YES! Weekly - October 4, 2023

YOUR ENTERTAINMENT SOURCE

4 REEL SEAFOOD GRILL provides an exceptionally wide variety of seafoods, prepared in a somewhat restrained style that allows natural flavors to stand in the forefront. You will never have to wonder what you are eating here.

6 This Halloween season, the RiverRun International Film Festival’s ongoing “ RIVERRUN RETRO” screening series will present two classics at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem: Georges Franju’s 1959 chiller Eyes Without a Face (Les yeux sans visage) followed by the immortal King Kong (1933).

8 RiverRun International Film Festival will present a free, in-person screening of SILVER DOLLAR ROAD on Sunday, Octo-

ber 8 at Marketplace Cinemas in WinstonSalem.

10 OK, so if Biden drops out, what are ROY COOPER’s chances of being the Democratic nominee in 2024? It’s hard to say. True, Cooper has proven that he can win elections, but only by a razor-thin margin the first time around because he threw Pat McCrory under the bus...

12 One doesn’t so much watch EXPEND4BLES as simply look at it. There are explosions, some bigger than others. There are shoot-outs, some bloodier than others.

18 On Monday, JAMES UPCHURCH announced his immediate resignation from the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

20 Folk-grungers WHEN WE’RE SOBER are making plans: gearing up for both spooky shenanigans and a winter recording season with a full-length due come spring.

5500 Adams Farm Lane Suite 204 Greensboro, NC 27407 O ce 336-316-1231 Fax 336-316-1930

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EDITORIAL

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We at YES! Weekly realize that the interest of our readers goes well beyond the boundaries of the Piedmont Triad. Therefore we are dedicated to informing and entertaining with thought-provoking, debate-spurring, in-depth investigative news stories and features of local, national and international scope, and opinion grounded in reason, as well as providing the most comprehensive entertainment and arts coverage in the Triad. YES! Weekly welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however YES! Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. YES! Weekly is published every Wednesday by Womack Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free, all additional copies are $1.00. Copyright 2023 Womack Newspapers, Inc.

Michael Tourek has come a long way in the 15 years since he won “Hottest Bartender, Male” in YES! Weekly’s annual Triad’s Best contest.

3 Greensboro-based writer Deonna Kelli Sayed will premiere her new solo performance work, “ AMERICAN BODY,” October 12-15 at the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre in the Greensboro Cultural Center.

Greensboro-based writer Deonna Kelli

Sayed will premiere her new solo performance work, “American Body,” October 12-15 at the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre in the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St through a Stephen D. Hyers residency with Creative Greensboro with support from The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. Tickets are available at www.creativegreensboro.com or on the event page

“American Body” is an original solo show written and performed by Sayed that explores how our bodies impact the way we experience belonging in America. Through 11 different characters, Sayed humorously reveals how size, race, the American diet, and ancestral history intrudes upon our bodies. She revisits her childhood in the Florida panhandle, wears a hijab in the Muslim world, and consults her indigenous Catawba ancestors to reveal the stories of an “imperfect” American physique. “American Body” is directed by Nicole Lungerhausen.

This marks Lungerhausen’s directorial debut after 10+ years of professional theatre in San Francisco. She recognizes “American Body” brings something new and different to the Triad. “Greensboro has such a vibrant arts scene and American Body is going to add to that vibrancy by being one of the first original solo shows performed in our city. It’s a thrill to be able to connect local audiences with Deonna’s amazing work and with

the highly personal and intimate vibes of a solo show experience,” she says. Sayed is a published author and is excited to experiment with theatre. “This show combines writing and performance — a first for me — and I hope to encourage conversations about what it means to belong in America at this contested cultural moment,” she shares.

Sayed is an author, TEDx speaker, and performer. She is the author of “Para-

normal Obsession: America’s Fascination with Ghosts & Hauntings, Spooks & Spirits.” Her work is featured in “Love, Inshallah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women,” “Everywhere Stories: Short Fiction From a Small Planet, Volume III,” and “New Moons: Contemporary Writing by North American Muslims.” “American Body” is her first solo show. She is the PEN America North Carolina Piedmont Representative and works for the Triad Health Project. Learn more at deonnaiswriting. com .

For more information, contact Deonna Kelli Sayed at deonna@deonnaiswriting.com . !

Founded in 2019, CREAT IVE GREENSBORO provides support for, ensures access to and drives awareness of Greensboro’s creative community. Through a range of programs, services and partnerships, Creative Greensboro supports the development of a vibrant city. To learn more, visit creativegreensboro.com

Burning down the (opera) house on October 20, 22 & 24, 2023

The Stevens Center of the UNCSA Winston-Salem, NC

PiedmontOpera.org

Tickets start at $20.

Piedmont Opera presents Grammy-Award winning & UNCSA alum Tichina Vaughn in Verdi's

Chow Down with John Batchelor at Reel Seafood Grill

BY JOHN BATCHELOR

Reel Seafood Grill provides an exceptionally wide variety of seafoods, prepared in a somewhat restrained style that allows natural flavors to stand in the forefront. You will never have to wonder what you are eating here. Seafoods are brought in fresh, usually whole fish that are trimmed in the kitchen. Owners Todd Benton and Steve Stern have both been present for a long time on the local restaurant scene.

Large, model fishing reels hang from the ceiling, reinforcing the restaurant’s theme. A life-size marlin gazes down from one wall. A long bar provides full meal service, especially convenient for single diners, in addition to conventional (unclothed) tables and chairs. A small vase on each table holds fresh flowers. Patio seating is attractive in appropriate weather.

The wine list merits particular commendation for variety, quality, and reasonable pricing. Myriad artisan beers and polished mixed drinks round out adult beverage services.

Although the ambiance is casual, reservations are accepted, which makes this place significantly more attractive than anywhere I have to stand in line. A chalkboard provides the day’s additions to the set menu, which is accurate and up-to-date on the website. It’s nice to be able to plan ahead.

I like to start most meals here with shrimp — a small portion, fried. This kitchen uses an unusually light corn meal and flour coating, delightfully crisp, the shrimp themselves tender, never overcooked. Larger portions, of course, make for a fine main course.

Prince Edward Island Mussels and Middleneck Clams, tender and flavorful, are presented in an absolutely luscious broth of white wine, cream, and garlic. Two toasted brioche halves on the side soak up that broth.

My wife and I both like the Smoked Trout platter, the mild smoky flavor of the fish accented with capers, pickled red onions, dill mayonnaise, and chipotle aioli, crisp crostini on the side.

In any seafood specialty restaurant, oysters must play a central role. Here, a chalkboard behind the bar lists the day’s fresh selections, available raw, steamed, baked, or char-grilled. Roasted Oysters, on the menu, are served in the half shell on rock salt, dabbed with Woodford Reserve

bourbon butter, a dish of hot hushpuppies in the center. I dipped hushpuppies in the butter after I ate each oyster. If you are so inclined, a full-fried oyster dinner entrée is also o ered.

Seafood Chowder is welcome anytime, but especially so as the weather cools. Reel’s version incorporates fresh fish (trimmings, usually from grouper, salmon, snapper, and halibut), and a shellfish (usually clams), in cream broth with celery, carrots, onions, and peas. Salads here are particularly enjoyable. Caprese uses large slices of ripe German Johnson tomato, fresh from the farmers market, layered with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves, drizzled with mellow balsamic vinegar and quality extra virgin olive oil. Goat Cheese Salad is a visual knockout, with flavor to match, a product of warmed goat cheese, blueberries, strawberries, walnuts, and dried cherries, dressed in honey-lime vinaigrette plus a little balsamic drizzle, all in a bed of mixed leaf lettuces. The House Salad is good, too, utilizing leaf lettuces, shaved carrot and cucumber, plus tomato wedges.

The Sesame Flounder entrée is a perennial staple in my diet. A light coating of crushed wheat crackers and sesame seeds forms a crust for the fish, dredged in egg wash, then sautéed crisp in sesame oil. Halibut Piccata provides the classic treatment- adding thinly sliced onions, plus capers, lemon and white wine sauce.

Monk Fish is a scary-looking beast, its big mouth lined with rows of spiky teeth.

I’ve seen large heads displayed at Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, with a string concealed under its jaws. A guy jerks the string when onlookers get close, producing requisite jumps and squeals. Remove the ugly, unnerving head, however, and you get a mild white flesh, the texture and flavor akin to lobster. Reel places seared cut pieces in Dijonnaise sauce with lump crab meat and tomatoes.

Trout Almondine is named for a coating of crushed almonds. Reel’s kitchen sautés this to a brown crust, yielding exceptional nutty flavor, which marries really well with the taste of the trout. Accent it with a little fresh lemon juice (provided).

Diver Scallops are large, perfectly browned, but buttery-tender in texture. They rest in a classic meuniere sauce (brown butter, lemon juice, and parsley).

A couple of o -menu specials proved equally gratifying. Black Grouper, caught o the Carolina coast (OK, the fish don’t know where the state lines are, but the

Roasted Oysters

Mussels and Clams

Goat Cheese Salad

boat operators do) had been pan-sautéed and served over egg linguini with pesto from basil grown in the restaurant’s patio garden, along with cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and Parmesan cheese. Fish and Chips was prepared from Alaskan Black Cod, a very good white fish, dredged in buttermilk and seasoned flour, and flash-fried to a light, crisp crust. Steak fries and hushpuppies were the accompaniments.

If you don’t want seafood, Reel can accommodate you with a Black Angus Ribeye steak, pan-seared with rosemary and garlic. Surf and Turf is the other meat entrée. You can select a crab cake, shrimp, or snow crab legs for the surf pairing. A few entrées come with pre-selected vegetables, but in most cases, you choose from a sides list — cole slaw (cut fresh, inhouse), crisp hushpuppies, pickled beets, roasted sweet potato, garlic mashed potatoes, and a sautéed medley of squash, zucchini, carrot, and cauliflower.

Although I did not have dessert on any of these most recent visits, past experience mandates a special recommendation for Key Lime Pie. You won’t go wrong with any of the other desserts, either. All are prepared from scratch, in-house. Dedicated spaces in the parking lot fa-

cilitate takeout, a service I utilize often in addition to the occasional sit-down visit. Fall menu additions will debut this week. Reel remains a personal favorite, a status it has occupied for quite a long time. !

JOHN BATCHELOR has been writing about eating and drinking since 1981. Over a thousand of his articles have been published. He is also author of two travel/ cookbooks: Chefs of the Coast: Restaurants and Recipes from the North Carolina Coast, and Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants and Recipes from Western North Carolina. Contact him at john.e.batchelor@gmail.com or see his blog, johnbatchelordiningandtravel.blogspot.com.

WANNA go?

Reel Seafood Grill

2002 New Garden Road Greensboro 27410 336-617-4200

reelseafoodgrill.com

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Appetizers: $12-$20

Salads: $6-$16

Soups: $6/cup-$12/bowl

Entrees: $26-$45

Desserts: $8

Most recent visit: September 22

Fried Shrimp

Smoked Trout

Trout Almondine Fish and Chips

RiverRun scares up a pair of classic Halloween treats at Marketplace Cinemas

This Halloween season, the RiverRun International Film Festival’s ongoing “RiverRun Retro” screening series will present two classics at Marketplace

Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem: Georges Franju’s 1959 chiller Eyes

Without a Face (Les yeux sans visage) will be screened 8 p.m. on Oct. 14th, followed by the immortal King Kong (1933), celebrating its 90th anniversary, 8 pm Oct. 21st. Tickets for each presentation are $12 (general admission) and $6 (students with valid ID) and are available at https://riverrunfilm.com/.

“This time of year is, of course, the perfect time to bring a little fright to the movies,” said Rob Davis, RiverRun executive director. “These two films are the perfect ‘RiverRun Retro’ selections for October, and hope that our bravest film fans will come out and enjoy seeing them with us at Marketplace. We are very pleased to provide a rare opportunity for folks to see these horror classics on the big screen. Last year’s Halloween o erings were big hits with our audiences! Both films, Beetlejuice and Nosferatu, drew over 100 people.”

Not unlike Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom (1960), Franju’s Eyes Without a Face was widely misunderstood and even dismissed by critics upon its release. Pierre Brasseur stars as a brilliant (and rather mad) scientist who attempts to restore the facial beauty of his disfigured daughter (Edith Scob). To this end, he and his assistant (Alida Valli), kidnap

and murder young women, grafting their features onto his daughter — with increasingly horrific results. Crassly retitled The Horror Chamber of Doctor Faustus, this dubbed, re-edited version played drive-in double bills throughout the 1960s, yet it influenced numerous filmmakers over the years — as well as Billy Idol’s hit 1984 song “Eyes Without a Face.” It was only years later that the uncut version was recognized as a classic of psychological terror. The film will be shown in French with English subtitles and will be introduced by film historian Renata Jackson.

“Eyes Without a Face endures as a classic because it still packs an emotional punch!” Jackson said. “As a horror/ thriller, it plays with the ‘mad doctor’ motif in a compelling and cinematic way, through Franju’s creative choices in the look of the film, its sound design and score, and its hauntingly e ective performances. “I’m always delighted when Rob Davis asks me to intro a film at a RiverRun screening! I’ve recently retired from teaching film history and aesthetics at the UNCSA School of Filmmaking, so this gives me the opportunity to continue to share with interested audiences my love of the cinema.”

“Eyes Without a Face is a film I’ve wanted to show on the big screen for a number of years as it is truly one of the least known and seen horror classics,” explained Davis. “Eyes Without a Face is a film that would go on to influence countless horror films in the future. This

is truly a film that once seen, will never be forgotten.”

King Kong hardly needs an introduction. It is without question one of the most acclaimed, beloved fantasy films of all time. If Eyes Without a Face took time to be recognized as a classic, King Kong was instantly recognized as one. This peerless adventure, often imitated but never duplicated, follows an expedition to the mysterious Skull Island undertaken by adventurer/filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong). It is there that the mighty Kong, an enormous ape, is discovered, and ultimately transported back to New York City, where the creature’s tragic fate is ultimately sealed. This screening will be introduced by Woodrow “Woody” Hood, director of film and marketing studies at Wake Forest University.

“I think most everyone has seen King Kong on television as it has undeniably made its claim as one of the classic horror/monster films,” said Davis. “One of my favorite stories is how Fay Wray came to be Kong’s leading lady. Supposedly, producer/director Merian C. Cooper told her he had lined up Hollywood’s ‘darkest, tallest leading man’ to co-star with her. She was envisioning Cary Grant and instead ended up with Kong! Kong has truly been a significant influence in pop culture for the past 90 years.” (Indeed, Fay Wray is widely acclaimed as the first “scream queen” of the movies.)

“King Kong endures for many reasons,” explained Hood. “The original King

Mark Burger Contributor

Kong was released in 1933, and its stopmotion animation was groundbreaking for the time. Kong’s movements were surprisingly fluid and realistic, and the film’s special e ects still hold up well today. Kong is a complex and sympathetic character. He is a powerful and majestic creature, but he is also vulnerable and misunderstood. We fear him. We love him. We mourn him in the end. A classic hero storyline. King Kong explores themes that are universal and timeless, such as love, loss, greed, and the power of nature. King Kong is a thrilling adventure film with plenty of action and suspense. From Kong’s battle with the T-Rex on Skull Island to his rampage through New York City, the film is packed with big creature action.

“It’s good to work with RiverRun again,” Hood added. “We are so lucky to have a well-respected film festival in town that has ventured outside of independent cinema to include classic movies in their ‘RiverRun Retro’ series. “Teaming up with RiverRun to o er

Halloween films is becoming one of my favorite special events,” said Zack Fox, Marketplace Cinemas general manager.

“Last year’s Beetlejuice and Nosferatu had tremendous attendance. I am particularly excited about the original King Kong being shown on the big screen for its 90th anniversary — truly a core film that influenced so many generations of filmmakers. It’ll be a joy to share it on the big screen again.”

The festival will also be presenting a free screening of Raoul Peck’s awardwinning feature documentary Silver Dollar Road at 4 p.m. Sunday at Marketplace Cinemas. To register for free tickets, visit https://riverrunfilm.com/silverdollarroad/.

The 26th annual RiverRun International Film Festival is scheduled for April 1827, 2024. The o cial website is https:// riverrunfilm.com/. !

See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.

TUE: 1/2 Price Wine | WED: $3 Draft

THU: $6 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball

Eyes Without A Face

King Kong

King Kong

Eyes Without A Face

RiverRun to Present Free Screening of Silver Dollar Road October 8 Film recently had world premiere at 2023 Toronto Film Festival

RiverRun International Film Festival will present a free, in-person screening of Silver Dollar Road on Sunday, October 8 at Marketplace Cinemas in Winston-Salem. Being shown in advance of its upcoming release on Amazon Prime, this documentary from Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck tells the story of a Black family in North Carolina that has battled decades of harassment by land developers trying to seize the family’s waterfront property, known locally as Silver Dollar Road. For generations, the property was passed through the hands of an African American family, the Reels, who describe the property as an idyllic spot where they could earn a living fishing and growing their own food, while isolating themselves from the violence of white supremacy. But the family’s fortunes changed in the 1970s when developers sought to drive out Black landowners and profit from their real estate.

Peck’s depiction of the Reels includes

a profile of matriarch Gertrude Reels in her nineties and sons Melvin Davis and Licurtis Reels. The men lived all their lives on Silver Dollar Road, so then they are served with court ordered eviction notice in their sixties and fifties, respectively, they choose going to jail rather than giving up their home. As the case makes its way through the courts, we witness how power is wielded against Black families in ways both blatant and subtle, but the Reels never give up their fight conveying why the land means more to them than any developers o er.

“RiverRun has a long history of telling North Carolina stories,” said Mary Dossinger, RiverRun’s programming director.

“Raoul Peck has done a masterful job telling the complex story of the Reels family, and we are proud to be able to show his work on October 8.”

Free tickets for this virtual screening are available at riverrunfilm.com.

Silver Dollar Road is presented with support of The RiverRun International

Film Festival BIPOC Fellowship, which is a sponsored project of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and funded through ARPA supported by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

SPONSORS

The sponsors of the RiverRun International Film Festival help sustain the organization’s mission to foster a greater appreciation of cinema and a deeper understanding of the many people, cultures, and perspectives of our world through regular interaction with great films and filmmakers. Festival sponsors include:

Title & Presenting Sponsors — Forsyth County, Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, City of Winston-

Salem, Millennium Fund, UNCSA Marquee Sponsors — Kilpatrick

Townsend Attorneys at Law, Nelson Mullins, North Carolina Arts Council, PNC

The 2024 RiverRun International Film Festival will take place April 18-27, celebrating 26 years. !

THE RIVERRUN International Film Festival is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the role of cinema as a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints. Founded in 1998, RiverRun is a competitive event that annually showcases new films from both established and emerging filmmakers around the world. Each spring, RiverRun screens new narrative, documentary, short, student and animated films, o ering both audience and jury prizes in competition categories.

WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP

SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS IS BACK AT A/PERTURE CINEMA

BY LAWREN DESAI

The long-running South Arts program connects US-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South for screenings and conversations around important stories and the art of filmmaking. This season, the Southern Circuit embraces a new approach to the circuit model for more intentional connections among filmmaking teams and Screening Partners. Southern Circuit screenings feature conversations between members of the filmmaking teams and local audiences exploring the films’ stories, topics, and filmmaking process.

a/perture cinema has been presenting this program of award-winning films to the Piedmont Triad since 2018 and is pleased to o er another year of exceptional and topical films. Themes among this season’s selections include the preservation of radical culture, justice movements, and climate gentrification. The series kicked o in September and will run through April 2024 featuring six documentaries. All films are free and include a post film Q&A with filmmaker. Advance registration strongly encouraged for these events.

One Pint at a Time – October 25

Today, Black-owned breweries make up less than 1% of the nearly 9,000 breweries in operation. Eager to shift the historical perception of who makes and drinks beer, Black brewers across the country are reshaping the craft beer industry and the future of America’s favorite adult beverage.

The Only Doctor – November 29

Telling a contemporary story of rural healthcare in the United States, the film centers on Dr. Karen Kinsell, who for nearly 20 years has been the only doctor in a Southwest Georgia county.

Freedom Hill – January 17

Exploring the environmental racism that is washing away the town of Princeville, North Carolina, this story is seen through the lens of Marquetta Dickens, a Princeville native who recently moved

back to help save her hometown.

Breaking the News – February 13 Founders, Emily Ramshaw and Amanda Zamora along with Editor-atLarge Errin Haines and a scrappy group of fearless women and LGBTQ+ journalists band together to buck the status quo and launch The 19th*, a digital news start-up.

After Sherman – March 27 Beautifully layered and expressionistic, sharing a story about inheritance and the tension that defines our collective American history, especially Black history.

We Will Speak – April 3

Exploring the nuanced ways the Cherokee language is vital to maintaining a unique cultural identity and relationship with the world, through intimate interviews, vérité footage of community gatherings, and extensive archival materials.

a/perture cinema screens over 250 films each year and the programming regularly features festival award winners, world cinema masterpieces, essential documentaries, and groundbreaking films from new voices. a/perture regularly hosts one-night special events featuring music films, filmmaker visits and community collaborations with panels and special guests. Join us this Fall for new films including The Royal Hotel, TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR, Killers of the Flower Moon, Anatomy of a Fall and The Holdovers.

For more information and tickets please visit aperturecinema.com.

ack in the day of brokered political conventions, it was common for some states to place the name of a “favorite son” into nomination for president on the first ballot. This was done largely for one of two reasons. One was to give their state leverage in seeking concessions from the current front-runner, and the other was to simply recognize and honor an outstanding elected official for his service to the state.

In 1964 America was still reeling from the assassination of John Kennedy, and there was no doubt that JFK’s Vice President, Lyndon Johnson, who had been sworn in on a flight from Dal-

Roy Cooper for President?

Blas just months earlier, would be the Democratic Party’s nominee. Even so, the North Carolina delegation nominated Governor Terry Sanford on the first ballot, mainly as a way of recognizing Terry for his anti-poverty and education programs, and for his stand on civil rights. But the ceremonial nod to Sanford had an interesting back story that was unknown to the public.

In her book, “Kennedy and Johnson,” JFK’s private secretary Evelyn Lincoln recounted a conversation she had with her boss just days before his assassination. Kennedy told her that he was thinking of naming Terry Sanford as his running mate in 1964, but that, “It will not be Lyndon.” Had JFK survived, then Sanford would have probably been on the ticket and perhaps would have become president in 1968. It was not to be. However, Sanford did make an official run for the White House in 1972, but his campaign fizzled after he lost the North Carolina primary to George Wallace.

Truth is, it is rare for anyone hailing from North Carolina to become president. Only two, James Polk and Andrew Johnson, got to sit in the Oval Office, and Johnson was so inept (the first president to be impeached) that he jinxed it for other North Carolina presidential aspirants to follow. Just ask John Edwards whose campaign imploded when it was discovered that he had produced a child from an extra-marital affair. But if we are to believe a recent report from CNN, then the Tarheel State might have a chance to break the jinx. That’s because when listing top Democrats who might be a viable candidate for president in 2024 should Joe Biden drop out, the name “ROY COOPER” was mentioned prominently.

So how likely is it that Uncle Joe will decide not to seek a second term? A few months ago, the answer to that question was, “not likely.” But two things happened recently that could change the equation. First, the latest polls now consistently show Trump beating Biden in a 2024 re-match. Second, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius opined that Biden should not seek re-election and that Kamala Harris should probably not be the Democratic standard-bearer either. This was a monumental blow to Biden because Ignatius is one of the most respected journalists in the nation and is a White House favorite. History will tell, but Ignatius’ bombshell may prove to be the most significant news media influencer on presidential politics

since Walter Cronkite reported that the war in Vietnam was lost, leading LBJ not to seek re-election in 1968. Reportedly Johnson told his aides, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.”

OK, so if Biden drops out, what are Roy Cooper’s chances of being the Democratic nominee in 2024? It’s hard to say. True, Cooper has proven that he can win elections, but only by a razor-thin margin the first time around because he threw Pat McCrory under the bus for creating the “Bathroom Bill,” when in fact McCrory did no such thing. In fact, Pat tried to derail it. Cooper also gained both praise and criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporters say Cooper helped to save lives by ordering non-essential personnel to shelter at home, and later by imposing mask mandates and enforcing socially distant public gatherings. But the Governor acted unilaterally in extending his pandemic policies when he should have sought consensus from the council of state to do so. The lengthy shutdown caused thousands of small businesses to close forever, the effect of which we’re still feeling today. On the plus side, Cooper maintains a façade of the genial Southern gentleman who’s moderate enough to appeal to a national electorate, much as Jimmy Carter did in 1976.

Of course, Joe Biden must first step down in order for Roy Cooper to step up. If that happens, Cooper would face a slew of Democratic contenders, several of whom already enjoy the kind of name recognition that Roy lacks. Still, America seems to love Southern governors, at least for a while. We proved that by electing Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush. I just don’t know if I could get used to calling Roy Cooper, “Mr. President.” I might have to, though, providing that Biden drops out and that Roy doesn’t have a baby out of wedlock. !

JIM LONGWORTH is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15) and streaming on WFMY+.

Jim Longworth Longworth at Large

Mavis Staples donna the buffalo kabaka pyramid

ne doesn’t so much watch Expend4bles as simply look at it. There are explosions, some bigger than others. There are shoot-outs, some bloodier than others. There are wisecracks, some wheezier than others. And then it’s over … and not a moment too soon.

The first Expendables, released in 2010, was an enjoyable throwback to those testosterone-fueled macho-men action movies that proliferated — on the big screen but particularly on home video — throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. Its success, not surprisingly, prompted inferior but enjoyable follow-ups (2012 and 2014, respectively). Now, after festering in

Expend4bles: A franchise in free fall

O“development hell” for the better part of a decade, the fourth installment comes lumbering and stumbling along.

Sylvester Stallone and producer Jason Statham are back aboard, as are Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture, as those grizzled, chiseled mercenaries who trade weary wisecracks when not dishing out considerable damage and destruction. The original advertisements had Stallone billed last, but more recent ones have upped his billing to second — just beneath Statham’s. Let’s just say that Stallone’s participation here is rather limited, to say the least.

The team is recruited to retrieve some nuclear detonators in Libya, but the mission goes wrong, and the detonators fall into the hands of resident baddie Rahmat (Iko Uwais). Statham’s Lee Christmas is summarily replaced by Megan Fox’s Gina, who also happens to be his on-again/ o -again girlfriend, by CIA honcho Marsh (Andy Garcia), which o ers a pretty good indication that military intelligence is a contradiction in terms.

In addition to Garcia, Fox, and Uwais,

newcomers to the fold include Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Jacob Scipio, and Levy Tran, who foregoes traditional body armor so that her tattoos are prominently displayed. As always, Fox is eyes on the eyes, but her performance is a whole di erent matter. Her expression never changes, whether she’s issuing orders, engaging in (weak) banter, or being told an atomic bomb is ticking away. Maybe she’s acting tough or maybe she can’t act. Tony Jaa turns up midway through as what might be called an Expendable “addendum”; he’s not an o cial member but he lends a hand. To its meager credit, Expend4bles allows Uwais and Jaa more exposure in the American marketplace. The rest of the cast just goes through the motions, and after this and The Meg 2 Statham may do well to steer clear of sequels.

Under the uninspired direction of Scott Waugh, there’s plenty of action for undiscriminating adrenaline junkies. Some sequences are competently handled but others look remarkably cheap, particularly for a film reported to have cost $100 million. Even though the Expendables are betrayed — not once, but twice — and even though failure could result in World War III, nothing ever feels at stake.

If The Equalizer 3 represents a franchise in coast mode and A Haunting in Venice a franchise that remains fresh, Expend4bles is running on fumes. The series is on life support, it’s time to pull the plug, and this installment does an exemplary job of doing just that. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.

Mark Burger

Contributor

APT. 3D (Indican Pictures): Also released as Apartment 3-D and simply Apt, this intriguing low-budget thriller stars Zack Imbrogno (making his feature debut as writer/producer/co-director/ star) and Maxxe Sternbaum (making her feature debut as co-producer/editor/ star) as a young couple experiencing strange phenomena when they move into his sister’s New York apartment. Originally filmed in 2014 (!), this doesn’t quite work but is a worthy calling card for its makers, including Jordan Lewis (making his feature debut as story writer/ co-star) as a secretive neighbor and Horst Dieter Baum (making his feature debut as cinematographer/co-director) — although they have yet to follow it up. (Incidentally, the film is not in 3-D.) The DVD ($24.99 retail) includes featurette and trailer.

“AUDIE MURPHY COLLECTION III” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The latest Blu-ray triple feature ($49.95 retail) showcasing the film career of Audie Murphy (1925-’71), the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II who made the successful transition to big-screen stardom, particularly in Westerns: Hell Bent for Leather (1960) co-stars Stephen McNally under the direction of George Sherman; Posse from Hell (1961) co-stars John Saxon, Vic Morrow, Robert Keith, and Lee Van Cleef; and Showdown (1963), directed by R.G. Springsteen, co-stars Kathleen Crowley, Charles Drake, and future Sam Peckinpah perennials L.Q. Jones and Strother Martin. Bonus features include audio commentaries and theatrical trailers.

BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM (DC/Warner Bros. Animation/Warner Bros. Discovery Entertainment): A 30thanniversary 4K Ultra HD combo ($33.99 retail) of the animated 1993 feature pitting the Caped Crusader (the first time voiced by Kevin Conroy) against the titular nemesis (voiced by Stacy Keach), who has framed Batman for a sudden rash of crime in Gotham City. Originally earmarked for home-video release, the studio opted to release it theatrically — then promoted it poorly. Based on the graphic novels Batman: Year One and Batman: Year Two, this is legitimately considered a more faithful rendition of Bob Kane’s original inception than the live-action features, steeped in noir-ish atmosphere. The star-studded voiceover cast includes Mark Hamill (as The Joker), Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., John P. Ryan, Abe Vigoda, Dick Miller, Bob

BY MARK BURGER

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: TENEBRAE (Synapse Films/MVD Entertainment Group)

A belated entry in the giallo sweepstakes he helped revolutionize, Dario Argento’s 1982 thriller (originally titled Tenebre and released stateside as Unsane) is yet another example of his virtuoso style but falls short of being a classic despite a fervent fanbase.

Anthony Franciosa portrays Peter Neal, a best-selling mystery author (a la Stephen King), whose promotional tour in Rome gets o to a bad start when a fan is slashed to death and pages of his novel (Tenebrae) stu ed in her mouth. It only gets worse, or better, from there as the bodies pile up and the plot twists commence in typical Argento fashion. Much-missed stalwarts John Saxon,

Argento’s then-partner Daria Nicolodi (screaming her head o ), Giuliano Gemma, and John Steiner are on hand as potential victims/suspects/red herrings — and often all three! — in a self-indulgently surreal psycho-sexual narrative that’s bit too tricky for its own good.

In a weird way, Tenebrae is a treatise on the perils of celebrity, having been made in the wake of John Lennon, Ronald Reagan, and Pope John Paul II being shot in quick succession. Argento also dealt with an obsessed fan prior to this, so there are a few self-autobiographical tidbits. The murders are imaginative, vivid, and even appalling (necessitating editing in some territories), but they tend — as in many of Argento’s films — to dominate an intriguing but shaky narrative. Nevertheless, if it’s gory horror you crave, Tenebrae delivers — in blood-soaked spades. The squeamish need not apply.

The 4K Ultra HD combo ($49.95 retail) includes both Italian (with English subtitles) and English-dubbed audio options, multiple audio commentaries, the 2016 documentary Yellow Fever: The Rise and Fall of the Giallo vintage interviews, international trailer, image galleries, and more. Rated R.

Hastings, and Robert Costanzo (hey, I’ve met him!). The bonus featurette “Kevin Conroy: I am the Batman” is devoted to the actor, who died last year. Rated PG.

THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING

DEAD (Vinegar Syndrome): A limitededition two-disc Blu-ray ($34.98 retail) of writer/producer/editor/director Tony Malinowski’s low-budget 1982 shocker (also released as Curse of the Cannibal Confederates) in which a weekend hunting trip goes awry when the hunters disturb a remote cemetery, which gives rise to an undead battalion of Civil War Confederate soldiers who exact bloody retribution. It’s hardly a surprise that Troma Films originally acquired the film for distribution — and Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman later pronounced it one of their worst films! Bonus features include Malinowski’s 1981 debut feature Night of Horror, the retrospective documentaries Scream On! The Making of “The Curse of the Screaming Dead” and Oh, What a Night … of Horror,” audio commentaries, retrospective interviews, outtakes, and more.

GHOST NURSING (Vinegar Syndrome): A limited-edition Blu-ray ($34.98 retail) of director Wilson Tong’s 1982 supernatural shocker (originally titled Yang gui) starring Shirley Yim (billed as “Suit Li”) as a young woman so determined to turn her luck around that she agree to care for a sacred totem (a “ghost baby”), but when she becomes distracted and neglects it all hell literally breaks loose — threatening her and those around her. In Cantonese with English subtitles. Bonus features include video essay and retrospective interview with co-star Billy Chan.

INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment): The fifth in the profitable horror franchise, this PG13-rated installment follows bedeviled hero Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson, also making his feature directorial debut) again confronting the demons from his past that threaten to consume his future, with Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Andrew Astor, Steve Coulter, Joseph Bishara, Angus Simpson, and producer/story writer Leigh Whannell also reprising their roles, available on DVD ($34.99 retail)

and Blu-ray ($38.99 retail), each replete with behind-the-scenes featurettes.

L’IMMENSITA (Music Box Films Home Entertainment): Emanuele Crialese wrote the story, co-wrote the screenplay, and directed this semi-autobiographical, award-winning drama (also released as The Immensity) set in the 1970s, starring Penelope Cruz as a well-to-do mother whose teenaged child (newcomer Luana Giuliani) struggles with gender identification, which throws the family into emotional turmoil. In Italian with English subtitles, available on DVD ($22.99 retail) and Blu-ray ($24.99 retail).

PSYCHO GIRLS (Vinegar Syndrome): A limited-edition Blu-ray ($34.98 retail) of writer/producer/director Jerry Ciccoritti’s 1986 feature debut, a low-budget combination of black comedy and slasher trappings, narrated by hard-boiled private eye John Haslett Cu (in his feature debut) as he recounts the strange tale of an escaped mental patient (newcomer Darlene Mignacco) who brutally murdered her sister (newcomer Agi Gallus) then assumed her role as a gourmet chef … and guess what’s on the menu for dinner? Uneven and not for all tastes (to say the least), but it’s always in there, swinging away — and clearly indicated Ciccoritti’s talent. Bonus features include audio commentary and retrospective featurettes. Rated R.

THE TRAIN (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The 4K Ultra HD combo ($39.95 retail) of John Frankenheimer’s peerless 1964 World War II thriller, starring Burt Lancaster as an engineer recruited by the French Resistance to prevent a train laden with priceless artwork from reaching Berlin. Arguably the last great black-and-white action adventure of its time, this boasts a fantastic Maurice Jarre score and a top-flight supporting cast headed by Paul Scofield as the cultured but obsessive German colonel determined to thwart the Resistance. An absolute knockout with an Oscarnominated screenplay, this is arguably this critic’s favorite film by his favorite director. Bonus features include audio commentaries, trailers and TV spots, vintage featurette, and more.

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.

Connecting the Community @

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Free Events for Your Family!

High Point University welcomes the community to campus for a diverse offering of complimentary cultural events. This fall’s schedule includes opportunities to enjoy a variety of activities. For a complete list of community events and to sign up for email notification of future events, visit www.highpoint.edu/live.

Lone Star / Laundry and Bourbon Play

September 28 - 30

7:30 pm

October 1

2:00 pm

Empty Space Theatre

Tears of Wollega Photographs by Jemal Countess: Artist Talk

October 25

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Sechrest Art Gallery, Hayworth Fine Arts Center

The Addams Family

Musical

October 26 - 28, 31

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

October 29

2:00 pm

Pauline Theatre, Hayworth Fine Arts Center

Women’s Basketball vs. Barton

November 3

8:00 pm

Qubein Center

Men’s Basketball vs. Pfeiffer University

November 4

7:00 pm

Qubein Center

“Into the Light” – Wind Ensemble Concert

November 4

3:00 pm

Pauline Theatre, Hayworth Fine Arts Center

Men’s Basketball vs. St. Andrews University

November 6 7:00 pm

Qubein Center

Instrumental Chamber Ensembles Concert

November 9 7:30 pm

Charles E. Hayworth Memorial Chapel

Veterans Day Celebration

November 10 8:00 am

Qubein Center

Women’s Basketball vs. Lees-McRae

November 11

2:00 pm

Qubein Center

Women’s Basketball vs. Stetson

November 14 7:00 pm

Qubein Center

Reflections – Fall Dance Concert

November 16 - 18

7:30 pm

Pauline Theatre, Hayworth Fine Arts Center

Women’s Basketball vs. Wofford

November 17

7:00 pm

Qubein Center

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

LOW-SPEED CHASE

Los Angeles Police Department cruisers were dispatched in pursuit of a fleeing suspect wanted for assault with a deadly weapon on the evening of Sept. 24, but rather than the typical high-speed chase through bustling L.A. streets, o cers found themselves following a shirtless and shoeless man in a stolen golf cart, with a dog on his lap. KCAL News reported that the low-speed chase began around 9:10 p.m. and went on for much longer than expected, due to the ine ectiveness of spike strips the police laid out in several failed attempts to slow the suspect down. The chase topped out around 19 mph before the suspect pulled into a parking lot around 9:45 p.m. and abandoned the cart, though he continued to carry the pooch. In short order, the barefoot suspect dropped the dog and was detained by police. The man was treated for unknown injuries; his unwitting canine accomplice was returned unharmed to the suspect’s family.

CHOKING HAZARD

7:30 pm

Black Box Theatre

Men’s Basketball vs. University of Mount Olive

November 26

2:00 pm

Qubein Center

Men’s Basketball vs. Morgan State University

November 29

7:00 pm

Qubein Center

Women’s Basketball vs. Johnson C. Smith

November 30

7:00 pm

Qubein Center

Everyone knows the dangers associated with texting while driving, but a man in Henderson, Kentucky, recently served as a reminder that eating while driving can be hazardous as well. WLKY News in Louisville reported that the unnamed driver pulled out of a McDonald’s drivethru after receiving his order and almost immediately began choking on a french fry. The passenger in the car attempted to o er assistance, but the driver lost consciousness and the car crashed into an Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The passenger and driver were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. As for the risks of eating on the run, witness Patricia Grossman told WLKY, “I do it, and I’m sure a lot of people do. It’s not something I’ve ever thought about, but now will definitely think about it more.”

SIGN OF THE TIMES

An electronic construction sign in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, Texas, o ered the opposite of helpful advice to passersby when it was hacked on Sept. 25, reported KTRK-TV. “Due to weather,” the first message, was harmless enough, but it was followed immediately by “Go ---- yourself.” A city inspector was able to turn the sign o ; representatives for Houston Public Works said their department does not operate the sign, and city o cials have been unable to find the sign’s owner.

LET IT GO

If you’re dealing in illegal drugs, it seems likely that cops are the last people you would want to see. But Eric Thomas, 33, actually called for police assistance on Sept. 22 in Largo, Florida — where, mind you, it is illegal to possess marijuana with intent to sell. When o cers arrived, Thomas “stated he was selling marijuana, and someone stole $10 from him while (he was) attempting to sell it.” The Smoking Gun reported that the cops were inclined to believe Thomas’ story, because he was holding 11 baggies of marijuana, totaling 40 grams, as he told it. Thomas, who has been convicted of marijuana, cocaine and battery counts in the last year, was charged with two drug felonies and booked to the county jail. The thief who stole Thomas’ $10 apparently remains at large.

NEXT TIME, BORROW A DOLLAR

Tacos are arguably the most delicious and convenient fast-food item in existence, but stealing one at gunpoint is, and always will be, a crime. On Sept. 8, Antonio Murray Jr., 19, approached an employee at Lilly’s Panaderia in St. Louis, Missouri, pointed a gun and demanded the taco the employee was in the process of making. The employee handed over the taco, and Murray left without paying. KSDK-5 reported that police located Murray nearby, and that when confronted, he informed them he was carrying a BB gun in his waistband. Murray admitted to the incident and has been charged with one count of first-degree robbery.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

What would you do if you tried to check in at a hotel and no employees were to be found? A trio of friends found themselves in such a predicament at a Nashville La Quinta Inn & Suites after a night out, so they just ... managed the hotel for several hours on their own. They greeted customers, took phone calls and even served breakfast to guests. “So, instantly we’re like manager mode. We run businesses back home,” one of the friends explained. “Manager mode kicks in, alright, let’s see what we can do.” A manager eventually arrived and gave the trio a room key so they could finally check in, but upon entering the room, they found it occupied by a woman in the bu . Exasperated, they reached out to a di erent hotel and were awarded three suites and a free breakfast. !

©2023 Andrews McMeel Universal

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Local actor crowd funds dream film

While not a documentary or biopic, 8 A.M. is inspired by the poetry and daily life of Dustin Lutz.

in it, that someone can read or hear and realize they see themselves in that.”

Michael Tourek has come a long way in the 15 years since he won “Hottest Bartender, Male” in YES! Weekly’s annual Triad’s Best contest.

The Greensborobased actor and acting professor, who last year played villain Roman Calhoun in four episodes of AMC’s The Walking Dead, and whose credits include six episodes of the Netflix crime series Ozark, has written and stars in 8 A.M., a short film his production crew will shoot in the city that’s been his hometown for almost 20 years.

“Despite being inspired by a specific friend, 8 A.M. is what I call an Every Person story,” said Tourek in a Monday interview at UNCG, one of the many Triad institu-

tions where he teaches. “It’s about a poet who has always put his art second to the need to make a living until he faces lifechanging adversity and rediscovers the beauty and poetry of the everyday world around him. It’s about balancing family, career, dreams, and the sacrifices we make to keep that balance.”

“His artist and craft name is D.C. Lutz and he is my oldest and dearest friend. I grew up in Ralston, a small Nebraska town surrounded by Omaha, where we first met in sixth grade in a citywide audition for show choir. We then went to junior high and high school together. He’s a photographer, poet, and craftsman who has always sort of put family and necessity first, but has written poems that absolutely inspire me. I read them and thought, oh, this character, this poetic persona, is a guy I can tell a story about.”

One of those poems is used in the film and the character Tourek plays, called Lutz, is loosely based on its author.

“All of the characters are named after people either directly related to Dustin or myself. My character is inspired by Dustin’s writing. I’m not playing him, but kind of the poetic persona or voice of his poem. It’s more about retelling the story he’s already told one way or another in his work, and the things that are universal

Tourek conceived of this project so long ago that he feels like he’s always carried it inside him, but completed his first draft in 2008, when he was bartending at the Green Burro on McGee Street.

“I was just getting my feet wet in the Greensboro filmmaking and theatrical community. I shared it with some colleagues over the years and eventually joked that it was, if not my impossible dream, at least my white whale. I’ve never fancied myself a writer, but I finally decided it’s time to kick impostor syndrome to the curb and make this movie and tell this story that I’ve felt connected to for 15 years.”

Although his acting career began at Triad Stage and has taken him to Netflix, AMC, and feature films, Tourek has no intention of moving out of the Triad. He lives in Greensboro and is a professor of acting and camera work at UNCG, Guilford College, Greensboro College, and Elon University.

“Teaching is every bit as fulfilling as

Ian McDowell Contributor

Michael Tourek

working as a professional actor. That’s one reason I got my MFA here at UNCG. There’s nothing wrong with using the food and beverage industry as your side hustle, but my 50-year-old knees couldn’t handle standing on a cement floor behind a bar for 12 hours a day, so I’m glad I’ve not done that since 2018.”

He’s very proud of the crew he’s put together for 8 A.M

“The director is Thomas Mendolia, a BFA alum of UNCG, class of 2012. Harvey Robinson is our cinematographer. The great local actor Lee Spencer is playing a supporting lead. The woman playing my wife, Bethany Lind, is from North Carolina but now lives in Atlanta.”

All his locations are in Greensboro.

“The primary one is C. P. Eakes Custom Sheet Metal on Fairfax Road. Owner Patrick Eakes is a champion of my art whom I’ve known as long as I can remember. Part of the journey experienced by my character is that he works in a factory, and so we needed one to shoot in. Patrick didn’t bat an eye. He’s a huge supporter of local art and said we could use his entire factory.”

The fundraiser for 8 A.M. at seedandspark.com/fund/8-am-1 has already achieved $965 of its $14,000 goal. “Anything generously donated after that will go to the contingency plan that all films, short or long, need because unexpected things always arise. Fundraising will close October 28.”

Tourek said he’s hugely grateful for the support he’s received. “It has been more than I could ever have imagined. I feel so blessed by those in my life and community.”

Speaking of community, he also

expressed his hope that something will replace Triad Stage, where he worked for so long.

“Coming out of Covid, we did some really solid work on what we felt the community needed and wanted in terms of equity and inclusion, but others seemed to find it di cult to let go of what Triad Stage used to be. But because there’s such a need for it, I truly believe someone will eventually step up and provide a space to continue that dream.” !

IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith will be published in September by Scuppernong Editions.

Michael Tourek as Roman Calhoun on The Walking Dead.

Upchurch resigns from Guilford County Commissioners

On Monday, James Upchurch announced his immediate resignation from the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

In 2020, Upchurch successfully ran for District 6 as a Democrat, defeating Republican Jim Davis with 52.9% of the more than 49,000 votes cast in that year’s November election.

Thirteen months later, Upchurch switched his a liation to the Republican Party. Speaking to the High Point Enterprise in December 2021, Upchurch said this was due to “actions I’ve witnessed, and the conversations I’ve heard as an

elected o cial” which made it “clear to me that my values do not align with the actions of the Democratic Party.”

One disagreement with the party he had represented as a candidate was apparently over how the county should respond to the pandemic, as Upchurch alleged he had been “ostracized” by his fellow Democrats for “asking questions” about COVID-19 safety protocols. Commission Chair Skip Alston accused Upchurch of having fabricated “an excuse to do what he probably had in his heart to do anyway.”

After the county mandate requiring masking in public spaces was rescinded in November 2021, Alston suggested it might be reinstated if the number of positive cases rose. In January 2022, Upchurch told the Rhino Times that “to issue another mask mandate is the definition of insanity.” Upchurch also denounced $1.8 million for a Covid call

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING

center as “unnecessary spending.”

Upchurch is known for changing his mind and for issuing statements that cause other board members to change theirs.

In March, Upchurch announced he would run in the 2024 election for State Treasurer as a Republican. In May, he issued a media statement that “After careful consideration and prayer, I have decided to shift from running for State Treasurer to State Auditor. This decision was not made lightly and was driven by my commitment to serving the people of our state in the most impactful manner possible.”

Five months later, comments by Upchurch about “values” caused Alston to withdraw support for Upchurch’s motion to spend $40,000 to have the words “In God We Trust” installed on 10 county buildings. On August 15, Upchurch told the Rhino that “it’s important to make a statement about Guilford County’s values at this time when — both statewide and nationally — traditional values are under attack” and that he expected “at least six” commissioners to vote for his motion.

Instead, six of the eight commissioners present at the August 17 meeting voted against it. “I support the national motto,” said Alston at that meeting, “but do not support someone trying to use this issue in order to further any political agenda.”

Six weeks and four days later, Upchurch announced his resignation.

“It has been an honor to represent my hometown as their County Commissioner and be a part of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners,” he wrote in a statement released Monday. “When I ran for o ce, I made a commitment to make our county more transparent, support our schools, establish a livable wage for our county employees, and create an environment that supported High Point.”

According to the Guilford County

website, Upchurch “has accepted an opportunity in another state and will no longer be able to complete his term as Commissioner.”

While Upchurch has not said what position he has accepted, what entity he will be working for, or even what state it is in, he told the Rhino that the job o er “was too good to pass up,” adding that “I’ll be making a lot more money.” He allegedly indicated part of his new job will be very public, while (in the words of reporter Scott Yost rather than Upchurch himself) “another part will be something that most people would not even realize he was doing.”

As per North Carolina General Statute 153A-27.1, the executive committee of the political party that nominated Upchurch, meaning that of the Guilford County Democratic party, will have 30 days to recommend his replacement to the Board of County Commissioners.

Within hours of Upchurch’s announcement, Brandon Gray, a Guilford County small business owner and member of the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee, issued a press release stating his intention to campaign for the vacant seat. Gray, a former first vice chair of the Guilford County Democratic Party who lives in Oak Ridge, had announced in March that he would run for District 6 in 2024. !

IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith will be published in September by Scuppernong Editions.

Ian McDowell Contributor

James Upchurch

Makin’ plans for When We’re Sober

Folk-grun-

gers When We’re

Sober are making plans: gearing up for both spooky shenanigans and a winter recording season with a full-length due come spring.

With October’s arrival, lead vocalist and guitarist Grey Hyatt is feeling the Halloween Spirit. “It’s spooky season,” he said. “We’re gonna start the fun early and keep it going all month.” Up first is their appearance at the latest round of The Lab, presented by The DOSE Collective, in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts parking garage on October 9 (complete with a costume contest).

The next night, they’ll roam over to Gas Hill Drinking Room for a show with SCOBY and Indré on October 10 for which costumes have been encouraged over Instagram posts. “I have a feeling we’ll be wearing a lot of di erent costumes this month,” Hyatt said — dropping Halloween plans as upcoming shows at the West Salem Art Hotel’s “Ghoul Moon Fest” on October 28 (SCOBY is also on that bill); and at Gate City Growlers on October 29 (where Hyatt can be found most Tuesdays as host of the GCG weekly open mic). “Stop by if you wanna jam,” he added, ”the band is there most weeks.”

“Open mics are such a great way to meet people,” Hyatt continued. While he and WSS cohort Erich McPhail met in high school at Page in Greensboro, the pair credits open mics to helping fill out the five-piece formation they’ve become. “It’s how we’ve met a bunch of amazing musicians and have been lucky to get a few of them to join our project,” Hyatt explained. “Essentially, if you want to build a band, we highly recommend becoming a regular at as many open mics as you can and just making friends.”

At its core, When We’re Sober is something of a nebulous shared between Hyatt and McPhail, with the band itself existing in its first couple of years as a recording project for the duo. In 2022, they released “The Bottle” EP, performing most of the instrumentation themselves. Turning toward live shows, they’ve recruited drummer Luke Rettie and bass-

ist Lucifer Josts; plus a handful of other members wandering through the formative flux (like guitarist Tony Luz, who’s departing the area come November).

On the performance end, “Erich has also stepped away from playing live at the moment,” Hyatt noted, ”but continues to write and record with the band.” And together, they’ll enter a sort of hibernation from shows to embark on recording a full-length LP.

“We work well as a team because Erich is great at starting songs and I’m great at finishing them,” Hyatt explained. “I’m good at developing ideas and seeing the big picture, or finished product, and working towards achieving it. But I struggle with finding ideas worth developing, Erich on the other hand seems to never run out of ideas for new songs, but has a hard time finishing them or gets stuck deliberating on how to develop them.”

O ering a snapshot of our super early days, “The Bottle” serves the first five songs the pair felt “ready to share with the world.” They enlisted help on drums from Hyatt’s uncle Travis. “We called him out of retirement,” Hyatt joked — with praise for Black Rabbit Audio’s mixing and mastering work. Along with Iain Rice for “laying down some beautiful bowed double bass tracks.”

“We couldn’t have done it without them,” Hyatt insisted, extending credit to his sister for her oil paintings that ended up as the album’s artwork. While most debut EPs rarely get pressed o the Internet, When We’re Sober went a step

further: releasing “The Bottle” on a 10” vinyl record. “It’s probably a financially unwise decision to self-source a pressing,” he admitted, “but I had been saving up for a musical purchase for a long time; and being able to hold physical copies in my hands and hear how amazing it sounds on vinyl was well worth it.”

The throwback to something tangible serves more than sentiment. Describing themselves as “folk-grunge” there’s a grounded nature to their work. Drawing influences from artists like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Hum, and The Smashing Pumpkins, there’s an oldworld quality in their endeavors.

“Basically, we’re just writing folk songs on acoustic guitars and transitioning them to that heavier electric guitar sound characteristic of our grunge inspiration,” Hyatt said. “We love the raw, heavy sound of 90’s grunge, and the delicate melodic elements of various more modern folk acts.”

Though Hyatt is quick to eschew a single genre, pointing to favorites like Silversun Pickups, Manchester Orchestra, and The Decemberists (which shouldn’t surprise fans of Hyatt’s other group, Folkknot). “As a band, we’ve been hesitant to push our sound in any one direction,” he said. “The songs we write definitely have their individual influences but each one seems to require a di erent angle of attack when it comes to building their soundscape.”

Connecting hints of R.E.M in the track “Windows,” Hyatt finds saliency in

melody; with songs built from the basis of melodic fragments. “Once a melody springs forth from the chords, we then let the melody and the overall feel of the fledgling song inform what the lyrics and storyline of the song will be. I find this type of songwriting quite cathartic and almost passive, it’s exploring until something is revealed to you. It comes from the subconscious.”

“We put a lot of care into the melodies we create and the lyrics that present them,” he continued. “And we strive to strike the perfect balance between that delicate stu and the electric guitars which would otherwise smother it if we weren’t careful. We like heavy-sounding songs but we still want a song with a captivating melody you can sing along to.”

The result o ers possibilities for growth. “Our new songs explore an even wider range than our EP songs did,” Hyatt said. “And I’m excited to see where else we go from here.”

When We’re Sober will be at The Lab on October 9; at Gas Hill on October 10; the Ghoul Moon Festival on October 28; Gate City Growlers on October 29; and at Plank Street Tavern November 25.

“The Bottle” is available online via Bandcamp or in person at Soul Relief Records (908-B Spring Garden St.) in Greensboro. !

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who spotlights area artists and events.

Katei Cranford Contributor

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www.foursaintsbrewing.com

thursdays: taproom trivia

Fridays: Music Bingo

oct 14: Jamie trout

CARBORRO

Cat’S CradlE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053

www.catscradle.com

oct 5-7: Houndmouth

oct 5: Frenship

oct 6: Field Medic

oct 7: Essenger & Puppet w/ Special

guest Young Medicine

oct 8: Holy Fawn

oct 8: wilderado

oct 10: Electric Six

oct 10: Mapache

oct 10: the Midnight

oct 12: a giant dog

oct 12: dan deacon

oct 12: Suzanne Vega

oct 13: Certainly So + Coyote island

oct 13: Cian ducrot

oct 14: dan rodriguez and noah

guthrie

oct 14: george Clanton

oct 15: neil Frances

oct 15: the Handsome Family

oct 16: Blue Cactus

oct 16: last dinosaurs & Vacations

oct 17: Yam Haus and Sawyer

oct 18: trousdale

oct 18: Be Your own Pet

oct 18: gus dapperton

oct 18: generationals

oct 19: nick Shoulders and the okay Crawdad

oct 20: Clem Snide

oct 20: Yeule

oct 21: Kym register + Meltdown

rodeo

oct 21: twin House Music 5 Year anniversary Party

oct 22: the Brummies

oct 24: Barns Courtney

oct 24: Margo Cilker

oct 24: Palehound

oct 26: Jukebox the ghost: HalloQueen

oct 27: gatlin

oct 27: Vedo

oct 28: we Came as romans

oct 28: austin Snell

oct 28: Hojean

ocy 29: Beauty School dropout

oct 29: Slow Pulp

oct 30: Michael Minelli w/ tony22

oct 31: Bell witch

oct 31: Quicksand

nov 1: Vince Herman Band

nov 2: tortoise

nov 3: robbie Fulks, Slaid Cleaves

nov 3: rayland Baxter with Flyte

nov 4: Hiding Places, Kid Fears

nov 4: Petey

nov 5: the dear Hunter

nov 6: the Japanese House

nov 7: a. Savage

nov 8: John r. Miller

nov 9: Jack Keys

nov 9: Mary lattimore

nov 9: nation of language

nov 10: nick lowe ft. los Straitjakcets

nov 11: alejandro Escovedo

nov 11: the ocean Blue

nov 12: Sun June & runner

nov 14: Billy raffoul

nov 14: Slaughter Beach, dog

nov 15: Citizen

nov 16: Husbands

nov 17: Victoria Victoria ft. Charlie Hunter

nov 20: golden apples

nov 30: Kelsey waldon

nov 30: Patrick droney

CHARlOttE BoJanglES ColiSEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600

www.boplex.com

oct 4: diego El Cigala

oct 11: CeCe winans

oct 12: legacy reunion: Earth, wind, and Fire alumni

oct 15: Manuel turizo

oct 22: Cain

nov 3: KanSaS

nov 4: Sin Bandera

nov 7: Brit Floyd

nov 8: Mania: the abba tribute

nov 9: oV7

nov 10: gipsy Kings ft. tonino Baliardo

tHE FillMorE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970

www.livenation.com

oct 4: lil Yachty

oct 5: russell Howard live

oct 5: tesseract

oct 6: the aces

oct 6: the taylor Party: taylor Swift night

oct 7: the devil wears Prada & Fit For a King

oct 7: Knock2

oct 10: the JoHnnYSwiM Stories tour

oct 10: Kiana lede

oct 11: Sturniolo triplets

oct 12: Jawny

oct 13: girls gotta Eat

oct 14: tHriCE

oct 14: warren Zeiders

oct 15: Southall

oct 16: rawayana

oct 17: Cradle of Filfth and devildriver

oct 17: Band of Horses

oct 18: renee rapp

oct 18: del water gap

oct 20: CloZee

oct 20: whoreible decisions

oct 21: Jo dee Messina

oct 21: Siddhartha

Oct 22: Cafe Tacvba

Oct 22: Chappell Roan

Oct 24: Femme It Foreward Presents

NONAME

Oct 25: POLARIS

Oct 26: Lettuce

Oct 26: DD Osama

Oct 27: The Brook & The Blu

Oct 28: Noah Reid

Oct 29: Les Claypools Fearless Flying Frog Brigade

Oct 30: Free Throw

Oct 31: Dragonforce

PNC MUSIC PAVILION

707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292

www.livenation.com

Oct 7: Luke Bryan

SKYLA CREDIT UNION

AMPHITHEATRE

former Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

820 Hamilton St | 704.549.5555

www.livenation.com

Oct 12: Chevelle and Three Days Grace

SPECTRUM CENTER

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000

www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com

Oct 8: Carin Leon

Oct 11: Travis Scott

Oct 12: The Reunion Tour

Oct 17: Aerosmith

Oct 18: Playboi Carti

Oct 20: The 1975

Oct 21: Maluma

Oct 23: John Mayer

Oct 26: Dave Chapelle

Oct 28: Romeo Santos The King of Bachata

Nov 2: MercyMe, TobyMac, Zach Williams

Nov 4: Joji

Nov 7: Eagles

Nov 9: Ally Tipo

Nov 12: P!NK

Nov 15: Rod Wave

Nov 16: Je Dunham

Nov 26: Doja Cat

CLEMMONS

VILLAGE SQUARE

TAP HOUSE

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct |

336.448.5330

www.facebook.com/vstaphouse

Oct 5: James Vincent Carroll

Oct 6: Whiskey Mic

Oct 12: Anna Mertson

Oct 14: Bad Romeo

Oct 19: Tatum Sheets

Oct 20: SoundKraft

Oct 21: Zack Brock & The Good Intentions

Oct 27: Spindle 45

DURHAM

CAROLINA THEATRE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030

www.carolinatheatre.org

Oct 7: Rissi Palmer

Oct 8: Brandy Clark & Lori McKenna

Oct 10: Switchfoot

Oct 11: St Paul & The Broken Bones

Oct 23: Tomas and the Library Lady

Oct 24: Steve Hackett

Nov 2: Evolution of American Music

Nov 2: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Nov 3: John Waite

Nov 4: Chris Isaak

Nov 9: MANIA: The ABBA Tribute

Nov 10: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

Nov 11: Al Strong

Nov 14: Brian Culbertson

DPAC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

Oct 7: Chelsea Handler

Oct 8: Black Violin

Oct 10-22: MJ The Musical

Oct 24: Blippi

Oct 26-27: Matt Rife

Oct 28: Lake Street Dive

Nov 3: Ladies R&B Kickback Concert

Part 2

Nov 4: KANSAS

Nov 7-12: Funny Girl

Nov 13: Peppa Pig

ELKIN REEVES THEATER

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240

www.reevestheater.com

Wednesdays: Reeves Open Mic

Fourth Thursdays: Old-Time Jam

Oct 6: Lonesome River Band

Oct 13: Chatham County Line

Oct 14: Maggie Rose

Oct 20: Sam Bush

Oct 21: LoneHollow

Oct 27: Night of the Living Dead

Nov 3: Yarn

Nov 4: Presley Barker

Nov 10: Walter Trout

Nov 12: Orphans & Renegades

MONDAY CLOSED

Nov 17: Donna the Bu alo

Nov 18: The Burnett Sisters Band

GREENSBORO BARN DINNER THEATRE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211

www.barndinner.com

Oct 4-Nov 4: Ain’t Misbehavin

Nov 18-Dec 10: Black Nativity

CAROLINA THEATRE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605

www.carolinatheatre.com

Oct 14: Bobby Previte

Nov 3: Jim and Susie Malcolm

Nov 3: Shelby J.

Nov 10: Seth Walker

COMEDY ZONE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034

www.thecomedyzone.com

Oct 6-7: Bryan Callen

Oct 13-16: Don “DC” Curry

Oct 17: Ben Brainard

Oct 20-21: Opey Olagbaju

Oct 27-28: Kevin Lee

Nov 3-4: The Greatest Humor On Earth Comedy Show

Nov 10-11: Shaun Jones

Nov 12: Bubba Dub

TUESDAY $1 O Drafts

WEDNESDAY $1 O Whiskey & Wine

THURSDAY $2 O Seasonal Cocktails

SUNDAYS $1 O All Flights

Mimosa, Hempmosa, Non-alcoholic Mimosa, & Beer

[Spindle 45] 10.27.23 - Village Square Tap House

COMMON GROUNDS

602 S Elm Ave | 336.698.388

www.facebook.com/CommonGroundsGreensboro

CONE DENIM

117 S Elm St | 336.378.9646 www.cdecgreensboro.com

GARAGE TAVERN

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020

www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro

Oct 19: Tony Andrews

Nov 17: Second Glance Band

Nov 25: HWY 42

GRANDOVER RESORT

2275 Vanstory Street Suite 200 | 336.294.1800

www.grandover.com

Wednesdays: Live Jazz w/ Steve Haines Trio

GREENSBORO COLISEUM

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Oct 6: Jelly Roll

Oct 14: Cody Johnson

Oct 20: Straight Jokes! No Chaser

Nov 3: Aggie Homecoming Step Show

Nov 4: Aggie Homecoming Concert

Nov 5: Aggie Homecoming Gospel Show

Nov 11: Alabama

Nov 17: NEEDTOBREATHE

Nov 18: Anita Baker

Nov 19: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Nov 21: In This Moment & Ice Nine Kills

HANGAR 1819

1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480

www.hangar1819.com

Oct 5: Between The Buried And Me w/ He Is Legend, akissforjersey, Yearling

Oct 6: Stretch Arm Strong w/ Advent, Blankface, Torch Runner

Oct 7: Glass Casket w Knives, Ex-

changing Hands, Wretched

Oct 8: Tantric & Waking Tera w/ Novas Fade, Strike The Tower, Fox n’ Vead

Oct 10: Unearth & Revocation w/ Entheos & High Command

Oct 11: Kings Kaleidoscope w/ Mike Mains & The Branches

Oct 12: Wolves In The Room w/ Blackbraid. Gaerea, HOAXED

Oct 14: Ri Ra ft. Dollabillgates

Oct 15: HAARPER w/ Sxmpra, Sinizter

Oct 20: Citizen Soldier

Oct 21: Dying Fetus w/ The Acacia Strain, Despised Icon, Creeping Death

Oct 24: Carnifex w/ Signs Of The Swarm, To The Grave, The Last Ten Seconds, Heft

Oct 25: Ouija Macc w/ Darby Otrill

Nov 1: Belmont & Can’t Swim w/ House Parties, Seneca Burns

Nov 3: Frozen Soul w/ 200 Stab Wounds, Judiciary, Tribal Gaze

Nov 8: Dying Wish w/ Boundaries, Foregin Hands, Roman Candle

Nov 11: Sitick To Your Guns w/ Comeback Kid, Orthodox, Spirit World

Nov 14: Jonny Craig w/ Sunsleep, KEEPMYSECRETS, A Foreign A air

Nov 15: A Kiler’s Confession w/ Above The Snakes

Nov 17: Emo Night Brooklyn

LITTLE BROTHER

BREWING

348 South Elm St | 336.510.9678

www.facebook.com/littlebrotherbrew

Wednesdays: Trivia

Fridays & Saturdays: Free Live Music

PIEDMONT HALL

2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Oct 13: Static-X & Sevendust

Nov 17: Green Queen Bingo

Nov 25: Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas

HY EVERYONE LOVES

RODY’S TAVERN

5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950

www.facebook.com/rodystavern

STEVEN TANGER CENTER

300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500

www.tangercenter.com

THE IDIOT BOX

COMEDY CLUB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699

www.idiotboxers.com

Thursdays: Open Mic

Oct 21: Steve Lesser

Nov 10: Matt Vita

Nov 25: Anthony Crawford

WHITE OAK

AMPITHEATRE

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Oct 27: Dropkick Murphys

WINESTYLES

3326 W Friendly Ave Suite 141 | 336.299.4505

www.facebook.com/winestylesgreensboro277

HIGH POINT

1614 DMB

1614 N Main St | 336.883.4113

https://www.1614drinksmusicbilliards.com/

Oct 6: Feverhill

Oct 7: Kwik Fixx

Oct 14: Pure Fiyah Reggae Band

Oct 20: Alek Ottaway

Oct 28: Sugar - Soad Tribute w/ Exploder

Nov 4: Black Glass

Nov 11: U2 Tribute - Rattle and Hum

GOOFY FOOT TAPROOM

2762 NC-68 #109 | 336.307.2567

www.goofyfoottaproom.com

Oct 7: Fall Festival

JAMESTOWN

THE DECK

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999

Oct 5: Kelsey Hurley

Oct 6: Hampton Drive

Oct 7: Brother Pearl

Oct 8: Camel City Yacht Club

Oct 12: Jason Bunch

Oct 13: Swamp Roots

Oct 15: Huckleberry Shyne

Oct 19: Ethan Smith

Oct 20: Bandemic

Oct 21: The Plaids

Oct 27: Unhinged

Oct 28: Radio Revolver/ Halloween Bash

Creative Reuse Cent nsboro, NC 27407

[Brother Pearl] 10.7.23 - The Deck

kernersville

BrEathE

CoCktail loungE

221 N Main St. | 336.497.4822

www.facebook.com/BreatheCocktailLounge

Wednesdays: karaoke

kErnErSvillE

BrEWing CompanY

221 N Main St. | 336.816.7283

www.facebook.com/kernersvillebrewing thursdays: trivia

liberty

thE liBErtY

ShoWCaSE thEatEr

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844

www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

oct 21: rhonda vincent

nov 3: t. graham Brown

nov 4: Eddie montgomery

nov 10: Dan tyminski

nov 11: Crystal gayle

nov 17: Dewey & leslie Brown

raleigh

CCu muSiC park at Walnut CrEEk

3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111 www.livenation.com

linColn thEatrE

126 E. Cabarrus St | 919.831.6400

www.lincolntheatre.com

oct 4: perpetual groove

oct 5: terror reid

oct 6: the homecoming kick-off party ft. DJ SnS

oct 7: Jason isbell and the 400 unit

oct 7: neighbor

oct 9: JohnnySwim w/ Daniel nunnelee

oct 12: Sun room w/ Sports team

oct 13: george huntley w/ leisure

mccorkle

oct 14: Southall

oct 20: tell me lies - the Fleetwood mac Experience

oct 24: Coco Jones

oct 25: the Cat Empire

oct 26: the Brook & the Bluff

oct 28: QDr halloween harvest Ball ft. Easton Corbin, Dalton Dover, Connor Smith

oct 29: lettuce

oct 30: Chris renzema w/ Jess ray

oct 31: Quicksand w/ glitterer

nov 1: Soja w/ hirie and mihali

nov 2: the Expendables w/ Bumpin

uglies & Claire Wright

nov 3: Cosmic Charlie

nov 4: marauda

nov 5: andy Frasco & u.n. w/ Doom

Flamingo

nov 7: armor for Sleep w/ the Early november, the Spill Canvas

nov 10: Funk You w/ the talisman

nov 11: moon taxi w/ the Stews

nov 12: papa Chubby

nov 15: plini

nov 20: Sincerely For You tour ft.

Jacquees w/ nick lavelle

nov 29: manic Daze tour ft. Boogie t.rio & manic Focus

rED hat amphithEatEr

500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800

www.redhatamphitheater.com

pnC arEna

1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300

www.thepncarena.com

oct 10: kirk Franklin

oct 13-14: travis Scott

oct 18: Shania twain

randleman

kamikazE’S tavErn

5701 Randleman Rd | 336.908.6144

www.facebook.com/kamikazestavern

karaoke Every tuesday & thursday

winston-salem

Earl’S

121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018

www.earlsws.com

mondays: open mic

thursdays: Will Jones

oct 6-7: zack Brock and good intentions

FiDDlin’ FiSh

BrEWing CompanY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945

www.fiddlinfish.com

tuesdays: trivia

oct 6: tyler Dodson

oct 7: Day of the Dead

oct 13: Sam robinson

FoothillS BrEWing

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348

www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz

thursdays: trivia

oct 7: vogan thompson

oct 8: out numbered

oct 13: James vincent Carrol

oct 14: Whiskey mic

oct 15: megan Doss

oct 20: Jon montgomery & Friends

oct 21: Colin Cutler trio

oct 22: Carolina Clay

oct 27: Ears to the ground

oct 28: Caleb Wolfe

oct 29: Evan Blackerby

miDWaY muSiC hall

11141 Old US Hwy 52, Suite 10 | 336.793.4218

www.facebook.com/midwaymusichallandeventcenter

mondays: line Dancing

muDDY CrEEk CaFE & muSiC hall

137 West St | 336.201.5182

www.facebook.com/MuddyCreekCafe

oct 21: the Seldom Scene

oct 28: outlaw Whiskey Band

nov 4: the Jeff little trio

nov 18: hank pattie and the Current, liam purcell & Cane mill road

nov 25: taylon hope & alex key

thE ramkat

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714

www.theramkat.com

oct 12: zoso, icky thump

oct 17: neil hamburger, Chris Crofton

oct 19: pierce Edens, ryan Johnson

oct 20: WSSu Young alumni Day party 2023

oct 21: Boy named Banjo

oct 24: Church girls, Dai Cheri

oct 25: Jeff Jenkins

oct 26: Jack marion & the pearl Snap prophets, Chris mcginnis

nov 1: the California honeydrops

nov 2: Corrosion of Conformity, lo-

pan, god of nothing

nov 9: Dan tyminski Band

nov 10: vSS: music of the Cure!

nov 11: End of the line: allman Brothers Band tribute

nov 16: kendall Street Company, the Snozzberries

nov 18: tree of Forgiveness Band: a John prine tribute

nov 19: Wizard Fest

nov 24: Camel City Yacht Club

nov 30: SuSto

roar

633 North Liberty Street | 336-917-3008

www.roarws.com | www.roarbrandstheater. com

oct 6: DJ CJ, DJ professor

oct 7: ready Set radio

WiSE man BrEWing

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008

www.wisemanbrewing.com

thursdays: music Bingo

oct 13: megan Doss & Jon montgomery

oct 14: Fall Festival w/ tan & Sober gentleman

oct 20: gipsy Danger

oct 28: Brews & Boos Bash

Chester’s Gators & Taters Politician Fries with Cheese & Baloney

Peachey’s Baking Company Peanut Butter filled Doughnut

Doug & Lori Dills Tajin Apple

Moose Joose Slush Fall In A Cup

Connie’s Corn Bacon Cheese Corn

Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Stu ed Turkey Leg

K-Pop Corn Dog Hot Cheeto Flavored Corn Dog The Struggle Bus Salted Caramel Butterscotch Latte Vice Cream Ice Cream Nachos Beaver Concessions Lemonade Elephant Ear The Gummy Bear Guy Freeze-Dried Mango Pu s

Fontana Foods Fried Cannoli

Ross Concessions Mocha Funnel Cake

9.30.23| Winston-Salem | Tess Adams

Greensboro Pride 2023

10.2.23 | Downtown Greensboro | Ian McDowell

GONERFEST 20

9.28.23-10.1.23| Memphis, TN | Katei Cranford

hot pour

PRESENTS

[

BARTENDER OF THE WEEK BY NATALIE GARCIA]

Check out videos on our Facebook!

BARTENDER: Zalen Pugh

BAR: Full Moon Oyster Bar in Clemmons, N.C.

AGE: 26

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I am locally sourced; been around Winston my whole life.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

Considering I am almost 27, 6 years!

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

One of my closest friends in the whole world, Dawn Harrison, made me start the very day I turned 21. I’m always thankful for that!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

Being able to turn someone’s entire day around with just a beer and a conversation!

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?

Having so many personalities enjoying spirits at the same time. It can either go very well or not well at all.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

I absolutely love making martinis of any kind, even though I don’t even drink them.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

I love a good cider, a Moscow Mule or a Bloody Mary.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

I think champagne is such a good option. Light and bubbly.

WHAT’S THE STRANGEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?

I once had a lady ask me to make a lemon drop

martini dirty. That means add olive juice and olives. I still think about that one from time to time.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING? A man swinging the top of an ashtray like a baseball bat.

WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE FOUND IN A BAR BATHROOM? A colostomy bag. Seriously.

WHAT’S THE BEST/BIGGEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?

It’s all about perspective. I’ve had $100 on a $12 tab and I’ve had $700 on $1,000. Depends on how you look at the generosity of your customer.

WANNA BE FEATURED IN HOT POUR?

Email Natalie Garcia at natalie@yesweekly.com and ask about being our Bartender of the Week!

SALOME’S STARS]

Week of October 9, 2023

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) An upcoming trip could create some problems with your schedule unless you tie up as many loose ends as possible before you head out the door. Ask a friend or colleague to help you.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Being eager to start a new project is fine. However, moving ahead without knowing what will actually be expected of you could cause a problem down the line. Ask some questions.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Getting through some recent challenges in good shape might give you a false sense of security. Don’t relax your guard. You need to be prepared for what else could happen.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Caution is still advised, even though you think you’re as prepared as you need to be at the moment. Keep in mind that change is in your aspect, and you should expect the unexpected.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) The Lion’s gift of persuasion helps you get your points across, even to some of your most negative naysayers in the workplace. Also, an old friend might seek you out for some advice.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Being sure of your convictions is fine, but leave some room for dissenting opinions. You might learn something that could help you avoid a possible problem later on.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Getting good legal advice on what

your rights actually are is the first step toward resolving that pesky problem so that it doesn’t reemerge at a later date. Good luck.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Longtime relationships work well this week, whether they’re personal or professional. It’s also a good time to invite new friends and colleagues into your life.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good week to do the research that will help you uncover irrefutable facts for a project; this will back you up on your new venture when you most need it.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Change is an important factor in your aspect this week and could a ect something you might have thought was immune to any sort of adjustment or “alteration.”

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Being asked to share someone’s deeply personal confidence might be flattering, but accepting could be unwise. Decline gracefully but firmly.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) As wise as you are, you could still be misled by someone who seems to be sincere but really isn’t. Take more time to assess the situation before making any commitments.

[BORN THIS WEEK: You like to face challenges that others might try to avoid, and by doing so, you set an example of courage for all.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate

answers

crossword on page 15

sudoku on page 15

[1. TELEVISION: How many noble houses are mentioned in Game of Thrones?

by Fifi Rodriguez

[6. ANATOMY: What is considered the “master gland” of the human body?

[2. MOVIES: What is the name of the high school in the musical film Grease?

[3. GEOGRAPHY: Which southeast Asian country’s monetary unit is the ringgit?

[4. MUSIC: The song “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” is from which musical?

[5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first president to be impeached?

[7. PHYSICS: What does a newton measure?

[8. HISTORY: Which founding father wanted the turkey to be the national symbol of America rather than the eagle?

[9. SCIENCE: What is studied in mycology?

[10. U.S. STATES: What is Alaska’s state animal?

answer

10. The moose.

9. Fungi.

8. Benjamin Franklin.

7. Force.

6. Pituitary gland.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

5. Andrew Johnson, 1868.

4. “Oklahoma!”

3. Malaysia.

2. Rydell High School.

1. Nine.

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Theatre of Movement

Lynn Donovan Photography Reconsidered Goods Eastern Music Festival