Harvey Fierstein is bringing me joy but not for his usual theatrical flair. A little known side to his artistry are his quilting skills. I make quilts, he creates art! I follow him on Facebook just to see these amazing masterpieces and to remain inspired. (Wish I could post a picture so others could see a sample).
I agree with you about Robert Plant! But my favorite thing this week had to be the final episode of The Pit for season two. I loved everything about it, but I have to say seeing the karaoke scene after the credits was the true icing on the cake.
Tommy, please delete if you need to for obvious reasons.
I took part in iCLT’s “What is Fascism” silent protest at UNCC on Wednesday. Would like to share the photo but don’t see a photo link. Here were my impressions:
I enjoyed watching the people. Some quietly, seriously, read EVERY sign and moved on. Others looked confused. Some engaged with our leaders and asked many questions. Some were solemn and nodded, almost imperceptibly. Many, many, many took photos and videos. A few took a sign and stayed with us to the end. A group of 3 camped out in the shade with their cameras and phones (for interviews). Many said, “Thank you.”
I imagined the conversations they took into their classrooms yesterday. It was one of the hottest days to date this year…in many ways.
Signs of Fascism today at UNCC!! 🇺🇸💪👏
If you haven’t followed the public page yet, please do!!
I knew immediately which story I read this week that I wanted to share….only to see you include it at #5 on your list. So I’ll just give a bump to Caity Weaver’s free restaurant bread story. A very fun read!
I saw Robert Plant and Saving Grace in Asheville 2 weeks ago. The whole night was unbelievable! the musicians were so tight, the songs all made me want to cry, they were so beautiful. He has reinvented himself in the best possible way. there was a couple from Huntington, WVa sitting next to us; they had seen him in all his iterations, Led Zeppelin, with Allison Krauss and now Saving Grace. This was their 17th concert!
Will Hoge is a gem! He did a video for one of his songs a few years back in front of Bridgestone Arena and I had the time that day to go be an extra in it.
For all of us - and I know you're included, Tommy - who have been introduced to Brian Dunne's music over the last year, his side project, the band Fantastic Cat, just released its third album. Comprised of Dunne and three other NYC-based solo songwriters, the band is lush folk rock and indie rock with wonderful hooks and clever lyrics. They'll also be at Charlotte's The Evening Muse on Tuesday night - it's sold out, and I'm glad I already have tickets. Their live shows are fantastic, with band members switching instruments and vocals. Here's "Don't Let Go," a indie earworm with lyrics that will bore into you the more you listen to it, and led by Dunne:
Thanks for the opportunity to chime in, Tommy. I've taken so much from your columns over the years (reading Tom Junod's new book now, thanks to you). Anyway, I ran across this 2016 documentary a couple of months ago and it has stuck with me - "California Typewriter" profiles an Oakland typewriter repair and retail shop that has, obviously, seen some lean times over the years, but as the analog world sees a bit of a renaissance, they have found new life. It's a great history, and an ode to the analog world. It's one of those random documentaries that both delights and informs. It even inspired me to get my 1954 Royal Quiet DeLuxe off the shelf and in working order. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWfgpL1X_oE
One of my favorite bands is Phish and they are playing The Sphere in Las Vegas this week. Money does not grow on trees in my backyard so I am not able to go but I do like that music concerts are going in this "futuristic" direction. I have no idea what it is like to attend a show at The Sphere but I have seen some clips and it looks fantastic! Phish always puts on a great concert and I imagine with the sort of visual displays The Sphere allows, it is even better. We just need our own Sphere in Charlotte, right?
I don’t think I can take On The Other Hand over When You Say Nothing At All - especially given what Alison Krauss later did with it. The best Keith Whitley song, by far, is I’m No Stranger to the Rain, which is strangely haunting given how he died.
All of these songs are great but He Thinks He’ll Keep Her is so perfect. Mary Carpenter put out an incredible album that included that song and it’s always hit just right for me.
As a native-born person from Fayetteville (Fayettenam), I just returned from 2 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia. What a mind- explosion that was. So glad that war is over and wishing for no more war anywhere anytime. Sweetest, most genuine, people I’ve ever walked among. They’ve been invaded and conquered so many times, losing land, waterways and religions in the process.
My feeling is that they fully embrace THE NOW. Striving to be more like that.
what I have been enjoying is the Count of Monte Cristo on PBS. I have seen at least 3 versions of The Count I thought the one with Grard Depardieu was very good I guess this is isn't a big problem but when the Count of Montes Cristo starts Dantes is 19. By the time he escapes he is 33. Depardieu was 50 when the 4 part series came out. He hardly looked like he was 19 and by the time he became the Count he was too old. He did a great job though. The actor playin Danted is 39. Certainly not close to 19 either but at least closer to the Dantes was when he escaped. I did not realize when I read the book I was reading an abriged version. Last year or in 2024 I discovered the abridged version is 1200 pages. I am thinking about tackling that. I have read Les Miseable which is just as long, But that was when I was way younger than I am now and had fewer distractions.
I have been enjoying Dogland—no joke; it’s great! But also listening to Victor Wooten on my Pandora channel and writing a cookbook with commentary from my family’s recipes for my daughters and cousins. And birds! The goldfinches have mobbed my bird tray, and their brightening feathers remind me that some beautiful things just happen, no matter what the rest of my world is like.
Music, one of the pieces played at the Tosco Music Party on April 11 by the Charlotte Strings Collective - High Rise by Adrian Gordon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipWTnnh6oSk
Raleigh NC News and Observer did a recent series of stories about section or railroad destroyed by Helene in 2024. It was built to connect Asheville to the rest of NC through Hickory in the late 1800s. It told the story from many perspectives. Lack of rail connection for small towns in NC. The engineering it took to make the rail road section originally, and the fact that there was a hotel and fountain built near its midpoint , to attract passengers, and it did not shy away from the fact that 130 plus people died building it, mostly unpaid convict labor, and mostly african Americans. The cherry on the top was an article about the song "Swannanoa Tunnel", traditionally a bluegrass song, and the rediscovery of the oldest known recording in the 1920s by a singer in from Durham, who sang it in the style of a chain gang. Found in the archives of Duke University, the song has been recorded by NC born Rhianna Giddens and the Silk Road Ensemble and performed along with other haunting railroad themed songs.
Harvey Fierstein is bringing me joy but not for his usual theatrical flair. A little known side to his artistry are his quilting skills. I make quilts, he creates art! I follow him on Facebook just to see these amazing masterpieces and to remain inspired. (Wish I could post a picture so others could see a sample).
I agree with you about Robert Plant! But my favorite thing this week had to be the final episode of The Pit for season two. I loved everything about it, but I have to say seeing the karaoke scene after the credits was the true icing on the cake.
Tommy, please delete if you need to for obvious reasons.
I took part in iCLT’s “What is Fascism” silent protest at UNCC on Wednesday. Would like to share the photo but don’t see a photo link. Here were my impressions:
I enjoyed watching the people. Some quietly, seriously, read EVERY sign and moved on. Others looked confused. Some engaged with our leaders and asked many questions. Some were solemn and nodded, almost imperceptibly. Many, many, many took photos and videos. A few took a sign and stayed with us to the end. A group of 3 camped out in the shade with their cameras and phones (for interviews). Many said, “Thank you.”
I imagined the conversations they took into their classrooms yesterday. It was one of the hottest days to date this year…in many ways.
Signs of Fascism today at UNCC!! 🇺🇸💪👏
If you haven’t followed the public page yet, please do!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BWk6zBMrt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
I knew immediately which story I read this week that I wanted to share….only to see you include it at #5 on your list. So I’ll just give a bump to Caity Weaver’s free restaurant bread story. A very fun read!
I saw Robert Plant and Saving Grace in Asheville 2 weeks ago. The whole night was unbelievable! the musicians were so tight, the songs all made me want to cry, they were so beautiful. He has reinvented himself in the best possible way. there was a couple from Huntington, WVa sitting next to us; they had seen him in all his iterations, Led Zeppelin, with Allison Krauss and now Saving Grace. This was their 17th concert!
I always tell people about my favorite musician, Will Hoge. If you haven’t heard him, do it today. And then go see him live.
Will Hoge is a gem! He did a video for one of his songs a few years back in front of Bridgestone Arena and I had the time that day to go be an extra in it.
How fun!
For all of us - and I know you're included, Tommy - who have been introduced to Brian Dunne's music over the last year, his side project, the band Fantastic Cat, just released its third album. Comprised of Dunne and three other NYC-based solo songwriters, the band is lush folk rock and indie rock with wonderful hooks and clever lyrics. They'll also be at Charlotte's The Evening Muse on Tuesday night - it's sold out, and I'm glad I already have tickets. Their live shows are fantastic, with band members switching instruments and vocals. Here's "Don't Let Go," a indie earworm with lyrics that will bore into you the more you listen to it, and led by Dunne:
https://youtu.be/4IhdCvWgKZQ?si=owLCkFy1nJMM70lr
Thanks for the opportunity to chime in, Tommy. I've taken so much from your columns over the years (reading Tom Junod's new book now, thanks to you). Anyway, I ran across this 2016 documentary a couple of months ago and it has stuck with me - "California Typewriter" profiles an Oakland typewriter repair and retail shop that has, obviously, seen some lean times over the years, but as the analog world sees a bit of a renaissance, they have found new life. It's a great history, and an ode to the analog world. It's one of those random documentaries that both delights and informs. It even inspired me to get my 1954 Royal Quiet DeLuxe off the shelf and in working order. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWfgpL1X_oE
One of my favorite bands is Phish and they are playing The Sphere in Las Vegas this week. Money does not grow on trees in my backyard so I am not able to go but I do like that music concerts are going in this "futuristic" direction. I have no idea what it is like to attend a show at The Sphere but I have seen some clips and it looks fantastic! Phish always puts on a great concert and I imagine with the sort of visual displays The Sphere allows, it is even better. We just need our own Sphere in Charlotte, right?
I don’t think I can take On The Other Hand over When You Say Nothing At All - especially given what Alison Krauss later did with it. The best Keith Whitley song, by far, is I’m No Stranger to the Rain, which is strangely haunting given how he died.
All of these songs are great but He Thinks He’ll Keep Her is so perfect. Mary Carpenter put out an incredible album that included that song and it’s always hit just right for me.
Mary Chapin Carpenter had a great run for a while … great songwriter and musician. Quitting Time is an all-time favorite.
Hi Tommy,
As a native-born person from Fayetteville (Fayettenam), I just returned from 2 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia. What a mind- explosion that was. So glad that war is over and wishing for no more war anywhere anytime. Sweetest, most genuine, people I’ve ever walked among. They’ve been invaded and conquered so many times, losing land, waterways and religions in the process.
My feeling is that they fully embrace THE NOW. Striving to be more like that.
what I have been enjoying is the Count of Monte Cristo on PBS. I have seen at least 3 versions of The Count I thought the one with Grard Depardieu was very good I guess this is isn't a big problem but when the Count of Montes Cristo starts Dantes is 19. By the time he escapes he is 33. Depardieu was 50 when the 4 part series came out. He hardly looked like he was 19 and by the time he became the Count he was too old. He did a great job though. The actor playin Danted is 39. Certainly not close to 19 either but at least closer to the Dantes was when he escaped. I did not realize when I read the book I was reading an abriged version. Last year or in 2024 I discovered the abridged version is 1200 pages. I am thinking about tackling that. I have read Les Miseable which is just as long, But that was when I was way younger than I am now and had fewer distractions.
Anyah Nancy did a great set of Nina Simone classics at The Strange Fruit Festival in Greensboro this weekend. Check out this great jazz artist!
https://youtu.be/zzzLxz9LwCk?si=wUv5u5waM_s7hE3L
I have been enjoying Dogland—no joke; it’s great! But also listening to Victor Wooten on my Pandora channel and writing a cookbook with commentary from my family’s recipes for my daughters and cousins. And birds! The goldfinches have mobbed my bird tray, and their brightening feathers remind me that some beautiful things just happen, no matter what the rest of my world is like.
I love your top 10 lists, Tommy - I discover so many things that enrich my life one way or another! Favorite story I read this week "In Defense of Dumb Dogs" by Emily Anthes (NYT) - sweet, hilarious and relatable: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/15/science/pets-dogs-intelligence.html?unlocked_article_code=1.cFA.3gZJ.wA9h1k3VDOH2&smid=url-share
Music, one of the pieces played at the Tosco Music Party on April 11 by the Charlotte Strings Collective - High Rise by Adrian Gordon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipWTnnh6oSk
Raleigh NC News and Observer did a recent series of stories about section or railroad destroyed by Helene in 2024. It was built to connect Asheville to the rest of NC through Hickory in the late 1800s. It told the story from many perspectives. Lack of rail connection for small towns in NC. The engineering it took to make the rail road section originally, and the fact that there was a hotel and fountain built near its midpoint , to attract passengers, and it did not shy away from the fact that 130 plus people died building it, mostly unpaid convict labor, and mostly african Americans. The cherry on the top was an article about the song "Swannanoa Tunnel", traditionally a bluegrass song, and the rediscovery of the oldest known recording in the 1920s by a singer in from Durham, who sang it in the style of a chain gang. Found in the archives of Duke University, the song has been recorded by NC born Rhianna Giddens and the Silk Road Ensemble and performed along with other haunting railroad themed songs.