Like Nelly Furtado sings in her catchy little tune, “All good things come to an end.”
And 2007 was a really, really good thing … wouldn’t you agree? Nightlife venues sprouted up like condos throughout the Q.C.
Hom, Alley Cat, Woods on South, M5, Snug Harbor, Tilt on Trade, The Pub, Rustic Martini and Ed’s Tavern. Meanwhile, it was out with the old and in with the new. Gilda’s Lounge became Prevue, Twist became Daddy’s and V Lounge became V on 4th. Also, Soho East and Daisy Dukes came and went.
It was a good year in terms of Charlotte nightlife, but for the Carolina Panthers … not so much.
The best thing about the season was the Panther Talk radio show at the stadium every Monday following a home game. You wouldn’t think being a member of a live studio audience for a radio talk show would make for fun night; however, the 200-plus people at the concluding show last week would beg to differ.
Coach Fox and Matt Moore (better known as Quarter Back #4) went on air, players and TopCats were signing autographs, but the main attraction was the live band Mick and the Ultras. Not as in Michelob Ultra, but as in Mick Mixon, the voice of the Panthers. Apparently he’s the beat of the Panthers as well, because he went back and forth between hosting Panther Talk and playing the drums. So what if the team didn’t play well this year — Mick and the Ultras did. The family-friendly dance party, live show and meet-and-greet was also a charity event for Classroom Central. When you go to Panther Talk it’s like sitting in club level seats … for free. But instead of watching a game, I was watching people in the stands cleaning up the debris from the game the night before. (Clean up after yourself folks; those poor people were out in the freezing cold picking up your shit.)
Another good thing that came to an end last week was Creative Lounging at Tilt.
The highlight was Simplified’s performance, but to me it was the transvestite fortune teller who grabbed my hand and proceeded to tell me I needed to go on vacation and to get laid. She may have turned down my tip because she only accepts $10s, but thanks to the The LLC we got to give away vacations. We did a drawing for a cruise and a trip to Cancun.
I went out with a bang and tried a shot of Patron XO, which is coffee-flavored tequila. It was like taking a shot of espresso. Now, if only they’d make a shot that tasted like French fries.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila … floor.
This article appears in Jan 2-8, 2008.
