A new club called Circa is bringing nightlife back to the former EpiCentre.

Why it matters: The nightclub could signal a return to what once made the Uptown development a lively go-to party destination after dark.

State of play: The complex is up for sale again, and there have been several ideas for what the development needs, including a return to its glory days. Circa's owner, Tyshawn Jones, is betting the space simply needs the right tenant to revive its nightlife reputation.

• "There are a lot of good party stories about the EpiCentre, and I felt like opening in the old Suite would be a staple in bringing the EpiCentre back in style," said Jones.

Context: Jones spent years in the nightlife industry as a DJ and club owner and plans to tap his connections to bring in celebrity guests and performers.

• He plans to book both local and national DJs playing a range of genres on Thursdays and Sundays, Latin music on Fridays and R&B on Saturdays.

What to expect: Circa will cater to ages 25 and older and have a dress code that prohibits athletic wear and plain white T-shirts. There will also be a $10–$20 cover at the door.

• The cocktail menu pays homage to the former EpiCentre's nightlife, with six drinks named after spots including The Bubble, Whiskey River and Suite Reloaded.
• The roughly 6,800‑square‑foot space is expected to be a dance-forward club. A few sections surrounding the dance floor are available for those who want bottle service.

Share this story with someone who used to party in the Epicentre

Casa Gaia, a sound healing studio, is now open in Plaza Midwood.

Why it matters: Founder Sofia Paloma describes Casa Gaia as Charlotte's first dedicated sound healing studio and believes it may be the first of its kind in North Carolina.

What to expect: The studio, located in the former Pranayama House Healing Center space, focuses on daily sound healing sessions where facilitators will use instruments including Tibetan bowls, along with crystals, to help support participants' physical and emotional health.

• Classes are offered daily in durations of 30, 60 and 90 minutes.
• The studio also offers movement classes like vinyasa, yin and slow & reset yoga; sculpt, mat Pilates, and prenatal sessions.

If you go: Sign up for a Casa Gaia class at 1511 Central Ave. in advance on ClassPass. To celebrate the opening, Casa Gaia is offering one week of unlimited classes for $49.

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An elevated and infused festival is coming to South End next weekend.

Driving the news: The THC tasting show will feature businesses from North Carolina's hemp industry, which has been a hot topic in Raleigh this week amid debate over new restrictions.

• State lawmakers this week declined to move forward with new regulations that could have sharply limited THC products, including infused drinks.
• Many of the businesses at the festival could still be affected by a looming federal THC ban set to take effect in November.

What to expect: More than 60 brands will offer unlimited tastings of THC-infused, adaptogen, nootropic and other wellness-focused drinks at Suffolk Punch's Norfolk Hall. There will also be music from DJ KÄT and food trucks.

If you go: The event is limited to ages 21 and up at 2905 Griffith St. There are two tasting sessions on Saturday, Aug. 15 — one from 11am-2pm and another from 3-6pm.

• Tickets are $55.25 including fees and must be purchased in advance.

McKenzie here. I've been hearing lots of chatter across the Charlotte internet about Yafo's spicy tahini Caesar salad. I'm like a dog hearing all its favorite words, so I finally tried it last weekend.

Zoom in: The $13 salad has romaine and massaged kale tossed in Yafo's tahini-Caesar dressing, toasted panko breadcrumbs, a heaping of hand-shaved Parmesan and a side of harissa yogurt (which I split between the salad and pita).

• I added schnitzel strips for protein for $5.

💭 My thought bubble: Like most Yafo items, this was a heaping portion that I split between two meals. I appreciated the mountain of parm — and that they didn't play with the dressing.

If you go: The salad is available at all Yafo Kitchen locations.