YES! Weekly - May 29, 2024

JUST MATH

According to speakers at the “What’s Happening at the U.S./Mexico Border,” a free seminar held on May 21 at the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, there are widespread myths about what the “crisis at the border” really is.

4 John and Lucia Bobby opened BOBBY BOY BAKESHOP in October 2019. Their formal culinary training began at Le Cordon Bleu in Florida. They began working in restaurants on the savory side, then moved into pastries.

6 With the summer movie season in full swing in theaters, so too is it at the Old Town Neighborhood Center (4550 Shattalon Drive, Winston-Salem), where the Old Town Film Series is showing SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS of years past in June — including two that revolutionized Hollywood forever.

7 Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County presents the second event in their 9th Annual Parks Concert Series with “THE MARTHA BASSETT SHOW”: Live at Tanglewood Park on Sunday, June 16 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com

EDITORIAL

Editor CHANEL DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com

YES! Writers IAN MCDOWELL MARK BURGER

KATEI CRANFORD

JIM LONGWORTH

DALIA RAZO

LYNN FELDER JOHN BATCHELOR

PRODUCTION

4 10 16

8 THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 is an attempt to resurrect a franchise that began with writer/director Bryan Berlito’s 2007 feature debut The Strangers , a fairly effective home-invasion story

10 Only later did I come to realize that actual mortals compose such music, and one of my favorite musical mortals was HENRY MANCINI, who, as it turned out, I had the pleasure of interviewing back in 1980.

14 A gift fulfillment program for older adults with limited financial means, “ IF ONLY” grants a one-time wish for Forsyth County residents ages 60 and over who may have a disability, a life-threatening condition, or an unmet need.

16 SWEET DREAM offers a prelude to a jazzy Greensboro psych-rock summer with their new self-titled album (out June 7); and a string of shows to celebrate.

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Marketing ANGELA COX angela@yesweekly.com TRAVIS WAGEMAN travis@yesweekly.com Promotion NATALIE GARCIA

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

TACO STREET ADDS ZEST TO LOCAL FOOD HALL WITH AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE PRESS RELEASE

Stock + Grain Assembly Food Hall, a popular destination for culinary exploration and community gatherings, is thrilled to announce the newest addition to its vibrant lineup: Taco Street. This exciting venture brings the rich flavors and vibrant culture of Mexican cuisine to the heart of Downtown High Point.

Taco Street promises an authentic culinary experience, o ering a diverse menu inspired by the streets of Mexico and the traditional flavors of Mexican home cooking. From classic street tacos filled with succulent meats and fresh toppings to street bowls, tamales, pastelitos, esquites, and more, Taco Street aims to delight every palate with its bold and irresistible flavors.

“We are thrilled to bring Taco Street to Stock + Grain Assembly and share our love for Mexican cuisine with the local Triad community,” said Ana Marie Arriaga, owner of Taco Street. “Our mission is simple: to serve delicious, colorful, high-quality food that celebrates the vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage of Mexico.”

Stock + Grain Assembly prides itself on providing a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can gather with friends and family to enjoy great food and good company in Downtown High Point. Taco Street’s first location is in Gibson Mill Market in Concord, N.C., so Stock + Grain Assembly provides a familiar setup for expansion for their second location. The food hall will also be adding family programming

highlighting the Hispanic culture throughout the year.

“We know that food has the power to bring people together, and we are excited to welcome Taco Street to the Stock + Grain family,” added Elizabeth Johnson, Community Relations + Events Manager. “Whether you’re craving a quick bite on your lunch break or looking for a fun spot to enjoy dinner with friends, Taco Street has something for everyone. We can already see people enjoying chips, salsa, queso, and sangria on our patios this summer.”

Taco Street opened its High Point location on Monday, May 20, 2024. A grand opening celebration event will be planned in the coming weeks. !

TACO STREET is a concept based on the Mexican gastronomic culture where tacos and a variety of other dishes are informally made and sold in small traditional markets or country fairs representing a significant part of urban food consumption. They now have two locations in North Carolina food halls — Concord and High Point. Learn more at: www.tacostreetnc.com or follow them on social media.

STOCK + GRAIN ASSEMBLY is a food hall comprised of eight independently owned food concepts and two bars (a centrally located craft bar and a unique outdoor bar). It is also home to the Carolina Core FC Merch Store. The food hall is located at 275 North Elm. With unparalleled access to foot tra c from Truist Point Stadium and the Festival Plaza, the 12,000-square-foot modern marketplace is central to the High Point community and an amenity to the revitalized downtown. Happenings at the Food Hall can be followed on social media and at www.stockandgrainhp.com.

WANNA know?

For more information and updates, follow Taco Street and Stock + Grain Assembly on social media or visit their websites.

BY JOHN BATCHELOR

Chow Down at Bobby Boy Bakeshop

wine bar, served 5:30-7 p.m. (‘til 8 on Friday and Saturday).

John and Lucia Bobby opened Bobby Boy Bakeshop in October 2019. Their formal culinary training began at Le Cordon Bleu in Florida. They began working in restaurants on the savory side, then moved into pastries. In the professional culinary world, pastry chefs command particular respect because of the level of precision their processes require.

Most seating is provided around community tables, in addition to a few four-tops. Patio space outdoors under big umbrellas is especially attractive this time of year. Bobby Boy “cohabits” with Caviste wine shop and wine bar, owned by Russ Anderson and his wife, Alice Chen.

When I visited for lunch, most patrons seemed reluctant to settle in along the wine bar, but that space is OK, too, especially when lunch crowds spill over. The wine shop/bar opens at noon. Bobby Boy prepares small plates for the

It’s easy to understand the popular following. This place is a treasure. National recognition has emerged in the form of a James Beard Award semi-finalist status for Outstanding Bakery in this year’s competition. When I studied the Bobby Boy Facebook page, it was also interesting to see the names of well-regarded area chefs appearing among their followers.

Check the showcase to identify the day’s quiche, soup, and sandwich o erings.

Carrot and Ginger Soup is lush, redolent of rich carrot flavor sharpened by the named spice, a classic combination. Whey-based broth plus potato for thickening hosts an infinitely smooth purée of carrots.

Grilled slices of spelt-wheat bread host sautéed ground lamb, plus bits of burrata cheese, blended with soft-cooked onions. For flavor alone, I could eat just the grilled bread, but the hearty lamb flavor mellifluously blending with the cheese

and onions is truly hearty.

A section of baguette encloses thin slices of prosciutto and gruyere cheese. The two primary flavors work well o each other. But the star of the show is the bread that fights the bite. You have to chew on this. As you do, layers of flavor unfold.

Slabs of focaccia are usually the other lunch feature. The version I had was studded with tomato, garlic, and burrata cheese, enhanced with fresh basil leaves and oregano. All the primary ingredient flavors are evident, but once again, the star of the show is the host bread itself.

I confess to a barely restrained bread fetish. A generation ago, when the Triad was a bread desert and deep discount airfares were available from PTI, I would join other intrepid shoppers on flights to New York. Most would return with bags from Bloomingdale’s of Sak’s Fifth Avenue. I would store bags of bread from Ecce Panis in the overhead bin, and other passengers would comment on how good

my seating area smelled.

Such excursions are now superfluous. Breads from Bobby Boy are as good as or better than any I have had in big cities. Spelt-Wheat Sourdough is studded with sesame seeds, clinging to a hard crust that explodes with flavor in its own right. Ciabatta is characterized by a long, slow rise and high hydration, yielding big bubble holes, framed in a similarly firm crust, equally flavorful, unique to the species.

Regular readers of this column may be aware that I tend to avoid sugar and sweets in general. I made an exception in this case, strictly for research purposes. When I was growing up, my mother often explained to me that she only drank alcohol “for medicinal purposes.” I claim a related exemption from my diet, for this week, at least.

A Key Lime cylinder is appropriately tart in initial impact, sliding subtly into creamy-mellow sweetness from vanilla cream, standing on a graham cracker crust. Exquisite.

Traditional Croissant

Carrot Ginger Soup Lamb Burrata Sandwich

Ciabatta

Prosciutto Gruyere Sandwich

Apple Croissant

I regard croissants as an art form. The Traditional here is laminated with Vermont creamery butter. A variation is filled with vanilla bean custard. Another version is studded with toasted almonds and filled with almond cream. It is named Twice Baked, because a second trip to the oven adds extra crispness. Layers of thin pastry unfold in every bite. An Apple Danish uses a similar delicate pastry, in this case, arrayed with slices of cinnamon-spiced slices of roasted Granny Smith apple perched in almond cream.

Of course, I could not pass up Chocolate Chip cookies. The version here is the chocolatiest I have ever encountered, with barely enough cookie to keep the chocolate chips from escaping. And this is really good chocolate, from Valhrona.

As currently configured, space is at a premium, and this establishment’s reputation is generating higher demand from patrons as well as restaurants that want to serve Bobby Boy’s breads. Plans are in place to add another production space in the old Coca-Cola bottling plant on Marshall Street, hopefully opening in late summer or fall. This expansion will add a second retail space as well as a much larger production capacity.

I cannot work my way through all the tarts and pastries here over a short period

of time. Even I have limitations. So, I will have to pace myself. One at a time. Over time. A long time. This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. !

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

WANNA go?

Bobby Boy Bakeshop

1100 Reynolda Road

Winston-Salem 27104

336-955-3284

bobbyboybakeshop.com

Hours: Bakery- 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Lunch service starts at 11 a.m.

Sandwiches: around $6.50

Quiche and Salad: around $9

Soups: around $6

Breads: $3.75-$9

Pastries: $4.25-$6.75

Desserts, Tarts: $4.75-$8

Most recent visit: May 22

419

$699,000

A beautiful 4,800 sq ft 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths house in Danville, VA. Only two owners. Attached green house, detached brick storage building with built in grill, irrigation system, security system, 2 car garage, 2nd kitchen in basement, new copper gutters, slate roof, includes a 2nd lot, tall ceilings, large kitchen & kitchenette, formal dining room, living room and den, natural well water on the property. Bomb shelter, custom moldings. Upgraded pool!

Spelt Wheat Sourdough

Key Lime

Focaccia

Almond Croissant

A summer blockbuster showcase for June’s Old Town Film Series

With the summer movie season in full swing in theaters, so too is it at the Old Town Neighborhood Center (4550 Shattalon Drive, WinstonSalem), where the Old Town Film Series is showing summer blockbusters of years past in June — including two that revolutionized Hollywood forever. Each film is rated PG and will be presented at 7 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays. Admission, as always, is free, and popcorn and refreshments are available for purchase.

It’s o to a galaxy far, far away on June

6, as the month’s o erings kick o with a film that scarcely needs any introduction: The original Star Wars (1977), written and directed by George Lucas, which at the time became the highest-grossing film in history, winning six Academy Awards — Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Visual E ects, as well as a Special Achievement Award for sound e ects — and also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Alec Guinness).

The next week, on June 13, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) will take viewers back to that galaxy far, far away for the second installment of the phenomenally popular (and lucrative) franchise, which continues to this day. The film, directed by Irvin Kershner, won an Oscar for Best Sound and a Special Achievement Award for special e ects, with additional nominations for

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Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Best Original Score.

“Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back were seminal moments for filmgoers worldwide,” said Michael DiVitto Kelly, the recreation center supervisor at the Old Town Neighborhood Center, who personally selects each film. “The stories, special e ects, unforgettable characters, are forever embedded in our culture. Seeing the first two films on the big screen was breathtaking, and I’m excited to present them — for free — at Old Town Neighborhood Center.”

Many fans still debate which film is the better of the two. “While the original Star Wars is amazing, I must admit I dig The Empire Strikes Back a bit more. There’s a darker tone, more serious than its predecessor, (and) there’s also a cli hanger. Will the Rebel forces be able to regroup and defeat the evil Empire? Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father? No one saw that coming.” (The latter revelation can hardly be called a spoiler at this point in time!)

The June 20 screening selection itself needs no introduction: Steven Spielberg’s 1975 adaptation of the Peter Benchley best-seller Jaws. When it was released, it was the highest-grossing film in history … until Star Wars snatched the crown two summers later. Jaws won Oscars for Best Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound, while also receiving a nomination for Best Picture.

“I’m showing Jaws on June 20 — the o cial release date 49 years ago,” Kelly said. “I admit it, Jaws is my favorite film of all time — period. Everything about this film is great. Between the performances of the ‘big three’ — Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss — Spielberg’s direction, and John Williams’s score, I’d be hard-pressed to find a better film. I confess I am a Jaws trivia enthusiast, [and] I’ll have plenty of Jaws trivia to share!”

The month’s o erings conclude with — you guessed it — the 1978 follow-up Jaws 2, in which Scheider reprised his role as the beleaguered Amity police chief Martin Brody, once again confronted by the threat of a great white shark, this time under the direction of Jeannot Szwarc.

The critical reception was less than stellar, but Jaws 2 was still the highest-grossing sequel in history at the time, besting the likes of The Godfather Part II (1974) and French Connection II (1978).

“Jaws should have been a one-o ,” Kelly admitted. “There was absolutely no way you were going to come close to topping the original. Jaws 2 has its moments, and it will be fun to watch again after many years. One thing I will say is that Jaws 2 has the best logline in cinema history: ‘Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water.’”

The Old Town Film Series will once again be presenting its “Kids Summer FilmFest,” a selection of family-oriented films that are suitable for all ages. These films will be shown at 2 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays. This summer’s lineup includes Babe (June 13), Night at the Museum (June 20), Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (June 27), Journey to the Center of the Earth (July 11), Spy Kids (July 18), Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (August 1), Kiki’s Delivery Service (August 8), and The Muppet Movie (August 16).

As Kelly noted, the Old Town Film Series is a great way to embrace and enjoy the magic of movies and is considerably cheaper than streaming services — because it’s free!

Kelly will introduce each film and there will be an informal discussion after each screening. For more information, call 336922-3561 or e-mail michaelke@cityofws. org. !

Mark Burger Contributor

“The Martha Bassett Show”: Live at Tanglewood Park

Arts Council presents free outdoor concert on Sunday, June 16

Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County presents the second event in their 9th Annual Parks Concert Series with “The Martha Bassett Show”: Live at Tanglewood Park on Sunday, June 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. The concert series, presented in partnership with Forsyth County Government, provides free, family-friendly concerts showcasing local and national musicians in beautiful outdoor venues.

The June 16 concert features “The Martha Bassett Show,” a weekly music program (usually recorded at the historic Reeves Theater in Elkin) that blends the fabric of the national roots and Americana scene with the rich artistry, history, and flair of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Helmed by one of the state’s most distinguished musicians, the live show features national artists, fresh local faces, and the music of Martha Bassett. Each show is a collaboration in song and conversation between Martha, her band, and the guests.

The concert takes place on Father’s Day, and the line-up of guest musicians including Sonny Miles (a multi-instrumentalist with gospel, funk, and neo-soul influences), The Onyx Club Boys (a gypsy jazz group from Chapel Hill), and Dori Freeman (an Appalachian singer-songwriter) promises an unforgettable afternoon.

“The Martha Bassett Show”: Live at Tanglewood Park takes place at the Tanglewood Park Band Shell (4061 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons). Free parking

[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]

KALEIDEUM HOLDS A SPECIAL “KALEIDEUM AFTER DARK: RAISE THE ROOF” ON JUNE 8

is available adjacent to the band shell. Gates open at 1 p.m.; the concert will be 2-5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and may bring a picnic or purchase food from vendors’ onsite. Wine, beer, and water will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting Arts Council. No outside alcohol is permitted. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in family-friendly arts activities sponsored by Publix Charities. Dogs on leashes are welcome. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (251 N Spruce St., Winston-Salem). Check Arts Council’s website and social media for day-of venue updates.

The 9th Annual Parks Concert Series will include two more dates: Sunday, September 8 at Tanglewood Park; and Sunday, October 20 at Triad Park. Visit intothearts.org/parks for more information. Series partners include Publix Charities, Foothills Brewing, Ra aldini Vineyards, RH Barringer Distributers, and First Bank. Media partners include Best of Winston, Triad City Beat, Triad Voice Magazine, WFDD, WSNC, WTOB, and YES! Weekly. !

ARTS COUNCIL OF WINSTON-SALEM & FORSYTH

COUNTY is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural o erings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play.

Kaleideum, the reimagined experiential learning museum in downtown Winston-Salem, will celebrate the Rooftop Adventure exhibition with a June 8 “Kaleideum After Dark: Raise the Roof.” The event will occur from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and feature live music on the rooftop, glow tag, drinks, and a food truck at the museum. Kaleideum is located at 120 West 3rd Street across from Merschel Park.

“We know the community is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Kaleideum Rooftop Adventure — both as a place for families to play and as an event space for rentals,” said Kaleideum’s CEO Elizabeth Dampier. “We are a destination for all ages, and opening up the roof opens up a world of possibilities.”

Hold Tone, a Raleigh-based band that includes three Winston-Salem natives, will play an eclectic mix of party music on the roof. Smokin’ BBQ Chateau food truck will be parked in front of the museum, and all attendees will receive two drink vouchers that can be used for beer and/or wine at the full-service bars. Kaleideum’s Collider beer and two new signature cocktails — the Skyline and the Constellation — will be featured.

“Our education sta is creating a Glow Tag game that attendees can play throughout the museum,” Dampier says. “And we know everyone will have a blast checking out our playground and sliding down our slides while taking in

the most spectacular view in the city!”

The Rooftop Adventure is made up of hammock swings and a wheelchair accessible adventure playground created by Beanstalk Journey, and a Kaleidoscape climber by Interplay. In addition, artwork by Georgie Nakima is interspersed throughout the playground. Rooftop Adventure is designed to include elements that encourage more risky play than a traditional playground in order to allow children to practice their risk-taking skills with play that promotes both physical and mental health.

Kaleideum After Darks are 21+ events sponsored by Mast General Store and held every Second Saturday. The Kaleideum After Dark series allows adults to drink and discover the new museum in a kid-free environment. The event theme changes each month, but participants can always explore, play games in the exhibits, encounter an animal, and more.

“Kaleideum After Dark is a downtown social event that lets you experience the museum in a grown-up way,” Dampier says. !

WANNA go?

Advance tickets are available for purchase online for $20 per person and include two vouchers for beer and wine. Tickets at the door will be $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at https://19331.blackbaudhosting.com/19331/ Ticketed-Event-Kaleideum-After-Dark_Raisethe-Roof-June-8

SUBMITTED BY LEIGH ANN WOODRUFF

PRESS RELEASE

The Strangers: Chapter 1: Everything new is old again

Given the plethora of reboots, remakes, and sequels currently littering the big-screen landscape, it should hardly come as a surprise that The Strangers: Chapter 1 is an attempt to resurrect a franchise that began with writer/director Bryan Berlito’s 2007 feature debut The Strangers, a fairly e ective homeinvasion story that derived much of its impact from the performances of Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as a married couple terrorized by masked maniacs.

The Strangers: Prey at Night followed in 2018 and was considered by many an improvement on the original. Now we come to The Strangers: Chapter 1, the first installment of a brand-new trilogy

(!) that seems nothing more than a cash grab, an opportunity to milk a few more dollars out of a name brand that scarcely demanded reviving. It’s merely the sameold, same-old.

Madelaine Petsch and Froy Guttierez, both quite a able, are the clean-cut couple celebrating their fifth anniversary by taking a cross-country road trip. In quick, entirely predictable fashion, they pull into the rustic Oregon burg of Venus, where the grubby locals (straight out of “The Twilight Zone) regard them with scornful suspicion. Their car breaks down and they are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin on the outskirts of town.

Guess what happens next?

You don’t need to. Before too long, they are stalked, taunted, and terrorized by a trio of marauders, each clad in a bizarre mask and brandishing the usual assortment of sharp implements. This goes on for roughly 45 minutes. Then the film ends with the scariest thought imaginable: “To Be Continued.”

All three chapters of the new trilogy are helmed by Renny Harlin, who is no stranger to horror franchises, having directed A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), at the time the series’ biggest hit, and 2004’s Exorcist: The Beginning, about which the less said the better. He’s undoubtedly a competent technician, but a film is only as good as its screenplay, and Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland’s — based on Berlito’s story — is barely able to sustain one 90-minute narrative (much less the next two), judging by this. The leads are at least likable, and suffer nobly, in their stock roles, and an appropriate mood of menace is provided by Justin Caine Burnett’s score and José David Moreno’s cinematography. But it’s simply not enough. We’ve been down the road before. There’s no reason to go down it again — and The Strangers: Chapter 1 doesn’t bode well for the next “chapters.” !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2024, Mark Burger.

Mark Burger

Contributor

BACK FROM THE DEAD

(Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The Blu-ray bow ($24.95 retail) of the intermittently effective low-budget 1957 chiller, based on screenwriter Catherine Turney’s novel The Other One , stars Peggie Castle as a young bride who is possessed by the vengeful spirit of husband Arthur Franz’s first wife and falls into the clutches of a Satanic cult, with Marsha Hunt a standout as Franz’s concerned sister. Bonus features include audio commentaries.

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): A special-edition Bluray ($24.95 retail) of director Jeremy Kagan’s 1989 college comedy, starring screenwriter Allan Katz (making his feature debut in both capacities) as a hunchbacked misfit who surreptitiously resides in the campus clock tower of UCLA — until he is discovered and handed over to the scientific faculty for further study. Originally titled The Hunchback of UCLA (until the university threatened legal action) — although it was filmed on the USC campus — this awkward riff on the Victor Hugo classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame combines lowbrow comedy with corny pathos to little effect, thereby stranding an attractive cast including Tom Skerritt, Cindy Williams, Jessica Harper, Corey Parker, Melora Hardin, and Gerrit Graham. One of the last films made by Vestron Pictures, it tries too hard to be a cult classic. Bonus features include audio commentary, retrospective interview with Katz, alternate ending, still gallery, and theatrical trailer. Rated PG-13.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE (Paramount Home Entertainment): Despite a plethora of good intentions and a wealth of potential, director/screenwriter Reinaldo Marcus Green’s factbased chronicle of the international reggae superstar and advocate of peace is distressingly sketchy and unfocused, never capturing the man, his music, or his message, although Kingsley Ben-Adi has some good moments as the humanized icon. Rita Marley and son Ziggy are among the film’s producers, which makes its overall failure that much more disheartening. Nevertheless, it was a surprise box-office hit, available on DVD ($25.99 retail), Blu-ray ($31.99 retail), and 4K Ultra HD combo ($37.99 retail), each replete with bonus features including behind-the-scenes featurettes. Rated PG-13.

[VIDEO VAULT]

BY MARK BURGER

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: BLUEBEARD (Kino

Lorber Studio Classics)

Actor John Carradine (1906-’88) enjoyed, so to speak, a wide-ranging career that spanned A-list classics (Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath) to grade-Z schlock (Billy the Kid vs. Dracula, The Astro-Zombies) and became a cult icon as a result, with over 350 credits to his name. This low-budget 1944 thriller, produced under the auspices of PRC (Producers Releasing Corporation), arguably the cheapest of Hollywood’s Poverty Row studios in the 1940s, ranked as a personal favorite of Carradine’s. It’s not his best film or performance but a legitimate star turn.

All eyes are on “Long John” (as he’s been described) as

the brooding artist and puppeteer Gaston Morel, a legitimate lady-killer — in every sense of the term — who’s been terrorizing 19th-century Paris by strangling a series of beautiful women who have modeled for him, one of whom is played by screen newcomer Sonia Sorel, who would soon become Carradine’s second wife.

Jean Parker plays Lucille Lutien, the beauty who catches Morel’s eye and becomes his next potential victim. In an admittedly contrived coincidence, her sister Francine (Teala Loring) happens to be an undercover police operative whose boyfriend, Jacques Lefevre (Nils Asther), heads the murder investigation. Lurking in the shadows is Ludwig Stossel, oozing sleaziness as the art dealer Jean Lamarte, who knows Morel’s secret yet continues to sell his works because they fetch high prices — most of which he keeps for himself, of course.

Under the direction of Edgar G. Ulmer (a cult figure in his own right), Bluebeard manages to transcend its budgetary limitations — to an extent — thanks to touches of German expressionism and an almost noir-ish sensibility. Carradine was no stranger to chewing the scenery, but here he’s restrained (yet intense), exuding an air of danger and romance and even eliciting some audience sympathy for his psychotic behavior. Bluebeard is undeniably a B-movie, but it’s a solid and memorable one, and great fun for nostalgia bu s.

The 80th-anniversary Blu-ray ($24.95 retail) includes audio commentaries.

FEAR AND DESIRE

(Kino Lorber

Studio Classics): Stanley Kubrick made his feature film bow as producer/director/cinematographer/editor with this low-budget 1952 melodrama focusing on four soldiers whose plane crashes behind enemy lines in an undefined war, as they attempt to find their way to safety while contemplating the circumstances that have brought them into this predicament. Almost dreamlike in its execution, this ambitious anti-war treatise is occasionally self-indulgent but displays real flashes of imagination and ingenuity, although Kubrick himself was widely reported to have loathed it and wanted to keep it out of circulation (!). Both the special-edition Blu-ray ($24.95 retail) and 4K Ultra HD combo ($39.95 retail) include both the theatrical version and director’s cut, audio commentaries, bonus Kubrick short films, and trailers.

ring Sofie Grabol as a single mother and tenacious homicide inspector in contemporary Copenhagen balancing her personal and professional life while investigating the most baffling murders. The AMC mystery series, which ran for four seasons (2011-’14) was based on this. Each episode is available in the original Danish (with English subtitles) or English-dubbed audio option.

SCARLET STREET (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): Fritz Lang’s 1945 adaptation of Georges de La Fouchardiere’s novel La Chienne (later adapted into a play) stars Edward G. Robinson as a meek cashier and amateur painter who plays Good Samaritan to Greenwich village streetwalker Joan Bennett, only for her to turn the tables by luring him into a life of deception and degradation, aided and abetted by her pimp (Dan Duryea). One of Lang’s personal favorites, the three leads are superb and the film and was so controversial in its day that it was banned in New York, Atlanta, and Milwaukee — but that hardly dampened its critical or financial reception. It’s still a potent morality play, with an ending that lingers in the memory. Long in the public domain, the film has been beautifully restored. Both the Blu-ray ($24.95 retail) and 4K Ultra HD combo ($39.95 retail) include audio commentaries.

SHANGHAI MYSTERY

“FOOD WARS!: THE SECOND PLATE” (Sentai Entertainment): A twodisc Blu-ray ($69.98 retail) featuring all 13 episodes from the 2006 season of the award-winning anime fantasy series (originally titled “ Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma ), based on the popular manga series created by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki, following the adventures of the ambitious and imaginative students at the prestigious Totsuki Culinary Academy as they compete with one another to achieve prestige and success. Each episode can be watched in the original Japanese (with English subtitles) or English-dubbed audio options.

“THE KILLING”: THE COMPLETE SERIES (MHz Choice/Kino Lorber): The title tells all in this 11-disc DVD collection ($119.95 retail) of all 40 episodes from the entire 2007-’12 run of the criticallyacclaimed, award-winning mystery series (originally titled “ Forbrydelsen ”) created by writer Soren Sveistrup, star-

(Indican Pictures): Originally titled Shang Hai hong mei li , producer Oscar L. Costo’s feature debut as writer/director is a stylish showcase for real-life wife Vivian Wu (also a producer), who gives a fine performance as a young widow and mother who moonlights as a hired killer, detailing her relationship with mysterious American businessman Richard Burgi and her later incarceration and testy exchanges with lawyer Sun Hong-Lei. The ambitious but fragmented narrative, replete with shifts in chronology, attempts to be a character study, a thriller, and an exploration of contemporary Shanghai and traditional customs — but it can’t quite combine the elements in a successful fashion, despite good moments along the way and Adam Pope’s striking cinematography. This was first released in 2006 (!) as Shanghai Red then reissued four years later as Shanghai Blue , before arriving at its current title. In English and Mandarin with English subtitles, available on DVD ($24.99 retail) and Blu-ray ($29.99 retail). Rated R. !

Mancini Still Relevant a Century Later voices

Growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s, I was addicted to television even before I could walk, and my Dad took me to see my first movie as soon as I had graduated from diapers. Of course, I wanted to emulate on-screen heroes like Superman and John Wayne, but one of my most lasting impressions from watching movies and TV shows had to do with listening to them. I was enamored with main title themes from TV shows like Peter Gunn, and scores from films like The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Only later did I come to realize that actual mortals compose such music, and one of my favorite musi-

cal mortals was Henry Mancini, who, as it turned out, I had the pleasure of interviewing back in 1980. More on that later.

Mancini was born on April 16, 1924, in Maple Heights, Ohio. His early interest in music led him to study at Julliard, then at age 18 he enlisted in the Army Air Force where he was discovered by bandleader Glenn Miller who recommended young Henry for the Air Force band. When World War II ended, Mancini worked as a pianist and arranger for Miller’s orchestra and soon thereafter he landed a job in the Universal Studios music department.

During his six-year stint at Universal, Henry helped to score a number of films for which he received no credit, and others where the studio let him shine, like on The Glenn Miller Story, which garnered Mancini his first Oscar nomination (he would go on to win four Oscars in his long career). Henry struck out on his own in 1958 and soon teamed up with producer/ director Blake Edwards for the first of

their many collaborations, the groundbreaking TV series Peter Gunn. The soundtrack from that series won Mancini his first Grammy. Over the next four decades, he would go on to win 19 more.

The Mancini/Edwards team won wide acclaim for such films as Breakfast at Ti any’s (whose big hit was “Moon River”), The Days of Wine and Roses, Charade, and a slew of Pink Panther outings. Mancini was also successful scoring films away from Edwards including Touch of Evil, Silver Streak, and Mommie Dearest. Aside from Peter Gunn, some of Henry’s notable TV themes include Mr. Lucky, Newhart, Remington Steele, The Thornbirds, and the NBC Mystery Movie theme.

But Mancini’s work stretched far beyond music for movies and TV. In all, he recorded 90 albums, eight of which went gold, and he composed music in all genres, from jazz and country to soul. And now, 100 years after his birth, a group of award-winning musicians have honored Henry with a re-recording of his hits in a new album, which is scheduled for release on June 21. (Individual cuts bowed on YouTube April 16 on what would have been Mancini’s 100th birthday.) Titled, Henry Mancini, the 100th Sessions, the album features stars like Michael Buble (“Moon River”), James Galway and Lizzo (The Pink Panther), and Quincy Jones and John Williams (Peter Gunn). It was nostalgic for Williams who served as Mancini’s pianist on the original Peter Gunn album in 1958.

100th Sessions is being produced by Henry’s son-in-law Greg Field who also played drums on the re-recording of The Pink Panther. Field told CBS News that while most people under 50 have never heard of Henry Mancini, “I can’t imagine another composer who has created music that generations and generations through the decades keep resonating with people.”

And now to my story about the time I interviewed Henry Mancini.

In 1980, I started a video production company while still hosting a daily

talk show on WXEX-TV (now WRIC) in Richmond, Virginia. I also freelanced as a radio announcer on WSVS am 1340, which was based in Petersburg. Henry was scheduled to give an upcoming concert in Richmond so several weeks prior, I called him to do a radio interview which would serve to promote the concert. The taped interview went well, mainly because Henry was so easy to talk to, plus it didn’t hurt that I was a big fan. As I recall, we spoke for about 15 minutes, said our goodbyes, and hung up. About a minute later the station engineer came running in to tell me that something went wrong with the tape and that none of the interview had been recorded. My heart sank. The engineer apologized and then rightly suggested that Mr. Mancini would never know about the mistake because he would never have heard the broadcast anyway. But we were talking about a man I really admired, so I swallowed my pride and called Henry back. I told him what had happened, and he very calmly said, “That’s OK, Jim. We’ll do it again.”

When asked what he admired most about his friend Henry Mancini, John Williams said, “He’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever known.” On that day in 1980, I found out what Maestro Williams meant. !

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

Jim Longworth

Longworth at Large

“Just Math”: Triad agencies explain status of U.S.

border

Ian McDowell

In December 2023, more than 225,000 undocumented migrants were apprehended at the southern border.

Texas governor Greg Abbot called this record number an “invasion,” but did not mention just how few succeeded in covertly entering the U.S., or how many were asylum seekers who sought out border patrol agents to voluntarily surrender.

In his March 2024 article “Border Patrol: 70 Percent Drop in Successful Evasions Since Title 42 Ended,” David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, reported that, currently, only 8% of undocumented immigrants cross the Mexican border without being apprehended, whereas in previous decades that number was over 50%.

According to speakers at the “What’s Happening at the U.S./Mexico Border,” a free seminar held on May 21 at the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, there are widespread myths about what the “crisis at the border” really is.

The event was co-sponsored by the City of Greensboro’s International Advisory Committee (IAC), UNCG’s Center for New North Carolinians (CNNC), the New Arrivals Institute, and the Immigration Policy Reform Roundtable of the League of Women Voters, along with other community and faith organizations.

It was moderated by CNNC Director Rob Cassell and included presentations by Stefania Arteaga of the Carolina Migrant Network, Erendira Mendez of FaithAction International, and Immigration Attorney Jeremy McKinney. All stressed that most of those crossing or waiting to cross that border are not Mexican, but families fleeing crime and political violence in countries further south, who voluntarily surrender and request asylum.

According to McKinney, those seeking asylum from other countries in the Americas face di erent obstacles than Asian, European, and Middle Eastern refugees.

“We’ve had budget battles and partisan fights over Ukraine and Afghanistan, but at the end of the day, people from both political parties come together to help those populations. And with that mindset, I want them to turn to our hemisphere.”

McKinney said that more than 35%

of Venezuela’s population has fled the country due to economic collapse and authoritarian rule, leading to a “brain drain” of doctors, attorneys, and teachers. “This is the largest displacement of people ever recorded in the Western hemisphere.”

He also cited Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega has stripped his critics and political opponents of citizenship, resulting in over 200,000 people fleeing that country annually, as well as thousands more fleeing organized crime in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

This, said McKinney, is the real border crisis, and one that cannot be solved by turning people away or arresting them when they’re here. The real problem is that no infrastructure in this hemisphere aids in resettlement the way UN refugee camps screen people before sending them on to the U.S. Asylum, he stressed, can only be obtained in the U.S., not from outside it. “There’s no meaningful way to do it from their own countries or Mexico.”

He described touring the Tucson Sector of the southern border during his term as president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and being told by border patrol agents that those attempting to evade apprehension are

increasingly rare. “Eighty-five percent put their hands up and sometimes even call 911 because they’re not here to evade the law, they’re here to follow it. And what does the law provide? The ability to apply for asylum, regardless of how you got into the United States, regardless of your status. So, they come across the border and immediately surrender.”

McKinney stressed that any crisis at the border is “just math.”

“Doesn’t matter which administration, it’s gonna happen, because our hemisphere is seeing governments fall in an amount we’ve never seen before, and the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the rest of the Americas have to deal with that. You can’t turn someone away that’s seeking asylum. They have to be given due process. But we don’t have enough personnel or space to detain that many people, so we release them with conditions into the community where they must report. If they get sent back for not reporting, they can’t apply again for 10 years.”

He said that the 1996 law requiring 10-year expulsions has made the situation “exponentially worse.”

“Think about it, if leaving means you can’t come back for a decade, then you’re not going to leave. That’s a failure of public policy created by a

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Republican congress and signed into law by a Democratic president.”

After the U.S. economic collapse of 2008, there was a huge decrease in Mexican nationals crossing the southern border in search of jobs. Concurrently, there was increased gang violence and political turmoil in Nicaragua and Venezuela.

“The demographics of who was arriving changed from Mexican males coming here to work. Now it’s refugees from violence further south, but we literally can’t sustain their numbers unless we build some American infrastructure outside the U.S.”

McKinney noted that President Biden has not only announced tentative plans for refugee centers that are outside the U.S. but located in this hemisphere, as well as parole programs, meaning temporary permission to enter without a visa, for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.

“It’s not permanent status and it doesn’t mean they’re undocumented. To dispel some myths, they won’t qualify for cellphones, public benefits, or other nonsense I’ve heard about, and they each will have to have a U.S. sponsor and buy their plane ticket. This was created to allow people to escape to the United States from their terrible situations on a temporary basis without them paying the cartels to smuggle them, and without dying in the desert.”

He said that the number of people detained by ICE increased because the Trump administration was not exercising any enforcement priorities.

“It didn’t matter whether you were Osama Bin Laden or a grandma. If you were in the country without permission and you encountered ICE, then you were placed in removal proceedings. We ended up with huge numbers of peo-

ple that we did not have the resources to handle in those proceedings, and most were able to successfully fight their removals, because they had been here for over a decade. The Trump administration choked the immigration courts with litigation because they flooded those courts with people who shouldn’t have been there.”

But now, “with all the crises going on in our hemisphere,” that number has gone from 1.5 to 3.5 million, and most will not have their first court date for years.

“How does that help anyone?

To me it’s cruel to have somebody lingering in our system for eight or nine years, building roots in the local community, and then we tell them to go home to the gang violence they fled in Honduras and Venezuela. If you have a viable asylum claim, it needs to be heard and you need to be granted that benefit. Meanwhile, Congress needs to be thinking about tools like temporary protective status, or making it possible for people to do things the right way.”

He then introduced a young asylum seeker from Colombia named Daniela, who arrived in Greensboro this month with her daughter. Speaking Spanish, Daniela described her grueling journey.

“Please have patience,” said her Greensboro Police Department interpreter David Lyndrup. “It was a pretty traumatic situation.”

Daniela described three days of walking through the Colombian jungle before reaching the border with Panama, where she, her daughter, and her brother lived in tents in a camp with thousands of people. From there, they boarded a bus to Costa Rica, and took a trip that involved many transfers and various legal transit di culties. She didn’t have the resources to go further and had to work to earn money to San José,

Costa Rica’s capital and largest city, where they lived for a month and a half before proceeding to Honduras and then Nicaragua.

In Nicaragua, they encountered what Lyndrup described as “a very dangerous situation in the early morning hours,” when the “Coyotes” arranging their transport charged them “a very large amount of money” to reach Guatemala. Lyndrup said that Nicaraguan and Guatemalan police would regularly stop the buses and sexually assault the women, as well as extort money from them, leaving them with nothing when they got to Mexico.”

“Then they got to Tapachula and stand in line for three days to be able to get permission to remain in Mexico for a month. Then they had to go in di erent vans to the border. It was there that she surrendered herself and her daughter to immigration. She had arrived with her brother, but they were separated.”

She and her daughter were jailed for 11 days by the U.S. authorities. “They treated her horribly, and she and her daughter were only allowed to eat once

a day. The food was not good and she and her daughter got sick.”

But after being given what’s called a Credible Fear Test to determine whether or not she was in danger in her native country, she was released and allowed to travel to North Carolina.

According to McKinney, increasing numbers are making similar journeys.

“The first point in resolving what’s going on at the southern border is building up the infrastructure in our hemisphere. That is not just a U.S. thing; it’s a Canadian thing, a Mexican thing, a South American thing. We all have to work together as a global community so that we are providing some level of protection, health, and human services for irregular movements of people. It doesn’t matter who’s president. When there is an international emergency, there is mass migration. It is going to happen”. !

IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.

Stefania Artega

Jeremy McKinney

Asylum seekers at Mexican border.

Venezuelan migrant camp on the Rio Grande.

“If Only” Program Grants Wishes to Older Residents

Unknown to many in the Winston-Salem area, the Forsyth County Department of Social Services has been facilitating the “If Only” program for several years now. A gift fulfillment program for older adults with limited financial means, “If Only” grants a onetime wish for Forsyth County residents ages 60 and over who may have a disability, a life-threatening condition, or an unmet need. The result of a generous monetary gift from former Forsyth County resident O. Moser, the program has continuously aided older residents with wishes that have included a portable keyboard, a DVD player, an electronic device for virtual communication, and even medical supplies not covered by insurance.

Little is known about the donor as O. Moser’s family has expressed wishing to maintain a low-key profile for

both the donor and the family. While the exact year the program began is unknown, it precedes the department’s current Adult Services Division Director, Rick Hall. He has been in his current position for four years now, and during that time noticed that the application process for “If Only” was outdated. While individuals could download the application, it was still necessary for them to print it out, fill it out by hand, and find a way to submit it whether by mail or in person. Hall saw the need to be able to provide applicants with an electronic submission option as well.

Additionally, if potential applicants are homebound, the department will mail individuals a hard copy of the ap-

plication directly to their homes. “They can either get it by mail, they can get it in person, they can download it if they want, fill it out by hand, and mail it to us,” said Hall. “We’re trying to make it as convenient for everyone.” A baby boomer himself, Hall is aware of how common it has become for the baby boomer generation to become more and more technologically savvy, hence the importance of providing a PDF “If Only” application. Along with updating the application form, the “If Only” logo was also revamped for a fresh look.

Throughout the years, “If Only” has maintained a steady flow of wishes and the department has, fortunately, been able to respond continuously as application requests tend to remain in proportion to the program’s ability to grant. This is likely due in part to the program’s clear eligibility criteria. To qualify, individuals must be at least 60 years of age, reside in Forsyth County as a U.S. citizen or documented immigrant, have a disabling and life-threatening condition, have a demonstrated need due to limited financial resources, have the physical and cognitive ability to participate in their wish once granted.

A unique aspect of “If Only” is that people typically reach out to the program when they have already tried to get help in every other possible way. As part of maintaining the integrity and respect of the original donation, when revising applications, Hall and his team find out the things applicants have previously done on behalf of obtaining their wish. Amidst application revisions, the department may know of resources that could potentially help applicants over “If Only.”

“We’ve got a great team of social workers here who will process through these applications and help,” Hall said. “We may be able to identify a resource which may be a continuous resource. We have a lot of di erent programs.”

The “If Only” application process often results in a two-fold benefit. The hope for a one-time form of assistance may result in an ongoing perpetuating resource that also aids the program in con-

tinuing to grant wishes proportionately without concerns of having to limit what it can provide. On the other hand, when applicants have exhausted possibilities on behalf of their wish before applying for “If Only,” the program can grant applicants’ wishes as long as eligibility requirements are met. For many benefactors, receiving the program’s support has been miraculous, or a dream come true.

The cash value per individual “If Only” applicant is $2,000 and as of now, granted wishes have consisted mostly of durable goods or products. Not too long ago, an older woman in need of orthopedic footwear not covered by her insurance and too expensive for her fixed income was able to obtain these specialized shoes through “If Only.” Items that the program is not able to grant include cash, automobile and RV rentals, property and home improvements or repairs, legal assistance, travel outside of the United States or cruises, medical, dental or psychiatric care, and surprise requests for others.

Somewhat of a safety net underneath the existing programs to aid adults in need, “If Only” hopes to continue spreading its services and hope to the Forsyth County community. However, Hall and his team also hope that they continue informing and referring individuals to the available resources at the Adults Services Division. Some of these resources and services include but are not limited to InHome Aide (Home Management), Mobile Meals, Adult Daycare/DayHealth, General Information and Referral, Special Assistance In-Home, Adult Protective Services, and Guardianship.

While “If Only” is geared towards adults 60 and older, other resources in the department serve adults 18 and older. Anytime the Adult Services Division refers individuals to resources beyond the Forsyth County Department of Social Services, it is imperative for Hall and his team to hear back from their referees to be informed on these outside resources. “We want to empower, connect, and serve,” said Hall about his department. “When we hear that a person is able to now have a higher degree of independence, that defines success for us.” !

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

Dalia Razo

Sweet Dream Summer

Sweet Dream o ers a prelude to a jazzy Greensboro psych-rock summer with their new self-titled album (out June 7); and a string of shows to celebrate.

Ultimately the solo project of Greensboro’s Julian CreechPritchett, “Sweet Dream” sees the producer-performer multi-hyphenate delivering another plate full of eclectic songs — continuing the trek first established in 2020’s “Caricature” and the 2021 followup, “Blessed/Cursed.”

With his third full-length “Sweet Dream,” CreechPritchett is still taking Tame Impala cues and inspiration — still an avowed loyalist of King Gizz — but he’s transversed a few years since graduating from UNC-Greensboro.

Feeling the crunch of paying bills and balancing energies, there’s a sense of gratitude and focus emanating from his latest work. Nostalgia and a reverence for the classics continue — art for most of Sweet Dream’s singles spoof album covers from artists like The Doors, Jaco Pastorius, and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” And then there’s Creech-Pritchett tripling down on the titular theme: Sweet Dream’s “Sweet Dream” starts with the song “Sweet Dream.”

“Not enough bands do this anymore,” Creech-Pritchett insisted, referencing “Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath on their 1970 self-titled debut “Black Sabbath.”

“So much gets recycled in our industry, but this is something I wouldn’t mind seeing some more of! Selftitled music is some statement-of-purpose type shit.”

As to that statement, “I feel like I’ve had an awakening as a producer,” he explained, tracing the years and soundscapes over the years; crediting a developing a nity for modern psych artists like Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Hether with helping hone his brand of “super-fi” (a sonic moniker suggested by a friend). “The idea here is that you bring together elements of hi-fi and lo-fi to create a distinctly warm, classic sound with modern elements such as heavier low end. ‘Blessed/Cursed’ starts leaning in this direction, but ‘Sweet Dream’ fully commits to it in a way that I didn’t know how to before.”

That commitment resonates through the single “Go to Go,” which embodies elements of “plastic soul laced with lush orchestral accompaniment.” Employing David Bowie’s terminology “describing the sonic nature of the music but being composed and performed by a white person,” Creech-Pritchett considers the concept intrinsic to his work with Sweet Dream. “So much of the Western music that I digest and regurgitate in my own way was originated and perpetuated by Black Americans, which is something that can’t be forgotten or overlooked in the grand scheme.”

For the song, “Got to Go,” Creech-Pritchett tapped Matt Laird, Liam Trawik, and Jacob Bruner for arrangement. “Matt is a wizard on the strings,” Creech-Pritchett a rmed. “He composed the parts and I used his ar-

PHOTO BY JULIAN CREECH-PRITCHETT

rangement to inform the winds and organ played by Liam and Jacob, respectively. It’s an absolute joy to bring in bonafide North Carolina talent to supplement my songs whenever I can.”

Interweaving concepts of locality, “Sweet Dream” is arguably a Greensboro record at its core — with Gate City references in song titles (i.e. the “Slices by Tony” bside to “Anything Could Happen”); and tracks recorded at Creech-Pritchett’s home in Glenwood.

“The way records like Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’ and Tame Impala’s ‘The Slow Rush’ are considered ‘LA albums,’ I wonder if Sweet Dream will be an entry into the ‘Glenwood sound’?” he mused — emphasizing the premise’s rhetorical nature. “I know of a few others doing work in the same neighborhood, recently including Greensboro rockers’ White Toledo’s ‘Special Creatures’ being made only three blocks from my house.” There may be something to the notion: Instant Regrets made their new record “Bored & Stressed” a few houses away; Grove Street itself is a hub between the years of Legitimate Business, OPOTW Studies, and now Black Rabbit Audio.

Creech-Pritchett is happy to leave that up to listeners. “I’m trying to make music that I want to listen to,” he said. “In all fairness, you might classify most Sweet Dream music as by stoners for stoners. Do with that idea what you will.” The Greensboro connections continue checking out, though “Sweet Dream” expands beyond the stoner-psych melodies; with a dash of disco in “Be My Baby” featuring the “angelic presence” of Ashley Virginia. “She really turns it into something interesting and worth listening to,” Creech-Pritchett said, admitting to having “caught the piano disco bug” from Tame Impala’s 2019 single “Patience.”

Virginia and Trawick will perform as part of Sweet Dream during the run of shows; along with the live players that make up the touring incarnation of the group.

“We’ve had a rotating cast of performers since 2019,” Creech-Pritchett explained. “Ramon Garcia has been holding down the bass since our first tour in 2019, and Xavier Ware joined the fold on drums in early

2023. They’re both phenomenal musicians, improvisers, and performers in their own right and it is truly a pleasure to hit the stage with them whenever I can.”

“This kind of thing is really beautiful,” Creech-Pritchett continued, turning to the ways a full band brings his songs to life. “The singularity of self-production gives all my recordings a world of sound to live in that’s all my own. When I bring the songs to the stage, however, it’s like I’m inviting my band mates to live in this world and bring their own worlds of sound with them, creating something unique every show.”

Something unique and fleeting — following the tri-city run, it’s unlikely Sweet Dream will perform until 2025. “We had originally planned a proper tour, but conflicts with other opportunities have come up. And we’ve had to put the album support tours on hold until 2025,” he explained. “Whatever we end up doing, I’d like to do it right, so I don’t mind waiting until everyone is available.”

Creech-Pritchett included: he’s a guitarist for Greensboro progressive thrash metal trio Last Waking Moment, Cary-based modern R&B artist Tulliz, and Boulevards (barn burner funk out of Raleigh); drums for Greensboro alt-rockers The Ellipses; and is half of the Greensboro freak EDM duo YELLAFLEXXUS. Dude stays busy. But the full band calendars are cleared and the dates are set for the record release run, kicking o at the Pour House in Raleigh on June 6 (with Satellite Dog and The Moon Unit); the main show on release day at the Crown Above the Carolina Theatre (with Elore Dash and an extra Ashley Virginia set); and at the Evening Muse in Charlotte (with Council Ring) on June 8.

Extending shoutouts to Adam Lindstaedt and Jonas Chisolm at the Pour House, Creech-Pritchett is excited to celebrate the release day on his home turf. “I love The Crown and The Carolina Theatre with all my heart,” he said. “I’m usually the head sound tech there, so it’s definitely my first choice of venue to book for my own shows in Greensboro. We’ll be in The Crown the day the album comes out, and it feels super appropriate to be able to celebrate this music in that space.”

As for Charlotte, “this will be our first time at The Evening Muse, and our first show in Charlotte since 2022. That said, if the wonderful person reading this has any connections in the area, give them a heads up! We’d love to make some new friends.”

“Sweet Dream” by Sweet Dream comes out June 7; they’ll celebrate with shows at the Pour House on June 6, the Crown on June 7, and the Evening Muse on June 8. !

[SCAN ME] Scan the QR code to see more about

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.

Katei Cranford

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Sweet Dream.

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dPaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

May 16-Jun 9: the lion King

ElKIn

rEEVES thEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240

www.reevestheater.com

wednesdays: reeves open Mic

Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam

Jun 22: Maggie rose

gREEnSBORO

Barn dinnEr thEatrE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211

www.barndinner.com

May 11-June 1: Steel Magnolias

Carolina thEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605

www.carolinatheatre.com

Jun 7: Sweet dream

Jun 8: will McBride

Jun 16: dead letter office

Jun 24: Condado

Char Bar no. 7

3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555 www.charbar7.com

May 30: dalton allen

CoMEdY ZonE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com

May 31-Jun 1: Capone

Jun 6: t Murph

Jun 7-9: tommy davidson

Jun 14-15: Erik griffin

Jun 20-21: Ms. Pat

Flat iron

221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967 www.flatirongso.com

May 29: doug davis w/ the Couldn’t Be happiers

May 30: the nuBeing Collective

May 31: Jamie Mclean Band w/ the Justin Cody Fox Band

Jun 1: Sexbruise? w Future Joy

Jun 2: Joe Kaplow

Jun 4: rich hinman vs. adam levy

Jun 5: wes Collins & Jamie harris

Jun 6: abby hamilton w/ Molly Mcginn

Jun 7: duCK

Jun 11: the dead tongues w/ Josh Moore

Jun 13: Mono Means one w/ Council ring

Jun 14: holler Choir + Spencer thomas

Jun 20: wild roots & lua Flora

Jun 22: the Shoaldiggers + Folkknot

garagE taVErn

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020

www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro

May 30: Patrick rock May 31: wristband

grEEnSBoro ColiSEuM

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Jun 11: luis Miguel

Jun 12: Peso Pluma

Jun 21: FEid

Jun 22: Jhene aiko

May 31: trophy Eyes w/ rarity, house & home

Jun 5: woe is Me w/ not Enough Space, harm, Kaldera

Jun 9: ra w/ Platinum Moon, Feverhill, Fifty Flies, north Corridor

Jun 14: Emo island

Jun 18: destroy rebuild until god Shows w/ Savage hands, downsizing, the requiem, VrStY, wind walkers

Jun 19: aaron west & the roaring twenties w/ Future teens, Maura weaver

PiEdMont hall 2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com

Jun 7: green Queen Bingo

Jun 9: alex lora w/ grupo Kual and Kinto Sal

Jun 20: Frank turner & the Sleeping Souls

Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950 www.facebook.com/rodystavern

May 29: Matt Page May 31: Mix tape

StEVEn tangEr CEntEr 300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500 www.tangercenter.com

Jun 8-9: harry Potter and the Prisoner of azkabam

Jun 14: ali Siddiq

Jun 15: Chiquis

Jun 16: Steve Miller Band

Jun 19: the Beach Boys

Jun 20: Josh gates live!

Jun 22: Shane gillis

Jun 27: david Spade

Jun 29: Sonic Symphony

ThE IdIoT Box

ComEdY CluB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699

www.idiotboxers.com

Thursdays: open mic

Jun 21-22: mike mello

high point

1614 dmB

1614 N Main St | 336.883.4113

https://www.1614drinksmusicbilliards.com/ may 31: Joe hero w/ Adhesive

Jun 1: Black Glass

Jun 7: Jukebox Revolver

Jun 14: Southern Sounds Band

Jun 15: Poison’us & Kings of Noise

Jun 22: Brother Pearl

jamestown

ThE dECK

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999 www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/ may 31: Second Glance

oak Ridge

BISTRo 150

2205 Oak Ridge Rd | 336.643.6359 www.bistro150.com

Jun 1: Kris Ferris

Jun 8: Jordan & Emma

Jun 22: limited Engagement

Jun 29: Two for the Road

Raleigh

CCu muSIC PARK

AT WAlNuT CREEK

3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111 www.livenation.com

Jun 7: Nial horan

Jun 14: dave matthews Band

Jun 15: hARdY

Jun 19: maggie Rogers

Jun 23: Willie Nelson, Bob dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: outlaw Fest

Jun 26: Red hot Chili Peppers

Jun 27: Alanis morissette

lINColN ThEATRE

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

may 31: Justin West, Sixteen Penny, Jut Thomas Trio, Van meter, hunter Grant

Jun 1: ABACAB – The music of Genesis

Jun 5: Rob49 & Skilla Baby

Jun 7: George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners w/ Funkuponya

Jun 8: Saosin

Jun 12: Bossman dlow

Jun 14: Bring out Yer dead

REd hAT AmPhIThEATER

500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800 www.redhatamphitheater.com

may 30: orville Peck w/ durand Jones and debbii dawson

Jun 5: John Fogerty

Jun 8: Brothers osborne w/ Caylee hammack

Jun 9: Bryson Tiller

Jun 11: Khruangbin

Jun 12: Chappell Roan

Jun 13: Gary Clark Jr.

Jun 14: dwight Yoakam

PNC ARENA

1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300

www.thepncarena.com

may 31: melanie martinez

Jun 4: megan Thee Stallion

Jun 7: Kane Brown

Jun 12: Justin Timberlake

winston-salem

EARl’S

121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018

www.earlsws.com

mondays: open mic

may 31: Gypsy Soul

FooThIllS BREWING

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348

www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz

Thursdays: Trivia

may 29: Jim mayberry

may 31: Austin & Amanda

Jun 1: Carolina Clay

Jun 2: Big Bump and the Stun Guns

Jun 5: mystic mouse

Jun 7: Grizzly Panda

Jun 8: Rain Check Bluegrass

Jun 9: Camel City Blues

Jun 12: Terra String

Jun 14: Chuck dale Smith Band

mIdWAY muSIC hAll

11141 Old US Hwy 52, Suite 10 | 336.793.4218 www.facebook.com/midwaymusichallandeventcenter

mondays: line dancing

Jun 1: Silver hawk

Jun 8: R.C And Company

ThE RAmKAT

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

may 29: Flower in Bloom

may 31: Victoria Victoria ft. Charlie hunter, maia Kamil

Jun 8: Robert Earl Keen

Jun 12: martha Bassett

Jun 13: hardwired – matallica Tribute

Jun 14: Jeffrey dean Foster & The Arrows, Spring Summer

Jun 19: Steve Earle, Caleb Caudle

Weekly Specials

MON: $2.50 Domestic Bottles & All Burgers $10.99 TUE: 1/2 Price Wine | WED: $4 Draft THU: $8 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball

Band Schedule

MAY 30 Johnny O’ and The Jump Out Boys

JUNE 6 Chris Sheppard

VOTED BEST BURGER IN HIGH POINT DURING EAT AND DRINK BURGER WEEK

| (336) 807-1476 MONDAY-THURSDAY 11AM-10 PM | FRIDAY-SATURDAY 11AM-11PM SUNDAY 11AM-8PM | BRUNCH 11AM-2PM

Natalie Garcia

[1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the community college in the sitcom Community?

[2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two countries in South America are landlocked?

[3. HISTORY: Where did the e ective end of the Civil War take place?

[4. U.S. STATES: Which state comes first alphabetically?

[5. FOOD & DRINK: What is an affogato?

[6. MOVIES: Which movie features the character Inigo Montoya?

[7. ENTERTAINERS: What is singer/ songwriter Taylor Swift’s middle name?

[8. ANATOMY: What is the smallest organ in the human body?

[9. LITERATURE: Which fantasy novel (later made into an HBO series called Game of Thrones) features a place called Winterfell?

[10. GEOLOGY: What is the most malleable metal?

answer

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of June 3, 2024

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You’re buoyed by an exciting new venture that opens up more career possibilities. But you need to come down to earth occasionally to deal with home matters.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The week opens up a new period of opportunities, both personal and professional. Spend the weekend with family and/or close friends.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Aspects favor reasonable risk-taking, as long as you feel prepared for the challenge of a new project. Your personal life also o ers possibilities for change.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Things ease up as tensions dissipate. Continue to reach out to those who need to be reassured that the upsets of the past are over and that everything is back to normal.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Somebody loves you, and you know who this person is. While romantic aspects are favorable, it’s up to you whether the relationship goes from static to ecstatic.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Educational aspects are strong this week for all Virgans — especially for children, who will benefit from after-school classes in music, art or dance.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) This is a favorable period for Librans to get started on making those long-overdue lifestyle changes involving health, fitness and relationship matters.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Things begin to settle down in the workplace. But personal situations take on new importance as a loved one shares a matter of great concern with you.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good time to reach out to new acquaintances and reestablish contact with longtime friends who have earned your trust in past years.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You’re able to assume more control over situations that seemed to be getting out of hand recently. Take time to mend rifts with your mate.

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.

[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) Romantic aspects are strong for senior Aquarians, who prove that getting older just means getting better at playing Cupid’s game. “Playmates” include Librans and Leos.

[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) Let your instincts guide you to a decision about a friend who makes a claim on your generous nature. Also, travel plans might need some adjusting.

[BorN THIs week: You have a deep, spiritual side that you sometimes hide to let your more practical aspects show through.

answers

[crossword] crossword on page 11

[weekly sudoku] sudoku on page 11

© 2024 by King Features Syndicate