Feb 17-24, 2009

Feb 17-24, 2009 / Vol. 22 / No. 51

SWARM party @ Apostrophe Lounge, 2/20/09

Niche and Kitschworth present SWARM, a new event in Southend every third Friday of the month. Prior to partying it up at Apostrophe, patrons got the chance to customize their own 40 oz. bottle at Niche. Sounds like a good time to me! Photos by Logan Canale

Kimberly Lawson

The Wack List: Feb. 23

Five people, places and things we really ain’t digging today • Madea Goes to Jail • Media Malpractice the movie • North Carolina’s probation system • Stupid governors who don’t want stimulus cash. Hey, more money for us • The scam letter going out to small business owners

Carlton Hargro

Sale of the Day: Monday

Winter isn’t over … yet! Head over to Jesse Brown’s Outdoors in Ballantyne Village and snag a sweet deal on select winter merchandise. Buy one sale item and receive 30 percent off, purchase two sale items and receive 40 percent off both, and if you buy three or more sale items you get 50 percent…

Jaclyn Letizia

Nikki Giovanni @ Alive, 2/20/09

Author Nikki Giovanni came through to Alive Friday night for a Charlotte Literary Festival fundraiser. She discussed her most currently released book, titled Bicycles: Love Poems. Photos by Rhiannon Bowman

Kimberly Lawson

Rack up another stupid idea from corporate tight-asses

Here we go again, another imbecilic idea from chronically tight-assed corporate suits with teeny imaginations, hellbent on making the city as boring as they are. Yesterday, Tim Newman, head of the Charlotte Regional Vistors Authority, announced that the CRVA and Center City Partners (CCP) want to do away with the rows of newspaper racks Uptown…

John Grooms

Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique, 2/19/09

Last night was the opening of Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique’s newest exhibit (which also celebrates its one year anniversary), titled New Works by Duy Huynh and Featured Potter Diana Fayt. The reception featured a performance from Nicolette Emanuelle and Fritz Kessler. Check out the photos (below) to see some of the folks who…

Anita Overcash

A monkey’s uncle

The N.Y. Post apologizes for chimp cartoon, not for being assholes. NEW YORK – The New York Post is apologizing for a cartoon that critics say links President Barack Obama to a raging chimpanzee shot dead by police in Connecticut. But the newspaper also says the image was exploited by its longtime antagonists. After two…

Cheris Hodges

Ken Lewis got some ‘plain to do.

And the hits keep coming to Bank of America. Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Ken Lewis has received a subpoena from the New York state attorney general’s office in connection with Merrill Lynch’s payment of employee bonuses before the companies combined on Jan. 1.

Cheris Hodges

Silence will greet the Love Won Out attendees

When the attendees of the Love Won Out conference head outside of the  church tomorrow, they are going to have to look into the faces of the gays and lesbians they are supposed to help. Focus on Family, a conservative religious group, will be holding the conference at Central Church of God. The Charlotte Rainbow…

Cheris Hodges

10-in-10 CD Reviews

Each Friday we bring you 10-word reviews of 10 random CDs released in the last few months: Solarcade Songs for the Gathering — Pop-rock duo has garnered attention of Killers’ Brandon Flowers. Ani DiFranco Red Letter Year — Album finds joyous tone, but same vibe she’s known for. (Neighborhood Theatre on March 11) Red Innocence…

Jeff Hahne

A men’s runway show here in Charlotte?

Men’s runway shows are rare here in the Q.C. Every local fashion show I’ve been to has highlighted women’s clothing or a mixture of men’s and women’s. So I’d recommend you checking out Charlotte Style Magazine’s Men’s Issue Cover Release party tomorrow night at Loft 1523. If anything, the guys sporting the duds aren’t that…

Kimberly Lawson

Photo sparks emotion, investigation

The above photo showed up at TMZ.com and is reportedly taken from the night of the incident involving Chris Brown and Rihanna. Immediately after the photo was released, the Los Angeles Police Department all but confirmed its authenticity in a statement saying, “the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about…

Jeff Hahne

Daily consumer dish: Feb. 20

Headlines from the world of retail, fashion and shopping. • Texas Stadium sale: Everything must go:  CBS/Dallas local news • Barefoot is the new killer heel at Brian Reyes show: Glamour.com • Gamestop sees growth despite economic slowdown: Reuters.com • Lowe’s profit tumbles as shoppers scrimp: MSNBC.com

Kimberly Lawson

Sale of the Day: Friday

City Supply Co., a home decor store in Plaza Midwood, is having an art sale: 20 percent off all canvas and framed art. Sale ends March 28. 1219 Thomas Ave. 704-347-2489

Kimberly Lawson

NYFashionWeek Highlight 5: Diesel Black Gold

NewsDay writer Anne Bratskeir calls the fall line of Diesel “hobo chic.” I have to agree. There’s not much in the collection — lingerie-type tops layered beneath frumpy coats on the women, rumpled suits on the men — that you’d see on bankers Jill and Joe here in the Queen City, but that’s probably why I like…

Kimberly Lawson

Sex news round up: Thursday

Here’s a round up of some of the day’s sex headlines floating around the Internet. Dita Von Teese is now having sex. Student was of age while sleeping with police officer. Craig’s List ad leads to an unhappy Valentine’s Day. Transgendered couple celebrates 40 years of marriage.

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

The Wack List: Feb. 19

Five people, places and things we really ain’t digging today. The cartoon above, which recently appeared in the New York Post. I mean I love nuance and satire as much as the next guy, but I’m unclear how this can’t be seen as anything but racist. Budgets for Charlotte police and fire departments The Rowan…

Carlton Hargro

Today’s Top 5: Thursday

Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Feb. 19, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Living Out at Great Aunt Stella Center • Opening reception for New Works by Duy Huynh and Featured Potter Diana Fayt at Lark & Key Gallery and…

Anita Overcash

Music Menu (2/19/09)

U-Melt brings their just-funky-enough jams to the QC from NYC, Son Volt boasts one of the best young twang-guitarists in the biz and The Noises 10 goes unplugged.

Contributing Intern

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, Feb. 19, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Enjoy live music in University. • Get your meat cheap at Uptown Cabaret. • Get your Salsa…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Concert announcement

Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke will be performing at Ovens Auditorium on April 17. No word on ticket prices or when they go on sale…

Jeff Hahne

Gay groups to publicly challenge local “ex-gay” conference

This just in from the Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality: Gay groups to publicly challenge Focus on the Family, “ex-gay” conference Anti-gay organizations’ myths and lies countered by author and activist CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality (CRANE), a grassroots activism network, has teamed up with several local and national organizations…

Carlton Hargro

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, Feb. 18, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Comedy and culture night at the Neighborhood Theater. • Have an ethnic dinner tonight. • Guys night…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

The zombies are coming!

Be sure to check out tomorrow’s issue of Creative Loafing, which will include everything you wanted to know about George Romero and the upcoming American Zombie event taking place this weekend in Charlotte. In the meantime, here’s a look at one of the movies that will be included in the lineup: Dawn of the Dead…

Matt Brunson

Are you ready for some IKEA?

So to hear that we’re getting our very own IKEA, where those in love with home decor and those craving Swedish meatballs can unite under one roof … well, you should be excited.

Kimberly Lawson

BAR Charlotte, 2/13/09

BAR Charlotte. Where the girls are wild, the drinks are strong, the crowd is young and the music makes you shake your booty. Check out these photos from Friday night. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh

Kimberly Lawson

Sex news of the day

Here’s a round up of some of the day’s sex headlines floating around the Internet. Bristol Palin doesn’t regret pregnancy. Charlotte couple puts off having kids until economy gets better. Arrest made in Valentine’s Day killing. 5 Ways to rehab your broken heart that doesn’t involve throwing bricks. Nude picture texts could bring porn charges.

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Daily consumer dish: Feb. 17

Headlines from the world of retail, fashion and shopping. • Update from New York Fashion Week – Monday: WWD.com • Celebrity iPod auction for charity: TalkingShopping.com • Traffic control measures installed for IKEA grand opening: CharlotteObserver.com • GQ unveils 10 most stylish men in American: FashionWeekDaily.com

Kimberly Lawson

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, Feb. 17, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. •Check out the sale at The Red Door. •Eat raw fish with someone. •Take a salsa lesson. •Tenderloin…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Are Americans dumber than Europeans?

In a Straight Dope staff report I read online, the writer kindly reminded readers that € is the symbol for the euro. As a European, it seemed to me to be unnecessary until I recalled the old stereotype that we, the Europeans, so enjoy believing about the general American populace: that they’re stupid and/or blind…

Cecil Adams

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Please Explain: A young girl called police to tell them that a known suspect had called 20 times and sent her 20 texts over a span of five days. In one of the text messages, the suspect said, “When I see you, I’m going to burn you.” If I was this victim I would be…

Ryan Pitkin

Six, by George

Over the course of the American Zombie weekend, a half-dozen films helmed by George Romero will be shown at area venues. For showtimes and screening sites, go to www.zombiestakecharlotte.com. Night of the Living Dead (1968). Romero’s first film out of the gate not only redefined the zombie field but also served as the opening shot…

Matt Brunson

Horoscope for Feb. 18-24, 2008

Aquarius The Waterbearer: (Jan. 19-Feb. 18) The Waterbearers have been are conveying the message of the “call to action” for many weeks, and this is the peak month. You have so many plans, messages to impart and projects that you may feel overwhelmed. Know that you are the right person for these jobs. Think about…

Vivian Carol

Romero on Romero

Unpretentious, enthusiastic and still proudly waving his freak flag after four decades in the business, George Romero spoke in a recent phone interview about the joys of independent filmmaking and the origins of his career. Creative Loafing: Can it be true that your first directing gig was on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood? George Romero: Oh, yeah,…

Marty Kelso

ART: New Works by Duy Huynh and Featured Potter Diana Fayt

In celebration of Lark & Key Gallery and Boutique’s one-year anniversary comes a new exhibit, appropriately titled New Works by Duy Huynh and Featured Potter Diana Fayt. Artist Duy Huynh is known in Charlotte and the surrounding area for both the imaginative, dream-like quality that his paintings posses and the deep thoughts they conjure up.…

Anita Overcash

Zombie contest finalists

In conjunction with The Light Factory and Reel Soul Cinema — the hosts of the American Zombie event — Creative Loafing presented the American Zombie Horror Film Contest, which offered regional filmmakers the opportunity to have their picture screened right alongside Night of the Living Dead during the opening night celebration. Five finalists were selected,…

Matt Brunson

SPECIAL EVENT: Nikki Giovanni

Poet, author and activist Nikki Giovanni will visit Alive for RealEyes Bookstore’s “Change is Coming to Charlotte” event series. Giovanni will discuss her most currently released book, titled Bicycles: Love Poems. In addition, jazz, food and more will be provided. And it’s all for a good cause, as this speaker engagement and book signing is…

Anita Overcash

CL previews upcoming concerts (Feb. 18-22)

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18 Crowntown Showdown It’s a monthly event that we’re a sponsor of and we’ll support it until the cows come home. What other chance do you have to see a handful of bands for a low price? We don’t get any profit from it – we only support the bands and try to…

Night of the Living Trivia

1. In 1974, between the releases of The Crazies and Martin, Romero directed a made-for-TV sports documentary about a football star who would achieve a different kind of fame two decades later. The film? O.J. Simpson: Juice on the Loose. 2. Dawn of the Dead was released in many territories overseas (where it was a…

Matt Brunson

Tales from the airport bar

Did you know there’s nightlife at airports? For starters, there’s the FOX Sports Bar & Grill and the Carolina Beer Company on opposite ends of the Charlotte airport. But considering how not fun airports are, bars should be in them for frightened flyers to sedate themselves and stranded travelers to kill time. I’ve noticed a…

Dysfunction Junction, TX

If you’ve seen Bug and August: Osage County, you already know that playwright Tracy Letts is equally acclimated to surrealism and naturalism, with a wicked attraction to the primal struggles — and the irrational demons — that lurk at the core of American life. Killer Joe, written long before either of Letts’ greatest hits, is…

Perry Tannenbaum

THEATER: Living Out

No one ever said being a mom was easy, and caring for the kids while making a living, well most just say “forget it.” That’s where nannies come in, right? Playwright Lisa Loomer (also known for Girl, Interrupted) has explored the struggle in her most recent play Living Out. When a Latin-American woman (with children…

Anita Overcash

Kids for cash

As many as 5,000 children in Pennsylvania have been found guilty, and up to 2,000 of them jailed, by two corrupt judges who received kickbacks from the builders and owners of private prison facilities that benefited. The two judges pleaded guilty in this stunning case of greed and corruption that is still unfolding. Judges Mark…

Amy Goodman

Why N.C. is really facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit

A couple of weeks ago, state politicians officially began doing the “oh-so-broke shuffle.” The state is so broke, the media reported, that legislators are even considering letting criminals out of prison before they complete their sentences to cut costs. That’s pretty broke. But before we turn a Mongol horde of several thousand “non-violent” criminals back…

SPECIAL EVENT: Carnaval in Venezuela

The Latin American Coalition and Arts and Science Council have teamed up for Carnaval in Venezuela, an event celebrating a mixture of culture and customs from Venezuela. The festivities include a parade, folkloric and Barlovento drum dances, music from the group UltimaNota and others set to perform using Venezuela’s national instrument, the “el cuatro.” Samples…

Anita Overcash

Why is Chris Brown more important than ‘Chris Nobody’?

Well, well, well. America’s sugary pop star couple — a match made in publicity heaven — Chris Brown and Rihanna (the one-named wonder) are exposed. The young stars on the cusp of music royalty, both teenage heartthrobs in their own right, are now embroiled in one of the most publicized cases of domestic violence ever…

Nsenga Burton

MUSIC: Kathleen Edwards

Canadian musician Kathleen Edwards will bring her fusion of alternative country and folk rock to the Q.C. for a performance at McGlohon Theatre this evening. The singer’s debut album, Failer (released in 2003) contains hits like “Six O’Clock News” and “Hockey Skates,” while 2005’s Back to Me features other singles you might have heard, including…

Anita Overcash

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Feb. 18

GRAN TORINO It’s not necessary to be familiar with Clint Eastwood’s career arc to enjoy Gran Torino, but it does amplify the appreciation for the manner in which the topic of violence is approached. From the glorified gun battles in the Dirty Harry franchise to the ruminations about the impact of taking a man’s life…

Matt Brunson

MUSIC: Ludo

The energetic pop-rock group Ludo (and yeah, in case you’re wondering the band name was inspired by the character in Jim Henson’s film Labyrinth) is set to storm the Q.C. for a headlining performance at Visulite Theatre. It’s been nearly a year since the band’s first album You’re Awful I Love You was released on…

Anita Overcash

Habitat benefit planned

The second annual concert to benefit Habitat for Humanity will also celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary. The event will take place on Feb. 22 at the Double Door Inn from 2 to 11 p.m. Performers are Marsha Ellison & Friends, Rick Spreitzer, Nita B & The Swingin’ Soiree, Angie Medlin with Tom Williams, Federal Brothers,…

Jeff Hahne

The International: An uneasy mix of brains and brawn

The International is an action flick with smarts, but that’s not to say the brain and the brawn always coexist easily. Clive Owen stars as an Interpol agent who, with the help of a New York assistant D.A. (Naomi Watts), tries to bring down a banking institution that’s long been involved in illegal activities on…

Matt Brunson

Brave New World

I stand accused of being a New World oenophile. Translated from winespeak, that means I primarily write about and drink wines from the younger, less established wine regions around the globe — U.S., Australia, South America and South Africa. It is, of course, highhanded Old World enthusiasts who denigrate my choices. Intrigued as to why,…

Taylor Eason

Coraline: Creepy, cool cartoon creation

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas was actually Henry Selick’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, given that it was the latter who actually directed the film. Here, he displays his mastery again, helming an eye-popping animated extravaganza he adapted from Neil Gaiman’s best-selling book. Dakota Fanning provides the voice of Coraline, a lonely little girl who…

Matt Brunson

I’ve Loved You So Long stays with viewer

Don’t let the Harlequin Romance title fool you: The French import I’ve Loved You So Long is a potent drama that steers clear of undue sentimentality and forced bathos, relying almost exclusively on two strong central performances to stir up audience awareness and emotion. Kristin Scott Thomas plays a former doctor who’s just been released…

Matt Brunson

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