Charlotte’s banks are the worst! Don’t just take my word for it.
A new study released this month shows that Charlotte’s banks — Bank of America and Wachovia — top the list of financial institutions that piss people off. Meaning, these two banks are in the top ten of national banks with a lot of complaints. Here’s what Market Watch says: Banks: The Best and the Worst…
Arena changes name
Charlotte Bobcats Arena has announced a deal that has renamed the venue. It will be now be known as “Time Warner Cable Arena.” Are there any large arenas, coliseums, amphitheatres left that aren’t owned by a corporation?
Weird rightwing fears on parade
If school board members Kaye McGarry and Ken Gjertsen weren’t so potentially destructive, they’d be hilarious. The Homophobic Power Couple share the odd mentality of many social conservatives, which we’ve written about before. Namely, they see themselves as oppressed martyrs, having to fight off an evil army of gays and lesbians who want to take…
Arena changes name
Charlotte Bobcats Arena has announced a deal that has renamed the venue. It will be now be known as “Time Warner Cable Arena.” Are there any large arenas, coliseums, amphitheatres left that aren’t owned by a corporation?
Crowntown Showdown – Week 1
If you weren’t at The Evening Muse last night for the first edition of the Crowntown Showdown, you missed out! The monthly open mic series kicked off strongly and it’s going to be tough to compare in the coming editions. Based on the famous open mic series at Eddie’s Attic in Georgia, it’s held on…
This week’s new releases (4/8)
A quick list of some of the big names releasing albums this week: The Breeders Mountain Battles Leona Lewis Spirit Nine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IV P.O.D. When Angels & Serpents Dance
News Roundup, 4/8/08
Petraeus: Return to ‘pre-surge’ troop levels, then wait: The top military commander in Iraq testified today to the Senate Armed Services Committee that troop levels should reduce to numbers before last year’s surge. Gen. David Petraeus also warned that Iran poses the greatest threat to Iraq. Full story: CNN.com 534 women, kids leave polygamist ranch:…
The Showoff
Okay, so maybe this wasn’t exactly one of the staple positions in the authentic Kama Sutra writings, but if your looking for something different, this position at least has that going for it. The position begins with the man seated on a chair twisted to the side so that he is resting on one butt…
Blackwater contracts
— Cartoon by Jim Hunt
News Roundup, 4/7/08
Professionals moving to Charlotte, without a job: For years 80,000 professionals without jobs have been moving to Charlotte based on the buzz about the city said, Ed Turner, owner of Smith Turner Group, a job recruiting firm in Charlotte. Some get work immediately, some are still looking while taking temp jobs and others got hired…
From his cold dead hands: The passing of Charlton Heston
When I watched Bowling For Columbine, I was ready to write Charlton Heston off as a foolish old man. It wasn’t until he died that I saw he was more than Moses and the NRA. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But the theatre critic from the Toronto Star says it best: “For…
A pregnant man — enough said
Yesterday I was watching an old episode of Grey’s Anatomy, where one of the cases was a man who thought he was pregnant (and looked very much so) but turned to have a teratoma (a monstrous tumor) in his gut. Not the case here, apparently. Thomas Beatie appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday to…
A pregnant man — enough said
Yesterday I was watching an old episode of Grey’s Anatomy, where one of the cases was a man who thought he was pregnant (and looked very much so) but turned to have a teratoma (a monstrous tumor) in his gut. Not the case here, apparently. Thomas Beatie appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday to…
Grandmothers have changed (and this ain’t about menopause)
Some friends and I decided to have lunch at Chick-fil-A on South Boulevard today. What a huge fucking mistake. The place was packed with kids. Wall to wall children. Some of them who looked as if they should’ve been in school. But what floored me was the fact that a bunch of those rug rats…
The first white boy band
The group New Kids on the Block from way back when are working on a comeback. Does this mean they’ll change their name to Old Men on the Block?
The Weekender
Friday, April 4 Film Leatherheads: Are you sick of hearing about this movie yet? Well, too bad! Because North Carolina needs to represent in the box office this week, and show George Clooney how much we love him and his Hollywood dollars filming in our fair state. Then he might come back, and brings friends…
Keep Dr. King relevant
In mainstream America’s current version of Martin Luther King, Jr., the revolutionary political leader has been transformed into a saccharine cliché with angel wings. That’s a good way for the power structure to keep King’s legacy “safe” — wrapping MLK’s martyrdom in wispy nostalgia so that no one thinks too hard about his ongoing relevance. …
40 years later
How’s MLK’s legacy doing, 40 years after he was assassinated? \\\\\\\\\\
News Roundup, 4/4/08
MLK was to be in Charlotte, but then…: On April 4, what we now know as Martin Luther King Jr.’s day of assassination, may not have been if everything went according to plan. On April 4, 1968, MLK was supposed to be helping his fellow civil rights advocate and North Carolina’s potential first black governor…
News Roundup, 4/3/08
Priest charged with sex crimes in Charlotte: The Rev. Robert Yurgel, 43, was escorted by U.S. marshals from his home in Passaic, N.J. to Charlotte, facing charges of a sex crime he committed against a 14-year-old boy in 1999. This alleged incident happened at St. Matthew Catholic Church, which is now the largest Catholic Church…
More music for your a$$
This week over at the Audiofloss blog, we bring you even more music for your bootay. Check out tracks by Janita (www.myspace.com/janitaartist), Julie Dexter (www.myspace.com/ketchavibe) and Days Ahead (www.myspace.com/daysaheadmusic). Go to the site: Audiofloss
Hey little girl: How about I give you advice on how to be a little girl
So after my campaign stop in a bowling alley on Saturday everyone’s had a joke. Yes, I bowled a 37. Yes, I am aware that this is less than four pins a frame. Yes, I am aware that your retarded cousin bowled a score twice that high at your birthday party when you were in…
More music for your a$$
This week over at the Audiofloss blog, we bring you even more music for your bootay. Check out tracks by Janita (www.myspace.com/janitaartist), Julie Dexter (www.myspace.com/ketchavibe) and Days Ahead (www.myspace.com/daysaheadmusic). Go to the site: Audiofloss
Classic Audiofloss: Music from Janita, Julie Dexter and Days Ahead
This week, we bring you even more music for your bootay. Check out tracks by Janita (www.myspace.com/janitaartist), Julie Dexter (www.myspace.com/ketchavibe) and Days Ahead (www.myspace.com/daysaheadmusic). Click on the Audio MP3 icon below to listen to the show.
Mr. Hillary is back
For you Hillary fans, from the Clinton Campaign Office: NEW DETAILS: President Clinton Returns to North Carolina this Friday, April 4 Clinton Will Visit in Pembroke, Laurinburg, Monroe, and Charlotte The Clinton campaign today announced President Bill Clinton will return to North Carolina to campaign for Hillary this Friday, April 4, attending events in Pembroke,…
Body of war: New documentary depicts soldier’s personal battle
We just passed the grim milestone of 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the invasion five years ago. Still, the death toll climbs. Typically unmentioned alongside the count of American war dead are the tens of thousands of wounded (not to mention the Iraqi dead). The Pentagon doesn’t tout the number of Americans injured,…
Weiland booted from Velvet Revolver
Scott Weiland, who is working on reunion shows with Stone Temple Pilots, has to be happy about that idea because he’s been booted from Velvet Revolver. Edit: And Weiland comments back…
American Idol – Top 9
America’s largest karaoke contest had the top 9 singers perform songs by Dolly Parton last night… yippee… It could have been worse, though. They could have done Michael Bolton. Anyway, here are my thoughts on last night’s contestants: White Bread — She went with a safe song choice tonight and should have no trouble cruising…
Bad-ass babes on roller skates
The Charlotte Roller Girls are recruiting skaters … think I should try out? Yeah right, are you kidding me? Have you been to a bout? If you like NASCAR for the racing and wrecking, or football for the tackling and scoring, then you’ll love roller derby because it’s kinda like that … but with women…
CD Review: Yael Naim
The Deal: Chances are, if you’ve turned on a TV in the last few weeks, you’ve heard the Israeli singer’s first single, “New Soul.” The Good: The Paris-based artist shows diversity on her debut, a good deal of which is sung in Hebrew. The music on the disc is second to her vocals which are…
Changing perspectives, capturing moments
Backing a video of teens driving in a single-file line through the desert is Lifehouse singing “From Where You Are,” a song specifically written for Allstate’s Safe Teen Driving Campaign. For Jason Wade, vocalist/guitarist of Lifehouse (also in the 3-piece alternative-pop rock band are bassist Bryce Soderberg and drummer Rick Woolstenhulme), this was the first…
BareBones does Debbie
And a teen ensemble does community service
Body of war
We just passed the grim milestone of 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the invasion five years ago. Still, the death toll climbs. Typically unmentioned alongside the count of American war dead are the tens of thousands of wounded (not to mention the Iraqi dead). The Pentagon doesn’t tout the number of Americans injured,…
Cash Bash V being held over two nights
Johnny Cash fans rejoice — the annual Cash Bash will be held over two nights this year. While technically a pre-party and main bash, it’s really just 13 bands paying tribute to the Man in Black. On April 4, The Belmont Playboys, The Truckstop Preachers, Jem Crossland & The Hypertonics, The Defilers and Cattletruck will…
What a feeling
Ever recall being told a good story of great joy or regret or sorrow, and later, on attempting a recall, you forget the entire tale except for the feeling attending the yarn? That’s a Jiha Moon painting. Ethereal, luxurious, undulating, captivating, carry-you-away from yourself vivid. Hard nails run soft down your back. Can’t remember what…
Music Menu
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 Hamilton Loomis Loomis’ funk-loaded Texas blues has a definitive dance groove. The multi-instrumentalist has that road-worn sound after almost 15 years of recording and performing, while honing his chops with recognizable riffage. One of his mentors, the legendary Bo Diddley, appears on his most recent disc Ain’t Just Temporary. The recording has…
Screwball football
Ignore the slight and just enjoy the game
Bowie gets Fool’s treatment
One of the many benefits of a David Bowie tribute is that there are so many different David Bowies to pay tribute to. The original rock ‘n’ roll shape-shifter has evolved into nearly as many iconic personas as he has records; over a wildly-diverse, four-decade-long career, that’s a closet-full of costume changes — speaking both…
Going Brazilian
Bakery in southeast Charlotte adds to culinary diversity
A death of convenience
On March 20, a 17-year-old Charlotte teen-ager, Darryl Turner, died at the hands of police officer Jerry Dawson Jr. I’m willing to bet that by the time you read this, we won’t know any more about the killing than we know on March 27, the day I’m writing this. As far as we know, Turner…
Got the Drop on you
Carolina Chocolate Drops keep history alive
All-Star Superman
The Deal: All-Star Superman is DC’s out-of-continuity take on the Superman mythos, as seen through the often-bizarre eyes of writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Part of the company’s line of “All-Star” comics, this quasi-monthly limited series tells the tale of a dying Superman’s last days. The Good: I haven’t picked up All-Star Superman…
Safer than a gun?
The United Nations calls the use of Tasers a form of torture. Yet in Charlotte and many cities across the country, police departments hail the 50,000-volt shock gun as a safe alternative to firearms. But not for 17-year-old Darryl Turner. Turner, who worked at Food Lion on Prosperity Church Road, died after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer…
The Nick Mackey you don’t know
Mecklenburg County’s embattled former sheriff-elect
Sects and the city
Sects And The City My wife of a year is from a very conservative culture (a Muslim country). She said she’d only dated three guys, and only kissed and held hands. I told her it’s nice she was a virgin, but honesty was more important. She kept saying I was the first man to touch…
A Mecklenburg dilemma
The Nick Mackey debacle has left a lot of unanswered questions in many people’s minds. Why did a candidate, whose financial and work histories generated so many detractors, attract such ardent supporters? What’s behind the racial divisions exposed by the appointment of Sheriff Jim Pendergraph’s replacement that led folks to see the election so differently,…
Auto show: Nice ride
Get revved up for the 2008 Food Lion Auto Fair. This weekend-long event includes a car show, collector car auction and thousands of vendors selling auto parts and memorabilia. For all you antique car fanatics, The Antique Automobile Club of America is holding their annual Spring Meet on Saturday, April 5. With more than 600…
The Blotter
A BLOODY MESS: A bouncer said a man was acting rowdy and was asked to leave. The man refused to leave and attempted to punch the bouncer. In self-defense, the bouncer hit the man in the face causing the man’s nose to bleed. The man then took his blood and smeared it all over the…
Letters to the editor
The Greater Tragedy You were able to capsule “state of denial” and the 9/11 investigation in two pages (“The colossal blunder” by John Grooms, March 19). It boggles my mind how so many Americans can still be so blind to the blatant facts before their eyes. It’s somewhat like a compulsive gambler who continues to…
Comedy: Master of his domain
Sure, Bee Movie sucked ass, but don’t sleep: Jerry Seinfeld was, is and always shall be a consummate funny man. He’s dedicated to the near-extinct art of stand-up comedy and you’ll never see him hit a stage spouting old, stale material. All kidding aside, he’s a legend because he refuses to put the kidding aside…
Karma Cleanser
Dear Karma Cleanser: About six months ago, I ended an almost five-year relationship with my girlfriend. It was for the best, and we’ve both moved on and remained friends. I made a lot of mistakes in the relationship, but I’ve been to therapy and worked hard on fixing the bad habits that caused them. A…
Last week on the CLog …
Vogue’s ‘art’ problem. “Should the one time that you ‘allow’ a black man to grace the cover of your magazine continue in the tradition of problematic images of black men in art, photography, film and television? Vogue claims that it is ‘art,’ but the photo lacks any ‘artistic’ value in my mind, much like the…
Theater: Bring on Big Mamma
Skip the beer bonging tonight and head over to the Visulite for some real entertainment. Big Mamma’s House of Burlesque presents Paris in the Spring: A Night at the Moulin Rouge. This show has everything from vaudeville and burlesque to comedy and magic all in a Parisian brothel setting. Take some tokes in the hooka…
Hollywood bodies
Grant says he has to get his “Hollywood body” back, but I don’t remember him ever having one. I’ve been to Hollywood with him plenty of times, and he didn’t look any different then than he does now. But he says everyone in Hollywood is beautiful, and you’d think he was exaggerating but he’s not.…
Beauty and the beast
Superstar athlete LeBron James meets supermodel Gisele Bündchen on the cover of a high-fashion magazine. Both are young, successful and beautiful. James is arguably the most popular and dominating forward in the NBA, and Bündchen is the highest-paid model in the fashion industry. Add to the mix world-famous photographer Annie Leibovitz, and this trio is…
Theater: Follow the clues
Old man Leisner’s son is missing, and three teenage friends suspect foul play in Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s production of Deadly Weapons. Things spiral out of control when they decide to take matters into their own hands and seek clues to solve the missing person mystery. This thriller will test the boundaries of friendship and…
Stargazer
Aries The Ram: (March 20 — April 19) The pressure of pending change is making itself known in your work arena. The fulcrum is a situation that may no longer be tolerable. It is true that change is absolutely necessary, but perhaps a shift to a totally fresh solution would take the emotional sting from…
Goddess Kya
Kenya is her name but you can call her Kya if you’re nasty — Goddess Kya to be exact. Kenya is a dominatrix. “There is something empowering about being in complete control of someone. They can’t make a single move unless you say so.” “People often think that men who need to be dominated are…
Art: When Norman rocked America
Journey back in time to the days of “Rosie the Riveter” and Model T Fords at Discovery Place. Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell will display all 322 of the iconic artist’s Saturday Evening Post covers and includes interactive exhibits that reminisce the early 20th century. Free with museum admission. Discovery Place, 301…
Film Clips
New Releases MARRIED LIFE Now here’s a movie with a cast worth salivating over, but what’s the point when the end result turns out to be so negligible? I love the direction of Brosnan’s non-Bond career (The Matador, The Tailor of Panama); Patricia Clarkson constantly earns her designation as an indie goddess; Rachel McAdams quickly…
Shiver me timbers
Makes me wanna scream John-Christian Urich, lead singer and drummer of the house music group Tortured Soul, bellows out a tune at the Visulite Theatre March 25. Where’s Hootie? Hootie and the Blowfish guitarist Mark Bryan performs with his side-project, Occasional Milkshake. The band, which also consists of Hank Futch of the Blue Dogs…
Lecture: Supersize your mind
The fry guy is coming, and no, he isn’t a multicolored shaggy ball with no arms or legs. Morgan Spurlock is best known for opening our eyes to the dangers of fast food in Supersize Me. His film was followed by Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America, which further explored…
View from the Couch
RESERVATION ROAD Is there anything more depressing than the senseless death of a child? In the real world, perhaps not; in Reservation Road, plenty. For starters, it’s depressing to note that director Terry George elected to follow his powerful Hotel Rwanda with this simple-minded melodrama. It’s also depressing to note that this film largely wastes…
Throwing darts in the dark
It’s all the rage with news organizations. They pay someone to conduct a poll about the presidential race, and then they trumpet the results. If the poll finds some cool new angle on the race — and these polls are often designed to do just that — the punditry will pick it up and add…
Music: The sound of summer
Summer is just around the corner and Zach Deputy is already there with his calypso, reggae, beach bum sound. The South Carolina native has spent the past five years on the southeast coast and his music will take all who hear it back to the shore. Marshall Ruffin will be jamming with Deputy for this…
All aboard for Leatherheads ride
As part of the promotional tour for Leatherheads, stars George Clooney and Renée Zellweger stopped at the Historic Salisbury Station to sign autographs and hold a press conference. Here are some pictures from that event. (All photos by Lynn Farris.)
Hangin’ with CL
Come hang with the folks behind Creative Loafing at these great events: • April 7 — Starting tonight, Music Editor Jeff Hahne judges The Crown Town Showdown the first Monday of every month. Presented by The Evening Muse and CL, The Crown Town Showdown is a music and songwriting competition for local and national acts…
CD Review: Counting Crows
The Deal: Amidst the indie-rock craze, the wise ’90s rockers stick to what works. The Good: It’s clear singer Adam Duritz has come a long way from the Mr. Jones we-all-wanna-be-big-big-stars days on the band’s latest. One-part brooding, alcohol-fueled 4 a.m. rant and one-part the regret-ridden morning after, the band’s fifth studio effort is all…
Taylor’s top 10
This week, I offer homage to David Letterman’s Top Ten List, now in its 15th season. Letterman grays but remains hysterical — well, at least, his staff writers are. Top Ten Things You Need to Know about Wine 10) More expensive doesn’t mean better. I’ve tasted mind-blowing $8 wines that smack of $50 and $50…
A Dandy Don
Dictators and regimes have been toppled; control of Congress, the Senate, and the White House has changed hands; a World Trade Center has vanished in smoke; and a new millennium has begun since the last time Opera Carolina presented Don Giovanni in 1999. What hasn’t changed, of course, is Mozart’s tale of rascality, brutality, mindless…
CD Review: Dawn Landes
The Deal: American debut finds Landes succeeding on the other side of the glass. The Good: You’d expect a studio rat like Dawn Landes – who’s engineered with Philip Glass, HEM and Joseph Arthur – to blanket her own material with all those big-board tricks she’s learned. But her second full-length and American debut is…
