I was thrilled to partner with Neiman Marcus Charlotte for an intimate event highlighting the 2021 Spring Trends.
It felt great to gather (safely) and talk all things fashion over light bites and mimosas! ? Many thanks to the Neiman Marcus event team, my trusted assistant, the beautiful guests, our amazing model Amani Madden who rocked each look, hair by Royalty Beauty Bar, MUA Krysta Medley, floral backdrop by Aisha Thomas Events, music mix by Luke Calvin and event photos by Shot By Lindsay.
Hosting an in person event felt good. It was the adrenaline rush I didn’t know I needed. I did however forget when I take the stage, dancing is likely to happen and well, between that and talking for an hour, ya girl was parched! ?????
UNCF raised $2.3 million, thanks in part to Oprah’s generosity!
Celebrating 75 years of service to the nation, more than 1,000 guests adorned with fascinators and hats attended UNCF Charlotte‘s sold-out 17th annual Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon, raising a record-breaking $2,300,000 in support of education.
Fashion auteur and media personality Stacee Michelle interviews the legendary Oprah Winfrey on the red carpet at the UNCF Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon before her big announcement.
Global media leader, producer, actress and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey headlined the signature fundraising event presented by Wells Fargo and bestowed an unrivaled moment by matching live fundraising efforts to donate $1,149,000!
With only a few more days left in the Charlotte SHOUT! Festival, we are excited to welcome back Umphrey’s McGee to the Queen City to celebrate Charlotte’s 250th Anniversary.
The dynamic headline band, Umphrey’s McGee, will be hitting the Atrium Health Main Stage at Romare Bearden Park on Friday. I caught up with them to chat before the show to talk about everything from favorite denim to Star Wars! Check it out!
Photo by Abby Fox
Charlotte is celebrating its 250th Anniversary with the SHOUT! festival, how do you feel about being apart of the celebration?
Charlotte has been an important city in the history of our country, as well as important city in the history of Umphrey’s McGee. We’ve played at the Visulite, Amos’ Southend, Neighborhood Theater, the Fillmore & the Symphony Park in Charlotte. So many great venues & memories. We are always thrilled to celebrate iconic events like this and feel like we represent a great cross section of American music history. With our chameleonic musical style, you never know what you’re going to get but we can promise that it will be an energetic and entertaining concert. We’ve often been described as party music for the brain, so it makes sense that Umphrey’s McGee would be tapped to celebrate with the city of Charlotte.
Why is live music important to a city’s growth?
As far as the importance of live music to a city and it’s growth, live music brings people from all walks of life together and builds bridges between people, often creating friendships between fans. In a time when many of us can become isolated in the world, live music brings culture and love, giving audience members and band members alike a life-affirming bond with each other.
Photo by Dave Vann
How does performing at festivals differ for you from a traditional concert?
At a traditional concert, we know everyone there is there to see Umphrey’s McGee. At a city festival, we have the opportunity to often play before new people who haven’t experienced our show before. We love when we have opportunities to show new folks a good time. We’ll undoubtedly be playing for a mix of those who have seen the band many times and those who have never seen us before, so expect something for everyone at our show.
Is there a particular item you wear each show and if so, what is its significance?
Brendan Bayliss, Guitar/Vocal: There’s not really a particular item worn by any of us each night, although Ryan has worn some questionable things on stage. We do all have a Star Wars action figure on our rigs each night — good to have The Force on our side.
Photo by Umphrey’s McGee
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
We spend about 30 minutes before the show warming up together and getting on the same page musically. The idea is that when we step out and hit our first notes, we already feel like we’re firing on all cylinders.
Go-to denim jean brand or favorite pair of jeans?
Joel Cummins, Keyboard/Piano/Vocal: I have a pair of Joe’s that’s survived for almost 10 years, so ‘have to give it to them.
Brendan Bayliss, Guitar/Vocal: Levi 100%. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Ryan Stasik, Bass/No Vocal: There’s only one brand of denim approved by the National Tanning Association: Shinesty. (see photo from our destination event in Mexico)
Photo by Ryan Stasik
What is the process you go through as a band in deciding what to wear before a show? Does it happen the day before, a week ahead?
We talk about what music we want to play and never talk about what to wear. Every guy has his own style, so we just try to embrace that and let it ride.
Can you repeat the same look you’ve worn to a previous show?
Yes, you can repeat the same look from a previous show, just hopefully not the following day!
Photo by Dave Vann
Memorable on-stage wardrobe malfunctions story?
Trying to wear a mask on Halloween has produced mixed results. We had to take them off because we were sweating too much, but more importantly, our shows rely on eye contact. We’ve done shows in masks where we couldn’t see what anyone was trying to do and that made things challenging.
The annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball is a premier fundraising gala and a major social event, focusing on raising public awareness and large corporate and individual donations to support deserving students through UNCF. Hosted by UNCF Charlotte and a diverse group of corporate sponsors and local businesses, it involves celebrities, dignitaries, civic leaders, volunteers, public officials, alumni and others who support UNCF’s mission of investing in Better Futures® for us all by getting students to and through college.
In Charlotte, the Masked Award Honorees were: Grammy Award Winning Singer and Songwriter, Anthony Hamilton; Chief Policy Officer & Senior Advisor to the President and CEO of Lyft, Anthony Foxx; Partner, Ernst & Young, LLP, Curt W. Fochtmann; and VP, Chief Data & Executive Information Officer, Bank of America & UNCF Board Member, Laurie Readhead.
The Hamiltones provided entertainment for the evening and put on an amazing show!
We couldn’t wait for the next issue of FOUR Magazine to hit the stands! But…it was bitter-sweet. The fourth issue of FOUR Magazine, meant the LAST issue of FOUR Magazine. [ Say What!?] FOUR identified creative moments and sought out the beauty in homes, iconic fashion, artistic expression, and diverse culture that dwells within the city. It was created to showcase timeless imagery and creativity.
To close the series, co-founders Nicole Camack and Ciara Bird thought it was best to complete FOUR Magazine with the fourth issue. In celebration of the editorial release and farewell, a launch party was held at the New Gallery of Modern Art in Uptown Charlotte. Did you miss the event? Check out some pics below! Oh, and be sure to order your copy by clicking HERE!
All pictures provided by FOUR , find additional pictures HERE!
Lotus Boutique teamed with VitaminWater to give Charlotte, NC a show to remember! The event will feature an exclusive viewing of Lotus Boutiques Summer 2011 Collection along with 7 designers competing in the VitaminWater flavor inspired fashion challenge. Each designer was given one of the 7 flavors of Vitaminwater Zero and was then required to create a custom designed garment that would best represent the flavor selected. From color and flavor, to texture and silhouette, it will be quite exciting to see what these designers have pulled out of their sleeves!
Participating designers include:
Stamatina Vassilaras: VitaminWater Zero- Glow
Franklin Headen:VitaminWater Zero – XXX
Tara Davis:VitaminWater Zero – Energy
Caleb Clark:VitaminWater Zero – Drive
Erika Diamond:VitaminWater Zero – Power-C
Hannlei Taylor:VitaminWater Zero – Rhythm
Cigi Guzman:VitaminWater Zero – Squeezed
WANT TO GO? ITS FREE with a Recommended $10 door donation to benefit Dress for Success. April 16, 2011 @ 7 p.m. in the breezeway 1100 Metropolitan Ave # 125 Charlotte, NC 28204-3416.
