Check out this list of events celebrating Independence Day in Charlotte and the surrounding area - as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing. (This list will keep growing with more parties/events. To get listed, email anita.overcash@creativeloafing.com)
Red, White & Brew Bash at Howl at the Moon: The party features drink specials ($4 Sam Adams, $5 Washington Apple shots and $20 for 86 oz. buckets). There will also be dueling pianos all night long. Thurs., July 3. Howl At The Moon, 210 E. Trade St. 704-936-4695. www.howlatthemoon.com.
American Dreams: Pre-Independence Day Kickoff at Texicali: Sol Kitchen, BlueGoose and Roundtable present this pre-Independence Day party featuring DJ LouiVee. Free w/ RSVP until 11 p.m.; $10. July 3, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Texicali Taco & Tequila Bar, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd. www.texicalicharlotte.com.
4th of July Festival at U.S. National Whitewater Center: Enjoy a two-day celebration (July 3 & 4) of America with live music, fireworks and more. July 3: The schedule includes ChessBoxer at 4 p.m.;a corn hole tournament and live music from Sol Driven Train at 6 p.m.; Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers at 8 p.m.; Fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Free admission ($5 for parking). July 3, 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway. 704-391-3900. www.usnwc.org.
Are you losing sleep worrying about invasions from outer space, blood-sucking zombies or genetically mutated organisms? You've been nicely distracted from the real threat: Flesh-and-blood human beings supplanted by corporations, which, according to the highest court in the land, have not only the right to spend as much money as they like buying politicians via campaign donations, but now also have the right to ignore other laws they believe infringe on their newly recognized rights to religious freedom.
In a landmark ruling known as the Hobby Lobby case, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the 2013-14 docket with a 5-4 decision, written by the conservative Justice Samuel Alito, in which the court said that privately held companies - those not traded via the markets, wholly owned by a family or by individuals - can refuse to pay for contraceptive prescriptions under the Affordable Care Act because such prescriptions are tantamount to abortions, which some company owners believe amount to murder through their evangelical Christian beliefs. The family that owns Hobby Lobby argued through its lawyers that Obamacare forced them to violate their religious beliefs in offering that option to its employees, while others said that corporations had no right to impose their religious beliefs on those who work for them. The five justices in the majority were all appointed by Republicans. They are also all men.
A month into her job, Winthrop University President Jamie Comstock Williamson emailed the school's chief of staff, asking her to create a position for Williamson's husband, Larry. He was to be paid a modest amount so as not to attract attention. But an investigation by the local newspaper discovered the email, and the Williamons have returned the money Larry made during his first year.
Local law enforcement officials are still stumped by a video that shows a man clinging to the back of a car while it travels on I-77. The man apparently used a tool to smash the vehicle's back window and climb inside.
The Supreme Court will decide on a slew of important cases today, including whether Obamacare can force a business to provide contraception coverage even if it objects for religious reasons. "'This case isn't that practically important, except for the employees and businesses involved. There just aren't a huge number of those,' said Thomas Goldstein, publisher of SCOTUSblog.com and a Washington appellate attorney. 'But everyone can agree the social questions presented - about when people can follow their religious convictions, and when people are entitled to contraception care - are truly important,' he said."
The Italian navy towed to shore a boat containing the bodies of 30 people, who were crossing the Mediterranean Sea en route to the country. "The likely cause of death was asphyxiation and drowning, according to medical staff at the scene who also advised against the bodies 'being removed due to restricted space', said a navy statement. There were no more details immediately available concerning the circumstances of the fatalities."
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 30, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* The Lonely Biscuits at Visulite Theatre
* Charlotte Gift & Jewelry Show at The Park Expo
* Bingo at Tyber Creek Pub
* Trivia Night at Summit Coffee
* Knocturnal at Snug Harbor
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 29, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Bearing Witness: Seeing Through the Lens of Charlotte Photographers at Mint Museum Randolph
* Bacon & Brews Cruise-In at Atherton Mill
* Cupid's Couch: Revealing Secrets to Creating Unstoppable Relationships at Aloft Hotel
* Charlotte Symphony Pops: That's Amore at Symphony Park
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, June 28, 2014 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* A Narcissistic Evening of Neurotic Behavior at Cube Noda
* Tresses & Threads Hair and Fashion Show at Label
* Cans Recycled Canned Craft Beer Fest at Brazwell's
* Charlotte Caribbean Festival at The Carnival Village
* Les Racquet at The Evening Muse
As we get closer to the 2015 debut of Netflix's Daredevil show, Marvel continues to release bits about casting and the potential stories tackled in the series. Charlie Cox plays the titular hero (whose real name is Matt Murdock), with Vincent D'Onofrio as The Kingpin and Elden Henson portraying Foggy Nelson. And as excited as we are about that bit of news, Comic Afterthoughts can't help but feel a bit skeptical.
In this post, we're going to look back at all four live-action TV and film appearances of The Man Without Fear, and remember how every single one of them was awful. We'll start with the most obvious of the list: the 2003, Mark Steven Johnson-helmed film.
1) Daredevil (2003)
No matter what anyone says, It wasn't Ben Affleck's fault. Well, this scene may have been his fault.
Choppy direction and a terrible script were the main culprits for this one, along with some silly performances from the film's villains. Even the costuming was troublesome. I actually don't mind our hero's garb, but that awful, bald Bullseye (complete with a target scar on his forehead) haunts my dreams.
And though some will tell you that the later director's cut redeemed the film, I can assure you that this isn't the case. Even a reinstated Coolio subplot couldn't save this film. But if you're really curious about what you were missing in theaters, here's a pretty good representation of what you missed.
OK, you're right. That was incredible. You know it's a bad sign that Stan Lee hated this film, because he loves pretty much everything. Guess he wasn't offered to read the whole script before he did one of his signature cameos in it.
Thursday night was the first draft for the rebranded Charlotte Hornets and an exciting one for the team. With the ninth pick, the Hornets took Indiana power forward Noah Vonleh.
Few saw Vonleh as a realistic option for the team; he was predicted to go as high as the fourth pick. Analysts thought the Hornets would select Doug McDermott from Creighton University instead. Vonleh was an unexpected, but much-appreciated surprise. After the announcement Hornets guard Kemba Walker tweeted "Welcome to Charlotte @NoahVonleh I love that pick!"
Written after the two parts of Henry IV and before its sequel, Henry V, William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor is the only play by the Bard to be set in his own time. There is very little blank verse in the script, which substantiates the supposition that the uncharacteristic prose piece was rushed through the assembly line at the command of Queen Elizabeth I in the space of just 14 days - and perhaps hastily premiered on the playwright's 33rd birthday.
The raison d'ĂȘtre for this merry comedy is the fat knight immortalized in the Henriad, Sir John Falstaff, whom Her Majesty wished to see in the throes of love. You can judge for yourself at UpStage in NoDa whether Shakespeare truly fulfilled the queen's command, in a fresh production by Citizens of the Universe that doesn't seem to take place in any specific era at all.
COTU director Megan Sky may not even be insisting that we view the motley crowd onstage as fully human. Most of them are put in masks designed by Citizens peace-keeper James Cartee. They accentuate the bestiality of the whole lot, and tip the balance of the emotion driving Sir John further away from spiritual love to animal lust. It's a bit disorienting at first, especially with so many people onstage. Their aims are nebulous and have no interest in Sir John, but once the central merriment kicks in, it's a jolly ride.
Going out in Charlotte doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, to prove that statement, we've compiled a list of cheap - $10 or less - 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).
Play Date at Tempo: Adults can socialize and play games, including chess, UNO, Monopoly, Taboo and more. For a fun night out among fellow adults, this one is worth the admission price. $10 and up. June 27, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tempo, 4809 Wilkinson Blvd. 704-391-8909. www.tempocharlotte.com.
Top Secret at ImaginOn: The Main Library's Made in 1984: Hollywood Movies from 30 Years Ago series screens Top Secret. Free admission. June 28, 2 p.m. ImaginOn's Wells Fargo Playhouse, 300 E. 7th St.
Bearden Music Series: Americana at Romare Bearden Park: The park is great for relaxing, but today you can also enjoy this "Americana" themed event, featuring live music from SquareRoots (3:30 p.m.), Underhill Rose (5:30 p.m.), and Shenandoah (7:30 p.m.). Free admission. June 28, 3:30 p.m. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St.