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Monday, November 23, 2009
Arts / News Arts Flash: Mike Watson
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Artist Mike Watson has lived in Charlotte for nine years after moving down South from Philadelphia. His colorful, abstract paintings are currently featured in the Emergence exhibition at the freshly opened Twenty-Two Gallery. Watson spoke to Creative Loafing about his art.
The exhibit continues through Nov. 29. For more details, call 704-342-0122.
Creative Loafing: What inspired the series of “In the Field” paintings? Why are the bodies cropped?
Mike Watson: There’s like three different ones. What inspired it was this idea of incorporating a figure into a landscape, but giving you enough information to kind of try to figure out what it is, as a viewer, in terms of what is going on and not showing the head basically – because that’s what’s cropped. By not showing that, I’m not giving all the answers, so you can’t tell the emotions or thought process by looking at this person and you can't see if they are young or old or anything. It’s mainly because I want the viewer to kind of fill in the story in their mind when they are looking at it.
Arts / News Coming soon: The All Arts Market
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 4:50 PM
It’s hard to shop for picky people during the holidays, but knowing where to go makes it easier. The All Arts Market, an indoor marketplace at Neighborhood Theatre on Dec. 2, 3, 16 and 17, should make buying gifts a bit more manageable. Featuring all hand-made goods and arts and crafts, including jewelry, photography, clothing, paintings, bags, and more, there’s something for everyone here. Free; $10-$30 sign-up for artists to participate for two nights. Dec. 2 & 3, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 16 & 17, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre is located at 511 E. 36th St. For more information, call 704-358-9298 or click here.
Boomer with Attitude / News So much for respecting 8 million dead
Posted By John Grooms on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 3:21 PM
We normally do this on Friday, but this particular Stupid Thing of The Week (or rather, Stupid Thing of Last Week) was worth waiting for. What’s one of the most unconscionably stupid things anyone could do? Yes, there are a lot of possibilities, but consider ... you won’t believe this ... a fashion shoot at Germany’s largest Holocaust memorial. Yes, it happened. The in-flight magazine for easyJet Airlines contained pictures of models posing in groovy duds at Berlin’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The foundation that runs the memorial says the photographers didn’t ask permission and wouldn’t have gotten it in any case, as they do not allow commercial shoots to be held there. Needless to say, such trivialization of the Holocaust — in the middle of Berlin, no less — caused the shit to hit the fan. EasyJet pulled the rest of the magazines from their planes, and issued a statement saying, “easyJet profusely apologises to anyone who may be offended by the inappropriate fashion photo shoot.” The airline is looking into canceling its contract with the publishing house that produces the magazine for them.
Boomer with Attitude / News Sarah Palin's moveable reality show
Posted By John Grooms on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:19 PM
And the Palin Parade marches on. Not content with Oprah, Barbara Walters and 70 million interviews on FauxNews, Gov. Snowjob Squareglasses had to go bother poor old Billy Graham yesterday at his home near Asheville. Granted, Rev. Billy, 91, seemed glad to see her, from all reports — and even seemed to remember the visit later, which is always a good sign. Graham’s son Franklin, a fellow ultra-conservative, arranged Palin’s visit.
Caribou Barbie had the time of her life last week and although she really p.o.’d one crowd by leaving before she’d finished signing books, the overall reaction from the Tea Party cult that is her base was wildly enthusiastic. For those in the reality-based community who listen to Gov. Mooselini and wince at her sub-poor grasp of the issues and Valley Girl speech patterns, her popularity with a solid minority of gripy conservatives remains a total mystery. Political writer Matt Taibbi says conservatives love her “because she never stops whining ... We’ve now got a whole generation that is accustomed to screaming at cultural enemies as an end in itself, for the sheer dismal fun of it. ... Sarah Palin is the Empress-Queen of the screaming-for-screaming’s sake generation.” Taibbi may be right, but we suspect some sort of deeper derangement is at work. Maybe, just maybe, Saturday Night Live was on to something when they broadcast this remixed movie preview:
News New prediction for sea level on East Coast
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 11:07 AM
The problem with this research is that a large percentage of people who read articles like this won't care because they don't plan on being here in 2099, nor do they have enough compassion to want to shield their grandchildren from having to deal with the messes we are creating today.
What would be helpful is this: What are the coasts going to look like in 10 years? 20? Give us some data we can start measuring off our docks right now.
Fast-melting ice from Greenland and Antarctica will lead to a much sharper rise in sea levels than previously estimated, touching off flooding that will radically alter U.S. East Coast cities from Miami to Baltimore, according to a new study.Climate change will cause a rise of at least 1 meter (39 inches) in sea levels by the end of this century, according to a review of scientific data by Clean Air-Cool Planet, an environmental group that calls itself nonpartisan.
The projection is in sharp contrast to a 2007 study by the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which said world sea levels could increase 18-59 centimeters (7-23 inches) by 2100.
"We are on our way to radically changing what the coasts look like," said Jim White, a professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder, who worked on the study. "Norfolk could replace New Orleans as the poster child" for coastal flooding, he told reporters on Thursday.
Read the rest of this Reuters article here.
Further reading: Harvard Finds Kidney Stones, Malaria Among Global-Warming Risks
Some plants and animals are already beginning to move inland in India:
News Let the debate begin
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 10:00 AM
One step down, millions of promises to go.
Senate Democrats said they had clinched the votes needed on Saturday to propel major health care legislation to the floor for weeks of full debate, as the majority party’s two last holdouts said that they would not block consideration of President Obama’s top domestic initiative.Both senators, Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, cautioned that their support on what was expected to be a party-line vote on Saturday evening did not guarantee that they would ultimately vote for the bill itself. And their comments signaled that more horse-trading lies ahead when the vigorous debate and amendment attempts begin after Thanksgiving. Big changes might be required if the bill is to be approved.
Still, the decision by the two senators set the stage for a crucial preliminary victory and an important psychological boost for the Democrats, who spent Saturday laying out their arguments for the bill, condemning the practices of insurers and decrying the plight of the uninsured in a parade of floor speeches aimed at cementing party unity.
“I have decided there are enough significant reforms and safeguards in this bill to move forward, but much more work needs to be done,” Ms. Landrieu said.
Mrs. Lincoln, who faces a tough re-election campaign next year, said that her decision was not driven by political considerations.
Read the rest of this New York Times article here.
"What is health care reform and why do we need it?"
News Green project vote tonight
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Here's a chance to state your case to the Charlotte City Council about our city's green future:
A vote on 18 green projects that would be paid out of a $6.78 million U.S. Department of Energy stimulus grant goes before Charlotte city council Monday.The council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, but the vote isn’t expected until about 8 p.m. Anyone who wishes to speak on the item can sign up through the City Clerk’s Office.
Last week, council members got a preview of the projects. Several proposals were criticized. So were the formulas used for determining job creation and emissions reduction.
The 18 projects – culled from about 250 ideas – are part of a community conservation strategy required under terms designated by the federal program. The projects must be approved by council and submitted to DOE by Dec. 4.
Read the rest of this Charlotte Business Journal article, which includes a summary of the projects, here.
Can't make the meeting but want to stay informed? Those of you with cable can watch on the GOV channel.
Councilwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Burgess talks about why young folks should get involved in local politics pre-election:
Arts / Today's Top Five / News Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Nov. 23, 2009 — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Megadeth at The Fillmore
• Film screening of The 39 Steps at ImaginOn
• Find Your Muse Open Mic Night at The Evening Muse
• Concert Choir performance at Davidson College
• Karaoke at Dixie's Tavern
Friday, November 20, 2009
Arts / News Art openings in Charlotte this weekend
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
As the headline suggests, here are a few picks of art exhibition openings and shows to check out this weekend in Charlotte and the surrounding area — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
• Art Show For The Homeless at Fine Furniture Direct on Nov. 20 & 21, 5-8 p.m.. Featuring abstract and contemporary works with mixed media by Greg Walker. To benefit the homeless in Charlotte. For more information, visit www.gregwalkerart.com.
Fine Furniture Direct, 2900 Griffith St. 704-334-1068.
• Clayworks by Sherudan Hathaway at Tres’ Chouette. Opens: Fri., Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
Tres’ Chouette Gallery, 1900 Shamrock Dr.
• Holiday Open House at UMAR Arts Center. Fri., Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Featuring ornaments, wreaths, manger scenes, bracelets, and a variety of other types of arts and crafts. The event will also feature portraits by artist/instructor, Randy Leibowitz Dean, in conjunction with UMAR artists. For portrait reservations, call 704-348-0994. Hot apple cider will be provided.
UMAR Arts Center, 1025 E. 36th St.
• Charlotte: Layered Perspectives at UNC-Charlotte. A collaboration installation by Sonja Hinrichsen and students of UNC-Charlotte. Continues through Dec. 10. 704-687-3315.
Rowe Arts Building at UNC-Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd.
• Abundance/Abundance Lost at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. By ARPA 10. Held in Norvell Gallery. Opens Nov. 20 and continues through Dec. 4.; Appalachians: End To End. Featuring works by Phyllis Steimel. Held in Stanback Hall Gallery. Opens Nov. 20 and continues through Feb. 13.; Selections from the Collection of Katherine W. Osborne. Held in Osborne and Woodson Galleries. Opens on Nov. 20 and continues through Feb. 13.; 2009 Artists Invitational Exhibition. Held in Young People's Gallery. Opens Nov. 20 and continues through Feb. 13.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 East Liberty St., Salisbury. 704-636-1882.
Film / Film Reviews / News New Moon: Back into the Twilight zone
Posted By Matt Brunson on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 3:13 PM
By Matt Brunson
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON
**1/2
DIRECTED BY Chris Weitz
STARS Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson
Hollywood's second foray into the Twilight zone features enough fantasy and romance to satisfy most hardcore devotees of Stephenie Meyer's vampire saga, but just as many viewers will notice that this is too often a case of the emperor — or, more specifically, buff teenage boys — wearing no clothes.
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Question the Queen City: An unsolved double murder 5
Did they ever catch the killer from the Mulberry Church Road murders?
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Question the Queen City: Who set fire to the nightlife? 3
From 1971 to 1976, 17 nightclubs in Charlotte burned to the ground. Who did it?
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Question the Queen City: The Richard Wearn House is saved 5
For years, the house has seemingly been on the chopping block.
