Queen City Nerve - November 29, 2023

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1; NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023; WWW.QCNERVE.COM

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@Q UEEN CI T Y N ERV E W W W.Q CN ERV E.COM PUBLISHER JUSTIN LAFRANCOIS

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EDITOR - IN - CHIEF RYAN PITKIN

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DIGITAL MANAGER RAYNE ANTRIM

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STAFF WRITERS PAT MORAN

p m ora n @ q c n erve.c om ANNIE KEOUGH

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE

5 Cheers to Five Years Let’s go for 10 together

CITY LIFE

6 Critics’ Picks 16 Readers’ Picks 18 Hall Of Shame 21 Obituaries

CONSUMER CULTURE 24 Critics’ Picks 30 Readers’ Picks 32 Lifeline

FOOD & DRINK

34 Critics’ Picks 42 Readers’ Picks

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC

NIGHTLIFE

60 Critics’ Picks 63 Readers’ Picks

LIFESTYLE

64 Puzzles 66 The Seeker 66 Horoscope 68 Soundwave 70 Savage Love

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44 A&E Critics’ Picks 52 Music Critics’ Picks 59 Readers’ Picks

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MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

CHEERS TO FIVE YEARS Let’s go for 10 together

BY RYAN PITKIN

It feels great to be turning 5!

I will admit that there were plenty of times during the last half-decade in business as Queen City Nerve that I wasn’t so sure that we’d make it, as we flew by the seat of our pants fueled by nothing but a dream.

Now as we celebrate our fifth anniversary this December, we have finally settled into a rhythm, and there’s nothing else I could imagine doing with my life. There is no better way to connect with community than to plug into it daily as a part of my job.

It’s only right that we celebrate five years by celebrating the best this city has to offer with our fifth annual Best in the Nest issue.

In the end, the entire goal of our newspaper is to share the stories of our city that deserve to be told, and Best in the Nest is the perfect opportunity

make Best in the Nest possible — those who contributed, those who did the reporting that contributors pulled from, those who provided the visuals, and most of all, those who shared their stories with us in 2022. Thank you.

Best in the Nest Contributors: Pat Moran, Annie Keough, Rayne Antrim, Dezanii Lewis, Timothy DePeugh, Aerin Spruill, Sam Spencer, Kallie Cox, Larken Egleston, and Liz Logan.

Plus reporting from: Tyler Bunzey, Heather Mims, Liz Bertrand, Matt Cosper, Darrell Horwitz, Perry Tannenbaum, Jasiatic Anderson, Katie Grant, and Jonathan Golian.

And photos from: Grant Baldwin, Toby Shearer, Peter Zay, Karie Simmons, Jake Yount, Kenty Chung, Lora Denton, Steven Pilker, Darian Carlos, Jake Rothwell, Kat Osygus, Alvin C. Jacobs Jr., Connor Schlosser, Herman Nicholson, Camille Weiss, Juan Ricardo Yilo, Jonathan Golian, Joel Tracey, Tyler Bunzey, Julia Fay, Peter Taylor, and Ashley Frisk.

There are many more folks who have contributed to our publication and helped us out over the past year and I’m appreciative to each and every one of them. Here’s to a kick-ass 2024.

RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

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NOT IN CHARLOTTE? WE WISH YOU WERE.

to look back on the previous year to highlight the beautiful culture that our city’s residents have cultivated.

I am hugely inspired by putting this issue together each year, as it helps put things into perspective as we head into the new year.

As We Rock Charlotte founder Krystle Baller recently told me, “Best in the Nest is such a great way to see what the year has brought us in Charlotte and who is out there making moves.”

Baller added, “I love this city. If someone says ‘BuT CHaRLoTTe HaZ No CuLtUreee,’ I throw a QC Nerve at them.”

And that’s really what the Best in the Nest boils down to. To say that there’s nothing to do in Charlotte is to admit that you’re not trying to find anything to do. Pick up a Queen City Nerve on any given week and you’ll find a plethora of awesome

opportunities for a good time. We’re here to share those with you to do with as you wish, but don’t pretend they don’t exist.

That brings me to an important point I try to make in this Editor’s Note every year, which is that the Best in the Nest is not about gatekeeping.

Because I get it: Who the hell are we to tell you what is better than something else?

That’s why I think of this issue as more of a year-end guide to everything that we thought was awesome about 2023 as a team of journalists who make it our mission to spend all year seeking out such things.

We also brought on three new staffers this year, including staff writer Annie Keough and digital manager Rayne Antrim, both of whom have made my life incredibly easier. Now we are looking forward to growing further in the new year, telling more stories and connecting with more of our readers out there.

It’s been nothing but a privilege to do this job over the last five years, and I can’t wait to get back at it in 2024, telling Charlotte’s stories — the good, the bad and the ugly.

So here’s a huge shout out to all the folks who

City Life Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: CITY LIFE Every day there are folks working hard to ensure a better future for our city. This is for them.

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Deronda Metz

A rare Charlotte native, Deronda Metz has spent nearly her entire adult life working to make Charlotte a better place, mostly through on-the-ground work as an educator and leader in the fight to end homelessness. At Charlotte City Council’s Nov. 13 meeting, Mayor Vi Lyles recognized Metz in the council chambers and announced that she would be retiring at the end of this year following three decades with the Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter.

“I’m so grateful for her leadership, her diligence, her efforts, the way that she actually makes people feel greater than,” said Lyles. “For 30 years you’ve been instrumental in making this place a better place.

We can talk about all the plans and all the opportunities that we’ve had, but the one thing you’ve been is a steady participant in the strategic plans that we have to address both homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Mecklenburg County.”

As director of social services at the Spratt Street shelter, Metz has turned what was a nightly emergency shelter into a nationally recognized, best-practice, housing-focused program. Just before her retirement announcement, an anonymous foundation in Charlotte donated $500,000 to the Better the Future Campaign, launched by Metz and the local Salvation Army in 2022 to address homelessness, battle substance abuse and support the Boys & Girls Club.

The donation will go toward a $5-million renovation at the Spratt Street location, with other funding from the campaign planned for investment in Booth Commons at Mulberry, a 52,000-square-foot Salvation Army facility with space to accommodate 100 families, increasing the organization’s capacity by 50% since the pandemic’s start.

We expect to see Metz’s work continue, as she still serves on a number of boards doing community work in the Charlotte area, but hope she can now find more time to pursue her other passions: fitness, singing, DERONDA METZ AT SALVATION ARMY CENTER OF HOPE SHELTER. dancing and spending time with loved ones.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SALVATION ARMY

City Life Critics’ Picks

LOCAL HERO: William “Coach Mac” McNeely Jr.

William “Coach Mac” McNeely Jr., CEO and founder of local nonprofit Do Greater Charlotte, grew up on Charlotte’s west side, attending Shiloh Institutional Baptist Church when it was still located on Bruns Avenue.

The inspiration behind Do Greater was a personal one. Growing up, he saw how access to resources and opportunities affected his own trajectory and that of his siblings. His nonprofit provides a hightech creative hub for teens, allowing underserved communities access to technology and innovation.

In 2019, Do Greater launched its Mobile CRTV Lab, a delivery truck turned mobile classroom that included broadband, iPads, laptops and other tech tools for underserved youth. But the pandemic made it clear that a larger, fully equipped space that could accommodate more kids was also needed.

The new CRTV Lab at Shiloh, located in an underutilized space under Shiloh Institutional Baptist Church, opened in November 2022, providing a permanent home for the organization and creative space for area youth. From its programming and tech tools to the unique “creative collisions” it aims to foster between area youth and professionals, Do Greater is disrupting the status quo.

BEST CONTENT CREATOR/ INFLUENCER: Asha Ellison

his account is in many ways a de facto account for Camp North End, one of the undisputed best places in Charlotte at the moment. Damon is CNE’s self-described “placemaker-in-chief,” in addition to everything else he’s doing as co-president of ATCO Properties.

However, once you get past the pictures of Charlotte’s monument to the power of adaptive reuse, you get a lot more placemaking expertise from around the world, insight into the commercial real estate industry, and deep dives into planning issues ranging from walkability to transportation.

Damon is one of the many reasons Twitter remains undefeated, despite its anti-Semetic, alt-right megalomaniac choad of an owner.

BEST INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: Karen Falls (@finer_with_thyme)

PHOTO COURTESY OF DO GREATER

for our local F&B talent and her firm refusal to engage in pay-for-play posts. Enjoyment is the means to the end of her influencing, not pre-canned captions at hundreds of dollars a pop.

BEST INSTAGRAM SERIES: @artintheqc Weekly Art Event Guides

Starting in January of 2023, Alexandra Smith has created short-form content to update art lovers and enthusiasts on events happening in Queen City. Updated weekly, she provides various events happening on weekends to build the art community and uplift local artists’ work.

Smith runs a company called Squash Blossom Social, through which she’s helped artists promote themselves on social media since 2020. Filling a need for marketing resources in the arts community, Smith has spent time collaborating with artists and organizations like the McColl Center and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

Her weekly Instagram reels provide insight into what’s going on from a local perspective and create engaging content to help push back on the myth that “there’s never anything going on in Charlotte.”

And just as we went to print, Smith announced her new website, ArtintheQC.com, which aims to be a go-to resource for Charlotte’s art enthusiasts, emerging artists, and cultural connoisseurs alike.

To the outside world, Karen Falls, the face behind local Instagram food channel @finer_with_thyme, presents as a typical retiree: bespectacled and grayhaired, so bubbly she gives champagne a run for its money, oodles of free time but always late for lunch, and a lifetime of experiences that all those other Insta Ashleighs can’t find in any reel. But she doesn’t view the Ashleighs as enemies like we do. If anything, Karen, being the proverbial old dog, looks to them to learn new tricks. Some people might even call that strategic; growing up in the Midwest without social media, the internet or even computers, and retiring after decades of service in public schools, Karen’s chosen second lease on life is something influencer- BEST TIKTOK ACCOUNT: adjacent, and who better to learn from? Half the Christian Johnson fun in browsing through her posts is experiencing a (@christianjohnsoncomedy_) BEST TWITTER ACCOUNT: Damon Mayberry gee whiz wholesomeness at every new Christian Johnson has collected more than 21.4 Hemmerdinger (@djh11375) thing she encounters. But what really makes her so million likes from his 900,000+ followers on TikTok. On one hand, choosing Damon Hemmerdinger’s good at Instagram is her decentness, her genuine love Using the stitch tool, Johnson creates hilarious reaction personal Twitter account feels like cheating, since

BEST SUPERFAN: Antonio Sanchez, aka “La Muerte”

Antonio Sanchez, better known as “La Muerte” or “Chico,” is in many ways the face of Charlotte FC (sorry, Sir Minty). His calavera facemask is omnipresent in promotional pictures and video, even more so than some players.

Chico attends every Charlotte FC match, home and away. In addition to his appearances at Bank of America Stadium and in the community, Nerve has photographed the superfan in Columbus, New York, St. Louis and Miami.

Fans have embraced the masked La Muerte as a mascot as well; a GoFundMe to send him to a match in Seattle last season raised over $2,000. Players and coaches come and go, but La Muerte is forever.

CHRISTIAN JOHNSON PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIAN JOHNSON

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Asha Ellison spreads her content out across platforms, releasing scrumptious food videos on Instagram and TikTok (@ashaeatsworld); reporting on food, travel, arts and culture through the Snapshot Charlotte newsletter, a Local Palate project; and taking part in broader cultural discussions about the Queen City on Twitter (yes, we still call it Twitter) at @girlgoneCLT. While Asha’s TikTok account is a great tool to find new Charlotte spots, from rooftop bars to lesser-known food trucks to a hidden tea room, we as a print publication love that she’s still dedicated to writing as well, carrying out in-depth interviews with local chefs and not only exploring lesser-known gems in Charlotte’s food scene but giving fresh takes on staples and favorites.

WILLIAM MCNEELY JR. (FAR RIGHT) AT THE CRTV LAB.

videos to other TikToks, often standing next to his window in character, peeking through the shades and bringing commentary to absurd videos with undeniable truth and humor. Most known for his grandpa-like character Nathaniel, Johnson garners tens of thousands of views on every video he posts, with some promotion for his local comedy shows mixed in.

Johnson is known as a clean comedian. He’s toured throughout his young career, working with comedians like Ali Siddiq, Eddie Griffin, Sinbad and three whole Wayans (Damon, Damon Jr., and Marlon). In 2021, he made his TV debut on AfroTV’s Funny Not Famous. In May of 2022, he earned his spot as a finalist in Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience showcase. We expect we’ll see much more of him beyond TikTok in the coming years.

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City Life

The centerpiece of the app is an interactive web map viewer that allows residents to easily Critics’ Picks review development information from a single location. By simply inputting an address, users can BEST NEW NEWSLETTER: Y’all access information including ongoing development Weekly in Charlotte as well as pending, approved and Launched by Queen City Nerve Charlotte FC completed projects. In October, the city’s planning reporter Sam Spencer, Y’all Weekly is a Substack department updated the app, adding weekly newsletter that covers cultural stories from across notifications and printable reports. the state, but mostly here in Queen City. While we “We understand the importance of transparent usually try to avoid such conflicts of interest (people and accessible information, and our aim is to voted for Queen City Nerve a LOT in Readers Picks, empower residents by providing them with we swear!), we kept Sam out of this decision and an intuitive tool to stay informed about the followed our own subjective opinions.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CCP development activities in their neighborhoods,” said THE TEAM AT CAROLINAS CARE PARTNERSHIP In fact, we could also argue that a new outlet Planning Director Alyson Craig. offering up theatre reviews in a coverage area “It’s basically looking at the history of magical affirming care, the Carolinas CARE Partnership starved for such content might get our bristles up, and spiritual magical practices in the United States,” (CCP) opened its new LGBTQ+ Life Center in early but we think there’s always room for more cultural BEST PODCAST: ‘Magic in the United Freeman told Queen City Nerve. “I have to put big 2023, with the help of new CCP program member coverage in Charlotte. One of Y’all Weekly’s regular States: 400 Years of Magical Beliefs, quotes around ‘magic’ because a big part of the Transcend Charlotte, a local trans advocacy columns — a critic’s favorite— is called The Practices, and Cultural Conflicts’ series is even asking the question, ‘What is magic?’” organization.

Heather Freeman, a professor of digital media at Dirtbag Christian and focuses on the musings of The Life Center includes Xpression Space, an leftist, polyamorous mother Jennifer C. Martin. No UNC Charlotte, launched her new podcast Magic in the BEST COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: affirming place for trans and questioning folks to matter the topic, Y’all Weekly keeps y’all (us all?) United States on Oct. 24. With plenty of spooky folklore explore their gender expression. Formerly known as CharlotteEAST entertained with its articles featuring a great mix of making it the perfect drop for Halloween, the podcast CharlotteEAST (the acronym stands for Eastland Transcloset, the space is stocked with clothing, shoes, personality and journalistic flare rarely seen in local is about far more than witches and spells. Freeman is Area Strategies Team, the organization’s former wigs, makeup and gender-affirming specialty items using the medium to explore certain ideas that may legacy media. name) is a nonprofit organization with one goal: like binders and packers. The Life Center also has not have always been considered magical but were advocate for east Charlotte. And in 2023 that’s what a small food pantry, a computer lab, and through rather rooted in tradition.

BEST NEW APP: City of Charlotte, Transcend offers name-change workshops, referrals they did.

Freeman’s research began back in 2016 when Development Near Me Following a decade-long effort to push the city for legal advocates and free haircuts. she interviewed dozens of academic experts and The center serves as a reminder that “we don’t The city launched Development Near Me, an into redeveloping the space where Eastland Mall magic practitioners from around the world.

She online application that can only be accessed through had stood until 2013, CharlotteEAST locked in on have to earn rest. We don’t have to earn enjoyment a web browser, in June. The tool aims to simplify the even spent a month in residency at the Museum making sure neighbors had a say in what went into … and kindness and community,” Transcend way residents interact with development projects, for Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, Cornwall, in the final 29-acre parcel left empty by David Tepper in Charlotte director Bethany Corrigan told Queen City allowing users to explore projects in and around 2018. Though she was originally working on turning 2022. The team spent weeks canvassing, compiling Nerve. “Those things are inherent rights.” their neighborhood while staying informed about it all into a documentary, the pandemic squandered hundreds of signatures from residents representing that plan, and we ended up with a wonderfully new submissions. more than 30 neighborhoods ranging from Amity BEST EXPANSION: HopeWay at fulfilling podcast instead.

Gardens to Wilora Lake in support of placing an Oakhurst Commons indoor sports complex on the property despite Initially founded as a mental health care center widespread support among Charlotte City Council for adults, HopeWay’s outpatient private practice for the competing developer’s bid. will extend its reach to adolescents and young In the end, council ordered the two development adults struggling with mental health and eating groups to collaborate on a new project called The disorders with its new facility in east Charlotte, Complex (a working title) that will include indoor which comes in response to the increased need for & outdoor sports, arts and entertainment uses, youth mental health services, reserving time and restaurants and retail. Developers scrapped plans space for students and offering tutoring as part of for an outdoor amphitheater that CharlotteEAST the program. had opposed, proving there’s always power in HopeWay at Oakhurst Commons will community. feature physician-led, evidence-based Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) built on HopeWay’s model of care, which includes psychotherapy, BEST COMMUNITY CARE CENTER medication management, integrative therapies, onOPENING: LGBTQ+ Life Center With hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed site educational support and more.

Slated to open in early 2024, the Adolescent countrywide, many of which aiming to limit or Mental Health Program will treat teens ages 12-17 PHOTO BY TOBY SHEARER prevent transgender people from accessing genderHEATHER FREEMAN, HOST OF ‘MAGIC IN THE UNITED STATES.’

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MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

City Life Critics’ Picks

and the Eating Disorder Program will treat the same age range plus young adults ages 18-25.

“The need for care and programming for adolescents and young adults is severe and immediate,” said Dr. Alyson R. Kuroski-Mazzei, a triple-boarded psychiatrist and HopeWay’s chief executive officer and chief medical officer. “We know our model of care works, and we are excited and confident to expand and bring additional mental health resources to this younger age group.”

empower someone caught up in the deportation process to make an informed choice about whether to spend money on legal fees, which can be extraordinarily expensive, or learn how to represent themselves “pro se” if that’s what they choose to do.

“We are committed to the protection and support of our community and to defending all immigrants — both the newly arrived and those who have been here longer — in removal proceedings,” said Sharon Dove, director of the CCLA’s Immigrant Justice Program.

BEST NEW ACTIVIST/ADVOCATE ORGANIZATION: Public School Strong

Public School Strong (PSS) is a statewide coalition of progressive organizations and advocates who aim to push back against those trying to undermine trust in public schools through divisive “culture war” issues like LGBTQ rights, Critical Race Theory and book banning. PSS comprises a coalition of advocates representing a number of struggles and fights — LGBTQ rights, book bans, voucher funding, gun control and safety — coming together as one.

According to rural and working-class advocacy organization Down Home NC, which organized the PSS movement, as of August there were Public School Strong chapters in 30 counties, with 13 more going through the training process and 22 more counties showing interest in launching a chapter.

BEST ACTIVIST/ADVOCATE: Tiawana Brown TIAWANA BROWN PHOTO COURTESY OF TIAWANA BROWN

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BEST ACTIVIST/ADVOCATE ORGANIZATION: Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

With the May expiration of Title 42, a provision that temporarily suspended immigration into the US during the public health emergency, The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) buckled down to assist Charlotte-area migrants who may be affected by its ending, “adapting to the changing legal environment in order to address the increasing needs of the migrants coming to the area.”

With the expiration of the order expected to lead to backups at the Mexican border as well as an influx in migrants in the Charlotte area, home to the only federal immigration court in the Carolinas, CCLA began offering free legal consultations at its Pro Bono Room in east Charlotte. The consultations aimed to

Born and raised in Charlotte, Tiawana Brown launched Beauty After the Bars after serving four years in federal prison on fraud charges. Through her organization, she partners with Sheriff Garry McFadden’s Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office to run a reentry and mentoring program in helping lower recidivism rates locally.

In April, Brown celebrated the grand opening of her organization’s first Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) Home in Mint Hill.

Located on Lawyers Road, the new facility houses up to 10 women returning to the Charlotte community following their incarceration. She will soon open a second SAFE Home on the Beatties Ford Road corridor, on Clanton Road and another in University City.

“We can’t expect our system of justice to succeed when our approach begins and ends with time behind bars,” Brown said in April. Oh, and during all this work, she successfully ran for city council. She’ll be sworn in as the new District 3 rep on Dec. 4.

PUBLIC SCHOOL STRONG ORGANIZER REGAN SHAW.

BEST YOUTH MOVEMENT: Students for Sensible Drug Policy

In an effort to combat a rise in overdose deaths among young people and communities of color, the youth-led grassroots network Students for Sensible Drug Policy in May announced the launch of the Youth Overdose Prevention Fellowship, selecting six students and young adults across NC to participate in and provide harm reduction education and advocate for accessible, evidence-based drug policies.

The six-month program was funded by the Vital Strategies Overdose Prevention Program (OPP), with organizers prioritizing Black, Indigenous and Latinx young adults interested in drug policy reform, especially those directly impacted by the war on drugs.

“I can’t bring a solution without being informed,” said Courtney Benson, a nursing student and the only fellow based in Charlotte. “But if we keep spreading the word and informing people, everybody gets a little piece of knowledge of what is happening and what could be done.”

BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER: Jonathan Dessi-Olive

About six years ago, Jonathan Dessi-Olive, assistant professor of architecture at UNC Charlotte, began working with mushroom-based construction materials, called “myco-materials,” which are made out of a mushroom’s root.

The live mushroom root acts as a glue that binds hemp wood chips together, forming the material he uses for his building projects.

Myco-material is completely compostable and allows Dessi-Olive to build prototypes for projects and do hands-on teaching without the guilt of

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

contributing to the 800 million tons of construction waste created every year.

The first myco-material project he and his students worked on was a 9-by-9-foot singing pavilion. Since then, they have completed a number of innovative projects including a hanging structure to absorb acoustics.

Dessi-Olive hopes to see myco-made houses and for the material to become the new normal in places like restaurants and office buildings.

“It’s not that it’s surprising that there’s mushrooms there. It’s surprising that they’re not,” he said.

BEST CULTURAL CELEBRATION: African American Heritage Festival, Charlotte Museum of History

The African American Heritage Festival at the Charlotte Museum of History is an annual cultural phenomenon that focuses on the importance of self care and education while also celebrating Black history.

NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina’s first Black poet laureate and third woman to hold the position, was the keynote speaker at 2023’s celebration. The event featured an array of immersive experiences for attendees to enjoy, including one created by Green herself.

Green sought to teach people to be their own curators with her Personal Museum Workshop.

“I believe that what we keep keeps us,” she told Queen City Nerve. “You should pay attention to how a culture and a country decides on what’s important enough to put in museums. It’s the same thing in our lives.”

City Life

BEST AMATEUR HISTORIAN: Jason Tapp

Critics’ Picks

BEST SPORTS FIGURE: Brandt Bronico

If La Muerte is the face of Charlotte FC, Brandt Bronico is its beating heart. A 2016 UNC Charlotte alum, Bronico has earned a strong hometown following for his grind-set mentality on the pitch and for his community service work with nonprofits like Beds for Kids.

Before joining Charlotte FC in its inaugural year, he worked his way into the squad for MLS’s Chicago Fire. When COVID-19 delayed Charlotte FC’s first season, he played in 31 matches with the minor league Charlotte Independence to stay sharp.

When he’s not in the gym, raising money for charitable causes, or renovating homes with his wife Rebecca, you can still see “BB13” at the occasional Independence match, supporting his old team and taking selfies with fans. Few Charlotte athletes give as much effort on the field as Bronico, and even fewer give as much off the field.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY

BEST NONPROFIT: Knothole Foundation

LOCAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION: CLT Airport Worker Mistreatment

KNOTHOLE’S JEFF SHAEFER (SECOND FROM LEFT) AT THE STICK WILLIAMS DREAM FIELDS.

PHOTO BY PETER ZAY

In one of the largest union elections of airport workers in the Carolinas since 1997, service workers for American Airlines ground services provider Jetstream Ground Services Inc. at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) voted on May 8 to join

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Former MLB players Jeff Shaefer and Morris Madden began their collaborative venture in 2017 to increase underprivileged and Black children’s access to baseball at a youth level, eventually merging the missions of their respective nonprofits to form Knothole Foundation.

In the spring, they opened the Stick Williams Dream Fields and Education Center, taking a big step toward their goal of bringing underserved children from west Charlotte back into the game of baseball through athletic and educational programming.

A $400,000 donation from MLB, help from the Charlotte Knights, and a deal to become the home playing field for the Queens University Royals has allowed the Knothole Foundation to build its vision and expand on its goals, becoming far more than a baseball field.

“It’s been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life,” Madden told Queen City Nerve. “It’s going to be a legacy for me. I want the kids to remember who I am and what I was trying to do for them.”

It’s been about five years since Jason Tapp launched Spooky CLT, a website and social media platform that focuses on a mix of lighthearted tales of local hauntings and bonafide Charlotte history.

In that time, he’s worked to share his stories, hosting events at breweries and bars around town to discuss topics like The Dunhill Hotel haunting and how demons JASON TAPP AT LATTA ARCADE PHOTO BY RYAN PITKIN are thought of throughout Association, Tapp took the lead on an October human history.

He’s also been involved in the preservation of haunted tour and ghost hunt with the Charlotte spooky Charlotte history, including his efforts to Area Paranormal Society at Latta Arcade.

While always entertaining, we appreciate that restore an abandoned family cemetery along a he keeps his focus on the importance of relaying the bustling section of Remount Road in 2020. truth from generation to generation — even if it’s a This year has seen Tapp try his hand at the logical next step in his endeavors: tour guide. After spooky truth. playing Charlie Houck, the old circus animal trainer who was killed by a lion in Charlotte and buried in BEST CAUSE: Preserving Ransom Elmwood Cemetery in 1930, during an interactive Hunter’s Legacy cemetery tour hosted by the Mecklenburg Historical Ransom Hunter was born into slavery, only to become one of the area’s most successful businessmen following the Civil War, lifting up other folks like him who had survived slavery in the Carolinas. He founded the Freedom community for formerly enslaved people, then played an important but largely forgotten role in forming the community that would become Mount Holly.

Eric Wilson, Hunter’s great-grandson, hopes to turn Ransom Hunter’s former homesite into a public park, a dream 10 years in the making since the Mount Holly City Council proposed it.

“I’m very optimistic. I give everybody the benefit of the doubt, but 10 years?” Wilson asked. “It’s been a long time … We’re just sitting, watching, in hopes that our time will come.”

City Life Critics’ Picks

proposed a property near the Tyvola light rail station for a skatepark in May 2022, but it fell through.

As CSF works on building up the Kilborne project, Eastland DIY founder and CSF leader Stephen Barrett emphasized that he would be working with fellow skaters regarding its design. “We are going to do this the most democratic way possible,” he told Queen City Nerve. “We’ll get there.”

the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), bringing nearly 500 ramp agents, cabin cleaners, lavatory and water agents, high-lift truck drivers, and pro-shop workers into the union.

“This is a victory not only for Charlotte’s airport service workers but also for our families, communities and workers here in the South,” MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT/ said Lashonda Barber, a high-lift truck driver for OPENING OUTSIDE 485: River District While the Brooklyn Village project stalls in Jetstream.

Relief is a long road, however, as in September Uptown, Ballantyne Reimagined replaces sand police arrested five airport workers and union bunkers with buildings, and the Eastland Mall site leaders for blocking an entrance to CLT during a proves time is a flat circle, the River District faced march to protest continued low wages, lack of little opposition for such a transformational project, benefits and bad working conditions including and has been chugging along ever since.

In terms of size, Charlotte hasn’t had a bigger inadequate water and extreme heat. development project than the 1,377-acre River District since its rezoning was first approved by MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT/ the City Council in 2016. While the city failed in its OPENING: Kilborne DIY Skatepark More than a year after being forced out of the attempt to lure the Western and Southern Open Eastland DIY skatepark that they built up over years, tennis tournament away from Cincinnati with a a group of Charlotte skateboarders finally has a proposed $400-million facility in the River District, government-sanctioned plan for a new location, the development will keep its biggest amenity: the THE KILBORNE DIY SKATEPARK IS COMING TOGETHER. with construction of a new park well on its way. On Catawba River.

Though some have raised concerns about the April 7, the Charlotte Skate Foundation, a nonprofit formed by the founders of Eastland DIY after that impact of the development on the river, even thenskatepark was closed, launched a crowdsourcing Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins spoke in favor of campaign to build a new DIY skatepark and raised the project when it was approved, a credit to the very intentional process and multi-decade plan that over $7,500 in its first weekend.

City and county staff worked with the skaters to is slowly but surely making the District a reality.

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find a replacement location for some time. The city

THE FUTURE SITE OF THE RIVER DISTRICT.

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRESCENT COMMUNITIES

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

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City Life Readers’ Picks

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CITY LIVING BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX Winner: The Villages Apartments Runner Up: Mercury NoDa BEST AREA TO LIVE Winner: Plaza Midwood Runner Up: NoDa BEST BUILDING Winner: Optimist Hall Runner Up: Historic Ford Factory - Camp North End BEST CART RIDE/SHUTTLE SERVICE Winner: Lyft Runner Up: Just Her Rideshare BEST CHURCH Winner: Wedgewood Community Church Runner Up: Myers Park Baptist Church BEST CITY IMPROVEMENT Winner: Eastway Regional Recreation Center Runner Up: Vision Zero Action Plan - Safer Streets for Charlotte BEST CITY TOUR Winner: Funny Bus Charlotte BEST CO-WORKING SPACE Winner: Hygge Coworking Runner Up: beSocial BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY PLACE Winner: Discovery Place Runner Up: Camp North End BEST HOTEL Winner: The Dunhill Hotel Runner Up: Hotel Refuge BEST LOCAL COLLEGE Winner: University of North Carolina Charlotte Runner Up: Central Piedmont Community College BEST NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Winner: New Main Library - Uptown Runner Up: The Line - Southend BEST PARK IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY Winner: Freedom Park Runner Up: Reedy Creek Park BEST PLACE FOR A STAYCATION Winner: Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte Runner Up: The Ivey’s Hotel BEST PLACE TO GET HITCHED Winner: VanLandingham Estate Runner Up: Charlotte Museum of History

BEST PLACE TO HOLD AN EVENT Winner: The Artisan’s Palate Runner Up: Carolina Esports Hub BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH Winner: Optimist Hall Runner Up: Common Market - Plaza Midwood BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS Winner: U.S. National Whitewater Center Runner Up: Optimist Hall BEST PLACE TO WORK (REMOTE) Winner: South End Runner Up: Hygge Coworking BEST WAY TO GET AROUND WITHOUT A CAR Winner: Lynx Blue Line Runner Up: Scooters

SPORTS & LEISURE BEST BIKE CLUB Winner: Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride (PMTNR) Runner Up: Charlotte Mountain Bikers BEST CAMPING SPOT (IN-STATE) Winner: Pisgah National Forest Runner Up: Uwharrie National Forest BEST DISC GOLF COURSE Winner: Reedy Creek Park Runner Up: Kilborne Park BEST GOLF COURSE Winner: Charlotte Country Club Runner Up: Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course BEST HIKING TRAIL Winner: Stone Mountain Park (Roaring Gap, NC) Runner Up: Little Sugar Creek Greenway BEST LOCAL MASCOT Winner: Sir Purr - Carolina Panthers Runner Up: Chubby - Charlotte Checkers BEST LOCAL SPORTS FIGURE Winner: LaMelo Ball Runner Up: Brandt Bronico BEST LOCAL SPORTS TEAM Winner: Charlotte FC Runner Up: Charlotte Roller Derby BEST LOCAL TEAM FAN BASE Winner: Charlotte FC Runner Up: Carolina Panthers BEST MINI GOLF COURSE Winner: Stroke Putt Runner Up: Monster Mini Golf - Charlotte BEST PLACE TO GET BACK TO NATURE Winner: U.S. National Whitewater Center Runner Up: Reedy Creek Park

BEST REC CENTER Winner: Eastway Regional Recreation Center Runner Up: YWCA Central Carolinas BEST RUN CLUB Winner: Mad Miles Run Club Runner Up: Barn Burners Run Club (Tied) Runner Up: Triple C Beer Runners (Tied) BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY Winner: Asheville Runner Up: Blue Ridge Parkway

NEWS, POLITICS & ENTERTAINMENT

BEST USE OF LOCAL TAX MONEY Winner: Greenways & Cross Charlotte Trail Runner Up: Public Parks WHAT WE NEED MORE OF Winner: Affordable housing Runner Up: LGBTQ+ acceptance LOCAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION Winner: Affordable housing Runner Up: Lightrail not extending to the airport

SOCIAL MEDIA

BEST FACEBOOK PAGE Winner: Charlotte Gaymers Network Runner Up: Queen City News BEST HERO BEST INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT Winner: Jeff Jackson Winner: @charlottegaymersnetwork Runner Up: Candelario Saldana Runner Up: @fox46charlotte BEST HEROINE BEST INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER Winner: RC Cola Winner: @jensensavannah Runner Up: Vi Lyles Runner Up: @candelario_saldana BEST JOURNALIST BEST LOCAL FACEBOOK GROUP Winner: Joe Bruno Winner: Charlotte Gaymers Network Runner Up: Steve Crump Runner Up: CHARLOTTE N.C. THE PAST and BEST LOCAL FESTIVAL PRESENT Winner: Charlotte Pride BEST LOCAL TIKTOK ACCOUNT Runner Up: Charlotte SHOUT! Winner: @jeffjacksonnc BEST LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET Runner Up: @jensensavannah Winner: Axios Charlotte BEST TWITTER ACCOUNT Runner Up: Queen City News Winner: @JoeBrunoWSOC9 BEST LOCAL PODCAST Runner Up: @Queen_City_News Winner: Dishing with Buff Faye and Funsize BEST TWITTER ACCOUNT FOR LOCAL NEWS Runner Up: Charlotte Soccer Show Winner: @CLTpetpeeves MOST IMPORTANT NEWS STORY OF THE LAST 12 BEST TWITTER ACCOUNT FOR LOCAL NEWS MONTHS Winner: @JoeBrunoWSOC9 Winner: Tricia Cotham’s Party Switch Runner Up: @AliciaBarnesTV Runner Up: Anton Walkes death BEST WEB BLOG BEST RADIO PERSONALITY Winner: Y’all Weekly Winner: Jessica Charman Runner Up: John Hartness: I Drink & I Write Runner Up: Mike Collins Things BEST TV PERSONALITY Winner: Brad Panovich Runner Up: Joe Bruno BEST TV NEWS STATION Winner: Queen City News Runner Up: WBTV (Tied) BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST Runner Up: WSOC (Tied) Winner: Cameron Pruette BEST TV SPORTSCASTER Runner Up: Candelario Saldana Winner: Ashley Stroehlein BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP Runner Up: Lloyd Sam Winner: Charlotte for Choice (Tied) BEST NEWS ANCHOR Winner: Charlotte Gaymers Network (Tied) Winner: Alicia Barnes Runner Up: Sustain Charlotte Runner Up: Molly Grantham

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SOCIAL JUSTICE

BEST EVENT FOR A GOOD CAUSE Winner: Charity Drag Brunch at The Artisan’s Palate Runner Up: Charlotte Gaymer Network’s Gaymer Gathering BEST SUPPORT GROUP Winner: Transcend Charlotte Runner Up: Charlotte Gaymers Network BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Winner: Charlotte Gaymers Network Runner Up: Carolina Breast Friends WINNERS: Download your award files at bit.ly/2023binawards

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Hall of Shame Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: HALL OF SHAME

We hate to be downers but there are some people walking the streets of Charlotte who made the year shittier for everyone. Do better.

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TRICIA COTHAM

At 9 a.m. on April 5, N.C. House Rep. Tricia Cotham, a longtime Democrat in the NC General Assembly who was at that point representing the newly drawn District 112, made official her decision to switch aisles and become a Republican.

Cotham cited poor treatment from fellow Democrats in the General Assembly, in Mecklenburg County, on Twitter and in Target as reasons for her switch.

The move was a big one, as it gave Republicans a super-majority in the state House, allowing them to pass laws without a single vote from Democrats and bypass any veto from Gov. Roy Cooper, and they took advantage. By October, the NC GOP had overrode more gubernatorial vetoes in 2023 than any group of lawmakers had in the state’s history before then.

This included multiple pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation that targeted trans kids in schools and restricted their access to gender-affirming health care, as well as abortion legislation that amounted to a 12-week ban on the procedure while also

implementing stricter licensing requirements on clinics statewide and stricter mandates on doctor visits before receiving an abortion.

In November, Cotham announced she will not be running for re-election in the Democratic stronghold of District 112, where she once hoodwinked voters into putting her into the position she currently holds, but will instead run in District 105, newly drawn by her Republican colleagues in the state legislature to give her a better chance of keeping a seat in the NC House.

LAKE NORMAN CHARTER SCHOOL

Ongoing incidents throughout the last year caused one concerned parent to call on administration at Lake Norman Charter Elementary School (LNCES) to rethink how they approach the treatment of children with special needs. The parent, Danielle Farmer, alleged that the school’s superintendent, principal and a teacher at LNCES shamed her 8-year-old son for behavior due to his mental health conditions, resulting in suicidal and self harm ideations.

LAKE NORMAN CHARTER SCHOOL

Allegations against Farmer’s son’s third-grade English Language Arts teacher include bringing up his repeated bathroom trips — a symptom of his anxiety — in front of the class and repeatedly punishing him for behaviors that are known symptoms of his condition according to his 504 Plan, a plan created for students with special needs or disabilities to ensure they are not discriminated against or left to fall behind their classmates.

The school did not act on the child’s therapist’s

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

recommendation to take the boy’s concerns seriously, said Farmer, who called for the removal of the school’s principal and the third-grade ELA teacher.

Farmer has since filed official complaints with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the NC Department of Public Instruction regarding the school’s alleged violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its refusal to issue Farmer’s son an Individualized Education Plan.

Hall of Shame Critics’ Picks

CHARLOTTE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Charlotte teacher Markayle Gray filed a lawsuit against Charlotte Secondary School in June after he says he was wrongfully terminated for assigning students a critically acclaimed novel that white parents called “racially divisive.”

Gray, a seventh- and eighth-grade English teacher at Charlotte Secondary, was fired on Feb. 2 after white parents complained to the administration about his use of the novel Dear Martin, which he assigned in observance of Black History Month with permission from and in recommendation of principal Keisha Rock.

The lawsuit claims similar complaints filed

by Black parents against white teachers were largely ignored. Gray’s white colleagues were free to discuss their “divisive” political views on race, gender and sexual orientation without facing corrective action or discipline from Charlotte Secondary administrators, the lawsuit states.

Despite Charlotte Secondary’s student population being approximately 80-85% Black, Hispanic, or biracial — and a core principle claiming that “Diversity is not merely desirable, it is necessary for the accomplishment of our mission” — Gray believes the administration caters largely to its smaller white community.

“Principal Rock and the Charlotte Secondary Board of Directors seem to care more about bowing to political pressure than they do about following their own procedures and policies,” said Gray’s lead attorney Artur Davis. “All Markayle Gray did was teach a novel his supervisors had already approved and they fired him for it.”

CHARLOTTE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Lassiter’s wife, Jamie Lassiter, in her capacity as the executive director of the NC Conference of Clerks, and “aggressively pursued a sexual relationship with Mrs. Lassiter” beginning in 2019 and lasting through January 2023.

The lawsuit claimed that, upon being confronted about the affair, “Mrs. Lassiter tearfully confessed that she had been involved in an extramarital affair with Moore for more than three years, that she had engaged in sexual activity with Moore (including group sex with other individuals seeking Defendant Tim Moore’s political favor), and that she feared ending the relationship with Defendant Tim Moore would result in losing her job.”

Moore called the suit “a baseless lawsuit from a troubled individual,” adding that, “we will vigorously defend this action and pursue

PHOTO BY RYAN PITKIN

all available legal remedies.” It’s unclear exactly what that legal remedy was, but the lawsuit was “resolved,” according to the plaintiff’s lawyer, just weeks after it was filed.

MARIAN HUDAK

Concord resident Marian Hudak was arrested

by FBI agents in June and charged with two hate crimes following an investigation that spanned back to 2021. The federal complaint against him uncovered an ongoing pattern of hateful behavior aimed at Concord residents.

According to the complaint, Hudak regularly harassed and threatened a Mexican family that lived next to him in Concord, leading to at least one physical confrontation between the neighbors in which guns were pulled. Hudak later put his neighbors’ names and addresses on his truck under

TIM MOORE

MARIAN HUDAK BLOCKS A CAR IN WHILE HARASSING THE DRIVER.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FBI

CATAWBA BREWING CO.

As first reported by Beer With Me CLT on Aug. 14, Catawba Brewing Company reportedly turned away employees who showed up to work that morning expecting to still have a job, then placed a sign on the door stating the taproom would be permanently closed.

“Apparently this also happened this past week at the Wilmington location and possibly South Slope in Asheville,” Beer With Me CLT announced in a Facebook post that day.

In April, Queen City Nerve reported on a tax levy notice from Mecklenburg County that had been placed on the front door of the brewery with an outstanding balance of $3,454.74 owed to the tax collector’s office. Director of retail operations Ben Wiggins insisted to Queen City Nerve then that the brewery would not be closing, and they were excited to share “big plans for what is to come.”

Employees reporting for work on Aug. 14, however, would not be part of those big plans, as they were turned away at the door with no notice of the impending closure, according to discussions on social media.

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A lawsuit filed with the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in June caused shockwaves in the North Carolina General Assembly, as House Speaker Tim Moore was accused of not only aggressively pursuing and participating in an affair with a woman he knew to be married but also engaging in sexual activity with other people seeking his political favor.

The 17-page complaint, filed by former Apex Town Council member Scott Lassiter, detailed how a love triangle involving three members of the NC GOP unfolded over three years, coming to a head in January 2023.

The suit claimed that Moore worked with Scott

a label that read “illegals, drug abusers, alcoholics and racist.”

Hudak also regularly harassed and threatened women in the family, including a 9- and 13-yearold girl.

The incident that sparked the FBI investigation in October 2022 included a Black couple calling the police after Hudak allegedly began threatening the man in traffic, calling him “n***er,” threatening to kill him, then following the man home to his apartment complex, where he tried to box him in with his car.

The resulting investigation uncovered an array of racial intimidation incidents including Hudak’s harassment of his neighbors and his habit of parking in public lots and using a megaphone he had attached to his car to amplify racial hate speech. He had previously been banned from a Sam’s Club parking lot in Concord for such behavior.

According to the complaint, Hudak admitted to law enforcement officers in December 2022 following a disorderly conduct arrest that he had begun yelling “Fuck you, n***ers” to any Black people he saw while in traffic due to some perceived threat he felt from a Black person at a gas station in the past.

Hall of Shame

members of the local drag community alleged that Edwards interrupted and aggressively rushed toward Savage yelling, “Get this freak off my stage,” before ending the show.

The release also claimed the incident was just the latest in Edwards’ “history of aggression and racism, which has caused repeated harm to Black and Brown members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Critics’ Picks

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GASTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Emancipate NC moved to defend two teenage boys after the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office allegedly colluded with the Gaston County Police Department this year to come down hard on brothers La’Dainian and Paden Fuller, who were 14-years-old at the time of they were involved in an altercation with police officers in 2021.

Paden was assaulted by police following a Gastonia Honey Hunters game when the two attempted to continue down a closed sidewalk on their bikes, at which time a police officer tackled him to the ground. It was only after witnessing the officer kicking and abusing his brother that La’Dainian placed the police officer in a headlock, according to Emancipate NC’s Kerwin Pittman.

This summer, the Gaston County District Attorney’s office moved to transfer the case from juvenile court to adult superior court, where Fuller could be tried as an adult on attempted murder charges despite the officer only suffering minor injuries — mild redness and bruising for which he refused medical attention on the night of the incident.

“Clearly the justice system here in Gastonia is not color-blind, but turns a blind eye to law enforcement brutality,” Pittman said at a press conference in August. “Clearly the DA is colluding with law enforcement to try to find these 15-yearold kids guilty.”

child support and “take everything from her.” Court documents also showed that Bridges “allowed his current girlfriend to yell, scream, and kick the victims [sic] car while the children were in the car.”

The Hornets re-signed Bridges, then a restricted free agent, after a league investigation into the 2022 incident ended with a 10-game suspension that was set to start at the beginning of the upcoming season. Bridges returned to the court with the Hornets on Nov. 17, as no new punishments were handed down based on the October incident.

During an interview in the lead-up to that return, Bridges admitted, “I know a lot of people feel some type of way about me being back and I understand that. It’ll be a while before I gain their trust back … If I get us some more wins, people’s perspective will change.” Yikes.

MILES BRIDGES

YORK MEMORIAL CEMETERY

It was with an unbothered smile for his mugshot that Charlotte Hornets star Miles Bridges turned himself in to police in Lincoln County on Oct. 13 after new domestic violence charges were filed against him related to an incident that occurred on Oct. 6. Bridges missed the entire 2022-’23 season after he was arrested on domestic violence charges against his then-girlfriend in May 2022.

Bridges reportedly has also had a warrant out against him by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) dating back to January 2023 for “continually” violating a restraining order related to that past incident by contacting his now exgirlfriend and children’s mother.

On Oct. 6, Bridges allegedly threw billiards balls at the windshield of a car that his children were in, resulting in child abuse charges, while also telling his ex-girlfriend that he would withhold

ACLU OF NORTH CAROLINA

YORK MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Some consider cemeteries scary because they could host ghosts and ghouls, but a class action suit filed in March makes claims a lot more disturbing than any specter conjured by the imagination.

Plaintiffs say owners and cemetery management of York Memorial Park on South Tryon Street have lost track of people buried at the cemetery, sold nonexistent plots, desecrated graves and vaults, and buried bodies on top of one another.

A former employee-turned-whistleblower filed the suit in April, claiming that cemetery management sold plots they knew were not available and failed to ensure that plots purchased by and for family members would be the same plots that people were buried in.

In an especially disturbing allegation, the

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

suit claimed that the cemetery repeatedly buried babies on top of each other in the same spot over a span of years “to the extent that an area of the cemetery is commonly referred to among workers as ‘the hill of babies.’”

JEFF EDWARDS

In June, more than 250 leaders of the LGBTQ community from across the Carolinas launched a boycott campaign against The Bar at 316, an LGBTQ bar in South End. The campaign was spurred by reports that owner Jeff Edwards harassed a performer at the bar mid-show.

Edwards allegedly targeted performer Shelby Savage during Savage’s contracted performance at The Bar at 316. In a press release, Savage and

RESIDENTS PROTEST OUTSIDE THE BAR AT 316

In February, Charlotte-based organizer Kristie Puckett-Williams was fired from her position as deputy director of engagement with the ACLU of NC following an argument with local right-wing radio host Pete Kaliner on Puckett-Williams’ personal Twitter account.

During the Twitter spat, Puckett-Williams’ told Kaliner to “suck my dick from the back like you used to.” The ACLU of NC originally stood behind their employee before capitulating to reactionary groups like the John Locke Foundation, which called for Puckett-Williams’ firing following the online fracas.

It’s unclear what caused the ACLU of NC to cave in the course of a week.

Emancipate NC, for which Pucket-Williams serves on the board, tweeted, “We are deeply concerned that [Puckett-Williams] has been fired by [ACLU of NC]. The policing of language by anyone, but especially of a formerly incarcerated Black woman, is inconsistent with our organization’s morals and values.”

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE GAYMERS NETWORK

Obituaries Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: IN MEMORIAM For those we lost along the way.

Cozzie Watkins (1951 - 2023)

Anton Walkes (1997 - 2023)

When a professional athlete in peak physical form dies in a freak accident, it is a cruel reminder of our fragile mortality. When it’s someone like Anton Walkes, it becomes a tragedy for the entire community.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber told Queen City Nerve in March, “[Anton Walkes] wasn’t just another player.” In the time Nerve was able to spend with the English footballer, he demonstrated immense kindness and character, both as a team leader and a supporter of diversity and LGBTQ equality within the sport.

Steve Crump (1957 - 2023)

If you’ve spent any time working in the Charlotte-area’s television news industry over the past four decades, you will have certainly lost count of the number of colleagues who have praised Steve Crump’s warmth, dedication and professionalism. The beloved journalist died on Aug. 31, 2023, after a five-year struggle with colon cancer. Crump was lauded for his work as a reporter for WBTV for 39 years, but he truly excelled in the field of documentary filmmaking.

As a documentarian, Crump covered stories including jazz, South African apartheid, American civil rights struggles and the transatlantic slave trade.

STEVE CRUMP

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Though she’ll always be remembered for her international success as everyone’s favorite convention delegate during 2020’s COVID-virtual Democratic National Convention, Alista “Cozzie”Watkins was so much more than a soundbyte.

She was a registered nurse who dedicated her life to caring for others. She was a community leader who served her church and her sorority; one of her proudest moments was becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha near the end of her life. She was of course a proud Democrat, serving as chair of the 12th Congressional District and the local Democratic Women, as well as a member of the executive council and committee for the state Democratic Party.

However, her most lasting impact may have been on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission, where she was a strong advocate for equity and the commission’s affordable housing efforts. Even after her health began to fail, she showed up in person to cast her vote for Charlotte’s first-ever comprehensive plan.

On March 2, the day Cozzie passed, the North Carolina House and Senate finally agreed to a deal on Medicaid expansion, something Cozzie had worked for for years. It’s hard not to think she was looking down on us that day.

Standouts in his filmography include Carolina Be-Bop Kings, which delves into the North Carolina roots of Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane and Thelonius Monk; Before Rosa: The Unsung Contribution of Sarah Mae Flemming, which shares the story of an unsung civil rights heroine from Columbia, South Carolina; and 9/4/57, which recounts Dorothy Counts’ struggle to cross the color line at Charlotte’s Harding High School in 1957.

His loss was represented by a black “AW 5” patch that players (and fans) wore all season long, but the void he left was even more visible on the field as Charlotte’s defense struggled for the first half of their 2023 campaign, and as the pain of the loss reverberated off the pitch.

Anton left behind a partner, Alexis, and a daughter, Ayla. In the team’s final tribute to Walkes this season, Ayla walked out with Charlotte FC captain Ashley Westwood prior to the team’s final home game against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squad.

After the match, goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina said seeing her filled him with a “higher power;” he went on to keep a clean sheet in Charlotte’s 1-0 win that sent the club to the playoffs for the first time.

Sarah Stevenson (1925-2023)

Charlotte lost one of its strongest civil rights icons on Tuesday, as news broke that longtime educator and community leader Sarah Stevenson passed away at 97 years old.

The first of 14 children, Sarah Mingo was born in Heath Springs, South Carolina, on Oct. 26, 1925.

Forced to leave high school without a diploma, she moved to Charlotte and worked as a housekeeper in Charlotte Memorial Hospital, where she met her husband, Robert Louis Stevenson.

In 1970, she moved from Cherry to the Beatties Ford Road corridor, where she taught at a day-care center, worked at the Charlotte Area Fund and established a mediation program for the city, now known as the Community Relations Committee. Her activism to acquire uniforms for a son’s school band led to her role in merging the Black and white PTAs within CMS before courts forced the school district to desegregate.

Sarah Stevenson served on the CMS Board of Education from 1980-1988. In 1980, she co-founded the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum, and has since helped launch the Sarah and Samuel Stevenson Scholarship Fund in honor of her youngest son who passed away in 2006 as well as the South African Students Scholarships, which helps two students from South Africa attend Johnson C. Smith University every year.

Francis Wabibi (1990-2022)

Beloved Charlotte artist Francis Wabibi, best known as Francesko the Artist, once took a gamble on his passion when he quit his day job in retail to pursue his art full time.

“I was inspired,” he told the Charlotte Observer in a profile published in February 2021. “I had the money. I had the means. I said, ‘Why don’t I invest in myself?’ ” It paid off — he did a mural at Oso Skate Park and had his own online web comic and began to build his art career in Charlotte. Unfortunately, his dreams were short-lived. On Nov. 23, 2022, Wabibi was found dead in a Fulton County jail cell where he had been held for two months on a loitering charge.

His death had many reeling, especially sister, Shana, who was left seeking answers. Despite her brother’s tragic demise, she wanted to remember the best of him.

“The thing that really touches me is hearing different stories from people about my brother, like how they got to experience them and all the good memories that he’s given them,” she said. “That part makes me smile — it makes me smile to know that’s going to live on forever.”

FRANCIS WABIBI, AKA FRANCESKO THE ARTIST

PHOTO BY FRANCIS WABIBI

Jade X. Jackson (1965-2022)

SARAH STEVENSON

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Michael Shortino (1966-2023)

VIDEO STILL

Chef Michael Shortino’s culinary legacy lives on in Charlotte at the tables of Futo Buta; the concept that will replace his other South End eatery, Lincoln’s Haberdashery; and through his daughter, Chef Cassie Shortino.

Shortino was a “culinary trailblazer,” according to his family. His unique vision brought creative menus and unique flavors to each of his restaurants. Shortino died at age 57 in September.

Shortino was a third-generation chef and “was not only a culinary trailblazer but also a beloved member of the hospitality community,” his family said after his death. “His passion for food, creativity, and dedication to providing exceptional experiences influenced the teams, friends and patrons of his restaurants and beyond.”

Lincoln’s Haberdashery has closed since Shortino’s passing, but will reportedly open as a new concept run by his daughter Cassie in 2024.

Jala McKenzie-Burns, better known to Charlotte as Jade X. Jackson, was a co-chair with Rev. William Barber’s Poor People’s Campaign in North Carolina and well-known activist.

Jackson was a biracial trans woman in the South who took the existential threats against LGBTQ North Carolinians seriously, while always putting equality and equity for others ahead of her own liberation. She was a lead organizer of the “Tuesdays with Tillis” protests, a union member, and an author.

The former foster child and US Marine from Michigan was unafraid to travel to any corner of the state to advocate for social justice and solutions to poverty. Her message to exurban Waxhaw? “Our long term goals are to end poverty, systemic racism, ecological devastation, the war economy, and mass incarceration.”

The joyful warrior passed on Dec. 3, 2022, at the age of 57.

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

MICHAEL SHORTINO (LEFT) WITH DAUGHTER CASSIE.

The Businesses We Lost Along The Way La’Wan’s Soul Food Restaurant (2000-2023) In August, three months after the death of her husband and co-owner Kenny Adams, local restaurateur La’Wan Adams announced in a Facebook post that popular Steele Creek eatery La’Wan’s Soul Food would close its doors for good.

“From the very first day we opened our doors, it has been an incredible journey filled with growth, learning, and most importantly, the unwavering support of all of you. Your loyalty has been the driving force behind every step we’ve taken,” read a statement signed by La’Wan and family.

However, the statement did leave room for new ventures from La’Wan. “Kenneth’s unwavering dedication, passion, and innovative spirit has been the driving force behind our journey. As we navigate this difficult time, we also embrace the opportunities ahead.

As we embark on this new adventure, Kenneth’s legacy will always be kept alive.”

Hot Box Next Level Kitchen (2013-2023) First opened inside Concord’s Southern Strain Brewing Co. facility in 2012, the goal for Hot Box

POPLAR Tapas (2016-2023) The owners of popular Fourth Ward restaurant POPLAR Tapas announced they would be shutting the doors there for good in the first week of October. Co-owners Lucia Zapata Griffith and Bruno Macchiavello opened the restaurant in 2016. They expressed their gratitude to neighbors and patrons in a release announcing the closure.

“The journey over these seven years has been remarkable, filled with cherished memories and unparalleled community support,” their statement read.

However, the duo did insist that their journey together in the culinary industry is not over, announcing that they plan to announce a new venture in the coming months.

“This is not a goodbye but a brief interlude,” Griffith and Macchiavello said in their joint statement. “We ask our patrons and the community to stay tuned for an exciting new dining experience that will continue POPLAR’s legacy of building community around the table.”

Akropolis Cafe (1990-2023) Last Halloween was particularly scary for patrons of one of Charlotte’s longest running Greek restaurants. By the end of the business day on All Hallows’ Eve, Akropolis Cafe on Providence Road had given up the ghost, closing permanently after 33 years in business. Beloved for a menu based on the Greek basics of gyros, kebabs, Greek salads, souvlaki and spanakopita, the establishment launched in 1990 at the Eastland Mall. Two years later, Mike Sadri became owner, and subsequently

Sandwich Max (1993-2023) Sandwich Max has left East 7th Street permanently and also closed its newer location on South Boulevard, limiting our options for great sandwiches in Charlotte. Compared to the 20,000 Subway locations across the US, Sandwich Max made deceptively simple sandwiches with great ingredients at reasonable prices.Of special note was the vegetable selection, which went way beyond LTO and provided enough options for a veggie sandwich that didn’t taste like leftover salad.

In hip neighborhoods where it seems like every restaurant is striving for James Beard awards and hundred-dollar covers, spots that provide good food at fair prices should be protected at all costs.

If you never had a chance to try the OG Sandwich Max locations, don’t fret; the concept is reborn in carryout form at South End Eats food hall on Summit Avenue.

then-intern Alexandria Sands to investigate. “‘The Original Gus’ Sir Beef [sign reads] ‘Fresh My Farm’Vegetables, and it’s been confusing drivers in east Charlotte for half a century,” Sands wrote.

It turns out that English-challenged restaurant founder Gus Bacogeorge had meant to write “fresh from my farm,” but the phrase came out truncated. Gus also sold beef and included “sir” as a sign of respect. Gus’ son Thrace took charge of the restaurant after his father passed away. In April the restaurant posted on Facebook: “Gus’ Sir Beef will be closing its door for good … We will miss the opportunity to say our farewells [to] ... customers, family and close friends that have made Gus’ everything it was, is and will always be; a place to come home to ... and a place to make new friends.”

Green’s Lunch (1926-2023) When Robert Green bought an old lunch counter in 1926, Charlotte had a total population of 100,000 people, and big banks, drawn by cotton manufacturing money, were poised to erect the skyscrapers that would dominate the skyline Green’s menu consisted of hot dogs, chips and Coca-Cola. According to the shuttered restaurant’s still extant website. Green was succeeded by his daughter-in-law, Mary Green, who added chili to the menu. The community became so enamored with Mary that she marched in local Christmas parades as “Mary Green, the Hot Dog Queen.”

In 1975, Philip Katopodis bought the restaurant and expanded it from 400 square feet to 1,500. He also added coleslaw to the menu. The restaurant’s location was put up for sale for $3 million in 2022 — but it wasn’t until June 2023 that the oldest restaurant in Charlotte permanently closed its doors, ending an eventful 97-year run.

Gus’ Sir Beef (1969-2023) Let’s talk about that sign. In 2018, thenCreative Loafing Charlotte editor Ryan Pitkin sent

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Paper Plane Deli & Market (2020-2023) Opened in 2020 by Amanda Cranford, Paper Plane Deli & Market had served as a hub for the community in the Advent coworking space (now hygge coworking). It brought space for people to enjoy conversation over coffee and delicious food ranging from breakfast items like bagels and pastries to lunch items like their perfect BLT. Cranford has had over a decade of experience with restaurants — more than seven building up her skills at Reid’s Fine Foods.

Paper Plane was the perfect place, especially for the staff here at Nerve, to grab a quick bite before going back to work. Everyone who worked there was extremely friendly, and the space was extremely inviting. Their market had a lot to offer, including vinyl records supplied by Premium Sound and other knick-knacks for purchase. The seasonal flavors for their lattes were divine as well, but most importantly, Paper Plane provided a space for community.

Next Level Kitchen was to create dishes from scratch and bring street-level pub food to tap rooms around Charlotte. Founder and head chef, Michael Bowling has always had a dream to bring joy to people through food. His passion radiates through his entrées and hospitality. Hot Box will be missed, but we look forward to following Bowling’s journey as general manager of CFT Market, a new marketplace and food-centered community hub in the Hoskins neighborhood that broke ground in August.

moved the cafe to The Arboretum in the early 1990s.

At the height of Akropolis Cafe’s popularity, Sadri expanded, extending franchises out to seven locations, including Gastonia, Matthews and Ballantyne. In time, each location closed, save for the 2,200-square-foot cafe at The Arboretum.

Plagued by dwindling staff and ill health, Sadri finally extinguished Akropolis Cafe’s torch.

Consumer Culture Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: CONSUMER CULTURE We’re all just a bunch of greedy capitalists because we have to be.

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BEST LOCAL PRODUCT: ColsenKeane Leather Products

Founder and lead designer of ColsenKeane Leather Goods & Provisions, Scott Hofert, specializes in full-grain leather goods, the highest quality and most durable leather out there.

ColsenKeane (CK), named after Hofert’s two sons, celebrates the patina process, or the gradual transformation of leather over time, as a highly prized development that alters the leather’s appearance and tells a story of the item’s history.

CK offers a lifetime guarantee for all its products, including belts, duffles, satchels, journals, wallets and key fobs. The company also affords a buyback program for old CK products and re-sells gently used leather goods at a discounted price.

But what it all comes down to really is that they make funny signs outside of their East 7th Street

shop and the smell when you walk in there … Oh! The smell.

BEST LOCALLY MADE GIFT: David French Skyline Puzzle

Even if you don’t recognize David French’s name, you would recognize his work. The Charlotte-based artist brings a new meaning to the term “Charlottebased artist,” as he has built a name for himself painting hundreds of beautiful vignettes depicting some of Charlotte’s most well-recognized scenes.

From NoDa’s iconic storefronts to a multitude of skyline paintings, French’s paintings act like a snapshot in time for a rapidly changing city.

What folks may not be quite as familiar with are the 1,000- and 500-piece puzzles that have been created using French’s skyline paintings. The latter came after folks complained that the former were

too hard, but if you’re a real Charlotte OG, you should BEST NEW RETAIL: FITTEDS CLT be going for the 1K edition. These are not always Launched by local entrepreneur Giovanni easy to find, especially considering that this issue “Gio” Brown, FITTEDS CLT is one of the only local comes out in prime gift-giving season, but Paper manufacturers and suppliers of one-off, customSkyscraper is your best bet, fittingly enough. made New Era and Mitchell & Ness hats, with designs featuring unique color combinations and side patches done in-store by the FITTEDS team. The BEST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS: company offers officially licensed products from the Ekologicall Valerie Gackiere is the founder and owner of MLB, NBA and NFL. The local custom hat company relocated from Ekologicall, a Charlotte-based online store selling sustainable and reusable alternatives to everyday its Third Ward home to Camp North End in March products like deodorant, paper towels, dish clothes, to showcase its inventory and serve as a social sandwich bags and shampoo bottles — products hangout for fellow hat and fashion lovers, featuring widely used by people trying to live the “zero-waste” a basketball hoop for laid-back shoot-arounds.

“Where I’m from, everyone wears fitteds, you lifestyle. can catch someone’s grandma in a fitted, but there Hygiene products sold through Ekologicall — was no one in Charlotte serving that audience,” shampoo, conditioner, lotion, dish soap, laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, etc. — come in Brown said. “Launching the business has been great containers that can be refilled once empty at Painted for me, and for the city’s hat culture that’s been Tree Boutiques in Matthews. Ekologicall is also at the​​ forming here for many years — and I’m proud to South End Farmers Market every Saturday morning. say FITTEDS has played a major part in that.”

“Being completely zero waste is impossible in the world we live in. We are surrounded by BEST PIVOT/POP-UP: The Urban disposables, by plastic, and that’s how the world is in Reader Bookstore developed countries,” Gackiere said. “We don’t need The Urban Reader Bookstore closed its doors millions of people living completely zero waste, but earlier this year in the corner of a shopping center in we need millions of people trying.” the University area. Announcing a temporary end of their operations in February, they have returned to

Consumer Culture Critics’ Picks

open the doors of a new mobile bookstore.

Owner Sonyah Spence hopes the bookmobile will be a more sustainable business model after being forced out of her former spot due to rising rents. Spence said she was spending $6,000 monthly to lease her previous space — a price that wasn’t feasible for a brick-and-mortar.

The move also makes her inventory more accessible different communities in the Charlotte area. Her selection centers on African-American authors, children’s literature, and underrepresented communities in the literary scene.

BEST STREETWEAR: Current Nostalgia

COLSENKEANE LEATHER GOODS & PROVISIONS

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

BEST VIDEO STORE: VisArt

To be clear, VisArt is an undisputed movie rental mecca. We’ve seen visiting film fanatics from across the country step into the video store and witnessed their eyes popping out of their sockets. VisArt hosts one of the largest and most eclectic collections of movies and TV shows on the East Coast, perhaps the country.

That is just the tip of the cinematic iceberg, the cherry on top of the celluloid sundae, the grimy grindhouse VHS at the apex of a teetering videotape pyramid, because VisArt is so much more than a mere super cool video store.

The nonprofit organization’s screening room has hosted film screenings, seminars, book vs. film club meetings, filmmaking classes, birthday

parties, karaoke sessions, alcohol-free social events and more. And that was before they opened 3102 VisArt next door this year (read more about that in the Music section). Don’t worry your little head about the fact that they are the only video store in Charlotte and win this category every year. They would win anyway.

BEST POP-UP: Thique Threads

Thique Threads is a queer-owned, body-positive pop-up run by couple Beaux Bennet and Angel Medina. The consignment shop started from an idea Medina had in college when he realized how hard it was to find accessible sizes he wanted to wear as a plus-size person.

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Current Nostalgia founder Dylan Foster-Smith is a Charlotte native whose interests lie in streetwear BEST ALTERNATIVE TO FAST FASHION: and its roots in culture. Foster-Smith designed the Cloud Closet brand and began selling it online alongside his Cloud Closet is a premier local clothing rental personal collection of vintage and new streetwear. service that launched this year with a mission to He then rented an office at Camp North End’s co- provide fashion-forward individuals an affordable working tenant Hygge, which led to opportunities to and sustainable way to access top-tier clothing host multiple pop-ups onsite in collaboration with brands. Reduce your carbon footprint by browsing fellow tenant MacFly Fresh before opening its first the store’s online, curated inventory then check retail location. availability, select the rental duration and pick up “Streetwear is rooted in culture, and Camp your pre-loved item at Cloud Closet’s location in North End represents the best of Charlotte culture,” Plaza Midwood.

Foster-Smith said. “After visiting for the first time I The service allows you to reserve an item up knew this was the community I wanted to call home to 90 days or 24 hours in advance for four, seven or permanently.”

10 days at a time. You can also schedule a try-on before semi-committing to a range of items from BEST CUSTOM FASHION: RCB Fashion jumpsuits to dresses to accessories from brands The creative force behind RCB Fashion is owner like For Love & Lemons, Never Fully Dressed and Erin Foley, a professionally trained seamstress who ShowMeYourMumu. holds a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and Marketing. Over the years, Foley’s business has BEST GIFT SHOP: Moxie Mercantile shifted to focus mostly on formal and bridal attire Moxie Mercantile is a community-centric to meet the high demand, but this is not just any boutique with a blend of modern and vintage ol’ bridal shop. This is a spot you visit if you want a gifts. It is a locally owned chain with locations in modernized look that won’t be seen at 100 other Plaza Midwood, Fort Mill, Matthews and Davidson. weddings or formal parties in any given season.

Its wares are unique, elevated and support local This year, Foley and her husband Michael moved businesses. Founder Michelle Castelloe goes out of their shop from the North Davidson Street corridor her way to invest in the community by specifically to Central Avenue, where they have more space to supporting women entrepreneurs and hosting continue their venture into much more than bridal, a story hour for children at her Betty location on including furniture, sewing machines, craft supplies Thomas Avenue in Plaza Midwood every Friday. and more. They’ve been a staple of Charlotte’s Aside from its selection of gifts, it’s also a great stop design scene for many years, and if you don’t know for Christmas decorations, festive cocktail mixes, about RCB, get familiar. and supplies for holiday hosts.

Consumer Culture Critics’ Picks

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After hosting an impromptu clothing exchange between a group of friends, Bennet decided the pair should act on the idea and start selling curated pieces to the public. Thique Threads is known for sustainability, affordability and inclusivity efforts by sourcing their pieces ethically, making all clothing and accessories under $30, and finding sizes from L-5XL. “Some people will go through something with their bodies — whether that’s going through a transition of some sort, like body weight transition or gender transition or identity transition — we want to be there to help them with whatever transition they are going through,” Bennett told Queen City Nerve.

TL;DR: Tempo just went and made golf cool again.

BEST WAY TO FREE YOURSELF: Charlotte Nude Yoga

Carolina Young Naturist Association Social Club (CYNA), a Charlotte-based naturist (aka nudist) club based in Charlotte that caters to people aged 18-45, began in 2018 out of a passion and love for recreational nude activity. Charlotte Nude Yoga (CNY) came after, with founder Huck Broyles using it as a regularly scheduled event that members could count on.

“Naturism strips away the superficial indicators we as people use to form our concept of others and who they are,” Broyles told Queen City Nerve.

“In my experiences, naturism has always yielded a profoundly more expeditious and genuine bonding experience between myself and others.”

“Nude Yoga is so in line with what yoga is at BEST SPORTING STORE: Tempo Golf its core,” CNY instructor Rey Culler added. “Yoga is Club about baring yourself, and what better way to bare Huntersville’s (and we think Mecklenburg yourself than to bare your body? There’s nothing left County’s) first and only indoor golf course invites to fix or adjust and you just show up exactly as you beginners and professional golfers alike to play are and learn to accept yourself exactly as you are.” from their 650+ virtual golf courses from around the world through professional golf simulator BEST STYLIST: Dashelle White technology and an augmented reality putting Dashelle White, currently a stylist at 1213 Studio, system. attended Stanley Cosmetology College, where she Tempo Golf Club offers leagues, memberships learned a lot about perms, a chemical treatment and lessons with real-time, intuitive feedback and that puts texture into the hair, but nothing about performance stats to improve your golf or games how to maintain natural texture or care for and cut like PuttPong and a Barnyard Practice Range for natural curls. entertainment-only players. The club also includes In May 2022, White held her first textured indoor mini-golf, fantasy courses and skills challenges. hair workshop, in which she taught parents and guardians of children with textured hair how to care for and style it. She explained proper shampooing, detangling, product knowledge and product usage.

“It can feel overwhelming when there’s so much information out there but I, as a stylist, like it to be low-maintenance because that’s real life,” White said. “I really wanted to make them associate wash days and hair days as a fun, good thing, because that is gonna stick with your kid for the rest of their life.”

BEST BOOKSTORE: I’ve Read It In Books

Rob Banker hadn’t initially set out to open his own bookstore. Though he graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with an English degree in the mid-1990s, he went a different route and entered the tech industry. When the opportunity presented itself to open a bookstore, however, he DASHELLE WHITE

PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRISK

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Consumer Culture Critics’ Picks

couldn’t pass it by.

While he previously operated out of a different space at Tip Top Daily Market, Banker joined with two local boutiques, Stash Pad Vintage and Milk Money Vintage, and opened his new space on March 3.

“I love NoDa, and since I moved to the city, it’s changed dramatically and it’s still very alive, but I don’t even think I allowed myself to even entertain the idea of opening a shop here because it just wasn’t going to happen.” he told Queen City Nerve.

“To be the guy that got a bookshop into NoDa, I feel pretty good about that.”

BEST YOGA SPACE: Khali Yoga

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When we texted our wellness columnist Katie Grant to ask which yoga studios should be considered for this topic, there was no thought. The answer came back in seconds: “Khali!”

Located on East 36th Street in NoDa, Khali celebrates space and silence, as the word khali is used in northern Indian music philosophy to describe the pause between two beats where rhythm is born.

Khali Yoga offers a space to disconnect from your devices and connect to your humanity, as instructors ask participants to leave all devices

THE HAPPY CAMPER

outside of the room and, in turn, commit to never take photos or videos of you in the practice space as the team honors the room as a sacred place of selfobservation and discovery.

The studio’s 16 teachers (including honorary team member Cashew Crisp, the dog) are rooted in their purpose of individual and collective growth through the practices of yoga.

BEST CBD STORE: The Happy Camper

If you’re craving it, The Happy Camper has it. The Happy Camper —THC — boasts a broad range of CBD, delta-8 and delta-9 products in the form of gummies, chips, chocolates, cookies and pre-rolls.

Owner Michael Angelicola prides the store on being a “community-centric” cannabis hub.

The business lives up to this mantra and opened THIQUE THREADS POP-UP its first brick-and-mortar store on North Davidson Street earlier this year to complement its online shop and iconic camper pop-up events held across the city.

All of The Happy Camper’s products are thirdparty tested and staff members are knowledgeable about the science and effects of each product they sell.

The Happy Camper’s selection and accessibility, combined with the stellar staff have made it Charlotte’s champion for all things CBD. INFO@QCNERVE.COM

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

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Consumer Culture Readers’ Picks

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RETAIL BEST ADULT TOY STORE Winner: White Rabbit Runner Up: The Reddoor BEST BICYCLE SHOP Winner: The Spoke Easy Runner Up: The Charlotte Re-Cyclery BEST BOOKSTORE Winner: Park Road Books Runner Up: Book Buyers BEST CBD SHOP Winner: Crowntown Cannabis Runner Up: Apotheca Cannabis Dispensary BEST CLOTHING STORE Winner: Boris & Natasha Runner Up: Glory Days Apparel BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP Winner: Thrift Pony Runner Up: Stash Pad (Tied) Runner Up: Uptown Cheapskate (Tied) BEST CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM Winner: Viva Chicken Runner Up: Yafo Kitchen, Hummus Hustler BEST FLORAL SHOP Winner: The Blossom Shop Runner Up: Midwood Flower Shop BEST FORMAL WEAR STORE Winner: Savvy Bridal Boutique Runner Up: Monkee’s of Charlotte BEST FURNITURE STORE Winner: Sleepy Poet Antique Mall Runner Up: Nadeau Furniture With A Soul BEST GIFT SHOP Winner: Paper Skyscraper Runner Up: Moxie Mercantile BEST GOLF SHOP Winner: Golf Galaxy Runner Up: GOLFTEC BEST HEAD SHOP Winner: Infinity’s End Runner Up: One Love Smoke Shop BEST HOME ACCESSORIES STORE Winner: Moxie Mercantile Runner Up: Cotswold Marketplace BEST IN-STORE PET Winner: Winnie, Good Postage Runner Up: Smokey, Prism Supply

BEST JEWELRY STORE Winner: Sadu Body Modifications Runner Up: Queen City’s Custom Jewelers BEST LOCAL PRODUCT Winner: Good Postage art prints Runner Up: lumenCLT BEST MUSIC EQUIPMENT STORE Winner: Midwood Guitar Studio Runner Up: NC Guitar Works BEST NEW BUSINESS CONCEPT Winner: Paws Social Club Runner Up: Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream BEST NEW STORE (LAST 2 YEARS) Winner: Thrift Pony Runner Up: Lokal by hygge BEST ONLINE-ONLY STORE Winner: L.A. Suds Runner Up: West & Remount BEST OUTDOOR & SPORTING GOODS STORE Winner: Gear Goat XCHG Runner Up: REI BEST PET STORE Winner: Pet Supplies Plus Runner Up: Four Dogs Pet Supplies BEST PLACE TO BUY VINTAGE Winner: Sleepy Poet Antique Mall Runner Up: Thrift Pony BEST PLANT SHOP Winner: Grow Runner Up: PlantHouse BEST POP-UP MARKET Winner: Front Porch Sundays Runner Up: VTG CLT BEST RECORD STORE Winner: Lunchbox Records Runner Up: Repo Record BEST SHOE STORE Winner: Current Nostalgia Runner Up: REI BEST VAPE SHOP Winner: Infinity’s End Runner Up: Blue Flowers Cannabis Store

DESIGN, STYLE & MODIFICATION BEST BARBER SHOP Winner: Midwood Barbers Runner Up: Charlotte Barber & Beard BEST FASHION DESIGNER Winner: Leah Cade Runner Up: Current Nostalgia

BEST HAIR SALON Winner: Superbloom Hair Studio Runner Up: Bohemian Stylehouse BEST HAIR STYLIST Winner: Kenzie Petty Runner Up: Christie Brenn BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER Winner: Natalie Papier Runner Up: M. Herriott Designs BEST LASH ARTIST Winner: Ali Cook, Copper Willow Salon Runner Up: iLash Charlotte BEST MAKEUP ARTIST Winner: Paige Rabinowitz Runner Up: Angie Cottone BEST NAIL SALON Winner: Mimosas Nail Bar Runner Up: Polished Nail Bar BEST TATTOO SHOP Winner: Made To Last Tattoo Runner Up: Ruby Tiger Tattoo BEST PIERCING STUDIO Winner: Sadu Body Modifications Runner Up: Made To Last Tattoo

HEALTH & WELLNESS BEST CHIROPRACTOR Winner: Lucas Chiropractic and Acupuncture Runner Up: Greenapple Sports & Wellness BEST DENTIST Winner: Plaza Midwood Dentistry Runner Up: Lineberger Dentistry BEST ESTHETICIAN Winner: Toska Spa and Facial Bar Runner Up: Taylor Mims, Aesthy Haus BEST FITNESS STUDIO Winner: Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training Runner Up: AerialCLT BEST GROUP WORKOUT Winner: Burn Boot Camp Runner Up: Tigers Eye (Circuit), Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training BEST MASSAGE SHOP Winner: Mood House Runner Up: Mythic Massage BEST ORTHOPEDIC CARE Winner: OrthoCarolina Runner Up: Anthony Martin, MD BEST PERSONAL TRAINER Winner: Jenna Reynolds Runner Up: Sam Hagy, FIT

BEST SPA Winner: The Spa At Ballantyne Runner Up: Nature’s Spa and Wellness BEST THERAPIST OR COUNSELOR Winner: Nicole Madonna Runner Up: Amy Sanderson, Mindful Movements BEST VETERINARIAN Winner: CARE, Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency Runner Up: Queen City Animal Hospital BEST YOGA STUDIO Winner: Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training Runner Up: NoDa Yoga BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR Winner: Jenna Reynolds, Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training Runner Up: Grace Millsap Yoga

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & REPAIRS BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY Winner: Moonshot Runner Up: BigHouse Marketing BEST ATTORNEY Winner: Kocaj Consulting, Tattooed Tax Attorney Runner Up: Mark S. Jetton, Jr. BEST AUTO DEALER Winner: Subaru South Charlotte Runner Up: Hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram BEST CLOTHING ALTERATIONS Winner: Anna’s Alterations Runner Up: Myers Park Tailors BEST DOGGIE DAYCARE Winner: Skiptown Runner Up: Camp Bow Wow BEST DRY CLEANERS Winner: 2ULaundry Runner Up: Elite Cleaners BEST EVENT PLANNER(S) Winner: J.Leigh Events Runner Up: Carben Events + Marketing BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR Winner: Springdale Custom Builders Runner Up: Exact Construction Group BEST HEATING & AIR COMPANY Winner: Travis Crawford Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Runner Up: Bradham Brothers

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BEST INSURANCE AGENCY Winner: Mark McDuffie Insurance Agency Runner Up: Latorre Insurance BEST LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE Winner: Sprout Commercial Landscaping Runner Up: Teury lawn & tree services BEST LAW FIRM Winner: Jetton & Meredith, PLLC Runner Up: Tin Fulton Walker & Owen BEST LOCAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN Winner: Charlotte International Arts Festival Runner Up: Novant Health Charlotte Marathon BEST MARKETING COMPANY Winner: Black Wednesday Runner Up: Yellow Duck Marketing BEST MEMBERSHIP/SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE Winner: Blind Date Used Book Subscription, That’s Novel Books Runner Up: Nourish Charlotte BEST MOVING & STORAGE COMPANY Winner: Hornet Moving Runner Up: Gentle Giant Moving Company BEST PARTY & EVENT RENTAL Winner: Curated Events Charlotte Runner Up: House Party Rentals BEST PEST CONTROL Winner: Black Pest Prevention Runner Up: ClearDefense Pest Control BEST PET GROOMING Winner: The Dog Salon Runner Up: Gold Standard Dog Grooming (Tied) Runner Up: Pet in the City (Tied) BEST PLUMBING SERVICE Winner: Travis Crawford Heating, Cooling & Plumbing Runner Up: WyattWorks Plumbing BEST POOL CLEANING & SERVICES Winner: Yeary Pools BEST PR COMPANY Winner: Yellow Duck Marketing Runner Up: Black Wednesday BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT BEST TRAVEL AGENCY Winner: Lara Bucci, Savvy + Co. Real Estate Winner: April Powers Travel Runner Up: Brett Carraway, Northstar Real Estate Runner Up: Dreams and Destinations Travel BEST RUG CLEANING Winner: Love-it-Clean Carpet Cleaning Svc./Car WINNERS: Download your award files at Detailing Service bit.ly/2023binawards Runner Up: Tony Rugs Cleaning & Repair Service BEST TAX PREP & ACCOUNTING SERVICES Winner: Nadia Maradiaga, My Tax Lady Runner Up: David Myers, David E. Myers, CPA

THUR 11/30 NOAH WEILAND, ANELLA HERIM

OCEANIC (BEST IN THE NEST PARTY) Photo by Kiah Svendsen

Son of late Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland, Noah Weiland grapples with demons similar to his father’s. While the elder Weiland succumbed to an accidental drug overdose in 2015, Noah embraces ongoing recovery with infectious single “good riddance & goodbye.” Eschewing STP’s stadium-friendly grunge, the tune’s melodic pop choruses dovetail into ruminative hip-hop verses.

Hailing from Trinity, NC, alt-pop rocker/rapper Anella Herim cements his commercial breakthrough with haunted heartbreaker “Tequila,” rapping, “I know my breath still tastes like Tequila from last night/I can still see all the fear inside of your eyes…”

More: $45-50; Nov. 30, 7 p.m.; The Rooster, 334 W. Main Ave., Gastonia; theroostergastonia.com

SAT 12/2 KRAMPUS KRAWL

On Krampusnacht (Dec. 5) each year, Krampus assists St. Nicholas, but not by giving presents to the good little boys and girls; Krampus is in charge of punishing the bad little children, hitting some with branches and sticks and taking the worst in his basket to feast on later. Launched in 2014, the NoDa Krampus Krawl features any number of drunken demons roaming the streets of NoDa in red horns, jumping from venue to venue — Evening Muse, The Chamber at Wooden Robot, NoDa Company Store and Jackbeagle’s — where an impressive lineup of bands awaits at each stop.

More: Free; Dec. 2, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; NoDa; tinyurl.com/KrampusKrawl23 KRAMPUS KRAWL Photo by Austin Cain

12/3

SUN 12/3

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BEST IN THE NEST PARTY

Join us in celebrating all of our 2023 Best in the Nest winners, and our five-year anniversary as Queen City Nerve. Expect an evening full of live music, live art, art galleries, drinks, amazing food, and many other great experiences. We are planning the best holiday party of the year with help from Oceanic, Natalie Carr, Baran Dance Co., Bree Stallings, Te’Jani, Tré Ahmad, Dane Page and DJ SkinnyJay. VIP tickets have already sold out, so act now on general admission because folks all across the city will be talking about this party well into 2024.

More: $30; Dec. 3, 3-8 p.m.; Norfolk Hall, 2905 Griffith St., bestinthenest2023.eventbrite.com

12/2

TUE 12/5 JASMIN ‘WATCH JAZZY’ BROWN

Known for her in-car rants and original characters, Jasmin Brown, aka Watch Jazzy, has become a viral star on Instagram. Known for her “in-car” rants and original characters. Hell, even one of her alter egos, Toya Turnup has 644,000 followers on Instagram.

Jasmin’s passion for writing, creating original content and touring the country doing stand-up comedy have made her a very unique talent. Oh and news broke in October that the Maryland-based comic is expecting former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s child, so she’s got Charlotte ties … kinda.

More: $25-$40; Dec. 5, 7 p.m.; Comedy Zone, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd., Suite B3; cltcomedyzone.com

WED 12/6 ONCE UPON A TRAUMA STORYJAM

This monthly event at Hattie’s Tap & Tavern is an open-mic-style storytelling session that offers anyone with a story to share about the challenging moments in their lives, how they healed and what they learned. December’s theme is creativity; speakers are invited to share a 6ish-minute story about a time when they had to get clever, willie, or weird to overcome a challenge, roadblock or traumatic experience in their life. Remember, these events are made to explore scars, not wounds, meaning it’s requested that speakers only share experiences that they’ve had enough time to process.

More: Free; Dec. 6, 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Hattie’s Tap & Tavern, 2918 The Plaza; tinyurl.com/OnceUponaTrauma

THUR 12/7 CHARLOTTE EMO ROYALE

Amos’ unleashes the area’s best emo bands on one bill — three Charlotte and two Charlotte-adjacent bands. With bright melodies, perky guitars and soaring vocals, blankstate. runs counter to emo stereotypes on the jaunty “Say It Back” and the cantering “Separation Anxiety of the Celestial Sort.” Charging tempos, ringing guitars and Sophie Biancofiore’s appealing vocals propel Moving Boxes’ hardcore-infused punk-pop. Leaving For Arizona utilizes plaintive mid-tempo 1990s alt-rock as a launching pad. Weymouth anchors strong melodies with propulsive grooves, while coiling, stinging guitars envelop Condado’s wistful reveries.

More: $15-18; Dec. 7, 7 p.m.; Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St.; amossouthend.com

FRI

12/8

ANTISEEN, SOUTHSIDE PUNX, HELLFIRE CHOIR

ANTISEEN Photo by Ed Wilson

12/8

Legendary Charlotte punk rules at The Milestone.

Cofounded in 1983 by vocalist/songwriter Jeff Clayton, ANTiSEEN is the source of the Southernfried-punk Nile, ground zero for iconoclastic Charlotte proto-hardcore. With hard-charging distorted power chords, the self-described band of bad-will ambassadors delivers propulsive, powerful and frequently satirical slabs of megaton punk perfection. With martial manifestos like “All Quiet on the Eastern Front,” long-running street-punk/ hardcore power trio SouthSide Punx grapple with apocalyptic issues. An unholy union of blistering hardcore, stampeding Magnosaurus metal and rampaging rockabilly-blues vocals, The Hellfire Choir is a steamroller of sound.

More: $15; Dec. 8, 7 p.m.; The Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Road; themilestone.club

SAT 12/9

FRI

12/8

PRINCESS GOES, TURBO GOTH

On Princess Goes’ single “Jetpack,” ethereal pulsing synthesizers and elastic bass enwrap Michael C. Hall’s smooth croon: “Swapped out blood for metal/ We were waiting for the mechanism/ We were waiting for the flying car/ We were promised on TV…” Yes, that Michael C. Hall from TV’s Dexter makes melodic and experimental music with keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen and drummer Peter Yanowitz. The avant-indie trio’s “Blur” blends Bowie, EDM beats the distant grandeur of Utravox’s “Vienna” and the warmth of U2’s “With or Without You.” Intuitively, it works. Philippine trio Turbo Goth craft similarly pensive, intimate and danceable electro pop.

More: $25-30; Dec. 8, 8 p.m.; Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.; visulite.com

PRINCESS GOES Photo by Colin Lane

12/8

SUN 12/10

CHANDRA CURRELLEY: ‘A JAZZED UP CHARLOTTE COMICON Billed as the best one-day, family-friendly comic CHRISTMAS’

BLANKSTATE. (CHARLOTTE EMO ROYALE) Photo by Blue Raspberry

12/7

show in the country, Charlotte Comicon will feature hundreds of thousands of new and vintage comic books along with countless toys for sale spread throughout a 28,000-square-foot ballroom. The area’s best comic creators and artists will be in attendance, as will all of your favorite cosplayers. In fact, there’s $350 in cash prizes up for grabs in the costume contest during this winter show in Concord, with Star Wars, Star Trek and Ghostbusters clubs expected to show up and participate, so you better bring your A game.

More: $5; Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Embassy Suites Hotel and Concord Convention Center, 5400 John Q Hammons Drive NW; tinyurl.com/CharlotteComicon CHARLOTTE COMICON Photo courtesy of Charlotte Comicon

12/10

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After hearing Chandra Currelley’s soulful singing, Tyler Perry hired her to portray a sultry songbird in his 2005 debut film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

It was obviously typecasting. The jazz chanteuse balances her music career with stage, television and film work. The former lead singer of R&B/soul group The S.O.S. Band, Currelley worked with progressive funk-jazz pioneer Roy Ayers before devising her own genre which she christened urban spiritual jazz. She brings her spiritual, soulful and sultry approach to a selection of new and old holiday favorites.

More: $36-$45; Dec. 9, 6:15 p.m.; Middle C Jazz, 300 S. Brevard St.; middlecjazz.com

Food & Drink Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: FOOD & DRINK It’s our fuel, it’s our fire, it is that which we desire.

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BEST RESTAURANT: Restaurant Constance

Opened in January of this year, Restaurant Constance is tucked like a book too big for its shelf into a development colored in shades of strip mall — but one that’s been repurposed for event spaces, designers and other haunts attracted to things gentrified and shiny — along a stretch of Thrift Road that exhales as it leans into Wesley Heights.

When the light is just right, at Golden Hour plusor-minus 20, you can see Uptown Charlotte in the distance, skyscrapers flickering to life, emerging like Oz or the Promised Land. From this point of view, we can’t imagine anything more dramatic.

Except that once inside, we are overwhelmed at the transformation that has taken place.

But for the rafters, all traces of the previous restaurant tenant are gone: the self-serving soundtracks replaced with cinematic peeks into the journey the evening’s ingredients took from farm to table projected on the back wall, black curtains at the front replaced by an actual hostess stand stationed against a wall displaying album covers and family-loved trinkets.

On good days, Constance herself — the chef’s daughter and restaurant’s namesake — is there to greet those coming through the door.

The open kitchen is still there, but the dynamic is different. Diners are no longer tense at the show put on before them, kitchen cahoots have given way to sharp, zen focus. The color palette has calmed down, too, from the walls to the seats to even the menus — whites and neutrals, with a hint of

RESTAURANT CONSTANCE IN WESLEY HEIGHTS.

PHOTO BY KENTY CHUNG

sparkle, trimmed in red and blue.

2021 after frequently cooking for their friends, but It’s Americana, but not the Americana of today first started a fine-dining and catering business — God, no. It’s classic, nostalgic and welcoming. inspired by their global travels and food influences, plus Carter’s experience in food writing. Having opened the new location as a chef’s market, the pair BEST NEW RESTAURANT: L’Ostrica Opening over the summer, L’Ostrica has already launched their full seasonal tasting menu in early been building a buzz from its location in the Montford fall, with a brunch menu on the way.

“We’re very excited to be bringing our deeply Park neighborhood. Launched by Cat Carter and Eric personal vision to life and to be adding to the city’s Ferguson, the pair came up with the name, Italian for “oyster,” over a plate of the shellfish. The menu is about growing culinary scene at the same time,” Ferguson and so much more, however — a fusion of inspirations Carter said in the lead-up to the opening. “We share a genuine enthusiasm for cooking and hospitality and from Italy, Japan, France and Korea.

The duo had the idea to open a restaurant in look forward to serving guests in our new space.”

Food & Drink Critics’ Picks

BEST OLD RESTAURANT: Alexander Michael’s

In this refurbished building from the 1890s sitting in Fourth Ward you can expect to find a hodgepodge of neighborhood dwellers and towntraversers alike as Al Mike’s tends to top the lists of most popular restaurants in Charlotte. The bar and back bar are crafted from solid oak doors that were a part of the Independence Building, one of Charlotte’s first skyscrapers.

The feel of a classic tavern surrounds you as you enter and wait to be seated. The wood paneling on the ceiling, the old-school Dr. Pepper clock and Sun Spot soda signs mixed with new signage from local breweries create an eclectic atmosphere like something you may have seen in your grandfather’s basement.

Cozy up in a booth or a table, or in the sideby-side booth in the back corner of the dining area that overlooks every seat in the house, and enjoy delicious and hearty portions of local fare influenced by classic English pubs. While the What It Is — blackened chicken breast over rotini in a Cajun cream sauce — won best signature dish in our readers’ picks, you can’t go wrong with any of their other staples including the honey chicken pasta or blackened catfish.

In the fall and winter months there is something so Christmas-esque about the space that you cannot pass up the opportunity to go once if you haven’t before. It feels familiar, feels like family, and is hopefully standing for another 100 years.

BEST OUTSIDE 485: Firehawk Brewpub

BEST BREWERY: Gilde Brewery

In the years since pioneers like OMB, NoDa, and Birdsong opened their doors, breweries have taken over Charlotte. It’s a joke at this point; there are so many breweries in Charlotte that there’s a dive bar called Another Brewery opening on North Davidson Street.

However, one of the newer breweries in the York Road neighborhood is also the best. What sets Gilde apart is the food — instead of an overpriced, hitand-miss food truck parked outside, Gilde features a well-crafted menu of German staples. Instead of congealed beer cheese and cold pretzels, you have fresh sauerkraut and currywurst and our personal favorite, the smoked bauernwurst. Gilde exchanges ersatz compromises for an inviting, appealing atmosphere. It’s a place you want to be. The beer’s pretty good, too.

BEST CURBSIDE: Bar-B-Q King

In March, some local news outlets reported BarB-Q King, a classic Charlotte restaurant located on the Wilkinson Boulevard corridor in west Charlotte, was for sale after 64 years of curbside business. The next day, owner Gus Karapanoa told QCity Metro that the reports were wrong; the lease isn’t up for another eight years.

It was a happy ending in a growing city where newbies and natives alike plan to visit our classic food joints, but don’t get around to it until the restaurants announce they’re closing. Moral of the story: Don’t wait eight years to visit Bar-B-Q king. Don’t wait eight days. Don’t wait until you see a replay of its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Just go.

What are you waiting for? It’s iconic. Go.

BEST MENU ITEM: The Cornbread Service at The Haymaker

After taking over The Haymaker located inside Ascent Uptown this summer, Chef Chris Coleman of The Goodyear House quickly revamped the menu of the Third Ward mainstay into something more aligned to his particular brand of comfort food that sings. The most exciting addition — and this is where other Charlotte restaurants need to take note — is Coleman’s cornbread service. A skillet of sweet cornbread cooked in bacon fat arrives at the table with assorted accouterments: creme fraiche and trout roe, sweet cream and pepper jelly, country ham and a zesty, zinging relish. Mix and match, lick the skillet, yelp and cry for more. After one bite, we were texting everyone we know about it.

This (praise be!) is Charlotte’s first true destination dish — good to share with friends, or to horde all alone at the bar after work with a glass (or three) of bubbles — and is more than worth navigating Uptown parking to try.

BEST NEW FOOD OR DRINK PRODUCT: Cümulo by Resident Culture

The first time we had Cümulo, Resident Culture’s perfectly legal THC-infused seltzer, we had been hanging out at Resident Culture South End, when out of nowhere, we noticed the Russian spies hiding off in the corner, watching our every move.

Before we could confront them, though, there was a meteor shower inside the dining room, only the meteors were strands of DNA, which slowly came apart and revealed secrets we had to promise never to tell you. The second time we had it, we had snuck a few cans into a late night showing of Killers of the Flower Moon. We stand by our assessment that

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

it is the greatest movie musical of our time, and the two-hour pauses between Leonardo DiCaprio starting a sentence and ending a sentence were made so much shorter by an audio track of giggling Gremlins eating caramel popcorn.

If that’s not enough to convince you that Cümulo is the best new drink product in Charlotte, then drink one or three cans for yourself and come join us next week as we interview our pink puppy Gretchen who has not one but several bones to pick with you.

BEST LATE-NIGHT MENU: Brewton’s Cafe

Brewton’s Cafe owner Brandon Brewton built up his kitchen skills doing catering and running a successful meal-prep business in Atlanta, until he found himself back in Charlotte and the Double Oaks church where his grandmother, Pastor Barbara Brewton-Cameron, launched Community Outreach Christian Ministries in the early 1990s.

He relaunched his catering and meal-prep venture, seeing enough success to launch Brewton’s Cafe out of a kitchen connected to what had since become the Barbara Brewton Hope For Harvest Youth Center.

Brewton continued splitting his time between the road and Brewton’s Cafe until 2020, when the COVID pandemic struck. Inspired by what he had learned during catering trips, Brewton began to play with the menu, which rotates every two weeks.

The oxtail Rasta pasta was the first menu item that began to build buzz around the neighborhood and then the city. Another popular menu item as of late has been the lo mein, which Brewton has been working into a number of different dishes.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Newton serves a long line of late-night customers,

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Firehawk Brewpub is a family-run restaurant in a refurbished, previously abandoned Mount Holly firehouse that serves Carolina-style barbecue, fish camp and grilled meats cooked over live fire, along with beers brewed right there in the building using home-brewing equipment. Co-owners Erin TracyBlackwood and Scott Blackwood, along with their staff of relatives and friends, serve Erin’s renowned mac and cheese and collard greens, Scott’s grilled meat items, and beer brewed by Erin’s brother-inlaw, Matthew Young.

Located on North Main Street in Mount Holly along a scenic stretch of Dutchman’s Creek, a tributary of the Catawba River just over the line from

Mecklenburg County, the Firehawk team continues to do what they can to preserve Dutchman’s Creek and reinvigorate the community space surrounding it while paying their employees a fair and livable wage.

Recalling how he was treated over 10 years of part-time restaurant gigs, Scott is prioritizing stability for his team at Firehawk Brewpub with a $15-an-hour minimum wage and tips pooled between all positions. Each employee gets a share of quarterly profits and flexibility when it comes to scheduling around their personal lives and avoiding burnout.

“We believe strongly that mental health is health, and we give everyone in the building the space and grace to take care of themselves the best that they can, and we do everything we can to make MENU ITEMS AT BREWTON’S CAFE that possible,” Scott says.

Food & Drink

can alter your reality, causing you to see the good in everything again.

No, not for any of these reasons is Vicente the best bakery in Charlotte, but because Sam Chapelle and Yerman Carrasquero have turned their bakery into something of a town square, where friends and neighbors gather to chit chat or trade gossip over cruffins, and where every customer is made to feel like family.

Critics’ Picks

remaining open until 4 a.m. on Sunday mornings in a city without many late-night options.

His late-night, after-the-bars-close schedule was another aspect of the business inspired by Brewton’s catering travels.

“I got that from Philly and Vegas; they never closed,” Brewton explained. “I’m like, ‘This is the move.’ We was out 2, 3 in the morning. We might have just gotten done with a job and we can go eat.

Not no McDonald’s or Waffle House; we can go eat a real meal and they’re open all night. I’m like, ‘Man, Charlotte ain’t got this.’”

BEST COFFEE SHOP: Archive CLT

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Located in a shopping center at the corner of LaSalle Street and Beatties Ford Road, just over a mile from Charlotte’s only HBCU, Archive CLT connects customers across generations with artifacts from Black history.

By 2021, collector Cheryse Terry was ready to open her own brick-and-mortar shop filled with ephemera that captures the Black American experience. At the behest of an investor, Terry decided to conceptually marry her interest in Black ephemera with a coffee shop. She launched a GoFundMe campaign early that year, raising over $40,000 in 40 days to help reach the $75,000 needed to open the shop.

“Beatties Ford Road is historically Black … it was literally our Black Wall Street,” she said.

“So being able to be a part of the revitalization of Beatties Ford Road to restore it back to the Black

BEST ICE CREAM: Seemingly Overzealous

SAM CHAPELLE AT VICENTE BISTRO

Wall Street that it was, I definitely want [Archive] to be a part of that.”

BEST FOOD TRUCK: Tacos Rick-O

The profanely delicious surf & turf tacos made us instant fans of Tacos Rick-O, the food truck parked next to Hoppin’ at the corner of West Bland and Winnifred streets in South End. The tacos were bursting with grilled steak and shrimp, seasoned to the point of climax, and though it wasn’t explicitly forbidden, we dipped them into a side of heady queso we had also ordered anyway because why not and, well, the rest isn’t suitable for print. Ricky Ortiz, the truck’s charismatic owner with a killer smile, turns his passion for his native Mexico’s street food into more than just a concept that’s perfectly suited for its neighborhood. With Tacos Rick-O, he has given us something to celebrate: food that is electric, vibrant and insanely well-conceived.

PHOTO BY KENTY CHUNG

BEST NEW CONCEPT: Menya Daruma

Ramen hasn’t always been treated with the respect that it deserves in this town.

It’s either a bastardized version of the Japanese original as seen through the eyes of drunk college kids, or it’s generically “Asian” and indistinguishable from Chinese, Vietnamese or even Thai noodle dishes.

Menya Daruma in Elizabeth announces its intentions right at the door: the name “menya,” in Japanese, literally means, “noodle shop.”

In the back, ensconced in a makeshift temple with overhead lighting, customers can see a man churning out fresh noodles by hand throughout the day, his pace steady and his concentration never wavering even as the orders from the kitchen pile up.

This is ramen shown respect and ramen how it’s meant to be. For a real treat, try the “Nagoya Taiwanese” dry ramen — a version rarely seen around these parts — that has a bit of everything and absolutely nothing that won’t make you immediately check on ticket prices to Tokyo.

​​Seemingly Overzealous was created by partners Garrett Tichy, founder of hygge coworking, and Jessica Berresse, who met in 2020 and connected over their love for ice cream. Their first date included taste testing an ice cream flight, including one flavor created at home by Tichy as part of a new pandemicera hobby.

What began as a passion project turned into a pop-up company and evolved into a brick-andmortar, which opened at Camp North End in May. Tichy and Berresse’s focus is creating delicious dairy-free ice cream that can be enjoyed by everyone. The waffle chips and cones are also egg-, dairy-, and gluten-free.

Seemingly Overzealous is known to have a rotating menu of 12 flavors to coincide with the changing seasons, but include their classics like Grey Blobbin, Paper Cup Love Notes, and Easy to Love: Earl Grey, coffee and chocolate flavors, respectively.

The scoops are perfectly creamy; so good, in fact, that you can expect a line out the door in the middle of winter.

BEST BAKERY: Vicente Bistro

INSIDE ARCHIVE CLT

PHOTO BY TYLER BUNZEY

You should have seen this one coming from a mile away: Vicente Bistro in South End, home of the best croissants in the world, is Charlotte’s best bakery. And it’s not just because the croissants are objectively perfect.

Or because the kouign-amann — a lot more difficult to get right than you would think, considering they are nothing more than sugar and butter — are our new favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or because even on the worst possible days, Vicente’s giant alfajores cookies

SEEMINGLY OVERZEALOUS PHOTO BY JULIA FAY

Food & Drink

inspired by her upbringing in Honduras, and she offers a unique and expansive menu filled with Critics’ Picks treats you won’t see in any other Charlotte bakery.

Some must-tries from “The Batchmaker” include THE GREG COLLIER AWARD FOR BEST her oatmeal cream pies, mini chilenas, and s’mores brownies.The best way to order her unique cookies CHEF: Sam Diminich and bars is in batches, hence the name, but folks are At Restaurant Constance, Chef Sam Diminich welcome to stop by the bakery if they only want one cooks like his life depends on it. And that could very or two treats — just hope she isn’t sold out. well be the literal truth.

To see the name Constance, to take one step inside the restaurant, is to know how much family means to him. He has worked through recovery from well-documented addiction struggles and survives for and with the help of his family — now he cooks to bring us all together.

Knowing this means understanding, of course, that he’s the only chef in town who could conceive of pork shank in such blockbuster fashion, towering on a plate of okra, black beans and rice, eliciting gasps from the entire dining room when spotted leaving the kitchen, eliciting cries for more napkins as it soon appears on every table and every face.

Knowing this also means understanding that there had to be divine inspiration for the chocolate miso tart to come into existence. It’s a mature, confident but also deliciously rich and assertive slice of life. One bite is enough, which could be Diminich’s way of teaching us about moderation.

before by turning his encyclopedic knowledge of spirits and flavors into a time machine that can access even the most distant memories. Once, on the DL, we may have asked him to make a drink based on, of all things, I Love Lucy. We swore never to reveal the details exactly, but Roger had effectively resurrected the dead and had them drinking there right along with us.

BEST RESTAURANT WE DON’T AGREE WITH OUR FOOD CRITIC ON: Ever Andalo

BEST VEGAN CHEF: Akil Courtney

BEST PASTRY CHEF: Cristina RojasAgurcia

Known as “The Batchmaker,” Cristina RojasAgurcia satisfies Charlotte’s sweet tooth with her delicious cakes and cookies served out of The Batch House bakery in Station West in west Charlotte’s Seversville neighborhood. Rojas’ baking style is

SAM DIMINICH

BEST MIXOLOGIST: Roger Kongkham, Supperland

PHOTO BY KENTY CHUNG

BEST RESTAURATEUR: Jon Dressler

Jon Dressler, cofounder of Rare Roots Hospitality (RRH), which runs Dressler’s, Dogwood Southern Charlotte is home to many big names in the Table, The Porter’s House, and Fin & Fino, saw a year cocktail industry. Amanda Britton. Larry Suggs.

Colleen Hughes. What has been especially exciting of major changes across his portfolio of restaurants to witness over the past year is how a new class of in 2023. In August, he closed Dogwood down in expert mixologists have emerged in Charlotte under SouthPark, effectively snuffing out one of the area’s their watchful eye. Roger Kongham, Colleen Hughes’ best restaurants of the past decade.

And while one venture was closing, new right-hand man at Supperland and erstwhile upwindows were opening for those of us who love and-comer, is now a name in his own right. Part Dressler’s work. Joan’s Bakery and Deli, opening of this is due to his charisma and his affinity for hospitality — fans of Supperland’s Speakeasy, near his namesake Dressler’s Restaurant at 1100 where Kongkham puts in regular appearances, will Metropolitan Ave. in Midtown, will feature Jon’s know exactly what we mean when we say he is mother Joan Dressler’s famous cheesecake recipe often the star attraction at one of the best shows in as well as carrot and apple cake recipes from her bakery days in New Jersey. town.

Announced in June was Dressler’s Improv But really what sets Roger apart is his drive to Kitchen, which now serves as the food and beverage become a better mixologist than he was the day

While our food critic Tim may think that NoDa or North Davidson Street is somehow cursed for lasting Italian cuisine, we feel that Ever Andalo, opened by the Tonidandel-Brown restaurant group, has some sort of magic that will keep it around for some time to come. Your entree must be accompanied by an enormous loaf of focaccia bread, and house-made ricotta with a flight of oils and salts that your server will walk you through on the best ways to prepare them. The pastas are well-cooked in creamy sauces that don’t overpower the palate and come in a portion fitting of the prices some like us may scoff at.

This affordable elevated Italian eatery is a great place for a small- or big-win celebration in life with great service, carefully crafted cocktails and food that stays on your mind well past your latest visit.

BEST LOCAL CHAIN: Chex Grill & Wings

Back in 2014 when Chex opened its first spot on Freedom Drive, it served as a hidden gem for those in the know who enjoyed their wide selection of wing flavors. Today, it’s like the Spirit Halloween store of fast-casual food options in Charlotte, with banner signs popping up on storefronts all around the city. Now with eight locations in Mecklenburg

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If you’ve followed along with our Best in the Nest issues over the years, you’ve heard mention of Chef Joya, whose cooking and books made for cooking have been recognized in the past. But Chef Joya’s brother Akil Courtney has also been quietly building a name for himself as the owner of Ve-Go food truck, which has served the Charlotte, Mint Hill and Concord areas since Akil and his wife Paris, a pastry chef, launched it in 2019.

Recent favorites from the Ve-Go menu include the Hennessy BBQ Short Ribz, Carolina Sausage Doggs and the Bang Bang, spicy garlic and lemon pepper Shrymp. Building on three decades of experience as a vegan, Akil and Paris focus on classic soul food dishes, but always with a Ve-Go twist and flare.

program at Middle C Jazz Club in Uptown. And then there’s Chapter 6, another future entry into the group that will opened in The Line luxury apartment complex in South End along the rail trail, 2151 Hawkins St. Dressler’s goal with that restaurant was to capture the spirit of a coastal getaway with a menu that’s described as Spanish with a Moroccan flair and French with an Italian accent.

Also in August, Dressler announced he would close Dressler’s Birkdale location to reopen as a new Fin & Fino location in early 2024, and told Queen City Nerve the team is discussing a couple different fastcasual options.

Throughout this balancing act, Dressler has not allowed the quality to slip at any of his establishments it seems. There’s even a chance we’ll see Dogwood return sometime in the future. “I will not rule out seeing Dogwood revived somewhere down the line. It would be a crime to see Duck and Dumplings go away,” he told us, referencing one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. It seems that all endings at Rare Roots Hospitality are simply opportunities for new beginnings.

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Food & Drink

The standout item (and chef’s favorite) is the Spam musubi. The Spam is marinated to perfection, Critics’ Picks with a perfectly balanced sweet flavor to counteract the saltiness of the nori and umami. The dish is small, perfectly sized for a light breakfast or easy County and additional spots added in Mount Holly snack between meals to go with their perfectly and Gastonia, they’ve most recently crossed the brewed coffee. border, adding the latest location in the Mt. Gallant area in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

BEST BRUNCH: Easy Like Sunday But it’s not just their rapid growth that’s This may be the most Instagrammable brunch impressive. Chex is a consistently great spot to stop spot in Charlotte. The food at Easy Like Sunday is in and grab some takeout. While the idea of fruitseconded only by the chic and artsy atmosphere. flavored wings may be off putting at first, we highly Its owners, Anna and Sean Maccuish, have curated recommend the strawberry hot. If you know you just a mouthwatering menu that serves American know. While most folks who are fans of Chex are well classics with unique and flavorful twists. Located aware of the wings’ greatness, there’s also a sleeper in ParkTowne Village near the Park Road Shopping on the menu: the cheeseburger. Like the eatery Center, this is the perfect place to dine if you want itself, the burger is a straightforward, no-frills affair picture-worthy plates and delicious pancakes. that simply delivers on each visit.

Their ube pancakes are particularly popular for Charlotte brunch fanatics and boast an eye-catching BEST FARM: (Farm at) Dover bright purple topping. Easy Like Sunday also has an impressive array of gourmet coffees ranging Vineyards The Dover family probably could have made from lavender lattes to Kyoto cold brew. The eatery good money by selling their real estate and farmland doesn’t accept reservations and can be busy on the a couple miles north of Charlotte Motor Speedway weekends, but is well worth the wait. long ago; instead, the lifelong Concord residents got into the wine industry. Farming came shortly after. BEST LUNCH: Bang Bang Burgers Their website is worth a visit for the ample Joseph Huang, who celebrated 10 years in family recipes alone. While you can visit the Farm at business at Bang Bang Burgers in November, Dover Vineyards in Concord to feed your in-season modeled his burger after Toast Uptown, a restaurant local produce fix (and schedule a wine tasting), and bar where he grew up near Columbia University their Plaza Midwood Farmers Market stand next to in New York City, using the same beef as Toast, Common Market is in the heart of Charlotte. sourced from Creekstone Farms in Arkansas.

If you’re looking for tasty, sustainable food He and his team cut the fries in the shop each year-round, their community-supported agriculture day by hand and dunk them to order. His signature (CSA) shares bring the farm to you in Plaza Midwood, Bang Bang sauce is always served on the side with University, Uptown and NoDa neighborhoods. his best-selling Bang Bang Burger so that each customer can administer said sauce to each bite as they wish rather than spread it around the bun and BEST BREAKFAST: HEX Coffee, overwhelm the dish.

Kitchen & Natural Wine “I think that a really good burger is one where While HEX is known for its superb coffee, its food menu is sneakily diverse and rich in flavor — you just have the beef and the bun and almost especially the Japanese-Hawaiian hybrids courtesy nothing else. And that tastes good, right? If that of chef de cuisine Obadiah Rysztak. The breakfast is tastes good, then you add a sauce, then you add vast, with items like yogurt & nola, avocado tartine, bacon, then you add other stuff,” he says.

He picked a thing and stayed laser-focused on the waffle, and rice porridge. doing that thing right, and it’s been working for him The yogurt is taro-flavored, topped with ever since.

Here’s to another 10 years. seasonal fruit, housemade granola, honey and matcha. Their avocado tartine is a take on avocado toast with daikon and nori furikake sprinkled on top BEST LUNCH UNDER $10: The while sitting atop a tomato miso paste. Their waffle Sandwich Club consists of a white miso flavor, and their traditional The best way to pass the time at The Sandwich rice porridge is accompanied by pork belly, a fried Club — and trust us, queues are guaranteed, but egg and togarashi.

EASY LIKE SUNDAY IN MONTFORD PARK.

they move a lot more swiftly than you’d think — is to stand back and watch how nimbly the entire operation takes place. There are no iPads or touch screen menus here. Orders are written down on paper tickets in some secret code and handed off to the kitchen along with dozens of others. What looks like lunchtime chaos is actually efficiency at its most awe-inspiring. How do they keep all the names and orders straight? We asked once and they replied with only a wink and a smile.

THE NAMESAKE BURGER AT BANG BANG BURGERS PHOTO BY PETER TAYLOR

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

Also home to Charlotte’s most breathtaking assortment of potato chips, The Sandwich Club — located in The Green — has proven to be the best lunch around for under $10. Go for the B.L.A.T. with added banana peppers (paired with any of the halfdozen varieties of sweet potato chips), or any one of the weekly specials, which sometimes, if you’re lucky, feature a hearty homemade pimento cheese.

BEST DINNER: Customshop

In a town like Charlotte, discerning eaters of food live with the very real fear that their favorite places will come under the undue influence of influencers, or worse, that the undiscerning and unduly influenced will just ruin it for everyone.

Thank goodness for Darwinism, though, and ultimately, the triumph of taste.

Nevertheless, food this wonderful needs to be celebrated, and in Customshop, chef-owner Andres Kaifer and general manager Alex Bridges — who in the summer of 2022 bought the space from Trey Wilson — find themselves at the helm of a restaurant, very much like Leah & Louise and Supperland, that will add yet another twinkle to Charlotte’s rising star on the national food scene.

One will be hard-pressed to find a better flavor combination than duck breast and cherries, so come to Customshop where they say “Fuck it” and throw some walnut crumble into the mix. Those nutty crunches become the sweet dulcet tones underlying what turns into a symphony, where duck rendered just-so melds into dark cherries cooked down justso, which then seep into sunchoke purée that’s really there as a security blanket when emotions without fail begin to run too high.

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Food & Drink Critics’ Picks

BEST SIDE ITEM: Potato Pave at The Green Room

The Green Room, Amanda Britton’s secret weekend cocktail den just inside the entrance of Lincoln Street Kitchen in South End, does what many bars do and offers up a bit of food to line its customers’ stomachs. But unlike most bars, The Green Room’s small menu of even smaller bites can go toe-to-toe with Britton’s expertly crafted libations. In particular, the potato pave — fiendishly decadent little Lego-sized blocks of fried potatoes topped with creme fraiche and caviar. They are an entire mood, one that leans toward the extravagant and begs to be experienced, at night, while dressed to the nines. If you go, when you go, be sure to say hi to Barbie for us and tell her we sent you.

BEST BURGER: Sliders at The Artisan’s Palate

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The Artisan’s Palate — NoDa’s whimsical Bohemian enclave that’s part art gallery, part restaurant and part venue for the best drag queens in town — also happens to have the best burger in Charlotte. Or burgers; do sliders count as more than one? Don’t ask the kitchen that question, though.

Believe us when we say we’ve asked, on more than one occasion, whether they could just make one proper burger instead of three little ones, and (le gasp!) we were summarily dismissed each time. Is this anarchy? No more so than what appears at the table.

Three perfectly molded mini-patties of ground beef, still oozing, still gushing, are each topped with pickled red onions and the most orange of American cheeses. Nothing more, nothing less.

These days, as far as burgers are concerned, there is anarchy in such simplicity. And, oh honey, the flavor — rambunctiously beefy, albeit sadly ephemeral as one slider is gone in two bites. At The Artisan’s Palate, food becomes philosophical: Is their burger(s) a culinary comment on the impermanence of things? Is this NoDa? Add a drag queen to the mix, and it certainly is.

BEST PIZZA: Bird Pizzeria

Pizza in Charlotte for the most part is an afterthought, the stodgy stuff of after-hours parties and weekend sports viewing. When it tries to be more, it tries too hard, and we end up with Detroit-style travesties or some sad, floppy mess by way of Sicily. In fact, it wasn’t until Kerrel and Nkem Thompson came to Charlotte and opened Bird Pizzeria off East 15th Street in Optimist Park that we were finally treated to a true artisan’s take on the subject — and, oh, how we’ve been changed for the better.

Each pizza here is edited down to the bare essentials — only a simple list of toppings is available, the better to highlight that impeccable crust, made from a recipe Kerrel developed over two years in order to get the perfect amount of crisp.

Pre-orders are encouraged at Bird — it’s a literal walk-up window with zero indoor seating, and only a table or two outside for those eager to eat these beautiful craft pizza pies fresh out of the oven.

THE TEAL TURNIP

BEST PLACE NOBODY TALKS ABOUT: 10 Seconds Noodles

Does anyone willingly go to Ballantyne? For any reason, really, but especially to eat? That, of course, is a rhetorical question, which alone goes to explain how 10 Seconds Noodles has managed to stay well under the radar. Tucked into a strip mall that is so generically south Charlotte that it even has Tesla chargers, 10 Seconds Noodles’ gloriously flavored Chinese-style soups are possibly the city’s best-kept secrets.

There’s something for everyone here, and that’s by design. Think of the soups here as personal-sized hot pots. In the mood for something feisty? Try the pickled cabbage soup with fried fish. In the mood for something wholesome? Try the tomato soup with beef flank. All come with rice noodles made fresh daily, and all come with pickles, tofu and other delicious bits that you can throw into the pot to ramp up the flavor and fun even more. If you’re in the mood for a real treat, request a side of the fish maw, an ingredient little seen in Charlotte, that adds a creamy level of umami you’ll never want to forget.

BEST EXPANSION: Open Rice

BIRD PIZZERIA

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

Ever since Dim Sum Chinese Restaurant on Central Avenue closed, we’ve been looking for a worthy replacement. At first, Open Rice wasn’t a contender. The Hong Kong-influenced fusion menu was great, but the restaurant was all the way down Providence Road, south of I-485. Now, however,

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

they’ve opened a second location in Midtown Charlotte at the Metropolitan. It’s a worthy, convenient dim sum option with a more modern atmosphere, a larger variety of main dishes, and a significantly larger beer and wine list than their spiritual predecessor on Central.

“Newer” and arguably “better” does come with higher prices, but after a couple years without good steamed pork buns in our lives, we’re willing to compromise.

BEST SUSTAINABLE EATERY: The Teal Turnip

Small plates eatery The Teal Turnip is “fine dining in a T-shirt” according to executive chefs Taylor Kastl and Steve McGinley.

The establishment’s mission is to be the change they wish to inspire. What that looks like is minimizing food waste, encouraging composting and recycling, practicing acceptance and inclusion, feeding neighbors experiencing homelessness, and paying their staff a living wage.

The eatery operates on a seasonal menu and sources its ingredients from local farmers, rotating the menu five times a year for each season and one “swing season” timed to celebrate North Carolina’s harvest season.

Teal Turnip is located in the Oakhurst Shopping Center on Monroe Road and asks diners to make reservations. (Note: The establishment is, respectfully, child-free.)

Food & Drink

The sides change daily — assorted dals, creamy butter chicken, a variety of paneers and even spicy Critics’ Picks Manchurian fried chicken.

We’ve seen the lunchtime lines grow from two or three people to several deep at peak lunchtime BEST HIDDEN GEM: Nirvana II Blink and you’ll miss it, as Nirvana II is located hours, so clearly the word is getting out. Go under the shadows of office buildings along South now while Charlotte’s best takeout is still one of Tryon Street in Uptown, and if you do happen upon Charlotte’s best-kept secrets. it, you might wonder if you’re hallucinating. You would be forgiven. Nirvana II looks to have popped BEST RELAXATION LOUNGE: The up in an abandoned storefront, and most of the Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary interior looks to have been reclaimed from former Sherry Waters opened The Pauline Tea-Bar tenants.

Apothecary in 2019, implementing her own blend It may not be the most inviting setting, to be of experiences — decades spent working in the sure, but not allowing yourself a look-see would nonprofit sector, a Master’s degree in Practical mean denying yourself some of the best (not Theology, an expertise in spiritual care counseling to mention, best value) Indian food in Uptown.

— to create a space hyper-focused on restorative White rice and two sides start around $10, or for healing and community building. a few dollars more, you can upgrade to biryani.

Everything about the business, from the rotating art displays to the seating to the lack of Wi- Best in the Nest: The Party Fi, is meant to cultivate a sense of serenity.

Sunday, Dec. 3 | Norfolk Hall | 3-8 p.m.

Waters and her staff offer $5 pots of tea, selected After five years of putting together our from an in-depth menu that includes not only tea annual awards issue, we are pulling it all type and the benefits of each option but a complete overview, list of ingredients and suggested uses for together in person to celebrate our fiveyear anniversary. Join us at Norfolk Hall on each tea.

Sunday, December 3 for an evening full of “Every single thing that we’ve done — even live music, live art performances, food and the furnishings coming from second-hand stores, drinks, a local market and a VIP art gallery. antiques — has been about bringing home that feeling of home, bringing a place of belonging and qcnerve.com/tickets making people again feel like they belong here,” Waters says.

“I never want people to walk away without a good experience.”

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

THE PAULINE TEA-BAR APOTHECARY

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

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Food & Drink Readers’ Picks

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BY NEIGHBORHOOD BEST BALLANTYNE RESTAURANT Winner: Midwood Smokehouse Runner Up: Ma Ma Wok BEST BELMONT/MT. HOLLY RESTAURANT Winner: Nellie’s Southern Kitchen Runner Up: The Bottle Tree BEST EAST CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT Winner: Lang Van Runner Up: Customshop BEST MATTHEWS/MINT HILL RESTAURANT Winner: New Zealand Cafe Runner Up: Que Onda Tacos + Tequila Matthews BEST NODA RESTAURANT Winner: Haberdish Runner Up: Salud Cerveceria BEST NORTH END RESTAURANT Winner: The Dumpling Lady Runner Up: Leah & Louise BEST NORTH MECKLENBURG RESTAURANT (HUNTERSVILLE, CORNELIUS, DAVIDSON) Winner: Kindred Runner Up: 131 MAIN Restaurant BEST PINEVILLE RESTAURANT Winner: Nakato Japanese Steakhouse Runner Up: Waldhorn Restaurant BEST PLAZA MIDWOOD RESTAURANT Winner: Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria Runner Up: Supperland BEST SOUTH END RESTAURANT Winner: Yunta Runner Up: Dilworth Tasting Room BEST SOUTHPARK RESTAURANT Winner: Little Mama’s Italian Runner Up: Steak 48 BEST STEELE CREEK RESTAURANT Winner: Midwood Smokehouse Runner Up: Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q BEST UNIVERSITY CITY RESTAURANT Winner: Banh Mi Brothers Runner Up: Thai House - University BEST UPTOWN RESTAURANT Winner: Fin & Fino Runner Up: Mariposa BEST WEST CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT Winner: Pinky’s Westside Grill Runner Up: Restaurant Constance

BY CONCEPT BEST BAKERY Winner: Suárez Bakery Runner Up: Villani’s Bakery BEST BARBEQUE Winner: Midwood Smokehouse Runner Up: Jon G’s Barbecue BEST COFFEE SHOP Winner: The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters Runner Up: Summit Coffee Co. BEST DELI Winner: Common Market Runner Up: Rhino Market & Deli BEST FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT Winner: The Artisan’s Palate Runner Up: Restaurant Constance BEST FARMERS MARKET Winner: Charlotte Regional Farmers Market Runner Up: Matthews Community Farmers’ Market BEST FOOD TRUCK Winner: Halal Food Cart Runner Up: Katsu Kart BEST GOURMET/SPECIALTY FOOD STORE Winner: Pasta & Provisions Runner Up: Reid’s Fine Foods BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE Winner: The Fresh Market Runner Up: Berrybrook Farm Natural Foods BEST ICE CREAM SHOP Winner: Two Scoops Creamery Runner Up: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams BEST INTERNATIONAL FOOD STORE Winner: Super G Mart Charlotte Runner Up: Asian Market BEST JUICE BAR Winner: Green Brothers Juice & Smoothie Co. Runner Up: Smooth Monkey BEST SEAFOOD Winner: Sea Level NC Runner Up: Fin & Fino BEST SOUL FOOD Winner: Leah & Louise Runner Up: Mert’s Heart & Soul BEST STEAKHOUSE Winner: Beef ‘N Bottle Steakhouse Runner Up: Steak 48 BEST TAPAS AND SHAREABLES Winner: Barcelona Wine Bar Runner Up: The Artisan’s Palate

BEST VEGAN FOOD Winner: Oh My Soul Runner Up: Fern, Flavors from the Garden

BY DISH BEST BAGELS Winner: Poppy’s Bagels & More Runner Up: Good Wurst Company BEST BREAKFAST Winner: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Runner Up: Good Wurst Company BEST BRUNCH Winner: 300 East Runner Up: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery BEST BURGER Winner: ACE No. 3 Runner Up: Pinky’s Westside Grill BEST DESSERT Winner: Amélie’s French Bakery & Café Runner Up: The Batch House BEST DOUGHNUTS Winner: Pepperbox Doughnuts Runner Up: Duck Donuts BEST FRIES Winner: What The Fries Runner Up: ACE No. 3 BEST FROZEN TREAT Winner: Two Scoops Creamery Runner Up: Golden Cow Creamery BEST HANGOVER FIX Winner: JackBeagle’s Runner Up: Moo & Brew’s Large Marge BEST HOT DOG Winner: JJ’s Red Hots Runner Up: Good Wurst Company BEST LUNCH Winner: Rhino Market & Deli Runner Up: Lupie’s Cafe BEST PHO Winner: Lang Van Runner Up: Phở Hoà BEST PIZZA Winner: Inizio Pizza Napoletana Runner Up: Sal’s Pizza Factory BEST RAMEN Winner: Futo Buta Runner Up: JINYA Ramen Bar BEST SANDWICH Winner: Common Market Runner Up: NoDa Bodega

BEST SPECIALTY/SIGNATURE DISH Winner: Alexander Michael’s - What It Is Runner Up: Leah & Louise - Leah’s Cabbage BEST SUSHI Winner: New Zealand Cafe Runner Up: Ru San’s BEST TACOS Winner: Sabor Latin Street Grill Runner Up: Tacos El Nevado BEST WINGS Winner: Moosehead Grill Runner Up: Seoul Food Meat Company

BY CUISINE BEST AFRICAN CUISINE Winner: Enat Ethiopian Restaurant Runner Up: Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant BEST CARIBBEAN CUISINE Winner: Mama’s Caribbean Grill & Bar Runner Up: Irie Nation Restaurant & Bar BEST CHINESE CUISINE Winner: Lam’s Kitchen Runner Up: Ma Ma Wok BEST FRENCH CUISINE Winner: Café Monte French Bakery and Bistro Runner Up: La Belle Helene BEST INDIAN CUISINE Winner: CURRY GATE Runner Up: Copper Modern Indian Cuisine BEST ITALIAN CUISINE Winner: Mama Ricotta’s Runner Up: Little Mama’s Italian BEST JAPANESE CUISINE Winner: O-Ku Runner Up: Nakato Japanese Steakhouse BEST KOREAN CUISINE Winner: Let’s Meat KBBQ Runner Up: MOA Korean BBQ BEST MEXICAN CUISINE Winner: Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina Runner Up: La Autentica Mexican Restaurant BEST MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE Winner: Yafo Kitchen Runner Up: Halal Food Truck BEST THAI CUISINE Winner: Thai Taste Runner Up: Thai House BEST VIETNAMESE CUISINE Winner: Lang Van Runner Up: Phở Hoà

Food & Drink

BEST MOCKTAILS Winner: Restaurant Constance Readers’ Picks Runner Up: Supperland BEST NEW BREWERY (LAST TWO YEARS) Winner: Monday Night Brewing Runner Up: HopFly Brewing Company BEST NON-ALCOHOLIC MENU Winner: Restaurant Constance BEST CHEF Runner Up: Free Range Brewing Winner: Christa Csoka, The Artisan’s Palate Runner Up: Sam Diminich, Restaurant Constance BEST WINE SELECTION Winner: Foxcroft Wine Co BEST LATE-NIGHT EATERY Runner Up: Dilworth Tasting Room Winner: Midnight Diner

MISCELLANEOUS ACCOLADES

Runner Up: JackBeagle’s BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT GROUP Winner: Tonidandel-Brown Runner Up: 1957 Hospitality Group BEST PASTRY CHEF Winner: Samantha Ward, Wentworth & Fenn Runner Up: Ann Marie Stefaney, Restaurant Constance BEST PATIO SPACE Winner: NoDa Company Store Runner Up: The Goodyear House BEST PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH Winner: The Artisan’s Palate Runner Up: Que Onda Tacos + Tequila Uptown BEST WAIT STAFF/SERVICE Winner: Lang Van Runner Up: Supperland

FOR THE LOVE OF ALCOHOL

BY THE BREW

MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

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BEST BEER SELECTION (NON-BREWERY) Winner: Salud Beer Shop Runner Up: Common Market BEST BLOODY MARY Winner: Moo & Brew Runner Up: The Artisan’s Palate BEST BOTTLE SHOP Winner: Salud Beer Shop Runner Up: Common Market BEST BREWERY Winner: Resident Culture Brewing Company Runner Up: Birdsong Brewing Company BEST COCKTAILS Winner: Idlewild Runner Up: Dot Dot Dot BEST DISTILLERY Winner: Great Wagon Road Distilling Runner Up: Muddy River Distillery

BEST PILSNER Winner: Legion Brewing Penguin Pilsner Runner Up: Free Range Brewing Barracuda Bill’s BEST PORTER Winner: NoDa Brewing Company Coco Loco Runner Up: Sugar Creek Brewing Company Mocha Java Porter BEST PUMPKIN BEER Winner: NoDa Brewing Company Gordgeous Runner Up: Southern Tier Brewing Company Pumking BEST SAISON Winner: Free Range Brewing Jenny Bought A Farm Runner Up: Divine Barrel Brewing In Bloom BEST BLONDE ALE Winner: Wooden Robot Good Morning Vietnam BEST SELTZER Winner: Fonta Flora Brewery Topsy Boozy Runner Up: Triple C Golden Boy Seltzer BEST BROWN ALE Runner Up: The Bevery Toast To Charlotte Winner: Birdsong Brewing Lazy Bird Brown Ale BEST SOUR Runner Up: Armored Cow Brewing Co. Bitchin Winner: Free Range Brewing All Your Knead Is Betty Brown Ale Love BEST CIDER BEST SPECIALTY/ONE-OFF BEER Winner: Red Clay Ciderworks Bramblin’ Winner: Noda Brewing Company Cheerwine Blackberry Ale Runner Up: Botanist & Barrel Runner Up: Vaulted Oak Brewing Vanilla Coffee BEST GOSE Blonde Winner: Free Range Brewing All You Knead Is BEST STOUT Love Winner: Free Range Brewing Sea Of Runner Up: Pilot Brewing Raspberry Rose Gose Companions BEST HIGH-GRAVITY BEER Runner Up: Fonta Flora Brewery Double BarrelWinner: Triple C Baby Maker Aged Decoy Runner Up: NoDa Brewing Company NoDaRyeZ’d WINNERS: Download your award files at BEST IPA bit.ly/2023binawards Winner: Legion Brewing Juicy Jay Runner Up: Free Range Brewing Therapy Session BEST KOLSCH Winner: Devil’s Logic Brewing Kommunity Kolsch Runner Up: Pilot Brewing Kölsch Me If You Can BEST LAGER Winner: Birdsong Brewing Rewind Lager Runner Up: Heist Brewery Crispy Kitty BEST MARZEN/OKTOBERFEST-STYLE BEER Winner: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Mecktoberfest Runner Up: Gilde Oktoberfest BEST PALE ALE Winner: NoDa Brewing Company Jam Session Runner Up: Vaulted Oak Brewing DeLorean Fuel

Arts & Entertainment Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Creatives continue to act as the heart and soul of our city, and therefore the heart and soul of Queen City Nerve.

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Ruth Ava Lyons & Paul Sires

When painter Ruth Ava Lyons and sculptor Paul Sires arrived in Charlotte in the mid-80s, the creative hub we call NoDa today was a dilapidated and neglected mill village of north Charlotte. Captivated by the area’s character, the couple restored the 1927 Lowder Building and created the first artist establishment, the Center of the Earth Gallery, which they ran for 22 years.

They continued to renovate nearby buildings and millhouses as part of a revitalization effort, offered studio spaces for artists and lobbied to attract arts-related businesses such as The Evening Muse, which still stands today thanks in no small part to them.

Today they are in the process of doing the same on East 22nd Street with their bar and venue Starlight on 22nd, as well as their other properties on the same road — X Foundation artist and design studios along with Rock on 22nd, which houses Pachyderm Music Lab and We Rock Charlotte.

In May, Lyons reached out to the community for help in her battle against polycystic kidney disease, a diagnosis that led to major health struggles and would require a kidney transplant to treat.

On Nov. 17, Lyons posted on Facebook that she had undergone a successful transplant. The donor? None other than We Rock Charlotte and Pachyderm Music Lab founder Krystle Baller. It just goes to show that when you give so much to your community, it gives back.

PAUL SIRES (LEFT) AND RUTH AVA LYONS

PHOTO BY KARIE SIMMONS

Arts & Entertainment

“I want people to take time with each page because there are a lot of panels that don’t have any text to them, and I’m trying to tell the story just through the visuals,” Antonio said. “If they’re anything like me, from when I was a kid, they’re gonna want to take their time reading it.”

Critics’ Picks

BEST CREATIVE: Ricky Singh

Acclaimed muralist and education consultant Ricky Singh has been an assistant principal for the innovative Charlotte Lab School, an organizer in the Beatties Ford Strong movement, a master teacher and coach for the New York City Department of Education, a hip-hop connoisseur who launched NYC’s first rap-themed after-school program, a teenage spoken-word artist who appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and a guerrilla street artist who tagged unreachable Big Apple landmarks.

In September, Singh partnered with the Harvey B. Gantt Center to organize and shepherd Youth Residency: At the Table, the museum’s first-ever youth residency. Through the residency, Singh created an experience that focused on and fostered youth leading youth.

“Youth can hear from adults all the time. That’s great, but they’re still adults,” Singh says. “There’s power in a 17-year-old speaking to a 15-year-old, because they’re still in the same peer group.”

BEST CONNECTOR: SkinnyJay

RICKY SINGH

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

“So it’s not just, ‘Oh, I’m in here with cancer.’ BEST ILLUSTRATOR: Frank Antonio Yeah, I’m hooked up to an IV, but at the same time, In May, 37-year-old Charlotte illustrator Frank I’m in there on my phone jotting down notes on Antonio dropped a project that was five years in the what I want to do next or what artists I want to work making: his first comic book, RISE OR FALL, a story with or I’m reaching out to different people to plan about how far ideals can take a man and how, when collaborations.” they fall short, it can become hard to tell who’s a hero and who’s not.

Antonio made a point to use colors popular in BEST MURALIST: Lo’Vonia Parks One of the first times Lo’Vonia Parks showed the late ‘80s and early ‘90s — fluorescent pinks, up in the pages of Queen City Nerve was in a bright yellows, light blues and purples — a stark 2019 feature about local artist Sam Guzzie and contrast to his early childhood drawings of Spiderher organization Brand the Moth’s META Mural Man, Batman and Wolverine, which were void of Residency. Parks, known as a painter and caricature color due to his own insecurities, he said. Every RISE OR FALL panel is striking and leaves an impression on artist, had just begun to dabble in murals.

Voted Best Visual Artist by readers in Queen City you well after you’ve seen it.

Nerve’s 2021 Best in the Nest Awards, she ended 2022 with the unveiling of her colorful communitybased mural on the side of Rita’s in Five Points paying homage to past generations in the West End. She has refused to slow down since, and we just can’t seem to escape her beautiful work.

We go to report on The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary, Parks’ “Tea-lona” mural greets us at the door. We show up at an unveiling for the historic Black neighborhood of Pottstown’s first neighborhood mural, Parks is the artist behind it.

“My good friend Elizabeth [Palmisano] once said that art is the salve on the wound of gentrification,” Parks said at the Pottstown unveiling. “Art has the power to heal and within healing, it is transformational — not transactional. Healing is priceless. If we refuse to tell all of our American history, we will leave our future confused and lost.

Today is a step among many before us in the right direction.”

SHEFALEE V. PATEL OF NAMASTE ARTISTS CHARLOTTE PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

In December 2021, C3Lab co-founders and wifeand-husband duo Maria and Glen Nocik announced they would be scaling down their ambitious project on Distribution Street, where they had run a coworking space, artist studios, event space, restaurant and more in a sprawling campus of abandoned warehouses.

They’ve since moved into a more humble space on Tryclan Drive, where the studio and office space is more intimate and the team can better focus on their C3Lab Fellowship Program, which guides emerging to mid-career artists with a focus on public art. A recent open studio night gave C3Lab fellow Ashley Nardone a chance to show off her latest fellowship work, projected on the studio’s brick wall by the EyeLumination projector, installed atop a VW bug by local artists Mark Doepker and Rebecca Lipps.

BEST ARTS ORGANIZATION: Namaste Artists Charlotte

Namaste Artists Charlotte is a group of Charlotte artists promoting and creating Indian folk art. The organization has been part of Charlotte SHOUT!, Charlotte is Creative’s The Drop series, and Charlotte International Art Festival’s Festival of India.

They’ve hosted a Mandala Medallion interactive arts corner, supported health care workers through COVID, and hosted henna booths at local festivals to not only share with the community their art but their culture.

Founder Shefalee V. Patel was born and raised in Chicago. As a second-generation Indian in America, she feels as though her responsibility is to share the diversity of her Indian culture, expressing her heritage and creativity through visual paintings and folk dances.

Fourteen of Namaste’s artists collaborated on a mural unveiled as part of the Drop Series in Divine Barrel Brewing in April, which Patel introduced.

“We started five years ago to show our culture and who we are,” Patel told the crowd tonight. “We have every background, and we love to share and show in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.”

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Javarian Holley is perhaps best known for SkinnyJay & Friends, a series of parties he launched through his LLC CreativityxCollaboration, which serves as a platform for his fellow creatives in the Charlotte scene — rappers, visual artists, photographers and the like whom Holley has connected with during his time in Charlotte since moving here from Los Angeles about 10 years ago.

“I can be behind the scenes or be in front, but also taking that creativity to help others with a collaboration is what it’s about,” Holley said of his goals with CreativityxCollaboration. “So not just looking at it like, ‘Oh, I win something from it.’ We all win. And it’s just honestly seeing us all develop and grow from the collaboration piece.”

Due to a 2022 ocular cancer diagnosis, Holley has tried to slow things down, but really only became more multi-faceted. While at home resting following his weekly chemotherapy treatments, he took up DJing. He continues to build Charlotte’s creative community by networking for, collaborating with, and connecting people from different scenes.

“On good or bad days when I’m in chemo, I’m listening to my friend’s music or I’m just twiddling on my phone, just thinking of creative things,” he said.

“But the creative aspect of CreativityxCollaboration helps me keep going.

BEST STUDIO: ACSM Design + Build

Arts & Entertainment Critics’ Picks

BEST ARTS EVENT: Voces Con Pablo

This family-friendly event honored Charlotte’s diverse cultures through an eclectic blend of visual art, spoken word, and classical and popular music from Latin America. Joining singers from Opera Carolina, performances included Flutepraise, Nuestra Tiempo Latin Youth Jazz Ensemble, guitarist Aris Quiroga, bandoneón player Javier Sánchez, and spoken-word poet Patrice N. Wilson.

Visual artists included Julio Gonzales, a selftaught multimedia artist whose work is defined by his use of Mexican and Mayan design elements, and Elisa Lopez Trejo, a mixed-media artist and recycledfashion designer whose work has been showcased in Charlotte’s Fashion Week. Both artists are with the local OBRA Collective.

Although the event was one night, it highlighted a broad collection of work and performances from local artists with a wide range of skill sets and talents.

“The unique combination of popular music from many Latin cultures and original poetry and visual art is a perfect way to celebrate our shared culture,” said James Meena, artistic director of Opera Carolina. “This event demonstrates the power of music to bring people from diverse backgrounds together.”

happen,” Olin said. “It’s super intentional and we’re reality, and the students participate every step of just so gratified to see it actually happening and it’s the way.

“The student album connects community working.” members across age, gender and racial gaps BEST ARTS INCUBATOR: VAPA Center through collaboration. Children and adults work It’s not surprising that Cohoba, an organization together to achieve a common goal,” said We Rock composed of psychedelic-positive therapists, social Charlotte creative director Krystle Baller. “People workers, bodyworkers and artists who advocate for from different cultures/at different points in their psychedelic-assisted therapy, are based in Uptown’s lives tend to make very different choices. With our Visual and Performing Arts Center, where they work student album, the teacher offers sets of choices closely with OBRA Collective, a co-op of Latino, and the students choose their path supported by an immigrant, undocumented and ally artists who expert.” create immigrant affirming art. Where else can you find these sorts of partnerships in Charlotte?

The VAPA Center was launched in 2021 by 10 anchor arts organizations to create much-needed space for artists to create, practice, exhibit and perform their respective arts.

With affordable studio, creation, performance and exhibition spaces, VAPA has been ground zero for a host of memorable presentations, programs and productions, including theatrical shows by Charlotte’s Off-Broadway, a training center and performance space for Charlotte Comedy Theater, producer/musician Jason Jet’s immersive music and production training/awards event A Night with Iconic Youth and much, much more.

VAPA is a valuable arts incubator that facilitates spaces for creativity, art, performance and THE MY PRESENCE IS PRESENT EXHIBIT AT GANTT CENTER. community.

In the museum, Levine continues to highlight national and local exhibits, including their most recent two: States of Incarceration, created by over 800 people in 18 states exploring the roots of mass incarceration in their own communities; and Grier Heights: Community Is Family, a traveling exhibit produced in collaboration with the Grier Heights Community Center and Grier Heights community residents highlighting more than 140 years of community history in southeast Charlotte.

PHOTO BY RYAN PITKIN

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BEST COMEBACK: Levine Museum of BEST CURATED EXHIBIT: my Presence BEST YOUTH ARTS PROJECT: is Present, Gantt Center BEST NEW ARTS SERIES: Drop Series ‘Magical Human Coding’ by We Rock the New South Launched on Aug. 4, the Gantt Center hosts “my Drop Series is an event series that commissions After selling its longtime home on East 7th Charlotte Presence is Present: interpretations of afrosurrealism artists for large-scale murals before turning those same murals into beer can designs to be distributed throughout the Carolinas by Divine Barrel Brewing.

A party held in March celebrated the second Drop Series release after its launch in November, which kicked off with a mural from three artists associated with the #BeattiesFordStrong movement: Ricky Singh, Ty McBride and Danyelle Ray. For Matt Olin, co-founder of Charlotte Is Creative, which partnered with Divine Barrel to launch the event, the series is the perfect intersection of his organization’s two top missions: compensation for local artists mixed with innovative exposure.

“When you see how the Namaste Charlotte community came together and saw their work on the wall, they saw themselves reflected in that work, and it was just an opportunity to gather around art in a place that’s kind of like a fault line for different communities in Charlotte and to allow for those collisions, that intersection, those conversations to

At Independent Picture House on May 6, We Rock Charlotte celebrated the release of a new student album, Magical Human Coding, along with accompanying music videos and animated shorts put together by more than 150 youths over four months at the organization’s home studios in Optimist Park.

Music production became a part of We Rock Charlotte’s Music Lab curriculum during the pandemic as a way to collaborate without being in the same room. Students of all ages learn songwriting techniques and music production fundamentals during one-on-one music lessons with We Rock’s teaching musicians and through free workshops called Amplify!

After the songs are created and recorded, the students storyboard their idea for a music video and make it happen. We Rock Charlotte’s teaching musicians and volunteers help make their vision a

Street, where it had operated since 1996, in June 2021 and moving out in May 2022, the museum moved into its new 6,000-square-foot space next to The Green on South Tryon Street in the fall of that year.

The new location has allowed the museum to resume showing physical exhibitions while continuing to step up their digital presence.

Between October 2022 and September 2023, Levine engaged more than 70,000 attendees with experiences at 401 S. Tryon St., locations across the city, and digitally.

On Nov. 15, the museum launched its latest endeavor, 50 places in Charlotte, a digital exhibit that uses augmented reality to take visitors on a journey through 50 historical places in Charlotte.

It kicked off with The Excelsior Club, an historic Black social club on Beatties Ford Road that once welcomed renowned performers Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong and James Brown.

from the American South.” The exhibit features 21 emerging and established contemporary artists from North and South Carolina, inviting them to explore surrealism and examine its presence within their own African American experiences.

Futuristic, nostalgic, intensely personal and staggeringly universal, the show boasts an eclectic array of work by artists including Ariel Dannielle Kalin, Renee Devone, William Downs, Shanequa Gay, Garrison Gist, Roscoe Hall, Clarence Heyward, DaRemen J., Asa Jackson and more.

Curator Carla Aaron-Lopez is a photographer, print maker, collagist, painter, muralist, experimental spaces builder and founding member of Black arts collective BLKMRKTCLT. “If we define Blackness as a living term constantly evolving and taking on new meanings across our various lived Black experiences, our present is now more surreal than ever,” writes Aaron-Lopez.

Arts & Entertainment Critics’ Picks

BEST COLLABORATIVE EXHIBIT: ARKO & the MOON, Flux Galleries

Local artists Arko and Luvly Moon’s collaborative exhibit, ARKO & the MOON, opened at Flux Galleries in Optimist Park in January, featuring the two titular artists’ murals, sculptures and projections. The duo teamed up using upcycled materials to combine their unique worlds and transform Flux into a vivid wonderland of colors, textures and smells.

The installation invited guests to engage their senses by removing their shoes for a fully immersive experience.

The artists hosted two events connected with ARKO & the MOON: Meditation with Moon, a 30-minute guided meditation with Luvly Moon; and Writer’s Roost with Andy Smith, which featured Charlotte Magazine publisher and arts aficionado Andy Smith.

Arko and Luvly Moon regularly curate art shows and local events to amplify the work and voices of local creatives. The artists’ collaborative works along the South End Rail Trail and Mint Museum Uptown are just part of several public installations they’ve partnered on in Charlotte.

BEST FILMMAKERS: Loyd Visuals

The brainchild of Khaleel Loyd, Charlotte-based production company Loyd Visuals specializes in video production, ranging from advertisements and promotional videos to documentaries. Khaleel owns and operates the company with his two younger brothers, Maleek and Najm.

The company has released local documentaries about the rich history of the West End and the city’s Legacy Commission, as well as nationwide partnerships ranging from Airbnb to the Los Angeles Rams to create memorable visuals and authentic storytelling.

“No project is the same, but we treat every project as if it is a family project,” Maleek said. “We invite our clients [and]... teammates to really have a say-so in the process. And that really centers us BEHIND THE SCENES OF A LOYD VISUALS PRODUCTION. and helps to build our own camaraderie and just the “If it’s not someone like us that’s really collecting quality of work that we produce as it relates to our and amplifying those voices and stories, they would mission. I think we’ve been able to stay true to that be lost to history,” Nia McAdoo told Queen City and it helps ground us.”

Nerve.

McAdoo’s collection, titled the Homage BEST HISTORICAL ART EXHIBIT: The Exhibit, is a collection of items ranging from magazine clippings to artwork to documents from Homage Exhibit It is often said that those who do not know Frederick Douglass, Shirley Chisholm and Booker T. history are doomed to repeat it. For Nia McAdoo and Washington.

At first, McAdoo collected items simply because her husband, that’s part of the reason they decided to start their own collection of artifacts that help she enjoyed doing so, but when Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, she began collecting with illustrate the African American experience.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOYD VISUALS

purpose. Once her collection was large enough, she started sharing it with the public — a choice that has inspired many.

“To see Black history unapologetic on full display, it’s a sense of pride for a lot of people,” McAdoo added. “We see people who tear up at the exhibit because it’s needed, especially now at a time where books are being banned and history is being told falsely, a lot of people really are appreciative of the fact that it’s open to the community and accessible.”

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: Year One by Héctor Vaca Cruz

ARKO & THE MOON EXHIBIT AT FLUX GALLERIES

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

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Two images capture the pandemic’s impact on Charlotte. A black-and-white photo depicts the city’s new light rail lines as a portrait of life stopped in its tracks. The setting is new but desolate; technology has brought stasis. In contrast, a color photo of Pura Vida Worldly Art owner Teresa Hernandez is lively.

Wearing a life-saving face mask, she leans casually in her vibrant shop, beaming good humor.

In Pandemic Year One, Cruz’s quintessential storytelling images do far more than capture the moment; they introduce a premise, a jumpingoff point to prompt discussion and soul searching about such thorny issues as privilege, immigration, classism and identity.

“The pandemic brought many inequalities to the surface and into our consciousness,” Cruz writes about his show. “It also taught us all so much about ourselves and what we are capable of.”

Arts & Entertainment Critics’ Picks

BEST GALLERY: Nine Eighteen Nine Studios

Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery opened its private venue within the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Center in 2020. Joanne Rogers, Nine Eighteen Nine’s founder, launched the studio in 2015 with a first exhibit highlighting the work of her husband, renowned Charlotte artist Arthur Rogers Jr. “[Art galleries] are definitely a bridge,” she told Queen City Nerve. “When you have difficult conversations — all the social turmoil that we go through — if two people were to get together and talk, it’s more combative and you get more defensive. But, when you put it on a wall and people walk by, they can take it at their own comfort level.”

VAPA has been the home of Nine Eighteen Nine for the last couple years, as Joanne has put on exhibits such as Projected Realities, The Soul Finger Project, and America Gentrified. The space provides mentorship opportunities, skills training, networking and representation for emerging artists, with a goal to support local artists of color, and to make them feel seen by their peers and neighbors.

BEST ARTS PODCAST: ‘A Seat at the Table’ by Hannah Hasan

BEST NEW PUBLIC ART: #NoDaCloudWall by Elizabeth A Seat at the Table is a limited, six-episode Palmisano

podcast series centered around one Black family in Charlotte — the community in which they have lived and worked for generations, how it has evolved, and the direction it is headed as the city experiences rapid changes and growth.

Recorded during a gathering over a meal prepared by Diedre Blake in October 2022, the podcast features conversations with Charlotte artists, leaders and visionaries, including local creative Mia Love Live (Mia McClure), who has traced her family back five generations in the Queen City, in the Derita and Wilmore neighborhoods, among others.

“This series embraces the connecting power of stories and how they shape both our understanding of the past as well as our goals for the future,” said local creative Hannah Hasan, who organized the recording process.

Award-winning artist Elizabeth Palmisano was commissioned by Grubb Properties to create a multi-dimensional, sculptural mural that covers well over 23,000-square-foot between a parking deck and surrounding buildings on the new Link Apartments NODA 36th. Light rail riders coming into the NoDa neighborhood are now greeted by Palmisano’s cloudscapes.

In the early stages of the month-long project, Palmisano went into the neighborhood and gathered handwritten wishes to inscribe on the back of her painted clouds.

“In a wave of Charlotte development, developers who invest in the communities in which they build stand out,” Palmisano said in a release. “Inviting the communities to include their voices in the evolution honors them as neighborhoods develop LIZA ORTIZ AND BO WHITE IN ‘MURDER & MOONBEAMS’ PHOTO BY JAKE YOUNT and change.” highlighting their personalities in a single image.

His travel and architecture photos also find beauty in places others might walk past.

BEST ADAPTATION: ‘Murder & Moonbeams’

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BEST EXHIBIT FOR A CAUSE: Behind Prison Walls by Lorenzo Steele Jr.

Lorenzo Steele Jr., a former prison corrections officer, turned his passion for photography into a vehicle for social justice, exposing young people to the horrors of prison life through photographs taken during his time at Rikers Island, where he worked as a guard from 1987-1999.

Years of seeing the worst in human nature inspired Steele to catalog these images and use them to inspire others to turn away from — or altogether avoid — a life of crime. Witnessing firsthand the unjust nature of the American criminal justice system, Steele has spent more than two decades fighting to raise awareness about the realities of prison life in hopes that he can steer atrisk youth away from landing in its clutches.

Steele bought a decommissioned school bus and transformed it into the Mobile Prison Art Museum. His exhibit, Behind Prison Walls, included graphic images depicting the realities of life in jails and prisons, along with educational info, including critiques of mass incarceration comparing the prison industrial complex to America’s past institution of chattel slavery.

LORENZO STEELE JR. IN HIS MOBILE PRISON ART MUSEUM.

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

Murder & Moonbeams, a macabre black comedy musical theatre production, debuted at Petra’s in 2019. Created by musician, playwright, songwriter and former educator Molly J. Brown for her company, A Beautiful Day in Hell Productions, the dinner theatre experience featured cuisine by chef and producer Julia Simon.

On Dec. 29, 2022, the team behind Murder & Moonbeams premiered their film adaptation. The film tweaks genre conventions by taking a decidedly darker turn. As a string of murders mount into a clear serial killer situation, each clue Inspector Pierro stumbles across is distorted by the ever-present moon, flooding Pierro’s mind with unnatural thoughts.

“I don’t think you can see the ending coming,” Brown said. “I want people to like the songs and walk away with the sense that this was something different; something sincere.”

Producer Colin J. Harden — also a native BEST PHOTOGRAPHER: Jonathan Charlottean — narrates the series, helping listeners Cooper Photographer Jonathan Cooper uses his camera navigate between life in Charlotte and pop culture audio references such as the late-90s film Soul Food. as a tool to capture his unique projects from every With a strong creative direction and theme angle. One of his latest endeavors, Fragments of of having a seat at the family table, the podcast Food, provides what Cooper calls a “break from the feels like you’re right there having the important norm.” While so much food photography tends to conversations in what feels like the “mundane.” be repetitive and generic, Cooper sets out to do the BEST ART FOR A CAUSE: Nipple and Other topics include school/education, long lost opposite, using broken and fragmented dishes to Areola Tattoos at Haylo Healing Arts places and landmarks, being Black in Charlotte, create something jarring but aesthetic.

Hayley Moran, owner of Haylo Healing Arts Lounge, Cooper’s photography goes beyond artistic what family means, hope for the future, and faith as has practiced custom breast adornment, areola renewal renderings of food, as his portfolio shows a knack well as traditions. and 3D nipple tattoos for nearly 13 years. for portraying people in their natural habitats and

Arts & Entertainment Critics’ Picks

Opening her own tattoo studio in January 2015 and hiring an all-woman staff helped create an environment where Moran could dedicate necessary care and attention to her clientele, an invitation she’s extended to anyone in the trans community looking for top surgery scar coverups.

“Art continues to bring inspiration and beauty into this world and body art, especially by someone who truly cares, can be the perfect step in selfdiscovery and self-actualization through selfexpression,” Moran said.

“We are here to be a part of your journey in ways that bring you into alignment with your own body, mind and spirit. Whether it’s through realistic 3D nipples of your choice or decorative adornment, honoring and embodying your truth by getting tattooed is a meaningful and transformative personal rite of passage.”

BEST FASHION DESIGNER: Brandon Hilton

artists including Kim Petras, Dorian Electra and Allie X and has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Paper Magazine.

The House of Mann has put on shows at New York and Paris fashion weeks and has had outfits featured on several popular TV series, including RuPaul’s Drag Race. This year, Hilton’s work could be seen on season four of HBO Max’s Doom Patrol, a TV series based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name, for which Hilton designed drag queen superhero Maura Lee Karupt’s costume.

Being a drag performer himself gives Hilton a unique perspective as a fashion designer because he understands what an outfit needs in order to be functional while fashionable.

“I wanted to have like RuPaul’s Drag Racelevel costumes, and I wanted to have really nice costumes, but there’s no stores locally that sell drag queen costumes and super elaborate things, so I had to start making them,” Hilton said.

BEST DANCE PRODUCTION: ‘Motive Forces’ by Eric Mullis

Motive Forces, a dance work created by Eric Mullis and performed in November at Camp North Brandon Hilton, singer, model, fashion designer, End, was based on the work of 17th-century French pig farmer, podcast host, drag queen, actor and engineer, inventor and landscape designer Salomon soon-to-be author, launched the fashion brand The De Caus.

House of Mann in 2018, which has dressed major

expansive environment, he’d have to go back to the drawing board and reimagine how audience, artists and technology would collide at the site.

Ultimately this work is about humans — how humans make their way through the world and how technology at its most basic is about extending human agency in the material world.

BEST DANCER/TROUPE: Caroline Calouche & Co.

Charlotte’s only professional dance & circus company and adjoining school, Caroline Calouche & Co. (CC&Co.) and Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center, offers aspiring professional dancers or hobbyists an opportunity to learn a variety of dance styles, CC & Co. teaches aerial and circus arts, contemporary dance, lyra, trapeze, jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, juggling, hand balancing, ballet and more for all ages. The company also partners with schools to educate students BRANDON HILTON AS ONYA MANN on potential dance careers and hobbies, with the PHOTO BY LAURENCE LOGAN Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center providing training Mullis used motion-capture suits and infrared programs based on skill and commitment levels. cameras, interactive projections, flashlights and “We never pressure anyone to perform in our work lights, but also the sprawling Ford Factory school … That’s not at all what it’s supposed to building where the performance took place. be about,” founder and school director Caroline “The Ford building is always the strongest Calouche said. “I care that the students develop a character in any performance you stage there,” passion and a desire to intrinsically train and not Mullis told Queen City Nerve, adding that once he want to appease anybody else but themselves.” settled on creating the next phase of his work in the

BEST INNOVATOR: Alejandro Cerrudo, Charlotte Ballet

A BREAST ADORNMENT TATTOO COMPLETED AT HAYLO HEALING ARTS LOUNGE.

PHOTO BY LORA DENTON

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Now in his second year as artistic director — and fielding the first full season he has chosen himself — Alejandro Cerrudo has shaken things up. With a lineup that has repeatedly included Fall Works, Spring Works, Innovative Works and The Nutcracker over recent seasons in Charlotte Ballet, the Works must not have been working.

Cerrudo banished all three from Charlotte Ballet’s 2023-’24 lineup. He started out the season at the McBride-Bonnefoux Center for Dance instead of waiting until winter. Cerrudo set the tone with Breaking Boundaries this fall. It’s more than a name change; Cerrudo is innovating how the Center’s studio and lobby spaces are used.

Partnering with Middle C Jazz and the Charlotte Art League, he’s also extending intermission and making it a more integral part of the experience.

After that, assigned seating goes away. Cerrudo continues to implement new ideas to have audiences engage with their surroundings more and more to have a visceral and memorable experience.

Arts & Entertainment

Nerve saw the show. This play, shrouded in darkness, is nonetheless a shining example of Lee St. Theatre’s commitment to excellence.

Critics’ Picks

BEST IMMERSIVE THEATRE PRODUCTION: ‘SwimCap,’ MMP

BEST FICTION BOOK: ‘The Kudzu Queen’ by Mimi Herman

Mimi Herman’s debut novel The Kudzu Queen tells the tale of a fictional town in pre-WWII North Carolina that has come under the spell of the Kudzu King, who is spreading the word — and government funds — to anyone who will listen about this new miracle crop.

Young teenager Mattie, the story’s narrator, is as taken by the Kudzu King as anyone and aspires to win the title of Kudzu Queen, which would not necessarily make her Mrs. Kudzu King, but might as well in her mind. As the story progresses, however, Mattie learns that her first instincts may not be her best ones, all while balancing the monotony and tragedy of life in the sharecropping South.

“Funny, sad, and tender…” reads a cover blurb from none other than David Sedaris. “Mimi Herman has written a novel that possesses a true and hardwon understanding of the South.”

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BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK: ‘The Talk’

by Alicia D. Williams

When it comes to discussing racial inequality, racism and police brutality with their children, African American parents tend to have that conversation earlier than other parents. It’s a difficult conversation that parents have out of necessity.

When author Alicia D. Williams penned her book, The Talk, she hoped to foster an important conversation in a way that would be helpful for parents.

“It is my hope that this book will be used as a talking point for parents, to help them have these difficult conversations in a gentle, loving way,” Williams said.

Two honors have been bestowed upon the book – the Coretta Scott King Author Honor and the Golden Kite Honor Award for Picture Book Text.

Williams felt that it was crucial to tell this story in the most meaningful way possible.

“While the topic is sensitive,... the audience is much younger, so it was very vital to me to present the story in the gentlest way possible,” Williams told Queen City Nerve. “One that will build understanding, empathy and assurance.”

ERIC MULLIS’ ‘MOTIVE FORCES’

PHOTO BY STEVEN PILKER

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO CHARLOTTE THEATRE: Stacey Rose

Much like The Playwright’s Center in Minneapolis, where Rose spent time, QCNPI is an incubator for new work. This is very important if Charlotte wants Stacey Rose founded Queen City New Play to be a place where culture is created and from Initiative (QCNPI) with a Charlotte native who boasts where culture can be exported. a similarly impressive national reputation: director Martin Wilkins has worked all over the country, specializing in bringing new plays to life wherever BEST LOCAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: he lands. The two friends cooked up the idea after ‘Wait Until Dark,’ Lee St. Theatre seeing the dearth of opportunities in Charlotte for Some of the best theatre in the Charlotte writers (especially writers of color) to develop their metropolitan area is happening at Lee St. Theatre voices. in Salisbury, and none of their recent productions Wilkins moved on to other projects. Rose make the case as well as Wait Until Dark. remains as artistic director, this year launching NC in Julia Howard shines in the role of Susan, a the Margins, a festival that consisted of workshops, woman who lost her sight to an accident. It’s a conversations and new play readings all over role popularized by Audrey Hepburn in the movie Charlotte, made possible by partnerships between adaptation, but it’s significantly more challenging the company and local production companies Brand on stage. Howard succeeds by making us believe in New Sheriff Productions, Theatre Charlotte and the narrative, her character and her recent disability.

Three Bone Theatre.

This slow-burn noir thriller is the perfect source QCNPI is not a producing org. They don’t material to showcase executive artistic director Rod (necessarily) put on shows. What they do is direct Oden’s talents. Lighting, sound design and mood resources toward the development of new plays. were on clear display in February when Queen City

Society has for far too long held the belief that Black people can’t or don’t swim. Whether it’s said as a joke or in seriousness, the time for that notion to be challenged has long since passed.

Charlotte’s Mixed Metaphors Productions (MMP) in collaboration with Evolutionary Aquatics took up the torch to do just that with their immersive theatre production, Swimcap.

“Knowledge is power, for one, and oftentimes us in the Black community are led in the opposite direction of what is factual,” MMP cofounder K. Alana Jones told Queen City Nerve.

“So it’s important that we show that we do swim. We’ve been swimming. You can swim. The fear is in oneself, not in the actual act. So most people, once they learn about something, it’s easier for them to actually do.”

BEST COMEDIC PRODUCTION: ‘Andy & the Orphans,’ Three Bone Theatre

Charlotte isn’t known for having Hollywood actors in local theatre productions, but suffice it to say, Three Bone Theatre’s production of Andy and the Orphans was unlike any production in the Queen City this year.

Eddie Barbanell (Andy) reprised his role from the off-broadway production of Orphans and inhabited it with a sly wisdom. His performance is the highlight of the play, but Vanessa Robinson — as Andy’s caretaker Kathy — provides necessary levity in a comedy about death and disability.

Like the character of Andy, Barbanell is a person with Down syndrome. As an advocate, he used the production as a chance to engage with and educate the Charlotte community. As an actor, he was the heart of a show that breaks down your prejudice and preconceived notions as you break out laughing.

BEST ACTOR: Hank West, ‘The Woman in Black’

ALICIA D. WILLIAMS

PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

In Susan Hill’s classic ghost story The Woman in Black, adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt and put on by Proxymoron Productions at The Arts Factory this fall, Mr. Kipps is troubled by disturbing memories of his journey to fog bound Eel Marsh, where Mrs. Drablow’s lonely house stands in isolation.

Arts & Entertainment Critics’ Picks

Trapped by the fog, he witnessed mysterious events he would rather forget, but cannot. In desperation, he enlists the help of an actor to tell his tale and exorcise the demons that haunt his dreams.

Where Hank West shines as Mr. Kipp is in his ability to flash back and forth from reluctant storyteller traumatized to the point of desperation and other more confident, stable characters.

Watching him jump in and out of fear was in and of itself an affecting experience.

BEST ACTRESS: Becca Worthington, ‘Misery’

Between Theatre Charlotte’s Misery and Three Bone Theatre’s The Lehman Trilogy, Becca Worthington had one hell of a year. We give the slight nod to her performance in Misery because it showcases her talents that much better.

Instead of emulating Kathy Bates’ Oscarwinning turn as Annie Wilkes in the film version, Worthington’s Wilkes is less manic — and in some ways scarier for it. She’s the nerdy girl next door, and

MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT: The Long Room

Opened by business partners Matt Seneca and Sarah Hayes Harkins, The Long Room’s new performance-focused venue at Central and Hawthorne avenues serves as an event space available for weddings, receptions, corporate events, bar mitzvahs or drawing down the moon, filling two neglected niches in the Plaza-Belmont sector: affordable event space and a potential artistic home for the artists and audiences who are more comfortable in the less stuffy environs outside of the I-277 loop.

“Groups like Ladyfest CLT, Baran Dance, Moving Poets and Movement Migration are making waves in dance right here in Charlotte and I would love to be able to provide a space for these groups to flourish,” Harkins said.

Seneca’s thinking about the sort of artists he’d like to see working at The Long Room ran a little further afield, highlighting visual artists like Bill Temples and wunderkind Makayla Binter as well as Nouveau Sud’s Jarrell Wallace and Cathy Youngblood’s a capella vocal ensemble Caritas.

project was in the works for three years, and with the pandemic getting in the way, Pianodrome Charlotte is now expected to appear at Charlotte SHOUT! for at least the next three years.

Every single piece down to the screws is sourced from a used piano. The structure is held together by frame harps, which traditionally hold the tension of the strings inside of the piano. Each frame harp has a different color and design. Each piece of wood is stained a different shade of brown.

“Our key guiding principle is that nobody is unmusical, no piano is waste. We want to make sure that people feel welcome in our space and that they feel inspired to interact with the pianos,” Wright said. “It’s really important for us to turn things upside down and inside out and to hopefully be an opportunity for people to think differently.”

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“Our road to this Plaza Midwood property has been full of twists and turns, but ultimately, this is an incredible opportunity for Arts+ and Charlotte, in particular the neighborhoods of Plaza Midwood, Villa Heights and NoDa,” said Devlin McNeil, Arts+ PHOTO BY DARIAN CARLOS THE LONG ROOM president and executive director. “This is the realization of our long-term goal of moving into a permanent BEST MOVE: Arts+ to Plaza Hills home to create a centralized hub for the spokes of our on the surface she’s much more normal than Bates’ After a years-long search for a new home, local programming that takes place across the city.”

Annie. nonprofit arts education organization Arts+ will Anyone who knows the source material knows Annie is anything but normal. It’s Worthington’s lead the creation of a new cultural campus at the MOST INNOVATIVE NEW VENUE: restraint that allows Misery to continue to be former Plaza Presbyterian Church in Plaza Midwood. Pianodrome The 35,000-square-foot property on 2.19 acres relevant in an age of Stans and Swifties, and for that Charlotte’s SHOUT! festival this year debuted at the intersection of The Plaza and Parkwood and she’s earned her flowers. the nation’s first pianodrome — a playable The next time Becca Worthington is in any local Mecklenburg avenues has been home to Plaza amphitheater made completely out of recycled Presbyterian Church since the 1920s, before it closed play, don’t miss it. pianos — based on Matthew Wright and Tim in 2022. Now Arts+ plans to breathe new life into Vincent-Smith’s 2017 installation in the UK. The the space, anticipating a three-year property upfit.

Music Critics’ Picks

CRITICS’ PICKS: MUSIC Where would we be without music?

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BEST COMEBACK EVENT: Confluence

and, in turn, allowing Charlotte’s music scene to After a four-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, learn and grow from industry professionals. the Confluence music conference and festival returned in October with a fresh slate of panels, BEST MUSIC ORGANIZATION: workshops and live music performances spread Welcome to the Family across locations inside AvidXchange Music Factory Aged 24 and 26 when we met them in March, and other Charlotte venues.

Jake Woodard and Dylan Harley might seem young Local, regional and national industry to be the masterminds behind the annual three-day representatives led panel discussions and workshops Welcome to the Family Fest, a genre-transcending on music marketing, tour booking, production celebration of the Queen City music scene held each essentials, visual content, collaborations, digital October at The Milestone Club. service provider (DSP) playlists and more, while Yet the two have been hosting the festival since a slew of top-tier performers (including from the November 2019 — with the most recent iteration list that follows) played shows in Uptown, Plaza selling out both days. In January, the pair drew on Midwood, NoDa and Elizabeth. the expertise and experience gained in mounting Music Everywhere Charlotte is committed the festival to begin booking other shows featuring to making Confluence an annual event, as was local artists year-round. Continuity between the originally planned, building its reputation and inclusive festival and the partners’ business direction recognition over time. is stressed by the name of their promoting brand: Taylor Winchester, a Confluence organizer, Welcome to the Family. believes resuming Confluence can help pull As Woodard sees it, his and Harley’s expansion influential music industry players into a local into booking is driven by a desire to lend a helping conversation, benefiting Charlotte’s music economy hand to the bands and music they love. “Bands …

CONFLUENCE MUSIC CONVENTION AND FESTIVAL

PHOTO BY RHYTHM & EXPOSURE

praises Roy Orbison. Then, over Music Knight’s hissing hi-hats, Adrian Allman’s subterranean bass and Pete Hayes’ bright guitar chords, Jason Vas alternates between reedy alt-rock speak-sing and full-throttle punk shouting.

“When did the job of a baker/ Become a needed caretaker?/ The red flag changes course/ Galloping BEST BAND: Ink Swell A soundbite from David Lynch’s Blue Velvet away like a horse…”

The Belmont foursome’s psych-prog punk with opens Ink Swell’s 2023 single, “Lincoln Street.”Dennis an indie edge nods to past outsider iconoclasts like Hopper’s Frank Booth rapturously huffs nitrous and Butthole Surfers, but Ink Swell seamlessly fuses in Charlotte have never been hungrier,” Woodard says. “They’re starting to go out on tour, they’re playing hometown shows and packing them in, but there is not much room for growth in the city. We want to change that.”

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their melodic punk, swirling Sid Barrett psych and multiverse-jumping progressive rock in an original and organic way. As Vas freefalls from shamanic musing to down-to-earth existential dread, it’s like watching a confidant’s sanity slip away in real time.

He’s a playful and divine madman with something to say.

BEST NEW BAND: Modern Alibi

Some bands grab your attention straight out of the gate with captivating chord structures and irresistible earworm melodies. Others with razorwire guitar lines and surprising time signatures demand repeated listens that grow increasingly rewarding with each deeper dive. With Modern Alibi, you get both band templates rolled into one.

With dynamic songwriting that evokes 2000s alt-rockers like The Editors, Modern Alibi builds its debut single “Seventies” on driving and dueling melodic guitars and founder/frontman Holden Scott’s nervy, literate and vulnerable wordplay.

Vocally, Berklee College of Music alumni Scott evokes the urban drawl of The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas as he unfurls rapid-fire couplets on the foursome’s swaggering “Silver Spoon.”

“I’m telling you/ She shines like stars/ But has a dark side like the moon…”

Modern Alibi has raw talent to burn, but Scott’s Berklee-honed songwriting chops focus the band’s inner flame like a laser.

BEST RAPPER: Mason Parker

its own without any of the corresponding comics and been one of the best releases we heard this year, which was all part of the plan.

“If you want to study it, you can study it if you wanted to. And if you don’t want to get that deep, I’ve had some people like, ‘What is all this futuristic stuff at the beginning?’ They’re not into that, but they were like, ‘Yo, the music is dope,’” Parker told Queen City Nerve. “So that’s what I was trying to go for. Like, if you just love hip-hop, then I think you’ll still appreciate it.”

And that we do.

she’s performed with the Charlotte Ballet, spun at art exhibits and nightclubs alike, maintained residencies across the South, and released music videos.

Most of all, she’s fearless. Her SAINTED Trap Choir party (more on that later) transcended this physical plane, nevermind genres. We can’t wait to see where she goes next.

BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST: janee raxanna

BEST PRODUCER: Te’Jani

After singer-songwriter, producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist Te’Jani Inuwa gained recognition with the Living Quarters collective and Summer Camp project in 2020, he released his eclectic and critically-lauded Gimp EP, followed in 2023 by his vulnerable confessional EP On Prozac.

He also played his first show in New York City this year, shared a bill with local R&B bedroompop soulsters Alan Charmer and Cam Cokas at Snug Harbor, then went to Boone to help record emorockers Dollar Signs’ new album Legend Tripping, named below (spoiler alert) as the year’s best rock album.

According to Dollar Signs frontman Erik Button, Te’Jani’s deep wealth of knowledge in a range of genres lent a whole new perspective to Legend Tripping.

“It honestly was very cool,” Button told Nerve of Te’Jani’s process. “He has a background in engineering; he’s engineered a lot of hip-hop and kind of started in the EDM and electronica music world, and has recorded a bunch of stuff for solo

singer/songwriters. He’s very good at crafting any kind of sound we want, particularly when it came to the piano or anything specific like that.”

BEST DJ: Fannie Mae

If you’ve attended a Charlotte FC match, you’ve heard DJ Fannie Mae. She’s been the official DJ for the club since its inception, and is proud of her work to support the beautiful game in the Queen City. The self-proclaimed church kid also contains multitudes.

She is a curator and facilitator of experiences;

BEST JAM BAND: Wet Basement Project

PHOTO BY ALVIN C JACOBS JR.

Wet Basement Project (WBP) is a psych-rock jam collective centered around musical experimentation and collaboration. They first graced Charlotte’s DIY scene in October 2021 with a performance at a house show on Halloween, instantly sending partygoers into a groove.

WBP is the brainchild of Merritt Duncan, Declan O’Dell, Sam Tucker and Ricky Rodriguez-Cue, but has grown to include many others like Cliff Johnson, James Mallette and Quint Gallagher.

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With the June release of The Paperback Hero Saga, rapper, actor, spoken-word poet and nowauthor Mason Parker had a chance to show off all four tent poles that have sprung from his foundation of talent in more than two decades of moving within Charlotte’s creative scenes. One might think that with a hybrid album/comic book release, at least one of his mediums may have fallen off, but not the case.

While the 10-track album does serve as a soundtrack to the comic book, its creation actually preceded the first issue that coincided with its release, with Parker currently working on new issues that will each correlate to one of the album’s tracks (Issue 1 correlates with opening single “Petey Pablo”) and eventually come together to form a graphic novel.

All that said, the album could have dropped all MASON PARKER

TE’JANI PHOTO BY KAT OSYGUS

Janee Caulton, who composes and performs her jazz-inflected progressive R&B songs as janee raxanna, remembers singing at an early age as a “self-soothing practice.” Attending UNC Charlotte in 2009, she recalls being enthralled with the city’s burgeoning poetry/spoken-word scene, exemplified by artists like Carlos Robson and Boris “Bluz” Rogers.

Her single “Eyes on You,” is both a culmination and a continuation of raxanna’s ongoing musical exploration. It draws from music across the African diaspora: jazz, soul and Motown, as well as the sounds of alternative rock.

That single dropped in 2021, and she joined friend and fellow artist Quisol’s Dreamworld album in 2022 by cowriting and appearing on the song “Something About You.” Though 2023 did not see the release of any new music, it did see raxanna break out of her shell in another way, performing at her first show devoted to her own music in January, then joining Quisol onstage for a Charlotte SHOUT! performance in April.

“I want [my shows’] takeaway to be a connection to African people both on the continent and the African Diaspora, through languages, rhythms and singing styles,” raxanna told Nerve, “specifically [music] inspired by some of the jazz artists from the United States, as well as some of the incredible artists from the Spanish and English-speaking Caribbean.”

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The main goal of the band is to make music without creative boundaries whilst extending that opportunity to many other passionate musicians within the music scene in Charlotte. The group doesn’t necessarily box themselves in as one sound or lineup, making each show its very own. Their emphasis is on raw performance, collectively using each members’ musicianship to play off of and letting the music speak for itself.

BEST POP: Oceanic

In “Angel,” the title tune off introspective indie-pop trio Oceanic’s debut EP, Jacob Johnson’s plaintive guitar entwines with Sam Goodwin’s nearly subliminal bass as singer and lyricist Nathan Wyatt’s swooning croon warps around this conflicted couplet: “I can’t live between these simple lines/ I can’t see past my own jealous eyes…”

Like much of Oceanic’s output, the everyday becomes magical in this surging, subtly icy ballad, and the meaning of Wyatt’s words float tantalizing within reach, yet are not set in stone. Oceanic cannot help but dig deeper, and the search for meaning is as important as meaning itself.

It’s a perfect approach for an unabashedly romantic band that combines the unflinching selfexamination of emo with the swirling sophistication of multi-layered pop.

With this band, the song is king, with each member’s expertise focused on emotional impact.

In Oceanic’s embrace of communal emotions and values, the personal becomes universal.

but the people have to support, too … So it’s just something that we have to work on and work at to make it a bigger, more relevant thing.”

BEST BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST: Jameilyara

Jameilyara Moore began writing acoustic folk music in her bedroom as a kid and slowly transitioned into performing pop and R&B as a teen. As an upcoming artist, she uploaded rough demos to SoundCloud and continued to perform at local Charlotte venues like The Evening Muse with friends. When college rolled around, she joined a neo-soul/hip-hop group, Terrabang, as songwriter and frontwoman.

In the lead-up to the February release of her debut single, “REMShank,” Jameilyara’s friend and local pop sensation Quisol warned us of what was coming, calling her “the long-awaited songbird of the Charlotte area.”

She followed that up with the release of two singles, “Funny” and “Hillside” on Sept. 19. Her sound delves into the electronic sphere while reminiscent of her pop and R&B roots.

“I’ve been wanting to put music out since I was like, 13/14 years old,” she told us in February before her debut release. “I think if my 13-year-old self PHOTO BY CONNOR SCHLOSSER knew at 28 I still hadn’t dropped anything, she’d be OH! YOU PRETTY THINGS pissed. I just want to do it, just to make her happy.”

In 2023, “NYE” and Oh! You Pretty Things Her 13-year-old self and the rest of us are satisfied … and in anticipation for what comes have gifted Charlotte music fans with their own awakening moment. next.

BEST BREAKTHROUGH BAND: Oh! You Pretty Things

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BEST GOSPEL: Melvin Crispell III

Melvin Crispell III proves true gospel ain’t dead in the South through his music and message.

After the loss of his parents and COVID-19’s onset, Crispell poured himself into his music, a hybrid of contemporary R&B sound and worship music inspired by old-school gospel. He confronted much of the darkness he was dealing with in his debut album, I’ve Got a Testimony, released in 2020.

His newest album, No Failure, released in July, lays out his path of healing through faith.

“Gospel music is never dead, especially in Charlotte, as long as there’s a few of us who are carrying the torch and still singing, still making music, and you see that every day,” he told Queen City Nerve. “I think we can get back to that place,

MELVIN CRISPELL III PHOTO COURTESY OF MELVIN CRISPELL III

Taking its name from a 1971 glam-rock anthem

by Davis Bowie, Oh! You Pretty Things dazzles with its distinctive brand of alt-rock fusion. This is music brimming with enthusiasm, invention and acceptance from unabashedly pro-LGBTQIA players.

All these attributes come into play on Oh! You Pretty Things’ confessional single “NYE,” where vocalist/chief lyricist Callie Wolfe’s draws from her diary entries. “[‘NYE’] is my most vulnerable song,” Wolfe says.

“This was my gay awakening moment.”

Here Paul Swanson’s liquid bass, Joseph Conde’s chunky guitars and Aric Gautier’s precise percussion weave disparate instrumental strands into a cohesive mid-tempo prowl. Enfolded by Travis Wonderly’s cascading guitar, Wolfe sings fearlessly: “Left lying awake throughout the night/ Throw up both hands without a fight/ Can you see what you’ve done?/ You got under my skin/ Lies drip from your lips…”

BEST NEW SOUND: Featherpocket

Featherpocket’s self-titled 2019 debut album enwraps the listener in 10 carefully crafted tunes that draw on the classic country sound originally born in early-20th-century Bristol, Tennessee, by the likes of The Carter family and singing brakeman Jimmie Rodgers. It’s a masterful collection that sounds little like Featherpocket’s current music.

“There’s no more banjo appearing in the foreseeable future for Featherpocket,” frontman Jason Cline says. “There is no more pedal steel either.

I’m less interested in creating the classic country sound than I was.”

Instead, the current Featherpocket is an electrified power trio. The band retains a classic country technique and feels and subsumes it into a much more contemporary and urban sound. Cline dubs the style “yeehaw music.”

“It’s rootin’, tootin’ cowboy music to dance and get rowdy to,” Cline offers. “It’s still country adjacent, but also more rock ‘n’ roll.”

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BEST COMEBACK ARTIST: Elevator Jay

James Blackmon, better known around Charlotte as Elevator Jay, has always had that rural twang in his rap — a country vibe that’s there in the production and the lyrics, featuring lines about fishing and kicking back.

On April 29, Elevator Jay showed that he’s been doing anything but kicking back during the pandemic, as he celebrated the release of his new album, Summer Rooster.

The album was Elevator Jay’s first full project in four years, after dropping the For Y’all EP in July 2019.

It was his first project ever as a co-producer; after having always produced his own work, this time he teamed up with Texas producer 2nd Prez for each of the album’s nine tracks. The result does what Jay has always done: It represents Charlotte hip-hop to the fullest. That’s a mission that he’s more proud of than anything.

“A lot of people, they change, you know what I’m saying? It’s almost like the mission changes when they get to a certain level,” Elevator Jay told Queen City Nerve. “I can’t see my mission ever changing.”

BEST VOCALIST: Mary Grace McKusick

You may know riot grrrl-inspired vocalist and lyricist Mary Grace McKusick for her uncanny ability to unlock multiple emotions with haunting imagery and scalpel-sharp phrasing as Petrov’s distinctive frontwoman.

It turns out that McKusick has a nerdcore side, and this year she tapped into it to bring individuality and gravitas to the electronic music genre. Like Neil Young releasing the vocoder-powered Trans LP to baffled fans in 1982, McKusick has pulled an interesting about-face, though it’s far more satisfying than Young’s.

Unleashing her solo project Distracted Eyes with the debut EP Enjoy, McKusick turns to horror video game soundtracks for inspiration.

On “Pace,” McKusick eschews Petrov’s careening guitars and full throttle vocals, but retains her soulsearching lyrical vulnerability.

Distracted Eyes entwines wistful shoegaze singing with clammy yet soothing synths and electronic zombie stomp percussion. The result is a surprisingly warm, sometimes wistful embrace of the uncanny valley.

BEST MULTITASKER: Liza Ortiz

BEST PERFORMER(S): SAINTED Trap Choir

FEATHERPOCKET PHOTO COURTESY OF FEATHERPOCKET

One can’t script the energy that the SAINTED Trap Choir brought onto the stage in Pasadena, California on June 6 for an episode of America’s Got Talent. But anyone who’s been to one of the SAINTED parties held at The Underground back home in Charlotte, organized by local music icons DJ Fannie Mae and Dennis Reed Jr., knew about that energy long before the two performers and their two dozen choir members hit the national limelight.

The SAINTED Trap Choir first hit the stage of The Underground for their experimental hybrid show featuring trap hip-hop songs sung in a gospel style back in February 2020, complete with prop pews and church fans.

The group has since resumed regular shows at

The Underground, also taking things national with a performance at the Lincoln Center’s 2023 Spring Gala Celebration on May 2 and making it to the semifinals on America’s Got Talent.

The group will continue to spread their undeniable vibes when they’re featured on the spinoff America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League, premiering Jan. 1.

BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER: Dane Page

Each Dane Page song unfurls like a roadtrip through an interior landscape that nods to folk, hypnagogic psych-rock and the hardscrabble plainspoken poetry of Woody Guthrie — all suffused with a mist-laden dream pop aura.

There are plenty of twists, however, on Page’s

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For more than a decade, Liza Ortiz has embraced and forged bonds with listeners through a series of bands including psychedelic cumbia purveyors Patabamba and tropical pop-rockers Chócala.

She also sang and acted in playwright and songwriter Molly J. Brown’s film noir homage Murder & Moonbeams onstage, then reprised her multi-role performance in a film adaptation of Brown’s absurdist detective story.

Recently Ortiz has expanded her reach with Latin electronic trio Bravo Pueblo, plus her electronic solo synthesizer-driven project La Brava.

All this artistic activity is particularly laudable because Ortiz has been managing depression and social anxiety for most of her life.

Starting with the very first song she ever wrote, “Tinieblas” (“Darkness”), released on Chócala’s selftitled 2019 debut album, Ortiz has chosen to face her battle with depression head on, by acknowledging her anxiety through songwriting and sometimes turning it into art.

We’re all the better for it.

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use witches, Satan and Santeria as metaphors to decry mainstream America’s acceptance of power, Critics’ Picks corruption and lies.

“We’re bringing up stuff about how hypocritical odyssey. Just when you are lulled by that coiling, faces-in-the-bonfire spell of “Straight to My Soul,” the religious right is,” McGuiness says. “They commit he unleashes the whiplash snap and transcendent exactly what they preach not to commit.” pop of the title track to his 2018 LP Selma.

Page’s latest release, the 2023 EP Fill the Fractures, finds him ruminating on love and loss in a more introspective way. His most personal release to date, the EP extends his folky sound into darker realms. “Don’t Bury Me in Roses,” in which he contemplates his own death, has the heft and weight of a far older song, like an ancient ballad sharing a message of love and support.

BEST COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA: Kadey Ballard

In “The Changeling Well” off singer-songwriter Kadey Ballard’s 2020 album 7 of Cups, still waters run deep. Ballard’s acoustic guitar canters in a seemingly centuries-old rhythm. Her feathered vocals gain force like wind shaking the treetops, as her words cast a spell where human needs and nature’s magic meet.

“I ran the path / The darkling trail / The fairy queen / And quick of nail … A thousand years down in the well/ A thousand years I fell and fell…”

Ballard describes her music as dreamy heartache incantations. Like the emotions evoked, the names of what she calls “acoustic music with an electric hum” are legion. Recently Ballard has experimented with her haunted psych-folk, rerecording two songs off her 2023 LP Sybils with cellist Polina Kermesh and alternating solo performances with sets featuring a string-driven trio with violinist Brenda Gambill (Doubting Thomas) and cellist Hampton Crump.

BEST ROCK: Paint Fumes

This year, Charlotte’s garage-spawned punkrock poster boys Paint Fumes did the impossible: Band leader Elijah von Cramon wrote and released an album of melodic love songs. Since launching at dank, graffiti-festooned party house Sewercide Mansion in 2011, Paint Fumes’ go-for-broke image had been bolstered by a growing body of punk-rock folklore, including a severe accident that left von Cramon pronounced dead for five minutes.

Pop craftsmanship has always been part of Paint Fumes’ brilliance. It simply took an unconventional romance to bring it to the forefront on the band’s latest album Real Romancer. The relationship ended, but von Cramon had found a muse. “[They have] inspired the most songs I’ve written ever, and I like all of them,” von Cramon said.

This time, instead of penning tunes about previous topics like panic attacks, heartbreak and desolation, von Cramon is celebrating the rocking power of love.

both Davis’ parents suffered strokes and he was “If you have scars/ Wear them in the light/ If you tasked with rummaging through the family home, have fire/ Light up the fucking night/ Remember who deciding what to keep or toss. we’ve lost/ We will stand in the flames/ And they will “It was like guts coming out of a body in a call us by our names…” horror film,” Davis said. He recruited friend Stephen Weiss has moved on to Portland, Oregon, but Warwick (Ancient Cities), and the pair recorded her fearless musical experimentation continues. all the vocals for the EP in Davis’ hollowed-out childhood home. There is an autobiographical arc to the music on the EP. The swaggering cocky cat’s prowl “Basement” opens with the sound of Davis’ childhood door creaking open. The EP concludes with the buzzing of a 1960 oven timer salvaged from the Wilkesboro home, but it suggests the crackling fossil radiation unleashed by the Big Bang.

BEST INDUSTRIAL: Cicatrice

Sometimes Charlotte’s music scene acts as an incubator. Artists get their footing here and then move on to the wider world. Such is the case with Anastasia Weiss’ hardcore solo project Cicatrice, a word that means “scar” in multiple languages.

Weiss is forthright about her industrial strength activism. With distorted vocals, a heavy snakecharmer guitar riff and a double-entendre title that is a slur for trans women and an acronym for targeted restrictions on abortion providers, “Trap Laws” deliberately draws a connection between the attack on reproductive rights and the astroturfed anti-trans movement.

LIZA ORTIZ OF LA BRAVA PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN RICARDO YILO

BEST ELECTRONIC: La Brava

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BEST HARDCORE/METAL: Hellfire 76

We once compared Southern-psych/metal duo Hellfire 76’s devilish grooves to “a triceratops mating with a Sherman tank.” We stand by that assessment, but as with most loud things that deserve your attention, the full picture is a bit more nuanced.

RASMUS LEON Over the swaggering blues-rock riff and RhodanPHOTO BY HERMAN NICHOLSON stomps-Tokyo drums of “Voodoo Mama,” Hellfire 76 guitarist and vocalist Von Bury drawls a street corner preacher’s ravenous recitative.

BEST EXPERIMENTAL: Rasmus Leon “A lot I’ve seen down in New Orleans/ Strippers William Stephen Davis, a songwriter, educator and sinners and a Voodoo queen…” and filmmaker who performs as Rasmus Leon, As with the other five tunes on the band’s started working on the songs and accompanying self-titled EP, the tune can be enjoyed at face videos that became his 2023 EP Rasmus Leon and value, but Von Bury and drummer Mike McGuiness the Foothills years ago. The process accelerated when

CICATRICE PHOTO BY CAMILLE WEISS

In spring 2020, singer-songwriter Liza Ortiz stepped into the spotlight armed with her warm alto and a pair of keyboards. With her synthesizerled solo project La Brava, Ortiz started weaving rhythmic spells like Spanish-language ecological prayer “Vida Debajo” (“Life Below”).

“Nos quieren quitar el aire/ Nos quieren quitar la voz/ El árbol que cae tiene vida debajo…”

Translation: “They want to take our air/ They want to take our voice/ But the tree that falls has life underneath…”

Robust and embracing, Ortiz’s a cappella vocal suggests a call-and-response, except no response is forthcoming. Of all Ortiz’s projects, the entrancing and hypnotic La Brava may be the most powerful.

The solo project spotlights Ortiz’s prodigious and empathetic talent distilled to its essence and unleashed in its purest form.

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BEST CONCEPTUAL PROJECT: Thousand Dollar Movie, ‘Give Me a Year’

The indie-rock foursome released their instrumental EP Give Me A Year earlier this year.

Jeremy Allen Smith, the bassist for the band, found inspiration for their six-track record between his experiences living in the Queen City, and memories across two decades.

“I moved to Charlotte as a teenager and I was equally terrified and excited to be in a city on my own and trying to do music,” Smith explained to Queen City Nerve. “Twenty years later and I still love it here; it goes from intimidating to feeling like home.”

The band consists of Smith on bass, Dominic Geralds on drums, and Leo Solis and Zach Luper on guitars. The group creates feelings of nostalgia on tracks “If I Break Buy a New One (Trade/Tryon)” and “Central Ave” with melancholic tones that transition into crisp and grungy vibes. Give Me A Year pays homage to the Queen City with boundless love and hope for what’s to come in Charlotte’s music scene.

BEST INSTRUMENTAL PROJECT: Jah Freedom, ‘Kahlo’

BEST HIP-HOP ALBUM: Reuben Vincent, ‘Love Is War’

Reuben Vincent’s Love Is War was an intensive There’s a moment in “From Orbit,” the title track from Emanuel Wynter’s 2023 live album, in two-year project for the east Charlotte artist which the vocalist and violinist’s ace band slips resulting in a deeply personal album that gravity’s grasp, creating a space for Wynter’s cosmic documented the journey and pitfalls of finding love in your early 20s. Vincent’s style evolves throughout corkscrewing violin and playful vocals to soar.

“Weightless infatuation/ While we’re dancing on the album, transitioning from the style he built his Saturn’s rings/ Won’t take for granted the times we name on, as seen in “Butterfly Doors,” to something more mature and refined. made/ Laid it all down by Jupiter again…”

Some of the songs on Vincent’s 11-track album Wynter’s ebullient yet grounded songs and his soulful playing embrace a broad emotional call out toxic cycles, masculinity and the pitfalls of spectrum. Love, loss, nostalgia and imagination greed while others are deeply vulnerable and show all jostle for a fleeting yet joyous moment in the a desire to break free of these trappings. Vincent spotlight. The music that acts as jewelers’ settings finds a way to ruminate on these thoughts, his for these gemstone melodies is similarly diverse yet inner monologue and the endless cycle of love, heartbreak, hope and disappointment. coherent.

Wynter lets his bandmates shine, but his soaring, spiraling violin, which harkens to Stéphane BEST COLLABORATIVE PROJECT: Grappelli’s gypsy-jazz bowing and Vassar Clements’ susong, ‘we are in this together’ rapid-fire bluegrass fiddling, pulls us through his In susong’s single “Tinseltown,” ratcheting musical adventures through outer and inner space. guitar and insistent electronic percussion set the wistful tune’s tempo as Matt and Michael Susong’s BEST EMO/POP PUNK: sayurblaires brotherly bone-deep blood harmonies soar.

Inspired by bands like The Brave Little Abacus, “Cables disconnected days ago, and the lights left Crying, and South Korean outfit Parannoul, which us behind/ Pick the cap out of your feather, say your use MIDI tracks and samples to create emo albums, goodbyes we’re not leaving together…”

Blaire Fullagar set herself the straightforward task With songs about memories and goodbyes, of writing and recording an LP with no bass, guitars the brothers’ entrancing five-track EP, we are in this or drums — just synths, samples and vocals, all together, details how the two brothers reconciled played and performed by Fullagar. and reconnected through music. With Matt living in The resulting album, you no longer live inside my Charlotte and Michael in Winston-Salem, the Susong head, i’m just waiting for you to take shape, dropped brothers had become separated by distance plus the in December 2022. demands of career and family. Following the death Questions about identity and self-acceptance of their father, Matt and Michael took a chance on surface throughout the album on songs like collaboration, a musical dialog spanning 80 miles “Portside’s a Funny Place, But You’ll Grow to Like and many years apart. The resulting songs explode it Here,” in which distant disconcerting screaming with invention and experimental production doubles the cloud layer of catchy childlike vocals techniques, as they overcome time, separation and amid head-bopping verses and catchy K-pop style divergent lifelines. choruses.

“You’re trapped in this body/ But how much noise can you make/ When the door isn’t open/ Can anyone hear me?”

Fullagar’s songs resonated with other musicians, so she adapted them to be played by a full band.

Solo project sayurblaires quickly went from a onewoman show to an ongoing ensemble including bass, guitars and drums.

“I don’t think I set out to achieve anything other than expressing myself and making good music,” Fullagar told Queen City Nerve. “I’m still after that.”

We think she achieved the latter just fine, but there’s always room for more.

BEST EP: Tre’ Ahmad, ‘Kttn’

In the wake of their breakthrough debut LP The Bedroom Popstar in 2021, Tre’ Ahmad’s life seemed to fall apart.

Awash in the mental health issues that have plagued them most of their life, Ahmad took a hiatus in Europe. That decision came with a price.

Nearly a year and a half passed between the release of The Bedroom Popstar in 2021 and the 2023 release of the playful three-song EP Kttn.

“In my generation that’s like taking a decade off,” Ahmad told Queen City Nerve. They need not have worried A spirit of adventure, perhaps spurred by Ahmad’s positive European sabbatical, imbues Kttn.

Optimism pervades the eclectic EP, where Ahmad’s confident wordplay corkscrews around experimental production, beats and backing instrumentation on “L’avion Freestyle.” Entwining melodic hooks and staccato verses through a thicket of splashy hi-hats, Ahmad sounds jubilant on the Django Reinhardtdoes-acid-jazz gem “Kindly.”

BEST ROCK ALBUM: Dollar Signs, ‘Legend Tripping’

“There’s no place like home/ If you’re born in the Twilight Zone,” Dollar Signs frontman Eric Button bellows in “Can’t Go Home Again,” the lead track on the band’s pop-punk-folk horror masterpiece Legend Tripping. Over 11 tracks, Button grapples with a Gordian Knot of obsessions, including downhome atomic annihilation (“Nuclear Family”), spooky kids chanting “Bloody Mary” three times in the mirror (“RESONATOR!”) and the anti-nostalgia that fuels novelist Thomas Wolfe, The Gin Blossom’s “Hey Jealousy,” and The Clash’s “Stay Free.”

The band’s galloping guitars, rollicking pianos and jackhammer drums combine bittersweet alternative and anthemic punk, produced for maximum impact by Te’ Jani. Primarily, Dollar Signs

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Charlotte DJ and composer Jah Freedom has outdone himself with his instrumental project Kahlo, a strong follow-up to the 2019 release, Basquiat.

His album pays reverence to Mexican painter and feminist/LGBTQ+ icon Frida Kahlo and each of the seven tracks is named after one of her paintings.

While composing each piece of the album, Jah Freedom said he would study the painting each song was named after and imagine what the art would sound like, he told Queen City Nerve. His second track, “What the water gave me” is both upbeat and urgent. The song starts off with a cascade of rain before upbeat music composed of electronic melodies, cymbals, drumming and a trumpet takes over and nearly drowns out the still ever-present drip of water.

Frida Kahlo created her painting of the same name depicting a woman’s legs stretched out in the bath as a chaotic scene unfolds in the water in 1938.

The rest of the songs in Kahlo maintain a similarly hopeful and thought-provoking tone, one the artist herself would surely admire.

BEST INSTRUMENTALIST: Emanuel Wynter

Music

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as the photographed places and things, and Davis declares his intention to leave the abandoned Critics’ Picks littered landscape behind.

“And I know/ Just where I have to go/ And I’ll be/ wrestles with the haunted past. A classic horror The only one who leaves…” movie trope is never stray off the main road, because that’s where the redneck cannibal zombies dwell — BEST LOCAL SHOW: Tre’ Ahmad’s but what if those Jungian horrors define your roots?

A hometown talent — Shinn’s father George launched the Charlotte Hornets in 1988, and subsequently moved away amid a tsunami of fan venom — Chris was lead vocalist for Live from 2012 to 2016.

Unlike Live’s progressive alternative, Shinn’s solo material is richer and more satisfying. Shinn, drummer Jason Gerken and former Live bassist Homecoming Festival at Patrick Dahlheimer pulled the audience along for a Neighborhood Theatre hypnotic journey.

BEST SONG: True Lilith, ‘Urban After a restorative sojourn in Europe, rapper Tre’ On the harrowing “Inside,” Shinn’s hair-raising Decay’ Ahmad returned with his transcendent Charlotte vocals ascended amid grinding guitars and clashing With Chloe James’ snaking ’60s spy movie homecoming show at Neighborhood Theater in June. cymbals. Shinn’s hushed, confessional vocals surged guitars and Anna Spurrier’s clambering new wave Ahmad performed the trauma- and doubt-stricken forward over strummed guitars and stuttering synths, True Lilith kicks off its April single “Urban material from his debut LP The Bedroom Popstar, drums on “The Artist.”

Decay” with a sense of shivery delight. James’ entwining it with their newer, playful tracks — and It was a stunning performance that left the ethereal vocals evoke a sensual succubus luring they did it surrounded by friends, collaborators and crowd temporarily hushed before erupting in listeners in like a Venus flytrap. inspirations including Deep October, Te’ Jani, Nia J. ecstatic applause.

It’s clear True Lilith approaches musical genres and The Bleus. as suggestions rather than boundaries. Shoutouts to inspirations are as likely to include New Orleans R&B legends The Neville Brothers as alt-art-rock icons Siouxsie and the Banshees.

With its mélange of alt-, indie-, psych- and post-rock, True Lilith’s sound cannot be reduced to just goth, but the genre is still central to a spirit of inclusion the band has adopted. Much maligned even during its 1980s heyday due to fans’ preference for black clothes, pale makeup with industrial levels of eyeliner, willowy “tree-in-the-wind” dances and enough hairspray to punch a hole in the ozone layer, goth has been a genre that has welcomed all — gay, trans, nonbinary and bullied — throughout its history.

“Our music is trying to be our personal safe space for anyone who wants to listen,” drummer Jared PHOTO BY JONATHAN GOLIAN DAIKAIJU PERFORMS AT SNUG HARBOR IN MARCH 2023.

Stone said. “I hope [people] will feel as accepted in our fan base as I’ve been accepted in this band.”

With energy and empathy, Ahmad and his BEST VENUE: Snug Harbor extended musical family easily achieved their goal In 2007, Snug Harbor launched in a Plaza BEST VIDEO: Rasmus Leon, ‘22’ for the show, which Ahmad shared with Queen City Midwood that would be unrecognizable to the Tasked with cleaning out his abandoned Nerve prior to the gig. neighborhood’s residents today. The nautically childhood home, musician and filmmaker Will Davis “I want the show … to feel like you just walked themed club was ground zero for musician, painter, (Rasmus Leon) explores life’s in-between spaces — out of one of the best movies you’ve ever seen,” makeup artist and interior designer Scott Weaver’s points where you leave a situation but haven’t yet Ahmad said. “You relate to it; it has a happy ending. full-blown variety show Shiprocked! The innovative stepped into the next, in his video for “22.”

It was a matinee and the sun is out, and you’re still party changed Charlotte’s nightlife, transforming Davis documents these magical spaces through thinking about that movie and the characters.” drag and how it was perceived. With the now semithe ephemera of discarded objects. A synthesizer retired Shiprocked! and other parties, Snug built a hovers as the camera pulls out from a dusty bed BEST NATIONAL SHOW: Chris Shinn reputation for inclusion. That openness is reflected of crystal globes. Twanging guitar reverberates as in the cross-genre bills and outsider artists Zach we skim past a series of empty rooms. Then Davis’ at Snug Harbor Former Live singer and Charlotte native Chris Reader still books for the club. wounded-sounding tenor kicks in.

Hosting an increasingly eclectic bill of local “Everybody says they know/ when they try to Shinn captivated a full house at a spine tingling and national alternative, rock, folk, metal, country, name me/ Everybody says they care/ when they try to Snug Harbor gig in June. Shinn debuted his solo classical, rap, Latin, dance, electronic, R&B and album, Falling Up, at his first live performance since maim me…” more, the sturdy haven for diversity has arguably Gradually the music acquires textures as tactile December 2019.

become Charlotte’s most vital independent music venue.

“I don’t think we would last if we … were forced to cater to some specific thing,” Reader told Queen City Nerve. “I think there’s authenticity in having everything be so eclectic.”

BEST NEW VENUE: VisArt Cafe

Located in Eastway Crossing shopping center, right next door to its sister shop VisArt Video, the doors recently opened at 3102 VisArt (even more recently renamed VisArt Cafe), a new intimate listening room and event space for indie performers in a city that’s starved for just such a thing.

The venue is located in the space that was once home to EastSide Local and for a very short time after that Loto Café. Now the folks at VisArt Video, who have owned the space throughout that time, have turned it into a cultural venue that includes indoor and (covered) outdoor seating, beer, wine, non-alcoholic provisions, a java bar and a food menu while remaining friendly to dogs. On Tuesday nights they host a singer/songwriter series called Listening Room (catch perennial BIN award winner Kadey Ballard’s performance on Dec. 5), but it’s not only about the music. In November, they hosted Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, which marked the raunchy return of Nicia Carla’s PaperHouse Theatre after a years-long hiatus.

BEST FREE MUSIC VENUE: Tommy’s Pub

Thank the music gods for Tommy’s, the neighborhood joint anchoring one end of the abovementioned Eastway Crossing. The comfy club is a mecca for rock, folk, punk, Celtic, instrumental and so much more. Incredibly, club owner Jamie Starks keeps this tuneful cornucopia free for lucky listeners.

Despite all the love shown the pub by longtime customers, Tommy’s doesn’t get enough credit for booking musical gems that may otherwise fall through the cracks in the Queen City’s gigging scene. Local bookings include such cherished unclassifiables as R-rated Renaissance Fest habitués The Reeling Rogues and The Angels, legendary surf-rock guitar slingers Aqualads, and eclectic electronic/progressive rock/soul jazz trio Rich Skeleton, just to name a few, then throw in diverse day-long music festivals, film screenings and collaborations with other businesses on the strip.

Tommy’s Pub boasts an eye for Charlotte’s musical past, unclouded by nostalgic glaucoma and with an insatiable appetite for the new.

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Arts & Entertainment Readers’ Picks

VISUAL ARTS BEST ART GALLERY Winner: Goodyear Arts Runner Up: Charlotte Art League BEST DISPLAY OF PUBLIC ART Winner: Camp North End Runner Up: Charlotte International Arts Festival BEST EXHIBIT Winner: Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds @ The Mint Museum Runner Up: Doomsday & Night III @ Goodyear Arts BEST INSTALLATION ARTIST Winner: Malu Tan Runner Up: Elizabeth Palmisano BEST MURALIST Winner: Bree Stallings Runner Up: Osiris Rain BEST MUSEUM Winner: The Mint Museum Runner Up: Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Winner: Gloria Zavaleta Runner Up: Brian Twitty BEST SCULPTOR Winner: Grace Stott Runner Up: Liz Cisneros BEST TATTOO ARTIST Winner: Hayley Moran Runner Up: Rodney Raines BEST VISUAL ARTIST Winner: Arko Runner Up: Elizabeth Palmisano

PERFORMING ARTS

MUSIC BY VENUE BEST CONCERT VENUE Winner: Visulite Theatre Runner Up: The Evening Muse BEST LOCAL RECORD LABEL Winner: Four Finger Records Runner Up: Self Aware Records

BEST LOCAL SHOW OF THE PAST 12 MONTHs Winner: Thousand Dollar Movie Cassette Release Show @ Petra’s Runner Up: The Flamingo Revue: Summer of Sin @ Visulite Theatre BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL (IN STATE) Winner: Hopscotch Music Festival 2023 Runner Up: Dreamville Fest 2023 BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL (OUT OF STATE) Winner: Shaky Knees Music Festival Runner Up: Riot Fest BEST MUSIC SCHOOL/LESSONS Winner: School of Rock Charlotte Runner Up: We Rock Charlotte BEST NATIONAL SHOW OF THE PAST 12 MONTHS Winner: Tenacious D @ PNC Music Pavilion Runner Up: Blink-182 @ Spectrum Center BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT Winner: Find Your Muse @ The Evening Muse Runner Up: Free Comedy Night @ Starlight on 22nd BEST PLACE TO HEAR COUNTRY MUSIC Winner: The Thirsty Beaver Saloon Runner Up: Coyote Joe’s BEST PLACE TO HEAR JAZZ Winner: Petra’s Runner Up: Middle C Jazz BEST RECORDING STUDIO Winner: Sioux Sioux Studio Runner Up: Old House Studio

MUSIC BY ARTIST(S) BEST ALTERNATIVE/PUNK BAND Winner: Thousand Dollar Movie Runner Up: Dovecage BEST BLUES/JAZZ/SOUL BAND Winner: Patt Mostle Runner Up: Rich Skeleton BEST COUNTRY/FOLK BAND Winner: Sinners & Saints Runner Up: Jason Moss and The Hosses BEST DJ Winner: DJ Smitty Runner Up: DJ Spider BEST ELECTRONIC/POP Winner: Natalie Carr Runner Up: IIOIOIOII BEST EXPERIMENTAL MUSICIAN/BAND Winner: Mercury Dimes Runner Up: Dovecage

BEST INDIE-ROCK BAND Winner: Dovecage Runner Up: Petrov BEST LIVE PERFORMER(S) Winner: The Flamingo Revue Runner Up: Thousand Dollar Movie BEST LOCAL ALBUM Winner: Give Me a Year by Thousand Dollar Movie Runner Up: Better Never by Mercury Dimes BEST NEW BAND Winner: Once Below Joy Runner Up: Distracted Eyes BEST POTENTIAL BREAKOUT ARTIST Winner: Dovecage Runner Up: Forever May Fall BEST PRODUCER Winner: Leo Solis Runner Up: Krystle Baller BEST R&B SINGER Winner: Tamra Simone Runner Up: Wesley Jackson BEST RAPPER Winner: Lil Skritt Runner Up: Phaze Gawd BEST SOLO PERFORMER Winner: Lisa De Novo Runner Up: MonaLisa BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER Winner: Lisa De Novo Runner Up: Kadey Ballard WINNERS: Download your award files at bit.ly/2023binawards

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BEST ACTOR Winner: Scott Tynes-Miller Runner Up: Timothy Hager BEST ACTRESS Winner: Becca Worthington Runner Up: Kadey Ballard BEST AERIALIST Winner: Satarah Runner Up: Carolina Quirós Otárola BEST CLASSICAL DANCER Winner: Aidan Conway Runner Up: Sarah Hayes Harkins

BEST COMEDIAN Winner: Joy Surles Runner Up: Jason Allen King BEST COMEDY VENUE Winner: The Comedy Zone Runner Up: Starlight on 22nd BEST CONTEMPORARY DANCER Winner: Audrey Baran Runner Up: Carolina Quirós Otárola BEST DRAG PERFORMER Winner: Onya Dover Nerves Runner Up: Riley Malicious BEST IMPROV TROUPE Winner: Shameless Society Runner Up: Group Hugs-n-Harmony BEST MAGICIAN Winner: Caleb Morgan Runner Up: Colin Eleazer BEST MOVIE THEATER Winner: Independent Picture House Runner Up: Cinemark Bistro Charlotte BEST PERFORMING ARTIST(S) Winner: The Flamingo Revue Runner Up: SHAE Movement African Arts BEST PLACE TO HEAR SPOKEN WORD Winner: Petra’s Runner Up: The Evening Muse BEST SKETCH COMEDY ROUTINE Winner: Charlotte Squawks Runner Up: Black Power Rangers BEST STORYTELLER Winner: Hannah Hassan Runner Up: Becca Worthington BEST THEATRE COMPANY Winner: Theatre Charlotte Runner Up: Three Bone Theatre BEST THEATRE SHOW (NATIONAL) Winner: SIX: The Musical Runner Up: The Book of Mormon BEST THEATRE SHOW (LOCAL) Winner: The Chinese Lady, Three Bone Theatre Runner Up: POTUS, Charlotte Conservatory Theatre

Nightlife Critics’ Picks CRITICS’ PICKS: NIGHTLIFE If there’s one thing we’ve done our research on, it’s where to have a good time in this town. We’re more than happy to share what we’ve found.

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BEST NEW NIGHTLIFE SPOT: Goldie’s

rolls, chicken and waffles or salmon and grits.

Matthew Williams, who co-owns owns and manages the venue alongside his wife Kristen Wallace Williams, first had the idea for Tattooz & Booz more than a decade ago, as the couple has owned a few tattoo shops in the past, but putting these varying concepts together brought a long list of challenges for the entrepreneurial couple.

“It’s long days and long nights, but it’s definitely rewarding. I think we’re all really proud of what it’s morphed into. We never expected it to be as big as it is,” Kristen told Queen City Nerve.

Thanks to a unique concept and top-notch food menu, Tattooz & Booz built a buzz on social media, allowing Kristen to leave her corporate job and focus solely on the family business. Despite a BEST HYBRID: Tattoos & Booz shaky pandemic start, the spot has become a hub Tattooz & Booz, the restaurant, bar, tattoo parlor for countless brunch lovers, party dancers and ink and nightlife spot located on East 6th Street, has admirers out there. garnered as much attention for its hybrid set-up as it has for menu items like the Philly cheesesteak egg In an ever-growing South End, nightlife venues are a dime a dozen, making it difficult for new arrivals to carve out a distinct presence or a loyal following. That doesn’t seem to be the case for Goldie’s. Live music, drinks, two patios and a minifood hall under one roof may be confusing to NIMBY locals, but the “chokehold effect” that Goldie’s has had on Lower South End is real, drawing a cult-like following that has patrons venturing further down South Boulevard multiple times a week! Maybe it’s the music. Maybe it’s the many TVs. Maybe it’s the foot-long hot dogs, pizza and burgers. Either way, right now, Goldie’s has the juice.

BEST FOR FUN AND GAMES: Super Abari Game Bar

When the original Abari location was forced to close amid the pandemic and rising rents, the gaming community and alternative nightlife seekers were devastated. Little did we know, the next chapter for Abari and owner Zach Pulliam was going to be bigger, better, and well worth the wait. In May 2022, Super Abari Game Bar opened in its new home on Seigle Avenue, complete with the familiar “living room lounge” that became synonymous with the entryway and a megabit more space, with emphasis on the mega. If 5,000 square feet, 35 pinball machines, 54 arcade games, and the world’s largest playable Game Boy don’t scream super-sized fun, WTF does?! Plus, a collab with Dukes Bread gave birth to super-sized hot pockets for gaming fuel that you can wash down with PBR on draft at the low price of $1.50 on Throwback Thursday.

BEST COCKTAIL BAR: Humbug

When it comes to making a splash on the cocktail scene, Humbug, a craft-cocktail-bar-meetsneighborhood-dive on The Plaza, challenged the status quo before it even had a permanent home.

Most “pop-up” concepts conjure an eye roll. Sure, their “themes” draw the crowds, but often they lose

focus on the task at hand: crafting unforgettable cocktails that don’t need a Santa Claus mug to conceal the lack of complexity that comes with a $20 price tag. But that’s why nobody can touch the OG Charlotte mixologist and mastermind behind Humbug, Larry Suggs, along with gifted newcomer Andrew Schools. Name a better duo … we’ll wait.

It didn’t take long for whispers of “the new pop-up bar inside Hotel Refuge,” to become a household name all its own that not only defined the hotel but surpassed its recognition. Less than a year later, Humbug opened its permanent home in Villa Heights. The greatest cocktail hits on the menu honor Humbug’s pop-up roots with seasonal newbies like Have You Seen the Bear? and That Goddamned Espresso Martini, the latter even inspired a cover story in our paper earlier this year.

BEST WINE BAR: Bar à Vins

I don’t know who the first person was to dare pairing poor-man’s Lay’s potato chips with ridiculously expensive caviar, but you, sir or ma’am, are a genius! Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself at Bar à Vins in NoDa, and get ready to be addicted.

Gone are the days of snobby sommeliers, assorted cheeses and meats, and stuffy service. Bar à Vins sets a new standard, pairing consciously crafted wine from around the world with tasty snacks like tinned

Nightlife

taproom space that was located across the street and closed in October 2022, making the nearby patio all the more inviting.

fish and quicos in an approachable, neighborhood atmosphere. Add a dash of hip-hop playing over the speakers and you have a wine vibe that everyone can enjoy (even peeps who don’t care for wine).

After years of watching new concepts struggling to survive NoDa, we finally have something that feels sticky enough to become a neighborhood staple.

BEST DRINK MENU: LaBARatory at Urban District Market

Critics’ Picks

BEST PLACE TO DAY DRINK: Optimist Hall

LaBARatory is the newest addition to the growing line of greatest hits created by Seoul Food Meat Company’s owners. Located in the Urban Mill District Market, this soju distillery is the first of its kind in the Queen City.

The specialty soju cocktails may carry an $18 price tag but the 20-25% ABV behind the Korean vodka-based drink packs a punch that’ll keep you from wanting to do any more damage. The best part? Keeping to the science theme, drinks are served in beakers and test tubes while menu items are showcased as a periodic table of elements.

OK, the real best part? The long list of local craft beers selling on draft for just $2 per 12-ounce pour. They even built a pedestrian bridge so you can legally cross the greenway to Seoul Food (and vice versa) and keep your drink with you.

The best place to crack a beer or grab a cocktail before 5 p.m. in Charlotte is Optimist Hall. The massive food hall located in the former gingham mill just outside of Uptown boasts a broad selection of cocktails, beers and bites. Optimist Hall is home to The Spindle Bar, Billy Sunday and Fonta Flora Brewery, not to mention El Thrifty Social, a great game bar for an afternoon of booze-infused fun.

But the best part is that you’ve got all that food right there onsite to help soak it all up and avoid crossing that line of no return with the alcohol. BEST ROOFTOP: Novelty House Some food vendors, like Botiwalla for example, When it comes to rooftop bars in Uptown, also sell alcoholic drinks, including boozy slushies, nobody can compete with Novelty House. Its margaritas and craft beers. seasonal Instagrammable backdrops, city views and non-stop party vibes still have Queen City nightlifers in a chokehold. Even weekend visitors and Charlotte BEST PLACE TO BAR HOP: The Gold novices find their way to the East 5th Street hotspot District as if they followed the North Star.

The area surrounding the intersection of South On a Friday evening, after sunset, the magnetic Mint Street and West Summit Avenue has really sounds of the live DJ spill into the street from the come into its own as of late. Whatever you’re looking open-air rooftop signaling: “You know what time for, the Gold District has got it. Games? Slingshot it is.” From that point on, the entrance is an everSocial. Craft beer? Craft Growler Shop and Tasting Room. Brunch? Ruby Sunshine. One of the allaround best breweries in the city? Resident Culture.

We’re only starting to scratch the surface here, but you get the point.

The folks at Sycamore Brewing pulled out all the stops in building their new South End location, which opened in May. The taproom spans two stories with a 6,000-square-foot second-floor patio and bar overlooking Charlotte’s Rail Trail and the Uptown skyline. On the ground level, Sycamore visitors can expect a beer garden, a full-service taproom with food offerings and the brewery’s new coffee shop.

Sycamore’s custom-built Airstream food truck NOVELTY HOUSE is also stationed upstairs as a nod to the original

PHOTO BY KARIE SIMMONS

existential road movies and unexpected holiday favorites. IPH frequently hosts filmmakers to engage audiences in Q&A talkback sessions and screens films for local activists and causes, like Ukrainian docudrama 20 Days in Mariupol.

Plus, where else can you catch genuine local BEST WAY TO SPEND A SOBER NIGHT: oddities like Night of the Cat, a 1973 Charlottefilmed exploitation/grindhouse classic produced by Independent Picture House Queen City Lawyer Michael G. Plumides?

French noir crime caper Rififi, coming of age More important question: With such intoxicating Czech drama Cozy Dens, atomic block-buster cinematic stimulants, who needs alcohol?

Oppenheimer and Chilean/French trans slice-oflife story Soy Nino. This is just a soupçon of the entrancing filmic feast presented by Independent BEST HIDDEN GEM: Starlight on Picture House (IPH), Charlotte’s indie nonprofit 22nd movie theater.

Tucked away on an unassuming East 22nd Since opening in June 2022, the community Street in Optimist Park, you’ll find a laid-back and arthouse cinema has transcended genre and approachable Starlight on 22nd. Daring to defy audience classifications, running film series the surrounding new developments, the divefeaturing anime, underground cult gems, 1970’s meets-lounge represents a safe haven for the odd, curious and creative. The inside features a colorful hodgepodge of mismatched furniture, sculpted centerpieces, thrifted decor and extravagant art served alongside cheap drinks, live music, open mic nights and childlike bites.

Outside, dual patios peppered with string lights and picnic tables provide ample space for hula hoops, disc golf, pingpong, and Jenga. Go during the day and stay past sunset to see what it feels like to wish on a star and have it actually come true. revolving door until 2 a.m. Downstairs, Havana Smoke & Reserve and Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar help Novelty hold down the block with cigars and late-night bites, making Binaco Tower a nightlife destination patrons don’t have to leave.

BEST DIVE BAR: Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

It hasn’t been around for 39 years for no reason.

Smokey Joe’s has reigned supreme as one of the best dive bars in Charlotte for almost four decades simply because it dares to remain the same. At

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BEST PATIO: Sycamore Brewing South End

STARLIGHT ON 22ND

Nightlife

Then, years later, while we were out exploring new craft cocktails spots, The Punch Room closed, leaving us to wonder if we’d ever be able to taste the OG again. Well, The Punch Room is back, baby! And word on the street is with mixologist Kel Minton (of Soul Gastrolounge and The Royal Tot fame) at the helm, coming home is going to taste better than ever.

Critics’ Picks

Smokey Joe’s, what you see is what you get. The same Christmas lights we hang once a year, hang on at Smokey’s all year long. If one of the swings next to the sand pingpong court breaks, it may never swing again.

And if you dare ask for an espresso martini, you may get laughed out the front door. This is a cafe and bar with an emphasis on the bar. Remodeling? Sure, let’s add 50 more tchotchkes to the rafters and see if they notice. But that’s what we love about Smokey Joe’s; it’s a true dive bar and the fact that it doesn’t change is our obsession.

BEST WEEKLY PARTY: Hazy Sundays at Petras

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Every first, third, and fifth Sunday, the back patio at Petra’s transforms into a DJ-fueled day party for Hazy Sunday. From the moment you walk up, you can hear the music bumping—hell you can hear it from Calle Sol—vibrating out of the seemingly closed Petra’s windows. But if you enter through the door in the alleyway behind Calle Sol, you’ll enter one of the greatest day parties in the city.

The vibe: All are welcome and no rules apply.

BEST DATE NIGHT: Sweet Spot Studio

LABARATORY AT URBAN DISTRICT MARKET

Strangelings from all over the city in one space only focus on cutting loose on the dance floor. All bets are off if you think you’ll only be “stopping by” for one or two; 4 p.m. turns into 9 p.m. real quick when the drinks are flowing and the DJs are spinning.

What makes it hazy? Grab $10 bucks for entry to eff around and find out.

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

BEST COMEBACK: The Punch Room

At a time when the craft cocktail scene was establishing roots in the Queen City, The Punch Room, located on the 15th floor of the Ritz Carlton Uptown, easily represented the blueprint. Punch bowls for two to six people boasted a complexity that would leave patrons buzzed and confused. “Did we just become craft cocktail obsessed?”Yes, we did.

You and your significant other can knock out drinks, food and acquire new skills in one fell swoop at Sweet Spot Studio in the Oakwold neighborhood for a reasonable price. The entire experience could last up to three hours as you sip your complimentary glass of wine and learn to make an assortment of sweets, treats and pasta dishes depending on the set up for the night in question.

Sweet Spot also allows couples to bring their own alcoholic beverages from home or neighboring businesses and will set you up with cups to drink from as you learn from expert chefs on how to craft signature dishes that you can take home with you after indulging at the end of the lesson.

Don’t overdress as you can expect to make a mess, and certainly bring your appetite.

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Nightlife

Readers’ Picks

TO KICK IT

NEIGHBORHOOD BEST ANNUAL PARTY BARS Winner: Shiprocked! Pride Party at Snug Harbor Runner Up: Super Abari Game Bar’s Block Party BEST INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT Winner: Camp North End Runner Up: Skiptown BEST NEW NIGHTCLUB Winner: RSVP South End Runner Up: Broken Promises BEST PLACE TO GRAB A QUICK DRINK Winner: The Workman’s Friend Runner Up: Tommy’s Pub BEST SINGLES BAR Winner: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern Runner Up: Billy Sunday BEST WEEKLY NIGHTLIFE EVENT Winner: Mindless Minutia Trivia Runner Up: Wednesday Night Trivia at Resident Culture

FOR THE PEOPLE BEST BAR TO MAKE A NEW FRIEND Winner: Thirsty Beaver Saloon Runner Up: Skiptown BEST BAR TO PEOPLE-WATCH Winner: Thirsty Beaver Saloon Runner Up: Snug Harbor BEST BARTENDER Winner: Josh Brice, Skiptown Runner Up: Stacey Badger, Tommy’s Pub BEST KARAOKE HOST Winner: Mike Earle, Petra’s Runner Up: DJ Velvetine, Tommy’s Pub BEST LGBTQ-FRIENDLY BAR Winner: Petra’s Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern BEST MIXOLOGIST Winner: Jeremy Smith, Uncle Jerry’s Tiki Bar Sunday’s at Tommy’s Pub Runner Up: Grayson Nauta, The Artisan’s Palate BEST TRIVIA HOST Winner: Jacob Gresham, Mindless Minutia Trivia Runner Up: David Chase, Mindless Minutia Trivia BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE Winner: Camp North End Runner Up: Super Abari Game Bar

TO DANCE BEST CLUB DJ Winner: DJ Spider Runner Up: DJ Ghost BEST DANCE CLUB Winner: Coyote Joe’s Runner Up: Bar Argon BEST KARAOKE Winner: Noda 101 Runner Up: Jeff’s Bucket Shop

BEST BALLANTYNE BAR Winner: Blackfinn Ameripub Ballantyne Runner Up: DB’s Tavern BEST BELMONT BAR Winner: Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub Runner Up: Nellie’s Southern Kitchen BEST EAST CHARLOTTE BAR Winner: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern Runner Up: Tommy’s Pub WINNERS: Download your award files at bit.

BEST MATTHEWS/MINT HILL BAR ly/2023binawards Winner: Carolina Beer Temple Runner Up: Seaboard Brewing, Taproom, & Wine Bar BEST NODA BAR Winner: JackBeagle’s Runner Up: The Artisan’s Palate BEST NORTH CHARLOTTE BAR Winner: Petty Thieves Brewing Co Runner Up: NoDa Company Canteen BEST NORTH MECKLENBURG BAR (HUNTERSVILLE, CORNELIUS, DAVIDSON) Winner: Crafty Beer Guys Taproom & Bottle Shop Runner Up: Kindred BEST PINEVILLE BAR Winner: Middle James Brewing Company Runner Up: d.d. Peckers BEST PLAZA MIDWOOD BAR Winner: The Workman’s Friend Runner Up: Snug Harbor BEST SOUTH END BAR Winner: VINYL Runner Up: Skiptown BEST SOUTHPARK BAR Winner: Lucky Lou’s Tavern Runner Up: Bulla Gastrobar BEST STEELE CREEK BAR Winner: Piedmont Social House Runner Up: Lucky Dog Bark & Brew BEST UNIVERSITY CITY BAR Winner: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium Runner Up: Armored Cow Brewing Co. BEST UPTOWN BAR Winner: Connolly’s On Fifth Runner Up: Belfast Mill Irish Pub BEST WEST CHARLOTTE BAR Winner: Pinky’s Westside Grill Runner Up: The Milestone Club

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BEST ARCADE BAR Winner: Super Abari Game Bar Runner Up: Pins Mechanical Co BEST BOWLING ALLEY Winner: Pins Mechanical Co Runner Up: Queen Park Social BEST CIGAR BAR Winner: The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar Runner Up: Tinder Box BEST COCKTAIL BAR Winner: Idlewild Runner Up: The Artisan’s Palate BEST DIVE BAR Winner: Thirsty Beaver Saloon Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern BEST DOG BAR Winner: Skiptown Runner Up: The Dog Bar BEST HOOKAH BAR Winner: Crave Dessert Bar Runner Up: The Peace Pipe BEST MUSIC BINGO NIGHT Winner: Mindless Minutia Trivia Runner Up: Music Bingo with Chris Neal at Kilted Buffalo Plaza Midwood BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR Winner: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern Runner Up: Snug Harbor BEST POOL HALL Winner: Midwood Country Club Runner Up: Hattie’s Tap & Tavern BEST SPORTS BAR Winner: Ed’s Tavern Runner Up: QC Pour House BEST STRIP CLUB Winner: Leather & Lace Runner Up: The Gentlemen’s Club BEST WINE BAR Winner: Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden Runner Up: Barcelona Wine Bar BEST TRIVIA NIGHT Winner: Mindless Minutia Trivia Runner Up: Wednesday Night Trivia at Resident Culture

TO PARTY

Pg. 64 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

LIFESTYLE PUZZLES

LIFESTYLE PUZZLES SUDOKU

BY LINDA THISTLE

PLACE A NUMBER IN THE EMPTY BOXES IN SUCH A WAY THAT EACH ROW ACROSS, EACH COLUMN DOWN AND EACH SMALL 9-BOX SQUARE CONTAINS ALL OF THE NUMBERS ONE TO NINE.

TRIVIA TEST

BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

CROSSWORD

1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the captain in “The Love Boat”?

2. MOVIES: What is E.T.’s favorite candy in “E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial”?

3. FOOD & DRINK: What is Hungary’s national spice?

4. ADVERTISING: Which company’s mascot is Elsie the Cow? 5. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition called plutophobia?

6. GAMES: How many pawns are on a chessboard?

7. SCIENCE: What is the name of the giant land mass that is believed to have existed on Earth 200 million years ago?

8. GEOGRAPHY: Which of the Great Lakes is southernmost?

9. LANGUAGE: What is an octothorpe?

10. LITERATURE: Where are the novels “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” set?

©2023 King Feautres Syndicate, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pg. 65 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

A TO Z REPEATEDLY ©2023 King Feautres Syndicate, Inc. All rights reserved.

LIFESTYLE COLUMN

THE SEEKER PLANNING AN ESCAPE Team building as an anti-social butterfly

Pg. 66 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

BY KATIE GRANT

As a writer, I often “read to write,” meaning that I hope to strengthen my personal creative writing muscle from the media I consume. While December is typically a celebratory time of year, I have read about grief and the power to overcome it more often than not.

To lift my mood, I’ve been signing up for the occasional newsletter that makes me feel … well … less sad. For example, I signed up for Amy Shoenthal’s newsletter for a “dose of inbox optimism.” Amy is a journalist, author, and marketing executive, contributing to Forbes Women and Harvard Business Review.

A recently published newsletter discussed the concept of turning guilt into gratitude, which got me thinking. If feeling thankful can help cope with guilt, maybe it can also help overcome grief.

According to Positive Psychology, “Expressing gratitude not only to others but also to ourselves induces positive emotions, primarily happiness. By producing feelings of pleasure and contentment, gratitude has impacts on our overall health and wellbeing as well.”

Ok — now that we know that feelings of gratitude promote happiness, where should we start?

With the new calendar looming, I jotted down an obvious choice: career and personal highlights throughout the past year that warrant acknowledgment.

After making a quick bullet list and getting my head out of my own ass, I realized I have a metric shit ton of people, places and opportunities to be thankful for.

Among these moments of gratitude, I found appreciation for my workplace’s commitment to fostering connections beyond office walls and in our community.

As an introvert, the idea of doing a team-building activity at an escape room initially seemed exhausting. But after unsuccessfully making our escape from a mineshaftthemed room at Escape Tactic in southwest Charlotte as a group, I understand the merit in such endeavors.

Escape rooms, which I had not experienced before that trip, have emerged everywhere it seems as the ideal team-building activity. Through my experience with my co-workers, I learned these rooms are ground zero for cultivating essential skills to be used in and outside of the office: communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and time management while having fun.

We even walked out with a motto: We try together, we die together. Would I do it again? Probably not, unless it is a “forced family fun time” situation, but that is my introvert self speaking. I refer to her affectionately as my inner anti-social butterfly.

Aside from my professional life, I hold immense gratitude for my health practices, particularly yoga. I credit yoga and the sweaty hours spent on my mat with potentially saving my life during that stormy period.

Driven by my new-found passion, I obtained my 500hour yoga teaching certificate. The peaceful atmosphere and the mind-body connection offered by yoga lifted me out of a negative mental spiral. For two years, I immersed myself in teaching, finding fulfillment in guiding others on their yoga journey.

However, the pandemic, paired with my crippling social anxiety, shifted my practice to a solitary experience on my own mat. Surprisingly, I’ve come to appreciate this shift.

Instead of channeling my energy into planning classes, I now explore new studios and connect them with the community.

Along this existential journey, I’ve discovered that this act of “connecting” is where my true passion lies. Thus, I may have discovered my soul’s purpose — my dharma.

With that said, Charlotte has two new studios I am excited to share with you: Charlotte Family Yoga in Oakhurst and AIR Aerial Fitness in Pineville.

Charlotte Family Yoga, whose original location is in Concord, prides itself on its simple and inviting studio space, fostering an environment where yoga is approachable and unpretentious. Class sizes are intentionally limited, accommodating a maximum of 25 participants. This deliberately ensures that instructors have the opportunity to establish personal connections with their students.

One aspect of the studio (and my personal favorite) is its mirror-free environment. This deliberate design encourages practitioners to focus on experiencing the poses rather than relying on visual cues.

With a diverse range of daily yoga classes tailored for individuals of varying ages and abilities, the studio offers something for everyone. AIR also offers different class styles, such as a 30-minute ab blast, an aerial yoga class for recovery, and an advanced aerial fitness format.

Reflecting on the past months, I’ve realized the transformational power of gratitude and connection, not just in my personal journey but in the broader scope of life.

As I embrace the essence of gratitude and its impact on happiness this winter, I look forward to expanding toward new horizons (in new studios) in the coming new year.

Success is not an event, which means healing is not either. It is an amalgamation of human moments and positive choices.

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

HOROSCOPE

NOV 29 - DEC 5

DEC 6 - DEC 12

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Restless Rams and Ewes might want to let others finish a current project so they can start something new. But if you do, you could risk losing out on a future opportunity.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A project benefits from your organizational skills, which get it up and running. Your success leaves a favorable impression. Don’t be surprised if you get some positive feedback soon.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s creative forces start revving up as you plan for the upcoming holidays.

Some practical aspects also emerge, especially where money is involved.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Spend time on practical matters until the end of the month. Then begin shifting your focus to more artistic pursuits. Resist being overly self-critical. Just allow yourself to feel free to create.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Moments of doubt disrupt your otherwise clear sense of purpose, but don’t ignore them. They could be telling you not to rush into anything until you know more about it.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Restarting those creative projects that you had set aside for a while will help provide a much-needed soothing balance to your hectic life. Besides, it will be like meeting with old friends again.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A planned trip might have to be delayed. Plan to use this new free time to update your skills and resume so that you’ll be ready when a new job opportunity opens.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A change in plans could make it tough to keep a commitment. But stay with it.

You’ll get an A-plus for making the effort to do what’s right and not taking the easy way out by running off.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A flood of holiday party bids from business contacts allows you to mix work and pleasure. Your knowledge plus your Leonine charm win you a new slew of admirers.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) The Lion’s enthusiasm for a workplace policy review is admirable. But be sure you know who is really behind the resistance to change before pointing your finger at the wrong person.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) An unexpected act by a colleague complicates an agreement, causing delays in implementing it. Check out the motive for this move — it might not be what you suspect.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You can expect to have a lot of work through the end of the month. Devote the rest of the week to checking your plans in case some need to be adjusted to accommodate changes.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might want to cut ties with an ingrate who seems to have forgotten your past generosity. But there might be a reason for this behavior that you should know about. Ask.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Try to avoid signing on the dotted line in the early part of the week. You need time to study issues that weren’t fully explored. The first week of next month might be more favorable for decision-making.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Be careful not to set things in stone. Much could happen during the next SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A new several days that will make you rethink some decisions development could snarl travel schedules or other holiday and maybe change them. projects. Some flexibility might be called for to deal with problems before they get too far out of hand.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your plans to help provide holiday cheer for the less fortunate SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Relatives inspire others to follow your generous example. Expect seek your advice on a matter that you’d rather not be welcome news by week’s end. involved in. If so, use your sage Sagittarian tact to decline the “offer” so that no one’s feelings are needlessly hurt.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You’re in your glory as you start planning for the holiday season ahead. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A shift in But leave some time open to deal with a problem that planning direction might help you speed up your progress needs a quick and fair resolution. toward achieving that long-planned goal. Trusted colleagues are ready to offer some valuable support.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) The upcoming holiday season provides a perfect setting AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An unexpected for strengthening relationships with kin and others. demand for the settlement of an old loan could create Meanwhile, a new contact has important information. some holiday anxiety. But you might not really owe it.

Check your records thoroughly before remitting payment.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Instead of fretting over a cutting remark by a co-worker, chalk it up to an PISCES (February 19 to March 20) It’s a good time to get outburst of envy of your well-respected status, among into the social swim and enjoy some well-earned fun both your colleagues and superiors. and games with those closest to you before you have to resume more serious activities next week.

BORN THIS WEEK: You instinctively know when to be serious and when to be humorous, which are attributes BORN THIS WEEK: Your ability to sense the needs of that everyone finds endearing. others makes you a wise counselor for those seeking help with their problems.

2023 KING FEATURES SYND., INC.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

October w/ Bunker Hill Bloodbath (Skylark Social Club)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Buffalo Nichols w/ Crow Billiken, Zodiac Lovers Band (Snug Harbor)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Ryan & Woody (Goldie’s)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Brendan James (Evening Muse)

HOLIDAY Christmas w/ the Petersens (Booth Playhouse)

OPEN MIC

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic (The Rooster) Variety Open Mic (Starlight on 22nd)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Noah Weiland & Anella Herim (The Rooster) The HIRS Collective w/ Patois Counselors, Raatma, Corpse Dust (Snug Harbor)

FUNK/JAM BANDS Spafford w/ Joe May’s Month of Mondays (Neighborhood Theatre)

JAZZ/BLUES The S.I. Band (Middle C Jazz)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Morgan Evans (The Underground) Aaron Chance Wilson w/ David Gillespie, Kevin Capehart (Petra’s)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Roy Day (Comet Grill) Natural Fiasco w/ Caleb Davis (Goldie’s) Val Merza w/ Matt Corrao, Liam Pendergrass (The Milestone)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

The Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) Mercury Dimes w/ Bero Bero, The Whiskey Predicament, Gogopilot (The Milestone) Seneca Burns w/ Babe Haven, Ink Swell (Snug Harbor) Thousand Dollar Movie w/ North Elementary, Narrowcast (Tommy’s Pub)

JAZZ/BLUES Tony Exum Jr. (Middle C Jazz) Pg. 68 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL

Flannelmouth w/ Elonzo Wesley, Boy A/C, DJ Fat Keith Richards (Petra’s)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Seth Walker w/ Ed Jurdi (Evening Muse) Amy LaVere & Will Sexton (Evening Muse)

HOLIDAY

Early Moods w/ Cosmic Reaper, Rocky Mtn Roller (Snug Harbor) Traxx Trio w/ Andy Guy & the Fighting Few (Starlight on 22nd)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Matt Stratford (Primal Brewery)

FUNK/JAM BANDS Funkwondo (Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

The Mother Superior w/ Tombstone Poetry, Bluegill, Subvertigo, Saturnine (The Milestone)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Mike & the Moonpies (Amos’ Southend)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Kadey Ballard (3102 VisArt)

OPEN MIC Tosco Music Open Mic (Evening Muse)

Blue Cactus w/ She Returns From War, Carolina Down Boys WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 ROCK/PUNK/METAL (Petra’s) Joan Osborne (Neighborhood Theatre) JAZZ/BLUES Paint Fumes w/ Comino, The Poontanglers, Heavy Liquid, Stanley Jordan (Middle C Jazz) DJ Kelly Keith (Snug Harbor) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ The Abbey Elmore Band (Comet Grill) ChEM Lab: Bassarid, Dark Adaptation, Sashimi & Hexxus (Tommy’s Pub)

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL Krampus Krawl (Multiple NoDa venues)

HOLIDAY

Preservation Hall All-Stars: New Orleans Christmas (Booth Playhouse) Charlotte Symphony: Handel’s Messiah (Knight Theater) Gina Robinson’s 15th Annual Christmas Benefit Concert (Stage Door Theater)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 JAZZ/BLUES

Omari & the Hellhounds (Comet Grill) Cowboy Bebop (The Underground) Encre Noire w/ Roderik, Caught Off Guard, Pink Skull Garden (The Milestone) Rev. Billy C. Wirtz (Neighborhood Theatre)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Collective Music Group (CMG) (Spectrum Center)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Wes And The Railroaders w/ Much Gumbo (Tommy’s Pub)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Hazy Sunday (Petra’s)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Briana Buckmaster w/ Billy Moran, Paul Carella, Hayden Lee, Jason Manns, Richard Speight, Jr. (Evening Muse) Randy Paul (Goldie’s)

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL Queen City Nerve’s Best in the Nest Party (Norfolk Hall)

FAMILY Ballantyne School of Music: Winter Jam ‘23 (Amos’ Southend)

HOLIDAY

Charlotte Symphony: Handel’s Messiah (Knight Theater) Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony (Belk Theater) The Session: Christmas Edition feat. Shameia Crawford & Talysha Jones (The Rooster)

Preservation Hall All-Stars: New Orleans Christmas (Booth Playhouse) OPEN MIC Charlotte Symphony: Handel’s Messiah (Knight Theater) Super Sunday Open Mic (Starlight on 22nd) Winter Wonderland Xmas Xtravaganza (Birdsong Brewing) MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 Home Free for the Holidays (Ovens Auditorium) JAZZ/BLUES

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

Red Rocking Chair (Comet Grill) Keep Flying w/ Never Home, No Scope, Nosey Neighbor (The Milestone)

The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s)

OPEN MIC Find Your Muse Open Mic feat. Joe Kaplow (Evening Muse)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Ballyhoo! w/ Green Knuckle Material (Evening Muse) Carla’s Dreams (The Underground)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Lisa De Novo (Goldie’s)

OPEN MIC Singer/Songwriter Open Mic (The Rooster)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Blankstate w/ Moving Boxes, Leaving for Arizona, Weymouth, Condado (Amos’ Southend)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA NC Bluegrass Jam Night (Birdsong Brewing)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Paul Lover’s Influences & Originals (Comet Grill) Channing Wilson w/ Chance Stanley (Evening Muse) Josh Daniel Band w/ Ryan Bumgarner (Goldie’s) Joseph Gallow w/ Nick Prestia, Lukas Delgra, Marissa Missing (The Milestone)

JAZZ/BLUES

Kenneth Whalum (Middle C Jazz) The Booker Wilson Band (The Rooster)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Dead Cool w/ Feyleux, Tenderlash (Snug Harbor) SunSquabi w/ Jason Leech (Visulite Theatre)

COVER BANDS Bruce Yarn-steen (Neighborhood Theatre)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Stop Light Observations (Amos’ Southend) The Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) Deaf Andrews w IAMDYNAMITE (Evening Muse) ANTiSEEN w/ South Side Punx, The Hellfire Choir (The Milestone) Annabel Lee w/ Reflect//Refine, Collective Insanity, Cronic Disorder, Buried In Terror (The Rooster) StormWatchers w/ Gurthworm, The Body Bags (Tommy’s Pub) Princess Goes w/ Turbo Goth (Visulite Theatre) Woody w/ Jason Scavone, Looms (Petra’s)

JAZZ/BLUES

Farber & Friends feat. Robyn Springer, Brandon Stevens (Middle C Jazz)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA 49 Winchester w/ Carter Faith (Neighborhood Theatre)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Angie Aparo (Evening Muse)

HOLIDAY Charlotte Symphony: Soulful Christmas (Knight Theater)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Space Truck (Comet Grill) The Bouncing Souls (The Underground) No Anger Control w/ Nerve Endings, From the Gun, Odd Squad, Bog Loaf (The Milestone) Bask w/ The Seduction, King Cackle (Snug Harbor) Donner Deads w/ Magic 8 Count (Starlight on 22nd)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Celestial Co. (Birdsong Brewing)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Megan Moroney (Coyote Joe’s) Bourbon Sons w/ Scoot Pittman (Goldie’s)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Ella Vos (Evening Muse) Reflexions feat. DJ Velvetine & DJ Sanity Ana (Tommy’s Pub)

LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE Bakalao Stars w/ Mofungo Rock (Evening Muse)

HOLIDAY

Parranda Navideña: 10th Annual Venezuelan Christmas Celebration (Neighborhood Theatre) Chandra Currelley: A Jazzed Up Christmas (Middle C Jazz) The Dancing Fleas: Fleas Navidad (The Rooster) Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Spectrum Center)

COVER BANDS

Tell Me Lies (Fleetwood Mac tribute) (Amos’ Southend) Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads tribute) (Visulite Theatre)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Stigmata Flex w/ Xbound, Caldera, Digital Dolls (The Milestone)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Hunter Hayes (The Underground)

JAZZ/BLUES

Omari & the Hellhounds (Comet Grill) El Lambert (Middle C Jazz)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Whitey Morgan and the 78’s w/ Sam Morrow (Amos’ Southend)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Jacquees (Neighborhood Theatre)

HOLIDAY Charlotte Symphony: A Very Thorgy Christmas (Knight Theater)

OPEN MIC Super Sunday Open Mic (Starlight on 22nd)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 JAZZ/BLUES

The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Red Rocking Chair (Comet Grill)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Amy Broome & Greg Lilley (3102 VisArt)

VISIT QCNERVE.COM FOR THE FULL SOUNDWAVE LISTING.

Pg. 69 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

SAVAGE LOVE

WHAT WAS LOST Head over feels

Pg. 70 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

BY DAN SAVAGE

About 10 years ago, I was in a serious relationship with someone I loved more than I had ever loved anyone before. I hoped to spend my life with her. But I was deep in the closet, and the process of coming out annihilated large parts of my life, including our relationship. I dumped her and tried to tell myself she wouldn’t understand.

In the years that followed, I came into my own as a proud and potent goddess, but I felt haunted by how I’d pushed my ex away. The regret that marked her absence tinged all my emerging triumphs.

In the chaos of the early pandemic, I sent a simple email, curtailed into a modest how-areyou, and she sent a brief-but-cordial reply. I didn’t take offense. It was kind of her to reply at all.

But some months later, she reached out, asking to meet. Apparently, her boyfriend had dumped her, and it reminded her of how I’d dumped her.

Despite my nerves, we had a simple afternoon in a park gabbing about poetry and ethics, laughing easily. I didn’t make any overtures. Regarding the past, I said only that I regretted how I’d left things.

She replied quickly, “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s not like our relationship really had a future.” Yikes!

It’s been a few years and she’s become a close friend. We go hiking, drinking, we go on double dates with our partners — me and my wife, her and her new boyfriend. And yet … I still think about her every day. Even my wife knows I’m crazy about her! (We’re poly, it’s not an issue.) I’m writing because I don’t know what to do. For almost 10 years I’ve tried to get over her, but I have proven stubbornly head-over-heels. I’ve tried separation, several types of therapy, even fiery rituals, but I still wake up with her name on my lips. I worry that if I were to broach the totality of my feelings, it would alienate her all over again. What’s a gal to do?

CONFOUNDED HEARTFELT AMOROUS DAMSEL

people she had every reason to believe were men), it sounds like your ex is a straight cis woman. Which means you couldn’t be the goddess you are now — you couldn’t have the life you have now (to say nothing of the wife you have now) — if you were still with your ex, CHAD, because you couldn’t be her partner and yourself at the same time.

I’m going to crawl out on a limb and guess that however bumpy your transition may have been, the trade-off was worth it. You lost some things — including a romantic relationship with your ex — but you gained so much more.

If seeing your ex socially — if having her in your life — is too painful, well, don’t see her socially. If you want to tell her that you miss the relationship you once had and still have feelings for her, you can do that without blowing up the relationship you have with her now. Lots of people who are friends with their exes have said or heard variations on, “If things had been different, things could’ve turned out differently,” and remained friends.

You weren’t the person you thought you were when you were with your ex — or you weren’t the person you were coerced into pretending to be — but you had important and meaningful experiences before you transitioned. Feel sad about what you may have lost as a consequence of transitioning takes nothing away from what you’ve gained. But the intensity of these feelings for your ex— waking up every day thinking about her — makes me wonder whether she’s a symbolic stand-in for everything else you lost. Maybe a few sessions with a good therapist could put your feelings for your ex into perspective.

P.S. If what you mean by, “We’ve silently agreed to uphold a narrative that we’re just old friends,” is, “I’m being shoved into a new closet,” that’s not good. If never acknowledging that you were in a relationship is the price of admission you have to pay for her friendship, it may be too steep a price a pay. Awkwardness is fine … shame is not.

You mention coming out, you mention transitioning, you mention being an out-and-proud goddess now — so, you’re a trans woman who had to end what the world perceived to be a cis-het relationship before you embarked on your transition.

And based on your ex’s reaction when you reconnected and apologized for dumping her (“It’s not like our relationship really had a future!”), CHAD, along with the fact that your ex has only ever dated men (or

I’ve been going to the same barber (a woman) for almost eight years now. We always have nice heart-to-heart conversations and I’ve loaned her money in the past (single mom), and she’s called to ask for advice on some life stuff a couple of times. She’s also asked me about my dating life, my kid, work, etc. My concern is if I was to ask her out, it would most likely make things awkward, and I don’t want to lose her as my barber. We also

have a big age gap, although I know for a fact that she’s dated men my age. I fear screwing up our professional relationship, yet I am so attracted to her it gives me butterflies. I have risked dropping innuendos now and again, but she’s never picked up on them. I honestly can’t tell if she’s interested or not. She says nice and courteous things, which make me feel good, but I understand this part of customer service. But I’m not sure it’s only that.

JOE HAIRCUT

It’s only that.

When someone confides in us about their love life — particularly when that someone is a woman in a service industry — that’s usually a sign they don’t see us as a potential love interest. Women in service professions who rely on tips will sometimes share stories about disastrous dates, shitty exes, and heartbreaks with male clients not to signal romantic interest, JH, but to signal romantic disinterest. Basically, if the woman who’s cutting your hair or pouring your beer treats you like one of her girlfriends, JH, she doesn’t see you — and doesn’t want you to see yourself — as a potential future boyfriend.

Which is not to say she doesn’t like you or doesn’t consider you a friend. She clearly does. But don’t confuse choosing to ignore your innuendos for failing to pick up on them; and those stories about how dating clients always ended in disaster are an off-ramp if you ever do ask her out. (“I’m so sorry — I can’t date clients anymore after all those disasters I told you about. The usual?”)

As dick-havers, JH, we have to be on our guard against motivated reasoning, aka “dickful thinking,” and this is definitely a case of motivated reasoning.

All you know is what he’s told you.

I’m not suggesting — as others would — that you can’t believe a single thing this man says because he’s cheating on his wife. What I am suggesting is that his marriage may be less dysfunctional than he’s made it seem. He and his wife might not fuck or even sleep in the same room — they even may be on the same page about separating the second their kid heads to college — but their relationship sounds low-conflict. For all you know, YAOW, they may have successfully pivoted to a companionate marriage.

As for why he would play up tension at home…

Men who have affairs are seen as bad guys — even when they’re not cheating their wives out of anything their wives want — and he may be making his marriage sound more dysfunctional than it actually is to elicit your sympathy (and your pussy), YAOW, and because he doesn’t want to seem like the bad guy.

As for your plan to encourage him to end his marriage now...

If your lover is planning to file for divorce once his kid is in college and his kid is already a teenager, well, then the end (of this marriage) is nigh. (Assuming he means it; that could be another line he’s feeding you — needlessly, as you don’t want to be with him.) If you’re comfortable fucking a married man — if you’re willing to help this man do what he needs to do to stay married and stay sane — go ahead and fuck this guy.

But just as he shouldn’t make his marriage sound worse than it actually is to rationalize or justify the morally ambiguous choice he’s made (fucking you), you don’t need to talk him into broaching the subject of ENM with his wife and/or ending his marriage to rationalize or justify the morally ambiguous choice you’ve made (fucking him).

I’m involved with a married man. No, I don’t think his wife knows. I’ve discussed ENM with him, but I can’t force him to tell her. Theirs is not Got problems? You know you do! Send questions to a healthy relationship. At this point, he’s staying mailbox@savage.love; podcasts, columns and more at for the sake of their child. Once their kid goes Savage.Love. to college he wants to separate/divorce. They stopped sleeping together years ago; they don’t even sleep in the same room at night. They’re basically separated yet live under the same roof.

They barely speak, save when it comes to running the household or parenting. (I’m pretty sure their kid, a teenager, can sense the marital discord, and might even prefer the parents to separate officially, instead of dragging this out for their sake.) But my lover, the kid’s father, is really scared that he might lose custody in a divorce. There’s probably no good way to break it to your spouse, however estranged you are, that you want to make it official — that living together but barely speaking, barely being roommates isn’t much of a marriage. I don’t expect to really be with him after all this, so please keep in mind that I’m not looking to benefit here. But I do want to help him get through this transition period. What can he say or do to end the marriage in an ethical and kind way?

YET ANOTHER OTHER WOMAN

TRIVIA ANSWERS 1. Capt. Merrill Stubing.

2. Reese’s Pieces.

3. Paprika.

4. Borden Dairy Company.

5. Fear of wealth 6. 16, eight pawns for each player.

7. Pangea.

8. Lake Erie.

9. A hashtag or pound sign.

10. Missouri.

LIFESTYLE COLUMN

Pg. 71 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 12, 2023 - QCNERVE.COM

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