After Dark Critic’s Picks
BEST ROCK CLUBThe RoomThe Room: Used to be a shithole. Isn’t anymore. Good combo of indie rock and hip-hop shows most every night. Strong sound guys. Nice couches. No ratty carpet. Good bartenders. Let’s see, anything else? Oh, yeah, great inventive booking. The Room, 1812 Montford Drive. 704-527-4511. BEST CONCERT VENUEGrady Cole CenterThe perfect place…
BEST SUSHI
Artistry and freshness: the ingredients for sushi at its best. Mai, 5906 South Boulevard. 704-552-1515.
BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS
Since opening, Penguin has remained a favorite spot for after hours snacks and fried pickles. The Penguin, 1921 Commonwealth Avenue. 704-375-6959.
BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)
Chef-owners, and graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, Stratos Lambos and Angelo Kaltsounis produce food that is as compelling as it is flavorful. Also on board is brother Frank Kaltsounis, the pastry chef. This Kaltsounis studied at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. With this kind of talent, how can they miss? They can’t.…
BEST BIKE SHOP
Want the best? Go to the source, at Park Road and Cornelius. They’ll not only suggest the right bike for your riding style, but will also ensure that it’s the right fit and provide you with the proper accessories (mirrors, gel seats, pumps, and so on). Extra-cool benefit: Your first tune-up is on the house.…
BEST ACTIVIST GROSS-OUT
What better way is there to convince people of your position on an issue than shocking them with bloody pictures? None, apparently, to the folks at Operation Save America. They and their supporters rode around uptown back in the Spring with huge photos of aborted fetuses on the sides of their vans, supposedly in an…
BEST PLACE TO GET BACK TO NATURE
By a longshot. Everyone loves this “only minutes from here” place, where you can forget Blackberry and relax under the trees, with Mountain Island Lake as your background. The park offers hiking and horseback riding trails (and guided rides), canoe rentals, and fishing permits. Take the kids, take a picnic. Latta Plantation, 5226 Sample Road.…
David Furman
Best Museum: Mint Museum of Craft + Design. Probably my favorite because it’s downtown, it’s a great architectural experience, and it has a wonderful permanent collection. The Mint at the “burbs just opened a terrific contemporary exhibit that’s definitely worth visiting, and everyone in Charlotte should visit the Levine Museum of the New South once,…
LOCAL CRITIC YOU’RE SICK OF
O’Connell’s showy, I-know-everything attitude too often bumps up against the reality of his shallow grasp of film history, while his attempts at humor are, we suppose, funny to somebody. I give him 1-and-a-half stars. — John Grooms
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
Duy (pronounced Yee) has progressed from juicing our steel, bricks and bucks downtown with graffiti art to adorning gallery walls in NoDa, Charlotte’s alternate city. Let’s hope this homegrown artist avoids wanderlust.
BEST NEW BAND, FORMED IN LAST 12 MONTHS
They played their first gig in January; by July they were recording their debut in New York City with the Walkmen. These four young men out of Wadesboro play fast, snotty rock ala the MC5 and Mooney Suzuki and do so with a refreshing gusto. It’s testament to their chops and enthusiasm that in a…
BEST DOWNTOWN BAR
The bar and the woodwork have been imported from Ireland, so it’s no wonder that this pub feels so authentic. Bartenders know how to pour a perfect pint of Guinness, which you can savor with your Irish potato cakes and bangers and mash. When the live music cranks up — “specially the Celtic rock –…
BEST COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB
The Double Door Inn of country music clubs, Coyote Joe’s has won this one for a number of years. If you’re into the more Nashville-sounding, “hat country” stuff, this is the place to go. Coyote Joe’s, 4621 Wilkinson Boulevard. 704-399-4946.
Bring Me Your Quirks
I get wine samples. Lots and lots of wine samples. This is much to the envy of my co-workers who observe my small army of bottles spilling onto the floor. My brother proclaims receiving free wine samples a “boondoggle,” akin to a book reviewer receiving a carload of volumes he/she may never read, much less…
News of the Weird
Chuck Shepherd appeared to be getting too close to his subject matter and thus needs about three more weeks off. Before he left, he picked out some golden oldies to tide you over. Too much information: According to a 1996 Seattle Times feature, Robert Shields, 77, of Dayton, Wash., is the author of perhaps the…
BEST LOCAL RECORD LABEL
Not the only local label by a long shot, but the best funded, best publicized, and perhaps best run. The label is committed to putting out records by area acts, The Talk and Elevator Action among them, and then putting the requisite promotional push behind them, something that is too often ignored.
A&E Critic’s Picks
BEST LOCAL ARTISTDuy HuynhDuy (pronounced Yee) has progressed from juicing our steel, bricks and bucks downtown with graffiti art to adorning gallery walls in NoDa, Charlotte’s alternate city. Let’s hope this homegrown artist avoids wanderlust.
BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
Sunday is family/friends time at Ethan’s and owner-chef and Charlotte native Mark Martin makes you feel right at home in this old house. But the obvious focus at Ethan’s is the marvelous food. Ethan’s of Elizabeth, 366 N. Caswell Road. 704-375-3007.
BEST GOURMET/SPECIALTY FOOD STORE
This Providence Road grocery store is reinventing itself. The first step was hiring Joe the Cheese Whiz Dzuris as their cheesemonger. Joe has converted their cheese counter into a treasure hunt. If you’re looking for that hard-to-find cheese, he’ll order it. In fact, some of the cheeses he’s ordered for customers have become regulars at…
BEST ITALIAN, UPSCALE
With only 40 seats and exceptional service, Volare offers Italian cuisine with all of that country’s reassuring freshness, along with the exquisite layering of flavors inherent in those dishes. Volare, 545 Providence Road. 704-370-0208.
BEST LAWN & GARDEN SHOP
Horticultural ideas flourish at this SouthPark area oasis, a repeat winner. Top-quality annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees grow beautifully here. You’ll also find a gift shop filled with fun things, and the right stuff to create an attractive water garden. Worried that you don’t know vinca from verbena? The Garden Secrets folks provide landscaping services,…
BEST CELEBRITY HAIRDO
It’s certainly the most consistent; when other glam girls are getting highlights or flippy cuts, Benson-Webber’s coif has remained smooth and sleek, curling toward her face to draw your attention to her winning smile.
BEST NEW SLOGAN FOR CHARLOTTE
We also liked a couple of the readers’ suggestions: “Buy Me” and “Who Needs Speed Cameras In Bumper-to-Bumper Traffic?”
Little Shiva
Best Gay and/or Lesbian Bar: Jeff’s Bucket Shop. Owner Jeff Lowery lets Mistress LunaSea’s Fun Freaky People take over every Monday night, bringing together gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered folks and even the new sexual minority: straight people! Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor: Sadu. The women of Sadu are strong, sexy and very knowledgeable about all kinds of…
WORST MEDIA FIASCO
WBT-AM’s smart firing became WCCB-TV’s dumb hiring, as the radio host resurrected as TV host imploded and resigned amid domestic abuse charges, bad check charges, and not showing up for a court appearance. Yikes.
BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP
The more you see of the NCDT — and the renowned troupes that come yearly to the Spoleto Festival — the more obvious it becomes that this is one Charlotte company that matches up with the best anywhere. They went up to the Big Apple this spring, performed at the prestigious Joyce Theater, and knocked…
BEST ROCK SHOW GIMMICK
For a buck, one could take a spin between songs. “Prizes” included a gift from a grab bag, a group hug, a chance to pick the next tune, and the right to buy individual band members beers and Jager shots.
BEST BOWLING ALLEY
This runaway favorite has been bowling over our critics since time began. And that’s just about when pro bowler George Pappas’ Park Lanes opened. It retains the energy and atmosphere of a serious bowling alley, offering league play as well as lanes for us amateurs. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the world-famous –…
BEST DANCE CLUB
With a custom-built sound system you can hear in Pennsylvania, a strong local roster and big-name acts coming through almost every week, Tonic is a great place to dance or while away the evening talking in the Japanese fire pits or Red Room with brand new friends. An elegant interior that belies its humble exterior.…
Good Eats
All Around Town Anntony’s Caribbean, 2001 E. 7th St., 704-342-0749. A hint of the tropics; rotisserie chicken with Jamaican jerk sauce, ribs, Paradise Island fish special, curries, and Caribbean styled greens. $$ Azteca, 116 Woodlawn Rd., 704-525-5110; 9709 Independence Blvd., 704-814-9877; 1863 W. Franklin Blvd. (Gastonia), 704-866-7574. A favorite of many, Azteca offers a lengthy…
BEST NEW ARTIST
The newly arisen Penland artist showed this year at WDO, Charlotte’s best kept secret gallery. Cordova’s haunting and mournful sculptures breathe oxygen into Charlotte’s recent run of near-death figurative art.
BEST PROFESSIONAL RECORDING STUDIO
Aerosmith. Ben Folds Five. R.E.M. Joe Cocker. Southern Culture on the Skids. Al Kooper. Joe Walsh. James McMurtry. Glenn Frey. More Grammy-nominated gospel albums than you can shake a stick at. An easy choice.
A&E Critic’s Picks
BEST LOCAL MUSIC ARTIFACTANTiSEEN Career Retrospective BookMost local bands have a three-paragraph bio on their website. ANTiSEEN has a 250-page book, full of newspaper articles, lyrics, pictures, and show posters. Perhaps the greatest document of a regional band ever.
BEST PLACE TO DINE ALFRESCO, BAR OR CASUAL
Elevated and so urbane. RiRa, 208 N. Tryon Street. 704-333-5001.
BEST PLACE TO BUY A BOTTLE OF WINE
Chuck Richards’ knowledgeable staff is the reason to buy here. Reid’s Seventh Street Station, Seventh Street Station. 704-377-1302.
READERS’ PICKS
BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) Blue Restaurant & Bar Blue, Corner of College and Fifth Street. 704-927-2583. BEST SPECIAL OCCASION RESTAURANT The Melting Pot The Melting Pot, 901 S. Kings Drive. 704-334-4400. BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS Athens Athens, 101 E. Independence Boulevard. 704-375-3597. BEST RESTAURANT WINE LIST Bonterra Restaurant & Wine Room Bonterra,…
BEST HARDWARE STORE
Locally owned since 1977, Blackhawk is a full-service hardware store without the big-box feel. It’s the kind of place where ten-penny nails are sold in buckets in the back — and out front, there are spiffy displays of bird feeders, wind chimes, fountains and garden accessories. The selection of cabinet knobs and pulls is not…
BEST LOCAL PRO ATHLETE
Just thinking back to the confident way quarterback Delhomme led the Panthers into the Super Bowl last season, it’s hard to believe he was signed as an unrestricted free agent from the New Orleans Saints in March 2003. The sportsmanship, maturity and poise demonstrated by this 29-year-old make him a role model, for sure.
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH
You’ll see it all here — foreign language-speaking cab drivers, buttoned-up business types, bicycle couriers, and unfortunate souls who can’t figure out the damn one-way streets uptown. Vary your people-watching by the clock: There’s a whole different set of folks at 8:30am than at 10:30pm (and the people around 5:30pm seem to be smiling…). (Other…
BEST AFTERNOON DRIVE-TIME RADIO SHOW
It’s irreverent to the core, but listening to this show is the perfect way to sit in traffic. Matt’s the hyper one, Derek is the neutral zone, and Ramona has personality plus, girlfriend.
WORST MEDIA IDEA
In a puzzling display of faux populism, the daily’s editorial section added a better-edited version of Rhino Times’ Sound of the Beep. The result has been the degradation of a formerly respectable op-ed page. Using valuable columnist space for readers’ short, anonymous rantings — rarely as witty as the callers believe and often ignorant to…
MOST EXTREME PERFORMING ARTS GROUP
Willful, chaotic, and often wrongheaded in their early days, Moving Poets Theatre of Dance has evolved into the most consistently provocative, engaging, beyond-category outfit in town. Till Schmidt-Rimpler’s renegades are way past dumping dance, poetry, video and live music on a familiar plot and seeing if it works. Each project now has a holy or…
BEST OVERALL MUSICIAN
Shawn Lynch of… let’s see here… Poprocket, Les Dirt Clods, Los Parasols, Tyre Fyre, Tara and Todd Busch, and the Houston Brothers… plays guitar and drums, is the best local keyboard player you’ve never heard, and also plays a mean bass guitar. When he can find the time, that is. Sea of Cortez’s Rodney Lanier…
BEST JUKEBOX
Music to our ears. The Penguin, 1921 Commonwealth Avenue. 704-375-6959.
BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE
Just like true love, Carpe Diem has endured its share of heartbreak — first having to leave its wonderful space to make way for The Ratcliffe, building relationships in a new setting downtown (only to again bid its home adieu), and finally settling down in a comfortable spot on Elizabeth Avenue. Warm wood tones, lilting…
Permanent Records
The Great Records tower above the landscape, altering the musical map upon their arrival, selling millions of copies, and serving as beacons for the coming generations. You know their names without our having to repeat them. But other great records arrive unheralded, subtly revealing their transformative power over the years, their sales never remotely approaching…
BEST HARD ROCK/METAL BAND
Horse Thief made an immediate impact during the Alejandro Escovedo Benefit at the Double Door in February, the last to play but the first from among a dozen or so acts to be entirely twang free. Drummer Scott Wishart hits the skins at warp speed while roaring out the lyrics — not that you could…
BEST HOME STUDIO
Cougar Camp, the erstwhile home studio run by Justin and Matt Faircloth of the Houston Brothers, has become the place to go for local musicians tired of the antiseptic, “you’re on the clock” scene you’ll find at some local recording outlets. Comfy couches, a musician-centric atmosphere, and an overall dedication to good cheer make this…
Citylife Critic’s Picks
LOCAL HEROJohn FoxLet’s see here. John Fox takes over a Carolina Panthers team that was 1-15 in 2001 and improves their record to 7-9 in 2002. In 2003, he leads them to an 11-5 record, makes the playoffs, defeats Dallas, St. Louis and Philadelphia in short order, and earns his team a spot in Super…
BEST ASIAN (OTHER THAN CHINESE)
Malaysian cuisine has a melt-in-the-pot blend of Asia foods. My favorite dish at Malaya is Roti Canai, hand stretched, paper-thin grilled bread served with a bowl of coconut milk curry. Simply delicious. Cuisine Malaya, 1411 Elizabeth Avenue. 704-372-0766.
BEST PLACE TO BUY ORGANIC FOODS
If you want to know where your food is coming from and who’s growing it, or if you’re looking for a variety of specific heirloom vegetables, there’s no better market in our area than this one, which maintains a mix of growers (half organic) and bakers. Family members must be on hand to sell the…
BEST NEW STORE (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)
Well, c’mon. With all the publicity and stark anticipation, you were expecting another answer? As a friend of one critic put it: “We don’t have to go to New York anymore to shop for clothes.” (And another friend stated, “It’s a great place to go for $800 shoes.”) The best part: You don’t have to…
BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
In a buttoned-down place like Charlotte, this buttoned-down store “suits” men just perfectly, with wool, poplin and seersucker classics. (Expect to pay between $500-700 per.) And cool sweaters and vests are perfect for Casual Fridays. Wrap it up with a dress shirt and a slanty-stripe tie, and you’re ready for your next 7:30am meeting. Brooks…
BEST LOCAL COLLEGE ATHLETE
A transfer from Vanderbilt, Plavich has transitioned nicely to Charlotte, where he was named team captain following the 2002-03 season. Last year he made headlines by scoring 31 points to help Charlotte defeat the Syracuse Orangemen, the defending national champs. He also hit a game-winning three-pointer from just about the Virginia state line with less…
BEST DAY TRIP
A city with some actual historic buildings remaining, cafes, bookstores, a chocolate fetish shop (!!!) and cool summer breezes — really, they don’t call this “God’s Country” for nothing. Did we mention the theater, the galleries and the view from the porch of the Grove Park Inn? Very nice.
BEST LOCAL TV ANCHOR
He may not have the marquee 6 and 11 gig, but he’s personable, has great pipes, and you can just tell he’s been around the block. Wish we’d see him more.
WORST LOCAL MEDIA FLOGGING OF AN EVENT
If local media outlets spent this much airtime and pages getting people to register to vote and go to the polls, the result would be mind-boggling. It’s an exciting event for the city, but geez.
BEST DISAPPEARING ACT
There have been times in the past when Charlotte Repertory Theatre struggled to define what it was about. Now we don’t even know who they are. Rep’s upcoming season is a new nadir. Two of their shows can be previewed in the North Carolina mountains this summer and a third sets a new standard for…
BEST INDIE ROCK BAND
The Houston Brothers’ Justin and Matt Faircloth were impressive as a duo masquerading as a quartet. But the addition of drummer Shawn Lynch added a new, louder component to both the band’s songs and live shows. From gentle sketches to all-out crescendo pandemonium, the Houstons have proven it live and in the studio.
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Our critics’ votes were all over the map, though this eked out a win. Years ago it was a soda shop; now it’s a bar with a jumping jukebox, cold beer, monster burgers and killer sweet potato fries. Here, blue collar meets white collar, singles greet families, back tats share booths with soccer shin guards.…
READERS’ PICKS
BEST CONCERT VENUE Verizon Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Boulevard. 704-549-5555. BEST CONCERT OF PAST 12 MONTHS Fleetwood Mac BEST PLACE TO HEAR LOCAL MUSIC Tremont Music Hall Tremont Music Hall, 400 West Tremont Avenue. 704-343-9494. BEST PLACE TO HEAR MUSIC FOR FREE Pops In the Park BEST ROCK CLUB Tremont Music Hall Tremont Music…
Sit & Spin
X The Best: Make the Music Go Bang Rhino Dark, poetic, startling, loud, complex, clever, rebellious, political, beautiful — X represented late 70s/early 80s Los Angeles the same way The New York Dolls exemplified early 70s New York and The Sex Pistols captured late 70s London. Equal parts punk aggression, rockabilly rage and urban angst,…
BEST ALTERNATIVE ROCK BAND
Equal parts 70s punk, 60s pop, and late 80s indie, The Talk’s new release, It’s Like Magic In Reverse, was produced by Saddle Creek knob-twiddler Mike Mogus (Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Faint). The record is picking up airplay and rave reviews daily, and for good reason — these guys pack more energy into one song…
BEST LOCAL MUSIC HERO
Why? The guy does a two-hour weekly local-music radio show on WSGE out of his own pocket, is a champion of local music (of any variety), and put out an 8-CD box set of local music, for crying out loud. The Rodney Bingenheimer of local music, we’re just waiting to see what he has up…
Citylife Critic’s Picks
LOCAL HEROJohn FoxLet’s see here. John Fox takes over a Carolina Panthers team that was 1-15 in 2001 and improves their record to 7-9 in 2002. In 2003, he leads them to an 11-5 record, makes the playoffs, defeats Dallas, St. Louis and Philadelphia in short order, and earns his team a spot in Super…
BEST PLACE TO DINE ALFRESCO, UPSCALE
The patio at the Meeting House may feel like anyone’s backyard or front yard, as the case may be — that is, if you’re lucky enough to live in Myers Park. But the draw here is chef-owner Chris Zion’s market fresh food and an appealing wine selection. The Meeting House, 801 Providence Road. 704-334-6338.
BEST PIZZA
I expect to receive flack for this one, but hey, the Jersey girl in me picks Al the pizza guy for his mighty fine pies cooked in a stone oven. These pies have that smoky New York crust with a chewy yet pliant base that some New York transplants yearn for. Hawthorne’s New York Pizza…
BEST PLACE TO LEARN YOGA
Time was, you had to purchase your yoga mat at only select vendors. Today, you can’t turn around in your local drugstore without bumping into a yoga mat or exercise ball. We think it’s great that Charlotte is stretching its limbs, releasing all sorts of stress. For interesting class offerings and room to move, we…
BEST ANTIQUE SHOP
Alternative name: Tent in the Parking Lot. No matter what you call it, if you’re looking for something unique, JB’s is Just Bitchin’. Wander through the front building along South Boulevard, then duck into the tents out back. You’ll see some wacky stuff: an old traffic signal, perhaps, swivel bucket chairs like your parents had…
CHARLOTTE’S SEXIEST MAN
The NC Dance Theatre ads bill its dancers as Charlotte’s other athletes — and we agree. They all have taut, hot bods, and Sands’ is the hottest of all. Sure, he’s mega-talented — an Alvin Ailey alumnus who is now a principal dancer and choreographer with NCDT — but did we mention his six-pack abs,…
BEST GOLF COURSE
Tom Fazio redesigned this private course just four years ago, creating tree-lined Bermuda grass fairways, bent grass greens and challenging water hazards within a beautiful setting. It ain’t cheap — it’ll set you back a Franklin to play 18 holes on the weekend, and you can’t hit the links without a club member. But our…
BEST NEWS ANCHOR WE SHOULD SEE MORE OF
OK, the 5pm news is nothing to sneeze at, we know. But this anchor-reporter who used to be an attorney adds some spark to a newscast, and should be doing more of them. We can almost forgive her for being in beauty pageants, too.
BEST STORY NO ONE IS DOING
The NBA Bobcats are here, and the arena is going up, but how many people do you know who care, or who are buying season tickets? Sure, I know they haven’t started playing yet, but that dead silence you’re hearing is the lack of buzz. Come on, reporters: Get out of the “Center City,” put…
BEST MOVIE THEATER (QUALITY OF PRESENTATION)
The AMC Carolina Pavilion (the neck-and-neck runner-up) has the more comfortable seats, but I like the overall size and feel of this venue: It presents the best (and worst) of Hollywood without subjecting patrons to video games around every corner and overloud pop music blaring from lobby speakers. Plus, the employees are about the nicest…
BEST COUNTRY-ROCK ARTIST
Childers’ mix of early rock minimalism, Springsteen-esque power rockers, and low-fi acoustic breakdowns makes this an easy choice. No matter the style, it never sounds forced with the man they call “DC.” And what is forcing something but attempting to pass on something that won’t pass on its own? Childers, it seems, would just as…
BEST LAKEFRONT BAR
OK, you’ve gotta drive up to the next county, but it’s worth it to get the great Vinnie’s raw bar menu as well as the lake view. And if you get drunk enough, the locals can show you how to flip your boat over the interstate. Vinnie’s, 643 Williamson Road. 704-799-2090.
the Queen Of All
There was an influential mature female figure besides my mother in our house when I was growing up, and it wasn’t one of my warring grandmothers, or two scraggly aunts-by-marriage. It was my Barbie doll. She still stands to this day on a shelf in my living room, poised in shocking pink for an evening…
Music Menu
THURSDAY 8.5 Snatches Of Pink — After a seven-year hiatus of the Snatches namesake — band members recorded and toured under the moniker Clarissa, as well as a few other side projects — the Pink are back with a new ripper, Hyena (MoRisen), a release that showcases the sinewy post-punk that bandleader Michael Rank always…
BEST PUNK/HARDCORE BAND
Christina Fuentes, Lee Dameron and Randall Karriker of Choke Their Rivers With Our Dead have already moved on to other projects, but their impact on the hardcore scene for three years was a memorable one, an angular mix of hardcore styles and lyrics at once conscientious and self-effacing.
BEST LOCAL MUSIC ARTIFACT
Most local bands have a three-paragraph bio on their website. ANTiSEEN has a 250-page book, full of newspaper articles, lyrics, pictures, and show posters. Perhaps the greatest document of a regional band ever.
Consumer Culture Critic’s Picks
BEST NEW STORE (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)NordstromWell, c’mon. With all the publicity and stark anticipation, you were expecting another answer? As a friend of one critic put it: “We don’t have to go to New York anymore to shop for clothes.” (And another friend stated, “It’s a great place to go for $800 shoes.”)…
BEST PASTRY CHEF
No matter what your position is on carbs, Rudy Meier’s Apfelstrudel and Black Forest Cake will have you rethink it. Waldhorn, 12101 Lancaster Highway. 704-540-7047.
BEST DELI
My choice for the quintessential cold cut sandwich. Katz New York, 8045 Providence Road, Arboretum Office Park. 704-543-4666.
BEST SPA
It only seems like you’re driving forever to get there — but when you walk through the doors, you’re miles away from the craziness of everyday life. You’re greeted with cushy spa slippers and a luscious robe, and then invited to relax with a beverage while gazing over the golf course. Specialty treatments include the…
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Since 1837, Tiffany & Co. has been delighting jewelry lovers with unique and timeless designs, presented in famous turquoise boxes with white ribbons. Its jewels are works of art (think of the famous six-prong “Tiffany setting” and Lucida-cut engagement diamonds), so much so that retrospectives of Tiffany jewelry have been held at the American Museum…
CHARLOTTE’S SEXIEST WOMAN
A graduate of UNC-Greensboro (where she was a member of the dance team), Lucas is currently the on-air entertainment personality for Charlotte’s WB; serves as anchor for Mecklenburg Matters (a news segment on the Government Channel); coaches two all-star cheerleading squads; works with a modeling agency in Charlotte doing runway, printwork and commercials; implemented the…
BEST PUBLIC TENNIS COURTS
The 138-acre park itself is pretty nifty, with basketball and volleyball courts, an 11-acre lake, playgrounds and a walking trail. Our tennis friends, though, say this is the place to take a racquet — thanks to more than a dozen nicely maintained courts. Oh yeah, and they’re lighted. Go have a ball. (Runner-up: Freedom Park.)…
BEST LOCAL TV METEOROLOGIST
No hype, and cool under forecasting pressure. It’s taken a while, but he grows on you.
LOCAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION
Despite years of yapping about equity and hundreds of millions of dollars bringing inner city school buildings up to snuff, what’s going on inside them has changed little. The best, most experienced teachers are still teaching at the whitest, most affluent schools while low income kids make do with higher numbers of inexperienced teachers. It’s…
BEST LOCAL FILM SERIES
The Charlotte Film Society is always worthy, and last year’s winner, film maven Dennis Darrell, continues to impress with his rotating slate of series (such as this summer’s “Shorts In The Spirit III”). But let’s take a moment to acknowledge the Main Library’s long-running film program, which, unlike most of the city’s other series, continues…
BEST HIP-HOP BAND
The group’s sophomore CD, Past Futuristic, is in stores now, and may be the best independent local banger we’ve ever heard. Conscientious hip-hop that manages to avoid the tedious preaching and backpack-gazing that often befall the genre.
BEST SPORTS BAR
Open for lunch and dinner in the Charlotte Marriott City Center at the intersection of Trade and Tryon, this cozy spot hosts all sorts of good sports, thanks to well-positioned TVs. Football fans — whether they’re cheering for the home team or rooting for the rivals — pack the place during NFL weekends. Baseball fans…
Drum This Into Your Head
NightBEAT 2004 at Memorial Stadium last Tuesday featured the best in regional and national Drum Corps. (The Charlotte event was a quarterfinal competition, leading up to the World Championships in Denver.) I’ve never been a fan of band music, unless there’s a football game happening somewhere nearby. Evidently, everybody else was a fan, as Memorial…
Soundboard
Wednesday, Aug. 4 Big Al’s Pub, Cornelius Open Mic w/ Gabe B Blue Melinda Hansen, Royce Guin, Korey Dudley & Rob Knox Breakfast Club DJ Boney B Comet Grill Pervis and Sonya Lee The Evening Muse Tosco House Party Open Mic George Washington Bookstore & Tavern, Concord Marie Calabro The Gin Mill Wizard’s Road Show…
BEST EXPERIMENTAL BAND
Neck and neck briefly, with Pyramid edging out Baleen because of a more cohesive overall approach to their experimentation — though comparing the two is playing the apples/oranges game. Pyramid can go from hush-quiet to explosive crescendo in a measure or two. This is what they mean by chamber rock. Now, if only that record…
BEST SUPPORTER OF LOCAL MUSIC (INDIVIDUAL)
Ms. Laurie Koster compiles a thorough weekly list of shows that even some media folk rely on, and you can find her and husband Don at about 6,509 shows per year. She’s been known to schlep and chaperone poo-bah artists to and from their gigs, and she just gives a damn, which, in and of…
Media Critic’s Picks
BEST AFTERNOON DRIVE-TIME RADIO SHOWMatt & Ramona, WLNK-FMIt’s irreverent to the core, but listening to this show is the perfect way to sit in traffic. Matt’s the hyper one, Derek is the neutral zone, and Ramona has personality plus, girlfriend. BEST POPULAR MUSIC RADIO STATIONWPEG-FMTop 40, top schmorty. The kids are alright with hip-hop these…
BEST CAFE HANGOUT
Cool beans in a cool place. Therapy Marketplace and Cafe, Transamerica Square, 401 N. Tryon Street. 704-333-1353.
BEST DINER
Wow. A diner owned by a CIA-trained chef? Polishing is exactly what owner-chef Otto Graham has done to this landmark building and menu. Even though the items are pure Americana, the ingredients used for these dishes are fresh and well chosen. If you’re tired of being snookered by home-styled restaurants offering you food straight out…
BEST HEALTH CLUB
“You belong at the Y” is the slogan — and great choices are the reason. The Y has all the workout equipment you’re looking for — from good ol’ fashioned free weights and treadmills to the high-tech “FitLinxx” system — plus an excellent variety of classes including body sculpt, yoga, spinning and Pilates. Best of…
BEST COSMETICS STORE
A repeat winner. SouthPark’s Sephora is the leading retail beauty chain in Europe, and it appears to be winning over Charlotte as well. And why not? It offers more than 250 classic and modern beauty brands in fragrance, makeup, skincare, bath & body, and hair care. Choose from hot names such as BeneFit, Stila, Hard…
LOCAL ZERO
Harris, a wealthy socialite, ran into trouble in her quest to bring Saks Fifth Avenue to Charlotte. Harris figured that taxpayers, most of whom cannot afford to shop at Saks, should bail her project out, since she stands to lose the $15 million she’s already invested. So she asked the Charlotte City Council to fork…
BEST ACTIVISTS
These two crusaders for common sense have taken on local government idiocy and inconsistency by fighting the development of four new million-dollar homes in a floodplain area that has recently been under water. The development was approved near their Eastover home by city and county staff. The Woodliefs have since spent their own money to…
BEST NATIONAL TV SHOW WITH A CHARLOTTE CONNECTION
I know Kwame Jackson, The Apprentice runner-up, had Charlotte roots (see next category), but seeing the black and blue almost beat New England was the sh**.
LOCAL ISSUE WE’RE SICK OF
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board’s main obsession this year seems to have been where to locate new schools. The board is so afraid to offend anyone by expanding in the wrong place that it has virtually become paralyzed as suburban schools overflow. In the process, it has wasted endless amounts of time obsessing over school construction…
BEST MOVIE THEATER (QUALITY OF FILMS)
There are basically two types of art houses in America, those that cater to the bluebloods and bluehairs, and those that target edgy indie audiences. Clearly, the Manor falls into the former category (its hit titles tend to be more conventional fare), but within that context, the theater leaves little to be desired. Serving as…
BEST BLACKOUT OF LOCAL MUSIC
Barely one local band this year. “Nuff said, screw you, too.
BEST ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB
This place is so nice it almost doesn’t matter if there’s music — it’s just nice to be there. Luckily, Lea Pritchard books a wide-range of talent with an emphasis on folk, non-Music Row country and rock. Crowds are almost always quiet and respectful of the artists — just another reason you see their names…
The Blotter
THE DEEP FREEZE: Two gun-wielding crooks forced several employees at a local pizza joint into a freezer. The thieves then helped themselves to a plethora of valuables inside the store, including several of the employees’ wallets and credit cards, as well as $75 cash. The crooks took off to God knows where, and all the…
Between Rock and a Hard Place
They may not be as famous as Michael Moore, but Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky have quietly been making documentaries every bit as compelling as Moore’s incendiary output. Best known for 1992’s Brother’s Keeper and 1996’s Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, the pair have now released Metallica: Some Kind of Monster,…
BEST INSTRUMENTAL BAND
The flow of Sea of Cortez, a large conglomerate of like-minded musicians led by multi-instrumentalist Rodney Lanier. Call it Spaghetti-O Western, comprised of equal parts Morricone and low-fi indie rock.
BEST ART STEW
A permanent font of new, scary, experimental talent — both foreign and domestic. This burbling cauldron helps keep our good denizens wary, awake and, yes, a little boastful of our blooming wildness. McColl Center for Visual Art, 721 N. Tryon Street. 704-332-5535.
Media Critic’s Picks
BEST AFTERNOON DRIVE-TIME RADIO SHOWMatt & Ramona, WLNK-FMIt’s irreverent to the core, but listening to this show is the perfect way to sit in traffic. Matt’s the hyper one, Derek is the neutral zone, and Ramona has personality plus, girlfriend.
BEST FRESH CUT FRENCH FRIES
These spuds have been hand cut and seasoned right there. Comet Grill, 2224 Park Road. 704-371-4300.
BEST SOUTHERN COUNTRY COOKING
Cornbread and banana pudding. Salmon patties and yams. Red beans and rice and greens. Owners James and Renee Bazzelle have been cooking up a mess of love and down-home honest food for years. Mert’s Heart & Soul, 214 N. College Street. 704-342-4222.
BEST INDOOR RECREATION FACILITY
A very cool joint venture between the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Ray’s place is home to an amazing water park with giant slides, “Moon Beach” and “Saturation Station.” The Planet is also home to a fitness center with aerobic and dance room, cardiovascular theater, free weights and resistance equipment. Looking…
BEST HAIR AND/OR NAIL SALON
Great stylists, great services, and a super-convenient Morehead Street location. This is truly a spot where you can get a snazzy cut and a bikini wax — and then have someone touch up your makeup before you leave. PS: We love the fact that Varji & Varji gets involved in community fundraisers such as Spa…
LOCAL BOY OR GIRL MADE GOOD
The 11-year-old Charlotte actress landed a lead role in the new Broadway production of Disney’s The Lion King, playing the lion cub Nala — and taking her parents by surprise.
BEST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
This is a sad era for quality government in our fair burg, but we continue to hold out hope that someday, someone who is worth the trouble will run for office and that Charlotte-Mecklenburg voters will recognize this and actually vote for them.
BEST NATIONAL CABLE NETWORK BASED IN CHARLOTTE
Based in Pineville, the relocated Speedvision has cornered the market on racing coverage and takes advantage of Charlotte-area experts, hosts, and behind-the-scenes crews for its programming.
BEST CLASSICAL MUSIC STATION
With live classical music and a more soothing way to do the morning commute with Mike McKay, long may they roll over, Beethoven.
BEST MOVIE RENTAL SELECTION
Admittedly, I’m a Netflix groupie and do practically all my renting online. But if you’ve simply got to watch that grade-Z sci-fi cheapie from 1958, that obscure Italian epic from 1972, or that blockbuster comedy from 1984 right this minute, then you can count on this store carrying “em all. Visart, 1945 E. 7th Street.…
BEST SOUNDMAN
Joe Kuhlmann of the Evening Muse sometimes gets this look in his eyes during conversations at his club The Evening Muse, which usually only means one thing: He’s heard something in the sound mix that begs his attention. You’ve never seen such a large man move quicker. Equally deft on the knobs is longtime local…
BEST BARTENDER
Giovanni’s is a comfortable kind of place — and bartender Joseph Schuman fits right in. In fact, with 22 years of restaurant management experience, he makes visitors feel right at home. “He’s just a nice guy who seems genuinely interested in the folks who come to the restaurant,” said one critic. He also offers good…
Word On The Street
James Marks Website Designer “Some people made fun of it, but I thought it was great. I mean, what else was going on in the world that would need to be on the front page?” Matt Randleman Plumber “Overall, it was OK, but I was hoping for a big special section like they do for…
View From The Couch
OUTFOXED: RUPERT MURDOCH’S WAR ON JOURNALISM (2004). During the same week that Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 crossed the $100 million mark at the box office, director-producer Robert Greenwald’s new documentary was the number one best-selling DVD at Amazon.com, a two-barreled attack which indicates that a substantial number of Americans might (finally) be paying attention. In…
BEST BLUES BAND
Abe and his Spikedrivers play their blues/rock/reggae authentic Piedmont style (well, at least the blues part), and Abe’s stint with the (in)famous Blue Rags provides the necessary boho slant.
BEST SUPPORTER OF LOCAL MUSIC (GROUP)
The only station around — with the possible exception of Spindale’s WNCW — that regularly folds local artists into their playlists. To boot, the station also runs Andrew Webster’s Complex Radio show, and various Charlotte music personalities have their own shows, too. Now for that transmitter upgrade! (Full disclosure: Timothy Davis of CL has an…
Best Chinese
The menu is a mix of Cantonese noodle dishes, Hunan dishes, and Sichuan. In Sichuan, each dish has its own style and a hundred different dishes have a hundred different flavors. This is the approach here. The best are entrees such as the marvelous Crispy Duck. Dragonfly, 5110-1G Park Road. 704-527-3868.
BEST FROZEN FRIES
Their orange sweet potato fries have a cult following. The Penguin, 1921 Commonwealth Avenue. 704-375-6959.
BEST CUSTOM CAKES
From 10-gallon cowboy hat birthday cakes to ethereal wedding cakes, these folks are the best in town. Edible Art, 2906 Selwyn Avenue. 704-342-2253.
BEST PLACE TO BUY CDS
Back from the brink of extinction, two of the Carolinas’ fixture CD shops were spared the chopping block, and Charlotte’s was one of them. Though new management was prepared to Big Box the store, the employees explained how things were done in the past to make it so successful, and so far the give-and-take has…
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST
Pat’s been winning this category — hands down — for years, thanks to her attention to detail… and her attention to customers. She’s patient and kind, and a great listener. Tell her where it hurts, and she’ll take pains to take your pains away. Pat Ganster. 704-358-9911.
LOCAL BOY OR GIRL MADE BAD
At one point, Barnett, the longtime activist and crime fighter whose Stop the Killing Crusade was at the time funded with city money, was actively encouraging police to do more to stop prostitution with sting operations on the West Side. That was before he was caught soliciting an undercover vice officer. Barnett still maintains he…
WORST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The competition was stiff in this category, but in the end it was clear that the board had outdone itself. These people are so obsessed with where schools should be built and what kind of bricks to use that they’ve utterly lost track of what’s going on inside them. The board and a committee spent…
BEST LOCAL TV SPORTS ANCHOR
He’s at the track and the football game, not back watching it on the monitors in the sports office. He’s a pro in a market with local sports coverage that shrinks as time goes by. (Honorable Mention: News 14 Carolina Sports Staff. Their sports team may not be household names in the market, but they…
BEST TALK/NEWS RADIO STATION
90.7 excels with that dying news format: longer-form local reporting and journalists that win buckets of awards every year. Plus, we love NPR programs that add a little civility to the madness out there.
BEST LOCAL NONFICTION WRITER
The longtime champion of regional writers and human rights produced an important work this year, Cradle of Freedom: Alabama and the Movement That Changed America, a history of his homestate’s pivotal role in the dismantling of the Jim Crow South. Some critics thought Gaillard didn’t adequately demonize the region’s pre-King politicians; others (including CL) thought…
BEST LAID PLANS
When Andreas Bechtler offered his purported Horn-O’-Plenty Modern Art Collection to the city in exchange for an art museum bearing his name, the uptown Art Museum dragon raised his beautiful head once again. Prediction: This time next year, the site will be decided and plans will be on the drawing board for an uptown Art…
BEST CONCERT VENUE
The perfect place for acts of stature that might be a little too big for Tremont Music Hall and too small for the Coliseum — think The Darkness and the White Stripes — The Grady Cole Center fills a nice niche in this town’s concert-going scene. Grady Cole Center, 310 N. Kings Drive. 704-336-2884.
See & Do
AUGUST 5 – THURSDAY The anger, the angst, and the ear-shattering volume are all back as Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte revives its acclaimed production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Billy Ensley returns, dressed for distress, as the desperate youth who sees a sex-change operation as a ticket out of Communist East Berlin — just…
Film Clips
NEW RELEASES LITTLE BLACK BOOK Is it possible for an actress to out-twinkle Meg Ryan? In movie after movie, Ryan too often falls back on those mannerisms that once endeared her to Middle America: that lopsided grin, that crinkling of the nose, that squinting of the eyes. Brittany Murphy has apparently not only learned from…
BEST ROCKABILLY
The Belmont Playboys, Mike Hendrix’s band of n’er-do-wells, has won this award since — well, like the 50s — but the group has yet to be surpassed by any number of younger gunslingers. The high-speed machine still goes 0-to-60 faster than a Lamborghini.
Best Latino (Other than Mexican & Caribbean)
While the interior transports you to a courtyard at sunset, the food will take you to Central and South America and Spain. The Venezuelan arepas, Argentinean empanadas and Spanish Paella Veracruzana are standouts. Cilantro’s, 7741 Colony Road, Suite A. 704-542-6165.
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
Charlotteans stand in line to buy the best deep-fat fried chicken in town. The cardboard boxes are almost equally as famous as their contents. Price’s Chicken Coop, 1614 Camden Road. 704-333-9866.
BEST ISLAND FOOD
The original and old stand by. You can’t beat the greens or the jerk chicken. Anntony’s, 2001 E 7th Street. 704-342-0749.
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Storehouse has been stocking the latest in contemporary furniture design and craftsmanship since 1969. With locations in Charlotte and Pineville, Storehouse delivers on its promise to make furniture accessible and affordable. Sofas, tables, beds, rugs — you can get it here. And you personalize your pieces by choosing one of the 500 special-order upholstery fabrics.…
BEST TATTOO AND/OR PIERCING PARLOR
It might have moved location (just around the corner, now on Thomas Street), but its customers would follow its artists anywhere, knowing that they’ll get the same great no-pressure service and superior artistry in a clean facility. Aside: You must check out the Ace website (www.acecustomtattoo.com), which was “Last updated last night… no shit,” and…
BEST THING TO SHOW TO OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS
Who’d a thunk? Just 10 years ago, you could almost feel the breeze from the tumbleweeds drifting through uptown after 5pm. Now, there’s restaurants and museums, fountains, grocery stores, nightclubs — and, yes, people living there! Just like a real city!! (Other vote-getters: Queens Road when trees are in bloom; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Ericsson…
BIGGEST WASTE OF TAX MONEY
He probably costs the city less than $50,000 in real dollars when his salary, travel expenses and incidentals are all figured in. What the city is getting for that, though, isn’t entirely clear. McCrory is an ace schmoozer who has collected a long list of national organization and committee titles and useful political connections while…
BEST LOCAL TV NEWS REPORTER
His low-key delivery may be deceiving, but Watson works long and hard with the investigative team to turn great stories, as witnessed by a Peabody Award this year.
BEST RADIO PERSONALITY
You could almost be over her success and the estrogen-laced morning show, but now she’s even an author. She’s Charlotte’s best export.
BEST LOCAL AUTHOR
Finally! Somebody talented gets a break — Pickens (nom de plume for Queens University prof Cathy Anderson) won the St. Martin’s / Malice Domestic Award for Best New Traditional Mystery, resulting in the publication of her first novel, Southern Fried, earlier this year. Cathy’s a fine storyteller and this is a solid mystery, with plenty…
BEST THEATER COMPANY
Whether you value a company’s work for its edginess, relevance, trendiness, daring, or artistic polish, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte was the best in town last year — and it’s likely to continue leading the pack through the season ahead. Suddenly, it’s ATC who have first dibs on the hottest, most urgent stage properties like Bat…
BEST STRIP CLUB
With its see-it-from-the-stadium location and bright neon signs, the Uptown Cabaret beckons men (and women) in to mingle with what they proudly advertise as “the most beautiful women in Charlotte.” That’s not enough? Check out the Wednesday lunch buffet, The Big Deal Lunch on Fridays, and the upstairs section, which promises “one-on-one time with your…
Ask the Advice Goddess
Hunting and Blathering I’ve been with my boyfriend for six months, and I thought we were getting serious. He’s very affectionate, and we have a great time together. But last night, he took me to an office party, and I realized that he rarely, if ever, talks about me to people at work. I find…
Best Of Charlotte 2004
So, for that matter, have the critics. And the result is the paper you hold in your hands: Creative Loafing’s 2004 Best of Charlotte issue. We’ve counted up all the readers’ votes, and we also heard from our esteemed critics. And the results were right in line with what one would expect during an election…
BEST JAZZ ENSEMBLE/ARTIST
Brendle, a freelance bassist in the Charlotte area since 1981, is one of the finest musicians in this area, period. His performance/recording vitae includes stints with Nneena Freelon, Clark Terry, Charlie Byrd, Andrew Hill, Charlie Rouse and Mose Allison, and he often gigs with any number of up-and-coming artists, lending them his singular talent on…
Best Tapas
Tempting small bites. Sole, 1608 East Boulevard. 704-343-9890.
BEST HOT DOG
Our annual wiener once again showing our regional obsession for chili and slaw on a dog. Green’s Lunch, 309 W. 4th Street. 704-332-1786
BEST TAKEOUT OR SIDEWALK STAND
A locally popular takeout and catering place for years. How silly that the city would allow sidewalk vendors to park directly in front of this fabulous takeout shop during speed week. Can we please show our visitors how talented our own culinary community is? Something Classic, 220 N. Tryon Street. 704-331-9158.
BEST AUDIO/VIDEO STORE
If you can’t find it here, you haven’t asked a customer service associate. They’ve got DVDs, MP3 players, flat-panel screens, projection TVs, home theater set-ups — you name it. Plus they’ve got a super return/exchange system, so you don’t have to fret about upgrading your surround sound design. This place rocks. (Runner-up: Tweeter.) Best Buy,…
READERS’ PICKS
BEST NEW STORE (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS) Nordstrom Nordstrom, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-336-4204. BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE Nordstrom Nordstrom, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-336-4204. BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE Jos A Bank Clothiers Jos A Bank Clothiers, 3904 Colony Road, Suite A. 704-365-0290. BEST COSMETICS STORE Ulta Ulta, 236 S. Sharon Amity Road. 704-442-8404; 7856 Rea…
BEST-DRESSED PUBLIC FIGURE
No matter how heated a council meeting might get, Graham always looks the coolest in his tailored suits and kick-ass ties. We could all take a few sartorial tips from this guy, who freely admits he has a “clothes fetish.” It shows. And it looks good.
THE OVERLY TRUSTFUL PHILANTHROPIST AWARD
Art collector Andreas Bechtler wants to donate a more-than-1,000-piece collection of modern European art worth somewhere in the vicinity of $20 million to the city. In return, he, and the Arts and Science Council, want the city to pony up millions to help build a museum uptown to house the works. So far so good;…
BEST LOCAL NEWSPAPER REPORTER
As a columnist on family issues, Frazier doesn’t disappoint; plus, his stories on the aftermath of a Statesville wreck that killed seven joyriding teens and a series on discrepancies in Ritalin prescriptions between black and white children were compelling work.
BEST MORNING DRIVE-TIME RADIO SHOW
Quit howling if you like those two-man teams who laugh too much at each other’s jokes. Sometimes you just need the news, weather, traffic and some morning chat, courtesy of Al and Stacey.
BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
The perennial winner in this category, we are frankly amazed by the customer loyalty and the owners’ tenacity. Running a successful indie bookstore is one of our economy’s toughest challenges these days. Park Road Books is a model to be followed. Park Road Books, Park Road Shopping Center. 704-525-9239.
BEST LOCAL ACTOR
It’s easy to take Sutton for granted when he’s cranking out wholesome performances for Children’s Theatre like the innocent Hansel or the grieving protagonist in Bridge to Terabithia. But with edgier roles recently in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Ionesco’s The Lesson, we’ve been freshly reminded of Sutton’s full chameleonic powers. A perennial favorite with local…
BEST BEER SELECTION
More than 200 of said beers, and 80 of those are on tap. That means you could drop in daily for six months — and still not try ’em all. To keep track, get a “UFO Club” card ($14) that you can swipe to record which beers you’ve quaffed. (Runners-up: Hotel Charlotte; Mellow Mushroom.) Flying…
Stargazer
For All Signs Mercury, the planet ruling communications, common business practice, and travel, turns retrograde on August 9 and will remain so until September 2. During this period it is best to avoid finalizing major decisions or signing contractual agreements. Seemingly good ideas may be discovered later to have flaws or missing information. Projects that…
Weeping Wall
Last year, Israel began building a network of “security barriers” to protect itself from Palestinian terrorists. The walls and fences cut off much of the West Bank territories from Israel, but they managed to incorporate parts of the territories on the Israeli side to accommodate Jewish settlers. Editor Ken Edelstein visited the wall last spring…
BEST PUNK-TRAD BAND
We had to give The Avett Brothers their own category because there really is no one like this Concord trio. If you’ve heard “em live, then you know what a force of nature their blend of acoustic punk, bluegrass and country can be — the only two sold out shows in the Neighborhood Theatre’s history…
Best Mexican (Authentic)
This kitchen imbues a soulful touch to dishes, producing solidly good, simple, family-styled, primarily northern Mexican food. Taqueria Linares, 4918 Central Avenue. 704-535-6716.
BEST NON-SOUTHERN HOT DOG
These Vienna Beef dogs are imported from Chicago, served on steaming poppy seed buns, and topped with that peculiar, yet strangely attractive, phosphorescent green relish. Matt’s Chicago Dog, 425 S. Tryon Street, Suite 140. 704-333-3650.
BEST BARBECUE
Barbecue has been used for fundraisers since time began in the South and this one, held at Sardis Presbyterian Church on Sardis Road, is an annual event you shouldn’t miss. Each year, the leaders and kids of Boy Scout Troop 33 build a wood-burning pit in the parking lot of the scout hut on the…
BEST COMPUTER STORE
It’s techie heaven, filled with desktops and laptops and networks and software and games — and thankfully, they show you how it all fits together. You don’t have to be a tech-head; they’ll explain everything in layperson terms. Great upgrades, repair and service, too. CompUSA, 6301 E. Independence Boulevard. 704-536-2202; 9571 South Boulevard. 704-552-5993.
LOCAL HERO
Let’s see here. John Fox takes over a Carolina Panthers team that was 1-15 in 2001 and improves their record to 7-9 in 2002. In 2003, he leads them to an 11-5 record, makes the playoffs, defeats Dallas, St. Louis and Philadelphia in short order, and earns his team a spot in Super Bowl XXXVIII.…
BEST HOTEL
It’s just interesting, admit it. OK, it might look like a tall shoebox from the highway, but once you step inside, your perspective changes. Light and airy, the Westin offers 700 rooms, a snazzy bar, and a terrific restaurant. Bonus: the “Heavenly Bed,” standard in every room. (Distant runner-up: the sentimental favorite Dunhill Hotel.) The…
THE DUMB CROOK AWARD
How stupid was this? A slew of police recruits were caught with the answers to their recruitment exam, giving the department a black eye. Subsequent investigations resulted in inadequate slaps on the wrist, furthering the damage.
BEST LOCAL COLUMNIST
T-Squared’s insights into both the big issues and everyday life have just enough Southern flavor to keep us happy. Is he officially the new Kays Gary yet?
BEST SPORTS TALK RADIO SHOW
It’s kind of weird to have this category because there’s only one sports radio station in Charlotte, but so it goes. Timely guests and a variety of topics make this car go. A challenge to the boys: Go one week without anyone screaming “you suck” on the Whiner Line. I dare you.
BEST ART GALLERY
Lassiter has been in town seven years now, bludgeoning our good townsfolk with foreign and Yankee artwork she discovered while following the avant garde into the outer reaches of God knows where. Bless her heart, she keeps us wondering and guessing and grinding our teeth. Joie Lassiter Gallery, 318 E. 9th Street. 704-373-1464.
BEST LOCAL ACTRESS
Charlotte audiences can’t get enough of Carla, and neither can the best local theater companies. Carla’s comedy has been surefire at Children’s Theatre as the witch in Hansel and Gretel and the proper Miss Clavel in Madeline. She was a pre-eminent Chickspearean as a crossdressed Malvolio and a reimagined Bianca, and she was the funniest…
BEST GAY AND/OR LESBIAN BAR
The scales were leaning toward Scorpio — and then an expert “in the know” showed us why Velocity is quickly becoming the best gay bar in town: It has something for everyone. Sure, it has fabulous theme parties, DJs and dancing — but it also has such neat touches as a non-smoking lounge, two beer…
White Out
Phillip Mullen likes white acrylic paint. White is his medium and light is his message. Mullen uses white paint, a designing eye and a knowing hand to compose uncommon illustrations of natural light. Associate colors of the spectrum — mostly reds, pale greens and aquatic blues — are his supporting cast. But white paint is…
Dressed for Stress
Let’s say you’re a random super power that’s been attacked by extremists from, oh let’s say, the Middle East. Let’s also say those Middle Eastern extremists have shown a preference for, oh I don’t know, hijacking commercial jetliners and using them as missiles. What’s a super power to do? Well, other than the obvious choice…
BEST JAM BAND
The self-described “Jazz/Funktronica” band Satellite Union recently finished in the Top 10 of Relix magazine’s “Jamoff” competition, earning some solid press for their eclectic sonic mix. Probably the closest this town has to a Sound Tribe Sector Nine or Disco Biscuits, bands that look to the living as much as they do The Dead.
Best Mexican (Modern)
Mexican cuisine has suffered from oversimplification, but the Pear is like Rick Bayless colliding with Jean-George on the plate. No ooze here. Just distinct flavors. Prickly Pear, 761 N. Main Street, Mooresville. 704-799-0875.
BEST BURGER
The classic burger with onions, green peppers, lettuce and tomatoes. Arthur’s in Belk, SouthPark. 704-366-6456.
BEST FOOD EVENT
I know this event is a sore subject for those unable to get tickets. Many of these dinners were sold out to large corporate sponsors before being announced to the general public, but as I was frequently reminded by the organizing staff, the Charlotte Food and Wine Weekend is a charity event. In any case,…
BEST PLACE TO BUY DVDS
We’re almost reluctant to give them this award because the concept of sale prices generally seems to escape them (though their recent “Buy Three DVDs, Get One Free” was much appreciated). But their inventory is impressive and their employees are helpful, thereby giving them a disc-thin edge over Media Play. If it’s used DVDs you’re…
THE TARNISHED IMAGE AWARD
The utility sure is popular with federal regulators, from the EPA to the FBI, these days. It can’t seem to go six months without being sued, investigated or charged with something. Recent accusations have included everything from neglecting pollution controls to underreporting profits. Duke is still facing pending investigations into its role in California’s blackouts…
BEST MUSEUM
Sibling rivalry? No way. MMC+D, the younger, hipper sister to the Mint Museum, shines on her own, with amazing glass sculptures, mind-blowing woodwork, fiber art, kids classes, and more. Kudos to the Young Affiliates for initiating the “Mint After 5” program, serving up live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the terrace overlooking uptown. (Runners-up:…
READERS’ PICKS
LOCAL HERO Jake Delhomme LOCAL ZERO Mark Mathis BEST ACTIVIST Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation BEST NEW SLOGAN FOR CHARLOTTE “We’re Not New York, So Stop Coming” BEST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT Mayor Pat McCrory WORST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT Bill James BIGGEST WASTE OF TAX MONEY The Arena BEST CELEBRITY HAIRDO Larry Sprinkle BEST-DRESSED PUBLIC FIGURE…
BEST COLUMNIST WHO’S STILL HIGHLY POPULAR DESPITE EDITORS’ ATTEMPTS TO HIDE HIM
Week after week, for years, Robarchek has cranked out his odd combination of low and high humor, mini-short stories, limericks, you name it, delighting or grossing out readers and winning awards out the wazoo. If you think that’s easy to do, just try it. His editors keep him safely out of sight of readers for…
BEST LOCAL TV NEWSCAST
Can’t wait to hear the howls on this one. I’m going on ratings this year, folks, and my take is that the longtime news leader is edging in baby steps away from the crime format, due in part to news director Robin Whitmeyer. At least, that’s what I think I’m seeing.
BEST CHAIN BOOKSTORE
A repeat winner, this megastore has the deepest selection of books in the city hands down, a friendly, helpful staff, a well-run cafe and a great CD and DVD department. Unlike a lot of chain bookstores, you get the feeling the staff really cares about books. Borders, 7836 Rea Road. 704-752-3782.
READERS’ PICKS
BEST ART GALLERY Mint Museum of Art Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road. 704-337-2037. BEST ART EXHIBIT “The Artful Teapot” at Mint Museum of Craft + Design BEST LOCAL ARTIST Ruth Lyons BEST THEATER COMPANY Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte BEST LOCAL ACTOR Hardin Minor BEST LOCAL ACTRESS Chandler McIntyre BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP BareBones…
BEST CONCERT OF PAST 12 MONTHS
When we say that The Zombies’ February show at Amos’ SouthEnd was a revelation to those assembled that evening, we don’t mean to imply that folks didn’t know all the great music made by Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent and Co. over the years. It’s just that, jeez, did they bring their “A-game” that evening…
Euro Peons and the Devil
There’s no lack of salient plot points in Playing With Fire. In just under 77 minutes, we witness a coup d’etat, a resurrection, and a pact with the devil. John Clifford’s medieval morality tale, currently receiving its US premiere at Off-Tryon Theatre, also wraps itself around multiple major themes: our millennial aspirations, our base materialism,…
Mirror-gazing in Boston
There’s this thing my grandfather used to say about people who basically don’t know when to shut up: “They just like to hear themselves talk.” That came to mind this past week as the big three networks, CNN, and Fox News let arrogance and punditry rule in “covering” the Democratic National Convention. Yes, I know…
BEST NEW ART SCENE PLAYER
Carla Hanzal is the happy face of a seismic shift at the Mint Museum, a shift culminating in… do we dare imagine… an Art Museum lifted from her flood plain! Along with Director Phil Kline, Hanzal leads Charlotte art toward the cultural Big Tent.
After Dark Critic’s Picks
BEST ROCK CLUBThe RoomThe Room: Used to be a shithole. Isn’t anymore. Good combo of indie rock and hip-hop shows most every night. Strong sound guys. Nice couches. No ratty carpet. Good bartenders. Let’s see, anything else? Oh, yeah, great inventive booking. The Room, 1812 Montford Drive. 704-527-4511. BEST CONCERT VENUEGrady Cole CenterThe perfect place…
BEST MIDDLE EASTERN
Jack and Mary’s low-key bright spot is the place to find the best chicken shawirma in town and a faultless falafel sandwich to boot. But the Ghalis have an even larger following for their burgers and subs than they do for their Lebanese sandwiches. Ghali’s, 10416 E. Independence Blvd. 704-845-5566
BEST ICE CREAM
Almost like Vivoli Gelateria. Only closer. Dolce Gelato, 1710 Kenilworth Avenue. 704-332-7525.
BEST GREEK
Okay, so it’s a new category. For the many years since the Grapevine closed, we Charlotteans have been getting our Greek fix at the annual Yiasou! Festival. Sure, there are places to get gyros in town, but nowhere else can you shout “Opa!” as your server ignites the Saganaki. Greek Isles Restaurant, 200 East Bland…
BEST CAMERA SHOP
Rescued from bankruptcy a few years back by Ritz Camera, Wolf has sprung back, stronger than ever. It now has 12 Charlotte-area locations and a friendly staff that will help you get your best shots, whether you’re looking at a digital camera, a camcorder, or something in between. Professional printing services, also. So get snapping…
MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES IN CHARLOTTE
Let us know if you spot either.
BEST PLACE TO LIVE DOWNTOWN
Hey, if it’s good enough for billionaire Bob Johnson and millionaire Jeff Gordon, it’s good enough for us. Yeah, you’ve gotta shell out some green to live in these fab uptown condos — with soaring ceilings and walls of glass — but it could be worth it to live in a place that abuts a…
Mark Baranowski
Best Movie Theater: Eastern Federal Corporation’s Starlight Stadium. Clean and spacious, not overly crowded. Comfortable stadium seating and top-notch sound make for a consistently pleasurable movie-going experience. Best Place to Buy DVDs: Best Buy. Great selection and lowest prices. If they don’t have it, let them know and they’ll either order it or help you…
BEST POPULAR MUSIC RADIO STATION
Top 40, top schmorty. The kids are alright with hip-hop these days, whether they’re black, white, yellow, or purple. Jocks like Mr. Incognito and DJ Storm stay ahead of the curve.
WORST LOCAL TV NEWSCAST
The folks who bring you soft news and Mark Mathis tried to do it again in the AM, but despite anchor changes (see Richard Spires, below) and a little more seasoning, that deal still ain’t rising.
BEST USED BOOKSTORE
In the short time they’ve been peddling previously owned tomes from their corner spot at Central Avenue and The Plaza, the staff at Book Buyers has gradually tweaked the selection, refined their shelf organization, and expanded dramatically. Previously the obvious choice for best used bookstore in Charlotte, the store is now starting to compete for…
BEST ROCK CLUB
The Room: Used to be a shithole. Isn’t anymore. Good combo of indie rock and hip-hop shows most every night. Strong sound guys. Nice couches. No ratty carpet. Good bartenders. Let’s see, anything else? Oh, yeah, great inventive booking. The Room, 1812 Montford Drive. 704-527-4511.
BEST PLACE TO HEAR LOCAL MUSIC
The best (and a little of the worst) of the Charlotte scene, presented without clique-ish bias, every Monday at 10pm on WSGE 91.7. Pal Preston Toney covers Charlotte’s musical past and often unearths nuggets heretofore thought lost forever.
Hooked
Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the war correspondent-turned-novelist, refers to himself as a sailor and a reader. Those passions serve him well in The Queen of the South, as Perez-Reverte hooks the reader with effortless grace.”The telephone rang, and she knew she was going to die,” he writes. “She knew it with such certainty that she froze, the…
Head ‘Em Up, Move ‘Em Out
I’ll never forget James Herbert Green. A few weeks before he murdered real estate agent JoAnne Flemming for her car in 1989, he walked me to mine. It was something Green, then 19, often offered to do for the girls in my Junior Achievement Class, since the Sharon Amity parking lot outside the building was…
BEST LOCAL SONGWRITER
Mt. Holly’s David Childers’ poetic roots (he was once a traveling poetry teacher to NC schools) show themselves in his electric stage shows, whether solo or with his band The Modern Don Juans. People who categorize his music as country or alt.country are missing the point — DC’s closer to a Red Clay Troubadour, a…
Consumer Culture Critic’s Picks
BEST NEW STORE (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)NordstromWell, c’mon. With all the publicity and stark anticipation, you were expecting another answer? As a friend of one critic put it: “We don’t have to go to New York anymore to shop for clothes.” (And another friend stated, “It’s a great place to go for $800 shoes.”)…
BEST FRENCH
Patou is all about small-town charm, small-town French cooking, and gentle pricing. Patou, 2400 Park Road. 704-376-2233.
BEST EPNIC RESTAURANT
Epnic, which is shorthand for “Disneysque Ethnic” (i.e., Epcot plus Ethnic), is used to describe those very American restaurants which serve “not exactly” or “almost” ethnic food. The folks here spend oodles on the interior and do not have chef-driven kitchens. PF Chang’s is a popular spot in Charlotte; it takes the “eth” out of…
BEST ITALIAN, FAMILY STYLE
Il Nido is a rare restaurant in these days of the million dollar corporate owned behemoths where the food is cooked by number and seating is prompted by a beeper. This enterprising gem, brought to us by Manuela Baron and family, is the kind of place where everyone will know your name and the southern…
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Stop driving to Atlanta; you’ll find the best collection of contemporary women’s clothing, shoes and accessories at this Phillips Place favorite. Co-owner Tina Hart has described Luna’s target shoppers as women, 24-48, who are educated and in the past have typically shopped for clothing in larger cities. Lines include Michael Stars, BCBG and Liquid. Nice.…
THE INSUFFERABLE SANCTIMONY AWARD
Under the guise of asking for a “clarification” of rules, County Commissioner Bill James has begun a campaign to discredit and eventually ban gays and lesbians from adopting children in Mecklenburg County. Ever the spokesperson for a quasi-medieval view of life, James apparently couldn’t care less that study after study has shown that the children…
BEST FESTIVAL
Nine separate festivals received votes — the most diversity in just about any category — but Novello emerged the winner. Over the years, this October lit-fest has spotlighted our public library, and has gotten people excited about reading, always a good thing. Past Novello notables include John Grisham, Alice Sebold, Paul Zindel and Suze Orman.…
Hardin Minor
Best Downtown Bar: Double Door Inn. Historical place, down to earth, real music, good bartenders, hefty shots. Best Place to Jog: Elizabeth / Plaza-Midwood Neighborhoods. Because of the trees, the variety of scenery and friendly people. Lots of sidewalks and surprises. Best Celebrity Hairdo: Hope Nichols (owner of Boris & Natasha; entrepreneur, producer, musician). Hope’s…
LOCAL COLUMNIST YOU’RE SICK OF
She always “wins” this one, but I single her out this year for suggesting that women send developer Dee Dee Harris $50 to make her gaping hole on Park Road fill up with a Saks Fifth Avenue.
BEST CHARLOTTEAN ON A REALITY SHOW
First, we had Clay, then the GQ-dressed, Harvard grad from Charlotte almost won the Donald’s job on The Apprentice. Makes us much prouder than some idiot who eats pig testicles on Fear Factor.
BEST ROCK BAND
Lots of people have been saying lots of nice things about local fixture John Morris’ band, but weren’t sure how to categorize the band’s boffo (assume radio announcer voice) mix of the 70s, 80s, and 90s! We weren’t sure, either, until we remembered this category.
BAR WITH HOTTEST MEMBERS OF OPPOSITE SEX
Our panel of critics couldn’t come up with a winner in this category, though among the mentions were Connolly’s On Fifth and the now-defunct Mythos. Perhaps one staffer put it best when she stated, “Depends on the night and how much I’ve had to drink.”
BEST LOCAL BENEFIT
Bob Graham and Missy Ivie host the yearly roots-oriented event at the Neighborhood Theatre. Besides past guests like the Gourds, Alejandro Escovedo and Richard Buckner, there are raffles, auctions and all manner of other charity to benefit cancer research. Big ups to Bruce Hazel’s excellent Drunken Fool’s Day celebration at the Room, too.
Arts Agenda
Classical Music Timothy Quay Smith An organ recital on a new pipe organ. Sun., Aug. 8, 3 p.m. Free. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fort Mill, 501 Pine St. 803-547-5968. Comedy Bayou Kitchen Comedy. Extreme Improv: Fridays 8pm – Chicago Style long form improv “The Gallery”; Saturdays 8pm – “Who’s Line Is it?” style improv; Psychotic…
Flying the Flag
One flag stands out among the hundreds that fly from the yachts moored below our balcony. The broad, deep estuary of the River Dart at Dartmouth, Devon, near my English home, is a destination for vessels of many nations, and amid the red ensigns of British boats, the vertical and horizontal tricolors of France and…
BEST LOCAL MALE VOCALIST
Bruce HazelHazel’s voice isn’t the prettiest thing in the world — think someone like Slobberbone’s Bent Best crossed with early Bruce Springsteen — but it’s the power of the howl, right-on but not over-the-top, that puts him on top here.
READERS’ PICKS
BEST CONCERT VENUEVerizonVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Boulevard. 704-549-5555. BEST CONCERT OF PAST 12 MONTHSFleetwood MacBEST PLACE TO HEAR LOCAL MUSICTremont Music HallTremont Music Hall, 400 West Tremont Avenue. 704-343-9494. BEST PLACE TO HEAR MUSIC FOR FREEPops In the ParkBEST ROCK CLUBTremont Music HallTremont Music Hall, 400 West Tremont Avenue. 704-343-9494. BEST ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUBThe…
BEST STEAK HOUSE
The steaks even have their own lockers. Capitol Grille, 201 N Tryon Street. 704-348-1400.
BEST ONION RINGS
Zack’s is our ringer again this year for their hand cut crispy hoops perfectly fried in peanut oil. Zack’s Hamburger, 4009 South Boulevard. 704-525-1720.
BEST INDIAN
Shakalaka, baby. You will be dreaming not just of Bombay, but the whole of India when enjoying the fine dishes at Bhupen Engineer’s Bombay Cuisine. Bombay Cuisine, 230 E WT Harris Boulevard. 704-503-5558.
BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE
It ain’t called the “Musical Instrument Megastore” for nothing. Here you’ll find guitars, drums, keyboards, multi-track recording systems and even sheet music — all at discount prices. Test-drive the incredible selection of instruments; it’s not only allowed, it’s encouraged. Fun fact: There really was a Sam Ash; he was a violinist who had his own…
NEXT BEST THING TO GAY MARRIAGE
For once, Charlotte was way ahead of the times — and in the area of gender issues, no less! Late last August, Little Shiva, the esteemed editrix of local “zine QZ and self-described Minister of Fun, got married downtown at the courthouse. Sounds kind of old-fashioned, huh? And it was, except that her betrothed was…
BEST PLACE TO JOG
This great urban park easily outpaced (get it?) the competition. Whether your track is on the trails or you prefer to pound the pavement, Freedom Park is a favorite by a mile. Or two. Plus it has so much to see — towering trees, ducks in the pond, old guys fishing, young lovers sharing a…
Ruth Samuelson
Best Thing to Show Off to Out-of-Town Guests: Ask me this in 10 years and I will say the “Little Sugar Creek Greenway.” Best Day Trip: Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Especially during race weeks, in my gas/electric hybrid car, of course! Best Women’s Clothing Store: A three-way tie. I hate shopping, especially for women’s clothes, but…
BEST LOCAL CRITIC
(No bribes or coercion went into the selection of this pick.) Other theater critics may come and go, or just be part-time elsewhere, but Perry’s knowledge of the local performing arts scene and beyond translates into insightful reviews. Plus, he was the only local arts critic to explain what really happened in all the hoop-de-doo…
READERS’ PICKS
BEST POPULAR MUSIC RADIO STATION WEND (106.5 The End) BEST TALK/NEWS RADIO STATION WFAE-FM BEST RADIO PERSONALITY Sheri Lynch BEST MORNING DRIVE-TIME RADIO SHOW Bob & Sheri BEST AFTERNOON DRIVE-TIME RADIO SHOW Matt & Ramona BEST SPORTS TALK RADIO SHOW Primetime with the Packman BEST LOCAL TV NEWSCAST WCNC-TV BEST LOCAL TV ANCHOR Sonya Gantt…
BEST LOCAL FEMALE VOCALIST
The former Violet Strange singer doesn’t perform as much as she used to, but her voice — sensual, delicate-yet-strong without being overly “breathy” — hasn’t lost a bit of its transformative power.
BEST POOL HALL
“EB’s,” as it’s known to locals, is as cool as it is hot. This Central Avenue mainstay is everything a pool hall should be: smoky, dark and unassuming. Perfect for drinking cheap beer with the gang (and maybe work in a bank shot or two). Elizabeth Billiards, 1400 Central Avenue. 704-342-2663.
BEST BLUES/R&B CLUB
Winner, and still champion! The place to go for up-and-coming blues artists, established vets like The Nighthawks and Tinsley Ellis, and for some of the coldest beer you’ll ever drink. Heard the phrase “if these walls could talk?” The walls here have sucked up so much music over the last 30 years that they can…
The Ultimate Buzz
In a few weeks we may begin to savor the 2004 vintage of some of Mother Nature’s hardest working animals, the honey bees. “You know honey bees actually work themselves to death. Worker bees (which are always female) live five to six weeks and never sleep,” said Larry Thompson, a master beekeeper and co-owner with…
Letters
Use My Standards I can take having my Party, Republican, and my President, Bush, bashed; however, your quasi-mock religious article (“The W Beatitudes,” by John F. Sugg, July 28) was trash, and should not have been printed. Leave God alone. Your writer implies that Republicans aren’t Christian because we don’t care. If Religious-Right Republicans don’t…
BEST CLUB/PARTY DJ
These guys do a lot more than spin records; sound sculptors with world-wide DJ experience, Nagel and Patterson together create — via computer programs and pre-recorded loops — soundscapes that can both beguile and incite audiences.
