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Hunter Heilman editor@ninertimes.com EDITORIAL
Emily Hickey MANAGING EDITOR Alex Sands NEWS EDITOR Kathleen Cook SPORTS EDITOR Jeffrey Kopp A&E EDITOR Hailey Turpin LIFESTYLE EDITOR Salina Dickie COPY EDITOR Mia Shelton OPINION EDITOR Leysha Caraballo PHOTO COORDINATOR Pooja Pasupula PHOTO COORDINATOR Joshua Worley VIDEO PRODUCER Carmen Westra COMMUNITY EDITOR Natasha Morehouse LAYOUT EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITORS
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SPORTS
Menʼs basketball drops 11th straight in heart-breaking fashion Womenʼs team wins fourth straight at Louisiana Tech Charlotteʼs womenʼs team stuns conference leader UAB 49ers lose in a thriller to UTSA
A&E • • •
ALBUM REVIEW: Geowulf crafts a dazzling debut of escapist beach pop with ʻGreat Big Blueʼ MOVIE REVIEW: ʻThe Ritualʼ is some shellshocking indie horror TV REVIEW: ʻRuPaulʼs Drag Race All Starsʼ – ʻAll Stars Snatch Gameʼ
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a new belk plaza Renovation plans will transform the area
Construction at Belk Plaza. Photo by Chimena Ihebuzor
NEWS NEWS
Renovation plan for Belk Plaza. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Frere
By Alexandria Sands In the Belk Tower’s 45 years, it saw free speech in the form of protests, students breaking out into flash mobs and vigils for live’s lost. In December 2015, the Belk Tower’s legacy ended when it was dismantled due to structural damage and potential safety concerns. This month, construction fences went up where the tower once stood, in hopes that renovations, developed by design and architecture firm LandDesign, will recreate the interaction and engagement at the core of campus that has been lost since the removal of Belk Tower two years ago. The university breaks ground on the plaza this week, at the center of Winningham, Kennedy, Colvard halls and Atkins Library. Within the next six months, the first phase of the renovation plans will be complete. Phase one includes an oval, slightly elevated lawn that will lead up to a performance stage and a fountain that will be installed directly across from the stage, at the opposite end of the lawn. It will be made out of natural stone and double-sided with two tiers of cascading water on one side and a flat sheet of
water going into the ground on the other. The edges of the lawn will be surrounded by seat walls with plants behind. Adjacent to the fountain, there will be an event plaza with a gray paving. Those working on the project at facilities management are hoping the natural stone and gray colors will make the space stand out amongst the primarily brick campus. They are also making improvements to the area, such as replacing bricks and removing the steps and ramp in front of Winningham Hall, flattening out the entrance. The project manager Elizabeth Frere hopes the anticipated success of phase one will speed up the process of receiving funding for phase two. “I think people are going to be so excited once this gets installed, that it’s going to be obvious that we want to go ahead and upgrade the rest of it,” Frere said. If funded, phase two will include a study area in front of Kennedy and a swing courtyard, with either hammocks or swinging chairs, between
Colvard and Rowe. The designers also envision adding some type of dining, such as a food truck or a restaurant, to one of the corners of the plaza. The Belk Plaza Planning Committee hosted three community forums last year where LandDesign pitched conceptual plans and accepted feedback and suggestions from attendees. At the final forum, designer Adam Martin said [LandDesign] had concluded that the renovations to Belk Plaza should attract people and emphasize the plaza as the core of campus, based on the responses they received during the previous forums. At the first forum, senior landscape architect Richard Petersheim mentioned the area was only used as a pass-through, calling it “sleepy,” compared to other parts of campus, such as the Student Union. One goal LandDesign had during the forums was to create a design that would eliminate the “straight-shot” walk and encourage people to walk in a curve.
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EAST CAMPUS SHUTDOWN
University set to close four major lots By Jacob Baum Major changes will be coming to campus next spring, as part the university’s master plan. The long-term plan, which was developed by facilities management, the Office of the Chancellor and other leaders on campus, highlights major multi-million dollar projects that will improve the campus over the next decade or so. Part of that master plan included the East Campus Infrastructure Project, which began planning in the spring of 2014. Almost four years later, the East Campus Infrastructure project moved from the planning phase to the design phase. The project, originally authorized $763,000, now has an estimated budget of over $6.9 million and that budget could rise once construction starts. However, some of the cost will be split between the City of Charlotte and the N.C. Department of Transportation because some of the roads involved are maintained by the city and state. The project will shut down roads to be redesigned and introduce a new traffic layout in the east campus area. This new traffic pattern will result in the destruction of multiple parking lots, current roads and the shutdown of entrances and exits on campus. The construction phase of this project is scheduled to start March 2019 with a projected completion date sometime in May 2020. During the construction phase, it may be an inconvenience for drivers. Brian Kugler, the senior project manager with UNC Charlotte’s facilities management office, explained how the university plans to handle the construction phase of the project. “There will be lane closures during construction with directed traffic. The intent is not to have any full road closures and we hope to have the bulk of construction take place during the summer when the traffic loads are lighter,” Kugler said. The construction will also be broken up into different stages to ensure drivers can access this area of campus at all times while construction takes place. The most notable change is the east campus entrance will be remodeled. John Kirk Drive will be routed into campus to meet with Cameron Boulevard at a signalized intersection, bringing with it the thousands of cars that travel on that road each day. The purpose behind the new traffic pattern is to lower congestion in that area, add independent and separated bike lanes for students as well as lay the foundation for a bigger project. Once the traffic redesign is complete, the next project in that area, according to the long-term plan, is the addition of multiple multi-million dollar buildings in the new area over the course of about a decade.
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East Campus Infrastructure Project includes a new residence hall (one), Cameron Boulevard re-alignments (two), Garden Welcome Center (three) and a Performing Arts Building (four). Photo courtesy of Peter Franz
The major Martin Hall parking lot, known as Lot Six, will be replaced with a parking deck that will be one of the largest parking decks on campus. A new residence hall, identical to Martin Hall, will be built adjacent to the already standing Martin Hall. The final stage of the project is a Garden Welcome Center, as well as a Performing Arts Center, which will also be placed in that same area. However, this phase of the project is not yet in the formal planning process and years away. All of the projects will be built on the grounds of current parking lots. The construction will build over and demolish over 1,000 parking spaces, mainly in commuter parking lots. The parking lots effected are Lot 4A, 5, 5A, 6 and 6A. Freshman Matthew Parker is not excited about the change and thinks for some time it will create a lot of trouble for current students. “While it may be a good idea in the long run, the problems this project will cause for us students right now is a real concern. It is hard enough to park on campus as it is and it will be years before alternative parking can be built to replace the parking lots they are destroying” Parker said. One thing is for sure, when students arrive from the summer break for the 2019-20 academic year, they will no longer see the East Campus they’ve come to know, rather the framework for the future of UNC Charlotte’s East Campus expansion plan.
The Art of Disagreement
How to express your opinion without berating your opponent By Edison Angelbello Photo Courtesy of Kabaldesch0/Pixabay When was the last time you walked away from a disagreement (especially a political one) feeling good about yourself? If you are anything like me, the answer might pre-date your awkward middle school years or maybe even your first words. Maybe that’s just the way disputation happens— arguing isn’t supposed to make you feel good, is it? Well, the jury is still out on that one, but one thing is for sure— disagreement is designed to be constructive, not destructive. So instead of me arguing on either side of the political divide, let’s talk about the thing we must talk about before we can cause any waves worthy of creating meaningful change: the all-important art of disagreement. It goes without saying many of us do not disagree very well nowadays. Social media disputes have become debates on steroids between people who feel empowered to say whatever they want from behind their keyboard. Before I continue, I am not discouraging anyone from saying what they believe at any time they see fit. All I’m saying is I’d rather take a sharp pencil to the eyeball than scroll through the comments on a politically charged Facebook post. Even in person, when we cannot manage to escape difficult conversations, we usually end up joining in (willingly or not) on a nationwide symphony swelling louder and louder with witty language and hurtful jabs until our lack of progress sends us back to our trenches for the night.
We are pre-programmed for this sort of total-war polarization. We are programmed to believe in two sides. Programmed to choose one of two parties. We are pretty much the left-Twix right-Twix commercials minus the self-aware satire. We aren’t in on the joke. We give into the he said she said of political argumentation and many of us are quick to assume that characteristics like gender, sexual orientation or even ethnicity are more polar than they are spectral. If you aren’t with me, you’re with them. Some of you are probably rolling your eyes, screaming through this article and into my soul that this is not always the case. You are right. But, even when we begin to see that our arguments are not so two-sided, somehow oversimplification always drags us back to those trenches we are so accustomed to. I saw, for example, more than a few articles the day after the recent State of the Union Address claiming there was not one Democrat courageously patriotic enough to rise to their feet even for the powerful stories of veterans who have given everything for our freedom to disagree. For anyone who bothered to watch the Address, you know this is untrue. Most of the room could be seen standing to applaud the valor of our service members. If you are a staunch conservative, however, perhaps you read one of these articles the next day and decided to
OPINION OPINION
take advantage of the excuse to override your memory and go back to seeing democrats as the bloodsucking vampires Hannity tells you they are. If you are, on the other hand, aligned with us vampires, then maybe you heard Trump return to his routine of criminalizing immigrants and decided to (perhaps rightfully so) clamp your ears shut and wait patiently for some young guy named Kennedy with a superb jawline and a sweetsounding message to come in and steal the show. I know what you’re thinking now—here is yet another article building up to some grand declaration about how we need to listen to each other and stop disagreeing so much (or at least so loudly). You’re thinking this guy with no influence whatsoever is now going to tell me hugging a neo-nazi would do more than punching one or I should “try to understand” the position of those threatening to tear immigrant families apart. No. My only intention is to tell you that disagreement, in its purest form, is a beautiful thing. As Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic put it in a 2017 article on disagreement, “Democracy is a contact sport. Everyone gets bruises.” When the goal of our arguments is discrediting individuals, then we confine ourselves to being hecklers in the stands. It is only when we embrace a much-needed paradigm shift and focus our arguments on dismantling opposing ideas that we become real players in our democracy. Do not even think about fighting less about politics. I’m telling you to fight more, but to borrow again from Friedersdorf’s article. I’m also telling you to fight fair. Tear down ideas, not the people who espouse them. Disagreement is a beautiful thing. It is what allows us our individuality and its beauty is what draws us all to be rebels in some way. I’m not here to tell you to stop shouting and start listening. I’m here to tell you to stop shouting about the wrong things. Focus on what matters and start boldly telling (yelling if you must) your truth.
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A&E
WAKANDA
by Hunter Heilman Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios (Disney)
The road to “Black Panther” has proven itself to be quite a long one. Ever since its first trailer hit back last June, the internet has been ablaze with excitement about Marvel’s standalone film to the tale of King T’Challa of Wakanda. Not only were people excited that the film actually looked good, but about the immense impact the film would have on the world of blockbusters. In the past, black-led blockbusters haven’t been absent, but have really only accounted for what I can only assume is less than 1% of the gross product of films like this. “Black Panther” is not only a black-led blockbuster, but one led almost entirely by a black cast. Set within the royal palace of the fictional African country of Wakanda, the film seeks to explore the vast beauty and excellence that Africa has to offer, all that typically gets swept under the rug by the media for more “In the arms of the angel” fundraising commercials. “Black Panther” proved itself to be a standard for black excellence in front of the camera, but can the talent behind the camera make it worth its important distinction as a film? Oh boy, can it. T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is preparing to take the throne of Wakanda, after his father was killed in the events of “Captain America: Civil War.” Faced with the pressure of his family and citizens under his belt, T’Challa finds himself in a bit of an identity crisis when taking the throne. Soon into his reign, he is told that Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), an old nemesis of his father’s, is attempting to pawn an ancient Wakandan artifact recovered in London. Captured in Seoul, Klaue escapes with the help of American extremist Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who wears a Wakandan ring of his family. With the help of his guard, Okoye (Danai Gurira), his ex, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright) and CIA Agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), the group must decipher the origin of Killmonger’s origin and protect Wakanda from an age of tyrannical rule threatening it at its door. In writing, “Black Panther” sounds like a typical “defend the kingdom” type of action film, but don’t get it twisted, you have never seen a film like “Black Panther” before. The sheer act of placing a major blockbuster in Central Africa is groundbreaking in itself, as it opens itself up to such a unique setting that affects the fabric of the film in such a profound way that it’s hard to describe. The only other films I can think of that did this were Neill Blomkamp’s “District 9” and “Chappie,” based out of Johannesburg, South Africa, but those hardly hold a candle to the lush, beautiful world crafted here. Wakanda is an African utopia of no compare and the idea that a country known for being third-world harboring not only a secret, but one of such magnitude is a fascinating and endlessly
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gratifying element that just keeps on giving every time you think “Black Panther” has played all of the cards in its deck. While we knew Boseman could play the part of Black Panther well from his time in “Captain America: Civil War,” it really comes to full realization here in a very moving form. T’Challa isn’t a typical hero, nor is he a typical king. While damaged by the death of his father, T’Challa finds comfort in family and shows his vulnerability at nearly every turn he can. He’s human, flawed, vulnerable and occasionally lost; this isn’t a new trait for superheroes, but there’s a much more human element about T’Challa that comes through in this film. He’s T’Challa far more than he’s Black Panther and this connection to the man and not the costume really builds up this sort of depth you just don’t get often. As good as Boseman is, the supporting cast is even better. Jordan as Killmonger is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s best villains so far. The MCU has often had an issue with fleshing out their villains, but starting with Vulture in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” each villain since, also including Hela from “Thor: Ragnarok,” has found a lush amount of depth and weakness to them that hasn’t been found in the MCU until now. There’s a lot of pain in Killmonger’s presence and the sometimes heartbreaking, more times infuriating ways that he goes about things offer such a level of depth that reflects so wonderfully on the society and differences of activism in the community today. Gurira and Nyong’o are both insanely rich and gratifying characters that complement T’Challa wonderfully. Where two find weakness, the other makes up for in their strength and so on. This also goes for Wright too, but there’s a certain specialness about Shuri that can’t be overstated. For a 16-year-old African princess to be the most advanced inventor of her time is one thing, but to craft her with such playfulness and personality is another. This isn’t some “female Tony Stark” situation that Marvel could’ve copped out with, but a whole new monster of such a refreshing and beautiful variety. Ryan Coogler, director behind “Fruitvale Station” and the absolutely wondrous “Creed,” takes the reins of “Black Panther” with such immense
A FOREVER love and care that it almost doesn’t seem fair Marvel didn’t afford him an “a Coogler film” credit in the main credits. This is an artist who knows exactly what to paint at the exact right time. It’s a beautiful concoction of so many different feelings and tones that often time don’t mix, but somehow flow from one setpiece to another here like molasses. Most of the time, the film felt more like a Bond film than that of an MCU entry, which is yet another reason “Black Panther” stands out in the way it does. Coogler hasn’t created a film like the other Marvel films, nor has he perfected the formula made in the past by other filmmakers, Coogler has crafted something entirely new and fresh for the MCU, much in the same way that Taika Waititi changed up the “Thor” franchise in “Thor: Ragnarok,” but somehow to an even greater degree. On top of all else, “Black Panther” is fun as hell. However wonderfully crafted the film is and however socially important it is for so many people, this is simply
an entertaining film to watch. It’s 10 tons of fun shoved into a two-hour runtime that just doesn’t quit from its opening frame to its final title card. And yet, one of the best parts of “Black Panther” comes in that it really doesn’t feel like much of an MCU film. So many of the other films in the universe feel the need to throw in characters from other properties and reference the rest of the universe to reiterate its connective tissue, but “Black Panther” stands on its own. Of course, the film still does exist in the universe wholly, but this is not the story of how this affected the universe as a whole, but of Wakanda. This is a film that stands on its own completely, and even if you’ve never seen a Marvel property before “Black Panther,” you’ll still be A-Ok. “Black Panther” is getting released in a bevy of formats to choose from, and Marvel chose to screen the film for us in standard 2D, which was a stunning experience in itself. IMAX is currently running the film in an expanded aspect ratio of 1.90:1, offering 26% more image than any other format. Dolby Cinema offers the clearest and most pristine image in 2D, as well as jarring Dolby Atmos audio. I can’t speak how the 3D in the film will turn out, but if any previous MCU films are any indication, I can only imagine this one will be just as impressive. No matter how you see “Black Panther,” simply seeing the film is the right choice off the bat. Take away the social importance of representation and all the boxes that “Black Panther” checks in itself, and “Black Panther” is still one of, if not the best entry into the MCU thus far. I want to hate this universe all I can from the sheer saturation of films that come along with it, but when they continue to continue and improve upon themselves in such a wonderfully magical way, it’s hard to do anything but appreciate the innovations that such talented filmmakers get to bring to the screen. “Black Panther” is such a unique and wonderful narrative that you often forget just how wonderfully crafted the actual action sequences are in the film, as well as the absolutely stunning visual effects. Add on top what is perhaps the best cast to grace an MCU film yet and you have a completely stunning achievement in blockbuster filmmaking. An achievement that will send ripples within the film community for decades to come. “Black Panther” is everything a blockbuster should be, pertinent, important, entertaining, beautiful and any other positive adjective you can levy at it, “Black Panther” has it in spades.
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ACROSS 1 Android downloads 5 Array around a surge protector 10 Words after deal or count 14 Bridges of Hollywood 15 Part of a sports complex 16 Enveloping glow 17 “NBA Friday” channel 18 Peachy 19 Dental exam image 20 Inquiry meant to entrap 23 Right-angled shape 24 Per __: daily 25 Freebies with a bowl of soup 30 Mud __: type of wasp 34 Sharp-eyed flier 35 Nonfluctuating method of doing things 37 Org. supporting flossing 38 Freelancer’s encl. 39 QB scores
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40 Impressionist once labeled “The Man of a Thousand Voices” 45 Pedometer unit 46 “Already?” 47 First-stringers 49 Honorary legal degs. 51 Ipanema’s city 52 Wealthy, and a hint to the first word of 20-, 35- and 40-Across 59 Pop music’s “hottest spot north of Havana” 60 Shut down 61 Three, in Germany 62 Baking chamber 63 Makes docile 64 Folklore brute 65 Remain up in the air 66 Sport with clay disks 67 Can’t live without
DOWN 1 Brother of Cain 2 Cuban currency 3 Respected Smurf 4 Basking locale on a cruise ship 5 Walks like a duck 6 Baghdad’s country 7 Eye care solution brand 8 Pulled the plug on 9 Ties the knot 10 Largest amount 11 Money in Malta 12 Mideast nation in a 2015 nuclear deal 13 Vote against 21 Lodge logo animal 22 Hazmat suit hazard 25 Seals in the juices of 26 Traffic report source 27 Spy plane acronym 28 Sit for a bit 29 ERA and RBI, e.g. 31 Montana city 32 Tribal leader 33 Talks hoarsely 36 Stetson hat material 41 The Netherlands, informally 42 Lounge around 43 Formally accuses of, with “for” 44 Heart-to-heart 45 Used to change a ceiling light bulb, as a chair 48 Relieved (of) 50 Move on tiptoe, say 52 Wander 53 Take the lid off 54 It usually has a set of rules 55 “That makes sense” 56 Hard-to-resist feeling 57 Actor Richard 58 Moved quickly, old-style 59 Squad car driver
HITHE , PHILLIPS FIND SPORTS LIFESTYLE A COMMON HOME After transfering to the 49ers, the duo are set to have an impact for Charlotte basketball next season By Drew Pescaro Photo courtesy Charlotte Athletic Charlotte Women’s Basketball has two reasons to be excited for the 2018-19 season. A young core of players from this season will be returning and will gain a talented veteran presence in the forms of guards Christian Hithe and Jade Phillips. Hithe, a redshirt sophomore and Phillips, a redshirt junior, had similar ways in which they found their careers crossing paths at Charlotte. Hithe transferred to Charlotte after a one year stint with the University of Central Florida Women’s Basketball program. Her time there led to gaining some experience but evidently was not the right fit. “It was a cool experience, but it wasn’t the best fit for me. When I got there I connected with my teammates right off the bat but there was a coaching change and the coaches who had recruited me were no longer with the program. Throughout that year the process of having to adapt to a new coach led to me feeling it would be be best for me to be somewhere where I knew what the coaches were about,” Hithe said. Phillips transferred to Charlotte after having spent two seasons with Syracuse University. Both seasons with the Orange her team took trips to the NCAA Women’s Tournament, including a National Runner-Up finish her freshman year. This experience has benefited her game and who she is as a player today. “I definitely learned a lot that year. Even though I wasn’t playing much, I realized that it takes a lot of focus and dedication to get to that spot. It takes a lot of consistency as well because when you’re playing at that level you are playing with higher level competition. You have to come ready to play and be focused and have that mentality on and off the court to get to that level and avoid distractions,” Phillips said. After having played high school basketball in South Carolina, Hithe played in Florida and is now
going to play for Charlotte. Traveling is nothing new for Hithe as she had done so for USA select teams when she was younger. “It’s a really cool experience to be able to travel where I have been. Being in Florida was nice because the weather was always good and there were palm trees everywhere you look. Having been in South Carolina and now North Carolina is not too different but regardless of where you go, basketball is basketball. I even played overseas in Austria on a USA select team and that was very cool as well,” Hithe said. Like Hithe, Phillips is also a trailblazer of sorts. Her high school basketball was played in Raleigh, NC and from there she signed with Syracuse, New York. Although she was glad to get out of her comfort zone for two years, Phillips is happy to be back in North Carolina with Charlotte. “It was a good experience for me because I had never been outside of the state. A big reason I picked Syracuse was to go to New York because I had always been in North Carolina. I got to see the difference in people and their style of play up there in Syracuse and it was a different experience but I enjoyed it and all of the experience that came with it. There is no place like home and me coming back home made me humble myself and be grateful that I get to be around my family and other people I know and it makes me feel more comfortable,” Phillips said. The process of Hithe deciding to transfer to Charlotte all started when she was still in high school. Even after having decided to go to UCF, Charlotte was on her radar and Coach Consuegra had congratulated her on the decision. This kind gesture resonated with Hithe and made her decision to
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transfer to UNC Charlotte easy. “Coach Cara and the coaching staff recruited me out of high school, but I chose to go to UCF. Throughout the whole recruiting process, even after I committed to UCF they called me and congratulated me. They remained loyal even after I hadn’t chose Charlotte and loyalty is really huge to me so that was the icing on the cake and I know what she is about. I know the offense they like to run and just seeing Coach Cara is like seeing my own mom. I know I can talk to her about anything and she will still get on me about things but at the end of the day I know she loves me as if I were her own child,” Hithe said. In similar fashion, Phillips was also recruited by Charlotte out of high school. Even though she initially decided to go out-ofstate and play for Syracuse, the impact the Charlotte coaching staff had on her played a huge role in leading her back to North Carolina to play for Charlotte. “Even when I was getting recruited by Syracuse, Charlotte was always there. I had initially picked Syracuse because that was ACC competition and that was the conference I was looking to be in. But I came back to UNC Charlotte because Coach Cara stuck with me even when I committed to Syracuse. That’s what made it feel right for me when I decided to transfer here.” Phillips said. Hithe feels she is a strong defensive player who can bring a lot of energy to this program. Having the opportunity to play under a coaching staff she is comfortable with will have a positive impact on her game and will be a key for next season.
Although she has had to sit out this year due to NCAA regulations on transfers, she still feels she has been able to have an impact. “So far this season I feel that I have brought a different energy and a different mindset from previous teams. Next year I feel I will really be able to implement that mindset and really demonstrate what it means to have a good work ethic and consistently show that hard work does pay off. I feel that on defense I will be able to bring a tremendous amount of energy and a mindset of actually wanting to play defense instead of just having to play defense,” Hithe said. Phillips is more of an offensive minded guard who feels her versatile skill set will be able to mesh well with what the team is looking to do on offense. She also is a solid rebounder for the guard position and feels that will be a good strength to provide the team with. “I feel like I bring my athleticism by going for the boards. I can shoot, crash, drive and attack which makes me a very versatile player and I feel that will help the team get wins next year and I will do what I have to do.” Phillips said. The transfer stories of both Hithe and Phillips follow a very similar path and it will be exciting to see what they can bring to the program. With Hithe being a leader on defense and Phillips being a key playmaker on offense, Charlotte Women’s Basketball has a lot to look forward to for next season. The stories of both of these players goes to show the power of a first impression. The team competing for a spot in the conference tournament. Their next game is a home contest vs. Middle Tennessee on Sunday, Feb. 25 in Halton Arena.
“THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME AND ME COMING BACK HOME MADE ME HUMBLE MYSELF”
JADE PHILLIPS
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CRAFT DRAFTS
LIFESTYLE
The brewery that will knock your socks and taste buds off By Hailey Turpin Are you looking for a restaurant/brewery with local and southern comfort food, that’s easily accessible and great for a Friday night hangout? Take a trip to NoDa (obviously), but more specifically to Heist Brewery, located at 2909 N. Davidson St. This local brewery is full of what you’d expect (craft beer) and everything you wouldn’t (an aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere, exceptional food and splendid service). This past weekend, I attended the brewery for birthday celebrations with my significant other, which is one of his favorite places to eat and drink. This was only my second time attending, but every aspect was better than I remembered from the first time. The first time I went was over a year ago, so it was hard to remember what is was like until I got there. And boy, the great memories came back. We were worried at first that we wouldn’t get a table because it was 7 p.m. on a Friday night. NoDa around that time gets busy with bar/brewery crawlers and people just trying to grab a bite to eat. However, we were seated as soon as we arrived. The place was busy, but buzzing with positive and warm vibes. In their main seating area, one of the walls is completely made of glass so you can see the steel vessels and kettles that the craft drafts are made in. It adds to the industrial feel, while wood walls, tables and bar stations add to its warm aesthetic.
When we were seated, we took a few minutes to look at the menu. Our waiter greeted himself and asked us to start with an appetizer, specifically the beer cheese with pretzels, which we had already planned on getting when we decided to go there four days prior. That easy transition started our night off right. My boyfriend ordered one of their beers, the “Hive” Fives. His love for blonde, hoppy
ales was satisfied when it arrived. When our beer cheese came out in a hot, square skillet steaming, we dived in with no caution. We may have burnt out tongues, but it was so good we didn’t care. We looked at the menu and made casual conversation and later decided that we had to try the Chicken and Waffle Tacos. The taco shells were a square
waffle, stuffed with sriracha chicken and hot sauce butter, with a side of warm maple syrup for drizzling. Let me tell you, they were gone in less than five minutes. The waffle’s soft texture and the crispy chicken were a perfect combo. One of my favorite dishes is chicken and waffles and this one took the top slot as my favorite dish. We sat for about an hour and a half, talking, watching the Winter Olympics on the big television screen and enjoying my water and his beer. Heist also has a few other local beers from other breweries, which he ordered the Pluff Mud Porter from Holy City Brewing in North Charleston, South Carolina. After a while we decided to head out to a few other places, we payed and left. Now beware, the food is a little pricey. This is not an every weekend sort or budget, but is perfect for the once or twice a month weekend activity. An average night out here will be $50-$70, but the money spent is worth it. Overall, Heist Brewery is perfect for any occasion you will have on any weekend out. The food, ambiance, drinks and people make this place one in a million. If you haven’t yet, take the time to make a trip out to NoDa to the brewery that will fill your stomach with good food and fill your heart with good times.
Rate: 4.5/5 Stars
NINERTIMES.COM
FEB. 20, 2018
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THROWBACK TRENDS Fashion trends we’ve definitely seen before, but still love
By Hailey Turpin Fashion trends we see in today’s world have probably dawned by our ancestors. They have lived many lives and each one that resurfaces gets revamped into the modern times. Here are the trends we see from the past come back to life these past few years.
DENIM EVERYTHING We can’t walk a half-mile without seeing some piece of denim being worn. Jackets, shirts, jeans, tops, overalls, you name it. These pieces were a staple in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and they have recently resurfaced in the past couple of years. So break out your mom’s old jean jacket and hit the streets! PRINTED SETS Two-piece printed sets were all the rage for us millennials back in the years of our youth. But browsing online today we see tones of printed shirt/
pants/skirt combinations. We see them so much, but this is because it looks flattering on every body type. Plus, they look so sleek and stylish, they are sure to impress any decade. LEATHER JACKETS 2018 is slowly becoming more and more edgy and sleek. And what better to wear than a leather jacket? The leather jacket craze took off in the ‘80s but died out in the 2000s. But today, the fashion scene is crawling with them and they are here to stay. ROUND GLASSES The round-rimmed glasses can be dated way back to the ‘60s, but were burned out but the skinny glasses of the ‘90s and the flat topped sunglasses of the 2000s. However, with the bohemian movement in the past couple of years we see this trend coming
back harder than ever. VINTAGE/SLOGAN T-SHIRTS One of my favorite trends that has made a comeback is the vintage, different colored seam, tight fitting t-shirts with quirky slogans on them. The ‘90s hip hop movement brought this trend into existence, but seemed to die out at the end of the 2000s. However in the past couple of years the shirts came back full force, pairing well with other ‘90s trends like the denim skirt or dungarees. Band t-shirts are also a big portion of these shirts. Even if you haven’t tried these trends, there are so many more that I couldn’t list. Explore the internet or instagram for more trends that have made a comeback and incorporate them into your own personal style!
By Brianna Sumpter
“On days like this, when the weather is so beautiful, I like to go roller skating. I’ve known how to roller skate since before I came to college and I enjoy doing it on my free time. Also on my free time I enjoy reading books outside.” - Hannah Luke
12 FEB. 20, 2018
NINERTIMES