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The Town’s Public Records REQUEST POLICY, enacted in November 2021, states: The Town of Jamestown, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is open and responsive to information requests from the public and the news media. Compiling records that have been requested requires the expenditure of resources.

6 The Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA) will present the 21st annual PIEDMONT DAY EARTH FAIR, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the WinstonSalem Faigrounds, 569 Fairgrounds Drive, Winston-Salem.

“MIROIRS NO. 3” is not a sequel, but rather a reference to the third movement of Maurice Ravel’s piano suite, which (literally) comes into play late in the film’s narrative.

9 On April 25, Je Mahl, the greatgrandson of George Schuster, will give a living history presentation at the KERNERSVILLE AUTO MUSEUM. Mahl will be dressed in authentic clothing from 1908 and ﬂanked by a descendant of the famous car, a 1911 Thomas Flyer, for all to see.

10 The 28th annual RIVERRUN International Film Festival doesn’t get underway for another week, but one person is already very impressed. Michael Morin, who came aboard in December and will oversee the event, which runs April 17-25.

14 “I charged council and parks and recreation to figure out how to fully REMEDIATE BINGHAM PARK,” said District 1 Representative Crystal Black at a March 23 town hall. “Every council member believes Bingham Park deserves to have this remediation.”

16 PHUZZ PHEST is back from the void! Returning after 10 years to WinstonSalem — featuring more than 40 bands, across a dozen stages and spaces — April 9-11.

Delayed Request: The Policy

Editor’s Note: This story is part two of YES! Weekly following-up on a reader’s request to look into the city’s public records policy.

THE POLICY

The Town’s Public Records Request Policy, enacted in November 2021, states: The Town of Jamestown, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is open and responsive to information requests from the public and the news media. Compiling records that have been requested requires the expenditure of resources.

Section 4 of that policy states: If the request is such as to require extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, or if producing the records in the medium requested results in an excessive use of information technology resources, then the Town of Jamestown may charge, in addition to any applicable copying fee, a special service charge. The special service charge will be reasonable and no greater than the actual cost incurred. The Town of Jamestown considers more than four (4) hours to constitute extensive use of personnel resources.

If preparation of the response to the request exceeds four (4) hours, the Town of Jamestown will charge a presumed rate of $31.00 per hour for the additional time. The person responding on behalf of the Town of Jamestown will provide an estimate of the costs for an extraordinary request prior to making the records available for inspection or release. The Town will allow the requester the option to either agree to pay the charge or revise the request to narrow its nature or scope. Multiple requests within a short period of time from the same individual or organization will be considered a single request for purposes of determining whether to charge under this section.

The North Carolina Public Records Act states:

§ 132-1. “Public records” defined.

(a) “Public record” or “public records” shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. Agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions shall mean and include every public office, public officer or official (State or local, elected or appointed), institution, board, commission, bureau, council, department, authority or other unit of government of the State or of any county, unit, special district or other political subdivision of government.

(b) The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law. As used herein, “minimal cost” shall mean the actual cost of reproducing the public record or public information.

(c) Article 17 of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes shall govern all records and information of the legislative branch which shall be exempt from this Chapter, including documents as defined by G.S. 120-129.

(d) No political subdivision of this State may enter into a nondisclosure agreement in order to restrict access to public records subject to disclosure under this Chapter. The contract by which a political subdivision of this State agrees not to disclose information deemed confidential under State law shall be a public record, unless the existence of the contract is also deemed confidential under State law. If a nondisclosure agreement is associated with one or more closed session meetings under Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the nondisclosure agreement shall be included in the minutes of each closed session meeting. (1935, c. 265, s. 1; 1975, c. 787, s. 1; 1995, c. 388, s. 1; 2023-134, s. 27.7(f); 2023-138, s. 5(b).)

Pate McMichael, director at the Sunshine Center of the N.C. Open Government Coalition, said that there are certain circumstances where the municipality can charge special service fees.

“They can charge you when you’re

asking for it in another version than what they have. A good example would be if you’re requiring them to use extensive IT clerical or supervisory assistance, that’s an area where they are seeming to strike here,” McMichael said. “They’re trying to say that this is such a burdensome request that it requires clerical assistance. In the future, it’d probably be better just to ask for one thing at a time, like the invoices from the attorney. That should be very straightforward. Those should already exist in the format that they’re requesting it. Where people get in trouble is when they’ll ask for a paper copy instead of just taking it however they send it.”

McMichael said that he feels that what Robert Frederick is being charged is extreme, and it may help if he narrows his request.

“That’s probably the best solution because that $3,000 charge is basically, in my mind, a result of the email request and the fact that they’re going to hide behind this idea that they had to hire IT help to clean it up.”

Matthew Johnson said that the town’s policy is aligned with the state’s and similar municipalities across the Triad. When asked if he would revisit the policy if it were found to be inaccurate in any way, Johnson said, “Of course.”

“The town council would have to request a review of it. If they did, and they found something to be noncompliant with the state law, then of course, we would change that,” he said. “But this has been through several reviews with the attorneys and is a very solid police. Many jurisdictions use, almost verbatim, the same policy.”

The town’s policy also states, “Multiple requests within a short period of time (up to 120 days) from the same individual or organization on the same or related topic will be considered a single request for purposes of determining whether to charge under this section.”

McMichael said that he doesn’t believe that “there’s a statutory justification for that.”

“Their policy has to be grounded in the state statute, the public records law, and there’s nothing in that statute that allows them to just combine

Chanel Davis

Editor

someone’s request for their own purposes. This idea of combining requests is just something made up. It’s not legally justifiable in my opinion, unless they can point to a statute that I’m not aware of that gives them that authority,” he said. “That sounds to me like a way to delay because the broader your request is, the more time it takes, and the more likely they can delay it. That’s why I would say that’s a hard no for me. Each request should be treated individually. I’d say it sounds like a game they’re playing because the person asked for two different things.”

McMichael said that the request for software to fulfill the public records request aligns with the state policy; however, the town should be prepared to fulfill any and all requests from residents.

“They should have the capacity to release emails when people request them. So why should one person have to pay for the software that’s going to be used every time they fill this request? That’d be an argument that could be made to them. You should already have this software because you know that emails are public record. So passing that along to one requester seems quite burdensome to me and unfair, knowing that they have a statutory obligation to release these public records when people ask for them.”

McMichael said that he feels Frederick should narrow the request, but that the town should root its policy in the state statute.

“If these things are allowed under state law, then it should be very easy for whoever wrote that policy to also put in there a footnote pointing directly to the statute, because a lot of this sounds like intimidation and it sounds like a way to discourage people from requesting information,” he said. “And I think I’ll have to read it more carefully, but a lot of that is just made up. It’s something they came up with to try to intimidate people from filing public records requests.”

McMichael said that he also sees things from the town’s perspective, but encourages them to cite state law. “I see things from their perspective. A lot of times, these custodians of records don’t have a big sta , and they are overworked, and I understand all that. But they’ve got to ground what they’re saying in the state law, not their own, not what they want their policy to be. If you deny any part of a request, please cite state law, not your public records policy.”

In March 2023, Frederick reached out to the Sunshine Center of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition’s then director, Brooks Fuller, who, in turn, sent a letter to the town urging them to comply with the request.

Johnson acknowledges that he received the letter and is “more than happy to comply within the confines of the law and our policy.”

“It’s not a question of whether or not the records are available. It’s just that with the volume of those records that are being requested, it is important for us to follow our policy, which says that in those cases, he would receive a charge for those. I don’t believe that’s unreasonable,” he said.

Johnson said that on a general basis, it’s not a big deal to fulfill a public records request.

“We would happily provide records for people in reasonable requests. It’s not a problem at all. I mean, there are certain things we can’t, by law, divulge. There are certain things that are protected by privacy laws. But certainly, if somebody asked that, we would let them know. I can give you X, Y, and Z. I can’t give you A, B, and C. And that’s very, very normal for us. We don’t receive a tremendous number of these throughout the year. Just one or two here and there,” Johnson explained. “I’ll be honest with you, we’ve only had a couple of larger requests, most of which have come from Mr. Frederick, and he seems to be the only one that has a problem with this process. So I guess I’m a little bit confused as to why he’s still confused with the process. It’s clearly identified in state law. You know, and again, we’re happy to provide any records that anybody wants.”

McMichael said that he’d be happy to come and speak with Jamestown officials and staff about its policy.

“We’re always willing to work with them. They’re not the enemy. A lot of them do good work, and they want to share public information. But we also have to make sure that they’re not making up rules that contradict the state law,” he said. “The only way to do that is for them to be clear about what the legal justification is for these policies they’re putting forward.” !

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.

[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP PAINT MURAL

SUBMITTED BY DANIELLE TRINKLE HOOVER

Residents are invited to pick up a paintbrush and take part in an exciting opportunity to help bring a vibrant new mural to life at an upcoming community art event in Clemmons.

This special project is organized by the Associated Artists of WinstonSalem (AAWS) and is made possible through generous funding provided by an art grant from the Shallow Ford Foundation.

The mural, envisioned by Sandra Kimzey Wimbish — a talented local artist and dedicated AAWS member — reﬂects the distinctive beauty and spirit of the local community. The mural will be on display at the Jerry Long Family YMCA in Clemmons.

Friends, families, and neighbors are invited to come together to help bring this collective work of art to life during two community painting sessions. These sessions are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, giving everyone the opportunity to add their own unique touch to the mural. The activity is recommended for ages 12 and up, and participants are welcome to join for as little or as long as they like. Members of AAWS will be on hand to guide participants as they paint the mural. Events like this not only enhance public spaces with vibrant art but also foster community pride and create lasting memories for all who take part.

The sessions will be held at the Jerry Long YMCA in Clemmons, Pavilion 1:

• Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Sunday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

No prior artistic experience is necessary to participate. All painting supplies will be provided on-site, so participants simply need to bring their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved. It is recommended to wear clothing that you do not mind getting

paint on, as this hands-on activity is sure to get a little colorful. Once completed, the mural will stand as a lasting public landmark, symbolizing the power of collaboration and creativity. It will serve as a visual reminder of what can be achieved when individuals come together with a shared purpose, leaving a legacy that the entire community can enjoy and take pride in for years to come. Come be part of the art scene and help bring it to life!

Founded in 1956, AAWS is a volunteer-run, non-proﬁt 501(c) (3) ﬁne arts organization located in Winston-Salem, N.C., that believes in building the artistic community, sharing knowledge, inspiring creativity, and supporting the arts.

AAWS supports all local artists, from aspiring to professional. They achieve this by hosting over ten exhibits annually and organizing numerous other events throughout the year, including educational workshops, art demonstrations, and fun art playdates. Monthly meetups further enrich members’ experience by o ering opportunities to network with like-minded creatives. !

Piedmont Earth Day Fair blooms anew April 18

The Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA) will present the 21st annual Piedmont Day Earth Fair, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the WinstonSalem Faigrounds, 569 Fairgrounds Drive, Winston-Salem.

This annual spring tradition is the largest Earth Day celebration and a one-day environmental education event in the state of North Carolina. All ages are welcome, and admission is free. The event will take place rain or shine — because, after all, Mother Nature calls the shots!

For more information, visit https://www.peanc.org/ winston-salem-earth-day-fair.

“The Piedmont Earth Day Fair is one of the most popular and fun community events because it has something for everyone,” said Jamie Maier, PEA executive director, “from kids’ activities to demonstrations on gardening and greening your home, to food trucks, to live music and more. Its long history and central location make it accessible to all, and it’s one of the most diverse events in the region. And, of course, everyone loves a festival and an excuse to come together in community celebration and action!”

In its two-decade history, the fair has grown into one of the most popular events of its kind, attracting more than 8,000 people annually, and its many attractions include family-friendly activities and demonstrations, great food and live music, artwork, and informative exhibits — and it’s all free and open to the public.

“Earth Day is a great time for people of all ages to connect with our planet, build community, and learn how to take action locally to support the environ-

ment,” said Maier, who joined the PEA staff in 2015 and became its executive director the next year.

“Attendees will be inspired by the companies, nonprofits, and agencies that keep our water and air safe, produce and share healthy food, install solar panels, and produce emission-free electric vehicles — and so much more. The fair is a fun and informative day that supports all of PEA’s work to create a more just, resilient, and environmentally sustainable community.

“As a graduate of Duke University, with years of experience in the non-profit sector across the country, I have always had a deep commitment to supporting people-centered movements and a passion for climate action. When I moved to town 10 years ago, a friend told me about this small non-profit that was hiring — the rest is history.”

Throughout the day, there will be live demonstrations that provide practical tips about living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle, including topics on reducing household plastics, making your home more energy-efficient, gardening for pollinators, and more. For the kids, there are hands-on activities including nature crafts, face-painting, building your own birdfeeder, and yoga. The Environmental Art Contest, judged by local artists, awards prizes for student art with an environmental theme, and the semi-finalists of PEA’s High School Environmental Debate Tournament will compete for the championship trophy. Two music stages feature live musicians, courtesy of the North Carolina Songwriters Co-op, and there will be a variety of food trucks and vendors serving delicious, tasty food. With over 115 Earth-friendly exhibitors, the Piedmont Earth Day Fair is designed to appeal to all ages.

“Coming to the Piedmont Earth Day Fair is a great way to learn about real work going on in our community to protect our planet, support fair housing, improve educational opportunities, and more,” Maier said. “You can learn from over 100 organiza-

tions about the impact people are having to create a more just, resilient, and sustainable community. You can celebrate the wins we’ve had together this year and learn how to get involved in action for the future. There are a lot of cool demonstrations about greening your home this year, with tips on reducing plastics, lowering your energy bill, and green cleaning products.”

Beyond this event, “the PEA leads powerful programs, events, education programs, and advocacy across the Piedmont Triad to build a more just, resilient, and sustainable society,” Maier said. “Our ‘Solarize the Triad’ campaign has yielded over 100 solar installations and reduced carbon emissions by over 1,150 tons. The ‘Environmental Education Program’ reaches over 3,500 students annually, introducing topics like climate action, local water systems, and more in underserved schools. The ‘Green Business Network’ advises over 25 local businesses in sustainability efforts and introduced the region’s first clean energy workforce training program. We also have unrivaled community events that engage over 10,000 people each year, like the Piedmont Earth Day Fair, Green Home Tour, Sustainability Roundtables, and more.

“In the past year, we have sparked more than $6 million in new clean energy investment locally, while also helping our community partners capture $3 million of federal climate funds. Our work is opening new green career pathways, making our homes more affordable, helping our service-based non-profits and local businesses become more environmentally and financially sustainable, and putting our city on the map.”

Mark Burger

Contributor

‘Miroirs No. 3’ is a low-key, slow-burning

“Miroirs No. 3” is not a sequel, but rather a reference to the third movement of Maurice Ravel’s piano suite, which (literally) comes into play late in the ﬁlm’s narrative.

The ﬁlm is the latest from the acclaimed German writer/director

Christian Petzold and marks his fourth collaboration with leading lady Paula Beer, who plays Laura, a pensive and brooding pianist involved in a tragic car accident that claims the life of her boyfriend Jakob (newcomer Philip Froissant) and leaves her shaken and injured, as much emotionally as physically.

The accident occurred near the remote home of Betty (Barbara Auer), who allows Laura to recuperate there. It soon becomes evident that Betty, no stranger to grief herself, is hiding something, conveyed in gestures and glances she exchanges with her husband Richard (Matthias Brandt) and son Max (Enno Trebs), who are clearly as concerned for Laura as they are for Betty. As for Laura, she’s in no rush to leave even after a full recovery.

These would seem to be the ingredients of a Hitchcockian exercise in suspense, but “Miroirs No. 3” subverts those expectations to a large degree. Inevitably, there will be the “Big Reveal,” but when it comes, it’s not necessarily big or unexpected. Without (hopefully) giving too much away, the ﬁlm is less a thriller than a psychological study or a

drama

meditation on grief and loss. It’s a minor work from Petzold, but that doesn’t mean it’s without interest or merit.

Given the conﬁned setting and only four major characters, “Miroirs No. 3” sometimes feels like a play and, indeed, it’s the actors who drive the modest narrative more than anything else, with Beer and Auer giving quietly empathetic performances, while Brandt and Trebs provide solid support as they gingerly sidestep the truth behind Betty’s interest in Laura, until Laura inevitably discovers the reason for herself. Even then, the expected, even inevitable, dramatic ﬁreworks are conveyed in a muted fashion.

(In German with English subtitles) — “Miroirs No. 3” opens Friday. !

BY MARK BURGER

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK:

RAIN” (Severin Films)

Having achieved success with the “Dr. Phibes” films, British filmmaker Robert Fuest came to the United States to helm this 1975 supernatural shocker that everyone remembers the ending to (which we’ll get to). It’s not the goriest horror film, but it may well be the gooiest.

For centuries, Satanic priest Jonathan Corbis (Ernest Borgnine) has waged war with the Preston family over possession of an ancient book containing signatures of those who have sold their souls to Satan. When his mother (Ida Lupino) mysteriously vanishes, Mark Preston (William Shatner) seeks out Corbis to make a deal, but dealing with the devil has its perils, as Mark discovers. Mark’s brother Tom (Tom Skerritt) and Tom’s wife Julie (Joan Prather) join the search, assisted by resident scientist Sam Richards (Eddie Albert), while skeptical Sheriff Owens (Keenan Wynn) scoffs at the notion of a contemporary Satanic cult.

For good measure, the film throws ESP (extra-sensory perception) and reincarnation into the mix, but “The Devil’s Rain” is hampered by a choppy structure and unsteady pacing. What keeps it watchable, and even entertaining, is its high-profile cast. Whether in human form or in the guise of a goat demon, Borgnine has a high old time as the wicked Corbis. Shatner gives the sort of animated performance best described as “Shatneresque,” while the sturdy Skerritt shoulders the brunt of the action. Second-billed Albert doesn’t have nearly enough to do, while Lupino and Wynn clock in with routine assignments.

Trivia buffs will note that this marked John Travolta’s feature debut, and in a subsequent re-release and TV broadcasts, his presence was heavily hyped despite having only one line of dialogue (“Blasphemer! He is blasphemer!”), and reportedly Prather introduced the young actor to Scientology during production. To ensure “authenticity” (more likely publicity), Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, was billed as technical advisor and can be glimpsed in a few scenes.

For the big climax, when the Devil’s Rain showers down, the members of the coven begin to melt into oozing puddles — a sequence that seemingly goes on forever but is certainly memorable. Tom Burman’s makeup effects are nothing if not inventive. “The Devil’s Rain” is a campy, messy slice of Satanic panic, and a prime example of high-concept ‘70s horror, right down to the twist ending.

Severin Films has also released “The Final Programme” (released stateside as the R-rated “Last Days of Man on Earth”), Fuest’s 1973 adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s cult 1968 novel, starring Jon Finch as Moorcock’s eponymous hero Jerry Cornelius, supported by Jenny Renacre, Sterling Hayden, Hugh Griffith, Patrick Magee, Harry Andrews, Graham Crowden, and George Coulouris; and writer/ producer/director Jake West’s award-winning, R-rated 1998 feature debut “Razor Blade Smile” starring Eileen Daly, Christopher Adamson, and David Warbeck (in his final feature) as 4K Ultra HD combos (each $49.95 retail), each boasting a bevy of bonus features.

The two-disc “Devil’s Rain” 4K Ultra HD combo ($49.95 retail) includes audio commentaries, retrospective and vintage interviews, theatrical trailer and TV spots, stills gallery, and more. Rated PG. !

See Mark BURGER

Mark Burger

Contributor

SUDOKU

ACROSS

Husband on “The Munsters”

Injections

“Cool, dude!”

Auto museum to commemorate ‘The Great Race’

Jim Longworth

Longworth at Large

In 2008, Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was parodied on Saturday Night Live for saying, “I can see Russia from my house.” Hers was a reference to how geographically close America is to the USSR, separated only by the Bering Strait, which, by the way, when frozen, can be traversed by automobile. One hundred years earlier, that’s exactly what George Schuster did on his way to winning what has become known as “The Great Race” by becoming the ﬁrst driver to make a transcontinental crossing of the United States. The Great Race began in New York City’s Times Square on Feb. 12, 1908, and ended in Paris, France, on July 30.

Schuster was part of a team ﬁelded by the Thomas car company to compete in what is still regarded as the longest motorsports race in history, covering 22,000 miles across three continents. During that trek, Schuster drove his 1907 model 35, a 4-cylinder, 60-horsepower vehicle known as the Thomas Fyler. It’s hard to imagine what it took to drive a car that far so long ago, but we can all get a glimpse of that feat on April 25 when Je Mahl, the great-grandson of

George Schuster, gives a living history presentation at the Kernersville Auto Museum. Mahl will be dressed in authentic clothing from 1908 and ﬂanked by a descendant of the famous car, a 1911 Thomas Flyer, for all to see.

The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Kernersville Auto Museum, which was created by former Piedmont Aviation CEO Jim Taylor and opened in April 2022. The nonproﬁt museum houses scores of vintage automobiles and is normally open to the public, free of charge, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, this special presentation will serve as a fundraiser to help sustain the museum.

“This is more than just a car show,” said Taylor. “It is a celebration of human grit and mechanical innovation. To have a direct link to the 1908 Great Race right here in Kernersville is an honor we want to share with the entire community.”

Taylor once worked as a baggage handler for Piedmont Airlines and eventually became CEO of Piedmont Aviation, but his love of old cars pre-dated his love of planes. “I bought my ﬁrst car for $75. It was a 1931 Model A Ford.”

Over the years, Jim and his friends collected other vintage cars, which he wanted to share with the public, thus the impetus for the Kernersville Auto Museum, whose slogan is “Where Memories and History Come Alive.”

In addition to welcoming visitors every weekend, the museum also serves as a popular venue for community meetings and luncheons and is the home base for “Triad Today.” Tickets are $25 to attend the April 25 event and can be purchased at the door or online by visiting the museum website www.kernersvilleautomuseum.

com. All proceeds will go to beneﬁt the museum’s ongoing preservation and for educational programs. The Kernersville Auto Museum is located at 204 Holly Tree Drive in Kernersville. !

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+.

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CALL: 336-887-3001

THE MAGIC DRAGON

The Clone Tours APRIL 18, 2026 @ 7:30 PM

MAY 2, 2026 @ 7:30 PM

Since breaking out on “America’s Got Talent” and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” viral sensation Piff the Magic Dragon has won the heart of America with his network television appearances, non-stop touring, and unyielding passion for snacks.

Jazz/soul diva Kandace Springs has been on late night TV, sung at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and at legendary festivals including Newport and Monterey and made guest appearances with Christian McBride and Prince. She has recorded ﬁve studio albums, most recently, Run Your Race, in which she wrote the title song as a tribute to her late father Kenneth “Scat” Springs.

RiverRun 2026: A bounty of big-screen riches

The 28th annual RiverRun International Film Festival doesn’t get underway for another week, but one person is already very impressed.

That would be the festival’s new executive director, Michael Morin, who came aboard in December and will oversee the event, which runs April 17-25 and boasts 178 ﬁlms (features and shorts) that represent 47 di erent countries, chosen from nearly 2,000 submissions.

“What’s so cool about WinstonSalem is that it’s a little art mecca,” he observed. “I saw a real opportunity here to ﬁnd new places to create and think outside the box. It’s remarkable to see the festival’s connections and relationship with the community and how they manifest together. The emphasis is bringing more creators and talent here, and also looking at the talent that’s already here. We have a commitment to try something new, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll keep trying until it does. You have to depend on the community to make it work, because all our successes lead to other successes.”

Morin, who previously produced the Slamdance Film Festival and oversaw its move from Park City, Utah to Los Angeles, knew RiverRun only by reputation — an extremely positive reputation as a ﬁlmmaker-friendly festival. “RiverRun understands the landscape and its audience and knows how to program for them, giving them what they want and also to guide them to other things.”

Following the retirement of Executive Director Rob Davis in December 2024, last year’s festival saw Program Director Mary Dossinger and Development Director Ti any Jones assume the reins as interim co-executive directors until a permanent successor could be found. This year, Dossinger returned as a consultant, and Jones remained as development director, and together, they essentially got the ball rolling for the 2026 event.

“Mary and Ti any had set up this year’s festival quite a bit before I came on in mid-stream,” Morin said. “They could not have been more helpful and made me feel very welcome. For me, it was more about sitting back and letting certain things progress as they should. I’d have been foolish if I tried to force something in this late in the season.”

The preparedness and enthusiasm of the RiverRun team also impressed Morin as he familiarized himself with the proverbial terrain, which gave him a certain objectivity in observing how the festival operates. “It is such an amazing opportunity to come into an organization with 28 years under its belt,” he said, then added with a smile: “Let’s face it, a festival doesn’t last 28 years if it’s doing something wrong!”

“As always, I’m so proud of this year’s festival lineup,” said Jones. “The selection of films really reflects the strength and diversity of independent filmmaking right now. It’s a wide range — from premieres starring A-list actors to films by emerging and local filmmakers right here in our own Piedmont Triad community. Michael brings fresh energy to the festival, and it feels like an exciting new chapter for RiverRun.”

“The School of Filmmaking has a long, happy history as one of the festival’s most ardent supporters,” said Deborah LaVine, dean of UNCSA’s School of Filmmaking. “Going back to [then-]dean Dale Pollock’s initiative to bring the festival to Winston-Salem, RiverRun

has played a central role in expanding the conversation about film to the Winston-Salem community. The UNCSA’s School of Filmmaking has benefited from this in a myriad of ways. As the festival enters a new phase, the school is excited to work closely with its new executive director, Michael Morin. He shares the same passion that our school’s faculty, sta , and students have for dynamic, exciting, unexpected experiences in the cinema. Michael has a knack for traversing the wide breadth of films from traditional to contemporary cinema. We see great a nities with Michael and look forward to engaging with RiverRun as they expand into new vistas while continuing to uphold a very special position in the community.”

“I’m very excited about this year’s festival for a couple of reasons: It will be the ﬁrst under our new leadership of executive director Michael Morin, and he has already made his presence known in signiﬁcantly upgrading this year’s edition to include multiple world and U.S. premieres,” said Pollock, still an emeritus RiverRun board member and a member of the search committee that selected Morin.

“It’s also the most diverse RiverRun in our history, reflecting the festival’s prestige and status, gauged by how many filmmakers want us to screen their work. Michael’s experience at the Slamdance Film Festival over the past decade will also be evident in this year’s program, with more debut features and shorts and a new emphasis on films about and filmmakers with disabilities. I’m very excited to see some of those films.”

The festival’s history and reputation make it a desirable destination for independent filmmakers, including producer Noah Pitifer, whose first feature, writer/ producer/director John W. Kim’s comedy “Reunion,” will be screened April 24 (Hanesbrands Theatre). It’s the film’s East Coast premiere, “and we’re glad it’s at RiverRun!” Pitifer said.

“Our executive producer, Sebastian Twardosz, has long spoken highly of RiverRun and made sure we submitted. RiverRun has a reputation for its strong sense of community and deep appreciation for storytelling. It’s a festival that truly champions ﬁlmmakers and meaningful work, and we’re incredibly honored

Mark Burger

Contributor

“113 Words For You Today” “Gaslit”

and excited to be included in this year’s line-up.”

Timothy Hall, the writer/producer/ editor/director of the drama “Summer Lost,” which makes its world premiere at RiverRun on April 19 (Marketplace Cinemas), is already familiar with the RiverRun experience. His 2021 ﬁlm “Landlocked” screened at RiverRun, and he is also a 2011 graduate of the UNCSA School of Filmmaking.

“One of my first dates with my wife was seeing fellow UNCSA grad Chad Hartigan’s film ‘This is Martin Bonner’ at RiverRun,” he recalled. “RiverRun was the first film festival I ever attended when I was a student at UNCSA. It was the first time I had the chance to meet working filmmakers in person. It feels fitting to have our world premiere at RiverRun. I saw this film as a love letter to the beauty and magic of North Carolina. It’s such an honor to bring our film to RiverRun. The festival and this city mean so much to us as UNCSA graduates.”

In addition to “Summer Lost,” Marketplace Cinemas will again be screening several festival selections including “Born to Lose” (April 20 and 22), “Can’t Get Over It” (April 21 and 22), the star-studded black comedy “Over Your Dead Body” (April 23), and one ﬁlm at RiverRun that’s already a classic: The restored version Disney’s groundbreaking 1940 animated masterpiece “Fantasia,” a free screening April 18.

“In celebration of Technicolor, this is a milestone film that hardly anyone has seen in a cinema these days,” said Marketplace Cinemas general manager Zack Fox, himself an award-winning filmmaker. “In the days of Disney+, Disney rarely allows screenings of their classic vault films, so do not miss this one!

“As we continue our screening

relationship with the RiverRun Film Festival, I look forward to the new events and programs Morin is planning on bringing to the festival. With the addition of ‘Limitless Shorts’ (April 19, Hanesbrands Theatre), this year is already a wonderful start from Morin’s time with Slamdance.”

With the closing of RED Cinemas in January, the festival then partnered with the Carolina Theatre, thereby ensuring an ongoing presence in Greensboro. This year’s event also marks the o cial return of downtown WinstonSalem’s a/perture cinema to the RiverRun fold, a decision that pleases both parties, according to a/perture executive director Leigh Dyer. “We’re so excited to be a RiverRun venue again!” she said. “The arrival of Michael Morin has been a breath of fresh air, with his wealth of film-festival experience. Of course, we agree our location is essential for maximizing the positive economic benefits of the festival on downtown restaurants and other venues, and we share a common goal of supporting independent film.”

“RiverRun really does o er something for everyone and helps build community,” summarized Jones. “My hope is that our audiences leave with a new understanding, a meaningful conversation, or just a story that stays with them. Then we will have fulﬁlled our organization’s mission.”

“I believe RiverRun has been on the rise ever since the pandemic, which almost killed the festival,” Pollock said. “Each year has drawn more attendees and larger crowds. With our audience eager to see what Michael will bring to RiverRun, I’m looking forward to what I hope will be one of the most successful festivals.”

Fox echoed those sentiments. “We’re coming into our eighth year with River-

Run, and I am proud of the work we’ve done with them so far,” he said. “We kept the festival running with our ‘DriveIn Cinema’ in 2021, and together hosted countless screenings, panel discussions, and special guests at our cinema both during the festival and throughout the year. The future is bright not only for this festival, but for all of cinema and the ﬁlmmakers. I encourage everyone to come back to the world of cinema and see what’s new!”

As for the festival’s new executive di-

rector, “I’m as excited as anyone,” Morin said with a laugh. “I’m really looking forward to experiencing my ﬁrst RiverRun festival, to just take it all in!”

For a full schedule of RiverRun screenings and events, visit https://riverrunﬁlm.com/2026-calendar/. For more information, call 336-724-1502 or visit the o cial RiverRun website: https:// riverrunﬁlm.com/ !

Donna The Buffalo Rising Appalachia Lila Iké

Oak Ridge Horse Show & Rodeo

Photos by Natalie Garcia

Oak Ridge Horse Show & Rodeo

Mckenzie Stone

Code

Town hall address residents issues

“I charged council and parks and recreation to ﬁgure out how to fully remediate Bingham Park,” said District 1 Representative Crystal Black at a March 23 town hall. “Every council member believes Bingham Park deserves to have this remediation.”

This wasn’t true in October 2024 when Black was a community organizer. Although she and other Southeast Greensboro residents called for complete removal of contamination from the park, former council voted 7-2 to cover it with soil and fabric. Yvonne Johnson and District 3’s Hugh Holston supported full remediation.

One vote for the cheaper “cap and cover” option was former District 1 Representative Sharon Hightower. “Some are saying that we have all these high levels of lead, but what I’m hearing is they’re really not that high, the EPA just changed their standards.” Bingham Park became an issue in Black’s campaign against Hightower, with 59.25% of the vote going to Black.

Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter and District 5’s Tammi Thurm are the two current council members who voted against full remediation. While the new council has not held a formal vote, city o cials have

acknowledged the “cap and cover” plan has been abandoned.

“That just wasn’t viable,” said Kobe Riley, deputy director of Parks and Recreation. “The last council put it to bed,” said Holston to The Greensboro Thread’s Gale Melcher. “This council woke it up.”

At the town hall, Black said Greensboro would ﬁnd a way to pay for removing the contamination, which was previously estimated at $40 million.

“The city stepped up and guaranteed the ﬁrst $5 million. We will work for additional funding, whether private or public. The goal is full remediation. The ﬁrst phases, stage one and two, will take 18 months. During that time, we will be looking for the next source of funding.”

Riley spoke of the 1922 racial discrimination that created the contamination.

“We have the opportunity to right a historical wrong. Bingham Park was a

pre-regulatory landﬁll, which means that household waste and garbage were dumped on a Black and Brown community.”

Riley said his department is collaborating with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality on a remediation action plan. “That plan will be complete very soon.”

Black stressed that cleaning up Bingham Park was not her only campaign promise.

“If y’all didn’t hear anything else, you heard me say we need to clean up District 1,” she said before introducing Code Compliance Programs Supervisor Jarod LaRue and District 1 Code Field Supervisor Matthew Peel.

“To do that, we needed to put the appropriate teeth in our ordinance that will enable these guys to do their job. We needed to get to the table, rewrite leg-

islation, and hold commercial property owners accountable.”

She cited urban blight along Randleman Road as a major concern of constituents. “There are so many dilapidated properties, and there’s been nothing to hold owners accountable. Well, there is now, and there’s a hefty ﬁne behind it.”

Peel urged residents to report conditions in their neighborhood.

“If you notice some lot with grass growing a little high, or trash piling up, or you see an abandoned junk car sitting on the street, give us a call.”

Black said she and District 2’s Cecile Crawford are also working on an ordinance to address residential code issues.

“We had to get commercial done, and now Councilmember Crawford and I are working on housing. She’s heavily leading that, the way I heavily led the commercial properties ordinance. I want you to look for some more teeth in that. The rules on front-yard parking now apply to front and side yards. There’s gonna be stronger enforcement around junk cars. There’s going to be stronger enforcement around mechanic shops in homes. All of these things are what I heard on the campaign trail.”

Black said she and Crawford are concerned about conditions in the unhoused community.

“We are aware of the encampments and are having conversations about how we will address those. But like I told someone the other day, just because you’re not housed, doesn’t mean you’re not a resident of Greensboro. We have to handle people with care, and we will do

Cecile Crawford

Crystal Black

Compliance Programs Supervisor Jarod LaRue and District 1 Code Field Supervisor Matthew Peel

Crystal Black with District 2 o cers

Ian McDowell

Contributor

that in District 1 and other districts.”

Crawford later texted the following statement about proposed changes to ordinances, which she said would give the city more tools to use against negligent landlords.

“We are taking steps to ensure everyone in Greensboro has a safe and healthy place to live. In the past, our system responded to problems after they got worse instead of preventing them early. These updates are about being more proactive in ﬁxing gaps, improving accountability, and making sure issues are addressed sooner. By strengthening how we handle housing concerns, we can prevent harm before it happens. Our code enforcement o cers have taken the brunt of dissatisfaction, but we haven’t given them the tools they needed to do their job e ectively.”

Another issue Black campaigned on was discolored and smelly water. “Sometimes it takes being noisy to get people to hear about a concern that we have, and there was an actual problem that needed to be solved.”

Water Resources Director Mike Borchers thanked Black and other community organizers for being “very noisy” about chemicals and sediment in southeast Greensboro’s water. “It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. When there are issues, people need to say something.”

He explained what created the discolored water.

“Greensboro owns 53% of the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority plant. We get about 7 million gallons of water per day from them. If they have an operational issue, they can run in two modes: series mode and split mode. That has to do with membrane ﬁltration

Water Resources

Director Mike Borchers

as well as other ﬁlters. For a while, they were mainly running in split mode, which did not give the opportunity to take out as much manganese as they needed to. Manganese in low concentrations can show up as discoloration, both in drinking water and in laundry. As Crystal mentioned, they have since corrected that and have been running very clear water.”

He also said his department has been cleaning water lines.

“Over time, sediment builds up in those lines. So we’re very strategic now about how we are clearing those lines out. It started last week and will go all the way through May and into summer, so you will deﬁnitely see improvements.”

At the end of the town hall, Black talked about the di erence between “the perception of our police department and what they really are and how they really show up for us.”

“There have been times when I texted and got immediate responses. They were responding to community member Crystal, not Councilmember Crystal. They show up every day. I wonder how many of you know that, in District 2, they have just 16 people on a shift? Think of that when you say they don’t ride by your house anymore. When they ask for funding, it’s to get more o cers. If you don’t want to talk to them, talk to me, and I’ll talk to them, but we have to have a working relationship. I can tell you they show up every day ready to serve us and keep us safe.” !

Extra! Extra!

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High School Math Teacher

(Multiple Openings) – Develp/prep curricula/lessons on the subj of Math; etc. Bachelor’s in Education, Mathematics, or rel field. FT. Triad Math and Science Academy Co. dba TMSA Triad Secondary School. Greensboro, NC. $42,850 /yr. Apply at hr@tmsapcs.org

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(Multiple Openings) – Develp/prep curricula/lessons on the subj of ESL; etc. Bachelor’s in Education, English, or rel field. FT. Triad Math and Science Academy Co. dba TMSA Triad Secondary School. Greensboro, NC. $42,850/yr. Apply at hr@tmsapcs.org

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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.

University Baptist Medical Center.

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Dsgn, dev & impl AI soltns to address cmplx HC challngs like disease predicctn, clin decsn supp & med image anlys. M-F 8a – 5p. Reqs @ lst Bach in CS / rel / equiv w/ courswrk in Big Data, ML & AI & incld 6 mnths perf applied deep learn resrch. Apply: res to: pamela.melton@advocatehealth.org & ref #117697.

Middle School Math Teacher

PCan you pheel it?: Phuzz Phest returns!

huzz Phest is back from the void! Returning after 10 years to WinstonSalem — featuring more than 40 bands, across a dozen stages and spaces — April 9-11.

Flooding the streets with music as a battlecry to bop around downtown Winston-Salem, Phuzz Phest was “born as an accidental music showcase,” that ran from 2011-2016 thanks to “aural instigator” Philip Pledger and his team of scrappy volunteers who sought to energize the area, feed the Triad’s hunger for a full-tilt alternative music festival — and really just put the best of Winston-Salem on display.

Ten years later, the mission remains unchanged as Pledger and a newly assembled Phuzz team is back in the saddle and ready to party. In all seriousness, “we hope to transform downtown into a playground of sorts for a few days,” Pledger said, with the stated goal of “encouraging people to rethink what Winston-Salem as a city can o er, and where we’re headed.”

Phuzz Phest 2026 o ers the opportunity to enjoy some stellar tunes while simultaneously leaning into nostalgia, learning new favorites, and exploring their relationship to Winston’s cultural past and present in tandem with shaping its future. ”We hope to tap into some of the positive creative energy that’s been bubbling up, and draw people out of their silos into a memorable experience,” Pledger said,. “In some ways Winston-Salem has changed a lot over the past decade, in other ways it’s not very di erent at all.”

Going back to April 2016, renovations were nearly complete on the RJ Reynolds building that is now the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (which opened exactly ten days after the festival).

These days, the Cardinal isn’t only serving as the o cial hotel (o ering discounted room rates for Phuzzers) — but it’s also a Phuzz venue (hosting Chris Crutcher Trio on Thursday, Tori Elliot on Friday, and Cashavelly on Saturday). And home of the o cial post-Phuzz Sunday brunch, with the Katharine running food specials for

festival-goers and DJ LushxLotus on deck from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Familiar faces and new twists on old haunts echo throughout Camel City. While it’s also been a solid decade since Krankies dropped the venue-end of their operation, the co eeshop remains a fan of the Phuzz, releasing a special Phuzz blend that o ers ”mesmerizing ﬂavors and buzzy aromas that harken back to 2011, when the music festival ﬁrst began just steps away from where the co ee is now roasted.”

Harkening it back even further, to the Wherehouse days, Krankies will open their special upstairs area as a host venue for Bhutanese-American experimental guitarist, Tashi Dorji, for a special late-night Saturday set.

They’ll also extend its beverage service hours and opening its patio lawn for a free, all-ages, Phuzz Phest Garden Party Saturday afternoon. Treats and wares from Lucian’s Flame Pizza, Littlefoot Matcha, Neohpocalypse, Crafted by Caribou, The Speckled Hegg, and thatblondegirlvikki will be on hand; plus carnivorous plants from Root Down Nursery, pedals from Hardware Fixations, and rounds of curated vinyl selections through the afternoon from DJs MikRo.Wave, Niervash, Night School Watcher, and Visionista, followed by a special “Tobacco A-Go-Go” block of N.C.-only artists and oddities from Harley Lyles (Soul Relief Records), Tuttle Recall (Psychic Hotline), and Jonathan Kirby (The Numero Group).

Kirby will also be with Moon Racer that evening at Still Grimey; and Tuttle drums for the wild and wonderful Woke County

Speedway, who’ll be at the Millennium with Kevin Beck and Paradise Motel Lounge.

“Carolinian to a fault,” Woke County Speedway is an “alt-country insolvent” supergroup of Phuzz Phest favorites, including Matt Wentz (Zack Mexico) and Rich Ivey (Whatever Brains). Wentz has his work cut out for the evening, pulling double-duty as part of Zul!tas, the OBX wildings who’ll cap the festival o in a righteous rock ‘n’ roll culmination (and a reward for the phuzzed-out night owls) rounding out Fair Witness’s Saturday bill with Yung Lungz, T. Gold, Housewife, Kill the Buddha, Hex Files, and SCOBY.

Bailey Park, meanwhile, has grown into a premier event parkspace — look out for the new “Park Hangs” series featuring Blue Cactus on April 24; and Phuzz 2026 artist, Tre. Charles, on May 29. (Charles’ Phuzz slot will be in the Millennium Center club room with NEW EX and MoonHSE on Friday evening.) Bailey Park’s Phuzz session on Saturday night will be an indie shoegaze showcase featuring Small Black (in their ﬁrst concert in nearly two years!), as well as a set from the fabulous Frankie Rose (Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts, Dum Dum Girls, and Beverly) and an opening performance from Greensboro’s Bedroom Division.

Keeping the balance of Triad and national artists continues to be at Phuzz’s forefront. Verity Den(featuring Phuzz-OGs, Drag Sounds’ Mike Wallace and Trevor Reece) are among the Thursday night launch lineup in the main room at the Millennium Center; along with Wrist, shower curtain, and Wishy. Down in the Club Room, Sonny Miles joins the Sam Fribush Organ Trio, and Sam Gendel in a swirl of soulful, jazzy experiences.

Down the block, Fair Witness will follow a similar pattern with a whole di erent beat, as Saul Goode and the Steady Hyperactive crew join DJs Marteka Fair and THEFACESBLUR to bump through the night.

Fair Witness o ers the bounty of embracing the now and the new — and the loud -with a bill featuring MEG, Darling Hiss, Instant Regrets, Killer Antz, and DÖLTZ

Rock’n’rollers can revel that night between Fair Witness and the Millenium club room for Find Familiar (a new group from OG Phuzzer, Anthony Petrovic, Drew

Taylor, Lee Hinshaw and Adam Kelly), Raleigh’s Faun Tempol, Asheville’s wildass Designer, and Meatbodies (from the Los Angeles bubble around Wand, together PANGEA, and Ty Segall’s touring lineup) shredding the psych, celebrating the new and showcasing how wonderfully weird Winston can be.

Speaking of new and weird: Phuzz 2026 ushers standup into the game, with opening slots in the Millennium Club room curated by Camel Gate Comedy. Alex Stone, Seth Kerman, Ej Masicampo, and Cabell Wilkinson will warm the room on Friday; and Dusty Cagle, Nick Ciaccia, Jessa Blake, and David Goolsby get things going on Saturday before Flower in Bloom, GRRL, and Empress Of highlight how Phuzz isn’t just an exercise in Nostalgia for the elder Millennial.

But as one, it’s wild to see performers who were still kids back when Phuzz Phest was ﬁrst phuzzin’. Spaces, too. The Ramkat was still two years from inception in 2016. In 2026, it’ll host Luke Schneider, Dead Tongues, and Mikaela Davis in a twangy, ethereal pedal steel and harp string extravaganza a’la the “Graceland Way.”

Folks can keep the twang going Friday night with a shu e down Trade Street for Kyle Caudle and Real Companion in the Delurk Gallery (a Winston-Salem classic). On Saturday, Delurk shifts toward the electronic, with late-night dance party sets from NÄTIVA and Marley Carroll.

Low Five Archive is among the new businesses looking forward to their ﬁrst Phuzz Phest (hosting Celestogramme on Friday and Zodiac Lovers on Saturday). And Monstercade will host a Saturday afternoon day party with Winston-Salem Rap Round Robin maestro, Emceein’ Eye, joined by Lil Skirtt and Huleo Pando.

All together, Phuzz Phest’s return o ers both oldtimers and new folks — locals and visitors — the opportunity to celebrate artists that are shaping N.C.’s future while helping shape the city itself, through a mostly walkable (and wonderfully bikeable) musical adventure around the lovely streets of Winston-Salem.

From the void, to inﬁnity and beyond: Phuzz Phest returns to Winston-Salem, April 9-11. !

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

Katei Cranford

Contributor

CARBORRO

CAT’S CRADLE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053

www.catscradle.com

Apr 8: Tigers Jaw, Hot Flash Heat Wave, Creeks

Apr 9: Jordan Smart + Willy Tea Taylor, Jodi Jones

Apr 10: Billie Marten

Apr 10L Wild Party, Pretoria

Apr 12: Femtanyl, Strawberry Hospital, takihasdied and friends

Apr 12: Field Medic, Euphoria Again

CHARLOTTE

THE

FILLMORE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970

www.livenation.com

Apr 8: Bob Moses & Cannons

Apr 8: Sons of Legion

Apr 9: Phoneboy

Apr 10: Black Label Society

Apr 10: Cupcakke

Apr 11: Blessed

Apr 12: Nimesh Patel

Apr 13: Fied vs. Ferxxo

DURHAM

DPAC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

Apr 8: Bill Burr

Apr 9: Nick O erman

Apr 10: Arrival of Sweden — The Music of ABBA

Apr 11: Hannah Berner

GREENSBORO

COMEDY ZONE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034

www.thecomedyzone.com

Apr 9: D’Lai

Apr 10-11: Bruce Bruce

FLAT IRON

221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967

www.ﬂatirongso.com

Apr 8: Laurelyn Dossett

Apr 9: JVK, Scoby + Willingdon

Apr 10: The Ain’t Sisters

Apr 11: Possum Jenkins

Apr 12: Jordan Smart + Willy Tea

Taylor w/ Jodi Jones

GREENSBORO COLISEUM

1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

Apr 14: Billy Strings

Apr 14: Wyatt Flores with Kashus Culpepper

HANGAR 1819

1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480

www.hangar1819.com

Apr 9: Zero 9:36 with Elijah, Downswing, Ireveri

Apr 10: Hyperglow

Apr 12: Danny Worsnop & Tyler Rich w/ Kasey Tyndall

STEVEN TANGER CENTER

300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500

www.tangercenter.com

Apr 12: Bert Kreischer

Apr 13: A Conversation with Kamala Harris

THE IDIOT

BOX

COMEDY CLUB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699

www.idiotboxers.com

Apr 9: Caleb Synan

Apr 10-11: Mike Mello

HIGH POINT

GOOFY FOOT TAPROOM

2762 NC-68 #109 | 336.307.2567

www.goofyfoottaproom.com

Apr 11: Beth Turner

Apr 18: James Vincent Carroll

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844

www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

Apr 10: Dailey & Vincent

Apr 11: Wade Hayes

WINSTON-SALEM

FIDDLIN’ FISH

BREWING COMPANY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945

www.ﬁddlinﬁsh.com

Tuesdays: Trivia

Apr 10: Kris Atom

Apr 24: Red Umber

HOME GROWN MUSIC SCENE | Compiled by Shane Hart

THE RAMKAT

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714

www.theramkat.com

Apr 8: Charles Walker, Evan Blackerby

Apr 9: BigDumbHick

Apr 10: Mikaela Davis, The Dead Tongues & Luke Scheider

Apr 11: Old 97’s, Lizzie No

Apr 12: Sound System Sunday

WISE MAN BREWING

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008

www.wisemanbrewing.com

Thursdays: Music Bingo

Apr 10: Big Daddy Love & Friends

Apr 11: Spring Jam 2026

Apr 17: The Deluge

Apr 19: Camel City Cars & Co ee

[TRIVIA TEST]

by Fifi Rodriguez

[1. GEOGRAPHY: The famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, are believed to have been in what modern-day country?

[2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the name of the six-point blue star on emergency medical vehicles?

[3. MOVIES: What is the nickname of the “vicious” dog in “The Sandlot”?

[4. HISTORY: What was the name of the United States’ ﬁrst space shuttle?

[5. LITERATURE: In what language was “The Odyssey” originally written?

[6. TELEVISION: Where is the 1990s sitcom “Northern Exposure” set?

[7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of kangaroos called?

[8. SCIENCE: What is the process called when a lizard loses and regenerates a tail?

[9. U.S. STATES: Which state borders two oceans?

[10. MUSIC: What was Taylor Swift’s ﬁrst song to make Billboard’s Hot 100?

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of April 13, 2026

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Aspects indicate a potential for confusion or misunderstandings. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your mate or signiﬁcant other.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Romantic aspects are strong but confusing. Be alert! Use your good Bovine sense to avoid charging into something that isn’t quite what it seems to be.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Working out problems with family members or others who are close to you should be your priority. Meanwhile, travel aspects are strong, especially in job-related situations.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The CANCERian Crab likes to take charge of things. But be careful that you don’t pinch o more than you can hold, or you might ﬁnd it all slipping out of your grasp.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) A new opportunity beckons for LEOs and LEOnas who are ready to take on some tough challenges.

Additionally, family matters continue to improve but still need close attention.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) What seems to be a disappointment could be a blessing in disguise. Use your good Virgan mind to analyze the situation and learn some valuable lessons.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) There are some conﬂicting considerations that will need careful sorting out. Remember, you do best when you’re able to balance sense and sentiment.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Aspects show conﬂicting signs around friendships. Be careful about taking advice from someone who might have an agenda that isn’t in your best interests.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Relationships are supposed to be about give-and-take, but you might ﬁnd that you’ve been doing all the giving while getting little in return.

of you to be a part of our athletic facility, while enjoying the membership savings we offer our established corporate accounts.

The Star of Life.

“The Beast” to the kids and Hercules to his owner.

Columbia.

Homeric Greek.

6. Cicely, Alaska. 7. A mob.

8. Autotomy. 9. Alaska: cPaciﬁ and Arctic Oceans

“Tim McGraw.”

[cAPrIcorN (December 22 to January 19) Sometimes indecision can be a positive factor in helping to resolve doubts about a potential commitment. Don’t be rushed into acting before you feel ready to do so.

[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) Take off your rose-colored glasses and see this new situation for what it is — and for what it isn’t. Remember, you haven’t been told the whole truth yet.

[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) Watch that you don’t drain your energy reserves as you dive into a new and increasingly demanding project. Take time out for rest and relaxation.

[BorN THIs week: You live your life on a finely tuned balance between the passions of an ARIES and the perception of a TAURUS. You most likely excel in the arts.

answers

[crossword] crossword on page 8

[weekly sudoku] sudoku on page 8