After taking a hiatus in 2013, Moogfest made its return to Asheville this past weekend, boasting a revamped arrangement for an already impressive festival.
Through this five day marathon I saw four-hour durational performances from acts like Bradford Cox and Dan Deacon, had my brain rattled by pounding sub-bass and most importantly soaked in more cutting-
edge music than I ever could have imagined. There was countless highpoints to this musical extravaganza, but here are five that topped the weekend:
Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent, cool happenings in the world of music.
* Rob Zombie will be at Barnes & Noble at the Arboretum, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road, on Saturday, May 3, at noon to sign copies of his book, The Lords of Salem. Tickets for the signing are first come, first served starting at 9 a.m.
* Jay Z and Beyonce have announced their first-ever co-headlining tour together, but, relax, there is no scheduled concert in Charlotte.
Bad news for Bank of America stock holders. The bank said that because of miscalculations, it has to backtrack on a decision it recently made to increase dividends from 1 cent per share to 5 cents. "Bank of America said Monday it incorrectly weighed certain liabilities from Merrill Lynch and will have to resubmit capital plans to the Federal Reserve."
A group of religious leaders representing Raleigh and Asheville and a national group are challenging North Carolina's ban on same-sex marriage in court. It's the first time such a group has filed suit against a same-sex marriage ban in the U.S.
A storm system is slowly moving into the Carolinas, interrupting the perfect streak of spring weather we've had as of late. In other storm-related news, tornadoes that wiped out entire neighborhoods in Oklahoma and Arkansas on Sunday killed at least 18 people.
Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., surrendered to authorities today after allegedly accepting illegal campaign donations. "Grimm has acknowledged that he received $250,000 to $300,000 in campaign donations from followers of Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, an Israeli rabbi. Some of Pinto's followers in New York have said they made tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to Grimm, including gifts passed through straw donors."
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 27, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* GayCharlotte Film Festival screening Test at Theatre Charlotte
* Kings Drive Art Walk at Little Sugar Creek Greenway
* Tuck Fest Outdoor Competitions and Live Music at U.S. National Whitewater Center
* Miles & Coltrane: Blue (.) at Duke Energy Theatre
* Let's Talk Lunch Series at Crave Dessert Bar
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, April 26, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Man of Astro-Man at Visulite Theatre
* Creative Loafing's 27th Birthday Bash at Birdsong Brewery
* 19th Annual Queen's Cup Steeplechase at Brooklandwood
* Charlotte World Parade & Festival at Freedom Park
* Passport for Fashion at N.C. Music Factory
Going out in Charlotte doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, to prove that statement, we've compiled a list of cheap things to do in the Q.C. this weekend. These events may vary, but they're all entertaining and they won't break your bank (piggy banks excluded).
Bark in the Park at Rural Hill: Celebrate canine culture at its finest. The annual festival for dogs will feature booths and information regarding rescues, vendors, giveaways, demonstrations, and contests. Don't miss the annual "pooch" parade. For full event information, visit www.parkandrec.com. Free admission. April 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Rural Hill Farm, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. 704-875-3113. www.ruralhill.net.
Charlotte World Parade & Festival at Freedom Park: It's one big global affair at this annual festival where nations collide in one fun-fill afternoon. The festival highlights various countries and cultures through informative displays, traditional cuisine and music and dance performances. The Parade of Nations will showcase colorful costumes from folks representing more than 45 countries. For more information, visit www.worldparadefestival.org. Free admission. April 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Freedom Park, 1900 East Blvd.
Dances of India at CPCC: The performance features internationally acclaimed performer Dr. Maha Gingrich who leads the dance troupe in traditional, classical and folk Indian dances. The rhythmic movements tell the story of ancient India through costumes, dance, drama and music. The event's signature dance, "Unity in Diversity," will be set to an orchestra. $5-$10. April 26, 4 p.m. CPCC's Halton Theater, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534. arts.cpcc.edu/.
Creative Loafing's 27th Birthday Bash at Birdsong Brewery: To celebrate CL's 27th birthday, head to Birdsong. The brewery will unveil a new brew called "Loafy's Rye-venge." The Tin Kitchen will be onsite offering a special dish made with Loafy's Rye-venge and King of Pops Charlotte will also be offering up specialty brew pops for the occasion. Birthday cake, too. Free admission. April 26, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Birdsong Brewery, 2315 N. Davidson St. 704-332-1810. www.birdsongbrewing.com.
Last week's episode of BNR Weekly features a glimpse at Elevate's The Best of The City Award Celebration and an audio interview with "Mr. Stay Trippy" himself, Juicy J, during his Never Sober Tour.
This week's episode features the RAW Artist Showcase, which took place last week at Tremont Music Hall, and more.
BNR Weekly is a local pop culture and entertainment Web show, now in its second season.
The North Carolina Dance Theatre is getting a name change: the dance company will now be called Charlotte Ballet.
Charlotte postal workers protested yesterday in Uptown over a new partnership USPS has started with Staples, selling postal products in its stores. "These jobs are not supporting middle class wages, where the postal jobs are," one employee told NBC Charlotte. "Let's say that store does not do well financially and they close it. Then where does the public go for mail?"
Rancher Clive Bundy, who stirred the hearts of Republicans when he refused to pay the federal government for land he was herding cattle on in Nevada, is now considered a "domestic terrorist" by some in the GOP. Bundy made racist comments about blacks, and later defended those remarks. According to Mediaite.com, "he was just 'wondering' if African-Americans were 'better off as slaves,' and is still 'wondering.' He said he does not know for a fact that they were."
For anyone who's ever been drunk or hungover, this isn't anything new: A Slimming World report links binge drinking with overeating. "Alcohol makes the food even more rewarding. It tastes good and feels even better than it would do normally," said Dr Jacquie Lavin, head of nutrition and research at Slimming World.
In the first of three televised debates of the primary campaign for North Carolina's Senate seat, all four candidates could agree on one thing: Climate change is a myth. Or, more colorfully put by candidate Mark Harris, "God controls the climate."
Harris was in fact the only candidate to elaborate; Tea Party member Greg Brannon, state house Speaker Thom Tillis, and nurse practitioner Heather Grant simply chuckled when the moderator of the April 22 debate asked if climate change was a fact before replying "no."
News gatherers said Tillis won the "surprisingly staid" debate by default after Brannon and Harris chose not to actively engage their opponents.
For Harris, pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte and president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, climate-change denial is one facet of a far-right platform that began drawing local ire in 2006. Harris chaired the committee that crafted the convention's policy to sever ties with Baptist churches that "knowingly act to affirm, approve, endorse, promote, support or bless homosexual behavior," a decision that jettisoned Charlotte's Myers Park Baptist Church from the organization.
Stephen Shoemaker, senior minister at Myers Park Baptist at the time of its excommunication, wrote in response to the policy, "Our nation needs impassioned moral discourse that serves to knit together the social fabric, rather than tearing it."
At least for Tuesday's debate, stifled giggles, it seems, will have to pass for discourse.
Editor's note: We recognize how quickly Charlotte has changed over the years, so here's us trying to preserve its story. In this series, local author David Aaron Moore answers reader-submitted questions about unusual, noteworthy or historic people, places and things in Charlotte and the surrounding metro area. Submit inquires to davidaaronmoore@gmail.com.
When I was in elementary school I remember bits and pieces of a news story about several members of a local motorcycle gang being murdered, possibly by a rival gang. Do you recall the case I'm referring to? - Jaymes Williamson, Charlotte