This year the Queen City will see its very first Mardi Gras celebration – the Parade of Beads – benefitting Beads for Needs, a non-profit organization that supports children’s charities. During Mardi Gras, the EpiCentre in Charlotte will be transformed into the French Quarter, filled with New Orleans-themed decorations. On Friday, February 17 at 9pm the Parade of Beads will kick off with street performers, live music, mascots, dance teams, and a DJ. Spectators will be able to catch flying beads from three levels of balconies and enjoy all-you-can-eat food from local restaurants including authentic Mardis Gras King Cakes and Hurricanes. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit beadsforneeds.org.

Beads for Needs’ mission is to help underprivileged children in the Charlotte community by raising funds for children’s organizations. This year proceeds from the Parade of Beads will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) and the Charlotte Junior Chamber. SCC offers children in financial and medical need everything from educational support to clothing and meals. The Charlotte Junior Chamber, also known as the “Jaycees,” offers young professionals opportunities in leadership, community service, and individual development. The Parade of Beads is a worthy cause to support children in need, and a fun event for the whole community.

The VUE Charlotte is proud to be a sponsor of the Parade of Beads, and to promote an event that furthers a sense of community in the city of Charlotte. Residents of the VUE Charlotte condos are encouraged to attend the Parade of Beads at the EpiCentre located just a few blocks away. Situated in a convenient location, the VUE Charlotte offers luxury living with world-class amenities and unparalleled views of the city skyline. For more information, contact us at 704.374.0089.

Valentine’s Day, a day representing love and affection, is often pretty anxiety-filled by your common American. Whether it is a romantic night spent with your significant other or a night of cocktails with your best friends, it is always anticipated by a reservation or a game plan.

This year, no stress is needed in preparing for the perfect night with those you truly love (or have fun with) because here are a couple of places in Charlotte that have it all covered for you:

If you are looking for something social and upbeat, try an awesome night of entertainment at Wine Up. Hosted by JC honoring the select Poets from The Concrete Generation, Maze, Bluz, Q, Filmore, Mekkah and Queen Sheba. Special performances, by each artist, being celebrated with Live Band. Call as soon as possible because it will be reservation only.

You can also head over to the Spirit Square: McGlohon Theater for the annual concert, “Crazy Love”, to listen to cover love songs by Impromtu and Festival Singers.

Blow off your winter funk with the Duke Mansion‘s Chill Chaser evenings on Friday, February 24th from 5:30 to 7 pm. This event is a fun-filled evening with snacks from the executive chef and a cash bar.

For a romantic candlelit dinner for two here is a list of a few Charlotte hot spots offering Valentine’s Day specials:

The Wine Shop at Foxcroft

Bar Cocoa

Passion8

Red Rocks Café

Whether you’re a young adult or have a family, Charlotte is an ideal city to live, work and celebrate the holidays. VUE Charlotte offers a convenient central location, and unencumbered views of the city. If you are searching for a luxury condo in Charlotte, contact the VUE today by calling 704-374-0089.

Being right in the brink of winter and the sun taking a few weekly vacations this time of year, you are probably in that long winter stretch just waiting for the spring blossoms to appear. This is the time of the year to spice up your mood and weekend activities with something new! New shopping, new food, maybe even that spa visit you have been prolonging. We are a month into the New Year, so VUE Charlotte reminds you to keep the good coming and to check out all the new hot spots Charlotte has to offer:

Get your spring wardrobe ready at the new Lipp Boutique, designer apparel and accessories store for women, opening this week in Midtown. The boutique will feature fabulous brands such as Michael Kors, BCBG Max Azria, French Connection and Hudson, among many others.

New to the restaurant scene, comes the very trendy Osso Charlotte. The entire restaurant and lounge is designed by the ever-famous Francois Fossard, known for many award winning hot spots all over Miami Beach, New York and Las Vegas, including world famous PRIVE, Mansion and SET. This is definitely a place to visit if you are looking for a nice Italian meal and hip scenery.

Coming very soon is the Stanly County Winter Wine Festival, Feb 25, featuring several of North Carolina’s finest wineries and vineyards. This is a great opportunity to spend a tasty day with your friends or family.

There are plenty exciting places in Charlotte you have not experienced and what a great way to start new year. If you are looking for a luxury condo in Charlotte, contact VUE Charlotte today. With top-of-the-line amenities and an ideal central location, VUE Charlotte offers the best luxury condos in Uptown Charlotte. For more information call the sales office today at 704.374.0089.

When traveling to a new destination we often seek out every pamphlet, website, tour guide, and marketing material we can get our hands on to plan our trip and make sure we do not miss the ‘must see’ destinations. For an equally fun and memorable ‘staycation’ in Charlotte, you just need to think like a tourist. By approaching your own neighborhood with a new spirit of discovery, you are likely to find many interesting things you regularly overlook. If you live in VUE Charlotte condominiums, or in uptown Charlotte, we have selected venues and activities right around the corner. Continue reading “Experience Charlotte like a Tourist” »

The New Year has always been a time to reflect on the past year and more importantly, focus our attention on what we want to create in the New Year. While we all know New Year’s resolutions are far easier to make thank they are to keep, it doesn’t stop us from promising ourselves a more successful, more productive and happier year than the last one.

Looking to get fit this year, check out “New Year, New You!” Free Workshops hosted by Total Nutrition Technology, a company specializing in helping people manage their health, lose weight, and enhance their sports performance. Through their comprehensive nutrition plans and exercise programs personalized just for you, it could be the help you need to get on the right track (no pun intended). Workshops will be held at Total Nutrition Technology on Monday, January 9^th from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. For more information please visit their website.

Continue reading “The Trick to New Year’s Resolutions . . . the More the Merrier” »

Yes, we just did a blog about all the fantastic holiday parties being held here in the Queen City, but we wanted to focus today’s installation exclusively on New Year’s Eve in Charlotte. Charlotte Seen, a red carpet events and promotions company, has the exclusive scoop on all the best events for locals to ring in the new year. So grab your noisemakers, don your favorite little black dress (or suit) and get ready to celebrate 2012 in style!

Andrew Blair’s at 1600 Montford Drive will be offering a 5-hour open bar, 2 DJs, a huge heated and furnished tent, cash balloon drop at midnight, champagne toast and “other great surprises”! The first 100 tickets are only $60, so act fast to ensure you cash in on the savings. Tickets are available for general admission, VIP and VIP Groups. For more information, email information@andrewblairs.com. To purchase tickets, go to www.bandtastic.com/andrewblairs.

Continue reading “Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Charlotte!” »

The holiday season is in full swing and Christmas is just six short days away. While most of us are scrambling to pick up last-minute gifts, others are searching for fun, festive holiday events in Charlotte. Charlotte Magazine features “Your best bets of what to see and do” in the Queen City each month, and December’s installation offers plenty of entertainment options to help ignite your holiday spirit and ring in 2012!

Chaps! A Jingle Jangle Christmas. Head over to the Actor’s Theatre until the 23^rd to see this 1994 Christmas musical. Tex Riley, America’s favorite singing cowboy, is late for a BBC radio broadcast, forcing the show’s producer to find whomever he can to stay on air. Don’t miss this raucous musical comedy, click here for ticketing information.

Continue reading “Holiday Events in Charlotte” »

The historic Fourth Ward neighborhood is an artful blend of beautifully restored 100-plus-year-old Victorian homes, with urban apartments, parks and businesses and luxury condominiums in Uptown Charlotte. This collection of “quaint and charming meets urban contemporary offers a residential experience that has made Fourth Ward a premier Uptown community.” Today through Sunday, the 34th Annual Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour will take place in Center City.

Homes in the Fourth Ward will be bedecked in holiday finery, inviting guests to tour the residences, along with the historic Dunhill Hotel, McColl Center for Visual Art (Sat. & Sunday only) and the North Carolina Dance Theatre. All three days, attendees will enjoy seasonal music performed by choirs and hand bell ensembles on the porches of neighborhood homes. Guests attending the tour on Sunday will have a chance to tour the charming McNinch House restaurant and Victorian home. Tour-goers will also be treated to complimentary horse and carriage rides throughout the neighborhood, delicious food samples from local restaurants, like Mert’s Heart & Soul, and a preview of the new 7^th Street Public Market. Be sure to arrive early, as McCormick & Schmick’s will be offering $10 promotional gift cards to the first 400 tour-goers at the ticket booth each day. Continue reading “The 34th Annual Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour Returns to Uptown” »

It’s that time of year again – when we rejoice in the spirit of giving and our thoughts shift from deadlines and meetings to turkey and pumpkin pie. If you’re not one of the 42.5 million Americans expected to travel this Turkey Day, don’t miss the 64^th annual Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade, a long-standing holiday tradition in Charlotte.

The 2011 Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade will march down Tryon Street on Thursday, November 24, starting at 10 A.M. Presented by Carolina’s Carrousel, Inc., a nonprofit organization, the parade will feature more than 110 units, including 22 floats, 13 marching bands and 7 step/drill teams. The weather is expected to be perfect, and there are plenty of great viewing spots all along the parade route.

Boasting participation from both North and South Carolina, and reaching roughly half a million people from the 22-county metro area, the Carrousel Parade is one of the largest gatherings of Carolinians throughout the year. According to TalkCharlotteRealEstate.com, “In 2008, TravelMuse.com listed the Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade as the fourth largest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the United States.”

The parade route will begin at 10^th and Tryson Street, ending at Stonewall. Big crowds are expected, so parade organizers are suggesting riding the CATS buses or the LYNX Blue Line. For more information, visit CarrouselParade.org. Residents at the VUE Charlotte only need to travel a short distance to claim their spot along the parade route. With a central location, The VUE Charlotte offers close proximity to the area’s best attractions. If you are looking for a luxury condo in Charlotte, contact us today by calling 704.374.0089.

Last month, we told you about the first-ever “Over the Edge” event being held at The VUE Charlotte. Local celebrities and thrill-seeking residents alike gathered for the event, which benefitted the Special Olympics of North Carolina.

The fundraiser attracted 71 participants who rappelled down 35 stories of The VUE Charlotte building to help thousands of people suffering with intellectual disabilities. The one-of-a-kind event was a massive success, raising $80,000 for Special Olympics North Carolina athletes, according to Keith L. Fishburne, President/CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina. Each rappeller raised a minimum of $1,000 to participate in the Over the Edge event.

“The Over the Edge event was a great success with so many people willing to rappel 35 stories,” said Fishburne.  “Special Olympics North Carolina is very appreciative to all the rappellers for the funds they raised to support our mission, which allows us to show that people with intellectual disabilities can have a far greater impact on our communities than many believe.” Continue reading ““Over the Edge” Raises $80,000 for Special Olympics North Carolina” »