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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A guide to events, organizations and people in the community Sedaris signs ‘Squirrel’ while singing Charlotte’s praises Best-selling author visits Blumenthal by Alison Woo alison@matthewsminthillweekly.com Almost every year, America’s beloved humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris visits Charlotte to read from his latest work, be it a book, an essay or even bits from his journal. This week, the author’s visit to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center featured a happier, shinier version of the author who enchanted the packed Belk Theater leaving the audience more uplifted and enlightened than when they arrived. Sedaris fans are an interesting cross section of the community that might not ordinarily come together in one space. There were his National Public Radio fans; (Sedaris broke through the comedy barrier with his piece for Ira Glass on what it was like to be an elf in Macy’s Another author sighting Photo courtesy of Park Road Books Best-selling author Chelsea Handler visited south Charlotte’s Park Road Books last week to sign copies of her latest books. Santaland in New York City.) And then there were commuters who delight in hearing his exquisite and unique voice read his numerous best-selling books such as “Me Talk Pretty,” “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim” and “When Engulfed in Flames.” And then there were the progressive, forwardthinking citizens that delight in Sedaris’ acid tongue and rapier wit. Sedaris on stage is something to behold. All he needs is a few well-chosen essays and you could feel the laughter of the packed audience there to see North Carolina’s favorite son buoy to higher levels of delight. The author’s newest book (which he reminded the audience is now No. 5 on the New York Times best-seller’s list) is “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk.” “One might call them a set of fables; but they are not,” Sedaris opened. “Fables have morals. These are a collection of animal stories where the animals act like people.” Indeed, his latest book can easily be best described as animals gone awry or at least gone human. And with his incredible attention to detail, animals take on the type of qualities we humans might be afraid to mock in ourselves. However in animals, it’s all together charming. The collection of stories includes “Motherless Bear,” “The Parenting Storks” and “The Grieving Owl,” which Sedaris read for the howling crowd. The story is about how a great horned owl, that recently lost his spouse, spends the rest of his time trying to become a more informed creature by asking his prey to teach him something. Sadly, just as he does and lets the animal go, a family member will swoop down for the kill. “‘It’s easier than doing it alone; think of the hours I’m saving,’ the owl’s sister shrieked,” he read. Sedaris and friends on tape Normally one of the best things about a new Sedaris book is the audio book version, which features his deadpan delivery and inimitable voice. For the uninitiated, his comic stylings are as unique as Woody Allen or Chris Rock. This time, “Squirrel” features the vocal talents of three other contributors who breathe a new twist into the author’s words. “When I write these stories I keep reading them aloud over and over and testing the material in front of audiences,” he said. “But when you hear (Broadway legend) Elaine Stritch read the sentence and talk about the Motherless Bear in her own way, it’s pure delight.” To keep producing quality work takes a commitment to the craft. Sedaris told David Sedaris visited Charlotte Monday, Oct. 18. the audience he writes for at least four hours a day, every day of the week, splitting the work between morning and evening. “After any more than four hours of sitting in front of the computer it becomes time to check out YouTube for videos of animals eating other animals,” he opined. The stop in Charlotte was one of many; the author will visit 36 cities in 37 days and then begin a four-week book tour to promote “Squirrel.” Sally Brewster and Frazer Dobson, owners of the esteemed Park Road Books who have often been the bookseller of choice (see Sedaris on page 21) Photo courtesy of Anne Fishbein Eclectic French /American Cuisine in Historic Matthews Voted “Best Restaurant in Matthews” — The Charlotte Magazine Page 20 • Oct. 22-28, 2010 • Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly WINE TASTING Wednesday, October 27 6:00pm We will feature FIVE INTERNATIONAL WINES from wine makers who are donating a portion of their proceeds to help fight hunger through the NFL program. $15 per person (Includes Hors D’oeuvres) Santé 165 North Trade Street “ Amazing, Scrumptious, A work of Art ” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Five Star rating by Charles Jenkin 704-845-1899 www.santeofmatthews.com www.matthewsminthillweekly.com
Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly Arts Beat A snapshot of arts-related news items Butler band concert Butler High School’s Concert, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble bands will perform Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 1810 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Matthews. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and children under 5 are free. The concert is free for all Band Booster members and their families. Independence hosts fall festival Join staff and students of Independence High School at a Fall Festival from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the school, 1967 Patriot Drive near Mint Hill. The school fundraising festival, open to the community, will feature children’s games, face painting, tours of the ‘haunted hall,’ hayrides, food and trunkor-treat where children can visit staff members’ car trunks for candy. Most activities cost $1. All proceeds will benefit Independence High School. For more information, e-mail Jeff Jones at jeff.jones@cms.k12.nc.us or call 980-343-6900. Learn to carve a pumpkin Bring your own pumpkin for a pumpkin carving class from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Christ Our Shepherd Ministries, 230 W. John St. in Matthews. Cost is $5, to benefit the ministry. To register or for more i nformation, e-mail Program Coordinator Linda Travaglini at cosclasses@gmail.com. Christmas Teas registration open The Mint Hill Historical Society is now accepting reservations for their highly anticipated annual Christmas Teas, held Dec. 8 and 9 at 1 and 4 p.m., Arts & Entertainment and Dec. 10 and 11 at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Celebrate the season with tea and other refreshments at the Ashcraft Schoolhouse in the Carl J. McEwen Historic Village, 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill. The 100-yearold schoolhouse makes a warm and cozy setting for hot wassail, plum pudding and other delicious treats. Cost is $20 per person. For reservations call 704-545-4928. Free art supplies demo Mint Hill Arts, 7714 Matthews- Mint Hill Road, will host representatives from the Wisconsin art supplier Jack Richeson and Company from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, for free demonstrations. Representatives will share many of their products including oils, pastels, acrylics, brushes, canvas and watercolors. Participants can try them out and learn about them. Seating is limited. To register, e-mail Carole Sikula at csikula@carolina. rr.com. Buy fruit to support Butler band Butler High School’s marching band will sell citrus fruit as a fundraiser through Nov. 9. Marching band members are selling 10-, 20- and 40-pound boxes of navel oranges, grapefruit, juice oranges and tangelos. The fruit will be delivered to the school the first week of December. To purchase fruit, visit www.Butler BandBoosters.com. For more information, e-mail Connie Hunter at thehunters@carolina.rr.com. Mint Hill Arts offers online options Art enthusiasts can now register and pay for classes online with Mint Hill Arts. The nonprofit’s website, www.minthill arts.org, also now offers items for sale including T-shirts. Send your arts news items to artsbeat@matthewsminthillweekly.com PMS 363 BLACK OPENING! OCT. 26 th th th OPENING! OCT. 26 th th AT MINT HILL ARTS “Your neighborhood frame shop” Custom Framing! Beautiful Readymades! Get your framing done for the holidays! Bring in this ad for 20 % off already discounted prices! Offer expires 12/15/10 Come in October 26-30 ~ Register for FREE 8x10 custom frame of your choice! (mat and glass not included) 7714 MATTHEWS-MINT HILL RD. (HWY. 51) (BETWEEN LAWYERS & HWY. 218) MINT HILL, NC 28227 704-200-0216 HOURS: TUESDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 3:00PM OPENING! OCT. 26 th th OPENING! OCT. 26 th th th Photo: Jeff Cravotta | Costume Design: Erika Diamond Sedaris (continued from page 20) on Sedaris’ visits, commented on the author’s convivial air at the Belk. “You can tell he’s happier and more relaxed this time around,” Brewster said. Part of that can be attributed to the author’s new healthier lifestyle: he’s quit smoking and works out regularly. He even had time to offer praise for a Charlotte institution. “Do you all know how lucky you are to have an amazing YMCA?” Sedaris asked, praising the Dowd. “They will all be friendly, but swimming in the pool at the Hilton was amazing!” Sedaris rounded the evening out by sharing essays such as “Stand By” about the travails of airline traveling and selections from his journal. It can be intimidating to think, ‘who can be funny even in their journal?’ But as audience members lined up to get their book inscribed and chat with the delightful author, Sedaris asked those in line to share their favorite joke. As many comic tidbits flowed forth it became obvious, this man knows how to not only be funny but help others delight in the humor of life as well. q “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk” is now available at booksellers everywhere. BLACK 40% PMS 877 (METALIC) Presented by: NOV 11 - 13, 2010 KNIGHT THEATER 704.372.1000 ncdance.org Contemporary choreography fuses with environmental issues for a night of “green” inspired dance. Sponsored by: 2.5” 1.5” Minumum Size Logo With additional support provided by: www.matthewsminthillweekly.com Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly • Oct. 22-28, 2010 • Page 21
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