06/24/12

So Long For Now

This past year has been a year of wonders. Which, incidentally, is the name of one of my favorite books.

I’ve interviewed some of my idols (Colin Quinn, Martin Short, John Linnell from They Might Be Giants, folk singer Chris... Read more »

Posted at 09:20 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

06/24/12

Something's Fishy

If you work downtown and need a mental and emotional midday escape, UNC Charlotte has just the thing.

The innovative programming continues at UNC Charlotte's uptown location. The university's Center City building is home to a summer experiment called “Songs of the Fisherman,” on view at the Projective Eye Gallery through August 8.

The news release describes the show as "an aesthetic meditation on life’s journey." Not the usual stuff being contemplated by banker types in the central business district.

The gallery installation features sculpture and design by Anita Easterling, assistant professor of Scene Design in the Department of Theatre, and video projection of... Read more »

Posted at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

06/17/12

Weekend Top Picks for June 22-24: Uptown Jazz Fest and more

There are so many ways to kick off the official start of summer this weekend. Starting with ...

Third Annual Uptown Charlotte Jazz Festival. Two nights of smooth (think: Chuck Mangione and David Sanborn) jazz. The Time Warner Cable Ampitheatre is the venue for a festival that keeps growing in both popularity and prominence. The smoothness begins on Friday at 7 p.m. with Soul of Summer featuring the best of legendary Smooth Jazz Cruise Stars Jonathan Butler, Maysa and Warren Hill, Pieces of Dream, and the Charlotte-based Innertwyned. On Saturday, the line-up includes 2010 Billboard Magazine's No. 3 Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade (the decade, people!) Boney James, U.K. band Incognito featuring Maysa and trumpeter... Read more »

Posted at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

06/15/12

"Noises Off" Brings On The Laughs

Thank the art gods for CPCC Summer Theatre -- an oasis in the midst of an otherwise dry cultural season. Noises Off at CPCC Summer Theatre June 29 and runs through July 5. I chatted with director Carey Kugler about what makes the show so special.

Revue: This is a play about a play, right? Actors are rehearsing a comedy called Nothing On that's destined to be a flop. Do the actors realize it's going to be a flop?

Carey Kugler: I never thought so, although they have hitched their wagon to a fading star. Most of them have been around the block and this is a tour, but I think they are naive enough to hope for... Read more »

Posted at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1

06/13/12

"Beauty and the Beast" Closes 2011-12 Broadway Lights series

Dane Agostinis has to put on a heavy, hairy costume night after night ... and he couldn't be happier about it.

Agostinis, a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts, has played the leading male role since last March. Being on the road is nothing new to him, though. He was part of the national touring company for The Great American Trailer Park Musical. His other credits include Oklahoma!, Spelling Bee, Bat Boy, The Full Monty, Side Show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carousel, Godspell, A View From the Bridge, and Debbie Does Dallas.

Agostinis came to the role at the same time the current Belle did, and they will make their exits together in July. He'll then take August off, move... Read more »

Posted at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

06/12/12

Weekend Top Picks for June 15-17: Do Something for Dear Old Dad

Dads are often the unsung heroes of parenthood. Moms get most of the glory (and, let's be honest, they still do the lion's share of the work), but Dads deserve their day in the sun, too. Why not bag the tie or after-shave this year and give Pops an experiential gift?

The Marvelous Wonderettes. If your dad came of age in the era of drive-ins and sock hops, we might like this good-time musical. It’s 1958 and time for Springfield High’s senior prom. A girl group called The Wonderettes—Billy Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy—is called on to perform as a last-minute replacement. And these four gals have big dreams and even bigger voices. “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “It’s... Read more »

Posted at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

06/05/12

Miss Coco Peru Tells All

And here I had been thinking the summer was going to be a cultural dry spell.

Queen City Theatre Company comes to the rescue with the Queen's Fab Fest -- five glorious nights of entertainment. It begins with Falsettos on Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m. The Tony-winning musical comedy explores life, love, sex, and loss. The story revolves around Marvin; his ex-wife, Trina; his psychiatrist Mendel; his son, Jason; and his gay lover, Whizzer Brown. We also meet Marvin's lesbian neighbors, Dr. Charlotte, an internist and Cordelia, a kosher caterer. Marvin leaves his wife and young son to live with another man. His ex-wife marries his psychiatrist, and Marvin ends up alone.... Read more »

Posted at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1

06/05/12

Weekend Top Picks for June 8-10: Charlotte Squawks, Charlotte Shakespeare Festival, and More

Summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, but everyone knows the end of school is the unofficial start to the season. Happy summer, everyone!

Charlotte Squawks. Once a year, Charlotte gets a dose of comeuppance. But the sketch comedy and musical revue is all done in the spirit of fun and good humor, thanks to WFAE’s Mike Collins. This ought to be prescriptive medicine for Charlotteans—before the national media has its way with us during the DNC. If you can’t laugh at some of our foibles—the money pit the NASCAR Fall of Fame turned out to be, the economic woes brought on by the banks we used to be so proud of—you’d have to cry.  Read more »

Posted at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

05/31/12

All that Jazz

Smoooooth. The Third Annual Uptown Charlotte Jazz Fest is back. After a sell-out concert last year, it's expanded to two nights. 

The Time Warner Cable Ampitheatre is the venue for a festival that keeps growing in both popularity and prominence. The smoothness begins on Friday, June 22, at 7 p.m. with Soul of Summer featuring the best of legendary Smooth Jazz Cruise Stars Jonathan Butler, Maysa and Warren Hill, Pieces of Dream, and the Charlotte-based Innertwyned.

On Saturday, June 23, the line-up includes 2010 Billboard Magazine's No. 3 Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade (the decade, people!) Boney James, U.K. band Incognito featuring Maysa and trumpeter Joey Summerville.

The festival... Read more »

Posted at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

05/29/12

Weekend Top Picks for June 1-3: Filmmakers's Showcase, La Cage aux Folles, and More

Heavens to Betsy; it's hot. You should join me in cooling off in a movie theater this weekend.

The Light Factory's annual Filmmakers' Showcase is so big, it's happening on two nights -- Thursday and Friday. It's at The Light Factory (345 N. College St.) and begins at 7 p.m. both nights. The event highlights the art of short films (under 30 minutes and most in the five- to 10-minute range), created by emerging, established, and student filmmakers. Films are accepted from all over the world, but showcase organizers maintaining a special emphasis on North and South Carolina films. $5-$7

The Charlotte Film Society offers two chances... Read more »

Posted at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0