Book review: Gordon Highland’s Major Inversions
Book review of Gordon Highland’s Major Inversions.
Matthews Playhouse presentsTo Kill A Mockingbird
Matthews Playhouse performances of To Kill A Mockingbird kick off on Fri., Oct. 9.
Quickie comic review: Green Lantern No. 46
The coolest thing about this month’s edition of GL? Sinestro proves once and for all that he’s a big-time bad ass.
Sneak peek of Fiji Sushi Bar & Lounge
Take a gander at the newest sushi spot Uptown (yes, another one!).
1,000 mayors agree to reduce greenhouse emissions
Charlotte’s Mayor Pat was not one of them.
Health reform failure would cost N.C.
There’s a new report from the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that looks into what the costs to each state would be in case Congress fails to enact health care reform. The results for North Carolina are sobering, and highlight more than ever the financial necessity of quick reform (never mind the…
Today’s Top 5: Monday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
The Q.C.’s powerful ladies
Magazine ranks the 50 most powerful business women. Charlotte is well represented.
Remembering skating rink classics
I don’t know what it is, but for some reason, people in their 20s are strangely nostalgic about their childhood (as if it wasn’t only a decade ago). In getting caught up in that nostalgia, lots of kids who grew up in Charlotte have a fond place in their hearts for the skating rink. I…
Review of Silhouettes of a Woman fashion show
When I heard that the Queen City was going to be hosting its 1st Annual Full Figured Fashion Week, I knew I had to check it out. The event started last Wednesday, but I was only fortunate enough to catch the last piece of the action at the Silhouettes of a Woman fashion show, held…
Great Grapes, 10/3/09
The Great Grapes festival at Symphony Park featured art, music, and lots of wine on Saturday, Oct. 3.
It’s official: there’s been an Asian invasion in Uptown …
Vie to win a VIP Gold Card for the Kashmir Nighclub and Fiji Sushi Lounge – grand opening party this weekend
Simmons Bedding Co. set to file bankruptcy protection
Everyone’s heard of the Simmons company, whether you realize it or not. Remember those commercials with the bowling ball being dropped onto the mattress? (If not, see below). It’s a shame when a 135-year-old brand files for bankruptcy. Oh wait. The owners are still raking in the dough. What the? Simmons says it will soon…
Happy birthday, Monty Python
Before we get all entangled in politics and other “serious” news this week, take a moment to celebrate an important cultural anniversary.
Sale of the day: Hong Kong Vintage
Print out this coupon!
Laron
alias: Lereaux passion: “Seeing inner beauty manifest on the outside” inspiration: “Life, my faith” favorite color: “Hylaronic Pink (a color thats ever so me!)” current city: Charlotte Plug: “Whatsoever thy hand findith to do…do with all thy might” To see more photos by Jasiatic, visit www.createtressphotography.blogspot.com
What’s the status of Charlotte’s high-hazard coal ash ponds?
Duke Energy is expected to respond to the EPA’s recommendations on Tuesday.
Happy birthday, Monty Python
Before we get all entangled in politics and other “serious” news this week, take a moment to celebrate an important cultural anniversary. Forty years ago, the first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus first aired on the BBC. Starring John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and animator Terry Gilliam. The show’s…
Lady Gaga vs. Madonna… on SNL
Lady Gaga took on Madonna in a Saturday Night Live skit over the weekend… Best line was by Madonna, “What kind of name is Lady Gaga? It sounds like baby food.” \\\\\\\\\\
Upcoming: 80th annual Mallard Creek Barbeque
The 80th Annual Mallard Creek Barbecue will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 starting at 10 a.m. at the Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Community House, 11400 Mallard Creek Road. Volunteers expect to cook 13,000 pounds of pork barbecue, prepare 2,500 gallons of Brunswick stew (Low Country style), shred two tons of Cole Slaw, and serve about…
Neighborhood Theatre, 10/3/09
It was free music night at Neighborhood Theatre Saturday night.
Pavilion @ the EpiCentre, 10/2/09
The Budlight One Night Stand on Friday, Oct. 2, at Pavilion at Epicentre featured LIT, ALIEN ANT FARM and special guest PARMALEE.
Subaru River Jam @ USNWC, 10/1/09
The weekly Subaru River Jam party at the U.S. Whitewater Center went down Thursday, Oct. 1.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Monday
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, October 5, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Monday night football at Uptown Cabaret. • Open Pole Class at Pole Dance Charlotte. • Take…
A personal look at Chris Rock’s Good Hair
Good Hair focuses a lot on the plight of black women and hair, but it also opens up the discussion for women of all races to be able to ask each other questions, get answers and swap stories about the extreme lengths they have gone to obtain just the right look from chemical relaxers, Brazilian…
The ‘Problem Solver’
Well, lo and behold, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no wait, it’s Captain Save-A-Hoe’s lil’ brother Captain Long Stroke or his sister Princess Puss in (thigh-hi) Boots.
Duncan to open Icehouse at SouthEnd in early 2010
Restaurateur John Duncan will open Icehouse at SouthEnd as part of the redevelopment and remerchandising ongoing at Atherton Mill. Duncan, who owns Bonterra, The Lodge, Las Ramblas, and co-founded Mac’s Speed Shop, will open this concept in early 2010. The restaurant will occupy 5,600 square feet and have big screen televisions throughout the space. The…
Verse “Buy You a Round” Simmonds in Charlotte
Interscope artist Verse Simmonds talks with CL music blogger Mike McCray about his upcoming album, charting single (“Buy You a Round”) and mixtape
Elena
Her inspiration? “To make a difference in the lives of many”
L.A. East’s ‘Economic Stimulus Package’
Liberal use of percentage signs and the word “off” .. beware! • All BB Dakota 20% off • All Free people 30% off • William Rast jeans $50.00 off • Paige Premium Denim $40.00 off • 7 For All Mankind jeans 40% to 50% off • Alpha (jackets & pants) 20% off • Laguna Beach…
Capitalism: A Love Story: Yesterday’s headlines
Despite some strong scenes, Michael Moore’s latest lacks freshness and focus.
Zombieland: Tongue-in-bloody-cheek
Film cannily mixes gore and guffaws.
Whip It: Rolling in style
Drew Barrymore overcomes sports cliches in directing debut.
No Impact Man: Earth-saving ego trip
Crossing sincerity with showmanship.
Big Fan: American idolizing
Social misfit obsessed with football in absorbing new drama.
Eat My Charlotte Foodie Tour: Tacos!
Introducing Creative Loafing’s first Eat My Charlotte Foodie Tour on Nov. 7.
New bars on Central Avenue and East Boulevard
Kinda new bars opening in Plaza Midwood and Dilworth.
Quickie comic review: X-Force No. 19
Marvel’s mutant black ops/wetworks team is back for another blood-soaked issue.
NoFo closes, BLT Steak opens, restaurateurs say goodbye
• Surprisingly, just as Elizabeth Avenue is reopened in front of their building, owners of NoFo on Liz shot out an e-mail Monday morning announcing their closing. However, the other restaurants leasing from Grubb Properties are hosting a street crawl on Thursday, Oct. 15 to allow people to try their foods and enjoy the spiffed…
Happy now, conservatives? Chicago out of Olympics running
Conservatives can breathe a sigh of relief now: their rooting against America has paid off. Yep, Chicago, as well as Tokyo, have been eliminated as host cities for the 2016 Olympics. As was just announced, the race to host the sporting extravaganza is now over, and Rio won. I hope the right wing is happy.…
Chapel Hill Welcomes Gay Visitors–why not Charlotte?
You’d think North Carolina’s largest city and county would already have a foothold in this niche market, but Charlotte isn’t on the map for many in the LGBT travel community. Read the entire article here.
10-in-10 CD reviews
Each Friday we bring you 10 CD reviews done in 10 words each.
Whoopi Part 2 … aka Stupid Thing of the Week
We usually do the Stupid Thing of the Week on Friday but, honestly, we couldn’t find anything this week that was any more stupid than something we wrote about yesterday.
Thanks for the Homebrew
A great night last night at the Neighborhood Theatre, as we passed out more than 350 CDs to people supporting local music. Thanks go out to the Neighborhood Theatre, Ansley and Eric-Scott and all the staff for helping us put the event on and get everything running so smoothly. Thanks to Dolph Ramseur, Divakar, Gina…
Tempo, 10/1/09
All 4 One performed in concert at Tempo Thursday, Oct. 1. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography.
Homebrew CD release party @ the Neighborhood Theatre, 10/1/09
The event at Neighborhood Theatre Thursday night celebrated the release of Volume III of Jeff Hahne’s Homebrew with performances by seven bands.
Today’s Top 5: Friday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Friday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Cheap Date Alert: Gallery crawl in South End
It’s the first Friday of the month and you and your mate need to take it outside.
Weekender
Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend.
Eastway Park opens Saturday
… and everyone’s invited.
Sunset Club, 9/30/09
Silhouettes of Style Plus Modeling Troupe hosted Curves and Cosmos at the Sunset Club Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Cruzan “rum tasting”
Awesome. This tasting included a party bus and a booze cruise on Lake Norman.
EPA flexing its muscles
Lisa Jackson, you tigress. Meow.
Steele’s self-UNawareness on parade
You can’t make up priceless stories like this. On Tuesday, best-selling author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote that the current vicious, angry tone of U.S. politics was destructive and, at the very least, ineffective in solving the nation’s major problems. Friedman also warned that “Criticism from the far right has begun tipping…
CIGNA punishes suffering woman … again
Insidious insurance group raises her co-pay from $10 to $1,115.
Theater review: A Chorus Line
Live review of A Chorus Line at Belk Theater.
Quickie comic review: Secret Warriors No. 8
Marvel rolls out the latest issue of its spy-flavored comic, which picks up on a cliffhanger left at the end of Thunderbolts No. 135.
March to oppose interest-rate extortion
Now, bring on the next extortionist-in-chief.
This used to be his playground
The Ken is outtie.
Exploring the ArtHouse
Tucked at the end of a dead-end street just across the railroad tracks on 36th Street, the ArtHouse is part of the NoDa Crawl and one of my favorite galleries.
The new face of time
Anyone who knows me knows my two worldly loves are the Arkansas Razorbacks and watches. I love a nice timepiece. I have been known to bargain shop for a $20 pair of jeans, then go out and spend thousands on a watch. (Hey, I didn’t say it was smart. I just acknowledged it was so.)…
Live review: Black Crowes
Black Crowes perform at The Fillmore on Sept. 30, 2009.
T&A at Belk Theater
A Chorus Line is playing now through Oct. 4.
It Might Get Loud: Stairway to guitar heaven
Three superstar musicians chat (and play) at length in new documentary.
Sale of the day: Sloan
Take 20 percent off everything in the store at Sloan and Step By Sloan. Sale ends Saturday. 1419 East Blvd. 704-338-1400
Opening Friday
What’s new in theaters this weekend.
Today’s Top 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Thursday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
GOP has nerve to blast ‘die quickly’ comment
Quick question: where do some Congressional Republicans get their nerve? Specifically, where does North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry get his? Yesterday, Rep. Alan Grayson, a Democrat from Florida, said the Republican alternative health care proposals amounted to telling Americans, “Don’t get sick,” and if they do get sick, to “die quickly.” OK, he’s over the…
Lift up your Skirt!
Don’t skirt the Skirt! party
Judge Belk, leader of the circus
We should have expected this.
Box Office Top 10
The week’s top moneymakers.
Live review: Rob Thomas
Matchbox Twenty frontman does solo gig at Uptown Amphitheatre.
Bank modifies executive pay
When does $900K = $3.1 million? When you’re a banking exec.
A Bangalicious dinner
Author and chef of Cook to Bang blog stops in Charlotte to cook up a personal gourmet meal.
The world would be a better place …
Van Gogh is Bipolar’s appeal is that it offers food that is supposed to improve your mood.
Toys ‘R’ Us releases 2009 Hot Toy List
Gah. Why didn’t they have cool toys like they do now when I was a kid? Here I thought my Barbie and her red convertible — which I had to push around the floor myself — were cool. Now you’ve got electronic gadgets coming out of the ying yang. I bet now Barbie drives her…
If you’re on your honeymoon and your husband is asking about your friends. . .
Though I’ve never been married, I would hope that your honeymoon is a time to unplug and have as much condom free sex as your body will allow. After all, one of the benefits of being married is the raw skin to skin feel of sex–right?
Whoopi’s defense of Polanski is just unbelievable
Whoopi Goldberg is deservedly in a world of shit today because of her statements regarding film director Roman Polanski yesterday on The View. Goldberg sort-of defended Polanski, who was arrested Sunday in Switzerland for skipping out on a sentencing hearing in 1977 after pleading guilty to having sex with Samantha Gailey, a minor, at Jack…
Machine Theatre offers more free acting workshops
Machine Theatre has announced another series of free actor training workshops Oct. 5-6 at Story Slam.
Is it even worth the double-click?
Admit it, there’s no way you dropped thousands of dollars in the iTunes store for that massive music collection. Unlike the past, where people visited download and BitTorrent sites anonymously like they were cruising for porn, the threat of getting letters saying you owe $1,000 dollars for downloading The Perculator probably aren’t going to come.…
Behind the art at Mint Museum of Art
Special tours, discussions, and lectures at the Mint Museum of Art on Thurs., Oct. 1.
It’s official, the world wants Palin to STFU
No one wants to book her for speaking engagements. Gee. Why not?
Sale of the day: Manifest
Manifest has all kinds of deals for ya. Here are a few: • BUY 3 BLU-RAY DVDS – GET ONE FREE Limited time Blu-Ray DVD offer • FREE $5 GIFT CARD With purchase of any $50 gift card or more • 25% OFF VIDEO GAME ACCESSORIES Take 25% off any video game accessory when you…
Today’s Top 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Wednesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
This Week’s DVD Releases
What’s new on disc this week.
Now showing at theater near you: Monday Night Football
Check out the NFL at the Epicentre.
Project: Homebrew preview
CL Music Editor Jeff Hahne chats with a couple members of the local band Heywire, who will be a part of a FREE event dubbed so cooly Project: Homebrew.
Homebrew preview
CL Music Editor Jeff Hahne chats with a couple members of the local band Heywire, who will be a part of a FREE event dubbed so cooly Project: Homebrew.
This week’s new releases (9/29/2009)
A quick rundown of some of this week’s new releases.
Because we’re trashy
Time to pick up our mess.
Charlotte ranks high on 7 Deadly Sins maps
Who’d-a thunk it? Charlotte is part of Lust Central in the U.S. of A. Geographers at Kansas State University came up with maps that plot per-capita statistics to show which areas of America engage in the Seven Deadly Sins the most. The KSU geographers took the stats on things like STDs (lust) or theft (envy)…
Project: Homebrew preview
CL Music Editor Jeff Hahne chats with a couple members of the local band Heywire, who will be a part of a FREE event dubbed so cooly Project: Homebrew. This FREE event, to be held at Neighborhood Theatre on Oct. 1, is comprised of a panel discussing local music in Charlotte, as well as a…
Quickie comic review: Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan No. 1
Writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven wrap up their multi-part tale of Wolverine in the future … with a giant-sized bang.
“Mix at Six”: Simplified, fashion show
This Wednesday’s “Mix at Six” at Ballantyne Village will feature Charlotte rock act Simplified and a fashion show.
Drag show!
On Sunday, Oct. 4 Petra’s Piano Bar transforms for “A Night of Celebrity Illusion,” a drag show of impersonations.
Group Dynamics: Introducing Charlotte Artery
Charlotte Artery is a group of five artists who recently joined forces with the intention of forming a studio collective and exhibiting their work together.
State-wide recycling reform laws take affect Thursday
But, don’t worry about the recycling cops.
Observer didn’t mention 48 percent in poll think CMS sucks
The Observer has a very interesting front-page story, written by Eric Frazier, on the results of a Knight Foundation poll of 26 U.S. cities, including Charlotte. The poll, taken to determine “what people love about” their communities, asked residents how they feel about a wide array of topics. At least as interesting as the results…
Avetts on Letterman
The Avett Brothers were on the Late Show with David Letterman last night. Well done, guys! \\\\\\\\\\
Sushi lovers will want this
Life is just to short to measure with numbers.
BofA’s bad press just won’t stop
Ohio is suing and the bank yanks ACORN funding.
Q.C. Full-Figured Fashion Week starts tomorrow
Going down Sept. 30-Oct. 1, the 1st annual Queen City Full Figured Fashion Week is a celebration of full-figured women. And it’s about time. Here’s the list of events. Visit www.qcfullfiguredfashionweek.com for more information. • Wednesday 9/30 – Curves and Cosmos @ The Sunset Club (Free) 7-10pm Hosted by the Silhouettes of Style Plus Modeling…
Sale of the day: Beadlush
Check out their summer clearance sale: 20 percent to 50 percent off select items! 1217 The Plaza 704-376-3331 www.beadlush.com
Today’s Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
Today’s Top(less) 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events to get you hot and bothered with or without a date.
Poll results censored: What is local media hiding?
Last week, the media reported the results of a series of important polls conducted by Elon University. These were impressive polls, tackling head-on such Charlotte-related topics as police performance, the economy, schools, bank bailouts and more. But to my trained, journalistic eagle eye, something seemed odd about the media reports. It was just a feeling,…
FESTIVAL: Great Grapes Wine, Art & Food Festival
Wine lovers and enthusiasts unite for Great Grapes Wine, Art & Food Festival, which will bring grape … oops, great … merriment to Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall today. Pack up the picnic blankets and lawn chairs and head out for a day of relaxation and … wine! Don’t drink? The festival also offers entertainment,…
Fort Mill BBQ Company’s tasty barbeque isn’t laid back; it talks back
Barbecue is the quintessential Carolina comfort food that in some kitchens (or pits) has remained unchanged since colonial times — which in North Carolina is about 425 years. During these ensuing centuries, barbecue became distinguished and regionalized by cut of meat, sauce and cooking method. During the past 20 years, a new phenomenon has emerged…
Seydi Burciaga is more than a news story
Seydi Burciaga is a young woman who died last week in the floods that ravaged Atlanta. Out of the 10 people who died, how is it exactly that I know Burciaga? I know of her because I had the displeasure of hearing her 911 call right before she drowned. How did I hear it? I…
THEATER: Man of La Mancha at CPCC
The act of dreams “taking over” one’s mind might seem like quite a scary thing, that is, without a bit of a balance with reality. In CPCC Theatre’s latest production, Man of La Mancha — a play-within-a-play based on Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote — an old man grows weak, while his dreams grow strong.…
Scanning the horizon of books and libraries
A battle is raging over the future of books in the digital age and the role libraries will play. One case now before a U.S. federal court may, some say, grant a practical monopoly on recorded human knowledge to global Internet search giant Google. The complex case has attracted opposition from hundreds of individuals and…
Are we headed for ‘global cooling’?
For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the findings of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are still treated with almost biblical reverence. IPCC scientists’ predictions, based on a complex series of scientific models, that man-made global warming is real and will continue to get worse are no longer questioned in the media and…
FILM: Screening of Hitchcock’s Notorious
You can never have too much of a good thing, which is why the Main Library has elected to follow its successful Alfred Hitchcock summer film series with an Alfred Hitchcock fall film series. “The Master of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock Classics” will commence its second tour of duty at 7 p.m. tonight in the Wachovia…
Scene & Heard
Much like the weather, Charlotte’s music scene seems to be changing on a regular basis — some say it’s getting better, others think it’s on a downhill slide. With two venues — The Fillmore Charlotte and Uptown Amphitheatre, which both opened this summer — and one more on the way (the Knight Theater) Charlotte is…
MUSIC: Blink-182 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
It’s a good thing that fans of threesome pop-punk rock act Blink-182 didn’t give up hopes of the group’s reunion, after its 2005 breakup. Otherwise, the band would have no reason to come together again in 2009, and to embark on a tour, even though it hasn’t released a new album since 2003. Oh well,…
State Radio brings a bigger message than its music
When you talk about music having a message or a band that influences action, it is sure to bring as many groans as cheers. Perhaps you think you’ve heard it all before and don’t want to be weighed down by heavy themes and political prodding. Chad Stokes of State Radio has a completely different approach…
COMEDY: Craig Shoemaker at McGlohon Theatre
Since comedian Craig Shoemaker aka “The Lovemaster” spends a majority of his time cracking jokes, it may come to some as a surprise that he can actually be quite serious too. Having starred on comedy shows — like Comic Relief and Comedy Central Presents — as well as a variety of films, Shoemaker is also…
Stories behind the music
Most people are familiar with VH1’s Storytellers and Behind the Music, where popular bands and artists give insight behind the creation of songs and the band. It gives fans a deeper look at the inner workings of their favorite artists and the meanings of songs they sing along to. On Oct. 6, the Proximity Project…
Meet ‘The Lovemaster’: Craig Shoemaker
Comedian Craig Shoemaker may be known as “The Lovemaster,” but he could also be referred to as a master of trades. Having worked in the comedy biz for around 27 years, Shoemaker has also jumped ship to a number of other work territories. He’s appeared in films (Scream 2, Safe House, Totally Baked and The…
CL previews upcoming concerts (Sept. 30-Oct. 6)
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30 Truth and Salvage Co. Relishing in classic Southern rock tempered with blues, harmonies and country-tinged guitars, the L.A.-based sextet play down-to-earth, no-frills music. When you have four songwriters in the band, it better be organic and additive free, and T&Sco manage that task with ease writing cohesive songs with veteran musicianship. The…
Comic book review: Batwoman: Detective Comics and more
Batwoman: Detective Comics No. 857 Published by DC Comics. Written by Greg Rucka. Art by J.H. Williams III and Cully Hamner. The Deal: It’s the latest issue of Detective Comics starring the (relatively) new incarnation of Batwoman. And bringing up the rear is a second feature starring the new female version of The Question. The…
CD Review: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson’s Break Up
The Deal: Singer/songwriter Pete Yorn wrangles actress and singer Scarlett Johansson for album of duets. The Good: The album kicks off with the upbeat ’60s groove of “Relator.” The duo gets some good harmonies going that are more raw than harmonically sound. The music is also stripped down. The album gives the impression of something…
Bone-deep Beauty: Local production outshines the tours
Children’s Theatre artistic director Alan Poindexter has taken Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and given it a vigorous shakedown. Bringing the colorful spectacle to ImaginOn automatically reduces its scale. Staging it on a Charlotte-sized budget, Poindexter has also muted the show’s special effects impact and allowed scenery to shed some of its Disney magic. Against…
CD Review: Pacha Massive’s If You Want It
The Deal: Nicely produced, edited, cleansed n’classy. Easy listening for the nuevo Latin Alternative set, with a pretense of hip. It’s a mishmash mélange; an attempt at combining world music with more contempo trends and beats – reggaeton, cumbia, meringue – in the wrong direction. The Good: The first three cuts on Pacha Massive’s latest…
Nailing it in Man of La Mancha
I do some cringing of my own when faced with the prospect of seeing Man of La Mancha again. The woeful Peter O’Toole movie was worse than any stage version I’ve seen since, dry and lumbering as a starved burro. But the current version at Halton Theater, starring Steven Jepson in the title role, is…
Chapel Hill welcomes gay visitors — why doesn’t Charlotte?
Chapel Hill rolled out the rainbow carpet last week for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Fam Tour — a symposium designed to educate travel professionals about potential destinations for LGBT tourists. Chapel Hill and Orange County plan to tap into the reported $60 billion those gay and lesbian travelers spend across the nation…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
No, I Quit!: An employee of a local Pizza Hut called police after realizing that one of her employees had been stealing from customers. She told officers that over the course of a few days, the suspect stole $88.50 from customers. How does this even happen? You give 177 people 50 cents less change than…
The evil is palpable in Big Boys
The problem of evil in Neil Simon’s plays — and in a string of American comedies long before the Bankable One — can be stated in three words: there isn’t any. Shakespeare’s comedies, from Two Gentlemen onwards, are teeming with wickedness and villainy, growing so virulent by the late stages of his career that a…
How do medical alert dogs know something is wrong? Plus: How does an asphalt roller score on the Richter scale?
I play poker with this guy on a fairly regular basis at the casino. He’s got this medical alert dog he brings with him everywhere. Apparently the dog will warn him 20 minutes prior to having a medical emergency that he needs to seek help. How does the dog know something is wrong with him?…
Questioning black life in Cell Phone Blues
As proven by Exonerated and The Laramie Project, there’s a new niche for dramas that are scrupulously researched and presented with documentary-style objectivity. Robert Johnson Jr.’s Cell Phone Blues is akin to those docudramas, taking up the question of black life in America — Charlotte, actually — on the eve of Barack Obama’s election to…
Horoscope for Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2009
Libra The Scales (Sept. 22-Oct. 22): Someone with a sad story may be pressuring you to give a favor. The difficult challenge here is to handle this in a straight transaction. Before you respond, think carefully about what you really want to give and then do so. Don’t let neurotic (false) guilt make the decision.…
Review of Shostakovich’s Ninth
Continuing its eventful transition to a new musical director, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra hosted the second of three guest conductors who are parading into Belk Theater to launch the ensemble’s 78th season. After a rocky start, the concert featuring Shostakovich’s Ninth reached a pinnacle every bit as impressive as the summit of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto two…
The Strawberry Blonde, Paul Newman box set among new DVD reviews
BATTLE FOR TERRA (2009). Battle for Terra is an animated effort in which alien forces invade a planet, and it turns out that the invaders are, in fact, us – that is to say, astronauts from the planet Earth. It sounds rather novel until one recalls that The Twilight Zone tackled this notion in one…
Capsule reviews of films playing the week of Sept. 30
Current Releases CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS Although it’s based on a children’s book (by Judi and Ron Barrett), this animated charmer is one of those equal-opportunity exercises that provides as much merriment for adults as for kids. After all, it’s the grownups who are sure to get a chuckle out of a voice…
Bright Star a luminous experience
Eroticism is a state of mind rather than a state of undress, and in that regard, it’s not much different from romanticism, its partner-in-sublime. On the silver screen, it can be presented to us in the most subtle of ways, particularly when the film’s protagonists exist in a society or period known for its repressive…
MUSIC: Project: Homebrew at Neighborhood Theatre
We loooovvvvveeeee local music; well, some of it anyway. To show just how much, Creative Loafing’s music editor Jeff Hahne created his own compilation of hand-picked tunes by a variety of bands/musicians based in the Q.C. Jeff Hahne’s Homebrew Volume III, is set for release on Oct. 1 with a concert and celebration — dubbed…
Jennifer’s Body not so hot
When Diablo Cody won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for the delightful Juno, I’m assuming it was less for her hip-today-gone-tomorrow dialogue and more for her creation of several ingratiating yet recognizably flawed characters as well as her deftness in telling a story with numerous emotional peaks. With her sophomore — and sophomoric — script,…
One boyfriend, side of fries
There is no food more fattening than a boyfriend … yet nothing tastes better (not even cheese fries with ranch). That’s right, I have a boyfriend. A man. A beau. A boo … No, my facebook status does not say “It’s complicated,” but it kinda is. Isn’t everything? For starters, it’s a long-distance relationship. But…
THEATER: Master Class at Carolina Actors’ Studio Theatre
Classes are usually tough, but a master class goes without saying. The one-on-one attention is sure to set off butterflies in the ol’ stomach, but the thought of having opera legend Maria Callas as your instructor … now that’s enough to get folks shuddering in fear. That said, Carolina Actors’ Studio Theatre is stretching to…
The highs and lows of wine pricing
I recently read a wine industry report stating high-end wines (defined as $50+ per bottle) dwell in a “dead space.” Well, duh, who has that money to burn, unless your surname reads Gates or Buffet? I’ve always harped on the lunacy of over-hyped cult beverages that spread the snobbery associated with wine. But the high…
