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3 It’s in that “a-Poe-priate” spirit that, at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, “ POE ON THE ROCKS” will be presented at Joyner’s Bar, 854 W. Fourth Street, Winston-Salem.
4 Laden with flashbacks and sprinkled with grue, the low-rent shocker HEALING TOWERS is something of a modern-day riff on the 1920 classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari in that it details extremely unorthodox treatments conducted by best-selling self-help author and self-styled genius Dr. Mark Healer
6 What kind of guy never loses his temper, has an impish smile, and gives 110% to everything he does? There’s just no one like that…except Jack Hilliard.
7 April’s shower of festivals and MUSIC EVENTS keeps flowing — blooming like flowers for Triad music lover’s bouquet.
8 John Coltrane’s artistic legacy will be celebrated in the 2nd Annual TRANE TRACKS Jazz Concert, which takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. in High Point’s Washington Terrace Park at 101 Gordon St. on Sunday, April 27.
9 PRIDE WINSTON-SALEM is excited to announce the Grand Marshal for the Pride Winston-Salem Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Pride WinstonSalem has been producing the annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Festival and Parade since 2013.
11 SPRING FURNITURE MARKET runs April 26-30. For our out-of-town visitors, here is a Triad Restaurant Guide. The list below is selected for ambiance as well as food.
“Poe on the Rocks” is Edgar Allan Poe – with a twist
To this day, the very name of Edgar Allan Poe (1809’49) conjures up fear, fascination, and even idolatry, as much for his classic works of literature as for his strange and tragic life, rife with countless mysteries forever enshrouding his legacy and entombed with his remains in Baltimore. Millions the world over still revere him to this day, due in large part to various adaptations and interpretations of his work on stage, screen, television — and beyond. The spirit of Poe is truly immortal.
And it’s in that “a-Poe-priate” spirit that, at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, “Poe on the Rocks” will be presented at Joyner’s Bar, 854 W. Fourth Street, WinstonSalem. Tickets are $20 and are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ nc--winston-salem/poe-on-the-rocks/ Given Poe’s well-publicized penchant for spirits and as this event is subtitled “An intimate ‘Drunken Poe’ experience,” it is recommended for ages 21 and up. “Poe on the Rocks” was conceived by actor/directors Jim McKeny and Mark March, long-time friends and colleagues, and the presentation features them along with Gait Jordan, Christine Gorelick, Jessica Ann Perry, and Matthew Cravey, who acts as doorman/ greeter for the event.
“It was actually Karane Alexander, the bar manager at Joyner’s Bar, who approached Mark about doing a ‘drunken-style’ theater event,” McKeny explained. “Mark brought me into the mix and Karane, a huge Poe fan, suggested to us a ‘Drunken Poe’ night. I asked Mark ‘What should we call it?’ and without missing a beat he said ‘Poe on the Rocks’ — that was the genesis of it. We tossed some ideas around with Karane and she loved it. Mark and I went through Poe’s poetry and prose and selected about a dozen pieces, and I started writing a script.
“It’s essentially Reader’s Theater but the cast does, at times, move amongst
the audience members. In fact, Joyner’s Bar has a couple of gift cards for the two best Poe-themed costumes. The two ‘best-dressed winners’ will also be brought on stage to share in the reading of the finale, which is suitably ‘The Raven.’”
The actors in ‘Poe on the Rocks’ are all old friends, having worked together at the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem over the years. “It was remarkably easy to get them interested,” McKeny said. “Firstly, it’s Poe — come on, right? And secondly, it’s ‘Drunken Poe.’” (The actors will not be dressed as Poe but will, appropriately, be clad in black.)
“Jim reached out to me with the plan, and it sounded like fun, so I couldn’t resist,” said Gorelick. “I have done many corporate events and murder/mysterytype evenings, albeit not with a drink in hand, so the idea was not hard to grasp. It sounded like a fun opportunity, and since we’ll be reading the stories there’s not really much memorization required, which makes the rehearsal period much shorter.”
Like McKeny, Gorelick is an acknowledged devotee of Edgar Allan Poe. “When Jim asked me, I said it would take me back to my ninth-grade Forensics Competition when I won first place for a dramatic reading of ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’!” she said. “But ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ has always stuck with me, as has ‘The Raven,’ and I’m sure I saw Vincent Price in many of the movies
that were adapted from his stories, which I’ve read. I’ve even sung choral renditions of ‘Annabelle Lee.’”
More than 175 years since he departed this mortal coil, why does Poe’s work endure?
“Perhaps because his poems and stories really touch on the human condition — our frailties, jealousies, desires, regrets, and our wild and sometimes macabre imaginations,” Gorelick said. “We all seem to like creepy, scary, spine-tingling stuff, and he provides it. His rather tragic life and death also make him an object fascination. I guess we need only to look at the fact that someone still leaves a rose and a bottle every year at his grave on the anniversary of his death to show how much of an influence he’s had.”
“Most of my exposure to Mr. Poe was through school English classes and Roger Corman’s beautifully cheesy American International classics like
‘ Pit and the Pendulum,’ ‘The Masque of the Red Death ,’ and, of course, ‘ The Raven ,’” McKeny said. “At times, Poe can be a little pretentious and full of himself. But he was such a tragic figure and unlike anyone before or since, he was able to capture our collective fascination for pathos. He was the ‘OK Goth,’ right? While ‘Poe on the Rock’ does hit those notes, we’ve added some humor, and, if the audience plays along with us, being a bit tipsy should make for something interesting!”
“I think folks who attend will be anticipating a fun, immersive, and interactive evening,” Gorelick said, “and I hope we provide it and entertain, and maybe even educate them, along the way.”
Healing Towers: When dream therapy becomes a nightmare
Laden with flashbacks and sprinkled with grue, the low-rent shocker Healing Towers is something of a modern-day riff on the 1920 classic
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari in that it details extremely unorthodox treatments conducted by best-selling self-help author and selfstyled genius Dr. Mark Healer (William McNamara) at his titular apartment complex in Los Angeles.
The not-so-good (and quite deranged) doctor uses dream therapy to treat his patients, whom he’s picked up from the streets and promptly ensconced in his lair. They are forced to confront their fears and those who have wronged them, personified by those hapless souls unwise enough to volunteer for Healer’s program, who invariably come to bad (and bloody) ends at the hands of the patients.
All of this might have made for an entertaining schlock B-movie, but writer/producer/editor/director Shuja Paul is unable to conjure up the necessary surreal mood to make it work. Instead, Healing Towers is sub-standard genre fare, albeit with a few points of mild interest. McNamara, who enjoyed some high-profile roles early in his screen career — Stealing Home (1988), Peter Bogdanovich’s Texasville (1990), and Dennis Hopper’s Chasers (1994) — has his biggest role in a long while and takes full advantage of it. Whether he’s dispensing pseudo-scientific mumbojumbo or sipping coffee from a mug that reads “Trust me, I’m a doctor,” the actor’s sly line readings push the film into black-comedy territory, which is probably where it belongs since the horror and suspense elements are strictly old-hat.
Top-billed Andrew Keegan plays
resident hero Joe Coolridge, the typical burned-out detective — replete with an astonishingly expensive home — still grieving over the death of his wife and subsequent disappearance of his daughter. Might his daughter somehow have gotten mixed up with mad Dr. Healer? Joe’s ponderous investigation is aided by Julia Carlar (Nikki Leigh), whose roommate Darlene (Meghan Carrasquillo) has recently gone missing herself. Not surprisingly, Joe and Julia find time for a little romance. Better the film had stayed focused on Dr. Healer’s antics than needless melodrama.
In addition to McNamara, there’s good work from Andrew Johnson as Healer’s creepy caretaker Richard and Ava Westcott as the flirty Nurse Grace, while Puja himself shows up as Joe’s weary but supportive boss. Despite a cool title, McNamara’s manic turn, and some intriguing (but underdeveloped) ideas, it’s not enough to warrant a visit to Healing Towers
— Healing Towers is available On Digital and On Demand. !
[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY PERFORMS FAMOUS VERDI “REQUIEM”
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING AT-GRADE RAILROAD CROSSING CLOSURE ON DORIS STREET IN WINSTON-SALEM, FORSYTH COUNTY
PROJECT NO RC-2009A
WINSTON-SALEM - The public is invited to a meeting with the N.C. Department of Transportation to discuss the proposal to close the existing at-grade railroad crossing on Doris Street in Forsyth County.
The open-house public meeting will be held on Apr. 22 at Ibraham Elementary School, 5036 Old Walkertown Road in Winston-Salem. The public is invited to attend at any time between 5-7 p.m. There will be no formal presentation.
On April 26 and 27, the WinstonSalem Symphony, Symphony Chorus, and four world-class operatic soloists will bring one of classical music’s most stirring masterpieces to the concert stage — Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem” — in the resonant setting of Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University. This performance promises to be a transformative experience, fusing Verdi’s operatic intensity with the spitirtual harmony of sacred music.
Composed in 1874 to honor the memory of Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, Verdi’s “Requiem” stands as a profound meditation on life, death, and redemption. Though written as a liturgical mass for the dead, the work is often described as “opera in ecclesiastical dress.” It is deeply theatrical, emotionally charged, and demanding for the orchestra, the choir, and the soloists. Rather than adopting a solemn or subdued tone throughout, Verdi paints a vivid emotional landscape, ranging from hushed reverence to explosive drama.
The “Requiem” opens with the gentle “Requiem aeternam,” but soon plunges into the thundering “Dies Irae,” a movement so intense it has become a cultural shorthand for divine judgment. Throughout the work, Verdi uses every tool at his disposal — soaring melodies, striking contrasts, and intricate vocal interplay — to convey the human
experience in the face of mortality. The soprano and mezzo-soprano duets (sung by Othalie Graham and Raehann Bryce-Davis), the powerful choral outbursts, and the almost unbearable tension of the “Libera me” all contribute to the emotional gravity of the piece. Bringing Verdi’s vision to fruition requires not only technical excellence but also deep emotional insight. Music director Michelle Merrill said, “from the beginning to the end of Verdi’s ‘Requiem,’ you’re going to have spiritual contemplation, you’re going to have that powerful music … that energy … but you’re also going have those tender moments like in the Agnus Dei.”
The historic and acoustically rich setting of Wait Chapel adds another dimension, enveloping the audience in the music’s power and intimacy. For those in attendance, this will not merely be a concert — it will be an immersive spiritual and artistic experience that underscores the communal nature of the “Requiem,” a work that is ultimately about shared human encounters — grief, hope, and transcendence.
Whether you are a seasoned lover of classical music or a newcomer to Verdi’s world, this performance o ers a rare opportunity to engage with one of the most powerful choral works ever composed. More than 150 years after it was written, Verdi’s “Requiem” continues to move audiences with its passion, power, and profound humanity. Don’t miss this chance to witness its magic, right here in Winston-Salem. !
Project details including maps can be found on the NCDOT project web page: Ncdot.publicinput.com/Doris-Street-Railroad.
This information will be available at the meeting, allowing for one-on-one discussions with engineers.
Comments may also be submitted on the project webpage, by phone at 984-205-6615 (project code 11155), email at DorisStreet-Railroad@publicinput.com, or mail to the address shown below by May 22
By Mail: Brian Gackstetter Engineering Coordination Manager
NCDOT Rail Division 1556 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Alecia Hardy, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1598, 919707-6072 or ext-arhardy@ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.
Those who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon prior request by calling 1-800-481-6494.
Aquellas personas no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494.
SUBMITTED BY BRIANNA CANTWELL Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County
“He’s just the nicest guy.” It’s a phrase we’ve all used at one time or another to describe someone we know. In truth, though, it’s a rather disingenuous superlative. After all, who could actually be that nice? Who could have a positive attitude all of the time, is a good listener, and treats everyone with respect? What kind of guy never loses his temper, has an impish smile, and gives 110% to everything he does? There’s just no one like that…except Jack Hilliard. I first met Jack 51 years ago when I was hired to work on his studio produc-
tion crew at WFMY-TV. I was excited to be working in television, and I wanted to do a good job for Jack, whether I was sweeping floors, operating a camera, or loading graphics. And, I wasn’t alone. Everyone who worked with Jack wanted to please him, because we liked and respected him. He could tell you what to do without yelling or talking down to you, and that just made us all work that much harder. Funny thing, but I never asked Jack how old he was. I knew there was an age di erence between us, but he always had so much energy that I figured he was some sort of Peter Pan-like character who would live forever. Sadly, forever came too soon. Jack died on April 10 after a brief illness. He was 85. Kenneth Jackson Hilliard, Jr. was born in Asheboro, attended Asheboro High School, and graduated from UNC, so it is understandable that his all-time sports hero was Carolina football stand-out Charlie Choo Choo Justice who went on
to play for the Washington Redskins (naturally Jack’s favorite NFL team). When I worked with Jack he had not yet met the love of his life, Marla. Back then he was a confirmed bachelor who scooted around town in a sporty black Pontiac Firebird and was best buds with his dog Tom Tom.
Jack worked for WFMY for over 40 years, the latter 15 of which were spent as producer/director of the Good Morning Show . However, in the early 1970’s our production team worked the night shift, which meant taping The Old Rebel Show in the afternoon and doing newscasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. In those days Jack was a technical director and punching live news shows was a pressure cooker job. Unlike today when digital technology and computers can be programmed and store all sorts of information, Jack had to juggle multiple sources every single second, coordinating news packages that had been shot on film, sports and weather graphics that were being updated by the minute, and doing all that while timing every element to the exact frame so that viewers saw a seamless presentation. Not just anybody could do what Jack did and stay calm while doing it. I’ve worked with lots of directors over the past five decades, and in the “old” days of television, most of them yelled, screamed, and used foul language when calling out instructions over the headset. Not Jack. No matter how many balls he was juggling during a half-hour newscast, he never raised his voice once and never chastised the
crew if we made a mistake.
Of course, we also worked on less stressful projects together like the special program I produced and hosted with Red Skelton which Jack directed, and the bicentennial documentary he helped me with. But whether I was running the camera, doing the late-night weather, or interviewing celebrities, Jack was always there to support me. Those of us lucky enough to be on Jack’s crew were a family, even away from the studio. For example, between news shows, we would go out to dinner at Stamey’s BBQ or Libby Hill, and after we wrapped up the 11 o’clock show, we would often go grab breakfast at IHOP, play night tennis, or journey up to the client viewing area and load up an old film. We all loved what we were doing, and we loved doing it under Jack’s guidance.
In the years since then, Jack and I would meet for lunch, talk by phone, and email each other, but not often enough, and that is something I deeply regret. I didn’t know he had been sick and so I was shocked to hear that my ageless friend had passed away. Jack was a friend and a mentor, and if anyone ever asks me to describe him, I’ll say without hesitation or exaggeration, “Jack Hilliard was just the nicest guy.” !
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+.
Jim Longworth
Longworth at Large
Jim Longworth with documentary producers Jack Hilliard, Bill Gordon, and Tim Auman, working on a Bicentennial special titled So You Think You Know the Constitution.
April’s shower of festivals and music events keeps flowing — blooming like flowers for Triad music lover’s bouquet.
Starting from day one: it’s a flurry of a festival fair. Monstercade’s own Bocanegra will head to Local 506 in Chapel Hill (along with Find Out, Ancestor Piratas, and DJ Sylverfish) for the Migrant Fest: Music Without Borders showcase on May 1.
Over in Pittsboro, Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance makes its 21st annual spring return, May 1-4. Donna the Bu alo once again herds the headliners that include Los Lobos and the California Honeydrops. Triad folks can catch hometown favorites like Sam Fribush, Je Little, Joe Troop’s Truth Machine, Demeanor, and Tyler Dodson in the tents and on the stages.
Down in Charlotte, Lovin’ Life brings major stages and players to the Queen City, May 2-4. Artists like Third Eye Blind, Weezer, and Dave Matthews Band dot the stages; along with a block for Petey Pablo, DJ Jazzy Je , and Ludacris. But there’s also the Carolina Ascent Local Stage, dedicated to North Carolina bands worth raising up (like Modern Moxie featuring High Point native, Harry Kollm).
Slightly further south in Shelby, it’s a whole di erent vibe at the 4th annual Fish Pickin’ on Old North Farm that serves to highlight culinary arts and award-winning chefs through “an afternoon of live-fire cooking, fellowship with foodie friends,” and for 2025: blissed out beats from DJ Uymami.
In the Triad, the first weekend of May is folly in Kernersville as the Spring Folly takes over downtown K-Vegas, May 2 and 3, with food, fresh murals, and a brand new East Mountain Street Stage (featuring UBU on Friday and Cole Brown & Co., Tatum Scott, plus an ensemble of local church bands on Saturday). Camel City Yacht Club and Legacy Motown Revue offer up the Friday Main Stage attractions; followed by a Saturday schedule featur-
Spring festivals in full bloom
ing the Kernersville Dance Company, The Megan Doss Band, and The OG’s.
In Winston-Salem, Out of the Shadows returns to Incendiary Brewing Company’s coal pit on May 3. Salem Smoke, Walker and Snow from Camel City Blues, Folkknot, Barefoot Modern, and KillerAntz are on the bill for the festival’s fourth annual installment aimed at shining a light on local musicians and showcasing the talent in the Triad.
Meanwhile, the first weekend in May is a whole weekend a air in Greensboro, with the grand opening celebration for the Guitar Shop O Elm (108 Bain St.) slated for First Friday. On Saturday, the second installment of the First Saturday” block party series in Hamburger Square gets underway. Hosted by a cohort of folks from Design Archives, Little Brother Brewing, Natty Greene’s Brewing, Chandler’s, Acme Comics, and Grey’s Tavern who hope to illustrate just how hot the block can get — heroically so for the special “Free Comic Book Day” edition on May 3. Wristband will be rocking the stage a little further south along South Elm Street at SouthEnd’s annual Mayfest event; and the annual Food Truck Festival rolls into downtown on May 4 for any hungry heroes hanging around.
Heading into Mother’s Day Weekend, Casual Campout returns to Lakeside Retreats in Raleigh, May 9-11, for a blend of music community and adventure — it’s a vibe, with an eclectic mix from electronic artists like Brennan Fowler to the alternative and jam of bands like Big Something, the Motet, The Nth Power, Keith Allen, Casey & the Comrades, Red Panda and Jacoozy (joined by Ranford Almond). Toubab Krewe is set for a special late-night set; along with other night owl activities from the Rainbow Rave crew and special art peninsula activities from Julian Sizemore and Alo Ver.
Around the Triad, WFDD will host its annual Spring Fling on May 10 at Camp Weaver in Southeast Greensboro, with a special live taping of the Martha Bassett show (featuring The Biscuit Eaters, Finn Phoenix and The Firebirds, and Detective Blind), along with an array of family activities including crafts, hayrides, face painting, and exciting door prizes.
In High Point, the inaugural N.C. Wine & Jazz Festival is set for May 10 in Oak Hollow Park, o ering an afternoon of ex-
ceptional wines paired with the sophisticated jazz of Paul Taylor, Marcus Johnson, Garry Percell, Rhonda Thomas, and Cindy Bradley. And in Winston-Salem, Old Crow Medicine Show headlines the 2025 edition of SummerLark (the annual benefit concert supporting the Cancer Patient Support Program at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital), May 10, in Bailey Park.
The fundraising spirit carries over into the next weekend, across all reaches of the Piedmont. In the south, Femme Fest CLT takes over the Milestone in Charlotte, May 16-17, for its second-annual festival showcasing women and femme-presenting artists, with 100 percent of proceeds going to area charities. Girl Brutal, With Haste!, Fantøme, The Maxines, and Leaving for Arizona are on the Friday night bill. Saturday performers include: Modern Moxie, No Anger Control, Y’All’Re, Emmalea Deal & The Hot Mess, and Annie Dukes.
To the east, the Alamance County Farm Bureau will present Gipsy Danger’s Farm Fest, May 17, at the Cadillac Ranch in Green Level. The annual benefit concert will feature Gipsy Danger, Back Porch Orchestra, Mason Lovette Band, Punch The Bear, and The Possum Zombies; with proceeds helping support farmland preservation in Alamance County and Farm Bureau’s AG in the classroom.
To the west, it’s all paws on deck for Woofstock, May 17, at Koren Farms in Mocksville. Dogs are welcome at the celebration benefiting the Davie County Humane Society, with music from Ledneck, Spindle 45, and Couldn’t Be Happiers.
Moving to the middle: the Randolph County Public Libraries’ Comic Con and Renaissance Fair also goes to the dogs, on May 17, at the Archdale Public Library; with Ru Love Rescue and Randolph County Animal Services among the featured guests of knights, magicians, and a courier of comic books and activities.
And in Greensboro, the 8th annual ALSapalooza event goes down, May 17, at the Continental Club. Music from JohnnyO and the Jump Out Boys, The Mighty Fairlanes, Big Bump and the Stun Gunz, and Eric Hunsucker sweeten the pot, along with a silent auction, all benefiting ALS United North Carolina. Over in Pleasant Garden, the 26th Annual Pickin’ in the Park will take place at Hagen Stone
Park, May 17; with High Lonesome Strings bringing together fine purveyors of the bluegrass tradition.
Switching gears, Artsplosure, the Raleigh Arts Festival returns to downtown Raleigh, May 17-18, with installations, markets, kid-friendly activities, and a bang-up schedule featuring the likes of Chatham Rabbits, Monsoon, Zack Mexico, Wilson Springs Hotel, and Tambem.
With Memorial Day skewing early, musicians and cyclists around WinstonSalem are gearing up for the return of Gears & Guitars to Innovation Quarter, May 23-24; with music from Switchfoot, the Old 97’s, Mipso, Hold Tone, Spindle 45, GoRyanGo, Mipso, and the Smyle Band.
Memorial Day Weekend goes to the squirrels in Brevard For the White Squirrel Weekend, May 23-25; with Red Clay Revival, Shovels & Rope, Holler Choir, Woody Platt & the Bluegrass Experience among the tops of the rootsy bill. Platt is also due to perform at the Carrboro Bluegrass Festival, on May 24, at the Cat’s Cradle; along with featured performers: Jim Lauderdale, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Graham Sharp, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Max Wareham, and the National Bluegrass Team.
In Sanford, it’s Carolina Indie Fest Weekend, May 24-25, with The Great Indoors, Droze and the Drift, Cli Wheeler Band, Derrick Drove and the Peacekeepers, Ur Mom, Lipbone Redding, Nor’Easter, Tippers and Pipes, La Unica, Peter Rabbit, and Heavy Denim bringing the hits to Hugger Mugger Brewing. !
KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.
Katei Cranford
Contributor
spread Trane Tracks celebrates local background of Jazz legend
Many Triad
residents don’t know that one of the 20th Century’s most celebrated musicians grew up here.
The legendary jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader John Coltrane, whose 1965 “A Love Supreme” is considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time, was born in Hamlet in 1926, but spent the first 17 years of his life in High Point, primarily residing at 118 Underhill St. in the Blair Coltrane house built by his grandfather, Rev. Wilson Blair.
His artistic legacy will be celebrated in the 2nd Annual Trane Tracks Jazz Concert, which takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. in High Point’s Washington Terrace
Park at 101 Gordon St. on Sunday, April 27. Hosted by local historian Phyllis Bridges and sponsored by Yalik’s African American Art and Cultural Movement, Trane Tracks was organized by Bridges, award-winning musician Wally West, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Collections Specialist Tori Hinshaw.
Jazz Quintet. We really wanted to focus on two local student bands because Coltrane was a student at William Penn High School here in High Point. But we also have one non-student act, the Gate City Jazz Trio. Diana Tuffin will be singing with them and she is just absolutely stellar. So they will be closing out the show.”
“We’re so excited to be doing this for a second year,” Hinshaw told YES! Weekly . “Last year, our inaugural year, was a lot of fun, working with Phyllis and Wally.”
In 2024, as Hinshaw was earning a Master of Museum Studies at UNCG, she created Trane Trax as her capstone project.
“I initially connected with Phyllis and we brought Wally on to really pull this event together. Because I’m a music historian, I was really interested in a project that centered around local music history. So, I was very grateful to get connected to Phyllis and all the work she’s done trying to restore Coltrane’s home. She’s been working with the City of High Point and The Preservation Society to get that project underway.”
Hinshaw said that this year’s concert in High Point’s historic Washington Terrace Park will, like last year’s, feature three acts, with two composed of student musicians.
“We have the High Point University Jazz Ensemble and The UNCG
Hinshaw, who grew up playing classical piano, was in a jazz band as an undergraduate at Sewanee University in Tennessee.
“We played a lot of Coltrane and I just absolutely fell in love with him. I liked listening to his work, but once I started playing it in jazz bands, it brought a whole new perspective to me. He’s just truly one of the giants of not just jazz, but any genre. When I think of the best musicians that have ever lived, Coltrane is always towards the top of my mind. But I didn’t know that he was from North Carolina, so that’s a very exciting thing to learn!”
When she moved to Greensboro to enroll in the Museum Studies program, Hinshaw learned about North Carolina’s jazz history. “There’s a lot of it, particularly in the Triad, so that was a really exciting discovery and I was very lucky to get to highlight that as part of my project.”
Hinshaw finds that many people both here and elsewhere are unfamiliar with Coltrane’s local origins.
“At the Country Music Hall of Fame Archives in Nashville, I work with many music historians who are fans of Coltrane, but who had no idea he was from North Carolina until I mentioned
it on Facebook. That’s why we find it so important to do something fun like this to bring awareness to that history and to keep it local. I really believe in the power of place and where things happen, there’s still that energy, rooted in that history. So getting to host this event, playing jazz music in the park where he would’ve spent time in his formative years, is really essential and we’re really glad to host it there.”
While the concert is free, it is held in conjunction with the Blair Coltrane Trolley Tour, for which tickets can be purchased at the concert or via /ticketmetriad.com/events/blair-coltranetrolley-tour.
“The trolley is a new edition this year,” said Hinshaw. “Phyllis is really spearheading this and that will be going on throughout the day. She’ll drive you to all of those places like the park and house and go in depth about each location and Coltrane’s history in Underhill. It will be wonderful. Nobody knows more about this than Phyllis and she paints a wonderful picture. That will be going on throughout the day as well. We’re really excited about it. Like last year, we encourage people to visit the High Point Museum as well because they have various things about Coltrane for people who want to go even deeper into his history.” !
IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.
Ian McDowell
Contributor
Tori Hinshaw at UNCG in 2024.
Tori Hinshaw, Phyllis Bridges and Wally West at 2024 festival.
Pride Winston-Salem announces Pride Parade Grand Marshal
PRESS RELEASE
Pride Winston-Salem is excited to announce the Grand Marshal for the Pride WinstonSalem Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Pride Winston-Salem has been producing the annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Festival and Parade since 2013.
Congratulations to Jamie Lawson, artistic director of the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance. Jamie is well known in the LGBTQIA+ community for many years.
Jamie Lawson has been the Artistic Director of Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance for 24 years of its 41-year history. He has directed over 300 plays, musicals, and events in the Triad. When not Theatre Alliance-ing, he works at
Replacements, Ltd. He shouts out to his talented partner of 28 wonderful years, Gray Smith, for helping him make art a vital part of so many lives. Jamie is honored to serve as Grand Marshal for Pride Winston-Salem at this pivotal time in our LGBTQ history, when our voices need to be heard more than ever. He is committed to weaving our stories into an integral tapestry of the City of Arts and Innovation.
We look forward to seeing the community once again for the Pride WinstonSalem Festival & Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025. At this most important time in LGBTQIA+ history, join us in celebration of our community! !
Natalie Garcia
Chow down with John Batchelor for the Furniture Market
SBY JOHN BATCHELOR BY JOHN BATCHELOR
pring Furniture Market runs April 26-30. For our out-of-town visitors, here is a Triad Restaurant Guide. The list below is selected for ambiance as well as food. I have provided a few examples from recent menu postings, so you can get an idea of what to expect. Check online menus for up-to-date o erings. These capsules are organized by location. No ranking is implied or intended. If they are on this list, I recommend them. Note that additional recommendations appear online.
In Greensboro, let’s start downtown: I rank The Undercurrent (undercurrentrestaurant.com, 327 Battleground Avenue, 336-370-1266) among a handful of the best in the Triad. The ambiance is elegant without feeling stu y. This gets my top recommendation for Fried Oysters, or have them added to a spinach salad. Fried Cauliflower is interesting, too. Among the entrée, I gravitate toward Seared Skillet Salmon with herb cous cous, grilled asparagus, molasses-mustard glaze, topped with sesame-pistachio crumble; Duck Leg Confit with porcini gnocchi, grilled asparagus, butternut béchamel, beet chips, and tru e salt; Char Siu Pork Tenderloin with ginger jasmine rice, broccolini, sweet chili gastrique, and black garlic wontons. Don’t skip dessertget the Bread Pudding.
B.Christopher’s (bchristophers.com, 201 North Elm, 336-274-5900), “the classic American steakhouse,” serves all-natural foods, local when possible. Oysters Rockefeller blends butter and Parmesan cheese with spinach over oysters in the half shell. Crumbled pieces of bacon lend additional flavor. I especially like the Blackened Cajun Ribeye, coated with blackening spices that impart flavor but balance the beef flavor. Especially for this occasion, consider the Chateaubriand for Two. Roasted Free Range Chicken comes with garlic mashed potatoes, herbes de Provence, green beans, and honey. Seared Scallop Risotto is especially tasty, imbued with a mild smoky e ect from the wood grill, extended by Reggiano Parmesan cheese in creamy risotto. An extensive cocktail list is most welcome. Blue Denim (bluedenimgso.com, 217
South Elm Street, 336-676-5689) is all about flavor, a function of deep roots in Louisiana. Start with Crawfish Beignets with peppers, onions, and comeback sauce; Crispy Brussels Sprouts with a spicy-sweet Vietnamese sauce; battered and fried Crawfish Tails; or Duck Nachos, made with duck confit, roasted garlic aioli, buttermilk crema, chimichurri, and jalapenos, with tortilla chips. Move on to Shrimp and Grits with tasso-andouille cream sauce and shiitake mushrooms; Crawfish or Shrimp Etou ee’ with onions, peppers, garlic, in a Creole stew, over jasmine rice; Steak Frites made with USDA Prime N.Y. Strip, house cut fries, maitre d’hôtel butter, and Blue Denim’s own steak sauce; or Gumbo YaYa, hosting shrimp, chicken, and andouille sausage. White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Banana Pudding are essential.
The name Pangaea (pangaeabistro. com, 230 South Elm Street, 336-5799962) reflects the owners’ international culinary experiences. A lot of the menu is devoted to starters, small plates, and salads. Scallops Rockefeller is an interesting twist on a classic. Sweet Plantain Gnocchi is enhanced with Chorizo piperade, jalapeño gelle, and Manchego cheese snow (finely grated). For casual fare, my wife is especially fond of the Fish Tacos with coleslaw, spicy mayonnaise, and lime, in flour tortillas. Filipino Pork gets an adobo sauce, served over pu ed rice. Beef Kofta (grilled, on skewers) is treated with pomegranate demiglace, plus pearl onions, and citrus yogurt, with naan bread.
Cille and Scoe (cilleandscoe.com, 312 S. Elm Street, 336-522-6592) serves “Southern Redefined” cuisine. Get the Shrimp and Grits Cakes, made with Neese’s sausage along with the shrimp. Popcorn Cauliflower is decorated with Pecorino-Romano cheese, roasted garlic oil, tru e oil, and anchovy cream. Southern Egg Rolls are made with black-eyed peas, collards, sweet onions, garlic, and a sweet and spicy glaze. Short Ribs are braised, yielding exceptional tenderness, joined by au gratin potatoes, pan-dripping gravy, and crisp tobacco onions. First Date seems aptly named for Valentine’s, a beef filet first cooked sousvide to ensure exact temperature, then served with artisan mushrooms, broccolini, fried garlic, crispy leeks, and green
onion oil. Get down home with Chicken in Dumplings. The burger hearkens back to my teenage years, named Ode to the Castle, elevated by a brioche bun hosting hand-pattied chuck, aged white cheddar, lettuce, onion, pus Boar & Castle sauce. Still close to town, but a little farther out:
Café Pasta and Grille (cafepasta. com, 305 State Street, 336-272-1308) gets a solid recommendation for pasta, of course, but the menu o ers a wider range as well. Start with homemade Italian Sausage with roasted red peppers and caramelized onions. Breaded Three Cheese Ravioli are fried crisp, topped with marinara sauce. Firecracker Shrimp are pleasantly sweet-spicy. Among the pasta entrée, I hold their ricotta-based Lasagna in high esteem. South Beach is sprightly: scallops and artichoke hearts plus roasted red peppers in Parmesan cream sauce. I often get the Grilled Salmon here, blackened or almondcrusted. It normally comes with fresh vegetables and roasted potatoes, but I special order spinach instead of potatoes to hold down carbs and calories. The Chicken Piccata comes with spinach, a good complement to the lemon-butter flavors. The cheesecake here is unique.
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen (lucky32. com, 1421 Westover Terrace, 336-3700707) is the standalone restaurant from the same corporate family that also owns Print Works Bistro (printworksbistro.com, 702 Green Valley Road, 336-3790699) and Green Valley Grill (greenvalleygrill.com, 622 Green Valley Road, 336-854-2015) — also highly recommended, although reservations are likely to be di cult by now. At Lucky 32, Deep Grits illustrates the Southern concept,
with country ham, Texas Pete hot sauce, and onions, as does Pimiento Cheese Dip with fried pork cracklins. The Chicken entrée is skillet fried, with ham hock collards, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cornbread. Catfish is cornmeal-crusted and fried, served with grits, coleslaw, green beans, and Creole mayonnaise. Moving out Friendly Road: At the upscale 1618 West Seafood Grille (1618seafoodgrille.com, 1618 West Friendly Avenue, 336-235-0898), each plate displays color and angular structures that create works of culinary art. Calamari gets a wasabi glaze, plated with chipotle remoulade sauce. Shrimp are blackened, joined by a macaroni and pimiento cheese spring roll plus collard greens chow chow. Grilled Scallops are combined with chorizo gruyere peppadew poppers, a pear poached in sherry, plus pumpkin puree. Seared Tuna crusted with sesame seeds leads o the entrée list. Sea Bass is served with a winter root vegetable hash chowder, plus acorn
Almond Crusted Salmon from Cafe Pasta Calamari from 1618 W Seafood Grill
squash. Mahi Mahi is plated with a blue cheese grits cake, clams, and sweet and sour Brussels sprouts. Although this kitchen specializes in seafoods, the meat and chicken entrée are really good, too.
MJ’s (mjs620.com, 620 Dolley Madison Road, 336-852-4889) occupies a repurposed home in the Guilford College neighborhood. Poutine with French fries, cheese curds, and onion gravy will get you started on a chilly winter night. My wife’s favorite is Fried Shrimp Tacos with spicy aioli. Among the entrée, Braised Short Ribs are deeply flavored and supremely tender, over cream mashed potatoes and bordelaise sauce. The Shrimp and Grits rendition here is one of the best, combining sausage, mushrooms, onions, tomato gravy, and cheddar grits. Also consider Buttermilk Fried Chicken with red beans.
Three of my personal favorites are located on New Garden Road, near each other:
Imperial Koi (facebook.com/imperialkoiGSO, 1941 New Garden Road, upper level, 336-286-3000) is top-ranked for Asian and sushi. This is one of the few restaurants in the Triad that actually has some semblance of a view. Sushi pro-
Rockwood at Oliver’s Crossing Apartments
vides a visual as well as taste knockout. My favorite starter is Dragon’s Nest — tuna in avocado. Entrée on the back page of the menu are traditional western in style, also excellent.
GIA (drinkeatlisten.com, 1941 New Garden Road, 336-907-7536) is an upscale bar, where tapas portions and flatbreads also encourage leisurely dining. I have been happy with all of the small platesArtichokes with herb aioli; Frites with tru e aioli; Cauliflower with roasted garlic and oregano vinaigrette; Burrata — vegetable panzanella sourdough bread, herbed red wine vinaigrette, and rosemary reduction; and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. Larger plates include Chicken Milanese with arugula salad, fresh pear, and shaved fennel; Beef Filet with a tru e potato cake, and roasted asparagus; Crab Cakes; Octopus; and Calabrian Shrimp and Salmon with roasted tomato, shallots, Calabrian chilies, and olive oil.
born in the Charlotte metro, top tier in appearance. Favorite starters: Wagyu Meatballs, Crab Fritters, Shanghai Shrimp, Calamari Bellissimo. The entrée menu is wide-ranging, albeit reflecting the chop house/steak house concept. Petite Filet Mignon is an eight-ounce cut; in Beef Wellington, a filet mignon is covered with duxelles (finely chopped mushrooms and shallots) and enclosed in a pastry shell; Stu ed Carolina Chicken is filled with a blend of spinach, bacon, ham, and provolone cheese, the exterior coated with crisp breadcrumbs. Seafoods are just as enjoyable as the meats.
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Reel Seafood Grill (reelseafoodgrill. com, 2002 New Garden Road, 336-6174200) provides an exceptionally wide variety of seafoods, prepared in a style that allows natural flavors to stand in the forefront. Consider Fried Shrimp or Prince Edward Island Mussels and Middleneck Clams in a luscious broth of white wine, cream, and garlic. Smoked Trout is accented with capers, pickled red onions, dill mayonnaise, and chipotle aioli. A chalkboard lists the day’s fresh oyster selections. Seafood Chowder is especially welcome in winter. A light coating of crushed wheat crackers and sesame seeds forms a crust for Sesame Flounder. Halibut gets a Japaneseinfluenced treatment, marinated in miso mirin, oven-roasted, finished with ponzu butter, and served over forbidden rice. Trout Almondine is another favorite.
Farther out:
Finally, the proverbial “new kid on the block” is the spectacular Epic Chophouse (epicchophouse.com, 301-F Pisgah Church Road, 336-274-6030),
Winston-Salem, starting downtown: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (katharinebrasserie.com, 401 North Main Street, 27101, 336-761-0203) is an art deco French brasserie. Starters highlight: Cocktail de Crevettes- poached jumbo shrimp cocktail with smoked tomato vinaigrette; Oeuf Mimosa — deviled egg with caviar; Escargot á la Bourguignon — garlic herb butter, cognac, red wine reduction, in pu pastry. Admired entrée: Canard au Porto — Espresso and cocoa-crusted duck breast, cauliflower, melted leeks, and blueberry port wine reduction; Saumon et Gruau de Mais — seared salmon, stone ground grits, smoked garlic buttermilk sauce, black lemon, chervil, and chili oil; Steak Frites — Wagyu flank steak, tru ed parmesan pomme frîtes. Consider an overnight in the hotel after dinner.
Spring House (springhousenc.com, 450 N. Spring Street, 27101, 336-2934797) is housed in one of Winston-Salem’s classic residences from the 1920s. First course suggestion: Roasted Oysters, covered with soft pimiento cheese flecked with crisp bacon, presented over fresh spinach leaves. Entrée: Roasted Lamb Loin with black-eyed pea hummus; Salmon filet and Shrimp with Savannahinspired red rice; Bone-in Pork Shank with hoppin’ john.
Six Hundred Degrees (sixhundred-
degrees.com, 450 N. Patterson Ave, Suite 120, 336-283-6754) bears an industrialchic look, a function of its location in a repurposed facility, formerly the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company power plant. Burnt Ends are thick slices of lean pork belly, with enough fat to help convey hearty bacon flavor. Vadouvan Braised Beef and Tallo Pot Pie — roasted cauliflower puree, red onion and date jam, and pine nuts — illustrates this kitchen’s level of creativity. Steaks are major league here, often cooked over a large wood-burning grill, the source of the restaurant’s name. Seafoods are appropriately represented among the entrée. Downtown Grille (downtowngrille. com, 500 West 5th Street, 336-9301485) is a true white tablecloth restaurant. Panoramic windows look out from the ground floor of a downtown o ce tower. First course samples: Grilled Octopus, Crab Dip, Chili Fried Chicken thighs, Roasted Pickled Beets. Classic beef and pork cuts are well represented among the main courses. Take special note of Joyce Farms (a superior bird) Chicken Marsala. Also the Apple Brandy Beef (another superior product from a local farm) Burger.
At Meridian (meridianws.com, 411 South Marshall Street, 336-722-8889), panoramic windows look into a section of Old Salem. Tables are placed far enough apart to allow conversation. The cuisine “is inspired by the bright flavors of the Northern Mediterranean, as well as local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Everything is made in-house, from breads and hand-rolled pasta to house-made sausages and mozzarella” [website]. If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, this is your place. Steamed Mussels rest in a chardonnay cream broth that also hosts garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs, flanked by grilled bruschetta. Calamari is sauteed, plated over spicy crushed tomatoes, enhanced with Genoese basil strips, laced with lemon pepper aioli. Steaks and Duck are from Joyce Farms,
Dragon’s Nest from Imperial Koi Mussels from Meridian Pork Chop from Downtown Grille
one of the area’s best suppliers. Seafood o erings depend on what is fresh that day. All recommended. I’m going to make a special visit just to have the Wild Boar Bourguignon with carrots, local mushrooms, pearl onions, house-made bacon, with roasted garlic-rosemary polenta, braised escarole, and herbs.
Starters at Sage and Salt Bistro (sageandsaltbistro.com, 300 South Liberty Street, 336-829-5007) include Pork Spare Ribs with Korean BBQ glaze and cucumber salad; Yellowfin Tuna Tower with avocado, compressed cucumber, daikon (radish), pu ed rice, and sesame oil; and (raw) Beef Tartare with shallots, herbs, cornichons, Dijon mustard, egg yolk, and crispy capers. Lamb, steak, and tuna entrée are cooked on a wood-fired grill. I am also drawn to Grilled Shrimp Pasta Primavera with lemon cream, asparagus, artichokes, tomatoes, roasted peppers, and basil. The Pan Seared Sea Scallops entrée is a winner too, joined on the plate by English pea risotto, crispy artichokes, and teardrop peppers. The Burger here is well worth a try as well.
Ryan’s (ryansrestaurant.com, 719 Coliseum Dr. NW, 336-724-6132) has been in operation since 1977, locally owned and under the same management since 1981. Note the DiRona award posted next to the check-in station, one of only three in North Carolina (the other two are in Raleigh). Oysters Rockefeller fits this old-school concept well, the oysters plump and fresh tasting, covered with finely shredded spinach and hollandaise sauce, plus threads of Romano cheese. Crab Cakes are available as a starter or entrée. The exterior is light and crisp, hosting breading studded with crabmeat, sharpened with remoulade sauce. Cheshire Bone-in Pork Chop is treated with a bing cherry glaze, joined on the late by mashed sweet potatoes and haricot verts.
Bleu (bleurestaurantandbar.com, 3425 Frontis Street, 27103, 336-760-2026 occupies a modern building designed specifically to house this restaurant. Crispy Calamari is coated with black-eye pea flour, creole mustard, and sweet chili sauce on the side. Crab and Shrimp Cake is served with creamy grits and andouille sausage jus. Bleu is not a steakhouse, but it could pass for one. All of the beef entrée are good choices. I am especially fond of seafoods here. You might not expect a fried seafood platter in a restaurant this upscale, but missing Bleu’s Crumb Fried Seafood would be a serious mistake.
At Rooster’s (roosterskitchen.com/
winstonsalem, 380 Knollwood Street, 27103, 336-777-8477), the aroma from the wood-fired grill is enticing. Lots of wood creates an elegant look, while avoiding formality or stu ness. Noble’s restaurants are justifiably famous for Tomato Basil Bisque. Oysters are especially well prepared here. Among the entrée, the Filet Mignon is as good a steak as I have ever had. Rotisserie Roast Chicken is simply the best roast chicken I’ve ever had, no reservations. The menu changes often enough to preclude other recommendations. I just look forward to returning here.
Fratelli’s (fratellissteakhouse.com, 2000 Reynolda Road, 336-682-2290) combines the steakhouse concept with upscale Italian. It occupies one of the Reynolda neighborhood’s classic white brick buildings. First course o erings include Calamari, Parmesan Shrimp, Spanakopita, and Lamb Lollipops. The entree price includes a house salad, served from a shared bowl. In a Filet Mignon, a lot of flavor was evident from the browned exterior. Parmesan Fries actually taste like real potato, dusted with Parmesan cheese. A Chop Steak, although low-priced, nevertheless produced deep flavor augmented by soft-cooked onions and mushrooms.
High Point:
At Blue Water Grille (bluewatergrillenc.com, 126 State Avenue, High Point, 336-886-1010), Fried Green Tomatoes & Smoked Trout combines buttermilk dredged green tomatoes, N.C. smoked trout, creme fraiche, and chives. Fried Oysters are lightly crusted and fresh tasting, augmented by a white barbecue sauce. Crab Dip blends Boursin cheese and artichoke hearts with large lumps of fresh crabmeat, served with Parmesan focaccia toasts. Calamari is distinctive- Panko-crusted, with Thai chili and chipotle aioli. Fish entrée — salmon, tuna, halibut, and mahi — can be ordered with a choice of sauce: orange-chipotle glaze, piccata, lemon-Old Bay compound butter, or soy-ginger — or in more elaborate constructions. Chicken is from Ashley Farms, pan-fried, served with fingerling potatoes, shallots, spinach, and heirloom tomatoes. The Pork Chop is dry aged, augmented with goat cheese polenta, braised kale, horseradish-mustard butter, and smoked chipotle-apple jus.
Earl’s Landing (earlslanding.com, 400 West English Road, 336-882-0044) is an upscale kind of Italian, mostly steakhouse in Congdon Yards. Beef Tartare is raw, supplemented with egg yolk, capers,
and Dijon mustard. The Tuna Tower includes avocado, cucumber, mango, pu ed rice, cilantro oil, with a Korean BBQ sauce. A Stu ed Mushroom features a portobello with an herbed goat cheese crust, balsamic glaze, and green onions. This kitchen achieves an exceptional sear on their steaks — a dark, firm crust that gives way to an interior that is cooked precisely to the requested temperature. Joyce Farms Chicken Breast is joined by a carrot and turnip purée, roasted carrots, and herb crema. Spaghetti is prepared with basil, ricotta cheese, pomodoro sauce, and breadcrumbs.
Sweet Old Bills (sweetoldbills.com, 1232 N. Main St., 336-807-1476) is casual, but don’t let the looks fool you. Food here is good, in good old-fashioned southern style. Consider starting with Pork Skins, Skillet Cornbread, or Vidalia Onion Dip. Nachos can be ordered with pulled pork or brisket. Plates include Pulled Pork, Barbecued Ribs (Friday and Saturday only), Smoked Chicken, or Chopped Beef Brisket. Burgers are especially good here, in various configurations.
Steak Street (steakstreet.com, 3915 Sedgebrook St., 336-841-0222) is
upscale, but not formal, modeled on a New Orleans theme. Food follows that theme, too, to some extent. Think about Gator Bites or Voodoo Shrimp to start, or maybe Fried Gulf Oysters. Chicken gets several treatments — marinated in Bourbon, grilled with Savannah-style spices, or crusted with pecans. The Pork Chop (bone-in, almost a pound) is glazed with homemade barbecue sauce and served with mashed sweet potatoes. Grilled Salmon, Blackened Grouper, and Sea Bass with ponzu sauce are the menu fish. Steaks are an important feature here. You can go casual, too, with a Burger. If you have di culty making arrangements, use one of the restaurant reservation engines to find vacant seats: Open Table (opentable.com), Tock (exploretock.com), and Resy (resy.com). Or call ahead. !
JOHN BATCHELOR has been writing about eating and drinking since 1981. Over a thousand of his articles have been published. He is also author of two travel/cookbooks: Chefs of the Coast: Restaurants and Recipes from the North Carolina Coast, and Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants and Recipes from Western North Carolina. Contact him at john.e.batchelor@gmail.com or see his blog, johnbatchelordiningandtravel.blogspot.com.
[
Half of Mork’s “Bye!”
Sgt.,
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of April 28, 2025
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A seemingly stalled romantic situation could benefit from your reassurance that you want this relationship to work. And if you do, use a tad more of your irresistible Arian charm!
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Going to new places and meeting new people appeals to both the Taurean’s romantic and practical side. After all, you never can tell where these new contacts will take you, right?
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A careerchanging opportunity that didn’t work out when you first considered it could come up again. But this time, remember that you have more to o er and act accordingly.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) There could be some tensions in relationships — domestic or workaday. But a calm approach that doesn’t raise anger levels and a frank discussion will soon resolve the problem.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s a good idea to begin preparing for a career change that you’ve been thinking about for a while. Start to sharpen your skills and expand your background to be ready when it calls.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Bless the VIRGO skepticism that has kept you from falling into traps that others seem to rush into. But you might want to give a new possibility the benefit of the doubt, at least on a trial basis.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Traveling — and career-related energy is strong in your aspect. Perhaps your job will take you to someplace exotic, or you might be setting up meetings with potential clients or
employers. Whatever it is, good luck!
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Someone might use deception to try to push you into making a decision that you’re not fully comfortable with. But your keen SCORPIO senses should keep you alert to any such attempt.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Romance dominates this week when Cupid shafts the Archer for a change. Positive things are also happening in the workplace. Expect important news to arrive by the week’s end.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Anyone trying to bully the Sea Goat — whether it involves a personal or professional matter — will learn a painful lesson. Others will also benefit from the Goat’s strong example.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Congratulations! With things going the way they are, you should be able to spare some time and take a break from your hectic schedule for some well-earned fun and games.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your sharp Piscean intuition should be able to uncover the true agendas of those who might be trying to catch the Fish in one of their schemes.
[BORN THIS WEEK: Your flair for innovative art and design keeps you at least a step ahead of most everyone else. You’re a visionary!
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on previous page
[WEEKLY SUDOKU]
sudoku on previous page
[1. MOVIES: Which animated movie was the first to be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award?
[2. GEOGRAPHY: Interior and exterior film shots of Alnwick Castle in England are featured in the first two movies of which film series?
[3. TELEVISION: What was the last name of the family in the sitcom “Married ... With Children”?
[4. LITERATURE: For which category is the Caldecott Medal awarded?
[5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Also known as a double eagle, what is the golf term for
scoring three under par on a hole?
[6. ANATOMY: What is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood?
[7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the first to name a woman as a Cabinet member?
[8. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby toad called?
[9. FOOD & DRINK: Which fast-food chain’s secret ingredient is 11 herbs and spices?
