Apr 23-29, 2014

Apr 23-29, 2014 / Vol. 28 / No. 9

Cover Story

The Other Woman: She’s the Mann

THE OTHER WOMAN **1/2 DIRECTED BY Nick Cassavetes STARS Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann Like father, like son? Like hell. Although he had co-starred in such hits as The Dirty Dozen, Rosemary’s Baby and The Fury, writer-director John Cassavetes was primarily known as the father of independent cinema, thanks to such gritty, self-financed films as Shadows,…

Matt Brunson

Jodorowsky’s Dune: Reflections on the sands of time

JODOROWSKY’S DUNE *** DIRECTED BY Frank Pavich STARS Alejandro Jodorowsky, H.R. Giger It’s the mid-1970s. Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky has never even read Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel Dune, and his filmography contains nothing but movies that might have ruled the midnight circuit (El Topo, The Holy Mountain and Fando and Lis) but were…

Matt Brunson

Weekly horoscope (April 24-29)

For All Signs: This week starts with a triangulated arrangement among Uranus, Pluto and Mars. This combination of planets can light fires of creative discussion among groups. It is also a group of energies that can be explosive. Uranus represents the people, while Pluto represents the corporate bodies and those with power. Mars is the…

Vivian Carol

Keeping it real since 1800

53. Marvel at new life at Renfrow’s Hardware. The old-timey Renfrow Hardware has been a part of the Main Street landscape for 107 years. Opened by gold mining engineer Jefferson “Captain” Renfrow, the store is now known for its extensive organic gardening supplies. In the winter time, owner David Blackley (a family friend of the…

Keia Mastrianni

Begging the question: Turn down for what?

60. Hear your next favorite band in a local music venue. Attend the Find Your Muse open mic night at the Evening Muse to see up-and-coming Charlotte talent as well as a few familiar faces. Sink down into the leather of a Cadillac bench seat while taking in live music at the Chop Shop. Enjoy…

Jeff Hahne

Hot rods and fat parrots: The secret side of Mallville

67. Have a cheap beer with Homeland’s Brody and Carrie. Sort of. Every neighborhood has its own dive bar, even Northlake. Have a beer and shoot a game of pool at T’s Fat Parrot. It’s a member’s only club of sorts that you can check out as a guest. Amenities include cornhole, darts and the…

Jeff Hahne

Cheers to the ‘hood where everybody knows your name

72. Strive to be ping-pong champion under the stars at Thomas Street Tavern. Once voted one of the best neighborhood bars in the country by Esquire magazine, Thomas Street Tavern offers one of the area’s coolest year-round patios. From the covered bar to the cornhole area, the fire pits to the outdoor ping-pong tables, this…

Jeff Hahne

Odd-couple pairings feel just right

84. Twist your muscles into new, awkward positions — then reward yourself with beer. South End is the yoga-and-a-beer capital of Charlotte. On Tuesdays, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery hosts free Yoga on Tap classes, while Dharma Lounge does a donation-based power yoga class (at least until the club closes in May). Every second Wednesday of the…

Ana McKenzie

The ‘fisticated life is closer than you think

79. Yuppie it up on a date night at Whole Foods. Start off with a visit to the wine bar at the back, where, along with whatever cabernet or pinot you fancy, you can order a cheese plate. The best part: The “bartenders” don’t accept tips. When the heavy drunk munchies start creeping in, turn…

Ana McKenzie

Sweet Suburbia has some international options

91. Have a hot night at A Piece of Havana. Its exterior may resemble a nondescript building, but inside A Piece of Havana, a bright island world of flavor and charm awaits. Hot Havana Nights mean mojitos in every flavor, rich sangria and varied martinis, flamenco music and a live band every Friday and Saturday.…

Natalie Howard

Even post-college, UCity knows how to play

96. Kick ass in a gaming tournament at Save Point Video Games. Any Charlotte gamer worth his or her salt knows this hidden gem PWNs the local market. Owner Wilder Hamm offers “knowledge without attitude” at this strip-mall shop packed to the gills with retro games and systems, arcade-style machines for 25 cents a play,…

Hannah Levinson

Set your inner child loose in this adult playground

102. Dip everything in the beer cheese at The Wooden Vine. We’re exaggerating when we say that we would eat a human finger dipped in this cheese, but we may have bitten our own once or twice. Come for the fondue, stay to witness the incredible care taken in the wine selection and cozy atmosphere.…

Megan Henshall

Green space abounds on tony side of town

1. Indulge in the fruits of the sea at Miro Spanish Grill. This excellent eatery specializes in Spanish, Latin and Mediterranean cuisine. If you don’t fill up on the tasty tapas — choice options include patatas bravas (fried potatoes), champiñones al ajillo (sauteed mushrooms) and pulpo (baby octopus) — then try one of the seafood…

Matt Brunson

West Side has something for your body, mind and soul

7. Get your pulse racing at United House of Prayer’s Gospel Shout concert. Every spring, the United House of Prayer showcases an event that gets even the most debauched heathens in the pews: They bring out the trombone choir for the annual Gospel Shout concert. Though they turn it out for the concert, they also…

Emiene Wright

Come hungry for Charlotte’s most diverse restaurant scene

27. Opt for authentic Vietnamese food. Eat at Ben Thanh. Unpretentious, cheap and delicious. Cuong Duong opened the restaurant in 2004 to exalt his mother’s home cooking, and it has since earned praise from nearly every food critic and newspaper in town. But for some reason, it’s always empty (not that we’re complaining). We deemed…

Ana McKenzie

The place to feed unusual appetites

12. Forget your diet at Carolina Cones. Eat an ice cream cone — new flavors include peanut butter pretzel, moon pie, play dough, spumoni and chocolate amaretto — at this cute, non-chain ice shop that opened in 1981. If you’re lucky, the mechanical train that runs along the upper walls will be going when you…

Anita Overcash

Straighten up and fly right on Uptown’s west side

33. Delay your death by taking a lesson at the Fencing Academy. What do George Washington, Ezra Pound and Jimmy Buffett all have in common? They fenced. Be like one of these greats and take an introductory lesson or 10. Fencing Academy offers a one-on-one program of six lessons, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes,…

Kimberly Lawson

Go East, young man! For a main drag that’s anything but …

20. Beast your favorite bar’s trivia night by picking up the Smart-Ass Trivia Game at Paper Skyscraper. This Charlotte institution is the gift shop of all gift shops. Owners Ron and Tim strive to bring in one-of-a-kind goods, including books, stationery, accessories for you and your home, everything you didn’t know you’d need in the…

Anita Overcash

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