Monday, February 13, 2012
Out For The Night Love and art at the Bechtler
Posted by Megan Henshall on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 4:56 PM
Valentine’s Day is the celebration of love, romance, and relationships … and your local florist. But mostly love, I guess. Id est, Valentine’s Day is the celebration of the most complex, perpetual, make-the-rules-up-as-you-go life gauntlet that any of us will experience. I think it’s agreeable that much like art, love is ubiquitous, subjective and open for interpretation. Therefore, what’s a more appropriate way to honor Valentine’s Day than by taking time out to appreciate art (both visual and musical), with a romantic theme? At least this was my thinking when I purchased my tickets to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’s Music at the Museum: “Chamber of Love” concert.
The Music at the Museum event is a regular happening, which varies in subject matter, but has two consistent elements: a concert and featured works of art often pulled from Bechtler’s private collection and thus not on exhibition at the museum regularly. The Chamber of Love theme was specific to the timing with Valentine’s Day and consisted of the story of two works of art, the two artists who fell madly in love over a long holiday, face-melting vocal stylings from a very talented soprano, and guitar duets both original and classical (each love songs of course).
The only way for me to possibly to explain my experience is to say that it was a downright religious one. It was sensory ecstasy. No kidding, I saw a grown man with a mustache openly weep.
As a foundation, the Bechtler space is incredibly beautiful and with the additional layers of impassioned and incredibly talented composers, performers, and musicians, it was wholly transcendent. Granted, you have to have a taste for this kind of thing. Opera and music with no words isn’t for everyone, I know, but if it is your cup of fancy artsy fartsy tea, you simply must check out the next Music at the Museum.
For more information on Music at the Museum and other Bechtler Museum of Modern Art events, visit www.bechtler.org.
Megan Henshall is a project coordinator by day, favorite child, rollerskating enthusiast, blogger, and lover of all things social and under appreciated. For more writing/ramblings/rants visit www.dearsuchandso-keyboardventing.blogspot.com.
Out For The Night Runway for the Ballet: I should have just worn the tights
Posted by Megan Henshall on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 4:34 PM
Halfway through the final performance at the 5th Annual Runway for the Ballet this past Saturday, I regretted dropping out of dance class. I was 8, I hated tights (and still do), and I mostly wanted to express myself through spontaneous movement rather than learn choreography. More exaggerated snapping and Ariel-like hair flips, please! Saturday, I realized that I should have shut up and done as I was told because now I would have crazy athletic integrity, a regular forum for a lot of people to pay attention to me, and the piece de resistance — a ballerina body.
Runway for the Ballet is an event to look forward to every year. It’s the perfect combination of art and fashion, culture but also partying. For those of you who are romantically attached, it makes a pretty remarkable date night. Fellas, here’s a not-so-subtle pointer; you can get some brownie points and possibly sexual favors for ponying up for tickets to this next year. For the single Charlotteans, I have to admit that it has been some time since I was in a room with so many eligible pretty people, both male and female.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Party Pics Snug Harbor, 2/9/12
Posted by Kimberly Lawson on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 3:15 PM
The weekly Shiprocked party at Snug Harbor is known for its crazy themes. On Feb. 9, they hosted their Fuck Romance party. Good times, I swear.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
Out For The Night The Queen of Irony City
Posted by Megan Henshall on Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 11:23 AM
I had a realization during a recent night out Uptown. Irony is the new black, Charlotte. Get with it or prepare to feel left out.
The first act in the cirque d'ironie began when we decided to enter a BAR named Prohibition. Cue up that awful Alanis Morissette song where, in the video, her 7th alter ego has special needs and forgot to brush her hair. It IS ironic, I DO think. Eh hem, call me a history geek, but in order to be called Prohibition, shouldn’t we refrain from the excessive sale of alcoholic beverages?
Unleeesssss, (detective voice) the premise is that the bar is an insurgency against the concept behind 1920s prohibition and general mainstream moral and cultural impositions? In that case, it’s a whole new brand of insincerity because I saw a LOT of bowties and bandage dresses. No one in a state of rebellion or principal would wear either of those things. Not ever.
It was like I had entered an alternative dimension ruled by stylish mockery. Grown men wearing My Little Pony T-shirts and closeted gay men making awkward passes at confused girls. Couples shag dancing to Neyo and too many neon colored shirts and accessories to count. People irrationally self-deprecating on the dance floor and then being overly confident in their pickup lines. At point, circa 1 a.m., I looked at my cousin and asked, “What the heck is going on?” To which she had no response other than a shoulder shrug.
Then I did the only thing there is to do when life stops making sense. It is, ironically, what I do best. I promptly inserted myself into a group of total strangers and wobbled my by and large uncoordinated (except for when I’m wobbling) white ass off.
Megan Henshall is a project coordinator by day, favorite child, rollerskating enthusiast, blogger, and lover of all things social and under appreciated. For more writing/ramblings/rants visit www.dearsuchandso-keyboardventing.blogspot.com.
Monday, February 6, 2012
CL presents our list of CIAA 2012 parties
Posted by Tricia Bangit on Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Check out our gigantic list of parties happening in Charlotte for the annual CIAA basketball tournament. This list will be continually updated, so keep checking back for more events. (Want to be listed? Please e-mail anita.overcash@creativeloafing.com.)
Wednesday, Feb. 29
Mode Noir CIAA Fashion Week. Hosted by Jacinda Garabito. $30 and up. Feb., 29, 7 p.m. 724 Montana Drive. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.facebook.com/ciaafashionweek?sk=app_16353833700236
Thursday, March 1
A Night Full of Laughter Afterparty. Hosted by Jonathan Martin with music by Biz Markie. Mr Joe “Cheezy” Clair headlines. $35 and up. March 1, 8 p.m. The Extravaganza, 1610 N. Tryon St. To purchase tickets, visit http://ciaakeepemlaughing.eventbrite.com/
After Hour Party. Hosted by Jocelyn Borgella with music by DJ Mark One, DJ Big Will, April Rayne, Ro Jackson, Joe Higg, and Day Tymz. Serving fish & grits, chicken wings, and more. $15 and up. March 1, 2 a.m. 916 Moretz St. 704-649-5742.
Black Carpet Tip-Off Affair. Presented by We Run Charlotte. Hosted by Dougie Fresh and Dinah Sade with music by DJ Skillz and Marty Geez. $25 and up. March 1, 9 p.m. Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St. For more information, visit www.weruncharlotte.com.
CIAA Weekend 757 & 704 Takeova Bus. Bus will conduct frequent pick-ups and drop-offs daily in hourly increments to Downtown Charlotte. $100 and up ($50 Non-refundable deposit due Feb. 9. Full payment due Feb. 20). March 1, 10 a.m.- March 4, 7 p.m. For more information, contact Micah Walls at 757-737-2460, Edward Walls at 757-737-0875, or Eugene Jones at 757-828-9046.
Hangover Party. Music by DJ Quicksilva and DJ Biggs. 21 and up. $20 and up. March 1, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. FitzGerald’s Irish Pub (Formerly Buckhead Saloon), 201 E. 5th St. To purchase tickets, visit http://thecharlottehangoverciaa.eventbrite.com/.
Heaven. Music by DJ 06 and Black Alley. $25 and up. March 1, 8 p.m. Blue Restaurant, 5th & College Street. To purchase tickets, visit http://cievents2012.eventbrite.com/.
Mode Noir CIAA Fashion Week. Hosted by Brigida Mack and WBTV. $30 and up. March 1, 7 p.m. 724 Montana Drive. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.facebook.com/ciaafashionweek?sk=app_163538337002366.
Party Pics InkFest Live 2012
Posted by Kimberly Lawson on Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Ink Fest Live: Tattoo Expo took place at Cabarrus Arena on Feb. 3-5. If getting inked is your thing, you should have been here. But no worries — it's coming to Charlotte's Metrolina Expo July 20-22.
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Party Pics Charlotte Salsa Invitational, Feb. 3-4
Posted by Kimberly Lawson on Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 1:39 PM
The 4th Annual Charlotte Salsa Invitational took place at Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel on Feb. 3-5. It was definitely a weekend of hot moves. If only we could all be so limber and graceful!
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Friday, February 3, 2012
Events
I, I, I, I love to do the mambo salsa at Charlotte Salsa Invitational
Posted by Laura Camilo on Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Is the only salsa you're familiar with the kind you use tortilla chips to scrape the bottoms of jars for? Or can you sway and shimmy with the best of them? As someone who both loves old-school salsa but would rather be forced to watch El Cantante until her eyes start bleeding than to actually bust a salsa move in public, I sympathize with folks at all points of the spectrum. Whether you're looking to perfect your pasos or you're just looking for a popping party, the Fourth Annual Charlotte Salsa Invitational is the place to be.
A Friday night "slumber" party (if it's anything like the slumber parties of my childhood, not much sleeping will be done) kicks off two days and nights of workshops and professional performances. The Saturday night main party offers a showcase, a dance party AND a surprise.
The events are designed to make everyone feel more than eager to put on their dancing shoes. More details on the weekend's festivities are available here.
Feb. 3-5. Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum Centre Dr.
Events How bizarre, how bazaar
Posted by Laura Camilo on Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 9:59 AM
"Elephants and acrobats, lions snakes monkey." Here's where you can find the righteous and the funky.
OK, the OMC reference might be a stretch in describing the Bizarre Bazaar & Variety Show, but only because an assortment of zoo animals might be the only thing Saturday night's shindig won't be offering.
Will there be burlesque? Check. Belly dancing? Check. Aerial silks, live music and a fashion show? Triple check. Not to mention side show acts and an eclectic arts market.
Proceeds benefit Burners Without Borders and Pisco Sin Fronteras, two organizations partnering to develop a nutrition assessment project at a school in Peru. Any remaining funding with go to the Cal Key Wilson Memorial Scholarship at the AOMA School of Integrated Medicine in Austin, Texas.
Musically inclined attendees are encouraged to bring their acoustic instruments for the open jam session.
Make moves and start grooves for $15 at the door. Come in full costume and receive a $5 discount.
Saturday, Feb 4. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Studio1212. 1212 E. 10th Street.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Party Pics Dharma Lounge, 2/1/12
Posted by Kimberly Lawson on Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 4:22 PM
The weekly Le Bang party at Dharma Lounge. They just keep coming!
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