YES! Weekly - March 26, 2025 by YES! Weekly

BUILDING DREAMS

There will be brick-made masterpieces on display in the Triad next weekend, and organizers are hoping that residents will come and build their dream masterpieces.

4 All systems are go for the 2025 RIVERRUN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, which unveiled its schedule of events, screenings, and guests at its annual launch parties last week, the first held Tuesday at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts in Winston-Salem and the second Wednesday at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro.

6 DYON “MOJO” BROOKS may have grabbed success with his “Unhand Me Now” phrase, but he doesn’t plan on letting that success go. The Chicago native is an actor, writer, producer, and stand-up comedian who has worked long and hard developing his craft.

8 Filmed on location in western North Carolina, APPALACHIAN DOG marks a striking feature debut for writer/producer/ director Colin Henning, who also makes his starring debut.

10 It’s no wonder that a recent CNN poll shows the Democratic Party’s favorability

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

Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com

EDITORIAL

Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com

YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR MARK BURGER

KATEI CRANFORD

LYNN FELDER

JIM LONGWORTH IAN MCDOWELL

PRODUCTION

6 8 16

rating is at an ALL-TIME LOW. Truth is, average Americans of all faiths, genders, and races just want to feel like our elected leaders are “woke” to our everyday concerns.

14 On Sunday, March 23, Reverend Sadie Lansdale of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro was shocked when police officers reluctantly told her and her fellow congregants that they would have to END THE COMMUNITY PICNIC they and members of the Working Class and Houseless Organizing Alliance (WHOA) were holding in Center City Park.

16 Mssv (or MAIN STEAM STOP VALVE) is percolating right on through North Carolina, with two stops (April 1 at Snug Harbor in Charlotte and April 2 at the Flat Iron in Greensboro) accented by Thousand Dollar Movie for both shows; and a Spirit of Hamlet stage debut at the Flat.

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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,

RiverRun calls “Action!” for 27th

All systems are go for the 2025 RiverRun International Film Festival, which unveiled its schedule of events, screenings, and guests at its annual launch parties last week, the first held Tuesday at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts in Winston-Salem and the second Wednesday at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. Advance ticket samplers are now on sale at https://riverrunfilm.com/festival-passes/

This year’s festival, which runs April 11-19, offers a selection of 175 films (features and shorts) representing 33 nations around the world. The lineup was culled from almost 2,000 submissions, the second highest in RiverRun’s

history, according to program director and interim co-executive director Mary Dossinger. “The submissions we got were more robust and better than ever, which makes choosing the selections more difficult.”

Nevertheless, with a wealth of riches to choose from in terms of the film being presented, along with the parties, panel discussions, Saturday Morning Cartoons, and other popular RiverRun attractions, Dossinger believes that this year’s festival truly has something for everyone.

“We are thrilled to present this exciting slate of films to the community as we prepare for Opening Night on April 11,” she said. “We have a wide range of diverse films, and we definitely have something for everyone, from stunning documentaries to sweet, animated shorts for kids. We love bringing the work of so many talented filmmakers from around the world to audiences throughout the Triad.”

“Our film offerings this year are beautifully diverse and we also, as always,

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look forward to our thought-provoking panel discussions and RiverRun hallmarks like Films With Class and Pitch Fest,” said Tiffany Jones, RiverRun development director and interim coexecutive director. “Whether someone is a RiverRun faithful or a brand-new fan of the festival, we cannot wait to see each and every person who attends a screening or event and enjoys all that we have to offer.

“It’s been an immense pleasure to lead this organization during this transition,” she said. “This is a huge event, and it absolutely would not happen without the support of every single person in this room.”

Prior to the highlight reel, again assembled by RiverRun regular Evan Pease, there was a filmed message from Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines, a

long-time RiverRun champion. “We’re so fortunate to have this event here,” he said. “Spring comes and RiverRun comes along with it.”

Denise Gunter, chair of the festival’s board of directors, said: “It is truly an honor to be in the role of board chairman. Our festival is really, really thriving in this city. The city springs to life during the festival, literally and figuratively.” She acknowledged Rob Davis, who retired as executive director in December, Dale Pollock (who was in attendance) for bringing the festival here to WinstonSalem in 2003, and Jones and Dossinger, who assumed Davis’s duties as interim co-executive directors. “Putting together a festival like this is a lot of hard work,” she said.

The festival’s status as an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the catego-

Mark Burger

Contributor

Dale Pollock in attendance.

Ti any Jones, Development Director

PHOTOS BY RICHARD CLABAUGH

ries of animated shorts and documentary shorts was renewed earlier this year, and Dossinger pointed out that the two films that won Oscars last month — In the Shadow of the Cypress (animated short) and The Only Girl in the Orchestra (documentary short) — were screened at last year’s festival with the respective filmmakers in attendance. Having spent time with them during their visit, seeing them accept their Academy Awards was “pretty cool,” she said with a smile.

The opening-night selections this year are writer/director/associate producer Benoit Cohen’s contemporary drama Ma France a moi starring Fanny Ardant and Emmy-winning writer/producer/director Cristina Costantini’s documentary feature Sally, a biography of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, which recently won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Ma France a Moi will be screened April 11 and 14 at Hanesbrands Theatre in Winston-Salem, while Sally will be screened April 11 at Reynolda Place Theatre in Winston-Salem and April 14 at RED Cinemas in Greensboro.

This year’s Centerpiece Screening is first-time director Shoshannah Stern’s self-explanatory documentary feature Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore , a biographical portrait of the actress who won the Oscar for Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God (1986), making her the first deaf actress and the youngest to win the Best Actress, at just 21 years of age — and in her feature

Mary Dossinger, Program Director

debut, no less. When the proposal was made to Matlin to make a documentary about her life and career, she insisted that the director be a deaf woman, and this marks the directorial debut of Stern, an actress whose credits include small-screen stints on Weeds (2005-’12), Jericho (2006-’08), and the award-winning SundanceTV series This Close (which Matlin has appeared on), which she wrote and created with Josh Feldman, making them the first deaf TV showrunners. Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore will be screened on April 16 at Hanesbrands Theatre and April 18 at RED Cinemas.

Eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close toplines the closing-night film, The Summer Book , based on Tove Jansson’s bestselling 1972 novel “ Sommarboken ,” produced and directed by Charlie McDowell (the son of Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen). The Summer Book will be screened on April 19 at UNCSA — Main Theatre in Winston-Salem.

At the risk of repeating herself, Dossinger said that RiverRun 2025 “has a very diverse and eclectic lineup of films,” but the selection certainly bears this out. !

WANNA know?

For more information, call 336-724-1502 or visit the o cial website: https://riverrunﬁlm.com/.

Viral comedian heads to the Triad on the “We Them Ones” tour

Dyon “Mojo” Brooks may have grabbed success with his “Unhand Me Now” phrase, but he doesn’t plan on letting that success go.

The Chicago native is an actor, writer, producer, and standup comedian who has worked long and hard developing his craft.

All that hard work has paid o , as Brooks brings his talent to the Triad on Mike Epps’ “We Them Ones” comedy tour on Saturday, March 29 at the First Horizon Coliseum, located at 1921 W. Gate City Blvd. The tour will feature Karlous Miller, Tony Roberts, and Kountry Wayne along with Brooks.

His rise to fame has been a progressive one, starting with doing skits on social media.

“I had to start doing stand-up and doing the skits. When I started going viral, I thought, this is not going to do any good if

I can’t perform in front of people,” he explained. “So I started doing open mic, my own showcases, and smaller tours. Going viral put me in a position to really show o that I was more than capable of owning a room, no matter how big or small it is.”

Brooks has toured with legends such as Mike Epps, Martin Lawrence, and Deon Cole to name a few. He recently wrapped his headlining nationwide “Unhand Me Now” Tour which sold out with multiple added shows in nearly every location. This tour also marks Brooks’ transition from fully sold-out club weekends into headlining theaters with sold-out stops at Atlanta’s Center Stage, Memphis’s Minglewood Hall, and two sold-out Sunday night shows at Chicago’s historic Vic Theatre. You can also ﬁnd him on season 21 of Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out television show.

“TV was a little di erent. I think that was the one that took me a little time to get accustomed to. When you go out to the front of the stage in front of a live audience, you know there is no turning back. With TV, it was hitting me like, ‘Man, I used to watch this show when I was in high school.’ You are standing next to Nick

Cannon, and there are all these cameras,” he said. “It took me a couple of episodes for me to get comfortable and really understand what it was. But once I got it, I was ready to go.”

Brooks said it feels good to work with one of the biggest names in comedy, on the stage and the screen.

“I grew up watching Mike Epps. I was just saying I remember the first time I saw him in Next Friday and finding out in the beginning that Chris Tuckers wasn’t going to be in that one. But it didn’t take long for Mike to win everybody over. To be able to work with people you grew up laughing with is surreal, although I starting to get used to it,” he said. “Mike is one of them OGs that will wrap his arm around you and going to put you on game. It’s definitely been one of the dopest experiences I’ve been a part of.”

Another surreal experience is walking through the airport and hearing a phrase he has branded, “Unhand me now,” being belted out.

in on Netﬂix in May, that was directed by Tyler Perry, called She The People, which is going to be dope. It’s going to be my Netﬂix debut so I’m excited about that. I’m working and writing some things, but I’m just scratching the surface. We’re getting ready to take it to another level.”

So what can attendees expect from Saturday’s show? Brooks said to get ready for a great time.

“They might as well get ready for some raw, uncut energy. From the beginning of the show, I think every style of comedy represented on stage is good. I can’t wait to show the people what I’m about this weekend.”

For tickets, visit https:// www.ticketmaster.com/ event/2D00614BA6024875?utm_ source=ads&utm_ medium=facebook&utm_ campaign=wto25&utm_id=wto25greensboro. !

“You’ve got to throw something out there for people to hook on to. That’s how you build a legacy. That’s how you become a legend. It’s just about having moments,” he said.

CHANEL DAVIS is the current editor and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad

Speaking of legacies, Brooks is intentional about giving back to his community. He collaborates with the Chicago Bears often and gives back by supporting youth development programs in his hometown.

“It’s important to me because I think that a lot of times people forget where they come and I never want to forget that. I also want to give back because, at one point in time, I was there. I was in these communities. I grew up in the hood and I know what it’s like when all the celebrities are going to the schools in the suburbs, or giving back to the community out there,” he said. “I always want to pour into the future, especially the kids, and go back where I came from and give back. You want to give the youth another example to look at and let them know there are other things they could do. When I was growing up, the only options after high school, were to go to college, get a job or go to the military. And I’m not doing either of the three right now in my life. We have to go back and show the youth there are other options.”

Brooks has some big plans for the future. Following the conclusion of the “We Them Ones” tour, he will head out on another tour, get ready for a movie premier, and is looking at writing.

“There’s a show coming out that I’m

Dyon “Mojo” Brooks

[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]

UNCSA TO PRESENT JAZZ FESTIVAL ON MARCH 29

SUBMITTED BY SCOTT CARPENTER

The School of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) along with Mercedes-Benz of Winston-Salem will present “Spontaneous Sound,” a daylong festival celebrating improvisational music across genres at the Millennium Center, located at 101 West Fifth Street in downtown Winston-Salem, on Saturday, March 29. The event will showcase four live music stages, improvisation workshops, master classes in a variety of instruments and a Q&A with current and former members of the Michael Bublé Orchestra. Attendees are encouraged to explore the festival at their own pace, arriving and departing at their leisure throughout the day.

“Spontaneous Sound” will present a diverse lineup of performances by ensembles including local high school and middle school musicians, UNCSA’s small jazz and rock combos, the UNCSA Rational Discourse Project, the UNCSA Early Chicago Ensemble and an impressive lineup of guest artists and clinicians. In its second year, the festival is the brainchild of Steve Alford, the School of Music’s jazz and contemporary department chair who came to the school in August 2023.

“Spontaneous Sound’ brings a dynamic, multistage experience to downtown, o ering a unique blend of jazz and beyond,” Alford said. “A highlight will be the chance for local students to perform alongside professionals, gaining valuable feedback in real time from guest artists.”

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

• 11:30 a.m.: R.J. Reynolds High School Jazz Ensemble (Daniel Campbell, director)

• Noon: UNCSA’s Vocal Apriority jazz sextet

• 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Arts All-Star Youth Ensemble (Lovell Bradford, director)

• 1 p.m.: UNCSA’s Django Ensemble featuring special guest Justin Ray

• 2:30 p.m.: UNCSA’s Changing Sheila, featuring music of the alternative rock band Morphine with guest Jacob Rodriguez

• 4 p.m.: UNCSA’s Rational Discourse avant-garde ensemble

• 7 p.m.: Open jam session for all festival performers and audience members

• 7:30 p.m.: UNCSA’s The Road ensemble performing music from Chicago’s ﬁrst two albums

• 8:30-10 p.m.: Headlining performance featuring guest artists Rick Simerly, Justin Ray, Jacob Rodriguez, Daniel Seri , Alex Taub, Alan Hall and Matt Rybicki

WORKSHOPS & CLINICS

• 5 p.m.: “Life on the Road” Q&A with current and former members of the Michael Bublé Orchestra

• Live post-performance clinics with guest artists following select performances

• Master classes in guitar, piano, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, and bass with leading musicians including Jacob Rodriguez, Justin Ray and Rick Simerly

“Beyond jazz, audiences will be treated to a rich mix of styles, from Romani-Jazz to the music of the early albums of the rock band Chicago, to an avant-garde modern small, big band, with a grand ﬁnale featuring all the guest artists,” Alford added.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for non-UNCSA students with valid ID online or by calling the box o ce at 336721-1945. !

Filmed on location in western North Carolina, Appalachian Dog marks a striking feature debut for writer/producer/director Colin Henning, who also makes his starring debut. Working with a tightknit ensemble of actors, many of them newcomers, Henning has carefully crafted a low-key, thoughtful, character-driven drama that relies almost entirely on its cast to succeed, and to a remarkable extent they do.

As the ﬁlm opens, seamstress Marion Henry (Georgia Morgan) is eagerly awaiting the return of her husband Teddy (Henning). World War II has ended, and Teddy is ﬁnally coming home. She is joined by Cate (Brooke Elizabeth), a neighbor whose husband also returned from the war and is now a recluse, and Peggie (Hayleigh Hart Franklin), who has become Marie’s apprentice.

The reunion is a tentative, tenuous one. Teddy is clearly glad to be home, although he seems more concerned about the disappearance of a beloved pet dog than anything else. The welcoming party breaks up early, as Teddy and Marion set about attempting to reacclimate themselves to each other after so long apart. What is immediately clear is that both have changed in the ensuing years, although in ways they may not themselves realize or can verbalize.

That Teddy is a tailor and Marion a seamstress is very much a symbolic touch, as their relationship has frayed during Teddy’s absence, and as events transpire (in that quiet, low-key fashion), may be beyond repair. Something’s been lost between them, and as they attempt to ascertain what, they begin to wonder if there was ever anything between them in the ﬁrst place.

There’s a distinct feeling of loneliness and longing among the characters, as well as unspoken secrets that impede them from realizing what they want or need. For a variety of reasons, some of which are

directly addressed and others that are not, the characters ﬁnd it di cult to make their intentions plain. They can’t be honest with each other and, as a result, can’t be honest with themselves.

It is to Henning’s credit that none of this becomes monotonous or pretentious, which it easily could have. Although Appalachian Dog is essentially a period piece, the ﬁlm’s themes could just as easily be applicable to a contemporary setting. It has been described as a “Southern Gothic” yet could just as easily taken place in an urban or suburban setting as opposed to a rural one. That’s key to its success. We realize who these characters are and empathize with their pain. Their characters are believable and so are their interactions.

Of the principal cast, only Elizabeth has prior feature experience. Morgan (also a producer), Franklin, and Henning are all making their feature acting debuts, but you’d scarcely know it from their polished, professional performances here. We can expect to hear more about the people associated with Appalachian Dog in the future, and it’s an encouraging prospect. For them, this is just the beginning.

(Appalachian Dog is available On Demand. For more information, visit the ﬁlm’s o cial website: https://www.chsquaredﬁlms.com/appalachiandog.) !

Mark Burger

Contributor

DADDY (Anchor Bay Entertainment/ MVD Entertainment Group): The 2023 feature debut of co-writers/co-directors Jono Sherman and Neal Kelley takes place in a dystopian future where the government sanctions childbirth and four potential fathers (played by Sherman, Kelley, Yuriy Sardanov, and newcomer Pomme Koch) attend a government-sanctioned retreat to ascertain whether they will be suitable for parenting, available on DVD ($24.95 retail) and Blu-ray ($39.95 retail), each boasting audio commentary, bonus web series episodes, and more.

DON’T TORTURE A DUCKLING (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment Group): Lucio Fulci’s memorably monikered 1972 giallo thriller (originally titled Non si sevizia un paperino ) stars Tomas Milian as a relentless reporter investigating a series of strange killings in a scandalriddled rural village, with Florinda Bolkan, Barbara Bouchet, Marc Porel and Irene Papas in support. The limited-edition 4K Ultra HD combo ($49.95 retail) includes original Italian (with English subtitles) and English-dubbed audio options, audio commentary, collectible booklet, vintage and retrospective interviews, theatrical trailer, and more.

“ELMO’S WORLD: ELMO LOVES TO GIGGLE ” (Sesame Workshop/Shout! Kids/Shout! Factory): A self-explanatory DVD ($19.98 retail) showcasing the beloved Sesame Street character — as well as some of his fellow Muppets — in 10 new episodes from Elmo’s Wonderful World , featuring guest appearances by Ilana Glazer, Kate McKinnon, Josh Groban, Padma Lakshmi, and Alessia Cara.

“FEAR IN THE PHILIPPINES: THE COMPLETE BLOOD ISLAND FILMS” (Severin Films): The title tells all in this two-disc 4K Ultra HD combo ($39.95 retail) of a quartet of low-budget horror thrillers produced in the Philippines that combined the talents of producer/ directors Eddie Romero and Gerry de Leon under the auspices of Hemisphere Pictures: Francis Lederer stars in 1959’s Terror is a Man (also released as Blood Creature ); John Ashley (soon to become a mainstay in the Philippines as both actor and producer) and Kent Taylor headline the 1966 shocker Brides of Blood (also released as The Brides of Blood Island ); Ashley and Angelique Pettyjohn star in the 1969 follow-up The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (rated PG); and Ashley and Celeste Yarnall star in

[VIDEO VAULT]

BY MARK BURGER

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: TOMMY (Shout! Studios/Shout! Factory)

Whether by luck or happenstance, the 1975 ﬁlm version of The Who’s seminal 1969 rock opera fell into the hands of Ken Russell, the quintessential provocateur-as-ﬁlmmaker, and the result was a genuinely unique, frequently indulgent, and crazily imaginative saga that put its own stamp on the musical genre, not unlike Richard Lester had done with The Beatles (A Hard Day’s Night, Help!) a decade earlier, although certainly with a di erent, darker tone.

The members of The Who — Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon — all appear onscreen, Daltrey most prominently as the titular Tommy, the “deaf, dumb, and blind kid” rendered so by childhood

trauma. Throughout the course of this psychedelic rock parable, he will become a messianic ﬁgure and amass a worldwide cult following due solely to his uncanny skill playing pinball. Subtle, it’s not.

Surrounding The Who are the dynamic Ann-Margret as Tommy’s materialistic but doting mother Nora, Oliver Reed as her brutish boyfriend “Uncle” Frank, Jack Nicholson, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Paul Nicholas, Robert Powell, and Elton John as The Pinball Wizard (yes, he got to keep the shoes he wears in the film). Comparatively speaking, Reed and Nicholson (as “The Specialist”) are rather restrained, all things considered, while Nicholas (as Cousin Kevin) and Moon (as Uncle Ernie) tackle their twisted roles with a grotesque gusto entirely in keeping with the story’s tone. Appropriately, Daltrey plays Tommy as spaced-out and wide-eyed but belts out his numbers with a palpable charisma, but the real standout is Ann-Margret, in perhaps her finest screen performance as the idealistic and sensual Nora. Devastatingly beautiful and fabulously ferocious, she’s a force to be reckoned with and was deservedly nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. Townshend earned the film’s only other nomination, for Best Original Song Score.

Like Townshend’s original opera and the album, the ﬁlm is more a series of episodes than an entirely cohesive narrative, but such is the glory of rock and roll and the touch of Russell. Tommy is above all a grand spectacle and a triumph of style over substance, with some neat digs at the British class structure (a trademark of both Russell and The Who). Critical reaction was divided, but Tommy was a surprise box-o ce smash — an instant cult classic and subsequent mainstay of the midnightmovie circuit. Of course, if one isn’t a fan of The Who, it may seem much ado about nothing. But for those so inclined, or in an adventurous mood, this is an audacious, dazzling achievement — a true big-screen bacchanal … and, just for the record, one of Russell’s very few PG-rated ﬁlms.

The 50th anniversary 4K Ultra HD combo retails for $36.95.

the final installment, 1970’s PG-rated Beast of Blood . These films played continually in drive-ins and grindhouses (often in double — and triple-bills) for years afterward before taking up residence on late-night television, where they found a new following among genre buffs. Bonus features include audio commentaries, retrospective and vintage interviews, trailers, poster and still galleries, and more.

IN CUSTODY/THE PROPRIETOR (Cohen Media Group/Kino Lorber): Billed as “2 Films by Ismail Merchant,” this Blu-ray twin bill ($39.95 retail) commemorates the work of Ismail Merchant (1936-2005), who usually produced

tive and vintage interview, Merchant’s 1974 debut short film Mahatma & The Mad Boy , and more.

RACING WITH THE MOON (Fun City Editions): The Blu-ray bow ($29.95 retail) of director Richard Benjamin’s wistful, nostalgic 1984 coming-of-age melodrama starring Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage as best friends in 1943 dealing sowing their oats before being shipped out to serve in World War II. The first produced screenplay of future Harry Potter scribe Steve Kloves and the first produced by future Paramount head Sherry Lansing, is well-made, well-acted, and beautifully shot by John Bailey, but the basic story elements are all too familiar — although this does have its devotees. Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Penn’s love interest, was briefly engaged to the actor, and an appealing cast includes Rutanya Alda, John Karlen, Michael Madsen, Max Showalter, Michael Talbott, Crispin Glover, Dana Carvey, and Carol Kane. Bonus features include audio commentaries, collectible booklet, behind-the-scenes featurette, theatrical trailer, and more. Rated PG.

director/partner James Ivory’s work under their Merchant Ivory banner but also dabbled in directing: The award-winning, PG-rated 1993 drama In Custody , based on screenwriter Anita Desai’s acclaimed 1984 novel, stars Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, and Om Puri, in Hindi and Urdu with English subtitles; and the R-rated 1996 drama The Proprietor boasts an all-star cast including Jeanne Moreau, Sam Waterston, Sean Young, Nell Carter, Austin Pendleton, James Naughton, Christopher Cazenove, Josh Hamilton, J. Smith-Cameron, Élodie Bouchez, and Jean-Pierre Aumont (in his final feature), in English and French with English subtitles. Bonus features include audio commentary, retrospec-

“SHAMELESS”: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment): The title tells all in this 34-disc DVD collection ($89.99 retail) of all 134 episodes — plus bonus features (including audio commentaries and behind-the-scenes featurettes) from the entire 2011-’21 run of the acclaimed Showtime comedy series adapted from creator/executive producer Paul Abbott’s British series of the same name by executive producer John Wells, detailing the misadventures of a dysfunctional working-class family in Chicago, with William H. Macy as the booze-soaked patriarch whose irresponsibility knows no bounds, backed by an ensemble cast including Emmy Rossum, Jeremy Allen White, Cameron Monaghan, Emma Kenney, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Noel Fisher, and Joan Cusack. Nominated for 16 Emmy Awards, including six for Macy as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and five for Cusack as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, it won a total of six — including a win for Cusack in 2015. !

Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton enjoyed a solid lead in the polls over political newcomer Donald Trump. And why not? Clinton was thought to have been the most qualiﬁed presidential candidate in history, having served as First Lady, United States Senator, and Secretary of State. She was also very smart, savvy, and ruthless, having allegedly manipulated superdelegates, the DNC, and the primary rules in order to disenfranchise Bernie Sanders’ voters. Meanwhile, Trump had dispatched the GOP primary ﬁeld with ease, despite the fact that he had no credentials, no sense of decorum, and was functionally illiter-

Democrats Still Don’t Get It

ate. Still, pundits all agreed that Trump stood no chance of beating Clinton. But Hillary had two things working against her. First, she was not personable, and second, she was arrogant to a fault. The latter trait would be her undoing. Coming down the stretch, Bill Clinton, a successful and still admired two-term president, advised his wife to focus on the Rust Belt states, and to make as many trips to that region as possible. According to numerous insider reports, Hillary angrily dismissed Bill’s advice. On election night she wished she had listened to him. Though she garnered more votes than Trump, Donald beat her in the Rust Belt, and it was enough to prevail in the Electoral College. By 2020, Americans of all stripes had grown tired of Trump’s bullying ways and his mishandling of the COVID pandemic, so they voted Joe Biden into o ce. Democrats were hopeful that the Biden/ Harris victory would launch an era of political dominance for the blue team, but it wasn’t to be. Uncle Joe’s age caught up with him, so much so, that sta limited

his interaction with the press. But they couldn’t keep him totally out of the public eye, and on those occasions, his speech became increasingly jumbled, and at times he didn’t seem to know where he was. Meanwhile, Biden managed to let over 2 million illegal immigrants cross our borders in less than four years, and food prices were continuing to rise.

When Democratic leadership ﬁnally forced Joe from the 2024 race it did so without a cohesive plan for naming his successor. And when Harris was anointed without so much as a mini-primary, the party opened the door for Trump to become the ﬁrst president since Grover Cleveland to win two non-consecutive terms. During her abbreviated campaign, Harris avoided tough interviews because she was widely known for her word salad answers. To make matters worse, she couldn’t defend her failed immigration policy (Biden had put her in charge of the border crisis) and even said there was nothing she would have changed about Biden’s policies. Unfortunately, her gender and skin color also worked against her due to an increasing number of voters who were misogynistic and racist. But perhaps those hurdles could have been mitigated had it not been for Kamala taking her eye o the ball. Just as Hillary had ignored Middle America in 2016, Kamala refused to move her politics to the center and listen to what Middle America was trying to tell her. Americans didn’t want illegals streaming across our borders. They didn’t like having to choose between food and rent. And they also had grown tired of Democratic wokeness. Americans were tired of having politically correct pronouns forced on them, and tired of having biological men invade women’s sports. Biden never got that message, and Harris didn’t know how to adapt to it. Thus, Republicans easily won the White House, Congress, and the Senate, all in one night.

The question is, have Democrats learned their lesson? The answer is no, and I’ll cite one policy issue as an example. After Trump declared that there are only two genders, all Democratic politicians should have followed California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lead when he came out against young men playing women’s sports. After all, girls and women have been seriously injured when competing against biological males, and Democratic elected o cials need to understand that. Instead, most of them have continued to double down on their out-of-touch wokeness. Earlier this month when a Senate bill was proposed that would have o cially banned trans athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, not a single Democrat supported it. And then there was the testy exchange during a recent White House summit in which Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills told Trump that she would not obey any presidential order that barred biological males from participating in women’s sports. But perhaps the most telling incident of how Democrats haven’t learned their lesson occurred last week during a congressional hearing. GOP committee Chairman Keith Self introduced Sarah McBride, a trans representative from Delaware, as “Mr. McBride.” McBride then snarked, “Thank you Madam Chairman.” That’s when Democrat Congressman Bill Keating angrily scolded Mr. Self and refused to let the hearing proceed until the Chairman introduced McBride in a politically correct manner. Channeling the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, drama queen Keating said, “Mr. Chairman have you no decency?” Rep. Self then adjourned the hearing, and the people’s business was put on hold, while yet another Democrat had a temper tantrum designed to shame middle Americans for not embracing multiple genders. It’s no wonder that a recent CNN poll shows the Democratic Party’s favorability rating is at an all-time low. Truth is, average Americans of all faiths, genders, and races just want to feel like our elected leaders are “woke” to our everyday concerns, and if they can’t manage to do that, then it will be a cold day in Hell before Democrats take back the White House. !

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

Music by Frank Wildhorn Lyrics by Jack Murphy Book by Gregory Boyd & Frank Wildhorn

Building Dreams: LEGO Convention comes to the Triad

Chanel Davis

Editor

There will be brick-made masterpieces on display in the Triad next weekend, and organizers are hoping that residents will come and build their dream masterpieces.

The Winston-Salem Brick Convention will be held on April 5 and 6 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, located at 569 Fairgrounds Boulevard, due to the persistence of some serious LEGO fans who asked for their presence in the Triad. Billed as the “ultimate event for LEGO lovers of all ages,” organizer Greyson Riley said the convention will have something for everyone. The 24-year-old LEGO fan and entrepreneur began college at 11, wrote a book that teaches history through LEGO at 13, and began organizing conventions shortly after.

“This event is basically a LEGO lover’s paradise. We’re bringing in professional LEGO artists from around the country. They’re actually ﬂying in to show o their displays, and there will even be local LEGO fans displaying creations,” said the Wilmington native. “It’s just basically a big celebration of all things LEGO. My favorite part of the event, besides the ability to see the masterpieces built in LEGO, is the opportunity of meeting everyone at the event.”

Attendees can expect LEGO displays and creations, both big and small. There will be LEGO sets, both new and retired, for purchase, life-sized creations, Brick Pits, professional LEGO artist meet-and-greets, LEGO inﬂuencers, and a fan zone. Riley and his team are expecting thousands of people to take part.

“A lot of people have reached out from the area asking for us to bring an event. We do around 25 brick conven-

tions around the country but we are expecting to sell out for this one,” he said.

LEGO artist Tom Jacobsen will also be in attendance at the event. He is known for his award-winning Star Wars creations and dioramas, which have been displayed across the country. Contestants from FOX’s LEGO® Masters will be in attendance including award-winning Patrick Durham, one-half of the Grandpappies team from season 3, to meet attendees and display his LEGO Star Wars scenes.

The convention isn’t just fun and games, donating a portion of proceeds to a local charity. Since 2023, the Brick Convention has raised more than $30,000 for charity. This year, this event will be supporting Creations for Charity; an all-volunteer nonproﬁt organization that purchases new LEGO sets for underprivileged children around the world during the holidays.

“A portion of the proceeds that we raise goes straight to putting LEGO sets in the hands of underprivileged and hospitalized kids during the holidays. They are distributed throughout the U.S. but also in South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. LEGOs are expensive but putting LEGO sets in the hands of kids who may not otherwise have an opportunity to build is important,” said Riley.

It would seem that LEGOs have become a fun pastime for many, even warranting stand-alone stores. The LEGO pop culture experience includes various movies and television programs, such as The LEGO® Movie (2014), the LEGO® Batman Movie (2017), The LEGO® Ninjago Movie (2017), and FOX’s LEGO® Masters hosted by Will Arnett. Bricks & Miniﬁgs, located at 960-G South Main St. in Kernersville, opened its doors at the beginning of March

in the New Market Plaza shopping center. The store specializes in the buying, selling, and trading of new and used LEGO sets, bulk bricks, and miniﬁgures. It’s owned by Kernersville resident Leigh Cannon.

“I’m very excited to bring the Bricks & Miniﬁgs experience to the area,” Cannon said in a release. “LEGO® is an ageless toy that appeals not only to children, but also to parents, grandparents, and anyone who enjoys creative expression through those little plastic bricks.”

The space also provides event space and hosts LEGOthemed events.

Riley said the hobby has become “its own genre” at this point.

“There’s movies, books, conventions, and more,” he

said. “LEGO came out with numbers themselves, and they said 30 percent of their total audience is just adults. It has really grown and become a hobby for kids and adults.”

themselves, and they said 30 percent of their total audience is just adults. It has really grown and become a hobby for kids conven-

Riley said that residents and local fans are excited about the upcoming convention.

“People are excited and we love it. It is an exciting event. Our venue is more than 30,000 square feet and we will have more than two million legal bricks under one roof,” he said.

30,000 square feet and we will have more than two million legal bricks under one

Riley said while this may be the ﬁrst convention in the Triad, he hopes it’s not the last.

convention in the Triad, he hopes it’s not

“Our goal is to come year after year, so it is an event that the local community can expect to come to. Next year, it will be a completely new event with all di erent things,” he said. “I encourage folks to come out. You don’t have to be a LEGO fan to appreciate the artwork. And this is literally artwork and artists who build these creations. Whether you are looking for Star Wars, a LEGO Taylor Swift, or a Marvel/DC Superhero, there is something for everyone.” !

completely new event with all di erent things,” he said. “I encourage folks to come out. You don’t have to be a LEGO fan to appreciate the artwork. And this is literally

CHANEL DAVIS is the current editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region.

WANNA go?

Tickets are $14.99 and the organizers have partnered with Vet Tix to give thousands of event tickets to military personnel and their families. For more tickets or more information, visit www.brickconvention.com/winston-salem.

Local groups call for change in park ordinance

On Sunday, March 23, Reverend Sadie Lansdale of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro was shocked when police officers reluctantly told her and her fellow congregants that they would have to end the community picnic they and members of the Working Class and Houseless Organizing Alliance (WHOA) were holding in Center City Park.

“The whole situation is that WHOA was hosting a picnic so anyone can come and eat,” said Lansdale. “I’m here with a number of my congregants and friends, including some Quakers, and we were so overjoyed to have the opportunity to share a meal with our neighbors.”

Observing the Unitarians, Quakers, and WHOA members serving food to the unhoused, an employee of Allied Universal Security Services, the private firm contracted by the city to patrol its downtown parks, called the police.

“For some reason, there is an ordinance that you cannot feed people,” said Lansdale. “I’m not exactly sure what people you cannot feed, because I often have picnics with my family in the park. I’m really confused as to why, when I’m in the park sharing a meal with my family and friends, there is no issue, but today, there is an issue. This

is a public place, but it seems to be that this ordinance is solely designed to protect private interests.”

As reported in the November 13, 2024 , YES! Weekly article “City bans free food distribution in downtown parks,” multiple signs were erected in Center City Park last year, stating:

“Food and resource distributions are no longer allowed in or adjacent to the downtown parks, including along Friendly Avenue or Elm Street, due to ongoing pedestrian safety and waste management concerns.”

In answer to last year’s inquiries about those signs, Josh Sherrick, Events and Engagement Division Manager for Greensboro Parks and Recreation, sent an email stating:

“The two locations that we’re encouraging resource distributors to use are Tiny Homes/Hope Center at 360 Gate City Boulevard and the corner of Greene St. and Washington St. (200 N Greene).”

Although Lansdale said she was told that there is an “ordinance,” there is nothing in the city’s code of ordinances that currently bans distributing or sharing food in the parks, just a posted prohibition. However, Chapter 19.1 of the code reads: “The city manager shall establish rules and regulations for the operation of municipal public parks and recreation areas. Upon approval by the council, it shall be unlawful for any person to violate any rule or regulation established by the city manager. A copy of the rules and regulations shall be filed with the city clerk.”

Cecile Crawford, program director of the American Friends Service Committee of North Carolina and a founder of the anti-eviction movement Keep Gate City Housed, attended the event. When police arrived, Crawford took part in a prayer circle with Lansdale and other members of the Unitarian and Quaker communities, singing “We Shall Overcome.”

“The simple fact is that Allied Security decided to call the police,” said Crawford. “But I don’t want to punch down on them. They were doing their job as they see it, as were the officers.”

Instead, said Crawford, “the real culprits are those who made a rule or ordnance against serving people in the park. And I don’t want to hear anyone say ‘feeding people’ again. It needs to be ‘serving people.’ We are not feeding people, we are eating all together, it is a community meal. Why is that illegal? I am thankful that there was no altercation or aggression at this time, but what happens in the future?”

“What is interesting,” said Lansdale, “is that several officers told us that they found this prohibition ridiculous. It’s a joy to be out here on such a beautiful day to pray and sing and share a meal with people. I’m pretty sure that’s what Jesus would be doing.“

“I just feel like they’re doing this because we are trying to help the community and trying to serve,” said Malique Hough, a member of the downtown houseless community who has spoken on these issues multiple times to city council. “We could have been left alone

to enjoy this beautiful day, but the city chose to disrupt us, which is why we will be at the next council meeting to demand they change this protocol. We are going to take this to the meeting and say can y’all let us be back in the park. We’re going to let them see what we’ve got coming.”

“It isn’t the fault of these officers,” said WHOA member Billy Belcher. “It’s the fault of the mayor and the city council, who changed the park ordinances so that we could no longer do what we had been doing until November of last year, by putting security guards and police officers out here in the awkward position of trying to stop unhoused people from getting food. And they don’t like it; the cops are telling me they think it’s a bad law that should not be there. So we’re going to go to city council on April 1 and try to put pressure on them to let us back in the park.”

Crawford said she feels that the rule has nothing to do with public safety.

“They’re trying to drive the unhoused out of the park because seeing them out here is a constant reminder of the failure of the city to have any kind of safety net for people who are in tenuous housing situations.” !

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.

Ian McDowell

Contributor

Prayer Circle with Rev. Sadie Lansdale (left) and Cecile Crawford (center)

WHOA Members being told to stop serving food.

MFrom Pedro to the Piedmont, mssv powers into North Carolina

ssv (or

Main Steam Stop Valve) is percolating right on through North Carolina, with two stops (April 1 at Snug Harbor in Charlotte and April 2 at the Flat Iron in Greensboro) accented by Thousand Dollar Movie for both shows; and a Spirit of Hamlet stage debut at the Flat.

From San Pedro, California to the Piedmont and beyond, the power trio–Mike Watt, Mike Baggetta, and Stephen Hodges–put an emphasis on power, touring in support of their new album, “On and On,” out now on BIG EGO Records.

The result is a welcome flush of “postgenre,” a term that encompasses the sonic floods meshing punk, jazz, and a dreamy sort of experimental. Growing out of a prior reimagination pairing guitarist Mike Baggetta and bassist Mike Watt, mssv o ers a flight of hardnoise fantasy from three stellar stalwarts of their musical world; while drummer Stephen Hodges (who’s laid the beat for an array of artists, from Mavis Staples to David Lynch), rounds out the rhythm section with pounding precision.

Dubbed by the New York Times as “a guitarist of slippery proﬁciency,” Baggetta’s melodic sense has accented the works of visionaries like Nels Cline and Psychic Temple. “And turning to bass, Mike Watt’s reputation precedes, as part of the Minutemen, the Stooges and countless collaborative works (including the Triad-related Spirit of Hamlet).”

His podcast, “The Watt From Pedro Show” cements and showcases an ever-growing network and connection between ages, eras, and coasts (Winston-Salem native, Peter Holsapple, was recently a guest on the February 23 episode).

Looking forward to blasting bass notes and highway miles, while blowing a few minds along the way, “It starts in my pedro town!,” Watt said, staring down the stretch of dates that traverse the

contiguous United States (followed by treks across the UK and Ireland). “Then it goes on for 51 more,” he added. ”We hope to kick up much dust and wanna bring it to gig-goers and listeners who need minds blown, one at a time.”

Making good on mssv’s aptly-named third studio album, “On and On,” the album itself marks the outﬁt’s ﬁfth release since their 2019 debut “Live Flowers” recorded at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. I could go on and on about how rad that venue is (or the chef’s kiss of the album’s tracks shifting from Twin Peaks to the Stooges to the original works from the three); but su ce it to say, they know how to pick some of the best rooms around–right down to stops at two of my North Carolina favorites: Charlotte’s Snug Harbor and the Flat Iron in Greensboro.

Reinforcing emphasis on collaborative e orts, Thousand Dollar Movie (featuring Crenshaw Pentecostal’s Jeremy Radio), with whom mssv released a split 7” in December, will join them for both shows; meanwhile, Spirit of Hamlet (which features Watt with the Triad’s own Benjy Johnson and Scotty Irving) will perform at the Flat Iron gig.

Balancing mssv’s track “Even So” with TDM’s “Block Out the Sun,” the split builds on the latter track’s pathway navigating the weight of grief, but, as Radio explained, “also trying to look forward with some hope.” Baggetta ran with the theme–melody and harmony–recording the mssv track from a remote studio in San Pedro. “The result is a really cool split with a great story, heart, and musical moments, from the spacey cinematic builds of Thousand Dollar Movie to the post-genre guitar of Baggetta with the iconic rhythm section work of Hodges and Watt.”

Meanwhile, on planet Earthtone (aka, Greensboro), Benjy Johnson is excited for Spirit of Hamlet to see the light of the light. A long-distance studio project from Watt, Kawabata Makoto (Acid Mothers Temple), Johnson, and Clang Quartet’s

Scotty Irving; the band itself exists mostly in their 2023 release “Northwest of Hamuretto.” “The second record is actually sitting now in my lap to complete,” Jonson said.

The mastermind behind Earthtones Recording Studio, Johnson considers the albums of his personal favorites. “Scotty Irving was so kind to invite me on what was intended to be a trio record with himself, Mike Watt, and Makoto Kawabata. I kind of came in and batted cleanup, so to say. It’s been amazing getting to

work with Watt. And once you’re in the family, You’re in the family!! I’m just honored to be involved.”

work with Watt. And once you’re in the family, You’re in the family!! just

ued. “I haven’t played out in a couple of years due to just being so busy in the studio.” I suppose engineering a couple of Grammy-nominated releases doesn’t make fair. “We’re going to be doing tunes o the record and maybe a couple of extra surprises,” he explained. “Watt will join us on a couple of tunes, but has re-

“I’m especially stoked to just be playing at all!!!,” he continued. “I haven’t played out in a couple of years due to just being so busy in the studio.” I suppose engineering a couple of Grammy-nominated releases doesn’t make the worst reason to shy from the stage; though Johnson is particularly excited about the Flat Iron becoming a family affair. “We’re going to be doing tunes o the record and maybe a couple of extra surprises,” he explained. “Watt will join us on a couple of tunes, but has requested my son Abraham to play bass on the rest of the show! Abraham actually made a cameo on the ﬁrst record so he’s o cially a band member too.“

“It’s going to be a heck of a night!” mssv powers up and powers through North Carolina with Thousand Dollar Movie at Snug Harbor in Charlotte on April 1 and at the Flat Iron, joined by Spirit of Hamlet, on April 2. !

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

Katei Cranford

Contributor

mssv’s new album “On and On”

home grown mu S ic S cene | c ompiled by Shane h art

CARBORRO

Cat’S CradlE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053

www.catscradle.com

Mar 26: Your Neighbors

Mar 27: Cassandra Jenkins

Mar 28: tumbao!

Mar 29: Palmyra

Mar 31: alan Sparhawk (of low)

apr 1: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

apr 1: Pom Pom Squad

apr 2: Willi Carlisle

apr 3: Wim tapley & the Cannons

apr 4: John Vincent III

apr 4: liz longley

apr 5: the tallest Man On Earth

apr 6: Chase Petras

apr 6: the Weather Station

apr 6: transviolet

apr 9: teen Mortgage

apr 10: Stephen Wilson Jr.

apr 11: tan & Sober Gentlemen, driftwood

apr 11: the Wllermen

apr 12: Husbands

apr 12: the War and treaty

apr 15: Beach Bunny

apr 15: Mercury rev

apr 16: rubblebucket

ChARlOtte

BOJaNGlES COlISEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600 www.boplex.com

Mar 28: MercyMe

Mar 28: Keb’ Mo’ & Shawn Colvin

Mar 30: alejandra Guzman

apr 5: trisha Paytas

apr 9: Experience Hendrix

apr 10: Forrest Frank

tHE FIllMOrE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970

www.livenation.com

Mar 26: Connor Price

Mar 28: Intervals

Mar 29: dom Kennedy

Mar 30: Imminence

Mar 30: Saint Jhn

apr 2: Chelsea Grin w/ Shadow of Intent, Signs of the Swarm, disembodied tyra

apr 3: daniel donato

apr 4: Josiah Queen

apr 5: dean lewis

apr 7: Poppy

apr 8: Persona

apr 9: awolnation — the Phantom

Five tour

apr 9: Nettspend

PNC MuSIC PaVIlION

707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292

www.livenation.com

apr 16: tyler Childers

SPECtruM CENtEr

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000

www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com

Mar 26: tyler, the Creator

Mar 27: J Balvin

Mar 28: Brooks & dunn

Mar 30: We them One’s Comedy tour

apr 10: the Milennium tour w/ trey Songz, Omarion, Bow Wow

apr 12: disturbed

apr 13: Carin leon

ClemmOns

VIllaGE SQuarE

taP HOuSE

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct |

336.448.5330

www.facebook.com/vstaphouse

Mar 27: darrell Hoots

Mar 28: Jill Goodson

Mar 29: Brother Pearl

duRhAm

CarOlINa tHEatrE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030

www.carolinatheatre.org

Mar 30: Spyro Gyra

apr 14: the FIXX

apr 15: JohnnySwim

apr 17: larry & Joe

apr 18: asleep at the Wheel

apr 20: leonid & Friends

apr 24: the Monti GrandSlaM

dPaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

Mar 28: Jim Jefferies

Mar 29: Bald & Beautiful with trixie and Katya

apr 2: Marcus King Band w/ dogpark

apr 4-5: the thorn

apr 6: Experience Hendrix

apr 8-13: the Book of Mormon

apr 19: Chicago

apr 21: amos lee

apr 23: dave ramsey and John delony

apr 25: the October Nights

apr 26: Biscuits & Banjos Festival

elKIn

rEEVES tHEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240

www.reevestheater.com

Wednesdays: reeves Open Mic

Fourth thursdays: Old-time Jam

Mar 28: Paul thorn

Mar 29: Mary Gauthier

Mar 30: SuMMIt Strings

apr 5: the Burney Sisters

apr 12: Chamomile and Whiskey

gReensBORO

CarOlINa tHEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605 www.carolinatheatre.com

Mar 28: Steve trevino

apr 19: Steve Gonsalves live

CHar Bar NO. 7

3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555

www.charbar7.com

Mar 27: William Nesmith

COMEdY ZONE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com

Mar 28-29: JJ Williamson

apr 4-5: Steve rannazzisi

apr 8: Elizabeth Brunot

apr 10: Gianmarco Soresi

apr 11-12: Yamaneika Saunders

apr 18-19: Ian Edwards

Flat IrON

221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967

www.flatirongso.com

Mar 26: dogwood tales w/ larry

Mar 27: BJ Barham

Mar 28: Hustle Souls w/ Jandr

Mar 30: the Kelli Baker Band w/ Noe Socha

apr 2: Hustle Souls w/ Jandr

apr 3: Nappy Head Funk army, the Moon unit and royal Jelly

apr 4: Zobury

apr 6: Pink Beds w/ Grey Oakes + Fifth Floor

apr 8: the Burney Sisters

apr 9: tan and Sober Gentlemen

apr 10: Minor Gold, Wes Collins, andrew delaney

apr 11: Idol talk, dead Cool, Brighter than a thousand Suns, Candy Coffins

apr 13: Folksingers

apr 15: Shadowgrass

apr 16: the Nth Power

apr 18: Nina Johnson

apr 19: Jess Klein, doug davis

GaraGE taVErN

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020 www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro

Mar 28: anne & the Moonlighters

Mar 29: alek Ottaway

apr 5: retroVinyl

GrEENSBOrO COlISEuM

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com

apr 6: Killswitch Engage

apr 11: Stephen WIlson jr.

HaNGar 1819

1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com

Mar 27: Korpiklaani

Mar 28: Set For tomorrow w/ What lies Below, Enemies & allies, distant Fires

Mar 29: Paleface Swiss w/ Stick to Your Guns, Nasty

apr 3: armor For Sleep

apr 11: Pageant

apr 12: the dirty Secrets & 30 Is dead

apr 18: Fake Happy — Paramore tribute

apr 23: thornhill w/ avoid. Banks arcade, Oceans Grove

apr 24: Capstan

apr 25: liam St. John

apr 27: OsamaSon

apr 29: Shred Fest 2025: Obscura

www.facebook.com/littlebrotherbrew Wednesdays: trivia Fridays & Saturdays: Free live Music

PIEdMONt Hall

2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com apr 25: Green Queen Bingo

rOdY’S taVErN

5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950 www.facebook.com/rodystavern

Mar 26: taylor Mason

Mar 28: Matt Page

StEVEN taNGEr CENtEr 300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500 www.tangercenter.com

Mar 26: Golden Girls: the laughs Continue

Mar 27: the Simon & Garfunkel Story

Mar 29: Keb’ Mo’ & Shawn Colvin

Apr 4: The R&B Invitation Tour

Apr 8: Ashley Judd

Apr 10: Nurse John

Apr 25: No Small Endeavor

ThE IdIoT Box

ComEdY CluB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699

www.idiotboxers.com

mar 29: Art Sturtevant

Apr 12: Winston hodges

Apr 18: Will Purpura

Apr 19: Nik Cartwright, mark mcPartland

high point

GoofY fooT TAPRoom

2762 NC-68 #109 | 336.307.2567 www.goofyfoottaproom.com

Apr 12: Turpentine Shine

Apr 26: michael Chaney

jamestown

ThE dECk

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999 www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/

mar 28: Jukebox Revolver

mar 29: Southbound 49

Apr 4: Brother Pearl

Apr 5: Radio Revolver

Apr 11: higher Ground

Apr 12: Roar

Apr 18: Second Glance

Apr 19: hwy 42

Apr 25: Carolina Rust

Apr 26: No Strings Attached

liberty

ThE lIBERTY

ShoWCASE ThEATER

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844 www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

mar 29: Russell moore & IIIRd Tyme out

Apr 5: John Berry

Apr 11: dailey & Vincent

Apr 12: The hoppers

Apr 26: Wade hayes

Apr 26: The Travelin’ Band & Beatlesque

raleigh

lINColN ThEATRE

126 E. Cabarrus St | 919.831.6400

www.lincolntheatre.com

mar 26: maddie Zahm

mar 28: Airshow

mar 28: Golden Era Edm

mar 30: Paul Thorn

Apr 1: Neal francis

Apr 4: The urban Sophisticates w/ Be my fiasco, obed Padilla

Apr 8: Silverada

Apr 9: Eggy

Apr 10: Alleycvt

Apr 11: Caitlin krisko and the Broadcast kings

Apr 11: maddox Batson

Apr 12: Sidewinder

Apr 13: Shadowgrass w/ Clay Street unit

Apr 18: keller William’s Grateful Gospel ft. Gibb droll

Apr 19: dogs in a Pile w/ Wright Ave.

Apr 20: kidd G w/ Sterling Elza, Tyler Nance

Apr 21: Joey mcintyre

Apr 25: Aventure Club

Apr 26: Bring out Yer dead

Apr 27: Anvil w/ don Jamieson & midnite hellion

REd hAT

AmPhIThEATER

500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800 www.redhatamphitheater.com

Apr 25: Warren Zeiders

lENoVo CENTER

1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300 www.thepncarena.com

mar 27: Brooks & dunn

Apr 1: Battle of the Badges

Apr 5: fantasia & Anthony hamilton

Apr 6: harlem Globetrotters

Apr 14: disturbed

winston-salem

fIddlIN’ fISh

BREWING ComPANY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945 www.fiddlinfish.com

Tuesdays: Trivia

Apr 4: Red umber

Apr 11: Creatio

Apr 12: high School Reunion

Apr 18: Raphael Graves

Apr 25: hotwax & The Splinters

fooThIllS BREWING

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348 www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz

Thursdays: Trivia

Apr 2: Jim mayberry

Apr 4: Sam Swanson

Apr 5: Tyler millard

Apr 6: Stephen henson & Jim moody

Apr 9: Colin Cutler

Apr 11: Eternally Grateful

Apr 13: Taylor mason & Clayton Christopher

Apr 16: Romeo’s Crush

Apr 18: The Raven and the Road

Apr 19: Whiskey mic

Apr 20: laura Clay duo

Apr 23: laura Stone

Apr 26: Anna mertson

ThE RAmkAT

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714

www.theramkat.com

mar 27: larelyn dossett & friends

mar 28: Puckett’s Yard Concert Series

mar 29: Rumours ATl

Apr 3: Shinyribs, kevin Gordon

Apr 5: Cosmic Charlie

Apr 10: Silverada

Apr 11: Judah & the lion

Apr 16: Water Tower

Apr 17: Bombadil, Secret monkey

Weekend

Apr 19: John howie, Jr. & The Rosewood Bluff

Apr 23: Evan Blackerby and the Bandwagon, JTimber and Joel henry

Apr 24: Peter holsapple, michael Slawter

Apr 25: Giovannie and the hired Guns

WISE mAN BREWING

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008 www.wisemanbrewing.com

Thursdays: music Bingo

mar 28: Souljam

mar 29: folkknot

mar 30: Jesse fox

Apr 4: Evan Blackerby duo

Apr 5: Ears to the Ground

FRANCE À MOI

APRIL 11 / 7:00PM (OPENING NIGHT) HANESBRANDS THEATRE

APRIL 14 / 2:00PM

APRIL 11 / 7:30PM (OPENING NIGHT)

MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE

APRIL 16 / 8:00PM HANESBRANDS THEATRE APRIL 18 / 8:00PM

Natalie Garcia

PRESENTS

hot pour

[BARTENDER OF THE WEEK COMPILED BY NATALIE GARCIA]

NAME: India Jones

BAR:

Nomad Wine Works, an urban winery & taproom in High Point, N.C.

AGE: 23

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?: High Point, N.C.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

1.5 years

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

Check out videos on our Facebook!

I joined the team at Nomad and learned from our winemakers while I practiced the perfect wine pour.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

Connecting with people from the High Point community and beyond!

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?

During a big event, the fast-paced environment can get hectic and sometimes glasses will break, but the show must go on!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

Cosmic Lemonade — our blueberry and lemon infused agave wine cocktail.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

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

A Miller Lite mixed with a shot of Flora Delta 9.

Lono — our pineapple, passion fruit and mango mead!

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

A glass of Côtes du Rhône Rouge, a red blend from France.

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

A man did a walking handstand on his way out the door.

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

A glass of red wine on top of the toilet — weird but makes sense.

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

$100 inside a thank you card for working a 45th birthday party!

WANNA BE FEATURED IN HOT POUR?

Email Natalie Garcia at natalie@yesweekly.com and ask about being our Bartender of the Week!

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of March 31, 2025

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) With change dominant this week, don’t be surprised to ﬁnd new emerging facts that could put a slant on a situation and o er you another choice. Think it through before you decide.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) There could be some lingering problems from a previous matter that involved a decision you felt you had to make. Resolve the situation with your strong Taurean nononsense approach.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) The Gemini’s carefully made plans could be undone by someone’s unexpected decision. Getting the full story behind a surprise move can help you decide how to deal with the matter.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Recently uncovered information might put a new light on a situation you thought had been resolved. Keep an open mind about possible changes that you might have to consider.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) With a potential revision of an old agreement, you can’t beat the Big Cat for knowing how to sharpen a “clause” to the best advantage. Meanwhile, someone close could have the news you’ve been waiting for.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Certain issues in the workplace could put you in the middle of a dispute you’d rather not deal with. Express your honest feelings before the pressure to take sides builds up.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might feel uneasy disagreeing with someone you’ve been close to. But your relationship should be able to withstand

CROSSWORD] crossword on page 11

and even thrive when you confront your true feelings.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A romantic situation seems to be creating more confusion than you can handle. If so, own up to your feelings. The sooner you do, the better your chances are for working things out.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) With change directing the Archer’s aim, consider a second look at your plans and see where they might beneﬁt from a revision. In other news, a workplace matter is close to a resolution.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) New contacts help you learn some important information about upcoming developments. The week calls for the Sea Goat to be more ﬂexible than usual in a number of matters.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) With both change and uncertainty in your aspect, you might feel less conﬁdent in a previous decision. This is OK. Check it out and see where it could be modiﬁed, if necessary.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Old relationships that seemed to be sinking are buoyant again, and new relationships are beneﬁting from Cupid’s loving care. This could be a good time to make a major move!

[BORN THIS WEEK: You prefer making your own path, but you’ll go out of your way to help someone in need. You deﬁne what it means to be a true trailblazer.

] sudoku on page 11

[TRIVIA TEST]

by Fifi Rodriguez

[1. GEOGRAPHY: Mount Everest is part of which mountain range?

[2. MOVIES: Which color ﬁlm was the ﬁrst to win an Academy Award for Best Picture?

[3. ASTRONOMY: Which planet in our solar system is believed to be the windiest?

[4. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Where is the U.S. Constitution stored?

[5. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of lemurs called?

[6. TELEVISION: Which city is the setting for the dramatic series The Wire?

[7. GEOLOGY: Which country has the most active volcanos?

[8. LITERATURE: Which character in a Charles Dickens novel famously said, “Please, sir, I want some more”?

[9. ART: Which Dutch artist is considered a master of light and shadow, creating dramatic e ects in paintings?

[10. SCIENCE: What is an ectothermic animal?

8. Title character in “Oliver Twist.” 9. Rembrandt. 10. Cold-blooded.

The National Archives.

Neptune.

Gone With the Wind

The Himalayas.

A conspiracy. 6. Baltimore, Maryland. 7. Indonesia.

Side by Side with Nido Qubein is a 30-minute, behind-the-curtain conversation with people whose influence and impact are felt throughout the state of North Carolina and beyond. High Point University President Nido Qubein, an internationally known author and business consultant, digs beneath the surface conversation to reveal insights and inspiration from each special guest. Featuring both timeless and topical themes, the weekly series runs yearlong on PBS North Carolina.