I got the following reader letter in response to my column in last week's CL: "Women are Crazy, Men are Worse" and I feel inclined to share as it is perhaps the most insightful and interesting thing I've ever read baked fresh from the male mind. So, thank you Matt — for reading, replying and sharing the male perspective ... you, um, want to go out for a drink? haha
Hi Brittney,We have never met. I am in no way a critic nor am I a jaded individual. I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading your column. Your commentary is well written, quite entertaining, and relevant. I admire you for sharing experiences in a somewhat unbiased manner and I applaud you for your raising awareness to issues ever-present in the singles circus. I do have some thoughts of my own that I would like to present. They are based on some prior pieces of yours and the “Woman are crazy, men are worse” bit in particular. Please know that I am in no way condemning you for your feelings and observations and do not mean any disrespect by any stretch :o) Just agreeing with you on many points, and posing questions to the population in rhetoric though it may appear that my thoughts are directed at you. While certainly thought provoking, many articles hover over the notion that men are bumbling, unaware, disconnected, mal-intentioned beings that slash through the emotions of women they encounter without either a hint of compassion or the most miniscule glint of recourse. While I find that this appears to be the consensus of most women from here to BFE, I believe this mindset to be quite problematic in that it perpetuates all the confusion and muck we all encounter. To set the tone, I certainly empathize with women out there. As you said Brittney, guys are crazy — some that is. Case in point, over coffee this morning as I was reading your latest in CL, I overheard some dude in his mid 30s, well dressed and spoken for the most part, professing that he has been “mackin on women and running bitches” when asked what he had been up to by the married couple with whom he held company. To have a response held so eager on the tip of his tongue like that is just plain tacky- “dumbfuck” was the first word gleaned from brain waves after hearing this. Moreover, one cannot help but notice all the idiots out there that exemplify their tasteless existence by the way they carry themselves and how they treat other people. The terms Douche, Tool, Asshole, Jerk are fitting in these cases and can be pinned to a good majority of the guys you will see out. Now I am in no way admonishing the acts and/or intentions of the male species as a whole; truth is, we all see guys everyday that the world would clearly be better without. For this, I find women’s diminished faith in men is well founded. Fact of the matter is that for every dipshit there is a guy with a heart of gold.
While in my Second City, Chicago, I found myself in what is known as the Viagra Triangle — a nightlife scene in which we even up a game, entitled “Father and Daughter – or- on a date?”
I couldn’t help but notice an excessive amount of silver-haired men fine dining and wining bleached blondes that made this “Puma” look like a “Cougar.” For the record, it wasn’t Father's Day.
Speaking of Cougars … if they are older women who hunt younger men, then what are these older men who hunt for kitties? If men are dogs, then females are felines … Perhaps a hyena. A dog with a cackling laugh who preys and scavenges on the young (or weak, depending on their state of mind or level of intoxication).
And meanwhile the hot little kitties were digging their paws to strike gold. Because while these young ladies are someone’s daughter, when they’re calling these Hyenas daddy or old man, it’s probably not in the same context.
Why do Cougars get so much flack anyway? They’re probably only on the prowl because their Hyena husband left them for a newer model of cat, or is having an affair with one.
Because it’s the perfect accessory to wear to the heavenly new nightclub in Charlotte … Halo. Halo is the new “it” club in the N.C. Music Factory, and in Charlotte in general on a Saturday. Although I think they should call it horns because there’s not too much angelic stuff going on in there if you know what I’m saying... it is a nightclub afterall }:-)
The grand opening of Halo last Saturday was so packed the line protruded beyond the red carpet, past The Fillmore and pretty much to my desk at the Creative Loafing office. I was wondering who was watching the EpiCentre because basically everyone you’d see at Suite on a given night, was at Halo for their Marquee Saturdays – including some of the staff, as well as the staff at Sunset Club. And I think all the pretty girls came out of the closet wearing the best dresses in their closets because it felt like a Miss North Carolina pageant. And with clubs, it’s kinda like the Field of Dreams: “if you build it, they will come.” Well if the pretty girls come so will the guys who spend money – a very simple nightlife formula.
Halo’s other ingredients include a massive dance floor with a lighting system that makes every night feel like the 4th of July with the best DJs in town including DJ R Wonz and DJ Complete, and DJ 208 will be taking the wheels at an upcoming Marquee Saturday. Free and hassle-free parking, go-go dancers shaking their rumps on the roof, three bars, a patio and lounging areas. They have a Latin night on Thursday, but their hottest night, not to mention the hottest night in Charlotte, is their Marquee Saturdays. And Halo is the perfect place to go before or after a concert at the Uptown Amphitheatre or Fillmore.
Speaking of the Marquee Saturdays, the first 10 people to e-mail brittney.cason@creativeloafing.com will get a pass for free admission with a get out of line free pass.
This is a 10-person deep prize so your chances are rather goos here, but please do realize free shit goes quickly ... please don't reply at 3 a.m. so that my Crackberry rings and wakes me up asking "Did I win?" when I'd given them away 20 e-mails ago. And sending a message to me on facebook doesn't count.
An inside source informed me that the space where Brick and Barrel has been leased and will reopen on August 20 as Town Tavern.
Stir on Independence appears to have shut down ... that, or they're just preparing for a hurricane.
I am not a judge. I don’t rock a robe or a gavel and no one stands whenever I enter or exit a room. Nor am I a judgmental person. Don’t judge – hug, is my theory. However, yesterday I sat on the panel of judges for the Bobcat’s Ladies, the Ladycats dance team auditions.
Just like it’s hard to break up with or reject someone, it’s also hard to sit there and look a girl in the eye after their number wasn’t called and having contributed to crushing her hopes and dreams ... which is precisely why I looked down and started texting after each round, which I suggested to CJ from 96.1 The Beat who was feeling as guilty as I was. I mean, who are we to judge?
There was a guy (wearing a wig) auditioning that might have just been the best dancer there … but it is the lady cats after all. After he was cut, CJ and I went and commended him for having the balls (literally) to audition.
... to nightlife at The Oasis - as in the new Blake Hotel pool, making a splash with a grand opening party this Saturday with a fashion show by Everything But Water. There will actually be water though ... and alcohol! The shindig and show is to kick-off Charlotte N.C. Fashion Week
After Leah, one of my very best friends and former roommate in Charlotte, was sent to the hospital on May 20 to give birth to her twin baby boys, over a month later she was still in the hospital ... awaiting a liver transplant. Leah was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, turning this miracle of life into tragedy in Leah’s own life.
Despite her condition Leah, being the positive person she is, is still laughing — she even came out of her coma cracking a joke about having cankles and managed to smile even after receiving news that she needed a complete liver transplant ... which is why we are going to support her with a night of laughter. Laughter is the best medicine after all.
On July 28 we are having a comedy show featuring Comedy Central comedian Steve Hofstetter and David L from 96.1's Brotha Fred's AM Mayhem in order to assist her in paying her medical bills, as well as spread awareness of the rare, but common disease, HELLP Syndrome. HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count. It is a life-threatening disease that occurs during the later stages of pregnancy or after childbirth.
The event will be hosted by FOX's funny man Mark Mathis and there will be an auction for signed shit and items including ...
*2 tickets Panthers vs Ravens- Saturday, August 29 (1st pre-season game)
*2 tickets Panthers vs Eagles- Sunday, September 13 (1st regular season home game)
*2 tickets Panthers vs Dolphins- Thursday, November 19 (Thursday night game!)
*2 tickets VT vs Nebraska- Saturday, September 19
*2 pit passes and in-field hospitality to Bank of America 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway- Saturday, October 17
*VIP Table at SUITE
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Lake Norman Comedy Zone
17044 Kenton Dr.
City/Town: Cornelius, NC
Purchase tickets here
And you can read Leah's full story here
Well, Rich and Bennett's St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl did at least.
The crawl will be featured on "Extreme Wild Parrties" tonight at 8 p.m. on The Travel Channel.
My friends actually call me the Travel Channel because I travel so damn much, I am actually in Chicago as we speak ... or as you read rather. Perhaps for a reason for which I'll be telling you to set your DVR for.
Hmmmm.
By Sarah Coombes
As my best friend’s maid of honor, I have a position almost as big as the white dress — the party planner. And as a nightlife writer, I’ve been all around Charlotte. Therefore it is only fair that I share the most unique and budget friendly locations to have that bachelor/bachelorette blowout. And none of the places exceed $30 per person. So get ready for a list of the top 4 locations in Charlotte to say your pre-wedding I do’s... and by that I mean your “I DO want more alcohol” vows.
Pole Dance Charlotte: Let’s face it, inside every woman there’s a hidden urge to test out that stripper pole... in private of course. So, for your big fling, why not fling off your inhibitions too? Pole Dance Charlotte offers private classes for Bachelorettes. Included in the price is a bridal tiara for the bride to be, 90 minutes of pole dance and lap dance instruction, and a group photo that gets emailed to the hostess the next day — that’s right ladies, photographic evidence of your wild night out... just in case you forget a few details along the rest of the party path. You must pay a minimum of $150 for 6 people or less, but you can split the cost per person to come out to $25 each. The maximum amount of people allowed is 15. The parties start at 8 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday with a last start time of 9:30 p.m. … which leaves plenty of time for an after party at one of the other locations mentioned in this article. For more information contact Kelly at Kelly@poledancecharlotte.com
Strike City: The next generation bowling alley, Strike City, is like a triple threat of the entertainment world, it offers a bowling alley, a bar and a restaurant... now that’s a way to put a spin on your single night out. Strike City doesn’t take reservations, but you can book through an event coordinator - and if you take that route, you’re on the fast lane to drink tickets and chocolate fountains. But if you just want to make a pit stop on your guys or girls night out, its $45 an hour, per lane and $4 per person for shoes on Fridays and Saturdays. You can fit up to 8 people on a lane, so if you split the cost it is roughly $10 a person. Now that’s a way to ball on a budget! Oh and as a final note, Thursday is ladies night, so if the gals can afford a pre-bachelorette shindig it’s $35 an hour and free shoes — now that’s a real strike!
Because FLO stands for "For Lesbians Only" and well ... I'm strictly dickly. But hey, to each his/her own. Even though I'm not personally invited, I got the following invite for Pride Charlotte, because this weekend, FLO is "taking over" Las Margaritas.
Friday 07.17.09 Part 1
FLO Sexxy Blue Jeans
come dressed in your sexxiest blue jeans...
*Live performance by Charlotte's hottest bellydancer "The Exotic Nayna"
*Poetry like you never heard it before from the QC's own "Just Nika"
*Complimentary drinks passed out to 10 of the sexxiest ladies
*Drink and Food Specials
*Door Prize to the lady with sexxiest blue jeans
*The hottest vendors in the QC
Saturday 07.18.09 Part 2
FLO White Party
come dressed in your sexxy white .
*Live Performance by Charlotte's own R&B vocalist "Kawfi" and a special performance by the lovely R&B artist "Ida Divine"
*Free Rainbow Berries
*Door Prizes
*Drink and Food Specials
"FLO is For Lesbians Only... but it is also for women who are comfortable around women who love women - Sorry no men!"
Las Margaritas
4426 East Independence Blvd
Charlotte , NC 28205
And for those that are only gay as in happy ... there's the ABSOLUTely Heavenly Summer Cocktail Party at the Westin. Located on the newly renovated patio of Ember Grille with DJ Kopasetic on the wheels.
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