This week’s new releases (4/29)
Here’s a quick list of some of this week’s new releases: Def Leppard Songs from the Sparkle Lounge — The “What Year is This?!?” album of the week. Foxboro Hot Tubs Stop Drop and Roll — A little something to hold you over until the next Green Day album. Lil Mama VYP – Voice of…
News Roundup, 4/29/08
Bush calls out Congress on economy: At a press conference today, President Bush said that Congress has ignored legislation that he’s proposed that would help the country’s economic slump. Full story: CNN.com Larry Brown unveiled as Bobcats new coach: Michael Jordon introduced Larry Brown as the new Bobcats coach, replacing Sam Vincent, who was fired…
Of Easley, endorsements and Bill Maher
So Gov. Mike Easley has given a rousing endorsement (according to news reports) for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Here’s why Easley’s plug won’t matter at all. First of all, Easley couldn’t be “rousing” if his life depended on it. Second, as the state’s chief executive, he has been aloof and relatively ineffective, almost as if…
Iron Man is a drunk
A silent animated short Iron man is a drunk. \\\\\\\\\\
Iron Man’s 1966 theme song
\\\\\\\\\\
People really hate the FAFSA …
Sen. Hillary Clinton drew a large crowd to the Bobcats Time Warner Cable Arena last night. I’d say the arena was 60 percent to 70 percent full. She drew lots of applause on the usual topics — the war, health care, jobs, gas prices — but many people in the audience must have some really…
Quote This
“A weaker person than myself might have been changed by so much rudeness. By what happened in the garden. But I am still the same. I will not frustrate a hungry child or snub a thirsty man. With proper guests, a visit would be smooth. Our home and grounds are gracious. I have not given…
Young person’s rant
I am pissed. I am mad as hell and I have no choice but to continue to take it. Bend over and smile. Yes, I am talking about the outrageous gas prices, food prices, and what it takes in general to live. Now I can understand maybe high prices on new cars or vacations or…
News Roundup, 4/28/08
Marquee rivalry steals voter attention: The N.C. primary is now center stage. Instead of the anticipated 700,000 to 800,000, Democratic primary voters are now expected to reach 1.2 million to 1.5 million, many of whom are new voters not that familiar with the party. Hillary Clinton will visit Concord, NC at the Troutman’s BBQ, 362…
Live Review: Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band April 27, 2008 Time Warner Cable Arena The Deal: “The Boss” returns to the Queen City and rocks it for two-and-a-half hours. The Good: The show opened with a video tribute to Danny Federici. It then went into a mix of old and new — If you’re a…
Hip-hop summit hits Charlotte
Russell Simmons and a number of hip-hop stars and music business representatives will be at Johnson C. Smith University on Saturday, April 26, for the Hip-Hop Summit’s “Get Your Money Right” Financial Empowerment International Tour. Simmons will be joined by singer Anthony Hamilton of Charlotte, MC Lyte, Melyssa Ford, Cheri Dennis, Terrence J of BET’s…
Support GLBT students
Today is the day School Board members Kaye McGarry, Ken Gjertsen and Larry “Old Walleye is Back” Gauvreau have been dreading: the “Day of Silence,” during which students can show support for the rights of gay, bi and transgender students by remaining mute at school. Contrary to the fantasies of bigots like McGarry & Co.,…
Live Review: Ministry
Ministry April 24, 2008 Tremont Music Hall The Deal: Industrial rock legends say C U LaTour for final Charlotte show. The Good: The fences were back up in front of the stage and Al Jourgensen seemed to have as much energy as ever. You could tell he was happiest when singing the new songs and…
Gardine Wilson of The Coffee Cup
Gardine Wilson, co-owner of the historic restaurant The Coffee Cup gives us a lesson on soul food. \\\\\\\\\\
News Round Up 4/25/08
Obama outraises Clinton 3 to 1 in N.C.: Sen. Barack Obama’s connection to John Edwards has boosted his advantage money-wise over Sen. Hillary Clinton. For every one donor to Clinton’s campaign there were three for Obama. Obama most certainly has a cash advantage in North Carolina, but he also did in Pennsylvania. Who will have…
Master illusionist comes to Charlotte
\\\\\\\\\\ Jason Bishop will be at Wingate University to mystify you tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Mock ‘n’ Roll
Theatre 650, billed as a “new late-night experience at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte,” continues its Cult Movie Mondays Film Series by presenting 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap at 8 p.m. next Monday, April 28, at the group’s venue at 650 E. Stonewall St. Directed by Rob Reiner, This Is Spinal Tap has long been considered…
News bytes from the ’90s
* Nine Inch Nails has released yet another song. “Discipline” is available as a free download at discipline.nin.com There’s also mention of something happening in two weeks – yet another album? * Jane’s Addiction’s original lineup performed yesterday for the first time in 17 years. Wish I could have been there… They played “Mountain Song,”…
Turns out I won the nomination two months ago!
By Hillary Clinton So today I declared that I’m leading the popular vote. And I didn’t just flat out declare it, I channeled my inner 5-year-old to make the announcement: “I’m very proud that as of today, I have received more votes by the people who have voted than anyone else.” And if I may…
Are they for real?
I heard a man’s name on TV this morning named Richard DeVein. Here’s hope that he doesn’t go by the nickname Dick DeVein.
Crossing the Line
It’s official. I have officially decided to officially vote for Barack Obama. It took a while, and the reason for my switch from Hillary to Obama is not deep. She has officially gotten on my damned nerves with her male posturing and heavy borrowing from the Karl Rove handbook of how to win an election…
Barack Obama’s NC Support grows
The Obama campaign released this statement today, just one day after he lost the PA primary to rival Sen. Hillary Clinton. Former Edwards National General Chairman and 49 Other Edwards Supporters Throw Support to Barack Obama Edwards backers call North Carolina primary clear choice between real change and more of the same Raleigh, NC –…
American Idol – Top 6
I didn’t comment on the Top 7 performances last week because, frankly, no one should be singing Mariah Carey songs. Now, America’s largest karaoke contest had the top 6 singers perform Andrew Lloyd Webber songs last night… No doubt everyone would sound very “Broadway.” Here are my thoughts on last night’s contestants: Mini-Whitney — She…
Worst song ever?
A sure sign of the downfall of civilization is that this woman is actually getting any attention for one of the stupidest songs I’ve ever heard…ever! It’s not safe for work, and probably not safe for any human ears, either. That’s right — someone named Riskay actually wrote a song called, “Smell Yo Dick.” I’m…
Womanly ruminations while waiting for a friend
Here I am again, waiting for a friend. Not sure why I’m the one on time (which is rare, I might add), but earliness affords quality time with a wine list. Surrounding me, the painfully hip bar is packed with want-to-be-seens, need-to-be seens and desperate-to-be-seens. Silicone and muscle reign, and I wallow in my perceived…
Maja Godlewska: Anticyclone
Exhibit: Maja Godlewska: Anticyclone Run Dates: Now through May 14 Location: Joie Lassiter Gallery, 1440 S. Tryon St., Ste. 104 Info: 704-373-1464 or www.lassitergallery.com In this collection, Charlotte native and internationally acclaimed artist Maja Godlewska explores the fine lines that exist between form and formlessness, order and chaos, and permanence and decay. Her ethereal pieces…
Music: I’ve got the golden ticket
Experience Broadway the MainStage Choir style. Carolina Voices will present Ticket to Broadway, a collection of songs from the best shows to hit the stage. Selections from The Lion King, Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll and Hyde, and many more will resound from the throats of the MainStage Choir. $15-$28. 3 p.m. McGlohon Theatre,…
Big primping, spending g’s
I hate getting ready to go out — primping is more like a chore to me. My idea of getting ready is washing my hair then putting the top down on my jeep and letting it air-dry on the drive. I lubricate, er, moisturize myself with lotion that makes me smell like pancakes, apply some…
English degrees as comedy fodder
I don’t understand Will Ferrell. I cringe at the sight of his hairy chest. I roll my eyes at such self-absorbed lines as “I’m kind of a big deal … people know me.” And I’m over the plot of a middle-aged doughboy starring as a famous and desirable anchorman/race car driver/ice skater/basketball player. But who’s…
Exhibit: Dino-mite!
If the extent of your knowledge on dinosaurs is limited to re-runs of Jurassic Park on TBS, this may be the event for you. A little education never hurt, right? Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries is a global adventure of science and discovery — featuring an extraordinary diorama of a 130-million-year-old Mesozoic forest in China.…
The kids are alright
I’d like to think I had a small hand in my 5-year-old daughter being able to sing along to “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?” by The Ramones and Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” After all, I’ve spent well over a decade writing about music and recognize the importance of music education for young kids,…
Charlotte Bestsellers List
1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch 2. Exhibition of the “Song Bo Paintings” by Jack Hemphill 3. Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank 4. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose By Eckhart Tolle 5. Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews 6. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by…
Music: Wastin’ Away Again
Take a toke of whatever you may fancy on your way to see Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band. A night listening to the classic island tunes in your board shorts is an evening well spent. Buffett and his band bring Margaritaville to you for one night only, so get your summer started right.…
‘Multicultural extravaganza’ hits Charlotte
Serve your senses at the Art, Beats + Lyrics urban art exhibition April 25 at CenterStage@NoDa. The “multicultural extravaganza” will combine various forms of art: graffiti, photography, paintings, break dancing … and you can’t forget good ol’ whiskey, since Jack Daniel’s is sponsoring the event. Founder and co-producer Jabari Graham says the event will bring…
Comic book reviews
Here’s a quick rundown of a few superhero comics I’ve been reading lately: Green Arrow and Black Canary No. 7: I wonder if writer Judd Winick knows just how bad of a job he’s doing on Green Arrow and Black Canary. This comic got a big marketing push when it debuted, but since the first…
Nightlife: Party with CL
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 has moved to a brand-new location: Loft 1523 (1523 Elizabeth Ave.). The fun starts this week and runs every Wednesday after that. Be there or ……
CL previews upcoming shows
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 Bobby Bare Jr. Junior Bare is usually linked to the alt-country world, often because of his famous pappy (Nashville royalty) and the occasional (extra-nasal) twang in his rock ‘n’ roll. But unlike many in that genre whose appeal remains static, Bare’s off-beat take and songwriting skills find him collaborating regularly with folks…
Singing the Bluz
Subject: Bluz. The lyrical MC and poet may be one of Charlotte’ best-kept secrets. The full-time writer-poet can be seen and heard all over the Queen City, from his radio show to his theater/dance class at Crossroads Charter High School. He’s also the Slammaster of the local team Slam Charlotte, which took home first place…
Three of the week’s best food events
APRIL 24 — Cooking with Beer Demo Presented by Earth Fare. Finish out Beer Week with a bang. Chef apprentice Kelsey Laird of Ratcliffe on the Green will demonstrate how to cook fresh Carolina fish battered in Carolina Blonde Ale with a side of shoestring chips. This updated version of “Fish ‘n’ Chips” promises to…
Questions missed by the media
Since, for once, the May 6 North Carolina presidential primary is important, wouldn’t it be nice if people knew what they were voting for, or against, when they head to the voting booth? Unfortunately, the media, which showed marked improvement in the earlier primaries by covering substantive issues, have reverted to their old habits. Lately,…
A campy regression orgy for adults
Pain and difficulty have no more place in American life than handicaps or inequalities, so only a few who enter McColl Family Theatre to absorb Schoolhouse Rock Live! will pause to question its root principle: “Learning should be fun — it should be like a game!” Back in the early 1970s, of course, such thinking…
Palmystery
The Deal: Bassist redefines the range and direction of the bottom end. The Good: What makes Victor Wooten such an outstanding musician is not only his versatility with the bass as a lead instrument, but his ability to jump around in such in a wide variety of genres, sounding equally at home in each. For…
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…
The art and soul of hip-hop
Art, Beats + Lyrics hopes to inject new life into a troubled art form
Leavin’ the Game on Luckie St.
The Deal: Musical daredevils keep the rock going strong on their second live DVD, recorded at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. The Good: Georgia-native Walker plays for two hours to a huge crowd of crazed fans. “Uncomfortably Numb,” starts the set and 21 more songs follow. Some highlights are “Maybe It’s Just Me,” “Bethamphetamine,” “Don’t Move,”…
Letters to the editor
Bus, stop So Cheris Hodges gives up driving for a week to ride CATS (“Diary of a CATS rider,” April 9). BFD. I sold my Ford Ranger to reduce my carbon footprint and show respect for Momma Earth. For at least a month, I vowed to ride the bus on my commute. I’d read the…
You’ll want these 88 Minutes back
Wasting time
Accelerate
The Deal: Hall-of-Fame rockers release 14th album, first CD in four years. The Good: The band credited with putting Athens, Ga., on the map and creating a new wave of modern rock decades ago has returned to form with their latest disc. It kicks off with the up-tempo “Living Well Is The Best Revenge” before…
Last week on The CLog …
Baltimore teacher gets jumped: “Have we gotten to the point where a teacher cannot ask a student who is disruptive to sit down without fear of retribution? This teacher had just started teaching in December. What is the likelihood of her continuing when getting jumped in a classroom is justified by the school principal? Is…
Low-key Pane e Vino makes a big impression
In the neighborhood
Salute the new and reopened in the local food industry
• The National Cooperative Grocers Association suggests the following ways to celebrate Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22: Eat only locally grown and organic foods; support a sustainable deli or restaurant; join a Community Supported Agriculture; attend or host an Earth Dinner; plant a produce garden. • The Waxhaw Farmers’ Market opens Saturday, April 26 with…
Students learn disrespecting teachers goes unpunished
Jolita Berry, a high school art teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School in Baltimore, was recently attacked by a female student. After asking the girl to sit down, she was confronted by the girl, who said that she was going to “bang” her. Berry told the girl that she was in violation of her…
Ben Caylor, Hell’s Kitchen
Chef Ben Caylor of Cornelius was working as an electrician before auditioning for Hell’s Kitchen.
The Orangeburg massacre
Sen. Barack Obama is clearly a bad bowler. The networks rolled the video clip of his gutter ball endlessly across our TV screens. It was an Internet favorite. The media served it, and the public ate it up. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, the host of Hardball, hammed it up when interviewing Obama on the campus of…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
WHERE’S THE LOVE: A 40-year-old woman said her husband, who no longer lives with her, called her numerous times in the span of three hours to harass and threaten her. She reported that her husband had threatened her before, but she thinks he might follow through with his new threats because he has more animosity…
Tom Cohen
“Don’t draw your sword unless you are prepared to use it.” These might sound like the words of a violent man, but martial arts instructor, licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist Tom Cohen considers himself a laid-back kind of guy. “I am drawn to martial arts because I love the art of what I do. I…
Sara Bareilles shocked by success of first single
It’s difficult not to turn on the radio or television these days and hear “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles.
Karma Cleanser
Dear Karma Cleanser: What is that saying, “No good deed goes unpunished?” Well, when I saw a person who was in trouble, I tried to help her, but it only caused grief for me. My good friend M. had been having fits with her daughter, who is 17 and heading down a bad path. The…
The scapegoating of Mr. Johnson
Last week, the powers that be circled the wagons around the city’s corporate elite after Bobcats owner Bob Johnson committed the ultimate faux pas — airing his dirty laundry with them in public. That simply isn’t done here. In the process, Johnson officially shattered the status quo that everything is just peachy with the arena.…
After 30 years, Ministry says C U LaTour
One last fix
Another dead stepfather
The last thing Grant needs is another dead stepfather. It seems like just the other day that the last one died, leaving all kinds of things to be cleaned out of the house. Even though Grant is a four-star scavenger, he’s still pretty particular about the trash piles he’ll pillage, and his dead stepfather’s stuff…
Baracking all night long
Tasty tidbits The cooks of M5 Modern Mediterranean show off their culinary skills at Taste of the Nation on April 16 at the Wachovia Atrium. Can you hear me? Vocalist/rapper Estelle leans in toward the crowd at Amos’ Southend during her concert, which was hosted by John Legend, Wed., April 16. Local support Bruce…
No one minds making Fire Station No. 4 a landmark?
Firehouse dispute
Stargazer Horoscope
Taurus The Bull: (April 20 — May 19) This is a time that will test the solidity of your relationships. Dormant or hidden tensions that are gnawing at the edges of any relationship are likely to become apparent now. Make an effort to recognize the difference between ego conflicts and genuine issues. For All Signs:…
Pop life returns!
Been having fun lately? No? Maybe that’s because you’ve been missing your weekly fix of the Creative Loafing/Sol Kitchen-sponsored event known as Pop Life. (Yeah, that must be the problem.) Well don’t fret — come Wed., April 30, Pop Life is back! And this time we’ve moved to a brand-new location: Loft 1523 (1523 Elizabeth…
Community: The city’s alive with the sound of music
Spring is finally here, and that means Alive After Five has returned to help us shake off that after-work stress. Come out this week and listen to your old Rolling Stones favorites from tribute band Satisfaction while sipping on frozen drinks, beer and wine. There will be grilled food this year to accompany those beverages…
Capsule reviews of films playing locally
Current Releases DR. SEUSS’ HORTON HEARS A WHO! In Horton’s world, “a person’s a person, no matter how small,” but in our world, a mediocre movie’s a mediocre movie, no matter how overhyped, overblown and overbearing. There are some who will give this animated film a free ride by virtue of the fact that it’s…
The prophecies of Lockstock and Barrel
Transferring to the Henry Miller Theatre on September 20, 2001, Urinetown was the first of those theater mutants that seemed to spring up spontaneously on- and off-Broadway in the wake of the attack on the Twin Towers — followed by Topdog/Underdog, Homebody/Kabul, Bat Boy the Musical, and The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? What continues…
Sports: This is not a test
For serious athletes it doesn’t get any bigger than the Olympics. This weekend more than 130 paddlers will compete in the fight of their lives to get one step closer to stardom in the 2008 Olympic Team Trials Whitewater Slalom. Come out to show support your favorite contender on their quest for the gold and…
DVD reviews: Cloverfield, The Golden Compass, more
CLOVERFIELD (2008). The logistics of probability dictate that critics will occasionally overlap by describing a given movie with the same phrase, and here was Cloverfield to set the bar at its highest point yet when it comes to literary redundancy. Upon its theatrical release, it was almost impossible not to describe this terror tale as…
The Roots keep Rising
The Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots has been making music through live instrumentation for more than 20 years. Their latest album, Rising Down, will be released on April 29 and it’s their eighth studio effort since their 1993 debut, Organix. We recently spoke with drummer Amir “?uestlove” Thompson by phone from a tour stop in…
Sports: See you at the races
What better way to spend a beautiful spring afternoon than at the 13th Annual Queen’s Cup Steeplechase? Get there early; the festivities begin at 10 a.m. with pony rides for the kids and a military display. Continue your afternoon with a McAlisters Deli Tailgate Contest and the Iams Terrier Races. The real fun begins at…
