Vibe, one of the top hip-hop and R&B magazines since 1993, is shutting down. The company will provide a statement later on in the day. I would imagine that money, as well as the state of the music industry, have something to do with this. Nevertheless, it was a powerhouse while it lasted.
Denizens of Charlotte’s nightlife, it’s time to get excited: The funky, “intercontinental love fest” known as Sol-Fusion is coming to the Queen City on Saturday, June 27.
What exactly is Sol-Fusion? Well, the easy answer to that question is it’s a club/DJ/dance event that was birthed in Atlanta and has been THE party to attend there for years. But, for all the other details about the shindig, let’s hear what the guys behind Sol-Fusion Charlotte (which will feature sounds by DJ Kemit and DJ D.R.) — Atlanta-based promoter J. Carter and Charlotte-based promoter Mike Kitchen — have to say:
Creative Loafing: First thing I wanna know is, for people who have never been to Sol-Fusion, how would you describe it?
J. Carter: Hmmm … the best way to describe it is, if they remember that feeling when they were like in 11th and 12th grade in their friend’s parents’ basement and they would just let go and party like it was nobody’s business — I would explain it much, much like that. But I would also kind of describe it as more so a party for someone who would have anything from rock, classic-hip hop, reggae, funk, disco, [or] house, in their iPod … You know, so it’s a party for a more trained-ear individual.
Now, this party started in Atlanta and it’s a success there; but how do you think Charlotte — which is regarded by many as a fickle market for nightlife events — will receive it?
Mike Kitchen: Kitch: I think they’ll receive it well because I think its time for it. When we originally talked about it, which was years, years, years ago, Charlotte wasn’t ready for it at that time. I don’t think we had the right type of folks who would enjoy entertainment like that. But now, being that you have different people moving in and out all the time, and plus we have different events that pretty much cultivate that type of music and movement that I think it’s ready for.
J. Carter: I think that the one good thing that ya’ll have out in Charlotte is there’s a lot of transplants. There’s folks that are from the Northeast that have relocated to Charlotte. There’s actually quite a few transplants from the Atlanta area as well. It just seems like there are a lot of people in Charlotte that are from different areas that appreciate all different types of music. And that’s what Sol-Fusion is, man. And your boy Kitchen has a strong base in Charlotte, and people basically know what he offers and the types of events and the style that he offers. So I think we’re gonna be OK. And if they ain’t ready for us, they better get ready. Cause we’re not gonna water down how we do and how we party. And Kemit’s gonna give you Kemit. So, you know, when we leave on Sunday, they’re gonna be like “What the hell was that?” — in a good way. So we’re already planning for the second trip.
What exactly can people expect when they come to Sol-Fusion?
Carter: I think what we’re gonna do is mainly just show them the variety of music and the style and just how we party. I think the first one should just be a really good introduction.
Kitchen: Its gonna be a mini version of the one in Atlanta. The music’s definitely gonna be totally different. Of course the people are gonna be somewhat different because some people from Atlanta are coming up. I’m sure this one’s gonna do well, and then once it does well, we’ll do it on a bigger scale and that way we can kind of merge the art from that city with the art from this city. Really go full-out, ass-out on them.
Interested? Well to get a better understanding of Sol-Fusion, check out this video clip of the party in action:
For more info, visit www.thesolkitchen.com.
This just in from the folks at K104.7:
WKQC/K104.7 announces morning show
WKQC announces seasoned broadcast veteran Jon Robinson will be the host of K104.7’s “Jon Robinson Show” 5:30-10 weekday mornings. Robinson, who has been in the television and radio industry for over twenty years, will be waking up the Carolinas beginning Monday December 8th with a more music morning show having a local appeal while focusing on the at work listener. The “Jon Robinson Show” will also be streaming live at www.k1047.com.
“Jon has one of the most recognizable voices in the Carolinas”, said Vice President and General Manager Keith Cornwell. “Whether you heard him as the voice for the Carolina Panthers at the Bank of America Stadium, on talk radio or his news anchoring days, his passion and commitment to broadcasting has earned him respect and admiration throughout the community.”
Robinson is a native Carolinian who resides in Gastonia with his wife and two sons. A cancer survivor, Robinson is actively involved in Hope Cancer Ministry, a support group for cancer patients and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. “I enjoy giving back to those in need and those struggling with life and all of its challenges,” said Robinson. “Being back on the radio and entrenched in the community is the next opportunity I am looking forward to the most.”
CBS Radio station K104.7 is Charlotte’s At Work listening leader playing the most Cool Songs from three decades and Charlotte’s first station to go green. K104.7 Always Cool Songs.
OK, maybe not we. Music editor Jeff Hahne will be, though, tomorrow morning to talk about, uh, music. Click here for more details.
Live Nation, one of the country’s largest music promotion companies, is coming to Charlotte.
Rick and Noah Lazes of the Ark Group, the development team behind the North Carolina Music Factory, made the announcement today.
“We now have Live Nation on board and they’re going to put the music in the Music Factory,” said Noah Lazes. “Live Nation is going to bring a 2,000-seat live music club from San Francisco called the Fillmore as well as operate the 5,000-seat outdoor boutique amphitheater.”
The Fillmore in San Francisco became legendary in the 1960s after holding concerts by The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Otis Redding, The Who and Cream. In 2008, Live Nation began to lease and operate the Fillmore and recently started a campaign to expand the Fillmore brand name by establishing clubs in other cities — New York City (Fillmore at Irving Plaza), Denver (Fillmore Auditorium), Miami (Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theatre), Detroit (Fillmore Detroit) and Philadelphia (Fillmore at the TLA).
Rick Lazes said with the addition of Live Nation and the Fillmore night club, mid-level acts that would normally bypass the Queen City will be more likely to come and perform here.“These acts would normally bypass Charlotte because of the venue. You either went from a 600-800 seat club or to the arena. On the concert side, Verizon Amphitheatre is 18,000 seats, so if you’re a mid-level act you’re only going to sell 5,000 to 6,000 seats and you don’t want to play to an empty arena.”
The Lazes envision The N.C. Music Factory to become Charlotte’s version of Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta — where Rick said the intimate outdoor music venue sells out before the acts are even announced every season.
“Live Nation is the biggest concert promoter in the world and they can just route talent through Charlotte now,” said Rick.
But the Lazes are being realistic about this new venture with Live Nation. “With anything new, it’s a building process. It’s going to take some time to develop that clientèle. But the level of talent that we’re going to bring here is going to make concerts more desirable to come see,” said Noah.
The layout plan for the N.C. Music Factory.
And concerts aren’t the only thing that entertainment seekers will be able to get at the factory. Along with Live Nation, the Lazes have gotten some marquee clubs and restaurants to set up shop in the Q.C. Butter from New York is coming. (“Straight from the pages of People magazine,” said Noah Lazes.) Wet Willie’s, a popular restaurant and bar across the Southeast, is also coming.
Butter restaurant, same as the one in NYC, will be coming to Charlotte.
“All of these places are owned and operated by the real people,” said Noah.
The ultimate goal of the N.C. Music Factory, according to Noah, is to turn Charlotte into a destination city, much like Atlanta where people will get in their cars and just drive into town to spend the weekend.
(Additional reporting by Jeff Hahne)
OK, I’ll admit it — I’m obsessed with the new Beyonce video “Single Ladies.” Have you seen it? I watch it, like, every damn day. So, sue me.
Turns out that I’m not the only person obsessed with it. Check it out:
It’s come to my attention that the video was inspired by a Bob Fosse dance number called “Mexican Breakfast.” Compare the moves from the Beyonce vid:
Oh and lastly, I hear one of the dancers in Beyonce’s video is really a dude posing as a chick. If that’s the truth, then my sexuality is seriously in flux! We’ll keep you posted.
With the holidays approaching, Creative Loafing is getting into the holiday spirit and we are feeling generous. We are giving away 1 free pair of tickets to the Edwin McCain Trio concert at the Neighborhood Theatre on Friday, Nov. 28.
In order to enter to win, just email us the answers to these 5 questions correctly. (HINT: All answers can be found on our website.)
1. What’s the #1 book on the Charlotte Bestsellers List this week?
2. Name one of “Charlotte’s 10 scariest people,” as chosen by Creative Loafing.
3. What is the real name of Honus Honus of the band Man Man?
4. Who wrote the story “Two food spots under a 10 spot” ?
5. Where did the Pointer Sisters perform in Charlotte?
EMAIL ANSWERS TO: CharlotteFunandFree@creativeloafing.com
In the subject line, please put: Edwin McCain tix
If you get them all the answers right, we’ll enter you into the contest. The winner will be selected randomly and notified via email by Nov. 5!
In Britney’s newest music video, Womanizer, she writhes around all hot and sweaty, rules the office as a sexy professional, and works a sultry punk waitress. What else did you expect? The song is catchy and it’s true, she did bring sexy back with a new fit bod. Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-23EToh43M
“Weird Al” Yankovic’s new single parodies T.I.’s song “Whatever You Like.” Take a listen.
Economic crisis. Jobs closing. McCain and Palin still functioning. But, still, it could be worse, right? Right? Well, sure. You’re still alive and kicking. You could have passed on to the great beyond. And after passing, someone could have stolen your ashes from your widow’s home and planned to smoke them. Um, yeah. That’s worse.
And someone plans to do just that with Kurt Cobain’s ashes, allegedly stolen from Courtney Love’s house.
The toker, German artist Natascha Stellmach plans to smoke Cobain’s remains as a finale to her art show. She claims to want to “release Cobain from the media circus and into the ether.”
Good luck with that.
You just know some smart-ass in the audience will take a whiff and say, “Smells like teen spirit!”
Details here.
