Remember the days when making friends was as easy as running outside to join the neighborhood kids catching fireflies or playing a game of tag? Conversation was effortless; everyone was welcome. Unfortunately, making adult friendships is more complicated. As we grow older, we tend to […]
We’re talking about Finding Friendships and Forest Baths. Two stories featured in the March issue of SouthPark Magazine. Why is it harder to find friends as we age? And what are the health benefits of “bathing” among trees? Find out in this episode of SouthPark […]
Searching for serenity on a beautiful Caribbean beach where the landscape beckons you to lie back and let go? Book a non-stop flight from Charlotte to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos and in less than three hours you’ll be lounging on one of the world’s most welcoming destinations surrounded by stunning stretches of sand: Grace Bay.
This staggering seven-mile powdery-white shore is the heart and soul of Providenciales, or “Provo” as the locals call it, the most developed of the eight inhabited islands in Turks and Caicos. Grace Bay is immaculate with its crystal-clear turquoise water going knee-deep for miles. Locals take pride in keeping the beaches and the sidewalks clean. No trash on the ground, no plastic carelessly chucked into the water. The residents will report anyone who litters or harasses tourists; they want to maintain a warm welcome to their visitors.
From physical activities to art installations, there’s plenty to explore year-round Read More
One of the top-trending wellness treatments starts with caring for your head. The ancient Asian practice of scalp massages and head spas, recently popularized in the West largely through TikTok and Instagram, has spawned new facilities across the country — and Charlotte is no exception. […]
If luxury can come in the form of lagoons, pristine pools and beaches, then it is no wonder that Mayakoba — a private resort along the Riviera Maya on the eastern coast of Mexico — attracts visitors looking to indulge in comfort and lounge in leisure. The gated community just north of Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Sea consists of private residences, four distinct hotels and El Camaleón — an award-winning, Greg Norman-designed golf course that has hosted numerous LIV Golf and PGA Tour events, including the PGA’s first tournament in Latin America.
Plan to visit Mayakoba if you’re prepared to stay put on the cushy campus. Unlike Cancun, the overhyped spring-break destination about an hour north, a visit to Mayakoba isn’t about sightseeing, cave tours or crazy nightlife. Instead, be prepared to pamper yourself in paradise during the day and turn in early for a restful sleep at night.
Award-winning singer and songwriter Dennis Reed Jr. has much to celebrate on his 40th birthday this month. This spring, the Charlotte native signed with Rock Soul Productions, an entertainment company founded by Grammy-award winner and North Carolina native Fantasia Barrino Taylor and Yvonne McNair.
Reed, who has worked with Fantasia for more than 10 years, and his Sainted Trap Choir — the modern gospel and hip-hop singing group he co-founded with local DJ Fannie Mae — sang backup vocals for The Color Purple star at this year’s Academy Awards. The group also shared the spotlight with Fantasia when she performed as one of this year’s Time100 Most Influential People. In addition, Reed and choir members accompanied R&B singer Andra Day at Super Bowl LVIII and played in front of thousands of people at Charlotte’s inaugural Lovin’ Life Music Festival in May.
As the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture’s first musical artist-in-residence, last month he produced Liberation & Inspiration: A Celebratory Juneteenth Concert hosted by legendary gospel singer Kirk Franklin. The concert at Knight Theater featured performances by local musicians, African dancers and Sainted Trap Choir. Fantasia made a special appearance.
All this after Reed kicked off the year as a fiancé: He proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Charlotte media maven and content creator Ohavia Phillips, in late 2023.
“You know how they say it takes decades to become an overnight success?” he asks. “I started playing piano, singing and conducting choirs at age 10, so these amazing opportunities of late are catching up. I’m doing what I’ve always done and working hard — I’m just getting recognized for it now.”
It helps to have a star like Fantasia in your corner. “Dennis isn’t just an artist; he’s a vessel of inspiration,” Fantasia shares in an email. “That’s why I knew he had to be one of the first artists signed to Rock Soul Productions. His heart and passion are exactly what this label stands for, and I’m so grateful to have him on this journey with me.”
The relationship between the United States and Cuba is complicated. Despite the tumultuous history between the two countries, it is undeniable that the Caribbean island shares a love for something made in the U.S.: jazz music. That’s one reason JazzArts Charlotte decided to kick off […]
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