Charlotte Center City Partners recently released its annual lineup for Center City Alive After Five, with confidence in a completion date for the Wachovia Plaza (2nd & Tryon) construction before the May 4th kickoff.
Timely work from the construction business? Two weeks ago, the entire grounds were erected in scaffolding, privacy walls, and construction debris. It'll take more than a Swiffer to get ready by early May.
As usual, the docket is littered with tribute acts like repeat performances from Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi) and Zoso (Led Zeppelin). Other annual faves include The Swingin' Richards, The Voltage Brothers, and the Blue Dogs.
But do we really listen to any of them anyway? That fantastic backdrop of live music, no matter who it is, falls on deaf ears when getting a gander at the season's first crop of sundresses.
Admission is free, and beverages, well, aren't.
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After attending my first and only Checkers' game at the conclusion of the regular season, a 3-2 overtime win over the Columbia Inferno, the Arena's equivalent of Thirsty Thursday was nearly a bait-and-switch worthy of a car dealer promotion.
You see, not all the beers are $2.00; one must have happened upon the club section at the point of entry to be directed to the long lines for discounted Coors Light. It took the first $6.75 Bud purchase to adapt to the learning curve, only to have the club bar then "run out" after enduring a fifteen minute wait.
A problem that's rectified with simple signage, staffing, and service. Offer me a comparable alternative while standing awkwardly at the front; I'll consider myself a happy customer and rave about it in a nightlife column.
The Arena is gorgeous. So is the Checkmates' dance squad, braving that slippery floor during intermissions. But mid-week minor league sports rely heavily on you and me and our disposable income to enjoy cocktails after work with friends.
Let's get it right next year. I promise to go to more games.
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Sunday's flirt with warmer days to come peeled me away from my annual obsession with Masters' coverage. Answering the call of Lake Norman, a pair of cargo shorts and flip-flops barely exceeded comfortable in the chilly shade, but a handful of girly Blue Moon beers (with an orange slice, of course) at the Rusty Rudder trumped golf on TV any day.
The tiki bar is open, signaling a flare for the beginning of lake season, and as usual, I am grateful for the friends who invite me up.
The best boat ride ever? Any one that I didn't pay for.
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Speaking of the lake, Queen's Landing in Mooresville is the latest to experiment with a dueling pianos bar, moving in on the old Sarangoni's restaurant. Dubbed Jokers, the grand opening is 9 pm on April 22nd.
Charlotte's feeble run at it in the past (Rum Runners, Sam's Uptune Saloon) was a predictable demise for this successful franchise many have experienced at Crocodile Rocks in Myrtle Beach. The difference, however, is that a revolving tourist crowd never tires of the repeated performances of "Sweet Caroline" and "Piano Man." Ugh, one grueling night after night.
I've got to admit, however, I never balk at the interactive version of Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World," complete with an accelerating tempo and graphic hand gestures not fit to reproduce in this column.
But to the home crowd, the repeat business will dwindle, especially when subjected to the nightly college fight song contest, where the talent duo will each pocket several hundred dollars in tips just to have rival fans shut them up.
It's brilliant. It's also tired. But I'm glad to see 'em again.
Reach Bryan at charlottenightlife@hotmail.com. All emails will be answered.
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