CIAA technically stands for Center Intercollegiate Athletic Association, but it can also mean Charlotte Is having A lot of After Parties! And I do mean A LOT of parties...

This year's multitude of CIAA parties popped off at Pop Life at Apostrophe Lounge ... and The Bee Man Candles Co.

Apparently, in these hard economic times people aren’t buying enough candles to keep the Bee Man in the honey money, and so now Apostrophe Lounge has expanded (just for CIAA) ... and just in time. Because even with Apostrophe doubled in size, there was a line out the door(s). It was like two totally detached lounges with two separate entrances, yet the same venue divided by a mere apostrophe... or wall rather (which, sadly, could not be knocked down).

And there's a lot more going on there and all around town.

DJ Technics and Tony Outlaw were playing old and new school beats to a highly populated dance floor equip with a soul train. It was a high class crowd with girls looking fly, lots of guys were wearing ties, and countless promoters pimping out their parties. I even had a guy stop me on my way to the bathroom and another get out of his car as I walked by. Not to mention my Jeep looked like a collage of party fliers by the end of the night. Said parties include...

• 1st Movement and 360 Media’s C.I. Chocolate Affair hosted by the “Sassy and Sexy” (as indicated in quotes on the flier) Vivica A. Fox and “The People’s Attorney” Warren Ballentine (whoever that is) with special performances by AVANT on Friday, Feb.27 at Club ALIVE in NoDa (9 p.m. – 4 a.m.)....4 a.m.?!?!

• Red Carpet Affairs presents The Uptown Matinee on Friday, Feb. 27, at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse (12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) with DJ Moecom, as well as the Red Carpet Cabaret at the Levine Museum of the New South with DJ Nabs of So So Def on Saturday, Feb. 28 (9 p.m. – 2 a.m.) hosted by video vixen Safaa Alhanash

• Young Royalty presents the Grand Finale at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse with DJ Bax on Saturday, Feb.28 with dinner starting at 10 p.m.

• Gentlemen Jack and Apostrophe Lounge present the Tournament Official Before&After Spot Day Party with DJ Complete on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 1 – 5 p.m.

• Dynasty5, Sol Kitchen & Firm Events present Anthony Hamilton's Official Grammy Award & Album Release Party at Cans on Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m.

• Digital Divas presents “Panache” the 3rd Annual Farewell Jazz Brunch. Jazz trio. 10 a..m.-4 p.m. Utopia Restaurant, 10210 Berkeley Place Dr.

Apparently, Chima and Nikko are the hot spots this week — been hearing of so many parties there, and of course Charlotte’s cutie Consuella will be at Chima tonight for the World Tour party and then at Nikko on Friday, Feb. 27, for the World Tour Party Take 2 with DJ Seiko: “The Tokyo Drama Queen.” Tix available at www.rushmoredrive.com/nightlife

And I haven’t even started with the events at the Convention Center from the Stop Show to Apollo Night... and word on the street is P.Diddy, Puff Daddy, Diddy (whatever you want to call him) and Jay-Z are in town for the tournament (slash parties).

Stay tuned for more C.I.A.A. coverage!