Charlotte native Tylen Butler launched TAB DEPT, a fencing-inspired apparel brand, in 2024.

Why it matters: Butler, an aspiring Olympian, hopes to introduce more people to a sport that is very popular abroad, but isn't mainstream in the United States. As a Black fencer, he's also working to redefine what representation looks like in the sport.

• "You don't hear a lot about fencers to begin with, and on top of that, you probably don't hear anything about Black fencers," 25-year-old Butler tells Axios.

Catch up quick: Butler is a three-time Junior Olympic fencer who was mostly home-schooled and trained at Charlotte Fencing Academy before going on to fence at Penn State. He knows the ins and outs of the sport, so he wanted to create a lifestyle brand with a nod to fencing.

• Growing up, Butler always wanted to start a clothing brand with meaning behind it, he tells Axios.
• He created TAB DEPT not as a fencing apparel brand, but rather as daily essentials like shirts and hoodies. TAB DEPT's logo is "Be En Garde," which Butler says is as much a nod to the sport as it is a call to live by to guard your heart and your mind.

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💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Educational Technologist: Middle School Faculty and Schoolwide Staff at Charlotte Latin School.
2. Member Relations & Business Development Associate at Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
3. Director of Retail Procurement at Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

"Titanic: Echoes from the Past," a VR experience, is coming to west Charlotte this spring.

Why it matters: Charlotte has become a regular stop for unique cultural experiences, from "Immersive Van Gogh" at Camp North End in 2021 to "Space Explorers: The Infinite" and "Horizon of Khufu: Journey in Ancient Egypt" at Blume Studios.

What to expect: The free-roam journey spans standing on the deck and inside the ship in 1912 to descending to the ocean depths to the shipwreck site.

If you go: The 45-minute experience will be at The GreenHouse (401 S. Gardner Ave.) May 2 - June 30. It's recommended for ages 8 and up.

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🥩 James Beard-nominated chef Chayil Johnson of Community Matters Cafe and chef Troy Guard of Guard and Grace steakhouse will host a one-night-only dinner at Community Matters Cafe on April 14 at 6pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit Charlotte Rescue Mission's Life Skills Program. Tickets are $125 per person.

🛒 Food Lion is growing in popularity based on market share, the latest Chain Store Guide's annual report shows. (Observer)

🌾 North Carolina's "weather whiplash," meaning the intense shift from extreme rainfall to drought, is impacting the state's soil. (WFAE)

• Most counties in North Carolina are experiencing a "severe drought."

🎟️ Tickets for the NBA Play-In Tournament and the first round of the playoffs go on sale today at 10am. The Hornets have clinched a spot in the Play-In Tournament and could snag a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. (Hornets)

⚽️ Charlotte FC beat Philadelphia Union 2-1 Saturday with goals from Ashley Westwood and Wilfried Zaha.

Kristy's Creole Kitchen, a new Louisiana-inspired restaurant, will open in South End this spring.

Why it matters: The formerly takeout-only spot is the latest ghost kitchen success story. It'll open its first brick-and-mortar location April 10.

Zoom in: Owner and chef Kristy Jackson, a Baton Rouge native, started serving classic Cajun dishes in 2025 out of City Kitch on Thrift Road. She quickly realized she was outgrowing the shared space.

• Less than a year later, she's taking over the space formerly occupied by Mazi, which closed last summer.

Dig in: Expect fan favorites like gumbo, étouffée, seafood dishes and po' boys, plus new additions like gator bites and desserts.

• The drink menu will feature more than 20 cocktails — many inspired by New Orleans, with bourbon or cognac bases — along with signature flights, fishbowl drinks, six mocktails, wine and beer.

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News you can use from our partners.

• This spring break, you don't have to travel far for an extraordinary experience. Discovery Place Science is your family's adventure destination. Explore a rainforest, meet sea life and soar through space — all with one ticket. Plan a trip.
• 🌙 Midnight Marathon puts creativity in the spotlight for a good cause. On April 17, dance, poetry, improv and more take the Carolina Theatre stage for a nonstop showcase-style fundraiser for the Arts & Science Council. Buy tickets.

From big games to a local festival, there's plenty to do in Charlotte this week.

🌈 Monday: Explore Charlotte's spring festival, Charlotte SHOUT! in Uptown. | Times vary | Details

🍿 Tuesday: Grab your popcorn and catch Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 film Strangers on a Train at Independent Picture House. | 7:20pm | $9.75 | Details

🏒 Wednesday: The Charlotte Checkers will guest bartend at Vaulted Oak Brewing. Tips will be donated to charity. | Free to attend | 5-7pm | Details

⚾️ Thursday: Catch the Knights vs. Memphis at Truist Field. | $23+| 7:04pm | Details

🏀 Friday: See the Hornets regular season finale vs. the Pistons at Spectrum Center as they fight for playoff seeding. | 7pm | $48.93 | Details

The Hornets are highlighting artists from the Carolinas on the Belk Concourse at Spectrum Center. The area near section 116 is called Celebrating Art Across The Carolinas.

Catch up quick: The section, which will rotate, previously featured artists Frankie Zombie, Abel Jackson III and Ashley Procter Davis.

The latest: Recently installed works are by Novant Health staff: Carly Teschendorf, a medical lab scientist; Lisa Venancio, manager of cancer support services; Shana Templin, an arts in health facilitator; and Justin Trakas, a senior philanthropy manager at Novant Health.