YES! Weekly - March 19, 2025 by YES! Weekly

A Movement Lawyer

A MOVEMENT LAWYER

Local media often refers to Lewis Pitts as a retired civil rights attorney. Pitts did not retire; in 2014, he resigned in disgust from the North Carolina Bar Association. This proved more di cult than retiring, but Pitts is accustomed to di culty.

3 First off, this restaurant’s name is pronounced like the wine, not the flower. It’s a play on words, the accent marks a subtle reflection of the Japanese presence in Peru. SUSHI ROSE’ provides a really upscale, sophisticated experience in the vibrant section of renovated downtown Winston-Salem.

4 The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem will hold auditions for its upcoming production of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “OKLAHOMA!” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 at 419 N. Spruce St., WinstonSalem.

6 In a day when the usual defenders of freedom of speech, press freedom, and open government rights have less available to wage public policy battles for first principles, one state senator stands especially tall. Senator Norm Sanderson (R-Arapahoe), now in his 5th term, is refiling his GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY ACT.

Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com

EDITORIAL

Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com

YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR

KATEI CRANFORD

LYNN FELDER

JIM LONGWORTH

IAN MCDOWELL

3 4 7

7 Watching THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE is like spending time with old friends — the old friends being Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, in a brand new animated adventure that sparkles with the spirit of the Looney Tunes of yesteryear.

9 Like the flowers blooming all around the Triad: CONCERT SERIES AND OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES return to life to the sweet march of springtime officially popping off this week!

12 If you plan to travel to any place in the United States after May 7 this year that requires transportation by air, be prepared to present a REAL ID.

13 If you are planning to attend the 86th Wyndham CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT this year, don’t forget to dress for hot weather. The dates are July 30-Aug. 3 at Sedgefield Country Club.

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We at YES! Weekly realize that the interest of our readers goes well beyond the boundaries of the Piedmont Triad. Therefore we are dedicated to informing and entertaining with thought-provoking, debate-spurring, in-depth investigative news stories and features of local, national and international scope, and opinion grounded in reason, as well as providing the most comprehensive entertainment and arts coverage in the Triad. YES! Weekly welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however YES! Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. YES! Weekly is published every Wednesday by Womack Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free, all additional copies are $1.00. Copyright 2025 Womack Newspapers, Inc.

BY JOHN BATCHELOR

First off, this restaurant’s name is pronounced like the wine, not the flower. It’s a play on words, the accent marks a subtle reflection of the Japanese presence in Peru. This restaurant considers itself a “Nikkei sushi bar,” which, according to the imminent authority Google, means it “serves sushi with a Peruvian fusion twist. The term ‘Nikkei’ refers to both Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine and the descendants of Japanese immigrants in Peru.”

Ambience here is extremely urbane. It’s dark, with subtle lighting, the intimate sense undergirded by mild throbbing techno music. The wall behind the bar comes close to the intricacies of an M.C. Escher design. Drinks are equally sophisticated and colorful. Witness my wife’s Jack Frost, a concoction of Blanco tequila, blue Curacao, lime juice, and mango syrup.

Chow Down with John Batchelor at Sushi Rose’ WANNA

Master Sushi Chef Armin Anuran came to Winston-Salem from downtown Los Angeles, where his expertise was on display at the Intercontinental Hotel. On our first visit, my wife and I were seated at the bar. I found myself gradually gaining an appreciation for the arrangement, as personnel interacted on a personable, genuine level (as opposed to rehearsed), and Chef Anuran, himself, delivered one of his creations. (No, I do not believe I was recognized as a restaurant writer. I get the impression that everybody gets special treatment here, especially those seated at the long bar.)

One meal started with Edamame — steamed soybeans in their shells. You squeeze the end of the pod and squirt out the nutty-tasting beans, which in this preparation pick up a little extra flavor from coarse salt and a little ponzu sauce.

Calamari, another starter, is lightly battered and deep fried, producing some of the best texture and flavor I have encountered from this perennial favorite. It is served with Aji cilantro sauce — a bright, spicy Peruvian condiment blended from aji amarillo peppers, cilantro leaves, and olive oil, frothed into a mayonnaise-like texture.

Sushi Rose’ Ceviche is another excellent rendition. Mahi-mahi is marinated in lime juice, with red onion, corn, jalapeño pepper slices, and fresh cilantro leaves. It’s a colorful assembly, with vibrant

red, yellow, and green pepper slices and leaves within the mostly white and cream-colored fish. The acid in the citrus juice cooks the fish. No heat, except for a few morsels of battered and fried calamari on top. It arrives chilled in the bowl.

My wife is a big fan of Shrimp Tacos. Here, the shrimp are tender and crisp, battered tempura-style, hosted with strips of yellow mango, red onion, and sliced jalapenos, enhanced with a spicy mayonnaise. She really liked them.

Presentations are striking, the Pan Seared Citrus Ponzu Scallops especially so. Five medium-sized scallops are lined up on rows of thinly sliced cucumbers, plated on a black stone rectangle. They are brushed with green cilantro oil. I have had these twice. This kitchen cooks scallops a little firmer than those found in other top-rated restaurants.

Sushi, in its various incarnations, is outstanding.

The Acevichado Roll combines shrimp tempura, sliced avocado, cucumbers, marinated tuna, and sweet potatoes. This assembly is seasoned with togarashi — a Japanese spice blend of chili peppers, sesame seeds, orange peel, and annum peppers. It takes its name from Peruvian acevichado sauce, an aioli flavored with ají amarillo chile, garlic, cilantro, and togarashi pepper powder.

The foundation of Shrimp Crab Roll is shrimp tempura, topped with snow crab and eel sauce, garnished with tempura flakes. The mildly crunchy texture that results is quite enjoyable.

If you want to sample several things, order the Sashimi Rose’ Platter, a 16-piece sashimi display that includes Otoro (an exceptional bluefin tuna), amberjack, Scottish salmon, and scal-

lops. These slices are arrayed in a circle, flanking a seaweed salad, plus sliced cucumbers.

You might prefer your seafood cooked. If so, consider Rosita Shita Pan Roasted Scottish Salmon. The fish is topped with chimichurri sauce.

Desserts are sourced from Italy. I have had two — the Bombe, enclosed in chocolate, and the Gelato assortment — both very good, indeed.

Sushi Rose’ provides a really upscale, sophisticated experience in the vibrant section of renovated downtown Winston-Salem. !

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.

go?

Sushi Rose’ 247 E 5th Street Winston-Salem 27101 eatsushirose.com

Hours: Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed on Monday. Small Plates: $13-$18

Rolls: $8-$28

Entrees: $15-$24

Desserts: $14-$18

Most recent visit: February 1

Ceviche

Sashimi Rose’ Platter Shrimp Tacos

Little Theatre saddles up for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”

The Little Theatre of WinstonSalem will hold auditions for its upcoming production of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 at 419 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem. No appointment is necessary, and all are encouraged to audition. There are multiple roles available for women and men (ages 13 and up). Additional details and character descriptions can be found at https://www. ltofws.org/auditions.

Actors should prepare 16-32 measures

of a song that properly demonstrates their singing voice and bring sheet music in the correct key. Songs from this show are permitted but not encouraged. An accompanist will be provided and potential actors may also bring recorded accompaniment. Singing a cappella is, again, permitted but not encouraged. As the audition process includes choreography, actors are advised to dress comfortably. If actors can do pointe, be prepared to demonstrate a brief routine or combination. Dance shoes aren’t required but highly encouraged.

The ﬁrst read-through of the play is currently scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 7, and subsequent rehearsals are generally held Monday through Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., subject to change depending on the cast’s availability. The Little Theatre’s production of “Oklahoma!,” which will run

June 6-22 at the Hanesbrands Theatre (209 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem), will be directed and choreographed by Katie Jo Icenhower, an acknowledged admirer of the works of Rodgers & Hammerstein.

“‘Oklahoma!’ is often considered the ﬁrst American musical,” she observed. “When it was released, Broadway show tunes were the ‘pop’ tunes of the day that did well on radio. ‘Oklahoma!’ was the ﬁrst show where the music and dance all focused on forwarding the story. The emotional narrative based on strong characters makes it timeless, and the catchy tunes and witty banter keep audiences coming back for me. It also helps that many Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have been made into movies and enjoyed revivals that keep them in the public eye. Honestly, if you love musicals, this one is a must see. ‘Oklahoma!’ is the musical that other musicals either imitated or tried to break away from.”

“Oklahoma!” marked the ﬁrst collaboration between Richard Rodgers (1902-‘79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960), launching an incredible partnership that lasted until Hammerstein’s death and included such acknowledged classics as “South Paciﬁc,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Kung and I,” and “Flower Drum Song.” “Oklahoma!” details the (sometimes turbulent) romantic relationships among settlers in the Oklahoma territory in the early years of the twentieth century. It made its Broadway debut in 1943 and ran for over 2,200 performances, making it among the biggest

hits in Broadway history — and won Rodgers and Hammerstein a Pulitzer Prize, to boot.

The subsequent 1955 ﬁlm adaptation, the only musical directed by Oscar winner Fred Zinnemann (“From Here to Eternity,” “A Man for All Seasons”), starred Gordon MacRae, Rod Steiger, James Whitmore, Eddie Albert, and Shirley Jones (in her feature debut), was a box-o ce hit and won Oscars for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound Recording, while also receiving nominations for Best Cinematography (color) and Best Editing.

“Oklahoma!” was based on the non-musical 1931 play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Diggs Green, which was not a success and is rarely revived today. On the other hand, “Oklahoma!” has been revived and presented countless times since its premiere, including two Tony-Award-winning productions on Broadway, in 2002 and 2019. It’s a sprawling epic ﬁlled with passion and complex characters, and Icenhower looks forward to the challenge of balancing the show’s immensity with its intimacy.

“The characters in ‘Oklahoma!’ are complex and yet larger than life,” she said. “These archetypes lend themselves to staged productions. ‘Oklahoma!’ delves into many themes. While it’s basically a love story, it also looks at jealousy and the dangers of unchecked emotion through the character of Jud. The audience can also explore the dynamics of a community and ﬁnding a way to get along with diverse people.

“We are so fortunate to have so much talent in the area and to have the ability to put on high-quality productions through the oldest community theater in the Triad — the Little Theatre of WinstonSalem. ‘Oklahoma!’ will have you tapping your feet and humming show tunes on your way home.” !

Mark Burger

Contributor

The Yadkin Arts Council will present the Yadkin Bluegrass & Old Time Convention on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Yadkinville Elementary School. Musicians of all ages are welcome to perform and compete. From live competitions to impromptu jam sessions, the toe-tapping sounds of this classic American style of music will be heard throughout the campus of Yadkinville Elementary School all afternoon and evening. To round it all out there will be a special performance by the bluegrass band None of the Above.

Yadkinville Elementary School is located on U.S. Highway 601 North in Yadkinville, N.C. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. with the ﬁrst round of individual competitions beginning at 1pm and band competitions beginning at 6:30 p.m. Jammers are welcome. Prizes will be awarded to the top three Senior Bluegrass & Old Time Bands, top three Junior Bluegrass & Old Time Bands, and top three individual junior and senior performers. Entry Fees/ Admission for competitors is $10. General admission is $12 (free admission for kids

who are under 8). Food trucks will be available for onsite concessions purchases. Absolutely no alcohol will be allowed at this event.

Sponsors for this event include Suburban Propane, Yadkin Lumber, and Yadkinville Pawn & Jewelry.

For additional information email bluegrassyyadkin@gmail.com. !

THE YADKIN ARTS COUNCIL is a nonproﬁ t 501(c)3 organization dedicated to transforming lives in our community through the arts by o ering opportunities to encounter, create, and participate. We believe art is transformational. Arts open minds, frees imagination, and helps people see the world from di erent perspectives.

WANNA go?

The Yadkin Bluegrass & Old Time Convention will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Yadkinville Elementary School, 305 N State St, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Door open at 11:30 a.m. Competitions begin at 1 p.m. Admissions is $12 at the door, free for kids ages 8 under, with a $10 entry fee/admission for competitors. For more information, visit www.yadkinarts.org

Senator Sanderson Brings Overdue Sunshine

BY JOHN BUSSIAN Legislative Counsel to the N.C. Press Association

In a day when the usual defenders of freedom of speech, press freedom, and open government rights have less available to wage public policy battles for ﬁrst principles, one state senator stands especially tall. Senator Norm Sanderson (R-Arapahoe), now in his 5th term, is reﬁling his Government Transparency Act.

This measure takes a modest step toward allowing public access to government employee disciplinary records at the state and local levels. Against the backdrop of national “Sunshine Week,” Sanderson’s bill tries to lift North Carolina from the bottom ﬁve open government states and move it to the top.

Were the Government Transparency Act (GTA) to become law, it would give ﬁrsttime access to North Carolinians to:

• On-the-job, state and local government employee performance records (but not medical records); and

• Reasons, yet only a “general description” of, why a state or local government employee or law-enforcement o cer has been demoted, suspended with or without pay, transferred, or ﬁred.

Fully, 45 states allow public access to this much of a government employee’s disciplinary record. The top open government states o er much more — access to the entire file (except medical records). In Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and South Carolina, a parent can ask to see a public school teacher’s file, including performance records. And in New York, then Gov. Cuomo secured passage of a bill to allow first-time access to public school teacher performance records, over objections by the state teachers’ union. Cuomo argued that public access to performance records was, at a minimum, necessary to give the public confidence in the awarding of merit pay to public school teachers. Hardly a stretch.

In the vast majority of states that allow such access, there has not been a single negative e ect on the operation of state

and local government. And yet North Carolina has never allowed its citizens to see any of these records!

No wonder former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper sponsored and ﬁled that bill to allow this kind of access more than 25 years ago when he was a young state senator. His bill passed the North Carolina Senate but died in the House of Representatives.

Senate President Phil Berger led a similar charge — and crafted the language in Senator Sanderson‘s bill — at the end of the 2010 session of the N.C. General Assembly. Senator Berger came within an eyelash of having the bill passed, only to see the core access features of the bill stopped by the N.C. State Employees’ Association (SEANC) on the House ﬂoor. SEANC continues to oppose the legislation.

Isn’t it high time — in 2025 — for the North Carolina General Assembly to pass Senator Sanderson’s bill? And give the public access to disciplinary records of their government employees’ performance that it deserves?

Senator Sanderson’s bill garnered the support of the North Carolina Sheri s’ Association and a lone N.C. Senate Democrat, Orange County’s Graig Meyer, in the last legislative session. That’s a tribute to the state’s sheri s and Senator Meyer, one that shows Sanderson‘s bill has support beyond the media industry.

The North Carolina Senate passed the bill, though it was not considered by the House.

The bottom line is that bringing North Carolina into the top tier of right-to-know states is long overdue.

So contact your state legislators this Sunshine Week and ask them to vote for the Government Transparency Act. North Carolinians deserve nothing less. !

The Day the Earth Blew Up a sure cure for the blues

BY MARK BURGER

Watching The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is like spending time with old friends — the old friends being Da y Duck and Porky Pig, in a brand new animated adventure that sparkles with the spirit of the Looney Tunes of yesteryear. Da y and Porky have appeared in earlier Looney Tunes features, but this is the ﬁrst time either has headlined one, and it’s high time they were given the opportunity.

The Day the Earth Blew Up marks the feature debut of writer/executive producer/director Pete Browngardt, who earlier worked on the award-winning HBO Max series Looney Tunes Cartoons (2019-’24), and his respect for the characters is evident from the get-go. Eric Bauza, who voiced Da y in the series, here does double duty as both Da y and Porky. For those of a “politically correct” bent, be aware that Da y still sputters and Porky still stutters — and it’s still a riot.

It would be impossible to recapture the magic of the original Looney Tunes or to recapture the childhood experience of first being introduced to them, but the makers of The Day the Earth Blew Up have certainly worked hard to pay the proper homage. For a lifelong Looney Tunes devotee or a youngster unfamiliar with them, this film delivers the goods, and that it was accomplished using traditional hand-drawn animation further exemplifies the makers’ regard for the franchise.

Da y and Porky are desperate to ﬁnd work when their home is condemned by resident busybody Mrs. Grecht (voiced by Laraine Newman, arguably the most overlooked member of the original Saturday Night Live cast). But, naturally, they are patently unﬁt for any job they attempt — conveyed in a marvelous montage punctuated by all the mishaps, pratfalls, and spit takes that fans know and love so well.

A chance encounter with brainy Petunia Pig (voiced by Candi Milo, also encoring from Looney Tunes Cartoons) — with whom Porky is immediately smitten — lands them work in a chewing-gum factory, but Da y soon discovers that something is afoot — and it emanates from another world. An imperious alien known as The Invader (voiced by a raspy Peter MacNicol)

has dosed Super Strongberry gum with a formula that turns Earthlings into mindless drones, one chew at a time.

That’s right: The fate of the world rests on the shoulders of Da y Duck and Porky Pig. Little wonder that Da y begins writing his will when this realization sets in.

Of course, the old Looney Tunes were shorts whereas The Day the Earth Blew Up is a feature, but every time it looks like pacing may falter there’s a fresh and inspired gag to perk things up, time and time again. Whether it’s Da y’s penchant for diving into things without a second (or even a first) thought, breaking the fourth wall to address the audience, a perfectly placed non-sequitur, or a joke about eggs (which is surprisingly timely!), the film’s momentum never really flags.

There are a ectionate references to classic Looney Tunes lore and some carefully placed concessions to contemporary culture, as well as snappy nods to Night of the Living Dead (1968), John Carpenter’s They Live (1988), and Michael Bay’s Armageddon (1998) — the latter particularly evident in the ﬁlm’s climax, which commences after a truly unexpected plot twist involving The Invader’s true intentions.

It might have been nice had some other Looney Tunes characters popped up — one would think Marvin Martian would at least rate a cameo — but the characters present are certainly grand company. It’s simply a treat spending time with them, and sitting through the end credits is advisable. The ﬁlm’s last line in the ﬁlm is hardly unexpected, but The Day the World Blew Up throws in one more that, with any luck, comes true before too long. !

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[WEEKLY SUDOKU]

[KING CROSSWORD]

part for the

Like the ﬂowers blooming all around the Triad: concert series and outdoors activities return to life to the sweet march of springtime o cially popping o this week!

Digging right on in, the 2025 season opener of House Hangs hits the terrace of the Historic Hanes House on the grounds of NCMA Winston-Salem March 21. Landing somewhere between a pregame mixer and scenic soiree, House Hangs is a monthly early-evening hangout session featuring dinner from local chefs and music from select DJs — all revolving around a monthly theme.

For March, it’s all things “Super Fresh; with Luxe Posh on decks — busting out the hits from a fresh AF bygone era — exploring golden age hip-hop and laying out fresh grooves to start the season o right. On theme, Fresh AF Vegan food truck will be on-site; with a second option from Sushi Empire. April Hangs will come into bloom on the series’ typical ﬁnal Friday (April 25), and fans can set sail to a yacht rock paradise with DJ Suzchef on May 30.

As we keep marching along Women’s History Month, I’m going to trade hats and toot my own little horn of concert series I’m helping blossom into life: Lakeside and Crossroads at NCMA W-S.

Launched in late summer 2024, the Lakeside concert series o ers a genrebending experience situated on the banks of a spring-fed lake down the hill that rolls o the Hanes House terrace. Yours truly helped design an intimate Lake Stage that saw action from artists like the Queen Bees, Flock of Dimes, 1970s Film Stock, and the Messthetics.

And for 2025, I’m excited to bring the wonderfully enigmatic Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn down to open the Lakeside season. From her MTV pop origins to the R&B and electro, Richard revolutionizes reinvention with otherworldly precision. Joining Zahn in an unfolding orchestral arrangement; the pair have released two albums on Merge Records and will be joined by the dreamy, Sleepy Cat Records’ artist, Chessa Rich; by the lake at NCMA W-S on March 29. Austin’s Sir Woman will be the spotlight artist for Lakeside’s

Spring Series March In

second installment, going down May 2. Meanwhile, the Crossroads series continues with a special performance from Dom Flemons, featuring Colin Cutler as support, on April 19.

Moving away from NCMA W-S, but not too far, the ROAR Lawn is set to come in like a lion, with an inaugural Spring Concert Series kicking o with Hella Stellar on March 22.

Meanwhile, Matteo Joseph Recchio will continue his charitable birthday tradition of raising funds for area charities at Incendiary Brewing on March 23. “We had a good time, and a tradition was born,” Recchio said, looking back on that ﬁrst “little impromptu birthday jam with a tip jar in front” in 2021 that ended up collecting a few hundred bucks. Over the years, the collection has grown into the thousands; with 2025’s proceeds going to beneﬁt the City with Dwellings community resource center for folks experiencing homelessness. “There’ll be music by Sonic Sons, followed by The B String Allstars, followed by an Allstars Jam with tons of special guests. Items will be available for ra e from B String Guitars; proceeds from Honey Blonde lager sales will be donated, and we’ll be passing the hats. It’s going to be fun, and it’s a great cause.”

Over in West Salem, on April 3, the West Salem Art Hotel will host a hybrid musicgallery experience, “Fables for the People,” featuring work from more than a dozen local and national artists, all inspired by the lyrics of R.E.M. “It’s the end of the world as we know it, but I feel ﬁne” has never felt more apt (though not entirely accurate–but “everybody hurts”, so who am I to complain?). We can all at least “take comfort in [our] friends” and enjoy Kuya Bear Food, with music from Cakes of Light.

Hopping back to downtown WSNC, Art Crush comes back to life for its 2025 season, running every third Friday at the intersection of Trade and Sixth Streets, from April 18 through Dec. 19. Featuring an array of arts — from sculpting to song — 2024’s season hosted 175 local artists; and attracted 12,000 attendees.

And while we’re still celebrating the start of spring, plans for SummerLark 2025 (May 10 in Bailey Park) are well underway. Aimed at raising funds to support cancer patient services through Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Philanthropy, Summer Lark is an annual one-day music event, with Old Crow Medicine Show in the headlining slot for 2025.

Going down to Greensboro, let’s reset

the ﬁgurative click and spring back to the upcoming equinox weekend; and the annual Equinox Celebration going down at Oden Brewing on March 22. “Get ready for a day full of music, local vendors, food trucks, and springtime vibes,” organizers said, boasting a musical lineup featuring Viva La Muerte, Jessie Dunks, and The Ladies Auxiliary.

Early risers can catch “Bach at Borough Co ee,” starting at 10 a.m. on March 22 (good thing they sling ca eine in a comfy setting, amirite?). Part of an international month-long celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s 340th birthday, ”musicians around the world are sharing his music by performing in subways, parks, galleries, coffee shops, and other public spaces — while declining donations and inviting people into the world of classical music.” Flutist Rebecca Cochran and pianist Je erson Dalby will take up the pursuit in the Triad, presenting the Barque composer’s work in the Double Oaks parlor.

Meanwhile, boot scooters can start kicking up their heels at the bi-weekly Honky Tonk Thursday Jam that kicked o March 11 at the Back Table; with the next installment scheduled for March 27. The end of the month is hot on South Elm Street, with the Last Friday Artist Showcase running at the Continental Club adjacent to the Back Table. “It’s a monthly opportunity to get to

know some amazing local artists! Greensboro and North Carolina are so blessed with a wealth of talent.” Performers for the March 28 session will feature the fatherdaughter folky soul from Mitch and Erin Hayes.

From last Fridays to ﬁrst Fridays, RISE UP returns to the Historic Magnolia House for a round of get-downs, First Fridays starting May 5; with Alvin Shavers and Tomie B AKA DJ Real delivering on decks; with “plenty of space under The Big Tent for you and your crew to get your dance on.”

Sweater weather begone: here comes the sun and all the lovely springtime series, Triad! !

and events.

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists

Katei Cranford

Contributor

A Movement Lawyer: New Book Chronicles the Life of Lewis Pitts

Local media often refers to Lewis Pitts as a retired civil rights attorney. Pitts did not retire; in 2014, he resigned in disgust from the North Carolina Bar Association. This proved more difficult than retiring, but Pitts is accustomed to difficulty.

In 1979, after graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law, he was on the team that exposed the role of Oklahoma police and the FBI in the death of nuclear plant worker Karen Silkwood. That victory helped fund the Christic Institute, combining investigation and litigation to work for social reform, in which Pitts served for 12 years as regional director.

In 1985, Pitts co-litigated the civil suit that won the only punitive judgment against those who perpetrated and abetted the Greensboro Massacre. This began his long friendship with the late Rev. Nelson Johnson, whom Klan and Nazi gunmen tried to kill, and who had been demonized by police and municipal leadership for efforts to unionize local textile mills.

Pitts later founded N.C. Legal Aid’s Advocates for Children’s Services and successfully worked to ban shackling of juvenile defendants and to require schools to provide alternative education for suspended students. In 2014, he received N.C. ACLU’s Frank Porter Graham Award, honoring his work for civil liberties and individual freedom.

This and more is detailed in Jason Langberg’s “The Life of a Movement Lawyer: Lewis Pitts and the Struggle for Democracy, Equality, and Justice,” published by the University of South Carolina Press. Langberg is a civil rights attorney with the U.S. Department of Education’s Colorado office, and co-founder and program director of Youth Justice North Carolina. On March 21, Pitts will be at Scuppernong Books from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to discuss his career and sign Langberg’s book. Why did Pitts resign from his longtime profession?

“I couldn’t stand how commercial it’s become. I was

teaching at Elon School of Law, and recruiters talked about the ‘legal industry.’ When I started practicing law in 1973, it was unethical to advertise. Now, if you get a traffic ticket, you get ten mailings from different attorneys and there are billboards and television ads. It’s a travesty.”

Pitts wanted a debate with his colleagues about what it means to seek justice.

“My resignation letter quoted the preamble to the rules of professional responsibility, which calls you a vigorous advocate of the client, an officer of the court,

and one thing you don’t hear enough about, a public citizen with special responsibility for the quality of justice. They’ve dodged that ethical and moral issue in order to preserve access to moneyed clients, big corporations, and defense contractors. They couldn’t fathom that I wanted to quit their club and didn’t want any public conversation about why.”

To resign rather than retire, Pitts threatened to sue.

“Ironically, back in 1994, they didn’t want to let me in! The very prominent Harry Harkins, a former high official in the N.C. Bar, represented me for free, and I got in.”

Langberg’s biography of Pitts has been praised by N.C. Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls; N.C. Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green; and Margot Lee Shetterly, author of “Hidden Figures.”

Last Fall, HarperCollins published “Morningside: the 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul,” by Aran Shetterly. Chapter 29 describes the bemusement that other attorneys for survivors of the attack initially felt on meeting Pitts, whom one described as a longhaired young man who didn’t own a suit and sometimes didn’t wear shoes.

Pitts laughed about that.

“I’d been in the anti-nuclear movement and the granola crowd, and had an earring. Some people said I was barefoot, but I was too much of a city boy for that. But I probably didn’t wear underwear, which blew the minds of some of the more rigid communists in that legal crowd.”

Before the successful lawsuit against Klansmen, Nazis, police, and FBI agents, Pitts considered quitting law.

“I was ready to burn the contents of my briefcase and engage in property destruction. Nelson and the Communist Workers Party convinced me to be a lawyer again. He and Joyce were so honest and sincere, and always open about including everyone. Had I not met them and stayed militant, I’d probably be dead or in prison.”

In 1991, Pitts’ work for the southern division of the Christic Institute, headquartered in Durham (where in 1992, it became the Southern Justice Institute), brought him into the fight to preserve Gullah culture

Ian McDowell

Contributor

on South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island. Gullah people are descendants of communities in low country and island regions of the Carolinas and Georgia, whose language, cuisine, and traditions exhibit strong influences from West and Central African cultures.

“Daufuskie is near Hilton Head, but isolated; you have to take a ferry to it. Gullah culture was preserved there and they had some land, but developers built what they literally called plantations, with businessmen flying in from Japan to Hilton Head to play golf on land they were encroaching on. The whole tax base went up. Twenty-one African descendants trying to protect their culture approached us. There was a cemetery that had been stolen through some tricky deed thing. We brought a lawsuit alleging desecration and theft, and this initiated a full discussion about the larger picture of development and destruction of heritage.”

This led to a meeting in the contested cemetery.

“The developers’ lawyers were also on the environmental planning commission to make sure that there were no regulations to protect the marsh. It was the worst conflict of interest — even the governor was involved.”

Pitts will always remember “the heartbreak and joy” of that case.

“Here were these silk-stocking

Hilton Head lawyers in this rural cemetery, walking around this elderly woman, taking her deposition under oath, trying to prove that she couldn’t find where her family was buried. In Gullah culture, they don’t have headstones. You may have a stick, or medicine bottle, or piece of china. They were grilling her amid the trees and moss and blowing wind. She looked at them and said ‘Damn you!’ In my soul, I could hear the cosmos echo with the sounds of injustice and her defiance. They aborted the deposition at that point. Jason’s book describes the hurt, but also the power of being a little part of the glorious legacy of people’s struggles.”

Which is why he agreed to be its subject.

“Our point is how lawyering is only a technical aid to building, protecting, and defending those movements. That’s a very different framework than having a lawyer come in on their white horse saying justice will come because this is America. If you fight tooth and nail, mobilize and build with other people, there’s a better chance you will get that justice, but only because you fought for 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.

Lewis Pitts

BY NORMA B. DENNIS | ndworddesign@gmail.com

If you plan to travel to any place in the United States after May 7 this year that requires transportation by air, be prepared to present a Real ID. This special form of identiﬁcation is a star within a circle on the upper right-hand corner of either a driver’s license or identiﬁcation card issued by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles in compliance with the Transportation Security Administration.

Not only will one need a Real ID for domestic travel, it will also be necessary to enter certain government facilities such as a federal courthouse, federal prison, or military base. If a star is not included on a driver’s license or ID card they are marked “Not for Federal Purposes.” The stared ID, however, is not required to go into a post o ce, to drive, vote, open a bank account, or apply for federal beneﬁts.

When one Jamestown resident took her daughter to get a driver’s license a few years ago, she was asked if she wanted a Real ID. Not understanding what that was the mom thought to her-

Real ID needed to ﬂy

self, “Who would want a fake one?”

She just happened to have the necessary documents, however, including a couple of bills in the recesses of her purse to prove residency.

“I still think the name is somewhat confusing,” the mom said. “Perhaps a better name would be ‘Certiﬁed ID.’”

But in 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act following recommendations by the 9/11 Commission that the Federal Government “set standards for the is-

suance of sources of identiﬁcation, such as driver’s licenses.” Implementation was delayed for years and pushed back farther by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new mandatory date has now been set and it appears to be approaching quickly.

The DMV has issued 4.7 million Real IDs since May 2017 with NCDMV issuing 64,220 since January. North Carolinians are currently at 49.6 percent compliance.

Don’t think obtaining a Real ID will be

real easy, however. A person must go to the DMV in person with several documents to prove eligibility. Any one piece missing can keep you from getting it. Be prepared with:

• A document to prove your name and date of birth,

• Social Security card or documents bearing the applicant’s SSN (tax form or pay stub with SSN),

• A document verifying any name change — such as a certiﬁed marriage license for women, and

• Two documents showing your current address to prove North Carolina residency — such as a state-issued document, a vehicle registration or title certiﬁcate, a voter precinct card, military documents, a bill, or a letter from a homeless shelter.

One could assume that the easiest way to get a Real ID would be to make an appointment with a local DMV, but currently, there is at least a 90-day wait for an appointment. Some locations are booked until the end of August. The recourse is to show up at a DMV location as an afternoon walk-in. This means arriving early — perhaps by 10 a.m. — and waiting for your turn in the afternoon. It is important to note that those who have a passport may use it for domestic travel, but a Real ID cannot be used for international travel.

If you want to ﬂy after May 7 it appears time to get the proper ID is of the essence and expedience and patience are the keys.

EXCEPTIONS TO REAL ID

Children under 18 are not required to provide identification if traveling within the United States with a companion. The companion will need acceptable identification. Check the airline for specific ID requirements.

If you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification (whether lost, stolen, or otherwise), you may still be allowed to fly. You will be asked to complete an identity verification process that includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity.

If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening. TSA recommends individuals without acceptable identification arrive at least three hours in advance of their flight time. !

Wyndham to be a week earlier this year

BY CAROL BROOKS | Cab1hp@gmail.com

If you are planning to attend the 86th Wyndham Championship golf tournament this year, don’t forget to dress for hot weather. The dates are July 30-Aug. 3 at Sedgeﬁeld Country Club. No reason was given for the date change, which was established by the PGA Tour.

“With our PGA Tour event starting in July, we want to be sure everyone knows our new dates so they can make sure they’re in town,” said Executive Director Mark Brazil.

“Summer can be a really busy time of year so we’re hoping if people get the dates on their calendars now, they’ll plan those great summer vacations on other weeks. The Wyndham Championship is one of the best weeks of the summer.”

golf tournament except for the majors and it is the oldest professional golf tournament in North Carolina.

After bouncing around the calendar with play in August, October, April and March, several years ago the PGA landed in the month of August for the tournament, making it the ﬁnal tournament of the PGA Tour regular season. That position has several important factors to it, not the least of which is determining the 70 players who qualify for the FedExCup playo s. It also helps the Presidents and Ryder Cup captains determine who will play for their respective teams.

The Wyndham Championship, founded in 1938 as the Greater Greensboro Open but played under several other names over the years, is the seventh-oldest professional

TICKETS

Individual day or season tickets are available at https:// www.wyndhamchampionship.com/spectators/tickets. All Wyndham Championship tickets and parking passes will now be digitally delivered. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Neither on-site ticket sales nor Will Call will be available, but fans arriving at the Wyndham Championship without tickets can purchase them on their mobile devices prior to entering.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are always needed at the Wyndham Cham-

pionship. Not only is this a good way to help the PGA and local organizers, volunteers are right on the edge of the action. Visit https://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/ volunteers/registration to sign up.

OTHER TOURNAMENTS

The Wyndham is not the only professional golf tournament in North Carolina. This year the PGA Championship will take place at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte. The course is usually the home of the Wells Fargo Championship — now the Truist Championship — but since Quail Hollow is hosting the PGA Championship, the Truist Championship will be held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club this year and return to Charlotte in 2026. !

The Sportscenter Athletic Club is a private membership club dedicated to providing the ultimate athletic and recreational facilities for our members of all ages. Conveniently located in High Point, we provide a wide variety of activities for our members. We’re designed to incorporate the total fitness concept for maximum benefits and total enjoyment. We cordially invite all of you to be a part of our athletic facility, while enjoying the membership savings we offer our established corporate accounts.

hot pour

[BARTENDER OF THE WEEK COMPILED BY NATALIE GARCIA]

NAME: Danielle Massi

BAR: The Quarter, Downtown Greensboro

AGE: 30

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Burlington, N.C.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

9 years.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

Check out videos on our Facebook!

I started hosting at a restaurant and worked my way up to bartending.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

I enjoy meeting new people.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?

Staying calm while dealing with drunk idiots.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

Honestly I don’t have a favorite, I just enjoy making the guest happy!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK? Pickle backs.

WHAT’S THE STRANGEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?

I once had a customer o er me $20 to spit in their drink.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

Maybe a nice glass of wine or an espresso martini.

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

Caught a regular at the bar actively playing with himself.

WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE FOUND IN A BAR BATHROOM? A wig.

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

$1,500

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of March 24, 2024

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The week promises a calmer aspect. Although there might be some lingering e ects from a recent job problem, things should continue to ease up. Also expect a change in a homebased situation.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) If you feel uneasy about a colleague’s suggestion, it might be that your wise inner Taurean guide is alerting you to a potential problem. Stepping away could turn out to be the right thing to do.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A family get-together opens up new opportunities for renewing ties. It can be especially effective in dealing with disagreements that should have been resolved but never fully were.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might be surprised at the response you get to a recent decision. You might be even more surprised by the reasons behind it. In any event, you’ll learn something important.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your aspects favor resolving any tensions left over from a recent incident. You might want to consider having a “clear the air” talk as soon as you can. A call can lead to a change of plans.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Avoid repeating yourself. If your ﬁrst few e orts fail to connect, maybe it’s because you haven’t found the right way to get your message across. Try changing your approach.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Good intentions plus a strong resolve to succeed can take you where you want to go.

Don’t give up just because someone suggests you might be pursuing an impossible cause.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) An unexpected setback can be a blessing in disguise. Use it to recheck your facts and how you’ve presented them. Meanwhile, look for ways to expand your contacts.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You should ﬁnally be seeing a positive change in a recent personal situation. However, an on-the-job matter might need more attention than you realized. Stay with it!

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) While you should be close to completing an important matter, you still need to maintain your focus. Things will ease up in time for weekend fun with family and friends.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A certain matter might take an unexpected turn. Don’t simply accept it; ask for an explanation. What you learn might be helpful in shifting the situation around to your beneﬁt.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Projecting a positive attitude helps restore calm, even when you’re confronting some pretty stormy situations. Stay the course! The outcome will be well worth your e orts.

[BORN THIS WEEK: While you enjoy tradition and stability, you also appreciate the good things that change can bring. You know how to achieve a great balance within this area of your life.