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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Point 8 Blog / News Introducing: The Point8 Blog
Posted By Manoj P Kesavan on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Welcome to the Point8 Blog — a joint venture of Creative Loafing and Point8 Forum. It will be a weekly open forum for artists to discuss everything related to the arts. And we use the term “artist” in its broadest sense — as anyone who is involved in, or care about, any kind of creative venture.
Like the Point8 forums, the Pecha Kucha series, and other such “real” activities we have done over the years, we hope to develop this into a virtual venue for the open exchange of ideas, sharing of work, and objective critique. And as always, we hope to remain a grassroots initiative, where the participants decide the topics, as well as the course of the discussions.
We are what you want us to be; however, as we start off, we would also like to differentiate ourselves from what is often considered the norm:
We are not about punditry.
We are not a group of media experts/professional critics passing judgment, deciding what is important, and what is not worth talking about.
We are not about ratings/hits/pageviews.
The ratings driven, cover-what-sells approach of most conventional media has ended up eliminating almost all discussions about arts/culture. We would like to stick to our belief that what really matters cannot be judged by the number of hits or comments on an article, and not let popularity be the main determinant for what we choose to discuss.
We are not about dumbing down.
Whenever the local media covers anything artistic/cultural, the general assumption appears to be that the audience is totally ignorant about the medium, and so the discussion needs to be at the most rudimentary level. That approach also ensures that the level of discussion never rises beyond the basics. We would like to start by respecting the knowledge and intelligence of our audience.
We are not about issues/controversies
Unfortunately, much of the debate about the arts in Charlotte is driven by people who don’t really care about the arts. Politicians/talking heads raise some hot button issue for political purposes, immediately prompting everyone to split into opposing camps. A shouting match ensues, drowning out all possibilities for a real discussion or critique. We are not interested in provoking or perpetuating that kind of a “dialogue”.
The contributors:
To start off, the blog will be led by me, Barbara Schreiber, and Jeff Jackson. Barbara will provide her unique commentary on the goings on in the visual art scene, and Jeff will keep us updated about the movie/music/literature scenes, drawing attentions to events/issues not covered or discussed otherwise. We hope to grow the team as we go forward.
Our thanks to Carlton Hargro and the CL team for giving us the opportunity, and moreover, for being infinitely patient while we got our act together.
And as always, our thanks to you — the creative individuals of Charlotte and this region — who helped build and sustain Point8. Make this blog yours. It is time artists led the discussion about arts in this town. Help us make it happen — by joining the conversation, by contributing and commenting.
— Manoj P Kesavan
News No wind turbines for them thar hills
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Will we ever get anywhere if we're constantly taking one step forward and two steps back? Sure we will. We'll find ourselves drowning off the coast.
The North Carolina State Senate has voted overwhelmingly to ban large wind turbines from the state’s scenic western ridgelines.The 42-1 vote on Thursday represents the strongest stand against wind turbines taken by lawmakers in any state. The bill would amend a 1983 “ridge law” to allow only turbines that are 100 feet or smaller to be placed on ridgelines above 3,000 feet. This effectively bars industrial-sized turbines — which can reach several hundred feet in height — from the windy mountaintops.
The bill has been sent to the state’s House of Representatives for consideration. However, the House is due to adjourn in a few days, so the debate is likely to resume after the legislature returns next May
March, according to Brandon R. Blevins, the wind program coordinator for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
More from Green, Inc., a New York Times blog.
More about wind energy in North Carolina:
News Did it really take this long to discover he broke the law?
Posted By Cheris Hodges on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:37 AM
If justice is swift, this is my last Mark Sanford blog.
But we are talking about South Carolina, so I'll probably be writing about the governor until he leaves office on his own. You know, when his term is up.
According to an Associated Press story, The S.C. senate says Sanford broke the law, not when he left the state without leadership while he was poking Maria in Argentina, but when he took first class flights and charged it to the taxpayers.
State Sen. David Thomas, whose budget committee investigated Sanford's flights after reports last month by The Associated Press, sent evidence to Senate leaders Monday showing the Republican governor violated state laws requiring the cheapest travel possible.Thomas said Sanford's pricier flights on two trips cost $13,700 more than the economy flights available.
Legislators can consider sanctions against Sanford ranging from demanding reimbursement to impeachment, said Thomas, a Republican from Fountain Inn.
“It could be perceived, if it's significant enough and a case can be made of it, to constitute a case for possible impeachment,” Thomas said.
A possible case for impeachment? Why doesn't someone in S.C. government grow a pair and force this lame duck out of office? What has Mark Sanford really been doing to make the Palmetto State a better place?
He didn't want stimulus money and if any state needs it, our southern friends do. Have you driven on a South Carolina road lately?
Maybe this is where part of the money to fix S.C. went:
Last month the AP reported Sanford, who once criticized state officials for costly travel, charged the state over $37,600 for first-class and business-class flights overseas since November 2005.Thomas, chairman of the Constitutional and Administrative Subcommittee of Senate Finance, conducted his own probe, focusing on state trips Sanford took to China in 2007 and London in 2006.
Sanford's $12,172 charge for travel to China included business-class accommodations on United Airlines. He also flew in first class on U.S. Airways to London in 2006 for $7,065, state records show.
Thomas said there is no documentation showing Sanford or anyone else reimbursed the state for the more expensive flights. Other state employees traveled in the less expensive economy class on those flights, he said.
Sanford charged the state $8,687 for a trip to Brazil last year that included a leg in the more expensive business class, records show. He has since acknowledged visiting his mistress in Argentina during that trip, a trade mission planned by the state's Commerce Department, and reimbursed the state $3,300 for part of the trip.
Hey, hey, ho, ho, it is time for Mark Sanford to go!
Boomer with Attitude / News Sanford guilty, impeachment doubtful
Posted By John Grooms on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:15 AM
The South Carolina Senate’s Budget Committee reports that Gov. Mark “Latin Lover” Sanford broke state law when he charged taxpayers for pricy flights. S.C. laws require the governor to fly on the cheapest flights possible. Next up for investigation, says budget committee chairman Sen. David Thomas (who, needless to say, is running for Congress or he wouldn’t be doing all this work), will be new allegations that Sanford used state-owned aircraft for such things as flying to a haircut appointment, a dentist’s visit, and his kids’ sporting events.
Thomas says the legislature could consider penalizing Gov. Frugal in several ways, from demanding repayment to impeachment. South Carolina politics are notoriously unpredictable, but it seems very doubtful that Sanford will be impeached, mainly for internal GOP political reasons.
First, as we’ve pointed out before, Sanford’s term will be up at the end of 2010, and he’s never been much of a governor anyway, preferring to carp from the sidelines rather than actively participate in political horsetrading. In other words, his influence is next to nil, so why bother? Secondly, the Lieutenant Governor, Andre Bauer, isn’t many S.C. Republicans’ first choice (to put it mildly) to be the next governor, as most GOP legislators suspect he’s gay (no, this isn’t a joke). Giving Bauer the office after a Sanford impeachment would give the Lt. Gov. a strong advantage going into next year’s GOP primary, where he will face very strong opposition from S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster (whose career is another outrageous story we’ll no doubt have reason to write about at some point in the future).
Who knows! Perhaps Sanford will get tired of his problems and resign. Or maybe he'll pile up petty crimes to the point that lawmakers will be forced to get rid of him before his term is up. But at this point, our guess is that it would take at least another serious bombshell (another affair, anyone?) to move S.C. legislators off their collective butts.
Arts / News Block 'Em Sock 'Em Rollers win again
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:04 AM
The Charlotte Roller Girls held another intra-league bout on Aug. 9 at the Grady Cole Center. The Block 'Em Sock 'Em Rollers defeated the Fraid Knots 97-95. Here are some views from the bout:
Arts / News Free actor training workshops
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Machine Theatre announced it will be offering free actor training workshops on voice, body and ensemble creation on Mon., Aug. 17 and Tues., Aug. 18, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. at Story Slam, which is held at 1401 Central Ave., Ste. 103. Read more about the workshops in the press release below.
Machine Theatre is offering two nights of free actor training workshops. These two evenings will be the first in an on-going series of open workshops led by Machine Theatre company member Barney Baggett. Barney Baggett holds an M.F.A from the prestigious Delle Arte’ International School of Physical Theatre and will be directing Machine Theatre’s up-coming production ThomThom(if that bird won’t sing).The workshops are divided into two nights:
Monday August 17th – The Art of Play- Stop acting and start playing! This workshop will empower the actor with the skills necessary to abandon the self and engage what really matters: the play. Learn how the game works, how winners often lose, and how losers sometimes win.
Tuesday August 18th – The Dynamic Performer- Inspired by giants of 20th century actor training Carlo Mezzone Clementi, Jacques Lecoq, and Carlos Simioni, this work incorporates principles of clown, butoh, and mask to arm the performer with an intuitive strength, a vivid dexterity, and the joy of imbalance.
These workshops are free and open to the public but space is limited. Please email machinetheatre@gmail.com to reserve your space. For more information about Machine Theatre’s Actor Training program, future productions, and community involvement programs, please contact Matt Cosper at 704-996-3432 and visit http://www.machinetheatre.org.
News Sen. Burr (R) votes 'No, no, no'
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 9:37 AM
No to funding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
No to funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
No to Sonia Sotomayor's nomination.
No to extending "Cash for Clunkers."
Yes to being a cheerleader for "The Party of No."
The same party that's so busy saying "no" that they can't bother to come up with any ideas for solutions to our country's problems. It's one thing to disagree; it's another thing to be a crowd of obstinate children stomping their feet because they're still sore about their party losing (and losing big) in the last election.
Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, voted "Yes" on all of the same bills. See for yourself:
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Today's Top 5: Tuesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Aug. 11, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• The B-52's and Snagglepuss at The Fillmore
• Death Under Cover at Luce Restaurant & Bar
• Mutzie at Lake Norman Comedy Zone in Galway Hooker
• Sugar Ray with Fastball and Aimee Allen at Amos' Southend
• Scene in America exhibit at Jerald Melberg Gallery
Monday, August 10, 2009
Arts / News Live review: Tone-X's celebrity roast
Posted By Alexzenia Davis on Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Comedian Tone-X has been tickling Charlotte’s funny bone for quite some time. But on Monday, August 3, it was the comedian’s turn to laugh as the spotlight turned on him in a very special way.
Anthony Belser, a radio personality on Charlotte’s Power 98 WPEG and host of Tuesday night’s Tone-X & Friends Comedy Show, has never shied away from his opportunity to shine. His resume boasts of spots on Russell Simmons “Def Comedy Jam”, BET’s Comic View, and a feature on Diddy’s “The Bad Boys of Comedy”. He is an announcer for the Charlotte Bobcats and recently embarked on a three state tour with Mo’Nique; branding his name on a more wide scale level.
So naturally, it was time to roast him.
The surprise event, organized by Y Square Management and Swagger TV, took place at Apostrophe Lounge — an intimate spot located in Charlotte's South End neighborhood. On this particular night, the normally upscale venue was even more star studded as some of the city’s finest walked the red carpet in honor of “Uncle Tone.”
Before Tone’s arrival, guests were treated to performances by Y Square Management artists Quills and Ida Divine. DJ Skills manned the booth, keeping everyone’s energy on high.
The limo arrived soon after toting a well groomed Tone-X, and was escorted by managers — wife, Yolanda Belser and business partner Kimberly Edmonds. Photographers swarmed to take pictures of the guest of honor and Power 98’s Janine Davis pulled him aside for an interview where he admitted he had no idea what was in store for him.
As the doors opened, Jay-Z’s Encore blared through the sound system and at least 150 guests cheered him on as he took his seat center stage. Bluz, host of the event, kicked off the roasting session. Other roasters included fellow Power 98 personalities Janine “JD” Davis and No Limit Larry, local comedian, Neecie, and Tone X & Friends co-host, Chris “Funnyman” Robinson. Stacey Blackman of Q92 took to the DJ booth later in the evening.
Also in attendance were media representatives from several publications including Metro Proponent News, us here at Creative Loafing, Qcitymetro.com, and Craig Martin from South Coast Marketing. Present were Charlotte Bobcat’s announcer Pat Doughty and host Caroline Renfro, celebrity stylist Sparkles, and make-up artist Fatima B. VP of Radio One, and arguably one of the most influential African Americans in radio, Wayne K Brown made an appearance. Charles Woodyard, CEO of the Charlotte Housing Authority and Jameka Whitten of NABEFEME also came out to lend support.
It proved to be an emotional night; one full of good humor and well deserved appreciation. It was a night that reminded everyone that it is important to make the time to recognize people in the midst of their goodness; a reminder that good people are like good jokes — they’re to be applauded in the moment and they stick with you for a lifetime.
Arts / News Live review: Uptown magazine's Elegant Arts Affair
Posted By Angela Hilst on Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Who: Uptown magazine.
What: An Elegant Arts Affair.
When: A balmy evening last Friday night.
Where: Mercedes-Benz dealership in Pineville.
Attire: Hamptons Chic.
Grade: A
When I received the invitation to attend this soiree in my inbox, my first thought, after mentally rummaging through my closet to determine if I had an outfit that could be considered “Hamptons Chic,” I quickly concluded that I simply had to be present for THIS event.
Besides mixing two things that I enjoy: the arts & live jazz (compliments of the band 5th and York), the details of this event stood to offer something distinctly atypical from the many relatively entertaining but otherwise run-of-the-mill events in Charlotte.
Turns out my instincts were correct.
As promised, it was an event replete with beautiful people, lovely music and gorgeous art — where designer labels and air kisses abounded. Yet, somewhat unexpectedly, the atmosphere also managed to be refreshingly comfortable and decidedly un-stuffy. It was a whole lot of upscale with a spattering of Southern hospitality.
Guests meandered amongst the works of featured artists Derek Mayo, Nellie Ashford, James Biggers, and Roz Kareem Jackson, which were strategically displayed throughout the interior of the dealership. Another nice touch — tables of appetizers, including a carving station for noshing while mingling, and an open bar to wash it all down.
The guest list at the door was strict, but I suppose it must be when you are forced to close the guest list in just two days due to overwhelming response. I predict keeping the event that exclusive will work well toward generating a buzz for future such events. And hopefully there will be more ... soon.
Bravo, Charlotte!
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Did they ever catch the killer from the Mulberry Church Road murders?
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News Round Up 4/25/08
