Trying to smack your....

I'm heading to the bathroom for one last time after an evening of partying with friends and strangers at the Bartender's Ball when it happens.

I see one of my flag football teammates and another guy whom I've played against. We had all spoken to each other earlier that evening and we say hello again. The guy who I've played against starts whacking me on my tailbone. I grab him by his shirt and jerk him toward me. I ask him, why he keeps hitting me.

"I'm trying to smack your a--," he says as he twists out of my grip and hits me again.
I put him in a headlock and tell him "No one, smacks my a--."

I let him go. My flag football buddy says he's drunk (Who isn't at this point?) and gets the guy to leave. I know alcohol loosens inhibitions and all that, but that's no excuse to touch me or any other woman beyond a hug, high five or half chest bump.

So, what do ya'll think? Did I overreact? Did I underreact? How often does this type of stuff happen to you and how do you usually handle it?

What U missed at the Bartender's Ball

*A guy stealing the inflated Bacardi bottle, and a woman chasing him down.
*A woman named Molly who loved nice people and her gay friend who kept yelling "Pride!"
*Men and woman doing shots from the ice luge at Pravda.

I had a good time at the Bartender's Ball at the Merchandise Mart on Sunday, but I still liked it at the Adam's Mark better. The hotel felt warmer than the concrete of the Merchandise Mart. Plus, it seemed like the bars were more into it. I remember folks at the Palomino dressed up as Britney Spears last year.

When we arrived at 9 p.m., only a handful of people were on the dancefloor, but two hours later the floor was packed. Girls grooved on a platform near the DJ booth, couples danced, strangers boogied. Packs of friends danced together in the back. Partiers wore everything from Hawaiian shirts to satin dresses to suit and ties.

The ball is a great place try out new beers and liquors. I saw all kinds of flavored vodkas and rums that I didn't know about. I tasted a raspberry beer - too girly; loved an 1800 silver tequila and a bourbon. The only problems is that there wasn't enough water available for partiers. The guys at the Connolly's booth were nice enough to give me a couple of bottles.

RJ Gators had the best drink. It was called the Zoo. It had rum, amaretto, a splash of Bud Light and some green stuff. It was tasty, but with that many liquors it was a recipe for a bad hangover. I didn't mess with it.

Pravda showed off their infused vodkas -- watermelon and peach-ginger. Pravda had the most popular ice shot luge as well. The Uptown Cabaret area was cool. It was a lounge with leather sofas and lamps light. The lamps were a needed bonus because the main room was so dark. Uptown's area was tasteful, and their lemon drop shots were yummy.

The Irish crew -- Connolly’s, Madison's and the Attic -- had a hopping section in the other room. The Attic had a tasty Tuaca and Red Bull shot, but you had to get it chilled or it tasted like cough syrup. I didn't catch much of the bands, but the DJs kept people dancing and most folks seemed to have fun.

Were you there last night? What did you think? Any funny stories to share?

Here's who coming with Dave

Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli will be here with Dave Chappelle when he performs here on Sunday. The show at Ovens Auditorium is sold out, but if you don't have tickets his movie, "Dave Chappelle's Block Party," opens in Charlotte on March 3.

Finger lickin' good

For express barbecue (or fast casual as its officially called) Shane's Rib Shack in the University area is the spot. I stopped by on Wednesday and their grand opening is today (Feb. 16). Shane's is in the Grande Promenade near Total Wine and Moe's.

I had a barbecue sandwhich with a side of mac and cheese and collards. A waitress walked around with ribs for patrons to taste. The ribs fall off the bone. The barbecue sandwich was good as well. The collards were sweeter than I prefer and I could've skipped the mac and cheese. I should've tried the baked beans and the cobbler -- both looked yummy.

Shane's has outdoor seating and the area where you order resembles a screened-in front porch. Shane's serves beer, and the owners will decide if they want to sell wine. Who drinks wine with barbecue anyway?

Shane, the man behind the Georgia-based franchise, was at the restaurant Wednesday night. The one in University is the first in Charlotte, and they also plan to open one in the EpiCenter by the end of the year. Heck, I'd like to see if anything opens in the EpiCenter this year.

Apparently, fast-casual barbecue is a burgeoning market in the restuarant business. What do you think, can good barbecue really be fast food? And what's your favorite area barbecue joint and why? Post your replies below.

Dave Chappelle Update

It's a definite that he'll be bringing a musical guest. (I was just predicting that in yesterday's announcement.) I'm still trying to nail down who's coming.

Also, his movie "Chappelle's Block Party" opens here on March 3.

So one more time, Dave Chappelle is coming to Ovens on Feb. 26. 7 p.m. Tickets are $55. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, there were only a few balcony seats left.

In honor of Chappelle's return to the spotlight, what's your favorite sketch. And please remember no cursing, use dashes.

Mine is the blind white supremacist and the Wayne Brady one.

Something new for Twist

Changes coming to Twist.
What those changes are however remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: Twist won't be the same.

New Ivey building owner Stefan Latorre and Twist restaurant majority owner John Weinbrenner recently met in civil court. The biggest beef is this: Latorre accused Weinbrenner and other Twist partners of violating the lease. It requires the property be run primarily as a restaurant and open during the day. Anyone who drives along Church Street knows Twist is empty most weekdays and functions as a club on weekends. Saturday nights used to be jumping.

Weinbrenner, who also owns City Tavern, says he is ready to sell Twist, which was previously a City Tavern and a place called Palladium. He has his hands full running his City Taverns restaurants. He’s about to open one in Wilmington in a Birkdale-style development. The problems is Weinbrenner’s partners don’t want to sell. Twist has tried to do the restaurant thing, but hasn’t been able to make it work. Weinbrenner’s also been looking for a buyer, including offering to sell his share to Latorre.

Weinbrenner says a Chicago-based cajun restaurant has expressed interest in buying the property, and he's also talked to company about opening an Asian restaurant. If he can’t find a buyer, Weinbrenner says he’ll renovate the place, change the concept and get cranking again as a restaurant. The presiding judge said she would mail her ruling to them.

My question are: Why hasn't anything worked in that spot and what type of restaurant would you like to see there?

What I also thought of the Grammys

Hands down, Kanye West's performance with Jamie Foxx was off the chain. No matter how pompous he is, you have to give him credit. That was as memorable as Eminem walking in with the white T-shirt clones. But earlier, what was up with Kanye's Cameo-esque black gloves and the white suit. And as one of my co-workers said, he really should button his shirt.

Paul McCartney trying to rock out was comical. He sounded and looked so stiff when he said, "I want to rock - now." He reminded me of why the Super Bowl planners didn't want anyone over 40 on the field. I will admit, however, I liked seeing him join Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Plus, I liked how that performance ended with a shot of the late Coretta Scott King on the big screen. Nice touch.

What was up with the Gorillaz's Murdoc wearing the cape and tightie-whities? I'm outraged the network didn't blur his pelvic thrusts. (Okay, not really.)

Kelly Clarkson's acceptance speeches felt the most genuine. I like her more each time I see her live. She's totally shed that American Idol label. American who? what?

On the country front, I loved Keith Urban. He looked scrumptious in those jeans, T-shirt and a razor hasn't touched my face in days look. Sugarland sounded flat and I could hear the tech people doing mike checks. (People, people, we're live here.)

Wait, why was Mariah Carey trying to out-churchify Mary J. Blige. Can't be done sweetheart, let it go. Mariah honey, a word of advice. You're new to hip-hop and R&B. You've always been the pop princess. Stick to your screeching don't try to take it to church on the same stage as the Queen of hip-hop and her princess Tay-Tay (that's Fantasia).

Seriously, I the "Emancipation of Mimi" is a slamming album, but did Mariah really think she was going to break the Grammy record for women? She went from being a pop princess that young girls tried to copy to being an R&B singer who sounds like Ciara, Beyonce and every other singing rumpshaker.

What did ya'll think? Post your replies below.

Gilda the newest place to be

A white stretch SUV pulled in front of Gilda's on Friday night and I knew this hideaway lounge in NoDa was destined to be the next hot spot. Out stepped City Tavern owner John Weinbrenner, a guy who looks like George Clooney, Chuck Howard and his wife Karen, and an entourage of people I didn't know. A few minutes later Blue restaurant owner Alex Myrick walked in as well. And a guy who looks just like Checkers' head honcho Felix Sabates was there too.

With little to no fanfare, Gilda is drawing top echelon partiers and lounge regulars to it's location in the Highland Mills development in NoDa on NOrth Davidson. It's easy to see why. The place is rustic swank with floor to ceiling windows, huge chandeliers, exposed brick and the biggest candles I've ever seen. There's also a huge mirror on the back wall. The mirror looks like a separate room until you walk into it and bang your head. The music was chill house.

What makes Gilda most interesting is the crowd. Its owner is Jennifer Blackburn, a club socialite who knew Myrick and others. That means Gilda gets the money-dropping folks as well as locals, and I'm not talking about the yuppies.

After the first wave of club owners left, a fresh wave came in about 1 a.m. Alexis, the cutie who co-owns Dolce Vita wine bar in NoDa stopped through. So did, K.C., formerly of Fat City Deli -- BTW: my favorite sandwich place, ever. K.C. is cooking at Boudreaux's now and says some changes are coming up for the menu. He's also talking about re-opening Fat City Deli, but he wouldn't give me any details.

Gilda grand opening party is Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. Greg Pappanastos starts spinning at 10 p.m. It's free.

Slaying near Liquid Lounge

The suspects in the shooting near Liquid Lounge are black so instead of mourning the tragic loss of life, I know some readers (read comments on my previous post) see this incident as an example of why uptown clubs shouldn't be more diverse. I don't. I stand by my call for uptown's clubs, bars and restaurants to more fully reflect this ethnically rich city.

I was at Liquid Lounge on Saturday night, and I can't believe four days later Norman Antoine Gilmore was shot dead after leaving the same club. My heart goes out to his family. And city leaders offer their condolences as well. Charlotte Center City Partners President Michael Smith says "We offer our sympathies to the family and friends of the victim. This is a senseless loss of life."

This slaying won't deter me from hanging at liquid or quiet my call for diversity uptown.

I still plan to go to Liquid Lounge and other uptown clubs, not because I'm Paid to Party, but because I won't let a bunch of gun-toting punks scare me away from the places I like to go.

My question though is what about you?

One of the things I repeatedly heard from patrons regarding CJ's lounge before it closed was that it was a safe place to go. That got me to wondering, long before this shooting, whether people feel safe going out in Charlotte, whether its uptown or anywhere else.

Do you? And how will this shooting near Liquid affect where you party? Post your replies below.

Time for a task force

I like how the Forum handled an e-mail complaint accusing them of ethnic discrimination. The Forum is the latest nightclub to face one of these e-mail campaigns, and like previous accusations this boils down to he said, she said.

In an e-mail last November, member Joe Wind accused a bounce at the club of barring he and his Asian friends from getting in. When the club received the e-mail from Wind describing his experience there, the club's management sent an e-mail apologizing for any "perceived impropriety" and invited Wind to return with friends for a free evening in the VIP area Prive, according to Forum spokesperson Carol Adams. The club did not receive any response from Wind, but the offer still stands, she said. (I have not received a response from Wind either as to whether he plans to accept the offer.)

At a staff meeting, the Forum's management reiterated the clubs desire for diversity and reminded the staff that any sort of discrimination would not be tolerated, Adams said.

Although the club doesn't admit any wrongdoing, they recognize that a patron was upset with the level of service they received, and the club tried to rectify it before Wind's e-mail got a bunch of press.

Still, I'm concerned about the persistent perception that uptown establishments don't welcome ethnic minorities. Whether it's true or not, that perception means when minorities have negative experiences uptown one wonders if skin color played a part in it. On Sunday, Observer writer Gillian Wee writes about her experiences as an Asian in Charlotte. It's not pretty.

You can tell from my previous posts that the issue of how minorities are treated uptown sparks heated debate. Ranting about it on blogs and through e-mails won't solve this problem. I would like to see city leaders form some kind of task force to look at the issue of diversity uptown, from restaurants and bars to the way the city handled the cruisers. Invite people who are black, white, Asian, Hispanic, gay, transgender and anyone else who I've left out to be a member of this task force to identify the problems and solutions. The city should also increase the fine for violating the human relations ordinance. Anything less than $1,000 per incident is laughable.

What do you think? Post your replies below.

Waiting for Uma Thurman

Ever had a night when you're out, and all of sudden you feel like this can't be real? This moment right here, right now feels like you're in a movie.

Saturday was one of those, and no, I wasn't high. It started with a picture.

I'm inside Lava for Freaky Wack, the grand opening party for Eden, formerly Sky. I see this Korean cat, smoking a cigarette standing alone. Now, Asians often hang at Lava, but typically they travel with friends. This dude is standing alone, taking in the crowd. His air was so cool, I snap off a few pictures for Party Pix and introduce myself. We start talking, his name was Do Kin. He used to live in L.A. and loves to breakdance.

We head next door to Cuisine Malaya, which is hosting a private Chinese New Year party. Kin's Korean, but he has Chinese friends. For the next hour or so, I talk with him and one of his buddies about the difference between Koreans and Chinese, clubbing in different states and for Do in different countries (He loves South America). There's a football game playing on TV, a group of Asians talk at a table near the door. Couples pack up to go boxes of food and their children to leave (it's after 2 a.m.) and three other people sit near us talking.

Except for me and a few white people, everyone else is Asian. It was at that moment, when I'm soaking it all in and Do is telling me about why black people love him -- because he's from Seoul and he's got Steez (aka style)-- that I wonder if I'm in some kind of Quentin Tarantino movie. Do keeps saying, "Holla' at your boy" and throwing his hands up. And at any moment, I expect Uma Thurman to bust through the door, and pull out a sword.

The moment passes, we talk some more and then return next door to Eden. It's 3 a.m. and the dancefloor is still jumping. Muscle guys in tight T-shirts and itty-bitty women on their arms fill the dancefloor. The Freaky Wack crowd is gone. Music is pumping, but this DJs has no mixing skills. His song transition is, well there is no transition. Do and I shake our heads at the music then find a space on the floor.

Do isn't exaggerating, he moves with soul. Holla' at your girl.

40 and still groovin'

Hey party peeps,
I regularly get e-mails from my 40 and older crew wondering where can they go dancing in Charlotte other than shag and beach music places and to a place where they won't be running around with a bunch of young'un's.

I've got a spot for you, but it's not in Charlotte. City Tavern at the Lake on Wednesday was rockin' and the crowd was 30 and up with plenty of people who were over the big 4-0. And let me tell you, they were on the dancefloor doing their thang and singing along to the hip-hop and rock.

I met a grandmother who recently moved down from New York and she stayed on the dancefloor. I also saw several guys with bad toupeés,
but the best part is that the crowd was also a mix of 30 and a few 20 somethings. Everyone danced with everyone. Great vibe, good time.

Ooh, if you're looking for something to do this Saturday. Andy Kastanas will be back on the decks at Liquid Lounge He hasn't deejayed around town in a minute, so it should be a good time. Drop in and give him a shout.

Britney in the Q.C.

Morton's is the only Charlotte restaurant to get big time celebrities. Apparently, we've been trying to track this down for a while now, but it's true.

Paid to Party hears that Britney Spears recently dined at Restaurant i, a Japanese restaurant that isn't a bunch of hibachi grills, on East Boulevard. We don't know why the former Bad Girl of Pop now turned Mommy Dearest was in town.

Dude where's my parking space?

Hey party people, so uptown is jumping and parking is scarce. I'm sure all you avid Observer readers have been following our stories about how tough it is to park uptown now.

We had a piece in Monday's paper about the challenges of valet parking, and we had a story in Sunday's paper about how free parking is scarce.

I'll be the first to say, I'm cheap so I loved free parking at the Seventh Street deck, but all this whining about parking uptown is a bit much. You've got to pay to play. After 5 p.m., it typically costs $5 to park uptown on weekends and up to $15 if there's an event at the arena. I typically pay $10 max.

I know all my big city transplants can attest, that $10 is not a lot to pay to park downtown.

So party people tell me is parking uptown really that big a hassle? And is parking keeping people from coming uptown? Post your comments below.

Worst day of my life

Saturday started great. I rocked my Darrel Green jersey all day and random people on the street were wishing me good luck. Other Redskins fans gave me dap.

When I arrived at Picasso's on East Boulevard at 4 p.m. I saw maroon jerseys lining the bar. Tim, the bar manager, sat in the middle nursing a beer and greeting fellow fans. (He wasn't working.) I snagged a stool next to John and his friend, both Loudoun County, Va., transplants. Carlton, a D.C. native, pulled up stool beside me.

For the next three hours, it felt like Fed Ex stadium. We banged on the bar, jumped out of seats, gave high fives, did shots of Jager, chugged beer and hung our heads in utter frustration as the Redskins took us on an excrutiating ride to defeat. The emotions we felt during the Seattle game is quintessential Redskins. They build our hopes and then break our hearts.

I was so depressed after the game, I cussed out my roommate -- a Panther fan and a really nice guy -- and another friend who simply asked who won the game. (I apologized to both on Sunday.)

If the Redskins had gone to Seattle and been blown out or resoundly beaten throughout the game, that would be fine. They made me believe we would win, and when we didn't all I was left with was a hoarse voice, a slight hangover and hopes for next season. I'm tired of waiting for next season. (The worst thing I heard on Sunday was "there's always next season." Ugh)

Panther fans, I know this is selfish, but I wanted you guys to lose to Chicago. I didn't want to be the only person bummed at work on Monday. I got over it at a Panther party on Sunday. I'm glad ya'll won and I'll be pulling for the Panthers against Seattle.

Last night, I stayed home and watched "American Idol." The barefoot guy was too silly to be funny, but the overly tanned girl and her equally clueless mom were hysterical. Sitting on my couch for the third night in a row made realize it was time to shake off the blues. Tonight, I'll be back on the prowl. See you in the streets.

Promise U Won't kiss and tell

Out: Prenups
In: Pre-sexual agreements.

That's right, according to a recent Fox news story, entertainment lawyer Ron Skoler has come up with pre-sexual agreements mostly for celebrities. The person signing promises to be over 18, have no STDs, will never seek money or compensation and to keep the "sexual liaison private and confidential."

Here's my question, we've got some big dogs here -- Panthers, Bobcats and NASCAR drivers. Plus, we're getting more celebrities stopping through Charlotte. Lenny Kravitz will be here Thursday, Star Jones on Jan. 28 and Will Ferrell shot a movie in these parts.

If your favorite celebrity came to town, would you sign a pre-sexual agreement? And which celeb would that be? I know a couple of famous honeys who would get me to sign my name. What about you? Post your reply below and keep it PG-13!

No wheelchairs allowed

I'm still cracking up.
Super Bowl planners don't want people over age 45 on the field during the Rolling Stones halftime show. The NFL is offering 2,000 people a chance to watch the Stones play during the Feb. 5 event, but those lucky fans will be expected to dance, sing and cheer. The Super Bowl planners say they're trying to protect old(er) people because halftime revelers would be expected to run and stand up for a very long time. (And people over age 45 can't do that without a wheelchair, walker or cane.)

I don't think the physical challenge is the real reason planners don't want old(er) people on the field. I know plenty of them who mountain bike, jog regularly and go dancing weekly. The real reason old(er) people aren't welcome is because they're aren't as sexy as young folk.

Viewers want to see barely-dressed girls gyrating together or with virile young men. Who wants to see Viagra candidates kickin' it with menopausal women?

What do you think? Post your replies below.

They're taking over

"I wish I could quit yeewwww."

I love that line from "Brokeback Mountain." It absolutely cracks me up.

Okay, I digress. The boys of Takeover Friday are kicking the New Year off by taking over the Manor on Friday for the Charlotte premiere of the critically acclaimed "Brokeback Mountain." The Takeover peeps helped sell-out the first two shows at the Manor on Friday. As of late Thursday, there were 70 tickets left for the third show and plenty for the last one. "Brokeback" follows the love affair of characters played by stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The predicted voices have lined up on both sides of the film. The moral police hope it flops, and gay rights activists are urging gay folks to see the movie and take a friend. Before we get too serious about the "Brokeback" hype, I'd like to defer to David Letterman...

Top Ten Signs You're A Gay Cowboy:

10. "Your saddle is Versace."

9. "Instead of 'Home On The Range', you sing 'It's Raining Men'."

8. "You enjoy ridin', ropin', and redecoratin'."

7. "Sold your livestock to buy tickets to 'Mamma Mia'."

6. "After watching reruns of 'Gunsmoke', you have to take a cold shower."

5. "Native Americans refer to you as 'Dances With Men'."

4. "You've been lassoed more times than most steers."

3. "You're wearing chaps, yet your 'ranch' is in Chelsea."

2. "Instead of a saloon you prefer a salon."

1. "You love riding, but you don't have a horse."

Lighten up. "Brokeback" is a good old-fashioned romance -- a story of love, loss and denial. If you're into those types of films, you'll like this movie whether you're gay or straight.

"I wish I could quit yeewwww."

Bobcats arena the best?

Did you hear that according to Pollstar magazine, the Charlotte Bobcats Arena has been nominated as one of the best new concert venues of the year. Winners will be announced in Vegas Feb. 15.

In past blogs, I've written about us being excluded from other national list. We finally got some major recognition from a respected publication, but I have a feeling some Charlotte concert-goers don't think the new Bobcats arena should be so highly regarded.

I saw the Rolling Stones there, and I had a good time, but I've heard from several people who aren't impressed. The biggest complaint is overpriced food, which is expected, and bad acoustics.

Urban Vixen, who saw U2 in Houston, said the sound was muffled at the Charlotte show, and the Edge's guitar wasn't crisp and lacked depth. At the Dolly Parton concert, Urban Vixen said you could barely hear Parton's vocals.


What do you guys think? Have you been to the new arena and do you think it should be considered one of the best in the country?

No alcohol for New Year's? No way!

I don't know if you heard, but Charlotte Center City Partners announced that vendors will not be selling alcohol on the streets for the big Downtown Countdown. Instead Charlotte Center City Partners wants revelers to go to restaurants, hotels and clubs for their alcohol fix. The keepers of Uptown also asked the news media to remind all the lushes that it is illegal to walk around with an open container of alcohol unless they're on private property or in a closed festival area with an alcohol permit. Apparently, the beer-coozie clutching Panther's and Bobcats fans think they're on Bourbon Street.

Moira Quinn of Charlotte Center City partners says the NYE switch is so that Downtown Countdown doesn't steal alcohol sales from businesses. She assured me that the NYE change doesn't mean alcohol won't be sold at other uptown street events. She also says the open container law is old school.

I'm a little bummed about the alcohol-free countdown, but I'm even more disappointed about the open container law reminder. Walking around with cups of beer or Bloody Mary is part of the ballgame tradition. You tailgate with friends and carry your cocktail or brewski from the asphalt party to the gate. Then you guzzle your drink before you go inside. It's all part of the game-day ritual, like players taping up their ankles. Ball games are special events. It's not like people are drinking beer on the streets uptown every night.

Partiers, am I the only who thinks the city is being a bit too uptight? Post your comments below. (P.S. no cursing, your post will be rejected.)