Two of Charlotte’s most popular after-work gatherings are combining forces, resulting in the largest weekly happy hour and free entertainment event uptown has ever seen.

The legendary ‘Alive After Five‘, held at the Wachovia Plaza for the last eight years, will host a special “Thank-You Celebration” at the Wachovia Plaza Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. to commemorate the years of support from both Wachovia Plaza staff and Childress Klein, before the event merges with ‘EpiCentre After 5. Entertainment by America’s number-one party band, Liquid Pleasure, selected as the all-time favorite band by event attendees for the last eight years will perform from 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Beginning Thursday, April 23, ‘Alive After Five‘ will merge with ‘EpiCentre At 5’, featuring Charlotte’s premier rooftop bar and special event venue, the Pavilion, in the heart of Uptown’s premier nightlife location. This merger provides the ideal blend of successful history and fresh, exciting vision in the heart of uptown Charlotte’s nightlife scene.

“This is an absolute win-win situation, not only for East Coast Entertainment and Bar Management Group, but also for Charlotte,” says Larry Farber, senior partner at East Coast Entertainment. “Independently, we experienced such success at both the ‘Alive after Five’ and ‘EpiCentre at 5’ events last year. We are immensely grateful to Wachovia Plaza and Childress Klein for their eight years of support.”

Bob Durkin, president of Bar Management Group, which manages Pavilion at EpiCentre and various other hospitality venues and restaurants throughout EpiCentre, is also pleased about the new, combined event.

“It’s the ultimate entertainment and social destination in Charlotte, so it makes sense to host the new event in Pavilion at EpiCentre, where nightlife is thriving and the action never stops,” says Durkin. “With its multiple levels and upscale, nearby bars and retail, the EpiCentre adds an entirely new dimension to this after-work event.”

Managing Partner of Pavilion at EpiCentre Shiela Fletcher stated, “There is absolutely nothing like Pavilion in Charlotte – with our 25,000 square feet of breathtaking uptown skyline views and our state-of-the art Bud Light sound stage, there is not a bad seat in the house!”

“We’re thrilled to see this partnership emerge,” says Moira Quinn, spokesman for Charlotte Center City Partners. “This weekend warm-up is wildly popular with Uptown workers and residents. Now no one has to make a choice.”

Event Calendar:

SEPTEMBER 3
FANTASY
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

SEPTEMBER 10
RUBBERBAND
Ben Fold's Brother's band
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

SEPTEMBER 17
PINK FLOYDIAN SLIP
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

SEPTEMBER 24
SIMPLIFIED
Grand Finalé Concert!
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

MAY 28
FRONTIERS
Journey Tribute
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JUNE 4
BREAKFAST CLUB
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JUNE 11
DAVE MATTHEWS TRIBUTE BAND
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JUNE 18
GIRLZ GIRLZ GIRLZ
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JUNE 25
VERTIGO
U2 Tribute
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JULY 2
SHANE O'DAZIER & THE SOB'S
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JULY 9
WHO'S BAD
Michael Jackson Tribute
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

JULY 23
Blue Dogs
Americana-Tinged Contemporary Rock
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Pavilion at EpiCentre

Visit EpiCentreAliveAfterFive.com for complete details and membership information. Look for details on partnerships and events from these two entertainment powerhouse groups soon.