New 'Survivor' cast boasts 3 from N.C.

We'll probably never see a "Survivor: North Carolina," but the 21st season of CBS's hit reality TV series will have a healthy dose of Tar Heel flavor.

Three of the 20 members of the cast -- which also includes two-time Super Bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson -- hail from N.C. They are: Kelly Bruno, 26, a UNC medical student from Durham; Jane Bright, 56, a dog trainer from Jackson Springs; and Chase Rice, 24, who recently worked as a NASCAR jackman for Hendrick Motorsports in Mooresville but now is pursuing a country-music career in Nashville.

Bruno, pictured, lost her right leg to a birth defect when she was 6 months old, but is a competitive athlete: She was the third (and fastest) female amputee to finish the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, in 2007.

"Survivor: Nicaragua" premieres Sept. 15 and will pit Rice, Bruno and eight other contestants under the age of 40 against Bright and nine other players who are 40-plus. See a slideshow of the contestants here. This is the second time a season of "Survivor" has featured a young-vs.-old showdown ("Survivor: Panama" was the first).

Previous contestants from the Charlotte area have included Jerry Sims of Rock Hill, S.C. ("Tocantins"), and Leslie Nease of Tega Cay, S.C. ("China").

Other past N.C. "Survivor" contestants include: Candice Woodcock of Fayetteville, who was on both Seasons 13 and 20; Sydney Wheeler of Raleigh ("Tocantins"); Crystal Cox of Durham ("Gabon"); Andria "Dreamz" Herd of Wilmington ("Fiji"); Austin Carty of High Point ("Panama"); Ted Rogers Jr. of Durham ("Thailand"); and Gabriel Cade of Celo ("Marquesas").

Corinne Bailey Rae concert = canceled

Due to "a scheduling conflict," the Corinne Bailey Rae concert that was slated for The Fillmore Charlotte on Sept. 8 has been cancelled. Tickets purchased online or over the phone will be automatically refunded. If you bought them from a box office, you can go back for a refund beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 4). For more information go to www.livenation.com.

Zink. American Kitchen closing uptown

Charlotte-based Harper's Restaurant Group announced today the closing of its restaurant, Zink. American Kitchen, located in the IJL building, at 201 North Tryon Street. Open since 2004, the popular eatery is a favorite of Uptown professionals and is known for its twist on New American cuisine, its lively outdoor patio and late night ambience. The restaurant's last day of operation will be Saturday, July 31, 2010. 

Tom Sasser, owner and president of Harper's Restaurant Group, said that the location has been purchased for a non-restaurant use. "The buyer has indicated that the space will be renovated for office or possibly retail purposes. Although Zink has continued to be profitable, we had experienced multiple physical plant issues over the years and felt like this sale was a smart business move in the long run."

"We are working with two groups for another location in Uptown or Southpark to carry on the Zink tradition in a new space. We would like to thank our great associates and guests for their loyal support over the years. We hope our friends will stop by this last week to enjoy great New American food and drink from Executive Chef Jon Fortes and the team and let us say goodbye." 

"On Zink's last night, Saturday July 31, Chef Jon will offer a 'Toast to Zink' Menu with many of our guests' favorites. It will include Streetside Tacos, Zink's signature 'Not Your Mother's' Meatloaf and Lobster Roll Sliders, among others," said Sasser. 

Sasser indicated that they hope to begin serving some of Zink's signature food and drink items at other Harper's Restaurant Group locations. Mimosa Grill, located in Uptown Charlotte at 327 South Tryon, will immediately start serving Saturday lunch and a new Sunday brunch buffet.

SYTYCD tour returning to Charlotte

The “So You Think You Can Dance Tour” will return to Time Warner Cable Arena on Saturday, Oct. 2, with a showcase of performances by current finalists Adechiké, Ashley, Billy, Jose, Kent, Lauren and Robert, as well as all-stars Ade, Allison, Courtney, Dominic, Kathryn and Russell.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through timewarnercablearena.com, ticketmaster.com, the Time Warner Cable Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone (800-745-3000).

Cheap tix for select Live Nation concerts

From 12:01 a.m. Tuesday until 11:59 Tuesday night, $10 tickets will be available through LiveNation.com and charge by phone (800-745-3000) for the following upcoming shows:

American Idol Live! Tour on July 25 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre; Barenaked Ladies on July 30 at Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre; Goo Goo Dolls at RR Mobile on Aug. 10; Heart on Aug. 15 at RR Mobile; Dukes of September at RR Mobile on Aug. 25; Kottonmouth Kings on Sept. 10 at the Fillmore Charlotte; and Get The Led Out at the Fillmore on Nov. 12. (Parking, shipping, service fees and other costs may apply.)

$10 tickets will also be available at the venue box offices during regular business hours on Tuesday.

'Biggest Loser' stars to visit Charlotte

Phil and Amy Parham of "The Biggest Loser" fame will be at the SouthPark Barnes & Noble (4020 Sharon Road) from 2-4 p.m. Saturday to sign copies of their new book, "The 90 Day Fitness Challenge."

The Parhams were contestants on Season Six of NBC's reality competition, from May to December 2008. Over the seven-month period, they lost more than 256 pounds together, bringing Phil down to 180 and Amy to 124. To date, they have recorded the highest percentage weight loss of any "Biggest Loser" couple ever.

Their new book, from Harvest House Publishers, addresses "their journey to healthy weight loss and inspires readers on how to achieve similar goals. This faith-based, informative and motivational book will encourage those fighting the 'battle of the bulge' to transform their lives and fulfill their dreams of being healthier and happier."

Phil and Amy Parham live in South Carolina with their three sons.

Mooresville woman hits 'Runway'

Let the sewing, stitching and snickering begin.

The Emmy-Award nominated Lifetime Television series "Project Runway" kicks off its eighth season on July 29 with 17 talented designers -- including one from Mooresville.

April Johnston, 21, attended Lake Norman High School, recently graduated from college, and now resides in Savannah, Ga. On Lifetime's website, she lists her favorite designers as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, and says she realized she had designer potential "in high school, when I made my prom dress and artistically painted and decorated my room."

In "Project Runway's" expanded 90-minute format, the new crop of designers will encounter host Heidi Klum, mentor Tim Gunn, judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, and guest designer and celebrity judges (including actress Selma Blair in the season premiere) as they face challenges, eliminations and other surprises.

This season's winner will receive $100,000 from L'Oreal Paris to start his/her own line, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a $50,000 technology suite by HP and Intel to create his/her own vision and run his/her business, and the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive collection on Piperlime.com.

In addition to Johnston, the Season Eight designers are:

A.J. Thouvenot; Andy South; Casanova; Christopher Collins; Gretchen Jones; Ivy Higa; Jason Troisi; Kristin Haskins-Simms; McKell Maddox; Michael Costello; Michael Drummond; Mondo Guerra; Nicolas D'Aurizio; Peach Carr; Sarah Trost; and Valerie Mayen.