The United Way of Forsyth County generally has much to celebrate, but never before like this year’s ongoing celebration of 100 years of serving the community.
4 12 20
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6 If the Piedmont Triad seems a happier, more hilarious place of late, it may be because the North Carolina COMEDY FESTIVAL has returned. The festival, which runs until Sunday, has brought together some 300 comedians from across the nation and Canada.
8 Living Is Finally Enjoyable (L.I.F.E.)
W-S, Inc., will present the eighth annual FESTIVAL FOR THE HOMELESS from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Gateway Commons Park, on Wilson Terrace Street, 1580 Oak St., Winston-Salem, N.C.
10 When someone has had a series of unpleasant experiences, they are said to have been “put through the wringer.” That describes my friend MEREDITH BAXTER to a tee. As a child, she endured a bullying and sometimes creepy stepfather.
12 Generic title. Generic movie. Everyone just seems to be going through the motions in RETRIBUTION, the latest Liam Neeson action outing — and that includes the leading man himself.
18 Charlie Trippodo turned 8 years old last month. That’s another year trapped in a body that won’t let her walk or talk. But recent trial studies in GENE THERAPY have given her parents Josie Clark-Trippodo and Joe Trippodo hope.
19 “We are kicking o National Hispanic Heritage Month with Veinte Veinte Visión,” said T’ebony Camisha Rosa about the Rosa Foundation’s upcoming LATIN FESTIVAL in Greensboro’s Barber Park on September 16.
20 “WALKIN’ THE LINE,” the debut LP from High Point glamsters, Pageant, leaves a trail of raw energy and hairspray as the trio shreds their own path to a new age.
TRAVIS WAGEMAN travis@yesweekly.com
Promotion NATALIE GARCIA
DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT ANDREW WOMACK
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.
B. Christopher’s bills itself as “The Great American Steakhouse.” The concept, as implemented here, respects tradition but honors the present. The classics are well-represented, executed in straightforward style. But the kitchen strives to utilize local, fresh ingredients, all-natural, no trans-fats, hormones, or pesticides. Chickens are free range, the beef corn fed, the fish line caught.
Chef-Proprietor Chris Russell originated the concept in Burlington 24 years ago, expanded into Chapel Hill, then consolidated in Greensboro when this Centerpointe property became available. A touch of fairly recent redecorating has removed draperies in the windows, which I always thought made the place look empty when in fact it was well-occupied. Bar seating lines one side of the main dining room. Several other spaces can be closed o for private parties or left open for regular seating. I consider this one of the Triad’s most attractive settings, and you can actually carry on a conversation here. If you pay attention, you will probably hear Frank or Ella in the background. They fit right in.
A saucer of olives and pickles (gratis) gets things started. Warm, crusty sourdough bread arrives promptly, served with softened butter. If you ask for olive oil, you get excellent extra virgin, dabbed with aged balsamic vinegar, flecked with fresh clipped herbs.
The wine list contains consistently high-quality, familiar selections at reasonable prices. You can’t make a bad choice here, and the offerings actually appear to have been chosen to pair with the menu.
Salads are always a good way to start a meal in a steakhouse. The Caesar here is called “untraditional” because heart of romaine is smoked on a char-grill, served with Caesar dressing and shaved Reggiano-Parmesan cheeses. The Iceberg Wedge gets a lush blue cheese dressing, plus onion, bacon and tomato, along with a big hunk of blue cheese. Spinach is treated with warm bacon dressing, augmented with goat cheese, chopped egg, and onion. A recent special Summer Salad was especially welcome, incorporating watermelon (no seeds), grilled tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese over Romaine. These are all first class.
So are the menu appetizers. Three
Cheese Ravioli rests in a sauce of white wine, butter, and cream. Lush.
Tuna Crudo is bright and colorful, the deep red of the raw tuna (no gristle) contrasting with deep green cilantro leaves and micro greens, plus red and white from radish slices, along with finely diced shallot, in a sharpish citrus dressing. Oysters Rockefeller are baked in shells with chopped spinach, butter, bacon and Parmesan cheese — conventional, noteworthy for flavor.
Jumbo Shrimp are deveined, wrapped in bacon, and cooked tender, flanked with horseradish-orange marmalade. The marmalade marries well with the bacon flavor, without overshadowing the taste of the shrimp. The Crab Cake contains real jumbo lump crabmeat, evident from inside a crisp crust. A roasted corn tomato relish lends color as well as flavor, the whole assembly further enhanced with a lemon-dill aioli. We also tried Lobster Bisque. It’s rich and creamy, as it should be.
Steaks, of course, occupy the heart of the entrée list. They are all wet-aged at least 28 days. And they come with a touch of theater, in the form of a tray of
steak knives that your server presents. Companion Anna ordered the Petit Filet Mignon. At six ounces, this strikes me as just the right size, although a 10-ounce version is available for hearty appetites. She praised the flavor, and the bite I had revealed as solid a depth as I can recall. Really excellent, with a commendable crust, the interior just the temperature that was ordered. My wife and I often get the Blackened Ribeye and share it. The portion is plenty for both of us, and the Cajun-influenced spices complement the steak flavor really well. This comes with horseradish cream sauce, just the right foil for the blackening spices.
As easy as it is to recommend these, however, I would strongly suggest waiting until the evening’s specials have been recited before making a selection. Two o -menu meats were quite impressive.
Tender, deeply flavored Lamb Chops rested in a mint demi-glace, which gained further attention when soaked up by accompanying mashed potatoes. Roasted asparagus showed both freshness and honesty. Many kitchens leave inedible stalks intact, to make you think
you are getting a bigger serving than you really are, at least in terms of enjoyment. This kitchen trims the ends, so the whole length is tender and tasty. I would be hard-pressed to identify any meat entrée I have enjoyed more than the Veal Chop. It bears a dark crust that conveys striking flavor of its own, followed by tender veal that carries itself equally well. Roasted mushrooms perch on top, their own taste contributing mightily to the overall e ect, contrasted by a touch of acid from tomato concasse (cooked and peeled).
These entrées come with one side and a choice of sauces (Cabernet Mushroom, Horseradish Cream, Béarnaise, or Maitre d’ Butter). Exemplary onion crisps are sliced thin and fried light and crisp, accented with a sharp remoulade sauce. Shoestring French fries receive similar treatment with equally delightful results. Corn Crème Brulee is a brilliant creation, worth a special trip in itself. Brussels sprouts are mixed with bacon, red onion, tomato, cilantro, and corn salsa. Sautéed spinach and sautéed green beans are simple treatments that allow the freshness of the vegetables to
speak for themselves. Asparagus gets a dollop of Bearnaise sauce.
Several other accompaniments are available at extra charge. Additional vegetable servings add $6 each.
Seafoods hold up quite well, both in comparison to the meats as well as relative to other restaurants. Blackened Salmon gains flavor from the spice crust, but the flavor of fresh, quality fish comes through without excess heat. Mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus are the standard accompaniments. Another o -menu special, Pan-seared Halibut, turned out to be another knockout. Eminently fresh fish, lightly crusted, perched over wilted spinach and whipped pota-
toes, surrounded by citrus beurre blanc sauce, all topped with a roasted tomato concasse.
Goat Cheese Stu ed Portabella
Mushroom with spinach, balsamic glaze, potatoes, and onion crisps accommodates vegetarians.
You really ought to save room for dessert(s). The Beignets are dusted with powdered sugar, a cup of chocolate syrup alongside. The Apple Galette is served just warm enough to partially melt the ice cream on top, creating a cream sauce that runs down the sides.
And I think you should run down to B. Christopher’s as soon as your schedule allows! !
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.
B. Christopher’s 201 N Elm Street Greensboro 27401 (336) 274-5900 bchristophers.com
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 5 p.m. Closing time varies.
Appetizers: $11-$16
Salads: $9-$10
Soups: $9
Entrees: $26-$52
Desserts: $8-$10
Most recent visit: August 24
f the Piedmont Triad seems a happier, more hilarious place of late, it may be because the North Carolina Comedy Festival has returned. The festival, which runs until Sunday, has brought together some 300 comedians from across the nation and Canada. Since its inception, the festival has made inroads into becoming one of the premier events of its kind in the region.
“Comedy has such a great way of bringing people together,” said Jennie Stencel, owner and creative director of
Ithe Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro and executive producer of the North Carolina Comedy Festival alongside producer Steve Lesser. “This is the festival’s fifth year — COVID wrecked one — and they have grown and been lots of fun! We bring comedians with all di erent styles of comedy, viewpoints, and backgrounds. There’s something for everyone!”
The festival’s many events include multiple shows nightly through Sunday at the Idiot Box Comedy Club, located at 503 N. Greene Street in Greensboro. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 336-274-2699 or visit https://www. idiotboxers.com/. Friday at 8 p.m., the festival brings “Stand-Up at the Crown!” to the Carolina Theatre, located at 310 S. Greene Street in Greensboro. Tickets are $12 (advance) and $15 (at the door). For more information, call 336-333-2605 or
visit https://carolinatheatre.com/.
This Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., there will be a pair of stand-up comedy shows at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem. Tickets are $7. For more information, call 336-725-4646 or visit https://mpcws. simpletix.com/. Also this Saturday, at 8 p.m., there will be a special stand-up comedy presentation at Camel City Playhouse, 110 W. Seventh Street, WinstonSalem. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 336-546-7543 or visit https:// camelcityplayhouse.com/. These shows are recommended for audiences 21 and over.
Two veterans of previous North Carolina Comedy Festivals are Erin Lok and Dusty Cagle, and both are back for an encore this year — and, they hope, for years to come.
“This will be my third time attending the North Carolina Comedy Fest and I can’t tell you enough how excited I am to be back,” Lok said. “Since my first year it was obvious Jennie has set a very high standard for her festival by meticulously hand-picking each performer herself which makes it a real treat to not just perform but to watch the other shows. I’m excited to return and see all these hysterical friendly faces I’ve grown to love and to meet new ones who are getting in for the first time. For the comedi-
ans, it is non-stop with shows, open mics, industry workshops, headshots, and she even goes to the trouble of feeding us dinner every night! To be a part of a festival that is so incredibly thought-out for the participants as well as the audience is a great honor.”
Her sentiments are echoed by North Carolina native Cagle (originally from Denton): “The festival is such a fun and busy time that it really makes Greensboro feel like New York City or Chicago with all the comics and shows going on! I love meeting comedians I’ve never met and seeing them use their talents and inspire not just me but all the other comics. To have this much talent in one state for 10 days should be illegal!”
Not only do Lok and Cagle enjoy participating in the festival, but they also enjoy watching their fellow comedians. “Working and being around all the talent at the festival for 10 days means long nights and little sleep but it’s so very worth it,” said Cagle. “The connections we make at this event are crucial to growth — business-wise and talentwise — and there’s no way to leave this (festival) without becoming a better comic and more inspired. One of the best parts is meeting people and becoming friends and watching their careers grow and flourish. Iron sharpens iron, and the performers at the North Carolina Comedy Festival are easily the sharpest of the sharp! The variety is top-notch too because of all the di erent styles and forms of stand-up, plus the improv and sketch groups are of the highest caliber. There’s literally something for everyone to enjoy at the North Carolina Comedy Festival and we’re extremely fortunate to have it!”
There’s the old adage that laughter is the best medicine, and Lok is a firm believer.
“There is not one person in the world whose day wouldn’t be made better with a laugh,” she observed. “What’s best about it is once you get one person laughing it’s infectious and takes on a life of its own. Most people are working hard each day just to put food on the
table and put a roof over their heads so if just one giggle can bring them levity in a tough situation, that’s really a beautiful thing. As someone who has had personal losses over the past few years, I can honestly say that humor has always been my escape.”
The topics addressed by the comedians range far and wide, and contemporary politics is perhaps a likely target, although not the predominant one.
“Politics is a joke in and of itself — hardy-har-har,” Lok quipped, “but I don’t think we’ll see too much political humor. I’ve noticed a trend where comedians are really digging into their authentic selves and sharing intimate and hilarious parts of their lives with the world, so I think we’ll see more of that. Will political humor overlap? Sure! But I don’t think it’ll be the main theme.”
“The Triad’s comedy scene has grown by leaps in the last 20 years and is really something to be impressed by,” said Stencel. !
Living Is Finally Enjoyable (L.I.F.E.) W-S, Inc., will present the eighth annual Festival for the Homeless from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Gateway Commons Park, on Wilson Terrace Street, 1580 Oak St., WinstonSalem, N.C. This is a rain-or-shine event. Services that will be provided to the homeless population during the festival include live entertainment, haircuts, food, clothing, shoes from Fleet Feet, and bags with useful items to take away. The Winston-Salem State University Mobile Health Care Unit will be on-site to do vital signs testing and provide healthcare information. L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., board members will run the Kids’ Zone.
Attendees are asked to leave the food and services for homeless guests, while the entertainment is for everyone.
Ronald Reginald King, the Voice of the Festival for the Homeless, will be the Master of Ceremonies. King is a retired battalion chief of the City of Asheville Fire Department, an announcer with WBMU.net, an entrepreneur, novelist, poet, playwright, activist against domestic violence, and more.
The Big 4 Choir, The Claptones, Real Love, spoken-word artist Spencer Aubrey, singer-songwriter Tiffany Thompson, Magical Men, Uncle Watson’s Widow, and Signature Soundz will perform. EJ Production (Earnest Johnson) will provide sound production.
The Big 4 Choir comprises alumni from Albert H. Anderson, Simon G. Atkins, Carver, and John W. Paisley high schools under the musical direction of Eddie Bines accompanied by the (G.A.P. Band) aka God’s Anointed Players. The 100-voice, 25-year-old choir sings
are pleasing to God and that they will mellow the hearts of the unsaved, break down every barrier of sorrow, misery and hopelessness and translate sweet sounding music that edifies, inspires, challenges and encourages the hearts and souls of everyone and further enable them to experience Jesus Christ on a very personal level.”
The Claptones — Cindy Suerken, Roddy Roberts, Sharon Hammill, and Darryl Hammill — play old-time acoustic rock ’n’ roll, blues, and Americana, classics with a few originals mixed in. Originally from California, Florida, and Louisiana, they found each other living here in the Piedmont Triad. Guest vocalists and instrumentalists sometimes drop in, and they do it all in a spirit of fun.
Real Love — Raymond and Kim Larkin — are inspiring singers, creative songwriters, recording artists, and lifelong best friends in marriage. Real Love Music, Inc., was ignited through their passion for music and each other. Since 2005, the couple has performed for countless events. Often their style is compared to phenomenal duo groups such as Bebe & Cece Winans, Ashford
& Simpson, and Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell, but they have their own unique sound.
Spencer Aubrey is a creative connector, curator, poet, and musician currently living in Winston-Salem. He is passionate about supporting the community and creating platforms and opportunities for marginalized people to have their voices heard. You can see Spencer at many events in the city performing under his pseudonym p.s. edekot.
Tiffany Thompson is an awardwinning songwriter, singer, speaker, and community leader whose mission is to promote human flourishing. She has performed in front of more than 200,000 people on 200+ unique stages. Her passion for helping people unlock their full creative potential is contagious.
Uncle Watson’s Widow is North Carolina’s Piedmont’s premiere Blues/ Southern Rock band whose 2021 debut album “Hindsight” was released to critical acclaim and featured on a number of “Best of 2021” lists in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. The core of Uncle Watson’s Widow comprises
producer/bassist/guitarist Jon Epstein, vocalist Bekkah Moss, and vocalist/guitarist Steve Jones.
Signature Soundz plays R&B, gospel, and Jazz.
The Best Western-Plus on University Parkway will give discounts to those traveling to the Festival for the Homeless. The link to book is https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.34181. html?groupId=8S0NB3V2. The rate is $69 a night (Sept. 5-11) and rooms must be booked by Friday, August 11.
Please join us to support and get to know your Winston-Salem community better — both the housed and the unhoused.
The mission of L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., is to provide transitional housing and additional resources to homeless families with children so that they can be safe and secure while in the process of obtaining a ordable housing. We believe that all families in Winston-Salem deserve the security, stability, and dignity of having a home.
Admission to the event is free. Donations to support the Festival and to help L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., continue its mission may be sent to Living Is Finally Enjoyable W-S, Inc., P.O. Box 1, WinstonSalem, NC 27102. Our CashApp handle is $LifeincwsHomeless. Venmo is @ Life-Is-Finally-Enjoyable.
L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., is a 501(c)3 not-forprofit service organization. The founder and executive director is Kimberly Hinton-Robinson. The current board of directors comprises Stuart Russell, chair; Dr. Mark Oliver, vice chair; Kenny Lathan, treasurer; Lynn Felder, secretary; Saundra Ross, Van Cundi , Allan Younger, David Levine, Kenneth Crumb, Kierston Sharp, and Jennifer Castillo.
For more information, call 336-5295680 or email lifeincws1@gmail.com. !
ARTFOLIOS: SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Don’t miss this month’s happenings with Artfolios happening across the community. All events are free and open to the public.
The Opening Reception for “And then I saw the garden” with work by Carrie Leigh Dickey will be on Sunday, September 10, from 2-4pm at the Visitor Center Auditorium at Historic Bethabara Park in Winston-Salem. The Park is located at 2147 Bethabara Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Participants can contribute to an in-progress painting “In the Maze: a Community Garden” and to “Seeds” a series of artist’s books. So that others might experience the rejuvenating effects of a garden, proceeds from the sale of the artwork will be gifted towards the restoration of Historic Bethabara Park’s Medicinal Garden. https://www. artfolios.shop/post/and-then-i-sawthe-garden
Artfolios will host a “Boutique Art Market” on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10:00am-4:00pm as part of the Historic Bethabara Park Apple Festival located at 2147 Bethabara Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Stop by the Visitor Center to shop the collections of 16 Artfolios’ Artists. https://www. artfolios.shop/post/artfolios-at-theapple-fest
Artfolios invites all to the Closing Reception for “frank campion 2.0” showcasing the work of Frank Campion. The reception will be held in the Elberson Fine Arts Center at Salem College on Friday, September 29 from 5-7pm.
Franks will give remarks. https://www. artfolios.shop/campion
ARTFOLIOS connects the Triad of North Carolina to a curated collection of Winston-Salem area artists through an online fi ne art gallery, consultations with patrons, corporate art installations, and in person events featuring Artfolios’ artists. Artfolios’ mission: We seek to showcase a curated collection of artists and art styles as diverse as our community. Artfolios’ manifesto: We believe art has the power to connect people. We believe patrons need art in their lives. We believe in the beauty of diversity. We are Artfolios. To connect with Artfolios: www.Artfolios.shop, Instagram @shopartfolios, and Facebook @Artfolios
MON: $2 Domestic Bottles & All Burgers $9.99
TUE: 1/2 Price Wine | WED: $3 Draft
THU: $6 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball
hen someone has had a series of unpleasant experiences, they are said to have been “put through the wringer.” That describes my friend Meredith Baxter to a tee. As a child, she endured a bullying and sometimes creepy stepfather. Her beautiful celebrity mom was often distant. She was shipped o to a high school far from home where she attempted suicide. She was fired from her first job. She was physically abused by her husband. She struggled with alcoholism, was cheated by a business partner,
Wand dealt with the stresses of coming out as gay. And, by the way, she fought breast cancer twice.
Today at the age of 76, Meredith is cancer-free and happily married to longtime partner Nancy Locke. She has a great relationship with her children and is just about the nicest person I’ve ever met. She’s also unpretentious. One day I answered the phone, and it was Meredith on the line. I said, “I love it when celebrities call me.” Without missing a beat Meredith replied, “Well I’ll hang up and maybe one will call you.” We both laughed.
I first met Meredith in 2008 when she participated in a TV Moms event that I moderated for the Television Academy. That night we honored her for playing the beautiful hippie Mom to Michael J. Fox in “Family Ties.” Next month she will be the keynote speaker at the 28th Annual Gathering of Friends luncheon in Greensboro, hosted by earlier.org, an organization that
promotes early breast cancer testing. Meredith and I visited by phone recently and we talked about her personal experiences with the disease.
JL: In your book, “Untied”, you wrote about being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 at the age of 52, and you said that you knew very little about the disease, mainly just misconceptions.
MB: Yeah, I thought you were not a good candidate for breast cancer unless your mother had it, and even then, it wasn’t guaranteed. I think my great-grandmother on my father’s side had it, but I didn’t know for sure.
JL: When you told your ex-husband of the diagnosis, you said he was “All caught up in the drama of losing a breast…MINE.” Talk about the importance of family support when you have breast cancer.
try tests because I am terrified of knowing. So, I can’t argue with someone who wants not to know if they have breast cancer. Of course, if you feel a lump, you’d be an idiot not to get a mammogram. There’s no downside to getting a mammogram, and the earlier you get diagnosed, the better your chance of surviving.
JL: You’ve been through a lot of stressful events in your life, most of which you wrote about in your book, and which you talk about at speaking engagements. Do you ever have women come up to you and thank you for your honesty?
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MB: I think anytime there’s a trauma going on in the family, you want to know that you have people you can count on to listen to you complain and to have an outlet, so they know that you’re hurting. I would say that my kids filled in that blank. I didn’t want to do anything at first and just couldn’t believe I had cancer. But my daughter Kate said, “Mom, you gotta do it,” and you just don’t argue with Kate, so I had surgery. I will also say that in the absence of support like the situation with my exhusband, they’re taking up all of the air in the room with THEIR sense of tragedy and what THEY were losing. That’s hard to take.
JL: I’ve heard some women say that they won’t get a mammogram because they don’t want to know. What do you say to them?
MB: I understand that. My father died of Alzheimer’s and his father died of Alzheimer’s, but I refuse to take one of those ances-
MB: Yeah. After my book came out, I was on a plane and the flight attendant walked down the aisle, knelt down by my seat and whispered, “You told my story.” And that happens a lot, whether it was about my book, or whether it was about a movie I was in, like the one about bulimia. Young women who watched that film would come up to me and say, “Oh my God, how did you know my story? It made such a di erence.” I found out later that the bulimia movie was mandatory viewing in a lot of high school health classes. So, I like being part of something that makes a di erence for people. No doubt Meredith’s upcoming appearance in Greensboro will make a di erence in many more lives.
The Gathering of Friends luncheon is on Wednesday, October 11 at the Sheraton Greensboro Four Seasons. Following the luncheon, Meredith is scheduled to sign copies of her book. For tickets, visit www. earlier.org. !
is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m.
7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15) and streaming on WFMY+.
Generic title. Generic movie. Everyone just seems to be going through the motions in Retribution , the latest Liam Neeson action outing — and that includes the leading man himself.
Neeson turned down the role of James Bond (reportedly at the behest of his wife Natasha Richardson), which allowed Pierce Brosnan to step into 007’s shoes, but later established a second career as the hero in a series of high-concept action films. Retribution is officially a remake of the Spanish thriller El Desconocido but unofficially a belated entry in the Speed sweepstakes, and none the better for it.
Neeson’s Matt Turner is a partner in an international hedge fund who gets a (very) rude awakening one day while taking his kids to school when he receives an anonymous phone call (from “Unknown” — which is coincidentally the title of an earlier Neeson shoot‘em-up) informing him that there’s a bomb underneath his car seat. Indeed there is, and should he exit the car it will explode.
Thus begins a particularly listless game of cat-and-mouse, with Matt barreling through the streets of Berlin at his tormentor’s behest. Blackmail’s the name of the game, and when some of Matt’s business partners start getting blown up under similar circumstances, he is inexplicably suspected of masterminding the scheme. Chris Salmanpour’s screenplay (his first) is heavy on contrivance and light on credibility, and Nimrod Antal’s direction peculiarly uninspired. Even at 90 minutes, Retribution is something of a chore to sit through. One doesn’t so much watch
the film as look at it, waiting impatiently for it to end. There are no surprises here.
Embeth Davidtz (who should have had a bigger career) is reunited with Neeson some 30 years after Schindler’s List , and capably fills the otherwise one-dimensional “worried-wife” role, Lilly Aspell and Jack Champion breathe a bit of life into the bickering kids, and Matthew Modine adequately portrays Matt’s seemingly avuncular boss. As the Europol investigator on his trail, Noma Dumezweni (recently seen in The Little Mermaid ) appears utterly disinterested.
Even the undeniably talented Neeson
looks bored, and who can blame him? He’s been down this road before (no pun intended), and even by undemanding B-movie standards Retribution doesn’t make the grade. But, yes, it does end with a boom. And then it’s over. !
See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.
“BALTHAZAR”: SERIES 5 (ITV Studios/Acorn TV): Tomer Sisley’s back in action as the brilliantly eccentric — or eccentrically brilliant — forensic pathologist with an uncanny knack for solving the most perplexing cases in contemporary Paris, in all six feature-length episodes from the 2023 (and final) season of the popular mystery series created by Clelia Constantine and Clothide Jamin. In French with English subtitles, available on DVD ($39.99 retail).
BLACK CIRCLE (Synapse Films/MVD Entertainment Group): Writer/director Adrian Garcia Bogliano’s 2018 shocker (originally titled Svart cirkel) stars Felice Jankell and Erica Mid all as sisters who fall under the influence of a mysterious vinyl record from the 1970s that unleashes the evil doppelganger of those who play it, and executive producer Christina Lindberg as the hypnotist who originally created the recording and may be able to banish the evil. In Swedish with English subtitles, available as a special-edition Blu-ray ($29.95 retail) replete with CD soundtrack, audio commentary, behindthe-scenes featurette and still gallery, teaser trailer, and more.
“THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES”: SERIES 9 (Acorn TV): Neill Rea, Fern Sutherland and Nic Sampson are back on the case, investigating crimes in the titular New Zealand town, a seemingly bucolic burg with dark secrets all its own — which always seem to resurface at the most inopportune time — in all six feature-length episodes from the 2023 season of the popular mystery series, available on DVD and Blu-ray (each $59.99 retail).
CHILE ’76 (Kino Lorber): Aline Kuppenheim stars in writer/director Manuela Martelli’s award-winning drama as a woman inexorably drawn into Chile’s political turmoil when she is asked to tend and shelter a wounded political activist (Nicolas Sepulveda) while renovating her summer beach home in the summer of 1976. In Spanish with English subtitles, available on DVD ($19.95 retail) replete with bonus features including director’s interview and theatrical trailer.
“THE COMPLETE STORY OF FILM”(Music Box Films): A four-disc Bluray collection ($119.95 retail) consisting of two documentaries celebrating the history and innovation of world cinema, both written and directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Mark Cousins,
BY MARK BURGER
The only pairing of French superstars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Alain Delon makes this 1970 gangster melodrama, based on Eugene Saccomano’s non-fiction best-seller, reason enough to watch, with both actors in fine form.
Based on Eugene Saccomano’s non-fiction best-seller The Bandits of Marseilles, the story follows Francois Cappela (Belmondo) and Roch Si redi (Delon), a pair of low-level (but stylishly attired) con men who join forces and proceed to conquer the underworld in the 1930s, methodically eliminating their rivals and establishing their own empire — but inevitably it exacts a heavy penalty.
Rather than use the names of the factual characters, the filmmakers opted for Borsalino, a company renowned for its fedora hats — and, not surprisingly, sales spiked upon the film’s release. Under the assured, if occasionally indulgent, direction of Jacques Deray (also a screenwriter), this is first and foremost a showcase for its leading men, with Belmondo at his rakish best and Delon (who also produced) at his roguish best, and the period detail and flavor are both well-realized.
Reportedly, the stars’ o screen rivalry was a bit more complicated and far less friendly (Belmondo demanded as many close-ups as Delon), although there’s no denying they make a crackling screen duo, on par with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Indeed, Newman and Redford’s subsequent pairing in The Sting (1973) is a period piece, and Paramount studio chief Robert Evans (Paramount having financed Borsalino) lobbied for Delon to play Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972), also a period film.
Borsalino was an international smash, although it struggled to find an audience in the United States, as it was mostly relegated to the art-house circuit. Nevertheless, it spawned the 1974 sequel Borsalino and Co., with Delon reprising his role.
The limited-edition Blu-ray ($39.95 retail) includes both French (with English subtitles) and English-dubbed audio options, audio commentary, collectible booklet, mini-poster and postcards, retrospective interviews, theatrical trailer, Rated R.
showcasing films both old and new: The award-winning, 15-part mini-series The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011) and the 2021 follow-up The Story of Film: A New Generation, replete with collectible booklet.
Movement): Writer/director Veronique Jadin’s 2021 black comedy (originally titled L’Employée du mois) stars Jasmina Douieb as a mousey but frustrated office worker at a cleaning company who attempts to cover up accidentally killing her sexist boss (Peter Van den Begin) quickly spirals out of control. Bubbly but obvious, this one-joke movie is structured like a two-act play and is helped by an enthusiastic cast, including Laetitia Mampaka (in her feature debut) as Douieb’s unlikely cohort and Alex Vizorek as an obnoxious co-worker who gets his just desserts, too. In French with English subtitles, available on DVD ($29.95 retail).
GOODBYE MONSTER (Well Go USA Entertainment): Writer/director Jianming Huang’s award-winning, PG-rated, family-friendly animé fantasy (originally titled Shanhai Jing: Zaijian Gashou), a young doctor who accidentally destroyed his own land gets a shot at redemption when he encounters an ailing youth who requires his mystical services. Both the DVD ($19.99 retail) and Blu-ray ($29.98 retail) are dubbed into English.
JACK ARMSTRONG (VCI Entertainment/MVD Entertainment Group): John Hart portrays the heroic “All-American Boy” in director Wallace Fox’s 15-chapter 1947 serial based on the popular radio series sponsored by General Mills, in which he investigates strange goings-on on a remote South Seas Island, with Charles Middleton and John Merton (both curiously unbilled) supplying requisite villainy, and Rosemary La Planche, Pierre Watkin, Wheeler Oakman, Joe Brown, and Claire James rounding out the cast,
available on Blu-ray ($29.95 retail).
KILL SHOT (Well Go USA Entertainment): Screenwriter/producer/director Ari Novak’s action blow-out stars producer Rob Hillis (also making his screenwriting debut) as a disillusioned wilderness guide and ex-Navy SEAL who stumbles across a briefcase filled with $100 million cash — and is summarily pursued by a gang of gun-toting thieves bent on retrieving it, with Rachel Cook (in her feature debut), Mara Ohara, Xian Mikol, Todd Gordon, former UFC fighter Bobby Maximus (in his feature debut), and Novak himself caught in the crossfire, available on DVD ($19.99 retail) and Blu-ray ($29.98 retail).
THE MELT GOES ON FOREVER: THE ART & TIMES OF DAVID HAMMONS (Greenwich Entertainment/Kino Lorber): The title tells all in this award-winning documentary feature co-directed by producer Judd Tully (making his feature debut) and writer Harold Crooks, which examines the life and career of the renowned (but reclusive) Illinois-born artist and 1991 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, whose work has largely been inspired by African-American history and his own personal experiences, available on DVD ($19.95 retail).
THE ONLY WAY (VCI Entertainment/MVD Entertainment Group): Jane Seymour had one of her earliest screen roles in writer/director Bent Christensen’s fact-based, G-rated 1970 World War II drama detailing the actions of the Danish government to save Jews from extermination during the Nazi’s occupation of Denmark, with Ebbe Rode and Benny Hansen as Seymour’s parents, available on Blu-ray ($24.95 retail).
“PERSONAL AND POLITICAL: THE FILMS OF NATALIA ALMADA” (Icarus Films Home Video): A self-explanatory DVD collection ($49.98 retail) of six critically acclaimed features, shorts, and documentaries — plus bonus features — directed by the award-winning Mexican filmmaker Natalia Almada, many of them inspired by her heritage and social activism: 2021’s Users, 2018’s Everything Else (Todo Lo Demas), 2011’s The Night Watchman (El Velador), 2009’s El General, 2005’s To the Other Side (Al Otro Lado), and 2001’s All Water Has a Perfect Memory. Each film is in Spanish with English subtitles. !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.
Officials in New Delhi, India, are preparing for the G20 summit next week, and no detail has been left unaddressed, Reuters reported. For example: Rhesus monkeys are a menace on many of the city’s streets, often attacking pedestrians. The monkeys cannot be harmed or removed by law, so the government has installed life-size cutouts of langurs — bigger primates with black faces — around the city to scare the monkeys away. The New Delhi Municipal Council has also employed “30 to 40” people who mock the langurs’ sounds so that the monkeys will believe they are real. “We ... are already seeing a positive impact,” said Satish Upadhyay, the vicechairman of the NDMC.
New Yorkers have become accustomed (some grudgingly) to the ubiquitous odor of cannabis on city streets and in parks, the Associated Press reported. In fact, as spectator Diane Patrizio of Southampton, New York, stood in line at
Court 17 at the U.S. Open, she remarked, “It’s everywhere. But what are you going to do?” Court 17, which is situated on the periphery of the Flushing Meadows complex, lies right next to Corona Park, and on Aug. 29, the court “definitely (smelled) like Snoop Dogg’s living room,” said player Alexander Zverev. “The whole court smells like weed.” In fact, eighth-seeded Maria Sakkari complained to the chair umpire. However, the USTA found no evidence that anyone inside the facility was smoking, and Sakkari said the odor didn’t affect her loss to Rebeka Masarova. “I mean, it’s something we cannot control because we’re in an open space,” Sakkari said.
Barbara Haverly, 62, of Mount Dora, Florida, was running a routine errand this summer when things suddenly got out of hand, The Washington Post reported on Aug. 23. Haverly had stopped at the city library to return a book, but the line was rather long, so she dropped it into a drop box as she’d done many times before. But as she pulled out her hand, she felt a sharp pain in her left middle finger. The top of the finger,
starting just below her fingernail, had been torn off. “I was in shock,” she said. Library staff called 911, and one employee got into the book box to retrieve the top of her finger. Doctors performed surgery but were unable to reattach the fingertip. Haverly is still dealing with the aftermath of the incident; she said she is depressed and can no longer do yoga or play the ukulele. Meanwhile, the library has placed a sign over the box that reads, “Please do not place your hand inside this book drop.”
Officials at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point hyped an event scheduled for Aug. 28, tweeting the night before and livestreaming the festivities a la Geraldo Rivera: the opening of a time capsule from the late 1820s. The Washington Post reported that the box was installed at the base of a monument to a Polish military engineer who aided the U.S. during the Revolutionary War. But when archaeologist Paul Hudson lifted the lid, his high hopes flew away like dust in the wind. “The box didn’t quite meet expectations,” he said. Hudson found ... silt. However,
upon further examination, Hudson uncovered a small and puzzling treasure: six silver American coins dated between 1795 and 1828 and one Erie Canal commemorative medal. “When I first found these, I thought ... it would have been great to have found these on stage,” he said. Hudson said he would analyze the remaining sediment to find out whether other items inside had been destroyed by moisture.
No, not that wall. In Norway’s Arctic region, workers are rebuilding a reindeer fence along the country’s border with Russia because the animals keep wandering over the line to find better pastures for grazing. The barrier is 93 miles long; only about 4 miles require repair, the Associated Press reported. But the work is challenging because workers cannot step into Russian territory lest they be charged with illegal entry. Russia has charged Norway huge fines for the days the reindeer grazed in a natural reserve. The work is expected to be completed by Oct. 1. !
©2023 Andrews McMeel UniversalACROSS
1 Bucolic 9 Break away formally 15 Lazes about
Out of prison conditionally 21 Brand of infant formula 22 “— vincit amor” (“Love conquers all”)
Try to get the job done
“The Grass Is Singing” novelist
Falco of “Oz”
74 Nets or Nats
75 Daily opinion page 76 The Monkees’ “— Believer”
4 George who played Sulu
5 Singer Rita
6 Get decayed
7 Touches down
8 Leave alone
9 Second half of a single
10 “— Beso” 11 City about 50 miles west of Athens 12 Arab leader
Casino chips, e.g.
J.R. Ewing’s mother
California city near San Jose
2
he United Way of Forsyth County generally has much to celebrate, but never before like this year’s ongoing celebration of 100 years of serving the community. Since its official anniversary date this past February, the organization has held a number of celebratory events, out of which
Tthe most exciting one may be yet to take place this upcoming Saturday. On Winston-Salem’s 4th Street bridge overlooking Highway 52, or the John Gold Memorial Expressway, United Way of Forsyth County will be holding an afternoon of family-friendly fun, food, and fellowship, including a community art project.
During the past year, Dr. Antonia Monk Richburg stepped in as president and CEO of United Way of Forsyth County. A tremendous leader with years of experience in organizations including United Way of Greater Greensboro and Cone Health Foundation, Richburg is passionate about the work United Way
of Forsyth County does and its commitment to the community. She finds her current position to be the best place for her to be and hopes Saturday’s event, Bridging 52, will not only unite people from opposite sides of Highway 52 but raise greater awareness of the existing division due to the expressway.
“Some people, particularly if they’re younger, have no idea how Highway 52 came about and what it did,” said Richburg. “While it promised one thing, and did deliver on some things, it didn’t talk about the negative implications of having this highway come through the way that it did.” Since its construction in the 1930s, Highway 52 has only deepened the division that Winston-Salem still currently lives in. Depending on where people live, whether that be on the east or west side of the expressway, determines their access to available resources such as the limited number of grocery stores found on the east side.
Dolce Vita, an award-winning Grandover, Sedgefield area hair salon, is seeking talented stylists to operate their own room/station. Towels, client wraps, backbar, receptionist and much more provided.
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Providing a basic life necessity, the grocery stores and quality restaurants lacking on the east side of WinstonSalem should not even be a concern. Additionally, many of our neighbors in the east have never been beyond their side of the expressway, and for some of those who have crossed to the west, the setting is so drastically different it’s like venturing into a different world. Generally, residents on the west side of the expressway are so happy on their side of Winston-Salem that they can’t imagine living anywhere else, while residents on the east side are struggling to survive day by day.
United Way of Forsyth County currently has about 20 staff members solely focused on assisting with housing and people who may be currently experiencing homelessness. The organization is also extremely respectful and protective of the privacy of homeless settlements such as campsites. “When people ask us for a map of where the tent communities are, we could provide one but we won’t because that’s not fair,” said Richburg. “Leave those people alone, let them stay there until they can find another place to go. We’re all about working diligently to do everything we can to assist those in need.”
The organization also has staff that specifically goes out to low-income neighborhoods on behalf of people who may be facing hardships in their homes. Activities may include helping people
advocate for needs ranging anywhere from accessing better and greater resources, to home repairs, to having adequate water supplies. United Way of Forsyth County is consistently out in the trenches advocating on behalf of the many who feel voiceless. Just this past week, the organization had a group of outreach workers checking on residents of a tent community in the woods in what has been unseasonably warm temperatures.
Richburg is proud of the three things she finds her team to do really well: working as a convener, collaborator, and catalyst. “We convene groups around the most critical social issues in our community and how we can address these,” said the president and CEO. “We collaborate with all the other nonprofits in the community versus being competitive, and we serve as a catalyst for positive change in the community to ensure that things don’t stay the way they currently are.” On this last note, Richburg hopes Bridging 52 will serve as a catalyst to unite all sides of Forsyth County.
Bridging 52 would not be happening nor would it be necessary if it were not believed that Winston-Salem was not still divided. The event is a promising opportunity for United Way of Forsyth County to fulfill its role as a convener bringing both east and west sides of the city together. While there have been questions about the investment in the scheduled community art project when there are still other needs in the community, Richburg finds that if we can’t come together for anything else, we should be able to come together for this art project. Themed “Live United,” the project will undoubtedly assist with Winston-Salem’s urgent need to bridge its division.
Through the creation of this symbolic structure, Richburg invites the community to consider what it means to
live united and how we can live that out. On the bridge overlooking Highway 52, the words “Live United” will be laid out for attendees to paint what it means to each of them to live united. A contracted artist will also be brought on board to collaborate on the art project, and upon its completion, the final project will be hung from the bridge for about a month. The installation will then be moved to different places in the community to be exhibited throughout Forsyth County.
In addition to the “Living United” art project, Bridging 52 will be hosting live music and a variety of food trucks offering Soul food, Italian, Greek, and Mediterranean dishes, Mexican food, gourmet egg rolls, hot dogs, and more. All attendees will be provided with a ticket valid for food at any of the available food trucks. Lastly, community event speakers include Richburg herself, Winston-Salem’s Mayor Allen Joines, Winston-Salem city council members John Larson and Annette Scippio, Chair of Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Don Martin, and Bank of America’s Triad President Greg Cox.
Bridging 52 will be held at the corners of 4th and Maple Streets in downtown Winston-Salem this Saturday, September 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone. “I am hoping that people will come from both sides, that we can be civil, enjoy the opportunity to come together and have fun,” said Richburg. “But I also hope we can recognize that we can have fun with people who may not look like us or have the same resources that we do.” To all who live, work, and play in Forsyth County, Bridging 52 may just be the catalyst we have all been waiting for to bridge our community once and for all. !
Charlie Trippodo turned 8 years old last month. That’s another year trapped in a body that won’t let her walk or talk. But recent trial studies in gene therapy have given her parents Josie Clark-Trippodo and Joe Trippodo hope.
As it has annually since 2018, Double Oaks Bed and Breakfast is holding a fundraiser and will donate proceeds to the Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT), the only nonprofit devoted solely to a cure for Charlie’s rare genetic neurological disorder.
As reported in the 2021 YES! Weekly article “I need her to be an old lady with me”, Rett syndrome occurs almost exclusively in girls, who develop normally until they are about 2 years old, then lose motor and oral skills. The disorder’s hallmark symptom is repetitive hand movements. In many cases, of which Charlie’s is one, it includes seizures and the loss of hand function, purposeful spoken language, and the ability to walk or stand. But while Charlie can’t form words with her mouth, she can express whole sentences with her Tobii Dynavox, an iPad-based speech-generating device she operates with her gaze.
Charlie’s seizures are less frequent and more controllable than they were two years ago when she was averaging 22 a day.
“She now has one or two a day,” said Josie, “and we’re working to get those down. She will occasionally have cluster seizures, which can mean 33 in an hour, so we have rescue meds for those. We had several hospitalizations this year, one because of the seizures, when she had a cluster we couldn’t stop and I had to call an ambulance to Walnut Cove, where we were for her swim therapy.”
Rett Syndrome is named after Andreas Rett, the Austrian neurologist who discovered it in 1966. About 15,000 girls and women in the U.S. and 350,000 worldwide have the disorder, which is due to an X chromosome mutation in the MECP2 gene. The mutation is almost always a new one, meaning it typically develops spontaneously and is not inher-
ited from either parent. At present, there is no cure.
But there is hope.
“We recently got the opportunity from our doctors to do a presentation with Neurogene,” said Josie when interviewed at their home last week. Neurogene is a New York based company developing genetic medicine to address complex and devastating neurological diseases such as Rett.
“Our doctor picked us to present kind of a case study about our family and what we go through, and we did a threehour presentation with them. That was six weeks ago.”
“They have a pediatric study and they’re supposed to be dosing some trial patients as we speak,” said Joe. “We should be able to know by the end of this year how that’s gone, and hopefully they’ll expand it. So, there are some good things happening.”
“Neurogene are just really special people and they make me feel very positive,” said Josie. “We had such a great conversation with Dr. Rachel McMinn, who founded the company.”
“Dr. McMinn’s brother has an undiagnosed neurological disorder,” said Joe. “She was in a really good Wall Street job, and she realized nobody else was going to fund special needs gene therapies, so she did it herself. They’ve recently merged with a publicly-traded company and now they can get much more funding.”
In July, Neurogene Inc. announced a merger with the Nasdaq-listed Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc., stating that “the combined company will focus on advancing
Neurogene’s pipeline of di erentiated genetic medicines, including NGN-401, a clinical-stage product for Rett syndrome, which uses novel gene regulation technology for a potential best-in-class profile.” The merger has resulted in a $95 million investment into the combined company, funding it through 2026. Preliminary data from clinical trials of NGN-401 is expected by the second half of 2024.
There’s also promising research being done in Canada by the Dallas-based clinical gene therapy company Taysha, named after the Caddo word for “friend” or “ally.” According to an August 14 press release, the first clinical trial involved an adult woman with Rett syndrome, with no serious adverse events reported at the six-week assessment, and who showed clinical improvement in autonomic function (meaning sleeping and breathing), vocalization, and gross and fine motor skills at four weeks after treatment.
“The first patient, whom I believe is in her 30s, has been able to sit up on her own,” said Joe. “That’s something she hasn’t been able to do since childhood. Her being able to do that after less than two months of treatment really says something for gene therapy, and that’s with someone debilitated by Rett syndrome for decades. And with gene therapy, the earlier in someone’s development they can get it, the better, so this holds a lot of hope for Charlie.”
Here in the United States, the FDA has cleared Taysha’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the company’s product TSHA-102 in pediatric patients with Rett Syndrome. The first U.S. clinical
trial will enroll girls between 5 and 8 years old.
This week, Double Oaks Bed and Breakfast at 204 N. Mendenhall Street in Greensboro, which is a couple of blocks from where Charlie, Josie and Joe live, is holding two events to raise money for Rett research and the development of a cure.
“They’ll be donating everything they’re making this week,” said Josie.
On Wednesday, September 6, from 5 until 9 p.m., Double Oaks will be serving, along with their usual weekly wine and jazz, a specialty pizza designed by Charlie herself. “It’s going to taste like Spaghetti and Meatballs because she loves pasta,” said Josie.
Then on Sunday, September 10, there’s “Brunch with Princesses” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. “They’ll be doing chocolate chip pancakes because she really loves those. We’ll have princesses and a unicorn from Horse Power and possibly a stilt walker.”
Josie and Joe said that everyone is invited to come by and say hi to their daughter. “There’s no cover charge at either event,” said Josie, “but people can give donations and Double Oaks is giving a portion of sales to our fundraiser Charlie’s Angels, which puts all money donated to Rett research. Our theme is Let’s Make Eight Great because she’s now 8 years old and it’s going to be a good research year.” !
“We are kicking o National Hispanic Heritage Month with Veinte Veinte Visión,” said T’ebony Camisha Rosa about the Rosa Foundation’s upcoming Latin Festival in Greensboro’s Barber Park on September 16.
In 2018, T’ebony co-founded the Rosa Foundation with her husband James Abdul-malik Rosa Jr. He is the executive director and she is the executive secretary of the Greensboro-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which James described as “a grassroots organization putting boots on the ground to give back to the community through food drives, coat drives, award ceremonies and scholarships.”
“We named the festival Veinte Veinte Visión because that’s Spanish for 20/20 vision,” said T’ebony. “In light of everything that’s been happening over the last couple of years, it’s sort of an homage to looking back and looking towards the future.”
“This is actually our second National Hispanic Heritage event,” said James. “We did one back in 2021 that was originally scheduled for 2020 but was canceled due to the pandemic. That’s another reason why we’re calling this one 20/20 Vision, to keep the names of those we lost in 2020 in our hearts. We would have done it last
year, but both my daughter and myself had Covid.”
Established to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history and culture of the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month (Mes Nacional de la herencia hispana) is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. The observance has its origins in the National Hispanic Week signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Twenty years later, the commemorative week became a month due to legislation sponsored by California Democratic Representative Estaban Edward Torres and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. September 15 was chosen as the starting date because it’s the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores (Grito de Dolores), the ringing of church bells which, in the early hours of September 16, 1810, marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence.
The month includes many important dates in the Hispanic community, including the Independence Days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, all of which are celebrated on September 15. Mexican independence is celebrated September 16; Chilean Independence on September 18; and Dia de la Raza on October 12.
“There really weren’t a lot of Latin festivals happening in the Greensboro area,” said T’ebony. “They seem more common in Winston and Charlotte, but we have a big arts community here and a large Latino presence, so we thought, why don’t we have a festival in Greensboro? Because that’s what we’ve been missing.”
“So we both came up with the idea,” said James, “and went back and forth with it. A lot of the people who have festivals are promoters, who get paid at the end of the event. We don’t do that. Whatever money we raise, whether via sponsorship, food or merchandise vendors or whatever, goes to pay for the facility and performers, and whatever is left over goes back into our foundation so we can have other events, such as the Men’s Awards Ceremony or drive to can buy winter coats for school kids in the third grade”
T’ebony noted the Rosa Foundation’s 2022 free health fair in Greensboro’s historic Warnersville neighborhood that provided not only Covid boosters, basic screenings, and healthcare provider information, but fresh produce and a hot meal prepared
by the Greensboro Police Department Grill Team. “We had about 500 people come through and leave with a hot meal, so we have to make sure we can pay for that food. Our mantra is we give back by paying it forward. To get grants and sponsorship is great, but whenever we are blessed, we try to bless others.”
James and T’ebony Rosa have been married for six years and, between them, have several decades of experience organizing large-scale events.
“I worked for the city trying to bring different community stakeholders together,” said T’ebony. “I was with the police department for many years, in the public information section, and we put together a lot of community campaigns. You may remember our teen dating violence symposium and driver’s safety campaign, as well as the annual police-citizens banquet that grew year after year. So, I’ve been working large-scale events for many years. A festival was not too far of a stretch, but it’s certainly work nonetheless.”
The Veinte Veinte Visión Latin Festival will be held Saturday, September 16, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in Barber Park
Amphitheatre at 1500 Barber Park Drive in Greensboro. Both parking and admission are free. Live music and dancing will be provided by a variety of performers and DJs, including Latin Beats, West End Mambo, Joey Acosta, Jazziando, Huepa, Saxsasion, and Furia Tropikal. There will be merchandise, food trucks, and a beer garden. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs, but not tents or coolers.
“We’re looking for volunteers,” said T’ebony. “Whether people want to come out and vend or provide services. Check out www.rosa-foundation.com for the volunteers link.”
“Everyone should come out and have some fun,” said James. “You don’t have to be Latino. This is a friends and family event for the community of all colors, and everybody is welcome to celebrate with us.” !
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 will be published in September by Scuppernong Editions.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
DooRS @ 6:30PM // Show @ 7:30PM
The Players features three former members of Chicago and a former drummer of Earth Wind & Fire. This Super Group, covers Chicago, that have 21 top 10 singles, 5 number one albums, 11 number one singles and 5 gold singles, and Earth Wind & Fire, who have 7 number one singles, 8 top-10 albums, and 50 gold and platinum albums.
At a Players show, you will hear all the fans’ favorites performed just as they did in the original bands. The Players features Bill Champlin, Keith Howland, and Jeff Coffey — all former members of Chicago. Joining them will be former drummer of Earth Wind & Fire, Gorden Campbell.
october
26 Ofrenda: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration
28 Will Downing in Concert
November
10 An Evening with Jen Kober
17 William Lee Martin: Comedy Stampede Tour
25 John Berry’s 27th Annual Christmas Tour 2023
December
11 High Point Gospel Holiday Fest (feat. Ernie Haase & Signature Sounds and The Hoppers; special guest: Mickey Bell)
Acts and dates subject to change. For a full line up of events, and up to date news, visit our website.
visit: HighPointTheatre.com for more information | For tic kets call: 336-887-3001
The Line,” the debut LP from High Point glamsters, Pageant, leaves a trail of raw energy and hairspray as the trio shreds their own path to a new age.
Blending genres developed before they were born, guitarist Dezzy Foxx, bassist Roxxi Dirt, and drummer Dylan Dynasty continue paying homage to their hair metal origins while growing into their own.
For Dynasty, it’s in the blood: “We all grew up in families that love music,” he said, “and have been listening to the bands we love now since before we could speak.”
Taking cues from the likes of Mötley Crüe and Motörhead, Pageant exudes an energy fueled by a lifelong drive. Looking back, Dynasty credits watching videos of Tommy Lee drumming — studying the sounds, soaking in the aesthetic — and finding particular aspiration in “Home Sweet Home.” “We’ve all known that we wanted to be musicians for a long time,” he said, musing about the previous bands that led to Pageant’s o cial formation three years ago.
“Roxxi and I were friends for years before the band started,” he explained. “We met Dezzy online through a website dedicated to finding musicians after months of searching for band mates.”
The bond at that first practice was immediate. “Starting o , we really just wanted to be like all the bands we liked,” Dynasty continued, dropping bands like Aerosmith, Skid Row, Cinderella, and Ratt. Amongst the group, Poison, Judas Priest, Kingdom Come, and Guns N’ Roses resonate. Individually, Dirt got into rockn-roll through Zeppelin; Foxx is more of a Bluesman, citing Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood, and B.B. King.
“We all grew up on those bands and I think what’s always been so interesting to us about them is their stage show,” Dynasty said. “The flashy clothes, crazy sets, and energy made their concerts so much more than just music, it was a performance.”
“But now we take inspiration from a lot
of di erent bands of all di erent genres,” Dynasty said. “I think you can hear it in a lot of the songs we’ve been writing recently. Our sound has definitely developed into something fresh and unique.”
Still relishing the pageantry of 80s pop-metal, Pageant doesn’t look to go round and round in nostalgic circles.
“We’ve really broadened what we take in to be influences recently,” Dynasty noted.
“We’re constantly watching music videos and live concerts of blues, country, pop, and even jazz artists to see what we can take in and learn. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be an artist that we like musically, but we may be able to learn something from their stage show.“
Known to employ elements showcasing theatrical backgrounds — through custom-built stages and curated images — their commitment to craft remains earnest and raw.
“From the start, we’ve always wanted to make music that’s not perfect,” Dynasty said. “We feel very strongly that a lot of the new music out today is too polished. The whole point of rock’ n ‘roll is to express feeling, and you can’t feel anything if the music sounds like it was made by a computer. We’d rather have a song that you can feel the energy and emotion through than it be musically ‘perfect’.”
Building on personal truths expanded into stories and songs, “we often write from the perspective of a character,” he explained. “We’ll normally start with an idea for some type of feeling we can express and then figure out how we can make it into a series of events.”
The result comes into focus on their recently released debut LP, “Walkin’ The Line,” to o er a foundation from which the band pools their origins and builds
on their future. “We’d been sitting on all the songs for a long time and had been dying to release them,” Dynasty said. “Dezzy wrote the guitar parts for ‘My Heart Stops Again’ six years ago. I wrote the lyrics for ‘All Dolled Up’ in 2019; whereas we all came up with ‘Better Things Comin’ when we met for our very first practice.”
Ranging from dark and moody ballads to anthemic ri s, Pageant bestows a certain atmosphere — elements they credit to recording at Sandwich Shoppe studio. “Scotty Sandwich definitely pushed us really hard to be the best we could be when recording these songs, and it was exactly what we needed.”
Drawing from their glam rock core, the self-titled single “Walkin’ The Line,” veers toward the latter — delivering a message of hope in a mix of classic rock and glammed veneer. “Our intention with this song was to tell people that it’s okay to feel down on yourself and get knocked down as long as you keep your head up and know that there’s always a better day ahead,” Dynasty said.
“We wrote this honestly not only as a reminder to anyone that needs to hear it but also as a reminder to ourselves,” he continued. “It’s really easy for us to get down on ourselves sometimes and feel like we’re not doing enough, but playing this song every day and being forced to
listen to the lyrics is almost like a daily a rmation.”
Bringing those a rmations to life, the album release show — nay, album release party — with Orphan Riot sold out the Gas Hill Drinking Room in WinstonSalem. “We really wanted our album release to be a celebration more than a show,” Dynasty a rmed. “We were hoping people would show up and party with us, but we almost couldn’t even expect how amazing the turnout was. People packed out the door. It was such an amazing crowd and we couldn’t have asked for a better show.”
As part of their own sort of motley crew in a new musical generation (and Sandwhich Shoppe recordees), Pageant and Orphan Riot will again share a bill at the Schoolkids Records Hopscotch Day Party on September 8. They’ll also appear together for a special birthday bash from Musicon at Game Over Comics in Burlington on September 16.
On their own, Pageant will hit the road to Asheville on September 15; and will head up to Motor City in October for Rocktober Fest at Detroit’s Majestic Theatre.
“Walkin’ The Line,” the debut LP from Pageant, is out now. !
“ Walkin’
FIREHOUSE TAPROOM
10146 N Main St | 336.804.9441 www.facebook.com/firehousetaproom/
FOUR SAInTS BREwIng
218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722 www.foursaintsbrewing.com
Thursdays: Taproom Trivia
Fridays: Music Bingo
CAT ’S CRAdlE
300 E Main St | 919.967.9053 www.catscradle.com
Sep 8: Colony House
Sep 8: Hannah Jadagu
Sep 9: The Milk Carton Kids
Sep 10: djunah
Sep 12: Chris Farren
Sep 12: glaive
Sep 13: Beth Orton
Sep 13: Jeff Rosenstock
Sep 14: Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners
Sep 14: deerhoof
Sep 15-17: Hiss golden Messenger
Sep 16: The Connells w/ dillon Fence and Surrender Human
Sep 16: Tom The Mail Man
Sep 17: Igorrr
Sep 17: Joshua Radin
Sep 17: The Astronomers
Sep 18: OndARA
Sep 20: The lemonheads
Sep 20: Islands
Sep 20: Joy Oladokun
Sep 21: Mipso
Sep 22: of Montreal
Sep 22: whitehall
Sep 23: JUlIA., late notice
Sep 23: Spafford
Sep 24: Boris and Melvins
Sep 25: Youth lagoon
Sep 25: Katie Alice greer
Sep 26: Jordana and dev lemons
Sep 26: Osees
Sep 27: Katelyn Tarver
Sep 28: Kate Bollinger
Sep 28: Stop light Observations
Sep 30: Bandalos Chinos
Sep 30: The national Parks
Oct 2: leigh nash & Jeremy lister
Oct 3: gregory Alan isakov
Oct 3: Shovels And Rope
Oct 5-7: Houndmouth
Oct 5: Frenship
Oct 6: Field Medic
Oct 7: Essenger & Puppet w/ Special guest Young Medicine
Oct 8: Holy Fawn
Oct 8: wilderado
Oct 10: Electric Six
Oct 10: Mapache
Oct 10: The Midnight
Oct 12: A giant dog
Oct 12: dan deacon
Oct 12: Suzanne Vega
Oct 13: Certainly So + Coyote Island
Oct 13: Cian ducrot
Oct 14: dan Rodriguez and noah guthrie
Oct 14: george Clanton
Oct 15: neil Frances
Oct 15: The Handsome Family
Oct 16: Blue Cactus
Oct 16: last dinosaurs & Vacations
Oct 17: Yam Haus and Sawyer
Oct 18: Trousdale
Sep 8: Ivan Cornejo
Sep 19: Becky g
Sep 22: Raphael Saadiq
Oct 4: diego El Cigala
Oct 11: CeCe winans
Oct 12: legacy Reunion: Earth, wind, And Fire Alumni
Oct 15: Manuel Turizo
Oct 22: CAIn
Sep 6: Coheed and Cambria
Sep 6: Ayra Starr
Sep 7: Chloe
Sep 7: Soulja Boy
Sep 9: Thursday
Sep 10: delain
Sep 10: Bishop Briggs & Misterwives
Sep 13: weyes Blood
Sep 13: iann dior
Sep 15: The Wonder Years
Sep 15: Durand Bernarr
Sep 16: Noah Cyrus
Sep 17: Boys Like Girls
Sep 18: Victoria Monet
Sep 19: Jawbreaker with Joyce Manor, Grumpster
Sep 19: Owl City
Sep 20: Ohgeesy
Sep 21: Hatebreed
Sep 22: Joy Oladokun
Sep 23: That Mexican QT
Sep 23: Cannibal Corpse and Mayhem
Sep 24: Roy Wood Jr.
Sep 25: Nothing More
Sep 25: Circle Jerks
Sep 26: EST GEE
Sep 26: NoCap
Sep 27: Flogging Molly
Sep 27: Poolside
Sep 28: Neon Trees
Sep 28: Kany Garcia
Sep 29: Eric Nam
Sep 30: Blue October
Oct 1: Tobi Lou
Oct 1: Teddy Swims
Oct 3: Ashnikko
Oct 4: Lil Yachty
Oct 5: Russell Howard Live
Oct 5: TesseracT
Oct 6: The Aces
Oct 6: The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night
Oct 7: The Devil Wears Prada & Fit For A King
Oct 7: Knock2
Oct 10: The JOHNNYSWIM Stories
Tour
Oct 10: Kiana Lede
Oct 11: Sturniolo Triplets
Oct 12: Jawny
Oct 13: Girls Gotta Eat
Oct 14: THRICE
Oct 14: Warren Zeiders
Oct 15: Southall
Oct 16: Rawayana
707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292
www.livenation.com
Sep 6: Tenacious D
Sep 9: Outlaw Music Fesitval: Willie
Nelson & Family, Tedeschi Trucks
Band, String Cheese Incident & Los Lobos
Sep 12: Nickelback, Brantley Gilbert & Josh Ross
Sep 14: Odesza, Bob Moses, TOKiMONSTA, QRTR & Olan
Sep 17: Trippie Redd
Sep 19: Avenged Sevenfold & Falling
In Reverse
Sep 23-24: Eric Church & Whiskey
Myers
Sep 29: Lana Del Rey
Sep 30: Fuerza Regida
Oct 7: Luke Bryan
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
Sep 9: LL COOL J
Sep 12: Lil Baby
Sep 15: Bert Kreischer
Sep 22-23: Drake
Sep 29: Old Dominion
Sep 30: Jonas Brothers
Oct 8: Carin Leon
Oct 11: Travis Scott
Oct 12: The Reunion Tour
Oct 17: Aerosmith
Oct 18: Playboi Carti
Oct 20: The 1975
Oct 21: Maluma
Oct 23: John Mayer
Oct 26: Dave Chapelle
Oct 28: Romeo Santos The King of Bachata
VILLAGE SQuARE
TAP HOuSE
6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct |
336.448.5330
www.facebook.com/vstaphouse
Sep 7: James Vincent Carroll
Sep 8: Vinyl Tap
Sep 14: Anna Mertson
Sep 15: Kick Back Trio
Sep 16: Black Glass
Sep 21: Tatum Sheets
Sep 22: SmasHat
Sep 23: Ryan Trotti
Sep 28: Jarrett Raymond
Sep 30: Muddy Creek Revival
Oct 27: Spindle 45
CAROLINA THEATRE
309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030
www.carolinatheatre.org
Sep 7: The Mavericks
Sep 15: Stayin’ Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees
Sep 20: Corinne Bailey Rae
Sep 21: Leela James
Sep 22: Chris Botti
Sep 26: The War and Treaty
Sep 28: TEGAN AND SARA
Sep 29: Jake Shimabukuro
Oct 1: Alfredo Rodriguez
Oct 3: Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Oct 7: Rissi Palmer
Oct 8: Brandy Clark & Lori McKenna
Oct 10: Switchfoot
Oct 11: St Paul & The Broken Bones
Oct 23: Tomas and the Library Lady
Oct 24: Steve Hackett
DPAC
123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787
www.dpacnc.com
Sep 6-Sep 17: WICKED
Sep 19: Squeeze and the Psychedelic Furs
Sep 20: Ben Folds
Sep 21: Nick Cave
Sep 22: Jo Koy
Sep 24: Chris Tucker
Sep 28: Chicago
Sep 29: Patti LaBelle
Sep 30: Nimesh Patel
REEVES THEATER
129 W Main St | 336.258.8240
www.reevestheater.com
Wednesdays: Reeves Open Mic
Fourth Thursdays: Old-Time Jam
Sep 8: Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road
Sep 9: Mary Gauthier
Sep 22: John Fullbright
Sep 29: Hannah Aldridge
GREENSBORO
BARN DINNER THEATRE
120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211
www.barndinner.com
Jul 29- Sep 9: Peace Like a River
Sep 22-Nov 4: Ain’t Misbehavin
CAROLINA THEATRE
310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605
www.carolinatheatre.com
Sep 6: Songs of Hope and Justice
Sep 8: NC Comedy Fest
Sep 22: Matt Stell
Sep 23: Frute with Mellow Swells
Sep 28: Rhiannon Giddens
CHAR BAR NO. 7
3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555
www.charbar7.com
COMEDY ZONE
1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034
www.thecomedyzone.com
Sep 8-10: Jason Banks
Sep 15-16: A on Crockett
Sep 19: Craig Conant
Sep 22-24: Adele Givens
Sep 29-30: B Simone
COMMON GROUNDS
602 S Elm Ave | 336.698.388
www.facebook.com/CommonGroundsGreensboro
GARAGE TAVERN
5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020
www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro
GRANDOVER RESORT
2275 Vanstory Street Suite 200 | 336.294.1800
www.grandover.com
Wednesdays: Live Jazz w/ Steve Haines Trio
GREENSBORO COLISEUM
1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
Sep 15: Koe Wetzel
Sep 22-24: Cowboy Days
HANGAR 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480
www.hangar1819.com
Sep 7: Overtime + Crucifix ft. Sean P, GR1M, Big Murph
Sep 9: Should’ve Been a Cowboy: Country Dance Party
Sep 11: Weedeater w/ King Parrot, Ape Vermin
Sep 12: Galactic Empire w/ Hanabie
Sep 16: holyroller w/ Lie Heavy, Cosmic Reaper, Good Good Grief
Sep 17: Red w/ Saul
Sep 19: Wargasm UK
Sep 20: Flotsam & Jetsam w/ Generation Kill, Misfire, Wolftooth
Sep 22: Shaggy 2 Dope w/ Lardi B, DJ Clay
Sep 24: Paleface Swiss w/ Eneterprise Earth, VCTMS, Crown Magnetar
Sep 29: Emo Night Karaoke w/ The Second After, Never Home & Palm Dreams
Sep 30: Invent Animate w/ Void Of Vision, Thrown, Aviana
348 South Elm St | 336.510.9678
www.facebook.com/littlebrotherbrew
Wednesdays: Trivia
Fridays & Saturdays: Free Live Music
PIEDMONT HALL
2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
Sep 8: Green Queen Bingo
RODY’S TAVERN
5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950
www.facebook.com/rodystavern
STEVEN TANGER CENTER
300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500
www.tangercenter.com
Sep 16: Daniel Tosh
Sep 19-24: CHICAGO the Musical
Sep 29-30: Golden Girls: The Laughs
THE IDIOT BOX COMEDY CLUB
503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699
www.idiotboxers.com
Thursdays: Open Mic
Sep 22-23: Melissa Douty
WHITE OAK
AMPITHEATRE
1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400
www.greensborocoliseum.com
Sep 7: The Doobie Brothers
WINESTYLES
3326 W Friendly Ave Suite 141 | 336.299.4505
www.facebook.com/winestylesgreensboro277
HIGH POINT
1614 DMB
1614 N Main St | 336.883.4113
https://www.1614drinksmusicbilliards.com/
Sep 9: Trailer Park Orchestra w/ Orange Jumpsuit
Sep 30: EDW Lucha Live
GOOFY FOOT TAPROOM
2762 NC-68 #109 | 336.307.2567
www.goofyfoottaproom.com
HIGH POINT THEATRE
220 E Commerce Ave | 336.883.3401
www.highpointtheatre.com
Sep 23: The Players
Sep 28: Manhattan Short Film Festival
Sep 30: Unwind Music Festival
PLANK STREET TAVERN
138 Church Ave | 336.991.5016
www.facebook.com/plankstreettavern
SWEET OLD BILL’S
1232 N Main St | 336.807.1476
www.sweetoldbills.com
JAMESTOWN
THE DECK
118 E Main St | 336.207.1999
Sep 7: Kelsey Hurley
Sep 8: 7 Roads
Sep 9: Stone Parker Band
Sep 14: Ethan Smith
Sep 15: TOYZ
Sep 16: Southbound 49
Sep 22: Carolina Ambush
Sep 23: Radio Revolver
Sep 28: Alex Ottaway
Sep 29: Jukebox Revolver
Sep 30: Megan Doss and Jon Montgomery
KERNERSVILLE
BREATHE COCKTAIL LOUNGE
221 N Main St. | 336.497.4822
www.facebook.com/BreatheCocktailLounge
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Sep 23: Wild Wild Burlesk
KERNERSVILLE
BREWING COMPANY
221 N Main St. | 336.816.7283
www.facebook.com/kernersvillebrewing
Thursdays: Trivia
LIBERTY
THE LIBERTY
SHOWCASE THEATER
101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844
www.TheLibertyShowcase.com
OAK RIDGE
BISTRO 150
2205 Oak Ridge Rd | 336.643.6359
www.bistro150.com
RALEIGH
CCU MUSIC PARK
AT WALNUT CREEK
3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111
www.livenation.com
LINCOLN THEATRE
126 E. Cabarrus St | 919.831.6400
www.lincolntheatre.com
RED HAT AMPHITHEATER
500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800 www.redhatamphitheater.com
PNC ARENA
1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300 www.thepncarena.com
RANDLEMAN
KAMIKAZE’S TAVERN
5701 Randleman Rd | 336.908.6144
www.facebook.com/kamikazestavern
Karaoke Every Tuesday & Thursday
EARL’S
121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018
www.earlsws.com
Mondays: Open Mic
Thursdays: Will Jones
Sep 8: Jonathan Parker
Sep 9: Aaron Hamm
Sep 15: Will Easter
Sep 16: BIlly Creason
Sep 22: Kyle Kelly
Sep 23: Flat Back Cadillac
Sep 29: The Mighty Fairlanes
Sep 30: Fox N Vead
Oct 6-7: Zack Brock And Good Intentions
FIDDLIN’ FISH BREWING COMPANY
772 Trade St | 336.999.8945
www.fiddlinfish.com
Tuesdays: Trivia
Sep 8: Province of Thieves
Sep 15: Ears to the Ground
Sep 16: Oktoberfest 2023
Sep 22: Swingbillies Of Boonetown
Sep 29: Hotwax and the Splinters
Oct 6: Tyler Dodson
Oct 7: Day of The Dead
Oct 13: Sam Robinson
FOOTHILLS BREWING
638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348
www.foothillsbrewing.com
Sundays: Sunday Jazz
Thursdays: Trivia
MIDWAY MUSIC HALL
11141 Old US Hwy 52, Suite 10 | 336.793.4218
www.facebook.com/midwaymusichallandeventcenter
Mondays: Line Dancing
MUDDY CREEK CAFE & MUSIC HALL
137 West St | 336.201.5182
www.facebook.com/MuddyCreekCafe
THE RAMKAT
170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714
www.theramkat.com
Sep 6: WATCHES?, The Camel City Blackouts
Sep 8: The Connells, Them Pants
Sep 13: Je Black
Sep 14: Time Sawyer
Sep 15: Bedford, Sam Foster
Sep 16: Drew Foust’s Wheelhouse
Sep 23: Charles Wesley Godwin, Nolan Taylor
Sep 28: Wheeler Walker, Jr., Channing Wilson
Sep 29: Migrant Birds
Sep 30: Futurebirds, Old Heavy Heads
Oct 1: Shovels & Rope
Oct 1: Highland Reverie
Oct 12: Zoso, Icky Thump
Oct 17: Neil Hamburger, Chris Crofton
Oct 19: Pierce Edens, Ryan Johnson
Oct 20: WSSU Young Alumni Day Party 2023
Oct 21: Boy Named Banjo
Oct 24: Church Girls, Dai Cheri
Oct 25: Je Jenkins
Oct 26: Jack Marion & the Pearl Snap Prophets, Chris McGinnis
ROAR
633 North Liberty Street | 336-917-3008
www.roarws.com | www.roarbrandstheater. com
WISE MAN BREWING
826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008
www.wisemanbrewing.com
Thursdays: Music Bingo
Sep 8: Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Band
Sep 9: Justin Reid Duo
Sep 15: The Megan Doss Band
Sep 16: Oktoberfest
Oct 20: Gipsy Danger
Check out videos on our Facebook!
BARTENDER: Candi Fowler
BAR:
Boxcar Bar and Arcade in downtown Greensboro.
AGE: 35
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
High Point, but I claim the whole Piedmont Triad as “home.”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?
On and o for the past 10 years.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?
I had the opportunity to work at one of the first bars in Asheboro, called Shenanigans, after they were allowed to start selling liquor by the drink. Kept going from there!
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?
I enjoy meeting people, hearing their stories, and having a love for creating something that can fit anyone’s taste.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?
The job itself isn’t an easy one, yet it’s still exciting! The expectation in a high-speed environment from uncaring guests can take its toll. When we’re doing our best to make the best drinks along with the full bar, someone being nasty can change the whole mood. It’s chaos; be kind.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?
I make a really good liquid marijuana, but honestly I love making a nice traditional old fashion.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?
That’s easy, I’m a whiskey girl. So my go to is a boilermaker (a shot of Jameson and beer or seltzer will do the job).
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?
A true whiskey sour, or even try a New York Sour. If whiskey isn’t your go-to, a shot of Jägermeister should help settle any meal.
WHAT’S THE STRANGEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?
At this point I’ve heard it all…but I love when people ask me to make something weird or terrible. When I’m asked to make the worst shot, a good ol’ cement shot always does the trick. A mix of Irish cream liqueur and lime juice. The texture is best compared to cottage cheese or (more appropriately) uncured cement.
WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING?
We had a group of 300 people (on top of the 150-200 that were already there) come into the bar one night. We only had three bartenders on. The crowd became unruly and to the point that we had to shut down the bar. After everyone exited they started fighting in the street and beating up cars. When law enforcement arrived, everyone scattered and they grabbed a few that couldn’t get away. WHEW! What. A. NIGHT!
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE FOUND IN A BAR BATHROOM?
A Domino’s pizza in the tank of the toilet.
WHAT’S THE BEST/BIGGEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? $1,000
[ 1. FOOD & DRINK: What does the acronym “IPA” stand for in a beer?
[ 2. LITERATURE: Who is the author of “The Hunger Games” series?
[ 3. U.S. STATES: Which state has the most lighthouses?
[ 4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of New Zealand?
[ 5. GAMES: What is a perfect score in bowling?
[ 6. SCIENCE: What does an auxanometer measure?
[ 7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a female donkey called?
[ 8. MOVIES: Which holiday is celebrated at the end of When Harry Met Sally?
[ 9. TELEVISION: Which entertainer has hosted “Saturday Night Live” the most?
[ 10. ANATOMY: What is the anatomical name for the kneecap?
Week of September 11, 2023
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A little “wool gathering” for the usually productive Lamb is all right if it helps you unwind. But be careful, as too much daydreaming can put you behind schedule in your work.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A work problem is close to being resolved. Now you can go ahead and celebrate the week, accepting invitations from friends who enjoy your company.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Getting your new plan accepted won’t be a major hassle if you have the facts to back it up. Your supporters are also prepared to help you make your case. Good luck.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Dealing with a pesky job problem might be time-consuming, but necessary. The sooner you get this situation settled, the sooner you can move on to other matters.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Career advancement is favored, thanks to your impressive work record. On a more personal side, you should soon hear some good
news about an ailing family member.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) There might be mixed signals from a certain someone who doesn’t seem all that certain about his or her intentions. Best to sort it all out now before it becomes more confusing.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Get all the facts about that investment “opportunity” before you put as little as $1 into it. Hidden problems might arise that could prove to be costly.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Compromising on a matter you feel strongly about not only ends the impasse, but can be a win-win deal for all. Remember, Scorpios do well with change.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) With all the demands you currently have to deal with, accepting the help of family and friends could be the wisest course to take at this time.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Recent upsetting incidents
might have left you with a big gap in your self-assurance. Refill it by spending time with those who know how worthy you really are.
[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) A dispute about money needs to be resolved quickly before it festers into something more serious. Consider asking an impartial colleague to mediate the matter.
[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) A soft approach could be more effective than making a loud demand for the information you need. You might even find yourself with more data than you expected.
[BorN THIs week: You’re sought out for the wonderful advice you’re able to offer others. Sometimes you even take it yourself.
© 2023 by King Features Syndicate
