In the mood for some Snooki?

Snooki (neé Nicole Polizzi) -- the pint-size princess of MTV’s "Jersey Shore" -- is bringing a piece of Seaside Heights to Whisky River in uptown Charlotte's EpiCentre on Tuesday night.

Snooki recently wrapped up filming of Season 2 of "Jersey Shore," which premieres July 29 and will see her and the other seven housemates splitting their time between New Jersey and Miami.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for her appearance, although who knows when she'll actually show up. Here's an additional draw, though: Whisky River will be holding a "Snook-A-Like" contest, with the woman who makes the best impostor taking home $300. In other words, the people-watching should be EPIC.

Text 980-333-3923 or visit WhiskyRiverCharlotte.com for more information. Guests must be 18 or older.

Bobcats to host open house

From a Charlotte Bobcats press release that just popped into my inbox:

The Charlotte Bobcats will host an Open House from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 24 at Time Warner Cable Arena. This event is open to the public and hosted by All-Star Gerald Wallace. NBA legends David Thompson and Muggsy Bogues will sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans, and all in attendance will receive free hot dogs and soft drinks. A sampling of seats available for the 2010-11 season will be tagged and ticket sales representatives will be on-hand to answer questions.

The 2010 NBA Draft will air live on the arena’s main scoreboard during the Open House. Bobcats television and radio play-by-play announcers Steve Martin and Scott Lauer will provide commentary as selections are made. Music, interactive games for the kids and hourly prize drawings will round out the evening’s entertainment.

For more information on the June 24 Open House visit bobcats.com or call (704) BOBCATS.

Concert news: Kiss brings tour to Charlotte

KISS will bring its “Hottest Show On Earth Tour” to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Saturday, Aug. 28, with supporting acts The Academy Is… and The Envy. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 25 at LiveNation.com, the Hardee’s Thickburger Box office at the venues, Ticketmaster or charge by phone 800-745-3000.

Through the end of the month, tickets for Verizon shows are on sale without service fees at www.livenation.com.

Now this is just plain creepy...

If you've used Ticketmaster to purchase or check the price of tickets, you know the drill: Before you're allowed to see what's available, you must go through a "security check" that involves typing two distorted words.

Oftentimes, the words generated by this computer server seem almost nonsensical. A sampling from not two minutes ago: "awareness be" ... "shutout business" ... "Danforth from" ... "for disables" ...

But does CAPTCHA ever generate a combination of words that doesn't seem so random?

While doing research for a Summer Concert Preview, this is the challenge-response test I was confronted with on Wednesday (snapped with my iPhone):


Most likely, this is one of the more unfortunate coincidences in the history of word-verification software. For Ticketmaster's part, they say: "We use a third-party provider for these, and we are going to look into this."

Are you dying to see 'Twilight: Eclipse'?

From a press release that just popped into my inbox:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 16, 2010)---The Epicentre is the place to be for Twilight fans on June 30, when they will host a party in celebration of the release of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Whether you are Team Edward or Team Jacob, you can get your fix with creative cocktails and a guest DJ on the exclusive second-story level of the lounge at Mez beginning at 8p.m. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will begin in the Epicentre Theaters at 9:35 p.m. For the ultimate experience, opt for the special VIP party package that includes reserved seating, hors d’oeuvres and dessert–all for only $25. To purchase tickets, please visit www.epicentretheaters.com or call 704-688-2400.

Eclipse stars Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and continues the supernatural vampire romance of the 2006 blockbuster hit Twilight. The movie is the third film based on the Twilight book series by Stephenie Meyer. Tickets are $13/VIP or $10/General Admission for evening show times and $10/VIP or $7/General Admission for matinees. Please note that the theater is for ages 21 and over after 7 p.m., and General Admission tickets do not include reserved seats.

Are you a woman in your 30s or 40s (or older) who's been captivated by the fierce romanticism of Meyer's tales, and who can't wait to see how Bella's choice between Edward and Jacob plays out on the big screen? Send an e-mail to tjanes@charlotteobserver.com, with “Twilight” in the subject line, and share some details about your obsession with the series.

Visit the new Discovery Place ... for free

From a Discovery Place press release that just popped into my inbox:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Discovery Place will open its doors to a new era and to the public free of charge on Sunday, June 27, as part of a celebration that concludes the Museum’s $31.6 million renovation. The finale of the 18-month renovation brings all new interactive science and technology exhibits to Discovery Place, including extraordinary new experiences such as a diverse aquarium, a brand new 3D digital theatre, and new lab stations for hands-on science.

“Visitors to our re-imagined Discovery Place will find the Museum transformed by all new, original exhibits showcasing contemporary science and technology activities,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place, “Rarely does a Museum have the opportunity to re-create the visitor experience from scratch. We’ve worked hard to develop unique and engaging activities that will bring the “wow” of science to visitors of all ages.”

Public Free Day coincides with the opening of the final two of nine new exhibitions developed and installed at Discovery Place since fall 2009: “Fantastic Frogs”, featuring live frog species, gives visitors a closer look at the “superpowers” that enable frogs to survive in even the harshest of conditions and “World Alive”, a celebration of biodiversity designed around eco-systems that includes a renovated and upgraded rainforest, a larger and more spectacular aquarium, and two themed hands-on labs.

“After years of design and planning and 18-months of construction, we are inviting the community in to discover the new Discovery Place,” continued Mackay. “We are very grateful for the support we have received throughout the renovation and Public Free Day is a small way of saying thank you.”

Discovery Place’s Public Free Day will take place from noon – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Museum admission will be free to all guests. IMAX® Dome Theatre admission is not included in Public Free Day.

Concert news: Frankie Valli, Chelsea Handler

Frankie Valli -- singer of hits such as "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and the inspiration for the musical "Jersey Boys" -- will perform with his group The Four Seasons at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Belk Theater. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at BlumenthalCenter.org, by phone at 704-372-1000, or from the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office located in the Tryon Street lobby of the Belk Theater.

Also, three recent announcements from Live Nation:

• Chelsea Handler (best known for her popular E! show "Chelsea Lately") will bring her stand-up comedy tour to Time Warner Cable Arena on Saturday, Oct. 16.

• Heart will play the Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre on Sunday, Aug. 15.

• Also, The Smashing Pumpkins will perform at The Fillmore Charlotte on Friday, July 16.

Tickets for these three shows all go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. For details, click here.

Paul McCartney headed to Charlotte

Paul McCartney has announced another date of his 2010 'Up and Coming' tour. He'll make a stop at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on July 28.


In keeping with his headline-making special concerts over the last few years, the tour will see the iconic star and his band play unique venues, places and locations; new cities he’s never played and familiar markets he’s not visited for a while.

This will be Paul’s first appearance in Charlotte since 1993’s mega ‘New World Tour.’ Tickets will go on sale Saturday, June 12 at 10 am at livenation.com, Ticketmaster and the Time Warner Cable Arena Box Office. To charge call 800-745-3000.

These new dates are in keeping with Paul’s huge headline making concerts over the last few years, where the world’s biggest rock star has played to millions of people across the globe.

The new tour will feature a typically diverse set list, drawing on two hours plus worth of selections spanning the catalogues of The Beatles, Wings and Paul’s solo career - including tracks from The Fireman’s 2008 album ‘Electric Arguments’. Recent Up and Coming shows have featured never-before-played-on-US-soil songs added to the set list, such as "Ob La Di Ob La Da" as well as other gems dusted off from the extensive and legendary Beatles, Wings and McCartney solo canon.