Creative Loafing Charlotte: The light rail coming to South End was the best damn thing to happen to this neighborhood. But you know what else is pretty cool about this area? The selection of retail.
Creative Loafing Charlotte: The online-only Plaza Midwood Community Radio is the city's hyperlocal neighborhood radio station; it offers a free-form mix of DIY shows, the best of which is Armando Bellmas' Ecléctico.
Creative Loafing Charlotte: This mainstay features musician-friendly environs (i.e., two different patios for talkers) and a gritty rock vibe, improved acoustics (if you haven't been in a while, go), eclectic booking.