Creative Loafing Charlotte

Friday, Dec. 11... By Anita overcash As you all know, Creative Loafing's Boomer With Attitude columnist John Grooms has a lot to say. He takes to ranting on everything from politicians to, well, pretty much anyone and anything that gets in his head. It should come as no surprise then that he's gone and penned his thoughts to paper, with his latest book, Deliver Us From Weasels, which contains a ... Full Story »

Saturday, Dec. 12... By Anita Overcash Tonight, The Art House presents One Love Fest: Unity of Art and Music, sponsored by Pynk Chocolate Events, JazzUndaground and The W.E. Foundation, Inc. The event will feature a performance by reggae act Middle Passage X, as well as spoken word via open mic, arts and crafts, and art on display by local and visiting artists, including Michael Cooper, Natasha ... Full Story »

Sunday, Dec. 13... By Anita overcash North Carolina Dance Theatre presents performances of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Nutcracker for six days at Belk Theater. This imaginative holiday tale about a young girl and her living nutcracker doll, who embark together on an exciting journey to the "Land of Snow" and "Land of Sweets," is filled with excitement. Add fancy footwork to the mix, and you've got a ... Full Story »

Monday, Dec. 14... By Kim Lawson Mondays suck. The beginning of the work week comes much too fast after a fun weekend of drinking and hanging with good peeps. Why not extend your weekend fun a bit by checking out Karaoke Night at Dixie's Tavern. This is one of the hottest spots to be at every Monday, with $2.50 drafts and $3 soco shots. And who doesn't love a little karaoke to start your week ... Full Story »

Tuesday, Dec. 15... By Anita overcash When five guys can kick it a capella style, they don't need instruments. Tonight, a group of musicians will bring its show A Rockapella Holiday, featuring lots of holiday songs, to McGlohon Theatre. The super cool thing about this group is that they actually used to be a house band on the PBS TV show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Crazy, huh? $34 and ... Full Story »

Wednesday, Dec. 16... By Anita overcash Actor's Theatre of Charlotte brings its longtime holiday favorite and one-man show, The Santaland Diaries, back to its stage for performances through Dec. 20. The show -- by David Sedaris; adapted by Joe Mantello; directed by Chip Decker -- takes a realistic approach on just how cheerful it'd be (Not!) to work as Santa's little helper during a shopping ... Full Story »

Thursday, Dec. 10... By Anita Overcash The two-man duo -- consisting of producer/engineer/DJ/drummer Russ Randolph and producer/DJ/ vocalist/guitarist Zion Rock Godchaux -- known as BoomBox blasts out beat-bopping electronic sounds that mix with funky guitar riffs for an all-out psychedelic musical experience. The jam band's tunes are mellow, yet soulful. Get your groove on when the band brings ... Full Story »

By Perry Tannenbaum The holiday misadventures of a little boy and a littler mouse don't figure to be the ideal vehicle for family enjoyment and nostalgia, but take a look at the Children's Theatre production of If You Take a Mouse to the Movies and you'll find that's exactly what this makeover has accomplished. Set design by Bob Croghan at McColl Family Theatre takes us back to a simpler age of ... Full Story »

By Perry Tannenbaum There's enough safe agreeable theater down in York County for the onset of The Edge Theatre Company to be as comfortable as a poke in the eye. Jimmy Chrismon's guerilla group eased past their first anniversary at the South Pointe High School Auditorium last week with a high-energy production of Bare: A Pop Opera. First presented in 2000 out in L.A. (and perhaps headed for ... Full Story »

By Ryan Pitkin Put A Spell On You: A 26-year-old man called police to report that he was the victim of fraud and wanted his money back. He told the Crime Reporting Unit that he had paid the suspect $900 to cure him from a spell that had been put on him back when he lived in his home country. The woman made a magic potion for him that he had been drinking regularly to no avail. You should've ... Full Story »

By Cecil Adams I have heard Thomas Jefferson traded marijuana blends with George Washington and the other founding fathers. I find this hard to believe, but the rumor is ubiquitous. Can anyone verify if it is true or false? I e-mailed the famous Jefferson scholar Clay Jenkins but got no response. However, on his podcast, The Thomas Jefferson Hour, he did admit to donning his Thomas Jefferson ... Full Story »

By Dan Savage I'm a longtime reader who thought I'd never have a reason to write since I'm universally known as the "good girl," but I'm not sure who else I can turn to. I have a close male friend. Even though I knew he was dating someone else, we became friends-with-benefits several years ago. Because of his relationship (and the fact that he lives with her!), I let him take the lead in setting ... Full Story »

By Vivian Carol Sagittarius The Archer (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): This is a particularly favorable time for you to travel. Legal, educational, and publishing interests are given a "go" signal. Your philosophy is a welcome relief wherever you go. People are happy to see you and introduce you to other people who may, in turn, become important in your life. For All Signs: Hanukkah, for those unfamiliar ... Full Story »

By Matt Brunson INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009). Between its freewheeling exploits and its liberties with historical veracity, Quentin Tarantino's World War II excursion is a celebration of film as its own entity, beholden to nothing but its own creative impulses. One would be correct in assuming that Inglourious Basterds is a remake of 1978's international production Inglorious Bastards, but except ... Full Story »

By Matt Brunson Coming up with a compelling hook is half the sale, and writer-director Oren Moverman has found one with The Messenger, a drama that looks at the wartime experience from a fresh perspective. Yet nothing about Moverman's angle feels gimmicky or sensational -- instead, his movie is honest and heartfelt, a justified tribute that pays more than merely the usual obligatory lip service ... Full Story »