CHARLOTTE, NCCHARLOTTE, NCCHARLOTTE, NCLISTEN TO THE

LOCALSInsider advice on

where to eat, drink, shop, and relax

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

What to do and where to do it from Memorial Day

to Labor Day

TAKE A SIPFresh and fizzy

with cucumber bitters from El Guapo Bitters

in NOLA

PACK YOUR BAG

Summer style essentials for Southern ladies and gents

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I HIT HAPPY HOUR AT Small Bar in the NC Music Factory. It’s quaint yet rugged, and it’s typical to see a local legend walk in the door at any given sip. smallbarclt.com THE BEST LATE-NIGHT SPOT IN THE

CITY is Amélie’s on North Davidson. It’s a 24-hour French bakery that has pastries, soups, and the best hot chocolate in the world. The “cool kids” hang there every hour, all hours. ameliesfrenchbakery.com

I’M TRACKING DOWN jazz instru-mentalist Harvey Cummings II. He’s always at a local venue ripping musical stories into your soul with his piano and saxophone virtuosity, musical genius, and crowd- pleasing smile.

IF I ONLY HAVE $10 TO SPEND I’m going to Pinky’s Westside Grill for some fried pickles and a bottle of Cheerwine. eatatpinkys.com

FOR THE PERFECT SUNDAY DRIVE go to Crowders Mountain State Park. It’s a great hiking spot with nice views of Charlotte when you reach the top. ncparks.gov

MY ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST INCLUDES a mix of tunes from local music pioneers such as Brody & Choch, Red Jesse, and the new single “Beautiful Flaws” from Quentin Rashad. I GET MY VINTAGE FIX AT Sleepy Poet Antique Mall. Days and days of vintage inspiration and the coolest collection of threads this side of the Mississippi. sleepypoetstuff.com

I’M DAY-TRIPPING TO Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville. They have giraffes and camels! Enough said. lazy5ranch.com

MY GO-TO SUMMER DRINK IS a Banana Yogi smoothie from Berrybrook Farm. This family-owned healthy market always serves a warm side of smiles with your smoothie. berrybrookfarm.com

MY SUMMER UNIFORM IS a custom-made Dupp&Swat (duppandswat.com) fitted hat, a Fresh From Birth (fresh frombirth.com) tank, and some Converse shoes.

I KNOW IT’S SUMMER IN THE CITY

WHEN the Alive After Five outdoor concert series begins Uptown. You can catch some of the best live national and local acts while being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Uptown Charlotte. aliveafterfives.com

SINGER/SONGWRITER, @MINDOFJE

LISTEN TO THE LOCALS

CHARLOTTE, NC

All events are subject to change. Check the website listed for up-to-date information.

M AY 2 7 SMILE, WE GET TO MAKE BEER!Screening of this documen-

tary film on NoDa Brewing

Company at Studio Movie

Grill. nodabrewing.com

M AY 29 LUKE BRYAN, LEE BRICE, AND COLE SWINDELL CONCERTThe country music superstars

take to the stage and perform

their hits at the PNC Music

Pavilion; livenation.com

M AY 29 -J UNE 1 5CHARLOTTE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVALCharlotte Shakespeare

hosts performances of Love’s

Labour’s Lost by William

Shakespeare at The Green

Uptown. Free; charlotte

shakespeare.com

M AY 29 -A UGUST 30 WHITEWATER RIVER JAMConcert series with food and

drink every Thursday and

Saturday evening at the

U.S. National Whitewater

Center. Free; usnwc.org

J UNE 1 4 -A UGUST 30LOCAL FLAVORS OF NODA TOURA walking tour with samples of craft beer and food through the historic NoDa arts district. $49; feastfood tours.com

J UNE 8 -J ULY 3CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY SUMMER POPS Outdoor orchestral concert every Sunday in Symphony Park at SouthPark mall. $10; charlottesymphony.org

J UNE 3 - 6 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. ROCHESTER RED WINGS BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J UNE 6 JAZZ AT THE BECHTLER Charles Mingus tribute concert at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. $12; bechtler.org

J UNE 6 -A UGUST 1SOUTH END GALLERY CRAWLGallery tours the first Friday of every month at the historic South End district. Free; historicsouthend.com

J UNE 6 -A UGUST 1 5NODA GALLERY CRAWLGallery tour, live music, and vendors twice a month at the historic NoDa arts district. Free; noda.org

J UNE 7 - 10 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. COLUMBUS CLIPPERS BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J UNE 9 - 1 6 MARVELOUS MUTTS Dog entertainment show at Carowinds. carowinds.com

J UNE 1 2 - 1 4 RACHEL FEINSTEIN The comedian performs at The Comedy Zone. $15-$18; cltcomedyzone.com

J UNE 1 4 BREW STASH BASH Live music and craft beer at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Free; usnwc.org

J UNE 20 -23 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. TOLEDO MUD HENS BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J UNE 2 1 TIM MCGRAW, KIP MOORE, AND CASSADEE POPE CONCERTPNC Music Pavilion; live nation.com

TASTE OF CHARLOTTE J UNE 6 -8

Sample the best local fare in Uptown Charlotte along Tryon Street from

Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to Sixth Street. Free; tasteofcharlotte.com

CHARLOTTE, NC

WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO DO IT

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY

All events are subject to change. Check the website listed for up-to-date information.

J UNE 24 - 2 7 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. LOUISVILLE BATS BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J UNE 30 -J ULY 1 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. GWINNETT BRAVES BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J ULY 3 - 4 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL Live music, food and drinks, and fireworks by the river at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Free; usnwc.org

J ULY 4 NOVANT HEALTH JULY 4TH SPECTACULAR Celebrate our nation’s independence with fireworks and live music at Memorial Stadium. Free; charlotte centercity.org

J ULY 10 - 1 3CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. SYRACUSE CHIEFS BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J ULY 1 2 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKESee the superstar perform at the Time Warner Cable Arena. $47 and up; time warnercablearena.com

J ULY 1 5 - 20 THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESSAn award-winning musical at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts. $20 and up; blumenthalarts.org

BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

A UGUST 9BACK-TO-SCHOOL MONSTER TRUCK BASHMonster trucks compete in challenges on a radical obstacle course at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. $10-$25; charlotte motorspeedway.com

A UGUST 1 6 - 1 7 CHARLOTTE PRIDE 2014LGBTQ festival and parade in Uptown Charlotte. Free; charlottepride.org

A UGUST 18 - 1 9 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. GWINNETT BRAVES BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

A UGUST 22 KEITH URBAN, JERROD NIEMANN, AND BRETT ELDREDGE CONCERTThe country music favorites perform at the PNC Music Pavilion. livenation.com

J ULY 1 6 MICROBREWS CRUISE WITH NODA BREWING COMPANY Catawba River sunset kayak tour, followed by a fireside dinner and craft beer tastings at U.S. National Whitewater Center. $55; usnwc.org

J ULY 1 7 - 20 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RAILRIDERS BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

J ULY 28 VANS WARPED TOUR Parkway Drive, We the Kings, Yellowcard, The Ready Set, and more favorites perform live at PNC Music Pavilion. $45 and up; livenation.com

J ULY 29 -A UGUST 1 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. DURHAM BULLS BB&T Ballpark, $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

A UGUST 2BUILD YOUR OWN BOAT FESTIVALAmphibious Duathlon, boat-building competition, and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. usnwc.org

A UGUST 5 - 6 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. GWINNETT BRAVES BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

A UGUST 7 - 10 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. PAWTUCKET RED SOX

A UGUST 29 BLAKE SHELTON, THE BAND PERRY, AND NEAL MCCOY CONCERTPNC Music Pavilion. live nation.com

A UGUST 29 - 3 1 BEARDEN BIRTHDAY BASHWeekend festival with music, entertainment, dance, and art at Romare Bearden Park. Free; parkandrec.com

A UGUST 3 1 LABOR DAY CELEBRATIONTrail races, live music, food, drinks, and fireworks by the river at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Free ($27 and up/each race), usnwc.org

A UGUST 3 1 - S EPTEMBER 1 CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS VS. GWINNETT BRAVES BB&T Ballpark. $8 and up; charlotteknights.com

RASCAL FLATTS, SHERYL CROW, AND GLORIANA

J ULY 26 See these three country music greats

perform during one concert at the PNC Music Pavilion. $28.40 and up;

stubhub.com

CHARLOTTE, NC

CHARLOTTE, NC

THE COOL DOWNNOLA’S EL GUAPO CUCUMBER

BITTERS ADD BOTANICAL NOTES TO THIS FRESH AND

FIZZY GIN-BASED DRINK

THE DRINK

MAKE IT YOURSELF

Bruise or crumple 1 fresh mint sprig in a cocktail shaker to release flavor. Add 3 Tbsp. gin (such as Bristow); let stand 2 minutes. Discard mint. Add 4 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice, 4 1/2 tsp. simple syrup, and 6 dashes of cucumber bitters (such as El Guapo). Fill shaker with ice cubes. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 sec-onds). Strain into a 10-oz. glass, and top with dry Champagne. Garnish with a mint sprig or cucumber slices.

MAKES 1 SERVING

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CHARLOTTE, NC

FOR THE LADIESSUIT UP AND STAND OUT IN THESE STYLE ESSENTIALS JUST RIGHT FOR A SOUTHERN SUMMER

PACK THE PERFECT BEACH BAG

1 THE BAG: Leather accents add

weight to this woven cotton tote,

handmade in Atlanta. $125;

andovertrask.com

2 THE HAT: A crochet overlay gives a

feminine take to this baseball cap.

$85; proudmary.org

3 THE TOWEL: Supersoft towels that

are totally customizable. $50;

meandredesign.com

4 THE SUNGLASSES: The latest designs

from NOLA brand KREWE come in

sleek and stylish shapes. $185;

kreweduoptic.com

5 THE COVER-UP: A breezy beaded

tunic by the queen bee of beach

style. $138; lillypulitzer.com

6 THE SWIMSUIT: This bold red

Marysia suit is an Everything But

Water exclusive; pair with a skirt

after hours. $304; everythingbut

water.com

7 THE WRISTLET: This water-resistant

bag can afford to get a little wet.

$32; haydenreis.com

8 THE SHOES: Memory foam on the

Jasmine flip-flop makes trekking

around the coast feel like walking

on sunshine. $198; elaineturner.com

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CHARLOTTE, NC

FOR THE GENTSYOUR NEW MUST-HAVES FOR THE BEACH AND BEYOND—ALL MADE IN THE SOUTH

PACK THE PERFECT BEACH BAG

1 THE HAT: Southern Proper’s Frat Hat is meant to be worn in and dirtied up. $28; southernproper.com

2 THE OYSTER KNIFE: Whip out this heirloom-quality hammered Edisto knife and prepare to impress. $350; williamsknife.com

3 THE SHIRT: Made of 100% cotton and prewashed for fit and comfort, Southern Tide’s T-shirt is the only one you’ll need this summer. $34; southerntide.com

4 THE BAG: This sturdy MAKR backpack can stand up to any active adventure. $245; makr.com

5 THE TOWEL: Nashville’s Turkish-T Deck Bath Terry Towel is lightweight with a layer of terry to keep you dry. $80; taigan.com

6 THE TRUNKS: Lilly Pulitzer’s granddaughter designs these salmon-hued shorts. $125; strongboalt.com

7 THE SUNGLASSES: D.C.-based Panda makes sleek wooden frames. Profits from every pair go toward charity. $120; wearpanda.com

8 THE SANDALS: Atlanta’s Clay + Bros keeps things simple with a rubber sole and parachute-cord straps. $65; clayandbros.com

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