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
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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.
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GOOD BOY is a good horror film with a very good gimmick: It’s a hauntedhouse movie told from the perspective of the owner’s dog, in this case a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named “Indy.”
“We are so excited about WinstonSalem being one of the relatively few cities selected to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic movie SORDID LIVES,” said “OUT at the Movies” festival director Rex Welton.
5 The School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has brought back its “SYMPOSIUM” series, which brings guest artists to UNCSA to explore the creative process with filmmakers, artists, scholars, and changemakers and the impact such creativity can have on the culture and the world at large.
7 Over a period of about 40 years, these compelling stories about dealing with death and disability came from the heart and heartbreak of the same man, my friend JOHN MASIUS, one of Hollywood’s most talented and decorated storytellers.
8 For 11 months, South Greensboro residents have voiced concerns about brown and GRITTY WATER. Community organizers have accused the city of downplaying their complaints, while quickly moving to flush water lines in wealthier districts.
11 The High Point Arts Council is excited to host The ADELE TRIBUTE SHOW Featuring the Soulful Sounds of Trice D’Vine Wright that will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown High Point, N.C.
12 The TRIANGLE WALKING TOURS offers tours on various topics throughout the Triad and other areas, including a true crime tour, a part of the Greensboro tour collection.
Good Boy is a good horror film with a very good gimmick: It’s a haunted-house movie told from the perspective of the owner’s dog, in this case a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named “Indy.” Not since Uggie, the Jack Russell Terrier in 2011’s Oscar-winning The Artist, has a pooch played so prominent a role in the proceedings. Indeed, Indy’s the undisputed star of the show, earning top billing above his human co-stars. What’s more, he deserves it. He even gets all the close-ups. Indy’s owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), who su ers from an unnamed but chronic medical condition, opts to recover at his grandfather’s house in the woods, which has stood empty since the old man died. As it turns out, there’s a very good reason for that. Indy is immediately wary, hearing things, seeing things, and sensing that there’s another presence hovering about, and it has
nefarious designs on Todd. Indy’s actual owner is producer/ director Ben Leonberg, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Todd Cannon. That the film’s protagonist is a dog gives them license to fashion a chiller with no clear explanation or exposition. Rather, it’s an exercise in style and technique, with highly e ective cinematography by Wade Grebnoel and a judiciously employed score by Sam Boase-Miller. It’s all about mood and atmosphere. Good Boy isn’t particularly violent (it’s rated PG-13), but it is suspenseful, and one is never quite certain where the story’s going, all the better to keep the audience on its toes.
Given the film’s novel approach, Good Boy reportedly required 400 days of shooting over a three-year period. Whether or not Indy is a “method actor” is impossible to ascertain, but getting him to give a compelling performance clearly took a lot of time and e ort, al-
though given the outcome, such hard work clearly paid o . Indy is an utterly convincing presence.
As Todd’s condition worsens and the paranormal activity intensifies, time and again Indy proves to be man’s best friend, always attentive to and protective of his onscreen master. Except for dear, departed, demented Grandpa (genre legend Larry Fessenden), shown in flashback and old VHS cassettes, the human characters are never seen clearly. This is Indy’s show, and he runs with it.
Leonberg keeps the narrative taut and tight, and although the running time is only 73 minutes, there’s nary a wasted moment in Good Boy. It delivers the goods and it delivers the chills. And, in Indy, a star is born. That he has four legs is irrelevant. Not only is he a good boy, he’s also a good actor. !
Wston-Salem’s popular LGBTQ+ festival “OUT at the Movies” wrapped its 12th annual festival on Sunday, but will be hosting a special 25th-anniversary screening of the award-winning, R-rated 2000 cult comedy written and directed by Del Shores, 7 p.m. Saturday at a/perture cinema, 311. W. Fourth St., Winston-Salem. Tickets are $32.09 (screening only) and $100 (VIP Filmmaker Experience + Screening), the latter of which includes a “meet-and-greet” with Shores himself and complimentary snacks and beverages. The screening will
be followed by an informal Q&A session with Shores and is open to all ticket buyers. For tickets or more information, visit https://outatthemovies.org/sordidlives-25th-anniversary-fundraiserscreening/
“We are so excited about WinstonSalem being one of the relatively few cities selected to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic movie Sordid Lives,” said “OUT at the Movies” festival director Rex Welton. “Writer/director Del Shores serves on the ‘OUT at the Movies’ advisory board and has visited Winston-Salem multiple times as an actor, director, and juror during previous festivals. Winston-Salem loves Del, and I am quite sure the feeling is mutual!”
It is, according to Shores. “I love, love, love Winston-Salem and consider many folks there who have supported my work good friends,” he said.
Based on the semi-autobiographical and deliriously comical 1996 play by Shores, Sordid Lives marked his feature debut as a director. After the death of a matriarch, members of her family congregate in Texas for the funeral, which they dread in equal measure — at least until long-suppressed emotions and old grudges begin to surface, which throws them into a tizzy. The star-studded ensemble cast includes Beau Bridges, Bonnie Bedelia, Delta Burke, Beth Grant, Leslie Jordan (reprising his stage role), and Olivia Newton-John.
Like the play, the film Sordid Lives is considered a landmark in LGBTQ+ media, later spawning the prequel sitcom Sordid Lives: The Series (2008) and the 2017 sequel A Very Sordid Christmas, with numerous cast members reprising their roles in both.
“‘OUT at the Movies’ has been a partner of a/perture for multiple years and our sta and board have always
enjoyed working with them and want to support their continued success here in Winston-Salem,” said Leigh Dyer, executive director of a/perture cinema “For us to truly be considered the ‘City of Art and Innovation,’ we need to continue to support festivals like this and help get the word out about the great films they bring to our community! I encourage people to check out their line-up and to experience something new, even if it’s a film they’ve never heard of, because there’s nothing like the big-screen experience to bring us all together.”
The screening is a fund-raiser for the Del Shores Foundation, whose mission is to “find and facilitate the development of new Southern queer artistic voices through bringing artists and working professionals, amplifying new work and connecting artists to platforms for the creation of the work,” as well as for “OUT at the Movies,” its UNCSA School of Filmmaking scholarship, and the festival’s Emerging Artist filmmaker grants.”
For more information, call 336-9180902 or e-mail rex@outatthemovies. org . The official “OUT at the Movies” website is: https://outatthemovies. org/ !
Mark Burger
Contributor
[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]
WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY PRESENTS FAMILY-FRIENDLY TRICKS AND TREATS WITH HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR CONCERT
The Winston-Salem Symphony, led by Music Director Michelle Merrill, presents Halloween Spooktacular, a familyfriendly concert geared toward young music lovers to celebrate the Halloween season. Howl to the music of John Williams from his scores to Harry Potter and the Star Wars saga. You’ll be bewitched by music from “Wicked” and “Three Portraits of a Witch.” And be creeped out by the ghoulish sounds of music by classical composers Prokofiev, Mussorgsky, and Arturo Márquez.
Families and audience members of all ages were delighted by the Symphony’s “Peter and the Wolf” concert in May of this year. A collaboration with touring theater troupe Really Inventive Stu , the music came to life before a young audience, many of whom were experiencing live music for the first time.
At Halloween Spooktacular, symphony musicians will be in costume, and audience members are encouraged to dress up as well. There will also be preconcert lobby activities beginning at 2 p.m. with storytelling, an instrument petting zoo, and fun crafts in partnership with Kaleideum.
The hour-long performance will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. at Brendle Recital Hall on the campus of
Wake Forest University (2629 Wake Forest Rd.). All tickets are general admission, and range from $10 for children under 12 to $20 for adults. Tickets and more information are are available at wssymphony.org or by calling the Symphony’s Tickets & Guest Services line at (336) 464-0145. Parking is available in campus lots adjacent to Scales Fine Arts Center on the north and east sides of the building. !
Proud to be one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras, the WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY premiered in 1947. Today, under the direction of Music Director Michelle Merrill, the Symphony fulfills its mission to “Bring Music to Life” by inspiring listeners of all ages throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad with various concerts, education programs, and community engagement initiatives each year. The Winston-Salem Symphony is supported by Season Presenting Sponsors Bell, Davis & Pitt and the North Carolina Arts Council.
UNCSA’s “Symposium” series returns for second season
BY MARK BURGER
The School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has brought back its “Symposium” series, which brings guest artists to UNCSA to explore the creative process with filmmakers, artists, scholars, and changemakers and the impact such creativity can have on the culture and the world at large. The series will take place in the ACE Main Theatre, located on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem. Admission is free, and for more information (and a complete schedule), visit https://www.uncsa.edu/performances/ events/20250905-symposium.aspx.
The next “Symposium” event will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, with special guest Enrique Armijo, professor of law at Elon University School of Law in Greensboro, who will be discussing De La Soul’s 1989 debut album “3 Feet High and Rising.” “All creative work builds on what comes before,” Armijo explained. “Using the example of De La Soul’s seminal album, the presentation will give attendees some insight as to how intellectual property law enables or hinders that process.”
“As filmmakers, we are first and foremost storytellers,” observed Paul Raza, associate dean of the School of Filmmaking. “For our students — aspiring filmmakers — it is essential they learn the craft of storytelling not only from filmmakers but also from practitioners in other disciplines. Throughout the series, we bring in poets, activists, historians, musicians, fine artists, lawyers, and established filmmakers to share their journeys. Our goal is not for
students to emulate those paths, but to use these encounters as opportunities to build a foundation for their own emerging trajectories.
“We also aim to spark curiosity and expose students to ideas that inspire them as they develop their voices and visions,” he added. “Just as importantly, we explore our responsibility as artists and the impact of our work. Opening the series to the public has created a valuable opportunity for the community to engage with our School of Filmmaking beyond traditional screenings, o ering a glimpse into our conversations and creative process.”
The o cial UNCSA website is https:// www.uncsa.edu/ !
Assistant Professor of Business Administration: Accounting and Finance
(Winston Salem, NC): Responsible for teaching undergrad accounting, finance, &/ or business admin. courses. Reqs. incl. PhD in Business Administration (Finance), & demonstrated research, study, scholarship & teaching (in-person, online & hybrid) undergrad courses in the areas of accounting & finance, incl. use of learning mgmt systems.
Send CV to Salem Academy & College, 601 S. Church St., Winston-Salem NC 27101, Attn: J. Joyner.
See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies.
SUBMITTED BY JOE BOLENBAUGH Winston-Salem Symphony
[WEEKLY SUDOKU] [KING CROSSWORD]
ACROSS
Nontraditional protagonist
“Interview With History” author Fallaci
— -garde
Kamala Harris is his veep
Guys in the petroleum industry 25 San Diego major leaguer 26 Clearasil may clear it up
Hands-on program for law students 30 Highest point
Vowel sound in “tent” or “peg” 33 Made e orts to come from behind
Bieber who co-hosted Drop the Mic
Put on a musical sta
Measure of temperature plus humidity
Exaggerated tales
Passing reference
Get nude
Cargo weight units
Heartbeat frequency
Restoration to factory defaults
“Yes, I’m 100% for it!”
They may follow right jabs
73 Deterrents to auto thefts 74 Balcony cry from Juliet 75 The Scarlet Letter protagonist Hester
Early 1940s, politically
Draws a bead on
Part of i.e.
Bulbs controlled with phone apps
Acronym comparable to “carpe diem”
ALF et al.
Tahitian wrap
Alabama speedway city
I Am — (reality show starring Jenner)
Bluish form of oxygen
People plundering
Remembering John Masius: A Principled Scribe
In St. Elsewhere, a doctor’s wife is killed in an accident, and he is left to raise his autistic son, who seldom speaks. In Dolphin’s Cove, a man’s wife dies, and his daughter is so traumatized that she cannot speak. In the original pilot for Touched by an Angel, the lead character has died in an accident and becomes an angel whose first assignment is to care for an autistic girl who won’t speak. In Dead Like Me, the Grim Reaper takes up residence in Seattle. In Providence, a plastic surgeon’s dead mother appears in every episode, and in the premier episode of HawthoRNe, a divorced nurse tries to prevent a stage four cancer patient from committing suicide.
Over a period of about 40 years, these compelling stories about dealing with death and disability came from the heart and heartbreak of the same man, my friend John Masius, one of Hollywood’s most talented and decorated storytellers. John died on Sept. 13 at the age of 75 following a year-long battle with ALS. He is survived by a remarkable body of work, a remarkable ex-wife, and three remarkable children.
Born in the suburbs of New York City, John displayed a talent for writing early on, yet never enjoyed the process, telling me, “Writing’s very di cult for me. It’s very hard. I don’t jump at the prospect of doing it, like homework. For me, it’s like having an exam paper due.” John attended Penn, then moved west and graduated from UCLA with, of all things, an M.B.A. He waited tables at an L.A. restaurant to make ends meet, where one day he happened to serve Bruce Paltrow, then the producer of The White Shadow for MTM and CBS. Paltrow hired John to be a gopher, and years later promoted him to writer/producer on Shadow and St. Elsewhere.
I first got to know John (“Maysh” to his friends) when I was writing a series
of articles about St. Elsewhere, and then when I interviewed him for the first volume of my “TV Creators” series of books. He also appeared on a panel that I moderated in 2000 on “Women in Drama” for the Television Academy, which featured the actresses and creators of several new primetime series headlined by women. I particularly wanted John to participate because it was his groundbreaking show Providence which launched a new era of TV dramas for the 21st century, starring women in the lead role.
Maysh was a complex man of strong principles who didn’t su er fools well, but sometimes his principles put him at odds with those in power. That’s what happened with Touched by an Angel. John and his wife, Ellen Bry (an actress and ensemble star in St. Elsewhere), had three children — a daughter and two sons, both of whom were diagnosed with Autism. While interviewing him for my book, Maysh told me, “At that time I was pretty angry at God, and I still don’t really understand what kind of God does terrible things to small kids. The other thing I couldn’t handle was people, in their urge to comfort us, would say, ‘God doesn’t give you more than you can handle,’ which Ellen and I found incredibly disturbing.”
Ellen’s and John’s struggle to cope was an impetus for Touched by an Angel, where in the pilot episode, Angel Monica (Roma Downey), who had died in the 1920’s was now comforting her terminally ill, 80-year-old “daughter” who she had saved seven decades
earlier. Monica pleads with the Angel of Death to end her daughter’s su ering, but he refuses, saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle,” to which Monica replies, “That’s a lot of crap.” Executives at CBS felt that Monica’s retort was too dark and told John to remove that line of dialogue. Maysh refused, his pilot never aired, and he was fired from the series.
Several years later John resurrected his career when he created Providence for NBC, followed by HawthoRNe for TNT, both of which were well received by audiences and critics alike. And though Maysh told me, “critically acclaimed doesn’t pay the mortgage,” he was, nevertheless, richly rewarded by his peers and admirers, picking up numerous honors including two Emmys, a Peabody, the Humanitas Prize, a Writers Guild award, and several People’s Choice awards.
Over the years Maysh and I kept in
touch by email and phone, but the last time I saw him in person was on the set of HawthoRNe, where he greeted my wife Pam and me warmly and with his trademark impish smile. As I think of that day, I recall his response to a question I had asked him during our conversations for “TV Creators.”
Jim: Suppose there was no such thing as on-screen credits for TV shows. How would someone know they had just watched a John Masius show?
John: They’d get some laughs and probably be moved. They’d also be twisted up a little bit emotionally. They’d be manipulated because I would have fu#ked with their heads [laughs]. Rest in peace, my perverse and principled friend. !
JIM LONGWORTH is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15) and streaming on WFMY+.
Jim Longworth
Longworth at Large
John Masius
Empty Glass: Triad city addresses gritty, brown water
For 11 months, South Greensboro residents have voiced concerns about brown and gritty water. Community organizers have accused the city of downplaying their complaints, while quickly moving to flush water lines in wealthier districts.
According to Greensboro Water Resources Director Mike Borchers, the water is safe for drinking and washing, as the discoloration is iron and manganese shaken loose by hydraulic changes and growth in the system.
Iron and manganese can stain sinks and clothing and make water taste metallic. While both metals are essential to human nutrition, extreme overexposure to manganese can cause a toxic condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
According to Borchers, the amount of manganese in South Greensboro water is well within limits recommended by the EPA.
On Oct. 2, Flory sent an email stating that, while the average manganese reading between June and November 2024 was 0.02 mg/L, the highest was 0.06 mg/L on Nov. 24.
Flory called that reading “an outlier.”
While that agency enforces no limit on manganese in drinking water, it has a non-enforceable Secondary Standard of 0.05 mg/L to prevent “aesthetic” issues like staining and metallic taste. For health, the EPA established a lifetime Health Advisory Level of 0.3 mg/L.
When asked what the highest concentration of manganese in South Greensboro water was from July to November 2024 and April to July 2025, the periods in which complaints increased, Borchers suggested contacting Gregory Flory, executive director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA).
“Typically, when an elevated sample is recorded, we will sample again that same week to verify the number. Unfortunately, because that was Thanksgiving week, a confirmation sample wasn’t collected. The sample collected the week before on 11/18/24 was 0.04 mg/L, and the sample collected on 12/02/24 was 0.02 mg/L.” This, wrote Flory, “brought the validity of the 0.06 mg/L number into question.”
Flory explained that the treatment plant on Randleman Lake sends finished drinking water north to Greensboro, High Point, and Jamestown.
“The highest manganese reading from the water leaving the facility in November was 0.039 mg/L. The 0.06 mg/L reading was from the sampling station on the line from the pump sending water to Greensboro. Hydraulic conditions, operating levels in the tank, sediment in the nine miles of line and tank, and pumping conditions can all a ect the sample.”
According to Dr. Daniel Dvorkin, a professional biostatistician contacted about Flory’s statement, “I’m always skeptical of ‘oh, this weird datum is clearly an outlier.’ Sometimes it is, sure. Other times, it’s a sign that something unexpected is happening and you should damn well pay attention.”
“We’ll always have discolored water,” said Borchers while giving a presentation on this issue at a community meeting held on Sept. 30 at East Market Seventh-Day Adventist Church. “Every distribution system, every public utility across the United States, has to deal with this issue.”
“Do you have brown water coming out of your own faucet at home?” asked community member Cheryl McIvor.
Borchers acknowledged that he does not. McIvor said she has lived in South Greensboro for 20 years and did not experience this problem until 2024. “What changed?”
“Part of what has changed,” said Borchers, “is our distribution system. We have a significant loop, and part of that loop is to serve not only Southeast Greensboro, but also other businesses.”
Those businesses include the Toyota battery plant. Keith Peterson, who has lived in South Greensboro since 1993, stated his belief that service to that plant is why his water is brown and full of sediment.
Borchers replied that the city started serving the Toyota site in September 2023, yet received no increase in water complaints until a year later. “Now, could you say it’s a contributor? Possibly you could say that, but not the direct result.”
Several community members said that Borchers called the Toyota plant a primary cause when he met with them in December 2024. Borchers neither confirmed nor denied saying that, but replied that he was sorry if he’d given that impression.
Meg Daniels from Hazen and Sawyer, a consulting firm
Crystal Black Keith Peterson
Ian McDowell
Contributor
hired by the city, said that the PTRWA plant can operate in two modes, split and series, and the split mode released more manganese. Roberts said her firm recommended the plant use series mode as much as possible and make e orts to mitigate the manganese levels when using split mode.
Borchers said the city has been clearing sediment from water lines in southeast and southwest Greensboro and that he anticipates this will be completed by March 2026. He said the city will move on to South Greensboro after that.
South Greensboro resident Lora Hinson, who has chronic kidney disease and lupus, expressed concern that she will not live to see that happen, as clean water is critical for her health.
Crystal Black, a leader in the Southeast Greensboro Coalition who is challenging Sharon Hightower for the District 1 council seat, said the discolored water was damaging plumbing and staining clothing.
“When you’re saying you’re not going to get to us until 2026, where is the compensation for this community having to deal with having brown water?”
Shirley Ballard Foster called for the city to form a committee that included community members. This, she said, might relieve community distrust.
“The elephant in the room is fear. We’ve seen what has happened to Black and brown communities, people dying, people ill.”
City Manager Trey Davis expressed support for her recommendation. “I can tell you that I am going to commit that we’ll be back very soon and there will not be a long gap between the time that we meet.” Davis also said the city would attempt to speed up cleaning the water lines.
Hightower agreed.
“We need to expedite the timeline to get this resolved, and that is my promise to you, that we move quick and get this started to begin to work together.”
The meeting was also attended by Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter, District 5’s Tammi Thurm, and at-large councilmembers Jamilla Pinder and Hugh Holston.
The day after the meeting, Black sent a statement that “the Southeast Greensboro Coalition is demanding immediate solutions from the City of Greensboro after a year-long delay in addressing
widespread reports of brown water in Southeast and South Greensboro.”
Black wrote that her organization first met with the Water Resources Department in December 2025 and asked for a “transparent public meeting” on the issue.
“Despite repeated follow-ups, including outreach to city council members, the request was ignored. Only after involving the media and applying sustained public pressure did the City of Greensboro finally host a public meeting, nearly one year after the initial complaints.”
Black and others at the meeting expressed anger that the city has installed equipment to flush out sediment and discolored water in wealthy communities without doing so in their neighborhood.
“The idea of serving the Grandover area, skipping over South Greensboro and moving to the area near Forest Oaks, is alarming. At this point, immediate action to clean our system is the only solution that will satisfy our community.” !
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.
Natalie Garcia
A Tribute to Adele featuring the Soulful Sounds of Trice D’Vine Wright
PRESS RELEASE
The High Point Arts Council is excited to host The Adele Tribute Show Featuring the Soulful Sounds of Trice D’Vine Wright that will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Centennial Station Arts Center located on 121 S. Centennial Street in downtown High Point, N.C.
Join us for an elegant evening of music as Soul R&B and Pop vocalist Trice D’Vine pays tribute to the soulful melodic sounds of Adele. Born and raised in High Point, Trice has graced many stages throughout North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and South Carolina. Be ready to experience Trice’s powerful vocals, heartfelt emotion, and timeless classics in an unforgettable, intimate setting.
The High Point Arts Council welcomes the attendees of the High Point Fall Market ‘25 and look forward to seeing them at The Centennial Station Arts Center to enjoy the show. Tickets are on-sale now!! We look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets for this event are $30 per person for advanced tickets and $35 at the door. VIP tickets are available for $50 including preferred seating and one house cocktail. Show tickets may be purchased directly online.
This event will feature live music, open dance floor, cash bar and food for purchase. For more information about this event go to HighPointArts.org/ events or contact events@highpointarts.org. !
In 1962, HIGH POINT ARTS COUNCIL (HPAC) was formed as a non-profi t organization to provide funding and leadership that would stimulate and advance the arts in our community. So much has happened to improve our city since then, and we have been there every step of the way. Today, High Point Arts Council is located at historic Centennial Station in downtown High Point, and serves as a hub for the arts in the area. We believe the arts create jobs, generate business, drive tourism, and cultivate a vibrant sense of community. HPAC strives to promote, nurture, and amplify the arts through a broad range of activities, entertainment, and education. For more information, visit https://www.highpointarts.org or fi nd us on Facebook or Instagram.
Murder, Mystery, and Memory: Exploring Greensboro’s True Crime Tour
COMPILED
BY
SYDNEY GRIFFITHS
The Triangle Walking Tours offers tours on various topics throughout the Triad and other areas, including a true crime tour, a part of the Greensboro tour collection.
For just $15, every Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m., a guide leads visitors through downtown Greensboro, stopping at key locations to recount the chilling crime stories that have plagued the city’s history. Perfect for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs, the tour moves from the beloved nightclub promoter’s brutal murder to the vicious tale of a serial killer. Visitors will learn about the multiple events that have shaped Greensboro to be what it is today.
THE BABYLON
The first stop of the tour is what used to be the Babylon nightclub, now transformed into the Pura Vida Cocktail Bar and Restaurant. In the 1990s,
Babylon was the heart of Greensboro’s rave scene, thanks to its promoter and DJ, Ed LeBrun.
However, in 1997, tragedy struck. After letting three acquaintances into his home, LeBrun was attacked- tased, stabbed, and injected with window cleaner. He died between 2 and 4 a.m. that night. After stealing LeBrun’s valuables and ATM card, the three individuals disappeared into the night. Having been very popular and loved, the people of Greensboro demanded that an investigation be opened into LeBrun’s death.
A suspicious man walking around town with a knife, along with two of his acquaintances, was picked up by the police for questioning. These three men were John Coffey, Zachary Grimes, and Robert Reid. When being questioned, Grimes succumbed to the pressure. He confessed that he and Coffey were looking to commit a robbery to sustain their drug addictions. They had personal relationships with LeBrun and knew they could gain access to his
house and find something of value to sell. The two brought Reid along as the “muscle” of the operation, and according to Grimes, Reid was the one who began tasing, stabbing, and injecting LeBrun. Paralyzed, Grimes and Coffey watched as Reid murdered LeBrun in cold blood.
On trial at 18 years old, with not a shred of evidence that said otherwise to Grimes’ confessions of not being involved, Grimes and Coffey got 20 years in prison each, whereas Reid got life in prison for his crimes. Grimes and Coffey, having been convicted in 1999, were released from prison in 2019, whereas Reid is still serving out his life sentence in prison to this day.
A darker truth was later revealed, according to Grimes: he alleged that LeBrun had started supplying Grimes with drugs, starting his addiction, and molesting him at the age of 16, a possible motive for revenge. Other young men came forward with similar accusations in the years that followed. Devastation came with these accu-
sations, as LeBrun was loved by the community. Following his murder and accusations, the Babylon went out of business in 2000 after a series of drug and alcohol violations.
GREENSBORO’S SERIAL KILLER
Another chilling story featured on the tour is that of Robert Sylvester Alston, one of Greensboro’s notorious killers.
In 1994, a 41-year-old woman by the name of Lois Elizabeth Williams, a former janitor at the Greensboro News & Record , was murdered. Succumbing to her addiction, Williams got fired from her position and turned to prostitution to fuel her drug habits. This is how she came to be face-to-face with Robert Sylvester Alston.
At the time, Alston was in the midst of a killing spree, leaving behind cryptic messages and dismembering his victims. He often called the police in an attempt to get recognition for his crimes. Alston targeted young black prostitutes with known drug addictions.
Williams’ body was later found at the
Take a tour through downtown Greensboro, stopping at key locations to recount the crime stories including one that took place at the former Babylon nightclub, now Pura Vida Cocktail Bar and Restaurant, at right.
Piedmont National Cemetery. Witnesses described her last known companion as a tall, young, black man, but the trail went cold, that is, until Alston Struck again.
His next victim was a 29-year-old hitchhiker in Guilford County trying to get home to Greensboro. After raping, beating, and attempting to strangle this victim, Alston left her for dead in a nearby river. However, still fighting, the woman crawled her way out of the river and turned to the police about her attack after being hospitalized. With her knowledge of what Alston looked like, she was able to positively identify him as her attacker and, in return, get Alston arrested.
Alston eventually confessed to the murder of Williams and others. Police discovered that all the bodies were found within four miles of Alton’s residence. On trial in 1998, Alston avoided the death penalty and received life in prison by pleading guilty to four murders in exchange for revealing the names of his victims. While Alston has claimed responsibility for more victims in the years following, he remains behind bars and, as of 2023, was serving his sentence at the Columbus Correc-
tional Institution in Brunswick.
The Triangle Walking Tours offer tours in locations such as Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, WinstonSalem, Cary, Wilmington, Fayetteville, and Asheville, offering a range of historical topics, with the Greensboro True Crime tour being one of the most interesting among them. You can delve deeper and book a tour at trianglewalkingtours.com.
These two stories from the tour show a glimpse into the rich historical background and development of Greensboro itself. Behind every crime scene is a story of lives lost and changed forever. The tour honors those who lived and those who did not. Greensboro’s true crime stories do not just recount tragedy, but reveal the stories of what has shaped it into the place it is today. !
CARBORRO
Cat’S CradlE
300 E Main St | 919.967.9053
www.catscradle.com
Oct 8-9: Mipso
Oct 9: smokedope2016 with Nokia angel, lil Fitted Cap & Bartesian Water
Oct 10: american aquarium, Fancy Gap
Oct 10: South arcade
Oct 11: Glare
Oct 12: Patty Griffin and rickie lee Jones
Oct 12: Colony Housee, Happy landing
Oct 12: Ethan regan
Oct 12: Pinkshift, lustSickPuppy, doFlame
ChARlOtte
BOJaNGlES COliSEuM
2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600
www.boplex.com
Oct 12: averly Morillo
Oct 17: the Cult
Oct 19: Crowder, Passion Music, louie Giglio, Kari Kobe Carnes & Cody Carnes
Oct 23: dOECHii
Oct 24: aly & aJ
Oct 28: tye tribbett
Oct 31: Jesse & Joy
tHE FillMOrE
1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970
www.livenation.com
Oct 8: John Maus
Oct 9: tee Grizzley
Oct 9: the 502s
Oct 10: Sons of the East
Oct 10: the living tombstone
Oct 11: Ethan regan
Oct 12: alestorm
Oct 13: Noah Cyrus
Oct 17: Colony House
Oct 18: Gigi Perez
Oct 21: ruston Kelly
Oct 21: Saint Motel
Oct 22: Cannibal Corpse
Oct 23: Hannah Bahng
PNC MuSiC PaviliON
707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292
www.livenation.com
Oct 8: twenty One Pilots
Oct 18: tedeschi trucks Band
SPECtruM CENtEr
333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000
www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com
Oct 19-20: Billie Eilish
Oct 21: Stevie Nicks
Oct 24: tate Mcrae
Oct 25: lainey Wilson
Oct 26: NBa YoungBoy
Oct 29: renee rapp
ClemmOns
villaGE SquarE taP HOuSE
6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct | 336.448.5330
www.facebook.com/vstaphouse
Oct 9: Megan doss
Oct 10: Whiskey Mic
Oct 11: dear Sister
duRhAm
CarOliNa tHEatrE
309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030 www.carolinatheatre.org
Oct 8: Steven Wilson
Oct 9: the Buena vista Orchestra
Oct 10: alan Howarth
Oct 15: Eric Johnson
Oct 18: Big Bang Boom
Oct 19: Noah reid
Oct 25: Brian Culbertson
Oct 26: Big Bad voodoo daddy
Oct 28: Steve Hackett
Oct 29: Macy Gray
dPaC
123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787
www.dpacnc.com
Oct 7-12: the Sound Of Music
Oct 14: andy Bell of Erasure with Savannah Pope
Oct 15: Kamala Harris
Oct 16-17: Stardew valley Symphony of Seasons
Oct 18: Steve Martin & Martin Short
Oct 21: diana ross
elKIn
rEEvES tHEatEr
129 W Main St | 336.258.8240 www.reevestheater.com
Wednesdays: reeves Open Mic
Fourth thursdays: Old-time Jam
Oct 11: Milltown Get down
Oct 17: BeauSoleil avec Michael doucet
Oct 31: 3 toe Possum Halloween Party with uriah
gReensBORO
CHar Bar NO. 7
3724 Lawndale Dr. | 336.545.5555 www.charbar7.com
Oct 9: david lin
Oct 16: the Good Watts
Oct 23: daniel love
Oct 30: William Nesmith
COMEdY ZONE
1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com
Oct 10-11: r&B Bingo
Oct 17-18: Michael Blackson
Oct 22: Scott Seiss
Oct 23: Cactus tate
Oct 24-25: dominique
Flat irON
221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967 www.flatirongso.com
Oct 8: asher White, Hotspit
Oct 9: treeHouse! w/ rockstead and austin Grimm
Oct 10: irata w/ Shun
Oct 15: Finding Emo
Oct 16: ric robertson
Oct 17: Chain with treasure Pains
Oct 18: ray Bonneville
Oct 19: Ben Sollee
Oct 20: robbie Fulks
Oct 21: Wes Collins and Ordinary Elephant
Oct 22: Jamie Mclean Band
Oct 24: Sam Frazier & the Side Effects with Molly McGinn & Kate M
GaraGE tavErN
Oct 17: Wristband Band
Oct 18: Cory luetjen, traveling Blues Band
Oct 24: Hwy 42 Band
Oct 25: Booyah Band
Oct 31: retrovinyl Halloween Party
HaNGar 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com
Oct 8: the Callous daoboys w/ unity tX, Your Spirit dies, Crush++, Harm
Oct 15: What lies Below
Oct 16: texas Hippie Coalition
Oct 18: Sofaygo
Oct 19: 200 Stab Wounds w/ ingrown, No Cure, Bastardane
Oct 23: rio da Yung OG ft. ayo lek
Oct 24: Pageant
Oct 25: Born Of Osiris
Oct 29: Signs Of the Swarm
PiEdMONt Hall
2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com
Oct 11: alexandra Kay
Oct 18: Men Can Cook
Oct 23: in this Moment: Black Mass tour
Oct 31: Shrek rave
rOdY’S tavErN
5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950
www.facebook.com/rodystavern
Oct 8: Kelsey Hurley
Oct 10: dos Enes
Oct 15: Jim Mayberry
Oct 17: alek Ottaway duo
Oct 22: Julia Golden
Oct 24: tony andrews
Oct 29: taylor Mason
Oct 31: tyler Millard
Oct 10: Nurse John
Oct 12: detroit Gospel legends tour
Oct 15: Bethel Music
Oct 16: Kansas with Blue Oyster Cult
Oct 17-19: twenty-Sided tavern
Oct 22: twilight in Concert
Oct 24: Bassem Youssef
Oct 25: Jo Koy
Oct 28: Six the Musical
5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020 www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro
Oct 10: Salem Smoke
Oct 11: radio revolver
N. Greene
| 336.274.2699
www.idiotboxers.com
Oct 19: Jeff Klein
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of October 13, 2025
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A bid for you to swoop in and take over an incomplete project could prove to be an excellent learning experience that you can take with you when a new opportunity opens up.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s a good time for socializing, both with family and friends. Your aspects also favor developing new relationships, any or all of which might become especially meaningful.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your success in handling a recent di cult situation prompts a request to handle another workplace problem. But this is one you should accept only if you get all of the relevant facts.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) New information about a past decision raises some unsettling questions from an old friend. Be prepared to explain your actions fully and, if necessary, make adjustments.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) This is not a good time to share personal secrets, even with someone you’ve known for a long while. What you don’t reveal now won’t come back to haunt you later.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Pushing yourself to meet a project deadline is admirable. But be careful not to leave out important details in your rush to complete your work and send it o .
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Watch that you don’t take on more than you can handle when o ering to help someone with a personal problem. There
might be hidden factors you weren’t told about.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A major move you’ve been considering could come sooner than you expected. Make sure that you’ll be ready with the facts you need when decision time arrives.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Languishing relationships can benefit from a break in routine. Get out of the rut, and do something new and maybe a little unpredictable this weekend.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Although you don’t think of yourself as a role model, your ability to make a tough decision at this time sets an example for others, who admire your courage.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You need to move any remaining obstacles out of your way before you can take on a new challenge. Seek out advice from close, trusted friends and associates.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A career change appears increasingly likely to happen during the next several weeks. It’s a good idea to start now to prepare so that you can be ready to make the move when the time comes.
[BORN THIS WEEK: You have a strong sense of obligation to justice, which inspires others to follow your example and do the right thing.
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 6
[WEEKLY SUDOKU]
sudoku on page 6
[1. MOVIES: In the United States, what is the title of the first Harry Potter movie?
[2. GEOGRAPHY: The Prime Meridian Line runs through which major city?
[3. HISTORY: When did federal child labor law start in the United States?
[4. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym VPN stand for?
[5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president appeared on the 1960s comedy show Laugh-In?
[6. TELEVISION: Which teen show starred Mayim Bialik before she got the role as Amy Fowler on The Big Bang Theory?
[7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Where did the Minoan civilization flourish?
[8. SCIENCE: What pH balance is considered neutral?
[9. LITERATURE: In which of Shakespeare’s plays does the character Polonius appear?
[10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: In which African country can the Bonobos species of ape be found in the wild?
