Events Search – CL Recommends
DrumStrong f. Sam Bush, Jeff Sipe Trio, The Broadcast, Bubonik Funk, Ryan Saranich & Alex Bailey, SLO, KalimbaMan, Moses Jones, Of Good Nature
Sat., May 18Blues/Roots/International
SAM BUSH
In traditional mountain music circles, fiddle and mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush is rightly a legend, but he’s far from a traditionalist. It’s hard to believe now, but when Bush formed New Grass Revival in 1972, the combo’s seamless mix of bluegrass, rock, jazz and gospel was seen as a heresy on the order of Bob Dylan going electric at the Newport Jazz Festival. If that made Bush a “Judas,” he clearly didn’t care, pushing the Newgrass hybrid he invented further afield with his all-star bluegrass super group Strength in Numbers and as a sideman with Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett and others. Bush’s distinctive rhythmic “chopping” style on the mandolin was inspired by Bob Marley’s percussive rhythm guitar with the Wailers, and the reggae infusion into Newgrass reportedly pissed off Bush’s idol, bluegrass elder statesman Bill Monroe. Yet Bush says that purism is an illusion, pointing out that Monroe invented bluegrass in the 1930s as a hard-driving hybrid of Appalachian string music and blues. A three-time Grammy winner, Bush is also a two-time cancer survivor, so it’s doubly fitting that this treasured performer is the tent pole for a fest committed to raising funds and awareness for cancer organizations.
Carolina Reveries: Legends and Landmarks
Through May 18Visual Arts
Inspired by popular culture and famous folks from varying creative fields, Charlotte-based artist David Allen Goldberg — better known as “DAG” — has created a new series of works with Carolina ties. The exhibit, Carolina Reveries: Legends and Landmarks, is on display at Summit Coffee in Davidson's historic district, and currently features six acrylic paintings, though more are planned to be added, depending on sales. Bold brush strokes and loud colors define DAG's portraits, which are rich in facial detail despite the unconventional color tones. In the exhibit, you can expect to see quirky paintings of Thelonious Monk at a UFO welcome center, John Coltrane at South of the Border roadside attraction, Barney Fife and Andy Griffith with Big Foot lingering in the background and Western rascal, Fred Kirby, among others.
Free admission
Me & Jezebel
Sat., May 18, 8 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
Bette Davis, an overbearing house guest? The actress left her mark on Hollywood for her roles in dramas, but she also left her mark on playwright Elizabeth Fuller, who went on to pen Me & Jezebel. The play, based off of Davis' stay — what was supposed to be a few days turned into a month-long sojourn — at Fuller's home, gives an inside look at the real-life Davis. Queen City Theatre Company presents the play with Hank West starring as the glamorous, chain-smoking, cursing diva and Sheila Snow Proctor as a fan turned hospitable host.
$22-$24
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Sun., May 19Pop/Rock
CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH
The aging ‘60s icons have recently found their waning stars on the ascendant again, thanks in part to getting name-checked by trendy multi-part harmony bands like Fleet Foxes. CS&N were considered one of the first ‘supergroups’ because all three members had been in well-known bands prior to forming in ’68 — David Crosby was booted from the Byrds, Stephen Stills had played in Buffalo Springfield (whose Neil Young would rescue CS&N from complete treacle) and Graham Nash had ditched the Hollies. Their first tour after their self-titled debut included Woodstock, and their three-part harmonies and (mostly) acoustic guitars heralded the baked-hippie turn that reached its apotheosis in the Topanga Canyon scene. The trio also became mouthpieces for the groovy flower-power cultural revolution — the one that gutted the actual political revolution embodied by the SDS and Black Panthers et al. and narcoticized American youth in a haze of tie-dye, dope-smoke and songs about Judy Collins. The trio recently latched onto the Occupy movement and are co-sponsoring the “StampStampede,” with which you can declare your unhappiness about money in politics by defacing dollar bills with “slightly subversive” but “100 percent legal” messages like “Not To Be Used For Bribing Politicians” and the like. With a revolutionary vanguard like that, you can bet those K Street lobbyists are just quivering through the halls of Congress — quite possibly cranking Déjà Vu on their iPods. Way to go, dudes.
$47-87
2nd Annual Blumey Awards
Sun., May 19, 7 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
The nominees have been announced and 15 winners will be named at the 2nd Annual Blumey Awards this Sunday evening at Belk Theater. Thirty-two high school musical productions are competing for bragging rights from across 16 counties in the Metrolina region. So literally hundreds of performers, teachers, classmates and proud parents will be sweating out the judges’ verdicts — an ideal recipe for partisan pandemonium. But even if you’re none of the above, there’s plenty to enjoy: live excerpts from each of the six finalists for the Best Musical award — Young Frankenstein, Les Miz, Beauty and the Beast, Once Upon a Ma, Footloose and Oklahoma! — plus two showcase medleys featuring all the nominees for the coveted Best Actress and Best Actor honors. Those two winners get to participate in the national Jimmy Awards program in New York. Besides the high stakes, the high excitement and the high-octane talent, there’s a chichi aspect to the proceedings hosted by WBTV anchor Maureen O’Boyle. Premium seat holders are invited to the 5:45 p.m. VIP black-tie reception before ambling over to the main event at 7 p.m. $30-$45
Connected There But Not Always Here
Through May 19Visual Arts
Some folks just don't understand the concept of "too much information," especially when it comes to social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Seriously, we didn't really need blow-by-blow details of what you ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enter this new exhibit at The Light Factory — it may have you thinking twice about what you "share." Connected There But Not Always Here examines the effects that technology (from Facebook and Twitter to blogging and interactive videos) has on relationships. It also focuses on the consequences of personal information being forever hoarded into cyberspace. Brooklyn-based photographer Dina Litovsky launched "Untag This Photo," a project that documents nightlife and the behavior and self-representation of women in social media. Meanwhile, Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman's series "Geolocation" uses publicly embedded GPS info via Twitter to track locations of posts and pair them with the text. The exhibit also features works from photographer Gabriela Herman as well as an interactive video — capturing snippets of gallery visitors — put together by Celine Latulipe, Berto Gonzalez and Annabel Manning. Be on your best behavior!
Free admission
Traces
Sat., May 18, 2 & 8 p.m. and Sun., May 19, 1:30 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
When you really think about it, the concept behind Traces isn’t all that original. Over the past several years, shows that specialize in acrobatics, circus-like theatrics, stunts and aerialists have become all the rave, but few capture the intimacy and edge-of-your-seat attention as this show from the Montreal-based 7 Fingers (or Les 7 Doigts de la Main). With only seven cast members to pull off the challenging feats, Traces is a solid 90-minute marvel of impressiveness from otherwise ordinary-appearing young adults — only they clearly aren’t, as they send themselves flipping, flying and tumbling toward risky obstacles, all for the pleasure of a safely seated audience
$20 and up
Paramore, Kitten
Mon., May 20Pop/Rock
KITTEN
Fronted by precocious 17-year-old Chloe Chaidez, Kitten is aptly named. The band’s electro-punk attack is more New Wave than riot grrl, and Chaidez’s impressive vocals trend more toward a breathy purr than the lioness roar of Karen O, though both extremes are well within her range. Chaidez and her band-mates have an impossibly trendy image, but they back up it up with atmospheric, ’80s-infused, candy-coated pop that hews closer to the angst and urgency of Blondie than the chirpy robo-dance of Missing Persons. Kitten knows its ’80s influences backwards and forwards, but the band builds on them, dipping into the fractured funk of Public Image LTD, the jagged electronics on Crystal Castles and the soaring melodies of M83. Scrapping promising careers in acting and gymnastics to follow her muse, Chaidez seems to have benefited from a musical Head Start program — her father drummed for ’80s East L.A. hardcore punk band Thee Undertakers — but she doesn’t come off as an irritating over-achiever. Live, Chaidez thrashes, writhes and whirls with the wildest of the dervishes. She’s a striking, charismatic force of nature, and it’s a good bet she and Kitten will upstage headliners Paramore.
Sold out
15 Year Anniversary Group
Through May 31Visual Arts
With gallery closings on the rise, we’re especially pleased to announce a reopening. Hidell Brooks Gallery, which closed its doors back in November of 2012 to renovate and expand its quarters, is back in the game with three distinct exhibition spaces and more storage space. The new floorplan is credited to Lindsay Smith — who also designed the gallery back in 1998 — of Dimcheff Smith Studio. To celebrate, Hidell Brooks will be having a reception for its 15 Year Anniversary Group. The exhibit will showcase artwork by 34 different artists of varying styles and mediums. They include works by artist Sherrie Wolf, who combines detailed still lifes with a backdrop of whimsical landscapes, portraiture and scenery; Selena Beaudry, who uses cut-up pieces of painted paper to intricately layer her colorful, funky compositions; and Miranda Lake, who uses wax and collage to create psychedelic nature displays. Katherine Ace, Philip Geiger, Johan Hagaman, David Kroll, Rana Raochet, Amanda Talley, and many others will also be sharing.
Free admission
Wit & Whimsy
Through May 31Visual Arts
It's no big surprise that Vicki Sawyer grew up with a family that loved nature or that it rubbed off on the Tennessee-based artist, who frequently paints portraits of animals and surrounding aspects of the wilderness. Her acrylic works are realistic, yet somewhat unnatural in appearance. Having worked closely with painting birds, Sawyer deviates by painting on accessories like hats and masks to her feathered and/or furry subjects. Her latest exhibit at Lark & Key features paintings like these, in addition to others — some of which include a sheep with an assortment of birds nesting in its fur and a child clothed in vines with a bird sitting on his shoulders. It's all just too cute to be true. With pottery by Paula Smith. Opening reception on April 5, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Free admission
Avenue Q
Sat., May 18, 8 p.m., Sun., May 19, 2:30 p.m., Wed., May 22, 7:30 p.m., Thu., May 23, 7:30 p.m., Fri., May 24, 7:30 & 11 p.m., Sat., May 25, 8 p.m., Sun., May 26, 2:30 p.m., Wed., May 29, 7:30 p.m., Thu., May 30, 7:30 p.m., Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., Sat., June 1, 8 p.m. and Sun., June 2, 2:30 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
Lovers of irreverence can rejoice greatly, for the potty-mouthed puppets of Avenue Q are bringing their song-and-angst routine to Theatre Charlotte, May 17–June 2. Recent college grad Princeton is the newest tenement tenant on this queer city block, wondering how he can parlay an English degree into a livelihood while instantly smitten — how could he not be? — by equally anxious and awkward Kate Monster. The song list is self-recommending to anyone who has ever suffered through the varnished truths of Sesame Street and Mister Rogers, including such hits as “It Sucks to Be Me,” “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” and the imperishable “The Internet Is for Porn.” Blue-chipper Billy Ensley is directing a formidable cast that stars Andy Faulkenberry as Princeton and KC Roberge as Kate. Genders be damned, the supporting cast includes Matt Kenyon as Lucy the Slut and Veda Covington as Gary Coleman. Yes, that Gary Coleman. $25-$27
Proof
Sat., May 18, 8 p.m., Thu., May 23, 8 p.m., Fri., May 24, 8 p.m., Sat., May 25, 8 p.m., Sun., May 26, 2:30 p.m., Thu., May 30, 8 p.m., Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., Sat., June 1, 8 p.m. and Sun., June 2, 2:30 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
Premiering at the Manhattan Theatre Club in May of 2000 and working its way up to Broadway just five months later, David Auburn’s Proof is ... well ... proof that starting small can lead to bigger and better things. In 2001, the play picked up a Pulitzer Prize for “Drama” and a Tony Award for “Best Play,” before going on a continuous run that came to a close in 2003. Afterwards, it was adapted into a film, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Jake Gyllenhaal. Reemerging in the quarters of Carolina Actors Studio Theatre, this production doesn’t really need a plug, but for folks who struggle with finding good solutions for things to do, consider this your cheat sheet. But be forewarned: This isn’t the happiest of plays. It revolves around Catherine (played by the talented Karina Roberts-Caporino), who sacrificed her own dreams to care for her mentally ill father (George Gray), a former mathematical genius, while her sister ran off to New York. With his death, Catherine faces her estranged sibling and one of her father’s former students, who thinks that an undiscovered, breakthrough manuscript may be hidden in her father’s office. Add to all this a blossoming romance and some questionable sanity and you’ve got the general equation for Proof.
$18-$28
Connectivity
Through June 15Visual Arts
Exploring a rather broad topic that's open to plenty of interpretation, this new exhibit at McColl Center for Visual Art features a variety of artists, all of whom have created artwork with their own ideas of "connectivity" in mind. It's described as exploring "the underlying threads of connection found in natural, social, and technological systems." Curated by the folks at Cynthia-Reeves, a contemporary art gallery in Manhattan, the exhibit will feature works by 10 emerging artists — Janet Echelman, Yizkah Elyashiv, Beth Galston, Beth Ganz, John Grade, Daniel Kohn, Jonathan Prince, Shuli Sade, George Sherwood, and Claire Watkins.
Free admission
Etched in the Eyes: David Herman, Jr.
Through June 15Visual Arts
Photographer David Herman Jr. uses his lens to document his roots. A South Carolina native, his subjects are the Gullah people, a small and fascinating African-American ethnic group from the low country and sea islands along the eastern coastline of South Carolina and Georgia. Herman's upcoming exhibit at the Gantt Center will reveal aspects of that culture through photography, video and writing, while examining younger and older generations. Other newly opening exhibits: Jonathan Green: A Spiritual Journey of Life and I Got Freedom Up Over My Head: Portraits by Julie Moos.
$5-$8; Free for members and children 2 years old and under
551 South Tryon St.
Uptown
704-547-3700The World Is Bending
Through June 15Visual Arts
Bending wood is one of those art techniques that I don’t understand — I’ve never witnessed it or been overly interested to read about it. It looks complicated and I kind of enjoy keeping its twisted process a mystery. Folks who share a view similar to mine or who appreciate the craftsmanship of this art form will want to visit New Gallery of Modern art for sculptor Rick Lazes’ The World Is Bending exhibit. Lazes, better known as CEO of the N.C. Music Factory, has been sculpting for three decades. The latest exhibit, filled with sleek, curvy, sharp designs and wood work is described as making “a social statement about the changes and challenges that people around the world are encountering during the early part of the 21st century.” Opening reception with complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres catered by Bernardin’s on May 17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission
