A serial killer on-the-loose amid the Eskimos in the pristine wilds of Edmonton, Alberta? You better believe it, because Off-Tryon Theatre Company is bringing Brad Fraser's Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love to town, and you'll find that Edmonton and its dysfunctional inhabitants aren't all that pristine. Nobody under 18 will be admitted to the Off-Tryon quonset on 3143 Cullman Avenue without an adult (hey, kids - there's nudity!). OTTC artistic director Glenn Griffin and Amanda Liles figure prominently as David and Candy, past lovers and present roommates, and newcomer Bob Walker tackles his first role since his sensational debut as Bat Boy. The show runs through May 8. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Pay What You Can Night is Wednesday, April 28. Call 704-375-2826. (Tannenbaum)
The 2004 Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend, running today through Saturday, offers a variety of wine tastings, cooking schools, a champagne brunch, a live auction and gala and more. Many of the events are sold out, including the majority of the Vintner dinners. Reservations are still being accepted for the Vintner Tasting at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall on Saturday at 11am, at $25 per person. For further information on the few events still available, go to www.charlottewineandfood.com. (Grossman)
APRIL 23 - FRIDAY
Even though they first barreled out of their native San Francisco in a van some 20+ years ago, the boys in Metallica -- in town tonight at the Charlotte Coliseum -- show no signs of slowing down their high-octane take on thrash metal. After putting out the mega-platinum Black Album in the early 90s, James Hetfield and Co. endured a few missteps -- recording an album with a symphony orchestra, for instance -- but returned with a vengeance in late 2003 with the stripped-down St. Anger, one of the hardest-hitting albums of the year. The mayhem starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $55 and $75, available by calling 704-522-6500. (Davis)
With the members' hats, ties, double-breasted suits, retro shoes and big, big sound, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was one of the brightest lights of the Swing revival. In Charlotte, the band will be augmented -- for two consecutive nights -- by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Brush up on your hi-dee-hi's and especially on your hi-dee-ho's because the gang will transport you back to the days of Cab Calloway and "Minnie the Moocher." And although Voodoo Daddy has been pigeonholed as Swing revivalists, the sound of their most recent CD points directly toward New Orleans. The show begins at 8pm at Ovens Auditorium with tickets priced at $15-$62. Call 704-972-2000. (Tannenbaum)
APRIL 24 - SATURDAY
The 2004 Queen's Cup Steeplechase -- a full day of seven horse races, Jack Russell terrier races, hat contests, food and drink, inventive tailgating, and rubbing elbows with swells -- takes place today at Brooklandwood, the steeplechase race course in Mineral Springs, near Waxhaw. The surroundings are beautiful, the horses are exciting, and the proceeds this year will benefit the always deserving Catawba Lands Conservancy. General admission tickets are $20, children under 12 get in free. For more complete details, including directions, visit www.queenscup.org. Purchase tickets by calling 704-843-7070.(Grooms)
Grab a plate of freshly fried samosas, have a glass of sugarcane juice, get knotted in an impossible yoga position and take in sights and sounds of all things Indian at the 10th Annual Festival of India. Numerous vendors will be teasing the palates with aromatic foods from all parts of the subcontinent while traditional dances and music fill the surroundings. Keep a lookout for artists creating henna designs on hands, palms and feet or try on a serenely feminine sari. The festival is today from 11:30am till 7:30pm and Sunday from 12Noon till 5pm at Wachovia Atrium, 301 South Tryon St. Admission is $3, children under 10 free. Visit www.festivalindia.org for details. (Shukla)
APRIL 25 - SUNDAY
Davidson's Concert on the Green series returns for its sixth season, opening tonight with the Davidson College Symphony and Jazz Ensemble. Downtown Davidson offers up their town green for free concerts from 6-8pm on Sundays (usually once a month) throughout the summer and into September. For the rest of the season's schedule, visit www.concertsonthegreen.com. Call 704-892-4440. (Grossman)
APRIL 27 - TUESDAY
Since breaking into feature films at age 19, comedian Dave Chappelle has made a career out of being, well, Dave Chappelle. Now the host of the sketch comedy show Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central, our man seems primed for anything -- including a throwback club tour. He's in town today and tomorrow at uptown's Comedy Zone as part of his Grassroots Tour, but both shows are sold out. Seriously sold out -- like 1,000 people on the waiting list sold out. That said, if you feel really lucky (or you're a bigshot with connections), you can call 704-348-HAHA. They may answer with a big "ha ha" of their own, but at least you can say you tried. (Davis)
APRIL 28 - WEDNESDAY
The Queen City Soul Slam Competition is hosted by the African American Cultural Center every fourth Wednesday of each month which, duh, means today. Poetry slams -- or performance poetry -- allow poets to perform their works to be judged by members of the audience. A final competition will be held April 30 to determine the Charlotte "slam team," which will go on to compete in the nationals in St. Louis. Tonight, registration begins at 7pm and the show begins at 8pm. Poets pay $3; general admission is $5. The AACC is at 401 N. Myers St. Call 704-374-1565 for details. (Grossman)
