Cover Story
Opportunity knocks: Andy the Doorbum reaches a new milestone
Living at the Milestone is no picnic. You have to pack heat, says Andy Fenstermaker. He should know. He’s worked the door at the beat-up West Charlotte punk club for the past seven years, and even lived there with former owner Neal Harper for eight months in 2006. At night, after the last band screeched…
Ceschi Ramos plays The Milestone (2/21/12)
CESCHI So, it’s a concept album with a name that sounds like a punchline (The One Man Band Broke Up) but it’s really about the cold, lonely inevitability of death (oh, and there’s some suicide too). So, the medium is rapid-fire, emotionally-loaded hip-hop with the black-hoodied grit of road-hardened post-punk and the heartsick romanticism of…
Fashion Review: Night in the Garden
A recap of the charity event held at the Van Landingham Estate on Feb. 18.
Photos: Sweet Tooth Festival
A delicious event for a worthy cause.
Night in the Garden, 2/18/12
Photos from the charity event benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Beads for Needs at Whisky River, 2/17/12
Photos from the Mardi Gras celebration at the EpiCentre.
Charlotte Talks … about the Oscars
Local film critics will appear on WFAE show at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.
A look at A Night in Rio
Sold out event packs the Neighborhood Theatre on Feb. 18, 2012.
Today’s Top 5: Monday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Celebrate a Night in Rio at Neighborhood Theatre tonight (2/18/12)
A NIGHT IN RIO Who can take a folk song and whip it into a dance frenzy? Brazilians, of course. For the third year, the Latin American Coalition celebrates Carnival with music, dance and a spread of the multi-ethnic South American country’s delicious culinary delights. Expect the sweet, rubbery sounds of Bossa Nova, Tropicalia, Musica…
The David Mayfield Parade at The Evening Muse tonight (2/18/12)
THE DAVID MAYFIELD PARADE Singer/songwriter, guitarist Mayfield is touring in support of his newest solo recordings; his other outfit, the bluegrass quintet Cadillac Sky is currently on indefinite hiatus. Mayfield’s American songbook is genuine, and filled with folk, country, old-time rock and gospel. The Avett Brothers caught on early. They’ve taken Mayfield along on tour…
Arlo Guthrie at McGlohon Theatre tonight (2/18/12)
ARLO GUTHRIE He’s had only one top-40 hit and hasn’t charted since 1981, but singer, songwriter, activist and comic raconteur Arlo Guthrie is still running strong with an illustrious recording and touring career. Building on the early trifecta of “Alice’s Restaurant,” “City of New Orleans” and beloved drug running anthem “Coming into Los Angeles,” he…
Drinks, drinks and more drinks at Bartender’s Ball
Nothing says patriotism like a good ol’ hangover.
Cavity caution during Sweet Tooth Festival
Forget calorie-counting and diets, at least for today.
Radio Rehab, 2/16/12
Photos from the monthly party featuring DJ Skillz and DJ Dr at Neighborhood Theatre.
George Clinton receives honorary degree from Berklee
The godfather of funk, George Clinton, received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Boston’s Berklee College of Music on Feb. 16. Clinton, who was born in Kannapolis, N.C., is best known as the mastermind behind 1970s funk bands Parliament, Funkadelic and every P-Funk reincarnation since then. Clinton, who cut off his trademark rainbow hair…
Friday Film Reviews: This Means War; The Secret World of Arrietty
Here’s what’s newly covered on the cinema scene.
This Means War: Mission: Impugnable
THIS MEANS WAR *1/2 DIRECTED BY McG STARS Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine When it comes to the twin businesses of sexual politics and romantic revelations, the number of modern-day comedies that have managed to smartly upend all the tired stereotypes and withering clichés is a dismally small one, sporting a losing ratio comparable to that…
The Secret World of Arrietty worth discovering
THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY *** DIRECTED BY Hiromasa Yonebayashi & Gary Rydstrom STARS Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler An adaptation of Mary Norton’s classic novel The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty hails from Japan’s Studio Ghibli, the only toon factory comparable to Pixar. It’s understandable that the original Japanese voices have been overlaid with…
Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays Wingate tonight
Legendary South African vocal group to perform near Charlotte.
Promo video for Charleston Fashion Week 2012
If you weren’t considering attending, the flashes of edgy couture in this video might make you rethink that.
Photo essay: Greenpeace protest at Duke Energy HQ
Photographer Grant Baldwin documents Wednesday arrests at downtown demonstration.
Knives and Daggers plays The Milestone tonight (2/17/12)
KNIVES AND DAGGERS Time to crank the delay and dial the gain up, people, for on this night no guitar goes undistorted. That’ll certainly be the case when this Asheville five-piece molds their “turbulently loud” soundscapes on stage via its three-guitar lineup. In the studio, K&D blends in strings with the guitars and voices —…
Charlotte Symphony honors Copland tonight at Belk Theater (2/17/12)
CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY: COPLAND The beauty of Aaron Copland is that, for all his familiar, pastoral accessibility, the man was a tone poet. Not long after composing his mammoth “Symphony No. 3,” he explored serialism — a relative of atonality. But the skill required to compose so counterintuitively is obvious even in the spacious, balanced intervals…
Hunger strikes
The Charlotte Film Society’s Saturday Night Cine Club screens the Irish film.
Bead hoarding at Hartigan’s
Hartigan’s 4th Annual Harti Gras is forecasted to rain Mardis Gras beads.
Today’s Top 5: Friday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Spamalot invades Knight Theater
Make way for the adventures of the less than magnificent Arthur and his roundtable of numbskulls.
Le Bang at Dharma Lounge, 2/15/12
Photos from the weekly shindig.
Shopping dresses for Charlotte’s 11th Annual Bartender’s Ball
Check out three semi-formal dresses that are sure to make heads turn at the 11th Annual Charlotte Bartender’s Ball.
Concert announcement roundup
Madonna making her first appearance in, Iron Maiden kicking off the tour in Charlotte.
Lilly Pulitzer opens at South Park
Lilly’s coming to town, and she’s intent on painting Charlotte pink and green.
Democratic National Convention 2012 Notebook: Leadership team faces questions about Latino vote, same-sex marriage
Photo by Rene Min Villaraigosa In a conference call to formally announce Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s nomination as chair of the Democratic National Convention, the mayor and other DNC heavy-hitters fielded questions about Latino voters’ support of President Obama and the Democratic Party’s position on same-sex marriage. The issue of same-sex marriage is particularly…
Malcolm X, Tower Heist among new home entertainment titles
ANONYMOUS (2011). Call it the anti-Shakespeare in Love. Call it the more cultured cousin to Inglourious Basterds. Just don’t call Anonymous a fact-based story. There have been many speculations advanced that William Shakespeare actually did not write the countless classic works attributed to him, but the conspiracy theorists can’t quite agree on the true identity…
Conjoined Opposites challenges viewers
Artist Indrani Nayar-Gall draws influence from both her native land of India.
Mardi Gras at Whisky River
Beads for Needs offers a party for a good cause.
Le Havre screens at The Light Factory
The modest charmer, set in France, focuses on the relationship between an African refugee and an elderly man.
Opening Friday
What’s new in theaters this weekend.
Le Havre screens at The Light Factory
The modest charmer, set in France, is loved at Cannes Film Festival.
Today’s Top 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Crockpot Arsenal: Curry Chicken Soup
Quick pop quiz! Are you… a. Too busy to cook? b. Not in the mood to cook? c. At a loss of how to prepare an easy healthy meal? D. All of the above? Have I got a recipe for you! When I want to put a healthy meal on the table, but have little…
Off the Record features Grown Up Avenger Stuff tonight
OFF THE RECORD Combining stripped-down or acoustic performances with on-stage Q&A gives music fans an opportunity to find out more about a band/artist’s songs and songwriting. This month features Grown Up Avenger Stuff and The Local Traumatic showing off rarely seen sides of their music. As always, hosted by yours truly. $6 advance. The Evening…
Photos: Runway for the Ballet
Fashion shows are one of those things that when combined with any other element be it art, music or dance, it can be amazing when done right. As last year’s emcee of Runway for the Ballet, I know just how much work goes into the production and this year was no different. www.inhisimagebyjulie.com Backstage was…
Night out at the EpiCentre benefits charities
Attend Charlotte’s Great Night Out on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the EpiCentre, and help out local charities.
Earthly materials become art
New Gallery of Modern Art’s upcoming stone • earth • paper exhibit opens on Feb. 23.
South Charlotte Catholic church fires music director for getting married
Hypocrisy can be so ugly.
Today’s Top 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
LOL: Comedy in the Q.C.
A roundup of CL’s top picks for comedy shows in Charlotte this week.
The greatest love story ever told
The modern-day fairy tale of 28-year-old Nathaniel and the love of his life, Chase — his 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo.
Jennifer Roberts will run for U.S. House seat vacated by Sue Myrick
Mecklenburg County Commissioner wants to take a new, progressive agenda to Washington.
2012 Bonnaroo lineup released
The 2012 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival lineup has been announced. The festival will take place in Manchester, Tenn., on June 7-10. Headliners for this year’s festival are Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Phish. Among the other 125 acts are Bon Iver, The Beach Boys Featuring Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce, Johnston…
Today’s Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
3 questions with Rachael Burns, pastry chef at BLT Steak
The history of chocolate is deep. In a nutshell: It traces all the way back to the Mayans and Aztecs, who deemed it magical and suitable for use in rituals. When the Europeans discovered America, it was sweetened to tantalize their taste buds, and by the 17th century, it crossed the ocean to intoxicate Europe,…
CD REVIEW: Scowl Brow
A pulsing guitar riff opens up the self-titled debut EP from Charlotte trio Scowl Brow. It leads to the raspy vocals of singer/guitarist Robby Hale telling the story of his brother’s suicide on the opener, “Years.” The song’s slightly ’50s pop-rock rhythms offer a kind of healing for the singer despite its weighty lyrics. His…
CD Review: Pyramids/Horseback’s A Throne Without a King
Few collaborative projects are as comprehensive or satisfying as A Throne Without a King, which pairs Chapel Hill’s ever-evolving avant-metal project Horseback (aka Jenks Miller) with perennial experimental titans Pyramids. On the surface, the full-length — a mostly minimal, entirely bizarre noise piece — has little in common with either band’s catalog. Smartly, they include…
America’s pro-choice majority speaks out
The leadership of the Catholic Church has launched what amounts to a holy war against President Barack Obama. Archbishop Timothy Dolan appealed to church members, “Let your elected leaders know that you want religious liberty and rights of conscience restored and that you want the administration’s contraceptive mandate rescinded,” he said. Obama is now under…
Sue Myrick: a CL timeline
Rep. Sue Myrick’s announcement last week that she would not run for another term prompted us to look back at her nearly three-decades-long political career. After serving a term on the Charlotte City Council from 1983 to 1985, Myrick was elected mayor in 1987, the year Creative Loafing launched in this city. The following is…
Queen City? She’s no reigning monarch when it comes to LGBT equality
“It Gets Better” was the message syndicated columnist Dan Savage broadcast on YouTube in September 2010. Meant primarily to soothe the wounds of vulnerable lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, it is no less a powerful message for Charlotte. LGBT Charlotteans should feel encouraged and empowered. So many of us are working hard to…
Building fashion: Architectural influences abound
I’ve never built an ornately designed house before — or any house, for that matter — but I’ll wear anything with an asymmetrical neckline. That was my thought as I listened recently to Arlene Goldstein, Belk’s vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction, talk trends for spring. One of the major themes she kept…
Whitney Houston: A (very) personal tribute
I was never a big fan of Whitney Houston’s music, although I respected and admired that hurricane of a voice. Still, her death Saturday at the way-too-young age of 48 affected me more profoundly than I ever would have imagined, as it did her millions of fans. I didn’t know what I was going to…
Interview: Lindsey Hathaway, co-owner of Re Salon and Med Spa
Today, though the trucks are gone and the hoses are rolled up, Historic Fire Station #2 is still a safe haven. In November 2010, Re Salon and Med Spa (1212 South Blvd., www.resalonandmedspa.com) utilized the 10-foot ceilings, exposed brick and the original gold fire pole to become a chic health spot. Aiming to offer a…
Good reads for Black History Month
I don’t know of anyone who limits his or her reading of books by African-Americans to one specific month, but I still wanted to write about some remarkable nonfiction books, and one fictional kids’ book, all tailor-made for Black History Month. So here we go. Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone by Nadine…
Exhibit: Conjoined Opposites
Artist Indrani Nayar-Gall draws influence for her exhibit at Winthrop University from both her native land of India and travel. The show is described as reflecting her thoughts on “migration, identity, loss, memory and displacement.” By using two- and three-dimensional media, she challenges viewers to contemplate feelings contrary to one another. Exhibit continues through March…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
Art school: The head custodian at Nations Ford Elementary School was contacted last week and told that someone had set a dumpster ablaze. The custodian called police and headed to the school, where he also found a vandalized mobile classroom. The police report states that suspects had thrown paint on the building and on the…
Weekly horoscope (Feb. 15-21)
Aquarius The Waterbearer (Jan. 19-Feb. 18) You have a steady mind and hands now. It is a good time to work on a project that requires concentration and careful work. You will find satisfaction this week with the routine activities of life. You may be spending time with older people, whether friends or relatives. For…
Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Feb. 15
ALBERT NOBBS There’s a towering performance in Albert Nobbs, and it sure as hell doesn’t belong to Glenn Close. A labor of love for the actress, Close not only stars in the picture but also serves as co-writer and co-producer (and, lest I forget, she also co-penned the theme song, “Lay Your Head Down”). Yet…
After midnight at Three Amigos: Mexican Grill and Cantina
After an evening clubbing, fast casual dining is so popular in Latin American countries that one sandwich in Cuba is titled medianoche, midnight. Throughout the Caribbean, the late-night partying set has its favorite spots and favorite foods. In Charlotte, many of the spots open after midnight serve diner or bar food, baked goods, sushi, or…
