Fearless Heroes
If you’re skeptical about the redemptive power of rock & roll, Bradley Beesley’s loving and yet even-handed portrayal of the Flaming Lips, The Fearless Freaks (Shout Factory, $24.95), will test the limits of your cynicism from the first frame to the last. Chronicling the rise of Norman, Oklahoma’s “wondorously improbable” band, Beesley’s intimate documentary —…
Hard Act To Follow
You might call it sweet irony that the name of one of the earliest and most popular songs the Black Crowes ever recorded was “Hard to Handle.” With continuous personnel changes throughout their 15-year recording career, the Crowes have long lived up to the title. Then, of course, there’s that outspoken lead singer who, at…
Firewalking For Freedom
Gingerly, oh so gingerly, I placed my bare foot down onto the pile of broken glass Dr. Karen Frank had spread onto a blanket across her office floor. Focusing on staying balanced and, well, not getting pierced by shards of jagged glass, I lowered my body weight down onto my foot, then carefully lifted and…
Don’t Call ´em a Supergroup
Can we get through an interview with one of the members of Velvet Revolver without discussing eyeliner, drug addiction and Axl Rose? Since the interviewee is guitarist Dave Kushner, we can at least avoid two out of three. Those topics are evergreen when it comes to Velvet Revolver, a band made up of three Guns…
Sit & Spin
Ryan Adams & the Cardinals Cold Roses Lost Highway What’s the prolific artist to do? The compulsive writer of songs (penner of poems, painter of pictures, what have you), the artist in love with the act of creation, eventually has to deal with one very important question: What to do with your babies? The slow-working…
A Night Like This
Did you ever have one of those nights when you thought you were going to check out a new Mexican restaurant with your neighbors but they took too long getting ready so you figured you’d duck back into your place real fast to see if someone left you a phone message? Not that you’re expecting…
Moanin’ The Blues
Unlike the chaotic garage-rock blues of the White Stripes or the punkish blues roar of the Baptist Generals, the duo of Melissa Swingle and Laura King fashion a bubbling, black-soil blues that derives its power from an authentic Mississippi delta lope. As the Moaners, King pounds her drum kit like Russell Crowe delivering a beatdown,…
Music Menu
WEDNESDAY 5.18 The Casualties – Some ideas die hard, some never die, and then there’s the punk revivalists. For 15 years, with an ever-revolving cast of characters, NYC’s Casualties have delivered shout-along choruses, rough guitars and a crusty punk aesthetic reminiscent of bands from almost 30 years ago, such as Sham 69 and the Exploited.…
Adios, Amigos
Woody Clary Beer Distributor “I never did get it. Why do you use the same four people each week? Aren’t they for real? Relentless Volunteer “Seeing as how you guys have yet to pay me for even one of these things, I’d say it’s no skin off my ass.” Mabel Ford Librarian “In the words…
I Love the Nightlife
Summer’s the time to get out and enjoy every hour of the day, especially warm evenings and late nights. There are only so many hours in the nighttime, so this itinerary includes a whole weekend — one night devoted to Charlotte’s live music venues, another for those who prefer to get their groove on clubbing.…
Soundboard
Wednesday, May. 18 Amos’ Southend Joshua’s Whisper w/ Pigfish & WithstandBreakfast Club DJ Boney BBrickhouse Tavern, Davidson Robin B & Andy SeetsComet Grill The Relics Double Door Inn Hacienda Brothers The Evening Muse The Deschamps BandExcelsior Club Conversation PieceFire & Ice Lounge LadykillerThe Gin Mill Wizard’s Road ShowIrish Cue, Cornelius Gabe and FriendsMilestone Hallelujah! w/…
The Blotter
Afternoon Walk Turns Deadly: While walking down the street, five people were nearly struck by a speeding car. When one of the pedestrians yelled at the reckless driver, the car swung back around, a female passenger exited, and a heated argument ensued. At this point the driver of the car got out, brandishing a gun,…
Outdoor Adventure
It’s a sad state of affairs when Concord Mills — a friggin’ mall! — ranks as the number one tourist attraction in North Carolina. Summer is officially here, people, so it’s time to drop that remote control, pry your nether regions from the couch and head outdoors — no, not to the nearest shopping center,…
Star Burst
The common line goes that, when it comes to Star Wars, there are two types of moviegoers: fans who are enamored with every facet of the saga that George Lucas first started back in the 1970s, and non-believers who wouldn’t know the difference between a Jedi and a Jawa even if you spotted them the…
See & Do
May 18 – Wednesday It’s hard to imagine the Children’s Theatre Ensemble Company performing anywhere else but in the bowels of the Black Box at the Morehead Street fantasy palace. But this week’s presentation of Kafka’s The Trial marks the Ensemble’s farewell to the venerable venue as the company prepares to inhabit Imaginon in the…
Summer Listings
JUNE Film ALL ABOARD! SUMMER FILM SERIES June 13: The Great Train Robbery (1903) & The General (1927); June 20: The Lady Vanishes, 7pm. Free. Main Library, 310 N. Tryon St. 704-336-6217. AMONG BROTHERS In 1994 Jennifer Matthews was found dead in her burned down apartment. Was it an accident, or murder? Film based on…
Days Of Our Lives
Director Todd Solondz looks and acts pretty much like you’d expect the architect of some of the ickiest, most misanthropic films on the indie scene to look and act. Pale and fidgety, Solondz is dressed in an ensemble of hyper-articulated geekery: piss-yellow Converse sneakers, heavy green glasses and green pants (on which he obsessively wipes…
Stargazer
Gemini The Twins (May 20 June 21) The sun returns “home” to your sign this week. You likely will find it to be energizing. Now is the time to focus on new plans for this next year of your life. Take a fresh look at where you want to direct your energy. Your focus…
“Conscience” Bill Unclear
A proposed law that’s supposed to protect pharmacists’ rights is worrying groups like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, but it hasn’t attracted much attention from the lobbyists who represent the very professionals the bill is supposed to help.And it probably won’t unless the bill picks up steam, and soon. “It’s just not on the radar…
View From The Couch
CONTROVERSIAL CLASSICS COLLECTION (1932-1964). A better title for this rock-solid DVD compilation might have been Contemporary Classics Collection, as every movie in this set tackles a thorny issue that’s still alive and kicking in modern American society. Racial injustice, mob mentality, political gridlock, media manipulation – plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose… Paul…
Still Batting 1.000
Sneaking out of town last month to see Winthrop University’s production of Topdog/Underdog, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise. Jeremy Davis, last seen here at Actor’s Theatre last fall, was topping the playbill again down in Rock Hill. Davis copped CL Theatre Award nominations for Best Dramatic Actor and Newcomer of the Year with…
Naming Names
The police department’s daily e-mail releases are a tantalizing read, especially for reporters on deadline. Nearly every day, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shoots out what are essentially pre-packaged violent crime stories. In them, the county’s worst criminals are profiled, usually right after they commit the county’s most noteworthy crimes. Your typical e-mail release from CMPD…
Film Clips
New Releases KICKING & SCREAMING The “underdog sports comedy,” which hasn’t been run into the ground as much as it’s been pureed in a top-model blender, travels as far as it probably can go these days in Kicking & Screaming, an immensely likable if somewhat toothless family film in which even the notorious Mike Ditka…
Arts Agenda
Classical Music Broadway Gold! Carolina Voices MainStage Choir, their band and guests salute the best of Broadway featuring hits and time-tested melodies. www.carolinavoices.com. May 19-20, 8pm; May 21 3pm & 8pm; May 22 3pm. $20-$25. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-377-9124. The Magic Flute The opera weaves together many of the forces…
Furious George
Last week, the Observer reported that school board member George Dunlap had angered a former CMS parent by sending a smart-alecky e-mail reply to her complaint about the handling of Supt. Pughsley’s departure. Dunlap responded to the woman’s missive by reaching deep into the official Kids’ Insult Answer Kit and digging out the classic “It…
CL Summer Guide: Destination Charlotte
When you have friends in town, what do you do? If you gave the all-too-common answer, “Head to Asheville or the beach,” shame on you. It might take a little effort, but there is stuff to do in Charlotte. In fact, there are entire days worth of things to do here in the NASCAR/banking/New South…
Q Rating
In an interview toward the end of Barbecue Is a Noun, Dean Smith, legendary (former) basketball coach of the University of North Carolina, admits that he has just eaten a barbecue sandwich for lunch, but then adds, somewhat amused, “You’re making a documentary about barbecue?” A documentary about barbecue may seem peculiar in a place…
Servatius In Awards Trifecta
Three Creative Loafing journalists won first-place prizes in the 55th Annual Green Eyeshade Awards, given by the Society of Professional Journalists at ceremonies May 14 in Atlanta. Creative Loafing competed in the Weekly/Monthly publications part of the competition. Tara Servatius, reporter and columnist for Creative Loafing in Charlotte, won first place for editorial writing. Her…
Around The World
Hopefully, the idea of spending a day on an Around the World tour conjures up different images from those you might have had in college, when international travel meant mixing terrible versions of potent drinks from various worldwide locales. Charlotte’s got hundreds of ethnic restaurants, stores and clubs to scratch the world-traveler itch within. 8am:…
Kitchen Cultures
Executive Chef John Blumreich of Carpe Diem maintains an approach to life, particularly to cooking, that is no less than inspirational. “If I can visualize something, then I can make it happen,” said Blumreich. Blumreich’s approach to cooking is one in which he explores the cuisine of different cultures and relies on a sense of…
I Was Jane Fonda’s Bodyguard
Lately I’ve been thinking about Jane Fonda, and not just because of her new autobiography, My Life So Far, though God knows that would’ve been enough to plant her in my brain. The hype for the book has been relentless – and more than matched by the pseudo-patriot sour-asses who’ve filled airtime and cyberspace with…
Culture Fix
The mayor is a public art critic and the county commissioners enjoy keeping themselves in the thick of Arts & Science funding — who says Charlotte isn’t an artsy place? While you’re waiting for the Bechtler museum to open, here are some local options to satisfy your artistic impulses. 9am: A jolt of caffeine inspires…
A Different Slice Of Life
May reminds me of lovely lunches I once enjoyed at a colleague’s home. He was Vietnamese and became stuck in the US when Saigon fell while he was here in school. He stayed at that university for decades. For his luncheons, he’d make a tray of Banh Mi sandwiches, a glorious combination of herbs and…
Repairer of the Breach
Warren Burgess is dead; there is an empty space in my heart for a much loved and respected colleague. He died suddenly last week from complications following recent surgery, and even as I write, I keep bursting into tears. Warren’s skill and passion for good planning and urban design touched many people in this city,…
Family Fun
Kids might complain that school is boring. Why not use a summer day to show them science can be fun? Opportunities abound within and around Charlotte for entertaining, educational day trips. Best part: It might wear the tykes out by bedtime. 9am: Want to teach the kids a little something about the food pyramid and…
Ice Cream Scoops
Although there’s never really a bad time for ice cream, summer is the season ice cream was invented for. There aren’t as many roving ice cream trucks hitting the neighborhoods as there used to be (in my hometown we had Good Humor, Snow White and the Seven Flavors, and Mister Softee – whose recorded theme…
From Behind the Iron Curtain
It’s hard to say exactly who started it, but in the end, everyone got burned. In the process, one heck of a media pissing contest broke out. In fact, it appears that it’s still going on, and we wouldn’t want you to miss it. The whole thing centers around the Charlotte Observer’s favorite whipping boy,…
Fun in the Sun
When you ask Charlotteans to name what they like best about the place they call home, almost everyone says, “The weather.” Now’s your time to get out and enjoy what you keep promoting. We’re heading to Lake Norman! 9am: No matter how great you think that new outfit you got just for summertime will look…
Ten Bucks and Under
A cheap buzz is hard to come by. As wine has grown in popularity, it seems the price has skyrocketed, leaving us tunneling into the couch cushions for spare change. But some wineries aim for the cash-impaired – those of us who just want decent-tasting juice that won’t chomp into the bank balance. Land and…
News of the Weird
LEAD STORY: Windsor, Ontario, hair stylist Waddah (Martin) Mustapha was awarded $270,000 by a court in April after he testified that he became racked with depression upon seeing a fly inside a commercial bottle of water at his salon. Presumably, damages would have been more if Mustapha had actually drunk from the bottle (or even…
Girls’ Getaway
Wasn’t it great when we were little and could just post a sign on our fort that proclaimed “No Boys Allowed”? Now that we have to deal with fending off advances in bars, jerks cat-calling from construction vehicles, plus of course primping and staying in shape to attract better specimens of the opposite gender, every…
Wine List
Wine Classes The interactive classes will explore the essentials of wine and food pairing, tasting techniques and trends in winemaking. Wed., May 18, 7 p.m. $25. Maggiano’s Little Italy, 4400 Sharon Rd. 704-916-2300. Wine Classes Great for beginners. Every month on the first and third Saturday, 12:30-1:30pm. $15. Dean & Deluca Wine Room, 6822-G Phillips…
Bolton Boffed Bountiful Babes?
OK, children, our lesson today is on Republican family values. No, no, we’ve already covered “Should you stone or merely shun your gay children?” and “Why Jesus would approve of Tom DeLay’s lying and cheating.” Today, we’re looking at John Bolton, the poster child for anger non-management who George Bush wants to be our United…
Good Eats
All Around Town Anntony’s Caribbean, 6434-F West Sugarcreek Rd., 704-598-6863; 2001 E. 7th St., 704-342-0749. A hint of the tropics; rotisserie chicken with Jamaican jerk sauce, ribs, Paradise Island fish special, curries, and Caribbean styled greens. $$ Azteca, 116 Woodlawn Rd., 704-525-5110; 9709 Independence Blvd., 704-814-9877; 1863 W. Franklin Blvd. (Gastonia), 704-866-7574. A favorite of…
Letters
To Smoke… At last, a political issue on which I, as a conservative Republican, can make common cause with Creative Loafing (“Hey, Pols! Leave Us Alone!” by Mike Miliard & Samantha Gellar, May 4)! In our society today, smokers are the only minority which it is politically correct to persecute. The only solution to the…
