Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2010

Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2010 / Vol. 24 / No. 5

Best I’ve Had All Week: Daffin’s Candies Chocolate

Easter has become another holiday/religious celebration where candy is a necessity. But the milk chocolate I look for on Easter is the one from my mother’s hometown in western Pennsylvania. Daffin’s is one of the candy companies almost lost to the U.S. – a regional outpost of hand decorated chocolates. In my family, the eight…

Tricia Childress

Hangout Festival is around the corner

We always like to give you options when it comes to summer music festivals. So, instead of heading west to Tennessee in June for Bonnaroo, maybe you’d rather head south to Florida for the Hangout Festival. Taking place in Gulf Shores, Ala., on May 14-16, the Beach, Music & Art event will feature Zac Brown…

Jeff Hahne

Blue Cross greed: unsung hero of health reform

Today we’d like to pause to give praise to one of the unsung heroes of the health care reform debate: Angela Braly, CEO of Wellpoint. It’s not the kind of honor you’d expect her to win, seeing as how she’s one of the country’s chief health insurance honchos and everything, but there’s no doubt Braly…

John Grooms

Pat McHenry calls Beck and Limbaugh liars

We’ve written much here about the spreading lunacy in America’s right wing. If you still need evidence that what used to pass for conservatism has gone off the rails, consider this: Rep. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville, N.C. — one of the most right-wing conservatives in Congress, last seen here trying to replace U.S. Grant with…

John Grooms

Fool’s Brigade celebrates The Replacements, Big Star

“Rock guitar players are all dead men walking,” former Replacements front man Paul Westerberg recently wrote in The New York Times tribute piece about his mentor, Alex Chilton, who passed away on March 19. “Those who fail to click with the world and society at large find safe haven in music — to sing, write…

Web Editor

Sale of the day: RealEyes Bookstore

Today is the official re-grand opening of RealEyes Bookstore. They’ve moved next door. Check out their new space and take 25 percent off all books, food and wine tasting. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. RealEyes Bookstore 3306-B N. Davidson Street

Kimberly Lawson

Will Obama visit inspire more ‘Teabonics’?

We can’t wait to see what kind of Tea Party crowd shows up for Obama’s visit to Charlotte tomorrow. Actually, what we’re really interested in is whether the organizers will be able to control some of the more virulent tea partiers and their signs. As Obama shows up at midday tomorrow at Celgard, a “green”…

John Grooms

Lollapalooza slowly revealing band names

Much like Bonnaroo released their band names one at a time, the folks at Lollapalooza are releasing band names in a “Wheel of Fortune” style — one letter at a time. They released “O” first and today is “R.” Judging by the position of letters in the lineup, it looks like some of the bands…

Jeff Hahne

Gorman’s smackdown of Harry Jones

Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman may be running out of patience with local government. The normally shmoozy, go-along-to-get-along Gorman surprised observers of local government yesterday by delivering a good smack to County Manager Harry Jones and other city and county honchos. As part of his announcement that he and his top administrators will do without bonuses…

John Grooms

Squeezing into Jersey

Scheming to find a seat as Jersey Boys opens at Belk Theater? Sending a dear theater-loving friend to sleep with the fishes might be one appropriately Jersey thought you might have had to make it happen. But there are new non-Mafia options available. A few extra seats were squeezed into the orchestra section for all…

Perry Tannenbaum

Concert announcement: John Mayer

John Mayer’s Battle Studies World Tour will kick off in Charlotte on July 16 with Train opening at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Other dates on the tour will be opened by Owl City or The Avett Brothers.

Jeff Hahne

N.C. GOP wants to ‘nullify’ health care reform

Leaders of the Republican Party in North Carolina are pressuring state Attorney General Roy Cooper to join the lawsuits brought by 14 other state AG’s to stop implementation of health care reform. On top of that, some N.C. GOP leaders say they’ll introduce legislation to “exempt North Carolina from Obamacare,” as N.C. Senate Minority Leader…

John Grooms

Avett Brothers join John Mayer tour

Congrats to the Avett Brothers who just announced they’ll be joining John Mayer on four dates of his current Battle Studies tour: Jul 31 Bristow, Va. Jiffy Lube Live Aug 13 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Blossom Music Center Aug 14 Tinley Park, Ill. First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre Aug 15 Noblesville, Ind. Verizon Wireless Music Center

Jeff Hahne

Sale of the day: L.A. East

L.A. East is having an Easter sale this week. Take 15 percent off everything in the store, now through Saturday. 9852 Rea Road, Suite D-1 704-341-5962 1135 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay 803-547-5557

Kimberly Lawson

Photos from the Flying Biscuit

The Flying Biscuit Cafe, the chain restaurant from Georgia that touts itself as “a taste of heaven,” opened its second Charlotte location at Park Road Shopping Center on Monday, March 29.

Priscilla Tsai

A lifetime of loathing shitty R&B singers

Few things conjure up my inner hater like the would-be, local R&B singer. Not their music per se. No qualms with that, but I loathe their tactics and the absolute power they are able to derive from their voices alone. Trust, the jealousy emitting from my booming baritone is palpable. As far back as elementary…

Mike McCray

Obama signs student loan overhaul

I take back what I said during the health care debates about Pres. Obama not being politically savvy enough in his dealings with Congress. I’m not just referring to Obama’s success in pushing health reform through Congress (after everyone but he and Pelosi had given up on it), although that was impressive, not to mention…

John Grooms

Sale of the day: Peek-A-Boo Couture

In case you hadn’t heard, Peek-A-Boo Couture, a children’s premier clothing and accessory store, has moved to a new location. Now through April 25, they’ve got over 200 items marked down. After that, take an addition 75 percent off. Craziness! 1111 Metropolitan Avenue 704-332-5338

Kimberly Lawson

‘Being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition’

Well. That’s nice. For decades, women have paid more for health insurance. A lot more. But, thanks to health care reform, that trend has come to an abrupt end. In the broadest sense, the new health care law forbids sex discrimination in health insurance. Previously, there was no such ban, and insurance companies took full…

Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

Today’s Top(less) 5: Tuesday

Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, March 30, 2010 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Champagne and cigars at The Gentlemen’s Club • $2 Tuesday at Club Onyx • Power Yoga…

Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bang Town

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of March 31

ALICE IN WONDERLAND Here’s the problem with the vast majority of movies based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass: They’re too tame, too hesitant and too conventional to really tap into the more unsettling aspects of an immortal fantasy that provides as much satisfaction for adults as for…

Matt Brunson

Progressive activist/singer Si Kahn hangs up his organizing shoes

For a guy who’s retiring, Si Kahn seems awfully busy. Kahn announced late last year that he will step down May 1, 2010 as executive director of Grassroots Leadership, the Charlotte-based, community organizing group he founded 30 years ago. The 65-years-old-but-looks-10-years-younger rabbi’s son may be finished helping ordinary people around the South and Southwest organize…

Bigger Than Life, An Education among new DVD reviews

BIGGER THAN LIFE (1956). Place the happy homemakers from Leave It to Beaver in the haunted house at the center of The Amityville Horror, and the result might be something akin to Bigger Than Life, a startling exercise in the dismantling of the nuclear family of the 1950s. The suburban spread at the center of…

Matt Brunson

Hot Tub Time Machine worth the trip

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE *** DIRECTED BY Steve Pink STARS John Cusack, Rob Corddry Viewers wary of getting burned in Be Kind Rewind fashion (clever premise, tepid results) would be well-advised to approach Hot Tub Time Machine in a cautious manner. That isn’t to say the movie doesn’t deserve its solid endorsement; it’s merely to…

Matt Brunson

The obscenity of war

President Barack Obama has just returned from his first trip as commander in chief to Afghanistan. The U.S.-led invasion and occupation of that country is now in its ninth year, with increasing comparisons to Vietnam. Daniel Ellsberg, who Henry Kissinger once called “the most dangerous man in America,” leaked the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Ellsberg,…

Amy Goodman

Chloe only worth a passing glance

Most films populated by Hollywood stars are generally launched stateside, but it nevertheless should come as no surprise that Chloe, opening in the U.S. during the final week in March (and limited, at that), has already been making the European rounds since the beginning of the month. After all, American moviegoers aren’t accustomed to seeing…

Matt Brunson

MUSIC: Vivian Green at Dharma Lounge

Soul vocalist Vivian Green, who gained fame in 2002 with her hit song “Emotional Rollercoaster,” is back promoting a brand-new CD (titled Beautiful) — and she’s visiting Charlotte to celebrate the occasion. Popping into Dharma Lounge tonight, Green will perform her tracks from her latest project, and then partygoers will be treated to music by…

Carlton Hargro

ART: Flights of Fancy exhibition

Tonight during Southend’s gallery crawl, Ciel Gallery will have an opening reception for its newest exhibition, titled Flights of Fancy. If the name in itself doesn’t sound like enough reason to check out, the funky piece of art (pictured) by Rebecca Collins should be. This piece, along with other mixed media mosaics, textile art and…

Anita Overcash

Finding Brazilian food at Tropical Bakery & Cafe

Many of the immigrant populations to arrive in Charlotte follow a predictable pattern of gastrobusiness evolution. Some start with a few small grocers, a bakery or two, and mom and pop restaurants. Smaller communities spawned a singular high-end outpost (Cuisine Malaya, the late Tango Argentina) and depended on the mainstream population. Entrepreneurs within Charlotte’s once…

Tricia Childress

BENEFIT: Dogswalk Against Cancer

Spring has arrived and the whole “it’s cold” excuse used for not going outside on walks is over. In its fourth year, the annual Dogswalk Against Cancer lets you walk for a good cause. Hosted by The American Cancer Society the non-competitive walk raises awareness and funds for the fight against cancer in both humans…

Anita Overcash

3 questions with Monte Smith, restaurateur

Monte Smith is a successful entrepreneur who has founded everything from restaurants to consulting firms. Smith was born in Galveston, Texas, but has spent most of his life in Latin America and traveling to different countries. Among his travels, he was captivated by the culture and simplicity of France. When he and his family moved…

Nicole Pietrantonio

MUSIC: Outernational at The Milestone

Taking cues from politically charged icons The Clash and Rage Against the Machine, NYC’s Outernational spew its own brand of protest, defiance rock, laced with spunky ska and punk. Telling it like they see it, hoisting the little guys of the world up with drunken bravado and “up yours” lyrics, the quintet’s music is quite…

Samir Shukla

EpiCentre vs. Music Factory

Spring isn’t the only thing that’s sprung. In case you haven’t noticed, Charlotte nightlife has sprouted. The days of only having a few places to go out to are gone — you now actually have to weigh your options and map out your night. But are we going to a bar, or a boxing match?…

SPECIAL EVENT: Tao at Knight Theater

Beat by beat, you can’t stop the rhythms during Tao’s upcoming performance at Knight Theater. This Japanese group of martial arts drummers has received stellar success across the globe in its ability to blend ancient traditions of taiko drumming and choreographed martial arts. During the show, 16 drummers pound on huge wadaiko drums (these are…

Anita Overcash

Two Man Gentlemen Band may bid farewell to kazoos

Using only two kazoos, a fat, dead president and four fingers on each hand, two men take over New York City. Resurrecting and rechanneling the sounds of hot jazz from the ’30s and ’40s through their own warped filter, guitarist/banjoist/lead kazooer Andy Bean and bassist/backup kazooer Fuller Condon first took to the streets of New…

Grant Britt

FASHION: Johnny Cupcakes Suitcase Tour

Cupcakes … yum! What’s more exciting than desserts topped with sweet, finger-lickin’ frosting that fit in the palm of your hand and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face (and a bunch of calories in your belly)? Perhaps a fashion line that is all cupcake-themed, like that of Johnny Cupcakes. The brainchild of…

Fool’s Brigade celebrates The Replacements, Big Star

“Rock guitar players are all dead men walking,” former Replacements front man Paul Westerberg recently wrote in The New York Times tribute piece about his mentor, Alex Chilton, who passed away on March 19. “Those who fail to click with the world and society at large find safe haven in music — to sing, write…

John Schacht

CL previews upcoming concerts

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 Miggs The trio, led by guitarist/vocalist Don Miggs, writes no-nonsense rock tunes where the songwriting is taut and the music tightly spun. Yeah, nothing groundbreaking, nothing that myriad other bands aren’t doing, but there’s veteran songcraft here that seems all heart, wholly without pretension. After releasing several albums and a rotating crew…

Reviews of spring-loaded paperbacks

Spring is usually a prime time for paperback releases, and this season is proving to be a particularly good one. Here are reviews of five new paperbacks. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin (Scribner, $15). In the 1950s, a hard-working but unsophisticated young Irishwoman named Eilis Lacey likes her quiet days in the small town of Enniscorthy.…

What’s behind all the health care rage?

Is it me or does what’s unfolding in response to the health care reform legislation vaguely resemble protests of the 1960s, when people were fighting for and against civil rights? Spitting on members of Congress, shouting the “N” word (in a way that’s not related to this column) and the “F” word, brandishing firearms, hurling…

Nsenga Burton

Comic review: The Guild No. 1

The Guild No. 1 Published by Dark Horse Comics. Written by Felicia Day. Art by Jim Rugg. The Deal: Dark Horse Comics unveils its comic book adaptation (of sorts) of the popular live-action Internet TV show The Guild. The Good: I picked up a copy of The Guild last week, even though I wasn’t familiar…

Carlton Hargro

The mayor’s very weird week

We all have “off” weeks once in a while — weeks where nothing seems to go right. Perhaps Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx recently had one of those. Whatever the case, by Friday of last week, people all over the city were doing a double take. It started last Sunday night, when Foxx sent a bizarre…

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Setting An Example: A 22-year-old woman called police after being threatened by a man while she picked up her son at Dixon Academy, an early education school. She told police that the man, who did not work at the academy, said, “I know where you work. I will have my girlfriend beat you up.” See…

Ryan Pitkin

My Sayso on The Mojo

Fantasy and reality are so thoroughly married in Aishah Rahman’s The Mojo and the Sayso that audiences at Duke Power Playhouse may sometimes find it difficult to sort out where dramatic reality ends and pure fantasy begins. Rahman’s starting point is real enough, drawn from a 1973 incident when New York City Police killed 10-year-old…

Perry Tannenbaum

Is peak phosphorus the next global crisis?

I’ve recently read claims that world reserves of phosphates, a mined resource essential in the production of agricultural fertilizer, are rapidly running out. The potential implications of this fact, if it is a fact, make global warming sound like a back-bencher in the End o’ Civilization tournament. Can you, in your vast knowledge, shed any…

Cecil Adams

CD Review: Alberta Cross’ Broken Side of Time

The Deal: New York-based rockers Alberta Cross get wide distribution of debut album, months after limited release. The Good: As the first words tear into the speakers, you might think you’re listening to a new Neil Young album: acoustic music with slight falsetto sprinkled over the top. By the time the feedback kicks in at…

Jeff Hahne

Horoscope for March 31-April 6, 2010

Aries The Ram (March 20-April 19): You have arrived at another turning point with respect to one or more significant relationships. Think about what you started in the summer of 2009. Now is a time of full maturity of that relationship or situation. This is a time of clarity in which you can see the…

Vivian Carol

Right-wing madness gets scary

Symptoms Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele issued a call to Republicans to put Nancy Pelosi on the “firing line,” and showed an image of Pelosi consumed by flames. Sarah Palin told her followers to “reload” and “aim for” Democrats, directing them to her Web site where they found a U.S. map decorated with rifle…

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