Your guide to CIAA weekend events

The background

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), founded in 1912, is the oldest historically black athletic conference in the United States. It is a member of the NCAA’s Division II. The conference’s annual men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have been held in Charlotte for more than 10 years, and the conference headquarters moved from Hampton, Virginia to Charlotte just last year.

The schools

Eight of the 12 schools are located in North Carolina: Fayetteville State University, Livingstone College, St. Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Elizabeth City State University, Winston-Salem State University, Chowan University and Charlotte’s own Johnson C. Smith University.

The events

While there are tons of official and unofficial events going on across the city, if you are planning on partaking in festivities, these are events that you don’t want to miss.

CIAA Step Show Throwdown

When: February 26 at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlotte Convention Center, Hall C
Tickets: $30 here

The annual step show will feature performances from all the nine historically black fraternities and sororities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.

This year’s celebrity host is rapper Diggy Simmons, son of famed rapper Rev Run of Run-D.M.C. This is sure to be a high-octane event that you don’t want to miss.

CIAA Post-Tournament Concert

When: February 27 at 10:30 p.m.
Where: Charlotte Convention Center, Hall C
Tickets: $30+ here

This year’s post-tournament concert features R&B stars Mint Condition, Lyfe Jennings and Vivian Green. The concert is a perfect move if you would like to wind down to some classic hits to close out the weekend.

CIAA Day Party

When: February 27 at 12 p.m.
Where: Rooftop 210

The 2nd Annual CIAA Day Party, hosted by Coors Light, will be held at Rooftop 210 and will last from noon until 7 p.m. After the game, head up to the EpiCentre for a good time before the rest of the night’s festivities.

CIAA Fan Fest

When: February 25 and 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and February 27 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Charlotte Convention Center, Hall A & B
Tickets: Free and open to the public

Events include a sneaker showcase, fashion show, Greek stroll-off, basketball clinic for kids and more. The Bank of America social media hub will feature celebrity meet-and-greets, prize giveaways and interactive photos.

There will be performances each day as too: Fabolous will be performing on Thursday, Rico Love on Friday and Tank on Saturday. Admission to all CIAA Fan Fest events is free.

…and of course, The CIAA Tournament Games

When: February 23-27
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena
Tickets: Here

While the hype around the parties may precede the actual tournament, these matchups are prime college basketball. Both men’s and women’s tournament games will take place all during the week, concluding on Saturday.

Party like a VIP

I’m convinced that the CIAA has to be one of the biggest party destinations in the U.S. each year.

This year, numerous celebrities such as Lil Wayne, T.I., Stevie J, K. Michelle, Travis Porter, Plies, Young Jeezy, Dej Loaf, Fabolous, Nas, Rich Homie Quan, Trina, TK and Cash, Yo Gotti, Floyd Mayweather and Young Thug, just to name a few, will be in town hosting and/or performing at several different parties over the weekend across the city.

A lot of these events are already sold out, but there’s one in particular which is getting a lot of buzz and is not sold out — a finale party at Oak Room on February 27, hosted by Power’s Omari Hardwick and Love & Hip Hop star Cardi B. You can find a complete rundown of the CIAA parties at cltparty.com.

Cover photo via the CIAA Facebook page