GET GOING Miley /4/7/TWC Arena Michael IMMORTAL 4/8/TWC Arena (Cirque du Soleil) Bruce 4/19/TWC Arena Cher 5/5/TWC Arena Boston 6/10/TWC Uptown Amphitheatre
to
THERE’S LOTS LOVE ABOUT A GIRL NAMED CHARLOTTE Our city is filled with venues and spring brings so many opportunities to find passion in a performance or event—and who knows?—you just might find love along the way. Ghost—The Musical Get The Led Out Katt Wiliams Jilian Michaels Blue Man Group Kenny Loggins
4/1 and more 4/5 4/12 4/13 4/15 and more 4/27
Belk Theatre/Blumenthal PAC The Fillmore CLT/NC Music Factory Bojangles Coliseum Knight Theatre/Levine Center for the Arts Belk Theatre/Blumenthal PAC Belk Theatre/Blumenthal PAC
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ON THE PROWL
| K N I G HTS BAS E BALL R EAC H ES F EVE R P ITC H
THE VERY FIRST PITCH: UPTOWN
B
aseball in Charlotte, so it seems, was a very, very good idea. It’s everywhere you look and everyone is talking about it. In bars, restaurants, on TV and most certainly those many fans who showed up to purchase Knights baseball tickets at the new BB&T BallPark in uptown Charlotte. Recently, the Charlotte Knights announced their plans for promo nights. Join in the fun.
A JORDAN DANKS BOBBLEHEAD, a Charlotte O's Replica Youth Jersey, theme nights featuring Star Wars, Jimmy Buffett, and Auto Racing, along with the return of Pink Knights, and Thursday Thursdays ™, highlight the full look at the Knights promotional calendar for the highlyanticipated 2014 season at BB&T Ballpark. On Wednesday, the Knights announced plans for 15 fireworks shows at BB&T Ballpark. A day later, the team revealed their entertainment and celebrity lineup for the upcoming season. Appearances by "Mountain Man" of Duck Dynasty fame, professional wrestling legends George "the Animal" Steele and Tito Santana, along with thrilling entertainment acts - the ZOOperstars and the Russian Bar Trio - were announced on Thursday. Today, the Knights are giving fans a full look at the complete 2014 promotional schedule, which features 11 giveaways, monthly heritage nights, tributes to the Charlotte O's, Charlotte Hornets, and Negro Leagues, along with a historic Meck-Dec Day Celebration on May 20 which highlights the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which was signed on May 20, 1775 in Charlotte. Thirsty Thursdays ™ presented by Hickory Tavern, make their BB&T Ballpark debut on Thursday, April 17. Fans 21 and over can enjoy STAY CONNECTED
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$3 small draft beers until the end of the 7th inning. The Knights will have 10 Thirsty Thursdays ™ this season. Sundays are Sunbelt Family Sundays and kids can "Run the Bases" after all non-fireworks Sunday home games. Six of team's Sunday games start at 2:05 p.m., while the Knights will play two 5:05 p.m. Sunday games and one 7:05 p.m. tilt on Sunday, August 31. All nine Sunday games are presented by Sunbelt. The Knights will honor the Military on three occasions this season and Knights players will wear special Military-themed jerseys on May 25, June 30, and July 4. Fans will have a chance to own the game-worn jerseys during a jersey auction, which benefits Knights Charities, later in the year. The Knights will hold two Education Day games at the ballpark - both with 11:05 a.m. first pitches. The first Education Day game takes place on Wednesday April 23 and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. Both Education Day Games are presented by Duke Energy. Each month of the season, the Knights will host special heritage nights - giving fans a chance to enjoy heritage-themed music and other activities. German Heritage Night is set for Thursday, April, 24, while May will boast Polish Heritage
Night (Thursday, May 22). In June, Irish Heritage Night (Thursday, June 26) is on the calendar, while July will feature Italian Heritage Night (Thursday, July 10). Greek Heritage Night is the fifth and final one in the series, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 7. Opening Night is scheduled for Friday, April 11 and all eyes will be on BB&T Ballpark for the team's first-ever game in Uptown Charlotte. A full list of Opening Day festivities will be announced at a later date. A night later, (April 12), the first 2,000 fans will receive a KnightinGals poster, presented by Hickory Tavern. The KnightinGals - the Charlotte Knights official dance team - will perform at all 10 Saturday games this season. The month of April features a Baseball Bank giveaway, presented by BB&T, on Tax Day, April 15, and a special Speed Dating Night and College Night is scheduled for April 17. The finale of the first-ever homestand at BB&T Ballpark features a Charlotte O's Tribute Night on April 18 with a Replica Charlotte O's Jersey to the first 2,000 kids 12 and under, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System. Earth Day with a Knights Water Bottle Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans on April 22 and the first of three Social Media Knights (April 25) conclude the first month of the season. Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated on Monday, May 5 with an appearance by WWE Hall-ofFamer Tito Santana. BB&T Ballpark will feature the 9th Annual Pink Knights with a Pink Baseball giveaway to the first 2,000 ladies, presented by Charlotte Radiology and Belk. Charlotte Knights players will wear special Pink Jerseys and fans will have a chance to bid on the jerseys during the game. Proceeds from the jersey auction benefit Knights Charities. Also on tap for May is a Mother's Day celebration on Sunday, May 11, a fast-paced Auto Racing Night on Wednesday, May 21, and a Drawstring Bag giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by Carowinds on Saturday, May 24. The first of two Bark in the Ballpark events will take place on Sunday, June 8 and WWE Hallof-Famer George "The Animal" Steele will be on hand to meet and greet fans and animals of all ages. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Knights Soccer Ball, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, on June 22. In July, the Knights will turn back the clock to the 1990's on July 18 for a tubular 90's Night at the ballpark. Faith and Family Night is scheduled for July 20, and a Jimmy Buffett Night will cap off the month of July on July 31. In August, the first 2,000 fans will receive a BB&T Ballpark Replica giveaway, presented by BB&T, on Wednesday, August 6. On Tuesday, August 19, Charlotte Knights fan-favorite Jordan Danks will be immortalized as a bobblehead. The first 2,000 fans will receive the Danks bobblehead, courtesy of Horizon Eye Care. The second and final Bark in the Ballpark is scheduled for August 25. The Knights will also treat fans to $1 hot dogs, courtesy of Sahlen's on the 25th.
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CHARLOTTE BOBCATS 2014 REMAINING SCHEDULE
Mar. 17 Mar. 19 Mar. 22 Mar. 24 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 31 Apr. 2 Apr. 4 Apr. 5 Apr. 9 Apr. 11 Apr. 12 Apr. 14 Apr. 16
Bobcat Wins Rallying Fans BRINGING BACK THE BUZZ
Atlanta 7:00 at Brooklyn 7:30 Portland 7:00 Houston 7:00 Brooklyn 7:00 at Orlando 7:00 Washington 7:00 at Philadelphia7:00 Orlando 7:00 at Cleveland 7:30 at Washington 7:00 at Boston 7:30 Philadelphia 7:00 at Atlanta 7:30 Chicago 8:00
BUZZ LIFE GET YOUR GEAR
The best dressed Hornet fans are shopping now. You can get your teal-andpurple wear at TWC Arena or NBA.com/Bobcats. Send us your pics! PROWLER Hornet Fan Photo Prize Giveaway: Info@ProwlerMagazine.com.
As soon as the last buzzer sounds, Bobcat fans will become Buzz City Hornet fans and fans, we can’t wait! If you weren’t around for the original buzz, ready yourself for true fandom!
Valid Through 5-1-2014
LACROSSE RISING | RELEASE THE HOUNDS
HERE TO PLAY HERE TO STAY GIVE
OUR PRO LACROSSE CHARLOTTE HOUNDS ARE MAKING WAVES AND TAKING NAMES, READY TO PLAY AT UPDATED MEMORIAL STADIUM
Charlotteans have enjoyed many sporting teams at the venerable Memorial Stadium in Center City over the years. Did you know that the first Charlotte Hornets organization was not a basketball team but a semi-pro football team? Yep. And how about the Charlotte Barons? Another semi-pro football team. But the Charlotte Hounds and Pro Lacrosse is different. Don’t expect these guys to be selling their uniforms in the parking lot and closing up shop (no offense to teams past). Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the US and this pro lacrosse organization is doing things right.
2014 HOME SCHEDULE Saturday, April 26 7PM Machine @ Hounds Saturday, May 10 3:30 PM Bayhawks @ Hounds Saturday, June 07 7:30 PM Outlaws @ Hounds Saturday, June 14 7 PM Launch @ Hounds Saturday, June 28 7 PM Cannons @ Hounds Saturday, July 05 7 PM Rattlers @ Hounds Friday, August 01 7 PM Lizards @ Hounds
TI C K ETS: www.C HAR LOT TE H O U N DS.CO M
Years As A Carolina Panther 13 Career Yards 12,197 Receptions 836 Most Yards Receiving NFL 2005 1,563 Receiving Touchdowns 67 Al-Time Touchdown Leader: 75 100 Yard Games 43 Receiving Yards in a Game 218 NFL History: 100 Yard Receiving Games 11th Receiving Yards 19th Catches 25th Pro Bowls 5 Carolina Playoff Appearances 4 Carolina SuperBowl Appearances 1 SuperBowl Touchdowns 1 I will always be a Carolina Panther No contract can ever change that CLT is my home and will always be my home... I love you #panthernation—Steve Smith via Twitter 2:06 PM - 12 Mar 2014
We will always remember your passion and the the thrills you gave us all...
BEST OF
MYRTLE BEACH and the GRAND STRAND
The Shag by Renee Wright
Beach Music Classics
GET TO KNOW Charlotte’s favorite beach destination in Prowler Magazine’s series of Grand Strand profiles taken from the pages of the Countryman Press Explorer’s Guide to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. This month: Shagging on the Strand
FOR GENERATIONS, THE BEACH VACATION has been a treasured tradition and a chance to get back to basics. Soak up the sun. Play in the surf. Stroll the strand. Eat fresh seafood. And nowhere does this formula come together better than the 60 miles of beaches along the South Carolina shore known as the Grand Strand, consistently ranked as one of the top family beach destinations in the country by everyone from The Travel Channel to AAA.
Shaggers dance to Beach Music, a style of R&B that is still alive, with new recordings coming out monthly. While every aficionado of the shag has their own list of favorite tunes, here’s a list of songs have stood the test of time, and still appear on play lists at shag clubs today.
Sixty Minute Man Billy Ward and the Dominoes Give Me Just A Little More Time Chairmen of the Board Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy The Tams Ms. Grace Tymes I Love Beach Music The Embers Stay Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs My Girl Temptations Under The Boardwalk The Drifters One Mint Julep The Clovers With This Ring The Platters
BEACH MUSIC REIGNS If you’ve heard about the shag, the sweet-stepping cousin of swing that developed on the beaches of the Carolinas back in the 1950s and 60s, you can find the heart of the culture it inspired on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Drive section. Since the first Society of Shaggers (SOS) reunion in 1980, shaggers have made pilgrimages to the clubs along Main Street, looking for the sounds that made the summers of their youth so memorable. That first gathering proved so successful that SOS (www.shagdance.com) has expanded to a year-round schedule of events including annual week-long Spring Safaris and Fall Migrations, plus weekend gatherings in winter and summer. Plenty of shaggers have retired to NMB—or never left—and today you can listen to Beach music, watch shaggers practice their moves, even learn a step or two yourself, every day of the year. Two clubs that face each other across O.D.’s Main Street a block from the ocean keep the shag fires flaming, hosting live Beach music bands and convivial shag gatherings all year. Duck’s Beach Club (www.ducksatoceandrive.com) and Fat Harolds Beach Club (www.fatharolds.com) have a lot in common—huge wooden dance floors, top DJs spinning Beach music, grills where you can stoke your energy with a juicy burger, and great happy hour prices. The most iconic of the shag clubs, the O.D. Pavilion (www.odpavilion.net), sits right on the sand at the end of Main Street, an area called the Horseshoe. It’s the last of the open-air dance pavilions that once defined summer on the Carolina coast, and is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus on weekends in spring and fall. Main Street provides the setting for many North Myrtle Beach street parties, including the Music on Main concert series which brings bands to NMB for free concerts on first and third Thursdays, May to September. Dancing in the street is highly encouraged. Originally published in Explorer’s Guide to Myrtle Beach & South Carolina’s Grand Strand (Countryman Press, 2012) by Renee Wright. For current events and guidance on your vacation to Myrtle Beach, contact Visit Myrtle Beach at www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com.
AND
MORE
ACTIVE
PLAYER
ROS-
NC MUSIC FACTORY EVENTS
2014
UPCOMING PRIVATE EYES Feel-good 80s mega-stars Hall & Oates May 4th SILVER HAMMER STUDIOS Iron Fork, March 19 http://clclt.xorbia.com/ironfork All Ale to the Queen, March 22 www.allaletothequeen.com/ COMEDY ZONE www.cltcomedyzone.com Southern Fried Vegas, March 19 Sarah Colonna, March 20-22 Shaun Jones, March 27 Russell Peters, March 28-30 Rich Guzzi Comedy Hypnosis, April 2-5 Nikki Glaser, April 11-13 DL Hughley, April 17-19 Ralphie May, April 24-27
GAME SCHEDULE
DATE Mar 21 Mar 23 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar 29 Mar 30
TIME 7:00 PM 1:30 PM 6:35 PM 8:05 PM 7:00 PM 1:30 PM
OPPONENT San Antonio Rampage San Antonio Rampage @ Iowa Wild @ Iowa Wild Oklahoma City Barons Oklahoma City Barons
Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr
8:30 8:00 5:00 7:00 1:30 8:00 8:00
@ San Antonio Rampage @ Oklahoma City Barons @ Oklahoma City Barons Grand Rapids Griffins Grand Rapids Griffins @ Milwaukee Admirals @ Rockford IceHogs
04 05 06 10 13 18 19
PM PM PM PM PM PM PM
UPTOWN AMPHITHEATRE www.livenation.com/venues/14076/uptown-amphitheatre-at-ncmusic-factory Daryl Hall & John Oates, May 4 Boston, June 10 Panic! at the Disco, August 13 THE FILLMORE www.livenation.com/venues/14570/the-fillmore-charlotte George Thorogood & the Destroyers, March 18 Children of Bodom, March 19 2 Good to be T.R.U., March 20 Jana Kramer, March 21 Pentatonix, March 27 On the Border - Ultimate Eagles Tribute, March 29 Weezer, April 2 Railroad Earth, April 3 Twenty One Pilots, April 6 Juicy J, April 7 Cherub, April 11 Drop !t featuring Seven Lions, April 12 Demetri Martin, April 13 Kid Ink, April 16 Karmin, April 18 Local Natives, April 19 YG, April 22 Chevelle, April 23 TruTV Impractical Jokers, April 25 Sleigh Bells, April 29 THE SALOON www.thesalooncharlotte.com JamStain, March 10 RA, Adakain, Auxilia, Beyond Amends, and Red Eyed Romance, March 12 My Darling Fury, Jesse Denaro, & Animal Flag, March 13 Jon Linker Band, March 15 Revelus, Shadow of Myself, and Shadows of Deceit, March 16 Edisun, March 18 Funktapuss, March 19 Jon Linker Band, March 22 Reverend Red and Duane Mark, March 23 Dirt Poor, March 29 Hannah Aldridge, April 2 U-Phonik, April 5 AngeLight, April 9 Hipshack, April 11 Men's Shelter of Charlotte Fundraiser, April 13 Nelo and Melodime, April 15 Copious Jones, April 16
All home games played at Time Warner Cable Arena in Uptown Charlotte. For tics: www.charlottecheckers.com. Above: Checkmates
Best Wine Tasting
GOOD AS IT GETS Cu at 131 Main
by Renee Wright and Linda George
These Prowler fans are enjoying an evening at the Cu [Copper] Bar at 131 Main, winner of our Best Wine Tasting award. This little cocktail lounge with a huge copper bar is located next to 131 Main on East Boulevard and hosts once-a-month events featuring liberal pours of small batch wines dispensed by knowledgeable wine reps. To gowith, the kitchen at 131 Main provides an ample buffet featuring its famous, fall-off-thebone tender baby back ribs, house-smoked salmon, chocolate covered strawberries, and much more. Cu recently added a monthly Spirits Tasting to its lineup, showcasing bourbons, tequilas and other spirits, along with unique drinks created by cocktail wizard Amy. Visit www.131-main.com or call (704) 343-0131 for details. (On the Prowl hint: Ask how you can get a 131 Club Card and receive free invites to all of Cu’s tasting events.) 131-main.com Follow this page for more of the Best of Charlotte Award Winners. Submit your suggestions for Best to info@prowlermagazine.com.
Your Charlotte Bobcats Are Hard At Work, On Track For An NBA Playoff Appearance. Keep Your Eyes On Big Al...
Al Jefferson #25 Gerald Henderson #9 Rufus Lynx MASCOT #6 Cody Zeller #40 Josh McRoberts #11 Kemba Walker #15
Harrah’s Cherokee Great Smoky Mountains, NC
Pair-A-Dice Travel turns 20, celebrates 20 years of amazing casino getaways.
I
magine a vacation where your food, beverages, rooms and show tickets, maybe even your travel, is free. Pretty great, right? But this is no fantasy. It’s what many of the customers of Pair-A-Dice Travel faithful enjoy on every trip. Pair-A-Dice Travel was founded twenty years ago with one main goal of providing customers with the most casino complimentaries their play affords. Pair-A-Dice Travel specializes in trips to casinos around the world—and in helping its customers get the most rewards possible for their play. With a terrific selection of destinations, and now casino
cruises, Pair-A-Dice has grown to be one of the largest independent casino representatives in the country. Janet and Ed Sander, the founders of Pair-A-Dice, had their first trip, a charter to Biloxi, Mississipp, in October 1993. Today Pair-A-Dice offers charter flights (big and small), individual and group getaways on commercial air carriers like US Airways and American Airlines, casino cruises and luxury motor coach service. Guests can choose from the largest selection of destinations (over 60) and four cruise lines with sailing ports all around the world, too. Does a complimentary
by
trip to the Caribbean sound good? How about New Orleans, Atlantic City, Tunica, MS or Las Vegas? With over 60 fantastic destinations to choose from you are sure to find a place to suit your fancy. Pair-A-Dice trips visit Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi, New Orleans and Tunica casinos regularly, aboard charter and commercial flights, but go far beyond to include trips to Puerto Rico, the islands of the Caribbean and Mexico. Guests can select visits to legendary properties such as the Buffalo Thunder
Renee Wright Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Greenbrier in West Virginia, and Atlantis Paradise Island, Jewel of the Bahamas. Luxury Motorcoach was added in 2013 and business has been booming. “Luxury Motorcoach service has exploded since we introduced it last year. It’s convenient to many of our clients. Scheduled trips to Harrah’s Cherokee in the North Carolina mountains leave regularly from Charlotte and Greenville, SC. “Our business to Harrah’s Cherokee has boomed,” says Ed Sander. “So much so that we have hired two people just
for our Cherokee business. Kim, our Cherokee Individual Trip Specialist, and Roy, our Motorcoach Specialist, have been very busy since the expansion. Harrah’s Cherokee in the North Carolina mountains has completed a $650 million expansion, which added the Mandara Spa offering Balinese healing treatments, a rotunda with two 70-foot waterfalls, an additional residential hotel tower and a 3,000-seat concert hall. Dining options are expanded with a food court, the deluxe Chef’s Stage Buffet with food from around the world, as well as new locations of Brio Tuscan Grille and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, both familiar from the Charlotte scene. The casino’s gaming area was expanded as well, adding a no-smoking section and a wide range of table games, from blackjack to poker, played with real cards, not a digital version, for the first time in NC. “Harrah’s Cherokee did a wonderful job on the expan-
sion,” Ed Sander says. “We have booked Cherokee drive up reservations for about 11 years. We still have customers say they didn’t know they could call Pair-A-Dice to book their room when they drive up to Harrah’s Cherokee! We are able to do so much for them when they realize this. I have to say that Harrah’s Cherokee did a nice job on the upgrades. In my opinion, it’s one of the top properties we represent now.” Some 10,000 people travel with Pair-A-Dice every year. What are their favorite trips? “Our Atlantic City, Tunica, Biloxi and Bahamas charters have been around for a long time and they continue to fill up,” Janet Sander says. “As for Ed and me, our tops are probably New Orleans, Cherokee, cruises and the Caribbean.” Casinos are known for the perks they offer frequent players, but you don’t have to be a high roller to take advantage of “complimentaries” on a Pair-ADice Travel trip. “Most of our clientele are
the middle players,” Ed Sander says. “We have a lot of singles and many couples who travel with us three or four times a year.” The Sanders have developed strong relationships with the casinos their trips visit, enabling them to offer special exclusive travel enhancements to guests. “Our customers can visit properties for the first time and enjoy casino discounts and complimentaries before they begin play as an example,” Janet says. “We believe customers continue to travel with us because they know us and can
trust us to provide them with good service and a memorable, fun trip every time.” “Our customers get to visit new properties and enjoy casino comps and discounts even before they begin play,” Janet says. “When you travel with us, you are assured to receive every possible benefit available.” For additional information on Pair-A-Dice Travel, and upcoming trips, Prowler Magazine readers can call (704) 542-7772 or visit www.mycasinotravel.com.
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi, Mississippi
Prowler fans! Help us celebrate 20 great years of amazing cruises and vacations from the Carribbean to the Gulf Coast, from Atlantic City to Europe—these smiling faces have hosted hundreds of hot casino tours and always delivered a winning trip! We’re pleased to have Pair-A-Dice Travel participating in Prowler Magazine and Go! See! Do! Events “Everyone’s A Winner!” program—many lucky readers have won great trips. Are you next? Visit the Prowler Magazine exhibit at major Charlotte events and register. Or book your vacation today at www.mycasinotravel.com. Happy 20th Anniversary Pair-A-Dice!
Pair-A-Dice Travel, ESPN 730 and Charlotte Prowler Magazine made one happy fan out of “Casey I.” of Charlotte. Casey registered in the “Everyone’s A Winner!” Program at the Panther PLAYOFF Pep Rally at The Epicentre and won a dream trip for two!
NOW in PROWLER MAGAZINE
Monthly insight by the man who wrote the book on Charlotte, literally
Sports and Recreation in Charlotte and the Piedmont Region
by Greg Greenawalt
A U T H O R O F D E S T I N AT I O N C H A R L OT T E , T H E B O O K
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA the 18th largest City in the U.S. is a big league sports town and Charlottean’s are always ready for competition. Football, basketball, baseball, softball, hockey. lacrosse, soccer, NASCAR racing, drag racing, hiking, road and mountain biking, swimming, diving, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, sailing, power boating, rowing, golfing, running, triathlons, marathons, ice skating, kayaking, white water rafting, canoeing, rugby, tennis, volleyball, boxing, wrestling, Frisbee golf, wake boarding, wind surfing, table tennis, darts, lawn bowling, water and snow skiing you will find it all in the Charlotte area. Our mild climate averages 214 days of sunshine annually and allows for year-round sports and recreational activities. No matter if you are a serious athlete, sports fan or just someone that enjoys outdoor activities and competition among friends you will find a multitude of professional, collegiate, amateur and recreational sports to enjoy throughout the year.
THE BIG LEAGUES Pro and Semi-Pro Teams and Events CAROLINA PANTHERS NFL (August-January) www.panthers.com CHARLOTTE BOBCATS NBA (October- April) www.nba.com/bobcats WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP PGA TOUR April 28- May 4, 2014 www.wellsfargochampionship.com GREATER HICKORY CLASSIC PGA Champions Tour (October 2014) www.greaterhickoryclassic.com CHARLOTTE EAGLES SOCCER USL (April-August) www.charlotteeagles.com CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS BASEBALL AAA Minor league (April- September) web.minorleaguebaseball.com CHARLOTTE CHECKERS HOCKEY AHL (October-April) www.gocheckers.com CHARLOTTE HOUNDS LACROSSE (April-August) www.charlottehounds.com NOVANT HEALTH INVITATIONAL CRITERIUM BIKE RACE April 12, 2014 www.charlottecriterium.org QUEENS CUP STEEPLECHASE April 26, 2014 www.queenscup.org BASS PRO SHOPS BASSMASTER CLASSIC Southern Open Fishing Tournament Lake Norman October 2-4, 2014 www.bassmaster.com/open2014
W W W. D E S T I N AT I O N C H A R L OT T E T H E B O O K . C O M
COLLEGE BALL Collegiate Athletics and Tournaments UNC CHARLOTTE 49ERS Atlantic 10 Conference www.charlotte49ers.com DAVIDSON WILDCATS Southern Conference www.davidsonwildcats.com JOHNSON C. SMITH GOLDEN BULLS CIAA Conference www. goldenbullsports.com QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE Royals Conference Carolinas www.queensathletics.com WINGATE BULLDOGS South Atlantic Conference www.wingatebulldogs.com WINTHROP EAGLES Big South Conference www.winthropeagles.com JOHNSON AND WALES WILDCATS Great Northeast Athletic Conference http://charlotte.jwuathletics.com BELK BOWL Bank of America Stadium, December www.belkbowl.com DR. PEPPER ACC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BOA Stadium, December www.accfootballcharlotte.com CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT February 23-28, 2014 www.ciaatournament.org
Sailing, NASCAR, US National Whitewater Center, Charlotte Checkers and ZMax Dragway, and there’s more...
NASCAR and Other Racing Events Charlotte Motor Speedway and Z Max Drag Strip NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE May 17, 2014 NASCAR COCA COLA 600 May 25,2014 NASCAR BANK OF AMERICA 500 October 11,2014 NHRA FOUR WIDE NATIONALS April 11-13, 2014 CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2014 EVENTS www.charlottemotorspeedway.com CHARLOTTE DIRT TRACK 2014 EVENTS www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dirt Z MAX DRAG STRIP 2014 EVENTS www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dragway
To read more about Charlotte, past, present and future, be sure to pick-up your copy of Greg Greenawalt’s beautiful book Destination Charlotte, available at favorite booksellers or at www.DestinationCharlotteTheBook.com
AMATEUR ATHLETICS and Competitions MECKLENBURG AQUATIC CENTER MAC ULTRA Swim Meet May 15-18, 2014 www.charlotteultraswim.com THUNDER ROAD MARATHON November 2014 www.runcharlotte.com/races-marathon.htm LAKE NORMAN TRIATHLON August 17, 2014 www.ymcacharlotte.org CAROLINA CARDINALS East Coast Fireworks Girls Fast Pitch Softball Tournament June 27-29, 2014 www.carolinacardinals.com U.S. NATIONAL WHITE WATER CENTER Olympic Trials Men’s and Women’s Whitewater Kayak and Canoe March 28-30 2014 www.usnwc.org/2011/12
CHARLOTTE SPORTS CLUBS and Recreational Organizations CHARLOTTE RUGBY CLUB www.charlotterugby.com CHARLOTTE TENNIS ASSOCIATION www.charlotte.usta.com CHARLOTTE SPORTS COMMISSION www.charlottesports.org SAILING LAKE NORMAN YACHT CLUB www.lnyc.org/ SAILING LAKE WYLIE CATAWBA YACHT www.catawbayc.org/ CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG PARKS AND RECREATION www.charmeck.org/mecklenburg/.../ParkandRec/Parks/ YMCA OF GREATER CHARLOTTE www.charmeck.org/mecklenburg/.../ParkandRec/Parks/.../default.asp CAROLINAS FIGURE SKATING CLUB www.carolinasfsc.org/ CHARLOTTE BOXING ACADEMY www.charlotteboxing.org/ CHARLOTTE TOUCHDOWN CLUB www.touchdownclub.com SNOW SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING Boone N.C. www.onthesnow.com/boon/skireport.html
M O R E > > W W W. D E S T I N AT I O N C H A R L OT T E T H E B O O K . C O M
2014 What’s the best way to get fit in CLT? Do you want to bike, hike, work out in a gym, swim, dance, lift a kettlebell, or swing on a trapeze? The options in Charlotte are endless. With Spring on the horizon, we offer this list of favorite facilities and the hottest fitness trends compiled by our editorial staff to get you moving. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to vote for your nominees for best fitness clubs and activities on ESPN 730 Radio, with WCCB TV THE CW and with Charlotte Prowler Magazine.
By
RENEE WRigHT
Best Private Club Uptown Charlotte Athletic Club
www.charlotteathleticclub.com
if you have deep pockets, this lux club strategically located in the Bank of America Plaza building has everything—and we do mean everything—you need to keep fit, from squash, racquetball and basketball courts, weight training, personal trainers, a spin studio and a wide variety of classes to a spa, sauna and steamrooms, laundry service and more. Best Daily Fee Uptown Health Club Childress Klein YMCA www.ymcacharlotte.org you don’t need to be a member to enjoy the amenities at this branch of the y in One Wells Fargo Center. The guest fee ($10/day, $20/week) gives you access to an indoor heated swimming pool, indoor running track, state-ofthe-art fitness center and more.
Best Place to Swim Laps Meck. County Aquatic Center www.parkandrec.com One of the gems of the county park system, this facility just a few blocks from up-
Serious Swim Time at Meck. Aquatic Center
town offers a wealth of water options including an Olympicsize lap pool, a heated pool with handicapped access, and a hot tub for adults only, plus a fitness center, kayak classes, swim lessons, water polo and aqua-exercise classes. Meck-
lenburg County residents can use the facility for $5 a day, with lower prices for kids and seniors. Best Year-Round Water Park Ray’s Splash Planet www.rayssplashplanet.com Another facility operated by the county park system, this indoor waterpark with a lazy river, water slides, heated pools and more, is a godsend for parents with water-loving kids. A favorite for birthday parties, school holidays and summer camp, Splash Planet offers a day full of fun at fees ranging from $3 to $8 for Mecklenburg County residents. Best Indoor Playground Sports Connection Family Entertainment Center
www.sportsconnectionnc.com
This huge facility in the Ballantyne neighborhood offers a wide range for fun things to keep every member of the family active, including an inflatable bounce zone for the youngest set, laser tag and video games for teens, and bowling, indoor rock climbing and a ropes course for the whole family. There’s a snack bar on-site as well, plus free WiFi. Best Health Club for Families YMCA www.ymcacharlotte.org With 19 different locations throughout Mecklenburg County, the yMCA of greater Charlotte can’t be beat for its convenience or wide variety of classes and facilities, including pools, gyms, fitness centers, and more. it’s reasonably priced as well, with monthly fees based on a sliding income scale that cover free access to hundreds of group exercise classes, all yMCA pools and gyms, personal training, and participation in y-sponsored sports leagues.
Best Place to Paddle/Bike U.S. National Whitewater Center www.usnwc.org Challenge yourself in kayak, raft or paddleboard on the man-made whitewater course, or paddle the flatwater on the Catawba River at this unique facility just west of town. The Whitewater Center also has 20 miles of challenging mountain bike trails that are free to ride. Best Place to Ride Horses Latta Plantation Equestrian Center
www.lattaequestriancenter.com
Enjoy trail rides around the 1300-acre Latta Plantation Nature Preserve year-round. The stable also offers pony rides, sunset dinner rides, therapeutic riding, and more.
One of four Charlotte locations, the Modern Salon & Spa in the Hearst Building uptown offer a lunch-time Executive Suite package for men with a one-hour massage, Modern Man mani/pedi, and lunch.
Best Day Spa The Spa At Ballantyne www.theballantynehotel.com Unique nature-based treatments at the spa inside the Ballantyne Hotel include daylong access to the property’s pools, both indoor and outdoor, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam rooms and fitness facility. Best MedSpa Voci Spa www.vocispa.com Charlotte’s first medical skincare facility continues to lead
THIS IS THE GOOD LIFE—The SPA at BALLANTYNE Best Inexpensive Massages Zen Massage Center
www.zenmassagecharlotte.com
When you need a massage fast, this Dilworth massage center can fill the need seven days a week, with no memberships or contracts required. Best of all, the one-hour signature Zen Swedish Massage costs just $49.95 all the time. Best Men’s Spa Services In Uptown Modern Salon and Spa
www.modernsalonandspa.com
the pack, offering only medically tested and FDA-approved services, including facial fillers, laser treatments, microdermabrasion and endermologie, in addition to more traditional spa treatments.
Best Investment in Stress Relief Massage Envy www.massageenvy.com A low-cost monthly membership at Massage Envy includes a customized massage every month, low rates on fa-
cials and other treatments for yourself and your family, and discounted prices on Murad products at one of the five Charlotte area locations, or any of the 950 Massage Envy centers in North America. Best of all, unused massages roll over, so you never lose out on your benefits. Most Creative Hair Styles Planet 21 Salon www.planet21salon.com Founded in 1998, and dedicated solely to styling hair, Planet 21 offers the latest trends in haircutting and coloring. Hairdressers at the three Charlotte locations
Best Fitness “Seen” The Booty Loop www.24hoursofbootty.org Join Charlotte’s most beautiful bods as they jog, bike and rollerblade through the shady streets of Myers Park. The 2.8-mile Loop is the scene of Charlotte’s most renowned charity biking event, the 24 Hours of Booty, held annually in July. See the map on the event’s website, and remember to go clockwise—it’s all right turns, no slowing down for lights or to cross streets. Best Greenway for a Run Little Sugar Creek Greenway www.parkandrec.com
PLANET 21 SALON DELIVERS LUX STYLE learn both British and French haircutting techniques and train at the Wella Studios in NyC to keep up with emerging styles in haircolor. Best Place for a Body Tune-Up Re Salon and Med Spa
www.resalonandmedspa.com
This spa in the Old Dilworth Fire Station combines traditional spa and salon treatments with medspa body improvements under the supervision of a licensed cosmetic surgeon. get your skin tightened, your wrinkles decreased, your face resurfaced, your hair styled, your teeth whitened all under one roof.
2014
Easily the most scenic of Charlotte’s greenways, this paved path runs for more than 4 miles from East 7th Street near CPCC to Brandywine Road near Park Road Shopping Center, passing along the way the Capt. Jack statue, Freedom Park, and the Charlotte Nature Museum. Stop for refreshments at Metropolitan Square.
Best Gym for Triathlon Training Pride Conditioning www.prideconditioning.com This Plaza-Midwood gym’s Special Ops Team Run group cross-trains for triathlons, marathons, and endurance runs of all kinds, including
Duke Energy’s Race to the Top stair climb.
Hottest Running Fad Mud Runs www.mudrunguide.com The latest in obstacle and endurance runs, mud runs are sweeping the country and North Carolina is leading the charge. With events named things like Spartan Sprint, Rugged Maniac, Dirty girl, Warrior Dash, and Tough Mudder (all scheduled in NC for 2014), you get the feeling that the competition is tough and—well—dirty.
Best Hiking Trails near Charlotte Crowders Mountain St.Park www.ncparks.gov At this state park, the closest to Charlotte, you can climb to the top of Crowders Mountain for a 25-mile view, hike along the ridgeline into South Carolina, or master the King’s Pinnacle, highest spot in gaston County. The easy Lake Trail is a popular spot for walking your dog.
Best Hiking Trails in Charlotte Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve www.parkandrec.com This county park located in near UNCC has over 10 miles
RE SALON + MED SPA of trails dedicated for hikers use only, the most in the park system, crossing a wide variety of terrain, as well as a nature center and historic ruins.
METRO BALLROOM
Best Underground Hiking Reed Gold Mine www.nchistoricsites.org Trails at this free historic site in nearby Cabarrus County lead through the old gold mine tunnels. you can also pan for gold here.
Best Night Hiking McDowell Nature Preserve www.parkandrec.com McDowell, on the shores of Lake Wylie, offers monthly Hiker’s Palate programs for adults featuring evening hikes or kayak paddles followed by a meal around a campfire, as well as Full Moon Hikes for all ages.
Best Ballroom Dance Studio Metropolitan Ballroom www.metropolitan-ballroom.com if you’d rather get your exercise pounding a parquet floor, Metropolitan is a good place to get acquainted with ballroom dance. individual and group lessons are offered here at reasonable rates with no long term commitment. Best Special Sporting Events Rural Hill www.ruralhill.net This unique park just north of town features many unique events, including sporting events for both humans and dogs. Annual events include the Loch Norman Highland games with traditional Scottish field events, the Warrior Dash, the Amazing Maize Maze every fall, the First Footin’ walk and trail run on
FOUR TASTY TREATS WITH A BITE
A DASH OF FIREBALL WHISKY DOES THE TRICK
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BY LORI SCOTT
Boston Cream Pie 1 oz Vanilla Vodka 1 oz Chila Orchata Rum 1 oz Fragelico 1 oz Fireball Whisky 1/16 oz Godiva Liquer
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Creme Brulee Martini 1.5 oz Vanilla Vodka .75 oz Hazlenut Liquer 1.5 oz Fireball Whisky .5 oz Cointreau 1 oz Half/Half In a shaker, add ice, shake and strain.
Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Martini
Caramel Apple Pie
1.5 oz Marshmallow Vodka 1.5 oz Chocolate Liquor 1.5 oz Fireball Whisky .5 oz Cream .5 oz Milk Chocolate Shavings
2 oz Caramel Vodka 1 oz Apple (Dr. Apple) 1 oz Fireball Whisky Whipped Cream Ground Cinnamon
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IRISH FAVORITES LOVED BY ALL
Irish Cheesy Beer Soup
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 Tbsp. flour 1-3/4 cups milk 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA, cut up 1/2 cup beer 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce A few drops hot pepper sauce
STIR in milk until well blended. Cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 min., stirring occasionally. ADD remaining ingredients; mix well. Cook 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and soup is heated through, stirring constantly.
DIRECTIONS
COOK onion and garlic in butter in large saucepan on medium-high heat until tender, stirring frequently. Add flour; mix well. Cook 2 min. or until hot and bubbly, stirring frequently.
Bacon Cheddar & Chive Scones INGREDIENTS 2 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter 3 eggs, divided 1/2 cup half-and-half 1-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 8 slices center cut bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled 1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives 1 tbsp. water
DIRECTIONS
PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Mix flour and baking powder in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture
CHOCOLATE BEER CUPCAKES Whiskey-Filled with Irish Cream Icing INGREDIENTS 1 cup Irish stout beer (such as Guinness) 1 cup butter 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 2/3 cup sour cream 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon Irish whiskey 1/2 cup butter, softened 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Bring Irish stout beer and 1 cup butter to a boil in a saucepan and set aside until butter has melted, stirring occasionally. Mix in cocoa powder until smooth. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Beat eggs with sour cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low until well combined. Slowly beat in the beer mixture, then the flour mixture; beat until the batter is smooth. Di-
vide batter between the prepared cupcake cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely. Cut cores out of the center of each cupcake with a sharp paring knife. Discard cores. Bring cream to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat; stir in bittersweet chocolate until melted. Mix in 2 tablespoons butter and Irish whiskey until butter is melted; let mixture cool to room temperature. Filling will thicken as it cools. Spoon the filling into the cored cupcakes. For frosting, whip 1/2 cup butter in a bowl with an electric
resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 of the eggs and the cream; beat with wire whisk until well blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in cheese, bacon and chives. Shape into ball. KNEAD dough on lightly floured surface 10 times. Roll out to 12x6inch rectangle. Cut into 8 (3-inch) squares; cut each square diagonally in half. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Beat remaining egg and the water with wire whisk until well blended; brush over dough triangles. BAKE 14 to 16 min. or until lightly browned. Serve warm.
mixer until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Set mixer to low speed and slowly beat in confectioners’ sugar, 1 cup at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Beat in the Irish cream liqueur; adjust thickness of frosting with more confectioners’ sugar if needed. Spread frosting on filled cupcakes.