September SouthPark 2023

FAR FROM ORDINARY, YET CLOSE TO EVERYTHING.

Built in 1915, the Duke Mansion has been home and host to leaders of the 20th century. Today the inn and meeting place is owned and operated as a nonprofit. When you choose the Duke Mansion, you help support and protect this community treasure.

With proximity to uptown Charlotte and Charlotte Douglas International Airport and nestled in one of the Queen City’s most idyllic neighborhoods, the Duke Mansion is the perfect spot to meet, stay and relax.

Stay the night in one of our twenty beautifully appointed guest rooms, featuring fine furnishings, luxurious linens, private bathrooms, and scenic views of our fountains, gardens and grounds.

With unique event spaces and an exceptional on-site culinary team, the Duke Mansion is the perfect backdrop for any celebration.

704.714-4400 | dukemansion.org

400 Hermitage Road | Charlotte, NC

The Duke Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a nonprofit supported by its patrons, donors and neighbors.

Hello, September! It’s still hot out, but the sunlight hits a little different these days, suggesting fall is just around the corner.

It’s actually mid-August as I write this, and I’ve just returned from a weeklong family beach vacation. After all the planning and packing and the rush to get out of town, I sometimes struggle to slip into relaxation mode right away. This time, it was Thursday — five days into our seven-day trip — before Vacation Mom emerged. My son declared her arrival that morning, as I stood at the kitchen counter eating a slice of leftover birthday cake for breakfast.

Vacation Mom became a thing in our family several years ago, on a post-holiday getaway to Savannah, Ga. A few sips into my second very pink (and apparently, very potent) cocktail at Treylor Park, one of our go-tos for an easy dinner in the Hostess City, my family coined the term — and promptly let me know how much more enjoyable our trips become once Vacation Mom turns up.

Before you rush to judge, let me clarify — this isn’t specifically about alcohol consumption. Vacation Mom eats cake and ice cream for breakfast, if the mood strikes.

She doesn’t nag you about picking up those wet beach towels crumpled on the floor or tracking in too much sand. Cheetos are an acceptable snack when Vacation Mom is around, and not just the baked ones. And she never asks you about your GPA, how that search for a fall internship is coming along, or where that new dent in the side of your car came from. (All seemingly benign questions to me, but others disagree.)

Alas, two days of Vacation Mom just wasn’t enough. Next summer, I think I need to take two weeks off. SP

IN THIS ISSUE:

1 & 2 — The IT List (page 94)

3 — Little Sugar Creek Greenway (page 152)

4 — Ghanaian jollof rice by Chef Awo Amenumey (page 34)

5 — Carolina Panthers President Kristi Coleman (page 112)

6 — Charlie the cat, at home on Valencia Terrace (page 124)

CATHY MARTIN EDITOR

BLVD.

26 | interiors

Tracery, a new online collective, aims to simplify — and demystify — purchasing art.

28 | style

Closet crush: Renata Gasparian

34 | cuisine

Tale of the plate: Chef Awo Amenumey’s Ghanaian jollof rice

38 | food + drink

OpenTap fills a void in south Charlotte with food trucks, fitness clubs, live music and beer.

42 | festivals

In its second year, Charlotte International Arts Festival offers richly textured cultural experiences.

52 | arts

Fifteen local artists prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime trip as part of a new international arts exchange.

54 | day trips

NC Wine Gals showcases the vineyards reshaping the state’s wine industry through tours to Yadkin Valley.

60 | givers

The Dottie Rose Foundation gets girls excited about careers in computer science and technology.

62 | around town

What’s new and coming soon in Charlotte

66 | happenings

September calendar of events

DEPARTMENTS

75 | bookshelf

Notable new releases

79 | simple life

A seedy family of squirrels drives an old man nuts.

83 | well + wise

The power of your words

145 | swirl

Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

152 | gallery

A new greenway section allows walkers, runners and cyclists to travel from NoDa to South Carolina.

ABOUT THE COVER:

IT List,” page 94)

Photograph by Kori Hoffman, produced by Whitley Adkins, on-site makeup touch-ups by Josiah Reed; on location at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. (“The

FEATURES

94 | The IT List produced by Whitley Adkins photographs by Kori Hoffman and Richard Israel 22 men and women with impeccable personal style

112 | Top cat by Michelle Boudin photographs by Krista Jasso

Carolina Panthers President Kristi Coleman moves up from the sidelines to become one of two women leading NFL teams.

116 | Finding home by Catherine Ruth Kelly photographs by Laura Sumrak

Kathleen Fox of Perch Interiors designs a high-end spec home, with her own family’s lifestyle as her guide.

124 | Retro rewind by Page Leggett

photographs by Dustin Peck

A restored midcentury ranch in SouthPark takes its place in this year’s Mad About Modern home tour.

TRAVEL

132 | Mountain escapes by Jason Frye

Cool off at one of these lesser-explored western North Carolina towns.

Gynecomastia

Plastic Surgery

Neurotoxins & Fillers (All) Chemical Peels

Cool Sculpting

Dermatology

Parasitic Infections

Pigmentation Irregularities

Dermatopathology

Cosmetics

Psoriasis

Precancerous and Cancerous Growths Rashes

Rosacea

Scars

Skin Allergies

Sunspots/Sun

HydraFacial

Microblading

Microdermabrasion

Micro-needling/

An Integrated Approach to Managing Multi-Generational Family Wealth

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Miranda Glyder Graphic Designer Whitley Adkins Style Editor

Contributing Editor David Mildenberg

Contributing Writers

Michelle Boudin, Jim Dodson, Asha Ellison, Jason Frye, Catherine Ruth Kelly, Juliet Lam Kuehnle, Amanda Lea, Page Leggett, Michael J. Solender

Contributing Photographers

Daniel Coston, Kori Hoffman, Heather Ison, Richard Israel, Krista Jasso, Amy Kolo, Dustin Peck, Laura Sumrak

Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill

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SouthPark After Five

Experience free live music, interactive art, craft drinks, and food trucks at the community concert series this fall.

BY CURTIS GROLL

blvd.

people, places, things

BOLD AND FRESH

Puerta has arrived in Elizabeth, with dinner and late-night Mexican fare plus plenty of tequila and mezcal cocktails in the space previously home to The Stanley. It’s the newest concept from the team behind The Crunkleton, Rosemont Market & Wine Bar and Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor. Expect salads like the Jalisco Jicama (watermelon, avocado, jicama, mixed greens with a tequila vinaigrette), shareable dips and salsas, tacos (barbacoa, al pastor, seafood, carne asada), empanadas, and hearty entrees. Puerta is located at 1961 E. 7th St. and is open 5 p.m.–midnight Sun.-Tues. and 5 p.m.–2 a.m. Wed.-Sat. Reserve a table at resy.com. puertaclt.com. SP

PHOTOGRAPH

For art’s sake

TRACERY, A NEW ONLINE COLLECTIVE CURATED FOR A QUEEN CITY AESTHETIC, AIMS TO SIMPLIFY — AND DEMYSTIFY — PURCHASING ART.

by Cathy Martin | photographs by Heather Ison

Shopping for art can be intimidating, especially for new buyers or those just beginning to build a collection. Some brickand-mortar galleries are open only by appointment; other online galleries require clients to submit an inquiry to view prices.

“I think all of that deters people from original art,” says Tracey Wooster, a Charlotte interior designer. Last month, Wooster debuted Tracery, an online collective featuring carefully selected

works by southern artists. The initial launch included about 30 pieces from nearly a dozen female artists.

Wooster, a Georgetown University graduate and Charlotte native, transitioned from pharmaceutical sales to interior design after her family moved back to the Queen City in 2019. She launched Tracey Wooster Design a year later after working at Whitney Sturge Interiors.

Tracery is an offshoot of her design business. “When you’re in interior design, you’re always sourcing things,” says Wooster, who would spend hours scrolling Instagram searching for art for clients. “I felt like there was this gap in the market in terms of that buying experience for original art, and I wanted to modernize that process.”

Though Wooster also sources art from traditional brick-and-mortar galleries, she admits not everyone has the budget — or desire — to spend five figures on a painting. Others might be looking to invest in a single statement piece but still want original art for the rest of their home. At Tracery, she plans to keep prices in the $150 to $4,000 range.

Wooster already had a relationship with some of the artists in the collective, having previously purchased their works. Tracery’s roster includes local abstract artist Martha Serenius; Louisiana artist

Caroline Schneider; Nashville mixed-media artist Karen Davis; and several Atlanta artists.

Wooster looks for a variety of mediums (paint on canvas, panels, mixed-media) and sizes, but most importantly, she’s looking for a certain aesthetic. “I wanted pieces that I could imagine hanging on people’s walls in Charlotte,” she says, and that are cohesive with a variety of interiors.

She hopes eventually to partner with other small businesses in hosting occasional pop-ups, but for now, the business is online only. She hopes Tracery can serve as a vetted resource for casual collectors and inspire new buyers to develop an appreciation for fine art.

“I know in my own personal experience, I was not interested in original art until I bought a few smaller pieces. And then once I hung those on my wall, they brought me so much joy.” SP

CLOSET CRUSH: Renata Gasparian

by Whitley Adkins

Renata Gasparian Lima has always worked in fashion. At 21, she got a job at Daslu, a boutique department store chain in Sao Paolo, Brazil. “Eventually, I went into managing,” says Renata, 41. “I became close with the owner, and she gave me opportunities in marketing, public relations and leading the showrooms in Paris. It was very glamorous.”

Renata, who was born in Sao Paolo and grew up in Connecticut and Brazil, moved to the Queen City with her husband, Caio, and their family in 2015. (The couple met in 2000, when Renata studied for a year at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.) “I started selling clothing and accessories for my close friends in Brazil who had their own brands. I did this for two years, and it became clear people were enjoying the fashions. It was my husband who said, ‘You work so hard, why don’t you start your own business?’”

A family friend introduced her to a factory owner in India. In 2020, she launched Renata by Renata Gasparian, a boutique women’s clothing label. “In Brazil, I was always on the commercial side, working in marketing, managing and public relations, so this was the first time I was on the designer side … It was so hard, but I found myself — I had to believe in myself.”

Her father, who splits his time between Charlotte, Brazil and Canada, is her business partner. “He does everything I don’t want to do. I do everything to have the product come to life: study the fabric, design the silhouettes, understand what my clients want,” says Renata. She’s especially particular when it comes to sourcing fabric. The garments are often made with jacquard, silk georgette, cotton voile and embroidered cotton, along with chanderi, a lightweight Indian silk.

Here we take a look inside Renata’s East Boulevard studio. To shop the brand, message @Renata_Gasparian on Instagram, and learn more at renatagasparian.com.

Comments have been lightly edited.

| photographs by Amy Kolo

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE ITEMS IN YOUR CURRENT COLLECTION?

The vests. Also, I love tie-dye and crochet.

WHAT IS YOUR PRICE POINT?

$318 is an average. Vests start at $288, and dresses are around $418. All of my prices end with eight, because eight is infinity. It was like this at Daslu.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

Feminine with an edge. I believe women don’t have to wear tight clothes to be sexy. I feel it is much more interesting when you can wear something flowy, and it still creates a spark of interest. I love to mix high with low. One thing that is super important to me is versatility — being able to dress in the morning and wear the outfit throughout the day and feel pretty.

YOU WEAR YOUR OWN DESIGNS 99% OF THE TIME. WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO CREATING A LOOK?

I always want it to look very fresh and crisp. Whether it’s the tie, the belt, the vest or the print, there will always be something special that stands out. Look good, feel beautiful, but not like you tried hard. A lot of my inspiration leans toward boho, natural style, flowy and natural makeup. I feel like we never get tired of that. I feel like there is always a little secret to that.

IS THERE A RHYME OR REASON TO HOW YOU DESIGN YOUR OWN CLOSET?

I like to organize my closet by color and by season. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS, OUTSIDE OF YOUR OWN.

Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, Ulla Johnson, Chloe, Valentino. SP

THIS OR THAT

Solid or pattern: Pattern

Dress or pants: Dress

Sneaker or dress shoe: Both!

Neutral or bright: Bright

Tailored or flowy: Flowy, that’s me. Same with hair — wavy over straight.

European or American fashion: European

Short or long earrings: Short. I just wear studs — no big earrings.

Stars or moons: Stars

Animal print or floral: Floral, though I love animal print. Can I say both?

Tucked or untucked. Tucked

Clutch or crossbody. If you look at all my bags, you can wear them multiple ways. All of them, you can hide the straps.

Belt or sunglasses: Belt. I can’t wear sunglasses. They drive me crazy.

TALE OF THE PLATE:

Ghanaian jollof rice

CHEF AWO AMENUMEY

by Asha Ellison | photographs by Jack King Media

Jollof rice is a staple across West Africa, especially in Ghana. The dish, a cultural representation of the more than 100 ethnic groups that make up the region, is an all-occasion delight found at just about every event in the country. Its roots run wide and deep.

The debate between which African country makes the best jollof rice is akin to that of Carolina barbecue. While the battle is not about eastern or western, it does focus on how the dish — which originated during the West African Wolof Empire (1300s to the mid-1500s) — has uniquely transformed and spread to other West African countries such as Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria. Regardless of which country truly does it best, Charlotte chef Awo Amenumey, 36, stands firm that Ghanaian jollof holds its own. The mom, wife, caterer and cultivator of elegant dining experiences feels this way for a reason: Jollof rice is comforting and approachable.

“When I think of jollof, it reminds me of community and togetherness,” says Awo, who is from Accra, the capital of Ghana. “It is a dish that you can make with very basic ingredients that most people have in their kitchens and still come out with [something] flavorful.”

And Chef Awo would know. She credits both her maternal and paternal grandmothers and her mother as her inspiration to begin cooking, teaching her the foundation of Ghanaian cuisine at just 8 years old. Today, she finds inspiration in a passion to bring Ghanaian food to the forefront of the culinary scene.

“I have memories of my aunt making a smoked herring version,” Awo says, reminiscing on fond childhood experiences. “All of my cousins and I would gather to devour heaping bowls of jollof rice. Now, I’m able to put my own twist on classics I grew up with,” she adds.

Awo, who initially went to school for fashion merchandising,

found her way back to the kitchen in 2015 when she left her 9-to-5 job for culinary school with a nudge of encouragement from her husband. For Awo, sharing the Ghanaian food experience brings immense joy, especially when she is first to introduce newcomers to the cuisine. She pairs or plates her dishes in a way that allows even hesitant dinner guests to make a connection with their meal.

And because Awo believes food has the power to bring people together, she shares her Ghanaian jollof recipe for all joy to enjoy. What’s better than having a winning recipe for jollof rice? Inviting a few friends to join you around the dinner table.

“One who eats alone cannot discuss the delicious taste with others,” Awo says.

Jollof Rice

by Awo Amenumey

serves 4, cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups basmati or jasmine rice

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 red onion (1/2 sliced)

1/2 stalk leeks, sliced

4 diced roma tomatoes

1/2 inch ginger

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon ground rosemary

1 tablespoon ground anise seeds

1 teaspoon ground calabash nutmeg

1 tablespoon curry powder

2 bay leaves

3 habanero peppers (for a less spicy sauce, use 1)

2 cups chicken stock

1 chicken bouillon cube (optional)

Salt to taste

Directions:

Rinse rice under running water until it runs clear, and allow to drain in a sieve.

Blend vegetables (bell pepper, carrot, roma tomatoes) with habanero, half onion, garlic and ginger and set aside. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add sliced onions and leeks. Fry for 2 minutes and add tomato paste, stirring to combine. Fry for an additional 3 minutes. Add vegetable mixture, stir to combine, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing tomatoes to cook down.

Add bouillon (if using), rosemary, anise seeds, calabash nutmeg, bay leaves and curry powder and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. (Be careful when stirring and ensure to cover the pot, as sauce will splatter.) Reduce heat and allow spices to infuse the sauce for about 10-15 minutes. Add rice and stir in 1 cup of stock. Add just enough stock to cover the rice, and, if needed, add remaining stock. Don’t add too much, as this will lead to a soggy rice, and you want your jollof to come out nice and fluffy.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, and bring to a boil until liquid is halfway absorbed. Turn the heat to low and let the rice steam until tender and fluffy.

Serve jollof with your choice of protein and fried plantains.

Chef’s note:

You can substitute barley, quinoa, fonio or sorghum for the rice, and add any other vegetables or legumes of your choosing to the rice when cooking (green beans, peas, corn, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, etc.) For a vegan option, omit the chicken stock and use vegetable stock or coconut milk. SP

Visit ehvivi.com to learn about Chef Awo’s upcoming Eh’vivi dinner experiences and for information about private dining and catering. You can also follow her on Instagram at @awocooks and @eh__vivi

We’re also skilled at listening.

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Pour-fection

by Cathy Martin

Scott and Brooke Thorne have long enjoyed Charlotte’s craft-beer scene. But in south Charlotte, where the couple live, there are few breweries or taprooms to grab a pint after work or working out.

SouthPark has Legion Brewing and Suffolk Punch, and downtown Matthews has a burgeoning beer culture. “But really everything in between is just kind of a beer desert,” Scott Thorne says. “We just always accepted that and kind of complained about it here and there.” So one evening, on a nearly 40-minute drive home from a Food Truck Friday event near uptown, the couple decided to do something about it.

In March, they debuted OpenTap, a 7,500-square-foot self-pour taproom with 64 rotating taps just off Carmel Road. The owners, who have an 8-year-old son, Benjamin, describe the family-friendly venue as a “modern log cabin” with a fenced patio and front yard. “Kids can flow in and out, but they’re enclosed and they’re safe,” Scott says.

North Carolina beers are the main focus, but there’s also wine, seltzer, cider, kombucha and soda. Here’s how it works: Guests receive a wristband upon arrival that tracks how much they pour, and they’re charged by the ounce. (Only adults receive wristbands to enable the taps, so children can’t access the hard stuff or overdo it on sugary soda.) Scott, who previously worked in operations and

at digital-media company Red Ventures, says the system eliminates a major pain point for customers: having to wait for busy bartenders and servers to pour and deliver drinks.

OpenTap has a rotating food-truck schedule that’s booked every night, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons. A built-in port allows the trucks to back right up to the covered patio, plug in (eliminating the need for noisy generators) and serve guests, rain or shine.

The port is just one of OpenTap’s distinct design features. Others include a “treehouse” mezzanine and a cross-laminated timber roof: Layers of Austrian spruce are arranged crosswise and glued together for a durable and sustainable alternative to heavier materials that’s also aesthetically pleasing. Community tables are made from reclaimed lumber from fallen trees in Charlotte.

While developing the concept for OpenTap, the Thornes interviewed several architects, but none of their ideas sparked excitement. They began thinking about the local places they loved visiting — Haberdish, Mac’s Speed Shop, Suffolk Punch Brewing — and Cluck Design was behind all of them.

“They’re amazing, and they’re just really cool people,” Brooke says of the local architecture firm tapped to lead the design for OpenTap. “They’re brilliant and super creative, but they’re also really kind — and they’re really kind to each other.”

The modern log cabin theme was inspired by the couple’s love

BREW CULTURE BARELY EXISTED IN SOUTH CHARLOTTE. OPENTAP FILLS THE VOID WITH FOOD TRUCKS, FITNESS CLUBS, LIVE MUSIC — AND, OF COURSE, BEER.

OpenTap founders Scott and Brooke Thorne and their son, Benjamin

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UNDER CONTRACT

UNDER CONTRACT

OpenTap is located at 5010 Carmel Center Dr. The taproom is kid-friendly, but dogs aren’t allowed. “Not all kids are dog-friendly, and not all dogs are kid-friendly,” says Scott, so the owners decided they needed to choose one or the other.

In addition to live music Saturdays and trivia Wednesdays, OpenTap has a full slate of events in September, including:

• A pop-up vendor market Sept. 2, 13 and 30

• Sycamore Candy Camper Tap Takeover Sept. 9, with eight Sycamore beers, a photo booth, cornhole and live music

• An Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 23, with live music from the Steubenville Tootlers (a German oompah band), German beers and contests

of the outdoors. “When you’re in nature, and you’ve just done something active — when you have a beer afterwards, that’s a fantastic feeling,” Scott says. “And when you walk in here, you feel like, ‘I could be in somebody’s vacation house.’”

In that spirit, OpenTap hosts a run club Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., and yoga classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Yoga sometimes takes place in the outdoor garden, which seats about 50 and has a putting green and sports court. The Thornes recently inked a partnership with The North Face to sponsor the clubs, and they hope to add rock-climbing and mountain-biking groups.

The clubs are just one way OpenTap is working to ingrain itself as a community hub. There’s live music on Saturdays and trivia on Wednesdays, pop-up markets, and other themed events.

“We just built our perfect craft beer experience — what resonates with us,” Scott says. When asked about expansion plans, however, he brushes off the idea. “No, I don’t think like that,” he says. “This is for our community, and we think this is important. Every day we try to get a little bit better … and show people a good time.” SP

Supporting North Carolina brewers is a key focus at OpenTap. “I’m so proud to be from North Carolina,” says Scott Thorne, who grew up in the mountains west of Asheville. “It’s one of the best states in the country, especially for beer.”

The community tables were crafted by Carolina Urban Lumber, a local business that repurposes fallen trees into custom furniture and lumber.

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Going global

IN ITS SECOND YEAR, CHARLOTTE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL BRINGS LOCAL, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL ARTISTS TOGETHER IN A CULTURAL CELEBRATION.

by Michael J. Solender

Earlier this summer, Anuja Jain found herself deep in the throes of an extensive homebuilding project.

And while it wasn’t her own house the Ballantyne resident and multidisciplinary artist was constructing, her focus and commitment to the project was nonetheless all-consuming. Jain was feverishly creating dozens of birdhouses, some two stories tall, painted with geometric mandala patterns. Jain’s creative outlet is featured in a special art installation, “Birdhouse Forest,” at this month’s Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF).

In its second year, CIAF features dozens of local, national and international artists, musicians and performers, along with food from across the globe, at more than 200 attractions (many free)

across multiple sites in uptown and Ballantyne from Sept. 15 through Oct. 1.

Jain is one of nine local artists selected as a 2023 Blumenthal Fellow and awarded grants for their work by Blumenthal Performing Arts (BPA), the festival’s organizer and producer. BPA awarded $85,000 to this year’s fellows as part of its mission for the festival to bring together local and global artists in a cultural celebration.

“We launched CIAF with a twofold goal,” says Tom Gabbard, BPA president and CEO. “To bring big, bold and wonderful things to Charlotte, and to showcase our local international artists. We are a far more diverse community than many people realize. The oppor-

Duain Richmond & Dancers, Fela! the Concert

tunity to celebrate the level of international diversity here in Charlotte is something to look forward to.”

In this spirit of collaboration, Charlotte’s long-running Festival of India and the Latin American Festival have joined CIAF as partners and will hold their festivals under the CIAF umbrella. New this year, an international bazaar at Founders Hall will showcase multicultural artisans and vendors selling their custom wares to the public.

LARGE SCALE INSTALLATIONS

“I’m creating a whimsical and colorful kind of magical spot,” Jain says of her colorfully painted birdhouses, collectively arranged in the style of a mandala. “I want people to connect with their inner child in experiencing this artwork. Mandala art is spiritual and symbolic and embodies relaxation and concentration.” Jain, whose works have been featured in Charlotte’s Festival of India and the 100 Tiny Things Project, originally hails from the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Gaia at Founders Hall

Festival of India

Achieve a Trail Goal!

We’ll help

go trail running

donate to a land trust climb a rock face

spot some wildlife

hike to a waterfall

there greatoutdoorprovision.com / yearofthetrail

start a thru-hike

go bird watching in a state park

take a new trail with the kids

identify a rare plant species

participate in a trail cleanup

camp overnight

go hiking with my dog

roast marshmallows

Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

Greg Urquhart is another local artist selected as a Blumenthal Fellow whose work is featured at CIAF. His large-scale project, “What the Duck,” is a giant 8-by-6-foot resin duck made from nearly 4,000 smaller ducks that are 1.5 inches high.

“Thematically, I like the idea of a rubber duck and how it brings people back to a simpler time,” says Urquhart of his

playful creation. “As we get older, life gets tricky, and some of these fond memories are more difficult to recall.”

“Inorganica: Flora and Fauna of the Sea,” is the imaginative creation of functional artist Angela Clousher. The 28-foot tunnel of light and sound is an immersive installation representative of living, breathing coral that visitors experience by walking through the work. The tunnel is constructed exclusively from reclaimed materials, all of which have been discarded as trash. “There’s an irony here in that many of the

The festival biergarten

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM CHRIS T. BLACK

CAY CRAIG

LUCY BUTLER

MELISSA COLLINS LEIGH C. CORSO

LINDA HENLEY THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM CHIP JETTON HEATHER MONTGOMERY

LINDSAY REDFERN LISA RUPP SARA ROCHE TEAM LISA WARREN HEATHER WOLKING

materials used in this project are those that might have ended up in our oceans as part of the massive trash islands that are killing the coral,” Clousher says.

Several of last year’s most popular attractions will return, including a large-scale installation by Moradavaga, a collaborative of Italian and Portuguese architects. They’ll feature Lotty, a giant interactive squid sculpture complete with acoustic properties. Birdmen, the large-scale animated puppets, also returns with new surprises for children and those young at heart.

The festival’s mission has garnered strong community backing. Earlier this year, the Leon Levine Foundation pledged $100,000 to support CIAF. This newest pledge marks the foundation’s largest gift to the nonprofit performing arts organization to date.

“As the city [Leon Levine] called home continues to grow, TLLF is dedicated to its development as a world-class cultural destination. We’re proud to support [BPA] as they bring the arts to unreached and underserved audiences through the Charlotte International Arts Festival,” says Tom Lawrence, the foundation’s president and CEO.

CIAF’s contribution to Charlotte’s arts ecosystem goes beyond bringing the community a joyful two-week celebration. Each artist is compensated for their work, and their art is expected to be experienced by tens of thousands of people.

“There is a full sector and artistic economy surrounding large-scale installations touring globally,” says Bree Stallings, director of artistic experiences at BPA. “One of the huge benefits of CIAF is a level of exposure and experience to the Charlotte artistic community and the opportunities that come with this.” Stallings notes the informal networks and sharing of ideas, resources and experiences formed by being part of the Fellowship class and the festival are invaluable. “BPA is committed to investing in arts and artists in our community. It’s a win for everybody.” SP

Charlotte International Arts Festival takes place Sept. 15 through Oct. 1. For schedules and additional information, visit charlotteartsfest.com.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JEREMY DANIEL

Roars

HAPPEN HERE.

Next year, a new champ will have their Pinehurst moment etched into history. Yours can be, too.

Culture trip

FIFTEEN LOCAL ARTISTS PREPARE FOR A ONCEIN-A-LIFETIME TRIP TO AFRICA AS PART OF A NEW INTERNATIONAL ARTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

by Page Leggett

Art is an easy way to expose people to other cultures.

So says Joanne Rogers, the owner/ curator of Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery at the uptown VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) Center she and her husband, Arthur, co-founded along with other local arts leaders. She’ll prove it on a grand scale next April when she kicks off the first Charlotte International Arts Exchange (CIAE) program.

Rogers will lead 15 Charlotte artists on a trip to Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya, for 10 days. Some of the artists have never left the country. One has never been on a plane. The cultural exchange is in partnership with Art Affair for Development Goals, a Kenyan arts organization. The visit will include studio tours and the development of a permanent public art project.

In July 2024, 15 Kenyan artists will visit Charlotte and teach, give school presentations and be immersed in the culture of the Queen City. Rogers has engaged community partners, including The Mint Museum and the Harvey B. Gantt Center, to help introduce the Kenyan artists to Charlotte culture.

“There will be skills learned, networks built,” Rogers promises. Though future groups of exchange artists will be more diverse, the inaugural group is composed entirely of people of color. “A lot of Black people have little sense of their ancestry,” Rogers says. She plans to introduce them to what, for many, is their ancestral home. (As for Rogers, she’s from Trinidad, and her family’s a mix of Congolese, Syrian, Irish and English.)

Charlotte-based fashion designer Will White is among the chosen artists. White’s ancestors are from Africa, and he’s eager to become only the second person in his family to visit the motherland.

Each Charlotte artist will be paired with a Kenyan artist for a oneon-one cultural exchange. White doesn’t know who he’ll be matched with, but since he’s the only fashion designer in the group, he knows it’ll be with an artist who uses a different medium. He’s excited to learn from someone “who works in a completely different realm.”

The Charlotte and Kenyan artists have been meeting over Zoom to get acquainted before meeting in person. The groups held simultaneous art auctions and sold a combined total of $18,000.

CIAE is in the thick of its fundraising campaign and has applied

for grants. The group needs to raise between $250,000 and $300,000 and are currently nearing the $100,000 mark, Rogers says.

In the meantime, Rogers is already planning the 2025 artist exchange. This time, there will be a call for submissions. And she’ll choose fewer artists. There’ll be 10 total — five from the Carolinas and five from throughout the country. Her group will head to Germany in 2025 and partner with Moving Poets, a multimedia arts collective founded in 1996 by dancer and choreographer Till Schmidt-Rimpler and his wife, the visual artist MyLoan Dinh. The group is based in both Charlotte and Berlin. (The artistic couple divides their time between the two cities.)

“We want to expose, and be exposed to, all different art forms –not just visual art,” Rogers says. “Art is a language. It can be a bridge to so many things.”

ONE ARTIST’S JOURNEY

When Rogers approached White to tell him about CIAE, he thought it would be an amazing opportunity for the lucky artists chosen. When Rogers told him he was among those she had in mind, he started crying. “I’ve never been to Africa,” he says. “And it was one of my life’s goals.”

He already feels a connection. In Kenya, he’ll still be thousands of miles from his ancestral home of Liberia, but he’ll at least be on the continent. “I’m down with the journey,” he says. “I love discovering new things and have always felt like a citizen of the world.”

He’s determined not to be that American — the one who’s loud and demanding — and will learn to say “please,” “thank you” and other useful phrases before he goes. He knows he’ll acquire African fabric and souvenirs and is planning accordingly. “I’m a chronic overpacker,” he says. “This time, I need to avoid that, because I want room in my suitcase to bring home treasures I find … I’m leaving room for wonder in my suitcase.”

White created a garment that’s a mashup of two cultures — an

African-inspired kimono made of patchwork textiles he bought locally and through a New York distributor. Authentic African fabric isn’t easy to find in Charlotte, but White discovered a source — Koubix African Fashion & Fabrics on West Sugar Creek Road. “They have an amazing selection of bold, beautiful fabrics,” he says. “Pictures do not do it justice. It’s owned by an African woman, and she sells textiles the way they do in Africa. You don’t buy it by the yard; you buy it by the bundle, which is about 6 yards long.”

That one garment has been lucky: He took a photo of it, submitted it to ArtPop Street Gallery, and was chosen as one of this year’s artists whose work is featured on billboards across the region. (In February, the work was featured in Times Square.) Rogers bought it at the recent auction, and it’s now on display in the VAPA Center. But she has a Will White original in her closet: She commissioned him to design a dress for her 55th birthday celebration, held at the gallery in February. She and her husband have also commissioned White to rework their wedding outfits for a vow renewal ceremony in September.

TRAVEL DISPELS MISCONCEPTIONS

White knows he’ll have his eyes opened in Africa. That tends

to happen when you escape your comfort zone. While a student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., he was exposed to international students from all over the globe. “There are so many shades of Black,” he says. “You realize how small your world has been.”

He met students from Africa who showed him photographs of where they were from — and they proved a revelation. “You’re ignorant until the point of your awakening,” he says. “I thought Africa would look like something from the Stone Age, and instead it looked like the future.”

Rogers expects the artists to have a few epiphanies while part of this program. “We all have so many misconceptions about other cultures,” she says. “We’re going to learn the truth. We want to demonstrate that we shouldn’t fear the other. When you immerse yourself in another culture, any fear goes away.” SP

Help spread cultural understanding: If you’d like to see work by the 15 local artists bound for Africa or donate to the international arts exchange, visit cltiae.com. Several levels of sponsorship are available, including sponsoring an individual artist. In addition to Will White, the artists heading to Kenya are Abel Jackson, Ani Todd, Anthony Burks, Arthur Rogers, Brenda Pinkston, Bryan Wilson, Chad Cartwright, Clayton Singleton, La’Porscha Smith, Nellie Ashford, Sabrina Tillman, Shawn Etheridge, Sloane Siobhan and J. Stacy Utley.

Opposite page: Fashion designer Will White is one of 15 local artists who will visit Kenya next year as part of the inaugural Charlotte International Arts Exchange. This photo of an African-inspired kimono created by White earned him a spot among ArtPop Street Gallery’s 2023 selected artists. This page: Downtown Nairobi

Drink and discover

NC WINE GALS SHOWCASES THE VINEYARDS RESHAPING NORTH CAROLINA’S WINE INDUSTRY THROUGH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TOURS TO YADKIN VALLEY.

by Amanda Lea

Megan Riley owns a global travel-tour company and is familiar with wines from Sonoma to Croatia. When she attended a wine-tasting event in the Queen City in 2007, she tried wines from several North Carolina vineyards. She quickly concluded that the state’s reputation for sweet wines was deserved.

North Carolina has been known for syrupy vino for decades. Cultivation of the scuppernong vine, a variety of muscadine, began in the 1500s. North Carolina led the nation’s wine production at the beginning of the 20th century. But Prohibition tanked sales, and the industry didn’t start growing again until the mid-2000s. Now, there are about 200 wineries and 400 vineyards in the

state — many of which offer a very different taste. (Spoiler alert: It’s not all muscadine.)

Several years after her first North Carolina wine encounter, Riley found herself at another wine tasting, this time paired with locally sourced food prepared by top-notch chefs. “In addition to the thoughtful food pairings, the local wine was paired with Old World options, so you could really have a head-to-head matchup of tastes,” Riley says. “There were North Carolina and French cabernet sauvignons, so you could see how our state compared to wines from other areas of the world. Experiencing the taste next to wines from California, France and Italy made me realize that our wine has come a long way from my first experience.”

Riley reached out to a friend, Jessica Diehl, about showcasing that progress by arranging winery tours. “We wanted to show wine drinkers the top quality vineyards in our area,” Riley says. “We are so passionate about changing the stigma about North Carolina’s wine options, we painted a motto on our vans that says ‘The unsweet wine tour.’”

Riley reached out to several local wineries to become familiar with the landscape. She also saw an opportunity to make the wine-tasting experience more personal. “There were a lot of ‘wine Ubers’ out there — transportation companies that would drive you around to different wineries but didn’t care if you bought the wine and weren’t invested in helping people learn more about North Carolina wines,” Riley says. “We wanted to go beyond transportation and provide a more personal and educational experience.”

In early 2019, Riley and Diehl bought the NC Wine Gals domain name and hit the ground running. Diehl left after the first year of business, while Riley is leading the company into its fifth year. NC Wine Gals has two vans and operates private and public tours from Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. The seven-hour tours include visits to three vineyards from a rotating roster of more than 40 vineyards in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley, about an hour north of Charlotte. Prices range from $159 to $229 per person, according to the company website.

To kick things off, the wine guide walks through an aroma kit, which consists of little perfume vials that help guests identify different smells they will encounter at the tastings. Each tour includes pairings of pastry and charcuterie, a picnic lunch, and vineyard tastings or flights.

In addition to running the business, Riley puts on her wine-guide hat, too. She leads about half of the Charlotte-based tours herself, about 30 or 40 a year. One thing that sets the business apart from similar tours is the level of engagement by their guides, Riley says. Over the course of the tour, the guide helps guests branch out and try adjacent varieties. The goal is to spark memories that will last.

“We aren’t just driving the van,” Riley says. “We build camaraderie with the group, share relatable wine knowledge, and even create fun playlists to sing along with on the ride. Some of my favorite customer reviews are when people talk about their wine guide by name.”

When the pandemic struck, NC Wine Gals had to fight to stay afloat. “Covid-19 decimated small businesses, and we were no exception,” Riley says. “It sent us into economic turmoil. A bridge loan from a family member allowed us to refund all our bookings. By that summer, we were able to do smaller tours with masks. It was enough to pay the bills. The business didn’t grow through 2021, but we maintained

KICK OFF FALL

cash flow.” Bookings have been consistent since October 2022, and Riley hopes to add a third vehicle.

NC Wine Gals now averages at least eight tours per month among its Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greensboro locations, and about four tours per month from Asheville. The audience skews about 95% female, ranging in age from 25 to 65. Riley would be happy for more men to show up. A new Bourbon & Wine tour could encourage that: The tour includes stops at two wineries and a distillery, plus doughnuts and a barbecue lunch. But she takes pride in being a rare woman-owned-and-operated company with female tour guides who demystify an often-intimidating topic.

Riley particularly enjoys getting to know vineyard owners, many of whom have been vintners for generations. Her company chooses its stops based on the quality of wine and relationships with the operators.

“One vineyard was deeded their land from the queen of England in the 1700s,” Riley says. “Some are bootstrappers who taught themselves how to make wine a few decades ago and are working hard to keep that tradition going. It’s a great feeling when you go to these family vineyards and see them following their passion. They make a great variety of approachable North Carolina wine, and I’m excited I can play a part in sharing that with others.” SP

NC Wine Gals founder Megan Riley

Is C a b e r n et Our Favorite Fall Color

If nature has taught us anything it’s that time is precious. Good thing Winston-Salem understood the assignment Come join us — and spend an a ernoon touring our wineries. Exploring our mountains. Or filling your soul and your senses with food so fresh it’d make James Beard blush. So grab your keys. Reserve your favorite hotel. And experience the magic of time well spent.

Creating a spark

THE DOTTIE ROSE FOUNDATION GETS GIRLS EXCITED ABOUT CAREERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

by Michelle Boudin

Sharon Torrence Jones had been teaching for almost a decade when she had an “aha” moment about how she could have more of an impact on her students. “I remember walking up the steps at Phillip O. Berry and being like, I got it!” At the time, she taught data analytics, web development and programming at the magnet high school in west Charlotte but had noticed there were hardly any girls in her classes — and fewer each year. She wanted to change that.

Jones realized the way to make the world of technology and programming interesting was to help kids make the connection to real-life examples.

“Anytime I could relate content to something they enjoyed, they would light up because they could see the relevance. I used the process and the recipe for trail mix to help them understand what an algorithm is. We made trail mix, and I’d say, You just executed an algorithm!”

Jones also realized she needed to reach the girls before they got to high school to get them interested in tech. While recruiting middle-school students to come to Berry, a technology academy, Jones noticed many of the girls hadn’t previously had access to technology classes. “Up until fifth grade, they’re all so excited about everything, but they hit sixth grade and it’s not cool anymore. So by the time they would get to me in the ninth grade, they’d already made a decision on how they felt about technology.”

Jones launched the Dottie Rose Foundation in 2018 with summer camps and Saturday workshops designed to get young girls excited about technology and computer science. Named in honor of

Jones’ grandmother, the foundation has since expanded to include yearlong high-school programs and has served more than 800 girls.

“Through educational programs, mentorship and community engagement, we strive to bridge the gender gap in the technology industry and cultivate the next generation of female leaders and innovators,” Jones explains. Summer camp themes ranged from tech theater to robotics to fashion and technology. The programs are free to all participants thanks to grants, corporate gifts and private donations.

Whitley Ryles got involved with the Dottie Rose Foundation when she was 12 and says it literally changed the course of her life. She switched her electives in seventh grade to computer science and now plans to study cybersecurity at N.C. State University.

“How exciting is that?” says her mother, Erika Ryles. “All due to the Dottie Rose Foundation sparking an interest in a young girl in the world of technology. As a parent, I am forever grateful.”

Jones is proud of all the young women the foundation has reached so far but says there is still work to be done.

“People are talking about the issue, but there are still not enough of us doing something about it. I have kids come to camps that love it, but then they want to enroll in a computer science class at school and there isn’t one offered. So I have to continue to offer as many opportunities as possible.” SP

Dazzle the Dot, the foundation’s annual fundraiser, takes place Sept. 21 from 7-10 p.m. at Charlotte Art League. Learn more about the event and the Dottie Rose Foundation at dottierosefoundation.org.

Dr. Sharon Torrence Jones

now open

Beyond Amazing Donuts, aka B.A.D., opened in Montford at 1730 Abbey Pl. Founder Jasmine Macon, the former pastry chef at Leah & Louise, started B.A.D. as a recurring pop-up at Camp North End. Expect seasonal flavors like Blackberry Fritters and Peaches & Herb, along with mainstays including Vanilla Glazed, Raspberry Sprinkle, Chocolate Honeycomb, and Brown Butter with Sorghum Caramel. Our favorite? The Old Fashion, a sour cream cake-like doughnut reminiscent of a cruller with a sweet glaze. The shop is open Wed.-Fri. from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. or until sold out, and Sat.-Sun. from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Resident Culture took over the former Tank’s Tap spot at The Market at 7th Street. Expect 12 beers on tap, plus cans to go. Future plans call for an expansion into a larger space and a patio in 2024. Field Pea Catering is the newest venture from Noble Food & Pursuits. Offerings run the gamut, from boxed lunches for corporate gatherings to fullservice events with passed hors d’oeuvres, grazing boards, buffets, plated meals and chef stations. Field Pea can also curate menus incorporating Noble favorites like Beaut chicken sandwiches from Bossy Beulah’s and brisket from Noble Smoke. fieldpeacatering.com

Bossy Beulah’s Chicken Shack opened its fourth location in Fort Mill, S.C. Other locations are in Wesley Heights, South End and Winston-Salem.

Hey, Gordgeous

NoDa Brewing is celebrating 10 years of its awardwinning pumpkin ale with dishes and sweets inspired by the beloved beer through Oct. 31. Participating shops and restaurants include Golden Cow Creamery, SWIRL Bakery, JJ’s Red Hots and Reigning Doughnuts. Gordgeous (6.4% ABV) is made with real pumpkin puree, ginger root and spices. And on Sept. 8, NoDa will release Drop Dead Gordgeous, a limited-edition “imperial” version with 8.8% ABV.

Field Pea Catering

Field Pea Catering

Beyond Amazing Donuts

Let’s brunch

Summer witnessed the launch of new brunch menus across the Queen City, followed by the reopening of an old favorite last spring. Here are a few dishes to try.

 The Okonomiyaki Savory

Pancake (eggs, cabbage, green onions, potatoes and pork belly with a tamari glaze) at Mizu, atop the Hyatt Centric at Apex SouthPark.

 The Birria Breakfast Burrito at Legion Brewing SouthPark: birria-braised short rib, eggs, avocado salsa, pickled jalapenos, pickled red onions, black beans, rice and two types of cheese.

 Daubenspeck , French toast with dulce de leche and maple whipped cream at Uptown Yolk in South End.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Charlotte’s Built On Hospitality shared two big announcements: The group behind The Goodyear House in NoDa purchased uptown’s Haymaker restaurant from Asheville chef Bill Dissen. The group will also open Chief’s, a cocktail bar next to Goodyear House that will be led by mixologist Bob Peters. The name honors Peters’ late father. Chief’s is expected to open in early 2024.  Bonterra Wine Bar closed at the end of July. A new concept, Phillips Bistro & Wine Bar, will take its place.

 The Fox & Falcon by David Burke will open this month in the former Dogwood Southern Table space. Burke’s uptown restaurants, Red Salt and Cloud Bar, have closed.

 Something Classic celebrated a milestone: 1 million meals donated to InnerVision, a nonprofit that offers rehabilitation services and skills training for people with psychiatric disabilities. Something Classic provides meals and snacks to people served by InnerVision. “This partnership started seven years ago but became a major focus of ours in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic,” says Something Classic owner Jill Marcus. “We plan to continue this partnership and continue serving more and more people in need.”

Legion Brewing

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW CEBULKA

PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER TAYLOR

Mizu

Uptown Yolk

September HAPPENINGS

CONCERTS, EVENTS + ACTIVITIES

Steep Canyon Rangers

Sept. 1

Hear one of the most celebrated bluegrass bands in the Carolinas at the tree-lined Anne Springs Close Greenway amphitheater in Fort Mill. The Grammy-nominated band is known for its collaborations with creatives like banjoist and actor Steve Martin. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with the Steep Canyon Rangers taking the stage at 7 p.m. ascgreenway.org

Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival

Sept. 1-4

This downtown tradition includes three entertainment stages, a parade, local vendors, food and fun for the kids with inflatables and games. Free at Stumptown Park. No pets. matthewsaliveorg

Duke’s Mayo Classic, UNC vs. USC

Sept. 2 I 7:30 p.m.

These two Carolinas teams will challenge each other in primetime at Bank of America Stadium. The SEC/ACC battle will also kick

off the season of ESPN College Gameday. Tickets prices vary. ticketmaster.com

SouthPark After 5

Sept. 7 - Oct. 12, Thursdays

The concert series is back this fall at Symphony Park with a new lineup of musical acts each Thursday. southparkafter5.com

Yiasou! Greek Festival

Sept. 8-10

Charlotte’s annual Greek festival returns with Hellenic cultural exhibits, Greek cuisine, live entertainment, wine tastings, art, shopping and more. Admission is $5; free for kids under 12. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd. yiasoufestival.org

Outlaw Music Festival

Sept. 9

To mark the milestone of his 90th birthday year, Willie Nelson’s tour of friends and family is the largest to date. This eclectic night of performances includes Tedeschi Trucks Band, String Cheese Incident and more. PNC Music Pavilion; ticket prices vary. concerts.livenation.com

ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show

Sept. 9

This night of jaw-dropping fashion turns ArtPop’s retired billboards into wearable vinyl creations. All proceeds further the nonprofit’s mission of supporting local art and artists. There’s a VIP reception and silent auction. Last year, tickets sold out. Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S. Tryon St. Ticket prices range from $99-150. artpopstreetgallery.com

Chicago

Sept. 12-17

This musical tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz delivers one big song after another. The Tony- and Grammy Award-winning hit, which centers around wannabe star Roxie Hart who is sent to prison for murder, still gets standing ovations after 25 years. Belk Theater. blumenthalarts.org

Charlotte International Arts Festival

Sept. 15- Oct. 1

This family-friendly festival takes place from uptown to Ballantyne, with immersive installations and performances by artists based locally and around the globe. Some

PHOTOGRAPH BY VIVIAN MARIE

A Parable in Every Puddle, 30” x 48” diptych, oil on panel by Magnolia Laurie, courtesy The George Gallery

ALEXANDER JENKINS

MEGHAN CONNOR-SHLETON

AMY LOTHROP

ASHLEE DURRANCE

ASHLEY SMITH

BETH LEWIS

BETH PARKER

DAWN FRANCHINA

DEIA FOLEY

HEATHER MACKEY

JENNIFER OTIS

JOHANA TROUTMAN

MARY SORIA

MISSY HIGHSMITH

NATALIE AMALONG

PAIGE MOODY

TORI JONES

CAROLINE GRARD

CHRIS CAREY

KATHRYN THIGPEN

MARY SIMPSON

BRIAN HOSEY

LINDSEY MYERS

CHRISTINA PROVETT

JANE ANNE

MCDERMOTT

NICOLE LOPEZ

JENNIFER LEE

LISA ZEDERBAUM

KERRY DRUMMOND

KERRY CONWAY

BRITNEY TALLMAN

HEATHER HOLLAND

GAIL CRAVEN MIC BERNARD

favorites are returning (Birdmen, Lotty by Moradavaga) with many new featured events. Most attractions are free, some are ticketed. charlotteartsfest.com

Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam

Sept. 16

As the Panthers start the new season with a renewed energy, the Roaring Riot fan club hosts this inaugural party featuring ’90s bands Arrested Development and Better Than Ezra. Fans can also meet and greet Panthers legends while noshing on food and drink at NoDa Brewing Co. General admission tickets are $70 with a discount for club members. kickoffjam.com

An Evening with Renee Fleming

Sept. 20 | 7 p.m.

Soprano Renee Fleming joins the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for its annual gala at Belk Theater. CSO Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green returns to lead. Tickets start at $60. charlottesymphony.org

Festival in the Park

Sept. 22-24

The 59th annual festival returns to Freedom Park with an art walk, performances, food vendors and more. Free to attend. festivalinthepark.com

Around the Crown

Sept. 23

Charlotte’s 3-mile Interstate 277 loop gets shut down once a year, and it’s for this race! Experience skyline views like you’ve never seen and stay for the post-race finish festival at Truist Field. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Registration costs vary by sign-up option. aroundthecrown10k.com

Charlotte Film Festival

Sept. 27-Oct. 1

The entries are in, now it’s time to watch. The Charlotte Film Festival celebrates established and emerging indie filmmakers locally and from around the globe. Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St., charlottefilm.com

Charlotte Wine + Food Festival

Sept. 30

This annual festival celebrates winemakers from North Carolina and beyond with hundreds of wines available to sample. Fill a souvenir tasting glass and savor the afternoon at Symphony Park with live music and bites. General admission tickets are $39. VIP tickets are $75. charlotte.uncorkthefun.com

Jonas Brothers: Five Albums. One Night

Sept. 30

Kevin, Joe and Nick are coming to the Queen City with a set list that includes songs from five albums, as the tour name implies. Spectrum Center. ticketmaster.com

GRAND OPENING

BOOK YOUR FIRST CLASS NOW AND EXPERIENCE WHY CELEBRITIES LIKE SHAKIRA, ALICIA KEYS AND KELLY RIPA LOVE OUR FULL BODY WORKOUTS. WE OFFER 4 DIFFERENT CLASSES THAT INCORPORATE CARDIO STRENGTH, TONING, HIIT AND DANCE, AND WE CARRY APPAREL FROM BRANDS LIKE LULULEMON, ALO, HEROINE SPORT, EMILY HSU, NUX AND FREEPEOPLE MOVEMENT.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM SCHELLIN

Festival in the Park

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023–FEBRUARY 25, 2024

MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design is generously presented by PNC Bank. Additional individual support is kindly provided by Sarah G. Cooper, Lucy and Hooper Hardison, and Kati and Chris Small. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its donors. IMAGE: Roy Fox Lichtenstein (1923–97), Graphicstudio, University of South Florida (United States, 1968–), Beeken Parsons (United States, 1983–). Brushstroke Chair and Ottoman, 1986-88, laminated white birch veneer, paint, clear varnish. Collection of the Thomas H. and Diane DeMell Jacobsen Ph.D. Foundation. L2023.63.4a-b © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

FLOORING FOR LIVING.

MUSEUMS + GALLERIES

my Presence is Present: interpretations of afrosurrealism from the American South through Jan. 15, 2024

An exhibition at the Harvey B. Gantt Center curated by Carla Aaron-Lopez features 21 emerging and established contemporary artists from the Carolinas. ganttcenter.org

Farshad Farzankia She Rose at SOCO Gallery

Sept. 12-Nov. 1

With a bold palette, the artist creates bright paintings, sculptures and installations that hold personal and cultural significance. Farzankia, born in Iran, is deeply inspired by women’s rights issues that translate across borders. An opening reception with the artist takes place Tuesday evening, Sept. 12. socogallery.com

Magnolia Laurie Into the Woods at The George Gallery

Sept. 15-Oct. 13

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This solo exhibition features Laurie’s oil on panel and ink on paper works, which demonstrate a harmony between delicate, yet makeshift designs that seem to teeter on the brink of collapse. georgegalleryart.com

Potters Market at the Mint

Sept. 23

This one-day sale features works by North Carolina potters on the grounds of Mint Museum Randolph. While the pottery is the main attraction, there will also be live demonstrations and music, raffles, a beer garden, and the Mint’s galleries to enjoy. General admission is $20; Friday night opening party and first access tickets are $200. pottersmarketatthemint.com

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to view our online events calendar

— updated weekly — at southparkmagazine.com.

Pottery by Melissa Weiss

Renée Fleming

soprano

ANNUAL GALA CONCERT

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

September 2O 7:00 pm | Belk Theater

- Los Angeles Times

tickets: 704.972.2OOO | charlottesymphony.org

“One of the truly magnificent voices of our time…”

Christopher Warren-Green conductor

ALLEN TATE REALTORS ® SOUTHPARK

September books

NOTABLE NEW RELEASES

compiled by Sally Brewster

It’s 1951 in Blowing Rock, N.C. Blackburn Gant, his life irrevocably altered by a childhood case of polio, seems condemned to spend his life among the dead as the sole caretaker of a hilltop cemetery. It suits his withdrawn personality, and the inexplicable occurrences that occasionally happen rattle him less than interaction with the living. But when his best and only friend, the kind but impulsive Jacob Hampton, is conscripted to serve overseas, Blackburn is charged with caring for Jacob’s wife, Naomi, as well. Sixteen-yearold Naomi Clarke is an outcast in Blowing Rock, an outsider, poor and uneducated, who works as a seasonal maid in the town’s most elegant hotel. When Naomi eloped with Jacob a few months after her arrival, the marriage scandalized the community, most of all his wealthy parents who disinherited him. Shunned by the townsfolk for their differences and equally fearful that Jacob may never come home, Blackburn and Naomi grow closer and closer until a shattering development derails numerous lives.

The Plinko Bounce by Martin Clark

For 17 years, small-town public defender Andy Hughes has been underpaid to look after the poor, the addicted and the unfortunate souls who constantly cycle through the courts, charged with petty crimes. In the summer of 2020, he’s assigned to a grotesque murder case that brings national media focus to rural Patrick County, Va. Alicia Benson, the wife of a wealthy businessman, is murdered in her home. The accused killer, Damian Bullins, is a cunning felon with a long history of violence, and he confesses to the police. He even admits his guilt to Andy. But a simple typographical error and a shocking discovery begin to complicate the state’s case, making it possible Bullins might escape punishment. Duty-bound to give his client a thorough defense, Andy — despite misgivings — agrees to fight for a not-guilty verdict, a decision that will ultimately force him

to make profound, life-and-death choices, both inside and outside the courtroom.

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

In 1873, Mrs. Eliza Touchet is the Scottish housekeeper — and cousin by marriage — of a once-famous novelist, now in decline: William Ainsworth, with whom she has lived for 30 years. Mrs. Touchet is a woman of many interests: literature, justice, abolitionism, class, her cousin, his wives, this life and the next. But she is also skeptical. She suspects her cousin of having no talent; his successful friend, Mr. Charles Dickens, of being a bully and a moralist; and England of being a land of facades, in which nothing is quite what it seems. Andrew Bogle, meanwhile, grew up enslaved on Hope Plantation, Jamaica. He knows every lump of sugar comes at a human cost. That the rich deceive the poor. And that people are more easily manipulated than they realize. When Bogle finds himself in London, star witness in a celebrated case of imposture, he knows his future depends on telling the right story.

The “Tichborne Trial,” wherein a lower-class butcher from Australia claimed he was the rightful heir of a sizable estate and title, captivates Mrs. Touchet and all of England. Is Sir Roger Tichborne really who he says he is? Or is he a fraud? Mrs. Touchet is a woman of the world. Mr. Bogle is no fool. But in a world of hypocrisy and self-deception, deciding what is real proves a complicated task. Based on real historical events, The Fraud is a dazzling novel about truth and fiction, Jamaica and Britain, fraudulence and authenticity, and the mystery of “other people.”

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

On Memorial Day, as the people of Jewel, Minn., gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many in the wars of the past, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is

The Caretaker by Ron Rash

found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn’s murder but also to put to rest the demons from his own past.

Both a complex, spellbinding mystery and a masterful portrait of midcentury American life, The River We Remember is an unflinching look at the wounds left by the wars we fight abroad and at home, a moving exploration of the ways in which we seek to heal, and a testament to the enduring power of the stories we tell about the places we call home.

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week, but the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue and charismatic fantasist. His father’s impact on his psyche

would linger. He developed into a tough-yet-vulnerable man-child, prone to abrupt Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings, with an exceedingly high tolerance for risk, a craving for drama, an epic sense of mission, and a maniacal intensity that was callous and at times destructive.

At the beginning of 2022 — after a year marked by SpaceX launching 31 rockets into orbit, Tesla selling a million cars, and Musk becoming the richest man on earth — he spoke ruefully about his compulsion to stir up drama. “I need to shift my mindset away from being in crisis mode, which it has been for about 14 years now, or arguably most of my life,” he said. As he said it, he was secretly buying up shares of Twitter. Over the years, whenever he was in a dark place, his mind went back to being bullied on the playground. Now he had the chance to own the playground.

For two years, Isaacson — the author of Steve Jobs and other bestselling biographies — shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers and adversaries. The result is a revealing inside story, filled with amazing tales of triumphs and turmoil, that addresses the question: Are the demons that drive Musk also what it takes to drive innovation and progress? SP

Sally Brewster is the proprietor of Park Road Books. 4139 Park Rd., parkroadbooks.com.

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Squirrelly business

A SEEDY FAMILY OF RODENTS DRIVES AN OLD DUDE NUTS.

by Jim Dodson

Another summer is ending. And once again, the squirrels have won.

Last year about this time, I made a promise to myself — not to mention the many wild birds that regularly visit our four hanging feeders — to find a way to outfox the large crime family of gray squirrels that inhabits Old George, the handsome maple tree that anchors our front yard.

The problem began rather innocently six years ago when we moved back to the heavily forested neighborhood where I grew up and rescued George from death by English ivy. The old tree flourished and, one afternoon, I noticed a couple of gray squirrels had taken up residence in a hollow nook halfway up the tree. They seemed to be a respectable couple, perhaps elderly pensioners looking for a nice place to tuck in for their quiet retirement years. Our property is also home to several towering oaks, so come autumn there would be a plentiful acorn supply.

I hung a couple bird feeders by wires from George’s upper branches. Soon the wild birds were all over them. What a peaceable kingdom, it seemed.

The next spring, however, there were four squirrels residing on Old George. Clearly, they were no elderly pensioners, for within

months, two baby squirrels appeared and I found a juvenile delinquent regularly helping himself to premium birdseed, scattering it on the ground below the feeder, having somehow slid down the 10-foot wire like a paid assassin from a Bond flick.

He soon returned with two bushy-tailed pals from across the street. Word was out: party at the Dodson house, all-you-can eat birdseed buffet, pay no attention to the old dude waving his arms and shouting obscenities.

By the next year there were at least seven or eight squirrels residing on Old George, a budding Corleone family of furry rodents regularly raiding the feeders, costing me a bundle just to keep them filled. I bought expensive “squirrel-free” feeders and fancy bird-feeder poles equipped with “baffles” guaranteed to keep the gymnastic raiders on the ground. These sure-fire remedies, alas, only baffled me because they posed only a minor challenge to the squirrels. So I made a deal with the big fat squirrel that seemed to be the head of the family. Whatever they found on the ground at the feet of Old George was theirs to keep. Thanks to the jays, the sloppiest eaters in the bird kingdom, there was plenty of seed for them to gorge on. For a while, this protection racket seemed to work until one afternoon as I was filling up “their” feeder, I heard a pop and turned to find the big fat crime boss squirrel dead on the ground. He’d been pushed

off a high limb where two younger squirrels were looking down with innocent beady-eyed stares. Just like in the movies, a younger, more ambitious crime boss was in charge.

I considered giving up and moving to northern Scotland. Instead, I asked my neighbor, Miriam, a crack gardener and bird fancier, how she handled pesky squirrels. By “crack gardener,” I don’t mean to suggest that sweet elderly Miriam was growing crack cocaine, merely that if anyone could tell me how to stem the tide of ravenous tree squirrels, it was Miriam. She’d lived in the neighborhood for 40 years. She is my turn-to garden and bird guru.

Miriam thought for a moment before coming out with a chilling laugh. “They’re impossible to stop.” She pointed to her Jack Russells. “That’s why I have Jake and Spencer. They do a pretty decent job on the squirrels and chipmunks.” She admitted that she always wondered whether squirrels are the smartest or dumbest of God’s creatures. “How can squirrels be so smart they can get into any kind of bird feeder — but always stop suicidally in the middle of the street whenever a car is coming?” It was a good question I had no time to ponder.

Our other neighbors down the block, Miriam explained, had taken to humanely trapping their squirrels and releasing them in the countryside. “But I read somewhere that if you don’t take them more than 10 miles out of town, they’ll come straight back.” That was all I needed — country cousins joining the feast.

Next, remembering my former neighbor, Max, I actually gave thought to arming myself with a Daisy BB gun. Max was my neighbor down in Southern Pines, a fabulous gardener famous for his giant tomatoes, succulent sweet corn and luscious collards. To protect his bounty from the herds of deer that roam the Sandhills, Max essentially erected a Russian-style penal colony around his veggie garden, complete with electrical voltage and 24-hour monitoring system.

Call me a tree-hugging man of peace — Rocky and Bullwinkle were my favorite childhood cartoon characters — but I decided to forgo the gun and simply rely on Miss Miriam’s way to put the fear into the furry crime family that inhabits Old George.

Nowadays, I wait until I see them climbing up poles, dangling upside down to feed or diving insanely from tree limbs onto our feeders, whereupon I strategically release our Staffordshire bull terrier and fleet-footed border collie-spaniel puppy and watch the merry chase begin. There’s been more than one narrow escape, and parts of furry tails have been brought back to the master of the hounds.

True, it’s not a permanent solution to the problem. But for now, Gracie and Winnie enjoy the exercise and I am sending an unmistakable message to the squirrelly Corleones: They’d best stay out of the middle of the road when this old dude is at the wheel. SP

Jim Dodson is a New York Times bestselling author in Greensboro.

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Dear diary

THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS

by Juliet Lam Kuehnle

Many of us have considered journaling or have been told that journaling can be helpful to our mental health. But, many of us are also resistant to journaling or even intimidated by it. We may have a preconceived idea that journaling needs to be quite formal: maybe we have an image of ourselves sitting down with a lined notebook, our favorite pen, feeling some sense of yearning or angst, and starting, “Dear Diary …”

This image (that conjures up ’80s teen movie vibes!) can certainly work for some people, but there are many other ways to release our thoughts. Some people document specific events, while others capture particular experiences. Some people write more fluidly, expressing a flow of ideas, thoughts or feelings. And others have no idea where to start.

Some of the ways to “journal” that I explore with clients include:

• Stream-of-consciousness scribble on whatever paper is nearby

• Writing a letter to someone, something or one’s self

• Buzzwords/free association of whatever comes to mind

• Writing three things each night that you’re thankful for

• Doodling images or designs

• Typing into your Notes app

• Audio messaging yourself

But why journal at all?

Getting our words out can help defuse some of the power anxious thoughts may have. By externalizing or releasing these thoughts, they can live elsewhere rather than continuing to take up so much space in our heads. If we choose to reread what we’ve

journaled, we can also identify thought patterns that are leading to anxiety or negative thinking traps. By doing so, we can reframe these unhelpful or irrational thoughts and be more objective.

Research supports all of this, showing that journaling can help manage daily stress and effectively reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The following is an excerpt from my interview with Shana Hartman, an embodied writing coach and owner of the Embodied Writing Experience. Comments are lightly edited.

What exactly is “embodied writing”?

Literally think about your body: Your hands are a nice connector between your head and your heart. Whether you write pen on paper, out loud, typing, or any communication, you are coming into your body. You are embodying your words and letting them come out. Writing from this place is the most powerful. This gets us out of our heads and takes us to a more tender place, doesn’t it?

Yes, and it takes a lot of undoing because often the way we have been taught is from a heady, linear, step-driven place. We’ve been conditioned to not trust ourselves, and we have to relearn how to listen to our heart, soul and gut. Embodied writing is much messier, which is the beauty of it. It takes a lot of unlearning to embrace that tenderness.

When did you know writing was so important to you?

I’ve not always called myself a writer, but I’ve always written. When I wasn’t sure how to express in some other way, writing was

Juliet Lam Kuehnle, far left, and Shana Hartman

the place I could do that. I start by asking myself: “What is showing up? What am I noticing?” I learned early on that it was a way to flex that muscle of giving myself a safe space no matter what was happening outside of me.

What are ways (other than journaling) that embodied writing can look as a support to mental wellness?

I don’t use the “J word” because we have so many connotations around it. I call it “thinking out loud on paper.” It’s like a junk drawer in that it has a plethora of things in it, and if I offered to clean it for you, you’d hesitate because you somehow know what’s in there. It’s a collection of what seemingly is a mess, but at the right moment, you put it in there with intention and you get to take out of it with intention. It serves you to put things in there and take them out if you want. You don’t need to know why, you don’t know if you’re going to look at it again, but let’s just see what happens when you use these pages for that. I don’t know anyone who just writes what’s showing up and has not literally exhaled afterward because now these things that are swirling have been given a home.

What are some prompts for writing?

“What is showing up for me today?” And I always try to connect things to the body: “Where are you noticing that in your body?” And then I love personifying it: “If I gave this part a voice, what might it want to say?” Then I can stay with that, or I can shift: “How do I want to feel?” Then I give myself permission to choose an action step: “What would allow me to enact that feeling today?” There is no one right way to do it. It’s about finding your way and finding what brings you back to yourself amid the chaos. SP

Juliet Kuehnle is the founder/owner and a therapist at Sun Counseling and Wellness. The full interview of Kuehnle’s “Who You Callin’ Crazy?!” interview featuring Shana Hartman can be found on Instagram @YepIGoToTherapy or wherever you stream podcasts.

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22 CHARLOTTEANS WITH IMPECCABLE PERSONAL STYLE

created and produced by Whitley Adkins

photographs by Kori Hoffman and Richard Israel

on-site hair and makeup touch-ups by Josiah Reed

On location at the Belk Theater and Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts

Photography assistant: Lynsey Kruse

Set assistants: Ashley Martin, Abbey Crouch and Emily Mydosh

Special thanks to Donnie Bales and Joshua Fronk at Blumenthal Performing Arts

In this seventh year of The IT List, I am still blown away by the range and diversity of style in our thriving city. This project was created to shine a light on interesting people in our community, with one common denominator: personal style. As I say each year, style is not just about fashion, rather it’s about the whole person — how you carry yourself and how you treat others. Outward personal style is just a conversation starter, a precursor to learning what matters most to a person.

Belk Theater and Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal

Performing Arts Center could not have provided a more dramatic and stunning backdrop. This year, we brought another talented photographer into the fold: Kori Hoffman, who brilliantly captured images at Belk, while industry veteran Richard Israel magnificently photographed scenes at Booth. We hope you enjoy this showcase, which places our city’s abundant style on center stage! — Whitley Adkins

Comments have been edited for length and clarity.

Teri Thomas Haddock

65, interior designer, Teri Thomas Interiors

Personal style: Hopefully appropriate and pulled together with a twist. I love patterns and mixing them. I like a vintage style — sometimes boho, sometimes dressy. Fashion influences: Designers from the ’70s. Where she shops: Capitol, Tiny Gods, Matches Fashion, Net-a-Porter and anywhere I travel that has things I haven’t seen. Style icons: My mother, Jeanne Thomas, who always looks fabulous, even going to the grocery store! On fashion and dressing the way she does: It is an extension of my job — design and fashion cross over all the time. I think it is important that I look like I care how I present myself, the same as I care about the outcome of a home.

Athena Kortesis 42

Personal style: Classic with a fun or edgy touch. Fashion influences: When I was a child, we would visit family in Greece, including my Aunt Irene. She had a classic and elegant style that I admired from a young age. Traveling in general — getting out of my bubble and experiencing different countries and cultures — has also influenced my style over the years. Where she shops: Moda Operandi, Net-a-Porter, Showroom, Capitol and Alexander McQueen. I have found some of my favorite pieces while on trips. Style icons: Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis; her look is classic and timeless. Zendaya, Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker also have amazing style. On fashion and dressing the way she does: I am a very visual person. I love putting an outfit together and enjoying how it looks and feels. I also love seeing how others choose to express themselves through fashion.

Corrie Throckmorton

46, co-owner, Stash Pad; event stylist; curator of vintage wardrobes for film and television

Personal style: Mixing and matching classic vintage and modern, with floral patterns and all things glitter, fuzzy or metallic — and often with my staple neutral: cheetah print.

Fashion influences: Growing up in Indiana, my mom and grandma, who taught me how to sew and sparked my interest in vintage. I moved to Charlotte for college and later joined a band called Babyshaker, where I learned about stage clothes and fashion from our singer, Scott Weaver. We played shows in New York and on the East Coast — everywhere we traveled, I found new fashion inspiration. Where she shops: Stash Pad, Boris & Natasha, CLTCH. Style icons: Vivian Westwood and Patricia Field. In music, Robert Plant, Lita Ford and David Bowie. Carol Brady is also iconic when it comes to keeping things fun and campy. On fashion and dressing the way she does: Interesting fabrics and vintage patterns are energizing and uplifting. My looks usually bring some smiles. Vintage for me is a dopamine hit.

Jordan Moore, Brandy Byers, Hayden Shoffner and Tony Hernandez

Sherri Bennett

60

Personal style: My style changes daily. It’s fun mixing styles and experimenting with different looks. I love dresses and menswear. Fashion influences: Sienna Miller and Julianne Moore are two of my favorites … but ultimately, personal style is what makes you feel comfortable and allows you to express yourself. Where she shops: I love supporting local — some faves are Capitol, Poole Shop and Renata Gasparian. On fashion and dressing the way she does: It’s just fun!

Wesley A. Mancini

70, fabric designer and president, Wesley Mancini Ltd.

Personal style: Eclectic, arty, edited yet masculine. Fashion influences: Traveling to 41 countries has opened my eyes to various cultures. I’m fortunate enough to be able to select things I like on those trips. Where he shops: Neiman Marcus, The Kooples, Jimmy Choo. For eyewear, Cutler and Gross in London or Alain Mikli in Paris. On fashion and dressing the way he does: Fashion represents the individual, and being creative gives the chance to express oneself in a different manner. Being in the South has its challenges. I used to wear Armani Couture when my studio was uptown. Bankers would snicker, because I didn’t fit the uniform they wore. Being a gay male, I had to tone down my personal style to survive. I still try to fit in with an edge. I am a man, and I dress like one — just not how the majority does.

Hayden Shoffner

27, co-founder Byrdie Golf Social Wear, digital marketing professional

Personal style: Feminine, classic silhouettes with unexpected touches, sophisticated palettes and curated accessories. Fashion influences: The Victorian era: I have fallen in love with feminine and romantic designers like Brock Collection, Markarian, Rosie Assoulin and Giambattista Valli. Where she shops: My style really aligns with Matches Fashion and Moda Operandi —they do an amazing job at curating designers from all over the world. My business partner, Rachelle and I love finding new brands from different countries! Style icons: Audrey Hepburn. My wedding gown that I am currently designing is inspired by a gown she wore in the 1950s. My more recent style icon is Olivia Palermo. On fashion and dressing the way she does: I love the way that fashion provides a creative outlet to express your personality and individuality without saying a word!

Bill Kortesis, Athena Kortesis, Linda Martinez and Teri Thomas Haddock

Krystle Batts

37, head of wardrobe and lead stylist, FOX Sports; personal stylist and content creator, Mirrorcheck

Personal style: I dress for my mood, so my style can vary, but I do love wearing pieces that are edgy, modern and wellmade. I also believe there is an allure and cool factor that accompanies my style. Fashion influences: It’s cliche, but my mom. She has always inspired me to stretch my styling muscles beyond the expected — to be extra. (Sorry Coco, sometimes more is more!) Where she shops: I have a master’s degree in online shopping! My favorites are FWRD, Mytheresa, Farfetch, Revolve and Zara for trendy items that I don’t want to invest [a lot] in. My favorite local boutique is Showroom. On fashion and dressing the way she does: It’s thrilling! I have always loved to see how different people, brands and wardrobe stylists interpret fashion and curate style. Style is so personal and is an excellent way to express yourself without speaking.

Bill Kortesis

46, co-founder of HKB

Cosmetic Surgery

Personal style: Classic with an edge and a European influence. Fashion influences: I have always felt that a wonderful way to feel good was to look good and dress the part. From an early age, I would check out the latest trends and try to match those as much as I could with my own style. As I grew older, I blended multiple trends into my own self-expression. Where he shops: Tabor, Abbeydale, St. Laurent, Tom Ford, Neiman Marcus, Taylor Richards Conger. Style icons: David Beckham, Daniel Craig, Tom Ford, Brad Pitt. On fashion and dressing the way he does: I truly believe it is vital to love to look the way you feel. And one of the best ways to do so is to use fashion as an expression of self, because the exterior look can shape the way you feel internally.

Linda M. Martinez

56, wardrobe stylist, Styled NOW! and Styled NOW! Interiors

Personal style: Classic with a gypsy-bohemian dash. Fashion influences: Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Andre Courreges, Yves Saint Laurent and Halston. Growing up in the Virgin Islands and then Miami (my roots are in Cuba). Where she shops: My first stops are always local boutiques: Sloan, Monkee’s, KK Bloom and CLTCH. Also Nordstrom at SouthPark Mall, and online at Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Style icons: Gabrielle Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Cher, Madonna, Jenna Lyons, Alessandro Michele, Harry Styles and Auntie Mame, the fictional character played by Rosalind Russell. On fashion and dressing the way she does: The era I was born (1960s), the decades I was a teenager and young adult (’70s and ’80s), and the places I have lived influenced my connection to fashion. My mind was a sponge, and I absorbed everything. I dress the way I do because I want to — it makes me happy.

Jon Simon, Blair Scheuer, Brooke Werhane Maples and Zafir Muhammed

43, client advisor, Neiman Marcus

Personal style: Classic but modern. Less is more when it comes to style, and having those classic pieces to balance out the trends is always helpful. Fashion influences: As a youth, it was family and music. As an adult, it’s learning from working in fashion along with years of experience. And a bit of trial and error. Where he shops: Neiman Marcus. On fashion and dressing the way he does: Fashion has always been something I gravitated toward. It stays with you and becomes part of who you are. My fashion choices come from years of watching and learning, along with trying things and adopting new style and technique. Fashion and style truly represent individuality.

Zafir Muhammad

Krystle Batts, Wesley Mancini, Sherri Bennett and Corrie Throckmorton

Brandy Byers

40, real-estate agent and broker

Personal style: Sophisticated and classic while making a statement. Fashion influences: My family, specifically my mother and grandmother. Growing up, my grandparents owned a hair salon and my mother was a stylist, so I was always surrounded by beauty and fashion. My grandmother and mom were the two classiest, most beautiful, poised and fashionable women. I grew up loving and admiring everything about them. My mother encouraged my sister’s and my personal style by allowing us to shop and dress ourselves. Where she shops: Boutiques and Black designers. A few of my favorites are Hanifa and Ellaé Lisqué. Style icons: Tracee Ellis Ross. On fashion and dressing the way she does: I subscribe to the notion that when you look good, you feel good. And I truly enjoy the art known as style.

Jordan Moore

42, sales director, TABOR

Personal style: Carpenter chic. Fashion influences: The south of France with my stunning wife. Where he shops: TABOR, Uniqlo, any vintage store. Style icon: Gerardo Cavaliere. On fashion and dressing the way he does: I love storytelling, and sometimes it’s nice to not have to say a word.

Personal style: Space cowboy vibes — western like a country music star, mixed with an off-therunway, New York City flair. Fashion influences: Streetwear and art. I love mixing accessories and layers to tell a story. I collaborated with artist Jen Hill, who painted the jumpsuit for this shoot (see page 106) — I love working with and supporting local artists and designers. Where he shops: I love House of Jade Sky and I am obsessed with R13 and Acne Studios. I also shop online… and I live near SouthPark Mall, so you will find me there often — there is nothing like shopping in person. Another favorite is Boot Barn — all things western, all the time! Style icons: Elvis, Dolly Parton, Rihanna, Lil Nas X, Billy Porter, Karl Lagerfeld and Kim Kardashian. On fashion and dressing the way he does: Styling an outfit with layers is an art form, telling the story of who you are and what you represent. Each day you get dressed you represent the biggest brand you could show off — yourself!

Brandon Owens

39, campaign design manager, Belk; owner, Visually Structured Styling

Personal style: I have two motorcycles that I ride, and I paint for long hours at a time, so comfort and functionality are key. Quality pieces with a slight edge and uniqueness are what I love most. Fashion influences: Young Mickey Rourke and Tom Ford. Where he shops: Gucci, Prada, Robert Graham, Poshmark and eBay — I am always looking for used, out-of-production, Italian leather shoes. Style icons: Jean Paul Gaultier and Tom Ford. On fashion and dressing the way he does: Well-made clothes last a lifetime if you take care of them.

Tony Hernandez (opposite page)

58, artist

DJ That Guy Smitty, Morgan Shields and Rick Lazes

Morgan Shields (opposite page)

36, area vice president of underwriting, CCM; retired modern dancer

Personal style: Joyful, colorful, strangely charming. From a sunset to a plate of nachos, I see inspiration everywhere. Fashion influences: My dreams and my Hispanic heritage. From early on, I have been drawn to colors and prints. I dream vividly, and wake up focused on a color or pairing — and that translates into my expression of dress. Where she shops: Boris & Natasha, Stash Pad, Value Village, The Cosmo Gypsy, House of Jade Sky, Hilliard Studio Method (for active wear), Free People. You could take me anywhere and I would find something I want to wear! Style icons: Jeff Bridges, my parents, Hope Nicholls, Idris Elba and Daphne Guinness. On fashion and dressing the way she does: It’s my truest language to the world — it’s lived in me before I knew why or how to name it. It allows me to create art each day, and in any way I want to show up. Style is soul, and our souls live infinitely.

Brandon Owens, Sabina Schlumberger and Andre Marcial

Jon Simon

48, president, Paul Simon specialty apparel stores

Personal style: Simple, nicely tailored, colors that are right for me, natural fibers and a fit that hides imperfections. My favorite outfit is a tuxedo — if I’m wearing my tux, it means I am in a beautiful setting and having a fun time with my wife, Stephanie. Fashion influences: My father, our team at the store and friends in the industry. I am inspired by people who are well-dressed in Charlotte. Where he shops: Paul Simon. Style icons: Gordon Lea was a Charlotte style icon in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. As for the Hollywood scene, I have always admired Michael Douglas’ looks throughout his career. On fashion and dressing the way he does: I love beautiful things, including fabrics, art, landscapes and places. Along with my business skills, I have a strong artistic side, and dressing well allows me the opportunity to use that skill.

DJ That Guy Smitty

54, vibe technician

Personal style: Urban techno hippie. Fashion influences: ’70s era Curtis Mayfield meets Bob Marley at an underground rave. Where he shops: Boris & Natasha, Stash Pad, Revolution Clothiers, thrift stores. Style icons: Hope Nicholls, LeMond Hart, Lenny Kravitz, my Pops (RIP). On fashion and dressing the way he does: I really just dig comfortable clothing that compliments whatever mood I’m in. I am an accessory connoisseur — I absolutely love and collect custom and unique jewelry and belt buckles. You can have on the most basic jeans and a T-shirt … but, with the right bling and confidence, you’re a rock star. I truly believe that if you’re comfortable with yourself, you can pull off any look you decide to rock.

Rick Lazes

entrepreneur, real-estate developer, movie director, artist and inventor

Personal style: Laid back, but passionate about work. I get a lot of positive energy by collaborating with other creatives. Style influences: Pablo Picasso and Miro for art, and Federico Fellini for film. Where he shops: Hugo Boss and La Boutique Rosewood in St. Barth. Style icon: Mark Wahlberg.

Blair Scheuer

41, stylist, Pearl by Lela Rose

Personal style: I dress for joy. I love putting on an outfit each day, stepping out of my front door and bringing that sense of fun and happiness into the world. Fashion influences: My late grandmother was always impeccably turned out ... she inspired my love for a full look: the hat, the jacket, the shoe, the makeup. Where she shops: Pearl by Lela Rose (of course!).

In Charlotte: Capitol, Poole Shop and Hong Kong Vintage. Elsewhere: Coplon’s and The Blake in Columbia, S.C., and MK Quinlan in Birmingham, Ala. You can’t beat the Edit Sale and The Real Real for a great deal. On fashion and dressing the way she does: Fashion is fun! Seeing someone express themselves through fashion brings me such joy, be it the older woman with her crisp blouse, slacks and lipstick at the grocery store or a man in a punk ensemble of leather and piercings. How fun to be an ever-evolving canvas and shout to the world, “Here I am!”

Brooke Werhane Maples

42, interior designer, artist and stylist

Personal style: Classic and eclectic — I dress for how I’m feeling and where I’m going. Fashion influences: I am a visual consumer of all things design, art and fashion. I am always looking for something I might love to emulate. Where she shops: Tabor, Moda Operandi, Capitol, Zara, J.Crew — and I’ll shop any sale! Style icons: Coco Chanel, Lauren Santo Domingo, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Stevie Nicks and I love a good country-western moment — think John Travolta in Urban Cowboy On fashion and dressing the way she does: I love to get dressed — I love to present myself with my best fashion foot forward. I think it says you have respect for whatever social or life situation you may find yourself in.

Andre Marcial

56, client advisor/stylist, Neiman Marcus; professional makeup artist

Personal style: Luxury, professional and dapper. Fashion influences: My namesake, Andre Leon Talley, who believed in fashion as a means of personal expression; my parents, who instilled in me to always look your best; and Troy Barnes, stylist at Neiman Marcus, who knows the style that speaks to me. Where he shops: Neiman Marcus, thrift shops, any luxury department stores. Style icons: Andre Leon Talley, Iman (who I worked for as a makeup representative when I first moved to Charlotte), Prince, Sammy Davis Jr. On fashion and dressing the way he does: I’ve always been interested in fashion from the perspective of the makeup artist, who makes the look complete with color and technique. My personal fashion speaks for me when I don’t have words to describe who I am.

Sabina Schlumberger

51, entrepreneur and advisor, community leader

Personal style: A predilection for tailored solids. Fashion influences: My grandmother — she and I would watch Elsa Klensch on CNN together in the ’80s. When she lived in London, she went through an Escada phase, which was very tailored and made sense since she dressed almost exclusively in Bill Blass sheaths for day. Evening was another story — she loved Zandra Rhodes, Hanae Mori and, no surprise, Bill Blass. Where she shops: Matches Fashion, Le Bon Marche, Capitol and Aime London. Style icons: Sofia Coppola and Miuccia Prada. On fashion and dressing the way she does: I am always searching for the lovely and ethereal — anywhere and everywhere my eyes land. It is truly a transcendent emotion for me. I am moved by beauty in all forms, mediums and shapes — especially in nature and in architecture. I am deeply affected by my environment, including what I wear! SP

Top cat

CAROLINA

PANTHERS PRESIDENT KRISTI COLEMAN MOVES UP FROM THE SIDELINES TO BECOME ONE OF JUST TWO WOMEN LEADING NFL TEAMS.

by Michelle Boudin | photographs

kristi Coleman, president of the Carolina Panthers, is used to being the only woman in the room. It’s been that way throughout her career.

“I was at a work dinner with the Charlotte Business Alliance, and the guy beside me said: There are 15 people here, and you’re the only female,” Coleman recalls. She hadn’t even noticed. “You don’t necessarily think about it every day. My whole career, even when I was at Deloitte in finance, I’ve mostly been around men, so it’s never been a thing.”

The mother of two young boys interned at Deloitte while getting her master’s degree in professional accountancy at Clemson University — where she also attended undergrad — then moved to Charlotte in 2008 to join the firm as an audit manager. The Panthers were her first client. She got to know the organization well, and in 2014 the team’s controller called her with an unexpected offer. He was moving up to director of finance and wanted Coleman to take over as controller.

“It wasn’t a yes, I’m in! It was actually a very hard decision for me,” Coleman says. At Deloitte, she was on track to become a partner. “And I know what this track means for my family, and I really want this for my career,” she says.

But she couldn’t easily envision what career growth might look like working for the Panthers.

by Krista Jasso

“People don’t leave in sports. It’s a small company, so it’s not like your path to the top is laid out for you — maybe you would move up, maybe you wouldn’t. So I had to think about that.”

She needn’t have worried. Two years after joining the team, Coleman was promoted to director of finance. Before that, she led the due diligence process for what was then the largest sale in NFL history, when Jerry Richardson sold the Panthers to hedge-fund manager David Tepper.

Expecting her second child during the sale, she worried her own job might be on the line. “You hear about other team sales and nobody gets to stay, so I was scared through the process,” Coleman says. “I tried to just do my job, but you have those thoughts: I’m pregnant, they’re probably not going to keep me. And you worry about that.”

Once again, her worries were unfounded. While she was on maternity leave, she got another unexpected call. This time it was from the team’s chief financial officer, Mike Dudan, who told her he was leaving — and to expect a call from Tepper.

“I panicked … It was the definition of imposter syndrome. I thought I’m not good enough. She called her mother, who assured her that she knew the business better than anyone. “And she said, ‘Do you want to train your boss, or do you want to be the boss?’ I decided at that point, if he gives me the opportunity, I’m taking it — and he did.”

Coleman served as CFO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment until February last year, when she was promoted to president of the team, succeeding Tom Glick. She’s one of only two women in that role in the NFL. The other is Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Las Vegas Raiders, who has become a close confidant.

“She’s phenomenal. It is nice to have a fellow female that you can call upon. She came to Charlotte [in March] for International Women’s Day, and then I went to Vegas and did an event with her. We talk at the owners’ meetings, and we’ll hop on a call occasionally. We’re both new in our roles, and we’re comfortable with each other.”

Coleman is at every home game and almost every away game, where she says it’s important to observe how other teams do things. On home turf, she’s known for regularly walking the building and chatting with employees. “I like to walk around the building — I like to know the staff, and at least say hello if I can. You want the employees to feel seen and heard,” Coleman says. “It’s part of what makes it a good place to work.” She’s able to do it all, she says, thanks in part to her supportive husband, Wade, and her extended family, several of whom live near her SouthPark home.

Like many in the Queen City, she has high hopes for the upcoming season. “With the hiring of Coach [Frank] Reich, we’re building a culture here of one team, one family. And then you trade up for the No. 1 pick for [quarterback Bryce Young], and it’s exciting. There’s hope, and a renewed feeling in all of uptown and the city.”

So far, the No. 1 draft pick is living up to the hype, at least off the field. After the NFL Draft, the team hosted an event for PSL holders. The players held a practice, then signed autographs. “He had a longer line than any of the other players,” Coleman says. “And after that was over, he said to the setup team, ‘How can I help? Let me break down the tables, let me help you clean up.’ He’s just so nice and obviously a leader. I think that says a lot about who he is, and we’re hoping he’s just as great on the field.”

On top of the excitement of a new coach and a new quarterback, the Panthers have a new strategy, Coleman says. The five pillars are creating a great place to work, being fan-focused, having an impact on the community, having a commercial mindset and, of course, winning. They also have a new executive team that is predominantly women.

“That’s what we’re building here — we’re building a culture where we all respect and care for each other, and I think that’s really important.” SP

KATHLEEN FOX OF PERCH INTERIORS DESIGNS A HIGH-END SPEC HOME, WITH HER OWN FAMILY’S LIFESTYLE AS HER GUIDE.

by Catherine Ruth Kelly | photographs by Laura Sumrak

Ellen and Scott Wilson weren’t officially house hunting when their real-estate agent encouraged them to look at a newly constructed home on a leafy, established street in Myers Park. The Wilsons were accustomed to more historic homes — their previous two houses were built in the 1940s and exuded the charm and quality of that era. But when they walked through this brand new house, they knew it was the perfect place for them.

“The ceilings are high, the rooms are bright and airy, and the flow is great for entertaining,” Ellen Wilson says. “Even though this is a new build, there are so many timeless, classic details that add charm and character.”

That was exactly the intention of interior designer Kathleen Fox, who oversaw the project from start to finish. Fox founded her business, Perch Interiors, in 2012 with a goal of creating functional spaces that are both beautiful

A sculptural Regina Andrew chandelier makes a statement in the library, where walls and trim are painted in a deep green (Farrow & Ball Studio Green No. 92).

and tranquil, providing a comfortable resting place for clients. She maintained that same goal for this project with one significant difference: She had no idea who the homeowners would be.

“It was a challenge to create a soulful home for someone we had not met,” reflects Fox. “We strived for intentional design details and made selections with a family lifestyle in mind.”

Perch Interiors partnered with Vicus Builders on the project. They purchased a previously existing ranch home, along with architectural plans created by Greg Perry Design for the current structure. Once demolition was complete, Perch and Vicus worked in tandem to bring the architectural plans to life.

The Perch team devised a plan for the internal architectural details such as the family room bookcase, kitchen cabinetry and the custom millwork throughout the home. The sweeping staircase in the entry hall is an example of their vision of a clean, classic aesthetic.

“From the hardware to the tile to the smallest details, [Interior designer Kathleen Fox] thought very deliberately and intentionally about this house.”

“Greg Perry designed the stairwell as a showstopper,” Fox explains. “We added elements to enhance the space, adding depth and interest, such as the millwork detail on the soft white wall, the unique stair railing and the dark walnut-stained floors.”

Fox and her team completed all of the finishing touches throughout the house, including light fixtures, sconces, hardware, paint colors and wallpaper. They were mindful as they made selections, endeavoring to create an ambiance that feels fresh and modern yet timeless and classic. Fox also aimed to design a home that her own family would want to live in.

“Thinking about the interior architectural details through a family lens was important and helpful for us,” Fox says. “We planned for a gallery wall in the upstairs hallway, adding sconces and symmetry, picturing family portraits hanging there one day.”

Schumacher Thistle wallpaper adds interest in the powder room. The vanity and trim are painted in a satin aubergine (Farrow & Ball Brinjal No. 222), and the Katie globe pendants are from Visual Comfort. The countertop, backsplash and mirror surround are honed Carrera marble.

The Wilsons appreciated the intentionality and effort that Fox dedicated to creating a comfortable, stylish, move-in ready abode that is perfect for their family, which includes two young children, a golden retriever and a rabbit.

“Kathleen is so talented — there is not a thing we would have changed,” Wilson says. “From the hardware to the tile to the smallest details, she thought very deliberately and intentionally about this house.”

Likewise, Fox is grateful that the Wilson family was drawn to the home she and her team created.

“It is truly a joy to know that such a sweet family moved in and that they appreciate the details we pored over and spent hours deliberating,” Fox says. “Ellen picked up where we left off and furnished it with her incredible sense of style — it looks fabulous!” SP

A CHARLOTTE COUPLE

LOVINGLY RETURNS THEIR SOUTHPARK HOME — FEATURED ON THIS MONTH’S “MAD ABOUT MODERN” TOUR — TO ITS MIDCENTURY GLORY.

by Page Leggett

photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck

having their home on the annual Mad About Modern tour is a full-circle moment for Jane and Steve Syzdek. During the 2019 home tour, Steve and his son-in-law, Jeff Buck, met Jim Owen of Alter Architects and discovered a shared interest in gabion walls (more on that later.) Steve and Jane were still based in Detroit, though Jane — who had started a new job as an HR executive — was temporarily staying with the couple’s daughter, Brianna Buck, and her family in Charlotte.

Soon enough, though, the Syzdeks would have a new house — and Owen would be their architect. The 3,250-square-foot home at 2100 Valencia Terrace offered Jane easy access to Fort Mill, S.C., for her work and Steve easy access to the airport for his job in international sales for a brewing-equipment manufacturer.

The Syzdeks, truly citizens of the world, have moved every few years. They’ve lived in Warsaw, Poland; Wiesbaden, Germany; Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Shanghai. Jane is originally from Taiwan.

Could Charlotte possibly measure up? For the Syzdeks, it has. Their grandchildren, ages 5 and 6, live here. “Apparently, there’s a name for people like us,” Jane says. “We’re baby chasers.”

When they bought the four-bedroom home in 2019, it had recently been updated (the renovated kitchen has Saturnia granite countertops and a commercial cooktop, for instance) and was in move-in condition. But previous renovations had taken it in a more traditional direction, and the Syzdeks — only the home’s

third owners — are purists. They wanted to enhance — not hide — the mid-mod attributes they love.

Steve’s love for the style dates to his days as a Purdue University engineering student, when he worked part-time at a furniture store called Scandinavian Designs. The couple’s love for the design aesthetic was cemented during the years they lived in Detroit, which is home to many Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, a campus closely associated with midcentury modernism.

“This home had the right bones, but it hadn’t always been treated as midcentury modern,” Steve says. For instance, wainscoting, a kind of “wall candy” popularized in the 18th century, lined the dining room, and decorative pillars had been added in a few spots. (Midcentury modern design typically favors little to no ornamentation.) Steve “took a crowbar” to the wainscoting and carefully removed the pillars before donating them to a local Scout troop to use as theater props. They also bid arrivederci to the living room’s “Tuscan gold” textured, painted walls and gold door hardware.

Fortunately, many original elements remained, starting with one of the first things you notice upon arrival: the starburst escutcheon on the front door. Also original were the hardwood floors; bathroom fixtures; wood paneling in the kitchen, family room and hallway; louvered closet doors; Jack-and-Jill bathroom pendants; exterior brick; and the wall of windows between the kitchen and courtyard.

Orange, one of the signature colors of the 1960s and ’70s, figures prominently throughout the home, beginning with the carport and front door and reaching a crescendo in the open kitchen. The Syzdeks chose a smoky red-orange hue by Benjamin Moore called Fire Dance.

the outdoor types

The couple started their updates outside. Taking care to preserve a large maple tree that sits at the center of the circular drive, they overhauled the landscaping, ripping out shrubs and grading the previously sloped backyard to make way for a pool.

The pool, cabana and Corten steel fire pit (that doubles as a piece of sculpture) out back comprise just one of the home’s three outdoor living spaces. There’s also a deck off the family room and a private, peaceful covered courtyard off the kitchen.

Steve laid pavers, built the timbered retaining wall behind the pool and, near the front door, installed a gabion wall — that esoteric feature he and architect Jim Owen discussed when they first met. Gabion, from the Italian gabbione, means “big cage.” Gabion walls can be filled with concrete, sand and soil or, as is the case here, repurposed bricks removed from a disassembled lattice wall at the back of the house. The Syzdeks’ gabion wall contains fragrant rosemary bushes. Partially buried terra cotta “planters” also adorn the front

walkway. They’re actually a neighbor’s surplus chimney liners that Steve rescued and repurposed. “I’m a scrapper,” he says. “I’ll use whatever I have or have access to.”

Jane, the resident gardener, chose all the plants, and together the couple has re-landscaped the corner lot themselves. Evidence of Jane’s green thumb is everywhere. Black-eyed Susans surrounding the pool have exploded. Just beyond those, banana plants are thriving.

“In the South, everything grows!” Jane marvels.

Once the Syzdeks removed the Sears yellow vinyl siding encasing much of their home’s exterior, they discovered the original boardand-batten siding, which Steve sanded and painted in Midsummer Night by Benjamin Moore.

Alter Architects’ Owen and Zack Alsentzer enclosed the previously open carport and fashioned a new carport for the 1973 Camaro Z28 Steve bought as a high-school senior. (With only 26,000 miles on it, it still has that new-car smell.) The architects incorporated concrete breeze blocks Steve sourced from Dagostino Building Blocks in Schenectady, N.Y. The fourth-generation family business still makes the iconic blocks so prevalent back in the day.

Bright blue Frank Gehry patio furniture helps extend the home’s mid-mod vibe. But there’s a practical reason Steve and Jane chose the undulating seating. “We didn’t want to keep outside cushions clean,” Steve says. “These, we can just wipe off.”

home is where the art is

The Syzdeks have achieved a serene vibe, in part, because they don’t allow visual clutter in their home. While the couple has amassed an extensive art collection — a daily reminder of their globetrotting adventures — their walls aren’t overpopulated with paintings. Each statement-making piece is given room to breathe.

Framed vintage maps of places the Syzdeks have lived line one wall of their home. An oversized North Carolina map gets pride of place above the family-room fireplace. Steve built the frame with leftover wood from the tongue-and-groove paneling installed by a previous owner. On another wall are black-and-white family photos, including Jane’s kindergarten class and Steve’s grandfather with the rest of the Buffalo Philharmonic.

You can’t help but notice the photo installation that dominates the far end of the hallway. Greg Stearns’ 16 photos — four across

and four down — read as one massive image of the historic, 2,200-foot, wooden Powder Point Bridge that connects the town of Duxbury, Mass., to Duxbury Beach.

It’s not just photos, maps and paintings on the Syzdeks’ walls. In the primary bedroom, tiny, ornate — and unusually shaped — silk slippers are framed against a black backdrop. The antique booties were made for a girl who had her feet broken and bound to create delicate “lotus feet” — once a status symbol among China’s elite. In the dining room, an intricate silver necklace made by a member of the Miao tribe in China has been similarly elevated to the level of fine art.

The Syzdeks’ home is a work of art itself. And their art collection enhances, without obscuring, its “good bones.”

Many people would consider their home finished and absolutely perfect. But Steve, a mechanical engineer by training, looks around and sees projects — updating the bathrooms, replacing windows, building a bar inside the cabana — just waiting to be tackled. He maintains it’s a work in progress. “This house will keep morphing,” he says.

But based on what the Syzdeks have done so far, it will only morph in ways that stay true to its mid-mod roots. SP

Tour the Syzdeks’ SouthPark home and five others on The Charlotte Museum of History’s Mad About Modern tour. This year’s home tour is one day only, Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets, starting at $35, are limited and often sell out in advance. New this year: An antique auto show featuring cars from the mid-mod era at the museum (3500 Shamrock Dr.), and a $200 VIP ticket option that includes a shuttle and guided tours through each home. Learn more and buy tickets at madaboutmodern.com.

By the pool, Black-eyed Susans put on a show in summer. The Syzdeks did the landscaping themselves and chose the plants, which also include spiky horsetails and leafy banana plants.

Mountain escapes

COOL OFF AT ONE OF THESE LESSER-EXPLORED WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TOWNS.

by Jason Frye

As summer stretches into September, many folks love to escape the city in search of cooler climes. Enter the mountain getaway. But where to go? You’ve probably already been to Asheville, Boone and Blowing Rock — all great destinations — but perhaps it’s time to try someplace new.

We’ve pinpointed five lesser-visited towns where cool breezes, cooler streams and mountain views make for exceptional escapes. Each has its own personality — which one’s right for you?

For the thrills: Bryson City

Tucked tight against Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City’s a haven for hikers and adrenaline junkies. Make your way toward the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Nantahala River deliver Class V thrills. If

whitewater sounds too adventurous, try tubing down Deep Creek in the Great Smokies. Bring your own tube or rent one from nearby outfitters, just don’t forget your parking pass (from $5 daily) when you’re in the National Park. Bring your hikers, because the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop — an easy, 2.4-mile loop — will lead you past Tom’s Branch, Indian Creek and Juney Whank Falls.

Eat & drink: There’s almost always a line at Pasqualino’s Italian Restaurant, so arrive early when you want fresh pasta and pizza. Bryson City Brewing has 18 guest taps and a big yard for kids and pets. And if you’ve been rafting, tuck into something tasty at NOC’s Big Wesser Riverside Pub and Grill, where the Sherpa Veggie Rice Wrap is a longtime favorite.

Stay: The adults-only Lakeview at Fontana. “The treetop soaking cabanas overlooking Fontana Lake are somehow rustic

and luxurious. And you won’t believe the view from the tub,” says Christina Riley, co-founder and photographer behind NCTripping. com, a Durham-based travel website that has Riley and her family in a different part of the state every week.

For a family of foodies: Hendersonville

Apple orchards and wineries dot the mountains surrounding Hendersonville, where a downtown full of restaurants and boutiques offers plenty to keep you busy. Grandad’s Apples & Such, Jeter Mountain Farm and Sky Top Orchard have dozens of apple varieties to pick from midsummer into fall, plus fresh cider, doughnuts and, of course, corn mazes and the like for kids. Go for a tasting at Point Lookout Vineyards (they also have a meadery) and another at the Bordeaux-style Stone Ashe Vineyards. Downtown you’ll also find the Appalachian Pinball Museum, a Mast General Store and plenty of gift shops (like A Walk in the Woods, which is full of works by local artists and craftspeople, and Wag!, a pet bou-

tique). You’re only 10 miles from Saluda, where Green River Cove Tubing will get you on the water for the day. Or keep it cool with evening breezes as you take in the sunset from Jump Off Rock, a scenic overlook that is a five-minute drive from downtown.

Eat & drink: Grab breakfast or lunch at the kid-friendly HenDough Chicken & Donuts for doughnuts, biscuits and fried-chicken sandwiches. Mike’s on Main, a former drugstore, is perfect for a burger and shake at the lunch counter. Postero serves a New American menu that pleases nearly any palate (the Kale Caesar and Pork Frites with Alabama White Sauce shine). Downtown, hit up a brewery like Oklawaha Brewing Company or D9 for a flight or more, but don’t forget The Poe House for cocktails, hard-to-find beers and shareable sandwiches and bites.

Stay: Create a home base at The Henderson, a historic B&B built in 1919 that’s walkable to downtown (the wide porch is ideal for planning the next day’s adventure over evening drinks).

From left: Outland Chalet & Suites in Whittier, view of Pisgah National Forest from the Blue Ridge Parkway, a dish at Ilda in Sylva

For explorers: Brevard

Brevard’s a perfect base camp for exploring trails and waterfalls on foot or on two wheels. Plus, “you can throw a rock and hit a great brewery in Brevard, which is fortunate because all that outdoor fun like hiking, biking, swimming and fishing is thirsty work,” says Joanna Postlethwaite Brown, brand and communications manager for the MADE X Mountains Partnership, a nonprofit working to grow the outdoor economy in Western North Carolina. Brown, who spends much of her free time in the saddle of her mountain bike or on a hiking trail, recommends hiking Pink Beds as a family, but says her favorite area to hike or bike is DuPont State Recreational Forest. At DuPont, looping hiking trails and gravel roads lead to Triple Falls, High Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. “The roads are delightful and beginner-friendly, and the scores of single-track loops add challenge and distance,” Brown says. If you don’t want to pack your bike, rent one through an outfitter like Earth Mountain Cycle, The HUB and Squatch Bikes; for guided rides, try The Bike Far and Red Wolf Tours.

Eat & drink: Back to the breweries: Brown recommends Ecusta Brewing, right by the paved walking/biking Ecusta Trail, as well as Oskar Blues’ Tasty Weasel Taproom and CHUBwagon food truck.

Downtown, dine at The Square Root, where the stuffed local trout speaks to regional cuisine and the duck bacon wontons show the chef’s range.

Stay: The Sunset Motel offers a nostalgic stay in a lovingly restored eight-room motel. For a more traditional bed-andbreakfast experience, the six-room Bromfield Inn — a colonial revival home that’s nearly a century old — is within walking distance of downtown.

For a zen-like escape: Sylva & Dillsboro

Yes, Sylva and Dillsboro are two towns — but at just a mile apart and with only four stoplights between them, they come as a unit. Dillsboro is the smaller of the two, full of little shops and a crafts gallery. Sylva’s larger, and on its Main and Mill streets, there’s a fun collection of antiques shops, breweries and eateries. From either town, a drive of 20 minutes puts you on the Blue Ridge Parkway or in the Smokies, with easy access to Waterrock Knob and Devil’s Courthouse on the Parkway, and Kephart Prong and Newton Bald trails in the Smokies. Sylva’s Pinnacle Park, 15 minutes from downtown, offers miles of hiking and exploration, with a twist: It’s North Carolina’s first (and only) Certified Forest Therapy

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT STEPHENS, COURTESY JACKSON COUNTY TOURISM

Trail, a path designed to maximize all the physiological and psychological benefits from a bit of forest bathing. “It has everything needed for a restorative forest therapy experience,” says Dr. Mark Ellison, the mind behind the trail. “Natural quiet, the whispers of a gently flowing creek” and a trail that’s not too strenuous. Pamphlets at the trailhead help you dive into your first forest therapy session, but Ellison says it’s easy to do anywhere. “Find a place to experience nature with few distractions. Turn off your phone. Slow down. Notice with all your senses. Just be.”

Eat & drink: After you’ve cleared your mind and recharged at Pinnacle Park, you’ll need to refuel. City Lights Café offers breakfast and lunch and a great selection of books (many with a local focus), and Innovation Brewing, with taphouses in both towns, has an excellent selection on draft, including sours. Dine at Ilda, ranked by Eater Carolinas as the best mountain restaurant in 2021.

Stay: Spend your night at the Nordic-inspired Outland Chalet & Suites, a swanky hilltop spot just outside of town where the seven-room chalet and five spa suites can accommodate couples, groups and families. And consider the Best Western Plus River Escape Inn and Suites — it has fire pits, a riverview deck and updated rooms.

For the outdoorsy artist: Burnsville

The artsy little town of Burnsville sits on the flanks of Mount Mitchell, somehow off the radar of many travelers. Twice yearly (in June and November) the Toe River Arts Studio Tour showcases the best of creatives in Yancey and Mitchell counties. At Hearth Glass & Gallery, you can view exceptional works by regional artists and take a glass-blowing class to create your own piece. Get inspired by a trip to the top of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the state, accessible by a grueling 12-mile trail or a steep, short hike to the summit from a nearby parking area.

Eat & drink: You’ll find great barbecue at Pig & Grits, where the only thing better than the barbecue is the fried green tomatoes. The beer selection at Birdfoot keeps a regional focus, but they serve the best brews of the moment, so don’t be surprised to find selections from across the nation. For hometown brews, check out Homeplace Beer Company; the Faith Healer IPA and woodfired pizza are a perfect pair.

Stay: Reserve a cabin at Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, not too far from the sensational sunset views from the summit of nearby Mount Mitchell. While you’re there, be sure to book a massage or other treatment from The Healing House. SP

Opposite: Soco Falls in Jackson County. This page: Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat

Private school spotlight

North Carolina has seen robust growth in private-school enrollment in recent years. Last year, 126,768 students attended N.C. private schools — a 10% jump from 2021-22*. In Mecklenburg County, more than 20,850 students were enrolled in 103 private schools last year.

Making the decision to send your child to private school is a personal, complex one. Determining which private school is the right fit for your child and your family takes thoughtful consideration and research. Start with basic facts like tuition, size and the school’s values. Private schools offer strong academics and creative approaches to curriculums and instructional models. Learn more about those and how students are supported along their educational journey, as well as socially and emotionally. Discover the vibrant arts, athletics and extracurricular programs available. Inquire about student life, community service opportunities and summer programs. Finally, talk with parents and students at the schools you’re considering, schedule tours and have your child spend a day at each school.

In this sponsored section, we’re giving you a head start on your search, showcasing several Charlotte private schools, asking what makes them different and what’s to come this school year.

*Source: The N.C. Department of Administration, July 2023

Questions to ask when visiting a private school

• How is the school’s mission applied in the classroom and the community?

• What’s a typical day like?

• What innovative programs and amenities differentiate the school?

• How do you help new students and parents transition to the school?

• How does the institution foster a sense of community and a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment?

• How does the school prepare students for the next chapter after they graduate?

• What tuition assistance is available and what is the fiscal health of the school?

• What are the school’s memberships and affiliations, and its accreditation status?

Carmel Christian School

1145 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Matthews, NC 28105

Grades served: K-12

carmelchristian.org • @carmelchristiancougars

Mission: To provide an excellent education, built on biblical truth, which equips students to reflect Christ to the world.

What sets your school apart? Our emphasis is on intentional discipleship. Along with chapel, our middle and high school includes a small-group component. Groups, led by our staff, provide an opportunity to invest in our students spiritually and support social and emotional health and well-being. Elementary teachers disciple students through Bible class and intentional interactions that encourage and promote Christ-like actions and attitudes. Additionally, Christian service is a part of school life in all grade levels, including a high-school academic trip, mission trip or internship where students engage with communities locally, nationally and internationally.

What’s ahead: We will add our 14th AP class in high school this fall, offering a huge variety of AP courses that benefit highschool students. We had our first AP Capstone cohort in 2023 and will be among a select group of schools nationally to continue to participate in this elite program offered through the College Board. Students can earn a Capstone diploma by passing exams in AP Seminar, AP Research and four other AP courses. Additionally, in spring 2023 we enhanced our outdoor learning environment with the addition of a school garden, which will be incorporated into our curriculum in many ways.

What students say: “The Carmel family is my family. I love the memories and connections built with students and staff during my time at Carmel Christian. Thanks to Carmel and its family, I’ve grown in all areas of my life, including learning more about God and his plan for me!”

– Jayce Shirley, Class of 2021

Charlotte Latin School

9502 Providence Rd., Charlotte NC 28277

Grades served: TK-12

charlottelatin.org

• @charlottelatinschool

Mission: To encourage individual development and civility in our students by inspiring them to learn, by encouraging them to serve others and by offering them many growth-promoting opportunities.

What sets your school apart? We serve more than 1,500 students in transitional kindergarten to 12th grade. Located on 128 acres in south Charlotte, our campus is an ideal place to learn and grow. Charlotte Latin, the youngest school to be granted a Cum Laude charter, balances our college preparatory academic experience with rich co-curricular programs including our nationally recognized art programs, MIT-certified Fab Academy and successful athletics program. In addition to our signature leadership program and commitment to well-being, Latin believes students at all ages and stages can develop skills to be empathic, caring citizens of an ever-changing world.

What’s ahead: Charlotte Latin is excited to launch our most recent strategic plan, Latin Leads. Embracing the founders’ vision that all students should be leaders, the plan revolves around five goals: leadership, teaching and learning, wellness, purpose and belonging, and access and affordability.

What leadership says: “Our plan sets our priorities for the future and challenges us, as a mission-driven school, not to rest on our laurels (of which there are many!) but rather to extend and refine what we call excellence.”

– Chuck Baldecchi, Head of School

CARMEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Charlotte Preparatory School

212 Boyce Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211

Grades served: Age 2-8th grade charlotteprep.org • @charlotte.prep

Mission: Charlotte Preparatory School fosters lifelong learning and provides an exemplary educational experience founded on academic excellence, positive character and leadership development in a diverse, inclusive community. We bring our mission to life each day by providing an exceptional education for our students in a warm, nurturing environment that fosters intellectual, expressive, physical and ethical growth. We value character and integrity as the essential building blocks of a truly meaningful life, and we recognize the richness of what students can learn within a diverse student body.

What sets your school apart? We believe the K-8th grade model is the best for our students and allows children to develop in a supportive environment. Children learn and develop in distinct ways, and they benefit from a school designed to meet their unique needs, interests and potential. From the teaching professionals we hire, to the programs we offer, to the intentional design of our learning spaces, everything we do creates an environment where children can thrive. We are not distracted by the shadows cast by a high school, which means students grow up learning to be responsible leaders while maintaining age-appropriate playfulness.

What’s ahead: This is a very exciting time of growth and change! We are developing a campus master plan that includes a state-of-the-art, new lower-school building which will be constructed during the next two years.

What parents say: “In bigger schools, high schoolers are the focus. My daughter will be here through 8th grade because I don’t want middle school to be forgotten. I want it to be the time of real growth and joy Prep offers.”

– Charlotte Prep parent

Palisades Episcopal School

13120 Grand Palisades Pkwy., Charlotte, NC 28278

Grades served: JK-8

PEScharlotte.org • @pescharlotte

Mission: Palisades Episcopal School is a school honoring Christ and committed to providing a classical education challenging the mind, body and spirit.

What sets your school apart? PES students graduate knowing how to connect their heads to their hearts and are academically prepared for high school and beyond. We believe a JK-8th grade education best serves the educational, social and emotional needs of children, and we devote our resources to preparing this age group for high school and life. As a JK-8 school, PES middle-school students are senior members of the student body with many leadership responsibilities, resulting in greater confidence, self-esteem and a sense of belonging. Our students mentor younger students, have access to equestrian opportunities, learn two languages, lead school performances and athletic teams, participate in service projects, and much more.

What’s ahead: This year marks the launch of our Room to Bloom capital campaign. We will break ground on a new stateof-the-art academic building, creating learning space for our students and allowing PES to continue growing enrollment on our 9-acre campus in southwest Mecklenburg County.

What students say: “PES equipped me with the skills necessary to think critically, develop my own thoughts and opinions, and stand firm in what I believe. I can confidently say PES has set me up to be a well-rounded student – and person! … PES’s learning environment was my baseline and has greatly influenced my college and career decisions.”

— PES alumnus

Your family BELONGS at PES!

Your family BELONGS at PES!

Your family BELONGS at PES!

OFFERING GRADES JK - 8

OFFERING GRADES JK - 8

OFFERING GRADES JK - 8

Palisades Episcopal School (PES) is a school honoring Christ and committed to providing a classical education challenging the mind, body and spirit.

Palisades Episcopal School (PES) is a school honoring Christ and committed to providing a classical education challenging the mind, body and spirit.

PES students find real joy in learning through hands-on opportunities of STEAM integrated study, with a focus on scientific, technological, mathematical, cultural, historical, and literary investigations.

Palisades Episcopal School (PES) is a school honoring Christ and committed to providing a classical education challenging the mind, body and spirit.

PES students find real joy in learning through hands-on opportunities of STEAM integrated study, with a focus on scientific, technological, mathematical, cultural, historical, and literary investigations.

PES students find real joy in learning through hands-on opportunities of STEAM integrated study, with a focus on scientific, technological, mathematical, cultural, historical, and literary investigations.

LIFELONG LEARNERS

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Our service integration helps students develop citizenship skills and fosters values of integrity, courage, responsibility, compassion, and hard work. PES students graduate knowing how to connect their heads to their hearts and are academically prepared for high school and beyond.

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Our service integration helps students develop citizenship skills and fosters values of integrity, courage, responsibility, compassion, and hard work. PES students graduate knowing how to connect their heads to their hearts and are academically prepared for high school and beyond.

Our service integration helps students develop citizenship skills and fosters values of integrity, courage, responsibility, compassion, and hard work. PES students graduate knowing how to connect their heads to their hearts and are academically prepared for high school and beyond.

Learn more about joyful learning!

Learn more about joyful learning!

Learn more about joyful learning!

PESCharlotte.org

PESCharlotte.org

PESCharlotte.org

We all want a school with dedicated teachers who bring learning to life and stretch our children’s minds to achieve their full potential. At Latin, crafting an education that is individualized and personal is important to our faculty. We want our students to grow up with strong character and to be confident leaders. Leadership, honor, work ethic, friendship, teamwork, inclusivity, empathy, and compassion are taught not only in the classroom, but also on the athletic field, on the stage, and in clubs and organizations.

Charlotte Latin is a community that is intentionally designed to capture every teachable moment as each year builds on the next, pedagogically and personally. Our 128 contiguous acres provide a setting with plenty of space for children to explore. State-of-the art facilities like our new Inlustrate Orbem Building, world-class Performing Arts Center, nationally-known Fab Lab, and Beck Student Activities Center, as well as eight athletic fields, an outdoor challenge course, and Lake Latin, provide spaces for children that enhance their educational setting.

Charlotte Latin School has more than 1,500 students. Kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade are the primary entrance points.

Admissions checklist

Private schools begin accepting applications for the 2024-25 school year in September. Visit websites for detailed information on what’s required, as well as helpful links for testing and additional resources.

Begin application

Attend open houses, register for tours

Schedule required tests. Most schools require standardized assessments or tests for younger and older students.

Gather teacher/community recommendations and transcripts.

Schedule interviews with faculty/ admissions team.

Stay on top of application deadlines — most are due in January or February.

Learn more: We’ve compiled a list of Charlotte-area private schools in Mecklenburg County with enrollments of 50 or more students.

Charlotte Preparatory School

Choosing the best school community for your children is a critical decision.

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Memory Gala

benefiting Alzheimer’s Association

May 20

This year’s gala raised nearly $500,000 at The Westin in uptown — a new record. Chairs Frank and Connie Reed honored the Fuchs and Boylan families for their work to #EndAlz.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Trina Fullard, Michelle Webb and Katherine Lambert

Karen Madigan and Pat Oram

Connie Reed, Eileen and Blaine Strickland

Jamie Boll and Kristen Miranda

Lewis and Rai Glover

Jose and Gabriela Liz-Moncion

Nichole and Josh Thompson

Debbie King and Gary Barber

Marnie and Goldie Schneider

Bill and Carol Gay

Katharine and Max Fuchs

Brent and Sarah Mullis Steve and Elizabeth Arnall

Let the Fun Begin!

With 231 acres and a host of social activites and pursuits, there’s never been a better time than now.

Aldersgate is proud to set new standards in senior living and strives to foster diverse, caring communities where everyone has voice and value. Come see why Aldersgate is right for you. As a premier non-profit Life Plan Community, our expansive campus has it all: hundreds of acres of nature, bocce ball, wood shop, indoor pool and spa, six dining venues (2 with full-service bars), a dog park, fitness center with daily exercise classes, and more! Live your best authentic life with us.

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Speedway Gala

benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities

May 24

This annual gala returned to the Ritz-Carlton in uptown to honor Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his service to the NASCAR community. The recordsetting night of fundraising and fun included guests such as Jeff Gordon, Bubba Wallace and Rick Hendrick.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Chad and Brooke Knaus

Rene and Kerry Earnhardt

Jeff and Jody Dyke

Jill and Steve Wittman

Maureen O’Boyle and Bruce Moffett

Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick

Bill Diehl and JoBrent Austin-Diehl

Scott and Susan Cooper, Donna and Greg Walter

Jonathan and Natalie Stewart, Cassi and Marcus Smith

Boston Reid, Bubba and Amanda Wallace

Ray Evernham and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Clint Bowyer and Adam Alexander

Ingrid Vandebosch and Marcus Smith

Laura and Kurt Coleman Kathleen and Raymond Valentine

Bobby Wildermuth, robertbobbyart.com

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Sounds of Joy

benefiting Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

May 10

A quartet of CSO musicians serenaded guests over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while they enjoyed the art at Bazal Gallery and Club at The Music Factory. Guests then headed downstairs for a night of dancing.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Alex and Ulrike Miles

Toni Burke and Bob Gaines Pasquale and Alessandra De Martino

Bill and Linda Farthing

Matt Roden and Marcus Kimbrough

Cindy and Paul Turner

Anne O’Byrne and David Fisk

Daryl and Radmila Hollnagel

Irina Toshkova and Noy Vang

Rachel Gogal and Jose Badillo

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

McColl Center Benefit Art Auction

May 13

This year’s auction included works by notable artists across the Southeast. The weeklong silent auction ended at the McColl Center with a lively finale of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by live bidding on coveted works of art.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Keith Cradle and Von Cooper Kathy Cope and Neely Verano

Liz Thomas-Hollier and Warren Hollier

Christian and Katherine Hofer John and A. J. Foster

Bethany Salisbury and Jack Merwin

Derrick and Jennifer Thompson, Alli Celebron-Brown and Kyle Brown

Thomas and Amanda Marley

Artist MyLoan Dinh

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Blumey Awards

Belk Theater

May 21

Blumenthal Performing Arts honored the best of local high-school musical theater with another sold-out show. Central Academy of Technology and Arts took home the most awards for Jesus Christ Superstar, including best actress and best Tier 2 musical. Lance Toppin of Charlotte Country Day School won best actor for his role in Something Rotten.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Njoki Tiagha, Providence High School

Charlotte Country Day School

Lance Toppin, Charlotte Country Day School

Best Actor Nominees

Central Academy of Technology and Arts

Shantal Tavarez, South Mecklenburg High School

Best Actress Nominees

TRAIL WAYS

BEHIND PARK ROAD SHOPPING CENTER, A NEW STRETCH OF THE CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL IS READY FOR WALKERS, CYCLISTS AND ANYONE SEEKING FRESH AIR.

by Sharon Smith |

photographs

by Ethan Martin

It’s a natural fit. The 1.54-mile segment of trail carved out along Little Sugar Creek Greenway from Brandywine to Tyvola roads is already a big attraction in its first weeks of being open.

Even on a 90-plus-degree day, somehow being near water framed by leafy green trees makes that hot, fresh air much more inviting, even enticing. Bridges, tunnels and a winding path give variety to the creekside view with grassy banks.

The project, a partnership between the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, cost $26.5 million and includes two public art features by Laurel Holtzapple and Shaun Cassidy at Brandywine Plaza, behind the shopping center. Rivulet is a nod to nearby creeks with large winding threads of blue-painted steel. Sycamore is a textured concrete seating area inspired by the plentiful trees that grow in floodplains across the Southeast, including here.

This segment completes a continuous 18-mile stretch of the gre-

enway between NoDa and the South Carolina state line. The new section is one of 11 that will comprise 30-plus miles of the Cross Charlotte Trail, also known as XCLT. Starting in Pineville, the trail threads north through Charlotte and eventually will end near the Cabarrus County line. About half the segments are complete.

It’s designed to connect existing trails and encourage people to get out there — commune with nature, and even commute. SP