Queen City Nerve - March 5, 2025

SPORTS: Meagan McClelland on the Ascent ◊ PG. 4

ARTS: BOOM Charlotte has a new home ◊ PG. 12

MUSIC: Springadelia and Femme Fest return ◊ PG. 14

FOOD: Coolest coffee shops for remote work ◊ PG. 18

NEWS & OPINION

FEATURE STORY

BEST IN GOAL

Meagan McClelland is a wall tending net with the Ascent

BY SAM SPENCER

In 2024, the United Soccer League’s Super League and Carolina Ascent FC brought top-tier women’s professional sports back to Charlotte for the first time since the Charlotte Sting last played in 2006.

Many of the faces involved were familiar to the Charlotte soccer community. Charlotte Independence owner Dan DiMicco would also be part of the Ascent’s ownership group, with much of the Independence’s management team and staff supporting the new women’s team.

Head coach Philip Poole had lived and coached in Charlotte for 24 years and inaugural club signing Vicky Bruce grew up in Lake Norman, playing soccer at Davidson College. Many of the squad’s subsequent signings had local ties as well.

Meagan McClelland, the Ascent’s starting goalkeeper, did not. She came to the Ascent from New Jersey via the National Women’s Soccer League and Denmark, but that didn’t make kicking off her USL Super League career in Charlotte any less meaningful.

“The first game is honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life so far. It was just so surreal,” McClelland told Queen City Nerve in February. “The stadium was sold out. It was loud. We got to host the [first-ever USL Super League game] … It was super cool, just being out there as a team and then being able to get a win and a shutout. The night couldn’t have gone more perfect.”

Shutouts have been McClelland’s specialty for the Ascent; as of this writing she leads the league with six clean sheets and 39 saves. That level of play hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Meagan is a warrior in goal,” said Bruce, who plays center back and serves as a co-captain for the Ascent. “She has such a big presence and

voice. She’s great with her hands and feet and has saved us more times than I can count!”

However, despite setting an NCAA record for minutes played in goal and winning an NWSL championship with soccer legend Ali Krieger, McClelland wasn’t always going to be a goalkeeper. In fact, she was a prodigy in multiple sports other than soccer.

Garden State greatness

Meagan McClelland grew up in Kearny, New Jersey with two brothers. Her soccer career started early on, playing for a team sponsored by her family’s daycare business.

“One day when I was either 3 or 4, [soccer] was one of the sports my parents kind of threw me into,” said McClelland. “[My childhood was] just sports and being active. I have two older brothers, so I was always playing with Hess trucks or going out and playing football with them and their friends. I wasn’t a huge fan of dolls.”

In elementary school, winning came too easy for McClelland, but it wasn’t in the first sport you might guess.

“In fourth grade I tried basketball and it was a train wreck,” said McClelland. “I hated it because I was the only girl that could reach the basket and I felt selfish. I didn’t like it.”

When she tried basketball again in middle school, McClelland appreciated her talents more as the competition got fiercer. She went on to be an all-county first team basketball player in high school, scoring 1,348 points for Kearny High School in north New Jersey and winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards during her years on the team.

“Meagan McClelland was one of the fiercest competitors I have ever been honored to coach,”

said Kearny HS varsity basketball coach Jody Hill. “She was unstoppable in anything she did. Clearly she is an amazing goalie and has surpassed all expectations. The incredible part is that she also was the best basketball player in our league!”

Still, McClelland always knew soccer was going to be her passion.

“I wish I was able to kind of do both in college,” said McClelland. “Basketball was a good outlet for me from soccer, but I definitely think from the very beginning I knew that soccer would be my number one and I would want to play professionally and in college.”

“She is one of the best athletes to come out of Kearny High School,” said Vincent Almeida, the current athletic director at Kearny and one of McClelland’s high school soccer coaches. “Beyond her natural talent, her work ethic and drive to succeed elevated both her and her teammates to another level. Meagan also excelled in the classroom and is a great example of the studentathletes we strive to develop at KHS.”

McClelland’s soccer career started young, but it wasn’t until third grade that she tried being a goalkeeper. She used to hop in goal during soccer games at recess, but it still didn’t become her main position until later, after a Secret Santa got McClelland her first pair of goalkeeper gloves.

“I actually kind of did it as late as possible. I think one day at practice my coach was like, ‘Oh, who wants to hop in goal?’” said McClelland. “So one day I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll go in goal. I have gloves,’ and so I would go in.”

McClelland would only play one half per match in goal, switching her pinny off and on depending on where she was on the pitch. She made the switch to full-time goalkeeper at 12 years old. Throughout her youth career, she played for Players Development Academy, a top-tier club in New Jersey where she would meet her future college coach, Mike O’Neill.

“My neighbor had played for PDA,” said McClelland, who joined the club when she was 7 years old. “So from the get go soccer was kind of like the number one sport. I enjoyed it. I loved it, and I was at a high level from the beginning.”

As she developed her goalkeeper skills, she’d play the latest FIFA video game with her friends — finding a couple of stars to look up to in her new position.

“I was always a fan of whoever was in goal for the US,” said McClelland.

National Soccer Hall of Famer Hope Solo was the first that came to mind for McClelland, who also

became a huge fan of Manuel Neuer, goalkeeper for Germany’s Bayern Munich.

Right before high school, McClelland’s promising career hit a setback. In youth soccer, top-tier club teams are typically more important than school teams, and at PDA McClelland was sent down from the first team to the second team.

“I know a lot of the young girls around the world would probably know that that feels like your world is crashing down and everything,” said McClelland. She wasn’t deterred, however, and within three months she worked her way back up the first team. A couple years later she was playing in the FIFA U-20 World Cup with the Under-17 US team.

“That usually has been an important part of my career, you know, not to ever give up or not to ever feel like you’ve been let down, or that you’re not good enough,” she said. “That was a part of my career where I was like, ‘Yeah, this isn’t gonna work. I’m gonna make sure I’m back up there and being the best I can be.’”

McClelland would earn multiple caps across the U-19, U-20, and U-23 US Youth National teams.

Records set and decisions to be made

After PDA and Kearny, McClelland decided to stay close to home and play soccer for Rutgers University. She trusted the Rutgers coaching staff and, as a bonus, her parents were able to attend her home matches.

McClelland was a core piece of the team from her freshman year forward, winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year in her first season.

She played all but one minute she was eligible to play during her years as a Scarlet Knight. Due in part to earning an extra year of eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic, she set an NCAA record for the number of minutes played in goal.

By the end of her college career, she had started 101 out of 102 matches and played a total of 9,482 minutes — a record that has only been surpassed by one NCAA goalkeeper.

Going to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), McClelland was signed to short-term and replacement contracts in her rookie year, moving from Chicago to San Diego and finally to NJ/NY Gotham FC, which plays less than 3 miles from her high school at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

After playing in every match of her college career, McClelland had to adjust to sitting on the sidelines after she went pro.

Photo by Sam Spencer Meagan McClelland in goal for the Carolina Ascent.

Photo by Sam Spencer

McClelland clears.

NEWS & OPINION

FEATURE STORY

Some young players play overseas to log minutes and gain experience, but even though McClelland didn’t make any official NWSL appearances in her rookie season, she did get the chance to watch World Cup champion Ali Krieger as part of her NSWL championship team at Gotham FC.

The NWSL has limited spots for players and does not offer large contracts, which makes things difficult for some women who have high potential but end up leaving the league.

“These girls have dreams, and it just really isn’t there financially and opportunity-wise, but it’s definitely making a turnaround. It’s getting better and better. So hopefully, in the next couple of years, or when my daughter plays soccer, she could be making six or seven figures right off the bat.”

Professional players outside of the top leagues — and many players on rookie contracts in the top leagues — often struggle to make ends meet. So when the Super League was announced, McClelland immediately paid attention.

The new league gave her an opportunity to make a livable wage and stay in her home country to play, but it was an awkwardly timed waiting game in the meantime.

“I knew this league was coming, and I think that’s what was hard for me in my offseason, finding a club overseas that needed a goalkeeper for a couple of months and was gonna sign a starting goalkeeper, but not sign someone that would have to be there for the whole year, which is kind of hard in the position.”

To Denmark and back

In early 2024, McClelland moved to Denmark to help a small team there, getting her first true professional start in the process. With six clean sheets in nine playoff matches, she helped Odense Boldklub Q win promotion to Denmark’s top flight league.

When her transfer to the Ascent was announced, OB Q sporting director John Bæksted said he was more proud than disappointed to see his goalkeeper go.

“We are incredibly proud that we have developed a player so much … and in record time,” stated Bæksted in a press release.

Though McClelland always intended to return to

the States, she enjoyed playing abroad.

“Going through the experience of playing for a team that had never been promoted before, and getting that promotion was just such a cool experience,” said McClelland. “Being on the field, celebrating after, just being with the girls and knowing that we just made history and all our hard work has paid off … It was really cool.”

When McClelland came to Charlotte from Denmark, there was no question she’d be the starting goalkeeper, which made the Ascent’s opening night with a crowd of more than 10,500 people at American Legion Memorial Stadium an experience unlike any other she had played in thus far.

She also knew Coach Poole — or “Pooley” as players refer to him — from his days coaching in the US Youth National Team ecosystem.

Though she had seen her team play in front of audiences as big as 25,000 in the NWSL, the crowd in Charlotte would be her biggest as a player on the pitch.

“It was just a surreal moment,” said McClelland. “It was just really cool, being able to experience it with everyone … It was unreal and definitely a topfive experience I’ve had so far.”

She quickly became a leader on the team thanks to her work ethic, skill and sense of humor.

“Meg is a character,” said Poole. “She is great around the training ground and in the community.”

David Thackham, founder of the Base Camp supporters group for the Ascent, said members were recently at a game joking about the number of goalkeeper jerseys they saw in the audience around them.

“She’s a real field general of the backline,” Thackham said. “You can see how she marshals the defenders and ensures space. [At 5’9”] she’s not the tallest keeper out there, but you can tell she’s got a fearless streak. She’ll jump into the fray on a corner and is never afraid to dive and intercept a pass coming in from the wing.”

Winning their first match, McClelland and the Ascent’s defense would shut out opponents in 6 of the first 11 matches, though the goalkeeper is quick to give credit to the outfield players.

“I feel like my team always makes my job easy,” said McClelland. “Those girls are throwing their

bodies on the ground, blocking shots, running around like crazy for 90 minutes. So a lot of credit to them. I just save the ball when it comes to me, but they’re the ones that do all the magic and defend me and keep me safe.”

Climbing past the plateau

Though the Ascent spent most of 2024 on top of the Super League, they had a disappointing run of form in November and December, ending the season with three straight losses.

“I don’t think it was anything specific. We had some injuries and fatigue,” said McClelland. “We’re tired. It’s the end of the season, but I think we’ve kind of learned from that. We’re professionals, this is our job; and we know we can never mentally shut off.”

After the Ascent’s final home match in December, another loss, we asked Poole who the bedrock of the team was for the first half of the season. McClelland, unsurprisingly, was the first player he pointed to.

“Meagan’s been great,” said Poole. “Meagan’s been a superstar for us.”

“It’s frustrating to get beat as a defender, but it feels much better knowing she’s behind us to make that game-changing save,” said Bruce.

While she commands the admiration of her teammates, McClelland pointed to team captain Taylor Porter as one of the people on the squad she looks up to.

“She’s, you know, just a great leader,” said McClelland. “She’s [very calm on the field], never

loses the ball, which is awesome, so I think she gives everyone a nice calming presence.”

The Ascent have had a mixed record since coming back from the winter break: a win, a draw, and a loss in three home fixtures. The team has struggled with tougher competition and betteradjusted opponents, giving up an average of two goals per match in 2025 as opposed to less than a goal per match in 2024.

During the break, the Ascent added a goalkeeper who could challenge McClelland for minutes: UNC Chapel Hill and NC Courage alum Samantha Leshnak Murphy.

“Sam comes to us having gained top flight experience in Europe. She will immediately improve our squad and push for minutes,” said Poole in a February press release. “Sam’s connections to the Carolinas as a UNC Tar Heel will allow our fans to connect with her immediately.”

As of this writing, McClelland is yet to earn a clean sheet this calendar year, but despite the increased competition — from other teams and her own bench — she’s played every minute for the Ascent and is looking forward to helping the team climb back into first place.

“Right now [Brooklyn is] at the top of the table. So they have the target on their back,” she said. “That was us for about 12 weeks. So I think it’s exciting to be like, ‘Okay, that’s where we were. We know how it feels to be up there, and we want to be back there.’”

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

Photo by Sam Spencer

McClelland greets her fans and picks up some Girl Scout Cookies after a match.

LIFELINE

NURSE JOHN

March 5 • 7 p.m. • The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. • Sold out, resale available • fillmorenc.com

Onstage, comedian and real-life nurse John Dela Cruz, aka Nurse John, shares one of his favorite lessons to teach nursing students. “When a student asks, ‘What is your best advice?’ I’ll say, ‘Run, bitch. You still have time. It’s not like Grey’s Anatomy.’” Dela Cruz became a comedian by accident when he stitched a TikTok video asking followers to name a profession that was underpaid, undervalued and underappreciated. Dela Cruz’s impassioned response, staring at the camera wearing his registered nurse badge, went viral. With his Short Staffed tour selling out and 7.6 million TikTok followers, Dela Cruz connects people with the realities of what health care workers go through to help others.

PLANTHOUSE PLANT MARKET

March 7-9 • noon-6 p.m. • PlantHouse Charlotte, 2452 Park Road, Unit D • Free • tinyurl.com/CLTPlantMarket

The vernal equinox approaches, and the sun will soon cross the celestial equator in a northerly direction, marking the prime meridian of right ascension! In other words, spring is around the corner, and PlantHouse plant store, nursery and terrarium workshop celebrates with three days of plant-filled fun, including discounts on a huge selection of plants, local vendors showcasing unique goods and treasures, and drink specials so you can sip while you shop. Plant lovers can also sign up to get their hands dirty during DIY workshops for terrarium building, candle making and more.

FELIX TANDEM, LATE BLOOMER, CREATURES OF THE SUN

March 8 • 9 p.m. • The Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Road • $10 • themilestone.club Nashville trio Felix Tandem’s smart-ass single “Shoplifter” suggests a collision between punk-dub pioneers The Slit’s joyous “fuck capitalism” message on “Shoplifting” and the crunchy guitardriven power pop of Fountain of Wayne’s “Stacy’s Mom” — minus that tune’s cringey vibe. Charlotte alt-power trio Late Bloomer released their masterpiece — to date — with the 2024 LP Another One Again, coming across like a harder-hitting Big Star on the country-adjacent “Mother Mary” and crafting a grunge-tinged emo hymnal on “Self Control.” The Queen City’s Creatures of the Sun trade in hard-driving yet melodic acid-damaged psych rock with mysterious buried vocals.

GOSPEL SUNDAY: ISAIAH BELL W/ 4 GOD WE LIVE

March 9 • 5 p.m. • Middle C Jazz, 300 S. Brevard St. • $40 • middlecjazz.com

In February, Queen City Nerve profiled Charlotte musician Tim Scott Jr., an unsung hero in Charlotte for his behind-the-scenes efforts organizing local events and cultivating the city’s cultural scene. For a sample of his work, we suggest Gospel Sunday, presented by Scott’s TiMar Entertainment. Singer-songwriter Isaiah Bell excels at soaring songs that are also down-to-earth and tethered to real emotion, like his 2024 single “You Chose Me,” which celebrates sincere, nonperformative worship. Earning nine Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations, high-energy choir 4 God We Live crafts soul-stirring tunes coupled with powerful testimonies.

CLT DONUT FESTIVAL

March 9 • 1-5 p.m. • Norfolk Hall, 2905 Griffith St. • $32-$42 • tinyurl.com/CLTDonutFest2025

Wherever you fall on the great glazed vs. cake donut divide, a schism nearly as great as the easternstyle vs. western-style barbecue controversy, this festival’s got the goodies for you. Featuring doughnuts (yes, that’s the actual correct spelling) from vendors including Krispy Kreme, Carolina Farm Trust, 10 Eighteen Cafe and Donut I Love You, the festival also spotlights doughnut-adjacent treats like The Sweetest Thing Bake Shop’s French crullers, Molly’s Macs’ macarons, Swirl Dessert Bar’s cupcakes and more. A cash bar offers bloody marys, mimosas, craft beers and cocktails — presumably for those who dunk their donuts in something stronger than coffee. Proceeds benefit Save A Nut, raising awareness for testicular cancer.

GARY CLARK, JR.

March 10 • 8 p.m. • Ovens Auditorium, 2900 E. Independence Blvd. • $40-$74 • boplex.com

Texas-based guitarist-vocalist Gary Clark Jr. breaks through musical boundaries before he can be defined. Scoring with fiery blues-based rock breakthrough LP Blak and Blu, Clark’s gone on to incorporate funk, hip-hop, reggae, R&B and rockabilly into his music while also collaborating with Foo Fighters, P-Funk’s George Clinton and Alicia Keys. Clark’s crowning achievement may be his 2019 LP This Land, where he sings, “Fuck you, I’m America’s son/ This is where I come from...” It’s an incendiary call to man the barricades and burn racism to the ground. Rochester, New Yorkbased R&B/soul artist Danielle Ponder opens.

GLORILLA

March 13 • 8 p.m. • Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. • $265 and up • boplex.com

Rising to fame with the release of her single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” in 2022 and spending much of last year on tour with Megan Thee Stallion, Glorilla raps, “Crop top with some biker shorts/ I‘m showin’ off my moose knuckle,” on the rowdy breakout single “TGIF” from her debut studio album, Glorious But the Memphis rapper born Gloria Hallelujah Woods is not just a hard-partying, brash storyteller. She also has a serious religious background. That must be how she convinced gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin to appear on Glorious track “Rain Down on Me,” in which the rapper asks God to forgive her haters. That’s more Christlike than Franklin Graham. Rappers Real Boston Richey and Queen Key open.

QUEEN CITY HOLIFEST

Billed as Charlotte’s first and largest outdoor Holi celebration, HoliFest honors the popular Hindu Festival of Colors — though reverence for spring and love are in the mix as well. The fest, which honors the divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna, will feature DJ Vicky NYC and DJ Veer blending Bollywood and Bhangra beats, plus live accompaniment on dhol, a double-headed drum played throughout the Indian subcontinent. Wear white and prepare to be painted (or chalked) in the traditional, organic HoliFest colors of red, yellow, green and pink.

MELT, KATIE LYNN SHARBAUGH

March 15 • 8 p.m. • Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. • $20-$25 • visulite.com

Founding member Eric Gabriel flew the coop in February, but the sublime New York-based pop group Melt is going strong without him. The high school friends used their winnings from a battle of the bands to fund their first song “Sour Candy,” which promptly blew up. That 2017 tune couples Veronica Stewart-Frommer’s powerful soulful vocals with the band’s virtuosic but not too busy mix of jazz-pop and rock. Melt refines that template on newer songs like the soaring, jangling folkinflected “Heaven.” A classically trained violinist and Berklee College of Music graduate, Katie Lynn Sharbaugh fuses singer-songwriter pop with jazz and R&B.

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

March 16 • 1:30 p.m. • Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. • $15-$25 • blumenthalarts.org

Hot on the heels of the mountain movie festival held every fall in Alberta, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour comes down from the summit to hit the road and make a stop in the Piedmont. The 49th annual fest features 90 films that share stories of adventure and exploration from around the world. Highlights include Above Sinai, a profile of Egyptian kiteboarder Sarah Sadek; Big Water Theory, which follows kayakers as they navigate the treacherous Rondu Gorge of the Indus River; Wolf of Wingsuit, where wingsuit professionals seek thrills in the Swiss Alps; and Feeling the Apocalypse, depicting a psychotherapist exploring what it means to live in a dying world.

Felix Tandem Promotional photo 3/8

CLT Donut Festival Courtesy of Elevate Lifestyle 3/9

SPRING GUIDE 2025

Spring Ahead

A guide to 2025 spring events in Charlotte

BY QUEEN CITY NERVE STAFF

The weather is warming up and it’s time to get outside again, so we’ve compiled our annual list of spring events happening around the Queen City to help you do just that.

SPORTS

CHARLOTTE FC

Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.; charlottefootballclub.com

March 22 vs. San Jose Earthquakes

April 5 vs. Nashville SC

April 19 vs. San Diego FC

April 26 vs. New England Revolution

May 17 vs. Chicago Fire FC

May 24 vs. Columbus Crew

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218 Armory Drive; charlotteindependence.com

March 28 vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

April 11 vs. Forward Madison FC

April 20 vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC

May 16 vs. One Knox SC

May 31 vs. Lexington SC

June 15 vs. Greenville Triumph SC

CAROLINA ASCENT FC

American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218 Armory Drive; carolinaascent.com

March 29 vs. Dallas Trinity FC

April 12 vs. Brooklyn FC

April 19 vs. Spokane Zephyr FC

May 17 vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC

May 31 vs. Lexington SC

June 15 vs. Greenville Triumph SC

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; milb.com/charlotte-knights

March 28-30 vs. Gwinnett Stripers

April 1-6 Norfolk Tides

April 15-20 vs. Nashville Sounds

April 29-May 4 vs. Norfolk Tides

May 6-11 vs. Memphis Redbirds

May 20-May 25 vs. Round Rock Express

June 3-8 vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs

June 17-22 vs. Gwinnett Stripers

COLLEGE BASEBALL AT TRUIST FIELD

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; tinyurl.com/TruistField

March 25: University of South Carolina vs. UNC Chapel Hill

April 11: East Carolina University vs. UNC Charlotte

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St.; nba.com/ hornets

March 20 vs. New York Knicks

March 25 vs. Orlando Magic

March 31 vs. Utah Jazz

April 4 vs. Sacramento Kings

April 6 vs. Chicago Bulls

April 8 vs. Memphis Grizzlies

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

5555 Concord Pkwy. S; charlottemotorspeedway. com

April 3-5: Charlotte AutoFair/Heritage Invitational

April 25-27: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

May 23: NC Education Lottery 200

May 24: BetMGM 300

May 25: Coca-Cola 600

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

The usual Wells Fargo Championship is moving to Philly to make room for the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where the top names in golf will return to Charlotte to battle it out over the week as Xander Schauffele defends his title.

More: $76 and up; May 12-18, times vary; Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Gleneagles Road; pgachampionship.com

SAVANNAH BANANAS

The Harlem Globetrotters of baseball make a twonight stop in Charlotte on their worldwide stadium tour.

More: Tickets available via lottery; June 6-7, times vary; Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.; bananaball.com

ARTS, CULTURE & RETAIL

SOUTH END SPRING FLING

Live music, vendor market, Easter egg hunts, face paint, bounce houses and more.

More: Free; March 23, 10 a.m.-noon; Pritchard at South End; 1117 South Blvd.; tinyurl.com/ SouthEndSpringFling

NO MAN’S LAND FESTIVAL

Celebrate all women with hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, and photo ops while supporting small women-owned businesses based in Charlotte.

More: Free; March 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Camden Road; nomanslandclt.com

CHARLOTTE SPRING FAIR

Say hello to that fresh spring air with thrilling rides, carnival games, food, live performances and more entertainment.

More: $6-$12; March 27-April 6, times vary; Route 29 Pavilion; 5650 Sandusky Blvd. Concord; charlottespringfair.com

CHARLOTTE IDEAS FESTIVAL

Bringing together some of the most innovative and thought-provoking voices of our time, this year’s

Charlotte SHOUT! Courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners

Photo by Taylor Banner

Charlotte FC

theme, Timelines, invites attendees to explore the past, present and future through engaging interviews, lectures, panel discussions and performances.

More: April 3-8, times vary; locations vary; thecharlottecenter.org

CHARLOTTE SHOUT!

Charlotte SHOUT! is back, showcasing local artists, musicians, dancers, poets, photographers, chefs and more with interactive installations and panels.

More: Free; April 4-20; times vary; locations vary; charlotteshout.com

CAROLINA TINY HOUSE FESTIVAL

Discover the world of tiny houses to see innovative designs, creative solutions and sustainable living.

More: Free to $48; April 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 State Hwy 49, Concord; tinyhousefest.org

PET PALOOZA 2025

This annual fundraising walk and community festival unites people and pets for a day filled with live music, food trucks, pet-focused vendors and family- and pet-friendly activities.

More: Free; April 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Truist Field, 324 S Mint St.; humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

FESTIVAL OF INDIA

Experience Indian art cuisine, culture and community with dance performances, street food, a marketplace, saree draping, henna tattoos and a visual art gallery.

More: Free; April 12, noon-6 p.m.; Stumptown Park; 120 South Trade St.; tinyurl.com/ MatthewsIndiaFest

‘TAWBA WALK ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL

See over 100 local artists and vendors, drink beers from local craft breweries, eat good food, participate in giveaways and more.

More: Free; April 26, 4-7 p.m.; Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius; tinyurl.com/ TawbaWalk2025

BOOM CHARLOTTE

The 8th annual BOOM Charlotte arts festival brings its multifaceted and immersive experience to a new home in University City. Attendees will be met with an eclectic mix of dance, theatre, poetry, visual art, film and more with free and ticketed performances taking place throughout the weekend. (See more on page 12)

More: Prices vary; April 25-27, times vary; The Shoppes at University Place, 8931 JM Keynes Drive; boomcharlotte.org

GARIBALDI FESTIVAL

Be part of Charlotte’s vibrant art community and saturate yourself with creativity, culture, expression, craftsmanship and more. Walk around to see the open-air gallery, chalk art and artisan vendors to the sounds of live music.

More: Free; April 26, noon-9 p.m.; Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont; downtownbelmont.org

April 5: The Sarcoma Stomp

CAROLINA CLAY MATTERS POTTERY FESTIVAL

Experience the work of more than 80 local potters alongside food vendors, flowers, live music and more.

More: Free; May 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Ford Building, Camp North End, 1774 Statesville Avenue; carolinaclaymatters.org

REEL OUT CHARLOTTE

See stories written and made by those within the LGBTQ+ community through independent film at a local scale.

More: Price TBD; May 14-18; times vary; The Independent Picture House; 4237 Raleigh St.; charlottepride.org/reelout

FOR THE CULTURE: SPRING FEST MARKETPLACE

Celebrate the culture with live music, food, and shopping from local Black-owned businesses.

More: Free; May 18, 1-4 p.m.; Upscale Studio and Events, 9307 Monroe Road, Suite B; tinyurl.com/ ForTheCultureMarket

OUTDOOR WELLNESS

WALKS, RUNS & RACES

March 15: Novant Health Lucky Day 7K

March 22: Lake Norman Half Marathon Wildman & 5K

March 22: 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run

March 29: Craft Beer Half Marathon: Relay & 5

Miler

March 29: Communication Counts 5K, Fun Run, Kids Dash & Mascot Race

April 5: Run! Ballantyne 8K/5K Race & Fun Run

April 5: Five Points 5K

April 5: Dog Jog

April 19: Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon, 10K & 10K Relay

April 27: The Loop 5K

May 3: Teal Diva 5K

May 4: Wings For Life World Run Charlotte

May 8 & June 12: River Jam Trail Race

May 10: HEARTest Yard + Showmars 5K

May 10: Water For People Annual 5K

May 10: Meck Mile

May 18: Mental Health Matters 5k

May 31: NoDa 5K

May 31: MMRF Team for Cures Walk/Run

USNWC TUCK FEST

This festival celebrates all outdoor lifestyles with cash prize competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music.

More: Prices vary; April 25-27, times vary; US National White Water Center; 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway; tuckfest.whitewater.org

ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Everyone receives free entrance to the Anne Springs Close Greenway on Earth Day weekend to enjoy time in nature by camping out, taking part in the bass-fishing tournament, check out the recycled art contest or visit the Earth Day Community Village expo.

More: Free; April 11-13, times vary; Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC; ascgreenway.org

CHARLOTTE EARTH DAY

Charlotte’s largest annual Earth Day celebration brings together community members to celebrate

the environment, engage families with educational activities, foster lifelong connections with nature and connect attendees with local environmentally conscious organizations and businesses.

More: Free; April 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St.; charlotteearthday.com

SPIDER LILY KAYAK TOUR

Have you ever wanted to paddle through a sea of flowers? Catawba River is home to the rocky shoals spider lily, which you can see in full bloom on this excursion.

More: $75; Weekends from May 17-June 1, times vary; Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Drive; tinyurl.com/SpiderLilyTour

FOOD & DRINK

SAVOR CHARLOTTE

Indulge in hand-crafted food from talented chefs during hands-on classes or by ordering from exclusive menus.

More: Prices vary; March 12-25, times vary; locations vary; charlottesgotalot.com/savor

OLÉ ESPAÑA

Celebrate authentic Spanish cuisine and culture featuring live performances, cooking demonstrations, wine and more.

More: Free; Mar 22, noon-5 p.m.; 300 Camp Road, Boileryard, Camp North End; tinyurl.com/ OleEspana25

CHARLOTTE BREWFEST

Sample unlimited beer made by over 25 craft breweries while listening to live music, playing games and participating in a raffle drawing. More: $29 and up; April 5, 1-4 p.m.; South End Station, 1435 South Tryon Street; tinyurl.com/ CLTBrewfest2025

WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Enjoy more than 100 international wines from Italy, Spain, France and California as well as beer, spirits and good food while listening to live music.

More: $49-$89; April 5, noon-5 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road; tinyurl.com/WineAndFoodFest25

UPTOWN FARMER’S MARKET: SPRING MARKET

Buy local produce and home-grown food from farmers.

More: Free to attend; April 12 through the end of spring, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 300 S. Davidson St; uptownfarmersmarket.com

CHARLOTTE STREATS FESTIVAL

Experience options from the city’s top culinary vendors, a neighborhood cook-off, vendor market, cocktail demonstrations and tastings plus a cooking demo from celebrity chef Eric Adjepong. More: Free; April 13, noon-4 p.m.; Gateway Village, 900 W. Trade St.; cltstreatsfestival.com

Courtesy of CCCP Charlotte SHOUT!

SPRING GUIDE 2025

SOUTH CAROLINA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

This outdoor venture is jam-packed with activities: corn hole, a car show, a strawberry-eating contest, rides, vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, music and more.

More: Free; May 2-3, times TBA; Walter Elisha Park; 345 N White Street, Fort Mill, SC; scstrawberryfestival.com

JAPAN FEST

Urban District Market’s second annual celebration of Japanese culture includes matsuri games, music, food and drinks, origami, a cosplay contest, martial arts and a karaoke contest.

More: Free; May 17-18; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Urban District Market; 2315 North Davidson St.; udmmilldistrict.com/japan-fest

CHEERWINE FESTIVAL

The South’s most treasured possession is Cheerwine, a cherry soda created just up the road in Salisbury. After celebrating its 100th birthday in 2017, the city vowed to make the festival an annual tradition and has since kept its promise. More: Free; May 17, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Main Street, downtown Salisbury; cheerwinefest.com

BEER, BOURBON, & BBQ FESTIVAL

This festival is every Southerner’s favorite day, filled with booze, bacon and more. Play ping pong, listen to seminars, dance to rock and blues music and shop with local vendors.

More: $45 and up; May 17, noon-6 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard; 11611 North Community House Road; charlotte.beerandbourbon.com

LIVE MUSIC

PNC MUSIC PAVILION

707 Pavilion Blvd., tinyurl.com/PNCMusicPavilion

April 16: Tyler Childers

May 2: Cody Johnson

May 10: Primus w/ Puscifer, A Perfect Circle

May 11: Ivan Cornejo

May 13: Pierce the Veil

May 16: Billy Idol

May 28: Halsey

May 30: Keith Urban

SKYLA CREDIT UNION AMPHITHEATRE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., tinyurl.com/ SCUAmphitheatre

April 24: Warren Zeiders

April 25: Mt. Joy

May 12 & 13: Sturgill Simpson

May 15: Teddy Swims

May 17: Bullet For My Valentine & Trivium

June 3: Rick Springfield

June 6: Dispatch w/ John Butler

June 7: Barenaked Ladies

June 16: James Arthur

BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM

800 S. Mint St., bankofamericastadium.com

May 3: Kendrick Lamar & SZA

May 10: Billy Joel & Sting

May 13: Shakira

May 31: Metallica

THE AMP BALLANTYNE 11115 Upper Ave., ampballantyne.com

April 23: Chris Young

April 26: Charlotte Got Soul Fest

May 9: Journeyman

May 10: Michael Franti & Spearhead

May 14: Yacht Rock Revue

May 15: Wilco

May 17: The String Cheese Incident

May 29: Dark Star Orchestra

June 5: Run the Jewels

June 7: The Beach Boys

June 13: FJ

Cheerwine Festival

Photo courtesy of Cheerwine

Primus

Photo by Jeff Hahne

USNWC RIVER JAM

5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, whitewater.org

May 1: Ladycouch

May 2: Billy Keane & the Waking Dream

May 3: Teddy & the Rough Riders

May 8: McKinley James

May 9: Chamomile & Whiskey

May 10: Jamie McLean Band

May 15: South Hill Banks

May 16: Josh Daniel

May 17: Ajeva

May 22: The Pink Stones

May 24: Caitlin Krisko & the Broadcast

May 29: Arts Fishing Club

May 30: The Pinkerton Raid

June 5: Maya De Vitry

SPRING GUIDE 2025

SPRING GUIDE 2025

June 12: Deltaphonic

June 14: Hustle Souls

June 19: Drew Foust & the Wheelhouse

THE MUSIC YARD AT SOUTHBOUND

2433 South Blvd., eatsouthbound.com/themusic-yard

March 21: Mary Droppinz

March 22: Honeyluv

April 11: Derrick Carter

April 26: Dangermuffin w/ Kendall Street Company

May 3: Bumpin Uglies w/ Rockstead

May 9: Eli & Fur

May 10: Evening Elephants

May 16: Luttrell

June 7: BallyHoo! w/ Dale & the Zdubs

June 11: Jody Wisternoff

LOVIN’ LIFE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Charlotte’s biggest musical festival returns for its second year with national acts including Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews Band, Benson Boone, Weezer, Pitbull and Teddy Swims.

More: $345 and up; May 2-4; times vary; First Ward Park, 301 E. 7th St.; lovinlifemusicfest.com

MATTHEWS SUMMERFEST

Matthews hosts this festival formerly known as Beach Fest now features a wider range of musical genres along with shag dancing, carnival rides, food vendors, craft beer and more.

More: Free; May 9-10, times vary; Stumptown Park, 120 S.Trade St., Matthews; tinyurl.com/ MatthewsSummerfest

CORNELIUS JAZZ FESTIVAL

Get swept away by the blues and tunes of local jazz bands from Cornelius and the greater Charlotte area with food trucks, craft beer, local vendors and more.

More: Free; May 17, 6-10 p.m.; Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry Street; tinyurl.com/ CorneliusJazzFestival

Luminous Lane during Charlotte SHOUT!

Photo courtesy of CCCP

HERE COMES THE BOOM

Fringe arts festival celebrates eighth year in new University City home

BY RYAN PITKIN

It’s been 10 years since designer and creative Eric Ndelo lit the fuse for what would become BOOM Charlotte.

It all began with Ndelo’s idea to hold a slate of pop-up performances simultaneously on different street corners around the Plaza Midwood neighborhood throughout a given weekend.

The project just needed a visionary who could carry it out, and in Manoj Kesavan, BOOM Charlotte found its Oppenheimer — only instead of death and destruction, Kesavan has spent the last decade engineering a bright spotlight for independent artists and creative organizations to showcase the diverse range of talent that Charlotte is home to.

Kesavan, who founded the nonprofit QueOS (pronounced “chaos”) in 2012 to highlight Charlotte’s indie arts scene in the lead-up to the Democratic National Convention, launched BOOM Charlotte as a block party of an arts festival in 2016, highlighting the avant-garde and fringe aspects of Charlotte’s dance, music, theatre, poetry, visual arts and film scenes, among other creative communities.

The festival has grown and evolved over the years, expanding to meet the ever-growing number of artist applications while keeping its grassroots vibe and remaining affordable and accessible.

Having moved from Plaza Midwood to Camp North End for three years following the pandemic, this year BOOM Charlotte has gone farther north, finding a

home in University City for the eighth annual BOOM Charlotte arts festival on April 25-27.

Planning for a smorgasbord of activations in the lakefront area surrounding The Shoppes at University Place, BOOM’s artistic director Camerin Watson said the new space surrounding the lake in University will allow everyone who’s a part of the festival to come together in a way that didn’t occur naturally at Camp North End.

“It’s decentralizing,” she told Queen City Nerve. “For the last couple of years, the Intersection [main stage] has been really a hub space, and this will create a bunch of spaces around the lake so people can move from one space to another.”

That will allow vendors to better integrate with performing artists, Watson added, “which will be cool because that’s always part of our goal is to bring together different art forms.”

And then there’s the aesthetic that water adds to the festival, an added bonus.

“I love being around water,” Watson said, “so I also think that adds an element of groundedness and creative energy and flow to the whole idea just by being in that space, near that water.”

Who’s on the Fringe?

As in years past, this year’s BOOM festival will comprise two parts: BOOM Fringe and BOOM Intersection, with guests encouraged to move between the two spaces throughout the weekend,

experiencing some of Charlotte’s most innovative artists.

BOOM Fringe features 11 edgy, experimental art performances spread across a number of small, intimate locations. These are ticketed performances that take place throughout the weekend.

Released on Feb. 28, this year’s lineup includes return acts like Adrian Parrish, a nonbinary queer poet, comedian and storyteller known for their unique blend of humor, wordplay and engaging storytelling; and newcomers like Brooke McCarthy, whose one-woman show How to be an Ethical Slut was featured on a recent cover of Queen City Nerve.

BOOM Intersection, on the other hand, features a broad range of art performed for all attendees free of charge along with interactive installations, activities, vendors and other participants. This year’s partners include the University City Regional library, which opened its new lakeside location in February.

While the full lineup of Intersection performers and participants hasn’t yet been released, new partners include the Southern Eagle Singers, a contemporary indigenous Southern singing drum group that originates from Maxton, a small town southwest of Fayetteville; and the Charlotte-based cultural preservation and storytelling platform MELANOTION.

As a 100% artist-run group, Watson said she and fellow BOOM organizers approach organizing the festival just as they would a piece of art — asking themselves what’s missing, what could be better represented and how that could be done most effectively.

“We throw a lot of stuff at the wall and see what sticks and then throw a lot of new stuff at the wall the next year,” she said. “I think that way of approaching it, like a work of art, like something that can continually evolve and develop and be redefined, is exciting.”

A family reunion for artists

Looking back on the growth of BOOM Charlotte over the years, Kesavan said he continues to be pleasantly surprised with how the festival has continued to build on itself, crediting the participating artists and his tireless crew of organizers.

“We are so grateful. We are so happy that it keeps happening, that it miraculously comes together, even with little resources,” he said. “One of the things we heard when we regrouped after the pandemic was that it felt like a family reunion. That’s the one time of the year everyone in the arts community can see each other to know what’s going on and who’s doing what. So again, we are grateful that people have chosen us to be that place for that.”

Since BOOM Charlotte’s inaugural celebration in 2016, other more large-scale festivals have launched throughout the city including Charlotte SHOUT! by Charlotte Center City Partners and the Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), organized by Blumenthal Arts.

Kesavan does not view these festivals as competition, instead partnering with CIAF to have his artists hold performances during its two-week run in the fall. He’s supportive of SHOUT! as well, though there’s not as much chance for partnership as the two fests usually run on consecutive weeks in April.

What sets BOOM apart is its focus on local, independent, fringe arts performers. Kesavan had considered inviting big-name headliners from other states or countries to perform at BOOM in the past to increase the draw, but as the festival has grown — now with an acceptance rate at just 50% — it’s more important for his team to keep the spotlight on those artists working in the Charlotte area.

Photo by Juan Ossa Jordan Bailey performs at BOOM Charlotte in 2024.

Photo by Juan Ossa

Gina Stewart at BOOM Charlotte 2024.

With other arts festivals in town also offering paid opportunities to local artists, Kesavan thinks more options can only be a positive for the community as a whole — artists and patrons alike.

Rather than view the newer fests as somehow squeezing into his space, Kesavan said he’s happy the city is ready to welcome a wide range of different arts fests throughout the year.

“When we started planning back in 2015, a lot of people just told us that, ‘No, it won’t work. People have tried this thing in Charlotte before. Somehow it doesn’t work,’” he recalled. “We were stupid enough to keep doing it anyway.”

If that was the stupid decision, we’d hate to see what’s considered smart.

RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM

Photo by Juan Ossa

RJ Lee Dance performs at BOOM Charlotte 2024.

Photo by Dan Russell-Pinson

RETURN OF THE FEMMES

Femme Fest expands in second year at The Milestone

BY PAT MORAN

Femme Fest, a charity music show that showcases bands or artists that include at least one female, femme-presenting or LGBTQIA+ member, will return this spring, doubling down for two days of music.

After a successful one-day inaugural run in 2024, the event that won Best New Music Festival/ Event in Queen City Nerve’s Best in the Nest Awards returns to The Milestone on May 16-17, expanding with 17 local and national rock acts.

Callie Wolfe and Joseph Conde, cofounders of adventurous Charlotte alt-rock band Oh! You Pretty Things, launched Femme Fest last year as a response to the music industry’s ongoing discrimination against women and femmepresenting artists.

Wolfe and Conde aimed to leverage their band’s burgeoning regional popularity to push back against the industry’s gender inequities. Femme Fest 2025 furthers this initiative, pushing it into overdrive, the cofounders say.

“It’s important to let people know that they are wanted and their voice is valid,” Conde says. “We want to hear more from the people who are systematically shut out.”

The organizers say they’re encouraged that the first iteration of Femme Fest succeeded beyond their most optimistic hopes.

“It still feels like a fever dream with how well everything turned out,” Wolfe says. Femme Fest 2024 surpassed expectations, raising over $4,000 — 100% of the show’s profits — for eight local, national and international organizations that help women, femme-presenting people and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This year, Wolfe and Conde say the fest will raise money for a similar mix of organizations. They hope to top last year’s take at the door by adding funds earned from merch like Femme Fest T-shirts and stickers, not to mention adding an extra day. They’re also looking into sponsorships for Femme Fest wristbands.

The rise of the feminine

Musically, Femme Fest 2025 will surpass last year’s eclectic and impressive bill, not because the performers are better this time around, but with two

days to book instead of one, there’s just that much more music.

Returning from Femme Fest One are Queen City electro-punk trio Girl Brutal, raw Carolinas cabaret rocker Jordyn Zaino’s supergroup With Haste!, western North Carolina’s indie-punk post-hardcore band Fantømex, ferocious Savannah grunge outfit The Maxines, and Charlotte alt-indie-rock band Leaving For Arizona.

Charlotte’s Modern Moxie, the tight, inventive alt-rock band led by charismatic singer-songwriter Madison Lucas, also joins the bill this year.

Other acts new to the fest include Charlotte’s feminist hardcore punk trio No Anger Control, Shelby’s punk-powerhouse quintet Y’All’Re, West Virginia’s propulsive and melodic alt rockers Emmalea Deal & The Hot Mess, and heavy grungerock quartet Annie Dukes from Jacksonville, Florida.

All bands have agreed to play the fest for free, Conde says, though artists traveling to the gig from out of town will receive a gas stipend and artists traveling from out of state will receive lodging stipends as well.

As the assault on women’s and LGBTQIA+ peoples’ rights metastasizes into a Republicanled cancer that targets not just musicians but everyone’s lives and liberties, events like Femme Fest grow all the more important. Besides the money and awareness the show will raise, Wolfe notes that Femme Fest also helps deliver a powerful message to marginalized communities that they are not alone.

“[The festival] is about knowing that this is a safe space, finding a new favorite band, or just having a wonderful night where you can forget all the crazy bullshit that we’re living through,” Wolfe says.

Femme Fest needs to keep going and getting larger each year because it’s lighting a fuse, fostering visibility and building community, Wolfe maintains, so the festival’s message can be continuously heard locally, nationally and internationally.

“Women and femme people in music matter,” she says. “They fucking matter, and they’re not going anywhere.”

IN BLOOM

Springadelia fuses sound and vision at Snug Harbor

BY PAT MORAN

Snug Harbor is getting a jump on the vernal equinox this year with the return of Springadelia, a three-night festival scheduled for March 6-8 at Snug Harbor.

Zach Reader, the venerable Plaza Midwood music venue’s talent buyer who launched Springadelia in 2024, describes the multifaceted happening featuring 24 musicians and four visual artists spread across two stages as a “curated, multisensory experience.”

Reader, who coined the term “Springadelia” to evoke a “rejuvenating and inspirational” celebration of spring, once again brings a mix of rock, hip-hop and pop with a psychedelic vibe to Snug for the festival’s second iteration.

Springadelia was also sparked by a more practical concern: a desire to maximize use of the space at Snug Harbor, Reader says.

“We have a back patio that can accommodate a stage and easy back and forth movement between the main stage and there,” he says. Moving audiences from one stage to another means that more artists can be scheduled with less down time for set-up.

This year, four performers will play each night in the venue’s main room while four other artists will perform on Snug Harbor’s patio. The task for Reader, Snug production manager Ian Pasquini, owner Scott McCannell, and the venue’s crack staff is to move the performers on and off the alternate stages smoothly with only minimal musical overlap between the two stages.

On opening night, Snug Harbor’s main stage will host two co-headliners, Nashville newwave-infused alt-rock trio Crumbsnatchers and Pasquini’s Charlotte-based stoner-country/indierock foursome Pleasure House.

On March 7, Nashville’s crunchy yet cosmic altrockers Connor Kelly & the Time Warp are the main room headliners while on March 8, Florida-based jazz, psych and Latin punk band Zeta headlines on the main stage. On the back patio, DJs will hold down the headliner spots.

Sprigadelia redefines psychedelia

Despite the event’s name, the event’s eclectic lineup is not confined to what is typically considered psychedelic music, a term he applies to any music

that’s unusual or hypnotic.

“[Last year] it went from … straightforward, psychedelic rock to hip-hop, far-out electronic [music] and some noisier stuff,” Reader says.

This year, Springadelia features Celeste Moonchild’s funk and hip-hop-infused neo-soul, Gang$ta Butterfly’s alternative rap, and La Brava’s Latin-electro pop as well as the face-melting, guitar-driven psych rock of Asheville’s Seismic Sutra.

The event imparts a psychedelic while evoking the sun-dappled blossoming high of spring, through the optic wizardry of four visual artists.

With an alchemical concoction of digital clips, computer imagery and liquid light shows, Thomas Miller, Vision.Stains, Splat Daddy, and NA$A will enhance the neural impact of performers on the bill.

“I think the visuals are key to the experience,” says Reader. “Whatever you’re listening to, if there’s kind of crazy or weird visual things happening, it becomes all of a sudden more psychedelic.”

Fortuitously, Snug Harbor’s January renovation/ redesign of its main room has improved sight lines and enhanced the audience’s enjoyment of the music, Reader says.

Venue staff raised the main stage, removed a small storage area in the main room and spruced up the hallway leading to the patio with a flashing light display.

“It draws attention [to the corridor] and makes it look like a mysterious pathway to get out back,” Reader says.

With a judicious mix of all the sound, visual and logistical elements that worked last year along with this year’s aesthetic and architectural tweaks, Reader hopes Springadelia will build on its past success.

Whether it’s due to mind-altering music or eye-popping visuals, Reader hopes Springadelia could become a transformative experience, one that encourages people to get more involved in Charlotte’s musical and creative community.

“I hope people get introduced to a band or music that’s new to them,” Reader says. “I hope they have a great experience at Snug and want to keep coming to more shows, and not just special events.”

PMORAN@QCNERVE.COM

The Maxines perform at Femme Fest 2024.

Photo by Kosmorama

La Brava will return for a second Springadelia showing.

PLAY: THE SHOWCASE

FROM THE STAGE: FEBRUARY 2025 Submit your photos to info@qcnerve.com

REWIND: NEW MUSIC RELEASES

LP JAH FREEDOM AND ANON THE GRIOT, ‘FXCK LOVE’

Released on Valentine’s Day, the 10-cut album Fxck Love is a collaboration between Charlotte producer/composer Jah Freedom and Atlanta poet ANON the Griot. Threading through Edwards’ transcendent soundscapes, which entwine hiphop, progressive rock and movie soundtracks, ANON’s spoken-word tracks tell nuanced tales of longing, romance and the dynamic nature of love. Stream at jahfreeonthebeat.bandcamp.com

SINGLE

LEAVING FOR ARIZONA,

“BAJA

BLAST MY BRAINS OUT”

PAUSE: PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Deniro Farrar Drops ‘The Shepherd’

Charlotte rapper DeNiro Farrar tends to his flock on his new EP The Shepherd. But if you’re not already tuned into his message of balance, determination, wellness and fitness, this inspirational seven-song collection is likely to put you into that state of mind. Conversational and cleareyed, Farrar sounds loose, confessional and seemingly content as he weaves through Marc Spano’s velvety production on the title track, and particularly on the swooning opener “Bird Scooter”: “The choice is all yours, to avoid or indulge/ You can be a workin’ man or you can go and find a plug/ Ain’t no judgement, my nigga, just know that it’s all love...” Stream the title track and “Bird Scooter” on Spotify. Buy the LP at Old Soul Music.

Twin acoustic guitars tangle galloping rhythms with a stinging and coiling lead, while vocals ricochet in a haunting call and response: “I feel like I’m drowning/ six feet down/ But, do you really think you could save me now...” The tune’s off the cuff Instagram video ends with a scream amid footage of a nuclear blast in case you missed its austere and emotionally drained message.

Stream on Spotify

SINGLE

LISA DE NOVO, “CAROLINA”

As De Novo’s cantering acoustic guitar suggests a journey through the Carolina hill country, her smoked glass vocals flow like a breeze past your car’s rolled-down window. Yet the tune also reveals a restlessness to hit the road, a tension between embracing home and hearth and setting out for new adventures.

Stream on Spotify

SINGLE

MARIAH VAN KLEEF, “INFAUNA 2”

Swarming vocals skip like whitecaps on a gently rolling sea on Mariah van Kleef’s “Infauna 2,” an electronic remix/reimagining of “Infauna,” a tune the singer-songwriter dropped in January. The languorous and seductive voices of van Kleef and her songwriting partner Mary-Beth Arthur lure the song’s innocent protagonist deeper under the ocean’s surface while producer Drake Margolnick introduces skittering electronic beats and unearthly sounds that suggest cosmic rays colliding and spitting ions in the upper atmosphere.

Stream on Spotify

SINGLE

PARTY BATTLESHIP, “FOR NO ONE”

Led by married couple Shalini and John Morris, Party Battleship has been cranking out muscular power pop since 2013. With John’s sturdy piano and Shalini’s unsentimental vocals, the band steers clear of the mawkishness that marred The Beatles’ original version. Like the best covers, it makes you appreciate an old tune anew.

Stream at partybattleship.bandcamp.com

SINGLE

MOVING BOXES, “SLAP YA MAMA

SEASONING”

Charlotte/Raleigh quartet Moving Boxes don’t mince words on “Slap Ya Mama Seasoning.” Over cyclical needle sharp guitars and crashing mosh pit drums, vocalist Sophie Biancofiore pushes a melody that overtops, rolls with and punches through the backing track: “Well it’s not pretty is it?/ You picture yourself an arsonist/ Call me when your wings get tired/ When the smoke fills your lungs...”

Stream on Spotify

Kash Doll at Fillmore, 2/16/25 (Jeff Hahne)

Modern Moxie at Neighborhood Theatre, 2/18/25 (Jeff Hahne)

Anna Kimm at Petra’s, 2/15/25 (Photo by Dan Russell-Pinson)

blankstate. at The Milestone, 2/5/25 (Dan Russell-Pinson)

Lauren Mayberry at Fillmore, 2/21/25 (Dan Russell-Pinson)

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at Neighborhood Theatre, 2/18/25 (Jeff Hahne)

SOUNDWAVE

SOUNDWAVE

WEDNESDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

JAN. 22

Messy Stains w/ Harriet RIP, Matt Pless, Punk Angels (The Milestone)

The Coyotes w/ Gods, The Local Odyssey (Snug Harbor)

JAZZ/BLUES

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra (Evening Muse)

The Dominican Jazz Project (Middle C Jazz)

Lovell Bradford Trio (VisArt Video)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Rockstars in the Round (Goldie’s)

Josh Daniel, Jim Brock & Kerry Brooks (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)*

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Stephen Day (Neighborhood Theatre)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Dirtwire (Visulite Theatre)

OPEN MIC

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic (The Rooster)*

THURSDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

SATURDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

MAR. 5 MAR. 6 MAR. 8

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus w/ 408, Heartbent, blankstate. (Amos’ Southend)

Auroras Hope w/ Cigarettes for Breakfast, Nervous Surface, Eighth House, Troubleshoot (The Milestone)

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL

Springadelia (Snug Harbor)

FUNK/JAM BAND/REGGAE

Coyote Island w/ Hustle Souls (Evening Muse)

Shana Blake’s Musical Menagerie (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)*

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Garrett Huffman Duo (Goldie’s)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Paul Oakley Stovall w/ Yassmin Alers, Billy Rule (Stage Door Theater)

COVER BANDS

Anne Adams: A Tribute to Whitney Houston (Middle C Jazz)

FRIDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Camisole w/ Wilmot (Evening Muse) Palace (The Fillmore)

MAR. 7

Late Night Special w/ Andy Ball (Goldie’s) Bog Loaf w/ Jackson Fig, Dollar Taxes, Masse Critique, Appaluchia, Andy the Doorbum (The Milestone) Aurora’s Hope w/ When We’re Sober, Lil Skritt (Petra’s) Make Them Suffer (The Underground)

JAZZ/BLUES

Eric Darius (Middle C Jazz)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Adam Church w/ Pressley Laton Band, Ethan Wallace (Amos’ Southend)

Pecos and the Rooftops (Coyote Joe’s) Ellis Paul (Evening Muse)

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL Springadelia (Snug Harbor)

FUNK/JAM BANDS/REGGAE moe. (Neighborhood Theatre)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Infekt (Blackbox Theater)

Paul Oakley Stovall w/ Yassmin Alers, Billy Rule (Stage Door Theater)

Emo Night (The Rooster)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (Belk Theater) COVER BANDS

Tribute (Allman Brothers tribute) (Visulite Theatre)

JAN. 25

Felix Tandem w/ Late Bloomer, Creates of the Sun, Aluminum 6 (The Milestone)

The Menders w/ Y’all’re, Ennie Arden (The Rooster) Deaf Andrews w/ Coastal Club, The Upsides (Visulite Theatre)

JAZZ/BLUES

Eric Darius (Middle C Jazz)

FUNK/JAM BANDS/REGGAE

The Main Squeeze w/ Quinn Sullivan (Neighborhood Theatre)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Bingo Loco (Blackbox Theater)

Paul Oakley Stovall w/ Yassmin Alers, Billy Rule (Stage Door Theater)

DJ Kenyatta : Donuts and Daisies (Starlight on 22nd) Club 90s: Noche De Benito (The Underground)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (Belk Theater)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Lilly Hiatt w/ Suzie Chism (Evening Muse)

Hiram w/ Aaron Boyd & W.D. Miller, Tom Budz (Petra’s) EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL

Springadelia (Snug Harbor)

COVER BANDS

84 (Van Halen tribute) w/ Let Love Rule (Lenny Kravitz tribute) (Amos’ Southend)

Joey Boretti Band w/ Bald Brothers (Goldie’s)

SUNDAY

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Amaria (Amos’ Southend)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

JAZZ/BLUES

Howard McNair Jr. (Evening Muse)

Bywater Call (Middle C Jazz)

Joel Ross (Stage Door Theater)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Nia Zhane w/ praise., Kenzie Katlyn (Snug Harbor)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

The Righteous Brothers (Ovens Auditorium)

OPEN MIC

Open Mic Night (Goldie’s)

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic (The Rooster)*

Open Hearts Open Minds Open Mic (Starlight on 22nd)

THURSDAY

JAZZ/BLUES

Mo Money Max (Middle C Jazz)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

GloRilla (Bojangles Coliseum)

FUNK/JAM BANDS/REGGAE

MAR. 13

Marvelous Funkshun w/ The Groove Skeletons (Neighborhood Theatre)

KC & the Sunshine Band (Ovens Auditorium)

Shana Blake’s Musical Menagerie (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)*

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Cameron Whitcomb w/ Ben Cotrill (Amos’ Southend)

Noah Guthrie w/ Bonnie Stewart (Evening Muse)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Six Year Hiatus Duo (Goldie’s)

COVER BANDS

Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band (Visulite Theatre)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Basstripper (Blackbox Theater)

Abi Carter w/ Laur Elle (Neighborhood Theatre)

Jordan Sledge & The Saucepan Band w/ Scottie Smith, Kevin Caldwell (Starlight on 22nd)

FUNK/JAM BAND/REGGAE

Ajeva w/ Funkwondo (Evening Muse)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Anna Kimm w/ Bergenline, Big Break (Petra’s) This Wild Life (The Underground)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Justin Wells w/ Jack Blocker (Evening Muse)

Charles Walker (Primal Brewery)

JAZZ/BLUES

Bob Baldwin (Middle C Jazz)

Camille Thurman w/ The Darrell Green Quartet (Stage Door Theater)

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL

Spring Formal Show (Snug Harbor) FAMILY

Charlotte Symphony: How to Train Your Dragon in Concert (Belk Theater)

COVER BANDS

Undertow (Tool tribute) w/ Exploder (Audioslave tribute) (Amos’ Southend)

Gump Fiction w/ Caroline & Omar (Goldie’s) Recall (Primal Brewery)

SUNDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

The Paddywhacks (The Rooster)

MAR. 16

MAR. 9

FRIDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Role Model w/ Debbii Dawson (The Fillmore)

A R I Z O N A (The Underground)

CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/RELIGIOUS

Gospel Sunday: Isaiah Bell w/ 4GWL (Middle C Jazz)

MONDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

MAR. 10

Gary Clark Jr. w/ Danielle Ponder (Ovens Auditorium)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Goldford (Amos’ Southend)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Bazz the Granddude w/ Kennon Knight, Family Friend, R.P. Allen (The Milestone)

JAZZ/BLUES

The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s) OPEN MIC

Find Your Muse Open Mic (Evening Muse)

TUESDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Red Rocking Chair (Comet Grill)*

MAR. 11

Movements w/ Citizen (The Fillmore) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

BJ Barham (Evening Muse)

The Mike Strauss Trio (VisArt Video) COVER BANDS

Brass Against (Neighborhood Theatre) OPEN MIC

Open Mic Night feat. The Smokin J’s (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)*

MAR. 14

The Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill)*

Creatures Of The Sun w/ Puppy and the Dogs, Flannelmouth (Petra’s)

Vampires Everywhere! w/ Dreamwake, Cultus Black (The Rooster)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Jed Harrelson w/ Te’Jani (Amos’ Southend)

Tommy Richman (The Underground)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Kolby Cooper (Coyote Joe’s)

JAZZ/BLUES

Bob Baldwin (Middle C Jazz)

Joe Bonamassa (Ovens Auditorium)

Camille Thurman w/ The Darrell Green Quartet (Stage Door Theater)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

R&B Versus (Blackbox Theater)

Caroline Rose (Evening Muse)

Something Comforting w/ Peach Candy Nut Boys (Evening Muse)

Sidequest feat. DJ RPG & Friends (The Milestone)

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL

Bestial Mouths w/ Cold Choir, IIOIOIOII, Tenderlash (Snug Harbor)

FUNK/JAM BANDS/REGGAE

Signal Fire w/ Treehouse!, One Culture (Visulite Theatre) FAMILY

Charlotte Symphony: How to Train Your Dragon in Concert (Belk Theater)

COVER BANDS

Parks Brothers Band w/ Brad Kriebel (Goldie’s)

SATURDAY

Rare Americans (The Underground) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Hazy Sunday (Petra’s)

Soul Sundays feat. Guy Nowchild (Starlight on 22nd)

COVER BANDS

One Irish Rover (Van Morrison tribute) (Middle C Jazz)

MONDAY

JAZZ/BLUES

The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Kraftwerk (Ovens Auditorium)

Spencer Sutherland (The Underground) SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Eric Steven Chesson (Primal Brewery)

OPEN MIC

Find Your Muse Open Mic (Evening Muse)

TUESDAY

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Red Rocking Chair (Comet Grill)*

MAR. 17 MAR. 18

Shawn Garlic w/ Femme Cell, The Abstratica, Benz.Birdz (The Milestone)

Alla Xul Elu w/ Super Famous Fun Time Guys, SON (The Rooster)

JAZZ/BLUES

Menastree (Evening Muse)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

K. Flay (The Underground)

OPEN MIC

Open Mic Night feat. The Smokin J’s (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)*

MAR. 15

EXPERIMENTAL/MIXED-GENRE/FESTIVAL

Sad & Pathetic w/ Interior Ministry, Killick (The Milestone)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Josh Daniel, Jim Brock & Kerry Brooks (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)* WEDNESDAY

MAR. 12

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Den of Wolves w/ Girl Brutal, Mudlotus, January Knife (The Milestone)

Tiny City w/UniS, PTSD Radio, Raised By Sheep (The Rooster)

Melt w/ Katie Lynne Sharbaugh (Visulite Theatre)

FOOD & DRINK

FEATURE STORY

RETURN TO WORK

Six new(ish) coffee shops that make the perfect office for remote workers

BY DEZANII LEWIS

Ever since COVID-19 hit in 2020, going to work can mean many different things. In a world where remote work has become the norm, it’s important to find a space where you can lock in.

Coffee shops have also come a long way in serving professionals, offering perks that cater specifically to remote employees and providing spaces to get work done for those going stir crazy at home or without a dedicated work space to call their own.

And with a growing crowd looking for hangouts that don’t center alcohol, plenty of coffee shops are also creating menus to cultivate the after-work crowd, as well.

We’ve compiled a list of such coffee shops in Charlotte for folks who need to switch up the scenery and find a new spot to level up their work environment or blow off steam after a long day.

LOTTIE’S

210 E. Trade St.

Branded as “Your Uptown Third Space,” Lottie’s opened in the Queen City Quarter in summer 2024, part of the newly rebranded space formerly known as Epicentre.

The Black-owned shop offers free Wi-Fi with a soothing aesthetic right near Center City. The menu is made to order and includes items for breakfast and lunch.

The breakfast menu includes Hugo’s Hash Bowl, a handcrafted hash bowl with caramelized onion

jam, crumbled bacon, home fries, and over-easy egg, avocado and chipotle aioli. The Deluxe Avo — avocado on white bread, three slices of bacon, an over-easy egg, pecorino and red pepper flakes — is served all day.

The real star of the show, however, is the Airplane Latte, a creamy, caramel Biscoff cookie latte that comes iced or hot.

The shop has a patio that’s perfect for the warm weather on deck if you’re cool with all the traffic passing by on South College Street.

But what about that “third space?” Lottie’s hosts events throughout the week to help build a sense of community. To kick off March, the shop hosted Align & Unwind, an early-morning, two-hour yoga and journaling session.

On March 8 you can stop in for The Coffee Set, where your morning brew can be scored by a curated experience from DJ Erinn Alexx.

Lottie’s is open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Follow them on Instagram at @lottiesclt to learn about other upcoming events.

ARCHIVE CLT

2023 Beatties Ford Road

The idea for Archive CLT was originally hatched as a book store and literal archive housing Cheryse Terry’s collection of Black history ephemera. It was Tony Santoro with Enderly Coffee that suggested

she add some coffee to the mix. After all, you can’t catch bees without honey.

“Archive, the cafe, the vibe, it’s just a tip of the iceberg to get people to come and then have to deal with and listen to the work that I actually wanted to do, the 501c3 that I’m starting: Archive Historic Preservation Society,” she told Queen City Nerve in February.

If you can handle a little hip-hop while you work, Archive CLT is the scene for you.

The mission is clear as soon as you step inside: Black magazines litter the tables, iconic Black figures are immortalized on the shop’s interior mural, and there’s plenty of books from Black authors and cultural magazines to keep you distracted from that project you need to finish.

It’s even on the menu; the Nikki Gingervanni (named after poet Nikki Giovanni) is an iced refresher flavor featuring ginger, rosemary, cinnamon and lemon. One of the best-sellers is the Foxy Brown, a latte with brown butter, vanilla and brown sugar. We’re not sure if it’s named for Pam Grier’s 1974 Blaxpoitation film or the Brooklyn rapper popular in the 1990s, we just know it’s damn good.

If you’re looking for a place that cultivates collaboration and community engagement, this is the workspace for you.

Archive CLT is open from Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. but closed on Wednesdays, and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Follow on Instagram at @archive_clt.

GROW CAFE

5342 Docia Crossing Road, Suite B/C

Grow Cafe is a “play cafe” opened by Stacy and Michael Baker in June 2024. It caters to parents with children, which makes it an awful spot for solo folks to work but a perfect one for those who have their kids in tow.

Parents of small children up to 6 years old know what it’s like to be in a bind when daycare is closed or altogether inaccessible. Grow Cafe provides a haven for just such a situation.

“Grow Cafe would help to fill the void for a muchneeded family-friendly space for minority families. Parents and caregivers will be able to observe their young children have fun learning, while also being able to fulfill their own mental and emotional needs,” said Renee Johnson, District 4 Charlotte City Council rep, in the lead-up to last summer’s release.

The cafe offers a play area and toys where the children can play. On the rare occasion that you have to duck into a private area for a business call or meeting, the staff will help keep an eye on your little one, provided they have your consent to do so. There are also great pastries and coffee drinks, including specialty drinks like Mom Fuel Latte, Dad Fuel, Sugar Cookie Sweetheart and the Lovers Latte.

Grow Cafe is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays are reserved for private bookings and events. Follow Grow Cafe on Instagram at @growcafeclt.

SUMAQ COFFEE

6259 South Boulevard

In January, financial media company MarketBeat published a list of the country’s best 145 coffee shops for remote work based on a survey of more than 3,000 business executives and remote workers. Sumaq Coffee was the only Charlotte coffee shop to make the list.

Opened by brothers Joseph and Nick Castro in the Starmount area of south Charlotte in 2022, this café is inspired by South American culture, serving craft coffees, artisanal pastries, and snacks like the panko pesto sandwich or the dulce de leche bread. Pronounced “sue-mock,” the name is a Quechua word from the old Inca language that means the ideal and beautiful fulfillment of life, according to the website.

“For this reason, this space seeks to be a participant in the encounter and conversation, of what is said and what is silent, under the dim company of a cup of coffee to share and remember.”

That’s a beautiful way of saying this is a great

Photo courtesy of Lottie’s

Inside Lottie’s in Uptown Charlotte.

Photo by Ryan Pitkin

Caffeto owner Valentina Castellanos mixing a vanilla latte.

FOOD & DRINK

place to hold a meeting. And we’re not just making that up, their own mission statement reads: “Sumaq Coffee is a tribute to beauty, to the simplicity of the meeting.”

The inside of the shop is replete with lush greenery, offering the perfect ambiance for workers. The space provides a varying selection of outdoor seating including covered options and cocoon chairs. There are also heaters available for those brisk days.

Sumaq Coffee is open daily, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Follow the shop on Instagram at @sumaqclt.

CAFFETO

3012 N Davidson St.

As the weather warms up, you might be working for a chill-but-still-temperate spot to get some work done. Caffeto popped up in a trailer next to Canvas Tattoo and across from the Johnston YMCA in NoDa in January.

The specialty Colombian coffee bar is a great environment if the weather is cooperating, with WiFi and outlets at every picnic table. They serve hot and cold coffee drinks, matcha, chai and lemonade. There’s a bakery menu with croissants and danishes, but we recommend the cachitos: Venezuelan soft bread stuffed with ham, bacon and cream cheese.

Once a month, a DJ sets up for Caffeto Sessions, featuring vibes, beats, coffee and arepas.

Caffeto is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Follow them on Instagram at @caffetospecialtycoffee.

INDIGO TEA & COFFEE CO.

412 W. Palmer St.

Opened in January, Indigo Tea & Coffee is a new Black-owned coffee shop tucked away in the Gold District, where they mix up specialty drinks like the Brown Butter Sage with their own specialty syrups made in-house.

February saw the addition of colorful specials like the Neapolitan Latte and Strawberry Shortcake

Latte. We’re not sure what’s on the schedule for March, but we’ll certainly be stopping by to find out. March 8 offers the perfect opportunity to do so when Indigo hosts RnBrew, a coffee house dance party where artisan drinks meet soulful beats.

Indigo is open Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Follow them on Instagram at @indigoclt.

DLEWIS@QCNERVE.COM

Photo by Ryan Pitkin

Caffeto is an outdoor coffee bar in NoDa.

MAR. 5 - MAR. 11 MAR. 12 - MAR. 18

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You find yourself making sheep eyes at someone who seems receptive. While the situation looks promising, you might not be ready for a long-term commitment.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The delay in getting your task done leaves you pawing the ground in frustration. Be patient. The reason for the holdup will soon become apparent. Meanwhile, an opportunity to travel comes from an unexpected source.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your usually sharp instincts about people should be right on the cutting edge in regard to a major decision. You might want to hold off on a commitment until (or unless) you feel like both the person and project are trustworthy.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Resist the impulse to tell tales about a co-worker. Even if your motives are sincere, they’ll be seen as self-serving. A personal situation remains unstable. Wait for things to settle down.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You love to lap up compliments. But be wary of someone at work who is drowning you in an outpouring of praise. In your personal life, pay more attention to your spouse or partner.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A perplexing romantic situation turns out to be less complex than you thought. A simple explanation soon clears up all misunderstandings.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Try to remain balanced as you cope with two emotional people. They want your advice -- but at a price to your equilibrium.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Avoid being goaded into making stinging remarks you could later regret. Best advice: Walk. Don’t talk. There’ll be time later to deal with the situation in a way that makes you look good.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A family matter becomes too demanding as it overflows into several areas. Try to narrow your focus to where it will do the most good with the least drain on your time and energy.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) It’s fix-up time. Make plans to get things repaired and repainted around your home. A relationship could also stand some patching up before the damage is beyond repair. Schedule a physical checkup.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A job that seems to offer everything you’ve always wanted might require moving to a new city. Your family offers support no matter what you decide to do. Other options will also require some hard decision-making.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Get back into the social swim. Enjoy some fun time with old friends and be open to making new ones. A previous health problem recurs, but prompt attention makes everything all right.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a deep reservoir of strength that you can draw from to help you get through difficult times. Your compassionate nature allows you to offer support and comfort to others. You are artistically gifted in many areas.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) It’s a good time to reassess important relationships, both personal and professional, to see where problems might exist and how they can be overcome. Keep the lines of communication open.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s not easy to bring order to a chaotic situation, whether it’s in the workplace or at home. But if anyone can do it, you can! A pleasant surprise awaits you by week’s end.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Be careful that you don’t make an upcoming decision solely on the word of those who might have their own reasons for wanting you to act as they suggest. Check things out for yourself.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A personal relationship that seems to be going nowhere could be restarted once you know why it stalled. An honest discussion could result in some surprising revelations.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) An unexpected attack of self-doubt could be a way of warning yourself to go slow before making a career-changing decision. Take more time to do a closer study of the facts.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A workplace problem needs your attention now before it deteriorates to a point beyond repair. A trusted third party could be helpful in closing the gaps that have opened.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A recent family situation could give rise to a new problem. Keep an open mind and avoid making judgments about anyone’s motives until all the facts are in.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Rely on your always-sharp intuition to alert you to potential problems regarding someone’s attempt to explain away the circumstances behind a puzzling incident.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Although you still need to do some snipping off of those lingering loose ends from a past project, you can begin moving on to something else.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) With your self-confidence levels rising, you should feel quite comfortable with taking on a possibly troublesome but potentially well-rewarded situation.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel is favored, both for business and for fun. The end of the week brings news about an upcoming project that could lead toward a promised career change.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might feel suddenly overwhelmed by a flood of responsibilities. But if you deal with each one in its turn, you’ll soon be able to hold your head above water and move on.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a wonderful way of offering comfort as well as guidance. You would do well in the healing arts.

1. LITERATURE: Who lives at 4 Privet Drive?

2. TELEVISION: Which 1980s sitcom featured the Keaton family?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first American-born president?

4. COMICS: What is Deadpool’s profession?

5. AD SLOGANS: Which makeup company’s slogan is “Maybe she’s born with it”?

6. HISTORY: Which battles marked the beginning of the American Revolution?

7. INVENTIONS: The 1904 World’s Fair introduced which fluffy confection?

8. MOVIES: In which year were the first Oscars awarded?

9. MEASUREMENTS: What does 1 gallon of water weigh?

10. GEOGRAPHY: What are the colors of the Italian flag?

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.

NERVE ENDINGS

CHARLOTTE’S GOT THE SAUCE BUT SERVES IT BLAND

You won’t get big-city respect with small-town confidence

BY ASHLEY MOZINGO

After watching Charlotte wrestle with its own reflection for over a decade, I’ve come to one conclusion: The Queen City moves like a side character in its own story.

A banking powerhouse with deep Black history and cultural richness, Charlotte is caught in an unnerving cycle of self-comparison. I’ve sat in community discussions, spoken with police chiefs, worked with preservation specialists and engaged with the city’s arts and business circles. Still, one sentiment keeps resurfacing:

“Charlotte is trying to be the next Atlanta.” Or maybe D.C. or whatever major city is currently setting the cultural tone. It is as if success means being the understudy to another city’s greatness because Charlotte isn’t worthy of standing on its own.

That insecurity bleeds into everything — its branding, culture and leadership.

Charlotte, You Don’t Know Yourself

Charlotte is in an identity crisis of its own making. It wants to be a business hub but it also wants to be a creative capital. It wants to have deep cultural roots but it also wants to whitewash history for comfort. It wants to be progressive but it doesn’t want to actually do the work of prioritizing Black leadership, funding and historical preservation.

An example? The recent release of a Black history-themed jersey in collaboration with the Charlotte Hornets. I watched as a marketer, anticipating a campaign that would honor Charlotte’s Black legacy on a global stage. Instead, we got a campaign that introduced Charlotte to Charlotte — just another moment of inward-facing storytelling, afraid or unable to speak beyond its city limits.

On Feb. 7, the Hornets became the breeding ground for the NBA’s first-ever Black Excellence jersey. Let me be clear: My critique is not of the creative minds who brought the project to life. The artists, designers and visionaries behind that jersey did what they were supposed to do. The execution was high-level. The production was not the problem.

The marketing was.

Another thought that came to me in that moment: Did the creatives involved get paid what they deserved? If Charlotte wants to be taken seriously as a creative hub, it has to start compensating people appropriately. Too often, the culture is extracted but not properly valued. That’s part of the problem.

This isn’t just about branding. It’s structural and has become cultural. The reluctance to fully embrace and amplify Black identity isn’t just a marketing flaw; it’s a leadership and funding issue. Too many decision-makers straddle the line between progress, preservation, diversity and dilution. In holding this position and constantly playing it safe, some leaders undermine Charlotte’s potential to be something greater than a financial hub with a decent arts scene.

Charlotte has everything it needs to be great. Rich Black history. Cultural depth. A strong business backbone. But instead of standing tall in its own identity, the city second-guesses itself.

Charlotte seems to keep its Black identity at arm’s length, hesitant to fully embrace and amplify it. That’s a massive part of why it struggles to make an impact beyond its own borders, afraid to take up too much space. Afraid to own its Blackness. Scared to be bold, be loud and demand attention.

Maybe that’s what Queen Charlotte felt as she navigated both sides of the coin in her multicultural life.

This city vigorously dances between ambition and insecurity; it’s exhausting to watch. So how does Charlotte shake this identity crisis and finally claim its place?

Stop Chasing Atlanta’s Shadow.

Charlotte isn’t Atlanta, and that’s fine. The city doesn’t need to mimic the cultural playbook of another powerhouse to prove its worth. It needs to build its own.

Atlanta succeeded by embracing its Black identity unapologetically — by making space for Black creatives, Black-owned businesses, and Black wealth. What’s uniquely Charlotte? What’s the identity that belongs to this city alone? That’s the question leadership should be asking.

Tell the World Who You Are.

Charlotte, you’ve got world-class creatives, deep Black history, and a thriving entrepreneurial scene. So why are you marketing like you’re explaining yourself to the neighbors instead of announcing yourself to the world? The marketing approach is too insular — talking at Charlotte instead of for Charlotte. Stop trying to make culture corporate.

Put Black Leadership & Funding

First.

If you want culture, fund it. If you want authenticity, hire it. If you want greatness, invest in it.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Green, white and red.

Cotton candy.

Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Maybelline.

Mercenary.

Martin Van Buren, born after the Revolutionary War.

“Family Ties.”

Harry Potter and the Dursley family.

Trivia Answers

If Charlotte wants to be known for its creative and cultural impact, it must stop treating Black art, business and influence like an afterthought. That means funding Black-led projects at the same level that corporate-backed initiatives get funded.

It means placing Black decision-makers at the head of significant cultural conversations — not just as consultants but as power players. If Black influence is good enough to market, it’s good enough to be prioritized in leadership and funding.

Pay Creatives Their Worth.

The city loves to extract creativity but struggles to compensate for it. How many artists, designers, and strategists have put their talent into Charlotte’s identity, only to be offered exposure instead of actual payment?

If Charlotte wants to be a cultural hub, it has to stop treating creative work like a favor and start treating it like the economy-driving force that it is.

Charlotte — Girl?! — you have everything you need to be great, but you’re standing in your own way. Stop looking sideways and start owning your space.

The world is watching—what are you going to do?

With Realness, An Outsider

Ashley Mozingo, MBA, is at @coachmozingo on all social media platforms.

SAVAGE LOVE

ACID TONGUED

Dying to eat it

By Dan Savage

I’m a cis man in a monogamous relationship with a cis woman who is going through perimenopause. She was recently prescribed a boric acid suppository to help deal with some normal but persistent vaginal health issues. Her doctor and all the reliable online medical resources we’ve found said we should wait “24-48” hours after she uses a suppository before I give her oral sex, as the stuff can be toxic if ingested. That’s all well and good, but if she uses a suppository every time we have PIV — which is what her doctor recommended — that would leave very little opportunity for me to eat her out, which I love to do and she loves to receive. (We have PIV probably 3-4 times a week and I would go down on her all day every day if I could.) Her health and comfort obviously come first, and we enjoy lots of other ways of having sex, so this isn’t the end of the world. But I do feel like we would need to mourn the (hopefully temporary) loss of something we really enjoy. So, my question for you is this: Exactly how toxic is this stuff really? Are we talking drop-dead-on-the-spot toxic or more like risking-a-bad-tummy-ache toxic? And to my mind there’s a big difference between 24 and 48 hours in this regard, but that is as specific as the information we’ve been able to find. I don’t want to put my health at risk, of course, but I would like a better sense of just how careful we should be with this.

I’m Not Gobbling Extremely Serious Toxins

“The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) published a safety brief last year due to reports of multiple people unintentionally orally ingesting boric acid vaginal suppositories,” said Dr. Stacy De-Lin, associate medical director for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in New York. “But the National Capitol Poison Center, aka Poison Control, found that the small amount of boric acid in a single capsule would not be expected to cause harm — a person would likely have to ingest large amounts of boric acid to result in issues like vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. And severe potential issues — things like kidney problems or death — have never been known to occur, according to Poison Control.”

So, while Dr. De-Lin and I believe you should follow the recommendations of your wife’s doctor, INGEST, the risks are low — and we’re talking tummy aches here and not an early death — and we would both understand why you might, after doing your own risk/benefit analysis, conclude the risks are worth the rewards.

“INGEST could try it out” — you could try going down on your wife 24 hours after she’s used the suppository — “and see if any mild adverse effects occur,” said Dr. De-Lin. “Avoiding swallowing while performing oral sex may also help mitigate any potential GI issues.”

Dr. De-Lin had one other recommendation that she wanted you to pass along to the wife.

“If INGEST’s partner is taking boric acid suppositories to help with vaginal health issues due to perimenopause,” said Dr. De-Lin, “it’s worth speaking to her gynecologist about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). When hormone levels change around menopause, vaginal atrophy is common, and this thinning of the vaginal lining can lead to discomfort and infections. Multiple studies have shown that HRT, both when applied topically to the vagina or when used systemically, can improve vaginal tissue elasticity, moisturize the vagina, and have a substantial impact on improving vaginal microflora to decrease infections.”

Follow Dr. Stacy De-Lin on Instagram and Threads @stacydelin_md.

I’m in a poly partnership in which outside play was until recently confined to foursomes with other trusted couples. My partner recently broke a few rules with a couple of guys — via text — which would have been fine if I’d known they were happening. I was going through some work stress at the time, and I was much less open to communication than I should have been, so she didn’t talk to me about this. So, I share some small part of the blame. One of these sexting relationships, to my mind, is fine to continue because it was respectful, polite and didn’t go too far emotionally. The other relationship, however, veered quickly into “I love you” territory and included a whole bunch of short videos, some of which I think were risky and outside our normal rules — panty stuffing, for example. I asked for that one to be terminated and it has been. I have two questions:

1. I’ve been under the impression that panty stuffing is a risky behavior, with a possibility of toxic shock, so I’ve absolutely never asked a partner to do it. Am I correct in thinking this? Is this a myth?

2. The respectful guy, with whom we’ve both exchanged pics now, requested a play date with my partner. I was open to a threesome or a play date at our place where they could have time alone together while I was nearby, but that’s evolved into the idea of a solo play date at his place. I think I’m fine to drive her over to his place for a few hours — not an overnight, protected sex only, no restraints used — but there’s an obvious fracture in our trust right now and that’s a problem. So, I’ve ordered a new day collar for my partner and said they can set a date when the collar arrives. Have I fucked this up?

Seeking To Understand Fraught Feelings

1. Toxic shock syndrome isn’t a myth — it is very real — but I don’t think briefly stuffing someone’s panties in her vagina (or asking someone to stuff her own panties in her own vagina) presents a serious risk of illness or death. But I ran that part of your question past Dr. De-Lin while I had her on the line, STUFF, just to be sure.

“Any foreign body left in the vagina for a long period of time could potentially lead to toxic shock syndrome,” said Dr. De-Lin. “The introduction of any foreign material into the vagina can lead to risks, primarily infection and irritation, which are dependent on factors like the material being absorbent or synthetic, which underwear is. But toxic shock syndrome is very rare and usually only develops due to extended insertion.”

So, if your partner isn’t leaving her panties in her vagina for hours or days at a time — which I can’t imagine she’s doing — panty stuffing isn’t going to kill her.

“When it comes to putting foreign material into the vagina, in order to reduce the risk of infection, it is generally recommended that the item is nonporous and able to be well-sanitized, like silicone or stainless steel,” said Dr. De-Lin. “An alternate recommended approach would be using fabrics externally, on the vulva, while using safer materials for insertion.”

In other words: Wear panties, insert insertables — doctor’s orders.

2. You’re asking me for a guarantee, STUFF, which I can’t offer you. If nothing goes wrong — if your partner and this other guy honor the boundaries you’ve set and include you in some small way (collar stays on, pics get sent) and you don’t wind up having a meltdown — then you won’t feel like you fucked this up. But if something goes wrong — if they do something wrong and you wind up having a meltdown or they do everything right and you still wind up having a meltdown (it happens) — then you’re going to feel like you fucked this up. You’re taking a risk, STUFF, and there’s no guarantee things will go perfectly and/or you won’t feel some big feelings, up to and including feelings of regret.

It’s not uncommon for someone in an open relationship — which is what yours is — to have a bit of a meltdown and/or experience intense or overwhelming feelings. Sometimes an afterthe-fact meltdown is a sign that it was a mistake, STUFF, and if you’re anticipating a meltdown, that might be a sign that it would be a mistake to take this step now. But sometimes a meltdown is a bid for attention — negative attention seeking — and if your partner knows she needs to lavish you with attention, affection and gratitude after this meeting, you’re less likely to have the kind of meltdown you can’t come back from.

I am poly and have been in ENM relationships for the past decade. I recently visited a friend in another state and had a lovely, intimate weekend with them. During our weekend together they told me they have a girlfriend who doesn’t know they’re cheating — and not only with me. My friend is a professional athlete, semi-famous, and they don’t have other friends or examples of ethical non-monogamy in their life. For the nearly 10 years that I’ve known them, it’s been

clear to me that they’re more suited for ENM. I would say they’re MUD: monogamous under duress. Knowing what I know now, how do I ethically engage with this person? I don’t see them frequently — it’s been more than a year since we last saw each other — but when we do hangout, I am glad to be their friend who can help them explore ENM, ask questions and encourage them to move in a more ethical manner. I feel awful that their partner doesn’t know about the cheating, and I hate contributing to it. I also feel for my friend as I know this loverboy is not meant for monogamy.

Side Piece Under Duress

You left something off that list of things you’re “glad to be” when you hang out with your old friend: in addition to being glad to be his friend, his sounding board and his ethically non-monogamous role model, SPUD, you’re also glad to be his fuck toy, right? Professional athletes have great bodies (curlers and dart players excluded), they have tons of stamina and they stay in nice hotels. So, as you reason your way through this moral conundrum, SPUD, you need to be on your guard against the kind of self-serving rationalizations — or the kind of clitful/dickful thinking — that can lead a person to do something (or keep doing something) that doesn’t align with their stated values. In your case, SPUD, you’ve very nearly convinced yourself that cheating with someone who’s “doing it right,” i.e. someone practicing ethical non-monogamy and therefore isn’t cheating on their partner, might inspire your hot, semi-famous friend to stop “doing it wrong,” i.e. stop practicing unethical nonmonogamy.

Now, it’s entirely possible your example will inspire this pro athlete to straighten up and cheat right; there are definitely people out there who’ve had the sense fucked into them. But let’s not kid ourselves: People who’ve cheated on their partners with people who weren’t cheating on their own — cheaters who were inspired to ask their partners for forgiveness (for fucking around) and permission (to keep fucking around) — are few and far between. And while I don’t doubt your pussy is magic (all pussies are), your pussy ain’t chemo and it’s not going to cure him.

All that said, SPUD, it’s not your job to police this man’s behavior; both his relationship with his girlfriend and the salvation of his immortal soul are his business. But if you don’t wanna contribute to cheating, you have no choice but to stop fucking this guy. If you keep fucking this guy, SPUD, you shouldn’t pretend you’re doing it for him. You’re doing it for you.

P.S. I would do and have done the same thing you’re doing, SPUD: fucked someone I was free to fuck who wasn’t free to fuck me. I also assuaged my own guilt by urging the person to make things right with their partner. So, I’m not judging you.

Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@savage.love or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage. love/askdan; podcasts, columns, merch and more at Savage.Love.