A New 'BET' for Bob

Will it be BET all over again? Hopefully not, but instead something better. Bob Johnson is seeking to start another nationwide cable channel that targets African-Americans. Right now, his start-up is simply called Urban Television. He's partnering with Ion Media Networks and he's applied to the FCC for approval.

In case you've forgotten, the Charlotte Bobcats owner is a formidable businessman. His story is stuff of legend: how he started Black Entertainment Television in 1980 with a small business loan; less than 20 years later sold it to Viacom for $3 billion; and his stake in the deal made him the first African-American billionaire. That was 10 years ago when Johnson sold BET (though he stayed on as chairman for a few years after). I think he's feeling like one of Jay-Z's lines from "Public Service Announcement" (one of my favorite songs from The Black Album): "I'm ten years removed, still the vibe is in my veins."

Johnson may be yearning to get back into the television business, but it should be noted that this isn't his first attempt to jump back into the industry that made him filthy rich. He launched Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television a.k.a. C-SET in 2004 as a platform to carry his newly formed Bobcats. Even though the network carried other regional sports games, it failed a year later because the Bobcats were too new--and not good enough as a team--to carry a sports channel on their backs. He also launched a movie production company two years ago. The only movie I'm aware of that's come out of that venture was the very disappointing Who's Your Caddy?

Stay tuned to see whether Johnson can give us an option besides BET. If it's done right, we could certainly use it. Especially at a time when the number of sitcoms starring African-Americans is at the lowest it's been in years.

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There Are Still Roses Stores Around?

Today I drove farther down Independence Boulevard than I have in a long time. I passed Independence Shopping Center and saw that a Roses store is opening soon. After getting over the surprise of seeing a Roses, I began reminiscing about the store from my childhood.

I remember Roses as being third in the discount store chain hierarchy. At the top was K-Mart, followed by Wal-Mart, and then Roses (this was before Wal-Mart was the monster it is today). In Sumter, South Carolina, the area in which I grew up, there were all three stores. The Roses closed when I was around 10 or 12 years old, but I remember it vividly. I remember the ugly brown shopping carts.

I also remember that Roses was our go-to store for back-to-school supplies because it would have the cheapest sale prices. There would be packs of paper on sale for something like three for a dollar. Three-prong folders, which many teachers required we have, were five for a dollar. And binders, tablets, and pencils were also ridiculously cheap. Because there would be limits on the quantity you could buy, my mom would give each of us money to go through checkout by ourselves. We would literally buy enough supplies to last the entire school year.

At the time the Roses closed in Sumter, many others were closing around the Southeast. The stores could be found mostly in small Southern cities and towns like mine. And when they closed, the long, rectangular buildings often became abandoned eyesores that were hard to fill. The Sumter building went through a couple of incarnations and was finally resurrected as a Beacon 10 Cinemas, giving us a much-needed "big" movie theater (you have to understand my small-town upbringing).

Apparently, all of the Roses didn't go away. While today there are only a third of the number of stores there were when the franchise was at its peak in the early 1990s, there are more than 40 Roses stores in North Carolina, according to its website. I was surprised to learn that because I haven't seen a Roses in probably 15 years. Most of the North Carolina stores are in small towns and this is the first one in Charlotte in a long time.

The new Roses is scheduled to open May 28 and is located in the Independence Shopping Center at 5704 E. Independence Blvd.

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Ric and Mick at Wrestlemania 25

Mickey Rourke, star of last year's hit movie The Wrestler, took on real-life wrestling star Chris Jericho (as real as wrestling gets, anyway) last night at Wrestlemania 25 in Houston. Our boy and Charlottean Ric Flair got in on the action as well.

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Events for the Week: April 6-12

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of what’s going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends. More events may be added throughout the week.

Monday, April 6

Charlotte Energy Summit
Leading the Charlotte region out of the recession by creating new jobs and economic opportunities in the area’s fast-growing energy sector will be the focus of the first-ever Charlotte Energy Summit. Sponsored by Duke Energy, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and Charlotte Regional Partnership. 2:30-8 p.m. Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel, 222 E. Third St. www.duke-energy.com.

Tuesday, April 7

Public Forum: Judicial Reform
Learn about the inner-workings of Mecklenburg County’s judicial system and discuss ways to make needed changes. Judicial panelists will discuss their experience running for and serving as a judge and talk about the greatest challenges facing the Mecklenburg criminal justice system. Panelists will also provide a hands-on perspective and discuss ideas on how the public can get more involved to advance needed changes. Presented by GenerationEngage, the Urban League Guild of the Central Carolinas, and Democracy NC. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free, but please RSVP. Urban League of the Central Carolinas, 740 W. Fifth St. www.generationengage.org/state/chltt.

Tone-X and Friends (weekly event)
Come laugh at the jokes and skits by Power 98’s Tone-X, Chris “Funnyman” Robinson, and other comedians. Music by DJ Stacey Blackman. 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Skandalos, 5317 E. Independence Blvd. www.myspace.com/tonexandfriends.

Wednesday, April 8

Pop Life (weekly event)
It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs past midnight. Music by select DJs. Sponsored by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

I Got Status Wednesdays
If you come for nothing else, come for the half-price appetizers and half-price drinks. And mingle with young professionals at the bar and lounge of this beautiful restaurant. Presented by Red Carpet Affairs. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Free. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, 139 S. Tryon St. www.redcarpetaffairsnc.com.

Thursday, April 9

Rythemology and After-work Social
Enjoy live jazz during happy hour then hang around late for DJ Daddy D. 6 p.m. Free. Utopia Restaurant, 10210 Berkeley Place Dr. www.utopianc.com.

Top Notch Thursdays (weekly event)
It’s billed as a party for “local celebrities, young professionals, ordinary people, and superstars.” Sounds like it’s for everyone. Plenty of drink specials. Hip-hop and R&B spun by DJ Elementz. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Tilt, 127 W. Trade St. www.tiltcharlotte.com.

Friday, April 10

Friday Afterwork Rendezvous (weekly event)
End your workweek on a high note at this networking event, held at a different venue each week. Enjoy drink and appetizer specials while mingling with young professionals. Presented by Talk of the Town. 6-10 p.m. Free. Ruth's Chris Steak House, 222 S. Tryon St.

Boney James in Concert
See the acclaimed saxophonist perform live. This is the first installment in the Carolina Smooth Jazz Friends concert series. 8 p.m. $35 and up. Dale F. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. www.thejazzdiva.com or click here to buy tickets.

Amateur Night at the Soul Café
Enjoy an evening of amateur entertainment and you’ll get to pick the winner. After the competition will be a performance by The Company Band while DJ DR will close out the night on the turntables. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served the first hour. Presented by The Underground Soul Station. 8 p.m. $5. Wine Up, 3306 N. Davidson St. www.wine-up.com.

I Love the QC
Mingle and party with the trendsetters and tastemakers of Charlotte. “I Love the QC” T-shirts will be given away throughout the night. 9 p.m. Free before 10:30 p.m. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.kisscharlotte.com.

Saturday, April 11

Nappy Luv 7.5
It’ll be a night of creative hip-hop and R&B, hosted by MTV2’s Amanda Diva, who will also perform. Additional performances by Median, Jocelyn Ellis, and Quill, plus DJ DR and That Guy Smitty on the turntables. Open bar. 9 p.m. $30 in advance. Hart Witzen Gallery, 136 E. 36th St. www.nappyluv.com.

Inner Circle Events Turns Five
The popular planners of “premium professional nightlife” celebrate five years of throwing parties in Charlotte. 10 p.m. $15 in advance, more at the door. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). www.innercircleevents.com or click here to buy tickets.

Ron Browz CD Release Party
The hitmaker behind "Pop Champagne" and "Jumping Out the Window" hosts this party and will also perform. 10 p.m. $20 in advance, more at the door; members free until 11 p.m. (visit website for membership). Club 935, 935 S. Summit Ave. www.club935.com.

Sunday, April 12

Easter Jazz Brunch
Featuring a great brunch menu with everything from shrimp and grits to Utopia Style Sweet Chicken. Hosted by Mellanie Clark of Praise 100.9 and live jazz by the John Dillard Trio. Free admission. 12-3 p.m. Reservations recommended. Utopia Restaurant, 10210 Berkeley Place Dr. www.utopianc.com.

SSSHH: Sensual Seduction Sundays at Happy Hour (weekly event)
Enjoy an infusion of open-mic poetry and jazz over candlelight. Hosted by poet Bluz. After-party and dancing follows. Presented by Pink Diamond. 9 p.m. $10. Happy Hour Bar and Lounge, 3603 S. Tryon St. www.pinkdiamondpromo.com.

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Two Reality Show Casting Calls This Week

If you want to be a reality TV show star, you have the opportunity to audition for two shows this week. Both casting calls are being held at Cans Bar and Canteen (500 W. Fifth St.), which has become the go-to place for reality show auditions.

More to Love is a new dating series planned by FOX and being produced by the creator of The Bachelor. The casting crew is looking for plus-size, single men ages 27 to 35. Casting call is today (Sunday) from 5-8 p.m.

A crew from CBS's Big Brother 11 will be here Saturday, April 11 from 5-9 p.m. scouting for housemates for the popular show who'll compete for the $500,000 grand prize. Men and women must be at least 21 years old to audition. Click here for more details.

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