Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / July 25, 1996, edition 1 / Page 17
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Cl)e Cl3arlotte ^osit THURSDAY, July 25, 1996 1BIARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mac plans to stay in comedy for a long time By Mark A. Pendergrass FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST B emie Mac tells you up front that he “ain’t scared of you mutherf s.” He made that clear in his sold-out performance Saturday at Ovens Auditorium. And he ain’t afraid to curse, either. “I am a comedian and it is my job to tell jokes and make people laugh,” Mac said back- stage after his performance. “Like an actor...I act. I have a diversified list of material and I perform for children’s shows, fundraisers, funerals, political events, etc. Over the years I’ve changed my act numerous times to satisfy my audience.” Satisfy he did Saturday. From the start of his act to the final joke, the crowd laughed hysterically. His life experi ences are the birth of a one- hour comedy extravaganza. Concert-goers departed from Ovens Auditorium mimicking Mac’s words, facial expres sions, and jokes. Known for his phases “kick it” and “I ain’t scared of you...,” Mac told the crowd he was extremely happy to be in Charlotte and wanted to “talk about things.” Family disputes, problems, living in lower class means, homosexuality - nothing’s sacred with Mac. He drew his biggest laughs with jokes about “Ma-dear,” the pet name for his grandmother. His description was much like how many of us view grandmothers - a big, wig-wearing woman with a flowered housecoat Bernie Mac Photo/Mark Pendergrass humming church hymns, slid ing her feet across the floor as she walks. The audience rolled as he told stories of having to turn, out lights during thun derstorms and attend funer als. The audience was on the edge of its seat and in tears for 60 minutes. “Bernie Mac gives a great live performance...the jokes about his father and Ma-dear were the best I’ve heard in a long time,” said Victor Martin, a Johnson C. Smith University alumnus and New York native. “Whenever Bernie Mac comes to North Carolina, 1 will be there.” Before the show, Mac expressed his desire to remain in the business of comedy for as long as his fans will accept him. After 17 years of touring the comedy club circuit, he’s carved a niche in the industry and plans on staying. Mac has also done a little “sumpthin’, sumpthin’ “ on the big screen as well. He had roles in movies such as “House Party 2,” “Who’s the Man,” “Above the Rim” and “Friday” Mac recently filmed an episode of the UPN sitcom “Moesha” with singer/actress Brandy. He will be in Spike Lee’s movie about the Million Man March, “ Get on the Bus,” Halle Berry’s movie “Baps” and Ice Cube’s new film “Player’s Club.” Also, his vari ety/comedy show “Midnight Mac” will return to television this season. Mac credits his appearances on “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam” on HBO with the increase of national recog nition. The show has helped improved the popularity of African-American comedians. He remembers tbe days of per forming in white-owned clubs. “Like all the famous comedi ans, such as Bill Cosby, Flip Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and Richard Pryor... 1 worked on my craft of comedy to get where I am” Mac said. “Now 1 want to branch out ..I’m in it to win it, not for a minute.” Mac also praised his wife and daughter as the main ingredi- See MAC Page 2B Smith changing club scene with Harriston’s By Winfred B. Cross THE CHARLOTTE POST Nate Smith has been promising a change in the Charlotte club scene for some time now. He delivered his promise Saturday with a bang. Or should I say ‘da bomb.’ Smith’s MegaCom Productions, Inc. opened Harriston’s On Cedar, a swanky night spot directly behind Ericsson Stadium at 601 Cedar St., directly off of Morehead Street. SMITH Smith called the opening “very good.” “We had a couple of kinks on opening night, but minor kinks,” Smith said. “These are things that can be worked out quickly” What Smith hopes is the crowds won’t fade quickly. Patrons stood in line for a while to get a glimpse of the new night spot which features valet parking, rest room attencjants and a mod ern dance floor. The staff - from security to attendants - will be immaculately dressed, Smith said. “This is part of what MegaCom is all about,” Smith said. “To be able to provide full-service entertainment for adults in Charlotte. “I’ve tried to be innovative - Black Comedy Jam on Tuesday nigbt at Tbe Comedy Zone and Jazz Night at CJ’s, now Harriston’s on Cedar.” See CLUB Page 2B PHOTOS /MARK PENDERGRASS By Winfred B. Cro^ Motown girl grpup has more than looks By Winfred B. Cross THE CHARLOTTE POST Shades, Motown’s latest foray into the world of female groups, wouldn’t dare call itself the next Supremes. But Tiffanie, Monique, Shannon and Danielle don’t have to. Motown CEO Andre Harrell has already bestowed that title upon them. “He walked into the room and said ‘Finally, I’ve found my Supremes,’ ” said Danielle. “We know that’s a huge compliment.” Try gigantic. Diana Ross and The Supremes amassed more No. 1 records than any other female group in history. Harrell oup’s tj^nt and beauty and ”iked tfcm up with cutting- ge prqiiiicers such as The haract^ and Eddie F. The group bitos working with Wanya liSrris of Boyz 11 Men next weep “ p is oflF to a good tag its talent. The i-wrote six songs on !D “Serenade,” due The gri start shd| members^ its debutt; out Oct. ^ The grol nearly fou Boston bt Jersey. E, Top Left: Danielle Andrews Top Right; Shannon Walker-Wllllams Bottom Left: Tiffanie Cardwell Bottom Right: Monique Peoples heard the group months before the meeting and became inter ested. He quickly recognized the f has been together years. 'They met in I now live in New *1 members sings and write^ All have sung in the churchy Danielle has 12 years of pia«o lessons under her belt. 1 “Tell Me (FH Be Around),” the first single co-written by the group, is aboljt to crack the Top 40 on Billb^^d magazine’s R&B Singles cl^t. It is gain ing air play arrf&d the coun try. The bouncwraemorable hook is sample^ from jazz- turned-gospel artist- Bernard Wright’s “Who Do You Love.” The same sample is being used in tbe remix version of LL Cool J’s “Loungin’ ” “Our song was out first,” Tiffanie said. “His people heard our song and used t^ same sample.” “Tell Me” is not without con troversy. The song is looked upon by some as the golddig- gers national anthem with the chorus containing lyrics like “Tell me your name/What kind of car do you drive?/How much money do you make?” See SHADES Page 2B r- f- m #
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 25, 1996, edition 1
17
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75