JANUARY 5-11, 2023
For the past 25 years, the RiverRun International Film Festival has been a celebration of cinema, an annual gathering of filmmakers and filmgoers that has created countless memories for those who have attended, worked behind the scenes or even covered as a reporter.
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fresh ingredients, especially vegetables and seafoods, but meats as well, locally sourced when feasible, prepared in the best traditions of Southern cooking.
6 On March 27, Brandon James Bentley was arrested after driving to the North Carolina A&T State University campus with four firearms, multiple other weapons, and over 1,000 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION, and chasing campus security with a gun.
7 THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY, has recently published two volumes of considerable interest, although for vastly different reasons. One is a straightforward, thorough, and compassionate biography of a legendary star of years past.
8 Once upon a time, about 60 years ago, there was a 6th-grade teacher at
BRUNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL who kept order in the classroom by tossing chalk-dust-filled erasers at students who weren’t paying attention.
9 CHAMPIONS has a good cast, a nice message, and some hearty laughs — but it’s utterly predictable and a good half-hour too long, which all but negates its positive attributes. Lesser would have been sharper, better, and stronger.
14 The 2023 RIVERRUN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year, will take place April 13-22 and will feature screenings of 174 selections culled from a pool of over 1,700 submitted films.
16 JESSIE DUNKS is getting to know herself beyond bluegrass origins in her latest pop-infused single “Don’t Know Why,” out now via streaming platforms. Fans can get to know the band when they play with Nightblooms at the Flat Iron on April 21.
TRAVIS WAGEMAN travis@yesweekly.com
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DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT ANDREW WOMACK
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“Southern Roots” captures this restaurant’s concept, based on fresh ingredients, especially vegetables and seafoods, but meats as well, locally sourced when feasible, prepared in the best traditions of Southern cooking. Lisa Hawley, proprietor, began in food service washing dishes in a rest home at age 15. Her expertise grew as she gained experience in professional kitchens. She created the Southern Roots menu and developed most of the recipes. In past Furniture Markets, she worked with Martha Stewart providing House Beautiful parties when Ms. Stewart was food editor for that magazine.
A white ceiling looks down on pale green stucco and brick walls. Coarse fabric dividers separate a large interior into smaller sections. An open kitchen flanks the bar, separated by banquettes. A brick patio — especially recommended- provides al fresco seating with an open fireplace.
My wife and I rated these meals among the most enjoyable we have had in the past year or so. In addition to the food, the wine list here is both large and well-constructed. You simply cannot get a weak selection or pay an unreasonable price. The menu is extremely wideranging, from conventional first courses, to pizza and sandwiches and burgers, through main courses and desserts.
Take, for example, a Crab Cake starter. It’s large enough to serve as an entrée, and it’s loaded with quality lump crabmeat, whose flavor is evident. (You might think that a crabcake that tastes like crabmeat would be the norm, but if you pay attention, most crabcakes taste more like the filler than the main ingredient.) It is placed over a tart, crunchy fried green tomato slice, flanked by freshly made cole slaw. Dabs of tomato aioli round out the presentation and the flavor profile.
Fried Thai-Style NC Shrimp are large, crisp on the exterior, tender inside, dotted with sweetish-spicy “XO sauce” and sriracha aioli, scattered with black sesame seeds. You clearly taste the shrimp themselves, with the augmentations supplementing rather than obscuring that flavor.
The Pork Quesadilla is a knockout, utilizing hickory-smoked pulled pork, plus pickled red onion, jalapeño pep-
pers, Monterey jack cheese and chipotle ranch dressing, served on a spinach quesadilla. (The photo is my fourth of the serving — this went away too fast for a full portion photo!)
We enjoyed several seafood entrees. Cajun Catfish is sourced from a North Carolina farm. It is delicately flavored, sharpened with tartar sauce, the crisp batter akin to tempura. This sustains clean flavor throughout. Lump Crab Stuffed Trout is also an in-state product, appropriately light in flavor, wellserved by crab stuffing, these flavors deepened with avocado cream sauce, for a rich result.
Blackened Mahi, an off-menu special, bore an appropriate level of intensity from blackening spices, but they did not overpower the flavor of the fish itself.
A chipotle-lime crema had been laced over the top, a delightful composition. Salmon, another supplement to the regular menu, had been coated with a brown sugar and maple syrup glaze, then baked on a cedar plank. Another
well-executed, well-balanced creation.
When we could tear ourselves away from the seafoods, we still got mostly positive results. Neither my wife nor I were particularly enamored with the Meatloaf — too dense and heavy, although it tastes good.
The Pork Chop, on the other hand, just about hits masterpiece status. It’s from a Cheshire heritage pig, providing natural flavor the way pork used to taste before all the mass market interventions started to increase production while eroding taste. It was topped with a Granny Smith apple chutney, the sweetish fruit flavor a mellifluous match for the pork. The pulled pork that we enjoyed so much as a starter is also available as a full-sized entrée. And if cows are your thing, you can get a good steak here, too. This is a Certified Angus Beef tenderloin, cooked just as ordered. Most entrées come with a choice of two vegetables unless their design calls for a particular match. Onion Pie is a standout for flavor and appearance,
worth a visit in itself. Collard greens are lightly touched with vinegar. Okra is sliced lengthwise and sautéed in olive oil, for a smoky, crisp result. Green beans are deep green, seasoned with fatback. Brussels Sprouts are halved and fried. Prepared Southern style, but with a light touch, these are unequivocally the freshest, overall best vegetables I have had in the Triad, with the widest variety.
The chef is Johnny Chandler. He has been with Southern Roots for 22 years. He started out washing dishes for Jimmy Noble (at Restaurant J. Basul Noble in High Point) when he was 15. Southern Roots ranks among my most favorite restaurants. !
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.
Southern Roots 119 E Main Street
Jamestown 27282
336-882-5570
southernrootsfoods.com
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 4-10 p.m. Saturday
Appetizers: $12-$20
Salads: $7-$20
Soups: $4.50-$6.50
Sandwiches and Burgers: $11-$13
Pizza: $12-$15
Entrees: $14-$34
Desserts: $6.50-$8
Most recent visit: March 17
Brussel Sprouts
High Point University invites the community to campus for an exciting lineup of complimentary cultural events. The spring schedule includes a variety of speakers, art, music and theater performances.
For a complete list of community events and to sign up for email notifications on future events, go to: www.highpoint.edu/live.
CLARINET AND PERCUSSION
April 14
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Charles E. Hayworth, Sr. Memorial Chapel
SENIOR DANCE CAPSTONE BY CONNIE QUAGLIATA BLOOM
April 14 - 15
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Charles E. Hayworth, Sr. Memorial Chapel
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE SILENT SKY BY LAUREN GUNDERSON
April 20-22
7:30 - 9:30 pm
Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Pauline Theatre
WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT
April 26
7:30 - 9:30 pm
Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Pauline Theatre
CHORAL CONCERT
April 24
7:30 - 9:30 pm
Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Pauline Theatre
Secure
n March 27, Brandon James Bentley was arrested after driving to the North Carolina A&T State University campus with four firearms, multiple other weapons, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and chasing campus security with a gun.
On March 30, Shannon Howard James Pitts was arrested after shooting himself in the hand at Forsyth Technical Institute in Winston-Salem.
Beyond the school settings and firearms charges, the two very di erent incidents indicate the sheer range of America’s gun problem.
Bentley was charged with felony having a gun on educational property, felony having an explosive device on educational
Oproperty, reckless driving, possessing a weapon (not a gun) on educational property, driving with a revoked license, and carrying a concealed handgun. The white 27-year-old was arrested at the intersection of Sullivan Street and N. Benbow Road on the historically Black campus after making threats to university police.
On Monday, Greensboro Police Public Information Manager Josie Cambareri gave YES! Weekly the following statement:
“On March 26, 2023, the Greensboro Police Department responded to NC A&T Campus to assist NCAT Police in regards to a heavily armed individual. The suspect, Brandon James Bentley, 27 years old, was violent and making threats to law enforcement. Upon arrival, NCAT O cers informed GPD that Bentley had been chasing unarmed security guards on the campus. Together, GPD and NCAT Police were able to detain Bentley without further incident. A vehicle search found two handguns, two shotguns, one rifle, a crossbow, a machete, a stun gun, hatchets, knives, choking de-
sATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023 shows @ 2Pm & 7:30Pm
vices, pepper spray, a blow dart gun, brass knuckles, and other assorted weaponry. Bentley had over 1,000 rounds of various ammunition. Additionally, the GPD Hazardous Devices Team responded due to a potential threat of an explosive device, which turned out to be fireworks. Bentley appeared in court on March 27.”
According to court documents, Greensboro police also confiscated bolts (ammunition) for the crossbow, a sword, a “blow dart weapon,” a window-breaker, a chicken foot, pepper spray, and holy water from Bentley’s vehicle. He was released on a $100,000 bond, with the condition that he cannot go on any educational property whatsoever. His next court date is April 25.
Eighteen-year-old Pitts is enrolled at Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy and was on a field trip to Forsyth Tech when he shot himself in the hand with a 9mm “ghost gun” while in the bathroom there. A ghost gun is an untraceable firearm constructed from online-ordered or computer-printed parts, purchased as a kit, or assembled from downloaded instructions.
Pitts was taken to the hospital for treatment, then arraigned on two felony charges for having a gun on educational property and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed firearm. He was released on a $25,000 secure bond and his next court date is April 13. According to WinstonSalem District 3 Police Commander Shelley Lovejoy, investigators are still trying to determine whether the injury was intentional or an accident, and whether he arrived at Forsyth Tech with violent intentions.
Prep has metal detectors, but checks are done either randomly or at big events, and students weren’t scanned on Thursday morning.
Guilford County Board of Education Chair Deena Hayes-Greene told YES! Weekly that schools and society need more than just metal detectors or bullet-proofing.
“We can get bulletproof glass, we can have law enforcement in all our schools at every entrance and exit, we can have metal detectors and cameras everywhere, and then we’ll learn that people with bad intentions have figured out another way around those measures.”
She said the Guilford County Board of Education was committing resources to the problem well before a high school student brought a ghost gun to a community college.
“We had just launched a number of initiatives last year after Uvalde. And I remember going through the new protocols coming down from the top experts about what they learned after Sandy Hook. Somebody would call in a shooting, and first responders could show up and ask where it was on that campus, and it might be di cult to give them quick clear info. So, things have changed in how buildings are numbered, how you work closely together to have a plan, and the layout of the building.”
Hayes-Greene said security updates and improvements are ongoing, but e orts have gone beyond securing school entrances, and have included more engagement with law enforcement and communities.
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023
DooRs oPen @ 6:30Pm // show @ 7:30Pm
Stunt Dog Productions is a family-owned business led by husband-and-wife team Chris and Suzey Perondi, and offers three full-time traveling teams, both offering the same high-energy frisbee dog shows mixed with mind blowing dog tricks, incredible stunts, audience participation, and much more. This show is sponsored by our friends at Northwood Animal Hospital. A portion of ticket proceeds will go towards Break the Chain Kennel Kru, a nonprofit organization designed to assist families with chained dogs in underserved communities in Guilford County.
“Ghost guns” gained media attention after multiple California shootings several years ago. These included the conviction of “Boogaloo Boy” extremist Steven Carrillo for the 2020 murder of Santa Cruz County Sheri Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, whom Carrillo ambushed with a homemade AR-15; and the 2021 death of 12-year-old Max Mendoza, who accidentally shot himself in his Chula Vista bedroom with the ghost gun a 15-year-old friend assembled from parts ordered online.
“This year, a lot of Black leadership met with law enforcement leaders, with interim GPD chief Bi e and then Chief Thompson and Sheri Rogers, because of the homicides largely in East Greensboro. While we’re advocates for justice in our criminal justice and judicial systems, we are also sending a message loud and clear that the gun violence and homicides in our neighborhoods is unacceptable.”
Cambareri gave YES! Weekly the following statement about ghost guns.
Barbra Lica is a fast-rising star in the Canadian Jazz scene and has been receiving accolades for a unique vocal ability that stresses subtlety and grace. Based in Toronto, Canada, Barbra’s live show captivates audiences all over North America with her genuine warmth and confident stage presence. Her music fuses country, pop and jazz — no rules, all fun.
On Friday, Forsyth County Sheri Bobby Kimbrough suggested that heightened security could have prevented Pitts from bringing this particular ghost gun to two schools. “I have said this for two years: at some point, we have to revisit funding manned metal detectors in our schools.”
“The Greensboro Police Department is aware of privately made firearms (PMF) or ‘ghost guns’ and is aware that many police agencies have seen an upward trend in the amount of PMFs used in crimes as well as seizures by o cers. The department has taken steps to make o cers aware of these firearms, how to identify a firearm that is a ‘ghost gun’, and how to document them appropriately for better tracking of the seizures.” ! visit: HighPointTheatre.com for more information | For tickets call: 336-887-3001
According to Brent Campbell, chief communications o cer at Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools, Winston-Salem
The University Press of Kentucky, has recently published two volumes of considerable interest, although for vastly di erent reasons. One is a straightforward, thorough, and compassionate biography of a legendary star of years past. The other is a free-wheeling, free-spirited autobiography of a filmmaker of more recent vintage that is anything but conventional and goes far beyond his adventures in the screen trade.
Jean Gabin: The Actor Who Was France (326 pages; $24.95 paperback; $34.95 hardcover) by Joseph Harriss is a marvelously researched dive into the life and career of Jean Gabin (1904-’76), one of France’s most beloved actors, having appeared in such classics as Pépé le Moko and La grande illusion (both 1937). One of the biggest box-o ce draws and a sex symbol known for his rough-hewn exterior but sensitive eyes, he was flooded with Hollywood o ers but did so only during World War II. He disliked Tinseltown and departed after making only Moontide (1942) and The Impostor (1944), but not before a lengthy romance with Marlene Dietrich that almost culminated in marriage.
Gabin was ferociously loyal to his homeland and returned to fight under de Gaulle’s Free French Forces, serving with great distinction and participating in the liberation of Paris. His post-war career, however, seemed at a standstill, until he starred in Jacques Becker’s noir-ish 1954 crime drama Touchez pas au grisbi, which resurrected his star status. Gabin was no longer necessarily the romantic lead but now a character lead, his craggy countenance reflecting both wisdom and cynicism. Unlike his fellow countryman Charles Boyer (whom he disliked), who specialized in playing it smooth, Gabin’s forte was just the opposite — playing it rough.
Sometimes that carried over into his personal life. As much as he loved France, he also spoke out about its hypocrisies and injustice. He could be inflexible with his
children. He was not necessarily a complicated man, but sometimes a contradictory one. But in the end, he was two things: A great actor and a great star. The Actor Who Was France is a must-read for Gabin aficionados and also an unbeatable introduction to film fans as yet unfamiliar with his work. For ages, it seems, Paul Williams has been firmly ensconced in the “Where are they now?” pantheon of filmmakers. Williams, not to be confused with the Oscarwinning songwriter/singer/actor (although the two crossed paths), directed Out of It (1967), The Revolutionary (1970), and Nunzio (1978), all critically-acclaimed and all box-o ce failures — yet fondly remembered by those who saw them. It seemed to many observers that his career had no consistency. Indeed, his last film to date — released as A Cat s Tale (2008) — featured a cast comprised entirely of cats, although they were voiced by the likes of Jeremy Piven and Michelle Rodriguez. As it turns out, where he’s been and what he’s been doing all this time is to embark on an eye-opening odyssey that can only be called life. His autobiography, the memorably titled Harvard, Hollywood, Hitmen, and Holy Men (312 pages; $27.95 hardcover) is an undeniably compelling memoir written in a remarkably lucid stream-of-consciousness style, detailing things that would make Hunter S. Thompson’s head spin. It’s all here: Sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll … as well as politics, sociological observations, a boundless quest for knowledge, and a few things for which Williams should be grateful the statute of limitations has run out.
More buttoned-down readers might find Williams’ memoir the ravings of a lunatic, but more adventurous readers will likely find it hard to put down, as Williams details — in vivid and often surreal fashion — his search for inner peace and contentment, his place in the universe, or simply validation that life is worth a damn. Harvard, Hollywood, Hitmen, and Holy Men is nothing if not original, a true one-of-a-kind. Williams has had a wild and unconventional life, and his autobiography is a wild and unconventional ride.
The University Press of Kentucky website is https://www.kentuckypress.com/. !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2022, Mark Burger.
“The Venn diagram between classical and rock ‘n’ roll occupies a lot more space than you think.” — Mike Mills
R.E.M. Explored presents an exciting opportunity for music enthusiasts of all genres, with a special treat for Gen Xers on April 15. Winston-Salem Symphony welcomes R.E.M. founding member Mike Mills for a collaboration with his childhood friend, violinist Robert McDu e. Together, they will perform a concert featuring a fresh take on the band’s famous alt-rock hits and Mill’s masterpiece, Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra. The show premiered last September and will captivate Winston-Salem as its second public performance.
Mills gained fame through R.E.M.’s pioneering jangle rock on 1980s college radio, and the audience will revel in their chart-topping hits, such as “Everybody Hurts,” “Man on the Moon,” “The One I love,” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” among others. In 2007, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted R.E.M. after a decades-long career that earned multiple music and video awards worldwide, including 12 Grammy nominations and three wins.
McDu e, a Julliard-trained, Grammynominated violinist, is an acclaimed musician himself, with a concerto dedicated to him by Phillip Glass. He has hailed Mills as a melodic genius and the “Dvo ák of rock ‘n’ roll.” Their friendship led to the creation of Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra, which consists of six movements, including an arrangement based on “Night Swimming” from 1992.
The show opens with the orchestra’s interpretation of R.E.M.’s iconic tunes, followed by McDu e’s appearance in the second half to perform Mill’s Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and Orchestra. Guest conductor Ward Stare is a Grammy-nominated musician just coming o a seven-year stint on the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Although R.E.M. originated from Athens, Georgia, their ties to Winston-
Salem are strong, with their first songs recorded in the town’s downtown area with local musician and producer Mitch Easter. Their first single, “Radio Free Europe,” launched them to fame, and Easter went on to produce their E.P. Chronic Town and two follow-up albums. In 2019, Easter was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, and he continues producing music at his Fidelitorium Studio in Kernersville. This concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets are available online at wssymphony.org or by calling the Symphony Box O ce at 336-464-0145. Ticketholders can enhance their experience with an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn Downtown Winston-Salem. Mention W.S. Symphony when booking for Saturday, April 14, for the best available rate and a $30 credit at Ginger Fox Beverage. Call the hotel at (336) 276-1010.
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.
nce upon a time, about 60 years ago, there was a 6th-grade teacher at Brunson Elementary school who kept order in the classroom by tossing chalk-dust-filled erasers at students who weren’t paying attention. Kids who were downright disruptive faced a di erent punishment: they were made to get down on all fours and push a piece of chalk around the perimeter of the room with their nose. As a class clown, I experienced both punishments. When I told my parents about the teacher’s unconventional methods they laughed and said that I probably deserved it. The infamous disciplinarian’s name was Bob Montague, and he was the best teacher I ever had.
During that year over six decades ago,
OMr. Montague broadened our intellectual, academic, and creative horizons in ways that we could only fully appreciate years later. In order to teach us the importance of civics, he made us compete in a weekly college bowl-type contest in which the only way you could score points (and a good grade) was to read the local newspapers cover to cover, and have a working knowledge of current events. He took us on a field trip to Washington D.C. to learn about government. He helped us produce our own version of “The Sound of Music” which we performed in front of the entire school and various community boosters. He taught us arts and crafts, and made us read about the cultures of other lands. He encouraged questions and discussion, and made sure we had plenty of time to exercise at recess. Mr. Montague also had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. And yes, he found creative ways to mete out discipline.
Yet for all of Bob Montague’s inspiring instructional methods which helped to shape and improve our minds, if he were teaching today, he would have already been fired and perhaps sued for throwing
erasers at class clowns and making bad boys push chalk around the floor with their nose. I was put in mind of this last week when reading about a teacher at Smithfield Middle School who was forced to resign because she put duct tape over the mouths of students who were disruptive in class.
The teacher in question was Dawn Felix who had just started working at the school in August. Her o enses were discovered when 11-year-old Brady Webster sent a selfie of his duct-taped mouth to his mom Catherine who, in turn, posted it on Facebook. Mrs. Webster and other parents complained to the school principal and the Johnston County Sheri ’s Department investigated the matter. Despite the fact that the Sheri determined an assault charge was not warranted, Ms. Felix subsequently turned in her resignation.
Could Dawn Felix have used less dramatic methods to discipline rowdy students rather than duct-taping their mouths shut? Absolutely. But in this era of cancel culture, I fear that any unconventional action she might have taken to maintain order in the classroom would
have still resulted in her dismissal. Having said that, let me be clear about something. If Ms. Felix was abusive, intolerant, or incompetent, then I say good riddance to her. But if her worst o ense was using duct tape to maintain classroom discipline, then I’m sorry she threw in the towel. There’s a shortage of teachers in this state as is, and we can’t a ord to lose good ones just because they expect students to pay attention and show respect for others. When I was Brady’s age I got hit with erasers and had to push chalk around the floor with my nose, and the man who thought up those weird punishments helped to shape my life and career in ways that I could never repay. There’s no room in our schools for teachers who are mean and abusive, but there’s also no reason to chase away teachers who show tough love to their students now, so that those children will be successful and respectful later on. !
Champions has a good cast, a nice message, and some hearty laughs — but it’s utterly predictable and a good half-hour too long, which all but negates its positive attributes. Lesser would have been sharper, better, and stronger.
The film, a remake of the award-winning 2018 Spanish comedy Los Campeons, reunites Woody Harrelson with Bobby Farrelly, who directed him in 1996’s Kingpin — a far better sports comedy. Harrelson (also doubling as an executive producer) plays Marcus Marakovich, a minor-league basketball coach with a major-league attitude problem. The character’s a boozer and loser in need of redemption, a dista variation on the onearmed bowler he played in Kingpin
Having lost his job as an assistant coach with the Iowa Stallions after an altercation with head coach Resetti (Ernie Hudson), Marcus plows into a parked police car after drowning his sorrows in a local tavern, and is sentenced to 90 days community service in Des Moines coaching a Special Olympics squad called the “Friends.” Marcus initially displays little a nity for mentoring intellectually-challenged kids, but — surprise, surprise — he slowly comes around to the task, and it’s only a matter of time before — surprise, surprise — the Friends get on a hot streak.
None of this is remotely surprising, but what is genuinely surprising is Farrelly’s slack pacing. This is the first film he’s directed without brother Peter, and even the basketball scenes lack intensity and punch. In contrast, the bowling scenes in Kingpin were splashy, funny, and exciting. There was a real sense of suspense. Champions shu es along, slogging through an endless string of sports-movie clichés until it reaches its end. (Rest assured, “Sweet Georgia Brown” — the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters — gets trotted out eventually.)
The Friends are played by actual people with emotional disabilities, some of whom have never acted professionally before.
They’re a winning and winsome team, particularly James Day Keith as Benny and North Carolina’s own James Iannucci as Johnny, whose older sister Alex (Kaitlin Olsen), recently “enjoyed” (as it were) a one-night stand with Marcus and finds herself falling for him.
There’s also nice work from Matt Cook as Marcus’s assistant coach Sonny, Cheech Marin as the recreation center’s manager Julio, and the always welcome Hudson. It’s a very friendly ensemble cast, which keeps Champions from stagnating entirely — although it’s frequently an uphill battle. There’s no question that the film has good intentions, but in this case, it simply isn’t enough. What could have been a slam dunk is instead an airball. !
Pastor John Lindell of the James River Church in Springfield, Missouri, claimed on the congregation’s livestream on March 15 that a “creative miracle” had taken place the day before at the church’s Joplin location, the Springfield News-Leader reported. Lindell explained that “prayer team members” had prayed over Kristina Dines, who had had three toes amputated after her husband shot her in 2015. “As the ladies prayed for Krissy ... all three toes grew, and by that point, were longer than her pinky toe,” Lindell said in the livestream. “Within an hour, nails began to grow on all the toes,” he added. While Dines hasn’t commented to the paper, she said in a video on Twitter that she saw the toes reforming. “Listen, do you understand? I can stand on tippy toes. No, I couldn’t do that (before) because I didn’t have toes to tippy on,” Dines said. During the livestream, Lindell also suggested to parishioners that other miracles are coming: “... some people in this room — you’re gonna raise people from the dead. It’s going to happen.” Stay tuned.
Australian company Vow has wowed the science world with a meatball made of meat cultivated from the genetic sequence of an extinct mammoth, the Associated Press reported on March 29. “This is not an April Fools’ joke,” said Tim Noakesmith, founder of the company. Using publicly available genetic information from the mammoth, along with data from the African elephant, Vow grew the cells in a lab. The large meatball — somewhere between the size of a softball and a volleyball — was displayed at the Nemo science museum in Amsterdam. “We wanted to get people excited about the future of food,” Noakesmith said. “We thought the mammoth would be a conversation starter.” People who were there as it was being cooked said it smelled good.
Here’s an item you can share at this weekend’s cocktail party: The animatronics at your local Chuck E. Cheese may be powered by a 3.5-inch floppy disk. Of 600 restaurants around the world, about 50 still use the floppies, BuzzFeed News reported. In related news, a robust subculture of Chuck E. fans builds and restores the
iconic animatronics at home, and vintage memorabilia has a strong market online. Here’s the less cheery news: Subway trains in San Francisco run on floppies, and Boeing 747s and 737s get their updates on the ‘80s-era medium, too.
— As you drive along the EastLink toll road in Melbourne, Australia, you might be tempted to spend the night at the Hotel EastLink, Oddity Central reported. But it’s literally impossible to get a reservation there, because it’s not really a hotel. It’s a sculpture that was unveiled in 2007 by artist Callum Morton. At only 20 meters tall, the “hotel” isn’t exactly a high-rise, and it sits in the middle of an empty field. But it fools passersby with lights that come on at night in the “rooms” — enough that people try to call for reservations. “Putting something in a space that is slightly beguiling or is a little bit strange ... changes the way people think about art or practice,” Morton said.
— Wilma Flintstone, eat your heart out. French luxury brand Coperni has revealed a fall 2023 limited-edition handbag that’ll put buyers back $43,000, Oddity Central reported on March 24. The Mini Meteorite
Swipe Bag is made of a meteorite that fell to Earth 55,000 years ago. It weighs about 4 1/2 pounds empty, is too small to hold much, is nonrefundable and will take about six weeks to arrive. So yeah — maybe yabba dabba don’t?
Springfield, Missouri, real estate agent Cli ord Craig Edwards, 52, got caught up in the wild and crazy atmosphere of spring break in St. Petersburg, Florida — at least that’s what he told police after he was arrested on March 16 for felony criminal mischief, The Smoking Gun reported. Edwards was spied by the owners of a van standing near their vehicle and “making motions.” When they confronted him, he laughed and ran away. The owners discovered their car had been vandalized with a butter knife, causing “extensive paint damage” to the tune of $1,000, police said. Edwards had put his number down on a wait list at a nearby restaurant, so police got in touch with him; that’s when he said his actions were a “spring break mistake.” He was released on a $2,000 bond. !
©2023 Andrews McMeel Universal1 Talk smack to
2 Like official public statements
3 Freed from federal restrictions
4 Give off light
5 “Look, mice!”
6 Ripen
7 Lil Jon’s genre
8 Around H’wood, e.g. 9 French card game 10 Actress Jane
11 One asked to attend a party 12 Less remote
or the past 25 years, the RiverRun International Film Festival has been a celebration of cinema, an annual gathering of filmmakers and filmgoers that has created countless memories for those who have attended, worked behind the scenes or even covered as a reporter. It’s been the stu dreams are made of, but it has taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people to make it the beloved institution it has become.
RiverRun was born in Brevard in 1998 as a three-day festival but lasted only four years, with no festival in 2002. The next year, Dale Pollock, then-dean of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina of the School of the Arts (UNCSA), engineered an eastward expansion for RiverRun to Winston-Salem, and there the festival has remained ever since.
On Monday, the festival held its launch party at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, where the schedule for its silveranniversary event was announced. The festival will be held April 13th - 22nd and includes 174 films representing 34 countries. The selection was whittled down from more than 1,700 films submitted to RiverRun for this year’s festival. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Thursday.
This year’s Master of Cinema recipients are Tom Schulman, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Dead Poets Society, who will be presenting his latest film as writer/
Fproducer/director, Double Down South, and actress/filmmaker Karen Allen, who will be bringing the drama A Stage of Twilight, for which she and co-star William Sadler shared the Best Performance in a Feature Film (adult) at the 2022 Woods Hole Film Festival. Allen had been scheduled to attend last year’s festival but was sidelined by a bout with COVID.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to RiverRun,” said Allen, who earlier presented A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud., based on the Carson McCullers’ story, at the 2017 festival. “I had a wonderful time there when I came the first time. RiverRun will be my last festival to travel to before (A Stage of Twilight) ends its festival run, so it will be a special screening for me.”
Schulman admitted he wasn’t familiar with RiverRun or UNCSA, having only ever attended the Sundance Film Festival (as a festivalgoer) years ago, but an adviser recommended he submit his film. “We applied, we were accepted, and we’re excited to be coming!” he said.
Among the familiar faces at the launch party were RiverRun’s program manager Mary Dossinger, theater operations manager/development assistant Karen McHugh, community director Jane McKim, and, of course, executive director Rob Davis, now in his seventh year at the helm.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my seven years being an ambassador on behalf of such an outstanding and well-respected organization as RiverRun,” said Davis, who confirmed that “advance ticket sales are ahead of last year’s at this point.”
“From the start, the partnership that we’ve developed has been extremely beneficial,” said Rebecca Clark, executive director of the Piedmont Triad Film Commission (PTFC), which is celebrating
its 30th year while RiverRun celebrates its 25th. “There are projects that the PTFC has recruited like the Academy Awardwinning short Two Soldiers, which had its local premiere as part of the RiverRun festival, among others. The festival brings together the totality of what we as a region can do together.”
The 2020 festival had to be canceled due to the COVID pandemic, then returned in 2021 with a virtual component where ticket buyers could stream the films into their homes. This addition, which aided many a film festival during the pandemic, will again be in place this year.
“The virtual component of the festival has allowed us to broaden our geographic reach and reach new ticket buyers in distant locales, as well as individuals who moved away at some point or went to school here, etc., and got to know the festival in person initially,” Davis explained.
“I think the challenges facing RiverRun are the challenges facing all film festivals post-pandemic: How do you restore the momentum and the sense of wonder that existed before COVID at film festivals?” Pollock observed. “But people still love going out to the movies, and I think a festival nudges some reluctant theatergoers to take a chance and go out. The older audience has been the hardest to get back to theaters, including festivals, so it’s going to take a while.”
Andrew Rodgers remains the longesttenured RiverRun executive director, having served in that capacity from 2006 until 2016. He is currently the president and CEO of the non-profit Albuquerque Museum Foundation. “It’s a great organization, with amazing stu , and I’ve learned a ton,” he said. “But I owe so much of my professional development to
my experience at RiverRun and the many people who participated in my journey along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their grace, patience, and assistance.
“Let me tell you why I’m not surprised that RiverRun has hit the 25-year milestone: When I first came to WinstonSalem in early 2005, I discovered a town that was passionate about the arts and seemed ready to experience an elevated film festival. Because of my experience, I was able to help RiverRun leapfrog some of its growing pains. But it was always clear to me, from the very beginning, that a more expansive and ambitious festival could really connect with audiences.”
The dedication of the festival’s sta , volunteers, and supporters are frequently — and deservedly — lauded, and this year is no exception. The festival is a team e ort, and RiverRun has proven time and again that it has a winning team.
“I don’t think I would’ve stayed for nearly as long as I have without having such an amazing team of colleagues, and most importantly, friends around me,” Dossinger said. “It has allowed us to grow the festival into a well-oiled machine in many ways. We are a very small sta and the fact that we have been able to do what we have over the years is thanks to an incredibly dedicated group of seasonal sta ers, many of whom have been here longer than I have, and a tremendous group of volunteers.”
In addition, “the Winston-Salem community is so wonderful and lifts up so many great organizations in this city and we are so pleased to be one of the ones that has been lifted up by so many,” Dossinger said. “They have helped us soar for sure!”
“(RiverRun) would not have been possible without the loyal support of patrons, volunteers, donors, and sponsors,” said McHugh. “They believed in us every step of the way — and they still do. We’ve had a wonderful sta come and go through the years as the festival has evolved, but we are all there for the greater purpose. We take great pleasure in making sure our attendees, whether visiting filmmakers or our screening patrons, have a fun time. If they do, we do.”
“It has truly been the dedication of so many people that allowed for the festival to achieve each new milestone,” said
Rodgers. “Few festivals are so lucky to have key personnel there for more than a decade. It’s truly remarkable! In the end, as much pride as I take in the role in helping RiverRun grow, I know deep down it was the sta whom I worked alongside who really made the magic happen!”
Davis is in full agreement. “I was fortunate that the RiverRun team was and remains a very adaptable group and willing to try new ideas to expand the festival’s year-round and geographical presence,” he said. “I am a firm believer in the value of experience and the fact so many team members had a significant tenure at the festival made for a much quicker and easier onboarding process for me.”
“I should also make a special note here about Dale Pollock, without whom the festival would have never come to Winston-Salem in the first place,” Rodgers said. “He gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, and make mistakes — and helped me immensely along the way with his knowledge, savvy, and connections. I owe him an enormous debt of gratitude that I’ll never be able to repay.”
Everyone, it seems, experienced a specific moment or festival where they realized RiverRun was going to hit big in Winston-Salem.
“After the second year here in WinstonSalem, I was convinced that the festival would be successful,” said Allen Joines, the mayor of Winston-Salem and longtime proponent of RiverRun.
“The moment where I realized how big RiverRun could get was when we premiered the Christopher Guest film A Mighty Wind in 2003,” recalled Pollock. “I remember walking out to introduce the film to a full house at the Stevens Center, which is really impressive when it’s filled. That was a real film festival screening!”
“Having special guests attending — from all aspects of the film business — always has a surreal ‘We are really doing this’ e ect!” said McHugh.
“There were a few watershed moments at RiveRun, where I was able to take a step back and gaze in wonder at what we’d accomplished,” Rodgers said. “The year I sent 500 bars of chocolate
to Fox Searchlight in pursuit to get the film 500 Days of Summer, for example, is a particularly fun memory. I remember when we showed it at the Stevens Center on opening night and the film’s director, Marc Webb, joined me onstage, it was an incredibly proud moment, and one where I looked out at the packed house, and knew RiverRun had reached a new level.
“I also remember the year I was able to secure the film Paris, je t’aime — with Dale’s assistance, I might add. I’d fallen in love with it at the Toronto Film Festival and just knew it would be an amazing opening-night film for us. When we landed the film, I was so proud, and couldn’t wait to share it with our audiences. That was among my proudest opening nights!”
“Honestly, even when I started, in the 2008 festival, I could see what a special event RiverRun was in the community,” Dossinger said. “Everywhere I went, people would tell me how much they loved it, and that has only grown over the years. For me personally, that would be when we were chosen for not one, but two short-film sections of the festival — animated shorts and documentary shorts — to be Academy Award-qualifying. Both of these sections are ones that I have a lot of work in creating from year to year, along with my colleagues, and it just meant so much that we were being highlighted, among a very small group of other festivals, to receive this accolade. It certainly showed me that the work we were doing was being appreciated!”
“Funny, it never occurred to me that Winston-Salem wouldn’t embrace RiverRun,” McKim said. “It was our job to do everything we could to make this great gift of a film festival a success! From my perspective as community director, I am pretty blown away by the joy it brings to community members in so many di erent ways and how it really has become, over the years, Winston-Salem’s film festival.”
“The best compliment to RiverRun is that is now a part of the Winston-Salem arts landscape — just like the National Black Theatre Festival, the WinstonSalem Symphony concerts, and the many o erings at UNCSA,” Pollock said. “We
have become part of an integral part of the arts scene in our community, and that’s what builds community.”
Joines concurred. “RiverRun has become an integral part of our cultural o erings and is an important event to our citizens,” he said. “It provides a safe venue for citizens to engage in healthy discussion about issues dealt with in the films.”
“I do think it is a wonderful festival,” said Kevin Thomas, a long-time Los Angeles Times film critic who attended RiverRun as a juror in 2008. “It’s very important for a film festival in a small community. Its standards and range are quite remarkable.”
“RiverRun is a monument in the Southeastern filmmaking world,” said Zack Fox, general manager of Marketplace Cinemas, a RiverRun venue for the fourth year.
“As an independent filmmaker myself, we need these Oscar-qualifying festivals that are accessible to indie filmmakers to continue to push us with their quality schedule line-up and inspire us with their panel discussions and filmmaker meet-ups. This is only the 25th RiverRun festival, and Rob Davis and his team have done an incredible job in navigating the post-COVID festival hassles and I only see bright suns in its future.”
As for its future, “RiverRun is a wellorganized festival that has properly received widespread recognition,” said noted film historian and author Foster Hirsch, a member of RiverRun’s advisory
board and a frequent guest who will be returning this year. “They are generous hosts to out-of-town visitors like me. I predict a long and prosperous future.”
“I think we have matured as a community in learning how to best take advantage of the festival,” said Joines.
“I hope RiverRun continues to grow, attract even more filmmakers to the region, and for our two organizations to work more closely to promote the positive economic benefits of both the festival and the business of filmmaking,” said Clark.
“RiverRun will continue to be an important element of the cultural fabric for our region,” Davis said. “I’m sure there will be new year-round programs along with tweaks to the way the festival is organized, but that’s been happening all along for the last 25 years.”
“Because of Winston-Salem’s continued support of RiverRun — and the dedication of the sta — I think the festival has a great future and will continue to thrive for many years to come,” Rodgers said. “So, I fully expect to be having a similar conversation with you in another 25 years when RiverRun turns 50!”
For more information, call (336) 7241502 or visit the o cial RiverRun website: https://riverrunfilm.com/ !
The 2023 RiverRun International Film Festival, celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year, will take place April 13-22 and will feature screenings of 174 selections culled from a pool of over 1,700 submitted films.
Tickets are on sale to members April 3-5 and to the general public on April 6. The complete schedule, full film descriptions, and all ticketing is available online at riverrunfilm.com.
OPENING NIGHT #1
L’IMMENSITÀ
Presented by PNC
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 13 / 7 PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
APRIL 18 / 8 PM / RED CINEMAS GREENSBORO
*This film is screening in-person only*
OPENING NIGHT #2
MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES
Presented by PNC
Marketing Partner: Camel City Jazz Orchestra
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 13 / 7:30 PM / REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE
APRIL 18 / 2 PM / HANESBRANDS
THEATRE - $6
*This film is screening in-person only*
CENTERPIECE SCREENING
JUDY BLUME FOREVER
Sponsored by Stone’s Throw Films
Marketing Partner: Bookmarks
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 19 / 8 PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
*This film is screening in-person only*
NIGHT RIDE ABOVE (TEMPÊTE)
Presented by PNC
Sponsored by Susan Gray Law
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 22 / 7 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE
*This film is screening in-person only*
BLACKBERRY
Marketing Partner: Bookmarks
In-Person Screenings: APRIL 16 / 4:30
PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
APRIL 19 / 5 PM / HANESBRANDS
THEATRE
*This film is screening in-person only*
DOUBLE DOWN SOUTH
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 14 / 8
PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
APRIL 16 / 4 PM / MARKETPLACE
CINEMA 1
ENNIO
Sponsored by Karen McHugh, Susan Von Cannon & Franklyn Millman
Marketing Partner: W-S Symphony
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 16 /
3:30 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE
*This film is screening in-person only*
THE FORGER (DER PASSFÄLSCHER)
Sponsored by John C. Larson and the Triad Jewish Film Festival
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 16 /
7:30 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE
APRIL 19 / 8 PM / RED CINEMAS GREENSBORO
*This film is screening in-person only*
THE GREAT DIVIDE
*World Premiere*
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 14 / 8
PM / UNCSA - GOLD THEATRE
*This film is screening in-person only*
THE GROTTO
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 20 / 5
PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 1
APRIL 21 / 8 PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL
Sponsored by Tanger Center, OUT at the Movies FF
Marketing Partner: W-S Symphony
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 15 / 7
PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE
APRIL 17 / 8 PM / RED CINEMAS GREENSBORO
*This film is screening in-person only*
THE MAGIC HOURS
*World Premiere*
Sponsored by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 20 / 8
PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
APRIL 21 / 4 PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 2 — $6
A STAGE OF TWILIGHT
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 15 / 7
PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
APRIL 17 / 5:30 PM / RED CINEMAS GREENSBORO
WILD LIFE
Sponsored by Billie & Chip Cole; Margaret Norfleet Neff & Bill Struever
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 15 / 4
PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
301
Sponsored by Mitchell Prime Properties
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 14 / 7 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE - FREE
HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS
Sponsored by Jane & Redge Hanes and ABC45
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 15 / GATES OPEN 6:30 PM AND FILM BEGINS AT 8 PM OR WHEN DARK / CROSSNORE FARM — 1001 REYNOLDA DRIVE — FREE
SHANGHAI EXPRESS
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 21 / 5:30 PM / UNCSA — GOLD THEATRE
SNAKES ON A PLANE
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 21 / 8:30 PM / UNCSA — GOLD THEATRE
STARMAN
Sponsored by The Merchants in the West End
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 16 / 1:30 PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 2
YOU’VE GOT MAIL
Sponsored by Karen & Matt Coleman and Mitchell Prime Properties
Marketing Partner: Bookmarks
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 22 / 1:30 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE - FREE
CAROLINA STORIES
AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY
Sponsored by Margaret Norfleet Neff & Bill Struever
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 22 / 4:30 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE
BLESSED UNREST
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 15 / 1 PM / UNCSA — MAIN THEATRE
GO ON, BE BRAVE
Sponsored by the Lindsey Miller Charitable Foundation
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 22 / 1:30 PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 2
HERO
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 20 / 8:00PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 1
MY NAME IS MERLE
Sponsored by the Piedmont Triad Film Commission
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 15 / 1:30 PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 2
APRIL 19 / 5:30 PM / RED CINEMAS GREENSBORO
Preceded by: CHANGES IN THE WIND
THE PROBLEM OF THE HERO
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 18 / 8 PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
THE RIVER RUNS ON
Sponsored by Great Outdoor Provision Co. & Kilpatrick Townsend
Preceded by: A SOUND RIVER
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 19 / 8 PM / KILPATRICK TOWNSEND (OUTDOORS)
APRIL 20 / 5:30 PM / RED CINEMAS
GREENSBORO
SHADOW OF A WHEEL
Sponsored by Mock Orange Bikes
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 15 /
7:30 PM / REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE
APRIL 20 / 8 PM / RED CINEMAS
GREENSBORO
SUSAN
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 22 / 4
PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMA 1
Preceded by: CURTSY
TABLEAU
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 16 / 7:30
PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
FILMS WITH CLASS
FILMS WITH CLASS MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL SHORTS PROGRAM
RATING: TN TEEN+
Contains mild adult themes
Runtime: 100 MIN.
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 19 / 4:30 PM / REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE - $6
13 DRIVER’S LICENSES
U.S. Premiere
EARTHBOUND: NZAMBI MATEE
GROWING UP BEHIND BARBED WIRE
World Premiere
SURVIVING CLOTILDA
FILMS WITH CLASS SHORTS PROGRAM — ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
RATING: FM - Appropriate for ages 8+
Runtime: 58 MIN.
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 20 / 4:30 PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE — $6
CANDLELIGHT
HAM
HELLO TO ME IN 100 YEARS
I AM FROM PALESTINE
PIROUETTE
THE SOCIAL CHAMELEON WITCHFAIRY
U.S. Premiere
NORTH CAROLINA SHORTS
PROGRAM ONE: DOCUMENTARIES
91 MIN.
RATING: MT - INTENDED FOR MATURE
AUDIENCES
Sponsored by Nelson Mullins
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 14 / 4:30 PM / REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE
- $6
THEATRE - $6
BECOMING YAMAZUSHI
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOIL
I’M THE GIRL — THE STORY OF A PHOTOGRAPH IN THE REARVIEW
JACOB’S FIRST MANDOLIN
MAKING WAVES: THE COCOA CINNAMON STORY VOTE YES FOR ASHEBORO
NORTH CAROLINA SHORTS PROGRAM THREE: WINSTON STORIES
67 MIN.
RATING: MT - INTENDED FOR MATURE
AUDIENCES
Sponsored by Nelson Mullins
IN-PERSON SCREENING: APRIL 21 /
5:30 PM / HANESBRANDS THEATRE
0530: RIDING IN THE DARK IN HER ABSENCE OUTSIDE LINE
RIVERRUN AT RED CINEMAS
Sponsored by Carter Bank & Trust SCREENINGS
A STAGE OF TWILIGHT
APRIL 17 / 5:30 PM
IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL
APRIL 17 / 8 PM
(WE WILL SPEAK)
APRIL 18 / 5:30 PM
L’IMMENSITÀ
APRIL 18 / 8 PM
MY NAME IS MERLE
APRIL 19 / 5:30 PM
THE FORGER
APRIL 19 / 8 PM
THE RIVER RUNS ON
APRIL 20 / 5:30 PM
SHADOW OF A WHEEL
APRIL 20 / 8 PM
FREE FAMILY FILMS
All events listed below are FREE and open to the public!
SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS
Sponsored by ABC45 and WinstonSalem Fairgrounds Home of the Carolina Classic Fair
APRIL 15 & 22 / 10 AM / HANESBRANDS
THEATRE & REYNOLDS PLACE — FREE
MARKETPLACE SCREENING
Sponsored by ABC45
MY FAIRY TROUBLEMAKER
APRIL 22 / 1 PM / MARKETPLACE CINEMAS — FREE
OUTDOOR EVENING SCREENING
HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS
Screening sponsored by Jane & Redge Hanes, Crossnore Communities for Children and ABC45
APRIL 15 / 6:30 DOORS OPEN — FILM WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM OR WHEN DARK / CROSSNORE FARM — 1001 REYNOLDA DRIVE — FREE
PANELS / GALA / EVENTS
Closing Night Gala
Hanesbrands Theatre — 209 North Spruce Street - $25
Open to Festival guests, filmmakers and
VIP badge holders, and the public.
PANELS
*All panels are FREE and open to the public unless otherwise specified*
DOCUMENTING SYMBOLISM AND ITS EFFECTS: MELTDOWN IN DIXIE
APRIL 16 / 2 PM / MILTON RHODES CENTER REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE — FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
BRIDGING A COMMUNITY: THE CREATIVE CORRIDORS COALITION STORY
APRIL 19 / 3 PM / MILTON RHODES CENTER REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE — FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
12TH ANNUAL PITCH FEST STUDENT DOCUMENTARY FILM COMPETITION
APRIL 22 / 1 PM / MILTON RHODES CENTER REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE — FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
DOCUMENTARY ETHICS: WHAT HAPPENS TO SUBJECTS WHEN THE CAMERAS STOP ROLLING?
APRIL 22 / 4 PM / MILTON RHODES CENTER REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE — FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
APRIL 20 / 4 PM / REYNOLDS PLACE
Jessie Dunks is getting to know herself beyond bluegrass origins in her latest pop-infused single “Don’t Know Why,” out now via streaming platforms. Fans can get to know the band when they play with Nightblooms at the Flat
Dunks hails from a big Oak Ridge family — with 10 siblings — and a music connection made as a kid through a “First Act” guitar gifted from her folks. “Music has always been a big part of our family,” she said. “A handful of my sisters and I used to play on the streets of Greensboro for First Friday! “
Though Dunks left that “First Act” behind long ago, she can still be found around downtown Greensboro — as a pretty regular fixture at the Flat Iron or Oden Brewing — Dunks’ fluidity flows through genre and lineups with a full band, on her own, or as part of her duo with Bella Snyder. “We love singing together and used practice for gigs as a way to see each other more often,”
Dunks explained. “She really has an amazing voice and sometimes I’ll make her sing with me just so I can sit back and listen.”
When it comes to the band, however, Dunks is up front in the driver’s seat. “Once I started playing with a band I noticed we really come alive with the higher energy songs and I started writing songs to fit that vibe,” she said. “It started out with a lot of singer-songwriter folk songs; and now we’ve got a lot more of an indie pop-rock influence, for sure.”
Along for the ride is guitarist Daniel Carr (Demeanor, Side Pony), drummer Gilson Fearnow and bassist, Kellan Crabtree. “They’ve been so good to me in support-
ing my original music, and bringing such amazing talent to the stage,” Dunks said. “I couldn’t be doing what I’m doing without those boys.”
“And a special shout out goes to Beau James (of Chuck Mountain) for being a huge support in starting the band,” she continued. James actually plays bass for the band on the recording, tracked at Earthtones Studio, with Gage Owens as producer and Jason Atkin appearing on keys.
“This will be the first song I’ve released in 3 years,” Dunks mentioned. “I wanted to explore a big produced song, and with Gage’s help, that’s exactly what we got.”
WE’RE NOT CHEAP, WE’RE FREE !Katei Cranford Contributor
The tone marks a distinct contrast to Dunks’ 2020 debut EP, “Hiccups.”
“I’m proud of that EP, seeing as it was my first attempt at recording original music, but I’m excited to keep discovering my sound so I can look back at what I started with and be proud of how far I’ve come.”
Throughout that journey, Dunks maintains the lyrical foundation of her folk beginnings. “I really love introspective exploration, and I’ll try and explain emotions that maybe I don’t have words for until I sing them,” she said, turning to senses of struggle intrinsic in her work. “I have a really hard time with knowing what my ‘sound’ is,” she explained. “I’ve realized that exact struggle actually comes out in a lot of my lyrics! Not knowing what sound to chase or how to present myself as a musician is an internal battle I deal with all the time.”
And in that battle of self-awareness and song, “I can only hope that my original sound gets closer and closer to who I am as an artist,” she said, with an eye (or ear) toward her journey. “I started out in bluegrass and folk, but my style has evolved to
VOTED
incorporate a variety of inspiration.”
“The new song is definitely my pop venture when it comes to production,” she continued, reflecting on her own pop sensibilities; and her a ection for rhythmic strumming patterns on guitar. “I actually think that inspiration came from my admiration of Ed Sheeran’s first album,” she noted, “and I can’t seem to get away from covering Harry Styles.”
Gnarls Barkley and Lizzo are also in her cover portfolio, though Dunks lists Bright Eyes, Glen Hansard, and Ray LaMontagne as primary influences in her songwriting. “There’s something about the rawness of each of those artists,” she explained, “and that’s really what impacted me the most about their music.”
Through fluidity and lyrical focus, Dunks is developing her own sound, while developing material for others along the way through songwriting commissions. “A lot of my time is spent writing custom songs through Songfinch,--it’s a pleasure and an honor to write songs for people all over the world,” she explained. While she strives for emotive lyrical connections, Dunks also enjoys writing jingles and parodies. “If it’s songwriting, I’m in!”
As for her own work, the band is currently filming a music video with Jerry Davis (aka JDVisions). They’ll head to Durham for a show with Pretty Crimes at The Fruit on April 20 and will return to the Flat Iron in Greensboro for a show with Nightblooms on April 21.
“Don’t Know Why” is out now. !
MON: $2 Domestic Bottles & All Burgers $9.99
TUE: 1/2 Price Wine | WED: $3 Draft
THU: $6 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball
APRIL 6 Johnny O’ and The Jump Out Boys
APRIL 13 Banjo Earth
APRIL 20 Metro Jethro’s
APRIL 27 Turpentine Shine Trio
VOTED BEST BURGER IN HIGH POINT DURING EAT AND DRINK BURGER WEEK
Four SaintS BrEwing
218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722
www.foursaintsbrewing.com
thursdays: taproom trivia
Fridays: Music Bingo
apr 15: High Cotton
apr 29: Corey Hunt and the wise
Cat’S CradlE
300 E Main St | 919.967.9053
www.catscradle.com
apr 5: wiki
apr 6: the Church
apr 7: Julia, the Hourglass Kids
apr 7: duster
apr 8: Jphonol, Jennyanykind, Mayflies uSa
apr 9: High Vis
apr 12: the Bobby lees
apr 13: Coco & Clair Clair
apr 14: Happy landing
apr 14: Mt. Joy
apr 15: Built to Spill
BoJanglES ColiSEuM
2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600
www.boplex.com
apr 15: Brandon lake
apr 19: Bethel Music
apr 20: los dos Carnales
apr 22: Soul ii Soul
tHE FillMorE
1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970
www.livenation.com
apr 5: Joywave
apr 6: Hawthorne Heights / armor For Sleep
apr 6: Pouya
apr 7: Party 101 w/ dJ Matt Bennett
apr 8: K Camp:
apr 9: Masego
apr 11: Jake wesley rogers
apr 11: Killswitch Engage
ClEmmOnS
VillagE SquarE
taP HouSE
6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct |
336.448.5330
www.facebook.com/vstaphouse
apr 6: James Vincent Carroll
apr 7: unhinged
apr 13: taylor Mason
duRHAm
Carolina tHEatrE
309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030
www.carolinatheatre.org
apr 20: Big Bad Voodoo daddy
dPaC
123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787
www.dpacnc.com
apr 4-9: les Miserables
apr 11-16: Bettlejuice
apr 20: david Spade
rEEVES tHEatEr
129 W Main St | 336.258.8240
www.reevestheater.com
wednesdays: reeves open Mic
Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam
apr 7: Fine tuned
apr 21: tab Benoit
gREEnSBORO
Carolina tHEatrE
310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605
www.carolinatheatre.com
apr 7: Sweet dream in the Crown
CoMEdY ZonE
1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034
www.thecomedyzone.com
apr 7-8: lara Beitz
apr 14-15: Brian Simpson
apr 21-22: Steve rannazzisi
april 28-29: Carlos Mencia
garagE taVErn
5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020
www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro
apr 7: gipsy danger
apr 8: Huckleberry Shyne
apr 15: Muddy Creek revival
grEEnSBoro ColiSEuM
1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
apr 8: Katt williams
apr 14: Harlem globetrotters
apr 15: los temerarios
apr 23: legacy tour w/ Keith Sweat, guy and special guest tank
apr 29: Kenny Chesney w/ Kelsea Ballerini
Hangar 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480
www.hangar1819.com
apr 7: run Home Jack
apr 8: the reticent
apr 9: nothing,nowhere.
apr 11: Eyehategod & goatwhore
apr 12: the Home team
apr 13: icon For Hire
apr 15: the last ten Seconds of life
apr 21: nu Metal Madness tour 2
apr 22: Hovvdy
apr 28-29: Slaughter to Prevail
PiEdMont Hall
2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
apr 5: Scott Bradlee
apr 21: green queen Bingo
Apr 5: G-Santana
Apr 6: Holler CHoir w/ wes Collins Band
Apr 7: Time SAwyer w/ Sam Foster and The obsolete
Apr 8: liTTleFoxknoTS: embroidery workshop 2-4pm
Apr 8: ed e. ruger
Apr 11: Songs at Flat iron w/ rod Abernethy, Steven murray, + Chris mcGinnis
Tues-Fri: 3pm-unTil
StEVEn tangEr CEntEr
300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500
www.tangercenter.com
apr 6: Price is right live!
apr 18-23: Beetlejuice
apr 27: theresa Caputo live!
apr 28: Ben Folds
tHE idiot Box
CoMEdY CluB
503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699
www.idiotboxers.com
thursdays: open Mic
apr 15: Katie K
apr 22: Steve gillespe
HIgH pOInt
HigH Point tHEatrE
220 E Commerce Ave | 336.883.3401
www.highpointtheatre.com
apr 14: Barbra lica
THE DECK
118 E Main St | 336.207.1999
www.thedeckatrivertwist.com
Apr 6: Porcelain Lovecraft
Apr 7: UBU
Apr 8: Muddy Creek Band
Apr 13: DJ Jen
Apr 14: Stephen Legree
Apr 15: Cory Leutjen
Apr 20: Micah Auler
Apr 21: No Strings Attatched
Apr 22: Hampton Drive
Apr 28: Carolina Ambush
Apr 29: Radio Revolver
THE LIBERTY
SHOWCASE THEATER
101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844
www.TheLibertyShowcase.com
Apr 15: Junior Brown
Apr 21-22: The John Conlee Show
Aor 29: Jimmy Fortune
Apr 29: Doug Stone
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
Apr 8: Shortest Straw
Apr 11: Club Bpc Presents Tank & Friends
Apr 14: Wilder Woods w/ Abraham Alexander
Apr 15: Ruston Kelly w/ Annie Dirusso
Apr 18: Ripe w/ The Heavy Hours
Apr 20: Tab Benoit w/ Alastair Greene
Apr 23: The Band of Heathens
Apr 26: The Hip Abduction
Apr 28: Dillon Fence w/ Wonderwhys
Apr 29: Enslaved & Insomnium w/ Black Anvil
500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800
www.redhatamphitheater.com
Apr 14: Mt. Joy
EARL’S
121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018
www.earlsws.com
Mondays: Open Mic
Thursdays: Will Jones
Apr 7: Carolina Ambush
Apr 8: Flat Blak Cadillac
Apr 14: Lando and the Mando
Apr 15: Zack Brock and the Good Intentions
Apr 21: Anna Leigh Band
Apr 22: Drew Foust and the Wheelhouse
Apr 28: Time Bandits
Apr 29: Aaron Hamm and the Big River Band
FOOTHILLS BREWING
638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348
www.foothillsbrewing.com
Sundays: Sunday Jazz
Thursdays: Trivia
Apr 7: Anne & the Moonlighters
Apr 8: Taylor Mason
Apr 14: Megan Doss
Apr 15: XPLORER
Apr 16: Eddie Clayton & Friends
Apr 21: Dana Bearror
Apr 22: Chasing Daylight
Apr 23: Heather Rogers
Apr 28: Whiskey Mic
Apr 29: Vogan Thompson
Apr 30: Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs
MIDWAY MUSIC HALL
11141 Old US Hwy 52, Suite 10 | 336.793.4218
www.facebook.com/midwaymusichallandeventcenter
Mondays: Line Dancing
Apr 13: Cadillac Cowboys
Apr 15: The Delmonicos
Apr 29: Atlantic Coast Highway
THE RAMKAT
170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714
www.theramkat.com
Apr 6: Irata, HolyRoller, THNG
Apr 8: Leo Kottke
Apr 13: Emily Stewart, David Chillders
Apr 15: Chatham County Line, Deffrey Dean Foster
Apr 18: Carolina Twine, Michael Witt
Apr 19: The Wallflowers, Drew Foust
Apr 21: Laura Jane Grace, Weakened Freinds, Totally Slow
Apr 22: Vanessa Collier
Apr 28: By George, The Fidgets, Carolina Crossing
ROAR
633 North Liberty Street | 336-917-3008
www.roarws.com | www.roarbrandstheater. com
Apr 7: Darrell Hoots
WISE MAN BREWING
826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008
www.wisemanbrewing.com
Thursdays: Music Bingo
Apr 15: Dangermu n
4.1.23 | Greensboro Coliseum
BARTENDER: Justin Rankin
BAR:
Bar Supervisor for The Katharine Brasserie and Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
AGE: 34
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? North Carolina
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?
13 years
HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?
Worked along side my managers at the time to grow from serving to bartending and managing.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?
The creative aspect and the people you get to meet. I love talking to guests and learning about their life.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?
I love classic cocktails. Martinis, Old Fashioned, Manhattans, Sazerac, etc
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?
Margaritas
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?
A cream liquor. The Southern Star Double
bourbon cream is so good. Supports local made right here in NC. (Statesville)
WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING? Depends on the definition of craziest. Bar fights are never fun but always crazy to me because we are adults. So it’s a question of “what are you doing? This is a bar not a fighting ring. On a di erent note of crazy. People spending ungodly amounts of money on very overrated spirits.
WHAT’S THE BEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?
At my current concept we are a tip pool and we have received some pretty nice tips. But perhaps we should keep the dollar amount between us in the pool. My last concept I was tipped $300 one night on a $300 tab which was nice.
1. AD SLOGANS: Which company was advertised with the slogan, “Think Outside the Bun”?
2. TELEVISION: Which TV show spawned the spino sitcom “Mama’s Family”?
3. U.S. CITIES: In which city would you find the USS Arizona Memorial?
4. ANATOMY: What are the bones that make up the spine known as?
5. GEOGRAPHY: What is the lowest point in the United States?
6. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the traditional material in a 40th anniversary gift?
7. MOVIES: What is the name of the tow truck in the animated movie “Cars”?
8. CURRENCY: Which former president is depicted on the U.S. $50 bill?
9. LANGUAGE: What does the texting acronym SMH mean?
10. LITERATURE: Where do Winnie-thePooh and his friends live?
10. Hundred Acre Wood.
9. Shaking my head.
8. Ulysses Grant.
7. Mater.
6. Ruby.
© 2023 by King Features
5. Death Valley, California.
4. Vertebrae.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii (Pearl Harbor).
2. “The Carol Burnett Show”
1. Taco Bell.
Week of April 10, 2023
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Change is still dominant for Rams and Ewes, both in the workplace and in their private lives. This is also a good time to look at a possible relocation if that has been one of your goals.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Doing things for others is what you do well. But don’t forget that Bovines thrive on the arts, so make some time for yourself to indulge your passion for music and artistic expression.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) While the Romantic Twin considers where to go for an upcoming vacation, the Practical Twin will start making travel plans now to take advantage of some great bargains.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your sensitive nature helps you deal with a di cult emotional situation. Be patient and continue to show your sincere support wherever (and for whomever) it is needed.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re making progress as you move through some unfamiliar territory. And while there
might be a misstep or two along the way, you’re heading in the right direction overall. Good luck.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Some good news arrives -- and just in time to remind you that you’re making progress. Perhaps things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d prefer, but they’re progressing nevertheless.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) This is a good week to step back and assess the facts that have recently emerged, to see where they can be used to your advantage. Also, don’t hesitate to make changes where necessary.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You should begin to experience some support from those who now agree with your point of view. This should help counter the remaining objections from die-hard skeptics.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Don’t let your aim be deflected by trivial matters as you try to resolve a confusing situation. Take time
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.
to find and thoroughly assess the facts before making any decisions.
[cAPrIcorN (December 22 to January 19) The possibility of moving to another location has come up. But, before you dismiss it as unworkable, it’s worth checking out just in case it does have some merit after all.
[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) New relationships, personal or workrelated, show mixed signals. Best to assume nothing. Let things play themselves out until you have something substantive to work with.
[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) Your ability to make needed changes without causing too much, if any, negative ripple effect comes in handy when dealing with a sensitive matter either on the job or in the family.
[BorN THIs week: Although you like things to go smoothly, you’re not shy about making waves when you believe the situation calls for it.
© 2023 by King Features Syndicate
weekly sudoku
sudoku on page 11
crossword on page 11
