Twenty years ago, Lonnie Davis evacuated New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina, not knowing she would never return home.

Why it matters: Though Davis' arrival in Charlotte wasn't something she'd planned, the longtime New Orleanian has made a lasting impact on the city's culture.

• To cope with missing home, she formed the JazzArts organization, bringing a piece of Louisiana to Charlotte and transforming the jazz scene in a New South city that had previously lacked one.

Flashback: Davis was about five months pregnant and working at a Canal Street hotel when Katrina began heading toward her city. Many of her coworkers were clocking out early as they watched the storm's trajectory and made evacuation decisions.

• Davis made the call, too. But not without a quick detour. She stopped to join in a second line, parading with hundreds in the streets.
• "It was very windy, and there were colorful feathers and brass bands and just people everywhere," Davis remembers. "In the back of my mind, I was like — if this storm hits the city, this could be gone and this could be lost forever."
• She took in the moment, then drove home, boarded up her newly purchased house, packed up her family and headed toward Houston.

It wasn't until the next morning, when they turned on the hotel TV, that she realized life would never be the same.

Davis and her family spent two weeks in Houston, then headed to Virginia, where Davis' sister lived. They stayed in a cohousing community, and Davis gave birth to her second daughter in Roanoke that January. A year later, the family realized they needed to find their new "place." Davis heard Charlotte had an international language school, where her oldest daughter could continue her French studies.

• "We, one day, took a ride to explore Charlotte. Liked what we saw," Davis said. "On our second visit, we were moving our stuff."
• And they figured, it's a big city. It must have a thriving jazz scene.

But it didn't. They realized quickly the great jazz artists were overlooked and disconnected, Davis said. And the youth weren't learning the art, either.

• "I immediately looked around and said, 'Wow, these kids are missing out,'" she said. "'They have no idea what the possibilities are.'"

Read more about how Davis worked to bring jazz to Charlotte

American Airlines will open one of its high-end Flagship lounges, where customers are greeted with Champagne, at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the Dallas-based airline announced Thursday.

• Additionally, American said it'll expand its Admirals Club lounge footprint CLT.

Why it matters: Investment in local lounges is one way American Airlines is trying to elevate the travel experience for passengers flying through CLT, American's second-largest hub and one of its most profitable.

Details: The Flagship lounge will offer "premium amenities," including complimentary Champagne for customers when they arrive, plus menus curated by award-winning chefs.

• Other features will include spa-style shower suites, workstations and/or a kid-friendly family room, per the airline.
• American will share further details about the Flagship lounge, including location and timing, and about the Admirals Club expansion, at a later date, a spokesperson tells Axios.

Zoom out: For clues on what the new lounge will look like, passengers can look to Philadelphia International Airport, where American Airlines opened one of its Flagship lounges a few months ago.

Keep reading

College football is back at Bank of America Stadium tonight. The Charlotte 49ers will play the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the Duke's Mayo Classic.

Why it matters: It's a battle for North Carolina bragging rights.

Zoom in: For Charlotte, it will be their first time playing at Bank of America Stadium. The 49ers also looking for their first win against App State.

If you go: The game kicks off at 7pm. Tickets start at $88.21. Organizers are expecting a packed lower bowl.

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Family Services Manager (Evening) at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte.
2. CLT Alliance Foundation Sr. Program Manager at Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
3. Communications Manager at The National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Inc.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

😬 As of Aug. 27, only 657 people have early voted so far in Charlotte's 2025 primary elections, according to the county board of elections.

• Find an early voting site here. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Sept. 9

Republican state Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County says she'll be out of the public eye for a while after having surgery, and that the recovery will be intense and lengthy. (WFAE)

💰 Domestic and international visitors to and within Mecklenburg County spent $6.4 billion in 2024, up 8.9% from 2023, according to figures from Visit NC.

A CMPD affidavit filed Thursday said that the suspect and victim did not interact in last week's fatal stabbing in South End. (Observer)

If you're looking for new digs in Charlotte, we've got a fresh roundup of hot homes for you to check out.

Take this Stonehaven charmer, for instance, which has delicate blue touches, from the cabinets to the shutters, adding personality and warmth.

• Other notable features include shaded porch, fireplace, walk-in closets, spacious rooms and a fenced-in yard.
• At 4 beds, 2.5 baths and 2,062 square feet, it's listed for $550,000.

Check out others for sale

📅 Find things to do on our Event Board.

• SHARE Charlotte #YPMixerCLT at The Casey Sept 4: Calling all CLT Young Professionals. Looking for a way to grow your network, give back, and have fun while you're at it? Don't miss #YPMixerCLT to connect with the YP groups within local nonprofits. $30.
• Metalmorphosis at Whitehall Presents CSO (Charlotte Symphony) Roadshow at Metalmorphosis Plaza -Whitehall Corporate Center Sept 4: Don't miss this unforgettable evening as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra brings its Roadshow series to Whitehall.
• Dog Days of Summer at Birdsong Brewing Co. Sept 7: A free event for pups and their humans. Pet CPR demo, pool & spray zone, Hottagrill food truck, dog yoga, pet portraits, NA dog beer, kombucha and more.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

We're keeping tabs on several highly anticipated bars and restaurants coming to Charlotte. Among them:

The Scoop N Scootery: A dessert shop delivering ice cream and frozen yogurt sundaes until 2am opening on Thrift Road on Aug. 30.

• Expect dozens of signature sundae options, cookies, floats and shakes, plus a list of ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors.

Van Leeuwen: A Brooklyn-based ice cream chain, with crazy flavors and options for vegans and dogs, opening in Plaza Midwood on Sept. 4

• Van Leeuwen has tested boundaries with flavors like Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese and Hidden Valley Ranch.

Other spots we're excited about

This September in Charlotte, you can witness Lionel Messi, jam out at a Lil Wayne concert, indulge in authentic spanakopita and baklava, and enjoy a film festival. What a time to be alive.

A few other events you should check out:

🎨 Sept. 1-30: Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) at venues across the city, including the Iron District, Uptown and Ballantyne's Backyard.

👑 Sept. 5: RuPaul's Drag Race: "Werq" the World Tour at Oven's Auditorium.

🐼 Sept. 12-14: Panda Fest at Ballantyne's Backyard.

🪕 Sept. 17: The Lumineers at PNC Music Pavilion.

See the full lineup