INsite Atlanta April 2011 Issue

April 2011

www. insiteatlanta .com

Vol. 19, No. 9 FrEE

The Atlanta Film Festival Celebrates 35 Years

Spring The Annual

FestiIssueval

Over 25 Events Including

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Atlanta Jazz Festival • Kirkwood Spring Fling National Black Arts Festival • East Atlanta Beer Festival

S  S: : - : ..

The Friends of Dogwood Pavilion is one of the best ways to enjoy the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. This ticketed event, offers an upscale hospitality experience. It will be held in the newly renovated, multi-million dollar, Greystone event facility in the heart of

Join us around Atlanta for 31 Days of Jazz for partner venue locations and more information visit www.atlantafestivals.com

Piedmont Park. It features some of Atlanta's favorite restaurants offering a wide variety of foods, desserts and special wine tastings. :

  ;    

(if available)

www.AtlantaFestivals.com

PG 2 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Contents • April 2011 • Volume 19.9 Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

IntervIews

“AJones VISUALLY DAZZLING 06 DunCAn PRODUCTION 10 LONDON-BORN Cloris leAChmAn 10 10 sherri shepherD OF J M BARRIE’S PETER PAN.” 17 erikA JAyne -WALL STREET JOURNAL 18 Christopher titus 22 BAysiDe 23 mike WAtt 23 the rAVonettes 27 CreAtors of sAW 28 the ChieftAins

Features 08 11 12 15 21 24 29

spring pAtio guiDe BrunCh AtlAntA film festiVAl lAughing skull fest ConCert Venues spring festiVAl guiDe mlB preVieW

This striking Exhibition showcases real human bodies, dissected and preserved through a revolutionary process allowing visitors to see themselves in a fascinating way like never before.

BODIES...The Exhibition will enlghten, empower, and inspire.

17 An Exhibition of Real Human Bodies www.BodiesAtlanta.com

Columns 04 05 05 07 13 14 16 19 19 20 28 30 31

ArounD toWn on tAp on A Dime eVents unDer the lights moVie reVieWs ViDiots ConCert CAlenDAr roAD WArriors We got next AlBums fAVorite things ViDeo gAmes fAnAtiC

presents

18

EXPERIENCE YOUR

An Exhibition That Reveals The Strength of Your SENSES

23

www.insiteatlanta.com

NOW PLAYING THRU MARCH 20!

staff LIstInG

Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com managing editor Bret Love bret@insiteatlanta.com art Director / Web Design Michael Thompson graphics@insiteatlanta.com sports editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Local events editor Marci Miller SCAN ME marci@insiteatlanta.com To see a video preview, scan this QR code with music editor smart phone Sacha your Dzuba sacha@insiteatlanta.com

Contributing Writers / Interns: John Moore, Jon Latham, Ryan Loftis, Matt Goldberg, Rodney Hill, Alex S. Morrison, Alec Wooden, Roger Presswood, Dave Cohen, Russ Marshalek, Jennifer Sefa-Boakye, Jessica Cole, Jennifer Williams, Matt Connor, Rebecca Crosby and Brad Binkley

www.peterpantheshow.com/atlanta ContaCt Us 2250 north Druid(772-6849) Hills Rd. #234 Or call 1-888-PPANTIX atlanta, Ga 30329-3118

The

phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com aDveRtIsInG InfoRmatIon 404-315-8485 • advertising@insiteatlanta.com

Theatre in Pemberton Place adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

Groups: 404-881-2000 foxgroup@foxtheatre.org

Follow us on the web!

© Copyright 2011, Be Bop PublishFollow us:Rights Reserved ing, Inc. All

Check outpeterpantheshow our Spring Festival @PeterPantheShow Guide on page 24.

PG 2 • insiteatlanta.com • February 2011

LIFE IN THE DARK

“For about an hour, visitors navigate different environments in complete darkness, relying on all senses except sight, and ask questions of their visually impaired guide, whose faces they don’t see until leaving. Stumbling in darkness makes the Dialog visitor appreciate how visually oriented the world is - how would you go grocery shopping? How would you cross the street? - as well as the reliance on other senses such as sound and touch to navigate the world.”

- Elizabeth Landou, CNN

INTERNATIONAL BLOCKBUSTER - U.S.A. DEBUT ONLY IN ATLANTA

www.DialogTickets.com

BOTH AT ATLANTIC STATION!

PRODUCED BY:

PREMIER EXHIBITION CENTER

PREMIER EXHIBITIONS (NASDAQ:PRXI)

PG 3 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Around Town

Theatre/Film

Experience the heart of a tornado from April 1-11 at Fernbank. The museum will present “Tornado Alley” on its IMAX screens, narrated

by Bill Paxton. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for children. Go to fernbankmuseum.org.

APR 01

The Center for Puppetry Arts welcomes “Beauty and the Best” to the Mainstage Theater from April 7-10 and then April 12-May 29. Tickets to the classic tale are only $16. Go to puppet.org for more information or call 404873-3391.

APR 07

Lil Wayne comes to Philips Arena on April 9 at 7pm. Ticket prices start at $49.75 and go up to $125.75. Don’t miss this concert.

Special guests will include Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and Travis Barker. Visit philipsarena.com for more info.

APR 09

The Marcus JCC of Atlanta will welcome Cokie Roberts, political commentator for ABC News, and Steve Roberts, author and political analyst for ABC Radio on April 10 as they present their new book “Out Haggadah United Traditions for Interfaith Families.” The program will be located at 5342 Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody. Tickets will be sold onsite for $25.

APR 10

Red Carpet Monday is hosting its inaugural Atlanta event on April 11 at Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft located at 1745 Peachtree Street.

The event is from 6-9pm. Meet and mingle with fellow business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs. Advance tickets available for

APR 11

$20 online or $25 at door. Appetizers, drinks, networking and raffle prizes. For information call 321-662.2814.

The New York Mets come to Turner Field from April 15-17 for a three game series. The Sunday matchup will be the final Braves game until April 29. Check out braves.com for pitching matchups and times.

APR 15

Variety Playhouse will host the Reagan Rock Prom on April 16 at 9pm. The men who brought your Yacht Rock form their own take on 80s music. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20 day of show.

APR 16

There will be a massive Chattahoochee River Cleanup on April 16, honsted by Trout Unlimited, the National Park Service and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. If you would like to do your part, call 404-3529828 for more information.

APR 16

If you’re taking in the Dogwood Festival, be sure to stop by the Friends of the Dogwood Tasting Area. The event is $30 in advance and takes place April 16-17 at the Friends of the Dogwood Pavilion from 1-5pm. Restaurants such as Dolce, Gordon Biersch, Graveyard Tavern, Holy Taco and many more will be represented.

APR 16-17

Jane Fonda and Gabby Sidibe will join for a fundraiser and screening of “Jane” on April 17 at 6pm at the Woodruff Arts Center. Tickets are $50 or $125 and include VIP reception.

APR 17

DO Are YOUyouNaEED HELP ?

Veteran returning

from the war and experiencing some of these symptoms?

If you are a woman with a history of childhood sexual abuse, you may suffer from a number of symptoms. If these symptoms are left untreated, it can impair your ability to deal with everyday events, work or even function in healthy relationships.

Nightmares, trouble sleeping · easily agitated or startled · low people who have experienced a traumatic energy,Many changes in appetite · memory problems, difficulty focusing · event likeavoiding you have, may suffer from one places, activities or peopleor all

of these symptoms. You may have nightmares, trouble sleeping, memory problems, trouble Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event suffer from these symptoms, focusing, avoid social situations, or become which are signs ofagitated posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. If the symptoms are left easily or startled.

untreated, it can impair the ability to work, socialize and function in a healthy Emory University is looking for participants for a relationship.

research study on the effects of an FDA approved medication for the symptoms of PTSD, memory Emory University is investigating the effects of early intervention in preventing and learning in women between the ages of 25 is a doublechronic PTSD using an FDA approved medication (paroxetine). This and 55 who have experienced childhood sexual blind study sponsored by the VA. If you are a Veteran, recently back from the war abuse. You do not need a diagnosis of PTSD and havetoany of these symptoms, please call to obtain more information and to see participate.

if you qualify for the study.

Compensation will be provided for participation.

Study screening, health/trauma questionnaires, memory tests, lab tests, medication and MRI/PET scans will beare conducted at Emory University and Emorymore Briarcliff campus.

If you interested in learning about this research opportunity Compensation will 404-712-9536 be provided for participation. please call or Please call email Stacy Laddclecour@ at 404-712-2014 or email mdent@emory.edu emory.edu.

Advancing Possibilities ADVANCING THE PThe OSSIBILITIES

PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Museums/Exhibits/Arts

Music/Comedy/Sports

Other Stuff

Michael Blum will hold a lecture “Arts Papers Live!” on April 20 at 7pm in the Georgia Tech Architecture Auditorium, located at 245 Fourth Street. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at artpapers.org.

APR 20

Don’t miss Atlanta Corporate Fight Night on April 23 at Wild Bill’s. The event is a black tie charity boxing series with an actual sanctioned amateur bout. There will be a dinner and silent auction. Visit atlantacorporatefightnight.com or call 678-334-8204.

APR 23

The Cobb Energy Centre will host “One Night of Queen” on April 30 celebrating the life and music of Freddie Mercury. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices are $35.50 or $57.00 plus fees. The show is at 8pm.

APR 30

The Atlanta Opera will present its popular Opera Family Day on April 30 from 10am-2pm, with performances at 11:15am and 1:15pm. Tickets are $7 at the door for the day of activities and music. There will be opera performances, a costume shop, instrument petting zoo and much more. The Atlanta Opera Center is located at 1575 Northside Drive.

APR 30

The Atlanta Silverbacks host their first home match of the season on April 30 against FC Tampa Bay. The team is back after a brief hiatus and ready to give Atlanta a taste of professional soccer. Go to atlantasilverbacks.com for more information.

APR 30

LOCAL

LOCAL EVENTS

On Tap this Month EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM

April 8-10: Turner Field BRAVES OPENING SERIES

It would be one thing if the Braves were opening the season at home against any other team. But the Phillies are not any other team. Don’t miss one of the best series all season at Turner Field. It also just happens to be the first one. Welcome new Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez as he tries to capture a series win against the National League East Division favorites. Tickets and pitching matchups will be found at braves.com.

April 10: Philips Arena THRASHERS SEASON FINALE

We should be proud of the Thrashers season. Atlanta’s hockey team has man strides toward becoming a competitive team in the postseason. They’ll get one final difficult test for the playoffs, however. The Pittsburgh Penguins comes to Philips Arena with the league’s best in Sidney Crosby. The final game is always a treat for Thrashers fans as season awards are handed out. Look for tickets at atlantathrashers.com.

April 15-17: Piedmont Park ATLANTA DOGWOOD FESTIVAL

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival celebrates its 75th anniversary this year at Piedmont Park. The event kicks off with the usual round of entertainment, arts and special events. Local bands like Blair Crimmins, School of Rock and Nathan Angelo will play over the three-day festival. There will be an artist market and a comedy summit, presented by Laughing Skull Lounge. (Tickets are $14 for that event.) Go to dogwood.org for more.

April 27: Various Atlanta Restaurants DINING OUT FOR LIFE

Dining Out for Life is Open Hand’s largest annual fundraiser. The event allows participants to choose their favorite Atlanta restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner on April 27 and know that 20 percent or more of their bill will be donated to the community nutrition programs of Open Hand. There will be more than 118 metro Atlanta restaurants joining this effort. For a complete list of locations and details, visit diningoutforoh.org.

April 29: 200 Peachtree GEORGIA BOxING CHAMPIONSHIP

If you’re looking for your local boxing fix, this is the place to start. The event is one of many being hosted at the renovated Macy’s building downtown. This fight will feature Paul Delgado against Luis Galarza as well as Tyrese Hendrix and David Armstrong. Antonio Davis and John Trigg will faceoff for the USA Georgia State Lightweight Title. For tickets and event info, go online to www.georgiaboxingchampionship.com.

May 6-7: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre ZAC BROWN BAND

Local favorite Zac Brown has come a long, long way. Once playing local dives, the Zac Brown Band now gets national tours and dates at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

Go see the boys on one of their two nights. You’ll hear “Chicken Fried” and a variety of their great music. The show starts at 7pm both nights. For tickets and parking information, head to www.vzwamp.com. Doors open at 6pm.

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

Know of a low cost event of happening? Event@AtlantaOnADime.com CALLAWAY GARDENS WEEK HOTEL RESTAURANT

Through April 2-9,Feb. $2528, for FREE a 3-course meal Callaway Gardens Various Hotel Restaurants 17800 US Hwy 27 hotelrestaurantweek.com Pine Mountain, Georgia There are no passes to buy or coupons to callawaygardens.com carry - simply make a reservation at the hotel

restaurant of to yourCallaway choice andGardens select from Admission is a special three (3) course dinner menu for complimentary through the end of this $25, plus tip and tax. Don’t miss this great month (Price is normally $15 for adults, opportunity to discover the acclaimed cuisine, $6.50 per child) providing guests with service and experience provided by these the opportunity to enjoy time with their wonderful hotel restaurants. Participating family and friends in nature. restaurants include reconnecting Park 75 at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Spice Market at the Free admission includes theW Midtown, Virginia Livingston Restaurant & Bar Center, at Georgian Hand Callaway Discovery Day Terrace, BLT at the WSibley Downtown, eleven at Butterfly Center, Horticultural the LoewsMr. Atlanta, PacesVegetable 88 at St. Regis, Lobby Center, Cason’s Garden, at Twelve, Room at Twelve and Au Pied de Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Overlook Cochon at the InterContinental.

Garden, Discovery Bicycle Trail, Pioneer Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial WEDNESDAY WINDDOWN Chapel, nature trails and daily programs.

April 6 5:30-8pm, Free Centennial Olympic Park THE UNIVERSOUL 265 Park Avenue West,CIRCUS Atlanta Feb. 10 27, Tickets range from $15 - $35 centennialpark.com Turner Field Green Lot 521 Capitollongest Avenue, AtlantaFREE concert series Atlanta’s running universoulcircus.com kicks off its season on Wednesday, April 6.

By Marci Miller 2011 SOUTHEASTERN FLOWER SHOW 6th VININGS INTERNATIONAL Feb. 25 27, Adults $18 ($15 in advance) WINE CRAWL Youth/Student $7, Kids April 9, 1-7pm, $ under 6 in 5 are Free Cobb Galleria Centre advance, $12 at door Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta Registration at Garrisons, sehort.org 1-5pm

Vinings Jubilee Presented

by Road the Southeastern 4300 Paces Ferry Horticultural Society, this annual premier SE, Vinings gardening event promotes preservation atlantabartours.com and awareness of flowers and plants through and artistic expression.

Walk to education each participating restaurant and include taste great Show activities speakers, juried wine offeringskids’ from different competition, activities, Landscape & countries and wine regions along Discovery Gardens and more. with discounted food pairings.

Participating restaurants include 10th ANNUAL OAKHURST Garrisons, Social Vinings,WINE CRAWL Saturday, Feb. 26, 4 pm-7 Noche, The Grape pm and $25 in advance TastingofGlass Vinings Inn. for Portion proceeds Small $30 day of benefits event Dog Rescue. raffle Oakhurst BusinessFree District for all registered crawlers. oakhurstga.org Registration begins at Garrisons at 1pm.

Participants in this year’s event will get GREAT URBAN to sample winesRACE fromATLANTA around the world April 9, Noon-5pm, $55 in advance, $65 race day while exploring all the businesses in the Sidebar Oakhurst neighborhood. There will be 20 79 Poplar Street,establishments Atlanta Relax with an evening of live entertainment participating and the event greaturbanrace.com every Wednesday the park’s Southern Thein UniverSoul Circus expects to sell out quickly. The Fur Bus Company Amphitheater. continuesEnjoyitseverything surge will be on hand to transport participants The Great Urban Race is a unique urban from jazz to contemporary music to the top of performed the live from bar to bar. Tickets can be purchased adventure. Teams of two solve twelve clues, by favorite local and national touring acts. entertainment ranks from Steinbeck’s Ale and House, Ujoint, have a wild city adventure complete fun with its interactive funky and Karvana Coffee Shop, all located in challenges, while discovering Atlanta in a fresh JAZZ rendition NIGHTS AT SCOTTISH Oakhurst village. of a traditional way. The first 25 teams to complete the race RITE circus. UniverSoul has will have the opportunity to compete in the April 7, 14, 21 & 28, 7-9pm, IHOP National Championship a chance at captivated audiences NATIONAL PANCAKErace DAYforCELEBRATION Free from around the world Tuesday, $10,000. March The race is a great test of both physical 1, 7 am-10 pm, Free Pancakes and mental abilities, including puzzle solving, Historic Scottish Courtyard with itsRite unique brand International House of Pancakes physical challenges and running. Throughout 321 Westthat Hill Street, blendsDecatur circus arts, Locations throughout the race, teams Metro may Atlanta also strategically oakhurstjazznights.com theater and music. IHOPPancakeday.com incorporate the use of public transportation Founded in Atlanta over and high-tech devices.

These17popular candlelit concerts years ago, the audience return every Thursday in April On this day, customers will receive one will watch in amazement as stilt free short stack (three) of IHOP’s famous at the Historic Scottish Rite walkers makeCourtyard their wayinacross a tight Decatur.

The buttermilk pancakes. All they ask is that rope, horse riders perform death-defying series kicks off on Thursday patrons consider making a donation to stunts, and contortionists bendWalker into support local children’s hospitals through April 7 with Kermit incredible and beautiful shapes. & the Jazz Prophets with Children’s Miracle Network or other local guest vocalists Marc & Micheal charities. Since beginning its National Stith.

Blankets only, no lawn chairs. Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP CHEERSPORT 2011 NATIONAL Children are welcome. has raised more than $5.35 million to CHEERLEADING & DANCE support charities in the communities in CHAMPIONSHIP EARTHit operates.

DAY which Feb. 18 – 20 $30 for 2-day pass 2011 $20 for MIDTOWN 1-day pass TOUR OF HOMES April 8-17, advance Kids Under 5$20 areinFree Midtown Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center midtowntourofhomes.com 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta cheersport.net

This year’s Midtown Tour of Homes will anchor Celebrate!Midtown, a 10 day Bring on…this electrifying cheerleading event itcombining the Midtown Neighbors’ and dance competition features teams Association’s premier events: Midtown Atlanta competing from Shop and Dine Weekacross and theAmerica.

Tour. The This 2011 Tour it features both and year, expects to single grow family larger homes than ever condominiums, highlighting Midtown from “Old with over 900 teams participating, to New” condominiums and ages threehistoric, throughnew college.

Cheersport conversion condominiums.

Tickets are $20 in was founded by all-star coaches who loved advance. All sales are final. The tour will take competitive cheerleading and dance. place rain or shine.

Check the website for the full competition schedule.

KIDS FEST

April 16, 10am-3pm, Adults $8, Children $5 Chattahoochee Nature Center 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell chattnaturecenter.org The Captain Planet Foundation is teaming up with the Chattahoochee Nature Center for the 9th Annual Earth Day Kids Fest. This event is a unique and exciting hands-on, environmental education experience where youth are encouraged to take the first steps in becoming environmental stewards. Visit the Eco-Village where you will learn about local organizations that are doing great things to protect the planet. Stop by each of the local non-profits for fun and exciting hands-on activities and learn about some local environmentally friendly businesses.

RECEIVE UPDATED EVENTS WEEKLY. SIGN UP BY E-MAILING SUBSCRIPTIONS@ATLANTAONADIME.COM ENTER ON SUBJECT LINE: SIGN ME UP INSITE!

PG 5 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

FILM

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES Director Duncan Jones On His Famous Father, His First Film & the Pressures of Making Source Code

By Bret Love

u

nless you’re die-hard indie film fan, chances are you don’t know duncan Jones by name just yet. But once you get a gander at the director’s breakthrough debut, an almostmasterpiece sci-fi head-twister called Moon, you’ll find yourself desperate to know what the guy’s working on next. his second film, source Code, is a surprisingly epic action thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga. The story follows a solider who wakes up in the body of an unknown man, saddled with the task of finding the bomber of a Chicago commuter train within 8 minutes. sure, the scale of the production is different, but duncan’s distinctive style remains intact, super-sized for maximum mainstream impact. We recently sat down for an exclusive interview with the director, discussing topics ranging from labyrinth and Moon to his famous father, whom you might know as david Bowie.

Tell me about your early interest in film? at a ridiculously young age, it was my hobby. Me and my dad used to make little one- stop animation on an old 8mm camera when i was eight years old. Because of his work, i got to be on a number of film sets growing up, so i got a sense of what it was like to create a world to tell a story. That got me interested and excited at a pretty young age.

Everyone knows your dad’s music, but he also made some influential movies, including Labyrinth and The Last Temptation of Christ. Were those impactful on you?

Well, certainly the experience of seeing them made was impactful. i got the chance to run around some of the sets of labyrinth, which was a huge deal for me. We’d go to the big studio to the labyrinth set, and just across the other side of the lot they had the Kevin Costner robin hood Castle. it was just an amazing place to be as a kid! it really messes with your imagination and gives you this idea that anything is possible in the movies.

When did you realize that this was something you might want to do? i went off into academia and fulfilled what i felt were my responsibilities as a son. i did about 2 ½ yrs of graduate school down at Vanderbilt and decided i didn’t want to be a teacher, which is pretty much the only thing you can do with a Phd in philosophy. i took a leave of absence from that program to go to film school, and i never came back.

Talk to me about some of the more prominent directors that influenced you?

Tony scott was an influence on me. in graduate school i actually had the chance to work with him for 3 weeks, filming on 16mm with a bowlegged camera. i had an amazing time in Montreal learning from him, and he was very generous with his

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I’M stILL FIndIng My Feet as a FILMMaker, and when I do eventuaLLy get the chance to work wIth My dad, I want hIM to know that he’s In good hands. time. he was the one who recommended that if i wanted to work in feature films, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to work in the commercial industry to hone my skills and feel comfortable on a set. i did that for quite a few years and ended up working at an advertising agency in london, where i wrote and directed commercials. after that, i felt i was ready to try and do my first film, which was Moon.

What attracted you to Moon as your first film project? it was something i wrote the original treatment for, then nathan Parker and i took turns writing drafts of the script. it was both a labor of love and also a very practical piece of filmmaking. We knew what our resources were going to be. We knew we were shooting in england and didn’t want to have to worry about bad weather, so we wanted to shoot the whole film inside on a sound stage. We knew that we needed a location we could shoot a whole film in, and wanted to use model miniatures because that was more cost effective than CG. We wanted to keep our cast size down, so we wanted one actor with an inner voice. all of these practical things helped shape the project.

What made Sam Rockwell your choice for the lead role? he’s an amazing guy– incredibly talented actor, incredibly brave. he’s always been an actor that everyone in hollywood who respects actors knows has got the chops, but for whatever reason they’d just never found a way to put him in that leading man role. George Clooney’s first directing gig was Confessions of a dangerous Mind, and he chose sam to be the lead actor in that. everyone knows that sam’s got “it.”

There was so much great critical response to Moon, and a lot of people thought it should have been up for Best Picture. What does that buzz do for you as a director?

The one that made the biggest difference is the BaFTa. i was in pre-production on source Code– this young independent British filmmaker dealing with a lot of hollywood producers, trying to make sure that my voice is heard and that i was able to do things the way i felt they needed to be done. it was tricky, but Jake definitely had my back and Paul hersh, the editor, had my

back. Coming home with the BaFTa all of a sudden legitimized me as the right choice and made my job much easier.

Why was Source Code the right follow-up project for you? i met up with Jake to discuss possibly working together in the future. he was the one who said, “i have this project i’ve already read that i think could be really good for us. i think you’d be the right director.” he was the one who gave me the source Code script, and i read it and thought it was terrific. i had some ideas about ways that i would interpret it and i talked to Jake and he liked the sound of what i wanted to do.

You went from this amazing economy of scale on Moon to this huge production on Source Code. What were the challenges and rewards of that? it’s funny because there were a lot of similarities in how we had to go about making source Code. Jake had just finished Prince of Persia and was going to have to go off and do the press tour, so there was a window of opportunity to work with him that could not be budged. That gave us some real pressure. We had a lot of effect shots– over 800– and i worked with an amazing effects guy from Montreal, louis Morea, to come up with a plan of attack. so while the budget was definitely a healthy step forward from Moon, all of the problems were still there, and we had to think creatively about how to make the film work.

Where do you hope to go from here as far as your career goes?

We’ll see. i’m really excited to see what the audience’s reaction is to source Code. it’s a very different thing than Moon. it starts with a bang, it’s a contemporary thriller and it doesn’t let up. hopefully, if the audience digs that, then we’ll take it from there. i’m writing a script right now, which i hope will be the thing i do next.

But everything kind of depends on how source Code does.

I’m a big fan of your father’s acting. Have you talked about doing a film together? only jokingly. Maybe one day in the future. i’m still finding my feet as a filmmaker, and when i do eventually get the chance to work with my dad, i want him to know that he’s in good hands.

Under The Lights “A BIG FAT HIT! Upcoming Theatrical Performances SPOON LAKE BLUES

SHREK THE MUSICAL

www.alliancetheatre.org Alliance Theatre presents SPOON LAKE BLUES. In the play, Brady and Denis have found one easy solution to save their house from the bank: burglary. Then, one night Brady steals a picture of a woman who is everything he is not; educated, wealthy, upwardly mobile, and AfricanAmerican. And with that, a brazen new caper is born leaving no stones, stereotypes, or septic tanks unturned. Are Brady and Denis criminal masterminds or just April fools?

Either way, they're going to hilarious lengths to save their home from the bank. This time, they might have the law on their side. This world premiere comedy caper was written by Josh Tobiessen, a former Kendeda Competition finalist for his play Election Day. This play contains a parent advisory: contains moderate profanity, drug use, sexual situations, and moderate thematic elements.

www.broadwayacrossamerica.com

April 1 - 24 Hertz Stage Box Office 404.733.5000

LEGACY OF LIGHT

April 5 - May 8 Horizon Theatre Horizon Box Office 404.584.7450 www.horizontheatre.com

April 26 - May 1 Fox Theatre Ticketmaster 800.982.2787 SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land.

Joined by a wisecracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales.

Shrek is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre, not a handsome prince, shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a shorttemper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand and his name is Shrek. The traveling production features a terrific score of 19 allnew songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery.

COSÌ FAN TUTTE

April 9, 12, 15 17 Cobb Energy Box Office 404-881-8885

A TRIUMPH OF COMIC IMAGINATION! ALTOGETHER IRRESISTIBLE.” —Elysa Gardner, USA Today

Blakely Slaybaugh and Ensemble

Eric Petersen, Alan Mingo, Jr., and Haven Burton

ON SALE NOW!

April 26 - May 1 • The Fox Theatre

Tickets start at just $18! • Ticketmaster outlets • Ticketmaster.com • 800.982.2787 groups 15+, call 404.881.2000

www.atlantaopera.org

©2010 DreamWorks Theatricals (Joan Marcus)

P3239-STM-ATL-InsiteMag5x7.indd 1

Two brilliant women centuries apart push the boundaries of science while grappling with motherhood in LEGACY OF LIGHT. Physicist Emilie du Chatelet, a young poet and lover of famous French philosopher Voltaire, worries about her fate after she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Driven by fear and ambition, she races to publish her theories based on Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion. Meanwhile, 260 years in the future, accomplished astrophysicist Olivia and her husband Peter want to conceive but cannot.

Olivia’s attention turns to her new “Child”, a planet she’s discovered in the midst of hiring a quirky and free spirited surrogate. This is a story of two women linked together by scientific legacy and maternal instincts.

3/18/11 2:16 PM

Photo by JD Scott

COSÌ FAN TUTTE, Mozart’s brilliant comedic masterpiece about two officers who boast of their girlfriends’ faithfulness only to have a clever friend put it to the test.

Disguises, charades, mischief, and heartbreak result, but in the end, all are much wiser in the ways of love. In the story the two soldiers test the faithfulness of their fiancés on a dare.

Pretending they are called away to duty, the men leave only to return as foreigners in disguise to woo the assumed two-timing women. This brilliant Mozart opera is a masterpiece of comedy and a favorite the world over.

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PG 7 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Spring Patio Guide

to 3am every day except Sunday when The Red Door is closed. They offer “Bucket Specials” of Bud, Bud Light and Bud Select.

They also have a “Draft Tower” a glass featuring 120 ounces of beer. On their deck Red Door is now serving Slush Puppies! Available in 10 flavors so you can make your own favorite frozen drink.

Places to go when Dining Outdoors this Spring!

Agave

242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 www.agaverestaurant.com

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Multiple Locations www.Chipotle.com

Athens Pizza House

1341 Clairmont Rd. Decatur athenspizzaatlanta.com 404.636.1100

Consistently voted the Best Southwestern Restaurant in Atlanta, Agave uses only the freshest ingredients to create chef inspired dishes with a authentic southwestern flare.

They offer Two for One Appetizers at the bar from 5pm - 7pm seven days a week. They offer a unique blend of eclectic southwestern cuisine and extensive tequila bar that goes great with alfresco dining. Start with their two for one appetizers at the bar; available from 5pm - 7pm seven days a week. Then head to your table on their romantic southwestern designed patio with fireplace. With creative daily specials, award winning margaritas and great ambiance one can see why this is a Cabbagetown favorite. Be sure to sign up for Agave's VIP Email List which features huge monthly discounts on dinner and details on all of Agave's special events.

Johnny’s NY Style Pizza Multiple Metro Area Locations www.JohnnysPizza.com

Johnny’s Pizza has come to be synonymous with great pizza and subs in Atlanta. They specialize in NY Style pizza, which is thin in the middle and thick around the edges. The

Cheshire Bridge location featured, is offering $5 pitchers of Bud and Bud Light this spring.

They also now serve Yuengling on draft.

Johnny’s restaurants offer dine-in, take-out and delivery.

The Tavern at Phipps

3500 Peachtree Rd. 404.814.9640 www.TheTavernAtPhipps.com Voted Atlanta's "Best Happy Hour" and "Best Patio," The Tavern at Phipps is the place to see and be seen! The patio o v e r l o o k s Peachtree Road at Phipps Plaza, Atlanta's most prestigious shopping mall. The menu features gourmet Tavern Chips, New Orleans Po' boys, Baby Back Ribs, Bountiful Salads, Carnegie Deli Pastrami and aged Steaks broiled "Pittsburgh Style." Check out The Tavern's "Best Looking Waitstaff" serving nightly. It is the hottest place in town during Friday afternoon happy hour! Find them on Facebook for updates and events.

Since 1966 the Papadopoulos family has been serving up great Greek and Italian cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area. Athens Pizza is Zagat rated and the recipient of various awards including Best Greek Cuisine in Atlanta. Don’t let the name fool you, there is much more than great pizza, as some of the favorite recipes on their Greek dishes go back generations! When the weather oblidges, dinners head out to their patio. Their patio is also a popular destination for groups and small parties. Athens Pizza also offers an extensive catering menu which is popular in the area.

The Red Door Tavern 3180 Roswell Rd. 404.846.6525

A simple menu, fresh ingredients, and attention to detail has made Chipotle a success.

Their company slogan is “Food with Integrity”. This means ingredients that are unprocessed, family farmed, added hormone free and organic. They offer meats including chicken, steak, naturally raised pork and shredded beef. All of Chipotle’s Atlanta locations have outdoor seating. The Buckhead location featured gets packed each spring.

Don’t forget to order sides of salsa, chips and guacamole before heading to your table.

Savage Pizza

484 Moreland Ave. 404.523.0500 115 Laredo Dr. 404.299.5799 www.savagepizza.com

The Red Door Tavern is a favorite place for friends to meet up at the beginning of the night and is where everyone seems to end up at the end of the evening. They are located on Roswell Road, one block north of The Buckhead Theatre.

The Red Door Tavern features a large outdoor deck in the front that is open from 2pm

agave restaurant

This eclectic neighborhood restuarant is a

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

an eclectic southwestern eatery & tequila bar . est. 2000

Reservations at 404 588 0006 or online at : www.agaverestaurant.com 242 Boulevard S.E. Atlanta . 30312

BEST PIZZA! Pre Selected chef’S MenuS & Private rooMS available

2010

Consistently Voted One Of Atlanta’s Best Restaurants INsite Magazine Best of Atlanta Winner Best Southwestern Cuisine & Best Margarita !!

PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

2010

&

Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com

favorite hangout in among residents of Little 5 and Avondale Estates. Both locations offer patio seating. Savage prepares all their menu items using only the freshest vegetables and first quality meats, cheeses, breads and pastas.

On their menu you'll find innovative homemade sauces, fresh dough and thoughtfully prepared dishes, made from scratch every day.

They offer is a wide variety of salads, subs, calzones and of course pizzas to choose from.

Mo’s Pizza

3109 Briarcliff Rd. 404.320.1258 at corner of Briarcliff & Clairmont Rd.

As The Varsity is with hamburgers, Fellini’s is to Atlanta for pizza. They offer a simple menu that focuses on quality that can’t be beat.

Popular pizzas include the Spinach Mushroom, Ham and Pinnapple and Fellini’s Special. Fellini’s also has great salads and calzones. As well known as they are for their popular menu items, Fellini’s is also known around Atlanta for their great patios. Almost all include a fountain like the Ponce location shown, and are always bustling with people.

Lenox Square Grill You may know about the burrito chain with the same name, but the original Mo’s resides on the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont Road. They have been serving up great pizza for over 30 years! Mo’s menu isn’t limited to pizza either: sandwiches, subs, wings, nachos and salads ensure that anybody who comes here can find something they like. Come to Mo’s to watch the Braves or just enjoy the pleasant weather this Spring. They have a great deck to hang out on with plenty of seating. Mo’s is one of the longest running pizza joints in Atlanta, come see why they are one of the best.

Copeland’s

3131 Cobb Pkwy 770.612.3311 1142 Barrett Pkwy 770.919.9612 3365 Piedmont Rd. 404.475.1000 www.CoplandsAtlanta.com

Lenox Square Mall 404.841.2377 www.CentraArchy.com Indulge in fresh American cuisine at Lenox Square Grill. Enjoy lunch and dinner daily serving signature Mac Skillets, the creative side of homemade macaroni and cheese; Southern favorites such as She Crab Soup, a rich and creamy Charleston classic and Country Fried Steak; breakfast on Saturday and Sunday brunch, a full service buffet. Take a break from shopping at Lenox Square and relax on the large patio with a $1.95 House Brand cocktail or glass of wine- all day every day! Find them on Facebook for updates and weekly events.

Buckhead Saloon

3227 Roswell Rd. 404.963.7739 www.buckheadsaloonatlanta.com

Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant and Bar offers great Cajun inspired patio/courtyard seating at all three of their Atlanta restaurants. Enjoy $5 Martini's and $6 Appetizers while listening to live jazz during Jazzy Fridays, every Friday 6pm - 9pm on their patio/courtyards this spring. While many like taking in the patio scene when meeting with friends over famous New Orleans cocktails, Copeland's patio/courtyards also offers their full menu.

Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant 2641 Buford Hwy. 404.325.2898 www.panchomexican.com

Buckhead’s largest patio resides at Buckhead Saloon. This popular hangout offers live music Thursdays through Saturdays. During the week enjoy their Half-Priced Happy Hour menu and $1 Tacos on Tuesdays and $5 Burgers with Fries on Wednesdays. Trivia is held Wednesday nights. New this spring is Buckhead Saloon’s Tex Mex style brunch served on the weekends. Enjoy the southwestern fare along with Mimosas and their Bloody Mary Bar. Buckhead Saloon’s patio is dog friendly so bring your pooch. Don’t forget to head here May 5th for the largest Cinco de Mayo party in Buckhead.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe’

1655 McLendon Ave. 404.687.8888 1001 Piedmont Ave. 404.874.8887 Catering 404.849.2283 flyingbiscuit.com Pancho’s is known as one of Atlanta’s best Mexican restuarants. They do brisk business for both lunch and dinner. Their lunch specials start at just $4.99 (Mon-Fri) accompanied by $3.50 lunch cheese dips. For dinner Pancho’s offers a variety of combination platters for just $9.95. In spring their patio seating is in high demand. Patrons love their $1off second regular margarita deal and their famous Monster burritos. Pancho’s features Trivia on Thursday nights and live music Saturday nights. Make plans to come early on May 5th for Atlanta’s best Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Fellini’s

7 Area locations www.fellinisatlanta.com

The Flying Biscuit serves great breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Their Midtown location (shown) near Piedmont Park allows for dining inside or on their corner patio. The patio is surrounded by windows which come off when the weather cools in spring, offering great views of the bustling Midtown scene.

This Spring, come in to the Midtown and Candler Park Flying Biscuit locations and enjoy their weekly pancake specials. A different sweet pancake is featured each week.

PANCHO’S

Catering Now Available

Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Home of tHe

monster margarita! atlanta’s Largest Cinco De mayo Celebration HUGE Outdoor Patio!

Thursdays - (NEW) TRIVIA! Saturdays – LIVE MUSIC 2641 BUFORD HIGHWAY | ATLANTA, GA 30324 404-325-2898 | PANCHOMEXICAN.COM

Hours • M-Th 11am-10pm • Fri 11am-11pm Sat 12pm-11pm • Sun 1pm-10pm PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

FILM

GET OFF MY LAWN!

My Weird, Wild, Hilariously Awkward Interview With Cloris Leachman

By Bret Love

I

f you’ve ever watched the legendary cloris Leachman– from her breakthrough roles on iconic ‘70s sitcoms The Mary tyler Moore Show and Phyllis to her more recent work on dancing with The Stars and raising hope– you know that the madcap comedienne has made being “a piece of work” her stock in trade. But nothing can quite prepare you for the awkwardly hilarious experience of talking to the woman one-on-one.

You’ve been busier than ever the last couple of years. Are you and Betty White having some sort of competition?

(Snidely) No, but I can’t seem to do an interview without her name being put in it!

You’ve worked fairly consistently throughout your career, but you seem to be having a major resurgence after being cast on Dancing With The Stars.

How did that come about?

I wouldn’t call it a resurgence. It was a big surge, not a resurgence. everybody watches it. you couldn’t miss me, and that’s all it was… just more publicity.

Was that what appealed to you about that gig? do you think that’s what would be the appeal for me? well, think again... (awkward pause) I just wanted to dance. That’s the fun of it. why would I want to get more publicity? That’s part of it, but it’s not what you want. It was about the fun of dancing.

We often hear about the downsides of growing older as a woman in Hollywood. What are the upsides? you’ve said, “growing older” several times, but that’s not my experience. I’m six years old! that’s my experience. (Long, awkward pause, then she laughs.)

So you don’t let age be an issue? oh, I hate it. It’s the most horrible thing in the world. don’t ever get to be as old as I am! I don’t recommend it. It’s just dumb. whoever figured out that we’re going to age is just stupid.

You’ve been working constantly. What have been the keys to staying gainfully employed?

(Sarcastically) I’m always working in my house and I have a lot of kids… they always need things.

I’m not trying to stay busy. It’s just what I do. Somebody books me or calls me and I do it. It’s easy. I’m just a person having a lot of fun in my life. I have a wonderful family and that’s my life. I’m not thinking of getting publicity. I’m not thinking of directing my career. I don’t manage it. I don’t steer it. My son George just stuck his head in and said, “I do!” you have people who do that sort of thing.

So maybe not caring is the key? (emphatically) There’s no key. There’s no lock.

There’s no door. I just have fun.

You’ve been nominated for 20 Emmy Awards over the years. How has the TV business changed most in the decades since you were on the Mary Tyler PG 10 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

MY ShErri AMOur

We’re not ashamed of our love for The View co-host/30 Rock co-star/Newlywed Game star Sherri Shepherd

By DeMarco WILLIaMs

S

Moore Show?

I don’t know. every show is different. I’m doing raising hope right now, and that is quite different.

The biggest difference is just that it’s filmed now. with live shows, where you perform in front of an audience, the entire system for getting it begun and finished is very different from filming. with filming, I got done at 1aM the night before last.

You’ve worked with Mel Brooks numerous times, and almost revived your role in the Broadway production of Young Frankenstein a few years ago. yes, I was very sick when we flew there to read for the [young frankenstein] backers originally. I was so sick that I shouldn’t have been out of bed.

I think he was scared I was going to die on stage! of course, I wouldn’t do that and, if I did, so what?! (awkward chuckle) I heard two other things: one of the producers said I would be the only one from the original cast and felt that they should really make a complete break and let the Broadway show have its own life, which I think was a good idea. also, the director, who did the choreography for Showboat, had promised her friend she was going to play my part. So that’s what happened. what are your favorite memories of your creative partnership with Mel? In all the times we worked together, he gave me one line reading only: “Stay close to the candles– the staircase can be treacherous.” he came up to me and said, “Stay close to the candles– the staircase caN be treacherous.” he lifted the “caN be treacherous” because we’d actually just lost a couple of people falling on the other side of the stairway!

(Laughs) What attracted you to your current role on Raising Hope?

It’s wonderful to be in a series when you know you’re going to be there every week, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a funny part, and I love the man writing it (creator Greg Garcia). we trust each other and we just have fun. Someimes I’ll ask him, “what am I going to do next?” and he’ll say, “I don’t know– I haven’t written it!” It’s so much fun.

Do you think you’ll ever retire from show business, or is the goal to keep working as long as you’re able?

I don’t like the word “busy.” I really don’t like to be busy. I’m not trying to create a lot of busyness.

There’s too much energy in busyness. It’s all about doing the roles. It’s important because “busy” is just doing a lot of stuff, and I don’t like to do that. I like to do meaningful good stuff. I never wanted to waste anybody’s time.

herrI ShePherd waNtS to lose a few pounds before she walks down the aisle in august. She could go the cardio route, of course. hot yoga might also do the trick. or, she could just keep doing what she’s been doing—living her own amazingly hectic life. with a typical day that’s stuffed with debating on The view, being the bubbly host on The Newlywed Game and playing tracy Morgan’s wife on 30 rock, the 43-year-old chicago native can drop a dress size just from running to different sets. Now, toss in being a full-time mother, a part-time producer and a sometime comedienne and you have yourself a fool-proof plan for burning off weight…and making your pockets fat.

What is it like being “married” to Tracy Morgan?

It’s a blast. It’s funny being married to tracy on 30 rock. I think, when I did my first episode with him, I was a little intimidated because I didn’t know if he’d want this like totally voluptuous woman to play his wife. all I’ve ever played have been, you know, the secretary or best friend. I was a little scared when I first walked to the set and he saw me. and he said, “I love a big girl. we’re going to have fun.”

With all the things that you do -The View, The Newlywed Game, your TV guest appearances and your upcoming movies and your upcoming TV pilot- how do you balance your time? And which fulfills you the most creatively? you know what. each medium is so different. I love being on The view. That’s something where I get to share my opinion and talk with girlfriends. and then I get to go over to the other side and play this crazy, crazy person named angie Jordan [on 30 rock]. and then I get to go and do a film like Precious and, you know, bring out the dramatic side. So it is really fulfilling.

If Tina Fey invited you, would you want to join 30 Rock as a regular cast member?

In a heartbeat I would go over to 30 rock. and you wouldn’t even have to say anything. I’d be over there going, “where’s my dressing room?

Give me the script and let me memorize my lines.” I love that show.

Is 30 Rock or The View the more intimidating place?

Being on The view was probably a little bit more intimidating because sometimes you say your opinion and you get in a lot of trouble. Joy Behar said to me my first day, “as soon as you open your mouth, you’re going to lose half your audience.” and we have found that out.

Personally, I think– whether you admit it or not– you are busy because you are popular, despite your lack of interest in being popular. oh, I want to be popular, I just don’t want to be busy (big laugh)!

When you get negative feedback from the fans though, how do you process that personally?

That’s what I’m paid to do.

I am paid to give my personal opinions. If I didn’t -if none of those ladies sat at the table, if we didn’t give our opinion- it’d be a pretty boring show. we don’t take it personally. we get along really great because we respect each other.

So do you think you’ll ever retire?

No, they’re going to have to take a lead pipe to get rid of me. I don’t blame them, either.

Just do it fast…

You enjoy working with Tina Fey? I love it. I absolutely love working with tina fey. She’s funny and we’re both moth-

ers. our kids are the same age. I got the job because I was on The ellen deGeneres Show and I was talking about my son, who was just born. and I was talking about pumping and how that breast pump makes our breasts look crazy. tina fey was watching the show, pumping at the same time. So, that’s how we connected. Between the camera breaks, we’re talking about our kids.

Do you ever think you’ll get to the point where you think, “Okay, I can relax” or do you like being busy with this many hands in different things?

I don’t think anybody in this business ever, even the most successful person in this business, goes, “I can relax.” I think this is the most unstable business to be in. even when my fiancé was thinking about marrying me, I’m like, “do you know I could not have a job tomorrow?” you are always sitting there going what else can I do now, especially while things are hot. you’re always hustling.

How is your relationship with the ladies of The View? Do you guys hang out off stage and are they invited to your wedding? yes of course, everybody’s invited. all my ladies are invited. Barbara walters is actually giving me a bridal shower. elisabeth hasselbeck is one of my bridesmaids. So, they are all invited. do we get to hang out? Not as much as we did the very first season because everybody’s so busy. Joy [Behar] has her show on hLN that she leaves every day after the view to do. whoopi [Goldberg] is producing Sister act on Broadway. and Barbara walters has 87 jobs.

So, as soon as we leave the view, we have to go and work so we don’t get to hang out as much, which I hate. I keep telling everybody, “can we do a slumber party? can we go bowling? can we play softball?” Just trying to get everybody’s schedule together is a little hard now. elisabeth and I hang out because we have kids the same age. Jeffrey goes swimming with [elisabeth’s children] taylor, Isaiah and Grace. and we actually had dinner at elisabeth’s house [recently].

It was so funny because elizabeth sent me an email and she said, “what does Jeffrey eat? what are his allergies?” I told her and she says, “okay, we’re going to have this great dinner.” and then I get over to the house and she gives me a takeout menu to order my dinner. we had this huge dinner that was all takeout. I love her because she’s just a regular mom just like me.

You may know about the burrito chain with the

Taste of the Month-BRUNCH! Make plans now for Easter and Mother’s Day The Flying Biscuit

8 Area Locations flyingbiscuit.com Catering Hotline 404.849.2283 The Flying Biscuit serves great breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner specials 7 days a week starting at 7 am. One of Atlanta's favorite homegrown gems, The Flying Biscuit is known for their mouthwatering biscuits and original affordable menu items.

Their signature dish is The Flying Biscuit Breakfast served with two large farm-fresh eggs with free-range chicken and sage breakfast sausage. If you are in the mood for an omelet, The Flying Biscuit has several including the health conscious Hollywood Omelet made from egg whites, spinach, mushrooms & mozzarella cheese topped with a warm tomato sauce.

Enjoy Weekend Sweet Specials on a variety of pancakes; chocolate chip, blueberry and more!

Get your Flying Biscuit gear: cookbooks containing Flying Biscuit recipes, jars of their famous Apple Butter, plus t-shirts and travel mugs. The Flying Biscuit offers an organic-friendly menu and bakery and is a great choice for catering.

Call their catering hotline or check The Flying Biscuit website for the store location nearest you.

Canoe

4199 Paces Ferry Rd. 770.432.2663 www.canoe-atl.com

Since its opening in 1995, Canoe has become a nationally-recognized destination while at the same time keeping its roots in the neighborhood.

Nestled between Vinings, Buckhead, and Smyrna, Canoe rests on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, offering guests a unique, comfortable atmosphere for those who enjoy upscale, innovative American cuisine. The patio and gardens are a sought-after location for weddings and private parties and are a popular attraction for those looking to celebrate Mother's Day, Easter or school graduations this spring.

Among the samplings from their great brunch menu include the Soft Scrambled Eggs served with baby Maine shrimp, Meyer lemon and tomato hollandaise. The Brioche Smoked Salmon "Eggs Benedict" is served with toasted English Muffins and citrus hollandaise. Their French Toast comes with banana-mascarpone, walnuts and fresh berries. Also try their Crispy Rock Shrimp Salad made with napa cabbage, julienne carrots, sweet pepper remoulad. New to the gardens, Canoe features a River Bar serving guests libations riverside. Enjoy brunch cocktails, a variety of local beers and wines by the glass while you relax and take in the scenery of springtime in the south.

Canoe serves brunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., offers lunch on weekdays and dinner everyday. Reservations recommended.

Copeland’s

3131 Cobb Pkwy Cumberland 770.612.3311 1142 Barrett Pkwy Kennesaw 770.919.9612 3365 Piedmont Rd. Buckhead 404.475.1000 www.CopelandsAtlanta.com

at all three locations from 10am to 3pm.

Copeland's Traditional New Orleans Jazz Brunch Buffet has the best brunch value in Atlanta. A sampling of what is offered includes: a Prime Rib & Honey Ham Carving Station, Peel and Eat Shrimp Boat, made to order Omelet Station and a Brioche French Toast & French Belgian Waffles Station. The Jazz Brunch also has a extravagant dessert station that includes a Chocolate Tower with assorted dippers, fruits and cakes. For those who don't want the buffet, or during the other days of the week, patrons can choose from their large menu. Some popular brunch items include: Eggs Benedict, Cajun Scrambled Eggs, Pork Loin Sausage and Apple Wood Smoked Bacon. Eggs are served any style and many of the buffet items like the Brioche French Toast are available on the menu. You can also order from their Omelet Station.

Copeland's is open 7 days a week. Bring the family and start a Sunday tradition with their New Orleans Live Jazz Brunch Buffet.

Served from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

New Orleans Sunday Brunch Buffet

ing Featuivre L usic Jazz M o 3 PM 1A From 1

M

t

J. Christopher’s

20 Metro Area Locations www.jchristophers.com

Known for its bright and contemporary, casual dining experience, J. Christopher's has been serving traditional breakfast and lunch favorites, as well as unique menu items since 1996. An eclectic array of artwork adorns the walls of each restaurant, further enhancing the dining experience. Signature menu items include Blueberry Crunchcakes, Eggs Benedict and Eggs Christopher, which is a unique spin on a customer favorite – think Eggs Benedict with smoked turkey, crispy bacon and sliced tomato. J. Christopher’s also offers southwestern-inspired dishes, skillets, omelets, pancakes, waffles, salads, sandwiches and a host of delicious coffee drinks.

By partnering with its patrons, J. Christopher’s supports communities throughout Georgia, raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Adopt-A-Family, Susan G. Komen Foundation and many others. J Christopher’s is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and now has 20 Metro Atlanta locations. Patio seating and private rooms are available at most locations. Contact your closest J. Christopher’s location to book your next family or corporate event.

BUCKHEAD CUMBERLAND KENNESAW 404-475-1000 770-612-3311 770-919-9612

www.CopelandsAtlanta.com

Lenox Square Grill

Lenox Square Mall 404.841.2377 www.CentraArchy.com

Indulge in fresh American cuisine at Lenox Square Grill. Enjoy lunch and dinner daily serving signature Mac Skillets, the creative side of homemade macaroni and cheese; Southern favorites such as She Crab Soup, a rich and creamy Charleston classic and Country Fried Steak; breakfast on Saturday and Sunday brunch, a full service buffet. Take a break from shopping at Lenox Square and relax on the large patio with a $1.95 House Brand cocktail or glass of wine- all day every day! Find them on Facebook for updates and weekly events.

Buckhead Saloon

3227 Roswell Rd. 404.963.7739 www.BuckheadSaloonAtlanta.com

Home of the New Orleans Live Jazz Brunch Buffet. This popular buffet is served on Sunday

Buckhead Saloon is now offering a Tex Mex style Brunch on the weekends. Enjoy Mimosas and their Bloody Mary Bar. Buckhead Saloon’s patio is dog friendly so bring the pooch along after the morning walk.

PG 11 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

dishe siblin

FILM

2011 Festival Sees 35th Year with over 125 Films

EIGHT FESTIVE WEEKENDS!

AprIl 16 THru JuNE 5 PURCHASE DISCOUNT TICKETS ONLINE TODAY! WWW.GArENFEST.coM

Saturdays & Sundays including Memorial Day 10:30am – 6pm OPEN RAIN OR SHINE! Located on I-85 at Exit 61 - Fairburn FOLLOw uS ON

By Rodney HILL

N

AGT 11 8x5postcard:Postcard Invitation 3 3/24/11 2:04 PM Page 1

H I G H M U S E U M O F A R T AT L A N TA

BENEFITING THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART

HOSTED BY ART PARTNERS

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2011 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. RAIN OR SHINE

$20 per person through May 12 | $25 after May 12 and at the door

This self-guided tour of seven private gardens focuses on art and design. Environments include contemporary, formal and intimate cottage gardens located in Buckhead, Ansley Park, Midtown, and Druid Hills. Enjoy vibrant spring blooms, inviting waterfalls, and unique outdoor features, as well as a spectacular array of art and artists.

urban chic garden party —— IN THE WESTSIDE PROVISIONS DISTRICT ——

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 7 TO 10 P.M. Hors d’ oeuvres, cocktails, music, and silent auction • $30 per person

Gold Sponsor

TICKETS: Visit High.org/gardentour or call 404-733-4521

Available Tuesday, April 5th PG 12 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

ow in its 35th year, the Atlanta Film Festival will run from April 28 through May 7, with over 125 dramatic, documentary and animated features and short films shown at three Atlanta-area theatres: the festival hub will be located at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema; additional screenings (including some classic film showings) will take place at the Plaza Theatre; and a more focused selection of films will be presented at the Lefont Sandy Springs.

Festival highlights will include the opening night film, Azazel Jacob’s Terri, presented by Turner Broadcasting, and starring Academy Award® nominee John C. Reilly (Cyrus, Chicago) and newcomer Jacob Wysocki in the title role. Terri is an acutely observed comedy that follows a lovable overweight teenager and the vice principal (Reilly) who takes a personal interest in helping him embrace his outsider status. Another showcase event is the closing night gala, featuring the acclaimed film Africa United from Debs Gardner-Paterson, which follows the picaresque adventures of three Rwandan kids, who overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles with joy, laughter, hope and generosity during their 3,000-mile trek to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“We’re trying to make this as big and as high-profile a festival as we can,” says festival advisor and former board-member and interim director Tom Karsch, “with some of the best of independent cinema from the U.S. and internationally.” As in previous years, the Atlanta Film Festival will feature several different thematic “tracks” of films, such as African American cinema, a “Pink Peach” category comprised of LGBT-themed films, as well as a special retrospective category this year including some of the most outstanding films from 1976. Karsch

mation dissemination, and support among Georgia media artists and producers. As Karsch explains, “It really started as a resource for filmmakers back in the days when equipment was very expensive; so IMAGE explains, “1976 was the year of the Atlanta provided those resouces to filmmakers. Now, Film Festival’s ‘birth,’ and also a great year in everybody can be a filmmaker if they have a film. So we are trying to lock in a couple of flip-phone and access to editing software; so very high profile films from 1976 to supplenow we’re less of a resource-based organiment the festival.” At press time Karsch zation in terms of lending out equipment. could not confirm any of the titles from The year-round activities are more along 1976, but inSite was prompted to ask, “Are the lines of almost entry-level workshops, in you talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me?” We terms of how to get your resume together for certainly hope so. films, how to be an extra in films, accountA few of the other features films to be ing for films, etc.” In that same spirit, the shown during the festival include: John 2011 Atlanta Film Festival will also feature Gray’s White Irish Drinkers, about two an industry-focused conference for filmmakworking-class brothers who make a pact to ers and festival attendees. rob a local theater on the night This year, the festival received of a Rolling Stones concert; more than 1,500 film submisAtLAntA FILM the World Premiere of Lisa sions through their call for enFestIvAL Albright’s Coming Up Roses, tries, and most of the short films When starring Bernadette Peters; in the festival come from that April 28 – May 7 Klim Shpenko’s Russian-lanuage open call. For their feature-film mystery-drama, Kto Ya? (Who Where selections, festival organizers Am I?); Justin Chadwick’s The various Locations also looked at other major film First Grader, the true story of How Much festivals around the world and, an 84-year-old Kenyan villager ticket Prices vary according to Karsch, “cherrywho fights for his right to go picked films with some nameInfo to school for the first time; recognition, star power, and www.atlantafilmfestival.com the World Premiere of Laura some buzz. The quality of films Newman’s We Are The Hartthat we’re getting just continues mans, starring Richard Chamberlain; Celine to get better every year. It’s really amazing Danhier’s documentary Blank City, about what people are doing.” the independent filmmaking scene in 1970s Of course, Karsch admits, “You can’t get New York City; and Joni Steele Kimberlin’s every film that you want, but the beauty of Get Real! Wise Women Speak, featuring Jane this festival is that, since we don’t have a Fonda, Della Reese and Nikki Giovanni. big art-house community here in Atlanta, In addition to the opening-night and closour festivals become really important to the ing night galas, Karsch says that festivalfilm-lovers of Atlanta. This may be the only goers will enjoy other, similar parties as well: place that you’ll ever really be able to see “The opening and closing nights are the these films, especially on the big screen. A major events, but we’re looking to have some lot of these films will end up showing theatfun with the Royal Wedding, which is the rically in New York or L.A., but they’ll never second night of the festival; so there’s a fun make it to Atlanta for a full commercial party idea there. And Cinco de Mayo also run. So that’s where we’re a really valuable happens to fall during the course of the fesresource and a gateway for film-lovers in tival, so we hope to tie into that significant, Atlanta. There’s a buzz in the Atlanta film fun party holiday.” community now that was missing a few years Now in its fourth decade, the Atlanta Film ago, and that tends to happen when people Festival is the largest and longest-running are working in the industry and feel good film festival in the Southeast, reaching an about things; and that’s starting to happen audience of over 25,000 each year. Its parhere.” ent organization, ATL Film 365, dates back Tickets and schedule information for the to its founding as IMAGE Film & Video 2011 Atlanta Film Festival are available Center in 1976, an outgrowth of the need through the festival website: www. for equipment access, networking, inforatlantafilmfestival.com.

FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD BATTLE: LA (PG-13) ★★★✩✩

“The aliens are coming!” How many times have we heard that before? While we wait for the little green men to arrive and lead us to certain doom, we can rest assured that Hollywood will keep the films coming that keep us in anticipation; feeding our disbelief or fueling our suspicions. That being said, Battle: Los Angeles was right on the money. The plot has us following a group of Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton who get thrown into a full-scale battle when extra terrestrials suddenly appear on the shores of Santa Monica, D-Day style. They quickly find out just how formidable these opponents are and as they scramble through the ruins of Los By B. Love Angeles to get to the “safe zone”, the enemy seems s one of AmericA’s most to be closing in tighter.

This is a sci-fi thriller at it’s core andsuccessful I’m sure and director Liebesman highJonathan profile business(“Darkness Falls”, “The Killing Room”) wouldn’t have men, Donald trump was well known it anybefore other way.

Unfortunately, thrillers can go long survivor producersci-fi mark Burnett wonderfully or horribly This film tinkers tapped him right to star in the wrong.

Apprentice.

But towardno thedenying latter duethat to a the number of…let’ s call them there’s reality show “mistakes”.

Mistake too many supporting turned trump from #1: a cartoonish curiosity cast members.

Aaron Eckhartwith (“Thank You For into a bonaBesides fide phenomenon, his signaSmoking, The Dark Knight”) Michele Rodriguez ture catchphrase– “You’re and fired!”– inextrica(“Avatar”, “Lost”did Mr. Liebesman want bly entering the TV), pop who culture lexicon. us to root for? became distracting I tried Although theThis Apprentice initially while flounto figure characterBurnett and theirand relationships dered a bitoutineach the ratings, trump to each other. #2: making yourbyentire film a stumbled uponMistake a winning formula recruitPSAsecondfor the armed forces. Maybe was inevitable ing and third-tier actors,it athletes, that patriotism was oozing of every edition crevice of models and musicians for out a celebrity auras, butthird I oftenincarnation, felt like they really ofthese the characters’ show. now in its wanted me to join the Marines or the Air Force. I the celebrity Apprentice tosses disparate couldsuch keepasgoing about this filmwrestler got things stars rocker Brethow michaels, wrong, butbaseball what theylegend did get Darryl right, was the emotion Goldberg, strawberry, attachedgovernor to the plot. people have common former ronWhen Blagojevich anda sharon enemy, we’re able to for set aside differences and band osbourne together a variety of teamtogether exercises to fight back. the end ofdesigned the movie, building and At challenges to I wastheir left with a sense mettle. of pride that comes from a deep test business human understanding of crazy-coiffed what it means toreal overcome “the Donald, ” as the seemingly insurmountable odds. Inrecently the end, aheld decent estate magnate if often known, endingwith to areporters horrific ordeal makesthe seeing this film court to discuss show’s worthwhile. current season.

–Kalena Smith Can you tell us a little bit about the selection process?

HEARTBEATS it’s very interesting,(N/A) because so many celebrities want to be on the show after the ★★✩✩✩ success the previous two seasons.

We turned Montrealof filmmaker Xavier Dolan, who just wanted some athletes, some actors, some 22, made the brilliant “I Killed My Mother” while still models and some wrestlers, so i looks would saylike a in his teens.

He follows it with what more probably people drama per spot first film –six anor arty,seven experimental full we of zooms, were turning and down. hardest thing is thatto slow-motion colorthe filters that call attention we really have some good people that want themselves and distract from the story. There are toalso go three on very badly.featuring But i guess maybecharacters we’ll interludes extraneous save them looks telling theirfor ownthesadnext loveshow, stories,because heavy onitdetail but like going toWhat happen. lightthat’s on context. begins as a contemporary “Jules and Jim” with a gender switch ends as “Will How is thiswithout seasonthe going to be different than and Grace” laughs.

Close friends Francis past seasons?

(Xavier Dolan) and Marie (Monia Chokri) both fall for Well, a success like we’vewho is the newwhen guy in you town,have Nicolas (Niels Schneider), had, you don’t like to do too many changes. quite intelligent even though he looks like a surfer and What we do have is a different tone. thehim cast his mother calls him an airhead. They pursue and has very they’ve been sharing very thebeen three do a lotinteresting: of things together, including tough very nasty, but there’s also aNicolas lot of is a bed and – platonically - more than once. fun and humor with respect to what happens, affectionate with both Marie and Francis but that’s as which think wegrowing had infrustration the last one. far as iti don’t goes, and their leads the With Joan [rivers]jealous and with [morgan], friends to become rivals.Piers It’s not a bad story itbut wasit really nasty people really hating each can’t compete with all the technique Dolan other. these people hate each other, but it’s throws at it. also funny. i think that might be the biggest differentiation in terms of the three –Steve casts.Warren

of his father, the Easter Bunny (voiced by Hugh Laurie). Sharing his determination is Carlos (Hank Azaria’s voice), the chick who’s second in command but wants the top job. Young E.B. (voiced by Brand) runs away from Easter Island to try to make it as a rock drummer in Hollywood. His fate soon becomes entwined with that of Fred O’Hare (James Marsden, showing a surprising flair for broad comedy), who’s trying to extend his adolescence to middle age, if his parents (Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins) don’t throw him out first. We’re told at the outset that Fred will become “the first human Easter Bunny,” so it’s just a matter of watching things play out. There are a few cameo surprises and good gags involving a globe, a map and jelly beans; but overall “Hop” is about on a par with director Hill’sthem Alvin and Chipmunks, through readingTim about for the so many another animation/live-action combo, and wellyou below years, but a lot of times somebody that the same production company’ s Despicable Me. don’t think of so highly turns out to be a star.

–Steve Warren You just don’t know what will happen with pressure and the heat of battle.

The Donald Waxes Rhapsodic On The Celebrity Apprentice, “You’re Fired!” & Fixing NBC

A

Can you(PG) usually tell right off the bat who is HOP going to do well and who isn’t? ★★★✩✩ that’s always the most interesting quesDetermined to avoid Mr. ofKaty Perry, tion to me because i’dbecoming like to think myself is Brand-ing himself asRussell being Brand okay with people. But oftenthis i’ll month, say, between title role vocalheturn “this onethe is going to of beArthur a star,”and andhisthen in this family-friendly fable of a slacker bunny who’s turns out to be a dud. You never really know. determined to follow the rabbit’ s footsteps You feel likenot you’ve knownin these celebrities

INSIDIOUS (PG-13)

What does a celebrity have to do to really ★★★✩✩ set themselves apart and show that they’re inIt’sitato winthing it? to do these days, making a horror tough i can you from 1 and 2theand film thattell actually leavesseasons a mark beyond theater. from regular really few We’rethe doing goodApprentice, to get a legitpeople scare every want win. every in ita into whileyour you’ll years,tobut a rare filmonce makes mind for have often. the longera quitter, than the but timeititdoesn’t takes tohappen sleep through i night. think Somehow, the reasonAussie they do it is the level filmmakers JamesofWan intensity feel for their charity. and Leighthey Whannell have found a wayUnlike to capture the thatregular essence,Apprentice, initially withwhere their somebody first film, 2004’s works fornow me for good salary a in Saw, and witha apretty new deliverance of for terror year, with It’s thistheone theofmoney to parented charInsidious. story a younggoes family, ity. weand raised millions of settling dollars.into

by Last Rose year Byrnes Patrick Wilson, everybody a charity that they love;from some a new househaswith three children.

Aside the are foundations themselves expected stress ofthey’ve starting set over,upstrange things start years in advance show. i think to happen around of thethe house.

Theso alarm goesthey off in really fight of more intense because it’s a charthe middle the night, stuff keeps getting moved around, their oldest for. son falls into an unexplained ity they’re fighting coma and strange sounds get picked up on the baby monitor. slowly envelops bothtothe house What areEeriness your favorite challenges watch andcelebrities the film, and you find yourself on the edge of the tackle? your seat, jump or a deep shudder.

Well, weawaiting do havea agood lot of different challengBoth come, but thinktoyou’ll be able of to predict es, whether we don’t go back the selling the it. The writer-director team aceselse the very scarebasic tactic, lemonade or doing something leaving you terrified to stay in your seat and anxious without having to deal with Proctor & Gamto or getKodak, the lights on. It’s [sponsor-based what we’ve been ble etc.back sometimes waiting for inare thesort realm scary films, but a completely challenges] of ofinteresting, they’re unique story, creep to sendsuggest you home expensive forone us to do. enough the ratings checking yourfavorite surroundings andthecertainly leaving that the fans’ part of show by its is mark. miss it, but this alone. far the Don’t boardroom, anddon’t the see boardroom has gotten longer over the years because of –Jenni Williams that. the challenges still have plenty of time and we’re focused on both aspects, but we have trying to lengthen (R) the boardroom KILLbeen THE IRISHMAN because of strong viewer requests.

★★✩✩✩

You’re a prosecuting attorney the indie There’slike a major problem with this in gritty boardroom.

Do youcrime meter to about an organized turfyour war approach that took place in mid-‘70s Cleveland, and for me it began the different personalities? minute Stevenson Eli, Punisher: War Yes, i Ray think you deal(Book withOf different people Zone) appeared screen.

Physically, Stevenson differently. i dealonwith Goldberg differently is large andwith intimidating enough to be believable than i deal Governor Blagojevich. i as Irish mobster Greene, headdealt with DennisDanny rodman and who Joanwent rivers to-head with the some mafia of in his power. But differently than thequest otherforcontes(to quote critic Steven Rea) tants.

YouPhiladelphia have to haveInquirer that ability. as a lead actor, the guy’s “got as much charisma as a potato. surrounded by excellent How do you” Stevenson feel goingisback in the boardactorsafter (including Kilmer, Vincent D’Onofrio room a littleValhiatus? and Christopher their talents i just get a greatWalken), kick outbut of even it. i really like Hensleigh’s itcan’t a lot.elevate they writer-director want to renewJonathan it for another wooden, mobster-flick-by-numbers script. It’s two or three seasons, and we’re thinking a shame, because Greene typical about that.too, i like having a littlewas bitnot of aabreak gangster, shows, and thewhere story ofithis raging battleaagainst between goes on once year. loan shark Shondor Birns (Walken) could’ve proven compelling the hands of a more capable director Do you everinfeel bad about firing someone, starjust (say, perhaps orand is it part of theRussell job? Crowe and Ridley Scott).

As itfeel is, it’s simply mediocre adaptation i always bad… no,a not always. some- of an intriguing times i don’t story. like people. the hard ones are when you really like and respect somebody –B. Love and they make a mistake. Like, as an ex-

(404), (678), (706), (770), (812), (888)

It turned out to But It was a “THE SCARIEST MOVIE IN DECADES!” FLuke. durIng the very FIrst show I was a LIttLe Atlanta INsite • 2x7’’ BeFria4/1 good phrase,

JobID#: 491092 -Ed Douglas, COMINGSOON.net Name: 0401_Art_AtlINste.pdf #100 3/31/11 10:40 AM pt

exasperated wIth one oF the contestants and I used the LIne, “you’re*491092* FIred!” when [producer] Mark Burnett and I agreed to do the show we dIdn’t have that. we thought we’d say, “get the heLL out oF here” or soMethIng. ample, scott Hamilton, from the last season. i had to let scott go. i’m a great fan of scott: He won olympic gold medals and he’s a great champion. But he understood that he made a mistake on the show and i really had no choice. i felt very badly about that, because i considered him to be a great person, but i have to do what’s right. it’s never fun, but it’s easier when i don’t like somebody or when they’re really, really bad.

That line, “You’re fired,” became a pop culture phenomenon. Can you talk about the origin of it? it turned out to be a good phrase, but it was a fluke. During the very first show i was a little exasperated with one of the contestants and i used the line, “You’re fired!”

When [producer] mark Burnett and i agreed to do the show we didn’t have that. We thought we’d say, “Get the hell out of here” or something. And all of a sudden America went crazy over the show. it happens to be a great catchphrase. tV Guide or one of the major entertainment magazines did a poll and, after “Here’s Johnny!” and one other great, it was #3 on the top 100 phrases in television history! so that was a pretty big honor. it’s been an amazing thing and an amazing phrase that just seems to work. it really caught on, and THEMATIC MATERIAL, VIOLENCE, TERROR AND FRIGHTENING AND BRIEF STRONG it’s beenIMAGES, an amazing thingLANGUAGE to watch.

fact that you raised such self-sufficient children?

Well, i’m getting a lot of credit on the children. everybody’s been asking about ivanka and the answer is yes, she’ll be back on the show. But they’re very good kids. they went to very good schools, and they were great students. i couldn’t wait to get them on the show. i had no idea the show would be into itsninth and tenth season, which is pretty amazing in the world of television.

There’s been lots of news surrounding NBC lately, and your show does well for them.

What you think NBC needs to do to get back in the ratings game?

Well, i know Jeff Gaspin (chairman of nBc Universal television entertainment) and, as you know, he’s new to the role. i think he’s going to do a spectacular job at nBc. they need more shows like the Apprentice. not necessarily from a reality standpoint, but they need shows that capture the imagination. frankly, certain shows that are on should be changed because, while they get some pretty good reviews, they don’t get people watching. it’s nice to get both. We’ve had emmy nominations and a lot of good accolades passed our way, and that’s always nice. But ultimately you have to have people watch. nBc is going to really do LISTINGS well. i know CHECK LOCAL FORi THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES their leadership and think they’re winners, so i think they’ll turn it around. www.insidious-movie.com

IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE APRIL 1

What do you think is your biggest accomplishment, your FOLLOW US ON business success AND or the 5” X 7"

PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

ATLANTA INSIGHT

FRI 4/1

LIMITLESS (PG-13)

PAUL (R)

RED RIDING HOOD (PG-13)

★★★★✩

★★★✩✩

★★★✩✩

When his girlfriend (Abbie Cornish) dumps him, Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) doesn’t invent Facebook. He discovers NZT-48, a drug that actually gives him the mental powers Charlie Sheen’s drugs make him think he has. Applying his newly enhanced brain to the stock market makes Eddie an overnight millionaire and attracts the attention of powerful tycoon Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro), a guy you know doesn’t pay his fair share of taxes. The illegal drug’s in short supply so if its side effects don’t get Eddie first, sinister forces might. The script, based on Alan Glynn’s novel “The Dark Fields,” is as intelligent as a viewer can stand without NZT, and CG effects do to the camerawork what the drug does to Eddie’s brain. One incredible tracking shot appears to take us from Harlem to Times Square in about ten seconds, but the whole movie seems less “Inception”-inspired than “The Adjustment Bureau” does. Cooper’s fine in the lead but the real treat is seeing De Niro, with relatively little screen time, back in form after a string of stinkers.

Director Neil Burger (“The Illusionist,” “Interview with the Assassin”) makes it a thinking person’s thriller that was wisely released before mindless summer blockbusters take over the not-limitless audience.

–Steve Warren

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the comedic cinema duo that brought us Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, are back together again. In Paul, the two British “nerds on the lam from Comic-Con” set out to explore the greatest American sites of alien visitation. They drive cross-country in an RV, visiting Area 51, the Black Mailbox, Camp Verde… and accidentally pick up a genuine alien along the way. Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) is on the run from some shadowy government agency that has held him captive for years and wants him back. Viewed plainly, the story is simple. What makes Paul worth watching is the interaction of the characters. Pegg and Frost work well together – we’ve known that for some time – but they work incredibly well with the other actors. Rogen as Paul is crude, irreverent, and more enjoyable than he’s been in anything recently. Jason Bateman is excellent as Agent Zoyle, the Fed who ruthlessly pursues the fleeing alien. There are also enjoyable appearances

by Jane Lynch, David Koechner, Sigourney Weaver, Steven Spielberg and Blythe Danner. This movie is FUNNY. Seldom have I heard a movie-going audience let loose so many belly laughs. The language is awful and insulting while being clever and, in some odd way, charming. Pegg and Frost wrote the script, which explains much of why it fits the two of them so well. There are a couple of slow moments and it goes over the top occasionally, but the film is worth watching and is extremely entertaining.

–Justin Patterson

The latest film by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, the first Twilight) has been underrated, but dammit, it looks like a fairy tale so I give it an A for Atmosphere. I also like the whodunit nature of the narrative, in which almost anyone might be the werewolf who’s terrorizing the village, even werewolf-hunting priest Father Solomon (Gary Oldman) or Red’s kindly Grandmother (Julie Christie). Less successful is the romantic triangle.

Any woman in the audience would kill for either of the men Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is torn between– wealthy Henry (Max Irons), her parents’ choice; or poor Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), her true love. The villagers have been sacrificing animals monthly to the local werewolf, but now it’s upped the stakes by starting to kill humans. When it shows a particular interest in Valerie, her neighbors opt to sacrifice her, but can they keep the girl in the hood from going to Grandma’s house? Red Riding Hood doesn’t have the bite of Neil Jordan’s The Company of Wolves or the seductive power of Hardwicke’s Twilight, but it does have a timeless charm.

–Steve Warren

LINCOLN LAWYER (R) ★★★✩✩ Although this is a solid story unfolding inside the courtroom, the film is constantly interrupted by actions both inside and out—a random love story that produced a child, a paternal back-story never explored, and far too many endings. McConaughey is back to his old self though—attractive, smooth talking and charming; plus, he’s got all the right lines, unblemished nerves of steel and the girl. As a defense lawyer, he’s catching heat for protecting the guilty and currently proving innocence in a young high-profiler accused of brutally assaulting a prostitute. Now, we won’t give anything away that you haven’t already figured out from the trailers, but you are in for a great trial, despite the demise of this film as a whole. Ryan Phillippe farther proves he only has one dimension and Marisa Tomei is left to give this movie all of its credibility.

She and McConaughey offer believable chemistry, but again, it isn’t relevant to the story in the least. I wouldn’t make the trek for this one in the theatres, but if you need a mindless night on your couch, go ahead and put it on your Netflix queue.

–Jenni Williams

OF GODS AND MEN (R) ★★✩✩✩ While I’d hate to see a Jerry Bruckheimer/Michael Bay version of this fact-based story, it’s hard to believe Xavier Beauvois was able to make it so boring (and win the Grand Prix at last year’s Cannes Film Festival for it). Lovers of Gregorian chant will enjoy the many scenes of prayer that establish the daily routine of the Monastére de l’Atlas– a relic of French colonization in the mountains of Algeria– in the mid-‘90s. The eight Christian monks who live there get along famously with their Muslim neighbors, including running a free medical clinic for them. When Islamic fundamentalists start murdering foreigners and locals who don’t toe their strict line, the government offers the monastery military protection, but the monks decline. As the threat grows still more serious the monks refuse to leave, the Catholics oddly echoing Martin Luther: “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise.” They seem to know when the end is near because they gather in a “Last Supper”-like setting, bizarrely scored to music from “Swan Lake,” to laugh, cry and drink wine. Beauvois leaves most of the violence to our imagination, but leaves most of the drama there as well. What we see are peaceful, bucolic settings, long monologues and conversations, and a lot of chanted prayers. I’m not saying these are bad things, but they’re not good cinema.

–Steve Warren PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

POETRY (N/A) ★★★★✩ Lee Chang-dong’s Korean film opens with a middle schoolgirl’s body floating down a peaceful river. The main character, 66-year-old Mija (Yun Jung-hee) is introduced visiting a clinic with early Alzheimer’s, but her disease is forgotten for an hour as two other threads of her life are followed. Mija enrolls in a poetry writing class at the community center, where the teacher encourages her to focus on beautiful things for inspiration. But there is ugliness in her life too. Mija’s grandson Wook, who was left to live with her when her daughter took off for the big city, is one of six boys who drove the girl in the river to suicide by raping her repeatedly over several months. The other boys’ parents are trying to arrange a financial settlement with the girl’s mother. Mija, who works part-time as a maid, has no money to contribute. “Poetry” is about her journey, which is meticulously, if sometimes cryptically shown. It may be maddeningly slow at times but it pays off in the amazing ending, which may not represent justice but is damn sure poetic. You’ll never see a better film about AARP – Alzheimer’s Affliction, Rape and Poetry.

–Steve Warren

RANGO (PG) ★★★★✩ Pixar is the perennial favorite for the Best Animated Film Oscar. But, with Cars 2 due out this summer, they may want to lace up the gloves for a tough battle with this plucky animated Western. Voiced by Johnny Depp, Rango is one of the deepest, most intriguing heroes to grace a major Hollywood production in years (animated or otherwise). Ejected from the safety of his aquarium home, where he makes up imaginary movies in which he is the star, the geeky chameleon is forced to find his way across the desert in search of water. He winds up in a Wild West town populated with equally colorful and complex characters, concocting a hilarious backstory for himself as a gunslinging cowpoke capable of saving any town from ne’er-do-wells. But this is no simple good vs. evil morality tale: Rango is literate, intelligent, gleefully artistic and operates on myriad different levels, rewarding audiences willing to dig below the surface of the story with sly cinematic paeans to everything from Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas to the Man With No Name trilogy. It’s my favorite “kid’s film” in years, and an early favorite for the Top 10 films of 2011. (Thanks to Roswell’s Aurora Cineplex for making this review possible. Check them out at www. auroracineplex.com.)

–B. Love

SUCKER PUNCH (PG-13) ★★✩✩✩ When Zack Snyder made a movie about male warriors he needed “300” but with women, five is enough. Fanboys may be drawn to this feminist fable by the hot babes and copious effects, but too many redundant fantasy action sequences eventually take the “Gee!” out of “CG.” Orphaned Babydoll (Emily Browning) is committed to Lennox House for the Mentally Insane (as opposed to physically insane?) by her scuzzy stepdad after he kills her younger sister. Attendant Blue (Oscar Isaac) is bribed to see that Babydoll is lobotomized. That doesn’t happen for five days, but when it does we relive those days through Babydoll’s newly altered reality, which turns the institution into a whorehouse run by Blue and

VIDIOTS Upcoming DVD releases anD reViews

by b. loVe & John b. moore FriDay night lights: the FiFth season – I’ve never been so emotionally moved by a TV show as I was by this final season of NBC’s perennially under-appreciated classic. The show was never about football, but about the hopes, dreams, successes and failures of strikingly realistic characters inhabiting a small Texas town in which football is everything because it’s the ONLY thing. Bringing back Street, Riggins, Saracen, Landry, etc. was rewarding, but it was newer characters like Vince, Jess, Luke and Becky who made this final season sing, as well as the always excellent Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, the glue that held this exceptional show together. ganglanD: the Final season – There should be a drinking game based on this strangely addictive History Channel show: Take a shot every time a disguised gangbanger says, “You shoot at me, you better kill me with the first shot,” or when a tattooed thug poses with gun held sideways. Clichés aside, the series is fascinating and unsettling, documenting the stories of gangs through interviews and reenactments. Among the details exposed in these final episodes is the leader of a white supremacist gang who turns out to be a cross dresser.

We’ll miss you, Gangland. tarzan, VolUme one & two – When I was growing up, my boyish sense of adventure was stoked by regular afternoon and weekend viewings of classic TV shows and movies such as The Lone Ranger and Tarzan. These two DVDs– part of TCM’s Greatest Classic Films Collection– collect eight films following Edgar Rice Burroughs’ famed “Lord of the Jungle,” and comprise some of the best of the Tarzan flicks.

Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino). To this point “Sucker Punch” shows considerable promise, which it doesn’t keep as Babydoll befriends four other girls (Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung) and hatches an escape plot. She also shows untapped talent as a dancer with the ability to drive men wild, but instead of the dances we see the fantasies that go through her head as she does them, in locations ranging from a Chinese temple to a World War II battlefield to God knows where. Speaking of God, there’s a narrator who talks a lot about angels, with the ultimate implied message that we’re all here to be angels to each other. It’s a sweet thought but Zack’s angels have a rickety vehicle to drive it home in. If you’ve been jonesing for a mash-up of Annie, Kill Bill, Girl, Interrupted, Black Swan and Moulin Rouge with gratuitous pyrotechnics, Sucker Punch is the movie for you!

–Steve Warren

WIN WIN (R) ★★★★✩ Writer/Director Thomas McCarthy (The Visitor, The Station Agent) brings us the story of an indebt lawyer raising a family, coaching a hopeless wrestling team and managing a stress-oriented heart condition. He’s getting by, thanks to a series of lucky breaks that make life bearable, including the discovery of a star athlete who can take his team to the top. But as with all things that seem too good to be true, the good vibes threaten a façade and the story locks in from there. Starting off light and charming, it inconspicuously builds into an intricate mix of comedy and tenderness that leaves you slightly rocked at how deeply it’s touched you. Paul Giamatti soars as the lead, evoking emotions across the board in a script that finally makes him the one casting shadows.

Supported by a tough Amy Ryan and a hilarious Bobby Cannavale, they’re an under-the-radar surprise that make this a must-see.

–Jenni Williams

The pairing of Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan (as Jane) in 1932’s Tarzan The Ape Man and 1934’s Tarzan & His Mate remain as kitschy, campy and cool as ever, but Cheeta still steals the show every time.

tracy & hepbUrn: the DeFinitiVe collection – Redford & Newman. Pryor & Wilder. De Niro & Pacino.

Film history is littered with great duos, but few can rival the remarkable run by on- and off-screen soulmates Katherine Hepburn and Spenser Tracy. This 10-disc collection features all nine films this dynamic duo made over 25 years together, from their first meeting in the 1942 dramedy Woman Of The Year to their fantastic final film, 1967’s Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. It also includes a bevy of special features, including vintage shorts, classic cartoons, and “The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute By Katherine Hepburn.” A must-own for classic movie fans. treme: the complete First season – Any show David Simon creates will inevitably be compared to The Wire, but this post-Katrina New Orleansset series is brilliant TV. Built around compelling characters and thoughtful storylines about locals who just want to get back to living their lives, Treme is easily the best new show of last year.

Brilliant casting includes Steve Zahn as a white DJ, John Goodman as an English professor driven to YouTube rants about the federal government, and Khandi Alexander (in the best role of her career) as a local bar owner. the VentUre bros.: season 4, Vol. 2 – A show like this could only exist on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. The show centers around clueless brothers Dean and Hank Venture, their madman scientist father and his bodyguards. Four years into it, the series is still consistently LOL funny (particular on the noncensored DVDs). The second half of season four finds the brothers trying to get into college, Dean moving to NYC to take an internship and, in the stellar season ender, prom night for the homeschooled brothers.

Comedy

LAUGHING SKULL COMEDY FESTIVAL

Founder Marshall Chiles On The State of Atlanta’s Comedy Scene

By Bret Love

l

were in the suburbs. i was talking to a hotel guy et’s get this disclaimer out of up in roswell at a hilton property and asked him the way right up front: i’ve been a friend if he had any connections to hilton properties in and admirer of marshall chiles for near- midtown or Buckhead. he asked why, and i said i ly a decade now, ever since he took over booking wanted to open a place. he said, “i know a space talent at roswell’s Funny Farm comedy club. that’s really cool, but it’s only got 80 seats.” he From Bob saget and Bobcat goldthwait to showed me the space at the Vortex and i thought, christopher titus and ralphie may, chiles has “This is perfect for comedy!” it took me a couple put together some of the funniest standup shows months, but i talked the Vortex people into it. i’ve ever seen. But he’s also done a lot to promote atlanta’s homegrown talent, using them as openHow has the landscape of Atlanta comedy ing acts and headliners at both the Funny Farm changed in the last 10 years? and his second club, the laughing it’s gotten a lot stronger, there’s skull lounge. no doubt about it. The Funny Farm Laughing it helps that chiles is a comedian was one thing, but what has really skuLL Comedy helped the atlanta comedy scene is himself, with an edgy and intelligent approach that makes him an oddly festivaL the laughing skull lounge– havcompelling fit for the otP ‘burbs. when ing a hip, smart comedy club in the Now offering 1am “secret standup” april 6–9 middle of midtown that gives locals shows on saturdays at relapse Thewhere stage time. When i started out atre in midtown, chiles has firmly Laughing skull Lounge there was eddie’s attic on Wednesestablished himself as the city’s info days, uptown comedy corner and smartest comedy guru. We recently 877.Laff.at.u The Punchline. That was it. Now www.skullfestival.com sat down about this month’s second you can get onstage every single annual laughing skull comedy night of the week. i know 3 or 4 Festival and the current state of the comedians that have moved to atl comedy scene. atlanta just to be part of the scene.

How did you first get involved in the local comedy scene? i’ve been in atlanta my whole life, except for 4 years in athens. i always wanted to be in comedy since i was 7 years old, but i grew up poor and didn’t want to be a poor artist. my plan was to be successful in business, and have that money and skills to go into art. i had a company that went south during the dotcom craze. i was 30 years old, and i needed a change, so i started doing standup comedy. i started my own open mic night up in athens in this little bar called dt’s down under, and i got a lot of atlanta comedians to come up because there was no other place for them to perform on saturdays. i did that for a while, and then i started one at another bar in toccoa that wanted to do comedy. When the previous owner of the Funny Farm had a manager he needed to get rid of, he asked around, “Who around atlanta is doing comedy stuff?” my name kept coming up.

So that’s when you moved back to Atlanta?

Yeah, he hired me and i started managing the Funny Farm in 2002. he was booking it horribly and i said, “let’s step up the booking.” he was living in ohio and was so stressed out that he actually went to the hospital. at that point, he wanted out, so i bought it from him and startime entertainment and i built the place up and made it much more successful.

When did you decide to open the Laughing Skull? i saw the writing on the wall before startime closed down, so i was looking to start a new place in town because [Funny Farm and Punchline]

what has reaLLy heLped the atLanta Comedy sCene is the Laughing skuLL Lounge– having a hip, smart Comedy CLuB in the middLe of midtown that gives LoCaLs stage time.

What do you make of unconventional places like the Star Bar, Smith’s Olde Bar and The EARL doing comedy nights now?

People are always looking for new places to do standup comedy. decades ago, comedy was at jazz clubs and strip clubs. Nowadays, going into rock venues is becoming more and more prevalent, and i think that’s due to the comedians of comedy tour. most comedy clubs think they’re in the business of selling chicken fingers. They don’t get comedy, and they don’t get how to treat comedians. The reason why people are buying your chicken fingers is because they want to see comedy. also, the non-mainstream comedians snub comedy clubs: They want to do it at rock n’ roll venues or small performing arts centers, and i totally get it.

You’ve also been bringing icons like Margaret Cho and Bobcat Goldthwait to late-night shows at Relapse Theatre. How does that fit into your overall strategy for dominating the Atlanta scene? i’m gonna use relapse’s upstairs stage, which can hold 300 people, to bring in bigger comedians that i can’t get at the laughing skull. relapse has gotten a good reputation from the comedians i brought over there saying it was a really cool thing. most people do not get into this business because of the money. They want to make a decent check, but they also want to play at a cool place with cool people and not stay in a horrible holiday inn behind a strip mall, entertaining a bunch of pill-popping soccer moms. i’d rather take the cool gig for a little bit less and have a fun weekend.

This is your second year running the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival. How is it going to be different this year?

We have more time to spread out around the city, so this year we’re booking shows at the Funny Farm, relapse Theatre and Buford Theater in addition to laughing skull. We’re going to do some novelty shows here and there throughout the week. What really differentiates us from a lot of the mainstream comedy festivals is that we’re mostly about up and coming, hip, smart comedians. i like being the con-

duit between subculture and mainstream, and that’s more of what this is. one of the things i’ve discovered about the atlanta community is that they love when we do marshall childs & Friends shows, with 10 comedians on a bill. Those shows sell out. i’ve had numerous customers tell me that they love it because they like to see a lot of comedy with different styles and different flavors. The comedians like it because they’re going to get industry exposure, and the industry likes it because they are going to get exposed to a lot of guys they don’t get to see. everybody wins!

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PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

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Music

THE NEXT GAGA? With Five #1 Hits In A Row, Atlanta’s Erika Jayne Vies To Be The Next Dance Diva

By Alex s. Morrison

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ho’s Erika JaynE? you may not know the name, but if you’ve set foot inside of a hip dance club within the past two years, chances are very good you’ve heard her music. Jayne’s latest single, “one hot Pleasure,” hit #1 on Billboard’s hot Dance Club Play chart. more impressively, it’s the current L.a. resident’s fifth #1 dance single in three years– a rare feat previously accomplished by dance music icons such as rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls. We recently spoke to Jayne about growing up in atlanta, her musical inspiration, and her thoughts on the current dance music craze.

Talk to me a little bit about your childhood in Atlanta.

Where did you grow up and what was your childhood here like?

Born and raised in atlanta, but i really call Decatur my home. my mom was a single mom, a young mom, so i spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house. That’s why i call Decatur my true home. i was fortunate enough to go to what’s known as north atlanta school of the Performing arts, and we moved to that part of town for high school. i was in the city too because i was doing children’s theatre downtown and doing different modeling gigs and theatre stuff and dancing, then going to an inner city high school. atlanta is my true home.

Talk to me about your musical influences growing up. As you were a kid first getting really interested in music, what kind of artists were you being exposed to? i think my first exposure is really my mother. my mother taught piano in our house. she doesn’t teach anymore, but she still plays. That’s really my first foray. i was always a performer at home. i was singing and dancing at three, entertaining the family. i would ask to be introduced and come out of the closet and put on shows and sing nursery rhymes. my mom finally said, “i’ve got to do something with this kid– she just will not stop!” she threw me in dance class. it went from there. We started doing musical theatre, like i said i went to performing arts high school. i started doing local jobs, local commercials, local modeling things, cut my teeth there. i think when you grow up in the city like new york, you have LaGuardia school of Performing arts and you have so much industry- Los angeles, is the capital. atlanta is a great place to develop as a kid and i think that is really cool. There’s lots of great dance teachers and great music and great musicians. i think atlanta is under-rated on the arts scene.

Was there a performer that you really looked up to? my very first concert was a madonna concert. at that point, i was dancing and doing musical theatre.

But when i saw that woman doing her thing-being madonna, i thought “Damn, i want to be that too”. That just looks like the ultimate to me.

At what point did you realize, wow, I could really do this as a career? i don’t think i ever had that. There just wasn’t anything else i was really interested in. There wasn’t like some great science scholarship out there. it’s not like should i sing and dance or be a nasa scientist? That’s not exactly what happened to me. This is what i always loved to do. i think also in material, one hot Pleasure, or Pretty

mess album, or the videos- this is fun, and that’s what i loved about it was that you got to perform. you got to take on a whole hyper, larger-than-life existence on stage and in video and behind the mic and you get to really communicate that. To me, there was nothing better. i really did not want to do anything else.

Talk to me about the move to L.A. and what provoked that. Were there certain connections that you were making that made that a good move for you?

Being with the older kids, they would graduate and people would move to new york. i lived in new york for a while and i thought that was great. i love new york City. Then, i moved to Los angeles. it’s all about where the work is. i felt i needed to be here. i enjoy living here.

Los angeles has been really good to me. i have lots of friends from school, from performing arts school who live here time to time. They done really well for themselves and that’s cool.

You’ve had this impressive string of dance hits, which is somewhat unprecedented for a new artist. What is the key for you in picking the songs you’re going do? my goal is when the song comes on, i’m sure you’ve had this experience, you’re in a nightclub- your song comes on, you put down your drink and you run to the dance floor like a maniac. That’s always my goal. is this a song that when it comes on people go “WoW”, oh my god, this is my Jam!” and run off like a manic? That’s what i always look for. you do the car test, “Do i want to blast this song?”- you have to do the car test. Let me tell you something, the car test is so important, i thinkother people may not, but i do. you got to want to bump the song in the car. you got to want to nod your head while you’re waiting for the red light to change. The car test and the throw your drink down at the club test, that’s how i’ve been doing it so far.

Talk to me a little bit about the dance music scene.

There were a few years there where it didn’t seem like there was a lot going on and now you’ve got Lady Gaga, Kesha, all these different people. How do you feel about the state of the dance scene? i think Gaga and kesha have brought a lot of attention to dance music and i think you hear it in the urban market as well. Dance music is very popular all around the world, but just a little less popular in the united states.

Gaga, she’s unstoppable, and that’s awesome. she’s definitely doing her thing. keshia is out there doing it for the young girls and i think it’s wonderful. i think you’re going to hear a lot more of those sounds in the future.

What’s the next stage for you as far as taking it to the next level in your career? my goal for 2011, i have currently set so i intend to release two EPs this year and i’m collecting materials for those now in the studio and performing a lot, actually all around and really trying to bring a greater level of awareness to the project. sexy stuff, you commented on that. That just what Erica Jane, the idea or the Pretty mess kind of lifestyle, or whatever you want to call it is really all about-over-the-top glitz, glamour and fun. That’s the most important part.

Everybody tends to take themselves way too seriously and they want to be “an artist.” i want to have a good time– sing, dance, look good, have fun, the end.

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CardiovasCular disease researCh Emory University, Department of Psychiatry is currently conducting a research study on Cardiovascular Disease and Depression. Dr. J. Douglas Bremner, Psychiatrist, is investigating the brain mechanisms through which depression increases the risk of death in patients with cardiovascular disease.

If you would to participate in this study, you must have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease either with or without depression. If you think you may have signs of depression, but have never been assessed, we can provide an assessment for you.

To learn more about this study, call Emory’s Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit at 404-712-2059 or kelly.tracey@emory.edu.

Procedures involve health and mental health assessments, MRI, PET and SPECT scans conducted at Emory University. Volunteers will receive compensation for their time.

PG 17 • insiteatlanta.com • March 2011

Comedy

THE NEVERLUTION OF AMERICA

Comedian Christopher Titus Turns WTF Into An Art Form

By Brad Binkley

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called his dad a prick. i’m thinking, “Wow, our hether he’s talking society is about to go extinct!” i went home to about his mom’s mental illness, my girlfriend and said, “this is my next show.” his divorce or a fat annoying kid it started from there. i talk about Obama and at the DMV, Christopher titus has a thoughthow he is the first black president, but the probprovoking point of view that has helped him lem is that he’s half white. the show is about gain success as an actor, writer, and standup taking america back. comedian.

When on stage, titus does more than tell What is your writing process like? jokes. he takes the audience on a journey that here’s the great thing about comics: all is just as intriguing as it is hilarihuman beings have stuff in their ous. his brilliance comes in his lives. You sit around with your truthful, open book, storytelling Christopher friends and you start telling style. his ability to take the most stories about when you went to titus painful moments in his life and thanksgiving and your grandma When find humor in them allows him to got drunk and your grandpa april 1 & 2 write joke-filled stories that leave called the cops on her. it’s a long Where his audiences not only laughing story and, at the end, it’s funny.

14th street hysterically, but also inspired. the difference between comics playhouse he’s currently touring his new173 14th street and average people is that we est show, neverlution. i recently have to make the journey funny. info had the privilege of speaking with 404.733.4738 With the DMV story, i wrote titus about his new show, his www.14thstplayhouse.org out every fact: 1) i went to the comedy style, and what made him DMV; 2) there was this little fat keep going. kid there… i don’t put a joke in, i just keep writing all the facts. then i get on You’ve been a huge influence in my comedy my computer, i take the first line and i don’t career. Who are your influences? leave until i write a joke next to it. each detail You’re a comic? that’s great! thanks man, is just a set-up for a punchline. that’s a huge compliment. My influences are Dana Carvey, robin Williams, Pryor and Carlin. When you started comedy, did you always have your open-book style, or is that someYou and Pryor both have that powerful style thing you grew into? where your life is an open book.

When i started comedy, i sucked. i was i always say, i’m not smart enough to make funny, but i was talking about nothing. One shit up. of my jokes was, “Do you ever get up in the morning and your shower has two settings, Tell me about Neverlution. lava and arctic?” Dude, it was lame. i did comWe’re going to film it in april, and it’s goedy for 12 years like that. i got better and beting air on 4th of July. it’s all about taking ter, but then i started writing stuff about my america back. Basically our country, we are mom’s mental illness. i was on stage one night so arrogant. i love this country so much– in in northern California, and i had this vibe that no other country could i make an amazing i hated: i always knew what i was going to say living doing what i do– but i look around and next, and i hated it! i remember thinking, “i realize that we are #1 in obesity and like #86 need to quit,” because i didn’t have love for in savings of all the countries in the world. what i wad doing on stage anymore. then i What happened to us? went to an audition for the Just For laughs Comedy Festival. My agent at the time goes, Yeah, we didn’t used to be like that.

“What the hell are you doing?! You’re talking We didn’t take crap! hell, we fought a civil about your mom being in a mental hospital war! We fought ourselves! that is how much like you’re seinfeld. they don’t know if you’re crap we didn’t take. the day i started writing lying to them, because you’re telling it like the show i was at the DMV. there was this you’re fake.” We’re in the laugh Factory in little fat five-year-old there. he was a super fat l.a., yelling at each other. i said, “they won’t kid. this kid starts screaming, and i would’ve get it if i tell them how i really feel. they’ll gotten dealt with when i was a kid. But his dad walk out!” then my agent said one of the purstarts negotiating with the kid in front of everyest things i’ve ever heard in show business: “if body. he was telling his dad to screw off, and he you don’t start doing what you are supposed

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When i started Comedy, i suCked. i Was funny, But i Was talking aBout nothing. one of my jokes Was, “do you ever get up in the morning and your shoWer has tWo settings, lava and arCtiC?” dude, it Was lame to do, i don’t want to be your agent anymore.” and i was making him money! this guy was willing to give up money to make sure that i’m good. so i wrote this bit where i’d walk on stage and go, “Do you even know why you’re here? You think it’s because you like paying $4 for one beer? no, you’re here because comedy gets rid of our desire to kill.” i did this bit about the worst day you could possible have, and at the end of this bit i’m standing in my boss’ office stabbing him, screaming, “i just need a good laugh!” the first time i did it i was so scared, but i get onstage and i open with this and it gets a crazy applause break. But i didn’t have anything else. all i have is, “hey, hey does your shower have two settings?” so i do 7 more minutes to dead silence. the audience stopped laughing, and they were staring at me like, “What the fuck?!” it was one of those moments where you learn something you’ll take with you the rest of your career.

What was the biggest thing you learned from that?

You have to tell the truth. if you don’t, they might not know it on a conscious level, but there’s something you’re doing that’s making you not funny. i sat down that night and threw away 12 years of comedy material. i started from scratch. that’s what turned into “norman rockwell is Bleeding,” and that’s what got me titus. When you get to a point where you’re like, “i want to say what i want to say,” you really won’t care what the audience thinks. the best comics didn’t give a shit! When we watch richard Pryor, we’re on his train– he isn’t trying to jump on ours!

Carlin didn’t give a flying fuck what you thought. it’s a weird balance: You have to not care what the audience thinks, but you also have to present it to them in a way where you get your point across. You have to make it accessible, and i don’t mean accessible like bad pop music, like lady gaga. lady gaga is proof that David Bowie raped Carol Burnett. at the end of the day, our job is to make people laugh, number one. But, second of all, why not try to get a point across that makes a difference on the planet?

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PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

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Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA

APRIL 4 – DURAN DURAN

Center Stage Duran Duran has set out to prove that they are what you need with their newest release, All You Need Is Now. Embarking on a tour featuring all four original members, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor are prepared to convert you with an exciting mix of hits new and old. They just completed a fantastic live concert experiment, Duran Duran Unstaged, directed by none other than David Lynch. Whether or not you’re a new wave, new romantic fan, you’ve heard their hits from the 80’s and 90’s. Their new Mark Ronson produced album, released on the band’s own label, is set to be a return to form that some have called their best since Rio. Duran Duran are definitely the band to dance to “when the bomb drops”.

APRIL 5 – CHRIS CORNELL: ACOUSTIC

Center Stage Chris Cornell, the erstwhile frontman to Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave, is full of contradictions. He is an innovator who was at the forefront of the 90’s grunge movement.

Often considered the best voice in music history, this mulit-Grammy award winning musician and songwriter is edgy, dark, deep, soulful, and unpredictable. Cornell turned Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean into an emotional dirge country rock

ballad, almost similar in tone to Johnny Cash’s reworking of Hurt. His most recent solo album, 2009’s Scream, was referred to by producer Timbaland as “The best work I’ve done in my career.

This “songbook” tour will see Chris playing song selections from throughout his illustrious career, as well as a few surprise covers. His reunion in 2010 with Soundgarden sparked hopes for a new album with the band, however this is your best chance to see the charismatic and talented Chris Cornell in an intimate and stripped down concert setting.

APRIL 8 – SCISSOR SISTERS

The Tabernacle The Scissor Sisters took their name from the sexual position between two women known as tribadism, has that got your attention? Mix disco, glam rock, some Elton John, KC and the Sunshine Band, and some 80’s new wave and that’s their jam. They’ve got a fantastic disco cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” and many other hits that easily get stuck in my head. For some reason, there are moments that make me think of the Never Ending Story theme song, Limahl anyone?

“Spawned by the skuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York”, this explosion of outlandish glam/disco gear, leather, and feather boas is sure to get you dancin’… whether you feel like it or not!

APRIL 18 – MONSTER BALL TOUR STARRING LADY GAGA

The Arena at Gwinnett Center Lady Gaga, at first appearance, seems to be all style over-substance, a Marilyn Manson-ized Madonna. Her solo performances on awards shows and publicity appearances have proven that she’s

not just fashion savvy and shockingly evocative, she can really sing, play piano quite well and she’s obviously got a great sense of humor. She credits her “little monsters”, her fans, with her continued success and fame and seems to sincerely appreciate their loyalty and love. Her latest single Born This Way is Gaga’s self-described gay anthem which sounds like it fell through a time warp from the 90’s and is in equal measure TLC’s Waterfalls and Madonna’s Express Yourself (with a hint of Vogue).

That hasn’t stopped Born This Way from debuting and remaining at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, as well as hitting #1 in 16 other countries. I’m entranced by this quirky woman– her crazy fashion sense, her amusing videos and her obvious talent. Don’t miss Lady Gaga’s spectacular Monster Ball Tour and be sure to wear your freak on the outside.

APRIL 20 – KE$HA

The Tabernacle Ke$ha has her own brand of dance pop with a kind of sing-song rap. Often her music seems over produced with more auto-tune and vocoding than a speak ‘n’ spell. Ke$ha learned songwriting from her mother in Nashville, and has worked as such for other artists. Her “honest and fun” songwriting style is born out of her country songwriting roots and is based primarily on life experiences and storytelling. I can appreciate her sense of fun and that she doesn’t take things too seriously, but for me Rolling Stone summed it up perfectly “repulsive, obnoxious and ridiculously catchy.” I guess she’s just not for me. I’m sure all of you Bieber fans love her… Though I do feel inspired, I’m going by $acha now.

APRIL 21 - CHARLIE SHEEN LIVE: MY VIOLENT TORPEDO OF TRUTH/ DEFEAT TOUR The Fox Theatre

WE GOT NEXT THE DiSCiPLiNES

APRIL 22 – AN EVENING WITH TONY BENNETT

The Fox Theatre One of the still remaining classic and classy crooners, Tony Bennett came up alongside great performers such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Rosemary Clooney. Known for his instantly recognizable powerhouse of a voice, he has spent over 60 years performing and recording songs from “The Great American Songbook”. Don’t know what that is? Ever heard of George Gershwin?

Irving Berlin? Cole Porter? If you’re still unsure, think of Michael Buble or Diana Krall, but with the style and pizzazz of an American James Bond.

I can remember getting Tony Bennett’s album Steppin’ Out and really enjoying the discovery of classic jazz through Tony’s versions of the songs.

He’s been keeping his performances fresh for years often performing with only the backing of a small jazz combo. His shows are filled with warmth, showmanship, exquisite musicianship, and goodnatured humor. Tony is on the cusp of his 85th birthday, still going strong, a living musical treasure.

Don’t miss this fantastic performer!

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: ViRGiNS OF MENACE (Spark and Shine) For Fans of: The Posies, The Hives, The Strokes and Teenage Fanclub Why You Should Care: Led by longtime Posies frontman and occasional Big Star member Ken Stringfellow, THE

BY JOHN B. MOORE

W

Strap yourself in and prepare for a journey into the chaotic mind of Charlie Sheen. It certainly seems that lately the media, as well as the rest of America, is overdosing on Sheen. His show, though likely unpredictable, will be oriented around monologue and spoken word, with stories ranging from bizarre and twisted humor to dark and thought provoking.

Apparently, improvisation/going-off on whatever tangent Charlie decides to take is just as likely and audience participation is encouraged. I’m sure no two shows will be alike. To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about writing up this “show” in my concert must-sees. Part of me is ashamed at giving the “bi-winning” ex-star of Two and a Half Men any column space, but I can’t deny the gory appeal of rubber-necking this train wreck. Who knows, maybe there really is some genius to this mad, crazed, high on tiger blood self-proclaimed warlock? Seek the truth of life and reality with Sheen, ride the tiger Charlie.

Just months after his band The Posies turned in their seventh record, front man and co-founder Ken Stringfellow is back in Europe to help usher in the second – and likely last - release from his other band THE DiSCiPLiNES. Part garage rock, part power pop, ViRGiNS OF MENACE will hopefully bring the band the name recognition that have already justifiably earned in Norway (home to half of the group). Stringfellow, barely unpacked from his last Posies tour, is planning on playing about 20 shows around Europe in the coming months with THE DiSCiPLiNES. He was kind enough to trade some e-mails back and forth recently, talking about the band’s founding and its likely ending.

DiSCiPLiNES manages to deftly combine American power pop and Norwegian garage rock.

Where did you find the other musicians?

They found me. They come from another band, a great Norwegian band called Briskeby, and the singer of that band, Lise, is a real fan of mine. She approached me at an MTV Music Awards after party years ago, and we became friends, and she introduced me to her bandmates. We worked together on the band’s swansong, and when the band split up and Lise went off to do her thing, I borrowed the guys for...the next 5 years. They had all pretty much decided to quit music.

Are you all based in Norway?

I’ve lived in Paris for the last eight years, this is well known. Half the band lives in Norway, and at the moment our guitarist lives in Uganda, doing field work for his medical studies. He’s flying back Friday for our show in Oslo on Saturday!

With other project going on, is it tough for everyone to find time to dedicate to The DiSCiPLiNES? We don’t do too much. I would say our spring schedule, which is like 20 shows around Europe, is really ambitious.

Going into the band, did you all know what kind of music you wanted to make or did the sound sort of just evolve over time?

We quickly zeroed in on it. Both the Posies and Briskeby are generally clean, well produced, pristine sort of bands on record, and we wanted to do something quick and dirty, fun and approachable. When we got together to ‘jam’ the first day we wrote the song “Best Mistake” and made a demo of

it, which a month later was in heavy rotation on national radio.

What can you tell me about Virgins of Menace?

Isn’t that your job?

How long have you been working on these songs?

We spent a week in the summer of 2009 writing these songs in my bandmate’s hometown of Larvik, two hours south of Norway.

Most of the album was recorded over Christmas break 2009-2010 in Tromso, way up north. With the Posies album looming, we felt like we should release it after that, and in the summer of 2010 we took advantage of playing a big festival in Tromso to go back in the studio, we wrote a couple more songs one day and recorded them the next.

Do you plan more albums?

I don’t think so. Bjorn is going to be a fully fledged doctor soon, and I think we’ve made two excellent albums, it seems like the perfect run to me.

You’ve obviously worked with the guys in The Posies for awhile now (for some, your whole career). Did it feel different to play music with an all new set of guys?

I’ve made music with literally hundreds of musicians around the world for the last 30 years....it’s not like life was all Posies, all the time, and then switched to this. But I will say that sometimes the chemistry falls into feeling like a ‘project’ and sometimes like a ‘band’, when you work/play with people...and this instantly felt like the latter.

Those are all the questions I have. Anything else you want to add?

The brightest flame burns the briefest. That we’ll be gone tomorrow ads brilliance to our shine. Catch it while you can.

PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

MUSIC

mUSIC

Album Reviews Reviews by John Moore, Jon Latham, Ed Morales and Michael Mahon

COWBOY JUNKIES – DEmONS: ThE NOmaD SErIES, VOlUmE 2 (latent/razor & Tie) A beautiful tribute to a brilliant songwriter BL: My earliest memory of Vic Chesnutt is from the mid-‘90s, when I caught him performing at Austin’s Convention Center. This was before Sweet Relief Two made him a star, and it was clear most of the SXSW attendees had no idea who he was.

But there the Athens favorite sat in his wheelchair, strumming his beat up acoustic guitar and singing songs of wistful Southern poetry in his bizarre voice, daring the crowd not to love him.

It was around the same time that alt-country icons the Cowboy Junkies stumbled upon Chesnutt’s second LP, West Of Rome, and recorded the title track for their 1996 album, Lay It Down.

Unsatisfied with the results, they abandoned the track, but later invited Chesnutt to be the opening act for their North American tour. Thus began an enduring friendship that continued through the recording of 2007’s Trinity Revisited (on which the Toronto-based band re-recorded their classic 1988 album, The Trinity Session, with Chesnutt and other artists providing guest vocals) and led them to discuss a collaborative project featuring the Junkies backing Chesnutt on a song cycle centered upon his childhood in Georgia.

Unfortunately, Chesnutt died before that dream could come to fruition, and Demons stands as the Cowboy Junkies’ tribute to their fallen friend.

The album features 11 songs spanning the singersongwriter’s career, from 1991’s “West Of Rome” to 2009’s “Flirted With You All My Life,” treading an intriguing middle-ground between Chesnutt’s caustic style and the Junkies’ soothing sound.

There’s a refreshing edginess to the material that seems rejuvenating, and Margo Timmons’ smooth vocals are like the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine of Chesnutt’s cutting lyrics go down.

In the end, it’s a fitting testimony to Chesnutt’s under-appreciated talent.

JaSON ISBEll & ThE 400 UNIT – hErE WE rEST (lightning rod) Tones of home in roots-immersed third record JL: The pros and cons of a life raised in the Bible Belt are themes that are certainly not new for Jason Isbell. By now, his contributions to three landmark albums as a member of the Drive-By Truckers are well-known to fans, and he has continued weaving heartfelt songs of the not-so-simple life with the 400 Unit. An old soul in his young years, Isbell’s work has been consistently strong enough to cast its own shadow, apart from his Truckers body of work, and ‘Here We Rest’ is by-far his strongest to date.

Those looking for the guitar work that populated his first two albums might be thrown by the fiddle that sets the mood for “Alabama Pines”, but it is a mood-setter for more of what’s to come, a mid-tempo ballad that gives you a setting for the characters that Isbell has been writing about since day one. Isbell’s soul-tinged voice fits the numerous stylistic turns on the album, be it the New Orleans Dixieland swagger of “Never Could Believe” or the country high-and-lonesome of “Codeine”.

“Stopping By” is a great tune of lost love; lines like “I think the best of me is still standing in the doorway” being both poignant and heartbreaking.

The two closing tracks, “Save It For Sunday” and “Tour of Duty”, are incredible testaments of Isbell’s lyrical talent.

Here is a Unit that is obviously stable and unwavering. While the geographical feel of ‘Here We Rest’ is rooted deeper than the pines of Alabama, themes of hard times and small victories grow more universal with every passing day, It’s obvious the chemistry the band is grounded in working to the greater good of the sum; nobody, even Isbell himself, seems to steal the spotlight.

The songs are the star of this rodeo.

PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

The Dean’s List

lEra lYNN – haVE YOU mET lEra lYNN? (Slow) The next Norah Jones?

Trendy fans of hip-hop once heralded the Chicagobred MC as the savior of the music. He was a unique voice that wasn’t with the stereotypical thug bravado or high-time flaunting pop tunes that have traditionally dominated the charts. Lupe was thought-provoking, charismatic and rapped about things that the everyday rap fan could enjoy, even if they weren’t from the ghetto.

Fast-forward to the present and times have changed. A look at the current charts is all you have to do to realize that Lupe Fiasco is no longer outside of the box, but blends in with all of the other forwardthinking MCs who have emerged in his absence.

Nothing reflects this more than Lupe’s latest effort, Lasers, which was finally released after being stalled

by Atlantic Records.

In short, the album is boring. It has iright spots, but they are far and few between, and the majority sounds forced. That’s not to say it isn’t good when compared to the competition, but it clearly lacks that spark that was evident in his previous releases. Maybe he just got tired of the stalls and decided to give the label what they wanted, but this isn’t a very inspired album, which may explain why Lupe took to publicly bashing it. The album does shine when Lupe speaks his mind and spreads his message, but that doesn’t happen very often. Tracks like “Till I Get There,” “Words I Never Said,” “Beautiful Lasers” and “All Black Everything” are reminiscent of the Lupe Fiasco that fans grew to love.

While it was clear that the people wanted to hear some new material from Lupe, maybe it would’ve been better to let Atlantic keep this one on the shelf longer, until he could craft an album he really believed in.

GRADE: B-

EM: The greatest strength any up-and-coming singer/songwriter can offer is a voice that cuts through the scores of choices filtering from ubiquitous stereo speakers. Even then, it’s not enough to have the voice. You also have to know how to use it in order to be heard. So bravo, Ms. Lera Lynn: I hear you loud and clear.

On her debut album, the Houston-born singer shapes an artistic arc of sounds with a voice part brooding, part hopeful, and part yearning, forging a whole set of simmering songs. Her croon takes the lead on the album-opening “Whiskey,” with Lynn singing “I don’t know if I’m coming or going/I just keep the whiskey flowing” over a gentle beat of snare and pedal steel. Lynn, not wishing to linger in stillness, picks up the tempo and channels her inner Norah Jones for “Happily Ever After” and the catchy “Gasoline” (which doesn’t fully rock, but rolls at a respectable pace).

But it’s the slow burn where Lynn excels.

“Bobby, Baby,” a song about the troubles of her father, is stamped with guile and emotion as she sings “Bobby, Baby, we all know the deal/Your road was hard and long/And straight up a hill.” “Paper Anchor” tells of a “drunk man’s daughter/child of anger” against a lilting piano and tender strings.

It’s powerful and personal, all sung in a voice not to be ignored.

There’s a tendency to become too rote musically here and there, but it’s usually saved by Lynn’s lovely pipes. In all, she cuts through the din by the BIllY JOEl – lIVE aT ShEa STaDIUm (legacy/Columbia) force of her message. If you haven’t met Lera Lynn, Drop the faux cynicism; you know you still like his music you should.

JM: Billy Joel’s decades long career has mirrored other BlaCK JOE lEWIS & ThE NONEYBEarS – SCaNDalOUS pop musicians, most notably Neil Diamond: starting (lost highway) out a thoughtful writer/performer churning out one The James Brown of garage rock’s rough-and-tumblin’ great song after another, before sliding into the overfollow-up produced slickness of the late 80’s, early 90’s churning out basic, paint by number radio ready hits with little JL: Nitty-gritty funky soul: that was all I could say effort or thought (“The River of Dreams”), laying to describe Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears low for awhile and finally hitting legendary status when a friend of mine played me their debut LP, embraced by everyone from the minivan crowd to Tell ‘em What Your Name Is, an album that went bearded hipsters in Williamsburg (ok, maybe not the straight to the artery that connects the heart of hipsters…yet). rock and roll to the soul of old school rhythm On Live at Shea Stadium – the live concert DVD and blues. Scandalous flexes the blues muscles and accompanying double CD set – proves exactly in the Austin-based outfit’s chops. The guitar is how Joel earned back a bit of the respect he nearly dirtier, the horn section is tighter, and the groove lost in the 90s. Taken as a whole, it’s remarkable how is unstoppable. many of his songs have managed to stand up over “Livin’ in the Jungle” and “Booty City” do the years. Playing standards like “Angry Young Man” the godfather of soul proud, jumpin’ jams that and “Captain Jack,” the songs still sound impressive highlight the flash and showmanship in Lewis’ (especially compared to the current offerings on top 40 delivery. This is no revivalist, it’s a voice all his own. radio). Joel always had a knack for cramming an entire “Mustang Ranch” is a talking blues boogie with a story, well-drawn characters and all, into a 3-minute little humor thrown in as Lewis tries to negotiate pop song, giving just as much consideration for verse getting his “ham glazed”. The Mississippi Delta as for the choruses. blues gets a workout on “Jesus Take My Hand” and One of the last concerts performed at Shea Stadium “I’m Gonna Leave You”. Lewis’ love for Howlin’ before the wrecking balls started slamming the sides of Wolf can be heard throughout “Black Snake”, with it, the show includes plenty of guests including Garth a tight bass riff and raspy vocals, accented by the Brooks, Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Roger Daltry, blazing horns.

John Mellencamp and Paul McCartney. Though he’s Influences can hang heavy on many performers’ supposedly sworn of recording pop albums ever again, sleeves, but with such a fierce delivery, Lewis I think it’s only a matter of time before Joel calls up shakes off all doubt about his ability to hold his Diamond and asks for Rick Rubin’s phone number. own against whatever comparison you might slap GRADE: B+ on him. Try and stick his music in a genre if you must, but still, it’s tough to pin it down. Perhaps r.E.m. – COllaPSE INTO NOW (Warner Bros.) we can all agree to just call it “fun”. How many Not quite “All The Best,” but definitely an improvement other albums can you say that about?

BL: R.E.M.’s 15th studio album plays out like a guided walking tour through the band’s musical past. The 12 songs assembled here almost feel like a greatest hits album, recalling the best and worst eras in their artistic lUPE FIaSCO – laSErS (atlantic) evolution. Having rediscovered their rock ‘n’ roll roots Third verse, not as good as the first on 2008’s Accelerate, the trio feels more comfortable incorporating their folksy acoustic influences, resulting MM: It’s been 5 years since Lupe Fiasco first came in a more expansive (if slightly looser) sound. out with his debut, Food & Liquor, and in that time The ferocious guitar assault of “Discoverer” and “All the landscape of hip-hop has changed dramatically.

The Best” showcase a band discontent with the idea of

Rest of the Class

going gently into that good night, with Stipe practically spitting the lyrics, “Let’s show the kids how to do it fine.”

That aggression balanced by the more melancholy “ÜBerlin,” which recalls acoustic classics like “Losing My Religion” and boasts one of their prettiest melodies to date. The New Orleans tribute of “Oh My Heart” is haunting and heavenly, with accordion and mandolin backing Stipe’s impassioned vocal performance.

But by the middle of the album, momentum starts to drag into mediocrity: “It Happened Today” (featuring Eddie Vedder) seems slight on substance, “Alligator_ Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter” (featuring Peaches) is as nonsensical as its title would appear to indicate, and “That Someone Is You” seems like a weak attempt to recreate the propulsive energy of “It’s The End of the World.”

From any other band, Collapse Into Now would be praised as a solid, if unremarkable, R.E.M. tribute album. But from a group that has remained largely intact for over 30 years now, it deserves recognition as a spirited return to form that may not measure up to their best work, but is still miles above most of the rock records being released today. GRADE: B ThE lOW aNThEm – SmarT FlESh (Nonesuch) Rhode Island art students back with another fine blend of blend of bluegrass, folk and gospel JM: The Low Anthem proves yet again why they’re critical favorites on their latest effort, Smart Flesh.

With a hauntingly beautiful mix of folk, Americana, bluegrass and even a few hints of gospel and uncompromising songs its clear the band will likely never find mass appeal, but that’s probably a good thing (just look at how quickly the indie kids and critics alike savaged one-time darlings Kings of Leon).

With songs about being in a bar on 9/11 (“Boeing 737”) and finding love (“Apothecary Love”), the band picks up perfectly where the brilliant Oh My God, Charlie Darwin left off. Smart Flesh was recorded in an old pasta sauce factory and the result gives the record a cool echo effect, accentuating some of the more melancholy tracks. Nicely done from start to finish. GRADE: B ThE STrOKES – aNglES (rCa) The fashionably late comeback kid JL: It’s hard to believe that five years have passed without a new Strokes album. In the interim, both frontman Julian Casablancas and guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. have both released solo material, but still, there was very little word on when the Strokes would reemerge. Their fourth album, Angles, finds the band shaking off a little dust after the break while trying to add some new tricks to their signature popsensible, post-punk sound.

Sure, the recognizable elements of the Strokes we all know and love are there: Casablancas’ brooding vocals, two-guitar tag team work from Hammond and Nick Valensi, and the muffled, dry rock beat of Fab Moretti and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. The first single, “Under Cover of Darkness,” isn’t nearly as sly as the title leads on; it is the Strokes’ way of saying, “Sound familiar?” On tracks like “Two Kinds of Happiness” and “Taken for a Fool,” Casablancas displays a broad knack for melodies and, in some moments, soaring arena-rock delivery.

There’s some frustration in songs like “Machu Picchu” and “You’re So Right,” which find the band taking on an electronica-meets-new wave sound. The delivery feels forced and uncomfortable, as if it were expected for them to try new things. No pressure, fellas: Nobody’s going to crucify you for sounding like, well, the Strokes.

With word already brewing of a follow-up in the works, it sure sounds like the Strokes are excited about playing again. The only real hurtle is not being trampled by a legacy that is still too fresh to try and be lived up to. No band wants to be formulaic, but sometimes the formula is potent enough to work every time. If “Is This It” is the question, why would “yes” be such a horrible answer? GRADE: B

Outdoor Music Venue Guide 2011 The Most Anticipated Shows of the Coming Season ASO Classic Chastain

4469 Stella Dr. NW; Chastain Park

Chastain Amphitheatre is one of the great outdoor concert venues in the country. It is an ideal setting to combine dining al fresco with a diverse range of musical talent. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own food, wine and spirits (when permitted) or take advantage of its preferred caterers and concessions to help enhance their concert experience. Some of the most anticipated performances for the upcoming season include: Chris Isaak (June 22); The Steve Miller Band (June 24); Charlie Wilson (July 15); and the Tedeschi Trucks Band (July 30). For ticket information visit deltaclassicchastain.com or call 404.733.5012

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood 2002 Lakewood Way; Atlanta

Atlanta's largest and premier dedicated concert venue in the Southeast since 1989. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood was built specifically for popular music, designed to offer a state of the art musical experience for both patrons and performers. Superior sound reproduction, advanced lighting capabilities and clear, unrestricted sightlines make Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood the favorite summer concert site for the avid music fan. Some of their hotly anticipated upcoming shows include: Tim McCraw (April 16); Kenny Chesney (May 20); Jimmy Buffett (May 24); and Def Leppard (June 18). For ticket information visit www.livenation.com or call 404.443.5000.

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

the capacity to host 2,410 people. Much of their summer line-up had not been announced by press time, but they are having a free Evening of Jazz (May 14); a free Candlelite Concert with Kerry Ayres & Rambunctious (May 21) and a free Candlelite Concert with Delta Moon (June 18) . For more information visit www.mablehouse.org or call 770.819.7765.

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is a mid-sized, yet intimate, outdoor venue located in a natural setting off Floyd Road in south Cobb County. Nestled among trees in the quaint suburbs of Mableton, Ga. Mable House Barnes is beautifully landscaped in a gorgous natural setting. It is a covered amphitheatre with intimate dining table seating protected from the weather. There are more than 1200 covered oversized seats with spacious aisles and a cozy lawn to lounge on. The facility has

201 McIntosh Trail Peachtree City, Georgia

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta, Georgia

Purchase your Series Tickets while th Sponsorship Opportunities Availa

5239 Floyd Rd. Mableton, Georgia

Photo courtesy of watkins imaging/jerry watkins

Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

Set on 45 acres of beautifully-landscaped wooded land in Alpharetta, GA, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre is a state of the art facility. The 12,000-seat venue at Encore Park provides a unique setting for both music lovers and first-time concertgoers. It is easily accessable and located just minutes off of GA 400.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park ranked 19th in the world on Pollstar's top 2010 Amphitheatres by ticket sales and was awarded "Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue" twice. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre also serves as the summer home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Some of the highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: Project 9-6-1 Cinco Party: Avenged Sevenfold with Seether & Alterbridge (May 5); Zac Brown Band (May 6 & 7); Phish (June 14 & 15); An Evening with Dolly Parton (August 3). For ticket information visit www.vzwamp.com or call 404.249.6400.

Jo Dee Messina with Special Guest Jimmy Wayne June 18

The Fred has established itself as one of the leading outdoor entertainment venues in the metro Atlanta area. It has hosted hometown favorites, national and touring acts for more than thirty years. The venue offers a unique and intimate concert experience. Some of the highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: Kenny G (April 30); Creedence Clearwater Revisited (May 14); Jo Dee Messina w/ Jimmy Wayne (June 18); Kool & the Gang (July 16); Bryan Adams (August 5); 10,000 Maniacs & Edwin McCain (August 20). The Fred is just a short drive from Atlanta. Take I-85 South to exit 61 (Fairburn/Peachtree City).

For ticket information visit www.amphitheater.org or call 770-631-0630.

Kenny G Heart and Soul April 30

Jo Dee Messina will perform at The Fred on June 18

presented by

Bryan Adams The Bare Bones Tour Kenny G Heart and Soul August 5 April 30

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Purchase your Series Tickets while they last!

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Jo Dee Messina with Special Guest Jimmy Wayne June 18

Creedence Clearwater Revisited May 14 Kool and the Gang July 16

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Edwin McCain and 10,000 Maniacs August 20

Bryan Adams The Bare Bones Tour August 5 For more information visit us on twitter, Facebook, www.amphitheater.org or call The Fred at 770.631.0630 PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

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Music

KILLING TIME

An Interview With Bayside’s Anthony Raneri

By John B. Moore

b

ayside fans have been known to be a little fanatical about the band: dissecting every rumor about the group and reporting back nearly every single onstage utterance on message boards almost instantly. and while just about every album since the Long island band’s debut has been eagerly anticipated, their latest, killing Time, was arguably more so than any other in bayside’s history.

More than two years in the making, killing Time is their first record since leaving longtime label victory Records for wind- Up - the label best known for launching Creed.

The band’s latest effort is filled with arena-worthy, powerful pop punk songs and is destined to be one of the band’s best albums.

Currently on tour in europe, front man anthony Raneri was kind enough to trade some e-mails back and forth recently to talk about the new record, leaving victory and plans for the rest of the year.

How is the European tour going so far? we’re about halfway through this european tour and it has been really great. we are out with a day To Remember. The shows have been awesome the crowds are treating us real well.

So why did you guys decide to leave Victory? Did you leave on good terms? our time with victory had just run its course. we felt like we had done everything we could with them and i think they probably did everything they could with us. i’m pretty sure it’s on pretty decent terms. as good as it can be.

Many were surprised that you landed at Wind Up, considering all of your options. What was it about that

label that made you decide to sign with them? of all the labels that we spoke to, wind Up seemed to put the most focus on music. They really understand that bands need certain resources to make the best music they can and that was what was most important to them.

Killing Time has just come out. What can you tell me about the record? it is definitely the best record we have ever made. i think it will make people laugh, cry and get angry. it has something for everyone whether you’re looking for a catchy melody, a meaningful lyric or some technical stuff.

Are there any songs in particular that you are especially proud of? i’m prouder of the song “Mona Lisa” than i am of any song i’ve ever written. it is probably the most technical thing i have ever written while stay really catchy and sounding simple.

You guys worked with Gil Norton on this one. How long have you wanted to work with him? How was the experience? when we were on one of our first tours 10 years ago, the foo fighters released The Color and the shape. i remember listening to it in the van and reading the liner notes and saying “one day, this dude has to produce one of our albums,” and 10 years later he finally did. The experience was even better than i expected. Gil really is the best rock producer there is!

What does the band have planned for the rest of 2011? we are finished up a european tour now. Then we go back to the states for a few days to celebrate the album release with a few in stores before we go to australia for a few weeks for the soundwave festival. Then we are back in the states for a big headline tour.

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Music

MINUTE MAN Punk Legend Mike Watt on D.Boon, The Wizard Of Oz & His Latest Opera

By John B. Moore

u

p there WIth huSker du and Black flag, San pedro’s Minutemen were one of the pioneering punk bands to first load up the van and actually play their songs out of town. They pretty much laid the road that the next generation of punk rockers and indie bands would follow tour after tour, bringing loud, abrasive, intelligent punk rock to every corner of the u.S. Minutemen bassist and co-founder Mike Watt would go on to form the influential fIrehoSe in the 90’s after his band mate and long time buddy guitarist d. Boone died. Watt’s next act included stints in the newly reformed Stooges as well as some of the most critically-praised rock-based operas (including 1997’s Contemplating the engine room and 2004’s The Secondman’s Middle Stand). after letting the idea gestate for a few years, Watt is finally back with his third opera, the 30 song opus hyphenated-Man. Just days before Watt and his new band load up that van yet again to bring the new album, song for song, to audiences across the country, he spoke about the new record and channeling his old friend d. Boon… well, sort of.

The thing that struck me about the new record is that I keep trying to find a specific storyline or narrative like the other two… actually John, it don’t have one. The other two were me talking about things that have happened before. This one was supposed to be in the moment. all 30 (songs) was supposed to be simultaneous 30 parts, but that would have been a little

rough to hear, so I had to put them one right after another. The sequencing is how I wrote it.

When did you first get the idea to start on this?

Well, first I thought of the device: I wanted to do Minutemen kind of style stuff again and then, even in the second opera I’m starting to talk about middle years stuff, the idea of experience. experience is one thing you have over the younger man, which is one reason why I wouldn’t go back even with the younger body. I wanted to talk about that, so maybe 2006 I started putting this stuff together in my head… I knew I wanted tom (Watson, guitar) and raul (Morales, drums) to play on this. I picked tom because he was like a peer, even though he’s about 5 years younger. he’s influenced a bit by d. Boon’s style. and raul came from the San pedro punk scene in the 90’s, a scene that I wasn’t even aware of at the time. In the old days, the Minutemen were the San pedro punk scene. It was little. he’s kind of like the son or the grandson of our thing, so with these two guys it was kind of like I had a foot in each world. I also kind of felt weird a little bit about ripping off my old band. I wrote this thing all on d. Boon’s guitar.

Really?

Yeah, actually I was a little scared because talking about these things is embarrassing. I wanted to write the bass stuff second. So I wrote the whole thing on guitar, showed it to tim Watson and a lot of credit to him because that shit was palsied. I can’t play drums, so when I talked to raul I had to make the drum sounds with my

mouth, but I never let them listen to the bass and spiel (vocals), it was just the guitar and the drums.

They had to wait a year for the bass to come. I thought if they got rid of the only Minuteman they wouldn’t be so influenced by them, even though I wrote that piece. I was just trying to do things so it wouldn’t be too much of a rip off of my old band. I didn’t want to be making some happy day’s nostalgia thing either; I wanted to be in the moment.

Was this the first time you’d ever written on D. Boon’s guitar? oh yeah. I don’t usually write on the guitar.

The first time it was used was when I gave it to nels Cline to use on the solo on “The Boiler Man” (from Contemplating the engine room).

It is trippy. I know it’s just a piece of material but d. Boon fucking worked gigs with this thing, he sweated on it, wrote songs on it And you plan on touring a lot behind this album?

The tour is this album. Its 51 gigs in 52 days. We start Thursday.

And it’s going to be played chronologically? The way it’s laid out on the record?

Yeah. It’s actually one long song, just broken up.

There’s no ipod shuffle mode. It’s fucking hard enough. There’s a butt load of words to remember. We did a tour of this in Japan in october and november, so we’ve done it 17 times. It’s a bitch.

We are getting the hang of it, but I’m totally learning it in front of people. In the studio you can hit

the pause button and rewind. You can’t do that in front of an audience. I’ve got a handle on it now, but I’m damn sure not cocksure.

This is the first album out on your own label right?

Yeah. When me and d. Boon first started out we divided the world into gigs and flyers, so we kind of treated albums like flyers. now I think of them more like works. They’re going to be here when I’m gone. kind of like your children, well I never had children. I’ve got like 11 or 12 of them in the pipeline, so I said “fuck it; I’m starting my own label.” So they’re coming out no matter what. I don’t have to do a label dance any more.

(OUT OF) FASHION FORWARD

Danish rockers The Raveonettes forge a new sound with a dark, shadowy record By ed Morales

M

ade of one part Sune roSe Wagner and one part Sharin foo, danish rock band The raveonettes has been harmonizing its way to an ever-growing audience for a decade now, using Motown-surfy fuzzed-out rock beats and churning guitars for a sound that is now finding plenty of imitators (see Best Coast and dum dum girls).

But just as The raveonettes sees its distinctive style coming into its own, it has decided to move into another direction. The release of its fifth album raven in the grave (and a u.S. tour stopping in atlanta in mid-april) shows a band playing with dreamy synths and forming a sound which could never be described as beachy.

Sharin foo took time out of her pre-tour schedule from her Los angeles home to talk a little about how her band is a bit out of fashion.

I got a chance to listen to the new album and it’s a bit of a departure from previous albums. What was the thinking going into this one?

It’s not really a kind of thinking we had, in retrospect, we don’t do that much thinking when we go into making records, it’s a very intuitive process and we just kind of go for what stays with us at that moment. I think it was just what we were drawn toward, more of an ambient and echoey and shadowy kind of intimate vibe.

I read somewhere where you said it was a wintry album, and if I remember my Los Angeles weather correctly, it’s not a wintry place.

Did you miss the winter?

(Laughs) Well I spent a month in denmark in december, so I was there when we were doing some of the album. But it’s very typical to romanticize what you don’t have and miss something that becomes a nice place to escape to. There’s a fondness for it. We are deep down from the north in Scandinavia and there’s always a part of that that shines through on this album. There’s not a lot of beachy sun vibe, palm trees on this record.

I guess you moved to where the beach is and you’re no longer playing the surf music you were making in the past.

Yeah. I love it when I go out to the beach and it’s really overcast and it’s dramatic and it’s misty in the air. I really love that, it’s one of my favorite beach moments.

Tell me about the writing process between the two of you. I know Sune’s in New York and you’re in L.A., so how does that work?

Sune will email me fragments, or in this case we spent a week in new York together. We were in a studio in Williamsburg just going through a ton of material, little ideas, little pieces, guitar ideas, beats. It was a lot of involved demos and we kind of agreed upon which ones we should try to develop. We email back and forth and try to steer in the right direction. Sune is the main songwriter – he comes up with the main ideas and I come in as more of a navigator.

You’ve been a band for a decade now. Did you think a decade ago you’d still be making records 10 years later?

I don’t even know if I thought about that then, or even had time to

think about that. now I think a lot about it (laughs), I say, “gosh, am I still going to be making records a decade from now and am I going to be touring and still going to be in a rock band a decade from now?” It’s a crazy notion but I didn’t think about it that much a decade ago, I was just going with the flow. It was such a whirlwind and we were completely immersed in an almost too consuming way. But I would love to keep making records.

What have you learned in the past decade that makes you say “I wouldn’t do that again”?

The main thing we learned is to stay extremely focused on the music and the creativity and make sure that’s thriving. Be very true to your instincts. There was one point in our career where there were so many people involved on so many levels and it was all a distraction, and I feel we learned to be very focused and not compromise. You need to find a balance where you’re in control but at the same time you stay focused on why you started to make music in the first place.

And there’s a tour coming up. Is there anything special you do to get ready for the tour?

I’ve actually been practicing bass because I have to play bass, which I haven’t done for four or five years. It’s like picking up an old friend.

Have to remember those songs you wrote.

Yeah, reacquaint myself with them. But we’re also thinking about the visual aspect of the shows. We’re doing a new setup we haven’t done before. It’s me and Sune, I play bass, he plays guitar we sing and we have two drummers, so it’s the technical aspect of things and trying to get them up and running. But it’s all exciting.

There have been several mentions that The Raveonettes are the band that sparked a pop music revival in the U.S. with bands such as Best Coast. What are your thoughts on that?

That’s all flattering to read but I don’t know if we’re really the ones who started a pop revival. I think it might be more of a cultural wave and maybe we were a little early on that curve. Me and Sune were always really good at being out of fashion, so we were making the Motown beats 10 years too early. But now we’re moving to something else. We’ll be completely out of fashion again.

PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Spring Festival Guide Great Festivals and Events coming this Spring APRIL

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park APRIL 15, 16 & 17

The Dogwoods will be in full bloom, and hundreds of artists from around the country will set up their tents for the 75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival. This Atlanta staple offers something for everyone. Virtually every kind of art imaginable is represented at the festival, with a nationally renowned-juried Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more. In addition to the fine art for adults and art collectors, there is a Kids Village featuring huge inflatables, arts & crafts and face painting for all ages, as well as the ever-popular 24-foot rock-climbing wall. Sponsor booths are located throughout the festival that will have everything from live radio remotes to great prizes and interactive games. This year Atlanta Dogwood has partnered with the Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House in conjunction with Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary Celebration.

The Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House will collaborate with several Atlanta attractions, festivals, and media partners to provide fans of Gone With the Wind special celebratory activities around the city.

During the festival, stop by the Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House booth for a variety of engaging history and literary activities, photo opportunities and enriching demonstrations Before or after your festival visit, stop at Margaret Mitchell House and receive free museum admission on April 16th and 17th.

For more information call 404.817.6642 or visit www.dogwood.org.

Atlanta Film Festival Landmark Midtown Art Cinema Lafont Cinema Sandy Springs Plaza Theatre Midtown APRIL 28 - MAY 7

The Atlanta Film Festival is the largest and longestrunning film festival in Atlanta.

The 2011 festival will open at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema on Thursday, April 28 with Terri starring John C. Rileyand will close with director Simon Arthur’s Silver Tongues Saturday May 7 also at the Landmark Theatre. Visit www.atlantafilmfestival.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Sweetwater 420 Fest

enactments of some of the wars greatest battles. For more information on all these events, visit www.explorecharleston.com.

Candler Park APRIL 15, 16 & 17

This three day music and arts festival celebrating Earth Day will be held Friday, April 15th from 4:20 PM to 10 PM, Saturday from Noon to 10 PM and Sunday from 12:30 PM to 7 PM in Atlanta's historic Candler Park.

There is free admission for live music, food, and eco-oriented educational experiences. Festival goers 21+ and with a valid ID can purchase a $5 wristband to responsibly enjoy Sweetwater beer and wine. A portion of proceeds from wristband sales are donated to Candler Park Neighborhood Association, to make improvements to Candler Park. Founded

by Sweetwater Brewing Company in 2004, the two-day eco-oriented festival attracts thousands of visitors to Atlanta each year and has emerged into a music and arts-driven educational platform for environmental awareness and activism. People are encouraged to limit the impact on the neighborhood and take MARTA. The festival is conveniently located just two blocks from the Candler Park MARTA station. Visit www.sweetwater420fest.com for additional information, updates, and directions.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival New Orleans, LA APRIL 29 - MAY 8 city's quirkiest and colorful parade takes place on Saturday, April 30 and will be led by the Inman Park Butterfly, and followed by floats, clowns, jugglers, and the legendary Kelly's Seed and Feed Marching Abominables. This favorite of festival begins at Edgewood and Euclid on Sat. April 30 at 2:00 p.m. (rain or shine) and runs to Austin Ave. at the foot of Little Five Points. Children's activities include a giant slide, obstacle course, relay races and more.

The festival's home tour features elegant, turnof-the-century Victorian homes, bungalows, original contemporary designs and modern interpretations of traditional styles. Admission to all festival events is free, except for the Tour of Homes, which requires a paid ticket. For information about the Festival or Tour of Homes, call their hotline at 770-635-3711 or visit www.inmanparkfestival.org.

Atlanta Steeplechase

Kingston Downs near Rome, Ga. APRIL 16

and Tour of Homes APRIL 30 - MAY 1

Inman Park proudly presents a neighborhood festival widely regarded as Atlanta’s most spirited and eclectic. The Inman Park Festival offers food, music, fun, the city's largest street market, and it's most outrageous parade. The

MAY

MAY 1 - 31 (31 Days of Jazz) MAY 28 - 30 Memorial Day Weekend Festival

Exit 61 - Peachtree City / Fairburn APRIL 16 - JUNE 5

Inman Park Festival

Louisiana is gearing up for the 42nd edition of the Jazz Fest. With twelve stages of virtually every style of roots music, Jazz Fest presents one of the entertainment world’s most diverse music lineups, including its unparalleled showcase of Louisiana’s unique culture. Hundreds of thousands of fans annually flock to the sevenday event that has been called America’s best festival. This year’s stellar line-up includes Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Willie Nelson, The Strokes, Robert Plant, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck, Sonny Rollins, John Legend & The Roots, The Avett Brothers, Cyndi Lauper, and Wyclef Jean.

Atlanta Jazz Festival

Georgia Renaissance Festival

The Georgia Renaissance Festival returns for its 26th year on weekends and Memorial Day, from April 16 through June 5th. Designed to help visitors imagine that they have time traveled back to Elizabethan England, the Georgia Renaissance Festival creates the fantasy with themed buildings and rides, costumed actors, and creative entertainment and interactive activities. Once inside the gates, you'll find Knights in shining armor and Maidens Faire, King Henry VIII and his Court, jolly pubs and a 32-acre World Bazaar full of elaborate treasures created by nationally renowned artisans. Feast like royalty on delectable delights including the popular giant roasted turkey legs. Endless entertainment awaits with ten stages featuring juggling, music, comedic storytelling and feats of incredible physical skills. The whole family will enjoy the Royal Petting Zoo and the thrilling rides in the medieval amusement park.

There is also original extreme sports like the Jousting Tournament of Kings, and the magnificent highflying Birds of Prey and Animal Show. For more information please visit www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com.

Great Events Coming this Spring

On Saturday, April 16th the Atlanta Steeplechase is back with their annual race. In what has been called "The Best Lawn Party in Georgia" thousands of spectators will come to tailgate and take part in the festivities. The Steeplechase is the event to see and be seen.

As spring heralds in warm days and sunny skies, every fashion statement from designer dresses and showy hats to flip flops and halter tops can be seen at Kingston Downs. Gourmet food and tailgate parties are the staple of the event. Between races, spectators can partake in picnic fare prepared by some of Atlanta's top restaurants. Along with the racing of some of the finest steeplechase horses in the country, attendees are treated to Jack Russell terrier races, pig races, an air show and skydive demonstration, disc dog competition and the popular Hat Parade. Information visit www.atlantasteeplechase.org.

Civil War Sesquicentennial Charleston, SC APRIL 9 - 17

To honor the Civil War Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary), Fort Sumter National Monument will offer nine days of living history programs at its three sites in the Charleston area from April 9–17. April 12 marks 150 years since Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, initiating a war that transformed the nation.

Activities at the fort include numerous re-

Whether it's out-of-this-world improvisation or boogie-woogie notes of Big Band music that moves you, the 34th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival embodies the spirit of Jazz and will unite the City of Atlanta for 31 days of amazing music during the "31 Days of Jazz" this May. The 2011 celebration will culminate on Monday, May 30th at Chastain Park Amphitheater with Trombone Shorty opening for DMS featuring George Duke, Marcus Miller, and David Sanborn. One of the last free jazz festivals in the U.S., the Atlanta Jazz Festival is a family-oriented event designed to entertain, educate and expose a variety of audiences to jazz while cultivating its legacy. All concerts at Piedmont Park are free and open to the public the Chastain Park event is ticketed. For more information including lineup and a schedule of events, please visit: www.atlantafestivals.com.

Run, Walk ‘N Roll

Confederate Hall at Stone Mountain Park MAY 7 The 11th Annual Run, Walk 'n Roll and Fun Run will take place on Saturday, May 7 with proceeds going to provide wheelchairs, medical supplies and other equipment to the disabled and elderly. The run is 5 miles and the walk is 2 miles. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the 5-Mile Fun Run and the 2 mile Walk ‘n’ Roll starting at 9:00 a.m. Individuals and groups are invited to join us for this fun event which will include a continental breakfast, and refreshments. Get your company, civic group, church, or Sunday school class to participate as a group. Participants are needed to run, walk or roll (in their wheelchairs) and raise at least $50.

Event is sponsored by Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. For more information, call 770-491-9014 or visit www.fodac.org.

GA Shakespeare Bard’s Bash Conant Performing Arts Center MAY 21

To kick off the 2011 Summer Festival, Georgia Shakespeare presents Bard's Bash Pharaoh's Fete An Evening in Cleopatra's Court at 6:30PM on Saturday May 21. Four productions mark the 2011 Summer Season. The Tempest (June 8 - July 23); Antony and Cleopatra (June 23 - July 22); Noises Off (July 28 - August 14); The Jungle Book (July 5 - 22). Tickets are available at the Georgia Shakespeare Box Office at the Conant Performing Arts Center on the campus of Oglethorpe University. For more information, visit www.gashakespeare.org.

Taste of Underground Atlanta Kenny’s Alley, Underground Atlanta WEDNESDAYS IN APRIL, MAY & JUNE

A food event, showcasing Underground Atlanta's dining choices, with live entertainment at lunchtime every Wednesday, April June 2011. Get great deals on lunch, experience unique entertainment, connect with your community, shop for the perfect gift, register for great prizes and sample great food at Underground Atlanta this spring. Other celebrations include Cinco de Mayo, National Peach Cobbler Day & National Poetry Month with themed menus, entertainment & vendors.

For more information, please call 404-523-2311 or visit www.underground-atlanta.com.

Taste of Alpharetta

Old Milton Pkwy. at Willis Park MAY 12 Taste of Alpharetta has become an annual tradition for festivalgoers, families and food connoisseurs for 21 years. Guests can dine in Downtown Alpharetta at over 50 restaurants in one fun night. Sample delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts from the top menus in town. Enjoy culinary demonstrations, activities and entertainment to please every palette.

Admission is free and food samples are $.50 each and restaurants participating in the Taste will charge $1-3 per sample. Spread your blan-

ket on the Culinary Art and Music Stage lawn to enjoy competing chefs and live music. Party with local Atlanta radio stations and play at the Fun Zone. For more information, call (678) 297- 6000 or go to www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes Bessie Branham Park MAY 14

Want the diversity of a big festival with the warmth and ease of a neighborhood party?

Then come out for the 9th Annual Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes.

The weekend will kick-off with a 5K Race on Saturday, May 14 at 9am in downtown Kirkwood. Runners will follow the winding path through Kirkwood’s tree-lined streets and finish in Bessie Branham Park. Registration before May 1 is $20; $25 after May 1.

The Festival, scheduled from 10am to 7pm on Saturday, May 14, includes a Street Market featuring more than 90 talented artisans and crafters showcasing high-quality handmade products. The Children’s Area, complete with hands-on activities, moon bounce, games and more, is sure to delight kids of all ages. And a new Green Area devoted to eco-friendly living will focus on ways to reduce carbon footprints through items made from recycled products.

A diverse line-up of Bands promises to entertain music lovers of funk, jazz, blues and rock n' roll, while a famous headliner (to be announced) is certain to engage fans with their crowd-pleasing, Southern rock. In addition, local restaurants will set up their food carts to serve a variety of tasty fare, and adult and children’s beverages will be available as well.

The ever-popular Tour of Homes, held on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 from 12pm to 6pm, highlights a distinct selection of building styles from classic Victorian cottages to Craftsman bungalows to modern lofts and everything in between. Participants will meet some of the home’s owners on the tour and learn about the histories of many of the properties and creative techniques used in construction and renovation. Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 on the days of the tours.

Proceeds from the Festival benefit the Kirkwood Neighbors' Organization, a 501c3 non profit dedicated to community improvement. For more information about the Festival visit www.KirkwoodFling.com.

March of Dimes Dining Out

Dinner at Various Restaurants; After Party at The Buckhead Theatre MAY 13

Special Olympics Georgia

March of Dimes will hold its annual "Dining Out" followed by "Stepping Out" on Friday, May 13. Dinner at one of the participating premiere restaurants begins at 7pm and the "Stepping Out" after-party at The Buckhead Theatre goes from 9pm - midnight. Atlanta's finest restaurants, including new culinary hot spots and favorite classics, will be participating.

The cost is $1,000 or $1,500 for a table of ten, depending on the restaurant selection. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.marchofdimes.com/georgia or call 404350-9800 x208.

The Artful Garden Tour

Hosted by the High Museum of Art's social and volunteer group, Art Partners, all proceeds will benefit the High Museum of Art. Art Partners and Artful Garden Tour sponsor Westside Provisions District will kick off this year's event on Thursday, May 12, with the Urban Chic Garden Party in Atlanta's Westside Provisions District. For ticket pricing and additional information, visit www.high.org/gardentour.com

Seven Atlanta Gardens MAY 14 The Artful Garden Tour provides self-led tours of seven of Atlanta's finest gardens.

Highlights include a 30-year-old English and woodland garden surrounding a 1935 Tudor with formal spaces for entertaining and natural woodland plantings, a contemporary garden incorporating plantings, dramatic lighting and sleek hardscapes, and an intimate cottage garden in which the owner/designer has maximized a small space with dramatic effect.

State Summer Games at Emory University MAY 20 - 22 The Opening Ceremony will be on Friday, May 20 at 7:30pm at McDonough Field and competitions will be held Saturday and Sunday. Events are free and open to the public. Come cheer on the 1,500 participating athletes as they compete in aquatics, athletics, soccer, badminton, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, and table tennis with over 600 coaches to guide them in competition. Also happening that weekend is The 22nd Annual Spring 3-Day Bike Ride which begins in the Virginia Highlands. The 300-mile ride tours West Georgia from urban Atlanta through rural West Georgia and ends in Virginia Highlands on the 22nd. Riders will raise money for Special Olympics Georgia through sponsorships. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsGA.org.

Familiar Food with Flair Serving Daily 7 AM – 2 PM

20 ATLANTA AREA LOCATIONS FIND ONE NEAR YOU AT WWW.JCHRISTOPHERS.COM continued on page 26 PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Atlanta History Center $2

al Annu

t r n en o io es f i s s d Pr s a m i d th ff a o

20 y, April 16, 11 a d r Satu 30 am – 4:30 pm 10 : g Festval Sprin

East Atlanta Beer Festival East Atlanta Village, Brownwood Park MAY 21

Sample over 150 craft beers from across the globe and visit shops and restaurants in East Atlanta Village. Enjoy live local music on the festival's main stage and enjoy a wide array of food. All proceeds benefit community projects. Ticket prices not available as of press time. For more information, please visit www.Eabfonline.com.

Zoo Atlanta’s Brew at the Zoo And Wine Too! MAY 28

Zoo Atlanta's annual signature summer event features over 30 brews and 12 wines, and live musical performances all night long. Come and take a stroll with over 1,300 animals from around the world while sampling award-winning brews and vinos. Advance tickets are $35 for Zoo Members; $40 for non-Members; $45 if purchased on the day of the event. For more information, visit www.zooatlanta.org.

Enjoy a day of family fun with live demonstratons of sheep shearing, open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, candle making, and much more on the Smith Family Farm. Listen to stories and music that immerse you in 1860s farm life.

Take a guided tour of the historic farmhouse and the blooming Quarry Garden. Kids discover the fun of old-fashioned games and enriching hands-on actvites.

Decatur Arts Festival

Major funding for this program is provided by:

Poppy Garden Club

404.814.4000 • AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/S2S

Memorial Day Weekend Decatur Square MAY 28 & 29 Decatur's biggest arts event kicks off with the unveiling of the official arts festival poster on May 5 and culminates with the main events on Memorial Day Weekend. Get started Friday evening, May 27, with the ArtWalk all around Decatur. The fun continues with the new dance festival, literary arts performances, musicians all day long on Decatur's community bandstand, a juried artists market, the fine arts exhibition, a special Kids and Teens Arts Festival and more. For additional information, call 404.371.9583 or go to www.DecaturArtsFestival.org.

Spoleto Festival Charleston, SC MAY 27 - JUNE 12

MAY 14th, 2011 Huge HEADLINER to be announced MAY 1st!!!

5K FUN RUN/WALK (May 14, 8am)

FAST & FUN COURSE THRU HISTORIC KWD, AFTER PARTY & PRIZES

ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL (10am - 11pm) ARTIST MARKET, FOOD & BEER,

2 STAGES OF LIVE MUSIC, KID’S AREA & MORE

BESSIE BRANHAM PARK 2051 DELANO DRIVE NE, ATL 30317

TOUR OF HOMES (May 14 & 15) 12–6pm, $12/advance, $15/day of tour

The internationally renowned Spoleto Festival takes place in Charleston, SC May 27 - June 12. Spoleto is celebrating its 35th year as one of the nation’s top performing arts festival.

This year will feature more than 120 performances by acclaimed performers, artists, and musicians whose art reflects cultures from across the world. For more informaiton visit www.spoletousa.org.

based talent. This year, around 200 bands and artists will perform on three outdoor stages and in over a dozen of the town’s best music venues. The outdoor stages are all ages and free of charge.

Besides the musical offerings there is also a free Artists Market that has around 50 local and regional sculptors, painters, weavers, and other visual artists. There is also a kid and family friendly area called KidsFest that has free hands on arts activities for children and a free performances by local adult musicians playing specifically for kids as well as bands made up of very your local bands. To round things out there are also local filmmaker showcases at Cine’organized by Film:Athens and the Flagpole Magazine Athens Music Awards at the historic Morton Theater. For more info, visit www.athfest.com.

Flicks On 5th

Technology Square, 86 Fifth Street WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, JUNE & JULY

Flicks on 5th will return this year with an incredible lineup of blockbuster titles. All movies will begin at dusk (approximately 9:00 pm). 5th Street will be closed between Spring Street and Techwood Drive so guests can bring their own blankets and chairs for viewing and dining. Moviegoers can eat in or carry out dinner at any of the many restaurants located on 5th Street at Technology Square. The event is scheduled rain or shine. Please leave coolers, umbrellas, grills and pets at home. For more information, visit www.flickson5th.gatech.edu or call (404) 894-2805.

JULY National Black Arts Festival

Centennial Olympic Park & Various Venues JULY 14 - 17 The National Black Arts Festival will hold the majority of its summer events at Centennial Olympic Park including its popular International Market Place, which will take place July 14 17. The NBAF Summer Film Festival will take place July 7 17. The 2011 Gala Black Tie event Salute to the Silver Screen with take place July 16 at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead.

For tickets and additional information visit www.nbaf.org.

Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival The Fabulous Fox Theatre JULY - AUGUST

JUNE Athfest

VISIT

KIRKWOODFLING.COM

Downtown Athens JUNE 22 - 26

FOR DETAILS

MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THESE GREAT FOLKS:

PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

The Athens Music and Arts Festival is a highly acclaimed event held annually in historic downtown Athens, GA, a town long renowned for its thriving music scene. For the past 15 years, AthFest has used the festival to showcase the best in regionally and nationally recognized Athens-

The Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival offers an outstanding line-up of the year's biggest releases as well as some of the classic movies of all time. Come early to see the movies and join in an Atlanta tradition including wine tastings at the Fox beginning at 5:30 pm. Relax and unwind before the show while you meet up with friends and mix and mingle. Last season featured award winning movies: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The General and Singin’ in the Rain. Dates and movies for 2011 will be announced in June. For more information visit their web site at www.foxtheatre.org.

FILM

A GOOD SCARE IS HARD TO FIND …thank goodness the Saw guys are still at work

By JennI WILLIaMs

i

t’s true, scary movie lovers. it’s hard to leave a theatre these days with a scare that’ll keep you awake at night. you probably don’t even check your back seat when you get in the car. We’ve faced it. the days of psychotic thrillers have passed, and we’ve traded it for pop-up scares laced with gore. But wait, before you relinquish horror films for life, there’s good news. the australian duo famous for their invitation to “play a game” has something new from their portfolio. it’s better and never been told before (ahem, Freddy franchise). oh, and it’s scary… real scary. the film is insidious. Director James Wan and writer leigh Whannell bring us a cute (and by cute, we really mean cute—ah thank you Patrick Wilson and rose Byrnes) little family who just can’t seem to get settled in their new home. things keep disappearing, furniture gets rearranged, strange sounds come from the baby monitor and the oldest son has fallen into an unexplainable deep sleep. and just when things start to settle down, the house alarm goes off without warning, bad dreams become realities, and something just doesn’t feel right within their four new walls.

We won’t ruin the suspense by giving away details, but we do have a glimpse behind the scenes. insite sat down with the (surprisingly normal and charismatic) men behind the mayhem, to see just who it takes to write such a wicked story.

Is this the scariest movie ever made?

Whannell: We were definitely aiming for that. But, ultimately, that’s up to the audience to decide. i made no bones about saying i want this to be the scariest movie of all time, which is a big claim, bordering on humorous, because we’ve got films like the exorcist out there, that are firmly cemented in stone as being classics, but you might as well aim for that, even if you don’t achieve it.

Wan: We got to see the movie with some audiences already, and if the way they reacted was any sense of how’s its going to do, then we’ve got a pretty good reaction.

A big difference from Saw? Whannell: absolutely. God, i wrote the first draft of saw when i was 24 years old. it’s a huge mental gap—what you care about when you’re 24 and what you care about when you’re…older.

Wan: Well, yeah, and definitely for me as a filmmaker, you learn your craft, and like with anything you get better with more practice.

Wan: i always joke that saw, in a lot of ways, was like, my student film. and a student film is like a practice film, yet, everyone got to see it. But, that became the biggest horror hit of our franchise. and i had a lot to live up to.

What was the plan to make it different?

Wan: leigh and i wanted to prove to people that we can make up a scary—really scary—movie that doesn’t rely on the kind of bloody, visceral gore that the first saw film had a bit of. insidious is a super natural thriller, and the idea is, we wanted to make a movie that when you leave the theatre, you get home at night and have the idea that we’ve planted this insidious seed in your brain and you can’t go from the bath-

room to the kitchen without turning on all the lights. you like scary films because they scare you, and that to me… if we did that, then that’s the biggest achievement we’ve made for the film.

Where do you get the ideas for this stuff?

Wan: Well, some of the things that happened in the film actually come from stories we’ve heard from friends of ours, or our own experiences. like, the house alarm going off, that’s one of my fears. What if i set my alarm and then it goes off in the middle of the night while i am sleeping. the whole purpose of an alarm is to let you know one thing--that someone is trying to break into your house, or already is in your house, right? and what makes it scarier is that you look all around, but no windows are open, no doors are open.

Any favorite scenes?

Whannell: Without giving too much away, i do like the scene the scene involving rose Byrne’s character waking up in the middle of the night. that scene, to me, is really well done. James had an idea that at first, even i was thinking, wow i don’t know how that’s going to work, because when you’re on set, things that are supposed to be scary in the finished product, it’s all lit on set. there’s grips standing around, everybody is happy and joking… it’s the farthest thing from scary you can get, and so i am watching this scene and i’m like this isn’t scary at all. and then, of course, i see the finished product and it turns out he had a plan. He doesn’t just make it up as he goes along.

Wan: Despite what you think, yeah.

Whannell: i’ll also say i love the scene where my character shows up, because it’s right at the midpoint of the film and the audience just starts laughing. i’m addicted to that sound. i fear that just that tiny little sliver of comedy may have hooked me for life on comedy. the next one’s going to have to be a comedy.

Wan: Here’s the irony. When he goes up to make a comedy, no one’s going to laugh at it. it’s going to be horrific.

Whannell: People will leave saying, that’s the scariest movie i’ve ever seen. so intense.

fans. We like all kinds of films and we want to make films in all kinds of genres.

Whannell: i think that if you keep painting with the same colors, it gets kind of stale.

Wan: it gets boring.

Whannell: yeah, it can be the death of creativity. Depending on what your attitude about it is. some filmmakers thrive in one genre. that’s what they want to do. i mean, John Ford made westerns. John carpenter makes horror films. James and i aren’t like that. i think that we’d get bored if we kept making horror films. i think we need to test

ourselves a little bit and make our sci-fi film. and then, that’s a baby step outside the horror genre, so maybe take another step out… maybe make a comedy or something that people would never expect from us.

Perfect set-up for a sequel?

Whannell: We’re both way too superstitious to even think about a sequel before this one comes out.

Wan: you know, it’s funny. We don’t set out to make movies that lend themselves to sequels.

How do you translate sheer terror to the screen?

Wan: you should see the techniques i use.

Whannell: Well yeah though, when you’re in the middle of a scene, it is sorta hard to feign absolute terror, when that’s not really the situation that’s happening, but i guess that’s the challenge of acting in a horror film…keeping that façade up of utter terror. the good thing is, with a horror film, if the audience is scared, half your work is done for you.

Wan: and how do we get the audience scared, leigh?

Whannell: …

Wan: …through really strong, crafty filmmaking, right? Don’t forget that.

Whannell: …or maybe really great writing, i don’t know.

So, where do you go from here?

Whannell: We’ve been talking about a scifi film actually. it’s outside the horror genre, but we can still maintain our trademark sensibility.

Wan: leigh and i always use this phrase that we’re not just horror fans, we’re film PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

Music

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

The Chieftains Frontman Paddy Moloney On the Irish Band’s 50-Year History

By Bret Love

I

t was one heck of an early st.

Patrick’s Day celebration when The chieftains came to atlanta in March, performing for two nights with the atlanta symphony orchestra. The traditional Irish music group– Paddy Moloney on Uilleann pipes and tin whistle, Matt Molloy on flute and tin whistle, seán keane on fiddle and kevin conneff on bodhrán and vocals– was founded way back in 1962, and though they’ve lost a few members over time, the current lineup has been together for over 30 years now. one of world music’s first breakout success stories, The chieftains were named Group of the year by london’s prestigious Melody Maker magazine in 1975 and have racked up an impressive range of accolades in the years since, including winning six Grammy awards (and 18 nominations), being the first western band to play the Great wall of china, and being named Ireland’s official musical ambassadors in 1989. They’ve worked with practically every legend in the music business, including luciano Pavarotti, the rolling stones, the who, willie nelson, Paul Mccartney, Van Morrison and elvis costello. and their latest album, 2010’s ry cooder-produced san Patricio, proves that The chieftains have lost none of their creative verve even as Moloney and company approach their mid-70s. we recently spoke with the charming and witty chieftains frontman about the band’s evolution, the challenges of staying together nearly 50 years, and the indelible imprint they’ve left on the music of Ireland.

I’ve read the Chieftains’ history, but don’t know much about your life before you started the band. How did you get into playing music?

My grandfather was a flute player. They lived in rural Ireland in a small cottage without running water or electricity, and going there for summer holidays was just like paradise. In the evening after work, the melodeon would come down off the dresser and the music and stories would start. My mother bought me a tin whistle when I was six and I taught myself how to play, then I progressed to the uilleann pipes when I was nine or ten, and it all developed from there. I was fascinated by and loved all forms of music.

At what point did you realize you wanted to make a career of it?

I was going to be an accountant at one stage! (laughs) In the late ‘50s, we’d been invited to play at various radio stations and add music to tV shows. I wanted to put together a combination using all the old Irish instruments, playing traditional Irish music. I came in at the right time.

The album The chieftains 1 came out in 1962, and it got into strange places: The BBc’s John Peel was playing it alongside the Beatles and rolling stones. I remember meeting him while playing the edinburgh festival in 1968. we were all still semi-professional at this stage, and we did a week there and blew everybody away.

I’ve read that The Chieftains was originally designed to be a one-off project.

That’s true, because there wasn’t much interest in traditional Irish music! But I wasn’t going to

CoLumn

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

By B. Love

T

hese days, when airlines are charging baggage fees and there seems to be less space for luggage, packing the most stuff into the smallest bag is crucial for travelers on a budget. That’s why we love EaglE CrEEk’s TarmaC 22 (www. eaglecreek.com), their re-designed upright carry-on. at 8 pounds, the 14” x 22” x 9” bag is one of the lighter ones on the market, but the rugged exterior makes it equally suited for adventurers and business travelers alike. The interior storage system allows maximum use of space– including a removable shoe Box, stash Cache, and numerous internal pockets– and you can expand the main compartment to add 15% more packing space. It’s the perfect combination of functionality, durability and design!

It’s rare that we get a package that produces the immediate child-like spirit of joy I felt when I opened my new kErmiT TriTan HydroCanTEEn (www. zak.com). anybody who knows me knows that I’m nuts for The Muppets, so getting a water bottle with Kermit’s grinning mug on the front made my day. But this is no ordinary bottle: Zak’s “Tritan” line is shatterproof and BPa-free, with a durable built-in carrying loop that makes it perfect for our outdoor adventures. But what I love most of all is the sentiment expressed on the back of the bottle: “I Love Being Green.” even if it didn’t boast the visage of a beloved character from my childhood, those words alone would make this bottle my new favorite thing!

PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • April 2011

In the world of organic clothing, bamboo’s been getting a lot of buzz due to the speed at which the plant grows, its anti-bacterial agents and moisturewicking properties. so we were curious to check it out for ourselves when amEriCan Family naTurally (www.americanfamilynaturally.com) and naTural CloTHing Company (www.naturalclothingcompany.com) sent us some bamboo t-shirts, dresses, socks and towels to try out. The products were smooth and soft, with a silky sheen that reminded us of cashmere. The bamboo’s ventilation and absorption made the t-shirts and socks surprisingly comfortable, containing perspiration and odor even during a workout. The jury’s still out on how “green” bamboo clothes are (since processing requires chemicals), but there’s no denying the fact that it looks and feels amazing. sT-gErmain (www.stgermain.fr) has become the hip mixer of choice at many foodie-friendly hotspots lately, but it took tasting a few delectable cocktails for me to understand the frou-frou French liqueur’s appeal. It’s made from elderflower blossoms that grow in the foothills of the alps for two to three weeks in late spring, which must be harvested and macerated within a matter of days in order to maintain peak flavor. The process by which this is done is a highly guarded secret, but the combination of the fragrant flower and eau-de-vie (a clear fruit brandy) is delicious, with notes that range from pear to citrus, and much lower in sugar than your average liqueur. Check out the company’s website for killer cocktail concoctions.

We’ve got huge respect froM our oWn peopLe. We’ve opened up to peopLe Who didn’t knoW aBout irish Music that never caMe to an irish Music concert. that happens at every concert.

let this go. I thought there was a big world stage out there for The chieftains to play on. The guys didn’t have to leave their jobs until ’75, when I realized the market was there. we sold out the albert hall in london with three weeks’ notice, and it was time to pull the stakes up.

The folk music scene in the 1960s was centered around singer-songwriters. Did you encounter resistance to your all-instrumental approach?

I had great faith that one day what we did best– playing traditional Irish music– was going to soar, and I wasn’t going to be stepping down the ladder by changing the style. our first concert in the albert hall was just music– no flashing lights or smoke screens, and we didn’t have dancers or singers– so to see the crowd dance around the theatre, coming back for encore after encore, was just magic. There were tears in our eyes that night. we didn’t realize that people from the rock world were listening to us, like The rolling stones, Marianne faithfull and Paul Mccartney, so the whole social thing started to develop and word got out. we were taking our time and gradually creeping in. Then in ’75, we were on the front page of Melody Maker as Group of the year. That was huge!

You beat out legends like the Stones and Led Zeppelin at a time when you were still working day jobs to make ends meet. How did that recognition change things? we didn’t want to get carried away. There were lots of decisions to be made, and managers came and went because I wouldn’t give in. I wasn’t out there for the quick buck. It was all going to be done a gradual scale… and it still is! we’re in the performing arts, not rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a great living and we’ve had great records, even the last album south Ventricio, did so well and to get an editorial in the new york times, to get an article written about you in that paper that was something.

I know you played your first U.S. concert in 1972. How have audiences for world music changed over the past 40 years?

I never knew about this thing ‘world Music’ I was just out for Ireland. I hadn’t even started to mix at that stage. I started playing in scotland with maybe a scottish tune thrown in for good measure, incidently we do have a scottish singer on this tour alist Mccormick who comes from the Island of lewis off the west coast of scotland and she sings in some scotch-Garic. she has the

voice of an angel. she’d be on tour with us for the concerts in atlanta.

You guys have lost a few members over the years, but the core of the band has been together for decades. What have been the keys to a healthy, successful long-term musical partnership?

Mat Maloy, Mat put it as I’m the Mammy. I started this whole thing and I’ve kept it together in such a way our order is a democracy, but I come up with something and all the sudden it’s there before they know what’s happening. sometimes we go on stage and I haven’t even set the program.

It all looks very laid back, buts it’s hard work for it to happen. I think good old traditional Irish music everybody in the band has the opportunity to perform- solos, etc. and they trust me and what I do and where I’m coming from. still no dictatorship or anything about what you should sing or what you shouldn’t play. They are all great musicians in their own right. I have total respect for everybody. we’re like a big family. we still have falling outs, although not so much lately. I remember in the 70’s coming home from Belgium for christmas and we used to work everyday of the year almost. two of them hadn’t been getting along and both of them come along saying they were leaving the band after christmas. I say to myself I’m only going to have four left, but we got over that and talked everything and to everybody. you do get moments like that, but not anymore.

Your music has obviously influenced practically every musician to emerge from Ireland in the past 40 years. What artistic legacy do you hope the Chieftans will leave on Irish music? we have influenced quite a lot of young musicians and at the moment we’re the musicians in residence for the world academy at the University of limerick. we go down there and give master classes. we’ve got huge respect from our own people. we’ve opened up to people who didn’t know about Irish music that never came to an Irish music concert. That happens at every concert. They’re invited to come along or Van Morrison fans who have listened to Irish heartbeat and they’ve shown up at concerts. with Gerry Garcia, he was very interested in the band.

It’s like one of these great calling cards without pushing it down people’s throat. They came and listed and saw and conquered themselves. They love it or they hate it. Thank God it’s been growing and getting bigger every year. I’ve got to stop, I meant it’s been 50 years, for heaven’s sake.

2011 MLB Preview

BY DeMarCo WiLLiaMs

b

aseball fans, last year had to have been some sort of weird diamond anomaly. There’s no other sensible explanation for boston not making the posteason or for the texas rangers bowling over the tampa bay rays and new york yankees in the al playoffs. and who in the world could have predicted that the light-hitting san francisco Giants would beat the atlanta braves, Philadelphia Phillies and rangers to win the World series? We’ll answer that one for you—not a soul.

Thankfully for network programmers (the ’10 series was the lowest-rated championship in nielsen history) and fans of exciting offense, the ‘11 campaign won’t suffer a similar fate. deep pockets in Philly and beantown assure us of that. so too do savvy dealings in atlanta, Milwaukee and Chicago.

In fact, after the dust settles on this sure-to-please campaign, folks won’t even remember last season’s yawner. Why? They’ll be too busy re-living the epic fall Classic the braves and bosox will have just completed, that’s why.

8. taMpa BaY

The rays lost one of their best offensive players (Crawford) and most of their bullpen. still, if Manny ramirez can find motivation and Johnny damon can find his way on to base, they’ll be right in the thick of things.

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9. BaLtiMore

The orioles continue their steady ascent to respectability. This year’s rise is due to free-swinging boppers like Vladimir Guerrero, Mark reynolds and J.J. hardy joining the club.

10. oakLanD

While you’ve been sleeping on the a’s, they’ve been stealthily building a solid mound (rotation had a Mlb-best 3.47 era in ’10) and putting together a semi-decent roster (david deJesus, hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham).

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11. toronto

American League

had the red sox only brought back a healthy dustin Pedroia and Jacoby ellsbury, they’d be World series faves. but to add the five-tooled Carl Crawford and the fine-swinging adrian Gonzalez, almost makes the title an afterthought.

We think just as highly of the royals’ farm system as everyone else. but how many more dry summers of players like Melky Cabrera (.255, 4 hrs) and Chris Getz (.237, 0 hrs) must fans go through before seeing some growth?

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2. ChiCago White sox

This lineup (adam dunn, Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin) is stacked. If the back end of the rotation and the bullpen play to their potential, the odds are more than stacked against the rest of the al Central.

3. texas

some will say their ’10 run was a fluke. others (and that includes Insite) will say the addition of 3b adrian beltre makes the potent, all-for-one squad even more of a threat this year.

12. kansas CitY

Ichiro suzuki, 37, led the league in hitting a fifth consecutive time in ’10. felix hernandez, 25, won the al Cy young with dazzling stuff. sadly, just about every player between them hasn’t aged as gracefully.

14. CLeveLanD

5. Detroit

If ill effects from Miguel Cabrera’s spring dUI don’t ride into the season, the Victor Martinez and brad Penny additions could be plenty to help the well-rounded tigers coast into october.

6. L.a. angeLs

Though we love their arms (Jered Weaver, dan haren) and heart of their order (torii hunter, Kendrys Morales and newly-acquired Vernon Wells), our brain tells us they’re still missing the little things to contend.

7. Minnesota

If Justin Morneau is completely healed from last year’s concussion, these fundamentally sound twins will be a headache for the al Central through the summer.

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If shin-soo Choo stays hot and Carlos santana and travis hafner stay off the dl, watch out in the standings. If these three things don’t happen, watch for the rumor mill to light up with trade gossip.

4. nY Yankees

derek Jeter’s swing has been tweaked. a-rod and Mark teixeira swear they haven’t peaked. yanks will make the playoffs if the no. 3 and 4 starters don’t reek.

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What the blue Jays lack in power pitching they more than make up for with five players with 30-homer potential: Jose bautista, aaron hill, travis snider, adam lind and edwin encarnacion.

1. Boston

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1. atLanta

National League

for the braves to hold this spot through september, Chipper Jones must stay healthy, nate Mclouth’s bat can’t get sick and dan Uggla’s stick has to be the same pain in pitchers’ sides it’s been for the past five seasons.

2. phiLaDeLphia

The starting rotation of roy halladay, Cliff lee, roy oswalt and Cole hamels is called “Mound rushmore.” If Chase Utley can’t play second, the team might be better off as “Mount flushmore” because title hopes could go down the toilet.

3. MiLWaukee

no, we haven’t forgotten about all the things the reds did last year. It’s just that we can’t ignore the hits (Prince fielder, ryan braun) and heat (yovani Gallardo, Zack Greinke) from the brewers either.

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4. L.a. DoDgers

and no, we haven’t forgotten about all the things the Giants did last year. It’s just that we can’t ignore the potential hits (Matt Kemp, James loney), heat (Clayton Kershaw) and headship (new manager don Mattingly) from the dodgers.

5. san FranCisCo

6. CinCinnati

13. san Diego

8. st. Louis

15. arizona

troy tulowitzki is probably the best player the masses couldn’t recognize on the streets. If Ubaldo Jimenez has a full season like last year’s first half (15 wins before the break), there won’t be a road he can walk without being hounded.

10. nY Mets

even if Jose reyes and david Wright put up huge

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Who know what the Padres will do about filling the offensive gap left by Gonzalez’s move to boston? Maybe brad hawpe and ryan ludwick, who combined for 26 dingers in ’10, have a secret slugger reserve they can pull from.

14. houston

9. CoLoraDo

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listen, we’re dying to see bryce harper and stephen strasburg dazzle in the Majors too. sadly, we’ll have to settle for Jayson Werth and livan hernandez for at least another year.

The Cubbies are like a nicholas Cage movie: When you check out the previews, you see explosive potential (aramis ramirez, starlin Castro). but when you’ve actually seen the whole thing, you’re left with only a popcorn tub of disappointment. any lineup with a motivated albert Pujols in it is a lineup we’re okay with. any rotation without adam Wainwright and a pain-free Chris Carpenter is a rotation we kinda want to stay away from.

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They have some impressive parts (ss hanley ramirez, of Mike stanton and pitcher Josh Johnson), but as a whole, this Marlins roster just has too many holes.

12. Washington

7. ChiCago CuBs

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11. FLoriDa

Their run to the World series was pure magic a season ago. and while we’re certain tim lincecum and Co. still have plenty of tricks up their pitching sleeves, we’re also sure the bats will disappear from the Giants’ so-so lineup.

The Joey Votto- and Jay bruce-led offense assured the reds led the nl in batting, homers and runs scored in ’10. because their pitchers won’t lead the league in any stats in ‘11, they’ll finish behind the brew Crew.

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stats, we just don’t see them contending with the braves and Phillies in the standings or the yankees in the Gotham headlines.

The third-worst offense on the senior circuit didn’t do anything to rectify the problem. so, that leaves an insane amount of pressure on hunter Pence at the plate and brett Myers on the hill.

Though we love rf Justin Upton, Cf Chris young and hurler Ian Kennedy, we hate having to tell them they’re at least another two seasons from being outside Wild Card hopefuls.

16. pittsBurgh

The Pirates’ pitiful string of 18 consecutive losing seasons won’t end this year. Well, at least the fumbling franchise has a winner in speedster andrew McCutchen.

World Series:

Boston over atLanta, 4-1

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY The New NiNTeNdo 3dS- GameChaNGer or PaSSiNG Fad?

By B. Love The Nintendo DS is the best-selling handheld video game console ever made, and the second best-selling console overall (behind the PlayStation 2), with over 144 million units sold. But aside from minor tweaks– 2006’s DS Lite, 2008’s DSi, and 2009’s DSi XL– the successor to the Game Boy Advance has not undergone a single major design change since it debuted back in 2004.

It’s no secret that the console video game business– much like the music, movie and TV industries before it– has been in a slow but steady state of decline as it faces increased competition from the Internet, phone apps, etc. And, much like the movie business, video game developers are looking to 3D technology to rejuvenate the market. The alwaysinnovative Nintendo remains one step ahead of the back by debuting its 3DS while competitors at Sony and Microsoft are still working on developing the technology, but the question for gamers remains, is it worth $250? Personally, I’m not so sure.

From a tech standpoint, the Nintendo 3DS is a definite improvement over the XL model. For starters, it’s got 24-bit color rather than 16; has 2 GB of NAND flash memory as opposed to 256 MB; has 128 MB of internal memory as opposed to just 16 MB; and has an updated PICA 200 graphics system rather than the old Nintendo proprietary system. The controls offer a bit more

complexity as well, adding a circle pad, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, 3D depth slider and wireless communications switch. Lastly, the system has a 3DS Camera, messaging service, sound and videos, Mii Maker and StreetPass, which allows you to connect wirelessly with other 3DS users.

But what about the quality of the 3D imagery?

Well, that’s where things become a bit iffy. On the positive side, no glasses are necessary. On the negative side, you have to held the system at the perfect angle for the images to look perfect, which can be difficult with motionsensitive games where moving the system around is a necessary part of the process. At its best, on a game like PilotWings Resort, the scenery looks spectacular, offering an immersive gaming experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen. At its worst, it’s headache-inducing– more of a distraction than an enhancement. Thankfully, there’s a 3D depth slider that allows you to adjust the image to your personal preference, but some buyers bemoan the fact that they like certain games best with no 3D effects at all, which makes spending the extra $50 superfluous.

Game-wise, the system started out with some pretty strong titles, including Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D, Steel Diver, Super Monkey Ball 3D and Bust-A-Move Universe.

And, if history is any indication, the new console will undoubtedly produce many bigger, better and badder 3D titles to come. But for now the technology still feels like it’s in its infancy, and will require a bit more refining if it wants to truly revolutionize the gaming industry.

Novak Djokovic

SPORTS

FANATIC FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up A Monthly Sports Wrap-up SPORTS

Mike Krzyzewski

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

Now that SUPER BOWL XLV is over, football fans

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS can get to the real issue: Will there be a 2011 season? If

you letThNFL tell it,NCAA a new oughcommissioner we love a Roger goodGoodell underdog collective bargainingrun agreement listenasto TOURNAMENT like VCU’iss imminent. or Butler’s But as much others situation andgothey’ll say it’ s notthings. such a the nextclose guy, to wethe aren’t going to all wacky about sure thing. officials work outtotheinclude numbers, Expand theWhile Big Dance to 96 teams evenFanatic more knows three thingsMan, that’llare happen, lockout lockout: potential spoilers? you nuts?!?

68or is no where things1) An SECcap. defender (Auburn’ s Nickand Fairley or LSU’ should I’m sorry, Colorado Alabama, buts Patrick if you Peterson) will invite be thenext No. 1year, pickyou in the Draft; An 18-game want a formal gotta play2)better ball. It’s season be approved; 3) SuperofBowl XLVI will kick-off just thatwill simple.

If some measure postseason exclusivity as planned Feb.regular 5, 2012season in Indianapolis. isn’t upheld,onthe is going to the crapper because of teams that’ll just coast ‘til March. Nobody wants Duke’snow roadthan to the titleyears gameago, in “I feelthat. like Besides, a better player I was’12three New Orleans going to be tough enough without the 28 because I thinkisthat physically I’m stronger, faster, mentally additional haters. on the court. I know how to react in I’m more motivated certain moments, and I know how to play on a big stage.

“We’ve always satisfied our obligations to the City I have been moreWe’re focused and dedicated to the sport of Sacramento. honest businesspeople, and than we Ihave havenever ever missed been before. ” -2011 MEN’S AUSTRALIAN a payment. In fact, we’re way ahead OPEN WINNER NOVAK DJOKOVIC of schedule.

A couple of years ago, we paid somewhere

between $9 million and $11 million ahead because we “When signedthemydebt. contract, mainpaid goalour wasfinancial to earn wanted toIlower We’vemy always it. Once I started to realize wasn’ttoearning obligations in the past, we’reIgoing do it inmy the money, present,I felt bad. was making a crazy amount money for not and we’reIgoing to do it in the future.

Theyofhave nothing to even pitching.

Honestly, I didn’t feel like I deserved it. ”I worry about. They will be paid in full, whatever it takes. didn’t wantOWNER to have those again.”after –GIL MECHE, –KINGS JOE feelings MALOOF, Sacramento 32, who retired instead of taking a guaranteed $12 million government workers sent letters to Anaheim, asking the to pitch fornegotiate Kansas City city not to withthis theseason team “Obviously, was amarks poor the choice of words andpoint. very February, ofthat course, NBA’S halfway insulting to everyone here at Duke but especially, not just With that landmark also comes Fanatic’s midseason our African-American but any African-American awards: MVP (Derrickplayers, Rose, Chicago); Defensive Player students. you Howard, judge within a race,Rookie you start of the YearWhen (Dwight Orlando); ofjudging, the Year like you put categories as to who you are. I think that’s

(Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers); Coach of the Year (Gregg Popovich, San Antonio); Most Improved Player (Kevin Love,theMinnesota); SixthtoMan the YearCOACH (Jamal Crawford, just wrong thing do.”ofDUKE MIKE Atlanta); Most Surprising Team (NewRose’ Orleans Hornets); KRZYZEWSKI, responding to Jalen s “Uncle Tom” Biggest Disappointment comments about the Blue(Phoenix Devils Suns).

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but 13th disappointed in payroll. Inand other wordsto the “Weonly are deeply troubled learnCardinals of these money to to burn, it’s time to lightUnprofessional, the match. So fihave ndings related the and FIESTA BOWL. here’s what you do ifbehavior you’re St.is unacceptable.

Louis: Whatever [Albert] unethical or improper There is no Pujolsforwants, within reason, give it to him.

What’s place such activities in higheryou education or in collegiate within Itreason?

No idea. closest baseball haswith had the to a sports. is expected thatThe all parties contracted free will agentlivelike washighest Alex Rodriguez when BCS upthis to the standards.inWe2001, do not wishhe toreceived be associated with entities that believe otherwise. ” –A $252 million for 10 years.

That was $25.2 million BCS statement, after known Bowl’iss better.

CEO” annually, and that wasitabecame decade ago.

AndthePujols was breaking federal financeDOYEL laws –CBS SPORTS’ GREGG

And finally…

And finally…

On March 28, Anaheim Ducks’ Teemu Selanne became $4 million NFL’s annual theHawaii oldestpays NHLer ever toto host scorethe a penalty shot Pro goalBowl (40 at Aloha Stadium…

If early estimates are accurate, Super years, 286 days old)… When LeBron James, Dwyane Wade BowlChris XLVBosh should Stub Hub’ top-selling event ever…10At and allbe scored overs30 points and grabbed press time, the Cleveland Cavs were in the midst 1-29 rebounds on March 27, it marked just the third timeof in aNBA stretch, the NBA’ s worst since 1996…

If there’ s an NFL work history such a trifecta has happened… UConn Lady Husky stoppage nextis season, s reported that Las Vegas casinos Maya Moore only theit’second player in NCAA history to would take an $850 million hit on unplaced betting… be a four-time All-American… Derek Jeter needs just 76 hitsA 56 underclassmen the NFL Draft. torecord become the first Yankee declared ever to getfor3,000 hits. He got his 76th last year on June 6. We’re just sayin’.

Newton or Nick Fairley’s name with the top pick.

2. AsMiami at Boston (Feb. 13, 1PM, ABC) much as Chicago and Orlando acknowledging 2. The Masters (Aprilfans 9-10,hate Various Times, CBS)the fact, this is probably your Eastern Conference Finals Th e world’s top golfers –andpreview. some guy who looks like Tiger- do their best to keep Phil Mickelson from an Augusta repeat.

3.

StateatatESPN) Wisconsin, Pittsburgh atthe road Villanova 3. Ohio Chicago New San Antonio L.A.to very, Lakers (Feb. 12, 2PM, 9PM, The York, top two teams in the nation go on at very (April 12, 8 and 10:30PM, TNT) The regular season winds down with title contenders hostile environments. working out any late cobwebs.

4. Boston Daytona 500 (Feb. 20, 12PM, Fox) 4.

Miami (April Johnson 10, 3:30PM, ABC) Gentlemen, start at your quest to stop Jimmie from winning an unprecedented sixth Though the Bulls may earn the East’s top spot, any reporter worth his salt will tell you these 5. This UNC atat(and Duke (Feb. 9, 9PM, ESPN) 5.

Texas New Yankees (April 17, 8PM,Carolina ESPN) big meeting another onYork March 5) goes a long way in deciding North Okay, wild guess: The Yanks will have revenge from the ’10 ALCS on their

Top Top55Games GamesThis ThisMonth Month

1. We NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 20, 8PM, TNT) don’tDraft know if there will28, be 8PM, moreESPN) celebrities on the hardwood playing or celebrating 1. ThNFL (April courtside at puts L.A.’saStaples e lockout damperCenter. on things, but it won’t stop the Panthers from calling Cam

bragging rights and the ACC crown. minds tonight.

! k c a YB

Gotta admitWhat that can the you startsay? of Some MAJOR LEAGUE “He’ s a beast. of the shots he BASEBALL season hasDidtheheINsite office made, I was like, ‘Wow. just make thatainlil’mygiddy. face?’

We’re so amped thehave yeartothat already have the him list A player like that,foryou liveweand die defending ofonepostseason awards ready: MVP (Dan Uggla, Atlanta; on one. If he makes big shots, you have to go to the Adrian Gonzalez, Boston); YoungMexico (Roy Halladay, Philly; other end and stay poised.Cy ” –New guard Dairese Justin Verlander, Detroit); Manager of the Year (Fredis Gary, on JIMMER FREDETTE, BYU star and college’ Gonzalez, Atlanta; Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox); leading scorer Rookie of the Year (Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati; Jeremy Hellickson, Bay). in baseball last year in attendance, “St. LouisTampa was fourth

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