STRATOS LAMBOS
CEO & Co-Founder of Xenia Hospitality Group
Stratos Lambos is a local Restaurateur in Charlotte. He loves to serve people inside and outside of his hospitality venues. He is the co-founder of Xenia Hospitality Group est. in 2003 with their most popular concept, Ilios Noche Restaurant, in addition to Big View Diner, Emerald Lake Golf Club & Event Center, Xenia Catering, and their newest casual restaurant, Ilios Crafted Greek in Southend. Born in New York, he has a multi-cultural background. “With my father being a Greek immigrant married to a Puerto Rican woman, I’ve always been a warmed blooded man filled with soul and love.” Living near Manhattan made him fall in love with the art of food, culture, and people. Going to Gramercy Tavern in Chelsea and Radio City Hall was a favorite.
Stratos has served with great charity foundations, such as: Together We Feed, The Thornhill Rites of Passage, and the Autism Strong Foundation.
GET TO KNOW STRATOS
- Fun facts: I opened Ilios Noche, our first restaurant in Charlotte in 2003 when I was 26. I love what I do in serving people BUT lost my hair in the process. Now I’m a proud bald guy…lol …who loves to ski and ride bikes like a wild kid.
- Why did you choose to support Charlotte Ballet?: I chose to support the Charlotte Ballet because I love the art, talent, physical abilities, and grace of ballet. I hope to build Charlotte’s performing arts program by raising money through the Autism Strong Foundation and to spread awareness. I’d also like to help the Charlotte Ballet so it can continue to flourish in our vibrant city. When I was introduced to and selected for DWTS, I knew immediately I wanted to dance for Peter Sparks. Like many others, Peter has been living with Autism and although he is challenged, he knows how to find and loves listening to music. I can see him dancing in his spirit and I will do all I can to dance for how great he is and those who suffer from Autism.
- Dancing experience: None….. but I love to move my hips like a Latino dancer. It’s fun for me to dance with my wife and kids, while they think I’m weird because I make funny faces.
NADINE BARTON
Seasons with Charlotte Ballet: 3
Nadine, born in California, received most of her classical ballet training at Artistic Dance Center of Doral in Miami. Other experiences include performing with Miami City Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet as an apprentice, Sarasota Ballet as a trainee, and Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami as a soloist. She then danced with Alabama Ballet for 5 years. Some of her favorite roles were Myrtha in Giselle, Coffee and Demi Flowers in Balanchine’s Nutcracker, and Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty. In their 2018/19 Season, Nadine was commissioned to create WATTS, a new work which the company premiered in April 2019. She’s been recognized in competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix, where she earned Gold in 2011 semifinals; the American Dance Competition, where she won the Traditional Excellence Award for the pas de deux of Giselle Act ll; and the Honorary Fernando Bujones Excellence Award. She was also a 2012 finalist of the YoungArts organization. In the summer of 2018, she was one of 60 dancers chosen worldwide to take part in Netherlands Dans Theater’s Summer Intensive in Den Haag.
GET TO KNOW NADINE
- Joining Charlotte Ballet in 2019 and beginning with such a high-quality production like Leonce and Lena was a huge confirmation for me as a dancer taking the next step in her career. I felt immediately accepted as a person with the dancers and staff of the ballet. I also had been craving art in that form; a piece that is both physically and theatrically demanding. It’s what I love and admire as an artist and creator.
- Charlotte has an awesome food scene. I am always looking for new places to try and love finding little holes in the wall or family-owned restaurants.
- My very first ballet teacher brought her pointe shoes to class once. I must have been 4 or 5 years old, but I clearly remember my little legs swimming in her shoes with the ribbons wrapped and tied, and just knowing that I wanted to grow into my own pair and become a ballerina.
- I love being outside, being around people I love and who inspire me, as well as continuing my practice in yoga. I also have two beautiful cats, Quinn and Ira who both have giant personalities. Never a dull moment with my fur babies.
AUTISM STRONG FOUNDATION
The funds raised will help support the Autism Strong Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports children with autism and their families through financial aid scholarships. The mission of ASF is to relieve the financial burden of autism by granting funds to children to receive therapy services, go to summer camp and participate in young adult overnight weekend getaways.
Why support the cause? Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States with 1 in 54 children being diagnosed and providing therapy care for a child will cost a family nearly $60,000 annually.
LEADERS AT A GLANCE
Checkout the fundraising competition live via the Star Dancer leaderboard. Support your favorite Star Pair and cast your vote today by purchasing tickets or making a donation. All ticket sales and donations received are split 50/50 with Charlotte Ballet and the Star Dancer’s chosen charity. $1=1 Vote! On March 5, the People’s Choice Award will be presented to the Star Pair with the most funds raised. Judges’ Choice Award is presented to the Star Pair the judges determine had the best moves.
Total: $1,272,415
Thank you to our sponsors
- Prima
- Relevé
- Plié
- Pirouette
- Arabesque
