Friday, May 16
Film
Prince Caspian: The second movie based on the books by C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is set a year after the events in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are sent back to a Narnia changed over time and suffering under cruel human leadership to help Prince Caspian defeat his uncle and gain his throne. The plot leans a little towards Shakespeare (Hamlet anyone?) and the allegory isnt as cut and dry as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (the evil of this story isnt always as obvious as a White Witch). Dont worry; we wont tell anyone if youre really going just to check out cute Prince Caspian actor Ben Barnes. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.
Music
Zach Deputy: South Carolinian Deputy writes warm and tropical tunes stitched with blues, roots-rock and a touch of soul. Shades of reggae and calypso color his coastal vibes, and thats no wonder since he has lived and performed along the coast for years. In the end, its Deputys voice and fluid guitar-picking, with a nice world music layering, that makes it all intriguing. Double Door Inn. www.doubledoorinn.com. Find more in Music.
Arts
Robot Johnson: Is that a Robot Johnson in your pocket, or you just happy to see me? Make it both. The sketch comedy act is in the Q.C. to offer hilarious and offensive comedy. Comprised of former Talking Baby and Comedy Central guest Sean Keenan and Blaine Miller of The Perch Sketch Comedy Group, this show is sure to leave you with a bellyache. This performance is for adults only, so leave the kids at home and bring a sense of humor. $15, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Duke Energy Theatre. www.blumenthalcenter.org. Find more in Arts.
Food
La Paz: Want a place that never lets up on quality and ebullient atmosphere? La Paz features Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, as well as stellar Margaritas, plentiful servings and at a good price. The upstairs bar may be crowded, but service is quick. 1910 South Blvd. www.lapaz.com. Find more in Food.
I'm digging this song, titled "Fuss'n'fight," and this artist, Kissey Asplund. She ain't brand new, but she's different. Check her out:
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By Dick Cheney
Fuck!!!! Fucking Mississippi! Fucmoaijdsaatjliugdkaerjktakgaa
Sorry. That was my forehead hitting the keyboard. As you can tell, I'm a little upset about losing a House seat in Mississippi in this special election. I'm not sure how it happened. We spent more money, we got big names from Huckabee to Lott to Yours Truly to go down there and to top it off, it's fucking Mississippi! All a Republican needs to do to win an election down there is to accuse his opponent of being a Democrat!
And now all my maggoty buddies on the GOP blogs are saying we need to purge the leadership, that we can't beat either the black guy or the woman in the general election. Well, you know what I say to that?
Who says there's gonna be a general election? November's a long ways away, and who knows what could happen before then? Maybe another "terrorist attack" will force us to suspend the Constitution.
Christ, this isn't working. You know I feel really down when I can mention suspending the Constitution without cheering myself up.
At least I'm not the guy who had to deliver the news to me. I'm cutting this short because I have to call the maid and tell her to get rid of the carpet. Nothing stains like intern blood--trust me.
News Groper features more than 50 parody blogs by politicians, celebrities, business tycoons, and foreign despots.
What's up with the rash of female teachers engaging in sexual "relationships" with their male teenage students? Is there something that they know of which I'm not aware? Firstly, it is illegal. Secondly, it is abusive. Thirdly, it is perverted. Fourthly, it is immoral. Lastly, it is absurd. A teen boy? Yikes. Are women that desperate and stupid? Nah, they're predators which is how they would be labeled if they were men.
Read more in next week's issue of Creative Loafing.
The divas not facing charges related to the photos in The British Sun Newspaper depicting her smoking a crack pipe. Amy Winehouse has been under the scope since January after the photos were released and was arrested last week for suspicion of possessing drugs. According to the Associated Press, her spokesperson announced Wednesday that police have concluded no further action is necessary for the 24-year-old singer.
Her father told Sun that as much as it tore him up to see her that way, maybe the exposure would finally give her the overdue realization that she needed to get herself together. In fact, she did go to rehab after the Sun stirred the pot. She now hopes to move past the matter, and is now considering a multi-million dollar book deal.
She dodged another bullet last month after she head-butted one man outside a London pub and punched another. She was cautioned by police after the alleged assault, meaning the incident is going on paper, but no charges were pressed in the matter.
The Charlotte Observer is reporting that:
Independence High's football team will travel out of state for the second straight season to play top-notch competition.The Patriots, who lost in the N.C. 4AA final last year after winning a state-record seven straight championships, will play at Madison, Fla., on Sept. 5.
Madison, about 45 miles east of Tallahassee, is the defending Florida 2A champion.
Last season, Independence played in the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge in Cincinnati, where its' 107-game winning streak was snapped by Cincinnati's Elder High.
Makes you wonder how many players they're going to bring back with them to restock their team.
Here's the official line:
Queen Charlottes image has long been a symbol of the city of Charlotte, but what would she look like today? The Mint Museum of Art will hold two focus group sessions on Friday to get feedback from the public on this question.The Museum has commissioned artist Ken Aptekar to create a contemporary interpretation of the Museums famed Portrait of Queen Charlotte by 18th century painter Alan Ramsay. Aptekar, who divides his time between New York and Paris, is known for connecting paintings from the past to the present and has developed projects for the Louvre in Paris and the National Portrait Gallery in London. For more information on the artist, visit www.kenaptekar.net.
WHEN: Friday, May 16, 2008 ~ 4:00 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 7:30 p.m. Free.
WHERE: Mint Museum of Art ~ 2730 Randolph Road
WHY: As part of his creative process, Aptekar seeks community input regarding the subject of his work, sometimes incorporating their comments into his version of the painting. With his re-interpretation of Queen Charlottes portrait, the artist will place special emphasis on the subjects cultural background. As a descendant of the black Portuguese family of Margarita de Castro y Sousa, Queen Charlotte herself represents diversity in 18th century English culture. Aptekar hopes to capture audience responses to the queens racial and cultural heritage represented in the artwork. For this reason, the artist is encouraging people from broad social and ethnic backgrounds to participate in the groups.
I think if Queen Charlotte was around today, some of the politicians in this city and state would have her sitting in the Mecklenburg County Jail questioning if she's in this country legally.
With the summer movie season under way, let’s take a look at what emerged as the top 10 moneymakers of the winter/spring 2008 period.
1. Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who! - $148 million
2. 10,000 B.C. - $93 million
3. Cloverfield - $80 million
4. Jumper - $79 million
5. 27 Dresses - $77 million
6. 21 - $76 million
7. Vantage Point - $72 million
8. The Spiderwick Chronicles - $71 million
9. Fool's Gold - $70 million
10. Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour - $65 million
(Through April 27, 2008. Source: www.boxofficemojo.com.)
Community colleges ban illegal immigrants: The North Carolina community college system announced they would no longer enroll undocumented students on May 13. President of University of North Carolina system, Erskine Bowles, questioned the decision. As long as the undocumented student graduated from a U.S. high school they could attend N.C. college. They had to pay out of state tuition and received no government assistances.
Full Story: Charlotte.com
Analysis: Clinton crushes Obama across the board: Sen. Barack Obama's unpopularity with blue collar and working white class voters proved true again during the West Virginia primary. Clinton won by a landslide. She carried the majority of voters in every group, proving the Clinton campaign still has a strong pulse.
Full Story: CNN.com
Help arrives by air, foot for China quake victims: The official death toll from the May 13 earthquake in China is now 15,000, and the buried is an estimated 40,000. Military helicopters dropped food and medicine to survivors in remote mountain villages whose roads were destroyed by landslide during the earthquake.
Full Story: MSNBC.com
Come experience Charlotte's most eclectic nightlife event Pop Life tonight (May 14) at Loft 1523. Pop Life, as always, is brought to you by the folks at Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. Tonight's edition serves up a musical homage to the "Golden Era" of hip-hop (1988-1992) and also features a live art exhibition from a special member of the God City art collective. Plus, we've got drink specials, a funky gathering of creative people, a dope patio and a cool vibe. Free. Loft 1523, 1523 Elizabeth Ave.
(And check out our new MySpace page: myspace.com/poplifeqc)