At war with itself
Terrorist drama tries to find middle ground By Matt Brunson TRAITOR **1/2 DIRECTED BY Jeffrey Nachmanoff STARS Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce Tackling terrorism on screen is a dicey proposition, often resulting in a push-pull dynamic of trying to make an entertaining crowd-pleaser that nevertheless can’t forget its civic duty to present its ugly subject matter…
Art film influx
Support these (and other) alternative flicks By Matt Brunson @2008 Jean-Louis Blondeau / Polaris Images MAN ON WIRE DIRECTED BY James Marsh STARS Phillipe Petit, Jean-Louis Blondeau TELL NO ONE DIRECTED BY Guillaume Canet STARS Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze It’s been a few weeks since Regal Entertainment Group elected to turn Park Terrace into an…
Live Review: Jon Reep
Live Review: Jon Reep Aug. 28, 2008; McGlohon Theatre, 9:30 p.m. The Deal: Hickory-native and stand-up comedian Jon Reep visited the Q.C. last night, performing two shows at McGlohon Theatre with local opening comedy acts Sean Keenan and Sid Davis. The Good: Jon Reep is hilarious. During his set, he tackled topics like the audacity…
Get over it, people
You just know that’s what the rich powers-that-be at the United Way are thinking — at least if you judge by this Q&A with interim United Way CEO Mac Everett. What a prickly, uh, character. Check it out if you want to be further angered by the current situation. The leadership just clearly aren’t getting…
John McCain picks a woman
I guess the Republicans didn’t want the Democrats to be the only ones with a historic presidential ticket. Senator John McCain has chosen a woman as his running mate. And no, it’s not Condi Rice. Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin will run with McCain, according to CNN.com Palin, 44, who’s in her first term as governor,…
Go Obama!
For those of you without cable who may have missed last night’s historical appearance at the DNC, here’s all 42 minutes of Obama’s moving acceptance speech. \\\\\\\\\\
Meaty shoe
It’s a burger. It’s a sneaker. It’s a Sneaker Burger! Check out this Sneaker Burger created to look like Nike’s Air Max 90. It’s amazing how creative some people can get with food. Mmmm…tastes like dirty socks.
Petra’s Piano Bar & Cabaret, 8/28/08
Obama Pride Charlotte hosted a Democratic National Convention watch party at Petra’s Piano Bar & Cabaret (1919 Commonwealth Ave) on Thursday. Check out the photos here. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff.
The Weekender
Friday, August 29 Film Elegy: Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz star as a professor and former student engaged in a May-December romance. CL’s own film critic Matt Brunson gave this film 3 and ½ stars … check it out for yourself and see if you agree! Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film. Music Elf…
Where’s Tito?
Have you ever wondered what Michael Jackson would look like without the plastic surgery? The Daily Mail of London posted this pic on their Web site. What do you think?
Calling all foodies
Move over, there’s a new blog in town! Read reviews and gaze longingly at luscious photos of food from a diverse array of Charlotte restaurants at The Charlotte Spoon, a food blog written by one Charlotte girl named Julie “and sometimes her boyfriend.” Along with her reviews, she provides extremely helpful information like restaurant website…
New AC/DC
A new AC/DC song, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train,” has been posted on the band’s official Web site. The song will appear on the band’s next album, Black Ice, due out on Oct. 20. So, how is it? Well…it sounds like AC/DC. A big rock riff with the high-pitched vocals of Brian Johnson over it all…
Funniest. URL. Ever.
I just got a notice about a Web site called: www.tbags4me.com. Oh help me Lord, I hope it’s not what I think it is.
Slammin’ Jam
It can be assumed that an event coordinated by “Don’t Hate Productions” is a don’t hate, congregate kind of occasion. As in a non-alcoholic, diverse type of event for which everyone is culturally coexisting and chillin’. Said occasion was Battle Slam Jam at Grayson State Park last Saturday. The event merged two entirely different cultures…
Today’s Menu (8/28/2008)
Black Tusk Savannah’s Black Tusk are a three-piece thrash outfit, but don’t be surprised to hear a little Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind, or Skynyrd in its sound, especially as a bridge to the heavier stuff. There’s real melody here, even though it often gives way to hammer-of-the-gods detuned/D-beat power riffage come time for the “chorus.” Add…
Women = nastiest-looking, most rotten, smelliest fruit or meat?
Misogyny: Pronunciation \m?-?sä-j?-n?\ Function: noun Etymology: Greek misogynia, from misein to hate + gyn? woman. Date: circa 1656 : a hatred of women Ick. What a way to ruin a perfectly good day. Another condescending asshole wrote a “book” — The Re-Education of the Female by Dante Moore — on how to belittle and bully…
Have you met the chief yet?
What are you doing next Tuesday? Here’s an invitation from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Hickory Grove division. Please join Police Chief Rodney Monroe for a community conversation on issues, problems and solutions. Chief Monroe has received numerous requests to meet with community groups and neighborhood associations. In an effort to reach as many communities…
Keywords in the DNC speeches
Al Tompkins, who is a regular columnist for Poynter.org, compiled some key words that speakers used when addressing the Democratic National Convention. This week, Sen. Hillary Clinton leaned most heavily on “America,” “American,” “children” and “Obama”. Michelle Obama used the words “Barack,” “families,” “people,” “dream,” “hope,” “jobs,” “work” and “world” multiple times. To find out…
News roundup 8/28/08
Gustav heads to Jamaica: Tropical Storm Gustav is expected to strengthen to a hurricane late Thursday and pass close to Jamaica, reported the National Hurricane Center. Gustav’s wind is has now reached 70 miles per hour, killing at least 22 people along its path. CNN Child killer sentenced to death: Joseph Duncan III was sentenced…
If blogs were like TV …
Today, Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue made a good point when she said the Republican National Committee is acting illeg… HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! … Heavy rain is swelling creeks throughout Charlotte — see, here’s some footage of actual rain! … GOP candidate Pat McCrory says Perdue’s accusations are “just more of the same hogwa……
DNC pics Part 4
Presenting the fourth installment of our special Democratic National Convention photo gallery — as snapped by Creative Loafing camera god Joeff Davis. Peep this: More to come …
Suite, 8/27/08
Suite at the EpiCentre was full of party-goers and go-go dancers last night. Check out these photos from Wednesday’s College Night. Photos by Kat Taylor.
Hats off to Hillary
Sen. Hillary Clinton brought down the house at the Democratic National Convention. Silencing naysayers, she threw her support behind Senator Barack Obama, challenging attendees to do the right thing and vote for the party. Senator Clinton restored her position as a dynamic, formidable and charismatic leader. She reminded us of what we were missing during…
Reep to perform two comedy shows
The Comedy Zone presents two shows with Jon Reep on Thurs., Aug. 28. at McGlohon Theatre. $25. 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org. Watch one of his past performances in N.Y., below. \\\\\\\\\\
Is New Orleans ready 3 years later?
With Tropical Storm Gustav leaving Haiti Wednesday after killing16 there, and heading for the Gulf of Mexico, many people are worried that it could hit New Orleans, a city that is still staggering from the most infamous hurricane ever, Katrina. With the criticism of his predecessor Kathleen Blanco’s late response probably still fresh in his…
Today’s Menu (8/27/2008)
Lucinda Black Bear This N.Y.C. act cites Sparklehorse and Elliot Smith as influences, and while Christian Gibbs’ songs don’t attain those lofty heights, they do fit the general mold: haunting minor-key melodies, lush arrangements where texture is king, and romantic narratives with a down-the-rabbit-hole bent. Cello and violin accents highlight last year’s ‘Capo My Heart’…
DNC pics Part 3
We’ve got more photos from the Democratic National Convention, as captured by Creative Loafing photographer Joeff Davis. Lookee, lookee: And (you guessed it) more photos are on the way. Stay tuned to the CLog.
News Roundup 8/27/08
Dalai Lama cancels world trip: The Dalai Lama is suffering from exhaustion and has canceled his international travel for the next three weeks. His trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic have been put on hold for now. “His holiness the Dalai Lama has been experiencing some discomfort in the past couple of days,” a…
You know your car is a piece of junk when …
A Brazilian woman said car thieves left her money instead of stealing her car after they realized it was in poor condition. The woman had left a note on the windshield stating the car was not worth stealing: “Mr Robber, please do not steal this car. It has no batteries, no spare tyre. It is…
Blame it on Buffy
A recent U.K. study is claiming that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the reasons that young women aren’t attending church. For real? 1.) As much as it pained us, Buffy ended years ago. “Young” women are watching Miley Cyrus. Grown women, who watched Buffy from Day One, are in their 20’s now and…
Group offers empowerment program
This just in … a release from the Charlotte-based Girl Talk Foundation: **MEDIA ADVISORY** Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. “Tailoring Teens For Success Program” Accepting Applications Who: Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.—a non-profit organization empowering young girls between the ages 11-16 to become leaders. What: “Tailoring Teens For Success,” a 10-week program focusing on managing anger, finance,…
Threat of snow? No school. Flooded roads? Schools in session.
It’s becoming obvious why CMS can’t raise its test scores. The administration is stupid! With several main roads in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County flooded today, CMS decided to press on with school day number 3. Isn’t Charlotte the city that has the billboards telling people don’t drown, turn around? Isn’t Charlotte the city that shuts…
Bill says I love you
Anybody catch the Democratic National Convention last night when, during the five-minute standing ovation preceding Sen. Hillary Clinton’s speech, the camera caught her hubby Bill saying “I love you” over and over again. Bleecchhh. Yeah, as she basks in all that glory, he loves her.
Gone but not forgotten
Like a good journalist, I have diligently been watching the Democratic National Convention, but it has been hard to watch. I just cannot get excited about this convention, even though history is being made. Aside from the underwhelming speeches, with the exception of Ted Kennedy, I miss Tim Russert’s commentary. His absence is glaring as…
Statement from United Way of Central Carolina’s board of directors
The following is the full text of the statement from the United Way’s board of directors: Those of us who live in the region served by the United Way of Central Carolinas are fortunate indeed. Our United Way has been one of the most successful in the country at raising money so that the more…
Council on poll: Who cares?
Unlike most grossly overpaid American CEO’s, United Way honcho Gloria Pace King is getting the axe. Good, glad that’s finally settled; now on to other news. Monday’s City Council meeting provided startling proof that some council members can be useless, clueless, and arrogant at the same time. Short version: Council was told about a poll…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
Your Wife Might Be Cheating If …: A 61-year-old man said a man called his home to speak to his wife. The man started making sexually explicit comments and told the woman he wanted to have sex with her. The husband is furious and wanted to know who the man is. The wife claimed to…
A matter of dispute
A Democratic Party rift in an otherwise bright election year
Party hearty
AUG. 27 — Labor Day Barbecue Cooking Class. The Levine Jewish Community Center of Charlotte will host a class on barbecuing, led by Robert Adler of Ernie’s Barbecue (www.erniesbarbeque.com). The class covers tips about cooking on gas grills as well as smoking and grilling techniques. And, that isn’t all: There will also be demonstrations on…
Friend/unfriend
I made 77 friends in one day last week, which makes me nervous. Like, are they going to start asking me for things? I seriously cannot deal if they start wanting me to be their bridesmaid, for example, or to help them move, or to give them lifts to the airport. I’m already a walking…
Civic events in Charlotte
Obama nomination night party with Harry Taylor Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m. to midnight, Dilworth Neighborhood Grill, 911 East Morehead St. RSVP to charlotteconventionparty@gmail.com. www.votemeckdem.org. Southern Mecklenburg Republican Club Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Golden Corral, 9430 South Blvd., 704-364-4657, www.meckgop.com. Tenth annual Charlotte Labor Day Parade Monday, Sept. 1, 11 a.m.,…
CD Review: Fleet Foxes
The Deal: Seattle quintet sounds like a tasty leftover from the ’60s. The Good: The sun is low on the horizon, it’s a cool summer evening and the Fleet Foxes just may break into a lilting version of “Scarborough Fair” any minute. But these Seattle musicians are deliriously contemporary. Fleet Foxes channel both British and…
Weekly horoscope
Virgo the Virgin: (Aug. 22-Sept. 22) Irritability and a tendency to short temper may be your companion this week. Beware the temptation to obsess over minor issues. Take especially good care of your body at this time. You are in a physically low cycle and subject to accident or minor injuries with tools, or vehicles.…
Leave us alone
Last week, a study came out stating that 78 percent of African-American women are overweight. I was shocked and appalled. I could not believe it. The articles were a little sketchy; there were blaring headlines and very little follow-up information. So, I tracked down the study and even pulled in my friend, an obesity specialist…
CD Review: Valencia
The Deal: After releasing its debut album, This Could Be A Possibility, in ’05, the Philly-based power pop-punk quintet has returned its with sophomore album. The Good: During the band’s withdrawal from the music scene, it’s obvious it did one big thing – grow. The story behind the album must be told, but even if…
Film Clips
Current Releases AMERICAN TEEN Perhaps the best way to enjoy this documentary is to pretend it’s a fictional motion picture, no different than Pineapple Express or Sex and the City or even WALL-E. Otherwise, you might start second-guessing every aspect of the movie, a path that can only lead to frustration. Fortunately, I found American…
Two loc’ed out Gs
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Outside The Evening Muse (on Aug. 20), Robby Hale (left) — along with Ashli Kanzer — practices before hitting the stage at the Crowntown Showdown open mic event. Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ thang Stephanie Koppenal (left) and Jen Sieracki sport flapper garb at the 20th anniversary Great…
CD Review: Emory Joseph
The Deal: New take on noodle and mumble boys buries Dead, resurrects and recreates their music. The Good: If you ever thought you might have liked the Dead’s music if better, more focused musicians had been performing it, Fennario is a shot at redemption for them and a noodle-free listening environment for you. The only…
View From The Couch
REDBELT (2008). If there’s one thing that Tom Cruise proved with his race-car lovefest Days of Thunder, it’s that it can be dangerous for filmmakers to lovingly place their hobbies up there on the big screen. The latest case in point is Redbelt, writer-director David Mamet’s salute to jiu-jitsu. Mamet, a real-life practitioner of the…
Band-Aids for bullets
Technically speaking, Demario Atwater and Laurence Lovette pulled the trigger. But murdered UNC-Chapel Hill student body president Eve Carson and Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato, who Lovette also stands accused of killing, are also victims of the state’s broken probation system. So numerous and alarming were the signs that the system was in shambles…
CD Review: Sidestepper
The Deal: Call it a rootsy remix of Colombian electronica – a world-beat cross between Fela Kuti from Nigeria and Jamaica’s Sly & Robbie meeting Sergio Mendes of Brasil 66. The Good: If you’ve never heard of Sidestepper or Richard Blair this is as good a time as any. He calls his music Colombian Afrobeat…
Big Ben regains his crown in Elegy
British actor shines in powerful drama
Taste the Homebrew
Newsflash: Creative Loafing is set to release its second CD of local music on Sept. 4. This one — titled Jeff Hahne’s Homebrew: Summer Stash — was again executive produced by CL music editor Jeff Hahne and mastered by Rob Tavaglione of Catalyst Recording. The 12-track compilation features a variety of music from the Charlotte…
CD Review: Sugarland
The Deal: Country group releases third disc, second album as a duo. The Good: Jennifer Nettles has one of the most powerful female voices in music today. It was jaw dropping back in the days of the Jennifer Nettles Band and just as amazing in her current country setting. The album kicks off with the…
Bottle shocked
“You’re a snob. … It limits you.” — Bill Pullman’s character Jim Barrett in Bottle Shock. I really, really wanted to like it, but I just couldn’t. I’d love to have another shot of wine enthusiasm infused into the American bloodstream, but the stereotypes and the forced, reeking romanticism just felt too … too much…
Ornament as Art Exhibit
Exhibit: Ornament as Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection Dates: Showing now through Jan. 4, 2009 Location: Mint Museum of Craft + Design, 220 N. Tryon St. Info: 704-337-2000 or go to www.mintmuseum.org To some women, jewelry is simply a trinket, showered upon them by an admirer. To others, it is a…
CD Review: One Day as a Lion
The Deal: Rage Against the Machine frontman Zach De La Rocha finally releases some solo stuff. The Good: De La Rocha hasn’t lost one bit of his political spitfire lyrics. The album kicks off with “Wild International” which could easily be a Rage song if not for the simplistic rhythms and beats. He’s got some…
Cho Won brings a new level of Korean cuisine to the Q.C.
Sophisticated and Seoul-ful barbecue
Doing the mob mambo
We must be in some kind of golden age of popular history writing, considering that some of the most engaging and insightful books of the past decade have been true tales we needed to know: Isaac’s Storm and Devil In the White City by Erik Larson, Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden, Antony Beevor’s series…
Art Exhibition: To the moon
Visiting Associate Professor of Art, Lydia Musco will present an installation of large-scale concrete works, such as the one in the picture titled stack C (the hug). This work will be featured with the annual exhibition at Davidson College, which will also have new sculptures by Cort Savage, new paintings by Herb Jackson and an…
Chef Rick Gur
Who would have thought the recently opened Kiss Lounge on Woodlawn Road offers dinner? (And we’re talking comfort food like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken wings, burgers and the like.) Owner and chef Rick Gur, who also co-owns The Sunset Club, says he opened Kiss because he missed dealing with food. On Sept. 1,…
Charlotte Bestsellers List
1. The Shack by William P. Young 2. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch 3. Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall and Denver Moore 4. Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One…
Peas and honey
• Asheville’s Biltmore Estate will host Field to Table Festival: A Taste of Appalachia Sept. 19 through 28. The event includes wine barrel tastings and panel discussions about Appalachian food and farming with such topics as “Barbecue Nation,” “Benton’s Bacon Cotton Candy and Other Kitchen Magic,” “Shuck Beans and Mountain Connections,” and “I Eat My…
Most people shake hands to say ‘hi’
Howl at the Moon
CAST goes country!
Foxfire turns the experiential theater into a barn
Cheney, Bush and Habbush
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is on a book tour, where she is being hounded by activists and questioned about her pledge that “impeachment is off the table.” She responded on the TV talk show The View, “If somebody had a crime that the president had committed, that would be a different story.” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist…
Mindless Self Indulgence looks to entertain
It’s not what you would expect from a guy who calls himself Jimmy Urine and has been known to imbibe his own fluids onstage. Calling in from the first leg of his band Mindless Self Indulgence’s European tour in Austria, he sounds like a serious, well-grounded guy who just happens to swill his own pee…
COMEDY: REDNECK-ERY
For musician John Mellencamp, livin’ in a “small town,” provides little opportunity, but for stand-up comedian Jon Reep it has made all the difference in the world. He might be a Southerner living in L.A. now, but most of his jokes, (which led to his win on NBC’s Last Comic Standing) revolve around him growing…
Wild Sweet Orange grows up
Birmingham band matures as its fanbase expands
FESTIVAL: Alive! and kickin’
As Labor Day weekend begins, so does Matthews Alive!, a long-time local festival of good times. If you’re in town, set aside some time to browse this four-day family-oriented event that features music, locally made arts and crafts, a parade, quilt shows, a Kiwanis race and lots of activities for children. Tons of entertainers will…
Benefit show to be held for local musician
On Aug. 29, a benefit show will be held at Coyote’s of Concord for former Stella Kidd bass player Doug Funderburk. Funderburk, who has been playing music for more than 25 years, has been replaced by Josh Ledbetter in the hard rock band due to health concerns after having open heart surgery. Along with Concord-based…
MUSIC: Got soul?
Attention soul fans: Here’s the show for you. On Aug. 30, Summer Soul Music Festival brings performers Morris Day and the Time, Midnight Star, E.U., Carmen Chiles and others to the stage for a day hearty vibes. $37. 2 p.m. Frans Park Center, 2600 W. Trade St. 704-372-1000. www.2thelimitevents.com.
CL previews upcoming shows
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27 Lucinda Black Bear This N.Y.C. act cites Sparklehorse and Elliot Smith as influences, and while Christian Gibbs’ songs don’t attain those lofty heights, they do fit the general mold: haunting minor-key melodies, lush arrangements where texture is king, and romantic narratives with a down-the-rabbit-hole bent. Cello and violin accents highlight last year’s…
MUSIC: ‘Groovy little thing’
There’s a whole lot of concerts going on this week, and no one forgot about the reggae genre. On Aug. 31, it’s time for the 4th Annual One Love Fest, where legendary Jamaican singer Beres Hammond will perform along with other acts Morgan Heritage and Dubconscious. $35-$65. 9 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St.…
Ask the editor
Q: So how did you like the Olympics this time around? A: The Olympics? Oh God, is it over yet? I gotta be honest: I’m not the biggest sports fan. So the idea of athletic events taking over TV networks for what seemed like centuries was tantamount to waterboarding for me. I mean, it’s just…
SPECIAL EVENT: Oh so patriotic
Grab an American flag and some chairs to sit your ass on, as you head to downtown Charlotte to watch the 10th Annual Charlotte Labor Day Parade. Strolling the streets, floats will carry everything from political candidates to beauty queens and promote local community organizations. Free. 11 a.m. Begins at the Hal Marshal Center and…
A review of Trinity No. 12
Trinity No. 12 Published by DC Comics. Written by Kurt Busiek. Pencils by Mark Bagley. Inks by Art Thibert. The Deal: It’s the latest issue of DC’s weekly comic series Trinity, which stars the company’s biggest three heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The Good: I wrote about Trinity in this column a few weeks…
Bear-baiting in Georgia
One of the most disheartening things in the world is how quickly Americans — supposedly a free, independent people — swallow whatever line the government wants them to believe about foreign affairs. From local boy James K. Polk lying to “justify” the Mexican War, to LBJ’s Tonkin Gulf fantasies that made his “case” for escalating…
ART EXHIBITION: Flower Power
It’s perfectly clear that artist Robert Kushner is inspired by flowers. His textured paintings of the blossoms, among diverse-colored backgrounds, capture their detail from curve to curve. Kushner, who has been painting since his start on the American art scene in the early 1970s, has created works that can be found in galleries across the…
