visions
JOHN COLTRANE 2025
3 Things being what they are, what we could all use is a good laugh right about now, so it’s with perfect timing that the N.C. COMEDY FEST returns to Greensboro, opening Tuesday, Sept. 9.
4 THE FINAL RUN is something of an oddity. Billed as being “inspired” by actual stories from Operation Jackpot, the DEA crackdown on South Carolina drug smuggling in the 1980s, it’s bound to sorely disappoint those expecting a slam-bang, shoot-‘em-up action movie.
5 Here in North Carolina, the DEATH PENALTY is only imposed when someone has been convicted of first-degree murder and only then when the crime was deemed to be “heinous.”
8 The 2025 JOHN COLTRANE International Jazz and Blues Festival will return to High Point’s Oak Hollow Festival Park, located at 1841 Eastchester Drive, on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31.
11 KALAMAKI in Greek, means “skewer.” The term is often used to mean souvlaki.
If you have seen photos of towns and/or island villages in Greece, you will probably recognize the color scheme.
12 On January 6, Winston-Salem City Council passed an ordinance requiring MASSAGE PARLORS to be licensed by the NC Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy. This, according to city officials, allows shutting down unlicensed “Asian spas” without arresting workers who may be victims of human trafficking.
13 Holy smokes, y’all! There are hot new releases and concerts on the horizon as TRIAD MUSIC heads into the last week of August.
5500 Adams Farm Lane Suite 204
Greensboro, NC 27407
O ce 336-316-1231
Fax 336-316-1930
Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com
EDITORIAL
Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com
YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR
MARK BURGER
KATEI CRANFORD
LYNN FELDER
JIM LONGWORTH
IAN MCDOWELL
PRODUCTION
Senior Designer ALEX FARMER designer@yesweekly.com
Designer SHANE HART artdirector@yesweekly.com
ADVERTISING
Marketing ANGELA COX angela@yesweekly.com
Promotion NATALIE GARCIA
DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT ANDREW WOMACK
We at YES! Weekly realize that the interest of our readers goes well beyond the boundaries of the Piedmont Triad. Therefore we are dedicated to informing and entertaining with thought-provoking, debate-spurring, in-depth investigative news stories and features of local, national and international scope, and opinion grounded in reason, as well as providing the most comprehensive entertainment and arts coverage in the Triad. YES! Weekly welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however YES! Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. YES! Weekly is published every Wednesday by Womack Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free, all additional copies are $1.00. Copyright 2025 Womack Newspapers, Inc.
Make ‘em laugh, then repeat
BY MARK BURGER
Things being what they are, what we could all use is a good laugh right about now, so it’s with perfect timing that the N.C. Comedy Fest returns to Greensboro, opening Tuesday, Sept. 9, and continuing through Sunday, September 14 at The Idiot Box Comedy Club, 503 N. Greene St., Greensboro. For a complete list of times and dates for the N.C. Comedy Festival at the Idiot Box Comedy Club, and to purchase advance tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/theidiot-box-comedy-club-40525122933.
This self-explanatory event, which was inaugurated in 2018, will feature 170 comedians from North Carolina and across the nation, spreading the joy and the love and — most importantly — the laughs. The event is recommended for audiences 21 and up, and no one under 18 will be admitted.
“I love bringing all these funny people together to share ideas and laughs,” explained Jennie Stencel, the owner and creative director of The Idiot Box and the executive producer of the N.C. Comedy Fest alongside producer Steve Lesser. “This is a very talented area, and it’s so cool to mix us in with folks from all over!”
The festival format is a combination of stand-up comedy, improvisation, and frequently a few surprises. In other words, a little bit of everything — all of it carefully crafted to tickle the funny bone and take audiences away from their problems for a couple of hours. Said Stencel: “This year it is mostly stand-up, but we do have a couple improv-based shows, a parody show, and a rap battle, too!”
In addition to the Greensboro shows, the festival will return for two shows — 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept.13 — at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem. For more information about those shows, and to purchase advance tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nccomedy-fest-at-marketplace-cinemastickets-1435725115469?a =ebdsoporg profile.
This is the third N.C. Comedy Fest to be presented at Marketplace Cinemas, an ongoing relationship that pleases Marketplace general manager Zack Fox
to no end. “We love partnering with Jennie Stencel and the comedy festival to bring these stand-up shows to WinstonSalem,” he said. “The previous comedy festival completely sold out at our cinema, and the audience loved it. You can hear the laughter from the lobby! Jennie brings not only great local comedians, but also wonderful out-of-state traveling comics that broaden the laughter.” It has long been Fox’s mission to expand the parameters of Marketplace’s appeal by presenting special events and shows, including RiverRun International Film Festival screenings, the Wreak Havoc Film Festival (which is also scheduled for September), and, of course, the N.C. Comedy Fest.
“Having special events like this has really helped bring in a large and diverse audience to our cinema, and the crosspromotions are always great — people coming to see The Naked Gun see the ad for the comedy festival and vice-versa,” he said. “RiverRun, the N.C. Comedy Fest, ‘Filmed in Winston-Salem,’ and so on have really made a collection of charmfilled returning audiences to our cinema.”
As a filmmaker himself, Fox has worked with several participants in the N.C. Comedy Fest on his own projects, and not necessarily in comedic roles. “I don’t believe people realize how much the local comedy scene is heavily tied into the local filmmaking and theatrical scenes,” he said. “Many hilarious comedians are always popping up in North Carolina films or stage plays in both comedic and dramatic roles.”
For more information, call 336-7242699 or visit the o cial Idiot Box Comedy Club website: https://www.idiotboxers.com/. The o cial N.C. Comedy Fest Facebook page is https://www.facebook. com/NorthCarolinaComedyFestival/. !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies.
TBY MARK BURGER
he Final Run is something of an oddity. Billed as being “inspired” by actual stories from Operation Jackpot, the DEA crackdown on South Carolina drug smuggling in the 1980s, it’s bound to sorely disappoint those expecting a slambang, shoot-‘em-up action movie. There’s tension, to be sure, but no action — not a single bullet is fired or a single punch thrown.
Instead, the film is more of a domestic melodrama bordering on soap opera than anything else. Je Fahey enjoys a lead turn as Pierce Butler, a retired U.S. Marine and, after a nine-year prison stint, a reformed marijuana smuggler. Now he runs a shrimp boat and is content to let the past remain in the past.
But economic hardships, compounded by the cancer diagnosis of his wife, Julia (Dorothy Hadley Joly), have forced him into a corner. He’s determined to pull o
Smuggler’s blues
one last run — hence the title — smuggling 5,000 pounds of marijuana from Colombia to Charleston. To this end, he recruits the help of his old cronies, including a local pastor (Jim Gooden) — named Solomon, no less — to aid and abet his scheme, along with his orphaned granddaughter Ella (Maddie Henderson), a college law student. But it’s not long before word gets out that Pierce just might be up to his old tricks.
Even the casual filmgoer knows that any film about a “last” or “final” anything — be it a heist, a bout, a match, or a race — is bound not to go as planned, but in the case of The Final Run, things essentially do go as planned — although not without a few mishaps along the way. There are some noir-ish touches here and there, but not enough to qualify as a true film noir. The Final Run holds some sort of minor distinction by not really being much of anything, but there are some elements that do work.
Chief among them are the performanc-
es. The grizzled Fahey puts a world-weary stamp on his role that is sometimes touching, particularly in his scenes with Henderson (who really holds her own as Ella) and Joly. Secondbilled Judd Nelson plays Pierce’s old DEA nemesis Sam Sloane, lurking on the sidelines. He only has a few brief exchanges with Fahey — more would have been welcome — but Nelson adds some quirky touches that elevate his role above the standard-issue antagonist. Meredith Inglesby and Steve Blanchard, who are married in real life, are appropriately enigmatic as Pierce’s long-time buyers, only too eager to renew their dealings with him, even if only one more time.
ing Pierce’s daughter Alex (Katie Amess), who just so happens to be a local prosecutor. The relationship between Davis and Alex is never convincing and utterly contrived, and the irony that both Pierce’s daughter and granddaughter are in the legal profession, given his past misdeeds, is never really brought up.
Who will The Final Run appeal to? It’s hard to say. In its own way, it o ers a di erent take on well-worn themes in a well-worn genre. Perhaps that distinction is enough, perhaps not. In the end, it is what it is. Not particularly good, but not bad either.
On the other end of the spectrum is producer Drew Waters as Davis, a younger DEA agent who just so happens to be dat-
(The Final Run is playing in select theaters and is available On Digital.) !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies.
Heinous Drinking
Here in North Carolina, the death penalty is only imposed when someone has been convicted of firstdegree murder and only then when the crime was deemed to be “heinous.” Well, we sure must have a lot of heinous going on here because our state has the fifth-largest death row population in the nation. However, the last time we executed anyone was in 2006, mainly because, like many other states, North Carolina is moving away from death penalty sentencing in favor of life without parole. No doubt a life sentence is more humane than the electric chair or lethal injection, and it ensures that innocent men aren’t put to death. The problem is that the criteria remain pretty much the same for life without parole as it is for the death penalty. That means under current law, an entire category of killers may never see the inside of a prison, much less spend the rest of their lives there.
In 2017, a Forsyth County man got drunk, drove his car at high speeds, and crashed, killing his passenger. He was charged with felony death by motor vehicle and ordered to serve a maximum of five years in prison. Why such a light sentence? First, because his misdeed wasn’t considered murder or heinous, and second, because the judge found that the man had no criminal record. In 2023, a drunken driver was operating a golf cart when she struck and killed a young Charlotte woman. The driver was convicted of DWI homicide and sentenced to serve a maximum of 10 years. And that brings me to Quinten Kight and Annemarie Flanigan, who just last week were charged with “death by impaired boating.” That’s right, the pair got drunk and ran over a 10-year-old girl who was swimming in Harris Lake. The little girl died instantly. We won’t know for a while how a court will rule, but I’ll guarantee that the sentence will be similar to that of every other drunk driving case in recent memory.
In any event, you can bet that the ruling will be light and inconsistent. Here in North Carolina, sentencing in drunk driving cases varies from county to county and from judge to judge, and the discrepancy can be huge. Many years ago, the Charlotte Observer reported that judges in some counties convict 90 percent of drunk drivers while judges in other counties only convict 10 percent. Overall, our judges acquit about one-third of all drunk drivers. Even worse, according to M.A.D.D., one-third of people convicted of drunk driving are repeat o enders. Talk about catch and release! Tragically, many of those repeat o enders eventually cause the death of one or more persons. According to the National Highway Tra c Safety Administration, 37 Americans die in drunk driving crashes every day. That’s one death every 39 minutes, and the problem is getting worse. Drunk driving deaths were up 14 percent from 2020 to 2021. Want another horrible statistic? According to the Centers for Disease Control, intoxicated drivers get behind the wheel no less than 112 million times per year. And that doesn’t count drunks who operate ATVs, boats, or golf carts. Yet, for some reason, judges, prosecutors, and society at large don’t treat drunk driving killers the same way as we do other killers. Let’s be clear about something. Driving drunk is no accident. It is a premeditated act, and when that act results in the death of another person, then that is murder, and every murder is heinous, just ask the families of victims. Here in North Carolina, a drunk driver can get o scot-free if no one was injured, if he has no criminal record, and is a pillar of the community. That then puts the car keys back in his hands and enables him to drive drunk again, which could result in an alcoholrelated death. The only way to abate these tragic situations is to mandate a year in prison for first-time drunk driving and life in prison without parole for death by impaired driving. Otherwise, we’re letting drunks drive around with a loaded weapon that’s just waiting to go o , and I can’t think of anything more heinous than that. !
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+.
[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] MARTHA BASSETT’S QUINTETO BRASIL TO PERFORM AT REYNOLDS PLACE THEATRE AUG. 31
North Carolina singer/songwriter
Martha Bassett and her Quinteto Brasil present a night of bossa nova standards and new arrangements such as Desafinado, Meditation, One Note Samba, and more.
Martha Bassett has been making music in North Carolina and beyond for over 20 years as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She holds music degrees from the University of Kentucky and UNC-Greensboro. Based in WinstonSalem, her band features many of the region’s finest musicians. Her most recent project, “The Martha Bassett Show,” showcases national, regional, and local artists alongside her own music. Now in its fifth season, the
show airs weekly on 88.5 WFDD every Saturday at 7 p.m. and is recorded live at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, N.C. Martha has also been a vocalist with Music Carolina’s jazz ensemble since its inception.
The Quinteto Brasil includes Martha Bassett, guitar and vocals; Pat Lawrence, bass and percussion; Ben Singer, percussion; Reagan Mitchell, flute and sax; Russell Kelly, guitar; and Chris Reichmeier, pandeiro. !
WANNA go?
See Martha Bassett’s Quinteto Brasil on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Reynolds Place Theater (first floor of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts), 251 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem NC 27101. The 90-minute performance is $25 plus taxes and fees. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.intothearts.org/
PHOTO BY JOE MOUNT
Jazz returns to the Triad for the annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival
Jazz returns to the Triad for the annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival
By Chanel R. Davis
The 2025 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival will return to High Point’s Oak Hollow Festival Park, located at 1841 Eastchester Drive, on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31.
The park will come alive with the sounds of jazz, rhythm and blues to bring a close to summer during the two-day celebration during Labor Day Weekend. Held annually, the festival honors the legacy of legendary jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane. There are food trucks, vendors, and more. By bringing world-class talent to the stage, the festival celebrates the spirit of creativity, collaboration, and community through jazz and blues music, according to its mission statement.
“We have a pretty broad and diverse group of artists this year, and all of them are headliners in their own right,” said Joe Williams, festival organizer. “We’ve gotten calls from all over the country from folks who are excited about the festival.”
This year, organizers will host a Snarky Puppy Masterclass led by Michael League to kick o the weekend. The event is designed for “musicians, music lovers, and fans of all backgrounds seeking inspiration, a closer look at the creative process, or insights into the collaborative artistry that has defined Snarky Puppy’s sound.” Led by bassist, producer, and composer League, Snarky Puppy’s founder and bandleader, the masterclass is a two-hour interactive conversation between the band and the audience. It features musical demonstrations, personal insights, audience Q&A, and plenty of fun.
“This is something that we’ve been
wanting to do for some time now to give our community the opportunity to get up and personal, and to have conversations with the industry leaders,” he said. “Michael League and Snarky Puppy are a diverse group and a great example of how to build something from the ground up.”
This event will be held on Friday, Aug. 29, at High Point Theatre, located at 220 E. Commerce Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets and more information are available at coltranejazzfest.com/snarkypuppymasterclass.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that anyone, young or old, who is interested in the industry should take,” Williams said.
This year’s festival will feature Grammy-winning artists, some old faves, and some new artists with their own stamp on the genre.
On Saturday, Snarky Puppy, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lizz Wright, The Headhunters, and the “From Withers to Wonder” Tribute featuring Nnenna Freelon, Clint Holmes, and the a cappella group Take 6.
Formed in Texas in 2004, Snarky Puppy is a five-time Grammy award-winning ensemble, celebrated for their genredefying compositions and tight-knit musical chemistry. The group’s expansive lineup of rotating artists — a ectionately known as “The Fam” — brings a rich blend of global influences, technical
mastery, and joyful experimentation to every performance.
Ndegeocello is a three-time Grammy award winner, and she recently took home the Grammy for Best Alternative Jazz Album. She is known for her ability to push creative boundaries with her blend of spoken word, jazz, funk, and spiritual lyricism.
“She is the embodiment of the future of the industry. She has done so many things, so many di erent ways,” Williams said. “She actually had her agent reach out to us to get her on this year’s festival.”
Wright’s music draws from gospel roots and reflects a sense of connection — bridging cultural, spiritual, and human divides.
“She has one of those voices that just touches you. You can tell she sings from her soul. One of those voices that makes your hair stick up,” he said. “We’ve been wanting to get her for a while.”
Bring the funk is The Headhunters, whose innovation keeps audiences guessing with their rhythm-driven sets and boundary-busting grooves.
“They are a living legends group that a lot of people have never had the opportunity to see, or it has been years since folks saw them live,” Williams said.
The “From Withers to Wonder” Tribute unites legendary vocalists and musicians in a celebration of the timeless music
of Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder. This ensemble is stacked with star power: sixtime Grammy nominee Nnenna Freelon, acclaimed singer Clint Holmes, and the 10-time Grammy-winning a cappella group Take 6.
On Sunday, attendees can enjoy music by West End Mambo, Stanley Clarke, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Peter White, The Baylor Project, Ruthie Foster, and N.C. Coltrane All-Star Band with José James.
With his decades of experience and collaboration, Clarke brings an expert level of jazz fusion to the stage.
“It’s important to give people their due while they are here,” Williams said.
Billed as the Smooth Jazz Trio — Braun, Elliot, and White will share the stage to bring the audience a dose of contemporary, smooth jazz.
“They are three of the top smooth jazz artists in the world right now,” Williams said. “That’s going to be a great experience.”
The Baylor Project, featuring vocalist Jean Baylor and drummer Marcus Baylor, is a soulful intersection of jazz, gospel, and R&B.
“There’s always an artist that we highlight to be the future of our industry, and The Baylor Project fits that bill,” Williams said. “They’ve been in the game for a long time, and they just keep growing. Their show is phenomenal, and they just give you a little of everything. They
Chanel Davis
Editor
let me know that the industry is in good hands.”
Fresh o a Grammy win for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2024, Foster brings raw power and heartfelt authenticity to every performance.
“It’s like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and maybe a little Gladys Knight all mixed together,” Williams said. ‘“She’s one of our living legends.”
Closing out the weekend is the N.C. Coltrane All-Star Band, led by composer and bassist John Brown, featuring genrecrossing vocalist José James. James is known for fusing jazz with soul, hip-hop, and poetry, making him a fitting voice for a festival rooted in musical innovation.
Brown’s credentials are equally notable. Having toured internationally with Elvin Jones, the legendary drummer from Coltrane’s own quartet, Brown’s musical direction ensures that this performance connects history with the future in a meaningful way.
“This gives you an opportunity to see a big band with a great artist,” he said. One of Williams’ favorite parts of the weekend is when students are awarded an instrument.
The John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival’s Student Instrument Contest awards brand new instruments to North Carolina middle and high school students who demonstrate a passion for music and a need for an instrument. Students submit an essay or video explaining their musical aspirations and how winning an instrument would help them. Winners are presented with their instruments on stage at the festival.
“There are a lot of participants who are seniors in school, and they may not get another opportunity, so we really stretched ourselves and are giving away 25 instruments,” Williams said. “That is 25 new musicians that will carry the legacy on, and these instruments seem to just keep giving. The brand new instruments give them a sense of pride and help to propel their career.”
For more information or tickets, visit coltranejazzfest.com. !
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
in the Triad region.
Chow Down with John Batchelor at Kalamaki
BY JOHN BATCHELOR
Kalamaki in Greek, means “skewer.” The term is often used to mean souvlaki.
If you have seen photos of towns and/or island villages in Greece, you will probably recognize the color scheme. A light, rich blue — I would call it “Greek blue” tone is dominant, over white. The ambience is very casual, reflecting the “street food” concept. Tile floors look up to a colorfully decorated ceiling. You place an order at the counter, where you can see into the open kitchen. Food is delivered to your table.
Takeout is an important factor in the concept, and a convenient online ordering system is available. My wife and I paid one visit in person, and I tried takeout another time. Deliveries utilize the usual suspects. All the food I tried here travels well, and this kitchen pays attention to preserving the full sensory experience of the food. Containers are lined with foil to retain heat. We enjoyed hot meals after driving from the west side of Winston-Salem all the way back to Greensboro. We started our meal with Street Corn. It’s a simple, on-the-cob preparation, roasted and char-grilled, buttered and salted — a good start.
Three dips/spreads can be ordered in a Trio combination. Tzatziki is Greek yogurt, seasoned with a light lemon infusion, extended with cucumbers, garlic, and dill. Hummus is made from mashed garbanzo beans. Tirokafteri is kind of like pimiento cheese, but made with feta cheese, intensified with a bit of cayenne pepper. All are very tasty, well-served by warm pita wedges.
Most dishes that would be considered entrees can be ordered à la carte or in combinations that include fries, rice, or Greek Salad. I really like the salad — simply shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and kalamata olives, all sprinkled with feta cheese. The Greek dressing — olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper — makes it tasty.
A rotisserie slow cooks meats. We tried the Three Meat Combo of pork, chicken, and a blend of steak and lamb. These are sliced in thin strips direct
from the rotisserie. Naked, I found them on the dry side, although the flavor was good enough. But they are enhanced with tzatziki sauce, which in my judgment will make anything enjoyable, or Kalamaki sauce, a blend of mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. This comes with diced onions and tomatoes.
My favorites here are the proteins that come on skewers. Chicken Souvlaki is marinated chicken breast, chargrilled. Shrimp pleasantly surprised me — I would have forgiven a bit of firmness, which usually characterizes grilled shrimp, even in expensive restaurants. My serving, however, was tender, providing clear, fresh shrimp flavor. Both these are undergirded by a marinade of olive oil, lemon, garlic, sea salt, and pepper.
Salad, enhanced with diced tomatoes, onions, and bits of feta cheese. You can also get the dips/spreads, described above, as sides.
One side of the kitchen is devoted to Loukoumades — Greek donuts. In American terms, they are donut holes, rather than donut rounds. Various creations are offered — with syrup, cinnamon, and sugar; with white hazelnut, strawberry and crème crumbles, chocolate hazelnuts with crushed Biscoff cookies (a Greek shortbread); or Biscoff cookies with chocolate crème crumbles. Or choose from more than a dozen toppings. I got Traditional Greek — with syrup, cinnamon, and sugar, and I can testify to their worth in calories.
Large combination packages facilitate ball games and other gatherings. Catering is available as well.
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.
WANNA go?
Falafel is another personal favorite. This is a concoction of mashed chickpeas and fava beans, with Greek herbs and spices, rolled into fritters and deep-fried. Alone, or dipped a bit in tzatziki sauce, they just taste great. From the sides choices, in addition to the salad, I have had French Fries — pleasantly crisp, with a moderate level of potato flavor; and Greek Green Bean
The owners are Spiro and Stella Strates and Jimmy Strates. The manager is James Skenteris. This is a very customer-friendly team. Kalamaki is one of the rare restaurants that actually responds to messages!
Low prices, good food, and pleasant people. What’s not to like? An easy recommendation! !
Kalamaki Authentic Greek Street Food 420 Jonestown Road, Suite L Winston-Salem 27104 336-306-9300 eatkalamaki.com
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Appetizers: $3.25-$8.75
Salads: $6-$10.25
Sandwiches: $9.50 (a la carte)-$16 (platter)
Entrees: $11.75-$19
Desserts: $6-$10.25
Most recent visit: July 25
Street Corn
Shrimp Skewer with Fries
Greek Donuts
Trio
Falafel
Local city yet to enforce ordinance against unlicensed massage parlors
On Jan. 6, Winston-Salem City Council passed an ordinance requiring massage parlors to be licensed by the N.C. Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy. This, according to city o cials, allows shutting down unlicensed “Asian spas” without arresting workers who may be victims of human tra cking.
Seven months later, despite the increasing number of such establishments advertising on sex industry websites, the ordinance remains unenforced.
At the Oct. 14, 2024, meeting of the Winston-Salem Public Safety Committee, WSPD Detective Susan Warner described the warning signs of massage parlors engaging in criminal activity. These, said Warner, include being open 13 hours a day/7 days a week; workers sleeping inside on pallets; all-male clientele; blocked windows; and a locked entrance with a client buzzer.
“We partnered with Homeland Security investigations to uncover a transnational criminal organization by following the trail from three illicit massage businesses that were operating here in Winston-Salem; that case is pending federal indictments.”
Those pending indictments, said Warner, were against massage parlor owners from China whose establishments were unlicensed, whose workers were engaging in prostitution, and may have been held in sexual slavery.
While operating a massage parlor or performing massage without a state license is already illegal, Warner stated the proposed ordinance “would not only provide an additional layer of regulation,” but “prevent the businesses from opening in the first place.”
This ordinance would require massage parlors to apply for a permit from the city, submit to a background check, list all employees, and list other massage businesses owned or operated by the applicant.
According to Warner, “Greensboro is the only N.C. municipality to enact an ordinance to combat illicit massage.” Despite Warner’s claim, Greensboro has not enacted such an ordinance.
In May 2024, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson stated his department was drafting such an ordinance. According to Assistant Chief Chris Schultheis, the ordinance would “mirror the language of state law, and give the city some teeth to enforce that statute.”
On June 12, 2024, Schultheis emailed a draft of that ordinance to GPD Assistant Chief Doug Tabler. The draft began by stating “a person/permittee shall not lease, rent, or otherwise knowingly allow the use of any
premises by any person for the purpose of carrying on the profession or business of massage and bodywork therapy unless such lessee, renter, or user is in possession of a current state massage and bodywork therapy license issued pursuant to Article 36 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes.”
On Aug. 12, 2025, GPD Public Information Manager Annette Ayres stated that the ordinance “was still in the works.” Due to changes in sta , wrote Ayres, “the process stalled temporarily and is currently being finalized before being submitted to city council for consideration and approval.”
At the Oct. 21, 2024, meeting of Winston-Salem City Council, Greensboro resident Ben Holder told councilmembers, “For every Starbucks, you have a place in Winston-Salem that is conducting business where people could be held under indentured servitude, human tra cking, and slavery.” But, said Holder, their city did not need a new ordinance to shut these down. “You have a state law where you could close them all tomorrow.”
Holder also said no Greensboro ordinance has reduced the number of illicit massage parlors there. Instead, he stated Greensboro’s massage parlors had all closed because he and Je Thigpen, a member of Holder’s volunteer anti-tra cking organization NC SWAT, who is also the Guilford County Register of Deeds, reached out to every landlord of an illicit massage parlor and informed them that their tenants violated state law. (As reported last year, Thigpen has provided YES! Weekly with correspondence supporting this claim.)
At the Dec. 9, 2024, meeting of the Winston-Salem Public Safety Committee, Pridgen Green, assistant city attorney for public safety, stated, “Greensboro has achieved desirable results in closing down some of their illicit massage businesses after implementing their ordinance,” again citing an ordinance that has yet to be implemented.
“During last month’s committee meeting, we referenced the illicit massage industry, which can be
summed up as bad actors perpetuating sex trafficking, prostitution, and other crimes under the guise of operating a legitimate massage and body work therapy establishment. The purpose of this proposed ordinance is to take proactive measures to supplement existing state law and make Winston-Salem less hospitable to the illicit massage industry.”
Green spoke of the existing state law and said some council members might be wondering, “Why does Winston-Salem need to do anything further?”
“The reality is that even with the existence of the State Massage Act, there are still some businesses that hold themselves out to the public as legitimate without having demonstrated that they’ve met state requirements. The Massage and Bodywork Therapy Practice Act is a helpful tool in regulating the practice of massage, but its enforcement measures are not immediate, and it does not contemplate how to prevent future violations of the statute.”
When asked if the city was planning to notify business owners and members of the public about the new ordinance, Green replied, “Absolutely.”
“Obviously, the businesses have to know that this requirement is in place so they can apply, particularly our legitimate businesses. I think that what was not mentioned here is that this is another tool in the toolbox for our police department or for our other agencies to make sure that people are operating properly. Our legitimate massage parlors obviously want to stay in business, and they don’t want to be competing with folks that are not doing things above board.”
On March 17, 2025, Winston-Salem City Manager Patrick Pate sent an email to Holder, stating:
“Over the next few weeks, we aim to have fully developed procedures in place with the Finance Department to administer the ordinance. I know this is not moving at the pace you would like, but we also do not want any concerns to be raised in the implementation that might mitigate this tool to combat illegal establishments.”
On Aug. 11, WSPD Public Information O cer Annie Sims said, “City departments, including the WinstonSalem Police Department, are currently working in partnership to develop the necessary procedures for implementation, and enforcement action under the city’s ordinance has not yet begun,” replied Sims. “Please note that the absence of an immediate visible response does not mean an investigation is not underway.”. !
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
Website photo for unlicensed massage parlor.
Holy Smokes! The Triad’s hot event horizon
Holy smokes, y’all! There are hot new releases and concerts on the horizon as Triad music heads into the last week of August.
In Winston-Salem, what’s old is new and what’s new is smokin’ as Art-o-mat celebrates nearly 30 years of cigarette-sized art with a big ol’ Swap Meet (and preparty edition of House Hangs the evening before), at NCMA W-S on Aug. 23. 1
Preaching the gospel: “Don’t Go ‘Round Artless!,” the Swap Meet brings together more than 70 Art-o-mat artists to sling wares, trade blocks, and get down with the general public in celebration of art, kitsch, and cellophane.
Started by Clark Whittington as a conceptual art project in 1997, Art-o-mats are classic cigarette vending machines repurposed to sell cigarette box-sized art. With more than 200 locations around the U.S. (and even as far as Australia), all spi ed up by Whittington in his Winston-Salem studio and filled with art from an array of artists worldwide.
Artists who’ll gather for a Swap Meet over the weekend at NCMA W-S on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tunes from Americana duo Lee & Susan Terry starting at 12:30 p.m. and surfrock from El Mirage at 1:30 p.m., and food from the Taco Bros truck.
“This is a rare chance to meet the artists that keep Art-o-mat relevant,” Whittington explained, musing on the Swap’s origins. Born during the first gathering of Arto-mat artists 25 years ago, “this group of strangers from around the country immediately connected and were stoked to meet others who were involved in the project. Unexpectedly, the artists began trading their Art-o-mat art, and at the end of the day, everyone left with a collection of works crafted by their colleagues. Swap Meet [a somewhat archaic and geeky term] is defined as a gathering at which enthusiasts or collectors trade or exchange items of common interest. I just liked how the name literally defined what happened at that first event — it’s also an accessible term that reflects the egalitarian nature of Art-o-mat.”
To celebrate, NCMA W-S has designated the Aug. 22 session of House Hangs as a pre-Swap party, with DJ Tuttle Recall spinning psych and surf; and treats from Khrissy’s Kitchen, Grist Bread (Just A Good Sandwich), Blue Skies Creamery, and Cordial Cowboy.
In Greensboro, John Howie & The Rosewood Blu will be joined by Ramona & the Holy Smokes for one helluva honky tonk evening at the Flat Iron on Aug. 22. 2
Howie’s latest album, “The Return of…John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Blu ,” released in April via Schoolkids Records, drives home his legacy of “authentic, rootsdriven country music.” And rings with Howies’ baritone twang, resonating the approachable complexity of a solid
30-year career that turned a young southern punk into the Two Dollar Pistol and seasoned, soulful country rocker that now leads the Rosewood Blu . Virginia’s Ramone & the Holy Smokes adds a scorchin’ touch worth tipping hats and walking floors for anyone looking for some hardcore honkytonk.
Shifting gears, Kill the Buddha will celebrate the release of their self-titled full-length album with Bella Nona and Open Field at the Flat Iron the following evening, Aug. 23. 3
Led by Lenwood Edwards Jr., Kill the Buddha meshes indie folk with the self-described “Buddha Blues” amid a peaceful polyrhythmic — slightly dreampop — family band (featuring Greer Gehrken, Daniel She eld, Nick VanBuskirk, and Gabi Walden) that “invites listeners to get lost in drones and delay while clinging desperately to sophisticated pop-worthy melodies.”
Laying that invitation to wax as both the band’s debut LP and the debut release from the new Triad-based Moths Record Company (Hypogeum GSO’s Brian Haran, Renee Mendoza Haran, and Mike Duehring), “Kill the Buddha” offers an a ection for music makers and merriment through somber introspection and reflections that feel both intimate, communal and celebratory — all at once. Meanwhile, down the block, Sunqueen Kelcey Ledbetter will ignite the Hyers Theatre, kicking o her Soular Flares residency with a Black August celebration on Aug. 22.
Hosted by Lavinia “Mama Love” Jackson, the “free and
celebratory event to honor activists that fought for Black Liberation,” will feature “music, art, joy, dance, vendors and libations;” with performances from the Soular Flares Band and special guests like Chasyn Sparx.
The Black August at the Hyers event will serve as the first of “four nights of pure magic!,” spread over four weeks. “Each night brings a new lineup, new energy, and memories you won’t forget,” Ledbetter said, dropping the late-night Talk Show format scheduled for Aug. 29 (with three special guest artists in the interview seat and The Soular Flares as the backing house band); the live band line-dancing slated for Sept. 5, (“we got your faves from Boots on the Ground, Flex, Cha Cha Slide and more”); and the culminating “Meet the Fam” EP release event, coinciding with the N.C. Folk Festival on Sept. 13. 4
Recorded with Benjy Johsnon at Earthtones Recording Studio, the EP o ers a “carefully curated project, highlighting the band’s unique abilities in songwriting, musical arrangement, and genre-bending. Soul-rock best describes how each song flows through multiple genres, while keeping the listeners engaged and energized.” For the EP release party, Ledbetter is dreaming up a divine o ering with vendors and treats to celebrate.
Soular Flares and holy smokes, August ends on a hot note across the Triad.
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
aug 21: General Purpose, act of love
aug 22: Beth Stelling
aug 22: Willa Mae, Bangzz
aug 23: tim Barry, Josh Small, ryan lockhart
aug 26: Mountain Grass Unit
aug 30: toropa Magica
ClemmOns
VillaGE SqUarE
taP HoUSE
6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct | 336.448.5330
www.facebook.com/vstaphouse
aug 21: darrell Hoots
aug 22: Kwik Fixx
aug 23: House of Hair
gReensBORO
CoMEdY ZonE
1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034
www.thecomedyzone.com
aug 21: Uncle lazer
aug 22-23: dl Hughley
aug 29-30: Sheryl Underwood, Kyle Erby & Mike Washington
Flat iron
221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967
www.flatirongso.com
aug 20: Chloe Kimes w/ Wild roots
aug 21: nuBeing Collective
aug 22: John Howie Jr. and the rosewood Bluff w/ ramona & the Holy Smokes
aug 23: Kill the Buddha
GaraGE taVErn
5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020
www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro
aug 22: Southern Hustle
aug 23: Stereo doll
aug 24: Joel Mccarson
aug 29: Blacklight idols
GraPES & GrainS
2001 Yanceyville St | 336.601.9292 www.grapesandgrainstavern.com
aug 22: allyn raney
aug 23: Carolina ambush
HanGar 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com
aug 21: Boundaries
aug 27: the Coursing w/ dirty Butt, two Stroke Smoke, Mr. toxic, Molly aGMa, lo, Zombman, Subatomixx
jAmestOwn
tHE dECK
118 E Main St | 336.207.1999
www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/ aug 22: Southbound 49 aug 23: the roar
Fiddlin’ FiSH
BrEWinG CoMPanY
772 Trade St | 336.999.8945
www.fiddlinfish.com
tuesdays: trivia
aug 22: terra-String
aug 29: that 90s duo
tHE raMKat
170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714
www.theramkat.com
aug 21: Molly tuttle
aug 22: Mavis Staples, tyler ramsey
aug 28: Shovels & rope, angela autumn
WiSE Man BrEWinG
826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008
www.wisemanbrewing.com
aug 22: Blue Bambooza
aug 23: Green day/Sublime tribute by Mystic Syndicate
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of August 25, 2025
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This week could o er more opportunities for ambitious Lambs who are eager to get ahead. But don’t rush into making decisions until you’ve checked for possible hidden problems.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Some light begins to shine on professional and/or personal situations that have long eluded an explanation. Best advice: Don’t rush things. All will be made clear in time.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Although you might want to protest what seems to be an unfair situation, it’s best to keep your tongue and temper in check for now. The full story hasn’t come out yet.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Work prospects are back on track, but watch what you say. A thoughtless comment to the wrong person — even if it’s said in jest — could delay or even derail your progress.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) A colleague might goad you into saying or doing the wrong thing. It’s best to ignore the troublemaker, even if they rile up your royal self. Your supporters will stand with you.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Careful not to let your on-the-job zealousness create resentment with co-workers who might feel like you shut them out. Prove them wrong by including them in your project.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
Although it’s not quite what you hoped for, use your good business sense to make the most of what you’re being o ered at this
time. Things will improve down the line.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A more positive picture of what lies ahead is beginning to take shape. But there are still too many gaps that need to be filled in before you make definitive plans.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Continue to keep a tight hold on the reins. This way, you don’t charge willy-nilly into a situation that might appear attractive on the surface but lack substance underneath.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You still need to demand answers to your questions. Remember, your wise counseling earns you respect, but it’s your search for truth that gives you wisdom.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You’ll find people who are happy to help you deal with some di cult situations. And, of course, knowing you, you’ll be happy to return those favors anytime. ... Won’t you?
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Give the special someone in your personal life a large, loving dollop of reassurance. This will go a long way in restoring the well-being of your ailing relationship.
[BORN THIS WEEK: You are a delightful paradox. You like things neat and tidy, but you’re also a wonderful host who can throw a really great party. You’re quite versatile.
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 6
[WEEKLY SUDOKU]
sudoku on page 6
[TRIVIA TEST
] by Fifi Rodriguez
[1. MOVIES: Which best original song from Aladdin won an Oscar?
[2. TELEVISION: In what year did the animated TV comedy South Park debut?
[3. HISTORY: Where did the Romans build Hadrian’s Wall?
[4. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Brazil?
[5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the first to be impeached?
[6. MYTHOLOGY: What is the home of the Greek gods?
[7. U.S. STATES: Which state is home to the U.S. Naval Academy?
[8. MATH: What is the smallest prime number?
[9. LITERATURE: What is the original name of the farm in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”?
[10. ASTRONOMY: Which planet is known for its large red spot, which astronomers believe is an ongoing storm?
answer
© 2025 by King Features Syndicate
1. “A Whole New World.”
2. 1997.
3. England. 4. Brasilia. 5. Andrew Johnson.
6. Mount Olympus.
7. Maryland. 8. 2. 9. Manor Farm.
10. Jupiter. © 2025 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
