Disney’s Aladdin Comes to Charlotte

The hit Broadway musical Disney’s Aladdin will come to theatrical life at the Belk Theater Sept. 10-29. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken, lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashmant, three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin. The performance has been adapted from the Academy Award-winning animated Disney film. Both matinee and evening shows will be available. Visit BlumenthalArts.org to purchase tickets. 

Inaugural Flow Fest

End your summer by relaxing with friends and family at the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s inaugural Flow Fest. The two-day festival will take place Sept. 21 and 22 and will offer an extensive range of activities, exhibitors, workshops and yoga classes. Flow Fest will combine elements of wellness and mindfulness to bring attendees a peaceful and nourishing weekend for your body, mind and soul. The schedule of activities includes everything from guided hikes to sunrise yoga, hula hoop flow, yogastrology and more! Flow Fest is open to the public and does not require tickets. The majority of the practices and workshops are free to participate in, however, a select few have spatial limitations or registration requirements.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Now Has an In-House Historian

In July, local historian Dr. Tom Hanchett began his first day of what will be a year-long position at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library. Tom is a former historian at the Levine Museum of the New South and now serves as the first in-house historian at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library. He offers public presentations, guided walking tours and other events that the public can enjoy. His next event is on Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Morrison Library’s Carolina Room. The event will feature Tom’s vast knowledge of Charlotte’s little-known country music roots. 

Congratulations to Our Bistro La Bon Contest Winner

Congratulations to Courtney Kiser, the winner of our Bistro La Bon Father’s Day gift card giveaway. In June, South Charlotte Lifestyle readers had the opportunity to participate in our Father’s Day social media giveaway via our Instagram page. A few weeks later, a random winner was chosen. Thank you to everyone who entered and to Bradford Pear Marketing for managing our social media. If you aren’t following us on Instagram, find us at @SouthCharlotteLifestyle for more fun giveaways and to stay up to date on our current articles. 

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Carowinds

Fall brings more than just an overabundance of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and a steady decline of temperatures. Each autumn, Carowinds invites you to join Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang for The Great Pumpkin Fest, a family-friendly festival that features a costume parade, a hay bale maze, a tractor tour and more. The Great Pumpkin Fest is offered every Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 through Oct. 28. Need something a little spookier? SCarowinds returns Sept. 14. For more information about either fall offerings, visit Carowinds.com.

Dixie’s Tupperware Party

Join Dixie Longate, the fast-talking Tupperware Lady, at the Booth Playhouse Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for good old-fashioned Tupperware Parties filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, free giveaways, audience participation and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theater stage from Aug. 27 through Sept. 8. Tickets start at just $24.50.

Matthews Alive Festival

The Matthews Alive Festival is a local Labor Day tradition and the largest Labor Day Parade in the Southeast that takes places from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 at Stumptown Park in Matthews, North Carolina. The festival features three stages of entertainment with national headliners, 170-plus craft vendors, 30-plus food vendors, kids inflatables, indoor shows, a large carnival, commercial vendors, indoor artisan shows, an art exhibit and more.

Windsor Run Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

On May 15, residents and employees celebrated the one-year anniversary of Windsor Run, a retirement community developed and managed by Erickson Living in Matthews, North Carolina. Windsor Run offers active, independent living with plans for future assisted living, nursing care and memory care located on-site. It is a community by Erickson Living, a network of communities with 30-plus years of experience in the senior living industry. Photography courtesy of George Cherian

Families Forward Charlotte

It takes one person to change the lives of an entire family forever. Families Forward Charlotte partners with families living in poverty by providing individualized mentoring, educational opportunities and essential support while walking alongside them on their journey toward long-term financial stability. Visit FamiliesForwardCharlotte.org to change a life today.

The City of Charlotte Celebrates Its Public Spaces with Rocking Chairs

The City of Charlotte has installed 100 blue rocking chairs throughout the city as part of its Placemaking Program. The Placemaking Program launched in 2018 with the mission of transforming underutilized public spaces into revitalized, vibrant places for people to enjoy. The Urban Design Center in the City of Charlotte’s Planning, Design and Development department is leading the effort by implementing Placemaking Projects, such as the installation of the rocking chairs. Visit CharlotteNC.gov to find chairs closest to you and #RockWithCharlotte. 

Native Charlotteans Assume Ownership of Popular Local Gift Shop

Dilworth-based gift shop Paper Skyscraper has been purchased by native Charlotteans Sybil and Bill Godwin. The shop is favorite amongst locals and is known for its carefully curated selection of books, one-of-a-kind gifts, candles, games, greeting cards and more. Paper Skyscraper is consistently voted a top retail destination in Charlotte and was recently rated as the U.S.’s No. 1 local shop for finding the perfect holiday gift on Yelp. New owners Sybil and Bill are working closely with Paper Skyscraper’s founders, Tim Hamilton and Ron Wootten, to ensure the transition to new ownership will not disrupt the distinct culture of the shop. Bill has a background in retail and financial relationship management, and Sybil is an art purveyor and owner of nearby Shain Gallery on Selwyn Avenue. Paper Skyscraper is located at 330 East Blvd. in Charlotte.

Wells Fargo Championship Golf Tournament

The Wells Fargo Championship Golf Tournament was the highlight of the spring season again this year. Held at Quail Hollow Country Club in South Charlotte, the tournament serves as the principal fundraiser for Champions for Education, a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports local and regional charitable organizations. It was created when the tournament was founded in 2002 by Wells Fargo, Quail Hollow Club and the PGA Tour. To date, Champions for Education has donated more than $20 million to local charitable organizations in Charlotte and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Acosta Heating and Cooling Celebrates July Fourth with Huge Giveaway

Acosta Heating and Cooling and The Link 107.9 will give away free tickets to a Charlotte Knights game and a $10,000 high-efficiency Lennox air conditioning system to one lucky winner after the game on July 4 and just before the Fireworks Spectacular Sky Show in Uptown, the Southeast’s largest outdoor fireworks show. (More information can be found about the Sky Show in our calendar). The “Coolest Seats in the House” promotion is sponsored each year by Acosta, The Link 107.9 and Lennox. 

Tony Award-Winning Musical Falsettos Comes to Charlotte June 25–30

From June 25–30, Charlotte’s Knight Theater will host eight showings of the Tony Award-winning musical Falsettos. The hilarious yet charming production revolves around the life of an intelligent gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist and their lesbian neighbors. The musical is presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts.

Celine Dion to Bring Courage Tour to Charlotte in 2020

Earlier this year Celine Dion announced she would embark on her Courage World Tour this fall. The tour will bring her to more than 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada and will kick off in Quebec City Sept. 18. Her performance in Charlotte will take place at the Spectrum Center on Jan. 21, 2020. Before beginning the tour, Celine will end her 16-year run of performances in Las Vegas at on June 8 at Caesars Palace.

Charlotte Golf Courses Rank Among Best in North Carolina

Seven Charlotte golf courses rank within the top 100 golf courses in North Carolina as ranked by the NC Golf Panel. The noteworthy Charlotte courses are as follows: the Dogwood Course at the Country Club of North Carolina (No. 4), Charlotte Country Club (No. 8), Myers Park Country Club (No. 38), the South Course at Caramel Country Club (No. 62), Ballantyne Country Club (No. 72), Cedarwood Country Club (No. 73) and Carolina Golf Club (No. 94).

No Roof Left Behind

Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations, a family-owned company in Charlotte, is currently accepting nominations for its No Roof Left Behind giveaway. The giveaway will award one deserving home with a free new roof. All you need to nominate someone (or yourself) is basic information about the home and photo of the current roof. Nominations will be reviewed during the first two weeks of July, and the final round of voting will begin July 15. Visit BlueFoxRoofing.com for more information. 

NC Associate Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls Delivers Keynote Speech

Civil rights advocate and North Carolina Associate Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls delivered a compelling keynote speech at the third annual Women’s Health & Doctor Recognition Luncheon in March. The luncheon brought together more than 300 guests at the Hilton Charlotte Center for an afternoon full of leader recognition, networking opportunities and inspirational words from notable guest speakers. Dignitaries attending the luncheon included U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams; the Honorable George Dunlap, Mecklenburg County Commissioner Chairman and District 3 representative; and the Honorable Vilma Leake, Mecklenburg County Commissioner for District 2.

Charlotte Dentistry Accepts South Charlotte Lifestyle Readers’ Choice Award

In February, we announced that Charlotte Dentistry was the winner of our Readers’ Choice Award for Best Dentistry. Recently, our co-publisher, Lyn Coaldwell, had the opportunity to visit their office and present them with the award, as they were not able to attend our Readers’ Choice Award Ceremony earlier this year. Thank you to all who voted! 

LeBron James Family Foundation Distributes Socks and Shoes to Students

The LeBron James Family Foundation, in conjunction with Microsoft Xbox and Samaritan’s Feet, distributed 400 pairs of new socks and shoes to Movement School elementary students as part of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Charlotte. Microsoft Xbox donated 400 pairs of brand-new shoes and socks for the children. Volunteers with Samaritan’s Feet and student ambassadors from the LeBron James Family Foundation gently washed the feet of each child before presenting them with brand-new shoes. 

NBA Wives Association Women’s Empowerment Luncheon

During the NBA All-Star weekend in Charlotte, the National Basketball Wives Association held its second annual Women’s Empowerment Luncheon. This year’s theme was “The Evolution of Women in Business.” The luncheon honored Debra Lee, Chasity Melvin, Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Courtney Ajinca. Special guests included Ayesha Curry, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gabrielle Union-Wade, La La Anthony, as well as Baron Davis and Carli Champion as co-hosts. Proceeds from the luncheon benefited The March of Dimes and Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.

Local Girl with Cystic Fibrosis Guest Stars on NBC

Waxhaw girl Lilly Knowles landed a guest star position on NBC’s television series New Amsterdam. In the episode that aired on April 16, Lilly played a 13-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis. As someone who has battled with the disease her entire life, this role is also a reality for her. In addition to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Lilly is getting ready to participate in the Charlotte 2019 Great Strides 5K Run/Walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The 5K will take place on May 18 at 10 a.m.

Justin Timberlake Makes an Impact on Charlotte Family

Justin Timberlake did a lot more in Charlotte than just perform his Man of the Woods Tour 2019 at Spectrum Center. He made a big impact on one family’s lives. Rebecca and Michael Holt lost their 5-year-old son, Charlie, in a bizarre accident at a rotating restaurant in an Atlanta hotel in 2017. Charlie was a huge Timberlake fan and especially loved his song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” After his death, his parents created the Charlie’s Heart Foundation. The foundation focuses on enhancing the lives of children and families in need through sustainable living, financial and health education. Visit Charlie’s Heart Foundation at CharliesHeartFoundation.org.

Elevation Church Worship Music Nominated for Grammy

Elevation Church’s Worship Music Team received a Grammy nomination for their album Hallelujah Here Below. This is the second year in a row that they received a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Members of the Music Team write, produce and perform each song at the church’s Ballantyne location, which offers live broadcasts on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. They also tour the country to share their passion for music and faith. 

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Offers Free Admission to Federal Employees

In January, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offered free admission to federal employees and their plus-ones. This invitation was extended to federal employees in response to the government shutdown in an effort to help reduce stress during that difficult time.

More International and Domestic Flights Now Offered at Charlotte Airport

In mid-December 2018, the Charlotte Douglas International Airport began offering more nonstop international and domestic flights. Among the new nonstop domestic flights are Tampa, Florida; New Haven, Connecticut; Ithaca, New York; and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Some of the new nonstop international flights include service to Christ Church, Barbados; and Guadalajara, Mexico. The airport also announced that it would begin nonstop service to Munich, Germany, which is planned to launch this month. 

Charlotte-Area Basketball Players Top Phenom Hoops Class of 2019

At the inception of 2019, Phenom Hoop Report released a list of North Carolina’s top high school basketball players. No. 1 on the list was Wendell Moore, a senior at Concord’s Cox Mill High School that was nationally ranked No. 18 by ESPN in 2018. No. 2 was Patrick Williams, a senior at West Charlotte High School. According to The Charlotte Observer, Wendell committed to play basketball at Duke University in fall 2018. Patrick has committed to Florida State University. Six other local players were also in the top 20 on Phenom Hoop’s list, including Charlotte Liberty Heights’ Juwan Gary, Cox Mill’s Caleb Stone-Carrawell, Carmel Christian’s Donovan Gregory and DeAngel Epps, Hopewell’s Brice Williams and Independence’s Matthew Smith.

Acosta Heating and Cooling Shared the Warmth with Deserving Families

For Lauren Acosta Huckleberry and Zeke Acosta, owners of Acosta Heating and Cooling, it was an easy “yes” when their product partner, Rheem Home Comfort, asked if they were interested in “sharing the warmth” this past winter season. Collectively, they decided to donate and install a new furnace for two families in true need. They called their marketing partner, Beasley Broadcasting, who made announcements on four different radio stations, asking listeners to nominate deserving persons in need of heat. The responses were numerous and meaningful. Two families were chosen randomly. One of the winners was a single dad with two young children who was laid off last year, now working side jobs with no money to replace his broken heat system. The other sustained a fall in 2017 with several injuries, unable to work and in need of more surgery, physical therapy and a new heat system.

CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will host its Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament from February 25 until March 2, 2019, at the Spectrum Center in downtown Charlotte. The week of events will include 22 basketball games, Fan Fest, Super Saturday, educational programming, community engagement events, concerts and more! To purchase your tickets and learn more visit theciaa.com.

Publix Coming to SouthPark

At the end of 2018, Publix signed a lease for a new store in SouthPark. The store will be located within SouthPark’s future shopping center, The Colony, and is set to be 68,000 square feet, according to The Charlotte Observer. Construction of the new Publix and The Colony is set to begin sometime in 2019. In addition to the new Publix, The Colony will have a boutique hotel, apartments, restaurant and retail businesses as well as over 200,000 square feet of office space. 

NC Yoga Bar at the Mint

Come out and enjoy a spectacular evening of yoga every Wednesday at the Mint Museum beginning at 5:30 p.m. There are two classes; the first is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and the second is from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Yoga is free for all Mint Museum members or a yoga class passport can be purchased at ncyogabar.com. The NC Yoga Bar is Charlotte’s only pop-up yoga studio. They seek to challenge the traditional yoga studio environment by bringing yoga to local breweries, restaurants, museums, parks and other Charlotte hot spots. Visit their website ncyogabar.com to view other locations where their yoga is offered. To become a member of the Mint Museum, visit mintmuseum.org.

Speedway Christmas

Open now until December 31, 2018 (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) is the ninth annual Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The holiday event has more than three million lights, an infield Christmas Village, drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to drive along the race track. 

Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express

Throughout the month of December, the town of Kannapolis (a 30-minute drive from Charlotte) is hosting it’s annual Christmas celebration. Their Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express boasts more than 250,000 lights and takes place at Village Park nightly (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Attendees have the opportunity to roast marshmallows and make s’mores, ride the Winderland Express train ($2 per ride), ride a carousel, enjoy the light displays and much more. 

Charlotte Wine & Food Raises $38,000 for Local Children’s Charities

This fall, the Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend (CWFW) announced that they raised $38,000 for Charlotte-area children’s charities at Icons of Burgundy + Champagne that was held on Wednesday, September 19, in uptown Charlotte. Proceeds from the pop-up event benefit Charlotte Concerts, The Council for Children’s Rights, Mitchell’s Fund, Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center and The Relatives. Save the date for CWFW’s upcoming event, Wells Fargo Kickoff Dinner featuring Vega Sicilia on Thursday, January 31, 2019. 

Winter Wonderland at South Park

Revel in the magic of the season at South Park’s own Winter Wonderland, Charlotte’s open-air ice skating rink and ultimate holiday destination. The ice skating rink with holiday lights and décor features fun for the entire family and has attractions such as Santa’s Pub, the Snack Shack and real live elves! Admission is free to enjoy the Winter Wonderland Pub & Coffee Shop and simply sit back and relax. Two hours on the ice skating rink plus the cost of ice skate rental is only $17. 

Tennessee Stiffs Play in Charlotte

August 28 was a rockin’ evening at the renowned Milestone Club as Austin-based folk rock quartet, Tennessee Stiffs, let loose their unique, seminal blend of story and mystique-laden Americana music. It was the band’s first time in Charlotte, and the evening proved to be a resounding success with local rockers Matt Minchew and Austin McNeil backing them up. Their new album “30 Pieces” is available now.

Speedway Christmas

From November 18, 2018 until December 31, 2018, the Charlotte Motor Speedway will host the 9th annual Speedway Christmas. The holiday event will have more than three million lights, an infield Christmas Village, drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to drive along the race track. 

Verse & Vino 2018

Verse & Vino, now in its fifth year, is a Charlotte literary tradition. The evening is filled with food, wine and a conversation with five New York Times best-selling authors. It celebrates the joy of reading, writing and libraries, and brings together a community of readers in support of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.  The event takes place on November 1, 2018 at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Tickets start at $125. 

Pins Mechanical Company and 16-Bit Bar+Arcade to Come to Charlotte

Ohio-based Pins Mechanical Company and 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, both children of the parent company, Rise Brands, are set to open in Charlotte’s South End sometime in 2019. The two will be housed in a beautifully rustic building at 307 W. Tremont Avenue–just next to Common Market South End and Bang Bang Burgers. Both Pins and 16-Bit will offer an incredible nightlife scene with extensive beer and cocktail lists. Pins will offer games like foosball, pinball, duckpin bowling, ping pong and bocce while 16-Bit will have classic arcade games from the 80s and 90s. These will be the first North Carolina locations for both Pins and 16-Bit.

NASCAR Names New President

On October 1, Steve Phelps became the newest president of NASCAR. Phelps was promoted to the role in mid-September, and took over for Brent Dewar, who stepped down to transition into a senior consulting role. As president, Phelps reports to NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jim France, and oversees all competition and business operations. 

Allen Tate Merges With Pittsburgh Firm

Allen Tate, a Charlotte-based real estate firm, announced on September 20 that it will merge with Pittsburgh real estate firm Howard Hanna. In a statement released by Howard Hanna, the deal was described as a partnership between the two companies, not an acquisition. The statement quoted Hanna Holdings, Inc. Chairman Howard W. Hanna, III saying, “Howard Hanna and Allen Tate have grown up together in the industry, and together, we will continue to do great things.”