theCLog

Friday, Nov. 21

Food: Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tasting Festival
Levine Museum of the New South
Viva la France! And viva la French wine, Lindt chocolate, jazz quartets, and a night to enjoy the sweetness of it all! Get your tickets now, and drink your fill on Friday.

Film: Twilight bites into cinemas, along with Bolt, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Ashes of Time Redux.

Music: Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson combine forces to rock the 2 Worlds, 2 Voices Tour at Time Warner Cable Arena.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, Nov. 14

Arts: Dance Charlotte!
Booth Playhouse
Charlotte Dance Festival brings the moves to Blumenthal with a variety of acts from N.C. and beyond.

Film: A shaken, but not stirred, Bond is back in Quantum of Solace, and Matt Brunson has the review.

Music: Ala Muerte brings haunting tones to the Milestone.

Saturday, Nov. 15

Food: Soul Food
All over
Discover the best soul food in the Queen City, just in time for some comfort on cold autumn days.

Arts: The play Cell Phone Blues is about Charlotte, so show love for your city at the Afro-American Cultural Center.

Music: The Re-Rapture Party, featuring the best alternative and obscure music from the’80s, rocks it at the Visulite.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, Sept. 26

Film
Third Annual Charlotte Film Festival: Charlotte’s hottest fest will feature dozens of indie feature films, documentaries, shorts and student works. Plus, there will also be panel discussions, an opening night gala and a work-in-progress. Various locations. www.charlottefilmfestival.org. Find more in Film.

Music
Iced Earth: Metal legends in their own right, with over 20 years of touring and recording, Iced Earth brings classically tinged metal that spew soaring vocals. With Saviours and Into Eternity. Amos’ Southend. www.amossouthend.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
The Charlotte Shout Culinary Arts Experience: Two-day event featuring national and local culinary experts (like Cat Cora of Iron Chef American and Curtis Stone of Take Home Chef), cooking seminars, wine seminars, tasty martinis, free samples and cooking displays. Bon Appetit! Johnson & Wales Campus. www.charlotteshout.com. Find more in Arts.

Food
Flying Biscuit Café: Fast, casual dining that welcomes family breakfasts, sports team brunches and after-school dinners. 7930 Rea Road. 704-295-4440. Find more in Food.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, September 19

Film
I see dead people: In Ghost Town, Ricky Gervais plays a socially awkward man with the ability to see and speak to the dead. Instead of a friendly Casper, he’s stuck with demanding Greg Kinnear, and a host of others in need of a medium. Check us out tomorrow for Matt Brunson’s review of the film on its opening day. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film.Find more in Film.

Music
A rare Jewell: Eilen Jewell paints vivid images of lost American highways with her sad voice and music, which is just the right weave of timeless country, blues and a hint of jazz. A drive through a desert highway in the still of the night is the vibe here. She croons her tales while the Boston-based singer’s scrap band colors the words. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Festival in the Park: Bring the whole family out to the 44th Annual Festival in the Park, a four-day event based on promoting the local art scene. With numerous artists sharing their works and lots of entertainers and live bands providing free performances throughout the weekend, there’s definitely something for everyone. This festival has been a Charlotte tradition since 1964 and is always adding new events, like this year’s youth talent show. Free. Freedom Park. www.festivalinthepark.org. Find more in Arts.

Food
La Canasta Dominicana Restaurant: Small, friendly, bi-lingual family-owned place offering well-prepared root and fruit island dishes. Also: Seafood, stewed goat and homemade desserts. 4804 Central Ave., 704-536-0009. Find more in Food.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, Sept. 12

Film
Burn After Reading: Brad Pitt and George Clooney are super bffs. Do you think that they can even consider making a movie without one another? The latest Coen Brothers feature plays spy with the duo, and stars Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.

Music
The Houstons: Brothers Justin and Matt Faircloth play four instruments between them, all on one stage. Their mid-tempo shuffle of the songs works perfectly whether one’s settling in for the evening or preparing to take the town by storm. With North Elementary and Barton Carroll. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Foxfire: It’s nearly time head over yonder to Carolina Actors Studio Theatre, as it presents the new musical/play Foxfire. The nitty-gritty country tale features bluegrass, greedy real estate men, and characters named Aunt Annie and Dillard Nations, with a heap of charm. $18-$22 Carolina Actors Studio Theatre. www.nccast.com. Find more in Arts.

Food
Kabob Grill: Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food featuring falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj and baklava. 1235 East Blvd. www.kabobgrill.com. Find more in Food.
(more…)

Bookmark It

Plan your weekend with Creative Loafing!

Friday, September 5

Film
Bangkok Dangerous: Not to be confused with the series of books by John Burdett (Bangkok 8, Bangkok Tattoo, etc.), this re-make of a Thai movie for American audiences involves Nicolas Cage killing people overseas. As opposed to the other movies where Nicolas Cage kills people. See it if you’re feeling dangerous, or bored. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.

Music
Peace Jones: Asheville’s Peace Jones combine funk, prog-rock, jazz and folk into a happy-go-lucky musical trip that’s as danceable as it is hummable. They are one of the few rock outfits that channel the mild-mannered flute as an accent to their giddy groove. The lyrics touch on message and social overtones. With Overstood. Double Door Inn. www.doubledoorinn.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Go Greek: The Yiasou Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture in the Q.C., with a taste of cuisine, entertainment and more. Take a tour of Charlotte’s own Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral; stare down the impressive structure and its artifacts, while listening to a choral performance. $2; Children 12 and under free. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. www.yiasoufestival.org. Find more in Arts.

Food
Genaro’s Rotisserie: Features charcoal rotisserie chicken and other Peruvian-style delights. 14039 Hwy. 74. 704-893-2744. Find more in Food.
(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, August 29

Film
Elegy: Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz star as a professor and former student engaged in a May-December romance. CL’s own film critic Matt Brunson gave this film 3 and ½ stars … check it out for yourself and see if you agree! Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.

Music
Elf rock: The Athens-based indie rockers Elf Power come out of the cave and into Charlotte for a performance that consists of an eclectic blend of psychedelic and folk rock genres. L.A. Tool & Die to open. $8-$10. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Alive and kicking: Kick off Labor Day weekend at the Matthews Alive! Festival. The four-day family-oriented event features music, locally made arts and crafts, a parade, quilt shows, a Kiwanis race and lots of activities for children. Free admission. Tickets 75 cents or 20 for $12. Stumptown Park-Matthews Community Center. www.matthewsalive.org. Find more in Arts.

Food
The Press Box: With a pub-like interior, this meeting place is a Charlotte tradition for burgers, sandwiches and salads. 1627 Montford Dr. 704-523-4981. Find more in Food.
(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, August 22

Film
The House Bunny: Fluffy? Probably. Funny? Hopefully. Anna Farris takes the leading role as an aging Playboy bunny forced to seek higher education. Let’s see the twits on The Girls Next Door do that. Nepotism is alive and well in Hollywood: Look for Colin (son of Tom) Hanks, and Rumer (daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce) Willis taking supporting roles in this movie. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.

Music
Caleb Caudle and The Bayonets: Tapping into classic country and roots music, Winston-Salem’s Caudle writes songs tempered with Southern warmth and plenty rocking energy. There’s natural soul in his writing, nothing seems to be forced. With Luego and Dylan Gilbert. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Trashy: CL’s Moodswing columnist Hollis Gillespie signs her latest book, Trailer Trashed. Grab an autograph and chat about the nuances of literature in the 21st Century. Or ask her if her trailer park friends are real or imaginary. Either way, go show your love. Park Road Books. www.parkroadbooks.com. Find more in Arts.

Food
Taipei South: With dozens of dishes like house specialties, fried and steamer selections, traditional Chinese and vegetarian dishes, lo mien and chow fun, the success of Taipei is apparent; lots of good food at a significantly low price. 10106 Johnston Road, Suite A. 704-542-8038. Find more in Food.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, Aug. 15

Film
Tropic Thunder: Yes, TT opened on Wednesday, but today’s your day to catch up. The action film-within-a-film is surprisingly hilarious, and will (almost!) make you forget the past flops of Ben Stiller. Ol’ Zoolander wisely shares the stage to let his co-stars shine, and each actor entices giggles from the audience. Robert Downy Jr. is fantastic, and a few surprising cameos will make your jaw drop. Be early for this one – the first 10 minutes are not to be missed. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film.
Find more in Film.

Music
Smashing darling: On a short nine-stop tour, Charlotte should feel lucky to have Smashing Pumpkins gearing up to play at Ovens Auditorium. Crafty, moody and always thought-provoking, Smashing Pumpkin’s music is what keeps many other bands going on (and fans too). Ovens Auditorium. www.livenation.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
LOL: Buzz about Billy Gardell has earned him guest appearances on a number of screens, silver and small (Bad Santa, CSI, Judging Amy, Desperate Housewives), but the actor and comedian is pretty big on the laughs, too. The Pineville Dinner Theater. www.pinevilledinnertheater.com. Find more in Arts.

Food
Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine: Family-owned, family-styled restaurant offering authentic stews and other culinary pleasures from an ancient culture. Reservations suggested for the coffee ceremony. 601 S. Kings Drive. 704-335-1197. Find more in Food.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Friday, August 8

Film
Pineapple Express: Seth Rogen and James Franco are blazing through their troubles in this new stoner movie sure to grace the TV screens of college freshman dorm rooms throughout the country 24/7 as soon as it hits DVD. Catch it before the funniest lines are ruined by 17-year-old boys repeating them as their own. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.

Music
Crooked Still: Boston’s Crooked Still is currently touring to support their June release, Still Crooked. The band’s third album continues their combination of folk, bluegrass and world music. Fiddles, banjo, cello, ukulele … they’ve even used a glockenspiel. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Nostalgia: It’s been 20 years (to the day) that the first episode of Yo! MTV Raps was aired on MTV, and Breakfast Club is celebrating with a “back in the day” old-school party. Actor and rapper Tone Loc will be performing live. Break dancers will be performing in front of the club, and arrive early for a chance to win gold-plated, Run-DMC-style rope chains, bling watches, florescent painters hats and neon glasses. Breakfast Club. www.that80sclub.com. Find more in Arts.

Food
Wan Fu: Upscale Americanized Chinese restaurant where your favorite dishes are beautifully presented and always delicious. 10719 Kettering Dr. 704-541-1688. Find more in Food.

(more…)

Bookmark It