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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Arts 90 degrees of separation
Posted By Perry Tannenbaum on Thu, May 31, 2012 at 10:46 AM
A colleague of mine from the Charlotte Observer, down here in Charleston to cover the opening weekend of Spoleto Festival USA, warned me that the cast of Hay Fever would be hard to hear at first but they got louder as the Noël Coward comedy moved along. He must have caught the Gate Theatre production on a good night at Dock Street Theatre. Sonic dropouts plagued all three acts at the Saturday matinee Sue and I attended, blurring a key plot point pertaining to retired theatre diva Judith Bliss's return to the stage and turning the Act 2 game of charades — as the Blisses, parents and children, entertain four would-be lovers — into a virtual pantomime.
The situation was even worse at Memminger Auditorium earlier in the afternoon when 1927 presented The Animals and Children Took to the Streets. I overheard a disgruntled theatergoer as we emerged onto the street saying, "I couldn't hear it, and I couldn't understand it." That's an overly harsh reaction to Suzanne Andrade's multimedia play about a population of city children turned into zombies through the fairytale allure of candy.
But there was substance to his complaints. Actresses in the show, including Andrade, were often under-miked. Even the male narrator, offstage or prerecorded, frequently came through the loudspeakers as an indecipherable mumble. We thought that was all that could go wrong until the cunning Paul Barritt animation projections framing the actors suddenly went blank during the last five minutes. Hope that all gets fixed before the next flurry of 1927 performances that begin on Thursday. Animals and Children runs through June 3 while Hay Fever runs the length of Spoleto through June 10.
Meanwhile, Circle of Eleven's Leo ruled at Emmett Robinson Theatre (though its run brief run sadly finished on Sunday). Conceived and performed by Tobias Wegner, the ongoing tableau of Leo is side-by-side images of the same action: Leo imprisoned in a three-walled room. The difference between the two images is that the virtual video image is turned clockwise 90º. So when we first see the live Leo lying down on our right, he appears to be leaning against a wall on the video projection to our left — until live Leo moves away from the right-hand wall and video Leo appears to be levitating in mid-air.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Thursday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Thu, May 31, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, May 31, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Bright Light, Big City exhibit at Jerald Melberg Gallery
* Larken Poe at The Evening Muse
* Thursdays on Main at Veterans Park
* Party in the Park at Mint Museum Randolph
* Julie Scoggins at The Comedy Zone Charlotte
Film / Film News Opening Friday
Posted By Matt Brunson on Thu, May 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM
- Arc Entertainment
- For Greater Glory
Darling Companion - Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline
For Greater Glory - Andy Garcia, Peter O'Toole
Snow White and the Huntsman - Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth
News Former QNotes editor back in the job
Posted By Ana McKenzie on Thu, May 31, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Matt Comer, the former editor of QNotes, Charlotte's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community newspaper, will reassume the role he left in January. Current editor O'Neale Atkinson will leave the paper to expand his role as administrator of the LGBT Community Center, where he's worked part-time since June.
- QNotes
- Matt Comer
"O'Neale has a great passion for the LGBT community in Charlotte and it has shown with his work here," said QNotes Publisher Jim Yarbrough. "We'll miss him and look forward to working with him through his work at the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte."
Comer was hired as QNotes editor in October 2007 and served his role until January, when he stepped down to work as communications manager for Campus Pride, a national, Charlotte-based LGBT organization serving college and university students, according to a press release from QNotes. Says Comer:
"My short time away from QNotes has given me opportunity to honestly explore my professional interests and personal passions. I am excited to return to QNotes and renew my work in community and advocacy journalism on behalf of LGBT Charlotteans and North Carolinians. My part-time work with Campus Pride this spring was both fulfilling and enlightening. The work they do is important and I urge every member of our community to offer them your generous support."
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Arts LOL: Comedy in the Q.C.
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, May 30, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Listed below is a roundup of CL's top picks for comedy shows in Charlotte this week. Hopefully, they keep you entertained and, more importantly, laughing out loud.
For an audience, the best thing about an open mic is that you never know who is going to show up. Luckily at comedy open mic's, the chances of a performer being good or bad has the potential to stir up some laughter. Andy Perez hosts tonight's lineup, where comedians (and wannabes) get five minutes on stage. May 30, 9:30 p.m. Jackalope Jack's, 1936 E. 7th St. 704-347-1918. www.jackalopejacks.com.
Mint Hill resident Julie Scoggins is no stranger to popping in at The Comedy Zone, but this week she's extending her stay. Headlining a series of shows - Wednesday-Saturday - the self-proclaimed "tomboy" and ex-truck driver offers a humorous blend. $10-$15. May 30-31, 8 p.m.; June 1, 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.; June 2, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The Comedy Zone Charlotte, 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite B3, Charlotte. 980-321-4702. www.cltcomedyzone.com.
Improv Charlotte's monthly shows at Wine Up have a deeper purpose. In addition to making folks laugh, they raise money for a variety of charities. This week's proceeds go to Crisis Assistance. For more information, visit www.improvcharlotte.org. $5 donation. June 1, 7 p.m. 3306 N. Davidson St., Charlotte. 704-372-2633. www.wine-up.com.
News / Democratic National Convention 2012 DNC protesters granted marching permit
Posted By Ryan Pitkin on Wed, May 30, 2012 at 3:34 PM
After eight months of back and forth with the city of Charlotte, the Coalition to March on Wall Street South was finally granted what they had requested. Sort of.
On Tuesday, the coalition got a permit to march during the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 2 near places such as Bank of America headquarters and Time Warner Cable Arena. But they're asking for more. The coalition gave a list of demands to Mayor Anthony Foxx's on Wednesday morning that contained more than 1,000 signatures of support. Some demands, including the Sept. 2 permit, had already been met.
"This is a step in the right direction by city officials," coalition member Brian Carroll said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Wednesday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, May 30, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, May 30, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* La Cage Aux Follies at Belk Theater
* Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons at Visulite Theatre
* Hot Flash Havoc film screening at Mint Museum Randolph
* Julie Scoggins at The Comedy Zone Charlotte
* Concurrent Rhythms exhibit at UNC Charlotte Center City Building's Projective Eye Gallery
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
News / Democratic National Convention 2012 Democratic National Convention 2012 Notebook: 100 Days Out, 'I'm There' Is the Message
Posted By Mary C. Curtis on Tue, May 29, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Just 100 days away from the moment when President Barack Obama accepts his party's nomination in Charlotte, congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz marked the occasion on a top floor at Bank of America Stadium against a backdrop of the city skyline.
- Wikipedia
- Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Storm clouds briefly drifted over the bright sun during Tuesday's announcement, symbolic perhaps of tightening polls in the state the president narrowly won in 2008. Though it's going to be tough to repeat his win in 2012, Wasserman Schultz was optimistic and in a fighting mood.
"We've been organizing here since 2007, and we've never stopped," she said. "North Carolina became a battleground state because of that grass-roots organizing, and we believe that we have an even stronger opportunity and will win North Carolina in November as a result of that effort."
Monday, May 28, 2012
Arts / Today's Top Five Today's Top 5: Monday
Posted By Anita Overcash on Mon, May 28, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, May 28, 2012 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* The Polyphonic Spree at McGlohon Theatre
* Patriot Festival at Symphony Park
* Karaoke at Dixie's Tavern
* Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse
* Monday Night Allstars at Double Door Inn
Friday, May 25, 2012
Film / Film Reviews Weekend Film Reviews: Men In Black III; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; Sound of My Voice
Posted By Matt Brunson on Fri, May 25, 2012 at 12:55 PM
- Columbia
- Men In Black III
Click on the title to be taken directly to the review.
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His name was Blake 2
A young activist gone too soon.
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Top Ten Quotes From Jesse Helms
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You can't make this up: Santorum launches C.U.M.
