News Roundup, 4/1/08
Hotels score slam dunk: Charlotte became a beckon sending out a signal all across the United States drawing people into the city, thanks to the three consecutive tournaments we have hosted in the city. According to some of the largest hotels in Uptown, guests from different cities and states flooded their rooms. Full story: Charlotte.com…
Mr. Humor-challenged is history
Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP President Ken White finally resigned yesterday, a month after national NAACP officials fired him. What better time to hear about the canning of one of the most humorless people on earth than April Fools’ Day? The national NAACP essentially supported a local insurrection against Ken White’s less-than-energetic approach to supporting civil rights. I…
311, Snoop heading to Q.C.
The Unity Tour with 311, Snoop Dogg and Fiction Plane will stop by Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on July 24. No word on when tickets go on sale yet…
Food Lion Speed Street Bands
Food Lion Speed Street has begun announcing the lineups for the three-day festival. Among those scheduled to perform… On Friday, they’ll have Flyleaf and Seether on the Miller Lite Stage and Kellie Pickler on the Coca-Cola Stage. On Saturday, they’ll have Chevelle on the Miller Lite Stage and Travis Tritt on the Coca-Cola Stage.
Charlotte Walk MS
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, hosted the first of its 2008 Walk MS events on Saturday, March 29 at Symphony Park in Charlotte. Over 1,500 people showed up to walk and volunteer. All photos by Chey Scott. (left to right) Melissa Helfrich, Nikki Hermes, Allison Tate Lesley and Lauren Phillips Organizer Logan Stewart…
Welcome to Dilworth
— Cartoon by Jim Hunt
Live Review: Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World March 30, 2008 Amos’ Southend Review by Chey Scott The Deal: Samsung Sound Check and Alltel Wireless hooked up with Jimmy Eat World at Amos’ Southend March 29 to provide an intimate show and showcase the latest music-centric phones. Amos’ was packed with fans and Alltel was prepared with interactive phone booths…
A blow to the already sucky world of Charlotte Radio!!
Why? Why? Why? I can’t believe the V 101.9 let Alysse Stewart go! She was so cool on air and in person! From her Web site, www.alyssestewart.com: March 31, 2008On my being fired today … Although Aprils Fools Day is near. I have no jokes for you. I was fired today (it wasn’t called that).…
Can I just get my tubes tied?
When women reach a certain age, people always seem to have one question for them. “When are you having children?” Since I’m a woman of that age, I’m going to answer this question for the last time. Never! That’s right. I don’t want kids. After this past weekend, I realized that I don’t like them…
News Roundup, 3/28/08
Consumer spending barely budged in February: With the dramatic rise in living expenses, it’s no wonder that American consumers turned in the worst spending in 17 months this past February. The Commerce Department said Friday that consumer spending edged up by just 0.1 percent last month, the poorest showing since September 2006. “Consumers are facing…
Chelsea Clinton aka lil Hillary
Last night when I should’ve been in bed, I was trolling the Internet and ended up on the ABC News site. That’s were I saw the video of Chelsea Clinton telling a student at Belmont University that “That’s none of your business,” in response to a question about Senator Hillary Clinton’s handling of the blow…
What is Bush smoking?
What are they smoking in the White House and where can I get some? No matter how many times reality threatens to derail the Bush administration’s Fantasy Parade, the drum major himself just keeps on high-stepping his way to the bullshitters’ hall of fame. You may have noticed that all hell has broken out in…
The Rickshaw
To begin, the man lies back in the edge of an elevated surface, such as a chair or a bed with his legs in the air and an erect member. The woman then backs in towards the man as he lies in this position and offers him her luscious backside. Pushing his member at the…
See you at Tilt tonight!
QC After Dark columnist Brittney Cason brings back the weekly after-work lounge experience known as Creative Lounging to Tilt on Trade tonight. Come check out live music by Simplified (pictured below), silent door prizes … and Brittney in short skirts. Free. 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Tilt, 127 W. Trade St.
News Roundup, 3/27/08
Chicago battles rise in teen murders: Since March 7, 120 students from the Chicago, Ill. ABLA Homes public housing development have been unable to attend Cran Tech High School for fear of being shot and killed. In 2007 Chicago’s homicide rate reached a record low, but murder among the youth is out of control. Twenty…
Summer …
OK, I’m ready for summer. And for some reason, I’m really into house music right now. I guess should be in Miami for the Winter Music Conference — the big weeklong dance music convention. I could be enjoying warm weather AND house music. But I’m not. Boo hoo. Anyway, this song fits my mood right…
Winter soldiers march again
Last weekend, in the lead up to the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, a remarkable gathering occurred just outside Washington, D.C., called Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations. Hundreds of veterans of these two wars, along with active-duty soldiers, came together to offer testimony about the horrors of war,…
Summer …
OK, I’m ready for summer. And for some reason, I’m really into house music right now. I guess should be in Miami for the Winter Music Conference — the big weeklong dance music convention. I could be enjoying warm weather AND house music. But I’m not. Boo hoo. Anyway, this song fits my mood right…
Summer …
OK, I’m ready for summer. And for some reason, I’m really into house music right now. I guess should be in Miami for the Winter Music Conference — the big weeklong dance music convention. I could be enjoying warm weather AND house music. But I’m not. Boo hoo. Anyway, this song fits my mood right…
Blogging under the influence is not a crime
By Bono When I saw this CNN story about dogs blogging, I was concerned. Not concerned that pet-owning people are retarded (a given), but that Angel and Fanny, our beloved wolfhounds … or are they terriers? Fuck, what are they — sorry, I’m snockered again. It comes with the territory (i.e., I am Irish). Are…
Spotted: George Clooney & Renee Zellweger
The stars were in Salisbury yesterday to promote their new movie, Leatherheads. Yes, we stalked them. (Photos by Heather Desmond) George Clooney Renee Zellweger And their shoes
American Idol – Top 10
Singers on America’s most popular karaoke contest sang songs from the year of their birth last night. Aside from making feel really old — one of them was born in the ’90s — here are my thoughts about the show: Ramen Noodle — Let’s face it, her vocals are weak and it was bad karaoke.…
Idol thoughts
Ramen Noodle? Ego Trip? The Mayor of Creepy Town?!? Cruella DeVille may have gotten voted out, but I’ve got plenty of nicknames for the contestants on American Idol. Check out my thoughts on all those participating in America’s largest karaoke contest over at qcvibes.com.
News Roundup, 3/26/2008
New home sales hit 13 year low: The housing market continues to plunge as housing prices hit their lowest in 13 years, according to a government survey. The median price for a new home in February was $244,100, which is down 2.7 percent from $250,800 just one year ago. “These historically low levels show that…
David who?
Every time I think the fanboys – whom I really believe will be the cause of the destruction of quality cinema as we know it – responding to the IMDb (International Movie Database) polls can’t show their myopic ignorance any more, they surprise me. One of the questions earlier this week was, “Which of David…
Does this make you want to vote for Hillary?
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Beauty and the beast
The April cover of Vogue magazine featuring NBA superstar LeBron James and supermodel Gisele Bundchen is under fire. Heavily touting that LeBron James is the first black man to grace the cover, Vogue’s public relations team revved up the band and rolled out the cover, generating publicity and expecting praise. What they got was something…
Saving country’s ass
If you want to hear what Dale Watson thinks about the current state of country music, all you have to do is listen to him sing. “They took the soul out of what means a whole lot to me,” he laments on “Country My Ass.” It’s enough to set Hank and Lefty (Frizzell, one of…
Eat your greens
Michael Pollan answers the omnivore’s dilemma
Art: Get decked out
community
Regional ‘supergroup’ kicks off concert series
Check out Rock Hill’s Freedom Center as The Occasional Milkshake kicks off a spring concert series on March 26, including guest appearances by Danielle Howle and Doug Jones. The Occasional Milkshake blends former members of Hootie & The Blowfish (Mark Bryan), Cravin’ Melon (Gary Greene) and Blue Dogs (Hank Futch) for a project rich with…
Get to the point
moe. thriving in the land of jams
Winter soldiers march again
Last weekend, in the lead up to the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, a remarkable gathering occurred just outside Washington, D.C., called Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations. Hundreds of veterans of these two wars, along with active-duty soldiers, came together to offer testimony about the horrors of war,…
Music Menu
THURSDAY, MARCH 27 Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash The band not only received approval from the “Man in Black” himself, but his real son actually produced their first album. BSOJC’s style is easy-listening-rockabilly and folk, with influences from Cash, of course. Songwriter Mark Stuart creates story-telling music reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen. Deluxe Motel and Wink…
Tipping the scales of justice
Proving bias on the job isn’t easy
Obama VP choices
Here’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a columnist: You start a column, and the next day you discover that someone else has written one that’s very similar. At that point, you make a decision: Go ahead with the planned column, or ditch it so no one thinks you’re ripping off…
North Carolina matters
Excitement builds as May 6 primary approaches
A bitter pill
When UNC-Charlotte’s pharmacy raised the prices of popular brands of birth control pills, the student reaction was predictably negative. “When we first got rid of all the specialty pricing, we heard a lot of complaints,” says Michelle Jernigan, a pharmacist at UNCC’s Student Health Center. The pharmacy wasn’t to blame, however. Many college health centers…
CD Review: The Gutter Twins
The Deal: Former singers of Afghan Whigs and Screaming Trees join forces for new group. The Good: The CD opens with the gothic, bluesy “The Stations,” letting you know both band members are out to create something different. Instead of sounding like an odd dichotomy, the vocals of Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli complement each…
Letters to the editor
Cheris Hodges (“Gearing up for more riders,” March 12) claims basketball tournament riders might be “more profitable for CATS.” Only one problem with that: CATS has never been profitable, and has no plans to become profitable. Like nearly every transit system in the country, the taxpayer is on the hook for 80 percent of CATS’s…
CD Review: Hymns
The Deal: Hymns, the Southern, homegrown quartet featuring Brian Harding, Jason Roberts (both from Harrisburg, N.C.), Tony Kent and Matt Shaw (both from Celeste, Texas), loaded up on instruments and spent some days on a dusty ranch to concoct their sophomore album. The Good: The album starts off with “NYC Nervous Breakdown,” a funky, upbeat…
A welcome Atwood re-run
If you missed it the first time around, you have another chance to pick up this 2006 stellar short story collection by one of our best writers (if “our” includes Canada). Anchor has re-released this fantastic, semi-autobiographical suite of stories that trace the life of a woman named Nell over a period of 60 or…
Last week on The CLog …
As Will Rogers said … “The continuous game of musical chairs that has been taking place in the Clinton and Obama camps speaks to why the Democrats have not been in the oval office for the past two elections — we do not stand up for ourselves and our people.” Americans and their silly hang-ups.…
CD Review: She & Him
The Deal: Actress Zooey Deschanel teams up with guitarist M. Ward for debut release. The Good: Deschanel tries to prove that she can rise above the stereotypical heap of Hollywood singers that has come before her – Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, Kevin Bacon, Russell Crowe, etc. Jazzy, pop, bluesy and retro, Volume One offers a…
Daredevil No. 106
The Deal: Matt Murdock — aka the blind superhero known as Daredevil (yes, the movie sucked) — is still reeling from his private war with Mr. Fear. Fear has really screwed up DD’s life: Because of this nutty bad guy, Murdock’s wife is now locked in an insane asylum indefinitely. As a result, DD is…
Spinal Deficiency Syndrome
Something seems to be going around — and it’s not the flu. It’s attacking politicians on both sides of the aisle and rendering them speechless. One minute, they’ll be flying high, sparring verbally, rolling out plan after plan and traveling from one destination to the next in pursuit of the big prize. They make grand…
CD Review: Snoop Dogg
The Deal: Doggfather returns with 21-track disc showing more mature side. The Good: Clocking in at nearly one hour and 20 minutes, you can’t say Snoop skimped on his latest effort. He shows a calmer, gentler Dogg with slow grooves, funky Prince-like old-school jams, yet continuing his signature sly style. He gets plenty of help…
The Blotter
NO TIME FOR GOOD-BYES: A 31-year-old man said he was helping his elementary school-age daughter get on her school bus. He said he was standing in the doorway of the bus making sure she made it up the stairs safely. As he was telling her goodbye, he said the driver closed the doors on his…
Azrael Moonrose
Azrael Moonrose has been ridding North Carolina of negative energy for the last six years. With more than 100 cleansings under his belt and one exorcism, he says he’s worked with everyone from a fry cook at McDonalds to an investment banker. He first learned about energies from his grandmother who is experienced in Native…
CD Review: Carlene Carter
The Deal: Country royalty pedigree doesn’t always mean quality. The Good: “If this song doesn’t put the cunt back in country, nothing will,” Carlene Carter said in 1979, introducing her song “Swap Meat Rag.” That remark, uttered in the presence of stepfather Johnny Cash, got the singer more notoriety than her singing career had up…
Karma Cleanser
Dear Karma Cleanser: I like to think of myself as a cool dad, not like my own dad who acted like a suburban version of Vladimir Lenin. My parents did not allow my brothers and me to listen to rock music, stay out late or grow our hair long. Of course, this only caused us…
Naked sushi and politics
Song for you Michael Bublé sings at Charlotte Bobcats Arena on March 18. For a review, see the Vibes section of this week’s paper. For a setlist, log on to www.qcvibes.com. Obama-wear An attendee of the Stand for Change Town Hall meeting last Wednesday shows his support for Sen. Barack Obama. For more coverage,…
LIve Review: Michael BublÉ
The Deal: Canadian crooner hits the Q.C. for concert full of hits, covers. The Good: The night kicked off with the talented Naturally 7 – seven singers that use only vocals (they call it “vocal play”) to create the sound of a full band. Bublé performed an array of hits that were interspersed with his…
The year of things happening
The tornado missed my house by a few blocks, which upset Lary. I would have been surprised at his show of concern if not for the fact that I knew he wasn’t concerned, he was just jealous. He was in New York City, way too far from the mayhem if you asked him, and he…
Straight talk express just talk
The only way to figure out where Sen. John McCain stands on torture/waterboarding may be to waterboard him. For years, McCain told every media outlet willing to listen that Congress should ban the information-extraction method because it amounts to torture. It got McCain lots of face time on TV, the kind he always gets when…
Opera: That’s Amore!
arts
Stargazer
Aries The Ram: (March 20 — April 19) This is the center of a three-to-four-week period in which things may break. Give attention to symptoms of machinery in the home or in your car. Issues among family members may be irritating. Avoid battles over ego. For All Signs: The planet Uranus is featured this week…
CL hits the streets
Catch Creative Loafing writers and editors on the streets of Charlotte at these great events: • March 27 — QC After Dark columnist Brittney Cason (pictured right) brings back the weekly after-work lounge experience known as Creative Lounging to Tilt on Trade. Come check out live music by Simplified, silent door prizes … and Brittney…
Film Clips
New Releases YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH Francis Ford Coppola’s first motion picture in approximately a decade fails to recapture even an ounce of his 1970s glory, as this pretentious, impenetrable and deadly dull film never resonates as anything more than an aging filmmaker’s feeble grasp at his own lost youth. Based on the novella by Mircea…
Return to the annex
After seeing Anne Frank’s famed Secret Annex in Amsterdam — and reading numerous newspaper accounts of the perils facing Anna’s consoling chestnut tree — I found myself returning to The Diary of Anne Frank with a refreshed perspective. I didn’t need the current Theatre Charlotte production to accurately show me the living quarters where the…
View from the Couch
BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967). Nineteen-sixty-seven was the year that changed the face of American cinema forever, and Bonnie and Clyde was one of the two reasons why (the other was The Graduate). This saga centering on the bank-robbing exploits of the Depression-era Barrow gang – leader Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty), his partner Bonnie (Faye Dunaway),…
Music: Pack a good Punch
music
The business of wine
I recently published a blurb revealing my fear that Rosenblum Cellars would be bastardized by its sale to Diageo, the largest multinational beer, wine and spirits company in the world. Like many other business categories in the United States, wine is corporatizing and homogenization looms. Really, my concern falls into selfish territory — if all…
Top arrivals & returns
At times, there was an eerie sense of pre-history to the Charlotte theater scene in 2007. Alan Poindexter took us back to his diabolical Innovative Theatre days – before his ascent to Children’s Theatre leadership via Rep’s notorious Angels — reappearing onstage in two cross-dressing roles in The Wizard of Oz. Former partner George Brown…
Hail to the King
music
Kiss me, I’m Irish — who knew?
Growing up, I never knew which ethnicity box to check on applications … I only knew I had Caucasian in me and that my grandmother was from Costa Rica. With that said, I was automatically disqualified from the Caucasian box because it typically said “Non-Hispanic.” So I just went with “Other” … but after my…
Ace in the hole
Three films debut, but only one doesn’t cheat viewers
Theater: Panty dropper
Leave the kids at home tonight, Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical is raunchy comedy at its best. This hilarious spoof on the 1978 adult film is brought to you by the Bare Bones Theatre Group and stars Heather Leanna, Kristin Jones and Greta Marie Zandstra. Laugh your ass off remembering the good ole days when…
