10/27/11

Mitchell Kearney Rocks

The Light Factory's The Night Time is the Right Time: Photographs by Mitchell Kearney (through January 8, 2012) is like a drug for those of us who are star hounds. (Guilty!) I can't resist People and Us magazines, but I try to limit my intake to grocery store aisles, airplanes, and vacations.

But, Mitchell Kearney sees something in famous people that a paparazzo would never see. In fact, he sees star quality in all of us. His current exhibition places stars and "regular folk" on the same plane.

This show is the third in The Light Factory's series titled In Our Own... Read more »

10/25/11

Weekend Top Picks for Oct 28-30: Scary Stuff

I always have dozens of sure-to-be-award-winning costume ideas each Halloween. It's the party invites that have been scarce in recent years. So, I have a grand time recollecting my best looks from days gone by. Costumes like The Food Lion (I wore a lion costume and made myself a necklace of food); the old, supine lady who yelled on TV, "Help! I've fallen. And, I can't get up" (required just a bathrobe, white wig, and an apparatus around my neck); and one of the Easy Spirit girls from the TV commercial (a group of friends and I wore short shorts, pantyhose, pumps, and we carried a basketball). The year I dreamed up the diaper-wearing astronaut costume, there wasn't a party invitation in sight. I coulda been a contender. It's the story of... Read more »

Posted at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/24/11

Who The Jew Are You?

I can't take credit for the clever headline. That's the title of a movie the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival is bringing to town for one night only.

Who the Jew Are You? was written and directed by Alan Goldman, and the documentary follows him on a personal faith journey as he tries to reconnect with Judaism. After the birth of his son, when he finds out his child is technically not Jewish, Goldman goes on a mission to rediscover his faith. Rabbi Jonathan Freirich of Temple Beth-El will lead a Q&A session after the film.

10/24/11

Q&A with Nurse Ratched

Theatre Charlotte's production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Oct 28-Nov 13) is more like the book than the movie, says actress Donna Scott. But, there's at least one thing that the book, movie, and play have in common, and that's the stricter-than-strict, rule-following, my-way-or-the-highway Nurse Ratched. But, Scott says there's more to the terse nurse than meets the eye. Learn more here.

Scott is an actress and producer who may be best-known and loved for her 2006 Read more »

Posted at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/21/11

Brushes with Greatness

You don't have to go far to experience world-class art. It's being shown right here in the QC ... and, in at least two cases, the talent is homegrown, too.

Check out DOMO Gallery's Alternative Realities. It's a group exhibition of photography printed on 5 x 8 feet canvas and fabric panels by locals Heather Freeman, Aspen Hochhalter, and Jeff Murphy. All three are UNCC professors. Gallery Director Gabrielle Larew calls the show at the South End gallery "a beautiful tribute to our local talent." 

Beginning Oct 27, you can see Maja Godlewska: On Tigers & Putti at Read more »

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

10/20/11

My Rap with Riff

Drew Foster may not be starstruck (see below), but a certain middle-aged blogger certainly is. Sadly, our interview wasn't in person. But, you can bet I'm excited about seeing Foster as Riff (Tony's best friend) in West Side Story, the latest in the Blumenthal's Broadway Lights series. Foster was educated at Juilliard and has starred in stage versions of Amadeus, Othello, and The Rabbit Hole. He and the rest of the cast will be in town Nov 1-6. Learn more.

Q: How exciting is it to be playing an iconic character in an iconic musical?... Read more »

10/19/11

Weekend Top Picks for Oct 21-23: Movies! (And, More)

 I'm not talking about cineplex fare. Although, my hope is that all four of you reading this have seen Drive, or as I call it "The Best Movie of 2011." No leading man has ever looked cooler than Ryan Gosling, toothpick dangling from his mouth, in the unnerving opening scenes. I'm talking about movies not playing on thousands of screens across the country.

The Bechtler's Architecture + Film Program. A Friday night movie is almost always my idea of a great way to unwind after the weekly grind. So much the better when that movie is an undiscovered one I couldn't have seen at the megaplex in Charlotte. Accompany the movie with a cocktail reception and the chance to talk about it... Read more »

Posted at 06:12 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/17/11

Get Some Religion

Historic Charlotte and the Duke Mansion History Committee present Historic Houses of Worship in Mecklenburg County 1750-1950 on -- appropriately -- Sunday.

Diane Althouse, executive director of Historic Charlotte and Nick Faulk, an architecture student at UNCC, will guide participants through a pictorial history of the development of our region’s religious architecture from the 1750s to the 1950s.

It's a religious pot pourri, as the group looks at Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran,... Read more »

Posted at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/14/11

Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

It's the time of year when everyone celebrates the occult and the dark arts. I'm not talking a Manson family-style celebration. Just some good, spooky fun. Or art, as the case may be. Here are a few things going on this month that'll help you get your creep on. Hop on a broomstick and fly over to one of these thrill-filled events.

CAST stages the creepy classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, all about an otherwise good man who has murderous impulses. And acts on them. Oct 13-Nov 6 at CAST's fab new NoDa space.

If you like chainsaw massacres (and who doesn't?!), you may love Read more »

10/12/11

Weekend Top Picks for Oct 14-16: Xanadu, The Addams Family, and More

Surely, you'll be carving pumpkins, planting mums, and making a tabletop display out of autumn leaves and pinecones this weekend. Or, am I the only one celebrating The Greatest Season in such a fashion? I suppose some of you will be watching (yawn!) football. But, no matter how you're filling your fall days, everyone needs to make time for a little cultcha. And, there's plenty of it to be had this weekend. Denyce Graves is in the house!

Xanadu. Sometimes, culture comes breezing in on roller skates. And, to a throbbing disco beat. That's the case with the 1980s musical-on-skates now being staged by Queen City Theatre... Read more »

10/10/11

Drunk, High, and Unemployed

Recognize anyone you know in that description?

Leave it to the Canadians to describe the American zeitgeist. I suppose it's, sadly, the worldwide zeitgeist these days.

The Trailer Park Boys could easily be a band of redneck brothers from right here in North Carolina. But, these guys are our neighbors to the north (Canada, not Virginia) and created and starred in a beloved TV show (2001-07) in their native land.

The show followed Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles as they tried to figure out new ways to get rich, get high, and stay out of jail. Their money-making schemes were usually foiled by the vindictive trailer park supervisor.

Ricky, Julian, and... Read more »

Posted at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/10/11

Profiles in Courage

These bleak economic times (and our divisive politics) call for people with courage to lead us to a higher place. Is anyone out there displaying courage? If you know (or know of) someone who's shown courage, get ready to share the story.

In honor of the Levine Museum of the New South's upcoming exhibition on desegregation, called Courage: The Carolina Story That Changed America, Crossroads Charlotte is putting on a night of storytelling on the topic of "New Courage."

Crossroads Charlotte pays homage to The Moth, the New York-based nonprofit whose tagline is, "True Stories, Told Live," with an evening of... Read more »

Posted at 06:32 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/07/11

You Can Run, But You Can't Hyde

Fresh off their critical and popular success with August: Osage County, CAST mounts another tale about a tormented soul. (In August, it was an entire family that was tormented.) Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde opens just in time for the spooky season, and it plays Thu, Fri and Sat from Oct 13 - Nov 6. Sun matinees are offered Oct 23, 30 and Nov 6. Director Audrey Alford sat down with Revue to talk about her take on the classic tale, the unusual convention the playwright uses to portray Mr. Hyde, and ... nightmares.

Q. Most everyone knows the story of good and evil residing in the same person. What new twists has playwright Jeffrey Hatcher given to the old tale?

A. Jeffrey Hatcher... Read more »

Posted at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/04/11

Weekend Top Picks for Oct 7-8: Jazz at The Bechtler And More

Don't plan on catching up on sleep this weekend; there's too much to do. You can always nap at your desk on Monday.

Jazz at The Bechtler. Get there early, folks. There's sometimes a line out the door by 6:10, and it starts at 6 p.m. There are seats for those who get there in time. But, the bar is not a bad place to stand for latecomers. The gallery's are open, but you'll be hard-pressed to pull yourself away from the music. This Friday, the Bechtler "house band" pays tribute to jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Details.

Blind Boys of Alabama. The... Read more »

Posted at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/04/11

Denyce Graves: No Ordinary Diva

One of opera's brightest stars is in town preparing for Opera Carolina's Il Trovatore. The great Denyce Graves took time out of her schedule of rehearsals and appearances to speak with Charlotte magazine. Find out more.

Ms. Graves was talking to her mother when I first called. I told her it was lovely to know that an internationally famous star still relied on mom.

Denyce Graves: Oh, a great deal. I'm very fortunate to have her.

Charlotte magazine: Well, welcome to Charlotte. It's an honor to have you here. In fact, our magazine made you our Read more »

10/03/11

QCTC: This Is How They Roll

The wacky kids at Queen City Theatre Company are turning the stage at the Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square into a roller rink. A disco roller rink.

The cult movie classic Xanadu later became a Broadway musical hit. And now, QCTC brings the 1980s magic to Charlotte. The show follows the journey of a beautiful Greek muse (Olivia Newton-John in the film version) who descends on Venice Beach, by way of Mt. Olympus, to inspire a struggling artist to fulfill his ambition. Our protagonist, Sonny, wants to create the first roller disco. 

In case you can't tell from the above description, it is a comedy. Musical hits from the over-the-top decade of disco include "Magic,"... Read more »

Posted at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/02/11

What Is It With Skates?

Two distinctly different performances -- on skates -- open this week in Charlotte.

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream will be fun for the whole family. Or, for little girls in their princess phase, at any rate. Disney’s retelling of Rapunzel, Tangled; the tale of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, The Princess and The Frog; and everyone's favorite rags-to-riches tale, Cinderella, are all brought to life. On ice! You know your daughters are going to hear about it and wear you down until you give in and take them. Why resist? Oct 5-9 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Read more »

Posted at 06:32 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0