DNC 2012 Guide: Don't Miss These Events!

The 2012 Democratic National Convention begins on Sept. 4 in Charlotte, N.C., but the celebration has already begun. Scheduled convention speakers on Sept. 4-5 at at the Time Warner Cable Arena include San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, first lady Michelle Obama and former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will speak on Sept. 6 at Bank of America Stadium, where proceedings will close with a lineup including Mary J. Blige and Earth, Wind and Fire.There are also various related events scheduled in the city all week. Check out The Root's guide to select events in Charlotte from Sept. 2-6,  ranging from town halls, dance parties, networking receptions, convention proceedings, invitation-only parties and more. Sept. 2"Respect My Vote" Town HallSponsored by Hip Hop CaucusLocation: Charlotte School of Law, 2145 Suttle Ave.Time: 2-5 p.m.Prayers for Children: An Interfaith Call to Action Location: Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, 1117 South Blvd.Time: 3 p.m.  Unity Through Community PartyLocation: NC Dance Theatre, uptown CharlotteTime: 8 p.m. Media can register for press credentials to attend.The Friends of Fifty Committee GalaLocation: Knight Theater, 430 N. Tryon St.Time: 6-8 p.m. Hosted by Hil Harper

Parties for state delegations, spread across 12 area venues Location: Check for details here. Time: 5-8 p.m.Check here to find out which states go to which events.Sept. 3 (Labor Day)National Journal/The Atlantic daily news briefingsLocation: McColl Center for Visual Arts, 721 N. Tryon St.Time: 9:30-11 a.m.RSVP hereNational Journal/The Atlantic Watch Parties Location: McColl Center for Visual Arts, 721 N. Tryon St.Time: 7:30-10:30 p.m.CarolinaFest Location: Tryon StreetTime: 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Performers include Janelle Monae and James Taylor. Museums will be free admission that day.GO CLT Welcome Reception Location: 525 N. Tryon St.Time: 6-9 p.m. For young professionals and Charlotte's future leaders.DNC/DNCC Morning Prayer GatheringLocation: Charlotte Convention Center, Room 211AB-212AB, 501 S. College St.Time: 9-11 a.m.; Sept. 4 (9:30-10 a.m.); Sept. 5 (9-10 a.m.); Sept. 6 (9-10 a.m.)Caucus and council meetings Location: Charlotte Convention Center:Time: Beginning at 10:30(DNC Youth press conference, Room 208AB, 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Native American Council, 219 AB, 10 a.m. to noon; Americans and Pacific Islanders Caucus (AAPI), 203 AB, 10 a.m. to noon; African American Caucus, Ballroom CD, 10 a.m. to noon.; Ethnic Council, 218AB, 10 a.m. to noon; Hispanic Council, Ballroom- B, 10 a.m. to noon; Disability Caucus, 211AB- 212AB, noon to 2 p.m.; Faith Council, Room 203AB, noon to 2 p.m.; Youth Council, Ballroom- B, noon to 2 p.m.; Veterans and Military Families Council, 203AB, 2-4 p.m.)North Carolina delegates receptionLocation: Crowne Plaza Charlotte, 201 S. McDowell St.Time: 1-6 p.m. For questions call (704) 327-7550. Parking, $15.DNC Creative Hub Tour Location: Packard Place, 222 S. Church St., Ste. 100Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. StartUp RockOn ConcertLocation: Gallery XTime: 8 p.m. to midnight StartUp RockOn at the DNC will be a concert headlined by The Roots, a week-long VIP late-night lounge. Invitation only, Amos Southend.Politico's Playbook BreakfastsLocation: Packard Place, 222 South Church St., 5th floorTime: Sept. 3-6, 8 a.m.Sept. 4Official convention speakers at Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 East Trade St., credentials required: 2012 Democratic National Convention Chair Antonio Villaraigosa will gavel in to officially begin the convention proceedings at the Time Warner Cable Arena, featuring Keynote Speaker San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, first lady Michelle Obama and President Jimmy Carter via taped video.Energy and the Election (Breakfast forum)Location: Ritz-Carlton, Salon I, 201 East Trade StreetTime: 8-10 a.m.Sponsored by the Washington Post. By invitation only.Progressive Democrats of America ForumLocation: Community Outreach Christian Ministries, 1800 Brewton DriveTime: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Lunch and reception includedCaucus meetings Location: Charlotte Convention CenterTime: Women's Caucus, Ballroom ABCD, 10 a.m. to noon; Progressive Action PAC, Room 213 A, 10:30 a.m. to noon; LGBT Caucus, 203AB, noon to 2 p.m.; Senior Council, 211AB- 212AB, noon to 2 p.m; Small Business Owners Council, 211AB- 212AB, 2-4 p.m.; Rural Council, 203AB, 2-4 p.m.The Millennial Impact on the 2012 ElectionsLocation: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 201 S. McDowell St.Time: Noon Free. Must register at [email protected]ArtsSpeakLocation: Mint Museum, James B. Duke Auditorium, 2730 Randolph RoadTime: 2:30-4:30 p.m.Building Healthier CitiesLocation: McColl Center for Visual ArtsTime: 2:30-4 p.m.Compare the Candidates Forum Location: McColl Center for Visual ArtsTime: 3-4:30 p.m.RSVP hereThe One World Comedy Jam, featuring D.L. Hughley, Tommy Davidson Location: Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon StreetTime:  9 p.m.UFuture: A Summit for Innovative ThinkersLocation: Johnson C. Smith University, 100 Beatties Ford Road, Brayboy GymnasiumTime: 10 a.m. to noonPanel: The African American Electorate and the Race for North CarolinaLocation: Google space, West 3rd StreetTime: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

20th anniversary of Bill Clinton's nomination Location: The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College Time: 5 p.m. Special guests: Bill Clinton and will.i.am of the Black Eyed PeasPolitics & Pints pub trivia Location: RiRa, 208 N. Tryon St.Time: 6:00 p.m.FreePlanned Parenthood Action Fund Sex, Politics and Cocktails party Location: 223 S. Brevard St.Time: 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. FreePeople for the American Way Foundation celebrates the right to voteLocation: 210 E. Trade St., Time: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Event space is limited. RSVP required, but does not guarantee entry unless confirmed. Contact: Courtney Brown, 202-467-2351, [email protected]ArtsJamLocation: McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square - Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterTime: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.A pre-concert cocktail fundraiser meet-and-greet with celebrity guests will be held from 9:00-10:30 pm. Ticket prices vary. Contact information: Victoria Baatin, 202-371-2830. [email protected]Musicians On Call's 2012 Presidential Convention Charity Benefit Location: The FillmoreInvitation onlySept. 5Health Care Visionaries and Voices from the Front Lines of Care Forum Location: NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Time: 9:30-11 a.m. Free and open press. Media RSVP to [email protected].Women Are Watching…and Voting: A Panel Discussion Location: The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts & Culture, 551 South Tryon St. Time: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Council meetings Location: Charlotte Convention CenterTime: Native American Council, 219AB, 10 a.m. to noon; African American Caucus, Ballroom- CD, 10 a.m. to noon; Hispanic Caucus, Ballroom- B, 10 a.m. to noon; Americans and Pacific Islanders Caucus, 203AB. 10 a.m. to noon; Ethnic Council, 218AB, 10 a.m. to noon; Faith Council, 203AB, noon to 2 p.m.EMILY's List Campaign and Champagne Town Hall Location: Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.Time: 12:30-5 p.m. Sold out.Domestic Policy Forum: "21st Century Campaigns," Location: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Time: 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Equality and Economic Opportunities in 21st Century Cities: "Lessons from the U.S. and Around the World" Panel Location:  Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Time: 3 p.m. Conversations with the Next Generation with Chelsea Clinton, a Town Hall Location: Discovery Place's 3D Theatre, 301 N. Tryon St.  Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m.Media RSVP to [email protected]The NewDEAL Toast to the Future Reception, Location: Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St.Time: 3:30-5 p.m.Closed press. Tickets are publicly available.Changing Political Demographics and the Future of the Democratic Party- Panel DiscussionLocation: Bank of America Center Time: 4-5:30 p.m. (Media are asked to pre-register, Megan Piccirillo at (617) 514-1665 or [email protected].)Charlotte's Young and Powerful for Obama fundraising event Location: Dressler's Restaurant, 1100 Metropolitan Ave.Time: 6 p.m. $44 donation to Obama for America campaignRock the Vote 2012 DNC Convention concert, Foo Fighters.  Location: The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. Time: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.  The Creative Coalition Benefit GalaLocation: N.C. Music Factory Osso Restaurant and Fountain Plaza. Invitation only.Sept. 6Official convention speakers at Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St:

Vice President Biden and President Obama.

Musical lineup for convention closing: Mary J. Blige; Earth, Wind and Fire; Foo Fighters.Other happenings: *National Journal/The Atlantic daily on-site roundtables and events:*Community events featured on host committee site*Tavis Smiley's "America I Am: The African American Imprint" at Harvey B. Gantt Center African-American Arts and Culture*"Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial" at Mint Museum UptownCheck here for information on street closures and transportation options in Charlotte.