Friday, August 22
Film
The House Bunny: Fluffy? Probably. Funny? Hopefully. Anna Farris takes the leading role as an aging Playboy bunny forced to seek higher education. Let’s see the twits on The Girls Next Door do that. Nepotism is alive and well in Hollywood: Look for Colin (son of Tom) Hanks, and Rumer (daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce) Willis taking supporting roles in this movie. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.
Music
Caleb Caudle and The Bayonets: Tapping into classic country and roots music, Winston-Salem’s Caudle writes songs tempered with Southern warmth and plenty rocking energy. There’s natural soul in his writing, nothing seems to be forced. With Luego and Dylan Gilbert. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. Find more in Music.
Arts
Trashy: CL’s Moodswing columnist Hollis Gillespie signs her latest book, Trailer Trashed. Grab an autograph and chat about the nuances of literature in the 21st Century. Or ask her if her trailer park friends are real or imaginary. Either way, go show your love. Park Road Books. www.parkroadbooks.com. Find more in Arts.
Food
Taipei South: With dozens of dishes like house specialties, fried and steamer selections, traditional Chinese and vegetarian dishes, lo mien and chow fun, the success of Taipei is apparent; lots of good food at a significantly low price. 10106 Johnston Road, Suite A. 704-542-8038. Find more in Food.
Saturday, August 23
Film
Opening this week: Death Race, Hamlet 2, Hell Ride, The Last Mistress, The Longshots, and Tell No One. Visit your favorite theater and be one of the first in Charlotte to catch these flicks. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.
Music
Battle Slam Jam: The wheelies and kick-flipping stunts on skateboards are not the only event. There are competitions in dance and art, and lots of music (hip-hop and more). Bands like Rekless Youth, Tropic Culture, Bubonick Funk, Dre Powell and D-Ray will be jamming and MC Bluz and a bunch of DJs will be scratching up vibes. So, skateboarding fan or not, there’s something for you at this event. Free. 10 a.m. Grayson SkatePark. www.battleslamjam.com. Find more in Music.
Arts
The Great Gala: Charlotte’s Great Gatsby Gala has been raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for over 20 years, and is a party that offers a roaring good time with none other than a 1920’s blast from the past. The festivities include complimentary beverages, food from 15 local Charlotte eateries, music, a costume contest, a dance competition and a silent auction. Bring your checkbook though: Tickets are $75 in advance and $100 at the door. Two Wachovia Center Atrium. www.nationalmssociety.org. Find more in Arts.
Food
Tamarind: Fine Indian Cuisine: Owner Bhupen Engineer has employed three native Indian chefs to cover the geographically diverse menu. From grilled lamb bathed in a saffron pool of apricots and cashews to the malai halibut showered in coconut and ginger, the flavors at Tamarind will consistently surprise you. 6420 Carmel Road. 704-541-8222. Find more in Food.
Sunday, August 24
Film
Ridin’ High: The Main Library’s Summer Film Series, Once Upon a Time in the West: Great Hollywood* Westerns (* and one Italian), ends today with a screening of Sam Peckinpah’s 1962 oater, Ride the High Country. Western superstars Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea wind down their careers with this eloquent piece about two grizzled vets hired to protect a gold shipment through rough terrain. The upstanding Steve Judd (McCrea) doesn’t know that his longtime friend Gil Westrum (Scott) plans to steal the gold, but the pair are eventually united against a family of “redneck peckerwoods” (as our heroes call them). Free. 2 p.m. ImaginOn. www.plcmc.org. Find more in Film.
Music
Evangelista: Carla Bozulich deserves more credit for her maverick music; ever since she tore country rock a new one in the Geraldine Fibbers, the L.A. native has continually defied the expectations of what some folks expect from female singer-songwriters. Opening for Xiu Xiu, and with Common Eider, King Eider. Milestone. www.themilestoneclub.com. Find more in Music.
Arts
Slithery: This Museum may not be artsy, but it sure is fun. Reptile Expo: All That Slithers (And More!) at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. Herpetologist Ron Cromer will be on hand to bust the myths and answer questions about the creatures. Along with him will be a 15-foot long albino Burmese python, lots of other snakes (corn snakes, king snakes, copperheads, water snakes), a 3-foot long alligator and more. The Schiele Museum of Natural History (Gastonia). www.schielemuseum.org. Find more in Arts.
Food
Encore Bistro and Bar: A menu to please everyone with steak, seafood, pasta, pizza, burgers, even gumbo and corn chowder. 9824 Rea Road. 704-341-3651. Find more in Food.
This article appears in Aug 20-26, 2008.
