2016 22 Issue 22 Creative Loafing

Clclt.com | July 21 - July 27, 2016 Vol. 30, No. 22

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Indulge in theCulinary Arts July 22-31, 2016

Presented by

130+ restaurants • 3 courses • $30/$35

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Interested in networking to find out how to make a pop-up business partnership work for you?

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PaperHouse Theatre's Nicia Carla & Frock Shop's Caroline Cook-Frers Chickspeare's Sheila Snow Proctor & NoDa Brewing Company's Suzie Ford donna scott productions & The Charlotte Art League's Cindy Connelly Facilitated by Anita Overcash, Editor at Creative Loafing.

Monday July 25th 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Wine and light appetizers will be served.

Free admission, but please RSVP Limited seating available RSVP: http://bit.ly/28ZsNAa Donna Scott Productions’ Women Entrepreneurs in Business and Arts Speaker Series

Charlotte Art League 1517 Camden Road in South End

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Creative Loafing is Published by Womack Newspapers, Inc. Charlotte, NC 28206.

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Editorial

NEWS EDITOR • Ryan Pitkin rpitkin@clclt.com STAFF WRITER • Madeline Lemieux FILM CRITIC • Matt Brunson mattonmovies@gmail.com THEATER CRITIC • Perry Tannenbaum perrytannenbaum@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS • Corbie Hill, Erin TracyBlackwood, Vivian Carol, Charles Easley, Chrissie Nelson, Page Leggett, Alison Leininger, Sherrell Dorsey, Dan Savage, Aerin Spruill, Chuck Shepherd, Jeff Hahne

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24

Zakk Wylde performs at Amos’ Southend on July 22.

cover story The Music Issue: Gwen Stefani, Garbage, Donnie, Sarah Jarosz and more.

By CL Staffers This week’s cover photo was shot by Jamie nelson.

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News&VIEWS Filtering the facts: About that arsenic in your water...

By Rhiannon fionn 12 Thank me later 12 The Blotter 13 News of the Weird

14

Food Crepes for days: Asi Agajan’s big city snack finds a special place in the south.

By madeline lemieux

18

Arts&Ent Can’t get enough of your nun, babe: Reviews of Sister Act and Killing Women.

By perry tannenbaum 20 Film Review

24

Music

Without a doubt: Gwen Stefani returns to the road as a solo artist. By jeff hahne Breaking the surface: Sarah Jarosz rides the Undercurrent. By pat moran

On your radar: Detecting Donnie’s The Colored Section. By anita overcash

overflowing garbage: Shirley Manson and crew return to feed the birds. By anita overcash A Milestone in history: Levine exhibit captures the grit of Charlotte’s most historic music venue. By ryan pitkin Patience as the virtue: Local rappers/

producers learn that fools rush in on quality music.

By ryan pitkin 32 soundboard

16

Odds&Ends

16 Top 10 Things To Do 34 Marketplace 34 Nightlife 35 Crossword 36 Savage Love 38 Horoscope

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News

Feature

A woman catches rays while her dog swims at a Riverbend sandbar adjacent to Duke Energy’s “mixing zone,” where they return wastewater with high levels of arsenic.

Skip Hudspeth

Filtering the facts About that arsenic in your water...

By Rhiannon Fionn

L

ake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie (a.k.a. the Catawba River) — all of that water belongs to you. And by “you,” I mean “We The People.”

That water is the same water flowing through pipes into your homes and businesses and into your bodies. Your government is supposed to be protecting it. So, why is Duke Energy allowed to drain arsenic into it? Because coal ash, that’s why.

10 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

When the company exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Act’s arsenic standard in 2004, 2010, 2012 or earlier this year it was totally legal. And Duke didn’t break the law on June 20, 2016, either, when the arsenic levels draining out of its waste into your drinking water reservoir — Mountain Island Lake — was recorded at more than nine times the federal safety standard. Why? Because it has a permit.

Arsenic is poisonous, but there’s no

limit placed on how much of it Duke is allowed to drain into your drinking water reservoir. And yet the company has to drain its coal ash dumps at its Riverbend coal plant into Mountain Island Lake; it’s part of the cleanup process, a necessary evil. Besides, there’s a deadline to keep.

Remember the 2014 Dan River spill and the federal investigation that followed? Remember when Duke pleaded guilty to nine criminal violations of the Clean Water Act last year?

The cleanup is part of that ongoing aftermath.

Following the spill, the General Assembly passed the Coal Ash Management Act, (CAMA) which Gov. Pat McCrory, a former employee of Duke Energy for 29 years, allowed to become law sans his signature.

The act created a classification system that established cleanup deadlines. For the Riverbend plant, that deadline was December 2019. Since there’s roughly 3.6 million tons of coal ash there, it’s going to take a minute

of drinking water for Charlotte, pore water samples collected from lake sediment during the summers of 2010 and 2011 contained up to 250 parts per billion of arsenic – roughly 25 times higher than current EPA standards for drinking water, and nearly twice the EPA standard for aquatic life.”

I keep asking DEQ if they’re paying attention to Vengosh’s coal-ash research, but they don’t bother to answer when asked if they’re aware of his latest study. He says they haven’t called. (Vengosh has also reported on the waste’s radioactivity, found ways to trace contamination back to individual coal ash dumps and discovered new ways to monitor the waste.)

The reports on arsenic — from Duke University and Mecklenburg County — are no surprise to Duke Energy. The company monitors its wastewater, too, and was already aware of the spikes. They had noticed an “upward trend” in arsenic levels, according to spokesperson Zenica Chatman. She also said when the county confirmed the latest, largest arsenic spike, the company stopped discharging wastewater from the coal ash

to haul it away. But before that can happen, the company must drain the water from it, even though that means discharging arsenic into your water.

On July 15, McCrory signed House Bill 630 into law. The new law eviscerates CAMA and will allow Duke Energy to cap some existing coal ash ponds in North Carolina once deemed intermediate-risk, rather than excavate them.

Regardless, due to other factors that include lawsuit settlements among other things, the clean-up at the Riverbend site will continue.

Before your water is sucked out of the lake, it’s tested many times, then tested many times more at the treatment plant.

Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Water are paying close attention, but they’re powerless.

There are currently no local ordinances limiting arsenic levels and HB 630 restricted the rights of local governments to pass any.

Still, Mecklenburg County intensified its monitoring of the lake’s surface water near the Riverbend coal ash dumps way back in 2004, years before any of us had ever heard of the stuff. Since then, Rusty Rozzelle, a program manager for Mecklenburg Water Quality, says, “We’ve had six exceedances of the surface water quality standard for arsenic, which is 10 parts per billion.” Those exceedances ranged from 16 ppb to 92 ppb, which is what his team recorded on June 20.

Rozzelle shares the county’s monthly monitoring data with Charlotte Water.

Collectively, they determine if the water is fine or not. And it is. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) agrees with them, as does Duke Energy and EPA, according to its drinking water standards and its 2011 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that doesn’t limit the amount of arsenic Duke can discharge.

Arsenic is heavy; it sinks. So, it’s no surprise that when DEQ “investigated” on July 7, weeks after Duke Energy stopped discharging its wastewater due to the spike, no arsenic was found in the surface water. But arsenic doesn’t magically disappear once it’s released into the water. It can dilute and drift off, it can hook up with a bit of sediment and sink or settle on a bank. But it doesn’t vanish.

In the summer, the oxygen beneath the water’s surface is depleted and the arsenic there morphs into arsenic trioxide. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), “Small amounts of arsenic trioxide can lead to multiple organ damage and death.”

Dr. Avner Vengosh, of Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, has been researching coal ash and publishing peer-reviewed studies on his findings in academic journals at the rate of about one per year since finding that the coal ash from the disaster in Tennessee could harm the environment seven years ago.

In 2012, one of Vengosh’s reports stated, “In Mountain Island Lake, a primary source

basins. They’ll resume in September, but this time with a filtration system, she said.

I asked why the company didn’t stop discharging the wastewater when it noticed the upward trend, especially in the summer when there is less oxygen in the lake.

Chatman replied, in part: “The sample point where the elevated levels occurred was very close to the plant in the cove, which is our ‘mixing zone’ — an area that the state allows a permitted industry to return wastewater. Levels need to meet the state surface water standard (10 ppb) outside that area in the main channel of the lake, which had never been affected. If we had started to observe increasing levels in the main channel of the lake, that would have been our signal to suspend the process sooner.”

The thing is, that cove is adjacent to “the sandbar,” a popular summertime hangout.

Still, Charlotte Water says the water is fine. And it is; it should be. I mean, I can only go by what they report, and they say there is no arsenic in your drinking water.

Hey, they drink it. I drink it. We’re in this together. Right?

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News

thank me Later

Missed connections When you date a guy you met on Twitter, you reconsider your connection to what matters not only am I guilty of making myself So, it’s been exactly one month and emotionally unavailable to interested nine days since I started dating this suitors, I am equally guilty of treating random guy I met on Twitter. much of my work with the same level of By social media standards, we’ve detachment. “known” each other for the better part In the age of clicktivism and social of a few months; digitally exchanging sharing, it is far easier to distance ideas on the state of the world and ourselves from the actual work of finding mutuality among our streams serving others; to disinvest in people of consciousness, bands of followers and communities who don’t share and occasional foes who don’t share our similar narratives, tax brackets or life love for interjecting Jay-Z lyrics into everyday conversation. experiences. It takes much greater What turned out to be an innocent courage and commitment to be rendezvous to discuss adjusting to the active participants in the growth and transplant life in Queen City quickly development of new social structures evolved into a series of graceful romantic that could change the game for the mass gestures and the eventual naming inequity our country (and city, for of this concept of dating. that matter) pretends to be This is very new for privy to. me. I’m not exactly the Many of us are far most stable person removed from what it when it comes to means for communities courting matters. I of color to process come with a track police killings on a record of indecision, national scale; to fight often ditching cities tirelessly for quality (and “boyfriends”) at a education or to petition moment’s notice, piling policy officials decade sherrell new workloads against after decade for healthier dorsey social outings and reserving environments and access much of my affections for the to transportation and green opposite sex among my awesome spaces. band of phenomenal male friends — We are removed from the realities of many of whom bring me chocolate what it means to show up in the world on demand and listen to my life woes as gendered, trans, immigrant, refugee, without interruption. senior, poor, of color, religious, agnostic Those who knew me in my early and checkbox apparent. shameful years of bad boyfriends and Each day, I think through where breakups are bemused that I’ve even my biases can go to die. Often, I float come this far, pointing to my stark toward the notion that it is a failure of ability to put distance between myself our human intellect as one of the most and the rest of the world. evolved species on earth to not do the In my seemingly noble commitment actual work of investing in those whom to working on myself and learning we have not considered before. the value of self-satisfaction in lieu of It is our responsibility, on an Facebook relationship updates, I have individual level, to take on this work to equally aided myself in mastering bypass the sheer emotional constraints the art of pursuing adventure before of learning hard things, feeling hard intimacy. Unwittingly, I’ve balanced and uncomfortable feelings and with precision the skill of being available becoming vulnerable as we struggle without having to give fully of myself. (I with challenging and analyzing our own promise, my therapist is helping me to thoughts. get this sorted out.)

Our social media timelines aren’t And then, after a series of enough. We’ll need to log off and start conversations on intentionality with the getting our hands dirty. aforementioned gentleman, it hit me: backtalk@clclt.com 12 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

News

Blotter

By Ryan Pitkin

Pop Off One might think that the days following Halloween are tough on school bus drivers, who have to deal with kids hopped up on sugar bouncing off the walls of their bus. Those drivers don’t know the struggle of the drivers who transport summer school students. In the days following July 4, one driver reported that a student set off fireworks in the back of her bus at 7:30 a.m. while she was driving down Arrowood Road.

Doesn’t Grow On Trees Speaking

of sugar highs, two thieves in Charlotte last week were willing to go to great lengths to get their fix. Police responded to Dollar Tree in Plaza Midwood in the early morning hours after someone smashed through the storefront window. The burglar wasn’t looking for money, however, but instead made off with a $750 candy machine. In an unrelated incident, employees at a Fed Ex store in west Charlotte reported that someone made off with $4 worth of jelly beans.

Just Playing A 35-year-old man wanted

to document a case in which someone threatened him on the street he lives on, although he wanted to make it clear that he ain’t scared. The man told officers that the suspect made a hand gesture toward him as if he was aiming a gun before driving off.

The man told police that he does not feel threatened by the suspect, but would like to have the incident on record.

Spicing Things Up A few shoplifters in

Charlotte last week decided they wanted to invigorate their sex lives … but on a budget.

At about 3:30 p.m. on a Monday, someone allegedly walked out of Priscilla McCall’s lingerie and gift shop on South Boulevard with three bottles of anal lubricant and a single bottle of “personal lubricant,” totaling $64. Exactly one hour later, police responded to a call in SouthPark Mall about a suspect who had allegedly ran out of Victoria’s Secret with 78 pairs of “No-Show” seamless panties.

A day later, a suspect stole a $20 pack of Trojan Magnum condoms from a 7-11 in the University area. It’s unclear whether any of these were related, but if that’s not the case, the suspects should meet up.

Not Father Material A 21-year-old man in the University area learned that he’d be a father in an alarming way last week. The man called police and told them that he had woken up that morning to find that someone had slashed all four tires on his Nissan Altima. He went through the day perplexed as to who would do such a thing, until later that evening when he began receiving calls from the probable suspect. He told officers a woman he had apparently slept with at some point called him 48 times during that night

and would only say, “You got me pregnant and I am going to kill you.”

Product Placement At least one bad

actor got away with using counterfeit money at a McDonald’s on South Tryon Street last week. Employees were counting the day’s take at some point in the evening when they realized that one of the $20 bills in the cash register didn’t look right. A closer look showed that the bill had “For Motion Picture Use Only” printed across it.

Government in Action A 33-year-

old woman went to police after realizing she had been scammed last week, although she probably should have seen that the fix was in much earlier in the process. She told officers that someone called her and led her to believe that he was an IRS representative.

Over the course of the conversation, she spoke with three people who claimed to be with the IRS. These people informed her that she owed back taxes and would need to pay them immediately or she would go to jail. The suspects then explained to her that the only way to pay what she owed would be to purchase $2,450 worth of iTunes gift cards from a local Best Buy and read the confirmation numbers of the cards over the phone to the supposed IRS agents. She followed right along, and realized later that day that she had been scammed and didn’t actually owe any taxes.

Will Work For Music It seems iTunes

cards have become popular with scammers lately, as one woman in south Charlotte learned the hard way when she was swindled out of money by a “family member.” She told officers she received a call from the suspect, who claimed to be her cousin and in need of financial assistance in Chicago. The woman gave the suspect $1,000 in Apple gift cards, though it’s unclear what sort of assistance the so-called cousin needed that could be addressed through iTunes. After the woman checked up on her actual cousin, which she probably should have done before buying the gift cards, she learned the entire thing was a scam and that her cousin was never ever in Chicago.

Threat of the Week A 24-year-

old man filed a report last week after he apparently began to annoy someone who couldn’t be bothered. The victim told officers that the suspect told him, “You are bothering me and my child. I’m going to kill you with my bare hands. I’m going to destroy you.”

In an unrelated incident, one man reported being threatened by someone who couldn’t decide if he was going to do the killing or if the police were. He said the suspect wrote on his Facebook wall, “If you keep making stupid blanket statements I’m gonna come get you … I’ll see you soon … Your time will come … SWAT will kill you.”

News

News of the weird

By Chuck Shepherd

Fashion Challenges Beautician Sarah Bryan, 28, of Wakefield, England, who garnered worldwide notoriety last year when she introduced a wearable dress made of 3,000 Skittles, returned this summer with a wearable skirt and bra made of donated human hair (a substantial amount, she said, pubic hair). She admits having had to work in an eye mask, breathing mask and thick gloves, out of fear of donors’ hygiene habits.

More conventionally, designer Van Tran of Brooklyn, New York, won the 12th annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress design contest in New York City in June, with a $10,000 prize from sponsors Charmin and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. World’s Greatest Lawyers (1) Attorney Chris Dyer convinced a jury in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in June that there was “reasonable doubt” about what his client was doing in a family’s basement when he was discovered, pants down, perched “doggy style” over the family’s golden retriever, Cooper. Client Daniel Reinsvold, a stranger in the house, told the jury that he has an “intestinal disorder” that makes him subject to “emergencies.” What Reinsvold was doing was apparently perfectly clear to the resident’s 17-year-old daughter, who discovered the scene and reported Reinsvold “screwing Cooper.” A vet later said that Cooper showed signs of trauma. Nonetheless, Reinsvold was convicted only of trespass and disorderly conduct. (2) Attorney Lee Pearlman finally earned an acquittal in June after two hungjury trials for his client Danielle Goeller — one of a seemingly increasing number of drivers who hit pedestrians but claim they were unaware of anybody being hit. Goeller, 28, a trauma-room nurse with no intoxicants in her system, had struck a 60-year-old man on a busy, heavily lighted Tampa street at 11:45 p.m., cracking her windshield — but drove on without stopping. “What does she think she hit?” asked the prosecutor. “A deer?

A bear?” Responded Pearlman, “She’s a scared girl in the middle of the night who doesn’t have the life experience other people do.”

Bright Ideas (1) Picturesque Torrelodones, Spain (pop. 22,000), has 6,000 pet dogs and apparently few conscientious dog owners, which town leaders say accounts for the nearly half-ton of “litter” that accumulates daily. The town’s latest bright idea: installing a 7-foot-high, 10-by-10-foot brown, inflated plastic “swirly” in the center of town as a reminder to residents to pick up after their dogs. Spain’s The Local reported in June that other towns have begun to tackle the problem as well, such as with DNA testing of dogs and street-scrubbing punishment for guilty owners. (2) British student Joshua Browder, 19, created an easy-to-use computer app to help drivers fight parking tickets they

believe unjust — and now reports that users have won 160,000 cases out of 250,000, all in London and New York City, by following his question-and-answer “chat” interface at DoNotPay.co.uk. Browder said he was motivated to develop the app — which, as of now, is still free of charge — after himself getting about 30 tickets he says he did not deserve.

The Passing Parade (1) A bicycle thief

was stopped on June 10 when the bike’s owner and several other people chased him from the Wal-Mart parking lot in Eagle Point, Oregon, drawing the attention of a passing rider on horseback (Robert Borba), who joined the chase and moments later, according to a report in Portland’s The Oregonian, lassoed the man and restrained him until police arrived. (2) A kite surfer on a Sussex beach south of London got into trouble on June 26 and was unable to float back to land — until he was rescued by two Good Samaritans in kayaks. The saviors happened to be dressed as Batman and Robin while participating in the Shoreham Beach Superhero Paddle.

Wait, What? (1) Not only are almost

all federal employees above average, they are nearly all superior workers, according to a June Government Accountability Office review of agencies’ personnel-rating results.

Yes, the review included the departments of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security.

Most agencies use a 1 (“unacceptable”) through 5 (“outstanding”) rating system, and GAO found that 99 percent were rated either 5 or 4 (“exceeds ‘fully acceptable’”). (2) Not many DUI stops result in attempts to locate the suspect’s chastity belt key, but the May 14 sobriety checkpoint stop of Curtis Eidam, 35, in Clinton, Tennessee, did. Eidam was outfitted in “red mesh see-through hose,” according to the police report, with a ribbon tied in his goatee, and also a “little skirt,” when he told officers he needed his key, which happened to be on a necklace worn by his passenger, a “highly intoxicated” 44-yearold woman. Thus, Eidam was able to unlock and remove the chastity belt, which had been “attached to his penis.” There was also a handgun in the vehicle — illegal in Tennessee for an intoxicated person to carry.

Cognitive Failure In a May journal article, biologists from the University of Florida and Oklahoma State University found that more than 80 percent of survey respondents want package labels on all foods that have “DNA” content, even though all meat and vegetables have DNA. The Oklahoma researcher found earlier that about the same number want such labels to be “mandatory.”

Law professor Ilya Somin suggests playfully raising the fright level of those respondents by adding this “alarm” to the label: “Warning: Pregnant women are at very high risk of passing on DNA to their children.” clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 13

Food

Feature

Crêpes for Days Asi Agajan’s big city snack finds a special place in the south

By Madeline Lemieux

I

t’s a quarter to noon on a Friday, and the Uptown lunch crowd that’s lined up in front of Hazelnuts Crêperie is already starting to overflow into the lobby of its 200 South Tryon St. location.

For owner Asi Agajan, seeing the crowd of crêpe-seekers fill the lobby is a welcoming sight. He can still recall a time, not too long ago, when lunchtime in the lobby looked very different.

“I used to spend hours in the Overstreet Mall handing out menus during lunch to get people to come visit us,” he says. “It was really challenging at first, especially in this location at the back of the building.”

Agajan opened Hazelnuts Crêperie in 2012, at the tail-end of the financial crisis.

He recalls a drastically different food scene in Charlotte back then.

“This building was half empty then.

Everything was really quiet. We were at the dead-end back of the building. People had no reason to come back here.”

With just two griddles in the kitchen and a small staff, Agajan recalls feeling slammed if ten people came in for lunch. After a year of uncertainty, his perseverance finally paid off.

“Something just changed. All of a sudden people were coming, we got busy and I didn’t have time to hang out in Overstreet handing out menus anymore.”

Agajan added more staff to the kitchen and installed more griddles to accommodate the increase in demand and production.

“People were talking about it with their friends, coming with their coworkers,” he says. “We started noticing excitement brewing around the product. It was pretty unique, especially for Charlotte.”

Opening a fast-service crêperie in postrecession Charlotte was just one on a long list of gambles to pay off for Agajan. It all started in New York, where he managed a retail business and found himself craving a change of pace.

“I was in a position where I had nothing to lose, so I closed my business and said ‘I’m going to go get a job in a restaurant and see 14 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

madeline lemieux

Hazelnut’s signature curry chicken crêpe.

Hazelnuts Crêperie 200 South Tryon St. (lobby). 704910-0782; 224 East 7th St.(7th Street Public Market). 704-919-0963. hzlnts. com.

what happens,’” he says. “The first place to hire me was a crêperie.”

Once Agajan mastered the craft, he began to fine-tune his vision for a sweet-and-savory one-stop crêpe shop. That vision followed

him south when he visited the Carolinas on a whim and fell in love with the Queen City.

“There are so many pockets with their own identity,” he says. “That was a big thing for us. So I found this space and just got rolling.”

The next order of business was devising a menu of sweet and savory crêpe options.

“A lot of the recipes are influenced by my personal experiences,” Agajan explains.

“There’s kind of an international influence.”

He credits his love of Indian food for inspiring the Chicken Curry crêpe — a “non-stop bestseller.”

Maple Dream, a popular breakfast crêpe, was inspired by a customer who visited Hazelnuts in their early days.

“She was from Vermont, and she came in and created this crêpe with maple syrup on it,” he says. “She ate it and said, ‘This is awesome!’ so we tried it out as a special and people went crazy over it. It’s been our best-selling breakfast crêpe since then.”

Weathering the storm has paid off for Agajan, who opened a second Hazelnuts location in 7th Street Public Market. “At the market, it’s more leisurely,” he says of the new location. A third location is set to open later this year at south Charlotte’s Blakeney shopping center.

In addition to opening more crêpe stands across the city, Agajan has toyed with the idea of launching a food truck or mobile catering service. One thing that isn’t on the agenda,

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A member of the kitchen staff gives us a demonstration on how the crêpe magic happens. though, is expanding the menu.

“We’re gonna stay focused on crêpes, that’s what people really enjoy about the concept,” he says. “People like that we specialize in something. I think it’s part of what makes us successful.”

Other crêpe spots — under different ownership — like Crispy Crepe in South End and Crepe Cellar Kitchen and Pub in NoDa, are creating more options for folks around Charlotte to try the French-inspired treat.

“Five years ago, there wasn’t that much activity and I had to drag people in off the streets,” he remarks on how he’s watched Charlotte’s food scene evolve. “Today, the economy is stronger and there’s more variety.

There’s a lot more business, and you have a lot of people looking for something a little bit outside of the box.”

Agajan still sees plenty of opportunity to create crêpe converts in Charlotte.

“A lot of people aren’t familiar with what we do,” he says. “Their friends say ‘let’s get crêpes,’ and they just think of the traditional, soupy French crêpes with three ingredients.”

“People are surprised by our style of crêpes. We’re more like sandwich crêpes, and those people will leave here saying, ‘I didn’t want to try it, but I’m glad I did because it wasn’t what I was expecting.’”

DISHING FRESH FOOD AND BEVERAGE NEWS WEEKLY.

mlemieux@clclt.com

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 15

Thursday

thursday

21

Truckstop Preachers What: It’s time to spread the news. This rowdy Rock Hill, South Carolina-based band is crossing the stateline to bring some of its country sounds to Charlotte. Last year, the group released a new album called Untie the Horses. It’s since gone on to receive radio play across the pond in Europe and Austrailia.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Visulite Theater, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. More: $8. 704-358-9200. visulite. com.

— Anita Overcash

16 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

THINGS TO DO

TOP ten

friday

21

friday

22

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If/Then

Zakk Wylde

What: We never know how things are going to pan out, but sometimes we have to take chances to see. This new musical follows a woman who is living in New York City and her two possible life paths, which have very different impacts on her life. You could say it’s Sliding Doors meets Rent?

What: This legendary heavy metal guitarist got his start with Ozzy Osbourne and is the rock behind Black Label Society. But as a solo artist he’s a strong stand alone as well. In April of this year, Wylde released Book of Shadows II, a followup to the 1996 debut release of the same name. Both albums showcase a more somber side of Wylde, as heard on the latest album’s melancholy “Sleeping Dogs” track.

When: July 21, 7:30 p.m.; July 22, 8 p.m.; July 23, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; July 24, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Where: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. More: $29.50 and up. 704-3721000. blumenthalarts.org.

— Overcash

If/Then Thursday

Joan Marcus

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. More: $25-$30. 704-377-6874. amossouthend.com — Overcash

Urban Gypsy Traveling Trunk Show What: Elle Erickson’s mobile thrift shop is coming home. Erickson founded the Urban Gypsy Traveling Trunk Show in Charlotte five years ago, and will return from her usual Asheville hangouts to bring the pop-up shop to Plaza Midwood.

The “shopping party,” as Erickson calls it, features gently worn clothing and hundreds of one-of-akind pieces from artists that range from massage therapists to henna artists.

When: June 22-24, 12-8 p.m.

Where: TUFT, 1222 Central Ave. More: Free admission. urbangypsytrunkshow.com/#home — Ryan Pitkin

saturday

23

Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made What: In 1989, three friends finished their fan adaptation of the 1981 classic, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. After six years of filming, it became a cult classic as the fan-made replica of the blockbuster was filmed shot-forshot (almost). Raiders! follows the original filmmakers’ journey as they film the last of the adaptation two decades later.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution St. More: $5-$10. charlottefilmsociety. com.

— Courtney Mihocik

Urban Gypsy Traveling Trunk Show Friday

News Arts Food Music Odds

Tunes for Tarrah w/ LeAnna Eden sunday

Bloom: Transformations Saturday

saturday

Saturday

23

sunday

23

Campus Pride Homecoming Celebration

24

Bloom: Transformations

What: This awards banquet recognizes LGBTQ folks in the community who are making a difference in the community, while honoring Campus Pride and its ongoing efforts and leadership in the community since its founding in 2001. Special guests include the lovely Miss Lawrence and Jasika Nicole.

When: July 23.

Where: Johnson & Wales University, 235 S Cedar St. More: $42.50-$85. campuspride. org.

— Overcash

What: Satarah, a performance art troupe that offers dance, aerial acrobatics and fire throwing/ breathing is presenting this showcase. A take on “the beautiful journey of life, death and rebirth,” it’s a show that will leave you feeling inspired. Two shows include one family-friendly and one adultsonly.

When: 6 p.m. (family-friendly) and 9 p.m. (adult) Where: McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 721 N Tryon St. More: $15-$30. brownpaperbagtickets.com — Overcash

Tunes for Tarrah What: In April, Tarrah Segal, a Charlottean, was diagnosed with Stage IV cervical cancer, a disease that will strike 12,990 women in the U.S. this year. Charlottebased and regional artists set to perform to raise money for Segal’s treatment include Chattanoogabased singer/songwriter Nathan Bell, rapper Quent, the Q.C.’s own Saints & Sinners, Charlotte singer/ songwriters LeAnna Eden and Grey Revell and more.

When: 3 p.m.–10 p.m.

Where: The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. More: $10 donation. eveningmuse. com.

— pat moran

monday

Wednesday

25

27

DSP Women Entrepreneurs in Business and Arts Speaker Series What: Not only does Donna Scott do theater right, she does partnerships right as well. The longtime theater guru established a relationship with The Charlotte Art League back in 2014. That relationship will be one of many discuss at this fresh, new series. CL sponsors this event and yours truly will facilitate.

When: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Where: Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Road.

More: Free admission, but RSVP. eventbrite.com.

— Overcash

The Stray Birds What: With coiling guitars, winding fiddle and soaring three part harmonies, The Stray Birds build on their string band foundation to craft nuanced, populist tunes that tug at the heart. Song of the Year winners at Folk Alliance International for the title track of their 2014 release Best Medicine, they added drums, organ and electric guitars to their palette for their latest album Magic Fire, but never lose sight of their roots.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. More: $8-$10. 704-376-3737. eveningmuse.com — Moran

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 17

Arts

theater

Sister Act runs through July 23 at CPCC’s Halton Theater.

Chris Record

A shot from Killing Women.

Stephen Seay

Can’t get enough of your nun, babe Reviews of Sister Act and Killing Women

By Perry Tannenbaum

M

aybe should

Ophelia

have followed Hamlet’s advice. Julie Andrews — or was that Carrie Underwood? — checked into a nunnery in The Sound of Music and, in spite of some serious compatibility issues, wound up with a husband and a singing group. The same thing happened to Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act when she hid from a Las Vegas gangster at a San Francisco convent and wound up leading a choir of nuns in a command performance for the Pope.

The musical version, transplanted to Philly and currently completing a very successful summer season at CPCC, makes it a little clearer that lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier gets her man. Some might say that Sweaty Eddie, the shy and timid police desk sergeant who whisks Deloris into hiding, mans up at just the right moment and gets his woman. No matter, there’s plenty of righteous jubilation at the end.

Relationships with Deloris tend to be 18 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

turbulent. She disdains the timid Eddie even though she knows he has a crush on her.

Yet she submits to the indignity of being gangster Curtis Jackson’s piece-on-the-side, because he might soften up and get her a record deal. That relationship sours when Curtis gives Deloris one of his wife’s handme-down coats for Christmas — a rather noxious blue number — but before we can see whether she’ll follow through on her resolve to walk out on him, she witnesses Curtis killing off one of his henchmen.

So that relationship is also on the rocks.

It’s only when Eddie puts her in the witness protection program at Queen of Angels Cathedral that we arrive at the relationship that gives Sister Act its true spark. Eddie and Curtis merely represent the diverging paths Deloris might take in life. Mother Superior is her polar opposite, disciplined, dignified, god-fearing, ascetic, and tradition-bound. Comical shockwaves fly in both directions when they meet — as soon as Mother Superior espies Deloris’s

glittery scanty attire, and as soon as Deloris whips out a cig.

What elevates this script, adapted by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner from Joseph Howard’s screenplay, is the attention it gives to the Mother Superior’s spiritual crisis as Deloris’s leadership of the choir brings crass commercial success to the struggling Cathedral. The stinging line she nails Deloris with, “God sent you here for a purpose — take the hint,” gets flung right back in Mother Superior’s face.

CP and director Corey Mitchell are so fortunate to have Paula Baldwin for their top nun. While Baldwin gets great comedy mileage out of Mother Superior’s discomfiture, she also delves deeply enough into the Mother’s spiritual anguish for us to empathize, even if we can’t climb aboard.

It would be an overstatement to say that Baldwin can’t sing a note, but there are some notes Mitchell and music director Drina Keen should have advised her not to sing.

Speaking some of “I Haven’t Got a Prayer”

would have helped, but it remains one of the evening’s highlights.

Conversely, singing rather than acting is Jessica Rebecca’s strong suit as Deloris. She’s a fair substitute for the infallible Whoopi in the comical moments, but she’s an absolute force of nature when she breaks into song.

I’m not sure that Rebecca even needs a mic when she’s belting at Halton Theater, but she was certainly overmiked for most of opening night.

I only began to feel raw emotion from Rebecca at Eddie’s apartment when she sang “Fabulous, Baby!” her second pass at proclaiming her aspirations. So it was especially devastating when she suddenly grew soft segueing into the title song, where she realizes the love, sisterhood, responsibility, and growth she has experienced at Queen of Angels. A goosebump moment, for sure.

Rebecca towers over Christian Deon Williams, making it all the easier for him to simulate Eddie’s timidity, but the richness in

his lower range as he sings his aspirational “I Could Be That Guy” tips us off to his manliness too soon. Big as he is, Stephen Stamps could stand to be raunchier — and older — as Curtis to get the full comical menace out of “When I Find My Baby,” a doowop love song with murderous intent, but his Barry White shtick later on is workin’, Babe.

Curtis’s backup thugs have a nice ethnic diversity, Justin Miller as Joey, Alex Aguilar as Pablo, and Justin Rivers as TJ, all of them getting prime spots in “Lady in a Long Black Dress.” More individuality is lavished upon Monsignor O’Hara and three of the nuns. It’s Beau Stroupe as O’Hara who prevails upon Mother Superior to offer refuge to Deloris and is then surprised — and surprisingly enthused — about the rock and gospel Deloris infuses into Sunday services.

Megan Postle is preternaturally welcoming and upbeat as Sister Mary Patrick, exactly the quality needed to maximize the comedy of “It’s Good to Be a Nun.” Caroline Chisholm is the conflicted postulant, Mary Robert, instantly drawn

Sister Act July 20, 7:30 p.m.; July 23, 7:30 p.m. CPCC’s Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534. http:// tix.cpcc.edu.

to Deloris’s worldliness. She has some prodigious high notes lurking within her, but Chisholm maintains her innocence even after Deloris helps set them free. As the usurped choir director, Sister Mary Lazarus, Kathryn Stamas is the most surprising of the nuns. Not only can she kick aside a piano stool with a flair that would make Jerry Lee Lewis proud, she can kick her left foot as high as her ear, kicking sideways.

Unless you truly expected the Halton’s stage to be transformed into a cathedral worthy of a Pope’s visit, you’ll be impressed

by Jennifer O’Kelly’s set designs — and by

how slickly one scene melts into another.

Except for the glittery getups worn by Deloris and her backup duo, costume designer Theresa Bush reins it in, but the papal finale is pretty fab.

Alan Menken’s “Here Within These Walls” echoes his own “Beauty and the Beast,” a letdown where there should be uplift. But his “Sunday Morning Fever” — and a couple of his other songs here — will waken disco memories of Travolta, the Bee Gees, and their Saturday Night Fever, a trashy touch that somehow adds to the fun.

A similar vein of humor runs through Killing Women, a black comedy presented

by Stephen Seay Productions at UpStage.

Gwen is involuntarily recruited into a ring of hired killers, a profession totally inimical to motherhood. Forget about spiritual uplift as two other pistol packers, vulgar Abby and elegant Lucy, pitch in with the childcare.

Gwen earns one of the most hilarious character descriptions I’ve ever heard, rightly labeled a “do-it-yourself widow” by Abby. The action really revolves around Abby, for after Lucy splatters her hitman husband’s brains

on their living room wall, Abby’s callous boss, Ramone, decrees that she must knock the mother off. What passes for Abby’s heart shines through here, for she sells Ramone on the notion of grooming Lucy to replace her dead husband at the firm — but only gets one week to deliver.

Turns out that Gwen has considerable aptitude: she’s a crack shot and more than one hitman is smitten by her, though her body disposal skills need work. Luci Wilson carries the show as Gwen, no less rougharound-the-edges now than when I first saw her in 2008 with the Robot Johnson sketch comedy group. That’s a good thing, and when we finally see all her tattoos, we’re not even slightly surprised.

A less confident, more wired performer, Elizabeth Simpson seems to know Gwen from the inside, and Seay casts two bluechippers, Lesley Ann Giles and Christopher Jones, to fill out his front-liners as Lucy and Ramone. Cameos are quirky as everything else in Marisa Wegrzyn’s script, Matthew Schantz and Field Cantey handling them quite well.

2525 Distribution STREET / SOUTH END

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 19

Arts

film

Columbia

Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig and Leslie Jones in Ghostbusters.

Raising Spirits Comedy reboot is a proton pack blast

By Matt Brunson

T

he timing is certainly coincidental. In the same week that’s witnessing the release of Ghostbusters (*** out of four), a new scientific study (I believe conducted at Johns Hopkins University, but don’t quote me on that) has conclusively revealed that the brain size of MRAs, misogynists and other militant morons is larger than a penny but smaller than a quarter. The test, which originated in the wake of the release of 2008’s Sex and the City and entered the home 20 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

stretch as Mad Max: Fury Road was hitting theaters last summer, serves as the bookend to a similar study that yielded the exact same results among racists around the time the Annie remake starring Quvenzhané Wallis was playing multiplexes. As Thomas Dolby emphatically declared, “Science!”

Yet the interesting component is that, as this reinterpretation of the beloved 1984 Ghostbusters gets underway, it appears as if maybe, for the first time in their entire worthless lives, the social suicide squad of

female-fearing fanboys will be right — albeit, of course, for the wrong reasons.

After a mood-setting prologue, the film doesn’t start so much as lurch forward, and the inclusion of some unnecessary and unfunny scatological humor suggests that maybe rebooting this franchise wasn’t such a great idea if the end result was basically going to be a gender-swap The Hangover with a higher CGI budget. But as the script by Paul Feig (who also directs) and Katie Dippold (a writer-producer from Parks and Recreation

and MADtv) gets its bearings, as additional characters are added to the roster, and as the gags start to rely less on locker-room humor and more on the comic abilities of the cast, Ghostbusters soon takes off and never looks back.

Is it better than the original? Not quite, although the distance between the two is a lot closer than anyone will care to admit.

And despite some terrific contributions from the newcomers, there’s no ‘buster quite as glorious as ’84-vintage Bill Murray, whose

Bryan Cranston in The Infiltrator

Broad Green

deft turn was one for the comic ages. But to be clear, this is no rancid Ghost trek so clueless and self-centered that it soils memories of the original; if anything, it enhances it, with some nicely placed cameos (even the late Harold Ramis, sort of) and clever allusions to the original (be sure to stay through all the credits to catch a teaser not unlike the grabber that closed Batman Begins).

Wisely, Feig and Dippold don’t make their stars female versions of the boys from back in the day (e.g. Peter Venkman hasn’t suddenly become Patricia Venkman) but rather come up with new characters for them to inhabit.

Kristen Wiig is, comparatively speaking, the calm one — she’s Erin Gilbert, a scientist who tries to bury her ghost-dabbling past as she’s set to attain tenure at a prestigious university.

But that’s easier said than done since her former partner in the paranormal, Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), has been hawking their previously published novel on the subject all over the Internet. As expected, Erin does not attain tenure but she does develop a reenergized interest in ghosts, joining with Abby and her lab mate Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) as they investigate some unusual activities occurring around the Big Apple. And once their outfit is enhanced by the presence of MTA worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) and possibly hindered by the addition of dumb-as-a-brick receptionist Kevin (Chris Hemsworth), all the team now requires is a catchy name and a catchy logo.

Wiig and McCarthy are fine playing within their normal parameters, so it’s the support staff that yields the largest dividends. Jones is very funny as a woman whose common sense occasionally (and understandably) takes a back seat to hysteria, while Hemsworth

builds on the comedic promise he displayed in last year’s Vacation with an absolutely riotous portrayal of a hunk so lunk-headed, he covers his eyes whenever he hears a loud noise. Best of all is McKinnon, who never seems to stay still as she infuses Holtzmann with reams of eccentric personality.

The picture becomes heavy with visual effects spectacle in the final act, but because the creatures on display are a far cry from the usual dinosaurs, spaceships and Transformers, even this section manages to remain inventive and eye-popping. The smartness of the script not only informs the nods to the original (marshmallow, anyone?) but also directly addresses the tantrums thrown by the nation’s man-boys, from a nice line about the bullying of women to the fact that the villain of the piece (played by SNL scribe Neil Casey) looks exactly like the sort of keyboard warrior who spends his Friday nights anonymously bashing women online (as someone accurately notes, “It’s always the sad, pale ones”).

Whether on its own fearless terms or even as an update of a zeitgeist-charged smash, Ghostbusters proves to be an oasis of entertainment in the midst of this cinematic summer drought — a pop-culture popcorn picture designed to raise spirits in more ways than one.

Moviegoers need another film about the drug trade as much as they need a hole in the head — or, more specifically, a cocaine-caused hole in the nose — but The Infiltrator (*** out of four) does just enough right to make it a welcome addition to the canon.

After delivering last year’s best male performance in last year’s best movie, Trumbo star Bryan Cranston is again mesmerizing in a true-life tale, this one about a U.S. Customs agent attempting to bust open the drug trade in the mid-1980s. He’s cast as Robert Mazur, who, with his more animated partner Emir (John Leguizamo) in tow, manages to successfully infiltrate the stateside operation of drug lord Pablo Escobar by pretending to be a money launderer named Bob Musella.

The assignment ends up requiring the happily married man to pretend he has a fiancée — one provided to him by the agency in the form of rookie Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger) — as well as (shades of American Hustle) develop a close and sincere relationship with top Escobar aide Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt).

The unusual structure of the film (it could almost be tagged Four Funerals and a Wedding) and the stellar turns by the ensemble players (Leguizamo really needs to be landing more assignments in high-profile movies) easily eviscerate any lingering feelings of beenthere-done-that. clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 21

Arts

Happenings

Comedy The Comedy Zone Charlotte Dominique.

July 21, 8 p.m.; July 22, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; July 23, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Charlotte’s Funniest Dentists. July 24, 8 p.m. Fight Night Comedy Competition (Season 10, Round 2). July 26, 8 p.m. 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite B3.

980-321-4702. cltcomedyzone.com.

Wet Willie’s Charlotte Comedy Theater.

Improv performance. For more information, visit charlottecomedytheater.com. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. $10. 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite C-1. 704-716-5650. wetwillies.com.

Film 17th Annual “Real to Reel International Film Festival” Located in the heart of North Carolina between Asheville and Charlotte, Cleveland County is right in the middle of it all. The mission of the Real to Reel International Film Festival is to offer a forum for independent film, video and multi-media artists from around the world to showcase their talents and expose the works of these artists to the region. $8-$10.

July 27-30. Joy Performance Center, 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain.

Brews and Views Screening: The Goonies and Ghostbusters. July 26, 8 p.m. Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. 704-332-6608. petrasbar. com.

of life, death and rebirth. Performers from around the country will showcases their passions using movement on the ground, in the air and through the flames. This immersive experience explores consciousness to create a deep connection with power, sadness, fear and joy. July 23. $15 and up. McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535. mccollcenter.org.

Dixie’s Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull Dixie Longate, fastest-talking Tupperware lady, shares the 16 things she learned from a hard night of drinking. $24.50.

July 21, 7:30 p.m.; July 22, 8 p.m.; July 23, 5 and 8:30 p.m.; July 24, 3 p.m. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

The Drowsy Chaperone The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz age musical featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another. July 21-22, 7:30 p.m.; July 23, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; July 24, 2:30 p.m.

Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road. 704-3763777. theatrecharlotte.org.

The Fox on the Fairway An adventure about life, love, and a man’s eternal love affair with golf. A hilarious comedy based on the Marx Brother’s classic. $15-$29. July 21-23, 8 p.m.; July 24, 2 p.m. Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall, 207 Faculty Drive, Davidson.

Kannapolis’ Summer Movies in the Park Screening The Good Dinosaur. Movie begins at 8:45 p.m. Fri., July 22. Village Park, 700 West C St., Kannapolis.

If/Then: A New Musical A musical about living in New York today and the infinite possibilities that tomorrow holds. The story follows a woman and the two possible life paths she could have. This deeply moving performance reminds us of the lives we lead as well as those we might have led. July 21, 1:30 p.m.; July 22, 7 p.m. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-3721000. blumenthalarts.org.

National Parks Adventure Explore the wilds of America in this film. Narrated by Robert Redford, National Parks Adventure takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness. Through Jan. 6, 2017.

Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte.

704-372-6261. discoveryplace.org.

Junie B. Jones The Musical A delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s bestselling books brought to life in a genuinely comical, and not strictly-for-kids musical awaken a young person’s desire to read. $10$12. July 21, 10 a.m.; July 23, 2 p.m.; July 24, 2 p.m. Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell St. 704-846-8343. matthewsplayhouse.com.

Theater/Dance/ Performance Art

Mario the Magician An NYC favorite who creates his own props, he heads South with his live performance for the young and youngat-heart, inspiring kids and families to make, imagine, and most importantly laugh. $10-$20.

July 23, 4 p.m. Stage Door Theater, Corner of

Hollywood Shoots Itself Film Series Screening Day for Night (1973). July 23. ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St.

Bloom: Tranformations A beautiful journey 22 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

5th Street and N. College Street, Charlotte.

704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

O’Brother O’Brother is set in 1937 rural Mississippi during the Great Depression and is loosely based on Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. Suggested donation of $15 or $10 online. July 21-23, 7:30 p.m.l July 24, 4 p.m.; July 28-30, 7:30 p.m. Noda Brewery, 2921 North Tryon St. http://cotu.ticketleap.com/obro.

Sister Act CPCC’s Summer theatre presents Sister Act. July 21-23, 7:30 p.m. CPCC’s Halton Theater, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534. arts.cpcc.edu/.

Visual Arts Bechtler Museum of Modern Art All That Sparkles... 20th Century Artists’ Jewelry.

Presenting an array of selected jewelry alongside examples of more conventional artwork, this exhibition celebrates the craftsmanship and creativity of artists who used the medium to explore texture and color.

Through Jan. 8. The House That Modernism Built. The exhibit presents Bechtler Museum of Modern Arts’ rich mid-20th century art collection alongside furniture, textile and ceramic holdings on loan from other institutions and private collectors. Through Sept. 11. 420 S. Tryon St. 704-353-9200. bechtler.org.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture Shaping the Vessel: Cummings + Mascoll + Samuel. The exhibit features 26 wood works by three artists, including Frank E. Cummings III, John Mascoll and Avelino Samuel.

Through Jan. 16, 2017. 551 South Tryon St. 704547-3700. ganttcenter.org.

Jerald Melberg Gallery Two to Watch.

Featuring paintings by Nicholas Napoletano and sculptures by Matthew Steele. Through Sept. 10. 625 S. Sharon Amity Road. 704-3653000. jeraldmelberg.com.

The Light Factory Sam Wang Total Immersion.

Chinese artist Sam Wang is known for using circular wide-angle lens’ to add roundness to his images which capture nature, landscape and still life settings. He designs his own cameras, so each shot has a unique touch. Through July 21. Members’ Show. Featuring an array of works

by LF members. Through Aug. 12. 1817 Central Ave. 704-333-9755. lightfactory.org.

Mint Museum Uptown Romare Bearden Gallery. A permanent gallery devoted to the work of Romare Bearden (1911-1988), who was born in Charlotte. Bearden is best known for his groundbreaking use of collage and vibrant portrayals of American life, depicting subjects that range from contemporary urban scenes to nostalgic recollections of the rural South. The Art & Craft of Shoemaking. The exhibit features an array of diverse and unique shoes, from past to present eras of the Mint’s permanent collection. The show explores both the cultural history and the meticulous craft of shoemaking. Through July 31. Here & Now: 80 Years of Photography at the Mint. The first survey exhibition of photography drawn solely from the Mint’s permanent collection. Through Sept. 18. 500 S. Tryon St. 704-337-2000. mintmuseum.org.

More Events Best of Open Mic Celebration Featuring rappers, dancers, poets, magicians, comedians, jugglers, musicians from various genres, and many others. July 29, 7:30 p.m. McGlohon Theater, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

Charlotte Hounds vs. Denver Outlaws July 23, 7:30 p.m. American Legion Memorial Stadium, 310 N. Kings Drive.

Charlotte Tastemaker Summit The event will feature artisans, entrepreneurs, top chefs, artists, brandmakers, interior designers, event planners, independent businesses, and industry-specific vendors in North Carolina.

If you would like to request an invite, email michiel@blacksouthernbelle.com. July 27, 11 a.m. TUFT, 1222 Central Ave. Jimmie Johnson Cane Creek Sprint Triathlon The Jimmie Johnson Foundation Cane Creek Sprint Triathlon will be held at the beautiful lakeside setting in and around Cane Creek State Park. $70-$140. July 26, 6 p.m. Cane Creek State Park, 5213 Harkey Road, Waxhaw.

Puerto Rican Festival 2016 The festival will feature cultural displays, dance and entertainment, traditional foods from Puerto Rico and more throughout the day. July 23, noon-8 p.m. Marshall Park, 800 E. 3rd St.

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EVERY MORNING ON

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 23

Music

cover story

For this week’s music issue, we’ve incorporated stories on national, regional and local bands and musicians. While Gwen Stefani graces the cover, other songstresses like Sarah Jarosz and Shirley Manson of Garbage are just a page or two away. That’s not to forget, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Donnie, who is making a comeback with his The Colored Section album and tour. We’ve also added a story on James Malik and Brio, two local rappers/producers that you should be on the lookout for around town.

Of course, what good would this issue be if there weren’t music venues in the city? Though we’ve lost a couple and may loose more, we can currently rest-assured that there’s no short supply of places to hit up for live music. While the historic Milestone is facing an uncertain future, it continues to showcase bands and musicians. The music venue is the focus of A Milestone in History: You Should Have Seen What I’ve Heard, an exhibit showcasing at Levine Museum of the New South through Oct. 16. Go check it out and head to a show (maybe one of those we’ve written about, though you’ll have choose between Team Gwen or Team Shirley, who are both playing July 23).

24 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

Without a doubt Gwen Stefani returns to the road as a solo artist

By Jeff Hahne

At times, it might seem like Gwen Stefani

has multiple personalities. There’s the singer of No Doubt, the judge on The Voice, the tabloid fodder and the solo artist. When you focus on her music, it’s clear that regardless of the vehicle she uses to deliver her songs — with a band or not — the message has always been a personal one.

She was in her mid-20s when No Doubt released Tragic Kingdom in 1995. The album solidified the pop-rock outfit’s place on the charts, thanks to the honest lyrics from Stefani about her breakup with No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal after a seven-year relationship. Now, more than 20 years later, Stefani has released her third solo album, This is What the Truth Feels Like, which tackles her breakup with ex-husband musician Gavin Rossdale and her new relationship with country artist Blake Shelton.

She made the album in the process of healing a wounded heart, and never expected to release the songs to the public, let alone set out on a full-fledged tour. But here she is, getting set to perform at PNC Music Pavilion on July 23 as part of a nationwide tour in support of the album.

“I never knew this year was going to happen,” Stefani says. “I feel so excited to have a record coming out in real time, where I have this exchange of love with people and it’s been so healing — the process of writing it and sharing it. And to go live with it takes it to a whole other place.”

Stefani says that while she was going through tough times, it was music that offered a healing place for her, making her that much more excited to share the songs with her fans in hopes they might offer some kind of comfort or excitement to them as well.

We can all relate to the heartache of a breakup or the excitement of love. Stefani’s biggest task now is putting together her show and a setlist that draws from all three of her solo albums, including 2004’s Love.

Angel. Music. Baby. and 2006’s The Sweet Escape. She says fans should expect costume changes and production elements — as she’s done on past solo outings.

They can also expect an extensive setlist.

see

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Gwen Stefani

Jamie Nelson

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doubt From

p. 25

t Gwen Stefani

The tour opener featured 25 songs — from her solo career to select No Doubt favorites — “It’s My Life,” “Don’t Speak,” and “Just a Girl” among them — to a couple hits she’s released over the years with her opening act, Eve. “This tour is about giving,” she says. “I want people to walk away and go, ‘Oh my God. That was that time in my life. That was that show I went to — I’ll never forget that night.’ That’s my goal. I just want to make it the most enjoyable show.” Early Twitter reviews were saying just that.

While her early career with No Doubt played by the unwritten punk rock rule of keeping things raw and honest, she’s been able to enjoy theatrics and art in the solo side of her performance career as a different way to express herself. She gets to enjoy the costume changes and backup dancers.

She also has to adjust to these shows being a bit more exhausting emotionally; more so than the physical demands of No Doubt.

“I feel like God just handed (these songs) down to me as, like, this kind of Band-Aid to kind of help me through this crazy time in

With Eve. $19.95-$59.95. July 23, 7 p.m. PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd. www.livenation.com.

my life,” Stefani says. “Finding your gift and sharing it is very draining because there’s so much output. Every time I go out on stage, I have to do my very best. I can’t just walk through it. I think that’s one of the reasons I haven’t toured in seven years. I think it’s going to be something quite satisfying and healing and it’s part of the journey. I know it’s what I want to do and need to do.

“It’s always been part of my journey and with Tragic Kingdom — that was all about my personal life. Pretty much every song I’ve ever written is about my personal life and I feel OK sharing that. I wasn’t making this record to share it, I was making it because it was all I could do to save my own life. There’s a similarity between (Kingdom and Truth) emotionally. The best stuff is usually simple, but it’s the hardest thing to do.”

Breaking the surface Sarah Jarosz rides the Undercurrent

By Pat Moran

Sarah Jarosz performs at McGlohon Theater on July 23.

26 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

sCOTT SIMONTACCHI

No one was more surprised than Sarah Jarosz when she received her first Grammy nomination in 2010.

The 25-year-old Americana singer/ songwriter and multi-instrumentalist was then a freshman at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she was studying contemporary improvisation.

“My roommate and I were both sitting at our desks and I got a text from my publicist saying, ‘Congratulations Grammy,’” Jarosz says. “I had no idea that something like that could happen. We had a small party on our floor, but then we all had to get back to our homework.”

Jarosz’s matter-of-fact modesty contrasts with her talent, which can only be described as precocious. A prodigy on guitar, banjo and mandolin, the Wimberly, Texas native played her first bluegrass festival when she was 11 years old. She became a bluegrass and folk festival circuit stalwart while still in grade school, sharing stages with David Grisman and Ricky Skaggs. At age 16, she signed with

Sugar Hill Records and started working on her 2009 debut album. In addition to highlighting her instrumental chops, that collection, Song Up in Her Head, showcased Jarosz’s mature and sophisticated songwriting on countryflavored folk tunes that seem both timeless and contemporary.

Songwriting was on Jarosz’s radar from the very start, she maintains. “My favorite music was by people who were writing their own songs, artists like Nickel Creek and Gillian Welch. I wanted to try it too.”

To develop her songwriting skills Jarosz eschewed pursuing her career full time after high school, and enrolled in college instead.

“College broadened my palate beyond bluegrass and folk,” she says. “It stretched my ear, exposing me to different styles of music that I hadn’t dug in to before.” Within her first year, Jarosz was playing Klezmer, studying free improvisation and learning jazz standards. She began to implement these see

Surface p. 27 u

Surface From p. 26 t newfound tools into her own songwriting, crafting her second album, Follow Me Down, during her sophomore year. Jarosz finished her 2013 collection Build Me Up from Bones — which netted her a second Grammy nomination — in her senior year.

All the while, she balanced schoolwork with her career. In 2014, she took a break from her own projects to tour with I’m With Her, a female folk super group she formed with fellow singer/songwriters Aoife O’Donovan and Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins. That summer, she also played a month’s worth of dates with Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion.

These side projects have fueled a fresh approach to her own work, Jarosz maintains.

She says her latest album Undercurrent has benefitted from her renewed excitement for the project.

Undercurrent represents a series of firsts for Jarosz. It’s her first album since graduating from college. It’s her first since disbanding her long time touring group of fiddler Alex Hargreaves and cellist Nathaniel Smith (who also played on Build Me Up From Bones). And it’s her first collection of songs penned from her new home in New York City.

“I had always wanted to live in New York since I visited the city when I was 15,” Jarosz says. “After I graduated, it seemed like the perfect time to make the move.”

The relocation was also influenced by remarks Jackson Brown made at the Americana Music Awards in 2014. Jarosz recalls Brown saying that a songwriter must find an isolated space where no one can hear them, in order to create.

“That struck a chord with me in terms of how it relates to my writing and my life.

You have to be able to try anything, to allow yourself to say something stupid to get to the marrow — the good stuff.

“For the first time in my life I’ve been able to truly focus on songwriting as a craft, to sit down every day, even when the inspiration isn’t there, and chip away at these ideas. A lot of that time was spent alone here in my New York apartment,” she maintains. “If you can create the right place for yourself, it can be a spiritual environment.”

As a result, Jarosz feels Undercurrent is her first record that is a complete thought — a story with a beginning, middle and an end.

“I feel a sense of ownership over the record. These songs all fit together, and each has a similar feel and meaning, not only within the songs, but also in the way they were recorded. I wanted to record it in a sparse manner to capture that feeling behind the songs.”

After the lush experimental arrangements of Build Me Up From Bones, the new collection stresses simplicity and intimacy. Four songs rely on the unvarnished power of Jarosz’s warm soprano, accompanied only by her acoustic guitar. On other tunes, she collaborates with artists ranging from Americana firebrand Parker Millsap to her I’m With Her bandmate Aoife O’Donovan, but the sound is still spare and the viewpoint unsparing. True to its title, Undercurrent is a deep dive to what is essential. If at times the album seems like a dream of life, it’s a lucid dream. If it’s a meditation, that contemplation is grounded in raw, almost tactile emotions.

The sensuous and sinister “House of Mercy” is as mysterious as it is unyielding. Is it a putdown of a former lover, rejection of a way of life, or both? Either way, the tune seems to stress that opening one door means that another must be closed. “Jacqueline” paints a picture of Jarosz in solitary rumination at the Central Park reservoir named for Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

“It’s a melancholy song about when it’s good to be alone and when you long to not be,” Jarosz says.

Jarosz adds that the album represents the first time in her life that she’s had the opportunity to reflect deeply on solitude, creativity and the necessity to peel away layers. “There is a more assured sound within these songs, because I fill those spaces better than I ever had before.”

Sarah jarosz With Scott Miller. $20 and up. July 24, 7:30 p.m. McGlohon Theater, 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000. blumenthalarts.org.

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on your radar Detecting Donnie’s The Colored Section By anita overcash

It’s been more than a decade since Atlanta-based musician Donnie Johnson, better known on a first name basis by most, released his debut album, The Colored Section.

But that album is just as relevant now as it was back in 2002. Sadly, racism and police brutalities are in the headlines, which is why Donnie is hitting the road in support of the still-relevant album. He’ll be in Charlotte to perform at Neighborhood Theatre on July 22.

“I believe my music is very relevant to these times. That’s why I play it. We have music to entertain and to help get some of that frustration out. People are frustrated and angry, but I’m learning how to channel my anger because there’s no use in getting violent with the police, because you’re dead,” Donnie says. “I know that sounds harsh, but it’s always been that way. They’re lynching us and a lot of people don’t want to really face that. In the South, lynching was common in the ‘20s and ‘30s from slavery and in the 20th century it turned it into something else.”

He speaks about how he believes that Klu Klux Klan members are “trading in their sheets for shields” and that people are coming home from war with disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder, only to later join the police force. Whether you agree or disagree with that, there’s no denying an increase in police violence — or at least in its accessibility, thanks to smart phones — and the need for hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter.

“We go through periods where we cover it up with a good time and friends, but it’s always there. It doesn’t go away, so it’s always going to be relevant until we reach a world of love and peace, which I don’t think is impossible,” says Donnie. “But until we do that The Colored Section and The Daily News will always be relevant.”

The Daily News, Donnie’s sophomore album, was released back in 2007 and tackled similar race-related issues as The Colored Section. But it didn’t receive the attention that The Colored Section did, which included review comparisons to musicians like Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder.

He feels that its success was in part due to good marketing. “The Colored Section had Giant Step records. They knew how to market 28 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

Donnie performs at Neighborhood Theatre on July 22. it even more than a major label, so with Giant Step’s Maurice Bernstein behind it, it was just better and more cheerful and artistic. It was more power, that’s it,” Donnie says.

Aside from addressing race discrimination, the album also touches on Donnie’s own conflict with being a homosexual African-American man living in the south. He grew up in a Biblethumping household — he’s the son and sibling of preachers — and struggled to grapple with the church’s views while keeping his faith.

“It spills over into my music, because I don’t like discriminaton. And in my church I felt that discrimination, but I still loved my people. I entered enough churches where people have faced discrimination,” says Donnie, who feels that his former church-versus-the-world complex has morphed into something else.

“I like my own identity. I want to be involved in shaping who I am. We don’t shape ourselves all the way. We speak a language that somebody else created or made or invented.

But I want to say who I am so people can really understand, so I’ve had this battle between the secular and sacred world. I won’t be this for the church but I won’t be this for the secular world. Neither one gets to tell me who

I am.”

In that regard, Donnie says he’s attracted to men, but isn’t fond of the word “gay.”

“I don’t like the word gay because a lot of people do not know any gay people and they tend to think it’s one way when we’re all different. Being attracted romantically doesn’t always involve sex and people don’t really get that. People have their own idea of what gay is. I wish there was another word,” he says.

While Donnie isn’t shy of pondering alternatives to language, he’s also been busy researching mythology and symbolism for an upcoming musical called, The American Mythology.

“It’s a musical based on the archetype of the classic myth with titans, sun and moon goddesses. It’s an allegorical look at the American story and it uses symbolism and what America is really all about. For example, the golden arches, that’s McDonalds and different things like that,” says Donnie.

Though he plans to debut the musical later this year or in spring of 2017, his current focus has shifted to the relaunch tour for The Colored Section.

Still largely recognized for the album, even

14 years later, he’s returning to the stage after flying under the radar for some time.

“It’s a resurgence. That’s really what’s happening. I’m rising from the ashes,” Donnie says. “Everybody has a time when they make themselves over or get to a certain point where they want to be in their attitude and outlook on life. I wont be under the radar for long.”

Patience As The Virtue Local rappers/producers learn that fools rush in on quality music

By Ryan Pitkin

James Malik and Brio, both producers

and rappers, are a yin and yang of music and spirituality.

Their two personalities betray their musical styles. While Malik is laid back and soft-spoken in person, his beats carry a certain momentum; percussion-heavy and hyper, ready for a dance party.

Brio sings a smoother song on his tracks, producing slow jams and using them to slip between rapping lyrics and singing hooks so smoothly it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference. And yet he’s the more excitable of the two in person, sounding like a preacher at church while explaining the nonsecular spirituality that he hides within songs one might think are just about finding love or making it.

“To me, personally, spirituality means everything,” Brio said when I sat down with him and Malik recently at Snug Harbor.

“The days that we might feel down; just looking outside, looking at your son, looking at your hand, and being like, ‘Damn, I have to remind myself that I have this purpose. I have something that I stand for, something I believe in, something that I’m here for.

It makes me happy. It makes me want to continue to walk forward.”

Spirituality came up a lot in my conversation with the duo, who aren’t in a group together, but have pushed each other as best friends since meeting in Atlanta in 2013. Before that, they walked parallel paths, spending their childhoods in Charlotte and hanging with the same crowds, but never knowing each other. Once they met in Atlanta through happenstance, they began hanging out and making music every day. They eventually got an apartment together.

“The way it would work is we would wake up at 8 or 9 and smoke a blunt. ‘You go in your room, do what you got to do, I’ll go in my room,’” Malik said. “Four hours later, we’ll come out, ‘Let me hear what you’ve been doing.’”

The two moved back to Charlotte in September 2015, but the process that began in that Atlanta apartment is still not complete for Brio, who was in the midst of a three-year

Brio (left) and James Malik have been patiently waiting to Grow hiatus from releasing music to perfect the sound he’d been longing for.

“I used to release a lot of music early in my creating stages,” Brio said. “I would get down from the lack of recognition from it. But I made a realization that I needed to get better.

I took three years off, like, ‘Alright, I need to just curate my sound.’”

He finally began releasing singles at the end of last year, and by the end of this summer he plans to release his first project since his intermission. Light Blue will feature eight songs that will serve as a prequel to Blue, the project that will be the culmination of the journey to find his sound.

“The whole time I was going through that reconstruction phase, Blue was the centerpiece,” Brio said. “Light Blue birthed out of that. It’s kind of like that first chapter towards it.”

Some of the patience Brio picked up during the process has rubbed off on Malik, emphasized by the experience he had with his last release, The Manifesto, in April 2015.

Brio $7. July 29, 9 p.m. The Station, 2131 Central Ave.

“It’s a good ass album, but I finished it and I was still recording songs,” Malik said.

“I released it and all the songs I made after that were way better than anything that was on that album. I was like, ‘Damn, if I would’ve just took my time and just harbored that sound that I was working on, it could’ve been way better.’”

That’s exactly what he plans to do with Red Ink, his newest project that he’ll release sometime in 2017. The name stems from his habit to write all his lyrics in red ink, a metaphor in itself.

“Everybody that knows me knows that I write everything in my notebook in red ink.

The reason for that is — I’m not a religious

Ryan Pitkin

person but I’m very spiritual — everything that Jesus said in the Bible is written in red, so people take it seriously. Every time a teacher grades your paper, they do it in red ink. People take it seriously when they see red ink, they know it’s not a game,” Malik said.

While he continues to work on that album, Malik will be focused on his new gig as creative director with Meik Lama clothing line and sending out beats to music executives, waiting for that call back from one of the artists he’s itching to work with.

For Brio, it’s all about continuing down the path he’s been on all along.

“I want to have the things that I release into this universe be received the way that I see it and the way that I create it: with love,” he said. “To keep leading down that path that I see and my end goal, which is to be able to help as many people as I can and spread that message and using the music as that vessel; the small branch of the tree that is the true vision.”

Preach it. clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 29

Music

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Daniel Coston

“Front of stage, 2016”

“Bathroom at the Milestone, August 1992”

Chris Radok

A Milestone in History Levine exhibit captures the grit of Charlotte’s most historic music venue

By Ryan Pitkin

As reported by Creative Loafing in May, The Milestone Club in west Charlotte is facing an uncertain future.

The club, which opened in 1969 and has since propped up countless local acts in Charlotte while also playing host to iconic bands and singers ranging from Bo Diddley to Nirvana, needs renovations in order for investors to help current management purchase the property and continue to rock. In the three months since launching a GoFundMe campaign to “Save The Milestone,” co-owner Jonathan Hughes and his wife, Stephanie, have raised more than $41,000 to go toward the much-needed renovations — which they’ve already started work on — but still need over $100,000 to reach their goal.

No matter what the future holds for The Milestone, it can’t be denied that some of Charlotte’s greatest musical moments have taken place within its walls. Those moments are the subject of a new exhibit that opened on July 16 at Levine Museum of the New South. A Milestone In History: You Should Have Seen What I’ve Heard will feature a selection of photos taken at The Milestone over the years

by Charlotte photographers Daniel Coston and the late Chris Radok.

In the days leading up to the exhibit’s opening, Creative Loafing reached out to 30 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

Coston to ask which photo in the selection is his favorite and why. Representatives of the Radok Brain Trust suggested that we speak with Kate Baillon about Radok’s work. Baillon is vice president of exhibits at Levine, a longtime supporter and fan of The Milestone and an old friend of Radok’s.

As opposed to specific shows caught on film, which I thought each would choose in accordance with their own fandom or specific experience at a given show, both Coston and Baillon chose photos of empty rooms at the historic club; rooms that have become iconic in their own right and have witnessed the best (and worst) to take place at The Milestone over nearly a half century.

Here’s what they had to say: Daniel Coston, “Front of stage, 2016” “That stage. The graffiti. The dirt on the floor. I know it all very well. The number of bands, and the list of legendary bands that have played on this stage is staggering.

When I began compiling my photos for this show, I started looking for another way of speaking to what the Milestone has meant to me. In the end, I decided to focus not on all of the musicians that I’ve documented at the venue over the years, but instead let

the Milestone Club and its personality speak for itself. Think about all of the people that have inhabited that space since 1969. People can pass through a space, and change it by the force of their experience. The Milestone still speaks to all of that. You can’t fake or re-create real character or longevity, and the Milestone has a lot of both.

There’s still a lot of life in the Milestone.

Those who have been there, those who are there now, and those that will hopefully be visiting it for years to come.” — Daniel Coston Chris Radok, “Bathroom at the Milestone, August 1992” “No matter what band you went to see, whether they were good or mediocre; at The Milestone, everyone has had experiences of the bar, and those legendary bathrooms. The former, a place to relax and enjoy the company of others. The latter, not so much! We all have stories of waiting for (or avoiding) those bathrooms. Yet, though not a contemplative space, they do contain a certain magic ... an “essence,” if you will, of the raw, unfettered beauty of the Milestone. And though not somewhere that you’d want to linger, the great graffiti provides ample interest while there … a living document of the people,

A Milestone in History: You Should Have Seen What I’ve Heard Open now until Oct. 16. Levine Museum of the New South.

200 E. 7th St. http://www. museumofthenewsouth.org/exhibits/ a-milestone-in-history-you-shouldhave-seen-what-ive-heard.

music and spirit of the place. In this photo, Radok captured the bathroom as it was ... quite where (and how) he managed to hover to get this shot I do not know. But the marks of patrons and bands have increased upon the walls since then — both in the bathroom and outside in the venue itself ... a testament to the decades of loyal patrons and bands who have found a friendly stage ... local and now internationally known bands have graced that stage over the last four and a half decades.” — Kate Baillon

Overflowing garbage Shirley Manson and crew return to feed the birds by anita overcash

There’s no room for complaining when you’ve been fed a compliment from Shirley Manson. At the end of my interview with the frontwoman of Garbage, she describes my accent as being “mental and twisted,” followed up by “it’s gorgeous.” And I’m less confused and more on cloud nine, a strange little bird that’s flying high on Manson-induced toxins. Maybe it’s this kind of organic, unyielding warped honesty that’s caused Garbage — coming to Charlotte for a performance at The Fillmore on July 23 — to surpass more than two decades together as a band.

Garbage, comprised of original members — Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker — has a band dynamic to be treasured. In June, the quartet released it’s sixth studio album, Strange Little Birds, a followup to band’s previous album, 2012’s Not Your Kind of People. Manson credits that band’s sophomore success on the independent record label front, as being largely due to luck.

“We had nearly no idea quite how much work it would be to release our records on our own independent label and, lucky for us, we have a pretty incredible team around us that consists of people we’ve worked with, ironically, for 21 years at this point,” Manson says.

But it’s also been a learning process. While the band’s first independent offering has more optimistic elements, Strange Little Birds takes a harsher, more honest approach. Follow the crumbs and you’ll find thrashy rock and darker, industrial sounds, reminescent to the band’s self-titled, 1995 debut. There’s just no denying the resemblance and Manson doesn’t try.

“I think we kind of knew what we were doing this time around. The songs had to be atmospheric and I think that’s what the similarities are between this new record of ours and the debut,” Manson says. “Both records are very cinematic and atmospheric and I would say that was a deliberate move on our part.”

A reason for revisiting the nostaglic aggressively electronic sounds that spawned tracks like “Queer,” “Only Happy When

It Rains” and “Vow,” was due a collective agreement from within the band. They felt as though today’s mass-produced, mainstream pop music is lacking in darkness.

Manson shares her love for Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd and Rihanna, all of whom she feels are putting a dark streak back into pop.

“I feel like pop music, for the most part, is full of a bunch of people who just want to be famous, who want to be rich and brag about their wealth and their power and their status,” Manson says. “They sing happy-golucky songs that reflect nothing about what’s happpening in our world and nothing that’s happening in reality and, to me, that’s not really very helpful art. I feel like music’s job is to reflect the times we live in.”

On Strange Little Birds, songs like “Even Though Our Love Is Doomed” and “So We Can Stay Alive” reflect on violence around the world. But while some of songs express concern about violence, others were inspired by worry over global warming and the planet’s conservation efforts. ”We were very serious when we made this record. We wanted to make music that felt like the times we were living in, which we believe to be quite hectic and confusing and contradictory and melancholic and we feel like we did that,” Manson says.

The title for the album, part of a line on “Even Though Our Love Is Doomed” describes humanity.

“I feel like we’re all a little annoyed with one another, a little strange and a little mysterious. I feel like the title just refers to humanity and how we really have to struggle to try to understand one another and try and make sense of all our differences and compromise and come to some kind of understanding,” says Manson. “The title represents the struggle to understand, which is so essential to a happier, more equal society.”

While understanding, communication and

compromise are the much-needed qualities for a more peaceful human race, the band’s longstanding dedication to one another might serve as a source of inspiration to stay united, rather than divided.

Over the course of Garbage’s long history, the band has only had one hiatus — the result of stress during the 2005 tour for Bleed Like Me. “The frustrations were coming to a head and we understood that if we didn’t do something about it immediently, we would destroy the thing that we spent building together. So, we did take a hiatus and I think we all learned a lot of valuable lessons during that time — one of which is that we really enjoy making music together and we actually have a pretty incredible chemistry. We’re really good for one another because we’re so different. We work well together as a team and I think that’s probably one of the reasons we’ve had such a long career.”

Manson, who is tredding on 50, recently dyed her trademark red hair, hot pink. And that’s the only big change she wants to make.

She isn’t inclined to make changes to the band setup.

“I just remember waking up one day and thinking I can not be a redhead for another day,” she says. “I need a change I felt this desire to look into the mirror and see something differemt.”

She repels rumors that she tried to embark on a solo music career path, following the band’s hiatus.

“I made some music while the band was on hiatus just because I have to make music in order to feel happy. In order to survive, I feel like I have to make music, but I don’t have any intention of being a solo artist,” Manson says. “But that being said, I dont know what’s going to happen in the future.

The band is considerably older than me. If they decide they no longer want to do this or they don’t want to tour anymore or what have you, I don’t know. But for as long as the band

Garbage $35. July 23, 8 p.m. 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. livenation.com.

is functioning in a healthy manner, I would much prefer to be with my band.”

On Strange Little Birds, the band’s dedication shines with Manson taking the spotlight and exposing her raw feelings, which range from outraged and apologetic to vulnerable and empowered. That’s a combination that hasn’t always been easy for the singer/songwriter, who has long struggled with self-esteem issues.

“When I emerged I was a very scared aggressive individual and I generally sort of put on armor everytime I stepped up to the mic or when I was writing. It was authentic but it was intuitive of self-empowerment.

Now I feel, still aggressive unfortunately, but I’m very unafraid of many things,” Manson says. “As a result, I felt like the greatest sign of self-empowerment is to be able to admit your failures, weaknesses and mistakes, and I think once you can get to that point you have nothing else left to be afraid of.”

For Garbage, straying from the formulated pop soundscape pathway, wasn’t so scary.

Instead of satisfying the mainstream, they chose to satisfy themselves by writing an album with that incorporates sounds that they like hearing.

“To me, the darker the better. I’ve always loved dark music, it’s what I graviate to,” says Manson. “We had to make a record that sounded different from our peers with the intent to annihilate that very upbeat, happy sounding music. We just wanted to be the change in the world that we wanted to see.”

Garbage performs at The Fillmore on July 23.

Joseph cultice

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 31

Music

Soundboard

JULY 21 Country/Folk 7th Annual Patty Griffin Tribute (Evening Muse) Beavergrass Bluegrass Jam f. Jim Garrett (Thirsty Beaver) Dead Cat w/ Resonant Rogues, The Hot House Heftones, Jim Garrett (Petra’s) Lisa Denovo Band (RiRa Irish Pub) *Truckstop Preachers, The Eyebrows, and The Bleeps (Visulite Theatre)

Pop/Rock Alive After Five w/ Mr. Potato Head (Rooftop 210) Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son, Careless Romantic, Rogue Planet (Double Door Inn) Lisa Denovo Band (RiRa Irish Pub) Michael Franti & Spearhead (The Fillmore) Mike Strauss Trio (Comet Grill) *New York to NoDa Showcase feat. Evergone, Reece van Riper, Long Arms and Molly Wops (Neighborhood Theatre) Out of Body w/ Uncoil, Shagwuf, Little Fury Things (Milestone) River Jam Series w/ Big Daddy Love (U.S. National Whitewater Center) *Shiprocked (Snug Harbor) *Trapt (Amos’ Southend) Union Street Live w/ Fantastic Shakers, Jay Mathey Band (Downtown Concord)

JULY 22 Blues/Roots/International Orquesta Guyacan (The Fillmore) Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin (Double Door Inn)

Country/Folk Blakeney Summer Music Series w/ Chris Sanchez Band (Blakeney Shopping Center) The Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) Shane Smith & the Saints, Chip Perry (Puckett’s Farm Equipment) Stonecrest Summer Concert Series w/ Greg Lilley Band (Stonecrest Shopping Center)

DJ/Electronic Charlotte Gets Weird Pizza Party feat. Mantis (Visulite Theatre)

Hip-Hop/Soul/R&B *Donnie w/ All Cows Eat Grass (Neighborhood 32 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

Theatre) Downtown Gastonia Summer Concert Series w/ Blackwater (Downtown Gastonia)

Pop/Rock Kool & The Gang w/ Bootsy Collins, Morris Day and the Time, Big Daddy Kane (PNC Music Pavilion) Nathan Angelo w/ The Well Reds (Evening Muse) Nemesis w/ Machinist!, Pig Mountain (Milestone) *Zakk Wylde Book of Shadows II Tour w/ Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown, Jared James Nichols (Amos’ Southend)

JULY 23 Country/Folk Bill Noonan & the Hey Joes w/ the Loose Lugnuts (Double Door Inn) Blakeney Summer Music Series w/ Chris Sanchez Band (Blakeney Shopping Center) Stonecrest Summer Concert Series w/ Greg Lilley Band (Stonecrest Shopping Center) Ziggy Pockets (Puckett’s Farm Equipment)

DJ/Electronic *Sext Message w/ Gore Gore Luchadores, StereoLoud, Crunk Witch, Beach Bath (Milestone)

Hip-Hop/Soul/R&B *Ancient Cites w/ The Business People, Beach Tiger (Visulite Theatre) King Lil G w/ Whitty (formerly Biggie Whit), Lotta, T.U.K The Movement, Crump Casso (Neighborhood Theatre) Lyricist’s Lounge (Upscale Lounge & Restaurant) Valencia Seals (BluNotes)

Pop/Rock Bill Noonan & the Hey Joes, Loose Lugnuts (Double Door Inn) *Garbage w/ Kristin Kontrol (The Fillmore) *Gwen Stefani w/ Eve (PNC Music Pavilion) Metal for a Cure: MockTallica, The Reticent, Everthrone, SkinKage, Blackwater Drowning, The Fill-Ins, Dogbane, No Power No Crown, Black Ritual (Amos’ Southend) Michael Tracy w/ Jeanne Jolly (Evening Muse) River Jam Series w/ Temperance League (U.S. National Whitewater Center) Scar Tissue: A Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute

(RiRa Irish Pub) Seth & Scott (Comet Grill) Water Liars w/ Amigo, Elonzo Wesley (Snug Harbor)

The Obsessives w/ The Superweaks, Druids, Heart Attack Man, Rothschild (Milestone) Peter Frampton w/ Gregg Allman (Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre)

JULY 24

JULY 27

Country/Folk

Pop/Rock

*Sarah Jarosz w/ Scott Miller (McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square) Tedeschi Trucks Band w/ Los Lobos, North Mississippi Allstars (Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre)

Hip-Hop/Soul/R&B *Snoop Dogg w/ Wiz Khalifa (PNC Music Pavilion)

Pop/Rock Carowinds Harmony Hall Summer Concert Series w/ RadioJacks (Harmony Hall at Carowinds) Omari and the Hellraisers (Comet Grill) Sense of Purpose f. Paul Agee, Chris Allen, Joe Lindsay, Jody Gholson (Tyber Creek Pub) Winter Break w/ America is a Mistake, Black Powder, Muffled (Milestone)

JULY 25 DJ/Electronic Knockturnal (Snug Harbor)

Pop/Rock Locals Live (Tin Roof) Monday Night Allstars (Double Door Inn) Wicked Powers (Comet Grill)

JULY 26 Classical/Jazz/Smooth Bill Hanna Jazz Jam (Double Door Inn, Charlotte)

Country/Folk Red Rockin’ Chair (Comet Grill) Tuesday Night Jam w/ The Smokin’ Js (Smokey Joe’s Cafe)

DJ/Electronic Beat Club w/ Axnt, Drozy, Flls, Joneses, DJ Ray (Snug Harbor)

Pop/Rock Fairplay & Special Guests (Lucky Lou’s Tavern)

*Counting Crows w/ Rob Thomas, K Phillips (PNC Music Pavilion) Modern Heritage Weekly Mix Tape (Snug Harbor) Open Mic Night (Comet Grill) Party in the Park w/ Hip Pocket (Romare Bearden Park) *Patabamba w/ El Malpais (Snug Harbor) Sam Vicari w/ Family Friend (Milestone) *The Stray Birds (Evening Muse)

COMING Soon Phillip Phillips, Matt Nathanson (July 29; CMCU Amphitheater) Maysa (July 30; McGlohon Theater) Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Of Mice & Men (Aug. 2; PNC Music Pavilion) Bush, Chevelle (Aug. 9; CMCU Amphitheatre) Motion City Soundtrack (Aug 10; The Fillmore) Dixie Chicks (Aug. 13; PNC Music Pavilion) NeedtoBreathe (Aug. 18; CMCU Amphotheater) Keith Urban (Aug. 18, PNC Music Pavilion) Chatham County Line (Aug. 26; McGlohon Theater) Goo Goo Dolls (Aug. 28; CMCU Amphitheatre) Luke Bryan (Sept. 1; PNC Music Pavilion) Florida Georgia Line (Sept. 10; PNC Music Pavilion) Heart, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick (Sept. 16; PNC Music Pavilion) Brian Wilson (Sept. 19; Belk Theater) Puff Daddy (Sept. 20; Time Warner Cable Arena) I Love the 90s Tour (Sept. 23; Time Warner Cable Arena) James Bay (Sept. 25; The Fillmore) Wednesday 13 (Oct. 10; Amos Southend) * - CL Recommends

Need directions? Check out our website at clclt.

com. CL online provides addresses, maps and directions from your location. Send us your concert listings: E-mail us at aovercash@clclt. com or fax it to 704-522-8088. We need the date, venue, band name and contact name and number. The deadline is each Wednesday, one week before publication.

THU 7/21 FRI 7/22

Charlotte Gets Weird The Pizza Party Featuring MANTIS SAT 7/23 ANCIENT CITIES & THE BUSINESS PEOPLE Special Guest BEACH TIGER THU 7/28 FRI 7/29 Wed 8/17

PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG THU 9/15 FRI 9/30

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 33

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34 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

Nightlife

Random, new adventures in Charlotte Plus, quality time with cuties

Recycle me, please

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ends

Tracks? Keep that in mind the next time On Monday morning, as I laid you elect out of The Gin Mill because you’re in bed glancing at the many unanswered worried all they’ll have to offer is popcorn. texts from the weekend and reviewing social media, I lost my breath for a second. I After everyone went their separate ways, thought I’d forgotten to wish one of my my boyfriend and I decided on one last stop, closest friends ‘happy birthday.’ Nope, I Blue Olive Lounge. We ended up dancing the hadn’t. I had simply forgotten the fact that I night away there. Most of the rest of night had drunk called her at 2:31 a.m. on the way was spent holding on to the toilet for dear home from a bar. Whew, I was relieved as I life, as I braced for the worst parts of the rolled out of bed and prepared for a short day/night — the spins. work week.

The next morning, my boyfriend and I Like so many others, the weekend had planned on heading out to the lake for some seemingly flown by. On Friday, some gal fun in the sun and booze but the weather pals at work and I decided that we wanted was cloudy so we opted for naps and Netflix to deviate from our regularly scheduled for most of the day. Once we agreed program of simply getting wasted that we should at least try to get by heading over to BLT Steak out for a bit, we settled on at The Ritz-Carlton. A couple dinner at Enso Asian Bistro of us were salivating over & Sushi. And for dessert? a recent Instagram post We finally got to check about the restaurant’s $5 at 5 happy hour (thanks out the newest dessert a lot @eatdrinkclt) and sensation in Uptown decided to fit in some Charlotte. quick girl time before the Kandy Bar is an upscale night’s festivities. dessert bar and nightclub Amateurs to the classy nestled in the corner of the Aerin Spruill venue, we had already third floor in the Epicentre. peeked at the specialty cocktail While you may not see it in menu when we realized the happy passing, once you’ve walked beyond hour menu was only served on the Vault the neon purple lights that adorn the bar side of the restaurant. Even though we bar and décor are impossible to miss. I’m not relocated, we went with our original drink even a huge fan of dessert, but when I walked choice and kindly asked the bartender to in I wanted to scream, “Willie Wonka where’s whip us up a couple fresh blueberry mojitos. my golden ticket?!” They no longer have the Next, we ordered the Steak Sliders and Kobe item I wanted to try — Brie cheese and fig Hot Dog to share. Either I was starving, or jam nestled between two pieces of pound the food was amazing, because there wasn’t cake and grilled to perfection — but I wasn’t anything left to take home. disappointed when I tasted the Dutch Apple After our pregame snack, we made moves to check out the latest Goodyear Arts cheesecake. If you’re looking for after dinner Preview Party at it’s new home on College drinks or dessert, I’s suggest Kandy Bar. In a Street. We had no idea what to expect, as it short time, it’s moved toward the top of my was our first time attending the much-talked list. (Pro tip: memberships are required and about showcase that formerly resided at are currently $1, dessert menu stops at 10 the defunct Goodyear building in Uptown. p.m. and a dress code is enforced.)

All we knew was that there was an art After dessert, I thought for sure that my event going on and that we could get free boyfriend would want to call it quits early. beer. Who can turn down art, hipsters and I was wrong. We ended up going to one of free booze in a kick ass building? Not me! his friend’s houses for a couple beers before We walked around and pretended we knew heading back to Ballantyne to call it a night what we were observing while joking about — that is, after another stint at Blue Olive which pieces we would “borrow,” if given the Lounge, of course. By 3 a.m. we were back on opportunity. (We didn’t attempt to really the couch and drowsily watching television steal anything, I promise.) while eating leftovers and Cookout grub.

Before long, we were heading over to And just like that, another Queen City The Gin Mill for a couple drinks before my weekend was in the books. friends split up for the night. Did you know backtalk@clclt.com you could order food from Tavern On the

Ends

Crossword

WHERE DID IT GO? ACROSS

1 Cover again, as a gift 7 Slyly spiteful 12 The “E” of NEA: Abbr.

16 “Hulk” director -- Lee 19 R&B singer Keys 20 Degrade 21 Bite-size Nabisco treat 23 Actress Swank comes next?

25 “That’s been canceled” 26 Large truck 27 Singer -- James 28 Sign of good or ill 29 Disobeys established rules on how to make and serve meat sauce?

37 Shaped like a bagel 38 “What --!” (“How dull!”)

39 Ship locale 40 Donkey serving morning meals?

45 Biblical land with a queen 50 “Say it -- so, Joe!” 51 Cuts into small cubes 52 Chi preceder 55 Landfill woe 56 Classic autos 57 Made in the manner of 58 Hairdo for folks going after prey?

62 Detroit-to-Nashville dir.

63 “Mr. --” (1983 hit for Styx) 66 Ropy 67 Sun blockers worn while on vacation?

72 Ireland’s longest river 75 Events for bulldoggers 76 Cut grass 79 Business that makes flag holders?

81 Join together 84 Lion growth 85 “-- further review ...”

86 Grassy area 87 In harmony 89 Met solo 90 Must-haves 92 Positively charged atom moving very quickly?

97 One may shout “Out!” 100 Brutish types 101 Is defined as 102 Groups with no university teachers as members?

110 Sector 111 Hipsters’ talk

112 Roman poet 113 Shrink 115 Thing influencing the decision to use whitewash?

123 Aardvark lookalike 124 Bring to mind 125 Bit of ado 126 Part of UCLA 127 Ship’s left 128 Keyed in 129 Biting writing

DOWN

1 Rally cheer 2 -- Lilly 3 Wheaton of TV and film 4 Blu-ray player brand 5 Ill from flying 6 Check endorser 7 “Pipe down!”

8 Crunchable muscles 9 Upsilon preceder 10 Mao -- -tung 11 “It’s true” 12 Gives forth 13 Quaint paper copies 14 Hazardous 15 Org. in “Homeland” 16 Eatery lure 17 Israeli desert 18 Stupid or thuggish 22 -- about (circa) 24 Mime duo?

27 Fancy jug 29 Fishing rowboats 30 Before this time, to bards 31 Royal decrees 32 Abhorrence 33 Fades away 34 Coach Holtz 35 Part of ETA: Abbr.

36 Sedan liquid 37 Some ski lifts 41 Rx org.

42 Bring pain to 43 Neck cover 44 Make a pick 46 Neighbors of Navajos 47 Ideal garden 48 Tennis’ Bjoern 49 Military force 53 Cat sound 54 Really liking 58 “Hiya” 59 -- Reader (alternative magazine)

60 De -- (anew) 61 Cur’s sound 64 Other, to Tomas 65 Great asset 67 Sideways up 68 Dad’s bro 69 Wrench, e.g.

70 “This one’s --” (“I’ll buy”) 71 “The battle --” 72 Rotated 73 Expect 74 Emollient plant 76 “Maid” of Robin Hood 77 Kin of leeks 78 Gets off the bottle 80 Faux follower 82 H.S. class 83 Winter mo.

84 San -- (Bay Area city) 87 Yemen city 88 “Of course, Senor!”

91 Spanish for “south” 93 Skin feature 94 Grade A item 95 Slice of history 96 “Star Wars” queen 98 Rum cocktail 99 Xanax maker 102 Tennis’ Rafael 103 Maine university city 104 Pond creatures 105 Window part 106 Open to view 107 Divided into districts 108 Batting stat 109 Slight fights 114 Enervate 115 “-- me go!”

116 It climbs walls 117 Do a floor job 118 “I Like --” (‘50s slogan) 119 Abridge 120 Angle lead-in 121 Bobby of the rink 122 Dark deli loaf

Solution found on p. 38.

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 35

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he’s not seeking anything serious (because I’m sorry if my English is wrong.

I’m writing from Germany, where I am you might leave him), Peter invents/inflates being heartbroken and not knowing a pair of past loves that render him incapable how to go on. I’ve been seeing a guy for of loving you the way you deserve to be loved a couple of months and slowly falling in and blah blah blah and off the hook. Not a love with him. “Peter” has always been child-man who won’t commit, but a victim very open to me about himself, his failed who would commit if he could commit but relationships, and his commitment — sob! — he can’t commit. Maybe he’s issues. He talks frequently about his telling you the truth. Maybe he’s in love with ex-boyfriend from five years ago and Mr. One Year Ago. So tell him he can love how being left created a deep fear of you and love the other guy at the same time. being left once again. He also had a Established gay throuples, stable straight relationship that ended a year ago. poly quads, bi men with GFs and BFs, Yesterday he told me he’s still in love married lesbians who U-Hauled an adorable with the guy from one year ago but that baby dyke — there are examples everywhere his love is unrequited. He also told me you look these days of people in love with that he values what we have but he can’t more than one romantic partner. I don’t see stop loving this other guy. And he can’t why a person can’t be in love with someone promise me that this will change. I am in and still in love with an ex — think of it as love and heartbroken at the same a sort of semi-posthumous/semi-poly time, hopeful and fearful, and relationship. You’ll be pioneers. unable to get up for the Give Peter permission to love last couple of days. Deep his ex (pathetically and down, I fear I will get abstractly) while loving hurt. I already am hurt. you too (intimately and I’m falling for someone tactilely), HELPME, and who’s not able to love you might be able to love me back, who’s stuck a commitment out of him. in the past, but who wishes to change that I’m a gay male in in order to let me into my late 20s. My little Dan Savage his life. Should I stay and sister’s husband, “Peter,” wait for Peter to get better is my age and bisexual. I’m even if it hurts to know he’s not one of those gay men who in love with someone other than think bi guys don’t exist. And I me? Or should I leave him as so many know bi guys are just as capable of being others have and hurt him? monogamous as other guys — which Healing Erotic Love Problem Means isn’t that comforting when you think Everything about it—and I don’t have a problem with my bi brother-in-law being bi.

Peter could be lying to you. That’s More importantly, my sister doesn’t probably not what you wanted or expected have a problem with it. But whenever to hear, HELPME, and you’ll find some more I’m alone with Peter, he starts telling hopeful/less cynical advice further down, I me how much he misses dick. He wants promise. But when a guy with “commitment to hear about the last “really great dick” issues” tells you he’s struggling with the I sucked and tells me he misses sucking emotional fallout of a relationship that dick. I smile and say dick is great for ended five years ago and still hopelessly sure and make a halfhearted attempt in love with someone he hasn’t seen for a to change the subject. The last time it year… you have to entertain the possibility happened was after my grandfather’s that he could be lying to you. You always funeral. I’m pretty sure Peter wants to have to entertain that possibility — with suck my dick, and I’m tempted to let new loves, old loves, blue loves. him. I know it’s a bad idea, but Peter is When someone tells us they have hot. This is torture. What should I do? “commitment issues,” we’re primed to hear Boy Is Lost this: “This boy is incapable of committing until healed (by a therapist, by a new love, Stop smiling, work harder to change the by the passage of time).” But sometimes subject, avoid being alone in a room with what they mean is this: “I have no interest Peter, and repeat after me: “My sister might in committing — not to you, not to anyone, be able to forgive her husband for sucking a not now, not ever.” But instead of owning up dick, but she’ll never forgive him — or me — to that (because people who want to remain single are viewed as damaged?) or telling you if that dick is mine.”

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 37

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For All Signs: Contrary to popular

parlance, the sun sign is not necessarily who you are, but who you are becoming as you grow and gain maturity. This developing identity may have more or less support from other parts of oneself, as symbolized by the location of the moon and the planets of the solar system at your birth. Those who are born at a time when one or more of the other bodies of the solar system are in their sun sign will identify more with the character traits of that sign. If the sun has no extra support at birth, you may not feel a strong kinship to your sign. If so, then check out the traits of the previous sign or the one that follows.

Aries: Your planetary avatar is making no new aspects. There will be a flurry of activity on or around July 29, then quiet until Mars changes signs on August 2. This is a good time to catch up on those piles of paper and generally finish projects in preparation for a shift of attention as August begins.

Taurus: An older person may offer you

a gift from your family of origin. Perhaps it represents an “inheritance” that arrives early or a special keepsake. It is meant to grace your home and increase your sense of family ties. It is generally a challenge to move forward. You are pinned in place right now.

Gemini: Communications with significant others may be misunderstood, snarled, or lost altogether. Do not make assumptions about what others mean. Ask questions and clarify for best results. You may be absentminded this week. It’s a time in which you may lose keys, tickets, and other small items.

Be alert for these potential errors.

Scorpio: Your activities are slowing and

the pace is declining as you move toward the end of August. Don’t worry. A new focus begins in August. For now it is time to bring current projects toward an end. You may even have more time on your hands. A good use is to exercise more and strengthen your body. In turn, this will strengthen your mind and make you feel better overall.

Sagittarius: You have a green light on

activities related to travel or travel plans, education and publishing, and interests related to the law. Your willingness to accept the rules and regulations as required will be helpful in getting things accomplished.

Activities involving the Internet and some much-needed reasearch are favored at this time.

Capricorn: The full moon was in your

sign on July 19. During this week information comes your way concerning your primary relationship. This is a time in which you will gain perspective on yourself in relationship to others. Repetitive psychological processes are becoming visible to you, for good or ill.

Look past what you feel and focus on what you are doing and the effects that it has on yourself and others involved.

Aquarius: The goddess Venus is in your

Cancer: The full moon in Capricorn on

July 19 may still have you reeling with feelings. Sometimes the full moon brings a revelation about yourself or someone else in your life. This one shines a spotlight on your primary relationship(s). The situation is one in which you have been the giver. The other may have taken advantage of your good nature.

7th house in a harmonious relationship to Saturn, your planetary ruler. This is a good time to discuss issues within a relationship because you are steady of mind and likely to be realistic, in relation to yourself as well as others. The relationship may be a partner or a friend. Though you intend to keep your promises, remember that even the best intentions sometimes go astray.

Leo: The sun returns “home” to your

Pisces: Give yourself plenty of rest and

sign this week. You likely will find it to be energizing. Now is the time to focus on new plans for this next year of your life. Take a fresh look at where you want to direct your energy. While the Sun continues its path through your sign, notice how its warmth is bringing inspiration into your life.

Virgo: The “rules” and the world’s

expectations have you tied up like a pretzel right now. The harder you struggle, the tighter those binds seem to become. It’s like a Chinese puzzle. Sometimes if you relax on the control issues, the solution comes through. Give it some space.

38 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com

Libra: It is possible that you feel trapped by work and family obligations at this time.

This will lighten up next week. Do your best and don’t flog yourself if it is not perfect.

Social and romantic life is favored this week.

You may be mixing business and pleasure in a pleasant combination. Proceed with caution, even though everything feels right at this time.

take your vitamins. You are in a physical and/or emotional low, but it’s not one that you won’t recover from. Allergies may kick into gear for a short time. Stay low and maintain a quiet routine. The summer heat is having a strong effect on you, so stay indoors and don’t feel restless. You may feel like you have to get out and about, but it’s better to rest and stay cool.

Are you interested in a personal horoscope? Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments. There is a fee for services. Website: www.horoscopesbyvivian. com.

clclt.com | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | 39

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40 | jul. 21 - jul. 27, 2016 | clclt.com