Oak Hollow Festival Lake Park in High Point will host the 13th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival over the Labor Day weekend, August 31- September 1.
3 OLD FOURTH STREET FILLING STATION has a lot of things going for it. In warm weather, one of the two most attractive patio seating areas in the Triad invites you in. When it’s cooler, a large fireplace in the main dining area casts an inviting glow.
4 If Paul Green (1894-1981) is a national treasure, then the nation has North Carolina to thank for it. Thus, it seems only fitting that the new, self-explanatory literary anthology “ PAUL GREEN: North Carolina Writers on the Legacy of the State’s Most Celebrated Playwright” is “homegrown.”
6 TV crime shows often depict PLEA DEALS as a method of catching a murderer by offering less jail time to an accomplice in exchange for his testimony. Seldom, however, do we ever see plea
deals offered to the main criminal himself.
7 Until it goes off the deep end at the denouement, CRESCENT CITY manages to be an engrossing police procedural with some interesting twists and turns … and some that aren’t so interesting.
12 At its August 5 meeting, Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to approve $463,000 IN FUNDING for the Interactive Resource Center, commonly known as the IRC.
14 Hoots Beer Company is hollerin’ into its new venue era as HOOTS ROLLER BAR, complete with a weekend of shows, including Dai Cheri, Killer Antz, and Back Teeth on August 23; and Written in Gray, Sixty Cycle Burn, and Tecate Sunrise helping define “Winston-Salem’s newest place to rock” on August 24.
Chow Down at Old Fourth Street Filling Station
BY JOHN BATCHELOR
Old Fourth Street Filling Station has a lot of things going for it. In warm weather, one of the two most attractive patio seating areas in the Triad invites you in. (See my blog, johnbatchelordiningandtravel.blogspot.com, for the other top patio designation.) When it’s cooler, a large fireplace in the main dining area casts an inviting glow. And weather notwithstanding, the bar and the kitchen provide consistently enjoyable experiences at high levels of value. A brick wall frames the patio. Inside, the look is rustic, with dark beams and posts and unclothed wood tables.
My wife led o one meal with a Spring Tea cocktail, a blend of Sagamore rye, cranberry and orange juice, and iced tea. Unindicted co-conspirator Jerry had a Rum Raspberry Mule, which is served in an attractive copper mug and features a strong ginger beer impact. Both winners. The wine list provides numerous familiar selections (it’s nice to know what you are getting!) in six or nine-ounce pours, quite reasonably priced. I did not measure, but I considered those servings generous. From the top of the “Small Bites” section of the menu, we started one evening with Crab Dip. This is characterized by solid flavor from lump crab meat, hosted by a soft, warm cream cheese blend
topped with shredded Parmesan. Crisp garlic toast points surround the plate.
The menu immodestly describes the Calamari as “Winston’s Best.” I am not willing to go that far; I hardly ever declare a dish to be the unequivocal “best.” But it is good, a function of a light, crisp batter and mostly tender rings, decorated with shredded Parmesan cheese. A sharpish remoulade and a fairly spicy cocktail sauce lend accent.
The rather casual ambience lends itself to burgers and sandwiches. I tried a Hamburger, and I was glad I did. The ground chuck patty exhibits solid depth of beef flavor, augmented with crisp bacon slices and melted cheddar cheese, hosted in a potato roll, which provides additional quality flavor of its own.
Lettuce and almost ripe tomato slices, plus a hearty dill pickle, round out the assembly. Thinly sliced onion straws are crisp and downright delicious. French fries earn commendation as well — thinner than most and delightfully crisp.
Entrée portions are as generous as the wine pours. We took home leftovers after every meal and had enough for dinner the next night.
Crab-Stu ed Mahi is tender and fresh tasting, augmented with a dressing of lump crab meat, onions, peppers, and bacon, in a Parmesan cream sauce. Sautéed spinach is fresh, joined on the plate with wild rice. The resulting presentation
is colorful and tasty, sharpened to the degree you like with lemon slices.
In Seafood Pasta, Angel Hair hosts five shrimp, blue crab meat, and three blackened sea scallops in a seafood broth with garlic, butter, roasted red bell peppers, lemon, and spinach, garnished with slivered Parmesan cheese. Rich and tasty.
Smokehouse Chicken is robust in flavor and appearance. A grilled chicken breast is ladled with smokey barbecue sauce, covered with applewood-smoked bacon, pico de gallo, plus blended jack and cheddar cheeses. Smashed red potatoes, plus a sauteed medley of yellow squash, zucchini, onions, and green peppers round out the presentation.
We ran into a problem with a Filet Mignon Napoleon. This comes with a crab cake. No problem there; it’s good. But the steak, ordered medium, came out well done — gray throughout, swimming in water from a side of spinach. An alert server spotted our dissatisfaction and took it back. To the kitchen’s credit, they did not pout. We received a replacement cooked just right, and they removed the spinach and put it in a bowl by itself. As corrected, this is an easy recommendation, benefitting from a chipotle cream sauce, which also marries well with smashed red potatoes. The filet is available in four or eight-ounce sizes. We were fortunate to be able to share
a dessert one evening. The Bourbon Pecan Pie is sinfully rich, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and streaks of chocolate sauce. Hope I’ll be forgiven. Old Fourth Street Filling Station, on the other hand, requires no forgiveness. It’s just a solid performer across the board. !
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?
Old Fourth Street Filling Station 871 W 4th St. Winston-Salem 27101 336-724-7600 theoldfourthstreetfillingstation.com
Burgers and Sandwiches: $14, market price Entrees: $18-$32
Desserts: $5-$6
Most recent visit: August 9
Bourbon Pecan Pie
Calamari Burger Mahi
Crab Dip
Seafood Pasta Smokehouse Chicken Small Filet Mignon with Crab Cake
visions
Paul Green: Celebrating a North Carolina institution
BY MARK BURGER
If Paul Green (1894-1981) is a national treasure, then the nation has North Carolina to thank for it.
Thus, it seems only fitting that the new, self-explanatory literary anthology “Paul Green: North Carolina Writers on the Legacy of the State’s Most Celebrated Playwright” ($19.95 retail) is “homegrown,” having been published by Blair Publishing, which is headquartered in Winston-Salem, is edited by Georgann Eubanks (executive director of the Paul Green Foundation) and Margaret D. Bauer, and features contributions by such noted authors as Jim Grimsley, Lynden Harris, Marjorie Hudson, Kathryn Hunter-Williams, Phillip Shabazz, and Bauer herself (to name a few) — all likewise North Carolinians. Each brings a unique perspective to Green’s legacy, having had varying degrees of familiarity with his life and work already. In many cases, he was a direct inspiration for their own works.
Some may know Green only as the author of “The Lost Colony,” one of the most popular and enduring outdoor dramas of the 20th century (which is still performed regularly), or as a Pulitzer Prize winner (for 1926’s “Abraham’s Bosom”), or the screenwriter of “State Fair” (1933), a quintessential example of down-home Americana, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. In other works, such as “The House of Connelly” (1931), the 1936 musical “Johnny Johnson” (featuring music by Kurt Weill, no less), and 1965’s “Cross and Sword” (the o cial state play of Florida), he explored attitudes and themes that still have contemporary resonance.
But there was much more to Paul Green, and the book works as both a detailed analysis and a comprehensive biography. It explores with perfect clarity how Green’s life impacted his work, how his work impacted his life, and how the combination of the two impacted those around him and, indeed, the literary world.
Beyond his literary accomplishments, Green was a tireless proponent of Civil Rights, human rights, prison reform, and the arts. He enjoyed a stint with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), founded the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, had a hand in the creation of the North Carolina School of the Arts (now UNCSA), and
taught at the University of North Carolina (UNC), his alma mater, until his death in 1981, where he imparted both his wisdom and his ideals to his students.
No matter how much acclaim or success he received here and abroad, Green was a die-hard North Carolinian, his life and heart inexorably bound to the Tarheel State. He was born in Harnett County and died in Chapel Hill. His work took him around the world, but North Carolina was always home and the people he wrote about, who might be euphemistically described as the “commonfolk,” were those he knew his entire life. He felt a kinship with them. He was one of them.
The book packs a lot of information and insight into its extremely readable 158 pages while avoiding any semblance of heavy-handedness, fawning aggrandizement, or pretentiousness. Then again, such an approach as that would very likely have been frowned upon by Green himself. It’s a genuine and well-assembled tribute to a literary giant who had definite ideas about right and wrong and did much to enlighten and encourage people to think and act according to their own moral compass. He was an institution and an inspiration, and the reasons why can all be found in “Paul Green,” a special work about a special man. The o cial Blair Publishing website is https://blairpub.com/. !
[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]
ARTS COUNCIL TO HOST SUMMER DANCE SOCIAL AT TANGLEWOOD PARK FEATURING GARBA 360
BY KATIE HALL NICOLAS
Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County continues its 9th Annual Parks Concert Series with an exciting Summer Dance Social at Tanglewood Park on Sunday, September 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is part of Arts Council’s e ort to showcase local and national talent in beautiful outdoor settings across the region, in partnership with Forsyth County Government.
The September 8 event features Garba360 — a combination concert and large-scale community dance class. The Garba360 experience features live music from Ujjval Vyas Musicals and dance instruction from producer and curator Heena Patel. Audiences are invited to participate in the ecstatic western Indian folk-dance tradition of garba. An essential component of Indian wedding celebrations and the nine-day fall Hindu festival Navratri, garba is an intoxicating, high-energy dance style marked by hand claps and twirls. Garba360 brings this lively celebration to new spaces for people of all backgrounds to celebrate through movement. All are invited to participate and dance (or just listen) to live music!
Garba360 producer and curator Heena Patel is also the founder and CEO of MELA Arts Connect, an Asheville-based organization dedicated to nurturing the ecosystem around South Asian performing arts and its practitioners. Patel’s recent credits as a producer and artistic director include the multidisciplinary stage show Bollywood Boulevard, immersive dance experience Garba360, desi:NOW — a showcase of hyphenated South Asian identities, and Woven: The Indian-American Story featuring 30 di erent artist ensembles. Through MELA, Heena seeks to foster partnerships to create meaningful cross-cultural experiences, help artists build sustainable careers and use the arts to build greater equity.
The Summer Dance Social will take place at the Tanglewood Park Band Shell, located at 4061 Clemmons Road in Clemmons, N.C. Gates will open at 1
BY KEVIN YATAROLA
p.m., and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the outdoor event. Picnic meals are welcome, and food vendors will be onsite. Wine, beer, and water will also be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting Arts Council.
The event is open to people of all ages, and family-friendly arts activities will be o ered, courtesy of Publix Charities. Leashed dogs are welcome, making this a great event for the whole family to enjoy. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts in Winston-Salem. Attendees can check Arts Council’s website or social media for updates.
The Parks Concert Series will conclude on Sunday, October 20, with another concert at Triad Park in Kernersville. For more details, visit intothearts.org/parks.
This event is made possible by a number of local partners, including Publix Charities, Foothills Brewing, Ra aldini Vineyards, RH Barringer Distributors, and First Bank. Media partners for the series 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 leading advocate of arts in our region and seeks to enhance and support the local artistic and cultural landscape. Established in 1949 as the first arts council in the nation, the pioneering organization is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. Arts Council owns and operates a campus which includes the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and Hanesbrands Theatre. In 2023, it hosted 670 on-campus events with 60,000 attendees and distributed over $1.2 million in grants, benefiting over 800,000 people. Additionally, Arts Council is the largest funder of Arts Education for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
PHOTO
Consolidated Plea Deal is Criminal
TV crime shows often depict plea deals as a method of catching a murderer by o ering less jail time to an accomplice in exchange for his testimony. Seldom, however, do we ever see plea deals o ered to the main criminal himself. After all, why make a deal with someone you’ve already got dead-to-rights? Yet that’s what happened last week when Forsyth County prosecutors o ered a plea deal to Aquavis Hickman.
In April of this year Hickman, then a 17-year-old student at Parkland High School, walked to the front of his classroom and began shouting profanities at his female teacher who was seated at her desk. All of a sudden, he landed a hard slap to the right side of the teacher’s face. He then stepped back and asked if she wanted another slap. “I don’t want it,” she said. Nevertheless, Hickman then slapped her again, this time so hard that it snapped her head back and knocked her glasses to the floor. Hickman then danced around shouting, “Ain’t nobody coming. You just got slapped. Go back to teaching.” The shocking incident was captured on video by a student in the classroom.
This was not Hickman’s first time acting out. Earlier in the year he had threatened another teacher with violence and, according to the district attorney, “joined two other people to cause a riot at the school.” Yet shortly after his arrest for slapping his teacher, the Forsyth County D.A. seemed resigned to trying Hickman as a juvenile. Later, when Hickman’s second o ense came to light, prosecutors charged the young man with five felonies including two assaults on government officials, communicating threats in connection with the slapping incident, inciting a riot, and second-degree kidnapping. In North Carolina, such crimes can carry a prison term of up to 7 years.
That means, under the law, Hickman could serve as many as 35 years behind bars. But hold the presses. Last week prosecutors o ered Hickman an unbelievable plea deal. If he pleads guilty to all five charges, then all charges will be consolidated into a single Class “E” felony. Speaking with the Winston-Salem Journal, Hickman’s attorney Andrew Keever said that under the terms of the consolidated deal, a judge could give his client a suspended sentence and put him on probation. How nice.
This plea deal flies in the face of logic or justice. Back on May 8, Forsyth District Attorney Jim O’Neill, Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn, and Sheri Bobby Kimbrough held a news conference at which time they announced a zero-tolerance policy ”for any activity that threatens public safety in schools.” Kimbrough and Penn must have been shaking their heads in disbelief upon hearing of Hickman’s plea deal. For now, Hickman and his attorney are considering the deal, but they’d be fools not to take it. Meanwhile, the trial is set for September 9 in Forsyth Superior Court.
Speaking with the Journal back in April, Michelle Jordan, a magnet school coordinator at Brunson Elementary said, “People aren’t born to do what that young man [Hickman] did,” and she indicated that the way to prevent such behavior is by hiring more school-based social workers. With all due respect to Ms. Jordan, I believe that some kids ARE born to do exactly what Hickman did, and no amount of counseling will cure him. Of course, Hickman’s attorney would disagree with me. Andrew Keever told the Journal that since the slapping incident, his client, “has made significant changes in his life.” I guess that means since Hickman hasn’t assaulted or kidnapped anyone while awaiting trial, then he must have reformed.
Thanks to the plea deal, Hickman’s teacher has now been slapped in the face three times: twice by Hickman, and once by the district attorney. !
Jim Longworth
Crescent City: an overly convoluted serial-killer thriller
Until it goes o the deep end at the denouement, Crescent City manages to be an engrossing police procedural with some interesting twists and turns … and some that aren’t so interesting. The end result is a mixed bag that could have been better but also could have been a whole lot worse.
Terrence Howard and Esai Morales star as a detective duo in the titular locale, situated not far from Little Rock, Arkansas, which has been rocked by a series of grisly murders. Howard’s Brian Sutter is the guilt-riddled one, dogged by nightmares and flashbacks to a previous drug bust gone wrong. Morales (doubling as an executive producer), plays Luke Carson,
the cocky, swaggering one, slugging back the booze and doggedly doing his duty in a bare-knuckle fashion that their captain (Alec Baldwin) compares to Dirty Harry. (Not quite, but nice try.)
As befits this sort of film, Brian and Luke are saddled with a new partner, Nicky Whelan’s Jaclyn Waters, a curvaceous cop from Down Under who, not unlike her male counterparts, has a few skeletons in her closet. Theirs is an uneasy alliance — in some respects — but they’ve got to pool their abilities to bring the culprit (or culprits, perhaps?) to justice. Crescent City hardly breaks any new ground in a well-worn, even worn-out genre, but it’s competently — if unimaginatively — directed by R.J. Collins, and Alex Salahi’s cinematography is suitably spooky.
There is, however, denying the e ort that Morales (in his biggest big-screen role in some time), Howard, and Whelan (in an almost impossible role) bring to the proceedings. Being the pros that they are, Morales and Howard establish a gen-
uine, palpable camaraderie throughout, even when suspicion begins to cloud their partnership, and find some emotional depth in their characters, archetypes though they are. Brian and Luke are damaged souls, and their screen partnership is tinged with a sadness that is more the result of the actors’ performances than Rich Ronat’s screenplay. For a time, Crescent City is less a thriller than a character study — and not a bad one at that.
Unfortunately, the film goes awry at precisely the wrong time — the payo — which strains credibility in a way that does neither the actors nor the audiences any favors. Crescent City is unable to tie its wayward elements together in satisfying fashion, but it has its moments. For some, that may be enough.
— Crescent City is playing in theaters and is available on Digital and On Demand. !
A Weekend of Jazz: The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival Returns to the Triad
Oak Hollow Festival Lake Park in High Point will host the 13th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival over the Labor Day weekend, August 31 - September 1. Presented by the Friends of John Coltrane, the festival is designed to celebrate Coltrane’s impact on the jazz and blues industry while celebrating the legend who got his start in High Point.
The late Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina, in 1926. He grew up in High Point having graduated from William Penn High School (now Penn Griffin School of the Arts) at the age of 16. He first learned to play the saxophone there, influenced by Lester Young and
Johnny Hodges. After graduation, he would move to Philadelphia, where he would continue to study his craft and eventually go on to become the pioneer of the free jazz movement.
Coltrane would die from liver disease on July 17, 1967.
Having attracted thousands of people and hundreds of vendors each year, the lakeside concert continues to grow, bringing big names in the world of jazz and blues to the area
This year, Saturday night’s festival will include performances by Brian Culbertson, Bilal, Incognito, Samantha Fish, Jesus Molina, and the N.C. A&T Jazz Ensemble.
Culbertson is a multi-instrumentalist, who creates a live show ignited with high-energy delivery of his widely
adored music. He has amassed a 27-album catalog and nearly 40 Billboard No. 1 singles.
Bilal is known for his wide vocal range, an artist who works across multiple genres and gives magnetic live performances. The Grammy Award-winning artist blends jazz, afro-futurism, classic soul, alternative R&B, rock, and classical in his vocals and music.
Incognito’s high-energy performances, synergizing funk, soul, hip hop, as well as jazz have sealed their identity as a band known for its “must-see live” performances, pumping out irresistible grooves and a message that’s always positive.
Fish has made her name as a festival headliner who delivers an unbridled form of blues rock that defies all boundaries. She effortlessly blends blues, rock, and soul, creating a unique sound. Known for her fretwork, Fish is also an astute and nuanced storyteller.
Jazz pianist Molina took his first professional music lesson less than 10 years ago by way of a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, in Boston. Today he’s being acknowledged as a global phenom, recently coming off a Boston Pops debut performing with Branford Marsalis.
Musicians in the N.C. A&T Jazz Ensemble represents many student disciplines including music, biology, engineering, pre-law, and more. Music played includes classics like Ellington and Basie and contemporary standards from the likes of
Roy Hargrove and international artists.
Sunday night’s festival will include performances by Gregory Porter, Bill Charlap Trio with Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nicholas Payton, Lao Tizer Band, Nik West, and the UNCG Spartan Jazz Collective.
A seven-time Grammy Award nominee with two wins for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Gregory Porter brings his rich blend of jazz, blues, gospel, and soul singing to the 2024 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival. No stranger to the festival, Porter has wowed the Coltrane audience more than once and fans are looking forward to his return.
Marking their 23rd year together, the Bill Charlap Trio has earned Grammy nominations for “Uptown Downtown,” “Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein,” and “The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard.” The trio will be joined by special guests Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nicholas Payton.
Three Emmys, two Grammys, one alum of The Voice , an American Idol phenom, and a DownBeat “Jazz Group of the Year” nominee — all that and more are in the embodiment of the Lao Tizer Band. Tizer and his band will play on Sunday, led by special guests Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nicholas Payton.
Named “the bass icon of this generation” by Rolling Stone magazine, and “The Queen of the Bassists” by Rolling Stone France, West has received accolades from around the globe, and
STAFF REPORT
garnered a huge following in Europe. From sultry and smooth to high-energy and electrifying, her voice tells stories that resonate with an audience.
The UNCG Spartan Jazz Collective is a collaborative group of faculty and students founded in 2012 to function in the mentorship tradition of the bands of Art Blakey, Miles Davis, and Horace Silver.
Both nights will be hosted by Dyana Williams. For years, Williams has been the national host of the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival, sharing her warm personality and extensive knowledge with the audience. Having celebrated 50 years in radio in 2022, her instantly recognizable vocal style and extensive historical and technical knowledge have made her an indelible presence in broadcasting.
The festival not only provides en-
tertainment but organizers also give out instruments to future musicians in middle and high schools across the state through its John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival (JCIJBF) Student Essay Contest. Students are asked to submit a video or a written essay explaining their music aspirations, affinities, and needs. Winners receive a free, brand-new instrument of their choosing. Winners are introduced by festival hosts, on stage, “with their prizes made possible by Bill Banks, Joe Williams, and KHS America, Inc., an instrument manufacturer along with local sponsors,” according to its website. !
WANNA go?
For ticket information and festival details, visit www.coltranejazzfest.com.
Council approves $463K to keep IRC open six months
At its August 5 meeting, Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to approve $463,000 in funding for the Interactive Resource Center, commonly known as the IRC.
In July, the nonprofit requested $844,000 for its 24/7 drop-in center that provides shelter, showers, laundry, mail services, and restrooms to the city’s unsheltered community.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan said that additional funding would be considered before November, providing the IRC meets certain “deliverables” involving increased security and trash clean-up, as well as hiring additional caseworkers.
“If that action plan is met, then we would identify funding for the remainder of the [fiscal] year. I would caution people that the county has not made any commitment at this point. Commissioner Chair Alston was at our last meeting and asked a number of questions, but indicated there was no additional funding in the county budget. I think people need to reach out to the county to find out where they stand.”
In public comments before the vote, 11 speakers expressed support for the IRC, while five, including two owners of a local business, an employee of another, and a prominent developer, were critical of the IRC and said any funding should be
coupled to allaying safety concerns.
Downtown Greensboro Incorporated (DGI) Board Chair Andy Zimmerman called it “false news” that he and the business owners do not support the IRC, and thanked Council for “demanding accountability.”
Phillip Marsh, creative director at Rocker’s Print Shop near the IRC, told Vaughan he would be following up with her about “a fence around the IRC’s property and getting armed security, for safety not only of the community but people who go to that facility.”
Those expressing support for the IRC included Luis Medina of the Working Class and Houseless Organizing Alliance (WHOA), who read aloud a July 23 email from commercial appraiser Tom Taylor asking Council “to try to shrink the homeless population.”
In that email, which is public record, Taylor asked the city to “stop issuing permits for groups to feed the homeless
tives, they pay taxes. That tax dollar, if we don’t have that, we can’t fund organizations.”
Matheny also questioned the “broadbased” use of the terms “unsheltered” and “houseless,” as many IRC clients need more than housing.
at Center City Park,” because “if we keep feeding them, they’ll never leave.” Taylor stated that the IRC “needs to be moved to Gate City Boulevard or somewhere to keep the homeless out of the downtown area.”
In reply to that email, Zack Matheny, the District 3 representative who is also president of DGI, thanked Taylor “for sharing your thoughts as a longtime Greensboro resident that has worked to help create a healthy and safe urban environment.”
Kay Brown, president of the Greensboro NAACP and IRC board member, cited how the city has spent millions on entertainment complexes.
“We made sure the [Tanger and Coliseum] manager got a raise, so I’m sure we can find continued support and resources for our most vulnerable folks.”
Observing that the IRC is not a homeless shelter, Brown asked “Who in this building knows what the current shelter utilization rate is, and whether or not they’re being fully and properly utilized?”
Receiving no answer, Brown asked Council to “figure out how we can solve this problem, and not push it into our other Black and Brown communities.”
District 1’s Sharon Hightower did not respond to Brown but took exception to criticism from other speakers.
“I really hate that people want to paint a picture that’s inaccurate because that’s not who we are or what we do. We do a lot. It’s not just the IRC money. We put money in hotels to ensure that families and homeless people are housed.”
Matheny also criticized speakers who accused Council of “kowtowing” to corporate interests and millionaire developers.
“That is not something I believe we do. But I will say this, the $800 million we get to fund organizations like the IRC comes from those high-rise apartments and luxury buildings. They don’t get incen-
“There are numerous folks on the street that have serious mental health issues. Some of them have substance abuse.” He referred to a young man, of whom Matheny said, “I feel so sorry for this kid. He just walks around yelling. Nobody’s helping him.”
Matheny concluded by saying “I am proud to support our Greensboro Police Department.”
At-large representative Marikay Abuzuaiter expressed anger about how, after IRC board chair Jim King spoke at a previous council meeting, multiple individuals posted on social media that “Greensboro City Council is going to close the IRC.”
“Never in any meeting did any individual, any group, any council member, any sta er, ever say that. We never entertained the thought of moving or closing the IRC. We never even entertained the thought of not giving the IRC funds.”
District 2’s Goldie Wells agreed.
“We had discussions to ask for accountability; we never said we weren’t going to give them any more money. What we are missing is the cooperation of the county. This whole conversation started when Commissioner Alston called a meeting we attended. We’ve come up with doing the best we can, but we haven’t heard from the county.”
District 5’s Tammi Thurm defended the IRC from accusations of inflated salaries.
“Those salaries are what we need for additional caseworkers and aroundthe-clock security so IRC clients will feel safe. The IRC plan provides it. However, it costs money. I don’t want you to think the IRC blew up their budget and padded everybody’s salaries. The IRC did exactly what we asked for, adding caseworkers so people can get help regardless of whatever time they are there, and making sure it’s a safe and secure property.”
At-large representative Hugh Holston asked what percentage of the IRC’s total budget would be met by the $463,000 Council was voting on.
“I guess it would be 25%,” said Vaughan. “Because 50% comes from us and 50% comes from the county, and we’re looking at half of our 50 percent. We have committed for the next six months and will find funding for the remainder of the year, providing that we get some deliverables. We can’t commit the county.”
Ian McDowell
Contributor
Greensboro NCAAP President
Kay Brown speaks in support of IRC.
Downtown developer Andy Zimmerman
Vaughan then suggested that IRC supporters look up the schedule of county commissioner meetings.
“I think you need to march across the plaza and make sure they hear your voices. I think it is really in the county’s hands at this point as to whether or not the program gets fully funded.”
Holston asked IRC Director Kristina Singleton exactly what the $463,000 would be funding.
Singleton stated that, although that amount would only fund the 24/7 drop-in program for approximately 200 days, “all of this does hinge on additional city funding and funding from the county.” She also said the 24/7 program would need to be reevaluated “should any of that additional funding not come through.”
“I appreciate that the IRC stepped up in a crisis situation,” said District 4’s Nancy Ho man, referring to the decision to increase hours in a year in which the number of unsheltered people was rapidly rising, plans for turning the former Regency Inn into permanent supportive housing collapsed, and Greensboro Urban Ministries still has fewer beds than it did before the pandemic. “No other organization in this city has done what you have done. Thank you.”
Ho man also urged IRC supporters to
appeal to the county commissioners.
“You not only live in Greensboro; you live in Guilford County. The county’s tax base is larger than the City of Greensboro, and they have a human services responsibility.”
Vaughan agreed.
“Again, I think it’s important that the county hears your voices, so we can make sure the IRC is fully operational for a full year. We are going to do our part, but we need other partners to step up as well.”
Referring to a widely-circulated petition asking that Council fully fund the IRC, Hightower said those who signed it should also contribute money.
“I think there’s 2,000 signatures out there from people who also need to contribute. We’ve gotten 40 to 60 emails, and in those emails, nobody said they were going to help the IRC. This has to be a collective of everybody. Yes, we’ve put in city funds, but I’d love to hear what the community is gonna do. Y’all going to help raise money? I’m sure they need and will welcome it.” !
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.
IRC supporters at Council meeting.
IRC Director Kristina Singleton answers questions.
Contributor
Hoots Beer Com-
pany is hollerin’ into its new venue era as Hoots Roller Bar, complete with a weekend of shows, including Dai Cheri, Killer Antz, and Back Teeth on August 23; and Written in Gray, Sixty Cycle Burn, and Tecate Sunrise helping define “Winston-Salem’s newest place to rock” on August 24.
With the community and the pursuit of tunes in their hearts and minds, Eric Weyer and his crew at Hoots have left the brewery business behind and are spreading their wings as a full-fledged (and full-bar) performance space.
“Hoots is still Hoots,” Weyer insisted — harkening to their traditional call. “The night is clear. Deep are the roots. The owl is near. The beer is Hoots.” So while brewing beer may no longer be part of their equation, the spirit remains. “It’s the same really dope bar and great atmosphere, minus the brewing gear.”
“We didn’t start from scratch,” Weyer continued, praising both the general Winston community and the “brotherhood” of colleagues, patrons, buds, and bands that make the heart of Hoots. “We are all really excited about the change in operations,” he said. “While brewing the beer we loved so much will be missed, it was time for us to switch gears and feel good about the space we worked so hard in creating over the last 11 years.”
Dai Cheri’s Eric Swaim — who helped open Hoots and who’ll perform on August 23 — agreed. “Some of my most cherished memories of the past decade
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New Hoots in the Air
are from the time I spent starting a business from scratch with people I love and admire,” Swaim said. “As a co-founder of Hoots Beer Company, I had the privilege of seeing the simple and sacred power of community at work and it changed me forever.”
And while Swaim’s no longer a partner in the operation, he’s excited to be among the first to perform at Hoots, the venue. “I still consider Eric a brother and did so long before we brewed our first beer together. I’m extremely proud of him and the rest of the Hoots team for their recent transformation. Playing the Hoots stage in many ways feels like a homecoming and I hope you’ll join us next Friday for a night of live music, friends, and creepy owl trinkets.”
The brotherly connections weave through Dai Cheri, which Swaim initially started as a solo project has grown — ”with equal parts rock n’ roll spiritualism and anarcho-romance” — into a quartet filled out by Michael Berwanger, Daniel Marshall, and drummer Matthew Tuttle (who’s among Weyer’s bandmate brethren in Codeseven). They’ve got a fulllength LP due later in the year, but are currently most likely to share the stage with “long-time buddies” in KillerAntz and Back Teeth.
Weyer reciprocated the affection.
“Dai Cheri and KillerAntz are long-time
friends of ours,” he said. ”We couldn’t be more stoked for their performance.”
Getting to the core — and reflecting on his history and involvement in bands like Codesevener, “I’ve personally spent the majority of my life playing music,” Weyer explained. “My hope is to bring my experience in the industry down to Hoots, offering something special and different to the Winston-Salem music scene.”
And while music is at the forefront, Weyer is quick to assert Hoots’ intended offerings aren’t strictly limited. Speaking more broadly across the Winston-Salem event scene, “our performance space will also be used as a multi-purpose event hall,” he clarified. “We really want the community to have access to a really great space.”
Rolling through the calendar, High class Stand up Comedy returns to Winston-Salem with The Royal Comedy Hootenanny (featuring headliner Jeremy Alder, along with Nick Ciacia, Cheyenne Rojas, and Zo Meyers) on August 30. Meanwhile, goth hearts shine with Feyleux, Dead Cool, and Ships In The Night on August 31.
“We are very excited to host upcoming shows from all genres,” Weyer noted; turning to the upcoming punk show with Wolves x4, 30 is Dead and Drat the Luck on September 7. Venerable twangpopper, Jeffrey Dean Foster is slated for
a show on September 14; R&B Karaoke with DJSK pops off on September 15; and the Annual Winston-Salem Rap Round Robin makes its ninth return with Emceein Eye, OG Spliff, Josh Stokes, Kam Doja, Paragon Don, Larry Murvin, and Katie.BLVD on September 28.
Longtime Hoots events fans can count on favorites like the Hoots Flea to return; while Hoots Beer lovers may not have to mourn forever. “From customer feedback — our ESB, Gashopper IPA and seasonals including Cueberry and Morning Stout will be greatly missed, and we couldn’t agree more,” Weyer said. “While we’re no longer producing beer in any fashion, depending on the timing and situation, they could always make a return in a future collaboration with another brewery.”
With the transformation from brewery to venue complete, the Hoots calendar is steadily growing, Weyer invites interested parties to check the new Hoots website: www.hootsbeerco.com for event listings and details. I couldn’t be more excited with what the future holds,” he said. “I look forward to bringing something special to the town we love so much!” !
KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.
Katei Cranford
Eric Weyer
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of August 26, 2024
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Impatience with those who don’t keep up with you can cause resistance, which, in turn, can lead to more delays. It’s best to be helpful and supportive if you want good results.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A surprise announcement from a colleague could put you on the defense. Gather your facts and respond. You’ll soon find the situation shifting in your favor.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) The time spent away from a project pays o with a new awareness of options that you hadn’t considered before. Weigh them carefully before deciding which to choose.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Consider confronting a personal conflict while there’s still time to work things out. A delay can cause more problems. A longtime colleague might o er to mediate.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Some emerging matters could impede the Lion’s progress in completing an important project. Best advice: Deal with them now before they can create costly delays.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your aspect continues to favor an expanding vista. This could be a good time to make a career move, and taking an outof-town job could be a good way to do it.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Disruptive family disputes need to be settled so that everyone can move on. Avoid assuming this burden alone, though. Ask — no, demand help with this problem.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Patience is called for as you await word on an important workplace situation. A personal circumstance, however, could benefit by your taking immediate action.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Don’t lose confidence in yourself. Those doubters are likely to back o if you demand that they show solid proof as to why they think your ideas won’t work.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A temporary setback might cause some unsettling moments for the usually sure-footed Goat. But keep going! The path ahead gets easier as you move forward.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) There’s welcome news from the workplace. There could also be good news involving a relationship that has long held a special meaning for you.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You still might need to cut some lingering ties to a situation that no longer has the appeal it once held. In the meantime, you can start to explore other opportunities.
[BORN THIS WEEK: Your sense of what’s right can inspire others if you remember not to push too hard to make your case. Moderation works best for you.
