drumSTRONG May 15th & 16th Cancer fundraiser and resources

Grab your favorite percussion instrument and head to the world’s longest drum-a-thon. DrumsForCures will host the third annual drumSTRONG on May 15 and 16, raising awareness, funds for cancer education and supporting survivorship through rhythm.

The event, held at Misty Meadows farm in Weddington, will feature exhibiters including both conventional and complementary healthcare entities, together with private practices and cancer organizations.

The multicultural, musical event will feature celebrity artists and will be webcast so that others (particularly kids in hospitals) can play along. All funds raised are donated to local and national cancer organizations.

“Music truly engages all ages, wages and stages of health,” says founder Scott Swimmer. “Folks gather to drum, focusing on individual and community health.”

For details visit www.drumstrong.org.   Kundalini Workshop with HarDarshan Kaur Khalsa Explore the Aquarian Age

See what the Aquarian Age means and how we can uplift our spirits to keep an attitude of gratitude and see every obstacle as an opportunity. HarDarshan Kaur Khalsa will hold a workshop at Yoga for Life in Charlotte on May 14 and 15.

Kundalini yoga is a safe and comprehensive system that combines breathing, stretching, movement, meditation and more for the experience of spirit and to heal your life. No experience in yoga is necessary.

HarDarshan Kaur Khalsa has taught Kundalini yoga for 25 years and offers a spiritual and yogic approach to dealing with life’s challenges. Her approach to the practice is challenging yet heart centered, joyful and inclusive. There is a free lecture Friday night from 6-7:30pm and Saturday’s session is from 12:30- 5pm. Cost is $65 if pre-registered before May 7th and $80 after. Info: www.yogaforlifecharlotte.com.  

Healthy Home Market Customer Appreciation Day

Shop, pamper and indulge yourself when all three locations of Healthy Home Market host a Customer Appreciation Day on May 22 from 1- 4pm.

Partake from an extensive sampling of food, drinks, vitamins, wine and all-natural barbeque. Speak with healthcare practitioners and enjoy art, kidʼs activities, gift basket giveaways and dance. Skip the to-do list and take a piece of the day away. Experience the old adage, “a change is as good as a rest” at Healthy Home Market.

Locations include: 2707 South Blvd. and 5410 E. Independence Blvd. in Charlotte and 261 Griffith Street in Davidson. Info: www.healthyhomemkt.com.

Building Community for Female Artists Women Centered Art Co-op

Charlotte’s first women centered community art space recently opened. The Women Centered Art Co-op was created with the belief that there is an innate sense to create in all of us.

Founders Brooke Hofsess and Shane McCormick, both artists and educators, plan to offer an array of options for women artists, as well as community members who may be interested in the arts but lack the confidence, time, money or space in which to pursue it. They hope to offer studio spaces, workshops and community classes.

“Together we can strengthen the female voice and vision here in Charlotte by creating a space to work and a place for nonjudgemental and open dialogue about the creative process,” says Hofsess.

She would like to see mentoring relationships between emerging and professional artists form and envisions a wide array of future offerings: a community garden, monthly potlucks, group and solo exhibitions, affordable yoga/movement classes, film screenings, youth outreach and more.

The Women Centered Art Co-op is located at 711 Pressley Road. For information on meetings, classes and events visit www.womencenteredart.org.

LifeSource Water Offers Eco-friendly Filtration Systems to Charlotte

LifeSource Water, a leading residential and commercial manufacturer and seller of “whole house” water filtration systems has expanded its business to the Charlotte market. The California-based company’s products are distinctively healthy, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Moreover, the products are virtually maintenance free over an operational-life averaging between 16-25 years.

The LifeSource Water System combines in one tank a complete point-of-entry system that will treat all the water in your home, hot and cold. Their systems also condition water without using salts, chemicals or magnets. Skin will feel softer and smoother and hair more manageable.

LifeSource sytems are endorsed by actor Ed Begley, Jr., a well-known environmental activist and forerunner of the green movement. "My wife Rachelle and I spent time doing research looking for the right water system. We found the most efficient, economical, and eco-friendly water system available."

Co-owner Ron Barley believes consumers will gravitate towards these unique products. “People in general are more health conscious of the water they drink and use for other household purposes such as bathing, cooking or gardening. LifeSource Water products address these issues.”

For more information, visit www.LifeSourceWater.com.

Spiritual Blends Logo Wins Gold ADDY Award   Spiritual Blends, a local custom essential oils business, won a Gold ADDY Award for logo and brand packaging, the highest honor awarded at the annual awards show. The logo is a detailed lotus illustration that captures both growth and renewal, two important concepts behind aromatherapy. The purple and green signify faith and fortune, and the simple die-cut highlights the water droplet.

“As soon as I saw this design, I knew it was right,” said Marilyn Addison, a Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Spiritual Blends. She is leaving the banking industry this summer to focus solely on her business.

The winning logo was designed by Kara Hollinger Bulla, partner and graphic designer for 3pm Creative Group, a full-service idea studio for marketing, advertising and branding campaigns. “It’s simple and clean, but it’s memorable,” said Hollinger Bulla. “Marilyn wanted a logo that reflects the natural and therapeutic essence of her business.”

For more information visit www.spiritualblends.com or www.3pmcreativegroup.com.

Charlotte FemmeFest May 22 Celebrating Women in the Arts

The third annual Charlotte FemmeFest will be held in NoDa, Charlotte’s art district, on May 22nd. The event aims to reach, inspire, and strengthen our cultural community by showcasing the diverse work of emerging and established music acts and visual artists throughout the region and beyond.

A wide variety of genres from folk to hip hop, including Jill Andrews, Wavy Space, Doria Roberts, Amelia’s Mechanics, Mieka Pauley, Jocelyn Ellis & the Alpha Theory, Natalie Royal and many more will perform. Visual artists will be featured in the NoDa galleries and in an emerging artist exhibit in the Neighborhood Theatre.

This year’s host venues include The Evening Muse, The Neighborhood Theater, Dolce Vita, Smelly Cat Coffeehouse, the Outdoor Stage at Salvador Deli and the art galleries of the North Davidson Street Arts District. Proceeds from Charlotte FemmeFest will benefit the women and children of Center of Hope Women and Children’s Shelter.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.charlottefemmefest.org.

Dr. Cushing Opens Holistic Wellness Center of Charlotte

New to Charlotte, but not new to the world of alternative medicine, Dr. Cushing is opening the Holistic Wellness Center of Charlotte in June.  Dr. Cushing, a chiropractic physician, with two doctorate degrees and founder of the revolutionary AllerCease technique, will be joined by a highly skilled, licensed acupuncturist and certified herbalist, Mr. Boyle, in August.

Dr. Cushing has 35 years clinical experience successfully treating severe allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neuropathy and difficult neuro-muscular skeletal syndromes.  He and his partner will specialize in the treatment of complex and medically puzzling cases.

As former director of one of the largest holistic centers in N. America, Dr. Cushing is eager to help patients that have lost hope or have slipped between the medical cracks. He is highly skilled in looking behind the medical/diagnostic label for the underlying cause of the condition.

Dr. Cushing will use not only traditional diagnostic methods but also deep energy field scanning using advanced European technology, clinical kinesiology, bio-magnetic therapies, cold laser, and a wide range of naturopathic type remedies and protocols as well as his own AllerCease technique. For pain, he uses the gentle Pain Neutralization Technique which quickly resolves most chronic spinal and disk pain, frozen shoulders, plantar fasciitis, post surgical pains, headaches, migraine and TMJ.  Holistic Wellness Center of Charlotte is located at 1704 East Blvd., Suite 100. For info visit www.TheHolisticDoctorIsIn.com or call 704-308-2557 for a free telephone consult.

Pure Potential Wellness Offers Integrative Nutrition

Aundrea Tucker, a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and owner of Pure Potential Wellness, helps clients remove barriers to eating better. She teaches individuals to deconstruct cravings by understanding that what they eat affects how they feel physically, mentally and emotionally.

‘While most dietitians dwell on calories, carbs, fats, proteins, restrictions and lists of good and bad foods, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline,” says Tucker, who trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories.

By taking a holistic approach to nutrition, Tucker looks at how all areas of a person’s life are connected. Realizing that no one diet works for everyone, she assists clients in food and lifestyle choices that best support them and helps them make gradual, lifelong changes to reach health goals.

Tucker creates personalized programs to radically improve health and happiness. “Together, we will explore concerns specific to you and your body and discover the tools you need for a lifetime of balance,” she says.

Aundrea Tucker, CHHC, is a candidate to become a Natural Food Chef from the Natural Kitchen Cooking School and is a certified personal trainer. To learn more about workshops on nutrition and holistic living visit www.purepotentialwellness.com.