Apr 14-21, 2009

Apr 14-21, 2009 / Vol. 23 / No. 7

The hunt for good Chinese food… Part 1

I’ve been living in the area for two years now and am still on the hunt for good Chinese food. Let me clarify this though — for the first year, I was living off of exit 33 in Mooresville. If you’re ever in that neck of the woods, I highly recommend Rice Fun in the…

Jeff Hahne

Crépe Cellar’s menu

NoDa’s newest kid on the block, Crépe Cellar opened last week. The menu just got added to their web site, but it lacks the prices. Here’s a copy of their menu with the prices, as of Saturday night, April 18, just in case you are curious.

Priscilla Tsai

Ted Haggard gets Elevated. Again.

The Elevation Church, one of those evangelical churches that offer free-ranging “worship experiences,” has invited Ted Haggard and his wife to be its guest next Sunday. Haggard, you remember, made a career out of fiercely denouncing homosexuality — until, oops, it turned out that Haggard was buying both gay sex and crystal meth. The purpose…

John Grooms

Obama doesn’t worry about the politics

“The American people didn’t buy it,” Obama said. “And there’s a good reason the American people didn’t buy it – because it doesn’t make sense.”‘ Read the rest of this Charlotte Observer article here. Watch President Obama respond to the media:

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

Making safe sex sexier

Condoms are the cornerstone of safe sex. Though not 100 percent, for the most part, they keep us from itching, scratching and blistering down there. And not to mention, regular use of condoms help reduce the risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. But condoms are boring. As non-PC as it is to…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Oh, shut up — right-wingers gripe about a handshake

So we’re in a deli in Asheville Sunday, and the people at the table behind us start griping about Obama’s handshake with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. “He’s down there smiling and cozying up to Chavez,” said the group’s alpha male, “after everything Chavez has said about America.” “It’s unbelievable,” agreed the beta male at the…

John Grooms

Update your spring wardrobe

TimesOnline has a nice little article on 10 ways to update your wardrobe for the spring. It’s particularly helpful to check out now during the seasonal transition period, when the weather’s not quite springy but definitely not wintery either.

Kimberly Lawson

Live review: Susan Tedeschi

Susan Tedeschi w/ Eric-Scott Guthrie Neighborhood Theatre April 17, 2009 The Deal: Blues singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi rocks the ‘Hood. The Good: Local singer-songwriter Eric-Scott Guthrie opened the show with a set of his acoustic folk songs. Different from the sometimes raucous and dance-worthy songs of his former band The New Familiars, Guthrie showed his talent…

Jeff Hahne

Purgatory 43: Ragnarok, 4/18/09

After seven years, Single Cell Productions held its final themed bondage and S&M event known as Purgatory Saturday, April 18, at Amos’ Southend. Read more about the bondage/fetish party here. Photos by Anita Overcash.

Priscilla Tsai

Today’s Top(less) 5: Monday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Apr. 20 2009–as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Doors open at Uptown Cabaret at noon. • Monster karaoke night at Dixie’s. • $5 table dances at…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

The censors will love it

Marilyn Manson is sure to welcome the controversy when his new album hits stores on May 26. The High End of Low track listing was released today, and I’m sure at least one of them will never be said on radio — the first single, “Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon.” Here’s the track listing: “Devour” “Pretty As A Swastika”…

Jeff Hahne

Upcoming: Fashion Statement

When you choose your outfit each morning, you’re making some kind of fashion statement. For example, today I’m wearing a green T-shirt sporting the words “Can I get some love?” surrounding a globe, with a heart on the continent of Africa; and some jeans. My fashion statement today: I’m comfortable, I’m chilling and I’m all…

Kimberly Lawson

The most heartbreaking songs

Entertainment Weekly has compiled a list of the 50 most heartbreaking songs ever recorded. 50. Wham!, “Careless Whisper” (1984) 49. Sufjan Stevens, “John Wayne Gacy Jr” (2005) 48. Meshell Ndegeocello, “Bitter” (1999) 47. Skeeter Davis, “The End of the World” (1962) 46. Lauryn Hill, “Ex-Factor” (1998) 45. Fairport Convention, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”…

Jeff Hahne

A bit of good news while waiting for Earth Day

You can tell that Bush is gone and the Environmental Protection Agency is no longer under the thumb of big oil. Today, the EPA made it official: Carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare. The declaration opens the way to more regulation of cars, factories, and power…

John Grooms

Record Store Day is Saturday

Record Store Day is on Saturday, April 18, and you can find a lot going on around town in coordination with it. Manifest has a handful of deals, in addition to some bands performing — Gordon Roque, Blanco Diablo, Tower of Power, State of Man, Ryan Hamner, Jem Crossland and Psythe — starting at noon.…

Jeff Hahne

Record Store Day at Manifest

Today through Sunday, take advantage of all kinds of deals at Manifest. For you music lovers, DVD whores and gamers, you’ll definitely want to stop through. See flyer below for the deals for each day. Manifest is located in the Starmount Shopping Center. 6238 South Blvd. 704-552-8448

Kimberly Lawson

Sex News Roundup: April 17

Here’s a look at the sex headlines floating around the Internet today. Viagra can work for women? Maybe. Man arrested for soliciting mother and daughter for sex. Loud sex lands woman in hot water. Local basketball coach faces sex charge. No book ban in Kansas, Dorothy.

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Upcoming: Swarm event in Southend

In case you hadn’t heard, the new event on the Camden block every 3rd Friday of the month is Swarm. Tonight, Niche hosts an in-store event from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. and a party immediately following at Apostrophe. This month at Niche, come check out THE JONESES release of the spring/summer line, then continue the party…

Kimberly Lawson

Alive After 5, 4/16/09

Alive After 5, Charlotte’s biggest weekly happy hour, kicked off Thursday evening at Wachovia Plaza. Yesterday’s Alive After 5 party marked the last time that the party will be held at Wachovia Plaza  — starting next week, the party can be found at the Pavilion at the EpiCentre. Read more about it on Brittney Cason…

Priscilla Tsai

Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Apr. 17, 2009–as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • $2 Fridays at The Carousel. • The party begins at Breakfast. • Get some Parrot head at the…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Fantasia Barrino gets her own VH1 reality show

Fantasia Barrino, a former American Idol winner will have her own new VH1 reality TV series, which documents her life as both singer and single mother. Read more in the People Magazine article below. Fantasia Barrino must have loved being on reality TV. The former American Idol star will be back in the game come…

Anita Overcash

Concert announcement

American Idols Live! Tour is hitting Time Warner Cable Arena on Aug. 1. Tickets go on sale on May 9. One can only hope that it’s going to be sponsored by Pop Tarts again…it’s just so fitting!

Jeff Hahne

TESTED RECIPE: Good Morning Muffins

These suckers only took me 30 minutes to make from start to finish. I got the recipe from the web site of one of my fav bloggers, The Pioneer Woman. When I saw that the ingredient list included marmalade, I was prompted to make these muffins because I have had a jar of marmalade in…

Priscilla Tsai

DJ Complete’s ‘I Love Charlotte’

If you haven’t heard DJ Complete’s remix of Asher Roth’s “I Love College,” here’s your chance. This song has been played on 96.1 The Beat, Kiss 95.1 & Power 98. I have to admit, I like the guy’s voice. (He’s not too bad-looking either. Haha.)

Kimberly Lawson

NSA snoops tried to wiretap Congressman

The New York Times published a story today that confirms the worst fears of critics of the National Security Agency’s warrantless wiretapping. The NSA, says the well-documented article, pretty much went hog-wild, breaking the law and wiretapping anyone and everyone they could think of. The most striking revelation, though, came near the end of the…

John Grooms

Nepotism, a government hiring practice? Noooo

Anthony Foxx, city councilman and mayoral candidate, stands by his wife, Samara, but things still look fishy. She, too, has plead her case to the media. So has County Manager Harry Jones, who says these types of things happen. Unfortunately for them, the record states otherwise. What kinds of things happen? Government officials practicing blatant…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

Twitter: Ashton Kutcher v. CNN, let the idiocy begin

Ashton Kutcher is racing CNN and Britney Spears to become the first Twitter user with 1 million followers. First problem, Kutcher challenged CNN via Ted Turner. Turner stepped down in 2006. Second problem, Britney Spears isn’t paying attention. The 31-year-old actor recently threw down the gauntlet, challenging CNN and its founder, Ted Turner. In a…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

Texting while driving banned — shaving could be next

The North Carolina House approved a bill that bans texting while driving, and the amazing thing is that some people are griping about it. Opponents, including some of the nine House members who voted against the bill, say the ban is unnecessary since reckless driving is already against the law. By that logic, of course,…

John Grooms

Grocery auctions: If the price is right, who cares if the food is old?

More signs of the hard times. Grocery auctions: people bidding on old, leftover or damaged goods from supermarkets, distribution centers and restaurant suppliers. As consumers seek relief from the recession and spiraling food prices, grocery auctions are gaining in popularity as an easy way to cut costs. The sales operate like regular auctions, but with…

Kimberly Lawson

You can’t judge a book…

Susan Boyle is proof you can’t judge a book by its cover. Everyone thought this woman performing on “Britain’s Got Talent” would be a trainwreck, but now her video is popping up all over the Internet. \\\\\\\\\\

Jeff Hahne

Prepackaged hard-boiled eggs at Trader Joe’s?

The folks behind Apartment Therapy’s The Kitchn spotted prepackaged hard-boiled eggs at a Trader Joe’s. Thoughts? Has society become so lazy that we can’t even boil our own eggs? I’d say, yes. And if I’m in Trader Joe’s and see you with this product in your basket, I will look at you funny. (If only…

Kimberly Lawson

Introducing: PlayDate

Looking for a different kind of nightlife event — one that doesn’t just entail drinking and dancing? Well, you might want to check out PlayDate. Organized by Charlotteans Shenan Robinson and Latrina Harris (who are pictured below and own the event promotion company Unique Affairs), PlayDate (which pops off this Saturday) promises not to be…

Carlton Hargro

Fantasia Barrino to film VH1 reality show

Former ‘Idol’ winner will have a new series that documents her life as a singer and single mother. Shouldn’t she first focus on getting people to buy her CDs and go to her concerts? The show will premiere in 2010.

Jeff Hahne

Carolina Place owner files Chapter 11

As long as Carolina Place doesn’t get like Eastland Mall, we should be OK. From the Charlotte Observer: The company that owns Carolina Place Mall in Pineville and Valley Hills Mall in Hickory has filed the biggest real estate bankruptcy in U.S. history. General Growth Properties Inc., which also had planned to build a large…

Kimberly Lawson

Today’s Top(less) 5: Thursday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Apr. 16, 2009–as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Learn Capoeria • Say farewell to the Wachovia Plaza and get drunk. • Champagne Thursday at Onyx. •…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Jimmy Wayne plans Boiling Springs benefit

Country singer’s concert is planned for April 18 for the Cleveland Rutherford Kidney Association. Children in the custody of community service get in free. His future plans include building an orphanage in N.C. Read more here.

Jeff Hahne

Are you a teabagger?

What is teabagging? Well, it’s not what today’s Tea Party organizers think it is. The Charlotte Observer reports 1,000 people are expected to participate in today’s protest (of … what exactly, no one knows). That’s impressive; that’s roughly 0.1 percent of the population of the Q.C. (notice the zero and the dot). Duke University political…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

Free shopping pass at wholesale club

I think shopping wholesale is smart. More for less, no? BJ’s Wholesale Club, which sells groceries, apparel, electronics and other merchandise, is offering a 60-day shopping pass for free! Just print out the above coupon and take it to one of the four BJ’s located in our area. Click this link for more information. 6030…

Kimberly Lawson

Live hip-hop in Charlotte?

My band, Actual Proof, recently had a live hip-hop group open up for us at a recent show. Watching and listening to them got me thinking: It’s tough to pull off live hip-hop for several reasons — some artistic and some technical. There’s no shortage of MCs who think they’ve got it but, in fact,…

Eric Mullis

Get a free cup of tea

From CharlotteontheCheap.com: On April 16, the Bojangles at 3rd & Independence is holding its first Facebook Fan Appreciation party to celebrate its 30,000th Facebook fan. Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., say “Facebook” and get a free cup of their legendary iced tea Reportedly, there will also be prize drawings.

Kimberly Lawson

Today’s Top 5: Wednesday

Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 15, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Shear Madness at Stage Door Theater • Travelin’ Rock ‘n’ Roll & Burlesque Review, featuring The Hot Rods, The Belmont Playboys and Pretty Things Peep Show at…

Anita Overcash

War crimes indictments coming tomorrow

Scott Horton is a renowned attorney who also reports now and then for the Daily Beast Web site. He’s reporting that, as we previewed here recently, Spanish prosecutors have made the decision to launch a criminal investigation of former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and five cohorts (soon to be referred to as co-conspirators) over…

John Grooms

Tweet of the Day

Today’s Tweet of the Day goes to John Mayer: Just got back from dinner with friends I’m the most comfortable with. The dinner was mostly silent. Best conversation I’ve had all week.

Jeff Hahne

Councilman Mitchell should do stand-up comedy

Charlotte City Councilman James “Smuggie” Mitchell surprised reporters and fellow council members Monday evening with a hilarious wisecrack that had the Government Center rocking with laughter. It happened during a council debate over Mayor McCrory’s proposal to make audio recordings of most of the council’s closed meetings. After most council members praised the proposal and…

John Grooms

Be hip, wear a bow tie

At my part-time job, I have to wear a bow tie. It’s not the most comfortable accessory, but it does draw attention to the neck. At least now I can be considered fashionably hip, at least according to this story on WSJ.com: After years under the chins of the pocket-protector crowd, the bow tie is…

Kimberly Lawson

Octo mom TV show?

Nadya Suleman – the woman who gave birth to octupulets, after she already had six children she couldn’t take care of – may be invading your TV more frequently (And, no, before you think it, she’s not becoming Dr. Phil’s sidekick). Production companies are tossing around ideas from documentaries to reality-shows that would follow the…

Anita Overcash

A tax on soda … its barbaric!

I love soda. The sugary carbonation tickling my throat, the gentle burp that slyly erupts after a good gulp of Coke … it’s so lovely. So why are these people proposing a penny-per-ounce excise tax on “sugared beverages”? Because this tax, unlike the petty junk-food taxes of yesteryear, is designed to hurt. Its purpose is…

Kimberly Lawson

Guess who’s shoplifting now

Five-finger discounts aren’t just for teenagers anymore.  Managers at upscale shops say they’re seeing more shoplifters than ever before as the country’s cash flow problems force well-dressed and often monied women to find alternative ways to look good. Read the full Charlotte Magazine story here.

Kimberly Lawson

MUSIC: Jimmy Buffett at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Who cares if it’s not summer and the weather is a bit chilly at night? Fans of El Grande Parrothead will don their hula skirts, leis, coconut bras and whatever inflatable crap they can find around the yard, throw it in the back of the car and go have a summer fiesta in the parking…

Jeff Hahne

CD Review: Bill Callahan’s Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle

The Deal: Mesmerizing flights from ex-Smog Bill Callahan. The Good: You just know with the certainty of sunrises that 20 years from now Bill Callahan will be celebrated with next-generation tribute records and pricey retrospective packages (c.f., one of his inspirations, Jandek) – and you can be just as sure another marvelous record now will…

John Schacht

THEATER: Shear Madness at Stage Door Theater

Having seen a past performance of the funny and suspenseful production Shear Madness, I can tell you firsthand to go see it. The show — which features some very interesting and just plain-out goofy characters — revolves around a mysterious murder occurring in an apartment above the Shear Madness Salon. And best of all, it’s…

Anita Overcash

Capsule film reviews for week of April 15

ADVENTURELAND Our multiplexes need another period coming-of-age flick about as much as the nation needs another banking industry bailout, yet Adventureland proves to be a modest surprise. For that, thank the efforts of a talented ensemble and a screenplay that mostly steers clear of the usual gross-out gags that have come to define this sub-genre…

Matt Brunson

Comic Review: Ignition City No. 1

Ignition City No. 1 Published by Avatar. Written by Warren Ellis. Illustrated by Gianluca Pagliarani. The Deal: Writer Warren Ellis delves back into the pulp world with his latest title from Avatar, Ignition City — which endeavors to answer the question: “Where did the space heroes go to die?” In this series, Ellis plays around…

Carlton Hargro

Crafts for green drinkers

I’m a consummate, almost rabid, recycler. Every plastic or paper bag, aluminum and paper scrap gets either reused, recycled or both. It hacks me off to see bottles in the trash, as I envision a massive garbage heap bloated with items rejected by Mother Nature. People have declared with disdain that it costs more to…

Taylor Eason

Aged vets goose The Golden Boys

Between them, veteran actors David Carradine, Rip Torn and Bruce Dern have racked up 147 years of screen time, and The Golden Boys capitalizes on that vast pool of experience by allowing these three performers full rein to work their movie mojo. It’s impossible to recommend this piffle to anyone who doesn’t possess an ounce…

Matt Brunson

CD Review: Brandon Kirkley & The Firecrackers

The Deal: Charlotte quartet Brandon Kirkley & The Firecrackers independently releases six-song EP, What We Thought We Knew. The Good: The band offers up pop-rock tunes on its debut. “One to None” has a radio-friendly groove to it and building chorus that you can easily see might be a live staple in their set. Singer…

Jeff Hahne

Bedtime Stories, The Spirit and Marley & Me among new DVD reviews

BEDTIME STORIES (2008). A winning formula for a successful family film gets reconfigured employing the lowest common denominator, and the result is a dismal effort that will fail with all but the most undemanding of children. As for their parents, it’s hard to imagine any of them warming up to a picture in which Adam…

Matt Brunson

Weekly horoscope: April 15-21, 2009

Aries The Ram: (March 20-April 19) You may have one or more episodes of sudden anger during this period. Sometimes the proper application of anger is appropriate, but not for you, not this week. Attacks on others will likely be way more troublesome than the outcome is worth. For All Signs: Venus, goddess of love…

Vivian Carol

CAST’s No Exit is suitably claustrophobic

Jean-Paul Sartre’s famed depiction of Hell has always been known in English as No Exit, though a more accurate translation of Huis Clos is “closed doors.” The three netherworld newbies not only confide in each other as if speaking behind closed doors, they also have the ability — for a tantalizingly brief time — to…

Perry Tannenbaum

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Nice Choices: An employee of a local Target witnessed a man shoplifting and apprehended him with the help of a co-worker. When they got custody of the suspect, they found that he had shoved chocolate candy, three Kool-Aid packets, a pickle and a stick of deodorant into his pockets. Bugging Me: A 42-year-old man called…

Ryan Pitkin

CL previews upcoming shows (April 15-21)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 The Life and Times Formed in ’02 by frontman Allen Epley after his outfit Shiner disintegrated, TLAT converge at a point where sonic moodiness and dissonant jangliness meet and come to life. On its new release Tragic Boogie, the Kansas City trio concocts damn intricate songs with layered guitars, bumpy rhythms and…

CD Review: Peter Doherty’s Grace/Wastelands

The Deal: Former Libertine frontman/current Babyshambles singer/notorious drug abuser Pete Doherty adds an ‘r’ and releases long-awaited acoustic album. The Good: Let’s cut to the chase – Doherty, 30, is now reportedly sober as of press time. Whether he was sober or completely wasted during the recording in the fall of 2008, the debut solo…

Jeff Hahne

What’s more likely to cause cancer, smoking or tanning?

My girlfriend and I were fighting over which led to a greater chance of getting cancer, smoking or tanning. I probably average a cigarette a day, and my girlfriend usually goes tanning two or three times a week. Who gets cancer first? — Dave, Columbus, Ohio A slo-mo suicide pact — quel romantique! The competitive…

Cecil Adams

Pacifica Radio at 60: A sanctuary of dissent

Pacifica Radio, the oldest independent media network in the United States, turns 60 years old this week as a deepening crisis engulfs mainstream media. Journalists are being laid off by the hundreds, even thousands. Venerable newspapers, some more than a century old, are being abruptly shuttered. Digital technology is changing the rules, disrupting whole industries,…

Amy Goodman

BOOK SIGNING: Author Aaron Gwyn

Author and UNC-Charlotte professor Aaron Gwyn’s short story collection Dog On The Cross — released back in 2004 — tied together eight short stories set in an Oklahoma town’s fundamental Christian/Pentecostal church community. Reminiscent of writing done by Flannery O’Connor, the collection by Gwyn was a good read, and it was even nominated for the…

Anita Overcash

Durham’s Yazarah takes the stage in Charlotte

Before India.Arie, who’s damned-near a household name, hits town in May, Charlotte audiences will have a chance to see a soulful artist on the rise: Yazarah. The Durham-based singer will play the Double Door Inn on April 19, performing alongside the music collective known as The Foreign Exchange — which is fronted by Phonte (of…

Carlton Hargro

THEATER: Alice in Concert

This isn’t a bunch of nonsense, folks (Or is it?). Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is presenting playwright and composer Elizabeth Swados’ Alice in Concert, a musical based off of Lewis Carroll’s children’s lit classics, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Just imagine how crazy tunes will get when sung by charismatic characters like…

Anita Overcash

Pirates and investment bankers: a strange similarity

Last week’s high-seas drama off the coast of Somalia, which ended with the freeing of cargo ship captain Richard Phillips and the death of three of his four captors, grabbed the world’s attention like no other Somali pirate attack before it. Maybe it’s because the assault came at such a tumultuous time; with so much…

SPECIAL EVENT: Play Date at The Big Chill

Playing board games may not seem like the kind of thing you’d want to do at a nightclub, but then you’ve probably never been to Play Date. Designed to offer an alternative to the typical night out, Play Date mixes music and cocktails with tons of popular games — anything from Monopoly to Taboo, UNO,…

Carlton Hargro

Officers behaving badly

At one point, she was the face of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police department’s Uptown anti-drunk driving campaign. Officer Karen Dula did television interviews on local stations in 2006 advising center city bar hoppers not to drive drunk. As part of the program, Dula and other officers carried breathalyzers with them, encouraging people to check their blood…

MUSIC: The Foreign Exchange at Double Door Inn

Over the years, Charlotteans have earned a reputation for sleeping on concerts that hit the city — especially shows headlined by artists who aren’t played on commercial radio. That said, one show Q.C. music lovers definitely shouldn’t miss is tonight’s performance by The Foreign Exchange. The acclaimed group consists of Phonte (from the N.C.-based hip-hop…

Carlton Hargro

Dating in black Charlotte

It’s official: I cannot take another second of the sheer and utter foolishness in the dating scene here in Charlotte. I have lived in many places, but I’ve never witnessed such low-quality dating in all of my life. I am tired of hearing from black men in this city how they cannot find a “good”…

Nsenga Burton

NIGHTLIFE: Monster Karaoke Night at Dixie’s Tavern

Mondays suck. The beginning of the work week comes much too fast after a fun weekend of drinking and hanging with good peeps. Why not extend your weekend fun a bit by checking out Monster Karaoke Night at Dixie’s Tavern. This is one of the hottest spots to be at every Monday, with $2.50 drafts…

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