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Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Aug 16, 2016 at 3:37 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 16, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Faye w/ Sinai Vessel and Yeesh at Snug Harbor
• Trivia at Big Ben British Pub & Restaurant
• Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves at BB&T Ballpark
• Fight Night Comedy Competition at The Comedy Zone
• Bingo at Killington's
• Faye w/ Sinai Vessel and Yeesh at Snug Harbor
• Trivia at Big Ben British Pub & Restaurant
• Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves at BB&T Ballpark
• Fight Night Comedy Competition at The Comedy Zone
• Bingo at Killington's
News CMPD now treating case of missing coworkers as homicide investigation
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Tue, Aug 16, 2016 at 2:47 PM
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released new details in the case of three missing Charlotte coworkers today, stating that a car belonging to Sandy Le has been found in Phoenix, Arizona, and that her two coworkers are now wanted for possession of a stolen car and for questioning in Le's disappearance.
Tru Quan "Sandy" Le, 23; Alexandro Castillo, 17; and Ahmia Feaster, 19, were all reported missing within a three-day period last week and investigators quickly made connections in the case. All three work at the same Charlotte restaurant, and it's believed that Le and Castillo were once in a relationship.
Feaster's car was found in Charlotte on Saturday, and now police say Le's car has been found in Phoenix. At a press conference held this afternoon, Maj. Cameron Selvey with the CMPD's Criminal Investigations Bureau told reporters that evidence gathered during the investigation shows that Castillo and Feaster drove the car cross-country and are believed to have crossed into Mexico. The CMPD is now treating the case as a homicide investigation, although there is no evidence that Le has been killed.
"We feel that due to the nature of [Le's] disappearance — the fact that no one has heard from her — we are very concerned for her safety and our goal is to find her and ideally to reunite her with her family. This is one of those situations where I say that we hope for the best but plan for the worst," Selvey said.
"We are investigating it as a homicide, but I am hoping for the best. I would love nothing more than to come back in front of you and say we found Ms. Le safe and sound and we could reunite her with her family," he said. "That’s my hope for the best. My plan for the worst is that we’re going to investigate it as seriously and as vigorously as we do any investigation, but especially with an eye on, if it were to go towards a homicide, that we have done all we can do to bring some closure and justice to her family, if we go down that path."
The change in status allows CMPD to put more detectives on the case, but they are also already in contact with FBI offices both in Charlotte and Phoenix.
"It’s one thing if I’m reaching across the border to Fort Mill, it’s a lot different if we’re reaching across international borders. Our federal partners will be assisting with that," Selvey said.
Anyone with any information on this case is asked to call 911 immediately.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 15, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Cherishing the Craft at Sugar Creek Brewing Co.
• Joyce Manor w/ Diet Cig, Dollar Signs at Neighborhood Theatre
• Yoga on the Roof at Rooftop 210
• Matthews Summer Movie Series, screening Big Hero 6 at Stumptown Park
• The Monday Night Allstars at Double Door Inn
• Cherishing the Craft at Sugar Creek Brewing Co.
• Joyce Manor w/ Diet Cig, Dollar Signs at Neighborhood Theatre
• Yoga on the Roof at Rooftop 210
• Matthews Summer Movie Series, screening Big Hero 6 at Stumptown Park
• The Monday Night Allstars at Double Door Inn
News Lunch Break (8/15/16): Third member of NC 6 released from custody; reward offered in case of missing trio
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at 11:30 AM
Wildin Acosta, one of the North Carolina Six that Creative Loafing reported on in March, was released late on Friday and brought by his family from the detention center in Georgia where he had been held for over six months to his home in Durham. "This is a big win for our community," Ivan Almonte, member of advocacy group Alerta Migratoria, said in a press release. "None of this would have been possible without all the people who stood by Wildin in his time of need. But this fight is not over. We still have more youths who are still detained or could very well be in detention soon."
Three of the NC 6 have now been released, while three remain in custody of immigration officials. Yefri Sorto-Hernandez of Charlotte was released on $30,000 bond in late June, while Pedro Salmeron, also of Charlotte, remains in Stewart Detention Facility in rural Georgia. It is feared that Salmeron and Bilmer Juarez of Greenville are facing imminent deportation, with action being taken possible this week.
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There is now a $10,000 reward being offered for information in the case of three missing people whose cases appear to be connected. Truc Quan (Sandy) Le, 23; Alexandro Castillo, 17; and Ahmia Feaster, 19, all went missing last week, and Feaster's car was found abandoned in east Charlotte on Saturday morning. All three of the missing people work together and are believed to be together. Castillo, for example, was last seen being picked up by Feaster outside of his home. It's been reported that at least one of the missing people contacted family on Saturday evening and said they are safe but don't know where they are. Family members believe they are being held against their will. CMPD asks that anyone with info on the missing trio call 911 immediately.
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A 30-year-old man was killed Sunday morning in Steele Creek after overcorrecting on a curve on Steele Creek Road and losing control of his vehicle. Police said Bufford ran off the road and struck tree near Hamilton Place Drive. Speed is believed to be a factor in this wreck, although it's unclear whether alcohol was a factor.
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Police have arrested Gary Austin, 52, for the murder of Donnelle McDonald, 31, in east Charlotte on Saturday morning. Police responded to a domestic-related assault call on Olde Savannah Road at 12:34 a.m. on Saturday and found McDonald suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Medic. By 7:30 a.m., police had already interviewed and arrested Austin, charging him with murder.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Saturday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 13, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Member Show/Reception w/ Benji Hughes at McColl Center for Art + Innovation
• Charlotte Latin Pride Expo at Midwood International Cultural Center
• Squirt Day Party at Snug Harbor
• Dixie Chicks at PNC Music Pavilion
• Rouge at Booth Playhouse
• Member Show/Reception w/ Benji Hughes at McColl Center for Art + Innovation
• Charlotte Latin Pride Expo at Midwood International Cultural Center
• Squirt Day Party at Snug Harbor
• Dixie Chicks at PNC Music Pavilion
• Rouge at Booth Playhouse
Friday, August 12, 2016
News Lunch Break (8/12/16): Man killed during suspected break-in; free 'Sausage Party in Your Mouth'
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Fri, Aug 12, 2016 at 11:45 AM
A man was killed in west Charlotte last night after he may have attempted to break into an apartment where someone was home. Police say the man, 26-year-old Stan Wilson, Jr., entered an apartment on Park Fairfax Drive at around 7:40 p.m. last night. A struggle ensued, and Wilson was stabbed. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police are currently investigating whether Wilson knew the occupants of the apartment.
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CMPD released pictures of three men who are all wanted for cutting off and discarding electronic monitoring bracelets they had been ordered to wear as a condition of their pre-trial release. Police ask that anyone who sees the men pictured below call 704-432-8888, option 3, or call 911.
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JJ's Red Hots, a perennial winner for Best Hot Dog in Charlotte's annual Best of Charlotte issue (2016 voting open now) will be offering free sausages to customers returning from the film Sausage Party, which opens today. The promotion, which is being called "A Sausage Party in Your Mouth," begins today and will last through Sunday.
“This sounds like our type of movie so we decided to go all in. This promotion falls squarely in the ‘We don’t take ourselves too seriously’ camp.” said JJ’s proprietor and founder Jonathan Luther in a press release. “We treat our sausages a little better than they did in the movie so go have some laughs then grab some great eats on the house during opening weekend.”
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Watauga Online has been updating readers all morning on a massive fire at Valle Landing strip mall, next door to Valle Crucis School. There were reportedly six people in the apartment complex above the strip mall when the fire started. Three were treated on scene, one was transported to a local hospital, another was flown out with life-threatening injuries and yet another is still unaccounted for. At its peak, the fire reached seven alarm status. (Kenneth Reece, Watauga Online)
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Friday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Aug 12, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 12, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• The Okee Dokee Brothers at McGlohon Theater
• Pokemon Go Bar Crawl at EpiCentre
• Nervosa at Milestone
• The Outsiders at Armour Street Theatre
• Sloan at Bonkerz Comedy Club
• The Okee Dokee Brothers at McGlohon Theater
• Pokemon Go Bar Crawl at EpiCentre
• Nervosa at Milestone
• The Outsiders at Armour Street Theatre
• Sloan at Bonkerz Comedy Club
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Live Reviews / Music Motion City Soundtrack graces a Charlotte stage for the last time
Posted By Alison Angel on Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 2:11 PM
It was a bittersweet moment for Motion City Soundtrack fans in Charlotte on Wednesday as the band took the Fillmore Charlotte stage for one last performance.
This tour, appropriately titled “So Long, Farewell,” marks the end of an era for a generation that came up on the Vans Warped Tour in its prime. Energy was high, but slowly dwindled by night’s end as the crowd realized the group that defined them from their tweens onward was really gone for good.
Motion City Soundtrack made a name for themselves nearly 20 years ago thanks to thought-provoking pop-punk songs that somehow manage to be upbeat while sparking a dialogue on mental health. The band consists of singer and guitarist Justin Pierre, guitarist Joshua Cain, keyboardist Jesse Johnson, bassist Matthew Taylor and drummer Tony Thaxton. They released their official debut “I Am the Movie” in 2003 on Epitaph Records and have been releasing and touring nonstop ever since.
Until now, that is. Fans across the world were heartbroken to hear that the 2016 tour would be their last.
After sets by openers Great Big Pile of Leaves and Roswell Kid, Motion City Soundtrack hit the stage and charged into “Back to the Beat,” an impressive fast-paced jam that furiously set the tone for the rest of the evening. The group raged through their extensive catalogue of songs, playing fan favorites back-to-back without pausing or missing a single note. These guys have been performing together for two decades, after all. By this point, their live performance is a well-oiled machine.
The entire 90-minute show was really just for their beloved fans. Pierre rarely stopped to chat between sets (“I’m trying to get better about it,” he told the crowd sheepishly), but when he did, it was to profusely thank every person in the room for sticking with them til the end. “I hope you feel lots of feelings about feelings,” he quipped.
They’ve always had a way of bringing their music to life on previous tours, but perhaps the sound resonated so much more on Wednesday night because they group knew it was the final curtain call. Each song seemed driven by a manic energy, the band feeding off of the audience and the audience responding in kind. The Fillmore, maybe half full at the start of the show, practically shook as Motion City Soundtrack’s devoted fans screamed the words back to their heroes. Now that’s some serious band love.
They ended their regular set with “Everything is Alright,” possibly the most upbeat song ever written about having an anxiety attack. The crowd screamed the words back to them, negating the need for Pierre’s amazing vocals (he happily chimed in anyways). After the demands of the crowd took hold, they returned for a three song encore, the very last time Charlotte got to see them perform together as a group. Every fan knew how special this moment was, dancing ferociously and begging for more before the inevitable conclusion.
Motion City Soundtrack ended up playing an impressive 22-song set that spanned six studio albums. It was like a greatest hits concert from a band in its heyday. If you missed it, you missed a historic moment in the life of a band that defined a generation.
Setlist
1. Back to the Beat
2. Cambridge
3. Capital H
4. Her Words Destroyed My Planet
5. True Romance
6. It Had to Be You
7. Make Out Kids
8. Time Turned Fragile
9. L.G. FUAD
10. Last Night
11. My Favorite Accident
12. This Is For Real
13. Attractive Today
14. Broken Heart
15. Better Open the Door
16. When “You’re” Around
17. Hold Me Down
18. A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help)
19. Everything is Alright
Encore
20. Anything At All
21. Even If It Kills Me
22. The Future Freaks Me Out
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Thursday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 11, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Seminar at Duke Energy Theater
• River Jam Series w/ Davy Knowles at Duke Energy Theater
• James Davis at The Comedy Zone
• Potions & Pixels at Petra's
• Trivia at VBGB
• Seminar at Duke Energy Theater
• River Jam Series w/ Davy Knowles at Duke Energy Theater
• James Davis at The Comedy Zone
• Potions & Pixels at Petra's
• Trivia at VBGB
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Aug 10, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 10, 2016 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally: Summer of 69, No Apostrophe at Ovens Auditorium
• Motion City Soundtrack at The Fillmore
• Charlotte Knights vs. Louisville Cardinals at BB&T Ballpark
• Marshall Crenshaw at The Evening Muse
• God Save the Queen City w/ The Everymen, Kansas Bible Company and The Business People at Snug Harbor
• Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally: Summer of 69, No Apostrophe at Ovens Auditorium
• Motion City Soundtrack at The Fillmore
• Charlotte Knights vs. Louisville Cardinals at BB&T Ballpark
• Marshall Crenshaw at The Evening Muse
• God Save the Queen City w/ The Everymen, Kansas Bible Company and The Business People at Snug Harbor
