The Keating documentary
Watch the full film here.
The Keating documentary
Watch the full film here.
CD Review: The Verve
The Verve releases its fourth album.
A double scoop of the meat flavor, please.
If candied bacon paired with ice cream sounds good to you, then this is your kind of recipe.
Biggest idiot on the Web
The headline says it all.
Biggest idiot on the Web
The headline says it all baby.
NC A&T Aggies vs. NC Central University Eagles, 10/4/08
NC A&T Aggies played against NC Central University Eagles at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Take a look at all the loyal fans who came out for the football game. Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff.
Wachovia’s the baby and the government King Solomon
Dividing the baby didn’t work B.C., probably won’t work now either.
Today’s Top 5
The five best events going down in and around Charlotte today, Oct. 6.
Wineday Friday @ SouthPark, 10/3/08
Wineday Fridays at SouthPark feature wine tastings and beer from several vendors. In the area outside The Counter and M5, DJs play a variety of music to help “wine” down the work day. Check out these pics from last Friday, Oct. 3. Photos by Tricia Gillis.
Today’s Menu (10/5/08)
Chrome/Helios Creed Guitar god Helios Creed’s creepy guitar manipulations, drones, distortions, psychedelic blasts and layers of sounds have influenced a long list of musicians. He joined San Francisco’s industrial-punk-acid rock band Chrome in 1977 and has since worked with the band as well as solo while guesting with umpteen indie and alterna rockers and noisemakers.…
Today’s Menu (10/4/08)
Phil Lesh and Friends I sometimes think seeing a member of the Dead family is akin to what folk say about sports like soccer and hockey. You can appreciate them in perfectly-portioned, as-product form on your television, but to be best enjoyed, you need to be there to experience everything firsthand – the sleight-of-hand, seat-of-the-pants…
Pied Palin
I must have been watching a different vice presidential debate because I was actually screaming Joe Biden for president at the end of it. Imagine my surprise when I turned on the television this morning and found that people were celebrating her performance, or rather the fact that she made it through. What? She got…
This is who needed a bailout
CNN is reporting a 90 year old woman shot herself inside her foreclosed home. That’s horrible, unfortunately it is a sign of these tough times. But what’s worse is that her plight is now being used on the floor of congress. Give me a damned break. (CNN) — A 90-year-old Akron, Ohio, woman who shot…
AC/DC new album update
Wal-mart may have gotten exclusive rights for the Australian hard rock group AC/DC’s newest CD Black Ice, but the independent stores have gotten exclusive rights to sell it on vinyl. The album is set to be released in the U.S. on Oct. 20. Read more here. AC/DC will perform at Time Warner Cable Arena on…
Homer for Obama
Homer Simpson for Obama
Hail Sarah, full of spirit
With all the instant polls and surveys declaring Joe Biden the winner in last night’s vice presidential debate, it’s obvious that Sarah Palin isn’t going to help John McCain attract a lot of undecided voters.
The cost of adventure
What’s up with our fascination with folks that do crazy things? Millionaire Steve Fossett perishes while trying to defy common sense and logic and we spend tax dollars going to pick him up. Interesting. Folks do not seem to be concerned when their money goes to clean up people lost to frivolous pursuits. I get…
Today’s Menu (10/3/08)
FRIDAY, OCT. 3 Raphael Saadiq Saadiq’s here as part of The Sol Kitchen Music Series, and his brand new album, The Way I See It, suggests the former member of the platinum R&B trio Tony, Toni, Tone member has, as that group sang, indeed “done it again.” From the red-lensed, Motown-fonted cover, to the appearance…
Today’s Top 5
The 5 best events going down in Charlotte today, Oct. 3.
Krautrock in music history
Author Henning Dedekind is planning the release of Krautrock, a book that tracks the history of music in West Germany during the 1960s. Read more here.
Tales from Uptown’s new Breast-eraunt
Nightlife columnist Brittney Cason reviews the new Hooters restaurant in Uptown.
Thursday Throwback: Oct 2
Check out this forgotten B-side from Cameo.
Keeping up with Kourtney
Celebutante Kourtney Kardashian will be in Charlotte this weekend, hosting a party at Suite. Creative Loafing managed to get a few moments of her time for a quick interview.
Eat your heart out, Bambi
Bambi’s rival for cuteness
Tales of Charlotte: Episode 3
Big Mamma D, the Charlotte-based burlesque artist and promoter, stars in this special episode of Creative Loafing’s original, true-life TV show Tales of Charlotte. Check her out:
This Koon can hunt
Unless you haunt the PAC’s labyrinthine web site you are unlikely to have heard the news. Our Asheville-based benefactors, North Carolina Stage Company, will be launching another season at Duke Energy Theatre on Nov. 12. We extracted this info upon receiving NC Stage’s announcement, released earlier today, that the Asheville season will be opening on…
Up in smoke
Kurt Cobain’s ashes smoked?
Fleming’s at the EpiCentre
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which opened Friday, Sept.26 at the EpiCentre, hosted their Media Preview Celebration Party last night. The Charlotte location is the steakhouse chain’s 58th restaurant. Fleming’s prides itself on offering the best prime meats and chops, fresh fish, poultry, generous salads and sides, and also an approachable wine list with…
Today’s Top 5
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Oct. 2, 2008 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Reel Soul Film Festival at Spirit Square, tonight through Saturday • A Novello Evening with Scott Turow, author of seven best-selling novels, at McColl Family Theatre at…
Today’s Menu (10/2/08)
Mark Lassiter Band No fancy tricks here. Lassiter’s nicely written pop songs jump out of the boombox toned with guitars, piano touches and a tightly woven rhythm section. The North Carolinian writes acoustically-tinged songs the old-fashioned way – wrapped in melody, stuffed with rhythm and sung with sweet vocals and chorus. With Fat Cabbage. Visulite…
Get Well Soon Janet
On Mon., Sept. 29 R&B gal Janet Jackson postponed her scheduled show in Montreal, Canada and headed to a nearby hospital where she checked out of later in the day. Currently on the Rock Witchu Tour with LL Cool J, Jackson canceled shows scheduled for tonight in Boston and Thurs., Oct. 2 in Philadelphia. Her…
It Came From Craigslist: Oct 1, 2008
People post the craziest shit on Craigslist. Check out this recently posted ad, found in the “Strictly Platonic” section on Craigslist Charlotte: Hi I am looking for little people – w4m – 44 (charlotte) Reply to: pers-856926830@craigslist.org [?] Date: 2008-09-27, 12:28AM EDT I would love to meet a little nugget male friend. This is serious…
Remember that little war in Iraq?
Just wait till Charm School: Iraq of Love premieres!
You on CL-TV
Your video on CL-TV!
Monster Mash
These cute little “Frankenmallows” are perfect for PTA moms to make for school Halloween parties. Learn how to make these monsterly snacks from Tami’s Kitchen Table Talk.
Friday is now Wineday
Would you like some cheese with that wine? How about some wine with your Friday instead — leaving you nothing to whine about. ELEVATE Magazine’s Wineday Wednesdays have been moved to Fridays, giving SouthPark the happiest of happy hours to conclude the work week. The Village at SouthPark (which is essentially the M5 and Cracker…
The Grape, 9/30/08
Photos from the Trendsetterz afterwork mixer at The Grape at Northlake on Tuesday.
Today’s Top 5
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte today, Oct. 1, 2008 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. • Actor’s Theatre brings us The Lieutenant of Inishmore. Tonight is “Pay what you can” night. • Panel discussion of the economy of Charlotte with community leaders. • Pop Life, an eclectic…
Today’s Menu (10/1/08)
John Hammond Blues legend Hammond has been plucking the guitar for more than four decades. His encyclopedic output of American blues and folk are revealed in his live gigs with an acoustic, or electric, guitar cradled like a third arm with the harmonica wrapped around his neck adding accents. Hammond’s road-hardened voice breathes life into…
Squirrels for Obama!
Woodland creatures are such swing voters. Via Cuteoverload.com
Live Review: Celtic Crossroads
Celtic Crossroads McGlohon Theatre Sept. 27, 2008 The Deal: The septet of Irish musicians known as Celtic Crossroads brought its ultimate combo of musical genres including Celtic folk rock, bluegrass and gypsy-styled song crafts to Charlotte for a performance at McGlohon Theatre. The Good: Each member of this group could play multiple instruments and they…
Recipe: Pumpkin Cake
Although the forecast for Charlotte is calling for temperatures in the 70s and 80s this week, according to the calendar it’s officially fall season. I consider baking with pumpkin a faux pax any time of the year other than fall and winter. So I’m going to kick off the season with some long-awaited delicious pumpkin…
Reel Soul Film Festival
The Reel Soul Film Festival, the African-American film event we wrote about in our Fall Guide, is coming to Charlotte this weekend (Oct. 2-4). Check out trailers for two of the fest’s films here: See Dick Run I Used to Love Her
Local leaders to the rescue!
Amid all the bad news, it comes as a great relief to Charlotteans, particularly Wachovia employees, that our powerful local leaders intend to do something about the Citigroup buyout mess. In a forceful joint statement that pulled no punches and offered creative solutions, Mayor Pat McCrory, County Commission chair Jennifer Roberts and Charlotte Chamber CEO…
Bat Latte?
This is probably not a mix that will be on Starbuck’s menu anytime soon. An Iowa woman had bat mixed with her coffee. According to the Associated Press, the woman reported there was a bat in her house to the health department. She wasn’t really concerned about it and then she set her automated coffee…
Zombie Walk rises
Zombies are about to invade Charlotte. Check out this message from the Charlotte Roller Girls: Second Annual Charlotte Zombie Walk to take place October 5th Zombie and Halloween enthusiasts throughout Charlotte to overtake the city! Charlotte, North Carolina (ZOMBIES!) September 22, 2008: The second annual Charlotte Zombie Walk will take place Sunday, October 5th beginning…
Dixies’ Tavern, 9/29/08
Pittsburgh Steelers fans swarmed Dixies’ Tavern last night to catch the game against their bitter rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. Incidentally, the Steelers won 23-20 in overtime.Photos by Renaul Hill, Charlotte Vibe Photography staff
New chef at Nolia
This just in from the recently opened restaurant Nolia: Nolia Restaurant Hires Joshua Rosenbaum As Chef – Johnson & Wales University’s Summa Cum Laude Grad Joins Nolia’s Team – Charlotte, N.C. – Noila Restaurant, a recently opened restaurant in the heart of the Elizabeth neighborhood at 7th Street and Caswell, hired Joshua Rosenbaum as its…
Today’s Menu (9/30/2008)
Horse Ghost I sat through a handful of songs by Horse Ghost at the September Crowntown Showdown, but I’m still not sure I’d be able to describe them. It’s energetic, yet laid back. It’s rock, but there are hints of the blues and country. Maybe they sum it up best on their MySpace page –…
Sometimes I want to play games
I am in Charleston right now at the Windjammer, the ultimate beach bar, looking at Washington City Paper and Skirt!, which makes me feel like I am still in Charlotte … just with an ocean. The City Paper looks almost identical to the Loaf, but there is one major difference that didn’t make it past…
BOOK SIGNING: Sparks will fly
Lovey-dovey novels have never really been my thing, but one thing’s for sure — they sell. Especially when they’re made into movies that have audiences in a theaters leaving with mascara dripping down their faces. Best-selling author Nicholas Sparks is a pro when it comes to this. Did anyone see The Notebook? You can meet…
Guided by spirit?
Sarah Palin, a Fort Mill church and controversial Pentecostalism
MUSIC: Soul man
Many music fans only know Raphael Saadiq as the frontman of the R&B/hip-hop/pop trio Tony! Toni! Toné! But his musical rap sheet is much deeper than that. Check the liner notes on CDs by soul artists like D’Angelo, Teedra Moses and Joss Stone, and you’ll see Saadiq listed as producer. Which makes his latest album,…
Books-a-gazillion
Novello Festival of Reading rebounds with diverse lineup
Tightening the belt
The economy sucks. Gas — when you can find it — is sky high. And grocery prices are rising like the sun. One author knows how people can save money, but do most people want to follow the rules? Bob Brumm, author of Do You Have Money To Burn? Save More of What You Earn,…
FESTIVAL: Wine not?
It’s all about wine at Great Grapes! Festival. Those attending can taste more than 100 different wines, attend wine seminars, watch demonstrations on cooking with wine, eat and browse a variety of arts and crafts. While sipping, sniffing and grape debating you can also hear music by DJs and bands Cafe Mars and Bull City…
Flying high
Ever since Children’s Theatre moved uptown into the ImaginOn complex, the company has cleaved faithfully to the custom of beginning their seasons with a huge splash at McColl Family Theatre, their larger space. This year, artistic director Alan Poindexter is aiming higher than ever, with the musical version of James M. Barrie’s beloved Peter Pan.…
Civility at any cost
Tsk, tsk, tsk. You know the type. With election season in full swing, they’re out in force right now. They claim that above all else, we should all strive to get along. Give them a pen or microphone and they’ll adopt a tone of superiority and drone on about the supposed lack of civility in…
THEATER: Don’t wanna grow up
It’s time to travel to a place where dreams are born; that’s right — Neverland. And you can visit as Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents the musical version of James M. Barrie’s beloved story Peter Pan. The pixie dust did the trick on this tale, that’s for sure. Audience members of all ages can get…
Charlotte Bestsellers List
1. Against the Grain by Larry Rogers 2. How to Say It: Marketing with New Media by Lena Claxton and Alison Woo 3. 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller with Betsy Thorpe 4. The Shack by William P. Young 5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer 6. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory 7.…
New rules for Charlotte
My friends, I want you to know that I almost temporarily suspended this column in order to focus on the bailout bill, which is still up in the air as I type this. I thought it would show leadership to delay the column until a bipartisan deal was worked out, but then I realized two…
CD Review: Metallica
The Deal: Tenth studio album from one metal band that’s quickly approaching its 30th anniversary (2011). The Good: I wasn’t impressed with the bits and pieces I’d been hearing on the radio over the last couple of weeks, but when I popped the disc in my CD player and started from the beginning, I immediately…
Bizarre crimes from Charlotte police files
Fighting for Gas: A 21-year-old woman was in line to get gas at a station on Nations Ford Road when she was threatened by an stranger who said, “If you don’t back up, I will fuck your shit up.” The woman believes the man would carry out the threat because he showed her a gun…
Sick and tired II
It’s official. I am again sick and tired of being sick and tired, and am feeling the need to vent. In the famous words of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, passed on to me by my beloved band teacher Royal J. Singleton III, I bring to you Sick and Tired II. I am sick…
CD Review: Gym Class Heroes
The Deal: Hip-hop hitmakers release fourth album, follow-up to 2006’s gold As Cruel as School Children. The Good: The band isn’t looking to break out of its hit-making mold, combining hip-hop with a live band. The album kicks off with the hook-heavy “Guilty as Charged” featuring Estelle. There are also guest appearances by Busta Rhymes…
Acclimation process
Grant now believes his black ass has special powers, and I would never have believed him except for yesterday. But before I tell you what happened, and by the way I cannot wait to tell you what happened, I have to explain that Grant has been saying lately that things happen to him, special things,…
What is Pecha Kucha?
Do you see what I see? Attendees of the very first Charlotte Pecha Kucha event take in art via slideshows at Petra’s Piano Bar and Cabaret Sept. 25. Man of his word Universal Motown artist London says it loud at his performance at Allure Sept. 24. If looks could kill Adria Foreman…
DVD Review: James Brown
The Deal: Three-DVD set shot in the ’60s captures the essence of the Godfather of Soul. The Good: It was 1968 and, at 35, James Brown was at the height of his powers. In later years, Brown was so wrapped up in funk that he did little vocally but grunt and scream, but earlier in…
Your weekly horoscope
Libra the Scales (Sept. 22-Oct. 22): Your heart is in the right place, but there are so many needs in your world that you can hardly fill all of them. There are multiple communications, far more than normal. Those who have a flexible income will be glad this week. You will be attracted to things…
Local civic events
The Charlotte Economy: Regional Strength As An Economic Growth Strategy Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m., Government Center, 600 East 4th St., meeting chamber, www.votemeckdem.org. Uptown Democratic Forum Kay Hagen Thursday, Oct. 2, 12:15 p.m., Levine Museum of the New South, 200 East 7th St., www.votemeckdem.org. Housing in Charlotte: Strategies to Create and Maintain Affordable Housing…
ART: No strings attached
Providence Gallery’s newest exhibition Mixed Company features two artists whose works could be seen within the realm of art as being just a little mixed-up. But, that’s OK. When was normal ever fun? Rod Wimer uses deft melding for the vast monochromatic tones and textures within each of his art pieces, while Jean Cauthen paints…
All this and World War II
New efforts from Knightley and Spike Lee, among others
Fake questions. Real answers.
A: Before I answer that, I’m happy to say that this week’s fake question is actually based on a real question! Weird, eh? The question was posed after we didn’t run the This Modern World strip in the paper for a few weeks. In those instances, we didn’t run the strip due to some space…
SPECIAL EVENT: Without a trace
The Montreal-based performers, Les 7 Doights De Le Main (The 7 Fingers) twist and turn, flipping their way into Charlotte for Traces. But what is that? Take one look at the group’s past videos of performances and you’ll see it isn’t just acrobatics but touches of theater and music mixed together for these performances. The…
Deception, Iron Man among DVD reviews
DECEPTION (2008). It’s hard to believe a movie starring Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor, two impossibly charismatic actors, could be so dull, but the evidence is right here. McGregor stars as Jonathan McQuarry, a meek accountant who has no fun until a lawyer named Wyatt Bose (Jackman) swoops down like a slumming deus ex machina…
Crazy, sexy, cool event in Charlotte
In case you haven’t heard, Pop Life — the eclectic nightlife event sponsored by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen — is back and at a new location: the recently opened (and very sexy/cool) Apostrophe Lounge (1440 S. Tryon St., across from Amos’ Southend). Come check us out for art, film, cool people and the…
ART: Poppin’ in
Pop artist Andy Warhol was, is, and has been a hero (to many, but not all) in the art world for his ultimate combos of popular culture in art. Running through Feb. 15, 2009, the Mint Museum of Art will feature the exhibition Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends. You can see the artist’s early…
Moving Midway / Family Name among new releases
New Releases MOVING MIDWAY / FAMILY NAME How coincidental that these two documentaries – both about North Carolinians grappling with their lineage – are hitting town at roughly the same time, one in theaters (Oct. 3), the other on DVD (Sept. 23). The new release Moving Midway, by film critic and Raleigh native Godfrey Cheshire,…
‘Local’: the new ‘fresh’
What does “local” mean exactly?
Around the world
• The granddaddy of all barbecues is Thursday, Oct. 23, at the 79th Annual Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Barbecue beginning at 10 a.m. The money raised goes to supporting mission trips. Organizers expect to cook 14,000 pounds of pork barbecue, prepare 2,500 gallons of Brunswick stew (prepared South Carolina-style with rice), shred 2 tons of…
All lit up again
For Buckcherry, it’s better the second time around
Ken Rizzo, chef
Ken Rizzo has been the Charlotte Chef for 10 years. Charlotte Chef is a personal chef service and catering business. As a private chef, Rizzo’s clientele has included some Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Bobcats. He also does corporate catering and specializes in dinner parties in people’s homes. “I personally do every single one of my…
Troy Davis and the Supreme decision
Troy Anthony Davis was scheduled to die by lethal injection Tuesday. Two hours before the state of Georgia was to execute him, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay until Monday. It had earlier agreed to hear Davis’ case on Sept. 29, but Georgia set his execution date six days before the hearing. Davis was…
Shakin’ up bluegrass
Sam Bush has been shaking up the bluegrass world since he was in his teens. In 1971, he gave traditional purists fits when his band of musical hippies, the New Grass Revival, assaulted them on their first album with a version of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.” “We got the idea for ‘Great…
Wine, the wonder drug
I remember when I learned that my favorite fake sugar, saccharin, rendered rats cancerous after eating 20 percent of their weight per day for months. Twenty percent of my weight in anything would kill me, too, probably of boredom first, so I felt sorry for the caged creatures. These days, researchers claim popping the pink…
Variety of music keeps Showdown entertaining
You’ve probably heard it all before — we’ve had a few items in the paper discussing the Crowntown Showdown and what it’s all about. So, why should you care? Because it’s a great way to see a variety of music — local and regional — for a low price. And if you don’t like one…
Review of Back to Brooklyn No. 1
Back to Brooklyn No. 1 Published by Image Comics. Written by Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. Art by Mihalio Vukelic. The Deal: It’s the brand-new crime comic by hard-hitting writers Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. Er … yeah … that’s the deal. The Good: Well, if you liked Garth Ennis’ ultra-violent work on The Punisher…
Get ready for metal, round two
Those of you who don’t get nearly enough of a fix of metal or hardcore music around the Queen City will get your opportunity this weekend to get about all you can handle. The stage is set for the second annual Charlotte Hardcore & Metalfest on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. at Tremont Music…
Review of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Just a few months shy of its 2,200th birthday, Pseudolus by the beloved Roman playwright Plautus lives on as the principal source of the hilarious Larry Gelbart-Burt Shevelove book for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, so it is futile to play this Sondheim musical as if the jokes were new.…
CL previews upcoming shows
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1 John Hammond Blues legend Hammond has been plucking the guitar for more than four decades. His encyclopedic output of American blues and folk are revealed in his live gigs with an acoustic, or electric, guitar cradled like a third arm with the harmonica wrapped around his neck adding accents. Hammond’s road-hardened voice…
Can you really get better gas mileage using your car’s engine to make “Brown’s gas?”
An auto mechanic friend claims to have a gizmo that makes his vehicles run at least partially on water. He swears it’s true and has about five test vehicles running with this thing now. It will work best on vehicles with carburetors — fuel-injected vehicles need tweaking of the computer chips. He’s got one on…
