Mar 15-21, 2011

Mar 15-21, 2011 / Vol. 25 / No. 3

Doof of the week Glen Bradley wants N.C. to issue its own money

Here’s a story that heightens my suspicions that America is under some kind of curse. Raleigh’s News & Observer ran a terrific story last week written by Michael Biesecker (and reprinted in Charlotte’s daily paper) about Tea Party doofus Glen Bradley. Our man Glen is somehow also a state representative in Raleigh, and he wants…

John Grooms

Goober preacher Wayne Sapp burns Koran

Six months ago, pastor Terry Jones, he of the famous Yosemite Sam-esque facial hair,  raised an international stink for his plans to burn a copy of the Koran in Gainesville, Florida. Yesterday, one of Jones’ pals finished the job for him. Sunday’s scriptural barbecue in Gainesville was a solemn, high-toned event, attended by sophisticates from…

John Grooms

WTF?! GOP hearts France?

Talk about strange bedfellows. The GOP—  the folks who brought us Freedom Fries after the French refused to enter into a suicide pact with the U.S. in Iraq — now lo-o-o-o-o-o-ve the French. Not just “love” the French, but even see them as a great role model. As if to prove that political rhetoric has…

John Grooms

This weekend’s events (March 18-19)

Friday, March 18 • Naughty Party at Kazba • Ssshh~Sensual Poetry & Jazz “Spring Edition” at Allure • Irish Today, Hungover Tomorrow Party at Buckhead Saloon • HALO Fantasy Friday – True EDM from Kaotika & Fotizo w/guest Tom Boothe • The “One Thousand Glow Sticks” Party at Phoenix • WINNING! J. Rickmond’s Birthday Celebration…

Kimberly Lawson

Theater review: A Behanding in Spokane

Over the past 15 years, Martin McDonagh has been the most lauded new playwright in the English language. It would certainly be a mistake to label the Irishman’s latest Broadway import, A Behanding in Spokane, an outright flop. But in his first play to be set in the US, McDonagh often seems disoriented and at…

Perry Tannenbaum

Evacuation plans for a McGuire nuclear accident = We’re S.O.L.

If you’ve watched any of the nuclear disaster being played out in Japan – partial meltdowns, exposed spent fuel rods, high radiation counts, massive evacuations – perhaps, just maybe, you’re wondering about the nukes surrounding Charlotte. What would happen, say, if the McGuire nuclear station on Lake Norman suffered a nuclear accident. Granted, we’re not…

John Grooms

‘Spring Into a New You’ with Urban Skin Solutions

My friends and I never need an excuse to pamper ourselves; however, like most women, in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, we often simply forget. Well, here’s your opportunity to “Spring Into a New You” with Urban Skin Solutions during this upcoming makeover event. Tomorrow, Thursday, March 17, you can celebrate St.…

T. Strong

Donations needed for Girl Talk Foundation’s Prom Project

I remember my high school junior prom. I wore a lavender dress whose skirt puffed out Cinderella-ballgown-like with a sweetheart neckline and thin straps. Add silver heels, glitter adorning my shoulders, my hair done up in a French twist (which took hours, by the way, as a friend did it) and a French manicure, and…

Kimberly Lawson

Yoforia gift card winners

Thanks for playing, everyone! I received a bunch of tasty emails in which you shared with me  your best recipes in response to the Yoforia gift card contest I ran last week. After combing through all the recipes, my computer keyboard is now covered in drool. I have selected the four most mouth-watering sounding recipes…

Priscilla Tsai

This week’s new releases (3/15/2011)

Here’s a quick rundown of some of what’s new in stores this week: Travis Barker Give the Drummer Some Black Joe Lewis Scandalous The Fleshtones Brooklyn Sound Solution Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers Rare Bird Alert J Mascis Several Shades of Why Mastodon Live at the Aragon New York Dolls Dancing Backward in High…

Jeff Hahne

CL previews upcoming concerts (March 16-21)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 LEDISI You may think this four-time Grammy nominee is fairly new to the game but don’t let 2008’s Best New Artist nomination fool you — she’s been cutting her teeth as a soul-jazz singer since the mid-’90s. Blending those elements, she just put the finishing touches on her next project, recording her…

CD REVIEW: Bailey Cooke’s Tennessee

THE DEAL: Charlotte resident Bailey Cooke releases her first full-length album, follow-up to debut EP. THE GOOD: The album kicks off with the finger-picking lo-fi sound of “Terrible.” Cooke shows a bit of her range and emotion on the song, setting the tone for the original and traditional tunes which will follow. “1st of September”…

Jeff Hahne

FILM: Enter the Void

For three-days The Light Factory and Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy are teaming up to screen the hallucinatory flick, Enter the Void. The French film by Gaspar Noé follows a chaotic combustion of psychedelic drug experiences, violence and dreamy unconsciousness. It picked up an award for best film at the 2010 Neuchâtel Film Festival. March 17,…

Anita Overcash

THEATER: The Princess Bride

Happy endings are often hard to come by and simple wishes aren’t always granted. But luckily we have movies to brainwash us into thinking otherwise. William Goldman’s The Princess Bride is a shining example. Released as a film in 1987, it gained a reputation for its humorous innuendos and the cheesy drama that escalates from…

Anita Overcash

CD REVIEW: Drive-By Truckers’ Go-Go Boots

THE DEAL: Eleventh album from Athens, Ga., sextet channeling the Muscle Shoals shades of country, soul and rock. THE GOOD: Having three vocalists and songwriters that bring distinct storytelling into the group may create problems for some outfits. But Drive-By Truckers take the tale-weaving prowess of the trio in stride and churn out wonderful records.…

Samir Shukla

MUSIC: Al Jarreau

Singer Al Jarreau is one of only a handful of jazz artists who has managed to successfully reach a mass audience while still staying true to his musical roots. Serious jazz heads know him for tunes like his groundbreaking rendition of “Take Five” — while more mainstream music fans know him as the dude who…

Carlton Hargro

CMS’ time- and money-wasting teacher pay plan

The “performance pay” plan may be the worst idea yet from CMS Supt. Peter Gorman. You’d never convince him of that, as he seems determined to push the plan through. After all, it’s the kind of big-picture educational strategy that gets school superintendents noticed by national education groups, and Gorman seems to be especially awards-conscious.…

THEATER: Women of Will

Collaborative Arts returns with a close look at Shakespeare’s heroines as seen through Tina Packer’s Women of Will. Packer — founder of Shakespeare & Company — will perform alongside Nigel Gore in this national production directed by Eric Tucker. From the tragic Juliet (of Romeo & Juliet) to the male-disguised Rosalind (of As You Like…

Anita Overcash

Don’t ice out public media

The aspen grove on Kebler Pass in Colorado is one of the largest organisms in the world. Thousands of aspen share the same, interconnected root system. Last weekend, I snowmobiled over the pass, 10,000 feet above sea level, between the towns of Paonia and Crested Butte. I was racing through Colorado to help community radio…

Amy Goodman

Charity: The Last Lions

Over the past 50 years, lion populations have free-fallen from 450,000 to 20,000. The documentary The Last Lions, currently at the Manor, examines this devastating development. Throughout March, Charlotteans can do their part for our animal friends by bringing a donation for the Pet Food Bank to the theater. In related events, the Manor will…

Matt Brunson

ART: Creative Showcase

The students at The Art Institute of Charlotte have been busy creating new designs. During Creative Showcase — happening for one night at Knight Theater — new works in a variety of mediums will be on display. $10. 7 p.m. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Anita Overcash

Where to find it: Locally Made Filipino Baked Goods

In December, Filipino native Joel Jose began marketing the Filipino baked goods he had been making at his restaurant Joel’s Grill & Sushi in Davidson. During the past several years, Jose has added many Filipino dishes to a menu he describes as pan-Asian. As these Filipino dishes became popular, and with the growth of the…

Tricia Childress

Weekly horoscope (March 16-22)

Aries The Ram (March 20-April 19) The spring equinox comes into your life with a bang as you make your way to new circumstances in your life. You are more than ready to leave the starting gate now. But you need to be aware that your plans will require a couple of months before they…

Vivian Carol

Drive Angry runs out of gas

Nicolas Cage’s hilarious, split-second cameo as Fu Manchu in Grindhouse’s Werewolf Women of the SS faux trailer must have whetted the actor’s appetite for headlining feature-length throwbacks to the disreputable fare of yore, as evidenced by many of the movies he’s accepted over the last few years. Despite its high-gloss 3-D presentation, Drive Angry is…

Matt Brunson

Comic Review: The Li’l Depressed Boy No. 2

The Deal: It’s the second issue of Image Comics’ surreal slice-of-life comic, starring the doll-looking Li’l Depressed Boy. This month, LDB is still pursuing his dream girl — even though he can’t remember her name. The Good: LDB is an oddity in the world of “mainstream” monthly comics; even at a creator-centric company like Image,…

Carlton Hargro

Nightlife profile: Stefan Huebner

Nothing puts a damper on a night out on the town quite like a drink that’s lacking in oomph. Cocktails don’t come cheap, and penny-pinching party people want a bang for their buck. The ideal combination of palatable flavor and potent ABV points should be provided to all bar patrons, but who hasn’t had the…

Laura Camilo

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Pervert: A 13-year-old girl filed a police report to report that she had consensual sex with a 14-year-old boy. I’m still not sure why she filed the report, but I’d be willing to bet it has something to do with Justin Bieber. Sharp Minds: A 45-year-old man called police after his house was burglarized by…

Ryan Pitkin

Carnitas Guanajuato delivers inexpensive Mexican fare

The Mexican torta is a sloppy affair. In the realm of sandwiches, the torta has the potential to be multi-dimensional, easily creating an almost teetering Carnegie-Deli style sandwich. The Mexican sandwich has evolved from the elemental hands-on delivery system of protein and carbs to something else entirely. Area Latino food trucks offer a lengthy list…

Tricia Childress

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of March 16

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU One person’s religious beliefs is often another person’s existentialist theories, and The Adjustment Bureau offers plenty of theological fodder to go around. Because it tinkers with notions involving God and chance and destiny and all that other stuff that’s fun to discuss, it might turn off those types of folks who misunderstood…

Matt Brunson

MUSIC: Langhorne Slim

Singer/songwriter Langhorne Slim’s voice is a treat and his words ring true with a revivalist take on bluegrass and folk. Slim is not afraid to use horns as an uplifting factor and the guitar strolls right along while he adds soul-drenched chorus into the mix, coaxing all to merrily sing along. $10-$12. Visulite Theatre, 1615…

Samir Shukla

Exhibit: Creation of a New Mythology

It’s hard not to notice French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s massive “Firebird” just outside the Bechtler. And on March 18, a new exhibit by its creator comes swooping in. Fifty-five works (paintings, prints and sculptures) by Phalle will be displayed inside the museum, while five large-scale pieces find a home outside along The Green.…

Anita Overcash

Battle: Los Angeles: Snore of the worlds

It takes a special type of hack to make Roland Emmerich look like Steven Spielberg, but Jonathan Liebesman appears to be the right man for the job. The less said about most Emmerich movies (like 2012 and Matthew Broderick Meets Godzilla), the better, but he did helm Independence Day back in the mid-1990s, and for…

Matt Brunson

Mondrian on crack: NC Dance Theatre is 40

When the lowlight in an evening of dance is a choreography by the legendary George Balanchine, you’d ordinarily assume that the company presenting the program had been overreaching in attempting the work of the great New York City Ballet master. But in the case of North Carolina Dance Theatre, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a…

Perry Tannenbaum

Looking back at the struggles of ancestors

When I was 16, my father would wait up for me on Saturday nights to make sure I made it home safe for my midnight curfew. A few dozen miles around Charlotte was as far as I was allowed to venture out alone into the world in the family station wagon. When he was 16,…

3 questions with Mary Jayne Burris, baker

How does one start a viable bakery with almost no start-up money, no storefront and no real staff? “One cake at a time,” Mary Jayne Burris explains with exuberant laughter and a proud smile. As owner and founder of Lady Jayne’s Bakery, a sweet edition to the city’s culinary offerings, this 20-something pastry chef has…

Debra Renee Seth

Red Riding Hood loses its way

The idea of combining a werewolf tale with a whodunit is an interesting one, and the notion of adding layers of Freud and feminism onto the wolfman saga is positively genius. These angles have been tackled before (the Peter Cushing vehicle The Beast Must Die and Neil Jordan’s mesmerizing The Company of Wolves, respectively), but…

Matt Brunson

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