Out Of Africa
How often do you receive an invitation in the mail to an art opening that not only comes within a music CD, but also lists “fantastic coffins” among the items you can expect to see? In my experience, not often. Yet this is only one example of how Natural Selection challenges the standard paradigm for…
Life’s Looking Up For Skateboarders
Things are looking up for Charlotte-area skaters with the advent of a new local website and a park that’s scheduled to be completed by the end of summer. This comes as welcome news to the thousands of in-line and skateboard enthusiasts who have long been complaining that the Queen City is sorely lacking in decent…
Leading The Children
It took Children’s Theatre over two years to realize that their most respected director, Alan Poindexter, was the right man to pick up the reins and become the company’s new artistic director. But don’t blame CT’s board — or executive director Bruce LaRowe — for searching so long before reaching this obvious conclusion. Ask Poindexter.…
They say al-Qaeda is regrouping. What does that mean?
There’s a lot of evidence to indicate that al-Qaeda is in fact regrouping in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even after the big setback of losing its Taliban host government, they refuse to go away — like some washed-up rock group that refuses to call it quits even though its best days have long passed. Those of…
When Political Correctness Kills
When you open your newspaper in the morning, you are, whether you think about it or not, entering into an agreement — an agreement based on trust. You trust that the writers and editors did their jobs and are reporting the news fairly and accurately. Death by Journalism?, Jerry Bledsoe’s new book, tells how a…
Letters to the Editor
SouthPark I To The Editors: Regarding “And The Folks Behind The SouthPark Lawsuit Are…” (by Tara Servatius, March 13), do you think that if you were an attorney in solo practice, you would take on a case against the City’s attorneys and two large firms representing big-name developers and their financial backers, and do it…
Arts Agenda
Classical Music Impromptu! Takes It to the Limit…One more time! a tribute of rock hits from the 60’s and 70’s. The music you grew up with in a fully-staged tribute to classic rock. April 6, 8 p.m.; April 7, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. $14 in advance, $16 at the door. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens…
Homegrown Wrasslin’
Cult shows aren’t made; they just happen. They start out in obscure time slots, and slowly catch on. The trouble is, by the time people catch on, they’re already over. But just when I thought there were no local cult shows left, I stumbled onto a gem on WJZY-TV (UPN 46) Saturday mornings. It’s called…
Thai Again
What restaurant owners (and husband and wife team) Lam Chhak and Thom Soundara needed was a monsoon to put out the electrical fire which started in the kitchen of their restaurant 18 months ago. Finally, in February, the team got Monsoon, Thai Cuisine Restaurant, 2801 South Boulevard, reopened. Thai-native Chhak and Laos-native Soundara first opened…
Muddy Waters
Mark Twain once said there are “lies, damned lies — and statistics.” A curious example of this pronouncement came to light recently from the Charlotte Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, REBIC for short. An old study, dating from August 2000, by a couple of UNC Charlotte economists, found its way into The Charlotte Observer…
Kosher Wine
Hold onto your matzo balls, here come the kosher wines. Traditionally, these wines, while important for religious reasons, have not exactly screamed quality; instead they were thick, syrup-sweet tongue-attackers. But, there’s good news for Passover. In the last 15 or 20 years, kosher wines have improved dramatically and arrived at a new level of everyday…
It’s A Catholic Thing
There’s a lot people don’t understand about the Catholic Church, especially in the South. Baptists in particular will assault you with their King James Bibles, full of the royally altered word of God, and attempt to explain to me, a person raised on Catholic history and a healthy dose of Benedictine doctrine, how Catholics are…
Good Eats
ALL AROUND TOWN ANNTONY’S CARIBBEAN 2001 E. 7th, 704-342-0749; 145 Brevard Court, 704-339-0303; 20910 Torrence Chapel Road, Cornelius, 704-894-0280. A fun, change-of-pace restaurant for a casual lunch or dinner. Limited menu features rotisserie-cooked barbecued meats, what else, Caribbean style. $ BRUEGGER’S BAGEL BAKERY All over town. Chewy bagels, crisp on the outside, and served with…
Rebel Without A Cause
I have a dirty little secret to confess. As urbane as I like to appear, the truth is that, deep down, I am a South Carolinian, born and raised in the Palmetto State. And, enter dirty secret number two, I’m rather glad to be a South Carolinian, at least at this point in my life.…
The Rebirth Of Marvin Gaye
What’s going on? All of a sudden, Marvin Gaye is everywhere. A-list stars crank out tribute albums covering the soul singer’s greatest hits, Grammy-winning musicians acknowledge his influence, and his former label, Motown, regularly re-issues special editions of his classic records. He even had a hit with Erick Sermon, whose duet “Music” featured Gaye’s overlapping,…
What Rabbit?
“You can’t catch me ‘cuz the rabbit done died.” I’d be willing to bet if you asked Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler, the scribe of this immortal phrase, why the rabbit died, the big-lipped singer wouldn’t have an answer. Fear not, we’re here to soothe your curious mind. What the rascally Mr. Tyler was referring to…
Mounting Success
It’s almost like watching a music video. The clips make quick cuts from one scene to another, and a band’s name even appears in the lower left corner just like on MTV. But the star of these catchy commercials that are constantly being aired on major networks is a vehicle — more specifically, a Dodge.…
The Blotter
* A local beauty supply store was trimmed of 13 hair clippers which were kept behind the register. The clippers were valued anywhere from $100 to over $200 a piece. The thieves were soon identified by the numerous bulges and cords sticking out of their coats. * In response to his car alarm, a concerned…
Music Menu
THURSDAY 3.28 The Naked Truth 2nd Anniversary Party — The Naked Truth Songwriter’s Night, as you may have denoted from the heading, is celebrating its second anniversary this week. This show features touring artists Kyler England and Adrianne, as well as several local TNT alumni: Karl Ruch, Steve Simpson, Nan Sherry and Gene Hanners, Eva…
News of the Weird
LEAD STORIES * Wired magazine reported in March that two German designers have invented a computer game with hand sensors allowing the administration of shocks and burns to opponents, with the winner being the player who can stand it longer. Painstation (not affiliated with Sony) is based on the old game Pong, and if a…
Soundboard
Wednesday, Mar. 27 Arnie’s Tavern, Huntersville Scott Johnson Bayou Kitchen Bill Noonan Big Al’s, Mooresville Robin Brown Cajun Queen 7th Street Gator Band Cajun Queen, Pineville 7th Street Gator Band II Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro Reckless Kelly Comet Grill The Relics Connolly’s Craig & Rich Dilworth Coffeehouse Open Mic w/ Bert Wray Dinkins Cafe, Winthrop U…
The Kids Are Alright The Kids Are Alright
The Hart-Witzen Gallery, that lovable ramshackle flat, hosted something called the Emofest Saturday afternoon featuring bands like One Six Conspiracy, The Darkstar Observatory, and My Personal Hero (Following the established Emo code of ethics, nearly every band had three words in its name). Entering the place, I anted up my seven dollars and headed for…
The Not-So-Final Cut
In last summer’s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, there’s a scene in which Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck), discussing an upcoming movie based on the adventures of the slacker duo, states, “I don’t think I’m alone in the world in imagining this flick may be the worst idea since Greedo shooting first.” Make that the…
We’ve Got Bad News and Worse News
Bad News of the Week: The Hornets’ move to New Orleans seems all but certain, as the NBA is bending over backward to give the team time to sell more club seats in the Big Easy Arena. Even Worse News of the Week: Duke lost to Indiana in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, wrecking thousands…
Saving Private Ryan
This past weekend, Universal Pictures re-released E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial to commemorate the film’s 20th anniversary and (not incidentally) make a pile of money. But the E.T. that made its way to theaters isn’t quite the same movie that millions flocked to see in 1982; Steven Spielberg has decided to make a few digital tweaks, including…
Rocky Mountain High
Now that spring has arrived and we successfully avoided any school-closing, traffic-snarling snow, it seemed safe to try out a new outpost dedicated to America’s premiere Alpine region: the Rockies. Restaurateur Dennis Thompson spends much of his time at his Colorado mountain home and decided to bring a bit of Colorado back to Charlotte. One…
8 Days a Week
WEDNESDAY 27 Book of Days, an award-winning play by Lanford Wilson, will be presented by Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte tonight through April 14 at Spirit Square. Showtimes are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday April 14 at 2pm only. Tickets range from $14-$18, except on tonight when all tickets…
Film Clips
NEW RELEASES BLADE II With arteries being punctured left and right and vampires disintegrating after getting blasted by silver bullets, it’s clear that Blade II may be as disreputable a genre film as recent entries Queen of the Damned and Resident Evil — but it’s also a helluva lot more fun. It also manages to…
Thai Again
What restaurant owners (and husband and wife team) Lam Chhak and Thom Soundara needed was a monsoon to put out the electrical fire which started in the kitchen of their restaurant 18 months ago. Finally, in February, the team got Monsoon, Thai Cuisine Restaurant, 2801 South Boulevard, reopened. Thai-native Chhak and Laos-native Soundara first opened…
Stargazer
For All Signs The full moon in Libra is precise on Thursday, March 28, at 1:25pm EST. The Libra full moon is particularly significant in both Christian and Jewish religious traditions. Easter is on the first Sunday following the first full Moon that occurs after the spring equinox. Passover begins on the 14th day of…
Confessions of a Former Celibate
Let me place my card on your tray. I lived as a celibate priest for 22 years and have now lived for 25 years as a married man. While a priest, I headed the psychological panel of a multidisciplinary study of the American priesthood which was commissioned by the country’s Catholic bishops. As a psychologist…
Karma Cleanser
Dear Karma Cleanser: I have an ethical dilemma. Because of the recession and 9-11, I’ve been slowly sinking into financial ruin. My friends are becoming generous to the point that I’m very uncomfortable. Recently, I received “anonymous” cash in my mailbox. The trouble is, although the giver clearly wished to remain anonymous, I know who…
The Spies Who Came In From the Art Sale
A major international espionage saga is unfolding across the United States, with some of its roots here in the Southeast, specifically Atlanta. It’s been pretty hush-hush so far, largely because the implications could be a major embarrassment for the government. The spy story is even more touchy because it isn’t Saddam, Fidel, Osama or even…
