YES! Cover — May 6 2026

MUSIC SERIES

ARTS AND CULTURE FUEL GREENSBORO’S FUTURE.

The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro invests in local artists and arts organizations because creativity strengthens our community, enriches our culture, and drives our local economy.

Together, we make it happen.

See what’s happening in Guilford County arts. Scan to discover events, performances, and exhibitions.

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EDITORIAL

Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com

YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR

MARK BURGER

KATEI CRANFORD

LYNN FELDER

JIM LONGWORTH

IAN MCDOWELL

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6-12, 2026 VOLUME 21, NUMBER 19

4

MUSIC SERIES MOTHERLOAD

The 28TH ANNUAL RIVERRUN International Film Festival, which boasted 178 films (features and shorts) representing 47 countries, wrapped April 25, and by all accounts was a roaring success.

5 Efforts to PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT take many forms, from individual lifestyle changes to sweeping public policy. Yet in the pursuit of sustainability, well-intentioned government action can sometimes produce unintended consequences.

6 Quirkiness is the business at hand in “ ERUPCJA,” the latest effort from award-winning independent filmmaker Pete Ohs, featuring an ensemble cast headed by songbird Charli XCX, who managed to fit in the filming during her 2024 Brat Summer Tour.

9 On reflection, MA’LUZ provides a more upscale, although not by any means formal, experience, relative to most Mexican restaurants. The website mentions a “festive cantina,” and that’s a good characterization.

10 Happy Mother’s Day, Triad music lovers! In celebration, here’s a look at the MOTHER LOAD OF SPRING series launching around the region!

14 Peter Francisco, the “Virginia Hercules” who fought some of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution, is not as well known as he should be. A TV MINISERIES written and produced by his descendant, Travis Bowman, may change that.

It’s

a

wrap for the 2026 RiverRun International Film Festival

The 28th annual RiverRun International Film Festival, which boasted 178 films (features and shorts) representing 47 countries, wrapped April 25, and by all accounts was a roaring success.

“We were thrilled to welcome more than 11,500 attendees to this year’s festival across screenings and events throughout our 9-day run,” said Michael Morin, who marked his first year as the festival’s executive director at the festival. “It was a joy to host so many incredible filmmakers, both returning and new, and to present a dynamic line-up of awards ceremonies, engaging panels, and outstanding film screenings. We were especially encouraged by the energy of our engaged audiences and the enthusiasm of our filmmakers, which made for an exceptional experience in my inaugural year as executive director.

“The success of this year’s festival was truly a collaborative e ort between our dedicated team — both new and long-standing — and our passionate community of volunteers, donors, and sponsors who continue to make RiverRun possible,” he continued. “We are especially proud of the debut of our ‘LIMITLESS: Stories Without Restraint’ program, which deeply resonated with audiences and proved to be a powerful addition to the festival. I look forward to many more festivals ahead, each building on this momentum and reaching even greater heights.”

Of course, one of the highlights of the festival is the awards ceremony, where several festival favorites reaped further accolades. The Kirkpatrick Audience Choice Award went to “Peter Asher: Everywhere Man,” co-directed by Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine. In the independent feature competition, “If They Go They Will Miss Me,” directed by Walter Thompson-Hernandez, won Best Narrative Feature. The Peter Brunette Award for Best Director went to Harry Domenico Rossi for “Pescador,” with “Glorious Summer” co-directors Helena Ganjalyan and Bartosz Szpak earning an Honorable Mention. In the documentary feature category, “Jaripeo” — co-directed by Efrain Mojica and Rebecca Zweig — won Best Documentary Feature. Co-directors Biljana Tutorov and Peta Glomazic earned Best Director — Documentary Feature for “To Hold a Mountain,” and the Special Grand Prize — Documentary Feature went to “Wood Street,” directed by Caron Creighton.

In the category of narrative short films, “Haint,” directed by Jahmil Eady, won Best Narrative Short. The Special Jury Award — Narrative Short, Best Ensemble, went to “Scissors,” directed by Hannah Alline, and the

Special Jury Award — Best Student Narrative Short went to “Rage,” co-directed by Fran Moreno Blanco and Santi Pujol Amat. In the documentary shorts category, “Ibuka, Justice,” directed by Justice Rutikara, won Best Documentary Short, with an Honorable Mention going to “The Hotline,” co-directed by Ricki Stern and Jesse Sweet. The Special Jury Award — Best Student Documentary Short went to “The Chimney Sweeper,” directed by Jack Raese.

In the category of animated shorts, Best Animated Short went to “Jour de Vent,” which was co-directed by Martin Chailloux, Ai Kim Crespin, Elise Glofouse, Chloé Lab, Hugo Taillez, and Camille Truding. The Reel South Award went to “Free Joan Little,” directed by Yoruba Richen. The Limitless Director Award for Community Impact went to both Cameron S. Mitchell for “Disposable Humanity” and Miles Levin for “Under the Lights.” The last award is presented to a filmmaker whose work embodies the power of cinema as a force for change, honoring a director whose story not only represents the community but has the potential to transform it.

In the category of Pitch Fest Awards, first place — narrative competition went to “The World Between,” codirected by Abigail Rees and Olivia Stallworth (UNCSA), second place went to “I Am Awake in the Place Where Women Die,” directed by Story Lee (University of Mississippi), and an honorable mention for “Ghar Nahi Jaana (I Don’t Want to Go Home),” directed by Howard A andi (N.C. State University). First place — documentary competition went to “Threading the American Dream,” directed by Ashish Shrestha (University of Mississippi), second place to “The Medal That Time Forgot,” directed by Emily Allgar (Wake Forest University), and an honorable mention for “Help Me God,” directed by Howard A andi (UNCSA).

Beyond the awards and events, RiverRun is a place where memories are made. For filmmaker Tim Hall, whose feature “Summer Lost” made its world premiere this year, RiverRun has provided him with many. He attended the festival as a student at the UNCSA School of Filmmaking (where he graduated in 2011) and later brought his feature “Landlocked” to the 2021 festival.

“If

“It was such an incredible experience getting to premiere ‘Summer Lost’ at RiverRun,” he said. “Having the chance to see old friends, former UNCSA professors, while sharing our film with the wonderful RiverRun audiences was a fantastic way to begin our festival journey. We can’t wait to bring our next film to RiverRun!”

Producer Noah Pitifer, whose comedy “Reunion” enjoyed its East Coast premiere at this year’s festival, was thrilled by his maiden voyage to RiverRun.

“The ‘Reunion’ team had an absolute blast at the RiverRun Film Festival!” he declared. “The festival was impeccably organized, and the kind-hearted individuals who run it made the experience truly wonderful. From the delightful mixers to our own screening, every moment was a joy. We can’t wait to return to RiverRun in the near future!”

“The highlight of the 2026 festival was star of the film and UFC fighter Keith Jardine, surprising us at both screenings with a nearly sold-out audience of ‘Over Your Dead Body’ for a long Q&A with photo ops and autographs,” said Zack Fox, general manager of Marketplace Cinema. “Everyone loved him! Another would have been the large young audience that stayed for Wade Wilson and Mike Miller’s conversation about DreamWorks’ ‘Madagascar.’ Wade shared so many fun stories from working at DreamWorks, delighting the children and adults that came out for the screening.”

Perhaps the final word should belong to School of Filmmaking faculty member, Michael R. Miller, who received this year’s Master of Cinema award for his illustrious career as a film editor. “RiverRun was very exciting for me,” he said. “Watching ‘Raising Arizona’ with a packed house, followed by the Q&A with Dale Pollock, was a true delight. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends who bought my book ‘Developing the Editor’s Eye’ and signing their copies — and, of course, receiving the Master of Cinema award was a great honor. I cherish Michael Morin’s speech and the trophy itself.”

For more information, call 336-724-1502 or visit the o cial RiverRun website: https://riverrunfilm.com/. !

BY KEVIN SIX | UNCG Graduate Student

EOp-Ed: The case for private conservation

orts to protect the environment take many forms, from individual lifestyle changes to sweeping public policy. Yet in the pursuit of sustainability, well-intentioned government action can sometimes produce unintended consequences. In recent decades, the assumption has been that more regulations will yield better environmental outcomes. Experience suggests the reality is more complex.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to conservation.

Environmental conditions vary widely across regions, and policies crafted at the federal or state level often fail to account for local nuance. Communities face distinct ecological challenges, and centralized mandates can struggle to address them e ectively. A more flexible, market-driven approach — grounded in property rights, incentives, and voluntary stewardship — o ers a compelling alternative.

Private conservation works for a simple reason: people tend to care for what they own and depend on. Farmers, ranchers, and landowners have a direct stake in the long-term productivity of their land. When land is healthy, it supports both ecological sustainability and economic viability. This alignment of

incentives encourages habitat restoration, water conservation, and wildlife protection without the need for rigid mandates.

History provides clear examples of success. The American alligator, once on the brink of extinction, rebounded significantly thanks to regulated, private harvesting programs that gave landowners a financial incentive to protect wetlands and alligator populations.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this approach helped restore the species to the point that it was removed from the endangered species list in 1987.

Similarly, the American bison owes much of its recovery to private ranchers and conservation groups. While government protections played a role, most bison today are found on private lands, where landowners have invested in breeding and habitat management. Organizations like the American Prairie and numerous private ranches have helped grow bison populations from near extinction in the late 1800s to hundreds of thousands today. In contrast, centralized land management can face significant challenges. California offers a notable example, where complex regulatory frameworks have contributed to difficulties in conducting controlled burns and managing vegetation. This has been widely cited

as a factor exacerbating wildfire risks. Bureaucratic constraints can limit the ability to adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions, sometimes undermining conservation goals. Private conservation also creates opportunities for innovation and economic growth. Market-based mechanisms, such as water trading in the western United States, allow stakeholders to allocate resources more e ciently while encouraging conservation. By assigning value to natural resources, these systems incentivize their responsible use without heavy-handed regulation.

Accountability is another advantage. Private landowners bear the direct costs of mismanagement. Overgrazing, habitat destruction, or poor stewardship translates into financial loss, creating strong incentives to maintain ecological balance. Likewise, private conservation organizations must satisfy donors and stakeholders, ensuring that funds are

used e ectively. Critics often argue that profit motives are incompatible with environmental stewardship. However, this view overlooks how aligned incentives can drive positive outcomes. When conservation is economically beneficial, it becomes sustainable in the truest sense — capable of enduring without constant external enforcement. None of this suggests that government has no role in conservation. Rather, it highlights the importance of balancing public oversight with private initiative. Evidence shows that when individuals and organizations are empowered to manage resources responsibly, they can achieve meaningful environmental gains. If the goal is to protect and restore the natural world, it is worth embracing approaches that have demonstrated success. Private conservation, driven by incentives and local knowledge, deserves a central place in that e ort. !

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[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]

SUMMER FUN: MAKING MEMORIES WITH THE ARTS

SUBMITTED BY THE ARTS COUNCIL

As the sun begins to dip behind the trees at LeBauer Park, the rhythm starts softly. Strangers become dance partners, laughter rises, and for a moment, the only thing that matters is the music and the movement. Nearby, families gather on the lawn, settling into the familiar comfort of a summer evening outdoors, where time slows and connection feels easy.

This is summer in Guilford County, where creativity and community come together in shared moments that feel both spontaneous and deeply rooted. Across the region, arts organizations are creating spaces where connection feels natural and accessible. At LeBauer and Center City Parks, everyday programming invites the community into creativity, from a child’s first brushstroke to a spontaneous salsa step on the lawn.

As Greensboro Downtown Parks’ Jack Garvey, Jr. shares, “We are excited to partner with GSOul to bring the Funky Fourth Friday series to LeBauer Park. By spotlighting local dance artists and celebrating the rich legacy of African American music, this series expands access to the arts and deepens connections across our community.”

That same spirit carries into events that draw even wider circles. Casa Azul

of Greensboro’s Noches Latinas transforms First Fridays into vibrant celebrations of culture and belonging, where music and movement invite participation from all ages and backgrounds. The High Point Arts Council’s SummerSounds Concert Series brings free live music to parks across the region, where audiences gather with blankets and lawn chairs under the evening sky. At the Carolina Theatre, films become shared experiences through sing-alongs and themed screenings, where familiar stories are rediscovered together in a historic downtown setting.

This June, Piedmont Shakespeare Company’s “Much Ado About Nothing” invites audiences to experience a witty and accessible take on love and connection. Rooted in a commitment that all performances are free, the production includes options like ASL interpretation and childcare, ensuring more people can take part and feel welcomed.

Together, these programs shape a season defined by openness, where creativity spills into public spaces and participation feels easy. In these sun-soaked evenings and unplanned encounters, the arts remind us: we belong to one another here.

For more details, visit The ACGG’s Arts Across Guilford Events Calendar: calendar.theacgg.org !

A spontaneous ‘Erupcja’

Quirkiness is the business at hand in “Erupcja,” the latest effort from award-winning independent filmmaker Pete Ohs, featuring an ensemble cast headed by songbird Charli XCX, who managed to fit in the filming during her 2024 Brat Summer Tour.

She plays Bethany, who returns to Warsaw after some years, this time accompanied by her boyfriend Rob (Will Madden), whose plans to pop the question during their visit keep getting interrupted. The major reason is that Bethany has looked up her old friend Nel (Lena Gora), a florist with whom she had an earlier relationship, although the extent of that relationship seems to have intentionally been left ambiguous.

As befits the film’s title (which translates to “Eruption”), every time Bethany and Nel meet, there’s a volcanic eruption somewhere in the world. Mere coincidence? Again, it’s left rather vague. Bethany and Nel’s renewed relationship isn’t necessarily combustible, but it does have repercussions on Bethany’s relationship with Rob and Lena’s relationship with her current partner, Ula (Agata Trzebuchowska).

The characters go on about their business while an omnipotent, unseen narrator (Jacek Zubiel) fills in some of the blanks. Initially, “Erupcja” has a funky, flashy attitude augmented by Ohs’ visual flourishes, particularly when Bethany and Nel go clubbing by themselves, leaving their respective partners bewildered. (It’s a reaction that some audience members might share while watching the film.)

There’s an improvisatory nature to the proceedings, borne out by the fact that several of the actors also receive credit as co-writer and/or producer alongside Ohs (who also shot and edited the film). But midway through the

film’s brisk 71-minute time, the already wispy narrative tends to fizzle out. Conflicts and dilemmas are resolved in a fashion less low-key than “no-key,” making the end result something less than the sum of its parts. It’s not boring, which is faint praise, but it doesn’t aspire to much.

The actors are personable, but there’s a distinct lack of chemistry between them. Nobody generates much heat, but Ohs doesn’t seem much concerned with that. Actually, it’s rather difficult to discern precisely what Ohs is concerned with here. “Erupcja” is a trifle, although it’s well-made and provides the City of Warsaw with a marvelous showcase. The city has never looked better, which should help the tourist trade, if nothing else. The film might best be described as an experimental one, and the presence of Charli XCX gives it a higher profile, but it simply ends up being a curiosity.

(In English and Polish with English subtitles) — “Erupcja” opens Friday. !

“DEAD OF NIGHT” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The restored edition of the classic 1945 horror anthology — one of the first and best of that particular format — with five tales of terror directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Robert Hamer, Charles Crichton, and Robert Hamer, in which guests at a country manor share scary stories, featuring an illustrious allstar cast including Mervyn Johns, Googie Withers, Sally Ann Howes, Frederick Volk, Roland Culver, Ralph Michael, Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne, and Michael Redgrave, whose unforgettable turn as a schizophrenic ventriloquist dominates the best-remembered (and most frightening) of all the stories. For the U.S. release, two segments (“The Christmas Party” and “The Golfer’s Story”) were eliminated, but have been properly reinstated here. Both the special-edition Blu-ray ($29.95 retail) and 4K Ultra HD combo ($44.95 retail) include audio commentary and the 2014 documentary feature “Remembering ‘Dead of Night.’”

“DIE MY LOVE” (Mubi): Another fearless turn by producer/star Jennifer Lawrence dominates screenwriter/producer/director Lynne Ramsay’s awardwinning adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s 2012 novel “Die, My Love,” playing an intense, passionate woman who moves into her partner Robert Pattinson’s remote home in rural Montana, quickly gets pregnant, and slowly loses her grip on reality — as the suspense mounts. Nick Nolte and Sissy Spacek shine at Pattinson’s concerned parents, but reliable LaKeith Stanfield is wasted in a smallish role as a character who may be a figment of Lawrence’s imagination. Nevertheless, this is well worth a look and is available on DVD ($26.98 retail) and 4K Ultra HD combo ($42.98 retail). Rated R.

“GUTTER AUTEUR: THE LOST LEGACY OF ANDY MILLIGAN” (Severin Films): The title tells all in this three-disc Blu-ray collection ($64.95 retail) devoted to the obscure works of low-rent filmmaker Andy Milligan (1929-’91), whose films were noted — as it were — for their crude technique, freakish characters, bizarre storylines, and heavy doses of misanthropy, misogyny, and sexual aberration, clearly inspired by Milligan’s troubled upbringing and life: 1967’s post-apocalyptic parable “The Degenerates,” 1968’s “Kiss Me! Kiss Me! Kiss Me!” (which was

[VIDEO VAULT]

BY MARK BURGER

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: “BLUE THUNDER” (Arrow Video/MVD

Entertainment)

Seeing this at a sneak preview in 1983 for my birthday was one of those treasured cinematic memories of youth. Even then I wanted to be a film critic, and this was high on my Top 10 list that year.

Roy Scheider plays Frank Murphy, a veteran helicopter pilot in the LA Police Department’s “Astro Division.” A Vietnam veteran who su ers nightmares from the experience, Murphy is partnered with gangly newcomer Richard Lymangood (Daniel Stern) under the watchful eye of hard-boiled Capt. Braddock (Warren Oates), and also has

a fractious relationship with long-time girlfriend Kate (Candy Clark), but deep down he’s a good guy.

Murphy is tapped to be the test pilot for the titular prototype, a super-powered helicopter called “Blue Thunder” that boasts state-of-the-art surveillance equipment and a high-powered weapons arsenal. Ostensibly it’s to be used for crowd control during the 1984 Olympic Games, but the government operatives who oversee the project clearly have a nefarious agenda, particularly sneering Col. Cochrane (Malcolm McDowell), who has a past with Murphy — and it’s not a happy one.

Most of the characters are archetypes: Murphy is the cop with a checkered past, Lymangood the bumbling rookie, Braddock the hard-nosed captain, Kate the long-su ering but stalwart girlfriend, and Cochran the hissable villain. But the actors give each character a distinctive personality, and Scheider has marvelous chemistry with all of them. Everyone’s in top form, but special mention must be made of Oates, in a marvelous turn in one of his last films, and the film is dedicated to him.

The final third of the film is wall-to-wall action, as Murphy steals Blue Thunder and takes to the skies, pursued by the police, Cochrane, and even a pair of F-16 jet fighters, while Kate engages in a rip-roaring car chase to deliver an incriminating videotape to a local television station. Some of the special e ects are dated, but considering this was pre-CGI they’re still convincing and e ective. The flying scenes, some of which had never been attempted before, remain impressive. Rounding out the cast are such familiar folk as Joe Santos, Anthony James, David S. Sheiner (in his final feature to date), James Murtaugh, Ed Bernard (who died in January), and Jason Bernard (as the mayor). The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Editing and spawned a short-lived 1984 ABC TV series that was overshadowed by the similarly themed CBS series “Airwolf.”

The limited 4K Ultra HD ($49.95 retail) includes audio commentaries, collectible booklet, retrospective interviews and vintage featurettes, the 2006 documentary “Ride With the Angels: Making ‘Blue Thunder,’” theatrical trailer, image gallery, and more. Rated R.

originally rated X), 1967’s “Compass Rose” (which was never completed), 1979’s “epic” Civil War melodrama “House of Seven Belles” (likewise never completed), and the 2025 documentary feature

“The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan,” co-directed by editor/ cinematographer Grayson Tyler Johnson and writer/producer Josh Johnson. Bonus features include audio commentary (for “The Degenerates”), retrospective interviews, Q&A session, deleted scenes, trailers, and more.

retail) and Blu-ray ($39.99 retail), each boasting audio commentaries, behindthe-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and theatrical trailer.

“RUNAWAY TRAIN” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The 4K Ultra HD combo debut ($44.95 retail) of Andrei Konchalovsky’s hard-hitting 1985 existential adventure saga starring Jon Voight and Eric Roberts as escaped convicts in Alaska who surreptitiously board a train, only for the engineer to die and the brakes to fail, sending them and railroad worker Rebecca De Mornay hurtling toward an uncertain fate, with John P. Ryan’s obsessed prison warden pursuing them in a helicopter. Originally conceived as a project for legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in the 1960s, this remains one of the very best films produced by the inimitable Israeli duo of Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus at Cannon Films — although it struggled at the box o ce despite some stellar reviews (and some that weren’t so stellar). A fabulous cast includes Kenneth McMillan, Kyle T. He ner, T.K. Carter (who died in January), screenwriter Eddie Bunker, Stacey Pickren (Voight’s then-partner), and the feature debut of both Danny Trejo and Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr., with Oscar nominations for Best Actor (Voight), Best Supporting Actor (Roberts), and Best Editing. Bonus features include audio commentary, retrospective interviews, and theatrical trailer. Rated R.

“I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2” (LionsGate): Producer Andrew Erwin and writer Brent McCorkle co-directed this PG-rated 2026 follow-up to the award-winning, factbased, faith-based 2018 drama detailing the life and career of singer/producer Bart Millard, the lead singer of the popular Christian band MercyMe, with John Michael Finley (playing Millard), Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid reprising their roles from the first film, joined this time by Milo Ventigmilia (playing singer/songwriter Tim Timmons), Arielle Kebbel, and Sophie Skelton, available on DVD ($29.96

“SAURIANS” (Visual Vengeance/MVD Entertainment Group): The “collector’sedition” Blu-ray bow ($34.95 retail) of writer/director/editor/leading man Mark Polonia’s 1994 producing debut, a low-budget ri on “Jurassic Park” (1993) in which a routine construction blast awakens a pair of prehistoric dinosaurs that proceed to go on a rampage in a small town. Bonus features include the 2004 film “The Dinosaur Chronicles” co-directed by Mark Polonia and brother John Polonia (who also stars), audio commentaries, collectible mini-poster, retrospective documentary and interviews, trailers, and more. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.

[WEEKLY SUDOKU]

Chow Down with John Batchelor at Ma ‘Luz

BY JOHN BATCHELOR

The name, Ma’Luz, is derived from Maria Ruiz, with the tribute “de la Luz” (which means “of the light”) added. She is one of the founders of this restaurant group, which originated over 35 years ago. Initially named Mi Pueblo, six properties have subsequently transitioned to Ma’Luz, under the leadership of Maria’s sons, Diego and Alexander. There are two Ma’Luz locations in High Point, plus one each in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Charlotte, and King. The family is originally from Jalisco, Mexico. I visited one of the High Point properties (address above) and the WinstonSalem location. These are decidedly upscale — large, open, airy and colorful, with a festive ambience. Servers wear shirts with the Ma’Luz logo. They are enthusiastic and pleasant, eager to please. One of the house specialties is a range of 14 di erent margaritas, some presented in an oversized glass. I can testify to the flavor of the Supreme, although I stuck to the House on a subsequent visit and was well satisfied. Several other Mexican-themed drinks are o ered, in addition to multiple beers and a few wines, including sangria, made in-house, in addition, of course, to non-alcoholic beverages.

Food comes out very promptly. If you want to have multiple courses, I would suggest ordering first courses and waiting for them to be delivered, then ordering main courses somewhat later. Otherwise, everything is likely to be delivered all at once, at least in my experience.

My party started one evening with Golden Chicken Flautas — three eightinch flautas, deep fried and filled with bacon, grilled chicken, and shredded cheese. These are served over a bed of rice, along with lettuce and pico de gallo, with a side of cheese dip and honey mustard sauce. The chicken tastes fresh, enriched with the cheese and bacon flavors, all well blended. The sauce provides a pleasant, sweetishsharp enhancement.

I really like avocados. Consequently, I would make a special trip just to get the Chunky Guacamole at Ma’Luz, which is one of the best I have had. Fresh avo-

cados are cut into chunks and blended into mashed avocado, topped with pico de gallo. This is served with fried flour tortilla chips — crisp and tasty in their own right.

Street Tacos are available with various fillings. My wife chose chorizo sausage. The kitchen spreads ground sausage on an open taco, then decorates it with diced white onions, shredded cilantro, and a radish slice, which lends color as well as a bit of flavor. The sausage is spicy — robust, further enhanced with pickled sliced red onions, fresh lime, and salsa verde — blended roasted tomatillos, serrano peppers, garlic, and cilantro.

I order Fajitas whenever I go to a Mexican restaurant, mainly because I like them, but also because I get an opportunity to sample multiple proteins, each of which requires a di erent cooking time, and therefore provides a measure of the kitchen’s skill and attention to detail. The version I ordered here, Across the Border, serves up tender, mediumsized, deveined shrimp; tender strips of fresh chicken breast; plus sliced beef

is completed with Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole salad, and your choice of flour or corn tortillas. Camarones Al Ajillo is another personal favorite when I visit Mexican restaurants. Here, this consists of medium-sized, deveined shrimp sautéed with fresh garlic and onions. Everything tasted fresh and pleasant enough, but a little bland. I would kick it up a bit with a Mexican hot sauce, but a lot of people prefer to avoid the level of heat and spice that I enjoy. This is served with white rice, corn salad, and fresh avocado slices.

On reflection, Ma’Luz provides a more upscale, although not by any means formal, experience, relative to most Mexican restaurants. The website mentions a “festive cantina,” and that’s a good characterization. In addition to the in-person experience, the website provides a convenient, easy-to-follow online ordering system for takeout. In the restaurant or at home, Ma’Luz is a winner. !

— good flavor, moderately firm texture. This arrives sizzling on a cast-iron platter, joined by grilled onions, green peppers, and tomatoes. A plate on the side provides Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole salad, and sour cream. It’s a satisfying, well-executed dish.

A large section of the menu is labelled “ACP,” which denotes arroz con pollo — rice with chicken. Guaca ACP is grilled chicken strips over a bed of Mexican rice, topped with the restaurant’s signature cheese sauce and guacamole. To this, peppers and onions were added. The chicken and onions are lightly browned, enhancing flavor.

Super Enchiladas is a big dish of five enchiladas — a chicken, sliced beef, bean, cheese, and shredded beef. These are lined across a platter and covered with enchilada sauce and topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. There’s a lot to eat in this dish, all pleasantly mellow.

Carnitas Dinner likewise provides a lot to eat — pork tips with grilled onions. The onions and meat flavors blend well, the pork moist and tender. The platter

JOHN BATCHELOR has been writing about eating and drinking since 1981. Over a thousand of his articles have been published. He is also author of two travel/ cookbooks: “Chefs of the Coast: Restaurants and Recipes from the North Carolina Coast,” and “Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants and Recipes from Western North Carolina.” Contact him at john.e.batchelor@ gmail.com or see his blog, johnbatchelordiningandtravel.blogspot.com.

WANNA go?

Ma’Luz 3911 Tinsley Dr. High Point 27265 336-887-5518 644 S Stratford Rd. Winston-Salem 27103 336-765-5174 maluz.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday

Appetizers: $5.79-$15.99

Salads: $5.99-$7.99

Soups: $9.49

Entrees: $8.49-$19.99

Desserts: $5.29-$8.32

Spring’s mother load of music series around the Triad

Happy Mother’s Day, Triad music lovers!

In celebration, here’s a look at the mother load of spring series launching around the region!

NORTH CAROLINA FOLK FESTIVAL’S LOCAL FOLK

The North Carolina Folk Festival’s “Local Folk” is back for a second year — building anticipation and local support with a summer series leading up to the official N.C. Folk Festival in September.

“You’re invited to be part of the soundtrack of our city,” organizers said, dropping hints and fuzzed-out flyer previews teasing the official lineup, which drops on May 8 with a lineup launch party from 5 to 8 p.m. at Natty Greene’s in downtown Greensboro, featuring Holler Choir and Too Phat Brass Band.

“We’re bringing live music, local love, and summernight vibes to Greensboro all season long at some of your favorite spots,” they noted of the monthly series taking place at spaces across downtown. “Gather your people and tag your concert crew,” for ticketed shows featuring Shana Tucker and Kay Marion at The Back Table on June 21; and Rissi Palmer and Mayia Warren at the Flat Iron on July 24. Sessions at the Crown in August and the Pyrle in September will be announced soon. Meanwhile, NCFF night owls can look to the Flat and look forward to a Fonville x Fribush festival after party on September 18.

TOWNEBANK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT FIRST NATIONAL BANK FIELD

Things are shaking up over at First National Bank Field, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, as Downtown Greensboro Inc. blasts past its traditional beach music series. “We are excited to build on the

tradition of The Beach Music Series with our Summer Concert Series opening the door to more genres, more artists, and more summer nights downtown,” said Rob Overman, Interim Director of Downtown Greensboro Inc. “This year’s genre-spanning lineup of bands offers something for everyone to enjoy. Gather your friends and family and join us for what has become downtown Greensboro’s favorite summer tradition for all ages.”

Keeping it smooth, beach lovers can sail away to the sounds of Camel City Yacht Club on May 14; the Shakedown on June 4; Sleeping Booty on June 18, and a cover-show cap-off with the Finns on June 25.

PARK HANGS AT BAILEY PARK

Yours truly is excited to celebrate my own sort of summer baby with the launch of Park Hangs in Winston-Salem’s Bailey Park, presented by NCMA Winston-Salem and the Innovation Quarter. Running select Fridays, monthly through October, the series serves as a spiritual continuation of NCMA W-S’s successful “House Hangs” social gathering. And I’m fully embracing bringing full bands to Bailey Park’s big, beautiful downtown stage. We kicked it all off with Blue Cactus’s cosmic country in April and are thrilled to host the intoxicating alt-soul from Durham’s Tre. Charles on May 29; spaced-out jazz from Charlotte’s Cosmic Collective on June 26; lakewater rock from Kenny Wavinson on July 25; the Congolese rumba served from the Asheville supergroup, Coconut Cake, on Aug. 21; Kit McKay’s twang and storytelling on Sept. 25; and the Appalachian rock’n’roll from Boone’s Real Companion on Oct. 16.

COALPIT LIVE

Coalpit Live is back to rock the other end of Innovation Quarter with a summer series in the thick of Incendiary Brewing’s coal pit arena. Returning favorites, the fiery celt-grass of Tan and Sober Gentlemen kick off the 2026 season on May 30; Vagabond Saints Society will make it rain purple with the music of Prince

on June 13; and Hot Fuss, a tribute to The Killers, will bring their “part rock, part pop and part Vegas lounge act!” to the pit on June 27.

MUSIC IN MERSCHEL SPRING LUNCH SERIES

Music lovers looking for lunchtime flavors can head to Winston-Salem’s Merschel Park, where The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership has teamed up with The Ramkat and Blue Rose Booking to present “a brand new programming event created to utilize Merschel Park and showcase local talent,” running Fridays through June 5. Greensboro’s Kill the Buddha are up next on May 8, followed by Jake Fain on May 15, Colin Allured on May 22, Bed Rumor on May 29, and Katie.Blvd on June 5.

ART CRUSH AND THE LAB FROM D.O.S.E. COLLECTIVE

Over on Trade, Winston-Salem’s Arts District’s ART CRUSH returns for 2026 in bi-monthly installments with a “Color the District” kick off on May 15. Organizers are excited to get back into the swing, with a crosswalk repainting party and community-led art activities, plus “an incredible line up of 35+ artists and vendors, amazing music from local musicians, and of course the most incredible businesses in the arts district!”

Greensboro’s Bruise Wheel are among the performances scheduled to take place in front of D.O.S.E. Collective, which has also re-launched its first Monday monthly showcase, The Lab, “an experimental space for underground and emerging artists to present work,” now Gas Hill Drinking Room (with the next session going down June 1).

LYRICS BY THE LAKE

Lyrics By the Lake, presented in partnership with The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County, has found its 2026 home at The Hanes Brand Theater in downtown Winston-Salem. Combining musical

performances, spoken word poetry, comedy, live painting, and a vendor’s market, LBL serves as “communitybased cultural arts series utilizing different art forms to cultivate a oneof-a-kind experience.”

“We’re Back, Lakers!!!,” organizers said, explaining that “while the venue has changed, the energy, the vibes, and the talent will be the same greatness you all have come to expect from Lyrics

by the Lake shows.” Hosted by LB the Poet and Mr. P.E.T.T.Y with DJ Micki Blendz, the season opener goes down on May 15, with music by Micki Blendz, plus artistry from TuKool Tiff, CJ Monet, Rïch Royalty, and Porsha the Poet.

SUMMERSOUNDS CONCERT SERIES

The High Point Arts Council is also excited to launch its 2026 summer outdoor concert series, with performances

in various parks across the City of High Point, the Town of Jamestown, and in Centennial Station Arts Center, featuring a diverse mix of musical genres, including reggae, big band, Latin, and jazz. The HWY 42 band kicks things off at Jamestown’s Wrenn Miller Park on June 5; the Yacht Rock Radio Band sails into High Point City Lake Park on June 12; Carolina Soul Band comes to High Point’s Washington Terrace Park

on June 26; Gavin Maestro will perform at High Point’s Mendenhall Transportation Terminal on July 10 and the season culminates in a Coltrane celebration with the Titus Gant Jazz Quartet at High Point’s Centennial Station Arts Center on Sept. 17. !

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.

PRESENTS

hot pour

[BARTENDER OF THE WEEK COMPILED BY CHANEL DAVIS]

NAME: Gene Je ries

BAR: Hendrxx Bleu

AGE: 35

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Jacksonville, Fla.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

On and o for 13 years.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

Check out videos on our Facebook!

All of my friends worked in the service industry while I was in a corporate role. Everyone always talked about the funny, cool, and sometimes horrible guests they encountered, but the social aspect really stood out to me. It felt so di erent from working in a cubicle. That experience ultimately led me to take a mixology class.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

I thrive on connecting with people from all walks of life. Behind the bar, I naturally become a friend, a safe space, a therapist, and a hype person all at once.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?

A modern twist on the classic espresso martini, featuring Hennessy cognac for a rich, smooth finish.

WHAT’S THE STRANGEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?

A lemon drop with no lemon juice.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING?

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?

When people don’t understand that a well-crafted cocktail shouldn’t have an overpowering taste of alcohol.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

Any flavored margarita.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

A Florida twist on the classic sidecar: Hennessy and Grand Marnier over a large ice rock, known as a beautiful.

An intoxicated person thought to have a foot race with a $300 prize. This led to other folks placing side bets on who they thought was going to win.

WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE FOUND IN A BAR BATHROOM?

A full drink sitting on top of the toilet paper dispenser. As if that seemed like the most logical place to set it down.

WHAT’S THE BEST/BIGGEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?

The best tip I’ve ever received wasn’t monetary. I was reminded that as a bartender, you have the power to change the course of someone’s day or even their life. People tend to open up to strangers in ways they don’t with those closest to them. So while you’re filling cups with drinks, don’t forget you’re also filling emotional and social buckets.

Miniseries about Revolutionary War hero planned for Triad

Contributor

Peter Francisco, the “Virginia Hercules” who fought some of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution, is not as well known as he should be. A TV miniseries written and produced by his descendant, Travis Bowman, may change that.

Regardless of whether Francisco really used a six-foot broadsword to kill 11 British soldiers at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, he earned the oversized legend that preserved his name when history books did not. Despite repeated heroism and multiple wounds, he was never promoted beyond private and had to petition Congress for a pension. The monuments honoring him, several of which make unsubstantiated claims, were erected more than two centuries after his death.

More details of his life and legend can be found in the March 3, 2021, YES! Weekly article “Peter Francisco: Hercules of the Revolution and Washington’s OneMan Army,” but here’s a short history of this tall man.

In 1765, a five-year-old boy, who spoke only Portuguese and a few words of Spanish and French, was found on a wharf in what is now Hopewell, Virginia. Because he kept repeating “Pedro Francisco,” this became his name, with Pedro anglicized to Peter.

He was later said to have been born in the Azores to an aristocratic Portuguese family and kidnapped by Algerian pirates. On the island of Terceira, there are baptismal records for Pedro Francisco. While there’s no proof this was the same child later abandoned in Virginia, the dates line up, and the Azores have no further records of the boy baptized there.

He was taken to the poor house, then

to the home of Judge Anthony Wilson, who either kept Francisco as an indentured servant or owned him as a slave. The small boy grew very big and was trained as a blacksmith. At 15, he was said to be 6’6” and 260 pounds. In 1775, he accompanied Wilson to Richmond, where he may have heard Wilson’s cousin Patrick Henry declare, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Whatever his inspiration, the towering teenager became one of the fiercest fighters of the American Revolution.

That he served honorably and bravely and was deadly in combat, there is no doubt, even if George Washington never said, “Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the War, and with it our freedom,” or called Francisco “truly a One-Man Army.”

This probably spurious quote was engraved on a New Bedford monument in 2008, but there is no record of Washington ever saying it. The two-handed broadsword with which he is said to have killed 11 British soldiers at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, specially commissioned for him by Washington, may be another embellishment. As Michael Schellhammer notes in “Peter Francisco:

Distinguishing Fact from Fiction” (Journal of the American Revolution, July 23, 2013), it’s unlikely that Washington could have ordered it made with no record in his correspondence or account books.

“None of this means that Peter Francisco was not a true hero,” wrote Schellhammer. “His documented battle record, multiple enlistments, and wounds by themselves inspire amazement. And researchers at the National Archives believe that Francisco may also have served again as a private in the 5th Infantry Regiment during the War of 1812. All of this earns him automatic and permanent membership in my bad-ass hero’s club.”

One of the most incredible stories about Francisco allegedly occurred near Camden, South Carolina, in 1780, where the American retreat left a cannon stuck in mud. Realizing the weapon was about to be captured by the British, Francisco lifted the 1,100-pound barrel and placed it in a wagon so that it could be pulled from the battlefield. But Francisco’s own account does not mention this.

In a 1820 letter to the Virginia Assembly, he claimed to have shot a British grenadier who was attempting to bayonet Colonel John Mayo, commander

of the Virginia Militia. Then Francisco picked up the bayonet, used it to kill a charging British cavalryman, and rode the dead man’s horse through the British lines while shouting praise to King George. Thinking the giant horseman a loyalist, the enemy let him pass. Circling back, Francisco rejoined the American force and gave his captured horse to the colonel whose life he’d saved.

Despite injuries that plagued him the rest of his life, there is considerable evidence that Francisco fought ferociously for the entire war. In 1820, when he applied for pensions from Virginia and the Federal government, six o cers provided supporting a davits.

These show Francisco enlisted in late 1776 and fought at Brandywine, Germantown, and Mud Island. After the awful winter at Valley Forge, he fought at Monmouth, New Jersey, and received a musket ball in his right thigh. In July 1779, he helped storm the British fortress at Stony Point, New York, and su ered a bayonet slash on his abdomen. He recovered and returned to Virginia after his enlistment ended, but his war wasn’t over.

In 1780, Francisco re-enlisted and saved Col. Mayo’s life at Camden. At the

to Portugal (after the Roman province of Lusitania). It’s based on Bowman’s 2009 novel “Luso: for Love, Liberty and Legacy.” Bowman wrote and produced the 2023 proof-of-concept short “Luso,” directed by Kevin Peeples, starring Brian Patrick Wade (HBO’s “Generation Kill” and ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) as Francisco.

Bowman’s production company will launch a campaign on WeFunder.com around July 4th. “‘The Chosen’ franchise started with crowdfunding and is valued at $1 billion today. It has been estimated that ‘Braveheart’ generated around $500 million. Imagine if you had the opportunity to go back in time and invest in it. People will have that opportunity with ‘LUSO.’”

battle of Guilford Court House in March of 1781, Lt. John Woodson later recalled that Francisco “was very bloody and also was his Sword from point to hilt.”

Francisco was limping back to Virginia when British cavalry accosted him. Although unarmed and injured, he seized one of their swords, killed its owner, and wounded and drove o the others. This, he would later write after learning how by attending a children’s schoolhouse after the war, “was the last favor I ever did the British.” His Revolutionary service ended, and he returned home.

Francisco’s later life is better documented. Although he never had much money, he finally received an education, was granted a pension, and lived to be 70. He spent the last three years of his life as the Sergeant-at-Arms to the Virginia State Senate, died of appendicitis in 1831, and was buried with full military honors in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond.

Author, actor, and film producer Travis Bowman, a 7th-generation descendant of Francisco, is seeking financing for a nine-episode miniseries about his formidable ancestor. The project is currently titled “LUSO,” a word meaning relating

Bowman hopes to film it locally. “The Piedmont Triad area has a number of 18th-century, period-correct locations that are ideal. Our plan is to film as much of the nine-episode miniseries right here so that people flock to see where Peter Francisco swung the 6-foot broadsword. Set-jetting — or vacationing at film locations - is rapidly growing, and it’s slated to hit $8.4 billion this year. 81% of Gen Z and Millennials choose their travel destinations based on a series or movie that they have fallen in love with. ‘LUSO™’ could generate tens of millions in tourism revenue for the Piedmont Triad area.” For more information, visit LUSO.tv, www.TravisBowman.com, and the YouTube channel @LusoTheSeries. !

ASHEBORO

Four SaintS BrEwing

218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722

www.foursaintsbrewing.com

thursdays: taproom trivia

Fridays: Music Bingo

May 9: Southbound 49 acoustic

CARBORRO

Cat’S CradlE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053 www.catscradle.com

May 6: unprocessed, allt, Midwinter

May 7: Florence dore, davie Circle, Juniper

May 7: Joan Shelley, grace rogers

May 8: Cole Chaney and Kyova, Brennan Edwards

May 8: Cosmic Charlie

May 9: andrew duhon

May 9: Bahamas, Sister ray

May 9: John r. Miller

May 10: Failure, all under Heaven

May 11: Shawn Mullins, Cat ridgeway

Mar 12: Bill Callahan, noveller

May 15: lucinda williams

May 15: By Storm, lerado Khalil

May 16: andrew Marlin & Josh oliver

May 16-17: iron & wine, improvement Movement

May 16: Soda water Sea

May 17: grace ives, Hollis Howard

May 17: Setting, walt McClements

May 17: the Black angels, l.a. witch

May 18-20: Future islands, Valient thorr, lonnie walker, Jenny Besetzt

May 20: the new Pornographers, will Sheff

May 21: Hiding Places, Verity den, Supermutt

May 22: Sluice, Peter Horses

May 23: Carrboro Bluegrass Festival

May 24: Caleb Caudle, laurelyn dossett, the Vagabond Saints’ Society

CHARlOttE

BoJanglES ColiSEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600

www.boplex.com

May 17: John legend

May 23: Marisela

tHE FillMorE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd |

704.916.8970

www.livenation.com

May 6: dance with the dead, Magic Sword

May 6: nettspend

May 7: demon Hunter

May 8: archspire

May 8: ashnikko

May 9: Behemoth

May 9: Shadow of intent

May 10: death angel

May 10: Caifanes

May 11: Elmiene

May 12: Chaos & Carnage

May 12: Clara la San

May 13: thornhill

May 14: Kandi Burruss

May 14: Chrisette Michele

May 15: toadies

May 16: Electric avenue

PnC MuSiC PaVilion

707 Pavilion Blvd | 704.549.1292

www.livenation.com

May 7: riley green, Justin Moore, drake white & Hannah McFarland

May 9: Kid rock, Brantley gilbert & them dirty roses

May 13: Kid Cudi

May 14: godsmack, Stone temple Pilots & dorothy

May 16: dave Matthews Band

May 18: Sting

May 20: Pitbull & lil Jon

May 30: Hank williams Jr.

May 31: Machine gun Kelly & wiz Khalifa

SPECtruM CEntEr

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000 www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com

May 20: Journey

May 21: don toliver

May 30: the Queens

VillagE SQuarE

taP HouSE

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct | 336.448.5330

www.facebook.com/vstaphouse

May 7: dustin York

May 8: SoundKraft live

May 10: Brother Pearl

duRHAm

Carolina tHEatrE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030 www.carolinatheatre.org

May 8: letters to america

May 16: Charles and Jackson Pettee

May 17: Punch Brothers

May 28: grace givertz

dPaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787

www.dpacnc.com

May 6-10: the great gatsby

May 11-12: david Byrne

May 16: John Crist

ElKIn

rEEVES tHEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240 www.reevestheater.com

wednesdays: reeves open Mic

Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam

May 8: Camel City Yacht Club

May 9: Jeff little trio

May 22: the tree of Forgiveness Band

gREEnSBORO

1808 CraFt & VinE

3326 W Friendly Ave Ste 141 | 336.638.1222 1808craftvine.com

Barn dinnEr tHEatrE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211 www.barndinner.com

May 9-Jun 6: Be Kind, rewind

Carolina tHEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605 www.carolinatheatre.com

May 16: david Fox group

CoMEdY ZonE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com

May 8-9: adult Bungo

May 9: Kleon the Comedian

May 15-16: alex ortiz

May 18: landon talks

May 19: Emo Phillips

May 22-23: ian lara

May 29-30: danae Hays

Flat iron

221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967

www.flatirongso.com

May 6: Jade Moore w/ tin roof Echo

May 7: Bee Million, Burlap Circus and Panes

May 8: wriStBand

May 13: desiree dawson & Mira lazuli w/ Mountain Flower

May 14: turkey Buzzards and Stripmall Ballads

May 15: Candi Jenkins w/ Carri Smithey

May 17: the rough & tumble, Flagship romance

May 20: Eric Johanson

May 21: lennon KC w/ Melodramatic

May 22: Michael Chaney

May 23: the Hypnotic Conquest

May 24: a tribute to dylan & Cash

May 28: Kevn Kenny

May 29: the Bean tones

garagE taVErn

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020 www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro

graPES & grainS

2001 Yanceyville St | 336.601.9292 www.grapesandgrainstavern.com

May 20: Electric Callboy May 21: Journey

1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com

May 8: atreyu

May 10: Snugged on Sight, Final resting Place, torture May 12: Jiluka

May 13: infected rain

May 18: waka Flocka

May 29-30: Bring the Heat Fest 2026

trivia

& Saturdays: Free live Music

PIEDMONT HALL

2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400

www.greensborocoliseum.com

RODY’S TAVERN

5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950

www.facebook.com/rodystavern

STEVEN TANGER CENTER

300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500

www.tangercenter.com

May 14: David Lee Roth

May 15: Palomazo Norteno

May 16: John Legend

May 31: Andrew Bird

THE IDIOT BOX

COMEDY CLUB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699

www.idiotboxers.com

May 14: Grant Lyon

May 15: Will Purpura

May 21: Paul Snyder

JAMESTOWN

THE DECK

118 E Main St | 336.207.1999

www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/

May 8: Carolina Rust

May 9: Chandler Carpenter & The Restless Souls

May 15: Second Glance Band

May 21: NSA

May 29: RetroVinyl

May 30: Radio Revolver

KERNERSVILLE

BREATHE

COCKTAIL LOUNGE

221 N Main St. | 336.497.4822

www.facebook.com/BreatheCocktailLounge

Wednesdays: Karaoke

KERNERSVILLE

BREWING COMPANY

221 N Main St. | 336.816.7283

www.facebook.com/kernersvillebrewing

Thursdays: Trivia

LIBERTY

THE LIBERTY

SHOWCASE THEATER

101 S. Fayetteville St | 336.622.3844

www.TheLibertyShowcase.com

May 9: Confederate Railroad

RALEIGH

CCU MUSIC PARK AT WALNUT CREEK

3801 Rock Quarry Rd | 919.821.4111

www.livenation.com

LINCOLN THEATRE

126 E. Cabarrus St | 919.831.6400

www.lincolntheatre.com

RED HAT AMPHITHEATER

500 S McDowell St | 919.996.8800

www.redhatamphitheater.com

LENOVO CENTER

1400 Edwards Mill Rd | 919.861.2300

www.thepncarena.com

WINSTON-SALEM

EARL’S

121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018

www.earlsws.com

Mondays: Open Mic

FIDDLIN’ FISH

BREWING COMPANY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945

www.fiddlinfish.com

Tuesdays: Trivia

May 8: Eternally Grateful Duo

May 15: That 90’s Duo

May 16: Kinetic (Bob Weir Tribute)

May 22: Raphael Graves

May 30: Habitat

FOOTHILLS BREWING

638 W 4th St | 336.777.3348

www.foothillsbrewing.com

Sundays: Sunday Jazz

Thursdays: Trivia

May 6: Watson McCormick

May 8: Anna Mertson Duo

May 8: Dana Bearror

May 10: Jimmy and the Johns

May 13: Taylor Mason

MIDWAY MUSIC HALL

11141 Old US Hwy 52, Suite 10 |

336.793.4218

www.facebook.com/midwaymusichallandeventcenter

Mondays: Line Dancing

MUDDY CREEK CAFE

& MUSIC HALL

137 West St | 336.201.5182

www.facebook.com/MuddyCreekCafe

THE RAMKAT

170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714

www.theramkat.com

May 6: Florence Dore

May 14: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

May 15: Freedom Junction, Drew Foust

May 16: Cosmic Charlie

May 21: Sluice

May 22: Kevin Beck, Dan Brooks, Drake Du er

May 28: Bad Cameo

WISE MAN BREWING

826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008

www.wisemanbrewing.com

Thursdays: Music Bingo

May 8: Ears to the Ground

May 9: Barefoot Modern

May 15: Emerson Bruno & the Undercurrents

May 16: Hot Wax and the Splinters

May 16: Bandemic

May 22: The Travelers

May 23: Bryce Hensley & the Killer Lites

[TRIVIA TEST]

by Fifi Rodriguez

[1. MOVIES: What is the name of the blue diamond necklace in “Titanic”?

[2. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president once said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”?

[3. GEOGRAPHY: What is New Zealand’s national bird?

[4. MATH: How many sides does a tridecagon have?

[5. BIBLE: What is the first book in the Bible called?

[6. SPACE: How long does it take the International Space Station to orbit the Earth?

[7. MYTHOLOGY: Who is the Greek god of the sun?

[8. ANATOMY: Where are the carpus and metacarpus located in the human body?

[9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world?

[10. LITERATURE: Who wrote the dystopian novel titled “The Testaments”?

answer

© 2026 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of May 11, 2026

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Love rules the amorous ARIES! It’s time to make Sheep’s eyes at someone you’d like to know better. (A loving LEO, perhaps?) And don’t be surprised by what follows.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might enjoy spending your time at home, decorating and redecorating all you like. But friends old and new won’t accept “regrets” to their invitations. So, go out and have a great time.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You need someone who appreciates you. If this person is already in your life, congratulations! If not, don’t settle for anyone who doesn’t value you.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A previous problem is cleared up soon to your advantage. Meanwhile, give your self-confidence a much-needed boost by taking on a tough project that you know you can handle.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re often picked to lead in a group situation, but

this can cost you time and energy that you might want to spend elsewhere. Feel free to decline. People will still love the Big Cat.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You’re usually the staid and steady sort. But the adventurous side of you emerges, and you feel like doing something di erent — and maybe a mite daring. Good for you!

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You need more preparation before tackling a poorly performing venture. Research possible solutions. The more you know when you start, the more likely that all will end well.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your work is noticed with approval. A promotion could follow. Meanwhile, at home, there’s some unexpected fallout from a family matter that you thought had been cleared up.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A relationship that you thought just needed time to ripen could be

The Sportscenter Athletic Club is a private membership club dedicated to providing the ultimate athletic and recreational facilities for our members of all ages. Conveniently located in High Point, we provide a wide variety of activities for our members. We’re designed to incorporate the total fitness concept for maximum benefits and total enjoyment. We cordially invite all of you to be a part of our athletic facility, while enjoying the membership savings we offer our established corporate accounts.

withering instead. It’s not too late to save it with reassurances that it’s still your priority.

[cAPrIcorN (December 22 to January 19) Your problem with accepting workplace-related changes will disappear once you accept the fact that — like it or not — change is part of progress.

[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) Don’t feel guilty about indulging in luxuries like beauty treatments for yourself and beautiful things for your home. They bring joy to the soul, and you deserve them.

[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) Don’t keep a low profile about your project until you’re sure that it can succeed. You’ll achieve more if you allow others to know what you’ve done and to share in the work.

[BorN THIs week: You move with a natural grace and elegance that is found in those who (like you) were born to dance. Children take to you and want to be your friend.

answers

[crossword]

crossword on page 8

[weekly sudoku]

sudoku on page 8

FRI

FOUR TET • VINCE STAPLES • SPIRITUAL CRAMP THURS

MT. JOY • MAJOR LAZER • JESSIE MURPH • GEESE • CL NEE • GANJA WHITE NIGHT

LIL JON • BL D ORANGE • WET LEG • HOT MULLIGAN • BBNO$ • ZACK FOX • SMINO

SIDEPIECE • RACHEL CHINOURIRI • THE DARE • ADVENTURE CLUB • NOTION • INZO

MOTHER MOTHER • ŁASZEWO • BLUES TRAVELER • WOLFMOTHER • WEDNESDAY • THE CHATS • LAMBRINI GIRLS

AMBLE • DANIEL ALLAN • GOLDIE BOUTILIER • DORA JAR • VILLANELLE • JACKIE HOLLANDER • PAWPAW ROD

ALABAMA SHAKES • CHASE & STATUS • SARA LANDRY • RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE

FREDDIE GIBBS ALCHEMIST • AMYL SNIFFERS • SUB FOCUS • GORGON CITY

JUELZ • THE STEWS • CONGRESS THE BAND • MIDNIGHT GENERATION • SUNAMI • NIKITA, THE WICKED & THE SAT AND THE

FLIPTURN • PASSION PIT • SNOW STRIPPERS • TASH SULTANA • WYATT FLORES

BOYS NOIZE • HOLLY HUMBERSTONE • DEATHPACT • SG LEWIS • OSEES • WAYLON WYATT • THE RUNAROUNDS

DJ TRIXIE MATTEL • BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM • CONFIDENCE MAN • ARCY DRIVE • MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT

SUN & ORLEANS AVENUE

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND • LSZEE • CLIPSE • MARIAH THE SCIENTIST • DAILY BREAD

MODEST MOUSE • BIG GIGANTIC • JAPANESE BREAKFAST • TURNOVER • SAN HOLO

TROMBONE SHORTY • DEL WATER GAP • SPACEY JANE • AUDREY HOBERT

FCUKERS • BLONDSHELL • LITTLE STRANGER • ALY & AJ • HEMLOCKE SPRINGS • STEPH STRINGS A HUNDRED DRUMS • GIRL TONES • MOTIFV • NAT MYERS