Baar Wars results
To do my part for AIDS Walk Charlotte 2008, I volunteered upon invitation to be a judge for Baar Wars, the battle of the bartenders that went down last night at Alley Cat. As it turned out, my call to duty was to sample 57 different cocktails. “Celebrity” (using the term loosely in regards to…
Baar Wars results
What happened last night at Baar Wars? Lots of drinking…and some judging, too. Check out QC After Dark’s Brittney Cason’s latest blog entry at qcvibes.com for more info.
Marching toward ecological disaster
It’s Earth Day, whatever that means anymore. The unofficial holiday — which started during the early days of the modern environmental movement in the 1970s — has largely become a collection of half-assed events held around the country, loosely crowded under a pro-environment umbrella. They often feature neat little displays that tell citizens “what you…
News Roundup, 4/22/08
Georgia turns to U.N. after saying Russia shot down spy plane: The Georgian air force released a video that it says shows a Russian jet shooting down a Georgian unmanned aerial vehicle over the region of Abkhazia on Sunday. They have asked the U.N. Security Council to discuss Russia’s “military aggression.” Full story: CNN.com American…
88 Minutes trailer
88 Minutes \\\\\\\\\\ Read the review in the film section.
88 Minutes trailer
88 Minutes \\\\\\\\\\ Read the review in the film section.
The Art and Soul of Hip-Hop: Taylor McFerrin
Here’s another video clip that we’re posting in conjunction with our cover story about the Art, Beats + Lyrics urban art exhibition (happening in Charlotte Fri., April 25). This clip features one the event’s musical performers — vocalist Taylor McFerrin (son of Bobby McFerrin): \\\\\\\\\\
The Art and Soul of Hip-Hop: Dubelyoo
Have you checked out our hip-hop themed cover story yet? Well, here’s a little video footage of Dubelyoo, one of the illustrators mentioned in the article: \\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\
News Roundup, 4/21/08
Philly suburbs key to state primary win: If Sen. Barack Obama is going to create an upset in the April 22 Pennsylvania primary he is going to have to look to Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Clinton holds the lead in statewide polls. Full story: CNN.com Marines trying to recruit fit women: The Marines are now looking…
Live Review: Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban with Carrie Underwood April 18, 2008 Time Warner Cable Arena The Deal: Two of country music’s hottest stars hit Charlotte for a three-and-a-half hour stop. The Good: You can’t complain about not getting your money’s worth at this show — Underwood sang for an hour and 15 minutes and Urban was on stage…
Higher gas prices spark shifts in driving habits
A gallon of regular gas in Charlotte is (at press time) about $3.34. For driver Tim Burgess, that’s too much. He stopped at Sam’s Mart on Central Avenue and filled his mini-van for $60. “This is ridiculous,” he laments. Burgess says that since gas prices have jumped up, he’s changed his driving habits and vacation…
No one minds making Fire Station No. 4 a landmark?
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission wants to preserve a pre-World War II fire station in the Fourth Ward, but its consulting director said it ran into some powerful opposition. Last week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission’s consulting director Dan Morrill said the commission wants to designate Fire Station No. 4 a historical landmark, but temporarily tabled…
Grand Slam Charlotte Finals
The McGlohon Theatre in Spirit Square was almost filled to fire code capacity by poetry lovers and onlookers. The “Grand Slam Finals” poetry competition was held last Friday, April 18. The lower level filled quickly, and late arrivals made the drudging hike to the balcony. The balcony has never been used during a SlamCharlotte competition,…
Why do kids hate school so much they want to blow it up?
This morning as I watched the local news, I was floored by a Chesterfield County teenager’s plot to blow up his high school. As a native of South Carolina, I’m familar with this county and this school. I’ve always been the type of person to say “why are these people on TV saying stuff like…
This weekend…
Looking for some good music this weekend? Jamie McLean will be at the Double Door tonight. Susan Tedeschi and The Lee Boys are at the Neighborhood Theatre tonight. The New Familiars will be playing at the Visulite Theatre on Saturday night. Steve Earle is at the McGlohon Theatre on Saturday night, and his wife, Allison…
Quote This (lines from a recent or upcoming book)
“I hate to be the one to break up a love affair, but the John McCain the media and independent voters fell in love with in 2000 — the straight-shooting, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may maverick — is no more. He’s been replaced by a man willing to say or do anything to win the affection of his newfound…
News Roundup, 04/18/08
Obama unenthusiastic about N.C. debate: Sen. Hillary Clinton has agreed to an April 27 debate in Ralaigh, N.C. However, Sen. Barack Obama sounded less than thrilled April 17 about holding another debate in North Carolina this month. “I could deliver Sen. Clinton’s lines,” he said. “I’m sure she could deliver mine.” Full story: Charlotte.com After…
Titles for Rumsfeld’s autobiography
It’s been a big week for our old friend Rummy. First, Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced he is writing his autobiography. A couple of days later, the National Defense Institute, a Defense Department research center, released a blistering report that calls the Iraq war “a major debacle” and places most of the blame on…
Taste of the Nation a Success!
CHARLOTTE TASTE OF THE NATION EVENT ATTENDANCE HELPED FEED A DELICIOUS DONATION TO SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF METROLINA National Pork Board Will Coordinate Donation of 803 Pounds of Pork to Provide 4,015 Meals to Local Families in Need What: On April 16th, Charlotte citizens joined the city’s culinary elite for the Taste of the…
A non-foodie goes to Taste of the Nation
The only thing I know about food is that it keeps my stomach from growling, and I only put things in my mouth that taste good (i.e., very few veggies for me!). I’m definitely not a foodie, but Taste of the Nation last night was scrumptious. People get really happy around food, and since there…
Bush blunders
It’s mid-afternoon Thursday, not quite the weekend yet, and you need a laugh. Here’s a short video clip to help you get through the rest of the day. \\\\\\\\\\
These presidential debates need more sexual tension and rhetoric
By Mahmoud Ahmadinejad So yesterday I watched the debate between Mr. Obama and Mr. Mrs. Clinton. This was the first I have seen of these — normally our satellite dish does not pick up American channels. But I really wanted to see what the big deal is about with these two, so I had my…
The Weekender
Friday, April 18 Film Opening this weekend: Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 88 Minutes, Flawless, The Counterfeiters and The Forbidden Kingdom. Visit your favorite theater and be one of the first in Charlotte to catch these flicks. Local theaters. Find more in Film. Music Keith Urban: He’s expecting his first child with his wife, but probably won’t…
Bush blunders
It’s mid-afternoon Thursday, not quite the weekend yet, and you need a laugh. Here’s a short video clip to help you get through the rest of the day. \\\\\\\\\\
News Roundup, 4/17/08
Uptown ABC store nixed: Plans for a new liquor store on West Trade street in Uptown have been scrapped by the Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. One of the factoring concerns was the proximity of the location to student housing for Johnson & Wales University. Full story: Charlotte.com Carter set to meet with Hamas…
Leaning Tower of Clitoris
This position begins as a simple woman on top. With the man on his back with his legs together and straight out in front, the woman straddles him. From this position, the woman then leans her body back until she is lying on top of his legs. To ease the strain on her knees, she…
Baracky: the movie
Rocky=Obama? Check out this new short film: \\\\\\\\\\
Baracky: the movie
Rocky=Obama? Check out this new short film: \\\\\\\\\\
The real anti-torture president
Imagine, a candidate for president who, a year or so ago, no one would have considered electable. Now the person is the front-runner, with a groundswell of grass-roots support, threatening the sense of inevitability of the establishment candidates. No, I’m not talking about the American presidential race, but the race for president of the largest…
Jr. comments on new club, Idol
Story and photos by Lynn Farris Tuesday night NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. invited the media to come and check out his new club, Whisky River in Center City’s new EpiCentre development. Dressed down in jeans and an O.A.R. tee Earnhardt Jr. fielded questions about the club, racing of course and… American Idol? Yep, after…
Big time Obama endorsements: Not just Richard Moore and Bev Perdue
Here’s a press release from the Obama campaign office: North Carolina Congressmen Price and Watt Endorse Obama Superdelegates, Former Edwards Supporters, Join Obama’s Movement for Change. RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina Congressmen David Price of the 4th District and Mel Watt of the 12th District, both Democratic superdelegates and former supporters of John Edwards, today…
Coming on July 5…
Just announced — Coming on July 5 to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre: CRUEFEST featuring Motley Crue with Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Trapt, Sixx AM. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, April 19.
Adult education
Last week, a Baltimore City art teacher was beaten by a student in class, as other students cheered, and one even taped it with her cell phone. The reason for the attack — the teacher asked the student to sit down. Subsequently, the teacher was advised by the school principal that she had provoked the…
No love for The Love Guru
Based on the countless e-mails I’ve received that are being sent to media outlets across the country, members of the Hindu community are up in arms about this summer’s Mike Myers comedy, The Love Guru. Check out the trailer to see why: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/theloveguru/
Books for b-ball fans
• College basketball fans can take their pick among several new books covering Carolina teams: University of North Carolina Men’s Basketball Games, North Carolina State University Men’s Basketball Games, Duke University Men’s Basketball Games, and Wake Forest University Men’s Basketball Games (McFarland Publishing, each $49.95). These books contain box scores, stats, and tournament records for…
The Moviegoer
Robert Osborne represents the history of Hollywood
Battlefield girth
Battlefield Girth In a recent column, you validated a woman’s desire to lose weight solely to meet her husband’s needs. Your encouraging her to take off pounds and get plastic surgery for him is an insult to yourself and every woman who reads your disgraceful article. I disagree with your notion that males care more…
All-new Boomer Q&A
Welcome to another session of our ongoing journalistic group therapy, otherwise known as “Ask BWA.” It’s been awhile since our last session, so let me recap how this works. “Ask BWA” means “Ask Boomer With Attitude.” “Ask BWA” is a semi-serious spoof of newspaper Q&A columns. Q&A, of course, means “question and answer.” That’s about…
Party: Sex in the Q.C.
The Sex and the City movie premieres in just a few weeks, but CL columnist Brittney Cason can’t wait that long. At a special edition of her after-work soiree Creative Lounging, she’s throwing the sexiest party in the city to celebrate early. Our lovely hostess made sure to include all the must-have items: a stiletto…
The Blotter
THE BULLY: A 19-year-old woman said a man who’s been bullying her came to her job and threatened to do bodily harm to her. She believes he will carry out the threat due to his size, demeanor and pattern of harassing her at school and at her job for three years. RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE:…
Let no good deed go unpunished
Putting a break on watering lawns and washing cars at home may have saved the city’s water supply, but it didn’t stop the Charlotte City Council from raising the water rates by 15 percent. So what’s John Q. Public supposed to do now? Use water like there’s no tomorrow to justify the rate increase? Or…
Music: Love, pain and carnies
Charlotte is getting a double dose of country music’s finest when mega-stars Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood bring their Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour to Bobcats Arena. The Grammy winners combined the titles from Urban’s double platinum seller and Underwood’s number one debuting album for the 24-city tour that is sure…
Drink here
The Thirsty Beaver The Thirsty Beaver is a place to mention if you want to see your more, uh, tightly wound friends do a double-take when you tell them the name; and if you like drinking at a place that looks like a dive, yet is smoke-free. For the smokers among us, that can be…
Letters to the editor
Driving Miss Hodges I just finished reading your article about riding the Charlotte area transit system (“Diary of a CATS rider” by Cheris Hodges, April 9). Let me start off by saying, HILARIOUS! That had to be one of the most entertaining newspaper reads I’ve had in a long time. I’ve also thought about writing…
Sports: Up, up and away!
Calling all climbers! The Charlotte Arborists Association is hosting their Fifth Annual Tree Climbing Competition this weekend. Test your sky-high skill against fellow arborists in events like the work climb, throwline, foot lock, belayed speed climb and aerial rescue. Tree huggers of all shapes and sizes are welcome to take their scaling abilities to new…
The quotable drunkard
“Beer, the cause of and solution to all life’s problems.” — Homer Simpson “All right brain, I don’t like you and you don’t like me — so let’s just do this, and I’ll get back to killing you with beer.” — Homer Simpson “I drink to make other people interesting.” — George Jean Nathan “I…
Last week on The CLog …
Faint praise: “Kudos to Gen. David Petraeus for not being the trained liar Bush probably would have preferred at this week’s congressional hearings. At least the general didn’t spout the rightwing media’s mendacious mantra of ‘Everything’s going great in Iraq, victory is just around the corner.'” Corporate control of sports? Say it ain’t so: “Charlotte…
Film: Taking The LEED
The Light Factory teams with the Sundance Channel to present a screening of The Greening of Southie, a documentary about Boston’s first green residential building. The film follows each step in the development and construction of the condominium that was created with the specific goal of landing a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental…
Karma Cleanser
Dear Karma Cleanser: Here’s a story for you about bad credit and karma. Nothing could have prepared me for the excruciating process of buying a home. Several weeks ago I decided that I was sick of shelling out rent each month for an apartment that made me feel like I was still in college. I…
Spit happens?
Adultery. Infidelity. Cheating. Call it what you like, but it is apparently rampant in American society. Yes, the institution that we hold so dear is a sham. But, perhaps it is not the institution of marriage that is false; maybe the imposters who enter into this union knowing full well that they do not intend…
Beer week: Bring on the brewski
Get ready to stretch that beer belly to the limits. Creative Loafing’s second annual Charlotte Beer Week is here again. Beer rookies and connoisseurs can come together for a week of brewing, drinking, eating, cooking and bar crawling. This celebration of Charlotte’s beer culture features more than 20 events in eight days, so you better…
Beets are evil
Beets freak me out. And my friend Annie totally agrees with me. In fact, she has a bigger freak factor concerning beets than even I do because she used to work as a busboy at a cafeteria and a big tub of stewed beets once emptied onto her head from the top shelf of the…
Allyson Speaks
The theme of Century Vintage, the ultra-hip clothing and furniture store that has been a staple in the historic Plaza-Midwood area of Charlotte for over 20 years, is very fittingly “what is old is new again.” Native Carolinian Allyson Speaks took over in 2001, adding the Patchwerk Playhaus, an intimate theater that has been the…
Book signing: Animal instincts
Let your inner animal out today at Barnes & Noble. The always outrageous PETA leader Dan Mathews is on a whirwind tour promoting his new book Committed: A Rabble-Rouser’s Memoir. The animal activist has acquired many friends in high places (Pamela Anderson, Sir Paul McCartney, Pink) who have joined him in his anarchic crusade against…
Stargazer
Aries The Ram: (March 20 — April 19) This is an exciting period for you, particularly in relation to career and life goals. Ideas you have been working with for weeks are now materializing. The Powers that Be in your world favor you and your ideas now. “Ask and it shall be granted.” For All…
Showing off some skin
Why so blue? The New Dixie Pharaohs perform bluegrass at Mac’s Speed Shop in Cornelius on April 10. The band is looking to head into a studio to work on their debut CD in the coming months. Ah ha ha ha, staying alive, staying alive Steve Fucile lets it all hang out at the first…
Social: Set the stage
Dine a little differently this evening at Table. The Ballantyne eatery is hosting The Dance of the Bat Competition. Watch the dancers shimmy their way to a spot in Opera Carolina’s production of Die Fledermaus-The Bat. Pay close attention … you will be the judges; voting will take place after all the talent has been…
Film Clips
New Releases FLAWLESS At a time when banks are being bailed out by Bush’s “for rich people only” government while ordinary citizens are left to flounder, perhaps it’s possible to employ the current string of heist flicks as a mildly cathartic tonic. On the heels of Mad Money, The Bank Job and 21 comes Flawless,…
City grudge match
We’ve got nine Fortune 500 companies. They’ve only got one. We’ve got a smokin’ airport that broke top 10 ranks in the country last year for passengers, placing it in the company of the Atlanta, Chicago-O’Hare and Los Angeles airports. In comparison, they have a glorified landing strip. We’ve got Lowe’s Motor Speedway, the Wachovia…
Food brings people together
eat & do
View from the couch
THE 11TH HOUR (2007). In exactly which universe could Al Gore possibly emerge as a more charismatic screen presence than Leonardo DiCaprio? In our own, it seems. DiCaprio has long proven himself to be a sincere environmentalist (he was a logical choice to share the stage with Gore at last year’s Academy Awards ceremony), yet…
It’s baaaaccckkk!
That’s right readers; Pop Life — the bohemian-flavored nightlife event presented by Creative Loafing and The SolKitchen — is back for the spring. And this time, it’s moved to a brand new location: Loft 1523 (1523 Elizabeth). The fun starts April 30 and runs every Wednesday after that. Be there or … uh … be…
CD Review: Gideon Smith and the Dixie Damned
The Deal: With various recordings under his belt and having just finished up writing his first book, the reclusive Gid returns to his first love, which is recording – in this case, another full-lengther. Would be easy describing this as a heavy rock/metal effort but it’s more. If Antiseen’s music is Cancerpunk, then this close…
Wine goes green
Green is everywhere. Green tints my magazines, permeates my podcasts and infiltrates my inbox. Green can exhilarate (“one more bottle recycled!”) or render guilt (“Damn, I forgot my reusable grocery bags … again”). I pepper conversations with “carbon footprint,” “eco-friendly” and “sustainable,” and am grossly offended when a houseguest casually throws glass into my trimmed…
Images of Manhood & Womanhood
A preview of an exhibit at The Light Factory
CD Review: haj
The Deal: Charlotte’s Anthony J. Hamilton releases latest effort – no, not the R&B singer (note the “J.”). The Good: Recorded at Charlotte’s Asylum Digital Recording Studio and mixed at Studio B, the album opens with the scratched-up “Fast Food” with an A Tribe Called Quest vibe. Just when you think the album will continue…
Fertile ground
• Milton and Harriet Baucom of Baucom’s Best, a 100-percent grass-fed cattle ranch in Union and Anson counties, sell dry-aged (which is also halal) Black Angus beef at both the Charlotte Regional Farmers’ Market and the Matthews Farmers Market every other Saturday (next time is April 26). Harriet suggests you place an order online and…
Broadway and better
Wicked a wonderful whizbang of a show
CD Review: Rekless Youth
The Deal: Fresh off their win at the Muzak Battle of the Bands in March, the punk trio releases their sophomore album. The Good: Ah, good ol’ punk music – rough around the edges, fueled by teen angst and gritty like it should be. The 13-track disc clocks in at 33 minutes, but that’s about…
Mark Hibbs, chef
Mark Hibbs, chef of Uptown eatery Ratcliffe on the Green, has been involved with Charlotte’s Taste of the Nation, a culinary event geared at ending childhood hunger, for the last seven years. He has recently joined forces with the National Pork Board and is excited about their involvement with this year’s event. Creative Loafing: Why…
A User’s Guide to Drinking in Charlotte*
Or, why “upscale” is a descriptor best left to condo developments, strip malls and other accoutrements of yuppie-dom
Benefit: The force is with you
Come out to the Alley Cat tonight to support your favorite liquor slingers at the BAAR Wars competition. Nominated bartenders will compete to win hottest male/female bartender, fastest bartender, funniest bartender, best staff and best overall. NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin will join celebrity judges Brittney Cason, Brotha Fred and Sarah Aarthum for the tastiest cocktail…
The red-headed wild-ass
Anyone who knows the culture of small Southern burgs can tell you about the deep vein of ornery iconoclasm that runs beneath those towns’ surface of Christian piety. Some cultural scholars say that the region’s wild, contrarian streak is probably part of the reason Southerners have clung to their masks of superficial amiability for so…
Whisky River take my mind …
Alert the media! Oh wait, that’s me … anyway, The EpiCentre is open! Well, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whisky River up-the-stairs-and-through-the-construction of the EpiCentre has opened its doors, at least. I walked in to Kenny Chesney’s “Big Star” and I felt like I had just walked into Disney World. This urban cowgirl immediately reported to the…
Passage to India
South Mecklenburg palates get a tasty ride
The real anti-torture president
Imagine, a candidate for president who, a year or so ago, no one would have considered electable. Now the person is the front-runner, with a groundswell of grass-roots support, threatening the sense of inevitability of the establishment candidates. No, I’m not talking about the American presidential race, but the race for president of the largest…
Charlotte Bestsellers List
1. Exhibition of the “Song Bo Paintings” (Jack Hemphill) 2. The Perfect Bear (Gillian Shields & Gary Blythe) 3. The Tenderness of Wolves (Stef Penney) 4. Still Life (Louise Penny) 5. Death Walked In (Carolyn Hart) 6. Porn for New Moms (The Cambridge Women’s Pornography Cooperative) 7. What the Dead Know (Laura Lippman) 8. Medicus:…
Fueled by music, anger
There’s no telling what image will come to mind when you hear the band’s name — Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The average listener may expect something loud, heavy and, perhaps, leather-clad. The average biker may be pissed off — that wouldn’t be a first. Regardless of the visual, it’s the music you should pay attention…
Harmony & understanding
The New Familiars bonded by love of music
Captain America NO. 37
The Deal: It’s the latest issue of Captain America. This month’s story tells the latest episode in the ongoing saga of the Marvel Universe after Cap’s death. As you may know, Cap’s old partner Bucky (who was recently “resurrected” from the dead) has taken on the Captain America persona — and it’s a role…
Music Menu
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 Monotonix A colleague from Chicago writes: “Dude, this Israeli trio kicked our asses last night. They played on the floor with the people, and after the show was over, we chanted ‘Holy Shit’ over and over and over. Monotonix basically blows everyone away. It’s the highest energy, most interactive show I’ve ever…
Dismay at the dog park
Cost a factor in ending Pooch Pass program
