Members of Young Affiliates of the Mint gathered on Saturday for Art On Tap, a craft beer tasting and art preview of works by local artist Alexandra Loesser at Heist Brewery. Proceeds raised from the YAM event help to support Bearing Witness: The New York Photo League and Sonia Handelman Meyer, a special exhibit at Mint Museum Randolph that runs through June 29. (Photos by Jeff Taylor)
UNC Charlotte's newest exhibit, Sustain Me Baby features Joyce Dallal's "The Other Toy Story," a massive, 10-foot-tall trash receptacle that resembles a baby. The vessel is stuffed with plastic toys and represents the influence that non-recycled items like these will have on our future generation. Also featured in the exhibit is Chris Jordan's Midway series - featuring photographs of dead baby albatrosses, whose stomachs were injured by plastics and trash that they'd eaten because humans hadn't properly disposed of the materials. It's a powerful mix that raises environmental awareness. Folks attending the opening reception on Friday got to see members of North Carolina Dance Theatre who performed a special piece, choreographed by Mark Diamond, with special costumes made of recycled items. (Photos by Mert Jones)
NoDa Alley Rally, featuring local food trucks, craft beers and live entertainment, kicked off yesterday evening. The newbie event, which will go down on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, drew out a chill crowd and was held in the artsy, relaxed environment around Area 15. (Photos by Justin Driscoll)
The Third Annual Carolina Beard and Moustache Competition was held at the Chop Shop on March 22, 2014. More than 100 contestants battled it out in front of a crowd of more than 400 people - and all while raising money for Safe Alliance.
The event was hosted by the Beard and Moustache Club of North Carolina's Charlotte Chapter, which is featured on the cover of this week's Creative Loafing. (Photos by Justin Driscoll)
Hartigan's, a longtime Irish bar and LGBT club that originally opened in 1996 and was later rebranded and reopened in 2008, announced last week that it was closing (Boo!). But before its doors were closed for good, the folks at Hartigan's wanted to have one last shebang (Yay!). This past weekend, the nightspot threw its final Takeover Friday party, which drew out a fun, festive crowd. (Photos by Jeff Taylor)
Foodies and chefs united for Creative Loafing's second annual Iron Fork at Silver Hammer Studios last night.
Four chefs, including Troy Gagliardo (WCCB News Rising), Luca Annunziata (Passion8 Bistro), Aaron Rivera (The Chrome Toaster), Alyssa Gorelick (Chef Alyssa's Kitchen) competed against defending Iron Fork champion, chef Geoff Bragg. And the winner is: **drumroll, please *** Chef Alyssa Gorelick.
While chef's cooked up dishes to dazzle a panel of hardcore judges, folks attending also roamed the venue to eat, drink and be merry. (Photos by Justin Driscoll)
Sad news, folks: The longtime Irish bar and LGBT club Hartigan's has announced it will close its doors for good after this weekend.
Known for fun events like pudding wrestling, sumo wrestling and Buff Faye's Drag Brunch, as well as offering a welcoming environment to gays and straights alike, Hartigan's has been a staple in the Charlotte nightlife scene since it originally opened in 1996, then rebranded and reopened in 2008.
The owners announced the closing last night on Hartigan's Facebook page:
The reality is that the building is getting older; and after 3 different landlords in 6 years, we are unable to sustain the financial and physical burdens of a more than 100 year old building. The plumbing, the heating and air conditioning, the electrical - it's all seen better days (and boy were those some great days). It's time to close up shop and let the bar and the memories live on in our hearts.We want to personally thank every single person that has supported and patronized Hartigan's over the past 6 years that we have owned it, as well as the many years before.
Since 2008, we've been blessed with so many unforgettable and incomparable experiences. From hosting the Maryland delegates for the Democratic National Convention - to being on the Front Page of the New York Times... . From being chosen as one of the Top 29 Sports Bars in the Universe by ESPN the Magazine - to watching them film Homeland in the middle of the restaurant.
According to QNotes, Hartigan's is one of only two local nightspots catering to lesbian and bisexual women, and the city's only LGBT restaurant and bar.
To celebrate Hartigan's long history, we've pulled some of our favorite photos taken at the Cedar Street club over the years.
Folks gathered at Neighborhood Theatre on Thursday for volume 11 of Pecha Kucha. The event offered up a hodgepodge of presenters who speak on topics that range from arts to social justice, life experiences and more. There was also music, dance and experimental theatrics. All-in-all, the presenters were inspirational, thought-provoking and entertaining. (Photos by Mert Jones)
Gather 'round, lads and lassies! It's time to plan for how and where you'll spend your St. Patrick's Day. The shenanigans below, happening in Charlotte and the surrounding area, are all good choices for drinking, eating, being entertained and merry. Cheers to finding a pot o' gold!
Friday, March 14
5th Annual Buff Faye's Get Lucky Party Bus Check-in for the party bus ride is at Hartigan's Irish Pub, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The bus stops at a variety of LGBT-friendly pubs (including Chasers, The Bar at 316, Cathode Azure, and Hartigan's) and drag performer Buff Faye and her divas are there throughout the ride. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Campus Pride for LGBT youth. $15-$25. March 14, 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hartigan's Irish Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. 704-347-1841. www.hartigans.com.
Leprechaun Jizz: All Green Paint Party at Bar Charlotte As the event's flyer states: "Come in white, leave in green." Drink specials include select $5 beers and $5 vodka energy drinks. Text "green" to 980-333-8633 to get on the VIP list for free admission. Doors open at 9 p.m. 18 and up are welcome. March 14, 9 p.m. Bar Charlotte, 300 N. College St. 704-342-2545. www.barcharlotte.com.
St. Practice Day/St. Patty's Pre-Game Party at Whisky River The party before the party will feature DJ Boss and 103.7's own Austin and Big Sexy. Drink specials include $6 Irish car bombs and $3 select beers. Kitchen opens at 11 p.m. March 14. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St. 704-749-1097. www.thewhiskyriver.com.
Pour Days of Green at Kennedy's The pub is celebrating St. Patrick's Day, starting on Friday and continuing through Monday. During this time there will be screenings of college basketball games, live music, beads and giveaways and food and drink specials. Kennedy's Premium Bar & Grill, 336 N. Caswell St. 704-375-0218. www.kennedyscharlotte.com.
The Chuckleheads at The Tavern The Charlotte improv troupe presents its "Some Folks Have All the Luck Comedy Improv Musical Variety Extravaganza." The St. Patrick's Day themed show features improv games, musical activities, game show elements, and the heavy-duty audience participation. For advance tickets, call 704-301-1564 or visit www.planetimprov.com. March 14, 8 p.m. $10-$15. 300 East Morehead St.
Saturday, March 15
18th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Charlotte Goes Green Festival This year's parade features floats, pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers, musical groups, marching bands and more. Includes performances from Loch Norman Pipe Band, Federal Clan Kings, Lissakeole, Rince Na' Eireann Dance School, Rince Na' Eireann Dance School and more. The parade will step off at 11 a.m. at Tryon Street and 9th Street. It will march south on Tryon Street to 3rd Street and then march on to Caldwell Street. March 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.charlottestpatsday.com.
6th Annual Green Party at EpiCentre The party features a live performance from Swedish synth-pop trio NoNoNo (think of that whistling single: "Pumpin' Blood") and music from DJ Roshay. March 15, 3 p.m. Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.pavilionatepicentre.com.
Green River Revival at U.S. National Whitewater Center The celebration will kick off with the Color Me Green 5K, a trail race similar to the Color Run. Following the race, the whitewater rapids will turn a bright green in honor of St. Patrick's Day. There will then be live music (Love Cannon and The Mike Strauss Band), food and drinks and a corn hole tournament. The river will remain open to those who want to raft or kayak. For full details, visit www.usnwc.org/green-river-revival-2/. March 15. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway. 704-391-3900.
Rich and Bennett's 14th Annual St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl The Q.C.'s largest St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. Ticket price includes an event T-shirt, koozie, giveaways and cover into all bar stops on the crawl. Check-in is at 12 p.m. at Dixie's Tavern. For tickets, visit www.rockhouseevents.com. $20-$30. March 15. Dixie's Tavern, 301 E. 7th St. 704-374-1700. www.dixiescharlotte.com.
Get Lucky St. Patty's Day Party at Roxbury The party features drink specials, including $2 Mickeys, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, $5 fireballs and mixed drinks. $7 cover. March 15, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Roxbury Nightclub, 115 W. 5th St. 704-375-8090. www.roxburynightclub.com.
St. Patrick's Day Bash at Hickory Tavern The party features a live DJ inside and live performances by Burning Bright and Simplified on the venue's outside patio. There will also be drink specials. March 15, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hickory Tavern (Metropolitan location), 1100 Metropolitan Ave. 704-334-5155. www.thehickorytavern.com.
Shamrock 'N' Roll at RiRa Pay tribute to S. Patrick with traditional Irish music, food and cold beer. Crashbox performs at 10 p.m. Drink specials include $2 Miller Lite and Coors Lite bottles; $2 PBR cans, $3 pints of Heineken and $5 Jagerbombs. March 15. RiRa, 208 N. Tryon St. 704-333-5554. www.rira.com.
Front Row Charlotte is a charity fashion event in which every attendee has a front row seat. For those of us who've ever been stuck behind a particularly tall person or someone who just can't stop fidgeting, the setup was awesome at CenterStage@NoDa. The models who walked during the March 5 event - Front Row's third edition, which sold out within six days of launching ticket sales - offered looks from five local boutiques: Coral, Our Place, Coplon's, Social Dress Shop and Poole Shop.
I say Front Row Charlotte was a fashion event rather than a show (although many people in attendance had dressed as though they'd be sauntering down the catwalk) because the focus of the evening centered on local businesses. Video interviews featuring the shop owners served as introductions before each store's showcase; two jewelry lines, Erin McDermott and Melvin, were additionally spotlighted; and attendees could purchase the outfits in a small shopping area after the show.
While the chosen looks circling the walkway were impressive - I've got my eye on you, Social Dress Shop - what was more fantastic was how much money Front Row Charlotte raised for Baby Bundles, a local charity working to help new mothers in financial need with baby supplies. No matter where you're sitting in an audience during an event, $10,000 for a good cause is pretty damn cool.
See more photos from Justin Driscoll.
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