The Chase for Danica

Several sports news outlets, including ESPN and Sports Illustrated, have reported over the last couple of days that IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick has been meeting with Charlotte-area based NASCAR teams. Team owners Rick Hendrick and Micheal Waltrip have confirmed meeting with Patrick, who would be highly coveted because of the lucrative sponsorships and endorsement deals she brings to a sport that is fueled by corporate dollars. Hendrick, who usually gets the drivers he wants, says he would like to place Patrick in the JR Motorsports team that is co-owned by him and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

It's been widely speculated that she will race part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010, around her IndyCar season. The IndyCar season ends this weekend, and if I was a betting man I'd say we'll see her in Charlotte next week leading up to next weekend's NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. It makes perfect sense because that race is considered a homecoming for many of the NASCAR drivers who live in the area, which means they would be on hand to try to woo her to their respective teams. Patrick, who finished third in this year's Indianapolis 500, would be a huge spectator draw at NASCAR races.

Oh, and in case you forgot, she models too.

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Beating on Trash Cans Is Cool

The Blumenthal Center's Education Institute holds "Get to Know" workshops throughout the year to give you insight into some of the upcoming plays, musicals, and other events that come to the Blumenthal's theaters. On Friday, I took a few teenagers from a youth group I work with to the Get to Know Street Beat workshop at the Johnston YMCA in NoDa. I captured this 30-second video of the group of artists that were there breakdancing and playing music on trash cans, a small sampling of what you'll experience when Street Beat comes to the Knight Theater October 21-22. This can also be your chance to check out one of the first shows at the beautiful new Knight Theater that's opening at the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus in Uptown.

At this workshop, guests were asked to bring household items to act as drums. It was adorable seeing the little kids there beating on pots and pans (good luck to the parents trying to tell them that they can't do that at home). The performers also led the crowd in sessions that taught them some of there moves.

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Charlotte's Mayoral Candidates Busy this Month

Democratic candidate Anthony Foxx and Republican candidate John Lassiter are participating in several public events this month to help you decide who you want to be Charlotte's next mayor. Below is a schedule released by Foxx's campaign. Foxx and Lassiter will be facing off in each of these events.

Tuesday, October 6, 7-8 p.m.
Debate
Host: Charlotte Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees)
Location: Holiday Inn Center City, 230 North College St.

Wednesday, October 7, 1-3 p.m.
Debate
Host: Charlotte Chamber
Location: Pinehurst Golf & Country Club

Wednesday, October 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
Forum, to be rebroadcast on WFAE
Host: Queens University
Location: Dana Auditorium, Queens University, 1900 Selwyn Ave.

Thursday, October 8, 12-1:30 p.m.
Forum
Host: Mecklenburg County Bar Association
Location: First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Trade St.

Thursday, October 8, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Forum
Host: Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance
Location: Dowd YMCA, 400 E. Morehead St.

Friday, October 9, 7-8:15 p.m.
Forum
Host: First Ward Neighborhood Group
Location: Trinity Episcopal School, 750 E. Ninth St.

Tuesday, October 13, 7-8:30 p.m.
Forum
Host: East Charlotte
Location: Amity Presbyterian Church, 2831 N. Sharon Amity Rd.

Wednesday, October 14, 7:30-9 p.m.
Debate
Host: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Location: Ramses Temple, 4919 Beatties Ford Rd.

Monday, October 19, 11:30-1:30 p.m.
Debate (luncheon)
Host: Values for America
Location: Myers Park UMC, 1501 Queens Rd.

Tuesday, October 20, 7-8 p.m.
Debate, televised on WBTV
Host: Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Location: Sam Lerner Center, Shalom Park, 5007 Providence Rd.

Thursday, October 22, 8-11 a.m.
Forum
Host: Council on Aging
Location: WTVI, 3242 Commonwealth Ave.

Thursday, October 22, 7:30–9 p.m.
Forum
Host: Helping Empower Local People (HELP)
Location: Providence UMC, 2810 Providence Rd.

Tuesday, October 27, 12-1:30 p.m.
Forum
Host: Rotary Club of Charlotte
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 201 S. McDowell St.

Wednesday, October 28, 5-8 p.m.
Debate, televised live on WCNC
Host: WCNC and The Charlotte Observer
Location: McGlohon Theatre, 130 N. Tryon St.

For more info on Foxx, visit www.anthonyfoxx.com.

For Lassiter, visit www.votelassiter.com.

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Olympics Don't Pick Chicago; Jordan Chooses Charlotte

President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, millions of Chicagoans, and Americans everywhere are licking their wounds after Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games was rejected yesterday. I was actually watching live coverage on CNN when Chicago was eliminated. Later that day, Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the host city. (I'm predicting now that the USA's usually dominant men's basketball team will not when gold in 2016 because they will be distracted by all the sights of beautiful Brazilian women.) So the star-studded, politically powerful caravan led by Obama and Oprah wasn't enough to impress the International Olympic Committee. Some have criticized another famous Chicago figure--Michael Jordan--for not taking the trip to Copenhagen to present to the IOC.

But Jordan had something more important to do this week: Attend the opening of the Charlotte Bobcats training camp. People, ranging from Charlotte sports fans to national sports writers, have often criticized Jordan for what they consider not enough hands-on involvement with the team. Last year, USA Today scolded him for attending a celebrity-filled celebration in Dubai for the opening of an exclusive resort ("USA Today Disses Jordan for Ditching Bobcats") when they say new head coach Larry Brown needed him. Jordan is a part owner, and as managing member of basketball operations he calls the shots.


Still, and as I have detailed often on this blog, including after I saw Jordan speak at a Charlotte Chamber event last year, he has a lot of obligations. Well, this week he made the Bobcats his top priority. At a time when his loyal Chicago Bulls fans needed him and his country's Olympic hopes rested on the shoulders of powerful people like him, he chose Charlotte. And for that, I think we should say thank you.

Thank you MJ.

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Events for the Weekend: October 2-4

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends.

Friday, October 2

Get to Know Street Beat
The Blumenthal Center’s Education Institute has partnered with the Johnston YMCA to offer this workshop in preparation of the upcoming show Street Beat at the Knight Theater (October 21-22). Local artists with Create Don’t Hate Productions will prompt participants to use common household items as drums to create urban rhythms and high-energy choreography using break dance and hip-hop moves. 6-8 p.m. Free. Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson St. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Bud Light One Night Stand
Enjoy this outdoor rock concert under the fall sky, featuring LIT, Alien Ant Farm, and Parmalee. 6-10 p.m. Free. Pavilion at the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.pavilionatepicentre.com.

Whip It
The Charlotte Roller Girls are holding an exhibition bout to celebrate the opening night of Whip It, a roller derby-themed movie starring Drew Barrymore. Giveaways will be distributed while supplies last. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Ayrsley Grand Cinemas 14 (parking lot), 9110 Kings Parade Blvd. www.charlotterollergirls.com.

First Fridays Charlotte
It’s touted as the number one urban event and after-party, and it draws a large crowd each month at a different venue. And this month’s event celebrates Troy Veale’s birthday and features music by DJ Biz Markie. Presented by Dee Autry, Troy Veale, and Thomas Washington. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $20 in advance. Ladies free before 10:30 p.m. Cans Bar and Canteen, 500 W. Fifth St. www.ticketannex.com.

Free Fridays
The first Friday of the month means free admission at one of Charlotte’s swankiest lounges. Enjoy the best in hip-hop, R&B, and reggae. On this night, the club often reaches capacity so get there early. 10 p.m. Free until capacity; cover charge after. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.kisscharlotte.com.

Celebrity Fridays Hosted by Anthony Hamilton
The platinum-selling, Grammy-winning Charlotte native hosts this party that’s sure to bring out the city’s stars. 10 p.m. Cost varies, members and ladies free before 11:30 p.m. Club 935, 935 S. Summit Ave. www.club935.com.

Saturday, October 3

Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Food Festival
Enjoy a day on the lawn while listening to some of your favorite tunes and tasting a selection from hundreds of North Carolina wines. Gourmet food will be served and art will be on display. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $10-$20. Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Rd. www.uncorkthefun.com.

The Premier
For the first time ever, Mez will be transforming theater 3 at EpiCentre Theaters into a full nightclub experience, complete with VIP sections, bars, dance floor and lights. All this while DJ Roonie G spins video mixes live in concert on the 50-foot silver screen. 9 p.m. Cost varies. Mez, EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.mezcharlotte.com.

Marquee Saturdays (weekly event)
It’s Charlotte’s newest and hottest Saturday night party at this newly revamped nightclub. Enjoy the large dance floor, plentiful seating, and large outdoor patio at this upscale party. DJ Complete spinning in the main room while DJ Wonz mixes it up on the patio. 9 p.m. Cost varies. To get on the guest list, email halo@myhom.com before 3 p.m. Saturday. Halo, inside the N.C. Music Factory, 820 Hamilton St. www.haloclt.com.

Sunday, October 4

SlamCharlotte’s Youth Slam
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and SlamCharlotte are launching this new addition to Charlotte’s poetry slam scene. Promoting writing and artistic expression through the eyes of tomorrow’s future, this will be a monthly exhibition of the most dynamic young performers in the area. This event is open to all ages. 6-10 p.m. $5. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St. www.slamcharlotte.com.

Super Fresh Sundays
This party for those who know how to get fresh—and want to party on a Sunday night. Music by DJ Magic. 10 p.m. Free. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.kisscharlotte.com.

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