Cam Newton to Launch 'MADE' Clothing Line at Belk

Outside of Carolina Panthers home games, quarterback Cam Newton doesn't make too many public appearances in Charlotte. But he was all the talk this evening--and not about football--as he appeared at the Belk headquarters to announce the launch of his men's clothing line for spring 2013. Titled "MADE," the line will be sold exclusively at Belk, and today's launch event was complete with models, dancers, and an onstage chat with Cam.

Cam Newton has it MADE--modeling pieces from his spring collection. Credit: Belk, Inc.

It makes sense for Belk, the Charlotte-based chain that's the nation’s largest privately owned mainline department store company with 302 stores located in 16 Southern states, to want to partner with one of the NFL's biggest stars who's right here in their hometown. In a press release, Kathryn Bufano, president and merchandising officer for Belk, said, “Cam Newton personifies our company’s dedication to family, community and the Southern lifestyle, and therefore is a perfect complement to Belk’s modern Southern fashions.” As I've said repeatedly on this blog, Cam has quickly become one of the most marketable, highly endorsed athletes in all of sports.

But many people will question and criticize the timing of Cam's decision to launch a clothing line--plenty made such remarks on Twitter as word spread this evening--considering his lackluster play this season, which has the Panthers off to a 1-4 start. I'm sure this announcement was months in the works, and Cam wouldn't have anticipated his team playing so poorly come October--and him being scheduled to attend a fashion press conference, of all things, the day after a devastating home loss.

Cam joining Belk executives on stage at Monday's press conference. Credit: @ESPortillo.

But Cam would've been wiser to have waited a year before tackling an endeavor that gives critics the ammunition to say he's too concerned with being flashy and being a superstar--his Superman touchdown pose that was heralded during his rookie year, has come under scrutiny this season. If for nothing else, Cam should've gotten through his second season, proven that he wasn't going to have a sophomore slump, finish the season with a winning, or at least .500, record, and then do all of this clothing line business next fall.

But then again, why not strike while the iron is hot? I truly believe he's going to be a great player in this league for the next decade-plus, but if he does indeed suffer a full-on sophomore slump this season, there's no guarantee his name and likeness will be in such high demand a year from now.

Cool logo for MADE. Credit: Belk, Inc.

MADE, his clothing line, is described as "fashion-forward, versatile, professional apparel options for men." It's launching in spring 2013, and in fall 2013 it will expand to include accessories and shoes. Cam has proven himself to be a stylish dresser so I would expect high standards from a clothing line bearing his name.

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Ain't No Thing but a Chicken Wing

Wednesday's Autumn AirFest, put on by the Charlotte Chamber, was a great event, with great weather, food, and networking. The highlight of the midday event was the chicken wing competition, in which five local restaurants competed: DD Peckers' Wing Shack, Fuel Pizza, Mac's Speed Shop, Nana's Soul Food, and Wild Wing Cafe. Attendees were able to sample wings from each of them; then they were allowed to cast their vote for the best using an electronic voting kiosk.

The winner, receiving the most votes, was DD Peckers', and the runner-up was Nana's Soul Food.

I differed a little from the majority. My choice for winner was Wild Wing Cafe. They served three different wings, but it was the "Crazy Daisy" wing that made them tops in my book. It's an Asian-style barbecue wing with rich, flavorful sauce and great texture--fried just right.

But like the audience, I too choose Nana's Soul Food as my runner-up. Chef Charles Rucker was on hand serving up his Zesty Garlic wings. They were hot (spicy), but not too hot, tender--meat nearly falling off the bone--and very flavorful. It possibly could've been my winner had the skin been fried harder.

Here are some of my camera phone pics from the event.

Chef Rucker of Nana's Soul Food serving guests.

This nifty tray from Big Frog of South Charlotte allowed me to hold my drink and food with one hand.

You would think someone burnt this, but it's the Ming wing from DD Peckers' and it's quite good.

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Cam Newton's 'This Is SportsCenter' Commercial

The "This Is SportsCenter" commercials by ESPN have been some of the best television show promos over the past decade (check out one guy's compilation of more than two dozen). The newest 30-second spot, released yesterday, features Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. It's okay, but I would've liked to have seen something funnier, more creative.

It's been three years since a Panthers player has been featured in a SportsCenter commercial, which was wide receiver Steve Smith in 2009. I really liked his.

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7-Election 2012 Is Underway

Several convenience stores in the Charlotte area recently converted to 7-Eleven franchises. There's one about a mile from my house that made the switch in July, and since then I've frequented it for the cappuccino and occasional snack. I stopped by there today and saw that the front windows were plastered with signs promoting “7-Election.” 

I visited 7-Election.com just now, where you can find details on the promotion. "Ask not what 7-Eleven can do for you—ask what 7-Eleven can brew for you," reads the tagline. In the 7-Eleven stores you can purchase coffee in either a blue Obama cup, representing President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party, or a red Romney cup for presidential challenger Mitt Romney and the Republican Party. By choosing one of the cups, you're "casting your ballot" in the unscientific poll. Every four years, 7-Eleven unveils custom coffee cups for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees and tracks customers' votes through purchases. The convenience store chain says it has correctly predicted the presidential election for the past three election cycles: 2000, 2004, and 2008. 

According to the website, Obama is currently leading Romney 60% to 40% in 7-Election 2012. You can also see how the results breakdown state by state. Voting in this election runs until the real Election Day, which is November 6.

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Catch the Final Night of 'Kiss My Black Angst' Tonight

On Q Productions' two-week run of Kiss My Black Angst concludes tonight at 8 p.m. at Johnson C. Smith University's The Arts Factory. I had the privilege of attending the second-to-last show last night.

Kiss My Black Angst, which is billed as "an evening of revolution dedicated to the Black Arts Movement," is comprised of two plays, directed by On Q's artistic director, Quentin "Q" Talley. Q is an amazing talent that Charlotte is fortunate to have (he was recently awarded a handsome grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation). Through productions such as this he's continuing to expand the presence of African-American arts and culture within the city's growing cultural scene.

Funnyhouse of a Negro performed last night.

The first of the two plays in tonight's finale is Funnyhouse of a Negro, written by Adrienne Kennedy, a key figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and '70s. The play runs about 55 minutes and chronicles the last hours in the life of Sarah, a young black woman who we witness experiencing terrible nightmares resulting from her race and identity issues--she's visited by several black spirits. The play is very dark, and at times, even creepy, but is well-performed by the cast of eight.

After a 10-minute intermission, the second play begins. Titled Dutchman and written by Amiri Baraka, another instrumental black playwright from the 1960s, this was my favorite of the two last night. It puts a twist on the Adam and Eve story--as you'll see from the presence of apples--but it takes place on a city subway and features a black leading man and white leading woman. Aside from a few people riding on the subway, they're the only characters in this 50-minute play. It's edgy, thought-provoking, sometimes funny and sometimes tragic, all the while examining race.

So, you can catch the final show tonight at 8 p.m. and purchase tickets ($24) by clicking here or at the door. It is also a good chance for you to experience the black box theater at JCSU's The Arts Factory (1545 W. Trade St.), which opened two years ago.

Also, before that, this afternoon On Q Productions is presenting a free panel discussion. "The Black Arts Movement: Present Condition - Future Vision" takes place at 3 p.m. today at Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square (345 N. College St.). Distinguished leaders of the Black Arts Movement will explore the radicalism, relevance, and vision of this groundbreaking creative crusade from its emergence out of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement to current 21st century reality. The discussion will be moderated by John "Moe" Moore, and panelists include Amiri Baraka from Newark, NJ; Lou Bellamy, founder/artistic director of Penumbra Theatre Company from St. Paul, MN; and Joan Myers Brown, founder of Philadanco! - The Philadelphia Dance Company.

Visit www.YouAreNowOnQ.com for more details on these events.

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