Cheech & Chong to smoke up Q.C.
Comic duo to play Ovens Auditorium on April 2.
Q&A: Artist Carl Plansky
Interview with artist Carl Plansky.
Introducing: QCityMetro.com
A new black-oriented news site debuts in Charlotte
Live Review: Nicolette Emanuelle, Hot House Hefftones, Thief, S.O.Stereo
Handful of local acts get the Muse rocking on a Saturday night.
Free Panthers tickets!
Get your butt to the Alltel Wireless store in Vicksburg Plaza (2242 West Roosevelt Boulevard in Monroe) on Monday, because the first 100 fans in line at 5 p.m. will win two free tickets to the Panthers NFC Divisional Playoff on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Bank of America Stadium. Oh, and you’ll get to meet…
Online dating, a cautionary tale.
Whatever you do, don’t bring a one night stand home. That’s why the Motel 6 leaves the light on for you.
Benefit off an L.A. bankruptcy
If you can get a $34 top for $8.50, why not?
Why do we have sex?
What was the most interesting and possibly most disturbing part of all of this are the bottom reasons why men and women have sex with each other.
Today’s Top 5: Monday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Jan. 5.
Today’s Top (less) 5: Monday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Jan. 5, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
Music Menu, 1/3/09
CL previews upcoming shows: The Hot House Hefftones, Order of Chaos, Nicolette Emanuelle
The Dead return to touring life
All four original members of the Grateful Dead — Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart — will tour this spring as The Dead. They aren’t going to be in Charlotte, but the tour will kick off in Greensboro, N.C., on April 12. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 13. Warren Haynes and…
Maybe that G ‘n’ R tour won’t happen…
Just a few days after reporting that Guns ‘N Roses would be going on tour for two years to support the new album, new reports state that there are no tour plans in the works. Yeah, from now on, if Guns N Roses is in a story, don’t believe it until you actually see the…
Profile: Artist Jung Han Kim
Get to know more about Jung Han Kim, an artist featured in Elder Gallery’s new exhibition opening tonight.
Palin a likeable celebrity neighbor?
I continued to be floored at the world’s obsession with a duplicitous, gun-toting, race baiting, dumb ass.
Avoid disease, wear organic
Is your resolution this year to join the “green movement”? Don’t just eat organic; wear organic.
Live Setlist: The Avett Brothers, 12/31/08
Here is the setlist from the Dec. 31, 2008, Avett Brothers show at Belk Theatre: Die Die Die Please Pardon Yourself PG from Raleigh Talk On Indolence Natural Woman Murder In The City Keep On The Sunnyside (with Jim Avett) Will You Return Wanted man The Fall Colorshow Standing With You Paranoia Laundry Room Distraction…
When stupidity stalks the skies
Even after the FBI cleared the nine passengers and asked AirTran to put the group on another flight to their destination, the airline refused to rebook.
Food news: Friday, Jan. 2, 2009
Charlotte Restaurant Week returns
More woes for Mychal Bell
It is a sad day when a young person whose life is so full of hope and possibility decides that there is none.
A savvy sale at J.T. Posh
If you’re looking to start your year off on the designer foot, check out this sale.
Visulite, 12/31/08
People rang in the new year at the Visulite with leis, festive tiaras, and a show by Simplified on Wednesday night.
It’s the best excuse for running a stop sign.
Charles Barkley, you are a role model. The Hall of Fame basketballer was arrested in Arizona on Wednesday for DUI. But CNN reported yesterday that when he ran a stop sign, his charge should have been, Driving While Horny. I’m paraphrasing, of course. According to CNN, Barkley wanted to go and get head. He actually…
Today’s Top 5: Friday
The five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Jan. 2, 2009.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Jan. 2, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
Music Menu, 1/2/09
CL previews upcoming shows: Lil Wayne, Mego Dirge
Beady sale at Beadlush
The “Please don’t make us count all the teeny, tiny beads” sale begins Friday.
About our writers
Kimberly Lawson Kimberly is a sweet girl from Georgia, or at least she’d like to think she is, and currently serves as CL’s operations editor, often without shoes on. She earned her Bachelors in English with a minor in journalism from Augusta State University in 2006 and moved to North Carolina shortly after because she…
Banging in the new year
There are nine things you can do to make 2009 your most sensual year ever.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Jan. 1, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
Coming attraction: Urban League Leadership Awards
Urban League of Central Carolinas presents its 2009 celebration
Hangover helpers
Happy new year!! Party it up without looking back. No need to fear that nasty champagne/mixed drinks/red wine hangover you’ll have tomorrow, because we’ve got you covered. Here are a few hangover cures, courtesy of All Recipes. Popular remedies when you party too hardy. Wild River Bloody Mary Mix Great British Fry Up Menudo Rojo…
Gallery Crawl details
Check out the schedule (below) for details on what musicians will perform at The Evening Muse during NoDa’s Gallery Crawl on Fri., Jan. 2. These shows are free, but feel free to tip (Songwriters have to eat too, ya know?). Stephanie Fagan at 7 p.m. Adam Wilson at 8 p.m. Sallie Mosely at 9 p.m.…
Bring a pillow, or something to read: It’s First Night Charlotte!
Perhaps this year’s renewal of First Night, organized by those wild partygoers at Center City Partners (ahem), will be great. Just in case, though, you might want to check out CL’s massive list of other New Year’s happenings.
Music Menu, 12/31/08
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31 Jamie McLean Band The highly-in-demand session guitarist McLean is also a fab songwriter/crooner. His blues and roots-rock tells it straight, without any flash or pretension. McLean’s recently released disc, American Heartache, gathers influences from the Black Crowes and Dylan to the Stones and inserts the McLean riffage. Many veteran musicians lend a…
Food news: Wednesday, Dec. 31
More New Year’s Eve dinner specials
Another reason to hate Time Warner Cable
Comedy Central could go off the air at midnight if Time Warner Cable and Viacom don’t come to a fee agreement.
I want my MTV … and VH1 … and …
Viacom-owned networks may part with Time Warner Cable
Discounts galore at The Pink Hanger
Time for the annual Progressive Fall/Winter Clearance Sale.
New Year’s Day sale at Manifest Disc
Once the hangover has subsided, stock up on D
NYE dresses on sale at L.A. East
It’s not too late to put together a slamming outfit!
Today’s Top 5: Wednesday
Here are five random events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 31, 2008
Today’s Top(less ) 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 31, 2008 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Men’s Club. • Last day to participate in the year of…
Live Review: The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers rock the night away during first of two-show stint at Belk Theatre.
And they talk about rap lyrics.
If you go back and listen to some songs from back in the day, you will find a lot of explict lyrics.
The Untied Way
The site offers a lot of insight on charitable giving, United Way practices (unsavory and savory) and a message board for people to vent and swap information.
Giving ‘Bags of Love’
A local woman with “baggage” pays it forward
Even Santa needs a little help
Everyone’s looking for bailout money, including Santa. Sure, the video has been out a while, but considering the times, I think it’s appropriate.
Are you making mistakes in bed?
Believe it or not, men don’t always want to have sex. He’s not a human vibrator. At least that’s what they want us to believe. Seriously, though, there are serious mistakes that women make during sex. It was pretty funny that I found this article in my inbox today because while I was reading it,…
Guns N Roses to tour
Guns N Roses may go on tour starting next year.
Everyone needs a little help in a recession
Everyone’s looking for bailout money, including Santa. Sure, the video has been out a while, but considering the times, I think it’s appropriate.
Marley & Me
Watch the movie trailer for Marley & Me!
Do you love those tax-free holidays?
The Wall Street Journal reports that the country’s largest retail trade association, the National Retail Federation — why do I think of wrestling when I say that aloud? — is trying to get in on Obama’s upcoming economic stimulus package. They have asked that a series of sales tax-exempt shopping days be added to the…
Sale at City Supply Co.
Up to 60 percent off
Artsy Item: Doodlebook Frame
Perfect for you dedicated doodlers.
Today’s Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 30, 2008 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Claire Lynch at McGlohon Theatre • The Avett Brothers at Belk Theater • Figure-drawing sessions at Green Rice Gallery • Art Exhibit Simply Red at Ciel Gallery…
Today’s Top(less) 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 30, 2008 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
MUSIC: American Aquarium at Snug Harbor
Don’t expect anything fishy from the Raleigh-based band American Aquarium when it visits Charlotte for a performance at Snug Harbor. The group will however, splash you with its roots-rock and country-style song fusions. Check ’em out on MySpace (www.myspace.com/americanaquarium) and if you like what you hear, get your ass out to the live show. Red…
Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Dec. 31
Current Releases AUSTRALIA Director Baz Luhrmann’s frenzied approach, which worked just fine for Moulin Rouge! and Romeo & Juliet, ends up hurting this roller coaster of a romantic epic. As Lady Sarah Ashley, who journeys to Australia and ends up trying to protect her late husband’s cattle ranch from being taken over by rival King…
2008 lit picks
At the end of the year, part of our job is to help readers separate the past 12 months’ literary wheat from the chaff, but first a disclaimer: This list is only one person’s (my) record of favorites from 2008, and it reflects only my tastes, inclinations and limitations. Those limitations include being unable to…
Is Yellowstone Park sitting on a supervolcano that’s about to blow?
My friend Melanie loves to watch the Discovery Channel and share what she has watched with others. The problem is she can never get the story straight. Her latest tale is about Yellowstone Park sitting on top of a supervolcano that has been dormant for 6,000-ish years. She said the supervolcano is starting to show…
The best comic books of 2008
In keeping with the theme of this “Year in Review” issue, here are my picks (in no particular order) for the best comic books of 2008. Action Comics: Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank started their run on this comic without much fanfare. But by the end of the year, the creative team had…
2008 in news
Tasers, papers and a green power savior
A not-so wonderful year in the food industry
A 2008 assessment
Frank Scibelli, owner of Mama Ricotta’s
Frank Scibelli’s dream of owning his own restaurant that served up his favorite home made dishes became a reality 15 years ago, and since then has thrived. Mama Ricotta’s has grown from a small establishment to a 200-seat restaurant that has won nearly every major award there is to win in Charlotte. Creative Loafing: You…
Tips to avoid the New Year’s Day blahs
At this moment, I’m struggling with a massive hangover, tasked with writing about my current nemesis — alcohol. My stomach gurgles, my head flounders, and I was 2 pounds lighter this morning due to dehydration. And it’s a Monday. In one of those sleepless “what was I thinking” moments at 4 a.m., I rolled over,…
Top CDs of 2008
Plus a brief defense of our top picks
There’s a festival of festiveness all around the Q.C.
‘Tis the season of giving … but, given the economy, a lot of corporations are forgoing their company holiday parties. But no need to get all “Ba Hum Bug,” it’s better than going out of business. And that doesn’t mean you still can’t get in the merrymaking mood … as in the holiday spirit. On…
Top 10 local CDs of 2008
It’s not easy to narrow down all of the great music in the Queen City to just 10 CDs, nine without ours. Numerous honorable mentions could be given to artists such as Yardwork, Nicolette Emanuelle, Lindy Dobbins, Buschovski, Perry Fowler, Dylan Gilbert and a whole bunch more. But, here’s 10 that got more than a…
CL previews upcoming shows
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31 Jamie McLean Band The highly-in-demand session guitarist McLean is also a fab songwriter/crooner. His blues and roots-rock tells it straight, without any flash or pretension. McLean’s recently released disc, American Heartache, gathers influences from the Black Crowes and Dylan to the Stones and inserts the McLean riffage. Many veteran musicians lend a…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
Hot and Broth-ered: A 45-year-old man got into hot water when his wife reached the boiling point. According to police reports, the couple was arguing about a bowl of chicken noodle soup when things got out of control, and she became irate and pushed him to the floor. This guy needs to read that new…
2009 Annual Horoscope
Aries: Your life’s work is heading for transformation. January is for activities involving revisions and repairs. From mid-March through April 22, it will be best if you do not initiate new starts or anything that could be construed as an “attack” on another. From late April to early June do not follow impulses concerning money.…
THEATER: The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)
You don’t have to be Christian to watch The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) … but, you do need a sense of humor. Three goofy men tamper with tough questions (like: Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?) in an attempt to tackle theology. Watch each one tell their own version of the…
Exhibition: A Day In Pompeii
History buffs or not, the A Day In Pompeii exhibition is a must-see (and time is running out! Today is the exhibition’s last day). It tells the story of the ancient Roman city Pompeii before the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius left it buried and forgotten. It displays authentic artifacts, religious relics, cooking items, furniture,…
MUSIC: ‘I Am Music Tour’ featuring Lil Wayne
The Charlotte block is hot when the “I Am Music Tour” kicks off at Time Warner Cable Arena. R&B, hip-hop and soul fans prepare, because this event is off the hook. Lil Wayne (who is stirring up a buzz with his multi-platinum album Tha Carter III) is set to headline the show. But, he’s also…
Resolution time: Small victories count
Well, it’s that time of year again. It is resolution time, which I love and loathe. I love this time of year because it provides an opportunity to establish much-needed goals and creates a benchmark against which to measure outcomes. I loathe it because it also signifies a time when we make proclamations that we…
ART: The Young and the Experienced
Being young doesn’t mean you can’t create masterpieces, and Elder Gallery sets out to explore this idea with its latest exhibition The Young and the Experienced. The gallery will feature the artwork of 10 artists; five “young” (including Steve Javiel, Jung Han Kim, Marcos Shih, Gopika Sitwala and Sai Thongvahn) and five “experienced” (including Carl…
More taxes for light rail?
Watch your wallets. Charlotte’s leaders are about to go on a transit spending spree they know they can’t afford. Their ultimate plan? To hold county taxpayers hostage. Here’s how it will work. First they’ll find the money to build one to two more rail transit lines and a streetcar, all of which they know they…
MUSIC: Find Your Muse open mic night
It’s Find Your Muse open mic night at The Evening Muse this and every Monday at 7 p.m. If you’re a musician, be sure to grab your music gear, make your way to The Evening Muse and hit the stage to play those musical creations that you’ve always wanted to play in front of a…
The best and worst movies of 2008
’08 is enough in film
COMEDY: Johnny Millwater at Lake Norman Comedy Zone
Stand-up comedian Johnny Millwater is a little crazy. He’s obsessed with fire-eating and he can’t seem to stop with the impressions, one-liners and improv that got his shows nicknamed “The One Man Freak Show” and the “Comedy Show of Death.” But don’t be scared. He’s not really dangerous (unless you have a heart attack laughing…
Stories to see in 2009
Happy New Year to all. Every year around this time, members of the media develop mysterious powers that allow them to predict events of the coming year. I’m happy to say that I’ve finally gotten my share of the forecasting mojo, too. So here we go, with headlines and stories you may see in the…
