Ladies: Leave the kitty claws at home
When alcohol is involved, staying firmly planted in the land of reality is tough.
Today’s Top 5: Monday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Cosmos, 1/15/11
J. Rickmond, Sol Kitchen & M. Simmons brought Revelations in celebration of MLK weekend at Cosmos Saturday night.
Charlotte needs to replace ‘World’s Worst MLK statue’
We’ve been saying this for years, and we’re not giving up now, particularly on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here’s the problem: Charlotte needs to find a replacement for the statue of (supposedly) MLK Jr. in Marshall Park. The sculpture, which looks as if some arbitrary guy is holding his hand out to check for…
Pentagon: MLK Jr. would liken Afghan war to the Good Samaritan
“It’s safe to say that Dr. King would not regard any conflict that killed 10,000 people in a year as a humanitarian exercise.”
ReVenture still ‘evolving’
Allow me to repeat myself: ReVenture news is news to watch.
Is your smart phone making you seem stupid?
‘Auto (in)correct’
Honor MLK — serve your community
It’s the MLK Week of Service, coordinated by Hands on Charlotte.
The Dialect Gallery, 1/14/11
The Dialect Gallery showing, called “The Late 2010 Blues,” for Armando Bellmas was well attended Friday night.
Bar Charlotte, 1/14/11
BAR Charlotte’s 7 Year Anniversary of The Bull with a Bikini Bull Ride’n Contest went down on Friday night. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh
Mez, 1/14/11
Affinity Girl launch party was held at Mez Friday night. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh
Chicken Taco Soup
Bust out that slow cooker and fire it up for this warm and cozy Chicken Taco Soup.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Monday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Art Review: A Few of My Favorite Things
Studio artists offer up a wide variety.
What love smells like: Interview with Sophie B. President of Sophie’s Soaps and Such
Local scent and soap maker Sophie President talks about setting the mood with scent.
Concert announcement: Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett will return to Charlotte this spring for his Welcome to Fin Land Tour on April 21. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 22.
Night review: Pinups and Pets Calendar release party
Paying homage to the calendar debut, the theme of the night was pin-up pets, and Lilith, dressed as a cat, performed to a song about a sore, wet, hot, free, bald pussy.
Paula Deen opens new restaurant at Harrah’s
Southern cooking queen Paula Deen is set to host a charity cooking demonstration and Q&A session next Saturday, Jan. 22, in conjunction with the grand opening of her restaurant Paula Deen’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Cherokee. The restaurant features an á la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is reminiscent of the décor and ambiance of…
The bitch-her
What women shouldn’t bitch about.
Snug Harbor, 1/13/11
It was the Pinups and Pets Calendar Release Party at Shiprocked Thursday night.
Rabbit Hole: Good grief
This beautiful bummer is an emotional powerhouse.
Blue Valentine: Heartache tonight
Powerful lead performances at center of raw drama about a failing marriage.
Made In Dagenham slightly stirring
OK film takes soft approach to important true-life tale.
The bitch-her
What women shouldn’t bitch about.
Treasury Department awards State Small Business Credit Initiative funds to Michigan, North Carolina
This just in from the U.S. Treasury Department …
Concert announcement: The Civil Wars
Adding to the landscape of male-female duets these days is a band called The Civil Wars. I’m not surprised that they’re based out of Tennessee and the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama. They were on Jay Leno last night performing the title track from their album Barton Hollow. The group will be coming to The…
Palin’s other, much bigger ‘Jewish problem’
She’s well into nutjob territory.
Live review: The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger
Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger The Evening Muse Jan. 13, 2011 The Deal: The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger — Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl — entertains sold out crowd at the Evening Muse. The Good: The night got started with a short, almost haunting set by Julianna Barwick. Barwick howled and…
PHOTOS: Big Boss beer dinner @ Whiskey Warehouse
Raleigh-based Big Boss Brewing Company hosted a beer dinner at Whiskey Warehouse last night. The sold-out event featured four courses of food paired with Big Boss beers for a set price of $25 per person. The hosts introduced each course and beer as they were brought out. The menu was as follows: Warm Up -…
Grand re-opening: Big Ben Pub
Celebrate the pub’s reopening this weekend.
This weekend’s events (Jan. 14-15)
What are you doing this weekend?
LA dude oozes impish charm
Gustavo Dudamel is an anomaly among symphony conductors, particularly those who have worn the mantle of greatness. Ferocity, transport, mighty jubilation, and above all else, gravitas have etched the lines on the imposing brows of the great Olympians. So what shall we do with Gustavo, who on the inaugural nationwide LA Phil LIVE broadcast struggled…
Today’s Top 5: Friday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Weekender, Jan. 14-16
Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. Friday, Jan. 14 Billy Elliot The Musical Ovens Auditorium Music legend Elton John’s scores for Billy Elliot The Musical may be good, but they are balanced with an uplifting tale about following one’s…
The right tones down its rhetoric. NOT.
“We’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list, but the thing is, the way she has it depicted, we’re in the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they’ve got to realize that there are consequences to that action.” –- Rep. Gabrielle Giffords I noted the other day that too many liberals,…
Qnotes: N.C. Rep. Brown: Cut off AIDS funding for ‘perverted lifestyles’
What gives, Rep. Brown?
EPA pauses, but will Meck County?
Community meeting on ReVenture is tonight.
Pedestrians and bikers: Rate your ‘hood
My ‘hood only ranked 26 out of 100. Boo.
Gucci Mane’s new tattoo
We can’t make this stuff up.
Today’s Top 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Meet the XXX version of The Simpsons
The Simpsons get the porn treatment.
Matrimony needs help to get on tour
Help the Charlotte band get out on the road this spring.
Opening Friday
What’s new in theaters this weekend.
Penguin Drive-In reopening party
The Penguin Drive-In will reopen this weekend with a celebration party this Saturday, Jan. 15. The event starts at 11 am and will include live music, giveaways, and “fried stuff.” Penguin Drive-In 1921 Commonwealth Avenue Charlotte, NC 28205
Bar crawl with KISS 95.1’s Ace & TJ
Explore the different “countries” of Uptown on Saturday, Jan. 15.
Cran Neely’s “Rock Hill”
Cran Neely has released a video for his song, “Rock Hill,” featuring Dollar Sign Streetz and Qua C. Sometimes, you just have to represent your hometown… \\\\\\\\\\
Oyster Roast at Growlers Pourhouse
Want to go to the Oyster Roast for free? We’re giving away tickets.
Tonight’s Top 5, 01/13/11
The top five nightlife-related events going down tonight, Jan. 13, as chosen from the folks at Creative Loafing.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Concert announcement: Ronnie Burrage
Special guest Branford Marsalis to join him for Jan. 23 concert.
Concert announcement: Steve Martin
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers will return to Charlotte on May 22 at 8 p.m. He will perform at Ovens Auditorium. The comedian and banjo player is set to release his second CD, Rare Bird Alert, in March. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 14.
A satisfying sex life doesn’t have a size
Tips for a great sex life, no matter what size you are.
Chris Radok’s accused killer faces first day in court
Twenty-nine year old Antoine D. Young appeared in superior court this afternoon where he faced charges of first degree murder in the death of photographer Chris Radok.
The Chris Radok Photo Gallery
Here are a few of the countless shots the former CL photographer took for this newspaper.
Praxis featuring Iggy Pop — “Furies”
Praxis has released a track, “Furies” featuring Iggy Pop, from its upcoming album, Profanation: Preparation for a Coming Darkness, due on Feb. 8. If you aren’t familiar with Praxis, it’s the band comprised of guitarist Buckethead, drummer Brain and producer/bassist Bill Laswell. Among the guests on the new album are Pop, System Of A Down’s…
Verizon getting iPhone will better MY service (I hope)
As a devoted iPhone user/AT&T customer, how do I feel about this? Well, I’m pretty excited.
Target coming to Gastonia, Morrisville
Business must be good at Target. (Eh, who am I kidding. I fight for parking every time I go to the Target at Midtown.) The super retail giant announced yesterday that it will be opening 21 new stores in 13 states next year. For North Carolina, we’ll be seeing two new stores open up in…
Laugh or cry? Virginia Foxx to chair education subcommittee
Here’s some news, followed by two bits of bad news, some unbelievable news, and then sorta good news: The News: As the 112th Congress settles in for the next couple of years, North Carolina’s own Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-5th district) will take over as chair of a subcommittee which focuses on higher education. The subcommittee,…
EPA awards $7 million grant aimed at social justice, chemical combos
It’s about damn time.
When Congress was armed (and dangerous)
Biting, caning and guns — Oh, wow!
Climate science drives us apart, alternative energy brings us together
Read this, Charlotte energy hub fans.
Cage the Elephant on Letterman
Cage the Elephant was on Late Show with David Letterman last night to perform “Shake Me Down.” Check it out: \\\\\\\\\\
Concert announcement: Amos Lee
Amos Lee will perform at the Knight Theatre on April 23. Tickets can be purchased via MaxxMusic.
Concert annoucement: Citizen Cope
Citizen Cope will perform a solo acoustic show at the Neighborhood Theatre on April 12, 2011. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 18 at 11 a.m.
Concert announcement: Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney will perform at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on June 2. No word on when tickets will go on sale yet.
More than pretty
Theater review of Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Pageant: The Musical.
Today’s Top 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
UPDATED: Charlotte’s first homicide of 2011 hits Creative Loafing
To Creative Loafing, Radok is more than just another random victim of violence …
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 January 12, 2011— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • $5 Cover at Baby Dolls • Wednesday Fabulous Feast at The Men’s Club • Pure Wednesday at…
Q&A with Rachel Machacek, author of The Science of Single
Author Rachel Machacek will sign and discuss her book on Wednesday evening at Park Road Books.
Remembering Chris Radok
Through whatever happened, Chris had this look at all times that could have cut steel bars.
Chris Radok, R.I.P.
Chris Radok knew he was different, and that’s what his friends and many of his acquaintances liked about him.
This week’s new releases (1/11/2011)
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new in stores this week: Edie Brickell Edie Brickell Cage the Elephant Thank You Happy Birthday Cake Showroom of Compassion Lynyrd Skynyrd Skynyrd Nation
Burgers & Brews at the Ritz
There’s no need to put on the ritz to visit The Ritz-Carlton hotel for their new casual dining option in the Lobby Lounge.
Museum of the New South explores common ground
‘The exhibit helps people to recognize hope and dignity in others and that’s vital.’
Progress Energy lobbyist burned in car, in driveway
Oh, and the company’s merging with Duke Energy.
Night review: Celebrity Morgue Party at Tremont Music Hall
Once upon a Saturday night (Jan. 8, to be exact) at Tremont Music Hall, magical things happened.
‘The Homeless Diaries’: Video Extras
To coincide with our cover story this week, we’re posting this first set of “Video Extras.”
Today’s Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Are minorities digitally disengaged?
For minorities, increased internet access and usage should be good things, right?
Today’s Top(less) 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
MUSIC: Wahnder Lust at Double Door Inn
The Los Angeles-based act Wahnder Lust will pay a visit to Double Door Inn tonight. The duo, comprised of Kim Manning — former featured vocalist for George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars, her vocals have also been used on albums for big named acts like Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sly Stone —…
Midnight Diner offers 24/7 service
Unusually chilly weather this winter coupled with cautionary spending is driving the need for solid, satisfying and inexpensive comfort food. But conventional wisdom would dictate that foods like these should be consumed in small doses, like time spent watching reality television shows. Diners have traditionally been a place of refuge during hard times, offering inexpensive…
An interview with Billy Elliot’s older sibling
Jeff Kready didn’t simply jump aboard the Billy Elliot bandwagon when the smash Broadway hit started touring a couple of months ago. No, Kready was at rehearsals back in June 2008, before the show opened, starting as a member of the ensemble and taking over as Billy’s older brother last May. That’s who I saw…
Don’t gamble on Casino Jack
2010 saw the release of an informative and entertaining movie about Jack Abramoff, the powerful right-wing lobbyist who ended up behind bars for bribing public officials and swindling Native American tribes. Unfortunately for the makers of Casino Jack, that would be Alex Gibney’s documentary Casino Jack and the United States of Money. This Casino Jack…
EXHIBIT: We The People
The latest exhibit to grace the walls of Baku Gallery is We The People, a photo retrospective of Charlotte personalities by local photographers. This is a pretty cool way to see the faces (see the pictured photo by Meredith Jones of Blake Barnes from Common Market) behind the places you may or may not frequent.…
Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Jan. 12
BLACK SWAN Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan is a messy masterpiece. Like Apocalypse Now, Eraserhead and Aronofsky’s own Requiem for a Dream, it’s one of those films that will force viewers to either reject it outright or allow it to burrow into the brain and remain there for days, weeks, months on end. It’s a character…
EXHIBIT: People Places Power: Reframing the American Landscape
Davidson College’s newest photography exhibit (including the pictured Amos Coal Power Plant in Raymond, West Virginia, taken by Mitch Epstein) is aimed at exploring the relationship of the public and power utilities/energy companies. Continues through Feb. 25. 704-894-2344. http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x24329.xml.
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
Lights Out: A 41-year-old woman called police after her apartment was burglarized. The woman told officers the suspect (or suspects) forcefully gained entrance to her first floor apartment and stole a lamp before leaving. If you’re going to risk jail time, you might as well take a couch cushion or an end table, too. Lucky…
Do I sweat a liter every night?
On the radio, a spruiker from a mattress company claimed it was “common knowledge” that a human sweats a liter of water every night, and for health reasons you should buy a new mattress every couple of years. Can this be true? — H.M.G. Wonderful word, spruike (rhymes with “spook ‘er”) — slang in Australia…
Weekly stargazer (Jan. 12-18)
Capricorn The Goat (Dec. 21-Jan. 19) Pay attention to new people you meet and what they tell you now. You are likely to encounter one who can help you find the next step in your career or life direction. Your capacity for concentration is excellent now. You can manage even the details. This is generally…
BBS Story box set and Despicable Me among new home releases
AMERICA LOST AND FOUND: THE BBS STORY (1968-1972). Despite — or perhaps enhanced by — the inclusion of two hotly debated duds, this nine-disc, seven-film set from Criterion is an invaluable addition to any cineast’s permanent library. It covers that brief period when Bob Rafelson, Bert Schneider and Steve Blauner combined their first initials to…
CL previews upcoming concerts (Jan. 12-17)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12 LEMURIA Here’s an intriguing indie-pop trio that tips its hat to Superchunk and the Breeders, with rolling guitars, a fab female vocalist, and a heap of solid tuneage in tow. They’re intriguing because the trio are in sync the way a proper indie rock combo oughta be, and apparently joined at the…
Darrel Issa, step away from the corporations
Remember “freedom fries”? That’s what the House Republicans, when they were last in the majority, renamed french fries, after France refused to support the invasion of Iraq. It seems like renaming fries might be just about the extent of food regulation that some in Congress are willing to support. The new Republican majority threatens a…
Where to find it: Hub Peanuts
You know as soon as you have tasted a Hubs peanut that you’re hooked for life. These are uber-large peanuts blanched and then dipped in oil. The Hubbard family has been making these peanuts since 1954. The story goes that Dot Hubbard was a Home Ec teacher in the small town of Sedley, Va., (current…
THEATER: When You Comin’ Back Red Ryder?
Carolina Actors Studio Theatre becomes hostage to playwright Mark Medoff’s When You Comin’ Back Red Ryder?. The play, which opens today, is set in a small diner in New Mexico, staffed with a small group of unenthused employees. What seems like just another humdrum day becomes a life-changing experience when an unstable Vietnam War veteran…
Charlotteans vow changes for the new year
It is officially 2011. Many of you wrote to me about my last article, “Best Laid Plans,” stating what you had in mind for the new year. In each of the letters, I found positive energy from people who are hopeful about the future. I truly believe that regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation,…
THEATER: The Moon Prince: A Rap Opera
Peer pressure, gang violence and drug/alcohol use are all obstacles facing today’s inner-city youth. With that in mind, James Vesce — who serves as the chair of UNC Charlotte’s Department of Theatre — wrote the book and music for The Moon Prince: A Rap Opera. With added lyrics by Marlon Carey, UNC Charlotte College of…
GOP needs to get real about budget plans
Members of the new Republican majority in Raleigh say they’re determined to cut the state’s projected $3.7 billion shortfall solely through huge spending cuts. Once they start slicing, however, they’ll doubtless find that cutting such a massive chunk from the budget is much harder to do than to promise. Luckily, there is a simple, popular…
SPECIAL EVENT: Ring of Honor wrestling
Muscular men in tight skimpy clothes will dominate the ring at Metrolina Tradeshow Expo tonight. Of course, this is no strip tease, nor will there be any airy ballet numbers — and by the looks of some of these guys, who look more scary than handsome, I’d say that’s better anyway. Instead, the show, put…
The Homeless Diaries
In Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, an estimated 6,000 people don’t have a place to call home. We see some of them when we head Uptown to Starbucks or for a night at the EpiCentre. And it’s not out of the ordinary to come across a homeless person standing near an intersection holding a sign asking for help.…
MUSIC: Battle of the Bands at Tremont Music Hall
It’s like what every band in a movie is practicing for, except for real. Watch nine bands compete to win Gorilla Productions Battle of the Bands. Acts include Soup, The Metric System, Eskatones, Goodnite Swim, A Vision of Silence, Before the Ancients, Matter of Fact, Stride Wore Black and The Bridge, The River. The production…
The tarnished legacy of retiring DA Peter Gilchrist
Zachary Montognese, 20, was shot and killed execution-style by a friend he was trying to help. Police believe he robbed Montognese to fuel his drug habit. Montognese’s distraught family was victimized a second time by the Mecklenburg County prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor handling the case told them he planned to offer a five-year plea deal…
MUSIC: The Lesser Pauls at Snug Harbor
This Charlotte trio defines typical genres. Combining elements of folk, punk, indie rock and even jazz, Kenni Falls, Ben Henry and Ian Stroupe unleash their musical whims upon those in the room. It can be quirky, it can be intense, it can be over before you know it (at least one song clocks in under…
Foxy Shazam bring the glam back to rock
If he survives, rocker Eric Nally and his Foxy Shazam bandmates will probably be coming soon to an arena near you. He’s got the talent, the sound and the showmanship to make it big. But living long enough to get famous may be a problem for the 24-year-old Cincinnati native. It’s not the rock a’n’…
EXHIBIT: Heartistry
Ciel Gallery opens its winter season collection of art with a loving start. The exhibit, titled Heartistry, opens on Jan. 7 and features an array of love-themed (and very heart-oriented) mosaics constructed by artists (like Nikki Sullivan’s pictured work “Butterfly”) across the globe. Exhibit continues through Feb. 25. Free admission. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday, 1 p.m.-5…
Country Strong: While my guitar gently sleeps
Jeff Bridges won an Oscar this past year for playing a boozy country singer in Crazy Heart, but don’t expect Gwyneth Paltrow to win even so much as a People’s Choice Award for playing a similar part in Country Strong. It’s not that Paltrow is bad — she does a valiant job trying to overcome…
