TOWN March 2020 by Community Journals

ART, CULTURE, STYLE OF THE PROGRESSIVE SOUTH

THE MAKERS IS SUE

L O C A L A RT I S A N S T R A N S F O R M R AW M AT E R I A L S I N TO L A S T I N G B E A U T Y

M ARCH 2020

TOWNCAROLINA.COM

ND RA UILD B G B NIN OM UN UST T C S W NE

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T AC H! TR ONT N O M RC A DE HAN N T U S LES IN

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M A R C H 202 0 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

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Contents

MARCH 2020

78 HAND MADE

Makari Designs, Meraki Pottery, and Stono Knife Works— three Upstate makers pull from passion, experience, and creative ingenuity to craft exceptional, functional wares. by Abby Moore Keith,

M. Linda Lee, and Jac Valitchka

Alec Meier is an old soul who knows that beautiful things made to last a lifetime are the currency of the heart. His knives’ handles depict cherished places from Lake Jocassee to Amarillo, Texas. —page 84

Cover and this photograph by Paul Mehaffey

M A R C H 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

SC Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theatre

Greenville Theatre

LIFE CAN BE

HARD WITHOUT

THE CARD Buy-One-Get-One Free Tickets With a donation of $50 or more to the Metropolitan Arts Council, MAC you will receive an ArtCard which entitles you to buy-one-get-one-free tickets for one time at each of the following venues for one full year! The ArtCard is a great way to sample the fantastic performing arts in Greenville at a substantial savings. In just two uses the ArtCard pays for itself.

*select shows

Get your ArtCard today!

You can donate through PayPal on our website, over the phone or at our office in downtown Greenville.

*MainStage productions

16 Augusta Street | Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 467-3132 | greenvilleARTS.com/donate @macARTScouncil | #gvlARTS

Contents

92 OPEN BAR

After four years operating as a clandestine pop-up, Swordfish Cocktail Club opens its doors on Coffee Street with speakeasy vibes and a heightened focus on flawless classics, like their negroni (right). by Ariel turner

“My goal is to find the drink you actually want rather than the one you say you want.” —Evan Leihy, Swordfish Cocktail Club Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

4555 53555955 63 87 12 EDITOR’S LETTER 19 THE LIST 27 ON THE TOWN 40 WEDDINGS 68 MS. BEA WRIGHT 70 MAN ABOUT TOWN 100 DINING GUIDE 106 TOWN SCENE 116 SECOND GLANCE

M A R C H 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

TOWNBUZZ

ESCAPE

SPORT

STYLE

EAT + DRINK

Travis Seward’s creative quilts have a modern edge; a young musical couple strategically combines their passions and talents to promote others; J.D. Harrison’s unique designs feature in artforward spaces.

Just a few miles outside of Asheville, The Nook is a cozy cabin retreat that credits Western North Carolina’s tradition of craft with thoughtful, hand-designed elements.

From fishing to golfing to shooting clays— embrace your inner adventurer at Georgia’s outdoor haven Reynolds Lake Oconee.

After ten years in business, trending jean designer Billiam is making moves; Magnolia Scents by Design crafts sustainable products that make you feel (and smell) better.

Chef Sydney Taylor ups the ante on café fare at Methodical Coffee; discover tables full of bold flavor at Asia Pacific; artisan treats abound at Lumineux Chocolate; shrimp wraps are an easy dinner answer in any season.

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Editor’s Letter

Photograph by Will Crooks

OUT WITH THE OLD IT’S A NEW DAY FOR TOW N M AGA ZINE

arch is a disruptive month. It throws growth into full force and sheds the old of what’s come before. It is symbolic of change, of movement, of transformation. As we roll into a new decade, and to the 10th volume of this publication, we felt compelled to freshen up the place. And in the spirit of grand ideas and artful creation, we spotlight those who are part of the groundswell in our first-ever Makers Issue. Take Alec Meier, of Stono Knife Works based in Taylors, who crafts elegant knives—wielded by the likes of Chef Sean Brock—and whose blades topped all others in the Outdoor Category of Garden & Gun’s Made in the South Awards (page 84). There’s Chef Sydney Taylor, the young talent leading the culinary program at Methodical Coffee, which turns five this year (page 88), and the three gentlemen bartenders at Swordfish Cocktail Club, a throwback to a refined age (page 92). There’s also Lauren Maxwell and John Young Shik Concklin, married to each other and to community change and cultural progress. They’ve created Mozart for a Cause, featuring professional Upstate musicians in a benefit

M A R C H 20 2 0 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

We cannot be confined to the comfort of the past. We become lesser versions of the people we could be. If we think within the box of routine, we limit ourselves. We live less-than. We miss out on life right now, and the opportunity to be our best.

concert on March 2nd at The Warehouse Theatre to raise funds for the environment (page 48). These individuals only scratch the surface of the unique voices and forces living here, enhancing our cultural experience, morphing it into newness. Life is never still. But change can feel uncomfortable. Like a new pair of shoes or denim fresh off the designer’s machine, the fit feels foreign until it’s lived in. Still, we cannot be confined to the comfort of the past. We become lesser versions of the people we could be. If we think within the box of routine, we limit ourselves. We live less-than. We miss out on life right now, and the opportunity to be our best. Right now is life at its best because there is nothing else but the present moment. We encourage you to seize it and to embrace the wonder, freshness, and excitement of a new season, month, day, and hour. There’s a new look to TOWN, but our soul is the same.

Health Care for the Universe of You At Bon Secours, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the compassionate care you need to stay healthy and strong for those who love and need you. Learn more at bonsecours.com/universe

FOR THE UNIVERSE OF YOU

Art for Gville 2020 TOWN Support AFG.indd 1

2020 ART

FOR GREENVILLE Over the past three decades the Museum’s annual fund-raising campaign, Art for Greenville, has supported the purchase of scores of important works by America’s greatest artists. While operational support from Greenville County taxpayers ensures accessibility and free admission for all, the art collection depends on donors like you and your continuing generosity. Your commitment to the GCMA and support of its collections allows us to bring art to life for a wide range of Upstate audiences, including children and seniors. Please help us continue to grow this extraordinary educational and cultural asset— a world-class collection that’s right at home in Greenville. To learn more or to make a gift, visit gcma.org.

The exhibition Anne Goldthwaite: Modern Woman OPENS APRIL 29. Learn more at gcma.org.

Greenville County Museum of Art

420 College Street on Heritage Green 864.271.7570 gcma.org

Anne Goldthwaite,1869-1944 Interlude, circa 1925

Wed - Fri 10 am - 5 pm Sat - Sun 1pm - 5 pm

admission free

2/11/20 3:34 PM

Mark Johnston

PUBLISHER mark@towncarolina.com

Blair Knobel

SWIMMERS There are a lot of reasons to learn to swim at the Y. It creates a lifetime of fun. Swimming is great exercise, and most importantly, knowing how to swim can save lives. That’s why the Y offers swim lessons for all people!

“I INTERVIEWED J.D. HARRISON IN HIS INDUSTRIAL WORKSHOP FILLED WITH VARIOUS WOODS, A VARIETY OF MACHINES, AND TOOLS OF THE TRADE. IT WAS APPARENT THAT HE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT HE CREATES.” (SEE “WILD WOOD,” PAGE 50)

—ruta fox

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF blair@towncarolina.com

Paul Mehaffey

ART DIRECTOR

Laura Linen

STYLE EDITOR

Abby Moore Keith

MANAGING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Kathryn Davé Ruta Fox M. Linda Lee Steven Tingle Stephanie Trotter Jac Valitchka Ashley Warlick

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mallory Brooks, Libby McMillan Henson, Olivia McCall , Tessa Pinner & Ariel Turner

Parent & Child Lessons

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS, ILLUSTRATORS & DESIGNERS

Chelsey Ashford, Robin Batina-Lewis, Mike Belleme, David & Sarah Bonner, Jack Connolly, Will Crooks, Jivan Davé, Whitney Fincannon, Jason & Tara Massey, Tessa Pinner & Karen Schipper

Water Acclimation Stroke Development

Andrew Huang

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Swim League Preparation

Kathryn Norungolo

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Madison Garrett

EDITORIAL INTERN

Holly Hardin

“WE MET AT COMMUNITY TAP, WHERE JOHN INTRODUCED ME TO MY NEW, FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC IPA: LAGUNITAS HOP. I WAS STRUCK BY HOW THEY COMPLEMENTED AND BALANCED EACH OTHER AS WE LAUGHED AND SHARED STORIES. I DIDN’T WANT THE INTERVIEW TO END.” (SEE “DYNAMIC DUO,” PAGE 48)

—StepHanie Trotter

VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

“I FIND IT INSPIRING THAT MARK STUDDARD OF MAKARI DESIGNS USES HIS WOODWORKING SKILLS NOT ONLY TO SUPPORT HIS OWN FAMILY BUT TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE IN OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, AS WELL.” (SEE “HAND MADE,” PAGE 78)

—M. Linda Lee

Michael Allen & Kim Collier Donna Johnston

MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES

Michelle Fleury, Mary Hill & Heather Propp Callie Michalak

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Meredith Rice

SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER CLIENT SERVICE MANAGERS

Lizzie Campbell, Georgia Gay & Anita Harley Kristi Fortner

REGISTER ONLINE! ymcagreenville.org 864-412-0288 The YMCA of Greenville, following the example of Christ, builds healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

ACCOUNTING & HUMAN RESOURCES

Sue Priester

CONSULTING MEMBER

Susan Schwartzkopf

GENERAL MANAGER

Douglas J. Greenlaw CHAIRMAN TOWN Magazine (Vol. 10, No. 3) is published monthly (12 times per year) by TOWN Greenville, LLC, 581 Perry Ave, Greenville, SC 29611, (864) 679-1200. If you would like to have TOWN delivered to you each month, you may purchase an annual subscription (12 issues) for $65. Postmaster: Send address changes to TOWN, 581 Perry Ave, Greenville, SC 29611. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

M A R C H 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

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THE LIST THE MONTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MUST-DOS

ADAM SANDLER: 100% FRESHER TOUR Adam Sandler has achieved monumental success following his rise to fame as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, establishing his name in comedy, writing, and film. The beloved actor brings a reprise of his Netflix comedy special, 100% Fresh, to the live stage, with a surprise guest. Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Tues, Mar 17, 8pm. $45-$183. (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

Photograph courtesy of Bon Secours Wellness Arena

M A R C H 2020 I

The List

As a nonprofit aiming to support the diversity of the Lowcountry’s culinary traditions, the annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival celebrates the best local, regional, and national chefs, artisans, purveyors, and beverage crafters. The weekend consists of myriad tastings and special events, classes, and dinners at Charleston’s finest restaurants.

Join Warehouse Theatre performers for the lively Hedwig & The Angry Inch, a tale of a rock-and-roll musician coping with a poorly executed sex-change operation. Hedwig delivers her story in the form of a concert and standup comedy performance, which wouldn’t be complete without her band, The Angry Inch. This musical will surely have the audience laughing, and inspire them with Hedwig’s story of perseverance.

Beloved by audiences worldwide, Itzhak Perlman is in a class by himself among classical musicians. The 16-time Grammy winner, who garnered a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the recording arts in 2008, and was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2015, will be accompanied for this performance by acclaimed Sri Lankan pianist and recording artist Rohan De Silva.

The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St, Greenville. Thru March 22. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $40. (864) 235-6948, warehousetheatre.com

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Thurs, Mar 12, 7:30pm. $65-$95. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

Photograph courtesy of The Warehouse Theatre

Various locations, Charleston. Mar 4–8. Wed–Sun, times vary. $45-$525. (843) 727-9998, charlestonwineandfood.com

ITZHAK PERLMAN, VIOLIN & ROHAN DE SILVA, PIANO

Photograph by Lisa Marie Mazzucco

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH

Photograph by Andrew Lee, courtesy of Charleston Food + Wine Festival

CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL

hair makeup nails accessories men women children beards color and, more... 46

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

LES MISÉRABLES

Photograph by Matthew Murphy, courtesy of the Peace Center

A testament to the perseverance of the human spirit, this new production of the Tony Award– winning musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel comes to Greenville from a twoyear revival on Broadway. The story of exconvict Jean Valjean, who violates his parole and spends years running from the ruthless Inspector Javert, comes to life against a backdrop of new staging and scenery, and the same songs—“I Dreamed a Dream,” “One Day More,” “Bring Him Home”—you loved before. Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Mar 3–8. Tues– Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2pm & 8pm; Sun, 1pm & 6:30pm. $45-$105. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT During the ﬁrst week of March, Greenville will become the Women’s Basketball Capital of the South when, for the second of three consecutive years, the city hosts the SEC Women’s Basketball ﬁnals at The Well. The single-elimination tournament, which includes all 14 teams in the Southeast Conference, will culminate with the championship game on Sunday night. If hoops is your game, you’ll want to snag your tickets ASAP. Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Mar 4–8. Wed–Sun, times vary. Tickets start at $40 (prices vary by session). (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

GENERATIONS GROUP LUNCHEON By attending the annual fundraising banquet for the Generations Group, you can further the organization’s goal of breaking the cycle of sexual abuse and helping troubled youth. This year’s keynote speaker is acclaimed country music singer Jimmy Wayne, a foster child himself, who works on behalf of at-risk foster children through his performances, books, and speaking engagements. Generations enjoys a 98-percent success rate by providing a unique healing environment for boys who have suﬀered abuse. Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Wed, Mar 11, 11:45am–1pm. No cost to attend; donations encouraged. (864) 243-5557, generationsgroup.com

March 2020 S

. . ow w d i a s ll a y e na d th Greenville’s Salon

WILSON’S ON WASHINGTON

794 E Washington Street | 864.235.3336 wilsonsonwashington.com | @wilsononwashingtonsc M A R C H 2020 I

The List

Quick HITS MOZART FOR A CAUSE

z Mozart for a Cause returns for its second annual benefit concert in Greenville. In 2018, the event raised $2,000 to help reunite separated immigrant families. Hosted by Lauren Maxwell and John Young Shik Concklin, with space generously donated by The Warehouse Theatre, Mozart for a Cause provides a meaningful night of music in an intimate setting, featuring local professional musicians. This year’s cause is Planet Earth; all ticket sales will go to One Tree Planted’s Appalachia Project and the Clean Air Task Force. The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St, Greenville. Mon, Mar 2, 8pm. Ticket prices vary. bit.ly/mozartforacause

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS IN CONCERT

z Known for the dynamism of their performances as well as their activism, SFGMC was established in 1978—the first choral organization to announce its orientation in its name. Today, through its mission “to lead by creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion,” the group has sparked a choral movement that spans the globe. You won’t want to miss this special evening. Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Mon, Mar 9, 7:30pm. $25-$55. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

UPSTATE HEART BALL

Photograph courtesy of the Peace Center

z The culmination of a yearlong campaign to raise money to educate folks about heart disease and stroke, this black-tie gala celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Whether you come for the dining, the dancing, or to bid in the live and silent auctions, you’ll be helping the organization that, to date, has raised more than $7 million to support the mission of the American Heart Association. Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Sat, Mar 14, 6pm. Sponsorships begin at $1,000/couple. (864) 448-3786

STRINGS SUPREME: GREENVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

z The Greenville Symphony Orchestra offers a curated evening of talented string players, performing the work of three composers: Verdi, Haydn, and Dvorak. Each of these virtuosos drew inspiration from the luxurious sound of a string orchestra, on this evening accompanied by GSO principal horn Anneka Zuehlke-King to perform Haydn’s Second Concerto for Horn. Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Mar 20–22. Fri–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $46-$55. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

MATTHEW BAUMGARDNER CUBES

z Matthew Baumgardner was a prolific artist based in the Blue Ridge near Travelers Rest, creating 2D and 3D abstract works that bridge spiritual and earthy themes. Furman University art history professor Dr. Sarah Archino and the university’s Special Collections and Archives at the James B. Duke Library worked with Baumgardner’s estate to establish a new course for students to research, catalogue, and exhibit the late artist’s work. The students chose to display Baumgardner’s sculptural 3D cubes, along with journal entries and other personal ephemera. Special Collections Gallery at the James B. Duke Library, Furman University. 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville. Thru Mar 31. Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm. Free. https:// bit.ly/37cvHgl

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

Jay Leno Comedian, actor, and acclaimed late-night TV host Jay Leno brings an amusing comedy show to stages around the world, his new focus now that he passed over his late-night slot to Jimmy Fallon. Leno will be sure to entertain the crowd, who is given the opportunity to feel just like studio audience members at 30 Rock. Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, Mar 20, 8pm. $65-$95. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

March 2020 S

22 29

ON SALE NOW!

THE MUSICAL PHENOMENON

MARCH 3-8 SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS MARCH 9

JOHN PIZZARELLI & CATHERINE RUSSELL MARCH 19

ITZHAK PERLMAN MARCH 12

UPCOMING EVENTS 2019-2020 Broadway Series LES MISÉRABLES MARCH 3-8 SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS MARCH 9 ITZHAK PERLMAN, VIOLIN Rohan De Silva, Piano MARCH 12 AMERICA MARCH 17

JOHN PIZZARELLI & CATHERINE RUSSELL A Tribute to Nat King Cole and the Ladies of Song MARCH 19 JAY LENO MARCH 20 DAVID FOSTER: HITMAN TOUR MARCH 27 2019-2020 Broadway Series ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE APRIL 7-12 RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE APRIL 14

@peacecenter

PATTI LABELLE APRIL 18

NATE BARGATZE MAY 2

HONG KONG BALLET’S ALICE (IN WONDERLAND) APRIL 21

CHRIS TUCKER MAY 9

Fine Arts Center JAZZ ALL STARS: JAZZ AND BEYOND APRIL 22 An Evening with Edwin McCain, Maia Sharp, and WILL KIMBROUGH APRIL 24 LAKE STREET DIVE APRIL 29

2019-2020 Broadway Series SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL MAY 19-24 POTTED POTTER JUNE 12-14 2019-2020 Broadway Series CATS JUNE 23-28 2019-2020 Broadway Series JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR AUGUST 4-9

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On theTown THE COTILLION CLUB BALL JA NUA RY 17, 2020

Reb Mitchell, Luke Mitchell, Carol Ann & Paul Good

Caitlin & Grice Hunt

Nancy & Mike Smith

Aimee Garrett & Jackie McLeod

The second-oldest dance club in South Carolina, The Cotillion Club celebrated its 132nd anniversary with the Cotillion Ball at the Poinsett Club. More than 400 members and guests attended in formal white-tie attire to enjoy the receiving line, Grand March, and a candle-lit dinner followed by dancing to the Andrew Thielen Big Band. Photography by CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott Johnson & Cynthia Rodgers

Grice Hunt, Zach Freeman & Hunter Garrett

Patty & John Walker

Charles & Alissa Yeargin

Brad & Lyle Smith with Donna & Andrew Cajka

Preston, Alexa & Hunt Marion with Cojac Halter

Greta & Harvey Cleveland

April & Frank Huguenin

Chase & Jessica Eldridge

Dan Sterling & Sarah Ellis McKay

Michael & Elizabeth Short

Mary & Harriss Cottingham

Matt & Gwinn Kneeland with Frances & Dave Ellison

David & Tracy Ramsseur M A R C H 2020 I

On the TOWN

John & Lisa Niemi

g r e e n v i l l e

Ryan Heafy, Amanda Heafy & John Boyanoski

Steven Woods, Kelley Woods, Lauren Nifong & Andy Nifong

Ashley Weeks & Lori Chisom

Pat Harrigan, and Kathy Harrigan, Victor Burg & Kelsey Johnson Alrinthea Carter & Emily Gowen

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On the TOWN HIGH SPIRITS HOSPITALITY 9TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY JA NUA RY 17, 2020

Nine years in business is no small feat for High Spirits Hospitality, and the catering and event collaborative appropriately celebrated with a Roaring Twenties–themed bash at the Old Cigar Warehouse. Guests jived along to tunes from Collective Music Solutions, while noshing on a selection of bites and enjoying Giggle Juice from Liquid Catering.

Debra & Josh Jones Kenzie Wynne & JDew

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Making a Difference Matt James

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David Hamby & Matt Buckler

Summer Sondov, Heather Clark & Morgan Oberholzer

Leigh Newman, Stan Coster, Diane Christoﬀerson, Ryan Kiser & Estella Lindsey

David & Lesli Montgomery Bobby Hubbard & Kelsey Johnson

Alexandra Herrera & Drew Rutland

Chip & Susan Palmer

graduate of Georgia State University, Matt discovered his life’s purpose while working a part-time job at a small funeral home during the school holidays. “I felt humbled by the opportunity to help people during the most difficult time of their life. This is a way to truly make a difference.” Indeed, Matt carries on a long tradition of compassionate expertise. At the helm of Greenville’s oldest funeral home, he is dedicated to helping families of all faiths celebrate and remember the ones they love most. Like founder James F. Mackey before him, Matt is passionate about the Greenville community. That’s why he gives back as an active member of Brushy Creek Elementary PTA and as a faithful member of Brushy Creek Baptist Church.

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On the TOWN

PHYSICIANS OF HOPE PARTY JA NUA RY 23, 2020

Nikki & Mike Zurenko

Anastasia Siachos, Tom Latham, Gina Latham & Bill McCrary

The Cancer Society of Greenville hosted this year’s Physicians of Hope Party at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Tommy Siachos. Nearly 120 people and members of the medical community attended the preview event for the upcoming Hope Ball in April. Cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres were enjoyed throughout the evening. Photography by BONFIRE VISUALS

Lucy Surka & Kelly Warren

Jim Merriam & Philip Fontenot

Gene Tabakhov & Stephen Dyar Christa & Creighton Likes with Jonathan Hinshelwood

Dr. Trey & Dr. Lisa Darby

John Cull & Clay Shamblin

Emily & Jonathan Cole

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

Tommy & Anastasia Siachos

Bill & Jan McCrary

Katie Hinshelwood, Renee Merriam, Sara Shamblin & Carrie Naas

Ashley Pruitt, Brandi Ariail, Jan McCrary, Mandy Bullock & Sara Shamblin

Dr. Ritu & Dr. Aniket Saha

Laura & Jay Whitney

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On the TOWN

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On the TOWN

SWEETHEART CHARITY BALL FOR MEALS ON WHEELS FEBRUA RY 1, 2020

Nearly 600 people gathered at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville for this year’s Sweetheart Charity Ball. Guests enjoyed a silent auction and golf cart raffle, along with the talents of emcee JDew, and music from Power2Party. The evening’s proceeds provided more than 55,000 meals for the homebound in Greenville County.

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On the TOWN

OPENING RECEPTION FOR DAVID ARMSTRONG JA NUA RY 17, 2020

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Nearly 100 guests gathered for the opening of David Armstrongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography exhibit Beyond the Norm at Centre Stage, sponsored by the Metropolitan Arts Council. With treats provided by the photographer himself, the evening highlighted a variety of his works, which will be on display through March 6. Photography by BONFIRE VISUALS

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On the TOWN

OPENING RECEPTION FOR GARLAND MATTOX JA NUA RY 24, 2020

Friends, family, and art lovers attended Garland Mattox’s opening exhibit, Zodiac, which elegantly depicts the story of each Zodiac sign across large panels. Around 100 people enjoyed wine and light bites provided by Mattox, all while viewing her unique fantasy landscapes on display at the Metropolitan Arts Council.

Staci Purvis & Holly Shady

Photography by JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 | Portman Marina, Lake Hartwell | DragonBoatUpstateSC.org

Dragon Boat Upstate Festival

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Weddings

SYDNEY STRONG + MICHELLE GEANNAKAKES SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

hen the helicopter landed, surrounded by a landscape of ice, it wasn’t just the scenery that took Michelle’s breath away—it was the question that Sydney had in store, as their tour of Colony Glacier in Alaska became the perfect setting for a proposal. It wasn’t long before Michelle popped the question in return, on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, British Columbia. Their adventurous proposals, however, were only the start of building their life together. Yielding an incredible view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hotel Domestique in Travelers Rest was the setting for their wedding day. Sydney and Michelle were each walked by their parents down a branch of a Y-shaped aisle, then met at the center point and continued toward the altar together. Personal touches to the ceremony included

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

a reading from the monumental Obergefell v. Hodges decision that deemed all love equal when it comes to the right to marry. Details of their reception drew upon comforts of the brides’ homes, from the inclusion of their own artwork to a color palette of deep blues, gold, and subtle rose. Live music by The Retreat accompanied plenty of dancing until the night came to a close, as loved ones lined up with sparklers to celebrate the radiant couple. Not yet sure where they will plant their roots, Sydney and Michelle split time between Greenville, where Sydney is a jewelry designer with llyn strong fine art and jewelry, and Atlanta, where Michelle is a nurse practitioner at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta.—Olivia McCall By Red Apple Tree Photography

M A R C H 2020 I

Weddings

ANGELA HOUSWORTH + CALEB ADKINS DECEMBER 7, 2019

Angela and Caleb are no strangers to the outdoors. Each has always loved exploring, and, one day, through a group of mutual friends, the pair met on a hiking trail at Caesar’s Head. They cultivated a deep friendship through kayaking, camping, and rock climbing, and in May 2019 they went on their first date. Six months later, back at the place they first met, Caleb told Angela he undoubtedly wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and proposed a week later in Paris Mountain State Park. Angela checked all of her boxes, with a wedding gown borrowed from her roommate, a blue handkerchief from her grandmother woven into the bouquet, and an intricate floral headdress crafted by Leaph Boutique’s felt flowers and greenery. In a laid back (and, of course, outdoors) setting, the couple said “I do” in Inman, where both of their large families filed in for the weekend of celebration. The couple now resides in Greenville, where Angela works at Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery and Caleb at Anderson Hydra Platforms. —Kathryn Norungolo By Jack Robert Photography

TYLER MICKEL + BLAKE JAMESON NOVEMBER 9, 2019 When you attend a wedding, the chances of meeting people from different walks of life are high. When Tyler was at a close family friend’s wedding, she met Blake, who was one of her friend’s groomsmen. Five years of dating later, Tyler and Blake would be planning a wedding of their own. Blake proposed after surprising Tyler with a horseback tour of DuPont National Forest, where the trail ended at the High Falls waterfall, painting the perfect background for Tyler to say that coveted “yes.” In a ceremony at Greenbrier Farms, Tyler met Blake under their flower-covered archway in a Hayley Paige gown from the White Magnolia, and spent the evening celebrating with family and friends to music from Uptown Entertainment. The pair lives in Taylors, where both are self-employed.—KN By Sposa Bella Photography

EMILY MATTHEWS + MATTHEW ANDERSON OCTOBER 12, 2019 When Emily Matthews started her job in the solicitor’s office, she shadowed in the sheriff’s office to gain perspective about her new role. Little did she know that work lesson would lead to her future husband. At the time, Matt Anderson was the on-call K9 handler, and an eager Emily was dying to meet the pups. For a year, Emily and Matt remained work acquaintances, but when she left the solicitor’s office to work as a paralegal, she and Matt realized the timing was right. The pair dated less than a year before Matt was down on one knee alongside Walloon Lake, Michigan, for a cold, winter wonderland proposal. A year and a half later, with Matt’s daughter and son as the flower girl and ring bearer, Emily walked down the aisle in a custom dress from The Poinsett Bride, adorned with the buttons of her mother’s gown, to the man she would be “on-call” with forever. The couple now lives in the home they built together in Travelers Rest.—KN By Simply Violet Photography

hearing wedding bells? TOWN Magazine wants to publish your wedding announcement. If you currently live or grew up in the Upstate and were recently married, please write to us at TOWN Magazine, Attn: Weddings, 581 Perry Ave, Greenville, SC 29611, or e-mail weddings@towncarolina.com. Due to space constraints, inclusion is not guaranteed.

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

Floral Design Studio by TWIGS

Renovations at the Woods Crossing store have made room for Bloom! A Floral Design Studio. The studio is your creative space. Choose one of our Petal Pusher classes, which are topic specific and are led by a Twigs designer. You might also enjoy our DIY Studio Hours which are self-guided opportunities for individuals or small groups. Come and design with us!

DIY Studio Hours Two studios with stations set and tools ready for your use. You can bring in your container(s). Designers are available to help you with floral selection and design ideas. Your design time is self-paced. $10.00 studio fee and the cost of any product used in your design.

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March 6, March 7, April 17, April 18, June 12, June 13

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Greenville resident TRAVIS SEWARD crafts quilts with contemporary flair.

Photograph by Will Crooks

M A R C H 2020 I

TB • OUTSIDE THE BOX

PIECE BY PIECE

TRAVIS SEWARD EXPRESSES HIS CREATIVE IMPULSES IN MODERN QUILTING by Libby McMillan Henson • photography by Will Crooks

nce considered a grandmother’s pastime, quilting is now a creative outlet for many contemporary artists. One of the most surprising of these might be Travis Seward, known in arts circles for his volunteer work on behalf of The Warehouse Theatre, the Greenville Center for the Arts, and other initiatives. The frenetic pace of Seward’s career as general manager at USA TODAY 10Best increases the appeal of his own serene quilting studio, on the third floor of the historic Hampton Pinkney home he shares with Wade Cleveland. “I come from an entire family of makers,” he explains of his upbringing in, Crawfordsville, Indiana. “My mother sewed all of her clothes, and I got the scraps and started making things.” Seward was running a sewing machine by age six. Making things was like breathing in his family—everyone just did it. Before long, he was riding his bike to the fabric store to spend money earned on a paper route. The enamored ladies at the shop loved helping their eager young customer. Between

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

them and his high school art teacher, Crawfordsville’s Outstanding 4H Student was introduced to the world of fiber arts. Saturday art classes helped Seward land a scholarship to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he studied fabric design and structure. An internship with Milliken brought him to Greenville, where he designed automotive fabric before transitioning to the technical side of textiles. Eventually, Seward’s career pivoted to digital content, and quilting became a creative outlet. He started discovering people on social media who were making quilts and forming online groups. “I was no longer working in a vacuum,” he says. “One group taught me the techniques of piecing and putting quilt blocks together, the fundamentals for all the different styles, using someone else’s pattern.” It wasn’t long before Seward started quilting seriously, making his own patterns and joining the online group Men Who Quilt. “[Quilting] allows me to de-stress and chill out, using the other side of my brain after work,” admits Seward. The longtime maker then discovered the Greenville Modern Quilt Guild, a group of teachers, pattern designers, published authors, and award-winning quilters (whose group quilting

USA TODAY 10Best general manager Travis Seward (left) has enjoyed a litany of successful endeavors, but perhaps his most treasured talent lies in quilt-making.

project was featured at QuiltCon in Austin, Texas, last month). “I finally found my tribe in Greenville, and it’s all levels of skills and talents, and super accepting,” reveals Seward. He considers himself a modern quilter, which he defines as being “more about aesthetic and design than the technique and fundamentals.” His work is typically devoid of the traditional repetition of blocks. Instead, Seward’s quilts are about composition and color, so intricate that one work has 4,800 pieces, some as small as a quarter-inch square. “Piecing and design is the fun part,” he admits. With his own machine at home, Seward rolls his quilts to get them under the needle, into the (very) tiny creative space called “the throat.” He happily works away, while listening to TV, an audio book, or conversation. Seward’s design process begins on paper as a framework. He then uses recently mastered quilting software to virtually arrange and edit his quilt blocks until arriving at a final design. He incorporates what he’s learned about color theory and principles of design, while injecting a visual twist. In other words, these aren’t your granny’s quilts. At any given time, the studio holds a few works under progress, with Seward’s palettes unique and his inspiration unexpected. One

stack of quilt blocks are based on the outdoor mural at El Thrifty Social Club, another by Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, a third by his own grandmother’s Tree of Life quilt. Seward’s most exciting creation, however, might be the formation of a small group called Modern Design Lab. “A group of seven of us meet monthly,” he explains, “taking a creative prompt from a color palette or a certain technique, and then we create something original based on it.” When he’s not working, quilting, or hosting exchange students through the Rotary Club of Pleasantburg, Seward is traveling. He discovers indigenous textile techniques across the globe and brings home reminders. “I think about the people around the world creating their textiles, and I’m inspired by those techniques,” he says, “but I always try to push myself to the modern, using color, color theory, and design principles. It’s how you combine those things to create something that stands on its own as a finished piece of art.” For more information, visit travisseward.com. On June 5, the Modern Design Lab will host an invitational quilt exhibit and sale at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts.

M A R C H 2020 I

TB • VISIONARIES Lauren Maxwell, a trained opera singer, and John Young Shik Concklin, a conductor, met while teaching at a music camp. The couple, whose talents extend beyond the musical realm, has launched Lauren+John, a consulting group to help businesses make an impact beyond the bottom line.

DYNAMIC DUO MUSICAL COUPLE LAUREN MAXWELL AND JOHN YOUNG SHIK CONCKLIN COMBINE THEIR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TO HELP OTHERS by Stephanie Trotter • portrait by Will Crooks

heir romance blossomed near a Walmart, the Federal Pen, and a U.S. Army ammo dump. “A mutual friend recruited us to teach at a music camp in McAlester, Oklahoma,” John Concklin shares with a laugh. “Those are the only three things in McAlester.” His wife, Lauren Maxwell, elaborates. “At the time, we didn’t realize there was a spark,” she reveals. “In hindsight, there was a lot of chemistry. Within a few months we had our first date, and two weeks later, we knew we’d get married.” Luckily, professional winds carried their cultivated bloom to Greenville, where the trained opera singer and award-winning conductor are creating new music together with a consultancy for nonprofit organizations and value-based companies. But that’s skipping to the encore, before the curtain even rises.

act 1 The recession hit about the same time John and Lauren graduated with their respective advanced performing arts degrees. While economic survival forced them to leave the stage professionally, they found transitioning to the business world easier than expected. “I re-catalogued my skills,” John explains. Conducting is basically leadership, strategic planning, handling money, and it’s a people business. As a conductor, you’re charged with selling a group of people on a musical idea.” For seven years, he used those talents to help United Way of Greenville County raise and allocate $20 million a year, as director of impact innovation. Currently, along with conducting around the Southeast, he is serving as Palmetto Fellow at the Institute for Child Success. Meanwhile, Lauren was finding a different way to use her voice . . . through writing. For more than a decade, she crafted communication and served as a storyteller for IBM and a host of nonprofits through a cause-based marketing firm in Chicago. “It was kind of creativity unfolding,” she reflects. “Then I started getting this inkling that I had something of my own to say.” Lauren writes personal essays for a weekly newsletter called WE’RE ALL FRIENDS HERE.

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

act 2 This past January, the millennial power duo coupled their individual gifts to form a consulting group, Lauren+John, for philanthropies and businesses wanting to make an impact beyond the bottom line. John clarifies the vision and strategy, while Lauren molds the narrative and awareness. In less than one month’s time, they’ve already lined up clients. “It really means something to us when an organization, or business, is wanting to make the community better,” Lauren asserts. “We see ourselves most equipped to help people who are trying to succeed and thrive while they do that.” the encore Together, Lauren and John have found a way to help others, while taking the spotlight again as performers. This month, the couple will host their second annual fundraising concert, Mozart for a Cause. John still conducts orchestras and ensembles from Atlanta to Hendersonville, and plays his viola with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. Fellow musicians are eager to join him for the event, which will also include Lauren’s vocal talents. All funds raised will benefit the Clean Air Task Force and One Tree Planted’s Appalachia Project. “This is the culmination of all things,” John says. “This combines communications, music, the planning everything together, the community, the values.” His wife continues. “This is what it’s all about for us. We can feel like we are living more vibrantly knowing we’re living and expressing ourselves in the day to day, as we focus on helping people and our community.” For more information on Lauren, John, and their consulting work, visit laurenandjohn.co. To purchase tickets to Mozart for a Cause, go to bit.ly/ mozartforacause.

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TB • PROFILE

WILD WOOD THE A PPA L ACHI A N TR A IL LED J.D. HA R R ISON TO CREATE CUSTOM F UR NITURE by ruta fox • portrait by Paul Mehaffey

.D. Harrison, owner of CR8 Design Studios (pronounced “crate”), loves wood. The environmental designer, who creates custom furnishings for residential and commercial projects, forms and shapes items that are as beautiful as they are functional. After spending eight years post-college apprenticing at Greenville architecture firm Craig Gaulden Davis, he relocated to Charlotte and spent three years at a high-end residential design firm creating homes—some up to 25,000 square feet. But, he took a break to hike the Appalachian Trail, and 750 miles in, somewhere around Virginia, he had an epiphany. The connection with nature riveted him into working with wood. In 2010, a client asked Harrison to build a desk. When J.D. discovered the trees originally came from a plantation, the project resonated deeply. He went on to design focal features and custom furniture for OOBE Apparel’s Greenville office, made Kitchen Sync restaurant’s bar, and designed and built key elements of Fortis Riders’ downtown headquarters. “I create a storyline for each individual client, and try to incorporate their brand message into the unique pieces I create. I find that more companies are trying to personalize their space to bring their branding to light on a physical level,” he states. Sourcing trees native to the South, like pine and oak, and collaborating with local metal workers, he always strives to be environmentally conscious about the materials he uses. The newly reopened Center for Craft in Asheville commissioned him to create a monumental piece that would anchor their National Craft Innovation Hub co-working space. At thirty-three-and-a-half feet long and seven feet wide, it took six months to fashion a table made from birch plywood designed in an undulating, free-flowing form with a steel base. The concept was connection—to highlight the center’s past, present, and future—and to make a place where people could share ideas and inspiration, as well as work on projects in a collaborative environment. No doubt, everyone’s welcome to a seat at this table.

CR8 Design Studios. (864) 884-0655, cr8designstudios.com

MARCH 2020 I t o w n c a r o l i n a . c o m

J.D. Harrison has spent years in the design world, but his passion for woodworking didn’t materialize until his time on the Appalachian Trail. He now creates custom furnishings for commercial and residential clients across the Southeast.

“I create a storyline for each individual client and incorporate their brand message into the unique pieces I create.” —J.D. Harrison

Asheville’s Center for Craft is the only national nonprofit functioning as a catalyst for the scholarly research of things that are handmade. Its historic building, constructed in 1912, has been creatively renovated, and serves as a nexus to connect students, makers, collectors, entrepreneurs, academics, and the community. Containing public gallery spaces, a co-working location, workshops, classrooms, and lecture halls, the Center for Craft is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the professional development of craft.—RF centerforcraft.org

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Dig into Our History,

Plant a Memory

Combining rich history and hip culture, Winston-Salem draws from its past to create unforgettable spring getaways. Whether you spend your days strolling through heirloom gardens or modern art galleries, sampling local craft beer or Yadkin Valley rosĂŠ, Winston-Salem is abloom with experiences new and historic this spring.

MARCH - JUNE

MARCH 28 - JUNE 21

MARCH - JUNE

Yadkin Valley Wine Tours and Tastings

Reynolda House Museum of American Art: Tiffany Glass Exhibition

Heirloom Gardens Collection and Historic Homes Tours

Plan your spring getaway at VisitWinstonSalem.com/Spring

ESCAPE R E G I O N A L P L A C E S & G L O B A L D E S T I N AT I O N S

In Swannanoa, North Carolina, THE NOOK is an artisanal hideaway with chic appeal.

Photograph by Mike Belleme

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ESCAPE • TOP BUNK Cozy and handcrafted, The Nook Airbnb offers guests an opportunity to decompress in simple comfort, tucked into the trees in Swannanoa, North Carolina.

HANDBUILT TO LAST THIS MOUNTA IN RETREAT IS A N IMMERSION INTO CR A F T IN WESTER N NORTH CA ROLINA by Mallory Brooks • photography by Mike Belleme

here are boring, unstoried hotels. Then there are spaces where no detail is left unconsidered, no part untouched. I know this after my stay at The Nook, an “obsessively handmade, hyperlocal” Airbnb in Swannanoa, North Carolina (a fifteen-minute drive east of Asheville), which has been brought to life by Mike and Kristen Belleme. The Nook’s modern aesthetic has a story behind every corner and cranny. Comprised of separate yet cohesive spaces, it clocks in at a mere 400 square feet, inspired by Scandinavian design, familial connection to Japan, and Appalachian roots.

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“This house is a collection of stories,” is the opening line of The Nook’s Airbnb listing. Sitting with Mike on a Sunday afternoon, this is beyond evident—the stories effortlessly pour out of him, like a parent gushing over a beloved child. They’re almost rapid-fire. There’s a buzzing energy present as he spills stories of the year it took to create this home. A friend donated the wood for the lofts and the front porch. The kitchen cabinet is made of a black walnut desk that his parents almost tossed. The tea box is fashioned from cedar his parents used to make miso in the 1970s. Every type of wood used can be found on the 1.3 acres the house sits on. There’s a small diorama featuring a bird nest that was found in that exact place during construction. Twenty-two collaborators, hailing only from Western North Carolina, have left their mark on The Nook. Shelter Collective, a multidisciplinary design studio, drew the plans for construction. East Fork

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Farewell

Pottery provided handmade plates, bowls, and mugs made from regional clay. Daniel Holland painted the interior of the house and will soon return to paint a mural in the bedroom nook. Sean “Jinx” Pace helped Mike level the parking area and created the sign that welcomes you to the property. Andy McFate of McFate Furniture was by Mike’s side for the majority of the construction. He also contributed the ladders leading to two separate loft spaces. One of Mike’s childhood chores was re-oiling furniture: “I loved that feeling of putting fresh oil on a really nice wood and seeing all the character in the wood appear,” he says. In a very similar way, he has put his touch on creating a physical, artistic space that embodies story, drawing solely on the history of craft and a deep community of creativity—two undeniable pieces of what it means to be in Western North Carolina.

The Nook. Search “The Nook Swannanoa” on airbnb.com; text here $145/night. Follow The Nook on Instagram at @thenookavl.

TO ROUND OUT YOUR WEEKEND, HEAD TO THESE MUST-TRY SPOTS IN ASHEVILLE:

The South Slope’s newest resident serves mention-worthy coffee, an enviable natural wine list, and a seasonally driven menu. Spring for the Sweet Porridge— featuring grains from Farm + Sparrow, roasted apples, homemade apple butter, oat milk, and walnuts. instagram.com/ farewellavl

Forestry Camp

With a menu highlighting Basque cuisine, craft cocktails, and small-batch beer, Forestry Camp is a restaurant dedicated to bringing you “the best consumables on Earth.” Don’t sleep on their amaro flights—make sure you request a glass of Braulio, the dialed-back cousin of Fernet Branca. forestrycamp.com

All Day Darling

Brought to you by local favorites Table and High Five Coffee, comes the neighborhood breakfast joint of your dreams. The best part? No waking up early to beat the crowds. It’s open all day! alldaydarlingavl.com

east fork pottery

East Fork is known for their functional pottery— serving bowls, coffee mugs, dinnerware—made from regionally sourced clay. Treat yourself to a permanent way to remember your stay in Swannanoa. (Bonus: East Fork is one of the collaborators featured in The Nook.) eastfork.com

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LU XURY S E RVIC E AT E VE RY PR ICE POI N T CUSTOM-BUILT ESTATE

43 EAGLE ROCK ROAD THE CLIFFS AT GLASSY $4,500,000 | MLS# 1396366 Holly May 864.640.1959

5 A MOORE LANE GREENVILLE $2,100,000 | MLS# 1403978 Annell Bailey 864.346.0598

PANORAMIC VIEWS

600 N GLASSY MOUNTAIN ROAD LANDRUM $1,950,000 | MLS# 1396366 Meg Atkinson 843.601.4191

EQUESTRIAN & SMALL FARM FRIENDLY

151 SHACK HOLLOW ROAD OCONEE $1,695,000 | MLS# 1402557 Kim Crowe 864.888.7053

15 WINDFAIRE PASS COURT RIDGES AT PARIS MOUNTAIN $1,598,500 | MLS# 1369349 Holly May 864.640.1959

0 MARIA LANE GREER POLO RESERVE $1,250,000 | MLS# 1404060 Mauricio Perez 864.326.3434

904 MOUNTAIN SUMMIT ROAD THE CLIFFS VALLEY $1,200,000 | MLS# 1384690 Andy Overgaard 828.808.8305

111 W ROUND HILL ROAD GREEN VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB $995,000 | MLS# 1410808 Damian Hall 864.561.7942

104 TOP RIDGE DRIVE THE RESERVE AT LAKE KEOWEE $779,000 | MLS# 1405396 Vicky Wynn 828.242.1171

CUSTOM COBBLESTONE HOME

200 KNIGHTSRIDGE ROAD THE CLIFFS VALLEY $774,900 | MLS# 1385599 John “Clark” Kent 864.784.9918

8 LANNEAU DRIVE ALTA VISTA $699,900 | MLS# 1411322 Debra Owensby 864.404.8295

12 TRAXLER STREET GREENVILLE $624,900 | MLS# 1409909 Michael Mumma 864.238.2542

(864)-920-0303 | 20 Overbrook Ct, Ste 400 | Greenville, SC

LU XURY S E RVICE AT E VE RY PRIC E POI N T PROTECTED COVE LOT

138 RIVER RIDGE ROAD THE RESERVE AT LAKE KEOWEE $549,000 | MLS# 1399571 Kim Crowe 864.888.7053

MAINTENANCE FREE LIVING

44 LAYKEN LANE VILLAS AT CARRIAGE HILLS $377,900 | MLS# 1408105 Debra Nash 864.238.1722

235 SCOTTS BLUFF DRIVE COACHMAN PLANTATION $444,500 | MLS# 1408342 Kennie Norris 864.608.0865

182 GRAYLYN DRIVE GRAYLYN $384,900 | MLS# 1404876 Debra Owensby 864.404.8295

NORTH MAIN BUNGALOW

915 RUTHERFORD ROAD GREENVILLE $349,950 | MLS# 1404722 Rex Galloway 864.630.1111 Kary Galloway 864.901.2204

150 SELLARS DRIVE INMAN $330,000 | MLS# 1409387 Debra Owensby 864.404.8295

ECO FRIENDLY HOME

1 RIVANNA LANE FORRESTER HEIGHTS $299,000 | MLS# 1405038 Jean Durham 864.559.5090

108 PARKINS MILL ROAD FAIR HEIGHTS $269,900 | MLS# 1409909 Cynthia Hosea 864.525.4803

NO HOA FEES

775 THISTLEWOOD DRIVE DUNCAN $249,400 | MLS# 1408917 Anna Workman 304.646.9515

155 LIGHTWOOD KNOT ORCHARD VIEW $239,900 | MLS# 1408886 Nick Littlefield 864.809.6024

www.blackstreaminternational.com

102 RICHGLEN WAY RICHGLEN $269,900 | MLS# 1395457 Katrina Campbell 864.567.5188

CUTE BOAT HOUSE

0 E LAKESHORE DRIVE LAKE LANIER $210,000 | MLS# 1402807 Tim Heatley 864.561.1489

Spring is right around the corner and we have everything you need for a front row seat to all its glory. Experience the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier fly fishing and travel outfitter conveniently located on Hwy 25 in Travelers Rest, the Upstateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gateway to the outdoors. 533 N Hwy 25 Travelers Rest, SC

864.610.2140 | dodsonfishing.com

SPORT T H E B E S T S T O R I E S O F L A N D & W AT E R

For premium recreation, REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE offers multitudes.

Photograph courtesy of Reynolds Lake Oconee

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SPORT

Photographs courtesy of Reynolds Lake Oconee

THE ULTIMATE PLAYGROUND A SPORTING PA R A DISE IN GEORGI A OFFERS ACTI V ITIES FOR THE EVERY DAY by Stephanie Trotter

s a kid, recess was essential. Twenty minutes of four square and kickball, or swinging from the jungle gym, made the rest of the day tolerable. A similar multi-sport oasis awaits less than three hours from Greenville, but with grown-up activities sure to revive the kid in everyone. Reynolds Lake Oconee, a 12,000-acre golf and lake community, started as a simple, family retreat on the shores of the Oconee River. Early generations of the Reynolds clan first gathered in “Cracker’s Neck” in Greene County 100 years ago, inviting friends for sporting

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weekends to hunt and fish. When Georgia Power built the Wallace Dam on the river in 1979, it formed Lake Oconee, Georgia’s second largest lake. By the mid-1980s, the family was selling property, and building marinas and golf courses, to create a recreational haven 90 miles east of Atlanta and 30 miles south of Athens. Hundreds of privately owned homes are nestled in the wooded hills, while visitors have the option to “linger longer” as the locals say, at the National Club cottages, Lake Club Pointe condominiums, or Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. But no matter where guests stay, there are plenty of places to play.

Tee It Up Wide-open fairways. Tight, sand-trap-lined greens. Golfers will find a course to suit their preference and ability on Lake Oconee. Reynolds features six courses by five different designers. Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, and Jack Nicklaus are just a few of the top-name players and architects who have created 18-hole wonders to drive, chip, and putt through. “Great Waters is on the lake,” explains director of golf Wes Forester. “On The Preserve and The Creek, you go up and down hills, so you can hit

From its expertly designed golf courses to its wealth of water activities—Reynolds Lake Oconee offers plenty of opportunities for the sporting family, along with cottages, condos, and a Ritz-Carlton for accommodations.

acre—double what’s found in most middle-Georgia lakes. Largemouth bass alone are estimated at 36 pounds per acre, twice as much as that in other lakes in the region. All marinas have fishing guides and gear to take fishermen of all skill levels to secret honey holes.

different-quality golf shots. The best part about Reynolds is with these different designers and topography, you never feel like you’re playing the same hole twice.” Those wanting to shave a few strokes off their game should visit the Reynolds Kingdom of Golf instructional campus with its classrooms, heated hitting bays, range, and a three-hole, short-game hitting area. The facility includes a unique partnership with TaylorMade, providing club fittings and coaching using TrackMan and GCQuad technology—advanced, sport engineering usually reserved for the pros. “Technology is ever evolving,” shares master club fitter Jeff Hinshaw. “If you’re playing with clubs more than five years old, you’re playing outside of technology. We go through the diagnosis process and determine what’s good and bad in your bag, and take you to the next level of play.”

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get wet For those wanting to cool off—Lake Oconee offers 374 miles of shoreline, encompassing 19,000 acres of clear, blue-green water. Four marinas operate at Reynolds providing boat, Jet Ski, paddle board, kayak, and canoe rentals. Open waterways and quiet coves are easily accessible for wake-boarding highs and sunset lows. Large groups may want to consider a cruise on the Spirit of Oconee, which serves as a festive floating environment for social gatherings with plasma TVs, music, and a fully enclosed, climate-controlled lower deck. No matter where the current takes you, lakeside visitors are sure to spot anglers in action trying to hook largemouth bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. Lake Oconee is reported to host an estimated 433 pounds of fish per

ace it Visitors who prefer swinging rackets to golf clubs can play on 10 courts at the Lake Club Tennis Center. The USTA recently named the Reynolds site an “Outstanding Facility,” with its six clay and four hard courts. Head professional Eric Gessner, who runs the entire tennis program, can frequently be found near the pro shop giving group clinics and private lessons. “We’re the premier facility in the area,” states Gessner, who came from the Virgin Islands to coach. “We provide world-class instruction, and our programs run 12 months a year, every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving.” Dozens of players can be found squaring off against each other across the net, some playing for state titles, others just for fun. Those wanting to raise their ranking should ask about securing time with the Dartfish performance analysis system that videotapes players and corrects strokes right on the court. grab your gun The newest addition to Reynolds Lake Oconee brings archery, shooting, and off-road adventures to guests. The Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds sits a 15-minute drive from the heart of the resort. The 800-acre, country escape offers a sporting clays course, state-of-the-art rifle range, archery course, off-road SUV course, and 40-acre lake to fish and kayak. Wales native Justin Jones designed the site and directs operations. “It’s not just a gun club,” he reveals. “There’s so much more to do. We’ve achieved exactly what we wanted to do in the first two years, and there are more activities to bring in. We’re looking at extending the off-road driving courses, and bringing in falconry and ropes courses in the future.” A 200-year-old barn, rescued from Pennsylvania, serves as the check-in center by day and entertainment venue by night, hosting concerts and seasonal gatherings. Reserve your shooting times at Sandy Creek well in advance, and avoid booking near large groups, as staff is small and still growing. Give in to your inner child at Reynolds Lake Oconee—a playground for your grown-up tastes.

For more, go to ReynoldsLakeOconee.com.

M A R C H 2020 I

PRESENTS

Robert Thompson, Conductor I Thursday, March 26 | 7:30pm | The Peace Center

The Beatles come to life in Revolution, the new authorized symphonic tribute to the Fab Four, featuring top vocalists with full orchestration from the GSO. Songs to be featured include Yesterday, Ticket to Ride, All You Need is Love, Get Back, Hey Jude, Come Together, Got To Get You Into My Life, and Here Comes The Sun, to name a few.

Tickets start at just $29! To order, call (864) 467-3000 or visit greenvillesymphony.org

Funded in part by

Don’t miss these upcoming spectacular concerts! BRAHMS’ SECOND SYMPHONY Feb 29 & Mar 1

MOSTLY MOZART April 4 & 5

BEETHOVEN’S NINTH April 25 & 26

For tickets or more information visit greenvillesymphony.org

Beatles TOWN FP Ad.indd 1

2/11/20 12:32 PM

STYLE

ALL THINGS STYLISH / UNIQUE/ EXTRAORDINARY

Greenville designer Bill Mitchell takes his denim empire BILLIAM to The Commons.

Photograph by Will Crooks

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STYLE • THE EYE After a decade in the denim business, Bill Mitchell (opposite right) is unveiling new products in his custom-clothing company Billiam, including knitwear and a women’s collection.

UNCOMMON THREADS W ITH A DECA DE OF WORK UNDER HIS BELT, BILL MITCHELL DREA MS BIG FROM BILLI A M’S NEW HOME IN THE COMMONS

f this keeps up, he’ll be big in Japan in no time. Bill Mitchell, the Bill behind bespoke company, Billiam, had a pinch-me moment in February—a customer from Japan flew in to buy 10 pairs of Billiam brand jeans. The fact that Mitchell is the lone keeper of the last of the historic American denim called Selvedge (from now defunct Cone Mills in North Carolina), and makes a stunning pair of fit-you-like-a-glove jeans, might have had something to do with it.

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This surreal moment—in a string of them since he launched Billiam a decade ago—speaks to where Mitchell has been with his true-blue, born-in-the-USA jeans, and more importantly, where he’s going. “This will be a complete rebuilding year for us,” says the 32-year-old from his new space inside The Commons, the 12,000-square-foot community food and shopping hall off the Prisma Swamp Rabbit Trail. “All new products. A whole new way of thinking about business and tailoring clothes for people,” he says. “The main thing I want to get into is women’s leggings this year and transition into a full women’s collection. I want to give people what they have in Brooklyn, but from Greenville. I don’t want to create Brooklyn in Greenville, I want to create Greenville in Greenville and people in Brooklyn will be wearing what we’re making here.”

Sstyled by Tara Ashton

by Jac Valitchka • photography by Will Crooks

What he’s making includes the handmade buttery cotton T-shirts. “Every stitch is sewn right in here,” says Mitchell, as well as the GVL logo sweatshirts, belts, wallets, and the giant roll of camouflage that he is ready to take orders for to transform into skirts, jackets, aprons, and pants. In addition to an imminent unveiling of a completely rebranded logo, Billiam is venturing into a line of knitwear, as well. Jeans start at $250 for right off the rack, with custommade starting at $350. These take about two weeks to make—and are built to last. This isn’t just for the hipsters. His customers include octogenarians. “People have bought my jeans because people have gone places and stopped them and said, ‘Where did you buy these?’” If Billiam has anything to do with it, there will be many more frequent fliers to #yeahthatgreenville.

(top to bottom) Tan canvas jeans; custom leather belt; navy canvas Everyday Jacket.

For more information on Billiam Jeans, visit billiamjeans.com.

M A R C H 2020 I

STYLE • THE FIND

CANDLE MAJESTY

MAGNOLIA SCENTS BY DESIGN FOSTERS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH CRAFT CANDLES by Kathryn Norungolo • photograph by Paul mehaffey

n any given day at Magnolia Scents by Design in downtown Greenville, you can walk in and find Courtland at the candle bar, hand-pouring soy candles. Haley will most likely be behind her forming bars of soap, and just beyond, Hunter will be utilizing his theater background to put on an unforgettable candle-making class. Tina Rodgers, co-founder of Magnolia, got lucky when it came to her staff, all of whom are artisans in their own right. Together they sustain a brand based on design, everchanging ideas, and hands-on candle making. Magnolia candles are made of soy wax, a nontoxic, allnatural alternative to paraffin-wax candles. Their wicks are made of cotton and paper, and their fragrance is 98 percent essential oil. Like all other Magnolia products, their soy candles are work-shopped, quality-tested, and monitored by the staff from the first pour of wax to the screw of the lid. The Magnolia team puts special emphasis on environmental sustainability, finding a use for old shipping boxes and other usually discarded items. “I guess that’s the fun of it,” Rodgers notes. “Because we’re creating everything here, we can always create something new.”

From its specialty shop on North Main Street, Magnolia Scents by Design crafts candles and personal care products with an emphasis on sustainability— from their use of nontoxic materials to repurposing glass containers in candlemaking classes.

For more information, visit magnoliascents.com, or stop by the store at 209 N Main St, Greenville.

Welcome in the scents of the season with a variety of Magnolia products: Body wash,

spearmint eucalyptus Fragrance oil,

lemon verbena

Natural bar soap,

citrus mint

Natural bath salts,

lavender

Reed diffuser oil,

country garden Room mist,

clean

Soy candle jar,

kitchen garden

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M O D E L S O P E N D A I LY

WELCOME TO HARTNESS. WELCOME HOME. Hartness is becoming known as the place in Greenville to discover an incredible palette of architecturally stunning homes, ranging from intimate, cozy cottages to grand estate properties. Today we invite you to explore these nine homes that are unlike anything else you’ll find in Greenville.

NEW 2 & 3 BR COTTAGE HOMES FROM THE $400s NEW 3 & 4 BR CUSTOM HOMES FROM THE $600s

JASMINE COTTAGE

TANAGER

2 BR | 2 BA | +/- 995 SQ FT

Designed by renowned Atlanta-based Lew Oliver in the English Vernacular, this cottage home offers incredible styling and architectural detail in a small package.

BROOKSHIRE

3 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,508 SQ FT

The Brookshire is classically styled in the theme of Colonial Revival. This home is designed for comfort and efficiency of space with an open floor.

MCMILLAN

3 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 3,071 SQ FT

The McMillan is a federal style home featuring timeless brick exterior accented with custom built shutters and a metal roof. The main floor offers 10’ ceilings.

2 BR | 2 BA | +/- 1,547 SQ FT

This exterior, crafted with HardiePlank® siding, a bronze metal roof and custom exterior shutters, takes you back to the charm and grace of Colonial times.

DAVIS

3 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 2,643 SQ FT

The Davis is a traditional 2-story home featuring custom cabinetry, Carrara countertops, metal roof, and a gorgeous Pennsylvania Blue Stone Patio.

BARTON

4 BR | 3 BA | +/- 3,555 SQ FT

The Barton is a beautiful Colonial Revival style home designed by Lew Oliver, well renowned for his work with new urban communities across the country.

SYCAMORE

4 BR | 3 BA | +/- 2,616 SQ FT

The Sycamore is one of eight custom-designed homes in the new Cottage Courtyard, an intimate enclave nestled around an intricately landscaped courtyard.

SOMERSET COTTAGES

4 BR | 4 BA | +/- 2,130-2,359 SQ FT

Crafted with an authentic masonry stucco exterior and genuine slate roof, the Somerset Cottages evoke a feeling of European elegance.

MAGNOLIA

3 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,550 SQ FT

The Magnolia is one of eight custom-designed homes in the new Cottage Courtyard, an intimate enclave nestled around an intricately landscaped courtyard.

Visit Our Discovery Center at 103 Alester Square, just off Highway 14 between Pelham and Roper Mountain. Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

864.414.8424 | HARTNESSLIVING.COM

Ms. Bea Wright

Illustration by Karen Schipper

NOSE NO-NOS A LIGHT SPR ITZ OF FR AGR A NCE CA N CREATE A PLEASING A ROM A, BUT BEWA RE OF OVER DOING IT W ITH YOUR SCENT

ast night, my husband and I ventured out to enjoy a night on the town. Our first stop was one of our favorite neighborhood spots. As you might expect, we ran into some friends, and exchanged friendly hugs and kisses. While our hellos may have been brief, the lingering aroma of our male friend’s cologne on my cheek was not. For the rest of the night, it was if he was snuggled right beside me. I couldn’t shake his scent. Each morsel of food and sip of drink had the distinct flavor of men’s cologne. Later in the evening, I actually asked my husband to sniff my face where the kiss had been planted to confirm my opinion. When we got home, I wasted no time in washing it off. Men are not the only ones who can overdo it with too much fragrance. A woman whom I admire greatly was known for her tenacity and leadership. Of course, I remember those things, but I also recall her passion for perfume and hugs, such that each remarkable encounter was attended with a distinct olfactory trail. Attitudes about fragrance are changing. Many avoid perfume, seeing it as an unwanted, unnecessary chemical to put on the body. Others are opposed because some beauty and fragrance brands conduct animal testing or use ingredients that may harm the environment. Nowadays it is not unusual to see “fragrance-free zones” in public spaces as a way to accommodate people with scent sensitivities. My experience last night made me curious to know how others feel about fragrances. A quick email and text to a few friends and family

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members resulted in rapid, unequivocal responses. Of the small polling sample, only about half of the women wear perfume on a regular basis; an even smaller number of men wear any fragrance, opting for soap as their only preferred scent. Most of the women questioned prefer their men scentless. Take this response from my friend DE: “Personally I don’t like to smell [cologne] on men ever. I think some older men think it attracts women—I think it only attracts flies.” Her husband’s comment about women’s perfume was charming: “On women, it’s okay if it’s light and you are close enough for a kiss before you smell it.” Crediting her own gender with more sensitivity to what might be “too much,” my perfume-wearing girlfriend BV said, “I feel that women in general are more tuned in to not wearing overpowering scent.” And, “I do like a light whiff of perfume on women.” You won’t be surprised to learn that BV’s husband appreciates the smell of a woman with perfume, adding, “It makes for a more sophisticated impression.” My friend MJ expressed her sentiments well: “Perfumes and scents take me back to a person or place, happy or sad, but always bring forth a memory.” Perhaps my favorite response was from GC: “I did have a boyfriend that once told me my perfume reminded him of his mother . . . Chanel No. 5. That was the end of that bottle!” Growing up, I can remember my mother’s love for perfume. Her favorite was Giorgio, but she flirted with other scents over the years. My loyalty is singular—I am a Chanel No. 19 eau de parfum devotee, used sparingly. Touted as the last fragrance launched and worn by Coco Chanel, the perfume is described as “a daring, distinctive, uncompromising composition, in the image of Mademoiselle.” That gets me every time. I’m here if you need me. Until then, y’all behave.

TAILORED

by DESIGN

PelhamArchitects.com M A R C H 2020 I

Man About TOWN

SPICK + SPAN WHEN CONSIDER ING HIS CLUTTER, THE M A N STRUGGLES TO A DJUST TO M A R IE KONDO’S TIDY METHODS

t was Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up that almost caused me to crack. A friend had given it to me as a gift, muttering something about my home resembling a pop-up flea market. For months it sat on one of the many teetering stacks of books that form part of the obstacle course I call a living room. But at the beginning of this year, in yet another attempt to get organized, I poured a drink, opened the book, and prepared, as the author writes, “to change my life forever.” Ten minutes later, after finishing the section on discarding, I rolled my eyes and tossed the book onto the coffee table amongst the magazines, unopened mail, Post-it Notes, journals, pens, earbuds, and loose change. “Does it spark joy?” I huffed. Glancing around the living room, I couldn’t find one item that didn’t bring me some sense of comfort or satisfaction. Envy, pettiness, crippling anxiety, inconsistency, frivolousness, conversations with my mother—these are the non-joy sparkers I’d really love to discard. But the items that comprise my clutter? I love all of those things. Discarding any of them would be like losing a friend.

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A few days later, after banging a shin on my vintage umbrella stand (the brass one, not the chrome one), I gave the book another chance, flipped past the nonsense about discarding, and turned to “Chapter Three: Tidying by Category.” I was hoping for advice on how to sort and arrange my belongings, but when I reached the line, “It feels good to get rid of unnecessary items,” I knew the chapter title was a ruse. “Tidying” was just a euphemism for throwing things away. I skipped forward a few pages only to read that an unwillingness to discard items was caused by either “an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.” It was then I slammed the book closed and determined Ms. Kondo to be a real buzzkill. That evening, while waiting for some friends to arrive, I tidied up the living room in my usual manner. I grabbed a large cardboard box, filled it with clutter, then hid it in the guest room. Voila! I debated on what to do with Ms. Kondo’s book, but in the end decided to squeeze it into a cabinet, where it remains today. It doesn’t necessarily bring me joy, but it was a thoughtful gift from a good friend, and I just can’t bring myself to discard it.

“Purveyors of Classic American Style” 864.232.2761 | rushwilson.com | 23 West North St., Downtown Greenville

Essay

EDUCATION OF A (YOUNG) GARDENER ONE GA R DENING STUDENT DISCOVERS BOTA NICA L WONDERS DUR ING A MONTH AT ENGL A ND’S FA MED GREAT DIXTER HOUSE & GA R DENS words + photography by Tessa Pinner

n my first day in England, I actually dumped the entire contents of my bulging carry-on bag onto the Northiam train station sidewalk while attempting to disembark with a month’s worth of luggage. It was less than graceful, and I instantly vowed never to travel with so much stuff ever again. It was the kind of special moment that gets freeze-framed in movie openings, mid-spill or mid-fall, with a voice-over in the background telling the audience just how said character came to be in this compromising position in the first place. So, let me explain how I found myself on my hands and knees in a country train station on a sunny afternoon last June. Every would-be gardener signs up for a life of eternal learning, whether or not they realize that to be true at the outset. What began a few years ago as an occasional harmless flight from reality in the welcoming aisles of the local garden center quickly evolved into a yearlong garden certification program and a research stint at a nursery during which I purchased more plants than my slender paycheck could support. It wasn’t enough to sate my growing hunger to know more, and as inevitably as Alice tumbling through the looking glass, I landed back in school in 2019—enrolled in a horticulture program and committed to a complete career redirection. In the universe that opened to me on the other side of this precipitous fall, I discovered I knew very little. The world of horticulture is populated by giants from the last hundred years who still cast long shadows into the present. One such giant is Christopher Lloyd, the late prolific author and plantsman extraordinaire responsible for taking a quiet manor garden with noble bones in East Sussex, England, to international prominence through revolutionary ideas

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and eclectic planting schemes. Legendary architect Sir Edwin Lutyens laid out the garden structure for the Tudor estate of Great Dixter in 1912 at the commission of Nathaniel Lloyd, Christopher’s father. As a young man, “Christo” returned to his family home and made the garden his life’s work. Great Dixter enjoys a unique position by virtue of its historical context as well as continued stellar leadership in the hands of head gardener Fergus Garrett. The garden does not stand in the manner of many historic properties and museums, whose mission is to create a kind of time capsule—beautiful, but lifeless. If Dixter’s care were to calcify into a set of rules and maintenance standards, something essential would vanish. I see Dixter as a Mecca for serious garden-lovers, a nexus of English tradition and global openness. Of all famous gardens the world over, it topped my list of pilgrimage destinations from the beginning. I wanted to go to work and learn, not only to visit. Thus it happened that on the far side of many months of emails, a lengthy charity worker Visa application, and the purchase of steel-toed work boots, I was on my way for a month. (As an aside, it turns out the safety boot requirement is no idle precaution. The week before I arrived, a pitchfork tine found its way through a worker’s non-reinforced boot, to the significant detriment of that shoe’s inhabitant.) On my second day in England, I reported for duty at 8 a.m. sharp, having been warned that stragglers would have to use the oldest brooms—akin to worndown toothbrushes—for the daily task of sweeping the flagstone walkways clear of debris. We’d be there for 30 minutes, or 45, or until the whole garden was done. After our brooms were safely returned to the potting shed, the day’s main task commenced: refresh the iconic Wall Garden container display to reflect the high summer season. We removed pots of spent silene, added drifts of jewel-toned lilies about to come into flower, rearranged a spiky yucca here, added a structural conifer there, then stepped back to admire the result. I’ll never forget Fergus’s opinion of our progress—we’d inadvertently taken out all of the quirky textures, and as a result, our display was pretty, but not interesting. This was the first of several lessons: include one or three things that seem like they don’t belong. Surprise is essential to engagement and delight.

During her month-long internship at the renowned English estate Great Dixter House & Gardens (above), a young horticulturalist gains an entirely new perspective on gardening—and life.

On my third day in England, and every day thereafter, I worked. In fact, I’ve never worked so hard in my life. I toted plants and tools up and down hills, tiptoed gingerly into beds to dig up lupines or plant dahlias, teetered on ladders to prune unruly climbing roses, weeded out extraneous verbascum and finished poppies, staked blocks of persicaria so plants wouldn’t flatten in a strong wind. I battled bindweed, deadheaded swaths of self-sown ox-eye daisies, and cleared hundreds of tulip bulbs leftover from spring. The other gardeners encouraged me to look at each angle and consider what, if anything, needed to change—and, after work was done, to leave the spot looking untouched, right down to erasing footprints in the soil. I came to view the garden as a form of interactive theater. Dixter is not a static beauty to be viewed at a respectful distance, like a painting in a gallery. Narrow paths and lush plantings force the visitor to enter its embrace, squeezing between a yew hedge and a border of grasses, dodging an arching rose cane, or ducking under the reclining arms of a giant mulberry tree. The experience is invasive, aggressive, seductive; there is no audience, only human and botanical participants. Enter the gardener: an intelligent manager upon this

scene, stepping in almost invisibly to plant, weed, remove, stake, prune, make a thousand editorial decisions, tiny on their own but without which the show would not move forward. And what about the plants themselves? They are all characters with individual roles, each entering and exiting the stage at an appointed time. Choreographed chaos reigns. What might look to an unpracticed eye as accidental brilliance or natural perfection is, in fact, highly considered. Process is everything. The garden is not a machine or a problem to be solved. It is a conversation, and when we engage, we become more human. In his classic guide, The Well-Tempered Garden, Lloyd wrote: “There is room for many approaches to gardening, and they give us the satisfaction of expressing ourselves. Ours, in its humble way, is an art as well as a craft. At the same time, it keeps us in touch with the earth, the seasons, and with that complex of interrelated forces both animate and inanimate which we call nature. It is a humanizing occupation.” As we experiment, tend, and pay attention, we grow as humans. I wrote the following to friends back home during my final week at Dixter: “One thing is for sure: any task in my own garden (or really, most any other garden) is going to feel so achievable. Pot up 100 seedlings? No problem. Weed my 400-square-feet of cutting garden? A cinch. Pull my 75-foot hose around? Easy.” The garden had not changed, but I had. About the Author: Tessa Pinner is transitioning into landscape and garden design after spending six years running a luxury wedding cake studio. She is a member of the Greater Greenville Master Gardener Association, was elected as a fellow for the Southern Garden History Society in 2019, and plans to join the J. Dabney Peeples Design team in 2021.

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John McAfee, Jay McAfee, Elizabeth McAfee and Tommy McAfee

The Legacy Continues. Since 1913, the McAfee family has been part of the Greenville community. Tommy and John McAfee are proud to introduce the fifth generation of the firm.

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Strokes can strike at any age By learning the F.A.S.T. warning signs, you just might save a life from a stroke. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke may be the difference between recovery and disability. Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech and Time to call 9-1-1.

or women, our twenties and thirties are filled with excitement and hope. For some, it’s about pursuing that dream job. For others, it’s settling down, having 2.5 kids, and living in the perfect house with a white picket fence. While we all have this vision of what our 20s and 30s will bring, we also know the best-laid plans often come with bumps in the road. Through all of our ‘what-ifs’ and worries, one thing we’d never consider would be the possibility of having a stroke in this stage of life. That would never happen. A stroke is something you worry about as you get older. But, four Upstate women, all under 30 and perfectly healthy, can tell you that a stroke can happen to anyone and when you least expect it. Jordan Hamblen was 24 years old when she suffered two strokes that nearly took her life. After returning home from a recreational basketball game, Jordan’s normal evening took a turn for the worst. Misdiagnosed twice by the nearest emergency room, it was Jordan’s third trip to seek emergency assistance that resulted in life-saving emergency brain surgery. Candice Reyes, a Greenville City Police officer, was 28 when she had her stroke. Like many stroke survivors, Candice’s stroke led to severe disabilities including losing her ability to walk and talk. Through hard work and nearly a year of rehab, Candice made a miraculous full recovery and is back on the force protecting our city. Dani Rawcliffe and Lauren Smith were both in their 20s when symptoms began. Dani, a young mother and Lauren, a teacher, never thought when they arrived to the hospital that ‘stroke’ would be the diagnosis. For Dani, it was her husband urging her to seek medical attention that saved her life. For Lauren, although she displayed classic stroke symptoms, it took a week for a proper diagnosis. While the series of events differ from story to story, one thing that remains consistent with all four women is each of them were either misdiagnosed or told they were too young to have a stroke. Jordan Hamblen says, “You have to be an advocate for your own health. If I would have accepted what the doctors originally told me, I wouldn’t be here today. A stroke can happen to anyone.”

According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are on the rise in young adults. Over the last decade, there’s been a 44 percent increase in the number of young adults hospitalized due to stroke. Experts say the increase is likely due to lifestyle factors including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. But, in many cases, like those of these four Upstate women, there is never an explanation to why. The good news? Eighty percent of strokes are preventable through maintaining a healthy lifestyle and knowing the signs and symptoms that can save your life.

Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for: F – Facial Drooping A – Arm Weakness S – Speech Difficulty T – Time to call 9-1-1 For Jordan, Candice, Lauren, and Dani, they may never know what caused their strokes, but they’ve gained a new perspective on life. Through it all, their biggest take away and biggest piece of advice is know the signs, know your body, and be your best advocate.

For more information about the signs and symptoms of stroke, visit www.strokeassociation.org.

A Timeless & Beloved Classical Ballet Principal Artists include ashington Ballet3s rising star Katherine Barkman with International Ballet Principal Dancer Sebastian Vinet.

PEACE CENTER GUNTER THEATRE APRIL 4 at 7:30 pm APRIL at 3:00 pm Tickets $45

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Original artwork by Michelle Jardines, “Hunted Valley”

HAND MADE YOUNG G R EEN VILLE M AKER S P ER FEC T T HEIR C R A F T TO CRE AT E FUN C T IO NAL ART W IT H S IG NAT UR E S T Y L E

by A B B Y M O O R E K E I T H , M . L I N D A L E E , A N D J A C V A L I T C H K A

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photography by P A U L M E H A F F E Y

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wood worker M A R K S T U D D A R D

A THICK CLOUD OF SAWDUST PERMEATES THE AIR IN MARK STUDDARD’S CARPENTRY WORKSHOP IN CLINTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, WHERE HE IS PLANING A PIECE OF WHITE OAK FOR A LIVE-EDGE COFFEE TABLE.

Mark Studdard and his wife, Kristen, both grew up overseas, igniting a passion for travel and helping others. Their company, Makari Designs, showcases Mark’s handcrafted custom pieces that he makes with natural joinery techniques.

Wood shavings litter the floor of the one-story structure, which was originally built to house a wedding reception for his in-laws. Once dubbed “the chapel,” according to Mark’s wife, Kristen, the building is now a temple of creativity and the functional headquarters of the couple’s company, Makari Designs. Giving in to his penchant for working with his hands, Mark took up pottery in college to the detriment of his studies in humanities. After he and Kristen married, they spent five years working in Korea, Turkey, and Iraq. In Iraq, armed with hand tools and YouTube videos, Mark taught himself the craft of woodworking. When the couple moved back to South Carolina in 2017, he turned his newfound hobby into a full-time job. They named their company Makari, after the town in Cameroon, West Africa, where Mark grew up.

oodworking is a means to an end for the Studdards. Both were raised as missionary kids, who lived most of their formative years with their families overseas, and their upbringings instilled in them a passion for helping the underprivileged. “Having my own business gives me more flexibility and more time to travel to help people,” Mark reveals. Last year, he spent time in Ethiopia through a church program in order to help build furniture and displays for a village community center. Kristen does

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human-services and first-response counseling for disaster-relief workers when she’s not caring for the couple’s two young children and tending to the company’s marketing and sales, finance, and customer service. “I’m the business-end of things,” she says. Mark prefers to work with local hardwoods such as white oak—his favorite—poplar, and walnut, and leans toward the clean, simple lines of Japanese-style furniture. Traditional joinery techniques set his work apart. He builds furniture without screws and nails, fitting the wood sections snugly together like pieces of a puzzle. This technique allows the wood to swell and shrink

naturally over time, instead of warping or splitting against a metal nail or screw. “I thoroughly enjoy working on each piece,” shares Mark. “I’m not a production facility; I put a lot of effort into giving someone a very unique piece.” For now, most of his work is custom, but eventually he hopes to have a portfolio of pieces from which customers can choose. If a customer asks for something he’s never made before, Mark spends hours researching how to do it.

“I make it up as I go along,” the self-taught carpenter confesses with a laugh. “As I learn more, I add new styles, techniques, and finishes. I want my work to be functional, simple, and beautiful.” And it is. In crafting and selling quality woodwork, Mark and Kristen have hammered out a successful livelihood that allows them time for travel and humanitarian work, two of the things they love most.—M. Linda Lee Makari Designs. (864) 516-0682, makaridesigns.com

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potter T R I N A P I E R C Y

text here

hen I got engaged, my wedding registry quickly became a shrine to blue-and-white china—a phenomenon my Texan fiancé did not understand. “It’s just a Southern thing,” I explained. So when Meraki Pottery debuted at Indie Craft Parade last year, it’s little surprise that the porcelain dishes with their elegant cobalt-colored etchings caught my eye. And yet Trina Piercy, the Meraki Pottery mastermind, is not from the South. She’s Australian, and didn’t know blue-and-white was “a thing” when she moved here from Brisbane to attend Bob Jones University. “I grew up antiquing, so I was really inspired by Delft,” Trina explains of the vintage Dutch pottery style. “I’ve always been drawn to it.”

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A quick scroll through Meraki’s Instagram page reveals a beautiful ode to the quintessential color scheme. The mugs, featuring architectural snapshots from different cities across the world, along with the floral bowls, tumblers, and butter dishes, nod to the traditional Delftware design, but with Trina’s own personal, well, spin. Her penchant for the arts began early, as she says, “I was drawing on my bed, on the walls, on my school books.” At 16 she started designing logos for Australian companies, but soon realized that creating for another’s vision was not for her. In college she pursued counseling, although she couldn’t resist adding a ceramics class on the side. She enjoyed it so much that she signed up again the following semester. “As soon as I was in pottery I was having fun, but I was like, ‘How do I draw [on it]?’” She tried painting and carving on pieces, but it was difficult for the self-titled perfectionist to be as precise as she wanted. Eventually she settled on a fine-tip applicator filled with under-glaze, which she now applies on her wares before bisque firing. “It’s a little more risky because the mug is incredibly fragile,” Trina says. “But if I do all the drawings then, I can fix errors.”

While she hand-draws city scenes on her blue-and-white ceramic pieces (above), Trina Piercy of Meraki Pottery enjoys experimenting with different glazes and styles, pulling inspiration from her childhood home in Australia.

TRINA BEGAN ILLUSTRATING CITYSCAPES AS A PERSONAL EXPERIMENT, INSPIRED BY BELOVED PLACES IN AUSTRALIA.

An avid photographer, she pulls scenes from her images, draws them on her tablet, then hangs the prints in her studio to study. Eventually the designs are delicately transferred to mugs, a process that can take an entire day. “I watch a lot of Netflix,” she says, laughing. After her drawings are finalized, the mugs are fired, glazed, and fired again. White lightning, the clay body she works with, is particularly fragile, and there’s always a risk something will break. “Potters are very good at handling loss,” Trina says. “At the same time, it’s so satisfying when it does come together. Every time you open the kiln and it’s a good firing, it’s that feeling you get when you’re a kid and you open presents under the tree. It feels like Christmas.” After college, Trina moved with her husband, Stephen, to Suffolk, Virginia, where she began planning a business strategy. When the couple moved back to Greenville at the end of 2018, Meraki Pottery was ready to launch.

eraki (may-rah-kee) is a Greek word meaning “to leave a piece of yourself in your work,” an idea Trina feels captures the essence of what she hopes to do with her art. Australian themes weave throughout her works, including an entire mug series featuring different colored glazes with names and stamps reflecting memories from home. She crafted her Marietta mug after suffering a miscarriage, a personal story she willingly shares with customers via her website. As her blue-and-white wares continue to gain in popularity across the Southeast, it’s the connection and authenticity that matters most to Trina. “Not everyone likes my stuff, but I do, and overall I’m a lot happier with my work,” she says. “It’s hard to sell something when you’re not proud of it.”—Abby Moore Keith

In addition to her blue-and-white pieces, Trina plans to launch a green ﬂoral collection this summer. For more of her work, visit merakipottery.com.

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bladesmith A L E C M E I E R

Alec Meier, along with three friends, founded Stono Knife Works, which recently snagged a Made in the South award from Garden & Gun. Meier crafts the knives with unique topographical elements, referencing different locations around the world.

hen Alec Meier of Stono Knife Works says he’s “always loved old stuff,” he means really old. Ancient old. Like the 30,000-year-old cave drawings in the Chauvet Cave in southern France he’s talking about from within the confines of his studio workshop. He then points to the large-scale black-and-white lithograph hanging above him that reminds of what those cave drawings must look like. The 23-year-old bladesmith hopes to see them for himself one day, but his travel plans will need to wait: he’s got his hands full at the moment—most likely holding a blow torch, hammer, or drill press. Ever since he and three friends founded Stono, a custom-made camp and kitchen knife company,

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in 2016, Meier’s life has been wrought with striking, grinding, sanding, and otherwise lovingly (if not painstakingly—burns! cuts!) crafting what is one of the earliest tools used by mankind: knives. They’ve been around for at least 2.5 million years. No wonder Meier, who studied historic preservation at the College of Charleston, loves what he does. He’s not the only one. Garden & Gun magazine crowned Stono Knife Works as their top winner in the Outdoors Category for their 10th annual Made in the South Awards, and since the issue dropped last November, the orders have been pouring in. An artifact of Meier’s own childhood inspired his knife’s work. When Meier was in the 6th grade, his parents bought a mountain house in Franklin, North Carolina, “and my dad,” says Meier, “bought me a map of the area. It was one of those topographic-

MEIER IS A ROMANTIC OF SORTS. AN OLD SOUL WHO KNOWS THAT BEAUTIFUL THINGS MADE TO LAST A LIFETIME ARE THE CURRENCY OF THE HEART.

raised relief maps. He got it at Ace Hardware.” Years later, while visiting his parents at this now-beloved family retreat, Meier dreamed up the topographic map, but in the handle of one of his knives. Soon after, the very first Blue Ridge Camp Knife with its Damascus blade came into being. “A knife is just several layers of steel welded together, using heat and a press,” says Meier. “The raw materials are reclaimed. I buy [the steel] from a company that takes it from old metal that was thrown out.” To make the handles, Meier cuts the slivers of map out, encases them in resin, and then grinds them down and sands them into shape. Meier’s knives are special, but intended for use: to filet, to dress an animal in the wild, to make kindling, or just dinner.

The knives’ handles depict cherished places from Lake Jocassee, to Amarillo, Texas, to global areas—the Mariana Trench (the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean), and even farther out. “There was an astronomer who was obsessed with this one crater on the moon and how it might have been related to the day the dinosaurs died,” says Meier, “so I put that one crater into the knife.” A recent order was of the United States Marine Corps logo, USMC, in its handle. A man requested it for his uncle who had served in the marines in Korea and is now in his 90s. This veteran was more of a father than the man’s own father had been, and he wanted to honor him with a special token. Meier more than delivered. For someone so possessed of a love of history, it’s only fitting that Meier’s knives are already creating some of their very own.—Jac Valitchka Stono Knife Works, 250 Mill St, Taylors. (864) 908-5672, stonoknifeworks.com

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eat drink FOOD FINDS & CAN’T-MISS DISHES

Chef Sydney Taylor is the mastermind behind METHODICAL COFFEE’S scrumptious food menu.

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

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E D • YES, CHEF

ART OF FLAVOR CHEF SY DNEY TAY LOR BR INGS NEW YORK CIT Y TR A INING TO METHODICA L COFFEE

How has your role evolved, now that you’re responsible for three separate locations of Methodical? “We have a bigger space now [at The Commons], and we have a bigger staff. That has its own pros and cons. Now I have to take an overarching look at things, and ask, ‘How does the food we bring to each shop affect Methodical?’ We try to create that same experience in all of the locations, but [also consider] how we differentiate this place.”

by M. Linda Lee • photography by Paul Mehaffey

How does The Commons shop differ from Methodical’s other two locations?

“We try to keep the pastry menu the same across the board . . . but [at The Commons] we’re trying to hone in on that identity as a café because I think that’s something really valuable in Greenville—a place where you can sit down with a cup of coffee and a piece of quiche and a salad. [The Commons is the only Methodical location that serves lunch.] I think that has a different vibe than another lunch.”

ince Sydney Taylor returned to her hometown from New York City to oversee Methodical Coffee’s food program a little over a year ago, the company has expanded to three locations in Greenville. These days, Sydney can be found at Methodical’s newest space at The Commons. For the millennial Culinary Institute of America–trained chef, it’s a big undertaking to oversee three shops—from cooking and menu planning to budgeting and buying—but one she takes in stride. “Honestly, it’s just been fun to roll with all the punches,” the chef says with a smile. It’s clear that Sydney handles any challenges with grace, as she reflects on her menu of delightful café fare.

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You only had a year and a half of experience under your belt when you took this job. What have been your biggest challenges? “Definitely learning how to be a leader and a teacher. I’ve always liked guiding and teaching people, but when it’s your food and your vision and you’re trying to pass it on to people, I realized I needed to alter how I teach someone something because not everyone learns the same way. All while keeping a level head, too.”

“We’re trying to hone in on that identity as a café because I think that’s something really valuable in Greenville—a place where you can sit down with a cup of coffee and a piece of quiche and a salad.”—Sydney Taylor

Are there any particular spice combinations you’re favoring this season? “I go towards cardamom, five-spice [powder], and cinnamon—those warm flavors. And I usually mix in rosemary at some point, because why not? I also love everything-bagel spice, no matter the season.”

Do your personal tastes come into play here? “I always do the sweet and salty thing. I just love fruit with meat. Like a salami sandwich with apple, roast chicken with apricot jam, ham and peaches. Orange and rosemary is another one. And chocolate and rosemary. We have a shortbread now with chocolate, orange, and rosemary. It’s my favorite combination at the moment, especially for winter.”

After her time at the Culinary Institute of America, then working in kitchens in New York City, Sydney Taylor returned to her South Carolina roots and now heads the food program at Methodical Coffee.

How do you spend those spare moments when you’re not in the kitchen? “I like to read and play with my cat. I’m a pretty simple gal. I also like to go thrifting and fill my house with thrift goods. The Red Ribbon on Pendleton has amazing finds. I can always find a treasure there.”

What are your go-to dishes when cooking for yourself or for friends? “Pasta’s a go-to. Pasta with a cream sauce—it just makes everyone happy. Also, I never underestimate the power of a meat and cheese board for entertaining. For me personally, I’m probably eating rice and beans. I crave something really simple at the end of the day.”

Do you have a vision for Methodical at The Commons? “I’m really How do you come up with all these tantalizing flavor combinations? “I don’t know where it comes from. Sometimes I might be looking at the spice rack and think ‘Oh, these would be good together.’ Or sometimes it’s like smelling a cup of coffee and thinking ‘Oh, this has notes of cherry; that would go really well with chocolate.’ And put a little smoked sea salt on that . . . It’s just an evolving stream-ofconsciousness thing.”

excited to see the new shop grow. There’s a lot of potential in this space and in our kitchen. Some days it feels like I’ve done so much work, but there’s even more to do. I feel like there will be collaboration among everyone at The Commons, and that will be exciting. There’s a lot of potential here for us all to come together.” Methodical Coffee, methodicalcoffee.com

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E D • CITY DISH

TURNING THE TABLES DINING AT ASI A PACIFIC RESTAUR A NT A ND SUPER M A R KET MEA NS SHA R ING THE WEA LTH by Andrew Huang • photograph by Paul Mehaffey

n some of my fondest food memories, I’m in Taiwan, running around with my cousins in my maternal grandparents’ dining room as aunts, uncles, and other family members set a large round table. Plate after bowl of food arrives and gets placed on the centerpiece: a large spinning wooden platter. When we all sit down to eat, it’s choreographed chaos, all chopsticks and serving spoons and raucous conversation. I remember the thrill of tasting things at once familiar and new, like renewing a flavor hardcoded into my genes—but truth be told, I’m just as enamored with the lazy Susan. After all, I’m six years old, and there’s no end to the amusement a spinning lazy Susan offers.

lazy susan I think lazy is the wrong word. Pragmatic, efficient, and accommodating, maybe, but Susan is definitely not lazy. Why pass plates and bowls of food back and forth to share when you can just put it all atop a spinning disc and rotate that food into reach? Think about all the work that a lazy Susan does. Lazy is most definitely the wrong word. I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but the lazy Susans that sit atop two large round tables are a major reason why I like Asia Pacific Restaurant and Supermarket. The other, more relevant reason? Well, Asia Pacific serves Chinese food. Chinese Food What is Chinese food? That’s a big question that deserves much more space to answer, but for now, let’s just say this. Chinese food is more than General Tso’s chicken, stir-fried beef and broccoli, and lo mein. It’s more than the Westernized versions found at P.F. Chang’s and Panda Express. Chinese food contains multitudes. I won’t call Asia Pacific’s food authentic or traditional Chinese food, because the way concepts like authenticity and tradition are defined are always highly personal. But for what it’s worth, Asia Pacific’s

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menu has the dishes my mother makes, the dishes I eat when I’m in Taiwan, and the dishes I’ve never had but crave without explanation. A lot of that has to do with the variety at Asia Pacific. Allow me to butcher an old Cantonese proverb: Anything that walks, swims, crawls, or flies with its back to heaven is edible. That is to say there’s nothing an enterprising Cantonese person can’t turn into a tasty meal. In Greenville, our enterprising Cantonese person is named Alva Mak. She’s a Hong Kong native and the owner of Asia Pacific. She and her chefs are the minds behind a menu with over 100 dishes. Those dishes showcase a dizzying array of ingredients and preparations that are likely unfamiliar to American palates: Sichuan-style spicy mala seafood hot pot, Cantonese-style poached white cut, bitter melon stir-fried with eggs, soy sauce braised oxtails, and more. In short, Asia Pacific feels very much like something you’d find along Atlanta’s Buford Highway, or the Chinatown of any major metropolitan area. It’s Chinese food prepared for the way Chinese people eat. That means you have to recalibrate how you approach a meal at Asia Pacific. Most of the dishes on the menu aren’t really meant to be stand-alone entrées. If you order the stir-fried Chinese broccoli, you’ll get an entrée-sized portion of exactly that: stir-fried Chinese broccoli, which makes for a rather one-note meal. Instead, it’s better to consider creating a tableau of complementary dishes: a soup, some seafood, some vegetables, snack-able bites, something spicy, something sweet, something crunchy, something soft.

When it comes to Chinese cuisine, editor-at-large Andrew Huang recommends Asia Pacific Restaurant and Supermarket on North Pleasantburg Drive. Its lazy Susans are the perfect way to share a host of steaming, flavorful dishes.

Chinese food is more than General Tso’s chicken and lo mein. Asia Pacific’s menu has the dishes my mother makes, and the dishes I’ve never had but crave without explanation. text here

Take, for example, a meal I had with fellow TOWN contributor Will Crooks. The dining room was quiet, so we sat at one of the lazy Susan tables. We had a spicy seafood hot pot, seafood noodle soup, conch stir-fried with vegetables, steamed whole squid, garlic eggplant, whole flounder three ways (salt and pepper, sweet and sour, and chili garlic), char siu bao, and a steamer full of dim sum (not yet officially on the menu, but in the works for a future Asia Pacific offering). It was more food than necessary for two people. But to enjoy the restaurant’s food is to order in number and variety, a feast that can only be conquered with friends. Thank goodness for the lazy Susan’s invitation to share in that bounty.

Asia Pacific Restaurant and Supermarket, 420 N Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville. (864) 603-1377, asiapacificgreenville.com

M A R C H 2020 I

E D • OPEN BAR

TASTE OF HISTORY SWOR DFISH COCKTA IL CLUB REV I VES THE ELEGA NCE OF COCKTA IL CR A F T by Ariel Turner • photography by paul mehaffey

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he moment you enter Swordfish Cocktail Club, the bartender starts to analyze your body language. A preview beverage offered—a mini taste of vermouth, Champagne, or beer—provides the perfect opportunity to assess your tastes, offer suggestions, and watch your reactions. There’s an art to the negotiation that ensues between guest and bartender, and Swordfish founders Evan Leihy, Daniel Brown, and Bradley Hagen believe they have the upper hand, all for the guest’s benefit. They notice if a suggested base liquor or flavor profile elicits even a subtle response, and they may challenge your stated preferences. The point certainly isn’t to cause offense, but rather to avail the guest of their expert knowledge. “My goal is to find the

Swordfish Cocktail Club is a nod to the urbane bars of times past. Its bartenders deliver classic cocktails, while the kitchen serves elegant small plates like roasted bone marrow, and cheese and charcuterie with house-made bread.

drink you actually want rather than the one you say you want,” Leihy says. That might very well be a daiquiri—“Capital D” daiquiri, they like to say, to distinguish the delicate rum, lime juice, and simple syrup cocktail from the frozen poolside amalgamation. Or the even simpler gimlet—gin and house lime cordial. Their attention to the finer points of hospitality and the accompanying confident resolve is obvious—from the polished copper bar to their steadfast commitment to a no-standing policy. The latter is more common in larger cities, often due to centuries-old architecture text hereresulting in narrow spaces. Small dimensions aside,

it’s also a choice made to maintain a more respectful drinking environment not often seen outside of large metropolitan areas and especially not in a college town. The three founders and long-time friends, with a deep commitment to true hospitality, operated Swordfish as a speakeasy for four years before opening this new public location the last week of December. The result is a rum- and gin-heavy bar with a high level of service, an encouraged slower drinking pace and moderate decibel level, a small-plates menu devoid of chicken fingers and fries (find, instead, Fernet-braised leeks, roasted bone marrow, or pomme de terre), and a ten-drink menu featuring classics, but not a drop of vodka. Swordfish Cocktail Club, 220 E Coffee St, Greenville. (864) 434-9519, swordfishcocktails.com

M A R C H 2020 I

E D • SWEET SPOT

IN THE DARK

Pastry chefs Ben and Rebecca Snyder craft their luscious Lumineux Chocolate bars using singleorigin cacao beans from Africa. In the future, the couple plans to open a café where they can showcase their passions for pastry and chocolate.

PASTRY CHEFS BEN A ND REBECCA SN Y DER CR A F T A RTISA NA L BEA N-TO-BA R CHOCOL ATE by M. Linda Lee • photography by Paul Mehaffey

anzania, Uganda, Ghana, Congo, Ivory Coast. This is the starting lineup of African regions from which pastry chef Ben Snyder is sourcing top-quality single-origin cacao beans for his new line of Lumineux Chocolate. The name, French for “luminous,” reflects the artisan’s desire that his chocolate will dazzle everyone who tastes it. Ben’s foray into chocolate-making began last summer when he and his wife, Rebecca—also a pastry chef—bought a small batch of cacao beans and began experimenting. One bite of the final product and they were hooked. “There’s nothing like the taste of craft chocolate,” Ben declares. The couple, who had been wanting to open a food business, realized there was an unfilled niche in Greenville for bean-to-bar chocolate. After receiving a shipment of fermented, dried cacao beans, Ben and Rebecca sort through the beans to remove any sticks and stones before roasting. Much like roasting coffee beans, higher temperatures coax out darker flavors in chocolate, while lower temperatures yield lighter, fruitier notes. The beans are then cooled and cracked, and put through a winnower. The resulting cacao nibs and cocoa butter

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are mixed with sugar and refined for 36 hours. Finally, Ben tempers the chocolate and molds it into tablets (thin bars) for the retail market, and baking discs that will be available to area restaurants. When the Snyders launch their Lumineux line this month, you’ll be able to order 1oz and 2.6oz tablets online, or find them at local retailers and coffee shops. Some bars will be plain chocolate, and some will have infusions of complementary flavors. “We taste each chocolate every few hours during the refining process,” explains the novice chocolatier, “then we talk through the flavors and use our culinary experience to come up with good combinations.” Orange and cardamom, for instance, add sparks of citrus to the bright berry flavors in their Ugandan bars, while coffee intensifies the fullbodied molasses overtones of chocolate from Ghana. So far, Ben hasn’t tampered with his personal favorite, the dark Tanzanian chocolate that lights up the palate with raspberry fruit and melts into a deep dried-raisin finish. “Each region has such a distinct flavor,” Ben says. “I love being able to roast beans and bring out flavors I never knew could exist in chocolate.” Lumineux Chocolate, (215) 510-5370. Find a complete list of their retail outlets online at lumineuxchocolate.com.

Coming soon... a place where wine and food make the perfect pair. This Winter, Urban Wren Winery opens its doors in Greenville’s historic Markley Station and invites you to experience a restaurant where wine guides the flavors of the food. By using the character of the wine as a starting point for everything – from the choice of ingredients to the last grain of salt – seasonally inspired dishes are perfectly paired with curated wine selections from around the world. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

U R B A N W R E N W I N E R Y. C O M

M A R C H 2020 I

E D • KITCHEN AID

THAT’S A WRAP DINNER HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER, TASTIER, OR FRESHER W ITH SPICY SHR IMP LETTUCE WR A PS by Kathryn Davé • photography by Jivan Davé

othing highlights the fickleness of the human heart like weather in South Carolina. When the heaviness of eternal summer crushes us, we long for fall. Fall finally comes and we’re so enchanted by cool days, we wish for cold winter’s coziness. But give us a few freezing days of winter rain, and we’re done. There are moments to lean into the moment we’re in—but there are also moments to tap out. This, I think, is why people go to Florida. Spicy shrimp lettuce wraps are just fresh and fiery enough to do the trick for me, although I suppose I won’t turn down a Florida vacay should anyone bequeath one. The only cooked ingredient here is the shrimp—big, meaty ones with shells you pull off with your hands so you can pile the shrimp into lettuce with a few raw, crunchy toppings. The presentation takes me back to summer, too: a wide platter heaped high with fresh ingredients that call for a lot of hands. Shrimp wraps are a dinner made for sharing, so don’t keep this one to yourself. The work is minimal and the eating is messy: an ideal recipe for laughing with friends. Routine can feel a little restrictive sometimes; maybe that’s why we struggle to feel content where we are. The right meal with people we love can shake it just enough to help us see clearly when things settle back into place. Nothing is forever. Life is made for sharing. And shrimp are always good eating.

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An enticing platter of spicy shrimp tempers the chill of the Ides of March and previews summer suppers on the porch.

STYLE SPICY SHRIMP LETTUCE WRAPS Serves 4–6

INGREDIENTS: ½ cup hot chile paste ¼ cup honey ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar 3 Tbs. sesame oil, divided 2 lbs. large shrimp, tails and shells on Kosher salt and flaky sea salt 2 Tbs. vegetable oil 4 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced into circles 2 heads Bibb lettuce, leaves separated 1 cup mint sprigs ¾ cup crushed salted, dry-roasted peanuts Cooked rice, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Stir hot chile paste, honey, vinegar, and 2 Tbs. sesame oil in a small bowl to combine. Season shrimp lightly with kosher salt and place in a bowl. Pour half of the spicy marinade into the bowl and toss shrimp to coat. Transfer the rest of the marinade into a bowl for serving. Allow shrimp to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes, turning occasionally. (Shrimp cooked in their shells will have deeper flavor, but make for messier eating later. Feel free to remove tails and shells before cooking if you prefer.) 2. Heat 1 Tbs. vegetable oil in a large grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Working in batches with more vegetable oil if skillet is dry, add shrimp in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Turn shrimp over and cook another 30 seconds before transferring to a large platter.

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3. Season sliced cucumbers with flaky sea salt and drizzle with remaining tablespoon of sesame oil. Add them to the platter, along with chilled Bibb lettuce leaves and mint sprigs. Set out reserved spicy marinade and crushed peanuts in small bowls for topping each wrap. Steamed rice on the side helps round out the meal if you’re especially hungry. FOR MORE RECIPES: TOWNCAROLINA.COM

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Shrimp wraps are a dinner made for sharing . . . . The work is minimal and the eating is messy: an ideal recipe for laughing with friends.

M A R C H 2020 I

COAST APPAREL FOCUS: Apparel & Accessories A D D R E S S : 324 S. Main St., Greenville E S T. : 2 0 0 9

Coast Apparel collections bring ease, style, charm, and dignity to men’s dressing. We do this by designing capsule collections that: • Care deeply for the details • Are grounded in classics and tethered to color stories • Are sensible for any situation • Are delivered with ease to fine men’s retail, through online experiences, and our own retail stylists. This spring we’ve crafted a line that embraces the seasons’ colors. The line will play perfectly through summer too. The products span from buttery soft slub tees and Pima cotton tees, to a range of fresh woven button downs, new 5 pocket stretch twill pants, jackets, vest, polos, quarter-zips and more. Coast Apparel FA/WI19 collection is available at our own Main St. and Augusta St. locations as well as over 40 preferred shops. To find a location near you go to CoastApparel.com

experience

P R I C E : Va r i e s b y p r o d u c t

W E B : CoastApparel.com

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ROAST & TOAST

S U N D A Y , A P R I L � � T H // � - � p m // W Y C H E P A V I L I O N & T D S T A G E

$ �� A L L - I N C L U S I V E T I C K E T S euphoriagreenville.com

celebrate

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euphoria // S A V E T H E D A T E // S E P T E M B E R � � - � � , � � � �

Dining Guide

T HE BE S T B A R S, C A F É S & RE S TAUR A N T S

AMERICAN The Anchorage With a focus on local produce, Chef Greg McPhee’s globally influenced menu changes almost weekly. A hoard of fresh harvest arrives daily from area growers, like Horseshoe Farm in Travelers Rest, which informs McPhee’s creative dishes. Sample the summer squash with red mole and salsa verde, then branch out with the Brasstown Beef flat iron with Daikon kim chi and flowering broccoli. The “For the Table” option offers housemade charcuterie, Blue Ridge Creamery cheese, artisanal bread, and pickled veg. Don’t miss its stellar cocktail program at the gorgeous bar upstairs. $$-$$$, D, SBR.

pile on the toppings for the complete experience. You can also sample soft-serve, floats, and the rotating specials—treats like crispy golden waffles, ice cream doughnut sandwiches, and more. Vegan and glutenfree options are available. $$, L, D. (Wed– Sun). 1260 Pendleton St, Greenville. @carolsicecream

Fork and Plough The quintessential farm-to-fork partnership between Greenbrier Farms and Chef Shawn Kelly, with its casual, family-friendly feel, Fork and Plough brings a butcher shop, market, and restaurant to the Overbrook neighborhood. Chef Kelly masterminds an ever-changing roster of locally sourced dishes like duck breast and waffles. $$$, L,

Closed Mon–Tues. 586 Perry Ave. (864) 219-3082, theanchoragerestaurant.com

D, SBR. Closed Tuesday. 1629 E North St. (864) 609-4249, forkandplough.com

Augusta Grill Augusta Grill is a Greenville institution of upscale comfort food. At the bar or in the intimate dining room, patrons can enjoy dishes such as the wild mushroom ravioli with pancetta and roasted garlic cream, or the sautéed rainbow trout with crabmeat beurre blanc. The lineup changes daily, but diners can always get Chef Bob Hackl’s highly sought-after blackberry cobbler. $$$-$$$$, D. Closed Sunday &

GB&D The restaurant’s description itself—Golden Brown & Delicious—tells you all you need to know about this joint. Locally sourced dishes of American favorites— like the killer burger on a house-made brioche bun—star at lunch. Check out the extended menu at dinner, which features an impressive repertoire of creative dishes, from its new location at The Commons.

Monday. 1818 Augusta St. (864) 2420316, augustagrill.com

Bacon Bros Public House You might think you know what meat lover’s heaven looks like, but if you show up at Chef Anthony Gray’s gastropub, you’ll know for sure. From a board of house-cured, smoked, and dried meats, to a glass-walled curing room display, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering selections. The drink menu mirrors the food, featuring whiskeys, bourbons, bacon-infused liquors, and even smoked sorghum syrup. $$-$$$, L, D. Closed Sunday. 3620 Pelham Rd. (864) 297-6000, baconbrospublichouse.com

The Burrow The comfort of a home-cooked meal, plus the ease of an elevated dining experience: the newest restaurant from Josh Beeby of Barley’s and Trappe Door fame does it all. A cozy setting encourages conversation and gathering, while artful dishes and cocktails serve a sense of indulgence. You can’t miss with the chargrilled octopus or the whiskey sour. $$, D, SBR. 2017A Augusta St. (864) 412-8677, theburrowgville.com

Carol’s Ice Cream Another welcome addition to the Village, this ice cream parlor delivers nostalgic favorites in a fun, modern space. Ice cream is spun with liquid nitrogen, giving it an ultra-creamy consistency. Choose your base, add select house-made flavors, and

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$$-$$$, L, D, SBR. Closed Tues. 147 Welborn St, Ste B1. (864) 230-9455, eatgbnd.com

Halls Chophouse The renowned Charleston steakhouse puts down roots along the Reedy River with a selection of wet- or dry-aged steaks (USDA Prime beef flown in from Chicago’s Allen Brothers). Try a Durham Ranch elk loin with root vegetable hash, and don’t miss the lavender French toast at brunch. $$$$, L (Fri–Sat), D,

SBR. 550 S Main St. (864) 335-4200, hallschophousegreenville.com

Larkins on the River Located between the Peace Center and the Reedy River, Larkin’s balances upscale dining with comfort. Start with the shecrab soup, then select an entrée from the day’s offerings—or opt for an aged filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Enjoy the river view on the enclosed outdoor patio and the extensive wine list. $$$-$$$$, L (Mon–Fri), D (daily), SBR. 318 S Main St. (864) 467-9777, larkinsontheriver.com

Northampton Wine+Dine Linger in the relaxed atmosphere of Northampton’s wine bar, where elegant bar bites accompany wines by the glass or bottle. Or, stay for dinner and select from an ever-changing menu, which includes seafood, beef, and wild game. The outdoor patio is a relaxing location for a meal or a glass of wine. $$-$$$$, L, D. 211-A E Broad St. (864) 271-3919, northamptonwineanddine.com

Oak Hill Café and Farm A former faculty member in Furman University’s environmental science department, Lori Nelsen blazes a new trail in the restaurant world with co-owner Chef David Porras. The duo fulfills a long-time dream of creating a healthy, sustainable, and quality dining experience with an on-site farm and culinary research lab. Lovers of food innovation will not want to miss their Saturday night multicourse tasting, an ode to nature’s bounty. $$-$$$$, B, L, D, SBR. Mon–Sat. 2510

Poinsett Hwy. oakhillcafe.com

Restaurant 17 Restaurant 17 blends contemporary European bistro with Blue Ridge bliss. The menu changes seasonally, but expect dishes from Executive Chef Haydn Shaak (formerly of The Cliffs) like the woodfired octopus with pine nut romesco, baby beets, and Georgia olive oil or the Johnny Cake with country-style prosciutto. $$$-$$$$, D. Closed Sun & Mon. 10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest. (864) 516-1254, restaurant17.com

Rick Erwin’s West End Grille Traditional surf-and-turf meets upscale dining at Rick Erwin’s. The dining room is decorated in rich, dark woods that, along with low lighting, create an intimate, stylish atmosphere. Entrées from Chef Scott Kroener range from sashimi-grade tuna and panseared sea bass, to certified Angus beef. $$-$$$$, D. Closed Sun. 648 S Main St. (864) 232-8999, rickerwins.com

Soby’s Local flavor shines here in entrées like crab cakes with remoulade, sweet corn maque choux, mashed potatoes, and haricot verts. Their selection of 700 wines guarantees the perfect meal complement. Featuring different weekly selections, the Sunday brunch buffet showcases the chefs’ creativity. $$$-$$$$, D, SBR. 207 S Main St. (864) 232-7007, sobys.com

Topsoil Kitchen + Market If they can grow it, locally source it, or make it in-house, they will. Located in the former Williams Hardware space in Travelers Rest— and just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail—this restaurant and market combo serves up fresh and modern veggie-driven dishes. Unique wines and specialty coffee are served with exclusive food combinations, and yes, breakfast is served all day long. Find fresh produce and artisan breads at the market, as well as on the menu. $-$$$, B, L, D, SBR. 13 S Main St, Travelers Rest. (864) 517-4617, topsoilrestaurant.com

Tandem Creperie & Coffeehouse Tandem lures Swamp Rabbit cyclists with aromas of Counter Culture Coffee and a happy stomach guarantee. Try The Lumberjack (cornmeal crêpe, ham, bacon, eggs, cheese, bechamel, and maple syrup) or

the tasty banana nut crêpe. Stuck between savory and sweet? Split one of each with a friend in the Tandem spirit: “Together is best.” $, B, L, SBR. 2 S Main St, Travelers Rest.

(864) 610-2245, tandemcc.com

Woodside Bistro Down-home comfort food gets a fresh spin here, where portobello burgers, wedge salads, pesto chicken sandwiches, and rainbow vegan bowls color the menu. A casual go-to spot, Woodside aims to be a welcoming dining destination for all— whether you’re a vegan or meat lover.. $, L.

Closed Sunday. 1112 Woodside Ave. (864) 203-2333, woodsidebistro.com

BARS & BREWERIES 13 Stripes Brewery Providing patrons and patriots alike with a wide porch area and spacious interior bar, 13 Stripes rotates a loaded arsenal of aptly-titled suds—including the Rise & Fight Again IPA and the Sgt. Molly American wheat—and rolls out session beers, IPAs, porters, and other seasonal kegs that pair perfectly with one of 13 Stripes’ “ration plates,” laden with freshcut meats and cheeses. Taylors Mill, 250 Mill St, Ste PW 3101, Taylors. (864) 3491430, 13stripesbrewery.com

Birds Fly South Ale Project Birds Fly South Ale Project has come home to roost in Hampton Station. Though closed for production Monday through Wednesday, the open-air taproom is the perfect end-of-week place to drain a cold glass while noshing on local food truck fare. Expect to find a rotating roster, such as the Biggie Mango, Eldorado saison, or the 2 Hop session IPA. 1320 Hampton Ave Ext. (864) 412-

8825, bfsbeer.com

The Community Tap / Tap Trailside Convenience, expertise, and atmosphere collide at The Community Tap. Choose from a wide selection of local, national, and international brews—or have a glass from one of the ever-rotating beer and wine taps. Check out their second location at The Commons and enjoy a glass with food from Automatic Taco, GB&D, or Methodical Coffee. 217 Wade Hampton Blvd. (864) 631-2525; Tap Trailside at The Commons, 147 Welborn St. thecommunitytap.com

KEY: Average price of a dinner entrée (lunch if dinner isn’t served): Under $10 = $ $10-$15 = $$, $16-$25 = $$$$, $25+ = $$$$ Breakfast = B Lunch = L Dinner = D Sat or Sun Brunch = SBR

BAR MARS This craft cocktail bar takes over the former Village Grind and GB&D space on Pendleton Street with a funky fresh vibe and an eclectic variety of drinks, paired with bar bites by Chef Jen Anderson. Try the Damn Good Burger featuring double beef patties, American cheese, onion rings, and Mars mayo on house-made brioche, served with a spicy pickle spear. Mixologist Chris George shepherds the cocktail program, and while curated creations are his speciality (try the cOlรก fashioned), patrons can find approachable brews, wine, and non-alcoholic bevs. $-$$. L, D. Closed Sunday & Monday. 1269 Pendleton St, Greenville. @thebarmars

photograph by Andrew Huang M A R C H 2020 I

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Want To Know The SECRET to Greenville Women Giving’s SUCCESS?

The Eighth State Brewing Co Housed in the old Claussen Bakery on Augusta, this brewpub is hoppy hour heaven. Expect to find a variety of their craft beers on tap, but branch out with the pub’s select draft cocktails or beer slushies. Live music, local art, and a rotating menu featuring shared plates and charcuterie round out the experience. 400 Augusta St. (864) 609-4590, upstatecraftbeer.com

We invite you to join the 550+ members of Greenville Women Giving on their journey of learning, working and giving together for a greater Greenville.

greenvillewomengiving.org Giving Collectively | Granting Strategically | Growing a Greater Greenville

2019-2020 Partners

Fireforge Craft Beer Fireforge brings a boozy twist to the phrase “small but mighty.” The smallbatch craft brewery made a home for itself in downtown Greenville in late June 2018, and founders Brian and Nicole Cendrowski are on a mission to push the boundaries of beer. We recommend The Fixer Smoked Baltic Porter—a smooth lager with a hint of cherrywood-smoked malt. 311 E Washington St. (864) 735-0885,

fireforge.beer

Foxcroft Wine Co. Charlotte-based Foxcroft Wine Co. transformed the West End space vacated by Brazwells Pub into a lovely wine bar decorated with warm woods, a barrelvaulted ceiling, and racks of wine. On the menu are tasty flatbreads and truffle fries, as well as signature lamb sliders and pan-seared scallops to pair with a generous list of wines by the glass. $-$$, D (Tues–Sun), shop open 10am–11pm (Tues–Sat). Closed Mon. 631 S Main St. (864) 906-4200, foxcroftwine.com/ greenville

Piney Mountain Bike Lounge Part taproom and part full-service cycle shop, the Piney Mountain Bike Lounge offers the perfect pit stop after a long day of riding the trails. Local craft brews, wine, and cider complement a daily food truck schedule of popular mobile eateries. Kids (and adults) can enjoy the pump track out back. 20 Piney Mountain Rd, Greenville. (864) 603-2453, pineymtb.com

Quest Brewing Co. Eco-minded Quest guarantees to satisfy your beer cravings and environmental enthusiasm in a single sip. Grab a pint of QBC’s signature West Coast–style Ellida IPA, packing a punch of flavor, or venture to the dark side with the Kaldi imperial coffee stout (crafted with locally roasted beans). Stop by for an afternoon tour, then follow up with an evening full of food truck fare and live music. 55 Airview Dr, Greenville.

THE HILL FAMILY

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS HELP MAKE GIVING SIMPLER AND MORE POWERFUL

To learn more about Donor Advised Funds, call us at (864) 331-8418 or visit cfgreenville.org.

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(Wed–Sat), Closed Mon–Tues. 164 S Main St, Ste C, Travelers Rest. (864) 610-2020, tastingroomtr.com

The Whale Originating in Asheville, this craft joint comes to South Main with a plethora of whale brews—rare and sought-after beers like the exclusive Bouton De Whale barrel sour, brewed just up the mountain in North Carolina. Having a hard time choosing? Knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you find the beer just for you. 1108 S Main St, Ste #116. (864) 263-7529, thewhalegvl.com

CAFÉS Bridge City Coffee A coffee shop with a mission, Bridge City’s philosophy is all in the name. The local roaster seeks to uphold community values by partnering with area organizations to offer employment opportunities for underprivileged teens and adults. The fresh space offers a variety of drinks crafted with in-house roasted beans. A selection of Chocolate Moose treats is also available. $-$$. B, L. Closed Sunday. 1520 Wade Hampton Blvd. bridgecity.coffee

Cofee Underground Coffee Underground boasts a wide selection of specialty coffees, adult libations, and dreamy desserts like the peanut butter pie with graham cracker crust and a peanut butter and vanilla mousse. If you’re craving more substantial fare, choose from a splendid breakfastanytime option, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. $-$$, B, L, D, SBR. 1 E Coffee St. (864) 2980494, coffeeunderground.info

Due South Coffee Roasters Birds Fly South Ale Project no longer has a monopoly on cold brews now that Due South has set up shop in Hampton Station. In their new digs, the coffee shop sports a café vibe, with baked goodies like Swamp Fox Doughnuts complementing espresso drinks and cold brew nitro (infused with nitrogen). Beans, sourced from around the globe, are roasted on-site. $, B, L. 1320

Hampton Ave Ext, 4B. (864) 283-6680, duesouthcoffee.com

Swordfish Cocktail Club The term “cocktail club” calls to mind a time in history when pre- (and post-) dinner drinks were not only expected, but revered among friends for an evening of fun. Swordfish resurrects this perspective in downtown Greenville, with a classic collection of handcrafted cocktails (try a Negroni) and small plates that are as stunning as they are delectable. $$, D. 220

Grateful Brew A brew joint where you can enjoy both varieties—coffee and a cold one—Grateful Brew provides guests with made-to-order espressos or pour-overs, all from Counter Culture coffee. Celebrating our area, and that it’s always five o’clock somewhere, half of the beer taps are locally crafted brews. Enjoy food trucks most nights, or bring your own grub. The Brew welcomes every member of the family, even those of the four-legged sort. $, B, L, D. Closed Sunday.

E Coffee St. Mon–Sat. (864) 434-9519, swordfishcocktails.com

501 S Pleasantburg Dr. (864) 558-0767, gratefulbrewgvl.com

Tasting Room TR Wind down on the weekend at this combination gourmet wine shop, beer tap, and sampling space. With nearly 200 wines and 150 craft beers for sale, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Not sure what vino revs your engine? Taste-test a few

Kuka Juice Created by nutrition mavens Abigail Mitchell and Samantha Shaw, Kuka doles out coldpressed craft with health-minded passion. Grab the ginger binger juice, or dig into the Taco ’Bout It bowl with romaine, walnut meat, salsa fresca, black beans, avocado,

(864) 272-6232, questbrewing.com

Helpin g Families Suppor t Causes T hey Care A bout

by the glass and pick up a favorite from the weekly wines or happy hours hosted Wednesday–Friday. Enjoy cheese and charcuterie while you sip. $$, L (Sat–Sun), D

and pepitas with cilantro lime vinaigrette. Paninis, bowls, soups, toasts, smoothies, and more are also available. $, B, L. 580 Perry Ave, Greenville. (864) 905-1214, kukajuice.com

Methodical Coffee Whether it’s the white marble countertops or the gleaming Slayer espresso machine, Methodical is a coffee bar built for taste. Coffee guru Will Shurtz, designer Marco Suarez, and hotelier David Baker ensure there’s plenty of substance to go with style. With single-origin espressos, wine varieties, and housemade offerings like rose and almond olive oil muffins and snacks for the bar like lavender and sumac popcorn and citrus-marinated olives, it’s worth the rave. $-$$, B, L. 101 N Main St, Ste D; 207 Wade Hampton Blvd; 147 Welborn St. methodicalcoffee.com

Mountain Goat Greenville A destination for brews and bikes, Mountain Goat proudly serves Methodical Coffee, along with more than 40 types of beer and wine. The sleek, industrial space provides a friendly atmosphere to sip on your beverage of choice, but be sure to check the food truck schedule. Plus, every purchase helps provide tutoring, mentoring, and job opportunities for at-risk youth in the community. $-$$. B, L, Closed Sunday. 120 Shaw St. mountaingoatgvl.com

O-CHA Tea Bar A trip to O-CHA will have you considering tea in an entirely new light. This sleek space, located right on the river in Falls Park, specializes in bubble tea—flavored teas with chewy tapioca pearls. For a more intense cooling experience, try the mochi ice cream. The dessert combines the chewy Japanese confection (a soft, pounded sticky rice cake) with ice cream fillings in fun flavors: tiramisu, green tea chocolate, mango, and more. $, B, L, D. 300 River St, Ste 122. (864) 2836702, ochateabaronline.com

Southern Pressed Juicery A healthy-eaters haven, Southern Pressed Juicery offers super-food fans organic smoothies, bowls, juices, and more. Try a power-packed energy bowl like the dragon blood, a hot-pink concoction of dragon fruit, almond milk, banana, layered with buckwheat granola, raw honey, coconut chips, kiwi, and bee pollen. $-$$, B, L. 2 W Washington St. (864) 729-8626, southernpressedjuicery.com

Sun Belly Café The chefs at this health food joint on the Westside plan lunch specials daily, based on what their farmers harvest in the morning. Week by week, the full plantbased menu changes to accommodate seasonal dishes and fresh, wholesome ingredients. The wild mushroom pho is all the rage, but if you’re on the go, pick up a tasty $6 vegan salad. Options for meal prep and family-sized lasagnas mean healthy, homemade cooking is always on the table. $-$$, B, L. Closed Sunday. 1409 West Blue Ridge Dr. (404) 309-7791

Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery Grocery store, neighborhood café. Local produce, delicious food. These intersections are what make the Swamp Rabbit Café a staple. But new to the operation is woodfired pizza. Sourcing every ingredient from area vendors, the

ever-changing toppings feature local cheeses and fresh-from-the-farm produce. Beer taps flow with excellent local suds. $, B, L, D. 205 Cedar Lane Rd. (864) 2553385, swamprabbitcafe.com

The Village Grind Tucked between art galleries and eclectic shops in the heart of Pendleton Street, the Village Grind is a cheerful, light-filled space for java lovers. Emphasizing community, the coffeehouse brews up beans by a variety of local roasters and serves flaky treats. $, B, L.

ntra o C r

1258 Pendleton St. (864) 915-8600

Two Chefs Catering & Café Count on this deli for fast, high-quality food, from homemade soups to a traditional grinder and a turkey melt. Grab “crafted carryout” entrées and sides, or impress last-minute guests with roasted turkey and Parmesan potatoes. Choose from the menu, or check back for daily specials. $-$$, B, L, D. Closed Sunday. 644 N Main St, Ste 107. (864) 370-9336, twochefscafeandmarket.com

Upcountry Provisions Serving up gourmet sandwiches on freshmade stecca bread, Upcountry Provisions is well worth a trip to Travelers Rest for an extended lunch break. Snack on the shop’s daily crafted cookies, scones, and muffins, or bite into a devil dog BLT with hormone-free meat on just-baked white focaccia bread. Don’t miss The Grove on Friday nights—live music, tapas, and craft beer and wine in the venue behind the café. $, B, L, D. Closed Sundays. 6809 State

314 ALGONQUIN TRAIL ✦ $519,000

stin i L ew

Park Rd, Travelers Rest. (864) 834-8433, upcountryprovisions.com

ETHNIC Asada Vibrant Latin American cuisine comes to Greenville by way of Asada, a brickand-mortar taqueria on Wade Hampton Boulevard serving traditional Missionstyle fare. Grab a bite of flavor with the grilled sweet potatoes & leeks sopes, a savory vegan dish served on scratchmade sopes topped with homemade charred red peppers and guajillo romesco salsa, and queso fresco for the dairyinclined. $-$$, L, D. Closed Sun & Mon. 903 Wade Hampton Blvd. (864) 770-3450, asadarestaurant.com

Asia Pacific Deemed the largest Asian supermarket in Greenville, Asia Pacific also doubles as a restaurant with a host of authentic cuisine. The menu is pages long, with more than 100 options and a multitude of soups, noodles, and combinations. If you’re planning a visit, be sure your stomach is as big as your eyes. $-$$, L, D, Mon–Sun

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10am–9pm. 420 N Pleasantburg Dr. (864) 603-1377, asiapacificgreenville.com

Kairos Greek Kitchen This Charleston-originated spot serves up heaping portions of traditional Mediterranean cuisine, like slow-roasted kabobs that explode with flavor even before you dip them into the tzatziki sauce. Their choose-your-own approach leads to creative salad combos, and you can also turn any meal into a pita wrap, bowl, or platter. $-$$, L, D. 1800 Augusta St. (864) 520-1723, kairosgreekkitchen.com

864.313.2986 VirginiaHayes.com

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Mekong Chef Huy Tran delivers the nuances of fine Vietnamese cuisine at Mekong. Favorites include the grilled pork vermicelli: marinated pork, lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, mint, cilantro, peanuts, crispy shallots, and sauce. Try the Vietnamese crêpes or the Pho, which is flavored with fresh herbs from their home-grown herb garden. $, L, D. Closed Monday. 2013

Wade Hampton Blvd. (864) 244-1314, mekongrestaurantgreenville.com

Pita House The Pita House has been familyoperated since 1989. Inside, it’s bare bones, but the cognoscenti come here for tasty Middle Eastern fare such as hummus, falafel, kibbeh, and shwarma. And save room for baklava and other Mediterranean sweets for dessert. Also, check out the little grocery in the back of the restaurant for some homemade inspiration. $, L, D. Closed Sunday. 495

S Pleasantburg Dr, #B. (864) 271-9895, pitahousesc.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR & GRILL

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Sacha’s Café Bright walls and a long, inviting bar make a sunny backdrop in which to chow down on Colombian food at Sacha’s. Arepas are available with ingredients like beans, chorizo, avocado, shredded beef, and more stuffed inside (rellenas) or piled on top (encima). The patacones, or deep-fried plantains, are thick and sweet. Hungry groups can order the fiesta platter, a sampler that serves six people. To drink, try one of the natural fruit juices, or the imported cervezas. $. L, D. 1001 N Pleasantburg Dr. (864) 232-3232, sachascafe.com

Saffron It’s worth braving Woodruff Road to visit this Indian eatery. At lunch, the daily buffet lays out a wallet-friendly selection of curries, rice dishes, and chef’s signatures. The a la carte dinner menu boasts a staggering variety, but the yogurt-marinated chicken tikka cooked in a clay oven or the lamb saag stewed with spinach, ginger, and garlic are excellent options. $, L, D. 1178 Woodruff Rd, Ste 16.

(864) 288-7400, saffrongreenville.com

Sushi Masa It doesn’t have to be Nobu in L.A. to be great sushi. This Japanese joint boasts a large menu for both lunch and dinner, with plenty of affordable options. Each entrée, such as the shrimp tempura, is packed with protein and comes with soup, salad, and rice. The sushi roll list is extensive (choose from 30 different types), and all rolls are under $10. $ -$$,

L, D. Closed Sunday. 8590 Pelham Rd, Greenville. (864) 288-2227, sushimasa. webs.com

Studio 220 At Hyatt Regency Downtown Greenville

Swad Tucked off of Laurens Road, this venerable family-run Indian restaurant hones in on vegetarian cuisine. South Indian specialties such as idli (steamed rice cakes) and dosas (thin rice crepes) served with sambar (lentil stew) delight regulars, while those biding their budget go for the value meals that come with basmati rice or naan. $, L, D.

1421 Laurens Rd. (864) 233-2089

TruBroth TruBroth is an establishment that takes

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healing arts and blends them seamlessly into deliciously crafted meals. Appease your curiosity with a visit to this Travelers Rest gem, which offers a detailed mix of Vietnamese staples and health happy bites. $$, L, D. 36A S Main St, Travelers Rest. Sun– Thurs. (864) 610-0513, trubrothcoffee.com

EUROPEAN Bake Room The final addition to The Commons food hall, Bake Room provides a tasty touch. Naturally leavened breads and handmade pastries are baked in Wade Taylor’s German deck oven and Swedish rack oven, and are the perfect complement to a coffee at Methodical, strategically placed right next door. $, B, L. 147 Welborn St, Greenville. Wed–Sun, 8am–3pm. @sc_bakeroom

Jianna With stellar views of Main Street from its wrap-around terrace, this modern Italian osteria offers patrons daily house-made pastas, the region’s freshest seasonal ingredients, and, of course, oysters—all led by famed chef Michael Kramer. Grab a cocktail or a glass of wine from the 40-foot bar, and nosh on pasta dishes like potato gnocchi, radiatori, or tonnarelli with local tomatoes, corn, and chanterelle mushrooms. $$-$$$, L (Sat–Sun), D. 207 S Main St. (864) 720-2200, jiannagreenville.com

The Lazy Goat The Lazy Goat’s tapas-style menu is distinctly Mediterranean. Sample from the Graze and Nibble dishes, such as the crispy Brussels sprouts with Manchego shavings and sherry glacé. For a unique entrée, try the duck confit pizza with a sour cherry vinaigrette and a farm egg. An extensive variety of wine is available in addition to a full bar. $$-$$$, L, D. 170

River Pl. (864) 679-5299, thelazygoat.com

Limoncello The latest addition to the Larkin’s line-up, this ristorante serves up Italian cuisine out of the former Playwright space on River and Broad streets. The menu ranges from pesto pizzas to chicken marsala to classics like spaghetti and meatballs—but the real winner is an all-Italian wine list, curated from award-winning vineyards across the region. After you’ve had your glass, grab a bite of the housemade limoncello gelato.

$$-$$$, L, D. 401 River St. (864) 263-7000, limoncellogvl.com

Ristorante Bergamo Open since 1986, Ristorante Bergamo focuses on fresh produce and Northern Italian cuisine: fresh mussels sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and white wine, veal with homegrown organic herbs, and pasta creations such as linguine with shrimp and mussels. The bar fronts 14foot windows along Main Street, making it a prime location for enjoying a glass while people-watching. $$$, D. Closed Sunday & Monday. 100 N Main St. (864) 271-8667, ristorantebergamo.com

Stella’s Southern Brasserie Boasting French flair and fare, this sister to Stella’s Southern Bistro is the second of Jason and Julia Scholz’s eateries. Stationed in Hollingsworth Park, offering a local twist on French staples—blueblack mussel shells with smoked tomato

broth, Marsala-spiked onion soup gratinée, and roasted game hen—served up daily in a lively, chic environment. Don’t miss the breakfast pastries. $$$$$. B, L, D, SBR. 340 Rocky Slope Rd, Ste 100, Greenville. (864) 626-6900, stellasbrasserie.com

line-up of draft beers and menu features like buffalo chicken wings, salads, burgers, french fries, and, of course, savory pies. this pizza joint ensures there’s a little something to please everyone. $-$$. L, D. 109 West Stone Ave, Ste A1. (864) 568-5221

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Coastal Crust These Neapolitan-style pizza pies are served out of a turquoise ’55 Chevy tow truck, and now in a brick-and-mortar location in the Village of West Greenville. The pies are baked in a wood-fired brick oven and topped with local produce from Reedy River Farms. Check out the aptly-named West Village pie, a classic pepperoni pizza punched up with burrata, caramelized onions, sautéed peppers, and sausage. $$, L, D. 1254 Pendleton St. (843)

Automatic Taco Since 2015, Nick Thomas has delivered new wonders and old favorites from his food truck, treating the tortilla as a work of art. From its new brick-and-mortar in The Commons, Auto continues to serve up creative takes on tacos, like the Nashville Hot Chicken or Thai Shrimp. Its new location also features cocktails and Mexican beer. $-$$, L, D. 147 Welborn St. (404) 372-

654-9606, coastalcrustgreenville.com

D’Allesandro’s Pizza Hailing from Charleston, D’Allesandro’s Pizza brings its dough lover’s paradise to Greenville. The D’Allesandro brothers’ philosophy is simple—if the pizza is good and the beer is cold, people will come. Created with quality ingredients, D’Allesandro’s pushes out pies in the North Main area, where guests can enjoy a variety of savory pizza, calzones, and even signature CalJoes. $$, L, D. 17 Mohawk Dr, Greenville.

(864) 252-4700, dalspizzagvl.com

Sidewall Pizza Company Located on the main drag of Travelers Rest, on Cleveland Street downtown, and now on Pelham Road, this pizza joint is a fast favorite with its handcrafted, brickoven pies made from local ingredients. But their salads are nothing to ignore, not to mention dessert: the homemade ice cream will make you forget about those fellas named Ben & Jerry. $$, L, D. Closed

Sunday & Monday. 35 S Main St, Travelers Rest, (864) 610-0527; 99 Cleveland St, (864) 558-0235; 3598 Pelham Rd, (864) 991-8748, sidewallpizza.com

Stone Pizza Serving both Neapolitan- and New York–style pizzas, the latest edition to the corner of Stone and Park avenues is no pie in the sky. Ideal for a classic family outing or catching the game with a few friends (beer, sports, and pizza), Stone and its fire-inspired pies are crafted with house-made mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour, and baked for a flat minute in their wood-fired oven. $$, L (Sat

& Sun), D. 500 E Park Ave. (864) 609-4490, stonepizzacompany.com

Vic’s Pizza The sign that says “Brooklyn, SC” at this walk-up/take-out joint makes sense when you see what you’re getting: piping hot New York–style pizza, served on paper plates. Purchase by the (rather large) slice, or have entire pies delivered (as long as your home or business is within three miles). $, L, D. Closed Sunday & Monday. 12 E Coffee St. (864) 232-9191, vicspizza4u.com

World Piece From the owners of downtown's beloved Coffee Undergroud, World Piece brings Chicago-style pizza to Greenville from a 16-seat bar on Stone Avenue. Offering a

Frame Designs

2266, facebook.com/automatictaco

Farmhouse Tacos Hand-crafted and locally sourced, this TR taco joint is the love child of Mexican cuisine and Southern soul food. Start the meal with a few small plates—try the fried green tomatoes or the pan-seared crab cakes—then dig into pure taco bliss with the Travelers Rest hot chicken. Go a little lighter with a farm-fresh salad, and end with the campfire s’mores. $-$$, L, D, SBR. 164 S Main St, Travelers Rest. (864) 6100586, farmhousetacos.com

Papi’s Tacos Jorge “Papi” Baralles brings family tradition and the familiar childhood flavors of Cuautla, Mexico, to this walk-up taqueria on the Reedy River. The menu is short and to the point. Get your tacos with shrimp, barbacoa, al pastor, carne asada, carnitas, or chicken and chorizo, or sample some gelato in the display case. Get in, get out, and enjoy Falls Park. $, L, D. 300 River St.

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864-242-2255 | Park Square | 1322 E. Washington St. Greenville, SC | Tues.-Fri. 10am-5pm; Sat. 10am-2pm www.framedesignsedhouse.com

(864) 373-7274, eatpapistacos.com

Tipsy Taco Dishes here bear the creative touch of Trish Balentine, former owner of Corporate Deli. Her made-from-scratch menu items include tamales, burrito bowls, and all the other Tex-Mex suspects. “Tipsy” nods to the bar, where you can swill tequila flights, frozen margaritas, and house-infused spirits. Take your pick of three locations—two in Greenville and one on Fairview Road in Simpsonville. $$, L, D, SBR. 15 Conestee

Ave, (864) 558-0775, and 215 Pelham Rd. (864) 603-1144, tipsytaco.net

White Duck Taco Shop White Duck sets up shop at Hampton Station in the Water Tower District, and feels right at home next to Birds Fly South Ale Project. Try the Bangkok shrimp taco or the mushroom potato with romesco, and pair with their fresh peach sangria or an ale from Birds Fly South’s rotation. $-$$, L, D. Closed Sunday &

Monday. 1320 Hampton Ave, Ext Ste 12B. whiteducktacoshop.com

Willy Taco Much like its Spartanburg-based sister, Greenville’s Willy Taco is a straight-up Mexican fiesta. Housed in the former Feed & Seed, the atmosphere pairs perfectly with its festive food presentation. Choose from a variety of taco flavors; we suggest the crispy avocado—topped off with a house-crafted margarita. $-$$, L, D. Closed Monday. 217 Laurens Rd. (864) 412-8700, willytaco.com

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Thru 22

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH Join Warehouse Theatre performers for the lively Hedwig & The Angry Inch, a tale of a rock-and-roll musician coping with a poorly executed sex-change operation. Hedwig delivers her story in the form of a concert and stand-up comedy performance, which wouldn’t be complete without her band, The Angry Inch. This musical will surely have the audience laughing, and inspire them with Hedwig’s story of perseverance.

The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St, Greenville. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $40. (864) 235-6948, warehousetheatre.com

FOR A CAUSE 2its MOZART Mozart for a Cause returns for second annual benefit concert

Hedwig & The Angry Inch | Thru March 22

in Greenville. In 2018, the event raised $2,000 to help reunite separated immigrant families.

Hosted by Lauren Maxwell and John Young Shik Concklin, with space generously donated by The Warehouse Theatre, Mozart for a Cause provides a meaningful night of music in an intimate setting, featuring local professional musicians. This year’s cause is Planet Earth; all ticket sales will go to One Tree Planted’s Appalachia Project and the Clean Air Task Force. The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St, Greenville. Mon, 8pm. Ticket prices vary. bit.ly/mozartforacause

LES MISÉRABLES 3–8 A testament to the perseverance of the human spirit,

this new production of the Tony Award–winning musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel comes to Greenville from a two-year revival on Broadway. The story of exconvict Jean Valjean, who violates his parole and spends years running from the ruthless Inspector Javert, comes to life against a backdrop of new staging and scenery, and the same songs—“I Dreamed a Dream,” “One Day More,” “Bring Him Home”—you loved before.

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Tues–Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2pm &

CDS gave me...

We're celebrating our 20th year and need your support to go 20 more.

Photography by: Better Tie Photo and Video

Join our $20 for 20 months campaign to make a difference in the lives of the children here in our community.

CDServices.org/donate | 864.331.1300 29 North Academy Street, Greenville, SC 29601

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Photograph courtesy of The Warehouse Theatre

Town Scene

Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Wed–Sun, times vary. Tickets start at $40 (prices vary by session). (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

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TOURNAMENT During the first week of March, Greenville will become the Women’s Basketball Capital of the South when, for the second of three consecutive years, the city hosts the SEC Women’s Basketball finals at The Well. The single-elimination tournament, which includes all 14 teams in the Southeast Conference, will culminate with the championship game on Sunday night. If hoops is your game, you’ll want to snag your tickets ASAP.

4–8

CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL As a nonprofit aiming to support the diversity of the Lowcountry’s culinary traditions, the annual Charleston

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE 4–8 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ons

Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC. Wed, 2pm; Thurs, 2pm & 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm. $14-$43. (828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org

Various locations, Charleston. Wed–Sun, times vary. $45-$525. (843) 7279998, charlestonwineandfood.com

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to see Donny Edwards as The King at the Flat Rock Playhouse. The only Elvis tribute artist to receive permission from Elvis Presley Enterprises to perform on the grounds of Graceland, Edwards has been fascinated with Elvis since he was a toddler. Today, he plays to sold-out crowds across the country, so grab tickets while you can. His impressive rendition is guaranteed to get you “all shook up.”

cult

Photograph courtesy of Charleston Wine + Food Festival

DONNY EDWARDS 4–6 AS ELVIS Calling all Elvis fans: run, don’t walk,

Wine + Food Festival celebrates the best local, regional, and national chefs, artisans, purveyors, and beverage crafters. The weekend consists of myriad tastings and special events, classes, and dinners at Charleston’s finest restaurants.

8pm; Sun, 1pm & 6:30pm. $45-$105. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

Charleston Wine + Food Festival | March 4–8

2017 Wade Hampton Blvd. Greenville | 864.568.8182

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Town Scene THE JUNGLE BOOK 6–7 BALLET RETURNS Loosely based on a series of short

stories by Rudyard Kipling, this performance by the Carolina Ballet Theatre will focus on the life of Mowgli, who was abandoned as a baby in the jungle in India. All your favorite characters from Disney’s Jungle Book movies will make an appearance, including Baloo the Bear and Kaa the Snake, along with a beautiful young girl named Shanti, with whom Mowgli falls in love.

Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who supported the 2020 Sweetheart Charity Ball.

Gunter Theatre at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, 9:45am & 7pm; Sat, 10am & 3pm. $35. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

A GENTLEMAN’S 6–22 GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER

If you liked the dark comedy of Sweeney Todd, you’re sure to appreciate this hilarious musical about Monty Navarro, a poor chap who suddenly learns that he is actually a member of the aristocratic D’Ysquith family. Upon being told that he is ninth in line to inherit a dukedom, Monty decides to take a shortcut to nobility by eliminating the other eight heirs. The antics in this Tony Awardwinning show will have you laughing in spite of yourself.

Together, we provided more than 55,000 MEALS for our homebound neighbors.

Greenville Theatre, 444 College St, Greenville. Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $35. (864) 233-6238, greenvilletheatre.org

SAN 9 FRANCISCO’S GAY MEN’S CHORUS

2020 SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Greenville Maintenance Services, Inc. Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Bon Secours St. Francis Health System Cintas emediagroup Fayysoux & Landis Attorneys at Law Hincapie Sportswear, Inc. Ingram Micro Inc. Medical Outcome Solutions Michelin North America, Inc. Nachman Norwood & Parrott NHC HealthCare Pepsi Pinnacle Financial Partners Rosewood Communities Strange Bros. Grading Co., Inc. The Chet and Beth Smith Group TOWN Magazine Warehouse Services, Inc.

www.MealsonWheelsGreenville.com

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SOUTHERN 6–8 HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

Fueling your desire to dive into those long-delayed projects you’ve been meaning to do around the house and yard, this annual spring show brings together scores of exhibitors to help you realize your home-improvement dreams. Whether you’re looking to replace your windows, landscape your yard, or design and build a new home, you’re sure to find the help you seek at South Carolina’s largest home and garden event. Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Fri–Sat, 10am–7pm; Sun, noon–5pm. $8. (864) 233-2562, southernhomeandgardenshow.com

6–8 & 13–15

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT Remember how you laughed and cried through this 1983 film with Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, and Debra Winger? Now you can enjoy those feisty characters and fragile relationships again in a brand-new stage adaptation at the Chapman Cultural Center. Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry, Terms of Endearment covers 30 years of the tumultuous relationship between Aurora Greenway and her daughter, Emma. Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E St John St, Spartanburg. Fri–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $20-$25. (864) 542-2787, chapmanculturalcenter.org

IN CONCERT Known for the dynamism of their performances as well as their activism, SFGMC was established in 1978—the first choral organization to announce its orientation in its name. Today, through its mission “to lead by creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion,” the group has sparked a choral movement that spans the globe.

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Mon, 7:30pm. $25-$55. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

GENERATIONS GROUP LUNCHEON

By attending the annual fundraising banquet for the Generations Group, you can further the organization’s goal of breaking the cycle of sexual abuse and helping troubled youth. This year’s keynote speaker is acclaimed country music singer Jimmy Wayne, a foster child himself, who works on behalf of at-risk foster children through his performances, books, and speaking engagements. Generations provides a unique healing environment for boys who have suffered abuse. Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Wed, 11:45am–1pm. No cost to attend; donations encouraged. (864) 243-5557, generationsgroup.com

ITZHAK PERLMAN, VIOLIN AND ROHAN DE 12 SILVA , PIANO Beloved by audiences worldwide, Itzhak Perlman is in a class by himself among classical musicians.

Photograph courtesy of Carolina Ballet Theatre

2020

The 16-time Grammy winner, who garnered a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the recording arts in 2008, and was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2015, will be accompanied for this performance by acclaimed Sri Lankan pianist and recording artist Rohan De Silva.

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Thurs, 7:30pm. $65-$95. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

12–14

MISS NELSON IS MISSING The students in Miss Nelson’s class are quick to take advantage of her kind nature, but when she disappears, they’re stuck with substitute teacher Viola Swamp who cancels their recess, piles on homework, and favors detention for any little infraction of the rules. Miserable without Miss Nelson, the students hire a private detective to help get their teacher back in this short-format Theatre for Young Audiences production.

Greenville Theatre, 444 College St, Greenville. Thurs & Fri, 10:30am; Sat, 2pm. $15. (864) 233-6238, greenvilletheatre.org

CHARLOTTE’S WEB 13–28 Count on a roller-coaster of emotion as Flat Rock Playhouse

brings E. B. White’s beloved and award-winning children’s book to the stage. The timeless and heartwarming tale of the camaraderie that develops between Wilbur, an endearing young pig, and a barn spider named Charlotte, elicits both smiles and tears as it delves into the true meaning of friendship. Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC. Fri, 7pm; Sat, 2pm & 7pm; Sun, 2pm. $13.75-$33. (828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org

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Dan + Shay: The Arena Tour | March 14

ST. PATRICK’S DAY 14 PARADE AND FESTIVAL Starting at 11am, the pipe and

drum bands and marching units in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade make their way from County Square to NOMA Square. But the fun doesn’t end there. After the parade, NOMA Square will host live music, games, and craft vendors—not to mention Irish edibles and beer—all afternoon. So don your best shamrock-green duds and join the festivities! Downtown Greenville. Sat, 11am–6pm. Free. (864) 274-9445, gvlstpatricks.com

DAN + SHAY: THE 14 ARENA TOUR Since they combined their singer/

songwriter talents in 2012, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have become a country music sensation. This year, they are headed out on a brand-new tour of 38 cities. During their one-night show at The Well, the duo will treat audiences to songs from all three of the top-ten albums they’ve recorded with Warner Records Nashville: Where It All Began, Obsessed, and Dan + Shay. Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Sat, 7pm. Tickets start at $51. (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

UPSTATE HEART BALL 14 The culmination of a yearlong campaign to raise money to educate

folks about heart disease and stroke, this black-tie gala celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Whether you come for the dining, the dancing, or to bid in the live and silent auctions, you’ll be helping the organization

serving greenville since 2001. From morning coffee and savory breakfast items to gourmet sandwiches, salads and pastries, you can find it all at Table 301 Catering & Kitchen. We’re celebrating 19 years of being your favorite go-to breakfast & lunch spot! table301catering.com/kitchen

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Town Scene Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Sat, 6pm. Sponsorships begin at $1,000/couple. (864) 448-3786

LUCKY ST. PATRICK’S DAY CRAWL The luck o’ the Irish infuses this adults-only pub crawl through downtown Greenville. Tickets include two complimentary drinks, discounts on food and beverage specials at select locations, and free cover charges (where they apply). Design your own adventure from a list of eight downtown watering holes, and remember to pace yourself so you still have energy to sham-rock out at the after-party (10pm–midnight).

Downtown Greenville. Sat, 4pm–midnight. $30, day of event. crawlwith.us/greenville/stpattys

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RETURN TO THE GREEN 15 IRISH FESTIVAL It’s easy being green—if you’re Irish, that is. Even if you’re not, corral the kids and come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the greens of Fluor Field. There will be tons of attractions, from Celtic music and dancing to demonstrations of hurling and Gaelic football, and a special area just for the little ones. Don’t forget to get your ticket for the $500 cash-prize giveaway (you must be present to win).

Fluor Field at the West End, 945 S Main St, Greenville. Sun, 2–7pm. Free. (864) 525-8319, returntothegreen. wordpress.com

ADAM SANDLER: 17 100% FRESHER TOUR Adam Sandler has achieved

monumental success following his rise to fame as a cast member of

Saturday Night Live, establishing his name in comedy, writing, and film. The beloved actor brings a reprise of his Netflix comedy special, 100% Fresh, to the live stage, with a surprise guest and plenty of laughter. Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Tues, 8pm. $45-$183. (864) 2413800, bonsecoursarena.com Photograph of Catherine Russell by Sandrine Lee

that, to date, has raised more than $7 million to support the mission of the American Heart Association.

CONCERT, OPERA 17CANADIAN & DRAMA SERIES: BRASS

A world-renowned brass quintet, Canadian Brass will impress with reinvented classical music along with other dynamic arrangements. The group has toured globally and produced more than 130 albums, all in line with its aim to bring brass music to mass audiences. Audience members will enjoy the full tones of the brass quintet, touring in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Founder’s Memorial Auditorium, Bob Jones University, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville. Tues, 7:30pm. $19-$47. (864) 770-1372, bju.edu

AMERICA: 50TH 17London-born ANNIVERSARY rock band America

marks its 50th anniversary with a 2020 tour, bringing iconic songs such as “Horse With No Name” and “Lonely People” to stages around the world. Since their founding when they were teenagers living in London, due to fathers being stationed there by the U.S. Air Force, the group has aggregated six certified gold and platinum albums. Join America as they celebrate fifty

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Concert, Opera & Drama Series: Canadian Brass | March 17

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Photograph courtesy of Canadian Brass

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you.

INCREDIBLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES CURATED FOR

years of musical success.

Photograph of Catherine Russell by Sandrine Lee

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Tues, 7:30pm. $45-$65. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

JOHN PIZZARELLI 19 & CATHERINE RUSSELL: A TRIBUTE TO NAT KING COLE AND THE LADIES OF SONG Duo John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell pay homage to Nat King Cole and the beloved singers who performed on his television show. Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and Dinah Washington often graced the screen with him and now return to life on the stage. Pizzarelli and Russell will perform Cole’s memorable songs accompanied by the melodies from his “ladies of song.” Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Thurs, 7:30pm. $25-$45. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

19–Apr 11

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL Music by the iconic Dolly Parton tells the stories of Judy, Doralee, and Violet in 9 to 5: The Musical. The three working women are struggling at the mercy of their manipulative boss Franklin Hart Jr., a powerhungry misogynist who includes sexual harassment in his daily routine. The women fabricate a plan to take him down, finding friendship and confidence along the way.

Centre Stage, 501 River St, Greenville. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $25.50-$38.50. (864) 233-6733, centrestage.org

WEECYCLED WEAR 20–22 CONSIGNMENT SALE Tired of buying new clothes each time your little ones hit yet another growth spurt? Weecycled Wear understands those growing pains. You can both submit clothing to sell as well as shop the sale, making it the perfect opportunity to clear out outgrown clothes and also find affordable, secondhand clothes for kids.

Greenville Convention Center, Hall 2, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Fri, 9am–7pm; Sat 9am–5pm; Sun, noon–5pm. weecycledwear.com

JAY LENO 20 Comedian, actor, and acclaimed late-night TV host Jay Leno brings an amusing comedy show to stages around the world, his new focus now that he passed over his latenight slot to Jimmy Fallon. Leno will be sure to induce rounds of chuckles for the crowd, who is given the opportunity to feel just like studio audience members at 30 Rock.

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, 8pm. $65-$95. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

MAIN STREET FRIDAYS 20 As warm evenings return, so do Main Street Fridays. Live music

and drinks on Main Street return to NOMA Square each Friday, providing the perfect setting to wind down at the end of the week. Families can, of course, join in on the fun, with several activities in the Kids’ Zone. Bring a tailgating chair to ensure a seat, and enjoy evenings with live, local sound.

For the discerning and inspired traveler looking to scratch beneath the surface, there is no substitute for one-of-a-kind private travel experiences. When you travel with Journeys, not only is your trip custom designed around your interests, but you also have inside access to the world not afforded the general traveler. Explore the endless possibilities of our Journeys:

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NOMA Square, 220 N Main St, Greenville. Fri, 5:30–9:30pm. Free. greenvillesc.gov

WINTER JAM 2020 20 The largest annual concert of Christian music, Winter Jam Tour

A TRIBUTE TO ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN OVERWORKED, UNDERPAID, AND PUSHED TO THE EDGE BY AN UNGRATEFUL BOSS.

Spectacular brings well-known artists such as Crowder, Building 429, RED, and NewSong to the stage. Worship and ministry will accompany the music, maintaining the aim of Winter Jam to share the Christian message with as many audiences as possible. The tour keeps ministry as its core focus, fostering a space for inspiration through spoken word and song.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Fri, 7pm. $15. (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

THE WRITE MOVES: 20–21 DANSYNERGY XII Ballet Spartanburg presents a collaboration with the Hub City Writer’s Project as part of the DanSynergy Series, which creates collaborative processes with local community artists. Three books published by Hub City Press serve as muse, as The Write Moves aims to convey the artistry of the written word through movement. This performance will showcase both writing and dance in concert.

Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E St John St, Spartanburg. Fri–Sat, 7:30pm. Adults, $25; seniors, $20; students, $15. (864) 542-2787, balletspartanburg.org

Book by Patricia Resnick | Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton

March 19 - April 11, 2020 GET TICKETS | CENTRESTAGE.ORG | 864.233.6733

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Town Scene STRINGS SUPREME: ’NIGHT, MOTHER 20–22 GREENVILLE 24–Apr 8 Part of the Prisma SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Health Fringe Series, ‘Night, Mother

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $46-$55. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

SESAME 21–22 STREET LIVE Experience a lively visit to the

friendly neighborhood alongside Justin, who is hoping to produce a magic show. When Elmo wants to join in on the fun, he must seek encouragement and inspiration from his Sesame Street friends. Elmo not only works to learn his magic trick, but finds the silver linings of the marvelous moments in every day.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville. Sat–Sun, performance times vary. $20-$40. (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

tells the story of Jessie, a young woman at the end of her rope who moves back in with her mother after a failed marriage and the death of her father. The tense relationship between mother and daughter unravels as it slowly dawns on Jessie’s mother that her daughter is serious about committing suicide. This powerful drama will leave you speechless.

Centre Stage, 501 River St, Greenville. Tues–Wed, 7pm; Sun, 3pm. $18.50. (864) 233-6733, centrestage.org

Sesame Street Live | Mar 21-22

REVOLUTION: THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES, A SYMPHONIC EXPERIENCE Greenville Symphony Orchestra and talented vocalists present this symphonic tribute to The Beatles. Enjoy renditions of the band’s beloved songs, experienced in a new way. The evening will be accompanied by hundreds of photos and videos of the Fab Four transporting the audience on a memorable journey through the band’s iconic history via image and sound. Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Wed, 7:30pm. $29-$80. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

Sesame Street Live | March 21–22

Experienced and Compassionate Care for Women at Every Stage of Life.

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Call today for more info and appointment 864.720.1299 • vidagyn.com • 274-A Commonwealth Drive • Menopause and Hormone Management • Adolescent Care • Abnormal Bleeding Treatment • In-House Ultrasound And Procedures

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Photograph courtesy of Bon Secours Wellness Arena

The Greenville Symphony Orchestra offers a curated evening of talented string players, performing the work of three composers: Verdi, Haydn, and Dvorak. Each of these virtuosos drew inspiration from the luxurious sound of a string orchestra, on this evening accompanied by GSO principal horn Anneka Zuehlke-King to perform Haydn’s Second Concerto for Horn.

Dr. Elizabeth Haswell

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SYMPHONY OF 28 DRAGONS GSO GALA Join the Greenville Symphony

AN INTIMATE 27 EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER: HITMAN TOUR

Orchestra for their annual gala, Symphony of Dragons. This fundraising event will evoke the fantasy realm while providing food, drink, and entertainment, including a magician, aerialist, and caricature artist. The evening comes complete with a silent auction, and welcomes attendees to don costumes or cocktail attire.

Musician, composer, and producer David Foster has created awardwinning songs and albums for many artists, including Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Barbra Streisand, among other household names. Winner of 16 Grammy Awards, Foster is now taking on the challenge of writing music for Broadway. Join him in this intimate evening of unforgettable music.

Hyatt Regency Greenville, 220 N Main St, Greenville. Sat, 7–10pm. $150. (864) 370-0965, guildgso.org

GREENVILLE 28–29 COMICON The state’s largest pop-culture and

Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, 8pm. $55-$75. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

comic convention, SC Comicon invites creators, collectors, and cosplayers to participate in events, contests, and a general celebration of fantasy worlds. Many famed artists, writers, and animators will be at the convention to meet eager fans. Don’t miss this fun-filled weekend where imagination comes to life.

Photograph courtesy of the Peace Center

GREENVILLE BRUNCH 28 FESTIVAL Few things are better than brunch,

especially on a springtime Saturday afternoon. Rather than limiting yourself to just one entrée, join some of your favorite Greenville restaurants on Fluor Field to sample your way through a host of creative brunch dishes paired with mimosas, Bloody Marys, brunch punch, wine, and beer.

Fluor Field, 945 S Main St, Greenville. Sat, noon–4pm. General, $60; early entry, $80. greenvillebrunchfestival.com

An Intimate Evening with David Foster: Hitman Tour | March 27

Greenville Convention Center, Hall 2, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Sat 10am–6pm, Sun, 11am–6pm. Sat, $22; Sun, $17; 2-day pass, $32. sccomicon.com

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Second Glance

DAY BY DAY A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE GREEN V ILLE CENTER FOR CREATI VE A RTS EX A MINES THE MEA NING OF A MOMENT

(left to right) Lynx Nguyen, Red 1, ballpoint pen drawing with drill on canvas, 53” x 50”; Christopher McNulty, 20,622 Days, 2006, graphite on paper, 22” x 22”.

hristopher McNulty, Lynx Nguyen, and Sarah Nguyen explore anxiety, mortality, and the mundane through their unique artwork in the exhibit Small Expansive Moments at Greenville Center for Creative Arts. Christopher McNulty battles with the reality of his life expectancy and uses the technique of repetition to examine his remaining days. Lynx Nguyen drills self-discipline into a daily routine through the means of tallies done by a ballpoint pen. Sarah Nguyen’s interpreted folklore allows her audience to see the connection between the abstract and its meaning. Together, the pieces illuminate the fears that settle in the human psyche while transforming abstract ideas into visual reality.—Madison Garrett

Small Expansive Moments is on display at Greenville Center for Creative Arts, 101 Abney St, Greenville, through March 25. An ARTalk will be held on March 10, 6–7pm. For more information, visit artcentergreenville.org/upcomingexhibitions. text here

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TOWN March 2020

Articles inside

Strokes can strike at any age

EDUCATION OF A ( YOUNG ) GARDENER

SPICK + SPAN

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UNCOMMON THREADS

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