Apr 20-26, 2010

Apr 20-26, 2010 / Vol. 24 / No. 8

Live review: Lupe Fiasco & B.o.B

Lupe Fiasco w/ B.o.B. UNC Charlotte’s Halton Arena April 23, 2010 (Photos by Jeff Hahne) The Deal: Rappers show and prove their crossover appeal in front of one of Charlotte’s most diverse audiences. The Good: It’s hard to go wrong if you’re B.o.B, owner of the #1 and #2 songs in your genre, he really…

Mike McCray

Charlotte Lilith details announced

Charlotte has been on the 2010 Lilith Tour map for quite some time now, but more details have finally emerged. The show will take place on Friday, Aug. 6, at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Among the performers schedule to eperform are Sarah McLachlan, Kelly Clarkson, Jill Scott, Indigo Girls, Court Yard Hounds and more to be…

Jeff Hahne

Blue Cross targeted breast cancer patients for investigation

During the health care reform debates, insurance companies did their best to convince everyone that they were the best thing to ever happen to sick folks in America. As always, some people swallowed the B.S. whole. Most of us, though, only had to recall a friend or family member’s latest health insurance horror story and,…

John Grooms

Foster agency nixes Muslim woman over pork

As long as there are clueless bigots, there will always be Stupid Things to report. Take, for instance, Contemporary Family Services, the winner of this week’s coveted Stupid Thing of the Week award. CFS is a Maryland-based private foster agency, authorized by the state to place foster children with families.  Unbelievably, CFS rejected the application…

John Grooms

Concert announcement: The Cool Tour

The Cool Tour, featuring As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between the Buried and Me, Blessthefall, The Acacia Strain, Architects, Cancer Bats and War of Ages will play the Fillmore Charlotte on July 15. Tickets go on sale on Friday, April 30.

Jeff Hahne

Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 23, 2010 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Free Beer Tweet up at Buckhead Saloon • Sheer Fantasy at The Estate • Flashback Friday…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

The Noises 10, Raised by Wolves announce last shows

On May 1, at The Evening Muse, local indie rockers The Noises 10 will perform their last show. Not sure of the details at this point, but it’s sad news… The band showed a lot of promise and had signed to a few developmental record deals, but alas, it seems the band has run its…

Jeff Hahne

Daily Show’s ‘unsophisticated audience’? Studies say no

One of the funniest things I’ve heard lately was a comment by FoxNews’ Bernard Goldberg. He and the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart have been waging a war lately, and after a recent Stewart pounding of Fox’s ongoing anti-liberal bias, Goldberg lashed out. He told Stewart, via an appearance on Bill O’Reilly’s TV joyfest, that if…

John Grooms

Greenpeace claims Facebook isn’t ‘green’ enough

Is anyone, or anything, really ‘green’ enough? I mean, can’t we all do a little bit better? Nitpicking might get you a random headline, but it also firms up the long-held belief that Greenpeace is one of the more militant and obnoxious environmental organizations in the U.S. I understand the dire need for forward movement…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

Eastland Mall closes — so, what does that mean for Renovatus Church?

When pastor Jonathan Martin of Renovatus Church gave his first sermon at Eastland Mall in October, he knew there was a chance that the mall wouldn’t be the permanent home of his non-denominational church. “We know the [mall’s] reputation is bad, but this church is for liars, dreamers and misfits. This mall has been forgotten,…

Cheris Hodges

Slam dunk solution to library woes

As yesterday’s county commission meeting got around to library budget cuts, every commissioner who spoke shed copious crocodile tears and spouted his or her own individual list of clichés. Other than Bill James’ suggestion to take money from CMS and give it to the library, no one showed an iota of creative thinking about a…

John Grooms

This week’s new releases (4/20/2010)

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new in stores this week: AC/DC Iron Man 2 Soundtrack VV Brown Traveling Like the Light Cypress Hill Rise Up Grateful Dead Crimson, White & Indigo: July 7 1989 JFK Stadium, Philadelphia The Infamous Stringdusters Things that Fly Willie Nelson Country Music Ozomatli Fire Away

Jeff Hahne

Get your copy of the debut issue of Charlotte STYLE Mag

Wondering who Charlotte STYLE Magazine deems are the 25 most stylish people in the city? Well, ya gotta pick up the magazine to find out. Better yet, get yourself a copy of the magazine even if you don’t care who’s on the list — it’s their very first print issue. Hmmm … I wonder if…

Kimberly Lawson

Animal cruelty law crushed by the Supremes

Good news for all you sadists out there! The Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, has ruled that it’s OK to make videos of animal cruelty. No, we’re not kidding, although, to be fair, there are extenuating circumstances, as those legalese people say. The justices overturned a federal law that banned videos showing graphic violence…

John Grooms

Black Crowes return to Charlotte this fall

The Black Crowes have announced plans to release a double-CD this fall, which will be followed by a tour and then an indefinite hiatus. That tour, the Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys Tour, will have a stop in Charlotte on Sept. 18 at the Uptown Amphitheatre. The album, Croweology, will be all-acoustic and sold…

Jeff Hahne

Library to hold community meetings

Here are the deets: Last week, Director of Libraries Charles Brown presented three scenarios to the Library Board of Trustees that outlined ways Charlotte Mecklenburg Library could potentially deal with an expected $17 million (50%) budget cut from Mecklenburg County. Learn more and find out how you can help at one of these community meetings:…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

We need a green revolution

Together, we can change the world. This Earth Day we need more than a celebration. We need a clean energy revolution that creates 2 million jobs, cuts 2 billion tons, and saves 2 trillion dollars. On the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day there is much to celebrate: Our air is cleaner and our…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

FILM: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion

As another Monday approaches, we’re reminded that the day doesn’t have to suck — Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Cult Movie Mondays are here. Today, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion will be screened. Not familiar with the flick? Well, it stars Lisa Kudrow (as Michele) and Mira Sorvino (as Romy), who are best friends dreading…

Anita Overcash

Nightlife vs. the Census

I often get asked the question, “What are you?” … Spanish? Hawaiian? Italian? Persian? I’m effin human — does it matter what breed of it I’m mixed with? Well, according to the Census, it does. And apparently Hispanic is an origin, not a race. Thank you for clearing up that identity crisis for me, U.S.…

COMEDY: Laugh MS, featuring Comedian Drew Thomas

Atlanta-based comedian and former finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Drew Thomas is geared up for a good cause. Tonight he’ll perform his stand-up act — which centers around everyday occurrences, that he makes funny — at Lake Norman Comedy Zone. Proceeds from the show will benefit the LaughMS Society for its fight against multiple…

Anita Overcash

The paths (and downfalls) of Tiger, M.J. and Skipper

It was a sight to behold. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, the greatest athletes to ever play their respective sports and two of the planet’s most famous people, strolling side by side, sharing laughs amidst the picturesque backdrop of a pristine golf course. This was the first time the good friends had ever been paired…

Jarvis Holliday

ART: The 38th Annual Members Show

The Light Factory’s The 38th Annual Members Show opens today. As if it weren’t explanatory enough, the exhibition consists of works in a jumble of mediums — from photography to film — by Light Factory members. Held in the Middleton McMillan Gallery. Continues through Aug. 8. Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-6…

Anita Overcash

Heated rhetoric 2010: Same stuff, different president

There’s something striking about a particular Obama-as-Hitler graphic that occasionally shows up on protest signs in shots from the Tea Parties. The first time I saw it, I did a double-take. Design-wise, it was a close replica of a popular Bush-as-Hitler graphic that showed up on signs and T-shirts in the anti-war protests during the…

Cancer gets the beatdown from drumSTRONG

Charlotte needs a little Woodstock. A little lunatic fringe on that starched collar. Well, turns out we’ve got our Woodstock — it’s called drumSTRONG; it’s an event both more modest and more ambitious than that legendary celebration of music and peace in 1969, with smaller crowds, less hype and greater hope. In lieu of drugs…

Scott Lucas

The Vatican and The Beatles

Sung to the tune of “You Can’t Do That” by The Beatles I’ve got somethin’ to say that might cause you pain If I catch you buggerin’ altar boys again [CHORUS:] I’m gonna turn you in (turn you in) And leave you flat (gonna turn you in and leave you flat) Because I told you…

Theater reviews: End Days, Goodnight Moon

On opening night of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s End Days, now at Actor’s Theatre through May 1, Sylvia Stein reminded her child of the scriptural prophecy that the sun, the moon and the stars will all be obliterated on Judgment Day. Within less than 48 hours, another play opened in Charlotte, and a sagely parental figure…

Perry Tannenbaum

Forgotten American hero: Larry Doby

Behind every great hero is another great hero. Have you ever heard the name Jackie Robinson? You’re probably from another planet if you haven’t. Ever heard the name Larry Doby? Well, you’re probably from this planet if you haven’t. On June 1, 1947, exactly 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, a man…

Nsenga Burton

A quick look at 3 new first issues

Last week was a big one for the comic book industry, with a ton of new first issues hitting the stands. Here are a few quick looks at a trio of books: Wolfskin: Hundredth Dream No. 1 — Writer Warren Ellis brings back his “barbarian” comic for a new story line. This title has earned…

Carlton Hargro

Cochabamba, the water wars and climate change

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia — Here in this small Andean nation of 10 million people, the glaciers are melting, threatening the water supply of the largest urban area in the country, El Alto and La Paz, with 3.5 million people living at altitudes over 10,000 feet. I flew from El Alto International, the world’s highest commercial airport,…

Amy Goodman

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

New Paint Job: A 59-year-old woman called police after her car was vandalized while she drove in it. She told officers she was driving down I-85 across the Sugar Creek exit when someone dropped a 50-gallon paint bucket from the bridge above. The can did not open but did damage her headlights, front bumper and…

Ryan Pitkin

Terrace Café scores with early risers

Steak and eggs is the quintessential American guy breakfast — or at least it has been in my testosterone-driven house, which is all male except me, the cat and the dog. Many breakfast joints, though, offer an inexpensive cut of beef which is then overcooked and made tough. In this day of culinary deflation, restaurants…

Tricia Childress

3 questions with dietician Erin Pesta Jones

It’s true — many diet foods taste like cardboard. So, wouldn’t it be wonderful to snack on tasty treats without being bogged down by regret? Local dietitian/nutritionist Erin Pesta Jones says you can eat what you love as long as you eat in moderation. In college, Jones decided to become a dietitian in order to…

Nicole Pietrantonio

Where to find camel meat

When I lived in Cairo, I asked the local butcher for ground lamb. What I got didn’t taste like lamb. On the next visit, I asked for ground beef. But that ground beef tasted like the Egyptian lamb. During a subsequent shopping trip, I desperately spoke my best Arabic and pointed emphatically to the hanging…

Tricia Childress

Coheed and Cambria offers prequel to four-album series

Back in 2002, Coheed and Cambria released its first album, The Second Stage Turbine Blade. The album launched the start of the band’s comic book concept and introduced Coheed and Cambria, the central characters in The Amory Wars comic book series written by the band’s front man Claudio Sanchez. From 2003 until 2007, the band…

Nicole Pietrantonio

SPECIAL EVENT: Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend

Interested in eating, drinking and being merry? Well, you definitely want to check out Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend. This year’s celebration, co-titled “Vintage 2010,” boasts a lineup of more than 50 vitners, winemakers brewmasters and spirits at events all around town. The excitement starts April 22 and runs through April 24. For more details…

Carlton Hargro

CD review: Mike Strauss Band

The Deal: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Strauss gathers up some other local talent for latest album, Ideal Road, independently released on April 17, 2010. The Good: Strauss has a laid-back Springsteen/Dylan/Petty tone to his vocals that sits nicely over folk rock music that’s complimented by the occasional horn or violin riff. He’s not afraid to find a…

Jeff Hahne

SPOKEN WORD: International Poetry Night

Expand your cultural diversity tonight as the International House presents its International Poetry Night. The spoken word event — hosted by Jonathan K. Rice, editor of Iodine Poetry Journal — will feature Chinese, Iranian, Nigerian, Polish, Spanish performers, among others. In addition, an open mic will follow. Proceeds raised will support International House. Light refreshments…

Anita Overcash

CL previews upcoming concerts (April 21-25)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 Cornmeal It may have a cornpone name, but Chicago’s Cornmeal aren’t necessarily the most traditional of bluegrass bands. In food terms, they’re more like panko – light and fast to fry. They’ve got a new(ish) record out, Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I (catchy, that!), which is a rather fine document of…

MUSIC: King Britt at Dharma Lounge

Just when you’re ready to give up on Charlotte and call it a lame town full of douchey guys and gals, something cool pops up. Tonight’s “cool” something is DJ/producer/artist King Britt, who’s sliding into the Q.C. to host a release performance for his newest (and final “conventional”) dance CD The Intricate Beauty. Britt has…

Carlton Hargro

CD Review: The Flaming Lips’ Dark Side of the Moon

The Deal: The Flaming Lips team up with Stardeath and White Dwarfs to recreate Pink Floyd’s classic album in its entirety. The Good: The band has tried to stay true to the original, while also adding their own spin to it. As long as you aren’t looking for a note-for-note rendition, you should be pleasantly…

Jeff Hahne

COMEDY: Bill Cosby at Belk Theater

Best known for his many endeavors as actor and producer in an assortment of TV shows and films, musician, author, activist and, last but not least, comedian, Bill Cosby is a legendary jack of all trades — and he’s in Charlotte tonight to perform two shows at Belk Theater! Laughter is a must during Cosby’s…

Anita Overcash

DVD Review: Various Artists’ T-A-M-I Show

The Deal: Unearthed ’60s time capsule captures iconic performances by Chuck Berry, The Stones and James Brown. The Good: Held in the Santa Monica Civic Center in 1964, the Teenage Awards Music International was a strange beast even in its time. California surfer boy and girl go-go dancers prance around Chuck Berry as he tears…

Grant Britt

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