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Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com
EDITORIAL
Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com
YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR MARK BURGER KATEI CRANFORD LYNN FELDER JIM LONGWORTH
IAN MCDOWELL
PRODUCTION
Senior Designer ALEX FARMER designer@yesweekly.com
Designer SHANE HART artdirector@yesweekly.com
ADVERTISING
Marketing ANGELA COX angela@yesweekly.com
Promotion NATALIE GARCIA
DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT ANDREW WOMACK
We at YES! Weekly realize that the interest of our readers goes well beyond the boundaries of the Piedmont Triad. Therefore we are dedicated to informing and entertaining with thought-provoking, debate-spurring, in-depth investigative news stories and features of local, national and international scope, and opinion grounded in reason, as well as providing the most comprehensive entertainment and arts coverage in the Triad. YES! Weekly welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however YES! Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. YES! Weekly is
3
Last May, actors Jim McKeny and Mark March premiered “ POE ON THE ROCKS,” billed as “A Drunken Poe Experience,” at Joyner’s Bar in Winston-Salem.
4 Based on naturalist Helen Macdonald’s award-winning 2014 memoir, the fact-based “ H IS FOR HAWK” is an occasionally windy but consistently engrossing melodrama that affords leading lady and executive producer Claire Foy a fine showcase for her talents.
5 If a local, publicly owned industry were to misspend and LOSE $46 MILLION, putting over 300 people out of work, there are several important things that we expect would happen.
8 A state senator and a city council representative have asked UNC Greensboro to DROP DISCIPLINARY MEASURES against a female student tackled and knelt on by campus police during an Oct. 6, 2025, arrest.
11 Today, legendary singer, songwriter and producer Lionel Richie and one of the best-selling bands of all time, EARTH, WIND & FIRE announce their 2026 North American Tour.
11 GRAMMY® Award-winning, multiplatinum group ZAC BROWN BAND announces their Love & Fear US tour presented by Margaritaville at Sea.
12 Three sisters with lifelong ties to the space at DUKES TAVERN, located at 4752 S. Main St. in Winston-Salem, have opened the bar under a new name while carrying forward the familiarity of a female-owned franchise built on continuity rather than overhaul, perfectly precuring their personalities.
Last May, actors Jim McKeny and Mark March premiered “Poe on the Rocks,” billed as “A Drunken Poe Experience,” at Joyner’s Bar in Winston-Salem. An ensemble cast of actors interpreted and recited the immortal works of Edgar Allan Poe — with drinks on the side. The sold-out event inspired them to do another turn in August at The Quarter in Greensboro, and it too sold out.
Now, McKeny and March have formed a new company called POE & Co. Entertainment and are back with a new Valentine’s Day presentation called “Cupid on the Rocks,” which will take place at 7:30 p.m. on February 11 at Joyner’s Bar, 854 W. Fourth St., WinstonSalem. Single tickets are $25, couples’ tickets are $40, and can be pre-ordered at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mybad-romance-by-cupid-on-the-rockstickets-1979893285113?a =oddtdtcre ator. Given the format and setting, this event is restricted to ages 21 and over.
The theme for “Cupid on the Rocks” is “My Bad Romance,” a combination of poetry and music that takes a skewed look at loves lost and romances ruined, featuring an eclectic selection of works by Poe, William Shakespeare, Elvis Presley, Dorothy Parker, Willie Nelson, William Butler Yeats, Hank Williams, and many others — as performed and interpreted by cast members McKeny, Christine Gorelick, Gait Jordan, Jessica Ann Perry, Ralph Shaw, and Evan Wang, who also doubles as the show’s music director.
“We’ve added music, singers, and musicians to elevate the fun,” Perry noted, “and we’ve expanded beyond Poe to include writers like Shakespeare and Lord Byron, who was actually a major influence on Poe. While Poe is always
at the heart of what we do, the experience now welcomes literature of all kinds. The mood, the atmosphere, and that slightly dark, witty Poe sensibility never leave us.”
These events are a combination of the interactive, the irreverent, and the improvisational, McKeny confirmed.
“They are structured, but in rehearsal we adlib and improv and will usually add those to the script,” he said. “We are irreverent as tra c will allow, but always aware of boundaries of taste … though we bounce o them occasionally. ‘My Bad Romance’ is a pastiche, if you will, of comedy and song about broken hearts and lousy romances.”
“We actually were — especially the second one,” said McKeny. “We had over 100 people in the bar, and it was tons of fun.”
“I’m not surprised by the response to the ‘Poe’ theme,” Gorelick said. “I think folks are looking for unusual types of entertainment — particularly those that pique their imaginations, which I think the Poe theme does. He was American, a haunted but talented artist, and — yes — perhaps he had trouble with addiction, but given the times he lived
in, it doesn’t seem all that unusual.”
“What’s surprised me most is how organically it’s grown and evolved,” Perry said. “People seem to connect with it because it makes classic literature feel accessible, playful, and alive. It’s been incredibly fun. Our troupe has grown to include more actors and singers, and rehearsals have become these wonderfully chaotic, laugh-filled sessions of collaboration and improvisation. Everyone involved is quick-witted with strong comedic timing, which makes the process just as entertaining as the performance itself.”
For more information, call 336-9551969 or visit https://joynersws.com/# !
“We’ve added music and works by other authors and poets to sort of celebrate the season of Valentine’s Day,” said Gorelick. “I find it to be a varied, interesting, and light-hearted look at the ups and downs of romance. We hope folks will be able to relate to it, no matter their relationship status. I think our guests will leave feeling like they’ve left their everyday lives for a bit and were entertained — and even educated! — in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Joyner’s Bar as the venue doesn’t hurt!”
“‘Cupid on the Rocks’ plays with the idea that Valentine’s Day is traditionally a lovers’ holiday,” Perry said. “While it’s still a perfect date night, it also joyfully embraces the other side of love — the heartbreak, the irony, and the humor in being single. It’s light-hearted, irreverent, and very funny. Jim, our captain and director, gives us the creative freedom to ad-lib while still following a clear structure. We interact with the audience throughout the show and aim to give them a night they’ll truly remember — whether they’re in love, out of love, or happily unattached.”
Are they surprised that “Poe on the Rocks” was such a hit?
Mark Burger
Contributor
‘H is for Hawk’: Watch the birdie SCREEN IT!
Based on naturalist
Helen Macdonald’s award-winning 2014 memoir, the fact-based “H is for Hawk” is an occasionally windy but consistently engrossing melodrama that affords leading lady and executive producer Claire Foy a fine showcase for her talents. Her intense performance as Helen is enough to warrant a recommendation, even when the overall narrative doesn’t always measure up to her — or her winged costar’s — level.
Helen, a lecturer at Cambridge whose tenure is almost up, is devastated by the unexpected death of her father, noted photojournalist Alisdair (Brendan Gleeson), to whom she was devoted. As a way of dealing with her grief, she procures a Eurasian goshawk she named Mabel. The goshawk is a bird of prey known for its obstinate temperament — a quality Helen happens to share — and she becomes completely consumed by Mabel’s training. When someone remarks on her new hobby, she tartly replies: “I don’t have a hobby; I have a hawk.”
“H is for Hawk” is directed in careful, contemplative fashion by Phillipa Lowthorpe, who co-wrote the screenplay with Emma Donoghue. The principal focus is, of course, on Helen and Mabel, but as a result the other characters don’t emerge in any great depth or detail. Although Alisdair expires early on, fortunately, there are flashbacks that depict the relationship between father and daughter and, more importantly, allot more screentime to the alwayswelcome Gleeson.
The scenes where Helen and Mabel get acclimated to each other are handled well, and Charlotte Bruus
Christensen’s cinematography really shines in the scenes that capture Mabel in flight, which are magical and majestic in equal measure. The film also captures Helen’s increasingly erratic behavior, as she distances herself from other people — even members of her family — to fully concentrate on Mabel. Her attempts at self-therapy prove detrimental to her well-being, a realization that only occurs to her late in the game.
Foy digs deep to make every one of Helen’s quirks and foibles utterly believable, and Mabel cuts quite a striking figure as the object of her affection — and obsession. To play Helen convincingly, Foy had to undertake lessons in falconry, and they certainly paid off because she’s completely at ease with Mabel. They’re an oddly engaging duo, and Mabel is quite expressive — as birds go. (Whoever trained Mabel deserves kudos, as well.) !
If a local, publicly owned industry were to misspend and lose $46 million, putting over 300 people out of work, there are several important things that we expect would happen. First, we expect debts to be paid and the losses to be recovered. Second, we expect that the lost jobs will be restored. Third, we expect the company to enact necessary reforms to prevent future debacles. Fourth, we expect the company to do all it can to rebuild the public trust. And finally, WE EXPECT ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MESS TO BE PUNISHED!!!
I am, of course, referring to the largest publicly-owned industry in our community — the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools, and the devastating financial crisis its leadership caused. Yes, there are folks who say, “It’s time to move on.” “It’s time to put those troubles behind us and focus on the future.” The problem is that it’s nearly impossible to move on without closure, and we can’t have that unless and until the guilty parties are brought to account.
Last spring, it was discovered that WS/FCS CFO Tommy Kranz had, over a period of several years, misappropriated and misapplied local, state, and
We want to hear from you!
federal funds, leaving the schools in a $46 million hole. That left us unable to pay employees and vendors, or to reimburse the county for SROs and other services. It even left us unable to pay the interest on what we owed to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Kranz suddenly retired and got the hell out of Dodge. So did Superintendent Tricia McManus. It was an easy departure for the duo because neither had deep ties to the Triad. McManus kept her permanent residence in Florida while working here, and Kranz had come here from Virginia, where, according to the Richmond Free Press, he had engaged in the same kind of behavior that would repeat itself in Winston-Salem. More on that in a moment.
By late last year, auditors and local prosecutors concluded that no crime had been committed, but they were wrong. True enough, there is no evidence to suggest that Kranz, McManus, or members of the school board profited financially from the multi-milliondollar mess. Nevertheless, according to state law, misappropriation of public funds still falls under the category of embezzlement. The truth is that Kranz deliberately moved funds around in an illegal fashion and caused irreparable harm to over 300 families and to the community at large. The other hard truth is that neither McManus nor the school board bothered to do a deep dive on Kranz’s record in Richmond, Virginia where he had served as CFO and interim superintendent, and where (ac-
kept $8.3 million in a secret “unassigned fund balance” while asking city council to pony up an additional $16 million to make up for budget shortfalls. At the same time, he paid a friend $24,000 for two months of consulting work even though that man was still under investigation by Maryland authorities. When all of this finally came to light, Kranz was fired. Had McManus and the board done their due diligence, Kranz would have never been hired in the first place.
Our community is fortunate to have organizations like the Winston-Salem Foundation and companies like Modern Auto, which stepped up with major donations to help erase the school’s debts and lend a hand to teachers. And we look forward to newly-appointed superintendent Don Phipps taking on the task of reform. He has a sterling reputation and a track record to suggest that he can restore the WS/FCS to a level of performance that we haven’t
seen since the days of Dr. Don Martin, who led the schools for 19 unsullied years.
And yet, there’s still the matter of closure. Kranz was incompetent, and McManus was a very compassionate and trusting individual who allowed Kranz to operate in a vacuum. Their shortcomings were dissimilar to be sure, but together they perpetrated an unprecedented crime on our community. They should both be held to account for the damage they caused. Then and only then can we put this ugly chapter behind us and be assured that it will never happen again. !
JIM LONGWORTH is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15) and streaming on WFMY+.
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.
YES! Weekly welcomes letter to the editor. Our VOICES page allows readers the opportunity to share comments, opinions, and views regarding the issues that a ect us all. Please limit your letters to 250 words or less and include your name, address, and daytime phone number. Only your name and community will be printed. The other information is needed for author verification. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters are limited to one per month. YES! Weekly reserves the right to edit or withhold any letter from publication for libelous content. Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of their writers, not that of YES! Weekly and its employees. Hand-deliver, email chanel@yesweekly.com, or mail your letter to YES! Weekly, Attention: Letters to the Editor, 5500 Adams Farm Lane, Suite 204, Greensboro, NC 27407
Jim Longworth
Longworth at Large
leisure [WEEKLY SUDOKU] [KING CROSSWORD]
Astate senator and a city council representative have asked UNC Greensboro to drop disciplinary measures against a female student tackled and knelt on by campus police during an Oct. 6, 2025, arrest. After video of the incident went viral on social media, the UNCG chapter of the NAACP accused the o cers of using excessive force on Alisia Rea and her boyfriend Quinten Thomas. Last week, all criminal charges against the couple
Elected o cials Weigh in on Triad University’s Decision
were dismissed, but the university is pursuing disciplinary action against Rea. The arrest occurred after Thomas dropped Rea o near the corner of Gate City Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue. According to the couple’s attorneys at Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ), Thomas’s car was parked in the fire lane for less than 15 minutes while he escorted Rea back to her dorm. UNCG police allege the vehicle was left unattended with hazard lights flashing for 45 minutes.
When Thomas returned to the car, O cers Cristian Ortiz and Rebecca Galicia ordered him out of it. In a statement made shortly after the incident, UNCG Police Chief Chris Jasso alleged that Thomas “became verbally aggressive and refused multiple requests to cooperate.” Rea returned from her
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Noche Flamenca: Searching for Goya
March 5, 2026
Piff the Magic Dragon April 18, 2026
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dorm to record the incident. What followed can be seen in her cellphone video.
Ortiz yells, “Get out of the f**king car!” Thomas shouts for the o cers to step back and allow him to exit.
Ortiz repeats the order and the expletive. “I do not feel safe with you guys hovering over me,” replies Thomas. Arriving at the scene, O cer Braxton Hiatt shouts, “Move back now or you’re going to be tased!” at Rea. Thomas is then pulled from the car and arrested.
“Did you read him his rights?” asks Rea.
“You watch too much TV,” says Hiatt, who does not explain that police are only required to inform suspects of their Miranda rights once they are in custody and are being interrogated.
“I need your name because you’re going to jail, too,” says Ortiz to Rea. She asks for his badge number.
“We don’t have badge numbers,” says Ortiz.
UNCG campus police do not have badge numbers, but in North Carolina, o cers are required to identify themselves when making arrests. None of the o cers do so.
As seen in bystander videos, when Rea turns to walk away, Ortiz grabs her from behind and forces her to the pavement. Ortiz and Hiatt hold her face down and kneel on her while Galicia grabs her
legs. Rea screams, “Get your hands o my neck!” The video concludes with her being forcibly handcu ed. Thomas was charged with Resist, Delay, or Obstruct; Stop on Highway; and Revoked Driver’s License. Rea was charged with Resist, Delay, or Obstruct and Assault on a Public O cial. According to Jasso, after Rea placed her hand on an o cer’s shoulder and refused to identify herself, “controlled force was used to safely restrain her.”
On his Facebook page, Michael Garrett, Democratic senator for N.C.’s 27th District, thanked the Guilford County District Attorney for voluntarily dismissing charges against the couple.
“This should be the end of the matter, but unfortunately, it isn’t. UNCG initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ms. Rea because of her contact with law enforcement that night. The university’s process was triggered by and built upon the criminal charges filed against her. Now those charges have been reviewed by a court and dismissed entirely, yet the university continues to pursue discipline anyway.”
Calling this a “troubling double standard,” Garrett wrote:
“If charges were serious enough to warrant disciplinary action, then their dismissal should be serious enough to end it. I’m calling on UNCG leadership to end this disciplinary process and let Ms.
Michael Garrett
Irving Allen
Ian McDowell
Contributor
PRESENTS
hot pour
[BARTENDER OF THE WEEK COMPILED BY NATALIE GARCIA]
NAME: Chelsea Banks
BAR: Rody’s Tavern in Greensboro
AGE: 30
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Greensboro, N.C.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?
9+ years
HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?
Check out videos on our Facebook!
I was a server at Box Seat Sports Restaurant back in 2016 and I would show interest in learning the drinks at the service well. The week that I turned 21, I was o ered training behind the bar and I ran with it!
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?
I truly enjoy providing people with great service and new flavor experiences. I love when a customer orders bartender’s choice for food and/or drink. My goal is to have them say, “WOW.”
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BARTENDING?
Believe it or not, the TVs! I’d like to think that I’m good at multitasking, but the second someone asks me to change a TV, my whole flow is gone!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?
Old fashioned — because there’s a proper way to build them.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?
Black Cherry Kamikaze — it’s made with Cruzan black cherry rum, triple sec, and sweetened lime juice.
WHAT’S THE STRANGEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?
I’ve had someone order a Bahama Mama “but don’t make it sweet.” Haha — so a glass of ice? A Bahama Mama is made of only sweet ingredients (rum, juice, and grenadine). I had to explain that I don’t have a way to make it not sweet and gave a new drink suggestion.
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK?
Chocolate martini — I like to use vanilla vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s, crème de cacao (white), heavy
WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING? Fights over bar stools!
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE FOUND IN A BAR BATHROOM?
I don’t recall finding anything weird in a bar bathroom yet.
WHAT’S THE BEST/BIGGEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?
I’m very grateful to the guests I’ve served over the years and have been blessed throughout my career. I will say, the best bartending “tip” I received was to be honest. Anytime I don’t know how to make something, or if I realize I messed up a food order, etc., I’m always honest so that the guests don’t get a false impression of their experience. People tend to respond better when they understand why something went wrong.
Flannel performs at Rody’s Tavern
Greensboro | Photos by Natalie Garcia
cream, and chocolate syrup.
International Superstar Lionel Richie and Legendary Musical Powerhouse Earth, Wind & Fire Announce 2026 North American Tour
Today, legendary singer, songwriter and producer Lionel Richie and one of the bestselling bands of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire announce their 2026 North American Tour. Produced by Live Nation, the 26-city tour includes a stop at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, NC, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Tickets will be available starting with Citi presale beginning on Tuesday, January 27 at 10 am. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, January 30 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi is the o cial card of Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire 2026 Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, January 27 at 10 am until Thursday, January 29 at 10 pm through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.
The tour will also o er a variety of di erent VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge, limited edition tour poster, specially designed VIP gift
com.
Lionel Richie’s show is created in partnership with Brian Burke Creative.
LIONEL RICHIE AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE 2026 TOUR DATES:
• Jun 24 — St. Paul, MN — Grand Casino Arena
• Jun 26 — Chicago, IL — United Center
• Sat Jun 27 — Columbus, OH — Schottenstein Center
• Jun 30 — Pittsburgh, PA — PPG Paints Arena
• Jul 01 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena
• Jul 04 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
• Jul 05 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
• Jul 08 — Boston, MA — TD Garden
• Jul 10 — Hartford, CT — PeoplesBank Arena
• Jul 11 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
• Jul 14 — Belmont Park, NY — UBS Arena
• Jul 16 — Philadelphia, PA — Xfinity Mobile Arena
• Jul 18 — Greensboro, NC — First Horizon Coliseum
• Jul 19 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
• Jul 22 — Tampa, FL — Benchmark International Arena
• Jul 24 — Hollywood, FL — Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
• Jul 25 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center
• Jul 28 — San Antonio, TX — Frost Bank Center
• Jul 29 — Dallas, TX — American Airlines Center
• Jul 31 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
• Aug 03 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
• Aug 06 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center
• Aug 08 — Palm Desert, CA — Acrisure Arena
• Aug 09 — Los Angeles, CA — Intuit Dome
• Aug 11 — Phoenix, AZ — Mortgage Matchup Center
• Aug 14 — Austin, TX — Moody Center !
Zac Brown Band Announces Love & Fear Tour Coming to First Horizon Coliseum
GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum group Zac Brown Band announces their Love & Fear US tour presented by Margaritaville at Sea. On the heels of the band’s historic limited engagement at Sphere Las Vegas and critically acclaimed eighth studio album, Love & Fear, the band will kick o the 27-show run that hits Greensboro’s First Horizon Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 10. For full routing and more information, please visit zacbrownband.com.
The Love & Fear era marks a bold creative chapter for Zac Brown Band, blending their roots-driven foundation with expansive storytelling and immersive production. That evolution came fully to life during the band’s groundbreaking Sphere engagement in Las Vegas, where fans experienced a career-spanning performance
centered on the album’s themes of resilience, gratitude, and connection. Building on the momentum of those shows, the upcoming tour will feature a dynamic setlist that fuses beloved hits with new releases, showcasing the band’s genredefying musicianship and continued artistic growth.
“I can’t wait to get this back on the road after an epic experience at Sphere,” says Brown. “Every night we play is a chance to turn it up, mix things around, and share an unforgettable night with our incredible fans. The Love & Fear tour is all about big energy — our new album, entertaining covers, the hits you know and
love, a few unexpected curveballs, and a whole lot of fun. We’re ready to bring it!”
Known for their unmatched live energy and musicianship, Zac Brown Band has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling live acts touring today. Zamily Presale for the Love & Fear Tour begins Wednesday, January 28, followed by the ZBB Community Presale on Thursday, January 29. Public on sale begins Friday, January 30 at 10:00am local time. To register for presale access and get additional information, visit zacbrownband.com !
item and more. For more information, visit vipnation.
Dive Bar Divas Open Dukes Tavern
SUBMITTED BY RUSSELL CROWLEY
Three sisters with lifelong ties to the space at Dukes Tavern, located at 4752 S. Main St. in Winston-Salem, have opened the bar under a new name while carrying forward the familiarity of a femaleowned franchise built on continuity rather than overhaul, perfectly precuring their personalities, that persisting practice of pleasing patrons, with plans to expand the back patio into a communal courtyard for music, murals, cornhole, and conversing.
The opening of Dukes Tavern marks both a name change and a generational handoff for a room long ruled by women behind the bar. For 27 years, the address operated as Judy’s Place Too, a steady, female-owned fixture whose rhythms shaped regulars as much as they served them. The sisters did not inherit a blank slate. They inherited a living room for the neighborhood, one already furnished with history, and their role was to preserve the trust built inside it.
After nearly three decades under one woman’s watch, the transition to Dukes reads less like a takeover than a transfer of the torch, passed carefully from one matriarchal era to the next. In an industry notorious for abrupt closures and aggressive makeovers, the sisters chose restraint over reinvention. No velvet ropes. No forced glow-ups. Just a deliberate decision to defend the domain rather than redesign it, honoring the fact that longevity itself is a form of credibility.
Their rule is rooted in ritual. The same stools. The same sightlines. The same bar top worn smooth by decades of elbows and evenings, an ambiance of association that lingers in every familiar corner. Dukes preserves its patina, proof that history does not need to be shunned to shine.
That sense of stewardship runs deeper than business. For the sisters behind the bar, Dukes is more than just a workplace. It is a seat of succession. Their father was a longtime regular, a familiar presence whose memory now anchors the room both figuratively and literally. His ashes remain at the bar, alongside a plaque bearing his name
and the phrase Legends Never Die, a reminder that for this family, remembrance is not static. It circulates.
“Other people go to a cemetery or a mausoleum,” one of the sisters said. “Our dad’s here.”
The sentence settles into the room like a shared understanding. In a bar governed by recognition and regulars, memory arrives conversationally. In laughter layered over low talk. In bottles clinking like coins in a common purse. In chairs scraping close as people reclaim their customary corners. Dukes becomes both marker and meeting place, a memorial built not of marble, but of motion.
That presence informs how the bar is run. Day to day, Dukes is stewarded by Carly Dukes and Tori Dukes Fulcher, who oversee nightly operations behind the bar and on the floor, while Lacey Dukes Barnes handles human resources and merchandising, ensuring the business runs with the same care it presents to the room.
The sisters did not arrive intent on reinvention. They arrived intent on keeping faith with the people who have occupied the same seats for decades, with a room worn honest by time, and with a lineage of women who have long stood at the front of the house. As one sister put it, “Womenowned, but no pink.” Authority here is not ornamental. It is operational. Behind the bar, the sisters serve as the primary proprietors in every sense of the word, present and patient, pouring drinks, greeting regulars, and setting the tone nightly rather than managing from a distance. Their leadership is visible not on paper, but
in practice, where familiarity is earned one conversation at a time.
They are not toppling the patriarchy so much as outgrowing it, proving that women-led spaces don’t need permission to prosper. That confidence comes with history. The space carries decades of women-led stewardship, where care, continuity, and community outperformed spectacle every time.
Visually, Dukes reads like a curated kingdom of character and contrast. Light taxidermy and neon lights stand watch, shining in silhouettes of brands that have already conquered this kingdom. Collectibles cluster across the walls. And tucked among the bottles sits a small Bocephus doll, a blink-andyou ’ll-miss-it bit of barroom bravado. Personality, provenance, and peculiarities preside over their palace.
The pig lips earned their own brief but boisterous algorithmic allure and attracted the attention of adamant and enthusiastic challengers almost immediately. Offered as a social media challenge, the rules were simple: finish one successfully and receive a free beer. The result was instant. Phones came out. Posts went up. The piglets disappeared almost as fast as the videos spread, fueled by clicks, comments, and curiosity that traveled quicker than word of mouth ever could.
These sat alongside the rest of the bar’s indelible shelf items, pickled eggs, Slim Jims, potato chips, and pickled sausages, drawing eyeballs and daring curiosity.
For updates on whatever comes next, along with bike nights, charity bike rides, potential live music, and upcoming events, patrons are encouraged
to stay tuned through Dukes Tavern’s social channels and in-house postings.
Dukes Tavern does not posture as a revival. It operates as a reign.
Intimate by design and mighty in presence, the room carries more weight than its footprint suggests. What has changed is not the soul of the place, but the hands entrusted with its future, three sisters who understood that the boldest move was not reinvention, but continuity wielded with confidence.
Female ownership here is not a theme night or a marketing angle. It is lineage. Authority passed down, not dressed up. Power expressed not through spectacle, but through consistency, night after night, pour after pour, name after name remembered. Over time, Dukes reveals itself not as a destination, but as the living room for the neighborhood, a place people return to rather than pass through. This isn’t the past being replayed. It’s the past still showing up. It is history in motion. !
[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]
THE ARTS COUNCIL OF WINSTON-SALEM & FORSYTH COUNTY RELEASES THE ARTIST SUPPORT GRANTEE LIST
SUBMITTED BY ALISHA GASKINS
The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County
The Arts Council of WinstonSalem & Forsyth County and The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (The ACGG) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Artist Support Grant. A total of $51,700 has been awarded to 31 artists across North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant Region 11, which includes Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph counties.
Congratulations to the artists who received funding via The Arts Council of WSFC, FY26 Artist Support Grant Recipients and Individual Awards and Amounts:
• Janice Lancaster, $2,000
• Jamilah Muhammad, $1,847
• Daniel Brooks, $2,000
• John Ray, $2,000
• Spencer Bang, $2,000
• ShLanda Burton, $1,995
• Adam Fagin, $2,000
• Yakira Muhammad, $1,700
• Sara Charles, $2,000
• Allison Daniel, $2,000
• Sheridan Watkins, $1,880
• David Wiinikka-Lydon, $1,800
• Dean Roland Johnson, $1,850
• Devin Lane, $1,150
Artist Support Grant honors that impact by providing direct investment in their growth and their ability to keep creating,” said Shannon B. Henry, interim president and CEO of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County.
• Ayana Brady (Yanae Bella), $1,920
• John J Hebert, $1,858
These grants support the professional and artistic development of local artists and are funded annually by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as part of a statewide initiative to foster artistic growth. Additional funding for the program was provided by Wells Fargo and The ACGG Corporate Affinity Program members.
“Artists fuel the cultural spirit and creative economy of our region. The
“My creative storytelling always comes back to one core value: community,” said Yakira Muhammed, grant recipient for writing and literature. “Through my play Lucille Blues, I aim to honor overlooked artists and give voice to stories erased by history. This grant allows me to move forward with a staged reading, gather feedback, and strengthen the work through collaboration and shared experience.” !
THE ARTS COUNCIL of Greater Greensboro and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County administered the grant process and convened review panels to determine award recipients, local arts and cultural organizations to make a lasting community impact. Visit www.theacgg. org for more information.
GREENSBORO
1808 CRAFT & VINE
3326 W Friendly Ave Ste 141 | 336.638.1222 1808craftvine.com
Jan 30: Chris Cole
Jan 31: Susanna Macfarlane
Feb 1: Dave Moran
COMEDY ZONE
1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034
www.thecomedyzone.com
Jan 28: Malik B
Jan 30-31: Danae Hays
Feb 1: Amber Autry
Feb 6-7: Adele Givens
Feb 13-14: Chris WIles & Janet Williams
Feb 15: R&B Bingo
HOME GROWN MUSIC SCENE | Compiled by Shane Hart
FLAT IRON
221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967
www.flatirongso.com
Jan 28: Laurelyn Dossett
Jan 29: Grady Spencer + Will Overman
Jan 30: Coyote Rodeo
Feb 1: Kai Lance Group
Feb 2: Candi Jenkins
Feb 4: Laurelyn Dossett
Feb 5: Nikki & The Barn Boys + Owen and the Smokes w/ The Wallabies
Feb 6: Televolt + The Ends
Feb 7: Mantra, Daddy’s Beemer, and Scoby
Feb 11: Laurelyn Dossett
Feb 13: Joe Troop’s Whirlwind
GARAGE TAVERN
5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020
www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreensboro
Jan 30: Karaoke w/ DJ TNT
Jan 31: Flannel 90’s Jam
GREENSBORO COLISEUM
1921 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com
Feb 5: Shane Smith & The Saints
Feb 14: Winter Jam 2026
HANGAR 1819
1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480
www.hangar1819.com
Jan 31: Waking April w/ Azul
Feb 3: Fox Stevenson
Feb 20: Resistor & Yosemite Black
Feb 21: Fake Happy — A Tribute to Paramore w/ 2nd Tody, 30 Is Dead, Get Back!
503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699 www.idiotboxers.com
Jan 31: Bizzaro Box
Feb 6: Lance Weiss
Feb 7: Drew Davis
Feb 13-14: Sean Patton
JAMESTOWN
118 E Main St | 336.207.1999
www.facebook.com/TheDeckJamestown/
Jan 31: Stereo Doll
Feb 6: Retro Vinyl
Feb 7: Brother Pearl
Feb 13: Terminally Chill
Feb 14: Carolina Rattler
Feb 20: Karaoke with Tony Tone
www.fiddlinfish.com
Tuesdays: Trivia
Jan 16: Habitat
Jan 23: Just in Time Trio
Jan 30: Relay Relay
Feb 6: Jason Bunch
THE RAMKAT
170 W 9th St | 336.754.9714
www.theramkat.com
Jan 29: Winston Station, Settle Down
Feb 5: Corey Smith, Dee White
Feb 6: The Rush Experience
Feb 7: The Ultimate Doors
Feb 13: GoryanGO, Doug Davis & Radio Silence
Feb 20: Tell Me Lies
Feb 21: Cash Bash 2026 with Redd Volkaert & the bo-stevens
WISE MAN BREWING
826 Angelo Bros Ave | 336.725.0008
www.wisemanbrewing.com
Thursdays: Music Bingo
Jan 30: Gipsy Danger
Jan 31: Blacklight Idols
Feb 7: Jerry’s Dead
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of February 2, 2026
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You need to be certain that all the right conditions are in place before you take the first step. It can’t hurt to listen to good advice from those who have your best interests at heart.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Be careful not to get involved in other people’s disputes unless you know the facts behind the disagreements. This is the best way to be assured of making wise and honest decisions.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You still need to be careful about how you’re going to spend the energy reserves that you finally got around to restoring. Best advice: Avoid overdoing it; let things take their course.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your aspect continues to favor travel -- alone or with a special person. So, if you’ve been putting o making some getaway plans, it’s still a good time to get started on them.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Some so-called golden opportunities that continue to dazzle the Lion still need to be carefully checked out. Be suspicious about anything that looks like the “perfect” prospect.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Changes at the workplace could make it more di cult to do things the way that you prefer. But the wise VIRGO who shows some flexibility could find it paying o in a big way.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might want to check out the explanation you were given for a sudden shift in your duties. There’s a possibility
you haven’t been told all the facts that you deserve to know.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Having confidence in your abilities is important, especially when you could be facing a new challenge, whether it’s in the workplace or in a personal relationship. Good luck!
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A new work-related opportunity might not be all that it appears to be. Before making any decisions, you might want to check with others who have had some experience in this area.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A situation involving someone close could benefit from your timely intervention. Avoid being judgmental. There will be plenty of time later for the “little talks” you like to have.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel could be a surprise element in a new project. Be prepared for other previously undisclosed aspects that might also come to light as you proceed with the work.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Try to balance your work-related responsibilities with the time that you’re spending on your recently revived social life. In addition, an old friend might be planning to return after a long absence.
[BORN THIS WEEK: Your sensitivity makes you aware of the needs of others. Have you considered a career as a counselor?
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 6
[WEEKLY SUDOKU]
sudoku on page 6
[TRIVIA TEST]
by Fifi Rodriguez
[1. HISTORY: When did the Easter Rising insurrection take place in Ireland?
[2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of India?
[3. MEDICAL TERMS: What is a common name for lateral epicondylitis?
[4. MOVIES: The “Back to the Future II” characters travel forward in time to which year?
[5. LITERATURE: What color is the badge of courage in Stephen Crane’s novel about the Civil War?
[6. GAMES: How many points is the center red bullseye on a dartboard worth?
[7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of floating otters called?
[8. AD SLOGANS: Which car company used the slogan “Drive your dreams?”
[9. TELEVISION: What is husband Darrin’s profession in the “Bewitched” sitcom?
[10. SCIENCE: What part of the brain controls hunger?
Hypothalamus.
Advertising executive.
Toyota.
A raft.
2026 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
1916.
New Delhi.
Tennis elbow.
2015.
Red.
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