may28 WEDNESDAY
What can a punk German kid do when his sex-change operation — and plans to marry an American GI — go ker-plooey just before the fall of the Berlin Wall? If you’re Hedwig Schmidt, dangling in a Kansas trailer park, you form a band, proclaim yourself a goddess, and rock on! Local fave Billy Ensley’s star-turn in the new Actor’s Theatre production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch has been eagerly awaited all season. Extra 11pm performances on Saturday nights for “Hed-heads” eager to rock into the morning. Runs through June 15 at Spirit Square. Call 704-372-1000 or reserve tickets at www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org. (Tannenbaum)
The Durham Bulls visit Knights Stadium for the final two games of their four-game series against the Charlotte Knights. The games will be played tonight and tomorrow night at 7:15pm. Tickets cost $6-$9 and may be purchased by calling 704-36-HOMER. (Herman)
The Mint Museum’s great Edward Hopper: The Paris Years exhibit is moving on down the line to its next gig. You’ve got till Sunday, June 1 to check out one of the visual arts highlights of the year, so hop to it. The painter whose work became synonymous with modern America started feeling his oats while lolling around in Paris during his youth, honing his talent for evoking light and embedding power in his depiction of buildings. Even if you don’t care about all that, think of this: when you’re at a cocktail party and some corporate honcho you’d like to impress brings up this exhibit in conversation, you won’t look like a total goob if you’ll just get off your butt and make it to the Mint by Sunday. The Mint is at 2730 Randolph Road. Hours are Tuesday 10am-10pm, Wednesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sundays 12noon-5pm. Admission is $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 ages 6-17, and free for members and anyone under 5 years old. For more info, go to www.mintmuseum.org. (Grooms)
may29 THURSDAY
Center City After Five starts up again at 2 Wachovia Plaza. If you don’t mind the banker brigade, this series is a great way to wind down your week with concerts, beer and food every Thursday evening from 5-9pm through Oct. 16. General Johnson & The Chairmen of the Board perform tonight. Best of all, this event is free. Free admission, that is. You gotta pay for beer and food. 704-944-1828 (Herman)
The Black Cinema Cafe, a monthly film series billed as “an alternative to the typical moviegoing experience,” will present its final event of the season tonight. A reception will be held at 7:15pm, followed by the romantic comedy Big Ain’t Bad at 8pm. A Q&A session with the filmmakers starts at 9:30pm, and the evening will end with a post-screening reception at 10pm. Admission is free but by invitation only. For an invitation and the screening location, e-mail charlotte@blackcinemacafe.com. (Brunson)
If you’re hankering for Charlotte Rep’s 20th anniversary revival of Pump Boys and Dinettes next season, relief is near. Honest Pat’s Playhouse opens this week with a new 130-seat performance space and eatery at 1410 10th Street. Under the hearty artistic direction of Amanda Blackburn Watkins, Pat’s revives a saloon musical, Diamond Studs: The Life of Jesse James, by Dinettes duo Jim Wann and Bland Simpson. Franklin Golden stars as the legendary outlaw — when he isn’t wielding tuba, trombone, ukulele, or acoustic guitar. Through June 20. Saloon opens at 6pm, performances at 8pm, Saturday reruns at 11:30pm. Call 704-400-4600. (Tannenbaum)
The Charlotte Sting play their second home game of the season against Indiana, so cruise over to the Coliseum and check out the best pro sports team in the city. The game starts at 7pm. Individual tickets cost $8-$53 and can be purchased by calling 1-977-WNBA-TIX. (Herman)
may30 FRIDAY
Flying low beneath the city’s cultural radar — and fearlessly presenting a full slate of new work — American Dance Art brings an enlarged 10-member professional troupe to Booth Playhouse for two nights. Heather Fox Obleada premieres a work for six women and a man, Once Upon a Time. This abstract piece wraps a portion of the Requiem for a Dream film score into its musical collage. Musical group Baleen plays live as ADA founder/artistic director Sabrina Sandvi Berry unveils In Limbo, depicting “souls on hold.” Berry’s Pas de Famille is demurely wedded to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
Today and tomorrow, the Steeple Lounge is putting on their semi-regular ARToxication event. Friday night will feature music from Babyshaker and The Scrubbies with the Blue Collar DJ on turntables. Saturday features The Dynamite Brothers and Semi-Pro with the Pink Anarchists on the tables. In addition, the event also features live artistry by Greggory Bradford, Derrick Ghent and Christian Nunn, “Sensory Stimuli” by LnMental, “Snookie Snookie Bon-Bon” by Erin and Marcia, something called “Je ne t’aime pas” by Whitney and Benji, and loads of other multimedia exhibits. Admission is $7 per night. For more information, call 704-333-5545. (Davis)
Tonight James Taylor comes to town for a performance at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. It’ll certainly be one of the more laid back shows the venue will host this season but it’ll also be among one of the finest nonetheless. You’re guaranteed countless sing-alongs as well, especially to the partial favorite “Carolina In My Mind” which is among the many hits included on JT’s latest, a Best Of collection released earlier this year. The show starts at 7:30pm and tickets cost $20 and $45. For more details, call Verizon’s concert hotline at 704-549-5555. (Farris)
june1 SUNDAY
It’s hard to avoid hyperbole when writing about someone who’s this fine a songwriter, but Dar Williams makes me say things like “one of her generation’s most inspired, and boldest, songwriters,” and “her songs radiate insights, a sly sense of humor, a wealth of melody, and lyrics that are as close to genuine poetry as you’ll find in popular music today.” I can’t help myself; she’s great. Essentially an acoustic folkie by way of the Beatles with a punky DIY approach to her career, Williams is a generous performer whose lyrical artistry and depth of vision make this an obvious top pick of the week. She’s at Neighborhood Theatre at 8pm. Tickets are $20. Call 704-358-9298 or order online at neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Grooms)
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2003.
