Rock-‘n’-roll parking deck
Around the time the Wallace Parking Deck was dedicated, a Chapel Hill official was quoted as saying it wasn’t just another “plain vanilla†parking deck. The original plan for the plaza was that it would be a cultural haven with vendors and buskers and so on. That didn’t exactly pan out.
Nowadays, there’s still not much action up there and it’s turned out mainly to be a quiet spot to have lunch, although the seating isn’t entirely comfy.
Occasionally, some brave souls make use of the place by showing movies or putting on a concert.
This Friday (June 12) is one such occasion, with a rock and hip hop show presented by Boomtown, an organization that sponsors a showcase of local bands.
Boomtown Live 2009 features Pink Flag, Fever and the Fallin’ Rain, The Crap Rock All Stars, Don Wilson is Dead, The Shakedown, Eagle Down, Kaustic and Ease. The show runs from 9 p.m. to midnight and costs $7, with proceeds going to Equality NC, Lambda Legal and Amnesty International.
Everyone’s a critic
Mixed reviews are in over the carving by Chapel Hill economic-development director Dwight Bassett in front of Spanky’s. As you may recall, the crown of the green ash that is now sculpture was snapped by basketball revelers.
Some folks have said it’s a little hard to tell that it’s a hand holding a basketball. Others have applauded a cool use for a dead tree. Several have said they’re waiting for the day it comes down.
Anyone want to start a pool?
Art for dance
If you haven’t taken a stroll through downtown to check out how local shops responded to the call to spruce up a bit for the Bolshoi Ballet, you ought to. Toots and Magoo went all out.