Alive After Five returns to EpiCentre today

Fresh off an opening month at Wells Fargo Plaza, Charlotte’s Alive After Five returns to Pavilion at EpiCentre for the remainder of the season beginning at 5 p.m. today.

Jesse’s Girl will perform on the Pavilion stage, while Alternate Take will play contemporary party music and jazz standards on the main level at EpiCentre. Alive After Five -- which is celebrating its 10th anniversary -- continues at EpiCentre every Thursday evening through September.

Today's Alive After Five will also serve as a fundraiser for tornado victims in the Southeast. The event has partnered with the Charlotte Junior Chamber, which will be at EpiCentre tonight collecting donations, 100 percent of which will go to those affected by the recent outbreak of tornadoes.

Also, each Thursday during the Alive After Five season, select restaurants at the EpiCentre will offer $20 prix fixe menus. Participating restaurants include BlackFinn, Enso, Kazba, Libretto’s, Mez, Mortimer’s, StrikeCity, Vida and Wild Wing Café. These restaurants will also offer complimentary hors d'oeuvres during Alive After Five the first Thursday of every month.

Also new for 2011: Alive After Five's "When it Rains, We Pour" promotion. Pavilion has purchased two tents to keep guests sheltered from rain; when the weather's wet, guests will be offered drink specials, including discounted beer prices any time there is inclement weather during AT&T Alive After Five.

Alive After Five will also present a Block Party from 7-11 p.m. Friday at Piedmont Town Center, featuring a performance by Party on the Moon. The Friday night Block Party also serves as the kickoff of Alive After Five’s Piedmont Town Center series, which runs every Wednesday from through June 15. Band line-ups for both EpiCentre and Piedmont Town Center are available at AliveAfterFives.com.