthEnd Dentistry (1520 South Blvd.). No, they are not displaying X-rays of teeth as art: The dental office is using its walls to display local artists’ work. The crawling continues to Doma Gallery, Unexpected Finds, Lark & Key Gallery, Elder Art Gallery, and Vin Master Wine Shop. 5-9 p.m. Free. 704-335-8266.
God Save the Queen City 2, at Chop Shop (399 E. 35th St.), is an eclectic NoDa music festival featuring more than 40 local acts. It starts Friday and doesn’t end until Sunday. $10-$20.704-765-2467.
And you can venture to Gaston County for the final Friday Night Live, Belmont’s outdoor festival, featuring Chairmen of the Board and the Executives (115 S. Main St., Belmont). 7-10 p.m. Free. www.cityofbelmont.org.
Saturday
Brewer’s Ball at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event at the brewery (215 Southside Drive) will feature handcrafted ales and lagers from top local microbrewers, food samplings and a silent auction. 6:30-10:30 p.m. 704-321-7852. $75 in advance, $95 at door. I know that’s expensive, but since it’s for charity it is tax deductible.
If you want to go have dinner and see a movie with alcoholic concessions, but don’t want to deal with the hassle to get to the EpiCentre Theater, check out Cinebarre, the new theater of nightlife now open in The Arboretum (8008 Providence Road). www.cinebarre.com.
