Charlotte International Arts Festival Hip Hop Weekend Highlights

Celebrating Hip Hop culture, music and artistry! 

Saturday, September 17th - DJ Battles from 4-6pm - 

B-Boy Battles from 6-8pm - 

We Are Hip Hop Dance Showcase 8pm 

Sunday, September 18th - 

We Outside Block Party 12-5pm

Crown Station Coffee House & Pub

3629 North Davidson Street, Suite 102
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: (704) 910-2249

Crown Station is a private club where members come to relax, enjoy drinks, music, and each other’s company. Per the laws of North Carolina, an annual membership fee as well as acknowledgement of club rules are required for all members. An annual membership fee of $1.00 charged upon becoming a member and each year thereafter. Each person who enters must have a valid government issued identification document to establish that they are over 21 years old. (No one under 21 is admitted after 8:30pm) We scan your identification card only to establish your age. The data is not used for any other purposes and is not shared with anyone, as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Crown Station is a full service coffee house and pub located in the NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte, NC. They feature live music, DJ's and open mics in a cozy setting with a hip atmosphere. 

This pub has become a favorite with the college crowd, offering a change of pace from the formality of other area pubs. The coffee bar opens early and the pub closes late. The laid-back atmosphere is reflected in the live music, open mic and DJ lineup. 

Crown Station offers organic fair trade coffees & teas as well as chai. They feature a full bar selection with a variety of craft beers and premium cocktails.  

The comfortable environment adds to the relaxed atmosphere while spending time with friends or checking out the live entertainment.

For more information including a calendar of events, please visit their website at http://www.crownstationpub.com 

or call (704) 910-2249

Hours of Operation:
Monday
5:00PM - 12:00AM
Tuesday
5:00PM - 12:00AM
Wednesday
11:00AM - 12:00AM
Thursday
11:00AM - 12:00AM
Friday
11:00AM - 2:00AM
Saturday
11:00AM - 2:00AM
Sunday
11:00AM - 12:00AM

the Sushi Review - Yama Asian Fusion

the Sushi Review - Yama Asian Fusion

Good sushi and decent service, but make no mistake, you are paying for area and atmosphere.

I was impressed by the rustic/contempo decor this establishment, as this area has dozens of cookie-cutter houses and shops. Located in the SouthPark area of Charlotte NC, it's near both shopping and nightlife. The atmosphere is cool, very LA in that it has all the trendy benchmarks of what you would expect from a modern sushi bar. The service was very good for dinner and the Hibachi lunch menu is pretty straightforward, but as we say at Soundboy Magazine, it's always about the Maki, baby. 

If you want to avoid the after work, financial sector drink-pounding office crowd, check them out for lunch. The crowd is a bit more diverse: from corporate types to shop-aholics, hipsters to merchants taking the day off. The dinner crowd by comparison is vibrant and up-tempo, but keep in mind that you run the risk of being seated next to a co-worker birthday celebration or some type of merger or closing celebration of  petty bourgeois excess, unless of course that's your thing. To each their own, but it is what it is.

Both the import and domestic beer selection is above average, just like the sushi prices. They did a pretty good job on the "soundboy" roll (salmon Philly tempura) and overall I would definitely take a date there of whom I was trying to impress. But I recommend that you what you are doing in advance; preview the menu online and be ready to drop a brick (or around hundred bones) for the meal, a moderate wine and the tip. This place is all about location which is reflective in the bill. In conclusion, I would recommend it, if you roll mid 5's like that. 

If you don't, there are literally other raw fish in the proverbial sea.

Skip Pulley - Editor in Chief

the Sushi Review - 18 and Asian Sushi Bar

the Sushi Review - 18 and Asian Sushi Bar

The Sushi Review:

18 Asian and Sushi Bar
9935 Rea Rd Charlotte, NC 28277 
(704) 845-1801

The location of this sushi spot is ideal for those living in or around South Charlotte. Located at 9935 Rea Rd. near the Blakeney area, it is in the perfect place for an early dinner or an after-shopping unwind. The décor is very attractive and the staff is friendly. My main divochka and I sat at the bar because it looked very inviting and cozy in a display of contemporary style. It is also typically the best way to get faster service for 1 to 3 people and ask any questions about the menu to get an immediate answer.

We ordered several different varieties of Maki rolls, including the infamous "Soundboy Roll" (ask for the Philly roll - tempura) and they were all above average. The tempura was done in the crispy-crumble style as opposed to the overly-rich batter fried style, which is healthier I'm sure. The negative reviews that I read about their sushi prior to my visit were about the rice being "mushy". These were from people who were probably used to dried-out rolls or pieces with under-cooked rice. However, that is how some people actually enjoy their sushi and I say to each his/her own. Much of the material we (especially as writers) share about our experiences is subjective. Opinions will of course vary from one individual to the next, so it's best to identify with the author as much as possible.

The beer selection was good and the house Sake was great - when it was hot, so don't fool around and let it cool off too much. The big can of Sapporo can split 2 ways and chases the Sake with ease. My recommendations are the "Green Monster Roll" if you are an avocado fan, or play it safe with the spider roll and the shrimp tempura. Overall the sushi was good and the atmosphere was very inviting. The ambient music was not bad, but a great soundtrack could really turn this spot into a "must try". The prices are slightly above average compared to some other places in the area but that is a reflection of the area itself. Compared to Uptown, Midtown or SouthPark however, the prices are very reasonable. Overall, I recommend it.

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Skip Pulley - Editor in Chief

ACC - Atlantic Coast Creature

ACC: Atlantic Coast "Creature"

(as in monster)

Skip Pulley

The phenomenon of Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball causes many to speak of its' legendary players and storied rivalries as a footnote to the sheer influence and unbound enthusiasm of a giant in the world of sports.

It has often been said in modern society that entire organizations can develop human-like personality traits, especially when that organization involves diverse groups of people or money or both. What about part of an organization? Let's say, a conference. I remember as a child growing up in North Carolina that there was not and could never be anything greater than ACC Basketball. Not even the age-old and ever defiant Titan NASCAR, pulling its golden chariot of revenue and popularity could dare challenge the might of deep seeded, passionate and undying support for what we know as the Atlantic Coast Conference. During the winter months in the areas affected by this conference, the individual performances of players and teams are discussed as much as the predicted outcome; making almost everyone with an opinion a type of analyst.

I live and work in Charlotte, North Carolina. I recently moved to a new apartment a few blocks away from my previous one. As I met my neighbors and the maintenance staff, the ACC and some rivalries therein became the first topic of conversation on almost every occasion. In my opinion, this behavior is justified. Even though I did not attend any of the schools in the conference, even though I have lived all over the country and seen great college programs from other conferences and even though I believe that the passion of supporting a collegiate program can easily get out of hand, I agree with those who hold it in such high regard.

All Fan-bases and rivalries aside, the road to the NCAA championship seldom avoids the ACC. Much of this year we were told by the national press that "the ACC is having an off year" and "the teams in the ACC are struggling to compete with teams from other conferences". The Big Ten and the SEC for instance were heralded as the conferences to watch this season, with most writers and analysts using terms such as "power ratings" and "strength of schedule". However, looking at the all time statistics of the conference in general is staggering. The conference recruiting classes are always competitive and the television ratings are at or near the top.

The ACC is a type of creature. One that begins it's hibernation in March of every year and awakens every winter, encompassing all who are familiar with it and a great many who are not.

Skip Pulley

Contributing Editor