Madonna causes controversy in Rome
Currently on her Sticky & Sweet Tour, Pop star legend, Madonna visited Rome on Sat., Sept. 6 for a performance that left a bit of controversy brewing. Already know for her provacativeness and the ability to piss off the Vatican (like she did in her the ’89 music video for “Like a Prayer” and with…
The despicable Sarah Palin
Unlike most Americans, I was familiar with the name Sarah Palin before she was announced as John McCain’s VP pick. That’s because as a member of the organization Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, I’ve read plenty of the group’s e-mails detailing her detestable actions when it comes to wildlife and the environment. And nothing is…
See new Michael Moore film for free
From Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films: “No one can make a documentary with as much political savvy, humor, and creativity as Michael Moore. And no one is as willing to tackle our elected officials with the same tenacity. After unleashing Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and SiCKO in recent years, Moore has set his…
Pol-Lush
Polished puts the bar in Nail Bar Wednesdays are Manicure and Martini night at Polished where as soon as you walk through the door, they offer you a complimentary cocktail to go with your economical spa service. I was handed a strawberry martini garnished with gummy bears. Now, if I’m a connoisseur of anything it…
Irrelevant MTV Awards
Remember the old days, when good bands played the MTV Video Music Awards and you could watch the show to get your hand on the pulse of music? Yeah, those days are long gone. I watched parts of last night’s awards show and decided they have become completely irrelevant after Britney Spears won an award…
Citizens for McCain event
We had early deadlines last week, so this didn’t make the paper: Citizens for McCain has planned a membership drive 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 11. Join fellow Democrats and independents as they organize to support the McCain-Palin ticket at Caribou Coffee, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Rd. It’s hosted by Charlotte Front and Center.
When football goes all wrong
Yesterday was the long awaited kick off of the NFL’s regular season. Football fans across the metro area got a chance to watch the Carolina Panthers take on the San Diego Chargers in a game that went down to the wire. But at one football party, something went horribly wrong. Two men were arguing about…
The Garden & Gun Club, 09/05/08
The Garden & Gun Club in the N.C. Music Factory had its grand opening party Friday. The club features an outdoor patio, lounge areas, and 8,000 square feet of dance floor. Photos by Christina Sakaoglu.
McCain’s bad Heart
John McCain and Sarah Palin have been asked to stop using Heart’s song “Barracuda” to promote vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, who is nicknamed the “Barracuda” from her basketball days. After the song was played during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, the band asked them to stop. So, on Thursday…the song was played again.…
F**k you, Cancer
Presenting a message from the folks at The Daily Show, in support of the Stand Up To Cancer initiative. \\\\\\\\\\
F**k you, Cancer
Presenting a message from the folks at The Daily Show, in support of the Stand Up To Cancer initiative. \\\\\\\\\\
What are YOU doing?
BEST OF PARTY! The next time someone says to me, “There’s nothing to do in Charlotte!” I am going to offer them some cheese with their wine, then ask them what they’re smoking. Photo courtesy of QC After Dark. Yesterday afternoon at 1 p.m. I couldn’t even get to Kinkos for work because there’s a…
Double Door at Lake Norman, 9/04/08
Creative Loafing released the latest edition of their Homebrew CD at Double Door at Lake Norman on Thursday night. Seven bands were featured at the release party, including Contagious Blues Band, Paleface, Lights Fluorescent, Tropic Culture, Lindy Dobbins, Nicolette Emanuelle and Eyes of the Elders. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff
Summer of cinema
SETTING THE SEASON ON FIRE: Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, the summer’s best film. Warner Bros. & DC Comics A checklist of the season’s hits and misses By Matt Brunson Best Cameo: Tobey Maguire in Tropic Thunder. Runners-up: Robert Downey Jr. in The Incredible Hulk; the Ark of the Covenant in Indiana Jones and…
Nelly at Neighborhood Theatre, 9/4/08
Nelly performed live on MySpaceTV from Charlotte’s Neighborhood Theatre Thursday, Sept. 4. The free show — which was available to all on a first-come, first-served basis — was packed with fans. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh
Broken Heart
The women behind the song “Barracuda” are broken hearted over the use of their song by the RNC. Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin claims the nickname “Barracuda,” which inspired the use of the Heart song during Palin’s speech at the RNC on Wednesday night. Heart issued this statement on Thursday: “The Republican campaign did…
Bruton deserves the best
Bruton Smith, the speedway and “upscale dragstrip” owner, is pissed that the $80-million incentives deal he squeezed from Concord and Cabarrus County will take 40 years to complete. No friggin’ way, says Brute — he wants it all in three years — and interest payments if he doesn’t get his dough on (his) time. Since…
One more reason to love Jon Stewart
Gotta love Jon Stewart. Check out this clip in which he grills Newt Gingrich — it shows why The Daily Show is so much more than comedy. The best comes at the end, when he points out the hypocrisy of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s in saying it was daughter Bristol’s personal “decision” to have a…
If Barack was 100 percent white. . .
Last night as I watched John McCain give his acceptance speech at the RNC, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is this the best the GOP has to offer? McCain is old. McCain has a temper. McCain has questionable morals. Yet, the race between McCain and Democrat Barack Obama is close. We’re only fooling ourselves in…
The new Sunset Club
The Sunset Club has undergone a $750,000 makeover and is ready for its grand reveal. After being closed four months for remodeling, Sunset is hosting a re-opening party this Saturday. Sonny Gur, the owner of the South End club, talked to us Thursday night about his remodeled “ultra lounge.” \\\\\\\\\\
N.C. Music Factory restaurants coming soon
Three restaurants have committed to open in the N.C. Music Factory area by summer 2009, according to Music Factory owner Noah Lazes. The new restaurants will include an Italian restaurant/bar, a sushi bar and a fine-dining restaurant. None will be chain restaurants.
Double standard
The double standard with which Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is being treated is not cool. A supermom? Hardly. Anyone that would throw her child under a bus for the shot at a vice presidency for which she is underqualified at best, speaks volumes about who she really is — a power hungry woman whose family…
Nelly comes to Charlotte
Hip-hop superstar Nelly is in town tonight to do a free show at the Neighborhood Theatre (9:30 p.m.). So we went down to scope out the fans as they line up to check out the show. Here are a few guys we found who drove all the way from Kentucky: \\\\\\\\\\
Nelly comes to Charlotte
Hip-hop superstar Nelly is in town tonight to do a free show at the Neighborhood Theatre (9:30 p.m.). So we went down to scope out the fans as they line up to check out the show. Here are a few guys we found who drove all the way from Kentucky: \\\\\\\\\\
The Weekender
Plan your weekend with Creative Loafing! Friday, September 5 Film Bangkok Dangerous: Not to be confused with the series of books by John Burdett (Bangkok 8, Bangkok Tattoo, etc.), this re-make of a Thai movie for American audiences involves Nicolas Cage killing people overseas. As opposed to the other movies where Nicolas Cage kills people.…
Time to release the ‘Brew
It’s just about time to release the second edition of the Homebrew CD! Tonight at Double Door at Lake Norman (exit 28 on I-77) we’ll give away CDs and blow your minds with seven featured bands — Contagious Blues Band, Paleface, Lights Fluorescent, Tropic Culture, Lindy Dobbins, Nicolette Emanuelle and Eyes of the Elders. It’s…
Why Sarah Palin? One word: gams
By John McCain Friends, many moons ago I wrote to you about my choices for Vice-President (pronounced “veep”). Since then, I have considered many candidates for the job, and received many nice fruit baskets. Although Mitt forgot that I do not like pomegranates. I don’t trust anything with that many seeds. After much deliberation…
Bribery with sandwich
Iowa City Police said a 25-year-old man was charged with drunken driving early Sunday morning after a police officer observed him driving with his highlights off. While riding in the squad car with the police offer, the the man offered the officer a free sandwich if he allowed him to simply go home. The officer…
News roundup 9/4/08
Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick set to resign: Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from a sex scandal, and is set to resign from office. Kilpatrick will serve four months in jail and has agreed not to run for public office during his five-year probation. He will also pay restitution of $1 million.…
Heart-warming shot of Palin’s family
Funniest shot during Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech last night at the Republican National Convention: The camera focuses on the family, because family shots are always heart-warming. The youngest daughter cradles her baby brother in her lap, caressing his head lovingly as she listens to her mom talk about all of the wonderful things she’s…
The Sunset Club is re-opening this weekend!
As you probably noticed, the Sunset Club closed for renovations about the same time Suite opened. Well, they didn’t just renovate the club, they also renovated the ownership. Panther’s player Jason Kyle was bought out by the owners of the mansion where the infamous Lucid Dreams party was held. I actually went there to visit…
Comments welcome
The ever-popular Cracked.com has a new list out: The 8 Most Obnoxious Internet Commenters. And since our own little CLog has seen a fresh batch of repeat comments that seem computer-generated (hello, Escort Girl) it seems fitting to post a link here. You’re not any of these guys, are you? Some highlights: The Non-Believer commenter…
News roundup 9/3/08
Shooting rampage leaves six people dead: Isaac Zamora, 28, surrendered to police after allegedly shooting six people to death Tuesday. Among the dead were construction workers, motorists, and a sheriff’s deputy. Bodies were found at multiple crime scenes, according to the police. The suspect led police on a chase that reached speeds of 90 miles…
Now what dot com
You ever watch that commercial where the guy is fitting an air conditioner into his window, and he finally gets it in and is able to enjoy a few brief moments of cool air before it falls out of the window and lands on his car? It’s pretty funny. Anyway, at the end, it flashes…
For the liberal-minded and thirsty
For you Dems who like to kick back a few, check out this event Saturday — the Living Liberally National Conference — hosted by local social group Drinking Liberally. Here’s the press release: Hot on the heels of last week’s remarkably intimate and moving Democratic National Convention viewing party and tomorrow’s regularly scheduled gathering, you’ve…
Rage against the protestors
What fun would a Republican convention be without Rage Against the Machine? After missing 2004’s convention while off doing their own things, all four members of Rage have already showed up and addressed protesters around the RNC as shown here in this video. You don’t have to be a fan of theirs, though you may…
The GOP and its defense of women
Sarah Palin has become the face of Democrat sexism. Those evil donkeys have gotten the ultra liberal media to write nasty things about this woman of God, this mother and this rising star! How dare they? No one is asking Barack Obama if he can be a father and a president? No one has even…
Roman Army Festival canceled
The latest press release from The Discovery Place stated that the Roman Army Festival, originally scheduled for Sept. 5-7 at Fourth Ward Park has been canceled “due to the forecast of severe weather conditions.” These conditions have prevented reenactors from traveling to Charlotte for the festival.
Join the club
Want to know what’s cooking in Charlotte? Join the Charlotte Culinary Club group on Facebook. Read posts about the latest restaurant news and discuss your favorite Charlotte restaurants on the discussion board.
Voice of movie trailers dies
OK, movie previews will suck from now on. Check out this story: LOS ANGELES (AP) – The omnipresent baritone and gravely bass undertones of Don LaFontaine’s distinctive voice had the unique ability to seamlessly embellish big-screen kisses, slice through over-the-top explosions, perfectly pair with robust musical scores, glide alongside car chases and effortlessly co-star with…
Photos from the 2008 Republican National Convention
Creative Loafing’s own photographer Joeff Davis is in Saint Paul, Minnesota for the Republican National Convention, which is running Sept. 1 – 4. Check out his photos from the first few days at the convention.
Hypocrisy in this democracy
Say it ain’t so — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter is five-months pregnant and marrying her baby’s daddy. Interesting. A day earlier, we find out that a woman that has been painted as Supermom has a super human daughter who made a not-so-super choice to have premarital sex and got pregnant. Kudos for keeping…
More Palin weirdness
Not trying to put another nail in this coffin, but — in case you haven’t seen it — here’s the video of Republican V.P. candidate addressing the Alaskan Independence Party convention. According to the group’s Web site: The Alaskan Independence Party’s goal is the vote we were entitled to in 1958, one choice from among…
And the study says …
You have to hand it to modern science. They can explain away pretty much anything now days with a study. For example, if you’re a man in an unhappy marriage, it could be the fault of your genes. Swedish and. U.S. researchers at the Karolinska Institute found that “[m]en carrying a common variation of a…
What happened to DPS?
The Charlotte-based hip-hop group DPS has been missing from the local music scene for a while. Folks are wondering where they’ve been. Check the video: \\\\\\\\\\
What happened to DPS?
The Charlotte-based hip-hop group DPS has been missing from the local music scene for a while. Folks are wondering where they’ve been. Check the video: \\\\\\\\\\
Ruby Slippers and the Senate
Throughout the campaign, Kay Hagan has said she wants to give Elizabeth Dole a pair of Ruby Red Slippers so she can click her heels three times and go back to Kansas with her husband, Bob, according to a release sent from Hagan’s campaign. Before a June Red Slipper event, a supporter said: “Liddy Dole…
News Roundup 9/2/08
Hundreds to be charged after RNC protests: Almost 300 people will be formally charged in Ramsey County District Court on Tuesday after they were arrested during protests at the Republican National Convention. Protestors broke windows, threw benches and vandalized police cars. Police say 130 of those arrested will be charged with felonies. The arrests came…
I don’t know how I missed this!
From my inbox: Health News: Parents Chemicals Affect Teen Brain In addition to STDs and teen pregnancy, doctors are now warning of neurological consequences of teen sexuality. New neuro-scientific research shows that sexual activity releases chemical reactions in the brain. These chemicals can imprint the brain, causing emotional bonds between partners. Breaking these bonds can…
Dragon endorses Obama
This just in: Image Comics super dude the Savage Dragon has officially endorsed Barack Obama. Suck on that McCain!
GOP Convention: Gustav and Cindy and Sarah, oh my!
Hurricane Gustav — and memories of voters’ reaction to the Kristina aftermath — caused McCain and his fellow conventioneers to freak out over the weekend. In a way, though, Gustav could be the best thing to happen to the GOP this week. At least it gave McCain an excuse to cancel Monday speeches by Cheney…
HOM, 8/31/08
Sunday night turns into a party night when it’s Labor Day weekend. “The End of Summer Party” with DJ DR was presented by The Sol Kitchen at HOM on Sunday. Photos by Tricia Gilli.
Democracy when?
Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! and writer of Breaking the Sound Barrier, which appears weekly on CL’s main Web site, was arrested Monday afternoon while covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Details Via Alternet and video of the disturbing arrest below: Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and…
Rustic Martini, 8/30/08
Rustic Martini celebrated its 1 Year Anniversary/End of Summer Block Party on Saturday. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff.
Food find
Try it: El Salvador restaurant N. Tryon & Sugar Creek Mexican and Central American food Dios mio, is the food good! Warm tortilla chips were brought out as we sat down. The salsa was a bit runny, but the chips made up for the sub-par salsa. The chimichanga de carne was stuffed full of flavorful…
NV Lounge, 8/29/08
Three members of Danity Kane visited NV Lounge on Friday night. Although they didn’t perform, the party still went on. Photos by Jeaumane McIntosh.
More tales from the bathroom
I was standing in line to use the restroom in a small club’s small bathroom and there were two go-go dancers just standing in front of one of the two stalls, hoarding it, but not using it. Impatient, I pointed to the bathroom and asked jokingly, “Are you going to use that?” And then, the…
FESTIVAL: Go Greek!
The Yiasou Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture in the Q.C., with a taste of cuisine (can you resist the baklava?), entertainment, including music and dancing, shopping at the open air market and more. But, what sets this festival apart from others are the guided tours of Charlotte’s own Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Not only…
Prescription for delay
Malpractice rules head back to legislature for possible review
COMEDY: Targeting you?
Stand-up comedian Carlos Mencia doesn’t hold anything back. Currently on his At Close Range tour, he’ll be releasing his radical jokes on racism, politics and ethnic/gender stereotypes. If you’re not laughing, then he’s laughing at you. Known for Mind of Mencia, which debuted on Comedy Central, the Honduras-born Mencia is also referred to as an…
Letters to the editor
Slap Happy Hilarious, made me laugh (QC After Dark: “Most people shake hands to say ‘hi'” by Brittney Cason, Aug. 27). Nice work! I do believe I’ve either heard or read once before of this hand/inner thigh greeting, must be an Eskimo or drunk European thing. Or I could be wrong. You should have slapped…
SPECIAL EVENT: Out of the kilns
It might be one of those events where you have to repeat to yourself “Don’t drop it,” while attending, but the 4th Annual Potters Market Invitational is the way to go if you’re a pottery collector or looking to add an art form to your home. Forty North Carolina potters will be at the market…
Charlotte Literary Festival’s fresh face
Charlotte Literary Festival founder Darren “Jaz” Vincent is all about taking risks. He’d been risking a lot over the last two years to keep his festival going. On a wing and a prayer, he’s gone after bestselling authors, paying for first class flights and hotel rooms, sometimes using his own money to fund the expenses.…
CL previews upcoming shows
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3 The Winter Sounds Formed originally as a frame of sorts for frontman/auteur Patrick Keenan, TWS have gelled into quite the live act (if quite the quiet act) over the past year or so, having done a whole mess of shows to promote 2007’s underrated Porcelain Empire. Back in July of this year,…
FESTIVAL: Spice it up
I start to salivate (yeah, I’m a food person in case you haven’t figured that out yet) when I see all the cuisine vendors that will make up the 14th Annual Festival of India 2008. Woodlands, Udipi, Bombay Cuisine, Maharani and other local eateries will bring their spiced up delights to tantalize your taste buds.…
Teenage heroes
Teen Titans No. 62 Published by DC Comics. Written by Sean McKeever. Pencils by Eddy Barrows. Inks by Ruy José. The Deal: It’s the latest issue of Teen Titans, the comic book that stars the teenaged heroes of the DC Universe — like Robin and Wonder Girl, among others. The Good: I haven’t picked up…
When City Council kills
Somebody apparently forgot to hand Charlotte City Councilwoman Patsy Kinsey a copy of the talking points memo. The official story was supposed to be that council was voting to override Mayor Pat McCrory’s veto of a plan to buy and tear down the Parkwood Food Mart to “help” the people of the Belmont neighborhood. The…
ART: ‘Sweet-N-Sassy’
Providence Gallery’s newest exhibition More or Less contains the works of one artist. Her name is Michelle Harvey Collins, and she’s a Davidson College graduate with knack for painting figurative pieces of art. From paintings like this faceless gal in a pretty dress to land and seascapes, she drifts her paintbrush into a range of…
Good to do the King
Steve Umberger hasn’t directed a play in Charlotte since 2005, when he and The Light Factory brought a mini new play festival, Thinking in Pictures, to Duke Energy Playhouse. That was the end of a long goodbye that began when Charlotte Repertory Theatre, the star-crossed company he founded, cast him adrift as Rep’s hubristic board…
Tickle Me Pink moves past a tragedy
It was supposed to be a day of celebration. But when Tickle Me Pink guitarist Sean Kennedy went to wake bandmate Johnny Schou on July 1, the morning their debut album was to hit stores, he found the 22-year-old dead. Initial reports from the local Fort Collins, Colo., press had the band vehemently denying the…
MUSIC: Good for the soul
Praise the Lord — or just groove to local gospel vibes at Gospel Shout! 2008. Presented by Levine Museum of the New South and Center City Partners, the concert will feature capella singers of The Madison Golden Angels, gospel soul-sters The Madison String Band and more. Feed your soul before the show with dinner at…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
This Isn’t Spring Break: A man tried to recreate a “Girls Gone Wild” moment by throwing a bucket of water on a female acquaintance. The woman got pissed and called the cops. She plans to put a restraining order on the man because he keeps harassing her. That ain’t love: A 41-year-old woman and her…
Resist the hype
Welcome to GOP Convention week, when the Republican Party meets in one of the whitest cities in the nation, St. Paul, Minn., and turns it even whiter. Ah yes, GOP, diversity is thy name. The quadrennial gathering of America’s financiers-and-fundamentalists collective will be topped off by the nomination of the white-haired, though perpetually red-faced, John…
MUSIC: Candlebox reunites
Nearly 10 years after the release of Candlebox’s 1998 album Happy Pills, they’ve finally reunited and put forth a new CD (released this past July) called Into the Sun. If you’ve forgotten who these early ’90s hard-alternative rockers are, then I’ll refresh you with some of their hits, which included “Far Behind,” “Change,” “You,” and…
Bad words
My mechanic told me I can’t hit anything with my car anymore, so I guess there goes the rest of my day. Originally I had planned to spend it practicing backing my trailer into my driveway, but already a big hunk of the morning had been wasted reattaching my front bumper, which somehow got torn…
Back to front
Hillary Clinton rocks. She took the stage at the Democratic National Convention and reminded us of who she is — a dynamic, confident, accomplished leader. I was so happy to see the woman whom I once championed valiantly return to me. I sat on the edge of my living room sofa and, for the first…
Variety is the spice of life
SEPT. 4 — Organic Brews & Blues. Go green in the garden at twilight, as Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden presents another Garden Nights event. This time you can enjoy organic beers, wines and foods (catered by The String Bean), while listening to blues music from WSNB. The “Garden Guru,” will also be on hand to…
Weekly horoscope
Virgo the Virgin: (Aug. 22-Sept. 22) Here you are, beginning year #2 of developing a new identity in the world. At this point the heavy work and effort is beginning to yield returns. Congratulations. Stick to this program and you will accomplish something significant. Love life is pleasurable. For All Signs: Beginning on Sept. 3…
It’s a ‘He’ thing
A body of work The frontman of the Georgia-based band Rehab sports his body art as he performs at Amos’ Southend on Aug. 27. Ch-Ch-Changes Scott Testerman, Obama Pride Regional Charlotte coordinator, shows his, well, Obama pride at the Democratic National Convention watch party that popped off at Petra’s Piano Bar & Cabaret last…
CD Review: Seun Kuti + Fela’s Egypt 80
The Deal: The son of an African music legend jumps out of his father’s shadow. The Good: Let’s get the requisite handshake out of the way first. Meet Seun, the son of Nigerian, um, African music legend Fela Kuti. His father, an astute social critic of his time, essentially invented the genre of Afrobeat, a…
Film Clips
New Releases MAN ON WIRE / TELL NO ONE It’s been a few weeks since Regal Entertainment Group elected to turn Park Terrace into an art-house theater, and so far, it’s led to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to alternative offerings and foreign-language flicks. Coupled with Regal’s Manor venue, this increases the chain’s…
The CD’s done, so what’s next?
On Sept. 4, at Double Door at Lake Norman, we’ll hold a CD release party for the next Creative Loafing Presents Jeff Hahne’s Homebrew: Summer Stash 2008 CD. (Details are all over the paper, and in the Turn On, Tune In column in this section.) While we hope you can make it and would love…
CD Review: Little Richard
The Deal: Blasting the past wide open: Little Richard invents rock ‘n’ roll. The Good: Bo Diddley claimed to be the originator, but Little Richard is the architect of rock ‘n’ roll. He’s the original wild child, the man who brought attitude and flamboyance to rock. Add glam to the list as well. His shows…
View from the Couch
THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998). Joel and Ethan Coen’s The Big Lebowski may be sloppy, repetitious and occasionally abrasive, but it’s also imaginative, sharp-witted and ofttimes very, very funny. Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, an unkempt pothead who calls himself “The Dude.” An avid bowler – he spends his days knocking down pins with his buddies…
Civic events in Charlotte
Mecklenburg County Justice and Public Safety Task Force Wednesday, Sept. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Government Center, 600 East 4th St., conference room 267, www.charmeck.org. Environmental Policy Coordinating Council Thursday, Sept. 4, 1:30 p.m., Hal Marshall Services Center, 700 North Tryon St., www.charmeck.org. Young Democrats of N.C. Gantt-Watt Reception Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m.…
CD Review: Blues Traveler
The Deal: More than 20 years into their career, Blues Traveler looks to find a new side to its music. The Good: Blues Traveler hit the ground running back in the late ’80s with a sound that appealed to jam-band and blues fans alike. They started getting a bit commercial/popular and decided to go in…
Eat through September
Don’t miss Yiasou Greek Festival and Festival of India
Poverty is the real scandal
DENVER — Former Sen. John Edwards was supposed to speak in Denver at the Democratic National Convention. His wife, Elizabeth Edwards, was to speak also. Poverty was their focus. But they are not here because John Edwards had an affair. Will the Democrats now forget about poverty? Chris Chafe is a former senior adviser to…
Thunder chrome dome
A bald Cruise whips out his funny bone
Ask the editor
Q: Does Creative Loafing have any special issues coming up soon? A: Actually, we’re about to launch our biggest issue of the year next week (Sept. 10): the 21st annual Best of Charlotte. In case you’ve missed this special edition over the last 20 years, CL’s Best of Charlotte is an over-sized look at the…
It’s OK to be sweet
The Swami of Umami sat across from me at Starbucks, describing how the wine industry is trying to squeeze square pegs into giant round holes. He eyed my no-sugar soy latte, furtively analyzing my selection. After I squirmed a bit, he finally explained why: Apparently, my coffee choice and my tongue divulge which wines I…
Gimme some change
Charlotte, you are America, now spend these dollar coins. Love and kisses, The U.S. Mint The U.S. Mint wants to people to spend money differently; it’s urging you to drop the paper dollar and use the gold $1 coins. The Mint selected Charlotte as one of four “all-American” cities to participate a pilot program that…
Pear of four
The ancient blind Greek poet Homer said pears were the “fruit of the gods.” Although its cousin the apple gets the fall press, pears are often preferred for their melting texture. Pears, which have been cultivated for 4,000 years, do not grow well from seed, and keeping alive the heritage cultivars such as Kieffer is…
Next batch of Brew ready
Earlier this year, we released the first edition of a local, independent compilation CD entitled, Creative Loafing Presents Jeff Hahne’s Homebrew: Winter Harvest 2008. The reaction was overwhelming. As soon as we put some copies of the free CD in Lunchbox Records or Manifest Discs, they were gone. We passed out more than 100 at…
French connection
Tift Merritt finds revitalizing inspiration in Paris
Don’t wear this…
Trying to uncover what fashion trends to expect this fall can be a bit of work — the latest issue of Vogue, for example, is 798 pages and probably weighs at least 5 pounds. So, if you didn’t get a chance to get in shape for the summer, you can probably tone up those biceps…
