Mar 2-8, 2010

Mar 2-8, 2010 / Vol. 24 / No. 1

Best bets in Charlotte comedy

As the headline suggests, here are a few of the best places to find comedy events in Charlotte — from stand-up to improv to sketch comedy and more. For a complete listing of all comedy visit www.CharlotteComedyLIVE.com. Monday, March 8 * Stand-Up Comedy Class Graduation at 8 p.m. Join hosts Joel Pace and Johnny Millwater…

Anita Overcash

Mixtape review: Fabolous

The Deal: The same day Drake released the first official single from his debut album, Fabolous knocks it off the hip-hop front page with his long-awaited mixtape. The Good: Fab holds on to his title as king of one-liners, I mean he was really consistent with the punchlines, finding about a dozen new ways to…

Mike McCray

Use bus ads to make up CATS shortfall

It’s time for Charlotte to get over its habit of always wanting to be, as a friend puts it, “The City That Strives To Be Tidy.” CATS wants to raise fares for local bus and rail service in order to make up for a shortfall from the half-cent sales tax that pays for transit. The…

John Grooms

Best I’ve Had All Week: Chicken Noodle Soup

Like many people in Charlotte, I had a nasty cold and cough last week. To counteract the effects, I made the chicken noodle soup which my kids – and some friends – believe to have magical properties. However chicken noodle soup (not the canned version) has been thought to be curative by such diverse cultures…

Tricia Childress

Video: Pac Div – “We The Champs (Duke vs. Carolina)”

You might have seen Duke slaughter my beloved North Carolina Tar Heels in the greatest rivalry in college sports over the weekend. While I’m still licking my wounds and receiving tons of salt via social media, I can be glad that we’re still the reigning National Champions for about a month AND this dope Pac…

Mike McCray

Right-wing nuts increasingly on parade

The Great Conservative Mental Breakdown of 2010 continues unabated, and it’s reaching alarmingly weird depths. We’ve written before about the American right wing’s collective panic attacks since Barack Obama’s election as president, but compared to some of the things going on these days — the Tea Partiers’ weird claims that Obama is a socialist dictator…

John Grooms

Burr and Bunning sitting in a tree

It’s good to know with whom your representatives in Washington ally themselves. Take Sen. Richard Burr and the thousands of unemployed folks in North Carolina whose finances are being destroyed by the Great Recession. Burr represents them, right? He’s in the Senate because he wants to do good things for this state’s citizens, right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!…

John Grooms

Jeffre Scott Apothecary hosts March Beauty event

Complimentary facials? Sign me up! Here’s some info from a press release I found buried in my inbox this morning. Sorry for the lateness! Jeffre Scott Apothecary, Charlotte’s premier one-stop shop for luxury beauty products and services, is welcoming warmer weather with an unprecedented month-long celebration. Every Saturday in March, the industry’s biggest names will…

Kimberly Lawson

CD Review: Raheem DeVaughn

The Deal: R&B love machine releases his third studio album on the pursuit of internal happiness. The Good: This is just straight up, good R&B. From the hooks to the melodies, even the sometimes cheesy, get in her draws lyrics, it all shapes up into a very well done album. “Nobody Wins A War” is…

Mike McCray

Video: Plies setting black people back

In honor of Plies being served with a lawsuit, here’s the self-proclaimed “goon” single-handedly setting black women back at least a decade with the casting video from his, thankfully, never made reality show, “Bust It Baby.” (Side note: I remember showing this to CL music editor Jeff Hahne as an intern years ago).

Mike McCray

Catching a case for Plies’ credibility?

Anybody perusing the Miami Herald yesterday might have seen the headline, “Gainesville nightclub shooting victims sue rapper” and for those that weren’t checking up on South Florida, that rapper was Plies. A lawsuit was filed against the rapper who’s blown up behind the strength of his “goon” image, overtly sexual material and thousands of chest-naked…

Mike McCray

Upcoming: Lore Emelio’s ‘Garden Party’

On Saturday, March 6, fashion designer Lore Emelio will premiere her spring collection featuring women’s apparel, women’s hats and men’s ties and bow ties at her “Garden Party” fashion show. Bow ties? You gotta love it. Emelio has been all over the world, working for several highly esteemed fashion houses including Ralph Lauren and Best…

Kimberly Lawson

Medical pot in N.C.?

Despite the fact that organizers will not be handing out free samples, a sizeable crowd is expected this evening at UNC-Charlotte for a townhall discussion of medical marijuana. Local state representatives Kelly Alexander Jr. and Nick Mackey, along with Rep. Earl Jones of Greensboro, will explain the bill they have proposed which would make North…

John Grooms

Forum, 3/3/10

Forum hosted their NightSkool party – So You Think You Can Dance Edition on Wednesday, March 3. The party was hosted by UNCC’s Tantrum Hip Hop dance troupe. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography

Priscilla Tsai

The Opening Act: Ike Ellis

North Carolina is slowly becoming a breeding ground for MC’s and with that you see more and more artist from all over the state taking a stab at rap stardom. Ike Ellis is throwing his name in that hat and hoping to live up to his “King of Karolina” moniker. We caught up with the…

Mike McCray

Meet fashion designer Emily Morgen

Since I started this blog and began getting to know local fashion designers, I’ve always wondered if I could do what they do. I’d like to think I’ve got a few ounces of creativity in my blood — fashion, much like writing, stems from the right inspiration. After chatting with Emily Morgen, the creator of…

Kimberly Lawson

McHenry wants Reagan fantasy on $50 bills

Rep. Patrick McHenry, one-third of North Carolina’s trio of goofball Congressmembers, along with Virginia Foxx and Sue Myrick, was last seen here comparing Freudian metaphors with a male friend, and introducing critical legislation to honor NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson. Now he has a new legislative hobbyhorse to ride: yanking Ulysses Grant off the $50 bill and…

John Grooms

All Arts Market returns

Starting tomorrow, NoDaRioty’s All Arts Market returns to Neighborhood Theatre for  two days. If you’ve never been, here’s the deal: Featuring more than 60 artists, this event displays all kinds of hand-crafted goods, including paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, and more. It’s a great place to buy gifts for folks and … for yourself. For…

Anita Overcash

Concert announcement: OK Go

OK Go, the band that brought you the crazy treadmill video is back with their new one for “This Too Shall Pass”… oh yeah, and they’ll be playing at the Visulite Theatre on May 12. Tickets are $14 in advance and $16 on the day of the show. \\\\\\\\\\

Jeff Hahne

Make developers obey the law

This should be Rule No. 1 for running a city: People, neighborhoods, and quality of life trump corporate profits. And in the case of Charlotte, where the city’s lush tree canopy has been a major draw and bragging point for decades, add trees to the list, too. I bring this up because Mayor Foxx, not…

John Grooms

Upcoming: Cordani Shoe Trunk Show

I gotta admit, it’s hard to think about platform sandals, wedges and pumps with the sudden flurry of icy confetti falling from the sky over here at the N.C. Music Factory. Today is strictly stockings, thick socks and boot weather. Brrrr… But soon enough the weather will be warm and it’ll be time to allow…

Kimberly Lawson

Sale of the day: Hong Kong Vintage

This month only at Hong Kong Vintage, all winter coats are 10% off. Not a bad deal considering the #snOMG going on outside! Also, here is Hong Kong Vintage’s monthly coupon. Use it for a total of 25 percent off all winter coats and 15 percent off everything else in the store.

Kimberly Lawson

Myers Park teen a YouTube hit

YouTube has helped create many minor celebrities in our Internet age, but the circumstances that made Myers Park High School senior Amelia Downs a viral hit are surprising even to her. Amelia Downs posted her video as a response to a unique question on a college application to Tufts University. The Medford, Massachusetts school is…

Carlton Hargro

ART: Joyce Scott: Recall exhibition

McColl Center for Visual Arts latest exhibition, Joyce Scott: Recall, looks pretty damn cool. Take one look at the heavily beaded pieces included in the exhibition and you’ll be either curious or a little weirded out. Either way, thoughts will prevail while eyeing these pieces of works, all of which were inspired by American history…

Anita Overcash

CL previews upcoming concerts (March 3-9)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 Dervish The Irish sextet is so traditional in playing jigs and reels of the Emerald Isle that it’s easy to overlook their contemporary flourish on that music. Dervish has been recording and performing for more than two decades, with deft instrumentation including flutes, mandocello, accordion, bones, fiddle and mandolin, and warm vocal…

SPORTS: Charlotte Roller Girls

Roller derby. Not much really needs to be said about the indie sport, guaranteeing action-packed excitement, as wheels whip round the rink and aggression breaks out in full swing. Add to that alternative girls wearing short skirts, fishnet hose and sometimes exposed undies, and you can’t help but watch in amazement. This Saturday, the Q.C.’s…

Anita Overcash

CD review: Rebecca Rippy

The Deal: Charlotte-based singer/songwriter Rebecca Rippy releases sophomore CD, Telling Stories, on Dec. 9, 2009. The Good: With some help from Jamie Hoover – he produced, recorded and mixed the album in addition to playing bass and offering background vocals on a number of tracks – Rippy’s album is a collection of personal tales in…

Jeff Hahne

Book review: Picara by Pat MacEnulty

Picara by Pat MacEnulty (Livingston Press, 290 pages, $16.95 paper, $27 hardback). For my money, Pat MacEnulty is the most interesting novelist in Charlotte. The fact that she’s also a playwright, essayist and poet doesn’t hurt, either. MacEnulty, who teaches at Johnson & Wales U., writes stories about people who lead noisy lives streaked with…

Book Review: Ozzy Osbourne’s I Am Ozzy

The Deal: The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, offers a look at his history. At least, what he can remember of it … The Good: Upon first glance, the 416-page autobiography looks like it’s going to be a mountain to tackle, but it’s actually quite a quick and entertaining read. Osbourne offers the most detail…

Jeff Hahne

Book review: Gangsters of Miami by Rob Chepesiuk

Gangsters of Miami by Ron Chepesiuk (Barricade Books, 304 pages, $23.95). Ron Chepesiuk (pronounced CHEP-sik), formerly a college professor as well as an archivist at Winthrop U. in Rock Hill, is pretty mild-mannered, but that hasn’t kept him from a fascination with outlaws, mobsters, drug kingpins and gangsters. Result? Several gangster-related books, resulting in his…

Hoots and Hellmouth finding solid musical footing

Stuff the Avett Brothers and the Asylum Street Spankers in a blender. Throw in a few fistfuls of agrarian reform, a heaping helping of folky soul and a cup of religious fervor. Hit puree, then jump back as your creation busts out of its container and splashes acoustic rebelry all over you. That’s the recipe…

Grant Britt

Book review: The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant

The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant (Scribner, 304 pages, $15). Now being turned into a Hollywood movie, this fascinating, grim and action-packed novel is now available in paperback. Wettest County revolves around a successful moonshine gang (successful, as in hundreds of gallons of quality booze per week) operating in the bootlegging capital…

The best (and worst) of the “10-in-10 Reviews”

A lot of CDs land on my desk. A lot. When I first took the job as music editor three years ago, I made a commitment to myself and all the bands who send stuff to me that I would give every single CD a listen — whether it be 10 songs or 10 seconds.…

Jeff Hahne

Bizarre crimes from the Charlotte police files

Getting Lucky: A 31-year-old woman working at a building running a Pot of Gold Sweepstakes called police after the place was robbed. She told officers the man came in and spoke with her about the sweepstakes and then filled out all of his information and left. About a minute later, he came back in with…

Ryan Pitkin

CD Review: Banda De Turistas’ Magical Radiophonic Heart

The Deal: Critical darlings. They’ve been called everything nice, like the greatest new band from Argentina, the latest in retro, best in psychedelic rock, best new Latin Artists, even “impeccable shoes”(!), so B de T has an awful lot to live up to, almost too much. Garage rock and psychedelic? Don’t think so. More like…

Lew Herman

Horoscope for March 3-9, 2010

Pisces The Fish: (Feb. 18-March 19) You have a desire to reach outward to others. You want to share ideas and express yourself in a larger framework. It seems everyone is interested in what you think. Activities involving legal interests, teaching or learning are favored. For All Signs: The spring equinox of March 20 deserves…

Vivian Carol

The Box, Everybody’s Fine among new DVD reviews

THE BOX (2009). The Box is the latest picture from writer-director Richard Kelly, who with the cult fave Donnie Darko proved that he’s one filmmaker able to think outside the box (ouch). Adapting Richard Matheson’s short story “Button, Button,” Kelly has fashioned a complex tale out of a simple premise: A solemn stranger (Frank Langella)…

Matt Brunson

Why do babies run a fever when teethingor do they?

Why do babies run fevers when teething? More important, why do doctors claim that they don’t? Is it just so stupid/inexperienced mamas won’t ignore a serious infection when they erroneously attribute a fever to teething? Or do the doctors lie because they don’t understand why it happens? That seems unlikely since they admit to not…

Cecil Adams

CL’s annual Oscar predictions (and preferences)

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will be held this Sunday, March 7, meaning we only have a few more days to mull over the possible outcome. Will James Cameron’s Avatar repeat the success of his Titanic, with a Best Picture Oscar coming hot on the heels of its designation as the top-grossing movie of all…

Matt Brunson

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of March 3

AVATAR The only film capable of surpassing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as the Fanboy Fave of 2009, James Cameron’s massively hyped Avatar at least differs from Michael Bay’s boondoggle in that it’s, you know, entertaining. On the other hand, the notion that it represents the next revolution in cinema is nothing more than studio-driven…

Matt Brunson

Worth the search: Restaurante y Panaderia Salvadorena

  It was three o’clock in the afternoon; I didn’t have breakfast and I didn’t eat lunch. I’d had coffee, three Red Bulls and a half pack of cigarettes — my typical school day diet. Class was over and I was driving home, tired, jittery and famished. For the sake of my stomach and the…

John Zoet

The Crazies: How does remake of Romero flick stack up?

With the new version of The Crazies in wide release, should viewers head to the theater to check it out or mosey toward the DVD store with the intent to rent the original? Given the options, perhaps an alternate plan should be set in motion (maybe a museum, or a nightclub?), but between the pair,…

Matt Brunson

Feel the heat at Loco Lime

In a town where Mexican restaurants — authentic Mexican, the kind where servers look at you askance if you do not order the prerequisite five tacos per sitting — are literally a dime a dozen, is there room are a quasi Mexican eatery? You bet. The Loco Lime: Mexican Inspired Grill is the clever idea…

Tricia Childress

FILM: The 6th Annual Charlotte Jewish Film Festival

The 6th Annual Charlotte Jewish Film Festival, which features week-long screenings of a variety of Jewish films from around the world, kicks off on March 4 with A Matter of Size (Sipur Gadol). In the film, four overweight guys abandon their weight-loss group, not for burgers and fries, but so that they can start a…

Anita Overcash

3 questions with chef Mark William Allison

Originating from the United Kingdom as Fellow Master Chef of Great Britain (F.M.C.G.B.), Chef Mark William Allison has found a new home in the Queen City. Allison is Dean of Culinary Education at Johnson & Wales University and is next in line to host the March segment of Let’s Cook, featured on News 14 Carolina…

Nicole Pietrantonio

THEATER: Evie’s Waltz

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre’s latest production is aimed toward facing horrific and true tragedies, like the shootings at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech. Evie’s Waltz, a play by Carter W. Lewis, follows a teen’s own shooting rampage at a family barbecue. Those in the audience are thrown in the middle of it all, as…

Anita Overcash

Some clubs are fortresses

There are two types of nightlife venues: the kind that rolls out a welcome mat for you and the kind that slams the door in your face. The kind that is hospitable to your business and the kind that thinks you should consider yourself lucky just to be in their establishment. Which type would you…

Brittney Cason

DANCE: North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Cinderella

The shoe fits, as North Carolina Dance Theatre steps up for a full-length production of Cinderella in its new kingdom of Knight Theater. The stage transforms to a fairytale land, as the classic tale of a girl who goes from being a mistreated servant to a beautiful princess is presented in ballet form. Choreographed by…

Anita Overcash

A perfect storm: CIAA 2010 scores

The CIAA has finally arrived. The 65th annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament took over the Queen City last week as the five-day tournament returned for its fifth year in Charlotte. The CIAA is the premier basketball conference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Over the years, it has evolved from…

Nsenga Burton

MUSIC: Dropkick Murphys at The Fillmore

It’s getting close to St. Patty’s Day, so where else would you rather be on this night, aside from getting hit in the face with a heavy dose of Celtic rock by Dropkick Murphys. The band hit the mainstream after “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” was featured in The Departed. Don’t think of them as…

Jeff Hahne

Doling out N.C.’s stimulus dollars

In a single day in February 2009, Congress voted to spend more than we’d spent on the entire Iraq war to stimulate the economy. Failure to pass the stimulus package would have led to catastrophe, President Obama told Americans two weeks before. Last year, the argument was that unless we passed the stimulus, we might…

THEATER: Menopause The Musical

Menopause is a time both women and men alike fear, so it should come as no surprise that a comedic drama called Menopause The Musical has been written in devotion to the transition of mood swings and no more periods. In the musical a group of women, all struggling with symptoms of “the change” –…

Anita Overcash

Sue Myrick and the Muslims

Sue Myrick delivered a good show last week during her townhall meeting with nearly 200 Charlotte-area Muslims. I don’t mean Sue’s dog-and-pony show about the humongous, ultra-critical, super-scary imminent threat of domestic terrorism by angry Muslims. No, the show we’re referring to was the part where Myrick acted as if she gave a flying damn…

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