Thursday, June 29
If you’re in the mood for something a little different from club-banging while listening to a rapper with a so-called R&B singer on the hook, then be sure to check out Rahemm DeVaughn when he comes to town. DeVaughn’s smooth rhythm-and-blues sensibilities echo an era long-since past: the days of greats like Marvin, Donny, Stevie and a little guy named Prince. However, he still manages to carve his own niche in this modern musical landscape that’s become all too shallow and repetitive. Get hip to The Love Experience tonight at Amos’ Southend, 8pm. Advance tickets are $20 and available online at www.charlottevibe.com or at Baseline Cutz Barbershop, 4625 E. Independence Blvd. Stick around for the after party hosted by DeVaughn. (Calloway)
Friday, June 30
Charlotte’s favorite transient Benji Hughes is in town for a show or two (who knows, he never tells us anything really) and we’re hoping to get a glimpse at what his long awaited solo release will offer, which, as word has it, we will see sometime soon (unlike Axl Rose’s infamous and ill-fated Chinese Democracy album). If past performances (and reputation) are any indication, however, we can expect the charismatic singer we all love and miss with his poignantly funny tales of life. Hughes opens the 10:30pm performance for the Houstons; make it an all-nighter starting with Michelle Malone at 8pm. Tickets are $6 in advance and available online at www.theeveningmuse.com. (Farris)
Hip-hopper duo PM Dawn is on its hits-laden Summer of Bliss 2006 tour. The pair’s blend of classic soul with laid back hip-hop earned them critical and commercial acclaim, but alas, except for a sporadic single or soundtrack appearance, there hasn’t been a new album since 2000. But Prince Be and Dr. Giggles promise new material soon and their innovative hip-hop still sounds dope. You be the judge tonight at Amos’ Southend beginning at 9pm. Tickets range from $10-$12. For details visit www.amossouthend.com. (Shukla)
It’s been 25 years since Shelton Drum, owner of Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, began a one-day show to bring local comic pros to the fans. That mini-con as it were grew until it became one of the largest comic conventions in the nation. Heroes Convention 2006 promises to be the biggest yet! With everyone from comic legend J. Michael Straczynski to Rosario Dawson (appearing Friday and Saturday), star of the sensational Sin City and upcoming Sin City 2, in attendance, this year’s con is bound to draw thousands to the Charlotte Convention Center. Today is day one and it runs through July 2. Tickets are $10 per day or buy a three-day pass for $20. For more info, visit www.heroesonline.com. (Calloway)
One of the secret ingredients of the cookbook of Southern rock and boogie — no, it’s not fatty juice from a hog carcass — is the definitive guitar work of Dickey Betts. The steely riffs Dickey has been laying over rock and blues through the decades add a distinct signature that is all Betts. His long tenure with the Allmans only scrapes the surface of a true Southern guitar great. Betts left the Allman Brothers Band in 2000 and has since been touring and recording with the Great Southern. His latest trump card is son Duane Betts, who recently joined the group on lead guitar. Dickey Betts and the Great Southern turn up the heat at Neighborhood Theatre tonight at 8pm. Tickets are $25. Details at www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Shukla)
Sunday, July 1
Originally hailing from Argentina in the late ’70s, los Enanitos Verdes (Green Dwarves) are a veritable institution in Latin and Central America. The trio, which will appear at the Neighborhood Theatre Saturday at 8pm, plays Wings-like pop-rock with plenty of Latin accents. Singer/bassist Marciano Cantero, guitarist Felipe Staiti and drummer Daniel Piccolo reformed in 1992 after a two-year hiatus, and the relaunched band garnered even more kudos, eventually earning a Grammy nomination for 1999’s Nektar. Los Enanitos Verdes have a new disc they’re touring behind, No le Teman al Rock (No Fear of Rock). Also on the bill are locals La Marea, Sin Recursos and Tropic Culture. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 the day of the show; for more information call 704-358-9298 or go to www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Schacht)
First Charter sponsors the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s ode to independence, Celebrate America. An annual concert with inspiring works ranging from Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture to Handy’s St. Louis Blues to the music that made us all believe we could fly (no, not R. Kelly), Adventures on Earth from John Williams’ amazing score for E.T. The Extraterrestrial. So bring the kids and glory in the freedom that we tend to take for granted (a full three days early) played out by this fabulous group of musicians with conductor Scott Speck officiating. The concert is held at SouthPark’s Symphony Park, 8:15pm. The Gold Standard Chorus offers a prelude at 7pm. More details at www.charlottesymphony.org. (Calloway)
Tuesday, July 4
Alright, so I won’t let my disdain for the American Idol rain on this Independence Day Kelly Clarkson gig. OK, so I fibbed. Clarkson, who jetted to stardom after winning the first American Idol talent search, does have the pipes, but she’s done nothing original with them and can’t seem to fake the requisite sexuality of a diva. Anyone with a decent voice can be turned into a recording artist with the right pricey producers, pricey studio and pricey songwriters. To her credit she’s maintained the spotlight with an oft convincing mix of fluff pop with harder-edged rock. Go ahead and be patriotic this 4th. She is, after all, the American Idol. At Verizon Wireless Amphitheater this evening with tickets ranging $22.50-$75. The show begins at 7:30pm. Details at 704-522-6500. (Shukla)
Wednesday, July 5
This is for all you Forrest Gump enthusiasts that can’t get enough of that slow-witted Alabama boy with an affinity for doing amazing things like making it all the way to China to help Nixon’s administration with diplomacy in the Far East by playing ping-pong. Keep that paddle ready when the 2006 US Open Table Tennis Championships are held right chere in the Queen City. For three days, 1,000 of the best US and world players will whiff and whaff their way to trophies, medals and prize money in this event that serves as a talent pool for the US Olympic team. Play begins at 9am and goes until 8pm. For more info, visit www.usatt.org. (Calloway)
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 4, 2006.
