Nov 9-15, 2010

Nov 9-15, 2010 / Vol. 24 / No. 37

Concert announcement: Robert Plant

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy will be hitting North Carolina a few times on his upcoming tour. Along with a Feb. 7 show at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, he’ll kick off the tour on Jan. 18 in Asheville and hit Raleigh on Feb. 2.

Video/Photos from Gay Bingo 2010

Gay Bingo — a charity event for RAIN — rocked the stage for the very last time this weekend at the Grady Cole Center. I’m sorry to say this was my very first time ever attending — and I was SO CLOSE to winning in one of the games, darn it! Here is a video…

‘Don’t touch my junk’ & other big news

Here are links to some of our favorite stories and columns from the weekend and today. Who’s gonna stand up to the super-rich? That’s what Frank Rich of the New York Times asks in a column that wonders whether the U.S. can even “afford the damage being done by the ever-growing income inequality between the…

Beefeaters at Christmas

Nobody would have objected too vehemently if James Goldman had titled his 1966 drama “The Lions in Winter” instead of granting the leonine sobriquet to King Henry II alone. For the protagonist of The Lion in Winter has not only reached the winter of his life, at age 50, in 1183, he has sired the…

Holy Matrimony Wings and Pizza

Holy Matrimony Wings and Pizza mobile food truck (aka The Wingzza Truck) stopped by the CL office this afternoon to serve us some of their delicious pizza and chicken wings.

Reminders for Bush, who claims ‘few regrets’

Former President George W. Bush told interviewers the other day that he has “few regrets” about his tenure in the White House. I understand completely. As a fellow baby boomer, my memory isn’t exactly the steel trap it used to be, so I think I know where Bush is coming from: he’s probably forgotten most…

Revolve Men’s Consignment Store has moved

Revolve: Upscale Men’s Consignment Store has moved from its Myers Park location to the cozy neighborhood of Dilworth (1222 East Blvd.). The new location is central to a busy shopping area with more foot traffic. The boutique still offers the same merchandise: upscale men’s wear including dress shirts, suits, shoes, and more, but has received…

Fistful of Mercy on Conan

Conan has kicked off his first week back on TV with a strong showing on the musical side of things. His first night, he played a song with Jack White. The second night, he had Soundgarden on. Last night, he welcomed Fistful of Mercy who performed “Father’s Son” with Tom Morello. Check it out:

2010 CMA winners

Looks like Miranda Lambert was this year’s Taylor Swift. Here’s a list of the winners from last night’s CMA’s: Entertainer of the Year: Brad Paisley Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland New Artist of…

Free food for veterans at Chili’s, Applebee’s and Outback

Happy Veteran’s Day! A few restaurants out there want show gratitude with some free food. Check out these deals from DealCatcher.com: Today only, Chili’s is offering a free meal to all Veterans and active duty military. Choose from items off the Free Menu (see menu here). Must show proof of military service. Dine-in only. (Expires…

CMS Commissariat’s ugly power play

You could write a book about last night’s school board meeting, so obviously we can’t say everything there is to say regarding that tumultuous affair in a blog post. For now, suffice it to point out that what no doubt seemed like “dogged determination” to devotees of Supt. Peter Gorman and his new enforcer, board…

Alvin Greene for President?

Most people probably thought Alvin Greene would go away, or at least leave the spotlight, after he was trounced by U.S. Senator/hair coloring connoisseur Jim DeMint, in last week’s election. Well, think again. This is America, where celebrity can become quite addictive. Greene admitted yesterday to Politico that he is thinking of running for President…

Moo: Cows offer options for green energy future

You know what our world needs? Our world needs people willing to think creatively about our world’s problems, people who are willing to actively seek positive solutions that will benefit us all. Researchers at South Carolina State University are doing just that: In a few years, farmers who have battled weeds and wildflowers that were…

Ke$ha returns to Charlotte

If you missed her at the Gravedigger’s Ball at Dixie’s on Oct. 30, you’ll have another chance to see Ke$ha when she performs at The Fillmore Charlotte on April 19, 2011. No word on when tickets go on sale.

Best bets in Charlotte comedy, Nov. 9-13

As the headline suggests, here are a few of the best places to find comedy events in Charlotte — from stand-up to improv to sketch comedy and more. For a complete listing of all comedy visit www.CharlotteComedyLIVE.com. Tuesday, Nov. 9 Cee Jay at 8 p.m. & 10:15 p.m. In Cee Jay’s world nothing is off…

Kanye West entertains Delta flight

I’m sure he interrupted a flight attendant mid-way through her safety speech, but anyway, here’s a quick video of Kanye West breaking out a bit of “Gold Digger” on a recent Delta airlines flight.

This week’s new releases (11/09/2010)

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new in stores this week: Bon Jovi Bon Jovi Greatest Hits Kid Cudi Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager Cee-Lo Green Lady Killer Dave Matthews Band Live in New York City

A Film Unfinished: Probing the propaganda

The title A Film Unfinished refers to The Ghetto, a 1942 documentary made by the Nazis in which it’s revealed that many Jews managed to prosper in the Warsaw slums while cruelly ignoring the plight of their fellow countrymen, who were starving — and dying — just yards away. Shelved and then rediscovered at the…

THEATER: The Elephant Man at CAST

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre’s latest performances of The Elephant Man is a good example of the old saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This drama by Bernard Pomerance tells the famous true story of the hideously deformed Joseph (John) Merrick who is discovered and rescued from a freak show by surgeon Frederick…

Where to find it: Heritage Turkeys

Those frozen packaged turkeys you now see in the grocery stores are not the kind of turkey the Native Americans shared with the Pilgrims. These Broad Breasted Whites have been specifically bred to produce greater white meat to such an extent that the large breast area and short legs precludes natural procreation. Heritage turkeys, on…

MUSIC: Find Your Muse open mic at The Evening Muse

It’s Find Your Muse open mic night at The Evening Muse this and every Monday. Musicians, grab up your music gear and head over to perform one of your own creations in front of a crowd. No one can guarantee they’ll be liked, but constructive criticism is always helpful! Get there early to snag a…

NoDa gets crafty with Growlers Pourhouse

“NoDa is the ‘authentic’ Arts District,” says Jeff Tonidandel, co-owner of two NoDa eateries: The Crêpe Cellar Kitchen & Pub and Growlers Pourhouse. I have to agree with him. This is not to say that the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is anything but a stunning addition to Charlotte. Rather, NoDa is the place more…

MUSIC: Paul Oakenfold

Paul Oakenfold is no ordinary DJ. Some may even argue that he’s an electronic master. Since the ’80s, Oakenfold has been producing a hodgepodge of cutting-edge sounds. The results of his work has earned him the opportunity to create remixes for big acts like U2, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, The Cure and…

3 questions with Dan Nguyen, Lang Van manager

Dan Nguyen is the manager at a little piece of culinary heaven called Lang Van — or “my country” in Vietnamese — on the corner of Shamrock Drive. Four years ago, she made the leap from waitress to restaurant owner, something she still celebrates every September with her husband, cousins and sister (who work alongside…

Ken Will Morton stays focused whether solo or with his band

It’s not easy being a singer-songwriter. Long days on the road, playing for small crowds in out-of-the-way places and then doing it all again the next day after a few hours of sleep in a random location. Such has been the life for Athens-based Ken Will Morton, though as one of his new songs says,…

CL previews upcoming concerts (Nov. 10-16)

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 10 JOE FIRSTMAN The Charlotte native, singer/songwriter and erstwhile Carson Daly musical sidekick — not everyone can nab The Roots, after all — has certainly carved out a nice little niche for himself, even as he’s probably not destined for triple-plat status anytime soon. A talented pianist with more than a little Elton…

Nightlife profile: Shelita Hamm

At an event where the mistress of ceremony’s name is Shelita Hamm and dancing, singing and big hair are centerstage, how could you not expect a good time? The event — Gay Bingo — is an annual, themed shindig (this year held on Nov. 12 and 13) where hundreds of folks gather at the Grady…

Comic review: Teen Titans No. 88

The Deal: DC’s most widely known teen superhero group gets — at long last — a steady creative team (writer J.T. Krul and artist Nicola Scott), a new team lineup and a renewed direction. The Good: It’s safe (and incredibly fair) to say that, in the last few years, Teen Titans was one of the…

CD REVIEW: Grids’ Kansas

THE DEAL: Charlotte rockers Grids release latest eight-song effort. THE GOOD: Some people refer to it as noise rock, but there’s a lot more melody than meets the ear here. It’s fuzzy and distorted, but if you listen closely, you can hear everything that’s going on. It’s the kind of rocked-out basement sludge that goes…

eBay goes medieval: Incorruptible

Surprises are plentiful at the new Collaborative Arts Theatre comedy, Incorruptible, and they begin as soon as you enter Duke Energy Theatre. This is the first production in the 21-year history of the Duke that has adopted arena staging — and with The Elephant Man still in residence over in Plaza Midwood, surely the first…

CD REVIEW: Eli Paperboy Reed’s Come and Get It

THE DEAL: Revitalizing soul with an original twist. THE GOOD: Soul is not dead. Over the past few years, John Nemeth, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Janelle Monae have revitalized the genre with new original music based on the old school soul sound. Add Eli Paperboy Reed to the list. Reed says his…

EVENT: The UniverSoul Circus

The world’s funkiest circus is returning to Charlotte for another action-packed run. This year’s highlights include comedic tricks from the Pampered Pooches (conducted by trainer Irina Markova) of Russia, synchronized aerial dance by the China Soul Flyers, and antics from the new Ringmaster Shuckey Duckey (pictured left). Nov. 16-21. $16-$28. Freedom Shopping Mart Center, 3146-3200…

Rich media, poor democracy

As the 2010 elections come to a close, the biggest winner of all remains undeclared: the broadcasters. The biggest loser: democracy. These were the most expensive midterm elections in U.S. history, costing close to $4 billion, $3 billion of which went to advertising. What if ad time were free? We hear no debate about this,…

Exhibit: Plant. Life.

Nature and art collide during Evergreen Studio’s latest exhibit, which features a collection of plant-inspired works by artist Virginia Dunn. Exploring seeds, pods and growth, Dunn uses three print processes — Cyanotype, Platinum/Palladium and Gum Biochromate (such as “Siberian Iris,” pictured) — to bring light to the botanical world. Opening reception on Nov. 11, 6…

Center City Partners board member vs. guerrilla marketing

Center City Partners board member’s unwarranted threats The last time I was in New York City, or in Boston, or Brussels or London, for that matter, I noticed ads here and there for various businesses, produced in colorful chalk on the sidewalks. It’s a type of “guerilla marketing” technique being used in a gazillion places…

Weekly horoscope (Nov. 10-16)

Scorpio The Phoenix (Oct. 23-Nov. 20) In the recent past your partner has withdrawn to the inside. The communication between you has not been rewarding. This may be another of those weeks. The bottom-line issue has to do with resources. Do not yield to the temptation to rant or you could drive this relationship over…

Our drinking problem

You may have heard that, last weekend, drunk driver Oscar Lopez Quiterio killed two people. Quiterio, who has been officially charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving and driving without a license, had two passengers: Otilio Chegues, 33, and Jorge Gonzalez, 28. According to a recent Charlotte Observer article, the trio was driving around 6:45…

Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files

Civil War: A 34-year-old woman filed a police report after a man whom she shares a child with threatened her at her apartment complex. She told officers that the man stated, “My entire family is going to come from Alabama and Georgia to whoop your ass. If you ever try to take my child away…

Perma-blue county: Let the corruption begin

Could Democratic County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts commit a felony and still be re-elected? After the Nov. 2 election, it appears her chances are good. It was the reddest election in this state in recent memory, so red that Republicans won the legislature for the first time in over 100 years. Despite the GOP tsunami, Democrats…

Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Nov. 10

CASE 39 Case 39 is one of those unwanted Hollywood bastards, a production that was completed years ago and has even been released in other territories but is only now making its stateside debut. Just how old is this picture? Let’s just say that when filming began, David O. Selznick was still combing the country…

MUSIC: Vikter Duplaix at Dharma Lounge

House music heads, your chance to dance has come once again — courtesy of the Grammy-nominated, Cali-based singer/producer/DJ Vikter Duplaix. Duplaix is a legend when it comes to creating and spinnin’ bumping tunes, and he hasn’t visited the Q.C. in a few years. So missing this rare DJ set — dubbed Infusion and featuring the…

Antichrist, Toy Story 3 among new DVD releases

ANTICHRIST (2009). Lars von Trier’s Antichrist so offended one of the juries at Cannes that its members gave it an “anti-award” for its dire views of humanity in general and women in specificity. Frankly, I think the jury was simply grandstanding, but there’s no denying that this is one troubling — and troubled — work.…

FILM: Winter Film Festival

When it comes to sports I fall into the less adventurous category of folks. I don’t mind biking and hiking when the weather is nice, but as it gets cold, I’m tucked away indoors. It should be no surprise that I don’t ski or snowboard. It’s just too darn cold and I don’t trust myself…

Due Date: Abortive effort

Those who found it hilarious when Zach Galifianakis mock-masturbated a baby in The Hangover will find themselves in comedy heaven watching Due Date. Here, audiences not only get to see Galifianakis beat himself off but also get to witness his butt-ugly dog using its paw to bop its own little red pecker in unison with…

THEATER: Innovative Works

North Carolina Dance Theatre’s annual Innovative Works performance gets environmentally-friendly this time around. As usual, it will feature a series of short ballets, but this year’s twist involves strictly green-inspired pieces. The show will feature a total of seven different works, including three by choreographer Mark Diamond (Time is of the Essence (Save the World),…


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