YES! Weekly - July 26, 2023

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GEARS & GUITARS

7 14 16

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YES! Writers IAN MCDOWELL MARK BURGER KATEI CRANFORD JIM LONGWORTH NAIMA SAID DALIA RAZO LYNN FELDER

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4 The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is proud to present “ IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK,” an exhibition of site-specific mural installations by William Downs, Neka King, and Raj Bunnag, on view September 21 through December 31, 2023, in SECCA’s Potter Gallery.

5 June 27, 2023, is not likely to be a day FRED LOPEZ will forget. It is the day he became a naturalized American citizen during a ceremony held in Charlotte. His older brother Johan Mendez Lopez was there to witness the event.

6 The RiverRun International Film Festival and Temple Emanuel have joined forces to present a pair of film screenings at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem — both of which will feature award-winning filmmaker DANI MENKIN in attendance to introduce the films.

7 Most of all, The King (Richard Petty) has used his notoriety to help others, especially through The Petty Family Foundation which supports non-profit groups that serve everyone from wounded

veterans to at-risk youth. The Foundation’s signature charity is VICTORY JUNCTION, a camp for kids with chronic medical conditions...

8 The latest, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE — DEAD RECKONING PART ONE isn’t one of the best, but it’s good enough. It’s the seventh overall and as the title implies, the first half of the franchise’s purported swan song.

15 The Office of Community Safety is launching a new initiative that they hope will show that Greensboro residents will not tolerate the uptick in violence throughout their communities. The city’s Peace on Purpose pledge hopes to collect 10,000 signed pledge cards by Saturday, September 23, asking residents to remain “on purpose” in the pursuit to REDUCE VIOLENCE

16 Nashville firecracker HANNAH DASHER is bringing her country flair and big ol’ hair to Steel Hands Brewing for their free Nashville Nights concerts series on August 3.

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The biggest party on two wheels keeps pushing the pedal toward the pavement as Gears & Guitars returns to Winston-Salem August 4-6.

The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is proud to present “If These Walls Could Talk,” an exhibition of site-specific mural installations by William Downs, Neka King, and Raj Bunnag, on view September 21 through December 31, 2023, in SECCA’s Potter Gallery. An opening reception with the artists and curator Maya Brooks will be held Thursday, September 21, from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free and open to the public.For centuries, murals served as visual representations of complex social and political commentary in accessible spaces. Creatives placed their work on public structures, in civic centers, among other prominent areas, to communicate relevant critiques of everyday life. This documentation of contemporary issues connected individual experiences across race, gender, and religion, providing a tangible record of shared existence.

“If These Walls Could Talk” upholds the relationship between mural art and public institutions with site-specific works by Durham, NC-based artist Raj Bunnag and Atlanta, GA-based artists William Downs and Neka King. Each of these artists engages graphic techniques that range from line drawing to printmaking, paralleling traditional mural applications that require a xing materials directly onto a wall. Ultimately, their stylized depictions of people and landscapes envelop viewers in an illustrative social analysis of present and sometimes future concepts.

“If These Walls Could Talk” also marks the Winston-Salem curatorial debut of Maya Brooks, the assistant curator of contemporary art serving both SECCA and the North Carolina Museum of Art

in Raleigh. “I am most excited about this exhibition because it builds upon a long-standing human tradition of sharing ideas and building communities through public expression,” said Brooks. “Although distinctly contemporary in style and focus, this exhibition feels timeless because of the artists’ ability to reference the di erent layers of history that have altered our present and, possibly, our future experiences.”

Learn more about the exhibition and upcoming programs at SECCA.org.

Neka King is an illustrator and muralist who contrasts minimalism with bold patterns to create energetic compositions across digital platforms, print-based media, and physical sites. King’s installations often relate to her experiences across intersecting identities, which guide her creative practices and installation projects. King received her BFA in Studio Arts with a concentration in Textile Arts from the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design at Georgia State University in 2016. She has worked extensively with

public and private partners, collaborating on projects with corporations like Nike, H&M, Refinery29, and AT&T at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The artist’s website is nnekkaa.com.

William Downs’ practice varies from drawing, painting, and printmaking to experimenting with installation and three-dimensional studies. The line is his current notable element, which he considers paradoxically fundamental and surreal based on its infinite capabilities. Downs received a Multidisciplinary MFA from the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, and a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from the Atlanta College of Art and Design. Downs has exhibited at venues nationally and abroad, with institutions like The High Museum of Art, The Birmingham Museum of Art, and The Smithsonian Museum of Art collecting his work. The artist’s website is williamedowns.com.

Raj Bunnag is a Thai American artist living and working in Durham, North Caro-

“If These Walls Could Talk” Opens at SECCA Sept. 21 Hop on…Hop o !

lina. His overarching art practice examines systematic racism inherent in American institutions and public policies. Bunnag received his MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022 and his BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2012. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at the SAC Gallery Bangkok, American University Dubai, CAM Raleigh, the Jewett Art Gallery at Wellesley College, The University of Wisconsin Parkside, and the Kai Lin Art Gallery. The artist’s website is rajbunnag.com. !

THE SOUTHEASTERN CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART (SECCA), an a liate of the North Carolina Museum of Art and division of the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, o ers a front row seat to the art of our time through exhibitions, experiences, and education programs with a focus on regional working artists. Founded in 1956 and located on the scenic James G. Hanes estate in Winston-Salem, SECCA o ers unique large-scale indoor and outdoor settings for exploring the intersections of contemporary art and culture.

■ Fare free

■ Available every 7 minutes

■ Connecting downtown shops, restaurants, theaters and more

■ Service hours Thursdays – Saturdays Noon to Midnight, Sundays Noon to 10 pm

■ Easily connects with the GTA system (Fare required)

■ On-board audio tour of early Greensboro

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARTIST IN COLLABORATION WITH REFINERY29 Neka King, Expansion, 2019, Installation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SALLY VAN GORDER Raj Bunnag, White Lies, 2022, Installation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARTIST William Downs, A soft place to lay..., 2019, Ink wash on drywall.

Journey to citizenship honored at special celebration

BY NORMA B. DENNIS | ndworddesign@gmail.com

June 27, 2023, is not likely to be a day Fred Lopez will forget. It is the day he became a naturalized American citizen during a ceremony held in Charlotte. His older brother Johan Mendez Lopez was there to witness the event.

July 10 is also a day that will hold significance for Lopez. On that day the sta and residents of the Pennybyrn retirement community where he works held a celebration in Lopez’s honor recognizing his journey to citizenship.

In addition to three of his five siblings, sister Franderly Rivas Lopez, and brothers Eddy Rodriguez Lopez and Edwin Rodriguez Lopez, special guests at the celebration included somewhat of a who’s who in politics — Britt Moore, At Large, High Point City Council; Cyril Je erson, Ward 1 High Point City Council; Monica Peters, Ward 3 High Point City Council; John Faircloth, N.C. State representative serving parts of High Point; Cecil Brockman, N.C. State representative serving parts of High Point, including Pennybyrn; Michael Garret, State senator serving most of High Point; and Jim Morgan, community advocate and former three-term N.C. State representative who served High Point.

Kathy Manning, U.S. Congress representative, was the guest speaker.

“All of us are a certain number of generations removed from immigrants that came to settle in this country,” Manning said. “The things that bring us together are more important than our di erences. We are a nation of immigrants. We want the brightest and best and that is what I see in Fred.

“People like you make the U.S. what it is,” she said addressing Lopez. “You make me proud to be an American.”

Manning presented Lopez with a flag that had flown over the United States Capitol in his honor.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Lopez’s journey to become an American citizen actually began at age 9 when his family moved to the Greensboro/High Point area. Looking for a better life for her children, his mother had married an American, which ultimately brought her to the States. Circumstances later found her raising her family as a single parent, but decisions were always made with her children in mind.

When Lopez arrived in America with his family he spoke only Spanish and was enrolled in the Newcomer’s School for eight months. As he became more proficient in English, he was transferred to a regular

public school and graduated from High Point Central High School.

While at Central, Lopez participated in the Guilford Apprenticeship Program (GAP) and worked in the IT department of EAS, a construction and manufacturing company. He also worked for a short period with another company before coming to Pennybyrn in August 2022.

“I felt an energy when I was interviewed at Pennybyrn. The people were very friendly, which is not something you usually see in IT,” Lopez said. “The idea of working here seemed calming. IT work is generally di cult, grunt work and can be draining to your mental health. Here it is more like helping friends with their technical problems. It makes work more pleasurable.

“Residents are supportive and treat me like family. They are very grateful for the help I provide.”

It was not well known at Pennybyrn, however, that Lopez had been working to get his citizenship. He knew speaking and writing English would be no issue, but he had studied diligently to pass the written test.

“The test is not easy,” he said. “If any American would go in blindly to take it, I feel only one in 100 would pass. That might be an over estimate, but I am just saying it is not easy. For me, failing was

not an option. I did not have what it costs to retake the exam.

“I have never felt I was anything but an American,” he added. “My identity has been shaped by living here. Getting my citizenship was more about making it official. It is hard to describe, but once that happened, I felt (free) and safe.”

After becoming a citizen Lopez registered to vote the same day. Now at the

age of 21, he will have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming primaries for the first time.

When Lopez originally asked Lynn Johnson, director of resident and community engagement at Pennybyrn, for a day o to take the citizenship test in Charlotte, she was excited. Since the residents could not travel to the swearing-in ceremony, it was decided to host a celebration for Lopez at Pennybyrn and open it to the sta and residents there.

“Once that was announced, I could not go through the hall without being congratulated,” Lopez said.

The newly recognized American citizen did not have a personal July 4 celebration, but spent the day with residents at Pennybyrn. Although working, he felt a new appreciation for the Fourth.

“When you are born in a country that is not as privileged as America, you see things di erently,” Lopez said. “I know if not for the opportunities America has given me I would not be where I am today. I have a lot to thank this nation for.

“I still have a sister in the Dominican Republic and because of my background I have some cultural influences from there. But it is liberating to be o cially recognized from what I have long felt as my home country.”

Lopez says that his mother had always wanted to get her citizenship and was in the process of doing so when she passed away.

“I have had some obstacles in life but not as many as my mother, he said. “It is because of her I have the privilege to say today, ‘I am an American.’” !

Fred Lopez holds the flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in his honor and presented to him by Congresswoman Kathy Manning, second from left. To the far left is Jim Morgan, community advocate and former three-term N.C. State representative who served High Point, and to the right is Chris Greene, Pennybyrn resident who helped coordinate the celebration.

PHOTO BY NORMA B. DENNIS

WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]

CAMEL CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM BOSSA NOVA CLASSICS FEATURING MARTHA BASSETT

RiverRun hosts back-to-back free screenings at Marketplace Cinemas

BY RACHEL BARRON

A special bossa nova ensemble of Camel City Jazz Orchestra (CCJO) will perform classics of the genre, featuring vocalist Martha Bassett singing in the original Portuguese, on Saturday, July 29. The concert at the SECCA auditorium will begin at 7 p.m.

For Bassett, learning how to speak and sing Portuguese was a dream she never had time to pursue until the COVID pandemic. With performance venues shut down, she was able to focus on learning the language and Brazilian guitar. She also formed a band, Quarteto Brasil, which has performed around the state.

Matt Kosma, artistic director and tenor saxophonist for CCJO, heard Quarteto Brasil play in Winston-Salem last year and was inspired by the idea of forming a larger 12-piece bossa nova ensemble, with Martha as vocalist, for this concert. “I started listening to original recordings and realized that many of them were fully orchestrated. The larger ensembles, including the strings, were so beautiful. That was the inspiration for adding a string

quartet to the instrumentation, which includes four winds and a rhythm section.”

Bossa nova, which originated in Brazil, is rhythmically related to the samba, but is distinguished by its complex harmonies. The concert will feature new arrangements of bossa nova standards such as Desafinado, Meditation, and One Note Samba , written specifically for the ensemble. The arrangements were written by Jay Meachum, CCJO trumpet and flugelhorn player, Chris Peebles, who plays alto sax and flute, and Dan Hitchcock, a former lead alto sax player for CCJO. General admission tickets are $30 and may be purchased at camelcityjazzorchestra.org/tickets. Tickets for students with ID and children under age 12 are $15.

CCJO is a nonprofit or ganization founded in January 2012 to perform and cultivate jazz music in Winston-Salem and to serve as the community’s professional big band. The organization is dedicated to developing and promoting a vibrant jazz culture in Winston-Salem through performances and educational programs.

The RiverRun International Film Festival and Temple Emanuel have joined forces to present a pair of film screenings at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem — both of which will feature award-winning filmmaker Dani Menkin in attendance to introduce the films. Admission to both events is free and audiences can register for tickets at https://riverrunfilm. com/.

Menkin’s latest film, Little Town, will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 5th. The film stars Jason Paul Field as a struggling, recently widowed stand-up comedian who embarks on a road trip with his young son (newcomer Grant Stevens) and a free-spirited young woman (newcomer Crystal St. John) which becomes a journey of self-discovery for all three of them.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, August 6th, Menkin’s award-winning documentary feature Aulcie will be screened. The winner of the Best Documentary award at the 2021 Faith in Film — Film Festival, the film traces the life and career of Aulcie Perry, the legendary basketball star Aulcie Perry, who could have played for the New York Knicks but opted instead to play for the Maccabi Tel Aviv pro team, helping to lead them to the 1977 European Championship. Yet for all his success, Perry couldn’t avoid the temptations that came with stardom and had to forge his own path to redemption.

Menkin will also present a special preview of his upcoming documentary feature Colleyville, an in-depth examination of the 2022 hostage situation at the

Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in the titular Texas town. Rabbi Charlie CytronWalker of Temple Emanuel in WinstonSalem was one of the hostages and figures prominently in the documentary. He will be on hand to discuss his experiences and working with Menkin to bring this extraordinary true story of courage to the screen.

“I am excited to bring my films for the first time to Winston-Salem and work with RiverRun,” Menkin said. “On top of that, I can’t wait to share the stage with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker from Temple Emanuel, who has inspired me with this courageous personality to share my new film and the hostage situation event he was part of. I am looking forward to presenting a first look at my work-in-progress for Colleyville and meeting the crowd in person.”

“It’s always a joy to partner up with RiverRun to o er special film screenings outside of the normal festival time,” said Zack Fox, general manager of Marketplace Cinemas. “The fact that these two screenings will feature the filmmaker Dani Menkin as an in-person special guest will make these a must-see. I am personally very excited to see his new film Little Town. It looks charming.”

Coming soon to Marketplace Cinemas is the North Carolina Comedy Festival, and two stand-up comedy shows will be presented there on September 8th and 9th.

The 26th annual RiverRun International Film Festival is scheduled for April 18th — 27th, 2024.

The o cial RiverRun International Film Festival is https://riverrunfilm. com/. The o cial Marketplace Cinemas website is https://www.mpcws.com/. Dani Menkin’s o cial website is https://www. heyjudeproductions.com/. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.

Mark Burger

Contributor

Wine Event to Benefit Victory Junction

Merriam-

Webster defines an icon as “a person widely admired for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.” That being the case, there should be an image of Richard Petty next to the definition of “icon” in every dictionary. Petty has the most wins in NASCAR history (200), the most championships (7), and he put stock car racing on the national map at a time when television mainly covered baseball and football. Most of all, The King has used his notoriety to help others, especially through The Petty Family Foundation which supports non-profit groups that serve everyone from wounded veterans to at-risk youth. The Foundation’s signature charity is Victory Junction, a camp for kids with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses that was created in honor of Richard’s late grandson Adam.

JL: Why is Victory Junction so special?

RP: Well, these kids can’t just go to church camp or other camps because of their a iction. So, they come here from all over the country, each one thinking that he’s the only one with the same problem. Then, they get here with a hundred other kids who are just like them, and suddenly they feel like they’re part of the world.

Always looking for new ways to expand the reach of his Foundation, 86-year-old Petty recently teamed up with Shelton Vineyards to create a new wine, appropriately named “ICON”.

JL: How did you come to hook up with Shelton Vineyards?

RP: We really got to know the Sheltons 20 years ago when their family was part of the company that built Victory Junction. My wife and myself went up to the vineyards a couple of times and we got to know them, and they got to know us.

Mandy Shelton Houser, co-president of Shelton Vineyards:

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Richard and the Petty family. Richard is a true icon and a person who shares our commitment to perfection. This partnership is a testament to the shared values

and passion for excellence that both Shelton Vineyards and the Pettys embody. Together, we aim to create an extraordinary experience for wine enthusiasts and racing fans alike.”

ICON wine is a custom blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Tannat.

JL: Is it true that you actually handselected the blend?

RP: Yeah, three of my family members went with me up to Shelton’s, and we sat down and taste-tested the wines. It was like a blind test, and when it was all over, everybody wound up picking the same blend. I guess it’s ‘cause we all have the same DNA (laughs).

Richard and ICON wine will be the star attractions this Saturday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for a celebration and launch party at Shelton Vineyards in Dobson. The event will include music by Kyle Petty (Adam’s dad), plus a live auction where folks can bid on such items as a poster signed by Richard, Kyle, and family patriarch Lee Petty. Also, up for grabs is an original painting by Laura Ashley, Avis fine jewelry, and a chance to send a kid to camp. And, as a special treat, attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy a VIP experience with The King.

Admission is $25 per person, and a portion of proceeds from ticket sales and the auction will benefit Victory Junction.

JL: ICON wine was named in your honor. Do you feel like an icon?

RP: Not really. I’m just one of the gang.

JL: Wouldn’t it be great if you could figure out a way to make race cars run on ICON wine instead of diesel?

RP: (laughs) I don’t know. They got all these cotton-pickin’ electric cars now. Maybe we can use the wine to make electricity (laughs).

Maybe so. If anyone could make that happen, The King could.

To purchase tickets to the celebration, or to order wine, visit www.sheltonvineyards.com/petty-icon for more information on Victory Junction, visit www. victoryjunction.org.

For more information on the Petty Fam-

CAPT.

JACKS

ily Foundation, or to make a donation, visit www.pettyfamilyfoundation.org. !

JIM LONGWORTH is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15) and streaming on WFMY+.

SEAFOOD SHACK

SOUP

Lobster Bisque 12 | New England-Style Clam Chowder 10 | Chilled Spicy Shrimp Gazpacho 9 Basket of Warm Old Bay & Pimento Cheese Biscuits 11 … while they last!

SMALL PLATES

Crab Rangoon Dip 15 (Wasabi Aioli | Sweet Chili Sauce | Hoisin Drizzle)

Char-Grilled Watermelon 8 (Farmer’s Cheese | Tijan Vinaigrette)

Jumbo Shrimp Tempura-Style 13 (Truffle Blue Cheese Slaw | BOOM! M-80 Sauce)

Sesame Tuna Tartare 18 (Ginger Soy Glaze | Scallion Pancake | Chipotle Aioli)

LOBSTER

Lobster Mac & Cheese Skillet 38 (Pimento | Cheddar | Parmesan | Panko)

Roll #1 Chilled 24 | ADD Hand-Cut Fries or Salad +8 (Duke’s Mayo | Lemon Herb Butter | Brioche Bun)

Roll #2 Warm 23 | ADD Hand-Cut Fries or Salad +8 (Lemon Herb Butter | Brioche Bun)

Timothy’s Creamy Lobster carbonara 42 (Peas | Pancetta | ’Shrooms | Parmesan | Herbs)

Lobster Quesadilla 26 (Mango Jalapeno Avocado Mash)

LARGE PLATES

Shrimp Scampi Linguine 31 (Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce)

Chicken Fried Chicken aka “The Colonel” 27 (atop Pineapple Fried Rice)

OUR FAMOUS

Jumbo Shrimp & Grits 32 (Jumbo Shrimp | Tasso Tomato Gravy | Pimento Grits)

Jim Longworth

Longworth at Large

Cruise in control in Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One

he Mission: Impossible film series is one of those (very) rare franchises to have stumbled out of the gate before finding its footing. Despite being big box-o ce hits, Brian De Palma’s original Mission: Impossible (1996) features an impenetrable plot, and Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) is undoubtedly the worst American film directed by John Woo — which may be a reason he returned to Hong Kong. Since then, however, the films have grown appreciably better.

The latest, Mission: Impossible — Dead

TReckoning Part One isn’t one of the best, but it’s good enough. It’s the seventh overall and as the title implies, the first half of the franchise’s purported swan song. Producer/director Christopher McQuarrie, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Erik Jendresen, is back for his third installment. This also marks his 10th collaboration overall with producer/star Tom Cruise, who naturally reprises his role as the eponymous super-spy Ethan Hunt. The formula, established by Bruce Geller’s 1970s television series, remains unchanged, and although the specific particulars of the plot are relatively unimportant, Dead Reckoning Part One succeeds as globe-trotting, grand-scale movie fun, and e ectively sets up expectations for Dead Reckoning — Part Two. That film is scheduled to be released next June, although the ongoing WGA/ SAG-AFTRA strikes could conceivably be a hurdle. Not that it matters. As he

displayed with Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise is willing to wait out such hurdles, be they labor-related or COVID-related. (Cruise waited until the pandemic had passed before allowing Maverick to fly into theaters, which proved a wise — and lucrative — decision.)

This time around, the IMF (Impossible Missions Force) is charged with tracking down a computer virus known as “The Entity.” This insidious brand of artificial intelligence has the capability of turning the technology the team is so dependent on against them. Were the power of “The Entity” fall into the wrong hands … well, you get the idea.

In addition to Cruise, who again gives a steely, no-nonsense as Hunt, the film brings other familiar characters back into the fold, including Simon Pegg as Benji and Ving Rhames as Luther. Pegg provides the requisite comic relief and Rhames the requisite gravitas. Rebecca Ferguson (from 2015’s Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation and 2018’s Mission: Impossible — Fallout) is back as Ilsa Faust, and Vanessa Kirby (from Fallout) returns as “The White Widow.” The filmmakers have even seen fit to bring back Henry Czerny as CIA director Eugene Kittridge, a role he originated in the very first Mission: Impossible film 27 years ago, and he’s always good at playing o cious (and possibly duplicitous) government types. The principal villain here is Gabriel (Esai Morales), and although

the actor enjoys his biggest role in years, Gabriel does more sneering than snarling. He’s a little too low-key.

One of the nicer things about Dead Reckoning — Part One is that it a ords its female characters the opportunity to shine. In addition to Ferguson and Kirby, Pom Klementie (in a far cry from her Guardians of the Galaxy role) makes an impression as the punky assassin Paris, who does her fair share of damage in her pursuit of Hunt. The choicest role is that of Grace, an alluring and nimble-fingered thief played by Hayley Atwell, who provides an ideal foil for Hunt. (After almost every cli hanger, Ethan inquires “Are you alright?” — which becomes something of a running gag.)

Some of the action sequences are protracted, which seems the norm in contemporary cinema, but they’re entertaining. A wild and woolly car chase through the streets of Rome is alternately hair-raising and hilarious, as much for its sheer absurd energy as anything else. There’s also the slam-bang climax aboard the Orient Express in which the obligatory murder occurs, although the venerable train is going to require considerable repairs after what it endures here. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2023, Mark Burger.

Mark Burger

Contributor

“ABER BERGEN”: COMPLETE SERIES (MHz Choice/Kino Lorber): A self-explanatory DVD collection ($79.95 retail) of all 30 episodes from the entire 2016-’18 run of the popular, award-winning drama series focused on the titular Norwegian law firm, where its principal partners (Odd-Magnus Williamson and Ellen Dorrit Petersen) have recently divorced but are trying to maintain a professional relationship as they tackle the toughest cases yet can’t avoid their mutual attraction — and occasional antagonism. Line Verndal, Lykke Kristine Moen, Siv Toren Knudsen Petersen, and Torgny Gerhard Aanderaa round out the regular cast. In Norwegian with English subtitles.

“DALGLIESH”: SERIES ONE (Acorn): Bertie Carvel returns as the widowed, poetry-writing British police inspector Adam Dalgliesh in all six feature-length episodes from the 2023 season of the popular mystery series based on the best-selling mystery novels by P.D. James, which follows Dalgliesh’s career from the 1970s to the present day, with Carlyss Peer as his partner and guest appearances by Michael Culkin, Sorcha Cusack, Michael Maloney, David Bamber, Daisy Waterstone, and Richard Harrington, available on DVD ($49.99 retail).

“GANGS OF LONDON”: SEASON

2 (AMC+): Created by Gareth Evans (who also directed selected episodes) and Matt Flannery, this Emmy-nominated crime series, aired on AMC+, depicts the violence that transpires following the murder of a high-powered crime boss, as his surviving family and rivals jockey for position and power in contemporary London, in all eight episodes from the 2022 season, featuring an ensemble cast including Joe Cole, Sope Dirisu, Lucian Msamati, Michelle Fairley, Brian Vernel, Pippa Bennett-Warner, and Taye Matthew, available on DVD ($34.97 retail).

THE IRON PREFECT (Radiance Films/ MVD Entertainment Group): A limited-edition Blu-ray ($34.95 retail) of screenwriter/ director Pasquale Squitieri’s award-winning, fact-based crime drama (originally titled Il prefetto di ferro) based on screenwriter Arrigo Petacco’s non-fiction best-seller, starring Giuliano Gemma as Cesare Mori, the incorruptible and relentless police prefect who waged a one-man war against the Sicilian mafia in the 1920, featuring an Ennio Morricone score and a cast including Claudia Cardinale, Francisco Rabal, Stefano Satta Flores, Rik Battaglia, and Paul Muller caught in the crossfire. Bonus features include original Italian (with English sub-

BY MARK BURGER

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: FIGHTING BACK (Arrow

Video/MVD Entertainment Group)

While Charles Bronson was toiling on Death Wish sequels for Golan/Globus at Cannon Films, original Death Wish producer Dino De Laurentiis (the man, the myth) revisited vigilante territory with this gritty 1982 melodrama filmed in South Philadelphia — which automatically makes it worthwhile. (This critic is allowed a “hometown discount” for his beloved birthplace.)

Tom Skerritt stars as John D’Angelo, a hard-working delicatessen owner fed up with crime in his neighborhood, especially after his wife (Patti LuPone) and elderly mother (Gina DeAngeles) are injured in separate incidents. He founds the People’s Neighborhood Patrol (PNP) and sets

about punishing evildoers: Drug dealers, muggers, purse snatchers, and anyone who looks even remotely shady is fair game. The PNP generates headlines and grass-roots popularity, but isn’t so well-regarded by the police, local politicians, and particularly the criminal element. John’s not only fighting crime, he’s fighting the establishment — and darned if he isn’t winning on both fronts. But it comes at a cost.

Under Lewis Teague’s e cient direction, Fighting Back flexes its knee-jerk muscles in predictable but e ective fashion, augmented by a solid cast, authentic locations, and just enough credibility to add extra texture to the proceedings. It’s even thoughtprovoking on occasion … until the action resumes, of course.

Skerritt’s Alien co-star Yaphet Kotto appears all-too-briefly as Ivanhoe Washington, a community activist who (not inaccurately) accuses the PNP of racial profiling, but it’s essentially a cameo. Faring better are Michael Sarrazin, Ted Ross, David Rasche, Frank Sivero, Earle Hyman, Jim Moody, Peter Brocco, and legendary comedian Pat Cooper (who died in June) as the neighborhood druggist. LuPone, in a rare feature lead, brings depth and strength to what easily could have been the weepy-wife role, but it’s the dynamic Skerritt who dominates as John, whose fiery temper and justifiable outrage are tempered by indecision and guilt over his actions. Everybody involved brings just a little bit extra.

The limited-edition Blu-ray ($39.95 retail) includes collectible booklet and poster, retrospective interviews, trailer and TV spot, and more. Rated R.

titles) and English-dubbed audio options, collectible booklet, original trailer, and more.

LOVE AGAIN (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment): James C. Strouse wrote and directed this PG-13 remake of the 2016 German film SMS fur dich (based on Sofie Cramer’s novel), starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas as a grief-stricken woman who calls her late fiancé’s cell phone and unexpectedly ends up embarking on a relationship with Sam Heughan, who now has the number, with Russell Tovey, Celia Imrie, Sofia Barclay, Lydia West, Jonas’s real-life husband Nick Jonas, and executive producer Celine Dion (playing herself) in support, available on DVD ($34.99 retail) and Blu-ray ($38.99 retail), each with bonus features.

McBAIN (Synapse Films/MVD Entertainment Group): James Glickenhaus wrote and directed this 1991 shoot-‘em-up starring Christopher Walken as the titular character, a Vietnam veteran-turned-mer-

cenary who leads a covert mission to quash the Colombian drug cartels. A potentially topical plot, augmented by Glickenhaus’s propensity for explosive action sequences, is undermined by a standard-issue storyline. Walken, in a role that vaguely echoes his Oscar-winning role in The Deer Hunter (1978) and subsequent turn in The Dogs of War (1981), coasts through the predictable proceedings with a distinct air of indi erence, and a capable cast is wasted: Maria Conchita Alonso, Michael Ironside, Steve W. James, Jay Patterson, Chick Vennera, Thomas G. Waites, Luis Guzman, and Victor Argo, available on Blu-ray ($29.95 retail), replete with audio commentary and theatrical trailer. Rated R.

MY MAN GODFREY (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The Blu-ray bow ($24.95 retail) of director Henry Koster’s bubbly 1957 remake of the classic 1936 screwball comedy (based on Eric Hatch’s novel) stars June Allyson as a scatter-brained heiress who impetuously hires itinerant hobo David Niven

to be her butler, which causes chaos in the household when she takes a shine to him and his true identity comes to light. This typically glossy Ross Hunter production offers great chemistry between the two leads, with Jessie Royce Landis, Jay Robinson, Martha Hyer, Robert Keith, and Eva Gabor lending sturdy support. Bonus features include audio commentary and theatrical trailer.

ON THE EDGE (Kino Lorber): Writer/director Giordano Gederlini’s thriller (originally titled Entre la vie et la mort) stars Antonio de la Torre as an ex-cop-turned-subway operator in Brussels who witnesses his estranged son’s tragic death on a subway platform, discovers that he was involved with a murderous band of thieves, and embarks on a one-man mission to track down the culprits while avoiding the police. In French and Spanish with English subtitles, available on Blu-ray ($29.95 retail).

ONLY IN THEATERS (Kino Lorber): Executive producer Raphael Sbarge directed this feature documentary chronicling the Hollywood history of the Laemmle family, which has thrived over the years thanks to the Laemmle Theaters in Southern California, one of the premier venues for independent and arthouse cinema in Southern California, and how it has weathered financial hardships and, more recently, the COVID pandemic, featuring interviews with filmmakers (including Cameron Crowe, Ava DuVernay, James Ivory, Rebecca Grossman, Nicole Holofcener, and Allison Anders) and such noted film critics as Leonard Maltin, Kenneth Turan, and my friend and mentor Kevin Thomas (only briefly). Undeniably affectionate and respectful, but often repetitious — and Sbarge’s spoken observations are unnecessary. The DVD ($19.95 retail) includes audio commentary, additional interviews, and more.

PAINT (IFC Films): Executive producer Owen Wilson headlines the PG-13-rated debut feature of writer/director Brit McAdams, as a mellow, smooth-talking public-television artist (obviously modeled on the late Bob Ross) whose status is threatened when the station hires younger, more talented artist Ciara Renée (in her feature debut), with Michaela Watkins, Wendi McLendonCovey, Lucy Freyer, Stephen Root, and McAdams himself on hand, available on DVD ($27.97 retail) and Blu-ray ($28.96 retail), each replete with bonus features including audio commentary, behind-the-scenes gallery, deleted scenes, and more. !

COPYRIGHT 2023, Mark Burger

THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

THE ARISTOCRATS

Wow! Things went literally and physically south on July 11 at a press dinner on New York’s Upper East Side in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign. According to Page Six, as Kennedy answered questions, someone posed one about climate change, but before Kennedy could answer, Doug Dechert, the event host, screamed, “The climate hoax!” Which brought a scold from art critic Anthony Haden-Guest, who called him a “miserable blob.” The two continued their exchange, with Kennedy calmly looking on, until Dechert loudly released a “prolonged fart” while yelling, helpfully, “I’m farting!” After attempts to change the subject and more verbal antics, the evening wound down. The next day, Dechert told Page Six, “I apologize for using my flatulence as a medium of public commentary in your presence.” How do I get on this guest list?

AWESOME!

Australian sailor Tim Shaddock, 51, of Sydney and his dog, Bella, became

stranded in the Pacific Ocean after they set out from Mexico for French Polynesia, a 3,700-mile trip, in April. The boat became damaged in storms, the BBC reported, and Shaddock drifted until midJuly, when a helicopter spotted him. A tuna trawler picked up the pair, who were in surprisingly good health. Shaddock said they ate raw fish and collected rainwater, and he sheltered from the sun beneath the boat’s canopy. “I have been through a very di cult ordeal at sea,” he said. “I’m just needing rest and good food.”

BUH-BYE

In Glastonbury, Connecticut, 11 boats took o from the Seaboard Marina on July 12 — make that with the marina. WTNH-TV reported that a 200-foot section of dock with 11 boats attached broke o and started floating down the Connecticut River, later passing through Cromwell, Portland, Middletown and Haddam. One part of the errant dock was still floating downstream the next day; o cials said it was likely that flooding in Vermont had caused the high waters that set the structure free. Teddy Charton of Middletown said he “got a call that my boat was floating down the river ... It

ended up all the way down in Chester.” Eventually all but one of the boats was recovered.

IT’S COME TO THIS

When a backyard bunny breeder bundled their belongings and said bye-bye to Jenada Isles, a community in Wilton Manors, Florida, they left behind between 60 and 100 lionhead rabbits, who have now infiltrated the neighborhood and are driving residents bonkers. Click Orlando reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has declined to intercede, so resident Alicia Griggs is heading up an e ort to raise the money needed to capture, neuter, vaccinate and rehome the rabbits — to the tune of $20,000 to $40,000. “People don’t realize they’re exotic pets and they’re complicated,” Griggs said. “They have to eat a special diet. You can’t just throw any table scraps at them.” Residents complain that the bunnies dig holes, chew wiring and leave droppings on sidewalks and driveways. Others think the rabbits are cute, but experts say their heavy coats and finicky digestive systems aren’t conducive to living wild in Florida. “They are not equipped to thrive on their

own,” said Eric Stewart, executive director of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

BRIGHT IDEA

Michael Raduga, 40, founder of the Phase Research Center in Russia, but — critically — NOT a doctor or neurosurgeon, nearly lost his life in June when he tried to implant a chip in his brain on his own, in his living room in Kazakhstan. The Daily Mail reported that Raduga lost more than a liter of blood in his quest to control his dreams. He said he practiced on five sheep’s brains and watched hours of neurosurgery on YouTube before starting on his own head. “During the first 30 minutes I was ready to give up many times because ... I was afraid I could just lose consciousness,” Raduga said. “I finished the surgery, I took a shower and I worked for 10 hours straight. People didn’t know.” But neurosurgeon Alex Green of the University of Oxford wasn’t having it. “This is an extremely dangerous thing to do,” he said. “We are probably decades away from being able to synthesize new experiences.” !

©2023 Andrews McMeel Universal

ACROSS

1 Crux

9 Denver gridders

16 Butte relative

20 “Later!”

21 1990s Oldsmobile

22 “Downhill” star Novello

23 Going just the way one begged for it to go? [Curry]

25 Medieval peon

26 Scrawny

27 Former Common Market abbr.

28 35mm camera abbr.

29 Uruguay’s — del Este

30 Tarzan actor Ron

31 Palme — (prize at Cannes)

33 “You could hear — drop”

37 Property appraiser

39 Rabbit action

40 Reputation as a great pilot? [Salonga]

42 “You’re on!”

46 Be a snitch

47 Fleeceable females

48 Late-night host Jimmy’s collection of TVs? [Zadora]

50 Kissing target 52 Martini liquor 55 Tire trouble

Leafy recess

Proscribe

Hot-air bath

Tokyo cash

Family guy 62 “Happy Days” actor Scott 64 Luggage-screening official, for short 67 Headline after a Harley stalls? [Meyers]

71 Waits on hand and foot

73 Not yet final, legally

74 Family guy

75 Lincoln-to-Topeka dir.

78 Surrounded by

79 ‘16 Olympics site

81 Group of sub-sub-athletes

83 Retort to “You weren’t!”

84 Tear

85 Bit of change

87 Comparably dense to the one here? [Arden]

89 Bamboozle

91 “Later!”

93 Guaranteed-to-succeed

94 Weep while excavating fossil fuel? [Ortiz]

99 Ballplayer Ripken

100 It’s turned to go in and out

101 Designer Saarinen

102 Buddhist sect

103 Rep.’s rival

106 Tools with teeth

107 “Angie” actor Stephen

109 “No more seats” abbr.

111 Mrs., in Madrid

112 Take — view of (frown on)

113 Cook another egg after cooking a dozen? [Tarbell]

119 French film theater

120 Demigods

121 Traditional Chinese drink

122 Saloon casks

123 Not too soft, as pasta

124 2014 Ben Affleck thriller that would make a good alternate title for this puzzle

DOWN

1 Cabinet wood

2 Ear-relevant

3 Twisted wit

4 Nape’s place

5 “— found it!”

6 Female rabbit

7 Marine duck

8 R&B singer India.—

9 Valise, e.g.

10 Rival of LG

11 “Ex’s & —” (Elle King hit)

12 Light bites

13 Bottom level

14 Exceed, as a proper limit

15 Bummed out

16 Treats badly

17 Nevertheless

18 In a sense

19 Kennel noise

24 Raleigh loc.

29 Certain toy dog, for short

31 Knucklehead

32 Sign of total acceptance

34 Longtime New Yorker cartoonist 35 March day to “beware” 36 Packers’ org.

Katei Cranford Contributor

The Biggest Party on Two Wheels: Gears and Guitars festival celebrates its 10th year

The biggest party on two wheels keeps pushing the pedal toward the pavement as Gears & Guitars returns to Winston-Salem

August 4-6.

Blending the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic and the “Streets of Fire” sprint race accented by a weekend music festival, Gears & Guitars is stoked to celebrate 10 years — bringing the party vibes to cyclists and concert-goers alike for a weekend of bikes, tunes, and good times.

“We’re just going to have a party,” said Gears & Guitars chief operating o cer and event director Ray Boden. “I think last year was a party. And with another year of free admission, it adds to the feeling of it being one big party.”

Kicking things o , Cracker and Nine Days will rock Friday evening as the Streets of Fire rolls down 4th St. Clay Howard & the Silver Alerts, Dishwalla, and Soul Asylum o er a Saturday evening soundtrack for the Criterium races at Bailey Park. And locals rule the Sunday

afternoon, with an afterparty concert featuring Heavy Peace, Dead Drag Motion, and The Hollirockets.

For Boden, the 10-year milestone comes with a sense of delight. “I’m just happy to get here,” he said, looking back over the bumps of pandemic pauses and comeback September sessions held in 2021 and 2022. It’s been quite the ride. “When covid happened, of course, we canceled for a year,” he explained. “We floated the days into September. And then the big thing — that’s including this year — is the concerts being free.”

The event itself, however, will shift to August. “We’re actually dictated by the cycling calendar,” Boden noted. “We’re trying to get back to spring. That’s our goal — without making a full leap in one year.” For Boden and Gears & Guitars, the focus remains the same, no matter the month: combining world-class racing, community rides, and a roster of live music into the biggest party on two wheels. With free admission, it’s a party to which everyone’s invited — with a notion of accessibility that goes beyond the stages to o er riding options fit for cyclists of all calibers (and who come from all corners). “I love getting the analytics for the cycling events,” Boden said. “Obviously our area of the state carries a certain percentage, but we have

a measurable amount of riders from the Atlanta area. And from Knoxville. And from even, like, Colorado. We’re drawing cyclists from all over the country to come and race, it’s great.”

The festival also sees its share of hometown love. YES! Weekly readers voted Gears & Guitars “Best Live Triad Music Show of 2022” in the latest reader poll — an accolade for which Boden exuded gratitude, along with a ection for folks traveling to see the shows. “It’s harder to pinpoint the stats now that concerts are free, but there were years where more than half of ticket-buyers were from outside Triad zipcodes — we had people from Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota,” he beamed. “I remember I pulled all the data and sent it to the city manager and the folks at Visit Winston-Salem. It was like: look at these numbers. Look at the people who came here from so far away!’’

A music lover as much as a sportsman, Boden gets a bit giddy when discussing the concerts. There’s a passion. He’s a fan. “I mean, I travel for shows,” he said, recalling a trip to Jersey to see Springsteen and catching Pearl Jam in Seattle. “It was a big thing for me.”

The fandom might explain the 90s flair for this year (and in the past). But it’s a fandom Boden easily shares. “Nineties rock remains popular and we want

people to have a good time,” he said. “We’ve skipped around with other genres before. We had a bluegrass night with The Infamous Stringdusters. And Trampled By Turtles one year. Gov’t Mule was awesome. And then there was Cold War Kids, Colony House, and Liza Anne. 2022 featured Dawes and Bahamas. So we skip around.”

“But this year, it’s the 10th anniversary,” he continued. “We want to chill and party, so we want bands where people know the songs and sing along.”

On Friday, Nine Days and Cracker will usher the opening night party vibes — getting low as the “Streets of Fire” sprint race gets lit.

Presented by Audi Winston-Salem, “Streets of Fire” made its acclaimed debut in 2022. “It was very successful and I really enjoyed it,” Boden said with a growing grin. “It’s a 600-ft sprint — it’s rare in cycling to just have a sprint event — and to me, it’s like a bike drag race.”

“It might be my favorite event,” he continued, “just a straight 600-ft of race. All out, all in.” Registrations must be completed by August 2, but otherwise, it’s laid out and open to anyone. “You can show up in jorts and a mountain bike and give it a shot,” he said.

“Like anybody can pedal really fast. It’s just going in a straight line. I’m interested

to see how it goes,” he continued, relating the experience to the “Joes vs Pros” seen in Dodgeball. “That’s how I feel it kind of lays out a little bit — it’s approachable to anyone — you don’t have to be anything but yourself. Just put your head down and pedal as hard as you can.”

Sprints will ignite in heats running from 7 to 9 p.m., starting at the 500-block of 4th Street (the corner of Poplar and 4th) and firing along “restaurant row” to the 200-block (at the corner of Trade and 4th). Meanwhile, the concert runs 7-10 p.m. at a stage on Marshall St. “The format worked really well last year — it’s a great, great location,” Boden said. “The taller buildings were in the background, and the moon was rising up above as music played,” he recalled. “The stage was set just right for a really nice event.”

Boden hopes to replicate the experience for 2023, with no discernible changes to the Streets of Fire or Criterium race elements. The Fondos, however, will move from Sunday afternoon to early Saturday morning. “The Fondo timing is the biggest change for this year,” he said. “We understand it’ll be warm, so we’re gonna go super early on Saturday morning and host the Criterium in the evening.”

Date change aside, the Fondos will still offer two road sessions (the scenic back roads around Lake Tomalex); and two gravel and greenway treks. Offered through sponsorship from Flow Auto-

motive, the Fondos are open to riders of all ages; and the pace is personal, with riders meeting up at Bailey Park for Jimmy John’s sandwiches (included with registration) and cold bevies (a complimentary beer is offered for registrants over 21).

Meanwhile, back in Bailey Park, Criterium races rule the day: with sessions for amateurs and juniors running from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. The pros take over from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. Tunes rock from 6 to 11 p.m. Sponsored by the Riazzi, Rhyne, and Swaim Investment Group, the total purse winnings are upwards of $30,000. “The racing is always exciting,” Boden said of the high stakes and high speeds. “Plus, I think the criterium route is the best one in the country. Not to brag — but because the U.S. is the dominant area for criterium racing--I mean, it might be the best crit route in the world, to be honest.”

As riders whirl around Bailey Park, the concerts take place in the Coalpit below. “I always have a great time with the music,” Boden noted. ”Hopefully we’ll get some good weather. But either way, we’ll race, ride and rock-n-roll.”

From bikes to blue cars — runaway trains to Silver Alerts — alt-rock rules the Saturday evening, with Dishwalla and Soul Asylum repping the national acts; along with a set from Clay Howard & the Silver Alerts in the opening slot.

As much as Gears & Guitars work to

bring major shows to Winston-Salem, it also serves to show major crowds all that Winston has to offer.

“I wanted a longer Saturday concert and to host Clay in a gig that wasn’t with the Camel City Yacht Club — who I’m guilty of booking a lot,” Boden said. “I just really love that act — they hit lightning — but so does Clay’s original work.”

Howard reciprocated the affection. “I’m thrilled to be playing Gears & Guitars this year!” Howard said. “Ray puts on a wonderful, world-class event every year, and I am always grateful when he asks me to play on that big stage. It’s really cool to be playing on a Saturday night before Dishwalla and Soul Asylum.”

With something of a revolving cast, the Silver Alerts offer Howard an outlet for his solo tunes. “I sometimes joke that if you play an instrument in the Triad, you’re a Silver Alert. …or you will be…,” he said with a laugh — and a nod to Jody Ayers, Greg Hurley, and Tim Beeman, who’ll join him on the festival stage.

For 2023, Howard will have his latest release, “Summer Songs,” a cassetteexclusive EP, on hand. “It’s always a blast to see Winston-Salem come together and celebrate with music,” he said, reflecting on Gears & Guitars over the years. “The Silver Alerts played once before on the ‘local Sunday’ bill, about four years ago — maybe five? I’m getting old,” he continued with a laugh. “I guested with

another band one year, on top of attending several times.”

Praising those experiences and the local support from the festival, Howard urges a similar sense of support for local rock from the audience. “We write and record because we love it, and playing those songs in public is the icing on the cake,” he said. “Take a chance on a band you’ve never heard of, and I’ll bet everyone will be pleasantly surprised at all of the great music being released in the Triad.”

It’s a bet Boden also sees as a win, with the locals showcase serving a Sunday afternoon afterparty, 12-4 p.m. in the Coalpit, featuring Heavy Peace, Dead Drag Motion, and the Hollirockets. “Sunday is for local bands, pure and simple,” he said.

“Heavy Peace is a powerhouse — and they’re the rhythm section of Big Daddy Love,” he continued, and then both Dead Drag Motion and the Hollirockets are just really cool.”

Rock’n’roll continues its reign all afternoon, with Dead Drag Motion offering a “sort of bluesy sort of Southern-y, but definitely rock” set mixing originals and “tasty” covers. “We’re thrilled to be a part of Gears & Guitars,” said vocalist and guitarist Chris Myers. “None of us are cyclists but we enjoy the atmosphere and the vibe.”

For their own vibe, Dead Drag Motion pulls together sounds of the 1960 and

70s; taking influences from the Beatles, Allman Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The outfit features a quintet of vocal harmonies, with Muddy Creek Revival’s Mike Blizard on guitar, Thomas Baucom on guitar and keys, Scott Southerland on bass, and Will Baucom on drums.

Taking cues from the decade prior, the Hollirockets are set to close the festival with their brand of acoustic-electric Elvis inflections. “We’re a three-piece acoustic band that presents like an electric band: two acoustic guitars with e ects and a full drum kit,” explained guitarist Kris Kriofske.

Often praised for their arrangements, the group — which includes guitarist Matt Kirk and drummer Dan Barrett — started as an Elvis holiday tribute before evolving into their blend of a cover-act experience. “I honestly hate calling it a cover band, even though all we play is covers,” Kriofske admitted. “But we have our own spin, our own unique take on songs and showmanship that o ers a di erent feel.”

With a full light show in-tow (thanks to “fourth member” Tim Clark on sound and lights) the Hollirockets twist, shout, and mashup their source material. “We keep a heavy focus on Elvis and The Grateful Dead,” Kriofske explained, “even when we’re doing a cover by The Cure or Roy Orbison or Exile or the Violent Femmes. Or even during a Bob Dylan-Aerosmith mashup, there’s a lot of Jerry Garcia and Elvis Presley influence coming through.”

As for the festival, “I can only speak for myself here, but I live in the West End and have participated in Gears & Guitars since its inception as a fan,” Kriofske said. “Me and the family walk downtown and dive right into the festivities. My most memorable experience was watching Blues Traveller in the pounding rain a few years ago after the race around Bailey Park

ended. The band killed it and the crowd hung in there the whole time.”

Turning to the band, “We can’t wait!” he added. “The combination of worldclass rock-n-roll and world-class cycling makes Winston come alive like no other time of year. We’ve wanted to be a part of the Gears & Guitars weekend for a long time to feed o that energy. We’re bringing it home Sunday in the Coal Pit; and we’re going to bring that curtain down in style.”

Gears & Guitars 2023 draws to a close on August 6, but the Coalpit stays hot. Folks looking to rock can enjoy festival veterans Crenshaw Pentecostal and The Deluge on July 29; Drivin N Cryin plays the pit on September 2; and Appetite for Destruction is scheduled for September 16.

Boden lights up when talking about CoalPit Live — the seasonal music series he co-founded and currently directs down in the Coalpit. “I keep looking at di erent ways to do stu — to me it’s an amphitheater,” he said, “and we’re going to figure out how to make it bigger and better.”

“It’s such a unique and amazing venue,” he continued. “There’s nothing like it. We’ve done about 30-40 shows now, and I consider myself lucky. It’s an incredible spot. And my vision is much bigger.”

As his gears keep turning, Boden beams at the future for Gears & Guitars — while enjoying the present. “Again, I’m just happy to be here,” he said, “and hopefully we’ll be here for another 10 years or more.”

Get on your bikes and ride as Gears & Guitars returns to downtown WinstonSalem August 4-6. !

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.

Pledge of Peace: City asks residents to stand for nonviolence

The Office of Community Safety is launching a new initiative that they hope will show that Greensboro residents will not tolerate the uptick in violence throughout their communities.

The city’s Peace on Purpose pledge hopes to collect 10,000 signed pledge cards by Saturday, September 23, asking residents to remain “on purpose” in the pursuit to reduce violence.

“Our goal is to reduce violence in all areas but to also gain the trust of citizens who have become desensitized to violence,” said Arthur Durham, Violence Prevention Coordinator for the Office of Community Safety, led by Latisha McNeil.

Councilmember Hugh Holston said the pledge is important because “it stresses each resident’s role and responsibility to address and mitigate violence. It is time for each of us to stop waiting for someone else to solve our problem with violence. Most of us have heard the pre-flight speech on the airplane, ‘ Put your oxygen mask on first,

before you help others. ’ The signing of this pledge is similar to putting on your own oxygen mask. Now help others do the same.”

Holston said that the current homicide rate in the city is enough reason to give the program a chance.

“To date, the Greensboro community has experienced 41 homicides; trending much higher than all of 2022; that is unacceptable and it’s destroying lives and legacies,” he said. “We must take action to identify the core issues and then address them. The pledge is just a start.”

The initiative kicked off on June 2 at Barber Park with city officials on hand to talk about violence prevention. According to the form, the Peace on Purpose objective is “to remain “on purpose” in our pursuit to reduce violence. The city will do this through community collaborations and strategically implementing researched models that work.”

Durham said that they hope the pledge incites “curiosity” and leads to conversation.

“That provides the opportunity the lay out the groundwork for the Office of Community Safety’s plan for reducing crime through our three programs — BHRT, LEAD, and Violence Prevention,” Durham said. “Once we get to talk with residents we can gain support, and people can see that the city is taking a proactive step in battling crime.”

The Peace on Purpose pledge reads as follows:

I Pledge To:

• Make GSO Peace on Purpose a part of my everyday life by leading with a peaceful mindset.

• Settle my disputes in a nonviolent way whenever possible.

• Stand with courage, lead with conviction, and speak out to promote nonviolence as the norm.

• Be outraged at acts of unnecessary violence wherever they happen throughout the city.

• Take personal responsibility and have awareness for my actions and how they impact others.

• Take action to end all forms of violence with love, compassion and without judgment.

To complete and submit a pledge card, residents are asked to fill out an online form, and post the designed declaration image to their social media or put them up in their workplaces or homes.

According to Durham, the response to

the program has been well received.

“The pledge has been received better than we intended. We have many businesses, city leaders, faith-based organizations, and residents who’ve signed it, and shared it on multiple social media sites, on podcasts, at basketball tournaments, etc,” said Durham. “We have made the mark that was intended and we will continue to spread the pledge message of “Peace On Purpose.”

Just like with most initiatives, Durham said that there have been “some cynics questioning the relevance” of the pledge but otherwise the office has received positive feedback.

“I don’t focus on that though, the vast majority of citizens understand the importance of us trying to set a precedence of positivity and want much more,” he said. “We are in the developmental stage of planning and partnering with concerned citizens, and organizations dedicated to reducing crime.”

Holston said that reception and feedback from the community has been great.

“Just this past weekend at the Peeler Center, Arthur Durham and the team was actively engaged with the neighbors and community with success; and they love to show off their pledge buttons,” he said. “The feedback from the community has been incredible. We have over 2,500 signed pledges towards a goal of 10,000, and we’re just getting started! It shows that our residents care

about peace, safety, and eliminating violence. !

CHANEL DAVIS is the current editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region.

WANNA know?

For more information about the Peace on Purpose pledge and other e orts to decrease violence, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/ViolencePrevention.

The Fresh Market is seeking a Pricing Analyst II at its Greensboro, NC location to function as a collaborative partner with Merchandising and Marketing to analyze and execute strategies that will deliver on financial results and ensure competitive advantage. Edu: BS degree & 3 yrs exp. Foreign degree equiv acc. Exp can be gained concurrently. Emp will accept any suit combo of edu, exp, or train.

To see full list of req & apply, visit: https://jobs.thefreshmarket.com/ and search by job title and location.

Chanel Davis Editor

Hannah Dasher keeps serving them things you like

Nashville firecracker Hannah

Dasher is bringing her country flair and big ol’ hair to Steel Hands Brewing for their free Nashville Nights concerts series on August 3.

“Well, I’m not gonna set my hair on fire because pyrotechnics are expensive,” Dasher cracked, “but they’re gonna get a helluva show!”

“Folks can expect a HonkytonkRock’n’Roll-infused good time,” she continued, dropping setlist hints and hyping her new single “(I’m The One That Taught Him) That Thing You Like.”

Blending a classic country voice with a delightfully trashy magnetism, Dasher is a born entertainer who knows her way around a kitchen (and video shoot) having amassed more than 1.5+ million followers on TikTok and 100K+ followers on Instagram through her “Stand By Your Pan” cooking series. And she appeared recently on the Rachael Ray Show, sharing details of her weight-loss journey, as well as her recipe for Honey Butter Fried Chicken Biscuits.

A robust presence, with a wink and a dash of spice, “People appreciate that I’m authentically unfiltered Hannah,” Dasher said, “and I’m very confident in who God made me to be.”

On stage, Dasher is known for her “get-your-boots-on Honky Tonk jams, twang-heavy, power ballads, tell-it-likeit-is no holds barred storytelling — 90s country meets head-banging Southern rock.” A development of her craft — which she carries through the same authenticity and spirit she conjures in her wood-paneled kitchen.

And it’s an authenticity honed through work — between hocking sporting goods and washing floors to pay her band — she’s laid down dues. “I had to start cleaning houses and sell all my guitars, including the first and only one my daddy ever gave me. For years, I wrote songs and played shows on borrowed guitars,” she recalled. “Eventually, I scrubbed enough toilets to buy my first Gibson.”

From borrowed guitars to strumming a telecaster for Fender’s Player Plus Sessions (in Patsy’s Cline’s “dream house,” no less) Dasher continues the climb. She’s been dubbed a Fender Next Artist, a CMT Next Woman of Country, a MusicRow Next Big Thing; and is the only country artist to appear on PEOPLE Magazine’s “2023 Summer Emerging Artists” list.

Often compared to a “brunette Dolly Parton,” (she’s set to play the Dollywood Theater in October) Dasher draws elements beyond the big hair and curvaceous figure, with grit and splash of southern rock — she fits in both honkey tonks and arena halls — feeling just as natural amongst the crowds for ZZ Top or backstage at Lynyrd Skynyrd.

But it’s hard to ignore the Reba flair or a certain sonic kinship to the Judds — Dasher actually makes Naomi Judd’s “Chocolate Delight” recipe in a video in the “Stand By Your Pan” cooking series that garnered her nickname as “TikTok’s Minnie Pearl” in the New York Times .

She’s still cooking — eats and skits — including her latest prank call session with the equally hilarious “Hillbilly Pygmalion” (fellow Nashvillian, vocalist, and comedian) Andi Marie, wherein the pair call up new flames of ex-boyfriends and converse a setup into the vocal punchline: the title of Dasher’s upcoming single “(I’m The One That Taught Him) That Thing You Like,” out July 28.

With a smidge of raunch, an Alan Jackson ringtone, and allusions to Willy Wonka roleplay, it’s a fitting promo to Dasher’s trademark firecracker nature and wisecracking style. Exuding confidence over heartbreak, “That Thing You Like” is a return to form from the uncharacteristic vulnerability of her previous single “Ugly Houses.”

Highlighting a different dimension of her craft, “Ugly Houses” turns inspiration from those old roadside signs into a poignant metaphor for personal renovation — the “restoration and fixing-up that all humans need from time to time.”

Dasher filmed part of the video in her real-life home — which is curated with as much vintage pizzaz as her wardrobe — the spruced-up duds and digs perhaps purchased with cash referenced in the album’s first single: “Cryin’ All The Way To The Bank.”

Taking the broke outta heartbreak, the track offers a serving of Dasher’s outspoken approach — comedic and candid — as the song “looks at the silver lining of a classic country cheating story. A divorce-turned-pay day.”

Co-written with Benjy Davis (Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson) and Dave Turnbull (Luke Combs, Blake Shelton), “Cryin’ All The Way To The Bank” puts forth a “take him for all he’s worth’ payback anthem.” In the video, Dasher dries her

eyes with cash rather than spill tears in beers. “It was one of those hooks that kinda fell out of the sky, and it was too obvious,” Dasher said of the songwriting process. “I can’t believe no one else had ever written it before. It was kinda my ‘Buy Me a Boat’ or my ‘Beer Never Broke My Heart.’ It had that kind of an energy to it as we were writing it.”

And Dasher is building on those energies on her upcoming album “The Other Damn Half,” serving as a follow-up to her 2021 release, “The Half Record.” Both of which she’s trucking around on her “The Tall Boy Tour,” which rolls into Steel Hands on August 3, as part of their “Nashville Nights” series of free shows running every Thursday through August 10.

Hosted by Michael Haney, the series showcases a different Nashville-based artist every Thursday, starting at 6 p.m. The next session features Zoe Cummins on July 27. Dasher is on August 3. Johnny & Heidi Bulford will close the season on August 10.

Hannah Dasher’s new single, “(I’m The One That Taught Him) That Thing You Like,” comes out July 28. Her forthcoming album, “The Other Damn Half” is due later this year. !

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.

Katei Cranford

Contributor

PHOTOS BY KYLIE REBECCA

ASHEBORO

Four SaintS BrEwing

218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722

www.foursaintsbrewing.com

thursdays: taproom trivia

Fridays: Music Bingo

Jul 29: the Dave and tim Experience

aug 12: Lg Hoover

aug 19: william nesmith

CARBORRO

Cat’S CraDLE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053

www.catscradle.com

Jul 27: School of rock allStars

Jul 27: altin gun

Jul 27: the Drums

Jul 28: Jesse Fox

Jul 30: wish Queen, Megabitch, Holly overton

Jul 31: google Dolls, Soup Dreams, Persimmon

aug 1: Julia Jacklin

aug 2: late night drive home

aug 3: nikki Lane

aug 4: Pipe record

aug 5: alexa rose

aug 6: Shakey graves

aug 7: tessa Violet

aug 10: alesana

aug 11: rod abernethy, rebekah

todd

aug 12: Caique Vidal + tambien

CHARlOttE

BoJangLES CoLiSEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600

www.boplex.com

aug 5: indian idol

aug 11: Phil wickham & Brandon

Lake

aug 12: Marca MP

aug 20: Matute

aug 27: Bronco

tHE FiLLMorE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970

www.livenation.com

Jul 28: BixXthaPlug

Jul 28: a Flock of Seagulls & Strangelove

Jul 30: Joeyy

aug 5: Kari Faux

aug 10: Parliament Funkadelic ft. george Clinton

aug 11: toosii

aug 12: Death grips

PnC MuSiC PaViLion

707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292

www.livenation.com

Jul 28: Jodeci, SwV & Dru Hill

Jul 29: Post Malone

Jul 30: Lil Durk, Kodak Black & nLE Choppa

Jul 31: Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin & Jinjer

aug 6: Bret Michaels

aug 8: Snoop Dogg, wiz Khalifa & too Short

aug 9: Foreigner & Loverboy

aug 10: Jason aldean, Mitchell

tenpenny, Corey Kent & Dee Jay Silver

aug 11: gov’t Mule

SPECtruM CEntEr

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000

www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com

aug 6: Moneybagg Yo

aug 29: guns n’ roses

duRHAm

DPaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

Jul 29: Ladies r&B Kickback Concert

aug 4: the rocket Man Show

aug 5: Johnny Mathis

aug 9: Lyle Lovett and his Large Band

aug 14: glen Hansard and Marketa

irglova

aug 15: Brit Floyd

aug 17-18: Leanne Morgan

aug 19: arrival From Sweden

ElKIN

rEEVES tHEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240

www.reevestheater.com

wednesdays: reeves open Mic

Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam

Jul 28: town Mountain

aug 4: Cristina Vane

aug 5: the waybacks

aug 11: Clay Melton

aug 12: Blue Dogs

aug 19: abigail Dowd and Bill west

gREENSBORO

Barn DinnEr tHEatrE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211

www.barndinner.com

Jul 29- Sep 9: Peace Like a river

CaroLina tHEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605

www.carolinatheatre.com

Jul 29: the SongBird raven

aug 10: Mary Chapin Carpenter

aug 19: Elijah rosario

CHar Bar no. 7 3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555 www.charbar7.com

Jul 27: Darrell Hoots

CoMEDY ZonE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034

www.thecomedyzone.com

Jul 28-29: Dominique

aug 1: Jason Cherry

aug 8: Kevin James thornton

aug 11-12: Jess Hilarious

aug 18-20: gary owen

JULY 26: CONTACT: Electronic. Art. Dance ft. Brennan Fowler, Brydecisive, Axnt + more

JULY 28: Turkey Buzzards

JULY 29: Grady Spencer & The Work

JULY 30: Meltdown Rodeo

+ Blue Cactus

AUG 1: Abigail Dowd, Lyn Koonce, + Jane Kramer

AUG 2: Abe Partridge + David Childers

AUG 3: Dark Moon Hollow

AUG 4: Grey Oakes w/ White Toledo

AUG 5: Drew Foust’s Wheelhouse

w/ Joel Henry & Friends

HOURS: Tues-Fri: 3pm-unTil saT & sun 12pm-unTil 221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967 www.flatirongso.com

GaraGE TavErn

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020

www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreens-

boro

Jul 27: The Good Watts

Jul 28: Wristband

Jul 29: Swamp roots Band

aug 11: Southside Saints

GrEEnSBoro ColiSEum

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Jul 30: The Chicks

aug 19: Gerardo ortiz + El Yaki

HanGar 1819

1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480

www.hangar1819.com

Jul 26: montana of 300

Jul 27: Hail The Sun

Jul 28: Emo night Brooklyn

Jul 30: Havoc & Toxic Holocaust

aug 5: arrows in action

STEvEn TanGEr CEnTEr

300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500

www.tangercenter.com

aug 4: riders in the Sky

aug 5: Fortune Feimster

aug 12: Brit Foyd

WHiTE oak

ampiTHEaTrE

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Jul 30: Summer Block party SWv & Dru Hill

aug 2: Goo Goo Dolls with o.a.r.

high point

HiGH poinT THEaTrE

220 E Commerce Ave | 336.883.3401

www.highpointtheatre.com

Jul 29: Comedian Henry Cho

jamestown

THE DECk

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999

Jul 27: Dan miller

Jul 28: no strings attatched

Jul 29: Stone parker Band

aug 3: kelsey Hurley

aug 4: retro vinyl

aug 5: Brother pearl

liberty THE liBErTY SHoWCaSE THEaTEr

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844

www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

aug 5: Deana Carter

aug 12: T.G. Sheppard

aug 18-19: Gene Watson

oak ridge

BiSTro 150

2205 Oak Ridge Rd | 336.643.6359

www.bistro150.com

Jul 29: limited Engagement

aug 5: Elena m

aug 12: Barefoot modern acoustic

raleigh

CCu muSiC park

aT WalnuT CrEEk

3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111

www.livenation.com

aug 4: Eric Church

aug 5: Slightly Stoopid and Subline with rome wsg atmosphere, The movement

pnC arEna

1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300

www.thepncarena.com

aug 1: Sam Smith

winston-salem

FiDDlin’ FiSH

BrEWinG CompanY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945

www.fiddlinfish.com

Tuesdays: Trivia

Jul 28: relay relay

FooTHillS BrEWinG

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348

www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz

Thursdays: Trivia

Jul 28: andrew Wakefield

Jul 29: Dustin York

Jul 30: Taylor mason

THE ramkaT

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714

Jul 26: kyle Caudle & Timberline, anna Hudson

Jul 27: Jeese Fox, ryan Johnson

Jul 28: Daniel Justin Smith

Jul 31: Between The Buried and me: The parallax ii Tour

roar

633 North Liberty Street | 336-917-3008

www.roarws.com | www.roarbrandstheater.

com

Jul 29: Silk Groove

WiSE man BrEWinG

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008

www.wisemanbrewing.com

Thursdays: music Bingo

Jul 28: Clay Johnson & The Hard

promises

Jul 29: Summertime live: parking lot parties

Band Schedule

JULY

AUGUST

PlantFest 2023

7.20.23 | NewGarden Landscaping & Nursery | Greensboro

hot pour

PRESENTS

NAME: Chloe Lee

BAR: Bites and Pints Gastro Pub

AGE: 26

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Stoneville, NC

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

5 years

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

At my previous place of employment I asked to move up to bartender and that’s all she wrote!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

I love taking care of people. Making them smile when they’ve had a crappy day. Also, the money ain’t too shabby!

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?

Honestly, accommodating customers who have zero respect for this industry.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

I love creating my own drinks. I made a couple for our cocktail menu at Bites. My favorite is Island Time.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

Rumple Minze and a good ole Cosmopolitan.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

A Key Lime Pie Martini, a good dessert drink.

WHAT’S THE STRANGEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?

It wasn’t when I was bartending, it’s when I was serving. I got asked to make a chocolate buttermilk. Disgusting.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING?

A man tried to throw a chair into the glass doors. Some people just shouldn’t drink whiskey.

WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE FOUND IN A BAR BATHROOM?

A used condom. LOL

WHAT’S THE BEST/BIGGEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? $400. I’ll never forget it.

[BARTENDER OF THE WEEK | BY NATALIE GARCIA] Check out videos on our Facebook!

Fifi Rodriguez

[1. THEATER: Which group composed the rock opera “Tommy”?

[2. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is Mount Everest located?

[3. LITERATURE: Which novel contains the line, “Big Brother is watching you”?

[4. HISTORY: Who was the second president of the United States?

[5. WEATHER: What is a cloud shaped like a flying saucer called?

[6. TELEVISION: Which TV comedy features a character named Opie Taylor?

[7. MOVIES: What is the name of Argus Filch’s cat in the Harry Potter series?

[8. MATH: What is the only even prime number?

[9. MEDICAL: What is the common name for the ailment called dysphonia?

[10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many stages are in a butterfly’s life cycle?

answer

8. Two. 9.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

5. A lenticular cloud.

4. John Adams.

3. “1984” by George Orwell.

2. Nepal.

1. The Who.

SALOME’S STARS]

Week of July 31, 2023

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A change that you hoped for is coming down the line, but you still need to be patient until more explanations are forthcoming. Continue to keep your enthusiasm in check.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your social life expands as new friends come into your life. But while you’re having fun, your practical side also sees some positive business potential within your new circle.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your workplace situation continues to improve, but look for advantages you might have missed while changes were going on around you. A trusted colleague can help.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Resist the urge to hunker down in your bunker until things ease up. Instead, get rid of that woe-is-me attitude by getting up and getting out to meet old friends and make new ones.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Now that you’re back enjoying the spotlight again, you should feel re-energized and ready to take on the challenge of bringing those big,

bold plans of yours to completion.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A former friend would like to repair a relationship you two once enjoyed. Your positive response could have an equally positive impact on your life. Think about it.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Resist making impulsive decisions. Stay on that steady course as you continue to work out workplace problems. Be patient. All will soon be back in balance.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might feel confident about taking a promising o er, but continue to be alert for what you’re not being told about it. Don’t fret. Time is on your side.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) People dear to you might be planning a way to show appreciation for all that you’ve done for them. Accept the honor graciously. Remember, you deserve it.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Congratulations. Your selfconfidence is on the rise. This could be a

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6. The Andy Gri th Show.

7. Mrs. Norris.

Hoarseness.

10. Four (egg, larva, pupa and adult).

good time to tackle those bothersome situations you’ve avoided both at home and at work.

[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) You feel obligated to return a favor. (Of course, you do.) But heed advice from those close to you, and do nothing until you know for sure what’s being asked of you.

[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) Your loving reassurance helped revive a once-moribund relationship. But be wary of someone who might try to do something negative to reverse this positive turn of events.

[BorN THIs week: You are a wonderful leader who can foster community and bring people together to form long-lasting relationships.

© 2023 by King Features Syndicate

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