Apr 27 – May 3, 2010

Apr 27 - May 3, 2010 / Vol. 24 / No. 9

Brew up a winner…

The US Open Homebrew Competition will be held at Charlotte’s Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on May 15. The winning recipe will be brewed on a commercial scale. Want to enter? See the press release below. Charlotte, NC — Homebrewers from throughout the Carolinas and across the US have an opportunity to showcase their original beers at…

Priscilla Tsai

BP already scamming coastal residents

Just when you thought big oil companies couldn’t get any worse, British Petroleum ups the ante. BP, apparently not content with losing an oil rig and pumping oil directly into the Gulf for God knows how long, has now been caught trying to scam Alabama citizens into giving up their right to sue over the…

John Grooms

Korn tickets on sale

Tickets for the Monday, May 3, Korn concert at the Fillmore are on sale for $20 until midnight on Saturday. Great chance to check them out in a small club.

Jeff Hahne

Concert announcement: Counting Crows

Counting Crows will return to the Uptown Amphitheatre on July 14 with their Traveling Circus and Medicine Show. Augustana will also be with them again. Tickets go on sale on May 7. Reminder from last year – get there early. Counting Crows starts the show on stage and the bands rotate all night.

Jeff Hahne

MerleFest this weekend

MerleFest is in full swing up in Wilkesboro, N.C. this weekend. The four-day event started yesterday and wraps up on Sunday. Located roughly an hour and a half north of Charlotte, the festival has been paying tribute to Merle Watson since 1988. Among Saturday’s performers are Elvis Costello, Steve Martin with Steep Canyon Rangers, The…

Jeff Hahne

Is Burr addicted to Bayer?

The folks at BlueNC have discovered some eye-opening info about our favorite U.S. senator, Richard Burr (R-NC). It turns out that the man whom many call Sen. Do-Little has actually been pretty busy, although not, as Burr claims, busy “working for North Carolinians.” Rather, says the BlueNC investigation, Burr has been preoccupied helping the German-owned…

John Grooms

Va. gun lobby: Guns and alcohol do mix

Picking this week’s Stupid Thing of the Week was easy. It’s not too often — as in, “never, before now” — that someone other than a drunken gun freak promotes the concept of drinking while carrying a firearm. Be forewarned, though, that people in our neighbor state, Virginia, are considering the possibility. The leader of…

John Grooms

Bunny Gregory

3 songs currently playing on your ipod: “I’m going in, Take Five, and Baby Wait for Me.” i love: “Learning new shit and power tools!” hometown: “Da Queen City babee! Native Charlottean.” i want to be remembered for: “Being real, sincere and strong.” rum or vodka?: “Rather have an expensive ice cold beer.” plug: “If…

Jasiatic

Another day, another killer cop let loose

It would be great to be able to say that the suspended sentence given to former police officer Martray Proctor is “unbelievable,” but it’s sadly all too believable. Police who kill are never given jail time in this city – whether you slam into somebody while driving way too fast, get trigger-happy and kill a…

John Grooms

Crown Town Handmade’s Make Out sessions

At first thought, Crown Town Handmade’s — a new Charlotte group of artistic entrepreneurs — launch of Make Out sessions may send your mind straight to the gutter. But trust us, it’s not raunchy at all. Folks gather not to stick tongues down each other’s throats, but rather to create crafts with expertise from local…

Anita Overcash

New band from Trent Reznor

So, apparently Trent Reznor and his wife are making music together under the monicker How to Destroy Angels. Looks like new music from the Nine Inch Nails headmaster could be due this summer. Sounds kinda like NIN, if you ask me: 01 from How To Destroy Angels on Vimeo.

Jeff Hahne

Arizona law exposes Tea Party hypocrisy

Arizona’s new, police-state immigration law is so repressive and un-American, even hard-core rightwingers and anti-illegal-immigrant stalwarts like Karl Rove and Rep. Tom Tancredo are speaking out against it. Under the law, police in Arizona can stop anyone at any time and order him/her to produce proof that he/she is in the U.S. legally; all the…

John Grooms

Mother’s Day at Morton’s

Morton’s The Steakhouse is preparing a special Mother’s Day menu for May, 9, priced at $59 per person. The menu will include: Salad ~ (choice of one) Morton’s Salad Morton’s Blue Cheese Dressing, Chopped Egg, Anchovies Caesar Salad, Classic Dressing Entrée ~ (choice of one) Single Cut Filet Mignon, Bearnaise Sauce Filet Oskar, Asparagus, Jumbo…

Priscilla Tsai

$35,000 for Warren Turner report?!

Everyone’s been asking the question: Did City Councilman Warren Turner make sexually inappropriate advances and/or comments to female city employees? Last night, the report of the investigation into those charges was presented, and now I’m asking another question: Why should such a report cost taxpayers $35,000? Let me say up front that Turner’s alleged misconduct…

John Grooms

Take the train

My husband and I love the train. You get plenty of room, you can plug in your electronics and use your cell phone, the people watching rocks, there’s a snack bar — complete with beer, wine and cocktails — and a dining car. And, if you want to spend the extra dough you can get…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

BOOK SIGNING: David Isay at Joseph-Beth Booksellers

Just as important as the art of storytelling is the ability to preserve the stories at hand. That was the concept behind broadcaster, editor and author David Isay’s StoryCorps — a nonprofit organization that gives folks the opportunity to record, share and preserve life stories via CD at the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center,…

Anita Overcash

Nothing blue about Blue Taj

The difference between a good restaurant and an exciting restaurant is in the detail. Good restaurants have the food, albeit predictable; the ambiance; the service just so, with some distinguishing touches. An exciting restaurant is as well thought out as a winning military campaign, offering the pleasing aesthetics of intricately woven lace with food that…

Tricia Childress

MUSIC: Charlotte Symphony Pops: Cirque De La Symphonie

The Charlotte Symphony soars (and I mean that quite literally) with its Belk Theater performances on April 30 and May 1. During Charlotte Symphony Pops: Cirque De La Symphonie, the symphony orchestra — playing classical masterpieces of contemporary music — will incorporate an addition to the show with onstage moves by talented acrobats. Albert-George Schram…

Anita Overcash

The Critic’s Apprentice recommends Rock Bottom Brewery

For the lunchtime business crowd or evening game crowd, Rock Bottom Brewery (401 N. Tryon St.) offers a fine menu without digging too deep into the pockets of patrons — and it is my favorite of all restaurants in town. Two reasons for this are the in-house brewed beers: Southern Flyer Light Lager and Sweet…

Monique Gaines

THEATER: Welcome To The Monkey House

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre goes bananas for its latest theatrical adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s satirical classic, Welcome To The Monkey House. The book — published in 1968 — features drastic and intertwining short stories about varying subject matter, exposing human nature and society. You can expect CAST’s stage to become a zoo of exciting extremes…

Anita Overcash

3 questions with Kay Carter, food bank director

We have all seen them — cardboard signs on street corners held up by a person pleading for help. Most of us try not to look, lock our car doors, or roll up our windows. Some people scoff, “Get a job.” Kay Carter, however, dedicates her life to helping the hungry. For over six years…

Nicole Pietrantonio

THEATER: Les Miserables

Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables (adapted into a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg with a libretto by Alain Boubill and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer) is a classic drama about an ex-convict who struggles to rise in the society of 19th century France (which won’t seem to forgive him of his transgressions). Bringing the story to life is…

Anita Overcash

Actual Proof builds unique style from common ground

The blending of drums, keyboards, guitar, bass and a vibraphone joining forces to emit instrumental music may make one think of smooth jazz, but Charlotte’s Actual Proof takes that combination to a whole new level. The quintet’s music finds a solid foothold as much in jazz as it does in funk, rock, blues and soul.…

Jeff Hahne

ART: Mysticism, Apparitions, Dreams..MAD? exhibition at DOMA Gallery

DOMA Gallery’s latest exhibition, Mysticism, Apparitions, Dreams..MAD?, is traveling deep into the hidden realm of the psyche. Featuring photography by Andrea Brown, Igor Malijevsky and Raymond Grubb, this exhibition of photos (like the one pictured, titled ” Underground, Berlin 2001″ by Igor Malijevsky) is sharp and sleek with multiple viewing possibilities. Continues through July 31.…

Anita Overcash

I could use a spring break

Remember when the word “break” was used in a positive connotation, such as “spring break”? It’s something we don’t get in the real world. The corporate spring break equals one week of vacation, for the entire year. But when my 16-year-old niece came to visit me for her spring break, I pretended like I got…

THEATER: Cavalia

Cavalia is described as being enchanting like that of Cirque de Soleil, but with horses — and you can see for yourself during upcoming performances, galloping through Charlotte. Held in “The White Big Top” tent, the show captures the relationship between horse and man, while featuring acrobats, aerialists, dancers and actors, musicians and, of course,…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: Downchild’s I Need a Hat

The Deal: Canadian import is the real thing. The Good: For the past 40 years, Downchild has been churning out blues from an unlikely hangout – Canada. But the inspiration is purely American: Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and Albert King. The title cut is a tongue-in-cheek poke at musicians who need a gimmick to stand…

Grant Britt

THEATER: Evita

Just imagining Queen City Theatre Company’s upcoming performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera, Evita, my head buzzes with the catchy sensation: “Don’t cry for me Argentina.” If you’re anything like me, you’re probably singing it already. Based on the story of Eva Perón — the first lady of Argentina — who…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: She & Him’s Volume Two

The Deal: M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel team up for their sophomore album, follow-up to Volume One. The Good: Deschanel is one of the few actresses who truly have the musical chops to make the switch from the big screen to the music world. Most times, actresses and actors sound like they’re going through the…

Jeff Hahne

The best new baseball books

The long, cold, crappy winter finally ended and now it’s glorious baseball season. Right on cue, we’re here again to help you pick out the best new baseball books. This year’s crop includes three biographies and a great look at the mystique of fastball pitchers. Three are new books and one is a paperback reissue…

Recently signed Wicked Jones has big road ahead of them

Last fall, Charlotte’s Wicked Jones signed to Sonic Soul Records and as the momentum behind the band builds, they’re set to have a big week in their hometown. On Wednesday, April 28, the band will perform on 106.5’s The End Sessions at 1 p.m. That night, they’ll perform at Tremont Music Hall along with Seventh…

Jeff Hahne

Two exhibits open, showcasing hip-hop, comic art

Superheroes and rappers have always had a lot in common. Both wear funny costumes and accessories (spandex, blinged-out chains); both utilize code names in place of government monikers (Batman instead of Bruce Wayne, Ice Cube instead of O’Shea Jackson); and both wield amazing skills and abilities (super strength, devastating mic control). So, with all those…

Carlton Hargro

Decriminalize marijuana, cut prison costs

Last week, Gov. Bev Perdue announced a new research initiative, so we’re here to help her. Perdue is faced with the budget from hell, and a prison population that’s stretching the state’s resources, and, through overcrowding, its sense of human decency. Perdue’s new initiative, shared by the state, the federal Justice Department, the Council of…

Pam Grier visits the Q.C. with a new book

Actress and all-around cool lady Pam Grier’s real-life story rivals any role she’s ever played on the silver screen. The star of ’70s films like Foxy Brown and Coffy and the 1990s hit Jackie Brown, she recently penned her memoir Foxy: My Life In Three Acts (to be released April 28) — and she’s set…

Cheris Hodges

The City Council’s missing sexual harassment policy

All eyes are pointed directly at the Charlotte City Council, which — as of press time — was scheduled to release the findings of its much-discussed sexual harassment investigation on Monday, April 26. According to reports published by The Charlotte Observer, Councilman Warren Turner is alleged to have sexually harassed a female member of the…

Nsenga Burton

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Finders Keepers: A 24-year-old woman called police after she was the victim of a theft. She told officers that she was driving down the road and just happened to drop her purse out the window. When she turned back around for it, an unknown suspect tried to pick it up at the same time. As…

Ryan Pitkin

Justice delayed in Anthony Marcus case

It’s been six years since Judge W. Robert Bell signed the plea deal that let Anthony Earmond Marcus walk out of jail with only probation for stealing Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon’s car. Marcus got eight to 10 months in prison for that, but Bell suspended his prison sentence in May 2004, which means…

How accurate are lie-detector tests?

What’s the effectiveness of a polygraph? Police departments still use them, and the feds still screen applicants using polygraphs, but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled them invalid. Surely they can’t tell if you’re lying, and surely not all lies produce the exact same physiological response in every person. — Rob Lie-detector tests aren’t completely…

Cecil Adams

Artistry trumps appetite at Chrisof Perick’s absentee farewell

Christof Perick’s tenure with the Charlotte Symphony ended very much as it began back in 2001, with Beethoven’s Symphony #9. Only this time, due to the volcanic ash cloud hovering over Europe, Perick couldn’t be here. Nevertheless, since the ensemble our departing maestro has bequeathed to his successor was very much here last weekend at…

Perry Tannenbaum

Horoscope for April 28-May 4, 2010

Taurus The Bull (April 20-May 19): This is the center of a three-to-four week period in which things may break. Give attention to symptoms of machinery in the home or in your car. Issues among family members may be irritating. Avoid battles over ego, which waste your energy. For All Signs: We have a challenging…

Vivian Carol

Theater review: Actor’s Scene Unseen’s The Turn of the Screw

All too briefly, Actor’s Scene Unseen brought their fine production of The Turn of the Screw back to Spirit Square last week in the entertaining Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation of Henry James’s novella. In sponsoring the revival, the Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Coalition proved you can hijack the post-show discussion and interpretation of a literary…

Perry Tannenbaum

CL previews upcoming concerts (April 28-May 3)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 Gift Horse Back from churning up SXSW, Athens, Ga., combo’s Slowdive and shoe-gazer-inspired pop expands the genre infused with fresh blood. There are post-punk sentiments while the guitars ride surf waves with fuzzy highs and lows. The band has just dropped its guitar noise debut recording, Mountain of Youth, that’s also touched…

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of April 28

ALICE IN WONDERLAND Here’s the problem with the vast majority of movies based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass: They’re too tame, too hesitant and too conventional to really tap into the more unsettling aspects of an immortal fantasy that provides as much satisfaction for adults as for…

Matt Brunson

More lame-ass than Kick-Ass

Based on Mark Millar’s popular comic series, Kick-Ass begins as a PG-13 delight before eventually turning into an R-rated ordeal. Adaptations of this sort often squarely fit into the more restrictive rating (e.g. Watchmen, Sin City), and Millar’s illustrated series certainly isn’t for the kiddies. But despite this fact, here’s one graphic (in all senses…

Matt Brunson

Date Night: A diverting evening out

The third time’s the charm thanks to Date Night, a likable lark that just makes the cut due largely to the appeal of stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey. After suffering through the dreadful one-two sucker punch of Did You Hear About the Morgans? and The Bounty Hunter, it’s nice to cozy up to a…

Matt Brunson

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