Queen City Nerve - March 8, 2023

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NEWS: Knothole Foundation’s field of dreams

CULTURE: A lag in texturedhair education

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FOOD: Take it to the StrEATs Festival

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Spring Guide_

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS & OPINION

4 Cover the Gaps by Ryan Pitkin

Knothole Foundation builds a field of dreams in west Charlotte

SPRING

GUIDE

2023

6 A Guide to Getting Outside

The music, sports, arts, wellness and culinary events you’ll want to know about this spring

ARTS & CULTURE

8 A Cosmetic Crisis by Hailey Knutsen Local stylists tie a lack of knowledge on texturedhair care to education shortfalls

10 Lifeline: Ten Cool Things To Do in Two Weeks

MUSIC

12 Featherpocket Aflight by Pat Moran

A little less country, a lot more rock ‘n’ roll

14 Soundwave

FOOD & DRINK

16 Take It to the StrEATs by Annie Keough Charlotte StrEATs Festival and Tasting Tour set to close out SHOUT! this spring

LIFESTYLE

18 Puzzles

20 The Seeker by Katie Grant

21 Horoscope

22 Savage Love

Thanks to our contributors: Grant Baldwin, Katie Grant, Annie Keough, Hailey Knutsen, Peter Zay, Rayne Antrim, Irissa Lu, Ashley Frisk, Andrew Kingsley, Jim C., and Dan Savage.

COVER THE GAP

Knothole Foundation builds a field of dreams in west Charlotte

BY RYAN PITKIN

On a cloudy Friday morning in early March, both personalities of the Tuckaseegee Dream Fields in west Charlotte, soon to be rededicated as the Stick Williams Dream Fields and Education Center, were on full display.

On one baseball field, players on Queens University’s newly minted Division I baseball team, with all the official uniforms and nice equipment that comes with that designation, did their warmups while preparing for the first game in a weekend series against Tennessee Tech University.

While these warm-ups took place on the big field, elementary-aged kids from the nearby Renaissance West STEAM Academy streamed out of a school bus, ready for a few hours of activities on two adjacent baseball fields at the facility, a trip that they earned by completing a recent reading program at school.

Though the infields on the two developmental fields were muddy, the kids would spend their trip fielding fly balls in the outfield, measuring their throwing speed in the indoor batting cages behind the D1 baseball field and snacking on hot dogs and hamburgers.

Though the simultaneous events were not planned as such — Queens had to move their game up due to a rainy forecast for later in the afternoon — it was symbolic of how the Stick Williams Dream Fields will operate, as the locally formed Knothole Foundation looks to launch its movement to bring underserved children from west Charlotte back into the game of baseball through athletic and educational programming.

Meanwhile, hosting the Queens University Royals and other high-end baseball tournaments is what will fund that same programming.

“We’re not a nonprofit that goes to somebody every year and says, ‘Give us money just to keep going,’” explained Knothole cofounder Jeff Schaefer. “We have a sustainability model on weekends with tournaments and things like that, and then during the week we can do all of our programming — our reading and writing programming, ACT/SAT prep,

financial literacy programming, all that stuff can fall into place during the week.

“So we’re doing most of the work where people don’t see us, and then everybody comes out here on weekends and says ‘OK, this is just another tournament facility.’ It’s not. Baseball is just our conduit.”

During Knothole Foundation’s field rededication ceremony scheduled for March 24, that dream, many years in the making, will finally come to fruition.

Cost and effect

After spending five years as a utility infielder in Major League Baseball, Schaefer left the majors in 1994 but remained very much tied in with the sport. In 2007, he founded the Charlotte-based Carolinas Baseball Center (CBC), utilizing the national network of college recruiters and MLB scouts he had cultivated over the years to help prep high school players who aspired to play at higher levels.

During the years between his retirement as a player and the launch of CBC, however, Schaefer noticed a disturbing trend in the sport he loved.

“When I got out of pro ball, looking around and starting to do different things, people are saying, ‘Oh this tournament costs this much and it costs that much to play in that organization,’” he recalled.

He was taken aback, as growing up there was no cost to him or his family for him to play baseball.

“The cost to the player wasn’t even around. Everything was supplemented. Everything was taken care of by local businesses or whatever.”

The increased cost just to get involved in organized baseball at the youth level had the effect of chasing out anyone but the most privileged kids.

“What I started recognizing was, when we started our organization and we were inside the scope of what everybody else was charging, was that players weren’t coming because they couldn’t afford to play.”

Going hand-in-hand with racial economic disparities that have plagued America over generations, this change in baseball has affected

the racial makeup of the sport as a whole, Schaefer pointed out. Today, Black players compose about 7% of MLB rosters, less than half of the 18% of Black players who played in the league in 1991 when Schaefer was active. In college baseball, the number is closer to 3%.

“The numbers are horrible,” Schaefer told Queen City Nerve.

He decided he wanted to do something to help bring kids onto the baseball field regardless of socioeconomic status, launching the U Deserve a Chance Foundation in 2007, utilizing athletic and educational programming to mentor underserved youth in the Charlotte area.

Working in parallel

Around the same time that Schaefer was getting CBC off the ground, another former big leaguer in Charlotte had recognized the issue and was acting on it. In 2007, former Detroit Tigers pitcher Morris Madden launched the Carolina Metro Reds (CMR), an affordable youth baseball league for underserved youth with a focus on getting young Black children involved with the game. CMR was recognized as a nonprofit in 2011 and has coached hundreds of kids in Charlotte since then.

Like Schaefer, Madden focused not only on baseball skill instruction but on providing critical educational programming for kids.

“We actually tried to just give kids the opportunity to play, but now we’re at the point where nine out of every 10 kids that come through

our program goes onto some higher level of education,” Madden said of the Carolina Metro Reds baseball family. “Not saying that they’re just going to play baseball, but the program is about reading proficiency, STEM — so we want to find out what kids want to do in life, and when we find out what they want to do we try to give them all the resources necessary to get them where they need to be.”

Eventually, the two former ballplayers decided they could do more together. In 2017, they began discussing a collaborative venture called the Knothole Foundation. The organization would center around what they were calling the “Tuckaseegee Dream Fields,” which Madden had been leasing from the West Mecklenburg Optimist Club for a cheap price in return for Madden’s upkeep efforts.

But the fields still needed work. Schaefer pitched an idea to renovate the fields and let them serve as the home base for Knothole, a one-stop facility where they could bring kids for both athletic and educational programming. They agreed to pursue the project, and the Knothole Foundation of the Carolinas was born.

Since then, the project has taken on dimensions that Schaefer and Madden hadn’t dreamed of when they first partnered. A $400,000 donation from MLB, help from the Charlotte Knights, and a deal to become the home playing field for the Queens University Royals has allowed the Knothole Foundation to build its vision and expand on its goals, becoming far more than a baseball field.

“A $300,000 facelift turned into a $7-million project. It’s been one of the greatest things that’s

A LOCAL CHILD PARTICIPATES IN A KNOTHOLE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP. PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOTHOLE

NEWS & OPINION FEATURE

happened to me in my life to just come out here and be a big part of what’s happening here and giving kids this opportunity,” Madden told Queen City Nerve. “It’s going to be a legacy for me. I want the kids to remember who I am and what I was trying to do for them.”

Putting the vision to action

The three baseball fields at Stick Williams Dream Fields and Education Center are finished, for all intents and purposes, and they are impressive. Most recently, a donation of high-powered LED stadium lights from the Charlotte Knights organization will allow the facility to host night games.

What’s perhaps most impressive, however, is what the everyday visitor can’t see. In the facilities behind home plate on the big field, there’s not only a press box with state-of-the-art equipment, but a classroom filled with books and technology for kids to learn. Downstairs, a podcast studio allows kids to practice a new skill.

Attached to the Queens locker rooms, a large

facility features three batting cages with stateof-the-art equipment, including radar guns, weightlifting equipment and more.

The facilities and fields are for Queens use as needed, but when the team is out of town or off season, it’s open to the Knothole Foundation, which hosts three seasons of youth baseball programming per year. The $900 fee to participate in one of these seasons is mostly subsidized, as the average family pays less than $70 total per player, according to Anthony Grillo, Knothole’s interim executive director.

“We’re building an athletic department so the kids we serve through our baseball and softball programming will have access to health-care resources, academic achievement resources, digital connectivity, college and career readiness,” he said. “We really want to treat them as if they are part of a family.”

Grillo is inspired by the model of Renaissance STEAM Academy, which visited the grounds on the day Queen City Nerve was there. Also there that day was Richard “Stick” Williams, longtime local philanthropist, community advocate, and soon-tobe namesake for the entire facility.

Williams said he first became aware of what

Madden and Schaeffer were doing around 2013, when Madden began hosting Carolina Metro Reds games at the fields. The grass was growing chesthigh at the fields until CMR came on, he said.

Later on, they came to Williams with their vision for the new Knothole facilities.

“They laid out this incredible dream of what they wanted to do out here on Tuckaseegee Road,” Williams told Queen City Nerve. “I thought it was an audacious vision; I didn’t know whether they could pull it off, because that was a huge vision. So I stayed up with them over the years as they raised money, encouraged them, tried to point them towards prospects and so forth, and then they pulled it off.”

Williams said he’s honored by the decision to name the fields after him. He insists he pushed back on the idea when he first heard it, though he eventually gave in.

It’s not lost on him that, until the Carolina Metro Reds came along, there were no youth baseball organizations based in west Charlotte.

“First and foremost, to see this group deliver first-class facilities to the west side means an extraordinary amount to me,” he said. “For a lot of the families that live in this area, a lot of times it’s hand-me-downs or second-class, but to deliver

something first-class is quite a message. And then to have programming for the kids, it’s not just about baseball but how baseball and other things can give a vision to a child about what’s possible, motivate them, give them more confidence and so forth … so to have an organization focus on the young people but also bring in the community means a whole lot to me and I think the whole community.”

Schaefer said that, thanks to all the work Williams has done in west Charlotte, he was the first person that came to mind when they started discussing giving the fields and facilities an official name, and they wouldn’t want to give it to anyone else.

After all, it was Williams who introduced a new word into Schaefer’s lexicon, one that he now uses as motivation.

“We brought him on early and we told him about the project we wanted to do, and he loved it but he thought it was an audacious project,” Schaefer recalled, laughing. “I told him that’s a word that I never had in my vocabulary, but now I use it all the time; we’re audacious. Nobody really thought that we could pull it off, and we did.”

A RENAISSANCE WEST STEAM ACADEMY STUDENT MEASURES HER SPEED.

PHOTO BY PETER ZAY

The weather is warming and you know what that brings: festivals, concerts — outdoorsy things. Oh, the places you’ll go this spring will be grand. Are you ready? You are, with this guide in your hand.

discover new food, play games, listen to music and get creative.

Free; April 16, May 21 & June 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Camden Road; southendclt.org

April 21-23: BOOM Charlotte

May 6-7: Kings Drive Art Walk

Peruse work from fine and emerging artists while listening to the sounds of strolling musicians along Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

March 24-April 2: Charlotte Fair

This annual fair near the Charlotte Motor Speedway features dog athletes, carnival rides, escape artist Lady Houdini and a petting zoo.

$3.50 and up; March 24-April 2; Charlotte Fair Grounds, 6558 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord; thecharlottefair.com

March 25: Pink Tie AfFAIR

A family-friendly fair with yard games, goat yoga, a bounce house and food and drinks with all proceeds donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Free-$35; March 25, 4-7 p.m.; Legion Brewing, 2013 W. Morehead St.; tinyurl.com/PinkTieAfFAIR

March 31-April 16: Charlotte SHOUT!

A celebration of creativity and innovation through art, music, food and ideas, featuring large-scale installations throughout Uptown.

Free; March 31- April 16; Uptown Charlotte; charlotteshout.com

April 1: Paws in the Park

A pet-friendly party that promotes dog rescues and adoption.

Free; April 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville; charlotteblackdogs.com

April 1: Pet Palooza

An annual fundraising walk for the Humane Society of Charlotte and community festival with live music, food trucks and pet-loving vendors. The new

Animal Resource Center will also be open and full of adoptable animals.

Free; April 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Humane Society of Charlotte, 1348 Parker Drive; humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

April 7, 14 & 28: Whitewater Film Series

An outdoor film series featuring three outdoorthemed movies: The Great Alone, Desert Runners and The Sanctity of Space. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair.

Free; April 7, 8 p.m., April 14, 8:05 p.m. & April 28, 8:15 p.m.; U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.; center.whitewater.org

April 8 & May 13: Markets at 11

An open-air market with live music, outdoor yoga, picnicking, brews, wine, food trucks and more.

Free; April 8 & May 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 North Community House Road; goballantyne.com

April 15-16: Loch Norman Highland Games

Experience Scottish history and culture through traditional dancing, food, bagpiping, athletics and reenactments.

$10 and up; April 15-16; Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville; lochnorman.com

April 16, May 21 & June 18: Camden Commons

South End’s main street, Camden Road, will be closed to vehicle traffic while visitors shop local,

An artist-led performance and visual arts showcase of contemporary and experimental works created on the fringes of popular culture.

Free-$10 and up; April 21-23; Camp North End, 300 Camp Road; boomcharlotte.org

April 29: Festival of India

Stumptown Park turns into an Indian village with dance performances, cultural exhibits, a visual art gallery, Indian food court, souvenir bazaar, henna tattoos, saree wearing and turban tying.

Free; April 29, Noon-6 p.m.; Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade St., Matthews; indiafestival. iacofcarolinas.org

April 30: Cinco de Mayo Plaza Midwood

A festive celebration featuring live mariachi music, latin reggae, Mexican cumbia and electronic-banda fusion music. Plus, an arts and crafts area and a dog costume contest.

Free; April 30, Noon-6 p.m.; Plaza Midwood, along Commonwealth and Thomas Avenues; cincodemayocharlotte.com

April 30: Hope Floats Duck Race

Thousands of rubber ducks will brave the Whitewater Center rapids as part of KinderMourn’s annual fundraiser to further its mission of providing support for bereaved parents and grieving children. The owners of the top three finishing ducks win cash prizes.

Free; April 30, 2-5 p.m.; U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.; duckrace. com/charlotte

Free; May 6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; May 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Little Sugar Creek Greenway, 600 S. Kings Drive; festivalinthepark.org/kings-drive-art-walk

May 12-13: BeachFest Matthews

Live beach music, street food, shag dancing, a carnival, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities and axe throwing.

Free; May 12, 6-10 p.m. and May 13, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews; tinyurl. com/BeachFestMatthews2023

May 20: Midwood Mania

Kick off the spring season in Plaza Midwood with craft beer, food, live music, parade, local merchants and kids activities at Midwood Park.

Free; May 20; Midwood Park, 2100 Wilhelmina Ave.; plazamidwood.org

June 15-18: Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas

An opportunity to reflect and remember the end of slavery in the United States with a unity march, parade, heritage performances and talks, craft workshops, drum circles and more.

Free; June 15-18, Times vary; The House of Africa, 1215 Thomas Ave.; juneteenthofthecarolinas.com

June 17: North Carolina Juneteenth Festival

Themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining,” this festival features 100 black-owned companies, crafts, culture, performances, art, kids games, and giveaways.

Free; June 17, 1-5 p.m.; Cabarrus Arena, 4751 NC 49, Concord; tinyurl.com/NCJuneteenthFestival2023

THE CHARLOTTE FAIR RETURNS MARCH 24-APRIL 2. COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE FAIR

Walks, Runs & Races

March 25: USNWC: The Whole Enchilada MTB Race

April 1: Craft Beer Half Marathon & 5-Miler

April 1: USNWC: New South Trail Marathon

April 1: Superhero Stomp

April 15: Charlotte Racefest

April 29: Elizabeth 8K

May 6: USNWC: Whitewater Triathlon

May 11: USNWC: River Jam Run

June 3: NoDa 5K

June 8: USNWC: River Jam Run

June 10: USNWC: Catawba River Races

June 17: USNWC: Brew Dash 6K and 12K

March 20-May 14: Spring Pickleball League

The inaugural season of a new year-round pickleball league that offers players of all levels the chance for friendly competition. Each season ends with a tournament where winners receive a trophy and prizes.

$25; March 20-May 14; Locations vary; playtheladders.com

March 22: Goat Yoga

Literally yoga with goats. It can’t get any better than that.

$28; March 22, 6-7 p.m.; Trolley Barn Fermentory, 2104 South Blvd.; tinyurl.com/TrolleyBarnGoatYoga

April 15-16: Moo, Brew & ‘Que Music Fest

Headlined by Mt. Joy, this music event features over 20 local, regional and national breweries and will highlight 15 Charlotte restaurants and food trucks serving burgers and barbecue.

$35 and up; April 15-16; AvidXchange Music Factory Festival Grounds, 817 Hamilton St.; mooandbrewfest.com

April 16: Charlotte StrEATs Festival

A foodie’s dream festival featuring food and beverage vendors, a celebrity chef, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, live music and art.

Free; April 16, Noon-5 p.m.; Gateway Village, 900 W. Trade St.; cltstreatsfestival.com

April 21-23: Tuck Fest

A celebration of the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music. Free; April 21-23; U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.; tuckfest.whitewater.org

May 7: Carolina BBQ Festival

Founded by Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ, this festival features tastings from 14 of the best pitmasters in the Southeast, plus live music, vendors and alcohol. Proceeds benefit various community and food-focused charities.

$75-$150; May 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Camp North End, 300 Camp Road; carolinabbqfest.org

May 12-13: North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival

A weekend of local craft beer and live music with the option to camp on site.

$10 and up; May 12-13; Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville; ncbrewsmusic.com

May 20: ONE Fest

A combination of yoga, arts and community healing with 80 classes and workshops, vendors, an opening cacao ceremony, sound healings, live music, food trucks, and a DJ glow dance party.

$69 and up; May 20; Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S. Tryon St.; dancinglotusnc.com/one-fest

May 20: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

An all-you-can-taste sampling of beer and bourbon, plus live entertainment and BBQ galore. Enjoy seminars with master distillers, brewmasters and pit masters from the deep South.

$45-$75; May 20, Noon-6 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 North Community House Road; charlotte.beerandbourbon.com

June 9-11: Taste of Charlotte

A three-day festival spotlighting area restaurants and food vendors. Visitors purchase coins to use for food samples, beverages and kid’s activities. Free; June 9-11, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. & June 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Uptown Charlotte, Tryon Street; tasteofcharlotte.com

June 17: Tacos ‘N Taps Festival

An all-you-care-to-taste beer and tequila festival with music, games and over 15 taco trucks, taquerias and Mexican restaurants serving more than 30 different types of tacos.

$39 and up; June 17, Noon-5 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 North Community House Road; charlotte.tacosntaps.com

June 17: 2023 Official Pride Bar Crawl

A celebration of Pride month at Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ friendly bars with drink specials and a costume contest.

$15-$40; June 17, 3-10 p.m.; Tattooz N’ Booz Nightclub, 505 E. 6th St., Unit 100; tinyurl.com/ PrideBarCrawl

Charlotte FC

Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.; charlottefootballclub.com

March 25 vs. New York Red Bulls

April 14 vs. Colorado Rapids

April 22 vs. Columbus Crew

May 6 vs. New York City FC

May 17 vs. Chicago Fire FC

May 20 vs. Nashville SC

PNC Music Pavilion

707 Pavilion Blvd., tinyurl.com/PNCMusicPavilion

May 12: Janet Jackson, Ludacris

May 21: Godsmack, I Prevail

May 30: Dead & Company

Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., tinyurl.com/ SCUAmphitheatre

May 14: Quinn XCII

May 15: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

June 2: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

June 13: Noah Kahan

The Music Yard at SouthBound 2433 South Blvd., eatsouthbound.com/the-music-yard

March 31: Frameworks

April 1: Eli & Fur

April 15: Marsh

April 21: Massane

April 22: Shwayze

May 4: Kyle Walker

May 20: Michal Menert, Late Night Radio

April 29: Astro Pop Mural + Music Festival

An art and music festival created by illustrator and muralist Brett Toukatly, aka TWOKAT, featuring live mural painting and performances by some of Charlotte’s top musicians.

Free; April 29, Noon-12 a.m.; The Chamber by Wooden Robot, 416 E. 36th St., Suite 100; tinyurl. com/AstroPopFestival

May 5-6: Breakaway Spring Carolina

A two-day music festival headlined by artists Illenium, Tiësto, Deadmau5 and Zedd.

$84 and up; May 5-6; zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord; breakawayfestival.com/spring-carolina

June 10 vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Charlotte Knights

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; tinyurl.com/CLTKnights2023

March 31-April 2 vs. Memphis Redbirds

April 11-16 vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

April 25-30 vs. Norfolk Tides

May 9-14 vs. Durham Bulls

May 16-21 vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

May 30-June 4 vs. Nashville Sounds

College Baseball at Truist Field

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; tinyurl.com/TruistFieldCollegeBall

March 21: University of South Carolina vs. UNC

Charlotte

March 29: Appalachian State University vs. Queens University

April 4: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill vs. University of South Carolina

April 18: Davidson College vs. NC State University

April 19: East Carolina University vs. UNC Charlotte

Charlotte Motor Speedway

5555 Concord Pkwy. S; charlottemotorspeedway.com

April 13-16: Charlotte AutoFair

April 28-30: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

May 26: NC Education Lottery 200

May 27: ALSCO Uniforms 300

May 28: Coca-Cola 600

April 29: Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

Experience the thrill of the ‘Chase as the most athletic Thoroughbreds compete at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Some might say the tailgate and the fashion rivals the main event.

$75 and up; April 29, 10 a.m.; Queen’s Cup Grounds, 6103 Waxhaw Hwy., Mineral Springs; queenscup.org

A COSMETIC CRISIS

Local stylists tie a lack of knowledge on textured-hair care to education shortfalls

BY HAILEY KNUTSEN

It’s believed that around 65% of the United States population has textured hair — defined as kinky, coiled, curly or wavy hair — and if you were to ask any one of those millions of people, they’d likely tell you of regular experiences leaving a salon with a choppy haircut or overly frizzy blowout.

Despite the fact that they make up the majority of people in the United States and worldwide, treating and styling for textured-hair clients has gone largely untaught in American cosmetology schools.

The material covered in such schools was so that aspiring stylists can usually pass the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners’ (BCAE) 110-question licensing test — flooded with outdated information and tedious topics — without ever learning the ins and outs of textured hair.

Things have begun to change more recently, however, as the natural hair movement has become more popular and accepted.

A change comes to cosmetology

Sarah Havas, owner of Head Space Studio in the Echo Hills neighborhood of southeast Charlotte, learned cosmetology at Paul Mitchell The School in 2011. Havas said she never saw a single practice mannequin with textured hair during her time there.

“The only training was to make curly hair straight,” Havas recalled. “Never what do you do with curly hair? How do you diffuse it? What if someone loves their curly hair? It was like, ‘No, just straighten it out.’”

Head Space Studio stylist Hannah Morris started at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute in Charlotte in late 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic began during her first year there, and the school was unable to take clients for stylists to train on. Students were left with all the old straight-haired mannequins for practice — like those that Havas’ Paul Mitchell class trained on.

They weren’t having it.

“A bunch of classmates told them, ‘We’re gonna need extra mannequins and we want curly-hair mannequins,’” Morris said. The school agreed, and the Charlotte Aveda Institute obtained curly-haired mannequins for stylists to train on.

Paul Mitchell and Aveda are both branded schools, meaning they use only their products in their teaching programs. According to Morris, if a stylist needed to use a product that was not made by Aveda at their institute, the label had to be ripped off or taped over.

While both brands have product lines made for curly hair, those lines are limited and not all curls are built the same. There are nine curl types that vary

in density, coarseness and porosity, and they require different products. If a student wanted to cater to curls with products other than the Aveda line, they would have to invest their own money and cover the label, Morris said.

It begins with the board

The lack of curly hair education goes beyond cosmetology school curriculums and shampoo lines. The schools aim to train students for the state board, which according to both Havas and Morris, asked nothing about natural textured hair.

On the state board test that Morris took in 2021, the only questions pertaining to texture involved chemical relaxer, a substance that rids the hair of curl.

“We did not do any diffusing, no finger curls, nothing for styling,” Morris said.

According to many in the industry, the issues with textured hair go back to white supremacist thought, as white people are far more likely to have straight hair than people of color, leading cosmetology schools to favor straight hair as the beauty standard.

“It’s kind of racially coded in a way,” said Head Space Studio stylist Sammie Ramirez. “It’s saying your hair needs to be relaxed and shouldn’t be in its

natural state or else it’s not pretty. We need to know how to diffuse hair and what products to use.”

According to Havas, if aspiring stylists do want to learn about textured hair, they have to find someone in their class who is knowledgeable and willing to teach them. This often leaves Black students and other students of color teaching classmates for free, all while going through a 1,500-hour program that does not cater to them.

If stylists are not taught by fellow students, they often have to invest in extra classes after graduation, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Information is available online through YouTube videos and blog posts, but online learning lacks what can be the most important aspect of education: hands-on experience.

The age of specialization

According to Havas, today is the age of specialization in hair care. Many stylists have a niche, whether that be vivid colors, blonding or extensions. Since textured hair is not taught in most cosmetology schools, it has become a specialty, leaving it harder to access and much more expensive.

“When have you ever heard someone say, ‘I specialize in straight hair?’” Havas asked. “You have to be careful that you’re not choosing to alienate a

PHOTO BY IRISSA LU

A LOOK INSIDE SARAH HAVAS’ HEAD SPACE STUDIO.

ARTS FEATURE

whole group of people. It’s just what you choose to specialize in, not what you choose to neglect.”

One of Havas’ first assistants initially declined learning about curly hair, claiming that it was not what she wanted to do. Despite the objection, Havas said she pushed her assistant through the curly hair training segment.

“If you’re a bob specialist, if you’re a color specialist, if you’re a pivot specialist, you better be ready to do it on some curly hair,” Havas said.

Since opening her own salon, Havas has made sure to employ stylists that are comfortable with all textures — or at least stylists who are willing to learn. She suggested that salon owners should provide the education and training their stylists need so that all people, no matter their hair type, feel welcome and can be given the best service possible.

Havas said she is currently in search of a protective stylist (twists, braids, updos) to further expand the services her team offers to texturedhaired customers.

Being proactive

Dashelle White, stylist at 1213 Studio in Plaza Midwood, had a similar cosmetology school experience to Havas. She went to Stanley Cosmetology College, where she learned a lot about perms, a chemical treatment that puts texture into the hair, but nothing about how to maintain natural texture or care for and cut natural curls.

When White trained as an assistant, her mentor had tight, coily hair and was the only stylist at her salon that focused on texture. After her mentor retired, White inherited her clients her way, inspiring her to hone in on curl care.

“I really love the Mizani line, and Tippi Shorter, who was the artistic director for them, created a haircut for textured hair called the Aircut and so I took that class to get certified in that haircut, which kind of uses a balance of science and art to create the shape that you like,” White explained.

White suggested that cosmetology schools should teach aspiring stylists what to expect and how to approach working with textured hair, as she has found a lot of them to be more comfortable with bleach, relaxers and perms than they are with texture.

“The curly-haired client’s hair just grows that way, a chemical changes everything,” White said. “I think if people were just more comfortable being around it, touching it, knowing what it does, it would help when you go to that next step after school.”

According to White, knowledge about products is one of the most important pieces to the texturedhair puzzle.

“Whenever I have people that have challenges with their hair it’s either product, application of products, or the haircut,” she said

In May 2022, White held her first texturedhair workshop, in which she taught parents and guardians of children with textured hair how to care for and style it. She explained proper shampooing, detangling, product knowledge and product usage.

“It can feel overwhelming when there’s so much information out there but I, as a stylist, like it to be low-maintenance because that’s real life,” White said. “I really wanted to make them associate wash days and hair days as a fun, good thing, because that is gonna stick with your kid for the rest of their life.”

White grew up relaxing her hair, just as her mom and grandparents did. She began her natural hair journey five years ago, at the age of 28.

“It was the first time I ever really saw my hair. And it was a learning process and a learning curve,” White said.

White didn’t have the chance to embrace her natural curls when she was a kid, but she’s happy to see that her younger clients are able to make that decision, and wants to help them become more confident about their choice.

“Knowing what to do for your hair specifically can really help with your confidence and your self esteem. Every curl is different,” White said. “If you know as a child what to do for your curls and that it might not look like the next person’s curls, but that they still look good because you love them, I think that can help how you live your life and how you grow and deal with all the other things in your life that aren’t related to self image.”

Where to go from here

Many stylists Queen City Nerve spoke with agree that nothing will change until the governmentmandated state board examination does. Until the state board requires students to learn about textured hair, cosmetology schools won’t teach it. There are signs that such a change could be on the horizon, as hair texture has become something of a political issue. The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), which bans discrimination against people for wearing their natural hair in professional and educational settings, was passed through the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2022 but failed to pass through the U.S. Senate in December. It’s expected to be reintroduced during the 2023 legislative session.

Meanwhile, 20 states have passed their own CROWN legislation. While North Carolina was one of those states that passed a law, that doesn’t mean treating such hair will become a priority in cosmetology schools.

“If the very bare minimum of what they had to teach us would have to change that would be on a state level,” Havas said “What do you do, short of everyone going with a sign to Raleigh? Who do you call? Who do you get in contact with? Who is in charge?”

The state board test has changed since Havas was in school. The BCAE removed outdated styles like pin curls and finger waves, showing that changes to the test are not out of the question.

According to Havas, some states are attempting to remove the state board completely, which she doesn’t see as a good or a bad thing; it may lead to the disappearance of cosmetology schools as a whole, but it may also lead to stylists learning

more about textured hair through apprenticeship experience.

Despite the slow changes to laws and curriculum, one thing is clear: systemic racism exists in the haircare industry, even if through simple inaction. Until textured hair is treated as “normal” like straight hair is, young children will grow up wishing that they were different and wondering why the stylist declined them at the salon. Those children will still be stuck with the task of learning to love something that society does not.

As the CROWN Act battles its way through the Senate, hair stylists, salon owners and clients alike will continue to push for the inclusivity of textured hair in styling education so the next generation can grow up educated on their curls and in awe of their own beauty.

As White put it, “Your hair is the crown that you never take off, so why not wear it proud?”

PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRISK

DASHELLE WHITE

THUR

3/9

In 1961, FCC Chairman Newton N. Minow called television “a vast wasteland.” If Minow could only see how far cable TV’s Bravo has lowered that bar. The home of The Real Housewives franchise is fertile feeding ground for comedy podcast Watch What Crappens. Hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam skewer the network that occupies the subbasement of Minow’s wasteland, delivering daily burn book entries on Bravo shows, and artfully roasting the network’s celebrities with love. In the process, their podcast has morphed into a freakishly popular touring act.

More: $29 and up; March 9, 7:30 p.m.; Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St.; blumenthalarts.org

ONGOING

THE BIAS INSIDE US

Discovery Place Science hosts the Smithsonian’s exhibition The Bias Inside Us. Through compelling images, powerful testimonials and visuals, the exhibit explores the foundational blocks of bias to foster a better understanding of how it is manifested. Guests will explore how bias forms and how it influences behaviors consciously and unconsciously, and how implicit and explicit bias appears in the world through product design, advertising, architecture and technology. An additional series of videos features eight voices from diverse perspectives sharing their personal experiences with bias. The exhibition is free with museum admission.

More: $18-$24; March 11-April 9; Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St.; science.discoveryplace.org

CLASSIC BLACK CINEMA SERIES: ‘COFFY’

As Coffy’s trailer put it, she’s “Black and stacked and packed with fury!” The 1973 film that made Pam Grier a bankable star, was, like many 1970s Blacksploitation classics, directed by a white guy — in this case, low-budget visionary Jack Hill (Spider Baby and Coffy follow-up Foxy Brown). The crisply paced tale of a nurse visiting vengeance on the drug lords ruining her community boasts a killer soundtrack, a sense of the absurd and a feminist outlook. Grier and Hill collaborated closely on the project, mixing a social message among the mayhem.

More: Free; March 12, 2 p.m.; Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.; ganttcenter.org

BLANKET FORT, KEVIN JAY Z, LOTS OF NOTHING, HUMAN PIPPI ARMSTRONG

After his mother’s death, a several-day stint in the hospital due to stroke, and a run-in with the FBI leading to a week in jail, Brett Green (Mineral Girls, Text Message) created Blanket Fort’s fearless new album Rejoice!, which drops March 10. Over skittering/slashing guitars and cantering cowpunk beats, Green gives a laconic narrative of his legal misadventures in the first single/video, “Fulton County Jail Blues.” Our takeaway is this: When the void spits out a whirlwind of nihilism, the sane response is to yell, “Fuck it. I care.”

3/14

INTERNATIONAL NOIR: ‘RIFIFI’

Not all of film noir’s rainswept mean streets crisscross the USA. French crime caper Rififi (1955), which matches American noirs for cynicism, fatalism and cool, kicks off Independent Picture House’s International Noir series. The Gallic gangster saga, famed for a 33-minute heist sequence that plays without dialog or music, draws heavily from U.S. influences, and it’s no wonder. Before he was blacklisted in 1950s Hollywood’s anti-communist witch hunt, the film’s American director Jules Dassin had created hard-boiled masterpieces like Brute Force and The Naked City stateside. Sam Shapiro with UNC Charlotte’s Film Studies department hosts a discussion following the March 19 screening. More: $8; March 14 and 16, 7:15 p.m., March 19, 4:15 p.m.; Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St.; independentpicturehouse.org

AN EVENING WITH DR. RICHARD J. POWELL

Dr. Richard J. Powell, a John Spencer Bassett Distinguished Professor of Art and Art History at Duke University, delivers a lecture based on current Gantt Center exhibit Visions: A Study of Form. Spotlighting 20th-century Black American artists including Robert Blackburn, Romare Bearden and Ralph Chessé, Visions examines their explorations of natural and abstract forms through various media. Over 30 works from the 1930s through the 1980s represent artistic styles ranging from abstraction to figurative art. The artists’ myriad approaches depict the shifting ideals of society, while sharing the creators’ personal stories.

More: Free; March 17, 7 p.m.; Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.; ganttcenter.org

FRI

3/17

FRONT LAWN FRIDAY

McColl Center opens its doors to patrons eager to sample Charlotte’s endless well of creative endeavor. Now is your chance to visit the current crop of resident artists in their studios, including Poland’s Zuzanna Dyrda, who expands printmaking to the human body, as well as Atlanta’s Shanequa Gay, who delves into the spirit of Black women with video, sculpture, painting and performance. Visitors can also decorate a feather for Brazilian textile wizard Tadeo Muliero’s “Collective Totem Project” or have their portrait taken by Charlotte photographer Will Jenkins. The festivities include music by DJ See Bird Go.

More: $10 donation; March 17, 6 p.m.; McColl Center, 721 N. Tryon St.; mccollcenter.org

FRESH 2 DEATH: URBAN OUTSIDERS

According to the Urban Dictionary, “Fresh 2 Death’” is a term that describes something so good it’s inexplicable. Dupp&Swat and We Are Hip Hop CLT collaborate/conspire with Blumenthal Arts to bring urban adventurers a third installation of Fresh 2 Death. Some details are still under wraps (or inexplicable), but we can tell you that this outing transports patrons beyond Charlotte to an outdoor adventure, complete with selfie-worthy landscapes, elements of escapism and music festival vibes. Expect horseback riding with Charlotte Cowboys, a scavenger hunt, myriad art activities, workshops and more.

More: $15 and up; March 19, 10 a.m.; Lower Tuck, 800 Gesco St.; blumenthalarts.org

THE LEMON TWIGS, CHRIS STAMEY GROUP

Eschewing the flashy glam rock of Marc Bolan and Hunky Dory-era Bowie that informed their 2020 album Songs for the General Public, The Lemon Twigs (brothers Michael and Brian D’Addario) turn to the pristine tunefulness of 1970s pop acts like The Carpenters and one-hit wonder Jonathan Edwards (“Sunshine”) on their latest single “Any Time of Day.” Dropped as a teaser for the brothers’ upcoming LP Everything Harmony, the twigs seem inspired by their father, power-pop singer/instrumentalist Ronnie D’Addario. Another power-pop legend, Chapel Hill’s Chis Stamey (The dBs) supports. More: $20-$25; March 19, 7 p.m.; Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.; visulite.com

SUN3/19 3/21

POPA CHUBBY

Born Ted Horowitz in the Bronx, Popa Chubby’s fierce and tempestuous guitar playing channels the psychedelic blues of Jimi Hendrix, but his is no classic rock tribute act. Although immersed in blues rock, Horowitz treats his music as a living art, infused with punk energy. (Early in his career, Horowitz backed NYC punk poet Richard Hell). Horowitz’s blistering live shows incorporate contemporary pop and hip-hop elements, and his skillful songwriting is infused with working class politics. The man himself describes his music as Iggy and the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, or Motorhead meets Muddy Waters.

More: $18; March 21, 8 p.m.; Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St.; neighborhoodtheatre.com

THE LEMON TWIGS

Photo by Martin Schumann 3/19

RICHARD J. POWELL (PICTURED: ROBERT BLACKBURN)

URBAN OUTSIDERS

Courtesy of Charlotte Cowboys

POPA CHUBBY

Photo by Boštjan Rudolf

MUSIC FEATURE

FEATHERPOCKET AFLIGHT

A little less country, a lot more rock ‘n’ roll

BY PAT MORAN

Jason Cline came up with the name of his current country rock band, Featherpocket, while living in Portland, Oregon. Cline was walking from his house in the St. John’s neighborhood to a nearby park that was hosting a jazz festival. En route, he found a clump of feathers, and without thinking, he stuck them in his shirt pocket. A short time later, Cline was chatting outside a music venue with his friend, guitarist Johnny Holliday.

“[Holliday] said, ‘I’m going to put a microphone on a banjo. I’m going to be Banjomouth,’” Cline recalls. “I [still] had the feathers in my pocket, and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll be Featherpocket.’”

In the short-term, Cline’s flash of inspiration didn’t have much impact. He and Holliday played three or four shows as Banjomouth and Featherpocket before Cline returned to Charlotte. Only later did Featherpocket and its fans realize that Cline had chosen the perfect moniker for his adventurous musical venture.

Featherpocket’s self-titled 2019 debut album enwraps the listener in 10 carefully crafted tunes that draw on the classic country sound originally born in early-20th-century Bristol, Tennessee by the likes of The Carter Family and singing brakeman Jimmie Rodgers. Cline’s heartfelt Dylanesque vocals, by turns sprightly and empathetic, mesh with harmonies like wind rushing through the treetops. Cantering guitars, buckboard banjo and the distant locomotive wail of pedal steel are all played with bluegrass-style fire and precision.

It’s a masterful collection that sounds little like Featherpocket’s current music.

“There’s no more banjo appearing in the foreseeable future for Featherpocket,” Cline says. “There is no more pedal steel either. I’m less interested in creating the classic country sound that I was.”

Instead, the current Featherpocket is an electrified power trio. Vocalist and guitarist Cline and fellow band members Lexie Trader on bass and recently added drummer John Phipps retain classic country technique and feel and subsume it into a much more contemporary and urban sound.

“All the acoustic instruments are gone,” Cline

says. “[We’re] much more electric guitar focused, [with] a little more funk … and indie rock influence.”

Cline dubs the style “yeehaw music.”

“It’s rootin’, tootin’ cowboy music to dance and get rowdy to,” Cline offers. “It’s still country adjacent, but also more rock ‘n’ roll.”

With this sonic course adjustment, Cline illustrates the genius of his chosen band name. A pocketful of feathers isn’t weighted down by anything, including precedent or the past. Feathers found by chance suggest limitless possibilities. You can keep your find in an eccentric collection, or unleash it to the wind like a cloud of dandelion seeds. Similarly, the band’s grounding in classic country subtly impacts its commitment to harder rocking music. The country sound is there, but at the same time, it isn’t; it’s an afterimage burned into the band’s cortex — a ghost of the past superimposed on the present.

High school jazz band to The Velvet Underground

In a way, Cline’s musical quest seems almost preordained. He was born in Ohio, but his first memories are of being raised in Matthews. Cline was influenced by his two older brothers, who were in high school marching band when he was still in elementary school. Forbidden to pick up his first choice of percussion, Cline started playing trumpet at age 10, and soon expanded his musical mastery to other brass instruments. By his high school senior year, Cline was in jazz band, concert band, symphony ensemble and marching band. Cline says he was drawn to music, but was also subtly pressured by peers and parents.

“Your parents are saying, ‘You gotta do this.’ And you’re like, ‘Okay,’” he says.

When he was 16, Cline got a guitar. He learned to play it quickly, mastering the guitar solo from Third Eye Blind’s “Jumper.” In jazz band, Cline met bassist Ryan Collins and trombonist Brandon Hucks. The three friends met to jam every Friday.

Still in his teens, Cline launched reggae funk band Queen City Dub with Collins and Hucks.

The band subsequently expanded to a six-piece, playing gigs for about eight years at venues like Neighborhood Theatre and the now-shuttered Chop Shop. (Hucks currently plays trombone with Charlotte band Of Good Nature.)

In the meantime, Cline attended UNC Charlotte where he earned a degree in English. After graduating, Cline took music classes at Central Piedmont Community College in 2013, where he met local jazz master, the late, great Bill Hanna.

“He was a firecracker of a man,” Cline says. “I did his jazz class. Everybody in Queen City Dub took his jazz class at some point.”

In 2016, Queen City Dub amicably split, and Cline also split — for Austin, Texas, where he lived in a musicians’ commune for a few months. A friend wanted to move to Colorado, so Cline drove him there for gas money. After spending a few months in the Centennial State, Cline decided not to return to Austin, opting to decamp for Portland instead. He moved in with a friend, living in Portland long enough to play some gigs and experience the epiphany that provided the name Featherpocket.

“[Then] we got kicked out of [our] house and

I couldn’t figure out anywhere else to go,” Cline remembers. “So I moved back to Charlotte.”

Back in the Queen City, Cline concentrated on turning the name Featherpocket into a functioning band. The process took four years, and in some cases, it turned into a revolving door.

Cline teamed with banjo player Clint Lemonds and the pair played and wrote songs together. Spencer Bloodworth joined on acoustic guitar and pedal steel. Ryan Collins from Cline’s old band Queen City Dub played bass for a while. Then Clifton Bundick took over on bass, followed by David Hamilton on drums. (Bundick and Hamilton now also play for Of Good Nature on bass and drums, respectively.)

For a while, the band boasted Sunny Ledfurd’s entire rhythm section as its rhythm section — Bundick on bass and PJ Lemmon on drums. In these formative years, Featherpocket was largely an acoustic ensemble.

“When I quit Queen City Dub, I sold all my electric stuff, and just played acoustic guitar for a few years,” Cline says. “I focused on bluegrass.”

While he describes himself as “extremely tired of bluegrass” today, Cline maintains that the style

FEATHERPOCKET

PHOTO BY ANDREW KINGSLEY

MUSIC FEATURE

continues to influence his guitar playing.

“Anybody who is a singer-songwriter, [and] is playing acoustic guitar should study bluegrass,” he says. “Tricks like making a D chord sound interesting, you don’t pick that up unless you study bluegrass.”

For the band’s pedal steel sound, Cline commissioned an Albemarle luthier to make one, which he gave to Bloodworth to play on the band’s debut album.

Cline also has delved deep into American music history for further inspiration, turning to jazz, blues, Tin Pan Alley, and freak folk music of the mid-1960s.

“Judee Sill, Karen Dalton and Vashti Bunyan,” Cline enthuses. “I love the strange unique folk voices.”

He also cites cosmic American music singer/ songwriter Gram Parsons as an influence, particularly Parson’s 1973 debut solo album GP.

“That whole record is so warm and perfectly arranged,” Cline says. “Parson has so many instruments on that album but nobody is playing on top of each other. They share the space so beautifully.” Cline also praises Emmylou Harris’ singing on the album.

“She’s one of the greatest singers of all time,” he says. Cline compares Harris to another influence that may surprise fans of Featherpocket’s former classic country sound — icy Teutonic chanteuse Nico and her work with The Velvet Underground on their selftitled album.

“It’s a literary album,” Cline says. “Listening to it is like reading a great book. It transports you into that world, 1960s New York with a weird cast of characters better than a movie or any other piece of art could. I really admire the fearless unapologetic songwriting and self-expression on that album.”

Tall Boys, milquetoast music and Greazy Keyz

Two years ago, Cline turned to teaching guitar, ukulele and piano at The Piedmont School of Music and Dance and nonprofit Arts Plus.

“Aside from the basics of music, I try to teach critical thinking skills,” Cline says. He hopes to inspire his students to be curious, and to see what they can discover through their own explorations. Cline feels the exploration process also helps students gain confidence.

Cline’s own confidence took a big hit with the COVID outbreak and corresponding lockdowns. He responded with the apocalyptic Featherpocket

Featherpocket single called “Edible” was inspired by Taylor’s songwriting style.

“It’s Featherpocket doing The Tall Boys, basically,” Cline says. “I learned a lot from David and everyone else in the band, too. That band got me back into playing electric guitar.”

Cline’s extracurricular playing emboldened him to embrace Featherpocket’s new sound. The band completely rearranged older acoustic Featherpocket songs.

“The live version of Featherpocket now is by far the best live version of Featherpocket that’s ever existed,” Cline says.

One thing the band is not, however, is an Americana act.

“I don’t categorically dislike Americana,” Cline says. “It’s just that the genre as a whole is the most bland, uninspired milquetoast thing to come out of music.”

To that end, Featherpocket drummer Phipps is discouraged from playing train beats, a staple of many Americana songs that Cline calls one of the most overused drum grooves in country music, an uninspired four-four shuffle that creeps into enjoyable rootsy music like Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” or cringeworthy fare like The Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

In the meantime, Cline continues to gather input and inspiration for the evolving Featherpocket.

keyboards. Atkins often sits in with the band, as he does with many acts around the city.

“We love playing with him,” Cline says. “He’s such a great supporter of the music scene. It’s awesome that someone so talented is willing to participate with so many bands, and elevate us.”

Cline says the crowd at Petra’s will encounter a Featherpocket with a punk-rock attitude

“[We’re] trying out new and different stuff — different grooves and approaches — trying to keep it fresh [and] not doing the same thing over and over again,” Cline says. “At the shows, my favorite thing is when we’re really getting it, and everybody’s dancing and having a good time. We try to provide a soundtrack to that as often as we can — maybe sometimes to a fault.”

PMORAN@QCNERVE.COM

single “Catastrophic Cataclysm.”

“Like everyone else, I was being bombarded with crazy shit for a year straight.,” Cline says. “I … bottled all that up, put it into one [song], and then [tried] to never think about it again.”

The only song he wrote in 2020, Cline doubts he’ll play “Catastrophic Cataclysm” anytime soon.

“Nobody wants to relive that,” he says. “I tried to do it solo at Petra’s and I broke down in the middle of it.”

Featherpocket’s transition to a more electric and rocking approach was accelerated by a side gig Cline took six years ago. He was playing an open mic at Petra’s when he saw alt-country singer/songwriter David Taylor’s set. Taylor was a fan of Cline’s guitar playing and asked Cline to join Taylor’s fledgling band David Taylor and The Tall Boys. Cline initially declined because he didn’t like Taylor’s crop of songs.

At a later show, Cline saw Taylor play again. This time Cline appreciated the new tunes and eventually became one of the Tall Boys. Cline, who continues to play with David Taylor and The Tall Boys, drew inspiration from Taylor’s songwriting chops.

“David writes big, good choruses, and he writes good simple songs,” Cline says. In fact, a new

“I’m always hyper-fixated on one song, and I usually listen to [it] a sickening amount of times,” he says.

Right now, that song is The Strokes’ lean and stealth-attack romantic gem “12:51” from the NYC foursome’s criminally underrated second album Room on Fire.

“I can’t even tell you why I think it’s so perfect, but it is,” Cline says.

He also continues to draw inspiration from seeing local shows several nights a week.

“Charlotte’s got a really great community of people who are smart and hard-working,” he says.

Featherpocket is currently working on five singles, with three close to completion. First out of the gate in May will be a song that works as a twangy farewell to the classic country rock of the old Featherpocket. The song, entitled “I Don’t Know Why,” plays like the intro to animated sitcom King of the Hill, but with singing, Cline says.

“It’s extremely campy, but it’s fun,” he says.

The band is also gearing up for a March 17 show at Petra’s with Clementine Was Right and Hiram. For the gig, Featherpocket’s power trio will be augmented by Jason Atkins, aka Greazy Keyz, on

JASON CLINE

PHOTO BY JIM C.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Coral Moons w/ Homemade Haircuts (Evening Muse)

Pharohound w/ Influence, EvilLeaf, The Silencing Machine (The Milestone)

Paint Fumes w/ Mutant Strain, Tongues of Fire, C.I.

Ape (Snug Harbor)

BLUES/JAZZ

Magnolia Park w/ Arrows In Action, Poptropicaslutz!, First & Forever (Amos’ Southend)

FUNK/JAM BANDS

House of Funk (Middle C Jazz)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Shindig! A Night of 50’s & 60’s Music (Tommy’s Pub)

OPEN MIC

Open Mic Variety Show (Starlight on 22nd)

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Summoner’s Circle w/ Nameless Anonymous, Quiscient Mantis, Fault Union, Death of August (The Milestone)

Secret Shame w/ Paisley Fields, Kairos Creature Club (Snug Harbor)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Keshi (The Fillmore)

JAZZ/BLUES

Jay D Jones (Middle C Jazz)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Begonia (Evening Muse)

OPEN MIC

Every Other Thursday Open Mic Night w/ Finn Castelow (Tommy’s Pub)

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Adelita’s Way w/ Otherwise, Moon Fever, Above Snakes (Amos’ Southend)

Forrest Isn’t Dead w/ Joseph Jett (Evening Muse)

Wiltwither w/ Empty., Lives Lost, Lyndhurst, Observe the 93rd (The Milestone)

Graveyard Boulevard w/ Harriet RIP, Whiskey HellChild (Tommy’s Pub)

Idlewild South (Allman Brothers tribute) (The Rooster)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Key Glock (The Fillmore)

Alan Charmer w/ Moon Man, Rusty Colton (Petra’s)

R.A.P. Ferreira w/ Brightboy, ELDON, SuspencefulMusicPlaying (Snug Harbor)

New Edition (Snug Harbor)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

APE Audio Presents (Starlight on 22nd)

JAZZ/BLUES

Keiko Matsui (Middle C Jazz)

Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind (Neighborhood Theatre)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Charlotte Symphony: Pablo + Igor (Knight Theater)

FUNK/JAM BANDS

Cosmic Charlie (Grateful Dead tribute) (Visulite Theatre)

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Pink Beds w/ David Taylor & The Tall Boys (Evening Muse)

The Girls w/ The Emotron (The Milestone)

Queen City Rejects w/ No Anger Control, Van Huskins, Self Made Monsters, Y’all’re (The Rooster)

Native Son w/ Thus Love, Dipstick (Snug Harbor)

JAZZ/BLUES

Keiko Matsui (Middle C Jazz)

FUNK/JAM BANDS

Funkwondo w/ Barcerado (Crown Station)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Guardians of the Jukebox (Amos’ Southend)

KPop Club Night (The Underground)

Haley Reinhart (Neighborhood Theatre)

Cannoli (Starlight on 22nd)

Reflexions w/ DJ Velvetine, Hostmodern (Tommy’s Pub)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Charlotte Symphony: Youth Orchestras Spring Concert (Knight Theater)

Charlotte Symphony: Pablo + Igor (Knight Theater)

EXPERIMENTAL/CROSS-GENRE

Blanket Fort w/ Human Pippi Armstrong, Kevin Jay Z, Lots of Nothing (Petra’s)

ACOUSTIC/SINGER-SONGWRITER

Kat VanFossen Duo (Primal Brewery)

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Bleedseason w/ Lavey, Odd Squad, Reflect//Refine (The Milestone)

Ego Death Machine w/ Teen Mortgage, Babe Haven (Petra’s)

JAZZ/BLUES

Elan Trotman (Middle C Jazz)

LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE

Celtic Session Sunday w/ Alan Davis & Friends (Tommy’s Pub)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

falllift w/ Palmyra (Evening Muse)

ACOUSTIC/SINGER-SONGWRITER

Chuck W Chapman (The Rooster)

Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time (Tommy’s Pub)

MONDAY, MARCH 13

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Zach Moss & the Half Measures w/ XBound, Keegan Federal & the Smoking Section, Andrew Wooten with Caroline’s Roost (The Milestone)

JAZZ/BLUES

Leslie Odom Jr. (Knight Theater)

The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s)

OPEN MIC

Find Your Muse Open Mic (Evening Muse)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Knuckle Puck w/ Real Friends (The Underground)

August Burns Red (The Fillmore)

Nebula w/ The Atomic Bitchwax (Snug Harbor)

ACOUSTIC/SINGER-SONGWRITER

Dalton Davis w/ Cole Cook (The Rooster)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Blankstate. w/ The Sour, I & the Lad (Amos’ Southend)

A Life Worth Taking w/ Nosey Neighbor, Iak Perkins, January Knife (The Milestone)

One Irish Rover (Van Morrison tribute) (Middle C Jazz)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Yeat (The Fillmore)

LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE

Matisyahu (Knight Theater)

FUNK/JAM BANDS

The Movement w/ Tropidelic, Kyle Smith (Neighborhood Theatre)

EXPERIMENTAL/CROSS-GENRE

Joshua Cotterino w/ Zac Plastic, Zodiac Lovers (Snug Harbor)

OPEN MIC

Open Mic Variety Show (Starlight on 22nd)

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Static-X (The Underground)

Gutted Christ w/ Bananaslama, Krvsade, Angel Massacre (The Milestone)

Living Dead Girl w/ Marlene Mendoza (The Rooster)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

Elijah Rosario w/ Nige Hood, Kenny Wavinson (Evening Muse)

Nick Cannon feat. Future Superstars (The Fillmore)

JAZZ/BLUES

Tia Fuller w/ Jamie Royston Duo (Stage Door Theater)

Rhythym4U & Friends (Middle C Jazz)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Griffin House (Neighborhood Theatre)

Adam Doleac w/ Alana Springsteen (Visulite Theatre)

LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE

Skryabin (Amos’ Southend)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Cowgirl Clue w/ LustSickPuppy, Kumo 99 (Snug Harbor)

SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC

Rebekah Todd w/ Fred Heintz (Petra’s)

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Wheelwright w/ The Puddleducks (Evening Muse)

Fractured Frames w/ Detest the Throne, MAFIA, Echos of Humanity, Until They Bleed, Violent End (The Rooster)

Simpbizkit (Limp Bizkit tribute) (Amos’ Southend)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Randall King (Coyote Joe’s)

Emily Scott Robinson w/ Alisa Amador, Violet Bell (Neighborhood Theatre)

Featherpocket w/ Clementine Was Right, Hiram (Petra’s)

JAZZ/BLUES

Tia Fuller w/ Jamie Royston Duo (Stage Door Theater)

Sy Smith (Middle C Jazz)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B

NiiTO (Evening Muse)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Charlotte Symphony: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert (Belk Theater)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

GRL Power Dance Party (The Milestone)

Tumbao w/ Florencia & The Feeling, Elora Dash (Snug Harbor)

ACOUSTIC/SINGER-SONGWRITER

Ashlar Sargent w/ Carolina Ridgeline (Primal Brewery)

FUNK/JAM BANDS

Pyletribe (Smokey Joe’s Cafe & Bar)

Runaway Gun (Phish tribute) (Visulite Theatre)

LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration w/ An Archaic Agenda (Tommy’s Pub)

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Oh! You Pretty Things! w/ Rough Dreams, Trubblegum, The Violet Exploit, Neptune Flyer (The Milestone)

True Body w/ Mary Jane Dunphe, Mauve Angeles (Snug Harbor)

Roman Candles w/ Ultralush (Starlight on 22nd)

Are You In? (Incubus tribute) w/ Foo 4 You (Foo Fighters tribute) (Amos’ Southend)

Flying High Again (Ozzy Osbourne tribute) (The Rooster)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Shrek Rave (The Fillmore)

Nikki Minaj Dance Night (The Underground)

JAZZ/BLUES

Tia Fuller w/ Jamie Royston Duo (Stage Door Theater)

Sy Smith (Middle C Jazz)

Piano Trio w/ Okapi, Ghost Trees (Petra’s)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

The Mavericks w/ Brennen Leigh (Knight Theater)

Kendell Marvel w/ Justin Clyde Williams (Evening Muse)

Will Hoge w/ The Wild Feathers (Neighborhood Theatre)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Charlotte Symphony: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert (Belk Theater)

ACOUSTIC/SINGER-SONGWRITER

Lukas Delgra w/ No Clue (Primal Brewery)

LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE

Rauw Alejandro w/ Jabawockeez (Spectrum Center)

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Mikaela Davis w/ Rodney Eldridge (Evening Muse)

Great Wide Nothing w/ American Theory, True Lilith, Earth That Was (The Milestone)

The Lemon Twigs w/ Chris Stamey Group (Visulite Theatre)

JAZZ/BLUES

Matt Walsh’s Low Down Blues (Primal Brewery)

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

Il Divo w/ Steven Labrie (Belk Theater)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Hazy Sunday (Petra’s)

CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/RELIGIOUS

Fisk Jubilee Singers (Knight Theater)

MONDAY, MARCH 20

CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL

The U.S. Army Field Band (Knight Theater)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ

Jordy Searcy (The Underground)

JAZZ/BLUES

The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s)

Patt Mostle’s Monthly Jazz Jam (Tommy’s Pub)

OPEN MIC

Find Your Muse Open Mic (Evening Muse)

TUESDAY, MARCH 21

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Robert Jon & the Wreck (Booth Playhouse)

Ancient Days w/ Bog Loaf, Peth, Gurthworm (The Milestone)

JAZZ/BLUES

Daneille Wertz (Middle C Jazz)

Popa Chubby (Neighborhood Theatre)

VISIT QCNERVE.COM FOR THE FULL SOUNDWAVE LISTING.

FOOD & DRINK FEATURE

TAKE IT TO THE STREATS

Charlotte StrEATs Festival and Tasting Tour set to close out SHOUT! this spring

BY ANNIE KEOUGH

This year’s Charlotte SHOUT! will wrap up two weeks of art, food, music and ideas with Charlotte StrEATs Festival, an immersive two-day festival within a festival celebrating the city’s diverse food and drink scene, held in Uptown from April 15-16.

The festival will be broken up into three events: StrEATS Smarts Seminars, StrEATs Tasting Tour and the main Charlotte StrEATs Festival. With 20 restaurants representing a dozen Charlotte neighborhoods, visitors will be introduced to the city’s diverse culinary personality through tasting events, cooking demonstrations, seminars and a live competition to determine the 2023 StrEATs Neighborhood Champion.

The StrEATs Tasting Tour will allow attendees aged 21 and up to journey through Charlotte’s most iconic neighborhoods without ever leaving Gateway Village. Held on April 15 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., it’s a showcase of the city’s many personalities through each neighborhood’s participating restaurants’ dishes. There will also be live music.

Queen City Nerve caught up with a few restaurants involved in the StrEATs Tasting Tour to give you a small taste of what’s to come.

Sea Level NC - Uptown Charlotte

Sea Level NC is challenging itself to gain the trust of first-time oyster eaters during the StrEATs Tasting Tour, said Alex Flores, brand and culture director for High Tide Hospitality. Sea Level NC will be serving its signature oyster, the Sea Level Salt, which is available daily at the restaurant — elevated with a seasonal granita for the Tasting Tour. All of Sea Level’s oysters come from a sister oyster farm in North Carolina.

Flores said the StrEATs Festival encourages creativity, and there are so many ways to enhance oysters beyond cocktail sauce, lemon juice and Tabasco sauce.

“One of our favorite things is helping someone enjoy their first oyster and then show them all the ways to dress it up once they fall in love,” she said.

Flores noted that the festival brings local and regional folks to Uptown that may not be familiar

with the area. The variety of vendors in a single spot allows foodies to get a taste of places they may not have thought to visit, she added.

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Belmont

Sweet Lew’s BBQ is a small shop embedded into the Belmont neighborhood that provides a simple environment to enjoy a plate of wood-smoked meats and Southern sides, all served with big smiles, added the restaurant’s owner, Lewis Donald.

the Belmont neighborhood and distinguish it from the nearby city of Belmont. It also helps highlight his restaurant’s range.

“It’s an opportunity to be somewhat creative and [let] people know we are more than just pork sandwiches,” he said.

Supperland - Plaza Midwood

Supperland will feature its classic sausage gravy croquettes created by Executive Chef Chris Rogienski. The dish combines house-made sausage with sage and black pepper gravy, panko-fried and topped with house-made pickled red onions.

“The sausage gravy coquettes are a unique twist on a classic, hearty dish — a dish representative of the classic, casual vibe of Plaza Midwood,” said Allie Papajohn, Supperland’s marketing manager. Papajohn also runs the popular Charlotte food Instagram account @eatdrinkclt.

Haberdish - NoDa

Under the same ownership as Supperland, Haberdish is known more for its Southern food (fried chicken, chicken & waffles, house-made biscuits, etc.) as well as craft cocktails.

The restaurant plans to serve its signature cornmeal hushpuppies and crowd-favorite mac & cheese during the StrEATs Festival.

Papajohn describes Haberdish as a “Southern mill town kitchen,” though both Supperland and Haberdish will be offering dishes with Southern flair.

She added that StrEATS Festival allows these restaurant’s chefs to meet customers directly and interact with the communities they serve daily.

“This event is a great way to get our chefs out of the day-to-day of kitchen life and in front of the public,” Papajohn said.

Donald told Queen City Nerve his team will feature their smoked brisket meatballs with a Carolina sweet heat sauce at the StrEATs Tasting Tour.

“If we’re feeling froggy, you may see a smoked pecan dessert,” he added.

Donald said the StrEATs Festival helps promote

She said the upcoming festival helps expose Supperland to new faces and gives the restaurant the chance to connect with others in the industry.

Supperland boasts an extensive wine collection of over 200 bottles, curated by its Level 3 Sommelier Michael Klinger, so expect vino on the menu.

The Artisan’s Palate - NoDa

Christa Csoka, chef and owner of The Artisan’s Palate, said the StrEATs Tasting Tour is a chance to introduce new customers to its food.

The restaurant will serve its favorite “elevated comfort food” with a twist so people get an idea

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN CHARLOTTE STREATS FESTIVAL 2022.

FOOD & DRINK FEATURE

of what is usually served while leaving room for experimentation. The exact dishes are still in the works by the restaurant.

The Artisan’s Palate takes cuisine from all over the world and reimagines it through its comfort food, serving it “tapas style,” so it’s meant to be shared.

“The idea of customers sitting around a table and enjoying each other’s company while eating and drinking is what we strive for,” Csoka said.

She emphasized the potential economic impact the festival could have on her small independent restaurant.

“It will pull staff away in order for us to man the festival … but the hope is to expose our restaurant to new people and have fun while doing it,” she said.

As one of the few art galleries left in NoDa, Csoka believes The Artisan’s Palate represents the “arts district” that the neighborhood originally was through its hybrid restaurant/gallery. Its support of local artists and locally sourced food is apparent through the artists showcased in its gallery and the food it serves, she said.

“If that isn’t NoDa, I don’t know what is,” she said. StrEATs Tasting Tour tickets start at $75 and are on sale now. Admission is free to the Charlotte StrEATs Festival on April 16 from noon-5 p.m. at Gateway Village, but organizers ask that attendees register to provide the best experience.

Attendees will enjoy handpicked food trucks, beverage vendors, live music and art, cooking demonstrations and a neighborhood cook-off emceed by world-renowned chef Alex Guarnashelli to decide the 2023 StrEATs Neighborhood Champion.

While the festival is open to the public, you can purchase wristbands for a craft cocktail tasting.

Charlotte StrEATs Smarts, a newly-introduced seminar, will be led by experts in the city’s hospitality industry in the two weeks leading up to the festival, from April 1-14.

The five seminars target food and drink lovers and will cover topics like wine, gardening, cooking and more in various locations around Uptown Charlotte. Ticket prices and further details will be announced soon.

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

A DISH SERVED AT THE CHARLOTTE STREATS FESTIVAL IN 2022.

TRIVIA TEST

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

BY LINDA THISTLE

BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. FOOD & DRINK: Which U.S. city is known for its square pizzas with crunchy corners?

2. TELEVISION: Which character became a fugitive in the final season of “The Office”?

3. GEOGRAPHY: Which of the Great Lakes lies entirely within the United States?

4. LITERATURE: Which famous novelist wrote his last book in crayon due to poor eyesight?

5. GAMES: What are the two most valuable letters in Scrabble?

6. MOVIES: Which movie series features a character named Ellen Ripley?

7. LANGUAGE: What is a “schwa”?

8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which nation is credited for being the top beer-drinking country in the world?

9. ANATOMY: What is a common name for the axilla?

PLACE A NUMBER IN THE EMPTY BOXES IN SUCH A WAY THAT EACH ROW ACROSS, EACH COLUMN DOWN AND EACH SMALL 9-BOX SQUARE CONTAINS ALL OF THE NUMBERS ONE TO NINE.

10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do you call an ant’s home?

THE SEEKER SPRING TO IT

There’s no shortage of options for those arousing from winter hibernation

BY KATIE GRANT

The winter days are waning, and the prospect of spring is becoming ever present. As I write this, I’m thankful for the flexibility to have worked from home during the last few days of wishy-washy weather — a few warm rain showers providing a restful nap soundscape followed by a few colder days bundled up on the couch watching Daisy Jones and the Six.

I’ve learned that in Finland they celebrate a halfway season. It hasn’t officially been adopted, but most residents know it and use the term kevättalvi, which translates literally to “springwinter” in English. But because the English lexicon doesn’t include a similar term, I’ll refer to our current seasonal situation as “almost-spring,” though Carolinians may hear it referred to on social media as “false spring” by those tired of being teased.

Now that the almost-spring sun is peeking through the clouds, a fervent spring fever pulses through the Queen City. I’ve dared to wear shorts outside with the risk of blinding my neighbors. I’ve even started venturing out in the neighborhood to meet friends like we did prepandemic. Overall, I’m optimistic about my current flow of life.

One of my friend groups recently had plans to celebrate a Piscean birthday. But after all but two of us bailed, we felt sanguine in bellying up to Bar à Vins, NoDa’s neighborhood wine bar and shop. Minimally decorated with bistro-style barstools and tables, it’s like stepping into an authentic slice of Europe. The back patio offers the same laid-back charm but at a lower decibel.

Bar à Vins was founded on always having a sommelier in the house for questions. Instead of a regular wine bar, they are a retail shop that charges $10 if you decide to imbibe onsite.

The wine trending in my household is dry rosé, a solid option for outdoor almost-spring events and informal occasions like birthday celebrations. I’ve recently learned that proper rosé etiquette is to drink it from white wine glasses, holding them by the stem to avoid warming the wine with your palm.

Rosé is appropriate for a light informal meal, and Bar à Vins did not disappoint. Their snack menu includes charcuterie, because is it even considered a wine night without bread and cheese? Our server picked out three cheese varietals that paired well with our rosé of choice: cow, goat and sheep.

Don’t bypass the quicos, either. The “fancy corn nuts” are delightful fried corn kernels dusted with salt, all of which pair perfectly with wine. You may be tempted to order a refill.

To round out the weekend, I indulged in a communal self-care Sunday. A friend who recently separated from her husband is looking for healthy approaches to fill her calendar. With only a mild headache from the wine, we first hit the front porch of Caswell Station, an Elizabeth neighborhood pub formerly known as Kennedy’s, for some comfort food. Their spinach dip and patty melt (substituted with a veggie burger) never dissatisfy.

With full bellies and a few ibuprofen later, we headed south to Crowders Mountain State Park for an afternoon of sun-soaked trails. Neither one of us particularly felt like overachieving, so we circumvented the strenuous Pinnacle Trail and settled on Crowders Trail, a moderate 2.8-mile choice that didn’t overwhelm us.

From patio celebrations on the town to mountain adventures a stone’s throw from the city, there are so many options for Charlotteans coming out of hibernation this season.

Personally speaking, I’ve spent much of winter’s downtime surveying my relationships. Studies have shown that healthy relationships promote happiness and reduce stress, but I don’t think you need a study to tell you that much. I have been intentional in the new year, analyzing friendships that bring joy and those that cause stress — that’s the hard part, after all.

Maintaining solid friendships is a form of self-care because those are the ones that provide comfort! But when they take a toll on your mental health, and the interactions are not wholesome, I have realized those relationships must be addressed.

As a result, I am down three friends but not one regret. They are blocked on my phone and social media, which has given me space to pursue new interests (like the Literary League, Charlotte chapter) and friendships that I may not have had time to nurture before.

Spring is the season of new beginnings. And outdoor adventures, with good friends and new ones, are the common thread weaving together the patches of my life this season.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Seeing the silly side of some really ridiculous situations helps give the Lamb a new perspective on how to handle them. Some important contacts can be made this weekend.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Try to complete your outstanding tasks by midweek. This leaves you free to take advantage of new possibilities — both professional and personal — opening up by week’s end.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) With both your creative side and energy levels rising this week, you should be able to tackle that too-long-neglected project again. A family member might have important news.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) An explanation you requested seems to be more confusing than enlightening. You should insist on clarifications now, rather than dealing with problems that might arise later.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your energy levels might be ebbing a bit. But that’s no excuse for taking catnaps when you could be working on those unfinished tasks. There’ll be time to curl up and relax by week’s end.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) It’s a good time to get those ideas out of your head and into a readable format if you hope to turn them into something doable. In other news, a good friend is ready with worthwhile advice.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for creating a warm and loving environment between yourself and others.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Careful — you might be stepping into dangerous territory if you decide to exaggerate the facts too much. Remember: The truth speaks for itself and needs no embellishment.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Although your workplace successes have earned you many admirers, there are some colleagues who are not among them. Be careful how you proceed with your new project.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21)

You might have to go into great detail to explain why you’re currently reluctant to make changes to an already prepared plan. Be sure you have all the facts to back yourself up.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19)

Travel plans might still be uncertain. But instead of getting upset about the delay, open yourself up to other possibilities and begin checking out some alternative destinations.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Changing conditions might require you to alter some of your plans. While you might be agreeable to this, be prepared with explanations for those who do not want changes made.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Although you might have to deal with some detractors who aren’t too kind in their critiques, you gain points in your favor when you’re willing to stand up and defend your work.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Stop being the wool-gathering Lamb, and start turning that dream project into reality. You have the ideas, the drive and the charisma to persuade others to follow your lead. So do it.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You’ve scored some big successes. But remember that all hard-working Ferdinands and Ferdinandas need some time to restore their energies and refresh their spirits.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’re gaining a stronger mental image of what you’re trying to achieve. Now, look for the facts that will help get this to develop from a concept into a solid proposal.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Some of you eagerto-please Moon Children might want to delay some decisions until midweek, when you can again think more with your head than your heart.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A new business venture seems to offer everything you’ve been looking for. But be careful that this rosy picture doesn’t betray traces of red ink under the surface.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A volatile situation needs the kind of thoughtful and considerate care you can provide right now. There’ll be plenty of time later to analyze what might have gone wrong.

BORN THIS WEEK: You always try to do the right thing for the right reasons. No wonder people have come to depend on you.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your loyalty to a friend in a tough situation earns you respect from people you care about. Those who criticize you don’t understand what friendship is all about.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your strong work ethic is rewarded with the kind of challenging opportunity you love to tackle. Now, go ahead and celebrate with family and/or close friends.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A legal matter you thought had been finally resolved could require a second look. But don’t make any moves without consulting your lawyer.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Taking charge is what you like to do, and since you do it so well, expect to be asked to lead a special group. This could open an exciting new vista for you.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An important matter might wind up being entrusted to you for handling. The responsibility is heavy, but you’ll have support from people able and eager to help.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A spouse or partner might make an important, even lifechanging, suggestion. Consider it carefully. It could hold some of the answers you’ve both been looking for.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

SAVAGE LOVE BY THE NUMBERS

Seventeen quickies

BY DAN SAVAGE

1. You suggested stocking up on abortion pills now for friends in the future because they could wind up being banned. I naively thought a ban would never happen. Now, as you probably know, it’s on the verge of being banned nationwide any day due to the lawsuit in Texas. It looks like I’d need to go to a doctor to get them and I don’t want to have to lie about needing them. Is there any other way to get them?

Go to PlanCPills.org!

2. I look okay, I make good money, I have my own place and I’m nice. But no one wants me, and no one stays, because I’m autistic. Everyone says, “Just get out there,” but it doesn’t work. I want a real relationship, but I would settle for an escort. But I don’t want to get robbed or killed.

I can’t give explicit advice about finding escorts — it’s a legal gray area — but I can suggest that you follow sex workers’ rights advocates on Twitter, many of whom are sex workers themselves. Most of the women sex workers I know — personally, not professionally — have experience working with autistic clients. And while locating an experienced sex worker you would like to see in person will require some time and effort, the energy you’re currently expending being miserable would be better spent on this search. There are also dating sites for autistic adults like Hiki (hikiapp.com) that you might want to check out.

3. What’s the best way as a gay to get laid at the gym?

No one gets laid at the gym — or through the gym — without going to the gym. As a very problematic person once said, 80% of success in life is just showing up. And here’s a pro-tip: pre-smartphones and hookup apps, gays would cruise each other while they lifted weights, offer to spot each other, and then follow each other into locker rooms to mess around — discreetly, of course, so as not to panic straights and/or annoy other gays who don’t mess around at the gym. These days guys open Grindr at the gym and send hole pics to guys sitting on the machine next to them.

4. I’m a 43-year-old cis straight man. I’m going to see my doctor soon and I plan to ask him about testing for autism spectrum disorder, because more than half of my girlfriends and a few platonic

friends have asked me if I might be on the spectrum. I don’t think a diagnosis will change my life, other than reframing a lot of confusing (to me) “breakups” with friends and girlfriends over the years. Any advice whether or how I should contact previous friends and girlfriends to let them know I received a diagnosis that might explain some of our problems?

I’m still on friendly(ish) terms with most of them.

A status update posted to Facebook and/or a story posted to Instagram — assuming you’re on social media and/or want to be out about your diagnosis — would probably reach most of your friends and exes. If that’s too public, I don’t see why you couldn’t just send a note to the friends and exes with whom you’re on friendly(ish) terms, particularly the ones who suggested you might be on the spectrum.

5. I have seen videos of guys getting fisted. Some of these guys take it all the way to the elbow. How the heck is this even possible?!? I mean they have to be touching their lungs or heart! Even done carefully how can this be safe and not do permanent damage?

“Some guys’ insides are just made differently,” said CagedJock, a gay male porn star who is often elbow-deep in his costars. “I once fisted this boy — he was short, only 5’5” — and I basically just slid in up my elbow. He was gifted anatomically. But I have also fisted 6’2” guys without getting past my wrist. So, it’s not the height that gets you to past the elbow. It’s like people in the circus — ordinary people just can’t do that. And it’s safe as long as you’re doing it right. I have been fisting since 2015 and I’ve bottomed since 2004. It’s about knowing how the body works, using common sense, learning how to read the body language of the receiver, and lots of communication.”

Follow CagedJock on Twitter and Instagram @CagedJock.

6. How do you use a dental dam effectively?

You remove the dental dam from its packaging, you place the packaging in the appropriate recycling bin, and then you carefully position the dental over the nearest trash can. You release the dental dam, you let it flutter into the trash can, and then you go to MyLorals.com and order yourself some of their FDA-cleared, ultra-sheer underpants designed for cunnilingus.

7. How can a bottom in his 50s find a dang top? Ageism sucks!

I’m always a little suspicious when a guy in his 50s

— and that’s my demo — starts to complain about ageism in the gay community … because I’ve heard from too many middle-aged gay guys whose complaints about “ageism” boiled down to, “Guys in their 20s and 30s don’t wanna fuck me, and I don’t wanna fuck guys my own age or older.” It may not be as easy for a guy in his 50s to find dick, but it’s not impossible, and it’s certainly not as hard as it was back when only guys in their 20s were considered hot. There are lots of guys who are into hot daddies these days, and while a lot of those guys are bottoms, they aren’t all bottoms.

8. I’m pre-op, no-T, non-binary, AFAB. Do I belong on Grindr?

It depends on what you mean by, “Do I belong?” If what you mean is, “Am I allowed on Grindr and will I find someone there who might wanna fuck me?”, then the answer is yes. But if what you mean is, “Will I have a completely frictionless experience on Grindr and not encounter a single asshole who goes out of his way to make me feel like I don’t belong on a hookup app for gay and bi men because I have a vagina and boobs?”, then the answer is no. But by that standard … no one “belongs” on Grindr, where some people — where some assholes — have been known to go out of their way to make people, AFAB and AMAB, cis and trans, gay and otherwise, feel like they don’t belong.

9. My girlfriend has some body odor — underarm odor — that I notice when we play. Any subtle ways to tell her?

I’m not a “mansmells” kind of guy/pervert, but I like the way my men smell … at least most of the time. When they smell too strong or sour or otherwise unpleasant, I usually just say, “You stink,” and point them to the shower. Try it.

10. How does one effectively manage a throuple?

By not obsessing about what you’ve given up, lost, and/or never had — which would be absolute primacy — and instead being grateful for what you’ve gained, e.g., someone else to do the dishes, someone else to pick up groceries, someone else to walk the dogs, etc.

11. How are you liking MILF Manor?

I stopped watching MILF Manor after the third episode — the challenges were increasingly lame, the MILFs didn’t seem serious about wanting to actually fuck the younger men, and the younger men didn’t seem serious about wanting to fuck the MILFs. I’m watching Young Royals S2, now, and rooting for Willie, Simon, and Marcus to form a throuple.

12. I’m addicted to PMO (porn, masturbation, orgasm). How do I break this addiction and start having real sex?

If you’re having a hard time closing the laptop, pulling up your pants, and getting out of the house, you might have to do something radical — like canceling your internet service or getting your ass into therapy.

13. Ever since birthing my children all of my masturbation fantasies include me having a penis. Is there a possible physiological reason for this? Or is it all in my head?

Physiological — “relating to the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts” — would seem to cover what’s going on in your head, as you’re a living organism and your head is one of your parts, so the distinction you’re attempting to draw between physiological and psychological seems false to me. Whatever is going on here, it’s interesting — definitely something to explore and enjoy.

14. My ex and I miss each other — and we’re both in therapy now. Is it a bad idea to get back together?

There’s an option between “broken up” and “back together,” and it’s called “dating.” Keep things casual, keep your own places, keep seeing your therapists, and keep all your options — including the option of getting back together — open.

15. Any recommended resources (such as books) for our 18-year-old son about same-sex sex?

Assuming your son has access to the Internet, he probably knows quite a bit about same-sex sex already. I would supplement what he already knows (or thinks he knows) with Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, by Erika Moen and Matthew Moen, which is for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and get him an appointment with a gay doc who can talk to him about safety and, if appropriate, get him on PrEP.

16. My 19-year-old daughter has never been in a relationship with a man or a woman. On social media, she identifies as she/her. She checked the “asexual” box on all her college applications. I have never asked her what her deal is, as I felt she would tell us if she wanted to. I’m okay for things to remain as they are, but I’m curious about her use of the term asexual. Does sex not serve her narrative or is she just not having any? She knows her parents are approachable.

If your daughter knew you were looking at her college applications — if you were helping her prepare them — then she essentially told you she’s asexual. So, I don’t think you would be violating her privacy if you simply said, “I noticed you checked ‘asexual’ on your applications. If that’s something you want to talk about, we’re ready to listen. If not, that’s fine too. We love you just the same.” And in the meantime, read up about asexuality at the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network.

17. Go fuck yourself, groomer.

Hm … I don’t need to fuck myself. You see, I have people for that — adult people. If anyone around here needs to go fuck themselves, hater, I’m guessing it’s you.

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