Gov't Mule set to play new Fillmore club

The new Fillmore at the N.C. Music Factory has its first confirmed act: Gov't Mule, on July 24.

Though the venue is scheduled to open in June, the Southern rock band today became the first to officially be booked at the 2,000-seat music venue. Live Nation expects to host about 80 shows a year at the Fillmore, which will be styled in the tradition of the original San Francisco location.

According to the press release:

"The new Fillmore will feature the iconic music venue’s trademark décor, including red oak hardwood floors, red painted interior, vintage posters of legendary live music performances, magnificent chandeliers throughout, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, as well as, stadium style tiers that create great sight lines from anywhere in the venue, a VIP area and more."

Tickets to the Gov't Mule show go on sale April 18 at 10 a.m. at livenation.com, select Blockbuster stores or charge by phone at 877-598-8698.

Hom closed (again)

OK guys, I know you're fed up with reading about the drama over at Hom, and trust me, I'm sick of writing about it. But it looks like this could be the last update for a while for those who still care.

After reopening as an "upscale, urban club" last weekend, the club was closed again this weekend.

New employees were apparently blindsided about the decision not to reopen in an e-mail sent on behalf of owner Stefan Latorre.

Even managers seem unsure of the future of the club -- one told me on Saturday, "I really have no idea what's going on ... but at this point I don't expect it to be open anymore."

Deals of the week

Taste of the Nation is a week away and I've got a special deal for my dear readers. From now until 5 p.m. Monday you can mention Paid to Party and get your tickets for $40 (regular price is $60). You can either buy and pick up your tickets directly from Second Harvest Food Bank Metrolina at 500-B Spratt St. (to eliminate mail time/or will-call pickup) or you can call 704-376-1785. (This offer is not available online.)

And, if you factor in the 14 gift certificates (average price $10) to area restaurants that you get in the event's program, you've already made your money back (and then some). All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, Community Food Rescue and Community Culinary School of Charlotte.

The best deals this week come courtesy of the Charlotte Knights, who open their 2009 season tomorrow.

• All-You-Can-Eat Mondays: At every Monday night game there will be an all-you-can-eat-section. Cost is $19 for adults and $14 for children (3-12). Promotion includes a general admission ticket along with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, peanuts and small sodas.
  
• Bi-Lo Two-for Tuesday: Buy one ticket and get another free for any Tuesday game when you present your Bi-Lo Bonus Card to the Knights ticket office.
  
• Harris Teeter VIC Card Wednesdays and Ball Park Franks Dollar Hot Dog Nights: Fans can buy one ticket and receive another ticket free with their Harris Teeter VIC card at the Knights ticket office. Once inside the stadium, hot dogs are just $1.
  
• Friday Fun Pass: Print out a Friday Fun Pass and receive: two general admission tickets, two hot dogs and two Blue Bunny Ice Cream Cones for $10.
  

This week's hot tip:

Several area clubs offer free entry via text message. For Tempo's Flirtatious Fridays hosted by CharlotteVibe.com, you can text TEMPO to 95495. Forum offers a similar text promotion for its popular college night on Wednesdays. Check your favorite venues' websites for similar offers.

A tasty southern treat

For its first time catering Taste of the New South, Pinehurst Resort put out a spread that won't soon be forgotten among Levine Museum members and guests.

The annual fundraiser for the museum was held last night, and despite the steep ticket prices ($85 for members, $100 for nonmembers), about 500 people turned out to sample the best of Southern cuisine.

I've heard from past Taste visitors that Wednesday's event was one of the best parties in recent years.

For those of you who haven't been, each year a regional resort or inn invades the museum and through decorations, floral arrangements and cuisine (and wine, lots of wine) showcases its style.

Food tables were posted throughout the museum and rooms had different resort themes: Weddings, Golf, Spa, etc.

In the weddings room, faux wedding cakes dripping in crystal were the centerpiece of the main food station where chefs prepared such delectable treats as foie gras, day boat scallops and crawfish bisque.

In the "golf academy," lounge seating and candles ringed a food station serving up oysters on the half-shell, seafood martinis, pulled pork with warm brie cheese and mini kobe beef burgers.

And upstairs, Pinehurst's aestheticians showed off their skills, giving free chair and hand massages to partygoers.

By the end of the night, large groups went in search of the dessert room where mini trifles were beautifully displayed around a chocolate sculpture and bouquets of fresh flowers.

All told more than 30 dishes -- from bite-size hors d'oeuvres to ceviche shooters to a chocolate fondue fountain -- stuffed partygoers silly.

I heard that the Biltmore raised the bar for the event in 2007 -- I think Pinehurst just took the title from them.

The Fray headlining new uptown amphitheatre

After years in the making, the N.C. Music Factory will finally be hosting live music acts this spring.

Live Nation announced Wednesday that The Fray will be playing the first concert June 13 in the new outdoor boutique amphitheater at the entertainment complex. Tickets go on sale Friday.

The Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory will have a capacity of 5,000.

Also opening in June (date to be determined): a Fillmore music venue with a capacity of 2,000. The Fillmore opener has not been announced.

Live Nation will exclusively book both venues -- about 25 shows annually at the outdoor amphitheater; 80 shows annually at the Fillmore.

From the Live Nation press release:

"The Uptown Amphitheatre is situated in a beautiful outdoor setting with soaring views of the Charlotte skyline, elevated lawn seating, traditional outdoor seating, premium box seats with food and beverage service, and an indoor VIP area with private restrooms, private bar and views of the stage. The concession area has a 'bourbon street' feel with multiple permanent restrooms with pedestal sinks, full length mirrors and private stalls."

For more information, visit www.livenation.com.

(Another) update on Hom

Promoters can't get their you-know-what together over at the new Hom. After postponing the grand reopening last Friday to this Friday, the club has again postponed it until Saturday.

You follow?

So, Hom reopens Saturday with DJ Dice (Redman's DJ) and DJ Magic from Power 98.

At least they're giving more than same-day's notice this time.

All this postponing makes for a bad omen.

Deals of the week

Great live music deals this week:

• The New American Voices Tour, featuring Texans Rodney Hayden and Drew Kennedy, stops at the Rusty Rudder in Cornelius tonight at 8. It's a free show, and for those who want a preview of the music, a free 6-song download is available here.
  
• The Cash Bash is back for a sixth year. For $10, you can see 10 bands -- honoring the late great Johnny Cash -- over two nights this Friday and Saturday at the always rockin' Puckett's Farm Equipment. And PBR cans are always $1.50 at Puckett's.

And speaking of things that are $1.50:

• The Common House in Plaza Midwood has $1.50 PBR pints and Miller High Life bottles every night.
  
• Coors drafts are $1.50 every night at Ed's Tavern.
  
• BlackFinn offers a special $1.50 price on its burgers every Wednesday starting at 9 p.m.

Other great ongoing deals:

• Margaritas are $2 at La Paz Sunday-Tuesday.
  
• The Common Market in Plaza Midwood hosts free beer tastings every Wednesday at 6 p.m. (The market's new South End location opened today at 1515 S. Tryon St. They plan to host similar tastings in about a month after they get the kinks of opening a new store out.)
  
• Nix Burger & Brew offers an early burger special every day from 4-6 p.m. Burgers are half-price.
  
• Arpa hosts a monthly "6+6" event. (They're doing it twice this month, tonight and April 15.) Enjoy six tapas samplings with six wine pairings for $12. Runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m.