Catch It If You Can: Superhero films are starting to pour out of Hollywood, yet what's noteworthy about this onslaught is that a sizable number of the titles, from the Spider-Man pair to the X-Men duo, have been worth catching. Add Batman Begins to that list: Not only is this attempt at rejuvenating the Bat-franchise among the best superhero adaptations ever, it also might end up being the best blockbuster of the 2005 summer movie season. For a review, see this issue's Film section; for theaters and showtimes, go to the Moviefone link at charlotte.creativeloafing.com/flicks_toc.html. (Brunson)
June 16 - Thursday
Two psycho brothers — in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love — decide to dabble in kidnapping as their newest vocation. Unfortunately, in Lyle Kessler's dark comedy, the brothers have a tiger by the tail when they latch onto a con man for their victim. Tom Scott stars as the teacher in Orphans, presented by Carolina Actors Studio Theatre through July 3, with Jonathan Ewart and Danny Griffith learning the alternately comical or cruel lessons. The eponymous Carolina Actors Studio Theatre is at 1118 Clement Avenue, and performances begin at 8pm Thursdays through Saturdays, with 2:30pm matinees on Sundays. Adult tickets are $15, with seniors and students admitted for $12. Call 704-455-8542. (Tannenbaum)
America's most wholesome dominatrix, Chicklet Forrest, returns to ride the surf — and ultracool Kanaka, her astonished sex slave — in Psycho Beach Party. The reprise of BareBones Theatre Group's production not only launches the 2005 City Stage Theatre Festival at Spirit Square, it pairs with the current Actor's Theatre production of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife to complete an impromptu Charles Busch comedy fest in the Uptown. With Beth Pierce in the mix, Chicklet figures to be raunchier in her current incarnation, and the Aqualads return to the bandstand to provide the live beach harmonies. Performances at cozy Duke Power Theatre begin at 8pm Thursdays through Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2pm through June 26. This Friday night's performance is capped by LivePulse, a Q&A session with the cast and director. Single tickets are going for $19.99. Frequent Fringe Cards, enclosed in your playbill, get you a free City Stage ticket after two purchases. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
The WNBA's Charlotte Sting, along with new center and No. 1 overall pick Janel McCarville, take on the Indiana Fever at 7pm at the Charlotte Coliseum. Tonight's WNBA tilt is being billed as "Guy's Night Out," featuring the Bobcats dancers, half-price beer and a Fan Fest with free games and activities. What, they think all we like is booty and beer? For shame. Tickets for the game (and dancers, and cheap swill) are $10-$62, available by calling 704-424-WNBA. (Timothy C. Davis)
June 17 - Friday
Mark Dalio has toured here and abroad with the world's first Mouse-ka-Musical, and now he's helping venerable Tom Vance to launch his new Charlotte Summer Theatre in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Venerable Vance, the founder of CP Summer Theatre, resurfaces at spacious Dana Auditorium on the Queens University campus, hoping to fill the hall through July 9 — not impossible after you've built a loyal following over 37 years. Danyelle Bossardet, who also starred in the B&B National Tour, joins Dalio onstage to ignite a high-voltage launch for the new company. Single tickets are priced at $16-$25, and three-show subscriptions go for $45-$72, saving a buck on each ticket. Friday and Saturday evenings are at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2:30, and Saturday matinees, beginning on June 25, are also at 2:30pm. There are also numerous 7pm curtains strewn across the calendar on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Call 704-342-5885. (Tannenbaum)
You like your dance a bit kicky, with Spanish spice? Jazz Fusion brings the color and flavor of salsa to Booth Playhouse for one night only, beginning at 8pm. Billed by the Queen City Jazz Company as "An Evening Celebrating the Many Styles of Jazz Dance," this eclectic "Fusion" will feature guests from the Charlotte City Ballet and the Latin jazz Picante! band from Asheville performing the tapas platter of short pieces. Execution figures to be sharper and more synchronized than Dancing With the Stars, and Queen City's energy level always sizzles. Tickets are all $20. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
Come down to Independence Park to celebrate the anniversary of the end of slavery in America. Juneteenth is a worldwide celebration of African American freedom, achievements and progress. Help share in this spirit of freedom at the 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival. There will be a street festival, drum sharing and workshops focused on literacy, freedom and heritage. A 5K walk will also be held to raise money for Juneteenth's annual scholarship fund. The festival runs today through Sunday from 10am until 8pm. and is free to all. Call 704-376-6160 for more information. (Lauren Macleod)
NYC hothead DJ and producer Junior Vasquez has a resume too long to list here. The house music pioneer has mixed records for artists as varied as Madonna, John Mellencamp and Tom Jones. Word is Vasquez never spins other DJ mixes at his parties. Let's just say the house will be on fire as the master spinster whirls dancers into otherworldly trances at Velocity tonight. Local staple Andy Kastanas will warm things up. Tickets are $20. For more details, call 704-333-0060. (Shukla)
June 18 - Saturday
The Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas presents the World International Film Festival today and tomorrow at The Actor's Theatre of Charlotte on Stonewall Street. The event will feature screenings of The Love of Liberty, in which a Liberian returns to his homeland to confront events from his past, and Touch of Love, about the adventures of a group of female students attending an African university. Showtimes are 12noon, 2pm and 4pm today and 2pm, 4pm and 6pm tomorrow. Admission is $8 ($5 for students ages 6-18). For details, call 704-342-2251 or 704-362-3266. (Brunson)
June 19 - Sunday
Up, up, and away, Dad! Ten hot air balloons will be set aglow at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont this Father's Day, as Balloon Glow returns after a two-year absence. The torch that inflates the tethered balloons illuminates them from the inside, creating a spectacular stained glass window effect. The event also features live music by Coming Up Brass, a car show, a brief fireworks display, children's activities and a wide selection of food vendors. Balloonists will offer tethered rides for an additional charge. Gates at DSBG open at 4pm, and the balloon inflation starts between 7 and 7:30pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free for Garden members. For more info, visit www.dsbg.org or call 704-825-4490. (Vespa)