Category: Charlotte, North Carolina Local News

PSA: Super Bowl Sunday, Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day all land in the same week this year, which calls for a weekend of celebrating.

The Queen City is jam-packed with tons to do for each holiday, so it’ll be hard to choose which to attend! Start by taking your girls to one of the several Galentine’s Day events, then get free Valentine’s Day portraits at The Heart Wall, crawl around Charlotte’s bars for Mardi Gras, watch the new Love is Blind at The Garrison, let your inner Swifty out at a Taylor Swift Super Bowl Party, and much more.

THINGS TO DO THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8

The Rooted Nest Pop-Up Shop
Thursday, February 8, 10a
Stop by Monkees of Charlotte to pick up an arrangement of beautiful blooms in gorgeous vessels from The Rooted Nest. Payment options include Zelle or Venmo. Pricing starts at $25.

Galentine’s BYO Bracelet Party at SWIRL Dessert Bar
Thursday, February 8, 5 – 8p
Join The SonShine Bracelet Shop inside SWIRL Dessert Bar – South End for a Galentine’s Bracelet Making Party. Bring your besties, kids, sisters, and any other Valentine in your life and make Bracelets while enjoying a sweet treat.

Seaboard Brewing Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Thursday, February 8, 6:30p
Chocolate and wine? Say no more. Head to Seaboard Brewing for a Wine and Chocolate Pairing with The Secret Chocolatier. Tickets are $49/per person and include four different wines with four different chocolates. Yum!

THINGS TO DO THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Dance Theatre of Harlem
February 9 & 10
Dance Theatre of Harlem presents a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. This 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics as well as innovative contemporary works to celebrate co-founder Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Tickets can be purchased here.

Galentine’s Day at Scout & Molly’s
Friday, February 9, 11:30a
Head to Scout & Molly’s for a whimsical Galentine’s event featuring hair tinseling, photo opps, wine, giveaways, and more.

Mint 2 Move Cultural Dance Night: Lunar New Year’s Eve, Casa de la Cultura, and Black music and art
Friday, February 9, 7 – 11:30p
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with a lion dance performance, presented in partnership with Manera Foundation, followed by Casa de la Cultura Afro Latin/x dance and narrative, tributes to Black American Music, including salutes to Aretha Franklin, Celia Cruz, and Others with DJ Carlos Lebron, and group dance lessons at 9 PM with Rumbao Latin Dance Company. Enjoy live painting by local artists throughout the night. Tickets are $14 for nonmembers, $10.50 for Mint members. Free admission 7 – 7:30 p.m.

THINGS TO DO THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Thrift Pony Pink Bus Tour
February 10 – 11
Join Thrift Pony for a consignment sale at Norfolk Hall in South End this weekend. Find over 5,000 secondhand and vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories from your favorite brands, including Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and more up to 90% off retail price.

Valentine’s Day Portraits at the Confetti Hearts Wall
Saturday, February 10, 11a – 2p
Have your photo taken by a professional photographer, Collin Mairena, at the Confetti Hearts Mural just in time for Valentine’s Day. The first 100 people at the event can receive a free flower from Botanical House. They will also be bringing bouquets and mocktails for purchase.

Valentine’s Day Sparkle at KK BLOOM
Saturday, February 10, 12 – 5p
Grab your girls for permanent jewelry and bubbles with @get.lit.charlotte at KK Bloom in-store on Saturday, February 10th 12-5pm ~ walk-ins welcome or book an appointment at the link.

Taylor Swift + KC Chiefs Pre-Super Bowl Party at The Garrison
Saturday, February 10, 12 – 5p
Chief’s and 49’s fans, Taylor Swift, and foodies alike – you’re all invited to The Garrison’s Pre-Super Bowl Party. Come hungry as there will be a special Kansas City-style buffet as well as a few Taylor-inspired cocktails and mocktails. There will also be Taylor Swift music and friendship bracelets for the littlest guests.

Chinese New Year’s Party at Devil’s Logic Brewing
Saturday, February 10, 2p
Ring in the Chinese New Year at Devil’s Logic Brewing, where you can enjoy Dragon Dancers, firecrackers, Asian-inspired bites, and more. Queen City Lion Dance will be performing at 5 pm, so don’t miss it!

Mardi Gras Bar Crawl
Saturday, February 10, 2 – 10p
Celebrate Mardi Gras with a bar crawl featuring tons of beads, drink specials, dancing, and more.

Queen City Brewers Festival
Saturday, February 10
Queen City Brewers Festival brings together the Charlotte region’s craft beverage producers, celebrates their contributions to the Queen City and serves an organization that helps to improve the quality of life of individuals of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. The festival returns to life to benefit Envision Charlotte, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization that looks to make Charlotte a more circular economy by building a sustainable future for generations to come.

THINGS TO DO THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Secure your wing order at Duckworth’s now for Super Bowl Sunday

Galentine’s Day @ Charlotte Collective
Sunday, February 11, 11a – 5p
Join Charlotte Collective for their annual Galentine’s Day event, where there will be vendors like Trope Bookshop Bus, 11 & Thoms DIY charm jewelry bar, The Botanical House mocktails and bouquets, and Cosmic Paper DIY bookmarks.

Tone & Tap All Levels HIIT Workout at Hi-Wire Brewing
Sunday, February 11, 11a – 12p
This class is designed for those who love to exercise, meet new people, and enjoy a cold beer. They use empty KEGS, resistance bands, medicine balls, and more to curate a great workout with modifications and progressions. All fitness levels are welcome!

Taylor Swift Super Bowl Party Extravaganza
Sunday, February 11, 3p
Bring your best Swiftie spirit (and a bit of football enthusiasm) to Protagonist LoSo for the ultimate celebration! Jam out to non-stop Taylor Swift hits before the game, enjoy $6 mimosas, play Super Bowl bingo, feel free to dress in your finest T-Swift-inspired outfits, and more. This event is free to attend but RSVP’s are encouraged.

Uncorked: Charlotte Wine Fest
Sunday, February 11, 6 – 10p
The 3rd annual Uncorked: CLT Wine Fest is here! Head to the Discovery Place Science Museum to enjoy over 100 wines and bubblies from across the globe + some “outside the bottle” beverage options, food trucks, a DJ, and full after-hours access to the museum. Early admission ($80) is at 6pm and includes an extra hour of tasting and museum access with some bonus pours from select wineries and a smaller crowd. General admission is at 7pm and the event ends at 10pm. Both tickets include all wine tasting.

Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 13. Don’t forget to pre-order your King Cake at one of THESE Charlotte bakeries.

NEXT WEEK

Mean Girls
February 13 – 18
MEAN GIRLS will be in Charlotte February 13 – 18, which means you can see the Queen Bees, The Plastics, Burn Books, Mathletes all again live from an award-winning team including our fave Tina Fey. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased here.

Galentine’s Day Cocktail Party at Duke Mansion
February 13, 5 – 8p
Join The Duke Mansion for a special Galentine’s Day at the mansion with live music, one drink ticket with a charcuterie and dessert display. $45 per person; reservations required.

Love is Blind watch party and specials at The Garrison Cocktail Bar & Restaurant and Margaux’s Wine 
February 14, 8p
The Garrison Cocktail Bar & Restaurant and Margaux’s Wine in Pineville were BOTH featured during the recording of the hometown Charlotte episodes of Netflix’s Love is Blind. Join them on debut day – Wednesday, February 14 @ 8PM – for Episode One and to enjoy Half Price Wine and Signature Love Is Blind Sangrias. Plus, Half Price Apps from 4-6PM.

By CLTure

February 6, 2024

Indie progressive rock band Goose have announced a 2024 tour that will see two stops in North Carolina this summer. The Connecticut band released a new album, Ted Tapes 2024, following the announcement of new drummer Cotter Ellis replacing founding member Ben Atkind.

The tour will kick off in May in Illinois and make a stop in Raleigh on June 18 (Red Hat Amphitheater) and Charlotte on June 23 (Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre).

A lottery presale is now open through Saturday, February 10 at 5 p.m., and winners will be notified and charged no later than Thursday February 15 at 5 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, February 16 at 10 a.m. 

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By CLTure

February 6, 2024 (updated)

Multi-platinum selling R&B/pop superstar Usher has just announced 2024 tour dates and will play two nights at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center (October 22-23). The eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist will kick of his Past Present Future Tour in Washington, D.C. in August and finish the run at the United Center in Chicago in October.

Usher is also scheduled to perform at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas this weekend, where he held a residency since 2021. He headlined Dreamville Fest in 2023, and recently appeared on Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz’ collab album Welcome 2 Collegrove, released in November.

Usher will release his ninth studio album, Coming Home, on February 9, featuring Burna Boy, H.E.R., Summer Walker, and Latto. His Diamond-certified 2004 album, Confessions, will also turn 20 this year.

This is the first time Usher will perform in Charlotte since 2011’s OMG Tour. Fan presale starts Friday, February 9 at 10 a.m. (code: COMINGHOME or FALLIN) and tickets go on sale to the public Monday, February 12 at 10 a.m. 

Update (Feb. 8): Usher has added a second show in Charlotte on Wednesday, October 23 at 8 p.m. in addition to the originally announced Tuesday, October 22 show.

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Visiting an allergy specialist first is often a strategic approach when dealing with certain health concerns such as recurrent sneezing, congestion, post-nasal drip, cough, and/ or watery, itchy eyes. There are a few reasons why consulting an allergist first may be beneficial before going to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. Allergies can potentially contribute to a range of ENT problems, including nasal congestion, sinusitis, and ear infections. Allergists possess the ability to pinpoint precise allergic triggers through diagnostic testing, aiding in the determination of whether allergies are playing a role in your symptoms, which is often the case. These specialists conduct thorough assessments to uncover any allergens associated with your congestion and other symptoms. Addressing and prioritizing the treatment of underlying allergies can lead the way to improved overall health.

After an initial evaluation, our allergists at Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center can create a tailored treatment plan that targets all allergens. This may include prescribing antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or allergen immunotherapy to effectively alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, our allergists can provide valuable guidance on making lifestyle changes and environmental adjustments to minimize allergen exposure.

This proactive approach may help prevent the recurrence of ENT symptoms related to allergies. By consulting an allergist first, you can efficiently determine if allergies play a role in your symptoms before exploring other potential causes with an ENT specialist and considering invasive surgery or other treatments.

Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center has built a trusted legacy of exceptional care for over 70 years. We are the Charlotte region’s largest asthma and allergy practice, with a team of board-certified physicians who possess unparalleled expertise. With a strong commitment to providing comprehensive care, we proudly offer our services at 16 conveniently located facilities throughout the Charlotte area and beyond. Our extensive experience in handling various allergic conditions, including seasonal allergies, dust allergies, food allergies, pet allergies, mold allergies, insect allergies, latex allergies, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, has earned us national recognition for our excellence in this field.

Breathe easier with our specialized care for allergy and asthma conditions, including accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing management to improve your overall health. Don’t underestimate the significance of allergy testing for your well-being. The Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center is here to provide the support and expertise you need to ensure your health and comfort. You’ll discover life-changing allergy treatment and compassionate care, where expertise and compassion come together for a community of highly satisfied patients. With us, you can breathe, live, and thrive.

For more about Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center and our 16 locations, information, visit www.carolinaasthma.com .

Rail Trail Lights, presented by U.S. Bank, is once again illuminating South End with new, never-before-seen interactive light displays. Running through Feb. 18, the event is part of the I Heart Rail Trail initiative, a partnership between the Charlotte Rail Trail, Charlotte Center City Partners, and U.S. Bank. This year’s participating artists include Oliver Lewis, Hnin Nie, Anna G. Dean, and J. Stacy Utley.

In total, 10 artists submitted proposals to be part of Rail Trail Lights this year. “In the past, Charlotte Center City Partners has issued an open call to artists where anyone living or working in North or South Carolina was invited to apply,” says Monica Ponce, Charlotte Center City Partners’ Director of Programs and Events. “This year, the artists were curated by the Charlotte Center City Partners team in collaboration with a local panel of artists, community members, and art enthusiasts. We invited ten artists to submit a proposal, and four were selected from there.”

Though they’re not told specifically what to create, Charlotte Center City Partners gave a list of parameters to artists and required their creations to be interactive, light-based pieces. Below, learn more about the selected artists’ works this year:

Oliver Lewis
Display: “Up-Next”
Installation location: Atherton Plaza near Trolley Barn (2102 S. Blvd)
“Up-Next” is an interactive sculpture that resembles vintage TV sets from the 1980’s. This captivating installation boasts ten massive kaleidoscopes that generate mesmerizing light patterns. Visitors can easily interact with “Up-Next.”

Hnin Nie
Display: “Oyster Corner”
Installation location: Kingston Connection near the Rail Trail Chalkboard (108 E. Kingston Ave.)
Created in collaboration with Callender Baker, “Oyster Corner” is inspired by the beauty of nature, particularly the elegance of oyster mushrooms. The vision is to bring a touch of nature to the heart of the city through a monochromatic design featuring a pink tree. The oyster mushrooms will come to life through a play of lights, transitioning from soft pink to warm yellow and a radiant white glow.

Anna G. Dean
Display: “Fractal Energy”
Installation location: The Wedge Patio near Flower Child (1537 Camden Rd.)
This sculpture is based on the famous visual representation of a fractal pattern. “Fractal Energy” takes inspiration from two sources: “The Infinity Room” (made popular by Japanese contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama), and the “Sierpinski Triangle.” It is created using equilateral triangles that can be mathematically reduced so that it can be infinitely scalable.

J. Stacy Utley
Display:  “Leave the Light On” 
Installation location: The Pavilion (next to Futo Buta at 222 E Bland St.)
Inspired by his recent series of paintings, In Transition, and in collaboration with artists Dani Delrio and Karl Hoffman, Utley’s installation titled “Leave the Light On” addresses the impact of gentrification in communities and urban spaces, and the resulting effects on various demographics. Using a simple shape that represents a house, the work represents the homes and lives that have been affected by redevelopment.  The LED lights, while perceived as colorful, are coded. In the 1950s and 60s, redlining maps used the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue as indicator markings to distinguish desired areas from those in decline due to a lack of resources.

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Planning on checking out the 2024 edition of Rail Trail Lights? Make a date night of it with a slew of ideas on how to do just that here. Learn more about the entire Rail Trail Lights program here.

February’s the month of love, which means it’s a great time to splurge on an intimate dinner at one of Charlotte’s most romantic restaurants. Whether you want a multicourse tasting menu with white tablecloths and candles or a pink cocktail and heart-shaped dessert at a trendy rooftop bar, we’ve got your date night covered.

McNinch House
511 N. Church St.
704-332-6159
The restaurant has a longstanding reputation for its five-course tasting menu and award-winning wine pairings, but it’s also the most popular place for marriage proposals in Charlotte. Maybe it’s the antique silver and fine china on each table, or the edible flowers that adorn your poached pear salad. Whatever the reason, this restored Victorian-era house sees someone on bended knee 40 to 50 times a year.

Restaurant Constance
2200 Thrift Road
980-549-1999
The space inside The City Kitch has seating for 38, a chef’s table, and a menu that changes based on what’s in season.

Mariposa
500 S. Tryon St.
704-910-0865 
Executive Chef Jonathan Moore serves “world-to-table dishes like Street Corn Fritters and Gullah Paella, and pastry chef Sam Carrasquero-Chappelle makes a Manjari Torte that’s so beautiful, you’ll still be thinking about it days later.

The Artisan’s Palate
1218 E. 36th St., Ste. A
980-209-9168
Grab a seat on the patio beneath the string lights and order some Bacon-Wrapped Dates or Grilled Spanish Octopus, and feel free to linger over another glass of wine.

Aqua e Vino
4219 Providence Road
704-364-4445 
It’s one of the smallest dining rooms in town, so a reservation requires planning. It also means chef Gabriele Grigolon serves each dish with textbook precision.

Customshop
1601 Elizabeth Ave.
704-333-3396
Owner and Executive Chef Andres Kaifer uses top-notch, seasonal ingredients to create fresh takes on American cuisine in a hip, rustic atmosphere.

The Fig Tree Restaurant
1601 E. 7th St.
704-332-3322
Feast on elk chops and lobster tail paired with award-winning wines in a 1913 bungalow.

The Stanley’s menu includes a rotation of farm-to-table dishes like their Pork Chop. Photo by Peter Taylor.

DOT DOT DOT
4237 Park Road, Ste. B
704-817-3710
Stefan Huebner’s creative cocktails may be the main attraction at this members-only speakeasy, but the saffron risotto with foraged mushrooms will convince you to stay for dinner.

Kindred
131 N. Main St., Davidson
980-231-5000
Chef Joe Kindred, a James Beard Award semifinalist, serves homemade pasta dishes and creative small plates in historic downtown Davidson.

Barcelona Wine Bar
101 W. Worthington Ave., Ste. 110
704-741-0300
Choose from more than 400 wines, and nosh on Spanish- and Mediterranean-inspired tapas and charcuterie boards.

BAR MARCEL
3920 Sharon Road, Ste. 160
980-237-1919
Share a plate of beef carpaccio or truffle and herb frites—but order a flatbread for yourself.

Good Food on Montford
1701 Montford Drive
704-525-0881
Bruce Moffett’s small-plates bistro unites a variety of influences and flavors on one menu, and each dish is worth ordering.

Peppervine’s 7,800-square-foot interior has a mezzanine lounge, 10-seat bar area, and glass-enclosed wine display. Photo by Peter Taylor.

Peppervine
4620 Piedmont Row Drive, Ste. 170B
980-283-2333
Chef Bill Greene serves a rotation of artistic small plates with unexpected pairings, like Thai Pork Spare Ribs and tuna tartare with yuzu.

Fahrenheit
222 S. Caldwell St.
980-237-6718
Located on the 21st floor of Skye Condos, Chef Rocco Whalen’s restaurant is the place to sip cocktails, eat oysters, and see the city twinkle.

FIN & FINO
135 Levine Avenue of the Arts, Ste. 100
704-800-5680
Come for the raw bar but stay for bartender Brittany Kellum’s drinks—then splurge on a slice of cheesecake.

La Belle Helene
300 S. Tryon St., Ste 100
980-209-0941
The uptown restaurant is modeled after a French brasserie, and Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch serves French classics like Steak Tartare, Crispy Duck Confit, and Boeuf Bourguignon.

Sea Level NC serves a Lobster Roll, Paella, and a variety of oysters. Photo by Peter Taylor.

Sea Level NC
129 E. 5th St.
704-412-2616
Sip a romantic libation like the Strawberries and Cream cocktail, and order a tray of raw oysters for a little aphrodisiac.