Category: Charlotte, North Carolina Local News

Day 1: Intro To Severe Weather Preparedness Week

The well-traveled resident conductor has found a home here

Christopher James Lees has vivid childhood memories of his father playing church tunes at the piano. From his bedroom three floors above in suburban Washington, D.C., Lees would find himself drawn toward the sound. “I remember thinking, What’s in here?” as he touched the piano keys. He was 4 when his father started teaching him to play piano. Within a month, he was taking formal lessons. Musical engagements began in his teens, and at 16, he was working as professional organist at a local church.

Lees’ life in music has led him to Charlotte, which he considers his home. At 42, he’s the resident conductor for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, a position he’s held since 2018. After his childhood success and music degrees from the University of Michigan, Lees embarked on a varied conducting career. He’s been a guest conductor in France and Brazil; worked as an assistant to Leonard Slatkin, Gustavo Dudamel, and other world-renowned conductors; and directed the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony in Winston-Salem from 2014 to 2018.

Music education and working with students remain important to him. One of Lees’ CSO duties is to conduct the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra, and he participates in the CSO’s continuing outreach programs—like Project Harmony, which provides free after-school music instruction to students in poor communities.

“I love the fact that our city continues to draw people from all over the world, which increases the audiences with whom we can connect and for whom we perform,” he says. “As Charlotte grows, the number of arts offerings, and the breadth of those offerings, can expand, and it’s up to us to lead that expansion—creatively, imaginatively, and passionately.”

As we prepared this story, the CSO named a new music director: Kwamé Ryan, an internationally renowned conductor who oversaw a pair of CSO performances in 2023. He replaces Christopher Warren-Green, who retired in 2022, and is the first person of color to lead the orchestra. Lees says he’s excited about working with him.“It’s a coup for the CSO and the city of Charlotte, too,” he says. “He’s a phenomenal artist, communicator, and thinker who had incredible chemistry with the orchestra.”

Lees’ words have been edited for length and clarity.

I believe that humans have been musical creatures since people were banging sticks against rocks in caves. Some people have a natural proclivity toward music, but it’s also about training the muscles in your ear and your brain. It’s similar to how an athlete works.

When we sound more in tune, and more refined and sophisticated, the beauty of what’s there can be heard in an unblemished way. Training gets rid of the excess that could get in the way of organic transmission from heart and soul and mind to another’s heart and soul and mind.

When I left for college, my dream was to come back to the D.C. area and teach high school choir and play at church. I never wound up moving back. My second semester, I sang in Verdi’s Requiem, and it was literally life-changing. It’s a Latin Mass set in a dramatic operatic style. There’s an explosive movement, and right then, I knew I wanted to become a conductor and conduct this piece.

In college, when I was still videotaping myself for submissions, I was conducting my third student orchestra concert. We get to the end of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” which ends with strong chords, and someone in the back of the viola section had a phone that started ringing. I can see myself in the video looking shocked. It was like scribbling on a masterpiece. Nobody wants to be that person and have that kind of accident. 

There are people today in music who are unbelievably talented. Jacob Collier is a kid from England who tours the world. He seems as divinely touched as Mozart was. He’s a multi-instrumentalist who is talked about using words such as “genius” and “prodigy.” There are people like this—where their musical talent seems to go beyond industry and beyond humanity.

The conductor is the only person who doesn’t make any sound at all, and yet we get the credit. But there’s nothing about us that vibrates a reed on a wind instrument or a string on a string instrument or a mouthpiece on a brass instrument. We are without vibrations. What we do is show them when and how. A score might look exact, but it’s actually quite subjective—how loud, how fast or short a note is.

I think that the archetype of conductors is changing. Up until the 1980s, conductors were stern—authoritarian, strict, and volatile. Now there’s Gustavo Dudamel, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Klaus Mäkelä, to name a few. There are conductors who are accessible and community-minded. They aren’t autocrats. They realize musicians aren’t robots to play at their whim. Musicians are real people with mortgages and kids and parents. They are a wellspring of potential, and they are being included more and more in the conversation.

The CSO was having auditions for an assistant conductor. They called me and said they understood I had a job (at UNCSA), but asked me to come audition anyway, so that Christopher Warren-Green could approve me as a guest conductor. After the audition, they offered me the assistant conductor job. I said I could do both jobs and commuted for two years as assistant conductor while I was in Winston-Salem.

I love it here. I have a son, which affects my priorities. Some conductors don’t have kids, so they might be thinking about where to move next. I’m glad to be a part of this community and happy for my son to grow up here. I also took over as conductor (and music director) of the Rock Hill Symphony last March. We do about four or five concerts a year. I love how I can do a rehearsal one night and still take my son to school the next day.

This city has the spirit of a place that’s growing. And I feel like I can contribute my energy here, working in synchronicity of the greater story of the Charlotte region.

Our audiences aren’t shy about giving feedback. People have said they’re glad we had a conductor of color who came in—or heard a piece by a composer they didn’t know about. People have expressed that they didn’t know the story behind the music before the performance, or that the story could still be as relevant today in Charlotte as it was in 1800s Vienna. Music connects us between space and time.

Classical music has not always represented everyone. Historically, there have been underrepresented performers. I share the deep commitment of our CEO and president, David Fisk, that our season should represent the community. 

People rarely end up at the symphony by accident. Sometimes they come with expectations or with different connotations of the music, but they always come with interest. Music is so diverse, I believe there’s room for everyone at the table. You can disagree, and that’s what provokes the next conversation.

For our classical series, we have a cover conductor. This is something I’ve also done, all over the country. It’s when a conductor is brought in to listen and watch rehearsals, so if something happens to the conductor, the cover conductor can take over, and the show can go on. This is actually how Leonard Bernstein got his start. He stepped in at Carnegie Hall because the conductor was too sick to perform. Bernstein was a sensation, and a star was born. I covered for us when we did Verdi’s Requiem and Beethoven’s “Eroica” (Symphony No. 3), performances where we had guest conductors.

Christopher Warren-Green, who was notoriously reliable, was very sick during a performance in 2017. Nobody had any idea. He’s such a strong human being—and he was still able to bring Beethoven into the room despite being so sick. Nothing would keep him from doing it. It was a magnificent performance. The audience had no idea, but we knew.

The piano is different from other instruments. The stacking of one note on top of another is harmony. Generally, you’re playing one note at a time on the violin or trumpet, but keyboard instruments can have single lines stacked together. It’s like being able to see a 40,000-foot altitude version of what everyone’s doing. And that’s an asset.

Music has always represented what was going on at the time, because musicians have always been citizens. We are still responding to our time and becoming ever more diverse, inclusive, and representative. The world is more interconnected than it’s ever been.

The audience gives immediate feedback. Back in the time of Beethoven, the audience wouldn’t let the performance continue until the orchestra played a certain movement again. There’s no consensus about applause between movements. People have different opinions, but I don’t know any musician that doesn’t appreciate applause.

We’re trying to do more from Jewish composers whose work was lost during World War II. We’ve played Gideon Klein and Erich Korngold—people who were persecuted or killed just for being Jewish. It’s just like women
and people of color being marginalized. Folks have been left out, and we want to recognize those gaps and bring those people back to the table.

ALLISON FUTTERMAN is a writer in Charlotte.

Best friends Morgan Lashley and Caroline Dunham have done almost everything together since they met at N.C. State in 2003, their freshman year. They majored in public relations and worked in marketing in Raleigh for the first few years after college. They married their husbands within a year of each other. Today, they’re both 38, and each has three kids—the same ages, 7, 5, and 3. Their families vacation together. They do barre together every morning. Then they go to work at the North End offices of Vestique, the clothing boutique they founded in 2010 after desk jobs that, Dunham says, made them realize they “were not meant for the cube life.”

They launched Vestique as a small online store, and it’s ballooned into a beloved and recognizable brand. Today, it has 12 brick-and-mortar stores in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia; more than 120 employees, all women; a large, engaged social media following; 10,000 square feet of warehouse space; and a growing e-commerce presence. 

Vestique’s merchandise is trendy but not unique. It’s what you’d find in most boutiques today: checkered sweaters, plaid blazers, pleated skirts, matching sets, swanky dresses, gold necklaces, cute boots—things that “cool girls” on social media wear. So why has Vestique been so successful? 

It sells the same items for less than the competition and gives customers an experience that mimics that of a luxury fashion brand, with employees who act like personal stylists and lifestyle photo shoots to promote the products. And, even 14 years in, owners Lashley and Dunham are still accessible to their customers, not only on social media but often in person. Buying from Vestique feels a lot better than giving money to fast-fashion retailers like Shein, H&M, or Zara.

Thirty percent of Vestique’s merchandise is designed in-house, including last year’s swimwear.

“We’re never going to be high-end,” Dunham says. “We want to look high-end, though. We want people to turn over the price tag and be like, ‘What?! I can get this sweater that’s amazing quality and looks so high-end for $50?!’”

In 2010, Lashley and Dunham initially considered opening a wedding venue, then rethought the idea when they realized the upfront costs and pivoted to the online boutique. They sourced merchandise at boutique trade shows, stored it in Lashley’s spare bedroom, and sold it on vestique.com. The business took off, and in 2011, they opened their first physical store in Raleigh, where they both lived.

But they noticed that most of their online orders were coming from Charlotte. Lashley says Charlotte’s abundance of young professionals means it feels “a little trendier”—a better match for Vestique’s brand than the “old Southern feel of Raleigh.” In 2012 and 2013, they opened their second store on East Boulevard in Dilworth, then ones in Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina. Shortly after, Lashley and Dunham relocated their families, and Vestique’s operations, to the Queen City.

Of the brand’s 12 stores, the Charlotte location, in Dilworth, sells the most.

The Charlotte store is still Vestique’s busiest and most profitable location. It’s also where Vestique’s chief creative officer and stylist, Adair Kennedy, encountered the brand—and Lashley and Dunham. At the time, she was a student at Queens University, and she’d save her nannying money to shop at Vestique. “Finally, I was like, I just need to work here,” Kennedy says. She started as a sales associate, then slowly took on more responsibilities. In 2014, she became a full-time employee.

Now, Kennedy, 32, leads the brand alongside Lashley and Dunham. She oversees the company’s creative team, which forecasts fashion trends; designs clothes and collections (30% of Vestique’s clothes are designed in-house); and manages photo shoots, social media, and
the website.

Kennedy says Vestique’s Spring 2024 collection will revolve around vibrant maxi dresses, skirts, miniskirts, matching sets, denim-on-denim outfits, and patterned pajamas—“the kinds of things you want to wear on vacation.”

Many boutiques mark up inventory by 80%, but Vestique keeps its markups around 50%. Most of its inventory is less than $50, and nothing is more than $100. Because it’s affordable, it sells more. Another classy touch: The moment customers walk in, they’re greeted by a fashionable, bubbly employee who offers to help. It feels like walking into a Prada or Burberry store, but without the pretension. Lashley compares the feeling to “shopping with your best friend.” 

The online experience gets the same luxe treatment. In addition to studio shoots of the merchandise, Kennedy plans highly stylized lifestyle photo shoots—about 20 a year, in destinations like Asheville, Chicago, and New York City—to share on the website and social media. Early this year, Lashley and Dunham traveled to the Bahamas to model for a spring-collection photo shoot. 

Their willingness to show up—in person or on screen—is another factor they say contributes to Vestique’s success. Regulars know the owners, who still work the floor from time to time. But even customers who’ve never met them feel like they have. Lashley, Dunham, and Kennedy are frequently on social media, in photos and reels, and interacting with followers via live videos and polls.

“Once a lot of businesses get to a certain point, the owners usually become hands-off,” Lashley says. “I don’t ever want to get to that point.” 

Tess Allen is the associate editor.

“Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

We both shake our heads, and our server takes our drink orders. I don’t identify as a picky eater; neither does Editor Greg Lacour, who accompanies me to L’Ostrica’s Tasting Menu Experience. We couldn’t do this job if we were.

But this meal challenged and surprised both of our fairly evolved palates—in a good way, mostly. A better question might have been, “Do you have any food aversions?” We would have replied, “Only to oysters, mayonnaise, or any food that jiggles.” (More on that later.) At a restaurant like L’Ostrica, where the $175 tasting menu is eight to 10 courses and includes items with names like “chawanmushi” and “roselle gel,” it’s wise to alert your server to any textures you don’t enjoy, even if most flavors don’t bother you. 

L’Ostrica (Italian for “oyster”) opened in November in Madison Park, off Montford Drive, in the same building as Waterbean Coffee and Vintage Nail Bar. Co-owners Cat Carter and Eric Ferguson came up with the idea for this 38-seat restaurant over oysters nearly three years ago. Carter is a brand strategist with food writing experience, including for this magazine, and Ferguson has worked at Barrington’s, Good Food on Montford, and Stagioni. The duo, who are also life partners, operated L’Ostrica as a catering business for two years before they opened a physical location. The 2,500-square-foot space also has a Chef’s Market with a curated selection of housemade pastas, sauces, snacks, and sweets.

Ferguson sources heavily from local farmers to create seasonal menus with Italian, Korean, Japanese, and French influences. It’s an ambitious undertaking in a city that’s just starting to embrace tasting menus with dishes whose names we might not be able to pronounce. Ferguson’s not afraid to take chances, a welcome attribute in traditionally traditional Charlotte, where only recently have diners been able to sample items as adventurous as his Caviar on Beet Chicharrón. The lineup we enjoyed in December will be different by the time you read this, so consider this a snapshot of what L’Ostrica serves.

Caviar with Egg Salad – Premium caviar and creamy egg salad top a slice of house-made brioche.

We begin with a Caviar Bite, a crispy beet topped with caviar, cured egg yolk, and crème fraîche—a nice balance of softness and crunch. Next comes The Oyster, which would be divine if you don’t share my belief that the consistency of raw oysters resembles—pardon the crudeness—snot. When our server describes them as “creamy in texture” and a bit “mayonnaise-y,” Greg slides his plate toward me because he likes to see me squirm. I take a deep breath and down my oyster because I take my job seriously, but not even the ají dulce hot sauce could detract from the slimy texture. I slide Greg’s plate back toward him; one gooey mollusk is my limit. When our server returns, Greg admits mayonnaise-y oysters are a nonstarter for him. We press on.

The Lobster Brioche is a delicate tower of toasted brioche, salted cucumbers, and smoked lobster chunks over a spoonful of gochugaru aioli, which gives it a rich, smoky flavor. With our taste receptors all fired up, we’re back on track and excited for our fourth course: chawanmushi. 

Our server returns with a small bowl of hot Japanese egg custard topped with chopped mushrooms. I notice that it jiggles, like Jell-O. And smells … unique. We each take a bite and immediately exchange a look of, “Oh, hell, no.” I chase mine with a gulp of water and swallow it like a pill, while Greg gets up with a frantic I-gotta-find-a-restroom-and-spit-this-out-NOW expression. To his mortification, it’s Ferguson who directs him to the men’s room.

We explain to Carter, who checks in on us periodically, that hot egg custard is simply not a dish we can get behind. She graciously removes our bowls and reassures us it’s not for everybody. (That said, if hot, jiggly egg custard is your jam, don’t let us dissuade you. We’re told that guests who are familiar with this dish find it exquisite.)

Our server returns to ask if we have any aversions to raw fish before the next course. We do not. But we’ve clearly earned a reputation as high maintenance. We must prove them wrong.

Hamachi Crudo – A drizzle of Sicilian olive oil, pickled shallot relish, and smoked trout roe make these buttery slices of hamachi even more decadent.

Fortunately, we don’t have to work that hard. The next six courses are superb. The Hamachi Crudo is rich and buttery, the Mushroom Cappelletti is warm and comforting, and the Fresh Catch is expertly seared and served with charred broccolini and extra fish demi-glace to drizzle on top. 

Course eight is Pork Terrine, a cylinder of crispy pork shoulder over a dollop of nutty sunchoke purée, drizzled with pan sauce that deepens the savory flavors. Lamb Two Ways is another win, with one seared and one inside a puff pastry. Dessert is Baby Ginger Gelato, a dairy-free coconut gelato spun with fresh ginger, served over candy mushroom crumble, and topped with a Korean sesame cracker. It’s a satisfying, not-too-sweet end to a meal that was anything but predictable.

And that’s the thing about L’Ostrica: You might not love each course—and you might even have a strong dislike for a few that land on your table. But you’ve got to hand it to a chef who takes risks like these. Ferguson’s not here to please the masses. He wants to surprise even the most adventurous eaters and serve dishes that, whatever else you may say about them, you won’t find anywhere else in this city.

L’Ostrica

4701 Park Road

Hours: 

Tasting Menu Experience
5:15-10 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday

Chef’s Market
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday

Sunday Supper
5:30-8 p.m. Sunday 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: The last seating for the Tasting Menu Experience is at 8:15 p.m., and  reservations are required via Tock. A limited number of walk-in seats are available at the bar.

TAYLOR BOWLER is the lifestyle editor.

There’s no shortage of ways to take advantage of the Queen City’s beautiful spring weather. From now through May, take part in one of these festivals in Charlotte.

March Festivals

Savor Charlotte

March 12 – 26
Various locations

Join restaurateurs, food truck entrepreneurs, chefs, bakers, bartenders and beyond for special offers, exclusive menus, and hands-on events celebrating the Charlotte culinary scene.

Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival

March 16
Uptown

Watch a parade full of marching bands, floats, and civics organizations, then head to the festival with food, vendors, and attractions.​

Green River Revival

March 16
Whitewater Center

Festivities begin with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run and continue with yoga, the coloring of the river, and live music.

Charlotte Fair

March 21-April 1
Charlotte Motor Speedway 

Enjoy rides, classic games, fair food, and live entertainment at the annual fair.

No Man’s Land

March 23
Camp North End

100+ woman-owned businesses, hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, and activations celebrating women and Women’s History Month.

Spring South End Wine and Hops Festival

March 30
Lenny Boy Brewing Co

The 10th annual festival, featuring wine, cider, and brew sampling, will host food trucks, pop-up shops, and live music.

April Festivals

Charlotte SHOUT!

March 31-April 16
Uptown

This multi week festival features 200+ installations, performances, events, and activations. Nearly all the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public without tickets.

Charlotte AutoFair

April 4 – 7
Charlotte Motor Speedway 

This automotive extravaganza brings together thousands of hot rods, muscle cars, exotic sports cars, and classic automobiles.

Carolina BBQ Festival

April 5 – 6
Victoria Yards

Sample a full range of Carolina BBQ, live crawfish boil, and lots of live music.

Charlotte Brewfest

April 6South End 

Enjoy unlimited sampling of beer made by 25+ national, regional, and local craft breweries in celebration of National Beer Day.

Courtesy, Pet Palooza

Pet Palooza

April 6
Humane Society of Charlotte

The event features a dog-friendly fundraising walk as well as a vendor fair, adoption area, music, a picnic pavilion, food and beer trucks, and fun activities for people and pets alike. Be sure to register for the walk in advance.

Moo, Brew, & ‘Que Music Fest 

April 12 – 14
AvidXchange Music Factory

The three-day event will deliver on everything in its name – local and regional BBQ delights, over 50+ beers, craft cocktails, games, entertainment, and live music.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival

April 12 – 30
Fort Mill

Celebrate the strawberry at this award-winning festival. Attend beauty pageants, a golf tournament, a strawberry scavenger hunt, and strawberry eating contest.

Paws in the Park

April 13
Pineville Lake Park 

The family-friendly event will host 15 rescue groups with dogs looking for forever homes.

Charlotte StrEATs Festival 

April 14
Gateway Village 

Part of Charlotte SHOUT!, this free event will host celebrity chef, Aarón Sánchez, an artisan market, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, and art.

Earth Day Celebration at Anne Springs Close Greenway 

April 19 – 24
Anne Springs Close Greenway

Take part in outdoor activities like lead-line horse rides, fishing clinics, kayaking, guided hikes, reptile encounters, and historic cabin tours, and vote on your favorite recycled art.

Tuck Fest 2024

April 19 – 21
Whitewater Center

Celebrate the great outdoors and try something new at this Whitewater Center festival filled with outdoor competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music.

Loch Norman Highland Games

April 20 – 21
Rural Hill, Huntersville 

Come for a unique mix of the sporting, the cultural, the music, and the social. Activities include track and field events, piping and dancing competitions, tug-o-war, and a hammer throw.

Got Soul | Savor the Culture

April 27
The AMP Ballantyne

The inaugural event will feature live music, immersive art installations, culinary treats from local food trucks, and exclusive VIP experiences, all benefitting Do Greater, Families Forward Charlotte, Freedom Within Walls, and the Jack and Jill Foundation.

Art on the Green

April 27 – 28
Davidson

This juried art festival features regional artists, along with musical performances by local talents and food from on-site vendors and area restaurants.

May Festivals

Jiggy with the Piggy

May 2 – 5
Kannapolis

Jiggy with the Piggy includes a Kansas City Barbecue Society Competition, rides, a 5k race, more than 100 artisans, concerts, an outdoor family movie night, a pancake breakfast, and people’s choice BBQ and baseball games.

Lovin’ Life Music Fest

May 3 – 5Uptown 

Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, and Noah Kahan headline this first time concert event featuring over 40 artists over three days.

Courtesy, Lovin Life Music Fest

Kings Drive Art Walk

May 4 – 5
Little Sugar Creek Greenway

This outdoor exhibition showcases paintings, drawings, sculptures, pottery, metal, stone, wood, and glass works from emerging artists. Families can also enjoy music and entertainment.

Cinco de Mayo Charlotte

May 5
Symphony Park 

Enjoy international acts, festive music, arts and crafts, and a dog costume contest to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Hello Huntersville

May 5
Veterans Park 

This festival highlights regional artists and musicians. Listen to live music while supporting local artists, food, and beverage vendors.

BeachFest Matthews

May 10 – 11
Stumptown Park 

Put your “toes in the sand” with live beach music, shag dancing, carnival rides, axe throwing, street food, and kids’ activities.

Charlotte Dragon Boat and Asian Festival

May 11
Cornelius

Learn about various Asian cultures through food and activities and see teams race to the finish line in colorfully-decorated dragon boats.

The Cheerwine Festival

May 18
Salisbury

Cheerwine fans can enjoy cold Cheerwine, live music, great Southern food, shopping for Cheerwine merchandise, family-friendly activities, a beer garden, and local craft vendors in downtown Salisbury.

Festa Italiana 

May 19
Gateway Village Promenade

Charlotte’s only Italian gourmet food and wine festival offers unlimited fine Italian food, wine, beer, continuous live entertainment, silent auction and more.

Piedmont Social House, 2135 Ayrsley Town Blvd, is a bar and grill with indoor and outdoor seating. It has gaming areas that include darts, billiards, ping pong, corn hole, shuffle board, board games, Golden Tee, Big Buck Hunter, retro arcade games and bowling.

It also hosts some free events. You can follow Piedmont Social House on Facebook to keep up to date.

Upcoming Events

Taylor Swift Themed Music Bingo
Thursday, March 7, 2024
7 to 9 p.m.
Free

Recurring Events

Music Bingo
Thursdays, scheduled through March 28, 2024
7 p.m.
Free

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.

However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake. 

Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

More Outdoor Music in Charlotte

Check out our list of outdoor concerts around Charlotte, or look at a day by day list of some upcoming outdoor concerts here:

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