QNotes, August 10, 2018

Aug. 10-23 . 2018

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August 10-23, 2018 Vol 33 No 08

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contributors this issue

Matt Comer, Torie Dominguez, Libby James, Jack Kirven, Lainey Millen, Jeff Taylor Trinity, Myah Ward

front page

Layout by Matt Comer Mission:

The focus of QNotes is to serve the LGBTQ and straight ally communities of the Charlotte region, North Carolina and beyond, by featuring arts, entertainment, news and views content in print and online that directly enlightens, informs and engages the readers about LGBTQ life and social justice issues.

Pride Publishing & Typesetting, Inc., dba QNotes P.O. Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222 ph 704.531.9988 fx 704.531.1361 Publisher: Jim Yarbrough Sales: x201 adsales@goqnotes.com Nat’l Sales: Rivendell Media, ph 212.242.6863 Managing Editor: Jim Yarbrough, x201, editor@goqnotes.com Assoc. Editor: Lainey Millen, specialassignments@goqnotes.com Social Media Manager: Matt Comer, matt@goqnotes.com Copy Editor: Torie Dominguez, torie@goqnotes.com Staff Writer: Matt Comer, matt@goqnotes.com Production: Lainey Millen, x205, production@goqnotes.com Printed on recycled paper.

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2018 and may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the editor or publisher. Advertisers assume full responsibility — and therefore, all liability — for securing reprint permission for copyrighted text, photographs and illustrations or trademarks published in their ads. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, cartoonists we publish is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or photographs does not indicate the subject’s sexual orientation. qnotes nor its publisher assumes liability for typographical error or omission, beyond offering to run a correction. Official editorial positions are expressed in staff editorials and editorial notations and are determined by editorial staff. The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of qnotes or its staff. qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.

charlotteobserver.com/1166/ a local news partner of The Charlotte Observer

inside this issue Q feature

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arts. entertainment. news. views.

Superfruit at Pride

Q news

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arts. entertainment. news. views.

Barber to speak in October Car crashes into local store Advocates may sue S.C. News Notes Activist’s charges dropped Player’s anti-gay tweets Charlotte Pride events

Q infocus

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arts. entertainment. news. views.

Local Charlotte tours Charlotte’s local history Charlotte arts 2018-19 Charlotte ‘hoods Community Resources Annual Events

Charlotte Pride comes to Uptown, August 18-19

Annual event includes a variety of community activities in the week leading up to the big festival and parade, taking over both ends of Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte. PAGE 16

Health & Wellness

Our Health & Wellness columnist explores how he’s been approaching emotional wellness, in addition to his physical fitness and nutrituion. with reflections on how important it is to show yourself compassion. PAGE 16

Q a&e

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arts. entertainment. news. views.

San Fran strip club closes Tell Trinity

Q life

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arts. entertainment. news. views.

ONLINE AT GOQNOTES.COM...

Health & Wellness

Q views

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

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Letter from the Publisher Legal Eagles

Q events

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arts. entertainment. news. views.

Big Freedia Delighted Tobehere

New study shows promise for ‘on-demand’ PrEP and HIV prevention

New studies at International AIDS Conference back ‘on-demand’ PrEP and reveal more details on “Treatment as Prevention” options. goqnotes.com/60641/

Charlotte trans teenager denied communion... because of gum?

A transgender teenager was denied communion at a Charlotte Catholic church.

Leaders say it was because she was chewing gum. She and her mother disagree. goqnotes.com/60645/

2020 RNC vendor process may not include LGBTQ businesses

Local Republican National Committee leaders are not committing to inclusion for LGTBQ businesses in upcoming vendor and contracting policies. goqnotes.com/60785/

Welcome to a refreshed qnotes

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am proud today to present to you a redesigned print edition of qnotes. It is my hope that this new, refreshed design will bring you more enjoyment as you flip through each of our biweekly print editions. For more than three decades, this newspaper has striven to offer you a positive reading experience while also fulfilling our core mission — to serve, to inform and to entertain our community.

With this physical redesign also comes a new addition to our editorial focus.

Since 1986, we have diligently served the LGBTQ communities of Charlotte and those across the Carolinas through hard-

BY Jim Yarbrough | Publisher

hitting, independent journalism, arts and entertainment coverage and commentary.

None of our work at qnotes is changing, but our community certainly has matured, grown and changed in the three decades since this institution was founded. LGBTQ people are as diverse and varied as the general public, and we want to serve as many people — including our allies — as possible. As we move forward, plan on seeing far more arts and entertainment features, as well as news on a variety of LGBTQ and mainstream progressive topics Shortly, too, you will notice a revamped website, where we hope to improve your

online reading experience as well. Stay tuned to these pages and our website for more on when we will launch your new online reading experience.

On a final note, we are disappointed to say that this physical redesign won’t be able to include a key feature when we began this process months ago. We had planned to provide you with upgraded paper quality, shifting away from the old, gray newsprint to a brighter, whiter, heavier-stock paper. We wanted to ensure the color on our pages popped and that you had a more vibrant reading experience. Unfortunately, President Donald

Trump’s recent 30 percent increase on tariffs for newsprint products has stopped us from moving forward with these particular plans at the moment. In the future, we hope to revisit them.

Thank you for your continued readership and your support. I hope you, like me, will also extend a thank-you to our talented production and design staff. You hold in your hands today the product of months of visioning, planning, plotting and brainstorming — not to mention the weeks of hands-on work behind the scenes to make this redesign possible. : :

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Q news

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

Barber to speak at ‘Liberating Theologies’ conference in October

CHARLOTTE — The Rev. William Barber II, the well-known North Carolina-based progressive faith leader and founder of the Moral Mondays Movement, will speak at a one-day conference hosted in the Queen City on Oct. 6.

Barber has taken a frontline position in the progressive faith movement, beginning as a Disciples of Christ pastor, then moving into activism through the local and state chapters of the NAACP. After founding the popular statewide Moral Mondays Movement, Barber announced in May 2017 that he would step down from his state NAACP presidency in order to lead the national Poor People’s Campaign. He’s since led several national rallies and gatherings in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere across the nation.

The Liberating Theologies Conference is presented by The Freedom Center for Social Justice. The group says it will be a full-day experience exploring varying theologies with an emphasis on liberation and inclusion for the oppressed and marginalized. The conference is an extension of the Charlotte group’s “Do Not Harm” initiative and pledge, which asks faith leaders to commit to doing no harm through their interpretation of scripture or other religious writing. The program has a particular focus on the harms done to the LGBTQ community, as well as people of color and of various faith traditions.

The inaugural Liberating Theologies Conference will be held at the Charlotte Museum of History and is being presented in partnership with the Union Theological Seminary of New York. Registration is now open online at bit.ly/2JShR6O. Other presenting and community partners include the Union of Affirming Christians, Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice, NC Council of Churches, NC NAACP and MeckMin. info: fcsj.org.

— Matt Comer

NEWS NOTES MCC open house in Asheville

MCC Sacred Journey Church in Asheville will celebrate its eighth anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 19 with an open house, 3-5 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The open house will be held at First Congregational’s Fellowship Hall, 1735 Fifth Avenue West, in Hendersonville. For more information and to RSVP, contact Beth Mallindine at 828-429-6280.

Hughes honored

Openly gay Hillsborough Commissioner Matt Hughes was recently named a 2018 Victory Empowerment Fellow. Hughes and nine others chosen by the LGBTQ Victory Institute are considered to be “destined to lead the LGBTQ community as public officials and political operatives.” Read more from Chapelboro.com at bit.ly/2v8qKog.

New center in Greensboro

The new LGBTQ Center of Greensboro held an open house celebrating its official grand opening on July 27. The dropin event included cake-cutting and a tour of the space, which includes a resource wall and queer library. The center is located at 1205 W. Bessemer Ave, Suite 226 in Greensboro.

info: guilfordgreenfoundation.org

Car plows through Infinity’s End store

CHARLOTTE — Customers and employees at the South Blvd.

Infinity’s End store had quite the shock on Saturday, July 28 when a customer accidently plowed through the front of the building.

“It sounded like a bomb went off,” customer Keith Lawrence told news station WSOC. “That’s what I thought it was.”

For some, it was a close and dangerous call. As the car careened into the glass storefront, several people dashed out of the way, but one employee was trapped under the car.

Luckily, the employee was able to be quickly pulled out from under the vehicle, helped by none other than customer Lawrence.

“I see him trying to get out,” Lawrence told WSOC. “He’s about halfway, but (the driver is) going forward again, so I reached out and yanked him out.”

The employee sustained only minor injuries.

The unlucky driver is a 28-year-old who police say was simply an inexperienced driver who thought she’d put the car in reverse, but had the gear in the drive position instead.

Owner Frank Pietras estimates the store incurred about $10,000 in damage. Half of the glass storefront is now covered in plywood.

You can view security footage of the crash at the store via WSOC at on.wsoctv.com/2LMLHjd. The folks at Infinity’s End are taking the accident in humorous stride, posting on Facebook: “We’ve always joked about making it on Worldstar,” the store posted, referring to a popular viral video website. “Maybe this is our shot!”

The store also thanked all those who came to the immediate assistance of customers and employees.

— Matt Comer

S.C. may sue over foster parent prohibition

COLUMBIA — LGBTQ advocates in South Carolina say they are considering suing the state after it passed new measures allowing foster agencies to discriminate against LGBT residents, according to Charleston’s Post and Courier.

The new measures, included in a state budget provision as well as an executive order from Gov. Henry McMaster, give a “religious liberty” protection to foster agencies who do not want to place children with same-sex couples based on a so-called “sincerely held religious belief.”

But SC Equality, the Palmetto State’s LGBTQ advocacy organization, says the provisions amount to nothing more than state-sanctioned discrimination.

They’re considering suing the state to stop the measures.

The new provisions seem targeted to assist just one foster parent agency, Miracle Hill Ministries in Greenville. Miracle Hill is apparently the only foster agency with anti-gay discriminatory practices in the state. It handles about 15 percent of all foster placements and says it refers same-sex couples on to other agencies which can assist them.

SC Equality’s Jeff Ayers says the referral isn’t enough to counterbalance the active discrimination supported now by the state.

“Even though they were referred on, we still believe that no adoption agency in the state should be cherry-picking who they serve and who they don’t serve,” Ayers said.

Miracle Hill does work with divorced families and single people, so advocates say the agency’s refusal to work with same-sex couples amounts to pure discrimination.

Same-sex couples are almost three times more likely to foster parent than their heterosexual counterparts, according to an analysis from the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute.

— Matt Comer

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Salisbury holiday parade canceled The annual Holiday Caravan parade in Salisbury has been canceled by organizers, who have written a letter blaming Avita Pharmacy and its representative Valeria Levy, who claims her float last year was not allowed to participate when she included representatives from Salisbury’s PFLAG chapter. Read the full story online at the Salisbury Post bit.ly/2OCnud1 and Avita Pharmacy’s response at bit.ly/2vpqnoQ.

Police convo held in Raleigh

The LGBTQ Center of Raleigh played host to a conversation on July 24 focused on women in law enforcement. The event was hosted by the center in partnership with the Raleigh Police Department.

Hosting the event at the center was a way to lift up the voices of women police officers and draw attention to the experiences of LGBTQ people with law enforcement. Read the full story from WRAL at bit.ly/2n16tg5.

Charleston’s public gay spaces

The Charleston City Paper published a full-length feature detailing the history, rise and fall of the port city’s public gay spaces — from cruising spots to bars.

Read the feature report online at bit. ly/2LPHtqf.

Duke Divinity leader steps down

Elaine Heath, dean of the Duke Divinity School,has stepped down. Heath will remain on faculty at the school. Her decision to step down from the leadership role follows several controversies over the past two years, including criticism over the school’s treatment of LGBTQ students.

Have news to share?

This space will host small news tidbits every issue, including announcements for volunteer needs or other requests from local non-profits and community organizations! Have a wish list or an upcoming volunteer need? Drop us a note at editor@goqnotes.com.

Activist Glo Merriweather’s charges dropped

CHARLOTTE — An activist facing several charges stemming from their involvement in the Charlotte Uprising protests in September 2016 has had their charges dropped. The move from Mecklenburg County prosecutors came less than two weeks before Glo Merriweather was to face trial for inciting a riot, a felony, and misdemeanor assault on a government official.

Prosecutors said they lacked sufficient evidence to continue their case against Merriweather, who has been a leader in the Charlotte Uprising movement. Assistant District Attorney Dustin Rapp said the state cannot prove that Merriweather “engaged in violent and/or disorderly conduct (that was) alleged in the indictment.

Supporters of Merriweather have alleged that their arrest amounted to little more than political imprisonment. They say Merriweather witnessed the shooting of Justin Carr, another protester in Uptown.

Merriweather claims Carr was shot by police officers. The state, however, has charged another protester, Rayquan Borum, with the shooting.

Merriweather’s attorneys said new District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, unrelated to the activist, was willing to take a fresh look at the case, resulting in the dismissal of charges. They blamed the drawn-out nature of the legal saga on the politics surrounding the Uprising and accompanying riots, allegations of police brutality and the negative portrait the Uptown unrest painted of the city.

“It’s a good time to turn the page on a pretty ugly time for Charlotte,” said attorney Mark Simmons.

The Uprising and other protests sprung up in Charlotte following the Sept. 20, 2016, police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. Days of protests as well as violent riots over took Uptown following the incident.

— Compiled from Michael Gordon The Charlotte Observer

MLB player’s anti-gay tweets re-surface

A series of old anti-gay tweets from Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner, a former NC State University baseball player, have surfaced amid other reports of several Major League Baseball players’ slurridden online messages.

Turner, 25, sent the tweets in a series of replies to acquaintances and fellow NC State teammates when he was 18 and a college freshman, according to The Washington Post: “Two of Turner’s resurfaced tweets were replies in which acquaintances were called homophobic slurs. In another, the tweet reads ;unless ur gay; in a reply to a former North Carolina State Photo Credit: Lorie Shaull teammate. A fourth tweet suggests that if a woman working at a drivethrough were to ask who the [faggot] in the back of a car was, it would be Turner. A fifth tweet reads, ‘Once u go black, u gonna need a wheelchair,’ a line from the movie ‘White Chicks.’”

Turner’s tweets have since been deleted and the Nationals’ president and general manager Mike Rizzo issued a statement.

“I have spoken with Trea regarding the tweets that surfaced earlier tonight,” Rizzo said in the July 29 statement. “He understands that his comments — regardless of when they were posted — are inexcusable and is taking full responsibility for his actions. The Nationals organization does not condone discrimination in any form, and his comments in no way reflect the values of our club. Trea has been a good teammate and model citizen in our clubhouse, and these comments are not indicative of how he has conducted himself while part of our team. He has apologized to me and to the organization for his comments.”

Turner himself also released a personal apology.

“There are no excuses for my insensitive and offensive language on Twitter. I am sincerely sorry for those tweets and apologize wholeheartedly,” Turner wrote. “I believe people who know me understand those regrettable actions do not reflect my values or who I am. But I understand the hurtful nature of such language and am sorry to have brought any negative light to the Nationals organization, myself, or the game I love.”

Turner’s tweets came to light amid other reports of several MLB players’ offensive tweets, including antigay messages from Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb and player Josh Hader of the Milwaukee Brewers.

— Matt Comer

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Charlotte Pride set to take over Uptown August 18-19 Parade growth continues, as organizers expands family zone, community entertainment, VIP COMPILED BY QNOTES STAFF

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harlotte Pride is set to roll into Uptown Aug. 18 and 19, promising the biggest event the organization has hosted. Last year, more than 150,000 visitors attended the weekend-long event. Organizers say they hope to meet or exceed last year’s attendance figures.

Charlotte Pride says several new additions to the event can be expected by visitors, including an expanded children’s and family area sponsored by PNC Bank.

Additionally, organizers have added a second stage sponsored by Truliant to highlight community entertainers. On Sunday, that stage will then be transformed to host the emcees of this year’s Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade.

The parade become the largest in the city in 2017, with more marching contingents than others in the area. The organization has best itself again, rising to more than 170 entrants and more than 45 floats. In total, some 5,000 individuals will be marching or participating in the parade itself, causing the city and organizers to expand the parade staging area on N. Tryon St. On the Wells Fargo Stage, headliners Superfruit — comprised of Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix fame — are bound to light up the crowd with energy before popular rapper Cupcakke closes out the evening. You can read more about Superfruit in our cover story on page 19.

An expanded VIP Experience, this year sponsored by American Airlines, also awaits visitors. Organizers have reconfigured the parade seating area, bringing it closer to the parade emcee stage.

IF YOU GO...

Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade Sunday, Aug. 18, 1-3 p.m.

Emcee Stage located at Trade & Tryon St. Parade route runs on N. Tryon St. from 9th St., turning left at Trade St. PNC Bank Festival Zone Saturday, Aug. 18, 12-10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 19, 12-6 p.m.

S. Tryon St., between Trade and Stonewall Sts. Wells Fargo Stage Saturday, Aug. 18, 12:30-10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 19, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Community Stage Presented by Truliant Saturday, Aug. 18, 1-6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 18, 4-6 p.m.

Before the parade on Sunday, VIP Pass holders can enjoy a Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas. The brunch will open at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday through 1 p.m., when the parade kicks off.

As usual, the PNC Bank Festival, running both Saturday and Sunday, will include a variety of national, regional and local vendors, including local LGTBQ and other community non-profits. : :

Official Charlotte Pride Events: August 12-19 August 12 | 4 p.m.

Interfaith Service St. John’s Baptist Church 300 Hawthorne Ln. Gathering together representatives of more than 50 faith congregations and a wide diversity of community members to celebrate unity, affirmation and inclusion. Featuring remarks from U.S. Rep. Alma Adams and N.C. Sen. Jeff Jackson, with inspiring interfaith music from a community chorale, Caldwell Presbyterian, Watershed Church and more, featuring the St. John’s Letourneau Organ. The kick-off to each year’s Charlotte Pride festivities! A catered reception will follow.

August 13 | 11 p.m.-2 a.m.

Charlotte Pride Unity Showcase The Peace Pipe 204 W. Woodlawn Rd., Suite H A Pride Unity Showcase featuring the 2018 Pride Court and pageant winners from Charlotte Pride, Charlotte Latin Pride,

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Charlotte Black Gay Pride and other performers at this last show of the summer for Mondaze.

August 14 | 7 p.m.

Entre Amigos: Historia LGBTQ Charlotte Pride Offices Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1900 The Plaza A twice monthly discussion and support group discussing important LGBTQ topics in Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ latinx community.

Hosted by professionals in a safe and judgment-free space.

August 15 | 8 p.m.

Delighted Tobehere’s Drag 101 Stage Door Theater 155 N College St. In DRAG 101, Delighted Tobehere, appearing as a Charlotte Pride stage and parade emcee again this year, will leave nothing to the imagination as she reveals ALL of drag’s best kept secrets! Tickets available for purchase online at carolinatix. org/events/detail/drag-101.

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Charlotte Pride VIP Experience Presented by American Airlines Saturday, Aug. 18, 12-9 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 19, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Located at the Charlotte Chamber.

VIP passes include complimentary drinks, food, Sunday brunch. Available for $119 at charlottepride.org/vip/ or for $169 on-site at the VIP Lounge.

Full Pride Week calendar at charlottepride.org/prideweek/.

August 15 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Pride Week Latinx Party Bar Argon 4544 South Blvd.

Ven y disfruta de los mejores ritmos latinos, jello shots y especiales de bebida en el sur de Charlotte. Presentado por Orgullo-Charlotte Latin Pride y Charlotte Pride. / Come and enjoy the best Latin rhythms, jello shots and drink specials in South Charlotte.

August 18 | 12:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremony Wells Fargo Stage @ the festival S. Tryon & Stonewall Sts. Uptown Charlotte The official opening of the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade, featuring remarks from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, an interfaith moment with Seamus and Corbie Williams-Moore and the singing of our national anthem

by One Voice Chorus’ Scarlett Rippy with colors presented by The Tradesmen.

August 18 | 5 p.m.

Champions of Pride Awards Wells Fargo Stage @ the festival S. Tryon & Stonewall Sts. Uptown Charlotte Charlotte Pride recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of several of our Champions of Pride Award winners and recipients of the 2018 Charlotte Pride Scholarship.

Afterward, special guest Annise Parker, former mayor of Houston and current president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund will speak.

August 18 | 10 p.m.

Official After Party Chasers Charlotte NoDa 3217 The Plaza Hosted by sponsor and partner Chasers Charlotte NoDa. Featuring Aja and Coco Montrese of RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Paris Brooks Bonet, Misster, Vegas Van Dank, Veronica Iman White, Jinx Matthews, Sklyar Michele-Monet, Erica Chanel and Lolita Van Dank.

August 18 | 10 p.m.

Show Your Colors Dance Party Bar Argon 4544 South Blvd.

All Colors Pride Dance. Official Dance Party for Charlotte pride.

Special DJ and Pride drink specials. Keep the Pride Party going at Bar Argon. Best LGBT Dance venue in Charlotte. Portion of all door proceeds go to Charlotte Pride.

August 19 | 9 p.m.

Official Closing Party Chasers Charlotte NoDa 3217 The Plaza Charlotte, NC 28205 The official Charlotte Pride Closing Party, hosted by Charlotte Pride sponsor and partner Chasers Charlotte NoDa. Featuring Coco Montrese and Stacy Layne Matthews of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and performances by Charlotte Pride emcee Malachi, Jinx Matthews, Ashely D’Kardashian Rubio, Misster, Elaine Davis and Amber Rochelle.

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sponsored by:

Annual LGBTQ Newcomer & Community Resource Guide

Get to know the Queen City better These local tours help you explore and learn more about the city you love and adore, all in unique and diverse ways

BY TORIE DOMINGUEZ | STAFF WRITER

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hether you’re new to the city or a native or longtime resident, Charlotte always has something new and exciting to offer. The city is currently in the midst of another wave of development. These days are boomtimes for sure, much like the city’s explosive growth first in the ‘90s and again right before the 2008 recession.

With so many new sights and sounds to experience, catching one of these local tours is among your best bet at exploring a city you’ve already come to love and adore.

Newcomers will find awesome spots the locals have known about for years.

Locals will be able to get a taste of a side of Charlotte they rarely visit, or perhaps a new restaurant that’s just popped onto the scene. Either way, you’re in for a treasure trove of beautiful Charlotte goodness.

Charlotte Segway Tours

These excursions presented by Charlotte NC Tours offer a novel way to explore uptown, especially appealing to patrons in search of a happy medium between the impersonal experience of viewing the city through a bus window and the tedium of schlepping on foot over pavement hot enough to melt the soles of their sensible shoes.

Starting and ending inside the Overstreet Mall, that center city staple featuring a network of skyways extending along College St. on either side of Trade, the standard 90-minute tour includes stops at the Levine Center of the Arts, the Mint Museum, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. Guides specialize in knowledge of local history, architecture and design, and deliver a mandatory crash course (no pun intended) on Segway safety beginning 30 minutes before departure.

Rule #1: helmets are a must.

Because of the requirements of PT (personal transporter) operation, there are a few more guidelines here than you’d find in your average walking tour. Participants must be at least 14, and minors need a companion no younger than 21, along with a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. The device is suitable for riders between 100 and 260 pounds.

Tickets are $60 per person for the 90-minute program

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or $70 for a 2-hour extended version, and tours depart five times a day, the earliest at 9 a.m. and the latest at 6 p.m.

The company also offers holiday and haunted Segway journeys and a bike tour.

Beyond the Grave Haunted History

Every night, just as the summer sun sinks below the horizon, or long after dark in the winter, history buffs and connoisseurs of the weird gather in the plaza outside Hearst Tower on N. Tryon St. A guide in period garb, lantern clasped in one hand, is there to meet them. This is the Charlotte offering of Carolina History and Haunts, a company whose expertise extends to the creepiest corners of Winston-Salem and

Greensboro in addition to the Queen City. Patrons trek through time as they visit the sites of centuries-old battles, haunted houses, cursed theaters and spooky hotels, pubs and cemeteries, all while learning about the birth and growth of the city from the 18th century to the modern day.

The wheelchair-accessible 90-minute walking tour is open to all ages, but operators advise that some content may be inappropriate for children, and kids must have an adult along. Tours operate year-round, rain or shine, and depart hourly between 7 and 9 p.m., as well as at 2 p.m. for those who’d prefer to face Charlotte’s demons in the light of day. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $13 see next page u

continued from previous page for children 6-13 years old, and free for children under 6. A small discount applies for online purchases.

FEAST Food Tours

A food-lover’s dream, FEAST offers neighborhood walking tours in addition to custom and private activities and workshops.

Regular weekend offerings include Friday evening tours of historic SouthEnd, and the “Soul of the South” program exploring traditional flavors throughout Uptown. Lunchtime on Saturday sees patrons introduced to the quirky dining and gallery experiences of NoDa. A few hours later, tours wind through Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, and Uptown’s contemporary dining scene. Each option seeks to highlight a variety of venues, incorporating around half a dozen stops including everything from timeless diners and mom-andpop delis to upscale gastropubs. Groups of 8-16 people can book custom tours for weekday afternoons.

The company also works with clients to build private, hands-on culinary experiences to their exact specifications. It cites past programs in which chefs and artisans have guided patrons in cheesemaking, the world of possibilities available at local farmer’s markets, and the intricacies of a great cup of coffee.

Neighborhood walking tours are $60 per person and take place 4-7 p.m.

Friday in SouthEnd and Uptown, 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday in NoDa, and 3-6 p.m. Saturday in Dilworth, Plaza Midwood and Uptown. Custom tours start at $75/ person. For custom workshop events, FEAST recommends a starting budget of at least $50/person. High-end private dinner programs are also available with a recommended starting budget of about $125 for food alone.

CBI Bus Tours

Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Community Building Initiative has two decades of building bridges under its belt. Seven years ago, the organization launched a pilot program designed to introduce Charlotteans and their neighbors to the region’s history, and deepen their appreciation of its diversity and nuance.

The program was soon extended, and the CBI now stages public tours six times a year, on the second Friday of alternating months. Collaboration with the Arts & Science Council, the city’s Historic Districts Commission as well as the Levine Museum of the New South have helped to develop an engaging series of events based on expert knowledge and commitment. In addition, community and corporate groups can arrange for custom private tours.

Contact the CBI for program specifications and pricing. cbicharlotte.org/programs/bus-tours

Charlotte Funny Bus Tour

Somewhere at the corner of school field trip and dive comedy club, you’ll find

Comedy City Tours’ Funny Bus. Yes, the 90-minute journey in a brightly painted open-air trolley-like craft departs from a popular city park (First Ward, specifically) just across 7th Street from Imaginon, but this ride is definitely not suitable for children. The closest you’ll get to familyfriendly is their PG-13 program offered as a rolling Sunday matinee; the other 22 shows a week are rated R. Tour guides aim to keep patrons laughing while they learn, poking fun at the Queen City while feeding interest in neighborhoods and sites from quirky to historic. Check out the Funny Bus website for more information, to purchase tickets ($27) or, if you fancy yourself a performer, to apply for a job. funnybus.net

Charlotte Liberty Walk

Included among the dozens of events making up Charlotte’s most recent City Walks series, the Charlotte Liberty Walk is the brainchild of the May 20th Society.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the memory of the 1775 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and what the group describes as “Charlotte’s rebellious and visionary spirit.”

While the guided version of the Liberty Walk may have wrapped up for the year, it hasn’t taken a break from educating locals and tourists alike. A brochure and interactive map available online let the public guide themselves, with a proposed route through center city and descriptions of sites no longer in existence. charlottelibertywalk.com

Operation City Quest

This creative scavenger hunt should be seriously considered by anyone who’d prefer a tour with as much to do as there is to see. Finding a middle ground between trailing a droning docent and wandering alone through an unfamiliar city just hoping to stumble, by some miracle, on your hotel, you’ll be able to set your own pace and make any detour you’d like if your interest should be piqued by some attraction not on the official agenda, while you take comfort in the knowledge that a remote guide is only a text away. There are more than 130 objects to track down, no chance of a sold-out event or a bus leaving without you, and, best of all, bonus points for whimsy. operationcityquest.com

Charlotte City Walks

Each year when May rolls around, partners including the UNC-Charlotte Urban Institute and the John S. and James L. Knight foundation celebrate the arrival of more reliably lovely weather with an unparalleled display of community engagement. Charlotte City Walks’ most remarkable feature is the open invitation for anyone to propose to organize and guide a walk of their own design. 2018 offerings included a bike tour of Brooklyn, Third Ward, and the West End, with riders meeting with see Tours on 13

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Where’s Charlotte’s history?

It’s at the Charlotte Museum of History, where new leader Adria Focht hopes to collect more diverse community and cultural stories from Charlotte’s residents

BY Myah Ward | The Charlotte Observer

A

s Adria Focht walked down the pathway to the 244-year-old Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, she stopped midsentence to pick up a tiny piece of glazed ceramic lying in the wet brush — something most people wouldn’t have noticed.

“It’s historic in some way,” Focht said.

From visitor to now president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History, located at 3500 Shamrock Dr. in East Charlotte, Focht is envisioning ways for the museum to highlight Charlotte’s history — new and old. She started last November, and she’s focusing on getting students back inside, creating ways to reflect east Charlotte’s diversity and firing up adults about history itself — maybe by putting some of the community’s own belongings in museum exhibitions.

Focht said it’s important to focus on history that’s 50 years old, not just history that’s over two centuries old. She plans to continue programs that have been a hit in the past such as the “Mad About Modern Homes Tour,” which will kick off this September.

Visitors will get to walk around Charlotte homes that have mid-century and modern architecture and design.

Before taking this job, Focht said, when she was director of King’s Mountain Historical Museum, she came often to this museum. And her vision for it now is exactly what she envisioned when she first came.

Since the recession, Focht said, CharlotteMecklenburg Schools have struggled to find funding for field trips to the history museum.

She said she is in the process of looking for funding so that more school groups can come to the museum.

“We have generations of people who stop in and say, ‘Oh yeah, I remember coming here as a third-grader,’” Focht said. “What scares me is you know there’s 50 years of kids with that experience, but these last 10 years, (students) are not going to know that this history exists in their backyard.”

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Aug. 10-23 . 2018

President and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History Adria Focht hopes to highlight the Hezekiah Alexander Home Site in her new position. (Photo Credit: Myah Ward) She also said she plans to engage adults — especially young adults — through expanding programs such as neighborhood walking tours where visitors can experience Charlotte’s different neighborhoods. While the tours typically happen in the spring, she wants to make these available during other times of the year. “(I want to) get them excited so that they’re going to want to be the people who advocate and help preserve those structures in the future and those neighborhoods in the future,” Focht said. see next page u Focht said she wants to launch community-driven exhibits

where community members can bring items in that represent their history in Charlotte and their heritage. She said they plan to reveal the exhibit at the 2019 Independence Day and Naturalization Ceremony. They are currently seeking funding to build capacity for the exhibits.

She said she hopes these exhibitions can represent the cultural diversity she sees in east Charlotte.

Such inclusion “is going to be a big part of what we do for relevancy moving forward,” Focht said. “So that everybody feels that their history, and that their heritage is reflected in this institution.”

Focht’s other big goal is to highlight the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite — something she said many people don’t even know exists. The house — what Focht calls the gem of the museum — was built in 1774, making it the oldest home in Mecklenburg County.

“It’s the only place in the area that you can step inside of a structure built before the American Revolution when Queen Charlotte was still our monarch,” Focht said.

“Here’s the real history, right here in your backyard.” : : Charlotte Museum of History 3500 Shamrock Dr. charlottemuseum.org This story was originally published by The Charlotte Observer on July 30, 2018, and is reprinted with permission. qnotes is a member of The Observer’s Charlotte News Alliance.

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Charlotte is blooming with arts offerings

Mark your calendars for these shows being staged throughout the upcoming year.

BY TORIE DoMINGUEZ | STAFF WRITER

The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa will travel from the Ukraine to Charlotte to present ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in December. (Photo Credit: National Ballet of Odessa)

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte ‘Lizzie’ July 26-August 18 A rock musical interpretation of the case of Lizzie Borden.

‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’ August 30 – September 2 A down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator tries his hand at drag.

‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ October 4-27 A teenage prodigy sets out to discover the killer of his neighbor’s dog after he himself is accused.

‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ January 24 – February 16 The legendary singer and her work are forever altered by the murder of four children in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement.

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‘The Great Beyond’ March 14 – April 6 An original work depicting the aftermath of a family tragedy; a companion piece to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s ‘The Ghost of Splinter Cove.’

‘Fun Home’ June 6-29 Graphic artist Alison Bechdel recounts her unusual childhood, her relationship with her father, and coming to terms with her sexuality.

Broadway – Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts ‘The Lion King’ August 22 – September 9 Groundbreaking adaptation of the Disney animated classic.

‘Love Never Dies’ September 11-16

Aug. 10-23 . 2018

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’

‘Hamilton’ October 10 – November 4 Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop musical biography of founding father Alexander Hamilton.

‘Rock of Ages’ December 27 – 31 Tenth anniversary tour of the jukebox celebration of 80s rock, including songs by Styx, Twisted Sister, Poison, and other staples of the era.

‘Cinderella’ January 6-12 Matthew Bourne moves the beloved fairytale to World War II London.

‘Miss Saigon’ February 19-24 The Vietnam War brings together and then separates a young woman and her American lover.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’

March 19-24 Following the death of a fellow student, a misfit high schooler tells a lie that leads to a complex relationship with the classmate’s family.

‘A Bronx Tale’ April 16-24 A young man in 1960s New York finds his love for his father at odds with his glamorized mafia ambitions.

‘Bat out of Hell’ May 28 – June 9 A Meatloaf album meets Peter Pan in the tale of two young lovers in a post-apocalyptic city.

‘Hello, Dolly!’

July 9-14 Matchmaker Dolly attempts to find love for a spendthrift New Yorker in this musical comedy.

‘Cats’ August 13-18 Andrew Lloyd Webber scored one of his biggest hits with this

adaptation of T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

‘Disney’s Aladdin’ September 10-29 The 1992 Disney animated classic comes to Broadway

Charlotte Ballet ‘Fall Works’ October 11-13 A triple feature composed of Fancy Free, choreographed by Jerome Robbins with a score by Leonard Bernstein; a new piece

by Charlotte Ballet Resident Choreographer Sasha Janes, also set to Bernstein’s music; and Petite Cérémonie, choreographed by Medhi Walerski.

‘Nutcracker’ December 7-23 Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and witnesses the war between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King in this iconic holiday piece. see Arts on 14

Explore Charlotte’s diverse neighborhoods ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

The City of Charlotte stands out in the state as not only its most populated place, but also one of the most liberal and LGBTQ friendly. A queer visitor can find places aplenty for food and fun here in Charltote, but locals’ loyalties lie with unofficial “gayborhoods” like Plaza Midwood, NoDa and South End. Plaza Midwood Home to a funky blend of retail shops, bars, breweries and restaurants, Plaza Midwood was perhaps the city’s first unofficial gayborhood. It’s still known as an LGBTQ hotspot, complete with a variety of LGTBQ-owned businesses, like the popular Dish, with its southern-inspired cuisine.

NoDa Originally known as the city’s arts district, the area’s focus has shifted recently from galleries to nightlife. Longtime residents of NoDa say the neighborhood has always been attractive to those who don’t quite fit the mold.

South End A little more buttoned-down, South End is home to two popular gay bars in the city, The Bar at 316 and the drag restaurant and bar Boulevard 1820.

Hop online and read our full feature on these neighborhoods in 2017’s InFocus Guide at goqnotes.com/52588/.

Tours of Charlotte continued from page 9

former residents and discussing the link between architectural barriers and extant racial divides; a walking tour of Hebrew Cemetery and the nearby mixed-income community Brightwalk; and an exploration of natural spaces in urban planning at Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary. Stay tuned for updates on the 2019 season. plancharlotte.org

free tastings at local restaurants and stops along the route. The preceding winter FoFW organized the Holiday Home Tour similarly paying homage to the neighborhood’s unique character. fofw.org

Fourth Ward Tours

Coinciding with the Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward event and Charlotte City Walks is the Plaza Midwood Home & Garden Tour. For the same $20 ticket price ($25 same-day) attendees are treated to B-Cycle access over the course of the route, which in 2018 ran just over 5 miles.

The 10 private homes on display were selected to represent the diversity of architectural styles and periods to be found in what’s often cited as one of Charlotte’s premier gayborhoods. Truffle chocolates in a bungalow on a hill on Tippah Ave., a renovated two-story cottage with a manicured lawn and impressive shade trees on Midwood Pl., a white picket fence around a former fixer-upper on Mecklenburg Ave. – those visitors seeking inspiration for a remodel of their own will find plenty on offer in this ever-evolving part of town. plazamidwood.org

In the vein of the May 20th Society and its Charlotte Liberty Tour, the Friends of Fourth Ward neighborhood association has created opportunities to explore the dynamic center city locale without a guide and at visitors’ convenience. For its primary free walking tour FoFW provides a map and written material pertaining to nearly 50 area homes and other sites of historic or architectural significance.

In May 2018 the group hosted a Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward program showcasing extraordinary private gardens and outdoor spaces. Also self-guided, with the exception of special tours of Elmwood/ Pinewood Cemetery and Fourth Ward Park, the garden event required a $20 admission fee which included access to the B-Cycle bike share service as well as

Plaza Midwood Home & Garden Tour

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Arts in Charlotte continued from page 12

‘Peter Pan’ March 8-17 J.M. Barrie’s classic in a grand adaptation with choreography by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux.

‘Spring Works’ April 25-27 Another triple bill includes David Dawson’s Opus 11; a new commissioned work by Helen Pickett; and a revival of Johan Inger’s groundbreaking Walking Mad.

Dance, Misc.

‘Sleeping Beauty’ December 19 The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa travels to Charlotte from the Ukraine to present the beloved work to Tchaikovsky’s score.

Charlotte Symphony Classical Series ‘Gala Opening Night: Joshua Bell Plays Brahms’ September 21 Festive Overture, Dmitri Shostakovich Violin Concerto in D Major, Johannes Brahms New Commission, Nkeiru Okoye ‘Beethoven’s Fifth’ October 5-7 The Ruins of Athens Overture Piano Concerto No. 4 Symphony No. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven ‘Water Music’ October 19-20 Zadok the Priest Water Music George Frideric Handel I Was Glad, Sir Hubert Parry Music for the Royal Fireworks, Handel Crown Imperial March, William Walton ‘Italian Symphony’ November 2-3 Roman Carnival Overture, Hector Berlioz Return of Madrid, Luciano Berio Violin Concerto No. 1, Niccolò Paganini Symphony No. 4, Felix Mendelssohn ‘The Planets’ November 30 – December 2 Deep Field, Eric Whitacre The Planets, Gustav Holst ‘Symphonic Dances’ January 25-26

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The Chairman Dances, John Adams Piano Concerto No. 3, Sergei Prokofiev Symphonic Dances, Sergei Rachmaninoff ‘Scheherazade’ February 8-9 Concerto No. 1, Rodion Shchedrin Don Juan, Richard Strauss Scheherazade, Nikolai RimskyKorsakov ‘Sleeping Beauty’ February 22-23 Billy the Kid Suite, Aaron Copland Trail of Tears, Michael Daugherty Sleeping Beauty Suite, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Mahler 1 March 15-16 Symphony No. 1 “The Titan”, Gustav Mahler Dvořák Violin Concerto March 29-30 Hebrides Overture “Fingal’s Cave,” Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in A Minor, Antonin Dvořák Symphony No. 3, Johannes Brahms Mozart Requiem April 12-14 Symphony in D “Il Giorno Onomastico,” Antonio Salieri Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’ April 26-27 Funeral Song, Igor Stravinsky Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Sergei Rachmaninoff Pictures at an Exhibition, Modest Mussorgsky ‘Bolero’ May 17-19 Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Edvard Grieg Tzigane, Maurice Ravel Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Camille Saint-Saëns New Piece for Orchestra, Edgar Meyer Bolero, Maurice Ravel

Charlotte Symphony Pops Series ‘The Music of Elton John’ September 28-29 ‘The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber’

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October 26-27 ‘Home Alone: Movie in Concert’ November 23-24 ‘Pink Martini’ February 1-2 ‘The Best of Rodgers and Hammerstein’ March 22-23

Opera Carolina ‘The Daughter of the Regiment’ Gaitono Donizetti November 10, 15, 18 An orphaned young woman, brought up among a regiment of the French army and in love with a peasant, learns she was born to the aristocracy.

‘Carmen’ Georges Bizet January 19, 20, 24 In one of the most famous operas of all time, a heroine who can’t be tamed rejects a wealthy and powerful suitor in favor of a bombastic bullfighter.

‘Eugene Onegin’ Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky May 9, 11, 20 The adaptation of Pushkin’s poem sees Onegin reject a woman’s love only to find years later that the tables have turned.

Theatre Charlotte ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ September 7-23 An innovative reworking of Peter Pan, exploring the origins of the eternal child.

‘The Philadelphia Story’ October 26 – November 11 Wealthy, headstrong Tracy Lord (famously portrayed by Katharine Hepburn alongside Cary Grant and James Stewart in the film of the same name) attempts to marry while dodging tireless tabloid journalists – and her ex-husband.

‘A Christmas Carol’ December 7-16 TC’s annual presentation of the Charles Dickens adaptation.

‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’ February 1-17 The Tony-winning jazz revue celebrating the music of the Harlem Renaissance.

‘Terms of Endearment’

Photo Credit: Gary O’Brien March 22 – April 7 A mother and daughter have a complex relationship rich in humor and heart.

‘The Producers’ May 24 – June 9 In Mel Brooks’ classic comic musical, a shifty Broadway producer and his underling realize the fraudulent fortune to be made with a flop, but inadvertently stage a runaway hit.

Museums Bechtler Museum of Modern Art 420 South Tryon Street (704) 353-9200 bechtler.org upcoming events: Jazz at the Bechtler (monthly, 1st Friday) Modernism + Film (monthly, 2nd Thursday) Bechtler By Night (monthly, 2nd Friday) Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture 551 S. Tryon St.

(704) 547-3700 ganttcenter.org upcoming events: Screening: ‘The American South as We Know It’ (August 28) Living History: Charlotte to Charlottesville Day Trip (September 22) Classic Black Cinema Series (monthly, 2nd Sunday) McColl Center for Art + Innovation 721 N. Tryon St. (704) 332-5535 mccollcenter.org Mint Museum Randolph 2730 Randolph Rd. (704) 337-2000 mintmuseum.org/visit/mint-museum-randolph Mint Museum Uptown 500 S. Tryon St. (704) 337-2000 mintmuseum.org/visit/mint-museum-uptown

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Local & Regional LGBTQ Community Resources compiled by staff

Advocacy

StillOut LGBT Photography Club stillout.org.

ACLU of North Carolina acluofnorthcarolina.org.

Media

Campus Pride 704-277-6710 campuspride.org.

Creative Loafing clclt.com.

Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce clgbtcc.org.

Elder Law Clinic at Wake Forest University elder-clinic.law.wfu.edu.

Charlotte Observer charlotteobserver.com.

QNotes goqnotes.com.

Visit Gay Charlotte visitgaycharlotte.com.

Equality North Carolina equalitync.org.

Faith

HRC Carolina hrccarolina.org

Caldwell Presbyterian Church 1609 E. Fifth St. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-334-0825 caldwellpresby.org.

Mecklenburg Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Political Action Committee (MeckPAC) meckpac.org.

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys 919-834-6861 ncgala.org.

North Carolina Transgender Unity nctgunity.org.

The Freedom Center for Social Justice fcsj.org.

Safe Schools NC safeschoolsnc.com.

Arts Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte atcharlotte.org.

Big Mammas House of Burlesque bigmammasproductions.com.

Charlotte Pride Band charlotteprideband.org.

Dalliance Films dalliancefilms.com.

GayCharlotte Film Festival charlottelgbtfilm.com.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte gmccharlotte.org.

One Voice Chorus onevoicechorus.com.

Queen City Theatre Company queencitytheatre.com.

Stephen Seay Productions bit.ly/2aBpAuC.

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Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics charlotteatheists.com First United Methodist Church 501 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-333-9081 charlottefirst.org.

Havurat Tikvah 2821 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 980-225-5330 havurattikvah.org.

Holy Covenant United Church of Christ 3501 W. WT Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28269 704-599-9810 holycovenantucc.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1900 The Plaza Charlotte, NC 28205 704-377-5439 htlccharlotte.org.

Interfaith Equality Coalition facebook.com/ InterfaithEqualityCoalition.

MeckMin 3900 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 704-565-5455 meckmin.org.

MCC Charlotte 17121 Orr Rd. Charlotte, NC 28213 704-563-5810 mymcccharlotte.org.

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Myers Park Baptist Church 1900 Queens Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 704-334-7232 mpbconline.org.

New Life MCC 1900 The Plaza Charlotte, NC 28205 704-334-0350 newlifemcc@bellsouth net newlifemccnc.org.

Park Road Baptist Church 3900 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 704-523-5717 parkroadbaptist.org.

Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church 9704 Mallard Creek Rd. Charlotte, NC 28262 704-510-0008 puuc.org.

ReBirth Cathedral 2229 Village Lake Dr. Charlotte, NC 28212 980-819-2636 rebirthcathedral.org.

Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church 600 Seigle Ave. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-338-1914 seigleavenue.org.

Sacred Souls Community Church 2127 Eastway Dr. Charlotte, NC 28205 980-237-0260 sacredsoulschurch.org.

St. John’s Baptist Church 300 Hawthorne Ln. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-333-5428 stjohnsbaptistchurch.org.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 1510 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-376-8441 stmartins-charlotte.org.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church 507 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-332-2901 stpeterscatholic.org/index.php/ community-outreach/gaylesbianministry.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 115 W. 7th St. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-332-7746 web.st-peters.org.

The Spiritual Living Center of Charlotte 650 East Stonewall St. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-665-1886 slccharlotte.com.

Different Roads Home 2320 N. Davidson St. Suite B Charlotte, NC 28205 704-237-8793 differentroadshome.org.

Temple Beth El 5101 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28226 704-366-1948 templebethel.org.

Hearts Beat as One Foundation 888-349-5558 heartsbeatone.org.

Temple Or Olam 5300 Poplar Tent Rd. Concord, NC 28027 704-720-7577 or-olam.org.

Trinity United Church of Christ 38 Church St. N. Concord, NC 28025 704-782-1024 commachurch.com.

UU Church of Charlotte 234 N. Sharon Amity Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211 704-366-8623 uuccharlotte.org.

UU Fellowship of Lake Norman 135 Woodlawn School Loop Mooresville, NC 28115 704-765-6088 uulakenorman.org.

Unity Fellowship Church 2508 N. Davidson St. Charlotte, NC 28205 704-567-5007 ufccharlottenc.org.

Wedgewood Church 4800 Wedgewood Dr. Charlotte, NC 28210 704-523-6108 wedgewoodchurch.com.

House of Mercy 701 Mercy Dr. Belmont, NC 28012 704-825-4711 thehouseofmercy.org.

Mecklenburg County Department of Health 704-336-6500 PowerHouse Project 1416 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216 704-334-6076 powerhousecharlotte.org.

RAIN 601 E. 5th St., Ste. 470 Charlotte, NC 28202 704-372-7246 carolinarain.org.

Rosedale Medical 103 Commerce Centre Dr. Ste. 103 Huntersville, NC 28078 704-948-8582 rosedaleid.com.

Sports Carolina Softball Alliance carolinasoftball.org.

Charlotte Front Runners charlottefrontrunners.com.

Philanthropy

Charlotte Rainbowlers charlotterainbowlers.com.

Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund 704-973-4500 fftc.org/clgf.

Charlotte Roller Girls charlotterollergirls.com.

HIV/AIDS Ballantyne Family Medicine 6010 East W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28215 704-208-4134 ballantynefamilymedicine.com.

Carolinas Care Partnership 5855 Executive Center Dr. Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28212 704-531-2467 704-531-2467 carolinascare.org.

Charlotte Royals Rugby charlotteroyalsrugby.com.

Honey Badgers Dragon Boat honeybadgersdbc.org.

One World Dragon Boat oneworlddragonboat.org.

Queen City Tennis Club qctc.org.

Stonewall Sports facebook.com/stonewall kickballcharlotte.

see next page u

Annual Charlotte LGBTQ Events Plus other major events in the Queen City compiled by staff February Human Rights Campaign Carolina Gala hrccarolina.org.

Annual HRC black-tie fundraiser.

April Reel Out Charlotte reelout.org.

An annual festival of established and up-and-coming LGBTQ films.

House of Mercy AIDS Walk thehouseofmercy.org.

Hosted annually in downtown Belmont, this fundraiser provides support for House of Mercy’s clients.

May The Happening fftc.org/clgf.

Annual Charlotte Gay and Lesbian Fund luncheon.

Forté! gmccharlotte.org.

A fundraising dinner for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte.

Queen City Drag Race queencitydragrace.com.

Local drag stars perform at this annual team relay drag race.

continued from previous page

Social & Support 41 Percent 41percent.org.

Alpha Psi Kappa Fraternity alphapsikappa.org.

Carolina Bear Lodge carolinabears.org.

Carolina Transgender Society carolinatransgender society.com.

Charlotte Black Gay Pride charlotteblackgaypride.org.

Charlotte H2Os charlotteh2os.ning.com.

Charlotte Latin Pride charlottepride.org/latin.

Charlotte Trans Pride charlottepride.org/trans.

RAIN AIDS Walk carolinarain.org.

This annual HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising event is the largest of its kind in the Carolinas.

Speed Street 600festival.com.

Uptown Charlotte is transformed by this celebration of motor sports featuring endless entertainment on two stages and countless vendors.

June Taste of Charlotte tasteofcharlotte.com.

This foodie’s heaven event features a sampling of local culinary arts in Uptown Charlotte.

Time Out Youth Gala timeoutyouth.org.

An evening of music, food and fun benefiting Time Out Youth.

July Bear-B-Que charlottepride.org/bbq/ One of Charlotte Pride’s largest events outside of each year’s festival and parade. Putting the “fun” in fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the Charlotte Pride Scholarship.

Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce clgbtcc.org.

Charlotte Pride charlottepride.org.

Charlotte Tradesmen charlottetradesmen.org.

Chi Psi Omega Fraternity chipsiomegafraternity.org.

Convergence Riders convergenceriders.com.

Genderlines paige.dula@gmail.com.

PFLAG Charlotte pflagcharlotte.org.

Prime Timers of Charlotte primetimersww.com/ charlotte.

PRISM prismcharlotte.org.

Charlotte Black Gay Pride cbgp.org.

Annual event celebrating the diversity of the LGBT community.

Pride festivities, expos, town halls and events.

August Charlotte Pride charlottepride.org.

Charlotte’s annual Pride festival takes Uptown Charlotte by storm. Latin Pride and Trans Pride (programs of Charlotte Pride) are also part of the annual event and have their own separate programming in addition to participating during the festival’s celebration.

LGBT-Friendly College Fair campuspride.org.

Campus Pride hosts its regional LGBTQ-Friendly National College Fair in Charlotte.

September

October OUTSpoken outspoken.uncc.edu.

UNC Charlotte’s annual LGBTQ speaker series.

November

Festival in the Park festivalinthepark.org.

Charlotte’s annual arts festival overtakes Freedom Park.

Dinner With Friends carolinarain.org/dinnerwithfriends.

An annual collection of private and public parties raising funds for the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network.

Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade charlottepride.org/parade.

Bands, organizations, businesses, arts groups, politicians and more that march in Uptown Charlotte.

Flourish Queer Arts Consortium queerartsconsortium.com.

A “Festival within a festival,” Flourish showcases Charlotte’s rich LGBTQ arts and cultural community during Charlotte Pride.

Queer People of Color Collective queerpoccollective.com.

Southern Country southerncountrycharlotte.com.

Transcend Charlotte transcendcharlotte.org.

Youth African-American Alliance for Gay & Lesbian Education Johnson C. Smith University a3gle.tripod.com.

CPCC Spectrum Club facebook.com/groups/ CPCCSpectrum.

LGBT Legal Society Charlotte School of Law bnicholson@charlottelaw.edu.

LGBTQ Caucus Davidson College gecampbell@davidson.edu.

The Human Rights Campaign Carolina Gala is held each February, awarding and recognizing local and national LGBTQ leaders in the fight for equality.

Gender Equity Center Johnson & Wales University jwu.edu/content.aspx?id=62480.

Safe Queens University safequeensgsa.wordpress.com.

GLoBAL Winthrop University winthrop.edu/studentorgs/default. aspx?id=6197.

Spectrum UNC Charlotte unccspectrum.wix.com/spectrum.

Pride JWU Johnson and Wales University facebook.com/pride.jwu.7.

PRISM LGBT young adults facebook.com/prismcharlotte Queers & Allies Davidson College davidson.edu/student-life/multicultural-life/lgbtqa-communityresources.

Queens Friends of Lesbians and Gays qflag.tumblr.com.

Time Out Youth Center 704-344-8335 timeoutyouth.org.

[Editor’s Note: qnotes’ research into finding community resources was only as good as what was available online and from other sources. Should readers find errors and wish to send corrections to the list or want to have a group listed, email qnotes with “InFocus addition” in the subject line to editor@ goqnotes.com. qnotes wants to make these listings as accurate as possible to maintain integrity of the information provided.]

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Q feature

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

Superfruit is ready to party down at Charlotte Pride

Singers Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying talk inspiration, friendship and the importance of authenticity

BY Jeff Taylor | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying, the duo who make up Superfruit, will perform at Charlotte Pride on Saturday, Aug. 18 in Uptown Charlotte.

W

hen Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying decided to launch Superfruit, it was with two main objectives in mind: Showcase their close, years-long friendship and give themselves full reign to do whatever makes them happiest.

What started as a YouTube channel filled with comedic vlogs five years ago became something more when Grassi and Hoying began to incorporate original music into the project, starting in 2016.

It was a natural progression, as the pair are also members of the three-time Grammy Award winning a cappella group Pentatonix, formed in 2011.

Their relationship stretches back even further. The two met through a shared love of theater while living in Arlington, Texas. Neither was yet out of the closet, but both have said they had an immediate connection.

Their debut full-length album, released last year, is called “Future Friends,” the concept being that some connections run so deep that even if they have a romantic component that someday fades away, the friendship never will.

The duo wrote the tracks with some of today’s top pop songwriters and producers – including Robopop, (Britney Spears, Nick Jonas, Maroon 5), Justin Tranter (Justin Bieber, Kesha, Selena Gomez), and John Hill (Demi Lovato, Santigold, Shakira) – and created videos for each one.

Their efforts were successful, the album winning them critical acclaim and hitting No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

“It always came back to music, because we’re both musicians and that’s an avenue we hadn’t yet explored with Superfruit,” Grassi told qnotes ahead of the group’s performance at this year’s Charlotte Pride, reflecting on the project’s growth.

Superfruit will headline the festival, which takes place Uptown, Aug. 18-19.

“It was a really rewarding process and people seem to genuinely enjoy it – I think because we’re so genuine as Superfruit, and our dynamic and friendship is so authentic and I think it’s sort of refreshing for people to listen to and watch,” Grassi added.

Hoying agrees, suggesting the joy is contagious because they are enjoying themselves as much as they appear to be in their music videos, as well as when they hit the stage.

“Our first rule with starting Superfruit was: This is for fun,” he reflected. “This is to be free and do whatever we want. So, let’s write stories that we want to write, let’s make videos that we want to make, let’s not put limitations on it. And not care so much about calculating it to where we think it might be more successful … And I think that’s why it feels so good to

the fans.”

And what can fans expect at their Charlotte Pride performance? For one thing, chances couldn’t be higher that you will hear your favorite song.

“We are doing literally every song we’ve ever released as Superfruit, so that’s something you can expect,” Grassi said, laughing.

“We interact with the audience a bit,” Hoying chimed in. “It’s a really good time, and it’s a very queer show. So, it’ll be perfect for Charlotte Pride.”

It’s an opportunity they don’t take lightly.

“We’ve done three or four prides,” Hoying shared. “Honestly, it’s unbelievable to be able to perform at prides.”

“To be able to headline a pride, and to perform and bring joy to these people that are having fun in their safe space is

an honor, and it’s a cool full circle moment that we’re performing at the prides we used to go to,” he said.

He said the fact that it’s taking place in the South makes it even more special for them.

“Growing up in the South, being gay was not completely accepted,” he recalled.

“I had never in my entire life seen two boys or two girls holding hands romantically growing up.”

“But going back to the South, I’m excited to perform being openly gay and being completely myself…something that… younger Scott certainly wouldn’t have ever dreamed could be possible.” : : For more on Superfruit, check out their videos on the group’s YouTube channel, at youtube.com/user/SUP3RFRUIT. For more on Charlotte Pride, visit charlottepride.org.

❝ Growing up in the South, being gay was not completely accepted. I had never in my entire life seen two boys or two girls holding hands romantically growing up. ❞ — Scott Hoying

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Q views Protecting your marriage, even if the Trump administration won’t

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

Legal Eagles

BY Libby James | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

We have to face facts. Right now, the future of marriage equality is uncertain.

Sure, marriage equality currently exists across the nation, but due to the Trump Administration as well as the retirement of Supreme Court Justices, progress made in many areas is in jeopardy. Is marriage equality one of the achievements that could now be rolled back? Will LGBTQ+ rights be preserved or overturned? None of us can say for sure. Quite frankly, lots of things have happened in the last couple of years that I can’t believe, so I wouldn’t be surprised at this point.

It’s important to understand that context when considering whether to create a premarital or post-nuptial agreement.

Premarital agreements are contracts that couples enter into when contemplating marriage. The agreement lays out how a couple intends to deal with property and spousal support if the marriage fails.

(Some also dictate how couples will behave during the marriage, but I think those are weird – seriously, who the hell legally contracts about doing the dishes?) Postnuptial agreements are similar, but they are entered into after the parties marry.

There are some more obscure rules about post-nuptial agreements, but they aren’t essential to know for our conversation.

The underlying reasons to have a premarital or post-nuptial agreement apply across all marriages. You may desire to protect your wealth, affirm the rules for spousal support if you divorce, or define certain obligations in the marriage.

For LGBTQ+ marriages that could be in jeopardy under the draconian policies of this administration, spouses can not only contract to protect wealth, but build in the same rights and responsibilities they currently have with marital equality. Your premarital agreement can create a marital estate, establish rules about property earned during the marriage, and outline rules for spousal support rights and estate rights.

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All of that can all be drafted in a premarital agreement to ensure that should the unthinkable happen to marriage equality at the U.S. Supreme Court, some of the rights and obligations you have lost are still protected in a legally binding contract.

Here’s one example. Your premarital or post-nuptial agreement can legally create a marital estate and determine how it would be divided in the event of a separation or divorce. The current definition of “marital property” in North Carolina is real property, such as land and buildings, or personal property, which means any property that can be moved. Marital property must be acquired during the marriage and before the date of separation. It also must be acquired with marital efforts and be property that the couple owns together.

An LQBTQ+ couple who wishes to have that definition of marital property, regardless of what happens to marital equality, should have it written in a premarital or post-nuptial agreement.

When you enter into the premarital or post-nuptial agreement, I highly recommend creating healthcare powers of attorney and wills at the same time. Those documents will ensure your spouse can make medical decisions for you or inherit your estate.

Essentially, for LGBTQ+ clients, I am advising them to presume all rights are in jeopardy and create contracts for the same rights that should be inalienable and immovable. I can’t believe I am having to give advice like this, but this is the day and age we unfortunately live in. : : Family law attorney Libby James with Horack Talley in Charlotte works with LGBTQ+ couples on a variety of family law matters. She is certified as a family law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Reach her at ljames@horacktalley.com.

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THC vs CBD Similar to THC, CBD is a compound derived from the marijuana plant and has a similar indication profile; it can help with pain, epilepsy, anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, and a variety of other medical conditions. Although a “brother” to THC, CBD is a distinct compound by itself. Because CBD binds to a completely different receptor, patients who use a CBD oil will not experience severe psycho-active symptoms, or “high” symptoms that are experienced

by THC patients. Due to the lack of psycho-active symptoms, CBD oils are less likely to be abused for recreational use compared to THC marijuana. Many CBD oils contain little-to-no THC and will not be detected in a urine drug test unless extreme amounts are utilized.

In the United States, each state has different regulations on the CBD:THC ratio required for CBD oil products. It is important to stay up-to-date on CBD laws in your state.

Current uses Currently, the FDA is exploring CBD oil as a new drug and investigating what it can be used for. Recent studies indicate that CBD primarily targets receptors in our immune system that control inflammation and pain in the body. This creates a numbing sensation to help control unpleasant chronic pain without

influencing the mind. CBD oils can come in a variety of patientfriendly dosage forms including: drops, capsules, teas, lotions, and even dog treats that can be purchased at local pharmacies and/or online. Most CBD patients use it to manage their pain and arthritis, and the FDA approved the use of CBD oils for epileptic patients, but as further research is conducted, more therapeutic possibilities come to the surface. Some physicians have also explored its role as a smoking cessation agent as well as to assist patients fight opioid addiction. Studies have also shown it to help with psychotic and mood disorders as well as type 1 diabetes mellitus. The possibilities seem to be endless.

What is Next for CBD? CBD has been a growing market for patients and physicians but there is still research to be done. Long term effects of the drug as well as special population (including pregnancy) considerations still need to be evaluated and understood. Nevertheless, CBD oils continue to surprise the medical field with new findings coming out every day. Stay tuned to find out what CBD can really do!

Talk to your local physician or pharmacist to see if CBD oil is right for you before use!

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Q a&e San Fran’s last male strip club to close in August

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

Charlotte’s Chasers transitioned away from adult entertainment after lost lawsuit in 2009

BY Matt Comer | STAFF WRITER

entertainment model.

The last remaining It was not granted a male strip club in San grandfather clause Francisco plans to host after a several-year its last night of entergrace period in which tainment on Sunday, businesses had to Aug. 19. comply with the new Nob Hill Theatre is rules. Chasers’ owner among just a handful sued in 2002, appealing of increasingly rare the case all the way to adult male entertainthe U.S. Supreme Court, ment venues across the which declined to hear country. San Fran used the case in November to have a second, the 2009. After the lost suit, Tea Room, which closed Chasers transitioned to two years ago after 35 more fully clothed goyears of operation. go dancers and added Nob Hill has been drag entertainment to in operation for 50 its line-up. : : years, and now its owners want to settle Photo Credit: Todd H./Yelp Read more about down. Proprietors Nob Hill Theatre from Larry Hoover, 65, and GayCities.com at gaycities.com/articles/44 Gary Luce, 63, will retire to Palm Springs. and Bay Area Reporter at ebar.com/news/ The owner of the building does not plan news//262173. Read more about Chasers’ to continue using it as an adult entertainlegal saga with the City of Charlotte from ment venue. qnotes at goqnotes.com/4554/.

The San Fran adult venue has been described as a “gay relic teetering on the edge of extinction.” It includes a 50-seat theatre, 20 video booths, a max, two private rooms for dancers and clients and private pole dance lounge.

Relatively few adult male entertainment venues still operate in the U.S., or even in Canada.

The closest adult male strip club to Charlotte is one of the nation’s most wellknown — Atlanta’s Swinging Richards.

Other well-known and popular clubs include Montreal’s Taboo, known for its twink dancers, and Lucky Horseshoe Lounge in Chicago’s Boystown.

Charlotte’s Chasers, located near NoDa, used to include nearly nude dancers and strippers. The club’s dancers even performed lap dances and private dances.

In 1994, new City of Charlotte zoning rules were written in such a way that Chasers could not continue its adult

Aug. 10-23 . 2018

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Q a&e It’s all a numbers game

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

Tell Trinity

BY Trinity | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Dear Trinity, As an American living in Montreal I’m finding gay men not nearly as friendly here as in the States. How do I get these self-absorbed gays to talk and/or eventually date me?

Thanks, The French DisConnection Montreal, QC

wine together, make a few toasts and then, Pumpkin, let him know that it’s time to hire himself a secretary, a maid and/or a therapist because (repeat after me), “You are my boyfriend, NOT my responsibility.” See my cartoon below for how I would handle a needy boyfriend.

Dear DisConnected, Living in a foreign country often creates cultural dilemmas. But in any country meeting potential dates is still a one-in-ten “numbers game”. That’s right Sweetie, even if nine froggies are shocked off their lily pads because of one little pushy American trying to find that one French prince, don’t be afraid! Just be your good ole, friendly American self. Hey, they have free health care — they can handle it!

Good Luck, Trinity Hey Trinity, My boyfriend’s great but he is SO needy, it’s often overwhelming. How do I tell him that sometimes he’s too much?

Too Much Austin, TX Hey Too Much, Most men ARE needy! Maybe it’s the milk! So, let’s have you open a bottle of

my ex who also introduced us. Help!

Yours, Guilty Green Bay, WI Hello Guilty, If you both like each other and at least one month has passed after the breakup then as a single human being there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go out with her.

Honey, it’s not like she’s your ex’s ex… or is she?

Hugs, Trinity Dearest Trinity, My boyfriend of eleven months recently dumped me via the phone. Doesn’t anyone in the gay world realize just how much work goes into a relationship? Isn’t it unfair?

Yours, Unfair Boulder, CO Dearest Unfair, After eleven months, the phone rings and he says, “You’re not what I wanted.”

And puff, you’re left alone to think, “WHAT, after all this you’re ending it on the PHONE?” That’s when it’s time to send:

Trinity’s In-Your-Face Reasons Why You Must Be Present With Someone When Breaking Up With Them Hello Trinity, Recently I dated a woman who introduced me to another woman shortly before we broke up. This woman has now been asking me out. I feel guilty knowing she knows

1. Because I WAITED patiently for your calls, emails, late arrivals, early departures and complicated voicemails.

2. Because I COOKED you dinner, lunch and breakfast.

3. Because I HELPED move your old stove, old boxes, old tires and old relatives.

4. Because I WOKE UP early, went to bed late, changed my plans, my times and my own work schedule just to fit yours.

5. Because I LISTENED to your infinite complaints about work, family, life and politics plus listened to YOUR music, watched YOUR TV and went to YOUR family outings, never mind listening to you burp, fart, sneeze and snore.

6. Because I DEALT WITH your drinking, 420ing, shyness and jealousy not to mention your addictions to eating, working and to Sex In The City reruns.

7. Because I WENT TO bad movies, loud concerts and boring art openings just because you asked me to.

8. Because I MASSAGED your tired back, wiped your crying eyes, helped cleaned your dirty house and washed your smelly laundry.

9. Because I TRIED tirelessly to say, feel and do the right thing, wear the right clothes and sleep in the right position while never complaining once!

10. Lastly, because I LET YOU teach me, train me, manipulate me and persuade me into believing how much you loved, cherished and cared about me…. And that’s why you need to be there when you break up with me!

With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking” a weekly radio drama, performed globally and is now a minister of WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings.

Sponsored by: WIG Ministries, www.wigministries.org Gay Spirituality for the Next Generation! Send emails to: trinity@telltrinity.com

Aug. 10-23 . 2018

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qnotes August 10-18 ‘Lizzie’

Hadley Theater at Queens University arts. entertainment. news. views.

2132 Radcliffe Ave., Charlotte Times vary The final days of the Actor’s Theater of Charlotte’s latest, an all-female rock musical based on the infamous tale of Lizzie Borden. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays, and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets start at $25. atcharlotte.org/lizzie

August 10 Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service

St. John’s Baptist Church 300 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte 4 p.m.

An annual Interfaith Service celebrating the LGBTQ community and its allies, featuring remarks from U.S. Rep. Alma Adams and N.C. Sen. Jeff Jackson, with clergy from more than 50 faith congregations across the region. St. John’s pastor Dennis Foust will also speak. A reception will follow immediately after the service. charlottepride.org/interfaith

August 14 Drag Trivia - Pride Edition

Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte 8 p.m.

Celebrate with a special Pridethemed edition of the longest-running Drag Trivia series, hosted by Onya, Ilean and Lana. No cover.

August 15 Pride Week Latinx Party

Bar Argon 4544 South Blvd., Charlotte 9 p.m.

Ven y disfruta de los mejores ritmos latinos, jello shots y especiales de bebida en el sur de Charlotte. Presentado por Orgullo-

events Charlotte Latin Pride y Charlotte Pride. / Come and enjoy the best Latin rhythms, jello shots and drink specials in South Charlotte!

Presented by Orgullo-Charlotte Latin Pride and Charlotte Pride. charlottepride.org/latin

August 16 Pride Cross Company Mixer

Bar Argon 4544 South Blvd., Charlotte 5:30-8 p.m.

The quarterly LGBTQ+ and Ally Cross Company Mixer meets for Pride Week. An opportunity to meet and mingle with colleagues and acquaintances from across more than 40 Charlotte area companies that support their LGBTQ+ and ally employees. facebook.com/queencityconnects

August 16 Classic Chocolate Truffle Workshop Potts Chocolate 619 S Cedar St., Charlotte 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Go behind-the-scenes with a master chocolatier and learn to make your own delicious confections at a small group event presented by FEAST Food Tours. feastfoodtours.com/events/chocolate-truffles

August 17 Best of Open Mic Celebration

McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 7:30 p.m.

Open mic audience favorites retake the stage for a night of all-star entertainment. Free admission. blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/ open-mic-night-26

August 17 ‘Over the Rainbow’ Pride Kickoff

Rooftop210 @ The Epicentre 210 E. Trade St. level 3, Charlotte 8-10 p.m.

Buff Faye headlines this extravagant multi-performer drag event to benefit Campus Pride. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the 9:30 show.

Tickets are $10. bit.ly/overtherainbowdrag

August-September 2018 Submit your events: editor@goqnotes.com

August 18 Pride Barn Dance

Bar Argon 4544 South Blvd., Charlotte 9 p.m.

Southern Country Charlotte kicks off Charlotte Pride weekend with a boot-scootin’ good time, featuring group and couples dances, drinks and fun! facebook.com/southerncountrycharlotte

August 18 Continues through August 19 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade

Uptown Charlotte Various Times Charlotte’s annual LGBTQ Pride festival and parade takes over Uptown Charlotte with two days of vendors, entertainment, food and more. Sunday’s parade runs 1-3 p.m. charlottepride.org See more featured Charlotte Pride events and highlights for the event page 6.

go-go and drag performers along with drink specials. Tickets $20. bit.ly/glorytdance

August 18 Pride Fest ft. Alyssa Edwards

August 22 – September 9 ‘The Lion King’

Rooftop210 @ the Epicentre 210 E. Trade St. #B320, Charlotte 7 p.m.-2 a.m.

The Vanity House and Rooftop 210 present Alyssa Edwards and the Vanity House cast: Erica Chanel, Jack Dahlia, and Pandora Mystére.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 10 p.m. show. Ticket prices $20-$75. bit.ly/pridefestdrag

August 18 Just Twirl Candyland Pride Party

Flight Beer Garden & Music Hall 314 N. College St., Charlotte 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.

DJ Joe Gauthreaux headlines. Ages 21+ with valid ID required. Ticket prices are $15 when purchased online through July 18, $20 through August 11, $25 thereafter.

A portion of proceeds will benefit Charlotte Pride and the Twirl to the World Foundation. bit.ly/candylandtwirl

August 19 Drag Me to Dinner

Vida Cantina 410 E. Trade St., Charlotte 7-10 p.m.

RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Coco Montrese and The Vanity House star performer Pandora Mystére headline this free event also featuring Erica Chanel, Jack Dahlia, Jinx Matthews, Skylar MichelleMonet and Paris Brooks-Bonet. bit.ly/dragmetodinner

August 15: ‘Drag 101’

‘America’s Got Talent’ alum Delighted Tobehere blends comedy, tell-all memoir, drag tutorial and her signature vocal performance into one unique show. Stage Door Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, 8 p.m. $30/advance. $35/door.

Tickets available online at: blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/drag-101

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August 19 Glory Sunday T-Dance

Rooftop 210 @ the Epicentre 210 E. Trade St. level 3, Charlotte 3-9 p.m.

Post-parade party featuring live DJ,

August 18: Big Freedia

The Queen of Bounce returns to take over the Queen City with special opening numbers from a diverse cast of local drag performers. The Underground at The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte, 8 p.m. 21+. $22. bigfreedia.com/tour/

Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte Times vary Disney’s Tony Award-winning musical returns to the Queen City.

Tickets start at $30. VIP packages available including premium seating, a souvenir program and official show merchandise. blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/ the-lion-king-1

August 23 ‘Let Her Rise’ Luncheon

Charlotte City Club 121 W. Trade St. #3200, Charlotte 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Deesha Dyer, former Social Secretary under the Obama administration, will be the keynote speaker at this North Carolina Justice Center event on gender equality in the workplace.

Congresswoman Alma Adams will be presented with a lifetime achievement award. Tickets are $100 and sponsorships are available starting at $250. ncjustice.org

August 24 Continues through August 25 South Carolina MSM HIV Prevention Institute

1066 Sunset Blvd.

West Columbia, S.C. The conference marks “10 Years of Empowerment, Enlightenment, and Education” as it brings together clinicians, social workers, community and service organizations, health departments, advocates and academics. Registration is $50 and scholarships are available. bit.ly/prevention2018

August 25 The Charlotte 48 Hour Film Project: General Screenings Knight Gallery at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte 2:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

View this year’s entire collection of local filmmakers’ works completed in under 48 hours. Tickets $15. blumenthalarts.org

August 25 Chae Buttuh & DJ FemitheFemme

The Artist Bloc 1020 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

Rising trap star Chae Buttuh performs followed by house from DJ FemitheFemme. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Tickets $8 online until Aug. 19, $10 at the door. bit.ly/chaefemme

September 7-15 ‘Confidence (and the Speech)’

Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square 345 N. College St., Charlotte Thursday 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 p.m.

Charlotte’s Off-Broadway presents a new work inspired by President Jimmy Carter’s 1979 Crisis of Confidence speech. The story challenges conceptions of gender as, in the present day, a woman relates her experience as a White House employee at the time of the speech by taking on the role of president, while the young man who’s asked for her recollections adopts the mantle of the then-staffer herself. $25/advance or $32/door. Pay-what-you-can preview, September 6. blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/ confidence-and-the-speech

About our new calendar:

Our new calendar is designed to give you more diverse options for events in the community. Have one to submit? Email editor@goqnotes.com.

REGULAR EVENTS Charlotte Latin Pride

Spanish-language support nights, second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., Charlotte Pride offices at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte.

Q life

qnotes arts. entertainment. news. views.

Innercise: Emotional Wellness Health & Wellness: In My Fillings

info: charlottepride.org/latin/

PFLAG Charlotte

Support meetings, second Monday of each month, 6:30-8 p.m., Time Out Youth Center, 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte.

info: pflagcharlotte.org

Prime Timers

Monthly meeting including dinner, speaker, games and more for gay men ages 21 and up, 5-7 p.m., Park Road Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3900 Park Rd., Charlotte. info: primetimersww.com/charlotte/

Trans Youth Group

Weekly discussion groups for transgender youth ages 13-20 each Thursday, 4:30-6 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte.

info: timeoutyouth.org

Transcend Charlotte

Support groups for partners, friends and family of transgender and gender non-conforming adults ages 18 and older, second and fourth Sundays of each month, 6-7 p.m., Time Out Youth Center, 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte.

info: transcendcharlotte.org

Youth Drop-In Space

Drop-in space Monday-Friday, 3-6:30 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. info: timeoutyouth.org

Youth Discussion Group

Weekly discussion groups for LGBTQ youth ages 13-20 each Wednesday, 6:308:30 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte.

info: timeoutyouth.org

Youth of Color Group

Weekly discussion groups for LGBTQ and ally people of color each Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m., 3800 Monroe Rd., Charlotte.

info: timeoutyouth.org

UPDATES/ADDITIONS?

Do you have a regular and reoccurring community event you’d like listed? A listing to update? Email us at editor@ goqnotes.com.

BY Jack Kirven | CONTRIBUTING WRITER As a reminder, this is a wellness column, so the focus isn’t always fitness and nutrition. From time to time I address what I call innercise as opposed to exercise. This entry will be an opportunity for me to talk myself through a trigger, and hopefully something in it will resonate with you when you experience something similar.

Recently a dentist in Greenville, SC went viral after doing a dance for whatever new social media challenge is going around. Within a week he got 50M hits, and it’s easy to see why. He exudes a swaggering heteronormative masculinity that’s intoxicating (if you’re into that sorta scene, which I am). For better or worse, I feel like I have to qualify my preference in this current lust shaming culture: Yes, I’m attracted to openly and obviously gay men. No, I’ve never been dismissive of potential dating or hookup partners specifically for being flamboyant. Now, with that out of the way: This dentist was hot as hell, and I might chip a tooth just to have an excuse to go stay the night at my best friend Becky’s house and go to his office.

Yes, I’m kinda creepy like that. I’ve learned to embrace it.

Anyway, the dentist triggered me. He triggered me hard. When I watched the video for the first time to see what the furor was about, he came sauntering on screen from around a corner, and I felt something punch me in the chest so hard that I felt the wind knocked out of me. For a few moments I thought it was my ex.

They look that similar.

In 2016 I came out of the hospital and later wrote an article about surviving a botched attempt at self harm (see: goqnotes.com/52985/). Everything has been much, much better since then. Nothing like that has happened since, and this video didn’t trigger something like that.

I know the common assumption is that men crave constant variety, and perhaps even anonymity in sex. That definitely isn’t my first preference. Despite my reputation

for cynicism, what I truly like is devoted intimacy and deep, passionate connection.

That’s what cranks my gears. If I fetishize anything, it’s kindness. I guess my kink is romance? Anyway, my fantasy life revolves around men for whom I’ve had very strong emotional attachment (whether it was reciprocal or not).

I haven’t been dating much in the intervening two years. I wouldn’t want to inflict myself on anyone, plus I’ve been working really hard to build two businesses.

Because of this, embarrassing as it is, no one has yet had the opportunity displace the most recent passionate attachment I felt. In other words, I’ve never really and truly stopped desiring my ex. Not all the terrible parts. The good parts. The promise of domestic stability, affection, and hot sex. Period. It’s the truth.

So, here comes the sexy dentist, and suddenly I was finally compelled to do something passive aggressive. I searched out my ex on Facebook. He makes it difficult, because he values privacy so much.

But where there’s a will, there’s a way. I didn’t want to friend him, so I saw only a few pictures. One had some likes, and I felt a twinge of intense jealousy. “Who’s liking his pics????!” One of the likes was his best friend.

I did what any stalker with an ounce of ingenuity does: I sent a message to his best friend. “OMG! I can’t believe I found

you while looking for someone else!

Who would’ve thought? OMG OMG blah blah blah…” I can’t tell yet if I hope he replies to or not. Part of me hopes he’ll just delete, block, and/or ignore my message.

Why did I send it? Because in the moment I wanted his friend to ask me how I was, so that I could gush a litany of successes that I knew he’d immediate report to my ex. And why would that still matter? Because I’d bet money my ex slandered me to all his trashy, alcoholic friends. It’s not that I care so much about what those people think. What still festers evidently is that my ex convinced me that I’m lazy, confrontational, mean, and to some degree perhaps even stupid.

That’s the part I want resolution for.

At least I did in that moment. Generally, I don’t need or want it. But these are the moments when you have to look at yourself and evaluate whether or not you’ve actually grown as a person.

Was it immature and weak to contact this person? Yes. Was it petty? Yes. Can I do better? Yes. Have I reminded myself why this is a poor choice? Yes. Will I do it again? I hope not.

What is the point of this? Obviously we aren’t perfect. In our process toward wellness there will be advances and failures.

The accomplishments are balanced with disappointments. Frustration is part of it.

Without these moments, I’m not sure we can grow. We have to be tested, and when we fail, we have to learn.

This is a moment to remember to show myself compassion. I faltered. It happens.

It will happen again, but right now I’ve remember the lesson. : : Jack Kirven completed the MFA in Dance at UCLA, and earned certification as a personal trainer through NASM. His wellness philosophy is founded upon integrated lifestyles as opposed to isolated workouts. Visit him at jackkirven.com and INTEGRE8Twellness.com.

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