Win dinner with Brotha Fred

Jake Pavelka of ABC's "The Bachelor" fame was to be in Charlotte Friday to spend a night on the town including a dinner at Mez with 10 women selected based on photos uploaded to www.charlottesbeat.com.

Earlier today, Mez revealed on its Facebook page that Pavelka had backed out of his commitment. But instead of canceling the function, the EpiCentre establishment simply replaced one bachelor with another.

Stepping in: Brotha Fred, 29, star of 96.1 The Beat's AM Mayhem morning show and "Fox News Edge" on Fox Charlotte TV.

Mez is now calling it the "Jake Flaked" event, and has dubbed Brotha Fred "Charlotte's biggest bachelor." Friday remains the night for the action, and interested women can continue uploading photos to The Beat's website.

What do you think? Is Brotha Fred an improvement? Or should they have just canceled the event?

Lake Norman HS grad voted off 'Runway'

April Johnston repeatedly bet on black during her long run on "Project Runway," and had a winning streak with her monotone but striking designs that brought her to the Final Five.

On Thursday night, though, the 22-year-old Lake Norman High School graduate's luck ran out. She became the 13th person eliminated from the Lifetime reality show.

Before her ouster, judge Michael Kors told Johnston, "You have made a version of this garment so many times I can't count. There's never any joy in your clothes." Added judge Nina Garcia: "I am not certain that you have any range besides this."

Johnston was 21 when the show was being shot, making her the youngest member of the competition. She grew up in Mooresville and is a 2010 graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

In a telephone interview Friday afternoon, she defended her choices.

“As far as using black all the time, I felt like I was a little stuck in a rut, and I almost ended up feeling like I was creating a collection,” she said. “But from my viewpoint, everything that I created was modern and forward-thinking, and I thought that ‘Project Runway’ was about finding a designer that was up-and-coming and forward and modern, and that’s who I am as a designer.

“I wasn’t gonna send something down the runway in hot pink. I mean, that’s who I am, and that’s what I stuck to, and I still stand by that.”

Johnston, who currently resides in Savannah, is pouring her efforts this fall into a company and clothing line she founded called Mangled Courtesan (www.mangledcourtesan.com).

“Basically I’m just trying to get my stuff manufactured and in stores as soon as possible,” she said, “and really kind of live my dream.”

Win dinner with 'The Bachelor' Jake Pavelka

From a press release that just popped into my inbox:

On Friday, Oct. 22, Mez in conjunction with 96.1 The Beat will present a bachelor's party unlike any other with the handsome Jake Pavelka from ABC’s hit reality TV show The Bachelor.

Still on the lookout for “the one,” Pavelka will be spending a night on the town including an exclusive dinner at Mez with 10 lucky ladies. Interested single ladies can enter to win dinner with Jake by uploading a photo at www.charlottesbeat.com.

Jake Pavelka was the star of 'The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love,' Season 14 of the show. He was also a suitor on Season 5 of 'The Bachelorett'e and a contestant on Season 10 of 'Dancing with the Stars.'

EpiCentre cage fighting, Round 5

Want a little Mixed Martial Arts to go with your mixed drink?

Fight Lab Promotions is bringing its fifth cage fighting event to the Pavilion at EpiCentre (210 E. Trade St.), on Thursday, Oct. 14. Bell time is set for 7:30 p.m. and the evening will feature eight MMA bouts, including four championship matches.

The co-main events are: Newly minted Fight Lab Light Heavyweight Champion Brandon Beach of Shelby (2-1) vs. challenger Zach Klouse of Gastonia (6-3); and Jason Lineberger of Charlotte (5-3) vs. Amos Collins of Myrtle Beach (7-1), for the Fight Lab lightweight championship.

General admission tickets for "EpiCentre Cage Fights V" are available at FightLabPros.com for $20 in advance, or for $30 at the door on the day of the event.

Have a little RenFest with your lunch today

Carolina Renaissance Festival performers -- including musicians, stilt walkers, jugglers, and singers -- will appear at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets in uptown Charlotte at noon today for a special performance.

The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens for its 17th annual season Saturday, and runs for seven consecutive weekends (through Sunday, Nov. 21). For details, click here.

Mez at the Epicentre announces relaunch

From a press release that just popped into my inbox:

Mez invites guests to eat, stay and play while experiencing the restaurant's fresh new look and menu at The Relaunch on Friday, Oct. 8 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event will showcase several updates to the venue, including a new light and sound system, DJ booth and state-of-the-art 3D movie screen. The restaurant has also added contemporary VIP lounge areas featuring sleek and stylish furniture. Along with new chef Anoosh Shariat comes an updated menu and a chef's table that is available for special events. For more information or to make reservations, call (704) 971-2400.

About Chef Anoosh Shariat:

Chef Anoosh has a unique style of fusion that can be best described as "global cuisine." He spent years cooking in Germany, Switzerland and in the American Southwest before moving to Charlotte. He has a particular affinity for combining Middle Eastern ingredients with classic cooking techniques and the indigenous foods of the South, and his cooking methods have been shown on the Discovery Channel's "Great Chefs of the South." In addition, Anoosh has cooked at the James Beard House in New York four times, and he was a featured chef at the 2005 Culinary Institute of America's World of Flavor Conference in Napa, Calif. He has also taught a master class for the International Association of Culinary Professionals in San Antonio, Texas.

About Mez:

Voted Best New Restaurant and Bar by Charlotte Magazine in 2009, Mez is a contemporary dining experience that entertains the palate with global fare from chef Anoosh Shariat. The restaurant is located at 210 East Trade Street in Charlotte and serves lunch and dinner daily. A late night menu is available Sunday through Wednesday until midnight and Thursday through Saturday until 2 a.m.

Thirty Seconds to Mars gets new date

The THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS concert at The Fillmore Charlotte (originally slated for Oct. 13) has been postponed until Nov. 1 due to scheduling conflicts.

This is the second time this year the show has been pushed back. The Jared Leto-fronted band was originally to take place at Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre this past April.

All tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored for night of show.