YES! Weekly - June 21, 2023

floor of a downtown o ce tower.

6 After 20 seasons and more than 140 mainstage productions, TRIAD STAGE is permanently closing its doors. In March, the Triad Stage Board of Trustees announced that the remaining productions planned for the current season would be suspended as the Board explored the best possible outcomes for the theater.

8 Generally speaking, I don’t like to label people, but Florida Governor RICK DESANTIS seems hell-bent on wanting to be called a homophobe.

9 ARIEL’s interest is further — and understandably — piqued when she

rescues the handsome prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) after a calamitous shipwreck. Having only caught a glimpse of her in his addled state, Eric becomes obsessed with seeking out his savior.

14 “We still don’t know who did it,” said Winston-Salem Southwest Ward representative Kevin Mundy about the person or persons who, in the early morning of June 9, vandalized the PRIDE MONTH BANNER at City Hall.“The police are working on the assumption that it was a premeditated hate crime, rather than a spontaneous act.

16 Summer is o cially here and the summer festival season is once again popping o . In Winston-Salem, that means the time is right for dancing in streets painted rainbow as PRIDE WINSTON-SALEM’S annual festival and parade pops all over the Arts District.

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

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

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Kali. She’s the assistant manager at a downtown hotel in Winston-Salem. She’s openly gay and rather impetuous, even reckless, in her romantic life.

4 DOWNTOWN GRILLE is the first venture outside Virginia from the Parry Restaurant Group, which owns over a dozen properties in that state...In both ambiance and style, this is a true white tablecloth restaurant. Panoramic windows look out from the ground

Chow Down with John Batchelor at Downtown Grille

BY JOHN BATCHELOR

Downtown Grille is the first venture outside Virginia from the Parry Restaurant Group, which owns over a dozen properties in that state. Managing partner Stephan Parry started in the business by owning and operating a college bar in Harrisonburg, where he attended James Madison University. His career subsequently included management in several high-end establishments, including Vice President of Operations for Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses.

In both ambiance and style, this is a true white tablecloth restaurant. Panoramic windows look out from the ground floor of a downtown o ce tower. Patio seating is surrounded by the chef’s vegetable and herb garden, growing from planter boxes around the perimeter.

Two other criteria give rise to compliments I hardly ever pay. Background music is unobtrusive, but pleasant and actually interesting if you choose to attend to it. Some of Miles Davis’s more mellow compositions are characteristic. And I found myself actually looking forward to various wine selections from this exceptionally well-constructed list. Although prices in-house do not always precisely match those posted online, even with moderate discrepancies factored in, some outstanding quality and value are available here.

Of course, none of that matters unless the food meets similar standards. It does. I cannot recall enjoying any series of meals this much in years. Hardly ever, in fact.

Take, for example, the Smoked Salmon Pate’, an o -menu but frequently featured starter. The Triad is pate’ deficient. Any good pate’ would be welcome, but this one is exemplary, noteworthy for subtle smoke and salmon flavors from the

primary ingredients, as well as brilliant colors from fresh green herbs and sliced red and purple daikon.

Bright colors are further evident in Beets Three Ways. Raw, crisp, red and white interiors generate the first impression, followed by deep red from roasted red cubes, rounded out by deep gold from pickled yellow slices. These rest in stracciatellamellow mozzarella cheese soaked in sweet cream — scattered with toasted Marcona almonds. Arugula dressed in light lemon vinaigrette, plus perfectly charred baguette slices, complete this striking presentation. My wife forbade me from licking the plate.

Scallops are seared in a cast iron skillet, yielding a deep brown crust, yet still buttery-tender, oozing their own natural flavor well served by a bath of celeriac puree. Deep red pickled apples plus pancetta bites lend color as well as complementary flavor. Pea shoots lightly doused with vinaigrette further decorate the plate.

Deep crimson Piquillo Peppers are slightly charred, stu ed with merguez sausage, made in-house with ground lamb. These produce exceptionally robust flavor, surrounded by two aioli swirls, one of roasted corn, the other espellete, flecked with smoked paprika. Springs of fresh green cilantro accent both color and flavor.

Bread service is listed among the starters, at extra cost. Usually, I would skip this sort of arrangement. Sourced from Bobby Boy Bakeshop, however, these breadsbaguettes, sesame-spelt slices, and sea salt buns — are worth it. This is the best bread I’ve ever had in a restaurant, and some of the best, anywhere. The kitchen here blends butter with ramps, a novel treatment, executed with a gentle touch that is not overpowering. I’ve never seen this member of the onion family, native to

North Carolina, on area menus before. It’s a welcome addition.

Moving on to the entrées, the fish in Carolina Catch varies according to fresh availability. The evening we ordered it, amberjack was the feature. The white flesh tilts naturally toward mild firm texture, in this case seared brown and crusty, topped with grated tru es, resting in ramp orecchiette pasta (pastas are made in-house), blended with chicken stock, butter, preserved lemon, and maitake mushrooms. Green pea shoots surround the fish.

Grilled Salmon bears just enough crust to create some texture and enhanced flavor, laced with sauce verte — uncooked herbs blended with lemon juice and olive oil. It is plated over Carolina Gold risotto, flanked by grilled asparagus shoots, charred lemon slices alongside.

The Crabcake is noteworthy on several counts. First, the primary flavor emerges from high-quality, real lump crabmeat. Remoulade sauce, flavored with ramps, sharpens the crab flavor but does not interfere with it. Purple and white potatoes alongside gain texture and flavor from lemon, olive oil, and oregano. Leek gratin is a special treat unto itself. The kitchen ought to consider making this mild, oniony casserole a vegetarian entrée.

The vegetarian entrée on the menu is well worth ordering, however, and not just for vegetarians. The Farmer’s Plate consists of fresh mushrooms, ramps, caramelized shallots, and spring peas in Carolina Gold rice risotto. Unindicted coconspirator Jerry wanted more ramps.

I would term Green Eggs and Ham Carbonara a southern variation on an Italian classic. The “green” comes from Gemelli pasta and pureed spring peas, plus pea shoots, with egg yolk blended in. The ham is sliced pancetta. Finely grated

Reggiano cheese covers the top. To some extent, Downtown Grille also implements a steakhouse concept, with all the traditional cuts o ered, in addition to the otherwise stellar menu o erings. My wife and I have tried two meats here. The Steakburger is made from a blend of ground chuck, short ribs, brisket, and knuckle, sourced from Apple Brandy Beef, a North Carolina mountains farm of superior quality. (I have written about them in one of my books.) A soft, tasty brioche bun hosts the deeply flavorful patty, augmented with arugula, aged cheddar cheese, and applewood-smoked bacon. Crisp fries are the accompanying vegetable. I seldom categorize anything with an unequivocal “best” label. But I’ll make that declaration on this, right now.

The Pork Chop ranks in the upper echelon, too. It’s an ample cut- almost a pound- beautifully seared and crusted on the exterior, moist and tender inside. Roasted tomatoes and a small salad of pea shoots rest alongside. The acid of the tomatoes marries particularly well with the flavor of the pork.

The vegetables cited above are included with the entrées. Most, however, are priced a la carte. I am a big Brussels sprouts fan, so I had to try them here. They are flash-fried to a crisp exterior, but their natural flavor still comes through. The “pork cotton candy” on top is unique, however, a dry confetti that lends an exquisite supplementary flavor, along with a bit of garlic and chili crunch. My current weight limit notwithstanding, my party ordered dessert. The Hazelnut Molten Cake oozes a liquid chocolate center, topped with vanilla ice cream, surrounded by raspberry puree. Cheesecake is prepared from cream cheese and crème fraiche, flanked by fresh strawberries, topped with strawberry coulis. This

Smoked Salmon Pate’ Beets Three Ways Scallops

Amberjack

is a lush, rich preparation. All desserts are made in-house by the resident culinary team.

Harrison Littell, the Executive Chef, is a Winston-Salem native who grew up in the professional kitchen of Five Loaves Catering, his mother’s business. His professional background includes the Honey Pot (RIP) in Winston-Salem, Lantern in Chapel Hill, as well as time in Vermont. He graduated from New England Culinary Institute. Brian Gebhard is Chef de Cuisine. Giovanni Brown is Sous Chef. Michael Caudill and Michael Fisher are line cooks. This is quite a crew! The Manager is Dan Todd. He has about 30 years of experience in restaurant management, mainly in Virginia with the Parry Group. He moved to Winston-Salem to take over this new property.

Downtown Grille clearly earns the designation “destination restaurant.” !

Greensboro, North Carolina

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?

Downtown Grille 500 West 5th Street Winston-Salem 27101 downtowngrille.com (336) 930-1485

Hours: 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday

Appetizers: $13-$21

Salads: $13-$14

Entrées: $24-$52

Desserts: $12

Most recent visit: June 13

Celebrating 62 seasons of providing unmatched classical music experiences to Greensboro each summer!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

easternmusicfestival.org

Salmon Farmer’s Plate

Stu ed Piquillo Peppers

Crab Cake

Pork Chop

Hazlenut Molten Cake

Triad Stage Board Announces Closure

After 20 seasons and more than 140 mainstage productions, Triad Stage is permanently closing its doors. In March, the Triad Stage Board of Trustees announced that the remaining productions planned for the current season would be suspended as the Board explored the best possible outcomes for the theater. “Despite the best e orts of the Board and a small and extremely dedicated sta , as well as the evaluation of numerous options, we have concluded that the operation of Triad Stage is unsustainable. The Board has determined that the only responsible option remaining is to liquidate our assets and dissolve the organization,” said Board Co-Chair Sarah Saint. The decision marks the end of an e ort spanning more than 25 years that began with the aspiration to bring live, professional theater to a rejuvenated downtown Greensboro. “We are extremely grateful to the many community members who embraced the vision of Greensboro hosting a regional professional theatre in its downtown, and who made financial investments over many years to support it,” said Board member Margaret Arbuckle. The ticket o ce will remain open to support the Eastern Musical Festival through its 2023 season, and the Board has begun implementation of a plan to dispose of remaining assets and resolve liabilities. In the coming weeks, ticket holders will be contacted directly regarding outstanding ticket credits. Triad Stage has assets valued considerably in excess of its liabilities and, although the liquidation process will require some patience, it is the organization’s intention and expectation to satisfy liabilities to ticket holders and other creditors in full.

Board Co-Chair Cassandra Williams said, “We are devastated by this outcome. Triad Stage has been key to revitalizing downtown Greensboro and an artistic refuge for writers, performers, and theatergoers. For 20 years this organization entertained audiences, premiered new work, and introduced schoolchildren to the experience of live theater. We

should never lose sight of the good work that has been done here, and we will deeply miss our role in Greensboro’s arts community.”

Triad Stage is the latest in a series of long-running regional theaters unable to sustain post-pandemic operations. Theaters including the Lyric in Atlanta; the Westchester Broadway (after 46 years); the Old Creamery Theater (after 50 years of operations and Iowa’s oldest professional theater); the San Diego Rep (after 46 years); and, closer to home, the Actors Theater of Charlotte, all have recently closed. Even theaters benefiting from multi-million-dollar endowments, such as the Long Wharf Theater in Connecticut, have been forced to make radical changes to their operating model, including the shedding of their physical space, in order to survive. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival announced in April that it needed to raise $2.5 million in four short months, $1.5 million of it in the first two, for its season to go on.

Triad Stage has long experienced financial stresses. By the time the pandemic forced its closure in 2020, the theater was carrying an accumulated deficit of $1.5 million. During its twoand-a-half-year closure, the organization made significant changes to its operating

model, including a shift in artistic focus to include newer productions and more diverse storytelling, as well as a reduced operating budget. It also disposed of its o site scene shop as part of the e ort to address its longstanding deficit.

Still, the attempt to reopen against a long history of fiscal challenges and a headwind of post-pandemic uncertainty was an ambitious one. “The budget for Triad Stage’s 20th season was based on revenue assumptions we thought were conservative,” said Board Co-Chair Deborah Hayes. Unfortunately, the experience fell well short, with houses averaging less than half full over the course of the first two mainstage productions, and significantly reduced levels of contributed revenue.

Pressure on the revenue side was exacerbated by dramatic increases in the costs of production. Additionally, the downsizing of Triad Stage’s sta caused increased reliance on professional contractors, which have become more expensive and di cult to find.

“After we took stock of the first two productions, the prospect of launching the final show of the current season, and the commitments necessary to begin the next one, we concluded that the barriers were insurmountable,” Hayes said. “We are proud of the two shows we produced this season. It was an honor to premiere Mike Wiley’s Rebellious and tell

that story unique to Greensboro. The Revolutionists was provocative and filled with compelling performances,” Hayes continued. “Our Executive Director, Kate Holland, and our Artistic Director, Sarah Hankins, as well as the rest of our sta , could not possibly have done more. The Board directed time, energy, and personal financial resources at a level none of us expected when we signed on for this volunteer commitment. We made a valiant e ort, but the responsible course now is to sunset as gracefully as possible and find new ways to support a thriving arts community for the Triad.”

“I know that I speak for the entire Board and for the organization as a whole when I say that Triad Stage is grateful to our patrons and donors, to the artists and artisans whose work we were privileged to share with this community, and to an amazing sta that consistently made it all happen,” Saint added. “We have also appreciated institutional support over the years from the city, from the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, the North Carolina Arts Council, and a host of other institutional supporters. We will do our best to honor each of you by conducting our final chapter in a manner worthy of that support.”

Complete details of the theater’s liquidation plan are being finalized and will be released over the summer. In the meantime, further questions may be addressed to Samantha Brumbaugh at Ivey, McClellan, Siegmund, Brumbaugh & McDonough LLP. !

[ weekly arts roundup]

Piedmont Wind SymPhony iS

out and Banding t ogether”

By Katherine White

With a wide variety of thrilling performances offered in new Forsyth County venues, “Branching Out and Banding Together” is the spirit of Piedmont Wind Symphony’s upcoming Piedmont Pops Free Summer Series. Entering its 34th performance season and its third season with Maestro Mark Norman, Music Director, at the baton, PWS is known for innovative musical programming featuring nationally known musicians and living composers. This coming season only expands the band’s diverse repertoire.

“Outdoor summertime performances are a large part of the heritage of concert bands and the Piedmont Wind Symphony is proud to carry on this exciting tradition with the expansion of our popular “Piedmont Pops in the Pit” series and with the new performances in Lewisville this summer!” states PWS’ Music Director, Mark Norman.

PWS is pleased to announce the free summer series at Incendiary Brewing in Winston-Salem and Lewisville thanks to Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and funded through ARPA supported by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

A Star Spangled Spectacula — Patriotic Pops!

Come celebrate Independence Day weekend with the toe-tapping music of Sousa, tributes to our Armed Forces, and a rousing rendition of the 1812 Overture.

Featuring Karen Mason, Vocal Soloist Sunday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coal Pit at Incendiary Brewing in WinstonSalem (486 N Patterson Ave #105, Winston-Salem, NC 27101)

Piedmont Pops: Celebrating Women Band Directors! PWS performs classics and new

selections of the band literature featuring a fantastic lineup of amazing guest conductors: Fran Shelton, Pat Garren, Margaret Underwood, and Rebecca Mulligan in the final concert of the 2023 Women Band Directors International Conference.

Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church (646 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101)

Dance Around the World Lively music associated with dances from around the world and throughout time will be featured. Put your dancing shoes on and join us for this rousing performance.

Featuring Ron Rudkin, Clarinet Soloist

Sunday, September 3 at 6 p.m. in the Coal Pit at Incendiary Brewing (486 N Patterson Ave #105, Winston-Salem, NC 27101)

Saturday, September 9 at 6 p.m. in Lewisville at Incendiary Brewing (5495 Williams Rd, Lewisville, NC 27023)

On Broadway!

Take a stroll down Times Square and sing along with the fantastic melodies of famous Briadway musicals featuring vocalist Stephanie Foley-Davis. Also, Live Music Trivia returns featuring Felice Manget Harvey.

Sunday, September 17 at 6 p.m. in the Coal Pit at Incendiary Brewing (486 N Patterson Ave #105, Winston-Salem, NC 27101)

STRONG AS STEEL WITH THE ATTRACTIVE

“Branching

Disney v DeSantis: ‘A Strange World’

enerally speaking, I don’t like to label people, but Florida Governor Rick DeSantis seems hell-bent on wanting to be called a homophobe. His “Don’t Say Gay” law, which was enacted in March, hasn’t just angered the LGBTQ community, it has also struck fear into the hearts and minds of teachers who dare not expose their students to words or images which might suggest that humans can be anything other than heterosexual. Much of Righteous Ron’s bombastic dogma of late derives from his war with the Walt Disney Company which dared to oppose his restrictive and discriminatory policies. Given the two adversaries’ battle for the moral

Gsoul of Florida and subsequent fight for who should control Disney World’s tax district, it’s not surprising that the latest controversy involves the showing of a Disney film to fifth-graders in Hernando County.

Though “Don’t Say Gay” only restricts the teaching of sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3, Florida collaterally restricts the use of certain books and films in all grades. Enter Jenna Barbee, a teacher at Winding Waters School in Brookville, Florida. Barbee elected to show Disney’s animated Strange World to her class because its environmental message was relevant to her lesson plan. But the film also features a bi-racial gay couple, and, as it happens, one of Barbee’s students is the daughter of school board member Shannon Rodriguez. Not surprisingly, Rodriguez called for a State investigation of Barbee’s Orwellian transgression. Fortunately, public support seems to be with Barbee, but that doesn’t change the laws and lists which continue to hamstring teachers and ban certain

educational materials.

The thought occurs to me, however, that DeSantis’s war on Disney hasn’t gone far enough. If the Governor (and wouldbe President) is so concerned about protecting impressionable young minds against harmful messages, then why stop with Strange World? Why not expand his ban to include all subversive Disney films? Here, then is a list of other “dangerous” movies from Uncle Walt’s studio:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) — Two problems here. First, it’s not appropriate for kids to know that Snow White is a virgin, and second, who she sleeps with is her business, even though in this case, size does matter.

Pinocchio (1940) — This film suggests that all Italian boys are liars.

Bambi (1942) — Because of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, hunters had every right to shoot Bambi’s mother. Normally images of murder would be suitable for a 6-year-old, but the film should be banned because it might spur a debate on 2nd Amendment rights.

Song of the South (1946) — In Florida, I guess it’s OK to show a film with a Tar Baby but to have a happy-go-lucky slave like Uncle Remus depicted as being smarter than his White owners is too much for Uncle Ron’s followers to take.

Lady and the Tramp (1955) — This is a horrible film for kids because it suggests that all males are tramps who refer to their lady as the “B” word.

Mary Poppins (1964) — After emerging from dirty chimneys, Bert and the

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Banks children are covered in soot. It’s OK to appear in Black face in Florida, but only if you’re a patriotic legal citizen. The Mary Poppins cast is from England, so they don’t even speak good American.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) — This film is all about witches and Satanism which is OK, but children do not need to know that magic can happen in a bed.

Gus (1976) — In this film, a farm animal is exploited by the local college and made to kick field goals without any financial compensation as was available to Florida State University students at the time.

Beauty and the Beast (1991) — While folks in Florida have no problem with beastiality, this film is banned because the main female character is allowed to read books.

Pocahontas (1995) — The problem with this film is that it depicts a Native American girl falling in love with a White man. Florida legislators probably believe this film is responsible for the bi-racial gay couple who later appears in Strange World. I hope that Governor DeSantis will ban these and all other Disney films from being shown in public schools because children don’t need to be exposed to leftwing concepts like love, tolerance, and open-mindedness. !

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

Live-action Little Mermaid

or the past several years, Disney has been remaking some of its more recent animated classics as liveaction, effectsladen extravaganzas — among them Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Lion King (2019). Now, the Mouse House has turned its attention to The Little Mermaid , which in 1989 was hailed as an instant classic that ranked with its greatest accomplishments.

By and large, the remakes have been enjoyable, but none have been superior to the original. The pattern repeats itself with The Little Mermaid . It’s no classic, but it does have enough charm and style to recommend it. It also provides a spectacular showcase for leading lady Halle Bailey, who plays the title role of the adventurous mermaid Ariel. Bailey has sass, sparkle, and — dare it be said? — sex appeal. She’s expressive, ethereal, and sings like an angel. Folks, a star is born.

The original Hans Christian Andersen tale gets a token nod in the credits, but the “new” Little Mermaid essentially follows the blueprint of the “old” one. Ariel is fascinated by humans, despite the admonitions of her father King Triton (Javier Bardem) that humankind is capable only of destruction.

Ariel’s interest is further — and understandably — piqued when she rescues the handsome prince Eric (Jonah HauerKing) after a calamitous shipwreck. Having only caught a glimpse of her in his addled state, Eric becomes obsessed with seeking out his savior.

Enter the story’s resident antagonist: The tentacled sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy). Estranged from her brother Triton and determined to wrest control of his kingdom, Ursula strikes a devil’s bargain with Ariel that she can become human for three days and remain as such if Eric plants a kiss on her. Impetu-

ously, Ariel consents, not realizing that she will be struck both mute and amnesiac — thereby stacking the deck heavily in Ursula’s favor.

FInitially, it almost appears that producer/director Rob Marshall is revisiting the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, having earlier helmed 2011’s On Stranger Tides . Disney’s live-action remakes have justifiably been criticized for subscribing to the “bigger is better” formula, but The Little Mermaid cruises along smoothly until the third act, when overkill sets in. The climax, in which a giant-sized Ursula goes on an oceanic rampage, is dark and loud and could conceivably frighten small children — something the earlier Mermaid could never be accused of.

Indeed, Bailey and Hauer-King are such talented crooners that another song or two (from either or both) might well have been more enjoyable than the requisite special-effects bonanza. Nevertheless, their talents aren’t swamped by the bombastic barrage, and the visual effects — particularly those simulating underwater life — are truly magnificent. Disney certainly didn’t skimp on the budget; the money’s all there on the screen.

Some things, however, never change: Sebastian the Crab (voiced by Daveed Diggs) is still the scene-stealer and his

big number, “Under the Sea,” is still the showstopper. Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina (rebounding nicely from the debacle that was Renfield ) lend their vocal talents are Ariel’s respective confidants, Flounder and Scuttle. McCarthy gleefully devours the scenery as the diabolical diva Ursula and handles her big number (“Poor Unfortunate Souls”) with panache. Bardem exudes dignified charisma as Triton, which given his outlandish costume, is no small accomplishment. !

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

Mark Burger

Contributor

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

THONG AND CHEEK

Protesters at the Massachusetts Statehouse bared more than their souls as they demonstrated against climate change on June 15, according to an NBC-10 Boston report. Shouts began to rain down from the public gallery just after 1 p.m. from eight members of Extinction Rebellion, an international environmental movement, followed by a warning: “We are going to be mooning you ... You can look away if you wish.” At that point, the octet turned their backs on the senators and dropped trou, revealing pink thongs and bare buttocks emblazoned with the words “stop passing gas.” The protesters continued with chants of “You’re a senator, not an ass, why are you still passing gas,” and “Butts out for climate” for about an hour before they were arrested and escorted out of the chamber.

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

— A first edition of George Orwell’s “1984” has been returned to the library ... 65 years late. UPI reported that the

Multnomah County Public Library in Portland recently received the return from an 86-year-old patron. The patron attached a note to the book, explaining that they meant to return it in 1958 after checking it out as a Portland State University student, they just “never got around to it.” But talk about excellent timing: The library just went fine-free.

— Sheriff’s detectives in Kanawha County, North Carolina, made an odd discovery while executing a search warrant on an impounded vehicle in February: a 1965 class ring from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, bearing the initials “M.P.” Their investigation determined the owner was one Michael Pedneau, who told the Charleston Gazette-Mail that he only vaguely recalls losing the bling some 50 years ago, perhaps on a trip to Princeton, West Virginia. “There’s probably 40 or 50 of us

UP IN SMOKE

A dispensary in Baltimore faces fines for blowing smoke ... literally. WMAR-2 in Baltimore reported that the Cookies dispensary opened May 27, only to be shut down less than a week later after a

surprise inspection revealed a laundry list of violations, including “large plumes of medical cannabis smoke being blown from a large gun apparatus into the mouths of persons outside the dispensary,” according to the suspension notice. Cookies is part of a franchise, and Cookies San Francisco was the first to utilize a “Flame Thrower” smoke blower, created by Jeff Dick of Colorado. The blower has since become part of the Cookies brand.

SOME THINGS BEG CERTAINTY

Relatives were mourning Bella Montoya, 76, at her wake in Ecuador on June 9 when they heard strange sounds coming from the coffin. “There were about 20 of us there,” the woman’s son, Gilberto Barbera, said. “After about five hours of the wake, the coffin started to make sounds.” The supposedly deceased had been declared dead the Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo earlier that day, but that evening, “my mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily,” Barbera said. Montoya was rushed back to the hospital, but the Associated

Press reported that she was intubated and is not expected to recover. Ecuador’s Health Ministry has launched an investigation into the incident.

TWO PAWS UP, WAY UP

Theatergoers in Thailand have a new pet-friendly place to bring their furry friends. Yahoo News reported that the country’s largest movie theater chain, Major Cineplex Group, started offering weekend showtimes for patrons who want to bring Fluffy or Fido with them. Of course, there’s a catch: Pets must weigh under 11 pounds and either wear a diaper or be kept in a carrier. Visitors turned out in droves for a pets-welcome showing of “The Little Mermaid,” cosplaying their creature companions as Sebastian the crab and Ariel the mermaid. Not everyone’s a fan, however; as one former resident said, “It’s so ridiculous dogs are not allowed in (most Bangkok) parks but they can go to a movie or cafe. What comes next, you bring your dog or cat to a massage parlor?” !

©2023 Andrews McMeel Universal

122 Hit of the past

123 Prefix with fiche

124 Quality of a dirty chimney

125 Howled wolfishly 126 Does in, as a dragon

DOWN

1 Jetway locale

2 Plow pullers

3 “Diary of — Housewife”

4 Careful reader

5 Race joiner

6 Bruin Bobby

7 Pigeon calls

8 Sits next to

9 Helpful boost

10 Oar wood

11 NPR journalist Daniel

12 Depend on

13 Cattle home

14 Congest with fluid

15 Kin of reggae

16 Prints messily

17 Savoir- —

18 Onetime TWA rival

19 Gives temporarily

24 “— -Ho” (“Snow White” song)

28 Sheep call 31 Church tower 33 Archaic verb ending 34 Alliance of the W. Hemisphere

35 Clip, as wool 36 On — firma

37 Is furious

38 Possesses

42 Fond du —, Wisconsin

43 Up to, in ads

44 Med. exam involving a forearm jab

45 Sneaky laugh

46 Et — (and others, in footnotes)

47 “Fist City” singer Loretta 48 Safecracker, slangily

Winston-Salem web series Gin & Platonic serves up love, laughter, and tears

adies and gentlemen, meet Kali. She’s the assistant manager at a downtown hotel in Winston-Salem. She’s openly gay and rather impetuous, even reckless, in her romantic life. Now meet Anthony. He’s the avuncular, middle-aged weatherman for a local TV station in Winston-Salem. He too is openly gay but in a committed relationship with long-time boyfriend Nigel, although there are storm clouds on the horizon.

Kali and Anthony are roommates, best friends, drinking buddies (hence the title), and each other’s shoulder to cry on. They’re played by Brittany Brizzee and Robert C. Beshere, and they’re the

Lprincipal characters in Gin & Platonic, a new web series created by award-winning filmmaker Zack Fox.

Lest one thinks this is the Piedmont Triad’s version of Will & Grace, Gin & Platonic is not, strictly speaking, a situation comedy. There is humor, to be sure, but it’s inexorably intertwined with drama and pathos. As well as depicting Kali and Anthony’s attempts to navigate careers and relationships, the series will also address many of the issues currently facing the LGBTQ+ community.

Gin & Platonic is scheduled to launch July 7th and there will be a special preview screening at 2 p.m. this Sunday at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem. Admission is free, although those who attend are asked to post and/or share the July 7th launch on their socials. Members of the cast and crew will be on hand to discuss the series. The first three 12 minute episodes have been completed and will be used to raise interest and potential funding to produce a full 12-episode series.

For more information about Sunday’s screening, call (336) 725-4646 or visit the o cial Marketplace Cinemas website: https://www.mpcws.com/.

“The impetus for Gin & Platonic — as a writer, I wanted to explore the strengths and values of a domestic, platonic relationship over a traditional romantic relationship,” said Fox, the general manager of Marketplace Cinemas as well as a prolific filmmaker. “Our lead characters live together, make breakfast for each other, discuss their days, go to work, share the good times and the bad times, and return home at the end of the day to repeat the process.”

In addition to Brizzee and Beshere, the ensemble cast includes Michael Smallwood, Tracey Reynolds, Michael Burke, and the ubiquitous Jennie Stencel — and another major character is the city itself. “Winston-Salem looks like a glittering jewel,” said executive producer Elizabeth Caddy. “In addition to the fantastic acting, costumes, and cinematography, we see some stunning shots of Winston-

Salem. We hope it will show people what a beautiful city it is and encourage other filmmakers to raise a camera here and take a look around!”

“Our first three episodes are a selfcontained story that sets up the idea of the series and who are characters are,” Fox explained. “These first three episodes we’ll use as a jumping board to gauge interest and potential funding in expanding to a full 12-episode series. We have an outlined plan for a whole miniseries. Our cast and crew loved working together and would love to continue exploring these characters.”

Having made several short films — including Spirit of the Cinema and Sea Salt Wind (both award winners) — this is by far the biggest project Fox has yet tackled. “Gin & Platonic was the most challenging project I’ve directed yet, one for simply the script’s content and story, another being the scale of the project. My previous projects have all been one or two locations. This is where serving as director and cinematographer definitely

Mark Burger

Contributor

helped the planning process.”

Fox has nothing but e usive praise for his cast and fellow crew members, particularly Caddy and assistant director/ co-director Kaitlyn Archenbronn.

“Zack had been putting together this script for a while,” Archenbronn recalled. “Finally we said ‘Let’s just do it!’ — and the rest is history! Zack already had a good network of friends in the indie film industry and like The Avengers we ‘assembled’ the best cast and crew for the series!”

“Zack and I had worked together on a few projects and could tell pretty quickly that there was a creative ‘click,’” Caddy said. “Over lunch, we were brainstorming some possible projects and he men-

tioned a show he had written called Gin & Platonic. I read the script, loved it, and was honored to be asked to executive produce it and do the costume design/ wardrobe. Our crew was small but mighty. The series became something truly better than the sum of its parts — and the parts were pretty great to start with — and I am very proud of both the result and the road we took to get there.”

Of course, Gin & Platonic relies heavily on the chemistry between the two leads. Both Brizzee and Beshere connected with their characters — and each other — from the get-go.

“I absolutely love how fierce the love that Kali and Anthony have for each other,” Brizzee observed. “We all need

that person in our lives who we can depend on through thick and thin. They have each other’s backs, as well as telling it how it is. Kali is multi-layered: She is sensitive, can act helpless at times, and needs her roommate to lift her up — while also being protective, loving, and a bit of a flirt. It was amazing playing Kali.”

The chemistry between Brizzee and Beshere was instantaneous, she said. “When I first met Bob on set, it was like I had reunited with a long-lost friend, even though we had never actually met each other in real life! I know for a fact we will continue the friendship that we fostered while on set for a long time.”

“We clicked instantly,” Beshere confirmed. “Not five seconds after I walked on set the first day, I heard ‘Yo, what up, roomie?!’ from the opposite side of the room. There sat Brittany, who flashed me a peace sign while getting her hair touched up. She sprang into action, immediately cracking jokes and talking shop like a ‘bestie’ would. I remember my thought was ‘Well, this is gonna be easy.’

I had no idea the level of raw talent and professionalism I was going to work with. The bar was set pretty high. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this series. As a side note: Let’s all work to hurry up and get this baby funded and picked up so we get to keep Brittany, OK? Because we want to go the places she’s going!”

“I really hope that everyone watching can find something and someone to connect with,” Brizzee said. “I hope this series brings about tears of joy, tears of sorrow, anger, fulfillment, and excitement … and, gosh darn it, I hope people want more Gin & Platonic!” !

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

WANNA go?

The IMDB page for Gin & Platonic is https://www. imdb.com/title/tt27855989/?ref_=pro_tt_visitcons, and the o cial website is https://www. ginandplatonicseries.com/.

Proud Member: Winston-Salem Council rep on being proud of Pride

“We still don’t know who did it,” said Winston-Salem Southwest Ward representative Kevin Mundy about the person or persons who, in the early morning of June 9, vandalized the Pride Month banner at City Hall.

“The police are working on the assumption that it was a premeditated hate crime, rather than a spontaneous act. They knew what they were doing and why they were doing it. We don’t have security cameras aimed at the outside of the building, which is a failure on our part, but I will keep working on that.”

Mundy, who became the city’s first openly gay council member after receiving 92.8% of the vote in the November 2020 general election, said he was glad the vandals didn’t rip the banner to shreds.

“They cut it once, right down the middle, which means we were able to temporarily repair it and put it back up. Honestly, if you didn’t walk behind the banner to see the tape, you couldn’t tell it had been damaged. At least they left us a nice clean cut for us to repair.”

The banner has been replaced, but the temporarily repaired one wasn’t thrown away.

“There’s a person who would like to keep the damaged banner and use that in an art project involving multiple people from the

community as kind of a healing process. They’re in the preliminary stages of figuring out how to do that, but I think it’s a good idea and we’re happy to donate it.”

The vandalism occurred eight days after the City of Winston-Salem was heavily criticized by the local LGBTQ community for removing an image posted to its Facebook page to mark the beginning of Pride Month. The graphic, which placed the city’s o cial logo (a blue overlapping W and S) against the rainbow flag background, went live as the city page’s profile photo at 9:45 a.m. on June 1.

“I like how open-minded and progressive WS is compared to other places!” was the first comment. But after the image was replaced by one depicting the city logo against a plain white background, another commenter accused Winston-Salem officials of having “pandered to haters.”

At 10:09 a.m. on June 2, an image of the Pride flag was reposted to the city’s Facebook page, but this time not accompanied by the city’s logo. It was accompanied by the following statement:

“The city apologizes for the hurt that was created yesterday among members of the LGBTQ+ community when an unauthorized version of the city logo with a Pride background was briefly posted on our Facebook page and then removed. We should have immediately posted an explanation of why we replaced the logo and stated that the city fully supports Pride Month. We mishandled the situation and regret it.”

That same day, an image of the “June is Pride Month” banner in front of the courthouse was posted as the page’s cover

photo. A week later, the banner in that photo, was vandalized.

Mundy called the controversy over the profile photo “really frustrating to me,” but also stressed that “I stand behind my marketing department, who do a great job.” He faulted unnamed “decision makers” for “not understanding how important it is the move quickly when it comes to social media.”

“I got a call 10 minutes after this happened. Somebody from Pride got in touch with me and I told them I was on it. But then the city took almost the rest of the day to respond to complaints about the graphic having been removed, and what they put out did not read well to me or my community. It never acknowledged that the city was wrong to take it down and not put a replacement back up.”

He acknowledged how some might have drawn the wrong conclusions from the sequence of events.

“I understand how my people, meaning the LGTBQ community, would go, ‘Yay, they’re supporting us!’ And then, seeing it removed after some negative comments from people who call it sinful, their logical conclusion would be ‘Oh, man, the city folded!’ And that’s what people thought.”

Mundy stated the image was not removed due to anti-LGBTQ complaints.

“The city has for many years been a sponsor of Pride. The city council rides in the parade. We’re not concerned about the religious right or anyone else who says they think this is wrong, because it is the right thing to do, just like civil rights were in the 1960s. Sometimes, just as the federal government did then, we have to say, no, the majority doesn’t always rule, and we’re doing the right thing.”

Instead, he said that one or more well-

meaning city employees had not understood the requirements for how the City of Winston-Salem logo could be displayed.

“What I mean by that is, if you’ve ever looked at a corporate logo or any brand marketing, there’s a list of rules on how you can use it, what the minimum size is, what the PMS color background you can put it on, etc. The city is like that, too. Somebody created a real cool graphic of the city logo against the Pride background. The person who created the composite image didn’t know that wasn’t allowed. It was a marketing technical error by someone not totally schooled on the correct usage of our city logo. They did a treatment that the city realized was against the rules and said take it down, but then the city missed the next step of immediately putting up a version that complied with those rules.”

Mundy thinks the city should have not only explained the issue sooner and more clearly, but also apologized more directly. But as a gay man, he’s very proud of Winston-Salem’s support for Pride.

“I suspect that some of my fellow members of the gay community disagree with me. This may be a generational thing, as I’m on the tail end of being a baby boomer, which I almost hate to admit lest it invite ‘okay boomer!’ replies! But I understand both generational viewpoints. I grew up in a time when I never thought gay couples would ever be allowed to marry. But a 25-year-old today didn’t come through that, and they’re understandably impatient and want more. Good for them! If it wasn’t for the 25-year-olds, gay people my age might be too complacent.”

He’s also proud of Winston-Salem’s acceptance not only of the LGBTQ community but of members of that community in leadership jobs.

Ian McDowell Contributor

Kevin Mundy

Graphic posted and then removed from City of Winston-Salem Facebook page.

“I don’t know anyone who lost such a job because they were gay. That’s not been true in a lot of cities, especially in the South, where if you don’t play the straight part, you don’t get to work for the Chamber of Commerce or United Way or whatever, and you have to convince people you’re either straight or your gayness is so well-hidden it won’t be a problem in your job. So, we’ve gotten beyond that, and since same-sex marriage came about, we’ve started seeing there are more walls here we need to tear down.”

He also described how the year of his election also marked a major turning point, with the city enacting an ordinance prohibiting anti-gay discrimination.

“In 2020, there was a female couple that wanted to get married. They tried to rent a special event facility, but were told ‘Sorry, we don’t do same-sex weddings.’ They posted about that on social media. When I read that post, I thought, this is not going to happen in my town, and we used that as the springboard for why we needed a non-discrimination ordinance in WinstonSalem. Some folks claimed we didn’t need one due to constitutional protections, as the Supreme Court has said that the word “sex” covers anything that has to do with sexual orientation. But if that’s the case, why are there bakers who can refuse to bake a gay wedding cake? They wouldn’t be able to turn down a Black or interracial couple. Only serving straight customers is like only serving white customers.”

Mundy also feels it’s crucial to resist what he characterizes as the reactionary turn taken by both state and federal courts.

“We’re seeing the current SCOTUS overturn laws that once seemed set in stone, and it scares the Hell out of me.

And at the state level, the Republicans are spitting out a tremendous amount of anti-gay legislation as they pander to the less-populated rural areas that support their homophobia. Most folks in North Carolina do not feel that way, but the GOP has gerrymandered districts and continues to try to strip power from the governor’s o ce in order to give themselves and their small base disproportionate power.”

Not only as a gay man but one who deliberately moved to what he thought was a more tolerant state, Mundy finds this particularly disturbing.

“I’m originally from South Carolina, and one reason I moved one state over is that North Carolina was so progressive. But not much anymore, and we’re really in danger of tracking right along with South Carolina and Florida. When I came here in 1987, North Carolina would not have even considered such legislation, much less have passed it. But if you look at the hate legislation that is coming through now, the banning books and historical facts, the hysteria about drag queens while doing nothing about gun deaths, we’re going full South Carolina, at least in terms of state legislation.”

Despite his concerns for his adopted state, Mundy is proud of the city he serves and its stance on Pride.

“Everyone on our city council supports it, just as our anti-discrimination ordinance passed unanimously. Our city sta is walking the talk, except for that one day we took that logo down.” !

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

Weekly Specials

MON: $2 Domestic Bottles & All Burgers $9.99

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

THU: $6 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball

Band Schedule

JUNE 29

Turpentine Shine Trio

Summer is o cially here and the summer festival season is once again popping o .

In Winston-Salem, that means the time is right for dancing in streets painted rainbow as Pride Winston-Salem’s annual festival and parade pops all over the Arts District.

The Historic Scha er Inn will host a cocktail sandwich of o cial Pride WS events: including the kicko party, hosted by CC Labriel; and the “pre-party to the afterparty” evening cocktail interlude on June 24. For more information on Pride WS events, visit www.pridews.org.

The Pulse Vodka Pride Parade will roll out the festival proper, running down 4th Street at 11 a.m. on June 24. WFMY2’S Amber Lake will emcee one of the two stages along Trade St. (at the intersections with 5th and 7th) that will host entertainers throughout the afternoon. PrideWS’s o cial afterparty goes down with bands and double-decker dance

Summer Fests Pop o

floors featuring DJ Robin Chante in the Food Hall and Mike Lawson spinning up the Twisted Putter.

Pride resonates across Camel City, with the “Drag Me to Winston-Salem” popup running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Major Tomms on June 24, with pride merch from local artists like the eponymous drag coloring book by Vikki “That Blonde Girl” Vassar; featuring illustrations of Triad royalty like: Anna Yacht, Brenda the Drag Queen, Aria Russo, Karma Killz, Giselle Cassidy Carter, and Roy Fahrenheit (Fahrenheit will be popping to Greensboro that evening to host a “night of queer rebellion and expression” for Drag! at etc.gso.)

Meanwhile, over on 6th Street, Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance pops o a final encore performance of “The Prom,” as part of their second annual “Rainbow High” LGBTQIA Pride Theatre Festival, in partnership with Pride WS and Out at the Movies, running 7:30 p.m. on June 24. a/ perture Cinema will also host the last installment of its Pride month series, with a screening of “But I’m a Cheerleader,” on June 27.

Getting back to the party, the party kids at Rainbow Rave are popping o all weekend with an “Embrace where you are’’ event combining dance music and

culture; featuring Wreckno, TSU NAMI, Eyezic, SKYLER, and SNSHNE at the Millennium Center on June 23. On June 24, they’ll team up with Anna Yacht and Camel City Burlesk for a Pride party at Hel’s. Selia d’Katzmeow will host, with Yacht, Asha Darling, Flint Farhenheit, Genesis de Vil, May Hemmer, and Sophiebot Fivehousand performing.

In Greensboro, the Summer Solstice Festival once again unfolds over the Arboretum on June 24, with fae, fire, and music from Renee Henry, Crystal Bright, SunQueen Kelcey and the Soular Flares, A.J. and Company, Pure Fiyah, Unheard Project GSO, Jessie Dunks, and Housewife.

Meanwhile, it’s an Earthgirl summer with ManifestAllDreams’ Earth Girls Festival returning. Hosted by Jha’mai, with Dj Kitty on deck, the event boasts a “day of a rmation and collectiveness” through performance and discussion with artists like Ayah The Light, KamDoja, Shoko Kurai, AE the Cool, and more.

Rolling into the season (and popping pretty much all summer long) the Eastern Music Festival returns to Greensboro to celebrate “62 Years of Musical Excellence” with concerts across the area through July 29.

Up in the Mountains, An Appalachian

Summer Festival and the Brevard Summer Institute & Festival follow suit. In Boone, the App Summerfest runs June 24-July 30; and features a multimedia array of exhibitions, events, and performances from artists like: Leslie Odom, Jr., Keb’ Mo’ with special guest Allison Russell, Girl Picture, and Darius Rucker. Meanwhile, the Brevard Music Center s summer festival runs June 24 - Aug 6, with training programs and concerts circulating the symphonic, jazz, opera, and folk-inspired spectrum. Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Branford Marsalis, Bryan Sutton and Béla Fleck are among the scheduled performers; along with Patriotic Pops and Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone orchestral concerts. Heading into the dead heat of summer, a few new festivals are popping up on the block. On July 15, the inaugural “Main In Color” art and design festival heads into High Point with music, art, and interactive stations for all ages.

In Asheville, Wicked Weed and Worthwhile Sounds will launch AVLest on August 3-6 with major headliners like Kurt Vile and Nikki Lane joining Triad lovelies (like Old Heavy Hands and The Nubeing Collective) and regional favorites who make up the 100+ artists performing across 20 venues in the city. AVLFest is

Katei Cranford Contributor

also partnering with Asheville nonprofits (including RiverLink, Black Wall Street, Homeward Bound, and Campaign for Southern Equality) o ering awareness initiatives and donating a portion of ticket proceeds.

Down in Durham, Let’s Fucking Go (LFG Fest) intends to foster a similar energy when takes over the Motorco August 25-26. Organizations like NC Triangle DSA and Girls Rock NC are amongst the amped-up lineup of punk, noise, and hip-hop from B L A C K I E, Blood, Bonies, Ecstatic International, Fat Tony, Gauche, Geeked, J Waves, Jooselord, La Neve, Pink Siifu, Sesame, Snooper, and Upchuck.

Jooselord will carry that energy into his slot with Death From Above 1979 at the Bull City Summit in September. Bridging the gap of seasons and space, BCS 2023 runs September 18-24; and offers a conference-concert hybrid to gather “creatives, artists, scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders” over 24 Durham locations and venues. Other musical offerings include: Mavis “Swan” Poole with Lee Fields; Jamie Mclean Band with Anders Osborne; and Emily Wolfe with A Place to Bury Strangers.

But let’s not get carried away to the end of summer just yet: around June into July, Bardown Breakfest 2 goes down at the Milestone in Charlotte, June 30-July 1, with punkers, emo kids, and hardcore dudes on the bill featuring Triad bands like All My Circuits, Come Clean, Corporate Fandango, 30 is Dead, and Condado. Over in the Triangle, the 44th annual Festival for the Eno will bring 65 artists to four riverbank stages on July 1 and 4; in the spirit of celebration and conservation. Demeanor, the Sam Fribush Organ Trio, and Couldn’t Be Happiers are a few Triad samplings amongst performers like: Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Mike Compton & Joe Newberry, Toubab Krewe, Bombadil, Africa Unplugged, Cosmic Collective, Hammer No More the Fingers, and Paper Hand Puppet Intervention.

In Winston-Salem, the Southside Food Forest’s second annual Tree Tree Six Music and Arts Festival also o ers an ecological element, with each ticket including a native fruit tree to plant or donate through the Winston-Salem Permaculture Cooperative. Going down July 8 at the Acadia Food Forest at Unity Park, OG Spli + Emceein’ Eye + PT Burnem, Proxevita, Car Crash Pool Party, Dinosaur Church, Sweet Pea, and DJ Tweety are a sampling of the artists performing to raise awareness and co-create long term solutions to food insecurity in the area.

Up on at the Beech Mountain Resort, however, it’s all about party vibes with a

“Party on the Mountain” weekend with Sheryl Crow, JJ Grey & Mofro, My Morning Jacket, and Dawes playing July 28-30.

Switching gears back to Camel City, the Gears & Guitars Festival moves up a month, with the 10th annual cycling-music fest happening August 4-6. “The biggest party on two wheels” keeps the 90s vibes alive with Soul Asylum, Cracker, Dishwalla and Nine Days in the headlining positions; and Clay Howard, the Hollirockets, Wafer Thin, and Dead Drag Motion riding out the regional spots.

Up in Elkin, the Reevestock Music Festival continues “keeping Yadkin Valley’s Music Alive (and kickin’)” August 4-5, with scheduled performers like: Darrell Scott & his Electrifying Trio, Cristina Vane, Bella White, Time Sawyer, Tray Wellington Band, Palmyra, Brooks Forsyth, Falllift, Cold Chocolate, and Will Easter & the Nomads.

Falllift keeps it going down into Charlotte, playing as part of the Queen City Jam Session at the NoDa Brewing NorthEnd Taproom, August 19-21. Spanning 40 bands over a handful of stages, the Jam session features a mix of genre and prestige with artists like: Victor Wooten & Steve Bailey, Mountain Goats, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Nude Party, Bob Margolin, Emanuel Wynter, The War & Treaty, Sonny Miles, Victoria Victoria, Swim In The Wild, Fireside Collective, Adeem The Artist, and many more.

Queen City hits keep coming as Seismic Summer goes down at the Milestone on August 26; with bands like Bask, Witchpit, Doomsday Profit, Cosmic Reaper, Bog Loaf, Bongfoot, and Rocky Mtn Roller to o er a Metal fix for folks hankering for the Medium Well in Hell fest that’s taking a break this year.

Popping back to the Triad, festival weekends abound in early September. The NC Comedy Festival will run September 1-10 at the Idiot Box and area stages. In High Point, the 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival sweeps the first weekend in September, bringing artists like Keb Mo , Mr. Sipp, Samara Joy, Yellowjackets, Chucho Valdés, and Candy Dulfer to the Furniture Capital of the World, September 2-3.

In Greensboro, the North Carolina Folk Festival will run September 8-10. Leyla McCalla, the Ethno USA International Musical Exchange Program, Kevin Doyle’s Roscommon Soles, Riyaaz Qawwali, Damn The Banjos, Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, and Zoe & Cloyd are the sneak peek of artists in the otherwise unannounced lineup.

Hopping to the Triangle, the Hopscotch Music Festival returns to downtown Raleigh, September 7-9, with a new comedy block (featuring the likes of Sarah Sher-

man and Whitmer Thomas) joining the more than 450 artists, including heaving hitters like Pavement, Alvvays, Dinosaur Jr, Margo Price, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dinosaur Jr, and Digable Planets; Triadrelated loves like Larry & Joe, TiaCorine, Paranoid Maniac, Taylor AP Williams, Kristopher Hilbert, and Kaleta & Super Yamba Band; and regional babes like Long Relief, Max Gowan, Chessa Rich, Skylar Gudasz, Lesthegenius, Dear Blanca, and Truth Club. Hopping genre and club scenes, Hopscotch’s flavor runs from John Howie twang to the Cro-Mags’ grit and we’re all the better for it.

Carrying quite the banner year, Larry & Joe will also truck up to Brevard for the 17th Annual Mountain Song Festival (September 8-9.) They’ll join the bill with Shannon Whitworth & Woody Platt, the Sam Bush Band, Nikki Talley & Jason Sharp, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Big Richard, and Steep Canyon Rangers in celebration of music and community, while raising funds for the Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County.

Meanwhile, the Mantra’s will celebrate the 20th year of MantraBash, September 8-9, at Possum Holler in Prospect Hill, with a special anniversary party featuring Dr. Bacon, The Wright Ave, Ranford Almond, Electric Soul Pandemic, Oh No

Casino, Bala Roots, and Cheesefoot.

Over in Boone, Colin Cutler is one of the first artists announced for the secondannual Antlers & Acorns Songwriters Festival, running September 4-9 across a handful of downtown venues.

From mountains to the sea, North Carolina pops with pickers and pluckers, with more bluegrass and folk festivals than you can shake a stick at. But you can shake on over to the Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest on July 5; the Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention July 28 - 29; the McDowell County Country Music Roundup August 11-12; the N.C. State Bluegrass Festival, August 17-19; the Earl Scruggs Music Festival or the Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention, September 1-3; Music Fest at Blue Bear Mountain September 7-9; the Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention September 14-16; and the Carolina Jubilee, September 15-16.

Pick ‘em if you got ‘em; and boy, do we. The North Carolina summer festival season is o cially popping o . !

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

ASHEBORO

Four SaintS BrEwing

218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722

www.foursaintsbrewing.com

thursdays: taproom trivia

Fridays: Music Bingo

Jun 24: 80’s unplugged

CARBORRO

Cat’S CradlE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053

www.catscradle.com

Jun 21: l’rain

Jun 21: Protomartyr

Jun 22: glare, alien Boy

Jun 23: andrew Marlin

Jun 23: Bonny doon

Jun 24: Bayonne

Jun 25: Joseph

Jun 25: Joe Pug

Jun 26: Joyce Manor

Jun 26: Sloan

Jun 27: teeyum Smith

Jun 29: EElS

Jul 1: Kiltro

Jul 7: waveform*, they are gutting a Body of water

Jul 9: Hot Mulligan

Jul 10: binki

Jul 11: Skating Polly

Jul 14: Son Volt

Jul 14: the weight Band

Jul 15: Shoaldiggers, Mystery ranch, Country Cruel

Jul 16: Harbour

Jul 19: Motherfolk

Jul 20: less than Jake

CHARlOttE

BoJanglES ColiSEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600

www.boplex.com

Jun 17: tink admat

Jun 24: grupo Frontera El Comienzo tour

Jun 26: tori amos

Jul 16: 85 South Show live

tHE FillMorE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970

www.livenation.com

Jun 21: Jesse & Joy

Jun 26: animals as leaders

Jun 30: larry’s Market run 2023

Jul 1: Electric Feels: indie rock + Electronic dance Party

Jul 7: remember the name

Jul 8: old gods of appalachia

Jul 8: lPB Poody

Jul 14: Yung Pinch

Jul 15: Killer Mike and the Midnight revival

Jul 28: a Flock of Seagulls & Strangelove

PnC MuSiC PaVilion

707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292

www.livenation.com

Jun 24: weezer, Future islands & Joyce Manor

Jun 27: Big time rush, Max & Jax

Jun 28: Shania twain

Jun 29: Peso Pluma

Jul 2: Kidz Bop live

Jul 11: Matchbox twenty

Jul 19: Boy george, Culture Club & Berlin

Jul 21: Fall out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon, royal and the Serpent & Carr

Jul 22: Sam Hunt, Brett Young & lily rose

Jul 23: Mudvayne

Jul 28: Jodeci, SwV & dru Hill

Jul 29: Post Malone

SKYla CrEdit union

aMPHitHEatrE

former Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

820 Hamilton St | 704.549.5555

www.livenation.com

SPECtruM CEntEr

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000

www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com

Jun 30: Banda MS

Jul 2: alicia Keys

Jul 6: Santa Fe Klan

Jul 9: ll Cool J

Jul 14: blink-182

Jul 16: Erykah Badu

ClEmmOnS

VillagE SquarE

taP HouSE

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct | 336.448.5330

www.facebook.com/vstaphouse

Jun 22: Corky Jams

Jun 23: Friday night Music Club

Jun 24: Jukebox revolver

Jun 24: Hampton drive

Jun 29: Kick Back trio

Jun 30: Vinyl tap

Jul 1: Motorvader

Jul 7: Philray & Friends

Jul 8: Billy Creason Band

Jul 13: James Vincent Carroll

duRHAm

Carolina tHEatrE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030

www.carolinatheatre.org

Jun 22: rodrigo y gabriela

Jun 27: Ziggy Marley

Jul 12: andy grammer

Jul 16: Melissa Etheridge

dPaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

Jul 9: John oliver

Jul 22: russell Peters

Jul 29: ladies r&B Kickback Concert

ElKIn

rEEVES tHEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240

www.reevestheater.com

wednesdays: reeves open Mic

Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam

Jun 23: daShawn Hickman

Jun 24: reeves House Band’s Big Blues night w/ Seth walker

Jul 7: Hubby Jenkins

Jul 13: geoff westley

Jul 14: Paul thorn

Jul 22: Blue ridge opry

gREEnSBORO

Barn dinnEr tHEatrE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211

www.barndinner.com

Jun 3- Jul 15: legends diner: a Musical tribute

Carolina tHEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605

www.carolinatheatre.com

Jun 24: Maritzada

Jul 8: our Band

CHar Bar no. 7

3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555

www.charbar7.com

Jun 22: Coia

Jun 29: renae Paige

CoMEdY ZonE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034

www.thecomedyzone.com

Jun 23-25: Jon reep

Jun 30-Jul 1: we’re not Brothers tour

Jul 14-15: rodney Perry

CoMMon groundS

602 S Elm Ave | 336.698.388

www.facebook.com/CommonGroundsGreensboro

JUN 21: Brennan Fowler presents DWNTMPO

JUN 22: R&B Summer Nights: Bianca Jade, Dapyp, Taylor Aaron Parker Williams

JUN 23: The Thing w/ Harvey Street Co

JUN 24: The Pinkerton Raid w/ Sam Foster & The Obsolete

JUN 25: Late Notice w/ Sweet Dream

HOURS: Tues-Fri: 3pm-unTil

saT & sun 12pm-unTil 221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967

www.flatirongso.com

GaraGE TavErn

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020

www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreens-

boro

Jun 23: Huckleberry Shyne

Jul 1: Gypsy Danger

Jul 7: Second Glance Band

GrEEnSBoro ColiSEum

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Jun 24: Dude Perfect

Jul 20: Thomas rhett

Jul 24: nF

Jul 30: The Chicks

STEvEn TanGEr CEnTEr

300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500

www.tangercenter.com

Jun 23: lady a w/ Dave Barnes

WHiTE oak

amPiTHEaTrE

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Jun 24: Straight no Chaser

Jul 1: Barenaked ladies

Jul 30: Summer Block Party SWv & Dru Hill

high point

1614 DmB

1614 N Main St | 336.883.4113

https://www.1614drinksmusicbilliards.com/

Jun 24: vinyl rox

Jul 15: Banger

Jul 21: Elder Bug

HiGH PoinT THEaTrE

220 E Commerce Ave | 336.883.3401

www.highpointtheatre.com

Jul 29: Comedian Henry Cho

jamestown

THE DECk

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999

Jun 22: Jason Bunch

Jun 23: unhinged

Jun 24: The Plaids

Jun 29: The aquarius

Jun 30: Second Glance

Jul 6: Ethan Smith

Jul 8: Gipsy Danger

Jul 13: kelsey Hurley

liberty

THE liBErTY

SHoWCaSE THEaTEr

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844

www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

Jun 24: Johnny lee

Jul 15: Doug Stone

Jul 20: Tracy Byrd

oak ridge

BiSTro 150

2205 Oak Ridge Rd | 336.643.6359

www.bistro150.com

Jun 24: Wilde - Chris and amanda

Barrens

raleigh

CCu muSiC Park

aT WalnuT CrEEk

3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111

www.livenation.com

Jun 30: kiDZ BoP

Jul 8: Tears for Fears

Jul 12: matchbox Twenty

winston-salem

FiDDlin’ FiSH

BrEWinG ComPanY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945

www.fiddlinfish.com

Tuesdays: Trivia

Jun 23: Jeremiah mckinley

Jun 24: red umber

Jun 30: Delta Stream

FooTHillS BrEWinG

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348

www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz

Thursdays: Trivia

Jun 21: The robertson Boys

Jun 23: Heather rogers

Jun 24: The robertson Boys

Jun 25: Chris ryan Band

Jun 28: Jim mayberry

THE ramkaT

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714

Jun 21: andrew marlin Quartet, Josh kimbrough

Jun 22: Bombadil, migrant Birds

Jun 23: old Heavy Hands, Chuck mountain

Jun 28: Jeff Black, Dana Coope

Jun 29: The red lipstick Society, Cakes of light

Jun 30: Couldn’t Be Happiers, The Brown mountain lightning Bugs

Jul 8: Jeffrey Dean Foster & The arrows, Danielle Howle, Jay Bryd

WiSE man BrEWinG

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008

www.wisemanbrewing.com

Thursdays: music Bingo

Jun 23: Time Sawyer

Jun 24: liam Pendergrass

Jul 7: Gypsy Danger

Jul 29: Summertime live: Parking lot Parties

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.

PRESENTS

hot pour

BARTENDER OF THE WEEK | BY NATALIE GARCIA]

Check out videos on our Facebook!

BARTENDER: Kristofer Koeblitz

BAR: The Playground

AGE: 44

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Winston-Salem

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

6 years

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

From managing restaurants. I always thought that bartending looked so fun and a couple of awesome bartenders taught me some things over the years. At first, I began making drinks at one restaurant because keeping a steady bartender there was tough, but then I realized I liked it much better than waiting tables or managing. Thank you to Natalie and Heidi for taking me under your wing!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

Making drinks that taste amazing and getting to see and hear people’s reactions to them. It is really rewarding for me when other people enjoy drinks the way I like them also.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

Dr. Stoner’s Tequila Lemondrop Martini. I use organic lemon juice with this cannabis infused tequila and it comes out tasting like a really wonderful Mexican street lemonade!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

A Bu alo Trace Old Fashioned or an Empress 1908 Gin Gimlet. No matter what I drink, it should have at least 2 oz. of liquor and it should be sipped and not rushed.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

One of my favorites is a 20 year old Balvenie scotch, neat. Second favorite is a warm Grand Marnier. Perfect for after dinner conversation.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING?

I used to work at this one bar that has long since gone out of business and a guy was in with his friends celebrating his birthday. His friends bought him a shot of tequila and no sooner had it passed his lips than it came back up, unbeknownst to me. He threw up on the floor behind the bar where I was standing and it bounced o of the wall and showered my pant leg and shoe. The bartender I was talking to told me what happened and seeing that she was right, I took o after him to see where he went. When I found him half-way down the front stairs. He had set his beer down and was relieving himself all over the landing and down the steps. I said, “Dude! You are NOT peeing on my stairs!” and with a slur that would shame all others he replied, “Nope! I am... not doing that!”

I promptly picked him up under his arms from behind, carried him down to the front door and made sure security put him in a cab.

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

$700 while bartending a catered event. It’s nights like that you go home really happy with your job choice.

[

[SALOME’S STARS]

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might have to turn your Arian charm up a few degrees if you hope to persuade that persistent pessimist to see the possibilities in your project. Whatever you do, don’t give up.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A “tip” about a co-worker’s “betrayal” might well raise the Bovine’s rage levels. But before charging into a confrontation, let an unbiased colleague do some fact-checking.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Although a relationship still seems to be moving too slowly to suit your expectations, it’s best not to push it. Let it develop at its own pace. You’ll soon get news about a workplace change.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A continually changing personal situation makes you feel as if you’re riding an emotional roller coaster. But hold on tight; stability starts to set in early next week.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Believe it or not, someone might dare to say “No!” to the Regal One’s suggestion. But instead of being mi ed, use this rebu to recheck the proposition and, perhaps, make some changes.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might find it di cult to make a decision about a family matter. But a delay can only lead to more problems. Seek out trusted counsel and then make that important decision.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Concentrate your focus on what needs to be done and avoid frittering away

your energies on less important pursuits. There’ll be time later for fun and games.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Although the conflicts seem to be letting up, you still need to be wary of being drawn into workplace intrigues. Plan a special weekend event for family and/or friends.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your quick wit helps you work through an already di cult situation without creating more problems. Creative aspects begin to dominate by the week’s end.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be patient. You’ll soon receive news about a project that means a great deal to you. Meanwhile, you might want to reconsider a suggestion that you previously turned down.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) There are still some aspects about a new job o er that you need to resolve. In the meantime, another possibility seems promising. Be sure to check it out as well.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Opening up your emotional floodgates could leave you vulnerable to being hurt later on. Watch what you say in order to avoid having your words come back to haunt you.

[BORN THIS WEEK: You’re usually the life of the party, which gets you on everyone’s invitation list. You also have a flair for politics.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate

by Fifi Rodriguez

1. MOVIES: Which movie features the line, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”?

[2. HISTORY: Which serious disease was declared eradicated in 1980?

[6. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the youngest president?

[7. TELEVISION: Who played the Penguin in the original Batman TV series?

[

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What color is the “black box” that is used to record data on airplanes?

[4. GAMES: How much does getting out of jail cost in the board game Monopoly?

[5. LITERATURE: What kind of animal is the novel “Black Beauty” about?

[8. GEOGRAPHY: What is the northernmost point of the United States?

[9. ASTRONOMY: Which is the only planet in our solar system that spins clockwise?

[10. FOOD & DRINK: Which fast-food restaurant chain claims that “We have the meats”?

answer

5. A horse.

4. $50.

3. Orange.

2. Smallpox.

1. Back to the Future.

6. Theodore Roosevelt (42).

7. Burgess Meredith.

8. Point Barrow, Alaska.

9. Venus.

10. Arby’s.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.