@ Large

Saturday night, hip-hop artist/actor Common performed a few songs at The Forum, where he was appearing in support of his new movie Just Wright.

Here's a clip of him freestyling. Note the Charlotte references. And to read a review of the event, click here.

Last night, I received the last present from my April 20th birthday. And while it was belated, it was by far the best: a ticket to the Gruesome Twosome tour staring Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie. But you know me, I write about nightlife, so when I found out that Black Bear Saloon and Wet Willie’s were hosting pre-parties for the concert, well, you know where I ended up before the show.

My friends and I had a great time getting our pre-game on at Wet Willie’s. I finally got to try one of their frozen concoctions — even though I had to order a Weak Willie, and usually, I like my Willies anything but weak. But the drinks were great, and when we caught a glimpse of the arena from the window, we got amped. Although we were ready for a night of the dead, we were surprised to find Wet Willie's practically dead — well, as far as the pre-concert crowd went at least.

Based on the suits, black skirts and button-up shirts, I could tell the crowd was mostly the after-work group. The music didn’t include any Zombie or Cooper hits, but was a relaxing classic rock mix, featuring songs like "Low Rider." In fact, the pre-party was like your usual night out at the bar, and it created a great atmosphere. In fact, I can see myself going back there after work one night. But we were looking for something a little out of the ordinary since we were going to an extraordinary show.

So we headed next door to the Black Bear Saloon. But we ran into the same situation there. There were several groups sitting down for dinner and unwinding at the bar, but none appeared to be Zombies ... I mean, Zombie fans.

By the looks of things, there was nothing “blue” at all about the Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend’s (CWFW) popular Big Bottles and Blues event last Friday. In fact, it was downright festive. Then again, how could it not be? It was a perfectly clear, warm spring night with good music and bottles and bottles ... and bottles ... of wine.

Held in Gateway Village, the shindig drew hundreds of wine and beer drinkers to sample selections from over 50 wineries and breweries. In addition, a bar was set up offering liquor concoctions like Mojitos and martinis.

Following the sound of a little background music from The Robert Foley Band that could be heard down block, I literally meandered through the white fences that were set up around the perimeter to act as barricades against those who were not supposed to be there. Me? A party crasher? Not hardly. I was supposed to be there, badge and all. But the official entranceway proved to be a little too elusive for my short amount of patience.

Once inside, I was bummed to find that they had run out of the nice large, heavy commemorative wine glasses from which everyone was swigging their vino of choice. Luckily, I managed to finagle one from a friend (thanks, Carlton!) because from what I could tell there was to be no wine drinking in anything other than those glasses.

There were constant and generous pours of every kind of red, white and blush you could think of, with red seeming to be the overwhelming choice judging by the stains on mouth and remnants left in long-forgotten wineglasses which littered the tables. Luckily, there was also plenty of Figi water available to dilute the notorious effects of consuming too much of those fermented grapes.

Besides the comedy of me trying to balance my wineglass, my blackberry, and a pen and pad, the attendees who thought, no, apparently believed, that they were great dancers was classic. One gentlemen performed a mean 1960s Swim dance routine while others, well, let's just say they looked more like they were dancing to the words of the songs versus any actual rhythm.

Two years ago when I first attended the CWFW, it was to take part in a basic wine knowledge class. It was early in the day on a Saturday, involved classroom desks and chairs, a worksheet and very meticulous pours by a waitstaff at Johnson & Wales. A decidedly different experience from Friday night, but both events and for that matter, all the other ones going on this weekend, are great ways to spend a couple days for any wine drinker or foodie or anyone, really, looking for something different to do. Plus, it’s for a good cause.

Sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, the proceeds from this event benefited the CWFW’s 2010 recipients: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Council for Children’s Rights, Johnson & Wales University, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, and the W.I.S.H. Program (Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing). Founded in 1989 by a group of civic-minded wine and food enthusiasts, the Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend has contributed over $3.2 million dollars to the local community since then.

Saturday night my buddy and I hit up Tilt's 3-year anniversary party. The complimentary draft was a-flowing and the glasses of Three Olives vodka were a-tinkling.

And I have to say, not being a frequent drinker, my new favorite flavor of vodka is the Three Olives Vodka Rangtang. This juice of the vodka gods comes in an orange-colored bottle and tastes of a blend of orange and tangerines. Mixed with Sprite, you've practically got orange soda! Yum!

But like I said, I'm a lightweight, so I appreciate not actually TASTING liquor. But I know there are others out there that complain a glass 3/4 filled with the hard stuff isn't hard enough. Have you tried this new flavor? What do you think?

The Urban League of the Central Carolinas hosted its annual Whitney M. Young Awards Gala at The Omni Hotel on Thursday evening, March 25. The place was packed with the "Who’s Who" of the Charlotte business, social and political community, including mayor Anthony Foxx, former mayor Harvey Gantt and many others. This year’s honorees were Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy; Astrid Chrinos, founder of Diverso Global Strategies; Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College; and David R. Taylor, president of The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art + Culture.

Hosted by Rahman Khan of Good Works Media Group, the evening was also a celebration of The National Urban League’s 100th year anniversary. There was great music, fabulous fashion and good networking. But the best part of it all: the ice cream. Yep.

After an elegant dinner of freshly sliced roast beef with au jus and grainy mustard on rolls, jumbo shrimp with bleu cheese and grits, scallops, coconut curry chicken, and vegetable wasabi shooters, one would expect an equally fancy dessert course, right? I mean, we were at The Omni. Well, chocolate tortes and crème brulee be damned. We had ice cream — the simplest, most unexpected, and quite possibly most popular dessert I have ever experienced at such an event.

Now granted, you had the choice of adding flambéed bananas or cherries to it, and you were offered a chocolate shell or a candied cookie tartlet out of which to eat it, but most of us just opted for a plain scoop. In fact, I was so eager to get into the creamy goodness that I attacked my plate with a bit too much aggression and ended up with ice cream all over myself.

As speakers talked on, I kept noticing people’s heads tilting back and over in the direction of the ice cream bar to see if it was still in operation. Seeing that it was, more than a few tiptoed to the back for seconds while others, perhaps too embarrassed to get up, eyed with envy out of the corners of their eyes those who dared to get up in the middle of someone’s award presentation. The people at my table, myself included, unabashedly ventured over for a third serving as if we had never had ice cream before. I’m telling you, the ice cream held the collective attention of attendees all night. People in suits and cocktail dresses were slurping up Haagen Dazs well after dinner and into the night. Those poor, tired chefs.

But hey, nothing like a simple treat to turn adults into children and make the night memorable.

In the past, Union County has been a drink-free community (and we’re not talking Pepsi, people). It was illegal for restaurants to serve alcohol, which only gave more of a reason for those crazy neighborhood block parties. But now the liquor law has passed and bars and restaurants have wasted no time moving into the area. In fact, a new Hickory Tavern in Wesley Chapel just opened this month. Neil Hawber, a manager at Hickory, states that because of the new liquor law, they were able to set up shop in the area. “We are actually the second establishment to have a liquor license in the area,” says Hawber. Intrigued as to what a bar scene in the Wesley Chapel area could be like, my fiancé and I went over to the Hickory Tavern to enjoy a night out in this little town.

When we got there, there was already a wait, but it wasn’t a long one as we got a table within minutes of being handed a pager. It was a pleasant evening, which made the Tavern’s patio alluring. The patio looks similar to one you would see on a house in Waxhaw or Wesley Chapel; my own patio looks quite similar. But we opted to sit inside to get a feel for the bar.

When it comes to my nights out, I usually try to keep clear of the EpiCentre — that’s mostly because I work there and I know how crazy it can get. But I won a free VIP party to Howl at the Moon on St. Paddy’s Day, and realizing I’ve never actually been to Howl, I figured I’d brave the crowds and give it a shot.

Imagine my surprise when it turned out the EpiCentre was more like a ghost town in comparison to its Saturday shenanigans. Howl at the Moon was only semi-full; in fact, there wasn’t even a wait to get in the door. But the crowd was more than ready to find their Irish roots in the bottom of their beer glasses. As the hours rolled on, the crowd did thicken out a little.

Beer specials included 2 for 1 Irish Car Bombs for $8, Irish Ice Tea Bones for $8 and Green Beer for $3. And to get a little taste of the Irish, there was a complimentary buffet of Shepherd’s Pie and Corn Beef and Cabbage.

As far as décor went, there were the usual three leaf clovers and pots of gold, but on top of the regulars, there was another green guy sitting at the stage (and he wasn’t a leprechaun). As a little symbol of Irish luck for the musicians, there was a green Kermit resting on the piano — he didn’t perform though, he must have been feeling a little froggy.

By Sarah Coombes

While the wait for Ri Ra’s reopening has made their closing feel like a lifetime ago, it was only nine months prior that the pub closed its doors to renovate after the fire. But now, just in time for St. Paddy’s Day, Ri Ra has finally reopened. So in order to get in a quick pre-Paddy’s celebration, as well as check out the latest restorations, my fiancé and I headed over for the grand re-opening party last night.

It turns out Ri Ra is just as popular as ever. When we arrived, there was already a line out the door. But luckily, the sounds of the Irish jig inside had made it out onto the streets, so the wait was like a pre-party of its own. Once inside, I learned the music was Bobby Houck (of the Blue Dogs), and they had their own stage at the back of the pub. It was a rocky grotto, built kind of like the secret pool at the playboy mansion, just with a different kind of entertainment.

Complimentary drinks covered all of the Irish favorites, from Guinness to Harp, Killkenny to Smithwick and a fine selection of wine for the non-beer drinkers. Unfortunately, we were too late for the good eats, but rumor has it there were sampler trays of the pub’s menu going around. I did notice a platter of mini brownies float by me at one point, but I wasn’t quick enough to grab one.

The crowd varied from the after-work crew to singles and plenty of couples. One thing was for sure: The place was packed. But instead of feeling forced into a corner, there was plenty of room to move around. The upstairs was one of the newly renovated spaces, and the room was open and inviting. One of the Ri Ra employees informed me that not only had the area been brightened with new chandeliers, but the ceiling had been raised, and a new bar added. My fiancé and I had plenty of space to relax and lose ourselves in the corner, while also getting a feel for the busy bar, too. Even though my fiancé and I stood for most of the night, it is apparent that Ri Ra has lost none of its comfortable ambiance.

And while some places like to start over, the owners of Ri Ra want guests to remember where the establishment has been. That’s why the bar has kept some of its damaged décor. From smoke worn posters to disfigured bottles, Ri Ra kept many of the items that had been ruined by the fire, and it really added a taste of something different. Of course, the biggest restoration was of Saint Patrick himself. Split in half by the fire, he has now regained his rightful place behind the bar, pardoning all those who eat, drink, and end up shitfaced.

Overall, the pub was warm and inviting. People were laughing and drinking as if Ri Ra had never closed in the first place. And having been born and raised in England (not Ireland I know), it was like walking into a pub from across the pond. Of course, the rainy weather didn’t help the delusions there.

But I think the Ri Ra experience captures what a good night at the pub can inspire in people. Even when everything goes up in flames, you can always rebuild, and throw a damn good party when the rebuilding is over.

Here are some photos of the interior of Ri Ra, courtesy of Ciaran Sheehan.

Slideshow RiRa

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RiRa

By Kimberly Lawson

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