2016 Issue 26 Creative Loafing by Creative Loafing Charlotte

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 VOL. 30, NO. 26

1 | DATE - DATE, 2015 | CLCLT.COM

2 1

i’s

tMeTo

cStYoR

V o t e fREs o

cArOtE 2 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

cCl .cM



TOWNSHIP AUDITORIUM

TRUSTUS THEATRE

JILL SCOTT AUGUST 27

ANATOMY OF A HUG AUGUST 19 – 27

CORNER OF MAIN AND HAMPTON

SHAGGIN’ ON MAIN SEPTEMBER 10 SC PRIDE FESTIVAL

COLONIAL LIFE ARENA

JORDIN SPARKS SEPTEMBER 3

MAROON 5 SEPTEMBER 10

1500 BLOCK OF MAIN STREET

COLONIAL LIFE ARENA

SODA CITY MARKET SATURDAYS 9AM - 1PM

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SEPTEMBER 24

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 3

4 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 5

CREATIVE LOAFING IS PUBLISHED BY WOMACK NEWSPAPERS, INC. CHARLOTTE, NC 28206. OFFICE: 704-522-8334 WWW.CLCLT.COM FACEBOOK: /CLCLT TWITTER: @CL_CHARLOTTE INSTAGRAM: @CREATIVELOAFINGCHARLOTTE

STAFF PUBLISHER • Charles A. Womack III publisher@yesweekly.com EDITOR • Anita Overcash aovercash@clclt.com

EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITOR • Ryan Pitkin rpitkin@clclt.com STAFF WRITER • Madeline Lemieux FILM CRITIC • Matt Brunson mattonmovies@gmail.com THEATER CRITIC • Perry Tannenbaum perrytannenbaum@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS • Corbie Hill, Erin TracyBlackwood, Vivian Carol, Charles Easley, Chrissie Nelson, Page Leggett, Alison Leininger, Sherrell Dorsey, Dan Savage, Aerin Spruill, Chuck Shepherd, Jeff Hahne

ART/DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGNER • Dana Vindigni CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS • Justin Driscoll, Brian Twitty

ADVERTISING

To place an ad, please call 704-522-8334. SALES MANAGER Aaron Stamey • astamey@clclt.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Candice Andrews • candrews@clclt.com Melissa McHugh • mmchugh@clclt.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Pat Moran • pmoran@clclt.com

WE ALL REFUSE TO WEAR SOCKS. CLCLT.COM 6 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

Creative Loafing © is published by CL, LLC 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Suite C-2, Charlotte, NC 28206. Periodicals Postage Paid at Charlotte, NC. Creative Loafing welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however Creative Loafing assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. Creative Loafing is published every Wednesday by Womack Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free, all additional copies are $1. Copyright 2015 Womack Newspapers, Inc. CREATIVE LOAFING IS PRINTED ON A 90% RECYCLED STOCK. IT MAY BE RECYCLED FURTHER; PLEASE DO YOUR PART.

A MEMBER OF:

Delighted Tobehere will be at Charlotte Pride this weekend.

COVER STORY THE PRIDE GUIDE: Catching up with Delighted Tobehere and the rundown of Charlotte Pride performers. BY ANITA OVERCASH THIS WEEKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COVER, FEATURING A PHOTO OF CHARLOTTE PRIDE 2016 PERFORMER ADORE DELANO (COURTESY OF DELANO), WAS DESIGNED BY DANA VINDIGNI.

NEWS&VIEWS NOT ON THE SAME PAGE: Charlotte Pride and Trans & Queer People of Color Collective clash on Pride Week priorities.

BY RYAN PITKIN 12 TRANS & QUEEN IN THE WORK PLACE 12 THE BLOTTER 13 NEWS OF THE WEIRD

FOOD ROCK ON BABALU: New Dilworth establishment puts a spin on Latin-fusion. BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK 16 THREE-COURSE SPIEL

ARTS&ENT WRITING TIPS AND SERIAL SEDUCTIONS: Three Bone Theatre sets up shop in Spirit Square. BY PERRY TANNENBAUM 30 FILM REVIEWS

MUSIC

ACCEPTANCE, NOT REPENTANCE: Dust &

Ashes find a place in Charlotte Pride. BY ANITA OVERCASH 32 SOUNDBOARD

ODDS&ENDS

20 TOP 10 THINGS TO DO 42 MARKETPLACE 42 NIGHTLIFE 43 CROSSWORD 44 SAVAGE LOVE 46 HOROSCOPE

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 7

8 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 9

NEWS

FEATURE

Revelers at 2014 Charlotte Pride Week.

Zach NeSmith

NOT ON THE SAME PAGE Charlotte Pride and Trans and Queer People of Color Collective clash on Pride Week priorities BY RYAN PITKIN

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SAFE TO say that Pride Week and the weeks leading up to it are the busiest time of year for the folks at Charlotte Pride, but reservations about Pride Week programming from some within the LGBT community have brought some unwanted 10 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

headaches to 2016 organizers. Troubles began in the months leading up to Pride Week, as organizers with Charlotte Pride began meeting with representatives of Trans and Queer People of Color Collective (TQPoCC), among other groups and organizations, to inquire about making the

more marginalized subgroups in the LGBT community, such as trans people of color, feel safe at Pride Week. The talks did not go well, leading to complaints from TQPoCC that their concerns were not being seriously considered. Later, in August, potential performer

Lara Americo took to social media to call out Charlotte Pride for what she called a tokenization of trans performers on the main stage at Pride Week. Her posts garnered support from multiple leaders in Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBT community, some of whom made similar claims about their past experiences

with Charlotte Pride. Full disclosure: Lara Americo and Matt Comer, who serves on the Charlotte Pride board and whom Americo specifically addressed in multiple Facebook posts about her experience auditioning for Pride Week, are both contributors to Creative Loafing’s news section. As news editor, I have a good working relationship with both. My purpose in reporting this story was to look at how communication between Charlotte Pride, TQPoCC and Americo broke down, regardless of my professional relationship with any involved parties. I also wanted to give Charlotte Pride a chance to explain their side of the story, as their social media silence has not helped in the eyes of some in the LGBT community who wanted answers to Americo’s claims. After speaking with Americo and Ashley Williams of QTPoCC about their experiences and reading over correspondence between each of them and Charlotte Pride representatives, I wrote a list of questions for any representative of Charlotte Pride to answer that would address the concerns, as was suggested to me by Charlotte Pride. After reading over the questions, Charlotte Pride declined to comment for this story.

AMERICO,

TRANSGENDER

woman of color, first became concerned with the process of picking performers for Pride Week after she auditioned and was called back on stage for an encore. She said the only other band or performer to be called back up was Lovesucker. Americo was later told she would be performing in the VIP tent, as opposed to the main stage, where Lovesucker will perform. At the time, the full list of performers had not been released, and Americo began questioning the lack of representation of trans people of color on the main stage. “I was trying to figure out why I wasn’t put on the main stage after the audition,” Americo said. “It’s cool if they didn’t want me, they didn’t like my song or style, but my question was, ‘What trans or queer people of color were going to be on the main stage representing the community?’ In an email, Americo voiced her concern that trans people of color were being pushed to the VIP stage where donors would see them and get a feeling of diversity. “Diverse doesn’t mean booking cis[gender] people for the main stage and putting trans and queer people in the back,” Americo wrote in an email. “It also doesn’t mean having serious performers such as singer/ songwriters and bands that are exclusively cis and only having trans performers that are exotic dancers and cross dressers.” She was told that the decision was made based on the belief that her musical style was better suited for a more intimate

environment, such as the VIP tent. When the final schedule for the main stage was released, cisgender performers like K. Michele and Eden xo took some spots, joined by acts that include genderqueer musicians like the Charlotte-based Dust to Ashes. When Williams looked at the schedule, they immediately noticed that the only trans people of color scheduled to perform on stage — save for the potential those included in youth and community entertainment early on Saturday — would do so in drag. “That is a huge problem for us,” said Williams. Williams soon reached out to Americo in an effort to involve her in QTPoCC’s efforts to push Charlotte Pride to be more inclusive to trans people of color.

WILLIAMS’ EFFORTS BEGAN in July, when they met with representatives of Charlotte Pride and gave them their ideas on how to make Pride Week inviting and safe for trans people of color. At the original meeting, Williams emphasized the importance of limiting police activity within Pride Week. They first suggested that no police be present, then that police be unarmed, then that police not be allowed to declare Pride Week an “extraordinary event,” which would have officers showing up in larger numbers and using surveillance technology. In an atmosphere where public safety concerns play a large role, especially in the wake of the June shooting in Orlando in which LGBT people were targeted and 49 people lost their lives, each of Williams’ suggestions was turned down as unrealistic. Talks between Charlotte Pride and TQPoCC began to break down. When Williams suggested that Charlotte Pride not pay the bill for the extra costs involved with an extraordinary event, things reached a breaking point. “I say, ‘Oh, that’s easy, you ain’t gonna pay them.’ [Charlotte Pride representatives were] like, ‘That’s offensive to us. We’ve been working for 10 years to build this,’” Williams recalls of the ensuing discussions. “I told them that I didn’t give a damn about Pride not happening next year, because Pride never included trans and queer people of color, so I don’t care about their Pride. Furthermore, if you’re asking me what to do, I’m telling you. They said, ‘We will express these concerns when we meet with the police again, but we just don’t buy it, we don’t think it’s going to work out.’” In the midst of these discussions, Williams was suddenly informed that they would be awarded the Young Catalyst Award at Pride Week for their work as a community organizer. Williams felt as if Charlotte Pride was attempting to placate them after they threatened to protest Pride itself. Comer

assured them that the decision had been made before they even began discussions, but Williams remained skeptical. They were dubious of being recognized for working with Black Lives Matter. “What’s interesting is they’re giving me an award for stuff that they’re not supporting when I do it; when I hold police accountable,” Williams said. Williams reluctantly accepted the award after discussing the issue with TQPoCC and deciding that if they didn’t take the award “they’re just going to give it to a white person who hasn’t really done any work.” She then resumed talks between TQPoCC and Charlotte Pride. In the end, Williams and the rest of QTPoCC decided they would “turn down” for Pride Week, remaining on site to inform instead of protest. Williams was given seven minutes of stage time on the main stage to speak, but was upset to find out they’re scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday, just after the opening ceremony, when not a lot of people will be there. Charlotte Pride will also provide QTPoCC with a booth, T-shirts and lunch. Discussions between the two groups nearly broke down a second time when, as a condition of the above-mentioned agreement, TQPoCC representatives were asked to sign a statement announcing a new partnership between the two groups and speaking positively of both groups’ relationship with police. The statement was never signed. “The statement was all bullshit,” Williams said. “It basically says that Pride is working actively with TQPoCC, working in a partnership, using these buzzwords. We’re not in a partnership. This is not the beginning of a relationship, this is something else.” That “something else” looks like the beginning of a very different relationship, one in which TQPoCC plays watchdog to the bigger, more mainstream LGBT organizations. “We want to start being able to hold these LGBT organizations accountable, like Human Rights Campaign (HRC), like Equality NC (ENC); we’ve had longstanding issues with them. But we realized that our issues with HRC and ENC are not separate from Pride,” Williams said. “We feel like the white, gay establishment has taken a lot of our energy and resources — especially with House Bill 2 — so we are trying to get our shit together and be able to build a long-standing resistance to the white gay establishment.”

AS FOR AMERICO, she said she stopped receiving answers to her calls and emails in the days leading up to Pride Week. She was scheduled to perform at an event on Monday night hosted by Charlotte Trans Pride (CTP), Charlotte Pride’s transgender

community outreach project. The event, a keynote panel discussion titled HB2: A Transgender Perspective, was one of multiple trans-centered events scheduled for Pride Week. At the event, Americo refused to perform because of the “negative environment.” She agreed to introduce the keynote speaker instead. “I still support them even though I don’t agree with the board that controls them,” Americo said of Charlotte Pride on Tuesday. Americo said she would like to see those involved with CTP separate themselves as an organization from Charlotte Pride. Some in the trans community believe CTP represents a divisive segregation between communities that should be working together. “The whole point of us being a community is to kind of do it all together,” said Paige Dula. Dula, the founder of local transgender support group Genderlines, has worked with Charlotte Pride to plan trans-centered events during Pride Week in years past. She showed support for Americo following her Facebook posts, recalling similar communication problems with Charlotte Pride boardmembers. “It’s OK to have a TransPride committee or something like that, to ensure the trans issues are addressed, but doing something separate, I didn’t really like the idea,” Dula said. Another person who jumped to Americo’s defense following her Facebook posts was Gary Carpenter, a former Charlotte Pride boardmember who resigned his post earlier this year. He believes subgroups like Trans Pride and Latin Pride are being used as marketing tools. “It seems to me like it’s more of a marketing thing than anything, the way that they’re intentionally separating and promoting these separate groups in order to say, ‘Oh well, we have this and this and this,’ instead of combining it all together and working toward one common cause; it’s being segregated essentially.” For Carpenter, it’s indicative of a larger problem with communication at Charlotte Pride that can lead to a feeling of alienation within the trans community and hurts the chances for them to be truly diverse and inclusive. “It’s always been like, ‘Well, we’re open and inclusive to anybody,’ but as far as doing a direct push and inviting people to join, there wasn’t any real push for that during my term. It’s always been like, ‘Anyone can join up.’ Well, I kind of look at it like you’re sitting in the cafeteria and you see someone eating by themselves. You don’t just say, ‘Oh, well they can come over and sit down if they want.’ No, you invite them to sit down with you.” RPITKIN@CLCLT.COM

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 11

VIEWS

TQ IN THE WORKPLACE

NEWS

BLOTTER

BY RYAN PITKIN

GREEN THUMB A 36-year-old man living

in a neighborhood off Rea Road called police after finding an item in his yard that apparently startled him. The report states that the man came across some unknown green pepper and called police, later turning it in to responding officers (not into police officers, although that would be a much better story) as found property. Oh, to be a cop in south Charlotte.

HYBRID Management at Sunbelt Rentals

filed a police report after someone damaged their property on a construction site. The company will probably want to give IQ tests to those who rent their equipment form here on out, as they state in their report that some unknown person poured water into the gas tank of a small Bobcat loader, doing $90 in damage.

In our August 4th issue, we introduced CL contributor Lara Americo’s new Trans and Queer in the Workplace photo series. Check that issue for our interview with Americo about why she began photographing trans and queer people in their work environment. This week’s photo features Shannon Harlow, a crew member at Trader Joe’s.

“Trader Joe’s is very open to diverse people. I was amazed that their insurance covers same-sex couples. I started in 2011 so this was before it became legal here in North Carolina. I have kids who ask their parents, “Is that a girl or a boy,” out loud. Kids will be kids, but it tells me that parents do not open their children’s eyes to diversity. We are who we are as humans and individuals and those that have to hide it, well that is sad for them. But I am not going to hide who I am. I have had many people tell me for years that I am in the wrong restroom. I tell them ‘no’ ... it’s OK anyways ... a toilet is a toilet. We are also going to have gender-diverse customers and having gender-diverse employees makes those customers feel at home. We all are like family — even when someone is out sick for awhile, has a death or whatnot — we send food to their home, check in on them and such. We are like a big family. TJ’s is a whole other world when it comes to the work place. As they say ... it has to be in your DNA or you just don’t fit in. — Shannon Harlow

IN OR OUT Following a trend started by a suspect in last week’s Blotter who pulled a knife in The Red Door while trying to make off with a sex toy, a more peaceful shoplifter struck at Priscilla McCall’s on South Boulevard last week. The suspect left the store with a $60 “Mangina,” which is apparently a false penis with a vaginal opening at the base, allowing it to be used as a dildo, a penis extension or a male masturbator. HORRIBLE PEOPLE A 57-year-old handicapped woman living in NoDa had to call police last week after being victimized by two people who were not only evil but also dumb. The woman told officers that a man and woman stole more than $1,000 from her after the female suspect beat her up. The two won’t have anywhere to go now with their stolen booty, as they both live with the victim. Furthermore, the suspects are the victim’s brother and sister. GOOD RIDDANCE Absence did not make the heart grow fonder for a 59-yearold woman in northwest Charlotte who had recently lost a roommate, but instead brought certain things to light. The victim told police that she helped the roommate move stuff out of her home when she left. Over the weekend, she began to notice that a seemingly random list of things was missing. This list included an iPod, a blouse, makeup, knitting needles, duct tape and pruning shears. When she called the old roommate, the woman admitted to taking the things as she moved because she believed the victim had stolen from her while they lived together. She said she had thrown all the stuff away but insisted that she didn’t take the iPod. Some days later, a “representative” of the suspect returned the iPod, but it was damaged. ROAD ‘ROID RAGE Police responded to

the scene of an accident in south Charlotte 12 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

last week after the suspect who caused the wreck fled the scene. Officers should probably be on the lookout for a man who is fit in a “you’re trying too hard” kind of way, as a search of his vehicle turned up a small amount of marijuana and nearly $7,000 worth of muscle supplements from GNC.

NOT A THRIFT SHOP Someone in

west Charlotte called police last week after witnessing someone looking for a free meal in the wrong place. The witness told officers she saw a man standing near a kitchen window at Thrift Baptist Church and then reaching his hand inside to see what sort of things he could find. Nothing was stolen in the incident.

DOLLA BILL Y’ALL A manager at a

Holiday Inn on Little Rock Road called police after someone vandalized their vending machine last week but got little return on the investing all that energy. Officers found that someone had broken into the machine, doing $200 in damage, only to steal a single cash dollar.

ON THE CLOCK The owner of a local

distribution company must have been alarmed after doing some digging and finding out that a missing employee had been keeping busy for months embezzling gas money from the business. A reporting person told police that one of his employees took off with a delivery truck on August 6 and hasn’t been back since. Further investigation found that the employee had been using a company gas card for personal use since April, racking up roughly $20,000 in unauthorized purchases.

NOT LEGAL YET A man was surprised by

police during a seemingly innocent trip to the UPS Store in north Charlotte yesterday. The man picked up four packages and made his way out to the parking lot, where officers had already been waiting for him. Investigators ripped the packages open for the man and weren’t surprised to find about a pound of weed in each package. They seized about four and a half pounds total, with an estimated street total of $4,000.

ANGRY MOB A group of individuals had

themselves a real 19th century uprising last week when they gathered to take out their anger on the local railroad company. The report states that a group of suspect vandalized a building belonging to CSX Corporation by shattering windows using “rocks, bricks, a crow bar and a pitchfork.” It probably had something to do with the terrible policies of James K. Polk. Thanks, Polk. Blotter items are chosen from the files of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

TONIGHT

❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈

BY CHUCK SHEPHERD

something like a smartphone in 1823.

DESIGNER LEATHER The late fashion

SELFIE OR NAH Geoffrey Fortier, 23, was arrested in Craighead County, Arkansas, in July and charged with video voyeurism of a woman he had allowed to shower in the home occupied by Fortier and his girlfriend. After the woman stepped out of the shower, she noticed a logged-on iPad propped against a wall. Fortier informed deputies that it was all a misunderstanding — that he had earlier recorded himself urinating in order to sell the video to a urination-fetish website, and he simply forgot to remove the device.

designer Alexander McQueen (who dabbled in macabre collections, himself), might appreciate the work of acolyte Tina Gorjanc: She will grow McQueen’s skin (from DNA off his hair) in a lab, add back his tattoos, and from that make leather handbags and jackets. Gorjanc, a recent graduate of McQueen’s fashion school alma mater, bills the project mainly as showcasing the meager legal protections for abandoned bits of human DNA — and fears industrial use of such DNA on a much larger scale.

WAR IS BORING Jihadists had a rough year militarily and now suffer further from an array of field reports — such as a new book by retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn — that their most sensitive laptop computers captured in battle by U.S. forces seemed always to be loaded with pornography, including “vile” material involving kids and animals. Initially, said one analyst, there was so much porn that U.S. intelligence figured its purpose was only to disguise tactical messages within the sexscene pixels. ALFRED THE BUTLER On the other

hand, jihadists can claim one victory in that the actor Michael Caine said recently that the terror-inspired airport delays had finally convinced him to legally change his name to “Michael Caine” after tiring of explaining to screeners why he had Maurice Micklewhite, his birth name, written on his passport.

AWKWARD FLIRTATIONS (1) Patrick Marsh, 59, was charged with indecent exposure in Woodward Township, Pennsylvania, in July after he rang the doorbell of a 30-year-old female neighbor seeking, as he told police, “courtship.” He greeted the woman naked, “with his genitals in his hands.” (2) In Florida’s The Villages senior community, Howard Sparber, 69, faces several charges after having, in June, fired 33 9mm rounds into the home of a woman who had been declining his sexual overtures. The lady was away. (3) John Taylor, 57, said he was just lonely and wanted to meet women when a court sentenced him in Shirley, England, in July, for a three-month spree of furtively slipping men’s underwear through various women’s house letterboxes. COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS (1) In June, Dieter Uchtdorf, a high official in the Mormon Church, said the historic narrative of Mormon founder Joseph Smith’s use of a “seer stone” to translate the “golden plates” that gave Smith ultimate worldly knowledge has been authenticated, basically, by the 2007 invention of the iPhone. “I can get the collected knowledge of the world through a few little inputs,” said Uchtdorf, and thus it is likelier than ever that God gave Smith

FRIENDLY

BACTERIA Plastics are

well-known to decompose slowly, but the most difficult is the polyethylene used for containers such as the omnipresent water bottles, and despite recycling, tens of millions of metric tons wind up in landfills, where the plastic’s strong polymer bonds resist breakdown. Recently, however, two Japanese researchers, after tedious trial-anderror, identified a bacterium that views the polyethylene terephthalate as an efficient, tasty meal. A colleague of the two said further tweaking was necessary before using the bacteria industrially.

ROOM-SIZED BONG Samuel Oliphant,

35, was arrested on various charges in Scottsdale, Arizona, in June after police were called to a house to investigate a “strong and unusual” odor, which cops suspected to be drugs. Inside, they found a “laboratory,” necessitating use of their “hazmat protocols,” because Oliphant had allegedly built a “complex and elaborate” system apparently for the purpose of enhancing the smoking of marijuana.

AWESOME!

Rapper Kasper Knight apparently shot himself in the cheek with a revolver on July 17 in Indianapolis as part of a staged music video, according to raw footage of the incident posted on his Facebook page and then, of course, seen by almost 2 million people. Knight, seen bleeding afterward, said he tried to recruit a shooter, but when no one volunteered, shot himself, anticipating — as with previous times he had been shot by other people — “like a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale.”

THE PASSING PARADE The village of

Trecon was inducted recently into the club of French towns with silly names. “Tres con,” translated, is “very stupid.” Mayor Georges Leherle accepted the town’s membership, joining 38 incumbent members including “Monteton” (“My Nipple”) and “Mariol” (“Dumbass”).

HAVE A BALL The Belton (Texas) Early

Childhood (pre-kindergarten) School staged an “Enchanted Evening” prom in May and posted many photos on its Facebook page of little toddlers arrayed in tuxedos, gowns,

corsages and of course, for some, limousines. A Kansas City Star reporter suggested that this was just the beginning of an expensive parental trend.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS The

men who tried an armed carjacking at the Oasis car wash in Shreveport, Louisiana, on July 20 were sent running by the car owner Michael Davis, who was holding a high-pressure hose at the time and casually directed the stream to one potential thief’s face while swinging the metal wand at the other.

DEJA VU An ambulance was called in July

when jockey Chris Meehan was kicked in the face by a horse and knocked out cold after he fell during a race in Merano, Italy, but the arriving ambulance accidentally backed over his leg. He is recovering.

DOPING BOVINES At England’s premier

agricultural event, the Great Yorkshire Show, a winning show cow was stripped of her title, suspected of having artificially “enhanced” udders. The runner-up, of course, was promoted.

CLASSIC MIDDLE NAMES Arrested

recently and charged with murder: Cody Wayne Fish (Norman, Okla., August); Curtis Wayne Trexler (Salisbury, N.C., July); Daryl Royston Wayne Cook (Hobart, Australia, July); James Wayne Rodgers Jr. (Dallas, May); Bruce Wayne Cameron (St. Louis County, Minn., June 2015). Fugitive murder arrest warrant Issued: Vernon Wayne King (Harrisburg, Pa., August). Pleaded guilty to murder: Stacy Wayne Brown (Wilmington, N.C., July). Sentenced for murder: Christopher Wayne Hill (Harlan County, Ky., June). Killed himself resisting arrest for murder: David Wayne Campbell (Mason County, Wash., February). Granted new sentencing hearing: convicted murderer Michael Wayne Norris (Houston, June). Committed suicide in prison: convicted murderer Flint Wayne Harrison (Farmington, Utah, July). Executed for murder: John Wayne Conner (Jackson, Ga., July).

NOTW CLASSIC (September 2012) “Pheromone parties” attract men and women seeking romance, not via often-insincere conversation, but based on the primal-scent signals emitted by each other’s slept-in T-shirts. Organizers have staged parties in New York City and Los Angeles and plan to expand, according to a June (2012) Associated Press report. The organizers’ initial conclusion: People prefer lovers with a somewhat-different genetic makeup than their own, but not too different. Update: Pheromone parties were attracting attention as recently as 2014, but not much since then.

JUSTIN MOORE WITH FULL BAND FREE CONCERT DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM SHOW STARTS AT 10 PM

$2 BUD LIGHT $3.25 HOUSE VODKA

THIS SATURDAY

❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈

NEWS

❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈ ❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈

LUKE COMBS LIMITED ADVANCE TICKETS $10 ALL OTHERS $12 AUGUST 31

JOHN LANGSTON LADIES IN FREE GUYS IN $3

SEPTEMBER 9

DREW BALDRIDGE ALL TICKETS $10

SEPTEMBER 28

ADAM DOLEAC FREE CONCERT

OCTOBER 7

ELI YOUNG BAND

LIMITED ADVANCE TICKETS $17 ALL OTHERS $20 OCTOBER 22

COREY SMITH

LIMITED ADVANCE TICKETS $20 ALL OTHERS $25 OCTOBER 28

TRAVIS TRITT

LIMITED ADVANCE TICKETS $20 ALL OTHERS $25

WILD1-2-3 NIGHTS

AUG 19 & 27 SEPT 2, 10, 16, 24 & 30

ON SALE AT COYOTE JOES AND COYOTE-JOES.COM

COYOTE JOE’S : 4621 WILKINSON BLVD 704-399-4946

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 13

FOOD

FEATURE

ROCK ON, BABALU Dilworth establishment puts a spin on Latinfusion BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK

HERE’S

SPECIAL

something about Babalu that’s hard to put a finger on. Maybe it’s the brightness of the interior that coincides with the inviting and popping colors of the exterior. The clean-cut, yet rocking designs and contemporary furniture make the taco and tapas joint a place that’s great for dates, family dinners or casual outings. The company started in 2010 when two restauranteurs, Bill Latham and Al Roberts, decided to move forward with a concept of comfortable and fun dining infused with Latin-inspired and fresh cuisine. Thus, the first Babalu opened in Jackson, Mississippi, and was received with great success. Six years and three more locations later, the fifth Babalu installation is open in Charlotte. So, why’d they pick Charlotte to set up shop? Mary Sanders Ferris, the design and brand manager for Babalu said the Q.C.’s uniqueness, young age and booming millennial population made it a match for the company to open up a new location. “It’s going through a growth right now and it’s got a lot of opportunities that are exciting and fun,” Ferris said. “And the fact that within Charlotte there are so many great spots and locations we could’ve gone into and fit and work within the current population and demographics of the neighborhood.” For now, Babalu is settling in and getting cozy in historic Dilworth. Although technically it’s a chain restaurant, the vision for Babalu is to make sure that each location is different so that it doesn’t feel like a chain. Aside from branding standards, every Babalu has a special touch to differentiate it from other cities. Each location has its own aesthetic and the core of the menu is the same, but each Babalu sources their vegetables and proteins from local farms. The chef de cuisine of Babalu in Dilworth, Deacon Ovall, is in touch with a multitude of farms in North Carolina in order to get the freshest vegetables and sustainable proteins. Each location is connected to local farms, so some daily chef features vary depending on the region. 14 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

COURTESY OF BABALU

Chicken Satay from Babalu.

BABALU 1511 East Blvd. 704-334-1511. charlotte.eatbabalu.com.

COURTESY OF BABALU

Babalu’s Chef de Cuisine, Deacon Ovall

In keeping with the theme of local sourcing, Babalu used Evan Plante, owner of Docklands Designs, to decorate the bar area. It’s covered with different screen-printed posters of local acts that have graced venues around Charlotte. “It’s most exciting in that a lot of the local music scene knows about what’s going

on — but there are a lot more people in Charlotte who aren’t seeing it,” Plante said. “Now, hopefully, they’ll look up and see these bands and venues right in their own city and wonder what they’re missing out on.” And then, there’s the food itself. The cuisine the restaurant boasts is a mixture of different culinary styles with the same southern undertones, offering dishes like de pato tacos — otherwise known as duck tacos — and costillas: smoked Duroc baby back ribs. The Baba burger, a tasty different take on a burger, is served on a sweet sourdough bun and easy to eat due to a wider, less heightened approach. There’s also tableside guacamole. “I think we’ve developed a menu and we continue to push kind of a Latin-influenced [cuisine] with a lot of southern undertones,”

said Eric Bartholomew, guest executive chef from the Birmingham, Alabama location. “The creole and the southwest, a lot of southerners are more familiar with.” Ovall agreed, adding that the cuisine can be a mix of Spanish and southwestern or southern with a twist of Spanish. Babalu is designed with an open floorplan, which allows guests to look out over the bright and colorful restaurant with an unimpeded view. This view also includes a peek into the kitchen. The open kitchen adds to the large, bright and expansive atmosphere of Babalu, while guests can sit at the chef’s table and watch the action close-up. As the food is whipped up and carried out hot to hungry guests at other tables, those at the chef’s table can converse with those in the kitchen, upping the game in regards to transparency and good service goes. With a growing culture of “foodies” and a re-kindled spark of interest in the culinary arts, Bartholomew noted that people don’t want to be shut off from the cooking process and may want to know “what goes on behind closed doors.” So the kitchen staff at Babalu is not afraid to show them with full

transparency. “This open kitchen being a major focal point … just brings everything out in the open,” Ovall added. “And it really gives us the chance to showcase as a culinary and hospitality restaurant.” In conjunction with the food menu, the

seasonal margaritas every day,” said Rebecca Vitale, the general manager. “We definitely put some thought and some craft into our days so that every day is different. We never want the same thing twice.” BACKTALK@CLCLT.COM

Honor your Roots An Original Carolina whiskey handcrafted here at home

Exterior of Babalu.

COURTNEY MIHOCIK

Mayberry Spirits Distillery 461 N South Street Mount Airy, NC 27030 P: 336-719-6860 staff points to its bar program as another point of interest in the restaurant. There’s A New approach no soda guns behind the bar because all to Buffet where sodas and tonics for mixed drinks are poured from a can for quality control Everything and the sour is mix is fresh-squeezed along with the housemade to on order made lemonade. Local craft beers rotate the bar’s 14 taps, and the back wall of the bar is actually a window that opensLunch to the patio, $12.95 so guests can be served on either side. Dinner $19.95 Each day is different at Babalu, whether it’s the food and drink specials or the blackand-white movies that are projected on19905 two W Catawba Ave #109 of the walls in the restaurant. It could Cornelius, even NC 28031 (704) 997-5998 be the loud music and Charlotte-specific artwork that adds to the booming sakuraincornelius.com and Sun - Thu: 11AM - 10 PM colorful personality of the eatery. Fri & Sat: 11AM - 10:30 PM “We have chef features daily, we have

All You Can Eat

Sushi and

Babarita from Babalu.

COURTESY OF BABALU

More!

COME HUNGRY, LEAVE HAPPY!

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 15

FOOD

THREE-COURSE SPIEL

COMFORT FOR ALL Penny Craver dishes on Dish and LGBTQ community BY MADELINE LEMIEUX

HOME THIS WEEKEND! Saturday - Monday Charlotte Knights vs. Buffalo Bisons

SATURDAY

50/50 RAFFLE NIGHT BENEFITTING CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS CHARITIES

CRUISE GIVEAWAY ONE LUCKY FAN WILL WIN A CRUISE

LIVE MUSIC AFTER THE GAME FEATURING THE MATT STRATFORD BAND

GAME AT 6:05 PM

SUNDAY

SPACE JAM NIGHT CELEBRATE THE MOVIE’S 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!

MUGGSY BOGUES APPEARANCE FORMER NBA STAR MUGGSY BOGUES WILL BE ON HAND FOR A MEET AND GREET WITH FANS.

GAME AT 5:05 PM

MONDAY $1 HOT DOGS

GAME AT 7:05 PM

TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT:

charlotteknights.com 16 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

IT WAS THE arts that beckoned Penny Craver to Plaza Midwood in the early 2000s. For the Tremont Music Hall founder, the Charlotte neighborhood offered an affordable utopia for the creative. In 2002, Craver took that comfort to a new level when she co-founded Dish — a restaurant that reflected the neighborhood’s relationship with the arts and the unspoken ‘Everyone is welcome’ policy with a menu of Southern-style comfort food. According to Craver, the arts were ultimately what spared the neighborhood in the aftermath of House Bill 2 passing. “People are not tolerant of bigotry in this neighborhood,” Craver explains. “Everyone is welcome in this community and in the businesses here, and we want to keep it that way.” However, Craver worries that Plaza Midwood’s future as a safe haven for artists may be at risk: “I can tell you from personal experience, musicians tend not to make a lot of money,” she says. “You used to be able to get a decent apartment for $500. But now there’s a gentrification taking place, and everyone that was drawn to the neighborhood will eventually be pushed out.” Craver tells us more about what makes Plaza Midwood great, why its future deserves protecting, and how she’s doing her part to keep the neighborhood’s spirit alive at Dish. Creative Loafing: As a business owner, how have you felt the effect of HB2 at Dish or in the Plaza Midwood community? Penny Craver: I’m just speaking for myself but I don’t think I have been affected. People come in and see the diversity we have in this restaurant and think, ‘This is not gonna be a place that upholds HB2.’ We have a sign on our door that says “Equality means business.” I say everybody is welcome. We have inclusive restrooms. I don’t care who you are, just don’t pee on the seat and I’ll be fine. It’s evident in our employees and our decor that we’re not some stuck-up place. Walk in this restaurant and you’ll see males, females, LGBTQ, old, young, entire families. It’s somewhere people can come and feel comfortable. Whether they have tattoos, whatever their sexuality is, whatever their economic status is, it doesn’t matter to us. If you like good food, you’re welcome here.

Penny Craver

AEON SCOTT

As a Charlotte native, how have you seen the city evolve to embrace diversity and acceptance, and how can we continue that evolution despite HB2? Plaza Midwood started before other communities primarily because it was a diverse community. We’ve always been the little Bohemia of Charlotte, much more so than other places that might pretend to be that way, but we truly are. We’re a neighborhood restaurant; the restaurant is a reflection of the neighborhood. We have tons of diversity in the neighborhood. I go into other neighborhoods and it’s just weird: ‘Oh gosh, this is really cookie cutter.’ Not in Plaza Midwood. People come here to feel comfortable. I hope that people will vote in November and remember everything that Charlotte lost because of bigotry in Raleigh. We hold our future in our hands, via the vote, so I hope people will get out and vote. Dish has a menu of Southern comfort food that goes hand-in-hand with the welcoming environment. What went into creating the menu? We’re a Southern state and a Southern community, and this is Southern food we grew up on, back when people used to cook. We had meatloaf once a week, salmon patties once a week, Hamburger Helper once a week, chicken and dumplings once a week. I think people — even if they’re not from here — once they realize it’s comfort food, they end up making it their own. Everybody likes good food. No matter who you are, you’re gonna like it here and you should feel comfortable. If you can’t feel comfortable here, I don’t know where you can.

FRESH SIMPLE GOOD Take-Outs Welcomed!

Mon-Fri 11am-10pm

Fri & Sat 11am-11pm

Sun 11am-9pm

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

BRUNCH

9:30AM-2PM

Miller High Life

& PBR’s

16oz

Bud Light

$3Goose Island .50 IPA

Aluminum

Half Priced Appetizers Mon-Fri 4-6pm

Premium Wings in 14 flavors! Hand Pattied Burgers!

12 WIDESCREEN TV’S!

DAILY DRINK SPECIALS Bloody Mary Bar

Call Today at 855-529-8939 or visit OptionsForMyRA.com

4548 Old Pineville Rd 980-430-5403 CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 17

festival grounds

saturday Sept. 10th presents

Noon - 6:00 pm

Advanced

VIP

ckets on Sale Now

Includes 1 hour early admission plus official T-Shirt and more!

Kids 10 and under ee

100+ Food Trucks

from all over the Southeast

beer garden B eers a n d b r ew er i es to b e a n n o u n c ed

kids zone bouncy houses, climbing wall, o b s ta c l e c o u r s e a n d m o r e !

‘

as T he Carolin

d o o F t s Large l a v i t s e F uck powered by

langhorne

slim and t h e l aw

The loose lugnuts + Friends & family

Event is Rain or Shine • No Ticket Exchanges or Refunds Truck Line-Up Subject to Change

ckets and info at EatFromATruck.com 18 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 19

THURSDAY

KEITH URBAN What: With American Idol judging behind him, you’d have to believe that Urban is ready to get back on the road and do what he does best. His ninth studio album, Ripcord, was released in May and features collaborations with Carrie Underwood, Pitbull and Nile Rodgers. His instrumental expertise has always taken the spotlight on tour — deservedly so. Urban has never quite fit inside of the “country” label, breaking into other genres, from pop to rock. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: PNC Music Pavilion, 1000 N.C. Music Factory Blvd. More: $30.25-$65. livenation.com. — JEFF HAHNE

20 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

THURSDAY

THINGS TO DO

TOP TEN

Jaggermouth FRIDAY

FRIDAY

PACKWAY HANDLE BAND

JAGGERMOUTH

SCIENCE ON THE ROCKS

What: After touring with Kid Rock and Foreigner last year, Packway Handle Band is back to headlining shows. A bluegrass act that formed in Athens in 2001, the group has gone on to generate quite the buzz. That’s partly because they are bringing some fresh elements to the bluegrass scene. In 2005 they did an arrangement of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” ‘Nuff said. Winston-Salem songwriter Caleb Caudle opens.

What: For some reason, a lot of folks have it in their head that local bands are just two steps outside of someone’s basement and aren’t worth your time. Here’s the show to prove them wrong and, best of all, it’s free so there’s really nothing to lose. It’s a stellar triple bill featuring the rock of Jaggermouth, the outstanding songwriting of Elonzo Wesley and the foot-stomping acoustic duo of Sinners & Saints. This is how you want to spend a Friday night.

What: This “back to school” themed Science on the Rocks is a good way to end the week. Whether you’re in school or long out of school, there’s nothing stuffy about this. The adults-only fun includes a dirty spelling bee, field day activities, chemistry demos and more. Plus, explore Discovery Place’s newest exhibition, Beyond Rubik’s Cube, or take in an IMAX flick, National Parks Adventure while you’re there.

When: 9 p.m. Where: Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. More: $12-$15. 704-376-1446. doubledoorinn.com. — ANITA OVERCASH

When: 9 p.m. Where: Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. More: Free. visulite.com. — HAHNE

When: 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. Where: Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St. More: $10-$12; $5 extra for IMAX. discoveryplace.org. — OVERCASH

LAUGH YOUR TAILS OFF W/ KENNY ZIMLINGHAUS What: With a last name like Zimlinghaus, this show benefitting Southeast German Shepherd Rescue seems all the more fitting. While Zimlinghaus has joked about being a German prince, he’s far from it. A radio guy and standup comedian based in New York, he tells funny absurd, sometimes false stories. Staring at girls on the beach through his rifle’s lens because he left his binoculars at home? Um, yeah. When: 8 p.m. Where: UpStage, 3306 N Davidson St. More: $25. upstagenoda.com. — OVERCASH

ADAM DAVILA

NEWS ARTS FOOD MUSIC ODDS

Keith Urban THURSDAY

Cara Truitt: In Flight WEDNESDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

ELIZARDI CASTRO What: Puerto-Rican comedian Elizardi Castro presents this new show that touches largely on relationships and flying solo. With the caption “At the wrong place, at the right time,” the show captures all the ups and downs of couplehood and the ability to find happiness during the demise of a relationship. It’s been described as a show about “tears, fears, and the laughter needed to overcome it all.” Sad and single? Feel better. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. More: $20-$30. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org. — OVERCASH

Packway Handle Band THURSDAY

CHARLOTTE PRIDE FESTIVAL & PARADE

RYAN DAVIS

What: Making its debut in 2001 at Marshall Park, Charlotte Pride continues in Uptown along Tryon Street. The LGBTQ celebrations includes a colorful parade and festival with all sorts of fun entertainers — drag queens, musicians and bands and more. This year there’s even more reason to go out and show your pride, instead of letting HB2 dampen your spirits.

What: Having seen this local (by way of Concord) comedian open for several bigger named acts in the past, I can vouch for his funniness. Davis — not to be confused with Sid Davis, another local comedian with the same last name — delivers laidback, honest commentary that sometimes picks fun at the South and even at his skin color and the awkward situations that he runs into in social settings of all sorts.

When: Aug. 20-21. Where: Along North Tryon Street in Uptown. More: Free admission; $150-$200 for VIP. charlottepride.org.

When: 7 p.m. Where: The Comedy Zone, 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd. More: $12-$15. 980-321-4702. cltcomedyzone.com.

— OVERCASH

— ANITA OVERCASH

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HARD WORKING AMERICANS

CARA TRUITT: IN FLIGHT

What: It’s a fitting name for a bluecollar supergroup of sorts. The band is comprised of singer Todd Snider, Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools, Chris Robinson Brotherhood guitarist Neal Casal, drummer Duane Trucks (brother of Derek) and Great American Taxi keyboardist Chad Staehly. That should give you a clue as to what the group sounds like. Now touring in support of Rest in Chaos. When: 8 p.m. Where: Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. More: $25-$28. neighborhoodtheatre.com. — HAHNE

What: When cosmetology collides with other artistic mediums, the results are endless. Cara Truitt is a make-up artist that’s worked for Charlotte Seen Fashion Week and Passport for Fashion. For this exhibit, she’s joined forces with photographer Colleen McFiggins and installation artist, Chris Kollman. Together, they’ve transformed female subjects into mysterious, winged beauties. When: Gallery reception, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pease Gallery. Where: CPCC’s Pease Gallery, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. More: Free admission. blogs.cpcc. edu/cpccartgalleries/. — OVERCASH

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 21

DELIGHTED TOBEHERE DESPITE HB2 Former Q.C. dragqueen returns for Charlotte Pride BY ANITA OVERCASH

BACK IN APRIL of 2015,

Charlotteans said goodbye to Clay Smith, aka Delighted Tobehere, formerly known as Roxy C. Moorecox, a longtime drag queen who brought an extra twinkle to the Q.C. drag scene. But since then, we’ve gotten some pop-up performances by Tobehere who still has family and friends in the area and frequently visits. Tobehere returns as an emcee — along with other locals like Big Mamma D, Malachi, Joan ne Spataro, Lana Cane and Lola Lovelace — on

Delighted Tobehere

22 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

Charlotte Pride’s Well’s Fargo stage. So what the hell has Tobehere been up to since leaving us? Shortly after the move to New York City,

Tobehere starred on America’s Got Talent and has since been doing weekly shows in Manhattan. Traveling for other shows at festivals and special events across the states, Tobehere stays busy — though she somehow found the time to create a one-woman show that’s slated to debut in Mexico (of all places!) in December. If that’s not worth a fiesta, we’re not sure what is. Creative Loafing chatted with Tobehere about life in New York City, Charlotte Pride, and visiting the Carolinas with House Bill 2 in effect. Creative Loafing: Since moving from Charlotte to New York City, what’s been the most exciting thing that’s happened in your career? Delighted Tobehere: So many things! I think performing at The Stonewall Inn was particularly memorable. I can’t count how many times I talked about Stonewall on the Charlotte Pride stage over the years and how we are able to celebrate our achievements in equality because the brave LGBTQ people who stood up at that venue and said “No More!” These days we can accomplish a lot with rallies instead of riots, and voting instead of violence, but the underlying message is that civil rights and equality under the law and in the hearts and minds of Americans is nonnegotiable. As far as that goes, we still have more to do. You’re coming back to Charlotte for Charlotte Pride, but because of HB2, are you really delighted to be here? I will always be delighted to return to Charlotte, who under the leadership of

Mayor Roberts took steps to protect our transgender brothers and sisters and the LGBTQ community. So, for that, Charlotte has plenty to celebrate. Unfortunately, exmayor (and soon to be ex-governor) Pat McCrory and his discriminating pals in the General Assembly have brought a level of shame on our great state, echoed by the boycotts from other state governments, businesses and entertainers. Though I support the boycotts, it has been devastating to the state’s economy. It’s something that should be remembered when heading to vote in November. We can counteract such negativity by having the most successful Charlotte Pride ever, bringing millions of rainbow dollars into the city that was doing the right thing in the first place. So whether you’re from Asheville or Atlanta, Raleigh to Richmond, D.C. or Dallas, come on out. You are welcome in Charlotte. How has living in NYC and being away from the HB2 crap here in the South had an impact on your life? Well, I spend a lot more of my time defending the good people of North Carolina and explaining how fear-mongering conservatives shouldn’t fully represent our state. Hate is not a North Carolina value, nor a southern value for that matter. Unfortunately, hate isn’t only a Southern problem either. In the past few months, we’ve had at least two gay bashings here in NYC. It’s just proof that safety is not guaranteed by geographic location. And “crap” is the perfect word for HB2, because it’s a byproduct of digesting false information about the transgender community. Then again, we have some LGB folks who don’t know that “drag queen” doesn’t specifically mean “transgender,” so there is work to do on all fronts. Stereotypes, assumptions, fear and expectations are the four guaranteed ways to hinder relationships — friendships, dating, or in work. It all spells S.A.F.E. It makes sense because we often feel safe thinking we know what is right instead of actually learning what is right. The educated are rarely intimidated.

Do you think HB2 has/or will have an impact on this year’s Charlotte Pride? It shouldn’t, and here’s why. It’s cockamamie laws like HB2 — laws of discrimination, inequality, fear mongering, and hate — that started the LGBTQ pride movement. So in remembrance of Stonewall, let’s stand up for our rights and for equality, and make this the best Charlotte Pride festival of fun, love and pride yet! Yes, you’ll see shirtless men and drag queens, but don’t miss the great food, LGBTQowned and friendly businesses and vendors, national and local entertainment, same-sex parents with strollers, and people of all ages, ethnicities, languages, gender identities and faiths. This is a celebration of diversity, and all are welcome. I can’t wait to see you all at Charlotte Pride.

What are you most excited about doing once you get back to Charlotte? So many things! I’m looking forward to good barbecue, and Southern cooking, in general. I’m looking forward to seeing friends and fans that I haven’t seen in a while. I’m looking forward to central air conditioning and I’m looking forward to spending Saturday and Sunday with over 100,000 LGBTQ and ally folks! A reminder, there will inevitably be protestors, so keep in mind my top three rules for dealing with protestors: 1. Ignore, 2. Ignore, and 3. Ignore. They are not there for you to change their minds, because they train all year to counter every argument that you make. This will just get you ticked off and ruin your day. The best response is to just ignore and have a great time.

RUN-DOWN OF CHARLOTTE PRIDE PERFORMERS Adore Delano Thanks to appearances on American Idol and RuPaul’s Drag Race, we know Adore Delano as a sassy songstress and a rambunctious drag queen. In 2014, Delano released ‘Till Death Do Us Party and followed that up with a sophomore album, After Party, released back in March. We can only imagine how much fun this set is going to be. (Anita Overcash) Jujubee If Pride Fest had a poll, Jujubee would be voted ‘Most likely to be found pregaming at Bojangles.’ This fried-chicken enthusiast won our hearts on RuPaul’s Drag Race with her witty one-liners and top-notch lip synching. Though she finished the show in third place, her status as fan favorite secured her spot on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and a three-season tenure as a professor on RuPaul’s Drag U. Boston-born with Laotian roots, Jujubee is living her childhood dream of becoming a drag superstar. (Madeline Lemieux)

Shangela Shangela’s drag career was almost over before it began when RuPaul unceremoniously axed the inexperienced starlet in the first episode, famously reminding the jilted contestant that the competition “is not RuPaul’s School for Girls!” Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Shangela made a triumphant return the following season. Though Shangela would eventually sashay away once again, her career as a drag superstar showed no signs of slowing down. Since her back-to-back stints on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Shangela has made multiple small-screen cameos and even dropped a couple of singles. (Lemieux) K. Michelle Getting her start with appearances on Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta, and her own show K. Michelle: My Life, Michelle left the reality TV front to focus on her career as an R&B songstress. Her sophomore album, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart, was released in 2014 and this year she made fans happy by

Adore Delano releasing her third studio album, More Issues Than Vogue. Expect to hear tracks off that album and to overindulge in her feisty stage persona. Eden xo In 2013 when Jessica Eden Malakouti signed with Virgin Records, she dropped her band name Jessie and The Toy Boys and started operating under the moniker Eden xo. She went on to release an album full of dancey pop anthems like “Too Cool to Dance” and “The Weekend.” Most recently, she released a cover of Thompson Twins’

“Hold Me Now.” She’s sure to deliver a bubbly, ebullient set. (Overcash) Vassy When she isn’t hard at work on a chart-climbing collaboration with one of the top names in electro-pop, multi-platinum Aussie songstress Vassy’s heart is in human rights. The singer is an ambassador for the NOH8 campaign, and also works with a foundation that empowers young girls in Ethiopia. Holding her own on the charts and spreading creativity and confidence? Sounds like girl power to us! (Lemieux) CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 23

MORE PRIDE-RELATED EVENTS Annual Mass of Celebration This is the 20th anniversary of Mass celebrations for LGBTQ catholics, as well as any of their family and friends. A light reception will follow in Biss Hall. Aug. 17, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. St. Peter Catholic Church, 507 S. Tryon St. Latin Pride Night Charlotte Latin Pride hosts this Latina/LGBTQ gathering with Latin music, local and regional entertainers, and guest speakers. $10-$15. Aug. 17, 6 p.m.10:30 p.m. Midwood International Cultural Center, 1817 Central Ave.

Shiprocked Pride Kickoff Party Weekly Shiprocked shenanigans at Snug are always a blast, but for Charlotte Pride the Shiprocked crew is doing it bigger. They’re brining in Los Angeles-based rapper Big Dipper as the headlining act. Other fabulous local talent includes Malachi, electro pop outfit Your Fuzzy Friends, retro-funk duo Sext Message and the Q.C.’s punk drag superstar, Bethann Phetamine. $10. Aug. 18, 10 p.m.-11:55 p.m. Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. 704-561-1781. snugrock.com. Charlotte Pride Kickoff Cookout Party This Charlotte Pride kickoff promises a cookout, plenty drinks, and games — beer pong, flip cup and giant Jenga. Free. Aug. 19, 5:30 p.m.-11:55 p.m. The Bar at 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave. 704-910-1478. bar316.com. Pride Takeover More shenanigans to kickoff Charlotte Pride weekend. DJ Little Betty spins. Aug. 19, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Le Méridien, 555 S. McDowell St. 704-372-9610. lemeridiencharlotte.com. Rocky Horror: Gender Bender Night The folks that make up That Type present this screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with their own special theaterical, gender twists. $8.50. Aug. 19, 10:30 p.m. AMC Concord Mills 24, 8421 Concord Mills Blvd. 704-979-0200. amctheatres.com/movietheatres/charlotte/amc-concord-mills-24.

Shangela 26 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

Pride Kickoff at Chasers The night starts off right with go-go dancers and a 10 p.m. show featuring Delighted ToBeHere, Shelita Bonet Hoyle, Vegas Van Dank, Jinx Matthews, Andrea Staxxx and Vanity Van Dank. Aug. 19, 10 p.m. Chasers, 3217 The Plaza. 704-339-0500. chaserscharlotte.club.

Jujubee

WELLS FARGO STAGE SCHEDULE

Sat., Aug. 20 12:30 p.m. — Opening ceremony and national anthem 1 p.m. —Youth entertainment 2 p.m. — Community entertainment 2:45 p.m. — Trey Pearson 3:10 p.m. — Lovesucker 3:45 p.m. — Dust and Ashes 4:30 p.m. — Jujubee and the Chasers Drag Review 5:30 p.m. —Vassy 6:30 p.m. — Eden xo 7:30 p.m. — K. Michelle 9 p.m. — DJ Little Betty Sun., Aug. 21 2 p.m. — DJ Bryson 3 p.m. — Community drag showcase 4 p.m. — Champions of Pride and parade awards 4:30 p.m. — Shangela 4:45 p.m. — Adore Delano 5:15 p.m. — Miss/Mr. Latin Pride & Miss Charlotte Pride 5:30 p.m. — Miss/Mr. Charlotte Black Gay Pride 5:45 p.m. — Kassandra Hylton and Buff Faye

Vassy

Eden xo

Open Occupancy: Artists Respond to HB2 Leave it to a group of Charlottearea artists and advocates to find something positive to do in light of HB2 and its attacks on LGBTQ rights and liberties. What started out as a conversation about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, as well as fear, bigotry and public exclusion, and respect, tolerance and public inclusion, led to Open Occupancy. The provocative collection of temporary art installations is showcased in public restrooms at McColl Center for Art + Innovation (how fitting, right?). Participating

artists include D’Angelo Dia, Raymond Grubb, John W. Love, Tom Thoune, Andrea Vail, Jason Watson and Rosalia Torres Weiner. Free admission. Aug. 19, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Aug. 20, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.; Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (if you can’t make it out during Pride, the exhibit continues through Sept. 10). 704-332-5535. mccollcenter.org. Stonewall Sports Pride Bootcamp Trainers from Flex5 will lead bootcamp classes for ages 18 and up. There’s nothing like watching a drag queen get hot and sweaty. Here’s to hoping they trade their heels in for sneakers. Free. Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Tryon St.

CHARLOTTE PRIDE Free admission; $150-$200 for VIP tickets. Aug. 20, 12 p.m.-10 p.m.; Aug. 21, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (parade, Aug. 21, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.) Held Uptown, along South Tryon Street. charlottepride. org.

The Aftermath Join drag queens Delighted ToBeHere, Dixie Crystal, Bethann Phetamine, and Malachi for an evening of fabulous entertainment. $20-$30. Aug. 20, 10 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704-358-9200. visulite.com. After Party Featuring Jujubee and other drag queens. Aug. 20, 10 p.m.-11:55 p.m. Chasers, 3217 The Plaza. 704-339-0500. chaserscharlotte.club.

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 27

ARTS

THEATER

WRITING TIPS AND SERIAL SEDUCTIONS Three Bone Theatre’s Seminar sets up shop in Spirit Square BY PERRY TANNENBAUM

E ALL KNOW that politics, connections, and strategic socializing often figure into securing Hollywood production budgets and achieving Hollywood stardom. We’re apt to think of the proverbial casting couch as Tinseltown’s exclusive domain. But can the same tools also work in the literary world, where writers aspire to lucrative publication and enduring prestige? You better believe it, playwright Theresa Rebeck tells us in Seminar, a surprisingly steamy — and sometimes dark — comedy that brings Three Bone Theatre to Spirit Square for the first time. The veneers of artistry, aesthetics, and collegiality rapidly disintegrate in successive encounters with a famed writer and his very exclusive fictionwriting class. Izzy, Douglas, Martin, and Kate all scrape together $5,000 apiece for the privilege of being praised, critiqued, berated, and mentored by Leonard in weekly sessions at Kate’s posh Upper West Side apartment. Kate has been honing her story about a narrator obsessed with Jane Austen for so long that cleverness and craft are all that remain. Izzy’s writing, on the other hand, is so laced with sensuousness and sexuality that it rouses mighty urges in every man in the room — and she knows exactly what she’s doing. Douglas arrives with a fine literary pedigree, key connections, and a manuscript that is already under consideration by The New Yorker. Martin has had the toughest time scraping up the necessary cash for tuition, so tough that he has been evicted from his apartment. He wouldn’t need to pay any rent if he could crash in one of Kate’s many extra bedrooms, but he’s oblivious to the possibility that Good Samaritan impulses might not be the primary reason why Kate says yes. There are more than a couple of 28 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

(L to R) Scott Miller, Paul Gibson, Karina Caporino and Becca Worthington in Three Bone Theatre’s Seminar. things that Martin is oblivious to, and he’s very guarded about showing his writing to anyone, so he’s a useful person for Rebeck to have around for expositional purposes. So much must be explained to him until he becomes central to the story. Meanwhile, it’s Izzy and her serial seductions that stir the pot and drive the plot. There’s actually an admirable amount of balance in Rebeck’s script, but in the Broadway production directed by Sam Gold, the important character seemed to be movie star Alan Rickman as Leonard, while the students often seemed to be mundane minnows swimming in his orbit. Leonard is a revered writer who is still globetrotting on reporting assignments despite his literary decline, so Rickman’s aging celebrity was not amiss. And Rebeck delves so deeply into the mysteries of teaching and mentoring writers that our fluctuating assessment of Leonard’s efficacy emerges as more important than any other subject Seminar tackles. But Rickman’s aura, for better or worse, made Leonard appear above the politics, the exploitation, and the literary logrolling. With Michael Harris in the role (and

probably in the best form of his life), the fault lines in Leonard’s character — and his redeeming humanity — are more readily evident. Three Bone director Steven Levine doesn’t have the luxury of imposing a huge gulf between Leonard and his students from a celebrity standpoint, so we also discover who Leonard’s costar is a bit earlier in the game. Rickman’s fame — and stage presence — really didn’t allow for an equal in the Broadway production. A subtler aspect of Rickman’s magisterial stature on Broadway was the stylish domain where Leonard held court. Ryan Maloney’s set design for Kate’s living room, flowing silk sheets for walls and simple furnishings, has an unmistakable elegance, not a word I’d apply to any of Three Bone’s previous efforts in NoDa over the past four years. But it’s Maloney’s evocation of a ratty artist’s apartment later in the action, complete with its telltale writer’s clutter, that had me flashing back to the Broadway production. Outside of ivied university walls and politically correct quads, taboos against student-teacher hookups obviously don’t apply, but with Three Bone’s comparatively leveled playing field, it’s easier to see that

COURTESY OF THREE BONE THEATRE

Izzy is playing the guys to her advantage — and actually less apparent that Leonard is playing her. Karina Caparino augments the difference by emphasizing Izzy’s wantonness and her frolicsome spirit. The Asian who played Izzy on Broadway was a little brainier, cosmopolitan. This Izzy is Bohemian with more raw and exposed emotions. That chimes well with Harris’s more vulnerable approach to Leonard. I found myself paying far closer attention to Leonard’s big monologue, where he addresses his past disgrace. For me, it was less of a rueful confession and more of a bitter outcry of victimhood this time around, accentuated by some deft lighting cues by designer Carley Walker. Unexpectedly, it’s the previously meek Martin who pushes the esteemed writer to open up. So yes, I can declare that Martin, in his painful — at times, infuriating — evolution demands a performance on a par with Leonard’s, and Scott A. Miller certainly delivers. I’m sure it isn’t a coincidence that Levine elicits an outing from Miller that’s as extraordinary as what we see from Harris, arguably eclipsing Miller’s stellar work earlier this year at Children’s Theatre of

Michael Harris and Scott Miller in Seminar.

SEMINAR $22-$28. Aug. 18-20, 8 p.m. Duke Energy Theater, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

Charlotte in the title role of Danny, King of the Basement. I’m only wondering how Levine did it. It’s easy to suppose that Levine enabled Miller and Harris to look inside themselves and find things they had never discovered before. That’s a typical mythology applied to directors. But here I suspect that Levine opened up new depths in Rebeck’s text, for I must admit that I thought it was a far slicker piece when I left John Golden Theatre in 2012 than I did at last Thursday night’s opening. Beth Killion’s costume designs for Douglas aren’t as loud as those I saw on Broadway, making the well-connected

COURTESY OF THREE BONE THEATRE

student less of an object of derision. I found that new twist as enjoyable as the others, but with three of Charlotte’s best actors bringing their A games to this local premiere, Paul Gibson’s shortcomings as Douglas were more glaring than they might be otherwise. To mesh better with this ace cast, Gibson’s cue pickup needs to be swifter and his delivery surer. When he settled down — conquered his opening night jitters? — Gibson offered us a nuanced rendering of Douglas’s sense of entitlement and his nonchalant insider’s knowledge, not cartoonish at all. But his difficulties had come when he needed to dominate. Our hostess Kate has more complexities than Izzy, and she can be even more irritating than Martin with her stubbornness and preciousness. Becca Worthington is better at Kate’s priggishness than she is at projecting the embarrassment of her privileged wealth, but there are hidden dimensions to this Kerouac hater that go undetected by Martin until the scene changes — and Worthington is marvelously attuned to those devastating surprises. BACKTALK@CLCLT.COM

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 29

ARTS

FEATURE

DISNEY

Pete’s Dragon

THREE FOR THREE Something for everyone at the movies BY MATT BRUNSON

OR THOSE TOO young to remember the output of Ralph Bakshi, the definitive sequence involving animated intercourse would inarguably be the puppet-sex segment in 2004’s Team America: World Police. Yet even that water-cooler conversation starter looks like an outtake from Finding Dory when compared to the extended orgy sequence in Sausage Party (*** out of four), the latest offering from (with apologies to MAD) the usual gang of idiots — meaning, of course, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and the rest of that Apatow-approved crowd. An outrageous undertaking that’s only slightly more kid-friendly than Rob Zombie’s 30 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

House of 1000 Corpses, this toon flick for grown-ups takes place at a supermarket wherein all the products believe that, once they’re purchased, a rapturous afterlife awaits them beyond those sliding doors. But it’s only through the adventures of a hot dog named Frank and a bun named Brenda (Kristen Wiig) that the awful and inconvenient truth comes out. The laughs tumble freely in Sausage Party (the Normandy beach scene is brilliant), yet there are also a few stretches where the humor is not only repetitive but pound into the pavement. Yet what’s particularly noteworthy about the picture is not so much its crude comic content (some of it

rather insipid) but the weightier thematic elements that envelop the storyline. Sausage Party is about nothing less than existential angst, spiritual fulfillment, and the search for a higher power in a potentially Godless universe — given these topics, it’s no wonder that one of the characters (a bagel, no less) is made to act and sound like Woody Allen. There’s also mention of the ceaseless Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a welcome proLGBT stance, and even a meta-moment examining the place of animated films in our entertainment cycle. That’s pretty heady material for a movie in which the primary villain is a douche — and, yes, I mean that literally.

THERE’S NO DENYING that Meryl Streep is one of the greatest actresses of our (all?) time, but there’s plenty of room to argue that her recent run hasn’t been as astounding as past laps of victory. Despite the knee-jerk awards attention for the likes of Into the Woods and The Iron Lady (and the less said about her slumming in the YA adaptation The Giver, the better), she hasn’t knocked one out of the multiplex since her superb turn in 2009’s Julie & Julia. With Florence Foster Jenkins (*** out of four), she returns in grand fashion, delivering a performance that’s alternately amusing, brave and, above all, poignant.

COLUMBIA

Sausage Party (Photo: Columbia)

PARAMOUNT

Hugh Grant (far left), Meryl Streep and Simon Helberg in Florence Foster Jenkins.

Yet she’s not the only one who excels in this based-on-fact yarn about the titular New York socialite, a woman who loved to sing even though her voice was about as pleasing as that of a cat who just had a brick dropped on its tail. As St. Clair Bayfield, Florence’s husband and the person who took it upon himself to guarantee that only friends and easy touches were allowed to hear her sing (professional critics were banned from her shows), Hugh Grant is equally marvelous. Meanwhile, The Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg delivers a scene-stealing turn as Cosme McMoon, the talented pianist fearful that his collaborations with Florence might doom his burgeoning career. Like Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, Florence Foster Jenkins offers a sympathetic portrayal of an individual whose creative and artistic zeal unfortunately outpaced any true talent. Although perhaps it was simply a matter of being born in the wrong era — after all, had she been a product of the 21st century, there’s no doubt she would have enjoyed a healthy run on the idiotic American Idol.

THE NEW FAMILY feature Pete’s Dragon (*** out of four) seems to hearken back to not one but two previous eras of cinematic wonder. The first, more obvious one is the late 1960s through the 70s, when the Walt Disney studio produced a series of winsome live-action pictures (Gus, Candleshoe, The Love Bug) even as its celebrated animation division hit upon hard times. The second is the mid1990s, when studios (mainly Warner Bros.) weren’t afraid to release comparatively quiet and contemplative films for younger viewers (The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, Black Beauty). Pete’s Dragon feels like a throwback to both eras, and the fact that there was a version of this story produced in 1977 makes the connection even more tangible. This remake of that clumsy live-action/ animated hybrid is clearly an improvement, fashioning a sweet story about a young orphan boy (Oakes Fegley) who spends years in the woods with a big friendly dragon as his only companion. Once civilization comes calling, Pete finds friendship in the form of a forest ranger (Bryce Dallas Howard) while his fire-breathing companion finds danger in the form of a lumberjack (Karl Urban) who, in true King Kong fashion, plans to capture and profit from the creature. Pete’s Dragon is the second movie this summer to focus on a child’s special relationship with an oversized creature, and it’s accomplished enough to make The BFG look even less of a BFD than it already did. The gentle nature and leisurely pace might cause a few Coked out kids to fidget, but most should react positively to the picture’s sense of adventure and discovery, while parents will be pleased to have found a family film that, for once, does the much abused genre proud. It’s just a shame that their kids will still rather see Suicide Squad instead. BACKTALK@CLCLT.COM CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 31

U.N.C C FOOTBALL BE PART OF THE EXCITEMENT

HIRING EVENT STAFF (USHERS, TICKETS TAKERS) & SECURITY FOR UPCOMING 2016-17 SEASON

2016 JOB FAIR AND ORIENTATION SUNDAY AUGUST 21ST JOB FAIR FOR NEW APPLICANTS 12:00 TO 2:00PM ORIENTATION AND FOOTBALL TRAINING 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

Enter UNCC off of North Tryon Street at Institute Circle, to Robert D Synder Road, to Philips Road Park in the Stadium Parking Lot, meet at Stadium Gate 3

JERRY RICHARDSON FOOTBALL STADIUM AT UNC CHARLOTTE 8701 PHILIPS RD. CHARLOTTE, NC 28223 We are seeking energetic people ages 18 and older, must have clean record Must bring state issued driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s licesnse or ID and Social Security card

FREE STUFF! CLCLT.COM/CHARLOTTE/FREESTUFF

32 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

3-DAY PRIDE

FESTIVAL AT THE

BEACH! â&#x20AC;&#x153;So you Think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Smart!â&#x20AC;? Join our Trivia/Pub Quiz for great fun, food, brews and prizes!

Z8! ,# ( , !( ,( # , '#2K! '# #

23 Beers on

Tap!

Specials & Cocktail Daily Beer Specials !

NEW

Weekday Lun

PATIO SEATING AVAILABLE -Weather Permitting

Family Friendly

TICKETS ON SALE

NOW Please V isit

OBXPRIDEDFEST.COM

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Menu Available

-Join us and cheer for your favorite team!

ACTIVIST JOBS

* To Stand Up for Equality!* Work with Grassroots Campaigns on behalf of the ACLU Full Time/Mgmt Available $ 5,100-$ 7,900 for the summer

CALL ALEX @ (980)-819-0959 www.grassrootscampaigns.com

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 33

ARTS

HAPPENINGS

COMEDY Bonkerz Comedy Club Austin Mann. Aug. 1920, 8 p.m. $10. 5624 Westpark Drive. 980-2885653. bonkerzcomedyproductions.com. Booth Playhouse Elizardi Castro. Aug. 20. 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org. Carion Hotel OTC Improv presents a “Back to School Improv Show.” Aug. 20, 8 p.m. 3695 Foothills Way, Rock Hill. 704-618-4203. OTCimprov.com The Comedy Zone Gary Owens. Aug. 18, 8 p.m.; Aug. 19, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; Aug. 20, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Aug. 21, 7 p.m. $25-$28. Ryan Davis. $12$15. Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Night of 500 Laughs. $15. Aug. 23, 8 p.m. HaHa’s for Hope. $30-$35. Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m. 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite B3. 980-321-4702. cltcomedyzone.com. The Sweet Spot The Chuckleheads. Presenting “The Dog Days of Summer Comedy Improv Musical Variety Extravaganza” with improvisational comedy games. For more information, visit planetimprov.com. $10-$15. Aug. 20, 6 p.m. (all ages) and 8 p.m. shows. 10050 Edison Square Drive, NW, Huntersville. UpStage Laugh Your Tails Off w/ Kenny Zimlinghaus and Charlotte comic Jason King. $20. Aug. 19, 6:30-10 p.m. Lez Laugh Comedy Show. $15. Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m. UpStage, 3306-C North Davidson St. upstagenoda.com. Wet Willie’s Charlotte Comedy Theater. For more information, visit charlottecomedytheater. com. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. $10. 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite C-1. 704-716-5650. wetwillies.com.

THEATER/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE ART Hillbilly Hankerin’ Presented by Rock Hill Community Theatre. Up in the hills, it seems all the girls want to get hitched, but these girls have a bad case of ’The Hankerin.’ The only exception is Charlemaine, who would rather read than hunt for men. $12-$15. Aug. 19-20, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 21, 3 p.m. 546 S Cherry Road, Rock Hill. rockhilltheatre.org. Seminar Presented by Three Bone Theatre. This play by Theresa Rebeck is a provocative comedy about four aspiring young novelists 34 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

who sign up for private writing classes with Leonard, an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon and hearts are unmoored. Aug. 18-20. Duke Energy Theater, 345 N. College St. 704372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

27. Sacred Geometry Collection. Featuring Oscar “Buddy” Folk’s expressionism. Inspired by Commercial Design, European travels, and New York City’s East Village in the early ‘80s. Aug. 23-Sept. 30. Opening reception on Sept. 10, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 9A. charlottefineart.com.

The Gospel According to Tennessee Presented by Narroway Theatre. Set in 1926, this fastpaced musical dinner show takes you to East Tennessee where the fun never ends. Sing along with fabulous old Southern classics and watch the gospel truths unfold through the eyes and imagination of Tennessee. Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 23, 6 p.m.; Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m. NarroWay, 3327 SC-51, Fort Mill. carolinatix.org.

Twenty-Two Let the Good Times Roll. This yearly skateboard deck art show has picked up wins in CL’s Best of Charlotte for good reason. Artists purchase new or salvaged skateboards and give them new life through art. Through Sept. 4. 1500 Central Ave. 704-334-0122. gallerytwentytwo.com.

P.S. Your Cat Is Dead Presented by Queen City Theatre Company. It’s New Year’s Eve in the West Village of New York City and the protagonist has been robbed twice, his girlfriend is leaving him, and he’s lost his job. The only one he’s got left to talk to is a gay burglar who is trying to seduce him and his cat has just died. $23-$25. Duke Energy Theater, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

VISUAL ARTS

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture Shaping the Vessel: Cummings + Mascoll + Samuel. The exhibit features 26 wood works by three artists, including Frank E. Cummings III, John Mascoll and Avelino Samuel. Through Jan. 16, 2017. 551 South Tryon St. 704547-3700. ganttcenter.org. Jerald Melberg Gallery Two to Watch. This exhibit presents two local artists that you should be watching. The first is Nicholas Napolentano, a hyperrealist figurative artist. The second artist is Matthew Steele, who creates wooden sculptures that resemble complex manmade infrastructures. Through Sept. 10. Free admission. 625 S. Sharon Amity Road. 704-365-3000. jeraldmelberg.com.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art All That Sparkles: 20th Century Artists’ Jewelry. This exhibit focuses on the art of jewelry, featuring work from Harry Bertoia and Claire Falkenstein, as well as Bechtler Collection artists Alberto Giacometti, Alicia Penalba, Raffael Benazzi, and Niki de Saint Phalle. Through Jan. 8, 2017. The House That Modernism Built. The exhibit presents Bechtler Museum of Modern Arts’ rich mid-20th century art collection alongside furniture, textile and ceramic holdings on loan from other institutions and private collectors. The show will emphasize process, examining how designers and artists tackled projects, and how the innovations in other disciplines from the sciences to the humanities influenced their direction. Through Sept. 11. 420 S. Tryon St. 704-353-9200. bechtler.org.

Mint Museum Uptown Romare Bearden Gallery. A permanent gallery devoted to the work of Romare Bearden (1911-1988), who was born in Charlotte. Here & Now: 80 Years of Photography at the Mint. The first survey exhibition of photography drawn solely from the Mint’s permanent collection. It’s comprised of approximately 100 of the Mint’s most stunning and provocative photographs. Through Sept. 18. 500 S. Tryon St. 704-337-2000. mintmuseum. org.

Charlotte Fine Art Gallery 6th Annual Students’ Art Exhibition. Showcasing artists who take the gallery’s weekly studio classes. Stunning and affordable art. Through Aug.

Afropop Team Bantu Fête presents this third edition of AfroPop! Charlotte, a monthly oasis celebrating all things related to African culture through Afrobeats, Soca, fashion and

Shain Gallery Abstract Invitational. The Abstract Invitational will feature 10 emerging abstract artists. Through Aug. 31. 2823 Selwyn Ave. 704-334-7744. shaingallery.com.

MORE EVENTS

networking. Music by The Dynamic DJ Kato. $5$10. Aug. 19, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. ASC Culture Blocks & Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Present: Nicci Canada Live Nicci Canada is a professional Jazz singer specializing in jazz standards, blues and soul. She has warm, sultry vocals reminiscent of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. Free. Aug. 20, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Back to School Pet Portraits In-studio themed pet portraits. Each session is 15 minutes (per pet) and includes your choice of 3-5x7 prints and a web-sized, sharable (not printable) file for each of those three images (which you choose via an online gallery). You have the option to purchase additional prints and products via the gallery as well. Expect to get an emailed link to your gallery within two weeks of your shoot. $85. Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Dog Photog’s Studio, 2324-B Distribution St. Beach Volleyball Pro Emily Day Meet and Greet U.S. Pro Beach Volleyball player Emily Day will be visiting to sign autographs, take photos with fans and participate in a roundrobin tournament with SportsLink players. Hosted by Smoothie King, this event is free and open to the public. Free samples of Smoothie King’s new Watermelon Hydration Smoothies will be available to the first 200 guests. Free. Aug. 18, 6-10 p.m. The Sandbox at VBGB, 920 Hamilton St. The Beautiful Opportunity of Sustainable Food Systems Central Piedmont Group of Sierra Club presents Aaron Newton, the Elma C. Lomax Farm Coordinator for the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. He is the coauthor of A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil. Newton’s talk will describe how sustainable food systems can help solve the problem of feeding an ever growing global population. Free and open to the public. Aug. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Freedom Park Pavilion, 2435 Cumberland Ave. charlottesierraclub.org Charlotte Pride Festival Charlotte Pride’s free two-day LGBTQ festival includes diverse national, regional and local entertainers, musicians and bands, and numerous participating vending booths, including art exhibitors, area non-profits, political candidates, vendors, food stands and more. It

highlights the social, cultural, ethnic, artistic and political diversity of the Charlotte area’s LGBTQ community. Free admission. Aug. 20-21. Uptown Charlotte, Tryon St. charlottepride.org. Charlotte Challenge 2016: The Ultimate Urban Scavenger Race The challenge is a ridiculously fun race competition packed into one day. Teams of two or more will dash around the city, racing against other challengers for glory (and cash prizes) as they solve tricky clues, strategize the best route, and explore undiscovered corners of the city. challengenation.com/charlotte/. $35$55. Aug. 21, 2 p.m. Held in Uptown. Charlotte Knights Charlotte Knights vs. Buffalo Bisons. Aug. 20, 6:05 p.m.; Aug. 21, 5:05 p.m.; Aug. 22, 7:05 p.m.; Charlotte Knights vs. Durham Bulls. Aug. 23-25, 7:05 p.m. BB&T Ballpark, 324 South Mint St. milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t494. Cocktails & Gardens at The Duke Mansion Come celebrate summer at The Duke Mansion where there is more than four acres of spectacular gardens and grounds to stroll. No reservations required and there’s a cash bar onsite. Free admission; cash bar. MondaysThursdays, 5-8 p.m. Continues through Aug. 31. dukemansion.org. Charlotte NORML Monthly Meeting Charlotte NORML is open to the public and works to unite a growing community of activists in the area. The monthly meeting is an open opportunity for new and existing activists to discuss accomplishments over the past four weeks and plan for upcoming events in the community and with a larger focus toward legalizing cannabis statewide. Free. Aug. 20, 2-4 p.m. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Charlotte’s Country Music Story Presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Dr. Tom Hanchett will discuss the history of Country music here in Charlotte, long before the rise of country music in Nashville, Tennessee. You may register online at cmlibrary.org or call the Myers Park Branch at 704-416-5800. Free. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (Myers Park Branch), 1361 Queens Road. Conexiones: Exchanges Across Cultures with Art Join local artists for a mural-making workshop that celebrates the images and spirit of NUEVOlution. Free to attend. Registration requested. Aug. 21, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St.

Couples Night Out Create two individual paintings that when hung together will form a heart. Pre-registration required and refreshments are provided. 21 and up. $80/per couple includes all supplies. Aug. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 9A. charlottefineart.com. City Startup Labs’ 2016 Pitch Event Over the past three years CSL has been training a select group of Charlotte black male millennials to reimagine themselves as a new class of entrepreneurs and innovators. This event will be an opportunity for this latest class to showcase their ventures before a panel of judges and you. Entrepreneurs with winning business ideas will move on to CSL’s incubation phase as well as receive a cash award to help with their launch. RSVP: bit.ly/CSLPitch. Free. Aug. 24, 6-9 p.m. UNC Charlotte’s Center City Building, 320 E. 9th St. Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County The Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County will honor Chief Deputy Felicia McAdoo of the Mecklenburg County sheriff’s office at the Annual Doris Cromartie Fundraiser Gala. For more information, go to meckdemwomen.org. Aug. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Carolina Golf Club, 2415 Old Steele Creek Road. Dirty Dancing Festival This annual festival celebrates the movie, in a location where parts of it were filmed. $5-$20. Aug. 19-20. Morse Park Meadows, 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure. History Talks Lecture Series - Daniel Coston Author and photographer Daniel Coston will give an illustrated presentation of Charlotte’s iconic music venues including Visulite Theatre, Tremont Music Hall, Double Door Inn and The Milestone and bands he’s met and photographed along the way. A reception will follow Coston’s presentation. Free. Aug. 25, 6 p.m. Charlotte Museum of History & Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, 3500 Shamrock Drive. Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Festival Zombie Walk This special edition in Kannapolis’ festival series allows zombies to roam downtown, as long as they’re not too aggressive. Let’s keep it family-friendly and enjoy the art of being a zombie and the art of local vendors. Sat., Aug. 20, 4-8 p.m. Downtown Kannapolis, 246 Oak Avenue, Kannapolis. Krug Champagne Wine Dinner A special wine dinner featuring legendary Krug Champagne

with Brand Ambassador Nicole Burke. $250 per person plus tax and gratuity. Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m. Corkbuzz, 4905 Ashley Park Lane, Suite J.corkbuzz.com/events-calendar/. Lupus Empowerment Seminar The workshop will feature Manika Zeri, MD, with Northeast Rheumatology who will be presenting “Lupus and the Skin. The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter will also be presenting “Doctor-Patient Communication.” There is no charge to attend, but registration is required by Aug. 17. For questions, call 877-849-8271 or email info@lupusnc.org. For more information, visit lupusnc.org. Free. Aug. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Myers Park Presbyterian Church Outreach Center, 1073 Providence Road. lupus.org. Mushroom Cultivation Workshop In this two hour instructional session led by Amy Lemieux, you’ll learn the ins and outs of mycelium, possible obstacles, and you’ll take home your own King Stropharia mycelium kit. $40. Aug. 20, 9-11 a.m. Lucky Leaf Gardens, 7624 Hilliard Lane. eventbrite.com. Plaza Patio Party The free HHM Plaza Patio Parties will be held the third Friday of every month (through September) at the Plaza location. Enjoy live music, games, beer and food samples, and more. Aug. 19, 5-8 p.m. Healthy Home Market, 1330 Central Ave. Potions & Pixels Expect more video games, more board games, and more drinks at this reocurring event being held in this new space and venue. $5. Aug. 24, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. The Underground, 820 Hamilton St. potionsandpixels. com. Queen City Urban Art Showcase The Queen City Urban Art Showcase is a networking event for the creative community anchored with art exhibits from the top talent in the area. Meet and greet your fellow creatives and build relationships that further your creative efforts. Free. Aug. 20, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Advent, 933 Louise Ave. Saved by the 90’s Bar Crawl: We Love the 90’s It’s a millennial take over, throwing back to scrushies, bandanas, mood rings and signing T-shirts! Listen to your faveorite ‘90s music at stops on the crawl. Tickets includes Free admission into partiicpating bars and ‘90s bar crawl T-shirt. Sharpies will be available for writing in a favorite memory of the ‘90s on T-shirts. $10. Aug. 19, 7-10 p.m. Rooftop 210, 210

E. Trade St., Suite 230B. Saturday Night Cine Club Chalotte Film Society screens Francofonia, a film by director Alexander Sokurov that’s set against the backdrop of the Louvre Museum’s history and artworks. For more information, visit charlottefilmsociety.com. $5-$10. Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam Blumenthal Performing Arts’ monthly Poetry Slams are hosted by SlamCharlotte, Charlotte’s own two time national championship team of spoken word poetry (2007 & 2008). SlamCharlotte strives to promote poetic growth, performance enhancement, and increased camaraderie among the poets and the community through the monthly slam competitions. $10. Aug. 19. McGlohon Theater, 345 N College St. blumenthalarts.org. Tiny Stage Concerts Reunion Show Tiny Stage Concerts brings several performers together from it’s first four months of concerts. There will be about 10 singer/songwriters performing. Free. Aug. 20, 8-11 p.m. EagleSpeak Coffee House, 3907 South Blvd. Triple C Brewing Co. 4th Anniversary Party The taproom will be open from noon to 10 p.m. with several food trucks. At 2:30 p.m., the party moves to the parking lot, where there will be live music from Mojo Ruckus from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Yarn takes over for two sets starting at 6 p.m. There will also be a special anniversary ale. Free admission. Aug. 20. Triple C Brewing Company, 2900 Griffith St. 704-372-3212. UNCC Welcome Back Party at Flying Saucer Flying Saucer is hosting a party to welcome back UNCC students. Beerknurds and students 21 years and older with a valid UNCC student ID get in free. Jon Linker will be providing the tunes and most drafts will be $3.50. Aug. 22, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Flying Saucer, 9605 N. Tryon St. The Winding Stream Music Documentary The Winding Stream is a story about the family at the heart of American roots music. Starting with the original Carter family, the film traces the trio’s early musical success, the transformation of the act into The Carter Sisters, June Carter’s marriage to legend Johnny Cash, and efforts of the present-day Carter family to keep the music alive. $9. Aug. 19-20, 5-6:30 & 7:30-9 p.m. Warehouse PAC, 9216 Westmoreland Road, Suite A. warehousepac.com. CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 35

MUSIC

FEATURE

CRASH MEDIA

Dust & Ashes perform at Charlotte Pride on Aug. 20.

ACCEPTANCE, NOT REPENTANCE Dust & Ashes find a place at Charlotte Pride. BY ANITA OVERCASH

OR CHARLOTTEBASED Americana/folk band,

Dust & Ashes, the Bible has been a muse. The band’s name was taken from scripture — specifically from Job 42:6, where Job says, “I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” But the trio is far from religious in the sense of ancient law. Heather Himes, the vocalist/guitarist who fronts the quartet — also comprised of Alea Tuttle (vocals, banjo, viola, saw), Leah Smith (vocals, cello, standup bass) and Tiffany 36 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

Goodman (vocals, percussion) — says there’s good and bad connotations to the name and its meaning to the band, some of whom are gay. It’s complicated, but it’s about learning to love and accept oneself. “It’s a form of self recognition and a little bit of self-loathing, but also a repentance of being that and also thinking it,” Himes said. Himes, who is gender non-conforming and uses femme pronouns, grew up in Kershaw, South Carolina, where being gay was considered a sin as much as it was socially unacceptable. Despite Himes’ non-

religious status, she sports two tattoos, both of Jesus. Himes eventually left town, finding a home and a thriving LGBTQ community in Charlotte by way of Plaza Midwood. It’s the opposite of her non-progressive hometown, which she feels is moving in the wrong direction. But what about House Bill 2 and its impact on North Carolina? While she admits it may look as though the Q.C. is moving backwards on paper, it’s another story in artsy refuges like Plaza Midwood and other parts of the city and surrounding

area. Dust & Ashes will perform at Charlotte Pride on the Wells Fargo stage on Aug. 20. Himes enjoys playing the festival, which she dubs as a great place to people-watch. “I think that’s the best thing about Pride. It used to be much more flamboyant and lots of banana hammocks and now you see more families and a lot more families and a lot of straight people, so it’s kind of changed but in a good way and it’s still people-watching,” she says. “It’s cool to see how it’s becoming way more normal to people which technically

CRASH MEDIA

DUST & ASHES Free admission. Aug. 20, 3:45 p.m. charlottepride.org.

is what it should be.” In regards to recent controversy surrounding the trans community and a lack of representation at the festival (see this week’s new story on pg. 10), Himes chimes in with her thoughts. “I actually think that’s probably a legit opinion. I have gone to Charlotte Pride for a couple years and I don’t think they have huge representation,” she says. “But I do think that like, the community in general, the reason that’s just now starting to happen for them, it’d be hard to knock Pride and say they don’t have a forum. I think they are just starting to grow into that forum.”

THIS CHARLOTTE PRIDE appearance

marks Dust & Ashe’s second time playing during the LGBTQ shenanigans. Last year, they performed during the release of their debut studio album, Bone To Pick. Since then, the band has been honing its sounds and has reworked some of the songs on the album. They are slated to release a sophomore album that will be recorded live in the fall. Often described as playing “swamp stomp,” the band’s music falls into genres like Americana and folk, as well as blues and Appalachain and Louisiana styles. “It’s very Southern, but it’s not really country,” says Himes, who is heavily influenced by former local Scott Avett and his successful Avett Brothers outfit. Most recently, Dust & Ashes opened for

Oh Pep!, an Australian indie folk-pop duo who played The Evening Muse. During the set, Oh Pep! had to borrow Himes’ guitar. “I’m never going to wash it now,” she said with a laugh. Since that Charlotte show, the band has trotted off to Portland, Oregon, where they’ve played nine shows and are attending The DreamRoll, an all-ladies moto-camping festival. On Aug. 17 they’ll play Ink Floyd’s God Save the Queen City at Snug Harbor with Landless and T. Hardy Morris & The Hardknocks. On Sept. 24, Dust & Ashes will perform a concert series with other local bands/musicians that takes a stand against HB2 at Neighborhood Theatre. It’s a cause that the group stands behind and it’s fitting for a band that’s members aren’t shy about their sexuality. Songs like “Redneck Dyke” reminisce over Kershaw inhabitants and a lack of acceptance in that community. Himes, who says that folks often think the song is about her, says it is actually about a lady from Kershaw who was a role model of sorts to her. Other songs like “Queen Betty” and “Have Heart” are reminders of the importance of speaking up and standing up for what you believe in, as well as loving yourself for who you are and not what others want you to be. The track “Exit Plan” circles back to Himes, her tattoos and the home and community that she grew up in, with its Bible-belt feel. Oftentimes, Himes would rant, runaway and even cut up dresses that her mother wanted her to wear. “I felt trapped in this idea of who I was supposed to be as a kid and feeling completely isolated and rejected because I already knew who I was,” said Himes. “I was gay and that was not OK with my parents and with God.” AOVERCASH@CLCLT.COM

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG 24, 2016 | 37

38 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

The Salvation Army is hosting an

AUCTION Every Mon-Fri

930am-11am

Closed Sat,Sun and Holidays

$2.oo

Bidding Fee

(non-refundable)

Auction Location:

1023 Central Ave Charlotte, NC 28204 704-332-1171

Show this Ad for

1 Free Bid CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG 24, 2016 | 39

MUSIC

SOUNDBOARD

AUG. 18 BLUES/ROOTS/INTERNATIONAL *River Jam Series w/ Jarekus Singleton (U.S. National Whitewater Center)

CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Live Latin Thursday (BluNotes)

Saints (Visulite Theatre) Jay Mathey (RiRa Irish Pub) *Social Animals (The Evening Muse) Stonecrest Summer Concert Series w/ Skate Rink Jukebox (Stonecrest Shopping Center)

AUG. 20 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH

COUNTRY/FOLK Beavergrass Bluegrass Jam f. Jim Garrett (Thirsty Beaver) *Keith Urban (PNC Music Pavilion)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B R&B Live (Studio Movie Grille)

POP/ROCK

Wed 8/17

PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG + BYOG FRI 8/19

ELONZO WESLEY SINNERS & SAINTS + JAGGERMOUTH

21 + FREE SHOW 18 + $5

SAT 8/20

THE AFTERMATH PRIDE AFTER PARTY THU 9/1

& Justin Osborne BJTHUBARHAM 9/8 THE FRI 9/2

WHIGSTHU 9/15 FRI 9/16

MON 9/12

HAYES CARLL 40 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

Grant & Matt (Comet Grill) Head Fun (Tin Roof) Kamber, Frank and his Alter Egos, Iioioioii, & Cherbough Way (Milestone) Late Night Special (RiRa Irish Pub) *NeedToBreathe w/ Mat Kearney, John Mark McMillan, Welshly Arm (Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre) Packway Handle Band w/ Caleb Caudle (Double Door Inn) *Shiprocked (Snug Harbor) Tacoma Narrows, Striking Copper, Jordan Middleton & The Low End (The Evening Muse) Union Street Live Concert Series w/ Band of Oz, Mike Strauss Band (Downtown Concord)

AUG. 19 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Jazzy Fridays feat. Linda Straite Band (Freshwaters Restaurant)

COUNTRY/FOLK Henry River Honey w/ Timothy Pepper (Double Door Inn) The Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) Luke Edwards (Puckett’s Farm Equipment) Patrick Davis (The Evening Muse) Wes Cook (Tin Roof)

DJ/ELECTRONIC *Bollywood Dreams f. Akbar Sami (Label)

POP/ROCK The Atomic Bitchwax, Lo Pan, Dirty Streets & The Seduction (Milestone) Get the LED Out (Neighborhood Theatre) Jaggermouth w/ Elonzo Wesley, Sinners &

Grooves, Booze & Jazz with Buff Dillard (BluNotes)

COUNTRY/FOLK Distillery Cats (Puckett’s Farm Equipment) Luke Combs w/ Out of the Blue (Coyote Joe’s) Patrick Davis (The Evening Muse)

DJ/ELECTRONIC The Aftermath: Taking Pride to the Next Level (Visulite Theatre) *New Wave Undertow w/ DJ Price (Milestone)

POP/ROCK The Breakfast Club w/ Abacab: A Tribute to Genesis (Amos’ Southend) *Fifth Harmony w/ Jake Miller, Victoria Monet (Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre) Idlewild South: The Allman Brothers Tribute Band (Sylvia Theatre, York) LangTree Live Music Series w/ Hot Sauce Band (Langtree Lake Norman, Mooreseville) Mike Strauss Trio (Comet Grill) River Jam Series w/ Amigo (U.S. National Whitewater Center) Stonecrest Summer Concert Series w/ Skate Rink Jukebox (Stonecrest Shopping Center) Sue Foley Band (Double Door Inn)

AUG. 21 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Downtown Gastonia Summer Concert Series w/ Ken Knox & Company (Downtown Gastonia, Gastonia)

POP/ROCK Concerts on the Green Series w/ Poor Boy Revival (Davidson Village Green, Davidson) The Menders, Kings & Queens, Scott Harding (The Evening Muse) Omari and the Hellraisers (Comet Grill) Sense of Purpose f. Paul Agee, Chris Allen, Joe Lindsay, Jody Gholson (Tyber Creek Pub) Waking April, David Z. Cox, The Whiskey

Predicament & Christine Morgan (Milestone)

COMING SOON

AUG. 22

Jeezy (Aug. 25; The Fillmore)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B #MFGD Open Mic (Apostrophe Lounge)

Chatham County Line (Aug. 26; McGlohon Theater) Rich Springfield (Aug. 26; CMCU

POP/ROCK

Amphitheatre)

*The Monday Night Allstars (Double Door Inn)

God Save the Queen City (Aug. 27; The

Wicked Powers (Comet Grill)

Fillmore)

AUG. 23 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Bill Hanna Jazz Jam (Double Door Inn)

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon (Aug. 27; Amos’ Southend) The English Beat (Aug. 27; The Underground) Goo Goo Dolls (Aug. 28; CMCU Amphitheatre) Luke Bryan (Sept. 1; PNC Music Pavilion)

COUNTRY/FOLK Red Rockin’ Chair (Comet Grill) Tuesday Night Jam w/ The Smokin’ Js (Smokey Joe’s Cafe)

BJ Barham (Sept. 1; Visulite Theatre) The Melvins (Sept. 6; Amos’ Southend) Florida Georgia Line (Sept. 10; PNC Music Pavilion)

POP/ROCK

Dinosaur Jr. (Sept. 10; Neighborhood Theatre)

Fairplay & Special Guests (Lucky Lou’s Tavern) Hard Working Americans w/ The Congress, Todd Snider, Dave Schools, Neal Casal, Chad Staehly, Duane Trucks & Jesse Aycock (Neighborhood Theatre)

Heart, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick (Sept. 16; PNC

Xuekatre, Baasthyrian & Krvsade (Milestone)

Warner Cable Arena)

AUG. 24 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Ladies Flirt Wednesday w/ Shableek (BluNotes)

COUNTRY/FOLK *An Evening with Gillian Welch (Neighborhood Theatre) Jared & the Mill w/ Edison (Double Door Inn)

Music Pavilion) Brian Wilson (Sept. 19; Belk Theater) Bad Boy Family Reunion (Sept. 20; Time Built To Spill (Sept. 21; Neighborhood Theatre) I Love the 90s Tour (Sept. 23; Time Warner Cable Arena) James Bay (Sept. 25; The Fillmore) Kishi Bashi (Sept. 28; Visulite Theatre) Lauryn Hill (Sept. 29; CMCU Amphitheater) Gov’t Mule (Oct. 1; CMCU Amphitheater) Korn w/ Breaking Benjamin (Oct. 5; PNC Music Pavilion) Charlie Puth (Oct. 6; The Fillmore)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Party in the Park w/ The Tams (Romare Bearden Park)

Wednesday 13 (Oct. 10; Amos Southend) Die Antwoord (Oct. 25; The Fillmore) Bonnie Raitt (Oct. 26; Ovens Auditorium)

POP/ROCK

Phantogram (Oct. 29; The Fillmore)

Jettison Five Duo (RiRa Irish Pub) Modern Heritage Weekly Mix Tape (Snug Harbor) Open Mic Night (Comet Grill) Rob Baird (The Evening Muse) Stuck Lucky, The Emotron, Whatever Whatever & The Not Likelys (Milestone)

NEED DIRECTIONS? Check out our website at clclt.

* - CL Recommends

com. CL online provides addresses, maps and directions from your location. Send us your concert listings: E-mail us at aovercash@clclt. com or fax it to 704-522-8088. We need the date, venue, band name and contact name and number. The deadline is each Wednesday, one week before publication. CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 41

ENDS

MARKETPLACE

ENDS

NIGHTLIFE

A CELEBRATION FIT FOR A QUEEN

JOBS | POSTINGS | LISTINGS | RENTALS

Charlotte Pride kicks off this week

now

PHOTOGRAPHY Family Engagement Real Estate Events and more

www.JeffHahnePhotography.com

704-737-2145

The Perfect Combo.

open!

is a hit in Charlotte, and We are adding to our team! Do you take pride in putting your creative talents to work in an all-scratch kitchen? Babalu is an upscale, yet casual, full-service concept creating delicious dishes and cocktails made from fresh ingredients-sourced local locally when possible. We also boast a fun environment and a great culture!

Now Hiring:

Line/Tapas Cooks

Dishwashers

Join the excitement, and apply today at

eathere.com/careers

42 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

Pride Festival. This past year, the highlight AS I SAT on a redeye flight from Boston of Black Gay Pride was going to The Scorpio. back to the Queen City at 5 a.m. on Monday Conveniently located near a Cook Out morning I thought, ‘How am I going to on Freedom Drive — did you catch the get through this work day?’ I sighed and shameless late night food plug? — The attempted to take a nap while we sat on the Scorpio has been a safe haven for members runway. After fussing over multiple positions of the LGBT community since 1968. I would and trying to find a sweet spot without my argue it’s the closet you can get in the Q.C. to neck pillow, I gave up and decided to browse Facebook one last time before taking off. an underground, elusive and exclusive allure At the top of my feed was a post titled, that you’ll find in New York LGBT spaces. “1 year ago today.” There was a picture of Every Saturday, you can catch a show that me in a tie-dye tube top with the hashtags: features dance groups, vocalists and fabulous #cltpride #lovewins. Even though I ended up drag queens. During Black Gay Pride, they going to the Charlotte Pride Parade alone usually try to incorporate someone and went home with swollen lips who’s become a figurehead in the after having a bad reaction to community. Last year, a star jalapenos, I smiled reflecting from RuPaul’s Drag Race was on that weekend. Suddenly, in attendance. However, no I was super excited to get matter when you drop by, through the work day you can always expect to because I knew that be fully entertained and meant that I was one day to experience a highcloser to the kickoff of energy atmosphere, with the 2016 Charlotte Pride a splash of drama, all the Festival & Parade. way up until 4 a.m. And while I tend to Sadly, each year, it seems AERIN SPRUILL celebrate by turning up, like the amount of activities Pride isn’t just about the — for both festivals — decrease parties. The week leading up until significantly. This year, I missed out the parade incorporates education, on the Black Gay Pride festivities, but I plan forums, panels, outreach programs, on catching a few of the following events this volunteer opportunities and political week as the 2016 Charlotte Pride Festival & conversations. All of which, provide a great Parade continues: chance for LGBT community members, allies • Aug. 19 (and continuing through Sept. and interested parties to support, nurture 10): McColl Center for Art + Innovation and grow together. will feature art installations in several of its For those of you who don’t know, Pride public restrooms entitled, Open Occupancy: is renowned not just throughout the United Artists Respond to HB2. States, but also across much of the world. Also • The Official Charlotte Pride Kickoff known as LGBT Pride, for me, it represents a Cookout Party at The Bar at 316 is also celebration of difference. A positive response Friday night starting at 5:30 p.m. I’ve never to the discrimination, violence and silence experienced Bar 316, as many refer to it that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender as, so this will be a welcomed change to my individuals face every single day. nightlife routine. What’s even better? I get to experience it • And last but not least, I’m hoping to twice a year. There are two pride festivals in drop in for Takeover Friday at Le Méridien Charlotte — Charlotte Pride (held in August) Hotel. (This may, or may not, include a quick and Charlotte Black Gay Pride (held in July). trip upstairs to my new fave rooftop spot, Why, you may ask? While there is a shared, City Lights Rooftop). collective LGBT experience that should be Unfortunately, I won’t be in town on recognized and appreciated, the minority Saturday. However, I’m optimistic about experience can be uniquely different and celebrating Pride this year in a new way. isn’t always felt, shared or recognized by the And if I’m lucky, I’ll make it back in time larger LGBT community. In other words, it’s for the Charlotte Pride Parade on Sun., Aug. easy for minority causes and identities to get 21. What events do you plan on attending lost in the sauce. Every year since I’ve been in Charlotte, during this year’s Charlotte Pride Festival? a few friends, both members of the LGBT What would you like to see different next community and allies, have made an effort year? to attend at least one event during each BACKTALK@CLCLT.COM

ENDS

CROSSWORD

THE FIRST REVERSED ACROSS

1 Signal-enhancing audio equipment 9 Ukrainian port 15 Judge, during a case 20 Not digital, as a clock 21 Largest “little piggy” 22 As a result 23 Gave some merchandise an awful review? 25 Cultural values 26 Film’s name, e.g. 27 Actress Wray 28 Winning tic-tac-toe line 29 Sans -- (carefree) 30 Ancient Aegean region 31 Jazz band’s job 32 Lowers a lady again while tangoing? 35 Yule libations 36 Election winners 37 Took a load off 38 Alarm clocks, when going off 39 Fashions articles out of yarn incessantly? 45 Osaka cash 46 Partner of parks, briefly 47 City grid: Abbr. 48 Sac fly stat 49 “Of course, amigo!” 53 Spicy Korean cabbage 55 Data about unstimulating java? 58 Antares, e.g. 61 Edible hero 64 Roo’s donkey pal 65 Never took off one’s teal jumper? 71 Bushes’ successors 72 D major’s relative key 73 Sloop feature 74 Casual pants dug out of the earth? 78 Fly in Zambia 81 Granola bits 82 Most populous Idaho county 83 Shar- -85 Jr.’s junior 86 Boise-to-Las Vegas dir. 89 Magazine devoted to razor sharpeners? 94 Weather map line 98 ‘80s sitcom 99 Name of 13 popes

100 Broad valley 101 Thorough way to steal someone’s milk shake? 105 Hostile dog 106 Clingy wrap 107 Like wet weather 108 Bruins’ Bobby 109 Lass 110 Months before Octs. 111 Make amends (for) 112 What makes thin sheets stick together? 117 Calculus pioneer Leonhard 118 Reciprocal 119 German 120 Lechers’ looks 121 Get garbed 122 Devours greedily

DOWN

1 Golf number 2 Evenly matched 3 Inviting to enter with a hand motion 4 Snobby sort 5 Missouri city 6 Film critic James 7 Strong java 8 Home aquarium inhabitant 9 Comply with 10 Make a hole 11 Self-love 12 Endured 13 “Ditto” 14 Fable figure 15 Saint-Saens cello piece 16 Won back 17 Bury 18 Nissan Leaf, for one 19 Ingredients in plastics 24 Witch 30 Like pen smudges 31 Small Italian dumplings 32 Fans’ shouts 33 Ordinal ending 34 Fin. neighbor 36 Bit of news 37 P.D. rank 40 Mumbai Mr. 41 Hoops Hall of Famer -Thomas 42 Poet’s “before” 43 “Castle” airer 44 By way of 49 Bully’s retort

50 Twenty: Prefix 51 Houston baseball team, briefly 52 “-- a Letter to My Love” (1981 drama) 53 Krispy -- (doughnut shops) 54 Boiling 55 Slicer site 56 Store suffix with “two” 57 Extra charge 58 Replay mode 59 Bone of the lower leg 60 -- -garde 62 Chinwags 63 “Smarter planet” co. 66 Pa 67 Financial paper, briefly 68 “-- then ...” 69 Canon line 70 Novelist Theodore 75 Stud locale 76 Hue and cry 77 Midday break 79 Bandleader Puente 80 Francis Drake’s title 83 Aspirin unit 84 Santa’s aide 86 Launching 87 Haile -- (Rastafarian savior) 88 Site of delight 89 Workers cutting timber 90 La-la lead-in 91 “My Gal --” 92 Wail loudly 93 Kind of plug 94 Haifa locale 95 Figurine, e.g. 96 Yankee rival 97 Pennant 102 Nick of films 103 Like comics 104 Knight wear 105 GoPro, e.g. 106 Manage 109 Singer Marvin 110 Comfy-cozy 113 -- Jima 114 Apprehend 115 First Bible bk. 116 TV hosts

SOLUTION FOUND ON P. 46.

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 43

ENDS

SAVAGE LOVE

ALL I EVER WANTED Adventure in the forbidden WHO ARE YOU AFTER DARK?

Try FREE: 704-943-0057 More Local Numbers: 1-800-700-6666

FREE TO LISTEN AND REPLY TO ADS Free Code: Charlotte Loaﬁng

redhotdateline.com 18+ FREE TRIAL

Discreet Chat Guy to Guy

980.224.4669

Dating made Easy FREE

to Listen & Reply to ads.

FREE CODE: Charlotte Loafing

FIND REAL GAY MEN NEAR YOU

Charlotte

(704) 643-6437 For other local numbers:

Charlotte:

(704) 556-0006

18+ www.MegaMates.com

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

Try FREE: 704-943-0050 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000

www.megamates.com 18+

Meet sexy friends who really get your vibe...

Try FREE: 704-731-0113 More Local Numbers: 1-800-811-1633

Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+

44 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

vibeline.com 18+

Note: Dan Savage is currently on vacation, but he’s appointed other folks who share his name to offer advice. Our second guest Dan Savage is 32 years old, single, and living in London. Dan Savage got his professional start working in promotions at the legendary London nightclub G-A-Y. He’s now 10 years into a career in theater, arts, marketing and currently works for some of the West End’s biggest hit musicals. Dan has never written a sex-advice column before, but he occasionally gets angry tweets that were meant for me. We’re all entitled to our opinions — but only Dan Savage, theatrical marketing exec, is entitled to share his opinions in my column this week. Take it away, Dan!

both like it. There are millions of people all over the world in long-term relationships that on the face of it maintain a fun and healthy sex life — can it really be that hard? Or maybe long-term relationships aren’t for you, PFFT!

I am 39 years old and my husband is 51; we have been together nine years and married four. This morning, he was jacking off on my arse during foreplay and watching porn on his phone, which is not unusual. The problem is when I looked to see what he was watching (we often watch porn together), he got a little mad. I let it go, but when he got in the shower, I looked at his phone and saw that he was watching gay I’m an early-30s bi woman. As I porn. MEN. I don’t think I have a have more relationships, I have problem with that, but it kind started to see a pattern in of threw me. Should I be that I find sex much hotter worried that he is secretly when there is some on the down low? Or does degree of confusion he just like to look at or forbidden-ness. So gay porn occasionally? relationship sex can get When I’m giving him a boring quickly. I know blowjob, he also enjoys there’s not necessarily me licking his arse. I a good answer for why, don’t know how to but any suggestions on confront him with what what to do about this? DAN SAVAGE I have seen on his phone? I want to have great sex Perspiring Over with a partner for life! Relationship Now Maybe my expectations about good sex in a long-term relationship People look at all sorts of things online are unrealistic? I know it’s not always and are turned on by others. Man-on-man going to be crazy passion, but how can porn clearly does it for your man, or maybe I sustain amazing sex in a relationship? this was the first time that he’d looked. Passion Fades From This Either way, the fact that he was doing this secretly while humped over your naked body A problem you and I share! The fun is and jacking off onto your arse is wrong. And in the chase, the excitement of someone he knows that: He hid the phone! new, and that first time. You may return Rather than confronting him and for a second or maybe a third time—but then what or who is next? Often regardless creating a massive issue, why not suggest of whatever feelings may have started to that you watch gay porn together. See what develop. For those who don’t understand, happens? If he is hiding the fact he’s gay or just imagine we’re talking about food. You bi, I’d be surprised that he’d blatantly flaunt like food. You like lots of different types of it like this… perhaps he wanted you to catch food. Right now, your favorite food is hot him? He wants you to know what else he’s dogs. But you don’t want to eat that every into but doesn’t know how to tell you? day. Occasionally, you might want an all-youAlthough it’s rarely spoken about, a lot can-eat sushi buffet. of straight men like the odd finger or tongue I believe the secret to a good relationship in the bum. It’s not a sign of homosexuality! — besides love and passion — is keeping Maybe this could be taken further? You could it downright dirty! It’s about keeping that go all out and strap one on and dominate spark alive. If the fun starts to fade, spice him like a bitch! it up with toys, games, risky locations, additional people, rubber dog masks — you Follow Dan Savage, Londoner and can’t know what will excite you both until marketing exec, on Twitter @DanSavage83. you give it a try! But that’s the key, that you

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 45

LILLY SPA

ENDS

STARGAZER

704-392-8099 MON-SUN 9AM-11PM LOCATED NEAR THE AIRPORT EXIT 37 OFF I-85 WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS

SOUTH ON BEATTIES FORD ROAD THEN FIRST RIGHT ON MONTANA DRIVE (LOCATED 1/2 MILE ON THE LEFT | 714-G MONTANA DR)

SOLUTION TO THIS WEEK'S PUZZLE

60 MINUTES FREE TRIAL

THE HOTTEST GAY CHATLINE

1-704-943-0051 More Local Numbers: 800-777-8000

www.guyspyvoice.com

Ahora en Español/18+

FOR ALL SIGNS: We have entered an

eclipse “season” in which the Aquarius full moon eclipse of Aug. 18 is followed in two weeks by a new moon eclipse in Virgo (Sept 11). This summer is loaded with tense and potentially explosive aspects. The eclipse this week is punctuating those tensions with an extra smack that has already begun and will likely continue through the summer. Truths become apparent and houses built of cards will begin staggering toward a fall. That includes global, national, regional and personal arenas. Even those who have built their houses of bricks will feel the brunt through others in their lives. Hold in mind that the things that collapse have become flawed. Because humans do not take action except in discomfort, this is what we get for our lassitude. Crises, while scary at the time, bring transformation for the good. This eclipse pattern will be extant for the next 18 months.

ARIES: The new eclipse season will be opening your mind and heart to accept a larger circle of friends. You may become a leader or a strong supporter of a community network which has shared ideals. Certainly you will continue to have the friendships you have built in the past. However, your attention may be focused on goals greater than your own. TAURUS: The new 18 month series of

eclipses will bring a certain amount of intensity in the arenas of career and also home, hearth and family. You will be stretching your worldly boundaries to serve a new group of people. Family relationships will include one loss and one gain.

GEMINI: Legal, ethical or educational issues will be emphasized by the new 18 month series of eclipses. Travel will be punctuated, whether it via body, mind, or spirit. Exposure to those of different backgrounds or cultures opens your heart and expands your philosophy. A challenge concerning siblings, roommates, or neighbors may press you to seek a higher road. CANCER: This new eclipse pattern will emphasize issues of sexuality, intimacy, and material accumulation. Reorganization of debt, investments and your estate may be in progress. You may become more conscious than usual about existential matters related to life, death, and what is on “the other side” of normal, waking consciousness. LEO: The eclipses of this new 18 month series will draw your attention to your partnerships. Patterns from your childhood history needed to be uncovered, repaired or removed in order to allow your growth into a more mature relationship. Psychotherapy may be truly helpful. There may be a crisis of consciousness at this time. 46 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM

VIRGO: This Libra eclipse pressures you to

concentrate on improvement of work related relationships and health maintenance. Diet, exercise and improvement of physical regimen will become imperative. Honing your management systems in personal and work arenas is necessary to create order in your daily work routine.

LIBRA: This eclipse pattern emphasizes

your progeny or other personally creative births. Romantic ventures will be intensely emotional and self-revealing. You will be learning a few lessons in discernment concerning friendships and associations that no longer serve you well.

SCORPIO: Matters concerning your family

and property will be accented for the next 18 months. Old problems in relationships, even with the deceased, will surface for cleansing and healing. A new family member may enter the scene, or you may begin to spend more time with family in general.

SAGITTARIUS: The accent of this eclipse

cycle will be on travel, education, care of vehicles and relationships to siblings, roommates, neighbors, or others who daily traverse your life. Habit patterns of thought will be brought to consciousness so negative thinking can be corrected. You will be introduced to new practical life skills.

CAPRICORN: During this new 18 month

series of eclipses you will be learning to value yourself in new ways. Along with that comes education in the management of money and other resources, such as time and energy. There will be less assistance from others in these arenas, but you are creating these resources for yourself.

AQUARIUS: Your sense of personal identity

will be the subject under consideration. Who are you becoming and who do you need to be? How do you wish to define yourself before the world? You will be learning what is required for you to hold onto your identity while simultaneously maintaining a personally rewarding relationship.

PISCES: The new series of eclipses

emphasize your need to create order, both internally and externally. The development of your projects will call upon you to develop faith in your deepest self. Bringing order out of chaos is done on both the inner and outer levels simultaneously, so while you organized files you will be also organizing your mind.

Are you interested in a personal horoscope? Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments. There is a fee for services. Website: www.horoscopesbyvivian. com.

CLCLT.COM | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | 47

AWARD WINNING BURGERS

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN CHARLOTTE, HUNTERSVILLE, KANNAPOLIS, GASTONIA, CONCORD, DENVER AND MORE

“Cooked Outdoors Style” ™

100% FRESH ALL-BEEF HAMBURGERS

Corn Dog 5 Pc. Chicken Nuggets All White Breast Meat

BLT Sandwich

CHARGRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH

each

Chargrilled HAMBURGERS Fresh With Homemade Chili and Slaw!

Chargrilled HOT DOGS Cook Out Style • Bacon Cheddar • Mexi Dog • Mustard Relish OPEN LATE NIGHT, EVERY NIGHT!

48 | AUG. 18 - AUG. 24, 2016 | CLCLT.COM