2017 Issue 19 Creative Loafing Charlotte by Creative Loafing Charlotte

CLCLT.COM | JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 VOL. 31, NO. 19

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CREATIVE LOAFING IS PUBLISHED BY WOMACK NEWSPAPERS, INC. CHARLOTTE, NC 28206. OFFICE: 704-522-8334 WWW.CLCLT.COM FACEBOOK: /CLCLT TWITTER: @CL_CHARLOTTE INSTAGRAM: @CREATIVELOAFINGCHARLOTTE

STAFF

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EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITOR • Ryan Pitkin rpitkin@clclt.com FILM CRITIC • Matt Brunson mattonmovies@gmail.com THEATER CRITIC • Perry Tannenbaum perrytannenbaum@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS • Corbie Hill, Erin Tracy-Blackwood, Vivian Carol, Charles Easley, Allison Braden, Page Leggett, Alison Leininger, Sherrell Dorsey, Dan Savage, Aerin Spruill, Chuck Shepherd, Jeff Hahne, Samir Shukla, Courtney Mihocik, Debra Renee Seth, Vanessa Infanzon, Ari LeVaux

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The South will rise again ... and fall again at Latta Plantation on July 1.

We put out weekly NEWS&CULTURE

BEHIND THE BOOM New report details

mistreatment of construction workers in Charlotte

BY RYAN PITKIN 6 EDITOR’S NOTE BY MARK KEMP 7 THE BLOTTER 9 THE SCRIBE’S CORNER BY KONATA EDWARDS 10 MUSLIM IN CHARLOTTE: IHSAN AL-ZOUABI BY LARA AMERICO 11 NEWS OF THE WEIRD

FOOD MARKET WATCH An overview of Charlotte farmer’s market scene this summer

BY ALISON LEININGER

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

MUSIC

SIBLING RIVALRY Family ties inspire singersongwirter Autumn Rainwater to branch out BY MARK KEMP

20 SOUNDBOARD

ARTS&ENT TJ REDDY TAKES ON EVERYTHING New exhibit

examines artist’s lifetime of creativity BY PAT MORAN

24 FILM REVIEWS BY MATT BRUNSON

ODDS&ENDS 26 NIGHTLIFE BY AERIN SPRUILL 27 CROSSWORD 28 SAVAGE LOVE BY DAN SAVAGE 30 STARGAZER BY VIVIAN CAROL

GO TO CLCLT.COM FOR VIDEOS AND MORE!

COVER DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION BY DANA VINDIGNI

Website: www.clclt.com Facebook: /clclt Pinterest: @clclt Twitter: @cl_charlotte Instagram: @creativeloafingcharlotte YouTube: /qccreativeloafing

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VIEWS

EDITORS NOTE

LOCAL COLOR Another look at why we cover Charlotte art exclusively IN EARLIER YEARS at Creative Loafing,

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That wouldn’t necessarily extraordinary if it weren’t for the fact that Autumn our music and arts sections would include Rainwater not only tells the story well, some coverage of local artists, but you’d be more likely to read about a New York artist but she has a remarkably nuanced voice, exhibiting at the Mint Museum or Gwen eclectic taste in music, and an ear for specific Stefani playing at the arena than a story on production tricks that work in service to a legendary Charlotte activist artist like TJ the narrative. Those are qualities that are Reddy or a young experimental R&B singer rare among the most well-known artist on like Autumn Rainwater. a major label, and yet Autumn Rainwater is Both of those artists are featured in doing it all here, in Charlotte, with a circle this issue. And while their stories couldn’t of friends who are all making comparatively be more different, both are absolutely extraordinary music today. captivating. And both are uniquely Charlotte So why haven’t we been covering only stories. local artists all along? Is it that there weren’t Reddy is a 72-year-old artist and poet enough local artists to cover in the past? who pours social justice into his works. He It’s true that Charlotte produces more was an exemplary student and campus radical at the University of North excellent art now than it has in Carolina at Charlotte in the the past. For one thing, there 1960s. To protest the lack of are more people here. But a black studies program, he part of it may be that and fellow activists took artists haven’t had access the American flag down to the digital tools we at the university and have easy access to today. replaced it with a black There may have been flag. His activism made scores of tremendously him a target of racist talented artists before who Charlotte authorities, and simply didn’t have the tools in 1970 he was convicted MARK KEMP to make themselves heard. and imprisoned along with But that’s more of an excuse the so-called Charlotte Three for setting fire to a horse stable. After than a scientific fact. The fact is, it came out that a Watergate co-conspirator we had lots of pages and we covered what had paid off witnesses against the three, was easiest to cover. It’s easy to cover big their sentences were commuted by thenartists coming to town with loud publicists Gov. Jim Hunt in 1978, but the scheduling phone interviews. It’s not as easy convictions were upheld. combing the city for great local artists. Social Reddy has been working media has made that easier, but still not as his struggles and those of easy as going out and finding the best of other blacks into his art the best local creative people. Now that we ever since. You can read have fewer pages – and now that we can read his story by Pat Moran on about what celebrities are coming to town in page 22, and you can go your Twitter feed every minute of every day see his exhibit, Everything — we have time, the space and the need to is Everything at UNCC’s Projective Eye Gallery of the do what we should have been doing all along: College of Arts & Architecture. covering local artists only. Speaking of Everything is Everything – In past years at both Creative Loafing it’s also a song by Lauryn Hill, who is one of and SF Weekly, I’ve bemoaned the fact that many favorites named by Autumn Rainwater, we in the alt-weekly world don’t have nearly the subject of our music story on page 16. as many pages today as we once did. I Like Hill and Solange, another favorite of saw it as a liability. Today, we see it as an Autumn Rainwater, this talented Charlotte opportunity to do the one thing that only a singer-songwriter makes music that takes local media outlet can do: Covering as much the listener more inward rather than of the art that the city offers as we possibly outward. She may not be raising black flags, can. Having fewer pages has been a mixed but she’s raising the bar for experimental blessing. Lately, I’ve been seeing less and less black R&B in Charlotte. Her new album, of the “mixed” part. It’s just a blessing. Leaf, is a piece of master storytelling about a woman’s rediscovery of her true self. MKEMP@CLCLT.COM

NEWS

BLOTTER

BY RYAN PITKIN

EXTRA GREASE Police responded to the Shannon Green apartments in the College Downs neighborhood last week after a sibling rivalry took a violent turn. A 20-year-old man told officers he was lounging around in his apartment at 9 p.m., completely unaware that his relaxing night was about to end horribly. The man said his sister surprised him by entering the apartment uninvited, and she quickly made clear that she wasn’t there for a friendly visit. She immediately threw hot oil on her brother, hitting his chest and arms and burning him to the point of peeling in certain areas. As bad as that sounds, the man was brought to the hospital and listed as having only minor injuries. TOOLS As is described in this week’s news

feature on page 8, construction is one of the more dangerous jobs one can work. However, that doesn’t mean you need to arm yourself while working, as that’s not the type of danger you face on a site. One Charlotte man didn’t quite understand that point, apparently, and suffered a close call because of it recently. Someone called police when the 31-year-old construction worker accidentally fired his pistol while climbing down a ladder on a construction site on South Boulevard. The man told officers he kept his pistol on a holster on his waistband, but that somehow it still misfired. Nobody was harmed in the incident.

POTHEAD There’s an old saying that

nothing good ever happens after 2 a.m. That may be true, but the same expression could be seen as more accurate if flipped into a certain location, as in, “Nothing good ever happens in an abandoned house.” It’s unclear exactly what an 18-year-old woman was doing in an abandoned house on The Plaza last week, but she was luckily able to get out of the bad situation she eventually found herself in. The woman reported being in the house at around 10:30 a.m. when she was attacked by another woman, who hit her in the head with a metal pot. During the altercation, her wallet fell on the floor and her attacker took it, but she was able to leave the home with only minor injuries.

NO TEST NEEDED A man was found

to be driving while high last week after wrecking his car in southeast Charlotte, although a more accurate description would be to say that he was driving while fucked up completely out of his head. According to the police report, the man was driving on East Lane Drive when he suddenly left the road, hit a telephone pole, drove through a mailbox, sideswiped a car in a driveway and then slid through the grass directly into a house. The man was later found to have a glass pipe used to smoke either crack or meth, and showed signs of impairment –

the number one sign being that he drove through a home.

WITH THE TIMES Sometimes it can be tough to get the elderly into technology, but one woman who was recently the victim of a theft was apparently making her best effort to get with the times. The 81-yearold woman filed a police report after some unknown suspect stole from her. On the report, she listed $450 worth of jewelry as among the stolen goods, along with an electronic Bible and an electronic dictionary. WATCH THE LANDSCAPING A 54-year-

old man called police last week after his carelessness on (or off) the road got him into some trouble with a property owner in east Charlotte. The man told officers that he was backing his car up on Idlewild Road and realized that he had left the road and was on someone’s yard. Unfortunately for him, the guy whose yard it was realized it too. The victim told officers the man confronted him and told him to get out of the car, at which time they fought and the suspect punched the driver in the face several times. When police arrived, the suspect told officers that the victim was actually the one who got out of his car and started the fight, although it’s unclear why you would try to fight someone because you drove on their yard.

CANDID CAMERA A 29-year-old man

working as a parking attendant in a garage in Uptown was saved from a tight spot by the convenient placement of a camera when he was almost attacked at work last week. The man would later tell police that he was working at his post in the parking garage when he saw a man pull in and stop his vehicle in a part of the garage with no parking then sit there. After a few moments, the attendant approached the car and told the man he couldn’t park there. The man became irate, and left his car and began backing the attendant into a corner while threatening to beat him up. As a last resort, the attendant pointed directly above his head and told the man he was on camera, at which time the suspect calmed down and walked back to his vehicle before driving away.

SCRATCH THAT Employees at a nail salon

on North Tryon Street called police last week after one of their young customers lost her cool at learning that their services were not free. A 36-year-old woman working at the salon told officers that she had helped the juvenile customer with placing on fake nails, but when she told her the price, the customer flipped out and began threatening the woman, who was more than twice her age. The woman called police, as she was very aware of how sharp the nails (now weapons) were that she just applied to the girl. The girl was eventually arrested and then transferred to the custody of her mother. CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL.5, 2017 | 7

Supporters of the Justice and Respect in the Reinforcing Industry Coalition stand outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. To the right, in yellow, Alexis Gonzalez prepares to address media.

NEWS

RYAN PITKIN

FEATURE

BEHIND THE BOOM New report details mistreatment of construction workers in Charlotte RYAN PITKIN

EGARDLESS OF where you look in Charlotte, one thing is apparent, growth is occurring, and occurring rapidly. Depending on whom you ask, between 40 and 80 people are streaming into the city every day, and those people need homes, hangouts and other havens. But the folks tasked with building the city’s expanding infrastructure are too often ignored, mistreated by their employers and left with no avenue to address their concerns. Now a group of construction workers and workers’ advocates are shining a light on the conditions under which these workers have quietly toiled for years. 8 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

A recent report released by the University of Illinois at Chicago in collaboration with the Workers Defense Project and the Partnership for Working Families highlights the abuses and rights violations that run rampant in Charlotte’s construction industry. The report, titled Build a Better South, examined the working conditions of 1,435 construction workers in Charlotte and five other Southern cities. Now, feeling validated by the findings of the report, some Charlotte area workers are stepping out from the shadows to speak out about poor conditions and mistreatment by employers in the local construction industry. “I was a worker. I was part of it,” said Alexis

Gonzalez, who is currently on strike from his job with the North Carolina-based reinforcing company Borders Rebar. “I’m proud to be a part of building Charlotte’s future, but the working conditions here are not something that Charlotte can be proud of.” On June 26, Gonzalez was part of a group that called on Charlotte City Council to approve policy that would force developers in Charlotte to disclose their contractors’ employment practices. That morning, he spoke with Creative Loafing about some of the things he had witnessed and experienced in his five years as a construction worker. Gonzalez recalled doing arduous rebar

installation and other reinforcement work for hours on hot and humid afternoons without any access to water, and says he is still owed money for six hours of overtime work that he did in January. He says he was not offered any safety training and had to pay out of pocket for safety gear necessary to the jobs he was assigned. On June 1, Gonzalez decided he had had enough, and joined with a group of four other striking Borders workers. The group formed Justice & Respect in the Reinforcing Industry Coalition (JRRIC), and are now fighting for policy change and stricter enforcement of regulations in the construction industry.

NEWS

FEATURE

“How about policies?” Gonzalez asked. “Make sure all the policies are in place and they’re enforcing those policies. You need to go by the rules. Make sure everybody is doing what they’re supposed to be doing.” Gonzalez joined workers like Gonathon Lee and Alejandro Garcia, who walked off the job at a construction site at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in January, and Caleb Sanderlin and Jared Clinton, who began the strike in 2016. In Monday’s press conference, the group went public, suggesting that city staff create a point system to encourage developers to prove they are following state and federal labor laws and adopt reasonable contractor policies to provide just, equitable and safe worksites for their construction workforce.

DESPITE

THE perception that construction jobs are “good,” blue-collar jobs, researchers working on Building a Better South found quite the opposite. Defining a “good” construction job as one that pays at least $15 an hour and offers adequate safety training and workers’ compensation, the study found that about four out of every five construction workers in the South are working jobs lacking at least one of those three provisions, and often lack all of them. “Our economy has obviously picked back up and construction is a core job creator in the South, but unfortunately, it’s a lowwage job creator,” said Jackie Cornejo, who co-authored the report. “We really wanted to capture what does it mean to be a construction worker in the South and what are the opportunities and challenges to being able to transform this into a high-road industry given that so many construction dollars nationally come from work in the South.” Cornejo said that, although she’s worked for years with the Partnership for Working Families, a coalition of 17 affiliate advocacy groups throughout the country, she was still taken aback at some of the stats she found regarding the dangers faced by construction workers, especially in the South. “Unfortunately, as the construction industry is growing the number of injuries and fatalities has also grown with that figure,” Cornejo said. “The fact that a construction worker dies every nine hours in the United States is appalling and it is something that we should be remembering. When we talk about the most dangerous industries, we are accustomed to hearing about mining and law enforcement, even waste and recycling, but construction is also on that list.” In 2015, more than 900 construction workers were killed on the job, the most since 2008. Cornejo credits the lack of proper training with a recent spike in injuries and fatalities. According to the study, just 11 percent of construction workers in Charlotte have had formal construction training, and of that small amount, more than half had to seek out that training on their own and pay for it out of their own pockets.

Cornejo said these numbers, mixed with the lack of workman’s compensation and health insurance in the industry, leaves workers especially vulnerable. “The level of safety training that is not happening in the industry across the board I think is one of the signs that points to why this injury and fatality rate is so high in the industry,” she said. “Most workers aren’t getting basic OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] training. If they want safety equipment, oftentimes workers have to pay that out of pocket, on top of them already not earning a decent wage to support their families.” Cornejo, who lives in California, said she was struck by the employer practices she saw while researching the construction industry in the South, because she’s familiar with the same employers implementing better practices in areas where more attention is paid to potential violations of workers’ rights. “In terms of the scope of the work the Partnership does nationally, contractors know that they have to do right by their workers and communities in places like California and New York. But when they come to the South, they don’t play by those same rules,” she said. “This is why it’s really important to make sure the South isn’t a place where contractors can break the rules, when we know that they can do better elsewhere.” Violations by third-tier contractors like Borders Rebar can often go overlooked, as they are twice removed from the protective language included in any contract worked out between an owner or developer and a general contractor or construction manager. Management at Borders did not respond to requests for a comment for this story. As far as OSHA, the department is often too overwhelmed to effectively police the industry, with about 2,200 inspectors responsible for the health and safety of 130 million workers at more than 8 million worksites. Members of JRRIC say they no longer see OSHA as an effective agency. That’s why they want to see something done at the local level. At Monday night’s press conference, despite some early confusion that nearly made the coalition of advocates miss their chance, each was finally able to speak to the mayor and council. While many workers are fearful to speak publicly for fear of retaliation by their employer, the soft-spoken Gonzalez made his issues known, repeating his line about being proud to build Charlotte’s future but not of Charlotte’s history of unsafe employer practices. He was visibly nervous after speaking, taking deep breaths as he stood in the corner and watched his fellow workers and advocates address council. He said that he hopes the press conference and following public forum will make a difference, because he is eager to get back to work, but refuses to return to the conditions he once faced. He said he is optimistic that he will be able to return to work sometime soon, but is discouraged that management at Borders has refused to communicate with his group. “I hope they have something to say now,” he said. RPITKIN@CLCLT.COM

VIEWS

THE SCRIBE’S CORNER

UNDER THE KAEP If the Panthers knew what they were doing, they’d give Colin Kaepernick a chance environment in Spartanburg come late July. THE CAROLINA Panthers should sign Competition is essential when it comes Colin Kaepernick to back up Cam Newton to training camp; it sharpens the edges for for this upcoming season. football players, and when the Panthers have There, I said it. competitive training camps with multiple For many reasons, many of them political, players fighting for spots on the team, it tends the Panthers front office will never consider to reflect itself in the win-loss column later on. doing so, the main reason being Kaepernick’s It’s important to remember that Kaep was choice to carry out a peaceful protest in within a single drive of not only having back-towhich he kneels during the national anthem back Super Bowl appearances, but possessing to spotlight tensions between the police and a Super Bowl ring. That kind of experience citizens of color, among other injustices in this and skill is impossible to find in terms of any country. That simple, peaceful gesture has now backup quarterback on the market, and the made Kaepernick untouchable in the NFL, in a fact that 31 teams seem to have no interest in development that says far less about the man that kind of skill level is lunacy. and far more about his former employer. An excuse some owners are using in Whether one agrees with Kaepernick’s ignoring Kaepernick is fan backlash. Giants protest or not, one thing remains: He’s good owner John Mara told reporters enough to be a starter is this league, last month, “All my years being much less a backup. He threw in the league, I never received 16 TD’s and 4 interceptions more emotional mail from last year. In the NFL, that’s people than I did about generally good enough to [Kaepernick]. ‘If any of get you a contract worth your players ever do that, nearly 10 million dollars a we are never coming to year, yet with Kaepernick, another Giants game.’ It it’s barely enough to get wasn’t one or two letters. It him his solitary invite, was a lot. It’s an emotional, which came from the emotional issue for a lot of Seattle Seahawks. KONATA people, moreso than any other In a recent interview, EDWARDS issue I’ve run into.” Seahawks defensive end An NFL owner in fear of his Michael Bennett said this about own fan base is a paper-thin excuse Kaepernick. “Obviously, there’s the to hide behind. The NFL dominates TV elephant in the room why Kaepernick isn’t ratings, generally has waiting lists for PSL’s signed, and most people know why. I’ve and tickets on a yearly basis and has people said this several times, and I’m not afraid to watching its watered down product by the say it: I think race and politics in sports is millions on Thursday night. something people don’t want to hear about, Let’s face it, the NFL is like pizza — even nor do people want to be a part of.” when it’s bad, we’ll still eat it. Moreover, the He later described how he believes the Carolina Panthers being afraid of its fan base is Seahawks’ willingness to even call Kaepernick even more ridiculous considering that because “says a lot about the organization.” of Cam Newton, the fans here in town are one So what does that say about an of the more mixed groups when weighed along organization that could stand (or kneel) to racial lines. The addition of Kaepernick would use a little bit of competition at the backup likely be something to help bridge a racial gap QB spot, yet won’t even pick up the phone between the fans, not divide them. to call Kaepernick to at least give him the Another gap for Kaep to bridge for those opportunity to compete for that spot? ready to listen? The one between some While Derek Anderson may be a nice guy, Charlotteans and the Charlotte-Mecklenberg his spot on the Panthers’ bench is hardly Police Department. Kaepernick has said he solidified. While DA did put up a robust wants to create a productive dialogue between 67 percent completion percentage in five police and citizens of color. Where better to games, it came at the price of throwing a be a factor in the community than the city paltry two touchdowns to five interceptions. than a city where Jonathan Ferrell and Keith I don’t need to break that ratio down for you. Scott went down in the past 5 years? The front office’s choice to ignore If the Panthers are going to continually ask potential competition for that backup QB money from the community to upgrade Bank spot is franchise malpractice, especially of America Stadium, the least they could do when the team has bolstered its depth at is give back to it by signing Colin Kaepernick. every other position to create a competitive BACKTALK@CLCLT.COM CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 9

NEWS

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RECYCLE ME, PLEASE (Only after you’re done reading me)

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MUSLIM IN CHARLOTTE

HERE FOR JUSTICE Meet Ihsan Al-Zouabi BY LARA AMERICO

Last year, CL contributor Lara Americo debuted her photo series “Trans & Queer in the Workplace” in Creative Loafing between August and December. The series was eventually picked up by Huffington Post and served as the basis for Americo’s Chrysalis exhibit at C3 Lab. This year, Americo is highlighting another marginalized and misunderstood population, the local Muslim population. Every other week, we will be run a photo and some insights from another Muslim Charlottean, as they discuss their work, personal lives and the judgement they often live with. This week, she features Ihsan AlZouabi. Visit clclt.com for previous entires and videos of Americo’s subjects. Ihsan Al-Zouabi, a 23-year-old graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, feels there’s a “constant spotlight” on her as a criminal justice major. Her father is from Syria and her mother is from Jordan. They moved to Charlotte in 1992.

“I’ve been very blessed that I haven’t had to face so many things that my friends have had to face. I have friends who have been physically attacked. I have friends who have had their hijabs torn off. I had a friend who was praying on her university campus in between bookshelves and when she went in to sujood, which is the position where you prostrate onto the ground, a man came and kicked her in the head. I’ve been really blessed and sheltered I think to have not gone through that but you know other people are which is why it’s important to talk about this. “I think any city can do better, specifically with refugees. Charlotte can do much better, especially with their resettlement initiatives. We have a lot to give, there’s a lot of communities here who are doing incredible work, but when it comes to people who are fleeing war — a war that’s been occurring in their country for over five years now — I don’t think there’s ever enough that we can do. So Charlotte on a community level has made a lot of great strides, but there’s always more.”

NEWS

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

BY CHUCK SHEPHERD

TAKE IT PERSONAL The New York Times

reported in May that the “sophistication” of Google’s and Facebook’s ability to identify potential customers of advertisements is “capable of targeting ads ... so narrow that they can pinpoint, say, Idaho residents in longdistance relationships who are contemplating buying a minivan.” Facebook’s ad manager told the Times that such a description matches 3,100 people (out of Idaho’s 1.655 million).

GOVERNMENT

IN ACTION Harry Kraemer, 76, owner of Sparkles Cleaning Service in London, Ontario, was alone in his SUV recently and decided to light up a cigarette based on his 60-year habit, but was spotted by Smoke-Free Ontario officers and cited for three violations. Since his vehicle was registered to his business, and the windows were up, the cab constituted an “enclosed workspace.” It took a long legal fight, but in May, the Provincial Offences Court cut Kraemer a break and dismissed the tickets.

A WAITING REFUGE The U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service (FWS) finally prevailed in federal appeals court in February in its Endangered Species Act designation that wetlands in Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish should be preserved as a safe habitat for the dusky gopher frog. Landowners barred from developing the land pointed out that no such frogs have been spotted there for “decades,” but have been seen elsewhere in the state and in Mississippi. FWS concluded the St. Tammany area could be a place that dusky gopher frogs might thrive if they decided to return.

A RESEARCHER’S JOB From the abstract of California State Polytechnic assistant professor Teresa Lloro-Bidart, in an April academic paper, comparing behaviors of native-California western gray squirrels and disruptive — to residents’ trash cans — eastern fox squirrels: “I juxtapose feminist posthumanist theories and feminist food study scholarship to demonstrate how eastern fox squirrels are subjected to gendered, racialized and speciesist thinking in the popular news media as a result of their feeding/eating practices (and) their unique and unfixed spatial arrangements in the greater Los Angeles region....” The case “presents a unique opportunity to question and re-theorize the ontological given of ‘otherness’ that manifests in part through a politics” in which “animal food choices” “stand in” for “compliance and resistance” to the “dominant forces in (human) culture.” THE CONTINUING CRISIS Japan is in

constant conflict over whether to become more militarily robust — concerned increasingly with North Korea — even though its constitution requires the miltary be used only for “self-defense.” When the country’s defense

minister recently suggested placing females into combat roles, constitutional law professor Shigeaki Iijima strongly objected, initiating the possibility that Japan’s enemies might have bombs capable of blowing women’s uniforms off, exposing their bodies. The ridicule was swift. Wrote one, “I saw something like that in Dragon Ball,” the popular comic book and TV productions of Japanese anime).

TOOK IT TOO FAR Already, trendy restaurants have offered customers dining experiences amidst roaming cats — and in one bold experiment, owls — but the art house San Francisco Dungeon has planned a two-day experimental “Rat Cafe” for those who feel their coffee or tea is better sipped while rats from the local rat rescue scurry about the room. Pastries are included for the $49.99 price, but the rats will be removed before the food comes. Sponsors promise at least 15 minutes of “rat interaction,” and the price includes admission to the dungeon.

BRIGHT IDEAS Organizers of northern Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival, billed as the world’s biggest metal music extravaganza, expect the 75,000 attendees to drink so much beer that they have built a nearly 4-mile-long pipeline to carry 105,000 gallons to on-site taps. Otherwise, keg-delivery trucks would likely muck up the grounds. Some pipes were buried specifically for the Aug. 3 to Aug. 5 festival, but others had been used by local farmers for ordinary irrigation.

CALLED YOUR BLUFF (1) In May, Charles

Nichols III, 33, facing charges in Cheatham County, Tennessee, of sex with a minor, originally was tagged with a $50,000 bail — until he told Judge Phillip Maxie to perform a sex act upon himself and dared Maxie to increase the bail. That led to a new bond of $1 million, then after further insubordination, $10 million, and so on until the final bail ordered was $14 million. (2) Jose Chacon, 39, was arrested in Riviera Beach, Florida, in May after fatally shooting a 41-year-old acquaintance who had laughed at Chacon’s first shot attempt, in which the gun failed to fire, and taunted Chacon to try again. The second trigger-pull worked.

GOOD DRUGS (1) Sheriff’s deputies in

Dade City, Florida, nearly effortlessly arrested Timothy Brazell, 19, for trespassing in May. Brazell — high on methamphetamine, he said — attempted to commandeer a stranger’s car by hot-wiring it, but only by uselessly connecting the wires of a voltage meter. The best part? The key was already in the car. According to the owner, the door lock was jammed on the inside, and Brazell could not

figure out how to open it. (2) On May 19, Carl Webb and his wife left a nighttime barbecue festival in downtown Memphis and headed home. They drove 14 miles on an interstate highway before a police officer pulled them over to ask if Webb knew there was a body on his trunk. The man was clinging to the lip of the trunk but was still unconscious from drinking and had to be jarred awake.

PEOPLE WITH ISSUES In May, Douglas

Goldsberry, 45, was charged in the Omaha, Nebraska, neighborhood of Elkhorn with paying prostitutes — “75 times” he used them, according to a police report — to strip, baring their breasts while standing on the front porch of his neighbors across the street while Goldsberry watched and masturbated.

NOTW CLASSIC (December 2013) A young

woman, accosted by a robber on Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill in October (2013), told the man she was a low-paid intern — but an intern for the National Security Agency and that within minutes of robbing her, the man would be tracked down by all-seeing, allknowing NSA surveillance. Said she, later, the man just “looked at me and ran away.”

SUPREME HAIR PRESENTS

GOT GAME (1) Robert Ahorner, 57, apparently just to “win” an argument with his wife, who was dissatisfied with their sex life, left the room with his 9mm semi-automatic and fired four shots at his penis. (As he said later, “If I’m not using it, I might as well shoot it off.”) Of course, he missed, and police in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, said no laws were violated. (2) In a lawsuit filed against an allegedly retaliating former lover, Columbia University School of Public Health professor Mady Hornig said her jilted boss tried repeatedly to harm her professional standing, even twice calling her into his office, dropping his trousers, and asking her professional opinion of the lesion on his buttock. FINE POINTS OF THE LAW Convicted murderer John Modie, 59, remains locked up, serving an 18-to-life sentence, but his severalhours-long 2016 escape attempt from Hocking (Ohio) Correctional Institution wound up unpunishable because of a “technicality.” In May 2017, the judge, lamenting the inflexible law, found Modie not guilty of the escape because prosecutors had, despite numerous opportunities, failed to identify the county in which Hocking Correctional Institution is located and thus did not “prove” that element of the crime (i.e., that the court in Logan, Ohio, had jurisdiction of the case). Note to prosecutors: The county was Hocking.

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017 SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE BY

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CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 11

Davidson Market

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVIDSON MARKET MANAGER ABBY WYATT

FOOD

COVERSTORY

MARKET WATCH An overview of Charlotte’s farmer’s market scene this summer ALISON LEININGER

UMMER’S HERE, and for foodies that means farmer’s market season is officially upon us. Charlotte overflows with market options, but not all are created equal. We’ve gathered information on some of the more popular ones in town—not just times and locations, but some insight into just how local they are, what they’ve got going on besides food sales and what kind of vibe you can expect. Because if you’re going to get out of bed early on a Saturday, you want to be with your kind of people. CHARLOTTE REGIONAL MARKET

nca g r.g ov/ma rk e ts/fa cilities/ma rk e ts/ charlotte/index.htm Location: 1801 Yorkmont Road. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 12–6 p.m. (shorter hours during the winter months) Parking: On-site lot, though you may have to hunt a bit during the busy hours. Vendors: 70 – 130 on Saturdays Vendor criteria: Depends on the building. Building A is all North Carolina products, vendors must produce 51% of their offerings. Highlights: Check out the delectable pastries of Renaissance Patisserie (Building B) and the high-quality cheese, butter and pasta of Uno Alla Volta (Building C). Non-food items: The third building has crafts, woodworking and other non-edibles. Dog Friendly: No EBT/SNAP: No Regular & upcoming events: Monthly promotional days, usually highlighting a specific product, like tomatoes or watermelon. Subsidized by the NC Department of Agriculture, the Regional Market has by far the widest variety and greatest number of vendors. You’ll rub elbows with all sorts here, from health-conscious couples toting NPR-branded bags to immigrant families looking for familiar ingredients. This is as close as you can get to a grocery store experience, with a full selection of meats, cheeses, prepared foods and nursery plants. However, shoppers hoping to support local farmers must pay attention. Many 12 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

of the large vendors are resellers, offering commodity produce brought in from Florida, California or even other countries. That’s no reason to stay away, for many of the area’s smaller farms are here too. Chat up the folks behind the tables and you’ll soon find your own reliable favorites.

ATHERTON MILL & MARKET athertonmillandmarket.com

Location: 2000 South Blvd., inside the building housing Oku, Warby Parker and Anthropologie Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Parking: On-site lot, gets full at peak times. Vendors: 20-ish vendors. Vendor criteria: Within 100 miles. Highlights: Not Just Coffee is a big draw, though not technically a market vendor Non-food items: Jewelry, pottery, soap, flowers, candles. Dog Friendly: Yes. EBT/SNAP: In the works. Regular & upcoming events: None planned Recently moved from the historic trolley barn to a smaller, air-conditioned space between Living Kitchen and Savory Spice, Atherton is a hipster’s paradise. With hot lattes in hand, young (and ok, not so young) upscale shoppers find this a convenient place to find clean local food, support favorite vendors and socialize. Atherton also runs later than most markets, though traffic drops after 11:00 a.m. It’s gone through several metamorphoses as it’s grown, but Atherton has many loyal customers. Property owner Edens has expressed its own devotion to keeping the market through the upcoming transformation of the Atherton Mill complex, so while it may require some hunting, rumors of this market’s demise are unfounded.

COTSWOLD FARMERS’ MARKET cotswoldfarmersmarket.com

Location: 309 S. Sharon Amity Road. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m.– 12 p.m. May through October. Parking: On-site lot. Vendors: 21 vendors. Vendor criteria: Within 100 miles, annual visits by market management. Non-food items: Flowers, soap, biweekly knife sharpener Dog Friendly: Sort of … not inside the market, but volunteers will hold your pooch at the entrance while you shop. EBT/SNAP: Yes. Regular & upcoming events: Weekly chef demonstrations and small musical groups. July 4th event TBA. This market opened in 2016 as a community project of the local Rotary group and is still establishing its own character. Unusually, the organizers sought out corporate sponsors—notably Carolinas Medical Centers—before launching. That’s in part because, though food-focused, the Cotswold market seeks to branch out beyond produce, by offering space to nonprofit

FOOD

COVERSTORY

organizations and educational activities for both adults and children. Even the musical groups and food truck have Cotswold ties, as do most of the customers you’ll run into.

DAVIDSON FARMER’S MARKET davidsonfarmersmarket.org

Location: 120 S. Main St., Davidson. The market stretches along two parking lots, next to Summit Coffee and the Town Hall. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m; In winter, alternating Saturdays, 9 a.m.– 12 p.m. Parking: Several nearby parking lots. Vendors: Over 35 vendors. Vendor criteria: Producer/grower only, within 100 miles, annual visits by market management. Highlights: Water buffalo cheese at Fading D, hand-ground grits, flour and cornmeal at Coldwater Creek. Non-food items: Lavender & related products. Dog Friendly: No EBT/SNAP: Yes, the market matches up to $20. Regular & upcoming events: Regular chef demonstrations; July 1st Kids’ Chopped Competition, several annual events. Davidson market is celebrating its 10th year in 2017, and it has certainly grown out of its infancy. What used to be a halfdozen vendors gathered in a parking lot has blossomed into a regular Saturday happening, with music, events and hundreds of shoppers, supported by an active group of volunteers. Gather all your food groups here, including prepared meals from Beverly’s Gourmet and Chef Charles Catering. You’ll see lots of professorial types and people stopping in after (or during) a morning run or bike ride, as well as children of all ages grooving to tunes from the bandstand. You might see a few Davidson students too, but families predominate these morning hours.

MATTHEWS COMMUNITY FARMERS’ MARKET matthewsfarmersmarket.com

Location: 188 N.Trade St., Matthews. Hours: Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.; In winter, 8 a.m.–10 a.m. Parking: Small grass on-site lot, on-street and a public lot a short walk away Vendors: 50-ish vendors. Vendor criteria: Within 50 miles, only the producer or family members may sell, annual visits by market management Highlights: New Town Farm is a founding farm and has some of the best produce, occasional eggs and meat. Charlotte Fish Company brings seafood directly to market from its own boats. Non-food items: Pottery, soaps. Dog Friendly: No. EBT/SNAP: No.

Selwyn Market

PHOTO COURTESY OF SELWYN MARKET

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVIDSON MARKET MANAGER ABBY WYATT

Joe Kindred of Kindred in Davidson the couple do fundraising to meet market costs — step over to the Company Store to help by buying a market t-shirt. As for shoppers, “diversity” is more than a buzzword in this area, and Saturday mornings are no exception. Customers may range from fit retirees to recent immigrants to sorority sisters or anyone in search of clean, sustainable food. Grab a squeezed-toorder lemonade and join the laid-back crowd.

SELWYN FARMERS’ MARKET

mouzonumc.org/the-selwyn-farmersmarket/

Lots of beautiful fresh produce Regular & upcoming events: Weekly chef demonstrations and musical groups; June 24th beehive demonstration; regular annual events. Matthews is the granddaddy of the small independent markets, having recently celebrated its 25th year. It also has the most stringent application of the local-food ethos: the board is comprised strictly of farmers, it has the tightest radius for sourcing and on-site food trucks must source from the market. Matthews also boasts the most wellestablished calendar of events, with weekly chef demonstrations on a newly installed patio, and regular dates celebrating everything from herbs to tomatoes. Customers here are well-versed in the stories behind the farms and their products, and don’t mind waiting in line for particular favorites. One important piece of advice: get here before the opening bell for the choicest items, because sometimes, ya snooze, ya lose.

NODA FARMERS’ MARKET nodafarmersmarket.com

PHOTO COURTESY COTSWOLD MARKET

Location: 514 E. 36th St. Parking lot next to Smelly Cat Café. Winter and rainy days inside Neighborhood Theater. Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Parking: On-street. Vendors: Number varies, about 10–12 in summer. Vendor criteria: Food only, must reside in North or South Carolina. Highlights: Greeneman’s brings in jars of local sauces, preserves, etc. Orrman’s Cheese Shop has a great selection of cheeses and other local food products. Non-food items: Not at the market, but in summer NoDa Eclectic Marketplace sets up next door with gift items. Dog Friendly: Yes. EBT/SNAP: No. Regular & upcoming events: None announced yet. Two years old last month, NoDa is the little market that could. Started by Joey Hewell and Scott Lindsley, owners of NoDa Company Store and general neighborhood force of nature, this producers-only market does not charge vendors for space. Instead,

Location: 3100 Selwyn Ave., Mouzon United Methodist Church. Hours: Wednesday, 3–7 p.m. Parking: On-site lot, enter on E. Woodlawn Road. Vendors: 14 vendors, plus a food truck Vendor criteria: “Local,” no site visits performed. Highlights: Mecklenburg County Market has the widest selection of produce Non-food items: Pet foods and treats, fair trade clothes, jewelry, leather goods, etc. Dog Friendly: Yes. EBT/SNAP: No. Regular & upcoming events: None planned. Selwyn made the list for two reasons: it’s the newest entry into the farmers’ market gang, and it operates on a weekday. The church asked how it could serve its community, and the community answered “farmers’ market.” Since April 19th, the church’s back parking lot has hosted a small collection of local vendors, most familiar sights at other local markets. The market is still finding its feet—things are slow until the after-work crowd shows up around 5:30, but there’s music, local barbecue and a good selection of produce, meats and cheese. CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 13

THURSDAY

BEO STRING QUARTET/THE DIFFICULTIES What: A mashup to end all mashups. The first set will be the Beo String Quartet doing its 21st century take on a tried-and-true classic, Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10. The second set will be an even wilder ride with the Difficulties bringing in bass, sax, laptop and the kind of spoken word you’d hear in a ‘50s jazz coffeehouse but probably not a poetry slam. Part of the Charlotte New Music Festival, which is contemporary classical music in Charlotte a lot more interesting. When: 7:30-9 p.m. Where: Google Fiber Space, 301 East 7th St. More: Free. charlottenewmusic.org.

14 | JUN. 29 - JUN. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

THURSDAY

DEON COLE What: We’re having a hard time calling this guy Deon Cole, because to us he’s just Charlie, Dre’s nutty coworker in Black-ish. But Charlie does have a real name and as Deon he’s done much more than just Black-ish. There’s all that Emmy-nominated writing he’s done for Conan and his guest correspondent work on the show; there’s Angie Tribeca; and of course, his amazing stand-up. Cole is known to love Price’s Chicken Coop, so keep an eye out for him there while he’s in town for the weekend. When: 8 p.m.; June 30, 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m.; July 1, 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Where: Comedy Zone, 900 N.C Music Factory Blvd. More: $25-$30. comedyzone.com.

THINGS TO DO

TOP TEN

Beo String Quartet THURSDAY COURTESY OF BSQ

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

THE STREET

THE LOUDERMILKS

RISE UP 5K

What: You know him as Vic the Chili Man, but when Victor Werany isn’t slangin’ dogs at 4th and Tryon he’s doing amazing things with his organization SHRED (Skaters Helping Realize Extraordinary Events), which raises money for kids with disabilities and extreme medical needs. Vic holds fundraising events like this one throughout the year showcasing local artists. Friday’s event will include work from Reese Striker, and hopefully Vic’s cart, too.

What: Charlotte’s Loudermilks have a new album out, y’all. Yep, the boys who once called themselves Lou Ford are still kicking around, making what they call “rural pop.” Whatever it is, brothers Alan and Chad Edwards always seem to be naming their bands after somebody else. In this case, Loudermilk is the real last name of the classic bluegrass duo Ira and Charlie Louvin. At least this name makes more sense than Lou Ford, seeing as how, like the Louvins, the Edwards bros sing together.

When: 7-10 p.m. Where: Charlotte Art League, 1517 Camden Road. More: Free (donations welcome). charlotteartleague.org.

When: 8 p.m. Where: Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St. More: $10. neighborhoodtheatre. com.

What: Have you ever been marching down the street during a rally for social justice and thought to yourself, I wish we were all running right now so I could get exercise while also fighting for my rights? Oh boy, are you in luck! This will be a nationwide virtual run, which means you can run from anywhere and know you’re part of the world’s largest running and walking event. Profits will go toward organizations that fight for women’s rights, climate issues, immigrants’ rights, LGBTQ rights and civil rights. When: 8-11 a.m. Where: Anywhere you please More: $45. localraces.com/rise-up5k/rise-up-5k-charlotte-nc.

U.S.A. vs. Cuba TUESDAY

NEWS ARTS FOOD MUSIC ODDS

Deon Cole THURSDAY PHOTO BY LAURA WOLFF/CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

PHOTO BY EMILY BERL

SATURDAY

CIVIL WAR BATTLE REENACTMENT What: It seems the battle of Gettysburg has a tarheel connection. The Sample family, who lived at Latta, sent their four sons to the Pennsylvania killing fields. Plus, what better place to replay the South’s war to save slavery than on the front lawn of a southern plantation house? The South lost the original battle on July 3,1863, on their way to losing the war – just in case anyone forgot. The family-friendly carnage runs through Sunday. When: 10 a.m. Where: Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville 28078 More: $8-$9. lattaplantation.org.

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

BUGALU

GINGER MINJ

BIG3

U.S.A. VS. CUBA

What: Ru Paul’s Drag Race All Star Ginger Minj deserves your attention for this quote alone: “I’m a crossdresser for Christ. I’ll have you down on your knees and begging for Jesus in a minute.” Miss Minj got her name when she was working a mystery dinner theater show. A fellow cast member made a snarky comment about a red-headed audience member’s lady part, calling it a “ginger minge,” and the offended patron broke his jaw.

What: It saddens us to think that kids these days are growing up without knowing what it was like to watch Allen Iverson play, but now’s your chance to get a glimpse of greatness. The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 professional basketball league that’s filled with former NBA stars like AI, Jermaine O’Neal and Kenyon Martin. Even better, the league is completely owned and operated by the players, with interactive fan experiences that make this a can’t miss for any hoops fan in Charlotte.

What: What better way to celebrate this 4th of July then by watching two Cold War rivals battle it out at Charlotte’s most Insta-friendly ballpark? There are deeper political ramifications to the game this year, as President Trump has recently reversed policies that President Obama implemented to lessen the strain on Cuban/American relations. A fun local trivia tidbit: two Cuban players stuck around after the game last year, slipping into the city and defecting. Coaches will be watching their players closely this year.

What: Shake that annoying patriotic mood on the day after the 4th with a Latin boogie dance party. Seriously. New York born-and-bred, Bugalu is an all-American mix of R&B, soul, mambo and son that first caught on with Nuyorican kids in the 1960s. Yes, there’s more to Latin rhythms than salsa and Fania Records. There will also be freshly made mojitos and mescal cocktails, along with Lady Go-Go’s homemade vegan Mexican food.

When: 6:05 p.m. Where: BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St. More: $11-$35. bbtballparkcharlotte. com.

When: 10 p.m. Where: Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave., 28205 More: Free. petrasbar.com.

When: 10 p.m. Where: The Bar at 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave. More: Free. bar316.com.

When: 1 p.m. Where: Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St. More: $38.50 and up. big3.com, spectrumcenterarena.com.

CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 15

PHOTOS BY SALOAN ROCHELLE WARDROBE STYLIST:CLAYTON NEWSOME III CREATIVE DIRECTOR: REL MUA: PRINCESS

MUSIC

FEATURE

SIBLING RIVALRY Family ties inspire singer-songwriter Autumn Rainwater to branch out BY MARK KEMP

F ONLY it were autumn.

That’s what I’m thinking on a recent drizzly afternoon in June, when I meet up with Charlotte singer-songwriter Autumn Millner, who performs and records as Autumn Rainwater. Alas, it is summer, and somehow Summer Rainwater just doesn’t reflect the moody complexity of Autumn Rainwater’s remarkably eclectic mix of rainy-day R&B with smart, subtle hints of rock, hip-hop and electronic dance music. Millner’s latest set of music, Leaf, released earlier this year, should be in regular rotation along with the likeminded Solange Knowles, but Autumn Rainwater doesn’t have an older sister named Beyonce, so a surefire record deal probably isn’t in the works. But like Solange, Autumn does have a talented older sister, Shandy, who performed more conventional R&B music that inspired Autumn to be different. “I love Solange. I think she’s awesome. I bought her first album with my first paycheck ever,” Millner says. The 27-yearold is sitting at a table at Nova’s Bakery in Plaza Midwood, her hair in braids under a backward baseball cap, wearing a black T-shirt with the words “Charlotte Not For Sale” on it. “I think Solange is an amazing writer, even in her Solo Star days when she was doing stuff with Lil’ Romeo,” Millner continues. “And now, just to see how she’s evolved to what she’s done on A Seat at the Table. . . I’m just a diehard fan. I mean, a diehard fan.” Most of Millner’s love of Solange is due to the music, but a good part of it is also because she strongly identifies with the singer. When Millner was a little girl, she would mimic the moves of Shandy, who sang with a successful local R&B girl group before going solo. She didn’t exactly go the way of Beyonce, though. Shandy left music to raise a family. But in Autumn Millner’s eyes, Shandy will always be her Beyonce — and Solange will always be her muse. “I just really respect how Solange puts her own personality into her music, and doesn’t try to be like Beyonce. Not to say anything against Beyonce, because she’s great in her own right. I just personally connect more with Solange.” The connection is of the “Oh, you’re Shandy’s little sister” variety. It made 16 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

‘WHATEVER KIND OF MUSIC IT IS, IF IT CONVEYS THE FEELING I WANT IN A SONG, I WILL USE IT IN MY OWN WORK.’ Autumn feel both proud and a little annoyed. The way the same comparisons presumably made Solange feel. “I just feel like she and I have a lot of parallels in terms of being in the shadows of an older sister and having to kind of do you own thing that’s totally different,” Millner says.

AUTUMN MILLNER grew up in Charlotte

surrounded by music, and not just her sister’s music. Autumn’s father Patrick Millner toured the east coast with the Phase Band, a successful funk cover band, in the 1980s before moving on to the ministry. Her mother, Debbie Massey, was a singer who met Patrick Millner in a recording studio. “That’s where they connected,” Millner says. “It was inevitable that I’d become a musician.” Her parents have early videos of Autumn as a toddler singing songs from Mariah Carey’s Music Box album before she could even talk. “I have no idea how I could do that before I could talk, but my dad and my mom used to play those videos all the time,” she says. After finishing elementary school at J.H. Gunn, Millner attended a series of middle schools — Hickory Grove Christian, Northridge and, briefly, Alexander Graham. But the one school that made the biggest impact in terms of her music was Northwest School of the Arts. She only attended during her seventh and eighth grade years (“Those were my rebellious years, she says), but they made an indelible mark. “That’s when I kind of got a grasp on, ‘OK, I really do want to do music. I really do want to sing,’” Millner says. “It’s a good environment to be in if you’re creative.” One of her teachers was Corey Mitchell, the Emmy Award-winning subject of the recent documentary Purple Dreams who also taught singer Kevin “Mercury” Carter, who appeared on the cover of Creative Loafing in April. “Mr. Mitchell was a cool teacher,” Millner says. She laughs at a specific memory of his classroom style. “I remember he’d take off his socks and shoes in the middle of class just casually while he was talking.” Millner attended East Meck High School and soon began doing music in earnest.

“I think the main thing that inspired me was having all that music in my house,” she says. “It’s really cool to have that in my background. My dad has a studio in his house and he plays the keys and plays guitar like nobody’s business — I mean, effortlessly. He plays acoustic, electric, everything. So I grew up with a heavy Prince influence, Gap Band, Stevie Wonder — he implemented all of that very early on in my life. And he still does, even though he’s a minister now.” And her mother? “She’s a pastry chef now,” Millner says. “I mean, my mom would play music around the house and she loved it. Music just wasn’t something she loved like my dad did, but she did love to sing and that’s what she and my dad had in common.” Patrick Millner more than loved music; he lived it. He would regale his daughters with tales of being in a traveling band. “He would tell me stories about touring up and down the coast. He kind of calmed down after I was born, but I always thought it was really cool that he was in these bands that played at all these places. I always admired that about him, and of course it poured over to me.”

THE QUALITY that distinguishes Autumn Rainwater’s music from that of her sister or her parents is its confessional quality. An early song found her singing that she’d never date a rapper. She laughs. “Some guys just have a hard time competing with women who also do music,” Millner says. “Of course, even after that song, I ended up dating rappers.” Leaf, in particular, is as confessional as an album gets. It’s an 11-track detail of a growing up and finding her true self after a failed relationship. It begins with a voice message from the ex, who tells her that he’d better not hear this message on an album. It’s such a perfect beginning that I ask if it’s real. She laughs. “Yes, that’s a real voice message,” she says. “He’s kind of come around now and has been like, ‘Yeah, so where’s my check for my contribution?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, right.’” SEE

SIBLING P. 18 u CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 17

MUSIC SIBLING

FEATURE FROM P.18

A little less than halfway into the album, following several richly produced songs detailing spots along her journey to womanhood, there’s a lo-fi acoustic tune — just 46 seconds of Autumn singing over a scratchy acoustic guitar. It’s called “Bae Sessions.” “That’s me and my current boyfriend, Eli Red,” she says. “He’s the lead singer of a band called Favelas. The way that came about is, I like to do voice memos sometimes at random moments when I’m in a very authentic, very natural situation just to reflect where I am musically in a certain moment. That’s one of those situations where we’d just started dating and he was in my room playing guitar and I was singing along. I look at it as a very optimistic moment, because usually my music is very, like, ‘Oh my god, I’m so sad.’ So that was kind of a segue to a very harmonic situation. I see it in a color, so it’s kind of like orangey-pink to me.” The track that follows, “Cool,” is straightup experimental electronic dance music. “I do consider my music experimental. I always want to do something that’s not expected,” she says. “I have a very heavy R&B influence just because of my upbringing, and ‘90s R&B is my favorite thing ever. But I also love songwriters like Alanis Morissette, just

18 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

Autumn Rainwater’s ‘Leaf’ album cover. because she’s so awesome. And I listen to anything from Bjork to Norah Jones. I hate that everything is so genre-driven now — that everybody wants to fit everything into certain genres. Whatever kind of music it is, if it conveys the feeling I want in a song, I will use it in my own work. I just want to put all these things together. I like to push the envelope a lot.” It took Millner three years to write and record Leaf. “Since my last project, I was like, ‘I’m not even sure I want to do this.’ I was in my mid-20s and my music wasn’t going the way I wanted it to go, so it took me a while to get through my own feelings of doubt,” she says. “I had to kind of grow up and see life from a different perspective in order to figure out who I really am and what I really want from life, whether it be music or the

company I kept. “So I had to get through that, and once I did and once it clicked for me, it was easier for me to write about it,” she continues. “I had to write about the journey from Point A to Point B, and now that I’m at Point B I’m ready to move on to the next part of my life. But before that, I wanted to write about those three years and throw it into Leaf.” It wasn’t exactly “thrown” together. Leaf is a tremendously well-thought-out example of great musical storytelling. “It’s just me getting over a breakup and finding myself as a woman,” she says, modestly. “And that’s the way I want my projects to happen. For one

thing, I’m very much an open book, and I feel like if I can use that, it can be therapeutic for whoever is listening to it. That’s how I fell in love with music in the first place.” Like a book, Leaf ideally should be experienced from beginning to end. If it’s not, you miss half of what makes it so great. “I’m one of the rare people who still loves albums. I like to listen to albums all the way through,” she says. “So the great thing about making Leaf was making sure the flow of the album was done in a way that makes you want to listen to it all the way through in its entirety. Whether it’s a story or a sonic thing, I want to create albums in a way that encourages the listener to listen all the way through to the end.” So what are some examples of perfect albums, in that regard, according to Autumn Rainwater? “Anything by Prince, and not just Sign O’ the Times or Purple Rain, but also The Gold Experience and Emancipation. I love Prince through and through, because everything he ever did was experimental. Everything. He had no fear. He was just like, ‘I’m gonna do what I wanna do.’ If I can implement that in any way as an artist, then I’m good. Like if I ever think that anything I’m doing may be too risky, I’m like, ‘What would Prince do?’ And then I go ahead and do it.” Millner had mentioned earlier that she had reservations about whether or not to continue with music. Did doing Leaf answer those inner doubts? “Oh yes,” she says, enthusiastically. “I figured out that music is definitely what I want to do. I’m back into it hard. 100 percent.”

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MUSIC

SOUNDBOARD

JUNE 29 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Marbin (The Evening Muse John Alexander Jazz Trio (Blue Restaurant & Bar)

COUNTRY/FOLK Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line (U.S. National Whitewater Center)

DJ/ELECTRONIC Le Bang (Snug Harbor)

HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Blackbear (The Fillmore Charlotte)

POP/ROCK Crystal Fountains (Comet Grill) Carmen Tate (Eddie’s Seafood & Raw Bar, Mooresville) Josh Hoyer, Soul Colossal (Primal Brewery, Huntersville) Karaoke with DJ ShayNanigans (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern) Matt Minchew Duo (RiRa Irish Pub) Otherwise, Through Fire, Righteous Vendetta (The Underground) Pluto For Planet (Tin Roof) Raviner, Den of Wolves, Written in Gray (Milestone)

JUNE 30 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Jazzy Fridays (Freshwaters Restaurant) Live Music at Tavolo (Tavolo)

BLUES/ROOTS/INTERNATIONAL Steven Engler Band (Blue Restaurant & Bar)

COUNTRY/FOLK Dave Desmelik (Birdsong Brewery) The Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill)

DJ/ELECTRONIC DJ Complete (RiRa Irish Pub) Mirror Moves (Petra’s)

HIP HOP/SOUL/R&B T.I. (Ovens Auditorium)

POP/ROCK Cirus Mutt (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern) Dane Page, Bless These Sounds Under the City (The Evening Muse) Dirty South Fest Day 1: The Body Bags, Anchor Detail, The Commonwealth, Odd Squad, Guerrilla Fist, Felly Castelow (Milestone) Blakeney Summer Concert Series (Blakeney Shopping Center) Party in the Park (Romare Bearden Park) The Hazlegroves (NoDa Brewing Company) In This Moment, Motionless In White, Vimic, Little Miss Nasty (The Fillmore) 20 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

SEND US The Loudermilks, 6 String Drag, Amigo (Neighborhood Theatre) Matt Schneider (Tin Roof) Shadowgraphs w/ Sam Kogon, Chócola (Snug Harbor) The Smashed Cardinals (Vinyl Pi, Huntersville) Sounds on the Square: Nicci Canada (Spirit Square) Spencer Bloodworth (Primal Brewery, Huntersville) Tweed, Gonzo (The Evening Muse) Wicked Powers (RiRa Irish Pub)

JULY 1 COUNTRY/FOLK Acoustic Syndicate (U.S. National Whitewater Center) Annabelle’s Curse (The Evening Muse)

DJ/ELECTRONIC DJ Method (RiRa Irish Pub) Off The Wall – 6 Year Anniversary (Petra’s)

POP/ROCK Blakeney Summer Concert Series (Blakeney Shopping Center) Abe Reid and The Spikedrivers (Vinyl Pi, Huntersville) Dirty South Fest Day 2: Diseased Earth, South Side Punx, Late Bloomer, Minimums, Drunk in a Dumpster, No Anger Control, Black Powder, DSR, The Beatdowns & Weary Legs (Milestone) Elephant Convoy, See Water (The Evening Muse) Francisco Vidal (Tin Roof) John Paul White, Lera Lynn (Neighborhood Theatre) Poor Blue (Comet Grill) Scriptkiddie (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern) Space Wizard w/ Old Scratch, Boo Hag, Asbestos Boys (Snug Harbor) Thirsty Horses (RiRa Irish Pub) Uptown Drive Bluegrass, The Tune Hounds (Primal Brewery, Huntersville)

JULY 2 POP/ROCK Picnic in the Park (Fourth Ward) Bone Snugs-N-Harmony Karaoke Party (Snug Harbor) Brother Dege & The Brethren (The Evening Muse) Dirty South Fest Day 3: Green Fiend, Omnislash, Black Fleet, No Reason, October & Arborlea (Milestone) Omari and The Hellhounds (Comet Grill)

JULY 3 HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Big Business, Power-Take-Off (Milestone) Knocturnal (Snug Harbor)

POP/ROCK Big Business, El Malpais , Power-Take-Off (Milestone) Falcon Heart (RiRa Irish Pub) Locals Live: The Best in Local Live Music & Local Craft Beers (Tin Roof) The Monday Night Allstars (Visulite Theatre) Open Mic with Jade Moore (Primal Brewery, Huntersville) Shannon Lee and Thomas Stainkamp Dueling Piano’s Night (Vinyl Pi, Huntersville)

JULY 4 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH Bill Hanna Jazz Jam (Morehead Tavern)

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

POP/ROCK 4th of July Party w/ Alternative Champs, Dirty Art Club, TKO Faith Healer, Brut Beat, Fat Face Band, DJ Scott Weaver (Snug Harbor) Mr. Kitty, The Rain Within, iioioioii, DJ Michael Price (Milestone) Nothing Feels Good - Emo Night (Noda 101)

JULY 5 CLASSICAL/JAZZ/SMOOTH The Clarence Palmer Trio (Morehead Tavern)

DJ/ELECTRONIC Bugalú – Old School Latin Boogie (Petra’s) Cyclops Bar: Modern Heritage Weekly Mix Tape (Snug Harbor)

COUNTRY/FOLK Open Mic (Comet Grill)

POP/ROCK Karaoke with DJ Pucci Mane (Petra’s) Modern Heritage Weekly Mix Tape (Snug Harbor) Open mic w/ Jared Allen (JackBeagles) Pluto For Planet (RiRa Irish Pub) R5 (The Underground) Songwriter Open Mic @ Petra’s (Petra’s) Spirit System w/ Hardcore Lounge, Sext Message, Lara Americo (Snug Harbor) Trivia & Karaoke Wednesdays (Tin Roof)

COMING SOON  Vans Warped Tour (July 6, PNC Music Pavilion) Flow Tribe (July 6, U.S. National Whitewater Center) Sturgill Simpson (July 7, CMCU Amphitheater) David Wimbish (July 7, Evening Muse)

MUSIC

My Morning Jacket (July 8, CMCU Amphitheater) Incubus, Jimmy Eat World (July 11, PNC Music Pavilion) Crystal Garden (July 12, The Rabbit Hole) Cris Jacobs (July 13, U.S. National Whitewater Center) Spoon (July 18, CMCU Amphitheater) Friends at the Falls (July 18, Milestone) The Lowest Pair (July 20, U.S. National Whitewater Center) The Steel Wheels (July 22, Neighborhood Theatre) Pinky Poodle Doodle (July 25, Snug Harbor) Patty Griffin, Lee Ann Womack (July 26, Neighborhood Theatre) Chastity Brown (July 26, Evening Muse) Boy Harsher (July 28, Snug Harbor) Toad The Wet Sprocket (July 28, Neighborhood Theatre) Frank Secich (July 29, Snug Harbor) Future Thieves (August 2, Evening Muse) Fuel (August 2, The Underground) Sumilian (August 3, U.S. National Whitewater Center) Gillian Welch (August 4, Knight Theater) Descendents (August 4, The Fillmore Charlotte) Pleasures (August 4, Snug Harbor) Gov’t Mule (August 5, CMCU Amphitheater) Foreigner, Cheap Trick (August 5, PNC Music Pavilion) Playboi Carti (August 6, The Fillmore Charlotte) Carpoolparty (August 8, Snug Harbor) Farruko (August 9, The Fillmore Charlotte) J. Cole (August 9, Spectrum Center) Wyclef Jean (August 10, Neighborhood Theatre) Erykah Badu (August 12, PNC Music Pavilion) Flagship (August 13, The Underground) John Mayer, (August 15, PNC Music Pavilion) Social Distortion (August 19, The Fillmore) Counting Crows (August 20, PNC Music Pavilion)

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 mkemp@ clclt.com or fax it to 704-5228088. We need the date, venue, band name and contact name and number. The deadline is each Wednesday, one week before publication.

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CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 21

PHOTO BY CRISTA CAMMAROTO

TJ Reddy in his studio

ARTS

FEATURE

TJ REDDY TAKES ON EVERYTHING New exhibit examines artist’s lifetime of creativity BY PAT MORAN

J REDDY SAYS society can become a prison — a cell forged by the pursuit of wealth and status at the expense of peace, justice and the environment. He should know, as an artist and activist he sought to transform society, and he paid the price by going to jail. “I’m still here,” says the 72-year-old painter and poet. “Whether I’m in an environment that opposes my right to equal education opportunities, or a society that holds me in contempt because of my skin hue, it hasn’t stopped me. I still function as an artist, 22 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

expressing my thoughts about freedom.” On June 30, the unstoppable Reddy returns to his alma mater, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, for Everything is Everything, a retrospective of his creative life at the Projective Eye Gallery in the College of Arts & Architecture. The exhibit runs through August 22, and Reddy will be on hand to engage with the public at a reception on July 20. It was that very commitment to engage that landed Reddy in hot water with racist authorities in the 1960s and early 1970s.

At UNC Charlotte in 1965, Reddy was an exemplary student, an award-winning creative writer and associate editor of an arts magazine called Three. But he was also viewed as a troublemaker, active in the antiwar and anti-draft moment. When Reddy led demonstrations in favor of a Black Student Union and an African and Afro-American Studies Department, the stage was set for confrontation. “We took down the American flag and ran a black one up the flagpole at UNC,” Reddy says. “You would have thought we had

committed the most heinous crime. We were surrounded by armed guards and there were snipers on the buildings aiming rifles at us.” The University capitulated to Reddy’s demands, but his heightened profile may have made him a target of the white establishment. In 1970, Reddy was one of the Charlotte Three, a trio of black men charged with setting fire to the Lazy B Stables, and killing 14 horses, in 1968. A jury convicted all three men in 1971. Three years later, the case began to unravel. In 1974, the Charlotte Observer reported that

ARTS

FEATURE

federal authorities, under the direction of Watergate co-conspirator Assistant Attorney General Robert Mardian, had secretly paid off two key witnesses against Reddy and the others. Public outcry about the case grew. Although state courts upheld the convictions of the Charlotte Three, the sentences were commuted by then-Governor Jim Hunt in 1978. Today, Reddy views his incarceration as a piece of a broader mosaic of racial discrimination, not too far removed from slavery, which persists today. “Slavery (made) sure that there were discrepancies between standards and practices. How can there be a bill of rights in a democracy that operates on a bill of wrongs towards people (of color)?” Reddy asks. Though progress towards equality has been made, Reddy eyes recent events like the rise of white supremacy with trepidation. “You can’t legislate away attitudes as easily as you might think,” he says.

REDDY GREW UP in segregated Savannah, Georgia, under the care and guidance of his great-great-grandmother. “I basically lived in a village community,” Reddy says. “I grew up without modern day conveniences — no electric lights, no indoor plumbing and no telephones.” Watching his great-great-grandmother cook is one of Reddy’s first memories of witnessing a creative activity. It made a lasting impression on the budding artist. “In my paintings, you’ll see references to food. I’m making a statement about healthy living and fresh, natural foods.” An avid reader from the age of three, Reddy wasn’t allowed to go to Savannah’s public library, which was reserved for whites. So, he went to the house of his high school principal instead. “(Principal) Edwards lived in a big mansion-style house,” Reddy says. “It was a pretty big crib, and she turned her living room into a library. I remember riding my bicycle with my basket, coming home loaded up with books.” Reddy came of age in a provincial town with racial tension, but he stresses the tightness of the black community, which nurtured his nascent creativity, and the peoples’ connection with the land. His own family came from generations of farmers. He says the materials he uses in his work — paper, sand, wood shaving, feathers, fabric, and crushed shells are mixed in with his acrylic paints — are a statement about our relationship with nature. Citing pollution and global warming, Reddy maintains it’s a relationship we neglect at our peril. “We have a limited capacity to understand life giving properties, yet we think we’re in control,” Reddy says. This narrow view of the natural world fosters a callous disregard for life, he maintains. Conversely, Reddy sees acts of creation as a mystical process. A feeling of practical magic — much like his greatgreat-grandmother’s culinary legerdemain

TJ REDDY: EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING Projective Eye Gallery of the College of Arts & Architecture UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 East 9th Street Friday, June 30, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Runs through August 20. Reception, Thursday: July 20th, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. TJ Reddy will speak at 7 p.m. Free. coaa.uncc.edu/eventsexhibitions/venues-and-galleries/ projective-eye-gallery.

in the kitchen — permeates his paintings, whether they are focused on his travels to the Caribbean and seacoast southeast (“Havoc in Haiti,” “Savannah Seas”), or his bucolic-yet-segregated upbringing (“Scenes for the Teacher, Family Portraits”). In a similar vein, archetypical figures, like illustrations from a tarot deck, populate his work: teachers, mothers and the newborn. “When I see a child being loved and nurtured by their parents, I think it’s such a beautiful thing. So in my work, you’ll see scenes of progeny. It’s a sign of my hope.” Archetypes come to the fore in the series The King, the Lover, the Warrior and the Magician. These paintings are Reddy’s reaction to a tragedy. A close friend was murdered by the father of her children, who then turned the gun on himself. “I had nightmares,” says Reddy, who confesses that he devised the series as a form of therapy. “The paintings became a way to find the noble aspects of the male character. Something that sustained instead of destroyed life.” “The king is endowed with power by the people,” Reddy says. “But you will see that the king in my paintings becomes a despot, a tyrant.” Similarly, the warrior is entrusted with responsibility. As a protector, his task is to provide a sense of safety, Reddy maintains. Yet, multiple police shootings of unarmed black men illustrate a gross perversion of power. “Like a snake eating its tail, the warrior consumes himself. The protector becomes the attacker.” In another series of paintings, Reddy further explores power run rampant amid a grotesque abrogation of responsibility. With Psychological Castration, Reddy pulls back the shroud on the notorious Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, where from 1932 to 1972, investigators studied the progression of syphilis in rural African-American men. No attempt was made to treat the men or alleviate their suffering, and they were deliberately kept in the dark about their condition. The paintings revisit the warrior archetype, says Reddy. “In (the paintings) the warrior psychologically castrates himself by making a power move to destroy those in need of protection,” he says.

TJ Reddy: The Rhythm Of Inspiration What hope there is for the male of our species resides in the final archetype: the magician. The power of magic connects us to nature and the cycle of life, Reddy believes. It’s a worldview that can pull humanity away from the brink of madness. In his paintings, Reddy transforms the magician into a musician. It’s no accident that the magician depicted by Reddy plays an ancient African instrument called the kalimba. Reddy also plays the 16th century import from Zimbabwe. “Magic is endowed with those who take a sound and turn it into color, rhythm and

PHOTO BY CRISTA CAMMAROTO

movement,” Reddy says. “They create a powerful universal language that unites us.” The same can be said of Reddy’s work. As the title of his exhibition, Everything is Everything, suggests, all of creation can come together, if we can only stop to see it. “The world is only manifest because of the connection with all of these elements that irrevocably intertwine, in a way that gives meaning to what we call life.” “Just think,” says the painter, poet, musician and mage. “The very minute that someone expires, a child is taking its first breath.” CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 23

Transformers: The Last Knight.

ARTS

PARAMOUNT/HASBRO

FILM

BAY’S LATEST BRAY A Knight to forget BY MATT BRUNSON

S A FILMMAKER, Michael

Bay has never seemed particularly interested in coherency or linear thinking or anything else that carries an idea from Point A to Point B. With that in mind, here’s my own stream-of-consciousness look at Bay’s latest bray, Transformers: The Last Knight (* out of four). At 7 hours and 15 minutes, the fifth film in the robotic series surpasses the 4-hour-8minute Gettysburg as the longest theatrical feature ever made. Keep in mind that I did not have a watch or cell phone on me during the screening, so my estimate of the running time might be slightly off, with a margin 24 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

of error of plus or minus 5 hours. But it certainly felt that long. If nothing else, T5 is the first movie in the franchise that could be described as educational. For starters, it’s ascertained that not only did King Arthur and Camelot exist, but Arthur and his Round Table companions all had Transformer knights watching their backs. (The recent King Arthur: Legend of the Sword failed to mention this, which is probably why it bombed.) In addition, the Transformers were responsible for the tide turning in favor of the Allies during World War II; they were responsible for the mystery surrounding Stonehenge; and they were responsible for the 2016 presidential election being hacked (or was

that the Russians? I forget). Mark Wahlberg returns for his second appearance as Cade Yeager, the Transformers’ BFF. Here, Cade’s the one who best embodies the spirit of King Arthur and thus is chosen to save all of humanity. Back in 2012, Wahlberg stated that 9/11 wouldn’t have happened had he been on one of the hijacked airplanes. “If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did,” he told Men’s Journal. “There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’” While most Americans were offended by Wahlberg’s imbecilic statement, Bay apparently gurgled and cooed over such

a shining display of machismo — hence, we now have Dirk Diggler as The Chosen One. The latest distinguished actor to opt to slum in this series for the sake of a gargantuan payday is Anthony Hopkins. Unlike, say, past players Frances McDormand and John Malkovich, he does not seem embarrassed by his appearance. Then again, Hopkins already has a long tradition of swooping down on paychecks like a hawk targeting a bunny rabbit — see, for instance, Alexander, Bad Company and that daft werewolf movie with Benicio Del Toro. One scene features a pair of bickering Transformers voiced by John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. With John Turturro also appearing in the film, it’s safe to say this

Transformers: The Last Knight (Photo: Paramount & Hasbro)

Laura Haddock and Mark Wahlberg in Transformers: The Last Knight. is the reunion movie that The Big Lebowski devotees were eagerly awaiting. Fans of Walter and Donny, be sure to thank Michael Bay in your prayers tonight. Speaking of Turturro, he gets off one amusing quip wherein he states than an ancient book was probably made out of “goat scrotum or something.” This made me realize that every major Hollywood movie should work the term “goat scrotum” into its script. In fact, I believe that if La La Land had showcased a song called “City of Goat Scrotums,” it would not have lost the Best Picture Oscar to Moonlight.

PARAMOUNT/HASBRO

Although he does go rogue for a stretch, Transformer leader Optimus Prime (voiced, as always, by Peter Cullen) is otherwise the same boring blowhard he’s always been in this series. He’s such the stodgy dullard that one can’t help but wonder if, when the other Transformers throw a party, they “conveniently” forget to send him an invitation. Honestly, this guy could suck the life out of one of Caligula’s Roman orgies. There’s a Decepticon in this movie called Mohawk and he sports an actual metallic Mohawk. ‘Nuff said.

For more videos & interviews check out

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CLCLT.COM | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | 25

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26 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

NIGHTLIFE

the bar. Say what?! They didn’t even stress “FILL THE BOX,” someone yelled as a newcomer walking in, they just laid there half the Trolley Pub Charlotte riders piled into the “waiting” area at Dog Bar in Noda. and minded their business like they owned The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. the place. But in reality, the dogs run Dog I mean, it’s the textbook moment for, “That’s Bar, so technically, they do own the place. what she said!” I turned to my friend and coMy friend ordered a craft beer, I decided worker and said, “That should’ve been our a domestic would feel better in the morning. team name.” We returned to the patio and I watched If you’re not familiar with Dog Bar, Luna, who’d been pouncing all over the place you’re probably wondering what in the hell kicking all the water out of the “community I’m talking about. One of my NoDa-residing friends had water bucket” before returning to jetting been telling me that I needed to experience from one side of the bar to the other. a work-night turn up at the Dog Bar. While That’s when I discovered we’d be I’m convinced he doesn’t think I’m a “dog playing trivia — rather, my friend would person,” per se (and he’d be correct) he’s be, as I reassured him that I would be of no always known that I love the idea of dogs and assistance. possibly owning a well-behaved, “man’s best He asked what our team name should be friend” of my own one day. and I racked my brain for a clever So a few weeks ago, I decided to abandon my usual routine response. of turning happy hour into We finally decided on an Uptown charade, and “Beers Full of Tears,” but finally went to Dog Bar. we weren’t satisfied. After The bar is referred the first round, the Trolley to as a “dog-friendly Pub pulled up and spilled watering hole with a out a full group of tipsy patio.” I literally couldn’t have said it better cyclers. And as you can myself. imagine, the Dog Bar is a I’d parked in their magnet for dog lovers and AERIN SPRUILL parking lot many times and thirsty singles alike. walked past as what felt like So naturally, the entire group, hundreds of dogs were gawking minus dogs of their own, attempted and barking at me as I made my to make their way into the bar. way to The Blind Pig next door. And quite Concerned that one of the tipsy travelers frankly, I’d never been even tempted to brave the wild pack and see what Dog Bar would accidentally let a dog out, someone had to offer. But my friend’s dog, Luna, is a stepped up to the inner gate and instructed beautiful, platinum blonde Husky mix with them that they would need to “fill the box” piercing ice blue eyes. How could I resist the and close the outer gate before he would let invite? them enter. And that’s when I wished we’d Per usual, as I approached the gate in waited for inspiration before coming up with front of Dog Bar, I was greeted by the a team name. sounds of barks. I stepped into what I call As soon as they poured into the bar, all the “waiting area” between two small fences — a safety measure to keep the dogs from you could hear was the sound of “baby talk.” sliding past a newcomer and running into “Oh you’re such a good girl. Oh my goodness the street. aren’t you the most beautifulest dog in the I took a deep breath and prepared to whole wide world?!” be devoured. To my surprise, all the dogs I chuckled at the awkward encounters greeted me with a “smile” as I made my way non-dog lovers would make fun of for days to the covered benches and my friend. I don’t and thought, “This is why dogs and dog know if he knew how nervous I was — I’d owners love this bar so much.” never been around so many dogs off-leash, running around freely in one space at one I’m embarrassed to say, I’ve silently time. judged dogs — and sometimes babies — and We made our way through the entryway their owners at dog- and kid-friendly venues, to the bar inside. A couple of the chillest but Dog Bar showed me how much fun it can pups you’ll ever see rested on doggy beds on be to kick it with your furry child.

ENDS

CROSSWORD

HOLLYWOOD HEDGING ACROSS

1 Muslim holy city 6 Krishna, e.g. 12 Judges’ gp. 15 Shower item 19 Car rods 20 Juan’s shawl 21 Boar or sow 22 As far as 23 Very stripped-down rendition? 26 Acne, slangily 27 Legal injury 28 Devoid of joy 29 “Pee- -- Big Holiday” (2016 film) 30 Curriculum segment 31 “Jingle Bells” vehicle 33 Hoosiers stuffing suitcases? 39 Italian automaker 41 Does a pressing job 42 Fly smoothly 43 Muslim ascetic’s caution? 47 “-- didn’t!” (denier’s cry) 48 Vine-covered, as a wall 49 Horn’s honk 50 Blasting stuff 52 New Zealand aborigine 57 Actor Foxx 58 “Alice” waitress 59 Country singer Hill soaked up the sun? 62 Joule division 63 Furious state 64 -- rod (biblical staff) 66 “We have approval” 67 What a curmudgeon has? 71 Chews (on) 73 Northern French port 74 Doting affection, briefly 75 Cave hanger 78 Sitcom teacher who lives next to a stream? 80 Some Greek letters 81 Lamb-in-pita sandwich 82 Keats’ “-- a Nightingale” 83 Bladed tool 84 Aleve target 86 Intended 87 Abbr. on a brandy

label 89 Loaf coated with glaze? 92 Crooked 95 Put in office 96 Window or door part 97 Primate buying things? 101 Harbor ill will toward 105 Big name in mowers 106 Wailuku site 107 Corrode 109 Be too sweet 110 Landed (on) 111 Thick board to be used only in an emergency? 117 Bed board 118 Pal, in Paris 119 Signify 120 One-on-one pupil 121 Devout 122 Peach part 123 Hot spots in spas 124 Helps pull off a crime

DOWN

1 Ship spars 2 Really praise 3 Writer -- Boothe Luce 4 Part of CPA 5 Require (of) 6 Off land 7 “Falstaff” composer 8 Dog’s cry 9 Wu’s “way” 10 Tax Day mo. 11 Sleep lab concern 12 Sleep lab concern 13 Arm muscle, informally 14 Way back 15 Japanese automaker 16 Offered views 17 Fine apparel 18 Blog entries 24 “Baloney!” 25 Wheat bristles 32 Encircle with a band 34 IX 35 IV hookup 36 Tiny thing with a charge 37 “Life of Pi” director Lee 38 Of weather conditions 40 iPad, e.g. 43 Passion 44 Say to be so

45 Careful and delicate, as treatment 46 Vintage Olds 47 High degree 50 Turner and Fey 51 Crash-probing agcy. 53 Off. aide 54 “Fine, as far as I’m concerned” 55 Rule, briefly 56 Altar answer 58 Pat down 59 Monastery title 60 Golf Hall of Famer Isao -61 Invoices 63 Got better 64 Set -- (choose the wedding day) 65 Everyone, to Hans 68 “How -- Your Mother” 69 Outer: Prefix 70 Big online music store 71 -- -Magnon man 72 Veiled 76 Region 77 Figure skater Eldredge 79 “So that’s the trick!” 80 Suffix with no-good 81 After-school youth program, perhaps 84 Choose 85 Entr’-86 Skillful 88 Pool headwear 89 -- -mo 90 Cariou of Broadway 91 Not clean 92 God of music 93 Daytime drama, e.g. 94 Intricate 95 Put out 97 Squirrel away 98 Country singer Judd 99 Hit the gas 100 Gossipy sort 102 Happify 103 Tripled trio 104 Little ‘uns 108 Top pilots 112 Checkpoint demands 113 Pro-learning org. 114 Bearded antelope 115 Myriad eras 116 Pro-learning org.

SOLUTION FOUND ON P. 30.

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ENDS

SAVAGE LOVE

THE MUSIC BOX Quickies from strangers I had a great time at the live taping of the Savage Lovecast at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. Audience members submitted questions on cards, and I tackled as many questions as I could over two hours — with the welcome and hilarious assistance of comedian Kristen Toomey. Here are some of the questions we didn’t get to before they gave us the hook…

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Move on all fronts: Go places and do things — as much as your disability and budget allow — join gay dating sites, be open about your disability, be open to dating other disabled people. And take the advice of an amputee I interviewed for a column a long, long time ago: “So long as they don’t see me as a fetish object, I’m willing to date people who may be attracted to me initially because of my disability, not despite it.” Why do I say yes to dates if I love being alone?

Because we’re constantly told — by our families, our entertainments, our faith traditions — that there’s something wrong with being alone. The healthiest loners shrug it off and don’t search for mates, A couple invited the complicit loners play me to go on a trip along and go through the as their third and to motions of searching for have threesomes. I am mates, and the oblivious friends with the guy, and loners make themselves and DAN SAVAGE there is chemistry. But I others miserable by searching have not met the girl. I’m for and landing mates they worried that there may not never wanted. be chemistry with her. Is there anything I can do to build chemistry or My boyfriend keeps talking about at least get us all comfortable enough to how much he would like for me to peg jump into it? him. (I’m female.) Should I wait for him Get this woman’s phone number, to buy a contraption or surprise him exchange a few photos and flirty texts, and myself? We’ve been dating only three relax. Remember: You’re the very special months. guest star here — it’s their job to seduce you, not the other way around. Traditionally, straight couples exchange strap-on dildos to mark their six-month Incest porn — what is the reason anniversary. behind why it’s so hot? I reject the premise of your question. There’s nothing hot about incest porn.

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

Any dating advice for people who are gay and disabled?

My partner really wants an open relationship; I really don’t. He isn’t the jealous type; I am. We compromised, and I agreed to a threesome. I want to meet him in the middle, but I really hate the idea of even a threesome and can’t stop stressing about it. What should I do? You should end this relationship yourself or you can let an ill-advised, sure-to-bedisastrous threesome end it for you.

Gay guy, late 20s. What’s the best timing — relative to meals and bowel movements — to have anal sex? Butts shouldn’t be fucked too soon after a meal or too soon before a bowel movement. For more info, read the late, great Dr. Jack Morin’s Anal Pleasure and Health: A Guide for Men, Women, and Couples — which can be read before, during, and after meals and/ or bowel movements. On the Lovecast, Dan chats with the author of Everybody Lies: savagelovecast.com.

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LILLY SPA

ENDS

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FOR ALL SIGNS Many people will be on edge, mouthy, and cranky this week. Try not to join them because it will only generate ill will and few will listen. Drive very carefully because the accelerator foot will be itchy, whether that be yours or others. If you feel compelled to say your piece, make an effort to breathe first, then write down talking points so you will not be dragged off topic into a battle of wills. We can easily identify our ideas as ourselves. Ideas are of the mind. They may be our possessions, but they are not who we are.

who has the answer. Alternatively, you may be brooding over a child or a lover. Be aware that aspects are causing this to happen and try to let go. You know that obsessive thinking wastes your time and energy.

ARIES Tension is high. The Powers that Be in your career life are definitely in charge. Progress can be made only through persuasion and even that may not help. Don’t succumb to anger or you will have lost your case entirely. You could be tempted to displace your anger onto others. You know that is not fair or productive. Peel yourself off the wall and wait for a better moment.

SCORPIO You could become embroiled in a battle of wills over who is right. In order to steer clear of a war, remain aware that the subject matter is merely what you think, not who you are. You have the controlling word in any battle. Use it ethically and don’t blow away your opponent. Drive and handle tools carefully.

TAURUS During this period you may be struggling with two images of relatedness. One is the nurturing, mothering type and the other is more sexual and/or intellectual. This conflict might be symbolized by home/ family versus partners/lovers. Somehow it is a challenge for humans to be conscious of both nurture and sexuality. Set aside decisions on this until you find a “right” solution.

SAGITTARIUS This is not your best week.

GEMINI Your mind is restless and easily bored this week, so find a variety of interesting things for entertainment. You are feeling independent and you may want more alone time than is the norm. Sometimes we just need to see different surroundings. If you have these symptoms, try a brief weekend trip. Ground your nervous energy by exercising to avoid the jitters. CANCER (June 20 – July 21) Use extreme

caution when dealing with any situation that is potentially volatile. Do not use force to accomplish your means now or it will be used against you. Be wary of parking places that might change character after dark. The energy in your field is best used in clean and honest competition, whether with yourself or someone else.

LEO THE LION It’s important that you be

aware that your thinking is not as objective as you believe. Listen when others tell you their attitudes and opinions. You do not have to adopt them, but don’t reject what they say out of hand. Try to think carefully before assuming you are the only one who knows the right answers.

VIRGO You want answers and you may

insist on having them right now, in spite of the fact that you are irritating the person 30 | JUN. 29 - JUL. 5, 2017 | CLCLT.COM

LIBRA You may be feeling at odds with

yourself or others in your daily life. Don’t rush yourself into action here. Perhaps it is better if you discuss this issue with a trusted person. You may need an alternative perspective. Remain conservative with your money. You are tempted to overspend.

There is interference in timing and forward motion that that you cannot control. You are pressured to “hurry up and wait”. These things happen every now and then in life. It is easier to calm yourself and accept the situation.

CAPRICORN You may be so bent on

accomplishing something or getting your needs met that you roll over everyone around you. This is a sample of Pluto’s power in your sign. Concentrate on the issues at hand and do not set up a battleground over egos that no one will win. You have a hot topic there. It may be more workable later when you are less identified with what you think.

AQUARIUS You may feel trapped by a

variety of circumstances over which you have no control. At times like these, we can only move in baby steps. You are not at fault here. Avoid the blame game, even if you are only talking to yourself. How were you supposed to know how things would develop?

PISCES It is possible that you are not

feeling well this week. You may be subject to allergy symptoms that keep you subdued. Your self-talk is likely to be on the dark side and mainly due to your fears for the future. The Inner Critic is not in touch with the whole truth even though it feels real enough to you. It mainly has a loud voice which you can choose to ignore. Are you interested in a personal horoscope? Vivian Carol may be reached at (704) 3663777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments. horoscopesbyvivian.com.

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