With the weather getting as warm as it’s getting, I can’t stop thinking about possible summer vacations. I’m thinking a luxury villa in Tuscany, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and sipping on a glass of wine. Well, luckily for me, and anyone else taken away by that image, there’s D’Vine Wine Café, and it’s a heck of a lot closer (and cheaper) than heading over to Tuscany.
D’Vine Wine Café is located in Ballantyne Village, in the space right above Dilworth Coffee. The most noticeable, and alluring, feature of the wine bar is, well, the bar. The bar easily sets the warm and classy Mediterranean feel of the place. I was instantly attracted to the interchanging golds and browns that made up the bar’s mosaic edge: a style that, instantly took my thoughts to Italy or Spain. And my favorite feature was accented nicely by paint splattered glass lighting. The oranges and yellows, combined with the golds and browns of the mosaic tile, gave the bar a warming glow which made for an inviting place to sip wine.
As for the wooden display behind it, I could easily imagine that a wine barrel was the inspiration: the wood finish was the same color, there was a slight curve like shape to it, and the taps are exactly like what you find on a wine barrel. The bar and its wooden wine display were so eye-catching, that I found it hard to tear myself away.
However, that warm Mediterranean feel was carried through the rest of the vicinity. While the bar area caters to more of a high-top table and lounge chair mix, the back of the café houses a full-on dining area. There was large, dark wood furniture, with some metal furniture mixed in, too. But the furniture against the soft yellow walls was reminiscent of what I would expect in a Tuscan villa. I guess I cheated a little bit though, as the mural on the wall really gave that villa image away.
Painted on the wall closest to the bar and lounge was a mural that almost spanned the entire wall. The picture itself was of a long, stone corridor, with large stone columns. At the end is a balcony with a scene that looks like you’re looking onto a Tuscan vineyard.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 28, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Playboy Club 50th Anniversary Bunny Search at MEZ
• SEXXY in the City at Presto's Bar and Grill
• Men of Petra's Pageant - Round 2
• '80s dance party at Loft 1523
• Everclear with The Alpha Theory at Speed Street
With one of the biggest weeks of NASCAR in Charlotte here, it only seems fitting to share Food Lion Speed Street Festival with fans of the sport and non-fans -- so you can hunker down indoors.
Kicking off TODAY and continuing through May 29 is an annual free festival that jump-starts the race weekend and leads up to the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on May 30. You can expect a huge number of people (claustrophobic folks beware) at the fest, which features live entertainment -- Rodney Atkins, Morris Day & The Time, Josh Turner, Everclear, Corey Smith, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and more -- vendors and displays, food, activities for children, interactive exhibits and special meet and greets and Q&A sessions with NASCAR drivers.
— Anita Overcash
For more information on Food Lion Speed Street Festival, visit www.600festival.com. For more information on the Coca-Cola 600, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 27, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Ego Thursdays (with open bar from 10 p.m.-midnight) at Sunset Club
• Mindelixir Presents Bass Church - Free Music Night at Neighborhood Theatre
• Wine tasting/sushi night at Dolce Vita
• Therapy Thursdays at Wild Wing Cafe
• Morris Day & The Time/Luke Bryan perform at Speed Street
The legendary MC known as Common may be a big-time movie star these days, but he hasn’t gone Hollywood. He still keeps it real and spends quality time with his fans. Take his appearance in Charlotte tonight, for example; he’ll be in town for what promises to be an “intimate evening” — celebrating the release of his latest movie Just Wright. This Saturday, come out and meet/party with the rapper/actor in the flesh — as well as event host Fly Ty (of Q92.7), Power 98’s Tab D’Biasi and DJ DR. $20 (in advance). 10 p.m. The Forum, 300 N. College St. 704-287-7653. www.solkitchen.com.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 26, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Queen City Shootout at Whisky River
• Giant Panda Guerulla Dub Squad at Visulite Theatre
• Charlotte's Official Sex and The City 2 Prescreening Event
• PURE WEDNESDAYS Presents The MS. HALO Model Search at Halo
• BEARaoke Wednesdays at Black Bear Saloon
Sex and the City 2 is invading Charlotte. Ladies, pull out those sexy stilettos and check out these SATC-themed events happening this week.
• SEX AND THE CITY HAPPY HOUR A night of Sex and the City trivia, with half-price appetizers and special Sex and the City martinis. Prizes include passes to the SATC prescreening, regular movie tickets, food, shoes and fedoras. Tues., May 25. 6:30 p.m. Rock Bottom Brewery, 401 N. Tryon St.
• SEX AND THE CITY PREMIERE PARTY To celebrate the upcoming movie, enjoy valet parking, red carpet correspondance, a fashion show, celebrity appearances, hors d'oeuvres, complimentary champagne upon arrival, and swag bag for first 200 people. $15 donation benefits the American Cancer Society. Tues., May 25. 7:30 p.m.-midnight. Ballantyne Village, 14835 John J. Delaney Drive.
• SEX AND THE CITY 2 SNEAK PEEK GALA: BIGGER THAN BIG Each $100 ticket includes admission to a pre-food at Dressler’s Restaurant, followed by a private screening of the film at Regal Birkdale Stadium 16. There will be belly dancing lessons, abest shoe contest and silent auction. Post-screening, there will be a desert and champagne party at Dressler's Restaurant. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Wed., May 26. Birkdale Village, Huntersville. Click here for more info.
• CHARLOTTE'S OFFICIAL SEX AND THE CITY PRE-SCREENING EVENT Premiere celebration and screening of Sex and the City 2. Cash and prizes available during special giveaways, plus Dolce and Gabbana spring viewing, live entertainment and more. For more information, visit www.officialprescreening.com. $22-$44. Wed., May 26, 8 p.m. EpiCentre Theater/Mez, 210 East Trade Street.
• SEX AND THE CITY SEXY TRIVIA Watch the first Sex and the City movie, followed by trivia with Sierra Santana.Wed., May 26. 8 p.m. The Bar At 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave.
• SEX AND THE CITY 2 SOIREE A night of friends, fashion, fun and martinis at Monroe Crossing Mall's new Red Bowl Asian Bistro. Guests will have a chance to win great prizes and movie tickets. RSVP at 704-289-6547, ext.24. Space is limited. For more information, visit www.shopmonroecrossing.com. Thu., May 27, 6-9 p.m. Red Bowl Asian Bistro, 2115 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe.
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 25, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Drake performs at The Fillmore
• Service Industry Night at On The Roxx Southend
• Celebrity Power Magazine presents The Power Mixer at the Harvey Gantt Center
• Tuesday night trivia at T1 Tapas
• Bill Hanna Jazz Jam at Double Door Inn
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, May 24, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Monday Night Pint Night: First Call Kings at Dandelion Market
• King of the QC Competition at The Forum
• Blue Monday at Tutto Mondo
• The Monday Night All-Stars at Double Door Inn
• Monday Funday at Dixie's Tavern
Well, the folks at The Forum, Smirnoff and The Sol Kitchen will attempt to answer that question when they host the King of the QC DJ Competition on Monday, May 24. The event will pit a select group of area DJs against each other to find out who rules the turntables. On top of that, legendary rapper Special Ed will perform during the battle's intermission, and DJ Dummy (who mans the wheels of steel for Common) is scheduled to rock the after party.
8 p.m.
The Forum,
300 N. College St.
Register at www.smirnoffvip.com.
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