Queen City Nerve Issue 9 _2019

MARCH 27 - APRIL 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

music: Dollhands on deck p. 16

FOOD: A speakeasy, for real though p. 22

UNDERGROUND kings Graffiti artists serve as the foundation for Charlotte’s street art explosion

By Rebecca Hourselt

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Charlotte’s Cultural Pulse STAFF

PUBLISHER • Justin LaFrancois jlafrancois@qcnerve.com EDITOR-IN-Chief • Ryan Pitkin rpitkin@qcnerve.com

EDITORIAL

ASSOCIATE EDITOR • Courtney Mihocik cmihocik@qcnerve.com STAFF WRITER • Pat Moran pmoran@qcnerve.com

ART/DESIGN

ART DIRECTOR • Dana Vindigni dvindigni@qcnerve.com

ADVERTISING

SALES MANAGER Stephen Lane • slane@qcnerve.com To place an ad, please call 980-349-3029

MARKETING Pg. 3 Mar. 27- Apr. 9 , 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

MARKETING MANAGER • Jayme Johnson jjohnson@qcnerve.com Queen City Nerve welcomes submissions of all kinds. Please send submissions or story pitches to rpitkin@qcnerve.com.

Queen City Nerve is published every other Wednesday by Nerve Media Productions LLC. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Queen City Nerve is located in Advent Coworking at 933 Louise Ave., Charlotte, NC, 28204. First Issue of Queen CIty Nerve free. Each additional issue $5.

NEWS & CULTURE

6 No Punches Pulled Meet the women bringing boxing back to Charlotte

By Tim Spears 4 Editor’s Note by Ryan Pitkin 8 Keep It 100 by Shameika Rhymes 10 The Scanner by Ryan Pitkin

ARTS

10 Underground Kings Graffiti is the underappreciated foundation of Charlotte street art

By Rebecca Hourselt

LIFELINE

14 How not to kill your social life

MUSIC

16 Dollhands on Deck Eric Smeal has his hands in a lot of fires just to warm them up

By Pat Moran 20 Soundwave

FOOD & DRINK

Cover Design by: Dana Vindigni 22 Don’t Drink and Tell Photo by Jayme Johnson Backstage Lounge stays true to Prohibition-era speakeasies

By Courtney Mihocik 24 The Buzz

NIGHTLIFE

26 Aerin it Out/Sudoku 27 Crossword 28 Horoscope 30 Savage Love

EDITOR’S NOTE THE FOUNDATION

Indie video games, like graffiti, bring us back to the basics

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BY RYAN PITKIN

AXEL SMOOTH is here to save Charlotte, or at least help the city cultivate its local gaming culture.

I recently wrote an online article — be sure to always be checking up on qcnerve.com as we drop new content daily that never makes it in the paper — about the debut of Axel Smooth Saves Charlotte, a side-scrolling, beat-’em-up indie video game developed by Central Piedmont Community College students that will have its own cabinet at Abari Game Bar in Villa Heights.

The idea stems a relatively new partnership between Abari and CPCC’s Simulation and Game Development that will feature multiple studentdeveloped indie games on a single cabinet at the game bar, the first of which being Axel Smooth.

This program will serve as a stepping stone to a career in the gaming industry.

Eulises Orellano, one of the developers behind Axel Smooth, recently graduated from CPCC and was able to get a job with local gaming company 704Games, but he knows he was lucky to get in the door so quickly. Despite the fact that the gaming industry is flourishing at the moment, it’s popularity also makes the job market very competitive.

“It helps everybody. It helps them get exposure and get feedback, but more importantly, they’ll have a published title — a released title — which is really important when trying to find a job in this industry,” Orellano said. “I lucked out tremendously here [at 704Games], but most of my friends are still struggling. It’s one of those things, we’re trying to help as much as we can.”

For Pulliam, who opened Abari in 2016, the program helps Charlotte compete with cities like Raleigh by tapping into the local pool of talent and helping those amateur developers go pro.

“We’re just kind of looked over with Raleigh in the Research Triangle and having things like Epic [Games] and things like that, but it’s nice to see this young talent that is passionate about game-making,” Pulliam told me. “They can put this on a resume and say, ‘Hey, we made this game, people played this game, it’s here available for you to look at.’”

While local groups like CLT Esports and Carolina Gaming do big things with all the new mainstream

titles, games like Axel Smooth are finding fanbases in a gaming subculture: the indie game scene. Indie games are usually pixelated throwbacks and/or addictive multiplayer games with simple rules. I, for one, sold my PlayStation 4 a few years ago because I was wasting too much time playing MLB: The Show, and I haven’t been playing many video games since.

When I see clips of Fortnite come across my Twitter feed, it looks like an absolute shitshow of confusion, and I instantly feel old. Indie games are a fun and simple way to ease back into that culture.

“We focus so much on what’s coming next, sometimes we forget about what was so good from the past and pixel art in general just brings back so many memories,” Orellano said. “It’s not trying to be hyper realistic, it’s not trying to hit 60 frames-per-second. It’s just like, this is a game, it’s fun, it’s simple. A lot of times in the game industry right now, it’s so deep, there’s so many levels to it, it gets overwhelming. Nobody wants to get overwhelmed all the time.”

Events like the monthly Potions & Pixels at Petra’s, which features tons of indie games alongside more mainstream titles, are the perfect way to check out some of the indie talent within the city. I try to make it to P&P whenever I can and have found all sorts of fun ones that I seek out on my next trip, only to stumble across another one I end up addicted to for the night. As for Orellano, the event serves as a way to meet fellow developers and pick their brains.

It’s another example of why I love my job: getting to know the ins and outs of the countless scenes and cultures that are thriving in this city, despite the fact that so many lazy folks continue to complain that Charlotte lacks any culture whatsoever.

That being said, I’m especially excited about this week’s cover story, which goes in depth about another one of Charlotte’s subcultures: graffiti. As we’ve seen murals become more popular around the city, local ordinances continue to criminalize graffiti artists in harsher ways than other cities.

It would be nice to see the city provide space for graffiti artists to work, rather than cast them into the shadows. After all, for the artists bombing on the streets while we sleep, this is no game.

RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM

PHOTO BY PAT ORR PHOTOGRAPHY

Christy Martin at a fight in Syracuse, New York, during her fighting career.

Two boxers at a recent Pink Promotions event.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PINK PROMOTIONS BOXING

NO PUNCHES PULLED

Meet the women bringing boxing back to Charlotte

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L

BY TIM SPEARS

AVONDA EARLEY-STACEY always hated watching her son fight. She never thought she would pay men to try to beat him up.

“I did not initially support [my son] getting into boxing,” Earley-Stacey said. “As a mother, you don’t want to see your child get hit in the face.”

She warmed up to it eventually, however, and last year founded Vegas Grand Boxing Promotions.

She quickly became one of the most active boxing promoters in Charlotte, though others in the local boxing scene think the quality of those fights doesn’t justify the quantity.

Vegas Grand started as a way to create opportunities for her son, undefeated pro LaVonte “The World Class Gentleman” Earley, and has since made Earley-Stacey in a small group of people fighting to save boxing in the Queen City, even if

they’re not working together to do so.

Earley-Stacey admitted that she had, “zero boxing experience” when she launched Vegas Grand, but she saw potential in the fledgling fight scene.

“There’s room enough where we can establish something that’s great,” Earley-Stacey said.

Dramatic lighting, drapes flowing from the ceiling and nightlife decor adorned the interior of Extravaganza Events Center on Jan. 26 during Vegas Grand’s boxing card. Looking more like a nightclub than the stereotypical smoke-filled bingo halls where boxing takes place, Extravaganza made for a beautiful setting to watch someone get knocked unconscious. It also had that added intimacy unique to untelevised, local boxing in which attendees can watch an athlete compete in a match then walk straight from the ringside doctor to the concession stand to buy a beer.

Earley-Stacey said she wants her company to promote “upscale boxing shows in the Carolinas,” but unfortunately the spectacle has had trouble translating to the in-ring product. No bout lasted more than two rounds during Vegas Grand’s January show, and every bout ended with an overwhelming favorite stomping an over-matched competitor.

“We are building talent,” Earley-Stacey said.

In the main event, Willie “Lump Lump” Harvey knocked out Wilson-native Paris Liles in 11 seconds in the latter’s debut fight.

Vegas Grand isn’t the only one putting on boxing events in town, and word spreads fast when shows like the January card put on seconds-long fights.

“When I have somebody across town putting on crap shows, it hurts what I do as a professional promoter,” said Christy Salters-Martin, founder of Pink Boxing Promotions.

Back when she was just known as Christy Martin, the coal miner’s daughter from West Virginia was a regular on the undercards of Mike Tyson fights and Don King-promoted pay-per-views. Her success led to a Sports Illustrated cover story, appearances on late-night talk shows and arguably the most notable female boxing career of the 20th century.

“I have high credentials,” Salters-Martin said, “and I won’t lower my standards.”

The Hall-of-Fame fighter who made a career as a trailblazer for women’s boxing has been the standard bearer for Charlotte boxing. So far, she’s had the best success attracting casual boxing fans, wannabe Instagram influencers and late-20s singles looking for something to do on a given night.

It’s not uncommon to see boxing royalty like former world champion Zab Judah at a Pink Boxing Promotions event; or former Charlotte mayorturned-federal-inmate-turned-radio host, Patrick Cannon.

“I think what we have as an advantage on everybody else [is] we bring real fights,” SaltersMartin said. “Fans get their money’s worth when they come to my shows.”

She drew a standing-room only crowd (and a visit from the fire department) on Feb. 23 at CenterStage@NoDa. She was hesitant to give out the actual attendance number.

“I can’t tell you because if I told you, the fire marshal would be knocking on my door,” SaltersMartin explained.

To keep fights competitive, Pink Boxing Promotions relies on imported boxers from out-ofstate — occasionally from out of the country.

“I’m not about to let guys go out and fight dead people,” Salters-Martin said. “The [local] fighters don’t want to fight tough fights, competitive fights.

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

LaVonda Earley-Stacey at one of her events.

Two boxers size each other up before going at it during a recent Vegas Grand Promotions event.

PHOTO BY GRANT BALDWIN

“There’s still so many [boxers] out there that the public knows nothing about.”

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CARRIE FLOCK, RETIRED BOXER

So I have to bring guys from out of the area.”

The last notable boxer from the Queen City, 2000 Olympian Calvin Brock, famously started boxing once his father bought a stack of instructional videos and became his self-taught coach. Brock’s success as a pro hit its pinnacle in 2006 inside Madison Square Garden where he fought for the heavyweight championship of the world. But an injury to Brock’s right eye forced him out of the sport and so began an era of boxing irrelevance in Charlotte.

Today, North Carolina remains home to some obscure boxing trivia. The first two-time heavyweight champion of the world, Floyd Patterson, was born in Cleveland County. The first black heavyweight champion of the world, Jack Johnson, died after a car crash near Franklin County.

It’s not just in North Carolina, however. The scene here has mirrored the decline of boxing in popular culture. At the height of the Carolinas Golden Gloves’ popularity, 11,000 fans filled the old Charlotte Coliseum. This year, a small crowd gathered in Sugaw Creek Rec Center to cheer on the Golden Gloves competitors, with little sense of that big-fight feel.

The scarce amateur boxing scene has put the state and Charlotte in a prolonged rebuilding phase.

A few years ago it was common to have promoters cancel more shows than promote. In 2015, there were just four professional boxing events held in Charlotte.

Thanks to Vegas Grand and Pink Boxing Promotions, those numbers are starting to come up. Last year, Earley-Stacey and Salters-Martin accounted for eight of the nine boxing events

hosted in Charlotte.

“It has grown so much more. It still has a lot more to do,” retired female boxer Carrie Flock said before a recent Vegas Grand Boxing show. “There’s still so many [athletes] out there that the public knows nothing about.”

Vegas Grand has a fight card booked in Charlotte every other month this year. Pink Boxing Promotions has several events planned throughout the state, and returns to Charlotte in the summer.

Both promoters have built a core stable of prospects, but there’s still a shallow talent pool to match them. LaVonda’s son, LaVonte Earley (8-0, 5 KOs), fought at Extravaganza on March 16 under the Vegas Grand banner against a boxer with 3 wins, 33 losses and 4 draws. The combined record of the “A-side” fighters on that card was 44-5-1. Their

opponents walked into the ring with a combined record of 15-68-8. None of the bouts featured two fighters with a winning record.

“If you’re going to [fight for] Vegas Grand and you’re going to get knocked out in the first 30 seconds, you probably won’t be fighting [for us] again,” Earley-Stacey said.

The matchups have tested the limits of what the North Carolina Boxing Commission will sanction.

Earley-Stacey said she’s committed to improving matchups on her shows.

“I learn something new every day,” she said.

Earley-Stacey’s attachment to boxing through motherhood, and Salters-Martin’s attachment as a former fighter, clearly influences how they see the sport continuing to grow in the region. EarleyStacey believes helping grow the scene is a matter of providing support.

“We need businesses who want to sponsor the events,” Earley-Stacey said. “But because we lack television, we lack sponsorships.”

Salters-Martin wants more competition.

“There’s no one here locally that you could sell to [television networks] as the A-side, that TV would want to come in here and cover,” Salters-Martin said.

“For the sport to really flourish in Charlotte we need a couple good professional fighters that are really serious and willing to step outside of Charlotte.

Being the best fighter in North Carolina really doesn’t mean anything. To be the best fighter in the world, that’s what means something.”

KEEP IT 100 THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES

How to let a partner know they’re just not fresh

BY SHAMEIKA RHYMES

BY SHAMEIKA RHYMES

Dear Shameika, My guy is awesome in so many areas; he’s supportive, considerate, passionate, giving and more. I’m talking damn near harlequin romance/fairy tale levels here! But one area where he isn’t so awesome is in the fashion department. Whew! Now don’t get me wrong, his clothes aren’t embarrassing or anything, they could just stand to be a bit more “hip.”

You see, he’s a big guy who at one point was an even bigger guy but now since he has lost all that weight, he either still wears some of his larger clothes (I managed to put a stop to that!) or he dresses too plainly or too conservatively. To give you an idea, remember Laurence Fishburne’s character in Higher Learning? Yep, that’s bae. I don’t want him in a bunch of “urban gear,” but I don’t want him out here dressing like The Professor, either!

How do I approach my boo about leveling up his wardrobe?

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CLOTHES DO MAKE MY MAN

Dear Clothes Do Make My Man, Let me get this straight; you are complaining to me despite having what every last woman out here is so desperately trying to find in a man: one that acts right, is supportive, giving, considerate and is passionate and romantic?! Hell, some of us are still trying to get a return text from our crushes. And yes, I’m clearly bitter about that since this is the second letter that has made me bring it up. But let me keep it 100 with you: if this man is all of that and consistent with it, you have a unicorn, plain and simple. Please write back and tell us where you found this unique specimen.

Now let’s get into the reason you are writing.

Your man seems to be everything you want and need on the inside, but the dressing on the outside isn’t so appealing. While I’m not sure how long you have been dating, what I do know is unconditional love or lust goes hand in hand with acceptance. You

can’t barge in screaming, “Let me upgrade ya!” I mean you could, but he’s probably going to side eye you and start considering an escape route.

Picture it, if you’ve ever put on a lot of weight, you’ve more than likely developed a sense of insecurity about it. When dealing with low self esteem of that sort, folks will often hide in plain sight beneath layers of clothing. Kudos to him for losing the weight, but perhaps your guy just isn’t confident in his new body yet. He gave you what you wanted by not wearing his larger clothes anymore, but because he’s been a plain Jack for so long, he may not even know where to start to put some pizazz into his wardrobe.

I’m going to assume this man is grown enough not to be wearing cornrows that have gotten fuzzy and in need of a re-braid, and I assume he’s old enough to not be out here wearing his pants hanging down past his ass with his underwear showing — so conservative isn’t a far reach if he’s above the age of 25. I mean, bow ties seem to be a popular item these days, but Professor Maurice Phipps from Higher Learning sweater vests are another thing.

Since your guy traded in his comfy larger clothing, then you’ve obviously had a conversation with him about what’s hanging in his closet. Let’s be honest, how would you feel if he told you he didn’t like the way you dressed? What if he told you he hated those leggings that shouldn’t be worn outside the house because leggings aren’t pants? Or he hated your attempts at dressing like Olivia Pope?

Maybe he just wants to see you in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and you like to wear vintage dresses and pearls with heels all the time.

Perhaps, just like your wardrobe and anyone else’s, it boils down to a reflection of his individuality.

Some men just aren’t into changing a style that they took the time to cultivate over a span of some years. While others are glad to play a Ken (err Jay-Z) doll and let their Barbie (err Beyoncé) dress them however they see fit, you have to realize that most

men do not like to be told what to do, so you have to tread lightly here.

How about the two of you go on a romantic shopping trip for lingerie, and while you are in the mall, stop off in a men’s department store and casually mention some of the pieces you find sexy.

You might even convince him to try it on and then “ooh” and “ahh” over him because men are suckers for praise and will do anything to make you happy.

Shoot, make him smile and give him a happy ending in the dressing room if you need to, but I digress.

After a few more trips like this, start gifting him items that you love. Eventually, he will start to trust your sense of style and let you guide him to the promise land with a little pop in his wardrobe. Just don’t forget to supplement all this curated fashion with lots of praise, telling him how he looked so hot and sexy in his new form fitting t-shirt.

Most men don’t realize that you don’t have to break the bank to wear stylish clothing, so make sure you introduce him to brands his wallet can afford. Start small, take his ass to the outlets, get him some jeans, a nice shirt and jacket then hop over to a shoe store for some stylish sneakers and call it a day. Who knows, when he’s feeling

confident and sliding across the floor looking in the mirror singing “I Feel Good,” by James Brown, then that might be a sign to do a temperature check to see if he’s even open to a makeover.

The key here is this: don’t let him know that you hate his wardrobe and that you are trying to change him, because he will zip that Members Only jacket up to his neck and you won’t be able to pry it off of him.

In the event he still won’t budge and insists on rocking his dad jeans with the old school Nike Monarchs (shout out to Spice Adams), then you have to decide if what’s on the outside is more important to you than being with a man that returns your text messages and actually puts forth the effort in your relationship so there’s no confusion.

Keeping it 100 with you, I think you have a winner already. Clothes do not always make the man. It’s just extra ish to take off when you are in a hurry to get to the bedroom. Good luck!

If you have a dilemma you need help solving, drop me a line: shameika@themofochronicles.com

SCANNER

BY RYAN PITKIN

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INDEPENDENT WOMAN A 67-year-old man filed a police report last week after he called a woman’s bluff and soon regretted it. The man told police that he had been away from his west Charlotte residence since Jan. 2, but a female acquaintance of his was still living in his home with the understanding that she would pay for the utilities while he was gone. This agreement last a whole three months until the man received a call from the tenant stating that the lights were about to get turned off, and warning that if he didn’t pay her light bill, “she would get rid of his property,” presumably by selling it off. The man refused to pay the bill and returned home as soon as he could only to find that she had followed through on the threat. The man reported the following as missing: three suits worth $678 total; socks, underwear and t-shirts worth $643 total; a $250 tablet; a television worth $250; a Blu-ray player worth $45; a Bluetooth speaker worth $100; and three skill saws worth a total of $290.

‘TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF One woman’s recent joyride through south Charlotte became a nightmare after she ran her car so ragged it literally buried itself in the street. According to the report, the suspect was driving on Sardis Road near Providence Road when she crossed into the wrong lane and sideswiped two vehicles then collided head-on with a stopped vehicle. The suspect tried to keep it moving, but she found that she couldn’t flee the scene because “her vehicle’s frame dug into the roadway enough to cause the vehicle to stop,” according to the report. When she was finally taken into custody, the suspect (surprise!) showed signs of impairment, and police found “a large open container with alcohol inside of it” on the seat next to her. As for the what she left in her wake, five people ranging in age from 14 to 50 were treated by Medics, although luckily nobody suffered anything more than minor injuries.

TRY A SNICKERS A 26-year-old employee at a Family Dollar on South Tryon Street met with two very angry customers last week who turned candy into deadly weapons. The victim told officers that the suspects came into the store at around 6:30

p.m. and immediately began assaulting him. The first suspect threw a handful of loose change at him, striking him in the back of the head, while the other hit him in the back with a box of Snickers bars. Luckily, the victim was unharmed.

A WHOLE SLEEVE A shoplifting suspect in SouthPark Mall must have gotten an exponential amount of steps in last week when he left the mall with an entire arm of Apple Watches. Employees of the Apple Store told police that some unknown DON’T SEARCH ME, BRO A student at Mallard suspect was able to walk out of the store with Creek High School was shocked to learn that school eight Apple Watches concealed on him without any administration was carrying out surprise searches of them noticing that he was stealing. So much for on a recent morning, and they had to ditch their the “geniuses.” weapon quick. According to the report, CMS Police K-9 units had been in the building conducting SECURE THE BAG A south Charlotte family could searches when one teacher walked into an empty have used a superhero after coming home one classroom and found an AZ105 stun gun lying in recent afternoon to find that their home had been the entrance of the room. The official theory is broken into. According to a 31-year-old woman that a student tossed the gun into the room when living in the home, someone smashed out the back he or she realized the searches were happening, window of the family’s apartment with a rock at but I would question that teacher more closely some time between noon and 5 p.m. The thief about how she’s been enforcing rules within her classroom.

RUDE AWAKENING A 31-year-old University City woman filed a perplexing police report recently after someone stole her car while she was in it.

The woman told police that someone stole her Kia Sedona from a Circle K parking lot at some time between 1:30 and 2:10 a.m., and she knew it happened because she was asleep in the backseat when it did. It’s unclear from the report whether the car thief woke her up before taking the car or let her out later, but she did report that she lost her driver’s license, debit card, cellphone and a stroller that were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

MARKING TERRITORY Police and media worked together to demonize “dirt-bike gangs” back in February after a couple videos surfaced of the large groups of people who get together to ride in packs of dirt bikes and ATVs on Charlotte streets, but now these gangs are truly leaving their mark on Charlotte -- literally, I mean. Police responded to a call in southwest Charlotte last week and found that a group of people had run roughshod through a new community in the Starmount Forest area, driving their dirt bikes down freshly poured cement sidewalks, doing $500 in damage and surely leaving a track up their own backs that will be hard to wash off.

only in interested in one piece of property in the apartment, however: a Spiderman backpack worth $20. Nothing else in the home was stolen.

JOHNNY APPLESEED An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but the same promise can’t be made for the mechanic. Police responded to a call in the Belmont neighborhood after a man reported that a fruit-chucker vandalized his car. The man told police that he came out to his car to find that the back tail light had been smashed. A resident of the home where the car was parked told the man that someone earlier in the day had reared back and thrown an apple on a car as they walked by, breaking the light.

All reports come from CMPD files. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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Pg. 10 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM ALL PHOTOS BY JAYME JOHNSON

UNDERGROUND KINGS

Graffiti is the underappreciated foundation of Charlotte street art

I

BY REBECCA HOURSELT

F YOU’VE VISITED Plaza Midwood or NoDa anytime in the last year or so, you’ve probably noticed a dramatic change in the aesthetic.

Commissioned graffiti murals painted by international artists adorn almost every brick surface.

Even parts of Uptown have embraced this beautiful movement of colorful and dynamic street art. In fact, Charlotte is home to over 60 murals, some of which were even “bought” by large corporations to serve as subliminal, decorative advertisements.

In October 2018, Charlotte hosted the Talking Walls Mural Festival, during which organizers “elevated the creative spirit of Charlotte” by hiring nationally and internationally renowned artists to join local muralists in beautifying our city with spray paint cans.

But before these celebrations of legal street art, there were the graffiti bombers, working in the shadows to hone their craft. You can find the roots of Charlotte’s street art movement hidden under bridges amid broken bottles, or sprayed on the sides of trains that will eventually be seen all over the country. The city’s underbelly — underpasses and abandoned lots that serve as the practice field for street art — is home to some of Charlotte’s most vibrantly beautiful work.

Many major cities like Miami, Florida, have dedicated walls and buildings for graffiti artists to practice their art in a way to both embrace and contain the so-called vandalism. Neighborhoods like Wynwood in Miami or Cabbagetown in Atlanta have become tourist destinations thanks to the large amounts of graffiti and street art there.

While Charlotte has embraced the mural movement, the city has yet to provide a legal way

for “vandals” to become Van Goghs. The difference between legal and illegal art in Mecklenburg County is stark.

Charlotte has a “graffiti program” which boasts anti-graffiti education and claims to be able to remove any reported graffiti within 48 hours. Most cities lump graffiti artists in with any other vandal, but Mecklenburg County has a specific graffiti ordinance that states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to write, paint, inscribe, scratch, scrawl, spray, place or draw graffiti of any type on any public or private building, structure, sidewalk, or any other real or personal property.”

painted legal, commissioned pieces as well as illegal graffiti in the city. He attributes the success of some legal artists to their roots in graffiti.

“Everyone starts somewhere. Without graffiti, many of us wouldn’t be able to get local, let alone nationwide, exposure,” he said.

There isn’t much illegal graffiti out in the open here. Artists paint in unfavorable conditions — wading through water, dodging glass shards, garbage, snakes, rats and dealing with all types of dangerous and uncomfortable circumstances. They stop on busy highways to drop supplies to canvases they can barely climb to. They paint in places that

by people who haven’t taken the time to understand the history of graffiti and the dedication that people put into it,” Bandoe explained.

It’s a history that one retired tagger, who also wished to remain anonymous, said goes back as far as human history.

“Everyone just wants to leave their mark on the world,” they said. “Even cavemen painted on walls.”

Like those cave paintings, and any other form of art, graffiti is complex, and isn’t done without reason. While true street artists are typically seen as vandals, criminals and general menaces to society, it’s important to remember the classic techniques and art principles that graffiti artists have to master.

“Everything from pieces, simples, throws and tags all have character style and a whole lot of time put into developing them, not to mention developing an understanding for color theory,” Bandoe elaborated.

Certainly true of murals and canvases, it also rings true for simpler pieces like tags and throwups, which often consist of a single name painted by someone who’s “bombing” multiple spots through the night, slapping tags on any surface they can reach.

“For all my boys out there that are strictly bombers, the elements going into that are just as creative. From spot placement to color selection and even pulling off the spot without getting rolled on,” Bandoe said. “It all takes skill and grace, in my opinion” It is a skill that needs to be learned, practiced

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“I FEEL LIKE GRAFFITI HERE IS BEING COMMERCIALIZED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVEN’T TAKEN THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF GRAFFITI AND THE DEDICATION THAT PEOPLE PUT INTO IT.” Bandoe, Charlotte graffiti artist

As for the graffiti writers themselves, charges can add up quickly. First and second offenses carry fines and misdemeanor charges, but the third offense will result in a Class H felony, which carries a jail sentence of 4 to 25 months. That’s a heavier charge than “making terroristic threats”, which is a Class I felony.

Getting to a third offense isn’t difficult in this culture, either. These artists are literally writing their name when they paint, making it incredibly easy to link their work together.

“It is the only form of real art that is still considered illegal,” said one artist who wished to remain anonymous.

Mizta is a Charlotte graffiti artist who has

no rational human would venture to just to be able to get in some practice and express themselves.

That being said — and perhaps for that very reason — when you do stumble upon a piece, it is purely stunning. Because they paint in such hazardous and innately ugly environments, the viewer can feel the emotion and care that went into each piece of art.

Bandoe, a native Charlottean who began painting here illegally about 10 years ago, noted the exploitation of the illegal art form by the city. Instead of praising the illegal art-turnedcommissioned-work, Charlotte is covering up the roots of muralists and street artists in the city.

“I feel like graffiti here is being commercialized

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Unlike the commissioned murals throughout town, which can fetch artists thousands of dollars, graffiti artists contend with Charlotte’s graffiti program, dedicated solely to erasing their work.

“It’s not about defacing property. I’m not committing a real crime,” said Sneek. “It’s been a great rush and escape for me when I’m going through any emotion, and it’s something I don’t think I could give up or change about myself.”

Another anonymous graffiti artist told Queen City Nerve, “People demonize us as vandals, but we don’t hurt anyone … Even people painting murals probably get a bad look just because it’s sprayed on.”

These artists didn’t start out with a desire to be pariahs. For example, Sneek began his graffiti journey writing cartoon letters in school, only to grow up and notice tags in similar styles of writing. “[I] hit the streets with no knowledge, but after that first week of mobbing around town in the night alone tagging my first tags, I was hooked,” he recalled.

Mizta began writing graffiti about seven years ago. He was facing unrelated criminal charges at the time, and said that now graffiti keeps him out of more serious trouble.

“I started in train yards, under bridges, running the streets tagging; risking everything for what I love,” he said.

While legally there is a huge divide in the street art community here, there is generally a common love and respect amongst graffiti artists and muralists. Oftentimes the scenes overlap, with artists taking part in both.

While Sneek has no intention of transitioning to legal painting, Mizta, a crossover himself, said, “If you earned the right to have larger public works and you can feed your family doing what you love, then why not?

“I love Charlotte’s illegal graffiti scene because I have met many stand-up and all-around good people through it,” he continued. “We all have a common interests that grows into a brotherhood.

From that group, a few go on to do legal art, including me, and we support them just the same.”

Many artists who have made the crossover into commissioned murals haven’t forgotten where they came from and why they started.

“We still paint under bridges, trains, and abandoned places because sometimes the quiet and solace makes the release that much better,” said Mizta.

And it is that emotional release that drives many of Charlotte graffiti artists.

“Graffiti is my church, my therapy, my escape from the corporate world,” Mizta said. “It’s me giving the world something I would do for free and strictly for the love.”

And what exactly are these graffiti artists giving us? Beauty on the fringe, according to Sneek.

“Graffiti is a subculture of not being accepted,” said Sneek. “We go places most people wouldn’t to leave a form of beauty that possibly someone will see.”

For Mizta, it goes even deeper; a pushback

against rapid development and gentrification.

“Charlotte and many cities across the U.S. are erasing the history of the people in these cities,” he said. “Graffiti preserves that.

“Charlotte and other cities go for more nationally known [artists] and pop art because, one, it’s what’s popular now and, two, they are afraid to embrace that which the community deems as ‘ugly,’” he continued. “So, basically they use the tools graffiti came up with to exterminate the art form because they refuse to ‘accept’ the beauty in it.”

Bandoe is critical of the local street art scene.

He said he often sees similar styles popping up on walls and worries that it’s giving people the wrong idea about the many potentials for street art in the city.

“I think the mural scene here is very repetitive,”

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he said. “There’s an overflow of the same types of art which almost makes it lose its luster. Therefore, the community is biased on what’s an acceptable form of graffiti.”

Despite his critical analysis, Bandoe said he has enjoyed watching legalized street art flourish.

“I think it’s great that people are catching on to art because that leaves more room for everyone to have these types of opportunities.”

While there is a fairly common agreement among graffiti artists that the world needs more color — they risk life and limb to prove it, after all — they wish Charlotte would do a better job of giving the burgeoning street art scene, whether that be commissioned muralists or graffiti artists, a closer look before hiring outsiders.

While local artists like Matt Hooker and those with the Southern Tiger Collective have certainly gotten their share of work in recent years, bigger corporations will often hire outside artists for local work.

“Don’t give a job to someone out of state over a local act,” lamented Mizta. “Breed and grow from within to truly enact change on a large scale.”

Charlotte’s graffiti artists are all too aware of the risks they take to beautify the city’s leastvisited areas, often with the knowledge that nobody will see the resulting art. They are parents, entrepreneurs, college graduates and baristas who walk among us every day, but at night, they bomb surfaces with their tags and art.

So while the murals around town serve as a beautiful backdrop to happy-hour cocktails, selfies and strolls down North Davidson Street, it’s important to acknowledge the roots of local street art.

The next time a colorful train flies by or you cross a bridge on I-485 and see a piece beautifully splashed across the surface, take a moment to appreciate the practice, discipline and love for art that made it come to life.

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WEDNESDAY, MAR. 27TH

THE ROLE OF CURATOR

What: Curators play a highly influential role in the contemporary art world, but their work is often done behind the scenes. Join Lia Newman, director and curator of the Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College, and Adam Justice, director of galleries at UNC Charlotte for a discussion on what it means to be a curator today.

More: Free; 6-7:30 p.m.; Elder Gallery, 1520 S. Tryon St.; tinyurl.com/ElderCurator

THURSDAY, MAR. 28TH

‘THE FIELD GUIDE TO EVIL’ SCREENING

What: Forget Love, Death & Robots, this anthology film compilation explores the myth, lores and stories of evil.

The Field Guide to Evil explores the natural reaction of fear by placing characters in dark and horrorific versions of classic and unknown folklore.

More: $5:30-10.50; 7:30 p.m.; C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution St.; tinyurl.com/FieldGuidetoEvil

FRIDAY, MAR. 29TH

LIFELINE

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MAR. 27TH - APR. 2ND

BAND OF FRIENDS

What: Unsung Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher switched seamlessly from fire-walking pyrotechnics to Celtic soul. A celebration of Gallagher’s music, Band of Friends was launched by musicians who actually played with the late, great guitarist. It’s a heartfelt salute from players who mean it.

More: $25; 8 p.m.; Stage Door Theater, 155 N. College St.; blumenthalarts.org

SATURDAY, MAR. 30TH FEST IN PEACE

What: It’s been nearly three years since the passing of Jerry Brown, aka “the Godfather of Petra’s,” but his memory lives on through his friends and family. They’ll be celebrating his life with a music festival featuring a strong local lineup that includes Chócala, The Business People, Black Linen, Faye, Brut Beat and much more.

More: $10-15; 4 p.m.; Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.; petrasbar.com

SUNDAY, MAR. 31ST

DAVID CHILDERS AND THE SERPENTS

What: Snakes and horses don’t get along well historically, but that will change at the Thirsty Beaver when localbut-world-renowned singer/songwriter David Childers and his band The Serpents join with The Pintos to play a show that originally got canceled due to ice.

More: Free; March 31, 5-9 p.m.; Thirsty Beaver Saloon, 1225 Central Ave.; tinyurl.com/SnakesHorses

MONDAY, APR. 1ST

GROW YOUR OWN GOODNESS

What: A cool class that teaches you to grow your own food at home reminds us of the victory gardens Americans planted when we were at war with Hitler. With Nazi sympathizers in the White House it looks like history is repeating. Bon appétit!

More: $15; 6 p.m.; Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave.; camp.nc

TUESDAY, APR.2ND CAROLINA FILM COMMUNITY 10-YEAR CELEBRATION

What: Carolina Film Community is turning 10, and they’re going overboard with a pirate-themed bash complete with costumes, cake and buried treasure in the form of a $1,000 giveaway as the organization prepares for the upcoming Made in Carolinas Film Contest.

More: Free; 7-10 p.m.; Dilworth Grille, 911 E. Morehead St; carolinafilmcommunity.com

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WEDNESDAY, APR. 3RD

GARY CLARK JR.

What: This Austin, Texas, native is most known for fusing rock, soul, jazz and rap. His explosive lyrics run with dark and emotional vocals over ripping guitar licks and solos, particularly on “This Land.” If you happen to have the cash to drop for a resale ticket, we highly recommend you do.

More: Sold out; 8 p.m.; Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St.; fillmorenc.com

THURSDAY, APR. 4TH

MARTHA STRAWN PHOTO LECTURE SERIES

What: This year’s iteration of the annual photographic lecture series features renowned cultural critic, Lucy R. Lippard. Her reputation for broadening the boundaries of art through a consideration of various political and social issues will be the focus of her lecture, Ghosts, The Daily News, and Prophecy: Critical Landscape Photography.

More: Free-$10; 6:30-8 p.m.; The Light Factory, 1817 Central Ave; lightfactory.org

FRIDAY, APR. 5TH

LIFELINE

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APR. 3RD- APR. 9TH

FAT GUY/LITTLE COAT HIP-HOP PARTY

What: Justin Aswell hosts this collective of some of the Queen City’s most lyrical emcees in an intimate setting.

Jump in the cypher with Dead Sea Scrilla, Keyza Soulsay, B-Villainous and Carlito. For a nice preview, search the Knocturnal Grind Mode Cypher Showcase on YouTube to watch all these performers and more going in.

More: Free; 8 p.m.; Tommy’s Pub, 3124 Eastway Drive, Suite 710; tinyurl.com/FGLCRapShow

SATURDAY, APR. 6TH OPEN MIKE EAGLE

What: With scalpel-sharp humor, Chicago-born MC Mike Eagle II couches uncomfortable truths and incisive observations on cutting-edge comedy. He’s erudite, self-deprecating and deep, and it’s impossible to pick a favorite among his releases. We’ll take ’em all.

More: $15; 10 p.m.; Evening Muse, 3227 Davidson St.; eveningmuse.com

SUNDAY, APR. 7TH

ROAST AND TOAST

What: Oysters galore! While many other businesses held their oyster roasts earlier in the year, NoDa is taking advantage of the warming weather to offer trays of oysters for $10 or a bowl of chowder for $8. If for some crazy reason you don’t like oysters, TIN Kitchen will be on-site to satiate your shell-less appetite.

More: Free; 1-5 p.m.; NoDa Brewing Co., 2921 N. Tryon St.; tinyurl.com/Roast-Toast

MONDAY,APR. 8TH BARK IN THE PARK

What: While the Charlotte Knights hit against the Norfolk Tides, bring the pup along to enjoy the ride. While the innings slide by, your leashed canine friend can meet other dogs and revel in the experience of a good ol’ fashioned ball game.

More: $9 and up; 7:04 p.m.; BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St.; tinyurl.com/ParkBark2019

TUESDAY, APR. 9TH DMX

What: To the younger generation, DMX has become half headline-maker (brushes with the law and near-death experiences) and half meme (singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with his inimitable bark) but some of us remember how iconic the DarkMan’s first four albums really were. A living legend in the flesh of his flesh.

More: $30 and up; 8 p.m.; World Nightclub, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.; worldnightclubclt.com

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Seth Wesner, Martin Hacker-Mullen and Eric Smeal

PHOTO BY KATHY GARCIA

DOLLHANDS ON DECK

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Eric Smeal puts his hands in a lot of fires just to warm them up

E

BY PAT MORAN

blog Brooklyn Vegan: shoegazers Nothing, rocker Tony Molina and hardcore crew Candy.

Smeal recently returned The 22-year-old guitarist and frontman from Atlanta where he was touring with New was just warming up, however, as now he’s York alt rockers Taking Meds as a member of preparing for the release party of his two not one, but two, bands representing Charlotte bands’ collaborative EP Spring Break at Snug — his indie rock brainchild Dollhands and emo Harbor on April 5. punk rockers Stress Fractures. As soon as Smeal Smeal has a lot on his mind, but at the returned to the Queen City, Dollhands played moment he’s recalling his recent discovery an Amos’ Southend gig on a bill that sounds that Spin doesn’t think that much of his taste like a who’s who of New York City indie music RIC SMEAL has been busy, to say the least.

in music. Smeal posted on his Facebook page that the national music webzine rated all 109 Sleater-Kinney songs, and that his favorite came in close to dead last.

“I think it’s funny when stuff like that happens,” Smeal says laughing. The ranking grabbed his attention because Sleater-Kinney is one of his favorite bands, and his favorite song from them is “Pompeii,” which boasts massive guitar riffs. “I saw that they put

‘Pompeii’ at 106, and I was like, ‘Come on! Have some respect. It’s a good song.’”

Smeal’s respect for the insistent riff — and for the occasional underappreciated song — stems from an early age. He first picked up a guitar at 12 years old but didn’t start taking music seriously until he discovered the songs of actor, singer and songwriter Drake Bell. Smeal was captivated by Bell’s harmonies.

“My parents raised me on classic rock, so

Pg. 17 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

‘SPRING BREAK’ RELEASE PARTY Feat. Dollhands, RNIE, Patois Counselors, Wild Trees; April 5, 9 p.m.; $8; Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.; snugrock.com

Drake Bell was the first music I found for myself,” Smeal remembers. He considers himself lucky that he got to share a stage with Bell years later, when Smeal was playing with yet another one of his bands, an emo side project called Group Text. “It was really strange for me because [Bell] was my first concert, too,” Smeal continues.

Through Group Text member Brett Green, Smeal was introduced to another key influence.

Green, formerly of Mineral Girls and currently with self-described torture jazz collective Skewed, also works at Lunchbox Records. One day at the shop, Green turned Smeal onto Soft Sounds from Another Planet, a lo-fi dreampop masterpiece by Korean-American musician Michelle Zauner’s solo project Japanese Breakfast. Smeal felt a connection with Zauner’s music and started to dig into her back catalog.

“I can’t think of another songwriter who can convey so much passion in a single song like she does,” Smeal maintains. In what seems to be a recurring theme in his career, Smeal also got to play with Zauner.

“She’s one of my favorite musicians and it was an honor to to share a stage with her,” Smeal says. His only regret is that his reverence for Zauner’s music left him a little tongue tied.

When they met, Smeal could do little more than thank Zauner for her music and note that it helped him a lot through a hectic year.

Despite his encounters with indie rock icons and influences, Smeal’s most lasting connections are with Charlotte area musicians.

While he was still a senior in high school, he released Dollhands’ first album Flare Gun. He wrote all the songs, played all the instruments and recorded it by himself in a week. Smeal maintains a D.I.Y. approach to recording. He took audio engineering classes at Central Piedmont Community College so he doesn’t have to go into a studio when he wants to cut new songs, and he works sound at The Milestone every Wednesday. But Dollhands soon became a true group effort. The band currently consists

of Smeal on guitar and vocals plus his long time friends Seth Wesner on drums and Martin Hacker-Mullen on bass. Hacker-Mullen is also the founder and leader of Stress Fractures, and in 2018 he casually recruited Smeal to play in his band.

“Stress Fractures has gone through a lot of lineup changes over the past couple of months,” Smeal explains. “For a while it was Martin, Liz [Neyman] and Marcus Wickham, but Marcus has moved to Nashville.”

Smeal, Neyman and Hacker-Mullen had been friends for a while but they never played music together. One day the three friends were in a group chat when Neyman and HackerMullen asked Smeal to play drums. He obliged, but eventually switched from drums to guitar.

Though Stress Fractures won’t be playing the release show at Snug Harbor, the gig serves as the kick-off for a joint Dollhands-Stress Fractures tour in April that will take both bands to Texas.

“It’s funny because Martin plays bass in my band and I play guitar in their band. So it’s going to be us switching instruments and playing different kinds of music,” Smeal says.

Though both groups are indebted to 1990s alternative rock, each outfit forges its own path.

Smeal describes Stress Fractures as emo punk.

As for Dollhands, he says the band is straightahead garage rock that veers off into shoegaze.

Both bands have perfected a mix of pop beauty buffeted and borne on a maelstrom of noisy PHOTO BY KEAGAN MCCHESNEY Martin Hacker-Mullen, Seth Wesner and Eric Smeal whirlwind guitars.

“Martin described Dollhands’ FFO (For Fans of) as Nothing and Dinosaur Jr.,” Smeal says.

“It’s like shoegaze but I don’t do the whole low-singing voice. I just sing. I try to make it as versatile as I can to appeal to a lot of different people.”

But it’s another project with local musicians that has taken Smeal furthest beyond the valley of the Dollhands. In 2017, the experimental emo band Group Text was spawned in a process just as casual and inevitable as the conjoining of Dollhands and Stress Fractures. “[Group Text] is weird because it started on the internet,” Smeal remembers. He posted a Eric Smeal; Dollhands, Stress Fractures, Group Text Facebook status stating he wanted to form an emo band in the mold of Philadelphia indie

“I’M LUCKY BECAUSE I’M PLAYING SHOWS WITH ALL MY FRIENDS.”

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Pg. 18 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

Martin Hacker-Mullen, Seth Wesner and Eric Smeal

rockers Glocca Morra. In short order, Brett Green, Arman Serdarevic and Taylor Knox jumped online and said they wanted to play. “And then we just practiced,” Smeal continues. “It came out of a Facebook status and we wrote an EP.” Smeal believes the writing process for that band was the easiest creative undertaking he’s ever been a part of.

Despite all this activity — three bands, a spring tour and a new LP that he’s going to start writing soon — Smeal claims that he’s merely “a low-key full-time musician.” He points out that he still has a day job tending bar at Tip Top Daily Market in NoDa, but admits that he’s also launching a record label and occasionally booking shows.

The Acrobat Unstable label came about when Smeal, his father and Hacker-Mullen were shooting the breeze. “We said we should start a label, and so we did,” Smeal says laughing.

Are you starting to see a pattern?

Smeal reveals that several releases are due out on the label in a couple of months, and adds that new Stress Fractures material will be appearing on a Chatterbot Records compilation slated for April release.

Though Smeal has stepped back from booking rock shows full-time because the

PHOTO BY KEAGAN MCCHESNEY

stress was triggering anxiety dreams, he still does it now and then.

“If a band hits me up that I really want to play with, I’ll just book the whole show,” he says. Smeal points to a show at The Milestone in February where Dollhands played with Origami Angel, Commander Salamander and local emo band Jail Socks. He booked the entire lineup and was happy with how the show went.

“It felt good being able to pay the touring bands and still have money for us and Jail Socks.

I like it when shows like that end up being good.”

So is booking shows or launching a label the best part about being a low-key full-time musician in Charlotte? Neither, Smeal replies.

“I’m lucky because I’m playing shows with all my friends,” he says. “We never get mad at each other, and we always have a good time.”

Smeal tells a story about the Nothing show Dollhands recently played at Amos’. He explains how Hacker-Mullen gets very animated whenever he plays bass onstage, so it was fun being on a big stage and glancing over to see Hacker-Mullen shredding away.

“It’s the little things that are cool,” Smeal says, “just being able to hang out with my friends and play good music for people who actually enjoy it.”

PMORAN@QCNERVE.COM

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Pg. 19 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

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Pg. 20 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

Fatai, Anna Pancaldi (Evening Muse) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Open Mic with Leebo (Comet Grill) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B

Breaking the Internet Tour with DDG (Neighborhood Theatre) Simon SMTHNG + FLLS w/ sweetestcape, Jahmonte, Yung Citizen, Brio (Snug Harbor)

MARCH 28

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Rachel Baiman, Sally & George (Evening Muse) I’m With Her: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife

Desmond Myers, Soelle (Visulite) Black Stone Cherry, Tyler Bryant (Amos’ Southend) Mike Farris (Neighborhood Theatre) Dry Reef, Carolina Vibes (Skylark Social Club) Kris Atoms (Comet Grill) Modern Color, No Sun, Fake Eyes (Hattie’s) Los Colognes (Free Range Brewing) Act II (RiRa) Taylor Dean and the Dean’s List (Tin Roof)

MARCH 29

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Stella Rising (Mac’s Speed Shop, Matthews) Reason Define CD Release Party (Amos’ Southend) Band of Friends (Stage Door Theater) Spoken Nerd, Keyza, Mikal Khill, Sulfur, Soulsay (The Milestone Club) The Wormholes w/ Where Are We, Sweat Transfer (Snug Harbor) Bill Miller Band (Smokey Joe’s) Boo Hag, The Flight Risks, DuMpStEr SeRvIce, Terpsichore Raqs (Skylark Social Club) Poontanglers, Van Huskins, The Negulators (Tommy’s Pub) Elisabeth Beckwitt (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern) Jerry Jacobs Band (Tin Roof) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) Lilly Hiatt, Kate Rhudy (Neighborhood Theatre) The Honey Dewdrops CD Release (Evening Muse) Pam Taylor, Matt Parker & the Deacons (Evening Muse) Chelsea Locklear, Ellie Morgan (Heist Brewery) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B

Ghostface & Raekwon (Fillmore) Solstice Dance Party, Vol.4: Jay Cooper, Charles Gatling, Steve Howerton, Dynamic DJ Kato (Crown Station)

MARCH 30

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Firehouse (Amos’ Southend) Flux Capacitor (Thomas Street Tavern) Fest in Peace (Petra’s) Saferwaters, Glow, Amity Pointe, Mutt (Skylark Social Club) The Mystery Plan (Rhino Market & Deli, Morehead) Punk Rock Bellydance (Tommy’s Pub) Brute Beat (Comet Grill) Triangle Afrobeat Orchestra, Skewed, Phat Lip (Snug Harbor) Madpark Music Showcase (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern) Venus Invictus “The Other Side” Mixtape Party w/ Black Ritual, Fear Until Fury, Nightmare Sonata (Rabbit Hole) Heroes at Last (RiRa) Matt Bennett Band (Tin Roof) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Kenton Bryant (Coyote Joe’s) Parker Millsap (Stage Door Theater) William Fitzsimmons, Jim & Sam (Evening Muse) The Band Watkins, Our Brother George (Evening Muse) The Marshall Tucker Band, Crawford and Power (Fillmore) Davidson Local (Summit Coffee House, Davidson) Clint Roberts (Primal Brewery) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B

Doobie-Highway to Hell Tour, Krash Minata, DJ Hylyte (Neighborhood Theatre)

MARCH 31

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

The Messthetics, Mary Lattimore (Neighborhood Theatre) Direct Hit!, Dollar Signs, The Eradicator, Alright (The Milestone) Steel Bearing Hand, Axattack, Morganton (The Milestone) Vacation Manor, Leffty, Briston Maroney (Evening Muse) Groove 8, Oracle Blue, Curt Keyz (Petra’s) Omari & the Hellhounds (Comet Grill)

COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Mark & Maggie O’Connor Showcase Charlotte String Camp Fundraiser (Evening Muse) JAZZ/CLASSICAL/ INSTRUMENTAL

WDAV’s Small Batch Concert Series: Norbert Lewandowski (Free Range Brewing) ROOTS/BLUES/INTERNATIONAL

Gilberto Santa Rosa (Fillmore) Bluegrass Open Jam w/Greg M Clarke & Friends (Tommy’s Pub)

APRIL 1

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Open Mic with Lisa De Novo (Legion Brewing) Find Your Muse Open Mic: Andy Bilinski (Evening Muse) Piano Karaoke with host Ryan Stamey (Petra’s) Cito Jamorah and Friends (Smokey Joe’s) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B

Jazz Jam Hosted by Occie Davids, Troy Conin, Ron Brendle (Crown Station) Knocturnal (Snug Harbor)

APRIL 2

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Moodie Black, 30 Year Sick, B-Villanous (The Milestone) Dakota Floyd, Tragwag, Problem Addict (Lunchbox Records) Open Jam with the Smokin’ Js (Smokey Joe’s) Ami Dang w/ Monoculture (Snug Harbor) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Red Rockin’ Chair (Comet Grill) Uptown Unplugged with Jason Leake (Tin Roof) ROOTS/BLUES/INTERNATIONAL

Piper Jones Band (Free Range Brewing)

APRIL 3

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Acne Tape Release Show w/ Unruly Boys, TKO Faith

SOUNDWAVE Healer, Gasp (The Milestone) Tosco Music Open Mic (Evening Muse) Red Sun Rising, Dirty Honey (Underground) April Residency: Pleather w/ Tommy & The Commies, Les Lullies, DJ Pete Slovenly (Snug Harbor)

APRIL 4

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Peelander-Z, Ol’ Sport (The Milestone) Open Mic with Lisa De Novo (Temple Mojo) Aaron Lee Tasjan + Bonnie Bishop, Rorey Carroll (Neighborhood Theatre) Shana Blake and Friends (Smokey Joe’s Café) Thayer Sarrano Album Release with Austin Basinger, minthill (Petra’s) Los Straitjackets (Free Range Brewing) Glow Co. (Tin Roof) POP

Graham Nash (McGlohon Theater) ROOTS/BLUES/INTERNATIONAL

Marisela (Bojangles’ Coliseum) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Andrew Duhon & Lydia Luce (Evening Muse)

APRIL 5 Pg. 21 Mar. 2 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Jason Scavone (Visulite) Twisted Fate (Mac’s Speed Shop, Matthews) SWMRS w/ The Regrettes, Berkeley’s on Fire, Beach Goons (Amos’ Southend) Ashley Heath & Her Heathens (Thomas Street Tavern) Skewed, Barking Spider Unit, Mouth Breathers, Joules (The Milestone) Bakaloa Stars, MoFunGo (Neighborhood Theatre) RNIE w/ Patois Counselors, Dollhands, Wild Trees (Snug Harbor) Party Battleship, Mike Strauss Band, Lily Rose (Petra’s) Adventure Club, Gammer, Armnhmr, Wooli, William Black (Fillmore) Unplugged: Angry Chair, Jeremy’s Ten (Underground) Bloodworth Project (Smokey Joe’s)

POP

Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Feliz, Ryan Stevenson, We Are Messengers, Aaron Cole (Bojangles’ Coliseum) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

The Beaumont Boys, Tracy Bird, Mark Chestnutt (Coyote Joe’s) Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) Revelwood Mission with Sinners & Saints (Free Range Brewing) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B

Hip-Hop Violinist Rhett Price (Evening Muse) Juice, Deion Reverie (Evening Muse)

APRIL 6

ROCK/PUNK/METAL

Consider the Source, Medicated Sunfish (Visulite) Blackbeard’s Truck (Mac’s Speed Shop, Matthews) Slippery When Wet (Amos’ Southend) 7th Year Shakedown (Lenny Boy Brewing) Abhorrent Deformity, Septicemic, Swarm, Antenora, Impale The Betrayer, Extinction Level Event (The Milestone Club) Latin Night In Plaza Midwood w/ UltimaNota (Snug Harbor) The Boron Heist EP Release w/ The AM/FMs, Trash Room (Tommy’s Pub) Polyphia, I the Mighty, Tides of Man (Underground) Tracey Bonham, Blake Morgan (Evening Muse) Glow Co. (Tin Roof) The Great Hullabaloo (Primal Brewery) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA

Dee White (Neighborhood Theatre) Country & Western Barn Burner (Tommy’s Pub) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B

Open Mic Eagle, Video Dave (Evening Muse) Fred Hammond (Ovens Auditorium) B2K, Mario, Pretty Ricky, Lloyd, Ying Yang Twins, Chingy, Bobby V (Spectrum Center)

PHOTO BY RICK GUEDES

Guests have to call in on the phone to enter the speakeasy.

Savvas Punsalan, executive barman of Backstage Lounge.

PHOTO BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK

DON’T DRINK AND TELL

Backstage Lounge stays true to Prohibition-era speakeasies

W

Pg. 22 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK

ALK THROUGH THE barber shop, veer left, turn a corner and pick up the rotary phone. After a few rings, you’ll hear a voice on the other end say, “Backstage.” That’s how you know you’re in the right place.

Head southbound from Uptown and with the right clues, patrons can slip into the city’s best-kept secret: Backstage Lounge.

Operating as a speakeasy, Backstage Lounge quietly launched in January 2018.

The decision to rely solely on word-of-mouth marketing to bring customers to the 1980s rock ‘n’ roll establishment was not made lightly.

Savvas Punsalan, executive barman at Backstage Lounge, is a longtime bartender in Charlotte, not to mention having owned and operated his share of local bars and restaurants.

Once the Backstage idea was born in October 2017, Punsalan got right into discussions with the owners over how to make the venue a true speakeasy, unlike some places in town that market themselves as such.

“We like the idea of being called a lounge, but we really are a speakeasy. And to be a speakeasy, you don’t advertise,” Punsalan explained. “To be a speakeasy, you build

something from the ground up by word-ofmouth and that’s what we decided to do.”

The organic following and lack of advertising is a nod to the true speakeasies of the 1920s that established themselves as bars and nightclubs during Prohibition in order to illegally sell alcohol to vetted, privy patrons.

Some had entrances in cellars and basements, others were accessible through back-alley doors with a secret password.

Backstage Lounge doesn’t require patrons to whisper a password to a doorman through a peephole, and it does operate legally under

North Carolina alcohol laws and regulations.

But it still offers the atmosphere of secrecy and exclusivity that gives the feel of a 1920s speakeasy. The main difference? That ’80s classic rock playing over the speakers, and pictures of the era’s rockstars over every booth and even on the glassware.

“I envisioned these beautiful antique glasswares; something like, ‘What would Ozzy Osbourne have in his English cottage or manor?’” Punsalan said. “We love this rock ‘n’ roll thing, this classic rock thing.”

It’s an unexpected, albeit beautiful, pairing.

The speakeasy features classic cocktail lounge decorations and seating.

Backstage Lounge is south of Uptown, but we won’t give away too many details.

PHOTO BY DANA VINDIGNI

PHOTO BY DANA VINDIGNI

PHOTO BY RICK GUEDES

Tequila old fashioned available at Backstage.

“WE REALLY ARE A SPEAKEASY. AND TO BE A SPEAKEASY, YOU DON’T ADVERTISE. TO BE A SPEAKEASY, YOU BUILD SOMETHING FROM THE GROUND UP BY WORD-OF-MOUTH AND THAT’S WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO.”

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Savvas Punsalan, Backstage Lounge

The music matches the aethetic; dark wood, leather bar seats and heavy glasses give the experience a sophisticated level. But not so sophisticated that guests can’t relax and order a vodka soda if that’s what they’re feeling.

Punsalan moved to Charlotte in the mid1990s and has been immersed in the restaurant and service industry here ever since. From first serving and bartending at 300 East, he moved to Cosmos Cafe and quickly rose in the ranks to head bartender. After “catching the bug” and deciding he wanted to own and operate an establishment, he partnered with a friend in 2001 to launch Steeple Lounge in the location where the Peculiar Rabbit is now.

Steeple closed a few years later, but Punsalan continued working in the service industry, consulting and assisting in opening other restaurants and designing beverage programs for restaurants like SouthPark Grill and the now-closed Block & Grinder.

Backstage’s drink menu can be intimidating, with its spicy palomas or “the fizzy one,” but Punsalan’s 20-plus years of experience lets him understand that not everyone is going to have the palate for that.

“I don’t mind making anybody a vodka soda, enjoy whatever you want, I’ll make it for

you,” he explained with a chuckle. “We’re not pretentious in that way at all. We have rock stars [on our walls] and things like that. We get it.”

Backstage Lounge also hosts DJs who get the crowd in the ’80s vibe with a vinyl-only turntable. Punsalan said the organic sound of a needle on vinyl brings another layer of 1980s culture into the speakeasy, and pairs with the organic origin of the drinks.

“To hear that sound that a vinyl record makes is kind of what we’re doing here with our cocktails. Everything’s handmade here, fresh juices, we make our own syrups here,” he elaborated. “We’re trying to be something a little bit special.”

While the quiet speakeasy-style cocktail bar has garnered enough attention over the past year to warrant lines out the door on the weekends, the staff still works to bring that feeling of exclusivity to patrons. That sometimes means turning folks away. If you’re looking to pop in for a quick drink on a bar-hopping spree, it’s best to leave Backstage Lounge off the list, even if you know how to find it.

“Everything that happens in a cocktail and speakeasy bar is not a fast thing,” Punsalan said. “You don’t come to Backstage Lounge if

you have a movie to get to. You don’t come to Backstage Lounge for a quick bite or drink. We want you to get immersed in a delicious craft cocktail.”

Once you find the joint and go through the motions needed to actually get to a table, you’re immediately served a complimentary punch to whet your appetite while you think over the menu. The style of punch changes daily, but it’s always served to whomever walks in.

On a recent Wednesday evening, the punch was fruity with a hint of rum while The Smiths and The Doors played through the speakers of the intimate and handsome establishment.

Over each booth in Backstage Lounge is a name of a fallen Charlotte establishment. The Pterodactyl, Amos’ Southend (which recently reopened), Double Door Inn and Tremont Music Hall each has its name etched above one of the intimate booths to the right of the door, bringing Charlotte culture into the lounge while blocking out the bustle of the city.

For all the atmosphere, aesthetic and accoutrement — not to mention the amazing cocktails — it would be easy to overlook the food menu. Don’t.

Punsalan has carefully crafted menu pairings that at first may seem off-the-wall,

but marry together well. Caviar might usually pair with champagne, but at Backstage Lounge, it comes with vodka. Scotch is traditionally a partner to red meat, but Punsalan would rather pair it with a variety of chocolates.

Some cocktail bars may dress themselves up as speakeasies, but the over-hype and advertising or the snobbish nature of too-serious operators can turn people away when they’re looking for a laid-back place to have a cocktail and escape the busy cityscape. Backstage Lounge began its venture as a speakeasy, and over its past year in business, despite location reveals from the press and long lines out the door, its remained true to what the owners and Punsalan sought to become.

That doesn’t mean they want to be the only speakeasy-style cocktail bar in the city, however, as Punsalan explained.

“There’s plenty of space for tons of things and growth here in Charlotte. I just want them to be places that are true to what they are doing,” he said. “I go home at night and I lay my head on my pillow, I’m like, ‘You know what, we’re doing what we said we would do.’”

To experience Backstage Lounge for yourself, just enter through the barber shop.

CMIHOCIK@QCNERVE.COM

DILWORTH

DILWORTH NEIGHBORHOOD GRILLE

BAKERSFIELD

Monday: $3 Jack Daniels Tuesday: $3 Tres Generaciones, $10 Don Julio 1942 Wednesday: $3 Bulleit Bourbon Thursday: $3 Espolon Friday: $3 George Dickel No. 8 Saturday: $3 Lunazul Sunday: $3 Larceny Bourbon

Monday: $4 Crown & Down Tuesday: $4 drafts, $12 pitchers, $5 flights of North Carolina drafts Wednesday: 1/2 off wine bottles and martinis Thursday: $12 domestic buckets, $18 import buckets Friday: $3 craft drafts, $5 flavored vodka Saturday: $5 mason jar cocktails Sunday: $4 bloody marys

300EAST

SUMMIT ROOM

Tuesday: $4 drafts Monday: 1/2 off wines by the glass Tuesday: 1/2 off beer cans and glasses of Italian Wednesday: 1/2 off glasses of wine Thursday: $7 Summit cocktails reds Thursday: $3.50 local drafts, $8.50 Matilda Wong cocktails Sunday: 1/2 off wine bottles, $5 mimosas & bloody marys, $6 Bellinis BAD DADDY’S BURGER BAR

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Monday: 20-oz. draft for 16-oz. price Tuesday: $5 specialty cocktails Wednesday: $3.50 local drafts Saturday-Sunday: $5 bloody marys and mimosas

SOUTH END COMMON MARKET SOUTH END

Monday: 1/2 off select pints Tuesday: Free beer tasting 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday: $2 off select pints, wine tasting 5-7 p.m.

BIG BEN PUB

Monday: $5.50 20-oz. NoDa craft beer

Wednesday: $5.25 20-oz. Spaten, 1/2 price wine bottles Friday: $5.50 20-oz. Crispin and Guinness, $5 Dale’s Fireball shot Saturday: $5.50 20-oz. seasonal beers, $5 mimosas and bloody marys Sunday: $5.25 20-oz. Boddington, $5 mimosas and bloody marys MAC’S SPEED SHOP

Monday: $3 pints, $5 Titos Tuesday: 1/2 price wine, $3 mystery draft Wednesday: $4 tall boys, $5 Lunazul Blanco Thursday: $3 mystery cans and bottles, $4 Jim Beam Friday: $1 off brewery of the month (Stone), $5 Fireball Saturday: $1 off North Carolina pints, $6.50 vodka Red Bull Sunday: $4 bloody marys and mimosas GIN MILL

Monday: $5 Titos and New Amsterdam, Tuesday: 1/2 price wine Wednesday: $4 draft beer Thursday: $2.50 PBR, $5 Jack Daniels and Titos

UPTOWN THE LOCAL

Monday: $7 Casamigos, $2 Natty Boh and Miller High Life, $5 Jager Tuesday: $3 Modelo, $5 house margaritas, $5 Don Julio Wednesday: $5 Crown & Down, $3 Southern Tier Thursday: $5 Captain Morgan, $7 craft mules, $16 Bud Light buckets Friday: $3 Jell-O shots, $4 drafts, $5 wells Saturday: $3 PBR, $5 Jager Sunday: $7 loaded mimosa, $7 Grey Goose bloody mary, $16 Bud Light buckets THE DAILY TAVERN

Wednesday: $5 whiskey Thursday: $4 pint night Sunday: $4 Miller Lite, $6 bloody marys DANDELION MARKET

Monday: $3 select drafts Tuesday: $15 select bottles of wines Saturday-Sunday: Bloody mary bar

WORLD OF BEER

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Thursday: $1 off neighborhood beers on draft Monday: $2 off North Carolina drafts and spirits Friday-Saturday: $8 margarita special Tuesday: 25 percent off bottles and cans, $5 Sunday: $5 mimosas, $6 Absolut Peppar bloody mules mary, $7 Absolut Lime Moscow mule Wednesday: 1/2-priced wine, wheats and JACKBEAGLE’S sangrias Monday: $5 Cuervo margaritas Thursday: $4 old school, $4 well, $4 signature Tuesday: $3 drafts, $5 vodka Red Bull shots Wednesday: $1 off whiskey Friday-Saturday: $3 shot of the week Thursday: $6 Deep Eddy’s vodka Red Bull Sunday: $2 mimosas, $3 bloody mary and Friday: $5 Fun-Dip shots, $5 Crown Black beermosas Saturday: $5 Gummy Bear shots, $5 big mimosa, $6.50 double bloody mary PROHIBITION Sunday: $5 big mimosa, $6.50 double bloody Tuesday: 1/2 off everything mary Wednesday: $3 drafts Thursday: $2 PBR, $4.50 wells, $6 vodka Red SANCTUARY PUB Bull Monday: $7 Bulleit and Bulleit Rye, $3 Friday-Saturday: $4 call-its Yuengling and PBR APA Tuesday: $6 Tuaca, $6 Tullamore Dew NODA Wednesday: $3 Birdsong beers, $5 Sauza, $6 Espolon CABO FISH TACO Thursday: $2 Bartender Bottles, $6 Crown Royal Monday: $5 El Cheapo margarita Sunday: $3 Birdsong, $3 Tall or Call Tuesday: $3.50 Tecate and Tecate Light, $5 Altos silver tequila Wednesday: $7 Absolut Lime Moscow mule

NODA 101

Monday: $4 Ketel One Lemon Drop, $4 well liquor, $5 Camerena Tuesday: $6 seasonal cocktails, $6 Jameson, $4 Grape Gatorade Wednesday: $5 Green Tea Shot, $6 Blue Balls Thursday: $5 Jagermeister, $6 vodka Redbull, $6 Oxley Gin Cocktail Friday: $5 Fireball, $6 vodka Red Bull, $6 Jameson Saturday: $5 Fireball, $6 vodka Red Bull Sunday: $5 Deep Eddy Flavors, $1 off tequila, $5 White Gummy Bear shots $4 Draft special every day!

PLAZA MIDWOOD HATTIE’S TAP & TAVERN

Monday: $6 Pabst & Paddy’s Tuesday: $5 Fireball Wednesday: $3 mystery craft beers Thursday: $6 margaritas Friday-Saturday: $5 well drinks Sunday: $10 domestic buckets THE WORKMAN’S FRIEND

Thursday: $5 drafts, $4 Irish whiskey INTERMEZZO

Monday: $4 Makers Mark, $2 domestic bottles Tuesday: $4 margaritas, $7 Titos mules, $3 BILLY JACK’S SHACK Blanche de Bruxelles, $3 OMB Copper Monday: $1 off moonshine and moonshine Wednesday: 1/2 price wine bottles, $2 off cocktails, $3 domestics bourbon of the week Tuesday: $1 off all drafts, $7 Jameson Thursday: $6.50 Ketel One Botanical Series, $4 Wednesday: $1 off bottles and cans Stoli Thursday: $4.50 wells Friday: $5 Fireball, $1 off local bottles and cans Friday: $4 20-oz. Birdsong LazyBird Brown Ale and Birdsong Jalapeño Ale Saturday: $4 mimosas $5 Brunch Punch, Saturday: 1/2 price martinis Sunday: $4 mimosas, $5 Brunch Punch, $5 Sunday: $3 drafts Fireball, $10 champagne bottles

FEELING OUT THE FAD

To CBD or not to CBD, that is the question

Pg. 26 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

BY AERIN SPRUILL

THE NIGHTLIFE AND social scenes of Charlotte have been through their fair share of fads. From game bars and dog bars to alcoholic “soccer mom” Capri Suns and pour-your-own-beer venues, there are very few trends we haven’t seen reach the point of saturation. The latest bandwagon to hop on? CBD oil and CBD-infused products.

Is it just me or have we been riding the wave of marijuana legalization for so long that it felt like the supposed legalization and integration-via-grayarea of CBD legislation happened overnight? As a skeptic who loves the idea of being a yogi without renouncing meat, I rolled my eyes with every new announcement of the latest CBD-infused drink, doughnut or açaí bowl. But when I started reading and hearing about the po-po saying no-no with regards to CBD, I was like, “Yeah, let me try that.” Go figure.

Let’s bring it back. In case you’re confused, CBD is not the same compound as THC. While CBD — or cannabidiol — is a naturally occurring compound found alongside THC in the cannabis flower, it does not have the same psychoactive effects that THC causes. Bummer. I kid, I kid. The fact of the matter is, there’s a lot of research out there that reveals CBD helps people dealing with anxiety, pain, depression, seizures, Parkinson’s, Autism and the list goes on.

Combine the fact that alternative treatments are hard to come by without a prescription with the fact that the po-po has been sending out cease-anddesist letters left and right and you have skeptical and rebellious Aerin saying, “Why not try it?” *insert evil laugh and devil emoji* I convinced the boo to go with me on a CBD adventure to a “local spot” in NoDa for a now-illegal CBD-infused cocktail (snitches get stitches).

Spoiler alert: No one really has a grasp on the challenges we’re facing with CBD. I asked the bartender as I purchased my $18 cocktail (yes, $18!) how they’ve skirted the ”rules” and he told us they leverage the gray area by saying that a person purchasing a drink can pour a small capsule of CBD (25 milligrams) in their drink on their own volition but they won’t put it in there for them.

Meanwhile, this decision was made in the middle of the chaos that was All-Star Weekend.

Creative, if you ask me.

And upon review, with limited investment in legal jargon, the cease-and-desist letter that’s been the topic of conversation left room for interpretation if you ask me. In layman’s terms — read: Aerin’s terms — CBD is an active ingredient in a drug that has been approved by the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. As a result, it’s technically illegal to sell and/or advertise CBD-infused food products. Whew, now that that’s over, challenge accepted.

I proceeded to drink the drank and sat back for the experience. I thought to myself as I drifted in and out of a state of relaxation characterized by a feeling of heavy limbs, a good mood that wasn’t present when I’d arrived and a desire to be loveydovey with my man, “Is this a placebo effect of epic proportions?”

Like I said, to believe or not to believe is the true question. After all, a strong cocktail can produce the same effects. I let the thought drift away but kept my heightened intrigue in the back of my mind.

The following week, while running lunch errands I decided to give CBD another try. I stopped in at a local smoothie and açaí bowl shop to try a CBD-infused smoothie. I posited the same question as I did while sipping on my CBD cocktail, “So how are you still able to sell your products?” To which I received the response, “Well, we’re just waiting on our letter.” *insert shrug* Half a smoothie later, anxiety about daunting day-job tasks fell away and I was getting shit done. The crazy part? I didn’t even realize how focused I was. Needless to say, you can go ahead and peg me as a CBD proponent.

The takeaway: the future of CBD in Charlotte is uncertain. Granted, we’re not talking about the real fun stuff so who knows how much the fun police will actually crackdown. But business owners may get scared into avoiding the issue completely by taking CBD-infused items off the menu. So you know what I say? Better get your CBD while you can and decide whether or not you believe in its mysteries.

What are your thoughts on the landscape of CBD in the Queen City? Share your ideas with me!

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

LILLY SPA 704-392-8099 MON-SUN 9AM-11PM EXIT 37 OFF I-85

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS

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

THE FIRST HALF

Pg. 27 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

ACROSS

1 Spanish sailing ships 9 Regrets 13 Disney’s Ariel, e.g.

20 Classic Italian song 21 About 22 Powell of “Rosalie” 23 Agitates 24 Ticket for a suitcase at an airport 26 Model Banks 27 “Let me think ...”

29 1836 Texas siege setting 30 Farm baby 34 “Cleopatra” director 41 Health insurance invoice 45 Off the clock for a while at work 46 “Law & Order: --” (TV spinoff) 47 Libertine 48 Fore-and-aft rig section 51 Actress Capshaw 52 Alabama march city 54 Suffix with ranch 56 Lighten up 57 Trait sources 58 Randy Quaid thriller about a menacing car 62 Cherry, e.g.

63 Biblical wife of Isaac 64 “Showdown” rock gp.

65 “Aha!” 67 “Westworld” airer 70 Those, to Juan 71 Lisa, vis-a-vis the Simpson kids 75 Anjou, e.g.

76 Pigs’ hangout 77 Towed-away car, maybe 78 Route 79 “Yep, sounds about right” 81 Star of Earth 82 Pic on a web page, say 86 Start to use 89 La -- Tar Pits 90 Dallas-to-NYC dir.

91 Circular gasket 93 Paella need

94 “Ay, --!” (cry from Bart Simpson) 97 Ride ordered via app 99 -- Nabisco (old corp.)

100 “Conga” singer Gloria 102 Shameless untruth 105 Branch of knowledge 108 -- Hashana 109 Ungiving sort 110 Western tribe 112 First lessons 116 Like the god Anubis 122 Anchor in a forest 126 Brother of Wilbur Wright 127 Watch datum 128 Electronic device’s evaluation state 129 “Sure, hon” 130 Tater 131 This puzzle’s nine longest answers use only the first half of it

DOWN

1 Price 2 Pale grayish 3 Mimic a lion 4 Lye, e.g.

5 Neckline type 6 Type widths 7 Actress Lucy 8 Jr.-to-be 9 Flesh on a rack 10 A, in Iberia 11 Work unit 12 George of “King Rat” 13 Tons of a vitamin, say 14 Oxygen, e.g.

15 Do one’s part again?

16 -- -jongg 17 Prop- ender 18 Summer Games gp.

19 Dwight Gooden’s nickname 25 Eur. nation 28 Nero’s 1,150 31 Just slightly 32 -- Zedong 33 Highest-quality 35 AFL- -36 Urge along 37 Annoyed 38 Be on a slant 39 Not punctual 40 Barely gets, with “out” 41 Orig. texts 42 “Nurse Jackie” actress 43 All-work-and-no-play Jack, per an adage

44 Michael of “Juno” 49 Goat’s bleat 50 PC character format 53 West and Busch 55 Took way too much, in brief 57 “Shucks!”

59 Dean who invented the Segway 60 Laid up 61 Lerner’s partner 62 -- -wip (dessert topping) 63 In medias -66 Control on a sound mixer 67 1971 Donny Osmond hit 68 Non-barking hunting dog 69 Italian gold 72 Red Sox Hall of Famer Bobby 73 Ill-bred guy 74 Jekyll and -75 Jack of old talk TV 77 Tire snagger 80 Gooey camp snacks 81 Haste 83 “Give -- call” 84 Disney deer 85 Ample, to Li’l Abner 86 With 114-Down, phone number part

SOLUTION ON PAGE 30

87 Part of DVD 88 Bi- x four 89 One exiling 92 Univ. senior’s test 94 Prince Charles’ wife 95 Sweetie, in modern lingo 96 Referred 98 Green: Prefix 101 Doe or sow 103 Pesticide banned in ‘72 104 “-- & Greg” (old sitcom) 106 So-so grade 107 Greek Week groups 111 “-- Kett” 113 -- tube (TV) 114 See 86-Down 115 “Let it stand” 116 Great delight 117 Plural “is” 118 Rite Aid competitor 119 Farm baby 120 Fast swim 121 Very big bird 123 Priest’s study: Abbr.

124 Sci-fi ability 125 Suffix of ordinals

MARCH 27 - APRIL 2 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You’ll want to discourage well-meaning but potentially ill-advised interference in what you intend to accomplish. Your work has a better chance to succeed if it reflects you.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s welldeserved reputation for loyalty could be tested if you learn that it might be misplaced. But don’t rely on rumors. Check the stories out before you decided to act.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’ve been going on adrenaline for a long time, and this unexpected lull in a recent spate of excitement could be just what you need to restore your energy levels. Enjoy it.

Pg. 28 Mar. 27 - Apr. 9, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Friends can be counted on to help you deal with a perplexing personal situation. But remember to keep your circle of advisers limited only to those you’re sure you can trust.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Security-loving Lions do not appreciate uncertainty in any form. But sometimes changing situations can reveal hidden stresses in time to repair a relationship before it’s too late.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) This is a good time for single Virgos to make a love connection. Be careful not to be too judgmental about your new “prospect” — at least until you know more about them.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your sense of justice helps you resolve a problem that might have been unfairly attributed to the wrong person.

APRIL 3 - APRIL 9 Spend the weekend doing some long-neglected ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes isn’t easy for you. But if you do chores. it, you’ll gain a better perspective of what you need SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might to do to achieve your goals. Be open to new ideas. feel justified in your anger toward someone you suspect betrayed your trust. But it could help if TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) There are still some you take the time to check if your suspicions have problems you might have to deal with before moving on to your next project. It’s a good idea to substance. accept help from those who share your objectives.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Ignore distractions if you hope to accomplish your goal by GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It’s time to recognize the deadline you agreed to. Keep the finish line in the difference between those who are truly sight, and you should be able to cross it with time concerned for you and those who simply plan to use your good nature to their advantage. New ideas to spare. become increasingly attractive.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your creative self continues to dominate through much CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Depending on a of the week. Also, despite a few problems that have promise made becoming a promise kept could be cropped up, that recent romantic connection seems more than a mite unwise at this time. It’s best to proceed on your own rather than wait for aid that to be thriving. might never arrive.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) As curious as you might be, it’s best to avoid trying to learn LEO (July 23 to August 22) A recently revitalized a colleague’s secret. That sort of knowledge could relationship might not be quite what the Big Cat drag you into a difficult workplace situation at some expected. But give yourself more time to deal with the changes. A little flexibility can go a long way. point down the line.

Good luck.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Instead of spending too much time floundering around VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A major change wondering if you can meet your deadline, you could prompt more adjustments. Some of them need to spend more time actually working toward might be difficult to deal with at first. But hang in there, and before you know it, you’ll be coasting to reaching it. your next goal.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a natural gift for attracting new friends, who are drawn to your LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your sense of justice prompts you to speak out against an unfair unabashed love of what life should be all about. situation, even if you seem to be the only one who

feels that way. But you soon learn that many others agree with you.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Creating a fuss is not usually your style. But that doesn’t mean you should tolerate an ill-mannered attitude. Speak up for yourself, and you’ll earn the respect of others.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You might have a few loose ends to tie up before you can stamp your project as complete. But once that’s done, you might want to celebrate with someone special in your life.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Disappointment darkens the Goat’s mood. But close friends rally to pull you through with words of encouragement. Use their confidence in you to rebuild your own self-esteem.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An upcoming decision might be more difficult with inaccurate information. Best to recheck the data you have at hand right now to be sure it won’t mislead you later.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) An offer you previously turned down might no longer be available. But if you do some checking around, you could find something else that would suit you just fine.

BORN THIS WEEK: You believe in helping those who cannot help themselves. Although it embarrasses you, the fact is, people like you and tell you so.

2018 KING FEATURES SYND., INC.

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SAVAGE LOVE LIVE

Quickies in private

BY DAN SAVAGE

SAVAGE LOVE LIVE stormed into Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon. Comedian Corina Lucas absolutely killed it before our sold-out crowd, singer-songwriter Elisabeth Pixley-Fink performed an amazing set, and two lovely couples competed in our first (and most likely last) Mama Bird Cupcake Eating Contest. I wasn’t able to get to all of the audience-submitted questions, so I’m going to power through as many as I can in this week’s column.

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How do you handle it if your partner constantly apologizes during sex? “Sorry, sorry, sorry…”

With sensitivity, tact and compassion — and if none of that shit works, try duct tape.

Should I continue to have casual sex with someone I’m in love with?

If it’s casual for them and not casual for you, and they’ve made it clear it will never be anything other than casual for them, you’re going to get hurt — which I suspect you know. Now, if you think the pain of going without sex with them will be greater than the pain you’ll feel when they inevitably meet someone else and move on, by all means keep fucking them. (Spoiler: the pain of the latter > the pain of the former.)

Best tricks for a quick female orgasm and how to keep yourself from overthinking it?

My female friends swear by a little legal weed, where available (or a little illegal weed, where necessary), and a nice, big, powerful vibrator.

of choice,” or the idea that people have a hard time choosing when presented with too many options, has certainly complicated modern dating. But too My five-year relationship ended abruptly. Is many options beats too few, in my opinion, and it certainly beats no options at all, e.g., deserted there a time frame for getting over it?

Studies vary. Some have found it takes the average islands, compulsory heterosexuality, unhappy person 11 weeks, some have found it takes half the arranged marriages, etc. length of the relationship itself, some have found it takes longer if it was a marriage that ended. But Any advice for a 22-year-old woman who don’t wait until you’re completely over it to get out meets only sad boys who need a mom?

Your handwriting is such that I thought you wrote there — because getting out there can help you “sub boys,” and I was going to respond, “Enjoy.” But get over it. then I reread your question: sad boys, not sub boys.

Okay, if you’re meeting only one type of person Besides a fiber-rich diet, what are your or all the people you’re meeting have a certain tips for a newbie to anal play? Size is a big character flaw, either you’re seeking that type of factor and it’s creating a huge mental block person out — consciously or subconsciously — or whenever anything goes near my hole.

Start small, e.g., lubed-up fingers and small toys. you’re projecting your own shit onto that person.

This is a case where the best people to ask for a And don’t graduate from tongues/fingers/toys gut/reality check are your actual friends, not your to someone’s big ol’ dick in a single session. Start small and stay small until your hole’s dread at the thought of taking something huge is replaced by a sincerely held, quasi-religious belief in the absolute necessity of taking something huge.

What is the formula for getting comfortable farting in front of a partner?

Same as comedy: tragedy + time.

In the era of online dating, how do you navigate the people who think the grass will always be greener and have difficulty committing to truly building a relationship?

The expression “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” has its roots in a Latin proverb first translated into English in 1545 — which means the sentiment predates dating apps by, oh, roughly half a millennium. But the “paradox

friendly sex-advice columnist.

How good are cock rings? I tried a stretch rubber one, and it was just uncomfortable. Is it worth more time and research?

Cock rings are made from all sorts of different materials, and it’s important to find the material (rubber, metal, leather) and fit (snug but not too tight) that works for you. I definitely think you should experiment a bit before giving up — cock rings are great. And, hey, did you know there’s a Wiki page with a lot of good info about cock rings?

(Wikipedia.org/wiki/cock_ring.)

What do you think is the most needed focus of left activism in the United States today?

Most needed: defeating Trump and combating climate change. Most prevalent: relitigating the 2016 Democratic primary.

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Saturday

20 19

presents

Vodka

masters

april 27,

2019

T he

thevodkamasters.eventbrite.com

Sample drinks from local bars and restaurants as they compete for the title of Queen City Nerve’s 2019 “Vodka Master.”

Each participant will craft a vodka-based cocktail to be enjoyed in both quantity and qu quality while earning the love of everyone’s taste buds!

How do we pick the “Vodka Master?”

Well, we don’t.

You do!

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At the Vodka Masters, you are the judge, jury and drink executioner!

Enjoy local musicians and Enj shop from some of your favorite local vendors!

Save the date, and clean those palates!

Tickets on sale now!

Samples included with ticket purchase

VIP 12-1 / GA 1-6

tinyurl.com/thevodkamasters