Feb 3-10, 2009

Feb 3-10, 2009 / Vol. 22 / No. 49

Food news: Feb. 9

Free wine tastings and special pricing on bottle purchases on Wednesdays at Press Wine/Food (333 West Trade Street, 704-370-3006): February 11, Scott Killette from Juice Wine Purveyors with “Jammy and Spicy” reds; February 18, Mike Bell from Mutual with “Lively” whites; February 25, Marcelle Miller from Prestige with “Soft Round” whites; March 4, Alice Rodgers…

Tricia Childress

Grammy results

The results are in… How many of music editor Jeff Hahne’s Grammy predictions were right?

Jeff Hahne

HOM closed

With all these home foreclosures goes HOM – causing Liv, Play and Feast to close. But was it the economy, Hurricane Funderfurk, the EpiCentre opening… or is that location just cursed? That whole block seems to be capitalistically cursed. I’ve only lived in Charlotte for three years and the various venues have been several different…

Brittney Cason

DrumsForCures benefit @ McGlohon Theatre, 2/6/09

DrumsForCures, the same people that bring you DrumStrong, held a “Not So Silent” Auction on Feb. 6, which benefited Levine Children’s Hospital’s cancer research and clinical trials programs. Music was provided by Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Jim Donovan of Rusted Root, Jim Brock, Jim Roberts and others. For more information on DrumsForCure, click here. Photos by…

Web Editor

Century Vintage: Where cool stuff goes to be adopted

This week’s feature on consignment stores around Charlotte is on Century Vintage. Plaza Midwood is home to Century Vintage, which has been open for 12 years. Owner Allison has owned it for eight. She got into the business because she couldn’t stand to see things from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s go to waste. “We…

Jaclyn Letizia

Sale of the Day: Monday

Coco Fleur, a women’s clothing boutique, has winter and resort wear marked down 75 percent. You’ll also want to check out their $50 or less rack. 8145 Ardrey Kell Rd # 102 704-321-2626

Kimberly Lawson

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, Feb. 9, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. •Learn to belly dance for Valentine’s day. •Half off admission to The Gold Club. •Know when to hold…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Grammy predictions

Music Editor Jeff Hahne gives his thoughts on all 110 categories… you may want to get a snack. This could take a while.

Jeff Hahne

A Pure sale

This week at Pure Denim South Park: 25 percent off all Christian Audigier and Ed Hardy. Additional 30 percent off all sale pieces. South Park Mall 4400 Sharon Road #239 704-366-7873

Kimberly Lawson

Food news: Feb. 6

The McNinch House Restaurant, 511 North Church Street Fourth Ward (in a house with 10 fireplaces and happens to be on the National Historic Register), is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2009. They will be hosting events throughout the year: mcninchhouserestaurant.com. Tour de Food is a two-month mission to deliver as much food as possible…

Tricia Childress

It was 45 years ago today. OK, it was tomorrow.

Tomorrow, Feb. 7, should by all rights be a national holiday. I’ve said this for years but, hey, I guess the right people weren’t listening. Tomorrow will mark the 45th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival at Idlewild Airport in New York. Thousands of teenagers greeted them, their press conference wit and energy won over the…

John Grooms

Fido Item: Pet jerseys

For the pet who’s a sports lover — or for the pet whose owner is a sport lover — you can find these pet jerseys at The Boulevard. Available in most team colors with or without your furry fan’s name. 453 East 36th St. 704-332-0142

Kimberly Lawson

Daily consumer dish: Feb. 6

Headlines from the world of retail, fashion and shopping. • PETA takes Armani fur beef to the Oscars: LATimes.com • Women’s apparel company Cato sales down 7 percent: CharlotteBusinessJournal.com • Blogger: Cash4Gold tried to ‘bribe’ me: MSNBC.com • Amazon under investigation: (AP) SeattlePI.com

Kimberly Lawson

The 9th annual Guys and Dolls

If you’re wondering why there are a lot of single men and women dressed up roaming the streets of Uptown today, here’s your answer: Charlotte’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes will be scouring the streets of Uptown with a home base at Trade and Tryon on Friday, February 6 from 11AM to 1PM dressed to…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Today’s Top 5: Friday

Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Feb. 6, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. •Spooky Dog and the Teen-age Gang Mysteries at Duke Energy Theatre. • Troika Ranch presents 16 [R]evolutions at UNC-Charlotte’s Anne R. Belk Theater • Jim Weider’s Project Percolator…

Anita Overcash

Sale of the Day: Feb. 6

The Players Loft, a golf, tennis and resort wear shop located in the Blakeney shopping center, has all kinds of sales: • All men’s women’s and children’s tennis apparel: 40 percent off • All golf apparel from 45 percent to 60 percent off • All tennis and golf shoes discounted 25 percent to 50 percent…

Kimberly Lawson

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, Feb. 6, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Wild, wild west at The Estate. • New Salsa class for the experienced. • After hours party…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Heads up for wardrobe choices tomorrow: National Wear Red Day

Friday, Feb. 6 is the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day. From TalkingShopping.com: Show your support of American Heart Association’s effort to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke by wearing red at work, at school, out on the town, and even at the gym! 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular disease, but…

Kimberly Lawson

Chocolate creations in NoDa

During tomorrow night’s NoDa gallery crawl, Chocolatier Leslie Vilhelmsen will be at The Boulevard at NoDa with her amazing chocolate creations from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The Boulevard is a great place to find clothing, artwork, handbags and jewelry, home décor, gifts for pets, and much more. 453 East 36th St. 704-332-0142

Kimberly Lawson

Checking out bars without checking in

According to Jay-Z, “after the party it’s the hotel lobby” … or, you can just have the party at the hotel bar. Because you don’t have to be checked-in to check out the nightlife within hotels. There’s Café Sienna at the Holiday Inn, Chambers in the Crowne Plaza, Champions and Cutter’s Cigar Bar in Marriot…

Brittney Cason

Why Salsa is the key to better sex

If you’ve ever watched ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, you know the hottest nights on that show is when the stars do Latin dances. Maybe it’s the way the hips move or they way the man just grabs the woman and pulls her against his groin. If you want to invigorate your sex life, take…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

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. 5, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Bid on love. • $4.99 T-Bones at Uptown Cabaret. •Mexican Thirsty Thursday at Dilworth Billiards. • Get…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Obama Chia Pet

Amazon.com is offering this bust of Obama with Chia hair for $20. “Full growth in 1-2 weeks” touts the product description. Read the mixed consumer reviews here.

Priscilla Tsai

Fashion Friday on Thursday

Check out the official release of Fashion Friday’s web site and the announcement of the designers that will be featured for the year. Come learn what the people behind Fashion Friday have planned for all of 2009. Thursday, Feb. 5 If you love fashion and style, this is where you NEED to be. Doors open…

Kimberly Lawson

Shiny Item: The Original Collection and HP2

The Original Collection, found only at jewelry store Handpicked, is made up of stone and sterling silver jewelry. Prices range from $28-$58. If you’re interested more in costume jewelry, you can check out the HP2 collection pictured above. Prices range from $14-28. 9844-A Rea Road (photos taken at this location) 704-405-9780 8040 Providence Road, Suite…

Kimberly Lawson

Food news: Feb. 4

The Flying Saucer, 9605 N. Tryon Street, will host a beer tasting featuring Asheville, N.C.-based Highland Brewing Company on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by brewery owner Oscar Wong and will pair six of Highland’s beers with four courses and dessert. Featured beer and food pairings include: the Gaelic…

Tricia Childress

Mecklenburg and beyond …

Freebies: You have to feel sorry for Denny’s employees today. (Consumerist) Animals: NIMBYism comes to the dog park. (The News & Observer) Economy: CEOs who take bailout money may be limited to $500K in salary. (CNN) Drugs: Even conservative columnist Kathleen Parker says it’s time to rethink our marijuana policies. (The Washington Post)

Karen Shugart

Daily consumer dish: Feb. 4

Headlines from the world of retail, fashion and shopping. • Lost your job? Get a free necklace: ABC (KABC-TV Los Angeles) • Dollmaker drops Sasha & Malia dolls: NYTimes.com • UPDATE: 867-5309 eBay auction at $400,000: TalkingShopping.com • Men’s clothes, now in technicolor: WWD.com

Kimberly Lawson

Sale of the Day: Feb. 4

Wednesdays, you can find all clothing at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Plaza Midwood on sale at 50 percent off. 1001 Central Ave. 704-332-1171 ext. 240 Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sat.

Kimberly Lawson

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. 4, 2009— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • No cover at Club Onyx. • Live R&B at Allure. • Martini and beer at Strike City.…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Free snacks

We know how much our CL readers LOVE free stuff. So here’s a tip: sign up here and get a free sample of Quaker Mini Delights or Rice Snacks.

Priscilla Tsai

Langerado cancelled

The 2009 Langerado Music Festival has been cancelled due to sluggish ticket sales, it was announced today. The event was scheduled to take place on March 6-8 at Miami’s Bicentennial Park.

Jeff Hahne

BofA Super Bowl parties just the latest outrage

Like a lot of people, I’ve been wondering when our national corporate overlords would look around them, get a clue and start changing their self-indulgent, wasteful ways. It seems obvious now that the answer to that question is “never.”

John Grooms

Hot Chicks with Douchebags

The name of the web site Hot Chicks with Douchebags pretty much sums up what it’s about: Pictures of hot chicks with total and complete DBs along with commentary.

Priscilla Tsai

Food news: Feb. 3

Opened January 29: Moe’s Southwest Grill, 16933 Kaufinger Street in the Northcross Shopping Center, Huntersville. www.moes.com. Bel Caffè Italian  Italian Coffeehouse & Wine Bar, 2130 Ayrsley Town Blvd, is featuring “Rare Italian Wines Saturdays” all February from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Also from Monday through Saturday, special Italian wines will be offered for $6…

Tricia Childress

Homemade Girl Scout Cookies

The poor economy has even taken a bite out of Girl Scout cookies. The boxes are getting smaller this year with fewer cookies inside to make up for the rising cost of baking supplies. Maybe it’s time for some DIY cookies. This recipe for Samoas takes the grunt work out of forming each individual cookie…

Web Editor

Need a personal shopper for Valentine’s Day?

Not sure what to get your loved one this year? TuUnique Fashion & Design will shop for you. And fashion consultant and owner of TuUnique Fashion & Design Michele Roberts will even hook you up with a special deal to do so: $60 (purchases not included). From Roberts: Our priority is to take care of…

Kimberly Lawson

This week’s new releases (2/3/09)

Here’s a quick rundown of some of this week’s new releases: Dierks Bentley Feel That Fire Black Gold Rush The Fray The Fray Heartless Bastards The Mountain Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel Willie and The Wheel Nico Vega Nico Vega

Jeff Hahne

Music Menu, 2/3

TUESDAY, FEB. 3 Wayne “The Train” Hancock Step up to the juke box in an old-time honky tonk in the middle of rural Texas circa 1950s. The juke contains usual suspects, Hank Sr., Bob Wills and Wayne Hancock. What? Hancock? Wayne Hancock is a Texas country crooner who sounds so authentically old-school and twangy that…

Web Editor

EXHIBITION: Circus! at Discovery Place

I often reminisce about all the things I loved about my childhood, like swinging on monkey bars and, of course, a visit to the circus. Whether it be creating my own version or going out to see Barnum and Bailey’s, everything about the circus excited me. Now, the livelihood of the event can be relived…

Robyn Banez

County’s fiscal mismanagement shafts taxpayers, schools

For the mere cost to the individual taxpayer of a chicken sandwich and some fries, we could float a bazillion dollars worth of bonds and build a bunch of stuff that would enrich our lives or something, then-Mecklenburg County Commissioner Parks Helms told us again and again as the county blew through billion dollars worth…

Letters to the Editor (Feb. 4)

Dear Editor: Your society has made it clear that my kind should not speak, but speak I must. It has come to my attention that this fair city I have called home for so many years will very soon be lauding the “artistic works” of a man who has built his career on the exploitation…

MUSIC: Slipknot at Bojangles’ Coliseum

Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the band’s first album, Slipknot will roll into town for its All Hope is Gone Tour with Coheed and Cambria and Trivium. The band explores the melodic side on the new album, but isn’t afraid to go back to its roots and hit you fast and furiously. Known to have…

Jeff Hahne

Pat Green discusses new album What I’m For

Pat Green’s new album, What I’m For, dropped on Jan. 27. If you have yet to get it, or upload it onto your iPod — might I suggest you go ahead and do so. Or at least purchase the singles “Footsteps of our Fathers” and the remix of “Carry On.” Pat Green had time before…

Brittney Cason

DrumsForCures benefit on Feb. 6

DrumsForCures, the same people that bring you DrumStrong, will hold a “Not So Silent” Auction on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. Held at Spirit Square’s McGlohon Theatre, the event will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital’s cancer research and clinical trials programs. Music will be performed by Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Jim Donovan of Rusted Root, Jim Brock,…

Jeff Hahne

CD Review: Various Artists’ Johnny Cash Remixed

The Deal: Remixers and producers offer new interpretations of classic Johnny Cash songs. The Good: “Big River” sounds pretty close to the original except for some modern touches here and there. “I Walk the Line,” redone by Snoop Dogg in a similar fashion to Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” – borrowing from a classic – would…

Jeff Hahne

CL previews upcoming shows (Feb. 5-10)

THURSDAY, FEB. 5 Larry Keel & Natural Bridge Flat-picking guitar maestro Keel and his posse Natural Bridge are on the road working the new release Backwoods. Born and raised in the Virginia neck of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Keel is an American roots music troubadour who knows the Appalachian musical traditions. His music is rootsy,…

ART: Faces exhibition

Portraits can be created in a variety of ways, from the detailed, reality-like to the more creative, cartoon faces or collages that preserve an image by adding its own twist. That’s why the Faces exhibition at Ciel Gallery is something worth checking out. It’s set to feature an array of unconventional portraits, each created by…

Anita Overcash

Jessica Simpson is not fat

So, singer Jessica Simpson is fat. And the Earth is square, the sky is green, and as my mother says, “Fish live in the sky.” The flap over photos that have surfaced showing Simpson with a “little meat on her bones” is utterly ridiculous. How sad is it that, the same week President Obama signed…

Nsenga Burton

CD Review: The Bird and the Bee’s Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future

The Deal: L.A. duo The Bird and the Bee – Inara George and Greg Kurstin – releases sophomore album and take pop influence down the psychedelic road. The Good: The band’s conglomeration of styles makes for atmospheric music that balances on a line between trippy and pop. Layered vocals on “What’s in the Middle” add…

Jeff Hahne

For Rent — but mostly against

While I’m not insensitive to the ravages of AIDS, the hardships of principled artists, the daily struggles of open gays, or the poignant tragedy of a composer who didn’t live to see the premiere of his defining work, I’ve never really liked Rent. At all. One time when a Rent tour played Charlotte, I discreetly…

Perry Tannenbaum

Story arc wrapup in Daredevil No. 115

Daredevil No. 115 Published by Marvel Comics. Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Michael Lark, Tonci Zonjic and Stefano Gaudiano. The Deal: It’s the latest issue of Daredevil by the creative team of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Michael Lark — and it’s the final chapter in the five-part “Lady Bullseye” story arc. The Good:…

Carlton Hargro

Cinematic heartburn

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s no wonder that a couple of studios have opted to release what they believe will be perfect comfort cinema for making couples cuddle up together in their auditorium seats. Yet given the sheer dreariness of the products at hand, they would have fared just as well luring…

Matt Brunson

THEATER: Spooky Dog and the Teen-age Gang Mysteries

Scooby-dooby-doo! This one’s for cartoon fanatics and pastime childhood junkies alike: Queen City Theatre Company promises you an evening of adventurous and maybe even a little preposterous theatrics as they premiere Spooky Dog and the Teen-age Gang Mysteries, a parody of Saturday morning cartoons (Scooby Doo included!) for adults only. Written by Eric Pliner and…

Anita Overcash

What makes a good wine bar?

Wine bars are sprouting up like fungi after a rain. It’s as if everyone read the same glowing press release declaring an onslaught of wine consumers and feverishly birthed a business plan. Each bar owner seems to have an original idea of what the masses need in order to get more comfortable in their grape…

Taylor Eason

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Feb. 4

BEDTIME STORIES A winning formula for a successful family film gets reconfigured employing the lowest common denominator, and the result is a dismal effort that will fail with all but the most undemanding of children. As for their parents, it’s hard to imagine any of them warming up to a picture in which Adam Sandler,…

Matt Brunson

BENEFIT: “Not•So•Silent” Auction

Cancer is bad. Most of us, if fortunate enough to have not been targeted by the deadly disease ourselves, have known someone who has struggled or is struggling with it. That’s where DrumsForCures comes in, with its goal of raising money to find a cure. This Friday, it will hold its “Not•So•Silent” Auction at McGlohon…

Anita Overcash

Two Audrey Hepburn titles among new DVD releases

BEING THERE (1979). Peter Sellers is nothing short of brilliant in director Hal Ashby’s alternately lovely and lacerating satire, although as far as many Carolinians are concerned, it’s Asheville’s Biltmore Estate that handily steals the show. Adapting his own novel, Jerzy Kosinski has penned a delightful comedy about Chance (Sellers), a simple-minded gardener who, after…

Matt Brunson

Horoscope for Feb. 4-10, 2009

Aquarius The Waterbearer: (Jan. 19-Feb. 18) Mars is entering your sign, adding its weight to five other bodies already in residence. It will be traveling with you for seven weeks. This energy is best used to handle physically heavy projects or take initiatives that you might not otherwise tackle. Take extra good care of your…

Vivian Carol

MUSIC: DRUMLine Live at Belk Theater

Let me start off by raining on some people’s parade … Nick Cannon is not hosting a casting call. With that said, you need not come dressed in your marching band uniform. However, there is a silver lining in this dark cloud. DRUMLine Live brings you marching band entertainment on a theatrical stage. What more…

Ciara Lilly

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Some Action!: Your humble Blotter correspondent was sitting on his balcony one early morning last week, smoking a cigarette, when a car pulled up in the parking lot. A white male who looked like a college student hopped out and put a bullet right through the window of a Mercedes, yelling, “Now you got some!”…

Ryan Pitkin

Produce the note

Marcy Kaptur of Ohio is the longest-serving Democratic congresswoman in U.S. history. Her district, stretching along the shore of Lake Erie from west of Cleveland to Toledo, faces an epidemic of home foreclosures and 11.5 percent unemployment. That heartland region, the Rust Belt, had its heart torn out by the North American Free Trade Agreement,…

Amy Goodman

Why we still need Black History Month

Three or four years ago, I wrote a column about a couple of young white guys I had overheard in a bookstore as they griped about Black History Month. One of the guys summed up their complaints this way: “I mean, slavery was banned, people! What else have they had to gripe about?” Other guy:…

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