INsite Atlanta December 2010 Issue

DECEMBER 2010

www. insiteatlanta .com

VOL. 19, NO. 5 FREE

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENT LIST

Winter Guide 2010

Holiday Events, Dining & Gift Guide!

CEE LO • QUESTLOVE • NATALIE PORTMAN HARRISON FORD • THE POSIES

DECATUR

�������� Thursdays

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.

Shop Shop Decatur

Shop Shop Local Local

More than 30 Shops and Restaurants Open Late Every Terrific Thursday Through Dec. 16

An Exhibition of Real Human Bodies www.BodiesAtlanta.com

Boogaloos 246 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Holiday shopping on East Court Square

EXPERIENCE YOUR

Mingei World Arts 427 Church St.

LIFE IN THE DARK

An Exhibition That Reveals The Strength of Your SENSES “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.”

Blue Elephant Books 407 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Farm Burger

Heliotrope

410 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

- Elizabeth Landou, CNN

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

www.DialogTickets.com

decaturga.com thedecaturminute.com

BOTH AT ATLANTIC STATION!

PRODUCED BY:

Downtown Decatur

Advertising funded by the Decatur Craft Beer Festival.

PG 2 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

PREMIER EXHIBITION CENTER

PREMIER EXHIBITIONS (NASDAQ:PRXI)

CONTENTS • DECEMBER 2010 • VOLUME 19.5 Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

INTERVIEWS 06 10 18 21 21 22 23 27 27 28

BLACK SWAN STARS QUESTLOVE MORNING GLORY STARS HODA KOTB TOM SIMMONS CEE LO GREEN FUN. GAMITS ADEWALE AKINNUOYE-AGBAJE THE POSIES

08 11 12 15 17 24 26 29 30

VIDEO GAMES GIFT GUIDE HOLIDAY CATERING TRAVEL DISNEY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE TRAVEL BARBADOS UGA BASKETBALL NAUGHTY GIFT GUIDE

06

FEATURES

COLUMNS 04 05 05 07 13 14 14 16 19 19 20 31

AROUND TOWN ON TAP ON A DIME EVENTS UNDER THE LIGHTS MOVIE REVIEWS VIDIOTS FAVORITE THINGS CONCERT CALENDAR ROAD WARRIORS WE GOT NEXT ALBUMS FANATIC

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www.insiteatlanta.com 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 marci@insiteatlanta.com Music Editor Sacha Dzuba sacha@insiteatlanta.com

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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 CONTACT US 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #234 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION �������������������������������������������� 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.

© Copyright 2010, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Check out our Best of Atlanta guide on page 8.

[

Rated PG-13 ONE NIGHT ONLY!

]

PG 3 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

Your one stop shop, for the creative people in your life.

It’s the merriest time of year at the Garden! Enjoy beautiful displays including an 18-foot-tall poinsettia tree and fun traditions for the whole family:

Holiday Model Train Show Through Jan. 2

Ride-on-Train

Weekends & Select Weekdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Meet Saint Nick

Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Holiday Puppet Shows

Saturdays, Dec. 4 – 18, 10:30 a.m.

Reindog Parade

Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

in the garden

holidays

CHAIRS

$95

MUGS

$14.75

TINS

$24.95

WALLETS

$21.25

STONE COLD $9.95 BUDDHA BOARDS $11.95 - $34.95

VASE $45 FUTURA CRAFT STATION

Chocolate High Teas Sundays, Dec. 12 & 19, 1 p.m.

AMAZING PENS

$33 - $78

��������������

REG. $279.99

FRAMESFURNITUREDRAFTING ART SUPPLIESPRESENTATION

Sale $149.00

1460 Northside Drive N.W. Atlanta, GA 30318 atlantabotanicalgarden.org PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

W

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404.352.7200 T

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LOCAL

LOCAL EVENTS

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

Through January 2: Stone Mountain STONE MOUNTAIN PARK CHRISTMAS

Here’s an easy way to get into the holiday spirit. Take the family to Stone Mountain to see more than two million lights and a dozen performances at one of Atlanta’s greatest holiday traditions. The park is transformed into a winter wonderland. The festival includes a “Polar Express” 4D Experience, a tunnel of lights, a Snow Angel, a sleigh ride musical and, of course, Ol’ Saint Nick himself. Visit stonemountainpark.com for ticket prices.

Through January 2: Atlantic Station

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: OVO

The Big Top will remain open thorugh Jan. 2. If you haven’t already caught a performance Cirque Du Soleil’s “Ovo,” you’re missing a fantastic show. “Ovo” immerses the audience into the world of insects. Don’t miss this new experience from the creative minds at Cirque. Tickets can be found at cirquedusoleil.com, but please do hurry as the run will be finishing up soon at Atlantic Station.

December 27: Georgia Dome NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT FALCONS

It’s December and somehow the Falcons are one of the best teams in the NFC. If that remains into the playoffs, this will be the month Atlanta proves its worth as a Super Bowl contender. Three straight road games lead into one of the biggest games of the year. The defending NFL champions come to the Georgia Dome. No other game means more.

No other game will be as good. Visit atlantafalcons.com for tickets.

Through December 30: Lake Lanier MAGICAL NIGHT OF LIGHTS

Enjoy one of the world’s largest collections of Christmas lights at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort. The Magical Night of Lights goes on nightly from 5-10pm through Dec. 30 with a seven-mile drive through animated, festive and your usual holiday displays. This is the single best place to get your fill of Christmas lights. Don’t miss this annual holiday tradition. Go to lakelanierislands.com for details on ticket pricing and schedules.

December 31: Philip Arena ZAC BROWN BAND

The Zac Brown Band has come a very, very long way. The local favorites started their careers in Atlanta bars and restaurants. One hit record later and several million people singing “Chicken Fried” and Zac Brown is a household name. It’s a long way from Atkins Park to Philips Arena.

Don’t miss the boys in their homecoming. Tickets are $25$100. The show begins at 8:30pm Visit philipsarena.com for more.

December 31: Georgia Dome CHICK-FIL-A BOWL

College football’s bowl season can be a dud, but that’s never the case with the Chick-fila-A Bowl. The annual game matches the ACC and the SEC for one of the most entertaining games on the NCAA lineup. This year’s game will likely feature South Carolina against Florida State.

We’re guessing, but you should just know it’s going to be a marquee matchup for the bowl season. Tickets are available now at chick-fil-abowl.com.

PG 5 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

FILM

BLACK SWAN

Darren Aronofsky and Natalie Portman On Their Film Festival Favorite

BY MATT GOLDBERG

H

AVING ALREADY CREATED BUZZ ON THE festival circuit earlier this fall, Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan has been created some serious awards buzz. The film centers on a ballerina (played by Natalie Portman) who is cast in the lead in Swan Lake, but as the pressure to be “perfect” mounts and her director encourages her to embrace her inner-darkness, her psyche begins to unravels.

It’s yet another magnificent work from Aronofsky (whose past films include The Fountain and The Wrestler) and is fully deserving of all the acclaim it receives (Portman should be a lock for an Oscar nomination for Best Actress).

At a press conference for the film, Aronofsky and Portman spoke about a variety of subjects, including how the two first came together to discuss the project ten years ago, Aronofsky’s disdain for method acting, Portman’s physical dedication to the role (and the first thing she ate when she was finally done with her training), and so much more.

Darren, this project reportedly started ten years ago. Tell us about that.

DARREN ARONOFSKY: I’ve been a fan of Natalie’s since I saw her in The Professional. Luc Besson is one of my favorite directors. It turns out that her manager is an old friend of mine from college and so I had a littln inside line. So we met in Times Square at the Old Howard Johnsons... which is now an American Apparel (shows you where America’s going).

And I had a really bad cup of coffee. I had early ideas about the film. She says I had the entire film in my head, which is a complete lie.

NATALIE PORTMAN: No, it was so close.

DA: Really?

NP: It was so close what you described to me.

DA: And so we talked a bit about it and I started to develop it. But it was a really tough thing because getting into the ballet world proved to be extremely challenging. Most of the time, when you do a movie, all the doors open up and you can do anything and see anything you want. The ballet world really wasn’t at all interested in us hanging out. So it took a long time to get the information and put it together and over the years Natalie would say, “I’m getting too old to play a dance so you gotta hurry up...” and I’d say, “Natalie, you look great, you look fine.” And then about a year out I finally got a screenplay together.

Natalie, this is a dream role for you. Tell us why.

NP: Well, I danced when I was younger, until I was about twelve. I sort of idealized it, as most girls do, as this sort of beautiful art, this expression without words. And I always wanted to do a film related to dance. And so when Darren had this incredible idea that was not just related to the dance world but also had this really complicated character—two character really—it was just an opportunity and especially with Darren as a director, I’d do anything for him. It was just something completely exciting.

Darren, you’ve described Black Swan as a companion piece to The Wrestler. I wondered how you approach this story from the feminine side as opposed to The Wrestler which has a lot of masculine energy.

DA: I really don’t think there’s much difference. I think people are people. And I think if their feelings are real and truthful, then they can connect. I keep saying that it doesn’t matter if you’re an aging, 50something-year-old wrestler at the end of his career or an ambitious 20-something-year-old ballet dancer, if they’re truthful to who they are and expressing something real, then audiences will connect. That’s why we can see a film about a 7-year-old girl in Iran or an immortal superhero in America. It doesn’t matter as long as it’s truthful.

What were your thoughts on casting Vincent Cassel to play a director?

Was there an odd symbiosis between you two?

DA: Well first I wanted to cast someone who looked like me [laughs]. I don’t know. I wish I could be as manipulative as his character in the film.

I think I’m way, way too direct and that I’ve scared off a lot of A-list actors.

In fact, Natalie Portman is the first A-list actor I’ve worked with in my career. Everyone else was like, “You want me to do what? For how long?

For how little money?” And they walk away. So I’ve lost a lot of movie stars who walk away. So I wish I could be a director who says, “Oh, it’s not going to be that hard and we’ll have fun.” I think that’s how wars start.

They come up to you and say, “You told me there would be sushi on set everyday!” [laughs] I’m a little too straightforward.

Natalie, what was the first thing you went out and ate when you were finally done with training?

NP: I believe the first meal was pasta for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

DA: This was a really hard film to make. There wasn’t a lot of money. I had to push a lot of times and I only really found out that the person who PG 6 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

suffered most from pushing was—I don’t mind pushing because it means I get an extra 2-3 weeks to get my shit together. But I found out that Natalie was screaming at our mutual friend, her manager, that she had to live on carrots and almonds for another three weeks. She was the one who suffered the most from not eating.

Darren, can you talk about how The Red Shoes influenced you?

DA: I actually wasn’t aware of The Red Shoes until recently—well, I was aware of it but I hadn’t seen it. Then Scorsese did the restoration a few years ago and I was like, “I better go see it.” And it’s a masterpiece. It’s an unbelievable film. And I saw the similarities in the stories but I think that’s because we both went back to ballet and pulled from ballet the different characters so we ended up similar places, but I wasn’t really influenced by it. I didn’t ever try to be like it because it’s such a masterpiece and the dance sequences were...they were doing visual effects like that for twenty years and were so ahead of their time. So I just kind of kept it at the back of my mind.

Natalie, how did you approach transforming yourself physically for this role?

NP: It was a challenge, but I had amazing, amazing support from teachers and coaches and choreographer, obviously and director, first and foremost, were shaping and pushing along the way. But I started with my ballet teacher a year ahead of time and she started very basically with me, but we would do two hours a day for the first six months that was really just strengthening and getting ready to do more so that I wouldn’t get injured.

And then at about six months, we would do five hours a day. We added in swimming so I was swimming a mile a day, toning, and then doing three hours of ballet class a day. Then two months before we added the choreography so we were doing eight hours a day. And the physical discipline really helped for the emotional side of the character so you get the sense of the monastic lifestyle of only working out that is a ballet dancer’s life.

You don’t drink. You don’t go out with your friends. You don’t have much food. You are constantly putting your body through extreme pain and you get an understanding of the self-flagellation of a ballet dancer.

Did you train for Black Swan and White Swan separately?

NP: Well the choreography was different pieces for Black Swan and White Swan, and I had an amazing coach who very sadly passed away two weeks before we started shooting. And she was sort of the premiere Swan Lake coach for Odile/Odette. She worked very specifically with me on everything from fingertips to where you put your eyes on different movements that are sort of ballet acting. Little gestures you can do that differentiate between those two characters.

Natalie, you studied psychology at Harvard. How do you categorize your character’s mental affliction?

NP: Well, this was actually a case where something I learned in school translated into something practical, which is very, very rare. It was absolutely a case of obsessive-compulsive behavior. I mean, the scratching, the bulimia, obviously. Anorexia and bulimia are forms of OCD. And ballet really lends itself to that because there’s such a sense of ritual. The wrapping the shoes, every day; preparing news shoes for every performance.

It’s such a process, that it’s almost religious in nature. It’s like Jews putting on their tefillin. Or Catholics with their rosary beads. And they have this almost God-like character in their director that it really is a devotional, ritualistic, religious art. Which you can relate to as an actor because when you do a film you submit to your director in that way. Your director is your everything and you devote yourself to them. You want to help create their vision. So all of that: the religious obsession/compulsion, would be my “professional” diagnosis.

Natalie, you’re playing a character who is striving at perfection and falling into madness. How do you find balance in your personal life when playing such an obsessive role?

NP: Well, as soon as I finish a scene, I’m back to being me. As soon as I’m done filming, I want to be myself again. I’m not a method actor who has to stay in character. Obviously, this role had a kind of discipline that lent itself to me being more like my character when we were shooting than past experiences, but yeah, I just go back to my regular life, after.

How do you keep yourself going for such a physically demanding role?

NP: I think one of the reasons Darren and I had so much telepathy during this was that I feel like he’s as disciplined and focused and alert as he could possibly be and that’s what I try to be. I’m not a perfectionist, but I like discipline. I’m obedient, I’m not a perfectionist. I think it’s important to work your hardest and be as kind as possible to everyone you work with. That’s like the goal, every day.

DA: I’ve dealt with a few method actors. I think it’s a bunch of nonsense.

It’s film acting. You just have to be on when the cameras are rolling. I mean, sure, if it’s a very intense scene you may want to keep that energy up between takes while the crew is resetting, but when it’s “cut”, it’s cut. And even when it’s “action”, there’s still a camera and all these lights and people moving around. It’s impossible to fully make believe that it doesn’t exist. That’s why they’re so good is that they’re able to make believe that it’s not their convincingly. But when it’s “cut”, someone is coming over to touch your mic and someone’s coming to put powder on your face. But whatever works. I don’t want to scare away method actors. Actually, I want to scare away method actors because it’s a pain [laughs]. It’s like “What are you doing? It’s not real.

Wow. You’re really brooding.”

Darren, can you talk a bit about why you chose to shoot this movie handheld and how that meshed with its surreal imagery?

DA: I think it all depends on the kind of story you want to tell. It’s funny. You start to realize what you were doing when you talk to the press because you actually talk about it because when you’re doing it you’re not aware of it. The whole cinema-verite handheld approach to The Wrestler was a big risk to bring over to this ballet film since I had never seen a suspenseful film that had this handheld camera. I didn’t know if it would work. So I was really worried that during a suspenseful scene, the audience would wonder why Natalie wouldn’t turn to the camera and go “Help!” [laughs] But it was like, “Fuck it. Let’s go for it.” And I really liked having the camera moving and having a man hold the camera results in moving the camera in ways you can’t do otherwise. And the result was that the first third of the film has a very different feel than the rest of the film because it has this very naturalistic feel which I think is cool because it leads people to thinking that they’re watching this verite film that can’t ever freak out the way it freaks out. It gives you that immediacy of being in this other world with hints of things about to really freak out. So it kind of worked out for us.

Some professional ballet dancers who have seen this film at festivals have said it’s very damaging to their profession. What is your response?

DA: I saw that report and I thought it was really unfortunate because we’ve had very, very different responses from dancers elsewhere. I think so many dancers are so relieved that there’s a ballet movie that takes ballet as a serious art and not as a place to have a love affair. We actually look at ballet.

The ballets themselves are incredibly dark and gothic. Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and, of course, Swan Lake. And this movie could have been called “Swan Lake”. We took the ballet and the fairy tale of Swan Lake and turned all the characters, Rothbart, and the Prince, the Queen, and translated them into character in our movie reality. It’s really just a re-telling of Swan Lake. And yes, it shows the darkness and the reality and the challenges of being a ballet dancer. But it also represents the beauty of the art and the transcendence that’s possible within the art all within telling Swan Lake. So there are always going to be people who have issues with things, but the large majority, by far, of dancers we’ve talked to say, “Finally, we have a real movie about ballet.”

Darren, you seem to enjoy playing with genre conventions whether it’s scifi with The Fountain or with 70s psychological horror with Black Swan.

How do you approach those conventions?

DA: Well, I’m not really much of a “genre” guy. This is my best attempt at a genre film. I haven’t really been able to do that. I don’t think audiences need that anymore where you have a very specific genre. Audiences are very sophisticated and as long as it’s entertaining it’s okay. And I also think it’s different, which, for people who bombarded with so many types of media, are hungry for. It’s a very different experience. So that’s what we’re going for: something that keeps you excited.

Under The Lights Holiday Theatrical Performances A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Thru Dec. 24 Alliance Stage Box Office 404.733.5000 www.alliancetheatre.org

SANTALAND DIARIES

Ongoing thru Jan. 2 Horizon Theatre Company Box Office 404.584.7450 www.HorizonTheatre.com

Scrooge is back in the Alliance's annual holiday gift to Atlanta! Now in its 21st year, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a holiday season tradition for generations of families throughout the Southeast. It is set in a Victorian warehouse where a stone-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge learns the meaning of compassion as he travels the road to redemption for his lonely, miserly life. A Christmas Carol is an adaption from the 1840s tale into a musical featuring favorite holiday carols and hymns. Soaring holiday music and jaw-dropping special effects accompany this beloved classic tale of the power of the holidays to awaken the soul. It’s an event certain to dazzle your eyes, warm your heart and carry you throughout the New Year.

Deck the halls with peals of laughter as Horizon Theatre Company brings back its popular annual holiday production of THE SANTALAND DIARIES. The satirical, sarcastic and merry misanthrope, played by Harold M. Leaver, recounts the tale of his stint as a Macy's Department Store elf.

Besieged by bratty kids with overzealous parents and donning in a humiliating costume, he finds that his cynical self and his elfin alter ego, "Crumpet," are not exactly compatible.

The play is adapted from David Sedaris' bestselling book Holidays on Ice. This special holiday tale is a modern classic made famous when it originally aired on National Public Radio.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY A CHRISTMAS STORY December 12-23 Balzer Theatre Box Office 678.528.1500 www.theatricaloutfit.org

Tom Key performs on stage for his one-man show adaptation of Truman Capote's cherished story, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY. Tom Key had performed this story as a holiday tradition for years among family and friends. Mr. Key’s stage adaption was the first work to be performed at Theatrical Outfit's newly-renovated downtown home, The Balzer Theater at Herren's in 2004.

The performance will consist of two acts-the first act of holiday music by The Georgia Potlickers will complement the second act's theatrical reading by Key. An Alabama native himself, Key narrates the semi-autobiographical tale of seven-year-old Alabama boy, Buddy, and his unique friendship with his elderly eccentric cousin, like "a lost pair of kites hurrying towards heaven." A Christmas Memory is a fun holiday fare for the entire family.

December 7-26 Oglethorpe

Box Office 678.264.0020 www.gashakespeare.org

The 25th Anniversary Season closes with the perennial favorite, A CHRISTMAS STORY. Ralphie Parker wants just one thing for Christmas, An Official Red Ryder CarbineAction 200-Shot Range Model BB Rifle with a Compass in the Stock. But can Ralphie survive the last several days before Christmas and overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles to his owning the precious Red Ryder BB gun? "This production wraps up our highly successful 25th Anniversary Season and I can't think of better way to bring it to a close. A Christmas Story captures the magic of the holiday season and offers a new holiday tradition for all of Atlanta!", says Artistic Director Richard Garner.

The “Search for Ralphie" was a series of citywide open call auditions conducted in September, with semi-finals and finals in October. The judges saw over 150 auditions throughout the open calls and callbacks. "We are thrilled to bring this family classic to life on our stage," said Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner.

January 18–23 LIVE ON STAGE @

FOX THEATRE 800-982-2787 ticketmaster.com Group Sales: 404-881-2000

Since

1953

Tues, Jan 18 & Wed, Jan 19 shows only!

Available now on Blu-RayTM and DVD PG 7 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

FEATURE

FE

2010

HOLIDAY Our Annual Look atBest the TheHottest Biggest and Titles Released Games ofHoliday the Season For the Season

BYBRET B. LOVE BY LOVE ACTIVE LIFE: EXPLORER (Namco)

System: Wii Out of the hundreds of video games we’ve received since getting a Wii, the Active Life series has remained a consistent favorite due to the diversity of challenges, the range of cooperative and competitive game play, and the sheer exhilaration of getting your blood pumping in brilliant bursts of action.

Explorer is the best entry yet, casting up to four players as treasure hunters seeking out adventures in exotic locales. From stopping getaway trains and crossing falling bridges to pursuing bandits on horseback and rappelling sheer cliffs, this game is the next best thing to being Indiana Jones!

THE AMAZING RACE (UBI Soft)

Systems: DS, Wii The Amazing Race is one of the few TV shows we watch religiously, living vicariously through the teams as they tackle exciting challenges in some of the world’s most remarkable locales. This game adaptation puts you in the contestants’ stressed-out shoes, traversing 28 cities on 5 continents as you battle beloved teams such as the Goths and the Cowboys to emerge as the ultimate champion. Unfortunately, the game grows tedious with time– certain challenges are repeated, there’s no real exploration of the destinations, and there’s no mat or balance board compatibility to make the experience more physical.

ART ACADEMY

(Nintendo) System: DS As a writer/musician/actor/photographer, I’m as artsyfartsy as anyone I know, but visual art has never been my strong suit. Part of an expanding list of educational games for the Nintendo DS, Art Academy is designed to turn even those of us who can’t draw a straight line to save our lives into budding Picassos (or at least Andy Warhols).

You learn the basics of painting, drawing, sketching and color theory over the course of 30 lessons, with an in-game tutor mode and a Free Paint mode that allows you to experiment with a variety of brushes, pencils and colors, then frame and share your finished work.

ASSASSIN’S CREED: BROTHERHOOD

(UBI Soft) Systems: PS3, X360 This stunning sequel picks up where last year’s hit Assassin’s Creed II left off, follows Italian Master Assassin Ezio as he carries on the deadly traditions of his forefathers. The PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

rich storyline, killer graphics and immersive game play continue to improve. But new elements such as the ability to train and deploy young assassins, collaborate with real historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli, and compete with other would-be assassins in the franchise’s first multiplayer mode make what was already an amazing idea even better. Truly one of gaming’s greatest series.

BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS: DEFENDERS OF THE CORE (Activision)

Systems: DS, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360 Since I’m a little older than their target demo and my child is a girl, I knew nothing about Bakugan Battle Brawlers before getting this game. To me they seem like overgrown Pokémon without all the cuteness, tapping into a more testosterone-fueled need to vent boyhood aggression. The game allows players to create their own hero to lead brawlers on a quest to save Earth from a bad guy named Spectra and his minions (called Vexos), with real-time battle, headto-head duels and free-for-all combat. Not my thing, but probably perfect for the 12year-old boy in your life.

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS (Activision)

Systems: PC, PS3, Wii, X360 The sad truth about video game franchises is that, over time, they inevitably grow a bit long in the tooth. Reinvent yourself too much and you risk alienating your core fan base; change too little and you inherently limit your growth. Call of Duty remains one of the industry’s most venerable brands, but Black Ops proves it’s far from unimpeachable, earning mediocre reviews that are a far cry from Modern Warfare 2’s near-universal acclaim. Based on the conflicts of the Cold War era, the game boasts incredible graphics, but the story feels predictable and the AI is incredibly wonky. Overall it feels like a step back for COD.

CSI: FATAL CONSPIRACY (UBI Soft)

Systems: PS3, Wii, X360 In the latest game adaptation of the long running hit TV show, players partner with FBI agent Gene Huntby and work with the CSI team (including Jorga Fox’s returning Sara Sidle) to solve a series of five interconnected cases written with the show’s staff. You’ll unveil clues, interview witnesses and suspects, and analyze evidence in some of Sin City’s most gruesome crimes, tracking down the leader of a dangerous drug cartel at the center of it all. With better lighting and

acting, a decentE addition to the series.

DEADit’sSPACE ACTION

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS

(Nintendo) System: Wii One of Nintendo’s oldest and most beloved characters finally lands on the Wii, a full 14 years after the Donkey Kong Country franchise’s last iteration. The characters of Donkey and Diddy Kong, the side-scrolling action, and other elements such as barrel canons and mine carts will feel familiar to fans. But the lushly rendered 3D environments, instinctive Wii motion controls and ability for two people to play cooperatively for the first time in franchise history make it feel fresh. As someone who grew up playing the original Donkey Kong in those things they used to call “arcades,” it’s great to see the ape back in action.

DRAGON BALL: RAGING BLAST 2

(Namco) Systems: PS3, X360 Dragon Ball Z is another gaming franchise of which I’ve never truly understood the appeal, but the series remains remarkably popular among the teen set. Raging Blast 2 features 90 characters to choose from– 20 more than the last title– and allows players to customize them via various items and Super Attacks. The skilled use of these attacks in the new “Raging Soul” system elevates your character’s combat abilities, allowing you to open up huge cans of whoop-ass in 14 different destructible stages. For fans of the fighting game genre, it should prove a… um… blast.

EPIC MICKEY (Disney Interactive)

Systems: DS, PS3, Wii, X360 The winner of several major IGN awards at the 2010 E3 Conference (including Best Wii Game, Best Platforming Game and Best Overall Game), Epic Mickey challenges players to make moral choices as they interact with friends and enemies alike, with each decision bringing different consequences. The famous mouse is thrust into Wasteland, a world filled with Disney’s forgotten efforts, and allowed to use paint and paint thinner to dramatically alter the world around him on his quest to become a hero. This action-adventure is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, and arguably the most unique and innovative title Disney Interactive has ever created.

GOLDEN SUN: DARK DAWN (Nintendo)

System: DS Taking place 30 years after the events of

the Game Boy Advance series, Dark Dawn is a single-player RPG that follows adventurers known as “Adepts,” who harness the raw power of the elements by carrying Djinn.

There are over 70 unique Djinn to be found, each granting the ability to summon fearsome deities who unleash a variety of devastating attacks. They also help you to navigate dungeons and other obstacles in your efforts to save the world from the threat of Psynergy Vortexes, which drain the land and its people of their powers. All in all, the title marks a fine return to form for one of Nintendo’s classic franchises.

KARAOKE REVOLUTION GLEE

(Konami) System: Wii It’s been remarkable to watch Glee develop from a quirky cult hit into a full-blown pop culture phenomenon, particularly for us artsy-fartsy types who remember all too well what it was like to be picked on for being different back in high school. Fans of the show will undoubtedly be interested in this cash-grab tie-in, but buyer beware: You cannot turn off the lead vocals, so it’s more like a sing-along with the stars of the show than it is a true karaoke experience. Another problem with games like this is the limited song selection. With just 30 tunes to choose from (including some chart-topping hits and a few regrettable mash-ups), the game gets old pretty fast, even for diehard Gleeks.

MAJIN & THE FORSAKEN KINGDOM

(Namco) Systems: PS3, X360 Directed by Yoshiki Okamoto, who helped develop classic gaming titles such as Resident Evil and Street Fighter II, Majin & the Forsaken Kingdom is an epic adventure featuring an unlikely odd couple– a muscle-bound warrior and a massive, ogre-like monstrosity.

Together, man and monster explore a fallen empire full of dark creatures, challenging puzzles and intense combat, working together to overcome the obstacles that befall them. It may not have the accompanying hype of some of the more popular titles being released this holiday season, but that 8.0grade review in Game Informer is evidence that Okamoto still knows how to create a compelling gaming experience.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: DRAGON BLADE CHRONICLES (Namco)

Systems: PS3, X360 Yet another series based on Japanese manga, Naruto Shippuden is actually the leading manga franchise in the world, but is just now hitting the Xbox system for the first

time. Dragon Blade Chronicles brings the fierce ninja action for which the franchise is known to life in visceral detail, offering refined fighting mechanics, a rich 3-part storyline and the franchise’s first-ever online play mode. The game features a cast of over 40 characters (including some that must be unlocked) and customizable attacks (called ninjutsus), allowing players to fight their way through some of the manga’s more memorable battles. It’s not only an improvement on the original game, but some critics called it one of the best fighting games on the market.

NEED FOR SPEED HOT PURSUIT

(Electronic Arts) Systems: PC, PS3, Wii, X360 Mario Kart Wii ranks among the most successful titles of all time, throwing down the gauntlet for what a great racing game should be.

The Need For Speed franchise– a staple of the Gamecube era– clearly yearns for that sort of sales success, but if this is the best EA’s developers can do they may want to keep this lemon in the garage for a while. The graphics are surprisingly awful (even in comparison to previous entries in the NFS series), the controls are mediocre at best, and the visual and audio effects seem like a complete afterthought.

In short, the game is nothing like the flashy trailer. Too bad Obama doesn’t have a cashfor-clunkers program for video games…

POKEPARK Wii: PIKACHU’S ADVENTURE

(Nintendo) Systems: Wii For a certain segment of the gaming population a new Pokemon RPG is big news, especially when it offers an opportunity for players to explore as Pikachi, the series’ most beloved character.

Unfortunately, unless you’re a hardcore Pokemon fan, that’s where the excitement ends. The game “challenges” players to explore an island in search of 14 shards from the Broken Sky Prism, befriending other Pokemon along the way. But even for younger players it tends to get old very quickly, with repetitive tasks, extensive reading involved, overly simplified battles and no multiplayer option available for the many mini-games. Ultimately, it’s probably better as a weekend rental than a purchase.

RAVING RABBIDS TRAVEL IN TIME

(UBI Soft) System: Wii The madcap mayhem, oddball characters and sheer variety of play made Rabbids Go Home 2009’s most wonderfully wacky videogame. Now those wascally wabbits are making like Marty McFly, going back in time to unleash their bizarre brand of humor on human history, butterfly effect be damned.

Travel In Time is truly a party game, bringing back the fast and frenetic multiplayer minigames for which the series is known. Success

there earns players points, which can be used to purchase crazy costumes and dress your Rabbid as Pocahontas, King Tut, an Old West gunslinger… you get the point. Time travel hasn’t been this much fun since Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

ROCK BAND 3 (MTV Games)

System: PS3, Wii, X360 After The Beatles Rock Band wowed critics last year with its vivid journey through the history of the Fab Four, Rock Band 3 has its work cut it out for it: How to live up to the coolest musicrelated game ever created? Truth is, it doesn’t, but that won’t stop fans of the series from rocking out to the 80+ tracks assembled here.

There’s not much in the way of news to report, aside from a revamped Career Mode and the addition of an optional keyboard peripheral.

Like a lot of gamers, we’ve become a bit jaded to the deluge of Rock Band/Guitar Hero/Karaoke Revolution titles released in recent years, but those who haven’t should find this a welcome addition to the genre.

SBK X SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMIONSHIP

(Deep Silver) Systems: PS3, X360 Do you feel the need for speed? You’ll likely love the latest title in the SBK series, which allows gamers to create their own biker and bike and challenge more than 90 real drivers from the official racing circuits, either in Arcade Mode or the challenging new Story Mode. You’ll choose among 1000cc and 600cc machines from Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, MV Agusta, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha, then line up against the competition on one of the 14 tracks (which includes Germany’s notorious Nürburgring), each of which evolves with bike grinds and weather conditions. Best of all, you can compete against up to 15 opponents in the multiplayer online mode, challenging old friends or making new enemies.

TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON (UBI Soft) System: Wii If you’re looking for a first-person shooter in which the AI characters AREN’T completely worthless, check out the latest Tom Clancy title, which features iconic characters from the Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon series. The story finds players (either alone with AI or co-op with a friend) cast as soldiers Hibbard and Booth, who are ambushed and separated from their team in Moscow and must work together to fight their way through 30 missions of seriously intense combat. I never thought I’d say this, but it’s actually a much stronger entry in the series than the latest Call of Duty.

TONY HAWK: SHRED (Activision)

Systems: PS3, Wii, X360 A word of warning before we get to the game review: Some customers have reported problems with the skateboard that comes bundled with Shred, though we had no problems with ours. Other than that, the title is a solid improvement over Hawk’s last effort, Ride, allowing players to use the wireless controller as a skateboard or snowboard and execute killer tricks, spins and flips. It’s surprisingly intuitive, with a variety of modes that includes Trick, Point Rush and Challenge. Great graphics and some encouraging voiceover work from Hawk and his famous pals makes it a fun time for the whole family.

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS

VANQUISH (Sega)

Systems: PS3, X360 Directed by Shinji Mikami, creator of the Resident Evil series, this sci-fi shooter casts players as Sam, a government agent who comes with a killer robotic battle suit (much like the ones the military wore in Avatar, only this time they’re the good guys). The game takes place in a near future where the U.S. and Russia are battling for control over the world’s depleted energy resources. When Russian forces bum rush a U.S. space station designed to harness the sun’s energy, Sam sets off in his superhuman suit to kick some Russkie butt, unleashing all sorts of devastation and destruction upon the sons of Lenin. It’s all good fun, but having Russians as the bad guys does seem a bit cliché in this day and age. What, were all the space aliens busy?

SHAUN WHITE SKATEBOARDING

(UBI Soft) Systems: PS3, Wii, X360 My family still loves playing last year’s Shaun White Snowboarding, so we were super-stoked to see the legendary shredder offering up a title to challenge Tony Hawk’s longtime dominance of the genre. Here, players get to do much more than merely skate, transforming the game world’s shape and color as they explore its vast dimensions. Use more than 80 hand-picked tricks to alter city structures, stretch and twist handrails, turn alleys into quarter-pipes and more, with tons of different challenges along the way to keep things interesting. If you like White’s laid-back stoner/surfer attitude, you’ll almost certainly love his game.

PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

MUSIC

THE HARDEST WORKING MAN IN LATE SHOW BUSINESS We’re Tired Just from Talking to Questlove, Drummer for SuperBusy Rap Act The Roots

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

I

N THE PAST WEEK, QUESTLOVE, THE drummer for rap’s greatest band, The Roots, has done more than your favorite entertainers have in the last year. We’ll let Quest go into the exhausting details a bit later, but we will say they involve Bruce Springsteen, Ronald McDonald and John Legend. But if you’ve even halfway kept up with the Philly-bred crew in the time between its 1995 debut, Do You Want More?!, and this year’s acclaimed How I Got Over and Wake Up!, insane itineraries won’t come as much surprise. Even though this crew’s three favorite words are “Go, Go, Go,” we managed to slow Questlove down long enough to get his take on performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, jamming on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in December and releasing a custom Nike sneaker around Valentine’s Day. Your schedule has been packed with major shows and appearances. How do you prepare yourself mentally and otherwise for these events?

Well, this actually marks the second time that we will have done the Macy’s Parade. We did it last year, so I guess you can say that this time I was uber

prepared with a lot of thermal gear and with things that will keep me warm. Because playing drums in the cold for three hours straight is not a task that I prepared for before, so I kind of learned the hard way last year. It wasn’t that cold last year, I mean, not for the average Joe. It was kind of nice last year, but to a musician, anything below 70 degrees is freezing—even on the [Jimmy Fallon] set. Well, Letterman sort of started the trend, but even on our set, they have to keep it at about 66 degrees on the set or else, you know, the fire alarms will go off.

What were you most looking forward to about performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade?

Last year we had to share a trailer with, you know, well, I just thought it was just a generic Ronald McDonald until he informed me that he is the only person who has ever played Ronald McDonald.

Then the kid in all of us started coming out simply because we were like, “Wait, you’re the same Ronald McDonald from all those commercials?” And he said, “Yes, that’s me. I’ve been playing him for 38 years.” That was one of the most hilarious, funniest moments of our lives because we were no longer in our late 30s and early 40s. Like all of us instantly

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turned into 12-year-olds because we were like in a trailer with Ronald McDonald, which to me, you know, that was just one of the many surprises that we’ve gotten. A lot of people ask like, “What is this transition like to go from like 19 years of touring of the world and being a rap group on tour, and then suddenly doing this transition to late night?” But, you know, this is really the time of our lives. We’re genuinely having fun and enjoying ourselves. Like, we don’t see this as work at all. So, I’m just enjoying every experience. You know, this kind of brings the kid out in all of us, so I’m enjoying it.

Where did you fit the Thanksgiving Day parade in between your regular late night duty?

I mean, just to give you an example, [David Letterman’s musical director] Paul Shaffer says that he’ll show up to that television building around like 4:45 pm, and then they’ll rehearse for, maybe, 15 minutes and recap some stuff. And then, you know, they’ll shoot the show and then they’re finished by 7:00 pm. Some of us have made the move to New York and New Jersey already [from Philadelphia], so we’re not commuting. But, pretty much our day starts every day at around 6:00 am. It’s from 6:00 am for some of us, you know, and it stops at 8:00 pm. Mostly for me, my day stops at around 2:00 am, maybe 3:00 am because as soon as the show’s finished, we have to prep either for other sketches or I’ve got to do studio work elsewhere. So, I guess, the real question is like, When do I get to eat and sleep? But, I’m on a constant [schedule]. I mean, even now as I talk to you, we’re prepping for Bruce Springsteen tomorrow and Quincy Jones today. So, I’m still conducting rehearsals even as I conduct this interview right now.

What’s it like backing up Bruce Springsteen?

I feel as though December’s really going to be the turning point for the show. I think after the Emmy Awards, a lot of people have come around and sort of, you know, gave their thumbs up, and I guess the payoff is really going to be in December. Like in December, we’re seeing a lot of talent that we wouldn’t expect in our wildest dreams to actually ask us can they come on the show and do stuff. So, you know, Bruce was here to celebrate Darkness on the Edge of Town [Springteen’s 1978 album] and we dedicated the whole show to him. So, we’re wide open. But to answer your question, we pretty much are here. This is past a 9-to-5, you know? We’re still excited about the gig. We’re not phoningit in from home. We’re here like 10 hours a day.

What holiday dish do you most look forward to every year?

Well, our lead MC, Black Thought, not many know but he’s probably the best culinary experience I’ve known. Like, if he were to ever retire from being an MC, he has another life as a chef. [We went] to Tariq’s house to eat dinner because he

lives in Jersey now, and then chartered a flight to London because we released two records this year, How I Got Over in June, and then in September, the Wake Up! album with John Legend. So, we’re going to have a week off and we’re going to just tour Europe for those seven days and do as many markets as we can. Then we’ll be back at 30 Rock the following Monday when it’s all finished.

I hear you make all your own t-shirts and you also had a Nike shoe line come out. Would you ever considering doing your own just full-blown clothing line, your own fashion label?

I mean, the idea is nice, but you know a lot of the stuff that I make, my t-shirt stuff, I just make them because I’ll see something and I’m like, “Oh, let me make a t-shirt real quick.” I just happen to have the resources and the facilities so that I can make a t-shirt. But it was never my dream to be like a fashion mogul or that type of thing. But, I will say that my next Nike sneaker does come out February of 2011 that I’m really excited about it. It took me about a year to design this.

Tell me about your relationship with NBC and what it has done for you as a performer? You get to do so many cool things…

Well, before NBC, a lot of our activity was, I mean, [was] so under the radar it was almost like in the abyss, like another zone. But, you know, we’ve always had our hands in different projects. I will say that being a part of the NBC family has, if anything, really just accelerated what we’ve always been doing, which is pretty much just, you know, sort of just shaking hands and kissing babies, if you will.

Because our dressing room in our studio is right in the epicenter of where half the guest of the show have come on, you know, they always come in, they talk to us, and it’s always, “Oh, I like your work.

I like your work. Let’s do something together.”

And then, we execute it as such. I won’t say like, “Oh, well, you know, being on this show has, you know, spiked our record sales up by ten billion,” or anything like that. But I’ll definitely say that a noticeable difference is that you sort of cut out the middleman. For instance, without this gig, you know, if I’d wanted to work with Joanna Newsom or the Monsters of Folk, or anybody of that sort of notoriety, we would have to go through a lot of red tape, call the label up, and then they give us a lawyer, and then the manager, and then they might call you back. Whereas now, it’s just right after the show, “Here, here’s my number. Here’s my email.” Then, you know, we would go to dinner, and then we’re in the studio. So, I’ll say the reason why my workload is that it’s, you know, from 6:00 am until 3:00 am is simply because I’m really just taking advantage of the time that it takes to execute work. Whereas, you know, before you just had to wait three months before you get an answer from someone.

HOLIDAY

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

Gift Guide

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR THE SEASON! SAM FLAX

1460 Northside Dr. Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 352-7200

Make Atlanta’s Best Art Store for 7 years running Your One Stop Gift Shop. Wide selection and great prices on Niche Gifts, Planners, Holiday Cards, Taschen Books, Painting & Drawing sets. You will also find a Young Artist Department, Custom Printing & Framing as well as furniture.

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boutiques and restaurants around downtown Decatur and Oakhurst Village offer deals and 6

JANKE STUDIOS

659 Auburn Ave. Atlanta Ga. 30312 (404) 584-��������jankestudios.com

Hand Blown Glass & Art Gallery located at Studioplex. Here you will find one of a kind hand blown glassware, custom lighting and

ornaments featured for the holidays as well as glassware gift certificates available. Don’t miss WinterGlassFest10 Saturday Dec. 11 from 12PM – 6PM. “A Celebration of Frozen Sand.”

CD WAREHOUSE

5 Metro Area Locations www.CDWarehouseATL.com

CD Warehouse buys and sells Blu-Ray Discs, Video Games and DVD’s. They offer a great selection and carry many hard to find releases. Check out the Metallica CD Live at the Gimeys. It is an independent store exclusive and a very limited release. CD Warehouse has it for just $9.99!

JUNKMAN’S DAUGHTER 464 Moreland Ave (404) 577-3188 www.thejunkmansdaughter.com

Little Five Point’s favorite and largest store is stocked up this season with outrageous and irreverent gifts for the hard to please. Find thousands of seasonal items along with far out fashions and groovy accessories.

Janke Studios between Inman Park & the King Birth Home

NEW SHOWROOM 659 Auburn Ave. Atlanta, GA 30312 404-584-0305

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HOLIDAY DINING

Celebrate at home or at a restaurant Mediterranean Grill

N. Decatur Plaza 404.320.0101 Midtown 404.917.1100 East Cobb 678.996.0045 www.mediterraneangrill.com

Recently voted again “Best Mediterranean” by multiple publications, Mediterranean Grill is the place in Atlanta for authentic Mediterranean food. For more than a decade their loyal customers have continued to flock to this family/chef-owned and operated restaurant. Here you will find regional dishes like gyros, falafel and kabob sandwiches that are perfect for holiday parties large and small. Other popular menu items for catering include: Humus, Tabouleh salad, Greek salad, grilled fresh vegetables and Calamari. Mediterranean Grill has a special catering menu that can be found on their website or at their restaurants.

Copeland’s

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

Atlanta's Best Cajun restaurant is a great choice this holiday season.

Copeland's is the home of the New Orleans Jazz Brunch Buffet.

This popular buffet is served on Sunday at all three locations from 11am to 3pm. Their standard brunch menu is offered 7 days a week. During the holidays, Wednesday nights are time to celebrate at Copeland's with Prime Steaks & Premium Wines.

Indulge in any of the Prime Steaks on their menu for just $19.99 and pair it with any bottle of your favorite wine at half price.

It isn't the holidays without Copeland's signature Cajun Fried Turkeys. These festive birds are injected and marinated with Copeland's special seasonings for exceptional flavor. They are available at the restaurant or by take-out. Copeland's catering offers party pans with large take out portions of your favorite Copeland's dishes. Party pans are available for pick-up or drop-off.

Agave

242 Boulevard 404.588.0006 www.agaverestaurant.com

Recognized as one of the “Top 100” restaurants in Atlanta and the “Best Southwestern Cuisine” Agave is where to celebrate

with friends and family over the holidays. Agave has two beautiful dining rooms as well as an enclosed heated patio. The rooms can accommodate parties from 6 guests to 100 and are available for private party bookings.

Agave’s bar boasts over 85 tequilas and their Margarita’s have also won various awards. Those looking to add some extra fun to their party can arrange a special tequila dinner. Their chef's menus are located online. They can be personalized with your special heading at the top of each menu; available for large groups.

Johnny’s Pizza & Subs

1810 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 404.874.8304 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. Johnny’s offers plenty of specialty pizzas plus subs, salads, sandwiches and other popular Italian dishes including calzones, strombolis and lasagna. Go to their website to find the location nearest you.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe’

Mexico City Gourmet

2134 N. Decatur Rd. 404.634.1128 mexicocitygourmet.com

Since 1984, Mexico City Gourmet has been serving award winning cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area. They are is known for their vast menu consisting of many authentic Mexican dishes indigenous to the region.

The restaurant offers three distinct dining rooms and bar area making it a perfect place to hold a private party. Their menu offers many selections that lend themselves well for catering to large groups. For catering orders, they require 10 person minimum and prices start at $7 per person. A popular catering choice is their Fajita platters which run $10 per person. Pitchers of Margaritas can also be prepared for party gatherings. Party catering can be delivered or served in their private dining room.

A 24 hour notice is requested for large catering orders.

Mezza Lebanese bistro & wine bar

2751 Lavista Rd., Decatur 404.633.8833 www.mezzabistro.com

Mezza is a traditional way of dinning in which all menu items are served in small portions allowing diners to sample and share a large variety of dishes. This type of dining lends itself well for large groups and catering for large functions.

Mezza is Zagat rated, one of Atlanta Magazine's "Top 100 Restaurants in Atlanta" and one of AJC's top 50 restaurants. A variety of more than 60 menu items ranging from the traditional dishes such as hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, kebabs and legs of lamb are available. Mezza offers an assortment of party trays and gift cards. A private room is available for party bookings and offers a festive atmosphere of belly dancing and hookahs.

Candler Park 404.687.888 1001 Piedmont Ave. 404.874.8887 Catering Hotline: 404.849.2283 www.flyingbiscuit.com

The Flying Biscuit’s one of a kind award winning biscuits are the perfect addition to any holiday function.

The Power Breakfast is a popular catering option for businesses and can also be tailored to holiday events. They also can prepare sandwich & salad boxed lunches. Call their catering hotline or check The Flying Biscuit website for great ways to make this year’s holiday party a memorable one.

Savage Pizza

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

Savage makes their pizzas using only authentic homemade sauces, the best mozzerella and dough.

Their prepared dishes are made from scratch every day. Savage offers a wide variety of salads, subs, calzones and of course pizzas to choose from. Check out their second location now open in Avondale Estates. Both locations serve lunch and dinner and offer plenty of seating. Savage also offers catering and delivery.

Atlanta Diner

2071 N. Druid Hills Rd. 404.633.0024

Located just off I-85 on N. Druid Hills, Atlanta Diner offers 24 Hour Catering and Hosting for private parties. Platters are available in Italian & Greek favorites.

Spice up the Holidays with a Famous Cajun Fried Turkey & all the fixin’s

agave restaurant

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

Available for Take-Out Only.

Ask about our full service Catering and Delivery.

• Cajun Fried Turkey • Louisiana Cornbread Stuffing • Red Hot Mashed Potatoes • Green Beans with Ham • Mashed Sweet Potatoes • Biscuits • Creole Corn • Turkey Gravy • Homemade Desserts

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

www.CopelandsAtlanta.com PG 12 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

LET AGAVE PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY!

Specializing in groups from 6 - 100

2010

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

FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD 127 HOURS (R)

BURLESQUE (PG-13)

★★★★★ Release Date: Sept. 11

★★★✩✩ Release Date: Nov. 24

Wondering if you’ll enjoy director Danny Boyle’s latest film, which tells the true story of 27-year-old adventurer Aron Ralston? The answer depends entirely on whether the idea of watching a gutwrenching crescendo involving a guy hacking off his arm with a dull knife fills you with morbid curiosity or an urge to purge the contents of your stomach.

For the former group, this is arguably the year’s most gritty, gripping and grueling film. Like Cast Away, 127 Hours is essentially a one-man tour-de-force, with James Franco delivering the performance of his career as a carefree adventurer for whom solitude is akin to BY B. LOVE godliness.

Ralston gets his kicks leaving the real world behind forS days a time, disappearingMOST from his home ONEat OF AMERICA’S in Aspensuccessful to explore the red-rock andvast high profileformations business-of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park.

Ralston, a cocky men, Donald Trump was well known bohemian jock so confident in his skills that he tends long before Survivor producer Mark Burnett to take him his own safety ultimately Thegranted, Apprentice.

Butfinds tapped to star in for himselfno literally caught Between a Rockshow and a Hard there’s denying that the reality Place (which, coincidentally, is also the title of Ralston’s turned Trump from a cartoonish curiosity book about the experience), wedged between two into a bona fide phenomenon, with his signachalkstone walls with his right arm crushed by a huge ture catchphrase– “You’re Fired!”– inextricaboulder.

Thenthe thepop clockculture starts, ticking off the hours bly entering lexicon. towards the inevitable conclusion: Even you know Although The Apprentice initially ifflounall the details of Ralston’s ordeal, it does absolutely dered a bit in the ratings, Burnett and Trump nothing to diminish the intense psychological stumbled upon a winning formula by recruitsuspense. Boyle and Franco both deserve Oscar nods ing second- and third-tier actors, athletes, for their roles in making such a simple, horrific tale models and musicians for a celebrity edition so compelling to watch. Boyle’s surreal visual imagery Now in its third incarnation, ofshows the show. us that Ralston’s most remarkable adventures The Apprentice tossesthose disparate tookCelebrity place inside his mind during fateful 127 Michaels, wrestler stars such as rocker Bret hours, and Franco conveys every myriad emotion Strawberry, Goldberg, baseball legend Darryl you can possibly imagine as his character records a Ron Blagojevich and former governor video diary of his hellish experience. In theSharon end, it’s Osbourne a variety not an easytogether movie tofor watch, but it isofateamwonderfully building exercises andtochallenges to well-crafted testimony the power designed of the human test their business mettle. will to survive.

“The Donald,” as the crazy-coiffed real Love estate magnate if often known, recently –B. held

It’s never far-fetched to imagine Cher’s name in lights, so it was only appropriate that her return to the screen consist of just as much glitter, sequins and spotlights as a stereotypical Vegas stage. And directed by Pussy Cat Doll kin, Steve Antin, Burlesque allows Cher to really arrive, again. This time, she is a Madame (of sorts) managing a group of LA’s hottest dancers at a lip-synching burlesque show (and as they say, people don’t come to hear them sing). Think Coytoe Ugly’s dream girl meets Moulin Rouge set on Chicago’s stage.

You’ve got the glitter and the show tunes, the drama and the bustiers—and let’s be honest, what else is there through reading aboutThe them for issoanmany when it comes to Cher? answer impressive years, but a lot of times somebody thatstopping, you line of co-stars. Christina Aguilera is show don’t thinka voice of so that highly turnsthe outway to be a star. providing changes things are You know what will happen with donejust in andon’t age-old nightclub.

Julianne Hough relives pressure andwith thethe heat of days battle. her Dancing Stars as a headlining red head and Kristen Bell surprises everyone with her What doeshair a celebrity have to doThe to really hips, dark and a bitchy attitude. cherry on set apart and topthemselves is certainly Stanley Tucci,show whothat lives they’re up to his in it to winplaying it? the same sort of role he did in reputation I can tellWears you from 1 and and The Devil Prada,Seasons comic relief and2 nurturing from theAguilera regularplays Apprentice, people really girl wisdom. the innocent unassuming Every once a while want to win. from Iowa trying to make it ininthe big city.you’ll She elbows have a quitter, but that it doesn’t happen often. her way into a tryout lands her a spot on stage at Ithe think reason they do it who is thedoubt levelherofand club.the Surrounded by people intensity for their charity. left feelingthey like anfeel outcast, she must proveUnlike her worth the regular one Apprentice, where to everyone, solo at a time.

She’somebody s phenomenal as works for me a pretty salary a a performer andfor squeaks out good potential as anfor actress.

Overall, its this beyond thatgoes she’s to stillchargot the year, with oneimpressive the money lookLast and the moves and themillions range as a of newdollars. mom. But, ity. year we raised to be frank, the lacks depth; we’ve Everybody hasstory a charity that and theyhonestly, love; some seenfoundations it before. The they’ve upside is set thatup Burlesque is a whole are themselves lot of fun.

So, don’t of expect script, but So Ithe think they years in advance the much show.from do relaxfight and enjoy show. because it’s a charreally morethe intense –Jenni Williams ity they’re fighting for.

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

A

court with reporters to discuss the show’s current BLACKseason.

SWAN (R)

★★★★★ Release Date: Dec 3 Can you tell us a little bit about the selecThere has always been a subtle air of fragility about tion process?

Natalie Portman.

From her feature so filmmany debut in The It’s very interesting, because Professional to the Star Wars prequels and the V For celebrities want to be on the show after Vendetta, has often portrayed We characters success of Portman the previous two seasons. in need some of protection.

With the actors, exception of a soulwanted athletes, some some baring turn in Closer, much of her career saybeen models and some wrestlers, so I wouldhas characterized by safe choices in which she probably six or seven people per spot weplayed eitherturning a precocious child a child-like adult.

Theorhardest thing is But thatall were down. that has changed with her challenging, emotionally we really have some good people that want role inbadly. the latest from Darren I guess maybeAronofsky we’ll todynamic go on very Butfilm (The Wrestler).

The dark psychological thriller shines save them for the next show, because it looks the that’s spotlight on Portman as ballerina Nina Sayers, like going to happen. whose obsessively controlled world is tilted on its axis when talented, ambitious beautiful Lily How is thistheseason going to be and different than (Mila Kunis) joins the New York City Ballet.

Nina past seasons? desperately yearns for the leading role in director Well, when you have a success like we’ve Thomas Leroy’s (Vincent Cassel) new version of the had, you don’t like to do too many changes. classic Swan Lake but, with her repressed emotions What we do have is a different tone. The cast and goody-two-shoes image, he can’t imagine her has been very interesting: They’ve been very portraying the evil black swan as well as Lily could. tough and very nasty, but there’s also a lot of Pushed to the brink of madness by Leroy’s torturous fun and humor with respect to what happens, personality, her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey I don’t think we had in the last one. which in a great supporting turn) and her simultaneous and with PiersNina’ [Morgan], With Joan to [Rivers] attraction and jealousy of Lily, s grip on itreality was really people eachis a beginsnasty to burst at thereally seams.hating The result These people hate each other, but other. mind-melting descent down a dark rabbit holeit’s that’s think that mighthas be ever the biggest also funny. as trippy as Ianything Aronofsky concocted. differentiation in terms of the three the casts.

And Portman? Like Nina, she confronts shackles of her own fear head-on, delivering a daring and Can you usually tell right the batshe’ who is passionate performance unlikeoffanything s done going to do well and who isn’t? in her 18-year career. Look for Oscar to take notice.

That’s thedecidedly most interesting The film always has proved divisive onquesthe festival like tothethink of emotional myself tion to me circuit, but because if you can I’d stomach intense I’ll say, asturbulence being okay with people.

But often and disturbing psychological head games, “This is going to be a star,” and then he it’s oneone helluva wild ride. turns out to be a dud. You never really know.

–B. Love You feel like you’ve known these celebrities

What are your favorite challenges to watch FASTER (R)tackle? the celebrities Well, we do have a lotDate: of different ★★★✩✩ Release Nov. 24challenges, whether we go back to the selling of thewith As if to answer all those who were unhappy lemonade or doing something else very basic films like The Game Plan and Tooth Fairy, in the first without having to has dealDwayne with Proctor five minutes Faster Johnson &getGamout of ble or Kodak, etc. Sometimes prison, drive a badass Chevelle and[sponsor-based shoot a guy in the challenges] are sort of interesting, butremaining they’re head. But the film struggles to keep the The ratings suggest expensive for us to do.

90 minutes interesting, introducing a distracting that the fans’ favorite part ofisthe show byaction antagonist whose only purpose to provide far is the boardroom, andcharacters, the boardroom scenes.

Faster has three main each dealing has longer overplays the years of to withgotten addictions: Johnson “Driver,because ” who is out The challenges plentyhisofbrother; time that. kill the folks responsiblestill for have murdering and focusedison both aspects, but wewho’s Billywe’re Bob Thornton “Cop, ” a retiring detective have beenfrom trying to lengthen estranged his family due to histhe drugboardroom addiction; and because of strong viewer requests.

Oliver Jackson-Cohen is “Killer, ” a bored millionaire/ hitman who’s hired to take out Driver before he can You’re like prosecuting the with complete hisa revenge.

There’attorney s nothing in wrong boardroom. you meter yourdevelopment, approach but to writers trying Do to provide character different personalities?

Killer’s character is a distraction. Are things slowing Yes, ILet’ think youa deal with different people down? s have car chase!

Taking time away I deal with Goldberg differently. from Johnson makes it feel like thedifferently story doesn’t dealto with Governor Blagojevich. than trust Ihim hold the screen. Driver is a manIof few Rodman Joan Rivers dealt Dennis wordswith and many angry glances,and but Johnson delivers differently than material. some ofThis the other on the dramatic isn’t a conteswisecracking protagonist, but atofurious, monomaniacal tants.

You have have that ability. force of nature who is not to be fucked with. Thornton does a good pathetic, as Cop wrestles with a How dojob youplaying feel going back in the boardheroinafter habit and tries to reconnect with his estranged room a little hiatus? wife andget son.a Thrown on top thisit.sadness salad I just great kick outofof I really likeis a of religious foreboding as a preacher They want to renew it for another ithealthy a lot. dressing shouts of forgiveness on the radio. It’s all two or messages three seasons, and we’re thinking a bit too much, andhaving when Killer waltzes his I like a little bit ofina with break about that. “murder-is-my-hobby” philosophy, it only highlights between shows, where it goes on once a year. the film Faster isn’t and isn’t trying to be. I don’t mind thatyou director Tillman Jr. has madesomeone, a gritty, unDo everGeorge feel bad about firing ironic film. Iofmind or is itaction just part the that job?he has trouble finding itsI energy active. Faster alwaysand feelkeeping bad… the No,pacing not always.

Some-isn’t much fun.

But like it does have Dwayne Johnson I don’t people.

The hard onesbeing are a times badass,you andreally that’s almost enough. when like and respect somebody and they make a mistake. Like, as an ex-Goldberg –Matt

Something bad is going to happen to one of James Franco’s arms. Try to guess which one in Danny Boyle’s “127 Hours.”

THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST (R) ★★★★✩ Release Date: Oct. 29

that every wobble feels a bit more pronounced than it would have in a film with a tighter structure and quicker pace. One scene goes a bit too far in showing a character his deepest fears; one character’s death is so rushed that it’s difficult to tell if he/she even dies; and the film doesn’t really have a climax so much as it has a good stopping point. Despite these minor missteps, Part 1 is a triumph, eschewing the safety the series has brought so far in both story and tone.

Most impressively, David Yates and his excellent leading actors have managed to tell a story steeped in uncertainty with the utmost confidence.

–Matt Goldberg

Actress Noomi Rapace returns as the kick-ass, mohawked, anti-social (and, yes, dragon-tattooed) punk-rock hacker Lisbeth Salander in the closing chapter of this Swedish thriller series, based on the bestselling Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy by the late Stieg Larson. Once again, Rapace’s fearless, take-no-prisoners performance is the best thing in the film. Starting immediately after the cliffhanger from The Girl Who Played With Fire, which was released in theaters this summer, Lisbeth is in the LOVE & OTHER DRUGS (R) hospital, recovering from being shot in the head by her ★★★★★ Release Date: Nov. 24 abusive, evil father Zala - a Russian informant that the Swedish government has been protecting for years. Jake Gyllenhaal gives an intensely sexy, charming Zala is in the hospital, a few beds away from her, and performance and Anne Hathaway does great work Lisbeth wants him dead. Meanwhile, in an attempt that may garner her more Oscar buzz in director to find justice for the tortured hacker who helps him Edward Zwick’s latest, a very good, hilarious, romantic solve mysteries, journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael movie that deserves to be a huge hit. Gyllenhaal plays Nyquist) researches the government conspiracy Jamie, a handsome but aimless stereo equipment he believes is trying to destroy Lisbeth. The whole salesman in 1995 whose biggest talent is bedding lots (and lots) of women. Looking more money, IT TURNED OUT plot TOthreads BE AthatGOOD PHRASE, BUTtoITmakeWAS A thing unwinds with two separate he becomes a pharmaceutical sales rep in the Midwest occasionally prove confusing, but THE momentsVERY of the FIRST SHOW I WAS A LITTLE FLUKE. DURING film are very exciting. The Girl Who Kicked The for Pfizer - and finds that he can really capitalize on EXASPERATED WITH ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS AND I USED Hornet’s Nest would probably confuse uninitiated his skills of seduction when the company introduces THEHowever, LINE,for“YOU’RE WHEN [PRODUCER] MARK While working in doctor’s offices, Jamie meets new viewers. fans of the series,FIRED!” the film Viagra.

Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a barista who wants only HAVE BURNETT AND I AGREED TO DO THE SHOW WE DIDN’T is a satisfying enough conclusion to Lisbeth’s story, without emotion or attachment from men because though it’sTHAT. not quite asWE goodTHOUGHT as the first movie. WE’D sex SAY, “GET THE HELL OUT she’s been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s –Benjamin CarrOR disease.

OF HERE” SOMETHING. So they have a lot of sex - fun, adult, playful, hot sex like movies with big stars haven’t shown in a fact that raised such self-sufficient ample, Scott Hamilton, from the last season. while - whileyou trying not to develop feelings for one & a THE DEATHLY children?

IHARRY had to letPOTTER Scott go. I’m great fan of Scott: another.

The movie, based upon the nonfiction book Well, gold 1 medals and he’s a great Hard a lot credit on the takes chilHe won Olympic HALLOWS, PART (PG-13) Sell:I’m Thegetting Evolution of aofViagra Salesman, Everybody’s been asking about Ivanka champion.

But he understood that he made dren. ★★★★★ Release Date: Nov. 19 on a lot of challenges, and it manages to succeed at and yes, she’ll-be thethe a mistake on the show and I really had no all of the them.answer It treatsisits subjects theback drugsonand This isn’t the best Harry Potter film so far.

It’ s not the They went choice. I felt very badly about that, because show.

But they’re very good kids. disease - with weight and seriousness, but it’s also or thehim mosttoaction-packed, althoughbut it has Ifunniest considered be a great person, I to very good funny schools, were great (Joshand Gadthey is particularly good plentyto of do levity and breath-taking excitement.

Butit’s it’s laugh-out-loud fun, but I Jamie’ couldn’t waitnewly to get them on the have what’s right. It’s never students. in the film as s horny, divorced brother), the Potter film most deserving of audience respect, I hadenough no ideaand theanshow would be intoIt’s easier when I don’t like somebody or when show. raunchy effective tearjerker. because really, it’s the really first tobad. cast aside the comfort of just they’re itsninth and tenth season, which is pretty a really smart, well-made, well-acted movie that Hogwarts. It’s a quiet, contemplative and sorrowful just amazing in the world of television. will satisfy lots of theatergoers. film, more difficult but ultimately more rewarding.

That line, “You’re fired,” became a pop cul–Benjamin Carr Harryphenomenon.

(Daniel Radcliffe) find about and destroy There’s been lots of news surrounding NBC ture Can must you talk the five “horcruxes”– which hold pieces of the soul of lately, and your show does well for them. origin of it?

Voldemort in order to defeat What you think(PG) NBC needs to do to get back It turned(Ralph out toFiennes)– be a good phrase, but ithim MEGAMIND and save the world.

This is made in the ratingsRelease game? Date: Nov. 5 I was ★★★★✩ was a fluke.

During thetask very first more showdifficult by the fact that the wizarding world is falling to Well, I know Jeff Gaspin (Chairman of NBC a little exasperated with one of the conVoldemort’s army of Death Eaters, who are hunting It’s been a really great year for animated villains. testants and I used the line, “You’re fired!”

Universal Television Entertainment) and, as Harry and infiltrating the government. Ron (Rupert we endhe’s up with dragons are secretly I think he’s When [producer] Mark Burnett and I agreed First, you know, newevil to the role.who Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) join Harry in misunderstood in the great How To Train Your to do the show we didn’t have that. We going to do a spectacular job at NBC. They his dangerous mission, but their search puts the trio’s Thenshows camelike summer’ s hilarious, moonThe Apprentice.

Not need more thought we’d say, “Get the hell out of here” or Dragon. friendship to the test. Like the book, Deathly Hallows stealing supervillain whose heart was melted by necessarily from a reality standpoint, but something.

And all of a sudden America went is about the struggle to find your own way when you little orphan girls in Despicable Me. And now, It happens to be provides. a great they need shows that capture the imaginacrazy overhave the the show. no longer structure that school rounding TV Guide or one of the major catchphrase. tion. out the year, comes the fun and funny 3D While compacting the seventh book into one movie cartoon Megamind, asks, “What Frankly, certain which showsessentially that are on should entertainment dida amore poll and, after could’ve shaped magazines the story into traditional would Brainiac do without Superman?” without be changed because, while they get some “Here’s Johnny!” andtwo oneparts otherprovides great, it was mold, splitting it into a bigger violating DC Comics’ In Megamind, Top 100 phrases in television hispretty good reviews,copyright. they don’t get peoplethe #3 on the challenge. There’s not a lot of forward momentum title characterIt’s(voiced by get Willboth.

Ferrell)We’ve is a little blue So that was a pretty big honor.

It’s been nice to tory! watching. in the plot, so director David Yates and screenwriter alien baby dispatched to Earth when his homehad galaxy Emmy nominations and a lot of good acan amazing anddrama an amazing phraseof that Steve Kloves thing place the in the hands the explodes, only to have his bad luck continue because It really on caught and colades passed our way, and that’s always just seemsDespite to work. characters. an emphasis theseon, characters a strong, uppity superhero with good looks and all the it’s amazing thingand to spiritually, watch. Deathly nice. But ultimately you have to have people beingbeen lost,an both directionally good luck named Metro Man (Brad Pitt) was fated to watch. NBC is going to really do well. I know Hallows still knows how to have fun, mixing in thrills cross paths with him. Throughout their lives, Metro What do you think is your biggest accomtheir leadership and I think they’re winners, with the sorrow. But it’s such a delicate balancing act Man and Megamind have opposite fates (the “good plishment, your business success or the so I think they’ll turn it around.

PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

guy” raised in a mansion, the “bad guy” raised in a prison) and become nemeses, even though none of Megamind’s master plans - many of them involving kidnapping the pretty reporter Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey) - never, ever work. Until one of them does, to the shock of everyone - including Megamind. And, without a hero to save the day, the villain starts to have a real identity crisis. Megamind is clever and occasionally very funny. Its biggest strength is its script and its soundtrack of pop hits. It has a lot of fun with its premise without becoming too wink-wink with its comic book references. Some kids may find the plot points where the character Megamind assumes multiple identities a little bit confusing. It’s visually appealing, though the colors are brighter without 3D, and Megamind lacks the stunning visuals of How To Train Your Dragon or the pop of Toy Story 3. Still, it’s not a bad time at the movies.

–Benjamin Carr

MORNING GLORY (PG-13) Something bad is going to happen to one of James Franco’s arms. Try to guess which one in Danny Boyle’s “127 Hours.”

STARTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 TH AT THEATRES EVERYWHERE

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UPCOMING DVD RELEASES AND REVIEWS

BY B. LOVE & JOHN B. MOORE CALIFORNICATION: THE THIRD SEASON – David Duchovny’s Hank Moody, on the Showtime dramedy Californication may just be the most unsympathetic character on the network and that’s saying a lot considering his competition is a pot dealing mom (Weeds) and a serial killer (Dexter). That in no way, however, makes Californication any less entertaining – quite the opposite. In season three, Moody lands a gig teaching writing a college where the temptations to screw around on his wife (in the form of students, teaching assistants and the Dean’s wife, etc.) are many. You certainly aren’t rooting for Moody, but you also can’t look away.

DEADWOOD: THE COMPLETE SERIES – Though not quite as beloved as, say, The Sopranos or True Blood, this HBO series about a lawless town in South Dakota had all the ingredients of great storytelling, including complex characters, well-crafted dialogue, and brilliant acting. Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and Sol Starr (John Hawkes), businessmen bent on establishing a profitable hardware store, were at the center of it all, and the supporting cast was a colorful collective of fortune hunters, tyrants and women forced into prostitution. But, as the ruthless villain/ saloon owner Al Swearengen, Ian McShane often stole the show. The Complete DVD set contains commentaries, extras, and a lengthy roundtable discussion with the actors.

DOCTOR WHO: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON – It was a brave move on the part of Doctor Who producers to bring in a whole new crew to retool the show.

Along with changing out the head writer, they brought in a new Doctor (Matt Smith) and his new traveling companion (Karen Gillan).The changes work phenomenally well with the new actors energizing the show and the storylines among the best since PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT - NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED

the reboot. There is also a great blend of the cheesy special effects the show has built a reputation on and Hollywood Blockbuster-worthy action sequences.

METALOCALYPSE: SEASON THREE – Metalocalypse may just be the most original cartoon currently on Adult Swim, and that’s saying a lot when you consider the stellar line up the Cartoon Network trots out each year. Featuring the wildly successful death metal band Dethklok, the third season – doled out in 20 min. episodes - finds the band bordering on broke when their manager dies; slumming as a Dethklok cover band; and trying to help frenemy Doctor Rockso find his true love (a 14-year-old groupie, naturally).

Quite possible the funniest season yet.

THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: THE COMPLETE SERIES – If you grew up in the ‘70s, chances are you have fond memories of Lee “Mr. Farrah Fawcett” Majors as NASA Colonel Steve Austin, who was transformed into a bionic man after his experimental craft crashed. Based on the novel “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin, the show found OSI head Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) using cybernetic parts to make Austin into a secret agent protecting the nation from all manner of evil. This amazing set contains all five seasons of the show on 40 discs, contained in an eye-popping box complete with audio chip.

In addition, you’ll get three pilots, three reunion shows, cross-over episodes with The Bionic Woman and eight hours of bonus programming, including cast and crew interviews, featurettes and making-of docs. A must-have for fans of classic ‘70s kitsch.

WWII: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION – This DVD boxed set contains 22 hours of documentary footage (narrated by Academy Award winner Laurence Olivier) exploring almost every aspect of WWII, from the planning to the politics, from battle occupation to genocide. THE WORLD AT WAR chronicles the devastation of battle; the Emmy and Peabody Awardwinning VICTORY AT SEA focuses on the war’s major naval engagements; and THE CENTURY OF WARFARE holds WWII up to the lens of a war-torn 20th Century. This comprehensive documentary uses a significant amount of historical footage to examine the past 100 years of combat, with over 12 hours of bonus features.

★★★★✩ Release Date: Nov. 10 If there was ever any doubt that Rachel McAdams was America’s new sweetheart, Morning Glory bids it farewell forever. She plays Becky Fuller, an energetic, hopeful and undeniably adorable new executive producer, taking the reigns of a dying morning show to desperately try and breathe life back into its dysfunctional, yet lovable, TV family. She struggles to balance the stress of work with the threat of losing her reputation, at the same time doing her best to fall in love (with “smokin’” Patrick Wilson, no less).

She’s up against morning show veteran Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) and her new co-host, Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) who is less than enthusiastic about his new gig and not abashed to show it. Their egos collide for a comical mosh pit of monosyllabic news bits and cheesy community coverage, each fighting the battle between news and entertainment. It’s any executive producer’s nightmare—left third in command behind egotistical anchors, but somehow Fuller steers the chaos into something worth saving. McAdams is funny, real and irresistible as the lead, powerful enough to carry this film up and over its conflict and

leave its story melting in our hearts forever. You’ll leave wanting to follow your own dreams, and kick up your heels doing it. Romantic comedy pro Roger Michell pulls out all the stops for this roller coaster ride of cuteness that just escapes a chic flick label and instead takes its place in a long line of soon-to-be classics we’ll be watching again and again.

–Jenni Williams

UNSTOPPABLE (PG-13) ★★★★✩ Release Date: Nov. 12 This is the rare movie that wastes no time getting to the good parts. It’s efficient and effective with its premise and its thrills, working like a giant display of dominoes ready to be set in motion. The titles run and, in less than 10 minutes, a Pennsylvania railroad worker makes a set of glaring errors that makes you cringe, even though you know the movie’s title and see it coming a mile away. Voila, that unmanned choochoo filled with hazardous chemicals (and without brakes) becomes a runaway train never coming back.

Meanwhile, obstacles are established so that eventually the train can collide with them. A passenger line filled with children on a school field trip is introduced, so you know that danger will eventually come their way. Connie, a yard master in charge of train traffic (played by a spunky Rosario Dawson), is having trouble communicating problems about the trains with corporate officials and a government inspector.

Elsewhere on the tracks, Will, a new conductor played

by Star Trek’s Chris Pine, hits the tracks with Frank (Denzel Washington), a longtime railroad engineer about to be forced into retirement. Will and Frank don’t get along, both of them plagued with problems at home that keep them from focusing on their jobs.

But the train headed right at them quickly remedies that. Director Tony Scott creates a very interesting structure, telling the story from multiple perspectives, so that the suspense comes at a fast and satisfying pace. And Unstoppable is based upon a true story, which gives the movie an even greater sense of dread and creates an even more satisfying climax.

–Benjamin Carr

COLUMN

OUR FAVORITE THINGS A

BY B. LOVE

IR TRAVEL IS A pain, especially around the holidays: If you’re not getting groped by some testy TSA agent or getting squeezed onto an overcrowded plane, you’re getting charged out the wazoo for your bags being over the limit. Fortunately, ANTLER LUGGAGE’S DUOLITE line (www.antler.co.uk) offers a solution, coming in at half of the weight of similar bags. Just how light are they?

Try 4.6 lbs. for a 22” carry-on, 5.5 lbs. for a 26” upright, and 6.4 lbs. for a 28” upright, meaning you can pack more stuff without excess baggage fees. And with hard ABS rear framing and a foam-padded back for stability, the line boasts a fail-rate of 0.01%. Which is good, since the disgruntled boys in baggage claim tend to bash your stuff around like a piñata…

Like a lot of couples, my lady is always cold and I’m always hot. So it’s no surprise she fell in love with the MONTANA CO BLANKET SERIES (www.crowleydesigns. com), a collection of blankets from the company best known for its Western-influenced women’s wear. With its fringed brown and beige faux-shearling/faux-fur composition, it’s the most stylish and comfortable throw blanket we’ve owned, evoking images of a mountain ski lodge in front of

a roaring fireplace. Best of all, it’s extremely light, making it perfect for flights, road trips, camping trips, or just curling up on the couch to watch a movie.

Speaking of curling up on the couch on a cold winter’s night, one of our favorite adult beverages just got a little bit better. KAHLÚA PEPPERMINT MOCHA (www. kahlua.com) is a limited edition seasonal variation on the classic coffee liqueur that blends the tasty flavors of 100% Arabica beans, dark chocolate and cool peppermint to create a killer cocktail the Dude (of Big Lebowski fame) would go gaga for. Try it warm with some cream and a shot of vodka to put a little extra “Ho Ho Ho” in your holidays!

For a man, I’m fairly in touch with my feminine side, but even I am sometimes at a loss when it comes to buying gifts for my better half come Christmastime. One thing I’ve learned is that you can’t go wrong with fancy-shmancy bath and beauty products, and OBAGI ( www.obagi. com) is one of the biggest and best brands in the business. From classic cleansers and toners to their brandnew ELASTILash Eyelash Solution (which helps women with light eye or skin tones achieve the appearance of thicker, fuller lashes), the line is the Sephora of the skin care world.

And while that sentence may not mean anything to you, it almost certainly will to your lady.

TRAVEL

“EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC THIS HOLIDAY SEASON”

BY MARCI MILLER

T

HROUGH JANUARY 3, 2011, WALT Disney World Resort in Orlando unwraps an enchanting celebration for the holiday season at their four parks and Downtown Disney.

Fireworks, parades, spectacular lightshows, music and more help transform the 40-square-mile resort into a winter wonderland certain to thrill and entertain each member of the family.

MAGIC KINGDOM

MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY – On 19 magical nights (through December 19), holiday revelers can sip cocoa, catch a “snowflake” on a fingertip and catch the spirit of the season through enchanting entertainment that includes live shows, fireworks, carolers and special character meet and greets.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which kicks off at 7 p.m. on select evenings (after regular Magic Kingdom closing), is pure, Disney magic: Dancing gingerbread, marching soldiers and Santa’s sleigh parade down Main Street, U.S.A. to seasonal melodies during the twice-nightly “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade” … Cinderella Castle is draped radiantly with 200,000 glistening white lights … and “Holiday Wishes, Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” fireworks lights the night sky during a pyrotechnics show orchestrated to holiday melodies.

The night wouldn’t be complete without the forecasted flurry of snowflakes along Main Street, U.S.A. and a warming cup of cocoa in hand. Party-goers also enjoy complimentary cookies and apple slices and enjoy unlimited admission to favorite attractions.

Guests can visit Disneyworld.com/christmasparty or call 407/W-DISNEY for a complete schedule.

CASTLE DREAM LIGHTS – When daylight has passed during the holiday season, Magic Kingdom guests can behold a breathtaking transformation

during the Castle Dream Lights ceremony. Each evening through Jan. 3, 2011, Cinderella and favorite characters decked out in holiday garb take to the stage and magically transform Cinderella Castle into an ice palace aglow with 200,000 white lights.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS – Millions of brilliant bulbs blanket the backlot with dancing lights and animated displays synchronized to highenergy holiday tunes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through Jan. 3, 2011.

Colorful wreaths, twirling carousels, flying angels and Santa and his reindeer bedazzle park-goers amid swirling snow flurries during The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, a megawatt, multicolored spectacle that Show Director John Phelan calls “the ultimate Americana Holiday lights display.”

In fact, originally it was only in Little Rock, at the home of Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne. The rich tradition began some 20 years ago when he strung 1,000 lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter. After the exhibit grew larger and brighter – into millions of lights – it was transported to Walt Disney World Resort in 1995, where the light display now delights guests from all over the world each year.

MAGIC KINGDOM

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

EPCOT

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD – Throughout World Showcase, storytellers share customs and lore from their heritage through December 30. Strolling around the promenade during the Holidays Around the World celebration may put you face-to-face with the good-hearted witch La Befana, known in Italy for filling children’s shoes with treats, or the jolly gift-bearer Father Christmas in the United Kingdom. There are meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus in The American Adventure, plus other legendary icons who share messages of goodwill. The celebrations of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are showcased as well.

The evening is capped by the visual splendor of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the mesmerizing Epcot spectacular featuring fireworks, laser and water – all spruced up for the season with a spirited holiday finale.

CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL – The poignant story of Christmas unfolds during this renowned event featuring celebrity narrators, a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra at America Gardens Theatre. The star-studded celebrity lineup is scheduled to include Whoopi Goldberg and Jodi Benson among others (lineup of narrators is subject

EPCOT

to change without notice). To ensure a seat for this joyous favorite, Candlelight Dinner packages are available with dinner at select Epcot restaurants, a special spot for fireworks viewing and guaranteed seating for the heartfelt Candlelight Processional. For bookings call 407/WDW-DINE. JOYFUL! A GOSPEL CELEBRATION OF THE SEASON – D’Vine Voices returns to Epcot Fountain Stage with a joyful and uplifting choral performance that blends Gospel with the sounds of R&B, jazz and urban-inspired music. The inspirational celebration of the season takes place daily through December 26.

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

MICKEY’S JINGLE JUNGLE PARADE – The wild side of Animal Kingdom blends with a playful spirit of the holidays during “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.” Mickey and pals present seasonal melodies with a world beat twist during a whimsical cavalcade throughout the park. The high-energy afternoon parade runs daily through January 3, 2011.

Santa Goofy’s Holiday Village is adorned with festive décor and perfectly trimmed Christmas trees and crooning carolers. And Santa Goofy and spirited friends greet guests for photo opportunities.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

FESTIVAL OF THE SEASONS – Santa Claus is coming to town – to Downtown Disney, that is – and he’ll be meeting kids, listening to wishes and posing for pictures daily through December 24 at Santa’s Chalet. Santa is at the center of Festival of the Seasons, during which school choirs and bands often perform at the dock stage to help ring in the season, and shoppers can enjoy holiday gift buying every day.

For more information about Walt Disney World Resort’s Holiday Celebration, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/holidays/.

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PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

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OVO

Artistic Director Marjon van Grunsven On Cirque du Soleil’s Latest Masterpiece

BY ALEX S. MORRISON

C

IRQUE DU SOLEIL MADE ITS first visit to Atlanta almost 20 years ago with Nouvelle Experience, and local audiences have been clamoring for their artful, European-style circus productions ever since. The company’s latest masterpiece, OVO (Portuguese for “egg”), is the first Cirque show ever directed by a female, Deborah Colker. It’s also their biggest production to date, featuring 54 artists representing 16 different countries and eye-popping acts including six trapeze artists flying 40 feet in the air, and a grand finale featuring 20 people leaping and jumping up a 24-foot vertical wall.

The story takes audiences into an energized ecosystem where insects are awestruck when a mysterious egg appears in their midst. An awkward new arrival falls for a luscious ladybug and soon love is in the air, as the hive erupts into an explosion of insect energy. Ants use their feet to juggle; beautiful butterflies dance on air; scarabs soar high above the stage on a flying trapeze; and 20 grasshoppers leap from a 24-foot tall vertical wall in a dazzling grand finale. We recently got a backstage tour of the production and sat down with Dutch Artistic Director Marjon van Grunsven to discuss the show’s genesis.

How did you originally get involved with Cirque?

Originally, I got a phone call in 2007 as I was in my home country in Holland, working in my own studio as a choreographer/dancer/teacher. One of the artistic directors that works for Cirque was my original teacher when I was a dancer. She said, “We need an artistic director for the show Delirium, and I think you’re perfect for that. Are you interested?” I said yes. I’ve always wanted to work for Cirque ever since I first saw the show. I said yes and I got called. The ball rolled from that moment on and that’s how I got involved.

As a choreographer, what is the attraction of being able to work for a company like Cirque?

For me, it was a dream come true. It’s such a big company and there are so many possibilities within this company. They obviously have an incredible reputation, and they have 23 shows right now.

As a choreographer, I think it’s really a crown on the work that I had been doing for many years.

To be asked to guide , run and manage a big show like Cirque du Soliel is an honor for me.

What new energy do you think Debra Colker brought to the show as its first female director?

It’s funny that you use the word “Energy” because that’s her big word that she uses for the cast.

Whenever she talks to the cast she says, “Energy, guys! Bring the energy back!” As a female director, I think she was able to touch upon something very clear and very simple to understand for the audience. The story is about insects, which is already

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clear in its own. The costumes are very beautiful and very colorful. The story line underneath it all is a story of love and life.

What were the challenges for you of making this show unique from past Cirque du Soleil shows, especially Delirium, since you’ve been involved in that one?

What was unique for me is that this show doesn’t have any human characters on the stage, whereas all the other shows– Delirium, for example– had people on stage. They were characters, but they were people. Here, the challenge was that we have insects. Insects don’t move like people and, because we have human beings [as performers] they fall back easily into human ways of moving. We constantly have to remind them, “Guys, when you do this passage on the stage, you are looking like a person!”

Did you find yourself looking at a lot of nature documentaries for inspiration on how the characters should move?

At first, yes. This show is actually loosely based on a movie called Microcosmos, which really enlarges the insect world. It’s an incredible movie.

You see every kind, every type of insect blown up to life size… like really, really big. You see exactly how they move and how they turn their heads and how they eat, even how they make love. I saw snails making love to each other. I know it sounds disgusting, but the way they filmed it– with pretty music underneath it all– was just really gorgeous.

I was happy to see that there are Latin American influences in the show. Can you talk to me a little about how that worked for you as a choreographer?

The director, Deborah, is from Brazil, and our composer is as well. We have all sorts of Brazilian music and Brazilian flavors in the show. As a choreographer, I always worked with an eclectic repertoire, so we would use any type of cultural music. For me, it was exciting to work with just Brazilian music. I didn’t really know what to expect because, when I thought Brazilian music, I was seeing Brazilian Carnival, the really festive type of music. But in fact the show brings you a very sensitive, very beautiful, very happy feeling, and it has a little bit of everything. It has sadness, it has aggression, it has happiness, it has the party.

It has everything.

What do you as the artistic director hope that audiences will get from this show?

I hope for them to be able to leave their daily routine outside of the big top and, from the moment that they come in, they can be absorbed by this environment of a world of insects. They should just enjoy it, and leave with a light heart full of love and full of happiness.

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FILM

WHAT’S THE STORY, MORNING GLORY ?

Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams and Diane Keaton On Their New Film

BY JENNI WILLIAMS

I

F THERE WAS EVER ANY DOUBT that Rachel McAdams was America’s new sweetheart, Morning Glory bids it farewell forever. She plays Becky Fuller, an energetic, hopeful and undeniably adorable new executive producer, taking the reigns of a dying morning show to desperately try and breathe life back into its dysfunctional, yet lovable, TV family. And not only does she struggle to balance the stress of working all hours of the day with the tune of losing her job as each show broadcasts, but she’s also doing her best to fall in love (with “smokin’” Patrick Wilson, no less) and lead a normal life, doing it all as a minority in the broadcast industry—a woman.

“Not a lot of female executive producers,” she admits on her recent experiences shadowing several real-life executive producers of shows like Good Morning America and The Today Show. “It’s very uncommon. I think there’s only been a handful, at those bigger shows, which says something about the hours and what it requires.” McAdams says, adding, “I’ve realized it’s actually easier to be an actress than an executive producer on a morning television show. You have a little bit more time to yourself.”

And not only does McAdams own the show with no time for herself, she does it things to say. But, I can’t bear that cheerful flawlessly alongside movie powerhouses morning stuff. I do like to be in the comDiane Keaton and Harrison Ford. Keaton pany of somebody like Harry Smith. And I plays fictional morning-show favorite Colthink Matt Lauer does a real good job.” leen Peck and her new (disgruntled) co-host, It’s an eerie mirror to the gruff, scratchyis Ford as Mike Pomeroy. Peck does anything voiced, negative Nancy Mike Pomery he she can to stay on top (complete with a diva plays on screen, although he confirms that attitude) and as Keaton describes it, her role is only acting. But the truth is that much of represents “the person you love to hate, you know? The person who’s representing enter- the movie rests on this very debate. What is more important? And tainment as the way to are news shows go. You know, I’m the WHATEVER YOUR POLITICAL where heading if it has to be one who says, ‘Gimme a PERSUASION OR YOUR all or none of either? chance, I’ll do anyFord says he is “fearthing. You know, I’ll do PRECONCEPTIONS ARE, ful of the kind of politanything, just make this THERE’S A SHOW THAT’S ical opinion disguised show work.” as news, where people Ford’s Pomeroy is GOING TO COME RIGHT can go to have their less than enthusiastic DOWN YOUR PIPELINE AND prejudices confirmed. about his new gig and That’s a whole branch not abashed to show TELL YOU YOU’RE RIGHT, of what passes as it. He tortures Fuller AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT news that does that,” with everything from Ford says, although a refusal to say words DOESN’T THINK THAT WAY he makes sure to diflike “fluffy” to opening IS WRONG. AND THAT’S NOT ferentiate between the a bottle in anticipation people that are out of his morning show NEWS. THAT’S RELIGION. there gathering real debut. Plus, he berates AND IT MAKES ME CRAZY. news stories.

Peck on air as if being So, we’ve gone a paid to do so. Egos colsure distance from a refusal to say words lide for a comical moshpit of monosyllabic like “fluffy, ” to something much deeper than news bits and cheesy community coverage, what ingredients make up your most imporeveryone fighting the battle of news versus tant meal of the day. An interesting paradox entertainment. exists wondering whether news is entertainAnd that debate isn’t one held strictly for ment, or if entertainment is news, and the the cameras. Script-wise, it’s a snippet befact that our society intends for it to be one tween Fuller and Pomeroy of what the world way or the other. enjoys more—jelly doughnuts or bran, being Ford continues pointing out that, “whatthe metaphor of choice. It brings up the ever your political persuasion or your prequestion of what people want or what they conceptions are, there’s a show that’s going really need. And no matter what the answer to come right down your pipeline and tell to that is, at the end of the day, who really you you’re right, and everybody else that likes to eat bran? But come morning coffee And that’s doesn’t think that way is wrong. time, is what’s on the screen adding value to not news.

That’s religion.

And it makes our lives or not? me crazy. ” Ford claims that he turns on the news first Patrick Wilson, who notes that his thing in the morning to find out if there’s morning ritual at home is usually a fight been an accident, because there isn’t really between Bob the Builder or Thomas the anything else offered.

Tank Engine, plays the film’s sexy EP from He says, “They have some very interesting PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

a weekly show on the same network. He agrees with Ford “100 percent” and says, “I remember when you didn’t have an opinion, when it was good to not have one.

To not know the politics of your newsman.

Like, that’s how we all grew up.”

If you didn’t know, Wilson sits close to the cause, growing up the son of a news anchor—John Wilson of news shows in both Virginia and Tampa.

“I didn’t know the politics of my own father, because he always told both sides of the story. And I love that, ‘cause it made you choose. It made you present the facts and choose your own. And now we have someone, you know, just and weirdly, the only time you get the other side is when, like, Bill O’Reilly goes on The View. And then you’re like, ‘Right. That is crazy, what they’re saying.’ ‘Cause then you see both sides.”

Keaton, in her best Diane Sawyer (who she channeled for her role as Peck) believes that Wilson’s point is the most important thing you can teach your children. “That is your first role model in life. It’s much easier to think about him than it is to think about such enormous issues, which are complex, like the health care bill. Okay? That’s really hard to understand. That requires real thinking. And that’s what we need the most in this country, is to establish a way to learn to think, and to respect that.

That’s what I think.”

Ford continues saying, “We are less interested in a depth of understanding of the issues that face us in common. We’re less active as in terms of trying to create a national consciousness as we are in depending and describing what’s singular about us.

“There’s not the sense of community that was once and is the power of any nation.

And so we are exploiting divisiveness. And I’m not a nationalist, per se. I’m not talking as a patriot. I’m talking as somebody who wants to see the problems of our society addressed. And I think that depends on appropriate information delivered in depth.”

Wilson has “faith that it will actually sort of combine technology into people watch-

ing on your computer and it’s all gonna be connected. And as far as “entertainment news shows” go, he says, “maybe those fans will watch that show and understand, ‘Oh. Well, maybe I don’t feel that way.’ And you know, if entertainment’s gonna go that way.

I’d rather have that sort of free speech than be in any other country where it’s-- not any other country, but certainly where journalists are completely forbidden. Whether that’s via the internet or all one CNN source, fine, I’ll take it. As long as I know that we’re still gonna have that source of information.”

It raises the question that if you had to choose doughnuts or bran, personally, which is better for you? Which can you not live without? And at the end of the day--it’s any executive producer’s nightmare—which one, despite importance, is going to spike the ratings?

So we’re back to the illustration… Left fourth in command behind egotistical anchors, a ratings-driven CEO and a heavy cloud threatening she is way too into her work, Fuller manages to tackle each issue adamantly and assertively, whether moral or logistical. She steers the chaos into something worth saving and the fun of this film goes much deeper than the heavy motifs it surfaces, maybe even suggesting that neither should go completely away.

McAdams is funny and real, irresistible as the lead and powerful enough to carry this film up and over its conflict, leaving its story melting in our hearts forever. It teaches you a little something about deriving hope out of impossible situations, maybe creating something like a frittata, much more intensive in preparation than either doughnuts or bran, but that actually might be the best option in the end. You’ll leave wanting to follow your own dreams, and kick up your heels doing it.

Romantic comedy pro Roger Michell pulls out all the stops for this roller coaster ride of cuteness that just escapes a chic flick label and instead takes its place in a long line of soon-to-be classics we’ll be watching again and again.

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA

CHRIMBUS SPECTACULAR 2010

DECEMBER 3RD – JONATHAN COULTON

Variety Playhouse JoCo is back in Atlanta for a night of geeky sub/popculture songs full of witty quirkiness that will lure you in with their humor and cleverness. Check out the videos online for “Code Monkey” and “Re: Your Brains” to get an idea what you’ve been missing. You can also find much of his music available for free online through his website. Using subjects as diverse as science fiction, technology, bored clowns, and giant squids; you will find yourself laughing and rushing this charming performer at the end of his show to sign your Ikea catalogs.

DECEMBER 5TH – USHER

Philips Arena The OMG Tour comes to Atlanta with special guest Trey Songz and Miguel. No doubt everyone will be going to see Usher in his hometown though. Hot on the heels of Usher’s current hit “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” from his latest album, Versus, this show is sure to spark an inferno with classy and soulful musical performance.

DECEMBER 5TH – TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB!

Variety Playhouse Join Variety Playhouse for a night of absurdist comedy with Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.

You know them as the stars of hit Adult Swim series, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Their Chrimbus Spectacular will be a fast paced variety show, with parodies, musical numbers, pranks, and short films. Weird and wonderful with a wacky charm, this should be a Christmas treat…like finding a ham shaped peppermint in your stocking.

DECEMBER 10TH – TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

The Arena at Gwinnett Center Trans-Siberian Orchestra is known for incorporating the elements of classic, orchestral, symphonic, and progressive rock and heavy metal into Christmas epics. Using a full orchestra, choirs, and a constantly growing and changing musician lineup, TSO is a brilliant live experience. You will be dazzled by lights, laser, pyrotechnics, and video and aurally mesmerized by the consummate musicianship. Time to break out the holiday themed metal horns!

DECEMBER 17TH & 18TH – VINCE GUARALDI’S “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”

The Earl Yes, you can now buy Charlie Brown’s famous Christmas tree in stores…but why get the tree when you can hear the music live?! This

Christmas extravaganza is brought to you by Atlanta musicians Jeffrey Bützer (drums) and T.T. Mahony (piano) , with Robby Handley joining them on bass. These talented cats will perform Vince Guaraldi’s - A Charlie Brown Christmas in its’ entirety. They will be joined by singers, holiday projections, baked goods (limited amounts), and a recognizably bare Christmas tree. Sorry No Ferrari will open with sixties gem: The Ventures Christmas Album..

Good Grief! Christmas time is here!

DECEMBER 18TH – ABBEY ROAD LIVE!

Variety Playhouse Initially begun as a tribute to the classic Beatles album “Abbey Road”, this cover band has expanded to include more than 100 Beatles tunes from all eras of their career. Instead of focusing on the look-alike element of a cover band, Abbey Road Live manages to bring the Beatles music to an audience maintaining the complexity of the material with raw and exuberant performances. These are four all star and seasoned musicians who have collaborated with many famous musical acts from the Indigo Girls to the Lemonheads. Come out to sing along and get your Beatles on, mop tops and mod boots not required.

DECEMBER 19TH – BLIND GUARDIAN

The Masquerade Blind Guardian are on top of the power metal world and recognized as imaginative and epic musicians. Inspired by many fantasy authors, many of their songs are over 6 minutes long with their song “And Then There Was Silence” clocking in at an impressive 14:06 minutes!

Check out their latest album At The Edge Of Time. These Germanic musicians pack are sure to pack an epic metal punch, so bring your metal horns and ride your fire-breathing, cyborg, unicorns to the show!

WE GOT NEXT NONE MORE BLACK

DECEMBER 23RD – JUSTIN BEIBER

Philips Arena Oh Justin, so loved and so hated. The target of many an internet jeer, smear campaign, and prank, the Canadian r&b popster is still on top with the teen crowd.

Clever marketing through use of viral videos has helped Beiber garner massive appeal and success, even before he was signed. Groomed and stylized pop/r&b with some swoopy hair; bring your Tiger Beat and Bop magazines ladies!

DECEMBER 28TH – CHRISTMAS MUSIC OF MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

BY CHIP DAVIS

The Fox Theatre Neo-classic electronic music composer, Chip Davis, is best known as his alias, Mannheim Steamroller. His new age-ey, electronic take on Christmas music is well known to all holiday shoppers; especially his version of “Deck the Halls”.

This is Mannheim’s 25th anniversary production, with lots of multimedia effects. Join the Fox Theatre in bringing the spirit of the season to life with Mannheim Steamroller’s signature sound.

DECEMBER 31ST – ZAC BROWN BAND

Philips Arena Still hot off the CMA awards success of “Best New Artist”, Zac Brown Band is far from an overnight sensation. They’ve been honing their popularity one night at a time, city to city, but Atlanta is certainly a home for the Dahlonega raised Zac. Radio hits “Toes” and “Chicken Fried” will hit your sweet spot like a hot plate of down home southern cookin’. Check out their latest album You Get What You Give with guests Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson !

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Icons (Fat Wreck Chords) For Fans of: Kid Dynamite, Smoke or Fire and Quicksand.

Why You Should Care: Founded by the former Kid Dynamite frontman, None More Black combines all the ferocity of hardcore, with tight melodies and great lyrics.

BY JOHN B. MOORE

B

Everyone had written None More Black off for dead… the guys in the band more than anyone else. But, nearly four years and a few bands after their dissolution, three-fourths of New Jersey’s None More Black have surprised many and turned in a new fulllength, Icons. There’s a new drummer and the members may have changed addresses, but the same charging, melodic hardcore that brought over so many fans with the first three records is still decidedly there. Singer/guitarist Jason Shevchuk spoke recently about why the band broke up and why they decided to get back together.

Let’s start with the obvious: Why did you decide to reform?

In the period of time between November 2006 and April 2008 I don’t think I hung out with Paul (Delaney) and Colin (McGinniss) once at the same time. I saw Paul more than I saw Colin, since he lived in the same neighborhood.

Colin and I got together to see Richard Christy premiere his movie Evil Ned at Two Boots one night, but that was it. We realized that the only way to be able to really hang out with each other was within the structure of a band.

You played a few shows since you announced the hiatus, did you always know you would be getting back together?

There was no hiatus. We broke up. My plan was to just fade away into punk rock obscurity and not announce anything, but labels and websites feel the need to define things immediately. Hiatus is a

clever word that gets thrown around. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a softer blow to the people who care about stuff like that. I don’t know. We had no intention of getting back together. Bands are all open ended anyway. When is a band truly done?

Part of me still believes we’ll see Axl and Slash on stage together again.

Have you had any lineup changes since 2007?

We replaced Jared (Shavelson, drums) with our buddy Richard (Minino). Jared was playing in a few bands. We already had a very narrow playing schedule and it was difficult to wait around for Jared’s schedule to open up.

Seriously...he was the busiest drummer on the planet, and for good reason, he’s an amazing drummer. Richard has been close to the band for many years. He’s actually the perfect fit. The only fit really.

So what did you guys do when the band was on hold?

I had just moved to New York at the time. I worked a lot. Paul started Black Anvil and Colin played in a band called Aneurysm Rats. They both recorded full lengths during that time.

Why did you choose the photo gallery in Philly for your first reunion show?

We had all agreed to a time period in which we’d like to set up a show. Just so happens that Colin’s friend was showing her photography at Deep Sleep and she asked if we would play. I don’t

think Colin expected us all to say yes, but we did.

What can you tell me about the new record Icons?

It took us a very long time to pull these songs together. Richard lives in Orlando, so we couldn’t have a normal practice schedule. We would sometimes take four months between practices. Slowly but surely, things started to take shape and continued to take shape through the recording process.

What was Will Yip like to work with?

Will is great. He became a good friend by the time we finished the record. Colin had worked with him on the Aneurysm Rats record. He also recorded our friends Lighten Up. There record sounded great. It’s always nerve racking when you have to work with someone new. You never know how you’re going to gel. Will exceeded expectations. He worked fast, which was great. We hardly had any down time. We shredded through the process. His input was welcome and his excitement and work ethic was contagious.

Do you plan to tour at all after the record come out?

No plans to tour.

So what’s next for the band?

Real life is getting in the way of any major focus on None More Black. Nothing will change.

We’ll play shows when we can.

PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

MUSIC

MUSIC

Album Reviews

By B. Love, John B. Moore, DeMarco Williams, Steven Westdahl & Ed Morales

GREGG ALLMAN – LOW COUNTRY BLUES (Rounder) He’s got a right to sing the blues BL: I blame Ralph Macchio for my blues prejudices, though Robert Johnson definitely deserves his share of the credit.

Ever since 1986, when I saw the Karate Kid’s film Crossroads (which tapped into the mythical legend of Johnson’s deal with the Devil), I’ve harbored a deep-seated preference for blues songs that sound like they were written by a guy with nothing to his name but a battered guitar and a bottle of cheap whiskey, recorded in a dingy hotel room with hellhounds on his trail. After all, if a fella can afford a killer guitar, a stack of Marshall amps and a full band to back him up, just how depressed can he be?

Southern rock legend Gregg Allman has had an on-again/off-again relationship with the blues over the course of his storied career: While the Allman Brothers largely defined the classic bluesrock sound, his early solo work often veered into more eclectic pop music territory. His last solo effort, 1997’s Searching For Simplicity, sounded like a collection of decent (but hardly noteworthy) Allman Brothers B-sides, with guitarist Jack Pearson doing his best Dickey Betts-style slide work. But if simplicity was truly Allman’s goal, he probably should’ve hooked up with producer T Bone Burnett years ago.

Burnett strips Allman’s sound down to the bareboned essence, putting the focus on his soulful vocals as he tackles songs by blues titans ranging from BB King and Buddy Guy to Muddy Waters and Skip James. Tracks like the opening “Floating Bridge,” James’ haunting “Devil Got My Woman” and the closing “Rolling Stone” are as raw and rugged as anything Allman has ever recorded. His band– Dr. John on piano, Doyle Bramhall II on guitar, and Burnett’s go-to rhythm section of bassist Dennis Crouch and drummer Jay Bellerose– is hotter than Georgia asphalt on a mid-August day, but this is clearly Allman’s show, and he commands it with aplomb. Robert Johnson would be proud.

KANYE WEST – MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam) Hip-hop diva still shines like none other in the spotlight DW: It’s okay to miss the old Kanye. The Mr. West we knew from 2004-07 was suave and soulful, yet still had a sense of uncertainty to his sound. This guy now, well, he’s pampered, prim and poses in Prada. Guess that’s what happens to you after a swift run to success and an unsuccessful run-in with Taylor Swift. But even with the countless diva moments outside of the recording studio, Kanye still makes unbelievable magic inside of it. His latest, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, ain’t College Dropout by any stretch. Its mood is too spastic. Still, it’s one of the best CDs released in the last 12 months.

The album opens with a Nicki Minaj monologue.

Towards the end of West’s fifth disc is a Gil-Scott Heron poem. As you’d expect from ‘Ye, these elements give Fantasy a movie feel, albeit a darker, grimmer bit of cinema. Of course, there are some unforgettable moments of pure hip hop, like the chest-pounding “Power,” the punchline-heavy PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

The Dean’s List

“So Appalled” and the damn-who-killed-it-more “Monster,” featuring Nicki, Rick Ross and Jay-Z. But when you have other amazing tracks like “Blame Game,” that don’t really get going until a minute and a half of somber instrumentals have passed, you risk losing some folks who loved Late Registration and Graduation for their brevity.

Sadly, rap fans, that Kanye West left us 10 Billboard singles and five outbursts ago. We have to admit though, after walking in his Italian loafers on this Dark Twisted Fantasy, this new guy does kinda grow on you.

BOB DYLAN – THE WITMARK DEMOS: 1962-1964 (The Bootleg Series Vol. 9) (Columbia/Legacy) Snapshot of a legend’s brilliance, even on demos JM: For those Dylan fans who have never quite recovered from the musician temporarily putting down his acoustic guitar to plug into an amp at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, The Witmark Demos– the latest in Dylan’s stellar Bootleg Series– is a godsend.

Forty-seven songs spread out over two CDs, featuring the artist formerly known as Robert Zimmerman accompanied only by acoustic guitar, and occasionally harmonica and piano, this collection is classic Dylan. The sparse arrangements serve to highlight what he’s best known for, his poetic lyrics.

The Witmark Demos, recorded at the time for his music publisher (M. Witmark & Sons), the album includes some soon-to-be classics like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” but also 15 songs that have never been released before. While the sound quality of the recordings is overall strong, there are a few that sound a bit weathered. This two-disc box set also comes with a booklet featuring photos of Dylan taking around the time of the recordings and in-depth liner notes by music historian Colin Escott.

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE – DANGER DAYS: THE TRUE LIVES OF THE FABULOUS KILLJOYS Pop-punk powerhouses release a near-masterpiece EM: As much as My Chemical Romance supplied the Hot Topic soundtrack for the past decade, there was a bit of pomp and throwback to the Jersey boys rooted in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Glammedup excess, concept albums and power ballads run through MCR’s first three albums, but more as an undercurrent than an overt statement.

Not anymore. With its fourth album, MCR has created a cartoonish yet epic collection of songs paying homage to David Bowie and Iggy Pop with utter glee. Cast as outlaws in a post-apocalyptic future, the gang (paced by the lead-singing stylings of Gerard Way) fights Big Brother the only way it knows how– with expansive anthems fueled with hook after hook. “Doctor Death-Defying” provides a running commentary throughout, imploring you to “listen up” before cranking into “Na Na Na,” the album’s first of many sing-a-long singles. More follow, as “Bulletproof Heart,” “Sing” and “The Only Hope For Me is You” share this quiet/loud/ quiet anthem theme. Perhaps sensing this, Doctor Death-Defying tells the audience it’s “time to hit the red line,” and what follows pushes this album to the border of greatness.

“Party Poison” has MCR at its rocking best, showcasing a Judas Priest riff and expert guitar work by Ray Toro. “S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W” takes all the best elements of ’80s hair bands (they do exist), turning gentle arpeggio moments and cheesy guitar solos into a stirring celebration. Then there’s “Summertime,” a top 40 hit if there ever was one, which comes across as exceptionally natural despite being surrounded by songs that sound nothing like it. The band is showing off, clicking off genre after genre with scary confidence. “Vampire Money”

(with its obvious Stooges influence) takes the album home with a glowing flourish. It’s inarguable that My Chemical Romance is borrowing at will, but there’s never a time during Danger Days that you aren’t aware it’s MCR coming out the speakers. It’s distinct and definitive, and has the band primed to dominate another decade.

Rest of the Class THE MOMMYHEADS – FINEST SPECIMENS (Dromedary) ‘90s alt rockers get a second chance JM: You’d be forgiven if you have never heard of The Mommyheads. A definitive example of a cult band, the San Francisco, by way of New York, indie band had a handful of small label releases throughout the 90’s, one shot at the majors with a Geffen release, then disbanded shortly after in 1998.

During their time together, the band did manage to collect a slew of positive reviews from critics and help lay the ground work for other bands inspired by their original sound. Many of those songs can be found on the 21-track release Finest Specimens, a greatest hits collections of sorts for a talented band that never really enjoyed the mass appeal the first time around.

A fantastic starting point for those who’ve never heard of the band and a must-have for all Mommyhead disciples, Finest Specimens includes remastered songs, previously unreleased live recordings and one new song. The band reunited in 2008 to put out a new record, so now is your chance to finally catch up with what you likely missed out on in the 90’s. (B-) ALEON CRAFT – THE STARGAZING SOUNDTRACK (Self-Released) Bubbling up from the underground BL: Atlanta’s hip-hop scene has certainly had its fair share of time in the national spotlight, making international celebs of natives such as Cee Lo, Dallas Austin, Outkast and Jermaine Dupri. But even after B.o.B. hit the big time, most mainstream media have ignored the impressive depth and breadth of the ATL’s underground urban music scene, despite the fact that acts such as Collective Efforts and Yelawolf are doing some fairly compelling work.

Currently being offered for free download on his website (www.aleoncraft.com), The Stargazing Soundtrack offers ample evidence that the artist born Marcus Thomas is ready for attention beyond the Peach State’s borders. Thomas gained minor acclaim in 2006 (under the name Big Marc) as onehalf of Da Backwudz, who were signed to Austin’s Rowdy Records label and released one critically acclaimed album. But despite getting props from MTV, BET, The Source and Rolling Stone, the Decatur-based duo got chewed up by the music industry monster when parent label Universal downsized. Thomas has been on the solo grind ever since.

Which is not to say he’s going at it completely alone: In addition to partners-in-rhyme SMKA and Esperanza, The Stargazing Soundtrack features ATL underground staples such as Hollyweerd, Grip Playaz and Playboy Tre helping him do his thing. Together, they concoct a sound somewhat akin to George Clinton and Afrika Bambaataa making a mothership connection while getting lifted and listening to old school Outkast. Tracks like the infectious “Wonderland,” the bluesy “A Different World” (featuring Nappy Roots) and the summertime-friendly single “Sunday” show masterful rhyme skills, a diverse range of flows and an obvious knack for crafting catchy hooks.

Even if not every song here shows the same mainstream breakthrough potential, the album on the whole proves Aleon Craft is among those ATL underground hip-hop artists ready for the next level. (B) LIZZ WRIGHT – FELLOWSHIP (Verve Forecast) Gospel-influenced jazz for grown folks DW: Our investigative team is confident the details it has on Lizz Wright’s age are accurate. As far as

our sleuthing can tell, the amazing vocalist is only 30 years old. Why are we stunned by the number?

Oh, maybe you haven’t heard the woman sing.

Like some sort of angelic blend of a great cabaret performer in the 1940s, a choir director from the riotous 60s and an 80s jazz vocalist who ran in the same circles as Dianne Reeves, Wright’s voice has the nuance and tremor of a singer twice her reported age.

But for argument’s sake, let’s play along with everything Lizz’s bio says. Country girl from Hahira, Georgia, moves to the big city (Atlanta).

She ventures to other metropolises (New York, Seattle) to spread her wings even further. Two wellreceived albums spawn from said journeys, ‘03’s Salt and Dreaming Wide Awake in ‘05. The young lady grows homesick and releases a Dixie tribute of sorts, The Orchard, in ’08. That’s a lot of miles, and an awful lot of stories, on one 30-year-old’s heart.

On this fourth road trip, Fellowship, Wright’s tales still feel honest; they’re just steeped more in spirituality than ever before. Few people can serenade on everyday struggles (“(I’ve Got to Use My) Imagination” and “I Remember I Believe”) quite like this. Even fewer can move a pool pit from a Pentecostal church and put it square in the recording studio like the minister’s daughter does on “God Specializes” and “Amazing Grace,” two Sunday standards made special by Lizz’s distinct alto. But let’s not totally confuse Wright’s gospel with your grandmother’s old hymns. She channels Eric Clapton and Anjelique Kidjo into her toetapping, slow brimming sermon. Most young folks won’t have the patience for those kinds of songs.

And that’s just fine. Lizz Wright’s never made it a habit of making music for folks her age anyway.

(B+) JOE FIRSTMAN – LIVE AT THE TREEHOUSE (Rock Ridge) Mellow singer songwriter (sort of) puts out live record JM: No album has been able to accurately capture the true appeal of acoustic rocker Joe Firstman… until now, of course.

His seventh album, Live at the Treehouse, is not exactly what the title would have you believe. It was not recorded in front of a live audience, but rather recorded with Firstman playing and singing simultaneously to achieve a more organic live sound. As for the album title, it was recorded at The Treehouse in Laurel Canyon, just outside of Los Angeles.

Live at the Treehouse is stripped down to better highlight Firstman’s lyrics. The word “beautiful” even seems a little too tame to describe this collection of songs: From the destined-tobe-classic “Pretty Things” to the fantastic duet with Jamie Drake on “Marlene and Her Sisters,” Firstman offers an album that just about anyone can get behind. Independent-minded without being pretentious and lyrically challenging without being inaccessible, Firstman has just turned in the best album of an already impressive career. (B) ANDY OFFUTT IRWIN – LIP SERVICE (Echo Lake) He ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie!

BL: Say what you will about Covington-based Andy Offutt Irwin’s aptly titled latest album, but there’s nobody else like him. Irwin is best known as a storyteller on the national festival circuit, crafting larger-than-life characters with a heavy dose of wacky Southern charm. But he’s also an accomplished singer-songwriter with several albums under his belt. On his latest CD/DVD set he focuses on his world class whistling skills, proving a pair of well-pursed lips can deserve a place in concert halls.

From a peppy jazz version of “Over The Rainbow” and an Indian raga twist on “Old Joe Clark” to a killer take on the Romanian folk tune “Doina & Hora” (with the Kandinsky Trio), Irwin tackles genres like a veteran defensive lineman tackles quarterbacks. Sure, whistling “Low Rider” and “She Blinded Me With Science” sounds a bit silly (and silly, after all, is his storytelling stock-in-trade). But when he gets serious? The man’s a master musician with some VERY talented lips. (B)

EVENTS

BOOK TOUR!

NBC “Today” Show Anchor Hoda Kotb’s New Assignment

BY MARCI MILLER

T

HE POPULAR ANCHOR FOR NBC’S “Today” Show, Hoda Kotb, shares her life story in a revealing, fascinating, behind-thescenes new book, “Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee.” With humor and grace, she shows how we all have the capacity to turn a crisis into a blessing, and the lessons she has learned, from growing up with immigrant Egyptian parents to reporting from dangerous war zones all over the world, from surviving breast cancer to getting along with her “Today” show colleagues.

Hoda Kotb has been co-anchor of the fourth hour of “Today” since 2007. She has been a “Dateline NBC” correspondent since 1998 and hosts the weekly series “Your Total Health.” She is a winner of the prestigious Peabody Award and a four-time Emmy nominee.

Your parents wanted you to have the all-American childhood, but did you struggle growing up because of your Egyptian heritage?

We didn’t realize as kids that we were different. Our parents were so red, white and blue and I was in the Brownies and Girl Scouts and I did all the stuff that other kids did…so you don’t realize that you are different until your friends overhear your parents’ accent or they don’t know how to pronounce something and they think it’s a little bit funny. In the beginning you are sort of embarrassed by the differences but as you grow older you embrace them.

Do you think that helped you in your career?

Yes, I always knew that the reason I didn’t get something or the reason that I wasn’t promoted was I just didn’t have it. It wasn’t ever about something that was out of my control. It makes you push harder.

NEW YEAR’S EVE!

When you started working with Kathie Lee did you have instant chemistry or did it take a while to develop?

I think it took a little bit to get it going like with most things in life. We had never done a show together until our first show. So, it’s a little weird. You’re supposed to pull out your inner most secrets and be BFFs and it takes time. You have to have a trust with each other.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE

What advice do you have for other women battling cancer?

I think the best way to make it through is you really have to reach out and help people. I think when you are self-focused it’s over. It doesn’t matter if it is a family member, friend or total stranger, if you take the focus off yourself and it will always get better.

You cover your ongoing hair struggles in your book.

Are you happy with your hair now and are you willing to reveal your secret or give any tips?

The secret is somebody else doing it! For me to get a head of hair that looks decent you need a flat iron, curling iron, some gel and a hammer. You’ve got to have tools. Left to our own devices, it can look freakish.

2010

21 & Over ������������������������������ �������������������

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FUNNY GUY San Fran Comedy Champ Hits Atlanta!

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OMEDIAN TOM SIMMONS headlines The Laughing Skull Lounge for New Years Eve which will be his sixth year in a row headlining on NYE in Atlanta. He comes to entertain us every year with his jokes written on current events and personal experiences over the past year.

How many people did you beat to win the prestigious San Fran Comedy Competition this year?

All of them.

What is one of your favorite highlights from your comedy career?

Traveling the country in a motor home with Serena for three years doing comedy almost every night from coast to coast and north to south. It was awesome.

What can people expect from your show New Years Eve at The Laughing Skull Lounge?

My comedy is about life. Mine, yours... It makes you laugh extremely hard for long stretches of time. They can expect some cursing. I have some pretty funny stuff from what has happened this yearthe oil spills, Michael Vick coming back, volcano eruptions and earthquakes. You better come out and laugh cuz it is all coming to an end soon… The planet is fighting back.

When has your comedy gotten you in trouble?

Early in my career when the new VW Beetle came out, I had a line that I loved the new beetle- it looks a lot like the old beetle, but with Down syndrome.

One night a really pleasant lady comes up and tells me, “I loved you and your jokes- until you did that Down syndrome joke. I have a son who has Down syndrome and you have ruined my night.” Weird though- because that joke doesn’t make fun of Down syndrome. It has no negative connotation at all. I am sorry lady that thinking about your son ruins your night. Many people would have been cheered up to think of theirs.

Has anyone wanted to fight you after a show because of your jokes?

Yes. But nobody will every come close to beating me up as much as I do myself regularly. I have my own fight club going on with my head and my soul very often after a night of shows.

What is easier for you to find the funny: religion & politics, or being a dad?

There is no easy. Right now politics and religion are tough for me because I don’t care about either of them right now. The dad stuff is easier cuz it is more just writing down the funny things and the big concepts that hit you automatically with life. I am reacting to that regularly in life so my act reflects that.

You can catch Tom Simmons Dec 30-Jan 2 �������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������

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PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

MUSIC

SON OF A PREACHER MAN

Cee Lo Green On Going To Heaven, Raising Hell & The Purgatory That Is The Music Business

BY B. LOVE

T

HERE WAS A TIME WHEN getting a song on the American Top 40 was an artist’s ticket to stardom.

Then, in the early ‘80s, it became all about getting a music video into heavy rotation on MTV. In 2002, American Idol began providing a boost to a music industry crippled by the digital revolution, creating a new breed of pop stars.

Now, Glee has emerged as America’s hit factory du jour, offering up an accessible and infectious mixture of glammed-up karaoke versions of classic songs, genre-bending smash-ups and choral versions of the latest chart-toppers.

Cynics may scoff at the somewhat silly pop culture phenomenon, but Cee Lo Green– previously best known as frontman for Dirty South hip-hop innovators Goodie Mob and “Crazy” duo Gnarls Barkley– seems amused by the hullabaloo surrounding Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance of his breakthrough solo hit, “Forget You,” on Glee’s November 16 episode. And with good reason: After 15 years of struggling to earn respect in an industry that never knew what to make of his unique blend of soulful spirituality and street-tough rap, how hilarious is it that a song originally intended to be a not-so-subtle “F@#! You” to the music business has become one of the biggest hits of Cee Lo’s career, with nearly 30 million YouTube views of its official uncensored video?

The stunning success of his expletive-laced single (which has since been suitably cleaned up for mainstream consumption) is just the latest chapter in the crazy life of one of the urban music scene’s most distinctive and colorful personalities. Talking to Cee Lo in person, it seems as if he could just as easily be a sage prophet dispensing sound spiritual advice from some mountaintop high in the Himalayas or a raving-mad street preacher delivering apocalyptic sermons in exchange for spare change on a street corner in the inner city. His sleepy drawl unfurls in wispy curlicues of thought as ephemeral as the smoke from a Lewis Carroll caterpillar’s pipe, so lilting and hypnotic it might take a few minutes before you realize he actually made a really good point. But when he stumbles onto a topic that enflames his personal passions, he’s also capable of delivering a fiery soliloquy that would be more powerful in the pulpit than it is in print.

Perhaps that’s because the artist formerly known as Thomas DeCarlo Callaway was born the son of two ordained ministers, singing sacred songs long before he went to Southwest Atlanta’s Benjamin E. Mays High School and met the friends that would eventually form Goodie Mob. He cites soul legend Jackie Wilson as the first artist to have a major influence on his musical inclinations, with an angelic voice that spoke to his very core, but the roots of Cee Lo’s soulful spirit can be traced all the way back to his early childhood.

“As far as the music is concerned, I accepted and I acknowledged early on that it was something beyond myself,” Green recalls. “It was something bigger than myself. The ability to act on that was very gratifying in a sense of, ‘I have been blessed.’ Spirituality has always been a part of my life. Both of my parents were ministers, and my mother used to tell me a story of my father taking me into a closet and praying over me, marking me, ordaining me. I heard very early on in my life that I would do or be something special.”

He also learned very early on that sometimes PG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

walking the path to heaven can be harder than hell. Green’s father died of a heart attack when Cee Lo was just two years old, and he rebelled against the strict religious upbringing he received from his mother and grandmother. As a teen he found himself on an increasingly dark and destructive path– stealing, starting fires for fun, beating up homeless people and mugging pedestrians– and he acknowledges today that his life could’ve gone in a very different direction.

“I was a bit of a deviant, I must admit,” he confesses matter-of-factly. “It felt a bit more supreme and more extreme than just good and bad; it was more like good and evil. There was a point in my younger years when I didn’t realize that [the creative connection with the divine] was involuntary, like an out of body experience. When I look back on the things that I was writing and feeling in those days, I realize that I wasn’t able to help myself.”

The rough road to enlightenment began in earnest in 1992 (Cee Lo was 16), when his mother, Sheila J. Tyler-Callaway, was involved in an auto accident that left her a paraplegic.

Caring for his mother as she gradually withered away before his very eyes, the troubled teen made a gradual transformation from thuggish street hood to robe-clad street preacher, with a style that made him seem like the bastard offspring of Afrika Bambaataa, George Clinton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. A month or so before the release of Goodie Mob’s trailblazing debut album, Soul Food, Cee Lo’s beloved mother passed away.

“I do believe what has happened to me was the highest degree of divine intervention,” he insists. “I knew that, in her death, I could not deny her any further. It’s a very personal memory for me, the actual act which took place.

At my mother’s deathbed, I touched her hand and her body was freezing cold, and I was just compelled to go into prayer. My entire family was there. I was a young man– I was 18 or 19– but I was being moved in a very mature way at that time. It was not pretentious. It was very, very genuine. I described it as being possessed on a Gnarls Barkley song called ‘She Knows,’ in which I tried to sum up these circumstances.”

Cee Lo credits that traumatic moment with defining his life’s mission ever since. “It’s been a miracle,” he says, “and that’s not an exaggeration or overstatement. I have become articulate. I have become eloquent. I have become enthusiastic. I have become able. It happened all of a sudden, miraculously, when prior to this moment I did not have that aspiration. I believe there was a tug-of-war for my soul and spirit, and I was acknowledged by both entities as a noble, worthy solider of a soul who could really do bidding on either side. When I was young, Satan gave me quite a bit of liberty and I enjoyed… Can you believe I’m saying this to you? It’s pretty awesome to talk about, and to relive this insane conversation. It sounds outrageous, but I think with what has happened to me that it’s becoming more and more believable through my testimony every day.”

When this sudden switch in Cee Lo’s soul direction occurred, the more negative elements of the crowd he was running with were in chock and awe, but his renewed faith provided a power and passion to Goodie Mob’s sound that was unlike anything going on in urban music at the time. Along with their buddies in Outkast (who first introduced Goodie Mob to the world in several songs on their 1994 debut

Continued on page 24

album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik), the Organized Noize production crew, and the extended Dungeon Family, Goodie Mob essentially put Atlanta on the nation’s hip-hop map, infusing it with a sense of gospel-influenced Southern soul.

According to Cee Lo, finding a sanctuary of safety with his musical family was precisely what he needed to put him on a progressive path towards fulfilling the destiny his mother had dreamed for him. “That’s when I was most vulnerable,” he recalls, “right around that first Goodie Mob album. There are evil, unclean spirits that are trying to eat into every individual, and change provides them with an opportunity. They just perch, waiting for an opening to come in and act out an alternative agenda for your life. Goodie Mob came along at the right time in my life because I needed that structure, that system, to preserve my sanity. It really, really helped me at that time. That’s why [the passion] was so strong in me at the time.”

Goodie Mob started out on firm footing, producing three Billboard Top 100 singles on the Gold-certified Soul Food (the title track, “Cell Therapy” and “Dirty South,” which is widely credited with popularizing the ATL nickname).

Coming across like the bastard offspring of New York’s literate alt-rap scene and L.A.’s burgeoning G-funk movement, with a heaping helping of deep-fried Southern grit thrown in for good measure, the album’s mixture of infectious hooks and socio-political lyrics made Goodie Mob seem like the next big thing in hip-hop.

Unfortunately, while Cee Lo’s brethren in Outkast became a breakout success when their 1998 album Aquemini reached #2 on the Billboard album charts (thanks in part to the Grammy-nominated hit “Rosa Parks”), Goodie Mob was struggling on both a creative and personal level. Feeling pressure to achieve more commercial success, the group signed with

LaFace Records’ parent company, Arista, for their third album. But the result, World Party, was widely criticized as a shallow attempt at mainstream success, trading lyrics about racism and gentrification for party-centered rhymes and even blatant homophobia. Cee Lo left the band abruptly during the album’s production, and Goodie Mob was soon dropped from the label.

Today, Green is hardly what one would call apologetic about the way things went down.

“Envy was obvious,” he sniffs, “and any jealousy was justified because there was no doubt that I was a jewel. I’d always considered myself an individual in a collective effort. Fortunately, we had similar tastes and agenda, but the rest of the Mob was not as emotionally involved as I was. I was not officially appointed to speak on behalf of Goodie Mob, but I could not help it.

Unofficially, everyone followed my lead because I had the concepts, the theories and the facts to back it up. I considered Goodie Mob to be more like activists than entertainers. We were all fighting for Civil Rights at that time, which was why Goodie Mob made sense. There was team spirit amongst us, and I was a spokesman of our spirit.”

But that team spirit turned ugly in the wake of Cee Lo’s departure from the group, though the various members insist today that their interpersonal beefs were greatly exaggerated by the media. There was open sniping back and forth in the press, and Big Gipp, Khujo and T-Mo’s 2004 release under the Goodie Mob name, One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, was widely perceived as a thinly veiled jab at Cee Lo’s inflated sense of self-importance.

To make matters worse, Cee Lo’s solo career at Arista was short-lived: He was dropped from the label after 2002’s Cee Lo Green & His Perfect Imperfections and 2004’s Cee Lo Green… Is The Soul Machine failed to perform

to tap into the zeitgeist of its moment. Leaked sweet as revenge. just that– a professional. When I say ‘Lady up to Arista’s expectations (despite the latter prior to the release of the duo’s genre-blending “If you can separate yourself from the stofeaturing high-profile collaborations with LuKiller,’ I’m talking about business. Murders are debut, St. Elsewhere, the single went straight to ryline [of the song] just a bit and focus on the F committed out of impulse and emotion: You dacris, T.I., Pharell and Timbaland). But if you and the U,” Cee Lo says when asked about the will not get away with that crap because it’s ask Cee Lo, these supposed missteps were just a #1 on the UK pop charts (the first single ever resounding impact the single has had, “what not thought-out. ‘Lady Killer,’ in simple terms, necessary part of the process that has led him to to do so on download sales alone), where it has my entire career been besides a big F-U to means I’m a lover and a fighter. I take personal where he is today. remained for nine weeks before the band and the industry? I wasn’t really premeditating that, the business at hand. The business at hand is “My first two solo albums have been described their label decided to remove it from stores before people got sick of it. The song won a a bold and brave individual organism such as as schizophrenic because they go from A to but that’s probably the ground wire for it. Even Grammy and ranked #1 on Rolling Stone’s Top Z,” he admits, “which I felt was a very nimblethough the storyline itself is a fictitious account, myself, succeeding and being signified, and not just in my own mind or in the opinions of a minded quality as opposed to some type of 50 Songs of the Decade (2000-2009), and the I think the reason why it is taken as truth is befew people. THAT is the business. I have ‘The clinical condition. I believe that too much of triple-platinum album gave Cee Lo the biggest cause I sing from that pain. I sing from that ishit of his career. Ironically, it also convinced today’s music represents a retardation because land of exile. I’m still not in the in-crowd. I don’t Game’ in my crosshairs, and I’m ready to kill it!” it is single-minded. But the The album (which boasts producassembly line syndrome was set tion

by Salaam Remi, ELEMENT, IN THE SEVENTEEN YEARS I’VE BEEN DOING THIS PROFESSIONALLY,” The Smeezingtons, into motion, and you only have Ben Allen, HE BOASTS PROUDLY, “I’VE BECOME JUST THAT– A PROFESSIONAL. one opportunity to be yourself.

Fraser T. Smith and several others) had just been released as this issue If you aren’t who they want you WHEN I SAY ‘LADY KILLER,’ I’M TALKING ABOUT BUSINESS. went to press, debuting at #9 on the to be, you may only have that Billboard charts and earning universal acclaim one time. I was recognized as a jewel early on, Arista Records to necessarily fit… and I from critics. With second single “It’s OK” so the reason why those albums exist is because release Closet Freak: don’t necessarily want someone was advocating my individualities.

The Best of Cee to, either. All I care slated for a mid-December release, The Lady They were allowing me to be myself and I had Lo Green the Soul Killer looks likely to be the biggest hit of Cee about is quality. Now if total control. Maybe they feel like that was a the song is great, play it Lo’s solo career, setting the 36-year-old artist Machine. and so be it. That’s what up for a great 2011. Green confirms that he and mistake, but I was new then and I needed those Which all brings my agenda is. It’s about Danger Mouse will definitely reunite to do anopportunities to express all that I aspire to be.” us back to “F@#!

You,” arguably Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait very long greatness. It’s not about other Gnarls Barkley album in the near future. among the biggest for another golden opportunity to present product placement: It’s And, bad blood now water under the bridge, he pop culture pheitself. Cee Lo had been given a demo tape by about procreation!” insists that he remains one of the “Four Horsea young Athens resident by the name of Brian nomena of 2010 and If greatness is Cee Lo’s men” where Goodie Mob is concerned, working Burton back in 1998, when the budding hip-hop easily the biggest ultimate career goal, his on a new album and fielding offers from various hit of Cee Lo’s solo DJ took second place in a talent concert and new solo album, The labels. career. Knowing Cee earned a slot opening for Goodie Mob and Lady Killer, accom“We just got through doing a show last weekLo’s life story– his Outkast at the University of Georgia. By 2005 plishes that mission end– a 30-minute set for a Heineken producstruggle to live up Burton had become better known by his stage in spades. Blending tion with Big Boi, Bun B and ourselves. It’s like to the legacy his name, Danger Mouse, the mastermind behind influences ranging a day hasn’t gone by,” he says of reuniting with mother foretold for from Motown/Stax ‘60s his childhood friends. “There is a kinetic energy The Grey Album (a legendary smash-up of him, his fight for respect in an industry that did pop and Gamble & Huff’s Philly soul to Curtis that connects us. We are all bonded by the banJay-Z rhymes and instrumental Beatles tracks). not seem likely to recognize what he knew to ner that we wave, and even my own individual When Cee Lo came in to record a song for Mayfield’s blaxploitation funk and larger-thanbe a God-given talent, his stubborn will to take successes could not sever my association with Danger Doom, a collaboration between Burton life James Bond theme songs, the album is a Goodie Mob. Any mention of me has to be a and underground rapper MF Doom, he and the the creative road less traveled when there were sweet retro throwback that puts all of Green’s far safer paths to success– it’s easy to imagine theatrical eccentricities into a cohesive, lavishly budding production wunderkind hit it off, and mention of my history, which is probably the him watching Hollywood golden girl Gwyneth orchestrated context. In my opinion (not to soon Gnarls Barkley was born. greatest part. Goodie Mob was very overt and Paltrow shimmying her sexy self to his song on mention Cee Lo’s), it’s the best thing he’s done outspoken as far as social agenda and politics.

Where Cee Lo’s work with Goodie Mob and Performing together again, it really felt like a as a solo artist seems in retrospect to be a bit TV’s hottest water cooler show and laughing to since Soul Food. day hadn’t gone by in that we’re all still hungry. ahead of the pop culture curve, Gnarls Barkley’s himself like some sort of sage African-Ameri“In the seventeen years I’ve been doing this debut single “Crazy” seemed perfectly timed can Buddha. Redemption, after all, is almost as professionally,” he boasts proudly, “I’ve become Even in my success, I’m still an underdog.”

UP FOR A LITTLE BIT OF FUN.?

The End of The Format Proved a New, Happy Beginning for Nate Ruess

BY ED MORALES

W

HEN YOU NAME A BAND FUN., YOU HAD better mean it. Consider Nate Ruess a man of his word. The former leader of The Format, Ruess spent the past two years pushing his latest musical venture to the forefront. Known for its manic live show, fun. is an indie power-pop outfit finding constant followers on the strength of the band’s 2009 album Aim and Ignite, a collection of 10 songs mixing harmonies with playful lyrics and signature sounds.

Ruess formed fun. with friends Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff, and as the band tours the U.K. and U.S. (with a midDecember date in Atlanta), he took time out of his schedule to discuss Arizona, haircuts and what fun. has on the horizon.

I know the band has been touring through Europe. How does touring in Europe differ than touring in the States? You must have an unusual story about your European trek.

We’ve only been to the UK and it’s weird because it is sort of odd compared to North America. It’s not completely different, but it’s like getting a crazy haircut and looking at yourself in the mirror afterwards and thinking “this is totally me, but it doesn’t look like me” if that makes any sense. But we’ve gotten pretty used to the haircut and it’s starting to feel like any other state.

Well, except this one comes with fish, chips, accents, and jet lag.

I was able to see fun. play in Athens not so long ago, and was impressed how dedicated the band is to the live show. What is your outlook when taking the stage? Are you guys like that every time live?

Big time. It’s really who we are. There’s not a lot of difference in our personalities on or off stage. We’re constantly putting on a show even if it’s for each other.

Aim and Ignite has been out for more than a year now, so the band must be on its way to sending out a new album. How is that going, and what can fans expect?

We’re getting there. The plan is to start recording in the spring so we’ve gotta get cracking on writing. I’m not too worried, excited actually. I’ve written a bunch of songs and I’m sure the other guys have some great ideas. But we are still trying to figure out what the album should sound like, which is always one of the funnest things in the process.

How do you go about writing new material? Does it start with a hook, or lyric, or is it a more collaborative effort?

It varies. For the last record, because we had just formed, I had brought a lot of songs to Andrew and Jack, and we worked from there. I’m used to writing most things in my head – I don’t play an instrument – and then bringing what I hear as a complete song to them, and then explaining it and singing it until they start to understand it. And then once it belongs to all of us, all bets are off and the songs start to take crazy shape.

It’s been a little more than two years since your MySpace letter detailing the start of fun. Are you happy with how things are going with the band? Is there anything you would do different?

Yeah im happy. It’s been a long year and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished. I just don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. I’m very much into what’s next, and this band has been such a pleasant surprise and success that if I looked back to where I was personally when the band started, I would probably cry.

So what can fans expect from the tour in the States?

A whirling dervish of sing out loud jams.

You’re based in New York now but for many years you lived in Arizona. Is there an aspect of your music that is directly influenced by your time out West? How so? How has it changed since moving to New York?

Yeah. I think a huge portion of my lyrics, especially on the last album, were influenced by living in Arizona and also feeling an urge to leave it all. Even with lyrics to a couple new songs, I’m still referencing my past. I’ve since rekindled at lot of my love for certain things in the state but I’m so much happier being in New York. Now if only I had a place where I could make noise.

It comes as no surprise listening to fun. that the Beach Boys and Weezer are big influences. Is there an inspiration for you that may surprise other people?

Maybe Van Morrison? He is my favorite thing of all time.

Although I don’t think it shows much in the band’s music. At some point in life I would love to do something that’s focused primarily on blue-eyed soul.

PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

NYE in

ATLANTA

Peach Drop 2011 Underground Atlanta

Thursday Dec. 31; Noon until 4 AM Free Admission; Underground Atlanta Peachdrop.com (404) 523-2311

New Year’s Eve & Holiday Events

annual extravaganza, presented through January 2, features an expanded model train show, a train kids can ride, a Botanical Saint Nick, a holiday puppet show and - back by popular demand - the second annual Reindog Parade. At the same time, visitors can take in the ongoing exhibition Chocolate: Seed to Sweet and enjoy a number of demonstrations, classes and other tasty happenings. And the beauty of all these events, most free with Garden admission, is that they they're set ASO Gospel Choir and the Atlanta Symphony against the backdrop of a festively decorated Youth Orchestra. More than 400 musicians garden, adorned with traditional holiday and singers pay homage to the legendary plants and garlands.

Robert Shaw's ultimate gift to the city he loved in the annual Christmas with the ASO concert.

You can count on pops impresario Michael Krajewski to pull out all the stops in another Under the Blue-and-Yellow Grande one-of-a-kind variety show with A Very Merry Chapiteau at Atlantic Station Holiday Pops. The exciting holiday season Through January 2 cirquedusoleil.com culminates with the ASO New Year’s Eve PoParazzi, an evening of festive Italian stan- Cirque du Soleil raises its big top for its tourdards form Sinatra to Jersey Boys to Puccini ing show. OVO is a headlong rush into a coland Pavarotti that will have you craving cal- orful ecosystem teeming with life, where zones and spumoni afterwards. Tickets and insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and complete details for all performance are avail- look for love in a non-stop riot of able online. energy and movement. The insects' home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled Fabulous Fox Theatre with noisy Performing through Dec. 27 action and atlantaballet.com (404) 881-2100 moments of The Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King, young quiet emotion.

Marya, and the Prince all return to the stage in When a mysteriAtlanta's adored holiday classic. This unique ous egg appears in their midst, the insects are production of the awestruck and intensely curious about this beloved Nutcracker iconic object that represents the enigma and tale takes twenty cycles of their lives. It's love at first sight when pounds of snow, a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling eight tons of community and a fabulous ladybug catches his scenery, lighting, eye - and the feeling is mutual. OVO is overand props, and a flowing with contrasts. The hidden, secret thirty-eight feet tall world at our feet is revealed as tender and torChristmas tree to rid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. And make the magic as the sun rises on a bright new day the vibrant come to life. Set in cycle of insect life begins anew. the elaborate Moorish décor of the Fox Theatre, Marya's unbelievable story unfolds on a chilly Christmas Eve and transports her on an epic journey filled where she meets some extraordinary characters. Now in its 51st production, Cobb Energy Centre Dec. 31 Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker continues to be a cobbenergycentre.com (770) 916-2800 treasured holiday tradition shared by multiple 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta generations. Tickets start as low as $20 and are on sale now. Also, don't miss The Nutty Enjoy an evening of great stand-up comedy, Nutcracker, playing on December 16 at featuring the 7:30pm. A raunchy, hilarious take on the clas- five finalists sic, this one-night-only performance incorpo- from NBC's rates both famous and infamous characters popular laughand current events for a truly fun, adult holi- fest "Last day evening filled with hysterical surprises. C o m i c Standing," Roy Wood, Jr., T o m m y Johnagin, Myq Kaplan, Felipe Midtown Through Jan. 2 Esparza and 1345 Piedmont Ave. (404) 876-5859 Mike DeStefano, as the official NBC tour www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org comes to Atlanta on December 31. The seventh season of NBC's Emmy-nominated comAn 18-foot-tall poinpetition series "Last Comic Standing" - hosted settia tree towering by Craig Robinson (NBC's "The Office") - coninside the orchid cencluded August 9 on NBC. ter. Quaint G-scale trains chugging around the courtyards. Wacky dressed dogs parading around the lawn. It's all part of Premier Exhibition Center the merriment of Atlantic Station (866) 866-8265 Holidays in the www.bodiestheexhibition.com Garden! The Atlanta Botanical Garden's www.dialog-in-the-dark.com

OVO by Cirque du Soleil

Packed full of excitement, the Peach Drop is Atlanta's favorite way of ringing in the New Year! This 16-hour event begins at 12 noon with various children's activities and entertainment. Festivities will continue well into the morning with a variety of live performances, followed by the descent of the 800 pound Peach and a spectacular firework display.

Highlights of this popular event include the Peach Drop Main Stage featuring live entertainment, fireworks, and the Peach Drop (6:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.). The Family Fun & Budding Peach Stage will include family-friendly activities & entertainment (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) and Kenny's Alley will feature live entertainment all day & night (12:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.).

Chick-fil-A Bowl Georgia Dome

ACC vs. SEC www.chick-fil-abowl.com Dec. 31 The Chick-fil-A Bowl, Atlanta's bowl game tradition since 1968, will play its 43rd annual game on New Years Eve at 7:30pm. This year's teams have yet to be announced, but the game gets the fifth selection from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the first selection after the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) from the Atlantic Coast C o n f e r e n ce (ACC). Game W e e k includes the P a r a d e , Coaches Luncheon, and FanFest.

The 71,500seat Georgia Dome is expected to be a sell-out. The game will also be nationally televised by ESPN. At 12:30 p.m. on game day, downtown Atlanta will come alive with the Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade. The parade will come to an end at the Georgia World Congress Center, where the Chick-fil-A Bowl FanFest will draw 30,000 fans for a pregame interactive football and tailgate experience including games, music, great food and the traditional pre-game team walks.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Woodruff Arts Center Dec 2 -31 15th & Peachtree St. (404) 733-5000 www.atlantasymphony.org

Unlock the heart of the holidays with the Orchestra's beloved and timeless celebrations, and top off the season with the annual New Year's Eve celebration. Highlights from this Holiday season will include the ASO Chamber Chorus performance of Handel's landmark Messiah and enduring performances by the PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

Atlanta Ballet’s NUTCRACKER

NBC’s Last Comic Standing Tour

Atlanta Botanical Garden

BODIES the Exhibition DIALOGUE in the Dark

Bodies the Exhibition features actual human specimens and allows people of all ages access to sights and knowledge normally reserved only for medical professionals. Take the opportunity to peer inside yourself, to better understand how your elaborate and fascinating body works, and how you can become a more informed participant in your own health care. Dialog in the Dark offer exhibitions in total darkness. Blind guides lead visitors through a completely dark environment where one learns to interact by relying on other senses. Dialog in the Dark is a platform for communication and a close exchange, provoking a change in perspectives.

A

Tom Simmons

Laughing Skull Lounge Dec 30-Jan 2 878 Peachtree Street 877.LAFF.AT.U www.VortexComedy.com EXPERIENCE YOUR LIFE IN THE DARK Say Goodbye to 2010 and bring in 2011 with Laughter.

Comedian Tom Simmons headlines The Laughing Skull Lounge for New Years Eve for the sixth year in a row.

Once again he will entertain with his jokes written on current events and personal experiences over the past year. For the 10:30 show on Dec. 31 there will be complimentary Champagne, Party Favors and a countdown to 2011!

Zac Brown Band

INTERNATIONAL BLOCKBUSTER - U.S.A. DEBUT

ONLY Philips Arena Dec 31 IN ATLANTA

www.PhilipsArena.com (404) 878-3000

BOTH EXHIBITIONS PREMIER EXH

PROD

Across from Publix, Elevator 5 to Level 2 265 18th Street, Atlanta, GA 30363

Voted Best New Artist at this year's Grammys, Georgia's own Zac Brown Band rings in the New Years at Philips Arena. The Zac Brown Band will be joined by The Wood Brothers, Casey Driessen & Southern Ground artists Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey.

Blackberry Smoke

The Peachtree Tavern Dec 31

3179 Peachtree Rd. Buckhead PeachtreeTavern.com (404) 842-1700 Atlanta based Blackberry Smoke continues to grow into the premiere Southern Rock band in America.

Over the last 12 months, they have shared the stage with ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and countless others. They bring their talents to The Peachtree Tavern on New Year’s Eve.

E

Holiday concerts!

December 3/4 Fri: 8pm/Sat: 2pm

December 9/10/11 Thur/Fri: 8pm/Sat: 2 & 8pm

December 19 Sun: 7pm

ASO Gospel Christmas

Christmas with the ASO

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Chelsea Tipton II, conductor ASO Gospel Choir, Jarvis Wilson, director Praised for its immaculate sound and fervor, the ASO Gospel Choir mixes roots and modern gospel for a raise-the-roof shout out to Atlanta.

Norman Mackenzie, conductor Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus Morehouse College Glee Club Gwinnett Young Singers

December 5/12 Sun: 1:30 & 3:30pm

ASO Kid’s Christmas

– ’Twas the Night Before Christmas Jere Flint, conductor John Lemley, narrator Lee Harper & Dancers Georgia Regional Girls Choir Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra

Jere Flint conducts this annual Christmas present for the entire family.

Coca-Cola holiday concerts are presented by nalleycars.com with support from the Livingston Foundation in memory of Leslie Livingston Kellar.

More than 400 musicians and singers pay homage to the legendary Robert Shaw’s ultimate gift to the city he loved.

His awe-inspiring story of Christmas resonates anew under Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie.

December 17/18 Fri: 8pm/Sat: 2 & 8pm

A VERY Merry Holiday Pops Michael Krajewski, conductor Capathia Jenkins, vocalist Joe Gransden, jazz trumpeter Lassiter & Walton High choruses The incredible voice of Capathia Jenkins and sassy brass of Joe Gransden’s trumpet adds WOW to the merry Maestro K’s annual variety extravaganza.

– Creole Christmas

Celebrate “Creole Christmas” with the legendary house band of New Orleans’s fabled Preservation Hall! No one sits still when these Dixieland masters brew their bubbling magic on stage and in the aisles.

December 31 Fri: 8pm

ASO New Year’s Eve – Viva Italia!

Michael Krajewski, conductor Janien Valentine, George DeMott, Cody Shawn Gay, vocalists Mr. Krajewski and a splendid vocal trio uncork an evening of festive Italian standards from Sinatra and Jersey Boys to Puccini and Pavarotti that will have you craving calzones and spumoni afterwards.

Stick around post-concert for a complimentary champagne toast!

make your Holiday plans NOW! 404.733.5000

atlantasymphony.org

Woodruff Arts Center Box Office @15th and Peachtree Make it a group! 404.733.4848

TRAVEL

THE BEST OF BARBADOS Seven MustSee Sights In The Formerly British Caribbean Colony

BY BRET LOVE, COURTESY GREENGLOBALTRAVEL.COM

L

IKE VIRTUALLY EVERY COUN TRY in the Caribbean, Barbados has more than its fair share of beautiful beaches. But for those who want to see more of this former British colony—the most developed island in the region and the third most developed country in the Western Hemisphere—Barbados offers a broad range of intriguing attractions. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff or simply someone who loves a good party, you’ll find Barbados offers options well worth exploring.

BARBADOS MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This impressive museum, located inside a 193-year-old colonial building that once housed the British Military Prison, offers an immersive look back at the Caribbean country’s history and growth. Their expansive collection includes a natural history display on the island’s coral structure; artifacts from the area’s original Amerindian inhabitants; furnishings from an 18th-century plantation home; antique maps of the region; and a children’s gallery focused on historical education.

As a bonus, you can also enter some of the old prison cells. barbmuse.org.bb

BARBADOS WILDLIFE RESERVE

This 4-acre paradise was originally founded in 1982 to preserve and study Green Monkeys, which were brought to the island in the 17th century. Today the popular primates are just one of many species that roam freely around the reserve, including Red Brockets (a South American deer), Patagonian Maras (a short-eared hare from Argentina), Cuban Rock Iguanas and Red-Footed Tortoises.

Your entry fee also grants you admission to the Grenade Hall Forest & Signal Station, an adjoining attraction that affords amazing views of the island’s landscape. With the closing of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary back in 2008, the Barbados Wildlife Reserve has emerged as one of the island’s most relaxing natural retreats. barbados.org/reserve.htm

CROP OVER

What Mardi Gras is to New Orleans and Carnaval is to Brazil, Crop Over is to Barbados. The traditional harvest festival includes music, dancing and all sorts of Bacchanalian indulgences. One of the most popular features is the competition for the Calypso Monarch Award, in which colorfully costumed calypso bands vie for the PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

WHETHER YOU’RE A NATURE LOVER, A HISTORY BUFF OR SIMPLY SOMEONE WHO LOVES A GOOD PARTY, YOU’LL FIND BARBADOS OFFERS OPTIONS WELL WORTH EXPLORING. public’s affection in hopes of being crowned King and Queen of Calypso. The festival stretches from June until the first Monday in August, culminating in the national holiday known as Grand Kadooment, in which pulsating Bajan rhythms fill the streets and fireworks light up the sky. cropovercarnival.com

HARRISON’S CAVE

Recently re-opened after an extensive renovation, Harrison’s Cave has emerged as one of Barbados’ most popular tourist attractions.

The tour begins at the Visitor Reception Centre, and then you have the option of taking two scenic trails or glass-fronted elevators to descend from the cliff top to the valley floor.

The Cave Interpretive Centre’s interactive exhibits and short video presentation provide a brief overview of the 2.3-km cave’s history, preparing you for a 45-minute tram tour through an underground wonderland filled with stalactites, stalagmites and waterfall-like flowstone formations. harrisonscave.com

MOUNT GAY RUM DISTILLERIES

Even people who know nothing about Barbados know the name Mount Gay, which is considered the world’s oldest rum company.

Mount Gay’s iconic logo is everywhere on the island, and their rum is in everything. In Barbados there seems to be as many rum shacks as New York has hot dog stands. The Mount Gay Rum tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at their entire production process. You’ll learn about everything from the harvesting of the sugarcane to the bottling of the final product, but the best part is the tasting at the end, in which guests sample a half-dozen varieties ranging from top-notch sipping rum to liqueurs flavored with vanilla, mango and passion fruit. mountgayrum.com

SNORKELING WITH SEA TURTLES

Imagine yourself swimming in warm, aquamarine waters so clear and calm you can see every indention in the sand nearly 40 feet below. Now imagine yourself surrounded by hundreds of yellow and black sergeant majors, brilliant blue Barbadian chubs and surprisingly friendly greenback turtles drawn by scraps of food that the crew has strewn above the

wreckage of two barges intentionally sunk to create man-made reefs around 30 years ago.

That’s one of many highlights of a rejuvenating 5-hour adventure via catamaran with Tall Ships Cruises, which allows you to snorkel in numerous spots off the coast of some of the island’s most breathtaking beaches. tallshipscruises.com

SUNBURY PLANTATION HOUSE

Built around 1660 by Matthew Chapman, one of the country’s first land-owning settlers, this plantation home in the Barbados countryside is a remarkable reminder of the island’s colonial history. The home was severely damaged by fire in 1995, but you’d never know it: Sunbury has been lovingly restored to its original glory, and the owners have packed it with authentic antique fixtures and furnishings. The cellars, which were originally used for storing vegetables grown on the plantation, now house an impressive collection of antique carriages, and the lushly landscaped grounds feature old carts and machinery used to cultivate the land in centuries past. barbadosgreathouse.com

MUSIC

FILM

THE GAMITS

Find that Their PARTS Still Fit

BY JOHN B. MOORE

F

OR NEARLY A DECADE, THE Gamits were Denver’s answer to pop punk royalty. The band played fast, melodic rock with plenty of energy and a strong sense of fun.

The band was prolific, turning in an album just about every other year of their existence.

When group founder Chris Fogel pulled the plug on the band in 2005, there was no acrimony, just a sense that The Gamits had run its course.

Five years later, Fogel has reassembled the band for a new record, some shows and… well, just maybe a second life.

With the band’s latest Parts, newly released, Fogel spoke recently about why the band called it quits and what brought them back together.

So you guys called it quits five years ago.

Why did you decide to record as The Gamits again?

It started with an e-mail and a phone call really. Our friends in Japan were wondering if we wanted to do a reunion type thing over there and were talking about releasing an album of Gamits covers or something crazy like that.

Of course the idea of going back to Japan has always been inviting. We just didn’t like idea of doing a tour where we played all these old songs and nothing new. We like the old songs a lot but didn’t want to seem like a Gamits’ cover band or some guys who just wanted a free trip to Japan. At the same time when I thought about it for a minute I realized that I was totally stoked on the idea of writing a batch of new Gamits’ songs. Now I am so happy that we actually did it.

Is everyone who played on the last record around for this new one?

No but everyone on this record has been in the band before so there’s no new guys. It’s myself, Forrest Bartosh on drums and Scott Weigel on bass. It’s the same lineup we had the first time we went to Japan. Good times.

So why did you break up The Gamits after Antidote?

I guess I was just kind of over the whole thing. I wanted to try something new and was pretty frustrated with the state of our little musical world at the time. Antidote was well received and people liked it but doing the band wasn’t as fun as it maybe should have been towards the end. I was so over the pop punk scene or whatever it had become at that point, screamo mostly and just terrible shit everywhere, I didn’t even want to be a part

of it. The guys in the band then felt the same way. We wanted the Gamits to be something more than that and we just never pulled it off or something. It started to feel like work and it just wasn’t the same. That’s not to say that we didn’t have some great times touring on Antidote. We did get to go to some really rad places and meet some great people but it was just time for change.

Did you guys still stay in touch over the five years the band was apart?

Yes and no. There was something like 10 members of the band over the years so people go their separate ways but all of us are still friends. A few of the guys live in other states now but we still stay in touch.

What were you doing during the time off?

Music mainly but for the first couple years I was just building a more normal life for myself.

I got married, worked at a bar/restaurant for a few years to make some money. Then we got a new place where I was able to build a small studio called Black in Bluhm where I work most of the time now. I had kept writing and doing studio stuff but not performing much until I started this throw back metal band called TaunTaun with a few friends here in Denver. It was more fun than I have had in a band in a long time. We didn’t do much outside of Colorado but fans here voted us best metal band in Denver (which is funny because we are so not metal dudes) and we just played what may be our last show last night! I have learned from experience though that you should never officially break up a band. It’s better to just say “Hey, we’re not gonna play shows for a while” and then go do your thing.

When did you start working on Parts?

October? November of 2009 was when I started writing songs. We recorded in June of 2010.

Do you plan to tour much behind this album?

We are doing Japan and the Ukraine and Russia in September / October and then I don’t know what’s happening. I hope that something will pop up.

So are The Gamits officially back on or is this just a one-off reunion?

We are already talking about another record so yeah. It’s on! Why not?

Anything else you want to add?

Yeah, please feel free to stream our new album “Parts” at thegamits.bandcamp.com and thanks!

THERE WAS SOMETHING LIKE 10 MEMBERS OF THE BAND OVER THE YEARS SO PEOPLE GO THEIR SEPARATE WAYS BUT ALL OF US ARE STILL FRIENDS. A FEW OF THE GUYS LIVE IN OTHER STATES NOW BUT WE STILL STAY IN TOUCH.

FROM THE CONGO TO OZ AND PICKING UP SPEED A Chat with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje—of this Month’s New Release, Faster, about Action Roles, Religion and Relocation.

BY JENNI WILLIAMS

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ORN IN NIGERIA IN 1972 AND raised IN London, England, AkinnuoyeAgbaje, otherwise called Triple A or Wally, dabbled in a bit of everything before catching the acting bug on a trip to LA. From a role in Congo, to tv spots on Oz, Lost and Monk and roles on the big screen in The Mummy Returns, Congo, and the latest, Faster. The resume continues on, but we were able to catch him for a short chat at the end of his busiest year yet.

Adewale, you’re face is popping up everywhere?

When do you sleep?

I have literally had no break. I am doing my 5th movie of the year right now and gearing up to start filming again.

What can we look forward to?

Next, we film Best Laid Plans with David Blair. It’s sort of a modern adaptation of Of Mice and Men, reinventing a 70-year old mentality. Really rich.

And you’ve got one of your own projects on the horizon as well, correct?

That’s correct. Farming is a short film I am working on with the Sundance crew. It’s a story about how I grew up, basically. It’s about the 1st black immigrants born in the 60s and 70s who were then transplanted to Britain to work. My siblings and I were placed in the absolute worst area—amidst basically a skinhead subculture.

The family we stayed with housed 12 Nigerians in their house. We were pummeled every day by people in the neighborhood. This story is about what I became from that… A classic tale, an inspiration. We’re planning on a 2012 release and start shooting in spring of next year.

So are you trying to get more behind the scenes now?

I’d eventually like to write, direct and produce, but I don’t believe you have to decide what you want to do to stay versatile as an actor. My plan is to tell the stories I want to see told. That’s it.

So what are you immediate goals as an actor, then?

I want to play a leading man. I want to be the guy that runs the show. Action, thrillers (Bullet-style thrillers) I’d like to pick up characters with more opportunity to show my range. That allows you to create your own freedom to play any number.

What attracted you to do Faster?

I had been tracking it for a year. The black evangelist is not a major lead, but it is a pivotal character in the plot. You see the arch of this guy through the evangelist. Its just so rich. Inspired by the MLK era. My scene, without giving away too much, is the turning point for Dwayne’s character, “Driver.” It’s so pivotal, and I enjoy delving

into the rich culture of a spiritual creature. He is the only one who can really reach this man, this Driver. He is the voice of the whole movie, almost like a conscious.

Do you make it a point to seek out evangelistic roles? I.e., Mr. Eko in Lost, now this…

I believe that there are no accidents in life. I really have found some kind of peace through religion. I’ve been a Buddhist for 25 years and it has transformed my life. I wouldn’t still be doing what I am doing if it wasn’t for my spiritual revelation. I don’t seek those roles out, but I do think people pick up on that.

But you are so good at it! What is the key to making it so believable?

You can’t just act them. You have to reverberate their essence. It’s like paying homage to people’s religious beliefs. And really, there are similar principles to whatever religion you’re evoking… its about resolution, redemption, cause and effect, and so on.

Who are some of the actors you admire?

Daniel Day Lewis, although he is really an artist, as opposed to an actor; Sean Penn, Javier Bardem, Denzel Washington… these are some of my mentors.

How does it compare working with someone so serious, like Matt Damon on The Bourne Identity and someone that seems so fun, like Brendan Fraser in The Mummy Returns?

It boils down to the fact that everybody has a different process. One might be more intense and personal, versus someone who is more adventurous and sharing. I can learn something from all of them.

How did your interest in acting begin?

When I was a child, as sort of a form of punishment, my grandmother used to make me sit and watch old black and white movies with her, matinees. By age 10, I knew every actor (my favorite Kirk Douglas). These are what really inspired me, great character actors.

You have a Master’s Law Degree from London…

What made you decide on acting?

I knew I wanted to be different all along, so I moved to Hollywood at age 23. I wanted to do plays, write music, sing. My first audition was for Congo (Not a very prophetic role there). When I saw what they did on stage, it all came together that this is what I wanted to do with my life.

Have you completely relocated to Hollywood?

No, I still go back to London often—I have a home there still. That’s where my friends are. Most of my siblings have gone back to Nigeria, though.

Favorite filming locations?

A: Toronto is filled with nice people; it’s a beautiful city. I also loved Australia.

PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

MUSIC

THE RETURN OF THE POSIES

BY JOHN B. MOORE

I

T TAKES A LOT TO BE A FAN OF THE POSIES. Sure they’ve churned out some of the best alt rock of The 90’s (“Dream All Day,” “Flavor of the Month”), helped Alex Chilton revive the highly influential Big Star and remain today some of the best songwriters of their generation. In return, audiences have been put through emotional gymnastics, waiting years between albums and having to wonder if the band members are even talking to each other that week (if you’re thinking about 1998, they probably weren’t).

The on-again, off-again, on-again band may be living on different continents, but thankfully they are once again on great terms with each other and have just turned in their best record in decades, Blood/Candy.

Band co-founders Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer were kind enough to talk about the past, the future and share some memories of the recentlydeparted Chilton.

Starting off, I wanted to say how much I love the new record. It was 5 years between Every Kind of Light and Blood/Candy and about 7 years gap between the last two records. Why make us wait so long for new music?

Auer: Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying Blood/Candy! With regards to the most recent break between Posies albums, besides playing with Big Star and producing records for other artists, I spent a lot of time promoting and touring a solo record of mine called Songs From The Year Of Our Demise. I went all over the world with it, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc. and it was quite well received in many places - in fact, I just returned from some solo appearances in Singapore last week, I’m still playing to support it even now. That was a very important thing for me to do personally. I really wanted to take the time to enjoy it and work it on my timetable, especially after the extremely intensive touring we did in support of Every Kind of Light. Honestly, I think we actually needed the break.

Everyone needs to stop and take a breath now and then.

Stringfellow: Well, between 1998’s Success and Every Kind of Light we were just burnt out on the band, just...went our separate ways for awhile.

Between Blood/Candy and its predecessor, we spent a good solid year touring for Every Kind of Light and then got involved in other projects, we just...lost track of the fact that some years had passed and suddenly we were at risk of losing whatever momentum we might have gained in our mid-decade comeback....so in our minds, we were hurrying (laughs).

hard. The fact that getting together requires planning and effort puts the pressure on to not waste time while we’re together.

How long did it take to work on Blood/Candy?

Stringfellow: The actual recording started in late April in Spain; we worked for a couple of weeks there. This was after spending a week in Seattle rehearsing. We thought, since we’d sent demos around beforehand, etc. that rehearsing and recording would be a breeze but these songs turned out to be harder to play then their demos gave an impression as being.

Thus every step from that point on was trying to control what turned into a monstrous assortment of overdubs, unedited vocals, etc. Over the next couple of months we were in our home studios, and later I came to Seattle to work in a studio there...totally panicking. I enlisted the help of Scott Greiner, who lives in Paris, to mix some of the songs, and he did a great job, and that allowed me to keep working on parts at home when I was back in Paris, I just walked over to Scott’s place once a day to see how things were going and make comments. But we were tweaking bits well into the mastering, I remember the last thing I did was to send some harmonies to Jon for a song that was already mastered...and we worked ‘em in. I think in terms of hours it would be a couple hundred man hours, at least.

I THINK WE SQUANDERED A LOT Auer: Longer than I could have ever preOF OUR TIME TOGETHER WHEN dicted, let’s put it that way. All told, not countthe writing of the songs, if you include the WE WERE YOUNGER, FELT LIKE ing rehearsals, recording, editing, mixing…I’d say THERE WAS PLENTY OF IT, AND six-and-a-half years. OK, not that long, but DIDN’T ALWAYS USE IT TO ITS it sure felt like it sometimes. In reality, I think it’s fair to say about two months. Two months FULLEST. NOW WE USE WHAT of highly concentrated hyper-real time, that WE HAVE TO THE NTH DEGREE, is. When we crossed the finish line, I felt like I’d run about 30 marathons in a row. I was WITH ALMOST A QUASI exhausted but exhilarated.

The band has taken time off in the past.

Was there ever a period when you thought you would never record together again as The Posies?

Stringfellow: (Laughs) Are you kidding?

We didn’t SPEAK for a couple of years.

Auer: That would be known as the year 1998, the year of The Posies ‘demise’, and an era of time I can say for certain I never wanted to record or work with The Posies again. It sure felt like the nail in The Posies coffin, at least it did for me, but, being that as it may, it was obviously harder to kill off MILITARY-LIKE DEDICATION/ The Posies than I’d originally predicted.

What did you guys draw on in terms of EXECUTION AT TIMES. Definitely gave it the old ‘college try’ howinfluences in working on this new record? ever (laughs). Tried to destroy it, erase it, Stringfellow: Well, many things - I think forget it, but it still found a way to not only it’s odd to speak of musical ones as I’m just as influenced by Miyazaki as I exist again but ultimately thrive. That was a surprise. To this minute, I still am, say, Neil Young. Honestly, it was more interesting to present the songs believe it was a necessary part of our evolution, ‘breaking up’. I suppose it and find similarities after the fact to things--I don’t think Jon was thinking was the true test of the mettle of our relationship, the real bottom line. about Sufjan Stevens when he wrote “Accidental Architecture” but I think that song is reminiscent of some things he’s done...vaguely, mind you - it’s Is this the same lineup you had with Every Kind of Light? its own thing, for sure. In the writing phase for this record, most of which I Auer: It is indeed. It’s the longest running lineup The Posies have ever did in December last year when I had some down time, I didn’t really have had – I believe we are talking about essentially 9-10 years of playing together some other musicians in mind. I just opened up my head and let whatever at this point. (Editor’s Note: Along with Stringfellow and Auer, The Posies was there come out. That’s how I always work. lineup includes Matt Harris on bass and Darius Minwalla on drums.)

Auer: Oh jeez – everything is an influence really. If you are alive and artistic and paying attention to what you are experiencing in life, no matter With Ken living in France how do you collaborate on new material? Is what it is, it all rubs off on you, has an effect. I’d be hard pressed to narrow the rest of the band spread out geographically as well? it down to a few things if asked – it’s just the accumulated wealth of the Auer: I always find it odd that people make such a big deal out of the years I or we have spent making music, both together and apart. Couple fact that we live in different countries, and we do, we have four members that with just living life, growing, getting older, hopefully evolving and you in three different countries. But hey, we live in an era of technology and get the eclectic mix of stuff you hear on Blood/Candy as result. globalization, an era when you can chat on the Internet with someone thousands of miles away, in different time zones, and keep a dialogue Given the decades between the first album and this one, how do you going, a highly effective one. I mean, I call my credit card company here think your songwriting has changed over the years? in the States and someone in India is usually who I end up on the line Auer: It’s just a process of expression really, that’s what changes, what with. Wait – does this really relate? I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s ridiculously easy to keep in touch/communicate because of the technology, you have to express as a result of what you feel/become connected to and have a relationship with over the course of a life. Plus, as far as composition if you so desire, as long as you are savvy and diligent, which I am. I actually and choice of notes, I think I’ve learned some new ‘tricks’ along the way, believe we use our time together more wisely than ever now, much more picked up a lot of interesting stuff. Age and experience are bells you can’t so than when we were all living in the same place. A paradox perhaps, but un-ring, y’know? I can’t express myself like the twenty-something Jon Auer actually seems to be the way it is. who made one of our earlier records because that’s not who/what I am Stringfellow: Four cities in three countries now. We just get together, anymore.

C’est la vie. usually in Seattle, where most of us have lived at one point and worked PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

Stringfellow: I still write too many chord changes and cram too many words in each line (laughs). But I think that I have experienced such highs, and such lows, and seen so much of the world since 1988 when we made our first album, that I have a lot more...depth as a person, more reasons why it’s possible you could relate to me, ‘cuz the more experiences I have, the more I have in common with other people. I think I’ve lost that puppydog-eyed wistful thing that was there in 1988 (I was a teenager, after all). I think I may, even, have acquired some soul.

You two obviously got close to Alex Chilton. What do you remember best about him and your time playing in Big Star?

Auer: What I remember the most is just getting to spend time with him on a basic person-to-person level. The music part was fun, and definitely an honor as well, but Alex was steeped in many different interests and had experienced quite a bit in his life and it would come out in conversations and time spent on the road together or sometimes on the phone when I’d call him at home to talk business. He wasn’t like his myth really – there was some of that there, but he was so much more dimensional than that. It says a lot to me that what I remember about him first actually isn’t the music, which was/is obviously great - it’s him as a person. He made life interesting.

He was also very funny, in a dry sort of way.

Stringfellow: Many things, from many times. Alex was very elegant, you know--he almost never drank in the time we knew him, but I have a great memory of him sipping Dom Perignon when we played in Seattle on New Year’s Eve many years ago. He wore Brooks Brothers, exclusively.

Yes, he was what I would call a Southern gent. Alex was an avid student, and he loved to share whatever he was learning at that time--and it could be about any subject.

You guys started this band when you were all pretty young and could devote everything to The Posies. Now that you have families, is it harder to find time for the band?

Stringfellow: I think the fact that we have other things to do with our lives--other musical projects, families in the case of Jon and I, etc, makes the band healthier, brings more to the picture really. When the band was all we did, all the time...I wouldn’t call that healthy really.

Auer: I don’t think it’s harder - in fact it’s the opposite. I think we squandered a lot of our time together when we were younger, felt like there was plenty of it, and didn’t always use it to its fullest. Now we use what we have to the nth degree, with almost a quasi military-like dedication/execution at times. We get down to business but we still have fun doing it. We’ve learned how to appreciate the time we have, really utilize it. Maybe it takes some longevity to be able to do that, maybe something you don’t have when you’re younger.

Do you have plans to tour much this fall and winter?

Auer: We’ll be touring this fall and winter and I believe the best way/ word to describe it is extensively. Hopefully this will extend into the first half of 2011 as well. Please check out theposies.net for more existential information.

How long will fans have to wait for the next album?

Auer: It’s always hard to predict. We do tend to take our time, don’t we?

That’s because we have so many other things going on in our lives – solo stuff, other bands, production work. I also think it can be quite beneficial artistically and emotionally to have the long space between, not just churn them out. That said, the way I’m feeling at the moment, I’d like to do the next one as soon as possible. I’d like to keep riding this wave of solid creativity The Posies are currently surfing; it feels good to be working together again. Do I hear 2012?

Stringfellow: Trying to predict the future is like trying to stack all the grains of sand on the beach on top of one another...why open the door to a task sure to frustrate?

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA

CHRIMBUS SPECTACULAR 2010

DECEMBER 3RD – JONATHAN COULTON

Variety Playhouse JoCo is back in Atlanta for a night of geeky sub/popculture songs full of witty quirkiness that will lure you in with their humor and cleverness. Check out the videos online for “Code Monkey” and “Re: Your Brains” to get an idea what you’ve been missing. You can also find much of his music available for free online through his website. Using subjects as diverse as science fiction, technology, bored clowns, and giant squids; you will find yourself laughing and rushing this charming performer at the end of his show to sign your Ikea catalogs.

DECEMBER 5TH – USHER

Philips Arena The OMG Tour comes to Atlanta with special guest Trey Songz and Miguel. No doubt everyone will be going to see Usher in his hometown though. Hot on the heels of Usher’s current hit “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” from his latest album, Versus, this show is sure to spark an inferno with classy and soulful musical performance.

DECEMBER 5TH – TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB!

Variety Playhouse Join Variety Playhouse for a night of absurdist comedy with Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.

You know them as the stars of hit Adult Swim series, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Their Chrimbus Spectacular will be a fast paced variety show, with parodies, musical numbers, pranks, and short films. Weird and wonderful with a wacky charm, this should be a Christmas treat…like finding a ham shaped peppermint in your stocking.

DECEMBER 10TH – TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

The Arena at Gwinnett Center Trans-Siberian Orchestra is known for incorporating the elements of classic, orchestral, symphonic, and progressive rock and heavy metal into Christmas epics. Using a full orchestra, choirs, and a constantly growing and changing musician lineup, TSO is a brilliant live experience. You will be dazzled by lights, laser, pyrotechnics, and video and aurally mesmerized by the consummate musicianship. Time to break out the holiday themed metal horns!

DECEMBER 17TH & 18TH – VINCE GUARALDI’S “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”

The Earl Yes, you can now buy Charlie Brown’s famous Christmas tree in stores…but why get the tree when you can hear the music live?! This

Christmas extravaganza is brought to you by Atlanta musicians Jeffrey Bützer (drums) and T.T. Mahony (piano) , with Robby Handley joining them on bass. These talented cats will perform Vince Guaraldi’s - A Charlie Brown Christmas in its’ entirety. They will be joined by singers, holiday projections, baked goods (limited amounts), and a recognizably bare Christmas tree. Sorry No Ferrari will open with sixties gem: The Ventures Christmas Album..

Good Grief! Christmas time is here!

DECEMBER 18TH – ABBEY ROAD LIVE!

Variety Playhouse Initially begun as a tribute to the classic Beatles album “Abbey Road”, this cover band has expanded to include more than 100 Beatles tunes from all eras of their career. Instead of focusing on the look-alike element of a cover band, Abbey Road Live manages to bring the Beatles music to an audience maintaining the complexity of the material with raw and exuberant performances. These are four all star and seasoned musicians who have collaborated with many famous musical acts from the Indigo Girls to the Lemonheads. Come out to sing along and get your Beatles on, mop tops and mod boots not required.

DECEMBER 19TH – BLIND GUARDIAN

The Masquerade Blind Guardian are on top of the power metal world and recognized as imaginative and epic musicians. Inspired by many fantasy authors, many of their songs are over 6 minutes long with their song “And Then There Was Silence” clocking in at an impressive 14:06 minutes!

Check out their latest album At The Edge Of Time. These Germanic musicians pack are sure to pack an epic metal punch, so bring your metal horns and ride your fire-breathing, cyborg, unicorns to the show!

WE GOT NEXT NONE MORE BLACK

DECEMBER 23RD – JUSTIN BEIBER

Philips Arena Oh Justin, so loved and so hated. The target of many an internet jeer, smear campaign, and prank, the Canadian r&b popster is still on top with the teen crowd.

Clever marketing through use of viral videos has helped Beiber garner massive appeal and success, even before he was signed. Groomed and stylized pop/r&b with some swoopy hair; bring your Tiger Beat and Bop magazines ladies!

DECEMBER 28TH – CHRISTMAS MUSIC OF MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

BY CHIP DAVIS

The Fox Theatre Neo-classic electronic music composer, Chip Davis, is best known as his alias, Mannheim Steamroller. His new age-ey, electronic take on Christmas music is well known to all holiday shoppers; especially his version of “Deck the Halls”.

This is Mannheim’s 25th anniversary production, with lots of multimedia effects. Join the Fox Theatre in bringing the spirit of the season to life with Mannheim Steamroller’s signature sound.

DECEMBER 31ST – ZAC BROWN BAND

Philips Arena Still hot off the CMA awards success of “Best New Artist”, Zac Brown Band is far from an overnight sensation. They’ve been honing their popularity one night at a time, city to city, but Atlanta is certainly a home for the Dahlonega raised Zac. Radio hits “Toes” and “Chicken Fried” will hit your sweet spot like a hot plate of down home southern cookin’. Check out their latest album You Get What You Give with guests Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson !

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Icons (Fat Wreck Chords) For Fans of: Kid Dynamite, Smoke or Fire and Quicksand.

Why You Should Care: Founded by the former Kid Dynamite frontman, None More Black combines all the ferocity of hardcore, with tight melodies and great lyrics.

BY JOHN B. MOORE

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Everyone had written None More Black off for dead… the guys in the band more than anyone else. But, nearly four years and a few bands after their dissolution, three-fourths of New Jersey’s None More Black have surprised many and turned in a new fulllength, Icons. There’s a new drummer and the members may have changed addresses, but the same charging, melodic hardcore that brought over so many fans with the first three records is still decidedly there. Singer/guitarist Jason Shevchuk spoke recently about why the band broke up and why they decided to get back together.

Let’s start with the obvious: Why did you decide to reform?

In the period of time between November 2006 and April 2008 I don’t think I hung out with Paul (Delaney) and Colin (McGinniss) once at the same time. I saw Paul more than I saw Colin, since he lived in the same neighborhood.

Colin and I got together to see Richard Christy premiere his movie Evil Ned at Two Boots one night, but that was it. We realized that the only way to be able to really hang out with each other was within the structure of a band.

You played a few shows since you announced the hiatus, did you always know you would be getting back together?

There was no hiatus. We broke up. My plan was to just fade away into punk rock obscurity and not announce anything, but labels and websites feel the need to define things immediately. Hiatus is a

clever word that gets thrown around. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a softer blow to the people who care about stuff like that. I don’t know. We had no intention of getting back together. Bands are all open ended anyway. When is a band truly done?

Part of me still believes we’ll see Axl and Slash on stage together again.

Have you had any lineup changes since 2007?

We replaced Jared (Shavelson, drums) with our buddy Richard (Minino). Jared was playing in a few bands. We already had a very narrow playing schedule and it was difficult to wait around for Jared’s schedule to open up.

Seriously...he was the busiest drummer on the planet, and for good reason, he’s an amazing drummer. Richard has been close to the band for many years. He’s actually the perfect fit. The only fit really.

So what did you guys do when the band was on hold?

I had just moved to New York at the time. I worked a lot. Paul started Black Anvil and Colin played in a band called Aneurysm Rats. They both recorded full lengths during that time.

Why did you choose the photo gallery in Philly for your first reunion show?

We had all agreed to a time period in which we’d like to set up a show. Just so happens that Colin’s friend was showing her photography at Deep Sleep and she asked if we would play. I don’t

think Colin expected us all to say yes, but we did.

What can you tell me about the new record Icons?

It took us a very long time to pull these songs together. Richard lives in Orlando, so we couldn’t have a normal practice schedule. We would sometimes take four months between practices. Slowly but surely, things started to take shape and continued to take shape through the recording process.

What was Will Yip like to work with?

Will is great. He became a good friend by the time we finished the record. Colin had worked with him on the Aneurysm Rats record. He also recorded our friends Lighten Up. There record sounded great. It’s always nerve racking when you have to work with someone new. You never know how you’re going to gel. Will exceeded expectations. He worked fast, which was great. We hardly had any down time. We shredded through the process. His input was welcome and his excitement and work ethic was contagious.

Do you plan to tour at all after the record come out?

No plans to tour.

So what’s next for the band?

Real life is getting in the way of any major focus on None More Black. Nothing will change.

We’ll play shows when we can.

PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • December 2010

UNDER THE

Y HOLIDAY T H G U A N

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also offer plenty of adult toys and gag gifts for those on the naughty side.

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They also carry tobacco accessories, adult novelties, mags, lubs & toys. Check out Male Chastity Belts, Couples Vibrators, and Flip Hole products now in stock.

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Conveniently located at the corner of Clairmont Rd. and Buford Hwy., Trade Video carries a wide selection of adult Videos, Magazine’s and DVD’s. Here customers may choose to buy, sell trade or rent. Trade Video has many vintage magazines in stock that make great holiday gifts.

Let us Know How We Are Doing!

INsite’s 2010 Readership Poll

Our annual poll is currently being conducted online at www.insiteatlanta.com Let us know how we can serve you better. Just take a few minutes to fill out a quick questionnaire. All participants have a chance to win tickets to area attractions, upcoming events, movie screenings, DVD’s & more!! We are stocked with goodies to give out.

Just go to our site at www.insiteastlanta.com & click on Readers Poll today!

SPORTS

FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS “What [Pat] Riley should do is support [Erik] Spoelstra publicly. And [Dwyane] Wade should follow suit. Grueling practices and tough love are nothing new to Wade. He has seen the benefits of such tactics, and if he forgets, there is a diamond-encrusted reminder on his ring finger. If the options are backing Spoelstra or supporting cohorts with flimsy playoff résumés who have known nothing but coaches who have bent to their every whim, then that decision shouldn’t be a tough one… Miami is Wade’s team, Wade’s town. He has asked everyone to believe it, to believe he can lead this team to great heights. This is his chance to prove it.” –S.I.’S CHRIS MANNIX, on the Miami Heat’s relatively cool start NFL WEEK 12 will be remembered not just for its onthe-field moments (Peyton Hillis’ three-TD gem, Peyton Manning’s four-INT joke), but for its after-the-game sound-bytes too. Two heartbroken players, Buffalo’s Steve Johnson and Arizona’s Derek Anderson, did their best to answer the reporters’ questions, but when inquiries got touchy, emotions spewed out. A remorseful Johnson, who had dropped a game-winning catch, was almost in tears. Anderson, QB on a Cardinals team embarrassed on Monday Night Football, lost it when a reporter asked why cameras caught him smiling on the sideline. Unlike some in the media, we don’t see anything wrong with either display.

Two frustrated players. Two instant YouTube classics. One thumbs up from Fanatic.

“The problem is, [Peyton Manning] has no running game, zilch, even when opponents are playing their two

safeties back in Zionsville. The Colts have long been a lousy running team, but this is the worst run game Manning has had at his disposal during his time in Indianapolis. Thirteen carries, 24 yards. And no, Joseph Addai’s eventual return doesn’t make it all better overnight. The problem is -- and the problem will remain -- the team’s offensive line. Wasn’t Colts president Bill Polian going to address this problem in the offseason? In fact, he made it worse, letting Ryan Lilja leave for no apparent reason. Tony Ugoh was a bust.

Mike Pollak is a bust. Jeff Linkenbach, a free agent rookie, is completely overmatched.” –INDIANAPOLIS STAR’S BOB KRAVITZ on the Colts’ recent woes “I appreciate, and respect, the issues raised in Ms. Lawless’s lawsuit, which we plan to discuss in detail with our players. We certainly take the litigation seriously, and plan to respond accordingly, on our own timeline.” –LPGA COMMISSIONER MIKE WHAN, on the prospects of transgender golfer Lana Lawless joining his organization And finally…

Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan is the first NFL QB in nearly 30 years to post a 19-1 record in his first 20 regular season home games… Fanatic loves the fact that UNLV is back respectable in college hoops… Line Gignac, widow of late NHL coach Pat Burns, was robbed for several pieces of memorabilia after his funeral… The Browns’ Peyton Hillis, who had 11 rushing TDs at press time, is the first Cleveland RB with over 10 scores in a rookie campaign…

Tiger Woods appeared in just $700,000 worth of ads over 2010’s first nine months compared to $70 million a year ago… If the Miami Heat were in the West, they’d barely sneak into the Playoffs as the eighth seed right now.

Must-See TV the playoff pundits smile.

2. NBA on Christmas Day (Dec. 25, Various, ESPN/ABC) The headliner (Mia-LAL) is appropriately surrounded by the best of the East (Bos-Orl) and West (Den-OKC).

3. NCAA on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, Various, ESPN/ABC) After spending the night toasting to 2011, it only makes sense to feast on six delicious bowls the next day.

4. New Orleans at Atlanta (Dec. 27, 8:30, ESPN) Seeing as how the Falcons and Saints just don’t lose, the GA Dome will runneth over that Monday with playoff implications.

5. Green Bay at New England (Dec. 19, 8:20, NBC) Though a handful of teams will have a say in the matter, this actually could be a preview of Super Bowl XLV.

Top 5 Games This Month

1. BCS Championship (Jan. 10, 8PM, ESPN) If Oregon and Auburn don’t fall on their faces, they’ll meet in a title game that’ll even make

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