The Hive is alive with the Charlotte Sting home for a three-game stint starting tonight against Cleveland at 7pm. On Saturday, the Sting hosts the first annual Junior Achievement Basketball Shootout at noon, serving as a prelude to their game against Connecticut at 6pm. And on Monday, the Sting braves the Seattle Storm at 7pm. Tickets range from $8-$53 and can be purchased by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX. (Herman)
June 28 - Saturday
The second annual Shorts In the Spirit, a showcase of African-American short films, will be held at 7:30pm tonight at Spirit Square. Seven award-winning movies ranging in length from 8 to 30 minutes will be presented, with their respective filmmakers (who hail from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Charlotte) in attendance. Patrons will be able to vote for their favorite movie to win the Spirit Award, as well as enter a contest for the chance to appear in a feature film. Tickets cost $7 in advance (call 704-372-1000 to order) or $10 at the door. For further details, phone 704-492-2519. (Brunson)
The scent of sizzling kabobs, American "soul food," and more food, wines and beers from around the globe, along with music from the duo Drums & Drones and other world beat performers, can be found at the first annual WorldFeast 2003. The event will create a "world bazaar" environment featuring international crafts, face painting and other activities that highlight and celebrate cultural diversity. Attendees can participate in Native American dances and Asian meditation exercises or see vendors from around the world. Organized by International House, the event will take place in "streetmosphere" surroundings at Independence Park (intersection of Hawthorne Lane and 7th Street) from 10am-7:30pm today. Admission is free and the show will go on rain or shine. For further details, contact International House at 704-333-8099 (Shukla)
Georgie Girl, one of the most talked-about documentary films of the past couple of years, will be aired on UNC-TV (Channel 58, Cable 13) at 11pm as part of public television's P.O.V. series. It's the beguiling, and multiple award-winning, story of Georgina Beyer, who has to rate as one of the world's most interesting politicians. A former cabaret diva and prostitute in New Zealand -- oh, and a former man -- Beyer, who is of Maori descent, was elected a member of New Zealand's Parliament by voters in a largely white, conservative, rural district. The documentary follows Beyer on her rounds as a member of Parliament while telling the story of how she (well, originally, he) went from farm boy to singer to community organizer to mayor to national politician. She seems to be genuinely beloved by her constituency, the reasons for which become obvious as the documentary follows her: she's highly intelligent, eloquent, honest, and very funny -- in other words, the opposite of most politicians. (Grooms)
Johnson C. Smith University hosts world-renowned poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou as she honors four area leaders at the first annual Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon, held today at 11am. Dr. Angelou will make a special presentation to the honorees, who were selected for their outstanding career achievements and exceptional contributions to their communities. Honorees include Emma Allen, Candace Graves, Wilhelmenia Rembert and Charlotte Sting starting guard Andrea Stinson. The luncheon benefits the United Negro College Fund and will be held in the University's J.A. Grimes Lounge. Tickets cost $100 and may be purchased by calling 704-377-8625. (Herman)
Go ahead, admit it. If you're over 30, there's a good chance that somewhere in the back of your closet or in a box packed away in the attic lies a copy of Boston. You know the record, the one with the cool spaceship on the cover and "More Than A Feeling" and "Long Time" on it and one of the most successful debuts in rock history. So if you've been dying to strap back on that air guitar, head out to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre tonight for Boston. Original founding member Tom Scholz is still intact -- as in, still in the band, goobers -- and he's recruited a female bass player for the current tour. Show starts at 8pm and tickets cost $35, $22.50 and $15 -- prices that might also remind you of the good ol' days as well. Call the Verizon concert hotline at 704-549-5555 for more details. (Farris)
June 29 - Sunday
Tonight there's a show for the ladies at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, particularly those who watch a lot of VH1 or MTV. Guaranteed to have the women dancing in the aisles are Matchbox Twenty, featuring smooth operator Rob Thomas (remember, the guy who did the song with Santana a few years ago), and Sugar Ray, fronted by the super sexy Mark McGrath (did we mention this guy is sexy?). American Hi-Fi kicks things off at 7pm. Tickets cost $42.50, $32.50 and $20. For more details, call the venue's hotline at 704-549-5555. (Farris)
june30monDAY
With Children's Theatre of Charlotte on hiatus, it's nice to see there's a worthwhile, kid-friendly production this summer. CPCC Summer Theatre presents Dorothy and the Planet Oz, with the first performance today at 10am. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion (and Toto, too) are a fail-safe recipe for family fun in this musical for children of all ages. Monday-Saturday performances continue through July 12 (no show on July 4), and all performances are at 10am. Tickets cost $5 each and can be purchased by calling 704-330-6534. (Herman)
July 1 - Tuesday
In conjunction with the upcoming summer sequel Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Paramount's Carowinds will present the Tomb Raider Stunt Show for a limited engagement today through July 11. The stage show will present adventure seeker Lara Croft (alas, not played by the movie's Angelina Jolie) battling less noble tomb raiders in a production that will feature extensive stuntwork and special effects. Showtimes are 2pm today and July 11, 8pm July 2-5, and 7pm July 6-10; the cost is free with park admission. For park prices or other info, call 704-588-2600 or 803-548-5300. (Brunson)
Chicago opens tonight at 8pm at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The Tony Award-winning "razzle-dazzle" musical explodes with the vivacity of vaudeville and puts a satirical spin on the corruptive nature of the justice system. The recent Academy Award-winning film adaptation is grand, but seeing it live is a whole different experience. Tickets range from $23-$61. Performances continue through July 6: Tuesday-Thursday at 8pm; Friday at 6pm (special time for July 4); Saturday at 2pm & 8:15pm; and Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm. For tickets and all that jazz, call 704-372-1000. (Herman)
