Make money by eating a pizza
Paventi’s Pizzeria has a jackpot of at least $200, that will be given to anyone who successfully (without cheating or breaking any rules) completes The Paventi’s Challenge. It sounds enticing doesn’t it? But, can you scarf down a one topping, 32-inch pizza in 60-minutes or less? The massive N.Y. style pizza consists of four pounds…
Your age is showing
I don’t get it. I really just…don’t…get it. To be fair, I didn’t “get” Hanson either, and these twits seem to the tight-pants reincarnation of the blonde boys-who-looked-like-girls. Supposedly, some of these are wax statues, but damned if I can tell them apart. On a side note, my grandfather owned a pair of shoes just…
Where should we go for lunch?
Everyone has a place they frequent for lunch or dinner. Around our office, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Alexander Michael’s and Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe are pretty popular. Favorite dishes, a variety of options, good service — there are lots of reasons why we keep going back. One thing I never seem to really take notice of —…
The three holy stooges
You know a country’s in trouble when not one, not two, but three preachers are in the national news at the same time — particularly the kinds of preachers who just lo-o-o-o-ve to see their faces on TV and their names in print (preferably on a freshly donated check). In the past week, we’ve seen…
Pop Life moves
Pop Life — the eclectic nightlife event produced by Creative Loafing and local entertainment company The Sol Kitchen — is changing venues. The event — which boasted huge crowds every Wednesday — was being held at Loft 1523, but the decision was made to find a new location. Why? Well, it’s always good to keep…
Dixie’s Tavern, 8/18/08
Mondays used to be for recuperating after a long weekend of partying. Not anymore. Check out these photos from Dixie’s Tavern last night. Photos by Tricia Gillis
Someone won free John Mayer tickets!
We have a winner! I gave away 2 Executive Suite, V.I.P tickets to John Mayer & Paramore for tomorrow night at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Well all they had to do is complete a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded in 2.5 minutes. Just kidding – all the winner did was e-mail me and told me which Anheuser-Busch beer…
Drumming in the library?
You would think a library staff’s worst fear would be the banging of steel drums (or any others in the percussion family) amidst a quiet, book friendly atmosphere. But, it obviously isn’t at Charlotte’s Main Library, which will host Hear Steel Drums Play, tomorrow (Aug. 19) in the Movies and Music room (Don’t worry, no…
New executive director for Uptown Shelter
The Uptown Shelter has hired a new executive director. W. Carson Dean will begin full-time in September, according to an e-mail received today from the shelter. Dean comes to the shelter from the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness and has an extensive resume. The shelter, which provides housing, rehabilitation and other services, has a…
Live Review: Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Aug. 17, 2008 The Deal: 90s alt-rockers Stone Temple Pilots return to the stage, bring along retro-rock trio Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The Good: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club followed TAB the band with a retro rock set full of feedback and laid-back vibes. It…
All Stars Bar & Grill, 8/16/08
Check out photos of folks styling and profiling at All Stars last weekend. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh
HOM, 8/15/08
The Marathon Man Doc Martin did his spinning thing at HOM last Friday. He spun and we took photos. Works for us. Photos by Tricia Gillis
Suite, 8/14/08
After Epicentre at 5 dwindles down, we’ve found that some of the crowd migrates to Suite. Why not? It’s kind of cool to be looking down at the street from their balcony slightly faded. Photos by Ben Koski
Auction of Luvvv @ Dixie’s Tavern, 8/14/08
Dixie’s Tavern and Rockhouse Events hosted the 4th annual Auction of Luvvv. The charity bachelor/bachelorette auction raised funds to benefit Brandon Smiles. Photos by Christina Sakaoglu
Epicentre at 5, 8/14/08
Despite the rain, Epicentre at 5 still popped off, and we stopped through to grab a few shots last Thursday. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography
Boring but beautiful
Singer/songwriter Nikki Jean (catch her singing the hook on rapper Lupe Fiasco’s song “Hip Hop Saved My Life”) posts really boring video blogs on a daily basis. Her newest one is about taking baths. Yawn, right? But, damn, she looks good. I’m in love! And she can sing, too. \\\\\\\\\\
Boring but beautiful
Singer/songwriter Nikki Jean (catch her singing the hook on rapper Lupe Fiasco’s song “Hip Hop Saved My Life”) posts really boring video blogs on a daily basis. Her newest one is about taking baths. Yawn, right? But, damn, she looks good. I’m in love! And she can sing, too. \\\\\\\\\\
Waste of gas?
CMS sent school buses on a trial run today. The school system does this every year, but the news still shows kids getting home at 8 p.m. the first day — and sometimes the first week — of school. What are these buses doing besides wasting gas? We’ve all heard Superintendent Peter Gorman and others…
Live Review: The Whigs
The Whigs w/ The Old Ceremony Visulite Theatre Aug. 17, 2008 The Deal: Athens, Ga., trio plays for a big crowd, brings along Chapel Hill opener. The Good: It seems like every show I go to these days, The Old Ceremony is opening. That’s not a bad thing though as the Chapel Hill band plays…
Today’s Menu (8/17/2008)
American Idols Live Can anyone name the contestants from this year’s show? Sure, there was, um, that creepy guy … and a country girl … and that young kid … oh, who cares? Idol winners from reality past are being dropped from their record labels left and right. Inaugural winner Kelly Clarkson seems to have…
Live Review: Smashing Pumpkins
Smashing Pumpkins Ovens Auditorium Aug. 16, 2008 The Deal: ’90s alt-rockers pack Ovens Auditorium for two-and-a-half hour show. The Good: The house was packed as Billy Corgan and the gang went through a variety of songs from their career – the hits and obscure. The show kicked off with last year’s hit comeback single, “Tarantula.”…
Today’s Menu (8/16/2008)
The Whigs I haven’t yet drank the Kool-Aid when it comes to this Athens trio; the Replacements and Guided By Voices touchstones seem awfully obvious, suggesting the band has yet to evolve into their own skin. The over-reliance on riffs vs. hooks also separates them from their progenitors. Still, there’s no denying the high wattage,…
On a mission with The Whigs
When it’s a Saturday night and Athens-based rockers The Whigs are in town (at The Visulite Theatre on Aug. 16) you gotta’ get out — “like a vibration.” Solid, rusty garage rock that crosses over into ’70s rock ’n’ roll, grunge and indie music territories is hard to find these days, but The Whigs do…
I’ll stick with beer…
So, what’s your drink of choice? I’ve always stuck with beer at bars and concerts – it’s cheaper than liquor. It always amazes me how much Red Bull people drink. I’ve never tasted carbonated urine, but I’m guessing that’s a pretty close second in flavor to Red Bull. People consume the energy drink with vodka,…
Today’s Menu (8/15/2008)
Great Lakes Another band with six degrees of Elephant 6 separation, the now N.Y.C.-based duo of Dan Donahue and Ben Crum craft handsome minor-key pop melodies that resonate with more rock ‘oomph’ – and less overt psychedelia – than many of their old Athens brethren. The band also features members of Mice Parade, the Ladybug…
Bush’s idiocy comes home to roost in Georgia
How pathetic is George W. Bush? A day after Preznit Cowboy strutted and made a big TV show of announcing that the US military would damned well bring humanitarian aid to Georgia — “and we expect unfettered access to Georgia’s ports and airports” — the administration had to back down because Bush had spoken too…
Star bores
George Lucas’ empire strikes out By Matt Brunson STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS *1/2 DIRECTED BY Dave Filoni STARS Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein Pop quiz, hotshot. Which line of dialogue does not appear in a Star Wars movie? A) “May the Force be with you.” B) “Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy…
Woody’s European vacation
Livin’ la vida loca in Spain By Matt Brunson VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA **1/2 DIRECTED BY Woody Allen STARS Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson A ménage a trois between the luscious, Olympic-worthy team of Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz is one of the various expressions of intimacy found in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, but viewers shouldn’t…
Faith no more
Inspiring saga turns heavy-handed By Matt Brunson HENRY POOLE IS HERE **1/2 DIRECTED BY Mark Pellington STARS Luke Wilson, Radha Mitchell Faith-based movies aren’t exactly overflowing at the multiplexes, so it’s nice to see sincere religious overtones in a picture that flies in the face of typical mainstream fare which generally paints all Christians as…
I’ll stick with beer…
So, what’s your drink of choice? I’ve always stuck with beer at bars and concerts – it’s cheaper than liquor. It always amazes me how much Red Bull people drink. I’ve never tasted carbonated urine, but I’m guessing that’s a pretty close second in flavor to Red Bull. People consume the energy drink with vodka,…
Quote of the week!
• Old-time actor Ernest Borgnine reveals how, at 91, he’s able to stay young. In short, he suggests that masturbation is the new Botox. Other random shit, like David Silver wanting to be the Riddler in the next Batman movie
Cinderella is a jailbird
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and other fictional fixtures of modern-day childhood were handcuffed, frisked and loaded into police vans Thursday at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth. The arrest of the 32 protesters, many of whom wore costumes representing famous…
Please help me!
By Chinese gymnast Deng Linlin Hello. I would like to take this opportunity to say that we Chinese gymnasts are exactly the same as you regular people. Like you, as soon as we build up the muscles in our baby necks to support the weight of our heads, we are torn away from our parents…
Dole gets slammed
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee just released a new video slamming Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Check it out: \\\\\\\\\\
Dole gets slammed
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee just released a new video slamming Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Check it out: \\\\\\\\\\
Zink (finally) reopens
This just in from the folks at Zink restaurant: ZINK AMERICAN KITCHEN RE-OPENS WITH A FRESH NEW MENU Charlotte, NC — Zink American Kitchen, located at 201 North Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte, has reopened after several months of extensive kitchen renovations. Owned and operated by Harper’s Restaurant Group, Zink is a long-time favorite of…
The Weekender
Friday, Aug. 15 Film Tropic Thunder: Yes, TT opened on Wednesday, but today’s your day to catch up. The action film-within-a-film is surprisingly hilarious, and will (almost!) make you forget the past flops of Ben Stiller. Ol’ Zoolander wisely shares the stage to let his co-stars shine, and each actor entices giggles from the audience.…
Scorpio, 8/13/08
Free draft beer (with $10 admission) and a drag show? Hell yeah we were up in Scorpio last night. Check out the photos! Photos by Kat Bidwell
PRSA Young Professionals @ BlackFinn, 8/13/08
The PRSA Young Professionals chilled out last night at the Epicentre’s newest hot spot, BlackFinn American Saloon. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff
The Dark Knight + Hancock = …
The answer after the jump. And no, I am not a 12-year-old boy, but I still giggled like one. Yep, a real photo!
Plan to ‘Take it Outside’ on Thursdays
Tomorrow, Thurs., Aug. 14, the U.S. National Whitewater Center will begin its Take it Outside concert series, which features different performers every Thursday through Oct. 30. The center will also offer food and drink specials. All shows begin at 7 p.m. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 820 Hawfield Road. 704-391-3900. www.usnwc.org. Aug. 14 – 74 Southbound…
Safe sex
A 43-year-old Romanian father of five told doctors that he and his wife didn’t want any more children. Their obvious solution was to start using protection, but the condoms his wife bought were a bit “roomy.” Nicolae Popovici figured he would make the condoms fit by using Super Glue to glue the condom to his…
News Roundup 8/13/08
Aid ordered to Georgia: President Bush has directed the U.S. military to lead a humanitarian mission to Georgia where tens of thousands have been forced out of their homes, following a Russian invasion last week described by Georgia’s president as an “ethnic cleansing.” Meanwhile, Bush orders Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Tbilisi to show U.S.…
Today’s Menu (8/13/08)
River City Rebels A punk and ska-tinged rock band with more lineup changes than the current administration’s war department, RCR began life as The SKAtenders before signing to Victory Records changing members some more, recording with the likes of Jesse Malin, Duane Peters and Sylvain Sylvain, giving themselves nicknames, fighting through a few drug habits,…
Now auditioning…
“Since Brittney won’t come out of retirement we had to make her a judge,” said Brandii McCoy, the director and choreographer of the Bobcats dance team before the start of the first round of auditions for the Lady Cats. And coming from her, I took that as the biggest compliment – and perhaps the biggest…
CL Movie Ratings
Here are Creative Loafing’s star ratings for all movies playing in the Charlotte area through Thursday. See this week’s issue for select reviews and our Web site’s archives for all reviews. Baby Mama – *** Brideshead Revisited – **1/2 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – *** The Dark Knight – **** Get Smart -…
Slut: Lewd from New York
Plus, a fine education
Can Obama win?
Welcome to another edition of Ask Boomer With Attitude, live from Charlotte, N.C., where a sucker punch thrown by a spoiled, overpaid jock can command a week’s worth of news coverage. Let’s get on with the show. Dear BWA: A few months ago you wrote that Barack Obama couldn’t win the election because of white…
CD Review: John Mellencamp
The Deal: Having released roughly 20 albums, Mellencamp shows he still has what it takes, with the help of producer T Bone Burnett. The Good: It’s as if Mellencamp has stripped away any of the cheese or glam and gotten back to his down-and-dirty roots. Hints of rockabilly (“My Sweet Love”) and country mix in…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
DANGERS OF D.I.Y. REMODELING: A 46-year-old woman said she was assaulted by a family member for moving furniture in his house without permission. The woman was a guest in her relative’s home and took it upon herself to do a little remodeling. When her relative saw what she did, he got angry and tried to…
Spirit of Independence Boulevard
Struggling shops on one of Charlotte’s busiest roads wait for change
CD Review: IRMA THOMAS
The Deal: The Soul Queen of New Orleans retains her title. The Good: Irma Thomas’ latest, Simply Grand, might be a little more low-key than some of her past work, but with that voice, it’s enough to keep you vibrating. It’s a concept album, with each cut accompanied by a different pianist. Although some of…
A padded butt
Grant has finally got himself a big black ass. This after years of complaining that his own ass, which is not big and not black, won’t hold up his pants. These complaints center on the fact that somehow his cargo shorts end up around his knees as he’s lugging beer kegs back from the walk-in…
Civic events in Charlotte
Public safety and Justice Committee Meeting The Mecklenburg County Justice and Public Safety Committee will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 20th at 8:30 a.m. in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East Fourth St., Conference Room 267. The meeting is open to the public. www.charmeck.org. Peace Vigils Every Wednesday 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Corner of Hawthorne…
CD Review: The Manhattans
The Deal: Old school soul collection from often overlooked legendary soul group. The Good: The Manhattans were one of the smoothest soul outfits ever to lay tongues to a groove. Their velvety harmonies encompassed the best features of soul giants the Chi-Lites and the Temptations. Even the most rabid old school soul fan won’t recognize…
Stargazer
Leo The Lion: (July 22-Aug. 22) The eclipses of this 18-month cycle are drawing your attention to your partnerships. What is your pattern in Significant Relationships? What needs to be repaired or improved? It is crucial to search out solutions that favor everyone concerned. Recapitulation of old habits will simply regenerate the same old traumas.…
Letters to the editor
Mary Jane is not to blame I just read your recent column on legalizing pot with interest (Boomer With Attitude: “High time to decriminalize pot” by John Grooms, Aug. 6). I must say that I don’t share your feelings regarding your friend’s son. It is of course a tragedy that a young life is affected…
Threats, lies and audiotape
It was like an action movie. A young man held at night in a hotel, threatened with prison. He is to be shipped off to war in the morning. His friends desperately trying to find him. The “down” button on the elevator had been disabled. He considered jumping from the window. When his friends arrive,…
Film Clips
Current Releases BRIDESHEAD REVISITED Think of this new film version as instant coffee: If you don’t have time to savor the 300-plus pages of Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel or all 11 hours of the 1981 British miniseries, then a quick gulp of this 135-minute adaptation might suffice. Roughly set between the two world wars, the…
A vast wasteland
Reality television pretty much sucks. I often marvel at the types of reality shows that people will watch with absolutely no production value at all. Big Brother is a huge hit for CBS, but I cannot comprehend why anyone would watch a bunch of people in a house plot and scheme against each other just…
View from the couch
MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY (2008). Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is the sort of airy confection that will be dismissed by many as a pleasant but forgettable bauble, and that’s OK. But catch it on the proper wavelength, and its pleasures are not only bountiful but durable. It’s romantic without being cynical,…
Wild things
Cha, cha, cha Jubblin Ramirez shows people how to salsa dance at the Havana Social Club in Cornelius, Aug. 7. Tone Loc-o Old-school rap icon Tone Loc gets into the groove Aug. 8 at the Breakfast Club’s YO! MTV Raps 20-year anniversary party. Irish eyes Two young onlookers marvel at the sights…
Super size me
Macho men rule hilarious comedy and compelling documentary
The one that got away
Attorney Richard S. Gordon considers what happened to Dr. Edward Friedland to be one of the “atrocities” perpetrated by our justice system, right up there with the Duke lacrosse case and the Little Rascals Day Care case. That’s a strong statement coming from Gordon, the Mecklenburg County assistant district attorney who once prosecuted Friedland for…
Breaking the cynical cycle
As I age, my cynicism ripens. So many wines smack of sugared-up, watered-down grape juice with no soul, and I wistfully yearn for those tasting of love, care and skilled craftsmanship. Occasionally, out of the morass emerges a ray of vinous hope … I doubted it was still possible, but a few devoted wineries have…
Night fever! Pop Life returns with DJ Larmarrous
Fans of nightlife, take heed: Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen have got a few good events in store for you: • First, check out this week’s edition of the Pop Life. Going down at Loft 1523 (1523 Elizabeth Ave.) this Wednesday (Aug. 13), the event features music by Atlanta-based DJ Larmarrous. He’ll be spinning…
A recipe for eggs-cellent egg foo yung
The Chinese express
THEATER: 1, 2, 3 … night stands
Rock on, party animals! Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte promises you an evening of mindless merriment as they premiere the new improved version of SLUT, the rock musical inspired by South Park and bent on booty. The salacious tuner was a sell-out hit at the 2003 International Fringe Fest in New York with an off-Broadway run…
Some *Rockstar* wants to be me
Apparently, I had a BFF on MySpace by the name of *Rockstar*. Although I don’t even know who this girl is, assuming it’s a girl, she had my entire life chronicled using the stolen physical identity of my friend, Blair. The elaborate page consisted of my blogs, as well as my columns for which she…
COMEDY: Gardell brings big laughs
Whether he’s starring in feature films like Bad Santa (along side of Billy Bob Thornton) or in popular TV shows like CSI, Judging Amy or Desparate House Wives, actor and comedian Billy Gardell catches an eye. While showcasing his comedy, he’s opened for high ranking acts like George Carlin and Dennis Miller and that’s just…
Paramore: At least they’re enjoying the ride
Somewhere on a stretch of Interstate 40 between Memphis, Tenn., and Little Rock, Ark., a Mazda 5 is zipping down the road with Zac and Josh Farro. The brothers, half of the rock band Paramore, are on their way to a gig. While they planned to take a plane with plenty of time to spare,…
SPOKEN WORD: Word to the wise
Local poet/promoter J.C. Cowan has worked to keep the art of spoken word alive in Charlotte for nearly a decade. So, it’s only fitting that some of the city’s (and the nation’s) top poetic talents would come out to celebrate Cowan’s official birthday bash — dubbed Poetry in Motion. Expect to see spoken word stars…
Volatile Baby’s volatile harmony
It’s the ultimate compliment you can pay to a group of singers not related to each other. You can’t learn it. It’s instinctive. Known as blood harmony, it’s the sound of voices entwining so seamlessly that it had to have originated in the DNA. Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family had it, as did the…
MUSIC: Pilot rock
Post-grunge rockers The Stone Temple Pilots will take the stage of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Aug. 17 to perform their hard-rock, heavy-riffed best of ’90s hits and newbies. To be sober or not to be sober? That’s the ultimate question, for frontman Scott Weiland, who is known for his frequent bouts of boozed up performances.…
Charlotte Folk Society moves into Stella Center
For the last 26 years, the Charlotte Folk Society has been holding concerts and jam sessions on the Central CPCC Campus. Now, the group has a place of its own — The Great Aunt Stella Center. Located at 926 Elizabeth Ave., the downtown landmark was originally designed as a church. The former sanctuary offers great…
MUSIC: Lingering Souls
The Ohio-based alternative band Blessid Union of Souls debuted in the music scene with the 1995 album Home. Hits like “Let Me Be The One,” “I Believe,” and “All Along” streamed across the radio stations, and listeners tied up the phone lines requesting those heart-wrenching, catchy vibes. Following their first album was 1997’s self-titled album…
Charlotte Bestsellers List
1. 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller with Betsy Thorpe 2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer 3. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch 4. The Shack by William P. Young 5. The Wilde Women by Paula Wall 6. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer 7. Big Russ and Me: Father and Son: Lessons…
CL previews upcoming Charlotte shows
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13 River City Rebels A punk and ska-tinged rock band with more lineup changes than the current administration’s war department, RCR began life as The SKAtenders before signing to Victory Records changing members some more, recording with the likes of Jesse Malin, Duane Peters and Sylvain Sylvain, giving themselves nicknames, fighting through a…
Music: Say hello
After releasing her sophomore album Hello…x, California gal Tristan Prettyman is continuing to tour. She’s playing all those acoustic melodies that blur between pop and a mixture of country, blues and folk. Take for instance, the album’s first single “Madly Madly,” which is gleefully streaming with guitar, piano and drum beats. Then there’s the more…
War Heroes
Superstar comic book creators Mark Millar and Tony Harris will be making a rare stop in Charlotte Aug. 17 to promote their new War Heroes comic … and that got me thinking about this team’s old comics. I’ve been a fan of Millar’s writing and Harris’ art for quite a long time now, so –…
Stone Temple Pilots return … for how long?
I can remember it like it was yesterday — walking into Vintage Vinyl, an indie record store in New Jersey, back in 1992 and picking up a copy of Core by Stone Temple Pilots. When I told my brother — and fellow music aficionado — Brian about it, he said, “Why did you buy that?…
ART: Art of travels
Providence Gallery’s new exhibit Summer Sojourn, takes viewers on an adventure through the sights of the natural landscapes and seascapes preserved on canvas by traveling artists. From as far away as Italy and as close as the Blue Ridge Parkway in N.C., these works of art really look like the real thing. On display through…
Call to action
Charlotte Unitarian Universalist minister Melissa Mummert is a soft-spoken woman who upon first meeting might strike one as shy or timid. But the work she has done on the documentary film Perversion of Justice speaks volumes. In her first documentary, Rev. Mummert follows the story of Hamedah Hasan and her three daughters over four years…
Ask the editor
Q: So what do you think about John Edwards screwing around on his wife? A: Unless Edwards violated some laws (which some are speculating), I honestly don’t think it’s anybody’s business. And I really hope no one tries to, in any way, link this to the current presidential election. It’s common knowledge that John McCain…
Love me tender
AUG. 14 — Check out the new Plan B Restaurant (in the former location of City Tavern on 1514 East Blvd.); the eatery’s got TVs for all those football fanatics, and this Thursday it will feature live music from Leisure McCorkle. Other weekly night events include trivia night on Tuesdays and half-price martinis on Wednesdays…
