may 2013
culture
dining
entertainment
fashion
fitness
lifestyle
nightlife
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Charlotte Convention Center
Bill Turner, Painting
Juried Fine Art & Craft Show Charlotte Convention Center – 501 S College St., Charlotte, NC 28202 Fri, May 10, 11am-7pm ~ Sat, May 11, 10am-5pm ~ Sun, May 12, 10am-5pm $10 – 3 Day Pass; 12 & Under Free Discounted Patron Parking $6 or $3 First Hour at LAZ Parking/Charlotte Westin Parking Center Must Show Art Show Ticket Stub Upon Departure
www.HotWorks.org proud sponsor of the Institute for the Arts & Education, Inc.
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publisher’s note I want to thank everyone for coming out to our Sixth Annual Elevate Lifestyle Awards Celebration at Label on Wednesday, April 10. A good time was had by all the winners and their guests. The Elevate Your Spring Fashion Show was a huge success as well, thanks to Stanley Owings owner of iMpact Color Cosmetics. This month’s issue is our annual “Dining Guide.” Charlotteans are crazy about Food Truck these days, so we spoke with a couple of passionate food truck entrepreneurs to get the 411. This month there are some amazing festivals coming to Charlotte. Festa Italiana at Queen’s University; and Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival are events not to be missed. The 3rd Annual Mac & Cheese Eating Contest at Whiskey Warehouse is also sure to be a good time. After you head out to all these foodie events you will probably want to hit the gym, but before you do check out our article on Fight Gone Mad (Not your typical gym!!). If you would rather go dance it off at some of Charlotte’s newest night spots, head to The Oak Room in Southend (grand opening was April 20th), or Bubble Lounge at the EpiCentre (opens in the middle of May). The wonderful spring weather in Charlotte makes it the perfect time to get outside after work. Join us at Tavern Southpark on Thursday nights for “Six In The City,” and round your week with “it’s Friday LIVE!” at The Factory and Concerts In The Round (Piedmont Town Center). And there’s more fun to be had in the Queen City this month! Check out our Events Calendar at ElevateLifestyle.com, to stay up-to-date with these events and more. Have a great Memorial Weekend! Until next month, Steve Caldwell
“The Winners Are Revealed”
Friday, June 7th 8pm - 11pm @ SUITE Please RSVP@ElevateLifestyle.com by Wednesday, June 5 ElevateLifestyle.com
SUITECharlotte.com
TEAM MEMBERS Publisher Steve Caldwell Editor: Elizabeth Dickinson Creative Director: Greg Smith Design and Production: Greenspon Advertising Cover And Photo Spread Photography: Photography: JMT Photography, Jim Merrill | JMTFoto.com Models: Paulina Johnson, Courtnee Mason, Sandra Fields - Directions USA Styling: Merritt Rea, FashionFrontRunner.com Wardrobe: Sloan, K.la, Bevello, Monkee’s of Morrocroft, Pink Hanger, REA/boutique, and Vestique Makeup and Hair: Emily Paige and Erica Adams Location: Oak Room, OakRoomClt.com Cover: Model: Paulina Johnson | Dress: The Pink Hanger Styling: Merritt Rea, FashionFrontRunner.com Advertising, Sponsorship, and Website Sales Information: Steve Caldwell, Steve@ElevateLifestyle.com Contributing Editors: Culture Editor: Louise Albano-Hurley | Dining Editor: Nikki Wilson Fashion Editor: Debra Kennedy | Fitness Editor: Dr. Ryan Shum Nightlife Editor: Sean Flynn Contributing Writers: Amanda Lobo | Claire Cilip | Corinna Kahn | Chelsea Flower Denise Oliver | Dupp & Swat | Franchesca Wicker | Jay Johnson Jeremy Bonham | Jiya Williams | Lauren Nguyen | Sarah Hudson Stanley Owings | Steve Caldwell | TekaRose | The Squishy Monster Contributing Photographers: Lazyday.com | S Ali Photos, SAliPhotos.com True Blue Management Group Contributing Videographers: N-Digilabs, NDigiLabs.com
May 2013 Contents 16 Fine Art & Craft Show 20 Jay Sparxx
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24 Charlotte Fashion Scene 28 Fight Gone Mad
Walter Arnold, Photography
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The 5th Annual Charlotte Fine Art Show™ ta Mother’s Day weekend, May 10, 11 & 12, Upt Queen Convention City Sports Center, and brings together the h art and artists from around the nation in one exhibition and art sale! Artists normally seen in New York, and Atlanta shows will be on s BubbleChicago, Charlotte discuss their work with you. Juried by a panel of ar these artists represent the nation’s finest in all discip painting, fiber, clay, wood, jewelry, photography, and
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Sponsored in part by the non-profit Institute for the
42 Raising The Bar 52 Shepard’s Pie Isn’t One To Miss
56 The Squishy Monster
52
60 Food Truck Are The New Black
66 Festa Italiana
50
70 Beer, Bourbon
& BBQ Festival
74 Mac & Cheese
Eating Contest
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THE PREMIER THURSDAY AFTER WORK PARTY EVERY THURSDAY IN MAY STARTING AT 6PM This will be The place To be seen and seen by! Beer, Cocktail, and Wine Specials | $5 Red Bull & Vodka $5 Cosmopolitan Martini | $5 Select Flip Flop Wine By The Glass Half Price Select Appetizers | $10 Petit Filet Mignon & Salmon Plates Charlotte’s Number One Patio With Live Music | DJ Spinning After 9PM Beside Dicks Sporting Goods at Southpark Mall 4330 Barclay Downs Drive 28209 | 704.442.4000
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Walter Arnold, Photography
The 5th Annual Charlotte Fine Art Show™ takes place on Mother’s Day weekend, May 10, 11 & 12, Uptown at the Convention Center, and brings together the highest quality art and artists from around the nation in one, spectacular exhibition and art sale! Artists normally seen in the Miami, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta shows will be on site to personally discuss their work with you. Juried by a panel of art professionals, these artists represent the nation’s finest in all disciplines: sculpture, painting, fiber, clay, wood, jewelry, photography, and more. Sponsored in part by the non-profit Institute for the Arts & Education, and by HotWorks™ Fine Art Shows, the Charlotte Fine Art Show promises to be the city’s premier art event. With a price range starting at the very affordable, there’s something for every pocketbook and something for every home and office.
HotWorks™ Executive Director Patty Narozny brings to Charlotte over 25 years of producing some of America’s finest art fairs, including Michigan’s acclaimed Orchard Lake Fine Art Show, voted in the top 100 art shows in the country for six years running. With a national standing and reputation for extensive pre-screening of all exhibitors, only the finest, original
Lori Warren, Fine Jewelry
Kathleen Weir-West, Fiber Marilee Hall, Clay
handmade works of art will be available for purchase, and you will be speaking directly with the artist who made the work. Event hours: Friday, 11am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. Admission: $10 for a 3-day pass; must see attendant upon exiting show to return; 12 & under free. Discounted Parking is available nearby at LAZ Parking/Westin Hotel ($6/day) and the NASCAR Parking Garage ($7/day). Both require your ticket stub from the art show to receive discounted rate. For more information about the event, Eddie Barnes,Wood please log on to www.HotWorks.org, email Info@HotWorks.org, or call (248) 684-2613. See art. Love art. Buy art. Bring Mom for a very special Mother’s Day. See you there!
C. Elizabeth Smathers, Mixed Media David Goldhagen, Glass
entertainment
JAY SPARXX I’m sitting down with the newest addition to KISS 95.1 team, his name is Jay Sparxx. Sparxx started his career at the age of 15, as an intern at WRCL in Flint, Michigan. A few years later her started Co-Hosting the night show, and by the time he was 18 Sparxx had his own air shift on the weekends. He relocated to Charlotte in December of 2012. Elevate Lifestyle: How long have you been on KISS 95.1? Jay Sparxx: Since December 17, 2012. EL: So, how did it all begin? JS: Well, in late 1987 my mom and dad had a nice dinner at--Oh wait... you mean my career? My fault. I fell in love with the industry after spending a few years co-hosting the night show at WRCL and doing part time weekend shifts. At the time, I was a full-time mechanic for a Chrysler deal-
ership. I worked 60 hours a week, plus the radio station--it was non-stop. One day, I decided to see if I could make this a full time career and I put together a demo. Now that I think back, it was horrible! I’m not sure how I got a job, but literally after a month of sending out my demo to every gig open I got a call from a station in Biloxi, MS. I accepted the offer. Two weeks later, my life completely changed. I packed up everything I owned in a 6x12 trailer behind my Chevy trailblazer and moved across the country. Alone. At 21 yrs old. I had no idea what I was doing. A year later I ended up in Memphis, TN doing nights for a private company where I met Drex & Maney. They were doing mornings there at the time. Six months later they left and came to Charlotte, and I was so jealous! Fortunately, not too long after I got a phone call from Maney telling me to apply at Kiss. The rest is history! EL: Where did your name “Mason” come from? JS: When I moved to Biloxi the General Manager was from deep Alabama--a good ole boy. He wanted my on air name to be “real southern like.” Those were his EXACT words. So he gave me the name “Mason.” There was no choices. My name was Mason. Period. When I created a Facebook profile, I need a last name, and Mason Jay was born. When I left for Memphis I made sure to change my name. Since I’m a gear head at heart my GM wanted to name me “Sparks.” I liked the idea of having a first and last name so I decided to carry over the “Jay” from “Mason Jay”--and Jay Sparxx was born. EL: What gave you that initial push to get into this industry? JS: I think the fact that my mom went to school for media broad21
casting when she was in college initially caught my attention--and seeing the posting on the website for an intern at my FAVORITE station (Club 3.7 – WRCL) was what pushed me into giving it a shot. Once I learned what the industry was all about, I was hooked! EL: What your biggest focus in your career? JS: My show. The content of my on air show is my main focus. Always. I want to make sure that when I go on the air, my listeners feel like they can relate. It could be something that happened to me that day that I put out there, or a celebrity news story that my listeners can relate to. I want my fans to call in because they have something to say; because it connects with them and what they do. In my eyes, that’s what it’s all about. I can’t ever let myself lose the feeling of BEING that listener, being that fan who looked forward to the drive home BECAUSE of the person on the air. Remembering that feeling-and knowing that I could be the one they look forward to hearing during their drive home--keeps me motivated to be the best I can be on the air. EL: What advice would you give to up-and-coming DJs/Promoters? JS: Stay focused. If you’re truly passionate and you have a real thirst for this industry, it will show. One thing you can’t teach is passion. You can give someone all the best tools but if they don’t care to use them then they won’t get anywhere. This industry may be tough, but it’s not impossible. Be persistent & show your passion. Practice your love for what you do. For the complete interview go to ElevateLifestyle.com. Steve Caldwell, Publisher
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fashion
Charlotte’s Fashion Scene is Heating Up Charlotte is fast becoming a true Fashion Capital--and we at EL love it! There is a fabulous selection of stores from high-end designers and boutiques, to department stores and consignment shops. Every person all has his or her own unique style, and Charlotte has something for everyone .
Erica Hanks, Effie Loukas and Joey Hewell--each who demand attention in the world of fashion--recently combined their talents to create one fabulous event: Front Row Charlotte. Having a “Front Row Seat” gave everyone the opportunity to view the fashions up close and personal. The show was seamless and after the show, all of the looks were available for purchase. The to-die-for designs and long lines at checkout were signs of the event’s success. This first class event sold out quickly, so we hope to see more collaboration from this trio in the near future. Another fabulous event was our very own Elevate Lifestyle “BEST of the City” Awards. The “Best of” crowd enjoyed cocktails, food, a silent auction, and door prizes. I have to brag on our Publisher, Steve Caldwell as he has such a passion for what he does. I secretly call him the “energizer bunny,” as he 25
truly never stops. His events have a classy combination of fun, socializing, and lots of beautiful people enjoying each other’s company. The highlight of the night was the fashion show, master-minded by the amazing Stanley Owings. This fabulous combination of food, fun, and fashion made for the best event of the season--a perfect setting to honor our “BEST of the City.” Charlotte is growing rapidly and, thankfully, our the fashion industry is growing along with it. What would you like to see more of on the runway and in the world of fashion in Charlotte? Send me your thoughts! Debra Ann Kennedy, Fashion Editor debra@DebraKennedyShow.com
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fitness
Photography by Courtney Linnehan
Fight Gone Mad This month we get to meet two Charlotte-based Canadians who have helped grow their own brand of CLT-born fitness with their facility in the South End: Fight Gone Mad. Kirk Dewaele and Brandon Cullen were professional hockey players and completing their hockey careers for the Charlotte Checkers of the then ECHL. It was during their final playing year that the two met and became fast friends with a common interest. During this time, both Brandon and Kirk spent a lot of time discussing fitness and best methods of exercise they had journeyed through. From there, the transition was very easy and the vision for Charlotte’s very own Fight Gone Mad on South Boulevard was born. Both were already involved in the fitness and exercise world. Brandon and Kirk were both already training personal clients. Over the course of five years, the two explored and learned the “best” from different several dif-
ferent training programs. In the early years of their venture, both Kirk and Brandon dove into the CrossFit realm, at a time when CrossFit’s reputation was virtually unknown to popular culture. At the time of beginning their own training space in Charlotte, they were involved with one of one of the first 200 CrossFit affiliates in the world, eventually owning their own CrossFit Facility in the Ballantyne area for nearly three years. Today, there are now 6000 CrossFit establishments worldwide and 35 in CLT alone, a stark contrast from years past. Due to their earlier exploration into the CrossFit world, both Kirk and Brandon decided to create principles of high intensity, interval training. They focused on collegiate, professional athletes and military type individuals and their movements and conditioning, but they also explored Muay Tai, Boxing, Aikido and triathlon training. The overarching theme: stress on the body for survival and excelling at certain sports or tactical skills. Outside of these extreme environments, both felt the fitness world and local community of Charlotte would benefit from a strategic hybrid training model. The key concept: everybody could benefit from an intense, athletic style of training without the high risk of injury. Injuries can be a major problem for everyday persons, especially if their training program design is flawed. The modernized approach would be taught by a good, competent trainer at Fight Gone Mad. The trainer would be someone who could enforce sound principles, but also tailor specific exercises to to be challenging and safe each person at every level. Both have continued to examine athletic conditioning at studios and other gyms to develop their own original brand of fitness training. Fight Gone Mad’s model includes integration of many strength and conditioning forms. Both Kirk and Brandon have tirelessly extrapolated from all forms of training approaches to apply what is most useful and beneficial. They both feel unneeded components of certain exercises forms can be removed to best make your workout efficient and worthwhile. Above all however, both always respect all fitness forms and diverse backgrounds. You will find no elitist mindset or attitude at Fight Gone Mad. They appreciate that each Charlottean who walks in their door has their own unique needs and goals. Charlotte is home to a relatively popular endurance and racing (running/triathalon/swim) community. Both Kirk and Brandon embrace such community members who, they say, typically love to train but may preconceive weights to be scary and intimidating. With an attitude-free approach,
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they and their trainers design workouts that best apply their knowledge: how to apply mixed training approaches with an emphasis on functional fitness to the everyday person and how they can benefit.
Check out Fight Gone Mad in the South End of Charlotte for distinctly Charlottebranded fitness. Their promise: your 1 minute intervals will be just as hard as a beginner as for an advanced athlete. 2610 South Blvd., Charlotte 28209 980.949.7263 | FightGoneMad.com Facebook.com/FightGoneMad.Charlotte Twitter @FGMAD_Charlotte Instagram FGMAD_Charlotte Ryan Shum, Fitness Editor
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Photography by Courtney Linnehan
The Fight Gone Mad difference: program design. Building “templates” with a vision and daily goal in mind for fitness helps members get direction. “Every exercise and every interval has a reason and place in our program. Each day begins with a warm up which includes movements to heat the body, a series of core drills followed by mobility. All of these are preparing you for the actual workout…”, describes Brandon. Workouts are built around Fight Gone Mad training principles, which lead participants to a blend of strength and conditioning elements, boxing training, and challenging cardiovascular intervals. Kirk adds: “Each day is a perfect balance of total body conditioning brought together through a series of intense intervals which change daily.”
lifestyle
Queen City Sports & Social Club I had the pleasure of meeting Karly and Sean on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. When they told me their plan of starting a new sports league, I wanted to let our readers know. Elevate Lifestyle: Karly, tell me about you and Sean? Queen City Sports & Social Club: Sean and I love playing sports, meeting new people, and being involved in the community. We played in a social sports league in Virginia. We wanted to create something similar, but also incorporate partnerships with local businesses and charities. We decided to move to Charlotte because it’s a fun and beautiful city with a lot of community involvement. We thought it would be the perfect place to start a Sports & Social Club. EL: How did you come up with the idea of starting Queen City Sports & Social Club? QCSSC: A few friends from Charlotte came to visit us. They saw how much fun we were having and how many people we had met through the Virginia league. They all said they wished there was something like it in Charlotte. Sean and I saw a need and thought now was a good time to start a social sports league in Charlotte that has a strong emphasis on partnering with local businesses & charities.
EL: What sports and where are you currently playing? QCSSC: We currently have Spring Kickball and Spring Football at Southside Park. We think it is important for everyone to be able to be involved, so ALL of our sports are co-ed. We have various rules set in place so it makes it fun and interactive for everyone. EL: What sports do you have planned for the future? Summer: Kickball, Cornhole & Sand Volleyball. Fall: Football & Dodgeball Winter: Wiffleball, Dodgeball & Volleyball. Others for the future: Bowling, Basketball, Inner Tube Water Polo, Broomball, and Kan-Jam Tournament. These are all subject to change based on what Charlotte participants are interested in playing. EL: What are the costs to participate? QCSSC: There is a $50 dollar fee per player. Each team has a $50 forfeit fee that they pay upfront (usually the captain covers this). Teams are allowed to forfeit if they let us know 2 days prior to their game (this fee is in place solely for the teams/players benefit). For example, Team A shows up to play their scheduled game & their opponent Team B doesn’t show up and they haven’t informed the league that they forfeit that game. The league will give Team A a $50 voucher to use that day at our sponsor bar. This is in place so people don’t waste their time showing up to a game, only to find out that there is no game. If a team doesn’t forfeit at all during the season they get their $50 back in the form of a voucher. They can either use this voucher at the sponsor bar, or donate it to one of our charity partners. EL: What is the social aspect of Queen City Sports & Social Club? QCSSC: We pride ourselves on being social and supporting local businesses. By building strong partnerships with local restaurants and bars, we give our members the opportunity to meet up after each game to socialize, network, and meet other teams. Also we plan to incorporate charity opportunities, happy hours, and other similar events into the league.
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EL: What’s the best way for someone to find out more information? QCSSC: Our website is not only super informative, but it gives teams the ability to stay connected. Members can communicate with players, other teams, and league members. We have integrated our website with Facebook, which means that captains can post team sign-ups, events and schedules straight from our site to their own Facebook page. You can also learn more about QCSSC at one of our Team Sign-Up Nights, Happy Hour/Team Shirt Pick-Up nights, or you can contact me directly at 703-447-9557 or Karly@QueenCitySportsClub.com EL: Can you tell me more about the charity component of your organization? QCSSC: We are currently partnered with Comfort Zone Camp, The Amanda C. Brady Foundation for Youth, and SideKicks. One of our main priorities is to build strong partnerships with local charitable organizations. We want to help promote, sponsor and be a part of b u i l d i n g awareness for our charity partners. We encourage their employees to get involved with our league because we integrate fundraising for our community partners into various sports. For example, in October we want to partner up with a local breast cancer foundation and promote “Touchdown for Ta-Ta’s.” For every touchdown scored in the month of October we will donate a dollar to their cause. Our long term goal is to start a partner charity that teaches kids how to play sports that they are interested in (think “play 60,” but with all sports). Financial issues, time issues, and transportation, etc, all prevent kids from playing and learning about different sports. We want to give all kids the equal opportunity to learn about and play any sport they want to. QueenCitySportsClub.com Facebook.com/QueenCitySportsSocialClub Steve Caldwell, Publisher
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nightlife
Bubble Charlotte While hanging out at the EpiCentre one day, I noticed a huge advertisement for a new establishment coming. “Bubble Charlotte” was its name, and the image of champagne bottles filled me with intrigue. Not knowing quite what to make of a venue focused on this bubbly beverage, I began asking around. One thing led to another, and voilá! For all of you Charlotteans that are also curious about the fabulous eye-catching Ad at the EpiCentre, here is my interview with Brad Beltrondo, the Concept Director at Bubble Charlotte. Elevate Lifestyle: I have to admit, when I first saw the marquee for “Bubble Charlotte,” I was very excited at the idea of this venue! Why focus on champagne? Brad Beltrondo: Nothing says “let’s celebrate life” like champagne. At Bubble Charlotte, our goal is to celebrate life everyday. Bub-
ble Charlotte is more than just champagne, it’s also great cocktails and specialty drinks, great wine, great food and, of course, we do it all with great service. EL: With the official name being “Bubble Charlotte”, does that denote that there is a Bubble Miami, or a Bubble New York? BB: You never know! We’ll just take this one step at a time. EL: I understand that Bubble will have “custom-built wine machines,” which I am super excited to see! Can you tell me more about this and about your wine menu? BB: We’re excited about the wine machines too! Each is temperature controlled for the type of wine and fitted with a nitrogen generator to keep the quality of the wine. We’ll be serving a variety of wines by the glass for the novice or experienced palate. In addition, we’ll have a nice variety of wines by the bottle for those looking to share the experience with friends. EL: Bubble Charlotte is said to have the working Charlottean in mind, as well as those simply looking for a night on the town. How does your venue cater to this clientele? BB: Whether after work or late night, our designer, Cal Fortis of Big Time Designs has created 4 great areas: the patio with unparalleled views of the Uptown Charlotte; our island 37
bar with LED lighting and accents; our high top banquets which feature hydraulic tables that adjust to the time of day; and our VIP sections to cater to those who enjoy our nightlife. EL: The EpiCentre is a huge hub for dining, nightlife, and entertainment. How will Bubble separate itself from the rest of the Epicenter? BB: Bubble Charlotte’s unique menu offering both for food and drink, is what will set us apart from the other great businesses in the EpiCentre. With our enticing combination of specialty drinks, small plates, décor, and service, we think that Bubble will exceed all expectations of anyone coming to the EpiCentre. EL: What are some examples of the food items being offered at Bubble Charlotte? BB: Bubble’s chefs challenged themselves to create a menu that would pair well with Bubble’s list of Champagne. Some of my favorite dishes include our Foie Gras PB&J, Three dragons Calamari, and our sesame crusted salmon. 38
EL: How would you describe the décor of Bubble Charlotte? BB: Rich surroundings and stunning décor create an ambiance fitting for a casual evening after work or night out on the town. EL: What is the attire at Bubble Charlotte? BB: Since we’re designed for the working Charlottean, business casual attire is preferred. EL: What sort of music will be played at Bubble Charlotte? BB: Bubble will feature lounge music that will be part of the background during dining hours and become highly recognizable high-energy music as the evening progresses. EL: When do you foresee a soft-opening date for Bubble Charlotte? BB: We plan to have our soft-opening in the Middle of May, 2013! Monique Douglas, Contributing Writer
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Come Check Out Our Newly Renovated Dining Room and Expanded Lounge Area! CHARLOTTE’S BEST UPSCALE JAPANESE SUSHI BAR AND LOUNGE Now Serving Sushi Till 2am Friday and Saturday
NOW BOOKING CORPORATE AND HOLIDAY PARTIES Please call 704.334.0009 to make your reservation now! Mon. - Wed. 11:30am - 10:30pm | Thur. 11:30am - 12am Fri. 11:30am - 2am | Sat. 12pm - 2am
1100 E Metropolitan Ave S120
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Shepard’s Pie Isn’t One To Miss Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill has revamped their menu to highlight fan favorites like their harp lager battered haddock, delivering a great crunchy exterior and tender, flaky interior along with new items such as their chicken parmesan which has a gooey mozzarella stick stuffed right inside. Kennedy’s Shepard’s pie isn’t one to miss either. Chef Luis stews Angus beef for hours in a thick Guinness spiked gravy, producing fork tender meat. Elevate Lifestyle: What inspired the new menu? Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill: We aimed to simplify the menu to bring our patrons their most favorite dishes and concentrated on layering even more dimensions of flavor. Also included on the new menu is some stand out entrees. We added top sirloin beef medallions with caramelized peppers and onions, and bleu cheese, all in a slightly sweet and smoky balsamic reduction and pan seared mahi mahi coated in nutty, toasted almonds. Our south-
west chicken salad comes with your choice of grilled, blackened, or fried chicken, fresh pico, crunchy multicolored tortilla chips, and zesty chipotle ranch. The chicken cordon bleu sandwich comes with a juicy chicken breast, crunchy apple wood smoked bacon, all crowned with a generous portion of thinly shaved ham and melted over with Swiss cheese and finally, we have our new crab cake sliders. Petite cakes lightly breaded and pan fried to a gorgeous crisp. We added some new sides, too. The sautéed spinach is softly wilted with a hit of aromatics and sprinkled with cheese. The rice pilaf is served piping hot with diced peppers and tomatoes, cooked in a lovely broth for extra flavor and you can always rest assured that all of our burgers are made with 100% certified black Angus beef. EL: What has been the most popular item off of the new menu? KP: The smothered chicken has been a hit. It’s a substantial dish that comes with two breasts, smothered with sauce, onions, bacon, and cheese (how can you go wrong)? and two sides. We’re very proud of it. EL: What is Kennedy’s food philosophy? KP: If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t serve it. Make it how you’d want it brought out to you. EL: Tell us about any other exciting events at Kennedy’s. KP: In addition to our new menu, just in time to celebrate spring and the warmer weather to enjoy on our expansive patio outdoors, we also always have our all-you-can-eat crab 53
legs on Mondays for $24.95 and the garbage plate challenge. If you can polish off four 6 oz. patties, a pound of fries, a pound of macaroni drenched in our meat sauce, and four slices of garlic bread all in 45 minutes, it’s on us. Are you up for the challenge?
Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill is open every day so it’s perfect to drop in anytime to enjoy a flight of Irish Whiskey with friends out on their deck or a delicious Irish/American inspired meal from their new and improved menu. They also deliver and have an available private bar upstairs to cover all your needs! Open daily from 11:00am-2:00am 366 N Caswell Rd. Charlotte, NC 28204 704.375.0218 | KennedysCharlotte.com Contributing Writer, Angela The “Squishy Monster” Foodie | Chef | Blogger TheSquishyMonster.com twitter: @ASquishyMonster squishy@TheSquishyMonster.com 54
The Squishy Monster Angela Kim is a food blogger and hosts a cooking channel with Tastemade. She appears on local news circuits and teaches people how to cook. She is also involved in her community through Pack Away Hunger (an initiative to feed the hungry). Check her out to tap into over 250 original recipes that reflect both her Korean and American heritage. These recipes are complete with instructions and video tutorials. Elevate Lifestyle: What inspires you? Anglea Kim: Seasonal ingredients are always exciting, but you can pull inspiration from almost anything around you be it a color, a smell, a memory. That’s the beautiful thing about food. It can
instantly transport you across the globe with eclectic, ethnic flavors or even back to your childhood on your grandma’s front porch. EL: What is your most requested dish? AK: Recently, I’ve really been drawn to fusion dishes. It enables me to fuse my Korean-American background. My most popular dish to date on my food blog (TheSquishyMonster.com) is my Korean bbq pizza. It features authentic Korean bbq and it’s draped along with caramelized onions on Indian flatbread that’s been smothered with a sweet and spicy Korean sauce, all melted with cheese. It’s also the first dish I made for the beginning of my segments for WCNC Charlotte Today. EL: What is the most exciting thing about being a food blogger and cooking channel host? AK: Meeting such amazing, like-minded individuals from all over the world. It’s a thrilling experience to have people write me from Asia and beyond about how much they really enjoyed my cooking videos or my recipes. Locally, I’ve been able to share my love for food on Fox, WCNC, Creative Loafing, and The Charlotte Observer. This exposure also helps me 57
spread the word about my philanthropic mission for Pack Away Hunger, which aims to feed the needy in our community. EL: What are your plans for the future? AK: Last year, I gained partnership with Tastemade, a food company based out in California, and we create fun cooking tutorials. In my future, I hope to have my very own show and pen my own books! Whether I am talking about it, writing about it, or spending as much time as I can cooking and baking, my passion is for food. It’s what I love! Contact: Squishy@TheSquishyMonster.com Food Blog: TheSquishyMonster.com Cooking Channel: Youtube.com/TheSquishyMonsterTSM Facebook.com/TheSquishyMonster Twitter.com/ASquishyMonster
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Every Hour is Happy Hour at The French Quarter One of Uptown’s Oldest Establishments “Serving Charlotte Since 1978”
Daily Drink and Food Specials Open Monday through Friday 11am - 9pm Kitchen Open Till 10pm on Friday’s
Bar Open Till Last Call LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY’S
KICKS OFF AT 6PM - NO COVER
321 S. Church St. 704.377.7415 Located in Historical Brevard Court
Food Trucks are the New Black The food truck phenomenon has hit the Queen City hard and Charlotteans couldn’t be happier. Long gone are the days of suspect taco trucks and “roach coaches.” These local trucks pride themselves on producing great quality food, using fresh local and seasonal ingredients. Shortly after moving to North Carolina, Kelli Crisan, owner and operator of Roaming Fork, started her food truck. She didn’t move to Charlotte to start a food truck; she started one because she couldn’t find one. A local paper ran a story called “Where are the Food Trucks?” and Crisan thought, “this is a sign for me to open one.”
When she opened her truck doors in May 2011, acceptance didn’t come easy. She spent the first three to six months convincing people that a food truck is just a kitchen on wheels, and the food is the same quality as that in a restaurant. “It’s important to me to have [Charlotteans] choose food trucks as a meal choice instead of a chain,” Crisan says. “It’s always good to use local businesses. We are local people spinning out local ingredients and hiring local employees.” What makes food trucks special (besides the fact that they are on wheels!) is the entirely unique dining experience. Walking up to the ordering window is like walking straight into a kitchen. Customers get to see what is usually behindthe-scenes. From ordering their meal, to watching the chefs prepare their food, to receiving the finished product hot off the grill, the customers are part to the process. “It’s like watching a show,”Crisan says, “and people can’t get that excitement at a restaurant.” Roaming Fork is Crisan’s unique concept – “a bistro on wheels.” She has traveled the world and her international culinary conquests have been a huge inspiration. Roaming Fork’s eclectic menu offers a variety of items, including five main staples and several seasonal, rotational menu items. The signature dishes include blackened fish tacos with fresh corn salsa, 61
mouth-watering Korean beef barbeque on a 4 inch sub, and fried deviled eggs with a honey mustard drizzle. Roaming Fork not only serves lunch and dinner throughout the city, but also caters festivals, private parties, weddings, and more. “The food truck phenomenon has moved beyond Food Truck Fridays,” states Crisan, “now we’re coming straight to your home for parties and events.” Check out where the Roaming Fork will be serving on their website (www.roamingfork.net), or get daily updates by following them on Facebook and Twitter. A newer food truck to hit the Charlotte streets is Papi Queso, bringing the cheesy to the QC. Papi Queso officially began serving the most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches in September 2012, but Brian Stockholm (chef and owner) has been conceptualizing and studying the market for the past six years. “I’ve been following the food truck trend in Los Angeles for the past 5-6 years, totally inspired by fresh, original concepts that were more fluid with the way people consume food today,” Stockholm says. 62
Stockholm formed Street Food Company, LLC with the mission of elevating street food in Charlotte by creating interactive social dining platforms that would bring attention to the incredible gourmet and unique food these chefs were creating. “I was inspired by Chef Roy Choi of Kogi Truck (an LA street food icon made famous by their excellent quality food, sold at the lowest possible price) who really opened the door to the modern food truck philosophy: cooking from the soul...pure, authentic, and without borders.” Papi Queso took this motivation to heart and created a gourmet grilled cheese food truck using thoughtfully sourced ingredients that are seasonal and local whenever possible. Papi Queso prides itself on its unique brand identity, specializing in one specific and iconic food: grilled cheese. Their menu rotates heavily. However, they have signature items that they just can’t change or remove. One of these staples is the “Pig Mac.” Southern mac & cheese, Carolina pulled pork, and bourbon caramelized onions are stuffed inside a gooey three cheese grilled cheese. Another fan favorite is the Leek and Mushroom melt with gruyere, braised leeks, roasted mushrooms, and truffle robiola. Pair these sandwiches delicious cheesy creations with a signature side like the Truffle Kettle Chips or Tomato & Tarragon Soup topped with a dollop of lemon crème fraiche. Papi Queso gets its thrills from offering chef-inspired grilled cheese sandwiches to Queen City “cheese heads” all over town. “My favorite part of running a food truck is the interaction 63
with our guests. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve our guests and share our love and passion.” To find out if Papi Queso is melting near you, follow them on Facebook or Twitter (@papiquesotruck) as they update their location on the days they’re out and about. Food trucks may be the next big thing here in Charlotte, but the chefs and fans alike are hoping this is not just a trend. Food Truckers like Kelli Crisan and Brian Stockholm exude a passion for the business, for the movement, and for the guests. Crisan hopes there will be fewer restrictions on food trucks as they continue to grow in popularity. She is very active at city council meetings and strives to educate the city on food trucks. “We are here to benefit and help grow the city – contributing to, not taking away from local businesses.” Corinna Kahn, Contributor Writer 64
We’r e honor ed to be voted Th e B e s t M en’s H a i rc u t in Charlotte. Not sur pr ised, bu t st il l honor ed. Come learn why our legendary commitment to superior customer service, refined atmosphere, and above all, a top quality haircut earns us the top spot year after year.
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It’s that time of the year again for the 8th Annual St. Anthony Festa Italiana Charlotte. It will be on Sunday May 19, 2013 starting at 1pm. It’s all about charity and the Best Italian Food in Charlotte, for the 8th year in a row. Pay one admission charity donation and enjoy unlimited spectacular Italian Food, delicious Italian Wines, Prosecco, Peroni Beer, wonderful live entertainment, a large first class silent auction and this year a Kids Zone! The Festa will be held on the beautiful surroundings of Queens University of Charlotte, our gracious and generous Host Sponsor. This all benefits the Nevins Center, creating opportunity and quality of life for those with special needs and disabilities. Last year they raised $24,000 with the FESTA 2012 for The St. Anthony Foundation of Charlotte.
This year we are Celebrating the Year of Italian Culture with Guest Chefs from LAGO di COMO, ITALIA: Maria Victoria and Massimo Zaina. They will be demonstrating, teaching and serving specialties from the Lake Como Region of Italy. There will be celebrity chefs from Charlotte’s best restaurants presenting their incredible appetizers, breads, desserts & espresso. So far, the following restaurants will be participating: Brooklyn South Pizzaria; Blue; Osso; Vivace; Mama Ricotta’s; Bistro la Bon; Toscana/Luce; il Bosco; Fiamma; Delectables by Holly; The Coffee Boss; Nova’s Bakery; Pasta and Provisions... and there are more to come! Enjoy Live Entertainment from wonderful performing artists including: Soprano Gina Gutierrez; Tenor Charlie Lang; Franco Londono; Carlo Martini; The TBA GIRLS; Tiffany; Brianna & Amanda; Pianists Keiko Aloe and Randy Jones; Anna Belle Lusk & Trenton Durham; Dmitriy Solomakha; Gabriela Sevillano; the Opera Carolina Chorus and more! Festa Italiana Charlotte will bring you the best Italian food in Charlotte, a large silent auction, fantastic entertainment, children’s activities, and a great cause. What are you waiting for? Purchase tickets TODAY at: FestaItalianaCharlotte.org. 67
Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival 2013 SPRINGTIME IS BEER, BOURBON, AND BBQ TIME. This year’s show is lookin’ better than ever. Over 58,000 beer and bourbon lovers have come together for the last five years, and this year is sure to be another SELL OUT! Get ready to squeal like a pig! What All the Excitement Is About... Experience a great day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbeque eatin’. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Join in on seminars in the Tasting Theatre, eat some of the best BBQ from on-site vendors, and enjoy the all day LIVE music! What You Can Expect..... A Souvenir Glass! This is included in the ticket price, and will get you unlimited beer and bourbon tastings from any of the 40 bourbons and 60 beers on tap. Enjoy, but please drink responsibly.
BBQ Galore! Enjoy the great barbeque selection - pulled pork from whole hogs, ribs, brisket, chicken, sausages and any fixin’ you could imagine. Their food vendors keep the portions heavy and the prices low. Learn their Secrets! Attend seminars with Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit-Masters in the Tasting Theater. Live music and Contests! Listen To Live Rock & Blues Music and great Bluegrass on The Main Stage. There will also be a BBQ Bean Eating Contest and the BBQ Babe Contest--both on the Main Stage. And More! Browse through exhibits featuring: “Brewerania;” hot sauces; bbq accessories; and even a cigar tent for all guests. Lots of FREE Parking! VIP ADMISSION & TASTING GLASS: $45 - ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY - Valid Saturday from Noon-6pm. Includes admission into the event, a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited beer and bourbon sampling, TWO EXTRA hours of tastes, and all live entertainment. REGULAR ADMISSION & TASTING GLASS: $35 ADVANCE / $45 ONSITE Valid Saturday from 2pm - 6pm. Includes admission into the event, a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited beer and bourbon sampling, and all live entertainment. DESIGNATED DRIVER TICKET $25 ADVANCE & ON-SITE Valid during any Saturday session. Includes admission into the event only. KIDS 12 & UNDER ARE FREE. This event is not designed for children, though they are welcome to attend.
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COMING IN JULY 2013...
FITNESS & WELLNESS
GUIDE
Demographics Of Elevate Lifestyle Readers Female 55.4% | Male 44.6% Age: 21-27: 25.5% | 28-34: 45.2% | 35-44: 29.3% Annual Income: Less than $35K: 2.2% Between $35k-$54,999: 31.7% | Above $55K+: 56.1% Psychographic Of Elevate Lifestyle Readers Exercise weekly: 76.8%
FOR STRATEGIC ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS ISSUE: Please Contact Us At 980.475.8600 adv@ElevateLifestyle.com
3rd Annual Mac & Cheese Eating Contest In conjunction with Whiskey Warehouse’s participation in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Brewer’s Ball charity event in September, a competitive eating contest will be held at the Plaza-Midwood bar/ restaurant on Tuesday May 14 at 7pm. The contest will pit several local gluttons (including Whiskey Warehouse manager Al Giacomucci and former Charlotte Observer food writer Larken Egleston) against each other in an eight minute battle to consume as much of Whiskey’s signature Macaroni & Cheese as they can. Participating eaters will each make a contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and spectators are welcome to make donations in the name of their favorite contestant in hopes of winning great prizes. All donations will go directly to the Foundation and its research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to win great prizes as well as enjoy Big Boss beer
and Mount Gay Rum & Cointreau cocktail specials before, during, and after the main event. Whiskey Warehouse is located at 1221 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205. For more information on Whiskey Warehouse, visit their website at WhiskeyCharlotte.com. Brewer’s Ball is a beer and food sampling event that will be held on Saturday, September 7th at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Brewer’s Ball, or to purchase a ticket or make a donation, please visit CFF.org/ LWC/LarkenEgleston20622. Spots are limited for contestants and require advance registration and a $20 participation fee. If you would like your company to be a sponsor of this event, for $50 you can enter one contestant and will receive your name/logo in all promotional materials for the event. All entry and sponsorship fees will go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The contest winner will receive a prize pack including two tickets to Brewer’s Ball ($150+ value). Spectators can make $5 donations in the name of their favorite contestant, which will give them the chance to win prizes from Big Boss Brewery if their chosen contestant is declared the winner. For more information on the Mac & Cheese eating contest email Al@WhiskeyCharlotte.com or to register as a contestant or sponsor, visit TicketsSoEasy.com/cheese
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Elevate Lifestyle Awards Celebration true blue promotions
Photography by True Blue Promotions
Night Sights photos by: lazyday.com
Night Sights photos by: lazyday.com
Night Sights photos by: lazyday.com
Night Sights photos by: lazyday.com
Night Sights photos by: lazyday.com
COmING IN JUNE 2013 Demographics Of Elevate Lifestyle Readers Female 55.4% | Male 44.6% Age: 21-27: 25.5% 28-34: 45.2% | 35-44: 29.3% Annual Income: Less than $35K: 2.2% Between $35k-$54,999: 31.7% Above $55K+: 56.1% Psychographics Of Elevate Lifestyle Readers Dine out 3x a week: 90.2% Go out for drinks 3x a week: 67.1% Order drinks by brand name: 68.3% Order beers by brand name: 81.7% Are credit card users: 81.7% Frequent nightclubs/lounges 73.2% Attend sporting events 93.9% FOR STRATEGIC ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS ISSUE: Please Contact Us At 980.475.8600 adv@ElevateLifestyle.com
for the Listen to Kiss 95.1 at 9:05am, 10:05am, 11:05am, 1:05pm, 2:05pm, 3:05pm, 5:05pm, 7:05pm for the word!