Jan 12-18, 2010

Jan 12-18, 2010 / Vol. 23 / No. 46

Music winners at the Golden Globes

In case you missed last night’s Golden Globes presentation, here are the winners in the music categories: Original Score Michael Giacchino, Up Original Song “The Weary Kind,” Crazy Heart; music and lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett

Jeff Hahne

Ratcliffe now a Brasserie

Chef Mark Hibbs is no longer the chef at Ratcliffe on the Green which has now hitched Brasserie to the name. I am told, however, that Hibbs retains his minority share ownership. More changes are afoot from the owners. Greg Balch, who had been the sous chef since the restaurant opened two years ago, is…

Tricia Childress

Pop-up shop sticks around for Valentine’s Day shopping

Dear men, I know it’s kind of early to be thinking about this, but it certainly can’t hurt to mention it: Valentine’s Day is about four weeks away. Do you know what you’re getting your woman? Yes, I know — you’re probably going to wait until the last minute to pick up a bouquet of…

Kimberly Lawson

Last day for Handpicked, Velocity sales

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! If you’re fortunate to be off from work today, you might want to hit up these two retailers, as their respective sales end today. Ladies, it’s Handpicked’s semi-annual Pink Tag clearance sale, in which select sterling silver and stone, fun fashion jewelry, and accessories are up to 75 percent…

Kimberly Lawson

Sale of the day: Paul Simon for Men

Head over to Paul Simon to take advantage of 30-50 percent off winter items: suits, sport coats, outerwear, sport shirts, sweaters and more. 1027 Providence Road 704-372-6842 4300 Sharon Road 704-366-4523 www.paulsimonco.com

Kimberly Lawson

Aria Tuscan Grill and Bar La Scala is now open

Aria Tuscan Grill and Bar La Scala, located in the Bank of America Corporate Center, 100 N. Tryon St., with entrances on Trade Street and through Founders Hall, opens today, Jan. 15. The eco-friendly restaurant was designed and built following LEED sustainable principles, materials, and construction methods. Aria seats 170 including the bar, the La…

Tricia Childress

Creole House on Main opens in Cornelius

Owner Darin Nicolas has opened the Creole House on Main in Cornelius, 20517 North Main Street. Located in an old house, the dining rooms and bar area are a series of rooms. Most of these are comfortable, quaint, and well lit – except the back room which is dark and reminiscent of the tea house…

Tricia Childress

Rush and Robertson: two faces of same coin

In this blog, I wrote yesterday about the grotesque statements regarding Haiti from Rush Limbaugh and Rev. Pat “Giving religion a bad name for over 30 years” Robertson. The more I think about them, though, the more the two statements seem related, in that they represent two of the worst attributes of the American far…

John Grooms

Peek-a-boo Couture having a store-wide sale

Children want to look pretty too! While you’re out hitting up all these winter sales going on, don’t forget to show your kids a little love by stopping by Peek-a-boo Couture. The entire store is 60 percent off. 1315 East Blvd., Suite 150 704-332-5338 www.mypeekaboocouture.com

Kimberly Lawson

DJ Wonder’s Teddy P Tribute Mix

After the passing of Teddy Pendergrass, DJ Wonder put together a mix of some of his classic songs spanning his entire career from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes to his stellar solo career. He also mixed R&B, rap  and soul songs that sampled his music. Not a bad look at all. Read more about…

Mike McCray

Saying goodbye to Teddy Pendergrass

Soul music legend Teddy Pendergrass passed away this week at age 59 leaving behind a great musical legacy. In honor of Teddy P (and no, not the T-Pain, version) here’s some of my favorite tracks from the South-Carolina born, Philly-bred star, whose deep voice and sexy ballads surely led to some of my classmates’ existence. Teddy…

Mike McCray

Two shopping centers host sidewalk sales this weekend

Well, the frigid cold weather has seemingly left us … at least for the time being. So take advantage of the tolerable winter weather and check out these two sidewalk sales going on this weekend. • At the Morrison shopping center, save up to 85 percent off during their Winter Sidewalk Sale, today through Sunday.…

Kimberly Lawson

A Single Man worth knowing

By Matt Brunson A SINGLE MAN *** DIRECTED BY Tom Ford STARS Colin Firth, Julianne Moore Famous fashion designer Tom Ford clearly tries too hard with his directorial debut, but I prefer his overreaching to the cookie-cutter approach displayed by cinematic neophytes merely aping their contemporaries. If nothing else, this adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s novel…

Matt Brunson

Happening now: Cole Haan trunk show at STEP by Sloan

Hurry up! You’ve only got four more hours to head over to Step By Sloan to check out the Spring 2010 Ladies Cole Haan Handbag and Footwear Trunk Show. Here you’ll have the chance to meet Cole Haan sales representative, Katie Levanduski.  Also save 20 percent off all Cole Haan purchases during the trunk show.…

Kimberly Lawson

Helms: Great career, terrible ending

Parks Helms resigned yesterday as head of the county ABC board after taking a beating for weeks over his attendance at a lavish November dinner paid for by Diaego, a liquor company. No one has suggested that the dinner involved a quid pro quo exchange of favors by the ABC board for Diaego. Nonetheless, Helms…

John Grooms

How to help Haiti + A-hole of the day

No surprise here, the A-hole of the day is Rush Limbaugh who made the Haitian earthquake disaster an excuse to find a way to bash Pres. Obama who, he says, will use the catastrophe to “boost his credibility with the black community.” On top of that, the jerk smugly declared, “We’ve already donated to Haiti.…

John Grooms

Upcoming: Yansi Fugel trunk show at Our Place

“Yansi Fugel is the fashion industry’s advocate for today’s busy, high-energy women who want their fashion with a side of every-day practicality. With collections full of fashionable and flattering clothing, Yansi Fugel is able to create sleek, high-fashion clothing that is easy to care for and just as easy to wear.” (From kreene.com) “Fashion that…

Kimberly Lawson

Friends + Music

I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say, “friends shouldn’t let friends listen to shitty music.” But it’s funny to think about which friends’ musical opinions we trust. No one listens to the girl who says someone’s album is good but still has Britney Spears’ Circus still getting plays on her iPod. Yet that one friend who…

Mike McCray

Miss Word Salad and ‘common sense’

I bit the bullet and watched Sarah Palin on Bill O’Reilly’s show yesterday, and it was fascinating. But not in a good way. The tete-a-tete between the two conservative intellectual giants was fascinating in the same way that watching a slow-motion, 10-car pile-up a short distance ahead of you would be fascinating. Seriously, if these…

John Grooms

Unbelievable: More talk of teacher layoffs

And here we go again. With local unemployment at record levels, uncertainty in the air, and other countries’ educational systems outpacing ours year after year, what happens when the schools’ budget tighten up? The kids get screwed. Ann Doss Helms reports in the Observer today  that Gorman and the school board are already prepping for…

John Grooms

Tea Party family feud

Tea Party movement members seem more interested in fighting each other lately than battling our communist president. There’s a “First National Tea Party Convention” next month in Nashville that’s raised more than a few eyebrows, as well as the wrath of many other tea party fans. First of all, the convention is charging people $549…

John Grooms

New S.E.C. charges against BofA

The New York Times’ “DealBook” blog reports that a judge has ruled the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can file a new complaint against Bank of America. The SEC says Bank of America failed to disclose its huge losses at Merrill Lynch, as required, before a December 2008 shareholder vote. The SEC accuses BofA of…

John Grooms

Furniture Row’s 1st full-service store coming to Carolinas

Looks like IKEA’s getting some company soon. Furniture retailer Furniture Row expects to build a 70,000-square-foot store starting early this year in Belgate, a mixed-used project in the University City area, according to the developer, Crescent Resources. The project includes giant home-furnishings retailer IKEA, which opened a 356,000-square-foot store in early 2009. Belgate is planned…

Kimberly Lawson

How did local shops fare during the holidays?

Nationally, the holiday shopping season was a lot better in 2009 than the previous year. According to Reuters, “SpendingPulse, a unit of MasterCard Advisors, showed retail sales rose 3.6 percent in the period from Nov. 1 through Christmas Eve on Dec. 24.” Comparatively, in 2008, spending fell 2.3 percent as tracked by SpendingPulse and 2.8…

Web Editor

Star struck

If you follow the local art/design scene (and if you are reading this, you most probably do) you must be experiencing a “Bechtler overload” right now.

Manoj P Kesavan

Sale of the day: Handpicked

It’s time for Handpicked’s semi-annual “Pink Tag” sale. Save 50 percent on select sterling silver and stone, fun fashion jewelry, and accessories during their winter clearance event. 1721 Kenilworth Ave. 704.334.2037 8040 Providence Rd., Suite 600 704.541.1431 9844-A Rea Road 704.405.9780

Kimberly Lawson

MUSIC: Charlotte Symphony Pops: The Temptations

Don’t you just wish someone would serenade you with The Temptations’ song “My Girl”? Well, here’s your chance to kick back and listen to some oldies but goodies at Charlotte Symphony Pops: The Temptations. With Bob Farrell conducting, the Charlotte Symphony performs with one of the most iconic groups in American music history. Fellas, “Treat…

CD Review: T-Model Ford’s The Ladies Man

The Deal: Deep dark Delta killer blues. The Good: You gotta listen to his guy. He’ll kill ya. In this case that’s literally true. There’s the murder T-Model Ford paid for on the chain gang and the ones he says he did and got away with like the hippie couple he allegedly ran down with…

Grant Britt

THEATER: The Pirates of Penzance

Pirates have invaded Halton Theater — just have a look at The Pirates of Penzance for yourself. This comedy-driven production, presented by CPCC’s Opera Theatre, follows a young pirate, Frederic, who after leaving his hardy har har lifestyle falls in love with Major-General Stanley’s daughter, Mabel. One can only imagine that’s enough to shiver Stanley’s…

Anita Overcash

Political analysis: The GOP, Obama, and November

According to the media, the November elections are as good as over, Democrats are gonna get smacked upside the head by an angry populace, and Republicans will hold a majority in at least one house of Congress. I have doubts — mostly because I’ve covered politics long enough to know that predictions this far ahead…

ART: A Summer Garden (In the Middle of Winter) and Collages

Two very different exhibitions can currently be found at Jerald Melberg Gallery. The first, titled A Summer Garden (In the Middle of Winter), features colorfully abstract paintings by New York artist Alan Gussow. Just take one look at his “Summer Blossoms” (pictured) and you might start raving about the beauty encompassed in the painting. However,…

Anita Overcash

How did local shops fare during the holidays?

Nationally, the holiday shopping season was a lot better in 2009 than the previous year. According to Reuters, “SpendingPulse, a unit of MasterCard Advisors, showed retail sales rose 3.6 percent in the period from Nov. 1 through Christmas Eve on Dec. 24.” Comparatively, in 2008, spending fell 2.3 percent as tracked by SpendingPulse and 2.8…

Cheris Hodges

THEATER: The Aluminum Show

The Israeli-born, The Aluminum Show, looks pretty far out. Featuring special effects and lighting, acrobatics, dance, and shiny aluminum costumes with a cast bringing life something similar to slinky-like moving metals. This is the kind of thing that could spawn some deep thinking outside of the box, or it might just leave you contemplating what…

Anita Overcash

Gilbert Arenas is guilty of arrogance

Earth to Gilbert Arenas: Your ass is going to jail. Why? Not only are you guilty of making bad decisions, but you’re also guilty of lacking humility. Arrogance, not guns, is why Arenas will go to the slammer. It seems that many celebrities are suffering from this disease. Gov. Mark Sanford, former Baltimore Mayor Sheila…

Nsenga Burton

MUSIC: Andreas Klein

Take one look at the bio on musician Andreas Klein’s Web site, and you’ll be pretty darn impressed. The pianist has performed at a medley of prestigious venues, from Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall to New York’s Carnegie Hall, and many more worldwide. You can see his fingers in action (and hear the sounds they transmit!) when…

Anita Overcash

Urban Ministry Center a creative oasis for city’s homeless

It’s only a few blocks north of the business-driven, buttoned-down Square, but for those without a home, the Urban Ministry Center is a saner, safer sector of Charlotte. Homeless Charlotteans, or as UMC staff members dub them, “our neighbors,” come to the center for help with specific needs. UMC is a vibrant, vital complex of…

ART: Bodies: Steel and Skin

Here’s an exhibit that puts a twist on that “hot women and muscle cars” stereotype. DOMA Gallery’s Bodies: Steel and Skin features works from photographers Bryce Lankard and Daniel Stein. The images on display highlight abstract nudes and details of classic cars that illustrate the timeless beauty of curves and lines, shadow and light. Continues…

Last stop for forgiveness: Our Lady of 121st Street

By the time Our Lady of 121st Street chugged into the station for intermission — the latest CAST lobby makeover is part subway tollbooth and turnstile — Detective Balthazar’s inept and dilatory investigation into the disappearance of Sister Rose’s corpse had me convinced that a neat CSI solution of the crime and its motives was…

Perry Tannenbaum

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

50 Cent Is My Dog: Police showed up to a local residence to assist a medic’s call for service early in the morning last week. During the call, a pit bull charged at one of the officers and “attempted to bite him.” The officer shot the dog through the face. The dog was not killed…

Ryan Pitkin

The second time with My First Time

Expectations lowered, I found my second go-round with My First Time here at Actor’s Theatre more pleasurable than my rendezvous with the off-Broadway original at New World Stages late in 2008. You still won’t find anything like the hard-breathing porn that dominates myfirsttime.com, the website that Ken Davenport pillaged for his script. Nudity does not…

Perry Tannenbaum

Horoscope for Jan. 13-19, 2010

Capricorn The Goat (Dec. 21-Jan. 19): There are five planetary bodies and the north node of the moon in your sign this week. Beyond that, you are hosting the new moon eclipse on the 15th while Mercury turns direct. All of this represents major solar winds blowing through your psyche. Take your time about making…

Vivian Carol

4 cultural organizations meet at Light the Knight gala

Officially taking the keys to Charlotte’s newest cultural jewel box, North Carolina Dance Theatre has anointed Knight Theater as the city’s performing arts hot spot for 2010. Last Friday night’s Light the Knight gala began with a two-tiered banquet in the Knight’s street-level and balcony lobbies, ended with desserts and social dancing on the Knight…

Perry Tannenbaum

The diagnosis on Doctor Parnassus

The late Henry Fonda had the good fortune of ending his distinguished film career with an Oscar-winning performance in the popular On Golden Pond, while, on the opposite end of the spectrum, both Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin found their mutual swan song to be the Hall of Shame turkey Cannonball Run II. Most stars,…

Matt Brunson

Broadway faces race

Until the 2008 election, race was the crucible of American life — the original sin of the US Constitution, the wedge issue of the Civil War, the seething resentment that continued to boil over into riots, marches, and assassinations. Then in November 2008, Barack Obama was elected president. We were now beyond our racial hangups…

Perry Tannenbaum

Room 18 Asian & Sushi Bar is neighborly

If Chinese cuisine has been relegated to buffet lines or commandeered by the American General Tso and his friends, what’s a Chinese restaurateur to do? After all, the Asian food of the moment is clearly sushi, made better when served in a pumped-up environment. Should the restaurateur forgo the trickle of hoisin sweetness? The recreation…

Tricia Childress

Holding corporations accountable for apartheid crimes

A landmark class action case is under way in a New York federal court, with victims of apartheid in South Africa suing corporations that they say helped the pre-1994 regime. Among the multinational corporations are IBM, Fujitsu, Ford, GM and banking giants UBS and Barclays. The lawsuit accuses the corporations of “knowing participation in and/or…

Amy Goodman

Three questions with Menachem Vorst, ‘Kosher Guy’

Known to many as the “Kosher Guy” or “Kosher Police,” Menachem Vorst spends his life surrounded by all aspects of the food business. His work at the Charlotte Jewish Day School as the food service manager, kosher supervisor and cafeteria chef led to him becoming Charlotte’s only kosher gourmet soup salesman and kosher caterer for…

Aviva Cantor

Hey New Year, resolve this!

Did you make a New Year’s resolution? I personally try to work on self-improvement all 365 days of the year, so I don’t have to cram. However, last year I did make a resolution to not be in a club or bar the following New Year’s Eve. And I actually upheld it … I spent…

Asylum Street Spankers mix secular and sacred

Christina Marrs wants to give you a Spanking. But this is not some random ass-whupping or a personal kink. It’s as much about respect as it is punishment. “We’re not a joke band,” Marrs says of her Austin group, Asylum Street Spankers. “Our problem is being written off as novelty band. We do a lot…

Grant Britt

CD review: Jamie & Steve

The Deal: Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel of The Spongetones release their debut album, English Afterthoughts, as a duo on Loaded Goat Records in December of 2009. The Good: The Spongetones have always had a knack for writing Brit-pop tunes in the vein of the 1960s and Jamie & Steve’s debut is no different. The…

Jeff Hahne

CL previews upcoming concerts (Jan. 13-19)

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13 The Bereznak Brothers Band The twin Bereznaks, David (drums) and Michael (guitar), play odes to the Smithereens and Springsteen with heartland, small-town American rock. There’s no flash or glitz, and the N.Y.-based duo writes rockers and ballads that are suitably harmony-loaded and strummed for a full evening of hum-alongs. They perform as…

THEATER: My First Time

It’s all about sex, in Theatre 650’s productions of My First Time at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. The play, written by Ken Davenport and directed by Chip Decker, is a comedy about folks’ first sexual experiences, as shared on the Web site www.myfirsttime.com. At each show, audience members will also be able to participate, by…

Anita Overcash

CD Review: Joshua Panda’s What We Have Sewn

The Deal: Former Charlotte music scene staple Josh Panda releases long-awaited solo effort. The Good: Call him the kinder, gentler Panda on this album – it’s not the rocking Panda or the hip-hop Panda … it’s the roots-y, acoustic Panda. His tender, soulful vocals are often at the forefront of his songs – showing the…

Jeff Hahne

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