IE goqnotes.com/to/arts a&e SPRING A&E GUIDE Springtime Social Events to keep your social calendar in top-notch shape this spring I t might be a few more weeks before we completely start the warm-up toward our beautiful Carolina springtime, but local LGBT community members won't be suffer ing from the doldrums when it corhes to their social calendars. Take a look at some of our highlighted social events, activities, confer ences and other happenings planned in the next few weeks. March 21 toy Mimosa Party JB's on the Greenway 2128 Greenway Ave., Charlotte 8a.m.-12:30p.m. Time Out Youth hosts a fundraising event while cheering on runners in the Elizabeth 8K Road Race. A donation gets you access to bottom-, less mimosas. In 2014, the event raised close to $10,000 for Time Out Youth. Event details are available online. facebook.com/events/1528473724078345/ March 21 Equality NC Conference Durham Technical Community College 1637 E. Lawson St., Durham The AdvaNCe Equality Conference, hosted by Equality NC Foundation, is the largest gath ering of LGBTQ activists in North Carolina. Conference keynoter includes North Carolina- native Jacob Tobia. Information and registra tion are available online. equalityncfoundation.org/conference/ March 21 G[ving Gala Label Charlotte 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., Suite B6, Charlotte 6:30 p.m. The Charlotte Business Guild hosts its annual Giving Gala and Awards Ceremony, featur ing speakers Charlotte City Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield and state Sen. Jeff Jackson. Entertainment by Tenya Coleman of the Tenya Coleman Quartet. Tickets start at $70 for members, with a range of options for students, couples and more. Information and tickets are available online. citbusinessguild. org March 28 Guilford Green Foundation Gala-& Green Party Proximity Hotel, 704 Green Valley Rd., Greensboro 7 p.m. It's the "wedding reception we've been waiting for" touts organizers. Hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, live entertainment and silent auction. Tickets are $150 before March 2 and $175 afterward. ggfnc.org March 28 Cindy Alexander 15239 Waterfront Dr., Huntersville 7 p.rh. Singer Cindy Alexander spends an evening with Different Roads Home at the Monteith Park Clubhouse. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Different Roads Home. $50 per person or $90 per couple donation. Open bar, food and live performance. differentroadshome. org April 17-18 LGBT* in the South Diana Wortham Theatre 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville The Campaign for Southern Equality hosts their annual LGBT* in the South Conference, featuring Mandy Carter as a keynote speaker. Information and registration are available online. Igbtinthesouth. com April 18 The Founders' Ball Mint Museum Randolph 2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte 7:45 p.m. Hearts Beat as One Foundation hosts its inaugural Founders' Ball, featuring entertain- Deborah Cox will perform on April 18 at Hearts Beat As One Foundation's Founders' Ball. ment by Deborah Cox and co-chaired by City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield, Mike Blackwelder and Tommy Feldman. Formal attire in a cocktail-style atmosphere benefit- ting Safe Alliance, Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Mecklenburg County and Autism Charlotte. Early bird tickets are $50 through March 23. Regular admission is $75. VIP early bird is $140. Information and tickets are avail able online. heartsbeatone.org — compiled by Matt Comer \U The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED - MELTINGPOT.COM CHARLOTTE MIDTOWN (704) 334-4400 - LAKE NORMAN (704) 987-2201 Feb. 27-March 12.2015 qnotes 9