Queen City Nerve - May 31, 2023

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 14; MAY 31 - JUNE 13, 2023; WWW.QCNERVE.COM

News: Local business owner indicted on fraud charges pg. 4 Food: Firehawk Brewpub serves up creekside cooking pg. 16

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@Q UEEN CI T Y N ERV E W W W.Q CN ERV E.COM PUBLISHER JUSTIN LAFRANCOIS jla fra n c oi s @ q c n erve.c om

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF RYAN PITKIN

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DIGITAL EDITOR KARIE SIMMONS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS & OPINION

4 Something Fishy by Justin LaFrancois Local business owner indicted on charges of COVID relief fraud

ARTS & CULTURE

7 The Right Play by Bruce Brightly Queen City New Play Initiative launches local festival 8 Lifeline: Ten Cool Things To Do in Two Weeks

MUSIC

10 In the Realm of Senses by Pat Moran True Lilith builds an art rock sanctuary

SUMMER GUIDE 2023

12 You will get wet, you might get soaked 15 Soundwave

FOOD & DRINK

16 Mount Holly Made by Ryan Pitkin Firehawk Brewpub is a family affair with roots in the community

LIFESTYLE

Thanks to our contributors: Grant Baldwin, Aerin Spruill, Bruce Brightly, Joshua Galloway, Kenneth Brown, Emilio Madrid, Anna Warnere and Dan Savage.

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19 Puzzles 20 Aerin It Out 21 Horoscope 22 Savage Love

NEWS & OPINION FEATURE

SOMETHING FISHY Local business owner indicted on charges of COVID relief fraud

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BY JUSTIN LAFRANCOIS

Local entrepreneur James Seidel has been indicted by a grand jury on 16 counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government property for alleged misuse of COVID-19-related relief funds from the federal government, according to court documents.

The funds were taken out while Seidel was owner of Carolina Fish Market in Ballantyne (previously called Carolina Meat & Fish Co.). He claims to have sold the business since, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

Filed in South Carolina US District Court in August 2022, the indictment claims that Seidel “engaged in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration … by utilizing the funds obtained from his SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for unauthorized purchases, including investments in cryptocurrency through multiple platforms … instead of legitimate business purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Seidel’s case differs from a large majority of COVID-19 relief fraud cases, in which defendants have pleaded guilty to obtaining the funds by fraudulent means either through misinformation in applications, or falsifying bank records to show a different business income, according to sources.

Queen City Nerve found no records of federal cases in which EIDL funds were obtained legitimately, but used for means other than business operations, as is alleged in this case.

The EIDL is an Small Business Administration (SBA) financial-relief loan designed as an economic recovery tool for businesses operating during a disaster. The program was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which there were additional EIDL grant opportunities for businesses in low-income areas that could show a 30% reduction in revenue over an eight-week period and had less than 300 employees.

The EIDL program included grants, known as EIDL Advances; and loans, which is what Seidel

received. Unlike the grants, the loans had to be repaid and after funds were used exclusively to “make regular payments for operating expenses, COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW ALLEGED CRYPTOCURRENCY PURCHASES MADE BY JAMES SEIDEL WITH RELIEF FUNDS. including payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities, and other In May 2021, the U.S. Attorney General ordinary business expenses, and to pay business transaction.

The indictment goes on to say that, though established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement debt incurred at any time (past, present, or future),” Task Force to assist the Department of Justice in the funds were deposited into Seidel’s personal according to the SBA website. account, they were loaned to Grayson & Mae, LLC, investigating and combatting pandemic-related Seidel allegedly applied for $200,000 in relief from the SBA’s EIDL in October 2021, which was the partnership that manages Carolina Fish Market. fraud.

Since the onset of the pandemic and the approved the same month. Records show $199,900 A small business account was then opened at the distribution of relief funds, the U.S. Government same bank the application was made, and the funds was deposited into his personal bank account in early November 2021, according to court documents. The were transferred from the personal account to the Accountability Office (GAO) has been tracking the difference includes a $100 processing fee for the small business account, according to the indictment. government’s prosecution of hundreds of fraud

SEIDEL OWNED CAROLINA FISH MARKET (PREVIOUSLY CALLED CAROLINA MEAT & FISH CO.) IN BALLANTYNE.

NEWS & OPINION FEATURE

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and improper payment cases. As of February 2023, the GAO estimated that one program alone, Unemployment Insurance, made more than $60 billion in fraudulent payments, though a March 2022 congressional testimony by Department of Labor Inspector General Larry Turner estimated that amount to be nearly $163 billion.

The GAO stated that, through January 2023, more than 1,000 people have pleaded guilty to fraud related to one or more COVID-19 relief programs.

The organization claimed the SBA Office of Inspector General had 536 investigations into COVID-19 relief fraud open as of January 2023.

Locally, the father and son team behind La Shish Kabob, La Shish Kabob Catering, Green Apple Catering, and Aroma Packaging were convicted in federal court for money laundering and bank and wire fraud. Izzat Freitekh was sentenced to 48 months in prison on five charges, and Tarik Freitekh was sentenced to 147 months in prison on five charges related to fraudulent loan applications for $1.7 million worth of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds.

A local fraud analyst was among a group of people that also pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to PPP funds in Charlotte in October 2022. Tamakia Harris, Shavondra White and Cedric Benton are all charged with wire fraud conspiracy and at least one is facing an additional 16 counts of wire fraud. Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted for conspiracy, and a maximum of 20 years per count for the additional wire fraud.

Seidel’s case is only the third fraud case to involve a Charlotte-area business, though it’s being tried in South Carolina, where Seidel lives and does his banking.

At least 20 cases have been or are being prosecuted in the Western District of NC, of which Charlotte is a part, according to a representative for US Attorney Dena King.

King’s office is also actively pursuing multiple leads related to suspected wrongdoing in regard to COVID-19 relief funds, the rep said.

Of the cases in Charlotte’s district so far, six are related to the Payroll Protection Program, five are related to Unemployment Insurance, and 10 are related to EIDL funding.

Documents in the latest case state that between Nov. 5-18, 2021, Seidel purchased approximately $113,109.63 in cryptocurrency through different crypto-trading platforms in amounts ranging from $10.05 to $20,000, which court documents allege were purchased with the money he received through EIDL.

Seidel’s alleged purchases came at a time when global cryptocurrency values were at their peak.

According to a CoinMarketCap chart, the global cryptocurrency market was at an all-time high on November 10, 2021 and has since seen a major decline from nearly $3 trillion down to $1 trillion in overall value.

The document claims he made two transfers in January and February 2022 from his small business account to his personal account totaling $25,000 and $80,000, respectively before making two payments to a law firm that are cited as “home purchase” in the indictment.

Currently pending in the district court, proposed forfeitures of Seidel’s properties in this case include the sum of all money obtained plus interests and proceeds traceable to the initial $199,900 loan, more than $40,000 in USDC cryptocurrency, more than $6,000 in Solana Cryptocurrency, more than $2,000 in Bitcoin, more than $18,000 seized from his small business account, approximately $3,000 seized from his personal account, and a home he purchased on Campbell Lake Court in York County.

If Seidel is convicted, these properties will be forfeited to the government. A single count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for each count; however, under the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007, when the fraud is connected to a presidentially declared disaster, the penalty increases to up to 30 years in federal prison.

In the world of white collar crime, Seidel’s charges are on the less serious end of the spectrum, as federal prosecutors often try cases involving millions of dollars or more. Therefore, a conviction in Seidel’s case likely won’t amount to a sentence anywhere near the maximum penalties, as was the case with the Freitekh family.

Seidel has entered a plea of not guilty and his case has been continued multiple times, with the court granting a continuance to the August 2023 term in order to allow Seidel to “participate in ongoing discussions regarding legal theories, possible defenses, potential resolutions and prepare for trial,” according to a continuance order filed on May 23.

The next day he announced the sale of his business on the market’s website stating, “Various news to report: The business has been sold. The new owners will be announced very soon. Jim has retired down[sic] from volleyball coaching. Jim is moving to Hampton, SC to retire to be near to his children.”

Counsel for Seidel has not responded to a request for comment as of the writing of this article.

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ARTS FEATURE

THE RIGHT PLAY Queen City New Play Initiative launches local festival

BY BRUCE BRIGHTLY

gentle reminder that you should just pick up the phone and offer the Queen City New Play Initiative a stack of money.

I’ll never understand the idea that funders can’t be curators, or that it is somehow vitally necessary that artists come hat in hand to funders toting a stack of documents and work samples to meekly request a few thousand dollars — especially in a town built on a pile of money. But alas, that’s a question for another day. For now, let’s leave it at this: Get out your checkbooks and make it rain for Queen City New Play Initiative.

Let me build my case for such demands. Yes friends, the time has come to talk about track record. Now, I’m not going to spend much time on Rose’s biography, although it is a fascinating journey that leads through the poetry and theatre scenes of Charlotte (with appearances by local legends like Sydney Horton and Quentin Talley), NYU’s performance writing MFA program, time spent working with Spike Lee, and a transformational experience at Minneapolis’s The Playwright’s Center (an inspiration for her own New Play Initiative).

And I didn’t even touch on her life as a devoted mom and a professional respiratory therapist!

Believe me, it is oh so tempting to go on a flight of fancy about the poetic resonances of a poet and playwright working in the realms of healing people’s breath. Good God, that is a play I want to see!

Rose founded the Queen City New Play Initiative with a Charlotte native who boasts a similarly impressive national reputation: Director Martin Wilkins has worked all over the country, specializing in bringing new plays to life wherever he lands. The two friends cooked up the idea after seeing the dearth (that means total fucking lack) of opportunities in Charlotte for writers (especially writers of color) to develop their voices.

After participating in the initial push to get the New Play Initiative off the ground, Wilkins moved on to other projects. Rose remains as artistic director, working closely with local director Tina Kelly (who helmed Three Bone Theatre’s recent production, The

STACEY ROSE COURTESY OF STACEY ROSE

Now, before you start throwing things, there are exceptions, of course. But the fact remains overwhelmingly true for a majority of both local and touring productions. And if we want our stages to be more of a real reflection of our community, then we have to do better at nurturing the voices of local playwrights.

That’s the work that Queen City New Play Initiative is doing and it’s worth giving a damn about. Step one in giving said damn: Come out and be a part of NC in the Margins.

Programming includes new work by Rose herself, as well as Gage Tarlton and James Webb.

I’m not privy to content of the specific plays these artists are presenting, but if I were a gambler I’d wager that Tarlton’s work will trace some contour of the erotic and be inflected with an extremely online sensibility, while Webb’s will engage somehow with the spiritual.

As for Rose … well, Rose is a wild card whose written output never fails to surprise me, but I’ll expect to laugh and also likely be a little horrified.

And to be clear, that’s generally exactly why I go to the theater.

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Stacey Rose is the artistic director of the Queen City New Play Initiative, and if I had my way she’d be the artistic director of all of Charlotte’s stages.

Rose has strong roots in Charlotte’s theatre community, along with professional contacts all over the country. Her authorial voice is a strong one, matched by her equally sharp curatorial sense. She’s a hero of mine and I swear to God if someone doesn’t write her a seven-figure check to nurture new plays in Charlotte soon I am going to throw a fit.

I remain cautiously optimistic that we will come to our senses, but Rose is exactly the kind of artistic leader that our city does a great job of ignoring only to wonder why they threw in the towel after the fact.

“We made her beg for pennies and otherwise ignored her unless we needed to check a diversity box, but still I don’t understand why she quit/ moved/walked into the sea. Tsk tsk tsk. I guess her heart just wasn’t in it.”

Thankfully, Rose hasn’t thrown in the towel yet, and we have time yet to support her and the miraculous work that she is doing.

Launched in 2021, Queen City New Play Initiative (QCNPI) was designed to develop and amplify the voices of emerging Charlotte playwrights. QCNPI’s kick-off project, a series of theatre artist talks in which local artists were paired with national creatives for a discussion of their work and experiences, set the tone for the initiative’s lofty mission to bring Charlotte into the national artistic conversation. Those conversations effectively built a foundation of community and shared vision for QCNPI as an organization to begin taking on larger projects.

The year of its founding, Queen City Nerve recognized QCNPI as the Best Investment in Emerging Artists in its year-end Best in the Nest issue, but the organization’s investment in our city’s people takes the financial investment of the city’s institutions.

Unfortunately, my salary as an embittered gadfly is not sufficient for the task, so we’re going to have to find other sources of lucre. Foundations who have provided support in the past, this is your

Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks and Curls

by Keli Goff.)

Let us now turn to the work that Queen City New Play Initiative has done since they’ve been on the scene. We’re talking about commissions, new play readings, artist talks, bake-offs (these are a bit of sorcery cooked up by legendary playwright Paula Vogel), and a general commitment to supporting the work of living writers who are based in or whose work is informed by the contemporary American South.

Now the company is combining a bit of all that magic for a theatre festival called NC in the Margins. Running from June 5-11, the festival consists of workshops, conversations and new play readings all over Charlotte, made possible by partnerships between Queen City New Play Initiative and local production companies Brand New Sheriff Productions, Theatre Charlotte and Three Bone Theatre.

There is a key difference between those three companies that QCNPI is partnering with and Rose’s organization itself, and that difference speaks to why the New Play Initiative is so vital to Charlotte’s performance ecosystem.

Brand New Sheriff, Theatre Charlotte and Three Bone are producing organizations. This means that they exist to produce a season of plays. To quote Nathan Arizona: “That’s their whole goddamned raison d’etre.”

Queen City New Play Initiative is not a producing org. They don’t (necessarily) put on shows. What they do is direct resources — including money and time but also attention and feedback — toward the development of new plays. Much like The Playwright’s Center in Minneapolis, where Rose spent time, QCNPI is an incubator for new work.

This is very important if Charlotte wants to be a place where culture is created and from where culture can be exported. Right now, at least in Charlotte’s theatre scene, we are importing the vast majority of our theater.

That is obvious in the case of touring shows that come through the Blumenthal Performing Arts stages in Uptown, but it’s also a factor in the seasonal programming at homegrown theatre companies; most of the work produced on area stages was written by folks who have never set foot in the Queen City.

ONGOING SAT 5/31 - 6/11 6/3 ‘JAQUES BREL’

One of the most unexpected theatrical hits of the late 1960s was Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, a musical revue featuring the sophisticated storytelling tunes of Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel that ran well into the ’70s. Brel’s highly theatrical songs soon swept through the English-speaking world, influencing artists like David Bowie and Scott Walker. Inspired by the hit stage presentation, Charlotte’s Off-Broadway’s Jacques Brel transports audiences back to a stylish and groovy evening in 1973, with a cast of Charlotte stars performing the works of the master of modern chanson.

More: $35; May 31-June 11, times vary; VAPA Center, 700 N. Tryon St.; charlottesoffbroadway.com JAQUES BREL Photo by Jac. de Anefo Nijs

UNWED SAILOR, THOUSAND DOLLAR MOVIE, OF SINKING SHIPS

No vocalists allowed for this evening of primo instrumental rock. Unwed Sailor’s Johnathan Ford crafts direct basslines that drive the melody for the band’s hook-laden instrumentals. On the band’s latest album, Mute The Charm, Ford shares his love for ’80s pop tunes like “London Fog,” in which digitized guitar sounds recall the opening of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name,” while Ford’s fluid bass summons memories of New Order. Unwed Sailor is a primary influence on Charlotte post-rock outfit Thousand Dollar Movie, and Brooklyn’s Of Sinking Ships craft sweeping atmospheric instrumentals.

More: $12; June 3, 8 p.m.; Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.; petrasbar.com

EMPANADA FESTIVAL Photo by Tre Soho Studios

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JIVE TALK, MONSOON

There’s a whole lot more to Nashville-based theatrical rock band Jive Talk than a sartorial penchant for blue-tinted swimming goggles, but that’s a telling detail about their stage persona. With a sound pitched between surf rock and new-wave-besotted early aughts bands like The Killers, Jive Talk goes big onstage with a scenery chewing live set that draws on the kinetic moves and oversized clothes of Stop Making Sense–era Talking Heads. Athens, Georgia duo Monsoon is an indie-rock outfit that weaves together unorthodox styles to create music that dips between the conscious and subconscious.

More: $14.30; June 2, 10 p.m.; Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.; snugrock.com

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EMPANADA FESTIVAL, HAVANA NIGHT AUGMENTED REALITY SAM MORRIL “They should make broken-family-style restaurants.”

FUNDAMENTALS: ENHANCE YOUR ART

Third time’s a charm for the Empanada Festival, which has been rescheduled twice already — once in April and again in May — due to inclement weather. It was all written in the stars, however, as organizers with Carlotan Talents already had their Havana Nights celebration scheduled for June 3 and are now planning a mashup of cultural eats and revelry. The Empanada Festival kicks off at noon in Camp North End’s Ford Building, featuring the original hot pockets in whatever style you crave: meat, vegetarian, fried, baked, flour, corn. Then make your way over to the Boileryard and NoDa Company Store Canteen for traditional Cuban music, food and dancing.

More: Free; June 3, noon-10 p.m.; Camp North End, 300 Camp Road; camp.nc/visit/events/

In this class, tailored for artists and facilitated by Charlotte native Lusenii Kromah, participants learn how to use augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance their art and bring their creations to life.

Classwork includes experimenting with AR software, 3D models, 3D software and animation tools while receiving personalized feedback from Kromah, who has built a career working for companies that range from successful startups to institutions like Adobe and Twitter. By the end of the class, students will have gained the skills and knowledge to incorporate AR into their artistic practice. No prior experience is required.

More: $25; June 6, 6 p.m.; Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.; ganttcenter.org

Fast-rising comic Sam Morril can be lethal with his dry and dark punchlines, peppering a stand-up set that encompasses fucked-up fairy tales, biting social commentary and surreal conceptual stuff like comparing condom wearing to volunteer work, wondering if murderers critique each other’s work, and reminiscing on his friendship with a vigilante.

Morril offers a night of trenchant stand-up that’s not quite right in the head. The New York native has also premiered a new sports podcast Games with Names, and recently appeared on Netflix’s hit series That’s My Time with David Letterman.

More: $45; June 7, 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St.; fillmorenc.com

CAIFANES Photo by Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México

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CAIFANES

‘WILD AT HEART’ & ‘MULHOLLAND DRIVE’

Launched in 1987, Mexico City alt-rock band Caifanes adopted the moody grooves, black clothes and pale makeup of Robert Smith’s ensemble from across the pond, earning the stateside moniker “The Mexican Cure.” Early hit “Cuentame Tu Vida” is definitely indebted to Smith and Co., but a closer listen reveals the band’s wide-ranging variety, encompassing reggae, ’80s new wave, jazz torch songs, and traditional Mexican folk tunes. Underpinning this eclecticism is Caifanes’ facility for crafting killer hooks and memorable melodies, punched home by frontman Saúl Hernández’s powerful vocals. Make no mistake; this is a major, massively influential altrock band.

More: $49.50; June 9, 8 p.m.; Fillmore, 1615 820 Hamilton St.; fillmorenc.com

To coincide with screenings of Alexandre O. Philippe’s Lynch/Oz, a documentary examining director David Lynch’s obsession with the 1939 Technicolor classic The Wizard of Oz, Independent Picture House is showing two classics helmed by Lynch. Aficionados can spot the Oz references in Wild at Heart, which boasts a cameo by the Wicked Witch of the West; and Mulholland Drive, where Naomi Watts’ character(s) suggest Oz’s Dorothy Gale experiencing neo-noir meltdown in a Hollywood hellscape. (Is the film’s title a take on Tinsel Town’s tawdry version of the yellow brick road?)

More: $8; June 9-15, times vary; Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St.; independentpicturehouse.org

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JIVE TALK Photo by Anna Warnere

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ENTER THE JANNA: ‘PAPERBACK Divine Barrel Brewing, Great Wagon Road Distilling, HERO SAGA’ LAUNCH EVENT SUMMER NODAHOOD MARKET

AUGMENTED REALITY FUNDAMENTALS Photo by Henrysz

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In 2018, local rapper/actor/author Mason Parker wrote and released his first comic book, The Paperback Hero Saga, accompanied by a short film starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner of The Cosby Show fame and scored by local spoken-word poet Bluz.

However, after returning to Charlotte and finding a new distribution deal for the book, Parker pulled the original from shelves and began reworking the story into what has now become a longform graphic novel rooted in hip-hop and comic book fantasy. If we know one thing about Parker, especially with this many years in the making, he’ll make this launch event a memorable moment for all in attendance.

More: Free; June 11, 4-6 p.m.; DUPP&SWAT, 1824 Statesville Ave., Suite 105; tinyurl.com/EnterTheJanna

MASON PARKER, ‘PAPERBACK HERO SAGA’ Photo by Joshua Galloway

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Free Will Craft & Vine, Crown Station and Mountain Khakis co-host an open-air vendor market in NoDa. The market, featuring 90-plus artisans, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, will be held in the shared parking lots at Divine Barrel Brewing, as well as across the street at Great Wagon Road Distilling.

The event boasts DJs at each location, plus food options and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

A clearance sale by Mountain Khakis coincides with the market, and specially designed NoDaHood T-shirts and zip-up hoodies will be on sale.

More: Free; June 10, 1 p.m.; 3701 N. Davidson St.; divinebarrel.com/dbb-events

MUSIC FEATURE

Barrett is a massive influence.” issues like climate change in “London Calling,” Pink Floyd’s insane genius, however, is not long before they became topical, goth-rockers like James’ only inspiration London’s Specimen focused on creating community “Joy Division is probably my favorite band. by launching hot spot the Batcave in the early ’80s.

They’re a massive influence, [as are] Bauhaus and Meanwhile, other goth communities welcomed Souixsie and the Banshees,” James says, adding that society’s outsiders and diminished members. Even True Lilith builds an art rock sanctuary she’s also into indie rock. “[Listening to] The Strokes, cock-rocking goths The Cult extols the power of the

BY PAT MORAN learning both guitar parts and how they interweave, feminine in “She Sells Sanctuary.” really helped me learn guitar.”

The band is young, with oldest member James From divine feminine to Femme Fest With Chloe James’ snaking ’60s spy movie “I remember I was playing along with this guitars and Anna Spurrier’s clambering new wave bluesy Meters song, and there was this riff in it,” aged 23 and Case, the youngest, at 19. Except for True Lilith was born in Belmont in Gaston County, synths, True Lilith kicks off its latest single “Urban Spurrier tells Queen City Nerve. “It sounds similar to frontwoman and founder James, all other band when 7-year-old James received an unwanted video members joined in mid-2022, first Stone and then game for Christmas.

Decay” with a sense of shivery delight. James’ what I’m playing in ‘Urban Decay.’” ethereal vocals evoke a sensual succubus luring Spurrier cites her father as an inspiration, as well Spurrier. Case came into the fold in September.

“I got a Wii Guitar Hero 3,” James says. “I didn’t listeners in like a Venus flytrap. as her grandmother, who taught her to play piano Despite their youth and their fairly recent inclusion in want it, but I ended up being the only person to play the band’s current iteration, they play with cohesion, the game and beat it.”

“Solemn affair (solemn affair)/ Breathing in, when she was only 5 years old. angel air (angel air)/ So I wait patiently/ Down and “It was before my first show with the band that confidence and what seems like a telepathic interplay.

She turned from Guitar Hero to a real guitar.

With its mélange of alt-, indie-, psych- and post- Drawing on the game’s setlist — especially out (down and out) / Drown it out...”

Chloe showed me the [guitar] riff,” says Stone, who Then Clay Case’s stalking sub-stratum bass and was captivated in middle school by the “grandiosity” rock, True Lilith’s sound cannot be reduced to just goth, enthralled with The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” but the genre is still central to a spirit of inclusion the — James taught herself to play guitar and ventured Jared Stone’s skittering yet swinging drums launch the of Green Day’s American Idiot. tune into overdrive, as James’ vocals suggest Dracula’s “I liked [James’] weird direction, but I was like, band has adopted. Much maligned even during its into songwriting at age 15. brides recast as a ’60s girl group, launching a blood ‘I could probably go in an even weirder direction.’” 1980s heyday due to fans’ preference for black clothes, “I didn’t know how to write songs, so I was test spattered assault on a shouted apocalyptic chorus. driving it, trying to copy Nirvana as everyone does,” “I hate this/ And I hate that/ My my fate is/ James says.

Obliterated...”

An early iteration of the band was a garage-rock Galloping drums and buzz-saw bass pause for a power trio, very heavy on guitar. At the end of 2019, swampy psychedelic guitar line that entwines and that lineup released the four track EP Wilt, which James tangles around a deceptively sweet sounding bridge. calls a collection of the band’s bare-bones early work.

“Oh the audacity/ Where is your empathy?/ In the meantime, James scoured internet Decayed reality/ Our rights are melting...” forums and sites, looking for inspiration for a band With that unsettling message, Charlotte altname. She struck pay dirt with True Lilith. In Hebrew psych-goth rockers True Lilith gallop to the finish mythology, Lilith was Adam’s first wife. She refused line of the single, which dropped in April. The band to submit to Adam, so she was cast away, and plays the tune along with its considerable catalog of ultimately remembered as a demon, James says. songs at The Milestone on June 10.

“The coolest part is she was just being herself “Urban Decay” is the group’s best work yet, but and saying, ‘Fuck societal norms,’” James offers. what is it? Alt rock, goth rock, or something else?

James was heavily into astrology at the time, It’s clear True Lilith approaches musical genres where Lilith is associated with the dark moon, a as suggestions rather than boundaries. Shoutouts to time to process everything that’s going on in your inspirations are as likely to include New Orleans R&B life and declutter your mind and heart. legends The Neville Brothers as alt-art-rock icons “Lilith’s placement in a person’s chart represents PHOTO BY KENNETH BROWN TRUE LILITH PLAYS A SHOW AT THE MILESTONE. Siouxsie and the Banshees. their subconscious, deeper, maybe taboo, desires “This genre where we sit is so liquid that I didn’t that they want to ignore consciously. It’s stuff that At the time, Stone was listening to R&B artist know what we were writing,” says bassist Case, who might not be socially acceptable,” James says. “It’s pale makeup with industrial levels of eyeliner, willowy tapping into the true part of you that is unfiltered counts punk rockers NoFX and Rancid among his Anderson Paak.

“I liked his style of drumming [and] … “tree in the wind” dances and enough hairspray to and unaffected by society.” inspirations. Despite that, his playing evokes the rocket engine roar of Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, and the implemented that kind of drum beat into the song. punch a hole in the ozone layer, goth has been a genre In addition to invoking the feminine force, that has welcomed all — gay, trans, nonbinary and James also embraced its power. heavy labyrinthine runs of Yes bassist Chris Squire. Like It ended up fitting better than I thought.”

Prior to recording “Urban Decay,” James wrote bullied — throughout its history.

Squire, Case plays with a pick and not his fingers. “You “I am very much a feminist,” James says. “I’ve “Our music is trying to be our personal safe experienced during my time in the [music] scene, a really hear it on the bass solo [on “Urban Decay”],” he the verse and chorus of the song on guitar, but it was a bare-bones version of the creepy and funky space for anyone who wants to listen,” Stone says. “I lot of misogyny. I [would] get, ‘You’re pretty good at says. “It’s heavy … like a chainsaw revving up!” hope [people] will feel as accepted in our fan base as guitar for a girl,’ all this demeaning stuff and backInspired by her jazz drummer father, Spurrier juggernaut it is today.

“I love early Pink Floyd, and it’s actually a direct I’ve been accepted in this band.” was working on blues-based music when True Lilith handed compliments.”

While punk bands like The Clash attacked shoutout to [Floyd’s] ‘Lucifer Sam,’” James says. “Syd recorded its latest single.

In 2020, True Lilith delivered a manifesto

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IN THE REALM OF SENSES

MUSIC FEATURE

hiatus until quarantine ended, at which time James “I feel like this song was a team effort,” James James sings the role of the living girl, who loses recruited new band members and True Lilith returned. possession of her body to the hungry ghost: “Her says. “We all worked together and fed off of each In the summer of 2022, the band released its ghost stole my body/ waiting and finding/ deleted other’s ideas.” on feminism and misogyny with the single and debut full length album, Celestopia. The LP also memories and/ now they’re distant daydreams/ My The band is committed to reworking its sound to accompanying video for roaring rocker “Trash.” introduced a new sound for the band: a fleshed reflection’s fading...” be more dancey and punky, she adds, continuing in Amid scorching psychedelic guitars, hissing hi- out, more space-rock soundscape with an influx of Like “Trash,” True Lilith’s Celestopia was recorded the direction of “Urban Decay.” hat on drums and bubbling rubbery bass, James sinuous synthesizer textures.

At the same time, the band is devoted to at The Knothole in Weddington in Union County by delivers a take-no-prisoners recitative: “I want to “My tastes had changed a bit,” James says. “At first, I the studio’s technical director/owner Boo English. spreading its message of inclusion, an idea that often take you out ‘cause you’re trash...” was into grunge and garage rock and I wanted it to sound “Not only will [English] tell you if something gets lost in the grind and roar of punk and grunge. “[‘Trash’] is an anthem for me. Getting my really raw. Then I started listening to different kinds of needs to be changed, [he suggests] additions that “I want a range of emotions,” James says. “That’s frustrations out of things that I’ve dealt with music that were more electronic and synth-based.” make the songs sound cool,” Stone says. why our music has ups and downs. We don’t just go [regarding] men and people giving their unsolicited The synths, courtesy of Abby Stewart, deliver “He’s easy-going and nonjudgmental,” all heavy.” advice,” James says. “I’m a pretty sensitive person. I outer space whooshes over James’ swooping guitars says James. “He lets you steer the ship.” English James says it’s hard not to notice the surfeit of wasn’t born with a thick skin, but I’ve developed it to on one of Celestopia’s stand out songs, “The Tower.” subsequently recorded “Urban Decay.” testosterone in hardcore punk music. the point where now I’m very strong and confident.” Here, James’ vocals are by turns childlike and sinister.

“It’s cool and all, [but] I want to bring that feminine James praises English’s patience with her, describing She characterizes the tune as “turning negativity The chorus deliberately mentions masks as an analog herself as picky and self-critical about her music. energy and even gender-neutral energy to music, and in a positive, productive creative thing.” to the masks worn during the height of COVID. “I’ll talk myself out of doing something, because show that music is not better just because it’s heavy.

The video for the tune satisfyingly depicts James “What’s behind the mask?/ So afraid to ask/ What I have really bad anxiety that I struggle with,” James You can be soft and vulnerable and powerful.” giving male stalkers and scumbags their richly deserved lies underneath/ Unsuspecting teeth...”

James hopes True Lilith listeners will take away a says. “A lot of the songs are about that and depression.” comeuppance. It’s directed by Viky Leone, then the “‘The Tower’ was written about COVID, just feeling True Lilith, however, is on an upswing. The band has sense of their own personal empowerment through bassist in Charlotte band Wilma. Leone’s brother, Wilma so beat up and dragged through the trenches, being undertaken its first tour, which it kicked off in New York the vulnerability and struggles that thread through guitarist Matthew, plays a Chad who stalks James. (The mentally and physically exhausted,” James says.

City on May. Based on “Urban Decay,”the bandmates are the band’s music.

Leone brothers subsequently disbanded Wilma, and Celestopia boasts many highlights, including pleased with the direction their music is taking.

“Our music is about empowerment,” she says. moved to Virginia where they play as Orbweaver.) the buzzing giallo-style synths on “No Exit,” and the “The synth part adds a good layer to the song,” “It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to be human, “We had a loose concept, and we wanted to stuttering and grinding “Calypso,” but the strongest Spurrier says. “After we recorded it, I find myself and it’s okay to not give a fuck ... in a good way.” visually display everything we were talking about in track may be the gossamer and ghostly “Graveyard adding even more things.”

PMORAN@QCNERVE.COM the song, just men being creepy,” James says. of Stars.” Here, True Lilith anchors its spidery needleIn addition, True Lilith played their first benefit guitar alt-goth sound with sing-along girl group show for Femme Fest, a fundraising nonprofit vocals and the sassy 1970s glam rock attack of organization that advocates against domestic Suzi Quatro. Meanwhile, James trades vocals with violence and sexual assault, in 2019.

Stewart in what appears to be a battle between the “Just to help support that is really incredible,” material world and its spirit counterpart.

James says. “It’s great to not just say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re “There are two girls,” James explains. “They’re feminists,’ but to actually contribute to something.” both young, and one has died. She feels like her life has been robbed. There is a living girl that she From ‘Celestopia’ to ‘Urban Decay’ becomes fixated on.”

In alternating verses, Stewart takes the part of True Lilith had been playing gigs at venues like The Milestone and Skylark Social Club when the COVID the dead girl: “I’m terrified I that I know/ Faking death pandemic reached Charlotte in March 2020. Some was easy/ living never pleased me/ The afterlife’s members left the band, which ultimately went on intriguing/ Do you really see me?”

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They say spring goes out like a lamb, but in this case it went out like a … winter? Despite a cold and rainy Memorial Day weekend in the Queen City, real summer doesn’t start until late in June, and we’re sure the sharp, soggy holiday that was supposed to mark the unofficial start of the summer season was just a fluke. Get ready for a hot summer, with no shortage of things to do to enjoy it.

Live Music

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PNC Music Pavilion

707 Pavilion Blvd.; tinyurl.com/PNCPavilion2023 June 24: Weezer June 27: Big Time Rush June 28: Shania Twain June 29: Peso Pluma July 2: KIDZ BOP July 11: Matchbox Twenty July 19: Boy George w/ Culture Club July 22: Sam Hunt July 23: Mudvayne July 28: Jodeci w/ SWV July 29: Post Malone July 30: Lil Durk July 31: Disturbed August 6: Bret Michaels August 8: Snoop Dogg w/ Wiz Khalifa and Too $hort August 9: Foreigner August 10: Jason Aldean August11:Gov’tMulew/JasonBonham’sLedZeppelinEvening

July 15: Young the Giant w/ Milky Chance July 18: Yellowcard July 19: Louis Tomlinson July 24: Maggie Rogers July 29: Walker Hayes July 30: Manchester Orchestra w/ Jimmy Eat World August 1: Counting Crows w/ Dashboard Confessional August 3: Dirty Heads August 5: Jason Mraz August 7: Lindsey Stirling August 15-16: Tyler Childers w/ S.G. Goodman August 25: Parker McCollum September 2: 3 Doors Down September 8: Caamp September 16: The Australian Pink Floyd Show

July 15: Killer Mike August 17: Tom Keifer August 18: Ocean Alley September 7: Soulja Boy September 10: Delain September 19: Owl City September 20: OhGeesy September 22: Joy Oladokun

The Fillmore

2700 E. Independence Blvd.; boplex.com June 26: Tori Amos August 12: Marca MP August 20: Matute August 27: Bronco September 2: Intocable September 19: Becky G

820 Hamilton St.; fillmorenc.com June 21: Jesse & Joy June 30: Larry June July 7: The Struts July 28: A Flock of Seagulls w/ Strangelove August 2: Social Distortion August 10: Parliament-Funkadelic ft. George Clinton August 11: Toosii August 12: Death Grips August 22: JVKE August 27: Clutch September 6: Coheed and Cambria w/ Deafheaven September 10: Bishop Briggs w/ MisterWives September 13: Weyes Blood

The Underground August 12: RÜFÜS DU SOL August 13: Pentatonix August 16: 50 Cent August 18: The Offspring w/ Simple Plan and Sum 41 August 22: The Smashing Pumpkins September 1: Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ ZZ Top September 9: Outlaw Music Festival ft. Willie Nelson, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The String Cheese Incident September 14: ODESZA September 19: Avenged Sevenfold w/ Falling In Reverse September 23: Eric Church

820 Hamilton St.; fillmorenc.com June 26: Animals As Leaders July 8: LPB Poody July 14: Yung Pinch

Bojangles Coliseum

2700 E. Independence Blvd.; boplex.com June 24: Grupo Frontera August 11: Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake

Ovens Auditorium

Spectrum Center

333 E. Trade St.; spectrumcentercharlotte.com June 30: Banda MS July 2: Alicia Keys July 6: Santa Fe Klan July 9: LL Cool J July 14: Blink-182 July 16: Erykah Badu August 29: Guns N’ Roses September 5: $uicideboy$ September 12: Lil Baby September 15: Bert Kreischer September 22-23: Drake

Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.; tinyurl.com/Skyla2023 June 22: Two Friends June 23: Straight No Chaser June 24: Melanie Martinez June 25: Peter Frampton July 4: Don Toliver

SUNDOWN SOUNDS AT ROMARE BEARDEEN PARK.

COURTESY OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION

Bank of America Stadium

800 S. Mint St.; panthers.com/stadium July 15: Luke Combs August 9: Beyoncé

U.S. National Whitewater Center

5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.; whitewater.org The U.S. Whitewater Center’s River Jam features live music on an outdoor stage every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. from May through September. Genres span roots rock, Americana, bluegrass, folk and funk. Other activities include yoga, open-water swims and, of course, whitewater rafting. Admission is free aside from parking.

Family Night at the Movies

Arts, Culture & Retail Belk Theater

130 N. Tryon St., blumenthalarts.org July 4-16: SIX The Musical July 25-30: Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations August 1-6: To Kill a Mockingbird August 8-13: The Book of Mormon September 1: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Live in Concert JUKEBOX MUSICAL ‘AIN’T TOO PROUD’ RUNS JULY 25-30 AT BELK THEATER. September 12-17: Chicago

The Charlotte Symphony plays magical musical moments from family films such as Encanto, The Bojangles Coliseum 2700 E. Independence Blvd.; boplex.com Wizard of Oz, Frozen and others.

More: Free-$20; June 25, 8:15 p.m.; Symphony July 16: 85 South Show Live Park, 4400 Sharon Road; charlottesymphony.org

Ovens Auditorium

Garden Nights

Free admission to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden on select Thursdays throughout the summer, plus food trucks and either live music or an outdoor movie.

More: Free; Thursdays through July 27, 4-9 p.m.; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont; dsbg.org

Crossroads Cinema

Every Thursday this summer, catch iconic ‘80s and ‘90s movies like Jaws, Space Jam, The Princess Bride and Big Momma’s House on a jumbo screen with surround sound against the backdrop of the historic Ford building.

More: Free; Thursdays through Aug. 31, 8:30 p.m.; Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave.; camp.nc

Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes

An exhibit showcasing the evolution of Marvel’s story in print, film and other media through artifacts including costumes, props and original art.

More: $20-$44; Now through Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m.4:30 p.m; Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St.;​​ my.discoveryplace.org/marvel

Modernism + Film: Barbicania

A screening of Barbicania — a documentary capturing a month-long immersion in the life of the Barbican Centre and Estate in London, one of the most representative achievements of brutalist architecture.

More: $8-$10; June 22, 7 p.m.; Knight Theatre, 430 S. Tryon St.; bechtler.org

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2700 E. Independence Blvd.; boplex.com June 21: RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq the World June 23: Franco Escamilla June 25: Her Lies, His Secrets .

Booth Playhouse June 29: Trey Kennedy 130 N. Tryon St., blumenthalarts.org Celebrate America July 21: Russell Peters The Charlotte Symphony performs patriotic favorites June 21-30: Charlotte Squawks 18: Barely Legal August 19: Bill Maher and memorable anthems and marches followed by a July 1: An Evening With Omari Dillard August 25: Chris D’Elia July 8: Geoff Westley w/ Colin Allured fireworks finale.

More: Free-$20; July 2, 8:15 p.m.; Symphony Park, July 9: A Night of Artistic Renewal Vol. III: History In September 16: Joe Gatto September 17: Daniel Tosh Living Color 4400 Sharon Road; charlottesymphony.org July 13-14: The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) July 15: Burlesque 3000 Stage Door Theater Live at 11 July 20: Sweet Baby James (James Taylor Tribute) 155 N. College St., blumenthalarts.org Various artists perform in this outdoor concert series July 29: Joey McIntyre June 22: Yes And! The Audience Participation Show on the first Friday of each month from July through August 6: The Juno Show June 24: AAPG 10-Minute Play Festival September. Food trucks will be on site.

August 19: That’s My Jam! July 21-22: Warren Wolf Plays The History Of Jazz Vibes More: $10, free for 5 and under; July 7, Aug. 4 & August 18-19: Jazz Room Presents: Piano Night Sept. 1, 6-9 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 August 20: For The Luv Live North Community House Road; goballantyne.com Knight Theater September 15-16: Jazz Room Presents: Carlos 430 S. Tryon St., blumenthalarts.org Henriquez and Latin Algorithm July 14: Melissa Etheridge Summer Breeze September 20: Damien Jurado July 15: Take 6 A signature event by Monroe Road Advocates, aka July 19: Jinkx Monsoon MoRA, showcasing local singer-songwriters at the July 20: Ilana Glazer Wednesday Night Live Embrace Sculpture in front of Edge City Brewery.

July 25: Herb Alpert & Lani Hall Presented by Bank of America, Wednesday Night Live More: Free; July 20 & Aug. 17, 6-8 p.m.; Embrace July 28: Kavita Krishnamurti Concert includes free admission to the Mint Museum, Bechtler Sculpture, 6697 Monroe Road; moraclt.org August 6: Avery*Sunshine w/ The Baylor Project Museum and Gantt Center every Wednesday, as well August 10: Lyle Lovett as live entertainment or programming at one of the August 11: Mary Chapin Carpenter Sundown Sounds four Levine Center for the Arts institutions each week A summer music concert series by Mecklenburg August 12: The Bald Brothers ranging from dance performances to spoken-word County Park and Recreation that takes place at August 13: Boney James artists to film screenings.

August 18: Please Don’t Destroy various park locations across the county.

More: Free; Wednesdays, 5-9 p.m.; locations vary; More: Free; June 22-Aug. 24, 7-9 p.m.; Various August 25: Tony Hinchcliffe mintmuseum.org September 2: A Woman’s Live: The Stage Play locations; parkandrec.mecknc.gov September 9: Small Town Murder

PHOTO BY EMILIO MADRID

Durag Festival

More: Free; July 15, 3-9 p.m.; An annual festival co-founded by Charlotte artist Charlotte Art League, 4237 Raleigh Dammit Wesley that showcases Black fashion, art, St.; cltstreetartcollab.com music, food and culture.

More: $40-$115; June 24; Camp North End,​​1824 Slam Charlotte Statesville Ave.; duragfestival.com Poets of all levels and backgrounds compete for cash prizes and bragging rights to be the best slam Girl Tribe Pop Up A curated shopping experience featuring women- poet. led boutiques, beauty brands, jewelers and artists, More: $5; July 21, 8 p.m.; Goodyear Arts, 301 Camp Road plus drinks, food and photo ops.

More: $5-$15; June 25 & July 30, 10 a.m.-4 #200; blumenthalarts.org p.m.; The Revelry - North End, 701 Keswick Ave.; girltribepopup.com FabFest

Party in the Park

Enjoy free admission to the Mint Museum Randolph, plus food trucks, live music, special programming and a cash bar on the front terrace.

More: Free; June 25, July 30 & August 27, 1-5 p.m.; Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road; mintmuseum.org

Front Porch Sundays

An open-air market that hosts more than 70 local vendors, food trucks and live music all along the Rail Trail at Atherton Mill in the South End. More: Free; July 2, Aug. 6 & Sept. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Atherton Mill, 2000 South Blvd.; southendclt.org

Nebel’s Alley Night Market

An evening of open-air shopping, tasting and entertainment under the iconic Design Center water tower in the South End. More: Free; July 8, Aug. 12 & Sept. 9, 4-9 p.m.; 101 W. Worthington Ave.; southendclt.org

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The Vault Opening Celebration

The opening of the exhibition The Vault, which features the private collections of four prominent Black collectors, plus a cash bar and complimentary portrait photography.

More: Free; July 15, 1-3 p.m.; Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St.; mintmuseum.org

CLT Edge Fest

A festival by Charlotte Street Art Collab that features live painting by local mural artists, DJ, music and dance performances, spoken word, yoga, interactive art experiences, an art scavenger hunt, and food and drink vendors.

A weekend celebration of Beatles music that includes two concerts at the Knight Theater — BritBeat at 8 p.m. on July 21 and Tosco Music Beatles Tribute at 7:30 p.m. on July 22 — and FabFest Daytime, a full day of live music, memorabilia, speakers and activities from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 22 at The Parr Center at Central Piedmont Community College.

PHOTO BY INTREPID MEDIA CHARLOTTE PRIDE FESTIVAL & PARADE RETURNS AUG. 19-20 TO UPTOWN CHARLOTTE. More: $21.50 and up; July 21-22, times vary; Knight Theater & Central July 19 vs. Greenville Triumph Charlotte Knights Piedmont Community College; fabfestcharlotte.org July 22 vs. Central Valley Fuego FC Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St.; milb.com/charlotte-knights July 29 vs. NC Hailstorm FC June 21-25 vs. Louisville August 12 vs. Tormenta FC Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade July 4-9 vs. Jacksonville September 9 vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Charlotte Pride returns for an annual LGBTQ July 18-23 vs. Memphis September 23 vs. Forward Madison FC celebration featuring entertainers, musicians, August 8-13 vs. Gwinnett vendors, art exhibits, food and a parade that pays August 22-27 vs. Memphis tribute to more than 50 years of LGBTQ liberation. September 5-10 vs. Durham Charlotte Motor Speedway More: Free; August 19-20, times vary; Uptown September 12-17 vs. Nashville 5555 Concord Pkwy. S; charlottemotorspeedway.com Charlotte; charlottepride.org June 27-August 1: Summer Shootout August 19: Circle K Monster Truck Bash Charlotte FC September 9: SuperMotocross World Championship Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.; Playoffs charlottefootballclub.com September 22-24: Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals June 24 vs. CF Montréal July 8 vs. FC Cincinnati July 29 vs. Necaxa CONCACAF Gold Cup August 26 vs.

Los Angeles FC The United States men’s national soccer team takes Carolina Panthers August 30 vs.

Orlando City SC on Nicaragua at 7 p.m., then Honduras faces Haiti at Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.; panthers.com September 16 vs. D.C. United 9 p.m., as part of the 2023 Gold Cup — a tournament Preseason September 20 vs. Philadelphia Union to determine the continental champion of North August 12 vs. New York Jets America, Central America and the Caribbean.

August 25 vs. Detroit Lions More: $50 and up; July 2, 7 & 9 p.m.; Bank of Regular Season Charlotte Independence America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.; panthers.com September 18 vs. New Orleans Saints American Legion Memorial Stadium, 310 N. Kings Drive; charlotteindependence.com July 9 vs. Lexington SC

Sports

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31

ROCK/PUNK/METAL Jason & the Argue Nots w/ Killing Pixies (Tommy’s Pub) JAZZ/BLUES Curtis Salgado (Middle C Jazz) LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE Boris Grebenshikov & Friends (Amos’ Southend) Eladio Carrión (The Fillmore) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ See Bird Go (Camp North End) HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Aarodynamics w/ Spoken Nerd, Nige Hood, B-Villainous (The Milestone) Verbal Van Gogh w/ Promise Tha Gahd, Makeda, Yung Bizzle, NXGXL (Snug Harbor) OPEN MIC Singer/Songwriter Open Mic (The Rooster)

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

ROCK/PUNK/METAL Occult Fracture w/ WyndRider, Witch Motel (Skylark Social Club) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Break Free feat. DJs Andy K, A-Minor, Probably Will, GlitterGirl (Snug Harbor) JAZZ/BLUES Paul Lover (Comet Grill) Groove Centric (Middle C Jazz) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Bluegrass Jam Night (Birdsong Brewing) Luke Hendrickson (The Rooster) SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Frances Grove w/ Jordyn Zaino, Val Merza, January Knife, Ian Perkins (The Milestone)

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

ROCK/PUNK/METAL The Collection w/ Evan Bartels (Evening Muse) Anand Wilder (Evening Muse) Dying Oath w/ Angel Massacre, Valar Morghulis,

Nameless Anonymous, Undead Crow, The Enemy Within (The Milestone) Unwed Sailor w/ Thousand Dollar Movie, Of Sinking Ships (Petra’s) Wailin Storms w/ Seismic Sutra, Flippants (Snug Harbor) JAZZ/BLUES Jazmin Ghent (Middle C Jazz) Davis Family Band w/ World Sauntering Day (The Rooster) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Flat Tire Trio (Comet Grill) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Sofar Sounds Surprise Show (Starlight on 22nd) FUNK/JAM BANDS Akita w/ Kendall Street Compant (Visulite Theatre)

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

ROCK/PUNK/METAL Palace (The Underground) Cultus Black w/ Savage Empire, Annabel Lee, The Silencing Machine (The Milestone) HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Bones w/ Xavier Wulf, Eddie Baker (The Fillmore) JAZZ/BLUES Carl Ratliff & Dawn Anthony (Middle C Jazz) The King Bees (Neighborhood Theatre) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Hazy Sunday (Petra’s) SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Trace Casanova (The Rooster)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

ROCK/PUNK/METAL Cactus Dayjob w/ Blankstate andThe Sour (Amos’Southend) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ See Bird Go (Camp North End) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA The 502s (The Underground) JAZZ/BLUES Rebecca Kleinmann (Middle C Jazz) EXPERIMENTAL/CROSS-GENRE Bog Loaf w/ The Emotron, Bongfoot (Snug Harbor) OPEN MIC Tosco Music Open Mic (Evening Muse) Singer/Songwriter Open Mic (The Rooster)

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

ROCK/PUNK/METAL Jason Moss (Comet Grill) Homemade Haircuts w/ Foe Daniels (Evening Muse) The Girls w/ The Genders, True Lilith, The Mother Superior (The Milestone) The Phantom Friends w/ North By North, WAG (Petra’s) HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Logic (Skyla Amphitheatre) Lil Skritt & the Porchbomb w/ Alternative Champs, 2 Slices (Snug Harbor) JAZZ/BLUES Vincent Ingala (Middle C Jazz) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Angie Aparo (Evening Muse) Adam Ezra Group (Neighborhood Theatre) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Prince BDay Celebration (Starlight on 22nd) Reflexions (Tommy’s Pub)

ROCK/PUNK/METAL Big Wreck (The Fillmore) Falsifier w/ Downswing, Bottomfeeders, Discoveries, SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Chained (The Milestone) Scout Gillett w/ Patois Counselors, Lofidels (Snug Harbor) ROCK/PUNK/METAL Stigmata Flex w/ Xbound, Zach Moss, Caldera (The Billy Batts & the Made Men w/ Chargedcam 36 Milestone) (Tommy’s Pub) SINGER-SONGWRITER/ACOUSTIC Spirit of the Beehive w/ MSPaint (Neighborhood Zach Evington (The Rooster) Theatre) JAZZ/BLUES POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Shana Blake w/ Ziad Rabie (Middle C Jazz) Stephen Sharer (Knight Theater) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL/RELIGIOUS Ethan Wooten (Comet Grill) Gospel Sunday w/ Jay D. Jones (Middle C Jazz) The Ballroom Thieves w/ Sincerely, Iris (Evening Muse) POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ MONDAY, JUNE 5 MONDAY, JUNE 12 Jeff Draco w/ Low Groves, Charm (Petra’s) ROCK/PUNK/METAL ROCK/PUNK/METAL Hellwitch w/ Consumed with Hatred, Nemesis, Night The Safety w/ Pulses., With Sails Ahead, Forever We Attack (The Milestone) FRIDAY, JUNE 9 Roam (The Milestone) The Disaster Artist w/ Friend, YUKK (The Rooster) ROCK/PUNK/METAL JAZZ/BLUES JAZZ/BLUES Jason Scavone w/ Faye, It’s Snakes (Petra’s) The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s) The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session (Petra’s) Wet Hot Punk Rock Summer (The Rooster) OPEN MIC LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE Zach Moss & the Half Measures w/ Sam Wilson Find Your Muse Open Mic (Evening Muse) Taj Mahal w/ Los Lobos (Knight Theater) Morris, An Archaic Agenda, Andrew Wooten OPEN MIC (Tommy’s Pub) Find Your Muse Open Mic (Evening Muse) The Wormholes w/ Swansgate (Visulite Theatre) TUESDAY, JUNE 13 ROCK/PUNK/METAL COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Dave Mason (Knight Theater) Eliot Bronson w/ Stevie Tombstone (Evening Muse) TUESDAY, JUNE 6 Dischordia w/ The Last of Lucy (The Milestone) Blue Dogs (Neighborhood Theatre) ROCK/PUNK/METAL Juan Wauters w/ Zodiac Lovers (Petra’s) JAZZ/BLUES Within Chaos w/ Squidhammer, Heathensun, Until HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B Incognito w/ Maysa (Knight Theater) They Bleed (The Milestone) Tank & the Bangas w/ Tre. Charles (Visulite Theatre) Vincent Ingala (Middle C Jazz) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ Darrell Scott (Neighborhood Theatre) Joe May w/ Willingdon (Evening Muse) Noah Kahan (Skyla Amphitheatre) LATIN WORLD/REGGAE Phaze Gawd w/ Jaguar Perry, Jiu-Jitsu, Encre Noire FUNK/JAM BANDS Bang Yong-guk (The Underground) (The Milestone) Cosmic Jam Session (Crown Station) FUNK/JAM BANDS Monica w/ Tyrese, 112, Silk, Mya, Eric Benet, Shai VISIT QCNERVE.COM FOR THE FULL Cosmic Jam Session (Crown Station) (Spectrum Center) SOUNDWAVE LISTING.

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ROCK/PUNK/METAL Archers w/ Two Sides of Me, Sometime in February, Cosmic Twynk (The Milestone) No More People w/ Squirt Vile, The Body Bags, Dark Sun Kult (Skylark Social Club) Jive Talk w/ Monsoon (Snug Harbor) Lipstick Stains w/ Evergone, The Challenged (Tommy’s Pub) HIP-HOP/SOUL/R&B DOAP Concert (Crown Station) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA Beth Neilsen Chapman w/ Mia Morris (Neighborhood Theatre) JAZZ/BLUES Braxton Bateman w/ Menastree (Camp North End) Trombone Shorty w/ Orleans Avenue (Skyla Amphitheatre) Tygressa (Middle C Jazz)

POP/DANCE/ELECTRONIC/DJ AJ Smith w/ Galloway (Camp North End) LATIN/WORLD/REGGAE Caifanes (The Fillmore)

FOOD & DRINK FEATURE

MOUNT HOLLY MADE Firehawk Brewpub is a family affair with roots in the community

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BY RYAN PITKIN

Erin Tracy-Blackwood estimates that it was of college around 2006. He took the job at Darryl’s around 16 years ago, not long after she began out of necessitybut didn’t think of it as a career path dating Scott Blackwood, that the two were taking a by any means — nor did anyone around him. stroll around Scott’s hometown of Mount Holly and “The standard script from loved ones for the came across an old abandoned firehouse. majority of the time was, ‘You’ve been at a restaurant Scott knew the building well; he had been rushed all this time, don’t you think it’s time to get a real there by family members as a kid after splitting his job?’” Scott says. “And then I would go get a quotehead open on a coffee table. During their walk, the unquote real job, be miserable and end up quitting two stopped to ponder about the building. or getting fired, and I would go back to a restaurant.

“Scott was like, ‘Man, it would be so cool to put a Then I’d work at a restaurant for six months to a year, restaurant there,’” Erin recalls. “And I was like, ‘Yeah,’ and somebody in my life would say, ‘Don’t you think and we had this plan for what we would call it.” it’s time for a real job?’ And that cycle really kind of There was no real reason to believe they would repeated itself.” ever see such a plan through; Scott had only It went on like that for about a decade. In the recently landed his first food-service gig at Darryl’s meantime, Erin and Scott were doing some booking Restaurant & Tavern, a since-closed eatery on work for touring acts coming through Charlotte, and Albemarle Road in east Charlotte. one of their favorite things to do was to host cookouts And yet on May 20, hordes of hungry folks from for the musicians they brought to town.

Mount Holly and surrounding towns in Gaston and The two began to hone their skills on the grill and Mecklenburg counties descended on the newly renovated building to see that idea come to fruition with the opening of Firehawk Brewpub, a family-run restaurant serving Carolina barbecue, fish camp and grilled meats cooked over live fire along with beers brewed right there in the building’s using homebrewing equipment.

“We were just daydreaming,” Erin says of that fateful stop along the banks of Dutchman’s Creek all those years ago, “but even that long ago, I feel like we manifested it or something at the very start of our relationship.”

A lot had to happen to make that manifestation a reality.

in the kitchen. Mr. Dibs, touring DJ for Atmosphere and Run the Jewels, once told Erin, “Your mac and cheese is so good I want to punch you in the face.”

Erin, in turn, began to encourage Scott to think about food service work as a potential career rather than a means to an end.

“For the first time in my life, somebody said, ‘You’re really good at this. This is what you should do,’ instead of saying, ‘You should get a real job,’ and that was Erin,” Scott says. “And basically she said, ‘Go for it,’ and I went hard in the paint.”

Scott has helped to launch three ventures since then: The Bottle Tree Restaurant in Belmont; Khakis, a restaurant inside of a private country club in Cramerton; and the Killer B’s food truck, which Scott and Erin worked on together.

While Scott took lessons from each experience, there were always other interests at play.

“Partnerships are incredibly difficult, and if you’re trying to do something new and creative, sometimes it’s impossible to get multiple people on the same page when it comes to that, professionally speaking,” Scott says.

With Firehawk Brewpub, that all changes.

Employees first

Upon opening their first brick-and-mortar restaurant that is based solely on their own vision, Scott and Erin want to make sure their employees understand one thing: This is a real job.

Recalling how he was condescended to over 10 years of part-time restaurant gigs, Scott is

prioritizing stability for his team at Firehawk.

There is a $15-an-hour minimum wage for each and every employee, with tips pooled between all positions. Each employee gets a share of quarterly profits and flexibility when it comes to scheduling around their personal lives and avoiding burnout.

“We believe strongly that mental health is health, and we give everyone in the building the space and grace to take care of themselves the best that they can, and we do everything we can to make that possible,” Scott says. “We know the struggles of being single parents in a young family, and so this being a family business, we prioritize our employees’ and coworkers’ family lives, and we give them the space to take the time that they need in order to be the parents that they feel they need to be and we encourage that.

“We’re trying to make this as stable and legitimate a job as possible because that stability gives people the access to planning and comfort in their personal lives,” he continues.

Scott estimates that, of his team of more than 30 employees, about half are direct relatives through blood or marriage.

All recipes have been passed down among family members over generations, which can make for a straight-forward decision-making process when it comes to the menu — except when it doesn’t.

“The desserts were a particular sticking point because I have my banana pudding and Scott’s mom has hers,” Erin says. “I have my great grandmother’s ambrosia recipe, and Scott has his grandmother’s,

A path to something bigger

Though he did grow up around a family that loved to cook — reunions, cookouts, family breakfast every Saturday, “all that normal Americana stuff,” as he calls it — Scott Blackwood had no real intention of entering the restaurant industry until he found himself in need of a job once he dropped out LEFT: FIREHAWK BREWPUB OPENED IN AN FORMER FIREHOUSE IN MOUNT HOLLY; RIGHT: A PULLED-PORK SANDWICH FROM FIREHAWK.

COURTESY OF JTC MARKETING

FOOD & DRINK FEATURE and they’re, like, fundamentally different. So that’s the only place we really found anything weird.”

Having been served on opening day to rave reviews — including from this satisfied writer — Erin has conceded on the banana pudding recipe.

Her renowned mac and cheese and collard greens recipes aren’t going anywhere, though (rightfully so). Scott oversees most of the grilled meat items, while Erin’s brother-in-law, Matthew Young, is in charge of brewing beer.

There was one menu item, however, where the couple couldn’t come to a compromise.

“We had to take shrimp off our initial menu because I’m from Florida and expect shrimp to be a certain way; it needs to be butterfly, Mayport style, and that’s like a hard boundary,” Erin says. “And Scott is from here, where it’s like a Calabash sort of style.

So we were like, ‘You know what? We’re never going to align on this. Let’s just take it off the menu.’”

What remains, however, is a wonderful mix of meat, fish and Southern sides and desserts that make up a range of affordable options. And if you don’t find them affordable according to your own personal budget, put it on Papa Ray’s Tab, a fund named in honor of Scott’s father that will be used to foot the bill for less fortunate neighbors who want to come in for a warm meal.

An homage to history

natural environment, there’s a lot of history that just sort of exists in the ether here where we are.”

With that in mind, the Firehawk team plans to do what they can to preserve Dutchman’s Creek and reinvigorate the community space surrounding it.

Along with Muddy River Distillery, which is currently adapting an old mill across the street from Firehawk for a new location along the creek, they are clearing 300 yards of kudzu and other overgrowth to create more space for residents to enjoy Dutchman’s Creek.

On June 10, Firehawk will host its inaugural Get the Muck Out event, with live music and vendors representing many neighboring businesses. The day will center around a creek clean-up in partnership with the Catawba Riverkeeper, with proceeds funding the removal of a capsized pontoon boat that has been languishing along the banks of the creek

since a flood left it there in 2019.

During the event, Firehawk will also announce a partnership with Charlotte-based Aquatic Adventures, which will organize more than a dozen kayak trips about an hour down the creek to the mouth of the river then shuttle them back to the restaurant.

David Childers & the Serpents will also perform at Get the Muck Out. As a longtime musician in Charlotte, Scott has seen plenty of support from the local scene, including his Ogres bandmates like Childers. Guitarist Cody Benett helped set up all the audio systems in and around the restaurant while DJ Justin Aswell has been promoting and helping with opening duties.

It’s an extended family affair; without such help Scott says the restaurant would have never opened.

“I’m not surprised because pretty much all of our other endeavors, artistically and musically, have always been this way,” he says. “This is just the first time that I’ve really seen it fused together on the food and beverage side of things.”

When a business is built around such a foundation of love, it can only spread to the customers from there.

“Our friends and family work here,” says Scott, “so we treat everyone like friends and family.”

For Scott and Erin, the restaurant opening was just the beginning, but in a sense, it also serves as an endpoint to a walk they took together 16 years ago.

Looking back on the couple’s journey that in some ways began that day, “Every step along the way has just been leading to this,” says Erin.

RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM

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Firehawk Brewpub is located on North Main Street along a scenic stretch of Dutchman’s Creek, a tributary of the Catawba River just over the line from Mecklenburg County that has served as a lifeline to the Mount Holly community since long before it was called Mount Holly.

Scott recognizes that the creek, and the mills built alongside it, are what brought jobs and people to the town.

“It literally is the cornerstone and the reason, or one of the reasons, that the city even exists,” says Scott.

He also acknowledges another one of Mount Holly’s historic tales, that of Ransom Hunter, the formerly enslaved man who built up the Freedom community for other newly freed families before then selling off some of the properties he had bought up along the creek and elsewhere to allow for the development of the mills that would lead to the town’s founding.

“That’s an important story for us to tell,” he says.

“The importance of the creek, the importance of this

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LIFESTYLE PUZZLES SUDOKU

BY LINDA THISTLE

PLACE A NUMBER IN THE EMPTY BOXES IN SUCH A WAY THAT EACH ROW ACROSS, EACH COLUMN DOWN AND EACH SMALL 9-BOX SQUARE CONTAINS ALL OF THE NUMBERS ONE TO NINE.

TRIVIA TEST

BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. MOVIES: When was the first “Star Wars” movie released?

2. GEOGRAPHY: In which body of water is Bermuda located?

3. TELEVISION: Who was the first host of the game show “Jeopardy!”?

4. ANATOMY: Which part of the brain controls balance and coordination?

5. LITERATURE: Which short story is described as the first modern detective story?

6. ANCIENT WORLD: Which two cities were destroyed by a volcano in 79 A.D.?

7. U.S. CITIES: What is the nickname of Albuquerque’s (New Mexico) minor league baseball team?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What does “en croute” mean?

9. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What kind of farm did Jimmy Carter have before he became president?

10. AD SLOGANS: Which restaurant urges customers to “Eat fresh”?

CROSSWORD

©2023 King Feautres Syndicate, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pg. 19 MAY 31 - JUNE 13, 2023- QCNERVE.COM

FRONT PAWS

©2023 King Feautres Syndicate, Inc. All rights reserved.

LIFESTYLE COLUMN

AERIN IT OUT

SIDE OF THE MORNING TO YA Morningside Pub replaces Krazy Fish at the Plaza Midwood border

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BY AERIN SPRUILL

Heading away from Uptown on Central Avenue, you may remember a restaurant called Krazy Fish. Located on the corner of Club Road between Skylark Social Club and Three Amigos, the name and branding alone conjured a mental picture somewhere between Rainforest Cafe and Ariel’s secret grotto in The Little Mermaid. And that’s why driving past the local “seafood joint’s” eclectic exterior, you’d think, “Nailed it!”

The unsightly amount of metal yard deco cordoning off the Central-facing patio rivaled those of a welltraveled art hoarder. Driving by, the rainbow vomit of yard art would force you to avert your gaze and leave you wondering, “What in the Plaza Midwood?!” A quick Google search will confirm that what you saw on the outside was a solid reflection of both the inside as well as the unique fusion creations featured on the menu.

But, in case you missed it, the once-familiar Central Avenue curiosity has since replaced artsy Krusty Krab vibes with a local watering hole-in-the-wall bar mood. Despite making an appearance on Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Krazy Fish quietly closed in early 2022 after being a part of the community — and the center of multiple controversies — for over a decade.

Following the remodel, all that remains is a metal bike perched atop a bike rack at the entrance (a sink with a screw for one handle was still lying around in April but has since been replaced). In its place, the same old “seafood shack” bones are now dressed as a more subdued, casual, rust-colored dive appropriately named Morningside Pub — it’s located between Club Road and Morningside Drive — featuring a limited bar food menu, spirits, pool and darts.

From the moment you walk through the door, it’s clear that Morningside brings the same laid-back, madefor-locals vibe reminiscent of the neighborhood’s beloved Elizabeth Billiards (RIP). No frills, no thrills, no bullshit.

The innards of the ceiling lay fully exposed, with jerseys hanging scattered among its rafters. The smell of beer hangs in the air unsure of whether or not to wander out onto the patio. The only discernible “decor” are branded neon signs, and from across the room you can feel big “Don’t try me” energy spilling from behind the bar as the bartender sits in wait to shut down any nonsense.

I gulped and gathered my courage to ask the unforgivable, knowing my boyfriend’s expression was already toying between utter embarrassment and amusement, “What kind of ciders do you have?” Without

an obvious eye roll, condescending tone, or deep sigh, the bartender responded, “We’ve got Angry Orchard.” Thank God. That’s when I realized it was the same bartender who’d raised an eyebrow at my request for a “sweet” shot in my father’s memory the weekend EB’s closed its doors.

I chuckled at the irony as he turned to grab the bottle, and even though I may always be perceived as “extra,” recognizing him gave me the confirmation I needed: This spot is Plaza Midwood approved. (I should acknowledge, however, that the owner still appears to be the same proudly pro-Trump guy who has inspired much hatred on the ol’ socials, so do your research if such things are dealbreakers for you.)

Open seven days a week until 2 a.m., Morningside is situated just far enough down Central and just spacious enough to deliver a refuge from new post-Covid hours, bar service that’s four-deep, obnoxious Chads, and a deluge of out-of-towners.

On any given night, regulars and industry folks move with an ease of familiarity while bar hopping or unwinding after a shift, making it feel like the beginnings of a locals-only, best-kept Queen City secret after only a year or so operating as Morningside. A much brighter outlook for a spot that’s had its fair share of public scrutiny and a win for a neighborhood that’s been fighting loss and change tooth-and-nail since COVID. While waxing my boyfriend’s ass in a game of pool (read: losing terribly three times in a row), I watched as a guy “audibly whispered” instructions on the best shot and how to hit it into his girlfriend’s ear. She and I locked eyes and smiled, both acknowledging and accepting our inevitable respective “Ls” with a nod and quiet contempt toward the counterparts who didn’t “let us win.” Or wait, was that just me?

It was then, in the aftermath of my indignant loss, that I realized it was almost closing time. And just like that, the last call turned into utter despair when I was forced to accept the ultimate loss: no food to satisfy my late-night hanger. If asking for a cider was a borderline dive bar faux pas, asking about the brand of (a presumably frozen) pizza on deck and if I could have one at the late hour, was absolutely out of the question.

I guess avoiding that “scratch” will be worth the W until I return, Morningside.

INFO@QCNERVE.COM

BORN THIS WEEK: You love to entertain. You

appreciate fine food and elegant surroundings.

You’re happiest when you make other people feel ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Problems begin to good about themselves. affect relationships, both personal and professional.

Act now to shore up those weak foundations before it all comes crashing down around you.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Congratulations! Your decision to take action TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Take a break from all and deal with a long-simmering situation in the that hard work you’ve been doing. There’s nothing workplace begins to pay off. In addition, a family like some well-earned fun and games to charge member has some good news. up those Bovine batteries and send you back fully energized and ready to go.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You still need to persuade your partner that GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Deception can you’re sincere in wanting to save this relationship. sometimes affect perception. You should take a Remember: Performance speaks louder than longer, deeper look at what you’re being offered. promises.

Things might not be quite what you first thought they were.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A disappointment in the workplace can be a blessing CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A friend’s loyalty in disguise. Take another look at your goals and see suddenly comes into question. But, before you rush if this is the path you really want to follow. to judgment, listen to what they have to say. This could be an important learning lesson for you.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Avoid winding up in the middle of an unpleasant family LEO (July 23 to August 22) The time has come for situation by reassuring your cantankerous kinfolk you to set things right. Your courage will help you that you love them all — but that you won’t take meet the difficult challenge ahead. Others will be sides. inspired by your actions and rally to support you.

insistence that your way is the only way to solve problems could make things worse than they are.

Open your mind to suggestions from others.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A close

sense and a love of the arts. You enjoy living life to its fullest.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The often skeptical

Aries might find that an answer to a question is hard to believe. But check it out before you chuck it out. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You’ve come You might well be surprised at what you could learn. through a difficult period of helping others deal with their problems. Now you can concentrate on TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your resolute putting your energy to work on your own projects. determination to stick by a position might make some people uncomfortable. But if you’re proved SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Forget right (as I expect you to be), a lot of changes will tilt about who’s to blame and, instead, make the first in your favor. move toward patching up a misunderstanding before it creates a rift that you’ll never be able to GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might feel cross. conflicted between what you want to do and what you should do. Best advice: Honor your obligations SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) first. Then go ahead and enjoy your well-earned Good news for the travel-loving Sagittarian who rewards. enjoys galloping off to new places: That trip you put off will soon be back on your schedule.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) That financial matter still needs to be sorted out before you can CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A consider any major monetary moves. Pressures mood change could make the gregarious Goat seek ease midweek, with news about a potential career the company of just a few friends. But you charge change. back into the crowd for weekend fun and games.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A workplace problem AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A decision

threatens to derail your well-planned project. But you made in good faith could come under fire. Best your quick mind should lead you to a solution and advice: Open your mind to other possibilities by listening to your challenger’s point of view.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A successful get you back on track without too much delay. workplace move begins to pay off with offers of new opportunities, but some might come with strings VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) An PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You can avoid attached. Check them all carefully before deciding. opportunity opens up but could quickly close down being swamped by all those tasks dangling from if you allow pessimism to override enthusiasm. A your line this week by tackling them one-by-one, trusted friend can offer the encouragement you according to priority. The weekend brings good news. need.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Pg. 21 MAY 31 - JUNE 13, 2023- QCNERVE.COM

associate reveals a secret that could affect an upcoming decision. Rely on your natural instinct to weigh everything carefully, to help you get through this dilemma.

JUNE 7 - 13

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a fine business

Trivia Answers

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A stubborn

2023 KING FEATURES SYND., INC.

6. Pompeii and Herculaneum.

7. The Albuquerque Isotopes.

8. Food baked in a pastry crust.

9. Peanut.

10. Subway.

MAY 31 - JUN 6

HOROSCOPE

1. 1977.

2. North Atlantic Ocean.

3. Art Fleming.

4. Cerebellum.

5. “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allen Poe.

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE COLUMN

SAVAGE LOVE

APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

Nice double life, would be a shame if someone outed it

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BY DAN SAVAGE

I’ve had a successful career as an artist and thousands follow my professional accounts on social media. My followers think they know me, but I am living a secret double life. What I’ve kept hidden is that I’m bisexual. I have hidden this fact from everyone: from my followers, from my family, and from the three ladies who married me believing I was the straight guy I pretended to be.

All my marriages failed, ending in divorce with no children produced, thank God, and my ex-wives all went on to find real men who could father their children.

In 2016, knowing my success and investments meant I could live comfortably for the rest of my life, I quit my career in the arts and fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a hardcore gay porn slut. (“Slut” fits me much more closely than does “actor,” since what I do on camera is not an “act.”)

I truly love the hot sex I’ve had with Alpha Males in the 250ish videos I’ve starred in so far. Truly, my only regret is not doing porn much sooner in my life, as I’m happier now than I’ve ever been.

Question: Should I continue pretending to be straight and keep the people who still follow me on Facebook and Instagram in the dark? Or should they be advised to Google my full and actual birth name and the word “porn” so they can see the real me? (My full legal name and my professional name — as both an artist and porn slut — are the same.) I don’t want anyone’s life to be negatively impacted should it become known they follow a person who appears in hardcore porn and does things most people would regard as offensive and grotesque. It seems best that followers who are interested in my art be advised to Google me so they are aware of what I am doing now and can unfollow me if they wish.

If you want to include my full legal name in your column, I’ll most likely say yes. And please feel free to give me hell because I understand the things I let men do to me are vile and disgusting.

[FULL LEGAL NAME REDACTED]

I have no desire to publish your name.

But rest assured, FLNR, that I fell for it. I Googled your name and the word “porn,” I was negatively impacted, and I will always regret it. (Gotta work on my impulse control.) The porn you’re making is, as confessed/boasted, vile and disgusting and grotesque and offensive. It’s also not illegal and can be enjoyed by consenting adults … who hopefully floss, brush their teeth, use mouthwash, and don’t kiss their mothers with those mouths.

(Relieved I don’t have to alert the authorities. The health department, on the other hand…)

Look, I know what you’re trying to do here. You choose to porn under your own name, the same name you used as an artist — your legal name, your professional name, your porn name — because the thought of being exposed and ruined turns you on. Almost as much as the thought of ruining someone else’s day by tricking them into taking a look at your work. (I only saw the titles, FLNR, but that was enough.) But what you want most is to be exposed and destroyed — that’s your ultimate fantasy — and you’ve been fantasizing about the moment you’re found out and destroyed since you posted your first video.

And here you are, 250 videos later, and no one who follows you — no one who has admired or collected your work — has stumbled over your vast archive of vile and disgusting and grotesque and offensive porn. Maybe if your pornographic output was a little more mainstream, maybe if yours was a taste shared by more than a tiny handful of people, you would’ve been found out and destroyed already. But the porn you star in is so niche — and so vile and so disgusting, etc., etc. — that not one of your followers has stumbled over it. Or stepped in it. And even if one had, FLNR, he couldn’t jump into a comments thread on your Instagram to tell on you without also telling on himself.

So, now you want me to do your dirty work for you … you want me to inflict you on my readers in the hope it’ll get back to your followers … and I’m not gonna do that to my readers.

Or to you.

And I don’t think you would you want me to, FLNR, if

you thought about it more during your refractory periods.

As things stand now, FLNR, you get to enjoy the dread of discovery and destruction every day. You get to enjoy your perfect fantasies about how the shitstorm coming for you when the inevitable happens — or what you thought was inevitable 250 videos ago — and your life and reputation and artistic legacy are all destroyed in a moment. But like Bernd Brandes, a German man whose ultimate fantasy was to be murdered by a cannibal after first having his own penis cut off, cooked, and served to him, you may find reality falls short of your fantasies. In Brandes’ case, the cannibal he met online, Armin Meiwes, wasn’t a very good cook. Meiwes overcooked Brandes’ penis, which wound up being too tough to eat, and since Brandes didn’t have another penis, a do-over wasn’t possible. He died disappointed.

Just like Brandes had only one dick, you have only one life. There will be no do-overs for you either. So, you’re better off as you are now — enjoying your perfect fantasy of your destruction rather than enduring the sure-to-be-a-letdown reality.

P.S. Your kinks are just as vile and disgusting and grotesque and offensive as advertised — but I’m not going to give you hell about them. First, because no one chooses their kinks and, second, because the disgust is obviously part of the turn-on for you and I’m not here to cup your balls. (And to be clear, bisexuality isn’t the kink we’re talking about.) If you want to warn people to unfollow and/or de-acquisition your work to avoid being smeared by association, you can do that without suggesting they Google your name + porn. You pretend to be motivated by concern for your followers, FLNR, but I’m not swallowing that shit.

Etiquette question. I started seeing a massage guy about a year ago after connecting with him on Scruff (“not here for sex but if you want a great massage…”). He turned out to be terrific at it. First couple of times I got incredible deep and thorough massages, paid him for the time, and added a tip — all good. Then, and with no words exchanged, the massages started getting sexual. Now I get about a brief massage and then his fingers start tickling my butt and we end up fucking. He’s totally hot and great at it, always gets me off within the hour session. (He never gets off but is totally hard and enthusiastic the entire time.) We don’t have any interaction outside the sessions, aside from texts setting up the next time.

No complaints about the sex at all, it’s great, but I miss the massages! Somehow this relationship went from a massage deal to sex work. (HTH?!?) So, my question: I’ve never hired a sex worker before.

How much does a person tip a sex worker? And any ideas how can I steer the relationship back to more pounding of muscles without giving up the pounding of butt? Thanks!

LOVING HIS DICK, MISSING HIS HANDS

How did this arrangement go from a massage deal to sex work? How’d that happen? Your “massage guy” did it.

Your massage guy is a sex worker but a choosy one.

He looks for prospective clients on hookup apps, offers “massage-only” meetups at first, and once he has a good feeling about someone — someone who respects his initial “massage-only” boundary, shows up freshly showered, and tips well (20-25%), e.g., someone like you — your massage guy “upgrades” his new-ish client from massage (not what most guys are seeking on Scruff) to dick (what all guys are seeking on Scruff). If you miss his massages, LHDMHH, book an extra hour and use your words. (“Love your excellent dick, miss your amazing massages!”) Then you can have it all … with “all,” in this instance, being defined as “good massage and expert dicking.”

I’ve been with my boyfriend since COVID. We were sexually incompatible from the start (both bottoms), but made it work due to the pandemic.

Then I blinked and three years passed. We live together and I love him, but it just feels like a comfortable nice life as opposed to being “in love.”

And we never had that hot passionate stage start to fall back on or feel nostalgic about. I wonder if the end of the pandemic means it’s time to move on. I’m 41 years old and feel life can offer more. Am I being short-sighted in wanting more?

SOMEWHAT UNFULFILLED BOTTOM

Two bottoms can have hot and passionate sex. I mean, are there no double-ended dildos in Gilead? Are there no tops in your vicinity, single and coupled, willing to guest star? Are oral sex and/or mutual masturbation not a good time?

Look, finding someone you love and enjoy living with isn’t easy, SUB, so you owe it to yourself to give this relationship a chance. I get it, I get it; you’ve been together for three years, you’ve already given this a relationship a chance. But it doesn’t sound like you’ve given radical honesty a chance. (“We have to fix this or it’s over.”) You don’t wanna wake up five years from now in a no-longer-new relationship with someone you don’t love. Even if you had managed to have a lot of hot sex with that person at the start, SUB, nostalgia for great sex with someone you don’t love (as much or at all) is unlikely to sustain you through the decades between the NRE wearing off and death. Whereas making space in the loving relationship you’re already in — space for passionate sexual experiences together and/or with others (on your own or both) — could be all the sustenance you need.

It’s fine to want more, SUB, but before seeking more from someone else, ask for more from the someone you’ve already got.

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Pg. 23 MAY 31 - JUNE 13, 2023- QCNERVE.COM