Wednesday, August 09
The Birmingham-based quartet the Rewinds wear their Brit-pop influences like a warm and comfy sweater. There’s a distinct Byrds-tinged pop layer in their rock & roll universe. The band’s self-titled debut recording is vibrant and overflowing with oh so potent hooks and harmony; but don’t take my word for it, catch them for $5 tonight at the Evening Muse at 11pm. Need more details? Go to www.theeveningmuse.com. (Shukla)
Thursday, August 10
Even for the wild, wild West, this is one strange story. A mule driving cowpoke is civilized by his lady love — so much so that he develops into the astronomer who works alongside Edwin Hubble and discovers that the universe is perpetually expanding. Strike up the Big Bang theory. This is Stan Peal’s The Expanding Sky, the bio-musical chronicling the life of Milton Humason. A pocket version of the new musical was the winner of an Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan commission and received a concert reading last year in New York. Now Peal and wife Laura Depta bring their Epic Arts Rep Theatre out of hibernation with a full production at Actor’s Theatre through Aug. 19. Inspired by Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, Peal’s Sky stars Lou Delassandro and Cindy Barringer as Milton and Helen Humason. Evening performances at 650 E. Stonewall St., Thursdays through Saturdays, begin at 8pm with a 2pm Sunday matinee on Aug. 13. Adults $18, students/seniors/children $12. Call 704-567-9964. (Tannenbaum)
Friday, August 11
The Dave Matthews Band of jam-band-friendly hip hop, Jurassic 5 has always seemed a little more energetic live (where it rips it up, 1982-style) than on record, where the band seems a little too, well, prehistoric. Which is not to say J5 should go gat-and-girl crazy, mind you, but rather that the beats sometimes came across a little fossilized. Enter Scott Storch and some other big name producers on the band’s newest, Feedback, along with a song co-written with (synchronicity!) Dave Matthews, and you have a real attempt at expanding its audience. It’ll be curious to see just what kind of feedback the quintet receives. With original black consciousness lifers X-Clan, who are certainly worth your time. Tonight at the Neighborhood Theatre. Tickets are $25. Call 704-358-9298 for details. (Davis)
North Carolina’s Hooverville makes down home Americana music with the added benefit of three vocalists and songwriters. Taking cues from the Flatlanders and even The Band, Hooverville’s recent recording, Follow That Trail of Dust Back Home (produced by James Mathus from the Squirrel Nut Zippers), is infectious yet written and played with a pace that’s more like a stroll through the woods. The Hillsborough quartet plays tonight at Dilworth Playhouse beginning at 8pm. For details, log onto www.dilworthplayhouse.com (Shukla)
For all you sensitive artists waiting for a bit of recognition and a dollop of constructive criticism, a first! LAUNCHED: First Annual North Carolina Undergraduate Juried Exhibition invites students from six schools to come and stand simply on the merit of their work. Two students from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s art department will participate: Erich J. Moffitt, painting and drawing and Shelley Sloan Lineberger, ceramics. An opening reception will be held on Aug. 18 from 6-9pm. The exhibit will run at the McColl Center for Visual Art, 721 North Tryon St., from Aug. 11 through Sept. 9. For more info, visit www.mccollcenter.org. (Calloway)
Steely Dan has left a long trail, 34 years and counting, of its mix of jazz, pop, rock and R&B. The duo, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, has always preferred to tweak records in the studio over touring in all these years. They’ve had a love ’em or hate ’em relationship with critics, but the duo’s satirical social commentary and crystal-clear sound has also made them rock legends. Steely Dan will play tonight at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater with long-running Adult Contemporary crooner Michael McDonald. Tickets are $25-$85 and show starts at 7:30pm. For further details, call 704-522-6500. (Shukla)
Saturday, August 12
Remember that old saying that goes, “If you want to hide something from a black person, you should put it in a book?” Prove it false by attending PBS and RealEyes Bookstore’s Charlotte Literary Festival this weekend. Experience the sheer wonder inspired by the words of legendary poet Nikki Giovanni and the smooth sounds of CL Critics’ and Readers’ Choice for Best New Band, Soulganic. And think of new endeavors with workshops on “How to Start Your Own Business?” and “How to Get Into The Music Industry?” Q Productions will stage its play, Lifespan, The Journey of Miles & Coltrane and “Urban Griot” Omar Tyree helps us find out what women want with his What They Want (his steamy new novel) Survey. The festival runs through tomorrow at various locations in NoDA, ending with a special engagement with Giovanni. For more on this, check out the cover story on page 26. (Calloway)
You don’t have to support the war to support the troops. Today put your actions where your beliefs are and join antiwar activists at a 6pm Peace Vigil at Freedom Park. Veterans and military families will share how the war in Iraq has affected them. You can also bring a letter of support and a phone card to be sent to military personnel serving in Iraq. If you can’t make it, donate to any soldier at http://anysoldier.com. 1900 East Blvd., near the bandshell. For more information, visit www.the-freedom-group.org. (Shugart)
Wednesday, August 16
Cancer is not a laughing matter, unless maybe you’re being tortured by “Funniest Man in America” James Gregory. The Comedy Zone and the Charlotte Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation team up for their sixth Laugh for the Cure event. It began back in 2002 as a campaign to increase awareness and grew into one of the most successful fundraising events in Charlotte. So far, the event has raised over $77,000. This year the bar is set even higher with feature comedian Keith Alberstadt rounding out the bill. Doors open at 6pm for the silent auction; live auction and comedy show begin at 7:15pm. Tickets are $35 per person. Call 704-348-4242 to purchase tickets. The Comedy Zone is located at the corner of 8th and College streets. Check out www.laughforthecure.com for more info. (Calloway)
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2006.
