INsite Atlanta February 2012 Issue

FEBRUARY 2012

www. insiteatlanta .com

VOL. 20, NO. 7 FREE

90

R E B M E M E R THE

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WE TAKE YOU BACK WITH NEW INTERVIEWS FROM

N O I T C I D D A S ’ E N JA ELEPHANT 6 COLLECTIVE S T N A I G E B T H G I M THEY THE B-52’S

Under The Lights Holiday Theatrical Performances A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Thru Dec. 24 Alliance Stage Box Office 404.733.5000

REAL HUMAN BODIES

www.alliancetheatre.org

SANTALAND DIARIES

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

BodiesAtlanta.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.

©2011 Feld Entertainment

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

December 7-26 Oglethorpe Box Office 678.264.0020 www.gashakespeare.org

SAVE 20% on Tickets!

Tom Key performs on stage for his one-man show adaptation of Truman Capote's cher- The 25th Anniversary Season closes with the ished story, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY. Tom perennial favorite, A CHRISTMAS STORY. SAVE 20% off face price of ticket, excluding fees. Offer excludes Circus Celebrity , Front Row, Ralphie Parker wants just one thing for Key had performed VIP and Club seats. No double discounts.

Christmas, An Official Red Ryder Carbinethis story as a holiday Action 200-Shot Range Model BB Rifle with a tradition for years Offer courtesy of Compass in the Stock. But can Ralphie suramong family and friends. Mr. Key’s vive the last several days before Christmas Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. Mon. stage adaption was and overcome the seemingly insurmountable FEB. 15 FEB. 16 FEB. 17 FEB. 18 FEB. 19 FEB. 20 the first work to be 10:30 AM* owning 11:00 AM the 11:00 AM 11:00 Red AM obstacles to his precious 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM performed at 7:30 PMRyder 7:30 PM 7:30 PM"This 7:00 production PM 7:00 PM wraps up BB gun? *No Pre-show activities.

Theatrical Outfit's our highly successful 25th Anniversary newly-renovated Season and I can't think of better way to bring Fri. Sat. Sun. downtown home, The Balzer Theater at it toThu. a close.FEB.A24Christmas Story captures the FEB. 23 FEB. 25 FEB. 26 Herren's in 2004.

10:30 AM* 11:00 AM 11:00 AM magic of the holiday3:00 season and offers a new PM 3:00 PM The performance will consist of two acts-the holiday 7:30 PM tradition 7:30 PM for 7:00 all PM of7:00 PM Atlanta!", says *No Pre-show activities. first act of holiday music by The Georgia Artistic Director Richard Garner.

Potlickers will complement the second act's The “Search for Ralphie" was a series of cityThere reading are 3 ways your savings: theatrical

by Key.to Anredeem Alabama native wide openArena call auditions conducted in 1. Bring ad the in person to the appropriate Box Office himself, Key this narrates semi-autobiographSeptember, with semi-finals and finals in at 1-800-745-3000 and mention code GASSOUTH 2. tale Call of seven-year-old Alabama ical boy, October.

The judges saw over 150 auditions Buddy, andon histo unique friendship with his eld3. Log Ticketmaster.com/gassouth and enter code GASSOUTH erly eccentric cousin, like "a lost pair of kites throughout the open calls and callbacks. "We hurrying towards heaven." A Christmas are thrilled to bring this family classic to life Ringling.com Memory is a fun holiday fare for the entire on our stage," said Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner. family.

SM

FEB. 15 – 20

185547

FEB. 23 – 26

MAKING POVERTY GLAMOROUS

BUY • SELL • TRADE

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TICKETMASTER.COM, AT ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS INCLUDING: PUBLIX, AND SIMON LENOX SQUARE. TO CHARGE TICKETS BY PHONE, CALL (800) 745-3000.

PG 2 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

WE’VE MOVED! SANDY SPRINGS

Available nowDR. 280 HAMMOND on PSYCHOSISTERSSHOPS.COM Blu-Ray and255-5578 DVD TM• (404) (ACROSS FROM LOWE’S)

80 tick

CONTENTS • FEBRUARY 2012 • VOLUME 20.7

agave restaurant

an eclectic southwestern eatery & tequila bar . est. 2000

Reservations at 404 588 0006 or online at : www.agaverestaurant.com

Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

242 Boulevard S.E. Atlanta . 30312

INTERVIEWS 06 10 15 17 21 22 23 24 26 27 27 28

Keifer Sutherland Lisa Kudrow Bernadette Peters Adam Baldwin B-52’s Cindy Wilson Jane’s Addiction They Might Be Giants Elephant 6 Collective Jordan Romero Larry & His Flask The Wild Landau Murphy

FEATURES 06 08 12 18 26 29

15

Georgia Aquarium Budget Dining Oscar Predictions Valentine’s Day Altamaha Adventure NBA MVP Picks

COLUMNS 04 05 05 07 13 14 16 19 19 20 29 30

06

Around Town On Tap On A Dime Events Under The Lights Movie Reviews Vidiots Concert Calendar Road Warriors We Got Next Album Reviews Favorite Things Fanatic

Pre Selected chef’S MenuS & Private rooMS available Consistently Voted One Of Atlanta’s Best Restaurants INsite Magazine Best of Atlanta Winner Best Southwestern Cuisine & Best Margarita !!

23

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

28

www.insiteatlanta.com STAFF LISTING Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com Managing Editor Bret Love bret@insiteatlanta.com Art Director / Web Design Nick Tipton graphics@insiteatlanta.com Sports Editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Local Events Editor Marci Miller marci@insiteatlanta.com Music Editor John Moore john@insiteatlanta.com

Follow us on the web!

Contributing Writers / Interns: Jon Latham, Ryan Loftis, Matt Goldberg, Rodney Hill, Alex S. Morrison, Steve Warren, Dave Cohen, Jennifer Williams, Matt Connor, Ed Morales, Sacha Dzuba, Michael Mahon, David Weinthal, Steve Warren, Benjamin Carr, Kalena Smith, Justin Patterson, Chris Miller CONTACT US 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #234 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION 404-315-8485 • advertising@insiteatlanta.com 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 2012, Be Bop Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Check out our Jane’s Addiction interview on page 22!

FEBRUARY 2012

www. insiteatlan ta .com

R E M E M BE R TH E

VOL. 20, NO. 7 FREE

90

s

90S MIX TAPE

WE TAKE YOU BACK WITH NEW

INTERVIEWS FROM

JANE’S ADDICTION ELEPHANT 6 COLLEC TIVE THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS THE B-52’S

BEST PIZZA!

& Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 3

Around Town

The Atlanta History Center will continue to present “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment” through March 4. The exhibit examines the rich history and cultural significance of the legendary Harlem theater, tracing the story from its origins as a segregated burlesque hall to its starring role at the epicenter of African American entertainment and American popular culture. Please call 404-8144000 or visit online atlantahistorycenter.com.

ALL FEB

The Ferst Center for the Arts presents Sophie Milman on Feb. 4 at 8pm. The jazz vocalist is a sophisticated and torchy singer with a bent toward American jazz and pop standards. Tickets are available at 404-894-9600 and www.ferstcenter.org.

FEB 04

The High Museum of Art will present “Bill Traylor: Drawings from the Collections of the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts” from Feb. 4-March 13. This exhibition will feature some of the best examples of Traylor’s work, rarely seen outside of the southeastern United States, with more than 60 works drawn from both collections. Please visit high.org for more information.

FEB 04

The High Museum of Art welcomes a golf-themed exhibit on Feb. 5. “The Art of Golf” will explore the royal and ancient game as depicted by landscape and portrait artists, photographers and Pop artists through the ages.

Comprising approximately 90 works from artists as diverse as Rembrandt, Charles Lees, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol, “The Art of Golf” will examine the game’s origins. Go online to high.org for details.

FEB 05

Theatre/Film/Performance

New plays by the four finalists of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition will be presented in a series of free, staged readings Feb. 6-7 at the Alliance Theatre.

The Festival of New Plays invites audiences to experience the work of emerging playwrights and celebrate the rich diversity of the contemporary American experience. RSVP for free tickets by calling 404-733-5000 or go online.

FEB 06

The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center will hold a Valentine Tango Night on Feb. 10 at 8pm. Learn about the rhythm and movement of authentic Argentine Tango. Dancers of all skill levels are welcome and no partner is necessary. After the introductory lesson, you will be ready to try out your new moves with an open tango dance party beginning at 9:15 pm. Tickets are sold at the door. For more information, call 404-872-5338 or visit www.callanwolde.org.

FEB 10

The Atlanta Symphony Orchesta will hold its “Cinderella” concert on Feb. 12 at 1:30pm and 3:30pm at the Atlanta Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center. Tickets range between $15-$20. Go online to atlantasymphony.org or call 404-733-5000 for details.

FEB 12

Copeland’s will present a Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 21 with a live jazz band from 6-9pm. There will be beads, masks, party favors and everything one needs to hold a proper Mardi Gras party. For more information, go online to copelandsatlanta.com.

FEB 21

Zoo Atlanta will offer visitors a view of the Outback with “Stroller Cubs: Australia” on Feb. 22-25.

From marsupials to kookaburras, the creatures of the Land Down Under are

FEB 22

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

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

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

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

PG 4 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

Museums/Exhibits/Arts

Music/Comedy/Sports

some of Earth’s most fascinating animals. Bring your child to learn more about the wildlife of Australia during a special program tailor-made for infants to 2-year olds. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

One of the NBA’s elite team’s comes to Philips Arena on Feb. 23.

The Orlando Magic and superstar Dwight Howard visit the Atlanta Hawks for a key Eastern Conference game.

Tipoff is set for 7:30. Get tickets online at atlantahawks.com.

FEB 23

Other Stuff

Tickets are now available for the 20th Annual MAX Awards at the Georgia Aquarium on Feb. 24 from 7:30-9:30am. Tickets are $75 each and tables for 10 may be purchased for $750. All proceeds benefit the Outstanding Minority Marketing Student Scholarship Fund.

Reservations may be made by visiting www. maxawards.com or by calling 404-413-7690.

FEB 24

The annual Steamhouse Oysterfest returns to Midtown on Feb. 25-26.

The event is one of the funniest and most friendly to your stomach of the festival season. Call 404-233-7980 for tickets or go online to steamhouselounge.com.

FEB 25

Andrew Dice Clay’s attempt to return to stardom apparently didn’t stop with an “Entourage” cameo.

The outrageous and mostly retired comedian is back on tour and trying to get back on his feet. The man who once sold out stadiums and arenas is now working blue collar venues.

He’ll be in Atlanta on Feb 27 for a pair of shows at the Punchline. Shows are at 7pm and 9pm.

Tickets are only $35. Clay is one of the country’s most unique comedians, so this is a show not to be missed. Grab your sunglasses, leather jacket and smokes and head to the Punchline.

FEB 27

Join Decatur Active Living on March 3 from 10am-1pm for the annual Touch-a-Truck Event.

The City of Decatur and DeKalb County dump trucks, fire trucks, tractors, police cars and motorcycles and many other types of vehicles will be on display. Touch-a-Truck takes place in the Callaway Building Parking lot located at 120 West Trinity Place, Decatur. Be sure to visit www.beactivedecatur.com for up to date information on all Active Living programs throughout the year.

MAR 03

DO Are YOUyouNaEED HELP ?

Veteran returning

from the war and experiencing some of these symptoms?

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

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

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

untreated, it can impair the ability to work, socialize and function in a healthy Emory University is looking for participants for a relationship. research study on the effects of an FDA approved

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

Compensation will be provided for participation.

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

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

Advancing Possibilities ADVANCING THE PThe OSSIBILITIES

LOCAL

LOCAL EVENTS

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

February 8-29: Various Locations

JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

It’s time again for the Jewish Film Festival, featuring the very best in modern Jewish cinema. The Opening Night’s feature film “My Best Enemy” will screen at the Fox Theatre for the opening night gala. The rest of the films will screen all over Atlanta at locations like Atlantic Station, Lefont Sandy Springs Theater, Georgia Theatre Company at Merchants Walk, the Tara and North Point Market 8. For tickets, go to ajff.org.

February 10-26: Philips Arena/Gwinnett Arena

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY

There are view joys better than the circus. There are the animals, the high flying acts, the incredible performances.

It’s certainly something the entire family can enjoy Don’t miss the original circus as it returns to Atlanta. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey stops by Philips Arena and Gwinnett Arena for one of the world’s greatest shows. For a complete listing of tickets, times and a schedule at both arenas, go online to ringling.com.

February 11: Atlantic Station

WINTER BEER FESTIVAL

The third annual Winter Beer Carnival will pour up plenty to taste and experience. The last two events have sold out in advance so this year’s event is being expanded to offer even more beers and activities. Atlantic Station will be transformed into a carnival themed celebration. Sample more than 100 types of beers including traditional favorites, premium craft beers and an assortment of the best winter brews. Visit winterbeercarnival.com for details.

February 12: Philips Arena

ATLANTA HAWK VS. MIAMI HEAT

Of the games that dot the Hawks home schedule, here is one of the sure games not to be missed. The Miami Heat are the league’s greatest collection of superstars with Lebron James and Dwayne Wade in the backcourt. They also offer one of the NBA’s greatest challenges. Will Joe Johnson & Co. be able to slow down one of basketball’s very best teams? Head down to Philips Arena to find out. Tickets are available at atlantahawks.com.

February 18: LanierWorld at Sunset Cove

POLAR PLUNGE

What’s more fun than diving in ice cold water for a good cause? Not much. The Polar Plunge returns on Feb. 18 to the chilly waters of LanierWorld at Sunset Cove. This is the third annual Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics Georgia. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, highest fundraiser and highest fundraising team. All you have to do is register and encourage your friends to donate.

Visit specialolympicsga.org for more information.

February 25: Georgia Dome

MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS

Who doesn’t like high-flying stunts and near death experiences? We certainly do. The Monster Energy AMA Supercross brings just that sort of action to the Georgia Dome on Feb. 25. If you’re looking for the very best in motorcross entertainment and racing, this is not an event to be missed. The supercross starts at 7pm. Tickets are as low as $10 or $52 for club access. Go online to supercrossonline. com for complete details.

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

Know of a low cost event of happening? Event@AtlantaOnADime.com THE SIPS UNIVERSOUL IN THE CITY CIRCUS CALLAWAY GARDENS PHOENIX FLIES

February 9CELEBRATION - 26, range from $15 - $35 August, Check forLANDMARKS” Deals Through Feb. 28, Tickets FREE Website “CITYWIDE OF LIVING www.universoulcircus.com Various Downtown Restaurants Callaway Gardens March 5-20, Free www.atlantadowntown.com 17800 Hwy 27 Around the City VariousUS Landmarks The UniverSoul Circus continues its surge to Pine Mountain, phoenixflies.orgGeorgia the of the live promotion entertainmentencourages ranks with Thistop summer callawaygardens.com

its funky A rendition of a traditional patrons to experience Downtown Theinteractive Phoenix Flies: Celebration ofAtlanta Living

circus. hasthe audiences on ice! UniverSoul Throughout heated months of Admission Callaway Gardens is Landmarks wastocreated incaptivated 2003 by The Atlanta from around the world with its unique brand July and August, featured restaurants in the complimentary through the end of this Preservation Center as a way to celebrate the that blends circus arts, theater andoffering music.

Downtown Dining District willrescue be month (Price isofnormally $15 for adults, 25th anniversary the dramatic of the Founded in Atlanta over 17 years ago, the refreshing signature cocktails, hip happy $6.50 per child) providing guests with Fox Theatre, an event that changed Atlanta’s audience will watch in amazement as stilt hours and deals that you won’t want to miss. the opportunity to enjoy time with their preservation outlook forever. This year, the list walkers make their way tight rope, Participating restaurants Atlanta family reconnecting in Theatre, nature. includesand freefriends guided toursacross of include TheaFox horse riders perform death-defying stunts, Grill, Azio Downtown, BLT Steak, Max Free admission includes the Virginia Piedmont Park, Historic Oakland Cemetery, and contortionists bend into incredible and Lager’s, No Mas! Cantina and The Sundial Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day Civil War Atlanta Walking Tour, Tullie Smith beautiful shapes.

The talented performers Restaurant.

Visit the website for a complete Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Farm House, Margaret Mitchell House, the come from allPark corners the globe, this list deals.

Center, Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden, newofBeltline and of much more.making circus oneBrothers of the most entertaining, eclectic Callaway Azalea Bowl, Overlook and colorful events inBicycle live entertainment.

Garden, Trail, Pioneer AMERICANDiscovery CRAFT COUNCIL SHOW IN ATLANTA Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial March 10-13, Regular admission: $13 CHEERSPORT NATIONAL Chapel, nature 2012 trails and daily programs.

Children under 12: free CHEERLEADING & DANCE Cobb Galleria Center CHAMPIONSHIP THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta February 17-19, $20range for 1-day pass Feb. 10 27, Tickets craftcouncil.org/Atlanta from $15 - $35 Kids Under 5 are Free Turner Field Green Lot Georgia World Congress Center 521 Capitol Avenue, Atlanta This 3-day event is the largest juried fine craft www.cheersport.net universoulcircus.com Show in the southeast. The show has been

By Marci Miller OAKHURST WINE CRAWL 2011 SOUTHEASTERN HUNGER WALK/RUN 5KFLOWER SHOW Saturday, February 25, 4-7pm Feb. - 27, Adults $18 ($15 in advance) March 13, Noon-4pm, $25 for runners 8th 25 ANNUAL GERMAN BIERFEST

$25 inforadvance, of event Youth/Student $7,$30 Kidsday 5 are Free Free walkers Saturday, August 27, 2 under – 7pm Oakhurst Cobb Galleria Centre Parking isBusiness free $30 Online, $35 At District the Door www.oakhurstga.org Two Galleria Parkway, Turner Field Green LotAtlanta Woodruff Park, Downtown Atlanta sehort.org 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta www.germanbierfest.com Participants in this year’s event will get to hungerwalkrun.org sample wines event from around world while Presented by celebrates the the Southeastern This summer the greatness exploring all the businesses in the Oakhurst Horticultural Society, this annual premier Join thousands of runners and walkers at of German beer in a family-friendly neighborhood.

There will be 20 participating gardening event promotes preservation this annual event that benefits the Atlanta environment. Complete with authentic establishments andof the event expects to and awareness flowers Community Food Bank and fiveand otherplants local German food, activities for the kids, music sell out quickly.

Tickets will be available to through education and artistic expression. nonprofits.

Participants can register as a team and fun, the German Bierfest is not only purchase on February 4th at Oakhurst Market Show activities include speakers, juried or individually online or register the day of the only authentic German Bierfest in and Kavarna Cafe.

Cash only, no checks or competition, kids’ activities, Landscape & the event.

There will be activities for all ages Atlanta, but the only family-friendly beer credit Discovery Gardens and more. including livethe entertainment & more. festivalcards. asgames, well.

For price of admittance,

Gates opencan at noon, & walk attendees drinktheall5Ktherunbeer theybegin can CALLAWAY GARDENS at 2 p.m. safely ANNUAL consume.OAKHURST DesignatedWINE drivers are 10th CRAWL Through February FREE encouraged attend Saturday, Feb.and 26, can 428, pm-7 pm for free. No one Callaway Gardens under the 21 will be permitted to $25 in advance for of Tasting Glass A-TOWN DAYage www.callawaygardens.com consume alcohol.$5A designated driver $30 day26,ofNoon-8pm, event March service will also be on site for those who Oakhurst Business District Lakewood Admission toAve Callaway find themselves in an unsafeGardens condition tois oakhurstga.org 2002 Lakewood SE, Atlanta complimentary through the end of this month drive home. atownday.com (Price is normally $15 for adults, per Participants in this year’s event $6.50 will get child) providing guests with the opportunity to sample wines from around theconcert, world A-TOWN DAY is a health festival, PIGS & PEACHES BBQcare FESTIVAL to time with family friends while alloftheir the businesses in the andenjoy a exploring major Awareness celebrating August 26 & 27,day Friday 5pm - 11pmand reconnecting nature.

Free admission Oakhurst neighborhood. will be 20 all things10am Atlanta.

A-TOWN DAY benefits Saturday –in10pm, FreeThere includes theAssociation Virginia Center, Callaway participating establishments and the event the Diabetes of Hand Atlanta and The Ben Robertson Community Kennesaw Discovery Center, Day Butterfly Center, expects sell out quickly.

Thewill Fur Bus B-Aware to Foundation.

This event feature www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches Sibley Horticultural Center, Mr. will be on hand to live music, poetry, cartransport show and participants lots ofCason’s family Vegetable Garden, Callaway Brothers Azalea from bar to bar.

Ticketsacannon-sanctioned be purchased friendly events.

The event features Bowl, Overlook Garden, Bicycle from Steinbeck’s Ale Discovery House, Backyard BBQ, Anything Butt andUjoint, Peach Trail, Pioneer Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway and Karvana Coffee Shop, all located in Dessert Contest, as well as a Kansas City INMAN PARK RESTAURANT WEEK Memorial Chapel, nature trails and daily Oakhurst village.

Barbeque Society sanctioned Professional March 28-April 3, $15 programs.

Contest, is recognized $25 & $35which for three-course meal as a Georgia State Championship Barbeque Cookoff.

IHOP NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY CELEBRATION inmanparkrestaurantweek.com IHOP NATIONAL PANCAKE DAYPancakes Over $14,000 cash and prizes will be Tuesday, March 1,in7 am-10 pm, Free CELEBRATION awarded to contest winners.

Besides food International House of Pancakes Savor historic Inman Park with three-course Tuesday, February 28, 7am-10pm for sale, and free music from a number of Locations throughout Metro Atlanta dinners from 11 local restaurants. Proceeds Free Pancakes local and national acts, festival goers will IHOPPancakeday.com will benefit Project Open Hand, which helps Locations throughout Metro be treated to a large Kid Atlanta Zone (withchronic many people prevent or better manage www.IHOPPancakeday.com attractions FREE to families), unique vendor On this day, customers will receive one disease through comprehensive nutrition care. booths and sponsor exhibits.

The Silver free short stack (three) of IHOP’s famous $1 raffle tickets will be soldwill andreceive will goone towards On thisparatrooper day,pancakes. customers free Wings aerial exhibition buttermilk All they askwill is team that the charity.

The winner of the raffle win short stack (three) of IHOP’s famous buttermilk returns thed’ouerves, event,making andbeer willaand jump intoparty the patrons donation to apancakes. hostedtoconsider hor wine AllSaturday, they ask isAugust that patrons consider festival on 27.

Crowds support local children’s hospitals through at Park’sa Edge Restaurant for local thirtychildren’s of their making donation support will be Each treated to toNetwork aPark wonderful display of Children’s Miracle or other local friends.

Inman restaurant will bring hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network aerobatics and patriotic performances in charities.

Since beginning its National tastes from their restaurants forbeginning the winner. or other local charities. its the sky.

There will also beSince ainhuge, fireworks Pancake Day celebration 2006, IHOP The winner will be announced at the end of National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, grand finale.more has raised than $5.35 millionfortoa the restaurant week.

Check the website IHOP hascharities raised more than $5.35 million support in the communities in complete of participating to supportlistcharities in the restaurants. communities in

the marketplace for regional fine Bringpremiere it on…this electrifying cheerleading and The UniverSoul Circus craft lovers and collectors, and offers guests dance competition features teams competing continues itsworksurge the chance toAmerica. meet and purchase from from across This year, of it expects to YELLOW JACKET to the top the live esteemed artists from around the country.

To grow larger than ever with over 900 teams entertainment ranks FAN DAY reach first-time collectors and established craft participating, from ages three through with its interactive funky Saturday, August 6, 3pm – 6pm, Free collectors alike, the newest show category for college.

Cheersport founded by all-star rendition of aUnder traditional Bobby Dodd Stadium atwas Grant Field participating artists is Handmade $100. coaches who loved circus. competitive cheerleading UniverSoul has www.ramblinwreck.com Artists who sell workthe for under $100 will and dance.

Check website for thehave full captivated audiences their boothsschedule. specially marked for patrons competition around the world Festivities at from 3ap.m. on Callaway Plaza interested inbegin starting collection. with its unique brand with music, prizes, inflatables and games for MARDI GRAS MUSIC &blends FOOD FESTIVAL that circus arts, the kids.

From 4-6 p.m. the gates will open ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY FREEand OPEN music.

HOUSE Saturday, February 3:00pm-2:00am theater and fans can enter18, the stadium to meet the March 12, 11am-3pm, Free $20 inYellow advance, $30 at the door Founded in Atlanta over 2011 Jackets.

Atlanta MotorMidtown SpeedwayFootball players will be Park Tavern, 17 position years ago, the at audience seated with their groups various 1500 Tara Place, Hampton www.l5pmardigras.com willthewatch infield. amazement as Paul stilt points on playing Head coach atlantamotorspeedway.com walkerswill make way across a tight Johnson sign their autographs from 4-5 p.m.

This all party live music rope, horse riders perform death-defying and will benight available forfeatures photographs from Visit the track’s Open House for free.

Activities (including five bands), great New Orleans stunts, and contortionists bend into 5-6 p.m.

Please limit autographs to ONE include hurricanes championship legends racingeating on the food, drinks, crawfish & incredible and beautiful shapes. item per player or coach.

This will be the quarter-mile “Thunder Ring. ”, lots free ofdrawings costume contest, prizes and beads! first toyour getown thecar 2011 football for bigopportunity prizes, drive on the track Purchase tickets online to save $10. poster as well as schedule cards, ticket CHEERSPORT 2011 with the purchase of NATIONAL Labor Day NASCAR information andselect other items throughout the CHEERLEADING & DANCE tickets, fans can their seats for the Labor afternoon.

Most campus parking lots will Day Race Weekend, tour the Speedway’s race CHAMPIONSHIP be available. it operates.

FESTIVAL PEACHTREE LATINO control Feb. 18 –tower 20 and suites, take photos with which which it operates.

Limit one short stack per Sunday, August 28, 11am – the Atlanta $30 for 2-dayMotor pass Speedway pace car and a customer, dine-in only. 7:30pm, Free SIMON GAMEPLAY NASCAR Sprint Series winner’s trophy, Piedmont Park $20 for 1-day passCup TOUR Saturday, August 20 @ 10am, Free www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com discounts gift shop and much more.

Kids Under at5 AMS are Free DiscoverWorld Mills Mall, Lawrenceville Georgia Congress Center www.simon.com 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta cheersport.net

The Simon GamePlay tour will connect fans of all ages to the hottest video cheerleading games before Bring it on…this electrifying they are launched and available in stores. and dance competition features teams The recently launched Nintendo 3DS competing from across America. This gaming system will take center stage with year, it expects to grow larger than ever a “Nintendo Lounge, ” with couches, with over 9003DS teams participating, from snacks and games.

Nintendo also offer ages three through college. will Cheersport “Street Pass,”bytournament-style play loved using was founded all-star coaches who Nintendo 3DS devices.

GamePlay will competitive cheerleading and dance. feature 10 gaming pods, including 2 mature Check the website for the full competition zones, with products from instrusty leaders schedule. like SEGA, Capcom, 2K and Atari.

Festival Peachtree Latino has been the largest family & multicultural event in the southeast since 2000. They have featured hundreds of exhibitions, family activities, sporting events, parades, arts & crafts, ethnic foods and outdoor musical performances featuring renowned international musicians on two stages. The best part about it is that the event is absolutely FREE!! This year, Festival Peachtree Latino has more to offer, with new attractions and a larger schedule of musical performances.

UPDATED EVENTSWEEKLY. WEEKLY. SIGN UP BY RECEIVERECEIVE UPDATED EVENTS SIGN UPEMAILING

BY E-MAILING SUBSCRIPTIONS@ATLANTAONADIME.COM SUBSCRIPTIONS@ATLANTAONADIME.COM

ENTER ON SUBJECT LINE:SIGN SIGNME MEUP UP INSITE! INSITE! ENTER ONTHE SUBJECT LINE: insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 5

LOCAL

BATHING WITH BELUGAS AT THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM

BY BRET LOVE; PHOTOS PROVIDED COURTESY OF GEORGIA AQUARIUM

B

ABY BELUGA IN THE DEEP BLUE sea/ Swim so wild and you swim so free/ Heaven above and the sea below/ And a little white whale on the go/ Baby Beluga, Baby Beluga/ Is the water warm?/ Is your mama home with you, so happy…”

The first time I heard “Baby Beluga,” it was being sung by my daughter’s kindergarten class. If my heart were ice, it would’ve melted like an igloo in Africa on the spot.

But, for me, the song will forever be associated with the Georgia Aquarium(http://www.georgiaaquarium. org), and the first time I took her there when she was six: The minute we saw their massive Beluga Whale exhibit (one of just 6 in the world) we started singing the song together and giggling, delighted to see such majestic creatures up close.

A few months ago I heard that they’d launched a new Beluga & Friends Interactive Program, so I immediately contacted them to set up a visit. And so it was that, a few weeks before Christmas, Mary and I found ourselves strapping on wetsuits and taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s largest aquarium, with 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water tanks.

We learned a lot about the parts of the facility that most visitors never see, including their conservation efforts on behalf of dolphins in Florida, whale sharks in Mexico, and penguins in South Africa. We got to see their veterinary services areas, as well as the massive

hydraulic lifts they use to get larger animals in and out of the exhibits. We even got to check out the commissary, to see how they carefully inspect every single fish their animals are given, ensuring sushi-quality servings for everyone from theplayful otters to the dolphins and sharks.

We were then led to a classroom, where we learned a bit more about the Beluga, which is also known as the sea canary due to its distinctive high-pitched squeaks, squeals and whistles. With an average length of 12-13 feet and a range that stretches throughout the Arctic from Alaska and Canada to Greenland and Russia, belugas are considered a “near-threatened” species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with a global population of around 100,000. However, the subpopulation ofAlaska’s Cook Inlet is considered critically endangered and is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. By this point we were beyond eager to get into the water, so after going over a few basic instructions we were led onto a waist-high platform in the holding tank, where the water is kept around a brisk 55º.

The Aquarium ensures a 4:1 guest-trainer ratio, giving you an opportunity feel like a trainer for the day. On the day we visited, their female beluga was being kept in a separate tank, as she was pregnant as a result of their captive breeding program.

Once we got situated along the wall, the trainer blew her whistle to call over our first fine-flippered friend, Qinu. Qinu is a young male calf, and therefore had the light grey color of a dolphin rather than the pure

white for which adult belugas were named (beluga is a derivation of the Russian word for “white”). We each introduced ourselves to Qinu with the traditional whale greeting, i.e. throwing a tasty fish into his eagerly opened mouth. If he had been a puppy, I’m fairly certain his tail would’ve been wagging like crazy. In return, he allowed us to rub his melon, the bulbous lump of fatty tissue in the center of his forehead.

After that we met the star of the show, Beethoven, a massive male with a serious playful streak. We learned the different commands trainers use to get the whales to perform tricks ranging from making blowhole fart noises to spitting water in the faces of his unsuspecting victi… er, guests. He also allowed us to feel his squishy smooth skin, stroking him extensively and carefully feeling the finger-like skeletal structure in his fluke.

In addition to the aforementioned gifts of fresh fish as a reward, Beethoven seemed to love having his tongue patted for some strange reason, which proved an oddly endearing trait.

Before we knew it, our time with the

belugas was over and we bid them farewell, throwing in several pool toys used to enrich their experience. But our disappointment was interrupted by more oohs and aahs as the trainers led us to the adjacent tank, where a crew of cute spotted harbor seals came slipping and sliding out to meet us like a cadre of Cirque du Soleil clowns.

I’m sure the trainer conveyed tons of great facts about these cuddly creatures in the process, but I was too infatuated with an adorable gal named Rose (what can I say, they reminded me of the beloved Galapagos Sea Lions!) to absorb it.

In the end, we learned that you don’t have to venture very far from home in order to have an amazing animal encounter. We learned a lot about beluga whales during our Beluga & Friends experience, and getting to know the sweetly playful personalities of Qinu and Beethoven made us want to fight even harder to protect them and other whales from the dangers they face. The two-hour program (which runs twice a day) may be a bit pricey at $225 a person, but it produced memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

TV

A NEW BREED OF HERO

With His Latest TV Show, Touch, Kiefer Sutherland Finds New Life After 24

BY ALEX S. MORRISON

W

HEN WE LAST SAW KIEFER Sutherland, he was still kicking ass and taking names as Jack Bauer, America’s angst-filled answer to James Bond.

Now, with the 24 movie set to start shooting in a few months, Southerland has returned to television (and the Fox network) in a very different role.

In Touch, he stars as Martin Bohn, a widower whose mentally challenged 11-year-old son has the ability to see the hidden patterns that connect every life-form on the planet. Bohn finds a way to communicate with his mute son (played by David Mazouz) using numbers rather than words.

Created and written by Tim Kring of Heroes fame, the show allows Sutherland to play a kinder, gentler sort of role than fans are accustomed to. He recently spoke with writers at the TCA convention, discussing why he felt compelled to return to TV so soon and what attracted him to the character.

How did you come to be doing another TV show?

I was doing a play on Broadway, That Championship Season, and I got a call from a friend of mine who I’ve worked with forever. She said, “I have a script for a pilot that I think you should read.” I said, “I’m not really ready to do that yet. I think I’m going to finish up the play and do this film with Mira Nair.” I really wanted to set some time apart from this amazing experience that I had with 24 and try some different things.

She said, “Trust me, you have to read it.” I was on about page 35 and I went, “Shit, I’m in real PG 6 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

trouble here,” because it was just so beautifully written, and it presented itself as an opportunity.

Why would you call it trouble?

I’d made 200 episodes of 24, and it was impossible not to figure out how to navigate what I was going to do next without thinking about that. I had to re-read it, to make sure that all of the emotional components that I was reacting to so strongly were affecting me on a personal level, as opposed to trying to manage a career.

It was unbelievably appealing because it was so different, and then I just emotionally responded to the piece in such a strong way that, by the end of it, this was certainly something I wanted to do.

What could you most relate to about this character?

The real driving force for my character is to simply communicate with his son. He wants to have as normal a relationship as he possibly can, which I think every parent can relate to. The one parallel that I can actually bring from the two characters is that Jack Bauer was asked to save the day, and there were always going to be casualties. It was never going to be a perfect win.

Martin Bohm, my character in Touch, is never going to have the perfect, idyllic relationship with his son. That complexity is something that I am drawn to as an actor. The reason why I could not turn this down was because it spoke to me on a really profound level. Tim [Kring] said one of the nicest things I’ve heard in a long time. We were just talking about getting older and he said, “At some point you start to realize you have to be responsible for what you’re going to say.” If there

was anything I wanted to be a part of saying, it was this beautiful idea of inter-connectivity and this responsibility we have to each other as a people, as a race, and to this planet.

How different an experience is this for you, doing a character who’s showing his emotions?

Well, they are both fantastic opportunities. The opportunity that I had on 24, to have to repress all of this stuff and carry that with me, informed the character beautifully. To have the antithesis of that, where he can openly have an emotional reaction to what is happening, is another fantastic opportunity. The one thing I learned from doing 24 was that those characters developed over a long period of time. If we are lucky enough to be able to do this show for a few years, this character will grow. Where, in 24, the repression was something that got heavier and heavier, this will hopefully become more and more open.

How is this character’s strength different from Jack Bauer?

He’s got an unbelievable perseverance. I think that any person, especially a single parent, who is dealing with a child with special needs is going to require that. The people that I have known, that have been in that situation, have an unbelievable strength.

Are you noticing more connections in your daily life?

I think I’ve been relatively astute about that, which is one of the reasons the show affected me the way it did. Instead of saying, “Oh, that was lucky,” I think about it and realize that maybe it

wasn’t that lucky. Almost every great thing that’s ever happened to me in my life, I will find out 10 years later that someone made a phone call to someone else and was really great on my behalf.

I’d rather not wait 10 years to find that out. I think about it in a different way now.

Now that you’re doing this series, what is the status of the 24 movie?

Hopefully we will be shooting at the end of April or beginning of May. And the plan for the movie is still two hours, and not in real time?

It’s two hours, representing 24 hours. The movie is not in real time. It’s a two-hour representation of a 24-hour day.

Do you see the movie as a conclusion to the series?

The script that we’ve got right now– which I’m very, very excited about– is a direct continuation.

It’s within six months from the end of the last episode. We’ll see where it goes from there.

Under The Lights

BILLY’S THE BEST.

“

New Theatrical Performances RED

IT’S GOT HEART, PASSION AND THE BEST ELTON JOHN SCORE EVER.” NEW YORK POST

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Thru March 11 Theatrical Outfit February 25 - March 11 Box Office (678) 528.1500 Alliance Theatre www.theatricaloutfit.org Box Office (404) 733.5000

Tom Key stars as Mark Rothko and Jimi Kocina as his young assistant in the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Play, RED. Obsessive, vain, arrogant and brilliant, modernist painter Mark Rothko turned the art world on its head with his revolutionary studies in color, shape, and texture. In this raw and provocative portrait of the master abstract expressionist and his young assistant, ambition and vulnerability go hand in hand as Rothko tries to create his crowning achievement that could also become his undoing. David DeVries directs.

RUTH & THE GREEN BOOK February 7-26 Puppetry Arts Box Office (404) 873.3391 www.puppet.org

Introduce your children to the kind of magic only found in the Land of Oz. While remaining true to the story and familiar characters, the Alliance's version of THE WIZARD OF OZ will uniquely incorporate an "American Folk Art" design concept. It is a natural fit, since, for example, the Tin Man is composed of tin found-object items making him essentially a work of folk art. This 70-minute production features iconic songs like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". Wizard reminds us that no matter what you're searching for, you don't have to look further than your own backyard.

© 2008 Billy Broadway, LLC

www.alliancetheatre.com

BILLY ELLIOT

March 13 - 18 Fox Theatre Ticketmaster (800) 982.2787 www.broadwayinatlanta.com

ON SALE NOW! • MARCH 13-18 • THE FOX THEATRE BroadwayInAtlanta.com •800.982.2787 Ticketmaster.com •BillyElliotTour.com

®

®

Groups 15+, call 404.881.2000

RUTH AND THE GREEN BOOK follows the journey of an African-American family from Chicago to Alabama in the 1950s. It tells the story of Ruth and her family as they travel through the Jim Crow-era South.

After being turned away from a gas station and a hotel, eight-year-old Ruth and her parents discover "The Green Book," a travel guide for black motorists. With this guide, Ruth's family, like many others, find safe routes to welcoming places and people.

This fresh perspective on the struggle for equality offers a new way to celebrate Black History Month and learn about a relatively unknown chapter in civil rights history.

Ruth is based on an award-winning children's story by author and Atlanta resident Calvin Alexander Ramsey. Story has been adapted for the puppet stage by Jon Ludwig.

10BEST MUSICAL

2009 TONY AWARDS

Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever. The production has has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards. Book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry.

BILLY ELLIOT is most appropriate for children 8 years of age or older. It contains strong language and some scenes of confrontation between policemen and miners.

PRESENTS [BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!]

Avenue NU

W

GRO

PS The Musical

Playing through MARCH 11!

FO R

Artists scheduled to appear subject to change

Fox TheaTre

Tickets: 800-745-3000, TicketMaster.com, Fox Box Office

saTurday march

STEVE LITMAN PRESENTS

404.584.7450 • horizontheatre.com

Sponsored by Fender Musical Instruments

10

insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 7

Atlanta Dining on a Budget Great places in town to get a good meal without breaking the bank Chin Chin

Eats

Brookhaven 3887 Peachtree Rd. 404.816.2229 Multiple locations www.chinchinatlanta.com

600 Ponce de Leon 404.888.9149 www.eatsonponce.net

they only use organic or locally grown products.

Classic sandwiches are just $4.49, Specialties are $5.49 and Signature sandwiches go for just $5.99.

Mirko

2945 N. Druid Hills Rd. (678) 704.2700 www.mirkopasta.com

An Atlanta landmark, Eats keeps their menu simple, their prices low and their dishes always made with the freshest ingredients. Their Pasta Plates allow you to choose from a variety of pastas which aren’t priced accept for the cheese filled spinach tortellini which is $1. The sauces range in price from $5.50 and $6.50 and include: marinara, olive and garlic, pesto, Alfredo, creamy marinara, turkey meat sauce and chicken chili.

All pasta plates come with garlic bread and you can add on extras from meatballs to chicken breast which is just $2 more.

Not in the mood for pasta? They offer meat and vegetable plate dinners too. The meat offerings include their prized jerk chicken, lemon pepper chicken and turkey meatloaf. Some of the vegetables include: couscous, broccoli, green beans, and collards. Vegetable plates are priced at $4.575 for three or $5.75 for four. A meat and two sides run $7.25 and $7.75 for three sides. Eats is open seven days a week from 11am until 10pm.

Johnny’s NY Style Pizza

1810 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 404.874.8304 Multiple Locations at 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. Try the Johnny’s Italian Special with sausage, mushrooms, onions, pep-

peroni and green peppers; large pizza is $19.40.

All their menu items are also reasonably priced.

They have two Calzones on the menu for $5.20 and the Stombolli is $8. They have 11 subs on the menu for just $5.60. The Cheshire Bridge location featured has lunch specials from $6 to $7.40 and offers $5 pitchers of PBR . Johnny’s restaurants offer dine-in, take-out and delivery.

Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs

80 Powers Ferry Rd. 770.321.1177 Marietta 5697 Buford Hwy. 770.455.8570 Buford Hwy. www.baldinos.us

Chin Chin is consistently voted Atlanta’s Best Chinese restaurant. Their menu offers standard favorites and many exotic dishes in Chinese cuisine at affordable prices. The Brookhaven location featured currently is offering an amazing lunch special for just $4.99. You get an entree along with Egg Roll, Soup and Fried Rice. They have over 20 chicken dishes for just $10.25 and over a dozen beef and pork dishes for $10.95 or less.

Soups start at $2.50.

Erbert and Gerbert’s

2752 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. 404.370.6009 www.erbertandgerberts.com

At Mirko pasta is their pashion. All pastas and sauces are made from scratch each day. They offer a nice selection of salads at the full $6 size or half $3.50 sizes. Antipasti, Appetizers and Soups can be had for $4 to $8. This includes their Steamed mussels and Calamari dishes. Mirko offers a dozen different pasta varieties and twice as many sauces. Any combination of which can be had for under $10. There is a great Daily Lunch Special which includes drink for just $6.99. For that same price you may also get a half Panini with soup and Mirko’s famous homemade potato chips.

Escorpion

Since 1975, Baldinos has been repeatedly recognized for serving the best sub sandwich in the South. Their true New Jersey style subs are as fresh as any sandwich anywhere. The rolls are baked in-store everyday - all day; each sub is sliced fresh as ordered; hot subs are grilled, not nuked or pressed, and only the freshest produce garnishes every sub as ordered. Salads, soups and delicious baked goodies compliment a true value menu.

Check out Baldinos $3.49 Daily Special - a different sub every day that will keep you coming back.

Bring home a Family Sub and take the night off no cooking, no cleaning and no big expense.

800 Peachtree St. (678) 666.5198 www.urestaurants.com Escorpion is an authentic Mexican tequilla bar and cantina with a rough and tumble outlaw vibe inspired from the cult classic From Dusk Till Dawn. Located in Midtown on the corner of 5th Erbert & Gerbert's is a sandwich shop dedicated to serving better, more flavorful sandwiches than anyone else. Originally founded in Wisconsin, their Atlanta store is the only one in the south featuring regional flavors. Erbert & Gerbert's bakes their own bread and carries Gluten-Free products. Everything is prepared fresh in the store, no pre-sliced or pre-wrapped anything and

PANCHO’S

Catering Now Available

Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

THANKS ATLANTA!

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

MONSTER MARGARITAS VALENTINE’S DAY

Couples Pairings w/ Wine or Margarita Call for Details

Monster Burritos

$4.99 Lunch Specials

TACO / TEQUILA TUESDAYS $1 LUNCH / $2 EVENING SATURDAY & SUNDAY SPORTS SPECIALS PINT OF DOMESTIC WITH 1800 SHOT JUST $5!

SPONSORED BY 1800 SILVER

2641 BUFORD HIGHWAY | ATLANTA, GA 30324 404-325-2898 | PANCHOMEXICAN.COM

Hours • M-Th 11am-10pm • Fri 11am-11pm Sat 12pm-11pm • Sun 1pm-10pm PG 8 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

and Peachtree, Escorpion boasts fine cuisine at affordable prices. Appetizers range from $4 - $8 while their Ceviches selections of Tuna, Tilapia, Octopus, Scallop and Shrimp are priced at $9 or less. Escorpion also has great salads, quesadillas and an assortment of tortas (pressed sandwiches).

Their inspired tacos come in a wide variety that includes Jumbo Shrimp, Hanger Steak and Braised Beef Tongue. Full entrees are also available.

Agave Restaurant

242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 www.agaverestaurant.com

Consistently voted the Best Southwestern Restaurant in Atlanta, Agave uses only the freshest ingredients to create chef inspired dishes with a authentic southwestern flare. They offer Two for One Appetizers at the bar from 5pm - 7pm seven days a week. Other popular low priced menu items include: Agave's Famous Cayenne Fried Chicken $15.00, Slow Cooked Angus Beef Short Ribs $16.50, & Stuffed Mountain Trout Tomatillo $17.50. They boast the largest tequila selection in the city as well as over 100 wines from around the world. Enjoy their award winning Margaritas and be sure to sign up for Agave's VIP Email List which features huge monthly discounts on dinner and details on all of Agave's special events.

Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant 2641 Buford Hwy. 404.325.28989 www.panchomexican.com

and winner of several awards including Best Greek Cuisine. So don’t let the name fool you, there is much more here than great pizza. Some of the favorite recipes on their Greek dishes go back over 50 years! Athens Pizza offers daily specials for lunch and dinner. They have an extensive catering menu while the restaurant can also accomodate parties large and small with their private room.

#1 Chinese Restaurant in Atlanta

Mediterranean Grill

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

VIEW ART OF CHINESE COOKING THROUGH OPEN KITCHEN LUNCH 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.

They have a great Business Lunch Special offering Shish kabob, Kufta kabab & Gyro slices w/rice pilaf, salad, pita and drink ($6.90). Mediterranean Grill has tasty sandwiches including: Gyro, Kufta Kabob, Chicken Kabob, Falafel and a Grilled Vegetable sandwich. All sandwiches are just $5.20 and entrees start at $8.00.

Bhojanic 1363 Clairmont Rd, Decatur 404.633.9233 www.bhojanic.com

SPECIAL

$4.99 (Brookhaven Location)

ORIGINAL AWARD WINNING CHEF

1998-2011 Best Chinese by Creative Loafing | "Mouthwatering Chin Chin spices things up." – AJC Best Chinese – Atlanta Jewish Times | 2 1/2 Stars – Knife & Fork

3887 PEACHTREE RD • 404-816-2229 1100 Hammond Drive • 770-913-0266 Sandy Springs BUCKHEAD/BROOKHAVEN 617 Johnson Ferry Rd • 678-560-5550 East Cobb

1715 Howell Mill Rd • 404-609-5618 Atlanta

699 Ponce de Leon • 404-881-1511 Midtown

270 Rucker Rd. • 770-569-9883 Alpharetta

DELIVERY (LIMITED AREA; MIN $10) CARRY OUT • CATERING • FULL BAR SERVICE

WWW.CHINCHINATLANTA.COM Panchos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is hugely popular for both lunch and dinner. Their Lunch Specials start at just $4.99. There are also a variety of combination dinners offered for just $9.95.

Other favorites on Pancho’s dinner menu include the Quesadilla Dinner: choice of grilled steak, chicken, or spinach in a flour tortilla with cheese sauce and served w/ rice & refried beans ($11.50).

The Steak Burrito Dinner: Flour tortilla stuffed w/ grilled steak and topped w/ pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream ($11.95). Pancho’s has also added a new line-up of shrimp dishes to their menu. Come in on Saturday and Sunday for a shot of 1800 Silver and pint of domestic for $5. Wow!

Bhojanic is a family owned traditional homestyle Indian restaurant. The menu is predominantly North Indian with some fusion additions. Find innovative cocktails, craft beer and a thoughtful wine selection. Two doors down is Bhojan Market with carries your favorite bhojanic food items to go as well gifts from around the world. Bhojanic offers full service catering for weddings and corporate events as well as DIY catering for smaller gatherings. Tiffins (Stackable food container) are sold at the market and they provide hot food for the family without the work. Bhojanic offers live music every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. You never know who will show up to sit in!

Grant Park 563 Memorial Dr. 404.688.4238 Emory 1556 N. Decatur Rd. 404.378.8188 Morningside 1424 N. Highland Ave. 404.888.0777 www.doccheys.com

3131 Cobb Pkwy 770.612.3311 1142 Barrett Pkwy 770.919.9612 www.copelandsatlanta.com

Doc Chey’s Noodle House

Doc Chey's is the original pan-Asian noodle house in Atlanta. Enjoy an affordable menu of freshly wok'd stirfries, heaping noodle bowls and handmade dim sum, all at a price that won't put a dent in your piggy bank. Founded on the principal of serving a "Beer & a Bowl for 10 Bucks", Doc Chey's generous noodle bowls are an excellent value and likely to send you home with lunch for tomorrow. Pick up one of their free Karma Cards to get a free birthday entrée & other freebees throughout the year. Doc Chey's was voted Best Noodle Bowl by INsite readers for 7 years in a row and Best Carryout for 3 years.

Athens Pizza House

1341 Clairmont Rd. Decatur 404.636.1100 www.AthensPizzaAtlanta.com

Since 1977, the Papadopoulos family has been serving up great Greek and Italian cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area. Athens Pizza is Zagat rated

Healthy Vegetarian Items Always Available

Best Inexpensive Restaurant

Copeland’s

Copeland’s offers an Express Lunch with 8 Menu Items for $7.99 Monday thru Friday from 11 am to 4 pm. Visit either of their two metro location on Wednesdays and receive any of the Prime Steaks on their menu for just $19.99. Pair it with any bottle of your favorite wine at half price. Every Friday from 6pm until 9pm enjoy $5 Martinis & $6 appetizers while listening to live music! Don’t miss Copeland’s New Orleans Jazzy Brunch Buffet featuring live jazz from 10am - 3pm. The buffet is among the grandest in Atlanta and is only $19.99 per person.

The Flying Biscuit

1655 McLendon Ave 404.687.8888 1001 Piedmont Ave. 404.874.8887 Catering Hotline 404.849.2283 www.flyingbiscuit.com The Flying Biscuit serves great breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. One of Atlanta's home grown gems, they are best known for their mouth watering biscuits and original affordable menu items. The Midtown and Candler Park locations are offering a new dinner menu. The Steak &

continues on page 11

eatsonponce.net • now accepting Visa & Mastercard

FEBRUARY SPECIALS

www.baldinos.us

MONDAY – Baldinos Extra Special (#7) TUESDAY – Like it Hot? Grilled & Toasted The HOT Italian WEDNESDAY – Ham it Up - (#5) Boiled Ham & Cheese w/ soup or side THURSDAY – “Check Out Our New Chicken Breast” – Try our #21 FRIDAY – Meatless Combo - Tuna (#10) or Veg Stir Fry (#27) w/ side SATURDAY – Steak Out- A-Steak Sub Your Choice (#11,13, or 19) SUNDAY – American Special - (#14) w/ choice of soup or side

Marietta 80 Powers Ferry Rd 770-321-1177 (closed Sundays)

$3.49 All Day!

Doraville 5697 Buford Hwy. 770-455-8570

VOTED BEST SUBS IN ATLANTA insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 9

TV

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Lisa Kudrow Talks about the Second Season of the Hit TV Show

BY JENNI WILLIAMS

I

T’S OFTEN ASKED WITH A bit of an attitude, and if you know Lisa Kudrow at all, then you can probably hear her say it with just that— except followed by a slight guffaw or giggle tagged onto the end. In reality, her play on the popular catch phrase has roots that run a little deeper. Returning to the air on February 3rd, Who Do You Think You Are dives into another round of 12 celebrity family trees including Martin Sheen, Blair Underwood, Reba McIntyre, Rashida Jones and more.

Digging up the good, the bad and the unexpected, Kudrow hosts an inspiring series of heartfelt journeys through the heritage of men and women we, as a country, love and admire.

Insite got the chance to sit down with Kudrow again to see what her new season is all about…from the issues underneath the journey, to coping with bad news and how this process is helping our society grow as a whole.

What do you think are some of the biggest improvements in the series over the three years that it’s been on? What’s different now?

Well, the first improvement came after the first season when we didn’t have the music video montage. That, to me, was a great improvement, because then we

could have more time to actually tell a story and maybe get into more history.

I know in Helen Hunt’s episode, I think that helped tremendously and really just helps you get invested in the people that we’re looking at because we can see what was going on at the time and how it motivated what they did. You feel like you kind of understand them.

The season starts off with Martin Sheen in Spain. Can you give us a little information on what he finds out there?

Sure. The first segment in Spain, he’s finding out more than he ever knew about his uncle, his father’s brother, who was the only one of the Estevez siblings in Spain who didn’t leave the country. And he was actually stuck there, he got caught up in Franco’s coup and actually tried to put it down. He was imprisoned many times for that. And it’s also something that Martin really related to because, you know, he’s an activist, he’s been in jail, he’s been jailed a couple times for that and he could absolutely relate to and be proud of families who sacrificed for their beliefs in social justice.

You’ve run into celebrities coming across bad news on the show—how do you approach that situation?

Most people go into it understanding that there’s not a formal conversation.

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I HOPE WHAT THEY TAKE AWAY FROM THE SHOW IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WE’RE PRETTY STRONG AS HUMAN BEINGS. THOSE OF US THAT ARE HERE, IT’S LIKE ALMOST A MIRACLE THAT WE ARE HERE. AND THE ONLY REASON WE’RE HERE IS BECAUSE WE COME FROM STRONG STOCK.

Most of them feel like they just want information—whatever it is. And they already understand that if somewhere in their ancestry there were some unsavory people or they did bad things then, you know, that’s not who they are. And you can just focus on how the family turned itself around.

And how do you handle when you don’t find answers at all, right away? Good or bad? What do you tell people that get frustrated with the never ending search?

You know, there doesn’t have to ever be an end. That’s what makes it such a great hobby. I think there’s always research you can do on different branches, different cousins and so on. And then also it’s not just names and dates. When you start looking at where they were living, what was happening there at that time, you start looking at historical documents, and then you can maybe draw some conclusions or guesses about what was motivating some of their choices in life.

More and more people are doing DNA research and research on their medical history in terms of their family trees.

Are we going to see any of that on Season 3?

No. It hasn’t come up as something that we’ll be looking into. For Blair Underwood’s episode, there have been a lot of improvements in what you can find out, so he submitted a DNA sample that would track his Y chromosome.

The Underwood’s line. And there are a lot of samples that have been gathered in Africa so that they could hone in on the closest matches and give them a better indication of where they’re from, something more precise. And it’s pretty precise.

We’ve seen a bigger focus this season on immigrant ancestry. Why is genealogy important to the immigrant experience?

It’s important because so much gets lost, you know? And in a lot of cultures, maybe it’s just a human thing that there aren’t a lot of stories passed down if there was tragedy and a lot of difficulty and in order to keep moving forward and

coping, you’d rather not dwell on those periods of hardship and victimhood.

Otherwise it’s hard to press on.

So are most people generally interested in the culture that they came from or is it one or two individuals that they’re actually wanting to look into and then they find out all the other information?

It’s a mixture. You know, everyone has something different that they want to know about. Sometimes it’s a specific story that got handed down and they want to know if that’s true. And sometimes it’s very general because they don’t know anything. So it’s just very different.

Anything exciting you can tease us with for the upcoming season?

I think I know the most about Rob Lowe. That’s going to start shooting very soon, if it hasn’t already. That’s an unbelievable story. And Marisa Tomei, you know, she’s looking at a - her grandher great grandfather- the story was that he was killed by a jealous lover and that he was a philanderer, so that’s just how they always saw him. And she goes and investigates and finds out that it’s a different story and people didn’t have to be even a little ashamed. I can’t talk about them more than that because none of them have shot. They don’t know what’s coming.

So it’s going to be all a surprise.

Yes, yes. It’s always a surprise until they, you know, actually shoot it.

We were wondering what you hope viewers take away from watching the show.

I hope what they take away from the show is that, you know, that we’re pretty strong as human beings. Those of us that are here, it’s like almost a miracle that we are here. And the only reason we’re here is because we come from strong stock. You know, so I think that should give us all a feeling of inspiration and strength that we can draw from that. Because it’s not easy to survive this planet.

continued from page 9

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FILM

2012 ACADEMY AWARD PREDICTIONS: ‘ARTIST’ry Will Prevail!

BY STEVE WARREN

N

OT UNEXPECTEDLY, THE nominations for the 84th Academy Awards pay tribute to America (FU, Golden Globes!) and movie history. Topping the list are a French salute to American silent films (filmed in L.A.) and an American tribute to the industry’s origins in France (filmed in France and England).

As the young Turks of the ‘70s become the old guard of today, arguably too much love is shown to Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, while Woody Allen is honored for his biggest boxoffice hit. The generation behind them is well represented by pals George Clooney and Brad Pitt being nominated in multiple categories.

BEST PICTURE

“The Artist” “The Descendants” “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” “The Help” “Hugo” “Midnight in Paris” “Moneyball” “The Tree of Life” “War Horse” WILL WIN: The Artist SHOULD WIN: Anything but Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close For me this was the year without a best picture.

There was a lot of respectable work but nothing to stand up and cheer for. I alphabetized my Ten Best list, although when I had to vote for one I went with The Descendants, which would barely have made the list in a better year. Other than reading tea leaves the awards from the various guilds are the best predictors of Oscar success.

The Artist has won more awards than anything else this season, including the Producers Guild, and will probably repeat at the Oscars. With 11 nominations, Hugo could win one or two in technical categories but is generally looking like this year’s True Grit, which last year went 0-for-10. The nominees aren’t popular favorites.

The Help is the only one of the nine that has made over $100 million at the domestic (no pun intended) boxoffice, where nine of the top ten were sequels. That doesn’t bode well for the telecast’s ratings.

BEST DIRECTOR

Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist” Alexander Payne, “The Descendants” Martin Scorsese, “Hugo” Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris” Terrence Malick, “The Tree of Life” WILL/SHOULD WIN: Michel Hazanavicius

DARK HORSE: Alexander Payne Payne did his usual fine work but Hazanavicius did something unusual, rolling the dice and winning big. After being crowned by the Directors Guild he’s probably already making title cards to go with a mimed Oscar acceptance speech. Malick had his usual polarizing effect and the Academy is showing respect to Allen and Scorsese with their nominations. No need to go overboard. Deserving David Fincher (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive) didn’t make the cut.

BEST ACTOR

Demián Bichir, “A Better Life” George Clooney, “The Descendants” Jean Dujardin, “The Artist” Gary Oldman, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” Brad Pitt, “Moneyball” WILL WIN: Jean Dujardin SHOULD WIN: Brad Pitt DARK HORSES: Brad Clooney and George Pitt Besides being good friends, Pitt and Clooney have both managed to overcome the curse of good looks to earn respect as actors, producers and, in Clooney’s case, writer and director.

Both gave career-best performances this year and voters could just flip a coin to choose, or give it to Pitt because Clooney already has an Oscar, albeit for supporting, and has been nominated in five categories in six years. But the Screen Actors Guild win on top of the (usually meaningless) Golden Globe has made Dujardin the definite frontrunner.

BEST ACTRESS

Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs” Viola Davis, “The Help” Rooney Mara, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady” Michelle Williams, “My Week with Marilyn” WILL WIN: Viola Davis SHOULD WIN: Meryl Streep The Academy should have started engraving her Oscar the day it was announced that Streep would play Margaret Thatcher. It’s been 29 years and 13 nominations since the last win for the greatest actress of her generation, always with the justification that she’ll be back next year with something just as good. But Davis, who was certainly wonderful in The Help, has gained momentum in recent weeks, especially with the SAG award, and the fact that everything but Streep was lousy about The Iron Lady hasn’t helped. Also the Weinsteins, besides being focused on The Artist, have to divide their ENTER OUR T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST AND WIN A

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considerable clout between Streep and Williams in this category. The Academy showed its proAmerican bias in nominating Rooney Mara for carbon-copying Swedish Noomi Rapace, over Scottish Tilda Swinton, who is brilliant in We Need to Talk about Kevin.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kenneth Branagh, “My Week with Marilyn” Jonah Hill, “Moneyball” Nick Nolte, “Warrior” Christopher Plummer, “Beginners” Max von Sydow, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” WILL/SHOULD WIN: Christopher Plummer DARK HORSE: Max von Sydow The best actors born in 1929 are going head-tohead in the Battle of the Overdue Geezers, with Plummer’s second nomination and von Sydow’s first. The latter, who should have had a lifetime achievement award decades ago, is the best thing about the movie he’s in but his role is smaller and less complex than that of Plummer, who has won all the awards that matter this season. Besides, giving it to a Canadian will show the Academy isn’t really xenophobic. In the secondary battle of comics turning serious, as much as I loved Drive I was glad to see Jonah Hill nominated over Albert Brooks.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Bérénice Bejo, “The Artist” Jessica Chastain, “The Help” Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids” Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs” Octavia Spencer, “The Help” WILL/SHOULD WIN: Octavia Spencer Barring a total sweep by The Artist, Spencer will continue her personal award sweep. She was awesome, standing out in the ensemble cast of The Help. McTeer and McCarthy totally stole their movies from the leads but Spencer managed to excel while remaining a team player.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

“Hell and Back Again” “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” “Pina” “Undefeated” WILL WIN: Pina SHOULD WIN: Doesn’t matter – it wasn’t nominated If you’ve been following the Award Season news you’ve seen certain titles pop up repeatedly in the documentary

category: Project Nim, Senna, Buck, Pina, Bill Cunningham: New York, We Were Here and two by Werner Herzog, The Cave of Forgotten Dreams and Into the Abyss. As only one of these overlaps with the Academy’s weak list, Wim Wenders’ Pina is the predictable winner in this unpredictable category. It could be hurt by being a tribute to a late choreographer, not about an issue – returning veterans, ecology, justice or inner city underdogs; but if the voters can’t pick one issue the non-issue film could win. The Academy has already changed the nominating rules for next year – only films reviewed by the NY or LA Times will be eligible – so the nominees may be more familiar then.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

“A Cat in Paris” “Chico & Rita” “Kung Fu Panda 2” “Puss in Boots” “Rango” WILL/SHOULD WIN: Rango Rango, a hilarious spoof of spaghetti westerns with Johnny Depp voicing the reptilian hero, won just about every award in this category until the Golden Globes and Producers Guild, where it lost to The Adventures of Tintin. Since the Academy didn’t nominate that one – apparently they don’t know what to make of motion capture; Rise of the Planet of the Apes is nominated for Best Visual Effects, not for Andy Serkis’ performance – and Pixar isn’t in the running for Cars 2, Rango will blow in like a tumbleweed and blow out with an Oscar.

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FILM FILM

TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD ALBERT NOBBS (R)

 To the subgenre of movies with actresses playing women masquerading as men – Barbra Streisand in Yentl, Julie Andrews in Victor/ Victoria, Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love, etc. – add Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs. It’s a role Close played on stage 30 years ago and has been trying to bring to the screen for almost as long. Set in Ireland in the 1890s, the story may appeal to Downton Abbey fans, dealing as it does with the wealthy guests and humble staff of a Dublin hotel. Albert (Close) began dressing in male attire as an orphaned teenager because there were no jobs for girls.

By B. Either Lovethe work situation never improved or she got used to being a man at the cost of one any kinds of sex of life,AmericA’s because she’smost still doing it successful high profile after some 30 yearsand (forcing Close businessto play 20 years younger than her real age).

When she men, Donald trump was well known meets Hubert (Janetproducer McTeer),mark a fellow crosslong before survivor Burnett dresser,him Albert getsina the glimpse of how life tapped to star Apprentice.

Butcould be: married to a that woman and running there’s no denying the reality show “his” own business.

Albert tries to make it work by turned trump from a cartoonish curiosity dating a young maid (Mia Wasikowska), whose into a bona(Aaron fide phenomenon, withthe hissituation signaboyfriend Johnson) thinks ture catchphrase– “You’re to fired!”– inextricamight finance his passage America.

Despite bly the pop thisentering being Close’s petculture project,lexicon. she’s not only too Although initially flounold but alsothe tooApprentice slight for the role. One scene dered bit inincapable the ratings, and trump showsa she’s of theBurnett heavy lifting the job would require. the other hand, is stumbled upon a McTeer, winningon formula by recruitmore believable, both as a woman a man. ing secondand third-tier actors, and athletes, –Steve Warren models and musicians for a celebrity edition

superhero development is fun, even though you’ve seen most of it in trailers already. It all kinda feels like scenes from Spider-Man. But as their powers grow stronger, and Andrew gets spookier, things feel more X-Men: The Last Stand. Not a compliment. When snazzy visual effects lose their cool factor because of drab dialogue and ditzy decision-making, not even a catastrophic battle in downtown Seattle can save the day. Indirectly, Chronicle asks the viewer, “What would you do if you had superpowers?” The mildly pleasing fantasy provides three answers. Not a one of them we’d want to see in a sequel.

–DeMarco Williams

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

A

of the show. now in its third incarnation, CHARLOTTE RAMPLING:tosses THE LOOK (N/R) the celebrity Apprentice disparate  stars such as rocker Bret michaels, wrestler Goldberg, legendputs Darrylthe strawberry, Charlotte baseball Rampling sex in former governor ronand Blagojevich and sharon “sexagenarian. ” She Helen Mirren seem to have beentogether competing who of could do more osbourne fortoa see variety teamnude scenes in middle age and beyond. building exercises and challenges designed The to Look is business not a traditional test their mettle. biography, but a collection of ”Rampling’s ramblingsreal on nine “the Donald, as the crazy-coiffed topics:magnate Exposure, Age, Beauty, Resonance, estate if often known, recently held Taboo, Desire, Demons, Death and Love. Each court with reporters to discuss the show’s segment features clips from one of the nearly current season.

100 films she’s appeared in, from Georgy Girl (1966) through Heading South (2005); and Can you us a littlea bit while shetell soliloquizes lot, about all but the oneselecsegment tion alsoprocess? have her in conversation with someone (hence subtitle, Abecause Self Portrait it’s verythe interesting, so manythrough Others). want Her partners include celebrities to be on the shownovelist after thePaul Auster,ofpoet Fredericktwo Seidel, photographer success the previous seasons.

We Peter Lindbergh and Rampling’s son, director wanted some athletes, some actors, some Barnaby Southcombe, who was preparing models and some wrestlers, so i would say to direct her in a film at the time. Sometimes their probably seven people spot we and identitiessixareorrevealed in theper discussions were turningnot, down. the hardest thing decision is that sometimes a terribly annoying we really have some good people that want on the part of director Angelina Maccarone, towho go ondoesn’t very badly. i guess maybe alwaysButidentify the filmwe’ll clips save them for the next because looks either.

Rampling givesshow, both too muchitand too littlethat’s information herself but occasionally like going toabout happen. strikes a nerve. I loved her definition of love as “shared aloneness. ” to If be you’re still asking How is this season going different than “Charlotte Who?” this film isn’t for you, and past seasons? even fansyou may geta more of like her than Well,her when have success we’vethey wanted. had, you don’t like to do too many–Steve changes.

Warren What we do have is a different tone. the cast has been very (PG-13) interesting: they’ve been very CHRONICLE tough and very nasty, but there’s also a lot of  fun and humor with respect to what happens, Andrew (Dane DeHaan) a loner.

Hisone. mother which i don’t think we hadis in the last is deathly ill.

His father is an abusive drunk.

With Joan [rivers] and with Piers [morgan],In first 10people minutes, in hating fact, Andrew’s itthe wasmovie’s really nasty really each assaulted three times by three different people. other. these people hate each other, but Life sucks for the kid. But he does have it’s Matt also funny. i think be the biggest (Alex Russell), histhat coolmight cousin.

Matt invites differentiation in terms the three casts. has Andrew to a party, withof one caveat—cuz to leave the creepy video camera at home. He Can you Anyways, usually tell the bat is doesn’t. theright two ofoffthem, andwho another pal, Steve going to do (Michael well and B. whoJordan), isn’t? stumble upon this holealways in thethewoods the quesrave. Like that’s most behind interesting any to18-year-old without care, theyofgomyself in and tion me because i’d likea to think to see.

Just know that asfind…well, being okayyou’ll with have people.

But often i’ll say, “it” changes them to mini Magnetos, capable “this one is going to be a star,” and then he of doing some unbelievable stuff with mere turns out toWatching be a dud.the Youteens neverchronicle really know. thought. their You feel like you’ve known these celebrities

through reading(R) about them for so many CONTRABAND years, but a lot of times somebody that you  don’t think of so highly turns out to be a star.

MarkjustWahlberg doesn’t make with the old You don’t know whatexactly will happen “one last job before going straight” plot seem pressure and the heat of battle. new again in Contraband, but he makes it work well enough. This remake of the 2008 What does thriller a celebrity have to do to reallywas Icelandic Reykjavik-Rotterdam set themselves thatKormákur, they’re directed by thatapart film’sand star,show Baltasar in it to win it? who moved the locations to Panama City-New i can tell Chris you from seasons and 2 and(Ben Orleans.

(Wahlberg) and1 Sebastian Foster) onceApprentice, “the Lennonpeople and McCartney from thewere regular really of smugglers. ” Now Chris wife (Kate want to win. every once in a has whilea you’ll Beckinsale), two and a screw-up brotherhave a quitter, butkids it doesn’t happen often. in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), who i think the reason they do it is the levelhasofbad luck on a run him charity. $700,000Unlike in debt to intensity theythat feelleaves for their crazy Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi, overacting).

To the Apprentice, wherebeing somebody keepregular his whole family from killed (and works forheme for athe pretty good salary a because misses excitement), Chrisforagrees year, with thisrun onetothe money goesdebt. to charto one more settle Andy’s There ity. we raised of dollars. are Last the year obvious bad millions guys and expected everybody has plus, a charity that they love; some complications as expected, unexpected badfoundations guys and complications.

There are also are they’ve set up themselves more in split-second thanso youi think can shake years advance ofescapes the show. theya manifest at, amid the action, violence and family really fight more intense because it’s a charvalues.

There’s nothing ity they’re fighting for. original here but if you enjoyed it before you should enjoy it again.

–Steve Warren What are your favorite challenges to watch the celebrities tackle?

DECLARATION OF WAR (N/R) Well, we do have a lot of different challeng es, whether we go back to the selling of the Every parent’s nightmare becomes everybasic film lemonade or doing something else very lover’s dream in Declaration of War, a semiwithout having to deal with Proctor & Gamautobiographical

by Valérie Donzelli and ble or Kodak, etc.film sometimes [sponsor-based Jérémie Elkaïm about their young son’sthey’re battle challenges] are sort of interesting, but with cancer. It was France’s submission for this expensive for but us to do. the ratings suggest year’s Oscars didn’t get nominated.

Roméo that the fans’ favorite of the(Donzelli) show by and Benaïm (Elkaïm) meetspart Juliette far is the boardroom, and the(cue boardroom after a whirlwind courtship the montage) has gotten longer over the years because of Adam is born.

A pediatrician helps them that. stillbut haveafter plenty time adjustthetochallenges parenthood, 18 ofmonths Adam exhibits worrisome andwe turns and we’re focused on bothsymptoms aspects, but out to have a brain tumor, the which proves to have been trying to lengthen boardroom be malignant.

(Spoiler I don’t usually because of strong vieweralert!) requests. reveal an ending but I don’t think anyone would want tolike seea Declaration War if they You’re prosecutingofattorney in thedidn’t know it would end on a hopeful note. What’s boardroom.

Do you metereight-year-old your approach to truly wonderful is that Adam different personalities? is played in the epilogue by Donzelli and Yes, i think with different Elkaïm’s own you son,deal Gabriel.

Director people Donzelli differently. deal withand Goldberg differently to uses music,i comedy other distractions than dealfilm withfrom Governor i keepi the being Blagojevich. unbearably intense and melodramatic.

A sceneand in Joan whichrivers Roméo dealt with Dennis rodman and Juliettethan verbalize is oddly differently some their of theworst otherfears conteshilarious, one of many pleasant surprises that tants. You have to have that ability. catch you off guard, no matter how much you thinkdo youyou know War going How feelabout goingDeclaration back in theofboardin. It’s hardly more of a “cancer movie” than room after isa alittle hiatus?

Moneyball “baseball movie.” i just get a great kick out of it. i–Steve reallyWarren like it a lot. they want to renew it for another two or threeLOUD seasons, and we’reCLOSE thinking EXTREMELY & INCREDIBLY (PG-13) about that. i like having a little bit of a break  between shows, where it goes on once a year.

No event is so tragic it can’t be made worse by hack writers exploiting it in retrospect.

EL&IC Do you ever feel bad about firing someone, does that with 9/11, using it as the catalyst or just part of the job? that’s too rooted foris ait manipulative drama bad…anything no, not but always. someini always reality feel to seem absurd when times people. the are a it triesi don’t to belikemagical.

Can hard you ones imagine when really(Tom like and respect somebody lovingyou father Hanks) creating a game, and they make a mistake.

Like, as anforces ex- his “Reconnaissance Expedition, ” that

THE GREY prepubescent son Oskar (Thomas Horn) to run gore. The screenplay isn’t up to the film’s other around New York City’s five boroughs talking elements but serves as the frame in which to to strangers? Even if it’s a ploy to help the hang a suspenseful drama. lad overcome his shyness, it’s so fraught with –Steve Warren Itdanger turned Be a good phrase, But It was a potential the manout should to be imprisoned for child abuse. But he doesn’tthe deservevery to die FIrst FLuke. durIng show HAYWIRE (R) I was a LIttLe inexasperated the collapse of the World Trade Center contestants and I used wIth one oF the towers as he does. While hiding his father’s last latest woman to try to fill Angelina the LIne, “you’re FIred!” when [producer] MarkJolie’s answering machine messages from his mother The stilettos is MMA champion Gina Carano, (Sandra Bullock), Oskar finds a key – literal as Burnett and I agreed to do the show we dIdn’t have well as metaphorical – among Dad’s things. It who doesn’t have to worry about acting in we’d Haywire. say, “get outcast for There’sthe a greatheLL supporting sets himthat. off on we one thought more reconnaissance that, even if they don’t seem too worried about oF here” or soMethIng. expedition. The cinematography is impressive and young Master Horn carries the film, acting either. Lem Dobbs’ screenplay strings lot raised of action in multiple fact thatayou suchscenes self-sufficient ample, the lastwith season. such asscott it is, Hamilton, on his slimfrom shoulders, fine together children? There are scenes set in San Diego, isupport had to from let scott go. Bullock i’m a great of scott: Hanks, and fan especially the locations.

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Well, New i’m getting a lot of credit on the chilHe won olympic medals and he’s a great upstate everything was shot in Barcelona, Dublin and –Steve Warren dren. everybody’s been asking about ivanka champion. But he understood that he made New Mexico.

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She our has way, an uphill struggle against just to work. discussions it really caught on, and colades passed and that’s always theirseems philosophical between wolf the of Phyllida Mia) attacks Monty Python the it’s beensometimes an amazingresemble thing toawatch. nice.direction But ultimately you Lloyd have to(Mamma have people the screenplay by Abi Morgan.

Much of sketch. The wolves are mostly represented by and watch. nBc is going to really do well. i know film is spent inand thei company of a demented eyes and and director Carnahan gets the What doteeth, you think is yourJoe biggest accomtheir leadership think they’re winners, old woman who was once prime minister of the point across rubbing plishment, yourwithout business successourornoses the in so i think they’ll turn it around. insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 13

VIDIOTS UPCOMING DVD RELEASES AND REVIEWS

BY B. LOVE & JOHN B. MOORE

BOARDWALK EMPIRE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

All that hand-wringing about filling The Sopranos void is over. Created

by Terrence Winter (a former writer/producer on The Sopranos) and starring Steve Bushemi (a Sopranos alum), the show is set in Atlantic City shortly after Prohibition outlaws alcohol throughout the country. Buscemi plays Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, Atlantic City’s treasurer/bootlegger/ criminal mastermind. In one of his best roles, Buscemi plays Nucky as an extremely likeable kingpin/womanizer who’s far more nuanced than Tony Soprano. As if this pedigree weren’t enough, Martin Scorsese executive produces and directed the first episode.

THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Unless you’re a devout BBC addict, chances are you’ve never even heard of this expansive anthology of British humor filmed between 1982 and 2000. But fans of Britcoms such The Young Ones and Absolutely Fabulous will want to take note, as the set features comedy legends such as Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Robbie Coltrane. Though not quite “complete”– their 2005 and 2011 specials are missing– the set includes 9 DVDs spanning 18 years from some of the UK’s best. Extras include a retrospective, documentary specials and more. the U.K. but now lives in a London fog in an apartment she shares with her late husband, Denis (Jim Broadbent). From here there are flashbacks to highlights of Thatcher’s personal life and career, following a checklist rather than any sort of dramatic arc. At the time of their marriage in 1951, shortly after losing her first run for Parliament, Margaret is played by Alexandra Roach, a perfect match for Streep, while Harry Lloyd (Denis) looks more likely to age into Gary Oldman than Broadbent. Elected to Parliament in 1959, she goes through a makeover intended to remind Academy voters of The King’s Speech, serves as prime minister from 1979 to 1990, and so on. The film tries so hard to be objective about one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century that it has upset people at both ends of the political spectrum. *** –Steve Warren

JOYFUL NOISE (PG-13)

 This musical film follows a small-town church choir that wants to win a national gospel competition. When the director dies, the choir is given a choice: continue performing the same old way, or try a more contemporary kind of gospel.

Queen Latifah plays Vi Rose, the assistant director who’s passed over for the directorship. She’s a single mom raising two kids– son Walter, who suffers from Asperger Syndrome, and daughter Olivia, a beautiful, talented teen ready to escape from her protective mom. GG Sparrow (Dolly Parton) is the director’s widow, who pushes to update the choir’s repertoire. Lastly comes Randy, GG’s grandson, an incredible talent and relentless suitor of the rebellious Olivia. The story is simple, but the relationships between the characters make the movie, particularly the one between Vi Rose and Olivia. The soundtrack is rousing, if a bit cheesy, and occasionally touching. Though not a “church film”– there is some choice language– it conveys multiple messages and a moral. Part Glee, part drama, part sitcom, the film does a better job of storytelling than I had expected.

–Justin Patterson PG 14 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION COLLECTOR’S SERIES The 1962 film version of Harper Lee’s classic novel has withstood the test of time as one of Hollywood’s finest literary adaptations. Now Universal is releasing it on Blu-Ray in honor of its 50th anniversary, adding a book and digital copy to sweeten the deal. Gregory Peck’s performance as Atticus Finch remains as definitive as ever, Robert Duvall shines as Boo Radley, and Elmer Bernstein’s score in unforgettable. If you’ve never seen them before, the extras are revelatory, including interviews with producer Alan J. Pakula as well as the now grown-up kids who played Scout and Jim.

PORTLANDIA: SEASON ONE

Two things become clear within the first few minutes of this indie hip sketch show: Fred Armisen is far more funny than his gig on Saturday Night Live allows him to be and Carrie Brownstein, his partner on Portlandia (better known as singer/ guitarist for Sleater-Kinne), is even funnier.

From sketches about nitpicky diners requiring the pedigree of the local-raised chicken they are about to eat to a laugh-out-loud skit featuring Aimee Mann reduced to being a maid for fans of hers, there is not a single bad episode in the entire first season.

Swamp People: Season Two- The second season of this History Channel reality show follows the lives of several Cajun families who hunt gators in the Louisiana swamps, and pretty much prove just how wussy the rest of us are. One scene in particular, where a son has his mom remove bullet shrapnel from under his eye and arm using nothing more than a sewing needle, is enough to make you shut up about how “stressed out” you are about your own job. The show does a commendable job of showing the lifestyles of these folks on the bayou without any hint of exploitation.

MAN ON A LEDGE (PG-13)

 It’s one thing to release a blockbuster film in the middle of Oscar season, but it’s a complete blow to the genre to deliver a mediocre copycat storyline.

Judging this one by its movie poster, you’re immediately interested in its star-studded cast of Elizabeth Banks, Sam Worthington, Ed Harris and Ed Burns. But when you pay close attention to the trailer, you’ll understand why people are calling it, “Phone Booth on a Ledge.” You’re beaten over the head with predictable lines, forced humor and such a severe clash of good-cop-bad-cop/ guilty-or-innocent morality that you end up not really caring if he jumps or not. And would the people of NYC really cheer for someone to end his life? I’ll never say a bad word about Banks or Burns, but I can’t help but wonder what they’re doing in this script. There is a solid twist to the storyline, and, without offering too much of a spoiler, I can say it wasn’t 100% predictable. For the last 30 minutes, I was genuinely interested, with a thudding heartbeat and edge-of-my-seat suspense. Unfortunately, the movie had gone on for an hour at that point, so I can’t be sure how much of that anxiety was just anticipation for it to end...

–Jenni Williams

ONE FOR THE MONEY (PG-13)

 Why is Katherine Heigl a movie star? An adequate actress who was fine on Grey’s Anatomy, she hasn’t made a decent movie since her breakthrough in Knocked Up. One for the Money, a genderreversed virtual remake of last year’s The Bounty Hunter, is as generic as its title. It’s based on the first of Janet Evanovich’s 18-and-counting Stephanie Plum novels. Stephanie is an older (but hardly more mature) Nancy Drew who lives in Trenton among people with exaggerated Jersey Shore accents (Heigl’s comes and goes). Divorced and unemployed, Stephanie takes a job as a bounty hunter/skip tracer/recovery agent for her bail bondsman cousin. Her first target is Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mara), a cop who was arrested for killing a drug dealer while off duty and jumped bail to prove his innocence. That’s ridiculous on

so many levels, but just an excuse for a lot of killing and sexual tension. Although she once hit him with a car and broke his leg, Stephanie is seeking further revenge because Joe took her virginity in high school and never called again. There’s also potential romance with bounty hunter Ranger (Daniel Sunjata), who trains Stephanie for the job, but that goes nowhere. One For The Money was done as a TV movie a decade ago. This version wouldn’t even pass muster in that medium.

–Steve Warren

RED TAILS (PG-13)

 Box Office Mojo says the budget for this historic tale was just south of $60 million, making it the costliest film with a mostly black cast since, umm, we can remember. But before we go some diatribe about the lack of African American-starred action pictures, let’s focus on this one spotlighting the courageous, largely overlooked efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. From the onset, you see what co-producer George Lucas and director Anthony Hemingway’s intentions are—show “Easy” (Nate Parker), “Joker” (Elijah Kelley), “Junior” (Tristan Wilds) and the other fighters as heroes fighting Nazis in 1944 Italy, not soldiers warring against racism. Sure, there are obvious injustices from the government, scuffles amongst white American officers and even one powerful N-word instance, but this movie’s mission isn’t to make social statements.

The film’s not particularly concerned about a moving dialogue either. Phrasing is cookie cutter.

Soldiers come off too cool for the turbulent times.

Thankfully, when the pilots take to the air, battles are fluid, sharp scenes Call of Duty wishes it had. We just wish we could say that more about instances on the ground. Overall, we’re just not sure Red Tails gives Hollywood enough of a battle plan for making good African American-fueled action movies in the future.

–DeMarco Williams

A SEPARATION (PG-13)

 Easily my favorite foreign film of the past year, A Separation is a masterpiece of familial drama from Iranian auteur Asghar Farhadi. At the outset, Simin is filing for divorce from her husband, Nader, because he refuses to leave Iran with her and their teenage daughter, Termeh. But the story is really about the turmoil of Nader and Termeh’s lives in her absence, which centers around taking care of his Alzheimer-afflicted father. When Simin goes back to live with her parents, Nader hires a family acquaintance to help care for the elderly man while he’s at work. But from that point on things spiral out of control, as the father’s health takes a turn for the worse, the caretaker mistreats him due to a secret she’s been hiding, and her husband proves to be an out-of-control ticking time bomb. Farhadi wisely lets the dynamic story unfold naturally and the actors never overplay their roles, lending the film an oddly appealing voyeuristic quality. It’s like watching a tragic train wreck unfold in slow motion, where the only question isn’t whether or not it will crash, but how much devastating damage will ultimately be done.

It’s too bad the film is in subtitles Farsi, because it deserves a much broader audience than it will inevitably attract.

–B. Love

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (R)

 John le Carre wrote some of the best spy novels of the 20th century, but it’s time to come in from the Cold War. TTSS became an acclaimed miniseries in 1979, starring Sir Alec Guinness. Gary Oldman channels him in this bigscreen version, and while it may get Oldman his first Oscar nomination, it’s no match for his work in Sid and Nancy or a number of other films. Unlike Mission: Impossible, which has kept up with the times and combines crowdpleasing action with serviceable plots, TTSS is stubbornly cerebral yet tells its story confusingly – four characters who turn out to be important are given no distinguishing characteristics and flashes of flashbacks are more disorienting than enlightening. As le Carre’s frequent protagonist George Smiley, Oldman is forced into retirement from MI6 with his boss (John Hurt) when a 1973 mission in Hungary goes awry, but is secretly brought back (Ghost Protocol?) a year later to try to determine the identity of a mole in the upper echelon. Though impeccably filmed and acted,

this story of British Intelligence is a challenge for those of ordinary American intelligence, and Smiley’s game of whack-a-mole isn’t worth the effort it takes to follow it.

–Steve Warren

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (PG-13)

 A lot of people have been eagerly awaiting this film, wanting to see Daniel Radcliffe in his first post-Potter role. He plays Arthur Kipps, an attorney struggling to keep his position and take care of his son in the wake of his wife’s death. He’s sent to Eel Marsh House, a faded manor on the English coast, to sort through the papers of a woman whose family is deceased and whose will cannot be located. The townspeople look at him with suspicion and fear, but he doesn’t know why. When he finds himself stuck at the house overnight, he begins to fear for the town, his son and his life. This film is an old-fashioned “things that go bump in the night” kind of horror film, telling a disturbing story in an unsettling location and using tried-and-true tricks to play the audience like a violin. Radcliffe does quite well with what he’s given: The part was not written with a lot of depth, but he does a great job of conveying the desperation and protectiveness that define the character. Though sometimes predictable, this is a very entertaining film for those who want to raise their heart rates.

–Justin Patterson

YOUNG ADULT (R)

 Charlize Theron is so much better than Diablo Cody’s screenplay deserves, I kept thinking as I watched how terrible Young Adult would have been if they’d cast, say, Jennifer Aniston or Katherine Heigl in it. Theron plays Mavis, a ghost writer of young adult novels who’s on an emotional par with her readers. She returns to her Minnesota hometown with the goal of reclaiming her old boyfriend, Buddy (Patrick Wilson), even though he has a wife (Elizabeth Reaser) and new baby. For some reason Matt (Patton Oswalt), who was invisible to Mavis in high school, becomes her best friend and confidant. He remains crippled from an attack 20 years before by some guys who thought he was gay (he wasn’t), so Mavis remembers him as “The Hate Crime Guy.” Most actresses would try to make you feel some sympathy for Mavis but Theron is happy to let you agree with the person who calls her a “psychotic prom queen bitch.” She’s clearly delusional for thinking she can walk back into Buddy’s life and walk out with him, but you believe her, even if you don’t want her to succeed. The character she most resembles is Billy Bob Thornton’s Bad Santa, but this movie isn’t as good.

–Steve Warren

YOUNG GOETHE IN LOVE (N/R)

 Lovers of European period romances should enjoy this mash-up of Austen, Rostand, Wedekind and of course Johann Goethe. It’s hard to reconcile the sensitive writer with the buffoonish 23-yearold (Alexander Fehling) we’re introduced to as he totally blows his oral exam for a doctorate. His backup plan to sell an original play fares no better and his stern father, telling him the free ride is over, arranges an internship for Johann as a law clerk in a provincial town. There we discover that people “met cute” even in 1772, as Lotte Buff (Miriam Stein) bumps into Johann at a fair. As the oldest child of a large, poor family (her home life resembles Fiona Gallagher’s in Shameless, but with more kids), Lotte’s expected to marry well to save their house. Her father introduces her to her arranged fiancé (Moritz Bleibtreu) just as she’s falling in love with Johann, their “spring awakening” taking place in the summer. Like Cyrano, Johann puts words in the mouth of his rival to woo Lotte. He also befriends co-worker Wilhelm Jerusalem (Volker Bruch), who also falls in love; but what seems like a silly, second-banana romance ends more tragically. Since Goethe is a born writer, he’s able to weave all the heartbreak into a novel, “The Sorrows of Young Werther”; and the rest is history. Director Philipp Stölzl fails to maintain a consistent tone but the film is probably as true to the details of Goethe’s life as his semi-autobiographical novel was. *** –Steve Warren

MUSIC

BERNADETTE PETERS IS A STAR

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

N INTERNATIONALLYacclaimed veteran of Broadway, film, television and recordings, renaissance woman Bernadette Peters has recently added author and songwriter to her considerable list of talents. Famous for perfectly crafted period pieces and characters, the timeless Peters is a pop culture mainstay. Her enduring collaborations with directors (Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Otto Preminger), actors (Clint Eastwood, Mia Farrow, Mickey Rooney) and comics (Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman, Carol Burnett) have sealed her stardom. She has appeared on some of TV’s finest programs (All In The Family, Maude, Carol Burnett, SNL and many variety shows) and is the premiere interpreter of Steven Sondheim’s delicate, multi-layered characters and songs.

The dedicated human and animal rights activist has just finished a successful run in a revival in Sondheim‘s Follies. Even though the production deals with the problems of aging, she physically seems to defy the calendar. Stunningly gorgeous at 63, her incandescent beauty, wild mane of hair, luscious lips and porcelain skin are reminiscent of past screen idols, yet she remains very much a part of today’s show business -- and she has countless awards, honors and nominations to prove it. She has a star on Hollywood’s legendary Walk Of Fame and there’s even a Christmas ornament in her likeness for sale on Broadway.

Like the title of her most recent film -- for Bernadette Peters, everything is indeed Coming Up Roses. On a recent afternoon, she laughed frequently as she spoke in her unmistakable, delightfully honest, New York-tinged accent. The gregarious entertainer talked at length from her home in New York with Lee Valentine Smith, as she planned a concert tour that brings her to Atlanta on Feb 18 for ASO’s Gala at Symphony Hall.

It’s a whole different mindset being on tour than appearing in a long run of a successful play.

Yes! Well, you’re playing a role so you’re totally immersed in playing that one character. When I do my own show, there’s no ‘fourth wall,’ it’s wonderful. As you said, it’s a whole different mindset.

I get to choose what I sing and it’s me up there.

As I do each number, I might fall into a character, but it’s just really the audience and myself in a big auditorium, having a lovely time.

How do you pick the songs for your show? You have so much to choose from.

Well, I’ll do one or two maybe from Follies. I do songs I’ve sung in shows. I do songs that I didn’t sing in the shows, but I was in the show.

I do a lot of Sondheim, But I also do Rodgers and Hammerstein. So I’ll do “Some Enchanted Evening,” which is a beautiful song. And then I’ll do, you know, Peggy Lee’s “Fever,” and I’ll sing it on the piano.

You go so far back with Steven Sondheim, it’s like a Burt Bacharach / Dionne Warwick kind of thing with you two now, right?

It’s so funny you mentioned him; Burt Bacharach just came to the show! He’s all excited because he’s just written a new show. He’s in his eighties, too and he looks great. It’s so exciting to still be creative and writing something new.

But I love Steve and I have been very fortunate to have been in so many of his productions. Original productions and revivals of terrific shows that should be seen again. He writes in such a beautiful way, and he tells quite a story, always. So I never get tired of singing his songs. They just open up in my head and I love telling the audience the thoughts.

What’s your working relationship like with him at this point? By now, can you say, “I’m going to change this, I’ll do this my way…”

BP: He’s open to things. You could do it and he’ll listen to it and if he likes it, he’ll agree with you.

If he has a different point of view, you’ll know.

It’s amazing to hear the writer talk about why he wrote something. You listen. It’s like asking William Shakespeare, “What did you mean by that?”

IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVITY. I THINK IT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO FIND WHO THEY ARE AND IF THEY WANT TO DO THIS, IF THEY HAVE THIS LOVE. IT’S VERY, VERY SPECIAL.

The Symphony Gala you’re playing here in Atlanta benefits their education and community programs.

Oh, it’s so important to have a place for young people to be able to explore their creativity. I think it’s a really important thing for them to be able to find who they are and if they want to do this, if they have this love. It’s very, very special.

I’m interested in children, animals, the arts, anything that can help young people - or anyone who needs help.

Animal rights is especially dear to you.

It’s a voice for the voiceless. I think that animals, especially dogs and cats, are called companion animals for a reason. It’s time we realize they’re only here for us and realize they are all about love.

Now you’re in the 14th year of your Broadway Barks event. Can you tell us a bit about it?

It’s the first time in New York, all the rescue agencies were brought together.

It takes place in Shubert Alley in the summertime.

Between shows, on a Saturday afternoon. The Broadway celebrities come from their shows and meet their animals, take them on stage and talk about them. We have a very good adoption turnout. Fourteen years ago, I was in “Annie Get Your Gun” and we had raised the most money for Broadway Cares and we thought, “Well, now what can we do? How about animals?” And I said, “My friend Mary Tyler Moore loves animals, too.” So we started this together. Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS produce it for us.

Your first book, Broadway Barks, was written to benefit the cause.

All the money goes to helping shelter animals.

My editor said to me, “We need a song for the back of the book.” I said, “Who’s gonna write it?”

I’m not a songwriter. I’d never written a song in my life. So I’m on a plane thinking, “I need a lullaby, what could it be?” And this song comes to me, music and lyrics at the same time! It’s a sweet lullaby that, I might do at the end of the show, if provoked. I wrote the first book about my dog Kramer. And the second [“Stella Is A Star”] is about my other dog Stella. Then I wrote another song for it! But those are the only two songs I’ve ever written.

So do you have to write ten more books to get enough material for an album? You’re great with interpretations, but I’d love to hear a full album of your own songs.

Ahaha, I’m not thinking that far ahead! I don’t think of myself, ever, as a songwriter.

A lot of people are crazy about the new silent movie “The Artist,” but you’re in my favorite silent movie.

Ah, that’s right, that’s right! I’d forgotten I was in the movie called “Silent Movie!” You’re right!

And it’s so funny, you know, at the end, Marcel Marceau had the only line! I love “The Artist,” though. I think it’s a terrific movie. It was done so well. With the black and white and really paying

PHOTO BY TIMOTHY WHITE

homage to the silent movies.

What was it like working with Mel Brooks for “Silent Movie”? He also loves the history of cinema and often tributes the various

genres.

It was so much fun. He’s a riot because when he got angry, he wouldn’t stay angry long because he’d start laughing at himself for being angry.

He’s terrific. And with Dom DeLuise and Marty Feldman. Such a great cast!

How does Mel Brooks’ method of filmmaking differ from, say, Woody Allen? Two very different artists.

Woody encourages you to adlib. He’s just, you know, “I wrote those lines but they’re not great lines, say what you want to say.” And you get something very real on the screen.

Didn’t you work with [notoriously imposing film and stage director] Otto Preminger early in your career?

I did! When I was nine years old, my first play.

He scared me half to death.

I bet. What did he do?

He just was Otto Preminger! Well, I replaced somebody and when I came in, he was giving this little boy before me, in rehearsal, a very hard time. So that’s why he scared me half to death.

When I came to do my little scene, he was very sweet to me but then he said ok, go out and come in and do it again. They sent me out and I got so scared I started to cry!

When I think of you, I immediately think of those great variety shows you were on in the seventies: Carol Burnett, Sonny and Cher. There aren’t shows like that around anymore.

No, I guess the closest now is “Glee.” But it’s still not what you’d call a variety show. Now I did a new show called “Smash.” It starts February 4th. It’s a musical show. It’s like a “Glee” for adults, putting together a musical about Marilyn Monroe and what goes on. There is an original score for the show that they write during the process. Then there are already established songs

the characters sing. I play Megan Hilty’s mother, and she plays Marilyn. It’s very interesting, but I think that’s the closest we’ve gotten to those variety shows.

In a way, social media is the new variety show.

I guess so but I don’t do Facebook, I don’t do Twitter. I don’t quite understand Twitter. I mean, are you supposed to be saying, “I just walked by Barney’s window, it was really cool” or “I just saw so and so having coffee”? Why?! The only time I thought I had a good one for Twitter, was when I was walking by the Museum of Natural History which is near me up here. A man was walking an African land turtle. I would have said “Hey, come on over to 77th Street to see an African land turtle grazing on the lawn!” They’re huge, you know. And to see a turtle in the middle of New York City, that’s something! That would be a worthwhile Tweet.

What’s next, after this tour? It takes up two or three months, right?

Yes, and its so funny, my agent goes “Let’s look for…,” I said, “No, let me rest.” Even though I’m not really resting on tour, it’s enjoyable. I don’t really want to put my mind on getting back to eight shows a week yet. It’s big, it’s wonderful, but its all encompassing. It’s nice to just do shows now, then maybe be a bit social, enjoy life, go to the movies. Things like regular people do. It’ll be nice to be able to do that for a while.

You know what, if you get a Twitter account, you can tell people about all the normal things you’re doing.

Haha, really, I think I’m too private for that. But if I had something I thought was worthwhile for people to run over to look at, like that turtle…

SHOW INFO:

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GALA WITH BERNADETTE PETERS • Woodruff Arts Center, Symphony Hall • Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

• Tickets start at $35.

For information: Call Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 404-733-5000 (Proceeds from the 2011 Symphony Gala benefit the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its Education and Community Engagement Programs, which include the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and Talent Development Program.) insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 15

CONCERT C LENDER FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3 529 Today the Moon, Tomorrow The Sun BLIND WILLIE’S Francine Reed EARL Theophilus London EDDIE’S ATTIC Darden Smith FAT MATT’S Beverly Watkins MASQUERADE Rickolus PEACHTREE TAVERN Michelle Malone SMITH’S Back In Black STAR BAR Hollyfest IV VARIETY Ani DiFranco VINYL Sheryl Boyd WILD BILL’S Moby Dick SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4 529 Weird Wives BLIND WILLIE’S Nick Moss EARL Big Freedia EDDIE’S ATTIC Mike Doughty FAT MATT’S Todd Prusin MASQUERADE On My Honor PEACHTREE TAVERN Bear Left SMITH’S David Ball STAR BAR Attention System VINYL Lullwater WILD BILL’S Yelawolf SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5 EARL Christ, Lord EDDIE’S ATTIC Seryn FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE 12th Planet VINYL School of Rock MONDAY FEBRUARY 6 529 Bukkake Boys BLIND WILLIE’S Barrelhouse Bob Page EARL Catch 23 EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE Wayne Static PEACHTREE TAVERN Tim Tyler TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7 529 Dirty Hotel Sunshine BLIND WILLIE’S Boo Hoo Ramblers FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars SMITH’S Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes VINYL Augustana WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 529 Old King Cole Younger BLIND WILLIE’S Scott Glazer’s Mojo Dojo EARL Bleached EDDIE’S ATTIC ATL Collective FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission MASQUERADE A Lot Like Birds SMITH’S Atlanta Funk Society STAR BAR Hot Rod Walt Trio THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9 529 YU Dillion BLIND WILLIE’S Sandra Hall EARL The Jealous Sound EDDIE’S ATTIC Sweet AlizAbeth FAT MATT’S Chickenshack THE LOFT Jordan Knight MASQUERADE Machine Head PEACHTREE TAVERN Wade Bowen SMITH’S Ben Deignan STAR BAR Astounding Science Fiction TABERNACLE Steve Aoki & Datsik VINYL Colour Revolt FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10 529 Natural Child BLIND WILLIE’S Eddie Shaw CENTER STAGE The Polyphonic Spree EARL Soulphonics & Ruby Velle EDDIE’S ATTIC Matthew Kahler & Eliot Bronson FAT MATT’S John Sosebee THE LOFT Fountains of Wayne PG 16 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

MASQUERADE Allstar Weekend PEACHTREE TAVERN Funk You SMITH’S Samantha Crain STAR BAR Stokeswood VARIETY They Might Be Giants VINYL The Explorers Club, Sealions WILD BILL’S Tyler Reeve SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11 529 Cusses, Cloudeater BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson CENTER STAGE Passion & Poetry 2012 EARL The Whiskey Gentry EDDIE’S ATTIC The Freddy Jones Band FAT MATT’S The Blue Monkeys MASQUERADE The Silver Comet STAR BAR Street Violence TABERNACLE Yonder Mountain String Band VINYL Graham Knox WILD BILL’S Back In Black SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12 BLIND WILLIE’S Fundraiser for Carlos EARL Front Porch Session Players EDDIE’S ATTIC Sandra McCracken FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE Atlanta Battle of the Bands SMITH’S Mingo Fishtrap TABERNACLE Willie Nelson MONDAY FEBRUARY 13 529 Valentine’s Day Goth Danse Party BLIND WILLIE’S Bill Sheffield EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE Kopecky Family Band PEACHTREE TAVERN Tim Tyler TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14 529 Royal Baths BLIND WILLIE’S Tanglewood Tonic CENTER STAGE Comedian K-Dubb EARL Adam Arcuragi EDDIE’S ATTIC Drew & Ellie Holcomb FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars MASQUERADE That’s Outrageous VARIETY Javier Colon WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15 529 Scott Kelly BLIND WILLIE’S The John Sosebee Band EARL This Will Destroy You FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission THE LOFT Emilie Autumn PEACHTREE TAVERN Stevie Monce STAR BAR Pine Hill Haints THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16 529 Hunger III BLIND WILLIE’S Heather Luttrell EARL The Togas FAT MATT’S Chickenshack THE LOFT Idle Warship MASQUERADE Mona SMITH’S Migrant Worker STAR BAR Mood Rings VINYL The Stand & Deliver Records FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17 529 Isness BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson EARL Cloud Nothings EDDIE’S ATTIC JoyScout FAT MATT’S Burning Time THE LOFT We Are Crux MASQUERADE Back In Black PEACHTREE TAVERN Florida Georgia Line SMITH’S Mishka STAR BAR Smithsonian VARIETY James McMurtry VINYL Plain Jane Automobile

TABERNACLE presents Yonder Mountain String Band (Feb. 11)

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18 529 Akil BLIND WILLIE’S Sandra Hall EARL Van Dyke Parks EDDIE’S ATTIC David Wilcox FAT MATT’S Kerry Hill MASQUERADE Soylent Red PEACHTREE TAVERN The New Sneakers SMITH’S Blue Dogs STAR BAR I Want Whiskey TABERNACLE O.A.R. VINYL The Quaildogs WILD BILL’S Almost Kings SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19 529 Man Forever BLIND WILLIE’S Atlanta Blues Society EDDIE’S ATTIC David Wilcox FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE Attack Attack!

SMITH’S Kinky Friendman VINYL Local Talent Showcase MONDAY FEBRUARY 20 BLIND WILLIE’S Midnight Revival CENTER STAGE Estelle EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast PEACHTREE TAVERN Tim Tyler TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21 529 Soft Opening BLIND WILLIE’S The Holidays EDDIE’S ATTIC Rose Cousins FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars MASQUERADE Tyga WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22 529 R. Ring BLIND WILLIE’S The Electromatics CENTER STAGE Tesla EARL Mike Cooley EDDIE’S ATTIC Malcolm Holcombe FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission MASQUERADE Cassadee Pope PEACHTREE TAVERN Miss Used SMITH’S Atlanta Funk Society VARIETY Yellow Dubmarine THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23 529 Young Antiques BLIND WILLIE’S Beverly Watkins CENTER STAGE Cody Simpson EARL Mike Cooley FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE Badfish PEACHTREE TAVERN Simplified SMITH’S The New Orleans Bingo Show STAR BAR Dog Bite VARIETY Portlandia The Tour FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24 529 Methuzulah BLIND WILLIE’S Houserocker Johnson

EDDIE’S ATTIC Sugar & The Hi Lows FAT MATT’S J.T. Speed THE LOFT Birth of the Originals Tour MASQUERADE Vancouver PEACHTREE TAVERN Devon Allman’s Honeytribe SMITH’S Please Please Rock Me STAR BAR Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys VARIETY Steep Canyon Rangers VINYL Bronze Radio Return WILD BILL’S Ronnie Dunn SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25 529 Bass Drum of Death BLIND WILLIE’S Chick Willis CENTER STAGE Dwele EARL Cute Boots EDDIE’S ATTIC Michelle Malone FAT MATT’S Big C & The Ringers THE LOFT Andy Grammer MASQUERADE Saul Williams PEACHTREE TAVERN Greedy White Citizens SMITH’S Uncle Green TABERNACLE NEEDTOBREATHE WILD BILL’S Fat Blues Day SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26 BLIND WILLIE’S Leukemia Society Chili Cook-Off EDDIE’S ATTIC Francine Reed FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE Cody Canada SMITH’S William Fitzsimmons MONDAY FEBRUARY 27 529 Stallone BLIND WILLIE’S Atlanta Boogie EARL The Lemonheads EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic FAT MATT’S Dry White Toast MASQUERADE Agent Orange SMITH’S Red Wanting Blue TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28 BLIND WILLIE’S Electro Duo EARL Better Than Something EDDIE’S ATTIC Darkland Country Tuesdays FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars MASQUERADE Deicide WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 29 529 The Left Field BLIND WILLIE’S Burnt Bacon EARL Shearwater EDDIE’S ATTIC Heather Luttrell FAT MATT’S Frankie’s Blues Mission STAR BAR 5 From The Heart TABERNACLE NEEDTOBREATHE THURSDAY MARCH 1 BLIND WILLIE’S Sweet Betty CENTER STAGE David Allan Coe EARL Dexter Romweber Duo FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE DRI

TV

THE LAST ACTION HERO

3rd ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE LANIERWORLD – SUNSET COVE ON PLUNGE DAY:

From Full Metal Jacket and Firefly to Chuck, Adam Baldwain Hits Hard For The Money

BY JUSTIN PATTERSON

A

DAM BALDWIN PLAYS HARD-HITting Major John Casey in the hit television series Chuck, which just had its series finale on January 27th. With a career spanning three decades, he has worked with iconic directors Robert Redford and Stanley Kubrick. He is best known for his performances in cult favorites Angel, The X-Files and Firefly. In anticipation of Chuck’s series finale, we were privileged to be able to speak with Mr. Baldwin regarding the show, his other projects, and the intrinsic value of growling.

What can we look forward to in the Chuck series inale?

There’s some resolution with Casey’s relationships, which I found very heartwarming and dangerous at the same time. That’s the thing about Casey. The biggest challenge for the writers was to keep him dangerous while at the same time being lovable. I think they walked that fine line. I kept asking, “How do I play this guy down the line yet still maintaining within the realm of this romantic comedy?” It was nice to get the personal aspects of his life really highlighted in the last couple of seasons.

What do you take away from this series?

A five-year run on any show these days is a true blessing. To have been able to go through it with people who are nice and creative and funny and hardworking and just lovable. I feel blessed and honored to have been a part of it.

You’ve played some iconic roles. Do fans ask you more about Chuck or Firefly?

It depends on if I’m holding my sniper rifle or not. It’s a mixture of both. I think that they’re stand-alones and, you know, Firefly is what it is.

It didn’t last nearly as long, so there’s a great testament to… I can say this because this is a chuckle… I mean, clearly (Chris) Fedak is a superior writer to Joss Whedon (note: Chuck writer Fedak is laughing in the background as he says this).

Do you have plans for anything coming up?

We’re working on that. When you’re on a show for five years and then it ends, you got to find another job so we’re in the process of looking and finding. It’s the beginning of pilot season. Hopefully we’ll land one of those. If not, there’s other things but it’s right now in the period we like to call being at liberty... There are a lot of possibilities, but nothing in stone yet. Or I’ll never work again.

What does it take to play a character who is so tough, but can make you laugh just by growling?

I learned a while ago to play the positive and with a grunt you can get away with a lot of different nuances. And again, the objective is to be - to win, then you can win no matter what you’re saying. It’s funny to see it written on the page to Casey growls or grunts or it’s just inserted in there.

I like it when you actually write it down to make it director proof like “he growls with animosity” or “grunts.”

How was it on set, knowing that the series was coming to a close?

There were a lot of tears, a lot of emotion. I didn’t cry, but I watched a lot of the younger people cry, being the cold-hearted bastard that I am. It was uplifting and bittersweet and yet it was a sense of accomplishment because we had persevered and been lucky enough and had the good graces of the network and the sponsors to keep us going. The sense on the set day in and day out was just that: We made it five years when we didn’t even think we were going to make it past the first season. So while there were a lot of tears, they were tears of accomplishment and of a job well done.

11 a.m. Registration & Activities Open 1 p.m. ALL Plungers must be registered 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Costume Contest on Beach 1:30 p.m. Plunge Program, Safety Briefing, & Awards 2 p.m. PLUNGE TME!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18TH

Prizes Awarded – Best Costume, Highest Fundraiser, Highest Fundraising Team, and more!

Visit www.SpecialOlympicsGA.org for more information!

When Major Casey became a much more emotional family guy, do you think that hurt him as an agent?

I think there’s only so far you can go with a cold-hearted killer. How do you keep a guy like that interesting within the confines of a comedy?

The character could have easily been killed off at any moment if he stayed in that realm I think.

All characters are expendable in a show except for Chuck in a show called Chuck so... I’m glad that they were able to find other ways for me to express myself.

What will you miss most when the show wraps?

Being waved through at the guard gate. No, what we’re going to miss are the faces and the names of the crew and the unsung heroes, I think. You know, the cast members they get some of the glory while being on TV, but we have relationships with the crew who don’t get on camera.

They’re really loving, wonderful people. That’s what we’re going to miss the most I think is that family.

Is Casey a character that you’re going to miss?

I think it’s fair to say that while I will miss Casey, he was a fully developed character that got five whole seasons and 91 episodes to arc through. I go back to the sense of accomplishment with him. I would say that while I will miss it, I won’t miss it as much as other characters that have been short circuited.

Why do you think the fans have been so loyal to the show?

My manager said to me at the very beginning, when we were worried about being picked up, “The show’s called Chuck: If they fall in love with the guy who’s playing Chuck, you’ll continue. If they don’t, you won’t.” And they did. So that’s one of the main reasons why-- because Zach Levi is such a great guy. He was able to capture that audience and make them fall in love with him hard enough to stick around.

How have you grown as an actor in your time with the show?

I’ve streamlined the ability to be cranky and funny at the same time. I have a short-hand that can get me there more quickly. My patience has also increased which I’m constantly striving for.

It’s just that the patience that I have had has been able to manifest itself in the confines of what this was which was a marathon. I always think of series television as a marathon. This was a five-year marathon whereas my experience previous to this has been less than one season or only one full season. I was able to accomplish that as well, so what can I say?

Fri, Feb 3

Sat, Feb 4

Thu, Feb 9

HANNAH THOMAS

Bear Left

Birthday Bash

w/ The Suex Effect

WADEBOWEN

Fri, Feb 10

Fri, Feb 17

w/ MICHELLE MALONE

FUNK YOU

w/ Rooftop Society + Sumilan

(Texas Country)

Jared Wade (Early Show 9pm)

Thu, Feb 23

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE w/Simplified Graham’s Number + THE CADILLAC BLACK

• MONDAYS INDUSTRY NIGHT W/ TIM TYLER (PIANO ROCK) • TUESDAYS LADIES NIGHT (NO COVER) • WELFARE WEDNESDAYS - LIVE MUSIC DRAFT SPECIALS BEST COUNTRY CLUB 3179 PEACHTREE RD. 404-842-1700 • WWW.PEACHTREETAVERN.COM insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 17

Valentine’s Day CELEBRATIONS!

Ballet ATTRACTION Atlanta The Princess and the Goblin High Museum of Art 1280 Peachtree Street (404) 733-5000 www.high.org Tuesday, Feb. 14 6:00pm - 10:00pm

people of all ages access to sights and knowledge normally reserved only for medical professionals. Dialog in the Dark offer exhibitions in total darkness. Blind guides lead visiCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre tors through a completely dark environment 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway where one learns to interact by relying on (770) 916-2800 other senses. Dialog in the Dark is a platform for communication and a close exchange, prowww.atlantaballet.com voking a change in perspectives.

February 10 - 19 Tickets start at $20

Medieval Times

Tickets are $25 per person, $40 per couple.

Member cost: $10 person, $20 couple

Grand Hyatt Buckhead

5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville 1-888-WE-JOUST www.medievaltimes.com February 10 - 14 $99 per couple

Enjoy Valentine's Day at the High with an artfully romantic night at the Museum! Visit Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters, sip champagne, sample tasty treats, enjoy romantic music, swing dancing, romantic sketches, couples photos booth and more.

This season, its history in the making as Atlanta Ballet embarks on one of the most monumental collaborations of its 82-year history - a world premiere story ballet by choreographer Twyla Tharp. Experience Tharp's original full-evening ballet co-produced by Atlanta Ballet and Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet. A story of a courageous young girl who confronts the trials of coming-of-age, this family-friendly ballet will involve students from the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Avenue Q 1345 Piedmont Ave. (404) 876-5859 www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org Saturday, Feb. 11 7:00pm - 11:00pm Saturday, February 11, 7:00pm - 11:00pm

Horizon Theatre Company

1083 Austin Avenue (404) 584.7450 www.horizontheatre.com Tuesday, February 14 at 8PM

Find love in the castle this Valentine's Day as Medieval Times offers a special couples package that no gothic romantic will be able to resist. Package includes 2 admissions to dinner and live tournament, souvenir champagne flutes filled with champagne, tickets to castle dungeon, cheering flags, photo, feather rose and Valentine's scroll.

GETAWAY W Atlanta Hotels W Atlanta - Midtown

188 14th Street (404) 892-6000 www.watlantamidtown.com/vday Valid for stays February 10 - 19

$30 per person (Members $25)

Celebrate Valentine’s in the Garden with an elegant evening of cocktails, dancing, scrumptious desserts and live entertainment at the most romantic spot in Atlanta. Dance to the big band and take a romantic stroll through the tropical conservatories. Sample heartmelting treats and sip refreshments from cash bars. Activities include an exciting casino party, photo booth, parfum making and more.

End the night on a sweet note with a complimentary long-stem rose. Valentine's in the Garden is also the only nighttime opportunity to experience Orchid Daze: Hanging Gardens, featuring thousands of hanging orchids cascading with lush, fragrant beauty.

Smart, hilarious, risqué and full of heart, Avenue Q is Broadway's smash-hit Tonyaward winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The neighbors are nice on Avenue Q, the only address you can afford when you're fresh out of college, out of a job, or just trying to find your way in life. For Valentine’s Day they are offering their “I Ruv You VIP Package” for $100. The package includes: 2 reserved seats, 2 drink vouchers and Special Valentine’s day treats. General admission tickets start at $30.

The Woodfire Grill

www.bodiesatlanta.com www.dialogtickets.com

BODIES the Exhibition in the Dark Georgia Shakespeare’s DIALOG Premier Exhibition Center Atlantic Station 265 18th Street FOOLS FOR LOVE (404) 496-4274 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta www.gashakespeare.org

W Atlanta Midtown is putting a new spin on Valentine's Day with the Romance, Remixed Package.

Th is exclusive experience includes an upgrade to a spectacular room, Valentine's Day dinner at Spice Market ($75 credit); choice of two sexy underthings from Drew & Lewis and/or Hanky Panky and complimentary valet parking. Priced from $279/night, this package is sure to make your Valentine's Day a sizzling success.

W Atlanta - Buckhead

3377 Peachtree Road (678) 500-3100

www.watlantabuckhead.com/valentines Friday - Sunday stays, February 3 - 26 and on Tuesday, February 14

PG 18 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

This Valentine’s Day come explore, experience and celebrate the wonder of the human form and take in an intimate and informative view into the human body. Bodies the Exhibition features actual human specimens and allows

www.callawaygardens.com (800) 225-5292 Valentine Package Feb. 11

You and your sweetheart can stroll through beautiful Gardens during the day, then dine and dance the night away before retiring to our cozy accommodations. Calloway’s romantic Valentine's package includes: a box of chocolates, Dinner at the Callaway Discovery Center, Dancing to the sounds of The Auburn Knights Orchestra, a jazz and swing big band orchestra and the Valentine's Dinner and Dance Breakfast. Call for pricing.

RESTAURANT Agave

242 Boulevard SE (404) 588-0006 www.agaverestaurant.com Th is romantic eatery nestled in Cabbagetown is the perfect place to celebrate with that special someone. To celebrate Valentine's Day this year, Agave has added to their award winning southwestern cuisine some playful menu items meant to be shared. Call for details; reservations recommended.

Sotto Sotto

313 N. Highland Ave. (404)523-6678 www.sottosottorestaurant.com Th is award winning restaurant creates authentic Italian food with complex flavors that are sure to enhance your Valentine's experience. Sotto Sotto offers a romantically lit intimate dining room perfect for the special evening. Their celebrated menu is accompanied by an inspiring all-Italian wine list. Make reservations early as seating is limited.

Mezza Lebanese Bistro

2751 Lavista Rd. (404) 633-8833 www.mezzabistro.com Mezza is a traditional way of dining in which all menu items are served in small portions allowing couples to share from a large variety of dishes. This Zagat rated restaurant serves a variety of over 60 menu items along with a wide assortment of wines and unique desserts. Call for special Valentine menu and to make reservations.

Copeland’s

Monday, February 13, 2012, 7:00pm $150 per person ($90 tax deductible)

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and so is Georgia Shakespeare's 4th Annual FOOLS FOR LOVE Wine Dinner. Grab your Valentine and join Woodfire Grill's Executive Chef (and "Top Chef" finalist), Kevin Gillespie for one of their most popular annual events.

Chef Kevin will pair premium, hand-picked wines with four sumptuous courses. While you dine, Georgia Shakespeare's Associate Artists will romance you with jazz standards and love songs.

Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain, Georgia

W Atlanta - Buckhead invites guests to heat things up with the SPARK Package. The SPARK package includes a Wonderful Room, chilled bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé champagne, rose petal turndown service, complimentary in-room movie, complimentary valet parking and 4 PM late checkout. Priced from $269/night, this package is sure to rekindle your romance.

3131 Cobb Pkwy (770) 612-3311 1142 Barrett Pkwy (770) 919-9612 www.copelandsatlanta.com Copeland’s offers Va l e n t i n e ’s served up cajun style. The home of the New Orleans Jazz Brunch Buffet also offers romantic dinners. Bring your sweetheart to Copeland's and you can take all the credit!

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows

BY SACHA DZUBA 2/03 – ANI DIFRANCO Variety Playhouse The feminist icon, singer- songwriter, is well known for her autobiographical and political lyrics.

She’s a strong woman who isn’t afraid to broadcast her social-political views ranging from poverty and war to gender/sexuality issues. This musical artist is creative and imaginative; she’s been classified as both folk as and alternative rock and has collaborated with a wide range of artists. Her recently released album is ¿Which Side Are You On? which seems to be music for the revolution. Ripe with political fire and protesting misdistribution of wealth and power, it also includes themes and stories taken from her own personal life. Ani always connects directly with her audiences, no matter how large the venue. With her messages more relevant than ever, let Ani charge you with self-empowerment, global perspective, and give you the motivation for change.

2/08 – TOOL The Arena Gwinnett Center The behemoth cult-like following that Tool has garnered over the years awakens from slumber to embrace the return of Tool on tour! Tool is Maynard James Keenan’s primary, and perhaps best loved, musical outlet. Tool blend art and metal, challenging musical texture and rhythmns with darkly crushing guitars and bass and mind expanding visuals. Considered a “thinking man’s metal band”, their heavy progressive metal has had comarisons to Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, influenced heavily by King Crimson. Known audience’s attentions more on performance visuals, rather than the individual performers, this should prove to be a spectacle not to be missed.

2/09 – CELTIC WOMAN The Fox Theatre If you love beautiful voices and celtic music, you will be spoiled by this event at the Fox. Described as “Riverdance for the voice”, Celtic Woman brings together consumate vocalists with unerring harmonies. The ensemble is supported by a spectacular irish fiddler, along with a set of highly talented backing musicians. Celtic Woman features a blended mix of traditional celtic music and reworked modern songs that now reflect a celtic lilt. Their latest offering studio album is Believe, again a mixture of classic and modern music with irish overtones.

This will be an enchanting and alluring evening inspired and influenced by the emerald isle, enjoyable for the whole family.

2/10 – THE POLYPHONIC SPREE Center Stage Two dozen members take to the stage in flowing, snow white robes, this is the experience of The Polyphonic Spree live. Tim DeLaughter, of Tripping Daisy, founded TPS after the death of a bandmate. The other surviving members pulled together with the addition of almost 20 more members to create The Polyphonic Spree. Bringing together sounds of the Beach Boys, Wings, and the Flaming Lips, with a litt bit of Godspell-like attitude; The Polyphonic Spree have a gospel meets symphonic pop music flavor. The group boasts a mulititude of intruments and a ten member choir. Their music has been featured in film, tv, and commecials. Their latest single “What Would You Do?” is an uplifting pop-anthem to pose the hypothetical and always to answer with positivity. Let The Polyphonic Spree lift you higher and higher with their musical collage of voice and sound!

2/10 & 2/11 – THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS Variety Playhouse There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes. Whether you’re a child or a grown up (OR a childish grown up), who doesn’t like TMBG?! You probably know They Might Be Giants even if you think that you don’t. An experimental alternative music group with hits such as “Istanbul (not Constantinople)” and “Birdhouse in your Soul”, also has numerous musical appearances on television shows and film, from Malcom in the Middle to Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. TMBG has firmly seated themselves within the subconscious of music and pop culture lovers. They’re quirky, they’re fun, and they’re cool enough to have albums for kids as well as for “adults”. Their latest album is Join Us, released just last year. Come check out the two Johns and their musical friends for two different performances, 2/10 with Jonathan Coulton, the original geek troubadour and 2/11 when TMBG plays their album Lincoln in its entirety!

2/15 – EMILIE AUTUMN The Loft This violinist, singer-songwriter, poet, musical prodigy’s tastes are widely varied; her double album Laced/Unlaced consists of both classical performances and original music that’s far more electric.

This tour is building anticipation for the release of her latest studio album, Fight Like A Girl. She’s performed with Courtney Love, Dethklok and Otep.

Coining the term “Victoriandustrial,” Autumn blends her love of classical violin with metal, industrial and goth elements, including dark, sardonic lyrics. All of this is incorporated into lavish stage performances, with Victorian overtones, glam burlesque and Vaudevillian flair. Think Dresden Dolls spiced with Metal, Alice Cooper, and Bach.

2/27 – THE LEMONHEADS: IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY The Earl The Lemonheads surfed the radio waves of the 90’s, breaking into success with their album It’s a Shame About Ray and a cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson. After a few other albums of hits and duds, and some drug issues, the Lem-

WE GOT NEXT THE BOMBPOPS

onheads receded from the forefront of the music scene. The exciting reason for attending this particular show has nothing to do with either of these.

Fans take note, The Lemonheads will be performing their album It’s a Shame About Ray in its entirety, from start to finish! It’s a perfect way to relive some jingly jangly grunge classics from the 90’s and remember a time when the music scene wasn’t inured in pop stars and hip hop. You’re likely to hear some other Lemonheads hits like “Into Your Arms” and “If I Could Talk I’d Tell You”. Relive your youth and if you don’t know them, discover them for the first time. Come on, feel the Lemonheads.

2/29 & 3/03 – CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO The Melting Point (Athens) (2/29) The Five Spot (3/03) California Guitar Trio’s brilliant mix of musical expertise and sly humor has understandably earned them a widely enthusiastic and loyal audience. Fusing elements of classical, rock, blues, jazz, world music, and progressive styles has kept them in good stead for 20 years. Their latest effort, Maswerworks is a collection of beautifully arranged pieces by a variety of classical composers. Talented and clever virtuosic performers, these guys are fantastic to see live, don’t miss it.

3/01 – RADIOHEAD Philips Arena Radiohead could so easily have been a one hit wonder. Their first single to gain any acclaim was “Creep”, heard on the radio in the 90’s. From that small start, the band evolved to become innovative musical artists. Their sound changed, grew, expanded and solidified with albums The Bends, the fantastic OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief, and In Rainbows. The release of a Radiohead album became an event. Their latest musical offering, The King of Limbs, once again redifines their sound as it is heavily influenced by DJ’s, looping, and sampling. Radiohead is constantly listening to and absorbing music and ideas of other artist, and then reflecting and refracting those ideas and sounds, bending and shaping it to fit into their current musical image. Do not miss this performance.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Like I Care (Red Scare) For Fans of: The Ramones, The Runaways, The Donnas, Green Day Why You Should Care: Because their sound is female-fronted pop-punk that calls to mind

BY JOHN B. MOORE

S

AN DIEGO’S BOMBPOPS HAS opened for everyone from Bad Religion to Mike Dirnt’s side project The Frustrators.

Their fall calendar includes shows with Anti-Flag and NOFX, and a few dates with Dead to Me and Broadway Calls. Not bad for a band that hasn’t even put out a full length yet.

The pop-punk band, influenced by everyone from The Ramones to Lawrence Arms, are putting out their EP Like I Care on Chicago’s Red Scare then taking off for most of October and November. But before packing the van, Jen Razavi (guitar/vocals) spoke recently about the band, the EP and getting a pep talk from Jay Bentley.

How did the band first get together?

The band formed in late 2007 with Poli (Van Dam, guitar/vocals) and I writing songs. We

everyone from The Ramones to Joan Jett... and that’s just with an EP!

had played together in a band where we did not write the songs, and we felt that we really needed to start our own band. We wrote for months before pursuing a drummer and bassist. Poli was a sophomore in high school at the time and we really wanted to get a full band together to play her high school battle of the bands. I called up my long time friend Dylan (Wade) to play drums and he has been in the band ever since. We ended up winning 2nd place in the battle of the bands, so we decided to play more shows. After a few bass player changes we finally found Neil (Wayne) in March of this year and he’s the best bass player we’ve ever had.

What can you tell me about the new EP? Stole the TV really showcases how we have matured as a band. It’s still the same sound we’ve always had, but we have grown a lot too. In a nutshell, the songs are about growing up, relationships gone wrong and the eagerness to break free from the every day routine.

We recorded with Jeff Forrest at Doubltime Studios in San Diego. He has worked with a lot of San Diego bands including Blink 182 and Buck 0 Nine.

The EP will be released via Red Scare on October 4th.

Have you thought about putting out a full length?

We will definitely be putting out a full length sometime in the near future. Not exactly sure when or how, but we are really looking forward to it!

You guys have opened for some amazing bands.

Every gotten some advice from anyone in these bands?

When we opened for The Frustrators, Mike Dirnt had a lot of really kind things to say and some great advice. He told us that you can be a great live band, and you can have fun on tour, but what it really comes down to is the songs you write. He said when you leave this world you want to leave it with songs that people will remember.

Another moment that sticks out to us was the second time we opened for Bad Religion. About five minutes before we went on, Jay Bentley gave us a pep talk. I don’t remember word for word what he said, but he told us we would go far and that he liked our band. That’s not really advice but it was one hell of a pep talk! We’ll never forget that.

Ever get intimidated playing before someone like Bad Religion?

Bad Religion was the first band I ever saw live and my mom took me. I mean I was in diapers when Bad Religion put out Suffer and No Control, and Poli wasn’t even born yet. So it is

intimating to get up there and open for punk rock legends, but at the same time it really feels like it is something we are meant to do.

Any tour plans coming up?

We have a huge US tour coming up in October and into November. We have two dates with NOFX and Anti Flag so we’re pretty stoked. Most of the tour is with our friends Hands Like Bricks and we’ve got some other rad shows with Dead to Me, Sundowner, Banner Pilot, The Flatliners, Broadway Calls and Continental.

As the father of two little girls, what can I do to make sure they play in a punk band when they get older?

I would say buy them a guitar and a drum set.

There are some pretty awesome sister bands out there. And definitely introduce them to punk bands now! It’s never too soon. Both Poli’s parents and mine have been really supportive of us playing music and pursuing the band. You will usually find both of our dads at our San Diego shows.

They love it.

What else is next for the band?

Writing that full length we talked about and more touring. We’ve also got some pretty awesome shows in January we’re excited about.

We would really like to go to Europe sometime soon too. insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 19

Rest of the Class

MUSIC

MUSIC

Album Reviews Reviews by B. Love, John B. Moore and Lee Valentine Smith

R.E.M. – Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011 (Warner Bros) The end of the band as we know it

BL: I cannot recall the exact moment when I first heard R.E.M.’s garageinfluenced janglepop sound, but I remember the impact of songs like “Radio Free Europe” and “Talk About The Passion” as if it were yesterday. With lines like “Not everyone can carry the weight of the world,” the enigmatic Michael Stipe poked holes in my surly teen armor, reminding me that I was not alone in my alienation and yearning.

In many ways R.E.M. represented a turning point in the entire musical landscape. It could be argued that the Athens quartet was the lightning rod for the alternative rock movement, transforming what was essentially an underground scene into a massive mainstream musical phenomenon, moving from the garage (see: 1983’s Murmur) to arenas (see: 1988’s Green) in five short years. In the process, they also established Georgia – Athens in particular – as having a rock scene worthy of reckoning with.

Having announced their retirement a few months before, the release of Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011 came as a surprise to no one: After all, what corporate entertainment behemoth wouldn’t want to make a bit of bank off their cash cow before it’s put out to pasture? The shocker is that R.E.M.’s latest greatest hits collection compiles (for the first time ever) the beloved classics of their early years on IRS Records, the chart-topping hits of their major label heyday, lesser-known songs from their post-Bill Berry era and three new tunes, all on a 2-CD set.

My favorite R.E.M. albums are from the mid‘80s, so the omissions from that era here seem glaring. Classic tracks like “Pretty Persuasion,” “Feeling Gravity’s Pull,” “Can’t Get There From Here,” “Swan Swan H” and “Superman” failed to make the cut, yet we get 13 tunes from the trio years? By including the same number of songs from these disparate periods in the band’s career, the collection seems to suggest that they remained equally artistically relevant during the Up/Reveal/Around the Sun era. If anything, listening to this set in its entirety suggests that, after a decade-long lull, the surprisingly lively Collapse Into Now allowed the band to go out on a high note.

As a result, the ambitious Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage is not quite the definitive R.E.M. collection it aspires to be. But, in reminding us that Athens’ favorite sons were one of the most consistent, groundbreaking bands ever to assemble a 30-year career, it succeeds.

SMASHING PUMPKINS – Gish & Siamese Dream [Deluxe Editions] (EMI) Two classics from Chicago alt-rockers get the deluxe treatment

JM: Nineties alt rock heroes S m a s h i n g Pumpkins managed to come apparently out of nowhere, toss out two amazing records, create one of the biggest assholes in rock (and that is not a small feat), turn in a couple of weaker, though successful follow up records and implode (though still limp along creating lesser albums with fewer and fewer original members) all in the span of a decade.

PG 20 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

The Dean’s List

THE HABIT – Lincoln Has Won (Reel to Reel) Brooklynites do Americana quite well

JM: Funny that you have to go to Brooklyn to find one of the best Americana bands playing today.

New York band The Habit brings to mind everyone from Gram Parsons and the Jayhawks to Whiskeytown and Cowboy Junkies on their fantastic debut album, Lincoln Has Won. The group, which uses several singers, excels at dirty rock (“Ballad Of,” “Don’t Grow Old Young Man”), beautiful indie rock (“Not Brooklyn”) and dusty Americana (“Blood on the Saddle”).

Though the band is wholly original, you can’t help but spot the myriad influences that The Habit draws on from time to time. Along with those already mentioned, you can also hear traces of the Pogues and the Carter Family, as well as any number of great storytellers ranging from Townes Van Zandt to Bob Dylan. Lincoln Has Won feels timeless in its themes, leaving many of the topics open to debate. And to think this all came out of Hipsterville, USA. GRADE: B

EMI has just released remastered editions of Gish and Siamese Dreams– the first and by far the greatest efforts from the Chicago band– and it’s definitely worth springing for the deluxe editions that include two CDs and a DVD per release. The extra CDs include various demos while the DVDs include two fantastic concerts at The Metro in Chicago (recorded in 1990 and 1993).

Though lumped in with Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam as a grunge band when they first surfaced, the genre was a bit misleading. The Pumpkins didn’t have the strong metal influence that those other bands had, but drew from a more diverse list of groups that included The Cure, Queen, T Rex and David Bowie. Though Smashing Pumpkins went on to phenomenal success with their third record, the 28-song opus Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness, these first two efforts are less polished and more satisfyingly original. Songs like Gish’s opener “I Am” and the “Window Paine” are among their finest moments as a band, and Siamese O’BROTHER – Garden Window (Triple Crown) Dream is a great follow up.

Though Smashing Pumpkins had already Establishing Atlanta’s place on the prog-metal map started showing cracks by their third album; BL: Atlanta were desperate by their fourth effort and has never been became frontman Billy Corgan’s pathetic considered what ego stroke with every release since, these reyou’d call a releases are a nice reminder of how important hotbed of heavy the band once was. metal talent, but O’Brother joins THE LEMONHEADS – Hotel Sessions storied groups (Hall Of Records) such as Sevendust Low budget, honest and enthralling and Mastodon among the rare LVS: Evan Dando and his exceptions. Produced by Andy Hull and Robert current batch McDowell of Manchester Orchestra, the of Lemonheads quartet’s full-length debut album is decidedly are touring to artful and remarkably ambitious.

Some critics have made easy comparisons celebrate the 20th anniversary of to metal icons like Tool, Queens of the his best record, Stone Age and Deftones, but their dynamic, It’s A Shame almost orchestral opuses also include nods to About Ray. It’s influences such as Sigur Ros, Godspeed You fitting, then, that Black Emperor and Explosions In The Sky in the current Lemonheads album is also a bit terms of grandeur and expansive conceptual of nostalgia. Of course, a deluxe version of scope. There are times when you may find Ray would have been the ideal tour tie-in, but yourself wishing the band reigned in their Rhino released the definitive version a couple sprawling compositional approach (5 of the 11 of years ago. Complete with bonus tracks tracks run five minutes or more), but overall and demos, it’s the best document of that O’Brother shows enough originality and enjoyable, often-lauded pop masterpiece– promise to leave prog-metal fans eager to see a great snapshot of the band at its absolute what they’ll come up with next. GRADE: B+

creative peak.

The next best thing, then, would be COFFEE PROJECT – Concrete Boots EP what follows chronologically. Following a (Paper + Plastick) successful 1992 tour to promote the Japanese Multi-instrumentalist punks make more noise as a duo release of Ray, Dando recorded a very rough than many full bands demo of the band’s planned follow-up in a JM: Thanks to hotel room in Australia. Intended solely for the quirky duo the ears of their Australian agent at the time, Coffee Project, Dando’s casual solo acoustic takes on the I finally realized batch of songs (most eventually expanded what the genre of and reworked for the full band on 1993’s acoustic folk punk Come On Feel The Lemonheads) are now was missing: A available for anyone to hear. trombone. Need Hampered by a low-budget recording proof? Check out process - in fact, Dando’s liner notes boast the latest from the that the total expense was $53 - only Gainesville, FL hardcore fans are likely to be interested in the modest package. But as it stands, band, which is comprised of singer/guitarist the tape hiss, background noises and soft- Jake Crown and trombonist/backup vocalist spoken introductions on most of the tracks Buddy Schaub. It just wouldn’t sound the same make this the perfect low-fi companion piece without that instrument.

The five-song EP Concrete Boots is a solid to the big-budget Ray redo. It’s a shame this wasn’t cleaned up a bit more and issued on follow-up to last year’s full-length. It starts out a bigger label, because with the stripped- slow with “Shenandoah Valley,” but quickly down performances and hushed late-night builds steam with four of their best songs immediacy, The Hotel Sessions is the most yet, especially the unexpectedly upbeat “Exit honest and enthralling release in Dando’s Stage Left” (oddly enough, a break up song) and a stellar cover of Malvina Reynolds’ “Little entire recording career.

Houses.” Band geeks, rejoice! Apparently trombones aren’t just for ska bands and polkas any more. GRADE: B

ATLAS SOUND – Parallax (4AD) Deerhunter frontman’s “side-project” comes into its own

BL: As frontman for Atlanta indie-rock band Deerhunter and the mad musical scientist behind Atlas Sound, Bradford Cox has long since proven himself one of the city’s most prolific artists. But as he matures and becomes less well known for his various eccentricities (see: wearing Victorian frocks and acting like a Stooges-era Iggy Pop onstage), it has become easier to focus on the gorgeously haunting experimentalism and genuine emotional depth behind his music.

Parallax picks up where 2009’s Logos left off, veering from sample-laden folk and psychedelic ‘60s rock to indie-pop or even bossa nova seemingly on a whim. But this time around Cox’s sound seems more focused and accessible, wrapping listeners in a wispy hallucinogenic haze that often recalls classic 4AD bands such as the Cocteau Twins. In short, it’s his most accomplished album to date.

Leading off with the “The Shakes,” whose droning guitar feedback evolves into a hypnotic folk-rock mantra, the album unfolds like a wispy fever dream of desire, longing, aching melancholy and passion. The style still varies from song to song, but the ethereal album is arguably Cox’s most cohesive, coherent creative effort to date, flowing seamlessly from the piano-driven frivolity of “Te Amo” (which reminds me of a collaboration between Bjork and Sigur Ros with its soaring melody and playful instrumentation) to the almost Beck-ian title track. The unifying element is a distinctive production aesthetic that’s heavy on echoing vocals, ambient electronic sounds and trippy effects.

Like Deerhunter’s excellent Halcyon Digest, Parallax proves that Bradford Cox has become one of indie-rock’s most mesmerizing auteurs. More importantly, it suggests that Atlas Sound has grown into much more than a mere side-project, and may in fact be the vehicle through which he unveils his purest artistic self. GRADE: A NEIL DIAMOND – The Very Best (Columbia/Legacy) The Jewish Elvis remains relevant, 40 years on

JM: By some fluke, Neil Diamond – the once cheese-tastic singer that pretty much defined the 70’s, sequenced shirt and all – has managed to not only remain relevant more than four decades after his first record, but has gotten everyone from housewives to hipsters to look beyond the sideburns and Vegas-ready stage show and see him for what he really is: a damn great songwriter.

As The Very Best of Neil Diamond (the 2011 version, not to be confused by the 1997 and 2002 versions that go by the same name) proves, the Jewish Elvis had plenty of arenaready sing-alongs to back up the swagger.

“Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Cherry, Cherry” and “Sweet Caroline,” (his best out of a career of bests) still hold up remarkable well and can get the drunk and sober alike bonding in singalongs every single time (it’s been proven by teams of scientists and backed up by years of research. Look it up).

There have been a slew of Diamond greatest hits packages over the years, but the 23 track Very Best Of is the most up to date, including the solid “Hell Yeah” off his 1995 record produced by Rick Rubin. Somewhere Gordon Lightfoot is trying to figure out exactly where he went wrong. GRADE: A

MUSIC

TIN ROOF, CELEBRATION! Cindy Wilson is in with the Wild Crowd

B -52’s

T

EVERY TIME WE PLAY, I FEEL THAT RICKY IS THERE, BUT THAT SHOW, BEING IN ATHENS, CERTAINLY ADDED TO IT. THERE WAS DEFINITE ANNIVERSARY MAGIC IN THE AIR. KIND OF OTHERWORLDLY. IT WAS COMFORTING AND WONDERFUL AND MEANT SO MUCH TO LOOK UP AND SEE THAT.

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

HE FIRST B-52’S SHOW was on Valentines Day of 1977 at a raucous little house party in a modest neighborhood in downtown Athens. Fast forward three and a half decades and now the party band that put Athens, Georgia on the map is still at work, touring the country to support a new live album. On Thursday, February 9, the band returns to the venerable Classic Center for a triumphant 35th annual concert.

“With the Wild Crowd,” is the band’s new live CD, recorded and filmed last year at the Classic Center. Soon the video footage will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray and broadcast on select PBS stations during early Spring pledge-breaks. It captures singers Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, guitarist Keith Strickland and their veteran touring band in a long evening of hits, rarities and songs from their most recent studio album, the delightful 2008 release, Funplex.

The band has soldiered on, enduring the death of founding guitarist and songwriter Ricky Wilson in 1985, while challenging musical climates and trends to remain a distinctly unique voice and flagship of the entire Athens music scene. Echoing the B’s “Song For A Future Generation,” from 1983’s Whammy LP, singer Cindy Wilson’s daughter and son are also in a band and, in a completely separate performance, also playing in Athens on Friday, February 10, the day after the B’s breeze into town. But don’t expect any cameos; the B’s will be buzzing off to another gig as the talented young group hits the stage at quaint Max. Busy metro Atlanta resident Cindy Wilson chatted with Lee Valentine Smith as she prepared to leave for the leg of the tour that brings her and the rest of the band back to the Classic City. They discussed the live album, the live show -- and the mystery of that darn rusted “tin roof ” in Love Shack.

With The Wild Crowd is the first time the real raw energy of the live show has been captured on an official B’s release.

It’s really nice to have it. I think it’s a good document of this stage of the band.

I’ve always loved the “tin roof, rusted” part in “Love Shack,” and apparently so does everyone else.

People really enjoy “Love Shack.” It’s almost like America and apple pie now!

That “tin roof ” part is like the ending of a song but also a rebirth. It gives the audience a chance to be a part of it when they sing along and give it right back to me.

That moment of the show is often the peak of the excitement of the entire performance. What does that line mean to you?

You know, we just came up with that when we were jamming, finding ideas for the song. But now, people read all these things into it. People think it means all kinds of things, some people think its means I’m pregnant! I don’t know. Now it doesn’t even matter, really. It’s just part of it, like some child poetry or something.

You usually include some of the same songs you did at the very first show in Athens.

You’re lucky if you get that. At least “Rock Lobster,” we’ve done at nearly every show and that was in the first show we did. I count my blessings. We got to do a new album, in 2008, Funplex, so it’s not all oldies. So that refreshes it too, playing newer songs and going back for some we haven‘t played in a while. Like “Wig,” on the CD, that was the first time we’d really played it live! Ever.

So what’s the follow-up show hold in store?

Well, it’s the 35th anniversary, as close to it as we could get, and we’re going to be playing some different songs. The haveto songs, of course, like “Roam,” but also we’re adding “Too Much To Think About” and “Eyes Wide Open” from Funplex, and “Lava” – and a couple more that haven’t been heard for a while. It’ll be a special show and people can just come out and celebrate with us.

A very touching moment is the shot of the “Ricky Is Here” banner in the crowd.

Every time we play, I feel that Ricky is there, but that show, being in Athens, certainly added to it. There was definite anniversary magic in the air. Kind of otherworldly. It was comforting and wonderful and meant so much to look up and see that.

I heard PBS is planning to broadcast the entire concert from last year. Is that right?

Yes, PBS is gonna play the DVD part of it at different times in different markets soon, coming up in the next month or two.

We’re gonna be there, going to the stations and doing interviews and giving away CDs and DVDs and gifts to the people who donate to PBS! It’s so exciting. We have so many generations of fans and they thought

The show was the 34th anniversary performance, so what was the original plan -- just to cover the whole catalog or just to enjoy the occasion?

You try to go into each show to have as much fun as you can, but obviously with this one, there was a lot going on, with the filming and recording. I kinda tuned that out and just started thinking about all the wonderful people in the audience. It really made me so happy. I just had this joy come over me and it was amazing. Whenever I want to go to a happy place, one of those places will be that moment, that show.

After all these years, and so many performances, you still seem to enjoy every minute of the show.

I do! I love doing it. This positive, feel good sort of thing. It’s really still fun. All the energy and all the stuff that was going down went into the performance. I love being up there and being part of what the band does for people, what it helps people unleash. It’s like a portal to somewhere else.

we’d be a good band to be on.

Are you a big fan of PBS? I am! Keith Strickland just told me that Ricky actually taught himself to play the guitar with a show on [Athens PBS outlet WGTV] channel 8. Ricky was like 12 or so and he learned from a show on how to play folk guitar! And when my kids were younger, they watched a lot of the children’s shows on there. It’s sort of always been around, and the great things for adults. It’s always on at the house.

Speaking of your kids, your daughter India who’s 15 now and son Nolan, 12 are in a band called Already Taken.

They are and I’m so proud! They’ve got a lot of places they can go, as far as learning.

Singing with each other and learning how to communicate within a band situation.

It’s not easy, I know!

What is your role with the band?

I’ve been hands off. If they want to ask me questions, they can, but this is their thing and I’m standing back and watching.

And they’re getting shows because of their music, that’s very important. I can relate to every stage they’re going through. I don’t know what will happen with their music but I love that they are learning and having fun and communicating. To me, with my history, its mandatory to have fun, and they’re doing it themselves. Creating something out of nothing, and that’s exactly what we did back.. oh, you know, 35 years ago!

SHOW INFO: THE B-52’S AT THE CLASSIC CENTER, 300 N Thomas Street, Athens.

Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 pm. $38.50 - $149.00 For information, call: 706.208.0900 or 1.800.918.6393

PHOTO COURTESY EAGLE ROCK RECORDS

ALREADY TAKEN Max, 243 W. Washington Street, Athens.

Friday February 10. 8 pm.

No cover.

For information, call: (706) 254-3392 insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 21

MUSIC

THE GREAT ESCAPE

Ja ne’s A

ddic t io n

Perry Farrell On 20 Years of Lollapalooza, the Jane’s Addiction Reunion, & How He Hopes To Make Their New Tour the Greatest Show On Earth

BY BRET LOVE

C

ONFESSION TIME AGAIN: If you’re expecting me to write about Jane’s Addiction with any sort of objectivity, you might as well turn the page now. Nothing’s Shocking was released when I was 19, and seeing them open for Love & Rockets at the Fabulous Fox on my 20th birthday blew my mind and simultaneously opened it to a whole new art-metal world in which head-banging wasn’t just for Beavis & Butt-Heads. By the time Perry Farrell and company unveiled Lollapalooza in 1991, I was completely sold, and I’ve never missed a Jane’s Addiction show in Atlanta since.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve interviewed Perry: I actually got to hang out with him at the Masquerade back in the Porno For Pyros era, and have spoken with him via telephone a few times in the interim. But it was the first time I felt seasoned enough as a journalist to really delve into the artist’s mind and get the sort of in-depth interview my 20-yearold self would’ve killed someone to get.

Over 25 years into the band’s bumpy career, Jane’s Addiction’s new album, The Great Escape Artist, finds them sounding reinvigorated and revitalized.

It’s got the muscular sound fans have come to expect from godfathers of the Alternative Nation– Stephen Perkins’ throbbing tribal drums, Dave Navarro’s scorching guitar leads and Perry’s passionate banshee wail (with Chris Chaney now seemingly full-time as Eric Avery’s replacement on bass)– but it seems surprisingly modern and vibrant for band whose average age is close to 50. If Perry is to be believed, their forthcoming tour will be an even grander celebration of art-rock theatricality than any tour they’ve mounted before.

It had been a full decade since our last conversation. It was great to talk to him again…

Last year was the 20th Anniversary of Lollapalooza. What was your feeling on seeing the institution you created reach that historic landmark?

I can’t believe it became so important to the musical community. Young musicians coming up now don’t have the same chance we did. When we were coming up, every musician was vying to get a record deal, and once they got that deal the record companies supported them. Today, I wonder how you find your way upstream as a young musician. So I’m really proud that Lollapalooza has become one f those places for young musicians to hit. At the same time, I feel like the idea of a festival has to change, to provide a different experience. It’s been 20 years since we started this and it’s gotten bigger and better, but something is telling me that I need to do something different. It doesn’t have to be destroyed, but there has to be something new to add to the experience.

The music business has gone through so much upheaval since the early days of Jane’s Addiction. How have you had PG 22 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

to adjust as an artist to stay ahead of the curve?

You assess what you’re doing and what everybody else is doing, then you ask yourself, is the experience growing stale?

That’s the first half of the question; the second half is, what do you do about it? That’s your focus. You’re always trying to be ahead of the curve because being within the curve means your momentum is slowing, and you might find that you’re behind the curve. Most people do. In this case, Jane’s Addiction has another tour and another record. So what do we do? We contemporize our sound without losing our personality.

That’s what we’ve done [with the album], so now we have to think about our live show. I thought, rather than go out and play at the festivals– which we’ve done for 20 years– let’s become intimate with our audience and immerse ourselves in new surroundings. In this case, the new surrounding is the old theatres of America. Immediately, that’s going to change the experience, especially for young people. We want to borrow from 1920s Surrealists, add a Warhol ‘60s pop twist, and then bring Jane’s Addiction in.

So many other big bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s have come and gone. What keeps Jane’s Addiction together?

We were successful in sound. When I say successful, I think the audience attaches themselves somehow. We seemed to capture the sound of that era, at least in the underground. Working with these guys, we’re a team that’s been together for a long time. The difference between a sports team and us is that a sports team peaks– they can no longer compete by the time they’re 33 or 34– where a musician gets smarter and potentially better with age. The unique thing about working with music is that every year there’s an evolution in sound production. We didn’t have certain synthesizers or software back in 1991, but we have all these sounds to work with now that we’ve never had before.

Can you talk a little bit about what makes Dave and Stephen special as collaborators?

As far as pure musicianship, I don’t know if I’ve ever worked with better people. Dave Navarro is a master guitar player: I can’t say I have ever played with a better guitarist, and I’ve played with a lot. To have Dave by my side writing music is a very special blessing. Steve is a one-of-a-kind drummer. He can be frustrating at times, because he does a lot of searching in coming up with his parts. There’s always personality in what he plays, and that personality is part of the reason why you’d listen to a Jane’s song.

There was a long period of dormancy for the band in terms of new music, but The Great Escape Artist got great reviews for its revitalized sound. What was behind that injection of energy and enthusiasm?

At its root, it’s the desire to be creative.

THE UNIQUE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH MUSIC IS THAT EVERY YEAR THERE’S AN EVOLUTION IN SOUND PRODUCTION. WE DIDN’T HAVE CERTAIN SYNTHESIZERS OR SOFTWARE BACK IN 1991, BUT WE HAVE ALL THESE SOUNDS TO WORK WITH NOW THAT WE’VE NEVER HAD BEFORE. I’m sure you’ve sat in your house a few days too long and thought, “I just got to get out of here!” It’s the same way with us. We’ve written great music [in the past] and still plan on playing it, but the thought of going out and playing [the old stuff ] doesn’t turn me on like the idea of creating a new show. To have a new show, you have to have new music.

That’s how the whole process started.

This reunion is great, and it’s really great that we’re all getting along, but I’ve got a long life yet to lead. This project is coming out really good in terms of new ideas: Not only the music itself, but the way that it was composed, arranged and recorded was unique and fresh for us, using new software mixed in with us and your classic Marshall amps. We experimented with lots of software packages and drum machines mixed in with Steve’s live playing.

How will that impact your approach in concert? Will that be different as well?

There are a lot of ideas that are coming about and budding as a result of that– things that we’ve never done before.

Most people have never experienced the immersive theatre aspect of the tour.

Even our touring plan is unique: Rather than go out and do 6-8 weeks, we’re

going to do one-month bursts and then think about where we want to go next, gradually building the show and making it bigger. These things are a new way of thinking for a “rock band,” but I never considered us a rock band as much as an art band.

You guys are great in the studio, but you’ve always seemed to really ignite in concert. What is it about performing live that gets your juices flowing?

Maybe it’s just the chance to show off… It sounds somewhat simple, but I’m just trying to think of an honest answer. When we’re in the studio and I’m singing, I have my eyes closed and I’m in some other place. But when I’m in front of a live crowd I feel like I’m friends with everybody, and I’m encouraging them to go that place that was in my head when I was singing it for the first time on the record. I feel like the people who have heard Jane’s Addiction’s songs have been similar places themselves, and they like it there. It’s the place where the great escape happens. That’s the world I want to inhabit for the most part, especially when entertaining people. I want them to go to that place. It might be a dark place, but if you embrace the darkness it can be an exciting place.

MUSIC

DYNAMIC DUO (PLUS THREE)

TMB G

They Might Be Giants return with two new albums

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

T

HEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, the prolific and quirky Brooklynbased brainchild of multiinstrumentalists John Linnell and John Flansburgh, have almost thirty years worth of downright odd, insanely catchy, irritatingly melodic, highly literate and often quite humorous songs. So many, in fact, they aren’t even sure of the exact amount at this point.

On the current tour that stops in town on February 10 and 11, the two brainy popsters will dig deep into their catalog to perform their second album, 1988’s Lincoln in its entirety, new songs from their fifteenth official album, Join Us as well as tracks from a recent rarities collection called Album Raises New And Troubling Questions. Lee Valentine Smith asked a few old and reassuring questions while John Linnell was relaxing in a hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This tour is touted as a 30th anniversary performance, but is it really?

I don’t know where to start counting.

John and I actually did have a band in 1982. But it wasn’t called They Might Be Giants. We performed some of the songs that wound up on the first album but we hadn’t quite figured out how to present it. We did a show in Central Park in ‘82 and it was a rally for the Sandinista party, which had just gotten into Nicaragua at that point. We were the only English language thing on the bill. We called ourselves “El Groupo De Rock Y Roll.”

Then there was that mysterious “23” show.

That was probably our first show as They Might Be Giants. It was the 23rd day of the month, we were quite possibly 23 years old, we played 23 songs in the set, and they took two dollars at the door, from the 23 people who showed up, and each of us were paid 23 dollars!

We’ve told that story a few times over the years and there have been some embellishments; we added some stuff to make it more insane, but most of that is true.

There’ll be more than 23 people at the Variety Playhouse show. Is it your favorite place to play in town?

Well, it’s where we play most frequently, for quite a while now.

Not to slight any of the other places we’re played in Atlanta (Cotton Club, Centennial Park, etc.) . But it’s in a wonderful neighborhood, and there’s a very groovy scene there. We wrote a song about the Variety Playhouse, you know. It’s on a DVD, which we put out, probably in 2005, called Venue Songs.

We wrote songs for every venue we played in and recorded them the same evening we were there.

I’d forgotten about that release. You have so many albums, EPs, collections, DVDs, and downloads, some of them sort of fall behind the record cabinet.

Well, they do for us, too. We don’t

I THINK IN SPITE OF WHATEVER WE DO, WE ALWAYS END UP SOUNDING LIKE OURSELVES. SO REALLY, THE GREAT CHALLENGE IS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT BLOWS YOUR MIND AND SEEMS NEW. PHOTO BY SHERVIN LAINEZ

always remember how to play everything we‘ve released, so sometimes we have to go back, do some wood-shedding and listen to the recordings.

Was that the case with the upcoming set of songs from Lincoln?

Lincoln is a perfect example. We were faced with having to learn all these songs that, most of which, the guys in the band had never played - and some which John and I had never actually learned. Or we knew them so long ago, we couldn’t rely on the memory of it. But it’s been fun to learn material without having to write it again. It’s fun to go back and sort of rediscover that album. It really was a long time ago. I don’t think we’d ever write songs like that now, and it sounds to me like its from us from twenty years ago. Or a quarter of a century ago. We’ve matured, or something like that.

That album was a sort of herald for the coming ‘90s; you were still indie, still a duo. It was pre-band, pre-major label deal, you were on 120 Minutes often but the vibe of college rock was so different then and you guys were still definitely experimental outsiders.

We were a little older than the ‘indie rockers,’ even at that time. We’re old enough to know the roots of popular music. I was four when I first heard the Beatles on the radio in New York, so that defined, to me, the original formula.

Then the ‘70s came along and that was kind of the blossoming of this thing called underground rock, or the roots of what evolved into alternative rock. It was the idea of something determinedly not mainstream, making a point of being non-mainstream. To me, the eighties was the true corporate rock period. In the ‘70s, people said things had gone corporate, but we were surprised at how corporate it was going to get! By the ‘80s, Jefferson Starship and stuff like that was dominating the chart! The stuff we felt more akin to was still sort of in the background.

When college rock became branded by the labels as “alternative” was the worst.

Right, and so it wasn’t till the ‘90s that the notion of alternative truly became mainstream. With Nirvana and stuff, it became, “Oh this is the stuff that kids actually listen to,” so it wasn’t very alternative anymore. There was a glaring contradiction going on. For us, the ‘90s were a bit of a fallow time. As the ‘90s started, we had a big record [1990’s Flood], then as the years went on, it was sort of unclear where we were supposed to be.

TMBG was in flux.

It was a transitional time, yes. We had to get used to playing with a band instead of just me and John and a tape recorder, as it had been for ten years before. It was a weird time. We left Elektra, and we weren’t sure where we should go. I think it took a few years for us to really figure out it. It took till the end of the ‘90s to figure out all these other ways we could do what we were already doing. We started doing music for television, for movies and finally began, I think, to be taken seriously.

We weren’t trying to present ourselves as alternative, we just solidified who we were.

NO! [the children’s album from 2002] was a huge turning point.

An unexpected one. We thought we were just doing a goofy side project. It was purely for fun and I think because we took it as inconsequential, it was so successful.

You’re obviously very prolific writers, so at this point, it would seem as if you’ve exhausted every possible topic. How do you find new ideas?

I think every songwriter complains about that. You don’t know where to start or where its going until you have the idea. So you have a lot of demoralizing messing around in the process, then you come up with something. It’s a mysterious process, but eventually you do come up with something that you like. Having written a bunch of songs, you don’t want to lower your standard, so I’d say it gets harder as you have more and more songs. You’re

competing with yourself and you really don’t want to repeat yourself.

And it has to be in a way that will still sound like yourself.

I think in spite of whatever we do, we always end up sounding like ourselves.

So really, the great challenge is to come up with something that blows your mind and seems new.

At this point, 29 or 30 years on, has the core duo dynamic changed? And I don’t mean dynamic duo, but I’m suddenly picturing you and John in tights and capes - and I‘m disturbed.

Get that thought out of your head.

Really, do you think the working relationship -- writing as well as recording -- has changed over the three decades?

Since we’ve been working together for such a long time, we’re always interested in coming up with new ways of doing it. Mostly, we each write individually.

The overwhelming number of songs, one of us wrote and then played it to the other one, That’s usually how it works.

And nowdays you can collaborate long distance. He has a place in the Catskills where he works and I’ve got a studio in Brooklyn.

In the process, is there ever a line that one of you can cross and the other just goes, “No, absolutely not”?

Oh yeah, all the time. We know how to be diplomatic about it. Each of us can tell when the other thinks, “this one isn’t cutting it, or “this one needs help.”

SHOW INFO: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS with special guest Jonathan Coulton, Friday, February 10 & Saturday, February 11, 8:30pm, $22.50 advance / $25 day of show or $40 for a 2 day pass No one under the age of 14 will be admitted!

Saturday night’s show is a special performance of the entire LINCOLN album.

insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 23

MUSIC

THE ORAL HISTORY OF ELEPHANT 6 Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart & Robert Schneider On Athens’ Influential Artistic Collective

BY BRET LOVE

T

RYING TO MEASURE THE breadth, scope and influence of the Elephant 6 collective is like trying to hold onto a handful of water: It’s slippery and amorphous at best. Their Wikipedia page lists more than 50 different acts associated with E6, from the core groups (The Apples In Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control) and famous signings to the Elephant 6 Recording Company label (Beulah, Elf Power, Of Montreal) to myriad side-projects, affiliated acts and friends of friends.

But what eventually emerged as one of the most significant musical movements of the ‘90s initially began with four bored kids in the small college town of Ruston, Louisiana (home of Louisiana Tech University).

Fueled by the local art scene and musical influences ranging from punk and noise to ‘60s Brit-pop and experimental psychedelia, childhood friends Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart, Jeff Mangum and Robert Schneider worked together in various incarnations (though never as a conventional band) before Schneider relocated to Denver for college and the others followed Hart to Athens, GA. An anomaly on the modern music scene, Elephant 6 was always more about collaboration and a shared personal ideology than it was about personal recognition.

Members of the various bands intermingled freely, with Schneider and Doss working together in the Apples In Stereo; Doss, Hart and Mangum all original members of Olivia Tremor Control; Schneider providing production and instrumentation for Mangum’s Neutral Milk Hotel; and various friends from other Elephant 6 bands playing supporting roles on each other’s projects.

BILL DOSS

PG 24 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

But as a collective, they established a unique sound (perhaps best exemplified by NMH’s classic In The Aeroplane Over The Sea) that became as much an adjective as it was a record label. For a while, “Elephant 6” and “arty indie-rock” were virtually interchangeable.

Now, 20 years after the iconic indie-rock institution was founded, Elephant 6 is suddenly all over the place again. Tireless E6 banner-wavers Of Montreal released a limited edition boxed set in October, with a new LP due in 2012. Olivia Tremor Control recently reissued their first two albums, and plan to release a new one (their first in over a decade) in 2012. Mangum, who has been called “the J.D. Salinger of indie-rock” due to his hermitic seclusion since retiring after In The Aeroplane Over The Sea’s success, has resurfaced with a self-released Neutral Milk Hotel boxed set. He’s also the curator for March’s All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival, in which he will perform alongside the Apples In Stereo, Olivia Tremor Control and other E6 bands such as The Music Tapes and A Hack & A Hacksaw.

In light of this rare historic event (which will find all the original founders playing together as part of the “Elephant 6 Holiday

ROBERT SCHNEIDER

Surprise”), we were able to speak with Doss, Hart and Schneider to get the history, evolution and influence of the Elephant 6 collective in their own words.

Will Cullen Hart: I first met Jeff when I was in grade school. Robert and Jeff went to the same school until 6th grade, and we played football together in 7 grade.

Bill Doss: (Laughs) I can’t imagine you playing football! I love that story of how you and Jeff decided to form a band. You were on the football field and everybody got tackled, and y’all are just lying there while everyone went down to the other end of the field...

Will: We looked at each other and just started talking about heavy metal music. He asked me to come over to his house after school. Neither of us was very good, but we just enjoyed making noise.

Bill: I love the whole idea of you two looking at each other, tackled and sweaty on the ground.

“Screw this, let’s start a band!” (Laughs) I met Robert when we were teenagers: I think he was 15 and I was 17. I was putting an ad up in a guitar store for musicians and the guy that owned the place said, “Hey, there’s this kid I think you’d get along with.” He gave me Robert’s phone number and I called him.

He said he wasn’t really into guitars so much, but that he was into keyboards and had been listening to a lot fo Rush. I ended up going to Robert’s house after school and using a 4 track. Through him, I met Will and Jeff.

Robert Schneider: As unusual teenagers, we really felt the strain of the small town environment in Ruston, Louisiana. Just a few hours down Interstate 20 was Athens, where there was all this amazing music being made. When we were in high school, we unofficially made a pact that, one day, we’d all move to Athens. It’s so weird and at the same time incredibly cool that we were able to interact in the history of the Athens scene that inspired us and had given us confidence as young artists.

PHOTO Bill: I went to a different high school thanBY TIMOTHY WHITE they all did, and nobody at my school was into music like I was. They wanted to go hunting or fishing, or play basketball. When I met these guys, it was like, “Oh my god, these guys want to talk about music and play music all the time!”

Will: It was exciting for us, too. He played with Robert in some cover bands, like Fat Planet…

Bill: Which you named! To this day, if I need a good title for something, I’ll call Will. He was the one who coined the name Elephant 6.

Will: I just made it up because it sounded cool, and then Robert added “Recording Company,” which was great. It made us sound legit.

Robert: We lived in a college town, where

WILL CULLEN HART

the art department was strong and was a magnet throughout the state for all the weirdoes. They were usually musicians, especially punk and experimental, so there was this idea of being “conceptual.” We were always trying to be artists, not book a show at a mall.

we were coming in and we were like, “Wait, this is too much!” We were always touring and in the studio– that stuff is fun– but then there was also meeting with record labels.

Robert: It really grew big when the members of the first wave of Elephant 6 bands all turned into real live performing bands instead of just being 4-track projects. The collective became a band of bands. I suppose I’ll take the blame for letting everybody in, but in many cases I knew that it was a band that Will had been recording with.

Bill: I ended up playing with Jeff and Will, and played in various projects with Robert.

But we didn’t ever really play in a project all together.

Will: Jeff and I couldn’t play worth shit. We would drink a lot and were just everywhere.

Robert was more into musicianship. Robert’s always been my mentor, and still is.

Bill: I enjoyed the difference in those two things. When I played with Jeff and Will, it was more about feeling and making a lot noise and chaos. But when I’d play with Robert, he was kind of a prodigy. Robert has always been ten steps ahead of all of us… or a hundred steps. He’s unbelievable.

Robert: We’d record together in different combinations, usually in pairs. Jeff and I would record, but it was usually me recording his songs for him. Bill and I were musical partners and imagined having a band together in the more traditional way.

Will and Jeff had a band that went through various names, but they were loosely formed bands. We were coming out of the punk/ noise scene and we knew that you could be incredibly loose about your organizational structure, like Apple Records. We were pleased to emulate the most sloppy and haphazard of our heroes. It seemed natural to us, because we were making these bedroom recordings on 4-tracks. It’s a very personal form of music.

Will: I eventually went with a girl to live in the Virgin Islands, but it fell apart. We had just enough money to move back to Florida.

She called a friend who lived in Athens and she came to pick us up. We thought Athens was a cool, small town with a great music scene, so we stayed.

Bill: Jeff and I would come every once in a while to visit Will. As soon as we were able, we moved out. Jeff and Will started Cranberry Lifecycles, which was a recording project that turned into Synthetic Flying Machine. That’s when I came out and started playing with them, and Synthetic Flying Machine then turned into the Olivia Tremor Control.

Bill: This for me, was the moment when I realized Elephant 6 got big… It happened so gradually, then when it did happen, it seemed like it happened immediately. It got a little crazy. That’s one of the reasons Olivia Tremor Control decided to take a break. I think Jeff needed to take a step back [from Neutral Milk Hotel], too, but his step back turned into ten years.

Bill: I remember hearing the record for the first time and thinking, “I can’t believe somebody I know did this!” It’s funny, because I hadn’t heard anything he’d been working on. He played it really close to his chest.

Robert: When we started [the Elephant 6 record label] we were trying to create a 7-inch and cassette label– sort of a mail order enterprise– because we were trying to bypass any sort of professionalism and music industry BS. Bill: The bands on the label were people we met and felt some kinship with. Robert was in Denver by then, so Elephant 6 was growing out of there and also out of Athens.

It was like there was the Elephant 6 East and West. We were doing our own things, but still tied in together. We’d get mixes from Robert all the time with new Apples In Stereo stuff. After checking the morning mail, we’d sit and listen to them and get inspired. We’d pull out the 4-track and be like, “These songs are so good: We’ve got to do something better!”

Will: It was like, “I’ll show him!” Then we would send him our stuff.

Will: The business got in the way of the feeling we got from just playing together.

Bill: He would hear that, and then send us more stuff back. It was almost like Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds, the way Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson were influencing each other, but also challenging each other.

Bill: Will and I had a bit of a falling out over stupid shit and didn’t speak for a few years, which really sucked. I felt like I needed to do some other stuff and play with some other people and figure out who I was as an individual instead of being part of this band.

After a few years, it was time to get back together.

Robert: When it comes down to it, it was me and Will who you had to ask for permission to join Elephant 6. The bands were all loosely structured bands where we absorbed our immediate social circle. Everybody in every band was also a songwriter, producer, and genius in their own right. Our immediate social scene was brought into our musical scene as backup musicians, but often they were people we respected, and were better or more credible than us at the time. You’re boosting your friends because you admire them, and they’re playing in your band because they admire you.

Bill: People started using Elephant 6 as an adjective, which was cool but a little scary, too. I remember some record contracts that

Bill: I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Elephant 6 started! You hear interviews where people say, “It seems like just yesterday I was playing in Buffalo Springfield,” but it really does. Once 20 years have gotten behind you, you look back at all the stuff you’ve done. It’s a good feeling, but it’s just weird.

Will: [Olivia Tremor Control] has a ton of new stuff we’ve been working on, but we don’t have any finished songs.

Bill: We’re hoping to have a new record out in 2012. One thing I like about the way we make records is that there’s such a huge back catalogue of stuff we’ve been working on, especially Will. He is so prolific, with boxes and boxes of cassettes and CDs, and hundreds of songs.

Will: Jeff had a song called Olivia Tremor Control, so he gave it to us…

Will: Whenever any of the four of us get together, we always make something up. It’s like, “Come on over and let’s record something!”

Bill: …and Will named Neutral Milk Hotel, so they named each other’s bands!

Bill: Jeff will come down to visit, and the first thing we do is go into the studio and play around. I’m still playing with the Apples In Stereo. Honestly, my goal [for the next OTC album] is to get Robert involved once we get enough songs to start mixing, just to have his ears and his brain there listening. It seems like, if he signs off on it and we sign off on it, then it feels like it’s done.

Will: We were cool with Jeff leaving OTC to form Neutral Milk Hotel, because he had his own thing.

Bill: Everybody has to take his own path. It’s funny, because we all lived together at the time in Athens. I would walk by Jeff’s room and hear the songs coming out of the noise.

Finally, he sat us down and was like, “I love playing with you guys, but I’ve got this thing I’m doing and I just have to follow through with it.” I’m so glad he did now. I don’t want to gloss over it and say it wasn’t sad, because it really was.

Will: I remember being bitter for a little bit, but The Aeroplane Over The Sea was fucking amazing. I don’t think I realized it: Jeff is one of my friends, and he’s amazing.

Will: It just happened and it was perfect.

We needed a few years of, “Hey, I haven’t talked to you in a while. I love you, man”! It was awesome.

APPLES IN STEREO

Robert: I think the four of us will definitely work together as a band in the future. I’m not joking. We’ve always been planning on having a band, and those plans are currently still in effect. In the case of Elephant 6, life allowed us to flow along many different paths. But now, ,aking one band seems like the obvious choice, with me, Will, Bill and Jeff. We would write some fucking awesome songs… insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 25

SPORTS

GO B.I.G. OR GO HOME

Meet Jordan Romero, The Youngest Person Ever To Climb the Seven Summits

BY BRET LOVE

W

HAT WERE YOU DOING WHEN YOU were 13?

California native Jordan Romero was cresting the summit of Mount Everest, approaching from the more difficult Tibetan side (because he was too young to get a permit in Nepal), and in the process smashing the world record for youngest person ever to climb the 29,029-foot behemoth.

That was in 2010. In December of 2011, less than 6 months after turning 15 years old, Romero reached the peak of Antarctica’s Mount Vinson, becoming the youngest mountain climber ever to conquer the famed Seven Summits Challenge.

Due to the controversy over his age when he climbed Everest, China’s has now introduced legislation barring anyone under 16 from climbing the Tibetan side, virtually ensuring that Romero’s record will never be broken.

We spoke with the clearly stoked teen just a few weeks after he returned from his historic adventure, covering everything from the origins of his dream to what challenges he hopes to tackle next.

When did you first become interested in climbing, and what was the appeal?

I first got interested in climbing when I was 9 years old. In the fourth grade, I walked down my school hallway and saw this mural of the Seven Summits. It fascinated me, and it was something that I wanted to study more of. I thought, “What would it be like to stand on top of these mountains?” The first one we wanted to climb for sure was Mount Kilimanjaro.

Before we reached the top we had no intention of climbing the 7 Summits, but when we got there we said, “Alright, let’s just go for them all!”

How did climbing Kilimanjaro fire your imagination?

The climb was beautiful! We spent 4 days climbing the mountain on the Umbwe route. It was a fun climb, but I was only 10 years old and I was definitely suffering. I’m sure if I went back with a different perspective and a different level of fitness it would be a bit easier. It was tough then: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Did you get to spend any time traveling in Kenya and Tanzania before or after the climb?

Yeah, I got time to spend with the Masai warriors and we also got to see the Ngorongoro Crater as a bit of a side trip. That place is just mind-blowing.

Obviously this is not a one-man operation. How did you, your dad and your stepmom work together on this dream of yours?

Karen and my dad are professional adventure racers, so they have a background of being up in the mountains in some hairy conditions and situations. My dad is a critical care paramedic who specializes in high altitude medicine, and Karen handles most of the logistical details. So I felt like they were well prepared to take me under their wing and to coach, train and educate me about what I need to wear and how I need to prepare physically and nutritionally. It worked out well.

Talk to me about climbing Everest. Did you have any fears or concerns beforehand? What were the biggest challenges of

preparing for it?

Everest was definitely the highlight of the Seven Summits.

You feel like you’re standing on top of the world, and it’s just a magical feeling to be up there together as a family. We worked pretty hard on the mountain, both before and after training.

We spent 50 days there to acclimatize and to prepare ourselves for the summit day. Of course, we’re always taking precautions and were aware that many people have died on the mountain.

But we got up there in good weather on a perfect day. The Everest trip was definitely the highlight of the whole Seven Summits quest.

How did you feel when you heard that China isn’t going to issue any more climbing permits for kids under 16, virtually ensuring that your record will remain unbroken?

I didn’t really have much of a reaction. If my record were to be broken I seriously would not care. We were out there for the experience and for the fun of doing it together. I guess it is a cool feeling to think that my record probably won’t be broken, but you never know. If someone does break it, I’ll be proud of the kid who’s able to do it. If any kid were to climb Mtount Everest, I’d highly recommend them to be well prepared. Honestly, I don’t recommend that just any kid should go for it.

What was it like when you reached the summit of Antarctica’s Mount Vinson in December, completing your historic Seven Summits quest?

It was a different feeling than Everest. It was more of a feeling of accomplishment because we had finally done all of the mountains. It was an awesome feeling to be up there, but of course as soon as we got up there it’s like, “Dad, it’s pretty cold! Take a couple pictures: We’re going back down!” That’s always how it is. But the view was definitely beautiful. I loved Antarctica, because the whole continent is such an amazing untouched land mass.

How do you respond to critics who say teenagers shouldn’t be allowed to do dangerous stuff like this?

I try to use that negative energy as a positive push to show them that what they’re saying is wrong. I proved them wrong, because we were successful. Now that we’re finished, we don’t even notice it, except through some of the emails we get. But there are always going to be haters.

Now that you’ve completed your quest, have you given any thought to what you want to do next?

The thing I always want to keep working on is inspiring kids to find their own Everest, and to be goal driven and live a healthy lifestyle. We’re also doing the B.I.G. Tour, where we’ll be traveling the U.S. this summer and speaking to many schools, companies and clubs. That’s what we’re focused on right now, but we’re always interested in more adventure. I really want to go to Antarctica again, which is totally my paradise. I love it with a passion! I also want to get down to the South Pole, and go back to Kilimanjaro to climb it again and do a benefit there to help build schools. And I want to go back to the Himalayas and do some trekking, climbing and skiing there. I’m really excited for anything that involves snow, rock and ice...

OUtdOOrs

AltAmAhA RiveR Bio-ReseRve

The Wonders of Nature are just a Short Drive Away

a

ltamaha RiveR BioReserve - Where the river meets the sea, and where spring comes

PG 26 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

early. The altamaha River flows freely for 137 miles before emptying into the atlantic ocean. along the way, the river winds through bottomland hardwood and longleaf pine forests, historic rice fields and cypresstupelo swamps. The river feeds into one of the highest quality and most expansive estuarine and salt marsh system in the world. home to more imperiled species than any other river system in Georgia, the lower altamaha River system harbors more than 120 rare or endangered plant and animal species. This includes the largest southern populations of atlantic and shortnose

sturgeons, seven species of freshwater mussels found nowhere else in the world, and the only known example of an oldgrowth longleaf pine-black oak forest. Plus witness eagles, osprey, dolphins, alligators and manatee in their natural habitat. The Nature Conservancy has worked to protect over 100,000 acres of the lower altamaha basin. altamaha Coastal tours, located on

Darien’s historic waterfront, can help you experience “...one of the last Great Places on earth”. tours allow you to see ancient cypress and paddle through old abandoned rice plantations. altamaha Coastal tours has kayak tours, rentals and shuttles available to enjoy Georgia’s mightiest river, the altamaha. visit www.altamaha.com for more information.

MUSIC

BORN TO BE…

The Wild Proves That Atlanta Is Capable of Rocking, After All

BY JOHN B. MOORE

A

TLANTA HAS ONE OF THE biggest music scenes going right now, which is great if you’re a hiphop, rap or R&B artist. If you happen to be in a folk-punk band, however, the spotlight is just a little dimmer.

Regardless, if you do a little digging you’ll find this small subgenre of talented bands plugging aw ay and creating some tremendous songs. Among the best is The Wild, a musical collective that’s not afraid to toss in a tambourine or banjo every now and then. Through word-of-mouth, pop-punk legend Joe Queer heard about the band and offered to produce their last record.

The Wild’s latest effort, the aptly titled album A Collection, includes hard-to-find and out-of-print singles, EPs, splits and a few live tracks. Singer/guitarist/harmonica player Witt Wisebram spoke recently about the band, their connection to Mr. Queer and playing folk punk rock in Atlanta.

The first time I heard about you guys was from Joe Queer. When did you realize he was a fan of the band?

We actually didn’t know Joe Queer before we started working on ‘Set Ourselves Free.’

We had heard through a friend’s band that he was living in Atlanta and had just opened a recording studio and was looking for bands to record. I got his e-mail address and kept retyping the e-mail for three or four days, because I was really nervous about contacting him. I had been listening

to The Queers since I was 10 years old, and I couldn’t believe that I had Joe’s e-mail address; that he might record our band, and I really didn’t want to sound like an idiot, so I kept erasing and rewriting the e-mail. He wrote back with his phone number, so that was crazy, and I called him up and we made plans to make the album.

The Atlanta rock scene tends to get overlooked in favor of hip-hop. What is it like playing indie-rock in Atlanta?

Atlanta is a really interesting and frustrating place to be in a rock band. There is a big garage rock scene with bands like The Black Lips and Deerhunter doing really well, but I think on the national level, that Atlanta is known for Hip-Hop. That being said, there is a really awesome punk scene in Atlanta. It’s just pretty small. We play bigger shows in other cities like Lexington, Birmingham, and Richmond, but there is a lot of excitement about the punk scene and people are really loyal and put in a lot of work to make sure there is an alternative to the corporate driven music side of Atlanta.

We have always felt supported by our local scene, and we have tried to give back to the scene however we could.

Can we talk a little bit about the band’s history?

The Wild has been a band for about three years. We’ve actually had a lot of lineup changes in that time, but it has been awesome having so many great people and musicians bringing their perspective and

ideas to the band. I think everybody that has ever been a part of the band has changed the band a little bit, and so we wouldn’t be what we are today without them. Some of The Wild’s first songs were songs that I wrote during a period when I was touring as a solo acoustic folk act. I got really tired of it and was thinking about just giving it up, but I met our original drummer, Kylee, at a house show in Atlanta and we just started playing those songs with drums and added in bass and other instruments, and it gave them new life, and we were all really excited about the sound we came up with. Then we started working on new songs and everything just clicked. There have been a lot of ups and downs with the band, but I think we’ve learned a lot from all of it. We’ve always done things exactly how we wanted to and tried to make people feel better with our music, and I think that is what is important to all of us. The line-up we have now feels amazing, and we’re really excited to keep touring and writing together.

A Collection is pretty diverse. Has the band’s sound changed much since you first started?

I don’t think any of us have noticed our sound changing a bunch, but it is kind of hard to have an objective opinion about that. We really just write songs that we are excited about and that we think sound good. I think bands get boring when they feel stuck to a certain thing… musically, lyrically, or otherwise. We definitely made a

WE REALLY JUST WRITE SONGS THAT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT AND THAT WE THINK SOUND GOOD. I THINK BANDS GET BORING WHEN THEY FEEL STUCK TO A CERTAIN THING…

conscious decision to keep the EP’s, splits, and other stuff together on A Collection instead of breaking them up and sequencing them differently. Writing cohesive albums is really important to us, and the songs on A Collection are meant to be heard in sequence and context with other certain songs.

Whether it’s a split or an EP or an LP, we want them to be complete pieces and not just a bunch of songs that don’t have any concept backing them up.

What’s next for the band?

Right now we’re just focused on getting the new album written and recorded. We have a really exciting tour coming up this winter. We will be doing a couple of weeks with Portland, Oregon’s The Taxpayers, New Year’s Eve with Against Me! and Fake Problems, and a couple of weeks with The Queers. We’ll probably tour pretty heavily once the new album is done.

O BROTHER

Larry & His Flask Find Success By Switching From Punk to Bluegrass

BY JOHN B. MOORE

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ARRY AND HIS FLASK COULD HAVE EASILY lived out the rest of their career as just another punk rock band touring the small clubs in their RV, but a mid tour change of plans led to the band’s reinvention as one of the best bluegrass/punk rock hybrids… well ever.

Formed in Oregon in 2003 by brothers Jamin and Jesse Marshall, the band played straight-up punk rock for years. In the middle of a US tour a couple of years ago, the band’s drummer announced suddenly that he was leaving the band. Most groups would’ve simply found a new drummer and soldiered on, but Larry and His Flask opted to completely revamp the band – from instruments to sound. Guitarist Ian Cook took over on the microphone, while former frontman Jamin Marshall moved to the drums. Dallin Bulkley (guitars), Kirk Skatvold (mandolin) and Andrew Carew (banjo) were all recruited, and Jesse Marshall started playing a standup bass.

With the new instruments came a new sound– a stew of bluegrass, punk and folk. Fellow musical hybrids Dropkick Murphys took the boys out on tour and introduced them to the rest of the world. All That We Know, their new CD, is their latest calling card. Cook spoke with us recently about the band’s evolution.

To the uninitiated, how would you describe your music?

That’s always the hard one. I would say it’s like a barn party while the barn’s burning down.

Do all of you share similar influences?

We all do. We come from the same original school of punk rock and now, of everything. Collectively, we tend to get into things at the same time because we are around each other so often. It’s hard to not be into the same things together.

Because your music can appeal to different crowds, have you ever found yourself on a tour where you guys just weren’t a good match with the other bands and their fans?

More often than not we’re not a good match with a lot of things, but it always works. We’ve never really been out of place. We’re definitely different than the bands we tour with, but the energy is the same so it translates well.

What prompted the decision to change the band up not too long ago (switching instruments, adding members, etc.)?

We lost our original drummer, when we were the punk rock version of the band, and on tour in Canada, he left soon after that, which was also hard because he’s one of our best friends. We decided to break it all down back to acoustic and see what happened. I had a few songs written, and we converted a few songs from our old stuff and just had a big jam session, and people would come out and jam with us. We had as many as 11 people playing together including a cello and accordion, two mandolin players at once time, it was crazy. We just wanted to involve everyone we knew at first. When we started the constant touring it condensed down to six members who could tour and wanted to, and it’s been rolling ever since.

How long have you been working on the songs that made it on to All That We Know?

Some of the songs are really old songs, like “Land of the F(r) ee” and “I’ll Be Gone,” we’ve been playing them solid for almost the entire time we’ve been doing the more acoustic version of the band, something like 3-and-half years. They’re songs I had written way before we even started doing the acoustic stuff. And some of the songs are brand new, one of the songs wasn’t even fully written yet and we had to finish writing it in the studio. So it ranges, from 3-and-a-half years to very, very new.

What was it like working on that record?

It felt good because we had spent so much time concentrating on touring that we overlooked doing a full-length record for a long time. People were asking us about when we were going to put one out all the time. We felt a lot of pressure but it was a good pressure, so when we were in there it was super exciting. It had been so long since we’d all be in the studio. It was an awesome experience, just really fun.

As a band that’s been at it for awhile now, are you surprised at how quickly things have been moving for you guys in the past year or two? What do you attribute that to?

I am surprised. I would have to attribute that solely to the Dropkick Murphys for helping us so much when they asked us to do that tour with them. Those were the biggest shows we’ve played, ever, and it was huge for us in terms of the popularity of the band and getting our name stuck in everyone’s head. It was the big thing that kicked everything else into gear and since then it’s been getting better and better. We’ve been trying to tour our asses off so we can get it all out there.

What else is next for the band?

Lots of touring! And hopefully we want to try to get an EP out as soon as we can, within the next six months or so to give everyone more music. But that’s just talk right now. We’re still trying to put it together and working on new songs. Possibly we will tour Europe in January as well. insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 27

MUSIC

COME FLY WITH ME

You’ve Only Heard the Half to America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.’s rags-to-riches story

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

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HERE’S A LOT TO ADMIRE about the Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. story. For starters, the former basketball star-turned homeless teen-turned West Virginia car washer never gave up, even when times were at their lowest. For two, the man who’s always had the voice of gold followed his dreams of jazz singing professionally all the way to an America’s Got Talent audition in New York. And three, the Sinatra sound-alike overcame NBC’s bright lights and AGT’s stiff competition to score a $1 million prize and a headlining act in Vegas. But there’s even more to Murphy’s amazing story than that –He’s got a new album, That’s Life, and an unbelievable charitable side- and we’re just thankful he decided to share it all with us.

Before appearing on America’s Got Talent, what were some of your dreams?

You know, to go the NBA, obviously. Everybody wants to be like Mike. I’ve had a lot of dreams, you know. I wanted to be an architect. I wanted to be an astronaut. I’ve never wanted to be president, but I’ve also cut hair and things like that. I always wanted to be a barber and own my own barber shop and things like that. And then also just being an entertainer in the music industry. I wanted to be a rapper. I wanted to be a singer, a dancer.

Okay, you were all over!

Yeah, I mean, everything, man. Nothing is unquestionable, man. You’ve got to think outside the box. [I thought] “What can I possibly do to make my life better?” and that is basically what my dreams were. I dreamed really big.

How close were you to accomplishing any of those things?

I was close to a lot of them. You know, life throws curve balls at you. I wanted to play sports a lot, but once I got to like high school and I started to see the politics in sports, you know, in school, it kinda took the love out of the game for me. So, I went to street ball after that. You know, the whole And-1 thing and playing in street tournaments and church leagues and things like that.

So, you can hoop!?

Oh yeah. I get my ball on.

Did the West Virginia Mountaineers try to recruit you?

Uh, no! I wish they would have. But at the time, you know, I grew up half of my life in Detroit City. I was born and raised here in Logan, West Virginia until I was 11. Then my mom moved me to Columbus and then back here, and then we moved out to Detroit. So, I didn’t get back here until like ’99 and I started doing charity and singing in all these charity events to raise money for the less fortunate and things like that. Doing something here in my home town. And it blew up, you know. I started getting recognized and getting in the papers. Then I took that to the point where I put my own band together and we started touring throughout West Virginia and doing pretty well.

Then that fell apart, so, you know, I had nothing again. Then someone robbed me and I was like, “Wow, this is like really crazy now.” After that, I had next to nothing, so a voice told me you just need a bigger stage. At that time, AGT’s commercial came across my TV screen. I ran in the other room, got on the computer, signed up, went out there to New York, stood in line that day from like, I guess, 5:30AM to about 5:35 or 6:00PM—and that was just getting in the building. Once I got in the building, man, I stood there for another three

PG 28 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

or four hours, so I didn’t audition until about 9:30 at night or something like that. Then they sent me home. I came back home, rested and they flew me back out to do the live taping and the rest is history.

What was your first big purchase, man, after you won?

I bought a pair of Jordans, man. Yeah, I bought the new Jordans. The ones with the air bubble from the back to the front because I’ve never seen a pair of Jordans come out like that. And I really like Jordans. So, that is what I bought, man. I bought that and then I started two corporations in my name so that way I don’t blow my money. So, everything is getting paid for. Make sure all my taxes are done. Basically, I’m just living, man, day to day just being myself and knocking out these shows and keeping my feet on solid ground.

Sounds like you are making some smart decisions.

I’m guessing you’ve got a strong team beside you.

Oh yes. I’ve got two guys from my hometown that I’ve known since childhood. You know, we’ve got a whole team put together, Team Landau, and we doing things now. We’ve got a whole lot of stuff going on, and a whole lot of charities that we are giving to, and I’m making a living for me and my family and everything’s good.

Which charities?

The Salvation Army, United Way, and then I’ve got Children’s Home Society and the Charleston Boys’ Choir. We have a lot of things lined up.

A lot of folks make their mark, shake Nick Cannon’s hand on the AGT stage and they might forget about the less fortunate.

Oh, no. I was the less fortunate. You know, I used to be homeless, man. And then, the robbery part, where they took all my clothes and everything out of my house. I mean, I’ve been less fortunate. I know how it feels. Just to have this blessing placed upon me, the last thing that I could possibly do is not give back, you know. That would just be terrible, you know, to my soul and to other people that could use it.

Okay, now, Landau, I’ve been scratching my head for months, man. How does a black dude who grew up in Detroit and West Virginia fall in love with Rat Pack?

You remember Motown 25? I used to watch those with my mom and on there they would always give a shout out to Nat King Cole, you remember that?

Yeah, yeah.

One of his songs that they would always play on there would be like “Mona Lisa,” and that’s my mom’s name. So, me and my brother were, like, teasing her and singing that Nat King Cole song, like “Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa.” You know how that song goes? And then, from that point on, I started really just liking that style of music. But then, you know, we would all run in the house to watch In Living Color or Married, with Children, and Married, with Children’s theme song was “Love and Marriage” by Frank Sinatra. So, if you watched the show every day, every time it came on, you had to just sing that song. I caught on to that. So, all of my friends started, like, really liking to hear me sign it, just messing around with people and things like that. Once I turned 21, I was signing, like, all of those songs. You know, “Fly Me to the Moon.” I started singing “Fly Me to the Moon” just to trash talk on the basketball court, like if dunked on somebody, I was like, “Fly me to the moon…” and back peddle down the court. Something like that. And a lot of guys, they would laugh. But then

they would always come back to me later, like, “Man, you can really sing that song. Man, you gotta go down to this club” or something like that. So, a few of my friends were taking me to these bars and these pub clubs. Some are in the suburbs, some are in the hood. Just random places. And I would go in and sing “My Way” or “New York, New York” or “Fly Me to the Moon.” And people would just applaud and really appreciated it or wowed or moved from just seeing me standing there singing it, you know? It was like “Wow.” I’ve been doing charity from that point on, just raising money for the less fortunate and doing shows.

And that’s one of the craziest things, the whole dynamic of a dude with dreads doing this. It’s a beautiful thing.

Right, exactly. That was the wow. That that is the wow moment. I mean, to pick a show like AGT was like a perfect thing for me. That’s why I didn’t go on like American Idol or a place like that. I wanted to sign the songs that I wanted to sing, and they allow you to just be yourself. They don’t want to change you in any kind of way. They just want to know what you can do in 90 seconds that is going to make me stand to my feet. That is why I picked that show, man.

What’s been your proudest moment through the whole journey?

My proudest moment was just going and making it happen. You know, just going out there, getting on the airplane and flying over there and just walking out on that stage. That was like my proudest moment. And then, you know, to let my kids see me do it also was another proud moment.

After I flew them down there and they got to see the behind-the-scenes things and how TV works and, you know, just all of those things. You can combine it all up until now, you know, but I’m just so happy, man, that I just went out and did it. And never gave up. I’m beyond proud.

Why didn’t you give up? What kept you going?

Just, you know, people doubting me. People doubt you to your face. Some of them doubt you behind your back. But, I mean, just all of those doubts when you know you can do it. When you’ve seen it in people’s eyes. I’ve been on stages before. I’ve performed in front of people before, so it’s just like I’ve seen that look in people’s eyes.

I’ve heard the comments. I’ve gotten the thank yous and the hugs and the photos and all of these things before I even got on AGT, but for people to still doubt you and say, “Aww, you’ll never do that.

You need to go get a job,” or “You’re just wasting your time” or “You’re too old” [inspired me]. But there are shows out there like AGT, whether you’re young or old, [it doesn’t matter]. I mean there is a lady on there who was stripping.She had to be about 90 or so. And then an old lady that was tap dancing. I mean, I saw a lot of people and they all believe in their talent and they are not going to let anybody stop them from doing it. So, I’m just like them. Fortunately enough for me, I came out on top and I won, but a lot of them, even the ones that got kicked off the show, they actually really, really, truly believe in their dream. And all of those kids.

POPLYFE, Silhouettes—all of them. Everybody had a dream.

Silhouettes was awesome.

Aww, yeah, man. That’s why it was so, like, really hard for me at that moment, because at the time when I won it was the little girl’s birthday. She has diabetes. Yeah, it was her birthday the night that I won, so that was why I was like it’s a bittersweet moment. Because you see the dreams in these kids’

eyes. And you see the desire in their faces. And even POPLYFE, when they played a trick on us and put us on the stage together to make it seem like I was going home and we both ended up winning.

It’s just an emotional moment, you know, how everything worked out. It was like an emotional roller coaster, though, because you can’t really celebrate your win when you are standing next to kids who just lost.

But you handled yourself nicely up there, man.

Yeah, I had to man. I wanted to do the James Brown split when I won. You know, for real. Man, I really did. I really wanted to just show the world that I was very, very, very happy, but I couldn’t because, you know, I’m standing next to those guys.

How was the headlining gig?

Sold out for three nights. That was a fun moment too, because I got to get back with the top 10 finalists. They came out there and helped me do the show, but I was the headliner. It was a great night.

We sold out all three nights at Caesar’s Palace.

Landau, how is the rest of your year going to play out?

We are doing shows that I’ve got set up that my team set up for me. I’ve got a couple of events coming up. I’ve got the Super Bowl. And just doing a lot of things, you know, trying to give back as much as I can and then start hitting the studio and get ready to bring out my next album. It’s just all flying, man.

Is the next album going to be more covers, or originals, or a mix?

I’m trying to do the next one all original, you know. I might have two cover songs on there, just to do a duet with somebody, or just give back to the old school. But this [next] round I really want to do my own songs.

Veterans Helping Veterans If you are a veteran and served as part of the OIF or OEF mission, we need your help.

W

10. KYLE LOWRY

The Houston Rockets are playoff contenders, not because of one star and a bunch of supporters, but because of a bunch of almost stars, led by the plucky Lowry (14 points, eight rebounds and six dimes per).

All tests and procedures will be conducted at Emory University and Emory Briarcliff Campus.

9. CHRIS BOSH

For more information or to see if you qualify for the study please call Stacy Ladd at (404) 712-2014 or email adeshay@emory.edu.

Compensation will be provided for your participation.

BY B. LOVE

STEP 2

M

ANY MEN SEEM UTTERLY clueless about how to delight their darlings on Valentine’s Day. But they don’t call me Dr. Love for nothing: These simple steps will have her begging for a kiss (and more) in no time!

7. CHRIS PAUL

Coming into Los Angeles with more hype than The Avengers, Paul has been a superhero in Staples Center, scoring at an amazing clip (nearly nine assists a night) and dishing the rock with out-of-thisworld consistency (19 ppg).

STEP 1 STEP 4

6. KEVIN LOVE

STEP 3

Most of the players mentioned here, understandably, are on winning teams. But when you’re having the kind of stat-stuffing season that the Minnesota power forward is (25.5 ppg, 13.5 rpg), you demand an exception be made.

5. DERRICK ROSE

STEP 2: THE APÉRITIF

Let’s be honest: You don’t have time or energy to pamper her the way you should. Every once in a while every woman loves to be spoiled, which is why I’ll be treating my lady to the ROMANCING THE STONE COUPLES’ MASSAGE from Spa Sydell (spasydell.com). The hot stone massage offers a perfect balance of relaxation, romance and rejuvenation, and since it’s for couples you both get

KOBE BRYANT

While his numbers are pretty much on par with his usual output (22 points, eight rebounds), Aldridge’s responsibilities have increased. But even with the added pressure, the athletic giant shows up every night, keeping Portland in the hunt.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

STEP 3: THE ENTRÉE

Who else do you think has kept the Heat scorching while Wade’s nursed injuries all year? Oh right, LeBron. Well, Bosh (20pts, 8 boards) has been the other guy. It’s just amazing that the third-best player in Miami may actually be the ninth top player in the League so far.

8. LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE

COLUMN

Valentine’s Day is on Tuesday, meaning your lady will likely be coming off of a hard day at work. No matter how grueling her grind, it’s hard to resist a tasty cocktail, especially one with chocolate. My gal loves Van Gogh’s new RICH DARK CHOCOLATE VODKA (vangoghvodka.com), which has notes of coffee and nutmeg, with a spicy finish. Try mixing 2 oz with ½ oz of Vanilla Vodka and 1 oz of Butterscotch Schnapps to create a Milky Way Martini that will definitely take the edge off.

LEBRON JAMES

E ALL KNOW THE NBA All-Star Game (February 26 in Orlando) is nothing more than a high school student body election for millionaires. The cool kids with the snazziest buttons win while the nerds with the innovative recycling programs finish a distant third. Here at INsite, we’re tired of the Carmelos, the D-Wades and other popular guys getting all the shine, so at the season’s halfway mark, we’ve decided to officially list the top 10 NBA MVP candidates, some with buzzy names, others with brilliant, quiet games. All deserve your vote, or at least your attention, the rest of the year.

If you do have severe stress related to the war, such as flashbacks, sleep disturbance, memory loss, feeling detached or easily angered you may qualify for another part of the study. Please call or email us.

I’ve yet to meet a woman who does not love chocolate. But not all chocolates are created equal.

Ditch the Whitman’s Sampler and dazzle her with SUGAR-COATED RADICAL CHOCOLATES (sugarcoatedradical.org). They’re hand-made, fair trade, and come in flavors such as Cumin Spiced Pecan, Tobacco & Toasted Hazelnut, and Alderwood-Smoked Sea Salt & Almond. She’ll get that you appreciate the finer things, and the intrinsic complexities of a woman.

TOP 10 NBA MVP CANDIDATES

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

Dr. J. Douglas Bremner at Emory University is conducting a research study to examine how Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may affect memory and learning. We are looking for veterans who served in OIF or OEF and do not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

STEP 1: THE APPETEASER

SPORTS

the benefits. Whatever you plan to propose at the end of the night, this will get her in the mood.

STEP 4: JUST DESSERTS

If you’re ready to take things to the next level, remember the old saying: It don’t mean a thing if she ain’t got that bling! After 3 years, I recently surprised my lady with a simple but sparkly ring made from reclaimed metals. WORTHMORE JEWELERS (worthmorejewelers.com) has the city’s biggest collection of eco-friendly fine jewelry, including some amazing George Sawyer-designed wedding and commitment rings cool enough to send any gal over the moon. Pop one of these on her finger and she’ll soon be eating out of your hands… Happy Valentine’s Day!

D-Rose’s brilliance can be summed up in one telling quote after his Bulls’ recent loss to the Heat: “This is so surreal right now knowing that I had a chance to win the game. And this time it didn’t work out.”

Mind you, the soundbyte came after the man scored 34 points.

4. DWIGHT HOWARD

Will he leave or won’t he? Seems like Howard trade rumors are the sports world’s daily headliner, when the morning paper should probably read something like this: “Dwight goes off for 24 and 14 again in Magic win.”

3. KEVIN DURANT

If you’re in the cluster of NBA fans who

insist the smooth Oklahoma City star is the league’s best player, we’re not going to argue with you, the Thunder’s impressive record or the fact that KD scored 20+ in 13 straight January contests.

2. KOBE BRYANT

If the sometimey Lakers had a bit more overall offensive consistency (and a few more wins), we would have considered Kobe for the No. 1 spot. But seeing as how his individual consistency has been unquestioned (four straight games of 40+ last month), he has little competition for this slot.

1. LEBRON JAMES

Where do you begin with King James this year? On the defensive end, he’s an absolute vacuum for the ball. In transition, he either races to the hoop or easily finds the open man. And in the half court, you can almost see Miami opponents’ teeth chatter when the Spalding’s in his hands. insiteatlanta.com • February 2012 • PG 29

INTIMACY Starts Here!

FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up SPORTS

FANATIC A Monthly Sports Wrap-up

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

Now that SUPER BOWL XLV is over, football fans can get to the real issue: Will there be a 2011 season? If you let NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tell it, a new BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS collective bargaining agreement is imminent. But listen to “As trainer, OK; say heit’was othersa close to theAngelo situation was and they’ll s notgood, such a but not great.

But as a cornerman, was sure thing.

While officials work out the numbers,heFanatic knows three thingswas that’llnever happen,anybody lockout or nonearly lockout:as 1) great.

There An SECasdefender (Auburn’ s Nick FairleyHe’d or LSU’pick s Patrick good he was in the corner. up Peterson)during will be thethe No.round, 1 pick in the 2) An 18-game things heDraft; communicated season will be approved; 3) Super Bowl XLVI kick-off very well with his fighter in will between as planned on Feb.nobody, 5, 2012 in Indianapolis. rounds, and and I mean nobody,

ever could motivate a fighter during a fight a better player now than I was three ago, as“I feel welllikeas Angie. ” –Promoter Bob years Arum, because I think that BOXING physically I’m stronger, mentally ICONfaster, ANGELO on legendary I’m more motivated the court.

I know to react in1 DUNDEE, whoon passed away onhow February

certain moments, and I know how to play on a big stage.

I have been more focused andthe dedicated sportNBA than 2012 is shaping up as “Yeartoofthethe I have ever been before.” -2011 MEN’S AUSTRALIAN ROOKIE GUARD.” In fact, of Fanatic’s OPEN WINNER NOVAK DJOKOVIC

10 most impressive first-year players, the top seven aremylil’contract, guys.myHere’s thewaslist: 1) “When I signed main goal to earn Kyrie Irving, Cleveland; 2) Ricky Rubio, it. Once I started to realize I wasn’t earning my money, I Minnesota; 3) Kemba Walker, Charlotte; felt bad. I was making a crazy amount of money for not 4) MarShon Brooks, New Jersey; 5) Iman even pitching. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I Shumpert, Newthose York; 6) again.

Brandon Knight, didn’t want to have feelings ” –GIL MECHE, Detroit; 7) Isaiah Sacramento; 8) 32, who retired instead ofThomas, taking a guaranteed $12 million Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; 9) Jimmer to pitch for Kansas City this season Fredette, Sacramento; 10) Chandler Parsons, February,Houston. of course, marks the NBA’S halfway point.

With that landmark also comes Fanatic’s midseason

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(770) 499-2284 850 Northside Dr. (404) 607-7176 7855 Roswell Rd. (770) 677-9650 932 Montreal Rd. (404) 298-6663 1023 W. Peachtree St. (404) 815-9622

GWINNETT 6073 Peachtree Pkwy.

Norcross, GA 30092 (770) 209-9588 NORCROSS 5110 Jimmy Carter Blvd.

Norcross, GA 30093 (770) 448-0555 FULTON INDUSTRIAL 4050 Fulton Industrial Blvd.

Atlanta, GA 30339 (404) 472-0201

“St. Louis was fourth in baseball last year in attendance, but only 13th in payroll. In other words the Cardinals have money to burn, and it’s time to light the match. So here’s what you do if you’re St. Louis: Whatever [Albert] Pujols wants, within reason, you give it to him. What’s within reason? No idea. The closest baseball has had to a free agent like this was Alex Rodriguez in 2001, when he received $252 million for 10 years. That was $25.2 million annually, and that was a decade ago. And Pujols is better.”

–CBS SPORTS’ GREGG DOYEL And finally…

Hawaii pays $4 million to host the NFL’s annual Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium… If early estimates are accurate, Super Bowl XLV should be Stub Hub’s top-selling event ever… At press time, the Cleveland Cavs were in the midst of a 1-29 stretch, the NBA’s worst since 1996… If there’s an NFL work stoppage next season, it’s reported that Las Vegas casinos ANGELO DUNDEE would take an $850 million hit on unplaced betting… A record 56 underclassmen declared for the NFL Draft.

Must-See TV 1. NBA All-Star Game 2. Miami at Boston

3. Ohio State at Wisconsin, Pittsburgh at Villanova

5. UNC at Duke

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SANDY SPRINGS 5674-A Roswell Rd. Atlanta, GA 30328 (404) 255-5699

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Tantra: Marietta • 770.499.2284 PG 30 • February 2012 • insiteatlanta.com

“He’s a beast. What can you say? Some of the shots he made, I was like, ‘Wow. Did he just make that in my face?’

A player like that, you have to live and die defending him one on one. If he makes big shots, you have to go to the other end and stay poised.” –New Mexico guard Dairese Gary, on JIMMER FREDETTE, BYU star and college’s leading scorer

FIELDER will likely “[PRINCE] awards: MVP (Derrick Rose, Chicago); Defensiveface Playera of the Year (Dwight Rookie of thestate Year 35% federal taxHoward, rate, Orlando); not to mention taxes. Think about that. Fielder likely will February games to help prepare you for the pay an $80-million tax bill during the next madness of March. These are the five dropnine years. Which is great news. We can everything-to-see matchups this month: 1) improve our roads! We can help the poor. Kansas at Baylor, Feb. 8; 2) Michigan St. at We can build better schools. We can -hold Ohio St., Feb. 11; 3) Duke at UNC, Feb. 8; 4) on now, this would be really revolutionary- Kentucky at Mississippi St., Feb. 21; 5) St. Mary’s at Murray St., Feb. 18.

(Feb. 20, 8PM, TNT) pay teachers and cops what they deserve We don’t know if there will be more celebrities on the hardwood playing or celebrating for a change! And best of all, with apologies And finally… courtside at L.A. ’ s Staples Center. to the Barenaked Ladies, we could buy everybody a monkey. Haven’t you always As of February 2, LeBron James had tallied 15+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in wanted a monkey?” –Detroit Free Press’ (Feb. 13, 1PM, 24 ABC) straight games, good for the fourthJeff Seidel, Fielder’s nine-year, $214acknowledging As much on as Chicago and Orlando fans hate the fact,inthisNBA is probably your 14-yearlongest streak history… million deal with the Tigers Eastern Conference Finals preview. old Lydia Ko became the youngest person While the MISSOURI TIGERS made to ever win a pro golf tournament by taking plenty of headlines by getting WR Dorial the women’s New South Wales Open on January Atlanta Hawks Green-Beckham, theESPN) nation’s No.two1teams highin the (Feb. 12, 2PM, 9PM, The top nation go29… on theWhen road to the very, very school football prospect, to commit on defeated New Orleans (94-72) and Toronto hostile environments.

National Signing Day, these institutions (100-77) in late January, it marked the first had the strongest overall recruiting classes: time in the franchise’s 63-year history it (Feb. State 20, 12PM, 1) Alabama 2) Texas 3) Florida 4) Fox)had won consecutive road games by 20+ Gentlemen, your Jimmie 8) Johnson from winning an unprecedented sixth baseball points…

According to the Topps Florida 5) Ohiostart State 6)quest USCto7)stop Stanford straight Sprint Cup championship. card company, St. Louis Cardinals’ Skip Michigan 9) Georgia 10) Miami.

Schumaker’s 2012 card will show the infamous World Series “Rally Squirrel” and is for Still wondering if CREIGHTON (Feb. 9, 9PM, ESPN) just a piece of Schumaker’s leg, making real? This Having trouble figuring out which big meeting (and another on March 5) goes aitlong in deciding thewayfirst card North ever Carolina to not feature a Indiana teamrights will and show each night? We bragging theup ACC crown. player’s face. are too. It’s a good thing there’s a frenzy of

4. Daytona 500

8654 Tara Blvd.

(678) 610-0195

(Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers); Coach of the Year (Gregg Popovich, San Antonio); Most Improved Player (Kevin Love, Minnesota); Sixth Man of the Year (Jamal Crawford, Atlanta); Most Surprising Team (New Orleans Hornets); Biggest Disappointment (Phoenix Suns).

Top 5 Games This Month

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NEW DINNER MENU BEER & WINE SELECTIONS

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