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Friday, June 15, 2012
News / Democratic National Convention 2012 DNC 2012 Notebook: Adding a banana to the Uptown view
Posted By Mary C. Curtis on Fri, Jun 15, 2012 at 10:23 AM
As corporate celebrations go, it was definitely not routine: A woman dressed in blue and yellow with fake bananas on her head handed out the real thing. She had to be Miss Chiquita, and this had to be the unveiling of the Chiquita logo on the side of the NASCAR building, where the company will be occupying six floors by September - adding something new to the skyline just in time for Democratic National Convention coverage.
On Wednesday after the great unveiling, Brian Newton, the company's director of corporate services, gave me a brief tour of the under-construction 15th floor. Newton told me he is one of the 100 employees so far hired locally - or in his case, from Greenville, S.C. (About 160 others are moving to Charlotte from Cincinnati.) What is now a scattering of building material will be a main reception area with a killer view and multimedia presentations along the walls.
Among the speakers at the unveiling ceremony in a lot across the street, David Allen of Trinity Capital, which manages the building, looked relieved at the arrival of the new tenant and sounded just a little defensive about criticism that the NASCAR Hall of Fame has failed to meet attendance projections. He called the hall a "true community asset."
As the usual Charlotte personalities said the usual things (such as Chamber president Bob Morgan's declaration that Chiquita is already a "great corporate citizen"), Chiquita CEO Fernando Aguirre showed he is rapidly becoming a Charlottean. Drawn by state and local incentives and an expanding airport, Aguirre moved the company from Cincinnati. He praised a long list of elected officials and the way they work in "a seamless fashion" with business.
But Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon on the speaker's dais was a reminder that other city business is pending. In the week he had broken with fellow Democrat Mayor Anthony Foxx by voting "no" on the proposed budget, Cannon was representing the city at the Chiquita fest while Foxx attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors' annual meeting Orlando, Fla., where the city received recognition for energy efficiency efforts.
The budget deadline is two weeks away.
Well, the view from the 15th floor is certainly peaceful.
Mary C. Curtis, an award-winning Charlotte, N.C.-based journalist, is a contributor to The Washington Post's "She the People" blog, The Root, NPR and the Nieman Watchdog blog. Her "Keeping It Positive" segment airs Wednesdays at 7:10 a.m. on Fox News Rising Charlotte, and she was national correspondent for Politics Daily. Follow her on Twitter.
Arts A walk down memory lane at Lark & Key
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Jun 15, 2012 at 9:00 AM
For artist Tracey Broome, memories flow from her fingertips to the clay she uses to recreate experiences. Broome's work is part of Lark & Key Gallery's new exhibit, Storytellers, which conjures up nostalgia.
Broome uses forgotten, discarded objects like vintage doll parts and other random materials for her artwork. Pieces by Elizabeth Foster and Vicki Sawyer will also be on display.
Exhibit continues through June 28. Lark & Key Gallery, 128 E. Park Ave., Suite. B. 704-334-4616. www.larkandkey.com. - Mary Stevens
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Friday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Jun 15, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 15, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* The Marvelous Wonderettes at Actors Theatre of Charlotte
* SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam at McGlohon Theatre
* Screening of Citizen Architect: Smauel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
* Jay Pharaoh at The Comedy Zone Charlotte
* G Love and The Special Sauce at Amos' Southend
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Film / Film News Opening Friday
Posted By Matt Brunson on Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 1:22 PM
- Magnolia Pictures
- Headhunters
Headhunters - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Askel Hennie
Hysteria - Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy
Rock of Ages - Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap - Documentary; Ice-T, Ice Cube
That's My Boy - Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg
Arts Main Library transforms for Con A de Arte
Posted By Mary Stevens on Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 11:13 AM
ArtSí Charlotte has the art scene saying "sí" to local Latino art. The initiative's ninth annual showcase, Con A de Arte (A is for Art), brings ethnic diversity into the spotlight this Saturday, June 16.
The event features live entertainment in the genres of theater, literature, poetry, music and visual arts. More than 20 artists present their works in the form of vignettes spaced throughout the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, or, as it is known for the festivities, "El Mercado de las Artes" (The Marketplace).
As a new addition this year, there will be an award ceremony recognizing four influential leaders and supporters of the Latino art scene in Charlotte. Honors include community arts supporter and activist Sara Wolf; Mint Museum, with director of community relations Rubie Britt-Height accepting on behalf of the museum; Frank Dominguez, program director at 89.9 WDAV; and Cheryl Palmer, director of learning and engagement at Mint Museum.
"The Con A de Arte committee is thrilled to honor all Latino artists and their supporters who help bridge cultures and build social capital through art," said co-chairman Brian Cockman.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Thursday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 14, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* The Light Factory's Attack of the Summer Film Series, screening Labyrinth at Transamerica Square Courtyard
* Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat at Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre
* Author Karen White signs Sea Change at Park Road Books
* Back Alley Film Series screens Sound of Noise at Crownpoint Stadium 12
* EyeMinded: Book reading and lecture at McColl Center for Visual Art
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 13, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* The Tempest at The Green
* Storytellers exhibit at Lark & Key Gallery
* Micro Brews Cruise at U.S. National Whitewater Center
* Girls, Guns & Glory at The Evening Muse
* Comedy Open Mic at Jackalope Jacks
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Arts LOL: Comedy in the Q.C.
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Listed below is a roundup of CL's top picks for comedy shows in Charlotte this week. Hopefully, they keep you entertained and, more importantly, laughing out loud.
Tony Boswell says he never wanted to be a comedian. It just sorta happened after his aspirations for becoming an engineer, architect, graphic designer and fireman dwindled down to nothingness. Luckily, he's funny and sarcastic enough to make comedy into a lasting (for now anyways) career move. $10. June 12, 8 p.m. The Comedy Zone Lake Norman at Galway Hooker Irish Pub, 17044 Kenton Drive, Cornelius. 704-895-1782. www.lkncomedyzone.com.
Just because the NY comedians who make up the Pink Collar Comedy Tour are somewhat unheard of, doesn't mean you shouldn't give em' a chance. They've made sacrifices to be on the stage in front of you. Big ones. Erin Judge, Carrie Gravenson, Abbi Crutchfield and Kaytlin Bailey will share their stories about how they've abandoned the corporate world for comedy life - and a lesser income. $10. June 14, 8 p.m. The Comedy Zone Fort Mill at Madisons on the Corner, 900 Crossroads Plaza, Fort Mill. 803-802-3990. www.thecomedyzonefortmill.weebly.com.
Jay Pharoah is more than a comedian, he's a hardcore impressionist that's best known for his appearances on Saturday Night Live. If you've ever seen his impressions of folks like Barack Obama, Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Denzel Washington, among others, you'll remember. $20-$25. June 14, 8 p.m.; June 15, 8 p.m. & 10:15 p.m.; June 16, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. The Comedy Zone Charlotte at N.C. Music Factory, 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd. 980-321-4702. www.cltcomedyzone.com.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 9:24 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 12, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Squared exhibit at McColl Center for Visual Art
* Of Montreal at Neighborhood Theatre
* Trivia at Al's Pizza
* Author Bob Garner to sign his Book of Barbecue at Park Road Books
* Tony Boswell at The Comedy Zone Lake Norman
Monday, June 11, 2012
News Hemp Fest aimed to re-establish farming of the illegal plant
Posted By JEFF HAWKINS on Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Ana Rodriguez-Mueller stood behind the table at her corner booth with nearly 20 hemp products on display. She smiled and introduced herself as the "Hemp Queen." One day, she says, Rodriguez-Mueller will live her life solely off the plant that the federal law classifies as marijuana.
At a side booth, Stephanie Ripley proudly rehashes the homemade menu she serves her husband, Chris, and two young sons on a daily basis: hemp pancakes, hemp biscuits and a big glass of hemp milk to wash it down.
On stage on Saturday, Charlotte Hempfest organizer Xavier Alexandre Veille performed the riff that was chosen for the soundtrack of a new hemp-related documentary. Hundreds of Hemp History Week supporters attended the eight-band musical gathering at Salvador Deli & Market that capped off seven-day event. Many tasted and tested a variety of free hemp products.
Charlotte natives Josh Mallory and Morgan Diep sat behind a table, offering free hemp cookies and milk.
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Question the Queen City: The haunting of Love’s Pass
The railroad pass has claimed at least 14 lives
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Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today.
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The Secret Service: Behind Mark Millar's next comic film
Here are some things you should know about the upcoming movie adaption.
