Iconic Television and Film Actress Pam Grier Visits Charlotte on May 7th

Kids love living the nightlife too

By Kia O. Moore (kia@mingleberry.com)

Have a night out on the town with the family.

The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, located at 130 North Tryon Street, will host exciting Kids’ Night activities for six upcoming shows this winter. These special events are a wonderful way to permit children ages 14 and younger the chance to enjoy the upscale nightlife that the Queen City has to offer. The Center allows children to become actively engaged in the Charlotte art scene.

Kids’ Night programs typically offer free or reduced-priced tickets for children attending the show and/or pre-show activities. During the pre-show kids can enjoy a participatory experience that will enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the performance their family plans to attend.

The free show tickets for children (with paying adult) are available as long as tickets are available for the performance. Some shows do limit the number of seats designated for the Kids’ Night special.

Please be aware that the educational pre-show programs associated with the Kids’ Night performances are limited based on the number of children who can be accommodated at the activity. Free tickets for the pre-show activity are provided first come, first serve as tickets are ordered. Therefore, purchase tickets early.

See below for upcoming Kids’ Night events.

Kids’ Night at the Blumenthal: BAND OF THE IRISH GUARDS/ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND

• Restrictions: Valid on January 12 performance only

• Location: Belk Theater

• Overview: Child Free with Full Price Adult

Kids’ Night at the Knight: The ALUMINUM SHOW

• Restrictions: Valid on January 13 and 19 performances only

• Location: Knight Theater

• Overview: Child Free with Full Price Adult

• Purchase Info: First 60 kids for each show, get admission into a special pre-show activity

Kids’ Night at the Knight: AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR

• Restrictions: Valid on March 15 performance only

• Location: Knight Theater

• Overview: Child Free with Full Price Adult

• Purchase Info: First 60 kids for each show, get admission into a special pre-show activity

For complete details, call 704.372.1000 or www.BlumenthalCenter.org/Kids.

2009 Queen City Awards Winners

Hip Hop

Hip Hop Artist of the Year (Male): Cutty Boy

Hip Hop Artist of the Year (Female): Shelly B

Hip Hop Group of the Year: Tripple Threat

R&B

R&B Artist of the Year (Male): Joe Barrino

R&B Artist of the Year (Female): Neesha

R&B Band: Intertwyne

Gospel

Gospel Artist of the Year (Female): Stacey Joseph

Gospel Artist of the Year (Male): Carey Reid

Choir of the Year: New Birth

Reggaeton

Reggaeton Artist of the Year: Josue F. Baybee

Rock

Rock Artist of the Year (Male): Chad Mackey

Rock Artist of the Year (Female): Christy Johnson

Rock Band of the Year: Avett Brothers

Country

Country Artist of the Year (Male): Jeffery Allen Edwards

Country Artist of the Year (Female): Tammie Davis

Country Band of the Year: OutShyne

Music Production

Producer of the Year: K Figz

DJ of the Year: DJ Flemingo

Sports

Professional Athlete of the Year: Raymond Felton

College Athlete of the Year: Tyler Hanbrough

Entertainment Industry

Radio Personality of the Year: No Limit Larry

Radio Record of the Year: “Dammit I’m Fly”- Bettie Grind

Poetry in Motion Award: Bluz

Model of the Year: Deltonia Cannon

Photographer of the Year: Jonathan Keitt

Best Publication of the Year: Metro Propenent

Tone-X leaves Power 98 for BET

Photo by Moye

By Kia O. Moore (kia@mingleberry.com)

Anthony Besler, 41, better known as Tone-X, said goodbye to Power 98 on Friday, Oct. 16. He is moving on to the land of television to work for BET’s The Mo’Nique Show.

No Limit Larry and the Morning Maddhouse played a barrage of hilarious Tone-X radio moments to send off this member of the Maddhouse brethren. As the cast laughed and reminisced, listeners called in expressing how much they would miss their “Uncle Tone.” As the listeners spoke to Besler, many had a tremble in their voice as they said goodbye.

When the morning show wrapped, arms began to wrap around Besler’s neck as his co-works said teary eyed farewells. He hugged and shook hands with over a dozen people before exiting the recording rooming he had worked in for so long. He then walked to the waiting area to greet two fans who decided to come to the studio since they could not get through the Power 98 phone lines. He laughed and joked with them for a moment.  Then he thanked them for taking time to come to the studio while waving goodbye as they entered the elevator. He then walked over to me, extended his hand, smiled and said, “You must be the writer.” He lifted my computer bag from the floor and led me to a spot he felt would be nice and quiet: the control room.

Entering Tone-X’s New World

A desk lines a wall with a plexiglass window that looks into the radio station recording room. A programming board and rack of audio equipment sits at one end of the desk and a microphone sits at the other. He rolls a worn stool out from under the desk. The seat upholstering is busting at the seams as the yellow foam padding protrudes out of the corners. It may have been at the station as long as Besler. Power 98 listeners have heard his bass accented voice hum through their stereo speakers from 5:50 a.m. to 10 a.m. for over a decade.

Besler sits atop the stool. As the tape recorder starts, Besler’s right knee begins to rhythmically bob up and down. It is like his body is unconsciously keeping time as he squeezes one last interview into his schedule. Besler has only had a few days to wrap up his long lasting radio career, pack him and his family’s belongings and make arrangements for their big move to Atlanta, Ga. He has been hired as a network writer for The Mo’Nique Show, BET’s Atlanta based late night talk show. “I had a six day turnaround to leave something that I had been doing for 11 years and get prepared,” he explains.

Leaving behind the day-in and day-out lighthearted conversations with his radio family on the Morning Maddhouse is a little unnerving. To him, the only way he will make it in this unfamiliar land of television entertainment is to trust in God and  trust in himself. “I’m trying to really step out on faith and trying to believe in myself enough to walk away from something I have been doing for 11 years,” he says. 41-year-old Besler recognizes that he has been prepared for this new phase in his career for a while. “God’s time is different than ours. I would have needed and liked more time [than six days] to get myself together, but in God’s time…you are already together,” he says.

Pastor Charles E. Jacobs Jr. of Next Level Ministries knows that Besler is ready for this next phase in his life. Pastor Jacobs enters the control room, interrupting the interview, but he needs to say a few words to Besler before he leaves for Georgia. As Pastor Jacobs talks to Besler in a low steady voice, Besler’s leg stops shaking (which has been moving since the begining of the interview).

Pastor Jacobs tells Besler that he possesses strength and the ability to encourage others. Pastor Jacobs tells Besler that success is awaiting him in Georgia. Besler reveals to Pastor Jacobs that he cannot believe the wonderful text messages people are sending him. “It’s crazy, people tell you have been a blessing to them and you don’t even realize it,” Besler says.

Laughing his way to Success

Besler realized he was on a path to success in 1995. He won a comedy competition sponsored by Zima Clear Malt Liquor held at the Comedy Zone, then located on E. Independence Blvd. His first attempted at organized stand-up comedy landed him a new job and a chance to perform with established comedians. He was hired to host Comedy Zone’s “Freaky Tuesdays.” For two years he traveled back and forth from his hometown of Wilmington, N.C. to host the show.

In 1997 those weekly trips from Wilmington to Charlotte ended. In July 1997, Power 98 hired him. He joined the BJ Murphy and the Breakfast Brothers Morning Show cast. From then on the Queen City knew the voice of Anthony Besler as Tone-X. The Power 98 morning show line-up changed over the years but Besler was kept on the roster. He continued to contribute his message-laced comedy to No Limit Larry and the Morning Maddhouse. In April 2008 he began Tone X and Friends, which became a nightlife hot spot. Charlotte residents flocked to the comedy show to hear comics that kept them clutching their belly.

As of October 16, 2009, the radio chapter of  Besler’s career has ended. His mind is now focused on The Mo’Nique Show. “Making moves in your life is just like space and time,” he says. He points to an object lying on the table. “You see that notebook you got sitting on the desk. It is occupying a space. Nothing else can go there until you move that notebook. Even when you move the notebook you got to put it somewhere else.” He continues, “The only thing that makes sense is to put it somewhere where there is some space—so my career is like that notebook. I got to move from Power 98 to another space in order to go into the next phase [of my career].”

Mainstream Stardom with The Mo’Nique Show

Besler says that he always knew this mainstream recognition was right around the corner, but he never knew when right around the corner was. He says his new tagline will read, “I’m one of the funniest comedians you should have known sooner.” Comedienne Mo’Nique has known just how funny Besler was for quite awhile. They have known each for 18 years.

She informed Besler that she had a TV show in the works and wanted him to be a part of it. Besler didn’t think it would turn into a real job. “In the entertainment world people say thing like that all the time in passing,” he explains.  When Mo’Nique had the BET deal ready, she offered Besler a job as a scriptwriter. “I didn’t know how to feel, but I thought it was the best thing in the world [that happened to me],” he says.

With television he feels his educational/entertaining comedy will reach more people at once. “The beautiful thing about television is you never know how many people are watching you and where they are watching you. With The Mo’nique Show you’re talkin’ ’bout the Caribbean, Japan, Africa. It’s worldwide,” he says. For him, being a behind-the-scene guy is just as satisfying as being the person out front. “It feels good when you are sitting and watching the show and you recognize a line you came up with or a concept that your writing team put together,” he says.

The Mo’Nique Show is not limiting Besler to scriptwriting. He is on-air talent too. From time to time Besler will do skits, play characters, and act as a man-on-the-street liaison. Recently he represented The Mo’Nique Show as the red carpet consultant for the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards. Besler says a chance to be on the red carpet made work feel like play. “You are out there interacting with all the kats you listen to on the radio!” He chatted with Snoop, Ice Cube, Sheree from Real Housewives of Atlanta and the list goes on. That experience made Besler understand the flashback stories so many successful people recount. “Last year I was asking Power 98, ‘Can I go to the BET Hip Hop Awards with No Limit?’ They were like, ‘We can’t pay for it, but you can go.’ And now I’m working the red carpet for The Mo’Nique Show,” he recalls.

Besler knows that the move to BET is the next level in his career, but he feels that it is NOT the final level. “It’s [BET] a beautiful thing and it’s big. But it is not as big as it can get,” he says. Besler explains, “If you are trying to find Tone-X, your neck is gonna get tired because you’re gonna have to look up. When I say up, I’m not talking where the planes are at. I mean where the space shuttle is…where the satellites are at… You wanna visit me? Go to the space station.”

Meet Charlotte’s Most Eligible Bachelors

Pop Life debuts at Luna

Lashawnda Beacots

The Sol Kitchens’s Pop Life

By Lashawnda K. Becoats – October 22, 2009

Pop life, the free, weekly nightlife event, made its debut in the new Luna Lounge Oct. 22 (521 North College St).

Promoter Mike Kitchen moved the event from Apostrophe in SouthEnd as part of his goal keep Pop Life in whatever he considers to be the city’s hottest new venue.

When I arrived at 9:30, I was greeted at the door by a familiar face: Kilante. He’s the big guy (a.k.a. body guard) who could hurt you if he had to, but he greets each guest with a smile and says “Come on in.”

Luna is posh, and it holds about 250 people. Its décor is the perfect mix of seating, candles, mirrors and glass. I love the glass room that greets you when you first enter the spot. I’ve dubbed it the “fishbowl” because it allows you to see everyone as they walk in.

There is plenty of space, whether you want to have a drink at the lengthy bar, have a private conversation at one of the leather couches or walk outside onto the deck.

Yes, there’s an outdoor space again, something many patrons missed when Pop Life abruptly left The loft more than a year ago for Apostrophe.

Initially, the crowd was light, but it didn’t take long for people to find their way in, and about an hour after I arrived the party had a nice flow.

Some of the Qcity’s beautiful people were there, although some of you weren’t.

I was pleased to see so many dapper brothers wearing hard-bottom shoes, slacks and sweaters. (Sneakers and stripped polo shirts should not be worn in a place that’s chi-chi poo-poo.)

The ladies looked appropriate, for the most part. Some were too trendy (read between the lines), smacking their gum and rolling their eyes. I need folks to bring a new attitude into this new place.

DJ DR was on the ones and twos, playing old-school, hip-hop jams. Yes, there’s a dance floor now, but I’m still not sure why so many Qcity people like to stand around and look.
If a Biggie Smalls song came on, everyone ran to the dance floor yelling, “That’s my jam!” But when the DJ played something cutting edge, people stood around talking.

Overall, the people I chatted with were impressed. Some said they were relieved that the new space is larger and feels more comfortable.
I agree.

If you want to be where the Qcity’s beautiful people are, checkout Pop Life at Luna each Wednesday night. If you come dressed and ready to mingle or dance, you won’t be disappointed.

Story provided by Qcitymetro.com writer

Grand Opening: FIJI SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE KASHMIR

ANNOUNCING THE GRAND OPENING DATES FOR

FIJI SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE KASHMIR NIGHTCLUB:

Friday, October 9^th and Saturday, October 10^th, 2009

Charlotte, NC– On the weekend of October 9th, West 5^th street in Uptown Charlotte will be transformed into a two day celebrity studded, red carpet event, as Fiji Sushi Bar & Lounge and Kashmir Nightclub open its doors to the public for the first time.

The grand opening weekend is slated to be full of surprises, with four secret celebrities and three secret sponsors, this two day blockbuster event will be one weekend that Charlotte will never forget. Major sponsors include Enkamp Promotions, T1 Visions, Elevate Magazine, Jordanos, Foreign Cars Italia, After Dark Disclosure TV, and Velvet Nights.

On Saturday, October 3rd, Fiji Sushi & Bar and Lounge and Kashmir Nightclub will host a private party from 6pm to 9pm for the Charlotte and national media. Representatives of the media industry will be treated to an open bar and samplings from the Fiji Sushi Bar & Lounge menu.

Kashmir Nightclub boasts an extensive VIP program. A limited amount of Kashmir VIP gold cards will be distributed prior to the grand opening, where gold card members can enjoy amenities such as premiere entry including three guests (complimentary admission), access to Kashmir’s exclusive Zen Lounge, premier table reservations, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and one complimentary beverage from 5pm to 7pm Wednesday through Friday, private VIP entrance and exit with additional security detail, on site massage therapists, concierge services, complimentary coat check, wifi internet, large LCD monitors with multimedia capabilities, and limousine and town car discounts.

 Coined as the “5^th street corridor”, this area of uptown Charlotte is in for a major revitalization, as Fiji Sushi Bar & Lounge and Kashmir Nightclub bring lasting life back to the well deserved block.

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If you would like more information about this topic or the VIP program, please contact Chandler Alan Beal at 704-241-7464 or email info@barconceptsinc.com

Roberts not happy with Club Suite -

Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Jennifer Roberts sees no humor in her invitation to an upcoming ‘Pimp & Ho’ -themed ball at Suite, an Epicentre club.

Nate Quick Past Away

Former WPEG Power 98 on-air personality, Nate Quick, passed away late Wednesday night from apparent liver complications. Quick was currently the program director at KRNB and was the marketing director at K104-FM, both in Dallas, Texas.

An obviously emotional No Limit Larry and Tone took the airwaves at 5:50 a.m. with the announcement during the first break of their show, The Morning Maddhouse. No Limit calling him “the greatest radio personality ever,” and the reason he’s on radio today. No Limit flew down to Dallas on Monday to see Quick and said, he was at peace with that.
During today’s show, No Limit Larry and Tone recanted some of their fondest memories of Quick, which seemed to helped both personalities get through the show, with No Limit talking about how Quick paid him out of his own pocket and gave him a platform to get better…
Who knew in celebrating an achievement of a current QC legend, No Limit. We’d also be celebrating the home going of the man responsible for his career Nate Quick. Please come out @ 6pm to Ice to celebrate w/Larry but also to pay homage to the closest person to him in his industry, this is a very bitter sweet time for Larry so let’s come out to hold him & ourselves up during this moment of mourning, thanks in advance!

A Night with Dick Gregory

A Night with Dick Gregory: 

Political Activist and Civil Rights Pioneer Comes to the Queen City

 A Piece of Living History

CHARLOTTE, NC - The legendary Dick Gregory will be the keynote speaker at the next “Change is Coming to Charlotte” event series on July 18 at Spirit Square.  In addition to Gregory’s presentation, there will be live performances and a book signing, providing an incredible evening of entertainment. This event serves as a fundraiser for the 2009 Charlotte Literary Festival and the “Kickoff to Writing” scholarship program. 

Gregory is not only an applauded political activist and civil rights leader, but he is an accomplished actor, author, comedian and nutritionist. Gregory not only marched beside Martin Luther King Jr., he was a friend to Dr. King. Gregory’s social satire changed the way white Americans perceived African American comedians since his first performance in 1961. By 1962 Gregory had become a nationally known headline performer, selling out nightclubs, making numerous national television appearances, and recording popular comedy albums.

Location - McGlohon Theatre (Spirit Square)
Date - Saturday, July 18, 2009
Time - 6:00 p.m.
Cost - $25, $30 and $35 (Call for group rates)

For ticket information on the Change is Coming to Charlotte event series, please contact Darren “Jaz” Vincent at Real Eyes Bookstore: 704.377.8989 or visit www.charlotteliteraryfestival.org and click on the link for tickets.