YES! Weekly - November 16, 2022

4 Amidst Thanksgiving preparations and the nearing end of November, many continue to CELEBRATE, HONOR AND FIGHT for our veterans beyond Veteran’s Day.

5 The Junior League of High Point (JLHP) recently partnered with the Salvation Army of High Point and the Millis Regional Health Education Center to host another successful KIDS IN THE KITCHEN program.

6 This Saturday, the School of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) brings together the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra and Cantata Singers – plus guest soloists from the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, to present HANDEL’S FINAL ORATORIO JEPHTHA.

7 Despite the title, ARMAGEDDON TIME is not a slam-bang special-effects extravaganza but an autobiographical coming-of-age parable from writer/producer/director James Gray.

8 These days our entire political landscape is awash in candidates of color. And while other pastimes and industries have room for improvement, most of them have also made considerable progress when it comes to RACIAL EQUITY, with one exception: baseball.

9 College enrollment fell by MORE THAN 1 MILLION STUDENTS during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worse is yet to come.

14 In a public video posted November 2 on the Facebook page of the former Greensboro music club The Blind Tiger, owner BRAD MCCAULEY ACCUSED GREENSBORO POLICE OFFICERS of making “canned statements” that the venue was a “burden and detriment to the community.”

16 The Minnesota string-band is coming to Winston-Salem on the heels of their new album, “ALPENGLOW,” RELEASED IN OCTOBER — the latest offering in their lineage of releases.

Grammy-winning co-founder of the pioneering rap group Run-DMC said he was humbled by and proud of the one he would receive that night at the third annual Men Making Positive Changes Awards ceremony

Benefit Concert for Homeless Heroes Seeks to Be Family for Veterans

midst Thanksgiving preparations and the nearing end of November, many continue to celebrate, honor and fight for our veterans beyond Veteran’s Day. With several posts throughout the Triad, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is the nation’s oldest major veteran’s organization. In the upcoming week, the VFW Kernersville #5352 Oscar L. Joyner Jr. Post in Kernersville will be hosting its first annual Benefit Concert for Homeless Heroes on behalf of local veterans most in need.

Post #5352 is led by Commander Josh Hunt, a North Carolina native who relocated in recent years to the area following 20 years out in the Midwest. Upon first visiting the post, he immediately felt welcome and amongst family. Now in a leadership role, he is committed to highlighting awareness of veteran homelessness, unit-

Aing his community on behalf of helping veterans in need, and most importantly letting any veteran know that they are not alone.

“As human beings, we all have some pride about ourselves,” said Hunt. “The one thing about the military is they instill a bigger sense of pride. So the hardest thing to do is admit that you need help.”

The di culty for veterans to ask for help can then lead to self-medication that can later develop into “problems and troubles” that bring on financial burdens, homelessness, and many other issues. Once both homeless, and a veteran, seeking help doesn’t get any easier.

Aware of the fear of judgment homeless veterans carry, Hunt is determined to reach his fellow veterans and inform them that judgment is not his job, that there is a safe space for them to come to and get any support they may need. Through the benefit concert, the organization will use the profits to fully clothe and feed 15 homeless veterans at a follow-up Christmas meal in mid-December. In addition to clothing and a warm meal, veterans will also receive basic toiletries.

Being the first time the benefit concert takes place, aiming to earn profits for 15 individuals seems like a good starting point. While the number is small in comparison to the actual size of the homeless veteran population, Hunt hopes that the 15 veterans that receive help this year, will let another 15 veterans know, and so on until word of mouth spreads to greater numbers. “If we can get the word out and next year we are able to help 80 homeless veterans, then that’s outstanding,” said Hunt.

While the post is still in the process of narrowing down the 15 individuals that will receive the benefits raised through the concert, it has established it will provide the necessary transportation for those selected to attend the Christmas meal where they will receive their clothing and toiletries. Letting these veterans know that they matter, and giving them a reason to wake up the next day and keep fighting is Hunt’s ultimate goal.

A suicide attempt survivor, Hunt knows well the dark roads many of his comrades navigate.” You feel like there’s nobody there to help you,” said Hunt. “This hits home for me because I know the sacrifices that have to be made, and I also know the feeling you get when you do matter.” Determined to reach the veterans that are constantly left behind in a selfish society, he considers the benefit concert the chance to start turning the narrative around.

Getting the word out through the homeless and shelter communities will establish the benefit concert and its follow-up work as a legit project on behalf of homeless veterans. Hunt understands’ people’s wariness of potential hidden agendas or publicity, and is adamant about establishing post #5352’s e orts as strictly non-profit and an e ort directly from the heart of every single one of its volunteers, including himself.

The benefit concert is here to take place annually around the same time each year in order to support homeless veterans through the winter, which can be some of the darkest times for them if they are lacking family during the holiday season. However, the organization plans to remain on its toes for any notifications throughout the rest of the year of any other veterans in sudden need of urgent help.

There’s a particular feeling of home, belonging, and comradeship that veterans are known to openly admit to missing from their time in the service. Hunt firmly believes this can be brought to the table for homeless veterans in order to help them away from the edge and back to a place they can move forward in. “My goal in this world is to make you understand that you are accepted no matter your mistakes,” said Hunt. “We are here for you and you have a family.”

Unsure of what to expect for this first turnout, the post only hopes for the community to respond and come together for the cause. Entry to the event will be donation-based, homemade brisket plates provided by post members will be available for purchase, and additionally, live music will be provided by local band Witless Protection, there will be 50/50 ra es and a silent auction. !

DALIA RAZO is a bilingual journalist, fine arts educator, and doctoral student at UNCG.

WANNA go?

The Benefit Concert for Homeless Heroes will take place on Wednesday, November 23 at 618 Edgewood St. in Kernersville starting at 7 p.m. For additional information on VFW’s post #5352 please visit https://www.facebook.com/kernersvillencvfw or call (336) 996-3611.

Josh Hunt, Commander of the VFW Kernersville #5352 Oscar L. Joyner Jr. Post, during his time in the military, at left, and today.

Dalia Razo

Contributor

The Junior League of High Point Hosts Annual Kids in the Kitchen Program

PRESS RELEASE

The Junior League of High Point (JLHP) recently partnered with the Salvation Army of High Point and the Millis Regional Health Education Center to host another successful Kids in the Kitchen program. This event serves local youth and focuses on healthy eating and living. This year, the Kids in the Kitchen program consisted of a three-part workshop in which children participated in an exercise program, a nutrition tutorial, and a healthy cooking class. We emphasized simple changes children and their families can make to add nutritional value to their meals and the importance of exercise for optimal physical and mental health. At the end of the event, each child received a goodie bag filled with healthy snacks and exercise equipment.

“Kids in the Kitchen is always one of my favorite Junior League events,” said Allison Jarrell, Community Impact Committee Chair. “This year, the students from Salvation Army participated with a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm for cooking and talking about nutrition. I am grateful for them, the Millis Center, and the JLHP’s membership who worked together to create this fantastic event!”

Kids in the Kitchen is part of a larger initiative by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) designed to promote the organization’s long-time commitment to improving the health and wellness of children. Both the Junior League of High Point and AJLI believe that children and families empowered with the knowledge of how to feed and exercise their bodies will live healthier, happier lives. Over the past 15 years, the Junior League of High Point has been proud to facilitate its Kids in the Kitchen program for hundreds of children from our High Point community. AJLI featured the success of our League’s Kids in the Kitchen program at: http:// kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org/jl-programs/ jl-high-point-kids-kitchen/ “Kids in the Kitchen is such a fun event for children in our community and members of the Junior League of High Point,” said Laura Johnston, President of the Junior League of High Point. “But the most significant impact is our

community partners’ educational piece about healthy food and exercise choices. The kids leave the event feeling empowered to make healthy daily choices, and that is where long-term, positive change begins.”

For more information, contact the Junior League of High Point, Inc. at (336)889-5479 or info@jlhp.org . Or, visit our website at www.jlhp.org. !

THE JUNIOR League of High Point, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Since 1928, the Junior League of High Point, Inc. has empowered women through leadership training and development to impact the High Point community positively. As a member, a woman can expect to gain an awareness of critical social issues, build practical communication skills, participate in fundraising efforts and accomplish significant goals through teamwork on various projects. Members also develop strong, enduring friendships through involvement with community projects.

[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS BOTH NEW AND OLD ABOUND WITH WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY’S CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONY: A CAROLINA CHRISTMAS! AND HANDEL’S MESSIAH

BY JOEY BURDETTE

Now in its 10th year, the WinstonSalem Symphony’s A Carolina Christmas! has established itself as a beloved holiday tradition for the entire Triad. This season, Cirque de la Symphonie returns to thrill audiences with a show filled with acrobatic artistry and family fun, all choreographed to favorite holiday music. Concertgoers will experience high-flying routines performed by accomplished acrobats and some of the most original talents to step into the concert hall. Guest Conductor Chelsea Tipton, II leads the orchestra in a selection of popular seasonal music that will send spirits soaring as the holiday season kicks o .

Cirque de la Symphonie is the only company of its kind in the world that performs exclusively with symphony orchestras. Expect to see a show choreographed by a former Olympic athlete, Russian circus performers, elite gymnasts, and a juggling illusionist. And it wouldn’t be “A Carolina Christmas” without a visit from Santa Claus and a sing-along inviting the audience and orchestra to create music together. Merritt Vale, Winston-Salem Symphony President & CEO, says, “A Carolina Christmas is a magical way to begin your holiday season. When the talents of the orchestra and the thrills of Cirque de la Symphonie come together with your favorite Christmas carols and holiday melodies, it is sure to delight audiences of all ages.” These Christmas concerts take place the weekend after Thanksgiving at R.J. Reynolds Memorial Auditorium.

Another holiday musical tradition not to be missed is the Symphony’s sixteenth annual performance of Handel’s Messiah on December 13 at Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel. Audiences will recognize guest conductor Robert Moody from his 13-year tenure as the Winston-Salem Symphony Music Director from 2005 — 2018. He has helmed the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since

2016 and served as the Music Director of Arizona Musicfest since 2007. Moody’s passion was always evident in the performances of Handel’s Messiah, which he calls “a musical masterpiece that I look forward to conducting each holiday season. No Christmas season is complete without it.”

Handel’s Messiah is widely regarded as one of music’s most powerful messages of faith. Audiences have loved this piece of music since 1742, making it one of the most celebrated oratorios of all time. If you have never felt the impact of the beautiful and dramatic “Hallelujah” chorus live in concert, this is a musical experience that you do not want to miss.

The Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Gillam, once again joins the orchestra for this Triad Christmas favorite.

A Carolina Christmas with Cirque de la Symphonie will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 26 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium, located at 301 North Hawthorne Road, WinstonSalem, NC 27104. Handel’s Messiah will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, at Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University, located at 2625 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Tickets for both shows start at $25 and are available online at wssymphony.org or by calling the Symphony Box O ce at 336-464-0145.

ARTS COUNCIL is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Our goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain artistic, cultural and creative o erings throughout our region We acknowledge that it takes every voice, every talent, and every story to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Arts Council is committed to serving as a facilitator, organizer, and promoter of conversations that are authentic, inclusive, and forward-thinking. There are over 800,000 art experiences taking place in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County annually. To learn more about upcoming arts and culture events happening in our community, please visit www.cityofthearts.com

JaShawn Lisenby from the Salvation Army of High Point during the Kids in the Kitchen program.

This Saturday, the School of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) brings together the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra and Cantata Singers — plus guest soloists from the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, to present Handel’s final oratorio Jephtha at 7:30 p.m. in the Stevens Center, 405 W. Fourth St., Winston-Salem. Tickets are $20 (general admission) and $15 (students with valid ID) and can be purchased by calling (336) 721-1945 or visiting https://www.uncsa.edu/performances/events/20221119-symphonyorchestra-cantata-singers.aspx

Born in what was then Prussia, Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) initially specialized in creating Italian-style operas, but following a breakdown, he literally reinvented himself and transitioned to English choral works, having settled permanently there in 1712. Although best known for his 1742 composition Messiah, which has become a holiday mainstay, he is widely admired for his versatility and tenacity, and inspired such subsequent legends as Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.

The Baroque oratorio Jephtha, featuring a libretto by Thomas Morell, marked Handel’s last major work. By the time it was first produced in 1752, he was in fail-

ing health and su ering from poor eyesight. He incorporated this into the piece, which is based on the Old Testament story of Jephtha, who had been banished by the Israelites but was recalled when his military abilities were needed to combat the Ammonites. He vows to God that he will sacrifice the first living creature he encounters when he returns from the battle, but to his shock his only daughter, Iphis, is the first he encounters, to congratulate him on the success of the campaign.

The concert will be conducted by UNCSA School of Music faculty member James Allbritten, who is also the music director of the Fletcher Opera Institute

and general manager of Piedmont Opera. “Deux ex machina was very common in opera from the beginning of the form,” Allbritten said. “If you love Messiah, you’ll be intrigued by Jephtha because it’s similar, but it’s di erent. It is beyond the typical Baroque, which was all about ‘let’s paint a picture,’ and it gets very philosophical. The Messiah tells the greatest story ever told in great, broad pictures. In Jephtha, you have this big dramatic chorus that steps out of the big broad pictures and into a thoughtful philosophical mode.”

Allbritten o ered a unique analogy: “There is a recitative before one of the big battle choruses,” he said. “The recitative is like the six o’clock news teasing to the eleven o’clock news, and the chorus is like ‘News at 11,’ because it is so chock-full of information. Jephtha has moments that thrill, but it gets remarkably personal, and

you get inside the (title) character’s mind in a way that is so much more contemplative than I am used to from Handel.”

In the original story, Iphis is sacrificed to keep Jephtha’s vow, but Handel and Morell “retooled” the tale to ensure a more upbeat conclusion. “We experience the great depth of human su ering, because Jephtha realizes that he made a stupid mistake, and it is compounded by the daughter’s forgiveness. The way Handel and the librettist change the ending, we are spared some of that su ering. Jephtha shows the evolution of a great oratorio composer — the story of a man with tremendous faults. We are not dealing with divinity but with human nature. In Jephtha, we get to watch people be human to beautiful music.” !

BURGER ’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2022, Mark Burger.

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Mark Burger

Contributor

Despite the title, Armageddon Time is not a slam-bang speciale ects extravaganza but an autobiographical comingof-age parable from writer/producer/ director James Gray, with Banks Repeta portraying Gray’s cinematic alter-ego, young Paul Gra .

Set in 1980 Queens, on the eve of Ronald Reagan’s election to the presidency, the narrative is conveyed almost entirely from Paul’s perspective. The impressionable and imaginative Paul aspires to be an artist, but his ambitions are virtually ignored by his parents Esther (a delightfully dowdy Anne Hathaway) and Irving (Jeremy Strong, channeling the late Ron Silver). Only kind-hearted grandpa Aaron Rabinowitz (Anthony Hopkins) o ers any encouragement.

When Paul befriends streetwise schoolmate Johnny Davis (Jaylin Webb), his eyes are opened to racial discrimination. Johnny is African American and is the undue target of repeated scorn by odious teacher Mr. Turkeltaub (Andrew Polk), and Paul’s parents don’t exactly approve of the friendship, either.

Armageddon Time isn’t as steeped in ‘80s trappings as one might expect, but it does capture some attitudes that remain

relevant. Paul is at that stage in his early adolescence where he begins to recognize adults — including members of his own family — not as fonts of compassion and wisdom, but as neurotic, sometimes petty individuals. Esther and Irving have been so conditioned to cultural assimilation that they fail to recognize their own faults. The actions they take, seemingly for Paul’s benefit, only reveal their own insecurities and limitations.

It’s no surprise, then, that Paul would rebel against these familial constraints. Repeta, who was so impressive as the endangered but resourceful hero in The Black Phone earlier this year, again proves himself an actor capable of carrying a film almost entirely on his own. It’s easy to identify with his plight, particularly when

it appears that the rest of his world is in direct opposition to his dreams.

There are moments of great insight and irony in Armageddon Time, but not enough to make it a great movie. Some characters are given short shrift and so are some subplots, which are dropped without a second

thought. In an early dinner sequence, Gray sends up Jewish stereotypes in an uproarious fashion that recalls vintage Woody Allen, but afterward, the film undergoes a shift in tone. Gray has rarely displayed humor in any of his earlier films and doesn’t seem comfortable with comedy. (Some have jokingly observed that Gray’s work tends to reflect his surname.)

Nevertheless, this is the sort of film that could be called “Oscar bait,” particularly regarding the performance of the venerable but invaluable Hopkins. The lovable patriarch is something of a stock character, but the two-time Oscar winner imbues it with humor and charm, and his chemistry with Repeta goes a long, long way. Gray may not be renowned for his comedic touch — here or ever — but he does have a knack for eliciting good work from his actors. Tovah Feldshuh, John Diehl, and Domenick Lombardozzi shine in smaller roles, and there’s a smashing cameo appearance by Jessica Chastain as one Maryanne Trump, whose path briefly crosses with Paul’s. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2022, Mark Burger.

Mark Burger

Contributor

he State of Georgia is in the spotlight these days because neither Senate candidate garnered enough votes to avoid a run-off, which will take place next month. No matter who wins, though, the contest itself has been significant because both candidates are Black. In a sense it is a victory for diversity in the very heart of the Confederacy, but not only there. These days our entire political landscape is awash in candidates of color. And while other pastimes and industries have room for improvement, most of them have also made considerable progress when it comes to racial equity, with one exception: baseball.

As you know, the World Series recently concluded with Houston beating Philadelphia. But you may not be aware that

Lack of Blacks in Baseball

Tthere were no US-born Black players on either team, and that hasn’t happened since 1950. Soon thereafter, there were plenty of Black ball players that kids like me could idolize. Guys like Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Willie McCovey. In fact, I was inspired to play first base because of McCovey, and I even tried to copy his batting stance. I was not alone. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Black kids flocked to baseball, creating a pipeline of minority talent in a sport that had once been dominated by White players. But as basketball became increasingly more popular, kids of color turned away from our national pastime. Gradually the pipeline was broken. According to CNN, the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport recently reported that back in 1991, Black players comprised 18% of MLB teams. Today it’s a startling 7%.

To their credit, Major League Baseball has been trying to fix the problem, with initiatives like their “Dream Series,” which has resulted in four of this year’s top five draft picks being African American. But the pipeline is still in need of repair. Tony Reagins, MLB’s

chief diversity officer told CNN’s Jalen Brown that, “The key is getting players from the youth leagues to college where they can be seen by scouts.” But that’s a big challenge for two reasons. First, because Black kids comprise only about 5% of college baseball rosters, and second, because youth leagues themselves are struggling to attract young players of color.

True enough, today’s African American youth are drawn more to basketball than baseball because the former is more popular than the latter. But there’s also a financial component to consider. No special uniform or equipment is required to play in a pick-up game of roundball, but it costs money to play youth baseball. For one thing, baseball equipment is a lot more expensive than it used to be and can be out of reach for struggling families of color. Meanwhile, there’s the problem of access. According to Richard Lapchick, director of the Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sports, baseball fields are not common in urban areas, and those that exist are usually in poor condition.

The general consensus is that local

communities need to make a concerted effort to encourage and support minority participation in youth baseball leagues, not just because a few more kids might make it to the big leagues, but because of what the sport of baseball can teach them about life, both on and off the field.

It’s hard to believe now, but in 1965, 14 kids from Pacoima, California became the first all-Black team to get to the Little League World Series, and they didn’t get there alone. It took community support. Fifty-seven years later, no one who looks like them played in the Major League World Series. This is one time when we need to look backward for a strategy on how to move forward. !

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).

beats to highlight the unifying pillars of the holiday season: giving back to others and being wholeheartedly thankful. Fans can expect to dance along to hits from the band’s Grammy-nominated Take the Stairs album, as well as holiday favorites from their Give Thanks album.

Jim Longworth

Longworth at Large

N.C. Regional Universities Must Innovate and Reinvent to Serve the State

BY DR. FRANKLIN D. GILLIAM JR., CHANCELLOR, UNC GREENSBORO

Colleges and universities across North Carolina and the nation are encountering sti headwinds.

College enrollment fell by more than 1 million students during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worse is yet to come. The high school-age population will begin to shrink starting in 2025, and growing numbers of young Americans are choosing not to go to college. Many critics say college doesn’t pay o and the return on investment isn’t worth the expense. Though a college degree remains the best path to economic mobility and community prosperity, Americans are growing increasingly skeptical of the value of higher education.

North Carolina — because good leaders prioritized a low-price, high-quality public university system — seemed immune to these challenges. Starting in 2013, UNC System enrollment rose for eight straight years. This fall, however, systemwide enrollment declined by nearly 2%. Twelve of the state’s 16 public universities, including UNCG, lost enrollment. Three of the remaining four institutions reaped a net gain of fewer than 100 students.

Public flagships and private elites will weather the coming storm because they have well-known brands, international reach, and immense resources. They are well-positioned for sustained success. UNCG, however, stands in the center of the storm. Pandemic-related enrollment declines disproportionately a ected enrollment among Black and underresourced students — students we are proud to serve. Because of demographic

changes and other factors, UNCG and other regional public universities are projected to lose 7% of their enrollment over the next decade. Our concern: enrollment translates into budget and our ability to serve students and the community.

Regional universities can’t grow their way out of this predicament. They can’t price their way out, research their way out or fundraise their way out. What they can and must do is reinvent and innovate.

Reinvention means constant evaluation and improvement. At UNCG, we reconstructed our institutional research, compliance, and online education units to save money, improve performance, and better serve students and the university over the long term.

Innovation means generating new ideas that can deliver value to students, partners, and the broader community. These ideas must align with a university’s core mission, meet student or market demand and critical workforce needs, require little to no new resources, and attract external funding from corporate partners, foundations, or the government. UNCG and other similar institutions possess creative and accomplished faculty and sta who are up to this challenge.

One example of UNCG innovation is esports. Through a private-public partnership, we built a state-of-the-art video game arena for campus recreation, instruction, research, camps, and statewide tournaments. We are collaborating with industry leader Epic Games to train faculty, sta , students, and N.C. educators on how to use Unreal Engine, its real-time 3D creation tool. Our

faculty has created an esports business management concentration and an esports certificate and minor. A donor has endowed a new professorship in innovation with an initial esports focus, and UNCG will pilot a statewide curriculum-centered high school esports league this spring. Esports has the potential to drive enrollment, grow industry partnerships, and generate additional university revenue and support.

Innovation and reinvention will look di erent across institutions; what works in Greensboro might not in other parts of the state. But regional universities must develop new programs and approaches

to attract learners, partners, and funding and better serve students and their communities.

Our mission at UNCG remains unchanged. We educate the nurses, teachers, accountants, small-business owners, and other professionals who fuel the engine of prosperity across the state. This role remains vital, and our students and regional universities like us need support from Murphy to Manteo to weather this storm. !

leisure

NOT YOUR JOB

Mary K. Brown, 38, of Durand, Wisconsin, was charged with physical abuse of an elder person after she performed surgery on a man under her care, WQOW-TV reported. Brown was working as a hospice nurse at Spring Valley Health and Rehab Center, where she cared for a patient su ering from severe frostbite on his feet. On May 27, Brown took it upon herself to remove the victim’s right foot — without a doctor’s order or permission. Another nurse, who held the victim’s hand during the procedure, said he was moaning and squeezing her hand, and he told yet another nurse that he felt everything, and it hurt very bad. Brown told one nurse that her family has a taxidermy shop and she intended to preserve the foot and put it on display with a sign saying, “Wear your boots, kids.” She is due in court on Dec. 6.

BUMMER

College dreams were scattered across a highway in El Paso, Texas, on Oct. 28 when a UPS truck lost its load of SAT tests that had been completed on Oct. 27 at El Paso High School, KTSM-TV reported. Senior class vice president Santiago Gonzalez said the school called a meeting to discuss the lost tests. All but 55 of them were recovered; the College Board is working with those students to set a retest date. Student body president Zyenna Martinez is worried about identity theft: “(The tests) have all of our identification and information ... where we live, our address, our date of birth ... and it stinks because our identity is out there right now.”

TWO WEIRDS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

TSA o cers at the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport made a “hen you believe it?” (their pun, not ours) discovery on Nov. 8 as they screened luggage: a pistol stu ed inside a raw chicken. The Associated Press reported that both raw meat and firearms are allowed on airplanes — just not packed together. TSA posted a photo of the bang-bang chicken on its Instagram account but did not identify the traveler or whether it made any arrests.

GOALS

Alexander Tominsky, 31, of Philadelphia invited the public to assemble and watch him eat an entire rotisserie chicken — for the 40th day in a row, The New York Times reported. Dubbed “The Chicken Man,” Tominsky placed fliers around Philly to

advertise his consumption of the 40th bird, and dozens of people showed up at a pier on the Delaware River on Nov. 6 to watch. “Eat that bird!” they chanted. And he did. Why? He told the Times that much of the world is in pain, so he needed to do something painful to himself that would make others smile. After 40 days of cramping and bloating, Tominsky was looking forward to a sushi dinner.

UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT

As 61-year-old James Hodges, who is legally blind, walked down the street in Columbia County, Florida, on Oct. 31, Deputy Jayme Gohde noticed the walking stick folded up in Hodges’ back pocket and thought it was a gun. She stopped him and handcu ed him after he refused to produce his ID. But, The Washington Post reported, she and her sergeant learned he had no outstanding warrants and he clearly wasn’t armed, so she was prepared to release him. Then Hodges asked for her name and badge number, and her sergeant said, according to body cam footage, “You know what, put him in jail for resisting.” On Nov. 7, charges against Hodges were dropped; on Nov. 8, Sheri Mark Hunter announced that the sergeant had been demoted and Gohde was suspended for two days without pay. Both will receive remedial civil rights training.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Japanese convenience store Lawson is testing a new candy that tastes like emptiness, Oddity Central reported. “Aji no Shinai? Ame,” or “Tasteless? Candy,” apparently has a slight odor but almost no flavor. The makers are hoping that people who use candy just to keep their mouths and throats moist will appreciate the flavorless variety.

ONE MAN’S TRASH ...

German collector Alexander Smoljanovic is on the hunt for a special item to complete his collection, Metro News reported. Smoljanovic wants a purple Sulo 240-liter wheeled trash can, available only in the United Kingdom, to round out his collection of more than 100 full-size wheelies. “I have miniatures and real wheelie bins from USA, Australia, France, U.K. and Germany. Almost every color is available. The most valuable colors are purple, gold, silver and transparent,” he said. He hopes for a donation, but he’s willing to pay for the elusive purple wheelie. “Some people tell me, ‘Now I consider my wheelie bin from another angle.’” !

©2022 Andrews McMeel Universal

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

DMC shares “Dream” with kids: Rosa Foundation honors rap legend turned author

“I’m normally leery of awards,” said hiphop legend Darryl Matthews McDaniels when interviewed by YES! Weekly at the Greensboro Public Library on Saturday morning.

But the rhymespinning and Grammy-winning co-founder of the pioneering rap group Run-DMC said he was humbled by and proud of the one he would receive that night at the third annual Men Making Positive Changes Awards ceremony at Greensboro’s Grandover Resort.

“Almost everything about show business and entertainment is crap,” said McDaniels. “What’s important is the people you meet.”

He put his arm around the man sitting beside him, who was wearing a Run-DMC

“King of Rock” t-shirt and a hat similar to the one sworn by DMC and Joseph “Run” Simmons in their classic videos and album covers. This was James Abdul-malik Rosa Jr., who would be presenting McDaniels with the award that night and would hold the children’s book Darryl’s Dream open for the audience to see while McDaniel’s spoke about it to a room full of kids and their parents.

Rosa co-created the Rosa Foundation with his wife, T’ebony Camisha Rosa, in 2018. He is executive director of the Greensboro nonprofit, which he described as “a grassroots organization putting boots on the ground to give back to the community through food drives, coat drives, award ceremonies, and scholarships.” He said that Saturday’s Men Making Positive Changes Awards ceremony at the Grandover was also a fundraiser for the scholarship banquet his organization is planning for next year, which will focus on raising college money for students in Title 1 schools and low-income communities.

Rosa and McDaniels were put in touch

with each other by their mutual friend DJ Keith Watkins, a Brooklyn hip-hop pioneer who also works for the New York Department of Public Education.

“I’ve known DJ Keith since I was 12 years old,” said Rosa. “He won an award from us two years ago, and I’ve seen him and D doing a lot of stu for their community in Brooklyn. When Keith said he’d like to nominate DMC for our award, I said, sure! He gave me D’s number. When D called me back, I could hardly believe it was really him. This man is one of my idols. I grew up listening to his music, and as you can see [points to his t-shirt and hat], this is how I’ve been since I was a kid.”

The Queens-raised McDaniels and Brooklyn-born Rosa bonded over their New York backgrounds, work in their respective communities, and personal challenges long before they met face-to-face. “I took a lot from my community,” said Rosa, “and it’s time to replenish the stu I took away. As of today, I have 28 years clean and in recovery. If it wasn’t for that process, and me changing my life, I wouldn’t be sitting

here today giving it back.”

“For me, it’s 18 years in recovery,” said McDaniels.

“Well, there we go!” said Rosa. “Thank you for being here and making one of my dreams come true. I’m giving you this award because of what you’re doing in the community.”

McDaniels said that he became even more leery of awards, especially the ones the entertainment industry bestows on performers, while giving talks about his 2009 book Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide — a Memoir, which he wrote after listening to the Sarah McLachlan song “Angel” which convinced him not to take his own life during a fit of depression.

“Recently, I was at a conference on mental health and sobriety in Salt Lake City and one of the ladies there, a doctor and university professor, said shows like the Grammy Awards contribute to people’s mental health issues by selecting certain individuals and excluding others. Award shows should be a celebration of all people’s talents. My new record is

Ian McDowell

Contributor

called “Enough of this Shit,” and one of the rhymes is “Don’t hold me a celebrity/this is something I could never be,” so I’m trying to remove that perception. Even though I’m DMC, I’ll be standing backstage, and people will say stu like Beyonce’s coming through, get out of the hallway. Me and my crew, we ain’t moving. And y’all shouldn’t either. A famous person ain’t nothing without the people who pay to see and hear them.”

He spoke about the book he was getting ready to introduce to a roomful of kids on the floor above us.

“Darryl’s Dream is DMC in the third grade. I wrote it so that every kid could know that they’re perfect just the way they are, and that everything that makes them who they are, right now at this little age, will be utilized for them to be successful when they get older. So, don’t be ashamed about your hair, your freckles, your height, not any of that, because everything the people tease you about is actually the thing they’re noticing about you that’s going to help you later. I got teased for my glasses and look what happened. Once you’re enthusiastic about who you are, people who don’t even need glasses will want to wear them because you made them cool.”

McDaniels then rapped from “Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2)”, the fourth track on RunDMC’s eponymous 1984 debut album: The D’s for doin’ it all of the time The M’s for the rhymes that are all mine The C’s for cool, cool as can be (And why you wear those glasses?) So I can see!

“The book is very autobiographical. I was a kid, I got teased, bullied, and picked on. I was a comic book reading kid who wore glasses and never cut classes, and those classes were at St. John’s University in Queens, a Catholic school, which was another bad thing in my hood because the public school kids thought it meant my family was rich and I had lots of quarters in my pockets. So, glasses, Catholic School, and comic books, and I’m not stealing water guns, I’m doing my homework. I thought I had everything going wrong for me.”

And now he wants to help kids like the one he used to be realize that there’s nothing wrong with him then or them now.

“Kids need to realize that when they’re enthusiastic about who they are, it has an e ect on other people around them going through the same thing. I didn’t do Darryl’s Dream so that kids could see the man their mothers, fathers, and grandfathers think is so magnificent. I wanted to show them that doesn’t happen overnight, and that this guy all these adults were going crazy over was once in the third grade like them, and going through the same things. The book helps kids realize about themselves,

‘oh, what I’m going through is not abnormal, and if I’m who I am, that should be a special thing to be celebrated! I shouldn’t have to change who I am to be accepted.’

If a kid doesn’t like playing basketball and wants to take piano lessons, he should take piano lessons. Or read books or draw pictures or whatever.”

McDaniels said that the one fictional thing he and his co-authors added to the book is the talent show that Darryl competes in.

“We did that to show kids it’s cool to participate and even fail. That it’s okay to try new things and not get it right. The two teachers I wrote the book with, Shawnee and Johnny Warfield, they’re actually now principals in their respective districts, and they brought me to Brooklyn to speak at the elementary schools three times in a row. Every time I came and spoke, they said there was an attitude change in the kids, just from hearing the old school rapper guy saying that education is cool, working together is cool, not fighting is cool.”

He said this is something adults need to learn, and not just in hip-hop.

“Look at the politicians, entertainment, social media, and so, if adults are behaving like that, imagine what’s going on in the classrooms. When hip-hop came along for us in the 70s, the Bronx was burning and we didn’t have nothing. Or so the world thought. We faced death, darkness, and destruction and we had to look inside, and out of that came music, poetry, dance, fashion, style, and educators. It was a Bronx Renaissance, a period that should be in history books.”

McDaniels wants people to remember 80’s hip-hop as inspirational and aspirational.

“The media perceived it as Black ghetto music. But in the beginning, the dominant records were all message records. We

weren’t all just complaining about how fucked up things were. Rolling Stone got one thing right. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” is the greatest hip-hop song ever made, because it wasn’t the young people speaking just for the young people, it was them speaking for families and communities.”

McDaniels said he’s proud Run-DMC followed in that tradition.

“I came to the game with a rapper’s swagger and attitude, but instead of rapping about bitches and hoes, I’m talking about mothers, fathers, and learning stu . We were watching our elders go through Hell, and nobody was making music for them at that time. So, when we said ‘okay, it’s all messed up,’ we were also saying, what are we gonna do, how are we gonna change that?

When I came into Hip-Hop, the perception was, you need to be talking about the ghetto and drugs and how broken everything is. But I was a kid in that same environment, with gangbangers and drug dealers, but also Double Dutch jump rope and hopscotch and kids reading comic books. People may look at me and just see Run-DMC and the videos and Adidas, but the things that make me who I am include the Brady Bunch and the Addams Family, the Munsters, the Flintstones, the Jetsons, Spider-Man, and Godzilla movies. We are all products of pop culture, just like we’re all products of our parents and their parents.”

McDaniels said that speaking to kids now has reminded him of the kid he was, and how much that kid shaped both who DMC was at the height of hip-hop fame, and who he is now almost 40 years later.

“I didn’t fully realize some of the good things I was doing back then until all that time was past and gone, when I started speaking at these elementary schools. Going back and speaking to these kids now, as well as speaking to the teachers who helped me write this book, I knew had to look back and give back.”

He said that his co-authors, who have worked in public education for decades, also talked about how it bothered them that so many of their students only seem to want to be rappers or athletes.

“But that’s all they know because it can seem like those are the only adults being celebrated. They’re not being exposed to the young Black woman who works at Pixar for Disney, and we need to talk about her, too. And the teachers I wrote this book with, what they told me was that I can inspire, educate and motivate. I’m the guy who’s been around so long, grandmothers and grandfathers know who I am. And now kids can put two and two together and go ‘this guy was just like me,’ and that takes a little bit of the pressure o them.” !

IAN MCDOWELL is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which he’s proud of and none of which he’s ashamed of.

McDaniels, known as DMC, with James Abdul-malik Rosa Jr., co-created of the Rosa Foundation.

Ian McDowell

Contributor

Former Blind Tiger owner alleges venue was

emails detail attempts

In a public video posted November 2 on the Facebook page of the former Greensboro music club The Blind Tiger, owner Brad McCau ley accused Greens boro police officers of making “canned statements” that the venue was a “burden and detri ment to the com munity.”

He also accused Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Alcohol Law Enforcement, and GPD officers of having “demonized” the venue, longtime man ager Donald Beck, and McCauley himself.

Founded at 2115 Walker Avenue in 1988, the venue was owned by Beck when it moved to 1819 Spring Garden in 2019. In his video, McCauley states he has “been involved with” the venue since 2016.

Public controversy over the Spring Garden location erupted in April of this year, following two shooting incidents at or near that address. Then in the early

morning of July 31, contracted secu rity Jason Leonard fatally shot Pedro Alegria, who had been celebrating his 19th birthday at the establishment, after Alegria’s party fought with patrons at another VIP table. Security ejected the combatants, but the fight continued in the parking lot, and Leonard stepped outside and fired, killing Alegria.

Arrested at the scene, Leonard was charged with 2nd-degree murder. His next court date is December 6th.

After an investigation, the North Caro lina Alcoholic Beverage Control board suspended the venue’s liquor licenses. In statements to local TV stations, Blind Tiger attorney Amiel Rossabi indicated his client intended to contest the sus pension at a December hearing.

Email correspondence obtained via public information request reveals that, on October 27, McCauley reached out to the ALE and “advised he wanted to can cel his ABC permits for the Blind Tiger.” Due to this, the hearing was canceled.

On November 2, the following statement was posted to the venue’s Face book page.

“The Blind Tiger, its owners, managers, and staff would like to thank everyone

for supporting live music at our venue over the past 34 years. With heavy hearts, we have decided to close our doors and sell to Hangar 1819.”

The entry for Hangar 1819 LLC at OpenCorporates.com lists the date of incorporation as August 5 and Kristofer Sunico as director and agent. McCauley is not listed as an officer, but his name and Sunico’s are included in an Open Corporates entry for the Mebane-based Greensboro District LLC.

The entry states that Greensboro District LLC was incorporated on April 21 and lists McCauley, Sunico, and Joel Collins as “Directors/Officers.” However, it also states that “Removal” of McCau ley occurred between October 22 and October 28.

In his November 2 video, McCauley cited statements made by ALE investi gators that the Blind Tiger was “an un safe environment.” He also denounced allegations in four affidavits by GPD officers as “canned statements.”

The affidavit of Officer J. Jordan stated “a disorder such as this is not un common at this location”; that of Officer E. P. Edmonds’ stated “A disorder such as this is not unusual at this location”; that of Officer T. T. Simmonds stated “I believe this establishment is a detriment to the community”; and that of Officer J. Young stated, “I am aware of three (3) other shootings at this location in the past year.”

McCauley stated his 911 call logs for the last three years list 144 calls, but that “less than 6% are true calls, and if you take away the April and the July 31 incidents, there’s very few calls at all.”

McCauley alleged the April 13 incident was a “shootout” between “two rival gangs, one sitting on Oakland Avenue and was one on Chapman Court near our upper parking lot,” and unconnected to the “open mic event” happening at the Blind Tiger at that time.

He described an April 17 shooting as occurring after a late-night “an nual fundraiser that we do with a local fraternity or sorority” where “only water or Red Bull is offered.” At “about 5:15 a.m.,” said McCauley, “two females were shot” in front of the neighboring CBD store Apotheca, which he described as

permits

“another random act of violence here in Greensboro that had nothing to do with the Blind Tiger.”

In regards to the July 31 shooting of Alegria, McCauley stated that after Alegria and several other members of his party acknowledged they were under 21, they were marked as ineligible to buy al cohol and escorted to a VIP table bought for them by Alegria’s “friends and fam ily” to celebrate his 19th birthday.

“Just like at any restaurant or venue that is all-ages in North Carolina, you may have under-21 and over-21 in that group and the over-21 can consume alcohol around an under-21 patron,” said McCauley. He also said that bottles placed by staff on the VIP table were fitted with a mechanism preventing the patrons from serving themselves.

He said that, after his staff discovered the mechanism had been broken by the patrons, “we shut down that VIP section and removed all alcohol from their area.”

When the fight broke out, “our security Staff ushered their group outside, pro tecting our other customers and staff from the altercation.” Then, said McCau ley, contracted security Jason Leonard “brandished a firearm, one that he was never allowed to have in the building,” and shot Alegria.

McCauley denied that the venue’s longtime general manager and former owner Beck hid the murder weapon. Instead, alleged McCauley, contracted security Anthony Delaney, who was a friend of Leonard’s, retrieved a firearm from Delaney’s car. When Beck became aware of this, Beck “reprimanded him and asked him to place it in a drawer” in the manager’s desk.

Then, as seemingly depicted on security footage included in McCauley’s video, “Anthony Delaney came back to the office without Donald Beck being aware, and placed another firearm in a drawer.”

McCauley also denied that his staff had “intentionally destroyed evidence.”

“The promoter from that evening had a couple of patrons that were in there, and they took a couple of bottles of wa ter while we’re outside, and washed the blood off the stone retention wall and around the door, so as customers left,

“demonized” by mayor, GPD, and ALE;

by new owner to get ABC

they did not have to walk through any blood. That was not approved by us.”

He did not address the statement in ALE agent Blythe Watson’s affidavit that, upon viewing security footage, Watson observed Beck place a second gun under his deck minutes after Delaney placed one in a drawer. He also did not address Watson’s statement that, in the footage depicting an unidentified man and woman washing blood off the retaining wall and door, Beck “was outside and observed this and it appears he did nothing to prevent or stop them from cleaning up the blood.”

Nor did he address statements from GPD Officers J. Jordan and E. P. Edmonds that, upon arriving at the murder scene, both officers were told that the venue “was private property and police could not enter,” and that “managers” allegedly attempted to physically prevent the officer from entering.”

In a September 1 video posted to Facebook by WFMY reporter Amber Lake, Blind Tiger attorney Rossabi appeared to acknowledge this occurred but stated: “Anybody who was armed, should not come into a facility that is governed by the ALE. That is why our direction to our security people is don’t be armed, you may not come in here with weapons. In addition, it’s a situation where somebody got shot, and the whole process is one of melee, and so, those officers were let in almost within minutes of keeping them out.”

In his November 2 video, McCauley stated that, several hours after Alegria was killed, Greensboro homicide detec-

tives “made us aware that there was another gun that was hidden in the office by Anthony Delaney, which was Jason Leonard’s murder weapon.” He called the murder of Alegria an “isolated incident where a contracted security guard wasn’t thinking and brought a gun into his job with no knowledge of Donald Beck the general manager,” whom McCauley called “a proven operator” and “someone that’s been in the Greensboro community for over 34 years, and at the Blind Tiger for over 26 of those years.”

McCauley condemned Vaughan for “statements that we are a nuisance,” ALE agents for stating “that we’re a burden on Greensboro, and “canned statements” by GPD officers “that this is not an isolated incidence, that this has happened multiple times, and that we are a nuisance to the neighborhood and a burden on the resources of Greensboro.”

McCauley concluded by alleging the mayor, ALE agents, and GPD officers “demonized us.”

September and October emails between GPD attorney Andrea Howell, Blind Tiger and Hangar 1819 attorneys Rossabi and Michael Boyer, and ALE and ABC attorneys and agents shed light on the process by which McCauley surrendered his ABC license, as well as Sunico’s negotiations for ABC licenses at the same address. Emails to and from Greensboro-nc.gov addresses are public records; these were obtained via a City of Greensboro public information request.

A September 16 email from GPD at-

torney Harrell to ABC assistant counsel Robert Nauseef stated “at the request of Mr. Rossabi, I have inquired with Vice/ Narcotics Division as to the status of the application received yesterday from Mr. Sunico.” Later that day, GPD detective and ABC Task Force Officer Ashley Hawkins emailed ABC compliance officer Anna Mintz: “We are recommending that the application be denied based on the location of the establishment.”

On September 27, ABC director of programming Missy Welch emailed GPD Captain Milford Harris that Hangar 1819’s Sunico “offers the following conditions in order to receive temporary permits.”

These conditions include the assurance that Hangar 1819 “will not operate as a nightclub but exclusively as a concert venue” for “regional and national touring artists”; that events will end at midnight and the venue “will not abide after-hours operations”; that Hangar 1819 “will hire Show Pros or a company of equal or better caliber and repute for staffing and security at every event” and will “request off-duty law-enforcement for its scheduled events and concerts.”

It also states that the “principal of the current permittee, Brad McCauley, will have no direct or indirect interest in the successor permittee,” and that “1819 is a newly-formed limited liability company wholly owned by one Kris Sunico.”

On October 27, ALE special agent Mike Klingenschmidt emailed ABC assistant counsels Rachel Spears and Robert Nauseef that “Blind Tiger’s owner Brad McCauley reached out to ALE and advised

he wanted to cancel his ABC permits for the Blind Tiger. Special Agent Watson met with him today and attached are the Blind Tiger’s ABC permits signed by McCauley as being out of business.”

Nauseef replied, “I hope the location can establish a fresh identity” and called this development “a win-win for Greensboro and the ABC Commission.”

On November 2, YES! Weekly asked Vaughan and City Attorney Chuck Watts for a response to McCauley’s allegation that Vaughan had “demonized” him and that GPD officers made “canned statements” in their ABC affidavits. On November 3, Watts issued the following statement:

“Given the likelihood that this will be a matter in litigation, my advice would be for no comment to be provided to you on these questions. I see no value in having a he said/she said kind of back and forth when there may be an actual litigation process that ultimately resolves these matters in court.”

As of midnight on Monday, an online NC ABC permit search listed licenses for Hangar 1819 at the former Blind Tiger location of 1819 Spring Garden Street as “pending.” !

IAN MCDOWELL is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which he’s proud of and none of which he’s ashamed of.

Security footage from outside The Blind Tiger on Spring Garden

Security footage from The Blind Tiger o ce

Trampled By Turtles brings their

to the Ramkat on December 2

The Minnesota stringband is coming to WinstonSalem on the heels of their new album, “Alpenglow,” released in October — the latest offering in their lineage of releases that have thrice-topped the U.S. Billboard blue-

grass chart — their “Palomino” record having remained amongst the top 10 for 52 consecutive weeks across 2010.

“It’s a beautiful phenomenon,” said guitarist and vocalist Dave Simonett, turning to the natural wonder for which the album was named. “Everybody should see it.”

Listeners don’t have to travel far to hear its influence — the intense rosy hues cast on mountains, setting the horizon ablaze in red and pink as the sun rises and sets. It’s a change of a new day or the welcoming of a shift toward

the night. The spaces between today and tomorrow — the old and the new — 10 albums and 20 years.

“My favorite part about making music is making records,” Simonett noted. “I’m really excited about this one.” Introspection abounds. There’s the familiar dissonance between the attraction of wandering and the foundation of home “On The Highway.” The nostalgia of “Central Hillside Blues.” The inner resolve needed to keep things straight in “Quitting Is Rough,” is accented by its “ climb out, climb out, climb out ” refrain.

The Midwestern six-piece continue climbing and combing the zens of string band pluckin’ and rock-n-roll roar against a heartful folk core; with Simonett joined by bassist Tim Saxhaug, banjoist Dave Carroll, mandolin player Erik Berry, cellist Eamonn McLain, and Ryan Young on fiddle. All of whom have been tramplin’ together for nearly two decades — a milestone they’ll officially hit come Spring.

“Every April 4th, I think about that day, and how the fact we’re still playing music together is like winning the lottery. It really would have been unfathomable at that time,” Simonett told Garret K. Woodward in Rolling Stone

Unfathomable, open, and wild seems their key. “We don’t really sit down and have meetings about what we want to accomplish, outside of are we listening to each other and playing well — and does it sound good?” Berry said. “There are no concept records or anything like that. I think our expectations are always open-ended.”

The open-endedness of “Alpenglow” abutted by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy in the producer’s seat — with Tweedy’s bluesy perspective and affection for minor chords solidifying the Americana tones

Katei Cranford

Contributor

Trampled By Turtles

of the album. Tones of a spectrum in which both Wilco and Trampled relish redefining their respective ends — Tweedy across rock and country. Trampled in the jammy realms and bluegrass circles. A bit weird for the diehards, but an approachable and interesting “Midwestern Gothic” style, appealing to fans that regularly sell out venues across an almost constant tour.

The new album takes the Trampled sound to new heights — elevated in the Loft, Wilco’s notorious windy city studio — with Tweedy an active participant throughout the process. “I came in with songs I thought were finished, and then Jeff was really great about taking them apart, adding something here, taking something away there,” Simonett said. “He gave us fresh ears on songs and new ideas for how to present them. We all just sat in a circle and played.”

A Tweedy-written song, “A Lifetime To Find,” made the album cut — walking a dialogue with Death and the ultimate unavoidable conclusion — and appearing on both “Alpenglow” and Wilco’s 2022 “Cruel Country” record. “It’s a really simple song, but also not simple in some ways,” Simonett said. “I love how Jeff uses language so much.”

For Trampled, the track peppers the string-fueled malaise and denial of album-opener, “It’s So Hard to Hold On” the possibilities of “Starting Over” and the dancey “Burlesque Desert Window” that beckons an audience callback. “Sometimes I just like the way words sound together,” Simonett said, “inter-

esting, weird phrases that fit together — I like trying to think about language as more of a visual art form than a literal one.”

Instrumental prowess not to be overlooked, “All the Good Times are Gone” offers old-time blasts of banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. “The Party’s Over” closes the record with sway and wit and Simonett singing: “ Yeah I’m left here thinking, / Of the dogs, the moonlight, and you .”

While the album itself was recorded in Chicago, the songs ache for live performance — tracked together somewhat naturally: no effects or overdubs. “It’s scarier to record that way now, since it’s easy to fix everything or record everything separately so you can hear it all perfectly,” Simonett noted. “But for me, it’s so much fun to just stick a few mics up and play. That’s where we’re at our best.”

After spending the summer touring the Midwest with artists like The Jayhawks, Jenny Lewis, and Ruston Kelly, Trampled’s fall tour treks coastto-coast with support from Amigo The Devil, Charlie Parr, Sumbuck (featuring Taylor Meier from Caamp), Tejon Street Corner Thieves, and Pokey LaFarge.

They’ll be joined by Spring Summer at the Ramkat, bringing a bit of that Alpenglow to a Winston-Salem night on December 2. !

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

Alpenglow Album Cover

ASHEBORO

Four SaintS BrEwing

218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722 www.foursaintsbrewing.com thursdays: taproom trivia Fridays: Music Bingo nov 19: analog Crash nov 20: Honky tonk Jam w/ Mark Dillion & Friends nov 23: Corey Hunt and the wise

CARBORRO

Cat’S CraDlE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053 www.catscradle.com

nov 16: Courtney Marie andrews nov 17: Pretty Sick nov 17: Senses Fail nov 18: the Stews nov 18: Dro Kenji & midwxst nov 19: Carbon leaf nov 19: rose City Band nov 20: old Sea Brigade nov 23: aldn nov 25: Crazy Chester nov 26: Philstock ‘22 nov 27: the Menzingers nov 28: Black lips

CHARlOttE

BoJanglES ColiSEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600 www.boplex.com nov 17: Mania: the aBBa tribute nov 19: gloria trevi nov 30: rod wave

Dec 1: a Day to remember - reassembled: acoustic theater tour

tHE FillMorE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970 www.livenation.com nov 16: i Previal nov 16: Jessie reyez nov 19: omar apollo nov 19: ani DiFranco nov 20: amon amarth nov 27: w.a.S.P nov 29: MaX w/ VinCint nov 30: rina Sawayama

Dec 2: Blue october

Dec 2: Soen + Special guests

SPECtruM CEntEr

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000 www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com nov 20:

ClEmmOnS

VillagE SquarE taP

HouSE

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct | 336.448.5330 www.facebook.com/vstaphouse nov 17: Megan Doss nov 18: whiskey Mic nov 19: Muddy Creek revival

duRHAm

Carolina

CHar Bar no. 7

3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555 www.charbar7.com nov 17: rovert alexander Smith, tony Barnes nov 18: isaac & adele nov 25: Dustin Curlee

CoMEDY ZonE

tHEatrE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030 www.carolinatheatre.org nov 18: ani DiFranco w/ the righteous Babes revue

DPaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787 www.dpacnc.com nov 22-23: Harry Connick, Jr.

MotorCo MuSiC Hall 723 Rigsbee Avenue | 919.901.0875 www.motorcomusic.com nov 17: the Dolly Disco nov 18: games we Play w/ PMBata & Parris Bridge nov 19: Joe Pera

ElKIn

rEEVES tHEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240 www.reevestheater.com

wednesdays: reeves open Mic

Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam nov 18: tim o’Brien & Jan Fabricius with Paul Burch nov 25: time Sawyer w/ Damon atkins trio

gREEnSBORO

Barn DinnEr tHEatrE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211 www.barndinner.com oct 1 - nov 19: is there life after 50? nov 26 - Dec 18: Black nativity

Carolina tHEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605 www.carolinatheatre.com nov 18: nu-Blu nov 28: Motown Christmas Dec 1: Frosty

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com nov 17: Kerwin Claiborne nov 18-19: Shelly Belly nov 25-26: Mario tory Dec 2-3: Michael Yo Dec 8: Maddy Smith

CoMMon grounDS

602 S Elm Ave | 336.698.388 www.facebook.com/CommonGrounds Greensboro nov 16: Megan Paullet

ConE DEniM

117 S Elm St | 336.378.9646 www.cdecgreensboro.com nov 27: rome & Duddy

garagE taVErn

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020 www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreens boro

nov 18: retroVinyl nov 23: alek ottaway

grEEnSBoro ColiSEuM

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com nov 18: we outside Comedy tour nov 23: los angeles azules

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 Dec 8: Jinjer

roDY’S taVErn 5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950 www.facebook.com/rodystavern nov 16: Darell Hoots nov 18: rod Brady Duo nov 23: tony andrews nov 25: Jim Mayberry nov 30: Megan Doss

SoutH EnD BrEwing Co.

117B W Lewis St | 336.285.6406 www.southendbrewing.com tuesdays: trivia night nov 18: David lin Band nov 19: Barefoot Modern

StEEl HanDS BrEwing

Dec 18: Worship Live Holiday Tour

Dec 31: The Kruger Brothers

THE IDIoT Box

ComEDY CLuB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699 www.idiotboxers.com

Thursdays: open mic

Nov 18: Jay Light

WINESTYLES

3326 W Friendly Ave Suite 141 | 336.299.4505 www.facebook.com/winestylesgreens boro277 Dec 3: Susana macfarlane

high point

1614 DmB

1614 N Main St | 336.883.4113 https://www.1614drinksmusicbilliards.com/

Nov 18: Throwdown Jones

Nov 19: Vinyl Rox

Nov 26: Fair Warning

GooFY FooT TapRoom

2762 NC-68 #109 | 336.307.2567 www.goofyfoottaproom.com

Nov 19: Casey Noel

Nov 26: michael Chaney

HIGH poINT THEaTRE

220 E Commerce Ave | 336.883.3401 www.highpointtheatre.com

Nov 18: Confederate Railroad In Concert

Nov 20: Black Violin

Nov 26: John Berry Christmas Tour

Dec 3-4: The Nutcracker Ballet

Dec 9-11: a Christmas Carol: The musical

Jan 7: The songs of John prine

Jan 13: mario The maker magician

Feb 9: New York Rockabilly Rockets

SWEET oLD BILL’S

1232 N Main St | 336.807.1476 www.sweetoldbills.com

Nov 17: The Jimmy Hayes Revival

Nov 23: purple House

Dec 1: Zach Smith and Becky Walton

jamestown

THE DECK

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999 www.thedeckatrivertwist.com

Friday & Saturday: Live Bands

Nov 17: Dan miller

Nov 18: 7 Roads Band

Nov 19: Big City

Nov 23: Stereo Doll

Nov 26: Simerson Hill

liberty

THE LIBERTY

SHoWCaSE THEaTER

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844 www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

Dec 2: Billy “Crash” Craddock

Dec 9: Jerry allison & Friends

Dec 10: Jimmy Fortune

raleigh

CCu

muSIC paRK

aT WaLNuT CREEK

3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111 www.livenation.com

Dec 30: magic of Lights: DriveThrough Holiday Lights Experience

LINCoLN THEaTRE

126 E. Cabarrus St | 919.831.6400 www.lincolntheatre.com

Nov 17: Corrosion of Conformity

Nov 19: Inzo w/ Rome in Silver & Covex

Nov 25: Into the Fog and Songs From The Road Band

Nov 26: Duck Dec 1: Runaway Gin Dec 3: Ian Noe Dec 4: Chatham Rabbits

pNC

aRENa

1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300 www.thepncarena.com

Dec 1: Chris Tomlin x mercyme Dec 3: Reba mcEntire

winston-salem

EaRL’S

121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018 www.earlsws.com

mondays: open mic Thursdays: Will Jones Nov 18: Travis Grubb and the Stone Rangers

Nov 19: aaron Hamm and the Big River Band

Nov 25: Decades Band

Nov 26: Russ Varnell and his Too Country Band

Dec 2: Zack Brock and the Good Intentions

Dec 3: Jesse Ray Carter

FIDDLIN’ FISH BREWING CompaNY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945 www.fiddlinfish.com

Tuesdays: Trivia

Nov 18: Camel City Blues Dec 2: Stray Local

FooTHILLS BREWING

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348 www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz Thursdays: Trivia

Nov 16: Carolina Clay

Nov 18: CoIa

Nov 20: Ears to the Ground

Nov 23: Banjo Earth

Nov 25: Eddie Clayton

Nov 27: The Sun Dried Tomatoes

Nov 30: Terra String Dec 2: Colin allured

mIDWaY muSIC HaLL

11141 Old US Hwy 52, Suite 10 | 336.793.4218 www.facebook.com/midwaymusichal landeventcenter mondays: Line Dancing

Nov 19: Sidekix

Dec 3: SideKix

Dec 10: JS, and the Footlights Dec 31: Jimmy Shirley Jr.

muDDY CREEK CaFE & muSIC HaLL

137 West St | 336.201.5182 www.facebook.com/MuddyCreekCafe

Nov 19: Wayne Henderson, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley

Nov 26: Nirvani: a Nirvana Tribute Dec 2: Kyle petty

THE RamKaT

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714 www.theramkat.com

Nov 17: migrant Birds w/ mild Goose Chase

Nov 18: Dirty Logic

Nov 19: Chatham Rabbits w/ Seth Walker

Nov 23: Sam Fribush organ Trio w/ Sonny miles

Nov 23: Camel City Yacht Club

Nov 26: Todd Snider

Dec 1: Caleb Caudle

Dec 2: Trampled By Turtles w/ Spring Summer

Dec 3: FemFest Ix

Dec 8: Delvon Lamarr organ Trio w/ Victoria Victoria

Dec 9: Southern Culture on the Skids

Dec 10: Samantha Fish w/ The Jesse Dayton Band

Dec 13: Tab Benoit

Dec 16: Futurebirds

Dec 18: Chatham County Line

WISE maN BREWING

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008 www.wisemanbrewing.com

Thursdays: music Bingo

Nov 18: Souljam Trio

Nov 19: Jesse Fox Band

Nov 25: Gipsy Danger

The Sportscenter Athletic Club is a private membership club dedicated to providing the ultimate athletic and recreational facilities for our members of all ages. Conveniently located in High Point, we provide a wide variety of activities for our members. We’re designed to incorporate the total fitness concept for maximum benefits and total enjoyment. We cordially invite all of you to be a part of our athletic facility, while enjoying the membership savings we offer our established corporate accounts.

Natalie Garcia

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This is a good time to speak out on a di cult situation. You’re known for your honesty, so people will listen and, perhaps, begin to make long-needed changes.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s sharp business sense alerts you to question the positions of those trying to push the Bull into a deal. Demand to see proof of what they profess.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your quick thinking helps you get out of a troubling situation that was suddenly thrust upon you. Later on, you can expect to learn more about why it happened.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might feel you’ve dotted all your i’s and crossed all your t’s regarding that upcoming deal. But there might be some facts you’ve ignored. Check again.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Time for the Lion to be more physically active. It will help shake o any lingering Leonine lethargy and restore your energy levels so that you’ll be prepared for what lies ahead.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Helping those in need at this time is laudable. But don’t ignore your own needs, especially where it concerns your health. A medical checkup is a wise move.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Good news: Your outspoken views about a controversial on-the-job situation could find unexpectedly strong support from a most unlikely workplace faction.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might have to draw on your reservoir of spiritual strength to help someone special through a di cult time. Your loving attitude makes all the di erence.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your proven leadership qualities make you the perfect person to take on an important workplace task. Don’t shy away from the challenge.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Although some compromise might need to be reached regarding your stand on an important issue, you’ll still be able to get the most crucial points across.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A chance to make a career change carries both positive and uncertain possibilities. Best advice: Check it out thoroughly, and don’t be rushed into a decision.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You’re still a staunch supporter of one side of an important issue. But be prepared to deal with new information that could cause you to question your current stand.

[BORN THIS WEEK: You’re perceptive and quick to act when you sense that someone needs help. You are an always-dependable friend.

© 2022 by King Features Syndicate

[TRIVIA TEST]

by Fifi Rodriguez

[1. MOVIES: Who voices the character of Timon in “The Lion King”?

[2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of parrots called?

[3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What are the main colors of Italy’s flag?

[4. SCIENCE: What instrument is used to measure wind speed and direction?

[5. LITERATURE: Who wrote the young readers’ novel “Looking for Alaska”?

[6. U.S. STATES: In which state can you find Glacier National Park?

[7. MEASUREMENTS: What is the study of measurements called?

[8. TELEVISION: The characters in “Laverne & Shirley” live and work in which city?

[9. GEOGRAPHY: Which two countries occupy the Iberian Peninsula?

[10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president signed into law a bill that made “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem?

answer

1. Nathan Lane. 2. A pandemonium. 3. Green, white and red. 4. Anemometer. 5. John Green. 6. Montana. 7. Metrology. 8. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 9. Portugal and Spain. 10. Herbert Hoover.

© 2022 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.