Nov 15-21, 2011

Nov 15-21, 2011 / Vol. 25 / No. 38

Cover Story

Twilight: Breaking Dawn 1: Marriage of inconvenience

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 **1/2 DIRECTED BY Bill Condon STARS Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson Forget Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities; what we get here is Meyer’s tale of two movies. I’m not referring to the fact that the final book in Stephenie Meyer’s wildly successful franchise has been split, Harry…

Matt Brunson

Yes … there is a Santa!

Do you still believe in Santa Claus? I know I do. How else would I be expecting to wake up to lots and lots of wonderfully gift wrapped boxes of clothing, shoes and jewelry under my Christmas tree in this economy? Seriously, the season isn’t all about receiving — it’s more about giving, and wouldn’t…

T. Strong

Lotus loves you

So much so that they’re giving you a sale to help jump-start your holiday shopping this weekend. And, go! 1111 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 140704-335-8884

Kimberly Lawson

Study: N.C. unemployment and inequality are worse than you think

When North Carolina’s jobless rate rose to a 15-month high last month, you probably, and rightfully, thought the new rate of 10.5 percent unemployment was terrible. The sadder truth is, that figure only begins to tell the story of the state’s employment crisis and its effect on income inequality. The N.C. Justice Center has released…

John Grooms

Off The Record Feat. The Spiveys & Sy Arden – Tonight @ the Evening Muse

This monthly songwriter showcase hosted by yours truly combines stripped-down performances with a bit of storytelling. Songs are mixed in with onstage Q&A to give those in attendance a look at the songwriting process, message behind the music and a different atmosphere for checking out talented musicians. Sy Arden and The Spiveys are November’s guests.…

Jeff Hahne

Jennifer Roberts denies plan to run for N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfelter’s seat

At least two local politicians — Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James and another who requested anonymity — are saying they’ve heard Commission Chair Jennifer Roberts plans to run for State Sen. Dan Clodfelter’s seat next year. Roberts flatly denies the rumor, saying she has no definite plans for 2012, although she added, “If Senator Clodfelter…

John Grooms

Petal hosts annual sale

Petal Boutique’s awesome annual sale started yesterday but don’t fret, you still have lots of time to snag a few fabulous looks for fall. With brands like LA Clothing, Amanda Uprichard and Shoshanna, you’ll be sure to find a new favorite. All regular priced items are 20 percent off, plus you can get an additional…

T. Strong

Designer Drugs at Dharma Lounge

Man, that headline could be SO misleading if you didn’t know anything about electronic music. Tomorrow night, Designer Drugs will be orchestrating the musical festivities at Le Bang at Dharma Lounge. In support are Black Matter, Pls Dnt Stop, Your Dirty Habit & Skitsnygg, with resident DJ Buckmaster. Drink specials include $4 wells, $2 PBR,…

Kimberly Lawson

Keystone XL: Ring around the Rose Garden

More than 10,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., last Sunday with a simple goal: Encircle the White House. They succeeded, just weeks after 1,253 people were arrested in a series of protests at the same spot. These thousands, as well as those arrested, were unified in their opposition to the planned Keystone XL pipeline, intended…

Amy Goodman

Did Republicans know they were voting for ‘Lord God King’?

It didn’t take long after last week’s election for the well-worn “Democrats vote straight ticket” and “Dems don’t know who they’re voting for half the time” clichés to raise their tired heads. After it became apparent that local Republicans had taken a thumping, it probably wasn’t, oh, three minutes before some hate-radio doof started making…

John Grooms

Like Crazy: Guilty by reason of inanity

LIKE CRAZY *1/2 DIRECTED BY Drake Doremus STARS Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones Three-quarters twee and one-quarter Glee, Like Crazy won the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance shindig, beating out a slate of 15 other titles that included Take Shelter and Martha Marcy May Marlene. If nothing else, this stands as proof positive that…

Matt Brunson

The Skin I Live In gets under yours

THE SKIN I LIVE IN *** DIRECTED BY Pedro Almodovar STARS Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya Step aside, children: It’s time to let the adults come out and play. Anyone not interested in tracking the romantic travails of the Twilight and Like Crazy hipsters will take delight in the disturbing relationships coursing through The Skin I…

Matt Brunson

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Nov. 16

ANONYMOUS Call it the anti-Shakespeare in Love. Call it the more cultured cousin to Inglourious Basterds. Just don’t call Anonymous a fact-based story. There have been many speculations advanced that William Shakespeare actually did not write the countless classic works attributed to him, but the conspiracy theorists can’t quite agree on the true identity of…

Matt Brunson

CD REVIEW: The Spiveys’ Let’s Panic

Recorded by Joe Kuhlmann at 34th and Hudson Studios, The Spiveys’ five-song debut EP combines solid rock ‘n’ roll ethos with strong songwriting and catchy hooks. Formed from the remnants of two area bands — The Stellas and You Tonight — The Spiveys fuse the best of those bands into an identity of its own.…

Jeff Hahne

CD REVIEW: Black Skies’ On the Wings of Time

Though Black Skies formed in 2005, On the Wings of Time is the Carrboro trio’s first proper LP. This proto-metal unit stays busy gigging, networking and setting up shows for other heavies. Yet when it came time for a record, the Skies went to Kyle Spence of stoner-noise heavyweights Harvey Milk to produce it. After…

Corbie Hill

Book review: Lydia Millet’s Ghost Lights

Ghost Lights by Lydia Millet (W.W. Norton, 256 pages, $24.95). Author and UNC graduate Lydia Millet’s reputation has deservedly been on the rise the past couple of years, and her beguiling new novel, Ghost Lights, should boost her farther up the totem pole. An acquired taste for some, and a brilliant, hilarious, generous free thinker…

John Grooms

Brothers Jamie and Nik Fedele reveal their urban oasis

Jamie and Nik Fedele have more in common than the same last name. As successful local business owners, they also represent the ideal of what today’s visionary should be. A seasoned DJ, Jamie also owns Charlotte Connoisseur, a boutique marketing outfit promoting local businesses with daily deals, and co-owns Soul Gastrolounge. Nik shares the same…

Sumanah Khan

A double dose of deranged Christopher Durang

Fifteen years is about the right interval for me between reprises of Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy, a funny playwright’s funniest play. Although the Actor’s Theatre production took CL’s Best Comedy honors in 1996, I’d nearly forgotten the piece when I entered Petra’s Piano Bar last week for a preview performance of the current Stephen Seay…

Perry Tannenbaum

Q&A with Jenni Nicole Fisher, owner of Jenni Nicole’s Boutique

Those of us living and working in this dynamic city know just how difficult it is to keep up with what’s trending in fashion — much less make time to shop. Meet Jenni Nicole Fisher, who delivers the solution with her online shop Jenni Nicole’s Boutique (www.jenninicole.com). Originally from New York, Fisher puts her fashion…

Jordan Bullington

Exhibit preview: This at Dialect Gallery

Chimneys are a muse for photographer Christina Welsh. Her current solo exhibit, This at Dialect Gallery, contains 17 black-and-white shots of free-standing chimneys. Welsh explains her decision for photographing the structures: “I was inspired by their sturdiness and willingness to remain. The chimneys stood strongly after fire, decay and time. They seemed very soulful.” Exhibit…

Anita Overcash

Exhibit preview: It Looks Something Like This at Van Every Gallery

Hagit Barkai’s exhibit conjures a sense of uneasiness. The mostly nude figures, with faces somewhat blurred, convey feelings of vulnerability, apprehensiveness and disarray. Barkai, born and raised in Israel, currently works as an assistant professor of art at Davidson College. To find out more about Barkai, visit www.hagitbarkai.com. Through Dec. 7. Van Every Gallery, Davidson…

Anita Overcash

Exploring Sheila Hicks: 50 Years at the Mint Museum

If you tend to find fiber art sleep-inducing, Sheila Hicks: 50 Years may hit you like a jolt of caffeine. Combining large-scale sculptural work with small diaristic pieces, this exhibition at the Mint Museum Uptown explores the work of a groundbreaking artist who has spent her career erasing the boundaries that separate contemporary art, craft,…

Barbara Schreiber

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

No New York: A 44-year-old woman filed a police report after being threatened at her house last week. The victim told officers the suspect approached her and stated, “Fuck you, New York, I am going to shoot up your house.” And you thought playing Boston in that school play decades ago could never come back…

Ryan Pitkin

This week’s horoscope (Nov. 16-22)

Scorpio The Phoenix (Oct. 23-Nov. 20) Habit patterns of negative thought will be brought to the surface and eradicated. Long-held beliefs require a fresh examination in order for you to move forward. It is time to add new management skills to your life. Language and communications with others will be affected, and you will acquire…

Vivian Carol

Floating Action floats through Charlotte – Tonight @ Snug Harbor

Black Mountain’s Seth Kauffman, who writes and performs and records virtually everything on Floating Action LPs, is an honest throwback. His songs sound like lost A.M. radio-transmissions from Trenchtown and Motown, Stax and Sun Studios. In an age when nostalgia reigns, Kauffman’s eclectic tastes make the slippery notion of authenticity paramount, and that’s one reason…

John Schacht

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